My Story 001 - Part I

Salam & a very good morning. Its 5.36am now.  This is the time where Muslims get up to have their last meal before the dawn as it is still in the month of Ramadan mubarak. Me included.

The last time, I didn't had the chance to properly introduce myself.  The following is the chronicles of Shahril Redza Ab Razak, Part I.  I plan to narrate it in 3 parts and I will try my best to narate my own story.  Do forgive me for any misleading fact, etc.

My name is Shahril Redza. I was born to Hj. Ab Razak Jasmani and Hjh. Azizah Mat Rais. My birthplace was Pantai Medical Center, Bangsar so technically I am a pure KLites but both my parents hail from Batu Pahat, Johore separated by 1 main junction which approximately distanced in 6.25 miles (10 kilometers) from each other. I am the eldest amongst 6 siblings. At home, I am referred humbly as "Reza" by my parents and "abalong" by my siblings.

I was told that during my early days as an infant, a close granny to the family that goes by the name "Tok Bun" was the one babysitted me in our then SS15 home.  She is of Parit Maimon, Batu Pahat. She has long past away though, may Allah bless her in the afterlife. They say, because of this I inherited her trait, therefore being the "garang" one in the family (Garang = stern / strict). I however, am just being honest and stand for what I personally believe is right.

Next, where I spent my early childhood. Earliest memory I can recall was when I was 3 or 4 years old. I had a only one sister then, and we were all in Illinois, US. Funny thing, both me & my sis had no clue that we weren't local. Both me and my sister went to pre-school in DeKalb and later moved to Macomb, Illinois. By the way, we were in the States while my father completed his BBA and MBA.

Back from the US, both me and my sis was temporarily stationed in Batu Pahat. I was even told that I would get my early education in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Penggaram, Batu Pahat which is evidenced in my birth certificate but ended up in Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Sri Subang Jaya in SS14 instead till graduating with UPSR.

Apparently, both my parents settled in SS15, Subang Jaya, though it was actually our early home before we flew to the States.

That’s the end for Part I. Till then.

 

Me at approximately 4 years old

Your humble servant,

Shahril Redza Ab Razak

USJ2, UEP Subang Jaya

5.40am

Diary 001 - Malaysia's 52nd Independence Day

Its 9.43pm here in USJ2 at my mother's place. This time, I am back home all alone. My wife and daughter, yes I'm a father now; is back in Bt 11, Hulu Langat. I will write about her later when I resume blogging on a full time basis.

Me and my brother had just got back home from our Tarawikh prayers while mom's busy with her pineapple tarts orders.

Shortly, I intend to go out and have a drink, teh tarik to be precise. This is not your average daily teh tarik.   This is "Maju & Maju''s teh tarik! This beverage have the taste where you will find in no where else and it's aroma, the brew of a true Malaysian culture, 1MALAYSIA. And where am I gonna have it? The place's called "Maju & Maju". In English it means "Forward & Forward". It's situated right in the heart of USJ at Subang Perdana Goodyear Court 14, USJ8/10, 47620 UEP Subang Jaya.

As far as I can remember, I started consuming Maju & Maju's teh tarik more than 10 years ago. Me and my friends, we have just graduated secondary school. Well, I 1 year ahead of them. Now, what’s so special about Maju & Maju teh tarik to me? Being 18 year old back then, so eager to live an adult life at a very young age was the dream of everyone at that time. Despite all that my mother feared for me of the real world, drugs, alcohol, women, counterfeiting money, bribery, etc., you name it. I only had the chance to taste Maju & Maju's teh tarik, and that in peace, in the non-presence of my mother.

You see the place Maju & Maju as I explained earlier is strategically located in the heart of USJ but well hidden from the busy of the city life. Hence, the hardness for my parents to locate us young adults consuming Maju & Maju's teh tarik.

So, to Maju & Maju's teh tarik, the symbol of My Independence, where I spent countless hours till dawn sometimes watching live soccer matches for many years with my friends (the MKJBians), may you continue to provide us your special brew. To Malaysia, may you continue to prosper in peace.

Selamat Meyambut Hari Kemerdekaan Yang Ke-52.

 

Teh Tarik, our National Drink (photo imported from Amal Rocco)

Your humble servant,
Shahril Redza Ab Razak
USJ2, UEP Subang Jaya
10.00pm