What a lot!

These Umno and Perkasa goons, they are getting from bad to worse. Unable to challenge intellectually, or to stem the tide that are going against them nationwide, they are resorting to underhand tactics. Disrupting and disturbing an otherwise peaceful rally or gathering, making a fool of themselves. That's all they can do. What a lot. I wish they would use whatever little intelligence they have to better use rather than to cause trouble.

What am I doing here?

I was in Pucong a few days ago for a warehouse sale. Guess what they were selling? Baby products. The place was crowded. Parents and would be parents were busy buying away the many baby products on sale. It must be cheap as they were buying them by the dozens. Anyway, I'm out of touch as my last baby was twenty years ago. Perhaps that's why at times, I find myself asking what am I doing here? To buy baby products off course!

An extra day

Today is a very special day. It only comes once in four years. For those who are born on this day, it is a bit unfortunate as they can only celebrate their birthday once in four years. Until now, I don't understand this special day. Why every four years we need to have an extra day? Can't we have every year the same? Why?

Sunday in Kuantan

Its a quiet Sunday. Thought I wanted to go to Kuantan to join in the gathering but something cropped up at the last minute. Nevertheless heard they had a good crowd which was great. Earlier in the morning I went for my usual jog after the morning prayer and a few minutes spent trying to memorise more verses of the Quran. Its getting harder and harder simply because at the same time, I also need to ensure that I don't forget the verses that are already in the head!

Will he ever recover?

Every sport man will suffer a loss of form every now and then in their carrier. Nobody can perform at their peak every time they play their sports. Be it football, golf, rugby, cricket, athletics or whatever, the slump will only vary in the way of time. Some suffer it for a short period while others suffer it longer. Which bring me to Torres, the Chelsea and Spain striker. He has been in a slump for two seasons already. That's a long long time. Will he ever recover? I hope he does not end up like Ian Baker Finch, the golfer who never recovered.

No, I shouldn't be surprise

I admire people who have the Quran in their head. I have been trying for years but never managed to memorise more than three chapters at any one time. Even then, they are not fully ingrained in my head. I need to constantly refer to the written text whenever I try to recite them. Off course I never went to 'Tahfiz' school. What more I only spent less than an hour a day trying to memorise them. So, should I be surprise!

Saturday morning

After the morning prayer and reading the Quran, thought I wanted to go jogging but felt a bit lazy. So decided to just sit on the sofa and watch TV. Saw the golf matchplay between the Korean Bae and Australian John Senden. The match went to the full eighteen holes with Bae emerging the winner. He is another of the many up and coming Koreans who are making an impact to the world golfing scene. Why can't Malaysian golfers do the same?

Street scene

Felt bored staying in the house. Decided to have 'tahu bakar' at one of the many stalls by the roadside.

How I wish

Suddenly I'm overwhelmed with this feeling of nostalgia of the years gone by, of the days when my world was young and full of innocence. When there were nothing much to worry about. When life was easy and carefree. All I had to do was go to school. In the afternoon, have a game of football. I would play and play until the call for the evening prayer comes across the air. Then I would go back, knowing full well that there's a home to come back to. There's food on the table too. Oh...those were the simple easy days. How I wish .......

Be grateful always

At an age when most people are already winding down, I'm beginning a new chapter in my life. When parental obligations are beginning to be less strenuous as the kids have grown up to be responsible adults, here I am about to begin all over again. Wah.....what a life God has planned for me. I know not what else God has in store for me. I only know I need to be grateful always.

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed, ' If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favour); but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.' "

Ibrahim (7)

Reports galore

Malaysia must be the only the only country where countless police reports are made by politicians. The slightest of provocation, no...not even a provocation. Just saying a few words that are not to their liking will result in a police reports. As if they have nothing better to do! There must be thousands if not millions of police reports sitting in police stations. With the police are already hard pressed trying to fight crimes, I don't know if these reports will ever see the light of day.

What now AVB

Looks like its the end of the road for AVB. The defeat at Napoli last night could be the icing on the cake only this time would taste bitter. The defeat could also signal the end of the domination of English clubs of the Champions league. With Arsenal also on the brink, the quarter final line up could be devoid of any English clubs for the first time in a long while. How much longer will the Chelsea owners wait before acting is anybody's guess!

Ah....That's life

I never could have envisaged the life I'm living now. I thought retirement would mean living the easy life, having seen and done it all. I could now just sit back and watch others as they go through life. I would especially enjoy watching my children as they go through their life, as they get older and wiser, as they get married and as they bring up their own children. I would be there to provide the support, provide the guidance, provide the fatherly advice and most of all, the love and care that they need for as long as I can. But alas! God has other plans for me. How different they turn out to be! Only God knows the wisdom behind it all. As for me, I will forever remain the humble servant to God the Almighty.

A fruitful end

The week started with many uncertainties. However, by the middle of the week, it gets to be clearer and clearer. The many dealings that were in limbo just days ago are now beginning to see the light. Hopefully, they will all come to a fruitful end as the week comes to a close. That's the nature of life for what is life if there's no ups and downs. What is life if everything is status quo. You might as well live in a cage!

Life goes on

In February last year, I was in Kenyir, Trengganu for work. Those were the last few weeks of my working life. I remember looking forward very much to the day when I won't have to work again. Soon enough, days and weeks passed until I reached my last working day. Today, its been almost a year to those days. How time has gone by like the wind that blows. Life goes on. I have move on. Meanwhile, I am still enjoying my retirement.

That's life

There are a few hanging transactions at the moment in some of my dealings. All of them are supposed to have completed by now but somehow, they have not. Reasons are a plenty. Some may seem valid while some are a bit difficult to accept. Nonetheless there's not much I can do as they are out of my hands. All I can do is wait and pray and hope that they will all turn out all right.

Life is short

When people say life is short, most people don't really understand it or even mean it. Not until they are old enough to understand the real meaning of it. I am now fifty five years old. I know what it means cause life moves so fast. It seems only yesterday when I was a kid, then a young man, then a husband and a father, then middle age. Suddenly I am a retiree. I am a 'warga emas'. Wow!

(Allah) will say, "How long did you remain on earth in number of years?"
They will say, " We remained a day or part of a day; ask those who enumerate."

Al Mukminin 112,113

The same old story

For Arsenal its the same old story. Knocked out of the Champions League (not yet but almost after taking home a 0-4 deficit), knocked out of the FA cup, they only have the fight for fourth place left in order to qualify for the Champions League next season. How long can this go on? Not forever I'm sure. Wenger need to take a new approach. The present one have failed him badly. seven seasons without a trophy. For a club with a history like Arseanl, that's unacceptable!

The debate

The debate yesterday between Lim Guan Eng and Dr. Chua Soi Lek was more like a political 'ceramah'. Add to it the boisterous crowd who shouted and gestured at every little opportunity, the debate never turned out the way we hope it would be. The topic at hand was conveniently forgotten. I thought the one between Anwar and one minister held many years ago was much better. Anwar I mean, not the minister. He was talking facts and figures while sticking to the topic. Meanwhile the minister, perhaps unable to answer, resorted to personal attack.

Then what?

Malaysian badminton is in a sorry state. So bad that we even contemplate not qualifying for the Thomas cup final, something unimaginable just a few years ago. All we have is Chong Wei. After him, there's nobody else. The gap between him and the next player is so far! How can that happened. While China keeps on producing world class singles players, we have not been able to do so. In a few years time, Chong Wei will be passed his prime. Then what?

What went wrong?

Europe has always been the continent that I look up to. The countries in the continent are well managed, modern, highly developed, advanced and yet so beautiful. Who haven't heard of London, Paris, Rome, Berlin and so on. When the countries joined up to be what Europe is today, I thought that was a great move. Their economy together will definitely be stronger than they would individually. Today, Europe is in trouble. The weaker countries are feeling the effect of the integration economically while Germany gets stronger and stronger. So what went wrong?

Jeremy Lin who?

In life, things can changed in a blink of an eye. From an unknown and an unwanted NBA player, he became an overnight sensation. All it took was two weeks and five games. Now he's more than a star player. His BIG, I mean real BIG. From US to China to Taiwan, everybody wants to see him play. Merchandise bearing his names are selling like hot cakes while his name has become hot property. His name? Jeremy Lin!

A busy week

I felt this week passed by so quickly. Been a long time since I felt this way, ever since I quit the rat race nine months ago. I had so many things to do and settle that at times, I felt time is not with me. For a man who's doing nothing, I mean not working, that's certainly is not a good feeling. By Friday, I was totally worn out. Lucky thing my Friday afternoon appointment was cancelled. That was a welcome respite from the busy week. I had a good afternoon sleep instead.

How frustrating

In this day and age when you have GPS, google maps plus a host of other similar tools, there are still people who spent hours and hours looking for your house. Wonder if they ever heard of all these gadgets that are easily available everywhere. What a waste of time. Here I am waiting for two hours already at my house for this person to come but apparently he is in a merry go round. Can't find it! I am not living in the jungle! Crazy!

One penny too many

The penny stocks have been hogging the limelight recently. Almost everyday there will be penny stocks reaching new highs. But how do you trade them when they are less than 10 cents at time? Its tempting surely but are the risks worth it? I really don't know?

How long more AVB?

Talking about football, I thought Chelsea made their biggest mistake when they hire AVB as their new manager. For one so young with only a few years of experience in the Portuguese league, managing Chelsea must feel like jumping into a frying pan. What more with an overbearing chairman looking over his shoulder. A chairman with a gun on his hips, firing at the slightest of failure. I dare say AVB will not last another season going by how Chelsea is performing right now.

One nut is enough

What a disgrace this Suarez is. A bad example to the sport. What makes it worse is the fact that the manager seems to support him. That's why this nonsense has been dragging on for far longer than it should. He should have nip it in the bud. I thought we already have a nut in Balotelli with all his antics but this guy is trying to go one better. The sooner this guy sort himself out the better it would be for football.

Its sizzling hot

The weather has been hot the past few days. While Europe is freezing, over here its sizzling hot. Last night I heard thunder and saw lightning in the sky. Thought it would rain but it did not. In Europe, there's still no reprieve from the cold. I watch on TV a rugby match played in Italy in Southern Europe. They were virtually playing on ice. I cannot imagine what it must be like in Northern Europe.

An easy life

When I was working, Sunday was usually a day to rest and relax in the house, catch up on the news, watch TV, sleep, eat and sleep again. Now that I am not working anymore, everyday is a Sunday. This morning for example, I woke up for the morning prayers, read the Quran and then went jogging before stopping at the local store to buy the morning papers. After a bath and breakfast, its already half past eight. Its time for a little bit of reading and TV. Today I have an appointment in the afternoon so till then it will be surfing the internet, read, rest, TV etc.

My favourite mosque

I was at my favourite mosque, the Sultan Salahuddin in Shah Alam for the Zuhur prayer this afternoon. As always, the amount of activities going on at this mosque never cease to amaze me. The mosque is very much alive, with people coming and going all the time. I would say there's a lot to be learned from the way this mosque is managed. The management of other mosques should pay a visit to this mosque to learn how they to do it, that is, make this mosque alive with activities going on all the time.

If I have rm250 million (part 2)

Getting a loan of rm250 million to do business is hard enough. Imagine getting a loan of rm250 million at rates below normal. Add to it a loan where it is almost free for all. You can do anything with it as long as you are able to pay back the monthly payment. Wow! That's downright unbelievable. I would love to get my hands on that kind of loan but will anybody give me one? Perhaps if I have the right connections, it might just be impossible.

If I have rm250 million

I will buy properties all over the country for rent. Can make a lot of money. No, on second thought, no need to buy properties for rent. They are too much of a hassle. I have a better idea. Put them in a fixed deposit. The cost of 2 per cent is easily covered. That way I can just shake legs while still making money. Wow! I am a successful businessman with millions in the bank!

Merry go round

There are things you can do and there are things you can say. But not all things you can do and not all things you can say. Sometimes you badly want to do or say something but circumstances doesn't allow you to. Then there are times you don't want to do or say something but circumstances force you to. Doing or saying something can bring you misery or it can bring you happiness. So, think carefully before you do or say cause you never know what it will bring you. Do or say something is a .......sigh. I'm on a merry go round!

Weight management?

This time last year I was 5 kg lighter. That means in a year I have gained 5 kg. At this rate, I will soon be overweight, opening the door to health problems. At least that's what the doctor told me. Don't know what I need to do in order not to increase weight. Been jogging regularly, been eating normally, been sleeping soundly. So, what else? Anyway, on the plus side, my blood pressure is normal unlike the last time when it was borderline.

When mistakes happened

Its frustrating when you diligently pay all your dues only to receive an SMS telling you that your payment is overdue. On checking your account, it showed that payment has indeed been made. So how come the receiver has not received it? You call the bank hoping to clear up the mess but they tell you to go to the branch where you have banked in the payment. Sigh......

Any which way you lose

The market has been on the upswing the past few weeks. Taking the cue from the Dow, the KLCI has been moving northwards steadily. Many counters have moved up, providing opportunities for investors to make some coffee money. But it can be frustrating as well. Losing money is definitely one cause of frustration but making money can also be a source of frustration because you sold too early. You could have made more. So, either way, you can end up being frustrated.

Stop the killings

How can they let the killings continue? My heart bleeds on watching the bombardment the people in Syria are subject to. Unbelievable! Its outrages! An army killing its own people! Everyday people are dying. How long will it continue? How many people need to die before the world wakes up?

Scars of life

Why is it that nowadays tears flow freely from my eyes? The slightest of things will cause them to flow. I watch a TV drama this morning about a father and his long lost son who finally make up after a long separation due to a misunderstanding. Tears flowed from my eyes. This is really a new experience for me. Perhaps the scars of living the life have begun to take its toll on me. After all, its been more than fifty years! Still, I pray to God that it will go on longer in a life among those who believe and among those conscious of Allah.

Then and Now

Many many years ago, when I was memorising the Quran, I always had to carry a Quran with me wherever I go. This was so that I can recite the verses or chapters that I had memorised anytime I like. If while reciting I can't remember a word or verse, I can just open the Quran to have a quick look and then continue reciting. However, nowadays, things have changed. I am still trying to memorise the Quran but with a difference. I don't have to carry a Quran anymore. With my smartphone, the Quran is at my fingertips. All I need to do is to download the applications. Thus I can recite as I please. Should I forget, all I need to do is to reach out for my smartphone. How handy!

Cows and Condos

The issue of the cows and the condos can be easily solved. Just answer why the condos are needed for a business that deals only with cows. I'm not talking about any condos mind you. I'm talking about luxury condos, the kind of which only the rich and well to do can afford! But seriously, cows? Do they need them? If that questions can be answered convincingly, then I think the matter will be laid to rest.

What third force?

What third force are they talking about? Don't they know that whatever third force they are talking about will not survive? How many have tried but failed? It won't work, this third force. Yes, some still exist but only just. The latest to try is that person who has just been sacked. I can tell you he will meet the same fate as the others for sure.

Maulid

1433 years ago this day, the Prophet Muhammad SAW was born in Mecca. He brought us Islam and the Quran. The Quran is the final revelation while Prophet Muhammad SAW is the final messenger. Salam Maulidur Rasul.

The killings have to stop

What is happening in Syria? The army killing its own people? Its certainly is difficult to comprehend. Everyday people are being killed. When will the killing stop? What is the world doing? Watching? What will it take before the rest of the world intervene? Millions killed?

Looks easy but its not

Why is it so hard to win a million ringgit? I'm talking about the game show 'Where the Money Drops'. All you have to do is answer eight questions, that's all. Get them all right and the million ringgit will be yours. Eight questions only! Not that many. So many have tried but none have succeeded. Will we ever see someone succeed?

My jog this morning

Today was terrible. My legs felt heavy, my body aches all over while my heart was pounding like never before. I was panting badly as I jog. Many times I felt like stopping but somehow I kept going. Then I saw the finish line. I knew immediately I must go. There's no way I was going to stop, no matter what. I almost collapsed from exhaustion but I don't care. I must finish the course........ and finished I did.

Tips from Quran and Sunnah

My investments went from deep in negative territory to positive in a space of about a month. When it was negative, like everybody else, I was hoping it would go positive but frankly, I really didn't expect it to happen. Then it slowly but surely started to gain ground until it went positive. Wow! I could not have asked for more. Let me tell you a secret. Every time after prayer, I always recite the verse known as 'seribu dinar'. However, during those dark negative days, I added the following:
I read the surah 'Al Waqiah' everyday
I pray the sunnah 'Dhuha' everyday
I try to increase my 'alms and givings'
I'II explain more about them later. Suffice to say for now, they are all from the Quran and Sunnah. Try it yourself.

Up, up and away

Gold went up again yesterday. At the rate its going, it will reached US 1900 dollars soon, perhaps before the end of the year. Would be interesting to see. China has been buying a lot of gold lately. So has a few other countries like USA, Turkey and a few others. This is not to mention India whose affinity for gold is well known. So, when are you buying your gold?

Trouble days for Sony

Sony is hardly in the news nowadays. Its a far cry from the days of Walkman, Discman or whatever man there were. The company has since fallen on hard times in the face of stiff competition. In its heyday, it was the known for its quality and innovative products. Now, its only in the news for reporting yearly losses. A new man will helm the company soon. Can he turn the company to profitability? Or will Apple and Samsung continue to dominate?

Hold on to your Gold

Gold is steadily on the rise. Who is willing to say it won't reach us 1900 dollars by the end of the year. Just watch it go. The fed decision to maintain its interest rate has helped to make gold attractive once again. Compound that with the continuing Euro woes, gold will surely make a comeback. Just mark my words. We'll see at the end of the year how it goes.

Close for the day

The stock market was surprisingly quiet in the morning. At half past nine, the prices had hardly moved from yesterday's closed. The closer I looked the the funnier it became cause they were in fact exactly the same as yesterday's closed. Strange! How can it be? It was only when I put in a sell order that I became aware that the market is close for the day. Why? Because it told me so!