Monday, March 30, 2009

Hail the heroes!

Quietly, and without much fanfare, the Malaysian cyclist were creating history in Poland. A silver and a bronze in the world championship is everything to shout about especially when we are starve of sporting achievements at the world stage. Azizulhusni Awang lost by a whisker, a half tyre at the last second. Otherwise it would have been a gold. There I was, cheering him on, on TV that is. Unfortunately, he lost. Still, nothing to be ashamed off. He and Rizal must surely now be great prospect for the olympic gold medal.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Firefly watching

Just before going on to the boat
Visitors getting on to the boat
Visitors putting on the safety vest

When I was small in my hometown in Selama Perak, we were able to trap the firefly in our hands, hold them for a while before releasing. Now, I don't know if the fireflies are still around, with so much development going on. That's why the efforts to preserve this heritage in Kg Kuantan is commendable. Otherwise, before long, they will disappear from the face of the earth.

The forgotten drum

Saw this drum at the mosque beside the firefly tourist centre in Kg Kuantan Selangor DE. Was there to bring some visitors to watch the fireflies. While waiting for them to arrive, I went over to the mosque for Asar prayer and saw this drum hanging outside the mosque. I doubt if it is still in use. In the old days, beating the drum to a certain rhythm will be the prelude to the azan. These days, the drum is hardly seen, much less heard. Another of the forgotten past.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

The Grand Slam again!

Between Tiger Woods and Rafeal Nadal, who has the greater chance of completing the grand slam this season? I would go for Nadal. He has already won the Australian open. The French open, which is the next grand slam event, is his for sure. After all, he has won it the last four years and is unbeaten there. It is also played on clay court, where he is invicible! The next one, Wimbledon, he is again the defending champion. People might question his grass court expertise but he has reached the final the last three years and last season, won it. Finally, the US open. This is where he has so far not been able to achieve any result of any significant so far. For a player of his stature, it is surprising. Anyway, I will stick my neck out and say he will win the US open this year and with that, achieved the unthinkable of winning the Grand Slam.
As for Tiger Woods, let him win the Masters first before any talk of the Grand Slam can be entertained.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Two Bukit and one Batang!

As it gets nearer and nearer, the atmosphere is getting more and more exciting. The three by elections, dubbed the two bukit and one batang, are just days away. After being bombarded with the happenings at PWTC the last few days, it is great to finally be freed of it. The focus is now towards the by elections. Who will win? Pakatan or BN? My guess is as good as yours!

20As, a performance supreme!

The rain was creating havoc to the traffic this evening. Driving home was a moment to forget. I got caught in a jam as soon as I passed the Damansara toll. Terrible....terrible.....terrible. However, amidst all that, there was one bright spark. I put on the radio, listening to IKIM while trying to navigate through the gridlock. As it happened, IKIM was having a special program about Nik Madihah, that 20A student. What I heard moved me. She really is special. Knows exactly what she wants, respect her teachers, love her parents, wakes up at night to do the tahajjud, study constantly and have a great appetite for knowledge. Wish her the best for the future!

Two places, two different prices

I had breakfast recently at a restaurant in Shah Alam. I was on leave to do some personal errands and stopped over at this restaurant for breakfast. I ordered teh tarik, two half boiled eggs and one set of roti bakar. When it was time to pay, guess how much I had to fork out. RM 9.17 cents! What a shocked. I scrutinised the bill and noticed that the set of roti bakar costs RM 3.80! The eggs cost RM 2.80 and the teh tarik was RM 2.30. What expensive prices.
Some days later, I was at another restaurant for breakfast. Ordered the same thing and the costs? Just RM 3.70. Just goes to show that if you are careful enough, there's a lot of saving that can be done!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Putrajaya

Killing Three Birds With One Stone

I had a fruitful day today. By 7.30 am, my wife and I were already at the immigration department in Subang . My passport had expired quite some time ago and I wanted to get a new one. By 8.40 am, I had finished business at the immigration department except to wait for the passport which will be ready in two hours. We then headed for the Income Tax department in Shah Alam. There I requested and granted permission to pay backdated tax in 8 installments. Finished business there, went to the Pejabat Pendaftaran in section 9 Shah Alam to make a new Mykad for me. My old one is worn out plus the address on the card isn't quite right. Completed the business there by 12.30 pm and drove back to the immigration department to collect my passport. By 1.20 pm, I had the passport with me. All in all, it was a great day, managing to do three things and still be home by afternoon.

The Race is On!

Liverpool thumped Villa 5 - 0 last night and now they are just one point behind MU. Although MU still has got a game in hand, the championship race is now closer than ever! In just two weeks, things changed dramatically. MU was cruising along nicely, seven points ahead with a game in hand. Suddenly, it is just one point and they are in their worse form ever. Everything seems to be wrong with MU at the moment. The race is now wide open, with Mu, Liverpool and Chelsea all in with a shout. And who knows, at the end of the season, Arsenal might just sneak in at the post!

Friday, March 20, 2009

A learning process

Whatever people do, I will follow. That was what I used to do. I never questioned if they were right or wrong. I just assumed. No, I never even assume. I just followed like a blind man without giving it much thought. It was only later when I started reading and learning more about Islam that I started to ask questions. Then I realised that not all that people do were right! Some were without any basis whatsoever! Go back to the roots of Islam i.e. Quran and Hadith and it is just not there. It does not exist but still they do it! So how do you react to it?

Give and you will get

God says give, in the way of Allah, and you will be rewarded, 700 times (Al Baqarah 261) It is so simple. It is from the Quran and therefore it must be true. But how many of us really believe it? I have read of people who really believe it. They are not Muslims so I can safely assumed that they have not seen or read that passage from the Quran. So why do they believed it? Because they have experienced it themselves, that's why! One of them said, I give away my money (for charity) but they keep coming back (through business profit) Another said, whenever I give, I always get back what I have given, most of the time, even more. So, why are we waiting for........ give, and you will get.
Johore Baru

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Islam, a way of life

Over the years, I have gone through many phases in my understanding of Islam. Islam was initially just a religion that I inherited from my parents. Sure, I was taught a little bit while in school but that was it. Never really bother to learn more. It was just a religion. Everybody has their own religion. Mine was Islam and that's about it. I pray, I had finished reading the Quran, I pay the Zakat fitrah and I fast in the month of Ramadhan. As for the Haj, when I have the money, I will go. So what else is there? It was only later that I discovered how wrong can I be! I was indeed very very wrong!

Sunday, March 15, 2009

What a thrashing!

MU was reminded last night that the race for the premier championship is not over yet. Liverpool came, they played and they scored! Four goals. The much touted MU defence was in tatters, unable to hold back a rampant Liverpool attack. Although MU has still got a four points cushion plus a game in hand, the premier championship is now heading for an exciting end. Unfortunately I didn't get to see the match. At the very last minute, when the match was just starting and I was getting comfortable sitting on the couch watching it, my wife came back from her sister's house and said we have to go to Uniten immediately. Hafizi was down with a bad stomach ache. So off we went.

Friday, March 13, 2009

What? TGIF again!

Yeah! Yeah! 'Thank God Its Friday'. It might be Friday the 13th but it does not matter to me. Friday is Friday, 13 or 14 or 15 or whatever! I can already see the weekend ahead. I have not plan anything other than rest and recreation and to watch the MU vs Liverpool match on Saturday. That's how I like it to be. Free and easy...... and enjoy the weekend!

Life can be a jolt sometime

The road home is as clear as the blue skies

Normally, driving home after a hard day's work is a pleasure. The pleasure is doubled upon reaching home safely. After punching out, I would take a leisurely drive home via Jln Pantai, Bangsar, drive through Damansara, then on to the NKVE heading towards Klang before joining the Guthrie Corridor at the Jelutong Interchange. On a good day when the traffic is normal, it would take about 45-50 minutes of relax driving before reaching my house. Two days ago, the drive was normal enough and I reached home in good mood. The traffic was normal, the drive pleasant and the day was beautiful. However, on reaching home, I received a jolt. There was a letter from the inland revenue demanding that I pay outstanding balances on my income tax for last year. I was given two weeks or else! I would like to pay but the problem is the amount is big, big enough to potentially cause a dent on my budget! What a shocked!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

9 % of GDP, is it enough?

RM 60 billion stimulus package is roughly about 9 % of GDP. The question is, is it enough? Anyway, even before that question is answered, the plan is already having trouble attracting fans. The main criticism of the package is that it is not putting money in our pockets. As for the 9 % of GDP, it seems that some people are saying that it needs to be bigger, at least 40 % of GDP, for it to be really effective! Otherwise, the plan will be just too little too late.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Economy for dummies

This morning I had to attend a program somewhere in Bangi. As always, whenever I'm there, I will stopover for breakfast at a place known as Upten. This place is convenient as it is just minutes away from my intended destination. While enjoying breakfast, I will also read the papers. Normally I would be alone but today, a friend joined me just as I was about to eat. Somehow we got to talking about the economy and the RM60 billion stimulus package. He asked me a simple question, so simple that I don't have a ready answer! Where is the RM 60 billion going to come from?

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Recession? What recession?

At the restaurant in Kota Damansara, the place was crowded. This afternoon, the mamak stall was crowded. Last Saturday at Ampang Park, the place was also crowded! Go to any shopping complex on a weekend, I was told, and you will see people. Many, many people. So, Recession? What recession? People are still everywhere! The roads are still jam packed with vehicles. The restaurants are still crowded! The shops are still selling!

RM 60 billion package

This afternoon, we were at Subang Jaya Medical centre. My wife had some problem with some of her fingers. Apparently, they tend to get numb every now and then. A visit to the specialist does wonders to the mind. It help to ease the worries. After collecting the medicine, we headed home, but not before stopping at a mamak stall in Shah Alam for teh tarik. That's when I heard about the RM 60 billion stimulus package. Wonder if its enough?

Back to the grind

Late Monday, Hanafi went back to UTM at Skudai Johor. He came back four days ago, arriving home late Thursday night, taking advantage of the Maulidur Rasul holidays. Early Tuesday morning, my wife and I sent Hafizi back to Uniten while Fatihah went back to UIA. The holiday is over and its back to the routine of everyday living. I will go back to work tomorrow, Wednesday. Hopefully, the short holiday has rejuvenated me enough.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Sunday

Morning
Started the day with a swim in the pool with my wife. Felt very tired and hungry after doing a few laps. After that, we went for breakfast at Bandar Baru Sg Buloh. Its something we have been doing off and on. Over the years, we must have tried almost every restaurants in Sg Buloh. On the way back, stopped over at the Sunday market to buy meat. Unfortunately, the only stall selling meat has sold out so we had to go to another shop.

Afternoon
Tired out from the morning swim and the trip to Sg Buloh, the afternoon was spent sleeping after a heavy lunch. In between, read the Sunday papers and watch a little bit of TV. After the Asar prayer, spent the time watching TV while having afternoon tea.

Night
Went to the mosque for Maghrib prayer. On coming back, chit chat with family, talking about religion, life and all. Managed to catch the All England final where Chong Wei was playing Lin Dan. As usual, Lin Dan proved to strong for Chong Wei and there goes another chance a begging. Never mind, there's always next year. Later on, watch Arsenal beat Burnley in the FA cup quarter final. I always like watching Arsenal. With their talented youngsters, they are a team for the future.

Eating out

Stalls selling different varieties of food
Ordering the food. The intermittent rain caused a lot of confusion with the customers changing tables every now and then. As a result, our food was late in coming.

Saturday

Morning
Early Saturday morning, my wife and I went to Ampang, KL to have the car serviced. The signal to go for service has been coming on for quite sometime until Friday when it finally turned red. This means that the due date is now. So off went the very next day only to be told on reaching the workshop that the due date is still 10,000kms away. Somehow, the signal was a bit too eager. They will just need to reset it and everything will be okay. While waiting, we took the opportunity to window shop at Ampang Park.

Afternoon
Tired off from the morning excursion, I spent the afternoon sleeping, that is, after lunch and the noon prayer. Woke up and noticed the time almost 6.30 pm. Wow! What a sleep!

Night
After the Mahgrib prayer, four of us (two sons, wife and me) went to Kota Damansara for dinner. Never been there before but somebody recommended the place (Gulam see) to us last week. Had some problem locating the place but finally found it after a few minutes of searching. Turned out, I have driven passed the restaurant many times before during the day but never knew that it served quite a dish at night. My verdict? Pleasant enough, plenty of choices and the price reasonable. We tried a few dishes and they were all quite tasteful.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

The never ending story

What happened in Perak and is continuing to happen is so very sad. It is becoming murkier and murkier everyday. Countless number of suits and countersuits are being made. Whoever wins in the end, for sure it will not be the rakyat. Amidst it all, there is only one solution that can solve the whole problem! And that solution is known to everybody. Lets hope good sense prevail and an agreement is reached soonest. Then Perakians can go back to the business of living.

TGIF !!!

TGIF!!!
I have been receiving this sms from a friend recently. I tried to figure out what it means but never could find an answer. Still, the same sms keeps on coming and I keep on wondering what it means. That is until one day, curiosity got the better of me and I cannot keep on wondering anymore! So I asked him what it means and here is the answer!
Thank God Its Friday

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Images

Putrajaya
Jonker Street, Melaka
Danga Bay, Johore Baru
Pulau Pangkor

What do I see?

I look at the picture and I see............. strong wind blowing. I see waves forming. I see coconut trees swaying. I see dark skies forming. I see lights shining. I see a life of peaceful existence, in harmony with the elements, blending as one. Human being and nature, living together in this world. God created the world and God created human beings. Every creation is for a reason. Life in this world is for making good deeds, to be rewarded for life in the hereafter. Sow the seeds and you will savor the trees.

Monday, March 2, 2009

The eagle has landed

If the figures are to be believed, we are finally getting to feel the economic slowdown. Exports are down. Production are down. GDP growth is down. Electricity demand is down. Car sales are down. Retails sales are down. Many factories have closed down. Stock market is down. Some say China is showing signs of having reached rock bottom already and there's no other way but up from now on. USA is at a lost at what to do to stop the rot. Japan exports are down at record level and is mired in deep depression. The situation is so bad that even Warren Buffet suffered losses!

Political impasse in Perak

Just when one side thought they had the upper hand, the other came up with a counterstrike. These tit for tat have been going on since the political crisis begun in Perak and it don't look like it will stop anytime soon. Lawyers are having a field day, intepretating the Perak constitution as both sides made their moves while the public are having free lessons in constitutional law. By the time the whole thing ends, I think I will have become an expert in the constitutional laws of Perak as well!

Two down, three to go!

Another title is safely in the bag. In the late hours of the night till early Monday morning (Malaysian time) MU scrapped past Tottenham on penalties to bag yet another title. That makes it two but there's still three to go. Of the three, the league title looks a safe bet with MU seven points ahead of its nearest rivals, Chelsea and Liverpool. Add on the the game in hand, MU looks uncatchable. However, the other two titles are still anyones game. One defeat and you're out!