Scenes of destruction

The pictures paint a thousand words.

Fast and efficient, the immigration department

Yesterday I went to do my passport at the immigration office in Sri Rampai, Wangsa Maju. I was pleasantly surprised at the way business is being conducted there. It was fast, efficient and caring. In less than two hours, I completed my business of making three passports, for me, Akid and Maisarah. I said caring because when they saw me with two babies in tow, I was given special attention. The form was brought to me, not me having to ask for it. I don't have to queue. Instead the moment I was ready, that is after filling the forms and getting photostat copies of the necessary documents, I was shown straight to the counter. At the counter, everything was fast and efficient. Really great service. Kudos to the immigration department. I salute you. You have come a long way from those days when it took two months to get a passport.

Last day of 2014

All in all, 2014 was a learning year for me. I was busy throughout with my work in the office in PJ off course. Then I was in Bakun for a good four months. It was like going back to when I first reported for work in Temengor, more than thirty years ago. I learned a lot, not only about the work but also outside of it. I quite like Bintulu, a booming town. I'm sure in ten years time, the landscape of Bintulu would change totally, such is the speed of development. I was in Miri, a beautiful city. Bakun itself was a pleasant surprise. Although deep in the middle of nowhere, Bakun is not that bad a place to work and live. There are many places in and around Bakun that I would have like to explore but unfortunately, time was not on my side. 

It must be terrible

That's the Karak highway near Temerloh. It has become a riverway. That has been the story so far. The flood has shown no sign of abating. It is still raining. Yesterday it rained the whole day in KL, although not heavy. Still, it caused inconvenient. What more if the rain is heavy. I cannot imagine how the people affected by flood are suffering. It must be terrible!

Bird watching

Its getting worse

There's no respite from the relentless rain that is causing the flood. More than 200,000 already evacuated. People are without food, proper shelter, money, change of clothes. There's looting going on from desperate people. Some are without electricity, water. Many have lost everything. The water rises so fast there's little time to react. Its a terrible time for the country. Never been worse than this.

Another plane missing

I don't want to believe it but I have no choice because its true. Yet another Malaysian aircraft gone missing. Yes, you will say its an Indonesian aircraft but its an Air Asia aircraft, a Malaysian company. What in the world is happening? That makes it three aircraft tragedies in a space of slightly less than one year for Malaysia. More than three hundred dead in total. It really is terrible. They have not found MH370 yet. They don't exactly know what happened to MH17. Now, another one gone missing!

A break

I'm on leave till the end of the year. I will only report back for work on the 2nd of December 2015. Hopefully, there's nothing of urgency that will compel me to come back to the office. Meantime, I will be busy with many personal things to do like finding tenant for my house in Cheras, opening bank accounts for my children, renewing my passport etc. In sha Allah I can do all of them during this short break.

A visit to the Bird Park

Took Maisarah for her check up after one year. She was given an injection. Need to come back in six months time for another injection. Somehow I feel the hospitals are trying to squeeze as much money as possible from us. When I had my four earlier children, there were never all these injections. Now, they tell us the child needs this, needs that, etc. Personally I think it's all unnecessary but my wife is convinced. Anyway, after that, we went to the bird park at the Lake Garden. Maisarah is too small to appreciate anything while Akid was scared of the birds. In the end, we cut short the visit and headed home.

Worst flood ever

This is the worst flood ever in this country. More than 160,000 people have been evacuated. Some people have been without a change of clothes, no bath, sleeping in their cars and worse, no money as the ATMs go out of action. Everything has come to a standstill. Kelantan has been hit the most. Six other states are also affected, in varying degree. Sad to say that although this is an annual event, the authorities was ill prepared this time. Perhaps the severity of it caught everyone by surprise. 

Thousands are suffering

Last night it rained cats and dogs for two hours. So heavy was the rain KL was flooded in a flash. Talking about flood, this year is the worst flood ever in the history of the country. More than ninety thousand people evacuated in the east coast. That's a lot more than usual. Many towns and villages are completely cut off due to the flood and rain and thunderstorm. I hope the situation will improve soon. Thousands are suffering. 

One year has passed

Maisarah is one year old, Alhamdulillah. From a little baby, weighing less than 2kg at birth, she is has grown up so much. She walks like a veteran now. Can even run a little bit. How time flies. Soon she will be a big girl, then a teenager, then an adult. That's the time when I will lose them. That's the hardest part of bringing up children. Once they have grown up, you are out of their picture. Sigh…...

The choice

Ever get the feeling that you are losing control. That you are slowly losing the things that matter most to you. Not by your own undoing but by circumstances. Circumstances that you never thought would become the way it is now. You know how to make it right but your action can also make it worse. Still, it is something you need to do. You have to do, like it or not. Not doing anything is not a choice. Its a matter of when, not will.

When I was young and hnadsome

The year was 1978/79. The place was University of Surrey. I was in the second or third year of my university education. I came to England to further my studies in 1974. Was in Brighton for two years and at this university for another three years. All in all, I was five years in England. It all seem so many many years ago, which is true off course. 

Its a total mystery

It's the end of the year period. Many people go on leave, taking a break, to rewind and come back in the new year fresh and raring to go. I'm also in the same mood. However, today I have to come back to the office for a meeting I cannot miss. Starting tomorrow, I'II be on leave until the end of the year. I will come back to work on the 2nd of January 2015. On the world front, the price of oil is continuing to fall.  IS is still causing concern the world over. Suddenly, without sounding any trumpet, they appear on the world scene. I have never heard of them until recently but how come so fast, they have overtaken Al Qaeda as the new terror. How did they get started? where did they get their money? Weapons? Fighters? Who is their leader? Its a total mystery!  

Time to move on

I'm back in my KL office, or PJ to be exact. My stint in Bakun is over. It has been a great four months but now its time to move on. I can concentrate fully on my work in KL. I will only go to Bakun for meetings which will be for a few days. No more staying there for weeks, not knowing when I will be back in KL. I survived that. I look forward to the new year with great anticipation. I pray to Allah that it will be another great one In sha Allah.

My former university

University of Surrey

Back home

Its nice to be back at home.

Caught

Now I understand why the price of oil is low despite all the fighting in Syria, Iraq, Libya and everywhere else. Its the American way of punishing Putin Russia for daring to stand up to them in the Ukraine crisis. Now Russia is reeling from the low price. Its economy is in deep trouble. The price of oil will remain low until Russia cave in but will they? Anyway, the world will benefit from this situation although not all. Some airlines are already feeling the heat. The price is low but they are unable to take advantage of it due to oil contracts they have signed earlier. Oil companies are also having to scale down their profit forecast. Oil exploration have to stop as the cost of producing is higher than the selling price. They are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Its officially over

Its Sunday today. The last time I looked at my blog was last Wednesday. How could it have happened? I flew to Bintulu on Thursday and then 3 hrs by road to Bakun. I was in Bakun Friday, Saturday till Sunday when I flew back to KL. All that time I was busy with work. Only today I had the time to look at my blog. Wow! Three days have passed since I last looked. Never thought it was that long! I have packed all the things in the house in Bakun. I have given back the key to the house. Its officially over. Now I have only one office. In KL. 

Handy man

Feeling the pinch

The price of oil has dropped so low its unthinkable just a few months back. The only problem is, why is the price of petrol being sold at the petrol stations not corresponding to the oil market price. They should be selling it at a much lower price than presently. Lower price of oil brings benefit to most people but oil companies are feeling the pinch. Oil explorations at some places has to stop as the potential profit turn the other way, potential loss. Countries that has been depending on oil for their income must also be feeling the pinch. Expected revenues has suddenly becomes smaller than budgeted. Don't know how long this will go on.   

So expensive

Gombak is very near to KL. KLCC can clearly be seen from Gombak. It takes only a few minutes, if there is no traffic jam off course, to reach KL from Gombak. However, there are still Malay kampong areas in and around Gombak. The house I'm renting is situated in one. Every morning, I can hear the cocks crowl. The houses, mostly a mix of wood and concrete, are cluttered, built close together allowing only a small pathway for cars to get through. Driving a big car can be a problem. Visiting a friend can also pose a problem as there is no parking space. Why I choose this place is because of the cheap rent. It would have cost me a bomb at other places. Even a single storey terrace house will cost me RM1500 monthly. A double story is between RM1800-RM2000 monthly…. sigh……and to think I'm renting out my double story terrace house in Seremban for only RM1000!

Enjoying the scene

Was in Cheras yesterday to meet a friend. After that had lunch at Giant supermarket, situated along the Cheras- Kajang highway. I stayed in Cheras for two years but never found the time to stop over at this place although almost everyday I passed by it. Now I am not staying in Cheras anymore, I can find the time to stop over for a while.  

How come?

At the airport in Bintulu, while waiting for the flight, I saw the football match between Malaysia and Vietnam. Somebody got it live on his computer. The score was 2-1 in Malaysia's favor before we had to stop watching as we had to board the plane. On reaching KLIA 2, I quickly looked in the internet for the result. Malaysia won 4-2. A miracle to me considering how we had played in KL in the first leg. Then, we were outplayed, surrendering meekly to a fast Vietnamese side. In Hanoi, things changed completely. How come?

Money comes, money goes

Whole day Friday I rested at the house except for the Friday prayer and in the afternoon I had to send the Mercedes for repair. Somehow, all the indicating lights inside the car disappeared. I suspect something to do with the controller. It happened before. Easy to get it right. Just change it. The only thing is, it will set me back more than a fistful of ringgit. Hmm….. that's how money is spent. Sometime   you just can't help it. Money comes, money goes.

Cheated by the taxi

Its great to be back home in KL. Only drawback was the taxi driver taking me from KLIA 2 to the house clearly cheated on me. I was watching the meter throughout the journey. It showed only sixty eight ringgit upon reaching the house. Miraculously, the meter had changed to ninety five ringgit seconds later when I looked at it again. At almost one in the morning and after the tiring journey, I was in no mood to argue. I just paid him, happy to see the last of him. Unfortunately, I forgot to take his taxi number to lodge a complain. Now I remember why I always take the airport taxi instead of the metered taxi. I won't get cheated with the airport taxi as I pay upfront at the counter.

I get to exercise

I am on leave today, packing up my things for the trip later in the day to KL. Not much things anyway as I have already carried with me most of them the last time I traveled to KL. Looking forward to the short holiday in Kl although on Monday I have to break my holiday to attend a meeting. The past four months have been hectic. Hopefully the next few months will see some relief. Anyway, the football provided some relaxing time outside of work. Manage to play a few times, something that would be very difficult to do in KL. I get to exercise a bit!  

Unifi merry go round

So damn difficult to get my Unifi on line after moving house. From initially unable to track my application to giving dates for installation only to cancel it due to system failure, the third date was given but there are still no sign of them. Hmm....... Getting through to Unifi on the phone is hard enough because they give you the merry go round through the answering machine. In sha Allah today, I hope everything will be settled. Its been terrible, trying to get it fix. If I have a choice, I would go for another. 

One bad night

I don't know what is happening to Liverpool. They were so strong last season but now they are struggling. Perhaps losing Suarez has taken its toll. It the season continues this way, Brendan Rodgers job could be on the line. On the local front, Malaysia played like they they were playing away while Vietnam was playing at home. That's how I saw it in Shah Alam. We were defending most of the time while the Vietnamese were attacking in waves. No wonder we lost. Adding the behaviour of the supporters to the equation, it was one bad night for Malaysia.

Soon

Akid has been sick but I hear he is up and running once again. So is Maisarah. She's walking like a professional now. Can't wait to meet them. That's the hardest part of working in Bakun, having to be away from them for long periods.

I enjoyed it

Suddenly I'm going home tomorrow. Wow! How time flies but I don't mind. Not this time anyway. I'm going home. My stint in Bakun is over....no.... not over but almost over. I"II be on leave until the 18th after which I need to come back for one last assignment. After that its officially over. I will hand back the four wheel drive and the house. I will still come back but only for short duration, just like before. It has been great the past few months. I enjoyed it. 

How I wish

I'm back in my house in Bakun. Decided to leave Bintulu early. After all, there's nothing else to do after having done all the necessary things yesterday. Drove slowly and reached my house at about 2pm Alhamdulillah. I'm blogging while watching repeat of Pencetus Ummah on TV. Its a good program I must say. There are times when I choked. Tears flow especially when the topic is about parents, father and mother. Come to think of it, I have not been the best of children to my parents. I have not done enough for them. I could and should have done more, a lot more. Nothing much can be done now. They are here no more. How I wish .............

Jottings

Been too busy with my work, had little time to think of anything else. Since then, the price of oil had gone down so low its almost unbelievable. With all the fighting in Syria and Iraq, one would have thought the price would hit the roof! Then there's Chelsea unbeaten run so far this season. Don't really fancy Maurinho but I have to admit, he is one great manager judging from the trophies he has won thus far. I have also been following the All Blacks all this while. They are the all conquering, over achieving team, beating every team that comes in their way. One defeat in over twenty games is a phenomenal performance. On the home front, losing a title is a setback for sure but honestly, you come as you are and you will go as you are.  

Bintulu from my eyes

Just sight seeing around the old part of the town, taking it all as I walked. Nice town, bustling, growing and expanding.

Its great

Its the weekend. As usual, when I'm in Bakun, I'II spend the weekend in Bintulu, doing the usual thing like banking, buying the provisions for the week, getting a haircut and most of all, just relaxing. My only problem is Saturday is the night for football watching on TV but most of the hotels in Bintulu don't provide the channel. However, tonight I found one hotel that has the channel. As a result, I am now watching the Chelsea vs Newcastle match while blogging. Its great. 

Future plan

Tomorrow will be my last day working in Bakun under my present capacity. After tomorrow it will be over. I will stay in Bakun for a few more days next week, then I will take my annual leave in sha Allah. I will spend those days in KL off course. I will come back to Bakun again sometime in the third week of December for an important meeting. This time however, it will be business as usual, meaning I am base in KL but coming to Bakun off and on. After that I hope to take leave again, finishing off my annual leave. I will only work again in the new year, in sha Allah.

Enjoyed my football

Was feeling a bit under the weather whole day long yesterday. Then after dinner and isya' prayer, I was asked if I wanted to join in the futsall game they were going to play. Off course when it comes to football, I don't need a second to decide. I jumped at the chance to play. After the game, I felt much better. Slept well and woke up in the morning feeling fine and dandy. Today, there's going to be another football game after work. Don't know if I will play or not cause I played already last night. At my age, can't exert myself too much. Not when I'm playing with youngsters less than half my age.

From my office window in Bakun

That's the water after coming out of the turbine and flowing into the river leading on to Belaga, Kapit and Sibu. Soon I'II will not have this view again as I will be leaving Bakun to be back in my office in PJ, In sha Allah. That will be in the third week of this month. Its been a nice experience, working in a power station again after more than 20 years. Never thought I would get the chance but Alhamdulillah, chance I got. I am enjoying it, no doubt about it.

Far away from home.

Living in Bakun has its advantages. The office is just minutes away. The air is fresh. The vehicle is provided. The diesel is provided The house plus all the necessary items to make it livable are provided. Its a great way to make a living. Only setback, it is 180 km away from the nearest town, Bintulu. A drive of two and half to three hours over roads that has seen better days. Plus, off course, I'm far way from home, meaning I have to do my own cooking, washing, cleaning, sweeping.

That will be the day

When I retired three or four years ago, the first thing that hit me was the e mail. From many e mails received everyday to almost zero e mails. That was quite a culture shock. It felt so different. Suddenly nobody was contacting me. After a while I got used to it. Then I started working again and the emails started coming again. Day by day, the e mails increase, little by little. Now, I'm receiving so many e mails that I don't read half of them. They are actually for someone else but copy to me. If I don't have to read them, I don't. One day when I stop working again, the e mails will stop as well. That will be the day......Till then, I have no complain about the e mails.

Tomorrow is another day

Just when I wanted to use the LRT to KL Sentral and from there take the Express to KLIA, the LRT had to suffer a breakdown. Finally I had to make a decision. Keep on waiting with the hundreds and maybe even thousands of other commuters for the LRT to come good or take a taxi. I decided to take the taxi as time was running out. I might miss my flight. Alhamdulillah, I made it. Now I'm back in Bakun. There's plenty of things waiting for me tomorrow. Anyway, for tonight, let me relax a bit. Tomorrow my friend, is another day.

Danger

A real danger. Don't know what has happened since this picture was taken. I hope everything is ok.

Go I must

I'm in KL now at my rented house in Gombak. After two years and a bit, its back to Gombak again. At the moment, that's the best solution as I'm always in Sarawak. The wife needs to be near her family to relief her of some of her burden of bringing up two babies alone. Don't know how long this arrangement will be but for now, that's the way it is. I'm planning to rent out the house in Cheras. That will bring some cash to the coffer every month. Once I'm back in KL for good, I will do the necessary. Tomorrow I have to go back to Sarawak again. The heart is heavy but go I must.

Wait and see

Looks like I will have to extend my stay in Bakun for an extra week or two. An important meeting is going to be held there in the third week of December. I had planned to come back by mid December but now its going to be a distant hope. Anyway, I'II wait and see what brings forth. 

Won't be long

Back in my PJ office, for today and tomorrow. I will spend the weekend in KL before flying back to Bakun on Monday. Last night I reached home at about 11pm after the tiring journey from Bakun. Both Akid and Maisarah were still awake. The moment she saw me, she wanted to break free from her mother who was putting on her pampers. She must be missing me, just like I missed her. Akid, as usual, was busy with his toy cars. Its great to be back, even though its only for a few days. In sha Allah, it won't be long…...

Grown up

Been more than a week since I last saw them. In sha Allah tonight, I will see them again. Maisarah has grown up so much, I am told she is not only able to walk but is starting to run. Wow! and she is only 11 months old. As for Akid, he is beginning to speak in words that we can understand. He is a big baby now. I miss them just like I miss my elder children but there are things that you can do something about it while there are things that you cannot. They have all grown up, living their own lives, making their own decisions. I miss them all the time but then……sigh

That would be more than enough

There's another game of football this afternoon. I might play for a few minutes. Hopefully I can do better this time. If the field is dry, it should be okay. Last week when I played, the field was soggy and wet. It was also after so many years since I last played. Today with the experience of last week, I can do better in sha Allah. Off course I don't expect to play like those youngster. Just so I can stop the ball cleanly, pass to the right people, create some openings, run into space, that would be more than enough. After all, I'm fifty eight.

Already a Master Chef

By 9pm, I'm already sleepy. I'm yawning like it is already 12 midnight. Contrast that with the life in KL. 9pm is still early in the day. Sometime I'm just about to have my dinner! One thing good about here. From house to office is only about 5-10 minutes away. As a result, I go home for lunch although off course I have to cook. 3 and a half months here, I'm already a master chef. Perhaps I should think seriously of taking part in the master chef competition.

Missing home

Somehow today I'm having the Monday blues. Maybe the weekend rest was not enough. Or is it because I'm missing home? It's less than two weeks since I was last in KL but somehow it felt such a long time. Alhamdulillah it's in the plan to go back this Thursday. There's an urgent work I need to do.  Need to finish it this week otherwise I'II be running out of time. It will be my last trip home before leaving for good in about a two weeks time. 

Never too late to learn

Working in Bakun is intresting. There are many challenges. Everyday there are problems. Some are small that can be solved in quick time while some are big that gives me sleepless nights. The problems can be in terms of human, technical, administration etc. Off course there are the good side as well. I get to meet and work with many new people, some from other countries. Iran, Iceland, Georgia, French, Germany, Indonesia, Philippines. I learned many new things. Its never too late to learn.

Its nearing the end

The countdown has begun. The way I look at it, this is my second last weekend in Bakun. Next weekend, I will be in KL, in sha Allah. I will be traveling back to KL on Thursday for a meeting on Friday. I will stay for the weekend before traveling back to Bakun on Monday. Will stay in Bakun till the weekend, which will be my last weekend in Bakun. I will continue staying in Bakun before traveling back to KL on Thursday for a meeting. This time it will be a one way ticket home..he..he.

New hotel

This is the new hotel in Bintulu, the Promenede. Today it will be officially open by the Chief Minister. Situated in a new commercial area of Bintulu, just behind the Farley supermarket. The new area is already seeing rapid growth. Bintulu as I have said, is booming. There's more hotels, more commercial areas, more office blocks, more shopping lots. They are all being built. Come back in a few years, I'm pretty sure Bintulu will look different.

Akid and Maisarah- growing up

A good exercise

Its Friday afternoon. Everybody is looking forward to the weekend. Most of us will off course head for Bintulu. As for me, most probably, I will also go to Bintulu this weekend. Need to do some banking and get my hair cut. Yesterday, I played a little bit of football. There was a team from Belaga, 30km away that came to play against us. I joined the fun, played about 20 minutes before deciding I have had enough. Can't keep up with the young boys, especially when I have not played for years while they must have been playing everyday. Anyway, it was fun. A good exercise for me.

Ending soon

On most days when the internet is good, I will be at my computer. Back from work at about 6.30pm, I will have a quick shower, do my Maghrib prayers and then go to the mosque for Isya prayer and dinner. We will have some small talk after the Isya prayer. By 8.30pm, I would most of the time be already at home, ready for bedtime. That's when I will spend some time in front of the computer. That's the life in Bakun. Its going to end soon for me. Just a few weeks away.

That's all I can do

A terribly busy day. From morning till late in the day, I was tied up with little things here and there. In a way its good cause the day passes by without me even noticing it. So soon, its going to be another day. On the flip side, I cannot concentrate on some of the things that I need to do. I need time to read and understand but time doesn't permit. However, I have no complain. I work to earn a living. Allah has given me this work. I accept it with all my heart. I try do my best all the time. That's all I can do.

Time to relax

Its 8pm in Bakun. I 've had my dinner, done my Isya prayers, what else is there to do except relax for a short while before hitting the bed. Today is over. Tomorrow is another day.

Going home soon

My time in Sarawak going to be over soon. In about a months's time in sha Allah. Soon I will go back to my normal routine, base in KL but off and on in Bakun unlike now which is the opposite. The colleague who will take over the job I'm doing now in Bakun is here for a look see. He will go back after two days but will come back to stay permanently in early December. I will go back maybe third week of December. One month and a bit won't be long I'm sure. Day in day out and before I knew it, its over. he..he. Still, at the moment I am here in Bakun. I will do my best for as long as I am here.

To Samalaju Industrial Park

In Bintulu at the moment. Drove over from Bakun to spend the weekend here. Need to have that break. To get out of the jungle, so to speak. See the outside world. After that I'II be fresh and ready to go for the weekdays ahead in Bakun. That's the life here. Went to Samalaju Industrial Park yesterday to have a look. That's where the bulk of Bakun generation goes to. Big big plants there, consuming hundreds of Megawatts. Thought it was near Bintulu but it is actually almost 70km away. Still, not as far away as Bakun. Those working in Samalaju can stay in Bintulu. Its only about an hour's drive.

Grandaughter

I met her only once. Even that for just a fleeting moment. She's growing up real fast. Don't know when I will meet her again. Hopefully in a not too distant future. Then I can tell her my grandfather's stories.

The contrasting life

In Bakun, by 7.30pm I'm done for the day. Taken my dinner, done the Isya prayers. After that, what else is there to do other than sleep. Usually by ten, I'm already in bed. Contrast that with the life in KL. The last time I was in KL, sleeping time was almost 1am every night. Had to make sure the babies are asleep before I feel safe to go into dreamland. Akid and Maisarah sleeps late. Midnight most of the time. The next day I have to go to work. Work means staying at the office till late in the evening, 7pm to 8pm or sometimes even up till 9pm. Here in Bakun, by 6.30pm, I'm usually at home already.

I enjoyed it

Just came back from a futsal game. I played using my own pace, careful not to play the way the others are playing. After all, they are not even half my age! How can I match them in terms of energy. Anyway, from my own perspective, I didn't disapoint. I played okay I think even though it must have been a few years since I last played. At my age, its difficult to find friends who are still playing football. They are more into golf and the like. Tonight was fun. I enjoyed it.

4th floor KLIA

View from the 4th floor, KLIA. Down below at the 3rd floor, its the arrival hall. Up above on the 5th floor, its the departure hall. I am sandwiched in between.

Plenty of things to do

The five days in KL has been hectic. On the three days that I was in the office, I stayed till late because of meetings. On Monday, it was almost 11pm before it was over. Lucky thing there was the weekend in between. That provided a bit of a reprieved. Otherwise, it has been a busy, busy time. Now I am back at my favorite place at KLIA, the 4th floor. Don't know when I will be back. Perhaps at the end of the month most probably. Meantime, there's plenty of things to do in Bakun once I get there. I have maybe another two months to go of my stint in Bakun before I will be back for good, In sha Allah.     

All for it

The weekend was spent at the house we are going to rent in Gombak. It's not a big house, nor a modern house but it will do. Its a house situated in one of the many Malay villages around Gombak. So, its back to Gombak once again. I like living in Cheras actually, the house we are living now. Very convenient with the shopping malls, mosques, banks, restaurants, 24hrs shops all within a mile. But alas, life has to go on and going on means having to move back to Gombak. So be it. I am all for it.

Moving house again

Looks like I'II be moving house again. The wife wants to be closer to her family as half the time I am in Sarawak. With two babies to look after, it is difficult for her. At least the family can help if close by. That's why we will be moving to Gombak once again. And this time, it will be a ground floor house. A kampong house in fact, in one of the many Malay villages around Gombak, No more taking two stories up the stairs every time. When we moved to Cheras, I thought that would be the last  but then again, as said many times. We plan, Allah decides.

Alaah decides

Its raining outside. Alhamdulillah, the Friday prayer is over a while ago. I manage to get back to the office in the nick of time. Otherwise, I'II be drenched. Since I am in KL, they have scheduled a few more meetings taking advantage of the situation. Because of that, I will now travel back to Bakun on Wednesday, in sha Allah. There's plenty to be done in so short a time. Come to think of it, what ever happened to my retirement. I am working harder than ever. This certainly is not the retirement life I had envisaged. Ahh…..as always, we plan, Allah decides.

I enjoy the work.

It seems like I travelled all the way from Bakun to Bintulu and to KL to attend the meeting this morning just to get slaughtered. I prepared the paper a few months back. In the meeting today, the paper was discussed. As it turned out, everything about the paper was wrong. Sigh……. That's how it is living the working life. The challenges are many. It can come from everywhere, from places that you least expected. Would I want to retire again? A big NO! Despite the many setbacks and the insurmountable challenges, I enjoy them nonetheless. I take them in my stride. I will improve in sha Allah. The learning never stops, even at fifty eight years old. 

A whole new experience

Recently I started jogging again after so many months. I jogged on Sunday and I jogged again today. In Bakun, the best time to jog is in the morning after the Subuh prayer. It gets bright very early, as early as 6 in the morning. So I jog just after six for a few minutes, then go to work. At work I do feel a little tired but there's so many things to do I don't really feel it. Its nice jogging in Bakun. Surrounded by thick jungles, misty plus the cool air, it makes jogging a whole new experience.

Sleeping babies

Soon we will meet again.

I'm flying home

Suddenly I find myself at the airport in Bintulu waiting for the flight home. It all started this morning. I came to work as usual in Bakun when at about 10am, I received a call about a meeting to be held in KL tomorrow in the morning. I knew earlier about it but I was not supposed to attend. Somehow there was a slight change in the agenda. With this change, my presence is needed. I had to quickly make arrangement for the ticket and transportation. So here I am at the airport but alas, the flight is delayed because of bad weather! Looks like I will only reached home at well past midnight. Tomorrow early morning I have to attend the meeting. Its really hectic but who cares? I'm flying home.

Keeps me healthy

Its only 10pm but I am already dead sleepy. So sleepy I can hardly open my eyes. Perhaps the events over the past three days have taken its toll on me. In a way I am relieved its over but the feeling of tiredness is only just beginning. I will need a few days to get over it. However, there's more work in the offing. There's always things to do, things that need looking into. It never stops. Come to think of it, it's good cause it keeps the mind alert. The brain is working overtime. It keeps me healthy, in sha Allah.

Time for some rest

Relaxing in bed after the hectic weekend

Its over for now

I'm relaxing at the house now after a hectic weekend. Alhamduillah, it's over now although there's still a few unfinished business which will drag on till Monday. For the moment, I can relax a bit. The past two days and nights have been a really busy one. On both days, I had to be working till almost midnight although they were separate happenings. The moment I reached home and crashed into bed, I was dead tired. Somehow, this morning I found the energy to go jogging. Perhaps the relief of the events being over provided me with the adrenaline.

Half the battle won

Its been a hard days work, so said the Beatles. For me, its been a hard days work as well. Big events for the company will be happening in Bakun over the weekend. We have been busy with the preparations, wanting to make it right when the day comes, in sha Allah. Most of all, the internet for nowadays without the internet, nothing moves or works. People come to Bakun half expecting not to have one but if we can get it going, it will be a big and pleasant surprise for our guests. It will be half the battle already won. 

Life in Bakun

In Bakun, its back to the bachelor life. I have to cook, wash my clothes, iron, sweep the floor, wash the dishes etc. As it gets dark very early here, time is of essence. In the evening, there's no time to do anything because by the time I reached home, at about 6.15pm, its already Mahgrib. Its dark already. Usually I take my bath, do the Mahgrib prayer and then head for the mosque for the Isya prayer and dinner. A group of us get together, pool our money to pay a cook to cook dinner for us. By 7.30pm or a bit later, I'm already done for the day but the 8pm news on TV has not even started! BY 10pm, I am in bed already. For lunch, I usually cook rice, sometime maggie mee, sometime just bread or whatever is convenient. The same with breakfast! 

Different scenario

It gets dark very early now in Sarawak. By 6.10pm, its already the Maghrib prayer.  By 7.30pm, I'm already done. I mean I've done the Isya prayer but over on the TV, the 8pm news has not even started. It take some getting use to, this scenario. There's absolutely no chance for an evening jog, that's for sure. By 6pm, the office is mostly empty except for a few people. Very different from KL or the anywhere in the peninsula. 6pm is still early for many people, including me. I would still be working.

Baby steps

Maisarah is already walking at 10 mths old. So fast. Unfortunately I am not there to be with her when she's making her baby steps. I feel real sad. My heart bleeds. I want to be with her when she's developing. To be by her side, encourage her, guide her, give her the confidence. Maisarah it seems has to do things on her own most of the time. I was not in the labor room when she was born. The only one of my six children that I was not around to welcome to the world. Now she's making her baby steps. I am also not around. Sigh……. 

Back in Bakun

The consistent drizzling was a real spoiler. I had wanted to go to the nearby supermarket to buy a few more things before heading back to Bakun. However, the rain put paid to all that. I did go to the supermarket but was in such a hurry that I forgot to buy a few things that was in my list. In the end I decided to head back to Bakun earlier that planned as there was not much I can do in Bintulu because of the rain. I made it safely to Bakun by about 3pm Alhamdulillah. I had wanted to go jogging later in the day but felt tired after the long drive. Finally I was just relaxing in the house for the rest of the day. Tomorrow will be another day.

Wet wet morning

Its a wet morning in Bintulu. Been drizzling since early Sunday morning. Last night after dinner at about 8pm, I was back in the hotel room. Watch the match between JDT and Felda United on TV. Fair enough substitute for the premier league as the hotel TV does not provide such facilities. Today will go to the nearby supermarket to get some groceries before heading back to Bakun in the afternoon. Yesterday, I completed all my banking needs. Even had time for a haircut. This week will be a busy week in Bakun with many events lines up already Monday till Sunday. 

Booming Bintulu

Bintulu is growing real fast. What was formerly the main town centre has now become the old town. Apart from small areas of shop lots scattered everywhere, Bintulu has two new commercial centers, the area around the Kemena hotel and the area around the New World hotel. Today I took a walk at yet another new commercial centre, the area around the Promenade, a gleaming new hotel perched on top of a small hill. New shop buildings mostly still empty but I can see renovations going on everywhere. A sign that the buildings are mostly taken up and this new place will soon be busy and crowded. A booming town for sure. No surprise then that the houses here are the third most expensive in Malaysia, behind KL and Penang. 

Key problem

Had a little bit of a problem with the 4 wheel drive while in Bintulu. Couldn't open the door with the auto key. Tried as I may but it wouldn't open. After a few phone calls, helped arrived in the form of colleagues from Bakun who also happened to be in Bintulu. Turned out the auto need to be pressed at the exact spot before it will work. Alhamdulillah…..after that it was smooth sailing all the way. 

Much ado about nothing

 Nothing to get excited about.

Living in Bakun

Somehow the internet is so damn slow tonight. It took me a few minutes just to get to this page. That's the problem with living in Bakun.The internet is so unreliable. Otherwise, Bakun is not a bad place to live and work. The basic necessities are available. The environment is beautiful if you like the greenery. The work keeps you busy such that you don't feel the boredom. Weekend is spent in Bintulu once in a while. Do banking, have a haircut, buy groceries, eat at some restaurants.Then you are ready to face the week ahead.

Delicious

Its Friday once again. Only this time I'm in Bakun. Most probably tomorrow I will go to Bintulu. Need to do some banking. Today I did some cooking. Not really cooking but just heating up a few dishes that my wife has somehow forced me to bring from KL. She had cooked them earlier. All I needed to do was just heat them up before eating. My, the dishes turned out okay. Delicious!

Two weeks

After a journey that started at 6.30am in the morning from Cheras KL and ended up at Bakun at 6pm, I'm fully and truly worn out. That was almost 12 hrs in total. Alhamdulillah this weekend I don't have to travel to KL again. At least I can have a break. Stay a bit longer in Bakun, have a little bit of a breather before having to fly back to KL. But it cannot be for too long cause then I will begin to miss KL. Two weeks is a good period to be in Bakun. Then two weeks in KL. That way I don't have to be traveling too much.

Tiring journey

After my short stint in Bakun, I am planning to take a holiday. That will be in late December or early January. I am going to need this holiday for sure. All these flying KL-Bintulu- KL is taking its toll on me. The flying is not so bad but together with the three hours drive to Bakun from Bintulu, it does make the journey tiring. Add on the waiting at the airport, it becomes a whole day affair. This is the journey I have been making frequently over the last few weeks and I will be making more over the next few weeks. Can't wait for end of December!

Flight delay

There's a flight delay for the KL - Bintulu route. Sigh……….. It will be taking off at 12 noon instead of 10.40am. Just over an hour delay. What to do but to hang around at the lounge. It must has been quite sometime since I last experienced a delay. The last one was while in Bintulu taking the flight to Kucing. The flight was delayed and finally cancelled. I hope this time there will be no canceling.