Rain outside

Its raining outside. I'm in my hotel room watching the TV and surfing the internet. Thought I wanted to buy a new pair of shoes but the rain made it impossible. I will have to keep on wearing the shoes I have now, torn or not! Its already dark outside. Better stay in my room than to go outside with the rain pelting away.

Downright cruel

There are going to be bombings again. This time in Syria. The war has dragged on for so long without any conclusion in sight. People are being killed, dying, losing homes, displaced etc. What the air strike will do I do not know. If it helps to stop the war, good. Otherwise, it will only add to the misery. If they want to do it, do it to the very end. Get the war stopped. I have always believe the current regime needs to step down. Using chemical weapons is downright cruel!

It is a mosque

At first look you wouldn't think that it is a mosque except for the giveaway signboard. It looks like a shop lot, one among the many shop lots in that row. I saw the signboard at first but thought nothing of it until I looked again. It is a mosque.

By the river Kucing

Thinking aloud

I am thinking of taking a taxi ride to the waterfront later in the day. The sleep has taken away the tiredness a little bit. I am now quite fresh. Maybe I will use the free time to go sightseeing. I'II be in Kucing till tomorrow after which I will fly to Bintulu. Then it will be Bintulu until Sunday before taking the afternoon flight back to KL. When I started work again, I never envisage that it will be this way, flying to Sarawak almost every two weeks. As I have always said, you can plan but Allah will decide.

In Kucing

It was already a late flight without the delay. With the delay, it was even later, even if the delay was only about 45 minutes. By the time I arrived at the hotel in Kucing, it was already well past midnight. All I needed was a bed to rest after such a long day. Woke up early this morning, had breakfast and went for the meeting. It finished faster than expected. As a result, I had time to recover a few hours of sleep at the hotel later. After such a hectic time the last few days, this break was most welcome.

View from my office

Flying again

Hello! I'm back at the airport. This time at KLIA. Waiting for a flight to Kucing. Two nights there and then its Bintulu for a night before heading back home.Wow! This month I'm flying all the time it seems. Langkawi, KL, Kucing, KL, Perth, KL, Kucing, Bintulu and finally KL In sha Allah. Lucky thing all the flights are short except for Perth which is about 5 hours. Otherwise it would have been terrible! I hardly had time to rest after coming back from Perth, now I'm flying again! 

Made it in time

The stay in Perth was enjoyable. Short thought it was, it was a welcome break from work in a far away land. I had one day to explore the city. Just walked around the city, take the free bus ride, ate Kebab and finally went to the harbour for a drink and rest. By nightfall, I was tired and worn out. At the ungodly hour of four in the morning, I was already on my way to the airport to catch the 6.50am flight. Thank God I made it even though the car broke down along the way.

Jolted into reality

A

A quick trip to Perth for my daughter's wedding reception ended today. By 12.30pm I was back in KL. The moment I on my handphone, the emails started coming in. One said can you come for an urgent meeting at 5pm today at the office? Straight away I was jolted into reality. Its back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Wedding reception Perth

A day in Perth

One day

Will be in Perth for a few days. Don't have much time for anything much other than my daughter's reception. That's what I'm here for. Maybe some other time when I can stay a few more days. This time I can't as I have much to do back home. This is only my second time in Australia having been here many years ago, Melbourne and Sydney to be exact. Looks like an interesting place Perth. Can explore further one day.

In Perth

Last night I was in KL. This morning I'm in Perth. That's how small the world is nowadays. A five hour flight took me to where I am at the moment. Alhamdulillah, I really hate long flights but this flight I slept most of the time. Towards the end I read a little bit a book I bought at the airport earlier. Before I knew it, it was time for landing. Perth is damn cold especially after coming from KL where the weather is hot and humid.

If only

There's a new smartphone in the market that is getting my attention. Its the Sony ultra. Its big, 6.4", fast, HD, waterproof etc etc. I like the size, not too big and not too small. really wanted to change my Samsung Note 11 to this new phone. Twice already I had a quick peek at the shops. Its only the money that is stopping me from getting it. If only......

A wet morning

Alhamdulillah I arrived safely at my office. The morning was wet, the rain coming down hard at times. It makes driving a little bit dangerous if you are not careful. Sure enough, along the way, there was a slight jam near the office. A car had hit a lamp post, finally resting on top of the road divider. Must be the slippery road! Early morning Sunday I'm off to Perth for my daughter's wedding reception. Come back on Tuesday. On Wednesday its Kucing. Another meeting. At the office today, it will be another busy day. A far cry from just six months ago, when I had all the time in the world.

I take them all in my stride

Met an old friend yesterday at the company Hari Raya do. Eversince we left England more than thirty years ago after completing our studies, our path have not crossed, that is until yesterday. Still looks well and healthy. Many things have changed. Some of our friends have retired. Many others are doing bits and pieces here and there after their retirement. There's a few still working full time. I am one of them. Maybe we are the unlucky lot, or maybe the lucky lot. I find I quite enjoy working again after my two year hiatus. Never mind the long working hours, the traffic jam, the waiting at airports, the meetings, the workload etc.etc. I take them all in my stride!

Its endless

Yesterday I had to rush to the Ministry of Finance after receiving an early morning call. Got to do some reporting on the blackout. After more than a month, the blackout is still big news. I am still busy with reports, mitigating action, power point presentation etc. Its endless. This morning I have to complete a report for the cabinet. Was given the task yesterday. By today they want it. Then there's other reports for other interested parties. There's a coming meeting on the blackout in Kucing. Need to prepare for that as well........ 

Fire drill

I had to walk nineteen stories down, luckilly, all because of a fire drill. If it had been the other way round, I do not know what would have happened.

Akid

My daughter's wedding

Images of Kucing

It challenge me

Feeling tired and lethargic this morning. Last night I reached home at almost eleven. By the time I get myself cleaned up and ready for bed, it was already about twelve midnight. This morning I woke up as usual at five in the morning. That's why I'm feeling tired I guess. I wonder what it would be like if I am now a tourist guide? Sadly I will never know the answer. I planned but God has other plan for me. That plan does not include me being a tourist guide. I quite enjoy what I'm doing now despite it all. Its challenge me. 

Walking

At Kucing airport waiting for my flight home scheduled for 8pm. There's a five o'clock flight but that's too early. The eight o'clock flight is a bit late but given the circumstances, that's the best. So after the meeting, to while away the time, I took a walk along the riverside. Not bad for spending an evening. I remember years ago I was in Kucing, stayed at Hilton. Did the same thing, walk along the riverbanks. Must find the time to stay a but longer. Then can go to the famous caves around Kucing.

That is really terrible

When I decided to work again after two years of retirement, I never for once envisage that the work would make me so terribly busy. It never crossed my mind! On one hand, it keeps my mind active but on the other hand, I don't have time for exercise any more. I need to find a way to overcome this. At my age now, exercise is very important. It keeps me fit. I used to run three times a week. Now even once a week is difficult. That is really really terrible!

Where's the time?

I'm back at KLIA, this time flying to Kucing for a meeting. It was a hectic weekend. First the wedding of my daughter on Saturday, then to Seremban to look at the house I bought for which I have taken the keys. I have still not repaired my car that broke down on Thursday. Just couldn't find the time. Weekdays I'II be busy with work. Weekend, I'll be flying again. So, where's the time?

Car trouble

My car broke down while on the way home last night. It stopped right in front of the toll. When I tried to start, it refused. We were stuck there for a good forty minutes while waiting for rescue from AAM that never came. In the end, I managed to get the car started again and was able to drive home safely. It was almost twelve midnight by then. Now the car is stuck in the house. Need to get it repaired soon.

Only this time, its for real

I'm on leave but I'm working. Strange it may be but unfortunately its true. For three straight days including today, I have been coming to work. Can't help it. The situation is more than critical. We have been put under tremendous pressure by the powers that be. In my years of working, I have never experienced such pressure before. When I was doing my MBA, I remember they put us under great pressure. Reports, presentations, exams, homework, etc.etc. they all come at once. There were times when I thought the deadlines given were just impossible to meet. Now I am facing the same thing. Only this time, its for real.

Smile

When I see the smiling face above, all my troubles disappeared. Akid, keep smiling.

View from the top

After cable car ride to the top of Gunung Matchinchnag. Worth the money even after paying extra for express lane privilege.

Island hopping

Island hopping ending with a swim in the sea.

Pantai Cenang Langkawi

The place comes alive after the sun has set. That's when the weather is a bit cooling. Nice walking along the road, shops a plenty on both sides, selling all kind of things.

Gone down the drain

Its the second day in Langkawi. We are planning to go on a boat ride to a few island including Pulau Dayang Bunting. As in many places in Langkawi, there's a very intresting tale about this island. You take them all with a pinch of salt. I learned about them while doing my tourist guide course. Now if you ask me, I have forgotten about them, together with my tourist guide dream. They have gone down the drain. Maybe someday, who knows?

Langkawi August 2013

Oriental Village at the foot of Gunung Mat Chinchang. Fill up the stomach first before going on the cable car ride.

Langkawi 2013

On top of Gunung Mat Chinchang. It is said that the mountain rocks are over 15 billion years old! The cable car ride was great.

Pantai Tengah.

Holiday!

I have been to Langkawi many times before, on holiday or on work related visits. The place is always fascinating but the trouble with traveling while working is you never have the time for real visits. Most of the time you are hole up at a meeting room in a hotel somewhere. It will be late in the evening before you are free by which time you are already tired and worn out. When the meeting is over, you fly straight back to KL. This time I will be here for four nights, on holiday. That makes a lot of difference.

Off to Langkawi

This time we are spending the Hari Raya going on holiday in Langkawi. This is my first time ever. never before during Raya I go on holiday. Its usually at home or 'balik kampong' during the days when my parents were around. I miss those days. Now I have no kampong to go back to. 

Hari Raya

Its the day finally. One month of fasting is over. Its a day to rejoice, celebrating our win, having successfully abstain from all things that is sinful. Year in year out its the same. The mosque will be empty once again. I'm on leave after almost six months of non stop work. Even then, I had to come to work one day before Raya although I was on leave. Next week I might have to come to work as well, even though still on leave. Anyway, forget about it. For the moment, let me enjoy the break while I can.

Squeeze in

Tomorrow is Eidul Fitri. Today I'm still working. That's how it is. That's how it is going to be. Yesterday I worked till almost breaking fast time. Wanted to break my fast at a mamak restaurant in Bangsar but when I got there, the place was already full. In fact, the tables were spilling on to the pavement, not only in front of the restaurant itself but way beyond, to the left and to the right. Wow! I gave up and headed to another restaurant. The situation was almost the same but I had no choice but to squeeze in. The clock was already showing its time!

Shopping malls everywhere

At the malls, people are busy doing their shopping. I was at one last Saturday, shopping as well. When I was small, my mother would take me to Taiping from our hometown in Selama to do the shopping. That's a big occasion for me then. new clothing, new shoes, who wouldn't want it? We would take the bus in the morning to Taiping, a one and a half hour drive through winding roads. Although there are shops in Selama, the choice is not as great as in Taiping. Off course, these days, things are a lot different. Shopping malls are everywhere, something we never heard of those days!

When will it end?

What a pleasant drive this morning. The vehicles were few and far between. I had the road almost to myself! No....that's exaggerating. Anyway, I reached my office in less than thirty minutes. Most people have 'balik kampong'. At the office, there's still a few of us. Its my last day today before I go on holiday but there's plenty of unfinished business. Its easy when everything is known or decided. The job can be completed but when you are still searching in the dark, when will it end?

The big day

When I was small, Hari Raya is a big event in my life. That's when I get to where new clothes, stockings and shoes. A few days before the big day, my parents will take us shopping. Although my father struggled all his life to make ends meet in bringing us all up, I don't remember a time when I don't have new clothes for the celebration. Somehow, he will find the money for his children to buy brand new shirts, trousers, stockings and shoes. I remember proudly wearing them on the big day, feeling on top of the world. I felt like the smartest kid in town.

Raya mood

This year I believe the Eidul Fitri celebrations will not a cause a jam on the highways going north, south or east from Kuala Lumpur simply because the 'balik kampong' window stretches over a few days. There's Satuday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Five days to choose from. In fact some have left on Friday itself. That's why I noticed the shopping crowd was less than normal on Saturday. Me, I'm not going anywhere except for the holiday in Langkawi from the second day of Raya. Looking forward to it.

Its fire fighting

Its only a few days away to Eid Fitri. One month of Ramadhan is almost over. Today is the last Friday of Ramadhan. By next Friday, it will be Shawal already. I'II be on the plane to Langkawi, going for my well deserve holiday. After that its my daughter's wedding and later fly to Australia for the reception by the groom. Meantime I have work to finish. They never end anyway. There'll always be work because there'll always be problem and therefore things to solve. Its like fire fighting these days. Worse still when you are still fighting one fire, another comes along, then another, then another........sigh.  

Writing

There was an accident this morning on my way to work. The cars ahead were at a stand still for quite sometime. Lucky thing the jam was not that long as the accident had just happened. I dread to think of the cars coming behind me as they will surely be in for a long morning. 

Last night I was at another 'buka puasa' do. As I had expected, the restaurant was packed with people. I wonder why people are willing to pay big money to 'buka puasa'. Then again, on second thoughts, these people are not paying. Their company pay for them. Just like me.