Peculiar jackets

After living in Malaysia for many years I've become used to the local lifestyle. Yet some things remain peculiar. One of those is the way jackets are used in Malaysia. Although originally a western design, jackets are used widely, but with some differences................


1. One of the first views that greets visitors to this country are the many many motorcyclists on the roads. But they look rather strange: Many of them are wearing sports jackets BACKWARDS. It looks pretty much like as if they're wearing straight jackets, creating the impression that a whole lunatic asylum has just managed to escape on motorbikes. Unfortunately the way they drive will only confirm that opinion....















2. One of Malaysia's traditional and favorite dress for women is the 'baju kurung' or 'baju kebaya'. A light and loose cheerfull colourfull dress worn by ladies. Usually made a of a flowery fabric they are a suitable dress for ladies in this hot humid climate while it still covers all body parts as required by the Islamic religion.


Yet for some unimaginable reason Malaysian women combine this dress with a tailored dark men's jacket. Mostly you'll be able to see this phenomenon in offices or during official functions (somehow it's perceived to be the correct way of dressing for official functions).


What to say:
A + B creates the zenith of fashion disasters

3. Jackets during sports
As mentioned earlier Malysia has a warm and humid climate year round. Mostly the locals will dress lightly in shorts or slacks with t-shirts during their leisure time. Yet once again the jacket-craze strikes when they go for exercise. Malaysians will bundle themselves in sports jackets and long track pants before going for a run in the hot sun. Aren't they aware of the bodies need to loose heat during sports you'll wonder. Sofar nobody has been able the give me a reason for this peculiar behaviour. Yet one thing is certain; no seasoned athlete will make this mistake. Showing up for a triathlon or long run while wearing a jacket is akin to tattoeing 'beginner' across u're forehead.
For the correct t-shirt to wear during these events I refer to 'viciouslifecycle.blogspot.com'. The -unspoken but strictly adhered to- rules for wearing T's during races are clearly defined here, I have nothing further to add.




What else...............


Kids started the new school year on the 3rd of January. FUHYO, free education ???? mana ada.... Dont want to say much here becos the schools lacsidaisical attitude makes me furious.
Darimi started primary one, Ati primary two, Dayan secondary one, Danial secondary three. Phew, took me one whole day to get everyone sorted out in their respective schools. Probably the teachers were not too happy to see me as I refused to pay for nonsense charges and refused to give copies of our pay slips (were not applying for any assistance so why do they need to be bizybodies...GRRR) Cool down / cool down / cool down.......


Short cycle on sunday in Putrajaya with Dino & gang. Route was cut short becos Danial had a puncture (same place as Salman the previous week -ahum suspicious - at the fly over nearby we found lots of numbers of people willing to repair punctured tubes YEAH RIGHT). Anyway had fun, especially the brunch afterwards. Other patrons of the foodcourt looked rather suspiciously at this strangely dressed group eating as if they hadn't been fed for two months.....


Wanted to register for Great Eastern 20km run but discovered I was too late. However Aini told me registration was extended for a week so I made my way to BB Plaza in the afternoon. Imagine, they told me I was the last person to register, registration CLOSED. So I've managed to get the last place even before the race.....
Why register for an event if I can only run for 300 meter or so? Well; nothing better to do that weekend. I'm confident I will be able to finish the event .....hehehe walking (cut-off 3hrs15min). So what if I miss the cut-off, just have fun walking ......