Bide my time

The tenants in both my houses in Seremban as well as Cheras will be vacating the houses soon. In fact the one in Cheras has already vacated while the one in Seremban will vacate at the end of November. I will take a look at both the houses, do what is needed before finding new tenants. This time I am thinking of increasing the rental a bit. After all, rentals have increased significantly especially for landed properties. I am in no hurry. I will bide my time, wait till I get what I wanted or somewhere near. As for the third and fourth houses, that will have to wait until my financial standing is better.

A break will be good

After my latest mistake, I have now decided to stop leading the prayers for a while. Let others take the responsibility while I take a break. It has been one mistake after another. Don't know why but it started happening recently, after Aidil Adha. Everything went well during the Aidil Adha prayer but after that, it was just downhill all the way. Always, something will happen, mostly about me forgetting a sentence in a surah. Prayer after prayer after prayer, I made mistakes. So now, I need to take a break and recompose myself, until such time when I feel I am ready again. In sha Allah, if it Allah's will, I will be an imam again. Otherwise, I am just as happy following the imam. It has been a humbling experienced, nonetheless.

Sigh….

The haze is getting worse by the day. Forced me to postpone my weekend jogging activity. I worry instead of getting healthier, the haze will make me worse off. This morning especially, its terrible. Driving to work in the morning felt like driving through a smoke zone. Everything was hazy. The tragedy in Makkah still lingers in my mind. How can we make it safe in the future? There has to be a lot of thoughts put into it. Otherwise, it will keep on repeating. Having been there, I know how dangerous it can be! On the sporting front, I am missing the World Cup Rugby in England. Its shown on paid TV only. I can only read about the matches in the papers after it happened. Sigh….

The taste is different

Being quite a while since we were last at the Pasir Penambang fish market in K Selangor. I miss the fresh fishes that you can get there. They really taste different. Sweet, soft and the colour white. Nowadays I know if the fish is fresh or old just by tasting it. The taste is different.

Its understood!

I have always said life sometimes can be very unexpected. Its has happened to me so many times I am not surprised anymore if it were to happen again. And it is happening again. I never for once thought I would end up being an imam again but I am. The last time I was a regular imam was more than 10 years ago in USJ. The surau was new, there was no official imam appointed yet. Somehow I ended up taking that role. It lasted about 5 months because after that I moved to Sg Buloh. Now I am the imam at the surau in the Gombak village where I am staying. I can't be at the surau all the time cause I am working but whenever I am there, I will lead the  prayer. Its understood!

Aidil Adha

The Aidil Adha came and gone, like the blink of an eye. Alhamdulillah, I was able to lead the prayer and deliver the sermon quite comfortably. I didn't forget the 7 and 5 'takbir'. I delivered the sermon fluently. Not to compare with people who do it week in, week out off course but for a person who is doing it for the first time, I am satisfied with my performance. It was quite a busy day for me, come to think of it. After the prayer I was at the main mosque to watch the slaughtering being carried out. This year I did it for Maisarah. Later in the day my children visited me. Then at night I had to lead the prayers again before heading to a neighbour's house to lead the tahlil session. It was not until almost 10pm before everything was over.

My condolence

The tragedy in Makkah is really really sad. Its a terrible thing to happen. The Saudi authorities have done so much to make the Haj pilgrimage safe and pleasant but it happened again. They need to go back to the drawing blocks. I know how dangerous it can be especially when it comes to the throwing of stones ritual. I was there, twice. I know the danger especially in the morning after the Subuh prayer. That's when the crowd is the most because that's the most preferred (afdal) time. I was there during that time when doing the haj for the first time. The crowd was so big sometimes I was swayed, left, right, front, back by the crowd with my feet not touching the ground.

A great time

One for the memory after spending sometime at my rented house in Gombak. Its a great feeling to have your children visiting you. They are all grown up now, working and living their own life. Hanafi is married. Hakimi early next year while Hafizi in sha Allah soon as well. We missed Fatihah, who is married and living in Perth, Australia. As for Akid and Maisarah, plus one more on the way, they have a long way to go. I pray to Allah I have the chance to see them grow.

Sacrifice

This year we did one for Maryam Maisarah. Wanted to do for Akid as well but all have been taken up. So maybe next year. I was quite surprised at the cost. Its RM600 for one part. All along I was thinking it is around RM300 to RM400. Hmmm....inflation must have played a part.

Holiday mood

The mood is definitely holiday even though I am working. This is because tomorrow is Aidil Adha, festival of the feast. It will be a public holiday throughout the country. The schools are also closed for a one week holiday. Most of the people from the east coast has gone back to celebrate the festival with their parents and families. I will work today but will take leave on Friday. I planned to take leave on Monday as well but as usual, a meeting already lined up so I had to cancel the leave. Tomorrow I will lead the Aidil Adha prayer, in sha Allah. I have prepared myself as best as I can. Hopefully, every thing will turn out well.  

Maisarah and me

That's my little girl. She's full of life, very active, playful and a delight. When you are a grown up, be a faithful servant of Allah, obey his prophet and remember to always love your parents.

There's always a first time

For the first time ever, I am asked to lead the Hari Raya Aidil Adha prayer this coming Thursday. I was also asked to lead the Aidil Fitri prayer before this. I said okay but please find someone else first. If they can't find anybody, then I will do it. They managed to get someone else. This time, when asked, I just said yes. So, at almost sixty years old, I will be leading the Aidil Adha prayers plus giving the sermon   for the first time ever in my life, in sha Allah. I have been given the text. I am reading and practicing many times over. It is not something that I do regularly I need to practise. In sha Allah, I will be fluent when the day comes.

Lost

Man City lost for the first time last night. That gives other teams the chance to close the gap a bit. Arsenal failed earlier. Man U will play tonight. Can they do it? 

World Cup Rugby

Without much fanfare, the Rugby World cup has started. Already a most unexpected result happened. Japan beat South Africa. Its like Malaysia beating Brazil or Germany or even England in a football competitive match. Unfortunately, it is not shown live on TV this time. When it was held four years ago, I had a whale of a time, watching the matches, especially when the All Blacks were playing. As usual, the All Blacks are again the favourite. Will they win again? I would like to think they will. They have been outstanding the last four years, beating all other teams regularly but the World cup is something else. That's why they have only won it twice despite being perennial favourites.

Anchovies

The main reason we were in Lumut was to buy ikan bilis (anchovies). They have some real nice and tasty ones, especially those from Pangkor. I was there a few months back. Bought a packet. Turned out it was so good and tasty we just had to go back for more. This time we bought a plenty, enough to last a few months. There are all kind of ikan bilis but the famous ones are the blue eyed anchovies (ikan bilis mata biru).

In Lumut

Arrived Lumut about 5pm yesterday.The haze just as bad. I can hardly see Pangkor island from the hotel. Been to Lumut numerous times but I have never stayed at the place I'm staying now. Its an apartment with one room on Marina island, directly opposite Pangkor. Quite a nice place. Lumut town is only a few minutes away. Will be here for two nights.

Short break

The one day break yesterday was good. However, this morning I am back at the office although I am on leave. There's a meeting I have to attend. I wanted to change it to another day but there's too much of a hassle. The work would also get delayed. Like it or not, it has to be today. Anyway, its not a problem. I am already at the office and ready for the meeting. After the meeting, I will continue with my holiday.

Runaround

I was at Amcorp Mall at 7.20 this morning to pay the assessment for my house in Cheras at the post office there. It has been long outstanding because I couldn't find the time to go to Kajang to pay. However, on reaching the post office, I saw that it open only at 9am. That would be a bit late for my timing cause I have a meeting at 9.30am. While undecided wether to wait or to go, I noticed that e payment is possible. It is written in small print at the back of the bill. It was quite a surprised cause I have tried before but couldn't. It was an easy decision to make after that. If only I had known earlier. The late discovery caused me RM 5 parking fee.

Dinner time

We were at Mahbub in Bangsar for dinner last night. Somehow the wife just love the food that they serve. Its her favorite restaurant. Look at the photo above and you can see what I mean. Used to be my favorite as well but not anymore. Maybe because I have got used to it, it is normal to me now, like any other restaurant. Judging from the crowd, its a favorite of many others too. I remember one time during the fasting month, I was there at about 6.30pm. I had to forget about breaking my fast there because I couldn't find an empty seat. All have been taken up.

Looking forward

This week I'm working only for two days. After that it will be a public holiday followed by two days of leave that will carry me to the weekend. Although on leave, I have to come on Thursday for a meeting in the morning. After that I can go off. We are planning for a two nights trip to Lumut. Been quite a while since I last was there. I was there for a one day trip a few months back but many years ago, Lumut was one of the places I used to go in the course of my work. Since then, I'm sure things have changed a lot. Anyway, that's for Thursday. For now, I have to prepare for an important meeting in the afternoon. I hope everything will work out fine, in sha Allah. 

Alhamdulillah

Don't know how it came to be but its been a few months since I somehow become the Imam at the local surau. Because I am working, I can only be at the surau for the Isya prayers on weekdays. Only during weekends I can lead for all of the prayers. Even then if I am around. Otherwise, other people will take over. Since it is not something that has been officially confirmed, I don't have to commit myself, meaning if I cannot be at the surau for some reason or another, it is not a problem. I like it that way. Its a convenient arrangement. Becoming an imam has made me a better reciter of the Quran. My memorising of the Quran has also increased. It has done me a world of good. Alhamdulillah.

A game of Futsall

Last night I had a game of Futsall with office colleagues and a few others. I enjoyed it very much. Save me the jog during weekends at Lake Titiwangsa. With the haze in full bloom, its not a great idea to be jogging in the open air. At least with Futsall it is played indoors. Of course I am the oldest player on court but I would like to think I didn't embarrass myself. I held my own. Didn't push myself too much for sure. Played at my own pace. At almost sixty years old, I have to know my body. Can't play like I am twenty years old anymore! 

Resting on his laurels

What is happening to Chelsea? A nightmare start to the season is something no one could have imagine. After all, they were the champion last season. The players that led them to the title last season are still around. Most of all, they still have Maurinho! But what is happening to them. Three defeats in five matches with only one win and a draw is hardly the stuff of teams build by Maurinho. Maybe he has been resting on his laurels, thinking that the present team is good enough to defend the title. He has not bought any players of note during the close season, mostly sticking to the same players he had last season. That's where he could be making a mistake. Anyway, it is still early in the season.

Hoping for the best

Wednesday next week is a public holiday. I was planning to take leave on Monday and Tuesday. That will give me a five days break including the weekend. Unfortunately meetings have been arranged earlier on Monday so I had to abort the plan. I changed to Thursday and Friday which will also give me a five days break. Suddenly there is going to be a meeting on Thursday, which cannot be postponed and which I have to attend. Sigh………. So what am I to do? Obviously I cannot changed again. I have also booked a hotel somewhere out of KL starting Thursday where I am planning to go. At the moment I am just hoping for the best! Somehow things will work out fine. 

Sleep problem

Perhaps due to lack of sleep, almost everyday I feel extremely sleepy come about noon. That's when I keep on yawning while my eyes feels very very heavy. All I need to do is close my eyes. Definitely I will fall asleep. Unfortunately I can't cause I'm working. Sometimes I am on my computer, sometimes I'm in a meeting. I try to get a quick nap during lunch time. That helps a bit but not everyday I can have that luxury. Sometimes I might have some personal things to do. If that is the case, there goes my nap. If only I can sleep a bit earlier at night. That would help tremendously. As it is now, my sleeping time is mostly well past midnight because as long as the kids are not sleeping, I cannot sleep. In the morning, I wake up early, at 5.20am. That is my problem.

Time don't wait

I have so many things to do and so many things on my mind that sometimes I come for meetings or presentations not prepared. Not that I didn't want to prepare but with so many things coming all at once,  it makes it impossible to be prepared for all eventualities. It resulted in me sometimes unable to response to the unexpected in the way I would like to. I stutter. I failed to answer confidently. Mostly because I don't know the answer. I don't like it because it looks bad on me. I need to pay more attention to all  the things that I am involved with. I need to sit down and go through all the information. Unfortunately, the bloody meetings sometimes take up all of my time.

Dynamic

Things are so dynamic at the place I'm working now its changing by the day. Yesterday we were working on something because of something. Today we are working on another thing because of another thing. Who knows what tomorrow might bring? The so called changes are off course still in the air but if they finally happened, it will have a significant effect on many people. Meantime, we have to prepare ourselves to these dynamics by preparing our side of the story. These things takes up a lot of my time. Last week I didn't reach home on most days until 9pm. This week it looks like it will be much the same. Yesterday, the first working day of the week, it was also 9pm.

Hmm….

What is wrong with the blog today. Can't publish. I wrote something but now its gone because I couldn't publish it. What a shame. It was something that has been on my mind since last night. Something about wanting to beat the crowd at IKEA on a weekend with a plan. The plan worked until we came to the payment counter. That was where we were beaten. We gave up cause the queue at the payment counters were too long.

Haze is back

The haze is back. Its a yearly affair. Its only a little past six but it looks like it is almost 7pm. It bring back memories of winter time in my student days in England. Anyway, the same with our football. Its covered in haze that's why we are in a daze. A ten nil setback is a terrible terrible result.  

Pathetic!

Pathetic! That's the word. A 10-0 thrashing by UAE is the last straw. The coach has got to go. He is out of his depth for sure. In yesteryears, yes, we hear of this kind of scoring. Lesser teams losing heavily against better teams but in the modern game, it shouldn't happened any more. There's a thing called tactics. What kind of tactic were we playing that led us to lose 10-0. None whatsoever I believe! Or even if there were, must be schoolboys. That definitely is a no go. Haven't we studied their game? Their strength? We should have known! Then we can devise a strategy to neutralize their strength while making full use of the little strength that we have. Sigh……..

Akid and Maisarah

They will have another sibling to content with. The more the merrier. More fun and laughter for sure.

Done

Alhamdulillah, I am already at the end of the tunnel. From early morning till about noon, I was doing many things simultaneously. Slowly but surely, opening up the path ahead. By noon, I made it. Did everything I needed to do and now, I'm ready to be wronged. That I will only know come Monday when my work will be scrutinized. Every word of it. Meantime just sit back and relax for a job done. I feel exhausted. Mentally drained. Wanted to do other things but my mind just refused to function. 

In a limbo

Despite trying my best to clear up the muddle that I'm in, I'm still in a muddle. The path is still not clear. There's so many things to do, I don't know where to start. Making it even worse are the meetings that I have to attend in between. That leaves me with little time to plan and strategise. As a result, the path ahead is still unclear. Hope today, some light will get through the tunnel. Then only will I see the path ahead. Only then can I move on. As it is, I'm still in a limbo. 

Its a muddle

This week is going to be a busy week. There's so many things to do, papers to finish, decisions to make, meetings to conduct, work to complete etc. At the moment, my mind is all in a muddle. I need to list them down one by one. Then only it will become clearer. From the list, I will then prioritize. Which needs to be done first, which can delay a little bit. Hopefully, by doing that, my mind will get straighten out. Things will begin to look clearer. I will know exactly what I need to do. Then I can start doing them. By the end of the week, the muddle in my mind will have cleared. 

Back home

The flight from Miri to KL was eventful only because there was a stopover in Kucing. We had to get out and less than one hour later get in again, to the same plane. On reaching KLIA, it was already almost 10pm. By the time I reached home after the taxi ride, it will be almost midnight. So I decided to sleep overnight at the airport rather than waking up my family at so late an hour. It was not so bad. I have done it before on many occasions. The next morning, after the morning prayer, I took the taxi home.