At my favourite place

Never get tired of blogging. Its a natural thing for me. I sit down in front of me and there I go. It may not be everyone cup of tea but it is my cup of tea. That's all that matters.

In 2015?

Today is significant because of only one thing. The Rugby World Cup final. New Zealand versus Australia. I look forward to tonight  when the game will be played. Can't wait to watch it. Who will win I? Off course I always enjoy watching New Zealand. Somehow, they have the rugby skills. The All Blacks are legendary. Whenever they play, they are expected to win. The present All Blacks team have been playing top level rugby for so many years. In 2007, they were great but pressure got to them. In 2011, they finally nailed it. In 2015?

Dead tired

Yesterday was one day when I felt really tired. At the office, it was work and more work. Non stop meetings, writing, discussions, thinking. It was from one thing to another. Back home after work, I was exhausted. Alhamdulillah last night the kids were tired too. They both slept early. By midnight, both were sound asleep. Normally Akid will only sleep at about 2am in the morning. I had a good sleep, waking up at a bit after 5 am this morning. That's my normal waking up time. 

Clear skies

Its blue skies for today. What a pleasant surprise. After living under a cloud of smoke the past two months, having clear skies is a relief. The rain has been quite consistent. That helps to clear the haze. I hear the wind is also blowing elsewhere hence the haze got blown away as well. Will it be gone for good? I don't know! I hope so. My jogging has been put on hold since the haze came. I don't want to jog in a cloud of smoke. Instead of making me healthy, it only make it worse!

A long time

This afternoon I will be traveling to Cameron Highland for a visit to a power station being built in Ulu Jelai. Its a hydro power plant, much like Bakun except it is smaller. It will be an overnight stay, coming back tomorrow. Since I started working again, I have not been to any power plant except Manjung. Those days, I used to go to almost all the power plants in the country. It was part of my work. Now its only Bakun power plant. Those days I travel to everywhere in the peninsular. Now, its Bintulu and Bakun most of the time. Occasionally, it will be Miri or Kucing. Having said that, I have not been to Bakun for almost two months now. Now, that's a long time by my standard.

Who will win?

The match between the All Blacks and South Africa wasn't really spectacular. However, it lives up to its billing in terms of the tension it created. Throughout the match, there was never more than five points that separated them. All it needed was a try and a successful conversion. That would have changed the outcome. As it was, the All Blacks came out tops. I think its a fair result given the territorial advantage they were having. So, I look forward to the final against Australia. It will be a great match as usual. The team that show up on the day of the final will win.

Never a dull day

Akid immersed in his toy trains while Maisarah is up to her antics. There's never a dull day when they are around and awake. 

One City USJ

Was there to attend a wedding reception of a friend's son.

That saves my day

Left the house at 6.15am yesterday. I wanted to be at Putrajaya before 7.30am so that I can quickly do my business and then head for the office. If everything goes well, I should be in the office before 9am, my clock in time. As it turned out, I made it just in time. However, I had a scary moment when my motorcycle almost ran out of fuel as I neared Putrajaya. I couldn't find any petrol station along the way. In the few times that I have been to Putrajaya, I have not seen any petrol station anywhere. That's why I was worried the petrol in the tank would not bring me back to my office. Alhamdulillah, when I asked around, there is actually a petrol station. That saves my day.

Hazy

I am tired of living under a cloud of haze. The sky is smoky, the air is unhealthy, the environment is hazy. It looks very much like winter but off course it is not. Don't know when it will end. From I have been reading in the papers, it looks like we are in for the long haul. Only next year the haze will go. Its that bad! people have four season but in Malaysia we have two. The hazy days and the non hazy days. That's what it is. Every year without fail, we have this problem.  I just hope the monsoon will come soon. That will drive away the haze.

A short trip

Was in Kucing for a night. Arrived evening at the hotel, attended dinner and seminar which was held the next day i.e. Tuesday. All at the hotel. As soon as the seminar ends, I was already on my way to the airport for the flight home. So, in actual fact, I was at the hotel throughout the time I was in Kucing except for the airport off course. Was worried about the haze affecting the flight but alhamdulillah, everything was ok. Reached home about 10.40pm. This morning, I am back at work in my office in PJ> 

Tiring day

Yesterday was very tiring. Morning we sent two workers to Ceras to do some cleaning up of the house there. In the evening, we picked them up and sent them back to Gombak after they had done their job. Then it was straight to a wedding reception in USJ. By the time everything was over, it was almost 11pm. Dead tired. Then the kids didn't sleep until almost one in the morning. After that Akid wanted to eat. I couldn't sleep until almost two in the morning. This morning, as usual I woke up at about 5am. Woke up, then prepare myself before going to the surau for the morning prayer. So, all in all, I slept less than 3hrs last night. Today, I must catch up on those loss sleep.

Pure black magic

It's pure black magic, that's what it was! The All Blacks finally at its best, playing rugby the way only they can. Fast, open, flowing. It just happened to be the French team they were playing against. It could have been any other team. It wouldn't have made a difference. They would all be steamrolled. Demolished. Banished. Outplayed. With this kind of display, who can offer even the slightest resistance? Only themselves.

Its inevitable

Looks like Lee Chong Wei days are numbered. Beaten in the early round for the third time in a row, father's time has finally catch up with him. There's no escaping. Its a natural thing to happen. There's no shame in it. The shame is with the country's badminton state of affair. For so long, he was the only one who can take on the world. Everyone else get beaten in the early rounds except him. He stood tall where others failed but off course it can't go on forever. There had to be a replacement which we miserably failed to find. So now, the inevitable has happened. The reality is he is not getting any younger. So, until we find a replacement, Malaysian badminton will be down in the dumps.  

That's the life

At almost sixty years old, I should be resting by the beach with my feet up, reading a book, enjoying the fruits of my hard earned labour, my mind free from worries with not a care in the world. Instead, I find myself grappling with everyday life, still waking up in the morning to go to work, still having to worry about bringing up children, still having to worry about my next meal. Hmm.....that's the life that I am going through now. Come to think of it, its a life I have chosen. Its the path I have taken. Good or bad, I will have to go through it. No matter what, as long as I remain a faithful servant of Allah and be guided by His prophet, I am happy. I pray to Allah that I am always on the straight path. That I am able to guide my family towards Him........  

Not in my lifetime

The roads are clear this morning. Yesterday evening it was the same. Perhaps most people are on leave, taking advantage of the public holiday on Wednesday. If only every week it is like this, I mean holiday on Wednesday. It will be a four day work week, every week, every month, every year! Wow…that will be wonderful. I read somewhere that a country, I can't remember which country is experimenting with a four day working week. Here and at most countries, I don't think it will happen. Not in my lifetime.  

When will it stop?

With Russia in active participation, the fighting in Syria is getting very muddle. The US and Russia may have a common enemy in ISIS but they have very different friends. The problem is that these friends are all fighting in Syria. The US supports the rebels while Russia supports the government. Then we have the ISIS that apparently have no support from anybody. On top of that, there are so many rebels groups its a wonder if they know who are their friends and who are their enemies. Its a muddle all right. I am at a loss at who is fighting who in Syria at the moment. Its sad actually. A beautiful country coming to ruins. When will all these stop?

Its a waste of money

My hand phone is hardly two years old but its vintage stuff already. New versions of the same model has been launch three times since I bought mine. Mostly, they upgrade certain features a little bit  here and there and you have it, the new model! Actually, I don't know if its worth the money to keep up with the changes. My phone can do most of the things that I want to do. In fact it can do more but I only know how to use a fraction of it. Even if I buy a new one, I will only use the applications that I am using now. So, the verdict. Keep my phone. Don't buy a new one. Its a waste of money!

Catch up on Sleep

Yesterday I spent the whole day sleeping away. Catch up on loss sleep during the weekdays. I wanted to wash my car and service my motorcycle but decided all those can wait. Sleep is more important. After all, during weekdays, I sleep four to five hours only. It all depends actually. If the babies sleep early, I can sleep early. Otherwise, I can't. By five in the morning, I am already up. At the office, I try to sleep during lunch hour but that is only for half an hour. I have to have lunch. There's also the afternoon prayers to fulfill. So, the only time I can catch up on my sleep is during weekend.    

No more pretenders

The pretenders have been shown the door. Only the real challengers are still around. That's when the tournament gets to be real interesting. I'm talking about the rugby world cup off course. Its at the quarter final stage now. Its make or break. The All Blacks are favorite as always but they can be vulnerable at this stage. Many times they have failed to deliver when all it needed was just a little bit more than walking in the park, for them. The pressure gets too much. Its affects your mind, your rhythm so much so that you are not at your best.

Absurd

The going on in FIFA is getting to be absurd. A president is suspended. A presidential hopeful is similarly suspended. Another presidential hopeful is suspended even longer. Many others are under investigation for corruption. I don't know what else is happening. Its a wonder if FIFA is even functioning at all at this moment in time. Its ridiculous!

60km/h is not so fast anymore

I had some personal thing to do at one of the government offices in Putrajaya. As I am working and always tied up with many things in the office, I decided to go early in the morning, do my thing and rush back to the office, hopefully all before 9am when my working hours start. I decided to ride my motorcycle cause I know I will have more control over the time. In other words I will not be caught in a jam, in sha Allah. So, early this morning, I left my house at 6.30am. Reached Putrajaya at about 7.30am, quickly do the things I needed to do and rode on to the office. Alhamdulillah, I reached the office at 8.30am, well before my office time starts. I even had time for a quick breakfast. 

As for the ride, it was enjoyable. One thing different this time was I was riding at about 70-80km/h, sometimes even reaching 90km/h. Suddenly, 60km/h is not so fast anymore. 

From cradle to grave

I worked for over thirty years in my previous company. Have to say I learned a lot while there, gained a lot of experienced, introduced to many things. Talk about Balanced Scorecard, I have done it. Talk about Business Plan, I have done it. Talk about ISO, about 5S, about Total Quality Management, about Strategic Planning, about procurement, about KPIs, about management breakout, about budget challenge, about presenting papers, about disciplinary action, about marketing, about business development , about regulatory relations, etc…….. I have done them all. Come to think of it, I have a lot of experience in me. But I am learning more things now in my new company. There's always something new to learn. That's why the learning never stops, from cradle to grave. 

My own pleasure

Although this is my eighth year of blogging, I would like to think I am still going strong. I am indeed still going strong. I can never get tired of blogging. I hope to carry on for as long as I live. As I have always said, one day this blog will be the grandfather stories for my grandchildren. Now I already have two grandchildren. They are still babies off course but they will grow up. I will continue blogging cause I enjoy it. It is something that I do naturally. All I need to do is sit down in front of my computer and my fingers will punch away. In a few minutes I have my story. Not that they are great stories but they are stories anyway. It is for my own pleasure. 

It has become routine

The life of a football manager is like living on edge. Getting the sack is a normal thing to happen. In fact, if you have never experienced the sack, you are the odd one out. However, on the flip side, the sack can be a good thing because the severance package is millions. I wouldn't mind getting the sack if I'm paid millions but then, who wants me in the first place? The Liverpool manager is gone. Maurinho could be next. Only Arsene Wenger goes on and on. Nineteen years already, doing the same job. Year in, year out. It has become routine. 

Really bad

There's a town in Kalimantan, Indonesia where the haze reading is 2000. Pekan Baru in Sumatra, Indonesia is having readings of more than 1000. I don't how the people in these two places are taking it but for sure, it is not a laughing matter. It is definitely bad for the health. I am already choking with readings of 200. It feels terrible. Come to think of it, it is like winter only its not.  

Troubling times

By his own admission, Maurinho but he is facing the worse period in his managerial career. Five defeats in eleven games is not what you would expect from a team build by him. If I can gauge from what I have been reading, he is taking it badly. Not surprising for a man who has never been in such a crisis before. It has been smooth sailing so far for him. Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan. He had some problem at Real Madrid but that was peanuts compare to what he is facing now. Now the path is rocky with granites thrown all over the place. It can explode anytime. Lets see if the man is made of sterner stuff! 

A brief respite

After coming back from the futsal game last night, I was feeling quite tired. Unfortunately I couldn't have the rest I needed because Maisarah would stay awake until about one in the morning. I had to look after her until she dozed off. It was almost one am before I could really rest my body and mind. Anyway, manage to wake up in time for the Subuh prayer at the surau this morning. Maybe later in the day I will try to catch some sleep. Its the weekend again after a hectic weekday. A brief respite from the office and the things that goes on in there. Come Monday it will be back to the grind.

Maintaining the fitness

I have been jogging on and off for so many years. At one time I even ran the PJ Half marathon. I received a certificate for that for completing within a certain time. After that I was contemplating running the full marathon but that didn't happened. That was off course many many years ago but I am still an avid jogger. I may not be able to complete the half marathon now but with enough practise, I might be able to. I also enjoy playing futsal or football for that matter. Because of my age, I have difficulty getting friends for a game so I play with people half my age or even less. When playing, I know my limitations. Thus, I don't run non stop like I used to. I pace myself. I have some idea of my strength and stamina. So, I try to play withint that level. Not to be led by the youngsters that I'm playing with. They run like there's no tomorrow. 

Working late

The past two days I have been leaving the office after 7pm. Normally at this time, the crawl getting out of the parking lots of my office is over. It will be a smooth ride as most of the people would have gone home by this time. However, much to my surprised, on both days, I couldn't get out of my parking lot because there's are cars in front waiting in a queue heading for the exit. I had to wait some minutes before the path is clear. Even then, to reach the exit took many more minutes. It seems that many people are working late. I used to believe that work is only for the working hours. After that, its time for the family and other personal things. However, now I am not so sure. Sometimes you have to work late. Otherwise, deadlines will not be met.

Mullings

The past two days have been a busy one. Right from morning till late in the evening, I was occupied. Suddenly its Friday already. Its going to be another busy day but at least I know for a fact that tomorrow its going to be Saturday. That means a bit of a break from the office. Tonight I hope to play Futsal with the boys from the office. Saturday and Sunday, I hope to be able to rest and recuperate. This weekend I don't have any wedding invitations so that is welcome after attending so many weekends after weekends. The anchovies we bought in Lumut is almost gone in less than a month. We thought it would last us 5 to 6 months. What terrible planning. I might have to go again to Lumut!