The Scarlet Letter

I onced read a book The Scarlet Letter written by Nathaniel Hawthorne. It was a romantic work of fiction set in a 17th century historical setting in Puritan Salem, Massachusetts. And yesterday, I was truly delightful to watch the 1995 movie adapted from the novel starring Demi Moore, Gary Oldman and Robert Duvall :D

While watching the movie, my mind quickly soared to my primary school days @ESK. It wasn't so much about the story of love, loyalty, vengeance and betrayal in the movie but the crucial red letter 'A' that was sewn to Hester Prynne's garment which she had to wear for others to see and form part of public humilation against her. Also it was a sign of shame which she had to carry every where she went for the act she did! 

Between 1960s -1970s in a co-ed primary school, some of my classmates would crack jokes to others by silently pasting scarlet letters or words to another student's back whom they 'antagonized' just for fun! Not all but most of the times the ever mischievous energetic group of boys over a very shy girl or a newcomer. Some of the words used were "Please, Kiss Me" or "I'm a Fool" or "I'm a Cry Baby :(". The poor shy student being funly 'bullied' normally did not know about the joke or he / she had no idea whatsoever that someone naughty had pasted such scarlet letters or red words on his / her backs quietly. 

Hence, when he or she walked and others saw 'The Scarlet Letter' they will make lots of fun against the poor chap or the truly upset girl! Those days, when I saw my young friends laughing at the terribly distraught students, my heart sank and felt sorry for all of them - both the intimidators and the ones being intimidated :( Perhaps it was amusing for some people. But, at that time they were very young and do not know the meaning of feelings! Sometimes, it was unbearable and the humiliation was too graved to the one being 'abused' or for him / her to bear the unbearable grieve! It will become his or her 'unseen' scar for life. They will become demoralized, lack of confidence and always see themselves as someone not worthy. In other words, the mentally 'abused' young students will face phycological problems of shame, despair and solitude in the future for they lack self esteem.  

However, if one would take it positively most of the time with full fun spirit and genuine joke the so called game during the innocence student days was quite tolerable :D For example the quite normal   gesture during April Fool Day. A person would stamp a Letter "I am Beautiful" or "Ask me to Sing. I'm a Good Singer!" or "I have talent!" at another person's back without he or she noticing it. The words used were generally positive instead of negative.  It's more of sporting spirits to make one tougher to face his / her future with a little bit of 'toughen up' exercise to make one's joy. This Scarlet Letter game on the other hand did give positive impact to the person who was 'bullied' positively. As happened to a friend of mine who became a good comedian apart from her permanent vocation as a full fledged lawyer!

But one must always remember that at all times while playing the game of Scarlet Letter never with the intention of abuse or putting down others! It's merely for fun with free spirit of enjoyment where we had a saying "All work with no play makes Jack a dull boy!" Especially for young children with young minds where they are full of energy and many ideas. They need to spread their energy on to something, so they may have game for fun but whatever game they administered, it must be well guarded and not to be detrimental on them and others :)

Thus, the movie The Scarlet Letter reminded me of my childhood friends and truly brought beautiful memories to my primary school days @ESK! 

The movie which brought back memories to my childhood days @ESK. It reminds me of my friends who were then mischievous and now in their fifties. Also, I came to know that some sweet friends have left us for the permanent world. But, to those friends who are still here, My Prayer that you're all in good health and May your life be blessed by His Almighty Allah SWT. Amin.

Catherine The Great Inspires Me!

It's a long stretched weekend in a cool wintery season. Most of my friends took the opportunity to cross border over a four hour drive to neighboring Dubai for winter shopping and some skyscrappers sightings. Some went camping at the Wadis from Wadi Hoqayn to Wadi Henai. Others went up the canyons at the mountain of the sun or Jebel Sham and later crossed to the green mountain called Jebel Akhdar for spectacular scenic views. A few preferred to lay their bodies on the soft dunes while staring at the stars for 1001 Arabian night experience. Nearer to home, many families went to Seeb Beaches and collected buckets and buckets of fresh clams during low tide. In my case, the three to four off days over the long weekend was well spent with Mr Right @home-sweet-home. 

After being invited for a Birthday Bash of a to be young doctor with Black & Red theme that lasted till wee hours, we had great time over the two remaining days to soften our elderly muscles by relaxing them without doing anything except our eyes glued on the screens - he at PS3 and me on my faithful iPad watching movies one after the other :D Of all the classic movies The Aristocrat, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Three Muskateers and others which I watched, the biography of the longest ruling Empress of Russia Catherine The Great inspired me the most. Her Power, Her Intrigue and Her Passion truly brought to mind about something on 'everyone has a story to tell' and to be shared!

Born on 1729 in Stettin and barely fifteen the former German-Prussian Princess Sophia Augusta Frederika left her home to the Russian court and later married to Peter III, then Grand Duke Peter of Holstein-Gottorp. She was named Catherine after being received into the Russian Orthodox Church. An inteligent young lady she even learned Russian language. She also escaped from her lifeless marriage to other passions mainly riding, reading, diplomacy, arts and culture. She read widely and corresponded with many thinkers of that era namely French writer Francois-Marie Arouet @Voltaire and philosopher Denis Diderot. Hence, not surprising during her reign her main interests were in education and culture. This suited well with her desire when she wrote in her memoir that she already made up her mind when she took the journey to Russia - "to do whatever was necessary, and to profess to believe what was required of her, to become qualified to wear the Crown."

Her publicly known 'private-life' aside , I truly admired her courage and determination as a young lady and later as Empress of Russia for more than three decades. She was thirty three when she became the Tzarina and one of the country's most influential rulers liken to Peter The Great. Like most women, she needed a man in her life. That person was her life-time favourite Prince Grigori Aleksandrovich Potemkin-Tavricheski, a Russian military leader or Grand Admiral. 

With this trusted tall and broad partner in a remarkable partnersip she shared her passion in expansioning her nation and  subsequently   peacefully annexed Crimea. Potemkin always eager to prove his worth to her and once wrote: "The only way I can express my gratitude to Your Majesty is to shed my blood for Your glory ..." Indeed, most of their letters survived which according to Montefiore in 2001 revealed their "...mutually admired intelligence and power." His death with Catherine's letter in his pocket certainly distraught her and ordered all social life in St. Petersburg be put on hold!

Another aspect of Catherine The Great which inspired me was not only her challenged of the social norms of the time for the betterment of her people but also her humanity to her subjects. She's modest to her people within her households. She's a champion for education, thus the legislation of the Statute of National Education was not a surprised. When she found one of her servants was reading a book, that gave her the idea to have a palace library that soon collected 38,000 books. She wrote a manual for the education of young children and founded the famous Smolny Institute for young girls of the nobility and was later opened to petit-bourgeois. She always believed that education could change one's life and turn them away from backwardness. Today her legacy of art and culture formed the foundation of Hermitage Museum, one of the oldest museums in the world with over three million items! She knew what she wanted and what she was doing! 

Finally, five years after Portemkin's death she died at aged 67 after ruled Russia for 34 years. In sum, the name given to her as Catherine The Great truly reflected her personality and contributions.  Indeed, she had changed the landscape of Russia as well as an Empress who brought humanity and tolerance to her people and nation! 

Picture of Catherine The Great (copyright of history.com from google image)

"Fearless in war, passionate in love, ruthless with her opponents, she would transform her struggling nation into a modern empire. From her intimate memoir and her personal letters, this is the story of Catherine The Great!" The Movie during wintery season that inspires me :) Acknowledgement to YouTube by Alexandrian220.

My 200th Jotting?

I just couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the screen showed > Blog Archive 2013 (199) which means this writing will be my 200th Jotting? Or my eyes are 'playing hide and seek' with my mind? No, they weren't for I'm pretty sure of the  bold number ...

Indeed, it is :)) Wow! I did it in seven months from May to November this year. Alhamdulilah, my heartiest gratitude to Allah SWT for His Grace in this selfie accomplishment. But, my sincere Thank You goes to Perwakilan Muscat Media and Information Committee that made this 'self journey' of writing a blog dream comes true! To Intan D'VogueMom and Amizian Truly Amy, all my  thank you wishes to you for making this quest happening :D I may not able to reach the unreachable stars, but I believe that I have accomplished my self target to brave what I dare not do then! With that confidence, insyallah I will continue to jot more based on what my Chinese eyes see and what touches my little heart :)) 

When I started this 'journey' my main purpose was to share my writings with my children and perhaps with future grandchildren when the time comes with a view if I'm not able to see them in person, then they will be able to know me via my jottings. However, along the way I was abled to share some experiences and stories with my loved ones, closed blog group and a few friends when I personally forward to them since I'm still not ready to open it to all as yet. Perhaps one day, when I'm truly ready ... 

I also believe that time is of the essence and since I'm now part of the golden girls, so whatever I received from Allah SWT is truly 'rahmat' to me, especially the good health, the fountain of love and mercy flowing over me, lovingly brought into this world by responsible and caring parents, great childhood life with siblings, fair share of friends along the way to my adulthood, having Mr Right as my blessed partner in a blissful marriage life, wonderful children, also students and existing family and friends far and near as well as all the beautiful things that had happened to me thus far. While I still want more, on the beautiful things that had been bestowed upon me or happened to me I wish to share them through my jottings which I believe every one has a unique tale or story to tell and from it perhaps we can all learn and grow from. 

So, what more shall I jot on my 200th Jotting? May be on 'Everyone has a Story!' Just like yesterday, I was interviewed by Mr Correspondent about the charity event which my colleague and I took part @MGM. After the interview session, the table turned where I queried Mr Correspondent as to how long he has been in Muscat? To my surprised, he happily answered, "Thirteen years, Mam." Wow, that was long for a foreigner to stay in a particular country. Then, he freely narrated and shared his story about how it happened. It started with his wife who came here first fourteen years ago and worked at one of the colleges. At that time they had two children. The following year he followed his wife's trail with a plan to work in Muscat for just two years or so. 

But, time flies and without realizing it > tick tock tick tock - Wallah! It's already thirteen years with an extended family i.e. now with four wonderful kids where the eldest had just graduated, whereas his second is now entering college and the third in high school. And the youngest child has just turned three! Isn't that awesome :D Indeed, I'm truly happy for him who told me that he is absolutely grateful to 'land' in this blessed country with exceptionally warm hospitable people. He find happiness here with his six-some family, satisfactory vocation, good education for his growing up children, but of course they have not forgotten their motherland - hence they occasionally visited their evergreen home-sweet-home and their relatives.

Before we part, we thanked each other for the 'interview' and hoped to cross path again for more stories. To Mr Correspondent, all the Best Wishes in your Life and also your Career, Sir which was once my biggest dream!

My 199th Jotting ... When I looked at this figure, I could not believe it at first. But, soon after it gives me the 'booster' to continue with my jottings based on what I see and what touches my heart :D

My 1st Jotting > I Did It! My sincere and heartfelt TQ to Intan Felisha and Amizian Azlina for their faith in me to try my hands on 'blogging'!

I shall miss Amy's presence in Muscat but certainly not her writings through Truly Amy :))

Brave D'Rain4Sumtin' Hot!Hot!Hot!

On one 'beautiful' night without stars in Muscat, most of us were caught with a pleasant surprised of its heavy hailstones! Although rain was expected in this desert land as forecasted by the weather info for the blessed month of November, yet none of us expected to experience whitish and pearly hailstones coming down from the black sky straight into our fingers! That was frightening yet truly incredible and awesome experience for those staying in Bausher and more so in Al Batinah region.

On that evening, my better half had a program to chair a meeting @Treasurer's Home in Azaiba and for that matter I was invited for a dinner after the meeting ended where we were told the main menu would be Sumtin' Hot! Hot! Hot! aka Laksa Sarawak! Since the sky was dark we were contemplating to go or not to go? But my better half said, we had to - first for the meeting and secondly not to disappoint our host who had gone through all the troubles to prepare the venue for the meeting and more so for cooking the foodies especially the Laksa Sarawak which he described as Sumtin' Hot! Hot! Hot! which should not to be missed even if there's hailstorm! LOL :D

So, what is so special about Laksa Sarawak? Through my own experience and perhaps those who have tasted it would agree for a thumb's up that it is a special cuisine. Not only hot as to its taste but it makes our body hot, too with the special homemade Sarawakian paste used in the gravy. Once try Twice no shy! Well, That's quite true since I saw my better half took his second helping of the delicious hot and spicy foodie. And, interestingly the other committee members also braved the rain and storm to attend the evening turned night meeting mainly due to the attraction from Sumtin' Hot! Hot! Hot! as the X-tra pulling factor.

Just to share, Laksa Sarawak comes from east Malaysia namely the state of Sarawak where a special paste will be added to meat, chicken and prawn stock when making the soup or broth. Once done, some coconut milk should be added into it which resulted in a heavenly thick and creamy gravy! This steamy hot and spicy gravy is to be poured or ladled upon soaked and dried rice vermicelli, the ready condiments which include boiled prawns, shredded boiled chicken and thinly cut fried omelette with other toppings mainly fresh bean sprouts, spring onions, coriander leaves and sprinkle fried shallots. Wallah, with a squeeze of wedge lime into the mixture, one will surely enjoy the delicious Hot! Hot! Hot! Laksa Sarawak. That was what actually happened at the Treasurer's Home where the braving act over the rain and storm was truly worth one's while!

Our Big TQ to the host for the Sumtin' Hot! Hot! Hot! to overcome the cold weather. And, of course the meeting resumed after 'isi minyak' which went very well and a fruitful brainstorming session was accomplished that brought big grin to the Chairman's face :))

The X-Factor for the meeting -> Sumtin' Hot!Hot!Hot Laksa Sarawak :D

Braving the Rain 4 Sumtin' Hot!Hot!Hot :)

The hazard of HailStones in Bausher did not hamper the spirit for Sumtin' Hot!Hot!Hot!

Love Knows No Bounds ...

I was watching an old 1980 movie A Tale of Two Cities starring Chris Sarandon, Peter Cushing, Kenneth More, Flora Robson and many others based on a novel written by Charles Dickens when my mobile buzzed. It was a message from my daughter who wrote, "I feel so touched reading your blog Ma. It made my eyes watery ... I can't wait to spend my time with You, Ayah and Gary ... Now, I'm counting my days ..." 

Reading those lines brought tears to my eyes, too for I'm longing for her and now counting down the days for her arrival. Though we are far apart and separated by the oceans but we both know that our love knows no bounds! The mother-daughter relationship is a sacred bonding which only the duo know and feel. Most of the time the feelings were beyond descriptions which words could not describe but certainly could be sensed by them and them alone! In silence my heart soars to her. Anyway, after I replied her message I continued watching the two and half hours movie till  the end which once again made my eyes welled with tears for it taught me more about human relations and secrets of the hearts.

The Dickens adapted movie which was set in 18th century London and Paris focused on many human relationships which one should emulate between a devoted long lost father Dr Alexander Manette and his blue eyes-golden hair daughter Lucie Manette; between master and servant as protrayed by Charles Darnay who had given up his ties with the noble Evremonde and the risk he took to save his servant Gabelle. And vice versa in the character of governess Miss Pross who was very loyal to her charge Lucie Manette. Also the beautiful relationship between loyal friends the banker Mr Lorry with Dr Mannet a former long-term prisoner in Bastille and among stranger turns  saviour in the character of disreputable but brilliant lawyer Sydney Carton who saved the life of his 'near-perfect resemblance' in Charles Darnay an exiled French aristocrat. 

The moving movie also portrays true love knows no bounds as showed by Carton who sacrificed himself  for Lucie Manette's happiness whom he loves dearly although he knew the unrequited love he gave can never be returned. Yet, the human relationship showed here not necessarily stemmed for lust but love that derived from pure hearts. To take the place of Lucie's husband Charles Darnay for the guillotine may be viewed as a 'foolish act' but certainly one  would do in the name of pure love to another without wanting anything in return! And that was exactly what Carton did and he felt so good with no grieve at all. Before his sacrificial death among others he uttered in soothing certainty, "I see a beautiful city and a brilliant people rising from this abyss ... I see him winning it so well, that my name is made illustrious there by the light of his ... It is far, far better thing that I do, than I ever have done; it is far, far better rest I go than I ever known."

Indeed, as shown by all the noble characters in the movie my true love to my daughter knows no bounds as similarly shown by my better half to me. On this, part of the lyrics of the song written by Robbie O'Connell (1988) lingered in my mind:

When a man's in love, he feels no sorrow

His heart is free of every care

He only dreams about tomorrow

He seldom speaks of yesterday 

Love knows no bounds, love has no season

It blooms as bright as a Summer rose

It lasts for years or for no reason

It fades away like the Winter snow

Sacred Love Between Mother & Daughter Knows No Bounds! It has no season nor reason. It's always there ... :)

Memories of Diplo-Kids

I received a message from a friend inviting me to visit the Malaysian stall whose children's school BSM will celebrate International Day and Malaysia will be participating in the momentous event. I accepted her invitation happily since it reminds me of my diplo-kids wonderful time in both AISK and AISY while proudly celebrating their D'Day with teachers, parents of their friends and fellow buddies! It was one of the school's events which I believe every parents and certainly to me back then as a Mom always counting our days to participate! Those days about two decades ago we always look forward to such event with feeling of eagerness to share our nation's culture with the kids' teachers, friends and visitors from other nationalities. 

As Mothers, I remembered my friends Watie, Zara, Annie and Rozie where we join hands and did all the preparations for the International Day - not just by preparing foodies but also guided our school going children to  show case our Malaysian culture through welcoming dance performance "Selamat Datang" that attracted the crowds to our stall! Oh!  Those were the days yet till today still remain beautiful memories to all of us as DS or expat-wives :)

Coming back to the BSM International Day, when the day finally arrived, I was very happy to witness the Malaysian team comprising of several mothers in promoting and sharing their beautiful motherland with the visitors who went to their stall which was beautifully decorated with Malaysian banner and handicrafts. There were spread of Delicious Foodies home cooked by the ever caring Moms to be sold at the well decorated stall where the proceeds will be given to the school for their children's school projects. I believe it was a beautiful gesture with generous contribution from each nation that took part in the event to the school which their countrymen's children attend and gain valuable knowledge for their future life in return. 

However, what touched my heart most was their conduct of joining hands, the working   together with unity and and feelings of esprit de corp that they shared among themselves to ensure the success and smooth running of the important day for their children which was truly commendable. And, I was proud to see the hospitality and their smiling faces when they greeted the visitors with "Selamat Datang" or Welcome to Malaysia. Indeed, that was the Malaysia truly Asia sprit! 

While in the 'International Ground' I took the opportunity to go around and stop to browse and sometimes buy some souvenirs at other nations' stalls. Among others, the Indians, Pakistani, Canadians, Japanese, African, Indonesian, Russians and of course the UK stall. It was a day to be remembered and all the memories of my diplo-kids joyous moments when they were young and still in schools came back to my mind while I observed and witnessed the happy moments as BSM celebrating her International  Day. And, most of all, I'm very pleased to see a young boy who was smiling and happily helped his mother in the stall by selling the delicious foodies and some Christmas cards to their teachers and fellow school friends in one of the stalls. That was truly awesome! Indeed, he's the proud of every Mom :))

A helping hand to be emulated by all -"Treasurer, Here's the Proceeds from the Sales!" :D

@The Malaysian stall in BSM with the ever caring Moms in promoting our nation hospitality and foodies :))

Count Down ...

I am counting the days ...

In less than a month, my dearest daughter Lisa will come and visit me in Muscat. As a 'diplo-mom' who lives miles and miles away from her 'diplo-kids' and with full knowledge that her no longer kiddos instead a grown up young lady will come truly boasts a mom's longing spirit of her loved one!

Apart from to make her room ready, I wanted to make sure that Gary's fur is back to normal > thick hairy furry just like the day before we sent him for grooming! I'm not so sure about it, but certainly I'm hoping and praying hard that it'll be liked status quo :D Since Gary is Lisa's pet and the last time she set eyes on him was almost a year ago, I desperately want her to see the best of him. All the while, I only send her the pictures of him in various actions and antics! And, she too is impatient to meet him again. Alas, I hope I won't disappoint her ;(( 

While counting down the days, I also make a check list of some foodies that I would like to cook for her. Among others,  the popular Malaysian cuisines nasi lemak with sambal tumis ikan bilis and all it's condiments, roti canai with fish curry, soto ayam and of course her favourite Cokodok Ikan Bilis with Sambal Ketuk and Bubur Lambuk. 

Other than the above, I planned to have some Mother-Daughter bonding time over some foodies in various cosy restaurants which I think she would enjoy such as in Shakespeare and Al Mouj both @The Wave. The former has beautiful Victorian ambience whereas the latter is of high end Golf Club which has cosy environment over looking the green! Also I wish to take her to Crepe and of course at her favorite eating place for Fish & Chips @D'Arcy Kitchen in Jawarat Shatti. 

Knowing that she'll come to visit me, I already prepared for her some clothing and dresses with the hope that she'll like all of them. In fact, next month too will be her 23rd Birthday. So I am planning to take her out for a Birthday Bash. Perhaps her Dad has a place in mind of where to celebrate her momentous day. Last year Dad presented an iPhone as her birthday gift. Yet, for this year I have not heard of anything. May be a surprise gift when the time comes :))

So far when we chat virtually via FB or send messages through emails, she always poured her heart out and sometimes about her feeling stress @workplace. However, after listening to her grouses, I always encouraged her to be patience as well as be nice but firm to others. And, I told her to continue working where the bonus is to spend time with us during her vacation which she truly liked and looking forward to meeting US > Mama & Ayah! The count down to meet each other always bring smiles to both Mother and Daughter :))

Lisa - waiting anxiously for the arrival of Malaysian Former Prime Minister  & Wife @RumahMalaysia in Qurum 29, Muscat during her visit last year '2012'! As Flower Girl, she wrote in her FB: Getting Ready to meet Tun Dr Mahathir and Tun Dr Siti Hasmah. Excited+Nervous!

A bouquet to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. A joyous moment for Lisa :))