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.