31 Dec 2012...Last golf game for the year. My dream of representing my beloved Malaysia to the 'World Senior Golfers Championship' is totally shattered. How could I represent the country when my tee-off is just 145-150 metres and never had the luck (not skill) to put 'one-on' on par three with a distance of more than 150 metres? So unlike me!! But I'm a golfer full of excuses....He...He...He. Not that I can't play well, but the trouble is that I'm having this back ache since the last 2 weeks. After sitting down, I've difficulty in standing up. While walking, no pain whatsoever. My back is plastered with 'salonpas' and emits the smell 'Yoko Yoko' to reduce the pain. But, main...tetap main, insyaAllah. So during this period, my gang has a gala time of having free drinks (no kueh) at our favourite joint - 'D'Kembong' at my expense.
From left: Hamid, myself, Mokhtar at D'Kembong ( Cikgu Khalid unable to attend today's cabinet meeting)
Tomorrow is the starting of a new year....2013. New year is synonymous with resolutions. My resolutions? The top priority is to reduce my total cholesterol level to within the allowable limit. Early this month, I went to RSAT at Air Force College for my annual blood check. Oh mak dato'....that culprit shot up from a high of 6.01 mmo/L in Dec 2011 to 6.6 mmo/L...well beyond the maximun tolerable limit of less than 5 mmo/L. The lady doctor gave me 3 months to reduce otherwise there's a likelihood I've to take 'statins'. Oh...Oh...I want to avoid taking medicines. I'm grateful to Almighty Allah that till now, I'm not on any medication, syukur alhamdulillah. Of course, now my other half takes over complete control of my food intake. Where possible, no oily foods....no KFC, no 'mata kerbau', etc, etc. The worst part is that no more junk foods...no keropok, no 'kueh reben', no curry puff, etc, etc. This is a real 'dera'!! And, first thing in the morning I've to gulp a mug of 'Melilea Organic' drink with apple flavour. Surprise...surprise...surprise...my weight has reduced from 63 kg to 61 kg....Not bad, eh?
Other than that, I hope my 2nd book would become a reality soon. I'm yet to receive the feedback from BSPP. Once I get the clearance, I'll get them printed, insyaAllah. I've to get it published early next year (tomorrow, insyaAllah) when the potential bulk buyers, namely the public libraries, still have the budget to do so. And also, still no news from the VVIP for 'Sekapur Sireh'. It's OK with me if he declines since it's not the decisive factor for publishing the books; it's an honour.
Besides that? Honestly, right now nothing in particular. I don' think I want to keep on pushing the relevant agencies urging them to invite the veterans to be story tellers. I've to accept the fact that I'm living in a real world, not a world of idealism. I've to accept that there are seasons for every activity, just like fruit seasons. So, patriotism season is August and September. Full stop. Period.
WISHING ALL MY READERS A HAPPY & PROSPEROUS 2013