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.  

Seven short years

When I first started this blog, never thought it would go on this long. Never thought it would last even a year! Now I'm already in my seventh year! Wow! That's quite an achievement. I always write about wanting to tell grandfather stories to my grandchildren when they are old enough. I said this blog will be the platform from which stories can be told. Now I have a grandchildren although she lives far away in Australia. Who knows, maybe one day she will reading this blog and finding out who her grandfather is! 

Enjoying a break

A reminder

Extremely fast

The accident involving the big bikes along the Karak highway was a real reminder for motor riders like me. Riding a motorbike has its many advantages but its main drawback is on the safety. That's where it lacks, significantly, when compared to a car. A little accident can mean big injuries. That's why I ride real slow. After more than a year of riding, I have only touched 80km/h once or twice only. I have never gone beyond that. Most of the time, I am the slowest rider around. unlike the big bikes, they ride extremely fast. A neighbor I had rides his big bike at 180km/h. That is extremely fast.

So fast

So fast the four nights in KL is over. Now I'm back at KLIA waiting for the flight to Bintulu. It was Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and suddenly its Wednesday. The days flew away just like that. The weekends I was mainly at home except for Saturday when I went to a friend's wedding do for his daughter. On Monday and Tuesday, I was busy at the office. Both days it rained in the evening such that on both days, I was wet. Still it felt good to be riding the motorcycle again.

Life is full of surprises

The last time I had to wash my clothes was ages ago. The last time I had to cook was ages ago. The last time I had to sweep the floor was ages ago. The last time I had to wash dishes was ages ago. I thought I am passed all that but here I am doing all these things. Life never cease to surprise you, no matter what your age. I am fifty eight but I am still being surprised. At an age when people are retired, I am running a power station for the first time ever in my life. At an age when people are retired, I am flying between KL and Bintulu almost weekly. At an age when people are retired, I am learning, absorbing and adopting to so many changes in my life. Hmm.....life never cease to surprise you.

A few days here, a few days there

Tomorrow its flying time again. This time back to KL cause I have meetings next Monday and Tuesday. Sure I'm happy to be traveling back to KL but then I am also tired of all the flying. I have been in Bakun for only a few days, now I'm flying back to KL. Come to think of it, it would be good if I can have a longer stretch in Bakun, instead of just a few days. Then I can really pull up my socks and get to work. As it is, it feels like I am just flying through the time. A few days in KL, a few days in Bakun, it does get you to feel a bit weary.

Relax mode

It gets dark early

Over here in Bakun, the day gets dark very early. Now at 6.12pm its already dark and time for the evening prayer. Having used to work till about 7pm or longer everyday, I'm finding it a bit too short for my liking. Can't do anything much as the time is too short. Now I am resorting to coming early in the morning cause it gets bright very early. By coming to work at about 6.30am, I get to finish a lot of paperwork before the rest of the people clock in for work just before 8am. After all, after the morning prayer, I don't have anything specific to do. Might as well go to work.

Grateful always

The work is keeping my mind active. It is making it alive and kicking. The adrenalin in the body is also flowing. It helps to keep me healthy, in sha Allah. A far cry from when I was in retirement mode a few years ago. Thought then that's the life it will be from now on. How very wrong was I. Never cross my mind then that I will be like this today. As always, we plan but Allah decides. When Allah decides, you know that's the best for you. That's why be grateful always and Allah will give you more!  

???

Back in KL after the two nights in JB. Tonight will be traveling to KLIA airport to catch the flight to Bintulu and on to Bakun again. Its back to work after the short holiday. Come to think of it, I was never  free from work even while I was on holiday. I was constantly on E mails, phone calls, sms. They never stop coming. As it is, upon reaching Bakun, an important meeting is waiting for me. Then I have a few urgent things on my desk that I need to clear immediately. That requires more meetings before the day is over. Hmm……I am now busier than I ever was. What ever happened to my retirement plans?  

Fun time

Finally

Finally I met my daughter, her husband and most of all, my granddaughter. First time I'm meeting her, more than two months after she was born. It was only a short meeting but very meaningful for me. After all, she is my first grandchild and the only one now. I would have like it to be longer but circumstances didn't allow. We met at Pelangi Mall, a short distance from the hotel where I'm staying. They came over from Singapore. The short time that we met was definitely not enough but nevertheless, it was great. Maybe someday, some other time, it will be longer, in sha Allah.

Relax time

At Johor Premium Outlet

Took the opportunity while in Johor to visit the much talk about Johor Premium Outlet. Quite a nice place, many shops, many varieties, wide walking spaces for the visitors and not too crowded. Don't know about the price as we didn't really "shop". With two babies in tow, shopping is far away from the mind. Just to have a look see. 

Enjoying a cuppa

In Johor Baru since the 11th. Flew back from Bintulu on the 10th. The next day travelled to Johor Baru with family. Wanted to see my granddaughter who is in Singapore. Daughter and family traveling to Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. I will be in Bakun when they are in Malaysia sometime next week hence the arrangement to see them here in Johor Baru while they are in Singapore. 

They keep piling up

Ever since the day I started having these two offices, one in Bakun and one in KL, I have been extremely busy. There's dateline to meet every time. Everything got to be done by today, by tomorrow, by this week. They just keep on piling up. Sometimes I have no time to reflect and really think out on the things that I need to do. Budget for next year, new  key performance index, updating risk register, action on audit finding, performance report for the board, carrying out activities from business plan, insurance survey, etc. etc.they seem to come all at once. Meeting deadline was never a problem for me as I can work real fast but it looks like now I need the help of Usain Bolt.  

My Father's office

The restaurant is no more I guess but the building and the memories linger on. That's where my late father used to have his office. Yes, in the restaurant. He must have rented out the small space at the back of the restaurant for a few ringgit. He writes letters for the kampong folks, filling in their forms, takes them to the post office etc. For all these, they give him a small token. That's how he made his living. Not much but enough to get by. Rain or shine, with his typewriter, he will be in his office every week day without fail. The football field where all the important football matches in Selama were played is just beside the restaurant. It is still there, just like the building. The matches are still being played, the letters are still being written but for me, they are just memories that ligers on. Most of all, of my father, a great man. 

In KL for the Eidul Haj

I am back at the airport this morning waiting for my flight to Bintulu. Only this time its the opposite. It used to be in Bakun for a few days and then back to KL. This time, I was in KL for a few days and now going back to Bakun. It will be like this for a few months yet. Lucky thing I had a few meetings in KL. That gave me the chance to go back and spent the Hari Raya haji in familiar surroundings. Before that, I was already resigned to spending it alone in Bakun. 

A pleasant surprise

My son Hanafi and his wife came over on Hari Raya Haji. What a pleasant surprise. A day before, I had a shocked when we visited him at his rented house in Setia Alam. The house is semi d, situated in an upmarket area with pleasant surroundings and over zealous guards. The rent must be costing him a bomb. Then I saw the BMW. That shocked me even more!  

Missing my bike

Among the things I miss most while in Bakun is riding the bike. I miss the thrill of riding, of feeling the air blowing in my face, the feel of freedom and of maneuvering my way through the traffic. Now that I'm in KL, I get to ride the bike again. What a thrill! It maybe for only a short while as I will be leaving for Bakun again but its enough to whet my appetite. There's still a few days left before I have to leave for Bakun again. During that time, I will ride the bike for as much as possible.

Lelapan

There's a restaurant in Miri that serves the best Lelapan in town. Lelapan is an Indonesian dish that is serves with white rice, vegetables, sambal, soup and fried fish. After trying the Lelapan at this restaurant, Lelapan at all other restaurants becomes ordinary. Nothing special. They just can't beat it.  

Would have been impossible

I'm in the KL office right now. Just back from the Friday prayer. next Tuesday I'II be flying back to Binutlu and on to Bakun. That's the way it is now. Holding two offices is hard enough but holding two offices situated poles apart becomes doubly hard. Its more than five hours of traveling time between the two! Good thing there are such things as the internet nowadays. Otherwise it would have been impossible.

Back to KL

Yes! I'm flying to KL tonight. In a few hours time, I'II be traveling from Bakun to Bintulu to catch the 7pm flight to KL. After almost a month in Bakun, I'm going back to KL tonight. Its only for a few days but nonetheless, its a great feeling. To go back home! How I miss the live in KL. Here in Bakun, its back to the bachelor days. Having to wash my clothes, to sweep the floor, to cook, to iron. I have not done these things for years already. Now I have to do them again living here in Bakun.