Gawai Dayak Dinner ...

The Gawai Dayak Dinner was successfully held last night 23.5.09 at the Civic Center with
about 1200 guests. The guest of honor was the Minister of Land Development Sarawak - YB Dato Sri James Jemut Masing.

I didn't get to take lots of pictures because I was just too busy. Here are just some of the pictures that I managed to take ... I couldn't resist taking a picture of my darling in her full Iban maiden finery!! WOW my daughter, the great beauty (with intelligence!) :D I am biased ;)

Launching Gawai Dinner, l-r : Me, Chambai (Chairman of SDNU), Mejun (Chairman DBNA) and Lade (Chairman OUNA).

To all DAYAKS, Valerie & I wish you and your family ...

Selamat Hari Gawai, Gayu Guru Gerai Nyamai,

Awak ke Allah Taalah Merkat Semua Kitai Berlimpah Tuah.

Masterpiece ... new Iban rock band ...

Rock music!!!! oh yeah!!!!!

Right!!!! Rock music is something that I 'tolerate' because its the music of the young and at times we must blend in! My nephews love it!

Tonight I was invited to launch the new album (1st album) of a 'new' rock band - Masterpiece!

WOW!! Now you wonder why I would do it, if I am not a 'rocker' ;) Well, for one, the members of the band had been the music provider for my Gawai events (2 consecutive years) and also my Sarakup function. I agreed in the name of Friendship!

The last time I attended a concert or musical show was a couple of years ago, Il Divo concert/show in KL and before that to a Michael Jackson concert at the UTK, Knoxville in the 80s!

It was indeed an honor to do it, ie to Launch their album - why me? I don't know, for they know I am not a rocker ...

Surprisingly, it was a wonderful, enjoyable & different evening ... Music was good! The band played 2 of their new songs, and I must say, they were good! The lead singer was great, and the musicians are fantastic! I was amazed that I could enjoy the music ... at my age! hahahaha

So all you Rockers, check out the album at www.rumahpanjai.com/profile/masterpiece

Kumang & Keling Gawai Dayak 2009 ...

The Beauties & Warriors of the Gawai Dayak ... Sibu ...

Who is the fairest of them all?


Sarakup have always strive to find a Kumang with beauty & intelligence. I might add that this year, we are closer to reaching that goal! Among the hopefuls were quite a mix of working women from various fields or college/university students.

Keling - well, this year, we got all the handsome & strong MAN! Manly man!! :) Interprete that however you want!!

This is one of the best ngajat .. among the Keling! Thought I will share it with all of you ... a little bit of culture!

These are the hardworking committee members ... all the Kumang & Keling of yesteryears!

Angelyn & Rose ... sms vote for Ms Photogenic?Keling Temawai & Exco/Kaban SIDSPn. Catherine Nain (in white blouse) & the judges ... lucu kajat Kumang/Keling?

Selamat Hari Indai ....

Selamat Hari Indai!!

Karl nurun sekula ...

Anak menyadi aku tu, umur iya 4 taun, penama iya Karl Pengabang. Peda penyigat iya, tang oh oh ni 'iko' mmm udah ditempo mummy iya alam tanjut kini!! hahahaha mancar amat anak kami tu. Iya baru masuk sekul bulan tu, ngambi iya belajar; lalu iya mega rindu amat. Chelabut iya nusi diri udah sekul serta pengerindu iya sekul! Tu gambar hari terubah iya nurun enggau baju uniform 'sailor' iya!! :D

Here's my lovable nephew, Karl Pengabang, who is 4 years old and in his school uniform. He entered the pre-kindy school earlier this month, and he's enjoying it lots!! He was chatting non stop, when I stopped over in KL for a few hours the other day, telling me about his school, friends & teachers. Of course, as usual, I only understood 20% of what was said! He's still learning to put his words together in sentences. He understands & speaks Iban & English .. hmmm maybe Mandarin also?

Gawai in Europe ...

Decisions ... decisions ...

I had to make an Executive Decision on the Gawai holiday to Europe! We're scheduled to depart on 29 May and return on 14 June with visits to:-

1. Switzerland - I had always love this country and this would have been my 3rd visit ... 3 days of exploring Lucerne, Zurich & the mountains
2. France - oh yeah, the city of love or is it romance; but for Val & I .. Disney Paris!!! That's the love part!!
3. England & Scotland - all the historical & countrysides!

Well, after reading about all the 'advisory' messages from Wisma Putra & MOH for the last couple of days, and the travel agent 'pushing' to confirm on the hotels etc ... I have yet to come up with my decision!!

My little advisor - very wise comment - how our child had matured right before our eyes! Val told me a moment ago ' Mummy, we continue to monitor the situation reported in the news and then we decide on Friday. Tell Aunty Za (my travel agent) to call only on Friday morning.' That's exactly what I will do. But, unlike sister sebugey who says 'its now or never' ;) , I think there's always next year. Anyway, I hope for the speaking engagement in London next year to come through, then cheaper on me! :D

So, friends, I will be in Malaysia for Gawai (most likely) but probably holding our Open (semi aja ;) ) House in KL; so if your in KL, ngabang ngagai rumah aku ditu! Come and taste the wonderful tuak!

* PS - Sebugey, high tea di Miri or Sibu aja lah!

Pictures from South Africa ...

These are some of the pictures taken in Cape Town, Pretoria & Johannesburg during my working visit. The sceneries are just beautiful and my pictures actually did not do justice (am not a good photographer!), and its worth every Ringgit spent! :)

This paper presentation had established me as an international speaker on NRW (Sarawak NRW Program) and at the Water Loss 2009, I had received a couple more invitations to speak for next year. So maybe ... Brazil? ... England? ... we're wait and see! Overall the experience was wonderful, the conference was a great success; in terms of networking & learning 'new' systems/technologies. I put in quote 'new' because the practice of NRW is practically standard world wide and everybody is doing the same thing. What makes it a success or different is the the individual/human resource handling/implementating it. The people makes the different!

Cape Town scenes ...

Pretoria & Johannesburg scenes ...