Standing Ovation

Recently, I witnessed 2 standing ovation given to 2 two people which I felt I needed to share my thoughts. I have always believed that a standing ovation should be given by the audience to show the approval and appreciation for a performance/ project or leadership which is outstanding or which had touched their hearts and made them feel good, happy or even special.

In the first incident which was a training session for new members, I witnessed the moment the new Organising Chairman walked on stage, he zoomed in to how grateful he was to his predecessor and talked about her remarkable achievements. The he asked all of us in the audience to give her standing ovation. I really found this very odd. Firstly not everyone in the audience knew the predecessor and secondly a standing ovation was demanded. It was not given by way of honour. And guess where the predecessor was, she was seated some when in the audience and was not even asked to come to stage to be recognized properly as some of the audience at the back could not even see her..ha..ha! Of course I adamantly remained seated while the others stood up against their better jugdement.

Actually it is for the audience to decide whether they want to give a standing ovation or not. But most times some members of the audience may be surrounded by people standing and clapping their hands and instead of letting their feelings known that they were not over impressed by the performance , they too join the crowd reluctantly.

The second incident was in another meeting, the chairman praised his predecessor and asked to give a standing ovation to the predecessor who was not even there but away in another town!

I suppose nowadays the meaning of standing ovation and its etiquettes are interpreted differently.

If I am speaker and I do receive a standing ovation, personally that would be an indicator that I have somehow touched the audience. I would then be totally elated of my achievement.

My Sister's Keeper

My just finished the book My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. It was superbly written and at the end of the book, my eyes were teary. It was about unconditional love, sacrifice, family bonding, human grit and the ironies of life.

Although reading this book brought flashes of my treatment, i did quickly read those paragraphs..ha..ha! but was anxious to finish the book because of how the story was spin with each character portraying their emotions, feelings, thoughts and pain.

Bonding with the community

Pink Unity is organizing a trip to the Cameron Highlands on 17-19 July 2009 for its members. Among the activities include sharing session with local community/orang asli, visit to the strawberry/veggie farms and an Idol Night. It all sounds likes good fun but due to job commitments, I am unable to follow the ladies on this trip. They will definitely have lots of laughter and enjoyable trip to the highlands.

One another note my youngest brother Alagappa is a founding member of Sadhana Visionary Academy together with Dr Ratna Malar Selvaratham and Sannyasin Gunanthswami. The project is to take off soon. Wishing my brother and his team every success. .

Oh, last week i feasted at the at the China Treasure at the Sime Darby Convention Centre for lunch. I had delicious Dim Sum and thoroughly enjoyed the Mango Sago. I have been having some enriching food later, hopefully it i do not put on weight

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New Look

I had some time so i decided to change my template again and added one of my latest photo. The photo was taken a month ago. Some friends have said that i have lost weight but on the weighting machine i am still the same...ha..ha.

Just completed reading the book by Cecelia Ahern. Thanks to the memories. And have started on My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I am quite pleased with myself as i ame becoming an avid reader and i still have 9 books ( one or two given as presents) yet to read. I usually try to catch up with my reading when i commuting from work.

Since i stand for long time during rush hours on the train, many nights i experience muscle pulls. The "urut lady"that is the lady who massages my legs makes good money out of me these day..ha..ha!

Relay for Life

The 3rd Relay for Life KL 2009 was yet another success which I was part of it. I too spent the night at the MSN Training Stadium Bukit Jalil, in fact a whole 16 hours at the stadium! . It was indeed a new experience thing for me as I am not an outdoor person..sleeping under the tent, and staying awake until 3 am were all so new to me. Initially I was doubtful whether I was going to be sleepy and exhausted but surprisingly I felt alright after the Relay.

I did not take any pictures this year as I was busy with getting myself ready for the international costume parade by the survivors. About 30 of us represented the various countries in the world and I adorned a black costume representing Portugal. We all took part in the parade as one of the first batch of survivors to start the survivors lap. My family took some photos though, will post it once I have got it.

Datuk Zuraidah Atan honorary adviser to NCSM delivered the welcome address followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony by President of NCSM, Anthony J. Skelcy, Datin Dr Juliet Dharmalingam and by a young cancer survivor.

The 16-hour event was filled with engaging activities for the young and old. There were competitions, quizzes, hunts and my photograph was taking so many times by the children as they needed signatures and photos of survivors for the hunt. Local singers, gymnasts, dancers all participate to make the night lively and exciting. Cancer survivors performed the joget and bellydancing, the audience were truly entertained. My mother joined the Survivors’ Lap with another friend who came with us from Klang.This time around I witnessed the symbolic and significant Luminaria Ceremony. I bought 2 bags for my 2 little nephews and they drew some drawings with their little hands… but they did not wait for the lighting up of the candles in the luminaria bags. The whole track was filled with these bags some so colorful and creatively decorated.

This year the Luminaria ceremony was started with the first candles being light up by family members of Ann Tan (who recently lost her battle to cancer and who contributed so much to the success of the Relay). Next the a very young cancer survivor gave a speech with was really emotional and followed by lighting of candles indicating HOPE.

I am a member of the PINK UNITY, a support organisation for women with cancer, established under the auspices of the National Cancer Society Malaysia. The President Datin Azura Bahaman had a tent for all of us on the stadium field. We survivors had some activities on our own at the tent which included cut of birthday cake for all whose birthday was on May and lucky draws which I got the first lucky draw gift. Some of us members of PINK UNIITY who stayed back had a sharing session at 2am…a what a session it was. I was half sleepy when it came to my turn and I actually slept off half way through the session..ha..ha!

Sunday morning started with Aerobics, Qi Gong ( by survivors), the chicken dance and all the college and school going young people were all so active even some of the survivors were so active, i…just observed and lightly followed the exercises…ha..ha!

The NCSM, sponsors, volunteers and survivors’ efforts and contribution made this year’s Relay For Life KL 2009 yet another fantastic event in celebrating survivorship and creating cancer awareness.

Relay for Life KL 2009 Advertisement on Astro

I have been receiving calls and sms text messages from friends from last week. My new found fame is because I am appearing on the NCSM’s Relay for Life 2009 advertisement on ASTRO. Even my parents have been receiving calls from friends after they had watched the advertisement. Wow! My instance found fame. Ha..Ha!

I want share one sms text message I received from my good friend who is in Johor that made me totally exhilarated. After I thanked her for her well wishes, she texted me this message:
“M truly happy 4u. U made me feel so so +ve. Kp it up fren seing u on tv made my day. No it is I should shld TQ u”.

Many a times, I have asked myself, when many cancer survivors keep their cancer a secret and not speak about it at all, why must I go around advertising myself I a cancer survivor. When I read that wonderful message sent by my dear friend, I feel truly justified in doing so with conviction.

Thanks a lot to all my friends who have always been very supportive of me. Right now I feel very good about myslef. Cancer has made me appear on TV which I would not have dreamt off.
Last week too, I took my mother for her mammography and ultrasound. She is fine. At the same time I also registered both of us for Relay for Life KL 2009.

Cough and cold

Wow it going to be 3 weeks from my last posting! I have been extremely busy at work and had to deal with other personal matters...the ups and downs of life.

Looks like the cough has visited me again. But this time only occasionally do i cough. Today i visited the Indian Ayurveda doctor to seek treatment because of my cough. He gave me some herbal medicine which i will try for 2 weeks and the treatment will be for about 3 months. I am to keep away from spicy, chill or cold food during this time. I would miss my ice-creams and curries.

I also seem to have problem with my thinking cap lately which is becoming very a problem. I forget things so easily and now have started using my mobile phone more frequently to remind me of thinging that need to be done. I would like to think that it is because i am growing old and not because of chemo brain..Ha...ha!

My stint as a Master of ceremonies was an interesting experience for me as i not been an MC for treasure hunt before. I did receive praises which i am really happy about.

I have not registered for the Relay for Life KL this year yet. I hope to do it soon for my mother and me.