Au Revoir Kuwait

It is always not easy to say goodbye after  we stay in one place for at least three years. The wonderful friends we gonna missed. The house which has sheltered us. The local neighbors who cared and sometimes acted thicker than blood. It aches more when we looked at our children who cried non stopped because they had to part with their best buddies, with their understanding and caring teachers, and the school system which they are accustomed to :(

Although literally speaking diplomats' life is a far cry from nomads, but the moving from one place to another is perhaps similar and sometimes more dramatic than them. Yet, when we signed up or agreed to be DS, it has to be instilled in our minds that one day, we will experience the so called 'nomads life' whether we like it or not. In most cases, the time frame per posting  is between 3-4 years. However, it was only a guideline and not fixed. Sometimes, they may stay longer or sometimes shorter based on the instructions from the respective headquarters. 

In our case, since RY's tour of duty was completed within three years, so it was time for us to bid Au Revoir to the host country, and with heavy heart to leave behind us the hospitable locals, our lovely colleagues, helpful neighbors and wonderful friends. Our children too had a difficult time to accept the fact that they were leaving Kuwait. Lots of questions they asked as to why we had to leave the country and it was not easy to explain to school   going children aged six and eight! They sorely missed their buddies and only the beautiful memories of them and the place that they frequented to that they still remembered.

Indeed, we missed Kuwait very much. Although it is a small nation in terms of its size, but it is indeed an oil rich country with big human values, cultures and traditions. We learnt many things and acquired lots of experience from our very first posting. It gave us an opportunity to not only stay there, but more than that - namely to stay side by side with their people and to further understand it's rich Arabic cultures and life styles. Once again, Au Revoir Kuwait ...

Virtual World

This blissful morning I was grateful to Allah SWT who connected me to a long lost friend whom I've tried to locate virtually about a month ago though her FB status. Alhamdulilah, today RZ sent me a reply message saying that she still remembers me and also updated her life, her marriage and her children :))

Although it would be awesome if we could see each other face to face and recall the time we had been together when we were teenagers, yet I'm still feeling blessed with what Allah SWT has granted me so far. At least I could still chat with my dear friend virtually via FB. 

Almost 35 years had passed where we went our ways separately, and suddenly now we found each other again in cyber space through an instrument called mobile :)) Also, this time  we are not able to shake hands and hugs like we used to do but, we could still show our love and affection by signs such as <3 or muah! muah! 

The mutual feelings of sistership could still be felt and run straight to my heart. It also brings sweetest smile to me and brightens my day. Without slight hesitation we chatted about ourselves, what we did, families and many more as if there was no lapse of 35 years in between. 

I'm thankful to the virtual world for allowing me the opportunity to once again 'meet' my long lost friend. Insyallah, with Allah SWT grace and will, both of us will meet again and this time perhaps in person. Not only just the two of us, but with our families - husbands, children, and may be with grandchildren, too. Also, hopefully we don't have to wait another 35 years.

As a DS, for now I'm in a foreign land which is well protected by its rugged mountains from the golden sand dunes whereas RZ is comfortably surrounded by her loved ones in my beautiful and green homeland. But, with the virtual world, we can be connected anytime and anywhere and also see each other virtually - just be pressing the keys or slides on the mobiles. 

For now, I truly thank RZ for 'accepting' me as one of her virtual world's friends. Also wishing her and her family all the best in life here and also in the hereafter. Amin.

Hail Super Duper :-))

Throughout my life as a DS from day one till now, I'm very fortunate that so far all paths were widely open for me. When, I started joining  Perwakilan KL two decades ago, I think I was one of the youngest DS - liken to a nemo in an aquarium full of beautiful arowanas.  Yet, I wasn't feeling afraid because I was properly guided and wasn't short of receiving constructive advices and tips from them :))

Indeed, as a new member then, I'm truly grateful to many lovely people and especially my mentor DSH who took me under her wing and taught me the importance of Perwakilan - be it in MOF or at the other side of WP (the Missions). 

With DSH guidance and especially her deeds in tagging me along to the various Executive Meetings, International Fairs / Bazaars, and social events organized by Perwakilan, and other international organizations for women such as ALC, I learnt hands on about the organization and the healthy activities relating to it. She also introduced me to her colleagues who then were holding top notch posts in the EC. And again from these beautiful hearted women, I acquired the skills and all the dos and don'ts in the diplomatic world. 

All the knowledge which I gained, I kept and later implemented them when it was my turn to hold certain posts in the international women organizations at the various postings as a DS from desert to desert via snow and woods - meaning I've been to the Middle East, then Southeast Asia followed by Europe and now to the Middle East again :)

To my wonderful mentor DSH and all my seniors in the Perwakilan organization, no  words of thanks could match with the great deeds and thoughts which all of you have shown me. Only His AlMighty Allah SWT would re-pay all the lovely deeds. From me, Hail Super Duper Seniors, indeed You're the Best. TQ!!!

D'Art of Entertaining

As a new and young DS some twenty years ago, one of the fruitful things which I learnt and as far as possible to emulate from the senior people and colleagues whom I met and mingled amongst the diplomatic corps and other dignitaries was the art of entertaining guests and etiquette. 

The informal surroundings during coffee mornings or hi teas plus the formal environment during receptions or at formal dining together with the settings which were full of etiquettes, procedures and protocols provided ample rooms for a great learning process to me, which I personally of the view could not be acquired solely through books or manuals. 

Either directly or indirectly I absorbed and mesmerized all the knowledge through observations and sometimes through personal conversations with the host. And, as far as possible I tried to apply and implement what I've learned when it was my turn to organize a similar events whether it was at home or other venues away from home. 

Indeed, the art of entertaining and etiquette is pertinent because when we receive or welcome our guests to our home or at our function, it naturally means that we are welcoming them to our country or the Malaysian soil.  We must remember that are we are representing our country when we are out there during the posting period and hence, the upholding of our nation's good name is the utmost important and to be our priority more than our very own interest. 

That is why, it is a common for all DS to undergo Pre-Posting Course before they go for their posting adventures. It is highly recommended also that after sometimes, they undergo refresher course because time lapse, people change, and new thing happens, hence it is always good to be updated on matters relating to people-to-people relationship. In fact, the know how about the art of entertaining and etiquette never stales, instead it will boost more self confidence to oneself and also an asset which will be part of our positive personality.

To those who have guided me and also   shared with me their experiences about this beautiful art, my gratitude and heartiest Thank You for the sharing and I truly believe that when we share, it means we care. Big TQ, my friends ...

Learning New Things ...

The way to go ladies ...

Join me in learning new things :)

Indeed, I am one of the fortunate few who have the privilege to learn new things during our posting days. My praise to Allah SWT who granted me the opportunity ... Amin.

Among others, while with the DCM spouses during my stay in Kuwait, I was  exposed to meeting and socializing with friends from the host country and colleagues from other parts of  the world. Naturally, we learnt from each other about the different cultures and unique traditions, including the traditional apparels, foods, flowers, and ways on how to entertain our guests.

One of the things which I vividly remember learning was to decorate our home with a simple yet a very attractive flower arrangement through Ikebana method from a Japanese colleague. Indeed, it was an art and according to her, this art is also known as kado (the way of flowers). And the meaning of Ikebana means among others is giving life to flowers.

Well, I haven't had the opportunity to visit Japan unlike my spouse who had :(

Yet, through a coffee morning which I had attended with my other colleagues, it was as if we were transported to Japan. The environment and ambience of the home was purely in Japanese style. The foods which we were intricately served were miso soup, sushi, shashimi, tepanyaki salmon and prawn tempura. Also the green tea to quench our thirst and the delicious desserts including ice cream with wasabi and pistachio. Yummy!

We even had the opportunity to dress in the beautifully designed and silky Japanese kimono  - a traditional garment for the Japanese women! In actual fact, on that beautiful morning I was admiring the kimono which I wore during   the demonstration at my colleague's house which was generally liken to a T-Shaped garment. But the robe was straight-lined and when I wore it, the helms fell to the ankle with attached collars and long wide sleeves. It was indeed very fine, beautiful and luxurious, which immediately reminded me of the movie Geisha and the popular play Madam  Butterfly. 

From that day, I always  dream to own one. But, it never crossed my mind that one day RY would present to me this beautiful apparel when he came back from a two week visit to Tokyo. Certainly with Allah SWT grace and will, my dream comes true. Alhamdulilah. But, more importantly to me is that I have learnt new things in life which to this day, I still treasure - the meaning of friendship and to understand and accept other people's culture. 

Nation's Proud

Before RY was first posted at the new post, he was the AS for South Asia. During this time, diplomats from these countries which he was tasked to look after usually invited us to their National Day Celebrations at their embassies or the five star venues in my beloved country. The events were formal celebrations where the hosts and their guests were required to dress formally. The norm is to wear their national costumes, although some prefer the formal office wear. On this special day, courteously and very proudly the Head of Missions and his senior staff would wait at the entrance to welcome all their guests, including RY and me. 

I truly loved going to those events  and to date still is, because to me being specifically invited for that momentous occasion was really an honour and show of respect to the invitees. Those days, I used to observe and admire at them shaking hands with their guests especially with the Guest of Honour which certainly steer pride in my heart. The highlight of the Nation's Proud was the awesome singing of the two national anthems which certainly overwhelm the grand halls, followed by cake cutting ceremonies. These gestures undoubtedly connote strong bilateral relationship between the two nations.

In fact, I learn a lot from the events which I attended, in particular about the art of socializing, interacting, mingling and etiquette with other guests mainly diplomats and their spouses. We not only making new friends with them, but acquire more knowledge about their countries, cultures and traditions. Indeed, that nostalgic experience was my first taste about Nation's Proud! 

When our turn came to do the same at the new post, we were very eager to demonstrate our Nation's Proud to our honourable host, wonderful colleagues, the local dignitaries and other invitees. Not only all of us dressed smartly and beautifully in our official national costumes on that special day but we - the Malaysians in Kuwait also work hand in hand to provide special delicacies and cuisines to our guests. We want our honourable host and distinguished guests to experience Malaysian hospitality on that special day which was very important to us. 

All in all, national day celebrations are important to all citizens of every nation. It requires special attention to all diplomats and their spouses when they prepare the momentous event annually. It not only brings prestige, but reflects image and respect. We have to always uphold the good name of our country every where we are, and in particular when we are representing our nation at the missions we are posted to. And, I truly believe that one of the ways to show our love and respect to our beloved country is to organise the National Day event honourably, with great respect, full heartedly and in a very special way. 

Celebrating Eid

When people talk to me about Eid Celebration, my mind always travels and soars to one Happy Village. "Why that particular   place?" You may  ask me. "Well, good question," was my answer to you. But, during the conversation, I could see the enigma sign and blank expressions all over your face :))

Happy Village is where my dearest HRHR resides. She is an active octogenarian woman. At age 83 years old, this woman still doesn't know the meaning of to relax and to take five (rest) or feeling tired. Especially during festivities such as Ramadan time and Eid Celebrations - both the Fitri and Adha. 

HRHR will be the busiest person to prepare foods for Iftar and Imsa' during Ramadan. She also loves to make and sew the cushion covers and curtains for the family home in prepartion for Eid Celebrations. She always believes in homemade materials as compared to buying ready-made products.

She will take time to put the flour to dry before making the traditional kuih muih for Eid such as kuih bangkit santan, bahulu and rempeyek. She never fails to make for me kuih satu (putu kacang) which is my favorite. She makes halwa with intricate designs from fruits such as young papaya and buah kundur.

She also feels sheer satisfaction upon seeing her children in their Baju Kurung or Baju Melayu which she stitched with her own hands. Since I am her youngest daughter, I have the privilege to wear skirts and gowns which she designed and sewn based on her imagination and creativity.  

However, when I followed my better half for his tour of duty in a foreign land, all the above which I have experienced during Eid Celebration in Happy Village were sorely missed. Certainly, I missed the octogenarian HRHR who is my Mom. She can't come to Kuwait to do things for me. She has her own home, and thus, I have to stand on my own two feet. 

Here, in my home sweet home in Ourtuba District, I have to do things on my own. Luckily, I have two helpers Lela & Ona to  do the cooking especially the Malaysian foodies such as satay and kuah kacang for all our guests. We were also lucky to receive assistance from the Malaysian  students studying in Kuwait University to 'cucuk' or weave the satay on to the satay sticks which was a very tedious process. Also, to grill the satay requires patience, or else the food will get burn easily! But, I don't have to worry like my HRHR about the house curtains, furnitures and what nought, because the house we stayed in was well equipped with brand new things :) 

Alhamdulilah, throughout my three years stay in Kuwait, the Eid Celebrations in our home were well  prepared and also well received by our guests - friends, colleagues and fellow countrymen. At one time, Kuwait  TV crew came to our home to cover the life event of  how the Malaysians celebrate  Eid. They wanted to showcase to the local people about the Malaysian experience. Indeed, it was an honour for us and the  small Malaysian   community in Kuwait, to be chosen, interviewed and filmed for that special occasion.