Bye bye 2013

I look forward to 2014 with great anticipation. 2013 has come and it will go soon. Let's hope 2014 will bring much laughter and happiness, just as the previous years have done. I have plans for 2014. Lets see if they all come to fruition. Anyway, bye bye 2013......... 

2013 is ending

The year 2013 is ending. This is the year when I started working again, after vowing to retire for good in 2011. This is the year when my motorcycle license come in handy, after not being in need for more than thirty years. I bought a motorcycle to travel to and from work, something I never thought I would do. This is the year when Maryam Maisarah was born, my second daughter. She was supposed to be next year but she couldn't wait. This is the year when I became a landlord. I rented out my house in Senawang, Seremban. This is the year when I passed my tourism guide exam but didn't take the license. It is something I really love to do but circumstances forbids. 2013 holds many memories, just as in previous years. I look forward to 2014........

With all their heart

For two months at least, the baby will sleep as and when she likes, meaning morning, evening, night or whatever, it does not matter to her. Her sleep pattern is as she wishes. That also means my sleep will be disturb. This is something I have to brace for. After two months, then her sleep will have a routine to it. A few hours in the morning, a few hours in the afternoon and the whole night long. By then, I can go back to my normal sleep I hope. This is only talking about sleep. There are many others. That's how it is, bringing up children. Parents change their lifestyle, their routine, their life pattern just to suit their children. And parents do them with all their heart.

One issue settled

I handed over the keys to the house to the agent yesterday. Cleared my things, did a few minor repairs before leaving the house at about 6.30pm. For the next few years at least, I won't be going to Senawang as often as in the last few months. I have rented it out. Now that's settled at least one issue is out of my mind. I can move on to other things. First and foremost, my responsibilities to the two small kids.

Renting is the best option

Today I am going to Seremban to clear the house of our things. Some plates, brooms, mattress etc. I have managed to find someone to rent the house starting first January 2014. I am glad that it is settled. Otherwise, it was always on my mind thinking what to do with the house. I can't sell it cause the tax would be too much to pay. I can't stay there cause its too far away from my place of work in KL. In the nd, renting out is the best option.

Give me the strength

At fifty seven, I should be playing with my grandchildren! But here I am, with a baby son and now a baby daughter. Its tough for sure but then that's the life I have chosen so I have to bear with it. Its tough because I thought I am passed all these. Its over for me. I have brought up four children. I have given my all to ensure they have the best I can give. Its tiring as I have always said but it is also rewarding and it gives plenty of satisfaction. Now they are adults. Suddenly, I have to go through it a second time, after a gap of almost twenty years. First Akid, now Maryam. Akid is only one year seven months old. Maryam is only a few days old. Oh Allah..give me the strength to bring up my children to become your faithful servant, forever. 

Maryam Maisarah

Finally she has got a name. Its Maryam Maisarah. Maryam as in the mother of the prophet Isa a.s. and Maisarah means prosperity. She was only 1.9kg at birth. Small but strong with an iron will. She signaled her imminent arrival early in the morning when the water breaks. Barely three hours later, she arrived. All along I was thinking it will be sometime later in the day or even at night but no, that morning itself she came. As a result, I missed watching her emerging from her mother. The only one of my six children that I missed.

Sleepless

Its the beginning of sleepless nights and sleepy mornings. Last night for example, the baby woke us up many times with her cries. It was almost every half an hour. As a result, we couldn't sleep, having to give attention to her.  Akid has been magnificent so far. Perhaps it hasn't sink in yet for him. He is still doing his usual thing, full of energy with not a worry in the world.

I must not understand tired

Now I have four sons and two daughters. Four have grown up, all of them university graduates. One already married and living in Australia with her husband. In bringing them up, I have given my all. Time, effort, money and whatever else so that they become man and woman I can be proud of. I may not be the best but believe me, I have tried my best. Now they are all grown up, no longer living with me but they are always in my mind. I can only pray that they keep on loving and obey Allah, keep on loving and follow the Sunnah of His prophet Muhammad SAW and In sha Allah, their lives will be a success, in this world and the hereafter. 

Now I am starting all over again. The cycle repeats. I will try my best just as I have done earlier. Tiring is a word I must not understand. Instead, I look forward to a fulfilling time, bringing up children even at a ripe old age of fifty seven.

Under observation

She was not supposed to be born until 20th January 2014. But alas....she couldn't wait. On 24th December, almost three weeks earlier, she came into this world. As a result, she had to be kept under observation in a separate room. Almost twenty four hours later, I still couldn't hold her in my arms. Today the doctor is going to decide if she is okay. If so, she can go home. I hope everything's fine, In sha Allah. 

No 6

She came all of a sudden. Without any warning. Without waiting for anybody. Of all my six children, she is the only one I was not in the labor room when she came into this world. At about 6.45am, the mother saw liquid flowing out from her. We suspected her water had break. Got ourselves ready and  drove to the hospital. Once we got there, the mother was quickly put in the labor room. It was almost 8.30am. One and a half hours later, she was born. So fast. I had to look after Akid so I couldn't enter the room. Anyway, all along I was thinking that it won't be happening soon. Maybe later in the day. 

Pictures

 Cameron Highland

 Langkawi

Sekincan

Its a no no

Would love to go to Cameron Highland for my holiday but from experience, now is not the time. Why? Its the school holidays. The place will be packed with people so much so you can't move. Its the same everywhere. Langkawi, Melaka, Pangkor etc.All the popular holiday destination is a no no at this time of the year.

Its a merry go round

Becoming a football manager is one thing I would like to do. Not so much for the job itself but because failure means you get the sack. That's when it gets interesting. The compensation you received is enough for a whole lifetime. Its millions of dollars. Who wouldn't want it? Not only that. Your reputation remains intact. The sack does not do any damage to your it. When another opening emerge after somebody else get the sack, you apply for the job. Your chances of getting the job is as good as anybody. That's how it is being a football manager. Its a merry go round.

I learn everyday

I'm on holiday now. Won't be in the office till next Monday. Time to take a break for some relaxing time and unwinding. Have no plan to go anywhere except stay at home Maybe go for a few short outings that's all. Its almost a year since I started working again. Till today, I am still enjoying my second wind although work related problems as usual come by the dozens. I'm back doing the technical stuff, something I have left for so many years. So far I have been able to pick up what's left inside of me besides learning new things. I learn everyday!

Back home

Was in Seremban on Saturday. Came back from Bintulu the night before on a 7 pm flight. Reached KLIA about 9.15 pm. After staying a while at the house in Senawang, headed for Ulu Bendul recreational area. Unfortunately Akid was so sleepy by that time that he slept the whole time. Thought we wanted to have him enjoy the cool water of Ulu Bendul but that was not to be.

Its plentiful

In Bintulu once again. Took the 4pm flight from KLIA. Reached Bintulu about 6pm. I'II be here till Friday. After that it will be the weekend. Come Monday I'II be on leave till the end of the week. Nine days in total. Looking forward to it as I have not had a long holiday for quite some time already. Meantime, it will be meeting first tomorrow and Friday. One thing I like about the hotel here in Bintulu is the water coming out from the shower. Its plentiful. Having a bath is the most satisfying thing.

You are a rich man

The way things are going, I will not be surprised if the special one becomes the next manager to lose his job. The pressure to succeed is so great, the owners will not accept anything less. A top four is the minimum. Having said that, I don't mind being sacked if I were them. The compensation is beyond the imagination of most people. You are a rich man.

All is well

Haircut over. Everything ok now

Haircut

Getting a haircut is a harrowing experience for Akid.

I can only be grateful

Akid is going to have a baby sister soon. Not long to go, most probably in a month's time. For me, it will mean child number six. At fifty seven years old, I should be playing with my grandchild but if that's what God has ordained, I can only be grateful. It is tiring no doubt, especially for one as old as me to be bringing up children. For me, those days should be history. Anyway, no use dwelling on it. I am living in the present now. As I said earlier, I can only be grateful to Allah.

There will always be another day

Its good to be at home in the morning instead of being in the office. Its Saturday off course. Time to unwind and relax. I have a few things to do later in the morning as well as tomorrow but they can wait. For now let me just relax and enjoy the moment. As usual, I did my morning prayer at the nearby mosque. Came back, read the Quran a little bit. Saturday has always been the day I look forward to because of the football. Tonight there will be football matches galore. In my younger days, when my favourite team lose, so will be my day. However, these days, it matter not. There will always be another day.

A nasty accident

Had a nasty fall yesterday off my bike. I was heading back to the office from Subang Jaya after going to a bank when it happened. I was riding at a slow pace following the heavy traffic on the road. A motorcyclist overtook me when suddenly she lost his balance and fall right in front of me. I had no time to swerve away from her. Instead I knocked into her motorcycle. As a result, I also lost my balance and fall. A motorcycle behind me also went the same way as he knocked into my motorcycle. There we were, the three of us, lying on the road with our motorcycles. Luckily, none of us were badly injured while our motorcycles also survived. I had a few scratches but generally was alright.

As it turned out, the stretch of road where it happened was slippery as it was covered with oil. Many other motorcyclist suffered the same fate.

Its baffling

What is happening in Thailand? It seems to me that mob rule is taking over. How can a country function when the law is not respected? They have a democratically elected government but they want to throw it by street protest. Its mind boggling to say the least. What if they succeed? Will they last? Another group will do the same thing to them and another.....and another......and another!

Its the Holiday season

Thinking of going to Melaka again but the school holiday is putting me off. I'm pretty sure Melaka will be crowded, so crowded that it becomes unpleasant. Just like Cameron Highland. Its a nightmare to be there at this time of the year. So, where will I go? I'm planning to finish off my leave for the year during the Christmas week. Take four days and I have nine days of break in total. Maybe just stay at home, waiting the arrival of my new baby girl, In sha Allah. 

Sunday jotting

Another defeat. What is happening at Man U? Defeat after defeat! They have taken only two points out of a possible twelve. That is really really bad. At this rate I don't think they will even make it to the top four. Missing out on Europe. Wow! That's frightening.

Nowadays I only drive my Mercedes when I go for the morning prayer at the nearby mosque. After that the car stays parked the whole day. I'm thinking seriously of selling it. What's the use of having the car when I don't use it? Even when I use a car, I usually drive the Viva, Its more economical, easy to park, easy to move around in a jam etc.

At Masjid Mujahiddin Damanasara

Stop over on the way to a wedding.

Would be a miracle

When David Moyes took over the reign at Manchester United from Alex Ferguson, nobody thought that after a few months, Man U would be struggling, stuck in the middle of the table. There's a real danger they might miss the top four, missing out a place in Europe, something that have been taken for granted all these years. Why? The same players that won the title last year are still there. Don't tell me their skills have disappeared overnight. if they were good enough to win the title last year, they should be good enough to win it again this year, or at least be in the top four! The way things are going, achieving a top four would be a miracle.

Rain rain rain

Its been raining almost everyday this week. Everyday I had to put on my raincoat. Sometime I get a bit wet even with the raincoat on but still its much better than getting stuck in jam. When it rain, the jam gets worse. I ride my bike passed hundreds, even thousands of cars, crawling because of the jam. I don't how long it took them to reach home but the frustration must be immense. I know because just a few months ago, I was one of them. That's when you start driving on the emergency lane, in defiance of the rules. Sometimes you get stopped y the police.....

Rain, rain, rain

Yesterday it rained the whole day. In the morning I had to ride in the rain. Going back in the evening, again I had to ride in the rain. The only consolation was when I saw all those cars stuck in a jam. I thank myself for I am not one of them although riding in the rain is certainly not one that I enjoyed, even with the raincoat on. I managed to reach home in forty minutes. Driving a car, it would have taken much longer for sure.

More wedding photos

Akid as usual will find the time to sleep even at the noisiest of events. Either he is asleep or he is up to his antics. There is no such thing as a relax time for him.

Wedding galore

Was at a wedding over the weekend. The long school holiday has started and so has the weddings. Every weekend, every where, day or night, weddings abound. Sometimes invitations come by the dozens. You have to pick and choose which one to go. To go to all of them is certainly out of question.

Weekend once more

Its Friday once again. Tomorrow it will be Saturday when the football matches all over the world will be played again. There'll be no Rugby Union this time however. The season for this year is over but the Rugby league will see the World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand. I don't fancy Rugby league that much but I'II watch it anyway. Look forward to the weekend, to rest the body and mind. Relax, watch TV, read the papers, surf the internet etc. etc.

What a feat!

So fast today is Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday when by like the wind. I hardly notice it. Suddenly its Wednesday.

My bike that refused to start was actually nothing at all. Some cheeky kids switch off the fuel line to the engine. Without the fuel how can it start?

The All Blacks were tethering on defeat against Ireland. In fact I said to myself, its gonna be another last match blues. Just like what happened against England last season. But I didn't count on their determination. With the last kick of the match, they turned defeat into victory. What a feat!

Climbing up the stairs

That's what he will do. Afraid is not in his vocabulary. Everything is game to him. I get tired keeping up with him.

A hard day's work.

Its a hard day's work. Akid sleeping blissfully at a shopping mall yesterday, oblivious to all the happenings around him. That also allowed us to enjoy some peaceful moment while savouring our food. Otherwise there will not be a moment of quiet whenever he is awake cause he is always up to something.

Something wrong

This morning my bike refused to start. Don't know what is the problem. Very upsetting especially knowing that it is a new bike. Now I have to get a mechanic, if I can find one, to come and have a look at it. Hopefully he knows the problem and can get it going again.I need to use it to go to work tomorrow. I can drive the car but that would be the last thing I would do.

Sometime I wish

Let tomorrow decide.

Another day. Another airport. This time at Bintulu. Waiting for my flight back to KL after a few days in Bakun. Was quite busy at Bakun with a few things to do and attend. Alhamdulillah, tomorrow its weekend. Al least I can have a short break before starting again on Monday. I'm thinking of going somewhere for a short break. Its in my mind but let me sleep over it. Let tomorrow decide.

Can't beat them, join them

My favourite vehicle. Going and coming back from work is a breeze these days. Its a case of getting tired seeing all those motorbikes riding pass me while I'm caught in a traffic jam. Finally I decided, if I can't beat them, I might as well join them. I have no regret ever since.

Terrible pain

I'm back at KLIA this morning waiting for my flight to Bintulu yet again. This time, it will be straight to Bakun after arriving in Bintulu. The last time I was in Bakun, I fell sick and had a terrible pain in my head, a result of taking panadol to relive the sickness. I still remember the journey out of Bakun. It was terrible. There was this throbbing pain in my head that won't go away. Two and half hours in a four wheel drive and two more hours in the aeroplane, I had to bear it all. Hopefully, this journey, nothing of that sort happens again.

From my office

Not a great photo but is enough to see the towers coming up. Those are for the MRT project that is going on in earnest at the moment. Its right in front of my office. To be completed in 2016, it will add to the existing public transport around the Klang Valley. If I happened to work that long, I will take the MRT to work cause near my place in Bandar Tun Hussien Onn, there's another station being built.

A great game

It was an exciting match no doubt. New Zealand looked like they were going to overwhelm England in the early stages of the game but England gradually fought back. At one time, they even managed to lead by two points, 22-20 but New Zealand are made of sterner stuff. They immediately hit back, scoring another try that was duly converted. In the end, but it was a hard fought one. I like the way England organised their scrum when they are five yards from the New Zealand line. Its constantly turning, creating confusion to the opponents, not knowing where the ball is. Its a new thing, very creative.

My favourite Assam Pedas

Whenever I'm in Melaka, there's a restaurant that I will always go for my dinner. Its called Assam Pedas Power. It's open from 8pm onwards till the early hours of the morning after. Can't remember exactly how many times I have been to the restaurant but must be more than five or six times. The Assam Pedas is real hot. I can't take it but I like the taste nonetheless. That's why I keep coming back. The fishes are fresh too. The last time I was there was about a month ago. Now I'm thinking of going again. 

Love it

Four days away from the office, I miss riding my motorbike. I enjoy riding the bike to work and going back home from work. Its something that never cross my mind before but I find its a pleasure riding the bike. Weaving through the traffic, beating the jam, riding at my own pace. Nothing could be more enjoyable. I just love riding my bike.

That's my routine

Back in KL after three nights in Bintulu. Nowadays, I don't fancy the food they give on the plane anymore. Perhaps its a case of taking them too many times. Since working again, I have been flying KL-Bintulu more than a dozen times already. Every time, the food is about the same. Although they have three choices, I have tried them all. Now I can't take them anymore. So, I try to sleep most of the time on the plane. Next week, I'II be flying to Bintulu again. That's my routine now.

Busy time

Tonight is the third night in Bintulu. Tomorrow I am going back to KL In sha Allah. Been a tiring two days, meeting from morning till night. Next week it will be traveling to Bakun again. There's a few things I have to do that needed me to be in Bakun. I also need to have a meeting in Kucing anytime next week. Then there's the work I need to do while in KL. Wah! Don't know how I can fit it all in. Looks like its going to be a busy few weeks ahead of me.....

Jogging by the sea in Bintulu

When I was young

Its the year 1972. I was only 16 years old. Living and schooling in Taiping, Perak. My father rented a small house for me to stay with my mother in Taiping while he himself remained in Selama. They could hardly afford it but such was the sacrifice they made for me, to ensure that I have the best schooling. My mother would cook the meal, washed my clothes, make sure I have everything that I needed. As I have said many times, I didn't appreciate it then but now........

While waiting for my flight

Flight delayed again! By one hour. What to do? Hang around the airport, that's all, reflecting on the life I've had and the future. In January, my second daughter will be born In sha Allah. That will be six in total, four boys and two girls. Four from the first group have all graduated with one married and living in Australia. The two in the second group have a long way to go. Akid is only one year six months while his sister is still in the stomach, due in January. There might be more, In sha Allah. Its tiring bringing up children but its fun and can be rewarding. 

The only drawback is most of the time, when they grow up, they tend to forget about you. That's how it is and that's the way it will be. Maybe I was guilty of the same thing. For sure now when I think back, there's a lot more I could have done for my parents. Now its too late. I can't do anything anymore. Usually its like that. Only when its too late, we realise our folly.

That's why Allah never once ask the parents to love their children. Its a natural thing. But, many a time, Allah ask the children to love their parents, to say nice words to them, to take care of them when they grow old. There's so many verses in the Quran telling the children to love their parents. How I wish I have done what Allah wants us to do for our parents!

No matter what, I love all my children just the same, just like my parents love me despite all my shortcomings. I wish them all the best in their endeavours. My one wish is, at all time, never forget who we are. Servants of Allah the Almighty.

The last one?

The last one has flown over the cuckoos nest! That's my youngest child who had just graduated from Uniten as an engineer. My task is done, now its up to them to live the best they can in this world, not forgetting the hereafter off course. Oh....I forgot! I have one more..two more in fact. Akid and his younger sister who is due in January 2014. That's a new task altogether!

A great outing

The Sunday was spent sleeping most of the time. Perhaps feeling tired from last night's outing. It was a great atmosphere but very tiring especially with Akid around. He was in his element, moving about as he pleased. I had to cope up with him. Then after exhausting all his energy, I had to carry him to the car, walking quite a distance from the concert venue. Tiring but enjoyable. A great outing once in a while.

Enjoying the concert

There was M. Nasir, there was In Team, there was Ramli Sarip and there was Opick, the one whom I came to see. Maher Zain was there too with many other internatonal singers.

At Dataran Putrajaya

The place is packed with families enjoying the cool night air. Was surprised at the crowd. Convenient too as the mosque is just nearby. Finding a parking space is a problem. I was at Putrajaya to watch the concert by Opick among others.

Hello

Akid speaking here. How are you? Me? I'm fine thank you. I love my mothers milk. its good for me but sometime my mother complains that I'm too active. She can't keep up with me. My father? Oh....he is always not in the house. Working hard to buy my mother and me food. Also for my little sister. She will be coming out soon! In January. Can't wait to see her. Then I can play with her. Its much better. My father is always reading while my mother is always doing the house chores.

My motorbike

These days, traffic jam is Greek to me. No more hassle, no more frustration, no more time wasting. On top of that, petrol is peanuts compared to when I was driving my mercedes.

Stop it

These past few weeks I have been having problem waking up in the morning. To be exact, waking up at 5am in the morning that's giving me the problem. The alarm will ring for sure but I find it difficult to get my body up. Most of the time I will lay in bed, hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep. By the time I'm ready to get up, its already 5.20am or more. This have been going on for quite sometime already. Need to stop it before it becomes a habit.

Very tired

Felt really tired this morning during the jog. My body is way, way below my usual fitness level. Must be the sickness not so long ago. Also I had not jog for about a month already prior to this morning. Always I have something else to do that prevented me from jogging. Must find the time to jog regularly, no matter what! I am on holiday today. Tomorrow is a public holiday. On Wednesday, I'm again on leave. Surprisingly, I noticed many people working this morning while having my breakfast after the jog. Don't they go on leave?

Very fast

Was in Seremban yesterday to wash the house. I hired a washing company to do it. Thought it would take quite sometime but as it turn out, all they needed was about two hours. And only two person, that's all. very professional the way they were doing it. No water splashing about everywhere. Just quiet, fast and efficient. They started at about 11am. By about 1pm, everything completed. So I actually had plenty of time yesterday cause my initial thought was it would take until at least 6 pm!

Akid and me

Akid is getting bigger and wiser. Now he is learning to play with the people around him. I can barely sit down on the sofa on reaching home after a hard day at the office, Akid is already giving me his toys or whatever, asking me to do this, do that. That's Akid.

Honda blade 125

Read the review about the Honda blade 125. Now that's an awesome motorcycle! Probably should have done a little bit of survey before buying my Honda Ex 5. Now that I'm a motorcyclist, I find myself reading articles on motorcycles, whenever I came across them. Articles that never warrant even a glance before has become a must read item. That's how I came to read about the Honda blade 125. Maybe that would be my next motorcycle! 

Can't beat the rain

Nothing is visible from the first picture. The rain was at its peak. See what the view is when the sun is shining. Alhamdulillah the rain stopped before 5pm. Otherwise it will be another wet day for me, despite the rain coat. As far as I can see, the rain is the only thing when the motorcyclist gets beat. On all other occasions, we win hands down.

That would be something

Sometimes you never know when you are going to need something. For example I have had my motorcycle license for years, over thirty in fact but I have never found the need for it. I thought I never gonna need it, ever. That is until recently. At the age of 57, when I started using a motorbike to work. Good thing thirty years ago, I had the thought to take the motorcycle license together with the car license. Otherwise, I would have to take the test for motorcycle license, at 57 years old! Wow! That would be something.

This place is deep in the jungles of Sarawak. Bakun.