Ulu Bendul

 Went to Seremban for an errand. Since I finished early, decided to drive on to Ulu Bendul, a bit further up on the Seremban-Kuala Pilah road. Let Akid have some fun in the water.

Testing out his newly bought water jet!

 Enjoying his lunch amidst the beautiful setting of the jungle.

On the way back to KL, Akid was flat out. Tired after his adventure in the water.

Its dinner time back in KL.

A picture of tranquility

Rooted at the bottom

QPR has been busy again in this January transfer window. I hope they buy wisely this time. Since the new Malaysian owners took over, they have bought so many players but unfortunately, the results have not come. They are rooted to the bottom of the table, unable to climb up. The players that they bought it must be said, are past their prime. I think they have a large first team squad but most of the players are a has been. They need to change their policy of buying players. Go for the young ones, those up and coming, with plenty of potentials. These are the kind of players that will give a strong impact to the team.

The boot

Finally he gets the boot. It has been a long time coming. He deserves it for all the things he had done and said. Never mind if that is what he wanted in the first place. Its the right move by PAS although to me, its a few years late. A person who has no respect for the party don't deserve to be in the party. Slowly but surely, one by one they are exposed. Get rid of them before its too late.

Yesterday

The whole day yesterday was spent in the house except for the occasional forays looking for food at the nearby restaurants and going for the daily prayers at the mosque. I watch a little bit of the Australian open women's final but got bored after a while. The men singles final would be more interesting I'm sure. Last night I didn't get to pray in a congregation for the Isya prayers as the Ustaz giving the talk after the Maghrib prayers was taking too long a time. I had to leave halfway as my stomach was grumbling from being hungry. Besides, I had to go to the loo as well.

Its a cycle

My alarm sounded on the dot at 4.45am. I remember stopping it but that's it. Next thing I know, it was already 6am when I woke up. Must have slept again immediately after silencing the alarm. Life actually goes in a cycle. Until just a few days ago I had no problem getting up at 4.45am but now I am finding it difficult to get up when the alarm sounds. More often than not, I will go back to sleep again, just as had happened this morning. This has been going on for a few days already. I'm in that phase now I suppose. Hopefully it will not be for too long. I need to go back to the phase where I can get up at 4.45am again. It will come back Insha Allah. As I said earlier, life goes in a cycle.

My Akid

Joke of the century

Somebody went to Palestine to patch up the difference between the two rival factions. That's what the papers here say. Trying to pull a fast one as always. The truth is, he flew into a storm. He is not helping the Palestine cause. I didn't say it but the Palestine president said it. It need not be said that he is not amused off course. Then there's this group which advocates violence. For what? To prevent violence! I didn't say it but they said it. Must be the joke of the century. I almost fell off my chair laughing. Whom are they trying to kid?  

So blind

This newspaper has been spurning lies after lies. I don't know how many times already they have been taken to court and found guilty. Yet, no action has been taken against them by the authorities. They only have to pay compensation  to the injured party, that's all. The double standard is so glaring to see. I don't understand why people are still reading it. What more, believing it. How people can be so blind!

Cheating

We always knew they were cheating. We also knew all along they were cheating big time. They have been cheating their way to power all these while. What make it worse is that they feel nothing about it. Its part of their standard practise. Cheating, telling lies, corruption, making up stories, hiding their wrongs etc. etc. This is how they have been operating. I cannot see how it will change unless we change them.  

A day to be proud of

There are always new things to experience. Yesterday was one of them. My only daughter got engaged. Wishing her and future husband the the blessing of Allah always Insha Allah.

More photos

Even more photos

Akid at eight months plus

Mystery

All of a sudden, my computer couldn't start. Don't know what's wrong with it. Got really frustrated because it was okay before. No hint at all of any problem. Then, just when I had all but given up, it came back to live again. Back to normal and working beautifully. What a pleasant surprise! Hope it stays that way.  

Back to the routine

Forget about what's going on around you. Come back to reality. To the mundane task of bringing up Akid. Look at him. Sleeping so peacefully. So innocent. What will he become twenty five years from now? A son to be proud of?

45,000 or 700,000.

Some say its 45,000. Others say its 700,000. In between there were many other figures being banded about. Why worry about the figure? Its not important. From what I could see, it was one of the biggest gathering ever. People were everywhere. In the stadium, outside the stadium, at the LRT stations, in town, at Masjid Negara. And you know what? It was peaceful. Why? Simply because the dreaded FRUs were not there. Oh before I forget, the agent provocateurs were not there as well. Now we know why there were chaos before. No.. we knew it all along. Only now its proven.

Listen, listen listen

When I speak you listen. Who in this world don't have problem? Even animals have problem. Cows, tigers, fishes, cats, you name them, they have problem! So what are you complaining about? Go back to where you belong if you don't like it here. I am here to speak and you are here to listen! Got it? I speak what I like. Who cares if you don't agree. Go back.....go back.

Tired and lethargic

The hectic pace of last week is still having its effect on me. It started with a Sunday drive to Kg Sungai Baru and ended with the Saturday Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat. In between there was the visit to Cameron Highland plus a few other events that kept me busy the whole week so much so that I was unable to have my customary nap in the afternoon. My body is still feeling tired and lethargic. Perhaps a round of jogging will do the trick. 

Windy windy

Last night during the Mahgrib prayer, I was in the first row on the right of the Imam. What I didn't notice until it was too late was that I was standing right in front of a big fan. To make matters worse, a ceiling fan was also right on top of me. Thus, I was hit by a double wind power. The wind blowing to my face was too strong for my liking. I was feeling uncomfortable throughout. Alhamdulillah, noting happened. I didn't have running nose afterward.

Why?

The about turn by PAS on the Allah issue is surprising. It is a non issue in all other countries except Malaysia. Why should it be? In the Quran, Allah never tells the prophet to stop people from saying Allah even though they did not know. It only tells the prophet to correct them, to make them understand. Thus, it is indeed a surprise to me by the about turn from PAS.

They did their job at last

Its a known fact that if the police do their job as they are supposed to do, everything will turn out alright. Their job is to ensure smooth traffic, ensure safety of participants, facilitate the event, not instigate the crowd, chase them, beat them up, spray chemical water and throw tear gas bombs. Yesterday they finally did their job unlike previously. What happened? Nothing! We came, we enjoyed ourselves and we went home! Everything was peaceful and orderly.

Outside the stadium

Massive crowd

Inside the stadium

Outside the stadium

It will be a carnival

Approval for the use of the stadium was finally received after a long wait. Although a bit late, I thought everything will be smooth going from then on but no! In an about turn, the police asked the rally organisers to change to another stadium instead. At this late in the day? I don't know what else the authorities will do and make things difficult for the rally organisers. Why are they so afraid? Its a peaceful assembly. Nothing will happened. As a matter of fact, it will be a carnival. Thrust me on that one!

Like water gushing out

Money seems to be flowing out like water gushing out of a fountain. Only in a fountain, the water flows in a cycle. Little if any is lost as it goes into its cycle. In the case of money, it flows out and that's it. You will not see it again. How can I stop it or at least slows it a bit?

How lucky

The day started quietly enough. I had a few things to do today thus it is better to start early I thought. While driving to Shah Alam in the morning, I noticed the car shake terribly even when I was driving as slow as 60km/h. On reaching Shah Alam, I went to a workshop to have the tyre aligned. Thought after that it would be smooth driving but to my horror, the shaking was even worse than before. It was impossible to drive but I had no choice. Finally I reached Cheras where I had the tyre checked again. That was when the serviceman showed me the condition of the tyre. The back tyre on the right was torn! How lucky I was. Anything could have happened with a tyre like that!

When the bell tolls

The activities over the last few days have taken its toll on me. I'm feeling extremely tired this morning. I was down south in Kuala Sungai Baru in Melaka on Sunday. Monday I was up north in Cameron Highland. Wednesday, it was back to KL. I wake up at five while bedtime is almost midnight everyday. Usually I would cover that by sleeping a few hours during daytime but this time because of the traveling, I didn't sleep at all. Thus, the driving plus the lack of sleep has affected me. Now that I'm back in KL, I can do with a bit of rest before I get sick. Yes, I really need a rest.

Magnificent, Marvellous, Mermerising Messi

Lionel Messi is once again world footballer of the year. Who is surprised? The way he has been performing, there's no way he couldn't have won it, for the fourth straight year. This season, he is again performing way way above the rest. He's Barcelona team is a sure bet for the La Liga title. He is also playing to his potential when in his Argentina shirt. So, who is to say he will not win the award again for the fifth straight year. Only a disaster of immense proportion will keep him from getting his hands on the trophy next year. 

Holiday in the highland

Magnificent view of tea plantation just on the outskirts of Cameron Highland. I was surprised by the weather. I came unprepared, without a jacket. End up I had to buy one to keep away the cold wind. Perhaps its because of the rainy season. 

Cameron Highland

 Relaxing by the hotel balcony

At the children playground

I love this place

I first came across this place while on a working trip to Telok Gong, Melaka. That was almost twenty years ago. Immediately I fell in love with it. Since then I have been coming to the place every now and then for holidays but the last trip was many many years ago. Yesterday, I was back at Kuala Sungai Baru. The place is still as beautiful as ever.

Enjoying the scenery

How sad

When people are befit of thoughts and are unable to engage their opponents intellectually, they will then resort to physical means to make their point. This is what is happening in the country at the moment where one group has been increasingly resorting to violence to get their points across. They can't challenge in a debate because they don't have the facts and figures to back them up. Even if they have, their facts and figures can't stand up to scrutiny. They will end up losing anyway. Thus, how to get their point across? Resort to violence!    

Back to class

Yesterday, after quite some time I was back in a class learning Arabic. This time however, there are significant differences from the previous classes that I had attended. The teacher, for one, doesn't speak any other language in class except Arabic. Next, the class is limited to maximum five people only. That allows for plenty of speaking opportunity which is being made full use of by the teacher. Its a great way to learn and practise a language. I have a feeling in no time at all my Arabic will improve by leaps and bounds Insha Allah.

Look at him

Akid going on his round.

Growing up

My house has been turned upside down all because of Akid. He crawls all over the house, going to every nook and corner, touching and taking everything in sight, putting in his mouth whatever he can get hold off. He is also learning how to stand. I have to clear the house of things that can be of a danger to him as he goes about on his exploration. Babies don't know the meaning of tired and so is Akid. The only time he will be still is when he is sleeping. Otherwise it is all system go!   

Are they afraid?

First they brought back an old issue, saying it has caused a lot of confusion and asked him to explain to the people. He replied saying it is not a problem. Not only that, he is willing to go live on national TV. That way he can reach everybody in the country including the people who are seemingly confused by his 'amanat'. First they said okay but suddenly it was no! Sigh...... what game are they trying to play? Are they afraid? Let him explain to the nation. Wasn't that what they wanted in the first place? 

Crumbs

The long awaited general election will definitely be held in March or April. Given that all the cash handouts will only be given starting in February, the month after that would be a good time for the ruling coalition to call for the general election, or so they think. I for one feel that no matter what they do, it will not be of any help. People will not be taken in by the cash handouts cause they know that it is peanuts compared to what the ruling elite are getting. It is just crumbs compared to the millions they reward each other in order to enrich themselves.

First day of school

So early in the morning yesterday, I was already caught in a traffic jam. I should have known. It was the first day of school after the long holiday. It was also the first day of school for thousands of standard one pupils, hence thousands of parents were also attending school yesterday. I was on my way to the  jogging track where I had to pass through a primary school. There were already many cars parked outside the school. Then there were the school buses, the teachers, the parents plus the people rushing off to work, they all added up to make it almost a crawl!

Resolutions and the new year

Last night I went to bed early, oblivious to the various celebrations going on around the world to welcome the new year. I was too sleepy to care. A new year brings new resolutions. Most of the time, the resolutions get lost or even forgotten as the days and weeks and months progress. By the end of the year if we were to ask ourselves what were our resolutions, don't be surprised if the answer is we don't know.

My last act for last year was to register for Arab lessons in Bangi. I have been learning Arabic off and on for the last twenty five years or so. I remember attending classes in Subang Jaya and in Shah Alam. Then there were classes I took in Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) plus the ones in University Malaya. Once I even had a teacher come to my house for private lessons. I also completed the Linguaphone Arabic course. In between I bought and read many many Arabic books, from the simple to the more difficult ones and listened to more Arabic tapes beside Linguaphone. I read the Quran almost everyday with its translation as well. Still, I have to say, my Arabic is not up to the mark.

Perhaps my ability to learn a language is poor. I remember taking French and German lessons at one time or another in my life but till today, I can hardly speak a word of them. That's how bad I am with languages.

So my resolution this year is to learn Arabic until I can speak the language. Maybe after many tries, this time I will succeed Insha Allah.