Full Circles
My weekend away was eventful but rejuvenating – full of old friends, new friends and new sights. It was a relief to be away from Kuching and away from the office, spending most of my time with new people and some people I haven’t seen in a while.
Since I’ve given my blog address to some people, I’ll post a little something and say hello to new visitors. :-)
I. Penang
Penang is beautiful. The one-day crash tour that Poh and her dad took us on only makes me look forward to the week we’ll be there for the Penang World Music Festival. They indulged me with a stop at the Christian Cemetery (photo above). We also visited Fort Cornwallis and Batu Feringhi. After spending a night in Penang, we bid Poh goodbye and got on a bus to Ipoh, to the house where Robin grew up.
Poh, me, Hanson, Ducky and Robin @ Fort Cornwallis.
II. Ipoh
Ipoh was meant to be a quick stop and quick it was. We were there long enough for the boys to pack. Robin’s parents then drove us all down to KL so Hanson could catch his plane to Singapore. Before we left, Hanson, who is an American Chinese, is introduced to durian. He only sniffed at it for a few minutes and survived the encounter.
Hanson has been at it for a while by this photo.
III. Kuala Lumpur
KL was another whirlwind of meeting people, including Suk Yin (Robin’s sister), who knew exactly what I meant when I went and squeaked “Gooshyfood!” at her. Robin’s long-held belief that we’ll like each other in adulthood was spot on. It was also great to see Sarah, Joyce, Kenneth, Jude, Rosanna and Chet. Pity Dork Sadat was in Penang.
Me, Sarah, Robin and Suk Yin in the backseat.
A lot of things came around in a full circle in this trip. My next post might explain a little, but then again it might not. But at least I’m unlikely to forget what they are, and that’s the important thing.
Cinnamon & Ducky
Apostrophe Gallery Short Short Story 2007
by tarlia on August 20, 2007
in the write way
My holiday in Thailand couldn’t have ended on a better note when I blew into KL in time to be announced as one of the top 6 winners of the Apostrophe Gallery Short Short Story contest, organised by Digi and Klue magazine.
The winners together with DiGi’s Director of Strategy and Corporate Affairs Tunku Alizakri Raja Muhammad Alias (far left), writer Dina Zaman (2nd right) and composer/singer Mia Palencia (far right), who form part of the panel of judges. Not pictured are Jerome Kugan and Sharon Bakar.
I knew I was short-listed before leaving for my holiday, so I have no words for how much it rocks to actually win. The prize for the top 6 includes an all-expense paid trip to the Ubud Writers & Readers Festival next month, which I’m thrilled about, since it promises to be heaps better than the KL LitFest.
We also got a MotoKRZR K1 mobile phone each. Is anyone else missing the memory card and cable? Or is it not supposed to be in the package? My dad reckons Motorola pulled a fast one on the organisers.
With the plaque, which my dad immediately put on the wall in our living room.
Last but not least, the short-listed stories got interpreted into visual art. Mine was done up as a banner by Saiful Razman. You can see all 16 pieces at The Annexe in Central Market. These pieces will remain on public display till 19 August. Exhibition hours are from 11.00am to 7.00pm. If you can’t go or are not even in KL, you can see the top 6 on the Apostrophe Gallery website (under Gallery).
With Tunku and the artist, Saiful Razman.
This is turning out to be a good writing year for me. I got a story accepted into Dark City 2, went to the KL LitFest, and now getting picked as a winner and heading to my second writers festival this year!
I have to say again that it’s an incredible coincidence that I happened to be in KL. We nearly went home on the day of the event (which we didn’t know was going to happen at the time), but decided to take advantage of the fact that I didn’t have to get back to work until Friday. I think a lot of people were surprised over the fact that I’m actually not based in KL.
The other unexpected surprise that night was meeting Reza Salleh, who was running around behind-the-scenes quite unaware that I had a brief fangrrl moment when I spotted him.
Did I mention I had a great trip?
(All photos were taken by my bro, who stalked me like the paparazzi all night.)
