Excited

Akid especially was very excited riding the MRT. He has been asking for it for quite some time already. In the end, we had to give in, even if it means riding at night and feeling dead tired after that. The kids were running around all over the place including little Munirah. I had a tiring time keeping up with them.

Try the MRT

Maybe today, we might try the MRT. Its more for Akid actually. He loves riding the train. At the same time, I can also use my 'wargaemas' kad which I had acquired quite sometime already but never used before. It gives me half price on all the rides. A few of my friends are using it regularly but for me, I seldom have the need for it since I have my motorcycle. I made the card just in case.

A night out

Its been quite a while since we go out at night but last night, brought the family to Ikea. Our normal routine on Friday afternoon is to take the kids out to Titiwangsa. By Maghrib, we are usually back home. However, yesterday, the kids were sleeping so soundly during that time such that we do not want to disturb them. As a result, the only time we had was at night. Hence the trip to Ikea. Actually, we wanted to try the MRT boarding it from the Ikea station but in the end, decided against it as it was already late. Therefore, just spend the time eating and letting them have a few minutes at the children playground at the Curve. By the time we got back home, it was already half past eleven.

The end

The house in Seremban has been sold. Much as I would like to hold on to it, circumstances forced me to do otherwise. I wasn't getting getting any return from it unlike the house in Ceras which is giving me 9% return. In Seremban, it was zero for over almost two years. Coupled with my financial situation at the moment, selling was the only option. Its done and sealed. Now I look forward to a new phase in my life. Looking for a reasonably price land big enough to build a small hut so as to a have a roof over my head.

At Shamsuri satay Taman Melati

Maisarah and Munirah

At Titiwangsa

Tasty

Last Saturday we wanted to try the food at a restaurant by the name of 'Sambal Hijau' in Sungai Pencala. The place was easy enough to find but there were too many people inside. After all it was about two in the afternoon, peak time for lunch. In the end we decided that with the three kids in tow, it would not be a wise idea. Better come another day, a bit early when there is less crowd. So we went to another restaurant in Damansara Perdana by the name of 'Ayam Kampung'. I used to frequent this restaurant when I was attending real estate introduction classes nearby. Different kind of food but tasty nonetheless.

A masterful performance

Sunday was spent mainly at home. Kimi and his wife came to the house in the morning. Other than that, I was busy with the kids. Later in the day, had our food in Taman Melati. At night, I was at the surau till after the Isya prayers. After that, the Open was very much in my mind. Spieth had a meltdown early on but recovered sufficiently to claim his third major. Not bad for a man of twenty three going on to twenty four. A masterful performance over the four days.

Gathering

I have four grandchildren now. Hanafi just got his second child, another girl. Together with my seven children and their spouses, it makes for a big gathering. What a happy day. Not always I have the chance to meet like this. Its a situation I have gratefully accepted in sha Allah.

Lessons

Ever since I stop doing anything starting early this year, I have been staying at home most of the time. Might as well I did as Akid and Maisarah are in pre school. My wife send and fetch them everyday. If I were to be working, it would have been difficult as who is to look after Munirah while she is doing the sending and fetching. To bring her along would be difficult cause she wouldn't sit still in the car. Alhamdulillah, I am not working as I can look after her. That solves a whole lot of problem. Somehow, there are lessons from these. We plan but Allah also plan. Allah plan is the best.

Not bad at all

I watch the Open last night. Mcllroy was having a tough time, bogeys in five of the first six holes. That was after missing the cut in three of his last four tournaments. Surely he must have hit rock bottom. Can't get any lower than that. The only way forward is up. Indeed he did, recovered with four birdies in the second nine. Final score. One over, six behind the leaders. Not bad at all for a first day.

That's how it is

Yesterday I attended my one and only open house for this year. This was the do by the company that I worked before I retired recently. Had a good time, meeting old friends and colleagues and a few retirees as well. The company has been bought over so some of them are understandably quite worried about their future. Usually it is the top management that will be the first to go as the new owner will surely want to put their own people to run the company. That's how it is.

What they do

That's what the kids do to the house when they are playing their things. Keep the house in a mess every time. Munirah is also in the fray now. She can hold her own against her elder brother and sister. With their antics, its enough to keep me on my toes all the time.

Big hole

The president of the US of A seems to be jumping from one frying pan to another. One day he will jump into a hole and not able to come out. I wonder how long he will last? It would be a miracle if he can finish his term, looking at the troubles he is in right now.

Open houses

This time last year, I would be busy with open houses everywhere. Almost every other day, there will be invitations and I would feel obliged to attend. However, this year, up till the middle of Shawal, I have not attended any open houses. There were a few invitations from relatives and friends but somehow I have not been to any of them. That's the difference between a working man and a retiree. When I was working in my first company, it was even worse. So many open houses. Every floor in the building, every department, every unit will have open houses so much so that for the whole month of Shawal, its feasting and celebrations all round.

Growing up

Akid was sick yesterday. His body temperature was high. He also had a consistent cough that wouldn't go away. Yet he insisted on going to school. Maisarah was her usual self, in good mood. Thus, getting her ready for school was easy. When she is not in the mood, the routine task will suddenly becomes a burden. Munirah was also having high temperature plus running nose. Hmm......that's the life these days. taking care of the kids, growing them up. Its a thankless task, a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Its tiring for sure but its can also be rewarding. Its fun and enjoyable but a burden at times. Love and patience is the key. Otherwise, making it through the day is a tough calling.

Daily routine

Daily routine

Photos

Mean nothing

5th mile Jalan Gombak from my handphone. Just finished with the barber a few minutes before. While waiting for my wife to pick me up, I took the pictures. I was trying to capture the scene along this famous road but I think I failed miserably. It doesn't capture anything! That's why photography is an art in itself. It takes a good photographer to be able to take a good photograph. Other wise, the photos don't mean anything, like the two above.

Where are the kids?

Been watching the Wimbledon tennis matches a bit. The way Muller was serving when he played Nadal, it was impossible to break, especially his first serve. He was serving so well. I was wondering how long he can sustained serving at that level. Last night when he played Cilic, the level has gone down a bit. As a result, he lost the match. With all the rest of the big four beaten, Federer looks to be on the way to his 19th Grand Slam. Who can stop him? Mind you, he is 35 and will be 36 in August. Where are the youngsters?

Just thinking

Sometimes I get bored staying at home doing nothing. I help with the house chores. Other than that, there's nothing much. I am thinking seriously of looking for work, never mind the pay but as long as I am doing something, its okay. However, its a bit difficult this year as Akid and Maisarah are both attending pre school. With Munirah still a baby, I need to look after her while the wife is busy with them. Next year when Munirah has grown a bit, maybe I can start looking for a job. This year, she needs my full attention. At this age, she can't be left alone, even for a second.

One month of celebration

It is a known fact that during the month of Shawal, it is advisable to stay at home during weekends. Why? Because traffic will be heavy on all roads due to open houses being held everywhere by people still celebrating Hari Raya. It is a unique culture in Malaysia. Raya celebrations go on for a month although in actual fact, it is only for a day, as per religion. So far I have managed to avoid going anywhere during weekends. However, today I have a wedding to attend in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam. I hope the roads will be okay.

The armchair sportsman

Staying at home doing nothing means a lot of armchair live sport watching. At the moment, there's tennis at Wimbledon. Then there's the All Black versus the Lions this Saturday. The golf tournaments are on almost every week. The US PGA, the LPGA, the European tour, the Asian tour. There's also the odd football matches here and there although the new season has not started. Add to it cricket, badminton, local football matches, squash, ping pong, hockey, boxing etc. hmm.... it keeps me busy all day and week although sometimes I'm deprive of sleep because of watching them.

Sleeping beauties

Sleeping at night is on the floor laid with mattresses in the front hall. Its safer that way because the kids are still small. On a bed, they might fall off. On the floor, they can roll as much as they want. They won't fall off for sure. It has been that way since Akid was born more than five years ago. It will continue for a few more years as Munirah is only a year and a half.

Will start tomorrow

Time does not wait for us. Once it gone, that's it. Its over and done with. So soon, its Friday once again. The whole week, I have been staying at home all the time. Didn't go anywhere at all. Oh yes, I was in Seremban on Wednesday. I remember that now. Otherwise, I was at home all the time. My elder sister, my niece and her husband came over to the house on Monday for a visit. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I was sleeping most of the time. I have completed my six days of fasting, so now its adjusting back to the normal life. I will start my jogging tomorrow.

Fun in the lagoon

Been years since I last went to Sunway Lagoon. Must be over ten years, even fifteen or twenty. Even then, it was only at the dry park, never the wet park. Funny when it is in KL, so near. Thus is a case of so near yet so far. Anyway, yesterday took the family for a drip in the pools of Sunway Lagoon. Had a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed it tremendously. Even Munirah was having fun. The crowd was big but there were still plenty of spaces for families to enjoy unlike some places when it gets so crowded there's just no way to find a place to enjoy some quiet fun. I would definitely come back in sha Allah.

Sunway lagoon

Sunway lagoon

What?

Today is my last day of fasting the six days in the month of Shawal in sha Allah. I had thoughts of wanting to take a break after the fifth day that was yesterday but then I said, why? There's no reason to. Might as well continue and finish it off. That way I don't have to worry about it anymore. Not that it's much of a worry. After all I have more than twenty days to complete the one day should I take a break. Anyway, here I am, on my last day. It's also coming close to exactly a year since I went out of job. I retired when I reached sixty on 10th July because it was compulsory. Given a choice, I would have like to continue. Since then, I have been in limbo. Tried a few things but it didn't work out. Now, I need to keep trying but what?