Jotting

Its almost 6 pm now. I'm still in my office waiting for my next meeting. It was supposed to be at 5pm but looks like it will be late as the people I'm waiting for have not arrived. Just received phone call to say they are on the way.

Had a quick look at the first day scores of the Dubai golf classic. It seems that Rory Mcllory has well and truly left his problems of last year behind. He had just shot a 63 on the first day. Top of the leader board. This after coming second earlier in Qatar. It all goes to show that if you really have the talent, it will show up, somehow. If this continues, he will be fighting for the no.1 position soon.

I look out the window from my room. Noticed there's very little cars on the road. KL folks have left, it must be. Just like Hari Raya, the Chinese New Year is better spend with the families back home in the villages. As for me, I will be in KL throughout the holidays. Look after my two babies.

Must be some strategy they are concocting that have to include a by election. A not so popular move but had to be done for the overall picture. So they say. Left to be seen I must say. If I am a voter in Kajang, I will not change my position just because it is done in a very unconventional way. There must be a strong reason for it.

One year has gone

Time and days move so quickly. Today we are almost at the end of January. In a few days time, it will be exactly a year since I started working again.  Many things have happened since the day I first reported for work on 6th Feb 2013. For one, I was working towards becoming a tourist guide but it remains a dream till today. I passed the exam but couldn't practise because of work. I was also picking up a lot of Arabic from the lessons that I attended but had to stop because of my new work. If only I had a year more, I could have been fluent in Arabic. In the past one year, I was also in and out of Sarawak 17 times. That's a lot of traveling time so much so that I got tired of the food that they serve on the plane. Then there's off course Maryam Maisarah, the latest addition to my family. Wow! many many things have happened in the past one year.

Soon KL will be empty

Didn't know that there were premier league football matches last night. Anyway I was too tired to care. Had a good sleep as my wife and children are not around. By ten I was already in bed. Only in the morning when I surf the internet I saw the football results. A good one for Man U and Liverpool but a not so good one for Arsenal. They were held to a draw at Southampton. Riding to work this morning, I notice the vehicles were a bit less. Perhaps its the Chinese New Year that is coming soon. People are already slowly making their way to their respective villages. Soon KL will be empty. 

School of 73 KE V11

Schoolmates of 73. Wow! That must be more than forty years ago. We met again at the wedding of the daughter of one of my school mate. I have not met them for more than forty years. Surprisingly, not much have changed except we are all older. At first glance, I didn't recognised them but after a few minutes, it was like the old days again. We still have our own distinct look that remains even as we grow old.

Whatever is happening?

The weather has been cool the past few days. This is something that has never happened before. Don't know what or why it is happening but I welcome it for a change. It is winter once again. Still, this is a new phenomenon. Whatever is happening?

The political climate in the country has been hot for a very long time already. It became hotter still with the 'Allah' issue. The resignation of a PKR state rep to pave the way for an election was a complete surprise. If that was not enough, the news that Anwar Ibrahim is contesting for the seat was even more baffling. Whatever is happening?

That Maurinho does not fancy the skills of Mata is one thing. But selling him to Manchester United is another thing. Chelsea has played Man U twice already this season so they will not have to face Man U and Mata anymore but for the other title contenders? Arsenal for example. That's why Wenger is complaining. Maurinho must have something fishy up his sleeve. Whatever is happening?

Me and my motorbike

How many times already have I said to myself, buying the motorcycle was the best decision I could have ever make. Every morning and evening, I see terrible traffic jam but Alhamdulillah, I'm on my motor bike. I ride through them like the wind blowing. The wind blows but you can't see it. Here, I can see it but it don't effect me! Its great but the only thing that worries me is seeing all the other riders going so fast its unbelievable. I just don't know if they have time to react if anything happen. What if a car suddenly breaks in front of you.

Sleepless nights

It was one sleepless night last night. Both Akid and Maisarah took their turns to wake up crying in the middle of the night and the early morning hours so much so that I hardly had any sleep. First Maisarah, then Akid, then Maisarah, then Akid and it goes on and on and on. When I was bringing up my first four kids, I was still young then. It was a normal thing to happen. Everybody brings up kids and everybody goes through the same routine. But at fifty seven, that's something else! No matter what, I have to go through it somehow!

The toll is killing

This morning was busy paying all my bills through the computer. The problem with paying electronically is you don't see the money. As such you don't feel it. Its not like paying cash. Then you can feel it in your hand. When you don't see it, you don't feel it and when you don't feel it, you don't realise how much you are paying actually. A lot of money change hand but its like nothing. Just like when you are paying toll through the card, you don't feel it! Pay it with cash.Then you realise, wow! The toll is killing!

My favourite place in KLIA

The view from my favourite place in KLIA. From where I am sitting I can see people arriving at the arrival hall below. All kinds of people from all kind of nationalities. Everytime I'm at KLIA, that's the place I will be while waiting for the flight. Not many people are aware of its existence as it is on the fourth level, between the departure hall on the fifth floor and the arrival hall below. The food is cheaper here as well.

This is unheard of

I'm back home after a whirlwind trip to where else but Bakun. Very tiring indeed but it's something I had to do, like it or not. Reached home almost 11pm last night. One thing I noticed is the temperature. Its cold. I had to put on my jacket all the time to be comfortable. Otherwise, I shiver. It seems the cold wind is blowing in the country. People in Kelantan are feeling the effect most of all with temperatures dropping to 17c even. This is unheard of.

Missing them

Three days since they went to their grandmother's house. I'm missing them already. Although with them around, my life gets upside down but without them, I feel lost. Can't wait till the weekend when I can see them again. Today is Wednesday. That means another two days.............sigh. 

Busy busy busy

This has been one busy week. Many things to do, meetings to attend, lunch, dinner, presentations etc. Last night I was not back home till almost 11pm. Had a dinner to attend. What surprised me was on the way back, the traffic was still heavy. In fact, the jam was as bad as during the peak hours. How many times have I said to myself, alhamdulillah, I am riding a motorbike. Otherwise I will only reached home till well past midnight!

They must be given a chance

Like any young married couple, I am struggling to make ends meet. I must admit, not as bad as when I first started more than thirty years ago but still, its a struggle no less. The only difference is, I am not young although my family is young. I am fifty seven. Now I have to think about the future of my children. By the time they are in their teens, I will be more than seventy years old. I cannot possibly be working by then. Or maybe yes! Who knows. If I can remain healthy, I might continue working. I need to ensure their future is not jeopardise. They must be given a chance.

A sound sleep

After almost a month of missing the morning prayer at the mosque, this morning I finally made it. My sleep has been disturbed ever since Maisarah came into this world. As a result, I found difficulty getting up in the morning to go to the mosque. Having to wake up every now and then to answer her cries at night and in the wee hours of the morning has taken its toll. However, this morning, I fought off the drowsiness. Although feeling heavy and lethargic, I managed to find my way to the mosque. It helps that last night I slept soundly for the first time. Maisarah is at her grandmother's house.

Beaten again

Man U lose again. Beaten by Chelsea 3-1. A very bad defeat I must say. The way things are going, I don't know how long the manager will last. Can Man U give him the time or will it do any different? Maybe they chose the wrong person. Look at Pep Giordola. He took over a winning team that has swept everything before them. Not an easy task. He make them greater.

Dinner

Was at Mahboob Bangsar for dinner recently. The place is a favourite of my wife, for the delicious curry that they serve. I can't take curry so I cannot enjoy what she can. Akid, as usual, finds his own things to do anytime anywhere.

Upside down

Since the birth of Maisara, my life has been upside down for a while. My sleep has been disturbed, that's for sure. My days have also significantly change. She has been the focus of attention most of the time. My routine has been affected tremendously. Jogging, going to the mosque, updating my blog......they have all taken a back seat these days. That's how it has been since Miasara came into this world. Do I like it? 

Expensive breakfast

Breakfast can be terribly expensive. Two days ago, a cup of teh tarik plus a plate of meehoon cost me RM4.50. I was so shocked I couldn't say a word except to just pay. At most other restaurants, the same menu would costs me between RM3.60-3.80. There's one in PJ that is the least expensive. The same breakfast costs me only RM2.80. Nowadays, when time permits, I will have my breakfast there. At least it will give me a peace of mind, knowing I'm not being overcharge or whatever. 

No kankung yesterday

Had my dinner at Medan Tuanku in KL last night. There's this restaurant that is said to be serving the best 'nan' in town. Had to give it a try. In the end, I was not terribly impressed although judging from the crowd, the public must be saying the opposite. Anyway, I didn't order any 'kankung' dish yesterday even though the government said the price has gone down.

I do my best

The two of them are keeping me awake most nights. Akid will stay up till midnight most of the time. I don't know how to make him sleep early. We have tried all ideas but he is still wide awake until its almost midnight. Then there's Maisarah now. The first two months is always the most difficult, in terms of sleeping time. She sleeps and wakes up any time she wishes. There's no fix time. That is taking a heavy toll on me. At fifty seven, looking after babies should not be part of my curriculum. But then, that's the way things have turned out to be and that's the way it is going to be. So, I do my best I can.

Two babies

Maisarah has grown so much in just two weeks. She is now more than 2.5 kg already. Keep on growing Maisarah. As for Akid, he is up to his antics again. Climbing whatever there is to climb.

Need the money

Yeah.....its Friday once again. That means tomorrow will be break day from work again. Its great to have a break again after a week of working. Next week, there will be two days of public holiday although I am not planning to take any extra leave in between. Its been more than two weeks since Maisarah came to this world. She has brought me much joy plus off course the extra responsibility. Looks like I have to work for as long as I am wanted, as long as my health allows, as long as I can contribute. Need the money to put food on the table.   

Prove me right

Three of my children have reached the marrying age. I was waiting when they are going to take the plunge. Then, and now, I always have the feeling that once one of them gets married, the other two will follow suit. Alhamdulillah, my daughter got married last year in August. Since then, I have been waiting and hoping that my hunch will become true. Last night I had dinner with one of my son. Looks like he is going to prove me right in sha Allah. 

That's the key

Manchester United is in a crisis. Let's not beat around the bush on this. The premier league title is a goner, not even a top four, and so is the FA cup. The Champions league can also be considered out of reach because of the strong competition. Only the league cup looks possible as they are in the semis already. But then there's still Man City to think about. How come a team that was champion a season ago is now struggling. All the players are still there. Only the manager has change and before I forget, the back room staffs. Maybe that's the key to the problem. The new manager should have retained the coaching staff instead of sweeping them all away for new ones.

Maisarah

Maisarah is growing, slowly but surely. She is now 2.5 kg, thirteen days after birth. She might be small but she is strong. We have a difficult time keeping her hands tied. Almost inevitably, she would get her hands free. She is also an angel. She cries only when she is hungry. At most other time, she is sleeping or just watching the world go by, her eyes wide open.  

That's what scares me.

There's one thing that has disappeared from my mind these days. I don't dread anymore the thoughts of going and coming back from work. If before, I worry about the traffic jam, now its a thing of the past. In fact I look forward to riding my bike to work because I enjoy it. Its one of the simple pleasures of life. The only thing that scares me is looking at how other people ride their bike. They are all fast, for me at least. I'm the slowest rider every time, averaging 40 to 50 km/h only. The fastest I have reached was 70 km/h. Even then, it was only for a short time. My bike has never hit 80 km/h but I see everybody else riding at that speed or even faster than that. I know because even when I am riding at 60 - 70 km/h, every biker overtakes me. That's what scares me.

Not a given thing

This morning, I manage to wake up early enough to go for the morning prayer at the mosque. That is after missing it the last few days. A combination of sleeping late, having to wake up in the dead of the night and my alarm suddenly didn't work make up the causes. With Akid and Maisarah around, sleeping time is not a given thing. Fortunately, this is the second time around so its not so bad. I am quite used to it, having gone through it with Akid previously. With my four elder kids? I went through the same thing  but I must say they were too long ago. The memories have faded. 

It boggles the mind

If something is not done about the 'Allah' issue, things are going to get worse. For me, I don't understand what the fuss is all about. Its a non issue. Allah and his prophet has never forbidden anybody from using the word Allah. On the other hand, if people use it wrongly, Allah only ask us to explain to them what is Allah. That's is the correct thing to do. Everywhere else in the world, this issue is a non starter. Only in Malaysia it becomes a contentious issue. The same thing goes with the 'Shiah' issue. Why are we declaring they are not Islam on one hand but on the other hand, we invite them for the Quran reading competition. It boggles the mind, to say the least.

Akid and Maisarah

Two babies in tow

The eve of 2013 was spent in the house. I was not even watching the TV. Instead was busy looking after the children. With two babies in tow, that makes for a very trying time. Akid is too small to understand what is happening but he can sense the changes. He is reacting to it in a way babies do, whining and crying more, craving for attention. Its normal I suppose. After a month or two, he will get used to it. In a year's time, he will even begin to have lots of fun, playing with his kid sister. He is a great kid, very active and very curious. He makes me young trying to keep up with him. As for Maisarah, she has been an angel so far. Crying only when hungry. Otherwise, she doesn't make much fuss.