To K. Kangsar and back

Drove all the way to Kuala Kangsar and back for a wedding yesterday. Its my niece, daughter of my younger sister. Started early in the morning at seven. Drove back at about half past two in the evening reaching KL about six. Certain parts of KL was in a gridlock, this being the last weekend of Shawal so people open houses are a plenty. Alhamdulillah, Gombak was not one of them. This morning felt tired as a result of yesterday's excursion so decided to skip the jogging. In sha Allah tomorrow I will go.

Still enjoying the free time

At the moment, I'm doing nothing much. Still enjoying my free time as a pensioner. Been honing my memorising of the Quran a bit, that's all. If I add them all up, it about three chapters that I have memorised. That's only ten percent as the Quran has thirty chapters. A long long way to go. Don't think I can go that far cause even with the three chapters, I find difficulty in keeping them in my head. I need to keep on reciting them, everyday, if possible. Otherwise, they will go away. At the same time, I am also trying to memorise new verses, line by line. That takes some doing as well. So, its a struggle no less but I will keep on trying. Even if I can spend an hour a day memorising the Quran, I would be happy.

What day is today?

I'm beginning to lose track of the days already. That's what pension can do to you. I thought today is Wednesday until I looked at the calender. Its Thursday! Hmm....then I opened my blog. Was surprised that I had not updated anything since Sunday. That's four days ago! I thought it was only one or two days that I did not update. Must be more alert now. Keep up with the days. Don't be caught going to the bank only to discover its closed because its a public holiday. That's what happened to me the last time I was in the same situation about four years ago.

Munirah at four

Akid and Maisarah had fun riding bicycles outside the house this afternoon. Munirah wanted to join in the fun but off course she is too small, only four months old. Soon she will be able to join her brother and sister in sha Allah.

Raya visitors to the house

Don't need much

With the free time that I am having now, I might as well be a full time Imam at the surau, or drive an Uber or Grab taxi, or be an agent selling properties or be a tourist guide or.......... Hmm. I'm still thinking and evaluating my options. I quite like the situation that I am now. No worries about bosses, deadlines, meetings, reports, presentations etc. If not for the money worries, I'm in an ideal situation. My time is my time. I do what I like. I go where I like. Off course I can't spend too freely now but its okay. It's not a problem. My only problem is how to generate cash flow such that I can sustain my living while still maintaining the lifestyle that I am having now.  Not that I need much anyway. I travel on my trusted motorbike. I live in a simple house. I don't crave for the luxurious things.

The saga will continue

The IMDB story is not going to end soon, not with the US of A coming into the picture. It may be a civil suit for now but it will lead to something bigger, definitely. Its the major talking point for every conversation everywhere I go. People want to know the whole truth, not half truth because it involves a lot of money. So far, the story line has been flimsy, an after thought that would not hold water. Until the truth is known, the saga is going to continue.

Toss of coin

It is such a relief to have completed my six days of fasting in Shawal. My last day was last Tuesday. It may be for only six days but it is not that easy to do unless you have a strong resolve. The distraction are plenty especially when people are still celebrating 'Hari Raya' even though it is over. Open houses are everywhere. Then there's also the wedding receptions that are coming thick and fast. Every weekend there is at least one. This year Saturday 30th of July seems to be a favourite date for everybody. Up to today, I have received five invitations, wedding receptions as well as open houses. Hmm.... its a toss of coin which one I will go!

Bundle of joy

Munirah is four months old. She is growing up nicely. Love playing with her. Milk from her mother has made her a 6.5 kg bundle of joy. 

Visiting time

Decided to take the kids to the zoo last Sunday. They had a great time but unfortunately Maisarah was being a little bit unlucky. Even before we entered the zoo, her finger was hit by the door at the ATM outside the zoo. She had her finger on the door when Akid closed it. It was off course painful. Then in the zoo, she climbed a barrier to have a better look but fell to the ground. Later on she fell on the road pavement while running. Both times she hurt her legs and hands. If that is not enough, she later had the misfortune to run straight into a glass barrier injuring her head. She thought that there was no barrier. After the fourth time, we decided there and then to leave the zoo. We didn't want to wait the fifth time. It was a risk we didn't dare take. 

Later in the day, we went for Hari Raya visits to my sister's house in Subang Jaya and my brother's house in Ampang.

Here and there over the weekend

Have faith in Allah

There's plenty of things to do even in retirement but most important of all, I need to do something that will bring in the cash or at least will make whatever little I have now last longer. That's the most important thing. Been doing a lot of thinking and searching. Who knows, Allah may have something in store for me! Al I can do is try. After all, I never expected to be working again after my first retirement but work I did. Not only that. It lasted three and a half years and the pay was great. So, never give up as you never know what will come next. Allah is great. Have faith in Allah no matter what.  The reward will come, if not in this world, then in the hereafter. 

Life in retirement

While at home, been watching the British open golf as well as the Euro football. Been also reading on the football transfer news which is now in full swing in Europe. Its the time of the season cause come August, the new season begin. Two days ago, an attempted coup happened in Turkey plus the big killing in Nice France a few days earlier. All these news makes interesting reading. I have all the time in the world now. Been also brushing up on my memorising of the Quran. I have set a target. I do not know if I can do it but I will try. It will take a lot of effort and determination for sure. And yes, I started my jogging again last Saturday. Now with time on my hand, maybe I will do three days a week.

Shawal in full swing

Been enjoying my holiday so much such that I couldn't find the time to blog. Not my holiday actually but the free time that I have now that I'm retired. After coming back from our sojourn to Malim Nawar and a short break at Cameron Highland, I did the six days of fasting in Shawal. Alhamdulillah I have done four days so far. Today is my fifth day. In sha Allah I will finish the six days by tomorrow. All the while, I was resting in the house without going anywhere much. Yesterday, however, we went to Ampang and Subang Jaya, to visit my brother and sister.  Its still very much the Hari Raya mood. Everywhere, open houses are being held. I myself have three invitations in the weeks to come, a reminiscent of my working days. I will go to only one I think, my company open house.

I am sixty years old

Before I forget, today I have reached another milestone in my life. I am sixty years old. Wow! That's a number to be proud of. Alhamdulillah, I am as healthy as can be at sixty. For that I am grateful to Allah. When I was young, sixty seems like so far away but now I am sixty. Unbelievable! At this age, health is wealth. Its the most important thing. Therefore, I will continue to look after my health as best as I can. Exercise regularly. Take care of my eating and sleeping time while eating healthy food and making sure I have enough sleep. At the same time, my brain need to keep working. Be happy and cheerful. Take the challenges of life positively all the time. Last but not least, pray and ask from Allah.

The exodus has begun

Its six thirty in the morning in my hotel room in Kampar. The hotel is situated by the old road that used to be the main highway leading to Ipoh going north or to Kuala Lumpur going south. Outside I can hear the constant sound of vehicles streaming past, mostly heading towards Kuala Lumpur I presume. The exodus has begun. Its been that way since five. Although the traveling has been spread out over the last few days, today is expected to be the day when the most number of vehicles will travel back to KL. I hear of people thinking of traveling in the wee hours of the morning just to avoid the expected jam. As for me, I will stay one more day before traveling back. Hopefully by then, the roads will have cleared. For today, I will eagerly wait for the news to see how the story will unfold. 

View from my room.

Six day fast

Thought I would begin my six day fast as early as the second day of Raya. Unfortunately, till the fourth day, I have still not started. Seem to be dragging my feet. Got to start soon, probably this Sunday. The longer I wait, the more chances I will not even begin. It happened before, it will happen again if I don't plan it properly. If that happens, the loser will be me for sure.

Can choose my time

My hand phone is giving me problem. The battery actually. I can charge the whole night but the meter will only show about 30% charged. Been like that for quite sometime already. Maybe its time to buy a new one. Not very pleasant when the phone is not functioning at its best. Nowadays, without the phone, you will feel incomplete. Just wonder how we all lived before when there were no hand phones? At the moment I'm in a hotel in Kampar. Its my third day here. Would like to go back to KL on Saturday or Sunday but thinking about the traffic decided to go back on Monday. After all, I'm not working anymore. Can choose my time.

Second day

Today we will be traveling to Malim Nawar Perak. Will be there for a few days, staying at a hotel in Kampar. There's only hotel of any class in Kampar but because its the only one, its always full. Booking have to be well in advanced, a few months in fact. Otherwise, there will be no room left. That's why I never managed to get a room there except once. Alhamdulillah, there are other hotels available. Not in the same standard but decent enough. The plan is to come back on Sunday but thinking about the traffic, we might be staying for an extra day and come back only on Monday.  

First day

First day was spent at home. After the Eid prayer in the morning, I was at home all the time. In the late afternoon, the children came. All four of them with their respective other half except for the youngest who is not married yet. It made my day.

Takbir

Unlike some of the mosques or surau, the surau in Gombak where I live is active and lively on the eve of Eidul Eid. That's the time when there are the most number of people. In other surau, eve of Eidul Eid means an empty surau because most of the regulars have gone back home to their respective villages/hometowns to celebrate with their love ones. Here in Gombak, that's the time when suddenly there is a surge of people, especially kids. Why? Because we do the takbir house to house after the Isya prayers. At some of the houses, 'raya' money is given. That's what draw the kids. As we move from house to house, the kids will tag along. Usually the event will last till well past midnight because there are so many houses to call. Last night, it ended at half past twelve. Not bad!

Might not come again

Ramadhan is leaving us soon. Its the last day today. By tonight, the month of Shawal will come. Its time to rejoice but should it be that way? It should the coming of Ramadhan when we should be rejoicing. Not Shawal. We should be feeling sad because Ramadhan is coming to an end. Ramadhan is the month when Allah give us a bonus. Its the month when we are given plenty of chances to harvest in preparation for life in the hereafter. Now that its coming to an end, the opportunity is gone. We have to wait next year but we are not sure if we will meet Ramadhan next year. That's why we should feel sad! The chances might not come again.

The effect of coffee

Nowadays I noticed that if I drink coffee after dinner, I won't be able to sleep the whole night after that. Happened to me a few times already lately. Try as I might, I just couldn't sleep because the coffee will keep me wide awake. Last night it happened again. Took a cup of coffee at the surau after the Tarawih prayer. As a result, I couldn't sleep the whole night. Its terrible. Must be more careful next time not to take coffee after dinner. 

Go on holiday

Its nice not having to go to work. Its a luxury of life but one I can't afford at the moment. Anyway, a few months is okay. Enjoy it while I can cause you never know what lies ahead. I might be so busy working again or I might still be unemployed. Only Allah knows. Whatever it is, I must make full use of the free time that I have now. Do what I need to do. Things that have been put on the back burner for so long because I couldn't find the time. Maybe I will go for a holiday as well, to places where I can afford. Not been to Cameron Highland for almost four years already. That looks like a good place to go. or maybe Kelantan or Penang.

Hanafi was at the house

For breaking of fast.

Love to continue

When I joined the company that I was working before retiring a second time, I brought with me more than thirty years of experienced from working in another company. I thought I had seen it all but three and half years working in the new company, I actually gained more valuable experienced. So, while giving my services and my experienced, I was also taking back a lot of learning. Its been three and half years of solid work, facing many hurdles, going through period of intense excitement and depths of despair, learning many new things in the process. It was a journey I never anticipated. I am grateful to Allah for giving me the opportunity. It was great while it lasted but all things have to come to an end. For me, it ended too soon. I would have love to continue.

Two years of high and low

Somehow today it dawn on me. Its almost two years since I started leading the prayers at the nearby 'surau'. Off course I don't do it five times a day, everyday because I was working but every time I'm there, ninety five percent of the time I will be the Imam. The five percent is because whenever there's a guest speaker, I will let him take the lead. Its been two years of high and low. There have been times when I wanted to give up because I was making too many mistakes. As a result, I lost all confidence, my heartbeat beating like the loudest drum, my voice crack while the mind goes blank such that I cannot even recite the simplest of verses. Sometimes I didn't go to the surau just to avoid having to lead the prayer. I took the easy way out by praying at home. However, there have been times when I did feel some peacefulness, my heartbeat normal and I can recite the verses without any hiccups. Nonetheless, through it all, the nervousness and the goosebumps in my stomach never left, even until today whenever I am leading the prayers. That has been the story of my Imam stint so far. 

Enjoy the break

Now that I am retired, I have plenty of time on my side. I plan to do a few things, things that have been put on the back burner because I couldn't find the time before. I need to go to TNB to settle a few things, I need to go to the Government pension department, I need to go to the banks etc. I will do it after the festive season is over in sha Allah. For now, let me enjoy the break to the fullest, concentrate on Ramadhan and enjoy the first of Shawal. Then I do my personal errands. After that I will think about the future. To be more precise, look for a job.

Taufik

Today is my first day as a retiree. Officially I am still working but taking into account my balance of leave plus the public holidays that is coming, I'm unofficially already retired. So this morning I'm blogging from home. There's no more office for me anymore. Its over. Second time in my life. The first time I asked to retire. This time I had to retire. There's a difference there. If I can, I would still like to work, earn some money to support my 'young' and growing family. The last time I retired I had no such worries. The circumstances were totally different. Its the life I had chosen. In sha Allah its the life Allah had chosen for me as well. In Islam we call it 'Taufik'. As long as I am patient, Allah is with me and when Allah is with me, I have no worries.