Reception in Commemoration of The Great East Japan Earthquake

Our work may relate to foreign affairs or international ties (yup the diplomatic officers) but only a few being selected to involve in those specialised field. So when i was being invited by a friend, Ms. Mala for such event, chances to see and mingle with those foreign alliance was not something to be missed.

So here we were, in the Official Residence of Ambassador of Japan, the reception being held to commemorate the tragedy of Great East Japan Earthquake which happened last year March 11. From a quick search in the Internet, it is also being held in other Japan Embassies throughout the world.

The Japanese expatriate kids performing some dance.

The commemoration ceremony was simple. His Excellency, Mr.Ambassador made a brief speech on the effort done to help the victim especially the contribution from Malaysians. After expressing his thank you, it was followed by a 30 seconds of silence to remember the great lost...

There was a performance of orchestra, from Petronas Philharmonic, strumming some classics on the stage. The dance performance from Japanese expatriate kids helped to lift up the sombre mood, followed by some photos session with the Honourable Guest, Malaysian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

As the guest rethreat to dining area, which was delicious Japanese buffet spread, we managed to make some conversation with people from many walk of life - Mr. Ambassador himself, the First Secretary, a Defence Attache of Japan, some other countries foreign affair personel and our own people. In the first place it was a bit akward moment to start a conversation, only after we were being greeted by a friendly Japanese Lady who is well conversed in Malay and Arabic (seriously we are impressed!) things were getting easier. Decked in full kurung attire, it did manage to help the crowd to notice us. As what Mala said, it is the crowd puller!

One of the buffet spread.....

Mr.Ambassador, my friends and I. We were told that Tun Mahathir couldn't make his appearance due not feeling well...

Somehow, we managed to discover an exhibition being held in one of the rooms. Photos of Earth Quake victims and a video being shown in this area. I was really touched to see the expressions in those photos. Prior to this event, a related documentary from Majalah 3 was aired on national telly and again it was shown here.

The Japanese people who were being affected by the great tsunami. They looked so positive and in a very good spirit, despite the big lost and calamity.

Another photo that capture my attention...

Some drawings shown, by the younger victims....

This drawing simply remind me to a Japanese Song I learnt in school back then, if not mistaken, the title has to do with "Sekaii" ....this World.

Again, my good friend, Mala made some friendly conversation with a Navy Attache from theUnited States...

We were delighted to be in the powder room...it was nice....

Taking this shot for my friends and the Jap Defense Attache.. we simply love his uniform...

The nice looking origami, in the entrance hall...

We left the Residence around 10.00 pm and with Maz, i made way to Putrajaya via ERL. Thanks to Mala again for dropping us in KL Sentral....

managed to get some name cards... Yup, it is important to bring name cards in this kind of event.....

Lintas Langsung Perkara-Perkara Semasa

Haish dah dekat sangat tarikh perjalanan tapi sabarlah ye. Permohonan keluar negara tak dapat dapat. entah apa jadi agaknya. Mungkin dalam tindakan. Mu

ngkin kena sorok dalam laci kot. Entah lah! Kita yang golongan marhain ni harus berserah jer la. Kalau bos tak nak bagi pegi (cuti tak lulus, nak buat macam mana kan?)

Memandangkan mak sudah hampir empat bulan bekerja tanpa henti iaitu tiada cuti-cuti nak makan angin riang ria yang sebenar (minus la yang pegi Pattani ari tu), ada perkhabaran menggembirakan hati mak apabila rakan mak sejak DPA lagi, Cik Malahayati dengan berbesar hati mengundang mak dan seorang rakan lagi menghadiri satu majlis yang bermakna pada 29 Mac ni. Apa dia?

First time i dapat undangan pegi ke Kediaman Rasmi Duta Besar Jopun! Sapa tak nak kan?

Acara tersebut adalah sempena memperingati tragedi gempa bumi dan tsunami yang telah melanda pada Jepun tahun lalu (Ingat Sendai, Fukushima? Honshu?). Ia merupakan satu acara yang disambut oleh Kedutaan Jepun di seluruh dunia, maka dengan ini para jemputan juga terdiri dari pelbagai golongan seperti para diplomat dan duta, wakil-wakil Kerajaan dan NGO-NGO tertentu.

It is an honour to be given an opportunity to be ther

e and listen to the speeches and learn the tragedy and their struggles (though Majalah 3 with their recent documentary helped to provide the audio and visual prior to this event).

Bagi mak, ia adalah satu permulaan bagus untuk mak membuat esei wajib sempena permohonan program IATSS Forum. Kalau dapat, 55 hari segala perbelanjaan ditanggung sepenuhnya utk study trip ke sana (sapa tak mo bukan?) dan peluang berjalan-jalan satu Jepun, tapi yang ni agak tough la berbanding dengan program JICA :( Insyallah....

Selain dari acara yang mak sangat looking forward ni, mak juga sangat happy kerana akhirnya. setelah sabar menunggu, tangkapan berjaya dilaksanakan pada hari ini juga!

Dapatlah tiket balik dari Sydney ke Changi akhirnya... maka perjalanan ni menarik kerana kami pergi dengan promo permulaan AA ke Sydney RM199 satu hala dan tambang balik dari Sydney ke Changi cuma AUD88 sahaja menggunakan Scoot (dapatlah merasa dua jenis syarikat penerbangan kali ni). Pukul rata tiket pegi balik dalam RM480.00 sahaja utk satu perjalanan yang jauh dan negara yang airport tax selepas conversion cekik darah. Ya, kami akan berbaju kurung serba serbi di hadapan Opera House (sempena jalan jalan hari raya) nanti, insyallah!

Thank you Scoot for making such a good deal, I hope this competitive offer will keep the industry at the edge with other competitors!

Sekian melaporkan!