Observation

It is quite normal for us to park our cars everywhere we can when attending Friday prayers. This phenomena can be seen at every mosque where Friday prayers are held. However, most of the time, we are still discipline enough to make sure the roads within the vicinity of the mosque are still passable. The roads may get smaller because cars are parked on either side of the road but if need be, passing cars can still go through. It is important too. There might be an emergency and somebody need to use the road for whatever reason. Nonetheless, it must be said that there are places or instances where the roads are totally blocked. Therefore, what happened in Johor Baru recently is a wake up call. It reminded us Muslim to be always discipline. Inside the mosque, we pray in neat rows as required by the shariah. Outside the mosque, the cars must be parked in neat rows as well.

Its 7am

Its already 7am in the morning but the kids are still fast asleep. They had a late night last night before finally closing their eyes just after twelve midnight. Ever since the school holidays started a few days back, Akid and Maisarah have been sleeping a bit later then usual. Its also the fasting month so the daily routine changes a bit. Once the school reopens, they will get back to their normal routine like waking up early as they have to go to school. Its good that they go to preschool as they learned a lot. Maisarah for instance has picked up a lot of words. Her vocabulary has improved tremendously although at times it takes some understanding which tend to frustrate her. Akid is his usual self, talkative. As for Munirah, she is a delight.

Tired of doing nothing

At times, I do feel tired of doing nothing. After having worked all my life, I find doing nothing a bit difficult. I thought I would enjoy it. That's why I retired early during my first retirement. But circumstances have changed so has my thoughts on retirement. I need to work. I want to work, at least till sixty five years old. Unfortunately, I can't find any work now so I am forced to stay at home. I tried a few things but after a while, I find them not to my liking. I guess the best for me is to be a salaried worker. Even then, it has to be in a subject I am familiar with, where I have worked for over thirty years i.e. Power. In the meantime, I am getting tired doing nothing. Worse come to worse, I might drive Uber or Grab car again!

Tarawih prayers

This year I thought I didn't have to lead any Tarawih prayers. At my local surau, its four and four rakaah with a short lecture in between. For every single night, we have somebody coming to lead the prayers. However, there have been a few changes since then because of unavoidable circumstances. In the end, I have to take the lead for a few nights, albeit without the lecture. I don't want to be suddenly slapped with a charge of giving Islamic talks without permit. Last year, I lead the prayers for a few nights including giving the lecture but after a friend of mine was fined for giving talk without permit, I stopped. I don't have a degree in Islamic studies. Therefore, I can't have the permit.

Breaking of fast

A lot have been said in the social media about the fasting month becoming a feasting month. Fasting yes but when the time comes for breaking of fast, it has become some kind of a feast. I can safely say everybody is guilty about this over indulgence. Just look at the special 'Pasar Ramadhan'. They are everywhere. The kind of food they sell make the taste buds go crazy. That's why I seldom go to these places anymore. Most of the time, I will end up wasting a lot of food. When the stomach is hungry, every food looks inviting. I buy them but in the end, I cannot finish most of them. Its a waste definitely. So, yesterday, my breaking of fast was simple.

Ramadhan is coming

Today is the last day before Ramadhan. I will be going to Seremban today to settle a few things later today. Just hope I won't be caught in a jam when coming back in the evening. Yesterday, the rain was heavy causing flash floods around KL. After the heat wave, the rain was a welcome respite. The night air was cooling making sleeping a pleasant experienced. As for me, I am getting bored staying at home with not much to do. After Ramadhan, I have to seriously start looking for something to do. Otherwise, my brain will get stale, my body tired and aching and my health not in the best of time.

Different tactics

Been a long time since I watch a full football match at 2.30am. I saw one recently. The match between Man U and Ajax in the Europa league final. Played in Sweden of all places but never mind the venue. The match itself showed contrasting tactics by the different managers. Maurinho, with his expensive assembly of stars chose to sit back and play the long balls. In stark contrast, the Ajax youngsters, played the dribbling, passing, possession and territorial game. I thought it should have been the other way around. Anyway, what mattered was who won the game? Man U for sure.

One year since

Its almost a year since I retired. I remember it was during the fasting month last year when it was my last day of work. It was a sad day for me as I had hope to keep on working for at least another five years. Anyway, its all water under the bridge now. I did try to do a few things since then but all to no avail. Now, I spend my time mostly at home. I help with the kids and a little bit on the house chores although sometimes my wife feels like I am a hindrance. That's the way it is now, until such time when I can find something else to do. In the meantime, I look forward to Ramadhan to regroup and redouble my effort to become a faithful servant of Allah. 

Morning routine

I try to memorise the Quran every now and then. My favourite time is in the morning after the Fajr prayers. I will spend about half an hour to one hour reading and memorising. I really would like to spend more time but usually my mind gets tired after a while. I cannot go on anymore or even if I try carry on, my mind is not as sharp anymore. Maximum is one hour. I admire the people in Tahfiz schools who spend hours and hours doing it. Morning, afternoon and sometime a few hours at night. It takes a lot of heart to do that. I had ambition to memorise the whole Quran but till now, its only in my dream. My effort has not match my ambition so far.

Its known

So its known. After a day of reckoning, Arsenal is the team that will miss the Champions league. Liverpool made it after a nervy performance signifying the importance of the match. Man City also made it while Chelsea and Spurs already booked their places earlier. Man U? That remains to be seen. Win the Europa league and they will join the party. Otherwise, its another season of Thursday matches in far flung places against teams you never even heard of.

Enjoy the evening

Our favourite ride at Titiwangsa is the electric bicycle. It is so simple and convenient. No energy needed as all we have to do is turn the handle. Really suitable for an easy and comfortable ride in an enjoyable evening. We tried the bicycle once but it was too tiring and taxing. Really have to push the paddle real hard to move. The legs get tired after a while. With the electric bike, its all fun and recreation.

The weekend

The weekend was over as soon as it came. Before I knew it, its Monday once again. What did I do during the weekend? Nothing much I think. Didn't go jogging on Saturday because it was raining in the morning. On Friday after asar prayer, took the kids to Titiwangsa as has become our routine. Akid suddenly took ill after coming back. Perhaps he was too tired. He is one kid who don't know how to keep quiet. There's always something he wants to do. Sometimes he can't even open his eyes because he is too sleepy but he refuses to sleep. He will find something to do!

Afternoon nap

These days a short nap in the afternoon is the norm. Or should I say sleep because most of the time, it is for more than an hour. Sometime, Munirah will join me without me realising it. What else is there to do for a retiree? 

Bicycles for hire

Was in Subang Jaya yesterday for some banking. Right in front of Public Bank I saw these bicycles. I was curious. Decided to take a closer look. That's when I saw that they are for hire. Wow! I read before that bicycles for hire are big in China. Don't know about here but that was the first time I saw such a thing in Malaysia. Wonder what is business like?

Time for sowing

Ramadhan is coming soon. Hope this will be the best Ramadhan I ever had. Every year I keep saying the same thing but every year I will feel a little disappointed at the end of Ramadhan because I know in my heart I have not done my best during Ramadhan. Anyway, I will keep on trying or dreaming. I want to do my best during Ramadhan. This year it is no exception. Plenty of opportunities to sow the seeds. The heavenly skies will be wide open. Ramadhan is the time to take these opportunities so that when the time comes for harvesting, we will be richly rewarded.

A nightmare

We have decided that our next holiday will be in three or four years time in sha Allah. That's when Munirah will be at least three years old. Akid and Maisarah will also be three years older then they are now. They will have grown up a bit. Able to take care of themselves better. That's the time to go for holidays. As it is now, holidays can turn into a nightmare. Holed up in a hotel room with three boisterous and energetic children is not anyone idea of a holiday. They will turn it upside down in no time at all. Children will always be children. Everything can be turn into a plaything. You will have a hard time controlling them. Its a nightmare!

A holiday to forget

Had dinner by the roadside along Jalan Gombak last night. Just came back from spending a night at Genting. Found the place not much to our liking. Checking in at the hotel was a nightmare. There were plenty of constructions going on. The attractions are mostly under renovations. The food was expensive. The place too crowded with people wandering around not knowing what to do or where to go. Supposed to spend two nights but after one night, decided to head for home. It is a much better option.

President?

Its the wonder of the century how he managed to get elected as the President of the US of A. He is not consistent. His words cannot be trusted. He couldn't care less about history or geography. He is a joke. No doubt he is a successful businessman but as a President? I think he will have a hard time lasting his time.

For her safety

We have fortified the house. What I mean is we have made it safe from any kind of climbing activity by Munirah. We have made it impossible for her to climb. We hope we have covered everything because you never know. With kids, they will try all kind of things. Sometimes you don't expect them. Munirah will try to climb everything. She is too young to know what is dangerous and what is not. That's why we have to resort to these drastic measures. Its for her own safety.

No chance

Growing up

At one year and three months, Munirah is becoming a handful. Her walk is steady now. She can even run a bit. She likes to get her hands on everything that she sees. At night, she sleeps well. She likes to climb on chairs, stools etc. We really have to keep a watch on her to prevent her from doing so as it would dangerous. As her teeth has not developed yet except for a few, she still can't take solid food although that's what she would like best. The mother prepares her food but she refuses. She wants the food that we eat, not hers.

Quick drive to Genting

After sending the Akid and Maisarah to pre school, we took a drive to Genting Highland for a look see. Been six years since I last went there. Thought if we found it inviting, will book a room to stay over the weekend, just for a short break. As usual, there was a big crowd at the hotel that we went. Much of Genting itself was under renovation. There were lots of constructions going on. Anyway, we booked a room for the weekend. In sha Allah will come back with the kids this time.

Early morning blues

A pleasant problem

Akid is sick yet he insist on going to his pre school. We told him he can't go because he is not well but he refused to listen. In the end, we decided to follow his wants. Alhamdulillah, he was okay at school although we were a bit worried. His temperature was up, down , up, down the past few days. Finally last night we took him to see the doctor. In sha Allah he should be ok.

A distant memory

Been thinking of going for a holiday sometime next week. Its been a long time since I took the family anywhere. Almost a year I think when we went to Perak and Penang for a few days. After that, no more. Now the itch is back although going on holiday with the kids when they are still small is a lot of hassle. Anyway, I feel like going somewhere. Not too far but nearby. There's a lot of interesting places in and around KL. When I was doing my tourist guide course, I learned about all these places. Now, they are but a distant memory.

Empty feeling

The European football season is going to be over soon. Except for a few teams that are still playing in the cup matches, be it domestic or Europe, there's only two or three matches left for each team or at the most four. For me, that empty feeling on Saturday will be back. When its in season, I look forward to Saturdays because of the football matches but when the season is over, there's nothing to look forward to. Saturday is just like any other day. There's no football matches! I feel lost, empty. Don't know what to do come Saturday.

So satisfying

Finally I finished one whole round of Lake Titiwangsa. Felt really tired afterward but satisfying. I also did a few burst of speed in between. That is the real thing. Its a new way of exercise. You don't need to run and run. The burst of speed will take away your energy fast and quick. One round is enough because it is equivalent to two rounds. I have not been jogging regularly lately. That's why being able to finish one big round of lake Titiwangsa is so satisfying.

Akid is 5 yrs old

On 1st of May, Akid was five years old. A big boy now. Wishing you a happy birthday. May you grow up to be an obedient servant of Allah and to love your parents.

Akid birthday

The weekend

There were a few weddings actually the last weekend. We attended only two. Two more we couldn't attend because of the time factor. Also its a bit of a hassle bringing the kids along. This time, we lso chose not to go anywhere. Experienced from the week before tells us its better to stay at home. All the popular holidays places will definitely be full of people. Stay at home and only venture out when necessary, even then to nearby places only. Not to stray too far.

At a wedding

Attended a wedding on Sunday at Space U8 Bkt Jelutong. Brought the kids along. Because of that, we had to go and leave early before the crowd builds up. A bit after half past noon, we were already on our way back. One observation. Seems to me Space U8 is quite empty. I guess building a shopping complex among the factories has something to do with it.