Wacky Quotes

Someone emailed this sometime back...

Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute,
and it seems like an hour.
Sit with a pretty girl for an hour,
and it seems like a minute.
THAT'S relativity - Albert Einstein


The brain is a wonderful organ.
It starts working the moment you get up in the morning and
does not stop until you get into the office. - Robert Frost


The trouble with being punctual is that nobody's there to appreciate it. - Franklin P. Jones


We must believe in luck.
For how else can we explain the success of those we don't like? - Jean Cocturan


It matters not whether you win or lose; what matters is whether I win or lose. - Darrin Weinberg


Help a man when he is in trouble and
he will remember you when he is in trouble again.


Complex problems have simple, easy to understand wrong answers.


It is not exactly cheating, I prefer to consider it creative problem solving.


Whoever said money can't buy happiness, didn't know where to shop.


Alcohol doesn't solve any problems , but then again, neither does milk.


Most people are only alive because it is illegal to shoot them.


Forgive your enemies but remember their names.


The number of people watching you is directly proportional to the stupidity of your action.


Dont worry that the world ends today, its already tomorrow in Australia!

Memoir of 27 August 2006

Much has passed me by since ...



My August evenings are filled with shows one or the other. September would be the same too. Am starting a new level for my classes in September and will be holding auditions for the children's show. I'm not looking forward to the auditions - a lot of parents are going to start to hate me for not choosing their child.

We just ended 1 week of school holidays which means more work but good work this time - we had a whole lot of both talented and commited participants.

The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre will be officially opened by the PM on 2 Sept. after being in operation for more than a year. looking forward to that.

Very interesting day today. I've got a pet squirell my mom rescued yesterday. When its well enough to go to its family, I hope it'll come back and visit the house often. (It's actually a tree shrew.)

There was a baby python at the GM's office. It was such a cutey. While some of us thought ???, some were wondering how it got there. Did it use the stairs or the lift?

The Taihen project is certainly taking a lot of my time. Every Tuedays at one center and alternate Thursdays at another. I've also got problems with my one and only "Head of Kuroko" (Stage Assistant). Accusing me of all sorts of things and not happy at all working with me and The Actors Studio. I have to start going to Universities to talk to students about the project and recruit some volunteers to assist as stage assistants.

My boss faridah was awarded an honorary degree at a university in Penang (her hometown). I went with her as Joe her husband was busy with opening night of "Broken Bridges". Didn't realise that we were the VIPs. It was a memorable trip and we were back in time to catch the 2nd half of the musical.

Cancerlink Project in Lumut (Mis-adventures)

A few weeks before my trip to Lumut my car was acting up. 2 times it had stalled at the same place and each time I had to get a ride from strangers to get back home rather 'early' in the morning. The first time with the police and the second time with the highway maintenace people. I told my mechanic at Proton (please do not go to them if you can help it) that I had to go outstation and to please ensure that my car would be ok.

It was ok for a while and then the day I'm driving to Lumut just after had passed Rawang - I felt rather hot and glanced at the temperature and there it was - at a high high! oh shit - I decided to turn back and go on till I reached the Sungai Buloh rest area and then perhaps calling the tow truck guys. Unfortunately/fortunately the moment I got there the car gave up and stalled with lots of smoke coming from the engine. It was so scary - opened my seat area (that's where the engine is - I sit and burn my 'ass' off.)

So now what do I do - I need to be in Lumut by 7:30pm and its now about 11 something. Arrghh! ok call the boyfriends - promise them on a holiday to lumut and get them to drive me over. Start with one. Can't make it. Call another one - can't make it. Call another one - can't make it. Darn it!

Plan B - The Actors Studio van! Managed to get my brother to pick me up and got Faridah's permission to use the van. And all set to go. Oh this van is simply incredible only thing is that it blows hot air and I can't open any of the windows.

There goes this 'hot chick' in this hot van not sure where exactly to turn off to go to Lumut - of course I have the map but there are 3 - 4 different exits from the highway that lead to Lumut - which do I take. Looking at the map the easiest one seemed like the straight road from Jelapang to Lumut - only that there were road works all along this kampong road when suddenly there is a jam because the cow wouldn't cross the road.

Good Lord - what a nightmare but I enjoyed the exploration. I managed to get to the hotel on time and it was simply marvelous the time I had there. Thanks to what ever force that worked so I could get to Swiss-Garden Damai Laut (translates to Peaceful Sea).

Theatre Workshop for Cancerlink

1st workshop (Expressions)

Each time my boss, Dato’ Faridah Merican, says, “Nala, I’ve volunteered you for this project!” instead of going ‘oh no, here we go again..’ I jump for joy. Only because I know that she would put me in a marvellous project.

This time it was working with youth from Cancerlink Foundation on their ‘Seri Endon Victory Ventures’ Camp.

You would have read about my mis-adventures above – and I managed to get to Swiss-Garden Golf Resort & Spa on time for Dinner and saw this whole bunch of youth and adults, mostly in raffia-string skirts. The youth who got there in the afternoon – rehearsed a couple of Mauri songs and dances as their Welcome Gambit.

I was supposed to do some theatre games for them but looking at how tired they were – decided on going through a relaxation exercise to relax and energise their bodies. Most of them did respond well while some were very shy to lie down on the floor. Anyway – we were all tired and got ready for action the next day.

The Foundation had organised 3 concurrent workshop whereby a very distinguished Mrs Nora Lam (who came from Johor) was to do a workshop on Career Development; a very handsome Dr. Alvin, on Relationships – Friends & Frienships; and me a Drama workshop.

2nd workshop (Movement)

I wanted to introduce the youth on different aspects and my 1st workshop was on Appearance / Expressions. I had Ikan Talapia group with Adrian (17), Al-Sidiq (17), Nurul Ain (20), Andy Khoo (23), Siti Sopinah (20), Kushalini (20 – this girl is studying to be a doctor.), Kah Ho (26) and Ikan Kerisi group with Adam Lim (21), Thayaananthan (17), Yap Poh Mei (21), Shah (20), Irsalina (20), Siti Nurfairuz (20).

After a quick warm-up with Follow-the –leader, and some theatre games, we went on to do Appearance. It was so much of fun as they were trying to get into the feeling. Then I got them to tell me of things that make them happy, sad, angry and excited. (This was a very interesting session for me as I got to know them better and a lot about how they feel. It’s a shame – I could not have the same session with the rest of them) The second time around when we did the expressions – we had achieved much more.

Next workshop – Movement. Ikan Yu group with Sri Rovinia Devi (17), Lai Yan Yin (20), M. Hariz (19), Siddiq Firdaus (20), M. Nazri (16), Masrina (20) and Ikan Kembong members, Naizatul (19), Tengku Nazri (17), Vasanthi (22), Mardila (23), M Afifi (16). After the usual warm-ups and games, the group was to experiment with different types of movements, levels, emotions and environment.

3rd workshop (Improvs)

Third workshop with Ikan Todak and Ikan Tenggiri repectively; Famiza (19), Nur Mashitah (20), Chiong Yen (16), A. Naderin (16); Siti Hajar (19), Zamri (23), Ah Lian (19), Nur Atiqah (18), Kugan (17) and Muhd aim (20+). All the participants were in stitches after each improv. They were very creative and in one of the skits, one of them had died of accident and it was really funny the way the 'family' dealt with the death. It is indeed interesting to see how these young people deal with death which is very much a part of their life.

My sincere thanks to each and every one of you - for more than helping you with the workshop, you had helped me to see differently. It is admirable, how you fight every day of your life and keep hope and faith alive. Thank you.

My Dad

The old man passed away on Feb 26, 2007. Why am I featuring him here? He is the reason that I'm in performing arts. It's in my blood.

He loved acting and theatre (tamil) but had to be the sole breadwinner of the family. My family had been making 'surete' cigars since my grandmother's father's time. She was forced by her dad to marry the most hard working man in the 'factory' and my father was doing this business till his dying day.

Of course he tried his hand at other things too - when he had the opportunity, he got himself some projectors and was showing travelling cinema in the 'kampongs' and 'estates'. He simply loved to be close to the movies. His car will be so messy filled with tobacco, cigars, hand-bills of movies. But he loved that life untill the videos came and almost killed the cinema industry.

Sometimes when I ponder on my life - I wonder how I got a job in the performing arts industry and my car is messy filled with posters and postcards?

(This was supposed to be updated in April but only doing so now. By the way his birthday was on 18 September - I suppose this would be a tribute to him.)

The Big Brown Mushroom (Children's Play)

The Big Brown Mushroom - revisited!

Yes around this time last year - The Academy@ KLPac team was working on The Big Brown Mushroom. We had put up this play specially to provide an opportunity for the children of the Academy to perform on Stage.

We got our kids from ages 5 onwards till 16 to play this simple story that talks about Freedom, Tolerance and Generosity. The author was Sue Scout and adapted by yours truly. I felt like I did a good job in defining the characters of the Loud and Soft people and had a time lapse of 5 years at the end of the play - whereby the forest is no longer there and there is a skyscape of a city. Basically highlighting to my students that somethinng like that can happen to them. One day they are playing in a park and next it's no longer there all because some greedy business man wanted to make more money.

The kids were simply great - some a little naughty of course - even though i had warned them. The kids had fun most of the time - whenever i was not shouting and screaming at them. But i love them and only wanted them to work hard and make sure that they 'entertain' the people paying to watch the show. They as 'actors' have to transform the words on the script and make them real.

Lawrence (Academy Assistant) was my sound man in charge of selecting the music / sound effects and recording them and operating the sound during the performance.

Deda (Academy Co-ordinator) was the costume designer, mistress, stage manager, make-up person, artist who helped touch up the 'forest', the disciplin person who made sure the kids were quiet back-stage. (She did an excellent job but I'm sure, she'll never want to do it again.) :)

My most memorable moment (only because I haven't forgotten them after so long) 2 incidents with the 5 year olds (by the way - they were developing some kind of love affair during the production. Kids now-days!)

Lauren played the part of the 'little' "soft people" and tended to be off focused and wandering off by herself within the stage area during rehearsals. I told her that she needed to be more focused and work with the group so she is seen a the "soft people". Her reply was - "teacher nala, i'm little just like my brother, so I'll be naughty just like my brother!" I simply had to 'kow-tow' to her as she at that age understood character.

Xin Wei - (his mom was worried as during our class presentation, Xin Wei decided to be an attention seeker by creating his own thing - nothing like the presentation we prepared.) Anyway this kid comes for rehersal a little early and sits at the academy foyer complaining about the amout of biscuit crumbs on the floor.

Later we go for rehearsal and the birds are supposed to say "I'm hungry, I haven't eaten for days" and our smart-alec says that there are crumbs outside at the foyer!

I miss the kids but will be working with some of them this year and hopefully we have a production. I don't have enough boys in a play called "Girls will be Girls" and some of the girls have to play boy.

The Big Brown Mushroom still lives - this year I'm working with a group of children from Rumah HOPE. Thanks to Prudential and their Chairman's Award project - these children get an opportunity to work on the script and perform. It is frustrating that the kids don't come as scheduled - most of them are missing (out for other activities). Last week I only got 4 children coming and not the 15.
(Pixs by Kelab Fotografi Shashin)

Good Part: Guess what - I'm getting 3 children from Kiwanis to play the part of the birds (They don't want to be birds though - they want to be a Tiger, a Snake & a Cat.)
(was supposed to write this in April 07 - instead only managed to get it down to words on 16 Sept 07)

My POV (The good, bad and ugly) of the Disabled 'Community' in Malaysia

The past 4 years plus (come September 07, will be my 5th year in this industry. WoW!) working at The Academy@ The Actors Studio then later at The Academy @ KLPac; thanks to Dato' Faridah, I've had the opportunity to work with the disabled, children with Down Syndrome, the deaf.

It has been an incredible experience and it is great to meet the disabled (see so many people involved in helping, supporting these groups.

(Note: Please note that for the purpose of writing - I am generalising all categories as 'disabled' person/people. If I'm talking about a particular person with a certain 'disability' it will be mentioned.

Community - meaning the disabled and also the people within their community.)

THE GOOD:

• People who dedicate their lives in working with disabled children/people or those with special needs. I know of a person who had applied for a job at Spastic Centre at age 19, she got the job and she is still there (must be in her 40-ties.) She didn't realise what she was getting into till she started work but decided to stay on all these years. There is another person who has been her whole life working with the deaf at PMY (Pusat Majudiri at YMCA).
• People whose children are disabled or need special care. It is incredible to see the parents learn how to accept the child, recognise the help that the child needs to live a more fullfiling life.
• People who volunteer their services - it is great to see a whole bunch of ladies, sit and (do a bit of gossiping) while doing some craft work that will be sold to generate income for the centers. A great stress release.
• People who volunteer but their work is involved directly with the children/people. Just like what the Taihen volunteer 'kurokos' did. It was also interesting to find a number of young girls from overseas who had come to the centre to do some volunteer work. There was one who was almost signed-up as Taihen kuroko but decided that she is more comfortable helping the Orang Asli learn English.
• The disabled people themselves, who understand their disability and recognise their disability and seek to find ways to better their lifestyle.
• The People behind the institutions i.e. the government (to the extent that they have appointed an expert from Japan to help look in developing the disabled community), people who help set-up and run centers, or help form support groups (which is still not strong enough in Malaysia), whose tireless efforts has helped to develop the disabled and their lives. I admire a friend's mom who had helped set-up Mobiliti (which provides transport service for the disabled/old at a nominal rate.)
• A special mention to the Japanese Kurokos: It was important that a kuroko knows the needs of a physically disabled performer. A questionaire was made up and each and everyone of the performers were interviewed. (Yes, they actually sat there asking if one of the performer needed any special spoon to help her eat, and they were trying to figure out the reply was - although they could have simply observed this. )

THE BAD

• People working with the disabled are sometimes not open to new ideas and concepts. They do not seem to realise that the needs of the disabled are changing and one needs to learn how to change ones mind set so they can help the development of a disabled person.
• Sadly the above sometimes applies to parents as well. One of the major problem is that they refuse to believe that their child is disabled. Two ways of approaching this is either - send them off to an institution or just keep them in the house. Both ways the child loses out for the initial care given by the parents helps the early development of the child and the care/rehabilitation/learning obtained from a centre/school will further develop a child.
• The government with its good intention has set-up a great place in Bangi - unfortunately the administration of the place is questionable as the centre Director changes practically every 6 months or so. There seems to be no continuity toward the progress or of the potential of the people learning there.
• My Favourite Project! When administration due to presure from either management or council, adopts a particular project it seems that nothing else is important. It also becomes the usual rat race of everyone wanting to be seen as working on that favourite project to win favours.

THE UGLY - The mentality of the disabled themselves. Yes this is what I perceive as the ugliest part of it all. No doubt we are all human but I feel that when there are not much opportunity the unity of the group is important. Of course when addressing the needs of different groups i.e. the needs of the blind is certainly different from a physically disabled person but there should be one voice.

• One Voice - The gift of the gab. It was very interesting to note while working with the physically disabled some people with little disablity and with the gift of the gab tended to feel much superior than others. They felt that they represent all disabled people, they fail to see that there are different degrees of disablity. With this the Taihen group, the severly disabled seemed to be very intelligent, focused and down to earth.
• 'I'm not disabled'. When we first started the Taihen project and we asked the participants to move - they instinct was to move like a non-disabled person. They felt that that is the correct way to move. It was more difficult for those who were not born disabled. When one accepts/finds oneself - their development is better and faster.

10 months of Taihen!

The last that I had posted a Taihen In Malaysia project report was 5 Jun. 10 months later there is much to say. It was like carrying a an unborn child in the womb. A new experience for the carrier and the child. When the child sees the light of day - the joy and warmth, both the mother and child feels. (I'm imagining this, of course!)

Till now it is hard for me to believe that this 3 year project is finally over. But it is not really over, the child wants to grow and explore. This is what the performers want to do. Grow and explore. Good for them!

36 year old Vanee (just a few years younger than me) said in her slurred speech that she'd call us, the kurokos, to discuss the future. "We (the disabled performers) have to decide what we want to do about our future. My life is very boring. This is very exciting and I know that I can do this. I need your support."

We had a meeting the other day and we teased her that she should be the CEO while Maryani the General Manager. Together these tough cookies will be able to do so much.

Looking back there were times when we, The Actors Studio, Japan Foundation KL and Ms. Kim herself and Kawakita-san almost gave up. If it was not the fundings, it was the lack of interest by people who were involved closely with the physically disabled, or the search for "suitable kuroko" (as much as we'd like to take just anyone to assist, they had to be people with the right attitude and willing to understand what Taihen was all about.), or good old logistic of bringing people from Bangi, Spastic Centre and Beautiful Gate together; not forgetting the rolling and un-rolling the dance mats, etc.

It was rather disappointing that the Minister was not present to watch the progress that the performers have achieved in just 3 years. It's not just about the performance, it is an amazing process of finding the voice, the confidence, the self-esteem, most of all of being proud of their body and their unique movements.

It was certainly not about 'a physically disabled person' performing but a showcase of a form of art. Though some people had a 'sympathetic' tone to their applaud, some applauded because of the appreciation of the art. And this is what we wanted to acheive.

I look back fondly the moments when the performers and had first met, though I had many opportunities to get to know them better, sometimes I just didn't as I didn't want to get too close and be involved emotionally. [I find it difficult to work if I'm emotionally tied-down] Till now (as usual) I'm still the last one to hear a news but small moments that we shared together whenever possible were wonderful.

This is how silly I can get (cost me RM3.20 on toll!). I was supposed to pick Shahrul up from his home. This was my first time. Managed to find the place alright. Getting out is a bit problem as they have a toll plaza in that area. Drove out paid RM1.60 and asked the attendant there on how to get out. It didn't make any sense to me and I ended up paying another RM1.60. The next day just before leaving Shahrul's house I asked his mom how to get out. She said "Ask Shahrul, he knows." (Aiyo - drop water face; as Shahrul gave that cheeky smile) We both had a good laugh. (By the way, one will not be able to understand, Shahrul's speech - but you'll understand him. Also he is a big time hero at his area, goes everywhere with his power wheelchair and everybody has a certain respect for him.)

Another 'kuroko' moment is when once a forthnight I go to Bangi and take Vanee and Khiong (plus some crazy kurokos) along to rehearse the 'Bawang Merah Bawang Putih' (Red Onion, White Onion/Garlic; a malaysian folk story) scene. How we fumble in public trying to get Vanee on to her wheelchair and the silly songs we sing while being stuck in the evening jam while coming back home and listening to Vanee's stories.

Very facinating and one thing that Petra (Kuroko) and I can never forget is "It's ok if my sister's m-i-law won't change; I will change". Now you know why she'll have to be the CEO? She has a natural knack for management (unlike most who learn it, have a degree and yet are unable to grasp the concept.)

Of course there are tear-jerker moments as well. When Maryani (she is the leader of this group) was accounting her childhood experience. How teachers and fellow students would make fun of her. (Don't worry Maryani, it happens to a lot of people, with disability or not.) How she's always wanted to perform but had thought of her disability as an hinderance and to finally be up on stage. A lifelong dream come true.

(Sorry - I'm going to write a little bit about each performer.)

The most determined person in this group is Wan Tiara a 17 year old. The moment people see her, they are awed by her determination and yet she is such a sweet young lady. Always with a smile and on the last day just after the cast party - she broke down and cried so much. It was as if she had so much to say and yet the words were not coming out. I could only guess that she has probably never experienced whatever she was going through at that moment. It overwhelmed her and Tiara is another one who would probably be addicted to the stage and will come back for more.

In contrast to the young lady above we have Sabariah, whom I call 'The Government Servant' a.k.a. Pentas Kiri (Stage left) Primadonna. Nice, but she often has a look that she doesn't belong to the group probably because she is the only one who holds a senior position amongst the rest of the performers. (I'm guessing here - not mind reader. She probably has her own reasons.) I remember her for two things - 1) calling for Khiong and saying that he is so deaf; 2) when she was all covered up at Pentas Kiri (its dark and very cold) in blanket with her hands tucked in; she said that there is a mosquito on her nose. (rofl!) .

Since I mentioned Khiong; he a 22 year old who is hard of hearing (that is why Sabariah's comment was so funny!); is simply amazing. A hyperactive techqie who is able to understand Ms. Kim and what is needed of him in the show. Just don't praise him so much or he'll lose focus. It was amazing how this hyperactive guy was so composed, attentive and co-operative during performance. It was also amazing to see him adjust with the rest of the performers especially other male performers. The friendship Shahrul and he developed was very heartwarming.

Amy simply facinated people in his Badang (Malaysian folktale of a strong man) role. People's comment was "Oh my God - it was like he was flying on stage!". Yes he auditioned for that part and got the role. A very handsome young man, I'm sure the girls went goo-goo-ga-ga over him. I did.

Sha, I think was the bravest of them all. There was a scene where he came on stage wearing a 'sarong kebaya' like costume complete with a wig, very 70-ties and he looked gorgeous. He was playing a Pondan who was firting with the evil being (Ms. Kim). Bravo, Sha!

It was very unfortunate that Zahidah was unable to perform after all those hard work. She was rather ill. She made us all panic a little (a lot actually) when she arrived at KLPac on performance day. She was just sitting on her wheelchair, looking pale and she was not responding to us. I felt rather bad that she could not prove herself, she is always saying "I can do it, kakak."

I must go back to Spastic center to visit the kids there. I miss them. Well it won't be for long before we start work on rehearsing for a performance again.

For great pix of behind the scenes visit Maryani's blog at http://mariannie-missycat.blogspot.com/index.html