Pengkalan Balak

Going home early

The office is almost empty at twenty past five. The staff have mostly gone home. Its Ramadhan of course. Working hours is shorten at most offices including mine. We work through the lunch as we don't take lunch during this time. I'm also preparing to go home soon. There's the breaking of fast, then to the mosque for the night and supplementary prayers. Tomorrow, in the wee hours of the morning, its 'sahur' time. Its great now what with all the football that is going on. Can watch the football which I would otherwise normally would not do. 

Learning to speak

Akid can now say a few words already. He understand when we say things but he can't speak as yet. He speaks all right but in his own baby language. Give him a few more months, he will soon be speaking, asking all kinds of questions such that he will wear us down. Took him to the lake near the house on Saturday. There were plenty of fishes. He excitedly said, 'ikan' 'ikan' repeatedly. 

First day of Ramadhan

The mosques, as usual, are packed to the brim. At the new mosque in BTHO, they had to put up tents to cater for the crowd. I went to the 'pasar Ramadhan' yesterday at about 6.30pm. That was crowded as well. I can hardly walked. Luckily I came on my motorbike. Otherwise, parking would have been a hassle. That's how it is every fasting month. The first day of this fasting month was a Sunday. I spent most of the time sleeping, whenever I could. With two babies, my time is not mine alone. As long as they are not sleeping, I can't sleep as well.

Ramadhan

The fasting month is coming again. It starts this Sunday. Don't know if I have the time to go to the mosque for the Tarawikh prayer. I will try off course but it looks like a tall order. Maybe I will go during the weekends. On weekdays, there's work, in the office and also in the house. One thing for sure, I can reach home early from work now with my motorbike. If previously, even after leaving the office at 5-5.30 pm, I only reached the house at 7 or after because of the traffic jam. Now, with my motorbike, I can make it in half an hour Insha Allah.

Suddenly its Friday again

Been days since I last updated this blog. Just so busy, both at the office and also at the house. No time to indulge in my favorite hobby, writing. It may not be Hemingway but it gives me great pleasure nonetheless. Its a way of releasing some pressure, a relief valve. I was in Bakun for three nights. I am now in KL but the work don't seem to end. There's always urgent things to attend to. In the house, there's the two babies to care for. They are still small. Cannot tell right from wrong. Don't know what danger is. They need my attention all the time. That's why time is now like the oxygen that we breathe. I don't realize it but it flies. Suddenly, its the Friday again.

cannot stop biting

What is wrong with this guy? He cannot stop biting. If I were a footballer, I would be looking over my shoulders all the time whenever I'm on the same field as him. Who knows? The urge might come or the temptation becomes too much, he'll bite! Weird! That's all I can say!

Worthy winners

So England is out after just two games. Its a bad performance by any standard. I see that France is peaking at the right time. So is the Dutch. These two teams might just be the favorite right now. Japan has been a disappointment. They are not doing as well as expected. As for Brazil, the home turf expectations are becoming a huge burden. They will struggle throughout but who knows. They certainly have the pedigree. Maybe they will be worthy winners at the end of it all. 

Ramadhan is coming

The fasting month is coming soon. In fact the coming Sunday will mark the beginning of Ramadhan. Already I see hotels and restaurants promoting their Ramadhan break of fast do. Their prices are off course out of this world. On my own, I wouldn't try any of them. Its not worth the money but usually there will be corporate invites. Then like it or not, I have to go. What is surprising is they are mostly packed to the brim. People are still going to these places, even at such a steep price. Maybe they are just like me, sponsored.

Work the brain

Was at the office on Saturday. Had to collect some things for the trip to Bakun on Sunday. yes, Bakun again. Luckily this month, only once unlike the last month when I was in and out of Sarawak four times. Its tiring but it keeps my brain working. In my late fifties, I need to exercise my brain more and more. Working again has allowed me to do that. Even more so now!  

Riding a bike

First of all there you are never going to be caught in a traffic jam. That's a big plus. At the traffic lights, you will always move to the front. Another plus. Then when parking, its the easiest thing to do in the world. You park right in front of the building you want to go! No more parking problem. Another great thing is the petrol. Between RM 8 to RM10 a week, at least that's what it is for me. If you are wondering what I am talking about, I'm talking about riding a bike.

Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay

So Spain is out of the World cup. Is anybody surprised? Not me. Their era is over. As I said, Tiki Taka style of football is no more a surprise. After six glorious years, people know how to play against them. They have to find something else or else, they will fade into oblivion and it will take years to come back. 

If I were a gambling man, I wouldn't know which team to put my money on but I think one of the South American teams will win it. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay in that order.

The timing is not right

This World cup is my worse in term of watching or taking an interest. I don't know how many matches they have played already cause I hardly watch them. I watch the first game, only halfway. The rest I have lost touch. I watch the Japan game for a while. Then I hard something to do and had to leave. In the end, Japan lost. What a disappointment. I enjoy watching Japan, beside all the big names off course.   Hope they win their next two matches and make it to the Q final. As for watching the games, I don't know. The timing is just not right!

Death of the striker

Germany played the against Portugal without a known striker. The only striker they brought for the World cup did not play. Yet they scored three goals. Their tactic of playing without a striker must have confused the opposing side! Who to mark? Its a new way of playing football.

The heavy defeat of the Spanish by the Dutch signals the end of the Tiki Taka football. At least I think so. It worked for a while but after a while, the other teams know how to play against them. The failure of Barcelona to win any trophy last season is another indication that the style has last its course. From now on, Spain will have to think of new ideas or else, they are going to go out of the World cup sooner than they think.

My Father

Father's day passed by without me even realizing it. I only knew about it after reading some postings in the internet. That was a few days later. Otherwise, its just another day. Not that I care so much about it. For one, I am never into celebrating all these special days like fathers day, mothers day, teachers day, birthdays and all the days they can think off. Anyway, on this occasion it reminded me of my father, who gave so much to his children. He was way ahead of his time, He realize early on that education is very important. As such, he made sure all his children had education, no matter what the sacrifice. Money was never easy for him. He had to struggle to make us a living but education, he never for once told us to stop going to school because he couldn't afford it. That's my father. He is the king in my life…..although I realize much too late. He is gone now. Wish I had done more for him. Wish ……..sob... sob

Suddenly I'm fifty seven

Its Friday once again. So fast the weekdays move. Maybe too busy with work at the office, I hardly noticed the time. before I knew it, its already late in the evening. Its time to go home. At home, time also moves so fast. In a wink, its time for bed already. Then its morning once again. Time to go to work. Then its time to go home……. and so on. That's how life is. Suddenly I'm fifty seven. Wow! 

Not worth the effort

The World cup started last night or morning to be exact. At 4 am local time Brazil played Crotia. Me….I was fast asleep. Can't stay the night anymore to watch the matches. My body is not young anymore. Anyway, Maisarah started crying at about 5 am. That woke me up. From there on, I watch the match. Not very impressive, this Brazil side. Maybe I was feeling drowsy but the game was not all that exciting. Sure, Neymar scored a beautiful goal that only he can but otherwise, it was about even. The Croatian had their chances as well. For the other matches? I will not make it a point to watch. If I watch them, I watch them. If not, no! Not worth the effort…..

Strange

I find the raids by the religious authorities in the name of Islam strange. It happened in Selangor and it happened in Penang. I do not understand why a better approach could not have been done instead of conducting raids, causing much anguish to the parties at the receiving end. I'm pretty sure the prophet wouldn't have done it this way. Perhaps being the authority got them carried away. I have first hand experience with a Syariah judge. No doubt he is the authority in his court but the way he conducts himself is a shame. He is the problem instead of being a problem solver. With him, cases drags on for ages because he adds to the problem. That's why he has so many backlog of cases. Sigh….

More memories of Pengkalan Balak

After the World cup

The World is coming! Everybody's excited about it except for the ladies I presume. Matches everyday to whet the appetite. Its a great time to have. However, my worry is after the World cup. That's when you have the empty feeling inside of you. After a month of football, to suddenly have no football at all. It creates a vacuum. You don't know what to do! How to feel the empty days and nights! Its a feeling difficult to describe. Its like losing a loved one. I get that feeling after the last World cup, and the World cup before that, and before that and……….

That's how it is with kids

Traffic was terrible especially when passing through Teluk Kemang on the way to Pengkalan Balak. Teluk Kemang was over crowded as always during the holidays. On the plus highway, for a short while between Senawang and Seremban interchange, traffic was also slow. Otherwise, everything was smooth. managed to get home by about 4pm. Felt very tired for the one night excursion to Pengkalan Balak. With the two babies in tow, everything becomes doubly hard and difficult. For example, eating at restaurants, Akid couldn't stay put. He would wander off by himself, make a mess of himself on the table, jump off the chair etc etc. Can't even eat in peace. Sigh…that's how it is with kids. 

Weekend in Pengkalan Balak

Took some phone numbers of a few chalets that are right by the seaside. Next time when I come back again will try to stay in one of them. Stop by Kuala Linggi for some photos.

Another view

Pengkalan Balak

Always peaceful and beautiful

Pengkalan Balak

I was back at my favorite haunt, Pengkalan Balak, Melaka. It was just a one night trip.

Wish I am there

Least expected it

Last month was a record. I traveled to Sarawak four times. This month I hope I don't have to go so many times again. So far so good. There's something on in the third week that I might have to be present. Otherwise, there's nothing. I have plenty of work to do at the KL office anyway. Work is piling up. There's just something to do, everyday. I never worked so hard while in TNB, at least towards the tail end of my stint. Now, I work till late in the evening, daily. I take leave but had to come back to work. Anyway, as I have always said. Never discount anything in your life. Things can happen when you least expected it.

Not that long ago

With two babies in the house, I hardly have time to update my blog. At the office, the internet have been giving problem every now and then. As such, I have been unable to update my blog. This morning, it worked. One thing I can say, without the internet, we are at a loss. Can't do our work. Yesterday I went home early because the internet wasn't working. Can't do anything without it. Again, come to think of it, how did we survive those days when there was no internet, no handphone, no computer, no e mail. It is not that long ago! 

Strikers go out of fashion

Ever since I know a little bit about football, the game had been constantly changing and improving. The    main features of the game remain the same but the way it is played out on the pitch is changing all the time. The latest is the way teams are doing away with the out and out striker. Germany has named only one striker in their team for the coming world cup. That is really a surprise or should it? Spain played without a known striker for three quarters of the time during the last Euro Championship. What they had was a false striker, or so they say. Fabregas, who is essentially a midfielder, played the striker's role. Will we see one day when strikers go out of fashion?