We play kejar-kejar (or its england name, cops and robbers) in dataran merdeka. (Click here) ‘Main Dengan Rakyat‘ is a public initiative aimed at reclaiming public spaces for what they are supposed to be… public recreational spaces for the rakyat, and not merely as tourists attractions.

-Chi Too, Event Organiser

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2nd pic from top is by Fahmi Fadzil.

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September 2007. Kampung Sungai Sireh. Tanjung Karang. *Pic by Nor Atikah

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He is known to himself as Aduya. And to me in this context, though not understood by him (evidently from the song below), as The Small Boy Who Lives in Chai Chee.

On the horizon, is the port. I explained to him  about boats, ships and vessels. The three year old, listened intensely, but understood poorly. Much so that we ended up singing, Baa Baa Black Sheep. I took the lead, mocking his dialect. Eventually he too, like me, decided to add in his own lyric. With charm, messing up the flow of the song.

Baa Baa Yack Sheep haf you any wools,
Yes sir, yes sir, twee bags fooo,
One for my master,
One for Ami Zain,
(and one for Aduyaaa)
…and one for the small boy who lives in Chai Chee.

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‘Dei brudder, bini aku buat kueh tiga hari tiga malam, sampai tak sedar bontot melecet.’

-Anon

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Not the envelope in question. This was a birthday present sent by PA when she was in Peru, which surprisingly (at least) arrived on the month of my birthday, despite the treatment she got from the postal office. Note the precaution on the address, which I find hilarious, underlined 'MALAYSIA, ASIA.'

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Recently, someone dropped off a CD for me at a restaurant. My cousin picked it up on my behalf. Last night he narrated to me what took place.

I’m here to pick up a CD. It’s for Zain HD. It’s from X.

Oh? Hmmm…oh yea yea there’s a CD here. Who is it for?

Zain HD.

Oh. Hmm…I don’t know. Is it for Faris?

Faris?

Yea. It’s for Faris.

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No? Not for Faris?

No no. Zain HD.

Oh okay. I don’t know. Maybe this is it anyway. I guess. Here you go.

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We’re still wondering from where did he pluck the name Faris. The CD in question, was in a brown envelope with one thing written on it. ‘Zain HD.’

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Above is my cousin at her sisters wedding, who live overseas. Below, is the best Hari Raya message I received this year, and it came from her.

Eid Mubarak Jeng, Minal Aidin Wal Fa’izin =) Please forgive me if I wronged you in any way… It’s sucky that we don’t get to spend much time together nowadays, but I’m etremely proud of everything you’ve achieved and I’m sure this is just the beginning. Love you many many.

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*The above was written about 24 hours ago, discreetly and saved as Drafts, unknowingly to her despite sitting next to me. :) Two hours ago, I received another text as she boarded her flight. :I

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Internet Kiosk Terminal One

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After four days, I am now back at home.

One of the brilliant things that I consciously love about travelling, by that I simply and generally mean being away from where you are based, being in a different zone, is the random ideas, thoughts, and revelations that passes you throughout.

I’ve made note of most of them and will be sharing at least half here soon.