AFTER THE BREAK...

After being a 'Lady of Leisure' for almost 2 years, I am back into the rat race again.  I was actually enjoying not watching the alarm clock. Did I miss work? No, not really. Well I missed the 'monthly gaji' of course, the perks, the annual bonus... hahaha...  I missed dressing up for work, I missed my desk where I would just open my drawer and drop in my handbag, I missed my friends especially, the laughters and jokes, the gossips..LOL.  ..No, I don't miss the work, the endless meetings, the endless phone calls, correspondence, the month end reports, the boss breathing behind my neck checking if I am working ...LOL.. because he is being chased by his boss, I  don't miss the clients forever chasing, where, when, where, when is my money coming out.  Working with a Financial Institution has its benefits but oh boy, it can be a tad stressful.  So, no I did not miss it.   

It was a good break from working life.. I was not idle though. There was always something to do, friends or any of my sisters inviting me for breakfast or lunch or shopping.  Then there's the association I am in... enough to keep me busy. It also accorded me time and opportunities to travel.  It accorded me time to do my hobbies stringing them beads, read a couple of books, the odd time where I got to try cook interesting recipes, planted some herbs, spent more time with my little shitzu doggy who loves me dearly hahaha...

"Oh Lord, let me be what my dog thinks I am"..lol. 
My doggy adores me..hahaha

But luck would have it, a friend texted me "Hey Angie, would you like to work for ****. They are looking for a ***. Please say yes because I think you'd be perfect for it".. huhhh, me, really? But of course, I am interested. No, I am not only interested, I am honoured!! Me of all people!!  This will be pretty exciting I thought, very different entity altogether.  A small voice within me whispered.."Are my shoulders wide enough to carry such responsibilities?"   

The next day, a Saturday,  Friday, I received a call, a sweet lady's voice.. "Hi, this is Helena, you are recommended by Fane for the post, but we would like to meet you first, say Monday? What is your convenient time?"  "Erm..yes of course!"  Wow, my convenient time? My convenient time is any time I thought to myself ..hahaha.. "10.00am would be great I said.   "Lovely, I will see you then!". 

I was thinking, Oh God, what shall I wear? ..LOL..  Come Monday, I got ready my resume, my school and tertiary certs.. a modest dress with a black jacket. I was ready.  I arrived 15 minutes early.  The place was beautiful, clean, quiet, nicely landscaped. I drove up a little hill where the office was situated.  Gosh, ample parking too.   I saw a signboard Admin Office.. I went in and the receptionist smiled and said "Angie?"  I said "yes, I am here to see Helena, but I am a little early, so I will wait." I said. 

The receptionist disappeared into an office and came out with another sweet matured lady who greeted me with a firm handshake. "Thank you for coming, please come in".  After a short formality, she brought me into another room where I was to meet the my future boss, the director. He was a young man of around late 30s or early 40s.  "I already know you"  he said smiling.  "Huhh" I said surprised.  "How, where?" I laughed nervously..hahaa.. "Oh but you were all over the papers recently." he laughed.   "Ohh that,... hahaha.. now that's embarrassing".  I said.   Yes, my team and I were in the papers for our involvement in organising the charity dinner and also the State Level Harvest Festival celebration....cehhhh... 

The formalities of interview done, they asked me if I could start immediately.   "Ermm... I am sorry but I have a booked one-week trip due next week. Can I start July, 1st?" I said obviously embarrassed at having to say no to their request.   "Oh, ok that would be great they both said."    Phew...

View from my office

... looking thru my office window, facing the east and the morning sun. 

And so... the rest is history..  Wish me luck ya..  :)

Thank you Fane for believing in me, God bless you..but most of all thank you God for giving me this opportunity.  

To all who gave constructive comments on Unduk Ngadau, thank you. We are glad that given the short time i.e. approximately 2 1/2 months to prepare, we managed to get through with the amazing teamwork from the Organising Committee and Supporters.  To raise funds to finance the 5-day program's expenses i.e accommodation, logistic, meals, medical etc  for all the contestants from all over Sabah is no mean feat.  To all the sponsors who sponsored the prizes, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!

For everyone's info. , we are all Volunteers and appointed on ad hoc basis.  Each has their own day job and other responsibilities and we do these willingly by sacrificing our time and sometimes money.   But we do this happily for the sake of our culture and traditions, goodwill and friendship.  We do not expect any other reward as the reward comes from your support and your constructive comments without antagonism.

To Whom It May Concern - For any  ideas of what an Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan should be - it should be forwarded to the proper channel and not just through Facebook as this will reflect back on you - i.e.  'empty tin' .  So you may make noise until you turn blue, but if it is not channeled properly, then it will remain just that.  So please do come forward and work on it. We would definitely support you. Just an idea - perhaps set up an Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Institution.  You have great ideas so why waste it. Send your proposals and working papers to KDCA, but please do it professionally and with sincerity. 

Thank you also to all the UNK Participants. The 5-day program with us certainly was tiring - the photoshoots, rehearsals, seminars, charity visits  etc.  But we did have fun didn't we?. We hope you have made friends, life-long friends among the participants and learnt something from the experience. If given longer time, we  could have done more like what some people's grandiose proposals are - masak masakan tradisi, mongomot, mananom etc - like as if you don't have other things to do.. :).  But you were in a competition  not on holiday and time was of the essence. To have to win that coveted title "Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan" or any title for that matter, one have to work hard at it, no?

So once again, congratulations to all the winners and we welcome our brand new Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2013,  the beautiful Tati Immaculate Lojuki.  Welcome on board dear, enjoy your reign but be prepared for the hard work ahead as you are now officially an Ambassador for Cultural Tourism. You are also expected to do Charity work from time to time ..:).  

Cheers and God bless..

TO MY DAD WHO HAS GONE HOME TO THE LORD..

You went away to a place
where there's no tears, nor sorrow, nor pain
only laughter and smiles....

Happy Father's Day Pa!!
Rest in Peace ya.. 

My handsome father -  the late Mr B. Tianzu..

.. AND TALKING ABOUT HAIR...

Have been toying with the idea of changing them hair style... mine.  Getting a little tired of these long tresses.  Perhaps time to cut it short..or short-..er.   But I'm not sure if I could live with that drastic results after..  hehehe

For as long as I can remember, I have always had long hair and every now and then have it trimmed or treated but never very short.  I did sport a short hair a long time ago... and that was like more than 10 years ago?  Now should I or should I not...decisions, decisions...

..getting tired of them long tresses...

WHAT'S WITH THE HAIR..

the 'gong shaped' hair styles

As a member of the State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan Committee, I would like to take the opportunity to clear the air on the infamous gong hairstyles of the UNK Participants. 

Contrary to popular belief, the GONG style is NOT a prerequisite to the competition. Participants or hairstylists are free to choose other styles such as the modern 'sanggul' as long as the hair is up. 

The modern 'sanggul' (right pic)

The Unduk Ngadau Organizer have since several years ago held briefing to the district's organizers, to advise the participants and make-up artists on these hair rulings. Briefing was also made to the Participants on the 27th and 30th May (competition day was 31st May) to advise their make-up artists and that hints were even made that Judges may even deduct points should the hair becomes too big and does not complement with the participants' face. 

 
The modern 'sanggul'

District winners with the modern 'sanggul'

But each year, some hair becomes bigger and even I cringed with pity for the poor girls. Some even commented that it makes the girls look like "auntie".. and I don't blame them.  

I am compelled to say something about it in the Unduk Ngadau Facebook page and also here when I noticed so many negative comments about the hair.  Some even  resorted to name-calling.  Now that was comical, amusing  but unkind to say the least. But they had a point.   If only it was  commented it in a more professional way instead of ranting like a mad person and not only about the darned hair but about so many other things related to Unduk Ngadau.  

some does look nice when done tastefully

(Miss Melinda Louis, UNK 2012)

Anyway, I can't even remember when this hairstyle came into being.  I don't remember the Unduk Ngadau of yesteryears sporting this hairstyles at all. But am sure it must have started somewhere.  I am not denying that some of them do look nice especially when done tastefully and may have contributed to the 'hair revolution' when that particular girl won the competition!  But then again it is not for everyone. 

The hairstyles of UNK of yesteryears..

Miss Jeremiah Ginajil, UNK 1998

Miss Kathie Renjus, UNK 1999

Miss Nicoleta Sanseh (UNK 2001)

UNK 1991

                    

(Pictures from newspaper cuttings, courtesy of Dolly MJ)

ALL IS WELL THAT ENDS WELL...

The top 7 winners of the State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2013 

We are proud to welcome Miss Immaculate Lojuki, a beautiful lanky standing at 5' 8.5" (as per her resume) of Kota Kinabalu as the new Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan 2013.

1st Runner Up - Miss Ritchell Andreas, Ranau
2nd Runner Up - Miss Nillsey Debbie Sening, Tuaran
3rd Runner Up - Miss Diana Gilbert, Putatan
4th Runner Up - Miss Didie Phang, Penampang
5th Runner Up - Miss Ledesma Steven, Klang Valley
6th Runner Up - Miss Sarah Gleophas Gorotud, Tambunan

I wish to thank all the amazing photographers...

Picture courtesy of Donna Gloreyta. 

Picture courtesy of Leslie Isaac Kok

(Velvia Fotographic)

The contestants are judged on: 1. Beauty,

2. Costume,

3. Presentation,

4. Questions & Answers: 2 sets of questions, one of which is in local dialect and another question to be answered in    Bahasa Melayu. This carries 35% of overall marks.

5. Attitude  & Personality. Congratulations to all winners.State Level Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan

ON BEING A BEAUTY PAGEANT JUDGE...

On May the 1st, I was invited to be one of the Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan (UNK) Beauty Pageant judges. This was in conjunction with the launching of the month-long statewide Harvest Festival celebrations celebrated annually in Sabah.  Launched by the Chief Minister, Kota Belud district was chosen to be the host for this year's celebration.  The winner of the UNK here will represent the district in the State Level competition held on 31st May 2013 at the Hongkod Koisaan KDCA, Penampang.

It is always a challenge to choose a winner as some of the girls are really beautiful with sparkling smiles, looking resplendent in their traditional costumes and deserving to win too.  As there can only be one winner, others  would of course be disappointed.  I do receive the odd request for so and so to win. Well, too bad, they ask the wrong person.  A contestant may be my best friend's daughter but if I feel she doesn't deserve to win, then she doesn't.  The end-results of course must be a consensus by the panel of judges (usually 5) and audited by an independent person.

lovely smiles from the top 3.  Imelda, 18 years of age (centre),

 will represent the Kota Belud district.. 

I feel that it is an honour to be invited as a judge for any event. That shows people actually acknowledge your opinion. My experiences as a beauty pageants' judge, be it for just a small fashion show, or pageants held by higher institutions of learning as in colleges or universities or Unduk Ngadau competition at district level,  never fail to diminish my fascination for girls who vie for these beauty titles. Some girls jump from district to another district, from one pageant to another to compete. Or perhaps they are attracted by the prizes? But I do admire their courage for without them, then there would not be any competition. 

The prizes can be quite lucrative and cash prizes can run up to the thousands of ringgits, normally offered by generous corporate sponsors.  For last year's state level winner, the total amount prizes was valued at almost RM70,000.00! This included cash prizes, scholarship to do a Diploma Course,  trips overseas,  jewelry, smart phones with free reloads for a year,  trophy, tiara and lots more!  

 an image of the  tiara that the UNK 2013 winner expect to receive, 

sponsored by Diamoney Jewellery.  

I

Beautiful smiles from these stunning ladies..

UNK judges hard at work  :)

We, as the State Level UNK organiser, of course try our best to look for credible judges. The appointment of judges for State Level UNK competition is usually given a lot of thought.  He or she should be someone known to have integrity, have some social standing in society or someone knowledgeable, experienced or involved in aesthetics beauty. And if it involves traditional costumes, then at least one judge should be knowledgeable on the traditional costumes.  We also try to ensure that the judges do not have any personal ties with the contestants. The line-up should be from diverse background, geographically distributed and have different professions and that they should have some experience in appraising the ideals of the pageant.  This would eliminate if not all some degree of biases. 

To the UNK 2013 participants, good luck to all of you. May the winner be the best girl that can truly symbolize the virtuous Huminodun and worthy of the title "Unduk Ngadau Kaamatan"!

Cheers!!