It all started in 1988, when I was locomoting from my home in Sri Gombak to my school, Jalan Kuantan (2) near Jalan Pahang. My family were still convalescing from the loss of my dad. I was extremely active in co-curricular activities back then. It was my first attempt at playing football (some of you ignorant Sony Ericsson-loving mugginses call it soccer). I often returned home after my activities by taking the infamous mini-bus. Either number 41 that takes me right to my doorstep, or number 14, where I exit in Greenword Park and take the connecting bus to Sri Gombak.

It’s my dad’s 20th death anniversary today. 2nd Oct 1986. Like any other kid, I wanted a perfect ending. But now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a well-defined beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.

Search. Gersang. 2 of my favorite local bands back then, thanks to my minibus experiences. I love this song, Rozana. It’s simple yet straight to the point. No rhetorical words - just direct. Simplicity at its best.

A Year Ago

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27 Responses to “My First Malay Song & A Day of Remembrance”

  1. Isabella adalah, kisah cinta dua dunia…. mengapa kita berpisah…….. bla bla bla….. dia Isabella… lambang cinta yang lara… berpisah kerana…bla bla bla…

  2. cun!

  3. Ditto with Endroo G. :D

    Though I did remember a group of teeny boppers by the name of Exist.

    Gosh, it has been a while since I last visit you Daniel. How have you been? More importantly, how’s your fasting? :)

  4. endroo G Man, that song was so famous back then.

    earl-ku I think it’s Search’s best song (in my opinion).

    Ness Exist, yes, they sound familiar. Hmmmm…as for the fasting, it’s been going alright…tho I have failed last night. I think it’s much tougher when you’re at home than at work. :-P

  5. Hey Daniel,
    You are now FORCED to be part of Project: Have a cookie! Link up ya? Thanks.. and yesh, you’ll get the cookies!!

    hugs… Cheers,
    Lex

  6. Hmmm i tried relating the song to the minibus but I just can’t. Hmmm yes those days the 14 and 41 it all pass by Jln Pahang where I stay. Now no more 14 & 41 i suppose, they all become some green label or yellow label in front of the windscreen.

    I am sorry to hear about your story, losing father in such a young age, 10 y/o? 1986, I was sill in kindergarten year 1. Came home straight by school bus, first thing I looked for was the milk bottle from the sterilisation box and mix water with honey. The next thing was to lay down on the couch watching woody woodpecker. You know, sometimes I wonder if I still can move on if my father leaves me one day.

    Glad to hear you always make the best out of your every day’s life.

    Cheers mate!

  7. Lex Forced? Well, if chocolate cookies are involved, you don’t need to force me. ;-)

    meekiee Those days, that’s all minibuses play, malay rock tunes that sounded like Scorpions. Everyone wanted to be Scorpions. Yes, I was 10 when it happened. He died of a heart attack while waiting for a bus at the batu road supermarket. He was on his way to collect his paycheck, and then collapsed near the bus stop. As I was told, no one helped him, because they thought he was drunk. Typical Malaysians to stereotype people. *SIGH* I’ve learned to embrace the pain, tho the scar remains.

    Hence my motto (I think from James Dean) - “Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today…”

  8. Hey, sorry for being ignorant because I didn’t really read the entry previously… aww hugs man… God has his plans and everythings good rite? hugs…

  9. Lex Hey no worries Lexy. ;-) Everything happens for a reason…

  10. Thanks for sharing your remembrance about your Dad, Dan. I’m sure he’s smiling down from heaven after reading this post. HUGS!

    My fave Malay song is “Lagenda” by Sheila Majid. ;)

  11. Jemima Lagenda is a great song too. :-) Do you know that Sheila Majid’s an Arsenal fan? I saw her at the Arsenal supporters club gathering a couple of times….wanna switch allegiance while you still can? LOL

  12. Thanks for dropping by :)

  13. better sweet memories….. thats what makes the world go round…

    it builds character — Calvin’s Dad (Calvin&Hobbes)

  14. Daniel,

    I am sure your dad is happy that 20 years on you share this part of your life with your internet friends. He is up there and smiling away I bet.

    As for malay songs…too long for me and the only opne I remember is “Rasa Sayang”..yep…sad innit!!

    Have a good one friends.

  15. TheAngel With a moniker like that, how can I resist? :-P

    Mo It does, doesn’t it?

    Mr D Well, I hope that by sharing some part of my life, will make others grateful with what they have. The adage “don’t know what you got til it’s gone” is undeniably true. Rasa sayang? So I guess you also remember Enjit Enjit Semut? LOL!

  16. hey Dan, you’ll unite with him in heaven one day! :)

  17. I like Isabella too. :)

  18. meekiee Yes, and hopefully that one day comes somewhere after Arsenal wins the Champions League and Germany wins the World Cup. LOL

    Che-Cheh Isabella is indeed infectious. ;-)

  19. For the life of me - i can’t remember rosanna - but isabella now ive got the tune stuck for the whole day ;) still a fav ;)
    20 years down the line - a lost is still a lost - and one at such an awkard age

    Death is one of lifes lessons - you learn to be stronger - you learn to be more independant - to your dad

  20. visithra That’s because you’ve been spared the minibus experiences. :-) I shall put up the Isabella song just for old time’s sake. I don’t think anyone can recover from losing someone they love, we just have learn to accept it, and I’m still learning…

  21. yo.. I thought I was the only guy who sang Isabella in karaoke… didn’t know there’s so many Amy Search’s fans here.

    Anyone here who took the minibus number 50 ?? The pink minibus.

    Lex: I want cookies !!!!!!!!!!!!!

  22. endroo G This song was a such a huge success back then, you readers (apart from endroo) must have been living under a coconut shell if you haven’t heard of it. Watch out for the next post. Where does minibus no 50 go to?

  23. I haven’t heard of it ?! They even have a movie “Isabella” starring Ramona Rahman. Btw, was it Ramona? Those days, everyone would imitate Amy.. Search that is.

    Eh… you have that “Hijau” by Zainal Abidin ?

    #50 - west side of selayang mari

  24. endroo G Oops, sorry, I meant “you” as in the readers and certainly not you. A thousand apologies man….yes, I do have Zainal Abidin’s Hijau….

  25. can email me that mp3 ??? ha. Thats not piracy, is it?!

  26. endroo G Of course not, it’s sharing…LOL. Check ur e-mail…

  27. Can email me the song? Thanks. Have been looking for it for a long time.

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