12 December 2012

Today – Wed 12-12-12


12.12.12 is too rare a date to let it go without a few words.

How has the day passed for Nuri's occupants?

________________________
  

At 8.30 this morning a small group of Form 3 children came around supposedly to do revision in Mathematics before going into Form 4 in less than three weeks’ time. But it ended up much of the time with Pakcik giving advice. They sure need it after so much of their time being wasted over the last three years ; a wake-up call.

Just before lunch time the two of us took a short drive to a new restaurant about seven kilometers away. There was not much in terms of food variety but it was a very clean place, much to Makcik’s approval. Being rather early we had much of the place to ourselves, having ‘lontong’ and some ‘tea tarik’. The owner’s wife was friendly enough to come and sit to talk with us. She seemed to know well the customers having meals then. There was a small group of lecturers from the Teachers’ Institute and a teacher entertaining a group of children, probably to celebrate the end of their SPM examination.

The conversation with the owner’s wife turned more personal. We found out that she is not from Terengganu but her husband is. He works for an agency of the state government. Surprisingly he is a PhD holder and on a number of occasions has been approached by one of the two universities close by. But he has repeatedly turned down the offer to be a lecturer. He sees a better long term future for the family. Aside from running this restaurant the family has also started operating the business popularly known locally as ‘homestay’. Along the basis of the better known English ‘Bed and Breakfast’, the occupants of their ‘homestay’ are given free breakfast of local delicacies, ‘nasi dagang’ and all at the restaurant, a very attractive deal indeed. Seeing a good future in their venture, one of their children, owning a diploma in electronic has been encouraged to join this family business. I am determined that, one day, I will meet the owner of this restaurant whose outlook in life is one that I have a lot to admire. He does not see it of any benefit that his name card should bear the prestigious ‘Dr’.

As I was paying the bill for our simple meal one of the restaurant assistants came around smiling sheepishly to address Pakcik. “Pakcik Hassan kan? Tak cam saya, pernah belajar di Alamanar. ( You’re Pakcik Hassan, aren’t you? You don’t remember me. I used to study at Almanar.)” She is now doing  part-time work while on holidays.  

Daphne Du Maurier's

Short of doing something in the afternoon I found an old copy of Daphne Du Maurier’s REBECCA from my little library. I sat down reading it, getting more and more absorbed in the book which  was one my favourites more than 40 years ago. I am now in the middle of the book and the plot is becoming familiar. How I love reading Daphne’s works, all of which I must have collected; a few are missing after moving houses over the years.   

After our prayers together I am now sitting to write this short posting while Makcik is preparing our simple dinner.

It has been a simple day on this auspicious 12.12.12, unlike other days I have to sweat over groups of underprivileged children who, for the rest of the school holidays, are away from their ‘home’ a kilometer away from us.   
Berkhidmat kerana Tuhan untuk kemanusiaan.

25 comments:

kaykuala said...

Dear Pakcik,
Come to think of it. This is the 'final' in the series. There can't be a 13-13-13. It's a special day today.
It has been quite hectic for me! It started with a 'look-see' at my email after subuh. I then picked up 2 bottles of 'air zam-zam' meant for my M-I-Law who is undergoing treatment at Selayang Hosp. Then off to Tanglin Hosp for Shadah's medical appointment. Had late lunch together with my 2 cucus at a nearby KFC and then rushed to Selayang in time for visiting hours at 1700hrs. Left an hour later for home in time to be caught in the jam that had already built up menacingly. Thus ended the 'uneventful' day to-day. Phew!

Hank

Abam Kie said...

Salam Uncle Hassan. Long time no hear. I am glad to see that u r still alive n kicking! Just kidding.. I feel very devastated after an ex-student of mine was killed in a road accident in UPM! He was hit by a lecturer's car though he got the right of way. BTW, I have started a new blog as my former one got some technical glitches. Do drop by at http://jukdin.blogspot.com. TQ.

ahmad humairi said...

Assalamualaikum,

12/12 adalah hari ulangtahun perkahwinan saya dan semalam adalah yang terakhir untuk siri 12/12/12.

Siri berikutnya mungkin 1/3/13 atau 13/3/13....masa semakin singkat!

Al-Manar said...

Hank,

You had a hectic day on 12.12.12. Hope Shadah is well and your MIL is coiming through well.

I do not know about you but I am more than certain I will not see the next 12.12.12 of the year 2112.It will be a very good date 12.12.2112. Perhaps I should leave a message in a sealed bottle and have it floated in the sea near our home, with a wish that someone will find it in a century's time.

Al-Manar said...

Daddy Zuki,

Indeed I am still alive and kicking! So you have started a new blog. I ceased visisting your old one, seeing a tendency going towards 'x-rated', somewhat offensive to my liking I am sorry bto say.

You must be busy right now correcting SPM papers.

Al-Manar said...

Cikgu Humairi,

Selamat ulangtahun perkahwinan. Semoga dipanjangkan hidup yang berbahagia sekeluarga.

Jangan susah tentang hari baik itu. Seperti saya sebut dalam catatan diatas masih ada 12.12.12 dalam tahun 2112! Kalau tidak ada disini kita akan tentu berada disana. DIA maha kuasa.

No3 said...

Do enjoy the quiet moments before the house gets terrorised by three little (one not so little) rascals this coming monday.

kotastar said...

Sdr Hassan,
Maaf dah lama tak beri reaction kpd sumbangan sdr re. Blog ini. Apa pun sebentar tadii tergerak kerana 2 perkara 1. Rebecca dan penulisnya. Thank you for reminding about this writer she being my favourite too . I think tentu ada buku buku dlm simpanan. 2 Restoran. Semenjak 8 Nob lalu kami pun memberi tumpuan kepada bisnes baru kepada Citarasa TT Gajah. Dan ini pun ditulis semasa di Restoran menunggu time closing. Pl continue to pen down yr happenings Now and before bcause it colors our loves. Salam to both of you and all the

Al-Manar said...

N03,

Mami has been looking forwards to hear ttheir shrieks, shouts and cries.

MamaTim said...

AsSalam Pakcik.. 2 days after Mayan's keramat 12.12.12 (they must be either too disappointed the prophecy tak menjadi; or too glad they have couple more days to live).

Your aged 'Rebecca' reminds me of the my visits to my old school library. Reading in the library or borrowing classics to read at home> it has developed my love for period/historical drama/movies.

It is a nice Jumaat here this morning. May yours be as pleasant and rich too..

Al-Manar said...

Kotastar,

So that is why you hasve not appeared for a while. I would not be surprised, with your enthusiasm, Citarasa TT Gajah will spread its wing to pantai timur. Apart from variety and quality of dishes served, that innovative building with a huge tree breaking through the roof must be a rare attraction.

I notice you have 'renovated' your blog.

Al-Manar said...

MamsaTim,

Rebecca seems to be a favourite of the past. I suppose you acquired the habit from your earlier days overseas.

Zendra-Maria said...

Nothing unusual to report for 12.12.12 Pakcik. It was just another ordinary day... Alhamdulillah.

Siti M said...

Pakcik,
Today's date is pretty too: 1/2/34
(1 Safar 1434) :)

Al-Manar said...

Zendra,

How ordinary is ordinary? You will be surprised how our ordinary lives vary. A telephonne call from Manir Terengganu on 12/12 may be odinary to you but is certainly not to many. And you can tell us all about the good neews from there!

Al-Manar said...

Siti M,

Indeed 1/2/34. How wondeful it is that you can figure this out. Make a wish and pray it will be granted.

ninotaziz said...

Dear Pakcik,

Life rumbles along and everyday, I am thankful for the simple life.

I was working on 12.12.12, and met an old old 'Kolam Air' friend who attended the meeting as well!

Ended the day with bedtime reading for the girls - and hugging them tight - for there has been a lot of misery in this world - we are SO blessed to be in Malaysia.

Now to Rebecca - sigh, such a book that brings nostalgia. I am a Daphne du Maurier fan too, and my old copies (not as old as yours though) have a special place on the bookshelf just under my Agatha Christie section.

Jamaica's Inn, Frenchman's Creek, Britannica Rules, Flight of the Falcon, short stories and more.

Take care, Pakcik.

Al-Manar said...

Ninot,

I would expect a literary person like you to remember Rebecca. Kota Star remembers it and so do others. In sachool those days we had to study The Importance of Being Earnest, a play by Oscar Wilde. And today among old classmates we joke about characters in that beautiful play; as we do with the saying 'Barkis is willing" in David Copperfield.

Alas for the so-called literature components secondary school children are made to read English translation of works by malaysians! Round the World in Eighty Days comes in cartoon form!

ninotaziz said...

Dear pakcik,

I had to come back and comment when I read your penchant for The Importance of being Earnest. I love the play - having read it instead of watching it time and time again, laughing and smiling to myself.

Oscar Wilde was a genius albeit his cynical outlook eof lif(and rather outrageous lifestyle). Sometimes society treats its bright or brightest this way, out of fear or envy, I do not know.

I have often wondered too whether Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca was inspired by Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre...I often imagine DdM reading Jane Eyre as a little girl...

ninotaziz said...

Round the world in Eighty Days in cartoon form? Whose bright idea was that?

Shhheesshhhhh.....

WhiteSabre said...

Salam pakcik
busy as always no matter what the date is..:)

Al-Manar said...

Ninot,

Up in the clouds are too many PhD holders experimenting and trying to reinvent the wheel on education.

Al-Manar said...

WhiteSabre,

I know you are now busy on something of different kind! At least you now can spare some time to call on Almanar. Can we see some pictures of white X'mas?

Malay Muslim said...

Assalamualaikum Tuan Haji,

I am writing because of your mention of Daphne du Maurier. It is so seldom that I meet or read of anyone, especially in this country, who reads du Maurier that it is such a pleasure to know you do enjoy her books too! Have you read her first attempt 'The Loving Spirit'? And yes, there is that wee hint and faint scent of 'Jane Eyre' in 'Rebecca' ...

Al-Manar said...

Malay Muslim,

Waalaikum Salaam.
Today is Feb 16th 2014, and this posting is dated 12-12-12, more than a year ago. You have given some time to browse through this website and, above all, you care to drop a few lines. You do not know wht this means to me. No,perhaps, you will never understand. Let me just say, thank you 'Malay Muslim'. If you feel like giving me a greater pleasure drop me an email - mine is almanar@pd.jaring.my. Do drop by and leave your comments.

The Loving Spirit? I just do not remember. There is no copy of that in my collection today. I can only say, as a matter of habit, if I like a writer I would try to get all his/her works. Right now I have been enjoying books written by a Malay writer whom I know personally. Last week he called to say that his latest book (likely his 20th) had just arrived and asked me to drop by. Within hours I picked it from him and yesterday I rang to surprise him that I had done the 500 odd pages! I am not surprised if that would win him another 'Sako' award.

Diakhiri salaam hormat