I spent most of the weekend with a couple of old friends, a cancer patient and his family and a group of strangers for project Hazim Family Day.

Davie wanted to fulfil another wish of Adik Hazim’s which was to spend a day camping near a waterfall. She was able to rope in Hafiz and Zaidi and needed someone to take photos. How can I say no? I am still not keen on camping or masuk hutan, but what the heck. Hafiz eventually had to pull out but Zaidi made it all the way from Bangkok just for this. Even his family didn’t know he came back for the weekend.

With the help of Faizah, a Hospis Malaysia staff, Davie was able to get the services of Redah 4×4 Club members to transport us to Lata Berembun, near Raub. There were six “jalopies” for the trip, five of them from Redah. Leader Perah, Sesenduk, Marajali (and Kobis), Keladi and sweeper Tetebu were joined by non-member Tembikai. There were a couple of prospective members who came along too and by the end of it are planning to get their own rides.

There are many stories to tell about the whole trip but for this post, I want to highlight the warriors who made it happen.

I’ve known Davie since I was 13, that was exactly 20 years ago. She has been doing volunteer work for a while now, but is currently focusing on kids with cancer. It’s something I know I’m not able to do. Not like her.

The Redah people have been doing volunteer work while satisfying their passion for off-road adventures. They went prepared with everything. Except man-made toilets. Heh. But seriously, they’re the people you’d want to have with you should you get stuck in nature. On land that is. Kalau kat laut saya panggil Awi the Duyong boatmaker.

Zaidi made babysitting look fun and easy. Faizah meanwhile made sure Adik Hazim got his meds, and the rest of us fed well. She even got a nurse to be on standby! Hehe.

Real life warriors of light? I don’t doubt it.

I thought the exhibition would occupy the whole upper floor. Was a bit disappointed to see that there were more notebooks up for sale than the exhibit but at least a couple of the creations on display were quite amazing.

CNN’s been highlighting South Africa’s preparation for the football’s greatest party – kicking off exactly a year from today – this whole week.

I’m thinking 12 months is not that long from now.

A couple of Saturdays ago, I went to my alumni AGM and dinner. At the dinner, we had the good fortune to be entertained by the Glee (not Geli as per the video) Club. They’re Japanese pakciks and the leader is the small gentleman right smack in the middle. Comel.

Oh. They gave me this:

After a morning assignment which ended at noon, I took the rest of the day off to attend the launch of The Quintessential Man: The Story of Tan Sri Azizan Zainul Abidin in Putrajaya. That was the book I had worked on from mid-2005 for over a year.

It seems like a very long time ago. Indeed, two of the people interviewed had passed away – Tan Sri Basir Ismail and Datuk Siew Nim Chee – before they could see the end product.

The hall at Putrajaya Holding hq was full. The late Tan Sri’s family members of course, his close friends, associates from government and reps of all the corporations he was affliated to were there. Even Peter Sauber made a surprise appearance as Petronas, who helped with invitations, wasn’t expecting him to attend and had planned to mail his copy by the end of the week. Not surprising was the absence of Ananda Krishnan while Dr. M is unable to attend as he is away. It would’ve been very interesting if the latter had showed up as it was the current PM who officiated. Heh.

I forgot my handkerchief despite telling myself to bring it in the morning. I knew I’d end up in tears, and I did. I think the guy next to me noticed the wet kleenex in my hand but he wisely chose not to comment on it and offered his congratulations instead.

Puan Sri Noor Ainee was so gracious, thanking me for my work. She didn’t forget her hanky, I see her dabbing the corner of her eyes every now and then.

From the time Azam gave me my own copy, I have been looking forward to people’s response to the book. I didn’t write it, but was invoved in the process of producing it and saw how it evolved from bits of information into different chapters and lastly a coherent piece of writing now able to be scrutinised by anyone.

I’m happy the book is finally out but kinda sad as well. Does that make sense?