As life Goes On

Salam Idul Adha

2011-11-06T20:11:00.018+08:00

We took the advantage of this Hari Raya Aidil Adha to take some pictures at one of the Lakes nearby. Its the Metropolitan Lake, along the MRR2 near Kepong. I thought it would be a good idea to snap some pics since this man-made lake is surrounded with greens.

The weather was on our side. It's about 3 pm then and it was not too hot not too cloudy. Only the four of us went there as Angah didn't follow us to Nenek's house.

At the water fountain. There are supposed to have a
couple of dolphins statue there.

Mimi gave her best pose! The next Malaysian Top Model!

Acik - trying to be a male model.

My two cheeky and playful Mimi & Acik.

By the way, Bibik took a couple of days leave with her best friend, Bibik Tupah. They went to Kg Pandan. So this weekend, it Ayah cooking for the kids heheheeee..

Bibik & Bibik Tupah.

With Nazmi and Nique at Nenek's house.

Hilarious quotes

2011-10-22T22:57:00.004+08:00

I was reading the FB of a friend and I saw this hilarious quotes. So to those who always ask me when am I getting married again, wait till I meet them at any funerals. This is a good one.

And for those who have ex's don't worry if you see them with other people. Think of this one below. Heheheheeee..

And the best one is this.... I'm glad I got this one!!!

Jangan jeles.......

Aizuddin's Graduation Day on 9.10.11

2011-10-10T20:22:00.022+08:00

It's a day a father would be proud of and a day to be cherished. A day when his son graduated after years of hard work and lots of patience. Yesterday, a date which happened to be 9.10.11 was a day when Aizuddin graduated and he received his Diploma in Engineering Technology in Aeroplane Maintenance from UniKL.

The convocation took place in Putrajaya International Convention Center - a modern convention center that is huge.

I ensure that everyone wakes up early so that we can get there on time. Although the session only starts at 2pm, we left by slightly after 11. Aizuddin wanted to take some photographs first before the session.

On arrival, they were many people already there. Some have just arrived while the rest had just finished the morning session. However we managed to snapped some photos - something that is worth to be remembered for rest of my life.

Dressing him up so that the regalia nicely dressed on him.

The stage view from the top.

Along lining up to the stage to receive his Diploma.

Aizuddin received his Diploma from 2nd Chancellor of
UniKL - Dato Seri Idris Jusoh. Thanks for the borrowed
zoom lens. Mimi took this shot about 20 meters away
from stage.

A moment to be remembered.

Pic taken outside PICC overlooking Putrajaya - really
nice view from the top.

A nice shot from PICC.

Aizuddin, Mimi and Me.

Just to show that we went to the right occasion,
need to take a pic with the convocation banner!

Aizuddin with Bibik - who has been with us for almost 21 years.
Thank you Bibik.

At the Garden - within PICC.

The Brothers - Acik, Along & Angah.

Aizuddin lining up to take take his individual graduation
photo.

With his graduating friends.

The graduating teddy bear as a present to
Aizuddin.

CONGRATULATION MY SON! I'M SO PROUD OF YOU!

Wedding Azhar in Kemaman: Day 2

2011-09-19T12:40:00.021+08:00

Woke up early since we plan to move to the Mosque by 9.30am cos the solemnization suppose to start at 10.am. Had simple breakfast : sandwiches, roti canai, Nasi Dagang left over, etc.

Got all the Hantaran ready - most of them were actually prepared by the Groom's side. This arrangement were made earlier because of the distance - we can't be carrying the Hantaran all the way from KL.

Some of the Hantaran prepared earlier.

Hantaran : Fruits.

Hantaran : Sirih Junjung.

Hantaran : Handbag & shoes.

Hantaran :Chocolates.

We arrived at the designated location in time as being arranged by both parties. The groom's side invited us into the Mosque. Everything went pretty well. Even the Juru Nikah made it as simple as possible. I guess it should be that way because the intention is good - as the saying goes it's like to build a mosque!

The Groom was quite pretty as that was the 1st time I saw her. I guess that what makes my nephew's heart melts instantly when he saw he.

The entourage reached the Mosque on time.

The entourage preparing before going into the Mosque.

The arrival of the Juru Nikah.

The Akad Nikah - ( Solemnization )begins.

The groom waiting patiently for the moment
to be announced as husband and wife!

The groom receiving the Mas Kawin.

Exchange of ring.

The simple ceremony went smoothly in a jiffy. By about 11.00 am, everything was completed. We were then invited to the groom's house which was few minutes away from the mosque. I saw that the kampung's environment was still there. Everyone was helping out for the Kenduri. I guess they were the relatives of the groom.

After the Solemnization ceremony, we proceed to the
groom's house nearby.

The brides with the entourage heading for the groom's house.

Presentation of the Silat Pengantin- pretty good.
I haven't seen such traditional performance for quite sometimes.

The Makan beradat.

Pose at the Dais - Pelamin.

By 12.30 pm, the ceremony were complete. We then make our way home back to KL.

To my nephew and niece-in-law, I Congratulate you for finding each other. May ALLAH blessed your marriage until the end of the world. Insya'allah.

Wedding Azhar in Kemaman : Day 1

2011-09-18T20:40:00.027+08:00

Azhar, a nephew from Labuan, just got married yesterday in Kemaman. Wasn't sure why he is from Labuan, Sabah found his love who is from Kemaman, Terengganu. A long distance love affair I supposed. But alhamdulillah everything went thru' well.

It started by my brother, Pak Uda from Labuan who invited us thru' Facebook. Once everything is set, the journey continue.

We started about 8.30am (a difficult time for the kids to wake up early during holidays) and planned to meet at the first stop in R&R Temerloh. After getting the route to proceed to the next stop i.e. Jabor Toll (Kuantan) and then to the third stop at the Chenor - border between Pahang and Terengganu. The aim is to reach the home stay before Friday prayers.

First stop at R&R Temerloh, whereby we were shown
the route to the home stay.

Second stop at Jabor (Kuantan) Toll.

Fortunately we arrived at the home stay by 12.45pm. Still have time to rush to the nearby mosque for Friday prayers.

Had lunch after prayers and then we plan to go to the beach, which is about 15mins away for the place we stayed in. Actually the home stay is in middle of one of the kampung - nothing much to do there.

The home stay in Sri Tempurung, Kemaman.

Everyone wore green Tees with customized print for the family. We proceed to Pantai Mak Nik - somewhere in Chukai town - about 15 minutes away.

Getting ready to go to the beach.

Pak Dak & Mak Dak - looking good in greens and wearing
sunglasses.

The beach was ok except that swimming is prohibited due to strong under current. Hence we took the chance to play some games and relax at the beach.

Family posed with the customized banner at Pantai Mak Nik,
Chukai, Terengganu.

My siblings : Hj Amin, Hj Ariffin, Zalina, Hj Adnan, Zalma and Me.

We started we the kids game. Filling up the cup with sea water using the sponge. More interesting games to come after that. The other game is balancing the water bottle on a canvas without touching the bottle. The other game is called "magic carpet" i.e. everyone have to move forward on the canvas and newspaper without stepping on the sand. It was fun to see everyone participating while trying hard to win the games.

The kids getting ready for the game.

2nd game : Team Pak Uda _ balancing the water bottle
on the canvas.

Team Pak Long trying to balance and stabilizing the
water bottle.

You got to step on the canvas and newspaper
and move forward to reach the end.

See how they can move forward if everyone play their role.

At night, we planned to have a small BBQ and the groom also prepared Nasi Dagang - a specialty from Terengganu. They are sending the food over to the home stay. Hence some of us have to be at the place to receive the food.

Still hot from the grill satar and still hot keropok lekor
just after 3 games. It tasted better than the one sold in KL.

Since the kids couldn't swim in the sea, they enjoy playing
at the beach anyway.

Its' a bird... it's a man.. no it's a superman.. Acah jer!

We really had fun photographing on the beach.

After Marghrib we had a small doa selamat before a simple dinner. Dinner include the Nasi Dagang prepared by the groom, left over of lunch and BBQed hotdogs. Since it is also the 39th Wedding Anniversary for Pak Uda & Mak Uda, we had a small surprise for him as well.

Doa selamat - before the feast.

The spread of food.

39th Anniversary Celebration - for Pak Uda & Mak Uda.

Prize giving for all - who won.

And also who lost....

We called off for the night. After all, we need to leave for the mosque by 9.30 am since the solemnization starts about 10.00 am the next day.

Raya Breakfast

2011-09-11T22:00:00.013+08:00

I decided to invite my in-laws & out-laws to my house on Sunday for Raya breakfast. It's because my eldest brother-in-law (Long) invited everyone to his open house for lunch later. Hence throwing at 2 birds with one stone would be a good ides and everyone will be delighted to come over without having 2 trips.

So I decided to prepare some light menu before a hefty lunch later at Long's house. The menu includes nasi himpit, mee goreng and roti arab with tea. But these people really enjoyed the roti arab & sambal sardine the most, although I thought it would be the last menu people would eat during Hari Raya. Alhamdulillah most of the dishes were well eaten.

Preparing the table.

My first visitors of the day. Abg Leman & Bi.

2nd visitors : Cik Hindun, Ijah & Ami

Uncle Joe's family.

Mimi holding Edriss whilst his parents are enjoying the food.

Redha & his father enjoying the food.

Zaime & Farah also enjoying the roti arab & sambal sardin.

Arif & Lynn... having many helpings of the roti arab & sardine.

Along & Achik.

The sisters-in-laws (Minah, Bi, Ijah & Hindun).

The 4 "out-laws" + one "in-law". Me, Uncle Joe, Dato' Shukor, Amir & Abg Leman.

Salam Aidilfitri 2011

2011-09-03T08:22:00.027+08:00

It's Hari Raya again. After a full month of fasting in Ramadan and a full month of Terawih this year, it's time for celebration. This year I decided that we wear the light gold coloured outfit. We only wore it once during Redha's wedding. So whilst the kids still can wear them, why not we wear it again during this Raya. Bought another 2 samping to match this light gold baju melayu - which I bought at a bargain in Jalan TAR earlier.

After the sunat Solat Aidilfitri, we had light breakfast prepared by Bibik. But most important is the "berma'af-ma'afan" or seeking for forgiveness amongst us. My kids took turn starting from Aizuddin @ Along the eldest to Mimi the youngest. Have to input this tradition so that they can pass it down to their generation later.

This year I have decided that lots of photograph to be taken - put all the memories in pictures.

All in the Family... with the kids growing up fast now.

Along receiving duit raya.

Followed by Angah.

Acik... and ..

Mimi.

The Family with Bibik.

The first house to go is definitely my Mak's house in Jalan Gombak. This is where all my siblings will congregate after the Solat Aidilfitri. It's a yearly affair for us whilst Mak is still around.

With my beloved Mak.

Asking for forgiveness is the best thing to do during Hari Raya.

My one and only Mak in this world. Alhamdulillah she is still
healthy despite some minor health problem.

The Gombak's Family - although 3 families is still not here yet.

Visiting rumah Nek Cu & Nek Yah's house just next to Mak's house is also the yearly affairs. They are the only Mak's surviving siblings.

Visiting rumah Nek Cu & Nek Yah.

With Nek Yah.

With Nek Cu.

It was already 12.00 noon at Gombak and it's time to go to Kelana Jaya, where my other side of the in-laws congregate i.e. at Abg Ad's house. They are my Johore's family (my late wife's siblings). We are still close to each other as ever although my wife have passed away more than 3 1/2 years ago. We still keep in touch often and I considered them as part of my life too. After all the Johore's family blood still runs in my children.

I thought we were late despite arriving about 12.30pm. Huh! actually we are the first to arrived. Then later on Uncle Joe's family and Abg Leman's came. There on Ijah's and Long's family arrived.

We took the opportunity to snap as many pictures possible. As I said, put the memories in pictures whilst some of us are still around. We never know if we could meet each other again next Hari Raya.

My Family with Anjang (Minah) and Uncle Joe.

Bi, Abg Leman and Me. Bi just had a by-pass operations
about 2 weeks earlier.

My family posing at the Dynasty style stairway

The cousins - all growing up and some already married
with kids already.

The latest addition to the family. Mohd Edriss (Joey's son) born in Qatar.

Rayyan - kecik2 dah pakai spec.

The Johore's Family - we used to take pictures like this
years back. However, some of us have left us forever.

About 3pm, we decided to leave and get back to Mak's house in Gombak. By then Abg Dak's, Kak Chik's and Ina's family were already there.

Another year coming of age : 51.

2011-02-13T20:04:00.017+08:00

It's 13 February 2011. Another day for some. But it's the Day that I reached my 51st year of life. Syukur Alhamdulillah that I have survived till today. Syukur Alhamdulillah with all the blessing given by The Almighty I'm still healthy. I survived 3 years of single hood (am still enjoying it at times) and taking care of the 4 growing up children.

Thanks for the wishes by all family members, my ex-school mates, my office mates, and all my friends for all over the places. It's nice to receive all the birthday wishes. To me, it reflected that you still care for me. You still have a place for me in some part of you. Thank you for that.

What most intrigued me is that they still had a surprise birthday for me! Ha ha ha. Jangan jeles! That show that people still likes and loves you. If not, they wouldn't care anyway. Thank you Allah for all the blessing that you have given me till today.

Anyway my kids teamed with up with their cousins and aunties and planned a surprise birthday for me. Initially I thought I want to have a quite Sunday to relax whilst reminiscing my additional milestone in my age. But hey, if they planned it for you, you wouldn't want to disappoints them. Enjoy!!!!

Here are some pics we snapped this afternoon. Again thanks to everyone who made my 51st years on this earth a lovely one. It will be a memorable day for me throughout my life! Alhamdulillah.

Cheese cake. My fav. Thank you to all.

Surprise ayah!!! Sape surprise sape ni?

My sisters and me.

My mom 86 and me 51.

My kids and I. We are all still single you know?

51 ayah.. 51 ayah.. ok ok.. Ayah faham. Tak payah remind lagik

Goodbye 2010 and Welcome 2011

2010-12-24T09:51:00.031+08:00

"As life goes on" - exactly mean that time will flies without waiting for anybody. Whether we want it or not, time will passed without us realizing it moving without stopping.

And now with 2010 coming to a close and opening of 2011, there are so much things happened and yet we didn't realized that it happened!

Let me bring you what had happened within our family during this year.

Jan 2010

5 Jan 2010 - It has been 2 years after my beloved wife's passing. She passed away about 4.15 pm on Saturday 2008. My kids & I still remember the minute she took her last breath in her home after 4 years 7 months before succumbing to cancer. It was her last wish to leave us in her own home and not in the hospital.

Feb 2010

13 Feb 2010 - I knew that I'll be 50 one day but somehow today is the day! Reflecting back, how should a guy be 50 and he doesn't feel like he is 50??? Good questions. And when I reached this golden age, then I realized that its just a number. At 50, I felt as if I'm still in my 30's. I enjoy life as 50 never comes.

I feel like I'm still 30. Nothing wrong with that right?

Hey there's nothing wrong becoming 50. I still enjoy my life and more importantly I have my kids with me to grow old with.

Mar 2010

9 March 2010 : Aizat a.k.a. Angah is now 18 years old. He has changed a lot compared when he was a small kid. He has matured more now. This year he has entered his college life in University Kuala Lumpur taking Aircraft Maintenance like Along. Wish him all the best.

Angah 18 this year.

April 2010

3 April 2010 : Fifi got married to Mike in Kg Tunku. The next day the reception was held in Seri Melayu. It was a double wedding and Riza & Zai held the reception together.

Fifi & Mike

Riza & Zai

Riza & Zai reception in Klang

May 2010

28 May 2010 : Mimi is now 13 year old. She has grown over the years. Although still a little to me, she has now developed her own mind. She would starts questioning me whenever we have "our own father - daughter" crisis. If you have a growing up teenage girl, then you know what I'm saying.

Mimi now 13 years old.

June 2010

3 ~ 6 June 2010 : This is our first family trip overseas after Ky's passing. I think it is the time I got to take the kids away for awhile - this time to Bandung, Indonesia. Unfortunately Aizuddin couldn't come along with us because he is in the midst of his University's final exam. More than 20 of our family members came along and we really enjoy our 1st trip overseas together.

At the LCCT before our flight to Bandung.

My kids posed before boarding Air Asia to Bandung.

Me and the kids at Rumah Ebo, Bandung.

At Taman Safari Indonesia.

July 2010

4 July 2010 : Aizat is now officially a University student. I registered him to the same University as his eldest brother, Aizuddin and in the same course as well. His ambition is to get a career that is well paid. Hmm.. initially I suggested to him to become a pilot but then again, became a pilot is just like getting a driving license. But I told him before getting that license he need to back-up his career with at least a Degree.

Aug 2010

5 August 2010 - Aizat got his 1st car (a second hand Satria) which he has been pestering me for ages. He has been surfing "Mudah.com" for the best deal and he would show me which car he wants. He already dreamed of accessorizing his car, the one which I have not even bought yet.

Angah's 1st car - Satria 2007 model.

8.8.2010 - Aizuddin, our eldest became a young man now. He's now 20 and in his 5th semester of Aircraft Maintenance Diploma course in UniKL. He is more independent now.

Aizuddin a.k.a Along & Aizat a.k.a. Angah

Sept 2010

Hari Raya : This is the 3rd Hari Raya, my kids celebrated with their Mak. Hari Raya will never be the same again.. ever!

I decided that this Hari Raya, all of us wear different colour Baju Melayu for the boys dan Baju Kurung for Mimi. A colourful year this time around.

The kids and me on Hari Raya morning.

Oct 2010

21 ~ 23 Oct 2010 : Export Division's Team Building. This is the first team building session that we had since I first joined Export Division. It was held in The Legend Cherating. I went to this teambuilding with an open mind and open heart and to enjoy all the sessions. And guess what, I really enjoyed the 3 days we were there.

The BLUE THUNDER Teammates.

Business Operations & Logistic Dept's team.

26 Oct 2010 - If Ky has been with us, she would have been 50 today. We were born the same year.

She would have seen how our 4 kids growing up. Their character changed, became more independent, their looks changed as well : the boys growing moustache and beard, the girl become more fashiolnabe, etc, etc.

Nov 2010

17 Nov 2010 : It would have been our 21st Wedding Anniversary if Ky is still around. What is there to celebrate when you love one is no more around. But she will always be on my mind.

I still remember the day we were solemnized that Friday nite. I still have the video taken during that moment. Thanks to my dear friend Peter Lim who took the trouble to convert from the old video tape into DVD.

Dec 2010

12.12. 2010 : Acik reached his 15 years of being in this world. Alhamdulillah he has grown taller during this one year. He used to be my little small cute boy and he used to be as tall as Mimi - and they do look like twin. Although he grew tall and slim, probably by next few months, he would be taller than me. Now he brags with a grin saying that; "see Ayah, I'm now taller than you". If not, I would have been saying; "Acik, bila lah Acik nak tinggi ni?".

Adib a.k.a Acik 15th this year

And for his birthday present, he has since a month ago requested for a DSLR as his birthday present. I know it would cost me a bomb for a DSLR. I'm not a spendthrift person so I don't usually spend more than a thousand ringgit for things. Anyway we made deal. If I buy the DSLR, it would be for Family used and not exclusive for him.

Hence on 19.12.2010 the 3 boys and me made our trip to Berjaya Times Square and we bought ourselves a Nikon D3100 DSLR. The boys and Acik especially is grinning from ear to ear when he got it.

Nikon D3100

25.12. 2010 : Christmas celebration. Petulia & family invited us for Christmas dinner at her mom's place in Bangsar. They planned to go for overseas trip on 26 Dec and hence get us together to celebrate their Christmas before they leave. They were such a nice and accommodating family.

Beverly & Peter (Petulia's parent) with us.

Some of our good friends (Peter, Farazul, Adila & Joshua)

Christmas group photo.

31.12. 2010

Well tonite is the last day of 2010. I had a wonderful years behind me that I will cherish in my life and I am very sure that I will enjoy many more years to come.

Goodbye 2010 and welcome 2011!!! May Allah blessed us all with all rezeki He will give us, the good health that he will bestow upon us, accommodate us with all the blessing throughout our lives. Amin.

Teambuilding at Cherating

2010-10-27T17:14:00.027+08:00

We had a wonderful time going to Cherating to have our first ever team building exercise. Although some of us have been in the same division for years, however this is my first time going out somewhere for team building.

From the onset when the email came out, I already set in my mind that I want to have fun.
And that really work. As Stephen Covey said ; "Begins with the end in mind", that is the first thing I did and I set my mind that I want to have fun!

Lots and fun and laughter in the air when everyone puts their effort in having a great time building each other.

We left Shah Alam about 2.00 pm and arrived about 5.30 pm at the Legend Cherating.

Happy faces waiting for the bus.

Some were happy chatting, while others like me ..... dozed off....zzzzz

We started off with a welcome dinner and a welcome speech by the Director.

Once the dinner is over, we had an ice-breaking exercise. I guess that it''s good that we had the ice breaking because even though we were from same division, we were like strangers because some of us hardly speak to each other especially we all of us are from different project teams.
Hence the facilitator divide us into 6 teams.

And I'm in the Blue Team and we name our team the BLUE THUNDER!

The BLUE THUNDER!

Yellow Team : The Wakaka

Purple Team :

The Red Team : Ong Team

The Orange team : Ultimate Predator

Blue Thunder with "PROTON - We journey with you"

Purple Team : Selling cars to the Arabs.

An act by the Green Team.

The indecent act by the G-Spot.

The Orange Team act.

And then the Explorace begins.

The archery. Aims bull eyes and you get maximum points.

One of the most challenging things to do is to eat this worm. The facilitator said that these are worms that came from the breads. But who dares swallow it albeit eat them raw.

Oouchhh!!! eiiii!! aku tak nak!!! Geli!!! was what everyone shrieking when we saw the worms wriggling in the basin. But you need to get the points or else you team will loose. Adoiii!!!!

Siapa berani makan ulat ni?? eeeiiiii....

All of us : PROTON Export Division members

And our Department members

Kiky in Remembrance

2010-10-26T20:50:00.005+08:00

Salam To All

It's being ages since I had the time to update this blog!

Well today is a special day. 26 October 2010. She could have reached the age of half a decade, so to call. The golden years..... She could have been 50 years old today if she is still around. Unfortunately, Allah loves her more than we do.

The lovable lady in my life!

That's my beloved wife, Allahyarhamah Rokiah Mohamed @ Kiky. She short lived by 2 years 10 months to reached the magical number of 50. What can I say?

In remembrance of her, all I could do is recite Surah Yassin. I guess that is the best gift for her after her demise. All I could for now.

No one can replace her in my life right now. No one! Hence that's probably the reason why I'm still single till now. Hmm. don't know why?

But all I could say is that she is the best soul in my life. She is the reason why I decided to get married 21 years ago. She is the mother of my 4 growing up kids ooppss.. growing up young men and lady. They grow so fast that sometimes I didn't realized that they are already big.

Anyway today 26 October 2010 is her birthday. Usually a day or two, the kids and I would have been looking something for her birthday present. Mimi especially would be thinking of what to buy for her dearest mom. The boys.. hmm... probably just sign off the birthday card bought by their little sister.

Whatever it is, there is no more birthday cards for her.. no more birthday wishes for her .. no more singing happy birthday for her.. it's all in our memories now. All I can do is remembering her when she was around. She celebrated her last birthday with some of our close friends about 2 months before she passed away.

Well that's is history. But I have so much memory with her. Why shouldn't I... she has been in my life for 18 years and no one can ever erase that memory.

Her last birthday celebrated during Hari Raya 2007

To my love one, may you rest in peace and may Allah placed you amongst the Shuhadah.
As I told you, I will take care of our children no matter what. That is my oath to you dear.

Wassalam

Salam Eidulfitri

2010-09-08T15:36:00.003+08:00

Salam to all. It has been too long that I've not update this blog.
Somehow I felt that today is a good day to write one. Since Hari Raya will insya'allah fall on Friday, hence I would like to wish all of you a Selamat Hari Raya Eidulfitri and Maaf Zahir Batin.

And yeah we are going to have a very long Hari Raya break i.e. for about 11 days altogether. What a feeling! And today, the office is practically empty and the holiday mood is already in the air.

Ole Ole Bandung - 3 ~ 6 June 2010

2010-06-14T14:01:00.053+08:00

It has been quite a while that we have not gone for a holidays as a family. Hence a trip to Bandung would be a great idea - after all with the cheap tickets really helps.

So almost 20 of us decided to have a break by going to Bandung.

Our flight was on Thursday 3 June 2010, morning at 9.20am and arrived at 12.00 noon or 11.00 am Bandung time. The weather has been good to us.

Well pictures paint a thousand words. So I don't have to tell every details here except you can see how we enjoyed our trip there thru' these pictures.

The Excited group at LCCT after checking in about 7.30am.

At LCCT before boarding Air Asia. Asked the kids
to get this snap shot. This was first overseas flight
trip for Mimi & Adib.

Aizat sat alone on the other side.
Aizuddin supposed to fly with us but
because he's having his final exam
he decided not to join us.

Me and the 2 kids in the plane.

We headed straight for lunch immediately after
checking in our stuff in the rest house.
These guys waiting for the food to be ready.

Ikan Gurume Goring at Rumah Makan Sunda.

This place is quite cosy.

Lunch at Rumah Makan Sunda - good food.
First time makan masakan Sunda in Indonesia.

Group photo in front of Rumah Makan Sunda in Bandung.

Interior Garden at Rumah Ebo, Bandung. We stayed
for the 3 days. Nice affordable residence.

At Rumah Edo, Bandung - waiting for rooms to be ready.
Then our real journey begins ~ shopping..shopping & shopping!!!

Rest sekejap lepas penat berjalan dari satu
Factory outlet to another one.

In front of Donatello - one of the factory outlets
at Jalan Dago.

The kids had real good time shopping ~
unfortunately with daddy's money lah.

First day shopping therapy outcome.

On second day, we planned to go for a 3 hours journey from Bandung to Taman Safari Indonesia. Long hours in the van but well worth it.

Posed in front of Rumah Ebo before going the 3 hours journey
to Taman Safari Indonesia in Bogor.

Take a break at Cianjur Rest Area for a drink.

Once we entered the Safari, then the experience begins. Awesome place with open air zoo where the animals roams around freely. The children really enjoys this experience - so do the adults.

Aida feeding the Llama. Mimi actually seat beside Aida.
Both of them were feeding the animals.

Feeding the Camels from the van.

Adib, Aizat & Mimi - in front of the elephants show.
You can sit very near the elephants.

Having quick lunch that we packed from home.

Posing depan sign board - Taman Safari Indonesia

The White tiger - Acik mencicit lari sebab takut tengok
harimau putih ni.

Mimi posed with the baby lion - paid IDR10,000 for a pose.
Mimi is never afraid to take pics with animals - unlike her
brother and father as well hehee .

Mimi & Dania - with anak orangutan.

We spend hours in the Safari until its time to go back. On the way, we stopped at Puncak, a place similar to Cameron Highland - cool air and greenery all around. We stopped nearby a mosque to pray. This is the first time ever that I been to a mosques built on a hill top overseeing the whole valley. Really a great sight.

Me in front of the highest masjid in Puncak, Bogor.

The view from the mosque.

The stalls that sold fresh village produce. Kalau kat Malaysia
I dah beli dah bawak balik.

We started our 2nd day by preparing some breakfast on our own. So came out the roti canai segera, rendang daging, rendang ayam, sambal ikan bilis & sardin. Wow what a breakfast.

You see the pisang. It was left over after the animal
feeding at the Safari.

Then our 3rd day shopping begin. This time at Pasar Baru. Mak oi besar nya. It was a 7 floors of shopping complex with hundred of shops. You can't finish them in one day if you go from shop to shop. believe me.

Mimi trying to find dress that suits her. It's either its slightly
expensive or it doesn't fit her.

Of course lah, Ayah also want to shop for himself.

That night Abang invited us to have dinner at Kg Daun. It a place about 45 mins drive from Bandung. But due to the bad road condition and very narrow, we felt it was a really long journey. But the place is extraordinaire. Really a nice place and lots of people went there. You need to book first or else you can't find a place.

Since we arrive about 8pm and was dark, I could get clear pics. Hence to give you some idea of how it looks like, I've downloaded some pics from the net.

Welcome to Kg Daun, Bandung.
(pic download from internet)

Naik bukit nak sampai to our hut no 21.
(pic download from internet)

One of the huts in Kg Daun - very beautiful with village setting.
(pic download from internet)

Beautiful waterfall at Kg Daun. Very natural & refreshing.
(pic download from internet)

It was an experience having dinner at Kg Daun. I believe it's Sunda local delicacies.

Bi, Me & Cik Hindon - muka2 lapar tunggu makanan.

Group pose at Kg Daun, Bandung before the food arrive.

Arrays of foods at Kg Daun - about 45 mins. drive from Bandung.

Makan jangan tak makan sebab semua dah lapar.

We have to leave Badung on the 4th day. Flight at 12.00 noon. Hence everyone has to be read by 10am to leave for the airport.

Last group photo before we left for the Airport.

At the lounge - took a rest before departing home.

Goodbye Badung. It was a great trip for us as family. We really enjoyed our trip there and thanks to everyone for helping us to experience a great shopping adventure there. Maybe next trip we go somewhere else. Adios!

Pokok Pisang Pelik

2010-03-09T17:28:00.005+08:00

Pak Teh ada sms pada pagi Sabtu lalu. Dia kata ada pisang pelik kat kebun depan rumah mak. So dia suruh bawa camera untuk gambar pokok pisang tu.

So terpaksa lah saya cari camera kat rumah. Selalu nya Mimi yg pakai camera yg baru dapat tu. Tapi bateri nya lak takde. So saya decide nak singgah kedai sebelum ke rumah mak.

Sampai jer kat rumah mak, terus lah pergi kat kebun tu carik yg mana pokok yang di kata kan pelik tu. Carik punya carik.. baru jumpa. Pokok dia tak lah besar sangat macam biasa. Cuma pokok sederhana.

Tapi bila nak ambil gambar, camera lak tak berfungsi walaupun bateri baru. Alahai lah nasib..
Anyway lepas Zuhur Zalma datang dengan family. So saya ajak lah Ika & adik pergi tengok. Ika pulak ada HP camera so dia lah yang ambil kan gambar-gambar ini.

A'ah lah.. pokok nya berbuah pelik sikit. Selalu nya pokok pisang berbuah dari hujung nya dimana pelepah daun tumbuh. Ni tak pulak. Buah nya mula bercambah dari tengah batang nya.

Dah lah tu, buah bercambah dari bawah keatas. Yakni jantung pisang nya bukan tergantung kebawah seperti biasa tapi keatas. Cuba tengok gambar bawah ni.

Walau bagaimana ini memang pelik bagi saya. Pokok pisang yang berbuah terbalik keatas dari batang pokok nya.

Tapi kalau kalau masak nanti, nak di makan ke? Mana tau kan... buah yang pelik-pelik ni mungkin ada kelebihan nya.??????

Acik is 14 years Old Today

2009-12-12T00:04:00.006+08:00

12.12.1995. It was the day Adib a.k.a. Acik was born. That was 14 years ago. And today he is officially 14 years old growing up as a handsome teenager. As a December born child, he is the last one to celebrate his birthday. Boys his age already celebrated their birthdays early of the year but Acik celebrates his almost a year after them.

Well from a usually small and short boy, he is now growing up - slowly but surely. In no time he will be as tall as I am.

And tonight Cik Hindon & Teh invited us to her house for dinner. It was in conjunction of Juke, Zetty and Zara coming back from London for holidays. And since most of us will be there, I might as well celebrate Acik's birthday as well. Kill 2 birds with one stone as they said.

His 14th Birthday cake!

My growing up handsome teenager.

Family Day at Port Dickson 2009

2009-12-03T21:59:00.046+08:00

It has been more than a year since we had our last Family Gathering. Hence it is about time for us to have one. Pak Uda from Labuan mooted this idea of having a "time out" for the family to take a break.

Zalma than started to look for the place and Port Dickson came into mind. So it was a Banglo house that we had rented during the last gathering somewhere at Tanjung Tuan area. It was an old banglo house but big enough to fit about 30 of us altogether.

The Banner that welcomes all of us to this year's
Family Gathering in Port Dickson - with compliment
from Uncle Nazmi.

Everyone starts arriving after 2 p.m. Me and Nenek arrived slightly before 4 p.m. Acik & Mimi came along but Angah didn;t because he is in middle of his SPM. Along also is preparing for his University's final exam. Well that doesn't bother me to have good times.

Once everyone was around and had their lunch cum tea, we started to have Games. What else, right? No games no fun. And usual, I was the one who everyone expected to organized it. And that's no prob for me. It's a jiffy.

I divided them into teams and obviously all the Uncles will be the Team Leaders. They were divided into 4 teams, namely Team Pak Long, Team Pak Uda, Team Pak Dak and Team Papi. All were divided equally and have to be mixed into each other family.

Everyone is eager to find out what the games are?

Everyone listen attentively for the games instructions
ans who will be their team members.

And the first game is the "Teka Teki Lawak Jenaka". It's a game that each team has to answer all the Teka Teki or Quizzes.

Example :

Question : Gajah lalu titi patah, lepas tu kambing pula lalu. Apa yang patah pulak?
Answer : Patah Balik.
Question : Bila loceng bas ditekan, bas akan berhenti. Apa yang akan turun dahulu?
Answer : Speedometer lah...

Now let see them answering it.

Team Pak Long.. thinking about the answers.

Team Papi.. trying to find the answers...

Team Pak Dak.. entah apa lah jawapan nya???

Team Pak Uda.. the winner for the first game.

The second game was the "Guess the pictures". I got the idea when I watch Ewah-Ewah in TV3. Since its a fun game, why not we do it, right?

Naza trying his luck to figure out what to draw from the list given.

Team Pak Uda trying to figure out what is drawn by Naza.

Team Pak Dak: What the heck is Uncle Nazmi's drawings?

Hidayat trying to show his skill in drawing.
Not bad all 10 were answered correctly.

Team Pak Long trying to figure out what Fazli is drawing.

Slightly before 7p.m. we stopped the Game for Maghrib prayers, Baca Yasin and Tahlil as well. What a better way than doing some prayers when we got to be together as a family.

After Marghrib, we started to do some barbecue.

Pak Uda preparing to grill the ikan keli.

The food and food and food which would filled up the table
or has it been cleared by the glutton.

Fazli, Acai & Opie helping out to grill the beef and prawns.

Pretty maids in a row.. or should I say Mak-mak Dara in a row

After having some foods, it time to have more games.
First it was building structure using balloon and masking tape.

Bukan senang woi nak buat...

You must have strategy to do it right!

And it must stand on its own and not supported
by anything or anyone????

I did some postmortem on each game. Actually I did all those games before and I knew the strategy and the morale behind it. Basically it's about teamwork, strategy, patience, and a bit of thinking. And I relate them to our real life. And how could we apply them.

After that we had the "Treasure Hunt". It's very interesting and it needs you to think about what is the things you should get.

As example :

Asam di darat, ikan di laut

Ditempat ini berjumpa lah ia

Masakan sedap hati terpaut

Dari tanah, keluli, aluminium pun ada

and jawapan nya ada lah ... periok!!!

Another one :

Yang panjang ada, yang pendek pun ada

Untuk merapi mahkota kepala

Kadang kala kutu menjadi mangsa

Tapi Mawi tak gunakan nya

and jawapan nya ada lah ... sikat!!!

Well it took me quite some times to do the questions in pantun style which sometimes rhyme and sometimes it doesn't. But who cares, right?

And all the teams have to start thinking .. of course..

Ha jangan gaduh-gaduh. Carik jer bende-bende tu cepat...

And all the answers have to be brought out to the front. Amazingly all teams answered almost perfectly correct.

And these are the things that have been collected as the answers.

Then we have the "Building structure using only straws without taps or strings". Quite interesting though.

Team Pak Long trying to build the tallest structure.

So is Team Pak Dak...

And Team Papi...

And the winner of the tallest structure that can stands by itself is....

Team Pak Long.. 1st place

Team Pak Uda.. 2nd place

3rd place goes to Team Papi

After the 5th Games, the scoring is as below:

The next day was a rest and relax day. After Subuh prayers the kids continued to sleep while me and my Mak relax sikit.

Reading newspaper after breakfast.

Pak Uda trying to bowl using buah kelapa.

Throwing loops.. not as easy as you think

Adik with the loops.. trying his luck

Playing the "real basket" ball using baskets.

After Asar most of us have to make our way home. I have to take Mak back home cos I got to take her to Hospital for her blood test tomorrow morning. So I got to leave early.

Well it was worth to have another Family Day this weekend. This weekend is well spent with people that I love and I cared for. Thanks to everyone who came and support our family togetherness. It's not everyday that we can get together as a family. We have mission to be together whenever we can. At least to tighten our family ties. Everyone is getting older by the day. Hence we need to enjoy the time left with us and with everyone we love.

Cheers!!!!

Al Fatihah to Kak Imah

2009-11-26T18:01:00.007+08:00

I haven't been writing for quite sometime now. Work have been quite hectic nowadays. Not much time for myself.

Anyway, just to update you guys that recently one of my sister-in-law passed away peacefully recently. Fondly called "Makmi" or otherwise, Kak Imah, she passed away about 2.00 am on last Wednesday at Kota Damansara. Again it was cancer that took her life. That makes her the third person who is closed to me and who succumbed to Breast cancer.

She was first diagnosed of Breast Cancer about four years ago. Since then she had done mastectomy i.e. operated her breast to take out the affected area. She also had gone thru' several courses of chemotherapy and had been bald as well. I have seen all that and how she suffered like what my late wife had gone through.

About 3 weeks ago, she was told by a specialist that her cancer had gone to he liver. I was alarmed. So was all my sisters in law who knew that it will be difficult for her to survive. What we didn't know is that it would be that fast. Or should I say, very fast. In just 3 weeks after she had known that it spread to the liver, the had to meet the Almighty. She had done the CT Scan just to double confirmed the doctors diagnosis.

What is she to me? Well as I said, she is my sister in law. But we were close to each other. Although she lived in Kluang, I do contact her once awhile. Either just to ask her well being, wishing her birthday or just asking her what is she up to now. I know that she would never sit still doing nothing. There must be something up her sleeve.

Kak Imah at Nutmeg Bistro, Kota Damansara
on my birthday celebration last year.

At a wedding in Kepong.

To me Kak Imah has her own specialty. She is independent and doesn't like to work for people but for herself. I knew her when I was first married to this side of the family way back in 1989, Back then she sells stuff at Pasar Malam in Johor Bahru. For many years she did that. She knew where to get all the stuff at wholesale prices. We took advantage of that since we too want cheaper prices of stuff she buys.

Besides that, she is a good at handicraft. She sew cushion covers, curtains, bed spread and what ever you can name it - she can sew it. On top of that, she knows where to get all the cheapest price but the best quality materials. I always amazed at her creations of curtains, cushion covers, etc. Mind you that during my wedding, she sew everything : quilted bed spread, curtains, cushion covers, drape for our dais and many more stuffs.

Every time I complimented her on seeing new things she did, without failed she would always answer : "alah murah jer kain tu" or " alah kain-kain perca jer I jahit", etc. She is so humble. But the result of her craft is first class.

There wouldn't be Kak Imah around anymore. But the memories will still be with us. I would still remember her as someone who is jovial, someone who is independent, someone who cares for other people more than herself, someone who would help if its not a problem to her and many more things which is describable.

Only Allah would knows who good she is to us. May you now rest in peace. And we pray that Allah placed you amongst the ambiya. We will miss you Kak Imah.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

2009-09-23T11:21:00.004+08:00

I like to wish all of you a Selamat Hari Raya.Maaf Zahir & Batin.

Salam Ramadan

2009-08-22T23:44:00.005+08:00

Ramadan is here again. This is the second year my kids will be going through this Ramadan without their beloved Mak. Today, during our first breaking fast together, one of our dining chair is empty. Only the 5 of us are there. This is a second year where the seat is empty. Insya'allah we can go through this year again.

Yesterday, for our first Terawih prayer, all of us went to the Surau Taman Selasih. The boys went on their own. Only Mimi went with me. She had wanted to go for the Terawih prayer for 2 reasons. One is to pray and the other reason is because some of her friends are there. Whatever it is, I guess she that's ok with me. And today, Ika (her cousin) went with us. Mimi told me that she was more excited this year because she can go to the Terawih now. Not that I didn't asked her to go with me last year. It just that she felt differently this year. Maybe she is bit more mature now. Whatever it is, I'm glad she want to go anyway.

And for those who have send me messages wishing Salam Ramadan, I thank you very much. My wish is that all of our good deeds will be accepted and be blessed by Allah S.W.T. This is also a month that we can changed for betterment. Ramadan is a month that we can do much more and much better that what we have done last year. Even a small change is better than none.

So to all, Salam Ramadan and Maaf Zahir Batin.

Victory - Bond

2009-08-16T18:37:00.003+08:00

Just came out from an Exciting Weekend Leadership Seminar. The speaker was Mats Holmberg, a dynamic, funny but very influential Diamond from Sweden.

One of the statement he mentioned is that we need to have our Diamond song that signifies our Freedom. And this song came into my mind. I knew the name is "Victory" but I didn't know which music group / orchestra it belongs too. I asked Ida was was seated next to me. She knew the song as well but couldn't recall band's same. Somehow she sms her daughter and in a few minutes she told me that it was a group called "Bond".

So when I got back home (while still excited about the motivational seminar), I google the name and here I got it. Wasn't the music awesome. I have searching it for sometimes now and here I got it.

So why not we appreciate this Freedom music of mine. And thanks to Ida for helping me out.

Lena Imani 1st birthday

2009-06-14T21:51:00.016+08:00

The Birthday girl : Lena Imani Huisman.

Age : 1 year old.

Daddy : Dennis Huisman

Ibu : Rizaitul Emma Razali

Ibu & Daddy:

The Doa Selamat.

The Birthday cake :

The giggle :

The Opi (Granddad) and Omi (Grandma) :

The make-up on my face with the icing:

The Food :

More Food :

Dessert:

The roast lamb:

And more food:

The children games:

Mimi's 12th Birthday

2009-06-08T11:07:00.018+08:00

Mimi had been wanting me to do a birthday party for her - since a couple of months ago. Her 12th birthday falls on the 28 of May 2009. However the timing was not good for her. The weekend after her birthday she had to go for a camping trip organised by her school. So I had planned last saturday to have a birthday do for her.

As since I had invited all her grandmas, uncles, aunties, cousins, nieces and nephews, I guess its also good to include a special "Baca Yassin" for all arwah especially for her mak.

So slightly after 12 noon, we started reading the Yassin. I had requested Along to lead the baca Yassin as he is my eldest son. After the reciting Yassin and Doa, we had lunch together.

In my family, if you do a kenduri. you don't have to worry about the food. It wIil be abundance. Everybody will bring one or two "lauk" or some desserts. And I calculated that there were 12 lauks altogether which includes: Masak lemak nangka, asam pedas ikan pari, sop ayam, ayam goreng, daging goreng berlada, ikan masin, telor masin, masak lemak nenas & udang, kacang panjang goreng, and so on. As for dessert it includes : bubur kacang hijau & durian, kuih lapis kacang, puding, etc.

Once everybody had their lunch, then it's time for Mimi's cake cutting. I had personally chosen marble cheese cake with chocolate topping. It's my favourite. And since I was the one who ordered it, I order to my liking lah.

Marble Cheese cake with chocolote topping. Cool babe.

My sweet girl growing to be a young lady soon.

Mimi and her nieces (Ayra & Ally) and cousin Quswa.

Some of the aunties and Nek Yah.

Of course there must be some games for the kids. Kids love game don't they. Mimi tak kisah langsung nak buat game tu, and in the end, it was his father who had to do everything for her. And I had to crack my head what games to organise. And I gotten these ideas when I looked around the house on what we have got.

The first game was throwing a ping pong ball into the egg container. If the ball fall into a colour slot, they will get a prize. It's like the one you play at the fun fare - get it?

Adik (Afiq) trying his luck throwing the ping pong ball.

Next we have another game : Throwing shuttleock in the trash bag. The distance from the thrower and the trash bag depend whether you are a kid or adults.

Ayra trying her luch throwing the shuttlecocks.

Next I get the parents involve to do a head gear for their kids using newspaper. And you see the result below. Unfortunately, Acik my official photographer didn't take Nikki's picture who actually won with his Crown!

Adik with his Hang Jebat tanjak.

Quswa : Princess from Pandan Indah.

Ally : Princess Butterfly.

Birthdays wouldn't be complete without goody bags for the children. And we have actually have two. Chik Hindon gladly sponsored some beautiful goody bags. And I also prepared some as well.

Goodies bag prepared by Chik Hindon.

Goodies bag I prepared.

Mimi got lots of birthday present. And the one below she specially likes it. It's a pendant with her initial "M".

Mimi with the new necklace and pendant. By the way, she black floral shirt she wore is also her Chik Hindon's present given to her earlier.

Well Mimi, Ayah wish you a Happy Birthday and may Allah blessed you with all the good things coming to you. Be a good girl and be a good daughter to me.

Happy Birthday Angah

2009-03-09T22:20:00.005+08:00

Today is the 9th of March 2009. It's Angah @ Mohamad Aizat's 17th birthday.My second boy is growing up fast. He has grown his beard and now started shaving already.

I once asked him what he wanted to be when he grow up. Instantly he said that I want to become a Pilot. When I asked why? He said that a pilot can get high salary and he wanted a profession that makes lots of money. Well, I guess that makes some sense.

Years earlier when I asked him what is his ambition was, he can't answer it. He wasn't sure what he wanted in life. Later on when I asked him again, he said he wanted to do something that can makes him lots of money. Then I told him, why not become a business man.

Anyway it's been a long way from what he was and what he has become. He now has his own piece of mind. Growing up has makes him more of a person.

Angah was once the notorious son of mine. He would make the world upside down. Belief me. He does. We shook our heads in disbelief what he has done. When he lost his tantrum, all our furniture were upside downs and disarranged. He once kicked one of arm chair and broke one of its legs. Till now I still keep that chair and won't dispose it. It's kind of rememberance of Aizat growing up days. I would once awhile told him what he has done before and show him the chair. Well many things have changed but a few more still stick in his character.

This is Angah @ Aizat when he was about 5 years old.

He has come a long way. He is now maturing well. At times I don't have to ask him what to do as he would have done it himself.

This is how he look now. A grown up teenager.

He once told me that he wanted a B.U.M. wrist watch from the catalogue. We had already went for window shopping a few times somewhere searching for a watch for him but none attracted him. So recently I saw this quite pretty and cool B.U.M. watch and I ordered for him as a birthday present. Luckily he likes it.

A B.U.M. wrist watch that he always wanted.

Photoshoot

2009-03-04T22:38:00.002+08:00

Yesterday, I was busy working on some daily work when someone from the Product & Marketing Dept. (PMD) guy came near to me. I took no attention as I thought he was just meeting some of the staff in my section. With him was another young guy holding a camera.

Suddenly this PMD guy came nearer to me shaking my hand. Being a nice guy I greeted him as well as I had know him for sometimes now.

With him smiling to me he said, " En. Azam. Boleh ambik gambar tak?".
I was curious but being straight forward, I asked him. "Buat apa?".
"Kita orang nak carik talent for photo shoot untuk launching "Exora" nanti." He said.
(Exora is PROTON latest model to be launched next month).
I humbly said, "Alah..carik orang lain lah yang lagi hensem. Buat apa ambik I pulak?".

What he was going to say makes me felt funny and a bit insulted also?

"Tak, kita orang nak cari orang yang tua sikit yang macam family man". He said.

My lady executive who sat besides me started laughing already. So is the guy next to her. And these people give more "nasi tambah" saying this and that. "Oi tak orang lagi tua ke?" "Orang yang hensem kan banyak lagi"etc.etc.

Dalam hati "kurang asam betul. Ada kah aku ni dah tua sangat?"
"Eh you ingat I ni tua sangat ke? heheh..

But he pacify me.... "Kereta Exora kan untuk family. Jadi nak tunjukkan orang yang ada family lah???? Macam En. Azam.."

To cut the story short, the other young guy who was holding the camera started taking my pics with several pose. After that they left and I didn't think of it at all. I just comply to him so that he can go elsewhere to find some other talent.

That was yesterday. Today I was busy as ever with more things to be done especially the monthly reports. Then about 5.40 p.m. someone called my handphone. The number is peculiar to me but he introduced himself to me.

"Hello En. Azam. This is ..... from Marketing and Comm., EDAR".
I kindly said. " Yes, anything I can help you?"
He : "Are you free tomorrow?"
Me : "For what?" I go straight to the point.
He : "Can you come for photoshoot?"
Me : "What photoshoot?" (I didn't remember about yesterday talent search).
He : "Oh.. you are selected for the photoshoot for the Exora launch. So can you come"
Me : ...thinking and felt funny..ha.. aku nak jadik model.. tak payah... but I still don't want to disappoint him.
"Hmm... I have a meeting in the morning but I will be around this building. So what time you want to take?"
He : "How about in the afternoon?"
Me : "I have another meeting form 2.30pm til 5.30 pm. How long does the photoshoot take?"
He : "The whole day"
Me : "The whole day? Apa lama sangat? Malas lah."
He : "Alah tolong lah!"
Me : "Sorry lah. I'll be busy the whole tomorrow. Kalau weekened boleh lah."
He : "Tak boleh lah. Kene esok jugak".
Me : "Kalau macam tu, tak payah lah. Carik lah orang lain." I apologatically told him. Habis lah peluang nak jadi pelakon terkenal hahahaa...

Demand pulak I ni. But suddenly I thought, the photo shoot will take so long and it's very damn boring. I had once experience before when I took my daughter, Mimi for a photo shoot. It took almost the whole day andI have to wait for her. Letih betul. So it's ok for me. I'm not "gila glamour" and I don't intent to be a model anyway. So if you see the Exora commercial later, always remember that the "family man" guy in that commercial should have been me heheheee...

Your Best Year Yet!

2009-02-24T22:50:00.003+08:00

It now February 2009. Have you ever asked yourself what resolution have you made for this year? Have your resolution for the year before been achieved? Or that you will do all over again since your resolution were never achieved years after years.

Well you maybe surprise that you have not done anything to achieve whatever you wanted for that year until the very last minute. Only on 31st December you suddenly think that " ah...my resolution....???" or you might be thinking "well...why not do it all over again". There's another year to go.

For those who are very melancholy and didn't achieved whatever you want, don't despair. Be cool. There is a chance to achieve your best year yet.

I recently attended a workshop that teaches us how not to despair despite that we haven't achieved everything that we wanted. It because sometimes we do not actually focus on what we want.

The speaker mentioned that for a start we should focus on the positive things that we have achieved. Even though it a small achievements, it is still an achievement. Because to trigger our mind and to motivate ourselves, we should focus on positive things first. If we start being negatives there you are.... you have let yourself to develop a blockage and negative imaginations of yourself.

So the speaker asked each of us to list down 10 positive things that you have achieved. And I did this exercise as well just to remind me that... hey I did achieved something over the last year;

I survive my singlehood as a father for a year now.
I can take care of my kids. They are healthy and well taken care of.
I was promoted to higher grade.
I still have family that cares for me and my kids.
I still friends that still cares for my well being.
I still have a job.
I managed to enroll my first son to a University.
I am still healthy.
I clear off my credit cards every month and no outstanding.
I did my first own seminar overseas after years of not doing it.

So when you start with something positive, you can continue to do positive things instead of regretting what we have not achieved.

So you silent readers, why not do the same exercise? Who knows that you have achieved more things that you can imagine by simply start with a simple positive achievements.

And as for me. I will continue to write down what I wan to achieve for this year. And for that I will not reveal here. It's for me to know and for you to find out.

Mayumi Itsuwa - Ribaibaru "Revival"-

2009-02-15T23:07:00.004+08:00

I was driving home from work last Friday. After a long day work and meeting after meetings, at last I'm going home for the weekends. Friday is a day you to look for - you are heading for weekends. It the rest days for you right? No boss, no meetings, no work - for a couple of days.

So while I was driving somewhere in USJ, while listing to one of the radio station, this song was tuned in. A melodious Japanese number. I had heard it many time before but couldn't figure out how to get this song.

And now with the internet thingy, you can get any songs you want. And I got this one from youtube. For those of you who are the "jiwang-jiwang" type, I'm sure you would love this song by Mayumi Itsuwa. Happy listening.

A birthday wish from Mimi

2009-02-15T22:52:00.002+08:00

Mimi insisted that I post this picture in this blog. She did some editing using some technique she got from the net. I didn't know that she did it but it turned quite well.

It's something that she did for wishing me "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to me. Thank you mybaby.

This picture was taken in a wedding somewhere.

Friday the 13th....Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!

2009-02-13T08:00:00.010+08:00

Selamat Ulang Tahun Sayang - Imran Ajmain

It's Friday the 13th. To some superstitious people, it's a omen day. To some it's an unlucky number 13. But to those who are very very superstitious, there's a one word for you ... " Who cares". It my Birthday dude. If I'm unlucky, would I have stayed alive still now. If I'm unlucky, would I have many people who still loves me as what I am and what I have become. If I'm unlucky, would I have survived 3 economic recessions already hahahaa.. now you know my age hehehe...

Or should I just upturn the word unlucky to very lucky. Maybe I can list down some of my personal achievements that I have gotten over many years even thought I born on the "13th". For a start I want to list at least 10 of them.

I was the first in my family to pursue my study in a university. What more if it an American University.
I was the first to get an MBA. That's my greatest educational achievement.
I was married to someone I love very much and we were blessed with 4 kids.
I now have 4 growing up teenagers. Some people unfortunately don't have children. I pity them.
Health wise, I'm still ok. Sugar and cholesterol level still within the normal range. But of course I'm taking precaution about my health.
I still have good job with great people around me.
I still have family who still cares about me.
I still have lots of friends who still calls me once awhile to know my well being. And there are still people who reads my blog right?
I still have my networking friends who build the business together with me.
I'm still alive and I love my life.

So who still say that 13 is unlucky. What more if 13 February is just a day before the Valentine's day. But I'm not going to elaborate on Valentine's Day. Because I heard the Khatib at the Khutbah yesterday, said that it's not proper for Muslim to celeberate Valentines day because it's a day for rememberance of Saint. Valentine. What he is trying to say that it's haram... fullstop!

Anyway last week, we had a family gathering at my mom's place. The initial reason was to have a doa selamat for Azura@Jua as she is leaving to pursue her studies in Australia. Since we are congregating, we might as well have a bacaan yassin for our family members who had left us. And the third reasons is celebrating those birthday in February. So of course lah... they include me as well. Not that I insisted but when people want to celebrate your birthday, you wouldn't want to disappoint them right?

My sister Ina wanted to buy a cake and asked me what kind of cake do I want...
Not that I insisted, but I told her a chocolate cheese is good... and she bought one
from Secret Recipe.. sedap kau.. sambil jilat sudu..Thank you Ina.

February birthday : Nazar, Niki, Zie and Me.
But since Nazar is not around, Hidayat represents him.

My Mak... at 84 she still can celeberate with me.
That's more important to me than anything else.

Mimi basuh kasut sendiri

2009-02-08T17:34:00.005+08:00

Dulu masa kecik-kecik, kita lah yg basuh kasut sekolah sendiri. Takde siapa yg nak tolong basuh kasut kita. Kalau tak basuh sendiri, alamat nyer.. hari Isnin pergi sekolah pakai kasut yg tak basuh tu. Dah lah tu, kasut ada sepasang jer.

Tak macam budak sekolah sekarang. Kurang-kurang nya 2 pasang seorang. Kalau dia orang pergi sekolah kebangsaan pada pagi dan sekolah agama pada petang nya.. mungkin lebih lagi kasut dia.

Mimi anak pompuan I sorang ni, ada empat pasang kasut. 2 untuk sekolah pagi dan 2 untuk sekolah Agama petang. Dah lah tu, sebab dia jadi pengawas pusat sumber, so kena pakai kasut hitam. Tapi sekolah agama pulak, dia pakai kasut putih pulak. So terpaksa lah sediakan 4 pasang kasut. Just in case kalau hujan dan kasut basah. So ada spare kasut.

Tapi yang jadi masaalah nya ialah, lagi banyak kasut yang dia ada, bukan dia ambil hal nak cuci kan nya every weekened. Bibik ler lah jadi tukang cuci kasut dia. Bukan nya kita tak bising suruh dia belajar cuci kasut, tapi dua buat dek jer.

Lagi pun kalau Saturday and Sunday, selagi tak kena kejut, tak bangun lah dia ni. Kadang-kadang sampai tengah hari baru buka mata. So bibik lah nak tak nak kena basuh kasut dia.

So petang tadi Mimi tiba-tiba tanya saya bagaimana nak belajar cuci kasut sendiri. Betul ke apa yang saya dengar ni? Dalam hati saya, elok lah jugak kalau dia nak basuh kasut sendiri. Kurang-kurang nya dia ada initiative nak belajar.

So dia tanya macam mana nak basuh kasut. Yang pertama sekali saya cakap.. nak basuh kasut, kena lah cari kasut tu kan. Pas tu rendam supaya kasut tu basah dan senang nak berus dengan sabun.

Pastu tu dia tanya lagi, pakai sabun apa? Saya cakap, cari lah sabun yang ada kast bilik air tu. Tapi saya terfikir juga, kalau dia ambil sabun mandi pulak kang lain lak cerita nya.

Tapi dia tanya lagi, nak pakai berus apa. So saya jumpa ada 3 berus. Satu berus sabut, 2 berus plastik. So dia tanya lagi.. macam mana nak berus. Jadi saya tunjukkan kan lah dia cara-cara memberus kasut dengan sabun buku. Baru lah dia faham.

So bila dia tengah basuh tu, saya pun relax nak tengok TV. Tiba-tiba dia jerit lagi, "Ayah nak tukar berus boleh tak?". Saya jawab lah..."boleh...janji kasut tu bersih."

Anyway at the end, bersih jugak lah dia cuci kasut dia. Tapi sebelum tu, saya jaar jugak dia teknik-teknik nak jemur kasut tu. Kasut tu kena lah tunggangkan dulu supaya air nya keluar dulu sebelum dijemur. Kalau tidak, mencecehlah air tu keluar.

Anyway, I'm glad that Mimi is learning how to scrub her own shoes. Tapi kasut yang hitam tu dia kata..."Takpayah lah ayah.. kasut hitam tak payah cuci sebab dia dah hitam!!!" Ha ialah tu????

Mula-mula kalau nak basuh kasut..mesti lah cari kasut tu kan?
Jangan cari bende lain pulak????

Pastu, basahkan kasut dan berus dengan sabun...tapi
bukan dengan dengan sabun mandi tau!

Berus betul-betul supaya semua nya bersih, ok...

My Girl is Growing Up

2009-02-03T22:55:00.005+08:00

Sometimes is quite challenging for me to bring up my 4 growing up teenagers. Mimi now 11 going 12 this May, Acik just got 13 last 12th December. Angah is now becoming a handsome young man 16 going 17 by next month and Along my eldest 18 going 19 by this August.

Each of these kids have their own character. Not counting their kerenah and temperamental "angin". But I love them all but sometimes I also wonder, why they become my kids because they don't act the way I did when I was their age before.

Anyway amongst them, Mimi is the one whom I had to pay extra attention. Not only that she is the only girl but she need the most attention. Kadang-kadang kesian juga tengok dia. I don't alway give her the permission to go out alone even during the day light.

She always complain. "Ayah ni selalu tak bagi Mimi keluar. Acik tu takpe." And my usual answer was, "Mimi kan kecik lagi. Mimi lah anak perempuan ayah sorang. Kalau apa-apa hal kan Mimi jugak susah."

Anyway last night was the night before she goes to bed, she ask me questions that actually only "a mother" should be the one who answer all her questions. Guess what? This is the moment that I was afraid if she ask. But I have prepared myself all the answers because I know the time will come.

Here the question goes:
Mimi : Ayah kalau perempuan datang period, dia tak boleh sentuh lelaki ke?

Ayah : (pening kepala juga pikirkan .. macamana lak pulak budak ni tiba-tiba tanya soalan cepumas???) Anyway my answer was : Kalau adik beradik atau ayah boleh sentuh.

Mimi : Tapi Ustazah kata tak boleh.

Ayah : Itu kalau dia dah kahwin, memang dia tak boleh bersama dengan suami dia.

Mimi : Sebab apa?

Ayah : Sebab masa period, dia keluar darah kotor dia.

Mimi : Abis tu mengapa pulak dia kotor. Ada bau ya?

Ayah : (Lagi pening kepala nak jawab. Tapi kalau tak jawab nanti lagi dia confuse). Ya lah darah yang keluar tu darah yang kotor . Sebab tu dia kena keluar dari badan perempuan.

Mimi : Abis tu kalau dia
dah kahwin, apa salahnya dia tidur dengan suami dia.

Ayah : (Help me.. help me!!!! Tapi terpakse jugak berterus terang). Boleh tapi takut kalau dia bersetubuh dengan suami dia. (Nasib baik dia tak tanya soalan yg paling cepumas... apa bersetubuh tu ayah.. pengsan ayah dia nak jawab hehehe..)
Mimi : Berapa lama orang tu datang haid yah?Ayah : Dalam 5 hari atau 7 hari kot.
Ayah : (Tukat topic cepat-cepat.) Kawan Mimi ada tak yang dah datang haid?

Mimi : Dah ada dah.

Ayah : Mimi tanya lah dia macamana pengalaman dia. Mimi nak kena spare tuala wanita dalam beg sekolah tau. Just in case kalau Mimi datang period kat sekolah. Mimi kena belajar macamana nak cuci bende tu dan jangan buang merata-rata. Lepas cuci bungkus dalam kertas dan baru buang tau. Belajar kat bibik macamana nak cuci bende tu.

Mimi : Ok.
Mimi : Ayah...apa nama nya kalau orang tu sakir perut bila dia datang haid yah?
Ayah : Sengugut..(or something sounds like that).
Mimi : Abis tu macamana? Kena makan ubat ke?
Ayah : Ya lah.. makan lah panadol ke? (Agak nya lah kan.. mana gue tahu). Ok lah Mimi. Ayah dah ngantuk ni. Mimi tidur dulu. Nanti tanya lah Teh ke, Anjang ke, Ustazah Mimi ke ok?
Mimi : Ok
Ayah : (dalam hati .. lega sikit aku????)

But I'm very sure she will ask some more. Especially during the first time when she'll have it.

But sometimes terpikir jugak.. alangkah baik nya kalau ada seorang wanita disisi aku supaya dia tolong jawab soalan-soalan cepumas ni kan???? kan??? Tapi buka selalu pun dia akan tanya kan?. So why hurry to get a wife hehehee.. I will survive .... for now. Bak macam Gloria Gaynor kata.....

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

Kasut oh Kasut Part 2

2009-01-31T17:59:00.013+08:00

Acik has been bothering me for weeks now to get his new pair of sport shoes. It was during our venture to find his new pair of sport shoes that tumble the pair Alain Delon shoes which I bought for myself. Yes he has been pestering me almost everyday to go to a shoe store named J.J. Chain at Wangsa Maju. We did go to the store before the Chinese New Year but it was closed. Acik was very disappointed. Especially when I got mine but he didn't get his. What a pity.

So today, not sure whether out of pity or out of love I took him and Angah to the shop. Angah pulak sibuk kata yang kasut sport shoes dia pun dah tak elok. So I bundle the 2 of them into the cars and went to the shoe store. Luckily it is open. Acik hurriedly went into the shop grinning. His mission is half achieved.

There was sale of 10% ~50% of certain shoes. Acik has been aiming a pair of Adidas shoes that was used by one of his football star "Massie". I'm not a great fan of football and Massie doesn't ring me a bell at all. But Acik has been pestering me for weeks to get him a pair of what Massie is wearing. He even surfed the net and even showed me the pictures (see below).

Someone used to tell me "You should visualised things you want to have or things you want to become ". And I guess he has been doing that. And today he got what he has been visualising all this while. Tapi kopak jugak lah poket bapak dia.

The picture Acik download from the net.
Model Adidas F5.8 In.

And the shoes he got today. That's visualisation.

It's the original Adidas shoes that cost me RM134.90 after
less 10%.

Massie oh Massie. Pasal kau kopak aku seratus lebih.

By the way, Angah yang menyibuk ikut tadi pun sibuk nak one pair of shoes himself. A pair for him to play futsal or basketball. The one that he has already worn out. So rather that hearing another pestering by him for many other weeks, I just bought him a pair. He chosen Nike brand.

Nike Court Shuttle II.

Also cost me another RM143.90 after les 10%.

Now both of them grinning coming out from the sport shoe store thanking me for buying them the shoes. Acik dream of having the Adidas shoes that his favorite Massie comes true.

Amr Diab

2009-01-30T23:14:00.005+08:00

At times I do listen to music. Somehow Amr Diab songs kept coming into my mind recently. So I googled in www.imeem.com and got some of his songs. Truly I can say that Amr Diab is one of my favorite Arab singer. Before this I can never appreciate modern Arabic songs until I listen to him. I guess he is one of the top singer in the Arab world.

Listen to his songs flies my mind else where. I'm into other world. Forget all the things that sometimes bothering my mind.

Enjoy.....

Happy Chinese New Year

2009-01-26T11:27:00.010+08:00

We have not been going for dinner for quite sometimes now. The last trip out was at "Kopitiam Kawan" in Bangi. And since this is a long weekend, I took the opportunity to bring the kids out for dinner.

Not only that, I had some money for the kids since they got paid for some things they had done something for me earlier. So I told them we could go out for dinner somewhere to spend the money.

There were a couple of choices the kids can go. 1. Go to eat Satay Kajang Hj Samuri or 2. Go to "Cheng Ho' that serves a Chinese Muslim food. Well because it happened to be the eve of Chinese New Year, I said why not try Chinese Food.

Anyway it was drizzling after Maghrib when we wanted to go out. So I thought instead why not we go to eat satay at Hj Samuri in Melati Utama, which is nearby to our place. However when we arrived, the place was packed with people. Luckily Melati Utama offers lots of eating place. There is Old Town White Coffee , Kelfood (Kelantanese cusine), Thai House, The Templer (Chinese Muslim Food), and a few other.

The kids suggested that we go to Memory Corner - a kopitiam-type of restaurant. Well why not? After all it's their money they are going to spend.

The kids waiting for their order.

Coke with Choc Ice Cream, Mango juice, Chocolate Blended,
Sour Soup & Guava and Blended Sour Sop.

Mine: Tauhu Pok Bakar -- sedap jugak

Mimi's: Chicken Sizzling Yee Mee.

Acik's : Penang Kuey Teow Soup

Angah's : Chicken Chop with Flavoured Rice - macam Nasi Ayam lah tu.

Along's Chicken Chop.

Overall the food was nothing brag about. Well it might fills up your tummy but if I got a choice, I'll take the kids else where later.

Rating :
Ambiance : 3 stars.
Service : 3 stars.
Food : 3 stars
Drinks : 2 stars.

Kasut oh Kasut

2009-01-25T23:07:00.008+08:00

Do you agree with me that men only need a pair of dressed shoes for work, one for sport or casual and a slipper. That's all. Not only that but they will only change it when its either worn off or get stolen. But women needs 10 pairs for each occasions. And they will buy more but only wear it once or twice. I always wonder why, why and why?

Anyway I have been wanting to buy a new pair of shoe since ages. I wanted it for a change and replace my old one which I bought easily 4 or 5 years ago. The pair that I have wearing is actually "weared off". I realized that there is a small hole at the bottom. The side had also "torn a bit". Well it was supposed to be a leather shoe but then again I realized that it was not 100% leather. Some part of it "looks like leather".

Anyway since I realized I need a pair (since many moons ago) but I just couldn't find either the right size, right pattern, right price or the right time to go for shopping.

The idea of getting a new pair of shoe was put off for a while until today. I was taking my 3 kids to Alpha Angle in Wanga Maju and in Jaya Jusco there was a sale. However not many men shoes were on sale. But there were a couple of shoes that caught my eyes.

Alain Delon ...boleh lah tahan brand dia.

They placed the shoes just right beside the exit escalator . I saw them when we wanted to go out. Well one thing with me is that, when I saw a nice good pair I would instantly decide to buy. What more if it give a 50% off. My oh my! That would be good deal.

Cool shoes for RM360 with a 50% discount.

From RM360 and with 50% discount, it would only cost me RM180. That a cool deal for me. So without hesistant, I request the sales person to give me a size 6 for a try. Walla.. it fit and there goes my credit card.

My new pair that would last me for the next 4 years hehehe....

So I guess I would be walking high with my new shoes this wednesday.

In Rememberance of My Beloved Sayang, Wife, Mother and Friend.

2009-01-05T10:43:00.005+08:00

It was Saturday 4.15 pm. 5 January 2008. It was the time and date that have changed my life and the life of my 4 kids for ever. Today is exactly one year my dearest Sayang have left us. It was the day she had succumbed to Breast Cancer after 4 years 7 months of endurance. And today is exactly one year of her passing.

I still vividly remember that very moments she left us. I was besides her. So were the kids and our siblings. We gathered around her bed in anticipation of last breathe. She had shown all the signs that she was leaving us. I was hesitant to let her go but deep inside me, I had too. She had suffered so much in my very own eyes.

Whilst taking care of her, I saw her squirming of pain she had to endure but without any verbal communication. She can't speak then. Even if she speaks I can hardly hear or understand what she was saying. I had to inject her with painkiller and drugs as instructed by the nurse, just to keep her calm from the intense pain. I pity her. I cared for her.

Ky is the most positive person that I had ever known in my life. She is a very outgoing and independent person. Also the happy go lucky kind of person. She is loved by so many people around her. She had touched so many souls. And her passing was missed by so many people.

I remembered telling her that she and I will go thru this ordeal together. - for better or for worst. That was my promise that I made to her the day Dr Kamal, the Oncologist and Dr Anis, the surgeon, broke the news in the hospital room in SJMC sometimes in May 2004. I vividly remembered that she didn't cry hearing the new. She was a tough lady. I didn't know what to do or what to think then. I felt the world had gone upside down. Everything seems to go against us. But she stayed cool. But I believe Allah loves her more than we do. So that's why He took away her from us.

So this morning, after sending Mimi for her 1st day of school this year, I got my silent moment at her resting place. No one was at the graveyard except me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Sayang,

Yes it has been one year you left us. Even though we were reluctant to let you leave us, but Allah loves you more. Allah has found you a better place to rest while you wait for us.

As for the kids, I have taken care for them as I have promised you. Don't worry about them as I will take care of them. After all they are my kids too remember! They are growing up but I never forget to remind them to think of you. I always reminded them to see you at your pusara and also to read at Al Fatihah for you whenever they remember you. I always reminded them your advise whenever they did something wrong.

I never forget to praise Allah and request Him to forgive you and me. As He is the only one who can Forgive what we have done.

And today is 5 January 2009. Exactly a year you left us. You might not be with us anymore Sayang but surely you will be in my heart forever and ever. And no one can get you away from me. Till we meet in Jannah - my prayers and doa will always be for you.

May you be in a place amongst the chosen one by Allah.

Missed you so much.

Abang.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Day 4 - Destination Sg Petani & Taiping & Kuala Sepetang

2008-12-29T07:52:00.021+08:00

It's our fourth day of the trip. After checking out from Seri Malaysia, we headed to Kuala Kedah. Azlee mentioned to go to Mee Abas as he said they serve good noodle there. Unfortunately it was closed when we arrived.

From Kuala Kedah we head off for Sg Petani thru' Yan. The route was free from traffic and the scenery was amazing with lots more Sawah Padi. A sight to behold.

Sawah padi - sejauh mata memandang.

A sight to behold - green, green and green...

Our next destination is Tanjung Dawai. A colleage told me that there's a lot of ikan masin and ikan bilis sold there. As I'm a fan of this ikan masin and ikan bilis, and with the exploration mission in mind, we went there.

Arriving Tg Dawai, it was not much to see and visit. It's just a very small town near the seaside. Since we got there, we brought some ikan masin and some keropok. The prices of ikan bilis and ikan masin is not that cheap either.

Our next destination is Lembah Bujang. An office colleage told me that there is an Archeology Museum which is rarely found in Malaysia. It is a site of olden Hindu temple or Chandi. It was building hundred of years ago by the imigrants I supposed.

Anway, we arrived there about 11.00am. The place was quite hilly and it took some effort for us to climb the hill. After taking some pictures just to signifies that we had been there, we took off.

The kids at some of the ancient stones craving.

Mimi infront of one of the Chandi (temple).

The biggest Chandi there.

The next destination is Taiping but we have to fill up our tummy first. Thus our next plan was to have lunch at R&R on the way to Taiping. We stopped at Juru R&R and had lunch and did our Zuhur prayers. Arrived Taiping about 3.00pm. The first place to visit is the Taiping Zoo. I never been to Taiping Zoo but from what I heard it is a good place to bring the kids. Except for the entrace fees which I think is a bit expensive, the place is worth to go. Comparing to the Hulu Klang Zoo, Taiping zoo is a bit smaller but more compact with animals. We took the train ride throughout the zoo. I guess when you are too tired to walk, a train ride is a complement to it.

The zoo is well kept and the animals (eventhough not as many as Hulu Klang Zoo) are well taken care off. I did took some pictures of these animals.

The Ostrichs.

The Zebras.

The Seladangs.

The Giraffes.

At the exit of the Zoo, there was a place where you take pictures with a hugh python. Mimi was so excited to see it and immediately told me that she wanted to take a pic with the python. I was not a fan of snakes. Geli brother... eeeee....

Anyway she pursuade me to get her picture taken with the snake. I asked Along, Angah and Acik and even Bibik if they want to take picture with the python and none of them want it. Semua takut. I pun...

Look at Mimi smiling and excited taking picture with the hugh python.

I tumpang saja lah ambil gambar tapi takut nak pegang ular eeee...

We exited Taiping Zoo about 4 pm something. Next we drove around to see what Taiping has to offer. Nothing much indeed. Except for the Taiping Lake Garden which was quite nice, nothing much to see.

So we headed off to Kuala Sepetang. I had never in my life been to Kuala Sepetang although I had heard of the name. Azlee, my travel advisor told me that I should not miss the Mee Udang at Kuala Sepetang. He even gave me the phone number of Mee Udang Mak Teh. He told me to call the place first to book a table and order what we want to eat. I called and make a reservation - macam reservation kat hotel pulak...

Kuala Sepetang is about half an hour drive from Taiping. We just follow the sign board to the place. Since the road is quite remote, I called Azlee to find out whether I was in the right direction. Truely enough we were on the right track. We got the right stall. I didnlt expect much but it was just a kampung stall. But wait till they serve us.

I was greeted by a lady and I told her that I was the one who called. She told me to sit and they will serve in a short while.

What truely amaze me is their serving of the prawn. Really tempting and full with prawns. I ordered 4 mee udang and 2 mee goreng. When the ordered arrived, Acik counted teh prawns in his plate. He had 13 pieces of udangs.

Of course as usual Mimi and Acik instructed me and Bibik to peels the shell skin. The kids really enjoyed the mee udang and mee goreng with full of udang. I guess this is the first time ever we had mee udang full of udang. Azlee did mentioned to me that "kena selak udang baru jumpa mee dia". True enough.

I have gout, but looking at the udang serving, I balun jer lah.. lepas tu makan ubat later.

The arrival of the mee udang. Best nyer.

13 pieces of prawns in each plate.

Best nyer makan mee udang.

The peeled shell skin itself filled up 2 big plates.

After Kuala Sepetang, it was time for us to leave for KL. Mimi insisted that we stay in Taiping but I told her there's nothing much to see there. We might as well go back home and rest the next day. We arrived home about 9.00 pm. Had a nice trip.

My comments about the whole trip:

I guess this is the best ever trip that we've been as a family. No rushing for time as I took quite a long leave.
I truely enjoyed the places that we visited.
The kids didn't quarrelled in the car - that's a bonus.Well there's a few instances but was under control.
I went to places I haven't been before.
Quite an experience for the kids. I guess they enjoyed it too.
No major disappoinment.
It didn't ripped off my pocket as well.

Acik & Mimi : "Ayah nanti kita pergi Sarawak dan Sabah pulak ya?????"
Ayah : Hmmmm... ok lah awak semua kumpul duit kita nak kapalterbang pulak ok.

Day 3 - Destination Alor Star

2008-12-29T07:51:00.039+08:00

It's the third day of our family trip. After 2 days in Perlis, it's now time to proceed to Kedah. A few people told me that there's nothing much to see in Kedah. But the thing is, if you don't explore you won't see things, right? And our trip is the exploration trip. So we will explore then we know which is the places that interest us.

I purposely took the trunk road instead of the highway. I wanted the kids to see the kampungs, padi fields, jungle, sea and whatever can be seen throughout our journey. It's supposed to be an adventurous trip. So be it.

From Kangar, we went to Kuala Perlis thru' Kuala Sanglang to Alor Star. I wanted to go to the Muzium Padi in Gunung Keriang. It may takes us about an hour or so. Along the way, we saw beautiful that my my kids had never seen. Vast area of padi fields... miles and miles of it. Believe me it's the greens that makes me feel so calm and relax. And more amazing was that from Kuala Perlis to Kuala Sanglang, we could see padi fields on the of the road and sea on the right. To me that's amazing.

I did called my Travel Advisor, Azlee if we are on the right track to Gunung Keriang where the Muzium Padi is. Azlee recommended me to go. Finally with Azlee's direction and the tricky sign boards, we managed to get there.

Obviously Muzium padi is in the middle of the kampung with vast area of padi fields. It was about 10.00 am when we arrived.

What interest me in the Muzium was the wall was painted 360 degrees in the building. Believe me, it was an amazing painting of the surrounding area of Gunung Keriang. Picture it as if you are standing on top of Gunung Keriang. I

f I were to describe it in word it will be "Magnificent and Amazing". I took the opportunity to speak to the guy attending the muzium. He mentioned that it took 46 Korean painters to paint the scenery in 6 months. But these people were there for a total of 2 years to experience and observe the changes of padi season and the kampung activities throughout the 2 years. And as a result, you can see some of the pictures that I took down here. The painting looks so real and I can just sit there for hours to appreciate it.

Musim menanam padi.

Suasana Kampung.

Keramaian di kampung.

Jual menjual Padi.

The painting looks so real.

Mimi & Acik appreciating the kampung and padi fields scenery.

Peladang Jaya tahun 2008 - Acik & Mimi

Kerbau bajak - the kids never seen what a kerbau & bajuk meant before.

After Muzium Padi, we headed nearby to Gunung Keriang Park. Azlee told me that if I want to buy some crystal stones, I should go there. So here we go. IAfterall it's very nearby to the Muzium.

Well there are some interesting crystal stone but not something that I would not want to buy to accumulate dust in my house.

Some a white, some are reddish brown and a few a green.

We left Gunung Keriang about 12.00 noon and wanted to find somewhere to eat. Since we are already nearby to Alor Star, I planned to take the kids for lunch at the Alor Star Tower's Revolving Restaurant.

From what I read Alor Star Tower is the second highest Ccmmunication tower after KL Tower. And I think the kids would had their first experience having lunch in the Revolving Restaurant on top of Alor Star. What an experience.

The kids in front of Alor Star Tower.

Acik appreciating Alor Star view from the Tower.

The kids first experience having lunch in the Revolving Restaurant
on top of Alor Star Tower.

We finished our lunch by about 2.oopm and left for Pasar Rabu. That was one of the itenirary in Alor Star. Angah was very curious and kept asking me why it is called Pasar Rabu. I mean he really asked me like 5 times ok. It's hari Ahad and it supposed to be called Pasar Ahad. Or why not just call it just Pasar Seni like the one in KL. Why must it be called Pasar Rabu????? Susah lak nak explain to him. I told him may be it the Pasar started every hari Rabu but since it is so popular it continue to have it everyday until today. So that's why they name it Pasar rabu. You readers have any suggestion how to answer this?

Anyway Pasar Rabu only filled up with food stuffs like dodol, kuih-kuih kering, all types of kacang, tudung, baju melayu and all the malay stuff. Bought some dodol and also freshly baked kuih bahulu. The still hot kuih bahulu was great and the kids finished it in no time.

Then we left Pasar Rabu to check in the hotel at Seri Malaysia. I really need the rest and sleep. Told the kids to rest until Magrhib for dinner.

Farita, my office colleage to me that there lots of stalls near the Stadium besides our hotel. And we did just that. We had our dinner there. The prices were reasonable. Everybody ordered whatever they want to eat. Acik ordered watermelon juice - size L. I wonder how big it is. It's hugh for him - see below.

Acik with the L size watermelon juice.

Early next morning, I decided to leave Alor Star - since there is nothing much to see there. I decided to take the kids to Lembah Bujang near Sg Petani again using the truck road from Kuala Kedah to Sg Petani. Now you might aske why Lembah Bujang, Then you need to read our next destination.

Having breakfast at Seri Malaysia before leaving for Lembah Bujang.

Took a shot infront of the Alor Star old Mosque.

Infront of the Alor Star Balai Nobat.

Day 2 - Destination Wang Kelian

2008-12-29T07:51:00.014+08:00

We woke up early as I have planned to be at Wang Kelian as early as possible. My travel Advisor, Azlee told me to be early or else we would have to park far away from the place. So after having breakfast somewhere in Beseri, we headed to Wang Kelian - which is the most northern part of Perlis. It's a border between Malaysia and Thailand.

The road leading to Wang Kelian is not bad. Both sides of the roads were either rubber plantations, kampung houses or just secondary jungles. The green scenery were breath taking. Azlee and Fiesol told me that earlier. Angah took some shots of the green scenery.

The road leading to to Wang Kelian
- it's a border between Malaysia and Thailand.

Going to Wang Kelian we have to drive up several hills and down the slopes. Believe me it was a nice drive up and down to Wang Kelian. From top of the hills we can even see the sea.

We reached Wang Kelian about 9.30am. Not many cars were there yet. As it is at the border between Malaysia and Thailand, we have to park our car at the Malaysian side and then we walk thru.

As a note, we had to take pictures at the border to signifies that we had been to Wan Kelian.

Welcome to Wang Kelian - Malaysia side.

The kids ready to roam the place and see if anything they could buy.

As I have been told before, stalls were both sides of the roads either on Malaysian side or Thailand side. It stretched about 1 km in both countries. To me Wang Kelian is like a Pasar Malam style like the one in KL.

Malaysia side of Wang Kelian.

Most of the stuff sold here are either food stuff like cashew nut, ikan bilis, t-shirts, toys, some souvenir and of course periuk belanga (Acik warned me not to buy any periuk anymore as it occupies his space in the Avanza).

To enter Thailand, we have to pass thru both the Malaysian and Thailand immigrations. For us Malaysia, we have to show our IC. Unfortunately for Bibik, she has to register her Indonesian passport at both immigrations. Luckily I told her to bring her passport. The kids were excited since they are now entering Thailand for the first time in their lifes.

Thailand side of Wang Kelian.

On the way back, we stopped at the Lookout Point. Climbed the slop and took some shots. It was really a nice scene from the top of the hill there.

Next destination after Wang Kelian is Gua Kelam. Azlee told me to go there and I wouldn't want to miss it.

Day 1 - Destination Kangar & Padang Besar

2008-12-29T07:25:00.012+08:00

I make sure the kids sleeps early because I planned to leave as early as possible with estimation time of arrival at 2.00 pm in Kangar - our first destination. We left home about 8.00 am. Brought some nasi lemak bungkus from Kak Leha and planned to have breakfast some where at the R&R.

I already told the kids to minimize bringing their belongings cos I like light traveling. But the kids each bring 2 bags each - don't know for what reasons. After all the loading of bags and stuff in our Avanza, we hit the road happily ever after.

First stop is the R&R but unfortunately all the first three R&R were fully packed. Thus we had no choice to search for the next one. Fortunately somewhere at Tapah area the place was quite free and we had our breakfast about 10.00am then. Then we hit the road again.

Except for a few stops to ease ourself, I drove straight to Kangar reaching about 2.15pm - hit our target to arrive on time. After checking in the small hotel, we went for lunch. Azlee told us to go to eat "Nasi Ganja" under the big tree near the Pasar in Kangar. We went but unfortunately most of the stall were closed except for one. Not much choice so we eat there.

Our first spot to visit in the iternary is Padang Besar. The kids were excited and don't know what to expect. I had not been to Padang Besar since my first trip there with the "Bas Rombongan Che Kiah" when I was then 6 or 7 years old with my mom. So going there with the kids was an experience.

Along read me the map and I drove all the way to Padang Besar. We reached there about 4.00pm. The place was filled up with people and parking space was scarce but we got one.

Once we got out of the cars, we roamed the stalls which were already full of people selling stuffs and people buying the stuffs as well. The kids got excited and we went through the stall one by one.

But one things for sure, the common stuff sold there were either foodstuff and fruits, tudungs & kain, jerseys and t-shirts and periuk belanga. Lots of Thai stuff sold here.

Lots if bakuls made from plastic being sold. Nice but sape nak pakai ha?

The kids were mostly excited to buy new sport jerseys and sport short except for Mimi. She looks forward to buy new T-shirts or other girls stuffs. Unfortunately not many she could find.

Acik trying to figure outr which T-shirt suits him.

Bibik wanted to buy a periok kukus. It can't be found in KL so I bought her one. The aim is to cook Nasi Lemak kukus in it. It not the ordinary periuk kukus bertingkat.

The kids resting for awhile after a long round of shopping at the Bazaar.

See Along carrying the periuk kukus back to the car.

Anyway after about 2 hours of shopping there, we decided to leave APdang Besar. maybe take some rest in the hotel before we go for dinner in Kuala Perlis.

Family Trip to Perlis and Kedah

2008-12-29T07:13:00.005+08:00

I have been toying with this idea for quite sometime now. Angah had once complained that we had not been going for a distance holiday for so long. Since their mother passing, I had not taken them for a real holiday somewhere. So I though this school holidays will be a good idea for us to go.

I have taken the kids all around peninsular Malaysia except Kedah and Perlis. And I thought these two northern states would be a perfect place for the kids to see and to complete their "cuti-cuti Malaysia" throughout the Peninsular.

Being me, I like to get all things prepared : where to go, where to stay, where to eat, what to see, etc., etc.... I also called and get advise from some people who knew Perlis and Kedah very well. My good friend Azlee was my Travel Advisor. And all these helps in my travelling arrangements.

And this time around, I took Bibik along. We never took her along for any long family trip before. I guess this is a good break for her to come along.

I also put some rules to the kids:
1. This trip is meant to be enjoyed and no siblings quarreling in the car.
2. Everyone have to be positive. So don't complain on anything.
3. Unless we have been to that place ,we do not know whether it is good to go or not. So don't complain or wine when that place is horrible. In future we won't go there any more but for now just take it as an experience.
4. We are going for an exploration trip - we are not sure what to see or what to find. Just go for it.
5. The abangs have to jaga all the adiks. No doubt about it.

So here we go.......

Happy Birthday Acik

2008-12-13T07:22:00.004+08:00

Imagine this...... It was 12 December 1995.... Subang Jaya Medical Centre ...... The new wing which had just opened. In fact they used the private room with the Television as the the labour.room. I was in the labour room with Ky. She had some labour pain since a couple of hours ago. It also coincide with the 1995 SEA Games. While waiting, I also watch the games. At times Ky scolded me for not concentrating on her but to the television. Anyway that was history.

Ky had the pain now and then. As I had promise her all the time, I will always be with her during her giving birth to all our child. A Promise is a Promise and no compromise on this. As we had usually kids with each other, we will share the joy and pain together as husband and wife. I was with her through all the hours when our first and second son came to see this world.

And now this is our third son coming. I told myself it's no problem. After all, Dr Haris, our Gynaecologist was there to assist Ky with both of our 2 sons already and he is here to help with our third one. If you know the position how a lady is in labour, I will be on the opposite site of the Doctor. I might be a strong person but when it come to blood ... hehehe no thanks. Siap pakai face mask lagi sebab tak tahan bau darah hehehe... So be in a position further from the Doctor but near to your wife is the best position while you pacify her.

"sabar lah sayang, sakit sikit aje... kejap lagi keluar lah baby tu"... my words of pacifing her. "You cakap senang lah, I yang sakit tau" All she could say. Hehehee.. what to do meh..so I just rub her face with moist towel and kiss her on the forehead. Itu lah nama dia .. senang sakit bersama hahaa.

Anyway at 10.51 am a small scream was heard from her spread legs. It's another boy. Our third boys in a row. And that was Mohamad Adib. Alhamdullilah. But within less then a second, I told myself I wanted the next one to be a girl to complete my family plannng mission. Well that another story.

By the way, when Adib came out, Dr Haris's face - macam tak ada emotion aje. I guess he had seen the women's private parts for years and had delivered thousands of baby. Muka dia macam buat dek aje.. when she start stiching whatever needed to be stiched. Tu lah dia nak jadi Doctor Pakar Sakit Puan sangat.... and that was history.

So today is Acik a.k.a Mohamad Adib's 13th birthday. I knew 12.12.2008 is his birthday but he purposely insert an alarm as a reminder in my Handphone to remind me his birthday again. And he also insisted me to buy him a handphone as a birthday present ..... mintak Sony Ericsson pulak tu. He knew what he wanted.

So to cut strory short, I told him that I will only get him a secondhand handphone and it should not be more than RM300. I know kids nowadays wanted all the sophisticated phone with camera lah, MP3 lah, games lah and all those stuff I never heard off. All I said a handphone should only for make calls and sms. After all we have a camera to take pictures and we don't usually use HP for it right. And you have MP3 to listen to music so why we need HP for? Well my reasons are not as strong as why he need it more. Anyway after weeks of pestering me I gave in.

We went to Plaza Idaman as Angah had suggested and I got him a second hand Sony Ericsson with Cybershot 2.0 megapixel with walkman that he wanted for RM350.00. Ok lah tu. Rather than being hasseled for the last 2 weeks for his HP, I think it's worth it.

Acik was overjoyed to get his Sony Ericsson HP. His dream for this year has come true. He got a new Hp for himself eventhough it's a second hand HP. And last night he was sleeping with joy with his HP.

Happy Birthday Acik Ayah will always love you. BTW bila Acik nak tinggi tinggi ni. Lambat sangat nak mimpi kot heheheee..

Kedai Kopi Kawan @ Kawan Kopitiam

2008-11-09T00:41:00.020+08:00

I have been wanting to go to this new restaurant which belongs to close friends of mine. Another friend, Zaiham had once invited me to join her family for berbuaka puaa but I just couldn't fit it into my schedule. And weeks after weeks, there are many other schedule engagements that I had to attend to prohibits me from going there.

And this evening, I decided to go to this place. If not now, then when else? So I decided to drive all the way from Batu Caves to Bandar Baru Bangi where this restaurant is located.

You see, I shouldn't miss his opportunity to go because this eating place belongs to my really close friends, namely Hasbullah, Rezal & his wife Ezzah. If you know Ezzah Aziz Fawzy of TV3, then you know it's her. I knew these people quite a long time ago. And when they open up this eating place, then the least I could do is suppor them and probably recommend to you guys to go.

Kedai Kopi KAWAN @ KAWAN Kopitiam

Kedai Kopi Kawan @ Kawan Kopitiam is located in Section 3 of Bandar Baru Bangi. Rezal gave me the exact location. From the Bangi toll, go pass the 2 roundabout 12 o'clock. After the 2nd roundabout, go straight ahead and at the traffic light take right where the Petronas station is. The restaurant is located behind the Petronas station - at the of end the shophouses. It's easy to find.

Arriving there, Rezal was there to greet us. I got to know that Hasbullah just got back from Johor and he was really tired to come. Ezzah had some works somewhere. He initially took us around for a short tour.

The interior : simple yet cosy & comfort

Now the eating time. I asked Rezal to suggest what to order and what the best in the house. You see this place offered some Johorian menu, among which : Laksa Johor Ezzah Aziz Fawzy, Mee Rebus, Mee Bandung, Kacang Pol (or sound something like that), etc. There are menu : Char Kuey Teow, Chinese Fried Rice, and many more Icoudln't remember. Rezal also told me that there is also roti bakar with kaya.

The mee rebus looks good to me so I ordered it for myself. Mimi ordered Laksa Johor, Angah wanted Chinese Fried Rice and Acik as usual love Char Kuey Teow. Rezal also recommended Mimi to take Milo Dinasour. It's actually ice milo with lots of milo topping. Just look at the things we ordered. Not only it look deliciously goos, it tasted good as well. Why I said this? Because I tasted each and everyone what was ordered.

Milo Dinosaur : Milo ice with lots of Milo topping

The mee rebus tasted like the one Hj Wahid sold in the shop somewhere in Johor Bahru - where my late father-in-law used to take us there. If you are a Johorian, then you should know about it. I'm not a Johorian but I married to one - so I have to know it.

Mee Rebus Johor : Sedappppp!!!!! Tasted like Mee Rebus Hj Wahid. Recommended

And if you are a Johorian, I'm sure you would love to eat the infamous Laksa Johor. And because Ezzah herself is a Johorian and she cook as well, the menu is named after her - obviously. And it tasted as good as the one you can find in Johor or if not better.

Laksa Johor Ezzah Aziz Fawzy : it's delicious . You should try this. Recommended.

Angah finished off this Chinese Fried Rice in no time.

Chinese Fried Rice : It's delicious as well.

So is Achik. His all time favourite is Char Kuey Teow. Where he goes, he would almost always order for Char Kuey Teow.

Acik's favourite : Penang Char Kuey Teow

While enjoying the good food, enjoying the company of the owner, Rezal, is something to be remembered. We talked on almost anything about what we can think of. From how he and Hasbullah started business, to the our children, to our other circle of friends, etc.

The special guests : Me & the kids

Rezal serving Milo Dinosaur

I should not miss of taking these pics of partnership. Rezal, his wife Ezzah and Hasbullah's picture on the wall. This picture was taken during their Ramadam buffet promotion. I heard that the response was overwhelmed.

The Friends @ Kawan : Rezal, Ezzah & Hasbulah

The portrait of the Friends @ Kawan

I knew about their venture thru a friend who read their story in the Migguan Malaysia's Pancaindera. Thereon, I started contacting them and had been wanted to go until today.

The Newspaper clipping about the restaurant.

Mimi reading the newspaper cut-out of Kawan Kopitiam

Time flew so fast when you are enjoying the accompany of good friend. Although we arrived about 8.45pm, I felt that it was just a 15 mins presence there. We left Bangi about 11.00pm.

By the way, the price is so reasonable. With what we eat, I hardly felt the pinch in my pocket. So I guess that it's a good place for you to bring your family there. And if you are staying somewhere in Bangi area, that place is a must go place. And even of you are travelling towards there, do go there and taste how the good food tasted like.

By the way, if you want to go here's the detail:

KEDAI KOPI KAWAN @ KAWAN KOPITIAM
26A, Jalan 3/69
Bandar Baru Bangi.
How to get there : From the Bangi toll, go pass the 2 roundabout 12 o'clock. After the 2nd roundabout, go straight ahead and at the traffic light take right where the Petronas station is. The restaurant is located behind the Petronas station - at the end of the shophouses.

So why not try it out. Cheers.

Rezal & Me

KEBAHAGIAN SEORANG SUAMI

2008-11-07T07:34:00.003+08:00

I remember my sister sent me an email (below) quite sometimes ago. I knew it was something that relates to me and after reading it I though of putting it up in this blog. Unfortunately because I was too busy then, I forgot about it ... until lately when suddenly I remember about this email.

And getting old email is not easy. I knew I read it somewhere that my sister sent. Could it be in my Gmail, Yahoo or office email? Tu lah dia banyak sangat email account. And in one day easily I get hundreds emails. So you can guess how long it took me to search for it.

Anyway to cut story short, this email really put some ease in me. After reading the content, I then realised that it's not necessary for you to mourn for years over somebody death because there is something for her/him in the hereafter.

And this morning while driving to work, I heard the Ustaz in the radio mentioned that there must be a good reason if Allah takes away somebody or something from you. It's just that we have to be patience and realise that Allah knows the best for you.

By the way, as I had wrote somewhere in this blog, I redha Ky's passing. But what I didn't really mentioned is that at times I never really feel her lost. Not because I didn't love her and not because I didn't care for her. Most of the time it reminded me with our good times together. But now I knew the answer. And you have to read this till the end to find out why?

KEBAHAGIAN SEORANG SUAMI

Seoarang lelaki telah berumah-tangga dengan seorang wanita solehah. Hasil dari perkahwinan ini pasangan tersebut telah dikurniakan beberapa orang anak lelaki dan perempuan, kehidupan mereka sekeluarga sungguh bahagia dan sejahtera.

Si isteri sewaktu hidupnya, adalah seoarang wanita yang beriman dan bertaqwa, berakhlak mulia dan rajin beribadah, ia juga adalah isteri yang setia dan taat kepada suaminya, seorang ibu yang penyayang dan sebaik-baik pendidik kepada anak-anak-anaknya.

Rumah tangga yang indah ini kekal selama 22 tahun, sehinggalah si isteri meninggal dunia. Setelah jenazah si isteri diuruskan dengan sempurna, disolatkan dan dikebumikan, maka semua ahli-keluarga, saudara-mara dan kaum-kerabat berhimpun di rumah si suami untuk mengucapkan ta’ziah. Kesemua yang berhimpun itu mahu mengucapkan kata-kata yang boleh meringankan dan mengurangkan rasa pilu dan kesedihan si suami kerana kehilangan isteri yang paling dikasihi dan dicintai.

Namun demikian, sebelum sempat sesiapapun berkata-kata, si suami telah berkata: “ semoga tidak ada sesiapapun dari kamu yang mengucapkan ta’ziah kepadaku sebaliknya dengarlah kata-kata ku ini.”

Semua yang berhimpun terkejut dan terdiam dengan kata-kata si suami itu.

Si suami meneruskan kata-katanya: “ Demi Allah yang tiada Ilah yang berhak disembah melainkan-Nya, sesungguhnya hari ini adalah hari yang paling bahagia dan gembira bagiku, lebih gembira dan bahagia dari malam pertamaku bersama isteriku itu.

Maha Suci Allah Ta’ala, sesungguhnya isteriku itu adalah sebaik-baik wanita bagiku, kerana ia sentiasa mentaatiku, menguruskan diriku dan anak-anakku dengan sebaik-baiknya dan juga ia telah mendidik anak-anakku dengan sempurna. Aku sentiasa bercita-cita untuk membalas segala jasa-baik yang dilakukannya kepada diriku. Apabila ia meninggal dunia aku teringat sebuah hadith Nabi (salla ‘Llahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam);

“Mana-mana wanita yang meninggal-dunia sedang suaminya redho kepadanya pasti akan masuk ke dalam Syurga.”[1]

[1] (Riwayat Al-Hakim dan At-Tirmizi)

Tatkala akan meletakkan jenazahnya di dalam lahad, aku telah meletakkan tanganku di kepalanya dan aku berkata: Wahai Allah, Aku sesungguhnya redho kepadanya, maka redhoilah ia.” Kulang-ulang kata-kataku itu, sehingga tenang dan puas hatiku.

Ketahuilah sekalian, sesungguhnya aku, di saat ini amat berbahagia dan bergembira, tidak dapat ku gambarkan kepada kalian betapa hebatnya kebahagian dan kegembiraan yang ku rasakan ini.

Maka barang siapa yang telah bercadang untuk mengucapkan ta’ziah kepada ku atas kematian isteriku itu, maka janganlah kamu melakukannya. Sebaliknya ucapkanlah tahniah kepadaku, kerana isteri telah meninggal dunia dalam keadaan aku redho kepadanya. Semoga Allah Ta’ala menerima isteriku dengan keredhoan-Nya.”

Conclusion :

Now at least I know that she is in good hand. Insyaalah she'll be in Syurga. And I don't have to worry about that. Now I realised why at one time Mimi mentioned about her mom. Please read this posting " Mimi mimpi Mak".

Hari Raya 2008

2008-11-04T22:14:00.006+08:00

I know Syawal month is over. So is the Hari Raya. But I couldn't help it. I just wanna share that this Raya had never been the same again. Why? Because 2 of the person we love most are not with us celebrating the Raya. First and foremost, my beloved life partner, Ky, passed away on 5.1.2008. And secondly my beloved sister, Kak Lang. who passed away on 18.8.2008. Without these two, our life will never be the same again.

So it left me with my 4 growing up children. I know it been a trying time for me to get everything ready for the Hari Raya: the children, the house, kuih raya, etc. I don't know whether you'll ever understand what I'm saying. Only Allah Almighty knows what goes inside me going thru' this alone.

Usually, before Hari Raya, Ky will the one busy getting the kids their Baju Raya, Kuih Raya, the house gets prepared and all those stuff. She'll never forget to buy somethings for everybody including my mom and siblings even though it's a small stuff. I know she is very thoughtful on that matter. Me .... hmmm entah lah. Kadang-kadang thoughtful jugak.

And my arwah Kak Lang pulak, she will be busy preparing all the kuih tradisional like kuih semperit, kuih bijan, kuih kacang, etc. It's the hand down recipe from my mom. Not forgeting the rendang, kuah kacang, kuah tauchu, and you name it. Also the ketupat palas as well. She and Mak will intricately folded the daun palas to make it into the right folding. Kalau tidak, my mom will say, "itu yang jantan, bukan betina". If you don't understand, I sympathy you. You see, if you fold the daun palas wrongly and you'll end up tying it wrongly.

Anyway the most interesting part is when you see my Kak Lang buat kecoh. As usual if there is no kecoh and screaming here and there, there's something wrong with her. Now none of it can be heard anymore. She's not around anymore.

Those gone forever won't be back. We got to make it on our own now. So this Raya, eventhough the feeling and atmosphere is different, we got to go through it on our own.

Probably my kids have understood our situation and they didn't demand much from me. I pity them. Really. I couldn't give them the time as much as I wanted to. I could get them what their mother would have given them - mother's love. But we survive this Raya. And am I glad that bibik is still around to take care of my kids.

Me and the kiddos - they are getting bigger by the days except Acik.

Bibik and the family.

My beloved mom.

The family : only half of us. The other half came later.

And what is this blog without a song. And this song from Sheila Majid called "Ku Pohon" enjoy......

Happy Birthday Sayang

2008-10-27T22:09:00.008+08:00

This song by Adam Ahmad have been coming into my ears lately especially when Ky's birthday is coming. Probably it also mean something to me especially when I now felt the lost or probably needed her at this point of time in my life.

Kau Pergi Jua - Adam Ahmad

It's 26 October 2008. It could have been Ky's 48th birthday. I remember it well. Why shouldn't I? We have been celebrating it for the last 18 years together. But this year is different. We aren't celebrating her birthday. Not as much as we wanted to. But I personally felt that it's a day to remember her. She has left us almost 10 months now. So on Saturday 25 October 2008, after Maghrib each one of us read Surah Yassin at home dedicated to her. Knowing her, she had once told me that she don't one any of us to read Yassin nor doing tahlil at her grave. So by read Yassin at thome, I guess that is the most precious gift the kids and I could give her.

I have also planned to make the resting place a bit better. Initially it was just an ordinary grave that looks the below.

Ky's resting place - just as simple grave with wooden plank
curbing the area with 2 red leave plant as marking.

So I have planned to have a simple yet lovely kubur for her. So during the Ramadan, I have requested somebody to do a "one tier" kubur without any frills. I have choosen white tiling as I guess it would look clean and simple as well.I already got 2 large size river stone to put as her "batu nisan" but I haven't got the time to put some engraving to it yet.

I've also decided to plant small "Japanese roses" in the middle of her grave with Red English Rose on the top and "button flower" plant at the bottom.

Actually the kids and I had planned to get pebbles from the river to put on top of her grave. However, due to the fasting month and Raya month, till now we could get it done. Thus I decided to use the littel white and black pebbles that I bought from the nursery.

English Red roses plant instead of a bouquet of red roses for my love one.

At the end, it came out to be a simple but yet nice grave that I guess would be my birthday present for her. I was quite please of the outcome.

So on Sunday I took the kids to the grave so that they could recite Al Fatihah for their mom at her resting place. Nowadays, it not easy to get the kids together at one time. Fortunately today, we got together to spend sometime at the grave.

Along, Angah, Acik (hidden) and Mimi reciting Al-Fatihah her their mom.

I even told the kids that if I'm not around anymore, I would want them to visit me and remember me during my birthday. Of course reciting Surah Yassin is more precious to me than anything else.

The simple grave. White tile border. White and black pebbles.
English rose, Japanese roses and button flower plant as accessories.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAYANG!! MAY YOU REST IN PEACE AND IN THE PLACE CHOSEN BY ALLAH.

Hari Raya without someone you love.

2008-10-20T16:18:00.004+08:00

This year's Hari Raya is not the same like l have celebrated since the last 18 years. Someone that I have cared for all this while is not with me anymore.

But as the saying "life must go on" ... so is my life.

For the first time, my children celebrated this Raya without their mom. What can I say. I didn't realised that it's so much painful to see especially Mimi getting ready in the Raya morning without her mom get things done for her. For many years, Ky was the one who got her baju kurung and all accessories ready. Now she had to do it herself. She was fortunate that I managed to get her 2 baju kurung for raya and another 2 baju kebaya before raya.

The boys tak kisah sangat. They told me that they would wear whatever baju melayu available. Angah and Along got not problem.. but Achik??? Since he is getting slightly taller than a year ago, most of the baju melayu were a bit smaller. Luckily when I open their wardrobe (I seldom do that ok), I realised there was one pair of baju melayu with still price tag on it for Achik. Thank god, it fitted him well. In fact Achik had forgotten that Ky had bought him a pair a year ago and without him wearing it yet. So he got the ochre-coloured baju melayu that his late Mom bought for him.

And this year, unlike most years before, all of our baju melayu are in different colour. Look at the pic below.

Hari Raya at Zul & Fathiah's house in Shah Alam.

Celebration of Life

2008-10-13T21:54:00.015+08:00

The Event : THE RED CARPET AFFAIR
In Honour of : ZUL & FATHIAH AND ABEL & ROSHNI
EXECUTIVE DIAMONDS CELEBRATION
Time : FABULOUS HOURS BETWEEN
7.00 PM ~ TILL 12.00 MIDNITE
Date : 11 OCTOBER 2008
Venue : CARCOSA SERI NEGARA
Theme : BLACK AND RED

It was a Fabulous and Exciting event of the year we had last weekend. We don't celebrate people who achieved their success everyday. So recently when our business associate achieved a higher pin level, we have to have a celebration equivalent to their success. And there goes the well planned event of the year.

The Committee, comprises of people who love both these couples, took their time and painstaking organized the function to the minute details. And you can see below how organized and well-planned the event was - although all of us are amateurs events planners.

Many pictures were taken but below are just a few that I've down loaded for you. But you got to be there to feel it. Enjoy!!!!

The Banner special made for this meaningful occasion.

The 100 cupcakes with "diamonds" and a treasure chest
box with lots more "diamonds"

Zul & Fathiah giving their speeches.

The Mini Survivors Performing confidently in front of
the audience.

These mini survivors @ dancers comprised of : Aida, Diyana, Mimi, Xinnie and Sabrina had only practice about a week - starting from 2nd day of Raya. They performed extremely well. I didn't know Mimi loves to dance until this event. At least she's enjoying it.

"The Mini Survivors" taking center stage.

The Committee sang "What Friends Are For" dedicated to FZ.

It was a surprise song for Zul & Fathiah. Although none of us are professional singers but I think we sang well. We practiced about 1 hour before the event started.

The whole team : Men in Black Tux and Women in Red.
Don't we look Fabulous in Black & Red.

My Business Associates and Zul & Fathiah

Men in Black and Ladies in Red

Ain't the men in Tux look Gorgeous as well!!

Peter & Petulia and Me.

Petulia is the Chairperson of the Organizing Committee. Being Meloncholy as she is, she prepared all the minute details. Awesome Petulia. Congratulation Petulia.

The 2 available single Bachelors!!! Faisal & Me.

Faisal practically designed everything from the Invitation cards, the special momento Mug, the backdrop, etc., etc. Great multimedia designer.

Hey.. I'm back

2008-09-26T15:28:00.003+08:00

It has been quite a while that I haven't been blogging. Reason being that I don't have the spare time for it or that I have other priority. Being a single dad have it toll as well. Lots of things had been happening in my life and that too don't warrant the time for me to blog.

I met quite few people who has been following this blog asked me when will I continue to blog. And also I got to know some strangers a.k.a. my silent readers whom I've met somewhere asking me the same question. Terpegun juga jumpa And course there are those who I know personally had been pressing me to write. Gee ... what can I say!

Anyway, it take a while for me to put on my "blog thinking cap" back to write sebab dah berkarat kepala dah. So do bear with me to restart this blog. I will do it whenever I'm free. Cheers.

Lena Imani Huisman

2008-07-09T23:42:00.003+08:00

Lena Imani Huisman

This cute little baby is Lena Imani Huisman. The first baby for Emma & Dannial Huisman. If you had been following my blog, you would have remember that I wrote about their wedding in Terengganu and also in KL. Emma is my eldest niece. She married Dennis Huisman a Dutch (now Dannial Huisman after converted to Islam). Read about them here. Married in Malaysia now residing in Rijswijk, Holland.

So in ranking, Lena Imani is a grand daughter to me on my family side. My sister Kak Chik has been writing about her first cucu from Holland. Her blog is Mami Zaitun. And I have been reading her blog. She has been there about amoth ago to take care of Emma once she gave birth. I have been reading her blog daily : First I want to follow what she has been doing there and second to see cute little Lena Imani.

Practically Lena Imani has a Dutch-Malay-Pakistan blood. A mixed blood from her parent. She is only a couple of weeks old but she looks as if she is about 3 months already. Look at her. Ain't she cute. Can't wait to see her when she comes back to Malaysia.

Is it a miracle or it is a coincident?

2008-07-08T23:33:00.007+08:00

The beautiful flowers blooming - red, pink and white.

If you look at the pictures and the topic above, you might be wondering : what is the correlation between the picture of the flowers and the miracle right? Well let me explain.

Have you ever got a friend who had married for years but still not blessed with children? Probably some people say "rezeki belum ada lagi" which is true.

I got a a close friend who is in that situation as well. I guess they had been married for more than 6 years but still not blessed with any child yet. I told them to be patience because I am sure one day they will get one.

The plant had grown so much that it had crept onto
our polycarbonate roofing.

One thing that I realized about this good friend of mine is that both he and his wife loves to give things to me. They would give me things that they got from kampung (rambutan, tapai, cendawan, etc,) or things that they brought when they go visit places (ikan masin) especially when they knew that I like those things. Not many people will give me things like that. I always appreciate them for that.

It bloom every 2 months with beautiful flowers and scent
was very refreshing.

In one of many occasion, while driving together with him , I told him that I like to plant this kind of flowers (the one in the picture) at my house but somehow or rather the plant died after a week or so. I had tried many time but unfortunately they died as well. So I gave up planting it although I like the color of the flowers.

Another thing about him is that, whenever I told him that I wanted something, he will try to get it for me - including this plant. What a good friend isn't it? So out of the blues one day, he gave me this plant which he got it from his mother in law in Pahang. That was more than 6 months ago.

I planted it in front of the house gate. Although for first month there was no progress i.e. it doesn't grow well. Until the last three months where it start to flower. Not only that it started for grew so well that it started to develops lot of branches and kept growing.

One day after I had my Asar prayers suddenly it occurred in my mind - correlating the development of this plant and my friend's wife getting pregnant. Weird isn't it but its true. Initially I dismiss the thought. But for a few days it kept coming into my mind.

After three days suddenly this friend of mine called me just to catch up with things and he also told me about the good news that his wife had conceived for 6 weeks now. I immediately told him that could it be a coincident that the plants that he gave me had started growing as well. Whatever it is, I am very happy for him.

Now the plant as you can see, had kept growing, And because of that I had to get some wire that tie them towards the roofing of my porch. And now it has bears beautiful flowers.

Red. pink and white - can it be a girl??? Let's see.

I don't know whether you call it coincident or maybe God had blessed them to conceive a child because they had always been giving to people and now God is giving them back the blessing.

Ok lets' us guess together whether this is going to be true or not. Since the flowers is blooming with red, pink and white flowers, could it be a GIRL? Let's find this out in 5 months time when my friend wife's is due to deliver.

Moments in Time

2008-07-08T23:04:00.006+08:00

One of the things that I kept my memories as treasures are the photographs that I have taken years back. These are the moments that captured in time : time during our school days, the memorable college years, the dating and courting days, of course the wedding, days I saw the kids growing up, and every moments that I wanted to be reminisced when I'm old enough not doing anything but looking at the photographs on a rocking chair.

That's is why I took the trouble to take photographs after photographs to add more pictures into my library of life. Dated back from my school days till now. Although time have changed and so is the technology of photography but still pictures will meant a thousand words. Pictures will be priceless as time passed by because we cannot buy back the time. But we can track back the memories by seeing the pictures we have taken many years back.

I have lots of collections. Arwah Ky was also an avid photograph keeper. She kept all the photographs in boxes under Mimi's bed. After years in the boxes I never knew what happen to it till last Saturday.

Bibik was cleaning Mimi's room and I told her to check all the boxes under Mimi's bed. True enough some of the boxes were already infested with termites. Not only that, the most of the photographs which were kept in the mini albums were spoil because of the moisture.

Bibik and I took the trouble to take out these photograph one by one. I had to dry them under the sun for a while. Unfortunately some of these photographs could not be saved.

When I look at these photographs, they are from many occasion of my life. There are picture of Kiky and me during our Umrah days back in year 2000, many birthdays occasions when we had our quarterly family gatherings, of weddings pictures, pictures of my kids growing up and having fun then, etc. etc.

Luckily most of the pictures can be saved. I will definitely keep these as a treasure of my life. Especially pictures of me and Arwah Kiky and the kids. I cannot buy time anymore but I can definitely buy back the memories that I had with people I love.

Along Aizuddin in College

2008-07-08T15:55:00.012+08:00

Sunday 6 July 2008 was a memorable day to me. It's the registration day for Along at his university "University Kuala Lumpur". As a father I was very proud that he was chosen to be admitted into this University - especially being the eldest amongst his siblings - he has to show a good example to his younger brothers and sister. He was admitted to take up Diploma in Chemical Engineering (Process). Even though his first choice was Aviation Engineering but he couldn't get a place till January 2009, which is a bit too late for him.

On Saturday afternoon I reminder the kids to sleep early that night so that we can shoot off early to Taboh Naning, Alor Gajah to send Along for his University registration. All of us including Bibik were in our Avanza by 8.00 am after breakfast. As we had recce the place before so we have no problem finding the campus this time.

We arrived about 10.00 am and many parents and new students were already there. They were many staff and old students showed us direction where to park and where to register. However only new students were allowed into the halls whilst the parents and others had to hang out outside.

There were university staff selling stuffs like burgers and drinks outside the hall. Acik and Mimi immediate felt hungry when they saw this. And I had to buy them these. I had a good bargain myself and bought rambutan at only RM2.50.

Family pose at the Main Entrance. I told them we had to take
a shot here to mark a memorable day in Along's life.

After the registration was done, we went to see Along's new room. Along curiously asked me, "Ayah, Along dapat bilik ke atau Dorm". I told him "I don't know but lets find out". He was curious because he had been staying in a dormitory for the last 5 years in his school.

Along carry is luggage into his new room.

Along was grinning when he say that he got a room instead of dormitory. However he has to share his room with 3 other students. When we got into the room, there was already one student who just came in. We got ourselves introduced.

Bibik helped out to arrange Along's belonging.

The room was a small room and each of them got the basic facility : a bed, a closet, a study table and a chair. I guess they have to make do what they got.

We didn't know that they didn't provide a pillow and Along did bring one. So I suggested that we'll buy one in town. I asked someone there and they told me that the nearest town is Tampin - which is about 10 km from the campus. So off we went.

By the way, although Taboh Naning is in Alor Gajah, it is actually bordering into Negeri Sembilan.

His closet - very minimum space.

Mimi tried on Along's bed.

Family pose in Along's room.

Uncle Joe (my out-law) once told me that if I ever get to that place, I should not miss buying lemang there. He specifically told me to go to Gerai no. 2 between Jalan Tampin and Rembau - because according to him they sell the best lemang there.

After making a round, we got to that place. And since it's already 12.30 noon, I thought why not we have lunch there as well. The kids love to eat the lemang with Rendang Daging, Masak Lemak Daging Salai and Sambal Tumis Petai.

Gerai No. 2, Restoran Sakidah, Jalan Rembau - Tampin.

Lomang dengan Masak Lomak Daging Salai dan
Rondang Daging ...... Sodappppp!!!!

Everybody was enjoying the lemang and rendang.

So after lunch, we head off to Tampin was was about 5 km away. I have not been to Tampin in my life before but I can predict it just a small town. But I was relief when I saw that there is a Giant supermarket. So we got what we wanted for Along there.

After we got all the stuff we required, we sent Along back into his campus. I gave him a fatherly advise : Study hard and make full use of his life in the University.

I also once told him that if he got at least 3.5 CGPA for the 1st semester, I might think of buying him a used Kancil car. But that all depends????

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-15T01:22:00.007+08:00

It's Father's Day today. Mimi had just given me her own custom-made father's card. She will the one who is thoughtful enough to do all this. Be it a Birthday, Mother's Day or whatever there is to celebrate. Probably she picked up from her Mak.

Her 3 abangs only signed on the folded A4 sized paper turned into a card.
Mimi wrote : Ayah Mimi sayang ayah.alau boleh Mimi nak ayah ngan Mimi je!!! Mimi nak ucapkan Happy Father's Day.
Along wrote : Happy Father's day ... Ayah buy Swift sebijik pun ok hehe.
Anggah wrote : Happy Father's day .... I love you!!
Acik wrote : Ayah Acik sayang ayah.

I appreciated what they had wrote for me. It's been 5 months that I have been a father taking care of them without their Mak around. So being a a father now gave a new / different meaning to me. Bigger responsibility, bigger role as a single parent.

The folded A4 paper turned into a Father's Day prepared by Mimi

Along, Angah and Acik just signed-off the card.

Earlier this afternoon, we celebrated Taha's birthday as well as Taha & Zalma's 12th wedding anniversary. We continued to celebrate Father's Day as well.

Zalma & Taha 12th wedding anniversary.

Happy Father's Day to Pak Dak, Pak Tam, Pak Long, Pak Teh, Uncle Taha and me.

Kung Fu Panda - Learn the Morale of the Story

2008-06-08T06:59:00.006+08:00

I am not a fan of movie - what more if its a cartoon movie. Did I tell you that I fell asleep during my first movie date with Ky in Kalamazoo, Michigan - way back sometime in 1984. The movie "The Natural" and the actors if I still can remember was Robert Redford, Robert Duvall, Glen Close and a few more. It was supposed to a romantic movie but I fell asleep almost throughout the show. What a date? Anyway that is not what I'm going to write. It's about this cartoon movie showing right now at the theater near you - "The Kung fu Panda" hey promo nampak!!!

Anyway Acik was pestering me to go for a movie before the school opens on Monday. As I was never a fan of any movie nor have the patience to queue up for the tickets, I rejected his request. But then again, thinking that I need to be somewhere in TTDI for some Healthpointe program (I write about it later) about the same time after the movie ends, I thought why not I get them to see the movie anyway.

So yesterday I took him and Mimi to One Utama. I picked up Cik Hindun (Ky's sister) from Kota Damansara so that she can tag along. After about 30 mins queuing for the tickets, we got the 11.50am slot for the 4 of us.

What more important is that I didn't fell asleep. In fact I concentrated on the movies as I felt there were so many things to learn from that cartoon characters.

Anyway if you want to know about the plot, please read here.

Po (Panda) who knew he wanted to be somebody but didn't know how to.
But he preservere and became the Dragon Warrior.

But if you want to know what I've learned while watching the movie, please continue reading:

The Plot : Po the Panda knew he wanted to be somebody but he didn't know how to. But he went through the hardship anyway until he was chosen to be the Dragon Warrior.

The Morale of the Story : We may have want or dream something more out of our life but we are not sure of it. We must still continue to search for it and it will come to you one day if you really want it bad enough.

The Plot : Oogway the turtle (the old Master) said something like this : Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is mystery but today is the "Present".

The Morale of the Story : We shouldn't get bogged down with things that happened in our life before. And we don't know what will happen to us in the future. What more important is that we make best use of what we have today as if it a "present" for us.

Shifu and Oogway (the Old Master)

The Plot : When Po opened the Dragon scroll, he didn't find any secret writing in it but only the image of himself. The secret is actually NO SECRET. The secret is actually himself.

The Morale of the Story : Most often than not we try to find what is the best secret to be successful. Only to find out that the secret is actually ourself. If we want to be successful, it has to be us who want to be what we want to be!

The Plot : Initially Po looked down on Shifu (Small Red Panda) until Shifu tested Po and trained him how to be the Kung Fu warrior.

The Morale of the Story : We always look down on people who we thought are smaller than us, less intelligent than us, less educated than us, less qualified, etc. etc. But you know what, these people can be much better than us in many other way. Be humble and people will be willing to help us.

Shifu (The Master) trained Po (The Panda) by using Food as his carrot for training.

The Plot : Po was merely a noodle maker but he was determine to be someone else that he dreamed of. He searched for it and at the end he got what he wanted.

The Morale of the Story : We may have dream of things we want. A better life, a better home, a better person. Keep on dreaming but always have in mind that we must pursue it.

Conclusion :

Have a Dream and identify what we want out of our life.
Listen and Follow the right people who knew better than us.
Preserver and endure the hardship before we get what we dream of.
Never get distracted with your enemy but overcome your fear.
And watch the Movie with an open-mind hehehe...