Rites of Passage

[quest intro-page 156]
keris bathing: A ritual steeped in tradition

For keris owners, the cleansing of the weapon, which symbolises pride and courage of the Malays, is an important ritual.Usually held during Awal Muharram, the first day of the Muslim calendar, the cleansing ceremony sees people from near and far bringing their keris to cleansing centres for the experts to work on them. It is also an opportunity for owners to view an assortment of keris brought in for cleansing.In Johor, the most established centre for the cleansing ceremony is Balai Seni Nusantara along Lido Beach in Johor Baru.This year, over 100 people brought along their prized collections for the ceremony.The ceremony usually starts with a silat performance, followed by the centre’s person-in-charge Syed Hussain Haroon blessing the experts with a keris.The ceremony covers three stages.First, dirt and oil is removed from the blade with a concoction of lime, mengkudu (a plant that has been extensively used in traditional medicine for centuries) and pineapple juice.This is followed by dipping the keris into a pail of water filled with chopped pandan leaves. It is then dried with a hairdryer. Oil and perfume are finally applied to the keris, marking the end of the ceremony.Keris collector, Zaid Zain, 42, said he goes to the centre regularly after taking up the hobby more than 10 years ago.He now has 30 keris in his collection, some bought in Indonesia.“In the past, the keris was used as a talisman against pests in farms. It was usually buried.“Today, it is displayed more as a collection. I like to collect keris, especially the old ones,” he said.One of Zaid’s favourite is a 500-year-old Indonesian keris bought five years ago for RM1,500.He said the original owner of the keris was an Indonesian woman known as Sombro, who used it for protection during birth.It is said that the value of a keris depends on its workmanship, the metal used, age, motif of the melted metal and the background of the maker.A famous heirloom for Javanese people, in ancient times the keris represented manhood — a man was not considered a real man until he had a keris. The weapon is highly valued, treated and respected.The keris is divided into two parts, the blade or wilah, and the scabbard or warangka, to protect the blade. In olden days, making the blade of a keris would take up to a year to complete. Only respectable Empu, or keris-makers, can make high-quality keris.To prepare a keris, the Empu has to perform spiritual deeds like fasting, remaining awake for several days and nights, and meditation, among others. This is because the weapon is believed to contain a spiritual mission, which is dependent on the user of the keris. For instance, the weapon could be filled with spiritual beings to protect or help the keris owner.

My favourite AD or TV commercial..

(Quest Intro-page 145)

The Armaggedon Mystery

There are a couple of movies on my desk.. pirated copies of the latest movies. I purchase it a few days ago... but then, I have yet to see any one of it. I have the time, but I don't seem to have time to watch it. It really wonders me why I bought all this movies in the first place.
And he said.. "Kiss me and smile for me.. Tell me that your wait for me.. Hold me like your never gonna let me go"I did have time to watch Armageddon over TV3 tough. Although not sure what made me watch this movie for the 4th time during my lifetime, but I remained a satisfied man at the end of the movie. I really think this movie could go down to one of my favorite movies of all times although it remains a true mystery on why I would rather watch it over TV when I know I have its DVD stashed somewhere at home. Another interesting thing would be my preference to spend time with advertisements in between the movie, and not mentioning the absurd Malaysian censorship, but still remain loyal in front of the TV set watching the movie over TV3.Heroes... Armageddon is really the best doomsday movie ever!!

Life I guess is full of unknown mysteries, and my willingness to spend precious time wasted with TV adverts as I watch Armageddon over TV3 is one of them.

Rewriting

(Quest Intro-page 79)

My idea of the perfect career is in psychology. I’m going to become a psychologist, for three reasons. First, I’m fascinated the studies of human's mind, their thoughts and feelings. Second, I love to do research. Research is about the way that people behave either they are in correct or wrong way. Third, I enjoy helping people especially human who need my help and consult. Help and consult in many ways. My research might make a big difference in the world and I can help many people. Now, I’m studying in business course. However, I may study psychology after graduate. For me, if there is a will, there is a way.

(Quest Intro-page 163)

To celebrate the new bride and groom, there is a wedding ceremony. For this ritual, men must put on a black suit on their body. They sit together in group either with families or friends in the big hall. The catering’s company serve all people with delicious dishes. While the people were eating, they can hear a lovely and romantic song from a DJ who already provided there. After that, bride and groom arrive there. They were escort with some people who played ‘kompang’. The bride and groom sit together on the stage. There were a lot of gifts at the right on the stage. Finally, after a few hours, both of bride and groom went back to their house to change their clothes for the next convention.

petronas advertisement

Part two of our series on formula one advertisements, this ad concerns Petronas again.
This advertisement about:



At the beginning, there was a german kid played with his formula one toy car. After a while, his grandfather came out from the house. Then the kid getting scolded by his grandfather for playing with that toy. Next, the kid tought his grandfather about formula one cars. The grandfather look very impressed with his grandchildren's knowledge. Finally, the grandfather move away from his grandchildren. The kid just laughed with his grandfather's action.

HOMEWORK!!!

The word 'SO'

1) Used to emphasize an adjective or adverb, especially when this produces a particular result.
Example:
Haziq was driving so fast that he couldn’t stop.
2) Used in negative sentences for comparing people or things.
Example:
She’s not so beautiful as we thought.
3) Used in place of something that has been said already, to avoid repeating it.
Example:
Are you coming by plane? If so, I can meet you at the airport.
4) Also, too.
Example:
Nurul like dancing so does safiyyah.
5) Used to show that you agree that something is true, especially when you are surprised.
Example:
“It’s getting late.” “So it is. We’d better go.”
6) (Used when you are showing somebody something) in this way, like this.
Example:
Nabilah, hold the paper in two diagonally, like so.
7) With the result that; therefore.
Example:
Saadah felt very tired, so she went to bed early.
8) With the purpose that; in order that.
Example:
Syaima’ wore dark glasses, so nobody would recognize her.
9) Used to show how one part of a story follows another.
Example:
So what happened next, Hanisah?

Where I am in life now?

Where am I? Where am I in life now?
Now, I’m taking business course at Islamic Science University of Malaysia, but for your information, before this, to become businesswoman was not my ambition.
When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to become a teacher because that time I felt that teaching is fun and enjoy. When I’m registered at primary school, my ambition was changed. I want to become a doctor. Although I knew that I’m not suitable with that job if I’m not threw away the fear of blood.
After 6 years felt to become a doctor, I changed again my ambition when I’m entering secondary school. At secondary school, I’m always following my dad to his office. My dad works as officer in agriculture at RISDA department. I saw my dad enjoy his works and I’m also enjoy looking that job. So, that time, I want to be like my dad is.
When I’m at form 4 and 5, I took account class. As usual, my ambition still changed. I want to become an accountant. J. Before I registered at Islamic Science University of Malaysia, I applied accounting course there. Sadly, I can’t continue my studied in accounting course because I got another course, syariah and law course.
I studied that course for a year. Do you want to know some secret??? That time I wanted to be a lawyer. Last but not least, now I’m taking business course at the same university. So, my passion more than to be a businesswoman. I want to open my own company. After I graduate this course, I will continue my studies at the same course in master level or I may studies psychology for a while. Because I’m also love to know the mind of human and their behave. Maybe one day, I will open company of psychology. Maybe…who knows???

My Experience with flow

Most of us have experience with flow. Truly happy people experience it often. Flow does not last long. It visits us for a few minutes.
I was faced a flow when I’m joined a group of students to Lambaian Danau’s camp in Jasin, Melaka. We had a lot of activities there such as rafting, war game, explore race and much more.
In rafting, we need to make our own raft by group. It’s so difficult to make a raft. For your information, my group’s raft was sunk on the lake. I don’t know how to describe my feeling when that incident happened. Scared, nervous... But, we still lucky because there was someone who the owner of this camp came and save us. Thank GOD.
I think, there’s not enough one page if I want to write all my experiences there. But, I feel so excited and have a fun there. I hope, I can get a chance to go there on the other time.