Wednesday (tomorrow) is our last day working before the holiday. But most of the staff are already in holiday mood. They listen (and sing along) to the Raya songs. They read and start hanging all the greetings card that we received. They start packing money in small packet to be distributed to children. They start calculating how to spend the bonus. This year business is good so the company distribute bonuses equivalent to 3 to 4 months to most of the staff. Maybe if we were lucky the boss will let us go by the afternoon. I still haven't done my shopping yet. I need to buy a few things for my parents also.  OKlah Fariha, got to go. If I receive your e-mail before I went back to my kampung, I will reply. Although I had a hand phone and a laptop, when I'm back in my kampung, I like to enjoy the nature more than surfing the net (I need a break!!).

Chinese New year is celebrated in a big way here. Complete with lion dances, dragon dances, Chap Goh Meh (10th days of the 1st month) etc. Although the New Year fell on the 7th, most of them (the Chinese) will hold their open houses in the evening or after the Eid al Mubarak celebration in respect of their Muslim’s countrymen. Nobody care about white Christmas in Malaysia (there ain't going to be any, forever!) As long as it's a holiday, everybody celebrate (we are really good at it)!!

I only stop once to fill up my petrol tank at one of the highway R&R stop. All the R&R car park, restaurant, kiosk, petrol station and toilets were full to the brim. Along the highway I encounter not less than 3 accident sites. I myself almost get involve in one. The bumper to bumper traffic occasionally let up a bit and began to move at the speed around 90 to 110kmph. It started when the cars in front stop abruptly. The van immediately in front of my car hit the car in front of it. Luckily I brake just before I hit the bumper of the car which had fall on the tarmac. Suddenly, I smell petrol! Too my horror I saw in my rear view mirror, a motorcycle swirling on the road heading toward my car direction. It had hit the back of a car and upon impact sends the motorbike out of control. I can feel the machine hit the bumper of my car! All the vehicle on the 2nd lane had stopped. I manage to steer my car to the emergency lane and get out to inspect. 

First, I check my car. Mmm… seems OK. Just a tiny dent. Then I went to see the van. It’s not that bad either. The wife was calming down his husband (the driver) who was sitting on the road divider with a baby in his arm. There are a few other kids in the van with a minder trying hard to keep them in the van. The car that the van hit suffers a big dent on the boot and bumper. No physical injuries on either sides (Phew…!) People start to come out of their vehicle and offer to help. I saw the motorbike lying on the tarmac and petrol come out of it tank. Initially I could not find the driver. He had probably jump of his bike when his bike hit one of the cars. I saw a group of biker surrounded a limping man walking toward the road divider to sit about 10m from the bike. He can walk, so most probably he did not suffer serious injuries! The other vehicle started to move again and I follow suit. I am very thankful to God that everybody involved were OK. However I still get the flash of the scene I saw in my rear-view mirror.

When I was about to leave the office I came across Bruce, the Ozzies (Australian as they are fondly called here) who is our Assistant Production Manager. I offer him a lift to the condo but he decline saying that he’s not going back to the condo. Instead he’s going to watch The Lost World Jurassic Park. So, I decided to go with him. I remember a cyber friend told me that it’s a great movie. And he’s not exaggerating! I thoroughly enjoy the movie, even more than the first Jurassic Park. After the movie which ended at about midnight, we walk from the movie theatre to the place I park my car which is quite a distance. We are walking through the famous Chow Kit Road, which is supposed to be the red light district of Kuala Lumpur, where you can watch beautiful women and ‘not so women’ plying their trades. The place had change a bit. However, it’s still retain it’s character with food stalls, medicine man, ‘cheap Rolex’ etc. At this time most stall owner had started to pack their wares and clean the street. Although a bit run down, it is still relatively save to walk around at night as any place else in Kuala Lumpur. 

This brings me back lots of memories. In 1988, I submitted a dissertation synopsis titled ‘The other side of Kuala Lumpur’. It’s about the area like Chow Kitt Road. This area is steep in history and among the early settlement area in this great city. On the other hand, when the city began to change its traditional character to the more cosmopolitan image that we know now, these areas were left behind. It had became the place for immigrant from rural area and foreigner to ‘colonise’ the place (some people even mockingly call it little Indonesia or little Bangla). This was due to the presence of cheap hotel offering accommodation as low as RM5.00 per night 

While preparing for the synopsis, I went into a few of the ‘hotel’ to check out how the business was done here. I will hide my camera in my knapsack or left it with the guard at Batu Road Shopping Complex and try to make some mental note on the condition of the interior. Sometimes the ‘mamasan’ and the pimp eye me suspiciously. I just keep my cool and act like I’m interested in one of their girls. An incident which I could not forget was when we (this time with a friend) were followed by the bouncer into the lift in the famous Sun Complex in Bukit Bintang area. This area is famous for it ‘expatriate’ working girls. When I noticed his presence, I just act cool and stop at the squash courts level and pretend to watch the people playing squash. When he disappeared, I continue my investigation and went up. I met with one mamasan who call me from her flat. However, I had already felt uncomfortable and quickly left the building. 

Sadly though, my lecturer think the tittle is not suitable and the assignment too dangerous. So I change my dissertation to ‘The Architecture of the pre-war Shophouses’. I still will be able to use some of my earlier photo. Well, there are many old shophouses in Chow Kitt and Bukit Bintang area. 
Today, due to the effort of the City Hall, the area had improved considerably but still retained its charm. Some old building are refurbished. The façade of the old shop houses were given fresh coat of paint in pastel. Now, it’s even become one of KL tourist attraction, rivalling China Town in Petaling Street and Little India in Jalan Masjid India. 

We reach back at our apartment around 1.00am. I thought of sending this message straight away. However, I found out that my telephone line was cut due to unsettled bill (amounting almost RM900/=!) So, you might get this message a bit late because I’m typing it off-line. Oklah, tired already. Will continue typing more messages tomorrow. 

I’d settled by phone bill this morning (Saturday). Had to pay RM10.00 fine. The phone will only be connected next week. So, again I have to type this message off line.

Last weekend I visited `PC Fair’ exhibition at Putra World Trade Centre (one of the biggest convention & exhibition venue in Kuala Lumpur). It makes me sooooo ... frustrated? I don’t know...(can’t describe the feeling) Looking at all the new computers and information technology product which is damn cheap and more powerful than mine (which I bought about 3 years ago). There are also other server offering service to connect to Internet with cheaper fees and lots of free `gifts’. I spend almost 3 hours there trying to visit as much booth as possible. The hall was packed to the brim.

We reached the coastal road that went along the 15km stretch of the beach at 3.00pm. Our first stop was Port Dickson Marina Resort. It is 95% completed. Unfortunately the show unit was closed. So we walk around the site and view the completed marina. The water is surprisingly blue (just like the photo I sew at the showroom). However the prize of the unit are RM200,000 ++. Way over my budget. The overall design of the 24-storey condo is OK, very modern with a touch of deconstructivisme on the undulating roof design with striking white, blue and yellow on the facade. 

Next stop, Laguna Beach Resort. The first time I saw the 8-storey block clustered around the swimming pool, I felt in love already! The layout is OK with modest architectural treatment. The unit itself is small though. From 62sqm to 95sqm. The facilities offered include a small clubhouse with changing rooms facilities, sauna, swimming pool, tennis court and other standard resort facilities. The landscaping suite the image of a tropical paradise with its mature palm and coconut trees, heliconias, hibiscus and bougainvillea. The building is completed and only waiting for the Certificate of Fitness from the authority. 

Ocean View Resort is situated next to Laguna. The 8-storey block was completed and there are already residence staying there. The block layout is not as good as Laguna. Although the swimming pool is big, and there is a cafe at the clubhouse, somehow I didn’t quite like it. And than the workmanship! Horrible. You can already see some fascia board and ceiling soffit peeling off. Well, they say it is always difficult to maintain a building by the sea. But this is unacceptable. We went in to visit one of the furnished unit for sale. The furnishing is without taste! The furniture did not match the standard of a resort. Most probably the interior designer is a broker or an accountant (or anybody you associate with bad taste ?) with no basic knowledge on design aesthetic. 

Next we went to visit Kemang View in Teluk Kemang (Kemang Bay) next to the famous Blue Lagoon. The 5 storey walk-up apartment was completed in 1995. Besides not having lift, the facilities are also limited to swimming pool and children playground. However the unit prize is so cheap. Ranging from 70,000 to 100,000. Furthermore, it has it’s own secluded beach. I might consider if I manage to get 100% loan, which by the way is not impossible according to the sales guy. So finally I decide to take one unit in Laguna and pay the RM5000.00 booking fees. 

When I told my parent about my new beach apartment, they are very exited. So, tomorrow we are going for a family picnic in Port Dickson. My sister and brother’s family also will be joining us.  It might be fun!

I plan to clean my room today. I’ve been postponing it since… since … mmm I don’t know. Must be a few days B.I. (Before India). It is so messy that every night, I had to do `Butterfly stroke’ through pile of cloths, books, magazines etc. Every time I walk through it to get my cloth from the dresser I can feel a layer of dust on my feet. That’s why I prefer to sleep in the living room in front of the TV set. Not so much for the love of TV programme, more like being closer to my heliconias and the 4 Bobois (the name of my goldfish - oh, it’s remind me that I had to clean their aquarium too). Normally I will fall asleep with a book or magazine in my hand. 

Wow, you’re spending your holiday reading something like 'Thinking about Thinking' and 'Theorising a new agenda for Architecture'? Ooh … deep. If I were you (which are quite impossible) my main course will be Peanut, Doraemon, Dilbert, The Far sight and Calvin & Hobbes. I will not even sprinkle it with any books that do not have any picture in it. Dessert will be Gila-Gila, Ujang and ETC. I’ve graduated from Archies in my secondary school. Richi Rich irritates me. 
 
I salute your sense of humour. If more people like you, the world will definitely be a better place to live in (at least for me because I will be rich selling my crap as humour material and do standing up comedy a la Seinfield by just telling about my mundane daily routine in life). 

Laughter IS the best medicine. However, some medicine for an ailment can be poisonous to others. Raw materials? Not enough. Don’t worry, they’re not selling daggers in Kuala Lumpur streets anymore. On the other hand I still have a pair of dagger, 1 gold color (which now has turn into ebony color) and 1 silver (still look like silver or at least people will be able to tell that it WAS silver) that I bought in Lahore. It hold a lot of memory that I don’t think I will send it flying to Karachi (even through Cyber space). Anyway, what mood are you in now? I’m in `Saturday-is-a-rest-day’ mood ? and `but-my-room-need- cleaning-so-I-still-have-to-shed-some-sweat’ mood ? 

Oooh I really had waited for this moment when you started to share some of your `deep’ tought, but please excuse me so I can finish cleaning my room. Will continue latter… 
So sorry, the task was more than I can imagine. By the time I finish removing the last stack of book to it’s place, it was 1.30 am. I was so exhausted that I fall asleep on my now clean bed. Than Sunday was fill with activity that I will elaborate latter. 

I think I better distance my self from this computer. The story about today’s activity will have to come latter. If not most probably I won’t be able to work tomorrow. Oh, your bed is made of cane aa? I will crawl to the spring mattress who had been waving to me all this while calling “leave the computer.. and come to me…” I will do just that.

You are right. He has been in Malaysia for 5 years now. And he was from UET. When we were there (I presented my paper there, remember?) I can still picture vividly in my mind those curious glances throw to us when we came down from the bus, by the male students of UET. My suspicion is that the glances are not meant for us foreigner but more towards our female escorts! By the way, do you still keep in touch with them? What happen to the blue eye Ms Ayesha Qureshi and curly hair Ms. Tabassum Ali? What about Suljuk, Nadeem Dar, mmm, who else aa, ha Tahir Amin. Do send my salam to them if you still in touch. Suljuk did not reply to my e-mail I send to the address that he gave me. 

‘Confused’ is one word that I really hate. I specifically tell all my designer never to use it in front of me. The word is so overuse that it has become a scapegoat or a cover to hide our weaknesses to make clear decision or receiving clear instruction. However I do understand your situation because I’ve seen some of my friends and even my brother face the same situation (my brother hold a Diploma in Architecture now running a Cyber café). If you think you can, YOU CAN! (This slogan is used successfully by our government to boost our confidence). 

You can be an Architect, at the same time doing some research for your academic advancement. Maybe do part time lecturing or presenting seminar for your finding. Than publish a book about your finding (That will hopefully make you rich!). It sounds too easy and optimistic, right? But, possible. Options is always a blessing because whichever you choose you will not loose the other. It will still leave as an option. Maybe the odd factor here is time. However, a wise choice will always allow you to revert to the other option in the future. I give you an example. When my friend ask me whether to pursue a diploma in architecture or interior design, I tell them that if they took Architecture, they can always specialise latter into Interior Design after securing their diploma. On the other hand, if they had decided to go for Interior Design, they can never revert back to architecture. 

Yeah, it will definitely change the mood of the discussion. From ‘let-me-entertain-you’ mood to ‘let-me-be-your- counsellor’ mood. It still OK if we can maintain it to the ‘let-me-entertain-you-by-playing-counsellor’ mood.

I can see that I've lost you here! Don't worry, I'm going to 'translate' the above conversation so you will be able to understand better what Malaysian One and Two are saying: - 

There, that wasn't too difficult to follow, was it? Actually, you will probably be a little puzzled at first but it will be a matter of time before you find yourself speaking like the locals! It isn't very difficult - all you need to do is throw in some lahs, yas, aiyahs and eh and you'll fit right in. However, bear in mind that we can always tell if you are a novice. There is an art to knowing where you should use the lahs, ahs and yas in your conversation! 
Perhaps the most important word in Manglish is that three lettered word 'lah'! It is the most popular 'foreign' word (at least to you!) and the reason for its frequent use is simple. You see, 'lah' is used in Bahasa Malaysia to help emphasise certain facts. For instance, if you want someone to come to see you immediately, you would say "comelah" instead of the more polite (and lame!) "could you come now please?" Lah is, in fact, a part of the Malay language and like most things. Malaysian, we have borrowed words and phrases from here and there to form a language of our own. 

Hey, this is what makes us a unique cultural experience. I am quite sure that by the time you have been in Malaysia for a few weeks, you will be adding a lah or two of your own! How do I know that with such certainty? Simple, really. I had an Ozzies friend (Bruce) who started speaking Manglish to me because that's the way I conversed with him. It can be infectious, you know and as they say, "if you can't beat them, join themlah!"

On the other hand, I can’t manage to sleep! Maybe the excitements of it all kept me awake. I went through my mail box (that’s what I call the shoe box I use to keep all of my correspondences) and I came across your `Eid Mubarak’ greeting card. I’m sorry for not being able to reply to you sooner. I was overjoyed went I received your letter. Congratulation! I’m happy that now you are working. I wish you all the best and hope you enjoy working in your present firm. 

As for me, I’m not planning to work immediately. I want to take a long break before starting to work. I would like to travel and rest. My immediate plan is to go to Perhentian Island together with my classmates on the 15th of June. We plan to stay on the island for a week. I think I had mention to you about this island in my previous letter (this will be my third visit to this island). I’m looking forward to meet all the corals and fish that I left behind almost a year ago, and hope to make new acquaintance. Last year I even manage to catch a gleam of the ferocious shark when we when snorkeling in one of the secluded bay around the island. I was so exited to alert the rest of my friend and the poor fellow (I mean the shark) quietly swims into the deeper and darker side of the sea. 

Initially we plan to wait for our friends who are studying overseas to come back and join us for the holiday. On the other hand, most of them are not planning to come home as soon as they finished their study. They either when to Europe or stay for their convocation in October. We can’t wait for them that long. Anyway, we are also planning to travel to Phuket, Thailand by train in July. Phuket is famous for their resort's hotels and leisure facilities. Since there are a lot of tourism oriented project in Malaysia, we figure that it's going to be a good exposure for us. 

I’m not quite sure I understood your explanation on your thesis project, especially the `SEMIOTICS AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION’ part. Maybe it will help if you could send me the summary or synopsis of your study. It does sound very interesting. Since your project gets a distinction, I’m sure the proposed solution is very good. Could you possibly send me a copy of your proposed building? I hope you don’t mind me asking for all these. I am very interested in widening my knowledge in architectural philosophies. Furthermore, like yourself, I would also like to involve myself in architectural education in the future.

So, my design approach is tracing the originator of the concept of a civic centre through historical precedence. I found out that the word civic come from a Latin word `civis’ which means citizen of the city. Civic is also used to describe things that have official status in a city. From this, I study the evolution of the city (from the time of the Greeks and Romans till present) that almost always centered from its core, which is the civic centre. I went to several sites and buildings for my case studies. Among them are the old Roman city of Jerash (the most well preserve Roman city outside Europe) and Philadelphia (old name of Amman) in Jordan, the old city hall of Amsterdam (now a royal palace), Pompedou Centre and Parc de la Villette in Paris, and Singapore World Trade Centre. 

From the study, I made the conclusion that a civic centre should be a place of pride for the citizen. It is a reference point and a meeting place for the people to do their business with the public (the government) and to participate in communal activities. Johor Bahru Civic Centre will serve as a place for recreational, cultural, social activities and the seat of the city’s administrative body. 

Hence, the public should be able to see a civic centre as a place for them to congregate and it becomes one of the city landmarks. It will energize the cultural development of the citizen and supportive towards the surrounding development. The centre will also generate public activities in an institutional realm. With respect to these facts, my design thesis looks for an integration of an institutional body and the public through the incorporation of a Civic Centre. 

Well, the theoretical work and the initial design analysis such as the justification of the project and the chosen site were dealt with early last semester. This study includes urban design exercise, market analysis, master planning and formulation of project brief. The next steps were the conceptual planning and design of the building itself. The final design of the Civic Centre consists of a banquet hall for 1000 guests, an auditorium with 750 seats, a library with 5000 books, an archive, the MBJB (city hall) office for 3000 staff and a musalla for 250 jamaah. 

As for this semester, we are required to do the technical part of the building. Besides preparing the technical drawings, we were also to meet the requirements and by-laws of the respective authorities such as the city hall, the fire brigade, the sewerage company (it was privatize last year), the electrical and telephone company (also privatize several years ago) etc. We were also required to select a special area of study and do 3D drawings to show all the structural and services incorporate in the drawings. 

I had a tough time trying to fulfill all the requirements. These were due to the logistic problems (Johor Bahru is almost 300km: about 4 and a half-hours drive from Shah Alam) and the complexity of the project. Although I used computer for my work (Autocad and 3D Studio), I still had to struggle all the way. Alhamdulillah, finally I somehow manage to put all the presentation together and the result was quite impressive (well, at least I like to think so!). I used multi-media for my presentation. I did short computer animation using 3D Studio software (each using about 120 frames). That’s bring the audience all around, over and inside the building. As for the background, I used `voice over’ and traditional music. Besides computer animation, I also produce 28 sheets of computer drawings (A0 size). It’s cost me almost RM 600 to get it plotted. Luckily my brother sponsors half of the plotting cost. 

Well, now it’s all over! I already secure several goods offers from several architectural firms. They all come during the final review when the panel assessors consist of architect who had their own practice. I will only decide which one to choose when I see their company portfolio (I’m not too particular about the salary offered, which ranging from RM 2800 - RM 3500 per month). I want to make sure that the company which I work with had a vision and design direction. Not merely producing `bargain basement, bin filler’ type of design. 

Again I was very lucky to graduate during the boom period of the building industry. Malaysia is currently facing shortage in manpower including the professionals. Some firms resort in importing architects from foreign countries such as Philippines, Thailand and India. There was also the trend of hiring foreign architect firm for project in Malaysia. These add more veriety in design approach and building coming up in Malaysia, especially in big cities like Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru. 

Well, Fariha, I think I already write too much. I’m also feeling a kind of drowsy. I hope I will hear from you again soon. Tell me about your work especially about this textile university that you are working on (we had agriculture university here but not textile university although our textile industry contributes a lot to Malaysia’s export) Until then I wish you and your family the best. 

I'm so happy receiving your reply that I don't know where to start!! So many things to ask. Well, since you had access to the net, I don't have to rush all the question at one go, right? My typing is not as fast as my thinking you know. OK, lets start by reviewing your first letter. 

Your father typed my letter?!!! It's so kind of him. All the 3 pages? Wow, I must send him a BIG thanks. He must have spent quite sometimes to finish. So I assume you're not going back to Pakistan for the celebration, eh? It must be sad. I never had the experience like that. Going back to my Kampung (village) to celebrate syawal with my family and friends is a must. Celebration in Kuala Lumpur is not the same. Well, all my other friends here went back to their own kampung. All the street will be deserted. Until the 4th or the 5th of Syawal when people start coming back and celebrate it with friends in the city. 

I'm not competent too. Although I had this computer since my final year in ITM, I just get connected to the net in October last year. Than for two month I could not figure out how to utilize it until I bought this `Idiot's Guide to the Internet'. The electronic card that I send you is offered by my server which is Nasionet. In Malaysia, there are a few other server offering service like Jaring and Telekom. Most of them had saturated numbers of line making it difficult to get access. So far, I'm quite happy with Nasionet.

Well, with 12 people under my care, all with their colourful character and other colleague in other department, I can say that I'm having fun. We always organise outing together like camping, mountain climbing, movies, eat out etc. Live had been good to me. I got a Proton Wira 1.5Auto, staying in a condo in the middle of Kuala Lumpur -`the Garden City of Light', spend my holiday in Bali... what else... oh yeah, getting in touch with you! 
You were working at two jobs? You mean like two different firms. Wow, but knowing you (although a very short while only) I'm sure you are capable of. Were you paid well? (Am I not supposed to ask you this question. Sorry, just curious) And ya, what happen to your textile university? Well with offer like Harvard at your feet, who cares right? :-) I don't think it made much different where you study at this level (Master). The important things are how you programme your self to gain as much knowledge from the study. It much more independent and give you more freedom in charting the direction you're going to (am I right?). 

I like to do Urban Design. When I was in ITM, Urban Design caught my attention. For my final thesis, urban design plays a major role in the master plan of the whole scheme. Maybe after a few years practising architecture I will further my study. Meanwhile, I will continue my traveling! I have not been to Turkey. The plan that I told you in the letter never materialize. Please tell me more about Ankara and METU. Definitely Turkey will be in my agenda. But I was thinking more like Istanbul. 

I think that will be enough for now too. Today I'm sending my sister and her family to the airport. She is going to Scotland to do her Master in English Language. My parents are here too. My brother picks them up from kampung last night. (With the highway it took only 2-hour drive back to my kampung) I envy you. I miss the studio life. The time when you had all the time (but always thought you don't have it, until you wasted it all!!) 

What so amazing about it? Part of architectural education is maximise the stimulation of the senses. I don’t think this is only exclusive to me. All good architect (ehm…) has this ability. Architecture is about communication, right? You come up with an idea in your head. You translate it into sketches and drawings. These tools are for you to communicate your idea to … let say your client. A good building will provoke a dialogue and stimulate the senses of the user (I keep repeating this cliche).  A good architect will be able to pick it up and appreciate these details. 

I think it has become second nature to me. To observe and then prepare the report. Just like when we go for site inspection or checking through drawings. Just imagine part of our responsibility is to co-ordinate all the other consultant drawing. (although we are not the specialist on other aspect like M&E, C&S, Landscaping and Interior Design) After going through a few exercises, anybody will be sharp in pointing out discrepancies, and detail in their reporting. 

OK, let me observe my surrounding at this moment. I’m typing this message on this `4 years old or so’ computer in my apartment. My house mate is watching ‘Jerry Magguire’(I lost count for how many times already) on the new VCD that we bought in One Utama 2 weeks ago. Hey, Hanif our office mate is also here. I wonder whether he manage to complete his submission drawing on time or not (I wouldn’t know because today I’m at the site full day). He’s been staying up late for the past few days to complete the drawings. Oh, I forget to feed my gold fish. Wait aaa… OK, mmm what else? Sorry my brain is not working well today. Maybe because I’m too tired from running around the site. Never mind, next time my message will be more ‘book’ material than this one. 

Hmm.. that sound like a good idea. But don’t you think your messages will lost their intimacy if you repeat it to everybody? Everybody is different. You don’t discuss about the same subject the same way with different people. Cut and paste method is only suitable for a quote or philosophy subject assignment (something I did when I was in final year). I did that with a few jokes and anecdote that I send you earlier. It was supplied by a friend of mine in Sarawak. Somehow she programme through something call `mail manager’ that will send me a new jokes every 3 days. I still receive the supply of jokes from her. 

You mean, book writing business? Or is it pleasure business? (Ooh, interesting concept). Definitely not the latter! However, I did plan to write books when I was in form 5. Not academic though. More like Novels. Now… I don’t think so. Is my letter THAT interesting? You think people will buy that kind of crap?