The Musicians

It matters not what festival we are at, music plays such a big part in our lives. Here at Batu Caves it was no different.

The musicians here are not to entertain though but to provide support and motivate the devotees carrying the kavadi. They beat on their drums to an upbeat rythm that had some of the devotees dance with the kavadi on their shoulders making it look easy peasy.

This group of musicians do not belong to the kavadi carriers. These guys are from Hare Krishna Sect doing their bit to enrol i suppose.

These guys just finished walking people to the steps and they seem like they are going back to The Gombak to walk another person to the steps and Yingus is just glad to be standing with musicians! Doesn't matter if they are not from Top of The Pops and such.

Here's another band of musicians at the site doing their bit in the celebration.

Music music everywhere...all in celebration of the moment.

272 Steps

Lord Murugan stands 42.7m tall and is the tallest statue of Lord Murugan in the world. In his right hand he holds the vel (lance) with which he vanquished the evil demon Soorapadman. I know only this from an elderly gentleman Mr. Suman whom we met here. A nice gentleman who was willing to spare a moment to share with us about Thaipusam. He also told me that it was no accident that we (Yingus & I) came to be here. It was thru Lord Murugan's calling that we were there. How does one explain staying in KL for 30 years and out of the blues suddenly decide to take a 2 hour walk to Batu Caves??? By the way, the devotees bearing the kavadi has to carry them all the way up the 272 steps to a temple up in the caves and down again. They have their family & friends assisting them up the steep ascend and descend. Just as i had Yingus to accompany me all the way here on foot.

Kavadi

The kavadis are all very pretty to look at but one can sense and even see that they weight a lot on the shoulders of the devotees. The devotees carry these kavadis as a vow made to Lord Murugan for granting their wish as well as a show of faith and love for their deities. Seeing some of the kavadis one can tell it is no mean feat.

They start their journey from the river after cleansing before adorning the kavadi onto their bodice.

No mean feat even if it is just having 20 or so stainless steel ingots hanging to fishing hooks tethered to the skin on his back.

Balancing the kavadi is definately not like balancing your Deuter backpack as the kavadi is attached to the person via hooks while we use straps for our backpacks.

Young and old alike have their wishes granted and in turn carry their kavadi. A 'heavy' price to pay for wishes granted? A vow kept, a promise made? Big or small, heavy or light, who is to say other than the person keeping their word and making true their vow to Lord Murugan.

I stand in awe and in respect of these devotees in keeping true to their word.

Sea of People

I am not normally a person who likes the crowd or crowded places but today is somehow different. I was just compelled to make my journey here to experience a celebration. The celebration of Lord Murugan's birthday which also is the day he receives his vel which means spear.

Yingus and i are here to pay our respects and also in a way to give thanx for the blessings we have in our lives and also to ask for another blessed year. We are not Hindu's but we just felt compelled to come and give thanx.

Why here? I dunno. We dunno. It never occured to me or us to ask why either. We just followed our hearts if you will.

The Gombak

The Ganges, India's river of life this is not. This is the Gombak if i am not wrong. Devotees start their journey from here. This is where they come to cleanse themselves before carrying the kavadi. This was told to me by someone who was there to cleanse herself before carrying the milk kavadi all the way up the steps of Batu Caves.

Lord Murugan's Smile

2 hours on the road and finally we sight Lord Murugan smilling at us from afar. Another 5mins and we will be at the foot of Batu Caves. 2 hours is what it takes to walk from Bandar Menjalara Kepong to Batu Caves.

After 2 hours it was a welcoming sight. There were not as many cars as i had expected. Perhaps we were early. I later found out that a lot of Hindus were told to boycott visiting the temples by Hindraf. They had a bit of a clash at the temple grounds earlier in the month and assaulted the temple keepers. Not very respectful i must say.

I am just happy and glad to be able to make this journey on foot. I have always wanted to experience Thaipusam first hand. On site. Be in the thick of things. And now i am here!

The Fisherman

After an hour of burning the rubber on our soles we came to a river. Just like any river in KL it is filled with filth. Don't believe all those pretty giant signboards on those "legally" erected unipoles which show children playing in our city's rivers with fishes jumping up and down. That was the vision by the City Council and will remain a vision till they take effective action.

This is the view of a real life river in KL City. If your kid takes a dip in it you would probably visit the doctor more than the river and as Yingus and I stood and 'admired' our flowing river we caught sight of this man fishing...perhaps for his daily meal. I'm pretty sure it was not for his aquarium. So before you waste your food today think of those that have to fish for their meals. Dumping of your wasted food and garbage into the drains would ultimately flow into this river and before you know it, your kids will be catching mutant fish. Keep our rivers clean. It is our responsibility!

The Flower

Looks like this flower escaped the hands of the flowerman. Perhaps it was too small or perhaps it's design was too complicated to be strung up. Perhaps this is also why it will grow up to be the fruit that it was intended to BE. Hmmm...looks like God designed us the way we are to serve a higher purpose.

Equal but different. Unique.

Flowerman

Along the way we met the flowerman. He sits patiently stringing his flowers while waiting for devotees to come buy them. Maybe his location a bit off, his stall is just outside of a church and since it is a weds there are no churchgoers either. I did not see a kuil anywhere either. Closest one is at the end of Samy's flyover in which direction we are headed.

Dead PMs

Our morning began early this Thaipusam day. By 0805hrs we had finished our breakfast and was on our way to Batu Caves on foot. Packed only with 2 litres of water and 3 sesame seed kuehs we set foot on our journey.

The weather was good and we had each other for company till we reached Desa Jaya where we met our Prime Ministers...some dead and gone and a couple who are still alive and kicking under the flyover that Samy built. They are there for the 'support'...moral or otherwise methinks. This is the 3-laned flyover that was at one time in the news for it's rather shaky predicament.

Perhaps with these powerful men supporting from beneath, the flyover is safe.

It was a moonlit nite...

It was a moonlit night...the moon was so full that if the roof of my humble abode was lifted off i would not need my Philips fluorescent lamp to light up my place.

Yingus and i had just finished our dinner and we were just chatting about what's next for the rest of the year. Car, job, finances, new dishes to cook...are just some of the things we touched on. I am itching to hit the trails again be it asphalt or the soft earth beneath my feet or just deep in the jungles. It's the new year and i have yet to plan my escapades when all of a sudden we decided..."Why not we take a walk to Batu Caves and ask for Lord Muruga's blessings for the new year?" So it was spoken, and so shall it be done!

Without any considerations we cleared the dining table, washed the dishes and went to sleep early in preparation for our little pilgrimage.

Team AWLP Rally 08

Apart from this being a very pretty picture of the Rally Team it also signifies a grand beginning to the year of the Rat for me. It's always nice to start off the year in a meaningful way and in contribution as well.

The Rally is also a great start to the year for many LPs as it began with them being in CONTRIBUTION to some 100 odd orphans from various homes, having FUN with elements from the LP journey incorporated into the events and LEARNING as well. The learning part of the Rally was a great re-connection with self especially when The Matt took us through John Goddards' "My Life List". Many an LP on the floor reconnected with their dreams and goals intimately that day. What a way to start the new year...getting connected to One's Life and having 360 days of the year to take effective action.

The drama, the screaming, yelling, cussing, swearing, anger, frustration, tears, joy, happiness, laughter, the EATING and the calming glow of satisfaction even if as the Stones' claim "You can't get no...Satisfaction" is priceless. This is the price of being in a great team...Team AWLP Rally 08! I'd gladly pay that price again and again. :)

A Great Team creating a Great start to the year of The Rat!

LP Sixteen

9 years ago this team was borned.

It all started for me with the Basic Guest Event to which i was forced to attend by my little brother and after that, there was no stopping me. My journey of self discovery and exploration began the moment i put my john hancock on that creme colored piece of card till the day i crossed the line and declared, "I am LP Sixteen!"

Till this day i live by my vision of Give & Live We Make a Difference!

Becoming ONE

The year started with me being involved with a great team of people in creating the Asiaworks All LP Rally 08. This is a weekend away for LPs. It is a weekend to get acquainted, reconnected, have fun and leave the weekend learning and even reconnecting with oneself and one another.
Kind of a reunion amongst friends. It is open to all grad LPs.

One of the most touching moments for me was when the LPs started piecing up the jigsaw mural which was at a huge 8' x 16' piece by piece. They were like ants passing and piecing up the pieces one by one in silence and as the puzzle became more and more visible there were tears in my eyes and many others too for i guess we all recognise that LP is what started it all for us. It started for me some 9 years ago.

Rally Team committee gets to run away with the banner.

Reading Glasses

Reading glasses are an intellectual lot. They can read where others can't.

It all came about one morning when i went to the loo and as many of my ancestors have done before me...i reached out for the magazines which is readily available in my loo and started flipping the pages. My focus was rather blurry so i reached out for some water and washed my eyes, after all i had just woken up but to my amazement the pages in front of me were still rather blurred. I flipped to the page where the bikini clad model was and i was relieved to be able to see the curvy contours cleary...phew! Hence i left it at that and went about my business thinkin...perhaps my eyes hadn't woken up is all.

Days, weeks and months went by and i never missed a pretty face or a hot bod so i was not much bother till i started picking up a book to read and i couldn't see the words without putting it out in front of me...at a distance. Taking pictures was a bother too as "the camera took too long to focus". Bugger! Houston...we have a problem!

Spoke to whirlwind and she asked me to go for a check up and i finally did...yesterday. The optometrist zapped my eye with his laser thingy and out came the results after a bit. He looked at it and said, "Sir...your eye sight is perfect." I was relieved but i said, "Words aren't clear enough for me." and he asked my age to which i retorted, "fourtyone".

"Oh! You need reading glasses. Old eye flower (translated from cantonese) sir." Well on the bright side...my vision is still perfect. Girls! Keep looking good!

Wilkommen 2008!

Welcome 2008!!!

It is a ritual every new year to bring in the New Year with a bunch of friends at the peak of FRIM at 1000 ft above sea level. The only difference this year is I brought a bottle of red wine and popped the cork at 1000 ft.

We raise our glasses to a great year ahead filled with Peace, Love & Joy. Here's to renewed friendships, new friendships, new relationships and great adventures! Make Love not War!

Happy New Year!

AuRevoir 2007

Finally i get to this part where i say goodbye 2007. Thank you for an adventurous year, new friends and the many new experiences that i have been through and the learnings i have received throughout the year. Au Revoir.

Krismas di KL

This year is the first time... i believe, that i am spending Christmas with my sumandak in KL. Normally she goes back to KB her kampung to spend Christmas and bring in the New Year with her family but due to Ayu's wedding she had to stay back in KL.

It upset her a whole lot not to be able to do Christmas with her family but as you can see from the pix she finally got over it and enjoyed her Christmas here with me and my Blog Brothers. We didn't do much but we had each other. My 3 month long stint with 109 and then LP Rally would have had most partners pulling their hairs out and i am sure she was on the verge of that and at some point she did too but she rarely showed it or complained about it. Putting on a strong front she would tell me..."You go do what you need to do. Don't worry about me."

Quiet and prefers to remain in the background, she would allow her tanakwagu to do the Dances of the Wolves while she observes. She understands & appreciates me more than i know. She is strong, patient, loving, funny, cute, olumis and occasionally...

...gumpungos!

I love you.

The Matt

This is The Matt i refered to earlier. I met and got to know this guy some 9 years ago. Then it was just a casual acquaintance but this hallowed ground that he is standing on in this picture is where our relationship took off.

Countless tee ups, trust falls, buddy beams, trapeze, elpees and LP Connection Projects later we became good buddies and brothers in the sun. Great guy! Hilariously entertaining when he goes through his throes of experiences. Heart bigger than the wall behind him and a person that stands for the dreams of others taller than the poles around him. Just don't tell him that the pole is TALLER than he is, he will beg to differ.

9 years is a long time to know and be in constant collaboration with someone in making a stand for others. Brother...it has been my privilege and honour to serve together with you.

Old Eye Flower

That seems to be the way things appear to me nowadays...blurry and yet visible at the same time. Gotta move things a certain distance and get it into focus before i can see it clearly... mainly text. A sign that age is catching up? Perhaps that is why it takes me longer to take pictures too cos when things are blurry i tend to think the camera is still not in focus.

Well...looks like that's another item to put in my DOE...Have eyes checked! puta.

Yellow Yellow Pretty Flower

Yellow seems to be the color of the day as i discover one yellow flower after another. I initially thought they were the same till i took a closer look...they are really tiny. I forgot to stick my thumb next to it before snapping this time so you just gotta take my word for it.

As i was stooping to take a shot at these beauties my friend Matt predicts that i would blog them and i am doing just that so that he can be right...again.

If you look close enuf you would be able to see part of the Rally Team in the centre of this picture. Rally? That's another story or shall i call it a drama...

Beauty Awaits

Like a pebble this yellow flower hid amongst the blades of grass that surrounds it. It would have gone unnoticed if not for the yellow of it's petals. To some it may just have been another bit part of the weeds but my trained "always lookin out for beauty" eyes saw it. Beauty is out there for us to see if only we look for it, otherwise it would remain just another blade of grass.

What's Cooking?

Since i cleaned up my kitchen and cooked my first Hainanese Chicken Rice i have been inspired to cook some more.

It was a Sunday evening sumandak and i had just finished attending Ayu's wedding lunch and we decided to go window shopping and ended up shopping for vege to cook for dinner. Normally we would just eat out but the bug had hit and we just decided to cook. Suddenly feeling domesticated i suppose. I hope that's the right word for it.

We bought some chicken fillet and a bitter gourd to cook for dinner. My contribution for dinner was the fu kua kai and sumandak's was steam chicken leg.

We are not great cooks but it's simple and edible and we had a great time preparing and cooking and having dinner together.

Now this new experience that we are both having is something new to both of us. We have never done this before. It's nice and warm experience. Doesn's say much? Well that's all i can express...want to know exactly how it feels? Go get a guy or gal and cook together and experience the experience!
Nuff said!

Kotobian Tadau Krismas & A Happy New Year!

Christmas this year was spent with sumandak in town. She didn't go back to Kota Belud as previous years cos one of our colleagues got married during the Christmas weekend hence she had to stay back. I'm sure it must have been sucky for her. I felt sucky for her after all this is the time when we would want to spend with family but i applaud her for being strong and made do with what she had...which was me and my family & friends.

We went visiting together and did our rounds at the complexes to get in the atmosphere as well as to experience the many efforts by the malls to create X'mas. As the sisters and mom was in Bangkok this time...the blog brothers came together and ended the year having dinner together at Mom's Place.

At this moment i just had this serene feeling. It felt wonderful to have family around on such occassions and i am thankful that i have the opportunity to sit at the same table with My Family and partake in a meal to mark the end of 2007.