Putting thoughts into words

This is the year when I hit a new record. I published over five hundred times this year. That's almost two a day. I have never hit that figure before in my over four years of blogging. Short articles, pictures, comments  or whatever, they all add up to make it a bountiful year. Don't know if I can beat it next year. Perhaps writing a book would be the answer. I have been toying with the idea for quite sometime already. The coming and spreading of Islam in the country would be a nice topic. Some say Islam came to this country by way of the Melaka Sultanate. Others say it was Trengganu because of the discovery of the Trengganu stone. Or was it Kedah in the Bujang Valley?   

Last day of the year

Today is the last day of the year. In less than twenty four hours, a new year will dawn. The most significant thing that happened to me this year was the birth of my fifth child. After almost twenty years, I now have to go through it all over again, bringing up a child I mean. So far I have been coping well, Alhamdulillah. Akid has given me tremendous joy. He has livened up my life, kept me busy with his antics. There's never a dull moment when he is around. As for the new year, I do not know what will bring forth. I pray to Allah that I will continue to be his loyal servant, do what He wants and don't do what He don't want. As for Akid, who knows, a little brother or sister might be in the offing!  

In solitary mood

Get together

Once in while its nice to have a get together with family members. It don't happened very often, only occasionally such as at weddings, religious gatherings or celebrations and the like. We are all busy making a living such that gatherings like these are a rare occurrence.   

Away from the maddening crowd

Sometime I wish I could live in a small village. I catch fish, plant vegetables and grow my own padi. I go to the mosque five times a day. I have my coffee break at the restaurant nearby. Everything is simple and quiet. Far far away from the maddening crowd. 

The silence is deafening

Some serious accusations have been made. At the very least, a denial would be in the offing. Or the better way would be to sue the person who has made that accusation. How can you let a person accused you of doing something when you have not? He is injuring your reputation. Keeping silent is not the answer cause the silence is deafening!

In Kuala Selangor

Drove up to Kuala Selangor yesterday to buy fish. At the fish market just outside the town, the fishes are as fresh as you can get. That's why I sometime go there just to get fresh fish. Took the opportunity to drive up Bukit Melawati, the historic hill. Saw many old cannons there but only one with the distinctive VOC sign, meaning it was owned by the Dutch. This hill was the scene of many battles in the past. Today, it is full of monkeys and a tourist attractions.

A handful

 Akid is proving to be a handful now. I get tired trying to keep up with him. Like all babies, he is so energetic. He don't understand the words keep quiet or sit still. All the time, he is always up to something. He will find something to do, no matter where. I have to be aware all the time cause at his age, he doesn't understand danger. He just do what he wants to do.

Health is priority

The year is drawing to a close soon. Normally this would be the time when I would be on long leave. One of the reason was to finish off the leave while the other was to recharge the batteries so that I will come back to the office in the new year fresh and roaring to go. Now, I don't need to do that anymore cause I'm forever on leave. I enjoy my laid back life now, a far cry from the days when I was working. Its not exactly what I had in mind but I take it nonetheless. As long as I'm healthy, that's a bonus by itself.

What a struggle

Thought I wanted to go jogging this morning but my body don't feel like in the best of shape. Its aching all over. Perhaps my almost three hours of struggle with Akid last night has taken its toll on me. As early as ten o'clock he was already sleepy yet he still didn't want to go to sleep. It went on till almost two in the morning. Many times during that period, his eyes closed showing that he was already asleep but a few minutes later, the eyes opened again. It was so tiring cause as long as he is not sleeping, I can't sleep! 

Going cave exploring

The walk was too short for me. If I had the time, would have taken the three and a half hours package. That would be more interesting.

Going down the drain

Thugs who threatened, throw stones and knived other people get away scott free. On the other hand, a person who didn't do all of the above is jailed for a month plus find rm1000. What a farce! That is the sad truth. That's why things got to change. Otherwise, the country is going to go down the drain, faster than think.

Hai.....

Messi the greatest

Messi just keeps on going and going. He is unstoppable. Scoring at will and from all angles. He is a phenomenal. Pele was good. Marodona was good. Messi, he is the best! Although many pundits say he need to cement it with a world cup title, I think he has already proven himself. World cup or no, to me he is the best!  

Can you believe it?

What?

Islam a hindrance towards being a success in business? Why? Because we can't get involve in the gambling, prostitution and all those nonsense? Because we can't give bribes? Because we can't cheat? It beats me how can a Muslim even have thoughts about it!   

Another phase has ended

In life you go through many phases. Some of the phases are long while some others are short. No matter what, they give you memories to last a lifetime. I have just ended another phase in my life. Hopefully this will be the baby steps towards the beginning of another.

Finally, exam's over

Akid at seven months

Hi.....I'm standing

A Minangkabau house

Why is the roof of the Minangkabau house pointed like the horn of a bull? This picture was taken near Padang Indonesia. In Malaysia, houses like this can be found in Negeri Sembilan. With rapid development, houses like this is becoming a rarity. Very soon, it will become part of history. Our children will not get to see them except in history books.

Kuala Lumur, the shopping heaven

Yesterday I went to Scott's Garden in Jalan Klang Lama. Its another shopping complex to add to the many that Kuala Lumpur already have. At the last count, the number was sixty six shopping complexes. So this latest one must be number sixty seven. The place is not fully ready but already some of the shops are already functioning and the shoppers, they are already there in big numbers. It looks small from the outside but from inside, I can see that its one of the bigger ones. Perhaps two hundred to three hundred shops!

I don't know

My internet was giving me problem throughout the whole morning. Somehow I cannot get access to my Unifi. Thought something was wrong with my computer. Went to the nearby computer shop. He checked and found nothing wrong. I went back to the house to try. Again, the same problem occurred. Just as I was getting real frustrated with the problem, suddenly the internet was okay! Just like that. What was the problem? I don't know!

History of Kuala Lumur

Been reading a lot on the history of Kuala Lumpur lately. Found them to be quite interesting. Until today, the real founder of Kuala Lumpur cannot be established. Most history books will say Yap Ah Loy. That's what I learned in school as well but he was only the third Kapitan Cina. What about the first and the second Kapitan? It cannot be denied however that Yap Ah Loy played a prominent role in the development and growth of Kuala Lumpur. He built up the city after it was destroyed by flood and fire in 1881. Meantime there are other notable names associated with the founding of Kuala Lumpur. Raja Abdullah for one. Sutan Puasa is another. Who among the three have the most legitimate claim as the founder of Kuala Lumpur? 

Pay up!

Yet again that famous newspaper has loss a court battle. This time having to pay a prominent opposition leader rm50,000 plus another rm20,000 in costs. When will they ever learn? Making up stories and telling the public blatant lies is not only causing them to loose money but the bigger thing is, it is a sin. It is worse than killing, the Quran says. Are they not afraid? I have lost count the number of times they have to fork out money because of what they wrote.

In crisis

Arsenal is in crisis. They don't know how to win anymore. Their play is beautiful. Plenty of possession, great movements, intelligent running of the ball and beautiful short passes but at the end of it all, if you can't score, you can't win. That's what Arsenal is facing. They cannot seem to find the net often enough. Seven years without a trophy. That's a very long time for a top club!  

My mosque

This is the mosque where I go for my daily prayers. All it takes is a two minutes drive from the house. Very convenient. Walking is possible but the mosque is on top of a hill thus making it quite an effort. However, sometimes I choose to walk for the Friday prayers because of the crowd and the increase number of vehicles. This mosque is well attended. During the morning prayer, the number way well be about a hundred or more.  

Rotten to the core

Forty million ringgit and they say its peanuts. That just goes to show how rotten it has become. Its so rotten that nothing can be done anymore to change it. Only a resounding no in the coming elections will do the trick. Otherwise it will carry on and on. They just don't know how to solve it anymore. The rot has set in so deep that it seems like normal to them. Forty million, two hundred and fifty million, five hundred million......so what? Its nothing!

I'm ready to tell

The past three months I learned more about the country than I ever did before. For example now I know why certain places are called as such for example Bukit Nanas, Bangsar, Brickfield.and many more. I know about the history of the Padang (Dataran Merdeka) and the buildings surrounding it. I know a little bit more about KL Sentral, the Storm Tunnel, Petronas Twin Towers. I read about how  Kuala Lumpur started. I learned about the culture of the various ethnic groups in the country. About the interesting places to visit. Wah! So much! Now I'm ready to tell my stories.

What is happening?

Don't know what is wrong but former senior cops of the country are accusing each other of not being honest when carrying out their work. They have all retired off course but seeing them like these sure put a dent in our trust on the people who are supposed to safeguard our well being. Who can say that the senior cops still in service are not facing the same problem? They are suppose to ensure our safety, not quarrel among themselves!

One week gone in a flash

Can't believe its been a week since I last wrote my piece. Wow! What did I do the past one week that made me not write anything at all. Had I been busy? No I don't think so. I did a lot of reading on Kuala Lumpur, that's for sure but that didn't take up all of my time. I was at home most of the time. I went out a few times to attend classes. There was the JPK exam on Wednesday. Then I was on the bus on Saturday for the trial exam. Other than that, I was quite free. Its a mystery how I could let one week passed by without writing anything!

A walked around town

Yesterday I took a walked around KL. I started with the KL gallery. Quite interesting to learn about the history of the city, the historical buildings plus pictures of old Kuala Lumpur. There were photos of the big flood as well when the whole Dataran Merdeka was covered with water. Then I visited the Textile museum before taking a walked at the Central Market, covering the old KL area where Yap Ah Loy used to reign. I ended my walked at Masjid Negara, a place I have been to many times but never really know it. Now I'm looking at it from a different light. The architecture, the history, the facilities, the built up etc. 

Addiction at three

Living in a country that's all wired up can also be a problem. That's what South Koreans' are finding out. Kids as young as three years old are becoming addicted! That's not to talk about the teenagers. They just can't get their hands off their gadgets, whatever it may be. ICT addiction is becoming a real social problem in that country. South Korea has the world's fastest internet but they are discovering that at times, it can have its negative effect as well.

Expensive

A hair cut cost rm13. Then its rm15 for a car wash. A cup of coffee will set you back rm12. That's Bangsar for you. So expensive. Yet I see people keep on coming to these places. Must be damn rich or plain stupid. Why? Because a car wash is only rm8 at other places. A cup of coffee about rm3. A hair cut rm10. That's a lot of saving for me.

Its scary

Its already the first of December. Very soon the year will end. And then it will be a new year. Before I knew it, the new year will end. Then it will be another new year. When the Beatles sang the song 'when I'm sixty four', I was only in my teens. Sixty four seems like a long time away. Too far away to be concerned about. But today, I'm almost there. In less than ten years and ten years is not a long time I can tell you that! I'II be sixty four soon Insha Allah. Wow! Its scary just to think about it.  

Pejuang Melayu?

The ongoing convention is more like an opposition bashing session. That's all they can talk about I guess. I don't know why people are still being mislead by this group of 'Pejuang Melayu'. Its more like fighting for themselves the way things have been going on. They have certainly done very well indeed. Lots of money, million dollar houses, expensive cars, condos, diamond rings, classy hand bags........rich beyond one's imagination. Meanwhile the Rakyat is left to take the crumbs, like rm500 for example.  

How come?

The Malaysian football team is facing elimination after an insipid performance against Singapore, losing 0-3. The way they played, it would be difficult to win even against Laos. How can we get back to the glory years? We are so far behind in terms of ability, skills and tactical awareness. Japan and Korea has forged so far ahead they are regularly playing in the World cup while we have dropped so far behind the only tournaments we can play are small regional tournaments like the current Suzuki cup. Even that we are finding it tough. Sigh......

There's always a first time

Giving commentary as the bus drives around KL is not as easy as I thought. First of all the bus is moving. Therefore I had to do a bit of a balancing act standing in front of the tourists while doing the talking. Secondly, the bus is moving. For example, Masjid Negara is long gone even before I had finished talking about it. So I had to be fast. Otherwise I'd still be talking about Masjid Negara when the bus is already at Dataran Merdeka. Thirdly, when caught in a jam at places where there's nothing interesting like a museum, a mosque, an interesting buildings or whatever to talk about, what do you do? Keep quiet?  

Anyway, for a first timer, it was an interesting experience. I enjoyed it.

KL Hop on Hop off

My baptism of fire

What a great job

I would love to be a football manager. I get paid to do a job I love. If I achieved success, well and good. If I failed, I will be sacked but its not a problem. I will be laughing all the way to the bank because I will receive a few millions for being sacked. That's not bad for a failure. I will off course take on another manager's job at another football club. The same applies. If I win trophies, well and good. If I failed, I will be sacked but what's the problem? I will be laughing all the way to the bank because I have just added a few million more to my bank account! Wow! A football manager. What a great job to be doing.

Sacked

Roberto De Matteo sacked. What a shocker but should it be? The truth is the Chelsea owner never wanted him as manager in the first place. He was just an interim measure till the end of the season. Unfortunately or fortunately, depending on which way you look at it, against all the odds, he won the Champions league. So how can you sack a manager who had just won for you the biggest trophy in club football? That's why he was given the job, albeit reluctantly. However, at the first sign of trouble, get rid of him and that's what they did. Pity Roberto but then don't worry. He will be richer by millions because of the sacked.

As for QPR, its not a sign anymore. They are in deep shit but then, that's another story.

Hardly making a whimper

Most of the political writers got it wrong. They thought the Nurul Izzah infamous or famous statement will be a big issue at the PAS Muktamar. How wrong can they be! The Muktamar went on with the statement hardly making a whimper. In fact nobody even mentioned it except for the Ketua Dewan Ulama. Even then it was because he was asked about it by the press and he dismissed it outright as insignificant. It just goes to show how far the political writers are from the mind of a PAS supporter. If they know the PAS supporters well, they will that know that indeed it is insignificant. It is nothing because she didn't say it the way the UMNO press wants us to believe. Again, it is only the uninitiated who are once again being make a fool for believing.

By the roadside

It don't look too promising. The clouds already forming. They are getting darker by the minute, a sure sign that rain is imminent. Anyway I'm just minutes from my destination so nothing too worry about, Insha Allah. As usual, the BN controlled papers have gone to town about the prayer by PAS for the destruction of their enemies. The way they put it, it is as if PAS have gone mad. That's how they try to put it. To make PAS look as bad as possible. For the uninitiated, they will believe what they read. They will not be allowed to see the truth for the truth is bad news for the ruling coalition.      

Yeh yeh, no rain

What a day! Until 3pm today, the sky is still holding firm. The sun is still shining brightly. There's little or no cloud in the sky. A little bit of wind but that's it. No tell tale sign of imminent rain anywhere. If it remains this way, it will be a great change from the past few days where it rains from afternoon onwards. I can safely wash my car knowing that it would last at least a day, Insha Allah. 

For just an egg muffin

 I drove passed by McDonald this morning on the way back home from jogging. I was surprised to find the road leading to it clogged with cars. Inside McDonald I noticed the crowd was unusually big. I have not seen anything like it before. There were so many vehicles I couldn't get into the area to buy my newspaper from the roadside vendor just in front of McD. I had to park some distance away and walked. I asked him why are there so many people this morning? He told me McDonald is giving away free food! Oh! I can understand the crowd but when I got home, I happened to see the advertisement in the paper. Its only free Egg McMuffin. Not a free meal. Aiyah.....why so kiasu one! For just an egg muffin........

Melaka tree

The oldest mosque in Malaysia

 Masjid Kg Hulu, Melaka. This mosque was built in 1728, during the time of the Dutch rule. The roof is multi tiered, perhaps influenced from the Chinese. Not surprising since the man who was commissioned to build it was one Dato Shamsuddin bin Arom, who was originally from China . Only the wooden pillars and the roof structure is original it seems. The rest such as the wooden walls have been replaced by concrete.

Inside view

It was drizzling when I got here hence the raincoat.

This mosque is situated along Jalan Kg Hulu, walking distance from the famous Jonker street.

The Kedah Sultanate

Kedah was an Islamic Malay sultanate long before Melaka ever was, in the year 1136. Before that it was a Hindu kingdom. There were eight of the Hindu rulers before the ninth converted to Islam. From then on, it became an Islamic kingdom. The sultanate survived till today with the present Sultan who is the now our King. Perhaps these facts are a new discovery because I never learn them in school. So, thus it mean that Islam came to our shores in 1136 or just a little bit earlier?

Assalamualaikum

I'm more than six months now. Yesterday my mother started giving me food from a bowl. I don't know what it was but its a difference for sure. At last I'm taking more than just my mother's milk but I still like my mother's milk better. Nothing can beat it. 

I don't like my photo too much cause I'm not smiling. Next time my father should tell me when he is taking a photograph. Then I will smile, just like him.

Wither nuclear?

After the near nuclear disaster in Japan, the nuclear power industry has been on the receiving end most of the time. Japan decided to stop all their running nuclear power plants in the country until an audit has been done on their safety. Until today, I believe only one or two is running again. Germany meanwhile decided to do away with it all together. Recently they discovered a crack at a nuclear power plant unit in Korea during a routine maintenance. Then they discovered another crack at another unit in the same plant. Although nothing alarming, it still add up to the worry that countries have about nuclear power. Should we go nuclear or not? 

Worth a visit

Yesterday I heard of another place with some history in it. Apparently Islam arrived at this place hundreds of years ago, around the time when Melaka was at its glorious peak. An Islamic preacher from Melaka made his way here after falling out with the Melaka Sultan at that time. Not surprising because this place is less than 100km away from Melaka. His grave is to be found here, purported to be the oldest Islamic grave in Malaysia. There's also a few mysterious stones here. Today, no one can quite make what it is or was. The grave plus the stones have been made into the historical site of Pengkalan Kempas, a small town in Negeri Sembilan, about 40km south of Port Dickson. 

Men never learn

Why would a high flying general get involved in a scandal that resulted in his downfall. Or for that matter, why would men get involved in scandals knowing full well that they are putting their career at risk. There have been many examples, the most famous was the one involving a President by the name of Bill. In his case however, he successfully negotiated through the minefields after he was discovered, overcame it and still remain a hugely popular President. Unfortunately in most other cases, the result is a rapid fall from grace. But men never learn. The case of the general who became head of CIA certainly was not the first and it will not be the last either.

That's what it is

Just because she is from the opposition, there was a big hue and cry as if she had done a terrible crime. If she was from the ruling party, nothing would have happened. Many people from the ruling party have said even worse things but they have been conveniently swept under the carpet. That's the truth. Sad it may be but that's what our country has descended into after 55 years of BN rule. A country dominated by hypocrites who would not hesitate to right a wrong or to wrong a right just so that the unsuspecting people will be decieved.

The oldest mosque in Malaysia

I have been to Melaka so many times I have lost count the number of times. I have visited most of the historical sites of Melaka such as the A Famosa, the Stadhuys, St Paul's Church plus the other attractions like the Portuguese Village, Bt China and many many others. However there's one thing I have not done. I have not visited the oldest mosque on Malaysia which is the Masjid Kg Hulu. Next week I am going to Melaka. Insha Allah I will find the time to visit this mosque, which dates back to 1728.

Putrajaya

View of Putrajaya from the PICC

Taman Botani

The swing states

Obama received about 56 million while Romney received 54 million voters. That's a difference of two million voters only. That's how close it was but the American system is such that it translates into 326 collegiate votes for Obama as against 206 for Romney. That's a huge difference! There are states that traditionally will always vote Democrat while there are states that will traditionally always vote Republican. So the fight was only in the swing states, about eight of them, so called because these states can either go to Democrat or to Republican, depending on which way the swing goes. Obama won all of them except one. That spells the end for Romney.

So much diference

Jogging in the morning is great because you have lots and lots of energy after a good night sleep. The body feels fresh while the mind is eager and ready to go. That's what I have been doing since I retired. However, yesterday I went jogging at about five in the evening. What a difference it made. I felt tired throughout. Finishing a round was a struggle. My body aches all over. Many times I thought of quitting halfway because I was just not up to it. It was terrible. I wonder now how I managed to do it while I was working. Then I used to jog after work. I never experienced such pain like yesterday. And to think that it is only one and a half years ago! Can such a short time make so much difference? 

He can't wait forever

The US presidential election is over. Obama will be the president for another four years. When is our turn? Thus far, Najib has been unable to find a suitable date. The longer he waits, the worse it will become for him for the window is closing rapidly. He has less than six months now. My take is he will wait till the end of the term. Why? Simply because he just couldn't find a date that will give him a win. BN will lose any date he chooses. That's why he has been stalling but for how long? He can't wait forever!

Twelve ringgit for a cuppa

Yesterday I had my most expensive tea ever. Twelve ringgit for a cuppa! It was at a cafe in Bangsar. You would think that with prices like that, nobody would want to be eating and drinking at this place but surprise surprise, I certainly was not alone. There were many other customers as well. I guess money does not matter for those with loads of them.  

Caught out

Many things have been said about the gold investment schemes and the companies that were raided recently. Most of them are not true. The companies did not take illegal deposit. They sell gold. A special license is not needed to sell gold. Just the normal business license which they have. Gold is physically given when a payment is made. There's also no necessity to have license to appoint agents. They are just like other agents selling insurance, unit trust, tupperwares etc. Nothing concrete has come out after a month of investigations. Meantime investors are left in a lurch................    

It can't be a joke

So now we know why they bought the submarines! Its to prevent another Portuguese like attack on Melaka recurring! Who said so? The navy chief said so. He should know, shouldn't he? Yes, he should know. That's why he said so. Why? You think its a joke? He thinks its not a joke. That's why he said it, even if millions of other Malaysians think its a joke. Its a serious matter, one that warrants spending billions of ringgit of the taxpayers money. Surely it can't be a joke. If it is, then it is a real costly one. 

North East Monsoon

Its the rainy season now, the North East Monsoon. I always thought this monsoon only blows in the east affecting Kelantan, Trengganu and Pahang but no! These days its not true anymore. Selangor has been raining and raining almost everyday. The other day my usual jogging track was flooded making it impossible to run. Its noon time now. Already I see the cloud forming and the sky getting dark. For sure it will rain this evening.  

KLIA

A visit to KLIA with course mates.  

Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, this is where it all began. More than a hundred years ago, a group of Chinese tin miners and a few Malays set up camp here after traveling upriver all the way from Klang. Their objective? To look for tin. From here they track through thick jungles to reach Ampang where they found what they were looking for. Many died from malaria but tin was such a lucrative business, the setback was only temporary. In no time at all, Kuala Lumpur flourish although at that time, it was more like a frontier town.

Just itchy fingers

Its raining cats and dogs outside. I'm stuck in the house because of it. Thought I'd have a Teh Tarik at the Mamak restaurant nearby but what to do. The rain is so heavy. Don't think I can go to the mosque for the evening prayer as well. Anyway stuck in the house is much better than stuck in a traffic jam. I pity those going home after office hours today because definitely there will be traffic jam everywhere. In the house at least I can surf the internet even if the rain has temporarily put the TV out of service. 

Still can't get over the match between Reading and Arsenal yesterday. I don't think I'II ever see another match like that. Amazing.

What a match!

What a match! Reading scored five goals but still ended up losing cause Arsenal scored more. They scored seven. In any other match, scoring five goals will mean not just a win but a big one. This match? Its a defeat! Amazing! Reading must be wondering how on earth did they let it happened. They were four goals up only to allow a tremendous fightback by Arsenal. Must have a very exciting time for the spectators. How I wish all matches are like this. It will be great for entertainment!

Oh Allah, only to You I ask for help

With the sky getting darker and darker, thought I'd leave the house early in order to avoid the traffic jam. Because of that, I'm now wandering around Bangsar Village thinking what to do. I have time to kill cause my class won't start till another two hours. Starbuck coffeehouse is full. I better find some other place to sit and relax. Immediately I start thinking about the plight I'm in at the moment. Three times already I have been reminded about who I am. How many more times do I need? Don't I get it? I am a nobody. I don't exist. Go and get loss. Who cares about yesterday, even if yesterday I had given all my love. Even if yesterday, I had given all my care. Even if yesterday I had given my everything. It don't mean a thing. I might as well go and fly kite, as if yesterday means anything. I'm deeply deeply disappointed. Only Allah knows how I feel. 

Oh Allah, please, don't make me give up. Don't put hatred into my heart. Don't put anger into my head. Give me the patience for I need it more than ever.                     

Insha Allah

Life can be hard sometime. There will be thorns along the way that will prick you just enough to give a reminder that is it not a bed full of roses. If that is not difficult enough, then there are time bombs along the way that can explode anytime making it a nightmare that is real and happening. Most of the time, the pitfalls are clearly seen but still, we fail to avoid them. We know it but still walk through it like its not there. The result can be devastating. You lose all that you have built over the years. Its a terrible blow. Hard on the body. Harder still on the mind. Only your faith in God will keep you going. Somehow, someday, everything will turn out alright. If not in this world, then in the hereafter, Insha Allah.     

Insha Allah, everything will be alright

It has been a terrible week for me. Things have not gone right on many fronts. Its so hard on the mind such that it affects the body. In the long run, its going to affect my health. I need to get the mind off the problem. No matter how much I worry and think about them, its not going to solve anything. Get it out of the mind. Stop worrying. Work out a plan to resolve the problem. When the time comes, execute them. Insha Allah, everything will be alright! 

Suprising Sekincan

I was there

Protest at Wisma MCA

Bad situation

I am having sleepless nights thinking about the predicament I'm in. Never thought that I would be in this kind of situation. Nothing seems to be going right at the moment. Its not good for my health as well. I need to act fast or I will be caught with my pants down. I need to do something.....  

The trouble with twitting

Twitter is a good thing. The only trouble is people sometime twits faster than their brain. As a result, they land themselves into trouble. Its a spontaneous reaction. When its spontaneous, its done most of the time without much thought. Just an immediate reaction with the fingers moving so fast there's no time for thoughts. By the time they realized what they have just done, its too late. Its gone into cyber air, nothing can be done anymore. Therefore, be careful when twitting next time cause it can land you in hot soup.

So much for politics

MCA has run out of ideas. People are not convinced whatever they say. They are a party for the goners. They had to go down to the bottom of the pit in order to gain attention. Thus they accused Nik Aziz of condoning raping of non Muslim women, hoping that it would gain them the attention they crave. They talk about Hudud like they are the expert. In the process they ridicule Islam. And the Prime Minister was right there but what did he do? So much for politics! 

Wow!

Been doing a lot of reading about Malaysia in general, from the tourism perspective. The more I read, the more I realised how little I know about the country. There are so many places and things in Malaysia to see and do. From Perlis to Johor, there are thousands and one attractions. That does not even include Sabah and Sarawak. With these two, there'll be thousands more.

That is the problem

The way I see it, these people are getting out of hand and the only reason they do it is because they have been allowed to get away with it. The way they put it, its clear they have been ridiculing and bringing down Islam. They are so brave to say such things because although the majority of the people in this country are Islam, not all of them understand what Islam really is. Hence, they don't feel anything at all when Islam is being ridicule. In fact, some even support it. Then there are others who understand but because of other interest such as politics personal interest etc. they let it pass. That is the problem.

Hello!

The Putra mosque

Named after the first prime minister of Malaysia. This mosque is situated in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia. Construction started in 1997 and completed in 1999 at a cost of rm250 million. Its architecture is a combination of Malay, modern and Persian design. The mosque has 7 domes, the biggest of which is about 50 metres high. It has one minaret which is 116 metres high. The main prayer hall can accommodate about 10000 people. Besides the main prayer hall, the mosques also has a library, lecture hall, auditorium and a dining hall. The ablution plus toilet facilities are located beneath the main hall.

That's some of the things a tourist guide must say. 

The new note

Note 11 is finally here. Since yesterday there have been heavy advertisement on the new note. I am seriously thinking of getting one. Ever since the note came into the scene, I have a fascination for it. Only thing was I already had a Galaxy 11 so I didn't buy the note. But now, with the new note, a faster processor plus several new features, the temptation is too much. Just can't wait to get my hands on it!

Insulting

This guy is getting too much. Don't understand how he can get away with such comments. He is insulting Islam and yet, nothing is being done about it. From what he has been saying, it can be seen that he knows very little about the religion, much less about Hudud but he talks just the same. As a result he belittles the religion to no end. What an irresponsible thing to do.

A complete shock

Unbelievable! Impossible! That's was my reaction when reading about the German vs Sweden match. The Germans were 4-0 up with less than half an hour of play left. Then the Swedish struck. Four goals to the good making the score 4-4 in the end. How can a team like Germany let that happened. Methodical, precision, technical, efficient. That's how to describe a German team. Its a complete shock. Hard to believe but as they say, facts are sometime stranger than fiction. This is one of them.  

Not as I saw it

Took this picture of Bangsar. Somehow what I saw with my naked eyes and what came out from this photo shoot are not the same. I was standing on higher ground looking down when taking this photo. Its don't look like that in the photo. The mosque at the end of the road was a lot bigger when seen with the eyes but in the photo it looked so small. I guess there's a lot more to taking photos than just shoot.

The debate

It was interesting watching the debate between Barrack Obama and Mitt Romney. From my point of view, both put up a great performance, outlining their policies, plan and vision of what they will do to make a better America, if chosen. That's the kind of debate that we want to see, hard hitting, aggressive, with facts and figures although they might not be right all the time, and no personal attacks. Our PM should take on Anwar, the opposition leader in a debate. So far he has been avoiding it, preferring instead to take cheap shots from afar. That sure is not a sign of a leader....... 

Its only maybe

Everybody can see that the budget as announced recently is an election budget. There are too many short term measures but lacking in long term solutions. It is like giving a fisherman a fish when you should be giving him a fishing gear. What it does is make him happy in the short term but in the long term it does nothing. He will remain poor as before. At the same time, the fish given will be gone after its eaten. There will be no return of investment as compared to when a fishing gear is given. That's how I see it. A budget like that is not good for the country but only good for the ruling party. Even then its only maybe.   

Taxi woes

The recent demonstration by the taxi drivers to highlight their plight brings to mind the service that they give to the public. Sure they may have their own grousers but the service that they give leave much to be desired. I for one, hate the thought of having to hail for a taxi simply because the taxi that comes more often than not don't want to go where you want to go. They will give all kind of excuses. Usually they would ply along their normal route. If you want to go out of their routine, they refuse. I have faced such behaviour many a time such that I never like to take a taxi unless absolutely necessary.  

Rain again

Woke up this morning to the sound of heavy rain. Decided not to go to the mosque for the morning prayer because of the rain while my jog this morning has to be abandoned as well. Read in the papers this kind of weather will continue for quite sometime yet. Floods are expected to happen in the east coast states during this time of the year. I remember being in Trengganu a few years back during this period. The rain went on and on and on non stop for a few days. That's how it is when the monsoon season is back.

Heavy Rain

The rain was terrible yesterday. I was in the house but I could feel the strong wind blowing outside. In my mind, I said KL would be in caught in a gridlock because of the rain. Sure enough, the evening news confirmed it. Massive traffic jam everywhere. I used to wonder why just a little bit of rain can caused a jam. After all, its only the rain, nothing blocking the roads whatsoever. When I was working, I dread it when it rain in the evening cause I knew I would be caught up by the jam on my way back home. Its part of life in KL I suppose, to be in a jam! 

KL Sentral

View from the second floor

Tired but happy

Doing commentary while the bus is moving is really difficult. First of all, your stand is not stable. You have you try and keep your balance all the time or you will fall. Second, the bus is moving. Before you can even begin to talk about a certain place or building, the bus has already left the place. Third, your knowledge must be sufficient. Otherwise, there's nothing to talk about. Anyway, it was a good experience for me. At the end of the day, I felt really tired and worn out but happy I've done it.

Heavy rain

There was heavy rain this evening but lucky thing I left the house early. Otherwise I would have been caught up in a terrible jam, as always. Actually I had class tonight at 7.30pm. Normally I would leave the house at six but today I had something to do so I left earlier than usual, at four actually. That probably save my day. By the time it rain heavily, I was already within walking distance of my destination.  

I'm overloaded

I'm up to my neck with outstanding work. Getting worried cause the course is going to end in about a month. Meantime I'm delaying and delaying, procrastinate all the time. Won't get me anywhere if I continue to be like this. Need to set a dateline. Otherwise I will never do it. Will end up with too much workload I will find it impossible to finish.

From the 7th floor

View from 7th floor of Kampung Medan area PJ.

A special bicycle

A Japanese army bicycle used during WW II. On display at the Shah Alam museum. 

My favourite mosque

 The Blue Mosque in Shah Alam.

A view from further away

High returns

Greed has a lot to do with it but men never learn. When I say men I mean women as well. Nowadays schemes of all kind are available, offering great return. Some of the returns offered are so high its almost too good to be true. But the problem is, they are true. How they can do it I do not know but thousands of people have enjoyed the benefit. Alas, such things cannot last. The companies might be doing okay but the authorities will put a stop to it. After all, people are running away from the banks and putting their money into such schemes......  

It is out of my hands

Its been a trying time lately. Things have not been going the way I expected. I sure hope it will not get worse. As it is, I'm already feeling the strain, mind and body. At this age, I cannot afford such things. The mind needs to be devoid of any worry and stress. Otherwise, it will affect the body. At fifty six, the body is not that strong anymore. That's why I need to get out of this rut soonest possible. But the problem is...it is out of my hands!    

Aching body

Went to Pantai Hospital yesterday for my regular medicine supply. After that went to Shah Alam for a walked around. Was there from noon till almost four in the evening. Akid refused to sit in his troller so he had to be carried most of the time, all seven kilos of him. As a result, today my back aches while my hands are feeling the strain. He is a big baby now, no more the three kilos when he was born. he's growing up real fast! 

Exploring caves

To reach the top of Batu Caves, one has to walk up 272 steps. That's quite a walk for some. Three quarters of the way up, you will reached a place called the dark cave which is on the left side of the steps. As the name implies, the cave is really dark, even from the entrance you will have noticed it. This cave can be explored but it must be done with a guide. It can be for an hour or even up to three hours. I have been wanting to explore such caves for years but never did. Gua Tempurung in Perak is another one. Maybe some day when I can find the time....

Be grateful always

Yesterday I visited a friend at IJN. He has been there for about a week while the doctors continue to monitor his heart. He don't looked in the best of condition but spirit remains high. We had a good chit chat about the old days and so on. It felt good visiting such places. At the very least its a good reminder of what can become of you. Don't ever take things for granted. Be grateful always that you are still well and healthy Insha Allah.

Either which way you can

Every now and then, there comes a time when life comes to a crossroad. You are not sure which route to take, cause either way you go will mean something very dear to you has got to give. If you can, you don't want to be at this crossroad. Its terrible having to choose knowing that whatever you choose is going to hurt you. Why can't the road ahead be a straight path? Then, life will be a lot easier. 

Some sporting news

Europe has just made the greatest comeback ever in the history of the Ryder cup. Yesterday I thought they were well and truly and buried, down 10-6 to USA. They need to win eight of the twelve singles to win whereas USA needs only four. It has never been done before but they did it just now winning eight and drawing one. Amazing!

On Sunday, the All Blacks were at their rampaging best, thrashing the Argentine Pumas 53-15. To their credit, the Pumas were prepared to run the ball, playing open flowing Rugby. That cause their downfall cause nobody runs the ball better than the All Blacks.

The KL you don't normally see

Inside Royal Selangor Pewter - the factory

View from top of Batu Cave

View from inside looking outside at Batu Cave

Bigger by the day