Morning stroll...

Went for a morning stroll early this morning. My second daughter wanted roti canai for breakfast and usually I would just drive to the nearest mamak shop. But today felt like taking a walk. Wanted to know how long it would take me, wanted to smell the fresh air in the morning, and wanted to be healthy.

It took me about 10 minutes to walk from my house to the nearest mamak shop. And I wasn't even perspiring when I arrived at the place. It was only on the way back home did I start to perspire. I think I'll be walking to the shops from now on, only in the mornings though. It can be quite hot in the afternoons and evenings.

My parents and my niece will be staying over the night at my house today. They plan to send my niece to Malacca early tomorrow morning.

And tomorrow is the first day of work after a four-day-weekend.

It's Monday and a holiday...

Today is Monday and I'm at home, on holiday. Thanks to Chinese New Year, Year of the Water Dragon. Was suppose to go biking with my brother this morning but both my daughters threw up late last night after going to sleep. Didn't dare leave them at home without a car. Alhamdulillah they seemed better this morning, though my eldest daughter is still under the weather with a stomach ache.

A teacher spoke a bit about the afterlife. He said that there shouldn't be any reason for us to defy Allah S.W.T. We know exactly what's going to happen after we die, so we should be mindful and ready for death and the afterlife. Life is so so so very temporary. It's not worth being angry with someone, or holding on to a grudge after all this while. We (and I mean me as well) should start thinking seriously about the afterlife, and how we can be a better human being in this world to be successful in the next.

Currently I have a few things on my mind. I pray to Allah S.W.T that it will come true. I've started the process for a few of them, and I'm thinking and planning to start the others as soon as possible. For the ones that I've started, please make me successful in them, InsyaAllah.

Well, I can't say much more about these matters. I might mention them in the future. I'm not sure. Do wish me luck. Thanks. :)

The third day of tahlil...

Went to my late friend's parents' house for the third night of tahlil. After the tahlil, the father stood up and thanked everyone for coming. I felt so sad when I saw that he was on the verge of tears. I was too. Everyone missed him dearly. Especially those closest to him.

Before the tahlil, went to a surau near their house for Isyak prayer. I used to go there when I was staying around the neighborhood. But the surau changed for the better. Somehow it looked bigger and grander. If that's a real word, grander.

Anyway, am currently reading Haruki Murakami's 1Q84 and it's seriously a good book. I've just read a couple of chapters and I just can't put it down.

My dear friend...

My good friend from uni (the smiling guy in red) just passed away this morning. It was a shock to me, to say the least. I got an sms from a mutual friend saying that he had just passed away. I had to read the sms a few times for it to sink in. I just couldn't believe it. I immediately phoned my friend and he told me that the news was true. He was in fact at my friend's house, handling the police report with my friend's father and neighbors.

Luckily my appointment with one head of department was postponed, so I took the chance to go see my late friend. So my friends and I met up at a nearby surau and we drove to our friend's parents' house. It was a sad day. The wife was crying the whole time while holding on to her late husband's body. It was heart wrenching to watch. I didn't see their 4-year-old son anywhere. Maybe he was with his grandmother.

I will miss my dear friend. And all the good times we had together. He was a very happy-go-lucky type of guy. He's always smiling and laughing. I pray that his wife and son will be strong to overcome this ordeal.

Great Lunch!

Had lunch at my parents' house today. My mother asked me what I wanted to eat for my birthday bash, and I answered I wanted masak lemak ayam, and goreng berlada ayam. My two most favorite dishes in the world. :) We brought donuts from Big Apple, and my brother and his family brought the cake and some fizzy drinks. And I finally got the Murakami book my sister bought for me. So it's all good. :)

Thanks everyone. :)

My first daughter is under the weather and I think I'm coming down with something as well. It must be something in the air. Since even my school friend is down with fever. As I type this, my head feels like something's coming, and it ain't pretty.

Nice.

Yesterday after work went to my beloved's high school friend's house for tea, or early dinner. She cooked spaghetti and bought Secret Recipe's cheese cake and fruit tarts. Everything was delicious. So I would like to thank our host and hostess for the wonderful tea cum early dinner. It was great!

Today, went to my beloved's niece's wedding. It was in Taman Melawati. Thanks to Google Maps, we found the place quite easily. In the wedding hall, as we were weaving our way through the crowd, a mat salleh accidentally bumped into us, and I thought, "He looks very familiar, I've seen him before."

And a second after that, I heard or felt someone calling out to me. And when I turned, I saw my aunty waving at me from a few tables away. And that's when it clicked. The mat salleh was my aunty's son in law.

So we went up to them and greeted them. Apparently, my beloved's uncle was my uncle's classmate in uni a long time ago. Small world, huh. Then my beloved's cousin told us to seat with them at the front of the hall.

The food was nice. There was a performance by Mirwana, a nasyid band. They were seriously good. After that, went around Taman Melawati and showed my beloved my old house and my old haunts.

And after that, went to my daughter's school for "Meet The Founder Day" though we were extremely late. We went just in time for tea. Yes, yet another tea time. And after stuffing our faces yet again, we left for home.

So it was pretty good. The crowd from both the events were nice. And the food was nice too. It was all nice. :)

It's Friday, people!!!

Top of the morning to you, fellow human beings. This weekend will be kinda busy with a wedding, a teacher-parent meeting and a luncheon. Hope each one of these events will go well, insyaAllah. I just want to talk a bit about the UPSI students who did the demonstration. I saw a video on the demonstration and I dare say that the cameraman was not biased, which was good. Because we get to see both sides in action without prejudice.

I read some blogs on the matter from both sides. There are a lot of people with a lot of opinions on this matter. Well this is my humble opinion. The students have the right to demand whatever it is that they want, and in this matter, it was about the AUKU. But they have to understand their current position. They are still JUST students. Their parents and families sent them to UPSI so that they can become well trained teachers.

They have about 3 - 4 years of studies, and after that, they can do whatever it is they want. They can lie on the street at peek hour, for all I care. The thing that I feel is not right is that, they are just students. They haven't lived in the real world yet. They don't know what's really happening in the country. They only hear what people tell them and they get riled up over nothing.

They talk about 'kezaliman'. They said a few other things but I would like to stress about 'kezaliman'. What is it that they think is happening, that affects them so bad that they spew words like 'kezaliman' all over the place. As a Muslim, can they pray anywhere in the country? Can they get food easily? Are our streets being controlled by the army? Are our virgins being carted away to be sacrifice for the false gods? (just kidding) The answer to the first two questions is 'yes' by the way, and 'no' for the other two.

The point I'm trying to make is that, we are living quite comfortably in this country though I'll admit we could do better, but who am I to say. When we say we are being victimized or that there's no justice, just take a look around at other developing countries. Are they better off? What is it that the students think they should get? Have they done anything for the benefit of the country? They haven't even paid 'zakat' yet. Do they want the world to be served on a silver platter for them?

They should finish studying first, get jobs, and then they can do whatever they feel they need to do. But currently, as students, they should contribute to their parents and to the country first.

Thanks...

Hello there! It's Thursday! Tomorrow is Friday, and after that its the weekend! Woo Hoo!!! First of all, I would like to thank everyone for wishing me a very happy birthday on Facebook and via sms. I really appreciate all your kind thoughts. I was having a very sad day and was quite cheered up by the number of wishes on my Facebook wall. That really made my day. So thanks again, everyone.

My beloved told me what she wanted to get me for my birthday, and I was quite surprised. Pleasantly surprised, of course. But we still haven't decided on anything yet, so I pray that this thing will come true. Please pray for me. Thanks.

My siblings are getting me books. Yes, they phoned me and asked whether I would like these books, and yes I would. My sister is getting me, actually, she's already bought the book, and it's at my mother's house, sitting there, waiting for me to read it, Haruki Murakami's latest book, "1Q84". Seriously, that's the title of the book. Can't wait to read it.

And my brother is getting me a Terry Pratchett novel. I love both these authors, among others of course. So thank you so much to my sister and brother for the books. My best friend sms'ed a few days before my birthday, asking me what I wanted. This is an annual ritual with us. When its my birthday, he would ask what I wanted, and when it was his birthday, I would ask what he wanted.

So, luckily for me, I've thought about that even before he asked me, so I had an answer ready. I want an axe. Seriously. I need an axe for gardening, to open durians, and to chop off meat and bone at the next Hari Raya Qurban. And he agreed, so we'll be getting the axe soon, I guess, when both of us are free.

I would like to end this blog by reminding myself that this life is so so so temporary. The afterlife will be longer and more everlasting. The life in our graves. We don't just die and that's it, you know, we will stay in the grave for thousands of years, waiting for the end of days. Either being tormented or not. And after that, we'll be at Padang Masyhar, and that will take even longer. Sorry to end it like this, but I need to remind myself.

Whenever things get me down, I would think about the afterlife, and think about Allah, and that somehow soothes me, Alhamdulillah. But at the same time, I'm scared to go through all those process after I die. Because I know myself, and I need to be a better person. Please help me achieve this. Thanks.

It is the year 2012...

Happy New Year!!! Let us welcome 2012 with open arms, and pray that it will bring us happiness, prosperity and a little bit closer to Allah S.W.T. insyaAllah.

Let's recap on the happenings in 2011, shall we. My brother successfully published and launched his book entitled "Ah Long versus the cannibal and other bloody stories" or something along those lines. It took me about 2-3 days to finish the book. It's that good.

Besides that, I'm currently undergoing a diet regime, and have lost 6kg. That's not bad, I guess. I'm trying to lose another 14kg. No pressure, just maintaining the regime and enjoy the lost of body fat slowly but surely, insyaAllah.

A dear cousin of mine asked that I try to blog at least once a month. So I will try my darnest to comply. Well, I guess that's all for now. Do take care and do come again. :)

2 thousand years is just two days...

Just got back from the Friday prayers. What I would like to share is the tazkirah before the prayers. It was by one Ustaz, (I arrived after he had started his tazkirah so I don't know his name). And what he said really affected me. He said that with one sin, we will burn in Hell. And in Hell, one day is equivalent to 1 thousand years on Earth. He continued by saying that according to his calculations, the day Nabi Isa was brought up to the heavens, which was around 2 thousand years ago, that it has been only two days in Hell. He goes on by saying that our lives on Earth is so short, compared to the afterlife. So, therefore we must try our hardest not to sin, because we can't imagine how long the afterlife is. We seriously cannot imagine it. Since this is still the month of Ramadhan, we must double our efforts and try not to talk our way out of good deeds.

Frustrated...

Happy Ramadhan, fellow Muslims. In this month, I will try to improve in my efforts to become a good Muslim. And hopefully it will last till the next Ramadhan, when my efforts will double, if I live that long, insyaAllah. I've been thinking of death lately, and I'm not sure why. Maybe I'm getting more matured as I grow older. Or is it something else entirely. It is said in a hadith, that the Angel Israil will gaze upon the face of the person that will die in a couple of weeks or months. I can't be sure which. And when that happens, that person will be dazed for a while, and after that will not think anything of that incident.

So, now I often think about death. About what will happen to me in the afterlife. About what will happen to my wife and kids. I've sinned. I don't know anyone alive that hasn't sinned. But I'm trying to do better. I really do try. Not only am I trying not to sin, but I'm trying to be a better Muslim in ways that has been taught to me. And from religious books.

I'm tired of all the charades and the back stabbing and the insincerity of people. I'm tired of all the blaming and none of the advising. I'm tired of life.

Please don't get me wrong. My wife and children are one of the reasons for me to embrace life. To live life to the fullest. But that's about it. I'm frustrated. I'm saddened. I'm depressed. I think this would be the most appropriate time to use the phrase, "F**k this s**t! I'm outta here!"

Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Has had a busy couple of days. The reason for my absence. On Saturday, was busy finishing an English assignment for my client. Then on Sunday, had lunch with my family and my cousin from Australia, with his wife and 2 year old son. And to our unending surprise, his son has the same birthday as my daughter. The exact same day. 6th of March 2009. Cool, huh! After that, sent my niece to Malacca and drove back the same day. Was exhausted by the end of the day. And slept early. Well, earlier than usual.

On Monday, arrived at the office around 7.30 in the morning and the first thing I did was to check my office email. Then, downloaded three documents, printed them, and photocopied 45 copies of those documents. Was preparing for a meeting with the Chief Operating Officer of my workplace. Alhamdulillah the meeting went well. :)

After that had lunch with an old friend. :)

It's Friday, people!

"Well, hello there. Didn't see you standing there. How long have you been standing there, looking at me with that crazed look. Ok, calm down, and put down that weird looking thing that resembles a dildo. Oh it is a dildo. Ok now I'm freaking out. Get away from me! Help! Help!"

And that's when I woke up drenched in sweat and some other liquids I can't identify. Heheh. Just wanted to try a new opening. Hope that works for you.

I was quite busy yesterday. Too busy to even blog a line or two. I won't bore you with details of my two meetings yesterday morning, and my trip to Equatorial Hotel to check on the rehearsal for today's conference. Or the rush to the clinic with my beloved.

My cousin's in town and can't wait to meet him and his family this Sunday. He's staying in Australia, by the way. So we haven't seen each other I think about 10 years, maybe? I think it's more than 10 years. Anyway, my family (parents, sister, brother) will be having lunch with them this Sunday. Hope they like my gifts. :)

Well, nothing much to blog about. I have a meeting after Friday prayers. And if I have time, I might blog after or before that. Till then, toodles.

Halfway through the week.

Hello there folks! Look at that, it's Wednesday! Yesterday, went looking high and low for the elusive Hot Ticket by Maxis. The first stop was Maxis KLCC and to my utter surprise, they were out of Hot Tickets. Can you believe that! So after that I went to a number of shops looking for the Ticket and lo and behold, they were all out of the Ticket. Dang it! So, after buying dinner for the family, drove home in a sullen mood. Was very frustrated because was out of phone credit.

This morning, bought a top up at the cash deposit machine at the office. That was my first time, and it was really easy. Thank goodness for technology. :)

Happy Birthday!!!

Although it's kinda late, just wanna wish my beloved and our daughter "Happy Birthday!". Their birthdays are in July, 4th and 14th. My 2nd daughter's birthday is on the 6th of March, and mine is on the 10th of January. Just in case anyone was wondering. :)

Just wanted to put a picture of my family there. It was taken by Abang Anaz, my cousin's talented husband. I really love this picture. Thanks Abang Anaz. :)

The iPhone 5

As some of you may or may not know, I'm crazy about Apple's iPhone. Well, actually, all Apple's 'i' products such as the iPad, and the iPod (iPod Touch, to be precise). I'm currently using the iPhone 3G, yes, not even the 3G S. So I've had this phone for quite some time. When the 3G S model came out, I wanted to get that, but then as luck would have it, I did not manage to own one. So, I waited for the iPhone 4. And when that came out, I was blown away by Facetime, and the faster processor and the retina display. But, I didn't like the shape. Although it was thinner than the iPhone 3G S, it didn't have any of the Apple sleekness to it. It looked too boxy. But I still wanted it. Then.

But now, there are rumors going around that the next iPhone will be out either late September or early October of this year, 2011. So, currently, I'm waiting patiently for the release of the new iPhone. I really hope Apple will go back to the sleek designs. The picture above is a rendition of the iPhone 5. Cool huh. I really hope that's how it will look like. :)

F**k this sh*t! I'm outta here!

Top of the morning to ya, lovely folks! I know the title seems harsh. But let me explain. Do I really need to?Actually, I want to. The title, "F**k this sh*t! I'm outta here!" actually refers to a movie review. Seriously.

I can't remember the name of the movie, but I saw the trailer in TGV's website and wanted to know more about the movie. So I googled it and found a review of the movie. In the review, it wrote that the author saw the movie in the cinema, and while watching half way through the movie, a woman in front of him said out loud, "F**k this sh*t! I'm outta here!", because it was too scary for her.

So, I was thinking, how scary can the movie be. I still don't know because I haven't seen it. If I can only remember the title, I might be able to look for it in the shops.

Manic Monday

Good morning folks! It's almost 12 in the afternoon, though. Just wanted to blog about a new little eatery at my office. It serves almost all kinds of food. From eastern to western, ready made, made to order and all such things. The food is quite nice, actually, and the price is reasonable.

I've gotten to know the owners, a husband and wife team. But am more friendly with the wife as she handles the cashier counter while the husband is always in the kitchen. So anyway, we started talking, the wife and I, and we realized that we had one thing in common. We love to read. The wife, the husband and me. :)

So, after that, while the three of us were discussing books, like the nerds we are, suddenly the wife says to me, "Why not I lend you some of my books!" So now I have two of her books and I haven't passed her mine yet. Keep forgetting to bring the book to work. Hope I remember tomorrow.

I'm currently reading White Ninja. And it's a good read. :)

Sunday Night Live

Woke up at 5.00 pm, and felt very rested. Felt as if I've slept the entire day. And woke up to the sounds of the movie Cars. Had a shower and we were off to my beloved's close friend's house.

There, I downloaded a few 'live wallpapers' for my beloved's close friend's brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab. Actually, her husband and I were busy with the gadget while my beloved and her close friend were busy with other things, namely, handbags. :) Then, I connected the Tab to my laptop and downloaded some movies into the Tab.

Now, it's 10 at night and am feeling kinda sleepy. And now my back has started feeling stiff. I need a massage badly. And my stomach kinda hurts as well, this is due to the lack of exercise. And tomorrow's a working day.

Good night, people. Sleep tight. Don't let the bed bugs bite. :)

Jom Gotong Royong

Good afternoon folks! Had a really busy morning cleaning up the nearby surau. It was fun and tiring. Earlier in the morning, went to Haji Tapah to take away some breakfast for my beloved and my two princesses. Then, after depositing the food, went straight to the surau with some mini apoms.

The activity started around 9 in the morning, so since some of us arrived early, we ate some breakfast and chatted among ourselves. Got to know a couple of people living nearby. A couple of us started the Gotong Royong by trying to clear some land of garbage. Then after that was done, we started to clear the huge drains surrounding the surau.

Now that was hard work. The drains were quite deep and it was filled to the brim with sand and vegetation. We dug deep, and perspired like crazy. I perspired until I had no more sweat in me. Seriously.

After finishing that task (each of us did a portion of the drain; it was long and deep) we rested under the tent and chatted. After which we had lunch and went back to our homes.

Am now feeling very sleepy. And the couch beckons. Good afternoon folks. Off to lala land. :)