License to drive!

I am so overjoyed that my elder daughter, Rachel, finally passed her driving test on Tuesday afternoon! It was her 2nd attempt, better than me - 3rd! It took her a few moments for the realization to sink in after the JPJ tester handed her the report at the end of the road test. But she did well for her parking and slope on the 1st attempt.

I still remember my 1st road test in Wangsa Maju in 1990. Actually I had been driving without license for about a year before I actually signed up for official tutorial. Despite that I actually failed in the road test twice!

The first road test was the worst experience for me. The very minute I jumped into the designated car, with a plump JPJ tester seated inside patiently, things began to go wrong. As I started the engine and began to move the car out from its parking a volley of missiles began to spewed forth from the 'orifice' crafted into his head, which we call 'mouth' when referring to polite humans, and every missile that was launched so generously never failed to miss its target so much that I had to summon every strength from the fibre of my being to stop myself from stopping midway trough and walking out on him.

I had no idea that I had to signal right before moving out - but we were parked at a deadend to start with!

Next missile translated into me not having checked if the wipers were operating within normal parameters - like we all want to do that in the hot and burning sun!

Next came the complaint that I were not using both my hands to adjust the rearview mirror! Hello, I was not born with a short arm! By the way, if I were to use both hands for that purpose my upper torso would be moved away from upright position, and by the time I was done and back to my upright sitting position the mirror would really not serve me well.

It was amazing that the JPJ tester's mouth never failed to deplete its source of energy because it only stopped working when we came back to the testing ground and after I switched the engine off!

I blamed my tutor for all these 'hidden' rules.

Last time I checked, my tutor became an active member of a political party when we met in Desa Setapak.

Born Free!

I regret to remember that I was born free. 19 years have I been enslaved in walls that kept me in solitude and my mind in amnesia from living free. But now, these same walls are about to buckle and I am about to break free!

Imminent is my freedom to follow my heart. Next to my ear can I hear a roaring tide that will eventually break the walls built to contain me. I will hide no more in this pretentious security and false comfort. One step over the rubble will I begin to live my life to the fullest, living to be astounded over and over again by the beauty that will surround me, and the realisation that life is worth living! And then, will I continue to stay free because I was born free!

Born Free

Words by Don Black

Born free, as free as the wind blows

As free as the grass grows

Born free to follow your heart

Live free and beauty surrounds you

The world still astounds you

Each time you look at a star

Stay free, where no walls divide you

You're free as the roaring tide

So there's no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living

But only worth living

'cause you're born free

(Stay free, where no walls divide you)

You're free as the roaring tide

So there's no need to hide

Born free, and life is worth living

But only worth living

'cause you're born free

Tribute to a friend Arokia Dass

I do not profess that I know Arokia as well as those who had worked with him, nor am I closely associated with him in friendship. But I do know that he is one who will always value my friendship, or anyone for that matter, whether you're close to him or not. Being close is not a prerequisite to being good friends, that I know of him.

He is a great teacher and had always dedicated his time and effort to guide the young in their spiritual journey during the Sunday Classes. I know him for years ever since I became the parishioner of Good Shepherd Church, Setapak, KL. Well, actually, I got acquainted with him through my wife who is also a Catechism teacher. Now, that acquaintance has ended when he passed on last Wednesday (3-June-2009) after a heart surgery.

Mostly I know him through my wife, who spoke about him ocassionally. She admires him for his commitment to the Catechetical Ministry, for his unwavering belief in the Catholic Church but most of all, for his humility. He loves his family, and is proud of his children.

Now that we will never cross path again I shall cherish his friendship and gentleness, and will always remember a strong yet humble man once befriended me.

R.I.P. Arokia