The Wonder of Stevie : LIVE at Abu Dhabi

it was an incredible night. the night i saw STEVIE WONDER sang LIVE at yas arena, abu dhabi!

when he first came out simply playing a musical instrument strapped around his neck, the crowd went wild. and he hasn’t even said a word yet! with his trademark black shades and that dashing all-teeth smile, he had the crowd under his spell from the get-go.

that’s the magic of stevie wonder.

 

 

 happy me at the entrance

 

the concert was held at yas arena, one of the entertainment venues at yas island, abu dhabi. this was where mr. khairul went to see guns and roses few months back. yas island also houses the yas island circuit, which hosts the formula one abu dhabi grand prix, the ferrari world and yas marina hotel.

in a nutshell, yas island abu dhabi is the latest playground of the rich and can-afford-once-in-awhile, like us! haha.

 

 

security were tight. i think we passed by few stations with no less than 7 officers checking each person.

1. first, the one who checks whether your ticket is either the ‘golden circle’, ‘grandstand’ or ‘general admissions’ – whether you’re at the correct lane
2. after you pass that, you meet the one who checks handbags and pouches (probably looking for a cam-corder or such (maybe bombs!)
3. tickets were STILL with us at this point!
4. then you get to the metal detector. beep beep!
5. next, you reach a table where they finally tear up the ticket stub
6. …and also get your hand band
7. and you’re off to mingle on the field, this is OUTSIDE the actual concert arena
8. when you want to go INSIDE the concert arena, you’ll pass THREE more officers who check your ticket

man, they went ALL the way out to make sure there are absolutely NO concert-crashers! but hey, kidding aside, it’s really a good measure to ensure complete safety for all.

 

me @ the field just outside the concert arena

 

looking around, all i could see were mostly pakcik-pakcik and makcik-makcik mat saleh in simple top and slacks – ready to boogie with their teenage-year sensation, stevie wonder. opah and atuk rambut dah putih pun ade datang nak tengok their favorite singer!

i saw a few teens, but not many. probably tagging along with their parents. ye lah, imagine stevie’s hit ‘for once in my life’ came out about 9-10 years before i was born!

this is the first time i could truly see how incredibly HUGE the expat community is in the UAE. hardly any arabs (even if there are, they’re definitely OUT of the kandoora, their traditional dress). just a sea of mat saleh left and right.

 

my hand band

 

* * *

 

…and we’re inside!

correct me if i’m wrong, but yas arena looks like it’s propped up against the magnificent ferrari world! see the white-red-squares wall at the back? that’s the ferrari world, the latest theme park to invade UAE.

the yas arena is an open-air venue – which was perfect with the weather – so delightfully cool!

 

 from where i was sitting

 

when we went in, the place was already pretty packed, especially down at the general admissions side. like i mentioned in my previous posting, mr. khairul thought i was too erm, ‘dwarfish’ to be among the tall mat salleh and pak arab down at the general admissions side. i’d definitely be on my tip-toe the whole night, or worse – can’t even see anything even if i tip-toe!

..and so he opted for the grandstand tickets for us. and it really paid off wonderfully!

our seats were excellent. right in the middle, with awesome clear view of the stage (albeit a little far) but at least i know i don’t have to cringe my neck just to get a glimpse of stevie wonder. what made it more perfect was that the seat right in front of me was empty! so i really had a clear view of the stage, without having to see pass a tall, bald mat salleh, for example. hihi.

i was sitting down, relax, and ready to boogie with stevie. and of course, romancing the night away with my mr. khairul…

 

from where i was sitting. see the packed crowd right upfront?

 

* * *

 

after nearly 2 hours of waiting, the motown legend came out. pakcik stevie (he’s 60!) walked out slowly followed by a spotlight, while playing a ‘keytar’ – a lightweight keyboard or synthesizer supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders. it hangs like a guitar, but plays like a keyboard – hence the name, keytar.

the crowd screamed in approval.

 

stevie playing keytar : on the left is the big screen, and stevie in the middle of the stage far right

 

and keytar is just one of the many instruments he played throughout the concert, showcasing his musical genius, not only in his voice. he played the keyboard, the harmonica and even the drums! very fast too! oh, yes he hit those drums so fast, you’d never guess he’s blind. truly amazing!

there’s so many other things to say about the concert and my feelings as i watched the legend in motion, so i will just wrap it up in my likes and dislikes :

LIKES :

1. our seats were fantastic. right in the middle, next to the aisle (senang nak keluar) straight on view of the stage. no obstruction of view. perfect.
2. stevie wonder is so charming, funny, and a little cheeky for a 60 year old! at one point, he asked a stage crew to fix his keyboard and tune it to ‘funk guitar’ sound, and it took longer than he expected, he made little jokes, “cammon man, cammon. do i have to take off my shades and do it myself?”
3. stevie is so humble, when the audience had to wait for the stage crew to fix the keyboard, he said lightly, “hey man, let’s go let’s go. we’re losing the crowd, man. they’re ready to go home. cammon, man.” i mean, wow. he’s a mega-star and STILL thinks about the fans he’s entertaining, and not letting them wait.
4. stevie sang ‘visions’ – a song about having a beautiful place that exists not only in his visions – dedicated to the people of japan. he said, “..don’t just talk about it, people. BE about it!”
5. stevie asked the guys in the audience to sing a song to their ladies. then he went on keyboard and played…’my girl’!!! it was so cute. he said, “this is a classic when i was a young boy, but i knew what love was all about then.”
6. at one point, he actually forgot the lyrics to a song, but he quickly ad-lib – he stopped the music with a, “..wait, wait, wait hold on hold on now,” took over of the keyboard and immediately sang a new song. so professional, and acts fast in times of crisis – like forgetting lyrics! the change was so fast that it seemed as if forgetting the lyrics was part of an act at his concert!
7. it was open air, so i can see the full moon, celebrating stevie with us! few aeroplanes even zoomed by, since abu dhabi airport is just few miles away.
8. the two huge screens were very sharp and clear, we could enjoy stevie from miles away! haha
9. the musicians were fantastic. so talented, so energetic, and played in full enthusiasm for stevie! when stevie introduced them, and they played their instruments solo, you can see how incredibly talented they are!

 

 

DISLIKES :

1. we still can’t believe stevie did not sing ‘isn’t she lovely’ and ‘part-time lover’! it was pretty disappointing, but the other great songs made up for it hihi
2. we both agreed that the concert was anti-climax. sure, stevie did the old concert routine – the he-said-bye-the-concert-is-over but went back out when the crowd said, “we want more!”, and we thought he’s going to end the show with ‘part-time lover’. instead, he ended it with his less popular song! it was a banging end, but he should’ve sang a hit song instead.
3. we love you stevie, so why do you have to bring up some random sissy guy who cannot even pronounce words clearly? i’m talking about this dude ‘junior’ (see, nama pun tak macho) who kononnya wrote to stevie’s management saying that he wants to propose to his girlfriend during stevie’s concert. so stevie actually asked him come up stage to propose!!! his girlfriend amanda is so sweet and lovely, but that guy junior just irritates me lah! cakap pun tak clear, tak romantic lansung his luahan perasaan on stage. this session COULD be sweet, but spoiled because it was stretched too long, and the guy was a total wuss. waste of a good 20 minutes!
4. it was open air – so what do you expect? smoking is allowed! thankfully not many smoked near me.
5. i ALWAYS look for merchandise whenever i go to a theater performance – be it program book, CD of the musical, and best of all, a t-shirt of the performance. however, NONE were sold at concerts in yas arena. mr. khairul was already disappointed when he went for the guns and roses concert, and another frustration when no stevie concert t-shirts were sold
6. according to mr. khairul, the crowd at the grandstand area were passive – usually, when a fast number is played, it’s an unwritten rule to just stand up for that song and dance a bit, but during this concert, the crowd stayed seated and just moved at their seats. for mr. khairul, it was a bit b o r i n g!

 

another bit that i want to share that’s neither a ‘like’ nor a ‘dislike’. throughout the concert, a couple of guys went up and down the aisle to pick up rubbish – empty cans and cups. i was like, “bestnye. free-free je dapat tengok stevie wonder.” and mr. khairul jokingly added, “..ntah-ntah stevie wonder pun diorang tak kenal kot!”

 

 

well, that’s that. my review of the stevie wonder concert i attended with my mr. khairul. despite the ‘dislikes’ list, i obviously enjoyed myself thoroughly. i still can’t believe i watched him sing LIVE, at abu dhabi!

STEVIE WONDER!

 

 

criteria of a good concert to me is, the singers singing songs that i can sing along to. meaning, i know most of his/her/their songs and can sing along during the concert. having said that, other singers i would like to see in concert would be :

• babyface! (have yet to see him! sob sob)
• boyz to men, of course! (i’ve seen them in concert in malaysia)
• …and harry connick junior, or michael bubble since they both sang pretty much the same songs.
• anuar zain jangan dilupakan!
• the legendary sheila majid
• KRU, backstreet boys or n' sync pun jadilah!

 

* * *

 

thanks so much, honey. you made it happen!

Watching Stevie Wonder Tonight!

thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you---

THANK YOU!

 

thank you, honey!

* * *

they’ve got ‘standing’ tickets, and ‘sitting-down’ tickets.

“…sebab you *dwarf* kan, jadi i beli sitting tickets la. grandstand. kalau berdiri, confirm you tak nampak lansung stevie wonder…nampak kepala mat saleh ngan pak arab je…”

grrr.

but he’s still so yummy for buying me the tickets!

*big hug*

* * *

i’m hoping he would sing,

• for once in my life
• i just called to say i love you
• isn’t she lovely
• part-time lover
• don’t you worry bout a thing

(…and yes, i’ve already burned a CD with all his songs to play in the car all the 1 and half hour drive to yas island, abu dhabi).

i’m also hoping that at one point of the concert, he would casually throw his signature black shades and it sort off hit me on the head. i might have mild concussion but i will be happy. haha.

i will leave you with this really cool song by stevie - ‘don’t you worry bout a thing’ – and tell me whether you can stop your head bobbing, your fingers clicking and your feet tapping to this silky beat.

 

 

enjoy!

p/s : if you’re wondering what will happen to the kay boys – well, thanks to my mom-in-law, they’d be having their own ‘concert’ with their opah at home while mak and bapak take their very, very RARE date night! THANKS SO MUCH!

Stevie Wonder in Abu Dhabi

this is not even a hint anymore. it’s not even a suggestion. it’s an aggressive directive measure to ensure i get to see one of the most brilliant singers in soul music.

go buy me a ticket NOW! ok, *please*. love you hihi.

 

 

please, honey! pretty please with cherry on top! *blink blink*

while i wait, here’s a clip to entertain me haha, and you fans out there! i think, his most famous song is ‘i just called to say i love you’ and also the popular choice of american idol’s contestants ‘signed, sealed, deliver’ – but here’s one of MY favorites - ‘for once in my life’. this clip is an uber-classic perfomance by a young stevie wonder. (he’s 60 now!).

growing up blind shortly after birth, he is truly a musical genius – one of favorite R&B singers (among babyface, boyz to men, blackstreet, and tevin campbell).

many, many many great singers have sang covers of this song which include the temptations, tony bennet, michael bubble, sinatra and the fantastic ella fitzgerald – but stevie’s version is the best! enjoy!

 

 

for once in my life I have someone who needs me
someone I've needed so long
for once, unafraid, I can go where life leads me
and somehow I know I'll be strong

for once I can touch what my heart used to dream of
long before I knew
someone warm like you
would make my dreams come true
for once in my life I won't let sorrow hurt me
not like it's hurt me before
for once, I have something I know won't desert me
i'm not alone anymore
for once, I can say, this is mine, you can't take it
as long as I know I have love, I can make it
for once in my life, I have someone who needs me

 

* * *

Japan Twitter after Quake : Heart-Warming!

read this if you’re feeling down or need a good cry. forget the pretentious stories in the chicken soup, or even ‘the secret’. this is the real deal.

the japanese have been hit by the 5th strongest quake in recorded history. an 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of northeast japan brought a ferocious tsunami that has caused massive destruction; flattening whole cities, starting raging fires, and killing thousands.

however, these tweets give it to you raw, simple, full of hope in human kindness – even in the face of adversity. truly inspirational.

 

 

* * *

these tweets have been compiled by a japanese, jun shiomitsu in a facebook note. thank you, fellow human being. we have a lot to learn from how the japanese handled this tragedy with such courtesy and care. no massive panic, or mob attacks on shops to get supplies or looting personal homes.

these short tweets will tell you how it went :

 

* ディズニーランドでの出来事

http://twitter.com/unosuke/status/46376846505426944

ディズニーランドでは、ショップのお菓子なども配給された。ちょっと派手目な女子高生たちが必要以上にたくさんもらってて「何だ？」って一瞬思ったけど、その後その子たちが、避難所の子供たちにお菓子を配っていたところ見て感動。子供連れは動けない状況だったから、本当にありがたい心配りだった

At Tokyo Disneyland:

Tokyo Disneyland was handing out its shops’ food and drinks for free to the stranded people nearby.  I saw a bunch of snobby looking highschool girls walking away with large portions of it and initially though “What the …”  But I later I found out they were taking them to the families with little children at emergency evacuation areas.  Very perceptive of them, and a very kind thing to do indeed.

 

* * *

 

* 渋滞した交差点での出来事

http://twitter.com/micakom/status/46264887281848320

一回の青信号で１台しか前に進めないなんてザラだったけど、誰もが譲り合い穏やかに運転している姿に感動した。複雑な交差点で交通が５分以上完全マヒするシーンもあったけど、１０時間の間お礼以外のクラクションの音を耳にしなかった。恐怖と同時に心温まる時間で、日本がますます好きになった。

At a congested downtown intersection …

Cars were moving at the rate of maybe one every green light, but everyone was letting each other go first with a warm look and a smile.  At a complicated intersection, the traffic was at a complete standstill for 5 minutes, but I listened for 10 minutes and didn’t hear a single beep or honk except for an occasional one thanking someone for giving way.  It was a terrifying day, but scenes like this warmed me and made me love my country even more.

 

* * *

 

* 日本人の良さを再認識

http://twitter.com/VietL/status/46376383592677376

この地震が、きっかけになって、失いかけていた日本人本来の良さが戒間見れた気がする。犯罪はする様子はなく、助け合い、律儀、紳士的。普段日本人は冷たい人が多い…。って個人的に感じてるんだけど、多くの人が今回で「絆」を取り戻しつつあるように見えて、それがなんか感動して、泣けてくる。

Reminded of the goodness of the Japanese people

This earthquake has reminded me of that Japanese goodness that had recently become harder and harder to see.  Today I see no crime or looting: I am reminded once again of the good Japanese spirit of helping one another, of propriety, and of gentleness.  I had recently begun to regard my modern countrymen as cold people … but this earthquake has revived and given back to all of us the spirit of “kizuna” (bond, trust, sharing, the human connection).  I am very touched.  I am brought to tears.

 

* * *

 

* 段ボールに感動

http://twitter.com/aquarius_rabbit/status/46213254376210432

ホームで待ちくたびれていたら、ホームレスの人達が寒いから敷けって段ボールをくれた。いつも私達は横目で流してるのに。あたたかいです。

Card board boxes, Thank you!

It was cold and I was getting very weary waiting forever for the train to come.  Some homeless people saw me, gave me some of their own cardboard boxes and saying “you’ll be warmer if you sit on these!”  I have always walked by homeless people pretending I didn’t see them, and yet here they were offering me warmth.  Such warm people.

 

* * *

 

* 外国人から見た日本人

http://twitter.com/kiritansu/status/46335057689980928

外国人から見た地震災害の反応。物が散乱しているスーパーで、落ちているものを律儀に拾い、そして列に黙って並んでお金を払って買い物をする。運転再開した電車で混んでるのに妊婦に席を譲るお年寄り。この光景を見て外国人は絶句したようだ。本当だろう、この話。すごいよ日本。

What foreigners are saying about Japanese people

At a supermarket where everything was scattered everywhere over the floors, shoppers were helping pick them up and putting them back neatly on the shelves before quietly moving into line to wait to pay for them.  On the totally jam-packed first train after the quake, an elderly man gave up his seat for a pregnant woman.  Foreigners have told me they are amazed witnessing sights like these.  I do believe they actually saw what they said they saw.  Japan is truly amazing.

 

* * *

 

* 絵師さん

http://twitter.com/izumi823/statuses/46387948681297920

絵師さんたちがこの地震でみんなに元気付けようと必死に美しい絵や励ましのイラストを描いていることに感動。みんな自分にできることをしたいと思っているんだね。

Touch of art

I saw artists and painters trying to keep things upbeat by painting or drawing beautiful or encouraging drawings for the evacuees around them.  I was touched at how everyone was doing their very best to help.

 

* * *

 

* BBCの報道

http://twitter.com/bozzo1985/status/46228470614855681

本当に感動。泣けてくる。⇒BBCめっちゃ誉めてる。地球最悪の地震が世界で一番準備され訓練された国を襲った。その力や政府が試される。犠牲は出たが他の国ではこんなに正しい行動はとれないだろう。日本人は文化的に感情を抑制する力がある。

BBC Reports

The words of BBC’s reports are so moving they make me cry.  They were praising us with words of admiration!  “One of the worst earthquakes in recorded history has hit the world’s most well-prepared, well-trained nations.  The strength of its government and its people are put to the test.  While there have been casualties, in no other country could the government and the people have worked together in such an accurate and coordinated way in the face of such tragedy.  The Japanese people have shown their cultural ability to remain calm in the face of adversity.”

* * *

* パン屋

http://twitter.com/ayakishimoto/statuses/46403599743451136

昨日の夜中、大学から徒歩で帰宅する道すがら、とっくに閉店したパン屋のおばちゃんが無料でパン配給していた。こんな喧噪のなかでも自分にできること見つけて実践している人に感動。心温まった。東京も捨てたもんじゃないな。

The bakery lady

There was a small bread shop on the street I take to go to school.  It has long been out of business.  But last night, I saw the old lady of the shop giving people her handmade bread for free.  It was a heart-warming sight.  She, like everyone else, was doing what she could to help people in a time of need.  Tokyo isn’t that bad afterall!

 

* * *

 

* 日本ってすごい

http://twitter.com/tksksks/statuses/46403815397801984

日本って凄い。官僚も民間も、皆で助けようとしてる。トラックの運転手も有志で物資運んでるらしいし、東北の交通整備をヤクザさんがやってるという話も聞いた。最近、日本に対して誇りを持てないことが続いていたけれど、そんなことない。日本は凄い国だ。素直に感動してる。日本国の皆さん頑張ろう！

Japan is a wonderful nation!

Both the government and the people, everyone is helping one another today.  There are truck drivers helping evacuees move.  I even heard that the “yakuza” (gangsters, organized crime groups) are helping to direct traffic in the Tohoku region!  There have been many recent developments that have made me lose my sense of pride in my country, but not anymore.  Japan is an amazing place!  I’m just simply touched.  Go Japan!

* * *

* ドイツ人の友達

http://twitter.com/sikkoku_otsuyu/status/46392832893796352

ドイツ人の友達が地震が起きた時に渋谷に居て、パニックになっていた所を日本人に助けてもらったらしく、その時の毅然とした日本人の態度や足並み乱さずに店の外に出てやるべきことを淡々とこなす姿にひどく感動し、まるでアーミーのようだったと言っていた。

From a German friend

A German friend of mine was in Shibuya (downtown Tokyo shopping district) when the earthquake hit.  He was panicking when a Japanese passerby saved him, taking him into a building.  My friend was blown away at how calm and disciplined this Japanese man was.  He went out of the building with firm, unfaltering steps, did everything he was trained to do and came back.  My German friend was deeply impressed by the Japanese people’s actions during the earthquake, saying they looked like a trained army.

* * *

* スーパーでの出来事

http://twitter.com/endless_6/status/46395420523503616

スーパーで無事買物出来ましたヽ(´o｀； でもお客さんのほとんどが他の人の事を考えて必要最低限しか買わない感じだったのが感動しました（涙）

At the supermarket

I just came back safely from the supermarket!  Man, I was so touched at how everyone there was mindful of others, buying only as much as they needed and leaving the rest for the people behind them.

* * *

* 「みんな」

http://twitter.com/n_yum/statuses/46388003706380288

タクシー運ちゃんと電車駅員さんとおばさんと話したけど、みんな遅くまで帰れなかったりしてすごく疲れているのに、苛立つ事なく、言葉遣いもふるまいも丁寧で、逆に気遣われてしまった。｢みんな大変だから｣という"みんな"って意識があることに感動するし、私も受け継いで大事にしたい文化。

“All of us”

I spoke with an old taxi driver and some elderly staff at the train stations.  All of them had been working non-stop and had not been able to go home for a long time.  They were visibly very tired, but never once did they show any sign of impatience; they were gentle and very caring.  They told me “… because all of us are in this together.”  I was touched at what the notion of “all of us” meant to these elderly people.  It is a value I will treasure and carry on to my generation.

 

* * *

 

* 日本の強さ

http://twitter.com/dita_69/status/46309373458382849

サントリーの自販機無料化softbankWi-Fiスポット解放、色んな人達が全力で頑張っててそれに海外が感動・協力してる。海外からの援助受け入れに躊躇したり自衛隊派遣を遅らせたりしてた阪神淡路大震災の頃より日本は確実に強い国になってるんだ。みんな頑張ろう。

A strong Japan

Suntory Beverages has set up free vending machines.  Softbank Telephone services is offering free Wifi spots.  Everyone in Japan is putting everything they can into helping one another.  Japan is also now receiving aid from abroad.  Compared to the Kobe earthquake, when Japan took too long to contemplate accepting foreign aid or dispatching the self-defense force to join the rescue effort, Japan has definitely grown into a far stronger nation.  Be strong, everyone!

* * *

* ローマから

http://twitter.com/tsubakianna/statuses/46387133396688896

ローマにいる友達からメール。ローマの人々はニュースを見ながらこのような状況でも冷静に対処する日本人に感動し、尊敬の念を覚えながら、非常に心配しているとのことです。

Message from a friend in Rome

My friend in Rome emailed me.  He said that people in Rome are watching the news and sharing their amazement and their heartfelt respect at how, even at a time like this, the people of Japan are able to remain calm and systematically respond to the situation.  People in Rome are thinking of us and are very concerned for us.

* * *

* 助け合い

http://twitter.com/sorry_no_user/statuses/46332985133375488

警備員の友人何人かが町田〜相模大野で夜間警備のボランティアをしていたので手伝ってきた。年齢問わずいろんな知らない人同士が助け合っていて心強かった。ちょっと感動してトイレの隅で泣いた。

The beauty of helping one another

I went out last night to help some friends who were volunteering as security personnel between Machida City and Sagami Ohno City.  I saw total strangers, both young and old, helping each other along everywhere I turned and was heartened with an overwhelming feeling of encouragement.  I was so touched I hid behind the toilets and cried.

* * *

* 開放

http://twitter.com/robasuke23/statuses/46326711935172609

昨日、歩いて帰ろうって決めて甲州街道を西へ向かっていて夜の21時くらいなのに、ビルの前で会社をトイレと休憩所として解放してる所があった。社員さんが大声でその旨を歩く人に伝えていた。感動して泣きそうになった。いや、昨日は緊張してて泣けなかったけど、今思い出してないてる。

Rest here!

Last night, I decided, rather than stay at the office, I should try walking home.  So I slowly made my way west on Koshu freeway on foot.  It was around 9PM when I saw an office building that had a sign that said “Please use our office’s bathrooms! Please rest here!”  The employees of the office were loudly shouting out the same to all the people trying to walk home.  I was so touch I felt like crying.  Well, I guess I was too tense yesterday to cry, but now the tension is wearing off and am very much in tears.

* * *

* ホームにて

http://twitter.com/masa_kisshie/statuses/46323838316843008

都営大江戸線の光ヶ丘方面行きは、非常に混雑しています。ホームにも、改札の外にも、電車を待つ溢れんばかりの人。でも、誰一人列を崩さず、通路を開け、係員の誘導に従っている。ロープがあるわけでもないのに、通る人のための通路スペースが。その不自然なほどの快適さに、ただただ感動するばかり。

On the platform

The Oedo Subway Line for Hikarigaoka is very congested.  On the platform and at the gate there are just crowds and crowds of people waiting for the train.  But in all the confusion, every last person is neatly lined up waiting his or her turn while managing to keep a passage of space open for staff and people going the other way.  Everyone is listening to the instructions from the staff and everyone acts accordingly.  And amazingly … there isn’t even a rope or anything in sight to keep people in queue or open space for staff to pass, they just do!  I am so impressed at this almost unnatural orderliness!  I have nothing but praise for these people!

 

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* いつでも買える

http://twitter.com/7474529/status/46565903520907264

今日、募金箱に金髪にピアスの若い兄ちゃんが万札数枚入れていた。そしてその友人に｢ゲームなんていつでも買えるからな｣と言っていたのが聞こえて私含め周りの人達も募金していた。人は見た目じゃないことを実感した。そんなお昼でした。 この話感動しました。

Goth youth

A goth youth with white hair and body piercings walked into my store and shoved several hundred dollars (several tens of thousands of yen) into the disaster relief fund donation box.  As he walked out, I and people around me heard him saying to his buddies, “I mean, we can buy those games anytime!”  At that, we all opened our wallets and put our money into the donation box.  Really, you cannot judge people by their appearances.

 

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* お菓子いっぱい

http://twitter.com/moebamuse/status/46379810217406465

すごい。弟たった今ディズニーランドから帰宅したんだけど。新品のお菓子袋いっぱいにもらってきて、客全員分の帰りの交通費負担してくれたんだって。一晩中、何か言えば全て対応してくれたって。やっぱり世界のディズニーランドなんだね。

Another Disney episode

Amazing!  My brother just managed to get home from Disneyland right now.  He’s got bags and bags of free sweets.  Furthermore, Disneyland paid for every customer’s travel fare back.  All night long, the staff responded immediately and fully to every request he made.  Disneyland is truly a world class brand!

 

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* 困ったときは！

http://twitter.com/ryoshun49/statuses/46605524434821120

昨日青葉台駅で帰宅困難者が溢れる中、車に乗ってる人が「○○方面の方どうぞ！」って行って車に乗せてた。「困った時はみんな一緒ですから！」って言ってた。超感動したの思い出した。

Same boat!

Last night, Aobadai station was jammed with stranded people unable to get home.  But there were private cars with drivers shouting “If you’re going in the direction of ****, please hop on!”  I was able to hitch a ride on one of them.  When I thanked the driver, he replied “No worries! We’re all on the same boat. We have to stick together!”

 

* * *

 

what amazing culture! it’s little stories of unsung heroes like these that make my heart soar and filled with the warmth of human kindness.

the japanese certainly showed their resilience and courage in times of crisis. and most of all the selflessness in helping out with any smallest thing that they can offer. tak berkira. these tweets really touched me, and i wonder how would my fellow malaysians act, given the same pressing situation?

with the same gargantuan level of adversity, would our ‘malaysia boleh’ tag help?

Back to Egypt : Thanks Teh!

teh is going back to egypt tonight!

ms diyana shereen, or fondly known as teh in the family is my sister-in-law. she has been staying with us in dubai for the past 2 months. she came to from cairo to dubai originally to spend the winter holiday, just days before the devastating unrest and demonstrations began in cairo. read about my take on it here.

now weeks after president mubarak stepped down, malaysian students in cairo are already gradually sent back to school. this goes for her too, as classes in cairo university will begin next week. i hope things are getting better, business as usual and most of all SAFE for them to return.

 

teh : future dentist, insyaAllah!

 

to me, teh is funny, and smart. keeps silent when she chooses to, yet can be the life of a party. she’s a firm aunty, and a helpful sis-in-law.

i will miss our borak-borak, and having her help around the house especially with the difficult kahfi (who currently in the ‘terrible two’ phase!).

 

i know she will most definitely miss her favorite nephew, khaleef.

 

teh and i @ dubai global village. here we are in front of the egypt pavillion

 

thanks for everything teh.

for bathing the kiddos (and kazim too!), and making toasted waffles for khaleef. for picking him up from the bus after school, and patiently tending to kahfi’s tantrums. and for what little conversations we have had. we will really miss having you around.

be safe in cairo, and always stay in groups! good luck in your studies, and have a fun flight. we’ll see you again when we all come back to malaysia for raya okay!

p/s: by the way, on more than one occasion, people had been telling us that we look alike, and they thought teh was my sister! well, that can only mean one thing : that teh is as super gorgeous as i am! hahaha.

TGIF Dubai Mall : Nice View of Dancing Fountain

there are 2 places i know where you can dine in view of the world’s tallest building burj khalifa, while you enjoy the light, music and water ‘show’ of the ‘dancing fountain’ :

1. the row of restaurants on the LG floor of dubai mall, the dancing fountain side (one of the restaurants i tried was ‘wafi gourmet’, with my in-laws. click here for my review)
2. souk al-bahar, an arabesque shopping mall with waterside cafes (one of the cafes i tried was ‘shakespeare cafe’, with my sisters syida and azi. click here to read our experience there)

 

for those not in the know, the ‘dancing fountain’ opposite the world’s largest mall, dubai mall is no regular fountain. it has the highest shooting fountain in the world, with a play on awesome music and the brightest lights than can be seen from miles.

the shooting water moves with the music, hence the name ‘dancing fountain’.

 

me. hihi. behind me is the base of the tallest building in the world

 

well, we just found a great spot to see all these wonderful landmarks, while eating delicious yummies at *affordable* price.

i say ‘affordable’ because though you can see the fountain from the line of posh restaurants at the LG floor right in front of the fountain (wafi gourmet, fusion restaurants – to name a few) and at the souk al-bahar (also another upscale spot with posh cafes) – this place that we found is just your average american diner, with ‘cheaper’ cheeseburgers and sodas!

TGIF!

 

 

teh. behind my sister-in-law is ‘souk al-bahar’, with a bridge connecting dubai mall

 

 

burj khalifa. too tall for my lense!

 

the peach building is dubai mall, with the fountain in front and the burj khalifa on the side. setting sebijik macam suria klcc, fountain and our twin towers kan?

 

 

the ‘calm’ fountain before the show starts, and in the next picture, the shooting fountain that dances with the music and light. fantastic show!

 

the dancing fountain starts at 6pm, with consecutive shows every 30 minutes. so if you really want to sit, eat and enjoy – come around 5pm (because it’ll be full by 5.30) and book a seat on the balcony to get a good view!

eat slowly and wait till 6pm when the show starts. sit for 3-4 more shows, and then be considerate to leave the table for other people, okay! hihi.

 

kazim enjoying the ‘dancing fountain’

 

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oh, why were we at TGIF? it’s a treat for mr. khairul’s birthday from his younger brother angah. thanks bro! i had cheeseburger. nyum. but i think chilis make better cheeseburgers, and the best is surely from fuddruckers!

TGIF dubai mall is on the 2nd level, waterfront atrium. it’s above dean & deluca cafe.

Abg Kahfi & Cousin Wafa

meet wafa.

she is the boys’ only cousin on their bapak’s side (they have 6 other cousins on my side). she is the only daughter of mr. khairul’s younger brother, fondly known in the family as ‘angah’, and naturally, my boys call him pak ngah.

to wafa, mr. khairul and i are pak long and mak long since my husband is the eldest in the family. felt ‘old’ and so classic to be called ‘mak long’ – since on my side, my nephews and nieces call me aunty gim – rock sikit! haha)

sigh wafa, wafa. don’t you just wanna pinch her cheeks?

 

 

kahfi & wafa : like two peas in a pod!

 

i’m not being bias and say my boys are angels with each other. all three are mischievous lot with cheeky tricks up their sleeves – but i’ve never seen kahfi fight and quarrel and bicker and hog toys with his other brothers, as much as when he’s with wafa!

yes – they’re such great friends, and such terrible enemies!

 

 

mornings are incomplete if wafa had not woken up yet. kahfi would creep closer and call out her name to wake her up! they can just sit together side by side watching disney cartoons.

 

lepak-lepak tengok cartoon

 

…and yet, war would soon begin as battles for cookies, toys and even the x-box controllers rage on! both of them would definitely be crying at one point or another in a day!

 

 

wafa is staying for a few more days before flying back to malaysia, so kahfi – play nice!