Visit to Glass Temple, Johor Bahru.

It was my parents wish to visit the Rajakaliamman Temple or best known as JB Glass Temple (the 1st glass temple in the world). Both my parents planned to go there by themselves in a one-day trip. But I felt that wouldn't be safe enough to send them alone. So, I followed them too. Moreover, I also can practice my photography skill using my new DSLR by taking the temple picture.

On 1st July, Friday night, we traveled by bus from TBS at 11.50am. As planned earlier, my best friend Gayathri had promised to take care our visits and stay as well (even though its one-day trip, we need to rest and refresh before going to temple rite). So, she fetched us at Taman Johor Bus Stand at 3.30am. From that minute till we get back to our home after the spiritual visit, she really takes a good care of my family. I felt like being with my sister. My parents too felt it in same way. She was like another daughter to them. My parents were so happy that all went well and appreciated Gaya for being so nice and helpful. She was always like that since I knew her from my university. Thanks, and love you forever, Gaya!

Actually, we have been to this temple in the year of 2002, that is for my elder bro's graduation which held at UTM Skudai. At that time, after checked in the hotel Tropical Inn, we went for rounding at night before his graduation. So, we visited this temple as well which is nearest to the hotel Tropical Inn. The goddess Kaliamman statue was still the same till today and that reminded us that we have been here before.

Here are some photos of the world-famous glass temple. Please have a look:) It's a must visit temple in Malaysia.

Gopuram..

Vaasal..

Inner view

Inner View

Inner View

Don't talk bad things....

Don't listen to bad things...

Don't see bad things....

Human life cycle...

The statue of Goddess Kaaliamman...

The main goddess Kaliamman..

The History of this Temple

Lord Lingeshwar...we can do the paalabishage pooja on to the lingam by ourselves with the mantra being spelled by the aiyar...(RM10 per person) Just look at the wall and ceiling...its rudraaksh..!

Lord Brahma

Lord Vishnu...

Lord Shiva...

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.