Attending a Luncheon With the First Lady of Malaysia
I was recently invited to attend a luncheon held at the Diplomat Ballroom in the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel on the occasion of the visit of the Honorable First Lady and Wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Monsor. This luncheon was one event of the 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). CSW, part of the United Nations, is the principle global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to discuss progress being made around the globe.
You may recall my blogs from June of 2010, when I travelled to Malaysia with my niece, Sophie Herbert and my friend, Memrie Lewis. Since that journey, we have stayed in contact with our Malaysian friends and enjoy seeing them when they are in New York City. Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the luncheon, but Sophie did and took photographs for my blog. Thank you, Mary Scully, for the kind invitation!
1 Here I am back in June 2010, when I traveled to Malaysia and was invited to the Prime Minister's home and to a lovely brunch with First Lady Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor at her residency.
2 My good friend, Memrie Lewis and my niece, Sophie, were also honored to be inivited to the beautiful Kuala Lampur home of Her Excellency.
3 At brunch, we were served amazing foods! Sophie and I still talk about this dish called nasi lemak. When the banana leaf is opened, it serves as a plate for the condiments, all of which are colorful and delicious.
4 We were also served these intriguing jellies made from layered tapioca - there were so flavorful and fresh!
5 While in Malaysia, we got to see many amazing traditional Songket weavings. Here I am with Dr. June Ngo, director and designer for the Queen's Yayasan Tuanku Nur Zahirah organization.
6 More stunning Songket weavings
7 In Kuala Lampur, we also visited the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, http://www.malaysiancraft.com/index.cfm a center for the traditional crafts of the country. The staff greeted us on the steps - the lady in white is the director - Datuk Zakiah Ahmad.
8 The traditional cotton and silk batiks made by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation are simply exquisite.
9 This is Malaysia's capital, Kuala Lampur, with one of the few examples of a tiny traditional colonial house still standing amidst the tall skyscrapers.
10 These are Malaysia's famous Petronas Towers, designed by architect César Pelli, who is known for designing some of the world's tallest buildings.
11 Jumping ahead to last week - This is Sophie with First Lady Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor at the luncheon held at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel, a side event of the 56th Session of the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW).
12 The entertainment at the New York luncheon was provided by Permata Seni (Jewels of the Arts) Malaysia. This 11 year-old girl is an exceptional violinist!
13 Each table was labelled after the beautiful flowers found in Malaysia, like this Bunga Raya, or hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the national flower of Malaysia.
14 Though not Malaysian fare, the lunch was lovely, none-the-less.
15 Mary Covington (right) and Dr. Fadzilah Muhammad Ali, who lives in Malaysia. Mary is on the board or an organization called GEAR, providing support to grandparents who find themselves being parents a second time around.
16 It was an honor to hear United Nations Secretary Mr. Ban Ki-moon speak, who talked about the importance of empowering women, as they are often the biggest poverty fighters in their communities.
17 The First Lady delivered an inspiring keynote address entitles 'Economic Empowerment of Rural Women', which touched on Malaysia's success stories and how to use that success to help rural women worldwide.
18 It was a full house and everyone listened intently.
19 UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon and First Lady Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor
20 During the luncheon, there was a fashion show. This pretty model was showing off some of that beautiful Malaysian Songket weaving.
21 More beautiful Songket weaving - This brocade type of fabric is hand-woven in silk or cotton, and is intricately patterned with gold or silver threads.
22 The children in Permata Seni (Jewels of the Arts) Malaysia ventured all the way from Kuala Lampur. They were so excited to be visiting New York City!
23 And their dancing was adorable!
24 These children were so great! Everyone was beaming - performers and audience alike!
25 These young violinists, ages 11 and 8, joined the dancers.
26 As you can see, it was a most captivating and enjoyable show.
27 The final song was a moving tribute to Malaysia.
28 Madam Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director/Under-Secretary General of UN-Women, with a representative from Palestine. Madam Bachelet also gave a wonderful speech about empowering women in rural areas throughout the world.
Martha Pins
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Sophie continues her work teaching us much. In these times of austerity, much of United States funding for UN is being questioned. Status of Women in rural areas is so important to the world and thank you for these wonderful photos.
Songket weaving is indeed inspiring.
Posted by: ann | March 12th, 2012 at 4:38 am
Thanks for reminding us of your trip to Malaysia Martha! The cotton and silk batiks are indeed stunning. Sophie is turning into quite the ambassador for you! Thanks for making us aware of the CSW, and the good work they perform. By the way, congrats on your new grandson, baby Truman!
Posted by: Cindy F | March 12th, 2012 at 8:40 am
Hi Martha, Congratulations on being a grandma the second time in a year! How great that grandson Truman arrived 2 days before granddaughter Jude celebrated her 1st birthday!! WOW! That must have been quite a week last week for Alexis, Jude, and grandma Martha!!!! How amazing that Alexis was able to keep this a secret until now! She must be a fantastic Mother for these 2 wonderful children! Can't wait to see photos of Alexis, her 2 children, and her Mother! Thanks so much for the tweet about Truman and the midnight arrival to LA for the 'Two Brok Girls Film'! Can't wait to hear more about that, too! Sophie, you lucky young lady, you sure did a great job providing us with these great photos and comments about you attending the luncheon with the First Lady of Malaysia in place of Martha! I recall your trip with Martha and Memrie back in 2010-that was very special! It's easy to see that you had a great time at the luncheon and the foods looked delicious! Those youngsters sure did a great job entertaining everyone at that event! Sure hope to hear more from you as time goes by! Martha and Sophie, sure hope you both have a great day wherever you are!! Hope Alexis, Jude, and Truman have a great day, also!!! Love to all, Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | March 12th, 2012 at 10:26 am
Hi Martha,
I love all the colors at the luncheon with the young singers and dancers and especially the fashion show, and I agree with Cindy F., Sophie is quite the Ambassador. She is always so cheerful and has a great smile too and no doubt is a wonderful conversationalist. It was nice to see your other niece Christina on the show this morning. They both have grown up into very nice young ladies. Enjoy your visit to California and I’m looking forward to seeing you on “Two Broke Girls”. Will you or will you not approve of their baked goods, cupcakes I think it was. May 7th will reveal the answer! Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 12th, 2012 at 11:19 am
This is a very nice blog honoring the Malaysia talents and crafts. It is also a nice blog introducing us to the goals of First Lady Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor. I hope she has much success promoting the advancement of her country's women.
Posted by: Margie | March 12th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Hi again,
I apologize for misspelling your niece "Kristina's” name. I knew it started with a K and yet I typed 'Ch'. I hope she got to keep the window box planter she put together on the show. That was a great segment. I’m going to use a similar container for herbs real soon. Trish
Posted by: Trish | March 12th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
Hi Martha, Iam so happy for you and your daughters family on the new baby. You can sure keep a secret but I bet you were ready to explode with happiness. What a joy !!!!
I loved reading your blog on your trip to Malaysia.
I was wondering are you going to have a book on your recipes from Martha Bakes. I love each and every one you do. I did not always write them down.
I have watched you since you first came on TV. I miss your Mom. What a sweetheart she was. I look forward to your answer.
Posted by: Barbara Douvier | March 12th, 2012 at 1:45 pm
I'm glad you love the nasi lemak, Martha, and I'd be more than happy to share an authentic malaysian nasi lemak recipe for your readers..a sumptuous breakfast indeed. A small contribution from me after getting so many successful results from your recipe, and even inspired me to do food blogging!
Posted by: jehanne@thecookingdoctor | March 12th, 2012 at 2:46 pm
Another grandchild goodness! Wow! Beautiful names Jude and Truman.
..... I keep wondering... Martha in bare feet.. in that first photo with First Lady Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor at her residency..
It's 15C here in Atlantic Canada, out in the yard with my sunhat and crocks checking on crocus bulbs peeking through the ground. Still a bit of snow here and there on the ground.
Messiest time of year. Mud and the left over crunchy bits of snow piles. Looking forward to what I call "colour" season so I can paint outdoors and not from photos or flowers in a vase.
Posted by: RT Scott - Artist | March 12th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
Martha,
Thanks for sharing this blog.
Posted by: KLBrown | March 12th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
Martha, We want to make the Nutty Butters cookies from the April 2012 #221 issue. But we do not know how to make the nut butter. Can someone let us know. Thanks Cathy
Posted by: CATHY CLAYPOOL | March 12th, 2012 at 9:23 pm