Hi I'm Munirah

All my problems, worries or whatever will disappear by just looking at her face.

I can't afford it

Two days ago I put up my Mercedes for sale. I called up an agent to help me with the sale. Hopefully it will be done as soon as possible. I have used the car for almost eight years, spent a lot of money on it. Now its time to move on. After my retirement, there's no reason to keep it anymore. I don't need it. So might as well sell it. I have just bought the Alza for the future. That's for the family. For me, all I need is the motorcycle. The car has served me well all these years although at times the maintenance has been expensive. This year for example I have already spent more than five thousand on maintenance. Lucky thing my company paid for it. Now that I am retiring I will have to pay myself. I can't afford it.

Counting the hours

The fasting month is finishing soon. So is the European championship while Wimbledon is just starting. Meanwhile the All Blacks are still at their marauding best. Obliterate a strong Welsh team off the ground. I wonder who can stop them? England as usual failed at the early stages of a football tournament. No surprises there except that the team that knocked them out is Iceland. Unthinkable! After the shocked of Brexit, this is another painful exit. As for me, I am counting the hours now, rather than days.

Going to be difficult

My second last day in the office. Had to attend a meeting in Putrajaya. In fact, that's the reason why I am still around. If not for the meeting, I would have taken leave already prior to retirement. Tomorrow there's another meeting. After that, I will be off for good. In a way, its a good thing. I work till my last day cause that's what I'm paid for. Half of me is feeling happy because I will be free from work but another half of me is worried about the future, especially for the kids. That's why I will look for a job after I finished this one. I need a job as quickly as I can. Otherwise, it is going to be difficult.

In five years

I am blogging from a hotel room in Seremban. This has been our routine to ever since the tenant left a few months back. We will drive to Seremban, stay at the house for a while, then overnight at a hotel nearby. Somehow, I am beginning to like the place, Senawang, a suburb of Seremban. The atmosphere is akin to that of a smaller town, less busy, less crowded but with all the amenities within a few mile radius. Its a great place to stay, I would think but not at the moment for sure. Now, I need to find a new job. The best and maybe the only place for me is in KL. Maybe in five years, I can think of staying in Seremban, enjoying my retirement.

Seremban

Seremban 1

Well and healthy

Its already twenty days of fasting. So fast! I can tell you the next ten days is going to go just as fast, if not faster. Before we know it, its going to be Eidul Fitri. This Ramadhan, I was mostly at the neighbourhood surau. Three nights I was away because I had to break fast elsewhere. Otherwise, I was there all the time. I lead the prayer for three nights. Many a times, we felt like going out for a drink after the Tarawih but thinking of the hassle of bringing the kids along put us off. They will definitely not sit still. Running, shouting, playing, touching etc. turning what should be a quiet drink into a nightmare. Kids being kids, that's how they behave. It can be annoying and trying but at least I know that they are well and healthy.

Munirah is 3 months and a bit

Its been more than three months since Munirah came into this world. She has been a delight, just as Akid and Maisarah were. Taking care of her has been easy as she sleeps well at night. She only cries when she is hungry. Otherwise, she is ok. Not much problem.

There's always a first time

It will be back to work this morning after a break of five days. The break was good. I managed to do many things, personal and family matters that have been kept waiting for so long until I can find the time. The two days i.e. Monday and Tuesday was such a time. As for the work, today will be my fourth last day. I will work tomorrow, then two and a half days next week before retiring for good. I will take a well deserve break over the holiday period. After that, it will be job hunting days. Come to think of it, I never had in my life to look for a job. My first job was a result of my scholarship with the company. They paid for my studies. Therefore I had to serve them. My present job was offered to me while I was on holiday in Cameron Highland. I never even applied for it. So, now I will be job hunting for the first time, at sixty years old! As they say, there's always a first time.

Would be nice

I had difficulty sleeping last night. Must be the coffee I drank just before sleeping. Took the opportunity to watch the 'Tarawih' prayer at Masjidil Haram. My oh my....the Grand Mosque is so big its unbelievable. Apparently the construction is completed. It is so big it can fit in hundreds of thousands of people, if not millions. Would be nice if I can have the opportunity to go to Makkah again. Have to see for myself the changes that has happened since I last went there in 2011. In 1996, things were definitely different then. That was when I first went to Makkah.

One morning

Came back from morning prayer at the surau, saw Munirah wide awake and making noises. Had to take her in my arms otherwise the noises will turn into cries. Meanwhile, Akid and Maisarah are still in their slumber.

On leave

I am still on leave. Yesterday went to the bank to open a bank account for Munirah. Start saving for the children from small. Unlike before, I am now almost sixty. My working days are numbered so while I still can, I try to save as much as possible. Once I stop working, which is going to be soon, I won't be able to do it anymore. After that, went o pick up my Mercedes. Was shocked when I was told I had to top up the amount paid by the insurance but what to do? If I don't pay, I don't get my car. Anyway I hope to recover the money when I sell the car.At night, I was on duty as the 'imam tarawih' for the surau. Its the second night. Tonight will be the last. Insha Allah everything will be alright.

Repaired

The car is has been repaired. I must say it was done quite fast. The only problem is I under insured the car. As a result, I didn't get the full claim. In fact, I had to cough out some money to pay for the repair. Its a lesson for the future. You never know what will happen in the future. Trying to save money by insuring for less is ok if nothing happens. If somethings happens, that's when the problem starts. For example, driving a car without a license is all right if nothing happens. If something happens, then you are in real trouble!

Valuable experiences

The days and nights feel different these days. For one thing its Ramadhan, the special month for fasting. For another, I'm also on the brink. I can't help but think about my impending retirement. My remaining number of days in the office is less than a week. I need to pack up soon. Take my things from the office for home. This time I'm also going to take my notes, articles, presentations, etc. acquired while carrying out my work. It might come in handy later on. When I retired previously, I left everything. Understandable as I had no intention to work again then. When I started working again, I found that those things are vary valuable. Those are experiences build up over the years. I can never get them anywhere!

Munirah is three months

Munirah is growing up nicely. She is three months now, almost 5kg. She has been a good girl so far, sleeping soundly throughout the night. She doesn't wake up at night except once at about 4am when she cries for her milk. Otherwise, she is a good sleeper. That really is a stark contrast to Maisarah when she was about Munirah's age. She starts her tantrum at 11.30pm and goes on till morning. It happens every night. I had a hard time looking after her. I lose plenty of sleep. Off course now she is also a big girl. Akid also went through the same except that his tantrums starts at 7.30pm. Now he is also okay.

Rain rain go away

It was raining almost the whole day yesterday. I had a 'buka puasa' appointment near my house at JlnSemarak, KL. I didn't go because of the rain. Felt really bad about it as the food has been paid for. I rode in the rain coming back from the office to my house. After a bath and a short rest, thought I'd leave the house at about 6.30pm to go to Jln Semarak but the rain was unrelenting. I was in two mind to go or not to go. Finally at about 6.40pm, the rain stopped. I decided to go. Unfortunately, riding my bike just after leaving the house, I noticed dark clouds in the horizon. It is going to rain again, I said to myself. I don't want to be caught in the rain twice in a day so I decided to turn back. Sure enough it rained. Alhamdulillah, I was already in the house by then.Then, miraculously, it stopped at about 7pm and for the whole night, no rain. Sigh.......

There's a way

In a way I look forward to retirement but on the other hand, I need to work in order to survive. Retirement looks increasingly inviting. Relaxing in the house not having to go to work. I know the feeling as I have retired before. However, I need to find work. The sooner the better as my coffer will get dry without work. At sixty years old, I don't have much option but in sha Allah, there will be a way if there's a will. I might not see it at the moment but I have faith in the Grace of Allah. There will be a way.

Finishing my leave

It has been raining since early morning from about 2am. It continued till 7.30am when it stopped, just the right time for me to go to work. It rained again before the Friday prayer but Alhamdulillah, I was already inside the mosque. Then it stopped after the prayer, giving me enough time to get back to the office. Now I'm hoping there's no more rain so that I can get home safely after work but the clouds look menacing, dark and gloomy. Later in the day I have to go to another 'buka puasa' event. Its near my house that's why I'm going home first. Next week I'm taking leave Monday and Tuesday, followed by a public holiday on Wednesday because of Nuzul Quran. That will be five days altogether counting Saturday and Sunday! 

Bakun from the air

After that

Its 5.30pm now. The office is empty except for a few people. Most have gone home to break their fast with their family. Me, I'm still in the office, waiting for about 6.30pm before going to Hilton Sentral. I'm breaking my fast there today. However, its raining heavily at the moment. Don't know if I can make it to Hilton as I'm on my bike. Just hope the rain will stop soon. Otherwise, I might have to skip the event. Head straight for home. I can have my bath immediately afterward after braving the rain on my motorbike, albeit with the raincoat. These are my last few days in the office. In fact I was supposed to go on leave starting next week but my boss asked me to continue working for a few more days yet. There are important meetings coming up till the end of the month. I felt obliged. That being the case, I will start my leave prior to retirement during the Eid week. After that?

Breaking fast with friends from Sime Darby

They were involved in the Bakun project as the civil contractor.

How ironic

Every time I look at the few working options that might be available after my retirement, working in Bakun was never in my mind but somehow, now it looks like it might be the most likely option or even the only option available.  It might not happen but who knows….... Hmm…… how ironic. It only reinforced my belief that we can anticipate things but we can never anticipate everything. Things might happen very differently from what we anticipate. Anyway, I'm open to all options for the simple reason that I need to work in order to have the money. In sha Allah, in Allah I thrust. 

Buka puasa events

This week I have three 'buka puasa' events starting today at Sime Darby Convention Centre. Tomorrow it will be at Hilton Sentral. Then on Friday it will be at Heliconia, Jln Semarak. So, it will be going home late for all the three days. It will also mean doing the Tarawih alone at home. A bit tough but I will have to manage. Its tough because by the time I reached home, it will be about nine to nine thirty or even ten. At this late hour, I will be tired but I still have to do the Isya' and then the Tarawih. 

I will be retired

When its weekend I feel a bit relax during the fasting month. I don't worry about sleeping late cause I don't have to go to work the next day. Therefore, I can sleep during the day to recover. On weekdays, there's always this feeling at the back of the mind that  I have to take care of my sleep. Otherwise, I will not be at my working best the next day. The feeling of drowsiness, lethargic and tired will accompany me the whole day while working. Its not a good feeling to be frequently yawning away during a meeting for example. Anyway, in a week's time and a bit, I don't have to worry about it no more. I will be retired.

Small difference

So far for this fasting month, I did all my Tarawih prayer at the surau near my house except for one night. My company gave a 'buka puasa' treat to the staff at the hotel beside our office. I did my Tarawih at home, alone. Come to think of it, that was how the holy Prophet did it during his time. Somehow, it has changed. The present way of doing the Tarawih, in a congregation, was first done during the time of the Caliphate Omar al Khattab. Its no use getting into an argument whether its right or wrong. If you feel it's not right, then do it alone in your house. Otherwise, follow everybody else. Small difference like this shouldn't be the reason why we should be accusing each other.

A perfect excuse

The Mercedes is being repaired. I dropped by the workshop last Thursday to have a look. They have already dismantled the damaged part and repaired some of it. The workshop told me it will take most probably another two weeks. That will mean before the Eid celebrations it will be ready. Anyway, its not a problem for me. I have the Alza which we have just bought. I have my motorbike which I am using to go to work. As a matter of fact, I am thinking of selling the Mercedes after it has been repaired. In a way, it is a blessing in disguise. Using the motorbike to work means I don't have to worry about the jam. Its what I have always wanted but couldn't. Now, I have a perfect excuse.

Take a break

Nest week will be my last full working week. The week after next I will work only on Monday and Tuesday. After that, its reality check. I will finish off my leave prior to retirement. Its my second time. Don't know if I'm excited or worried but whatever it is, I have to accept the situation. Maybe I will take a short break. Enjoy the fasting month and the Eidul Fitri before start looking for a job. I have made overtures already but whether it will come to fruition or not, I do not know. I need a job, that's undeniable. No matter what, I pray to Allah that all will be well, in sha Allah. 

Missed my sahur

Used to be that almost every fasting month, there will be one or two days that I will miss my 'sahur'. However, over the last few years, it has not happened. Unfortunately for this year, it happened again. This morning I missed my sahur. I woke up at 5.35am thinking that it is 4.35am, that is until I heard the call for prayer from the nearby surau. Then only I realised I have missed my sahur. What is there to do except to accept it and hope that I can last till the breaking of fast. In my younger days I would have no problem dealing with this kind of situation but now, my body is weaker I think. Alhamdulillah, today is a Saturday meaning I don't have to go to work. At least I can sleep off the day. 

Lightning speed

Muhammad Ali was such a big name that when he fights, the whole country comes to a standstill. That 's how big he was. I remember when I was working in Temengor, we had a TV specially brought in to the power station just so that we could all watch him fight. It was sanctioned by the management. The fight was telecast lived on TV at about 10am in the morning. We all stopped work for a short while to see the fight. Can't remember who was the opponent then but he won off course. In his prime, he was a heavyweight who fought like a flyweight. Speed like lightning, floats like a butterfly, stings like a bee.

Daily routine change

The fasting month has changed my daily routine a bit such that it is affecting my blogging time. Day in day out its already four days of fasting. I missed updating my blog the last three days. Usually I would come to the office early in the morning while my official office hours begins at 9am.. That's when I have some time to do my blogging. In the fasting month however, I come to the office a bit late while my working hours starts earlier by half an hour. Anyway, I still try to find the time to blog like this morning. I reached the office at eight. Therefore I have half an hour to blog. 

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali, the greatest. Need I say more?

Ist day of Ramadhan

Its only a few minutes past five but the office is already half empty. Its the fasting month off course. People are rushing to go home, as early as possible. I will be going home soon as well. Anyway, for me, no worry about the traffic. I'm on my motorbike. In sha Allah, everything will be smooth going. Hours and days are moving fast. I'm on my last few weeks of working. Its coming soon, so soon I don't even realize it.

In Seremban

After the aborted trip last week, we are back in Seremban this week, with the new car. The roads were heavy with vehicles but we took the LEKAS highway. That helped. Otherwise, we would be caught in the jam.

About the future

We will leave the Seremban house empty for the moment until my future is decided. The we will decide what to do with the house. Most probably will rent it out again. If I find work again, it will likely be in KL. Thus we will continue staying in our rented house in Gombak for sure.

A Summer of football

The fasting month is fast approaching and so are the football tournaments. There's the Euro and the Copa America both starting at about the same time. From what I know, the matches will be shown live on TV. In my younger days, I would watch these matches, no matter how late or how early they are. Now, it don't really matter. I watch when I have the time. I don't watch when time does not permit. I am predicting a Germany or a Spain win for the Euro. For the Copa, its Brazil or Argentina. Come to think of it, its boring when the same team are the favorites all the time. 

Take the most

I'm on half day leave. Have to go to the bank to settle the Viva. I'm selling it to a car dealer. Will be back at the office by noon today in sha Allah. Tomorrow it will be Friday again followed by the weekend. We plan on going to Seremban this Saturday. Last week it had to be aborted because of the accident. Will come back on Sunday. Sunday night will see the start of Ramadhan karim. In sha Allah, I will try to take the most of the opportunities offered by Allah during the month of Ramadhan. Don't want to let it go without trying.

Preparing for the day

Took the new car yesterday, a Perodua Alza. Thought that would be the best car at the moment for the family. Affordable, small but big enough, reliable and a proven winner. Will be selling my Mercedes and the Viva. I will ride the motorbike now. No car for me. At this moment in time, that's is the best arrangement. Have to be careful with my money, be prudent with the spending. As I will retire soon, the future is uncertain. I need to secure a job as soon as I can. Till then, spending will have to be on a lower scale. Don't want to run out of cash with the little that I have now.

You never know

The MRT near my office is near completion. Yesterday we saw the first train rolled by, empty off course. It was on a test run. Before the end of the year, I believe we will see the first passengers taking their ride. As for me, its too late as by then, I will be in my retirement. A pity as the convenience came a  little too late. But then, you never know. I might be working some where else where the MRT has a stop. If that happens, for sure you will see me on the MRT. As I have mentioned many times before, in life you can never anticipate anything cause things happened when you least expected it. For me, it has happened many times already. I'm sure it will happen again, in sha Allah.