Plenty to do

At least the internet connections in Bintulu is better than in Bakun. Now I can finally asses my e mails after missing them for the last two days. Turned out there's plenty to do next week judging from the e mails that I received. Already there's a whole list of things that I need to look into next week even before it has started. I need to list them down. Otherwise I will forget! When I last worked in a power station more than twenty years ago, the working culture was not so much different from now. There's a little bit of changes here and there but overall, it is much the same. Nevertheless, I am finding it quite a new adventure working in Bakun, with eight turbines, the biggest hydro plant in the country, situated deep in the jungle. I am learning and enjoying it so far Alhamdulillah.

How long?

At night had dinner before walking to the nearby supermarket to buy some provisions for the coming week. The hotel is very conveniently placed. All within walking distance i.e. restaurants, supermarkets, shops etc. I guess for as long as I am staying in Bakun, the activities that I am going through now will be routine. The problem is, I don't know how long I will stay in Bakun?

In Bintulu

Reached Bintulu at about 10.45am after a two and half hours drive from Bakun. First thing first, do some banking. Then had lunch before heading for the hotel to stay the night. As it happened, an international kite festival is happening in Bintulu. I can see hundreds of kites flying in the air. Quite a scene. Later in the day, after a few hours rest in the room, wanted to visit Samalaju Industrial site near Bintulu but somehow, couldn't find it. Ended up just driving around Bintulu.

Form 2A1 1970

I'm right at the front, holding the placard.

Weekend in Bakun

Its another weekend in Bakun. Most people have gone to Bintulu or wherever else to spend the weekend. As such, it is quiet here in Bakun. Last night itself at the surau, the regulars were mostly not there as they too have left Bakun as early as Friday evening. Not that there are many regulars to speak of. Only three or four. I will leave for Bintulu later in the morning. There's a few things to do like buy provisions for the coming week or two, do some banking activities etc. I will come back to Bakun on Sunday. Since the spillway has stopped releasing water, I can feel the freshness of the air in Bakun. The greenery, the mist, the cool air, the surrounding hills, they all add up to make living in Bakun a  unique experience.  

Sigh.......

The internet tonight is so damn slow I can hardly do anything. During the day at the office it was much the same. Very very frustrating. The email was off and on, mostly off. Without the email, and the internet, I find it difficult to work. I cannot work in fact. That's how much the world has changed from when I first reported for work more than thirty years ago. Then, there were no hand phone, no computers, no internet but surprisingly, work went on without interruption. Now, without the internet, work will definitely be interrupted. Sigh... 

A struggle

Day time I will be in the office. Too busy to do anything but work. Night time I will be in the house. That's where the problem lies. The internet is intermittent. Most of the time, it is not available. Because of that, finding the time to update my blog has become a very difficult exercise. Sometime, it will be days before I can find the time. Its has been a struggle so far.

Here I am

Never thought I would be here but here I am. Whatever it is, I am grateful to Allah that I still have the capacity to work, to contribute, to learn and most of all to earn a living. Its an opportunity I never could have anticipated.

It won't be forever

Been almost three weeks already. Akid and Maisarah are growing up without me by their side. Its a new experience for me. I have always been around when my children were growing up. Always there to be with them, see them grow, play my part in their development. But now, I am far far away. I feel terribly guilty but what to do. That's the way it is now. I just have to get on with it. Be strong. It won't be forever anyway!

I will pull through

So far, it has been quite an experience here in Bakun. After more than twenty years, I am back working in a power station, a hydro one at that. Just like when I first reported for work more than thirty years ago. A greenhorn with only a degree as my back up. This time, I come with many years of experience behind me, worked in many places, been through a lot of things, a baggage full of useful knowledge. I will use these and many other things that I have picked up over the years to guide me while I'm here in Bakun. In sha Allah, I will pull through.

When to go back to KL

It has been almost two weeks since I was last in KL. Its the longest I have been away in recent years. Don't know how long I will be here. Don't know when I will be back. I have an appointment in KL on 14th October that I cannot miss. So, for sure, I have to go back then but in between, the way things are going, looks like I will be here till then. There was supposed to be a meeting in KL somewhere towards the end of the month but that has been postponed. Then there's Hari Raya Haji on the 5th of October but I don't think I will go back as its too near the 14th. So, I might as well just wait till the 14th. 

Sigh…...

When can I see them again……..

Weekend in Bakun

I'm staying in Bakun over the weekend. There was a plan to go to Bintulu but it fell through at the last minute. So here I am, in Bakun, far away from everything else, with nothing much to do. Suddenly I received a call telling me some visitors will be coming over to the station later in the day. It jolted me out of my day dream. Quickly I had to mobilize the resources to welcome these visitors. Luckily the relevant people were within the compound. I manage to get them and together, we made the preparations.

Miri by night

Buskers playing by the roadside. Quite a lively city.

First oil rig

Grand Old lady of Miri. The first oil rig in Malaysia. Started operation in 1910, Stopped in 1972. I wanted to learn more but unfortunately, the museum was closed.

Working in a Power station again

I last worked in a power station twenty four years ago, 1990 to be exact. That was in Connaught Bridge Power station, Klang. After that, I was transferred to the company's Hq in Bangsar, KL. Since then, I never worked  in a power station again although I made visits every so often to all the power stations all over the country due to work requirement but only for a few days. Now I'm working again in a power station. A hydro power station at that, reminiscent of when I first reported for duty more than thirty years ago in Temengor. Even in my wildest dream, this scenario was never one of them. As I have always said, in this world, never discount anything. Things happened when you least expected it. Only Allah knows what future lies ahead of you. As a humble servant of Allah, take them all in your stride while never forgetting to be grateful In sha Allah.

Wow! I'm back

I'm spending my first weekend since working in Bakun. Most people will travel to Bintulu, a good 3hrs drive away, to spend the weekend. Mostly to unwind, to relax, to stock up provisions and maybe just to see the world. After all in Bakun, what is there except the power station. It reminds me when I first reported for duty in my previous company. I was send to Temengor in far away Grik. Every time we get the chance to get out of Temengor, to travel to Taiping or to Ipoh, its like getting out from somewhere remote and coming back to the civilised world. Reaching the junction where the road from Grik finally meets the main road to Ipoh or Kuala Kangsar, its like wow! I'm back. 

Sleeping problem

I have a new problem in Bakun. Its sleep problem. Back in KL, sleeping time is always late, sometime as late as 2am in the morning. It all depends on Akid and Maisarah. As long as they are wide awake, I cannot sleep. Sleeping at 1am or 2am, waking up at 5.30m means I only sleep about 3.5 to 4.5 hrs everyday. Here in Bakun, the babies are not with me. Also, here in Bakun, by 10pm, its already late as it gets dark by 6.30 pm. Therefore, by 10pm or 11pm, I'm already in bed. The problem is, after 3.5 to 4.5 hrs of sleep, at about 3 or 4am, I tend to wake up. After that, I couldn't sleep anymore. This happens everyday. My body is functioning like in KL. I toss and toss in bed but I still cannot fall asleep. 

Working in Bakun

The internet is a bit slow at the place where I am staying in Bakun. Only one bar on the indicator. Even then, it is off and on. Still, it is better than nothing. Tomorrow I will continue with my stint in Bakun, after taking a few days break back at my house in Cheras over the weekend and working in my office in KL on Monday and Tuesday. As a matter of fact, I was already at the powerhouse today upon arriving in Bakun. There's plenty to be done. Need to work out a plan. Otherwise, it will all jumble up in my head.

My grand daughter

This is my grand daughter whom I have not seen yet. Why? She's in Australia, that's why. My first grand children. There will be more hopefully. One day when they are old enough, I will tell them stories from Merbau Sempak.

MIssing the bike

I will miss riding my bike while in Bakun. Its been a lot of fun, plus a lot of convenience, riding the bike. I enjoy riding it to work. I enjoy riding it every time. It saves a lot of headaches for sure. The only bad thing about riding a bike is the safety. There's little or no protection. A little accident can mean a lot of injuries. Just a little knock can cause you to fall. That's why I ride really slow. After almost a year, I reached 80km/h only once. Most of the time, its between 50 to 60 km/h. That's the speed I feel comfortable with.  

Where should I be?

Yesterday I was on leave but had to come to work in the afternoon. There's always something to do at the office that cannot wait. This morning I'm at KLIA, flying to Bintulu. Only this time, its a one way ticket. Don't know when I will be coming back to KL. Perhaps in a week, two weeks, three weeks, a month? Honestly I don't know. There's a lot of work in KL but there's also a lot of work in Bakun. Where should I be?

The learning never stops

Back in KL for a few days. On Wednesday will be heading back to Bakun. That's the way it is now. Don't know how long it will be. Two months at least or five months at the most. It all depends on the circumstances. Whatever it is, I'm prepared and will do my best. I'm learning a tremendous amount, gaining experience, picking up new skills, absorbing new things. Its exciting I must say. As long as I'm healthy, as long as I'm needed, as long as I can contribute, I will continue working. One thing for sure, the learning never stops.

Meeting lost friends

Old Friends

Been almost forty years since we last met like this. I met a few off and on over the years but not on a scale as last night. There were about twenty of us I guess. Had a wonderful time recalling the old Brighton days. We must say thank you to the internet, Whats up, Facebook etc. These new communication applications are a big help, no doubt. 

Busy today

My flight to KL from Bintulu is at 2.30pm. I should reached KL at 4.30pm. From there, I will take the taxi and should reached home by about 6pm. I will only have a few hours before I have to be in Hilton, KL Sentral for a wedding do. My friend from good old Brighton days is having a wedding reception for his daughter. It's at 8pm. What with he notorious traffic jam in KL, looks like it will be one big rush to get there. Some are suggesting to take the LRT but I have great trust in my EX 5. So, I will ride to the wedding do.

Akid and Maisarah

I have to leave them in KL. Missing them all right.

Long stay in Bakun

Again something I never expected is happening right now. I will be staying in Bakun for a few months, something unthinkable until a month ago. Although I have been going to Bakun every so often the past one and a half years, the thought of having to stay in Bakun even for few months was never on my mind, even in my wildest dream. I am based in KL and that's where I thought I will operate from. Then last month I was given a hint. Now, that hint has become a reality. There's a transition that's going on at the moment. I need to be there to ensure its continuity while this transition period in going on. That's why I have to be In Bakun.

Bakun again

Been to busy to even have a peek at my blog. Coupled with the internet not being available as freely in Bakun, it makes updating just a little bit harder. I can't do it at home as there is no internet. I can't do it while in the office as I am too busy. In the end, its been four days already. Anyway, I'm now at Bintulu airport, waiting for the KL flight. I have sometime to myself so here I am doing my favorite past time. I'II be back in KL for a few days, then it will be back to Bakun, on Wednesday in sha Allah. Afterthat, don't know when I will be back in KL.

Don't discount anything

At KLIA once again on my way to where else but Bakun. Only this time I could be in for the long haul. I plan to be there till Saturday when I will come back to KL for a few days to clear up some personal errand. After that I will head back to Bakun. Don't know when I will come back to KL after that. It seems that after retirement, I'm finding myself working harder than ever. Totally unexpected but then, that's how it has turned out to be. As I have said many times, always expect the unexpected. Don't discount anything.

In far out Bakun

Last Friday, at about six in the evening, I finally received confirmation that I need to be in Bakun for the next few months at least. Before that, it was coffee shop talk only, nothing concrete. Now, it looks like its real. Seconded staffs from another company who have been working in Bakun are leaving while replacements are not forthcoming. Therefore, I have to be there to cover until the replacements arrived. It will be another adventure in my second round of working life. Something I never expected. The last time I worked in a power station was almost twenty four years ago. Now I'm going to one, in far out Bakun.  

Growing up Akid

Akid is growing up real fast. Very active and full of energy. I get tired trying to catch up with him. Can never stay still for more than a second. There's always something to do. Can speak a few words now.

Growing up

Maisarah is almost eight months now. From the way she is developing, I think she would be walking well before her first birthday, just like Akid, in sha Allah. Before eight months, she is already holding on to things to stand. That's quite fast when compared to other babies. She is also starting to know her father and mother. She cries when others carry her for too long but not her parents. I am going to miss her a lot when I'm in Bakun, that's for sure.