Time

Its the twelve day of Ramadhan already. Day in day out, Ramadhan is moving on before you hardly had time to catch the breadth. Work is also as always, plenty of things to do. One week passed like the wind that blows. You don't feel it that much but you know its there. Then its gone! Soon it will be Nuzul Quran, then its the Eid. Hmm…….. time waits for nobody. 

Weekend happenings

On Saturday, had to go to the hospital for Maisarah's final injection. It costs me a bomb but I don't know if it is necessary or not. All my four children earlier never had to go through all these injections. The hospitals are so commercialise these days, sometimes I don't know if its your money that is more important to them or your health? On Sunday I was at the office in the afternoon. Had to attend a meeting that couldn't wait. Had to ride the bike to the office as I was unable to start the car. Its the key again. This will again be costly but the consolation is, I can claim from my company!

Hmm…..

Reached the house about 10.30pm last night. Took a bath, had some light food and hot drink before intending to go to sleep. It was almost midnight by that time. Unfortunately, Maisarah who was sleeping when I arrived woke up. She was all active and fresh. That was how the long night started. She stayed awake till almost three in the morning. Akid was quiet before that but with Maisarah around and fully awake, joined in the fun. He stayed awake till about the same time. As a result, I had only about an hour's sleep last night as at I had to wake up at 5am for the Sahur. Hmm…….

The kitchen sink pipe in my house has been leaking since the day I moved in. I have tried to fix it but couldn't because of the way it is arranged. I cannot get through to the joints to remove it. The pipes in the bathroom is also leaking. As a result, I'm paying a bomb for the water. The electricity is also costly for such a small house. Perhaps its because of the bulbs, its not costs saving bulbs. I'm thinking of changing them. That will save me a lot of money in the long run. My consolation is that the rent is cheap RM650 only. You can never get such rent price anywhere. Even for a double storey terrace house, it is RM1800-1900.    

Salam from Bakun

That's the way it is

I'm at Bintulu airport now waiting for the flight home. Three nights and four days away from home has taken its toll on me. My body is aching while my head feels heavy. I think I am falling sick. Hopefully tonight I will take some medicine. Then tomorrow in the morning I will recover in sha Allah. Can't wait to get home. There's no place like home, I can tell you that. I will reach home by about 11pm tonight. Then tomorrow in the morning, its back to the office in KL. Already there's a meeting waiting for me at 8.30am. That's the way it is now.  

Fasting in Bakun

Breaking of fast is a bit earlier here in Bakun, almost an hour earlier at 6.39pm. That means the starting time is also earlier, about 5am. That's the main difference. Otherwise, everything else is much the same. I'II be here for another day before flying to KL tomorrow evening flight. Hopefully, I don't have to travel to Bakun again until after Raya, In sha Allah. Anyway, if I have to, then I have to. The good thing here is there is no traffic jam. The office is only a few minutes away from the house. The place is also quiet and peaceful. Green jungle with hills and mist and off course, the dam,

No way through

A lorry blocked our path on the way to Bakun last Sunday. They tried to pull it aside using ropes and a tractor but to no avail. Finally they found a better idea. Just pushed it away using the same tractor. Alhamdulillah we all managed to move on after that. Make it to Bakun well before opening of fasting time.

Its okay

Tomorrow its traveling time again to where else but Bakun. This time I'II be there for three nights and four days. Meetings on Monday and Wednesday plus a few other things to look at. Can't say if I like it or not but its my job. Its something I have to do to make a living. As it is, I am grateful to Allah for all the things He has done for me. If not for Him, I would be scraping for a living now. I am grateful to Allah. I do my job as best as I can. I get screwed every now and then by the BOD but its okay as I take them all in my stride. Its a necessary hazard that's comes with the job.    

No chance

Although it's Saturday today, I won't be going jogging cause its the fasting month. The energy bit is okay but the thirst that would come after the jog would be unbearable. I don't think I can handle that. Anyway, its three days into Ramadhan already. I have been going home early the past few days, 5.30pm, something unthinkable in other months but in Ramadhan, the office gets deserted very early. Come to think of it, I remember when I first started to work more than forty years ago, office hours was from 8am to 4.15pm. Wow! After going home from work, we still have time for a game of football or whatever. These days, no chance for such a thing.

Fasting time

Most offices would close earlier than usual in Ramadhan. My office is no exception. We were given three options.I have taken the option of clocking in at 8am and going back at 4.30pm. In between, the lunch break is only half an hour. However, as usual, I don't think I can go home at 4.30pm. Most probably, 6pm. That would be great if I can do it. Otherwise, it will be working time as usual, meaning going home most of the time after 7pm. At night, it will be at the local surau for the Tarawikh prayer. Last night was the first night.   

First day of Ramadhan

Its the first day of the fasting month. Was busy in Bakun on Monday. On Tuesday it was traveling back to KL. On Wednesday I was on leave, having to attend to a few errands. Alhamdulillah, of five things I wanted to do, I managed to clear four. That's a good percentage. Its not always I have the luxury of time. Therefore, when I have it, I must make full use of it. Today, I'm back at work. Going to be a busy day for sure. 

Bakun again

I'm back in Bakun after quite sometime not being here. More than a month I think. That's a long time by my count as previously, I will be in Bakun almost every two weeks. Good to be back I must say as my job requires me to be in Bakun every so often. The main assets are all in Bakun. Being responsible for the assets, its my job to ensure they are all working as what we want it to be. After the few days in Miri, its quite a difference being in Bakun. The drive from Miri was almost five hours. Anyway, Alhamdulillah, I'm here now. Tomorrow, I have a full program.

Missing them

I'II be heading to Bakun today after three nights in Miri. There's a meeting to attend on Monday. Will fly back to KL on Tuesday. Already I'm missing both Akid and Maisarah. Can't wait to be with them again. Four years ago, I went through the same thing. I missed my children terribly. Words cannot describe how I felt. At times I felt like shouting just so somebody can hear my plight. I went through a difficult time. Anyway, life has to go on and that's what I did. I still have that missing feeling every now and then but I can deal with it better now.    

Dinner

Annual dinner night in Miri. They came in traditional dresses. Very colorful, very beautiful, very bright.  Had a good time enjoying the food and the atmosphere. Its a once year event. Forget about work for a few hours, focus on the night.

Morning

Good morning from Marriot, MIri. Last night was working till almost 12 midnight, meeting and discussion after that. Nice place this hotel but unfortunately not in town. Can't go out for a cuppa because its a bit too far too walk. Maybe tomorrow when there's some free town, I will take the shuttle bus to town. Must try the Lelapan.

On my way to Miri

In the car heading for the LRT to KL Sentral. From there will take the KLIA express to KLIA. Seems like the kids are aware I will be away for a few days. They were sitting on my lap throughout the drive to the LRT.

Evening activity

Taking Maisarah for a ride

Missing the bike

I miss riding my bike. I love the ride in the morning going to work just as I love the ride going back home in the evening. The cool air in the morning and the evening makes the ride a peasant one, adding on to the pleasure of riding. I enjoy the hassle free ride unlike driving the car when I have to content with the terrible traffic. The feeling is one of complete freedom, free like a bird. I go where I want to go and when I want to go. No worry about the jam. Its a great feeling, something words cannot describe. However, now I have to leave the bike at home. I ride only occasionally, during weekends.  When I'm retired a second time, I will ride the bike for all I want.

The unsung heroes

I heard about the unsung heroes of the Sabah earthquake tragedy. I read about them in the papers. They are the real heroes of the whole episode. A few of them gave their lives in order for others to live. Such were their dedication to their work. They saved many lives because of their knowledge of the mountain. They know it like the back of their hand. My salute to them, the unsung heroes.

Thoughts

Almost half the year gone. Its already June. Soon it will be July but before that the fasting month of Ramadhan will be in less than two weeks. Time to ponder and reflect. Correct the things you have been doing wrong. 

My heart bleeds for the people who perished in Sabah because of the earthquake. Something very unexpected because we were told all along that Malaysia is not prone to earthquake. When it happened, it was a shock. Now they say Sabah is in the direct line of the epicenter for earthquake…..hmmm.

My heart bleeds for one organization. It is a sad state of affairs they have got themselves into. They have dug a hole for themselves. There's no else to blame but themselves!

Those days

Photo taken before a football game at University of Surrey, Guildford, England. Can't remember against whom it was but we did play quite a number of games. Among ourselves, against the Arabs, against the Africans, Chinese and the Europeans including the English. Those were student days, carefree and easy. Since I graduated in 1979, never been back there although been to England a few times.

These days

The only time we meet these days is when one of our children gets married. That's when we would bump into each other. Otherwise, we are too busy with our lives to meet. I have attended a few the last few months. There will be a break because of the fasting month. After that, it will come again for sure. Already, two of our friends have already sounded out of their intentions.

Second wind

Its going to be a busy week. Information need to be obtained, decisions needs to be made, papers need to be finished before making the journey to Miri on Thursday. That means I have only till Wednesday to do all that. I will try my best, definitely. The work never ends. Everyday there are things to do. One thing for sure. It keeps my mind alert. When the mind is alert, the body is healthy, in sha Allah. I'm almost sixty years old but I am finding my second wind. I was tired of working fours ago. I wanted to retire. I did retire but now I am enjoying working again. It keeps me alive plus off course, it keeps the cash rolling in.

Dead tired

What a weekend it was especially on Sunday. We attended three wedding dos. Two in Shah Alam and one in Bandar Utama. Phew! With the kids in tow, that was real tough. At the first one, Maisarah was sleeping while Akid was busy with his toy cars so we had a peaceful time. We could enjoy the atmosphere and the food. At the second venue, both were wide awake. They were uncontrollable. Akid was running all over the places and climbing on everything. Maisarah was doing the same, albeit on a smaller scale. Finally we decided we had to go. Couldn't even finished the food. At the third venue, much the same happened! By the time it was all over, I was dead tired. 

Weekend again

Its Friday once again. Tonight if there are enough members, I will play futsal. Otherwise, I will go jogging tomorrow morning at Lake Titiwangsa. On Saturday, there's a engagement do I'm invited to. On Sunday, there's three wedding invitations. So, it will be a busy weekend indeed. Still, I look forward to the weekend. Busy yes but busy outside of work. That's enough for me. Its different from work. I rest my brain. On weekdays, my brain works overtime again, full stimulation.  

Alhamdulillah

When I work again after retirement, I was getting only about half of what I was getting in my previous company but I was working two or three times harder. I didn't complain. I just kept on working. Not because I needed the money because at that time, I hadn't realize how precarious my money position was. In my second year, it increased by about 50 %. Alhamdulillah. Now in my third year, it increased by another 50%. Now, I'm getting a little bit more than what I was getting in my previous company. Its great. Its something I didn't expect. Not in any way but I forgot. There's always Allah and Allah work in ways we never expected. I am really grateful. Alhamdulillah.

While in Melaka

Resting by the wayside just outside the hotel in Melaka.

Fasting month

The fasting month is coming again. In less than a month. This time I will be in Gombak at my new place. Most probably I will do my Tarawih at the local surau, walking distance from my house. The working hours will also be shorten, as always in the fasting month but I don't think it will do me any good. I will most probably go home as usual, late i.e after Maghrib. 

Planning for the future

Its already the middle of the year. Looks like time never stops for a second. It keeps on moving. You have to follow suit or you will be left behind. I have a few resolutions for the year. One of them is to buy another house. At the moment, that is still within range although it might only happen towards the end of the year. Then I plan to buy one more house. I need to do all these because of Akid and Maisarah. They are still babies. They need to have something to depend on when I'm not around as they might still be schooling. They need to have a chance. At least with the houses, they can depend on the rental until such time when they can start to earn their own living. Till then, I have to provide the shelter for them and the mother.