Last day of November

The year is coming to an end. So soon. Days and weeks and months passed by like the air that you breathe. You don't feel it but you know its there. It moves on silently without much of a fanfare. Suddenly, its Friday once again. Then, its already middle of the year. After that, it is already coming to the end of the year. That's how it goes. Life goes on no matter what. 

This morning I was shocked by the news of the death of Pak Yus, the comedian from the Jambu group. A talented comedian, winner of the first Raja Lawak way back in 2008, I think. Only 39. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi Rajiun.

Can't take photos

Over the weekend, I had a haircut. I also sent my phone and TV for repair. The phone couldn't be repaired while the TV, I'm still waiting for an answer. Hope that can be repaired. Now I'm in a dilemma, should I get a new phone or not? They are expensive, no doubt about that. I can get a cheaper one but the speed will be slow, the pictures would not be beautiful and the camera would not be that good. My present handphone can still work fine but without the camera. I feel handicap without it. Can't take photos……… 

Sigh.......

I sent my handphone for repair yesterday. The camera was not working after I accidently got it in water while we were in Lumut, Perak. Akid got into difficulties while playing in the children pool. I jumped into the water to help him, with clothes on plus my handphone. Alhamdulillah, everything else about the phone was okay except the camera. Alas, the camera could not be repaired. In fact can be repaired but the cost would be like buying a new phone. Sigh........

Traveling back

The internet was out the whole of last night. There was heavy rain but I do not know if there is any connection between the two. Surprisingly, I can get the internet through my handphone using Celcom which previously, was not available here. Here means Bakun. So, I'm using this connection now. Last night, I was not aware of this possibility hence I was cut off from any connection. Its the rainy season here in Bakun. It rains everyday. Heavy at that. Last night even Astro was not available for a while because of the rain. This morning, I will be traveling back to KL, in shaa Allah. 

Never tried

If you have not failed, it only means you have never tried. Is that true? Thinking back, I think I have not  'failed' before. Does it mean I have never tried? Sure I have. I went through the exams just like everybody else. I work just like everybody else. I went through the trials and tribulations, just like everybody else. But outside of work, yes, I have not tried anything except bringing up my children. That's all. Nobody recognize me. Anonymous. Sure I was an Imam for a short while many years back. Other than that, nothing. Now however, I am an imam again. Not only that, I am ask to give religious talk. That is something totally new. So, now can I say I am trying! At almost sixty years old at that.

Tiring

In Bakun now. Arrived about 4.30pm. Just had dinner at 6pm, now in the room doing some reading and writing. The day gets dark early here, about 6.15pm. Tonight, I have one meeting. Tomorrow I have two meetings, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. On Friday, its flying back to KL. Its been a tiring day, leaving the house early in the morning to catch the LRT to KL Sentral. From there, take the Express to KLIA before catching the plane to Bintulu. Then, its a three hours drive to Bakun. Hmmm…. its been that sort of a day.

You reap what you sow

There are people who are blessed with a healthy life. They keep going strong even at an age when most people are already winding down. Sometimes I wonder how they can do it. One thing I know for sure. You are what you are now because of what you were when you were young. Lead a healthy life when you are young, in shaa Allah you will remain healthy when you grow old. Eat all the bad food in your younger days, the effect will show in your older days. In other words, you reap what you sow. Alhamdulillah, I am as healthy as can be at 59 years old. There are creeks here and there but overall, I have no complain. I hope to remain healthy for a long time, in shaa Allah.

One station

Next week I'II be going to Bakun again in shaa Allah. Its back to the routine after not going there for almost two months except for the very short trip two weeks ago. Been busy in my office here. Many things to do. Come to think of it, we are only a one station company. Yet, everybody is busy in hq such that sometimes we run out of meeting rooms. I wonder how it is like with ten stations for example.

Alhamdulillah

Alhamdulillah Akid has been sleeping well the past one or two weeks. No more the days when he sleeps during the day but wakes up at night. He will stay awake the whole night, not feeling sleepy at all. Come morning, when everybody wakes up to begin the day, he will sleep. This pattern went on for a few months. We were getting worried. The problem with him was all he needed was a short sleep during the day. For example, he sleeps at three until five in the evening. That will be enough for him. He don't need to sleep again until the next day. He won't get sleepy again. Somehow, by the grace of Allah, the pattern has now changed. He sleeps at night like everybody else and wakes up during the day, like everybody else.

Relaxing

Awesome!

Since 2004, played 157 times. Won 137 times. A strike rate of 87.3 %. From 2011, they were even better. Played 54 times. Won 49 times. 90.7%. What a great performance! No wonder they are on top of the world. Who are they? The ALL Blacks off course. From the tiny nation of New Zealand.  

A sad day

In 1995 he conquered the world. never before has the rugby world seen a player like him. Big, strong and fast. I saw the matches on TV. I saw how he trampled over the England players as he carried the ball over the line. I was captivated. What a great player he was. Alas, his playing life is short as he was carrying an illness. His life is short too. At forty years old, he is gone. A sad day for sport lovers all over the world. 

Long day

Its going to be along day today with meetings from morning till night. The last meeting for the day will start at 8pm. When it will finish, only Allah knows. Nevertheless, I have prepared myself, physically and mentally, for the long haul. This brings to mind when I was in this kind of situation before. I didn't go home after the meeting which ended almost midnight. Instead, I stayed at a hotel minutes away from the office because the next morning, I had more meetings. Anyway, this time, I am not planning to stay anywhere else except to go home. My house is not too far away unlike before. Twenty minutes drive is all it takes, provided there's no jam off course.

Flood everywhere

It was raining cats and dogs yesterday. A few places were flooded. Shah Alam receives the brunt of it. Thought they have done something about it like making the drains bigger and deeper but unfortunately, it is not enough. Come heavy rain, the place gets flooded. Alhamdulillah, my road to home yesterday wasn't affected. I manage to get home just as always, had my bath and the Maghrib prayers before heading to the surau to have my Isya' there. The kids also slept early last night. By9.30pm, they were both fast asleep.

Hello

That's me in my official uniform. It will be a sad day when I have to leave my present working place. What a contrast from before. Four years ago, I was looking forward to retirement. I was very happy when I finally retired. Now, I am feeling totally different. I want to work for as long as I can. For as long as I am wanted. For as long as my health permits me but alas……… you plan but Allah also plan and Allah plan will prevail as it is always the best. 

To be credible

On Saturday I was at home most of the time, resting and sleeping. I only venture out to go to the surau, a short walk away, for all the five daily prayers. After the Maghrib prayers, I gave my first ceramah. About ten people were in the audience but nevertheless, I gave my best. It was ok considering I'm doing it for the first time although I could have done better. Nevertheless, alhamdulillah. I thought it would my first and last but looks like its going to be a regular thing. Still, lets see. I'm open to it although I must say, I have to update my knowledge in order to be credible.

Reading up

Been reading a few books lately on the Quran, updating my knowledge. I need to prepare myself for tonight when I have to give a ceramah at the local surau. At an age when people are retired, I am going to do it for the first time in my life. It is something new. Sure, in my working life I have given presentations, chair meetings plus given a handful of speeches but never have I given a ceramah anywhere. In a way it is good because it force me to increase my knowledge. I have done a lot of readings but that was long ago. Since then, I have not updated myself. Now, I am reading again. I aim to continue reading even if tonight is my first and last ceramah. 

In life, you never know when you will need it. I learned Tajwid years ago. Now it comes in handy when I have to lead the prayers. I have been memorising the Quran for years. Although not much but it is also handy now that I am leading the prayers. I have been learning Arab for years. Now it will come in handy when I give the ceramah, in shaa Allah. My motorcycle license was obtained more than thirty years ago. Never needed it but when I decided to ride to work, it certainly helped.

Off to work

On Friday, I like to take the bike to work. That's because going for Friday prayer using the bike is more convenient.

Unanswered questions

I don't know what is happening to the world of sports. FIFA is in trouble. So is the IAAF. What will be next? It seems that most of the football world is in some kind of trouble. Even Germany, where you would least expected it to be. There seem to be some kind of bribery happening in order for Germany to secure the hosting of the 2006 World cup. So far it is still not proven but there are unanswered questions, just like what is happening with IMDB, unanswered questions.

Jogging again

The sky is clear now. No more haze. I took the opportunity to go jogging last Tuesday at Taman Titiwangsa. Been quite sometime since I last jog because of the haze. Felt really good to be jogging again. I did just one round but with burst of speed seven times in between. Now, that was really tiring but I felt light and easy after that.   

Past few days

Attended a friend's wedding do for his son on Sunday. On Monday, visited a friend who is in SJMC after suffering a stroke. He is ok now but for some lost of memory. Can't recognize me although he tried his best. Tuesday was a public holiday. I was at the house most of the time, taking a much needed rest. Yesterday I was back at work. There were plenty to do. Alhamdulillah all went well, better than expected. Nevertheless, it was about 9.30pm before I reached home. That sums up the happenings over the past few days.

I will give my best

For the first time in my life, I rode the motorbike into the heart of KL city at Jalan Masjid India. As I had expected, getting into the city was no problem at all. Parking was another no brainer. I went there to search for books on the Quran. In the end I bought five books that I intend to read or at least glance through before the end of this week. This coming Saturday is going to be a big day for me. I will give a talk/ceramah at the surau after the Maghrib prayers. At almost sixty years old, I am going to give my first talk. Hmmm…. that's how it is. This life never cease to amaze me. I never expected, never dream that one day I will be asked to give a talk at a surau. That's why I need to be well prepared, hence the books. There may be only a handful of listeners but whatever it is, I will give my best, in shaa Allah.

Its Sunday

I have been to so may wedding 'do' that sometime I lost track on them. Yesterday was one example. I thought the reception was Saturday. So we went. At the entrance I didn't see the friend who was having the reception for his son. I said to myself, maybe he is somewhere else, never mind, have the food first. We walked in, nobody stopped us. While having the food, I kept an eye for my friend but he never turn up. Until we finished the food, I didn't see him anywhere. It was only on our way out I finally asked where is he to the people standing at the entrance. They asked, who? We don't know him! Only then did I realise. I had the wrong date. Its supposed to be Sunday.

It was impossible

Yesterday we went for medical check up for the third child. Its twenty one weeks already. In shaa Allah in March 2016, we will have another baby. While at the hospital, Akid and Maisarah went out of control. They were running all over the hospital, shouting and having fun. I had a hard time trying to keep up with them. It was impossible. The noise they made cause people to turn their attention to them. Everybody had eyes on them and by extension, on me as well. Hmmm........

Enjoying the evening

The kids having fun while I keep busy with the I Pad but with one eye on them.

Cleaning up

The house is almost ready for renting. It was in such a mess after the previous occupant left, we had to do a bit of a cleaning. Alhamdulillah, it is almost ready now. Hopefully, before the end of the year, we can get it rented out again.

Sleeping time

While we were busy cleaning up the house in Ceras, the two kids found the time to sleep. In a way, it helps as we can do our work in 'peace'. Otherwise, we have to content with the two of them getting in the way, making things difficult. By the way, Akid sleeping time has changed somewhat. He sleeps during the day and wakes up at night. It has been going on for three days already. I'm worried but I am at a lost at what to do. All he needs is a short sleep during the day. Then at night he will not be sleepy. While we are sleeping, he will be with his I pad. Hmm…... 

Monday morning jot

Forgot to bring my jacket this morning. I have to find time to go back home to take it. Otherwise I will be sick by the end of the day as it is so cold in the office. I can't go back now cause the traffic is still heavy. Maybe slightly later when the traffic has lessen. I suspect at about 10 in the morning, it should be ok. 

It's a clear blue sky at the moment. Has been so since yesterday. What a changed from the hazy days. I can start my jogging again. 

On the sporting front, the All Blacks are the champion once again but the hole for Maurinho got deeper over the weekend. I wonder how can a team that were champion last season finds itself languishing at the relegation end of the table, in the very next season! It boggles me. Maurinho needs to find a way out of his predicament soon or he will face the sack. Not that its such a bad thing anyway. He will be paid millions! 

World Champion

As expected, New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup. They were coasting throughout the first half but had a bit of a scare in the second when Australia staged a fightback. They got to within four points of New Zealand when finally Dan Carter decided its too close for comfort. He produced an all important drop goal that sliced the post, calming the nerves of his colleagues. From there on, it was smooth driving till the end. What great night for the All Blacks. The dominant team for so long, finally showing the world they can do it at the highest level. There have been doubts about their mental strength after repeated failures when it matters but for now, its all in the back burner.   

Cleaning up

Yesterday we were at a wedding reception in Shah Alam. The funny thing was there were three wedding reception going on at the same time, close to each other. As a result, finding a parking space was difficult. After that, we were at the house in Cheras. The house needs cleaning up after the tenant left. Was there till about 8.30pm before leaving the house for dinner. It was raining all the time so we chose to have dinner at one of the shopping malls there. We don't want the children to get wet. By the time we reached home, it was almost 11pm. All in all, it was a tiring day.