Art of Wrapping

While I'm writing this, Emak is watching 'Gadis Melayu' on TV9. Some friends tell me its a good show where beautiful young Malay ladies appear as contestants perhaps, in search of the ideal Malay girl. In a way, its something like Miss Universe paegent or Akademi Fantasia, but one where the dressings are acceptable to the community, and thus far, no singing...yet. Hmm...I guess its no wonder then that I am unable to concentrate on this entry where my eyes seem to have a mind of their own. Have to admit though, the girls are pretty. Wonder if the network will put a 'Jejaka Idaman'? Kerpie and I would certainly qualify for the contest as 'Jejaka', though we may find it tough on the 'Idaman' part. There's something interesting Emak mentioned about this show though.

Now, TV9 basically caters to the Malay audience. The contest it seems, is open only to Malay girls. "Why is it then," my Emak asked "the language used by the instructors are in English?". Good question! I, have no answer to that. But since the language is mentioned here, our bro Mat Salo dropped in my area earlier this evening.

While we were talking about the Blogger' Meet, he mentioned a writer friend of his whose command of the written language, English i.e., is one of the highest standards for a Malaysian, and invited the friend to the meet. The friend, however, decline for reasons of his own. The friend after all, lives in some obscure village where currently, there is no broadband it seem. Now, what is interesting here is that outside his field of work, the friend, quite like the fella writing this entry, has little avenue to practice the language. Yet, his writings are now being sought for by a publishing house or 2. Hmm....that however, is not quite like that cakapaje where he constantly make mistakes here and there, and there and here. Its evident now, he has yet to be able to wrap his fingers on the finer art of writing, and the language itself. Talking of which...but first, to a serious matter.

As usual I was blog hopping just now and came upon this blog via Haris Ibrahim. The writer, tells of an incident which happened in Memali, Kedah, way back in 1985, an tragic part of our history which the gomen would certainly like to wrap it up and put away from public's knowledge. That, and the fact they do not how to does not surprise me at all. The only good thing they - the gomen (read: be end) - are good at, are wrapping their greedy hands on the nation's coffers. Please, do read about it here.

Now, back to the title.

OK, 2 Sundays ago, Emi and Zaini had a small birthday celebration for their daughter, Nursara. And Emak being Emak, would not like to attend it without a present for her youngest grandchild, and thus asked that Wak Kromo to go searching for one. Now, what would that Wak know about children's presents when he's a single guy without a child of his own, one might ask. Well, plenty. You might find it rather difficult to believe, the Wak is quite a young fellow at heart. Also, the Wak has 11 nephews and nieces from which he can easily draw inspiration from. This time however, the Wak decided to rely on his own childhood experience. Off course, having an idea of what Nursara likes already, does help.

Now, Nursara and that Wak has a similar interest in the natural world, namely stories and pictures of animals. Then again, most children of that do, don't they? Armed with this knowledge, the Wak went hunting for story books and found one. At the same time, Wak also picked up an easy-to-read book on the 25 Prophets of Islam. Initially thinking to read it himself, the Wak decided otherwise and began the process of wrapping the 2 books with a nice wrapping paper which he later bought at another store. Unfortunately, that store does not provide wrapping services. "Alamak!"

Braving himself to face the daunting task of wrapping the books, Wak's mind recall earlier memories of how a present should look like after being nicely wrapped up. "Aha!", thought the Wak "I will need a ribon!". Thus, off he went to but one and walla! The new generation of ribbon now no longer need to be tied around the present - one just need to use a cello tape! And what is even better, all one need to do now is just pull one end of the ribbon, and it will - like magic - shape itself nicely into one.

After measuring the books against the paper, the Wak then happily began cutting off the extra length, using a cardboard as a paperweight. Soon later, he cellotaped the ribbon onto the top and thought to himself "There's no job I cannot handle". With a smile on his face, off course.

A few hours later as they were about to close the front door and head for Nursara's party, Emak turn around for a last minute look-see, then asked the Wak "I thought you already wrapped up the books?".
"Off course," said the Wak and proudly showing his work of art.
"Then, what's that on the dining table there?"
Oops!

No, the present above is not of Nursara.
But I do swear, the ribbon looks exactly the same.