2010 Resolutions

As 2009 draws to a close, I'm sure many are busy reflecting on the year gone by and making new resolutions for the coming year. I pray and hope the new year will bring peace and prosperity worldwide. It will be the best year ever if the Palestinian problem can be solved once and for all. The people in Gaza, especially, are living in prison like condition! How long more they have to suffer?

Looking back

Looking back, many changes occurred to me during the last decade. For a start, I moved house three times, finally settling in my present house in Merbau Sempak. I moved office four times, bought and sold more than ten cars, all my children completed schooling and moved on to universities. The eldest completed his degree and now has joined the working force. There were many other changes but most significant of all, I am ten years older. May the next ten years be the same or better, Insha Allah.

Groom's reception

This was the final event held at Subang Golf Club. The two earlier events were the Akad Nikah at Felda Perdana, the reception at Carcosa Sri Negara and finally this. Quite a hectic four days, broken only by a day's rest in between. Anyway, memories to last a lifetime for the bride and her family as family members from as far as England, France and Switzerland all came down to join in the joyous occasion.

More photos

Remembering 10th Muharram

On 10th of Muharram, 61 Hijrah, Imam Husain (AS), the last remaining grandson of the prophet SAW, son of Imam Ali (AS) and Fatimah, the beloved daughter of the prophet SAW, was brutally killed by the soldiers of Yazid Ibn Muawiyah and the Umayyads. The land of Karbala bear witness to this tragedy. Imam Hussain had revolted against oppression and injustice by Yazid, who was then the Amir al Mukminin.
Unfortunately, not many are aware of this tragedy. On the other hand, we remember 10th Muharram as the day of Ashura, a day to be rejoice, a day for blessing and graces. What a contrast!

This world can be ............

You are golf greatest player ever, fourteen grand slam titles in the bag and counting. Recognised worldwide as a sporting icon, a responsible husband and devoted father. One little accident in the wee hours of the morning and the next thing you know, the whole world came crumbling down on you. Now people have to ask themselves when you make birdies...... which kind?
On the other hand, you were an unknown, almost fifty years old, living a quiet life with your cats in your own little world. One singing audition later and suddenly, the whole world recognised you. You have become a singing sensation. People just can't have enough of you.
In case you are still wondering who I'm talking about, its Tiger Woods and Susan Boyle, off course. Two completely different scenarios. Which one would you prefer?

Time out for some photo session

A peek?

Melodious sound coming from the violin

Upstairs looking down

Not wanting to be late, we arrived early for the wedding reception at Carcosa Sri Negara. As a result, we got a full hour to while away the time. While waiting, performing the Maghrib prayers and enjoying the beauty of the place, took some time out for photos just for the memories.

Enjoying my holiday

Was at an Akad Nikah event for the youngest daughter of my brother held at Dewan Perdana, Felda. After the event, took some photographs for the memories. (my eldest sister on the right with her daughter in law)

Case of two jet engines missing

What do you know! Its two jet engines missing now, not one. Maybe we were a bit too naive to think that only one is missing. Surely there had to be more than just one. If they, whoever they are, can make one jet engine disappear, making magic with another one is a no brainer. I just wonder what else is in store? It boggles the mind even more.

You can't beat the weather

While enjoying my holiday in the comfort of my home, I sympathise with the thousands of people across Europe and America who are caught in airports and train stations because of the unusually heavy snow. Holiday plans go haywire because the heavy snow is creating havoc to planes and trains schedules. One that caught the eye is the case of the Eurotrains that breakdown in cold weather. Surprising. In this age of technological advances, such fundamental things can still occur!

A giant leap forward

Thirty, fourty years ago, the Koreans were unknown but these days, who haven't heard of Samsung, LG, Hyundai and a few others. In just a short time, they have changed from a backward country to an economic powerhouse. Take nuclear technology for instance. From buying other countries technology, they are now able to design, produce and even export their own nuclear reactor and all in a short time of thirty years. How did they do it?

On holiday

Watch TV, read the papers, sleep, a little bit of gardening, wash the cars, go to the mosque, read books, eat and ...... nothing much else. That's how I spent my time this holiday. Is this how it is going to be when I retire?

Case of the missing jet engine

Its a 50 million RM 5E Jet Engine. Anybody has a clue to where its gone? I can't help but wonder how such an item can go missing. It boggles the mind!

Intruiging battles in the Champions League

Beckham playing against Man U at Old Trafford while Maurinho planning a Chelsea downfall through Inter. These are some of the eagerly anticipated matches in the last sixteen of the Champions League. Who do I see winning? Let me see ........ Man U and .......... Inter.

A day out

Enjoying lunch

In the afternoon, the whole family (minus Hanafi who is at UTM) went to OU. Everybody it seems had something to buy. Ended up buying quite a number of books plus a few other essentials. My pocket definitely felt a lot lighter on the way back but knowing the bonus is on the way helps to keep my head from having a terrible headache.

Meeting old friends

Early Saturday morning, I was at Rafi Bistro, Shah Alam to meet old friends from my Brighton days for a short discussion. Seven turned up although at very short noticed. We had some lively exchanged of ideas and I sincerely believed we are going somewhere!

The wait is over!

Malaysia 1 Vietnam 0

Is this the beginning of a new era in Malaysian football? A place in the World cup finals in ........?

I'm on leave.......

My leave starts today.....ye ... ye

Football fever is back

Suddenly the football fever is back. One more win and it will turn into an epidemic. Malaysian football fans long starve of success are warming up to the team in Laos. I must admit I know none of the players myself unlike those days when football players were household names. Nevertheless, I look forward to the final and dare to hope........

Far into the clouds

Hooray! Malaysia in football final

After what seem an eternity, Malaysia finally is in a football final again after defeating Laos 2-1 in the semis. Definitely something to cheer about. A far cry from the days of Chin Aun, Mokhtar Dahari, Santokh Singh, Arumugam and others when we were the equal of Korea and Japan but then, a final is a final, no matter what!

Rumble in the East

The stories has been going on for quite sometime and won't go away. Its the son in law syndrome once again. Only this time it is happening in the east, Kelantan to be exact and to the much revered Tok Guru. True or false, only God knows. Whatever it is, the rumble will continue unabated as long as the son in law remains in office.

Travel and jetlag

A day back from Korea and I'm still feeling the tiredness. Maybe its the jet lag but Korea is only six hours away and one hour time difference so I should not be feeling this way. Maybe its the old age. I remember when I went to Iraq a few years ago. A day after coming back, I went to the mosque for the Tarawikh prayer and what do you know. I was swaying away like I had no control over myself. It was the jet lag allright... I had to cut short my prayer and went home to rest.

To get out of the woods

While in Korea, I still followed the Woods controversy. Looks like the Tiger is getting deeper and deeper into the woods. Don't know if its the right thing to do but he sure needs some breathing space. A time to reflect on the charmed life that has gone awry. How can this greatest challenge of his life that came after his worse drive ever be overcome.

Glad to be back

Landed at KLIA last night at 10.20 pm. After the cold and gloomy weather in Korea, the sun and heat and humidity of Malaysia is a welcome changed. Also, a week of seafood is more than enough. I will be back to the office on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday, I will be in Port Dickson for a workshop. After that, I will be on long long leave, from Thursday onwards till the new year. Looking forward very much to it.

More pictures

The old river in Seoul that was remade

With Korean hosts

Winter in full bloom

In front of Doosan guest house

Winter sonata?

Shin Kori power plant

Shin Kori Nuclear power plant in the background


At Shin Kori Energy community center.

Experiencing Korea

In front of the restaurant where we had our lunch

By the sea near Busan

I was in Korea for a week from 6/12/09. Stayed at to the Korea Hydro Nuclear Power training center near Busan. Also visited a few companies in Daejun and Seoul before going back. It was certainly an enlightening experience for me.

Renewed faith in the human race

My shirt hanging behind the door

Yesterday I went jogging, after changing from my office attire to my jogging suite at a rest room in a petrol station. After jogging, I went home. It was only then that I realised I have left my shirt at the rest room. Too late to go back, I said to myself, tomorrow I'll go back to look for it.
Today on the way back from office, I went back to the same rest room hoping against hope that I can get my shirt back. To my surprise....voila! it was there exactly as I have left it yesterday. When I told my wife the story, she said.... of course...who would want to take your old shirt!

Living in a glass house

Wonder how its like to live in a glass house where your every move is scrutinise by everybody who is anybody. I guess that's the price you pay for being famous. Like everything else in this world, you win some you lose some! In case you are wondering what I'm getting at, its Tiger Wood of course and his worse drive ever.

A bird's eye view

Kuala Lumpur from Maju Junction

Johor Baru from Hotel Selesa

Kluang from Hotel ......
Melaka from Equatorial Hotel

Just rumbling ....

Been doing nothing much over the holidays. Just hang around the house while keeping track on all the happenings around the world. Soon it will be back to the routine. Meanwhile, one story that is still waiting for an answer is the mysterious car accident of Tiger Wood. Wonder what's the 'real' story behind it? The All Blacks completed their European tour unbeaten, France being the latest victim. Back home, the MCA factions seem as far apart as ever. As for me, looking forward to December where I planned on taking a long long holiday.

World markets spooked

Contrary to what most people thought, its not petrol money that funded Dubai aggressive development. Its foreign fund. Thus, when the whole world went through economic meltdown, Dubai couldn't escape either. It had to come sooner or later. Yesterday, the European markets tumbled. Then the Asian markets followed. Tonight, the Dow Jones is already down more than 200 points since opening a few minutes ago. This is real bad. Just when we thought the bears have disappeared..... for good. Just don't know what will come next!

Beckham has asthma

I could hardly believed it when reading the story but the accompanying photo says it all. The world most famous footballer has asthma and has been having it since small but that didn't stop him from becoming a proffesional footballer and playing the game at the highest level possible. An inspiring story to say the least.

Markets tumbled on Dubai worry

Markets across Europe tumbled last night on news that Dubai World, the government owned company has asked for a six months extension on a repayment which is due. This development is causing a lot of jittery across banks in Europe who naturally worry about getting back their money. After six years of rapid and massive development built on foreign capital and giant constructions, the world is crashing down on Dubai. Property prices it seems has spiral down by 50%. Stories abound on expatriates leaving as projects stalled. Dubai is hard hit by the financial meltdown and is struggling to cope.

Aidil Adha - Wishing all the best

Wishing Muslims all over the world Happy Aidil Adha. May our little sacrifices be accepted by God Almighty. While celebrating it back home, don't forget our fellow Muslims in Mekah performing the Haj.

Arafah

Hari Raya Aidil Adha is coming soon. Over in Mekah, the atmosphere must be electrifying. Everybody is getting ready for the big move to Arafah come the big day. As it gets nearer and nearer, I can't help but remember the time when I was also one of the millions in Mekah preparing for the day. Twice in fact.
Will I ever set foot in Mekah again? Insha Allah.

That will be the day

Lee Westwood became Euro numero uno by winning the Dubai Golf challenge. This came nine years after first becoming Euro number one in 2000. With the win he also recieved a paycheck of about 1.6 million euro or about 7 million RM. Wow! All that money! Wonder what is he going to do with it? I wait the day when one of our golfers achieved it. That will be the day.........

Fighting cholesterol

After a break of almost three weeks because of the rain and later my bad back, I went jogging again yesterday. What a surprised! I was able to finish the course as if I had never taken a break. The time it took was also about the same. Half an hour. Looks like next time I will have to set a new target. Run further and faster.

Monday blues once more

Tomorrow it will be Monday once more and tonight I am already feeling the blues. Nowadays, I find the two days of weekend is just too short. Even before I can begin to enjoy it, it's already Sunday in the evening and that means it's back to the grind tomorrow early in the morning. How I wish I ................................

The hand that saved France

All it needed was a split second of instinct (that's what he claimed) and a whole life of achievement is stained. Forever he will be remembered for the hand that guided France into the World Cup 2010. No matter the many hours of enjoyment that he has given us and will continue to give us, it will be the hand that he will be most remembered for. I can say for sure it will be shown repeatedly for many many years to come.
Remember the disputed England goal in the 1966 World cup final?

A different kind of magic

Just saw Cyril 'simply magic' show on Astro. That guy is amazing! He defies logic more than any other. A brain teaser. Just cannot believe some of the thing he does!

Playing with mirrors

World Cup 2010 South African

Finally all the World Cup qualifiers have been decided. Although most went according to script there are some surprises as well. Slovenia, a nation of less than 2 million people beat mighty Russia in the playoff. Algeria defeated Egypt, the Africa champion. France almost didn't make it but for the hand of Thierry Henry.

High heel and bad back (2)

That's the height of the sandal that got my back all screwed up. Only about an inch. Imagine those ladies wearing shoes with heel height of 4-5 inches. Must have superhuman back.

Making it to Rugby, Soccer and Hockey World Cups

My wife and son just came back from a holiday in New Zealand. They were there for thirteen days. During that time, the New Zealand All Blacks were touring Europe. As we all know, they are the favourites at the next Rugby World cup in 2010. Meanwhile, the New Zealand All Whites (their football team) qualified for the Soccer World Cup beating Bahrain 1-0 in their final qualifying match. At about the same time, their hockey team qualified for the Hockey World Cup, beating Malaysia 2-1 in the final match. What a great time for New Zealand, a country of less than four million people!

High heels and back pain

I bought this sandal with a heel that is about an inch high just before the last raya. Last Friday I was at the airport, then on Saturday I went to Ikea and on Sunday I went to Houzt. That means three days in a row I was wearing the sandal and was walking a lot. By the third day, that is Sunday, my back couldn't take it anymore. I felt pain and it was unbearable! I swear I'II never touch that sandal again. Makes me wonder how the ladies can do it....wearing shoes with heels sometimes up to four inches high! Don't they feel the pain?

A child prodigy come good

Enough talk about nuclear. Let's talk about something else. The big news today, at least in the sporting world, is about Michelle Wie finally breaking through and winning a tournament. For a while I thought she might end up like that talented tennis player who was a such a hit with the media and fans but never won a singles title in her career. Now that she has got the monkey of her back, hopefully she will go on and achieved more great things in her career.

More nuclear facts

Up till march 2008, there are 439 nuclear power reactors in the world while 35 more are being built. 17 % of world electricity power is being supplied by nuclear. In Asia, Japan has the most with 55 nuclear power reactors. 78 % of France electrical power comes from nuclear.
These are some of the startling facts about nuclear power that many are not aware of!

Are we ready for nuclear?

I'm attending the seminar above. Should we go for nuclear? There are definitely some who think we should and some who think we shouldn't. Given what are available now i.e. coal, gas, hydro, combined cycle, renewal energy, I think we have no option but to have to seriously think about going nuclear someday. And that someday is about now simply because of the time (15-20 years) needed to built a nuclear power plant.

Warren Buffet has done it again!

By getting in when people are getting out, his investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, has tripled their third quarter profit to US 3.2 billion dollars compared to US 1.1 billion dollars a year ago. The strategy is simple.... go in when people are going out! We all know that but how many of us can be disciplined enough to follow it through. Didn't we all ran away together with the crowd when the market was down. We should have stayed... no.. not only stayed but invested more. Anyway, its all under the bridge now...sigh!

The beginning of the internet

Do you know that the internet was first known as Arpanet. That was way back in Oct 1969 when a Prof Leonard Klienrock from the University of California, Los Angeles led a team that got a computer from UCLA to talk to another computer, in a research project for Arpanet with money from a research arm of the US military's Advanced Research Projects Agency (Arpa). That was the beginning of what we all know now as the internet. In the forty years since, who would have envisaged the internet as it is now? Facebook, You Tube, Twitter etc. etc.
In 1969, I was only 13 years old. Computers were something from outer space!

The rain is back

Its the rainy season and floods are already happening in the east coast. Over here in KL, the rain is also coming down hard. Everyday it rains. Can't even do my usual jogging in the evening! However, one thing good about the rain is that up keeping of my plants is done naturally!

Negri it is!

For all their support, for all their passion, for all their enthusiasm, for all their shouting, they could not will their team to win the cup. I saw the match and was a bit disappointed with their play. Not willing to hold the ball long enough, kicking the ball aimlessly upwards that inevitably ended nowhere and forwards not getting enough supply from the midfield, that was the whole story with the Kelantan team last night.
Anyway, there's always another year!

The Berlin Wall

I visited the infamous Berlin Wall only once in my life, way back in 1982. What an unpleasant view it was, running right through Berlin city. There were tours arranged for those who wanted to see what it was like on the the other side of the wall, the old East Germany, but there's nothing much to see. Everything was arranged and controlled. Seven years later, I remember eagerly reading the papers, watching TV and listening to the radio when the demonstrations were at its peak. It was only a matter of time! Sure enough, on 9 Nov 1989, it finally came down.

Kelantan for the cup!

Kelantan to win the cup. With Indra Putra and Khalid Jamlus leading the pack, Kelantan will finally take home the cup for the first time this Saturday. That's my bold prediction!

Finding a Malaysian champion

Tiger Woods is in China at the moment and doing what he does best, playing golf and shooting a 67 as an opener. That put him three strokes behind the leader at 64. I scrolled down the the list, hoping to find a Malaysian player somewhere in the list but there were none. Don't know if any of them took part in this tournament but every time an Asian tour tournament or a tournament in Asia is ongoing, I will definitely scrutinised the scoreboard, hoping to see a Malaysian player somewhere at the top of the list. Unfortunately, I always ended up disapointed. Most of the time they will missed the cut. Wins are few and far between. Danny Chia, Airil Rizman and Ben Leong all won once on the tour. Ben Leong was the latest to win but since then he has been struggling! Really a sad state of affair for Malaysian golf.

Monsoon wind in the Philippines

Peaceful scene at Pangkor Island

Monsoon wind in the Philippines can be real nasty. Many years ago I was in Manila and experienced just what its like to be in the path of a raging wind. On the day we were supposed to leave Manila for KL, the wind decided to blow, very very strong. Walking towards the airport after leaving the taxi, the wind was virtually pushing me on. I had no control over the speed of my walk. The wind pushed me such that I was running, against my will. Luckily it was only a short distance and I made it safely into the airport.
Nevertheless, because of the wind and the rain, the plane couldn't leave and we had to stay overnight at the airport.

The never ending saga

It seems that MCA has been doing a lot of running lately but unfortunately its running on the spot and when you're running on the spot, you get nowhere! Know what I mean?

Dr Asri and Pak Hamka

The arrest or non arrest of Dr Asri has really got me stumped. Cannot for the life of me understand why he need to be arrested and the next day, treated the way he was! I am not exactly a fan of his but surely a scholar of his stature will not be spreading false teachings.
By the way I find that his views on Islam is very much similar to that of my guru, Pak Hamka.

Me.....

In a reflective mood

Rumble in the jungle ...ooops...sorry

Need I say more?

Can money buy success?

What is happening to Real Madrid? A 0-4 defeat to an unheard of team from the lower rungs of the Spanish football league! That is real bad. Millions of money spent on players but Ronaldo out injured and you know what? The team is suddenly struggling. Three defeats in the last five matches...wow... that don't look like a team challenging for supremacy in Spain, much less Europe!

Torres the conqurer

So Liverpool beat Man U courtesy of Torres. One win and they are right back in the race. Have they finally overcome their problems and will go on to win the championship? Only time will tell!

Keeping healthy at 50 +

I have been doing a lot of jogging lately and the results have been encouraging. If before it was only 10-15 minutes, now I can jog continuously for 25-30 minutes and that includes climbing two flight of stairs. I also need only a day to recover before I can jog again. Before I would need a few days. The thing now is to keep on with the exercise but by far the greater challenge is to ensure I eat healthy food. That is one very difficult thing to do but exercise not accompanied by eating the right stuff is futile.

The accidental farmer

This mango tree has given us plenty of eating pleasure

The small rambutan tree makes the fruits easy picking


This papaya tree grew without us noticing it until it starts to bear fruits.

That's the pleasure of living in the kampong. Peaceful, cool and tranquil. Its a far cry from the hectic city life and yet it's only minutes away. For one who professed to knowing next to nothing about farming, it certainly provides a new learning experience.

Be careful when you sell Belacan

Do you know that selling 'belacan' can get you in trouble? That's what happened to a belacan seller recently. Her 'belacan' was deemed artificial because it did not contain enough of the ingredient that makes the 'belacan' smell like one. Apparently, the smell is an important part of the 'belacan'. Without the smell, it is not 'belacan'. For that, the 'belacan' seller was fined!

The simple life

Although gardening/farming has never been one of my favourite pastime, living in the kampong has allowed me to enjoy having fruit trees around the house. 'Pisang', 'cempedak', 'jering', 'rambutan', betik, limau, ciku, mata kucing, ubi kayu, mangga and a few others. Some of the fruit trees grew naturally without us realising it while others were planted. After a day in the office, I enjoy going back to the peace and tranquility of the kampong and doing simple things like picking fruits from the trees and eat them.

Hari Raya 'do' at the local mosque

People making a beeline for the food

Enjoying the food at the mosque verandah

The crowd picking up in the afternoon

Our mosque had a little Hari Raya gathering last Saturday. My wife and I came at about 9.30 am and left about 2 hrs later. We went straight to another Hari Raya 'do' in Bangi and after that, to a wedding reception in Shah Alam. By the time we got back home, it was almost 4 pm.

Get on with it!

Our internet is below par. That's the damming conclusion from a survey done recently. Is that a surprise? Certainly not! It is so damm slow. When countries like Korea and Japan and even Singapore are enjoying fast internet, we are still at a snail's pace. Something needs to be done about this, urgently or we be left behind even further!

Another empty season?

Four defeats in a row! Whatever is happening to Liverpool. At this rate, they can kiss the championship goodbye. This was suppossed to be their defining season after coming so close the last time around but the way things are going, they need to find a quick remedy to their woes or else its another season down the drain!

A second EGM to solve the first EGM

The MCA squabbles has been topping the headlines the past few weeks. Interested or not, you can't help but read them. The first EGM was suppossed to settle everything but it seems that the opposite is happening. The MCA is now in an even bigger hole than it was before. Now the President wants to have another EGM but many others don't think it is necessary! So.... the saga continues.

Those were the days ......... again

16th September 1974. That's the date when I left Malaysia for the first time heading for England to further my studies. That's almost thirty five years ago. Can you recognise me in the picture? I was just 18 years old then. It will be another four years before I set foot again in Malaysia, coming back to spent the summer holidays.
As usual, I would spent my summer holidays in Europe and if I remember correctly, I was in Amsterdam that summer when I suddenly felt the urge to come back to Malaysia. As luck would have it, I had enough money for the plane ticket and that's how I ended up back home after four long years.
After the holidays, I went back to England to complete my final year and came back for good in 1979.

Open houses here, there and everywhere!

The month of Shawal is nearing the end. What a hectic month it has been. Open houses everywhere, weekends, weekdays, week whatever. It seems like we are hell bent on catching up with whatever we have lost in the month of Ramadhan. I'm talking about eating off course. Don't know if this practise of celebrating Eidul Fitri for one whole month is only in KL or all over the country!

Just thinking aloud

Dow Jones

For once I'm glad I was wrong. The Dow burst through the 10,000 mark last night. Let's see if it can stay or ...........

World Cup 2010

Argentina made it, barely. However, on the strength of their showing so far, it will be one big struggle in the World Cup. As for Portugal, they lived to fight another day. So looks like Messi and Ronaldo are to going to grace the World Cup after all.

10,000?

Will the Dow Jones hit 10,000? Let me be bold and say it will not hit 10,000 today but give it another week or so and it will definitely hit the figure. Right now the bulls are in charge and the bears are nowhere to be seen!

The lost years

Been catching up on the stories of the lost years of my long forgotten friends from Brighton days of 74-76. Its been thirty three years since we last connected. Somehow, through one of us (Aziz Bakri- thanks to him) we are now reconnected although some are still un contactable. He prepared a spreadsheet where we are asked to write our stories of what we have been doing since 1976 till now. We all have different stories to tell, charting our own paths while living out our life. Really a great effort. Kudos to Aziz.

Another one for the memory

Standing: Amin, Latip, Mazani, Razman, Rahim, Hartono, Aziz, Ali, Zainal
Sitting : Md Noh, Me, Borhan, Johari, Syed Hamid, Khairi

Wan Husin went out somewhere while this photo was taken while Akashah came much later. All in all, it was a good gathering of forgotten friends from our Brighton 74-76 days. We had a lot of catching up to do as much has happened in the thirty three years since we went our separate ways. Some went through a colourful life with lots of stories to tell while many others are just normal. As for me, life has been good and I have no complain. I am grateful always to God.

Now and Then

Me, Aziz, Latip, Johari, Rahim Hilmi, Borhan and Syed Hamid (2009)

Me, Malik, Aziz, Latip, Razali, Johari (squating), Hartono, Zainal, Zulkifli, Rahim Hilmi, Borhan (1974)

D Day for Argentina and Portugal!

Argentina and Portugal. Will they win their matches tonight or will they bite the dust? Very interesting indeed! As a sports fan, I would want to see both in the 2010 World Cup. The tournament will not be the same without them. Messi with his mesmerising run and Ronaldo with his bagful of tricks! How can both be missing from the World Cup?

Market on the rise

The world's markets are still on a rampage. It was choppy waters two weeks ago but since then, the coast have been clear. Its up, up and away. Though there are some who are saying that it is too fast and too soon but I for one believe that it is sustainable. I think it will keep on rising well into the new year. As for our local market, there's a lot to look for in the near future. It will definitely keep on rising!

Gathering of Long Forgotten Friends

Me, Aziz, Latif, Johari, Rahim Hilmi, Borhan and Syed Hamid

Borhan and Me with a few others in the background

Wah Husin, Md Noh, Syed Hamid, Razman and Mohd Ali

We had a gathering recently of Brighton Technical College 74-76 alumni. Seventeen came and what a meeting it was. Some I have not met for more than thirty years, i.e. since 76 after completing our Diploma in Brighton. I went to Surrey University while others to Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and many other universities. We all came back, me in 1979, started work and go about our daily lives too busy to care I supposed. Anyway, thanks to Aziz, we get to meet again after all these years.

The Sunnah

The prophet pbuh used to pray the Eidul Fitri prayer in open spaces. This is another of the sunnah that is seldom followed nowadays. This picture was taken at our mosque in Merbau Sempak at the recent Eidul Fitri. Don't know if it was because of space constraint or was it because they were following the sunnah. Whatever it was, the prayer was done inside as well as outside the mosque.

Avoid it if you can!

There have been occasions when I use public transport either to work or to go home. The most recent one was just a few days ago when I took a ride on the komuter to go home. My verdict! Avoid it if you can! We were packed like sardines. It was just so terrible! Its agony. I really pity those who have to face it everyday. Just don't understand why they can't increase the number of trains during peak hours! Terrible!

Just thinking

There are days when everything is just great and there are days when everything is ...... Today is one of the days when everything is .......... I guess that's life. Its like a roller coaster. The great thing about the roller coaster is that as long as it keeps on rolling, it is never going to be constant and as long as it is not constant, ......... is not going to be forever either. So keep on plugging. The light might be just round the corner.

A commitment

Today I have made a commitment. Have been thinking about it a long long time but this time it is for real. I will start small but God willing, it will get bigger and will keep on growing. It's what I have always wanted to do but never got round to it. This time the commitment is real and I will start right now!

Its Rio!

Guess what! I got it right. Rio De Janerio will host the 2016 Olympics. Its a no brainer actually. The other three cities have their credentials but Rio simply cannot lose after going so far! All credit goes to Madrid who put up a good fight but with London hosting the 2012 Olympics, their chances have always been slim the moment Rio got to the last four.

Be grateful to Allah

All too soon, its Monday once again. Monday blues or whatever, Monday will still be Monday and it will come no matter what. So like it or not, face it! Put a smile on your face and look at the bright side. There are millions of others who will gladly take your place because theirs is a lot worse. Think of Padang Indonesia and many many others. So, be grateful to Allah, all the time. Yes, be grateful to Allah!

The dreaded vote of confidence

Who is the latest manager to get the dreaded vote of confidence? No prize for guessing it right but its Leonardo, the AC Milan manager after the very bad start to the season. The Vice President of the club has renewed his faith in the beleaguered manager to turn it around. However, in the funny world of football, the vote of confidence can only mean one thing! The end is near for the manager. That's why the vote of confidence is so dreaded. Lets see if its true in this case.

Which city will host Olympic 2016?

As I'm writing this, the announcement is going to be made soon from Copenhagen! Rio De Janerio, Tokyo, Madrid and Chicago, these are the four cities left standing. Which city will be announced the winner and erupt into joy while which cities will go home in bitter disappointment.
My take ..... Rio De Janerio, simply because a South American country has never hosted the olympic games before!

Helping people in need

My heart goes to the people in Padang, Indonesia. I feel so helpless. Just can't imagine the things they are going through right now. Must be damn terrible. I really hope they can come out of this disaster even stronger. In my own little way, I will definitely contribute in any which way I can to help them get back on their feet. It may be small and insignificant but yes....I definitely will!

Reminiscences

A lot of things have happened since 1974 when we first set foot in England. For one, Brighton Technical College is no more. Those days, Leeds United were topping the first division, as it was known then. Manchester United were struggling and about to drop to the second division. Nowadays, Leeds United is a has been while Man U is tops.
Among the fifty or so of us, most came back, settled down and become fathers. Some have even become grandfathers. A few have passed away. Some have made it big in the corporate world while most are just so so.
In the 30 years since, there are a few that I meet quite often as they are my work colleagues but many others just disappeared from my radar screen. That is until today when we meet in cyberspace.
Ah...... those days when we were young. Its something everybody goes through....... once in your life.

Brighton Technical College 1974-76

Another group from my yesteryear's have decided catch up on old times. This time its the Brighton Technical College 74-76 batch. In total there are more than fifty of us. We were teenage, 17-18 years old when we first went to Brighton, England in 1974 to further our studies. Now we are 53-54 years old and its 2009. That's more than 30 years ago. Some of them I have even forgotten but whatever it is, would be great if we can meet again.

A month of Eidul Fitri

KL is slowly coming back to normal. The traffic on the roads are beginning to get heavy. Thursday and Friday, going to work was like a dream come true. No problem whatsoever. How I wish it is like that all the time but off course it is not. Come Monday, KL will be back to its usual self.
With all the folks back, the Hari Raya celebrations will continue in KL where they let off in the kampongs. The month of Shawal will be full of open houses. One month of fasting is followed by one month of eating. Its great for the stomach but perhaps not so great for the health.

The things they do in Formula One

What's happening with Formula One? Scandals after scandals have rocked the sport. Who would have believed the things that have been happening. Spying, lying, cheating. I thought it was one of the cleanest of sport but I thought wrong. Wonder what else will surface in the future. I wouldn't bet against anything, given what we have seen so far!

Life goes on

Its already the 4th day of Shawal but the Raya mood is still very much in the air. Countless Hari raya programs on the TV add to the atmosphere. I managed to see a few while relaxing in the house. My immediate concern now is when to start my 6 days of fasting in Shawal.
Over at the mosque, its back to business as usual. Most of those who showed up during Ramadhan has disappeared. Only the regular few are still around. Its the same, year in, year out. I hope I belong to that regular few.
Tomorrow, its back to work for me. Back to the routine. Its 30 years already. Sometimes it does get to be a bit boring but then, as I have said many times, that's life. There are good times as sure as there are bad times. You take them all in your stride and move on.

The Manchester Derby

What a pulsating match! We could not have possibly asked for more, surely. Three times Man U scored and three times Man C replied but unfortunately, they couldn't reply the fourth time. They simply ran out of time and that was how it ended, 4-3 in Man U favor. A good advertisement for football.

Eidul Fitri 2009

As usual, the day began with the Eidul Fitri prayer at the mosque. We were a bit late this morning. By the time we got there, the prayer was already on. After that it was to my wife brother's house just a few miles down the road in Paya Jaras followed by my brother's house in Ampang and my sister's house in Subang Jaya. By the time we got back home, it was already 4.30 pm. My wife did some express cooking while waiting for my brother and his family who had promised to come. They came and left at about 6 pm. By that time, we were totally worn out and night time was spent just recuparating. That was how the first day of Eidul Fitri was spent.

More memories

Memories of Eidul Fitri 2009