Glass Painting.....My Long Time Dream

Glass painting...! How it will look like if a painting done on glass. Yes, I was first attracted to the word few years back. I mean in 2004, I planned well to attend the class but dropped the idea immediately when my final year projects make my life the busiest ever.

So after such a long break, I've started again and this is how it begins. The image peacock comes on my mind when I think about painting. So I googled the peacock drawing and printed it in a large scale paper. First I sticked the paper on the other side of the glass window, So that ease me to follow the drawing line to paint. The paint for the glass is specific. You cannot use normal paint. It is advised to use Vitrail Pebeo (oil based) or Vitrea Pebeo (water based and must baked for permanent use). You can get the colours at Creative Cottage, 3rd Floor, Amcorp Mall, PJ. or Creative Heaven, 2nd Floor(top of TGIF), 1Utama Mall, PJ. The price range RM17.90-19.90.

This picture was taken after the paper stick on the other side.

The outline was done. I used black as the main and gold for the small part which they said the eye of the feather. And the brown color for the tree branch done.

The leaves are greened. The gate is yellow. The feather was coloured with blue, green, yellow and the middle part was used with gold.

The feather part done and waiting for turquoise.

The body was done with blue. The long feathers of the wing was coloured with turquoise. Pearl white was used for the flower. The painting now was fully finished.

After drawing the image, the outline paper has been taken. This photo was taken from inside at night time.

This photo was taken from outside. So when the inner was bright u can view like this. And at day time it will like this when u see from inside. This view can be seen before you enter my house main door.

I am so happy that I had finished the drawing. I don't have any experience in glass painting and this was my first project. Thanks to Barathi akka, who motivated me to go for what I desired and accompanied me for the glass paints purchase. Thanks to Abg Zahir, the owner of Creative Cottage who gave guidance and advised me to choose the right color. Thanks to my lovable parents, who always looking at me when I'm painting and encourage me with words and question such as, "it will be beautiful after you had finished...!", "i can't wait to see the full painting..", "have you finished painting..?", "i think this color will be more nicer..!" And thanks to Rishi my bro, who criticized , commented and gave some idea along the painting process. My long time dream has come true today...:) And I always adore and smile when I enter my house now.

p/s: I don't belong this design. I found this from Google. Kindly search for yourself. Thanks a million to the exact owner of the design.

My Name is Sashi - I'm not a Ke..Ke..Ke..Ke..Ke..Keling..!

The title definitely would remind you guys about the Hindi movie, My Name is Khan (-I'm Not a Terrorist). It's a movie about "say no to racism". Where the Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan will be portraying a character as an autism patient, a Muslim who have Khan as his last name. The story revolves around him and how he suffers in USA after the 11th Sept tragic.

So my title here slightly will be touching the racism issue too. This could be a bit offensive to few, but believe me this is what really happening around me.

Maybe many of you will be thinking deeply what is the meaning of "keling"?(I'm damn sure that "many of you" are not from Malaysia and Singapore). Let me link you guys to the explanation about the word. Come click this and read it by yourself. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keling

So as everyone knew the meaning right now, lets talk about it.

Well now the question is, why does everyone here (I mean Non-Indians in Malaysia) still using the word "keling" to refer the Indians, even though they knew using the word is considered as a discrimination to the group. Isn't it INDIAN is easy to pronounce than the word "keling" which we have to pronounce it from our epiglottis...? ;) Isn't it INDIAN is such a nice and polite way to refer the Indians..? Isn't it INDIAN is really mean an Indian..?

Huh..! Even a dozen of equivalents were given here still the "keling" will be best recognized as an Indian by our non-Indian friends. This term being used in many phrases such as "janji keling" (janji is promise in malay) where here they mention Indians are liar, "keling-fan" (fan is food in chinese), or even some says "keling" magazine for the Indian magazine such as Movieland.

Well, the third phrase was lively heard by myself at my workplace, which gave me a big shock. I was totally got embarrassed and felt like being pushed to a ditch even though that word was not directly refer to me but it was to my race. No matter how good-heart you are, how helpful you are, how intelligent you are, how nice you are, how talented you are, how beautiful you are, how rich you are, how ever you are...if you are an Indian, you 'll get humiliated or called as "keling" by some how in some situation. Funny huh..!

Few of my Indian friends like to sound back to those who use this term. And they even advice me to do so, but what is the point?? Our non-Indian friends already get used to it. Nothing can be changed by warn them or force them. It is said that the word "keling" was widely used by many in those days, maybe they are not educated or civilized that time. But what should we say if that term is still being used now among well educated people? No point argue or fight with them. They should realize its a cruelty and verbal abuse. They also should understand that usage of that word will only degrade their image and drop their dignity.

Stop hurting people's feelings and respect others races. It is thousand times better than

joining in furry friend farm or blue cross just to show off that you are kind. I think we are much better than animal.

Sign Language

I went to Amcorp Mall today with Barathi Akka (my ex-colleague) after work. The main reason is to buy glass paint. I remember that I've seen a shop selling the artworks and painting stuffs at Amcorp few years back, actually 6 years back. Hehehe...:)

Actually I don't think that AMCORP Mall is a great place to hang-out. So I don't go there. Maybe in theses six years, I've been there 3 times and today counted as the forth visit.

But today, when I entered the mall, it looks so happening. My eyes were roaming all over the lobby area where they sell beautiful tops, handbags and accessories. Wow...! its all according my taste. Well, for me shopping is quite hard to do. Coz when I'm shopping for something that I desperately needed it, I won't get it at that time. It happens most of the time. So from that second on, Amcorp in my list.

When entered the main entrance, I saw a lady was selling T-shirts and some souvenirs. She never speaks or call for the customers. But she was waving the T-shirt and showed a sign that says 'come and look at this T-shirt'. I just smiled at her and went into the mall. After few steps, I stopped and looked back again at her. She was communicating with a guy in a sign language. SIGN LANGUAGE...!! yeah sign language, which I'm eagerly to learn that language since I watched the movie MOZHI (a Tamil movie). I wanted to learn sign language, coz I wanted to "talk" to them normally. Usually they are will reserved and won't communicate with others due to their disabilities. Actually they too have same feelings and thoughts like us. Moreover they need more help in this society. I think by learning French, German, Mandrin and other national languages we should learn sign language. At least the latter helps the other than the former which helps only ourselves. But the problem is, I couldn't find the place where they teach sign language classes. I felt so bad for ignoring that lady just now. In my heart, I said to myself that I must buy the T-shirt when going back.

As I planned I bought the glass paints from the artwork shop. And amazingly I was given some advice and technical tips by the artist for the painting that I'm going to do. After had a light dinner at the underground restaurant we decide to go back. I passed by the entrance corridor again. But this time I stopped at her. Her face was so happy. She happily entertaining me. Even she couldn't speak or hear what I say, but she was wonderfully communicating with me in a easy sign language that I could understand. I bought the T-shirt from her. Its RM30. For that t-shirt material the price was quite high. But for me, its reasonable coz I'm sure the half of the amount will be going for their charity as well.

While waiting for the balance from her, I was looking at the souvenir items. Barathi Akka was showing at the corner of the table where the lady displayed the T-shirts. I saw something and really surprised. It's a brochure for Sign Language Classes, which will be enrolled for July-Sept duration. I smiled. I am sure I am going to join that class but for the next intake. Coz, I have to plan and adjust my financial for this class. But anyway, I'm very happy that soon I also know how to communicate in sign language. After receiving the balance from that lady, I left the entrance passing by the lobby area. I don't think so I'll be this happy, if I bought the nice clothing out there. I'm so proud and full of satisfaction when walked out from the mall to car park carrying the t-shirt in my hand.

This is the picture of T-Shirt that I bought.

And if anybody interested to join the sign language class..here are the details..:) LET'S SIGN..!

My Parents 34th Wedding Anniversary

My parents celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on 12th June 2011. Thank god the day fallen on Sunday, a beautiful one. A week before I've well planned to do something special for them. Usually I'll buy them new dress most probably it would be jippa for dad and saree for mom. But since this year that gift was replaced on mother's and father's day, I don't want the same gift to be repeated on their wedding day too.

So my special idea was to cook delicious lunch for them. Hmm..amazing idea rite! A day before that Sunday, I bought all the cooking item and did the early preparation. Then the next day went to temple with parents and then went to market to purchase some items. Then reached home and started my cooking work. Wanted to know the lunch menu...here it goes....

1. Ikan Siakap 3 rasa

2. Pandan Chicken

3. Sizzling Tofu

4. Kangkung Belacan

And of course it won't be complete without...white rice. Somehow I managed to cook all the items with mom's lil help before 2pm. As I arranged the dishes on dining table, my favorite aunty Suguna came as our special guest:) She promised to come on one weekend, but my intuition said that she will come on that Sunday as I wished. All of my family members enjoyed the lunch and chit chat happily with sweet ending ice cream.

A Minute That Worth A Million To Me...

Conversation between Ms Letchumy(ML) and Me
Time : 10.15am
Date : 07.04.11

ML: Hello, sashi..how are you..?
Me : Hi Ms, I am good. How are you?
ML: Fine..sashi i've bought 2 invitations for the Ramli Ibrahim's Odissi show tomorrow..but i can't make it coz i've no mood in going for the show coz my mom just undergo the by-pass surgery...i m selling the tickets.. you have any friends interested in buying them..or do u wanna go ar..?
Me : oh really..hmm ok ms...let me ask some of my friends and let u know later...
ML : Ok but let me know before 4pm lah..
Me : Ok ms. How is mom rite now..?
ML : Yeah she is fine... still in ICU...
Me : Ok bye ms...take care..

This is how the conversation starts for the whole story that I'm going to tell you all here. I like Ms Letchumy a lot, she is very nice and helpful person. (ehem..ehem i know you are reading this ms letchumy). So I wanted to help her in selling the invitations for her. I posted in my FB wall. "The Show was Odissi Stirred by Sutra Foundation on 8th April, Venue at KLPAC at 8.30pm. Invitation price - RM 50". I really wanted to go to the show, coz I am big fan of Ramli Ibrahim. I adore him and his performance since I was small. I have never seen his live performances or the Odissi before. So I was thinking to grab the ticket from her so that I can enjoy the show. But something stops me and makes me blur...1st thing I don't know where is KLPAC..coz I've never been to Sentul before. 2nd..I don't have anybody to go with and I don't want be all alone in that place like one DUNGU...:)))))))

Half an hour later I received a call from my friend saying that she is very interested and wanted to go with me. I was so excited so I asked her to confirm back to me. At about afternoon she called and confirmed of her attendance and asked me to buy the tickets. Yesssss....! I jumped here and there...up and down...in happy...:) We planned to meet at Asia Jaya LRT station just after work tomorrow and straight ahead to the venue.

I called Ms Letchumy, and told her that I'll buy the tickets and will be going with my friend. She was so happy and requested me to do not miss the show, coz its the Ramli himself performing on that night which is very rare. At about 9.30pm I met Ms Letchumy at Gandhi's at Brickfield (place where I first met her and became my fav spot too) and bought the tickets from her. When I'm driving back home, all the way I was thinking about the map which I've downloaded from the Google.

Google always helps me in finding the way to the places where I've never been before(here I would like to thank the google.com*with putting my both hand on my chest*). But this time, I am not very sure about the map. When reached home at abt 10pm...I was busy looking for nice punjabi suit to wear for the show tomorrow. When I'm so confused, I planned to call my friend to ask her what she is going to wear tomorrow? I saw a message was received in my inbox few minutes before. I got a real shock and very upset when i clicked the open button to see the sms. "I am sorry shika, I can't make it for the show. my boss gave an assignment, so I have to go out to meet the client. I got trapped". Yes..it was from the friend who is planning to go for the show with me. I was in total mad at her, grrrrrrrr........ her sms made me collapsed. I don't want to talk abt that part..lets forgive and forget...even though I know....err...ok lets forget it.

I quickly called and sms all my close friends to attend the show with me. Oh no..! What a miracle..none of them say yes but gave me a valid reason. Yes that one can be acceptable...I cannot force them at last minute of course. Then after tired calling friends I made up mind to bring my mom for the show. Yes that is the one and only way for not wasting the money and at the same time I can enjoy the show as well. But amma....you too....! She refused to come for the show coz I know she is damn tired after her business hours..and she strictly said that she have to do the Friday prayer at home. Oopps...I cannot argue here...so I zipped off my lips.

The next day, I was still in the hope of searching partner. I chatted with my chat buddies. Nah..no one interested. But one chat friend gave a brilliant idea. He asked me to inform the person who sold the ticket to me. Yeah why didn't I do that..?! I grabbed my hp and sms Ms Letchumy, that my friend can't make it and asked her if she have anybody? (*I also added the criying emoticon..so that Ms Letchumy feel simpathy on me and react fast*) What a miracle, she called me and said that she will try to find someone. Then few minutes later, she called and said that she will be coming with me and she knows the way. WOOOOHOOOOOO....!!!!!:)))) I was so happy. Later, I got to know that she was one of the Odissi student and her master is Ramli. WOW...!!!! Its like I've fallen in the tub of grapes and poured with milk...yesss....! Thanks to god..thanks to Ms Letchumy...who wore a nice black & white cotton saree and jumped in my car like an angel. It was 7.30pm when I picked her up.

We reached the KLPAC at 8.10pm. Its like a University Campus...such big and cool surrounding. The building looks like an overseas building structure. Yeah it was very new to me but I didn't act like "jakun"....hehe:) But I was speechless before entering the theater hall..all the way was decorated by beautiful art works. Awesome...! When entered the theater hall...another surprise..! Our seating was just 6 rows from the stage which is exactly right in the middle. I told Ms Letchumy I'd never thought will be looking his performance at this near. She said she planned and booked the ticket coz she really wish to see his performance at her comfort. So her wish was fulfilled though mine too..;) I looked around..the hall was full. And was quite surprised with the group of audience. I am sure the Indian audiences are countable. The rest are our Malay and Chinese friends and some are foreigners. Why much Indians...? Isn't it Odissi is cultural dance from the state of Orissa, India? Hermmm...there is no boundaries for art..!! Right? :)

The show was started at 8.30pm with a short and sweet speech of Ramli. Follow with the narrator who narrates the story of the Odissi and continued with the awesome performance. The first dance itself had amazed me. The story was about "a sadu gudu game which was played by the gramiam gals and at last the one team was got cheated by the other team". Its like a drama. And they are acting with dance movements and wonderful expressions. So that is Odissi...! Hmmm..I understand now. And the most important thing in the show was lighting. The lights are playing the main role. After few performance there was break for us to get refresh. I and Ms Letchumy was anxiously looking for hot drinks coz its very cold inside and moreover we felt very sleepy with the boring narrator...hehe:)

When the show starts back after the break, we were making jokes and were laughing among ourselves from being get bored by the narrator again..yes again..she comes in between every single performance. The last performance was great too. I totally enjoyed the show very much. The show ended with all the performers beautiful bow.

Ms Letchumi asked me to come with her at the stage area to take photo with Ramli. I laughed and thought... would he..? with me..? Then I smiled and followed her thinking that I might help her taking the photos for her. So did I. As Ms Letchumi gets Ramli's blessing by touching his feet, I was ready with her camera. Then she stands beside him and I clicked. Then he was taken by another 2 gals to snap photo with. Ms Letchumy was chatting with her friend at the crowd. I was holding the camera and looking at them. Yeah, I missed the chance, I thought. Then suddenly Ms Letchumy grabbed the camera and told me, "Sashi go and take photo with him". Oh, thank you Ms Letchumy I was waiting for it, I was telling it in my heart with a broadsmile on my face...hehehe:)

Then here comes the minute that worth a million to me. I went near him, after the 2 gals snap the picture. It's the moment just before he got snatched by a crowd of autograph hunters. He looked at me. I asked "Sir, can I take photo with you...?" He smiled and said, "Sure". He showed his hand asking me to come and stand beside him. He was so humble and down-to-earth person. I went and stood at his right-hand side. He humbly put his hand on my hip. A kind and gentle hug. Wow..I felt the vibration there...was very happy at that moment. No..no..no..I'm not giving you guys a wrong idea of those feelings. Okay let me elaborate it properly. It's like, how do you feel when you go to temples in India, an elephant touches your head (blessed) with its trunk? You will feel blessed and happy right? It's like a big, great thing blessed you with kind. Something like that. Ramli was a great man for me. So, I felt it in that way.

After the photo session, I and Ms Letchumy left the hall and walked to the car park. I told her, that I'm going to have a sleepless night tonight. The real sleepless night...! She was laughing with my statement. Then after had a sweet chit chat with hot tea at Danau Kota Kopitiam we left at about 1am.

I slept soundly with my sweet memories that day at 3am.

This part of post modified on 2nd June 2011

p/s: Abt my feelings towards Ramli at the time taking photo is much best explained in this way.."the confront hug of Roger Federer for his fan who fell off while taking his photo". You guys should watch this clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTUpE2LXppM