A timely reminder

The weariness after the ordeal yesterday hasn't quite gone yet. Still, I can't help but feel a miracle has happened, by the grace of God. All praise be to Allah. Never in my mind did I envisage such a thing happening. I was only thinking of the worse but in time of crisis, I should have known that there's always Allah, the most powerful, the most merciful. A reminder that I hope is forever embedded in me.

Miracles do happen

On the way back from JB, the rain was terrible. Don't know if that was the reason but my car suddenly went dead near Yong Peng. I couldn't restart it no matter how much I tried. Finally had to call the tow truck. He took us on a ride of some one hundred and fifty kilometres, the end result being us losing ground by about fifty kilometres cause we had to go back to Simpang Renggam. At the workshop, just as suddenly, the car came alive. After paying off the tow truck and the workshop a bit, I drove all the way to KL without any problem. Despite being delayed by almost five hours, we were just glad to be back home. Alhamdulillah.

The I phone

The I phone 4 is finally here. Wanted to get one as soon as possible but couldn't find the time what with the hectic schedule while here in Johor. Anyway, could be a blessing in disguise as it seems that the queue was eight hours long at some places. Will get one soon as we are in KL. By that time, I hope the hype has lessen a bit.

Graduation day

All smiles after the hard work

Another flew out of the cuckoo's nest

Woke up this morning feeling tired after the hectic time at Universal Studio yesterday. After breakfast and a short rest, its straight for UTM to attend my son's convocation. That's the main reason why the whole family is in Johor. Very tiring few days but worthwhile. I would do it again, anytime.

At Universal Studio

The rain couldn't put a damper to our spirit. Put on this weird looking raincoat and moved on.

Cable car ride to Sentosa Island

Universal Studio - Singapore

Enjoying the atmosphere

Tickets sold out for the day. Need to buy it beforehand or you'll be disapointed.

Fun at Universal Studio

Standing in line while waiting for Universal Studio to open

Never allow an opportunity to pass by - family photograph

My heartbeat is confusing

I went to see the doctor noon yesterday and he fixed me with a heartbeat monitor. I have to wear it for twenty four hours. Apparently, my heartbeat confused him. Sometimes it is regular while at other times, it just beats as it like, irregular. At twelve noon today, I will go back to the hospital to have it removed. I will get the result sometime next week as the family and me will be going to Johor Baru soon after that for my son's convocation this weekend.

Last Raya story for the road

I always have problem deciding when to start the six days of fasting in Shawal. After Ramadhan, all you want to do is eat. With open house invitations almost every other day, the problem is compounded. It takes a strong will and resolve or you'll never even get to the starting block. For me, most of time, I wait till the last minute until it becomes a drop dead date.
Happily this year, I managed to break the tradition and completed my fasting by the tenth day of Shawal.

What a plesant surprise!

I went jogging again just after work today. What surprised me was that I'm feeling as strong as ever. It is as if I never took a 'rest' during the fasting month. As a matter of fact I felt stronger, much stronger than before. I'm stumped. Maybe its because I lost a bit of weight during Ramadhan. Only God knows!

What technology has done to us

The technological age that we are in right now has certainly done us a world of good but it has its drawback as well. Ask me my phone number and I will have difficulty remembering it. Tell me to spell certain words and I will struggle to get it right. Computer savvy kids in Japan and China are experiencing difficulty writing out their language characters. Don't be surprise if the day comes when we won't be able to get anywhere without the GPS. Already, without my hand phone and notebook, I feel lost and vulnerable!

I'm running again

After almost two months of 'rest', I'm back jogging again. Surprisingly, I find that I have not lost that much in terms of stamina but the legs felt a bit heavy after more than twenty minutes of running. What is more important is what it did to the mind. I felt total freedom with not a bother in the world. If only I can feel like this everyday!

The problem with GPS

Having a GPS is really handy. Many times the instrument has guided me to my destination safely and quickly without which I would surely have wasted a lot of time. However, the GPS can also cause you much anxiety. The instrument has been programmed to take the shortest route possible. It cannot tell if the road it chooses is a highway or an out of the way track. A few times it has caused my heart to beat faster because the route it chose turned out to be dark, lonely, one lane full of potholes and way out of civilisation. It's really scary especially when it's night.

Nuclear or not?

Nuclear power plants are fast gaining acceptance worldwide. Countries worldwide it seem are running against the clock to build one. Malaysia will have to decide soon. Will it go nuclear?

Short trip to Seremban

At Seremban 2 Jusco store.

Went to Seremban to see our son who's working in there. I was worried about the traffic but it was smooth all the way. As usual, it never ceased to amaze me about the crowd at any supermarket. Its always there.

Seven days and still waiting

Its been seven days since my telephone line went 'kaput' and I have no idea when it will be alright again. I have complained twice. They came a few days ago, told us that a cable was burnt and said will come back in a few days. Since then, I have been waiting.......and waiting.......and waiting. Terrible!

Still on Holiday

Its the fifth day of Raya. In Malaysia, its early days yet as Raya celebrations will surely go on for a full month. Its raining outside and I'm sitting in front of the TV watching Nadal in action. Its the fourth set and he's well on his way to winning his fifth Grand Slam, barring any unforseen circumstances.
Yesterday, there were massive jams on the highway. KL folks were returning in droves after the holidays. Meanwhile, everybody's attention are fix on the senseless killings of the cosmetic millionaire. At a time when people are rejoicing, the killing has to happen. What tragic.

Raya stories

As usual, in the morning, we went to the mosque for prayer after breakfast. After a month of fasting, breakfast have never tasted better. This is I think is the fifth or sixth year that we spent Hari Raya in KL. Maybe next year, we'll do something different just for a change.

Hari Raya photos

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Perfect timing!

On the eve of hari raya, the internet in my house went 'kaput'. What perfect timing. After some detective work, we came to the conclusion that the telephone line is the culprit. With the hari raya holidays coming, it looks like it will be a few days before the line is corrected. Already I'm thinking how am I going to survive a few days without the internet............

One day before Hari Raya

In the morning, went hunting for new five dollar notes but ended up in vain. All the banks said they have run out of new notes. Next year don't go at the last minute.
At the market, people were busy doing last minutes shopping buying all the necessary ingredients to cook for tomorrow. I was searching for 'daun pudina' and had to ask all the vegetable sellers before I found one that still have stock.
Back home, we painted a fresh coat of paint to the wall on the left side of the house. It looks much better now after an hour of work in the blazing sun.
After that felt really thirsty. This is what it means - fasting

Last minute shopping

Busy shoppers at Shah Alam

Bargains everywhere as Raya approaches.

Another friend

A friend from yesteryears passed away recently. He was one of my many friends during my university days but since then, never got the chance to meet him again. Time flew by so quickly its more than thirty years since I last met him. May he rest in peace and God bless his soul.

Off to a long break

The roads around the Klang valley were less crowded the last few days. Many must have gone back to their 'kampong' I'm sure. For me today is my last day at work after which I will take a long break to celebrate 'Hari Raya'. Most probably Raya will be spend at home. Been that way for so many years already. After the passing of both our parents, there's no more 'balik kampong'. Kampong is only in the mind and in the heart.

Japanese and toilets

The Japaneses really have a thing for toilets. They have the most sophisticated toilets in the world and yet are not satisfied. They are always coming out with new inventions. The latest is to be able to have your health screen while doing your thing in the toilet. Can you imagine that? What else they will come out with I just don't know. What I know for sure is that once I almost flooded a whole toilet just because I happened to press the wrong button!

Islam need to be embraced....

My Islam was always just following what others do until I began to read the Quran. Reading here means reading, learning and understanding what is actually inside the Quran. That was when I discovered I knew so little about the religion despite being a Muslim all this while. It was almost like starting from scratch! I believe it is a common trait among us, being ignorant That's why there have been issues lately, when actually it shouldn't be.

The exodus has begun

Traffic was heavy yesterday after work. Jams were everywhere. On the NKVE towards Ipoh, the cars, lorries and whatever were bumper to bumper. Perhaps some people were already on their 'balik kampong' trip. I had to take another route in order to reach home. Luckilly, there are more ways than one to get to Sg Buloh. Otherwise, it would have been a nightmare!

Hard to believe....

Imagine being caught in a traffic jam that can last a month. Unbelievable it may seem but in China, its happening just on the outskirt of Beijing. Off course it need not be said, the villagers by the road side are making a roaring business supplying the drivers with the essentials.
Imagine being trapped in a mine seven hundred metres below ground. In Chile, rescuers are frantically trying to dig a hole so that seventy miners trapped in such a situation can get out but it will take up to three months to reach them. In the meantime, the miners are given warm food, books, etc to help them while away their time.
Imagine......

Raya shopping

Took the opportunity yesterday to do a bit of furniture hunting. Every furniture shop we went to, there were many other people doing the same thing. The shops must be doing a roaring business. Later on at the 'Pasar Ramadhan', there were again a big crowd despite the intermittent rain. Sometimes I said to myself, these people must have plenty of money to spend. Yet we read of people having problem making ends meet. It just don't jive!