Pak Hamka my teacher

In the midst of reading the life story of Pak Hamka. A book written by him about his life from when he was born till about mid way of his life. Very interesting indeed. Even in his teens, he was already giving talks everywhere. At 17 he ran away to Mekah without the knowledge of his father. I have read many of his other books. The biggest of them all was off course his tafsir Al Azhar. That's where I got my understanding of Islam. Before, it was mainly following what others do. After reading the tafsir and many other books by him, my understanding of the religion increased by 100%.

It never ends

A blessing in disguise. I had so many things to do in KL. Would not have been able to do them if I were in Kucing and Bakun. Now that I am in KL, its possible again. There are weddings to attend, some banking to do, a few calls I have to make plus off course the work in the office. It never ends. I am working harder than ever.

Greetings from Kucing

Last minute changes

I carried a bagful of clothes thinking that after Kucing for two nights, I will be going to Bakun for another two nights. As it turned out, I only stayed one night in Kucing. The program in Bakun was cancelled at the last minute, therefore I didn't have to go to Bakun. I only reached home at about 11pm last night. A very long and tiring day. Caught in the rain while having a walk along the river.

Surprised

More than a month of not flying, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into the domestic lounge at the airport. They have renovated the place. Everything looks elegant and comfortable. A commendable effort. However, the plane was something else. On my last few trips to Bintulu, the planes were bare, so to speak. Can't watch the movies anymore. As a result, two hours became something like ten hours. Hope they revert back to the new planes on this route.

Misty Bakun

After more than a month, I'm back at my second home, Bakun. This time just a night and half a day. reached Bakun at about 10pm, had a good night sleep, attended a meeting the next day and by noon I was already on my way out of Bakun. With three hours on the road, waiting time at the airport, two hours on the plane and another one hour on the taxi, by the time I reached home, its already 10pm. That really was a whirlwind trip to Bakun.

Hmm…..

Still in the office although its almost 8pm already. There's something urgent I need to do…..sigh...there's always something urgent to do. Maybe today I can only go back at 10pm. By the time I reached home, it will be almost 11pm. Hmmm……..

Lesson learnt

I have done five days of the fasting in Shawal. Thought I wanted to do the last one next Sunday but with the way things are shaping up like me having to travel every so often in the next two weeks, I decided to do it today. Don't want to miss it again like last year when I left it too late because of so many happenings during the first few weeks of Shawal. In the end, it became a burden that I couldn't carry. In sha Allah, it will not happened again this year. I have learned my lesson. 

Bakun again

After more than a month of not going to Bakun, suddenly in the next two weeks, I have to travel back and forth three times. First to Bakun, then back to KL. That's the first trip. A few days later travel to Kucing, then to Bintulu, to Bakun and back in KL. That's the second trip. Then again to Bakun and back to KL. That's the third trip and all within two weeks. Wow! Matter of fact, I have been postponing the trip to Bakun a few times already because of work commitment in KL. This time, however, I have to find the time to go to Bakun even when work commitment requires me to be in KL.

Ganglion on my feet

Ganglion

I first realized it a few months ago. There's a lump on my feet. It was so small then it was hardly noticeable. But after that, I noticed that it was growing, slowly but surely. Today, after about two months, it can be easily seen, even from afar. Its a growth, no doubt, and its alive. Last Saturday, I went to see the doctor. One look, he knows it already. It ganglion. He further confirmed it with an x ray. There's no cure or medicine for it. Just have to remove it. I will be visiting the hospital soon to have it removed. 

Birthday do

Akid having fun at his cousin birthday do.

Last weekend of Shawal

Spent the time at home most of the time last weekend. Didn't feel like going out especially during the month of Shawal and on a weekend. The traffic will be heavy. Everybody going for open houses. Brace yourself for next week. Its the last weekend of Shawal. Going by previous experience, the traffic will be worse as people are rushing to do their open house. After all, its the last weekend. The week after, Shawal is over!  

Friends

A friend in times of need is a friend indeed. Can I say that for some people?

Massive jam

This morning I went to Shah Alam for something that I had to do. Reached the place I wanted to go by seven thirty, had my breakfast and waited for office to start at eight. The moment it opened I quickly did my business. By ten past eight I was already back on the road heading to PJ where my office is.  I made it to the office by eight forty five. Along the way I saw massive traffic jam every where especially just after the Batu Tiga toll and along the Federal Highway. It was at a standstill. Alhamdulillah, I was on my motorbike. Otherwise, it would have been a frustrating day. 

Threesome

Irrelevant

I don't know what this party is trying to do. We have a crisis of immense proportion but this party is taking their own sweet time. By the time they make a decision, it could become irrelevant looking at the way things are moving. How to manage a country if you are in this mode, even in time of crisis?

I can take them on

Working late again as usual. There's a deadline to meet so I have no choice but to finish it off before then. With other things coming and going, I am really crying for time. I remember when I was doing the MBA, this was one thing they trained us with. Assignment after assignment with near impossible deadlines you start to think you will need more than 24hrs a day. They were actually preparing us for such a time as what I am facing today. Its coming on handy I think. Anyway, I am always a fast worker, so deadlines are nothing to me. I can take them on, in sha Allah

Beautiful

This is the view from my friend's house in Langkawi. Just breathtaking. Beautiful. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of KL the city. Thinking of going to Langkawi again for a holiday. I was there last year. It was great.  

Great win

I saw the PGA Golf Championship. He was struggling until that magnificent eagle on the tenth hole. When he struck it, I saw it live. The ball just flew, hit the ground and rolled to seven feet from the hole. MInd you, it was from over 280 feet away! A brilliant shot by any means. That eagle gave him the confidence back. Before that, he was wavering a bit. At one time, he was even three behind. From the tenth hole onwards, with the eagle safely tuck away, it was plain sailing for the rest of the way. While the others fall by the wayside one by one, he strode on confidently. No surprise that he won it.

A grandfather

I'm a grandfather now. My only daughter has given birth to a girl two days ago. What a feeling! Hope there'll be more to come. Don't know the name yet. Anyway, she's in Perth, Australia, thousand of miles away. For the moment, the photo will do. One day I will get to hold her.

Old Edwardians

Went to an old friend open house. While there met a few more from the secondary school days. Must have been over forty years since I last met them. One thing good about the social applications like whats up, Facebook etc. You get to meet old friends of yesteryears. Some surely forgotten if not for those applications. 

View from my office

Its progressing well. Only thing is will I still be working by the time the MRT is ready? Its in 2017, so that's three years from now. If I have my way, I would still be working but then, only Allah knows!

An accident

This morning I took a different route to the office from the house. Not that I wanted it but I had something to do in Bangi. Hence, I went there first, finished my business then head on to the office from there. The bike made the trip much easier. Otherwise I would have to content with the early morning traffic which is definitely heavy. Yesterday, a motorcycle accident happened right in front of me. The motorcyclist was riding his bike on the left side of the cars when suddenly another motorcyclist  appeared, coming from the right of the cars straight into his path. It was unavoidable. He was hit and fell. Lucky thing it was not that bad. He was able to move on.

My take

The political crisis in Selangor has been capturing the limelight lately. It has been like that for quite sometime already. Even if I don't want to know about it, I can't because its everywhere. My take on it is simple. You are the MB because the party picks you. You followed. Now the party wants to drop you. You follow! There's no two way about it. I also don't understand the stand taken by the leadership of one component party. Why are they interfering? If it has been agreed that one party is responsible to select the MB, so why interfere? Let them choose the person they want. You shouldn't get involve. Sigh…… the more I think about it, the more disappointed I become. 

Well on the way

Alhamdulillah, I have already fast for five days. Only one more day to go. Considering the month of Shawal has twenty over days still to go, I am in good stead. A big contrast from last year when I missed it. There were too many distraction early on. The holiday in Langkawi, my daughter's wedding, the reception in Perth, Australia etc. By the time everything was over, Shawal was almost reaching the end. It became a heavy burden on me. The will to do it became less and less. In the end, I didn't do it. What a missed. That's why this time, I wanted to make sure I don't miss it again. In aha Allah, I'm well on the way.  

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

The season for open houses

After the month of Ramadhan, now comes the month of Shawal. LIke it or not, this month is laden with open houses to celebrate the Eidul Eid. Invitations come thick and fast. Already I have a few invitations  to consider. Weekends especially will be the time when the open houses are at their earnest. KL roads will be jam because of the open houses. So, even if you have nothing to do on the weekends, don't find yourself on the road. You will be caught in the heavy traffic. Stay at home, unless of course if you are going to an open house.

Back to work

Its back to the routine starting today. Back to work, with plenty waiting to be done. The traffic will be heavy as usual as well as most of those who went back to their hometown to spend the holidays are back I believe. Had a good rest this holiday. I also took the opportunity to do the fast in Shawal. I have already completed five days. Only needs one more day to complete the whole set. I enjoyed my holiday, spending the time at home, resting my body and brain. Don't know when will be my next holiday.

Aquaria delight

Went to the Aquaria in KL last Saturday. Akid as excited when he saw the fishes all around him. A new experience for him. The planned was to go to the Bird park after that but decided not to. Both Akid and Maisarah were sleeping soundly after the Aquaria visit.