Vital Statistics of Iraivan Temple

Some vital statistics of Iraivan temple. You will be a rare `soul' that will have your sponsored floor-stone(tile) being visibly seen by pilgrims from around all over the world and be proud to know Iraivan will stood majestically for another thousand years. ( and more).

DON'T DELAY ! SPONSOR NOW !

http://www.gurudeva.org/

Revisiting A Sprititual Trail & Medical Camp Experience

Sivashantha Medical Camp At Rengam & Sivaprabhananda Swamiji’s Spiritual Awakening Trail

The day was bright and cool and at times sweltering heat. I drove and picked up Sivaprabhnanda Swamiji of TFA (JB) from his `kuttir’’ (Sivanjali Ashram), Bukit Kempas at 9.00am on Sunday (25th May, 2008). We dropped by at a vegetarian restaurant in Kulai and had a light breakfast before taking a driving journey to Rengam. The route starts from turning into a T-junction road, a few kilometers just after Sedenak, heading to Layang –Layang. Layang-Layang is a small old town where once HH Swami Sivananda, founder of Divine Life Society used to serve as a medical practitioner in one of the estates in early 20’s.

I made a slow drive, listening to Swamiji’s past experience narration and his wonderful discourse about divinity as well how he had his ``turning point’’ towards spirituality, meeting HH Swami Shanthanand Saraswathi and finally being initiated to be a `Sanyasin’’. A remarkable transformation had taken place along the ``trail of spirituality’’ from the past, manifested in the present, a one time sportsman became ``full blown Swamiji’’. We are now trailing that path where once HH Swami Sivanda treaded on red mud roads with his old bicycle, serving poor people in Ulu Remis estate.

We passed by Ulu Remis, a small town and palm tree estate where Sivaprabhananda Swamiji was born. Swamiji fondly recalled his sojourns in this estate and noted the house where he was born and early schooling years. The school still proudly stood till today but is now a Chinese school. Swamiji told me that this school was a Tamil and Malayalam school then. I have posted about this estate with photo attachment in my past blog page. Turning life pages back to future, one could hardly believe that another fine young athletic youth from the same place is destined to be in similar footsteps of an incredible spiritual master whom the latter had initiated HH Swami Shanthanad Saraswathi.

This is not an ordinary trail of the past but an extraordinary lineage path, clearly defined, underlined and to be understood as a testimony of how divine nature aligns a tradition or ``Sampradaya’’ in perfect order where no explanation need to be given or analyzed but just to be realized. The divinity of Sampradaya lineage order was long established in `akasha’’then and the happening is now, present. The linage has been a complete circle and shall be set far beyond to be relayed to another equally potent ``sanyasin’’ from same root, sprout out, grow bud and be in this spiritual line to bloom carrying all the missions towards future of the future.

It was not a choice to be clamored but a grand order as natural as it can be, as the yearning of a more matured ``jiva’’ (soul) bolts out from the rest of the flock, the ordinary folks to seek the higher order, leaving least ``vasanas’’ of his past to be worked out amongst devotees while still holding onto an impermanent body case, relinquishing all worldly desires but just focus on fulfilling his ``Asan’s true vision. I am immensely blessed to be a part of that, seeing these wonderful spiritual happenings unfolding before my own eyes. I sensed of how matters of higher nature as this has been made, not to be trivialized or ridiculed because true cause speaks truth!

My slow driving finally reached Rengam township. It is small town, laidback, serene and kept far away from the hustle and bustle of city live. Swamiji asked me to look for a turning trunk road leading a Tamil school just before the Rengam’s fire brigade station. I had over shot, lurking towards Kluang road but recourse to original direction. We reached at the Tamil School at 11.30am. Sivashanta medical team and TFA volunteers were already there serving Rengam folks. Met and greeted some of the team members and TFA personnel’s. I realized how pocket of ``lights’’ emanated from great soul still lingers on as `quanta’’ lighted upon to those who came closer. These are the people who ``engulfed’’ within remnants light sparks, charged up, transformed and continue carrying out past services of their ``master’’ without asking anything in return.

A team of volunteer doctors from Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru discharged their professional duties; meeting, consulting and provide medical assistance, including dispensing medicine to Rengam’s local folks from all walks of life. It was a free medical service. I could intuit the presence of HH Sivananda and HH Shanthanand Saraswathi’s amongst them. Reverend Sivaprabhananda Swamiji had his turn for consultation before meeting ``Gowri Amma’’, a ``brahmacharini’’ initiated by HH Shanthanand Saraswathi. I just enjoyed the serene surrounding of the place, palm tress everywhere. I could smell fresh air. There are plenty of positive ``pranas’’ everywhere; good for body and mind.

The Tamil school headmaster and their teaching staffs were very humble and friendly. Reminds me of people of those days who have that ``innocent heart’’ and devoid of personal ego. Lunch was served at 2.00pm. It was a simple and delicious meal. Similar taste as how my mum used to cook. Dhall curry, sambal tou fu, sweet ginger pickle, cucumber ``acar’’, long beans cooked `` Indian kampong style’’. Doctors went back to consult patients after lunch break. The medical camp activity came to an end by 3.30pm. We bade farewell to KL and JB team before driving down to Kluang via Kluang / Simpang Rengam road.

Sivaprabhananda Swamiji had wonderful experience in this town during his early teenage years. Part of his transformation was direct result from an offer from a friend who had asked Swamiji, ``let's go for a spiritual talk’’. They walked along the railwaytrack and attended the talk. The key talk essence from the session had strucked a sharp and deep penetrating thoughts that leads Swamiji wanting to attain a different kind of desire in life, qenching his spiritual thirst. Swamiji then pondered and decided that he had do something in this life, come whatever reason it may be. The journey has thus just begun. Swamiji’s life took a totally different course and the rest became a history. Meeting HH Shanthanand Saraswathi and receiving the holy order of ``Sanyasa’’, a irrevocable traditional vow to remain celibate, detached life, following a simple vegetarian diet, carrying out vision and mission of his Satguru, being a pole bearer reminding devotees of same sampradaya to be in line/tune with linage practices, guiding, cajoling, persuading and reprimanding if needed to those who toe out of line and goading gently back to original goal – realizing GOD by means of Loving , Serving and Giving. Music acts as a best conduit nevertheless.

The return journey has been equally a wonderful one. Swamiji’s ``mental mind book’’ is no match from that of a person gained intellectual knowledge from books. Thought provoking answers to mundane life happenings and their reasoning’s just matches from that written in the scriptures. The day came to an end after a meaningful past trail re-run. I understood the unfolding events in front of me. My young ignorant mind probably can’t analyze everthing but just can realize something!

Pulsating Carnatic Vocal Rendition

PULSATING CARNATIC VOCAL RENDITION BY SAMPAGODU VIGNARAJA IN JOTIC(JB)

He came! He sang! He conquered! He rendered his voice with such crisp and immense control; finally left the audience dazed; spell bound everyone to a fix for the entire 3 hours duration. What an incredible performance? I may be forgiven for hadn’t seen a whole piece of `Katcheri’’ or Carnatic concert before in my life, here in Malaysia, I mean live concert as we’re scarce in having high quality cultural performance of such stature but the experience I went through on 24th May 2008 at Jotic auditorium was entirely awesome! I must congratulate and thank TFA (JB) for making this a reality.

Even before the event took place, words of accolade and praises of Carnatic singer, Sampagodu Vigraja who hails from Karnataka, India and later recommended to TFA (KL) by the famous violin maestro, Dr. L. Subramanian as vocal teacher were circulated extensively. (See his accolade in my earlier posting). Carnatic vocal renditions are a rarity in Malaysia and often than not, we don’t posses that kind talents as how Sri Vignaraja had and the way he mesmerized the audiences with his par excellent vocal ranges. Hearing live vocal renditions are different as compared to listening/viewing from television or radio. Sri Vignaraja simply took all of us to another `dimension’’ of musical extravaganza accompanied by a team of equally highly talented music professionals; `mritanggam’’, violinist and ``ganjira’’ players.

I confess, I am not a prolific writer nor a critic but just a blogger who though doesn’t have the kind of depth or skill to comment on technical aspect of his singing style or performance, however, judging from my experience and ability to gauge from outside as a sincere audience as well as a vocal student , to a certain degree of my humble knowledge, Sri Vignaraja has painted his singing prowess with such deft execution that sparked up and showers the auditorium atmosphere with brilliant colorful vocal musical fireworks play, akin to a painter that projects his brush strokes on a gigantic ``atmospheric canvass’’ with a magical touch!. Gliding his voice range (octaves) from to the lowest audible notation and to the highest voice pitch, we were `locked’ within his melodious sound entrapment, tossed up and down, and gliding in tune to his reverberating voice.

His remarkable songs rendering technique/flavour compounded with ability to choreograph his voice in such a persuasive manner, aided with action of his body movements on a seated position were equally impressive. I had seen such action only in television before this! Although the auditorium was not in full capacity because many had gone away outstation as the school holidays had just began. The 300 odd audiences nevertheless had a lifetime experience and a magical ears appeasement they will never forget, including me. We had a thrilling evening nevertheless.

Thank You Sri Vignaraja, The professional Instrumentalists and TFA

Note: Stay tuned for more live performances to be organized by TFA (JB) to quench your musical thirst!

I Had A Dream Of JB City

I had a dream yesterday, a big and wonderful dream, `` As I alighted from cool Mass Rapid Transit transport, an interchange Singapore & Malaysia modern train services plying Johor Bahru and Singapore, city center, I noted the gleaming JB city's towering buildings. The alleys were clean, no litters or rubbish strewn everywhere. The welcoming sign board greets `` Welcome To The City Of Joy, Johor Bahru; Your Southern Gateway to Scenic Malaysia''.

As I stroll along Jalan Segget, the beautiful flowers planted along the one way road ``smiles'' refreshingly!Yes, I can't see any beggars prodding drivers or passengers of motor vehicles that are stranded in the not so traffic jammed road to depart a meagre portion of their earnings to them. A major change had occurred to JB, I guessed. The pathways are kept clean and no cigar butts are to be seen except in the rightful place. I entered a restaurant for a ``teh-tarik'' branded as ``teh-tarik 2020'' and surprised to see a notice, warning customers that ``Smoking is prohibited in this premise''. Wow! This is really a surprise and was not the only restaurant that have these signs but almost all places of ``eatery'' had displayed one. I was told by one of the coffee shop assistants that Johor Bahru had enforced this rolling to effect banning smoking in public places.

A short walk along the back ways of Jalan Wong Ah Fook where old buildings (pre-war) located highlights another dimension of ever changing attitude of city folks from all walk of life. The buildings were given a fresh paint coating befitting their era outlook. The most surprising changes that were made to city landscape is the transforming of sungai Segget into a `Venice of East''. I couldn't believe my own eyes when the old ``smelly'' Segget river had a crystal clear water view with `gondolas plying, ferrying visitors and passengers around the city. For a moment ,I thought I was in Venice!

Buses and vans loaded with tourist from Japan, Singapore, Middle East, Europe, India, China and Americas countries arrives for sight-seeing and entertain themselves at all major tourist attraction centres around JB city. JB city welcomes tourist from all over the world! JB city had a major face lift, a financial center, cultural pluralism of all races. The daily show of how the diverse ethnic races lives in harmony and the joy they show in being different, yet think as one city folks! Yes! Malaysia, truly Asia, depicted in every action sense by JB folks!

A colorfully decorated rickshaw and the owner who earns handsomely by rickshaw cycling tourist as well as locals around city center, blaring local, foreign & country songs from his latest mini PA system enlightens and brightens up the already colorful town. The location maps are updated and the bus schedule were so accurate that JB transport system said to be on par with that of Japan! The motor vehicles were driven so orderly and speed limits were adhered without fail. So much so, I could identify the culprit who ``rams'' the accelerator paddle exceeding the speed limit easily, from the rest of the pack, a similar condition I had observed in Japan many years ago.

``I must be dreaming, I thought in my dream''. Is this real? But before more exciting colorful event scenes could manifest, then I was rudely woken up by the ``waltz'' music tone, ringing from my hand phone so early in the morning! I got up in daze to find that that caller called
a wrong number and with an apology!!``Aiyah!, I realised I had a dream.....but then, they said if you dream early in the morning, your dream will come true. Is it true?

A Most Refreshing Town - My Johor//

I felt refreshed too, reading Fauziah Ismail's, My Johor// column ( News Straits Times - 12/05/2008) about Segamat. Head topic: ``A Most Refreshing Town'', she had rekindled childhood years with her mentioning of my rendezvous, as how I'd mailed to her recently. ( also appeared in my blog page here - see archive).

Thank You Fauziah!

(Fauziah Ismail is Deputy Chief News Editor, NST)

Musical Enchantment

Read in today's NST about the upcoming Carnatic music concert as posted in my blog last week (see block archive). For more news /details , please read link below.

Musical enchantment: Reported By Yiswaree Palansamy ( NST, 22/05/08)

http://www.nst.com.my/JohorBuzz

Don't miss this concert!!

New Cineplex & ``The Forbidden Kingdom’’ To Kill My Boredom

New Cineplex & ``The Forbidden Kingdom’’ To Kill My Boredom

I just couldn’t resist myself to venture and survey the new Cineplex built and located in Giant, a hypermarket complex at Kulai, Johor, last Sunday after completing my ``mini’’ shopping. The newly painted Cineplex emits strong chemical odor which engulfs the atmosphere all right. Unlike many curious visitors whom unable to withstand strong smell when they casually dropped by to find out more about this new Cineplex existence, I possibly can’t smell strong enough and either be put off! Thanks to my sinusitis conditions where residue of polyps still covers my smell sensor/receptors.

The Cineplex consist of 8 halls in all but only two are in operation to-date. I decided to test on the quality, sound systems, comfort level and set my own ratings. Each bloc could accommodate 100 people sitting capacity. The sitting chairs covers are hard, made of polyester (PE) sheets. Rate it 6/10 points, spaciousness – 7/10 points, sound system- 8/10 points, Overall, I would rate this Cineplex 7/10! Okla.! No need to drive a long distance to JB city’s Perling, City Square or Pelagi to watch any favorite movies. Now it’s just a few minutes’ away (less than 5 minutes).

Checked out what are the movies ``on’’ for today. They are screening Forbidden Kingdom and Narsia. I decided to try out Forbidden Kingdom as I’d just read the critics/comments in a local daily newspaper. It reportedly had received handsome collection in the first day of world wide Premiere screenings. I purchased a ticket. It shows the movie shall start at 9.00pm, but its only 7.30pm now! While waiting, I decided to go for a ``window shopping’’, an unusual activity to me as I am not an ardent shopper myself. Economic activities in this complex were beehives with retailers and customers, mainly locals and foreign workers.

I went into the cinema at 8.40pm – the person first to go in (hall 7). It was quite. I found my seat, row E, seat number 8. It was a comfortable sitting location overlooking the main screen. ``Not bad after all’’, I thought. No pop-corns and cola drops, just plain ``sky-juice’’ to quench my thirst! The movie starts exactly at 9.00pm. ``Good, timing is followed precisely! For a moment I thought I was in Japan!

Jackie Chan and Jet Li acting in English! What a movie and contradicting acting from 2 polished martial arts experts. It was a superb and excellent movie, nevertheless. I really do enjoy the whole story and the moral depictions. Not to mention, the mesmerizing martial arts scenes of Kung Fu fighting’s and I came to realize what was Kung Fu all about from the inner perspective.

Jackie Chan as the drunkard immortal monk, Jet Li as the calm but failed monk, the American young side kick who learns to ``unlearn’’, a maiden who learns too late to know the consequence of a having revengeful heart. Each one learns lessons of life through an adventure based journey to return a ``magic pole’’ belonging to a heavenly kingdom’s monkey God who had felled prey to Kingdoms’ Jade General due own weakness.

It was a beautiful story set in ancient China. It's kind a combination of modern settings in Chinatown, America and a time travel to the past to return ``magic pole’’ to the owner (Jet Li as the Monkey god’’) & sets him free from a spell castes by the evil Jade General. I went home happily after killing my moments of boredom after watching ``The Forbidden Kingdom’’.

One Laptop Per Child Program.

I chanced to read a wonderful projet of getting one lap top per child (poor) in TAKA ( Today At Kauai Aadheenam, www.gurudeva.org) with the goal quoted, ``Our goal: To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment and express themselves. Good chance to explore further and how it benefits the poor kids around the goble.''

A noble project indeed. Please surf the link below for more info:-

``This little machine is "just so cool!" To find out more see http://www.laptop.org/

“It's an education project, not a laptop project.”
— Nicholas Negroponte
Our goal: To provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore,

Ganga Sadhana

I had a wonderful Ganga Sadhana at Mount Pulai (Gunung Pulai), located just about few minutes drive from where I live, few weeks ago.

The day was bright I couldn't be slighted as the sight of morning sun energizers my adrenalin, top maximum, all right! I decided to take a free toll and stroll all the way to the nearby mountain water fall, just minutes away from home. Enthusiastic friends, youngsters of modern time rang and followed so merrily that they wished could be carried up above without any sad thoughts but dilly-dally with excitement story to be enjoyed and shared back home as sweet as honey comb.

The drive was a breeze with cold wind sleaze as it gazes our skin akin in an air conditioned room. We could just fall asleep without any glib and flip as on a dreamland mattress. The distant sound of water ``flowing down the stream’' is heard and my heart pounded as though to meet ``long lost sweet heart’' , found in that sound. I couldn't resist but smile sheepishly to ``self'' with teary eye but not a full cry.

An uncommon forest bird, beauty I couldn't describe flew by, above my viewing eyes as though welcoming us, long waited guest of the forest reserve rest and to their permanent nest on a high tree rest.Reaching waterfall hill, taking a glancing gaze down the stream, mirror image of self reflects, duplicating exact nature of my feature true self. Stoop low and bow to scoop the cool fresh water with my two palms spread and splashed onto my face and cried in joy like a `child’ in wonder behave!

Starring upon the water surface and seeing my face of exact duplicate, scintillating waves flows as the resonating tiny ripples forming sine waves, breaks that serene water surface and deforms my mirror image. Teasing and pleasing. Splashing water screams to an orchestrated nature sound in original soundtrack where there are no known match that can copy or replay nature's audio play! OH! What a wonderful god’s choreo- play that carried me away to another dimension band. I felt like a clay!

I stood straight in front of the falling water with an outstretched arms. Water pronounced a call, `hug me tight'. Like lovers longing after a long fall, not meeting for a century time. Fibers of rain falls from the sprinkling tiny pearly water chains amazed and encased me to a thousand days in cocoon. I would never wanted another physical life or to reborn. I Plucked tiny orange flowers and few leaves for a `Sadhana’ I intend to perform as a ritual in the forest amidst the fresh aroma while listening to melodious chirping of wild birds and animal calls, echoing right into my cranium, resonating to the depth of my `soul’.

Gently, closed my eyes and dived in to amplify the sound of `Aum’ as the water from the rapid stream splashed and `clashed’ with boulders cleaves and rushes from one and to the next, repeating these patterns of flow towards ocean stream for a final merge! As the `Ganga Sadhana’ begins, my thought process swings again. I gently lay down trains of thought processes on the leaves by way of ``visual mental writings'' as it surfaces from subconscious mind traces before gently let the leaf flow into the moving stream water row. Away it goes taking away fears, worries, anger, jealousy, greed, lust and all negative as well positive thoughts carried by the leaves, leaving crystal clear mind to bind to the `Maker’ and `Nature’ I forever bow in wonder.

I offered a flower to thank the water which represents `Ganga’ river for taking away my ignorance nature and reveal my inner intrinsic `god’ nature. Oh Father! Thee my Maker, take me to You nearer and show me `Dharma way’ without any sway.

Thank You `Master’, My ``Maker''

Note : To know more about Ganga Sadhana, kindly surf http://www.gurudeva.org/ and be a MC student. Online e-learning is also available!

A Concert Of Immortal Songs From The Karnatik Tradition

Hello everyone!
Herewith the e-flyer for an upcoming Carnatic concert by Shri Vighnaraja of TFA KL. This young talented teacher from India gives a whole different flavour to Carnatic music and you must not miss this rare musical opportunity in JB!

24th May 2008, Saturday
8pm
JOTIC Auditorium
Jalan Ayer Molek
JB
Please call or visit TFA JB at 19 Jalan Dapat for invitations.
07-2227400
Please forward this e-flyer to your friends and avail yourself to this musical treat!
Hoping to see you there!
All of us at TFA JB

Sis Jothy of TFA(JB) has forwarded this flyer

Iraivan Floor Stone(Tile) Sponsor - A new Blog Page

An interesting & informative blog spot was created for readers, donors, potential sponsors as well the general public. You can excess to this blog spot easily. Don't forget to forward to your friends, families & contacts.

http://iraivantile.blogspot.com/

Special Tribute

As I was going through some of my old collections of ``thought expressions'', I stumbled an old writing I'd penned for my `godmother'. She is Mrs Naguleswary from Banting, Selangor. I often stayed at her home during my college weekends. I really missed her cooking, especially `tosai' with curry. A lady of little words but with warm and gentle heart, she cares for me and ensures that I studied hard and become a ``good fellow''. She left to ``heavenly abode'' few years ago. I really missed her. Therefore, I recap my dedication of my special thoughts in writings thanking and thinking of her in my own way - Tribute To A Special Mother

Treasure each moment that I have with a special Mother. I don't let another day go by, without saying …..Thank You
And…….I too.. Love You in my own way…..
Sitting by the window pane, I was quite not sane.
Looking at the shiny wall paint, my memory traced back to the past, I’d done for a mother at her sweet home. She was a perfect mother I could wish the God could have graced a boon I could swore to be an ultimate boon to be `cocooned in her `cool womb’.

Her `vadivam’ sways like an angelic `Devika’ beset on a golden celestial throne. Suddenly my heart throbs, tears swells and slowly trickles down lame as the moments of loving and tender days she feeds, with a sweet smile and deep heart moving without asking any return or gain..
Excruciating pain at corner of my heart caves for not seeing Her during `deivika’ body frame for such a long time, shame! I couldn’t forgive this `self’ for not, no matter what the reasons maybe I search to pacify every body cells and the conscious mind brain…

I felt a deep `invincible umbilical cord’, form in the astral plane fused to Her pranic body case that keeps me searching & looking to Her `twinkling’ eyes as well soft `patha’ trail without fail… Oh Mother! I fall on Your feet..Bless & forgive me from the inner worlds…..for I know Your `soul’ never cease, keep coming back until wheel of death/birth charka end in breeze. AMMA looks at us in peace & and away to next life lease… ANBE SIVAMAYAM, SATHIYAME PARASIVAM.
My Anjali

`Matha’ You etched forever in my heart `sruti laya’ …..Ravichandran Ceyon

Lord Nataraja's Vigraha Consecration

Series of photo shots taken during Lord Siva - Nataraja's ``Vigraha'' consecration last Saturday at TFA(JB). I will run the commentaries tomorrow! Meantime bask on the wonderful snap shots taken by Sis Jothy on a ``triple auspicious day'' (Pradosha) as described by Master Shankar.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day To All The Mothers In The World & Specially To My Mother

It was a recent phenomena to my knowledge, Mother's Day is celebrated quite grandly and with huge publicity. An aura of business laced celebration in the air, I would recon, with slight apology! I hadn't heard, in my childhood anything like that! I just embrace and feel comfortable of the notion and physical presence of my dear mother almost all the time except when I'm in school or joining out any outdoor activities. There wasn't any special Happy Mother's day celebration but just experienced my mum being `happy mother all day, every day'' with her children!

She never misses her duty to ensure we (siblings) are taken care and fed lavishly though on a moderate choices - simple but wonderful food. There's no maid of grandma' to babysit all day long. A mere 100% protection veil were imposed on us. This also maketh the modern mums unable to match on amount of quality time spent with children. Mums of yesteryear's makes and takes her days 100% and set their eyes on their kids.

Kids welfare comes first and at all cost. She may have not taken her meal, missed her lunch, was grabbed of dinner food pieces from her mouth by her kids (asking for more), lack food altogether or suffering from fatigue, sick and other ailments; still she cares for her Born's first and foremost! We rarely heard mothers abandoning their offspring's or neglect if their child is ``abnormal'' nor be such abusive/cruel beyond description as how we read in papers in present day. They are however, firm and hard in exercising punishment and reprimanding. The famous quote after getting smacking is, ``It's for your own good and it pains me more than you do''. These usually never last long. Inflicting pains or scars never were or meant to be after all. Just a `strong impression' that will remind us not to repeat in the future.

That's tells many a reason why kids brought up in those days rarely becomes a liability to families or society but a high calibre/productive citizens. She knew, we are naughty kids but just that, nothing else. As we roam to adjacent kampongs, secondary jungles or stroll up in a laid back town, she could know where we will be! We slowly would creep back into house when all ``activity in the house'' are at standstill, an indication she is sleeping or lay down for a nap. That would be the best time to sneak quietly that our steps were so slow and no noise could be heard! We then, would pretend to sleep along , shirts drenched with sweats .

Mum would just make a ``blaring noise'' soon when she woke up. We will just keep pretending to sleep!! Just wait and when the right moment comes, when she finishes preparing evening tea and when the splendid aroma of `karipap goreng'', or ``lepat pisang'', or ``steamed pulut'' or any of the traditional kuih's in the size you could not imagine in this days passes our nostrils. Like zombies walking in sleep, we then tread courageously to the kitchen, see if we could lay our hands and ``wallop'' heart fully! The moment we lay our hand in the basket, she would would just ``tap'' on our hand and chides our ``antiques'' and smiles herself seeing us ``stuffing'' our stomach, as though that we had been starved for so many days!

Of course there were so many incidents and moments of despair, painful, life and death situation conditions she went trough in ensuring we are on right track and be good citizen of the country and be proud of our success or join in the sadness during ``trial periods'' in our lives. We definitely owed her so much and can't be paid in full in our many ``life times''. I know there are millions of mothers out there who are going through many trials, tribulations and challenges in raising their kids for a better future and to be proud as well. There are also fathers who acts as mothers, raising kids single handed. We have to solute them as well. Motherliness too has it's root in man!

To all the mothers out there, wishing all of you `Happy Mother's Day' and Special Happy Mother's Day to my mum in Segamat!

Growing Up - Pain Or Pleasure?

Have you ever wondered when was your most beautiful period of growing up you enjoyed the most? Well! The answer is for sure, are during your childhood or teenage years. To me, each stage of growing up has its best and wonderful memories to be cherished as well to be shared. The pains and pleasures associated with growing up are common to all albeit on a different ``scene’’ and ``plots’’ as according to one’s natural choreograph of life story and ``stage’’ play he/she acted on.

In a nutshell, the world we lived in as we grow was a fascinating and stupendous one. We had never stopped to think what was happening around us. We dwell our mind in the world of wonderlands, magical visions and illusions believing it was all real. In reality, it was real, nevertheless. How come? As the mind conceives the scenes and scenarios of what we are thinking of or dwelled in, the vibration thoughts are real in the natural state / sense of understanding. They’re all locked in our very subconscious mind of make believe. Is it a virtual play? No, it’s a real life play and can be enjoyed as a child. How pleasurable they are? Indeed they’re pleasurable and mesmerizing!

We read story books or were read to us. We listened to ancient world folklores. We get excited to stories of ferries, witches, wizards, goons, ghosts and bizarre creatures of all sorts. We get moved when reading books of tales; literature stuffs such Tom Sawyer adventures, Huckleberry Fin, Tolstoy, Malkudi Days, Hikayats and etc. We get carried away when read story books of warriors, warlords, adventures, outer space travels, beyond our imagination and many more. We get these in many ways and forms. The rich `Sahibs’ get though books and poor `Toms’ by narrative stories or as told by their elders, teachers and by chance.

Whether, we came from a wealthy and rich family or poverty stricken, humbled background, the experience is the same. Much of the pains are from those associated with sickness or seasonal conditions as we grow to adjust to surroundings as part of transformation towards teenage year, then to be an adult. How we felt pain full when our wishes were not fulfilled by our parents. The other pains are mostly from bodily injuries inflicted falling down from trees, fences, steps, being smacked by parents, friendly blows between siblings, bitten by animals or insects and of course the dreaded ``needle’’ every time we visit the ``friendly’’ doctors.

The pleasures of those painful bouts are compensated by our ``innocent ness’’ and forgetting things fast. We just remember the experiences rather holding onto the hurtfulness. A combination of pain and pleasure but more tinged of pleasurable moments. I do cherished those moments. Don’t You? Well, just turn your life pages back and smile to those wonderful moments of pains & pleasures. You just might or will definitely find them more pleasurable!

Whats Cooking Ravi?

I reached home almost at 9.00pm from work yesterday! It's not the traffic factor but the distance. Almost a 80km drive daily (to and fro). The taste of eating out loathed me and can't stomach the same type of foods (vegetarian). Nothing much of variety to fulfill body's nutrients requirements. Just before reaching home, stopped to buy vegetables and spices and cook in my new cooker! ``What to cook?'' my thought pondered a question. `` Emm. OK! Lets try vegetables curry'', twerps my inner voice. Bathed, prayed and quickly set to prepare basic ingredients and sliced vegetables and readied the multipurpose cooker. It turned out pretty good with only one disappointment, the vegetable curry with ``Soo Hoon'' tasted more like ``Curry Mee''. I had wheat based``Pita'' bread instead of rice as accompaniment.

Friends, I am posting a disclaimer here. Never try this recipe by yourself or copy it. Doing so, the risk is solely yours and at your own peril!

My Vegetable Curry With Soo Hoon

(Serving - One person)

3 lady fingers (medium size)

1 tomato

2 small onions

3 clove of garlic

Slices of dried ginger

1 piece of soy tofu

Chinese beans

1 Potato

Spinach seeds

Soo hoon(0.50 cent packet)

Method

Prepare / slice / cut tomato,onion,garlic,dried ginger, beans,potato into small pieces.

Fry all above in heated pan/wok ( I use my multi cooker)

Once ready, remove and keep aside and fry the tofu (slice into cubes)

Remove and now add a little oil the wok(Olive oils is healthy)

Fry the spinach seeds and then add fried ginger,garlic, and onion except tomato, ladies finger and beans

2 table spoons of curry power are added after dilute in water.

Pour and let it boil nicely and then add tomato , beans, tofu and Soo hoon.

Let all ingredients blend and add salt to taste.

Serve while hot and eat at your own peril!! ( ha ha)

``Saving Private Ravi’’ - adapted title of the movie ``Saving Private Ryan’’

The storyline of the above subject rolls around in the private life of Ravi (myself) and NOT `Private Ryan’, the soldier from the US infantry , portrait in the movie set during the second world war acted and directed by Tom Hanks. Incredible movie that last for almost more than 3 hours where a Lieutenant (acted by Tom Hanks) with his platoon were set to track out and bring back Private Ryan who had all his brothers killed in the battlefield. High ranking General ordered his men to bring back Ryan to his family at all cost.

This sets the story of bravery and valor of a platoon in searching and safely returning Private Ryan back home (US). In the end, the very man who leads the search group was killed. He was remembered by Private Ryan as he visits ``fallen soldiers’’ memorial at the finishing shots (also beginning close shots, as he knelled down starring on the Lieutenant’s tomb) and the rolling tears falling as he reminiscent the past in war torn France – the place he was saved.

So, what that got to do with `Private Ravi’? Ha - ha. Nothing, just how sacrifices are done along one life that breathes happiness to many people we came into contact that needs our support and help, but in the end, we too get to accept those hardest things or consequences of such action where seemed hard, tough or drains our mental, physical and emotional state but ironically, were not remembered at all or just be a passing experience. How one looks at life and the way we perceive those challenges thrown to us that comes in many forms as just an ` experiential learning’ to be accepted without any cringe.

Our extension and the feeling of knowing the pains and pleasure of others and moving to help in any way we can also indicate a humble act that the all pervasive Goodness’ does reside in every human form and by doing so, we are happy and filled with fullness feeling as though we are ``them’’. We do know also, that this can hurt us in the process but its kind a ``happy hurt’’ not the devastating thought of `lost ness’’. Also, the knowing that all good deeds done returns to the ``doer’’ without fail.

Moral: To those of you who felt slighted and pained by the very person you helped, don’t worry be happy and just know that your deeds are measured and returned to you without fail.

Have Key Will Travel

What a day to start with ! My car key broke into 2 pieces as it had worn out and the weakest point gave up as I inserted into the ignition lock early in the morning. The price I have to pay for not making a duplicate one! I can't start my car. SOS to my ``GM'' who'd then drove all the from Seri Alam and fetched me to a nearby lock-smith. Luckily, managed to ``copy''. Meantime waiting for the lock-smith to finish-up his work, had breakfasts with ``GM". Collected the key and drove back to office/factory. That's it, my half day gone just because of a broken car key. Hey!anyway,it was a good lesson for me. Always to keep a spare. Have Key Will Travel otherwise it's an obstacle...

Labor Day holiday’

It was quite a pretty day yesterday. A day celebrated by all workers around the world. Labor or no labor it was a day for me to clean-up and house-keeping. Enjoyed much of the time cleaning and tending the overgrown busy hibiscus plants at front of house. At noon went to hypermarket, Giant, Kulai and purchased food-stuffs and kitchen appliances. As I strolled past the electrical section, my eye caught on a newly arrived multipurpose cooker! Read the label and decided to buy. Indeed a perfect requirement for a healthy cooking. This multipurpose cooker can be used as steamer, deep fry and cooking healthy foods.

Picked up a pack of carrots, lady’s finger, Chinese beans and vegetarian ``dim-sum’’. I wanted to try to use and steam with the newly bought multipurpose cooker. Planned to go to JB town, however changed my mind at the last minute. I would rather spend cooking with the new cooker. Once settled, I sliced up vegetables; lady’s fingers, beans and carrots. Unpacked dim-sum and took out 3 pieces and place them into the multipurpose cooker’s steamer pan, filling the bottom unit with water. 4 pieces of leaf-over vegetarian sausage were still in the fridge and I decided to steam them up as well.

My stomach started to send hunger signal as I hadn’t anything in the morning except a slice of bread and plain water. While waiting the cooker to complete steam, I went to clean up `` little garden’’ at the back of house. Job was done within half hour and the steamer too completes its task. Took a quick shower and prepared a late lunch. What a tasty crunchy and juicy steamed vegetables!! I added 3 slices of whole meal bread and made sandwiches. Hey! What an easy task of cooking made easy and non-messy. No cleaning of the kitchen tables, no littering on the floors and bye-bye to scrubbing pots and pans!! Wonder, if the modern way of doing things are just make us plain lazy or called it convenient living? Anyway, I was thinking of soup today……