Subandi Kamis – Medium

Pinned

What I learned from my son’s illness

What I learned from my son’s illness Akmal, my son – 12 at that time (It was August a few years back) came down with a mysterious illness. He had trouble walking and moving. And his joints were in pain. While we persevered with his diagnosis as he racked…

Nonfiction

12 min read

Jun 9

Out and About 1 : The Store that Time Forgot.

09 June 2022 Welcome to the premiere for the Out and About series of articles that I’m working on. This week we’re providing some light on a Chinese Specialty Store in the oil town of Kuala Belait or KB, situated in the Borneo country of Brunei Darussalam. Take off your…

Non Fiction

5 min read

Out and About 1 : The Store that Time Forgot.

May 7

Do You Sell Bats Here? Or How I learned about Burglars and their SOP.

Do You Sell Bats Here? Or How I learned about Burglars and their SOP. Me: Do you sell bats here? Sports store clerk: Baseball, softball or cricket? Me: Burglars… She looked at me with concerned eyes. Me: errr…protection against burglars! I know what you’re thinking. Violence does not solve anything…

Nonfiction

9 min read

Do You Sell Bats Here? Or How I learned about Burglars and their SOP.

Apr 17

The Indomitable Mastiah Eluan

The Indomitable Mastiah Eluan ‘Have you ever treated a person with a gunshot wound?’ I asked my mother Mastiah one day at Starbucks. Mom – a nurse for the greater part of her adult life, answered - ‘Yes’ I was impressed. ‘Several times I assisted the doctors in the operating…

Family

2 min read

Apr 4

Life’s A Stage : Bring Popcorn

Life’s A Stage : Bring Popcorn Photo by the author I took a long leisurely cruise back to Brunei’s capital of Bandar Seri Begawan that day from my wife’s Lamunin village on my 4x4. Instead of the usual route, I went via the more remote route of Limau Manis/Wasan and…

Family

3 min read

Mar 12

This Machine Has Soul.

This Machine Has Soul. This 1977 JVC (Japan Victor Company) amplifier receiver is next on my care list…. I was barely 6 when my late dad taught me about sound energy on his hi fi – tying a ping pong ball with a string and hanging it in front of…

Family

4 min read

Feb 11

Vilaworshaleh

Vilaworshaleh “Vilaworshaleh” said the voice on the other side of the line. “Sorry?!” I asked “Vilaworshaleh” It sounded Arabic. “Huh. Say again!” I responded, wondering which parts of the Arabian peninsula did the voice from the other end had come from… “Vilaworshaleh” Still, this was Brunei – in South East…

Nonfiction

2 min read

Feb 9

Bagpipes of the Skye Boat Song

Bagpipes of the Skye Boat Song https://youtu.be/vUt0y29exX0 I had a conversation with my son Daniel while listening to the Scottish song on our sound system. As the bagpipes in the background hauntingly played on – they effectively picked up the tempo, rising into a crescendo accentuated by the beat of…

Family

2 min read

Feb 9

The Tailor

The Tailor “Put a small pocket on the inside of the trouser” said my dad. “It should be hidden from view” my dad had added, “make it discrete.” We were at Hoon Chin Tailor in Kuala Belait, Brunei. Uncle Hoon, eloquently dressed and the proprietor of the establishment wrote down…

Nonfiction

3 min read

Feb 9

Farewell, My Sister

Farewell, My Sister I saw the waves, the line of water, Nearing the shores, small in the distance, Majestic in pose, sublime in stature, That expanse of dusty cyan, In the light of a brilliant afternoon sky, And as the ocean beckons, I find myself drawn into the narrative, Steadfast…

Poetry Writing

1 min read

Farewell, My Sister

I saw the waves, the line of water,

Nearing the shores, small in the distance,

Majestic in pose, sublime in stature,

That expanse of dusty cyan,

In the light of a brilliant afternoon sky,

And as the ocean beckons,

I find myself drawn into the narrative,

Steadfast…