Here's to You

Usman Awang Dalam Kenangan

Usman Awang atau lebih dikenali sebagai Tongkat Warrant merupakan salah satu tokoh sasterawan negara unggul yang amat ku kagumi sejak dari bangku sekolah lagi. Antaranya termasuklah 'Bunga Popi','Pak Utih' dan 'Gadis Di Kuburan' yang sering kali dideklamasikan oleh pelajar sekolah ketika itu. Karya - karya beliau sering kali berkait rapat dengan kisah golongan bawahan dan puisi yang berunsurkan tradisional masyarakat Melayu. Walaupun pemergian beliau mengjangkau hampir 14 tahun, namun karyanya tetap menjadi buah mulut dan sumber inspirasi bagi golongan pencinta seni.

Oleh kerana Usman Awang dibesarkan didalam sebuah keluarga nelayan miskin, namun kejayaan yang digondol adalah hasil daripada usaha beliau yang begitu dalam menjiwai kehidupan golongan miskin. Antara anugerah yang diterima hasil daripada karya beliau termasuklah S.E.A. Write Awards, anugerah Penulis Terkenal (Veteran) dan Ijazah Doktor Kehormat yang dianugerahkan oleh Universiti Malaya. Beliau juga bergiat cergas dalam beberapa pertubuhan masyarakat antaranya ialah Persatuan Persahabatan Malaysia-Cina.  

Ketokohan dan pergaulan Usman Awang yang begitu disenangi amat disanjung oleh masyarakat tidak kira kaum dan agama. Perwatakan beliau yang lemah lembut dan mesra, simpatinya pada golongan bawahan yang miskin dan manusia yang malang menyebabkan beliau kadang kala digelar sebagai seorang seniman yang berjiwa rakyat dan berfahaman sosialis. Sayangnya pada kaum Melayu jelas terpancar pada isi kandungan puisi-puisinya. Antara puisi yang sering kali dikaitkan termasuklah 'Melayu':

Melayu itu orang yang bijaksana

Nakalnya bersulam jenaka

Budi bahasanya tidak terkira

Kurang ajarnya tetap santun

Jika menipu pun masih bersopan

Bila mengampu bijak beralas tangan.

Melayu itu berani jika bersalah

Kecut takut kerana benar

Janji simpan di perut

Selalu pecah di mulut

Biar mati adat

Jangan mati anak.

Dalam sejarahnya

Melayu itu pengembara lautan

Melorongkan jalur sejarah zaman

Begitu luas daerah sempadan.

Sayangnya kini segala kehilangan

Melayu itu kaya falsafahnya

Kias kata bidal pusaka

Akar budi bersulamkan daya

Gedung akal laut bicara.

Malangnya Melayu itu kuat bersorak

Terlalu ghairah pesta temasya

Sedangkan kampung telah tergadai

Sawah sejalur tinggal sejengkal tanah sebidang mudah terjual

Meski telah memiliki telaga

Tangan masih memegang tali

Sedang orang mencapai timba.

Berbuahlah pisang tiga kali

Melayu itu masih bermimpi

Walaupun sudah mengenal universiti

Masih berdagang di rumah sendiri.

Berkelahi cara Melayu

Menikam dengan pantun

Menyanggah dengan senyum

Marahnya dengan diam

Merendah bukan menyembah

Meninggi bukan melonjak.

Watak Melayu menolak permusuhan

Setia dan sabar tiada sempadan

Tapi jika marah tak nampak telinga

Musuh dicari ke lubang cacing

Tak dapat tanduk telinga dijinjing

Maruah dan agama dihina jangan

Hebat amuknya tak kenal lawan

Berdamai cara Melayu indah sekali

Silaturrahim hati yang murni

Maaf diungkap senantiasa bersahut

Tangan diulur sentiasa bersambut

Luka pun tidak lagi berparut.

Baiknya hati Melayu itu tak terbandingkan

Selagi yang ada sanggup diberikan

Sehingga tercipta sebuah kiasan:

"Dagang lalu nasi ditanakkan

Suami pulang lapar tak makan

Kera di hutan disusu-susukan

Anak di pangkuan mati kebuluran"

Bagaimanakah Melayu abad dua puluh satu

Masihkan tunduk tersipu-sipu?

Jangan takut melanggar pantang

Jika pantang menghalang kemajuan.

Jangan segan menentang larangan

Jika yakin kepada kebenaran;

Jangan malu mengucapkan keyakinan

Jika percaya kepada keadilan.

Jadilah bangsa yang bijaksana

Memegang tali memegang timba

Memiliki ekonomi mencipta budaya

Menjadi tuan di negara Merdeka.

Mew Live in KL

The thought of writing this back is just a random thing that came across my mind this morning. I haven't done this in a long time, and God knows how I'm struggling to find my words back. This is just a another crap thing to write about and I'm doing it for fun. 

Well 2013 had been an awesome year for me: graduation, job, loads of memorable moments and the best highlights would be witnessing Jonas Bjerre played live in front of my eyes, which is just a surreal thing that ever happened to me. They played in October 31st in conjunction with the Urbanscapes festival held in Serdang last year. It was an outstanding performance: swirling, loud, dreamy and massive altogether played by Jonas, Bo, Silas and the two other guys. (Dr... something, Im not sure with the name)

They've played about eighteen songs with "Making Friends" (new song) served as an introduction and a couple of new songs from their upcoming album. The band got the crowd went crazy in "Snow Brigade" and "156" which I think Jonas's vocal sounded almost like the recording one. "Sometimes Life Isn't Easy" (one of my favourite songs) slowed things a bit and the show closed with the exquisite "Comforting Sounds" which got the crowd to sing along. It was an amazing and gorgeous way to end the perfect evening and it seems like the crowd can't get enough of the two and a half hours performance. Who does? 
                                                 

17 most important things to remember in life

1. Never give up on anybody;miracles happen everyday.

2.Be brave even if your not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.
3. Think big thoughts, relish small pleasures.

4. Learn to listen. Oppurtunity sometimes knocks very softly.

5. Never deprive someone of hope, it might be all they have.

6. Strive for excellence, not perfection.

7. Don't waste time greiving over past mistakes. Learn from them and move on.

8. When someone hugs you let them be the first to let go.

9. Never cut what can be untied.

10. Don't expect life to be fair.

11. Remember:Success comes to the one that acts first.

12. Never waste an oppurtunity to tell someone you love them.

13. Remember that nobody makes it alone. Have a greatful heart and be quick to acknowledge those who help you.

14. Never underestimate the power of a kind word or deed.

15. Laugh alot.A good sense of humor cures almost all of life's ills.

16. Don't miss the magic of the moment by focusing on whats to come.

17. Watch for big problems. They disguise big oppurtunities.

*Courtesy from Best Quote

Hari Raya di Perantauan

Festive greetings everybody! and yes this would be my first and the last time celebrating Hari Raya abroad. I would say it's not as lively compared to Malaysia, but it's a bless to celebrate it with the Malaysian society living in the Netherlands. We still have the usual Hari Raya dish, except for the freshly bake lemang and dodol. Overall I can called it a complete Hari Raya celebration minus my family. 

So with this opportunity, I would like to wish all Muslims a Happy Aidil Fitr. I also would like to apologize any wrong doings or harsh words I might have made to everyone. Have a blessed one and be grateful if you are in Malaysia. Here are some photos taken by my colleague on the first day of Syawal in Malaysia Embassy. Salam Aidilfitri everyone.

Over A Thousand Miles

Farewell Pal!

Farewell Hamida! We're gonna miss you so much. No more pillow talks and late night gossiping. Love you girlfriend.

No more sushi until 2012.. lol