Not fully recovered

I have been sick the past two days. It came suddenly on my first day of work, that is on Tuesday after the long break. At about 4pm, I started feeling it. As I was fasting, I only took medicine later in the evening. The next morning I felt better, went to work but at 10.30am, had to leave the office and headed straight for the doctor. It was getting worse. All my body was aching and my head was having this throbbing pain every now and then. Was given medical leave for the day. I also had to abandon my fasting halfway as it was getting unbearable. Most of the time I was resting on my bed. This morning, I'm back in the office but the feeling is still there. Not fully recovered yet.

Beautiful Perth

The view from King's park and at Fatihah's house

Within the city centre

We stayed at an apartment right in front of Harbor Town, the shopping complex where you can get good bargains for well known brands. Its a few minutes bus ride from the city centre so it was a really convenient place to stay. We can cook, can wash clothes while shopping was just across the road. We stayed for one night at my daughter's place. A beautiful bungalow house situated on the outskirts of Perth. Here, such a house would cost a bomb, running into millions I'm sure. She picked us up on arrival, she and her husband took us round all the beautiful places in Perth while we were there and send us to the airport for the flight back, in the wee hours of the morning. Thank you very much for the hospitality. You made our stay a pleasant one.

Long wait

It took us more than an hour to check in at KLIA2. Not because of a long queue but because the Australian visa that I obtained had some mistakes. I had a worrying time standing in front of the counter while the check in clerk was making checks with the Australian embassy. Alhamdulillah everything worked out all right but the time it took was so long that they had to put a close sign at the counter so that others in the queue behind me can go to other counters. Finally, it needed a more experienced clerk to come and do the rescue act. She came and within minutes, everything was solved. As for me, I was just glad that everything worked out fine in the end.

Freemantle, Perth

Hillary harbor, Perth

The flight

The flight to Perth was full. Maisarah gave us a hard time while on the plane. She was crying as loud as her voice aloud her. Akid also was crying on top of his voice at one time during the flight. Alhamdulillah one good soul was kind enough to change seat with me. The plane was full. I was given a seat a few rows away from the wife and Akid. Maisarah was with me but started crying for her mother. After we changed seat, the problem was solved. From Perth to KL, the plane was half full so we had the pick of the seats. I even managed to lie on my back making use of three empty seats. Nonetheless, Maisarah was again giving us a hard time with her whining and crying. 

A great time

I'm back after five nights and six days in Perth, Australia. I didn't bring my laptop along so I didn't have the opportunity to update the blog while there. Anyway I had a great time in Perth. It was cold no doubt but I enjoyed it thoroughly. I'm sure the wife and kids enjoyed it too. It was fun enjoying the long break from work and sight seeing new places. Perth to me is a beautiful place. There's so many things to see and do six days is not enough. Don't know when I will be back there again. Thank you to my daughter and her husband for making my stay enjoyable and memorable. It was great seeing Nafeesa as well, my granddaughter.   

Lots of fun, in sha Allah

In between Eidul celebration visiting houses and receiving visitors, I manage to go jogging yesterday at Taman Titiwangsa. There were not many people cause its a Monday. Had a great workout in the cool morning air. Felt fresh and roaring to go after the workout. Today I am packing up for the trip to Perth, Australia for a long deserve holiday and also visiting my daughter and her family. Will be there for 5 nights. Hope the trip will go smoothly and we will have a lot of fun, in sha Allah.

Eidul Fitri

Eidul Eid came and went just like that. On the eve of Eid, we had the takbir going from house to house after the Isya prayers. There were about fifteen houses who had given their names earlier. So we had to go to all of them , one by one. It was well after midnight before we completed. On the day of Eid, I went for the usual prayer. As it was Friday, I didn't go anywhere as the Friday prayer will follow soon after. Actually, on the first day I was at home all day. Hanafi came on the first day. Good of him. On the third day, I went to Melaka for formal discussion on Hakimi's marriage. Everything went well. The lunch was especially good. I hope all arragement will come to reality, In sha Allah.

Eidul Eid 2015

Eidul Fitri 2015

Eve of Eid

Hello! Good morning. I'm still in the office this morning although tomorrow is Eidul Fitri. While most people have either 'balik kampong' or gone on leave in preparation for the Eid, I am still working. Not that I can't take leave. Its just that I have chosen to take leave after the Eid. So today, I will be in the office working. Off course the office is less than half full but there's still a few office mates who are still around. Maybe they are not going anywhere, I mean spending their Eid in KL. That's why there's no reason to take leave. Elsewhere, the usual traffic crawl is already showing up on all the highways. North, south, East, west. Doesn't matter where you are heading, you will be caught in one. In such a case, please be patient. Its a good trait to have in times like this.

Token sum

The Raya mood is in the air. Its everywhere, even in the mosques cause most of the regulars have left for their kampungs. Going by tradition, the activities at the mosques reached their peak on the night of the 27th. That's when the Imam who came specially for the Tarawih prayers will lead for the last time. That's also when the reading of the Quran reach its end. Momento giving will follow after the prayers. This year, much to my surprised, I received a token sum and also a 'sarong' from the local surau. I guess that's for leading the prayers every now and then when I'm around.  

New bank notes

Its 5pm now. I'm still in the office although officially my working time is only up to 4.30pm during the fasting month. The office is half empty as many have already gone on leave. This morning, the roads were clear. Anyway, I decided to use my motorbike today because I wanted to go to the bank during the short lunch break. Using the car is possible but with a lot of heartache as parking is a problem in PJ new town. Alhamdulillah, I manage to exchange to new banknotes at the first bank I went to. I remember a few years back when I had to go to a few banks before managing to get the new pieces. Tomorrow I will still be working. Wonder how many will be working with me?

Be patient

People are already beginning to take leave. Tomorrow the school holiday starts. That's when most people will start to leave KL as well. To go back to their villages to celebrate Eidul Fitri on the first day of Shawal. As I have said, I am not going anywhere. Stay put in KL. At least until the third day when I will be heading to Melaka. Then on the fourth day, Australia here I come. I will work till Thursday, the last day before Raya. Its a great time to be in KL during the Raya period. The roads will be empty for once. To all the people who will be traveling, I wish them a safe journey. Be patient. Its a great virtue to have especially when on the road.

Ramadhan oh Ramadhan

Its the last few days of Ramadhan. Two more days to be exact if you minus today. People are already busy preparing for the Eid celebrations come Shawal. The shops are crowded with buyers looking for clothes, shoes, cakes, cloth, pots, pans, buttons, songkok and everything else under the sun. As for me, so far I have resisted the temptation. I don't like the crowd. Come to think of it, this Ramadhan I did not go to even one 'Pasar Ramadhan'. Somehow never had a reason to go. As a matter of fact, I don't even know where it is in Gombak. Anyway, last night was the 27th of Ramadhan. For some, its the night of 'Lailatul Qadar'. For me, I have been searching for it ever since the beginning of the last ten days of Ramadhan.

Durian feast

Bought some durian last week. I am not that much of a fan but my wife is. I eat if there is one but otherwise, I don't normally buy durian, much less going out of the way to get one. This one is Musang King, reputedly to be the best of the lot. So its worth a try.

Sleeping beauties

Sleeping with the kids on a weekend.

New Addition

The latest addition to the family. A baby girl courtesy of Hanafi and his wife. My second grandchild. 

A late start

I am now a grandpa, twice over. My son's wife has just given birth to a baby girl. That's my second grandchildren. Its a great feeling, no doubt about it. In sha Allah, in time to come, there will be more. On the third day of Raya, I will be in Melaka. This time to arrange the engagement of my eldest son. In sha Allah, the marriage will be early next year. Then on the fourth day, we will be going to Australia to see my daughter. At the moment I am just wondering when I can do the 'puasa enam'. I don't want to wait too late as the challenge gets greater. Last year, I started on the second day of Raya. I completed well before the end of Shawal. This year, it will definitely be a late start.

I must do better

How many times have said it. Time flies. It waits for no one. Ramadhan came and so fast, so very very fast, we are already in the last third. Day in, day out, suddenly, we are almost at the finishing line. Have I make full use of the opportunities that Allah provides in this holy month? Have I taken even half of the bounties that are available in Ramadhan. Honestly, I didn't. Sigh.......it is always the same. Year in, year out. Next year I need to do better. I must do better!

Allah is great

Today is my birthday I am fifty nine years old. Wow! Getting to be senior citizens already. Sometimes I can't believe I am that old but then, there is no hiding from the facts. I am fifty nine years old. Alhamdulillah, I am still as healthy as can be for a man of my age. I can still jog. I can still play football. I can pray. I can work. I can talk. I can eat. My mind is still functioning well. I am still a working man, earning the cash for the family. I am.......wow! There's a lot to be grateful to Allah for. What more can I ask? Off course there are the occasional hiccups but then at my age, I have learned to accept them. They are part of life. They add colour to my life. Alhamdulillah. Allah is great.

Back in KL

Been busy the past few days traveling to Bakun on Wednesday, meetings on Thursday and back to KL on Friday. This Ramadhan, twice I was in Bakun. Breaking of fast is at the mosque in the quarters area. For the 'Sahur' its in the room most of the time, Maggee mee. One thing about being in Bakun, the Maghrib prayer time is about 40 minutes earlier. I just arrived home at about five in the evening today. Straight away I process the Australian visa application for me and the family. We are going to Australia this Eid holidays. On the fourth day of raya, 22nd July. Will spent a few days there, to see my daughter and also granddaughter.

On the bike again

I have been riding the motorbike to work the past few days. My car key is still being made. According to the workshop, its ordered from Germany hence it takes time. Hopefully by Friday, it will be ready. Meantime, I am enjoying the unexpected break from driving my car by riding my motorbike to work. Its a real pleasure. Especially during the fasting month when the traffic is somewhat heavy, going and coming back from work. With the motorbike, there's no worry at all. I am free to choose whatever time I want to go or leave the office. That's the beauty of the motorbike.

Then and now

This fasting month, breaking of fast is mostly at the house. A far cry from four years ago when my life was in transition. The mosques became my savor. I would be at the mosque just before breaking time, take my place among the worshippers and wait for the azan. After breaking of fast, I will do the Maghrib prayers before leaving, mostly to nowhere. Just driving around Shah Alam until its time for Isya. Then I will stop at the nearest mosque to do my Isya and Tarawih before finally leaving for home. Daytime I would mostly be at the Sultan Salahuddin mosque. That was my life then.   

Too many to recall

Having babies when you are almost sixty years old is something not normal. Many a times when I am with them, people assume they are my grandchildren. The same with my wife. People assume she is my daughter. One person casually said 'sayangnya cucu dengan atok dia' after seeing me carrying Akid. Another after seeing me standing by the corridor while my wife was busy looking at the clothes said ' Duduk pakcik. Biar anak tu pilih baju. Pakcik duduk je' while offering me a chair. There have been many other occasions. Too many to recall. Suffice to say I accept them with all my heart.

Where is the problem

Its Saturday morning so I took the opportunity to sleep again after the morning prayer. Its against my norm but I was so sleepy I just can't help it. I slept till almost 10am, something I almost never do. Anyway, there's always a first time. At 11am, I was at a car workshop to repair the air condition of my Viva. When driving its okay but it gets hot during standstill. Unfortunately, the repairman said there's nothing wrong with it. It is a normal occurrence with the Viva because the cooling coil is small. There's nothing he can do about it. In my mind, I was asking myself how come before there was no problem? Only when I changed the compressor because it was making too much noise did the problem came. Sigh......

Facts stranger than fiction

The 1MDB story is still the rage everywhere I go. I cannot sit in a group without listening people talking about it. This has been going on for so long already I wonder how long it will continue. The report are damaging, if you want to believe it. The denials has been coming quite fast lately but then it has not been very convincing. It makes me constantly asking myself, can such a thing happened? Can such an outrages thing happened? Then yesterday, came the mother of all bombshell! It is so outrages, it is almost impossible! But then as they always say, facts can be stranger than fiction. 

Not cheap

I cannot start my car since Sunday. Somehow the electronic box that accepts the key does not recognize the it. Therefore, it refused to start. When everything is electronics, it can get difficult sometime. The first time it happened was when I accidentally put the key in the washing machine. That was the beginning of the problem. I had to make a new key but it lasted only a few months. Now I have to make another one. It is not cheap I can tell you!

Ramadhan Kareem

This Ramadhan my 'buka puasa' is mostly at the house. So far, only once was outside the house at Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, It was arranged by my company so I had no choice but to go. Other than that, I had a few invitations but declined. I was four days in Bakun so those were outside the house as well but do not count. Looking ahead, next week I will be in Bakun again for two nights. Other than that, most probably it will be 'buka puasa' in the house. Its the fifteenth of Ramadhan already. BY next week it will the last third of Ramadhan. Then I will take a long break in Shawal. Looking forward to the holidays.