Voyage into the unknown

Sunrise over Doha

2012-01-13T22:52:00.001+03:00

Sticking to my new year's resolutions which include to reclaim my ideal weight, and live a healthy lifestyle, I have taken running quite seriously lately. So today I went to Doha Corniche for a jog after fajr prayer. I was supposed to run with the guys from Doha Bay Running Club (which I just join yesterday), but I was 10 minutes late and they had already left. I ended up running by myself along the promenade and was mesmerised by the sunrise casting its golden rays over Doha city. It is a good enough reason to wake up this early on Friday morning.

My green open top sports car

2012-01-12T20:26:00.003+03:00

Strollers are for babies. I prefer my green open top sports car. Thanks mama for the present. Now I can drive to rumah nenek.. yeehaa.

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Doha lost in fog

2012-01-12T09:18:00.002+03:00

These pictures were taken from my office window at 3 in the afternoon yesterday.

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Lughatul Arabia.. Raqam Wahid

2012-01-12T09:14:00.001+03:00

Sabahoulkhair. Item 4 of my new year's resolutions is to learn Arabic. I have been meaning to take up Arabic classes since I first set foot in this country in 2008. It was not until last night I finally enrolled in Arabic class at Fanar. They have great facilities and classes for every level. I am at Level 1 and I have to start with the basic Alif Ba Ta. Well at least I am done with the hardest part.. to START.

You may find all the information about Arabic classes at Fanar HERE. Maassalama.

Fanar Building in Doha

I Love London

2012-01-04T12:37:00.001+03:00

There are only few places in the world (not that I have been to that many places) that I feel attached, comfortable and do not mind visiting time and time again. I had that feeling when I first visited this centre of British Empire during my first euro trip in 2007. I knew then that I will always come back to this city. That's right I have been to London 5 times since then. I even took my wife for honeymoon here and stayed at The Ritz. A major upgrade from a shared dorm at a backpackers hostel in 2007.

I cannot fully explain why I like, no, LOVE London so much. I even felt like a Londoner when I took a tube ride alone to the Emirates stadium visiting the home of Arsenal FC while the rest of my travelling party went shopping at Knightsbridge. And don't ask me why I support Arsenal either.

London feels like home, which is absurd considering I have never live there. I usually flew to London before travelling to other parts of Europe. The funny thing was, I felt so relieved upon returning to London from a trip to Paris or travelling around Spain. Perhaps because there is no language barrier and the feeling of inclusiveness. You will not feel alien in London as it is the most cosmopolitan city in the world. There are 350 languages spoken in and around London so it is truly a capital of the world.

London is busy but orderly, densely populated yet full of parks and open spaces. Another thing, it has many halal food outlets, an important criteria to set up a base. Perhaps one day I can call this city home even for a while.

Upon arrival at Heathrow Aug 2007. Lepas gian after 14 hours tak dapat hisap rokok

The new home for Arsenal FC, Aug 2007

Buckingham Palace Aug 2007

Trafalgar Sq. May 2009

London is green. May 2009

The City from Westminster May 2009

London famous telephone box May 2009

London taxi and double decker bus June 2009

Honeymoon Jun 2009

Honeymoon Jun 209

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Our home, Contours @ Melawati Heights

2012-01-01T12:04:00.003+03:00

We went to see the progress of our future home during our last holiday in Malaysia. We had this special feeling upon entering this gated community that we belong here. We can see ourselves owning one of the houses that are currently under construction. This place truly is our dream home, and dream is FREE. We love everything about the house. The location, the design (albeit some modifications deemed necessary) and the picturesque surroundings. Green and quiet.

This 4 bedrooms + maid's room has separated living and entertainment quarters linked by its very own mini sky bridge like the one at Petronas towers. All bedrooms are located on one side while kitchen, dining and living area on the other. The house also comes with its very own private lift, so we won't risk breaking our back carrying heavy suitcases up and down the staircase each time we go traveling.

There is a small lap pool in the middle of the house and a sun deck which is great place to unwind after work or during weekends. We can't wait to have friends coming over for barbecues by the pool and playing board games at the living area. This house really represents our characters and we cannot wait to move in here. Even our maid, Mariam was excited and she said she would follow us back to Malaysia if we live there.

Our own private lift


Walk in closet in the master bedroom, Cik Minah was delighted for the never ending space she'll have

Master bedroom's en-suite

Zachary in his room

Our girl(s) will love the big walk in closet in her/their room

Our guest room

Our living and dining


Our dry kitchen. Cik Minah loves the island kitchen

Cik Minah busy preparing lunch in our wet kitchen

Zachary was excited to have an area where he can run around


Cik Minah and Mariam enjoying afternoon tea at the sun deck

Our very own lap pool in the middle of the house

Bukit Tabur, The world's longest quartz ridge


Our future home

We love to live very close to nature and we are lucky to have beautiful Bukit Tabur, (World's longest quartz ridge) right on our door step. We would go hiking during the weekend escape from all the buzz of the city. See breathtaking pictures of Bukit Tabur HERE.

Thank You 2011, Buon 2012

2011-12-31T23:29:00.001+03:00

Thank you ALLAH for yet another great year. 2011 has generally been kind to me. I have been blessed with many happiness especially with the birth of my daughter Cinta Amani. There are many things to be grateful for in 2011 among others:

- Happy marriage
- Birth of Cinta
- We were blessed with good health
- Performing Umrah
- Quit smoking (though I still smoke socially but passed the addiction)
- Completed my Masters degree after 5 long years
- Zach turns 1 and getting smarter everyday
- Have a great boss, and the best of colleagues
- Have many good friends that I can rely on
- Hired Mariam as our full time maid and she is good
- Road trip UAE, Holy cities of Mekah and Madinah, Holidays in Malaysia and Singapore
- Ran Penang Bridge Half Marathon
- The list could goes on and on... THANK YOU

My main 2012 resolutions are:
1. A better Muslim InsyaALLAH
2. Cleared bad debts and enjoys financial freedom
3. Achieved pre-wedding weight and maintains a healthy lifestyle
4. Learn Arabic
5. Travel: New York, Lisbon
6. A better son to my mother, husband to my wife, father to my kids
7. Achieved outstanding rating of 3 in the Year End Assessment

2012 will be the best year yet.. INSYAALLAH

Is it wrong to buy from our neighbour?

2011-12-29T09:40:00.000+03:00

I was excited when Emirates launched their Global Sale earlier this week. The sale will end on January 9th so I was planning to buy tickets for my next trip when I get my December salary. Just imagine a return flight tickets to South Eash Asia and Europe will be as low as QAR 1000++ from the normal price of QAR 3000++. But then I saw this email from Emirates just as I was ready to log on their website.

......................................................
Dear Mr Ahmad,

On 25th December Emirates launched a Global Sale, offering strong discounts on return airfares across our international network.

After the Global Sale began, Emirates received a notification from the local Qatari Civil Aviation Authority requesting that we stop the sale with immediate effect, due to the requirement of governmental pre-approval. Emirates respects the government rules and has subsequently stopped the offer within Qatar.

Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused to Skywards members who had planned to make a booking as part of this offer and are now unable to do so. For those who were able to make a booking as part of this Global Sale prior to its cancellation in Qatar, these bookings are confirmed and remain unaffected.

We thank you for your support and understanding.
..........................................................

It is like you own a toy shop, and you giving out discounts but another shop owner from the neighbouring suburb asks you to sell to kids from their nerborhood at normal price. Funny isn't it? Surely they want to safegurd the local airlines interests. But dont they learn Consumerism 101? The local airlines should beat the price offered by Emirates and I am sure they can win us in Qatar. We would not want to waste hours in transit if there is direct flights available at a competitive price. So our beloved 'Airline of The Year' 'Your 5 Star Airline" its time to get your act together.

Apapa means aeroplane

2011-12-25T14:18:00.004+03:00

Since we returned from our holiday in Malaysia, Zachary's vocabulary has multiplied by leaps and bounds. He also likes to repeat every word we said. So we have to watch our language. We do not want any incident like Greg Focker had with his nephew, little Jack in Meet The Fockers.

He also shows a lot of interests in vehicles or any mode of transportation especially aeroplane. Maybe because we took so many flights recently that he is almost addicted with aeroplanes. He would even sleep with our small Air Asia fridge magnet plane. So last week we bought one big A380 model to satisfy his addiction. And the plane's rudder broke off from the main fuselage on the second day.

He is also quite obsessed with lorries because he sees many of them at a big land dump site behind our house (an ugly view from our bedroom window unfortunately). He would wake up in the middle of the night and say 'Lollu lollu'. We had to assure him that the 'Lollus' were all asleep so must he.

Zachary's favourite vehicles are:
1. Apapa (Aeroplane)
2. Lollu (Lorry)
3. Bah (Bus)
4. Kah (Car)
5. Boat (Boat)
6. Betchka (Bicycle)
7. Vroom vroom (Motorbike)

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Mother and children caught stealing milk powder..

2011-12-22T09:59:00.000+03:00

I was just penned an entry about how serious milk formula being the target by shoplifters in 'Milk made of gold dust'. Then this morning I came accross a newspaper article proving that it is indeed very true. And I don't know if it was just a coincidence that the incident happened in Penang (The picture of Milk formula with safety device was taken in Penang as well). Maybe it is a local problem because I have never seen this scenerio anywhere else in Malaysia. So maybe the government should include milk formula as one of subsidised items.

I love to giggle by Cinta Amani

2011-12-22T08:47:00.001+03:00

Hi this is my first time to blog. I finally have time to share with you my thoughts in this blog. All this while I have been busy learning new things and understanding my new environments. I love to giggle especially when mama, papa or my elder brother Zachary is by my side talking to me. It makes me happy, because it is no fun just lying on my matress all day while watching them playing, running, jumping.. oh I am so jealous. That is why sometimes when I get bored I would cry just to get my mama's attention.

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Menjengah Rumah ALLAH: Episod 2

2011-12-21T09:58:00.003+03:00

Sambungan dari entry Menjengah Rumah ALLAH: Episod 1

Mekah, 17 March 2011. Kami sampai di Mekah sebaik masuk waktu Maghrib. Keadaan di sekitar Masjidil Haram ketika itu sangat sesak. Jalan menuju ke Hotel Fal Al-Saha yang kami tempah juga ditutup bagi memberi laluan kepada ribuan jemaah yang berjalan kaki menuju ke masjid. Kami terus saja mendaftar masuk di Hotel sebaik saja jalan dibuka semula pada lalu lintas. Alhamdullilah aku dapat meletakkan kereta betul-betul di hadapan hotel.

Hotel penginapan kami di Mekah

Kamar hotel tempat kami menginap di Mekah ni hanya asas saja, tidak seperti hotel 4 bintang sebagaimana di iklan tetapi cukup kerana niat ke sini pun untuk beribadat. Rate satu malam adalah sekitar 200 Saudi Riyal. Sebaik melepaskan lelah, kami berhasrat untuk terus mengerjakan ibadat umrah, tapi akhirnya terperangkap di hotel kerana hujan yang tadinya renyai kini semakin lebat mencurah-curah. Teman-teman yang lain semuanya sudah ke masjid. Akhirnya aku sekeluarga hanya menunakan solat Isya' di bilik dan menyaksikan siaran langsung dari Masjidil Haram melalui skrin televisyen. Hati aku begitu meruntun-runtun untuk turun dan menjengah rumah ALLAH ketika itu. Terasa diri begitu dekat sekali. Sebak juga aku melihat jemaah-jemaah yang menggagahkan diri mengerjakan tawaf dan solat di dataran Kaabah dalam hujan lebat begitu. Terdetik juga perasaan cemburu pada mereka kerana dataran kaabah begitu lengang ketika itu. Aku perlu menahan kesabaran, ini juga ujian. Keselamatan dan kesihatan anak isteri adalah lebih penting dan menjadi tanggung jawab ku sebagai ketua keluarga. Namun begitu, aku sekejap-sekejap merenung keluar jendela menanti hujan reda sehingga terlena kerana keletihan.

Aku terjaga sekitar jam 10 malam dan mendapati hujan sudah semakin reda. Segera aku mengejutkan Hani dan Zachary. Kami berjalan kaki ke Masjidil Haram sambil aku mendukung Zachary. Berat juga Zach ni bila berjalan jauh-jauh, dan aku tak rasa yang jarak dari hotel ke Masjidilharam ni hanya 300 meter seperti yang dinyatakan di dalam website.

Sampai saja di Masjid, kami terus ke dataran kaabah, dan hanya ALLAH yang tahu perasaan aku ketika itu. Laju saja kaki melangkah ke mercu tanda yang menjadi kiblat semua kaum muslimin seluruh dunia. Kami terus mengerjakan tawaf. Keadaan sekitar kaabah agak sesak terutama di kawasan berdekatan Maqam Ibrahim, jadi kami memilih untuk mengerjakan tawaf di 'outer circuit' supaya tidak berasak-asak dengan jemaah yang lain. Zachary yang juga kelihatan seperti agak terpegun dengan lampu-lampu, masjid dan dikelilingi ribuan manusia. Ramai juga jemaah-jemaah lain yang memegang tangan, mencuit pipi dan mengagahnya. Tapi dia hanya diam dan langsung tidak meronta-ronta. Mungkin dia juga sedang berdoa atau mungkin hanya keletihan. Sebaik menyempurnakan 7 pusingan tawaf, kami segera menunaikan solat sunat 2 rakaat di belakang Maqam Ibrahim sebelum menikmati air zam-zam yang banyak terdapat di kekitar dataran kaabah.

Kami segera beredar dari dataran kaabah menuju ke Safa bagi memulakan Saei. Ibadah ini betul-betul menguji kekuatan fizikal. Tapak kaki aku mula merasa kebas kerana berkaki ayam di atas lantai marmar keras, dengan belakang yang juga semakin terasa sakitnya. Aku hanya mampu berjalan perlahan-lahan, Zachary yang dari tadi telah tertidur dalam dakapanku ini terasa semakin berat pada setiap langkah. Aku kononnya ingin berlari anak di antara dua lampu isyarat. Aku siap berkata pada Hani, 'Ok abang lari dulu, nanti abang tunggu ayang dekat lampu sana'. Segera aku berlari, sampai di lampu hijau berikutnya aku menoleh ke sisi dan melihat Hani hanya berjalan seperti biasa. Aku yang berlari tu sebenarnya hanya sepantas Hani yang berjalan kaki seperti biasa saja.

Selesai saei, aku bertahallul di salah sebuah kedai gunting rambut yang banyak terdapat berhampiran dengan Masjidil Haram. Suasana sekitar kedai gunting begitu meriah dengan teriakkan pemilik kedai untuk menarik pelanggan. Aku memberi arahan untuk membotakkan terus kepala. Sebaik sahaja aku duduk di satu-satunya kerusi yang kosong, tukang gunting terus menyampu kepala ku, dalam hati aku berkata wah macam bergunting di salon, basuh rambut dulu. Tapi aku silap, tukang gunting tersebut seterusnya mengambil pisau cukur panjang dan mencukur kepalaku dengan pantas hingga licin, rasanya kurang dari 10 cukuran. Tanpa cuci, kepala ku yang telah gondol itu hanya dilap dengan tuala kecil dan ditabur bedak Cuticura. Hani yang menunggu di luar kedai bersama Zachary yang sedang lena dalam dakapan hanya menyerigai tanda tidak menyukai penampilan baru ku. Aku seterusnya memotong beberapa helai rambut Hani dengan gunting kecil yang dibawanya. Aamdullillah. selesai sudah ibadat umrah kami.

Kami kembali ke Masjid untuk beriktikaf sebelum pulang ke hotel. Dalam perjalanan, hujan yang tadi hanya gerimis menjadi semakin lebat. Mujur juga kain ihram ku agak tebal, dapat aku payungkan Zachary dari basah hujan.

Masjidilharam

Bersambung

How do they do it?

2011-12-20T20:11:00.002+03:00

I cant stop wondering how this skid mark on the road right below my office window were created. Perhaps the next instalment of Fast and Furious should be shot here, with the title of 'Too Much Fast Too Much Furious'.

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Langkawi '11 Episode 3: I love cable car by Zachary Andika

2011-12-19T19:04:00.002+03:00

I love cable car. Maybe because Mama rode on one at Genting Highland when she was carrying me in her belly. Then when I was 6 months old Papa and Mama took me on a spectacular cable car ride by the famous Caldera in Santorini, Greece. But nothing compares to the experience I had recently in Langkawi with Panorama Langkawi Skycab. I must tell you that the cable car ride is not for the faint hearted or if you are an achrophobic like my nanny, Mariam. The ride will take you from the ground zero to the top of the mountain some 700 meters up. If offers great panoramic view of the island, the mountain cliff and the forest below. You can also see the Seven Wells waterfall from up here. What so scarry about this cable car ride is because it is so steep and almost vertical especially in the section between the Middle and the Top stations. You will feel it more on the way down. It was like the gondola fell off from the cable. But if was kind of fun for me.

Me and my Mama in the cable car

At the Top Station, we took a short walk in a jungle trail to the Sky Bridge (Actually papa was huffing and panting climbing up and down the steps carrying me). The bridge is suspended from an 82m high single pylon and hangs at about 100m above ground. Again strictly not for achrophobic. Apart from the chest high barricade (adult's ones not mine offcourse), the bridge is totally open and if you want you can jump off the bridge and test if Redbull really give you wings like in their advertisement here. I overheard a conversation from a group of European tourists that there must be hundreds of bodies lie on the ground under the thick canopy and the forest rangers are carrying out an annual operation to clear the bodies. I thought it was funny. The bridge swings a little because of the wind, and also because it is only supported by a single pylon. So you are at your own risks. I was not scared at all. I was just happy running and stepping my feet on the planks. Mama who was trying very hard to conceal her fear of height, finally lost it at the bridge. She was literally crawlling on the bridge like a baby. Me and Papa cannot stop laughing at her. Mariam made a wise decision not to join and waited for us at the station with my sister, Cinta. She must have seen the bridge from the cable car on the way up. Me on the other hand felt like walking in a clowd and would love to spend more time up here. Measuring at 125m in length, the structure ranks among the longest curve suspension bridge in the world. What a feat of engineering it was. Now it just gave me an idea that I should be a structural engineer when I grow up. So I can build even more daring structures than this. Hmm but I also want to be a pilot, a professional football player or a musician. Now I am really confused.

A sweeping view of the mountain from the lookout platform at the Top Station

Me and Papa on the Skybridge

The Skybridge being supported by a single pylon

Wonder if there are bodies lying on the ground

Love the swinging bridge

2012 Diary

2011-12-19T12:14:00.002+03:00

It's the time of the year again. QG 2012 diary box set also comes with a magnetic chess set, a pen, a calculator and a laser pointer. What? A chess set? Seriously?

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Langkawi '11 Episode 2: I love Fish by Zachary Andika

2011-12-18T08:02:00.004+03:00

Langkawi 15 November 2011. I love fish. I fell in love with the marine life when papa took me to Dubai Aquarium last October. Since then, I always fascinated with the variety of underwater creatures and wonder how can they live in water without the fear of getting drown. Last November, I had another chance to get up close and personal with these beautiful aquatic life at Underwater World, Langkawi. Our hotel was just next to the aquarium, so we just walked. We spent hours at the aquarium simply because there were so many fish and other marine creature housed there. The fish comes in many colours and shapes. Other marine creatures include jellyfish, prawns, snakes, eels, etc. But the most intriguing to me was the penguins. They were so funny and playful. Papa said penguins live in Antarctica, a frozen continent at the bottom of earth. I hope one day I can go there and see penguins in their natural habitat and see if I can keep my feet on the ground without falling out into the atmosphere because I will be standing upside down in Antarctica.

The playful penguins

The quiet penguins

This is what it looks like under the sea

A kind of Moray eel

I didn't know this kind of creature even exist

A Clown fish in its anemone house

Do jellyfish taste like jelly?

Fish.. lots of them, clown, rays, sharks, puffer, grouper, dragon, I should've keep a log

Me in Antarctica one day

Langkawi '11 Episode 1: I love the beach by Zachary Andika

2011-12-17T16:52:00.007+03:00

I love the beach. Last November, Papa took us to Langkawi Island for holiday. I had 4 fun filled days there. We stayed at a cheap but fantastic resort called The Cabin at Cenang Beach. I had great time swimming (more like running and dipping) in the ocean. At first I was scared and worried that I will be swallowed by the waves but all the worry disappeared when I feel the sensation of the sand and sea water brought by waves on my feet. I also feel safe because papa was always by my side. I cannot wait for my baby sister, Cinta Amani to grow big as I am so we can have awesome time together at the beach. I am going to miss the beach when I get back to Qatar, because the water will be too cold during this time of the year.

Hi-Tea with Raja Dr Nazrin

2011-12-17T14:32:00.005+03:00

Doha, 12 December 2011. Isnin lepas, aku dan Cik Minah menghadiri satu majlis Hi-Tea bersama Duli Yang Teramat Mulia Raja Dr. Nazrin di atas jemputan Perwakilan Malaysia. Raja Nazrin yang berada di Doha kerana menghadiri Interfaith Dialog, masih sempat mencemer duli untuk bertemu dan beramah mesra dengan rakyat Malaysia di Qatar. Raja Muda Perak yang berjiwa rakyat ini, sangat ramah melayan dan bersalam dengan semua hadirin yang hadir. Melihat personaliti Raja Nazrin dari dekat pada petang itu, aku yakin orang-orang Perak dikalangan hadirin petang itu boleh berbangga kerana mempunyai Raja Muda seperti Raja Nazrin.

P/S Pictures courtesy of Malaysian Photographers of Qatar (MAQ Eyes)

Milk made of gold dust

2011-12-15T10:08:00.004+03:00

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I was looking for Zach’s and Amani’s milk at Jusco Queensbay Mall, Penang when I was there last month, and found it weird to see that there was a designated barricaded area for infant milk formula complete with security gate and its very own check-out counter. Not only that, a safety device was also attached to every tin on milk as if the content of the formula were gold dust. The sight left me dumbfounded. Who would give ‘haram’ milk to their children? The question I still cannot fathom, but according to the cashier, the stealing was too rampant it forces them to set up a high security milk section in their supermarket.

Penang Bridge International Marathon 2011

2011-12-13T15:02:00.003+03:00

Penang 20 November 2011. Lanjutan daripada entry Aku Nak Lari Marathon pada bulan Jun yang lalu, aku telah menyertai acara Half Marathon dalam Penang Bridge International Marathon 2011. Mulanya aku sekadar mahu menyertai acara 10 kilometer kerana berasa kurang yakin dengan kemampuan diri yang boleh dikatakan langsung tak menjalani latihan tambahan dengan usia yang menginjak 35 tahun dan badan yang semakin munggil. Kali terakhir aku berlari jarak jauh ni adalah 17 tahun yang lalu. Tetapi aku gagahkan juga setelah tercabar dengan kata-kata Zaitun yang memperlekehkan acara 10 kilometer tak ubah seperti 'Fun Run'. Ceh, mana boleh jadi, cucu Laksamana Bentan ni pantang dicabar (walaupun tak berapa confident sebenarnya).

Aku sekeluarga, Zaitun dan Adaha menginap di Hotel Eastin yang suasananya tak ubah seperti athlete's village sukan SEA. Ramai peserta PBIM menginap di hotel ini kerana lokasinya yang terletak bersebelahan garisan permulaan/penamat di Queensbay Mall. Mujur Adaha telah menempah bilik di hotel ini seawal bulan Jun dulu, kerana kesemua hotel-hotel berhampiran full house sepanjang hujung minggu ini. Aku mulanya rasa agak intimidated juga melihat gelagat peserta-peserta lain yang ditemui di lobi hotel dengan rata-ratanya kelihatan seperti otai marathon, bangga dengan finisher t-shirt masing-masing dan susuk badan persis atlet. Aku berbisik pada Cik Minah, 'Yang Papa langsung tak ada rupa macam atlet, tengoklah tu, diorang pakai cermin mata pelari, papa kau pakai cermin mata Bvlgari'.

Kami ke Tapak karnival PBIM bersebelahan Queensbay Mall untuk mengambil Race Pack yang mengandungi singlet, bib dan beberapa barangan lain dari penaja (salah satunya koyok). Suasana ditapak karnival ni sangat meriah mengalahkan pesta konvokesyen UTM. Mana tidaknya lebih 27 ribu peserta bakal mengambil bahagian dalam pelbagai acara esok pagi dari dalam dan luar negara. Termasuklah Kak Sariati sekeluarga dari Singapura dan offcourse aku ni yang terbang khas dari Qatar hehe.

Sariati, Fina and Mogens from Singapore

At Race Pack Collection both with Zaitun

Malam itu, kami masing-masing menikmati pasta di TGIF sebagai bekalan karbohidrat esok. Aku yang semakin nervous dan tak berkeyakinan mampu manamatkan larian half marathon ni mendapat banyak kata-kata perangsang dan tips dari Adaha yang sudah agak berpengalaman. Seperti tidur yang cukup dan warm up serta stretching yang sempurna sebelum memulakan larian.

Aku langsung tak dapat memejamkan mata malam tu. Perasaan excited ni tak ubah seperti ketika aku pertama kali menyertai rombongan sekolah ke KL sewaktu berada di darjah 4 dulu. Tambahan pula, as a light sleeper as I am, mustahil aku dapat lena dengan bunyi hingar bingar pembesar suara dari tapak karnival yang menerobos bilik hotel.

Kami turun lewat ke garisan pemulaan dan memulakan larian tanpa sebarang warm-up dan proper streching. Tak mahu berasak-asak dengan ribuan peserta lain, kami memulakan larian dari belakang. Cadangan asalnya Aku, Adaha dan Zaiton mahu berlari bersama, tapi sayangnya peserta wanita hanya dilepaskan 15 selepas peserta lelaki, jadi aku dan Adaha hanya berlari anak supaya Zaiton dapat catch up. Kami sempat berhenti dan melambai Cik Minah yang melambai-lambai dari tingkap hotel. Berlari pagi-pagi begini memang amat menyegarkan. Tambahan pula dalam suasana meriah begini memang begitu mengujakan. Aku akhirnya terpisah dengan Adaha dan berlari solo.

Aku berlari dengan baik pada 10 kilometer pertama, dengan pace yang steady. Bangga rasanya setiapkali aku memintas peserta-peserta lain yang lebih muda, kurus dan tinggi, dalam hati aku berkata 'it is true what people say that physical advantage only contributes 10% of success, the rest comes from mental strength'. Tetapi selepas 10 km, aku mula mengalami kekejangan otot. Setiap langkah adalah satu penyiksaan. Ini semua gara-gara tak warm up dan streching sukup-cukup sebelum berlari. So much of mental strengh eh? Tapak kaki dan buku lali aku juga umpama tak mampu menahan impak berat badan aku yang semakin berisi ni. Bukan itu saja, pangkal peha aku juga melecet kerana peha gebu aku yang bergesel sesama sendiri dengan seluar compression aku yang sendat itu. Sudahnya aku hanya mampu berjalan terhincut-hincut sambil sebelah tangan menarik seluar di bahagian kelamin pada 11 kilometer terakhir. Satu persatu peserta yang tadinya dengan banggaya aku pintas memotong ku semula, termasuklah gadis-gadis ayu bertudung litup. Malu OK tak tahu mana aku nak sorok muka.

Aku akhirnya hanya mampu menamatkan larian pada kedudukan ke 3238 dari 4509 peserta dengan catatan masa yang teramat buruk 3jam 19menit 59 saat. Kedua kakiku juga terasa macam nak tercabut dan hampir tak boleh berjalan sebaik menamatkan acara. Mujur ada koyok dari penaja. Sakit-sakit badan aku juga masih terasa 2-3 hari selepas tu. Namun begitu aku tetap bangga and glad I made it. Ini membuatkan aku lebih bersemangat untuk menyertai pertandingan-pertandingan akan datang, dan memperbaiki catatan masa.

Met Azim from http://azimashaary.blogspot.com/ for the first time. He did way better and finishes the run at 2 hour 20 min.

We did it

Terima kasih pada Adaha dan Zaiton yang telah mempengaruhi aku untuk mengaktifkan diri dalam acara larian ini. I will redeem myself in the coming 10km Dubai Marathon and Ras Al-Khaimah Half Marathon. Sebutir medal telah diperoleh, so boleh lah beli display cabinet.

Move Move yalla yalla

2011-12-13T09:13:00.002+03:00

Its so funny. This morning on the way to work at Duheil roundabout traffic light, a local bloke (I am assuming he is) driving a pick-up was honking a van full of workers from the Indian sub-continent to give way to him. The van driver was panicking and wasn't able to do anything as he was inch away from a concrete mixer truck in front. The guy in pick-up truck keep honking and giving the van driver hand signals to move.

I was laughing my heart out at the back. How can he be that hurmm what can say, that moronic for the lack of better words, demanding other road users to give way while the traffic light was red and the vehicles infront of him were bumper to bumper. Well it is common to hear people give you a horn the second the traffic light turns green even if you are seventh in line here in Qatar, but this bloke here is really unreal. To add to the already absurd scene, he even complaining about it to another local guy (again I am assuming) driving a Land Cruiser next to him on the left lane.

What can I say, wellcome to Qatar. Happy National Day.

Happy 35th Birthday to me

2011-12-06T15:20:00.003+03:00

6 December 2011. I am 35 today. I may not be rich but I am happy. I am blessed with good health, beautiful wife, perfect son and daughter, good job, great family and many good friends. ALHAMDULLILAH.

My Birthday Cake

I did not have lavish celebrations, not that I want one anyway. To me birth day is the time for you to count your blessings and be grateful. However I was glad that Putu and Alan took me out for coffee after work. It was like a reunion. We used to went out together a lot when we first joined the company in 2009. When I came home, Cik Minah greeted me with her home made cake and we had a mini celebration just among us. Thank you yang.

My perfect little family

Putu and Alan

Also I would like to thank all my friends and relatives for their wishes posted in Facebook or texted me directly. Sorry I was not able to reply each one of you. I appreciate it.

Serabai

2011-11-19T06:16:00.002+03:00

Serabai ni adalah sejenis kuih tradisional melayu di utara. Jangan keliru, kerana kalau di Johor,serabai tu maksudnya 'kusut masai' tak terurus.

Pada zaman dahulu, Serabai ni selalunya disediakan sebagai hidangan pada hari ketujuh kenduri arwah, Sehingga ada yang berseloroh "Bila aku nk merasa serabai hang?".

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Sepetang bersama Dato' Nicol

2011-10-24T10:08:00.003+03:00

Doha 21 Oktober 2011. Hari ini memang merupakan hari dalam sejarah buat aku. Mana tidaknya, sebaik saja tamat acara Hi-tea bersama Tun Mahathir, aku dan Cik Minah bergegas pula ke Khalifah Tennis and Squash Complex untuk memberi sokongan kepada ratu squash negara, Dato' Nicol David. Cik Minah begitu vogue sekali dengan berkebaya nyonya. Sungguh tak sesuai untuk menyaksikan perlawanan squash. Nicol yang beraksi menentang Madeline Perry dari Ireland hanya memerlukan 33 menit sahaja untuk memenangi perlawanan dengan straight set 11-2, 11-7, 11-3. Ini adalah kemenangan beliau yang ke lima dalam kejohanan squash Qatar Classic sejak 2006.

Law of Attraction:

Aku cuba menyaksikan perwanan akhir melibatkan Nicol dalam Qatar Classic sewaktu aku mula-mula sampai Doha pada November 2008. Aku yang baru 2 hari sampai di Doha ketika itu menyangkakan Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex ni terletak di Aspire bersebelahan Khalifah Stadium. Dengan confidentnya aku menaiki teksi dari Ramada Hotel ke Aspire, tapi seluruh kompleks sukan tu lengang. Pak Guard yang bertugas tu pun tak tahu kompleks squash berada dimana. Aku akhirnya menghabiskan masa di Villagio Mall yang terletak bersebelahan.

Manifestation Period: 3 Years

Sepetang bersama Tun Mahathir

2011-10-23T10:06:00.004+03:00

Doha 21 Oktober 2011: Aku berpeluang untuk menghadiri sesi minum petang bersama mantan perdana menteri Malaysia, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed di Holiday Villa Doha atas jemputan Kedutaan Malaysia. Tun Mahathir adalah seorang yang sangat aku kagumi dan hormati walaupun aku tidak bersetuju dengan beberapa keputusan di akhir-akhir tempoh pentadbiran beliau sebagai perdana menteri.

Majlis anjuran Talentcorp itu dianjurkan untuk menggalakkan professional Malaysia pulang berkhidmat di tanah air. Dalam ucapannya, Tun Mahathir, walaupun menggalakkan para professional Malaysia untuk berkhidmat dan menimba sebanyak boleh pengalaman di luar negara, menggesa agar para professional ini pulang berkhidmat di tanah air selepas mempunyai simpanan yang cukup. Beliau menasihatkan agar pendapatan yang diperolehi hasil bekerja di luar negara itu dilaburkan dengan membeli emas.

Aku cukup kagum dengan Tun kerana berucap secara neutral tanpa dipengaruhi politik, walaupun menekankan bahawa dasar kerajaan Malaysia yang menitik beratkan aspek pendidikan adalah faktor utama yang membolehkan Malaysia mengekspot tanaga kerja mahir ke luar negara. Dalam ucapannya, beliau meminta agar professional Malaysia menjadi warga negara yang berterima kasih dengan pulang berkhidmat bukan untuk kerajaan tetapi untuk masyarakat Malaysia.

Peluang sebegini bukan mudah diperolehi, jadi aku mengambil kesempatan untuk menyatakan kepada Tun bahawa beliau adalah idola dalam hidupku sejak kecil lagi. Berikut adalah dialog ringkas antara aku dan Tun selepas sesi foto:

Aku: Tun, masa saya sepuluh tahun, saya menangis teresak-esak bila Tun dimasukkan ke hospital
Tun Mahathir: Oh ya? Masa tu sepuluh tahun ya?
Aku: Ha ah.

Pengalaman bertemu dan bercakap dengan Tun Mahathir, walau ringkas akan sentiasa aku ingati sampai bila-bila. Doaku Semoga ALLAH memelihara kesihatan Tun dan membalas segala jasa baiknya pada seluruh rakyat Malaysia. Tun Mahathir, we are forever indebted to you.

.............................

Law of Attraction Analysis
Event: Meeting Tun Mahathir
Date 1st Imagine: October 2009, when visiting The house where he was born in Alor Star, Kedah
Date of Manifestation: 21 October 2011 (2 years)

Law of Attraction

2011-10-18T08:59:00.001+03:00

I believe in the Law of Attraction. You can realise whatever you can imagine from the smallest thing to the biggest ones. As a muslim I believe nothing is too big for ALLAH to provide. All we need to do is ask or Doa. We can achieve things is 3 simple steps (sounds like Special Agent Oso isn't it?):

1: IMAGINE what is it that you want
2: FEELING in love with what you want. And believe that you you already have it
3. RECEIVE and always be thankful

You attract all the things, good and bad in your life. Like my mom always said to me, 'jangan mengeluh' (Don't moan) when somthing bad happen.

So here are some of the Law of Attraction stories happened to me recently:

Silence your phone during prayer
Doha 17 October 2011. Just as I started my Afternoon prayer 'berjemaah', I realised that I have not turned off my mobile phone. Than I started imagining that the phone will ring anytime soon and I will not be able to do anything to turn it off. True enough, my wife called during the last 'rakaat'. I was so embarrased. Not only I set the song 'Nakal' by an Indonesian group Gigi as my ring tone,it was also set at the loudest. I tried to reach the phone in my pocket to turn it off but failed. The other jemaah were looking at me with cold stare after the prayer.

Parking at the entrance is the nicest
Doha 17 October 2011. It is always hard to find a parking spot at Doha City Centre Mall during the day. But yesterday I was imagining a parking slot right in front of the entrance as I passed the gantry. So I drove straight to the entrance looking for a vacant slot. Sure enough there were none. It was a dead end, while I was reversing, there was a lady came out from nowhere with grocery bags in one hand and unlocking her car remotely with her key in another. She just saved me, my wife, my 2 baby children, my mother in law, sister in law and my maid from a long walk.

About two months ago, during a rush hour at lunch time, also at Doha City Centre Mall, so many cars were lining up the apron by the 1st floor entrance to take up any spots when they see someone is leaving. I remained calm, suddenly a nice local guy approached me and asked if I want to take his parking slot. He showed me where he parked, it was on the next aisle behind, so I had to make a u-turn. The guy was waiting for me at his car and even refused other drivers from taking up his spot. Why me? I wasn't even the first in the queue. And that guy was too nice to be real.

Lend your helping hand
Doha 3 October 2011. You cannot relate how by helping one person (sincerely offcourse) may result in someone not necessarily the same person returning a favour or do something nice for you. A friend called and asked me to accompany him to a police station for some serious issues as I was preparing my slides and script for a work presentation tomorrow. I cannot say no, as he is a good friend and has at many occasions helping me. But the request came at a difficult time. The presentation is an important one, and my boss is someone you do not want to mess around with. But I chose to help my friend. I drove him to the police station and only came home past midnight. True enough I only managed to complete my slides some 15 minutes before the presentation and did not have the chance to practice. The presentation was a disaster, but surprisingly, my boss was not angry or upset though he was not happy. He ended up giving me another shot next week, which I nailed it.

Cinta di Hari Raya

2011-09-21T11:21:00.001+03:00

6 September 2011

Hari ni Zachary lain macam betul perangainya. Selalunya dia akan hanya bangun sekitar 7 pagi, tetapi pagi ni, seawal jam 4 pagi lagi dia dah bangun dan menempel saja dengan mamanya seolah tak boleh berenggang. Memang sejak sebulan dua kebelakangan ni dia semakin clingy dan kadang-kadang tu melampau-lampau ngada-ngadanya. Orang kata dia boleh sense yang dia nak dapat adik, dan dia akan kehilangan perhatian dari mama dan papanya. I dont know, aku tak macam tu pulak masa kecik-kecik dulu sebab aku anak bongsu. Tapi kalau dengar cerita mak mertua aku, Hani dulu pun jelous bila Hanis lahir, siap dia buang alas tidur adiknya itu dari atak katil ke lantai. Sah Zachary ni mewarisi perangai mama dia.

Aku suruh Hani kira contraction dia. Tapi Hani ni yang peliknya tak rasa apa-apa bila contraction datang. Kadang-kadang dia tak sure pun bila contraction tu datang. So aku terpaksa memeluk erat perutnya untuk mengenal pasti dan mengira contraction yang datang agak kerap dan regular. Pada pukul 6 pagi contraction nya datang setiap 6 minit. Hati aku dah tak sedap, bimbang kalau-kalau Hani terbersalin sewaktu aku di pejabat. Masa Zachary dulu pun dia tak rasa apa-apa walaupun dah masuk stage active labour. Mujur hari tu memang dia ada check up. Terus kena tahan ward. So aku memutuskan untuk mengambil cuti emergency saja hari tu.

Sepanjang hari kami dok mengira contraction saja. Aku tak mahu terburu-buru membawa Hani ke hospital, kerana dalam keadaan sekarang ni, its better to stay in a comfort of our home. By 3 petang contraction hani datang setiap 4 minit dan regular. So aku cakap dengan dia.."ok yang pergi siap, lepas asar kita gi hospital". Hani yang relax saja sepanjang hari, mula menunjukkan tanda-tanda gementar dan agak reluctance nak pergi.

Kami sampai di Hospital Al-Ahli jam 4.30 petang. Kami berdua saja. Zachary kami tinggalkan bersama bibik dan Mak Mertua yang kebetulan baru saja sampai di Doha petang semalam. Perfect timing. Aku suruh Hani berlakon konon-konon tengah sakit. Ye lah dia relax saja, muka pun glowing dengan mekap dan sebagainya. Susah orang nak percaya yang dia actually in labour. Aku cakap kat reception Ob_Gyne, "Excuse me, we dont have appointment, but we need to see a doctor urgently as my wife's contraction comes regularly at 4 minutes apart". Dengar saja statement aku tu, terus receptionist tu instruct kami masuk. We cut all the queues and were given imediate attention by the staffs. Kebetulan pula Dr Daniz yang memang kami harapkan ketika itu bertugas di ward delivery. Hani terus di arahkan untuk dibawa ke delivery room selepas semakan ringkas dibuat oleh Dr Daniz. Kalau last year kami sempat lagi bermalam dan mengadakan sesi fotografi di bilik (ward) tapi kali ini, tidak. Agak nervous juga. Ye lah Hani langsung tak nampak macam orang nak bersalin.

Sebaik dibawa ke bilik bersalin, Dr bertanya sama ada Hani mahu Epidural atau tidak. Dengan tegas dia berkata tidak. Dia juga menolak sebarang ubat pelali dan gas untuk mengurangkan kesakitan. Jam 7.30 malam Hani mula berasa sakit, dan selepas diperiksa menunjukkan 8cm dilatation. Aku berkata dalam hati, "kuat sungguh isteri aku ni". Aku cuba mententeramkannya dan hampir jam 8 malam, Doktor berkata pada midwife bertugas, yang Hani is in position. This is it. Belajar dari pengalaman ketika melahirkan Zachary, aku memberi queue untuk hani mengambil penafasan dan meneran. Bagi bapa-bapa yang membaca anda boleh membantu isteri dengan mengarahkan cara pernafasan dan meneran adalan seperti berikut:

Tarik nafas dalam-dalam apabila contraction datang, dan teran sekuat hati.
Pastikan nafas TIDAK dihembus melalui mulut. Or else the push will not be effective
Pastikan push hanya bila contraction datang
dan pastikan tarik nafas panjang-panjang sebelum push.

Tepat jam 8.05 malam, dengan hanya 2 big push, bayi kami Cinta Amani selamat dilahirkan dengan berat 2.97kg dan ketinggian 51cm. Aku sangat-sangat bersyukur pada ALLAH kerana mengurniakan kami dengan bayi yang sempurna ini dan Hani selamat melahirkan. ALHAMDULLILAH ALLAH telah mengabulkan doaku sepanjang tempoh kehamilannya agar permudahkan ketika dia melahirkan dan sepanjang tempoh kehamilannya dan mengurniakan kami cahaya mata yang sihat dan sempurna sifatnya.

Terima kasih juga kepada semua saudara dan rakan-rakan yang turut mendoakan. Kehadiran Cinta Amani menambah lagi kebahagiaan kami sekeluarga (walaupun Zachary sangat cemburu pada mula nya). Kelahirannya pada 10 Syawal membuatkan hari raya tahun ini juga lebih bermakna.

Selamat Hari Raya dari kami di perantauan

2011-08-19T12:00:00.000+03:00

Tahun ni adalah pertama kali bagi kami sekeluarga berhari raya di perantauan. Even masa study kat Australia dulu pun aku tak pernah miss balik raya. Hani pun sama tak pernah miss beraya dengan keluarganya. Perasaan sedih tu memang tak boleh dinafikan kerana tak dapat mengucup tangan mak, parents in law dan adik beradik lain di pagi raya. Di kesempatan ini kami sekeluarga ingin memohon ampun atas segala salah silap kami pada kedua mak dan ayah serta adik beradik. InsyaALLAH kami bakal menimang cahaya mata kedua menjelang Syawal nanti. Doakan keselamatan Hani dan baby ya.

Menjengah Rumah ALLAH : Episod 1

2011-08-18T13:00:00.005+03:00

Aku memang sudah lama mengimpikan untuk menjejakkan kaki ke tanah suci. Kadang-kadang cemburu mendengar kisah dan pengalaman kawan-kawan dan saudara yang sudah berpeluang mengerjakan ibadat haji dan umrah. Alhamdullilah sejak berpindah ke Qatar ni, peluang ke tanah suci menjadi lebih mudah. Kami di sini boleh memilih untuk menyertai rombongan yang dianjurkan Sekretariat Umrah dan Haji Malaysian Assocciation of Qatar dengan bas atau memandu 1600 km dengan kenderaan sendiri. Namun sudah beberapa kali niat ku untuk berkunjung ke Baitullah tergendala. Ada saja penghalangnya. Tapi impian itu terkabul juga pada 16 March lepas. Kami yang tidak merancang untuk mengerjakan umrah ketika ini kerana Hani masih dalam trimester pertama mengandung anak kedua kami, dan Zachary masih terlalu kecil, terpanggil dengan ajakan kawan-kawan. Kami tidak mempunyai banyak masa untuk membuat ulangkaji dan persediaan. Sedang Hani membaca buku panduan umrah yang tebal, aku pula hanya membaca 'Umrah Guide for The Young Ones', risalah ringkas panduan ibadat umrah buat anak-anak kecil yang aku temui di internet. Cukuplah.. ukur baju di badan sendiri.

Alhamdullilah ibadat Umrah kami dipermudahkan walau terpaksa berhadapan ujian dan cabaran kerana membawa bayi kami, Zachary yang baru berusia 10 bulan. Antara cabarannya, Zachary mengalami cirit-birit sepanjang 5 hari perjalanan.

Rabu 16 March 2011

Kami sekeluarga bersama 7 sahabat yang lain dengan dua buah kenderaan (Mazda CX9 dan Dodge Nitro) memulakan perjalanan selepas Isyak. Alhamdullilah urusan imigresen di sempadan Qatar dan Saudi berjalan lancar walaupun terdapat sedikit ganguan pada sistem komputer di Imigresen Saudi. Hani juga lulus proses imbasan jari kerana kami begitu khuatir jika dia gagal proses imbasan jari dan dilarang memasuki Saudi kerana alahan yang menyebabkan kulit jarinya mengelupas.

Lepas saja imigresen Saudi, kami terus memandu dalam kepekatan malam ke arah Hofuf berpandukan GPS. Lebuh raya Saudi yang gelap ditambah road line marking samar-samar agak mencabar pemanduan. Tidak tercabar dengan pemandu lain yang rata-rata memandu begitu laju, aku cuma memandu dengan kadar kelajuan 120-140 km/j. Pada aku, tak perlu nak tergesa-gesa. Keselamatan keluarga adalan lebih penting dan tak akan lari Mekah dikejar. Berbekalkan Nescafe, Redbull, Coke dan jajan lain, mataku terus segar sedang, Hani, Zachary dan co-pilot kami, Khizmie lena diulit mimpi. Kami mamandu sepanjang malam tanpa henti (kecuali sekai untuk mengisi minyak selepas imigresen dan sekali sewaktu aku terpaksa melepaskan hajat ditepi jalan) mujur aku dapat berkomunikasi dengan geng-geng CX9 melalui walkie-talkie.

Kami akhirnya berhenti untuk solat subuh, mengalas perut dan meluruskan urat-urat yang tegang setelah 8 jam terpaku di tempat duduk kenderaan. Lampin pakai buang Zachary yang tidur sepanjang malam rupa-rupanya telah penuh dengan cirit, dan bermulalah kisah kami menyalin lampin Zachary disetiap hentian.

Ala anak papa ni berak pulak (Photo by Fairul)

Khamis 17 March 2011

Selepas subuh, Khizmie mengambil alih tugas sebagai pemandu dan kami meneruskan perjalanan ke arah barat melalui bandaraya Riyadh yang sibuk dan pemandangan bukit-bukit batu dan lembah di kiri-kanan jalan yang menakjubkan.

Antara pemandangan yang menakjubkan sepanjang jalan (Photo by Fairul)

Menjelang tengahari, minyak kenderaan kami perlu diisi semula. Perut kami juga mula lapar minta diisi dan lampin Zachary juga perlu ditukar. Kami berhenti di satu hentian yang lengkap dengan stesen minyak. Looks very promising. Sayangnya restoran di hentian tersebut masih ditutup. Sebahagian kami pergi menjengah tandas tetapi masing-masing meluru keluar dengan hilai tawa. Khabarnya terdapat banyak pisang goreng terapung dalam tandas tersebut. Sungguh potong stim. Aku pula menggunakan but kereta sebagai changing table untuk menukar lampin Zachary.

Purple Stop yang horor bak kata Fairul (Photo by Fairul)

Akhirnya kami berhenti di satu hentian dan menikmati nasi mandey yang pada aku paling sedap pernah aku rasa (atau mungkin kerana sudah terlalu lapar. Oh ya kami juga menukar lampin Zachary disini.

The best Nasi Mandey..

Selepas makan dan solat, kami meneruskan perjalanan menuju ke Taif untuk miqat. Kami sampai di Qarn Al Manazil sejurus masuk waktu asar. Sedang Hani dan yang lain-lain pergi ke bilik air untuk mandi sunat, aku pula, menukar pakaian dan sekali lagi menukar lampin Zachary. Risau juga dengan keadaan Zachary. Cirit-biritnya semakin teruk. Cuaca yang tadi mendung kini bertukar hujan. Zachary pula mula menangis tersesak-esak. Tak tahu sebab apa. Sakit perut agaknya atau mungkin dia mencari mama nya. Stress juga aku ketika itu. Member lain semua sudah siap, yang tinggal hanya aku yang masih belum mandi dan bersolat sunat. Memang agak menguji kesabaran juga ketika itu.

Selesai mandi sunat, aku bergegas ke masjid untuk solat sunat. Pertama kali mengenakan ihram, aku berasa satu perasaan yang lain. Luar bisa, yang sukar aku gambarkan. Aku merasa betapa kerdil dan hinanya kita sebagai mahluk ALLAH dan setiap manusia tiada bezanya di sisi yang maha agung. Yang membezakan antara umat manusia itu hanyalah amal dan taqwanya.

Kami berniat ihram apabila berada didalam kenderaan. Aku meyuruh Khizmie mengambil alih tempat sebagai pemandu kerana dia sudah beberapa kali ke Mekah, tetapi dia mengatakan yang dia tak confident untuk memandu dalam keadaan trafik di Mekah. Kami meninggalkan Qarn al Manazil dan melalui lebuh raya empat lorong yang agak sempit sambil berTalbiyah. Hujan yang tadi gerimis, kini mula lebat hingga menyekat pandangan. Dalam pada aku memandu berhati-hati sambil mulut kuat melaungkan Talbiah, ada juga pemandu-pemandu yang kurang sabar dan tidak bertimbang rasa dengan memandu laju, memotong sesuka hati dan menggunakan lorong kecemasan. Rizal yang memandu CX9 juga memandu dengn agak laju. Susah juga nak fokus antara berTalbiyah, memandu dan marah-marah lepas geram dalam hati. Aku cuba untuk mengekorinya supaya tidak tertinggal jauh.. hanya mampu berdoa. 'Ya ALLAH andainya sampai masanya untuk aku kembali pada MU waktu ini, dikala aku menuju ke rumahMU untuk mengerjakan ibadah Umrah, sesungguhnya aku redha'.

Bersambung di Episod 2

Sendiri Kembor Sendiri Kemas (You Make the Mess You Tidy Up) by Zachary Andika

2011-08-07T16:00:00.001+03:00

I was so bored. My life is full of predictable mundane events. As adventurous as I am I'd like to try something new every day. My favourite pastime is 'Pick and Chew'. You know the one where you pick things up from the floor and taste them. Sometime I found food, but most of the time the stuff that I put in my mouth aren't edible like plastic, paper, dried leaf etc. I want to make my favorite pastime more fun and rewarding. So one day I opened the refrigerator, pick a bag of my favourite coco crunch cereal and emptied its content across our living area. This way, the floor will be full of my favourite chocolate cereal and I was guaranteed that the stuff I picked from the floor taste good and edible.

1st you empty a bag of cereal

2nd Bon appetite

This is so much fun. I pick and eat for ages, then I realised that Papa will come home soon. He will definitely hates it if he found out that the house is in such a mess. I don't want to trouble mama as she is not as mobile as she has to carry my baby sister around in her belly all the time. So I went to the store, pick the vacuum cleaner and clean the mess up my self. But too bad the vacuum cleaner wasn't functioning. I don't know what was wrong with it. Maybe Papa should get a new one.

Puasa masa kecil

2011-07-18T12:27:00.000+03:00

InsyaALLAH tak lama lagi umat Islam akan menyambut kedatangan bulan Ramadan yang mulia. Dan mungkin ada antara kita yang sudah mula berpuasa dari bulan Syaaban ini lagi. Menjelang bulan puasa ni, teringat pula kisah aku berpuasa masa kecil-kecil dulu.

Aku mula berpuasa halfday waktu umur 7 tahun, darjah satu. Seronok sangat. Walaupun kelat-kelat mata, aku tetap bangun bersahur bersama Toktan, Tokna, makcik dan Maklang. Aku akan berpuasa sampai balik sekolah. Sampai saja kerumah aku akan berlari ke meja makan dimana Tokna dan Makcik sudah menghidangkan juadah berbuka untuk aku. Alah macam makan tengahari biasa saja sebenarnya. Favourite aku, masak lemak pucuk ubi, telur goreng dengan ikan kering. kadang-kadang masak pindang, masak lemak daun turi, asam pedas ikan parang, goreng pucuk paku.. uish ini boleh dicerita dalam entri akan datang.

Aku berpuasa separuh hari sampai aku berusia 9 tahun. Masuk 10 tahun, aku sudah dipaksa berpuasa fulltime. Masa umur 10 tahun tu memang aku tak tahan, so memang aku banyak kali la curi-curi berbuka. Selalunya modus operandi aku ialah, menelan air ketika berkumur sewaktu mengambil wuduk untuk solat zohor. Lepas balik sekolah agama pukul 4 petang pula aku akan mandi dan minum air kolah sepuas-puasnya. Alhamdullillah tak ada pulak aku kena taun ke, cirit birit. Tapi aku rasa ketika itu fair apa. Sebab aku tak dapat ganjaran apa-apa pun kalau puasa penuh, tak macam kawan-kawan aku yang lain.

Bila umur 11 tahun baru aku puasa betul-betul dan mula berterawih mengikut pak saudara aku (suami makcik). Harap-harap anak-anak aku nanti tak lah menurut perangai aku.

Happy 2nd Anniversary to Us

2011-07-08T17:52:00.002+03:00

Syukur Alhamdullilah, pada 28 Mei 2011 lepas kami meraikan ulang tahun perkahwinan kami yang kedua. Kalau tahun lepas kami hanya menyambutnya di Hospital Al-Ahli, dengan makanan yang disediakan pihak hospital, tahun ni up sikit. We had our anniversary dinner at our favourite restaurant at the Movenpick. Kalau last year our little Einstein si Zachary tu baru berusia 2 hari, tahun ni dia dah boleh join dinner dengan kami sekali. Semoga kebahagiaan ini berkekalan hingga akhir hayat hendaknya.

I am my mama's helper (by Zachary Andika)

2011-07-08T12:55:00.000+03:00

Mama is carrying my baby sister in her tummy. Each day Mama's tummy is getting bigger and bigger. There are a lot of work to be done around the house from cleaning, laundry, cooking you name it and we dont have a house maid like most families in Qatar. I, as the oldest child in the family feel obligated to help mama as much as I could by running errands and assume responsibility for some house chores. I hope my little help could spare mama some rest she deserved.

Lebai Zachary dan Penunggu Tangga

2011-07-03T00:08:00.002+03:00

Doha 17 Jun 2011. Penghuni sebuah rumah bernombor B45 di Al-Wadi Complex, Al-Kharatiyat baru-baru ini telah mengalami ganguan makhluk halus. Makhluk halus yang berupa seekor monyet itu telah menjadikan tangga kediaman berkenaan sebagai tempatnya bermastautin. Penghuni kediaman itu telah memanggil khidmat seorang lebai yang terkenal di kawasan Al-Gharafa untuk menghalau makhluk tersebut. Namun makhluk itu ternyata begitu menakutkan dan lebai terkenal itu juga tidak sanggup untuk menangkap atau mendekati makhluk tersebut. Berikut rakaman yang kami terima ketika cubaan menangkap makhluk halus oleh lebai tersebut.

Sebenarnya kami menggunakan mainan dari McDonald Happy Meal itu untuk menghalang Zachary dari bermain di tangga kerana sebelum ini, Zachrary terlalu kerap memanjat tangga tersebut. Pantang leka. Masalahnya, dia pandai naik, tapi tak pandai turun. Kami mendapat idea tu selepas melihat Zach begitu takut dengan monyet mainan dari filem Kungfu Panda 2 tersebut, dan safety gate IKEA yang kami beli di IKEAAbu Dhabi baru-baru ini pula terlalu kecil untuk tangga kediaman kami.

Aku nak lari Marathon

2011-06-29T11:05:00.004+03:00

BMI aku sekarang sudah menunjukkan kategori 'Overweight'. Ni tak boleh jadi ni. Aku tak boleh overweight kerana:
1. Tak baik untuk kesihatan
2. Tak handsome (Nanti orang mengata. 'Tengok tu bini sikit punya lawa, laki dah la pendek gemuk pulak. Macamana la dia boleh kahwin dengan mamat tu. Tak lain mesti mamat tu kaya, kalau tak mustahil')
3. Banyak sangat baju-baju dan seluar designer label yang aku dah tak boleh sarung. Nak sedekah kat orang sayang. Mahal woo.. Pakcik umur 32 tahun baru merasa pakai seluar Fendi.

Baru-baru ni aku mendapat ilham yang cukup bernas. Aku nak lari Marathon. Aku jadi begitu bersemangat selepas melihat status Facebook dan gambar-gambar kawan baik aku Da'a dan Mak Ton berjaya menamatkan Half Marathon dalam KL Marathon baru-baru ni. Pada zaman-zaman remaja dulu aku sering menyertai Half Marathon di sekitar Muar dan Johor Bahru. Masa tu senang-senang saja aku lari non stop dan menamatkan larian di bawah 2 jam. Dan pernah sekali menyertai marathon. Johor Bahru International Marathon 1994. Tetapi masa tu aku memang tak pernah training untuk full marathon. Kaki aku cramp selepas 20 km. Tetapi, pantang cucu Laksaman Bentan mengalah, aku tetap menamatkan larian. Jadi aku cuma berjalan kaki dengan terhencut-hencut untuk 21 km hingga penamat. Akhirnya aku menamatkan larian dengan catatan masa hampir 6 jam. Orang lain ambil refreshment setiap 5km sambil berlari, yang aku pula ambil air dan duduk di kerb sambil berehat setiap 5 km. Sampaikan at one time tu, ambulance siap berhenti untuk mengambil aku. Tetapi aku berdegil, sudahnya petugas tu dengan baik hatinya memberi aku urutan dan merawat kaki aku yang kekejangan.

Tapi aku yakin dengan latihan yang berterusan aku mampu menamatkan Marathon dengan selesa.

Balik dari kerja semalam aku terus beritahu Cik Minah..

Aku: Ayang, Abang ada minat baru yang Ayang mesti sokong"
Cik Minah: Ha apa dia? (Tanya Cik Minah dengan wajah yang agak anxious)
Aku: Abang nak lari Marathon (kata aku dengan penuh semangat)
Cik Minah: Jom, Ayang pun nak. Ayang masa sekolah dulu kan selalu menang lumba lari jarak jauh.

Fuh lega aku Cik Minah pun ada passion yang sama.

Berikut adalah kejohanan Marathon yang akan aku sertai:

1. Penang Bridge International Marathon - 20 Nov 2011 (Half Marathon)
2. Dubai Marathon - 27 Jan 2012 (Half Marathon)
3. Ras Al-Khaimah Half Marathon - 17 Feb 2012 (Namapun dah Half Marathon)
4. KL Marathon - 24 Jun 2012 (FULL Marathon)
5. Gold Coast Marathon - 1 July 2012 (FULL Marathon)

Dan impian terbesar aku adalah untuk menyertai New York Marathon satu hari nanti.

Pertandingan Marathon utama dunia yang lain ada tersenarai di SINI dan di SINI.

Jadi dengan menyertai Marathon ni, aku dapat kill two birds with one stone:
1. Dapatkan semula body aku yang solid molid macam zaman bujang-bujang dulu
2. Dapat travel. Travel memang salah satu daripada aku punya passion. Jadi dari sekadar mengumpul fridge magnet, aku juga akan mula mengumpul Finisher's Medals (Nak beli display cabinet weekend ni lah)

So lepas ni kalau nak buat travel plan kena refer jadual INI lah.

Jadi aku perlu memulakan latihan dari sekarang, sebab sekarang ni, setakat lari 1 km pun aku dan mencungap. Aku dapatkan jadual latihan di SINI.

So apalagi.. jom lari

Hachiko Anjing yang setia..

2011-06-26T10:44:00.003+03:00

Kelmarin, aku dengan Cik Minah secara kebetulan tertonton satu filem yang berjudul Hachiko: A Dog's story. Kisah seekor anjing yang sangat setia pada tuannya ini, amat-amat menyentuh perasaan. Cik Minah siap nangis-nangis lagi, sedangkan Cik Minah ni bukan minat pun pada anjing atau apa-apa jenis binatang sekalipun (berbeza dengan aku yang animal lover ni). Kisah ni based on true story yang berlaku di Jepun. Anjing bernama Hachi ni setiap hari menghantar tuannya yang merupakan seorang professor universiti ke stesen keretapi untuk ke tempat kerja. Dan setiap hari juga, sebelum jam lima petang, dia akan menunggu kepulangan tuannya di stesen tersebut. Begitulah rutin mereka selama setahun. Pada satu hari, si professor ni meninggal dunia ketika di tempat kerja dan tak pulang ke stesen di mana Hachiko sedang menanti seperti biasa. Yang sedihnya, Hachiko ni setia menunggu kepulangan tuannya selama 9 tahun hingga akhir hayatnya. Kisah kesetiaan Hachiko ni telah menjadi satu kisah lagenda di Jepun, dan mayat (ke bangkai?) Hachiko ini ada di simpan di satu muzium di Tokyo. Aku akan pastikan yang aku akan menyelitkan lawatan ke muzium tersebut kalau aku berkesempatan ke Tokyo satu hari nanti. Kisah selanjutnya mengenai Hachiko boleh dibaca DISINI.

Mengapa aku suka sangat dengan cerita anjing ni? Pertama kerana, anjing memang haiwan favourite aku. Kenapa? Tak percaya? Suka aku lah nak suka anjing ke, apa ke. Keduanya, kisah seperti Hachiko ni pernah berlaku pada diri aku sendiri. Ceritanya berlaku pada akhir 1998. Aku yang ketika itu menyewa rumah bersama Sam baru berpindah dari rumah flet ke rumah teres corner lot di Jalan Jaya 3 Taman Jaya (Jarak antara rumah flet dengan rumah baru itu hanya 3 pam rokok saja). Pindah rumah pun pakai wheel barrow saja. Masa tengah sibuk-sibuk pindah rumah tu, kami dapati yang rumah teres corner lot tersebut berpenunggu. Ada seekor anjing putih bersaiz agak besar yang tak diketahui apa breed nya setia menunggu di depan pagar rumah tersebut walau apa cara kami lakukan untuk menghalaunya. Aku ketika itu, seperti kebanyakan orang melayu lain amat anti dengan anjing. Macam benci sangat tengok anjing, macam nak disepak-sepak saja rasanya. Kami baling dia dengan kayu, dengan batu. Halau syuh syuh macam halau ayam tapi dia tetap disitu. Yang peliknya anjing ni langsung tak menyalak dan langsung tidak agresif. Dia cuma mengelak-elak dengan selamba setiap rejaman kami. Sam yang agak zalim tu, sampai sanggup mencucuk anjing tersebut dengan buluh runcing mujur dia pantas mengelak. Kami suspect anjing tersebut adalah milik penghuni lama rumah tersebut. Anjing itu tetap tak kemana-mana setelah lebih seminggu kami berpindah. Dia hanya berdiri ketika kami membuka pagar bila pulang ke rumah seperti murid-murid sekolah memberi ucapan 'Selamat Pagi Cikgu'. Lama kelamaan timbul rasa kasihan pula pada anjing itu. Lebih-lebih lagi ketika hari hujan. Kasihan dia kesejukan. Dia pun nampak semakin kurus. Makan kah dia? Rupanya yang sebelum ini bersih dan agak hensem pun sudah semakin comot dan tidak terurus.

Aku merujuk perkara ini pada emak dan teman-teman sekerja yang lebih arif dalam hukum hakam agama. Semua memberi pendapat mengatakan tak salah untuk aku memberi anjing tu makan dan melayannya dengan peri kemanusiaan. Dia pun makhluk ALLAH macam kita. Aku pun mula memberi dia makan. Disebabkan geli dengan anjing yang hukumnya najis mughalazah ni, aku sekadar mencampak-campakkan saja makanan ke luar pagar. Anjing itu semakin manja pula pada aku. Setiap hari bila aku pulang dari kerja dia akan menyambut aku di pagar rumah dengan senyuman (aku assume dia senyum sebab dia buat muka comel sambil menjulur lidah) dan menggoyang-goyangkan ekornya. Selain memberi makan aku juga memandikannya dengan cara menyemburnya dengan air paip dari hose yang Sam buat siram pokok dari dalam pagar. Suka anjing tu diperlakukan begitu. Walaupun aku tak menyentuhnya secara fizikal, dan tempatnya masih di luar pagar, perasaan sayang itu timbul sendiri. Aku pun mengambil keputusan untuk memeliharanya dan menamakannya BOBO.

Bobo semakin manja dengan aku. Setiap pagi Bobo akan menemani aku ke bus stop Taman Jaya, dan menunggu aku hingga menaiki bas. Setiap petang juga dia akan menunggu aku di bus stop yang sama, dan menyambut aku dengan girang. Kami akan sama-sama berjalan kaki pulang ke rumah dan berhenti di kedai Haji Store untuk mebeli roti dan susu buat Bobo. Hendak saja aku memeluk dan mengusapnya seperti dalam movie-movie tu. Tapi aku orang melayu. It is a taboo. Aku hanya mengusap-usap Bobo dengan kayu. Setiap kali aku berjalan dengan Bobo aku dipandang dengan pandangan sinis masyarakat. Aku beri dia makan pun kena sindir. Antara sindiran yang aku terima termasuk 'kau fikir kau boleh masuk syurga la dengan bagi anjing makan? Kiranya kau ni macam pelacur yang bagi minum anjing kelaparan la' .

Bulan February 1999, aku terpaksa meninggalkan Bobo kerana melanjutkan pelajaran ke Australia. Aku amanahkan Nizar yang akan mengambil alih menyewa bilik aku nanti untuk memberi Bobo makan. Tapi hayat Bobo tak panjang. Tak lama selepas aku pergi, Bobo mati kerana diserang anjing-anjing liar yang banyak berkeliaran di taman perumahan itu. Mungkin anjing-anjing liar tu berkata "Ha sekarang kau dah tak boleh nak berlagak dengan kami Ok. Ha mana tuan kau pergi? Siapa nak bela kau lagi sekarang ni ha hanjingg?"

Bobo telah merubah tanggapan aku pada haiyawan bernama Anjing. Sekarang ni aku tak rasa geli lagi untuk memegang atau mengusap anjing. Peduli kata orang. Pada aku kalau korang tak suka pergilah korang menyalak sana gung gung gung.

By the way, Sabun Samak boleh didapati melalui agen-agen yang tersenarai dalam list di SINI

Selamat Hari Lahir ke 29 Cik Minah

2011-06-22T09:15:00.000+03:00

Hari ni birthday Cik Minah, jadi semalam aku kononnya nak buat surprise la. Nak Romantik lah kononnya. Kalau last year aku buat surprise party untuk dia. Masa tu Cik Minah masih dalam pantang, so duduk rumah pun pakai kain batik.. nasib baik kat dahi tak bertepek pilis. Masa tu memang menjadi betul surprise aku.. Thanks to kawan2 di Doha ni yang begitu sporting.. Dalam Cik Minah duduk relax-relax main komputer, tiba-tiba member-member letupkan party poppers dari luar tingkap.. Cik Minah punya lah terperanjat.. sampai dihempaskannya laptop dia ke lantai. Nasib baik tak bersepai. Sampai sekarang dia dok komplen yang betapa buruknya dia masa malam tu.. Knowing Cik Minah kan.. mesti nak cantik je selalu.. especially kalau nak keluar rumah.. atau bila ada orang nak datang rumah.. so tahun ni aku tak nak menzalimi dia lagi.. dan tak nak terperanjatkan dia sebab Cik Minah tengah berbadan dua.

So semalam on the way balik rumah aku singgah Landmark beli sejambak bunga tulip dengan 6 biji cupcakes dari Cupcake Factory (sebab nak balas Cik Minah punya cup cake ya g dia buat sempena Fathers Day Ahad lepas). Sampai rumah aku tinggalkan bunga dan cupcake tu dalam kereta.. sebab tak nak cik minah nampak. Sekarang ni kan musim panas.. bahang dalam kereta tu rasanya ada lah macam bahang dalam ketuhar cap Butterfly yang orang dulu-dulu buat bakar bahulu. Sebelum Maghrib, cik minah tertidur depan TV, aku pun dengan menjingkit macam pencuri, pergi ambil bunga dan cake tu. Bunga yang tadinya segar bugar dah terkulai layu.. (aku tak semak pula keadaan cake tu). Dalam hati... mana nak aku sorokkan benda-benda ni.

Akhirnya aku sorokkan paperbag yang berisi cupcake dan bunga tu di sebalik langsir kat bilik study. Cadangan asalnya, malam nanti selepas Cik Minah tidurkan Zachary, aku akan pasang video Pretty Woman yang didownload khas sebab Cik Minah tak pernah tengok cerita tu, dan aku akan nyanyi lagu.. Pretty Woman walking down the street,.. sambil membawa cupcake dan bunga ditangan. Tapi sayangnya.. rancangan tu tak kesampaian.

Jam baru menunjukkan pukul 10 malam, aku dah cakap kat Cik Minah.. Ayang gi lah tidurkan Zachary kat atas (padahal mata si Zach tu masih ceghelang bak kata org Tangkak). Aku gi bilik study sebab nak copy cerita Pretty Woman yang baru habis di download tu ke dalam WD My Passport. Cik Minah yang memang agak kech.. (kecoh) orangnya ni, boleh pulak datang ke bilik study sambil mengendong Zachary. Dia tanya aku buat apa.. tengok cerita apa.. etc2.. Kemudian dia terperasan yang langsir tu macam ada bonggol. Sambil mendukung Zach.. Cik Minah dengan terboyot-boyotnya pergi ke tingkap sambil berkata "eh zachary buat apa dengan langsir ni sampai jadi macam ni?'.. Aku hanya memerhati sambil mengetap bibir 'alamak.. rosaklah rancangan aku'.. Aku fikir Cik Minah akan selak langsir tu, tapi telahan aku silap. Cik Minah yang terkenal dengan keayuanya tu, tanpa di sangka-sangka MENYEPAK boggolan di langsir tu macam David Beckham ambil sepakan penalti. Adoii there goes my surprise plan.

But she was pleasantly surprised as well. Kitorang gelak sakan selepas aku ceritakan dia dah rosakkan rancangan aku. Lepas Zach tidur kami sama-sama menonton cerita Pretty Woman sambil makan cupcake. Walaupun cupcake tu dah bertukar rupa. Dah tak macam cupcake tapi dah jadi rupa cekodok pisang.

To my beautiful wife.. HAPPY 29TH birthday dear.. sorry if the surprise plan fell short of your expectation. Hadiah tunggu dulu eh, benda yang abang nak bagi tu tak ada stok..

Mothers Day Series : Final Episode - Surat Untuk Mak

2011-06-20T11:02:00.000+03:00

Surat ini aku kirimkan buat Mak pada bulan NOVEMBER 1986. Ketika itu aku berusia 10 tahun.

...........

Kehadapan Mak,

Semoga Mak dan adik beradik semua di dalam keadaan sihat sejahtera hendaknya. Adik di sini sihat-sihat sahaja. Tetapi Adik rindu pada Mak. Adik sangat berharap agar dapat berjumpa dengan Mak selalu. Mak bawa lah adik tinggal dengan Mak di Johor. Adik tahu keluarga kita susah dan Mak terpaksa menghantar Adik di kampung. Tapi Adik lebih rela kita sekeluarga sama-sama susah dari hidup berjauhan begini. Mak tengok tak filem 'Kasih Ibu' di TV 1 semalam? Kisah kita sama saja seperti dalam cerita tu. Mereka juga susah, tetapi mereka sama-sama menghadapinya. Kenapa kita tak boleh jadi macam mereka? Adik nak tinggal dengan Mak, Om, Tanti, Angah dan Along. Kalau boleh adik nak sekolah di Johor tahun depan bila adik masuk darjah 5. Tapi kalau tak boleh juga, adik faham. Tetap Adik nak Mak balik kampung masa hari jadi adik ke 10 nanti, dan Mak buatkan adik majlis hari jadi. Adik tak pernah sambut hari jadi macam kawan-kawan lain.

Sekian, dari anakmu

Syafei
.............................

Mak menangis ketika membaca surat itu. Kawan sekerja Maka, Umi Zainah pun menangis sama.. sampai dia berkata 'Sedihnya kak Ros... bawak lah dia balik Johor Kak Ros.. Kesian dia.. umur 10 tahun dah pandai tulis surat macamni'.

Dan pada 6/12/1986 buat pertama kalinya dalam hidup aku, aku menyambut hari jadi. Majlis tersebut sangat meriah. Semua kawan-kawan sekampung di jemput. Macam-macam permainan Mak aturkan. Dan aku sangat gembira ketika itu. Habis sahaja majlis, Mak berkata pada aku, "Ni Mak dah buat hari jadi untuk adik ni, Adik terus tinggal dengan Tok Tan eh?' Aku hanya membalas 'OK'. Difikir-fikirkan semula, mudah sungguh aku diumpan ketika itu.

Happy Fathers Day to ... ME

2011-06-19T11:06:00.002+03:00

Siri Mothers Day dihentikan sementara bagi memberi laluan kepada entry Hari Bapa ini. Tahun ini adalah tahun kedua aku menyambut Hari Bapa (Kepada golongan alim-alim qarqun tak bertempat.. korang jangan nak tazkirah kat aku yang Hari bapa ni haram jugak..) ALHAMDULLIlLAH. Aku cuba untuk memberikan yang terbaik buat anakku Zachary, buah hati pengarang jantung papa.. yang kadang-kadang selalu membuat 'my blood go upstairs'.

Walau aku rasa semasa Zachary kecil (sebelum dia pandai merangkak dan berjalan) I was the better parent, dan akulah yang paling hebat terutama sekali bila masuk bab-bab salin diaper, mandi dan salin baju dia. Hani ketika itu memang agak kekok, tapi sekarang ni I have to give the honour to her. Dulu aku eksyen sebab terer salin diaper baby dalam flight, dalam kereta dan tempat-tempat mencabar lain. Tapi bila Zachary mula pandai berpusing, kerja yang sebelum ini sap sap soi.. menjadi satu tugasan yang betul-betul mencabar kesabaran. Ia bertambah buruk bila dia pandai merangkak dan berjalan. Masa kita nak bersihkan punggung dia itulah yang dia sibuk nak berjalan. Harap-harap adik dia nanti jenis yang baik budi dan sopan santun especially ketika salin lampin.

Tetapi walau apa pun jua, aku bangga menjadi seorang bergelar bapa. Setiap petang lepas waktu berkerja aku akan bergegas pulang untuk melepas rindu pada anak. Semua penat lelah hilang bila dia menyambut aku pulang dengan mendepa tangan dan memeluk ku erat. Kadang-kadang aku rasa cemburu pada Zachary kerana aku tak dapat merasa apa yang dia rasa ketika kecil ku. Harap-harap aku dapat menjalankan tugasku untuk mendidik anak-anak ku menjadi anak-anak yang soleh. InsyaALLAH..

Sampai je rumah, Cik Minah surprisekan dengan sedulang cup cakes ni.

Mothers Day Series - Episode 3 : Telefon berbunyi ring ring ring

2011-06-17T08:58:00.001+03:00

Akhir-akhir ini Zachary langsung tak mahu berenggang dengan kami, terutama sekali dengan mama nya. Kalau waktu siang tu dia berdampingan seharian dengan Hani, sampaikan Hani nak buat kerja rumah pun susah. Zachary siap peluk-peluk kaki hani erat-erat sambil merebahkan dirinya ke lantai tanda protes minta didukung. Lepas tu nak tidur pun susah sebab dia menahan mata, tak mahu berpisah atau takut ditinggalkan oleh kami (separation anxiety). Itulah dia, anak-anak tempatnya adalah bersama ibu-bapa, especially mothers.

Teringat masa kecil aku di kampung, ketika itu mana ada handphone, skype dan peralatan komunikasi yang canggih manggih ni, telefon rumah pun tak ada. Jadi untuk melepas rindu aku sentiasa berutus surat dengan Mak. Hari ni pos, 5 hari baru sampai JB. Kalau mak balas terus, minggu berikutnya lah baru aku terima balasan darinya. Setiap kali posmen lalu, hati aku berdebar-debar, tertunggu-tunggu ada tak surat untuk aku dari Mak. Sehinggalah satu hari, aku menulis surat yang betul-betul membuat Mak tersentak dan menangis di tempat kerjanya. Ini aku ceritakan di dalam Final Episode : Surat buat Mak. Selepas menerima surat tersebut, Mak telah membuat satu arrangement di mana dia akan menelefon aku seminggu sekali.

Aku bersekolah rendah di Sekolah Kebangsaan Paya Mas dan bersekolah agama di sekolah yang sama di sebelah petang bermula dari jam 2 petang. Mak akan menelefon rumah Penghulu Atan yang letaknya betul-betul bersebelahan dengan sekolah aku setiap Isnin pada jam 1 petang dari pejabat tempatnya bekerja di PC Holdings. Ketika itu tiada istilah Monday Blues buat aku, kerana setiap Isnin aku dapat bercakap dengan Mak di telefon. Setiap Isnin sebelum jam 1 petang aku akan berada di kerusi ruang tamu rumah Penghulu Atan dengan hati berdebar-debar menunggu panggilan. Kadang-kadang Mak terlewat untuk menelefon, aku yang menunggu di hujung talian terus menunggu dengan cemas, jangan-jangan Mak tak telefon. Kadang-kadang telefon tersebut berbunyi tetapi bukan untuk aku, tak tahu macam mana nak gambarkan perasaan aku masa tu.

Mengenang saat-saat itu aku terfikir, kalau dulu aku sentiasa ingin mendengar suara mak di gagang telefon, kenapa sekarang aku kerap alpa untuk menghubunginya selalu...

Mothers Day Series - Episode 2 : Kepulangan Yang Dinanti

2011-06-16T08:36:00.001+03:00

Aku amat jarang dapat bertemu mak dan adik beradik lain. Sekali sekala mak balik ke kampung adalah merupakan saat-saat yang indah dalam hidup aku. Pernah satu hari raya ni, semua pak saudara mak saudara aku balik ke kampung dengan keluarga masing-masing kecuali mak. Aku yang ketika itu berusia 11 tahun terasa sangat sayu dan hiba. Pelbagai persoalan bermain difikiran aku ketika itu. Kenapa mak tak balik? Mak dah tak sayang kat aku kah?

Rumah arwah Tok Tan begitu meriah dengan hilai tawa adik beradik mak yang lain dengan sepupu-sepupu aku yang riuh bermain bunga api. Tok Tan dan Tok Na pun sangat gembira kerana semua anak-anaknya yang lain dapat balik beraya walaupun mak tak ada. Semua orang gembira pada malam tu, kecuali aku. Aku memilih untuk menyendiri dengan duduk di beranda sambil menangis sepuas-puasnya. Dari beranda aku terdengar Arwah Tok Tan bertanya, 'Mana Hisham?' Mak Lang pergi mencari aku dan jumpa aku bersendirian duduk di kerusi panjang luar beranda. Mak Lang bertanya, 'Kenapa Adik menangis?' aku mulanya diam, kemudian menjawab 'semua orang balik, tapi mak tak balik'. Mak Lang mengajak aku masuk kerumah, tetapi aku memilih untuk terus bersendirian di luar. Aku mahu menyambut hari raya bersama keluarga aku. Mak Lang memberi tahu Tok Tan yang aku ada di luar dan sedih kerana mak aku tak balik beraya bersama. Ketika tu aku terdengar Arwah Tok Na berkata "Alah mengada-ngada nak menangis bukan nya budak kecik". Hati aku bertambah sayu bila mendengar kata-kata nenek aku itu. (Masa tu sesuai sangat kalau pasang muzik latar lagu raya Aishah, Kepulangan yang Dinanti).

Malam tu aku berdoa agar kalau mak mati, aku pun nak mati sama dan hendak dikuburkan bersama mak supaya kami tak terpisah lagi buat selamanya.

Mothers Day Series - Episode 1 : Mak, adik nak dukung..

2011-06-15T09:03:00.000+03:00

Kami tak pernah ada stroller sewaktu kecil. Bayangkan bagaimana, Mak aku yang berbadan kecil tu terpaksa mengendong aku yang memang manja dan tak suka jalan sendiri. Tapi aku ada alasan aku sendiri. Aku jumpa mak kadang-kadang saja. Sebab aku tinggal di Tangkak bersama Tok Tan dan Tok Na. Aku selalu rindu pada Mak. Itu yang bila dapat balik JB sekali sekala tu aku tak boleh nak berenggang. Nak berdukung saja walaupun di kampung aku boleh saja berjalan sendiri.

Kalau balik JB tu, mak mesti bawa aku dan adik beradik keluar berjalan. Tengok air pancut di bulatan depan Hotel Tropical Inn, naik mainan yang kena isi duit (ala yang ada kereta, kapal terbang, gajah, etc. yang bila diisi duit dia gerak2 tu) di Wisma Abad, kalau tak pun setakat ke pasar malam depan masjid Batu 5 Tampoi. Tapi aku ni tetaplah nak berdukung. Pernah satu ketika mak tak tahan dah, ya lah dengan menjinjing barang belian lagi dan mendukung aku yang ketika tu sudah berusia 3 tahun. Jarak pasar malam tu bukan nya dekat dan kami sekeluarga hanya berjalan kaki dari masjid Batu 5 ke Jalan Dato' Musa, Pengkalan Rinting. Mak yang sudah tak berdaya tu memaksa aku untuk berjalan sendiri. Tapi aku yang tak reti bahasa ni tetap berdegil. Mak letak aku di bawah, tapi aku protes, tak mahu berjalan. Aku hanya duduk di tepi jalan sambil memuncung kan mulut. Aku tahu mak akan dukung aku juga, sebab, mak pun rindukan aku.

Kini baru aku faham, itu yang aku sabar saja bila kadang-kadang Zachary mengada-ngada tak mahu duduk dalam stroller bila kami keluar ke shopping malls atau kemana-mana. Pada aku best apa duduk dalam stroller, boleh duduk lunjur kaki, boleh baring. Kalau aku kecik-kecik dulu aku ada stroller confirm aku tak paksa mak dukung aku. Tapi bagi anak-anak, stroller canggih dan mahal macam mana sekali pun tak akan dapat menggantikan dakapan ayah dan ibu.

Mothers Day Series - Prelude : Your child your responsibility

2011-06-14T09:36:00.002+03:00

I purposely did not post this blog entry on mothers day because I do not want some people to preach that it is haram for muslims to celebrate Mothers Day and that we must show respect and appreciate our mothers every day. Well I do love and appreciate my mom every day, and my respect for mothers grew even stronger now as I see how loving my wife is with our son Zachary. Islam says 'Syurga di bawah tapak kaki ibu' which if translated literally means 'Heaven is under the feet of your mother'. That is how high mothers are in Islam.

Recently a friend of Hani's had to send her daughter back to Malaysia. The barely 3 months old baby will be looked after by her grand parents. Offcourse as new parents it is not easy. Babies demand alot if not all of your attention. But then again babies are not toys, they do not come with remote controls and definitely not battery powered. They must have their own reasons and maybe have running out of options to keep and raise the baby themselves here in Doha. I know it must be a hard decision for them to make. Both of them works at a same place and their job demands crazy hours of commitments. I can understand that, but what I do not understand is, why do you have to come here, 4000 mile away from home to suffer? If the job is sucks and does not offer a balance work and family life, then by all means leave. I can relate with this situation because I myself was raised by my grand parents. But my mom has no option. She was a single mother and and has another 4 older kids (4,5,7 and 9 years old) to look after. She cannot possibly be able to look after her cute and adorable 2 years old baby (that is me) while jugling with work and taking care of her kids alone. But in Hani's friend's case, they have each other and the baby was their first born. Your child is your responsibility. Some people would do anything to have one.

In this series, I would like to pay tribute to my mother by sharing some of her stories. To me, she is truly an Ibu Mithali. She has been through a lot and persevere all kind of hardship just to make sure that at the end of the day all her kids are fed and they have roof under their heads. She did all this because her love for her children was greater than everything else in this world.

Finding CINTA AMANI

2011-06-11T00:25:00.022+03:00

InsyaALLAH if our second child is girl, we will name her CINTA AMANI. Cinta means Love in Malay and Amani means Hope in Arabic. It also means Peace in Swahili. We wanted to name her Cinta Emily but was advised to reconsider by many. Though has many good and beautiful meanings, Emily does not sound Islamic. So hopefully our princess can be proud of her name as it is beautiful and meaningful.

Kamus Loghat Muar / Tangkak

2011-06-08T11:15:00.009+03:00

Aku dilahirkan di Muar (Muo kata orang Muar) dan dibesarkan di Tangkak. Walaupun bahasa melayu diambil daripada bahasa Johor/Riau, tetapi orang-orang Muar dan Tangkak mempunyai gaya bahasa yang sedikit berbeza apabila bertutur. Arwah Tok Tan aku misalnya, mempunyai gaya loghat yang 'distinctively Tangkak'. Banyak perkataan-perkataan yang biasa dituturkan masyarakat Muar dan Tangkak yang aku telah lupa. Jadi sebagai tribute untuk Arwah Tok Tan dan orang-orang Muar / Tangkak, aku akan cuba untuk menyenaraikan sebanyak mungkin perkataan dalam loghat Muar / Tangkak apabila aku teringat.

Ampar (sebutan Am-po) = Hamparan, permaidani
Anu = Si folan = Dia ke tangkak dengan si anu tu, anak Noh Itik.
Basan = pakaian basahan , pakaian harian
Berlengas = Badan melekit
Bersendor = Berdengkur
Berteromba (sebut beteghombe) = Bermain-main, berlari-lari dan bersuka ria (kebiasaan oleh anak-anak kecil dalam rumah),
Centong = Senduk
Endut = kekasih - Kau dah ada endut Syam?
Gak Ngapa? = Mengapa?
Gak Ya (sebut 'ye') = Ya kah?
Gebor = Selimut
Gedobos = Longgar (pakaian)
Genjot = Merajuk
Ghobok = Almari
Godak = Kacau, gaul
Hempok = Pukul
Jajan = Makanan ringan - Nanti atuk balik belikan jajan ek
Jerang = Masak air - Kau usah balik dulu, Makcik kau tengah jerang air.
Kain Sal = Tuala
Katup = Tutup
Kejam = Selain zalim juga bermaksud pejam mata
Kelebang = Malas tahap tertinggi selepas, malas dan kelesa = Kau nak jadik apa ni? Tak ada orang nak dengan perempuan kelebang tau tak.
Kelesa = Malas tahap pertengahan (tetapi lebih teruk dari malas biasa)
Kecur = Terliur
Kemut = Selain mengetatkan otot-otor seperti manahan buang air besar, juga bermaksud kedekut
Kerok = Garu
Ketetel = Lari laju atau benda bergerak pantas (tetapi tak smooth)
Lepa (sebutan Lepe) = Terleka atau hilang tumpuan = pantang lepa cepat saja tangan budak ni mencapai
Meladung = Air bergenangan - Kenapa tak ditutup paip tu? Habis air meladung dalam bilik air.
Melak = Agaknya, mungkinkah (sama seperti 'kut-kut lah' atau 'mana lah tahu') = Aku nak mengail ikan, melak dapat toman
Melacak = Banyak bertaburan = Gi kutip jambu air yang melacak ke tanah tu.
Membeser = Buang air kecil
Memerut = Buang air besar
Mencangut (atau disebut encangut) = Sesak nafas - Alah aku ni tak boleh dibuat beteghomba, mencangut
Mengkal = Padat, sendat - Kecik sangat seluar tu sampai mengkal peha
Mengopes = Menyelongkar
Mengelaso (atau ngelaso) = Perbuatan tak reti duduk diam lazimnya oleh anak kecil - Cuba duduk diam-diam, mengelaso je dari tadi
Menjengkit= Merayau atau pergi berjalan (selalunya dengan tanpa izin) - kau nak kemana saja ni? Asal petang je menjengkit, cuba lah duduk duduk rumah dah nak maghrib ni.
Menonong = Berbuat sesuatu tanpa berfikir atau toleh kiri kanan - Amboi menonong je, tak singgah dulu ke Cik Enon?
Meraban = Tak tentu hala
Pak kal (selalunya ditambah 'lah') = Nasib baik lah - Pakkal lah kau ni cucu aku kalau tidah aja ku hempok dengan penyapu ni
Rak = Cakap beria-ia - Bagai nak rak Cik Enon bercerita pasal parti tupperware tu
Ralit (sebut ghalit) = Asyik, tekun - Ralit si beruk tu mencarik kutu si abu
Ralit = Mengantuk - ralit mata aku ni menganyam ketupat dari subuh tadi
Semenggah = Elok, kemas, antonim, Tak Semenggah = Tak elok - cuba kau tukar baju ni, tak semenggah aku tengok
Tak Masal = Tak fasal-fasal
Tagas = Nakal, degil
Talak = Dibiarkan - Kenapa ditalakkan budak tu menangis?
Tanak = Masak Nasi - Kau jangan balik dulu, Makcik kau tengah tanak nasi
Terkelempap = Bau kurang enak disebabkan humidity dan pengudaraan yang tak baik
Tengkar (sebut Tengko) = Degil, melawan atau tidak mendengar kata = Jangan tengkar, aku kata! Jerit Tok Tan pada ku
Terejal = Terlampau nakal, dan tak mendengar kata

Surat untuk Cinta Amani

2011-06-07T13:31:00.002+03:00

Buat my princess, Cinta Amani

Semalam papa seronok sangat dapat main gurau-gurau dengan Amani. Walaupun papa tak dapat pegang tangan dan cium Amani, dapat rasa Amani gerak-gerak dari luar pun dah cukup. I know you must be excited to hear my voice speaking to you too.

Papa tak sabar nak peluk-peluk nak dukung-dukung Amani. Tak sabar nak tunggu Amani lahir. Nanti Amani geng dengan Papa tau. Kita boleh lawan Mama dengan Abg. Zach. Confirm kita boleh menang banyak acara.

Walaupun Amani belum lahir, Papa dah rasa sayang sangat kat Amani. Kelmarin Papa siap mimpikan Amani lagi. Kalau Amani nak tahu, Papa excited sangat masa dapat tahu Mama pregnant lagi (lebih excited dari Mama.. tapi jangan sebut hal ni kat dia nanti dia sentap).

Ok my princess, malam nanti kita gurau-gurau lagi ye.

Love
Papa

Selamat Pengantin Baru Ateh..

2011-06-05T11:18:00.000+03:00

Selamat pengantin baru buat sepupuku Ateh (Mohd Azizi). Semoga berbahagia dan rumah tangga yang dibina kekal hingga ke akhir hayat. Terlalu banyak dugaan yang Ateh lalui, namun Ateh tetap mengharunginya demi cinta suci Ateh buat isteri. Abang Syam hanya mampu doakan dari jauh. Namun Abang Syam percaya, lambat laun yang keruh akan kembali jernih. InsyaALLAH.

Papa I want my milk..

2011-06-01T09:26:00.001+03:00

There is one routine about Zachary that I cannot fathom. He will usually wakes up twice at night for milk. Once around 2 am and another around 6. Well as I try to be a Bapa Mithali (exemplary father), I assume the role of fixing his formula and place all his bottles, formula, hot water on my side of the bed. He will wake me up by gently (sometime hard) rocking, slapping and touching my face or hand or chest and speak to me in Dunstan baby Langguage ‘neh,neh,neh,eh’ which I can translate to mean ‘Papa I am thirsty, can you fix my milk?’ Oh he also adds Pleaseeee at the end. As a Bapa Mithali, I will dutifully wake up and fix his milk while often struggling to fight drowsiness. Once I have his milk in my hand and ready to feed him.. he will crawl across the bed and wake his mother.. most of the time crying and wailing like he sees a momok (ghost) well I do look like one sometime I guess. What I do not understand is he can wake me up to fix his milk but he does not want me to feed him? Helloo..

Tabib Cina .. (Bagi yang berusaha untuk mendapatkan zuriat)

2011-05-30T12:34:00.005+03:00

It is a dream for every married couple to have children of their own. The joy of holding your own child is priceless. I know it. The moment when your child is born could may well be the most beautiful moment in your life, and I pray that every couple would have that experience. But sometime one is more difficult than others. Often, it will lead to stress and pressure to the couple (especially if your 'kepoh' relative cannot stop asking 'dah ada isi ke?') and in some cases it will lead to GOD forbid 'keretakan rumah tangga' and the husband will use it as a reason to marry another.

So.. I think it is my civic duty to share with you this info, because I know some people may be shy to ask.

I know this one 'Tabib Cina' in Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Johor Bahru who might be able to help if you have been trying for years to conceive but 'belum ada rezeki'. 25 years ago, my aunty went to see this tabib after 3 years of trying. The tabib said 'awak boleh beranak, tapi anak awak tak ramai.. awak cuma boleh ada 2 anak saja' and his words were true. She had 2 girls back to back. I also have a cousin who had been married for 5 years but still no luck. So during raya 2 years ago, my mom suggested her to see the tabib my aunt went. She went.. but the result was not immediate. She was almost give up, but after 5 months, Alhamdullilah, her baby girl is almost 7 months now. Another friend of mine also went to the same place after I told her about it and she too conceived after couple of months.

Do not ask me what the treatment is like because I dont know. But from what I heard, the tabib will assess the fertality of both the husband and wife. He will then identify the causes and start the treatment that may require you to take some herbal mixture.

We went to see the Tabib last year to seek treatment for Hani's dry skin and excessive hair fall after giving birth to Zach, and I told him about my aunt and my cousin. He told us that there are a lot of Malays seeking treatment at his place, but they were gone as soon as their treatment is successfull. He was not expecting anything, but it is nice if you can present him with a picture of the baby after they are born. None of the Malays ever give him a baby picture for him to stick up on his wall. (including my aunt and cousin). According to my aunt there were only 3 pictures on the wall when she was there.

Here is the details about the place.

Soon Heng (I am not sure if this is correct though)
1&3 Jalan Pahlawan satu, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah
Skudai, Johor

(There is a big ginseng sign in yellow adorning the external wall of the shop)

Tel: 075562804

Close on Thursday.

Note: I dont have any share with the establishment nor that I have been paid to advertise.. im just sharing

I am pregnant too.. no kidding

2011-05-29T10:23:00.003+03:00

I bet you must have heard that a husband may experience the same symptoms of pregnancy as his wife. Or sometimes the wife does not even suffer a bit of the dreadful sickness that associated with the baby making process, but the husband is. I heard about it a lot. It happen to my uncle where he was the one who had all the cravings, nausea, morning sickness, you name it, while its business as usual for my aunt. It happen not once but during the pregnancies for all four of their children. I did not believe it at first, I thought this is another kepercayaan karut orang melayu, until it happen to me.

Yes this is weird. I did not feel anything during Hani's first pregnancy but this time around, I was experiencing nauseas, headaches and tiredness especially during the early stages. I do not mind all that but there is one symptom that I could not take... weight gain. I have gained 7 kg during Hani's first trimester, and have a same belly of those expectant mothers. This is unbelievable considering I do not usually take my lunch and always watch the quantity of my meal. Now I know this is caused by the hormonal changes associated with Couvade Syndrome. Couvade Syndrome is also know as Phantom Pregnancy and Sympathetic Pregnancy. Apparently a lot of studies have been conducted to link a woman's pregnancy with the baby's biological father. It may just be psychological if not biological. Anyway it is nature being naughty, luckily I do not grow a pair of boob, or I will be the one who suffers from the postpartum anxiety.

Happy 1st Birthday Zach

2011-05-26T15:29:00.000+03:00

26 May 2011

Zachary Andika, you came into my life on this date last year at 1.55pm. That was the most beautiful moment in my life. Before you came, and before my union with your mama, my world is just one big empty space. Then I got married to a beautiful, wonderful woman (that's your mama offcourse) and a year after that you came. A year has gone, and you have given me the best and happiest one year so far.

The day you were born after I recited Azan and Iqamat at your ears

I remember how dreadful it was to be away from you and your mama. And I know you feel the same. You were crying when I kissed you good bye when I went back to Doha alone and you and your mama spent the whole Ramadan in Malaysia last year. You cried and cried, and to put you to sleep that night, your mama had to cover you with the shirt that I wore earlier that day. You were only 2 months old then but you can sense the separation. It kills me to be away from you and GOD knows I would not leave you and your mama if I had a choice.

Missing my papa

I am gratefull to ALLAH to be blessed with you and your mama. I am sorry if I have not been a good enough father for you, but I will try. I will try to be a father you can proud of and your best friend. I will love you with all my heart and I pray to ALLAH that you will become 'anak yang soleh' Amin.

Anak yang soleh

Love Always

Papa
26 May 2011
Doha, Qatar

Masters oooo masters Part 2

2011-05-16T11:51:00.003+03:00

Alhamdullilah setelah 5 tahun berhempas pulas (dan could not care less) akhirnya aku berjaya juga menamatkan pengajian Msc. Construction Contracts Management aku di UTM pada 14 May 2011. Aku pulang ke Malaysia selama 2 hari semata-mata untuk menghadiri viva-voce masters tersebut di UTM KL. Walaupun agak kurang bersedia dan aku rasa presentation viva yang aku berikan sewaktu Bachelor degree dulu adalah jauh lebih baik, thesis aku diterima universiti dengan sedikit pembetulan.

Terima kasih pada sahabat baikku Md Asrul Nasid (yang bakal bergelar Dr tak lama lagi) kerana bersunguh-sungguh memaksa aku untuk menamatkan pengajian masters tersebut dan bertindak sebagai tutor peribadi. Pada awalnya kami sama-sama mendaftar program tersebut di UTM JB pada tahun 2005, tetapi aku terpaksa menarik diri kerana kelas bagi pelajar separuh masa haya diadakan di KL pda hari sabtu dan ahad, sedangkan aku berkerja pada hari sabtu ketika itu. Aku mendaftar semula pada tahun 2006 setelah bertukar kerja di KL.

Aku percaya this is yet another blessing in disguise, kerana program ini haya baru-baru ini sahaja diiktiraf oleh Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) UK pada 2009. sia-sia saja kalau aku menamatkan program ini pada 2007 seperti yg dijadualkan, kerana sarjana aku itu belum diiktiraf oleh RICS yang merupakan badan profesional terulung dunia yang menaungi profesyen jurukur tanah, harta dan binaan.

Masters oooo masters

2011-02-27T15:18:00.003+03:00

Aku mula-mula register Masters program kat UTM tahun 2006. Masa tu aku bersemangat waja habis. Sanggup minta transfer kerja dari Pasir Gudang ke KL, sebab program 'part time' atau UTM panggil 'Pesisir' hanya ditawarkan di UTM KL.

Program tu sepatutnya akan berjalan selama 2 tahun (4 semester). Kelas diadakan pada hari Sabtu dan Ahad dari 9 pagi hingga 5 petang every other week. Masa tu memang aku betul-betul komited lah, by the end of 3rd semester aku punya CGPA was 3.88/4.00 terer tak? So yang tinggal cuma dissertation.

Tapi rezeki aku semakin membawa aku jauh dari KL. Mula-Mula ke Miri kemudia ke Doha. Dari 2007 aku cuba nak siapkan dissertation tu tapi tak siap-siap. Sejak pindah Doha, ni masuk kali ketiga aku buat dissertation ni dan aku dah pindah rumah 3 kali, maksudnya setiap rumah satu. Dua kali gagal, and this time is my last chance, sebab aku dah reach the maximum allowable period to complete masters programme aku ni. Ye lah dah masuk 6 tahun, mengalahkan orang buat PHD.

Tapi kali ni aku bertekad untuk lulus. Cukup makan pun jadik lah. Duit dah habis berpuluh-puluh ribu hasilnya habuk pun tak ada. Kalau tak lulus jugak..... THATS IT

2010 a year full of blessings

2011-02-09T09:46:00.007+03:00

2010 for me is all about Zachary. Everything else seems to revolve around his arrival in my life. I always relive the moment when our little angel was born. The experience was, all I can say is beyond words.

2010 has been a great year for us, even the bad things like failing my masters dissertation (for the second time) and not settling well at work to the point of me being shown ‘the exit door’ by my former department manager were actually blessings in disguise. GOD works in mysterious ways. Sometimes HE takes something from you so you can get something else, BETTER. I was not happy with my previous job so I applied for transfer and ended up in a new department with better position, better office (I have my own office on 25th floor overlooking the Corniche and Doha Bay), a great boss and doing exciting job. And to complete my career change, we also moved to a new house at Al Kharatiyat. It is a smaller but nicer house in a beautiful compound with lots of trees and great amenities.

We did not travel as much as we would’ve desired last year, because of the restrictions that came with the baby’s arrival. But we did go home several times. We celebrated Eid with our families in Malaysia and I went home twice alone for my masters (and once for an interview). But we did go to Europe once last year, to Greece. We had a week of holiday in Athens and Santorini during Eid ul Adha holidays. It was so far the best holiday experience for me personally and I am sure to Hani as well. We also went home for two weeks during Christmas and New Year and had mini cuti-cuti Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Melaka.

You want to spend every minute with your loved ones when you have a family of your own. Hani and Zach were in Malaysia for a month during Ramadan while I was in Doha. I must say that it was harder than I thought considering how independent I was before. I thank ALLAH for blessing me with a beautiful family and looking forward for a new member in 2011.

2010 really was a year full of blessings for me. ALHAMDULLILAH

Zachary's First Day At 'School'

2011-01-12T09:47:00.003+03:00

Today was Zachary's first day at the Day Care. Hani was so sad had to be separated from him for the very first time.

While under the care of his nanny Ursula, Zach looked happy and was very inquisitive about the place. He was so preoccupied observing his new colourful and cheerful environment and did not even bother looking at us when we called him to say goodbye.

I called the Day Care at midday to check on him. I was told by the director that Zach was a happy baby but he requires a lot of attention. He cried and wants to be held all the time, otherwise he is doing fine. Luckily he does not scare of his carers. This is one of the reasons why we decided to send him to school so early, for him to be able to learn to be more independent and off course his mama could go back to work.

Choose health NOW

2010-10-11T09:59:00.005+03:00

I went for a free medical check up organised by our office in conjunction with the Healthy Heart Campaign today. I thought I was fit and far from the risk of contracting heart disease, but I was wrong. I was categorised in the ''Average" group (there are 2 groups below me). The reasons:

1. I have family history of heart desease (which I cannot do anything about)
2. Smoker
3. Not excercise regularly
4. High cholesterol (WHAT?)

So I was told by the medical officer to quit smoking, eat healthy food and walk 30 minutes EVERYDAY. Its a tall order, but I dont have any other choice. I want to be around to provide all necessary support and see my son (and hopefully a couple more children) grows and hopefully become a successful person/s. My dad passed away because of heart disease when I was 10 at a young age of 43. I dont want my children to experience the same.

Zach's 1st day out

2010-07-10T00:36:00.006+03:00

By: Zachary Andika

9 July 2010

Today was Mama's independence day after spending 44 days hibernating at home during her confinement period when she had me. She can finally goes out and do anything she likes. Papa was so sweet, he took Mama, Mak Tua and I for a day out at Villagio Mall. I heard this place is Mama's favourite place. The place was nice, the sky was so beautiful I thought it's fake or maybe it is. The weather was cool and not furnace hot like the temperature outside. There were so many people. I have never seen so many people in my life before.

Mama checking if I was asleep

Soon after I felt hungry but Mama was no where to be found. She went inside a shop selling leather goods. Lucky Papa was with me. Papa fed me by a fountain. I loved the sound of the water. It reminds me of life back in Mama's womb. Oh those were the days when I can only hear Mama and Papa, but now I am glad that I can see and feel their touch. Life in the outside world is a lot better than in Mama's womb because I can stretch my body as far as I want. Ok enough about that, back to my first day out.

Dining by the fountain

I love the ride in my Pulse buggy. I slept most of the time only waking up intermittently. We bump into Aunt Inna and Uncle Anthony at a place selling glittering and shiny things like the one hanging on mama's neck. Maybe grown ups wear this things to ward off evil spirit, I don't know. Oh yes I still remember Aunt Inna and Uncle Anthony when they came to visit me when I was 2 weeks old. They are so sweet together.

With Aunt Inna and Uncle Anthony

We then went to my favourite shop, Mama's and Papa's. Mama and Papa was making an enquiry about my new ride, Sola. It was so sleek and I felt in love with it in an instant. It is very convenient. Mama and Papa do not have to transfer me into a stroller from a comfort of my Primo Viaggio car seat.

We were later joined by Aunty Zaireen and Aunt HM Queen Zila for shopping spree. Mama bought me a lot of new clothes. I need a lot of new clothes as I have outgrown most of my current collection. But Mama, Papa and Mak Tua also bought some clothes for themselves.

With Aunt Zaireen and Aunt HM Queen Zila

We concluded our day out at TGI Fridays restaurant, but I was really disappointed. I was only fed with cold formula and plain water while Mama, Papa and Mak Tua enjoying mouth watering meal that I could only smell.

Me @ TGIF

While the grown ups enjoyed all kind of sumptuous meal

I was only fed with the same old same old formula and plain water

I cannot wait for another day out with my family. Papa said I can go anywhere as long as I behave and be a good boy like I always be.

Happy 28th Birthday Mama Zachary

2010-06-29T21:11:00.005+03:00

21 /6/2010

Tahun ni Hani terpaksa menyambut ulang tahun kelahirannya sewaktu dalam pantang. Kasihan pulak. Tentu dia teringat tahun lepas birthdaynya disambut sampai 3 kali. Bermula dengan candle light dinner di Sharq Village, hanya kami berdua, diikuti dengan sambutan meriah beramai-ramai yang dikelolakan oleh Dilla dan Diba, dan sambutan oleh kawan-kawan KBT.

Jadi tahun ini, untuk menceriakannya, aku merancang secara sulit dengan dilla dan kawan kawan untuk buat surprise pada malam hari lahir hani. Aku dan mama berlakon seolah-olah tak ada apa-apa berlaku, dan seolah-olah kami tidak mengingati hari lahirnya.

Sedang Hani khusyuk memilih pemain bola sepak dalam permainan fantasy football di laptopnya, tiba2 kami dikejutkan dengan dentuman party poppers melalui tingkap. Hani terperanjat sehingga laptop yang diribanya jatuh ke lantai. Nasib baik tak bersepai, kalau tak pokai pakcik. Kawan-kawan yang sememangnya sudah berada di luar rumah beramai-ramai masuk melalui pintu utama dengan kek sambil menyanyikan lagu happy birthday. Hani yang tadinya terkejut, betul-betul terharu hingga menitiskan air mata. Ingat jugak kawan2 untuk menyambut hari lahirnya. Cuma yang dia kesalkan ialah.. dia tak dapat bersiap dan berdandan seperti biasa. Cuma berkain batik dan t-shirt. Nasib baik dahinya tak bertepek pilis. Aku sendiri hanya berkain pelikat dan rambut tidak bergel, selekeh habis.

Untuk Hani my wife tersayang @ Cik Minah, Selamat hari Ulang Tahun, May ALLAH bless our family with good health and happiness. We already have the best ever anniversary present a month ago, Zachary Andika.

Terima kasih Dilla, Syah dan kawan kawan semua yang hadir bagi surprise kat cik minah, walau notisnya begitu singkat.

Happy Father's Day to Me

2010-06-20T08:45:00.005+03:00

I will get to celebrate Father's Day for the first time this year. So last night when I changed Zach's nappy, I asked him, "Zach don't you want to wish your old man a happy Father's Day?". He was whimpering and I thought maybe he understood me. I was imagining at that time he was trying to say how lucky he was to have a father like me before suddenly he opens fire. He peed straight to me, lucky it did't get into my mouth.

That was not the only gift I got. He did not passed motion for the last four days and I was worried. He usually did number two twice a day. He finally did last night. So this morning, I was nealy fainted when I clean him before bath. Like opening a present, you are eager to find what's in the package. His nappy was so full, that every tiny inch of the newborn nappy was filled with the 4 days of excrement accumulated and fermented nicely. The smell was so unbearable I had to run and rub tiger balm to my nose before continue my fatherly job. It took me half a packet of baby wipes to clean all the soil. When that's done, I bathed and clothed him before handed him over to his mama for morning feed. I kissed him one last time before leaving for work and said to my self "Thanks son, that was a great Father's day gift"

Zach & Mama, thanks for the lovely card

Note:
Father's Day is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of June in most countries and Mother's day on 2nd Sunday of May.

Naming Zachary

2010-06-05T11:53:00.004+03:00

We already decided to name our baby Widad Arjuna since we found out that we are having a son. I am responsible for the Arjuna part, because I always wanted classic malay names for my children. So I already have Arjuna, Andika and Satria for boys (means warrior) and Cinta, Kasih, Sayang for girls (mean love, affection, fondness). We have been calling the baby Widad through out the pregnancy until the very last minute, when an arab doctor who did the last ultrasound said that we cannot name him Widad. Apparently Widad is for girls.

We were a bit frustrated, as we really like the name and its meaning (ambition / emotion) plus Arjuna (white / silvery) really sound like a good name. But we also cannot risk other kinds making fun of him for having a girl's name. So we have to look up the baby names guide books again, but still cannot reach the agreement between us until a day before our baby was born (the day Hani was admitted to the hospital).

So what we did was really funny, we vote. We both nominated 3 names and place them in a jar. It supposed to be a straight forward process where each of us have to pick a name from the jar, then Hani will have the honour as the mother to pick one of the two names from the jar in the final round of voting. Like all elections and voting process, they are bound to be criticised and contested. so we have to do it again and again in an elaborate process until finally Zachary Andika was picked (even with Hani's little reservation). Even with Zachary, we cannot confirm on the spelling until 2 days after the baby was born, the time when we have to submit the birth registration. We gone from Zakhery, Zakri, Zakry, before we settled with Zachary.

6 shortlisted names

Voting

Hani really likes Zahin (I hate it. It sounds like a passive, slow, inactive kid)

Hani likes Zarif too, I hated it even more (thought it doesn't sounds right, and I pictured the kid with that name as mediocre)

Zachary = Zachariah = Zakaria = One who reverts to GOD

Andika= Warrior

So Zachary, this is how we named you.

Z buah hati papa dan mama

2010-06-01T09:17:00.005+03:00

25 May 2010

1200 - Hani tiba-tiba call kata yang dia dah ada 'Bloody Show'. Aku pun bergegas lah balik ke rumah, aku cakap kat secretary office aku, Shoba, yang bini nak terberanak.. dia yang memang concern sebab Hani sorang2 tak ada org jaga pun, kata 'Ha you better go hurry, its time'.

1800- Hani memang ada scheduled check up hari ni. Last week dilation dia dah 2 cm, dan dah ada early labour contraction tapi lom ada sakit2 lagi. Dr Sreenisha OBGyne Hospital Al-Ahli kata kalau seminggu ni tak beranak datang semula minggu depan (hari ni). So bila dah ada tanda2 tu kitorang pun datang siap dengan beg2 untuk Hani dan baby, so kalau kena admitted, senang tak payah nak berbalik-balik.

Bila buat CTG test tu, memang comfirm, Hani dah ada labour contraction, tapi dia tak rasa pun sakitnya. Masa tu dilation dia 3cm. Dr. Sreenisha pelik, kenapa dia tak rasa apa2. Tapi memandangkan contraction dia dah regularly, Dr. kena lah admit. Dr. cakap, orang Malaysia dengan Indonesia kalau nak melahirkan memang selalu tak sakit, so dia tanya ada rahsia apa2 ke? ku cakap la kitorang minum air selusuh.

Kitorang pun check in la kat ward bersalin Hospital Al-Ahli yang mewah tu (kos semua dalam 20 ribu, tapi Qatargas lah bayar, kalau bayar sendiri aku bawak Hani gi Hamad Hospital je spital gomen). Sepanjang malam tu kitorang tak dapat tidur. Hani sah sah la nervous. Terima kasihlah kat kawan2 yang datang malam tu bagi semangat. Diorang buat lagi CTG test jam 11 malam, tapi belum masa nak bersalin dan contraction dia pun datang irregular.

26 May 2010

Jam 5.30 pagi, diorang buat lagi CTG, tak ada pulak contraction, nurse tu kata lepas sarapan dia surh hani jalan2 satu hospital sebab nak promote dilation. Kitorang tertidur lepastu. Dengan tak sempat sarapan, tiba2 nurse datang jam 7am siap dengan wheelchair dan ready nak bawak Hani gi labour room. Apa lagi, kelam kabut la aku ngn Hani. Eh dah time ke? Aku dengan tak mandi, just kumur2 mulut dengan ubat gigi je.

Diorang bawa masuk labour room terus sebab kedudukan baby masa tu memang betul2 dah nak keluar, so diorang takut baby lemas kalau biar dalam posisi tu lelama. Kalau tak beranak gak, diorang akan induce. Mesen CTG dipasang setiap masa. Masa jam 7 am tu dia baru buka 4cm. Tapi contraction dah regular dan Hani still tak rasa sakit. Semua nurse, Dr, kagum dengan dia. Jam 12 tgh hari baru dia bukak 6cm.

Lepas dah bukak 6cm tu lah baru Hani rasa sakit.. masa tu mula lah semua ayat keluar.. ayat Kursi dan sebagainya.. yang sedihnya tiba2 dia kata 'Abag kalau ayang ada salah silap kat abang, minta maaf ye' adoiii sebak aku dibuatnya. Tapi aku memang kagum lah dengan dia.. selama ni aku sangka dia lemah, rupanya dia lah pahlawan sebenar. She went all the way without the help of any drugs. Tak ada epidural (aku paksa2 jugak tapi dia tak nak), gas yang ada ubat pelali tu pun dia tak nak.. wahh kemain hebat lagi cik minah ni ye. Aku sentiasa berada di sisi Hani, beri dia kekuatan.

Akhirnya, jam 1355 baby Z pun selamat dilahirkan. Tiba2 rasa sebak. Air mata kesyukuran mengalir ke pipi bila melihat bayi kecil, yang menjadi penyambung kasih kami selamat dilahirkan. Aku cakap kat Hani, 'we are parents'..

Our Bundle of love

Z, bibersihkan sejurus dilahirkan

Proud father, selepas di azan dan iqamat

Proud Mother

Buah hati ku Zachary Andika..

Lagi gambar2 klik SINI

Bawang oh Bawang

2010-04-22T14:47:00.004+03:00

Aku berkejar semula ke pejabat selepas selesai urusan Check up Cik Minah di Al-Ahli. Jam dah menunjukkan pukul 11 pagi. Aku ada kerja yang urgent perlu diselesaikan untuk tender bahagian transport. Sedang aku tekun menyiapkan tender clarification sheet yang perlu di hantar pada bidder, tiba-tiba telefon aku berbunyi..
Kringgg..kringgg.. Nombor yang tertera adalah nombor pegawai senior (Berbangsa Bawang) yang mengganti team leader aku, Parameswara yang sedang bercuti.

Me: Yes bawang
Bawang: Can you come to my office
Me: Can it wait, Im doing something urgent for transport
Bawang: This is urgent too, you prepared a submission for the CEO but your submission was 'screwed up' and low of quality.
Me: How can it be screwed up, it was commented and ammended by Parameswara, nevermind, i'll come over

Aku pun berlari ke pejabat Bawang ni

Bawang: Here, this document has been signed by Parameswara and Krishna, but rejected by the manager, Abdul Rahman.
Me: What seems to be the problem
Bawang: I dont know, look for your self
Me: There's nothing wrong with this paper
Bawang: Here, in a standard format there should be a contract summary table. Did you follow our format? Where did you get this?
Me: This format was taken from the previous Change Order, and Parameswara deleted the table when he commented my draft.
Bawang: Did you ask why? no you did not.

Aku punya lah bengang dengan bawang sorang ni. Mula-mula dia kata aku screw up, lepas tu dia kata dia tak tau sebab apa manager reject document tu. Dia memang sentiasa nak menampakkan yang aku ni tak boleh buat kerja. Bangsa bawang ni memang macam ni lah. Bila ada pangkat sikit mula berlagak macam dia tu maharaja. Aku tak nak generalise lah. Tak semua bawang macam dia ni. Tapi aku selalu lah aku jumpa orang bangsa bawang macam bawang sorang ni.

Lepas tu pandai kata there's nothing personal bila nampak telinga aku dah berasap. Aku resubmit balik kat dia. Lepas tu aku confront dia.. Just now you said you dont know what was wrong with the document, but apparently you do know what the manager wants. And the word screwed up, its a big word to use..
Boleh dia kata no I didnt say that bla bla bla... sudahlah.. kita takkan menang kalau berdebat dengan bangsa bawang. Kalau tak takkan lah bila kata ya tapi diorang geleng kepala.

bawang hanya sedap dalam masakan dan i love bawang goreng.

Have you ever cheated death?

2010-04-20T10:05:00.005+03:00

Mengingati kematian itu sunat dalam Islam supaya kita beringat bahawa mati itu benar dan boleh berlaku pada bila-bila masa saja. Mungkin kita belum bersedia kerana merasakan amal kita belum mencukupi. But as I said, death can come at any time, any where. Aku teringat peristiwa-peristiwa dimana aku nyaris bertemu ajal (cheating death).

Masa umur aku 6 tahun, aku ikut nenek, datuk dan dua mak saudara aku berbelanja barang dapur di Bandar Tangkak. Kalau korang tau ditengah-tengah Bandar Tangkak tu ada jalan besar yang menghubungkan Muar dan Segamat. Memang busy sentiasa. Nenek dan datuk aku berada di kedai runcit di seberang jalan tersebut sementara aku berada bersama dua mak saudara aku tu di kedai kain. Bosan dengan mak saudara aku yang sibuk membeli dan memilih kain, aku tiba-tiba terfikir, dekat seberang jalan tu ada kedai mainan, boleh minta Tok Tan belikan baju askar dengan senapang.

Tanpa fikir panjang, aku terus keluar dari kedai kain, tanpa disedari dua mak saudara aku tu dan terus memecut melintas jalan tanpa menoleh kiri dan kanan. Aku tak nampak apa-apa, fikiran dan mata aku cuma terfokus pada kedai mainan dan baju seragam askar serta senapang. Masa aku berlari aku terdengar bunyi kenderaan membrek serta hon yang hingar-bingar tapi itu semua semacam muzik latar sahaja. Sampai saja di seberang jalan, aku terus mencari nenek dan datuk aku. Tiba-tiba Makcik dan Maklang menerpa serta memelukku sambil menangis dengan kedua mereka menggigil. Kemudian datang Tok Tan dan Tok Na aku. Setelah diceritakan apa yang berlaku, teruk Makcik dan Maklang aku dimarah Tok Tan. Aku masa tu cuma membisu dan tak berkata apa. Bila ditanya kenapa aku melintas jalan, aku kata 'Adik nak gi kedai menan nak suruh atok beli baju askar ngan senapang' Tok Tan, tanpa berlengah terus membawa aku masuk kekedai mainan tersebut dan aku diberi kebebasan memilih apa sahaja yang aku mahukan.

Aku bukan sahaja dapat set uniform askar dan senapang tetapi juga sebuah kereta ferrari merah yang boleh dikayuh tu. Maybe they thought they would have lost me that day.

Peristiwa kedua, ketika aku berusia 12 tahun. Kejadian berlaku di air terjun Kota Tinggi. Masa tu aku satu family berkelah sempena cuti 31 Ogos. Kalau korang tahu air terjun kota tinggi ni ada 3 tingkat. Masa tu tingkat 2 dan 3 masih dibuka kepada pelawat sebelum ditutup kerana banyak berlaku kemalangan yang meragut nyawa pengunjung. Kitorang picnic di kolam antara air terjun tingkat 3 yang paling tinggi tu dengan air terjun tingkat 2 yang tak kurang tingginya.

Kitorang memilih tempat tu kerana keadaan di tingkat bawah terlalu sesak dengan pengunjung. Kat tingkat 2 ni kurang sikit, maybe sebab kawasan kolam nya tak berapa luas dan air yang deras. Semua ahli keluarga aku mandi manda di kolam dekat dengan tebing, air di kawasan tu agak tenang dan cetek. Maybe aku ni agak adventurous, aku pergi berenang ke seberang kolam melalui arus yang deras tu. Aku berjaya sampai keseberang. Macam acara renang 100 meter, lepas cecah blok kena pusing buat satu pusingan kan, aku pun berpatah balik. Tapi sampai di kawasan arus deras tu, aku aku mula letih. Aku cuba gaya bebas, tapi kuakkan tangan aku tak mampu melawan arus yang deras itu. Selepas kehilangan tenaga aku cuba pula gaya kuak dada, tetapi aku masih terus dibawa arus sehingga keluar dari kolam dan melalui sungai yang deras.

Aku nampak sungai tu hilang lebih kurang 10 meter dihadapan. Sambil bunyi air menghempas batu semakin jelas kedengaran. Aku semakin dibawa arus ke air terjun kedua tu. Yang peliknya aku tak panik, dan tidak menjerit meminta tolong. Tiba-tiba ada satu brother yang ketika itu bersama-sama rakan-rakannya di atas tebing ternampak aku yang dibawa arus. Brother ni tanpa berlengah terus terjun dan berenang melawan arus untuk meyelamatkan aku. Aku dibawa ke tebing. Brother tu senyap tak berkata apa. Aku masih ingat bagaimana dia memegang kedua pipi sambil memandang muka ku. Aku tak tahu nak bagi reaksi macam mana. Tanpa mengucapkan terima kasih, aku terus berlari mendapatkan emak ku yang sedang seronok menjamu selera dengan sandwich sardin yang disediakan kakakku Tanti. Aku menggigil memikirkan apa yang berlaku. Tetapi peristiwa ini terus menjadi rahsia hinggalah baru baru ini aku ceritakan pada emak ku. Kalau boleh aku nak sangat berjumpa dengan brother yang menyelamatkan nyawa aku tu. Tapi macam mana? Nama dia pun akau tak tahu. Dan masatu belum ada facebook.

Mengingatkan peristiwa-peristiwa itu buat aku rasa insaf. Dan menghargai kehidupan dan orang disekeliling, keluarga, sanak saudara dan teman-teman.

Buang bayi dan Imam Bodoh

2010-04-12T14:33:00.003+03:00

Sekarang ni banyak sangat kita dengar kes orang buang-buang bayi ni kan. Diorang ni memang kejam lah, binatang pun tak kejam macam tu. Malah lebih kejam dari pembunuh adik Nurin Jazlin. Ni sampai ada buang bayi dalam tong sampah sampai kena gonggong anjing. Buang dalam sungai, dalam longkang. Ramai pasangan yang berumah tangga yang tak dikurniakan cahaya mata, siang malam berdoa nak dapatkan anak, yang diorang ni dah lah tak yah belanja besar buat majlis kahwin, masa mengandung pun tak payah buang-buang duit jumpa doktor gi check up. Beranak pun tak yah tempah-tempah wad, mintak enject ephidural bagai tapi tak reti nak hargai. Kalau tak nak sekali pun bayi tu, tinggalkan lah kat tempat-tempat yang orang boleh selamatkan, macam kat surau ke, (surau yang confirm ada jemaah lah, bukan macam surau kat compound aku ni yg tak ada sapa pergi), depan wisma persekutuan atau mana-mana lah, tak pun depan rumah orang (macam cerita The Curious Case of Benjamin Button tu). Sekurang-kurangnya bayi yang tak berdosa tu masih ada peluang untuk hidup dan di sayangi.

Tiba-tiba aku teringat kes, satu Imam bodoh ni. Sembahyang tonggang-tonggek, janggut panjang sejengkal tapi pendek akal (rhyme la pulak). Kawan aku ni selalu buat part time ambik video pengantin. Ada satu majlis pernikahan kat Johor ni, pengantin perempuan ni adalah anak tak sah taraf. Boleh pulak Imam badigol so'od otak kecik macam semut ni pergi annouce siap pakai microphone sebelum majlis akad tu "Untuk pengetahuan, pengantin perempuan ni adalah anak yang tidak sah taraf, tetapi kita jangan lah menghina dia, kerana bukan dia yang bersalah, tetapi ibu-bapa dia. Jadi pengantin lelaki sanggup kah menerima pengantin perempuan ini setelah mengetahui kedudukan beliau sebagai anak tak sah taraf?" Masa kawan aku tunjukkan aku video tu, geram punya pasal ,aku rasa macam nak baling je video camera dalam longkang (tapi tu videocam kawan aku so tak jadik). Pengantin perempuan tu dah menangis teresak-esak.. bukan ke itu mengaib kan orang? Baik orang tak tahu satu majlis tahu. Tapi kawan aku ni dia edit video tu, so announcement tu dia censored. Tak tahulah itu tuntutan agama ke apa, pasal aku ni tak lah arif bab bab agama, tapi yang aku tahu, mengaib kan orang tu not cool.

Confident je kau

2010-04-08T10:54:00.004+03:00

Tiba-tiba aku teringat kesah seorang kawan aku ni, si Z. Kita orang nak pergi menonton persembahan kat Aswara. Aku janji nak jemput dia dekat stesen LRT Cempaka. Bila aku sampai je, dia senyum-senyum.. aku tanya lah..

Aku: kau ni kenapa?

Z: Hehe Tadi masa aku tunggu-tunggu kau aku tengah on the phone. Lepastu ada satu Gen-2 kelabu berhenti depan aku. Aku terus je naik, duduk seat depan, sambil terus bercakap kat telefon. Lepas beberapa ketika aku pelik kenapa kereta ni tak jalan-jalan? Aku tengok le pemandu tu, macam nak kata hi / assalammualaikum. Aku ingat kau la tadi. Pemandu kereta tu tercengang je tengok aku.. tapi dia tak berkata apa-apa.. cuma tengok aku dengan mulut terlopong. Masatu aku masih kat telefon tu.. Aku senyum je kat dia, sambil tangan kiri aku cepat-cepat bukak pintu kereta dan cabut.. rupanya dia nak pick up orang lain. Malu gila aku siott

Aku: Gelak pecah-pecah perut..

Kesah benar ini berlaku di stesen Cempaka, Ampang, Oktober 2005

Mana lagi zalim? Buang bayi ke makan bayi?

2010-03-25T16:47:00.006+03:00

Minggu lepas, Cik Minah gi la belajar buat cup cakes dengan Yeen. Kira terer jugak la dia. Cantik -cantik gak kek dia buat (sebenarnya deco je, kek yeen dah siap2 masak). Adalah 9 biji semua. Aku yang kononnya tengah on diet ni, memang merembes je lah tengok. So setiap hari aku akan makan satu bila balik kerja. Yang ada lebah tu, aku makan lebah dia. Sedap manis.. patut lah madu lebah tu manis ek. sampailah yang last sekali.. yang ada baby tidur dalam selimut tu. Bila aku nak makan, aku tak sampai hati.. Cik Minah kata tu baby kita orang, Widad yang masih dalam kandungan mama dia tu. So aku cakap le kat Cik Minah, "Ayang makan la baby ni, abang tak sampai hati la" . Cik Minah pun tak sampai hati nak makan.. so.. aku kata, tak kan nak buang, dah la sekarang ni banyak kes orang buang bayi. Zalim lah kan. Kalau makan lak.. macam canibal la pulak.. arghh stress.. last - last aku tanggalkan kepala baby tu, aku suapkan kat mulut cik minah.. yang badan dia aku makan.. ish rasa macam zalim lak..

Ha ni lah cup cakes yang Cik Minah deco tu. (Pic, di curi dari FB Yeen)

So lain kali kalau nak buat cup cake jangan buat motif manusia ek..

Thank GOD for helpers

2010-03-22T11:13:00.004+03:00

Both my wife and I are actually clean freaks. But living in this 3 storey, six bedroom house really, we found the cleaning job is too demanding. While im busy doing school asignments during weekends, my wife only has one day off from work. So Our big house was literally left unkept. The recent dust storm made it worse and transformed our house into a little Rub al-Khali. We feel so embarrased when friends come over and finding their feet stepping in dusts. I hired Filipino cleaners once. I pity the two of them. It took them 5 hours to clean everything. They looked liked forced labours in concentration camps. But I cant rely on their service regularly as they only do cleaning as a part time job. I asked around, and thank GOD, I now have cleaners come to clean the house every week on Sunday. The good thing is I only need pay 100 riyal. Its a bargain i think, considering the amount of work they are doing.

Arghhhh sigh of relief..

Endurance race

2010-02-22T13:50:00.003+03:00

"This too will passed" that was a line from the movie, 'My Best Friend's Wedding'. No matter how terrible or how big your problem is, it will eventually passed. Im currently struggling to complete a dissertation for my Masters Degree, and I have only a month to complete it. At a current rate of progress, the future looks bleak. But I have to be positive, keep my self belief and at the same time be optimistic. I dont aim for an A, a pass is more than enough.

The side effect that Im having now is that I can't concentrate on my work. My mind's so consumed with my dissertation, and I became complacent at work. Its actually embarassing when you make stupid mistakes all the time and your boss has to make all the corrections. I can understad if he pissed at me, because I am pissed at myself. Its time to change. Please brain, be alert and kill those carelessness.

Macau: A world of difference

2010-02-16T08:16:00.008+03:00

We had a daytrip to Macau last November from Hong Kong. The Cotai Jet ferry took us accross the Pearl River estuary to the newly built ferry terminal near the Cotai Strip on Taipa Island. From there we took a cab to the ruins of the Sao Paulo church. This is the main tourist draw in Macau (other than the many casinos). All that remains of the church is an ornately impressive façade, the rest of the cathedral burnt down during a kitchen-mishap in the 1800’s. Despite this, the building remains a powerful statement of the power the Portuguese once wielded in Asia, and is as impressive as the cathedrals of Europe’s old capitals.

Sao Paulo Church

From the Sao Paulo, we climbed the adjescent hill to Monte Fortress. As a Christian stronghold in a distinctly un-Christian neighbourhood, the city’s early Jesuits was constantly concerned about invasion and having their heads chopped off by non believers. In 1617 they began construction of the Monte Fortress, a stronghold that would eventually cover over 10,000 square metres.

View from Monte Fortress

We then, went to Macau’s main square, Largo do Senado. It is located not far from the Sao Paulo church. This area is a slice of the Mediterranean. Cobblestone streets and beautiful colonial buildings line the square, giving it a lazy, laidback charm. We bought some souvenirs but there were quite pricey. We thought of buying Macau's famous Portuguese egg tart, but all the shops were also selling vavi salai terus kembang tekak.

St Dominic’s Church, Largo do Senado

We hailed a cab, and concluded our day trip at the Venetian. This place really remind me of venice, complete with the Companile, palazzo Ducale and the canal. But from the inside it does looks like a grander version of Villagio mall in Doha. You can easily spend a whole day at this place, depending on how much money you have (or won). From the high end shopping to the many entertainment outlets, you'll be spoilt by the choices. They had Cirque du Soleil in the evening when we were there, but we had to give it a miss as we already bought a return ferry ticket back to Hong Kong.

Macau has certainly changed a lot in the last 10 years. It certainly adds more lustre to the city in keeping pace with its more glitzy neighbour accross the estuary.

Grand Lisbao, Hotel & Casino

The Venetian

Live It Love It Hong Kong

2010-02-08T09:18:00.010+03:00

We had a short holiday in Hong Kong from 9-13 Nov 09. This was my second time and Hani's first. We flew Air Asia from Kuala Lumpur, even the accommodation was booked through Air Asia's website. This time we stayed on Hong Kong Island near Causeway bay area. The hotel was so so, nothing like the Nikko on my first visit. The reason was, we want to spend more on shopping.

Hani was not feeling well, and she got tired quickly being 3 months pregnant (she even threw up in the cab on the way to the hotel from the airport). So we usually had early nights and had to cancel a day trip to Shenzen. Apart that and the air pollution that somehow hid the spectacular Hong Kong skyline, I can say we had a great time.

We went up the Peak and visit Madame Tussaud wax museum. The Scream house was great. Then we also went to Hong Kong Disneyland. It was ok, smaller that I had expected, but the dark roller coaster was fun. Other than that we just spent our time walking, enjoying the city's view from Tsim Sha Tsui, and shopping at Kowloon, Tung Chung and Hong Kong Island.

If rice and meat is a must, then there are few halal restaurants around Mong Kok, Kowloon.

Hong Kong Famous neon signs are everywhere

At the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade

Avenue of Stars @ TST

The famous Star Ferry, its a must and it only cost a dime to cross the habour

Hong Kong trams

HSM @ HK Disneyland

HK Disneyland

Bank of China

From the Peak. The air was so much cleaner 10 years ago

Eid 1430: Raya Satu Malaya

2009-11-26T11:59:00.013+03:00

Raya tahun ni, merupakan raya yang paling meriah, padat dengan jadual ziarah menziarah keluarga dan sahabat dan paling expansive. Ialah sebelum ini aku hanya ada satu keluarga, sekarang aku sudah ada dua keluarga, sebelah aku dan sebelah Hani.

Sejak lepas kahwin bulan 6 hari tu kami terus pulang ke Qatar, aku tak sempat untuk mengenali saudara mara Hani. Dia pun macam tu juga. So Raya ni kami dah buat perancangan rapi untuk menziarah saudara mara dan sahabat yang ada dari kedua belah pihak. Siap dengan itinerary. Tak lupa juga buah tangan dari Qatar, Baklava. Sampai excess baggage, dan beg Samsonite besar aku tu pun sampai tertanggal zip.

Bila keluarga dan saudara mara dah bertambah, maka kosnya pun bertambah lah. Pening juga nak aturkan duit raya, nak asing asingkan siapa yang patut diberi lebih. Budget kena cukup. Tetapi, kerana kami sampai Malaysia lagi satu hari nak raya, maka bank2 pun dah tak ada stok duit2 kecil, so aku cuma dapat tukar sedikit RM 10 selebihnya RM 50. Jadi untunglah siapa2 yang sepatutnya aku bagi RM5 tu dapat RM 50. Tak apalah namapun sedekah.

Dalam 2 minggu raya kali ni, kami berjalan dari Johor Bahru ke Tangkak then ke Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Alor Setar, Kangar, Penang. On the way balik singgah semula KL, then Seremban, Melaka, Muar dan beraya semula di Johor Bahru. Memang padat. Ada juga beberapa rumah saudara dan kawan2 yang tak sempat nak dilawat.

Kami pulang ke Doha selepas tamat cuti. 2 minggu kemudian kami pulang semula ke Malaysia sementara menunggu Visa untuk memulakan kerja di syarikat yang baru. Sekembali ke Malaysia, kami sambung lagi beraya.

Sungguhpun letih dan banyak duit habis, tetapi raya kali ni amat-amat menyeronokkan dan bermakna. Selain dapat mengenali saudara mara di sebelah Hani, aku juga berkesempatan untuk melawat beberapa tempat di Utara Semenanjung yang belum pernah aku lawati. Raya kali ini juga, aku dapat bertemu semula dengan beberapa sahabat yang telah lama terpisah selain melepas rindu dengan mama, adik beradik dan anak2 saudara.

Kami sampai lagi 2 hari nak raya. Maka sibuk lah nak buat persiapan. Dengan shopping kuih raya dan pelbagai lagi keperluan lain. Kali ni aku kena allow budget untuk 2 rumah. Ha lihat tu, sampai tak muat but, kasihan mama kena duduk di celah-celah barang-barang.

Pagi hari raya pertama, aku habiskan bersama keluarga mertua di UDA. Kami mulakan dengan bersalam. Kalau di dalam keluarga aku, aku duduk di giliran yang last, kerana anak bongsu, tetapi dalam keluarga ini, aki duduk giliran pertama.. hoho naik pangkat.. Lepas bersalaman, kami semua menunaikan solat sunat hari raya di masjid UDA sebelum makan bersama. Memang rasa sedikit janggal lah, maklumlah pertama kali. Adik beradik ipar pun masih malu-malu lagi dengan aku.

Selesai aturcara di UDA, kami terus ke Larkin. Suasana di Larkin memang jauh berbeza dengan hilai tawa dan riuh rendah anak-anak saudara aku yang 10 orang tu. Belum campur lagi jeritan kakak aku sorang tu, satu flat boleh dengar. Tapi suasana sebeginilah yang aku sentiasa rindukan. Suasa pagi raya bersama keluarga. Seperti biasa kami bersalaman, mohon ampun dan maaf dari mama dan sesama adik beradik. Memang syahdulah, penuh drama. Semua bergenang air mata. Kami bersalam, berdakapan, raya sayang dan rapat sekali. Aku bersyukur dilahirkan dalam keluarga ini. Kemudian acara bagi2 duit raya. Seperti tahun2 sudah, anak2 saudara aku perlu buat persembahan sebelum menerima duit raya dari Ayah Su mereka. Sayangnya persembahan tahun ni begitu mengecewakan. Next year potong duit raya.

InsyaALLAH raya tahun depan tambah seorang ahli baru dalam team kami. Ayah ayah dan Mak saudara sekelian, bersedia ya.

One big happy family

Selesai acara di Larkin, kami pulang semula ke UDA. Sekeluarga, kami menziarah rumah bapa saudara hani di Taman U dan Mak Saudara di Kulai (macamana boleh lupa nama diorang ni?)

Malam hari raya pertama, aku dan Hani bertolak ke Tangkak. Kami menginap dirumah Makcik Mai. Hari raya kedua, kami beraya di kampung mama, di Tangkak. Seperti biasa kami berkunjung ke rumah saudara mara. Di kampung ni semuanya bersaudara, cuma tahu dengan tidak saja. Aku juga dapat berjumpa sahabat yang lama tak bersua, Ali -aka- Kutak. Dia ni sebenarnya dua pupu aku. Disebabkan kami berjiran, jadi aku memang rapat dengannya waktu kecil2 dulu. Kami juga melawat rumah tinggalan Arwah Tok Tan. Tempat aku dibesarkan. Sedih sungguh. Rumah itu hanya menuggu rebah. Malam tu juga kami dikunjungi keluarga sahabat aku, Nuzul, yang kebetulan sedang beraya di Tangkak.

Dari Tangkak, kami ke Alor Gajah, Melaka. Dan tidur semalaman di rumah Nenek (sebelah mak mertua). Kami sampai lewat. Ramai adik beradik mak mertua aku dah pulang. Yang tinggal cuma keluarga kami dan Busu Liza.

Hari Raya ketiga, dari Melaka, kami sekeluarga dengan dua kereta bertolak ke Kuala Lumpur beraya rumah Cik Bedah dan Busu Liza. Aku dan Hani menginap di Hotel Traders. Pada malamnya kami beraya di rumah Da'a dan Mak Lang Nuzul di Keramat. Keesokan harinya kami beraya pula kerumah Razak di Kg. Pandan kemudian menziarah rumah arwah Suffian di Sentul. Kami juga sempat ke pusaranya. Petang itu kami coffee2 di sebuah shopping complex yang baru dibuka, Wangsa Walk atas saranan Da'a.

Pada malam Hari Raya keempat kami meneruskan perjalanan ke Utara. Dan singgah beraya di rumah Rizal di Ipoh. Baru kami tahu dari mana Rizal dapat bakat memasak. Masakan mak Rizal memang sedap. Sampai di Alor Setar, kami menginap di sebuah guest house yang telah bersama ahli keluarga yang lain.

Hari Raya kelima, kami beraya sekitar Alor Setar, kerumah adik beradik sebelah Ayah mertua aku. Dan pada malamnya Aku, dan Hani berkesempatan beraya di Kangar, rumah sahabat yang lama tak bersua, Pak Can. Lengkap perjalanan kami dari Selatan sampai ke Utara semenanjung.

Pada hari Raya keenam, kami bertolak ke Pulau Pinang untuk beraya di rumah Pak Teh, sebelum itu kami singgah beraya di rumah Mak Tam di Sungai Petani.

Pada petang Hari Raya Keenam tu, Pak Teh, Mak Teh dan Muhamad membawa kami bersiar-siar sekitar Bandaraya Georgetown. Terasa macam pelancong pula. Ayah dan ahli keluarga yang lain terus pulang ke Johor. Kami pula menginap semalaman.
Kami singgah semula ke Kuala Lumpur dan Beraya rumah Nina di Sg. Penchala selepas itu sempat merayakan hari jadi Nizar di Bora Asmara. Pada hari raya ke sembilan Kami ke USJ, rumah uncle Duan sebelum meneruskan perjalan pulang ke Johor.

Dalam perjalanan ke selatan, kami singgah di kampung arwah ayah aku di Muar.

...............

Sekembalinya kami ke Malaysia sementara menunggu Visa 2 minggu kemudian, kami sambung beraya ke Kuala Lumpur Rumah Dahliana dan mengambil kesempatan untuk bercuti di Genting Highland bersama Da'a, Nizar dan Razak. Pada keesokkannya kami beraya pula di rumah Azmi di desa Pandan selepas keluar makan tengahari dengan Aidid di Pavilion.

Di Johor Bahru kami sempat beraya di rumah kakak angkat ku Sariati di Kg. Melayu, dan melawat Fakhrul dan Phid yang baru menimang anak kedua.

Kami juga sempat melakukan mini road trip ke Temerloh Pahang, selepas singgah di Tangkak. Yang menariknya, makcik2 aku ni tengah kemaruk tarian poco poco, sampai Hani pun terjebak sama.

Tercapai juga impian Hani yang mengidam nak makan keropok lekor. Kami ke Mersing melawat Pak Uteh

dan seterusnya ke Kota Tinggi melawat Pak Ngah.

Demikianlah corat coret raya 1430 aku kali ini. Semoga bertemu lagi di tahun hadapan. InsyaALLAH

Wrong seat

2009-11-23T14:10:00.000+03:00

This was such an embarrassing story quite frankly. Qatari drives on the left. Sometimes I got confused after spending 2 months in Malaysia and got used to the rules of driving on the right hand side of the vehicles.

One day, after work, I rushed to the company van that was already waiting for me outside. There was someone sitting at the front right (great the driver’s here, I thought). There was someone else cleaning the vehicle outside. He looks familiar. There were few other people near the van. They were chatting. This guy (cleaning the van) smiled. I smiled back and trying to remember if I know him while finding my way to the left seat at the front of the van.

I took the seat, fasten the seatbelt (safety first remember) and smiled at the guy on my right (the one I thought was the driver). He looked puzzled and turned looking at the guy who was cleaning the van (now cleaning the rear window). From the rear view mirror I saw the cleaning guy smiling wider than a normal smile, to a point of breaking into laughter. I did not get it. I continue sitting and thinking why didn’t the driver drive already?

Suddenly, the cleaning guy, open the rear door and said ‘Sir, can you sit at the back?’ I turn to the guy on my right, and said ‘why did he ask me to sit at the back?’ He did not answer, perhaps he doesn’t understand English. Was the seat reserved for someone else? Doesn’t matter it s not a big deal. I got out and took the seat at the back. Suddenly I noticed that there was no steering wheel in front of the guy seated at the front right. Blood rushed to my face when I saw the steering wheel was actually at the left seat. The very seat I just vacated from. Then I checked the rear view mirror, I saw the cleaning guy was laughing his heart out with the other guys who were watching the whole scene. He even pointed his hand at me.

He then took the driving seat, when he regains composure. He was actually the driver. No wonder he looks so familiar. I was just pretending nothing happen and seated stiff like the Abraham Lincoln’s statue in Washington.

Dad to be

2009-10-04T13:28:00.000+03:00

Hani was constantly nauseated and tired since we got back from our Eid holidays. I suspected that she’s pregnant but she was scared or maybe too nervous to try the home pregnancy test kit. We had a couple of false alarms before. It would frustrate her if it turns out negative. Suddenly I received an SMS from her saying ‘mom to be’. I called her and she did the test at work. I was overjoyed. I broke the news to some of my work colleagues and decided to come home early.

I took Hani to Al-Ahli hospital for test and consultation, but the only available slot was in 10 days. We can’t wait that long. So we went to Gulf Laboratory and she had a blood test. We had dinner while waiting for the result. We went to Thai Snack as Hani suddenly had a crave for tom yum. But she threw it all up when we finish eating.
We went back to the laboratory and the result came positive. We were elated. I shook hand with the doc. Hani was 6 weeks pregnant. So all this time during Eid she was already pregnant, but we did not know it. Its weird that only a couple of weeks ago, my aunt, Mak Lang told us that she thinks Hani is pregnant but we said no she was not. We even jealous at Nazim and Sarah who married at the same time as us and already 5 weeks pregnant when we met them last week.We are both excited and at the same time nervous for parenthood. Thank you ALLAH. My only wish is for safety of the mother and the baby to be born healthy and set no preference for its sex.

Meet Me in Istanbul

2009-08-30T13:23:00.002+03:00

It has always been my dream to set my feet in Istanbul. The city breathes with history from the Byzantium, Constantinople, and Ottoman to the modern Republic of Turkey. I remember reading a novel ’Meet me in Istanbul’ by Richard Chisholm when I was 10. Since then I dreamt that one day I would see Istanbul and all its glorious past with my own eyes.

The day finally came. Hani and I decided to have our second honeymoon in Istanbul. We had a great 4 days in this magnificent city enjoying its sights, food, shop, and immerse ourselves in their culture.

26 Aug 2009
The location of the city cannot be more strategic, straddling across Asia and Europe, built around the Bosporus connecting Marmara Sea and the Black Sea. I would say I fell in love with Istanbul at first sight. The taxi ride from the Ataturk Airport to our hotel at Sirkeci was like riding a time machine. In a short distance we were taken from a modern glittering city to a charming old town with maze of cobbled streets teeming with life.

We spent our first day at the historic Sultan Ahmet area. Visiting the major tourist draws like Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque (Sultan Ahmet Mosque), Basilica Cistern and the Hippodrome. This part of the city is so rich with its splendour of glorious past. It was like a dream to see all those magnificent buildings stood strong and real.

Looking down from our hotel's window

The Gate of Salutation - Topkapi Palace

Imperial Council Hall - Topkapi Palace

Dine with a view - Topkapi Palace

Hagia Sophia

Souvenir stall at Sultanahmet Sq

Sultan Ahmet Camii (Blue Mosque)

Obelisk of Thutmosis III - Hippodrome of Constantinople

Basilica Cistern

27 Aug 2009

We spent our second day more leisurely with a visit to New Mosque (Yeni camii) and Egyptian Bazaar before boarding the popular Bosporus Cruise. The New Mosque albeit its name was not new at all, it was inaugurated in 1665, 68 years after it was first built.

The cruise was fantastic and cheap. Instead of sitting still at the deck chairs we spent the entire cruise moving to the port and starboard sides of the ship to catch the sceneries. We did not take the return trip back to the city but went to the famous shopping street on Asian side, Bagdat Caddesi. We were deliriously happy to find a lot of stores were having Indirim (sale). We took a cab to the jetty and back to our hotel when we finally had enough of shopping (or rather had not enough money to shop more). Grand Bazaar was next on the agenda, but we got there about 30 minutes before closing time. It’s a shame they close early or maybe it’s Ramadan. We just have to come back here again.

We went back to the Blue Mosque for Tarawikh prayer. It must say that it was one of the best experiences I had in Istanbul. I just couldn’t describe the feeling I had to be among the thousand of other worshippers from all over the world, under these magnificent domes all trying to rake the fadilat of Ramadan.

New Mosque (Yeni Camii)

Turkish Delight at Egyptian Bazaar

Bosporus Cruise

Maiden's Tower seen from the cruise

Grand Bazaar

28 Aug 2009
Istanbul with it 12 million of population is one of the largest cities in the world spanning wide areas from Thrace to Anatolia. We definitely will not have the time to see all of them, so we only focussed our trip to the three most historic areas of Eminonu (the historic peninsula, Uskudar (on Asian side) and Beyoglu across the Golden Horn.

Today we crossed the Galata Bridge to the hilly Beyoglu and climbed the steep hill to Galata Tower. The view from Galata Tower was superb. It was worth the effort of climbing the steep hill. It reminded me of the view from St Marks Campanile in Venice, only better. We then walked the length of Istiklal Cadessi to Taksim Sq and finally to the huge Dolmabahce Palace. We walked to most of the places and I reckon the benefit of walking for today alone was enough to keep me fit for the rest of the year.

We concluded our tiring day by enjoying a serene and mystical Sufi Whirling Dance performance.

Beyoglu seen from across the Golden Horn

Fishing on Galata Bridge

Galata Tower

Views from Galata Tower

Istiklal Caddesi

Taksim Sq

Dolmabahce Palace

29 Aug 2009
We spent our last day in Istanbul shopping, from the street below our hotel at Sirkeci, Sultan Ahmet and the Grand Bazaar. We bought Ottoman jars, decorative plates, Turkish delights and some other souvenirs. The local vendors always greeted us with the same line ‘Malaysia? Apa Khabar?’ every where we went.

The history, landscape, architecture, food, local folks, everything about Istanbul has left a lasting impression on us. Did I mention the food already? Yes Istanbul offers a smorgasbord board of mouth watering cuisines for you to choose from. Don’t forget the rice and chocolate pudding. We will also miss the stray cats of Istanbul. These cats are clean, healthy, and beautiful and look very much domesticated. I wish I could take one or two home.

One thing for sure, we will definitely come back here again. Istanbul is like a drug we haven’t had enough for.

Shopping for a piece of Istanbul

Dukhan Beach and Zikreet

2009-07-25T20:21:00.010+03:00

Qatar can be a boring place to live for some. We usually spend our past times at shopping complexes or cinemas if there's no invitations for Jamuan (feasts , gatherings). But today Hani came up with an idea for a picnic at a beach. So we headed 84km west to Dukhan. She prepared a picnic basket of Nasi Lemak, mineral water and fruits but did not pack any swimming gear. We did not intend to swim anyway. We set off for Dukhan at 3 pm and took a detour to Zekreet. There was a deserted rustic Arabian village and some beautiful rock formations along the way. We continued our journey to Dukhan beach after taking some pictures.

It was a windy day. We set our picnic basket at a shelter by the beach and had our late lunch. It was hard to enjoy the meal in the gutsy wind. We had our plates and meals blown by the wind a number of times. We thought of heading home after taking some pictures at the beach, but could not resist the temptation to have a dip in the azure water of the Arabian Gulf. We ended up swimming in the sea and did not bother to rinse before heading back to Doha. Well this impromptu trip turned out to be a nice little beach getaway for both of us.

Pictures at Zikreet

Pictures at Dukhan Beach

CAMELS...

2009-07-17T22:57:00.005+03:00

Today, the KBT group in two cars went to Al-Sheehaniya Camel Race Track to see some of these revered creatures in the Arab world. We went to this place without any expectation, but we glad we did. I have never seen that many of camels in my life, but today I have witnessed hundreds or maybe thousands of them practising along the race track getting ready for the upcoming racing season. We drove along the track and taking pictures as if we were in a safari park. The experience being surrounded by these handsome animals (ignore the smell) is not something you see everyday, even in Qatar. Here are some of the photos from the outing.

at dusk

Calvary of camels at war?

Fascinated are we?

Nostalgic?

Afternoon jog?

Driving me MAD

2009-06-13T19:50:00.001+03:00

I finally got my Qatari Drivers License on 9 June 2009. My reluctance and procrastination not to enrol for lessons at driving schools and taking up driving tests earlier was a blessing in disguise. As of last month, Malaysia’s driving licence holders are not required to sit for the local driving tests. It saved me a lot of money, time and not to forget frustrations as the tests were known to be a killer.

The name of the agency was Ar Rayyan Car Rental. The idiot in charge (Again from the Sub Continent) was asking far too much as if we were beggars. First he asked for my passport. I told him why does he needs my passport when I can provide him with my Qatari ID? Then he said they will retain the original passport. I jumped off my seat. What an idiot. We told him that it is against the law to hold someone’s passport. After a long argument, we settled with me providing a copy of the passport. Then he complained that my license was new, so I am not eligible to drive or rent a car. Then We told him, “Who are you to say no when the Government of Qatar has issued me with a licence to drive?”. Then he asked, which driving school I went to for the lessons. Then I said, as a Malaysia’s Drivers license holder, I do not need to go for classes, as our license can be convertible. He was not pleased. Then he looked at my license (both Malaysia’s and Qatari’s) I said “I have been driving since 1998, the license was renewed in 2006” when I noticed he was looking at the issue date of my Malaysia’s license and it shows 2006. The idiot started making some paper work and making copies of the documents. He wanted to make a copy of my credit card, I hesitate but obliged. Then he asked for Rizal’s particulars and keyed them in the database as a guarantor. WHAT THE F@%K?? So if I came here alone, I wont be able to rent a car? I told him that this is stupid. The jerk asked Rizal to explain that the requirements were necessary. Rizal, too was puzzled with all the requirements but was sort of agreed with him. When it all settled, we asked what car was it? He said, “because you are new, we can only give you 2005 Sunny, if you are ok next we’ll give you 2007 Lancer, then we will give you a newer car like 2008 Tiida”. Can you believe that??? My blood was already boiling before he requested for a deposit of 3000 Riyals. “Normal people 2000, you new 3000”. That’s it, this is too much, We walked out the door and left luckily I managed to contact Loo (my officemate) and he suggested a place at Al-sadd. I managed to rent a new Tiida (apparently the only one left) for 1700 Riyals with 3000 deposit with no question asked. So Tiida it is

This is where the drama started. I rented cars countless of times before, in Malaysia, Australia and many other places I travelled. The process was all too easy it can be done in a jiffy. But this place really tested my patient and making my blood ‘go upstairs’.

It was a blistering hot summer day with the mercury hovering around 50 degree Celsius. I did not want to continue our ‘go sees’, so Rizal called the rental agent that supplies rental cars to his company. He confirmed that they have cars available. This must be it, I thought. Rizal rented from them 3 years ago before he bought his Tiida. I may even be getting discounts.

Now that I am eligible to drive, its time to pick the ride. So this morning, I went to search for a car to rent with Rizal. I told him that I was not keen to rent a Tiida (Nissan Tiida is the most common rental car here). We first went to Toyota’s Showroom. I was hoping I can get a Camry, Corolla or any sedan, but nothing was available except 4WDs. Not to despair, we went on hunting for rental companies in Al Sadd. First we tried Al Maha, and again they were fully rented out. We asked the guy his opinion where to look next. He said in a thick sub continent accent ‘Go back street… too much .. too much rent car’. Like child we heeded his advice but the street was jammed and we did not see the ‘too much’ car rental companies he was telling us about.

Honeymoon

2009-06-07T19:42:00.001+03:00

We took a long way back to Doha via Europe. From Singapore we flew to London, stayed for two days, took a Eurostar train to Brussels from London St Pancras for a day trip before heading west to Paris onboard Thalys train and stayed for another two days and back to Doha via London. It was a trip packed with activities, but it was great. We spent a lot of time walking and soaking up the atmospheres of each city.

We could not believed that we were married. All this while we were separated from each other, so this experience was too good to be true. We never gone on a long trip together before, this honeymoon is something that we will remember forever.

We learned more about each other on this trip while enjoying the new experience as a married couple.

Grand Place - Brussels

Tour Eiffle - Paris

The Louvre - Paris

Tower Bridge - London

The Ritz - London

London Eye - London

Palace of Westminster - London

Parc du Bruxelles - Brussels

Fly Me To The Moon ... My wedding ceremonies

2009-06-01T10:51:00.006+03:00

Oh GOD, am I really a married man? I played with the ring that loosely clings on my henna tainted finger, still in disbelief; next to me was my bride, laid face down, sleeping like a baby. We were both extremely exhausted. I just could not sleep. My head was throbbing with headache and my body was feeling rather lethargic. Having had four receptions and ceremonies in five days was tiring. Off course it was fun to get all the attention, meeting all the people you love and cared for, and the ceremonies were all beautiful and grand but having FOUR of them??? I wouldn’t hesitate to trade it with a drive-in wedding like those in Vegas. One of my close friends even said it was like I was married four times to a same woman.

We had one day off after the Majlis Nikah dan Berinai (Solemnation Ceremony) on Thursday. We spent that Friday for last minute preparation for the next three ceremonies to be taken place three days in a row. Driving the entire breadth and length of this sprawling metropolis the whole day, the distance I guess enough to get me to the moon and back. Oh did I mention I helped my father in-law clearing the tree branches from the tents area and I got my arms scratched all over? My wedding planner, Sam was screaming when he saw the red scars all over my arms. “What your father in-law did to you? Didn’t he know that you are a Dermalogica guy and not some cheap labours?”. I thought it was funny .Off course I want to prove to my father in-law that I am a son that he never has. Eveready for any tasks only fit for a man. And yes, I am the eldest in the family now, what a steep promotion from being the youngest in my own family.

30 May 2009

Majlis Bersanding – Bride’s side

Again I did not get enough sleep, but I was excited, my whole family was excited especially my nieces and nephews. My entourage was wearing Red. They looked stunning and obviously overjoyed. Well my family love playing dress up. I bought the all the fabrics from Al-Ghaliah store at Souq Al-Diera, Doha. A set of red and another set of white for the formal reception tomorrow. I was wearing purple though. Not my favourite colour in the world, but hey this isn’t my function so I just have to wear them and put on my happy faces. The clothes or shall I say costume was a resemblance of what a Malay Sultan would wear, complete with a Keris (dagger), Tengkolok (head gear) and all the accessories befitting the Raja Sehari (King for a day) title (but in my case a king for four days). My elder brother, Om was my best man. He too looked dashing and can be mistaken as the groom (If I wasn’t there off course). Apart from mom, Along (my eldest brother) was the happiest. He couldn’t make it to my Nikah. Our procession from the Rumah Bersanggar (A place / house where the groom’s family gather and rest) to my bride’s house was accompanied by a Kompang (a Malay traditional percussion instrument) troupe, running through two housing blocks. Imagine the otherwise quiet neighbourhood being stormed by the thunderous sound of Kompang. People went to their doors wondering who was getting married and maybe they were pissed that we woke them up from their nice weekend afternoon naps. I was just waved to the onlookers pretending like a king on a royal parade. I even called Om Datuk Bendahara (Prime Minister).

We were greeted by a man performing Silat (a Malay martial art) upon our arrival. I saw some familiar faces among the guests. They are my ex-colleagues from MMHE, where I met my wife three years ago. We were stopped by a series of ‘Tolls’ by my wife’s siblings and relatives from the entrance of the house right to the Pelamin (a decorated seating for the bride and groom like a throne). They won’t let us through without some angpau (cash envelope) for all the gate keepers. My eldest and second brothers, Angah and Along were assigned to get rid of the gate keepers by bribing them with angpaus. No wonder our country so corrupt. Corruption are everywhere even at weddings and it even accepted as tradition. The last gatekeeper was the Mak Andam (Wedding planner / make up artist) herself. She would only reveal my wife’s face after getting a huge ransom from us (RM 100). It was so funny, Along did not gave her RM100 in lump sum but an RM10 in each envelope. She peeked on each angpau and said it wasn’t enough. When she finally did, I saw the face of my beautiful wife smiling, clenching her lips tight as she was holding her laughter from bursting out from her tiny diaphragm.

The Toll

Next on agenda when I was seated was the Upacara Menepung Tawar (Blessing ceremony by the elders). We had the elders from both sides of the families take turn to offer their blessing by performing a ritual that include placing henna, rice flour water, pot pouri of pandanus leaves and rose water on our palms. Along was really emotional during his turn to Menepung Tawar. He wept so hard he even got the emcee noticed. I was so touched and was unable to hold my own tears from the reservoir. We hugged and he kissed both my cheeks. At that moment I knew he was proud of me. He was relieved from his promise to Encik (my late father) to look after me and my other siblings. I never felt this close to him in my life. It never occurred to me that he loved me that much.

We had a photo session after having a sumptuous meal at Makan Berdamai (Formal feast for the Bride & Groom and the Groom’s family). While we busy at the photo shoot, Om was enjoying what he does best, karaoke-ing. He even partnered with Hanis. What a nice collaboration between the two families.

From traditional Malay costume, we changed to more western outfits for the Cake Cutting. The Power of Love song by Celine Dion and Kaulah Segalanya (You’re everything) by Ruth Sahanaya were on the background. They were Hani’s favourites.

We had a rather informal and casual outdoor photo session before the ceremony concluded. It was not a typical bridal photo session; we had our photos taken by the drain, bus stops, road sides and back lanes. We had so much fun. The photographers even commented that they had never worked with such a sporting and sempoi (cool) pengantin (bride and groom) before.

31 May 2009

Formal Reception

The day started with a formal rehearsal and some last minute preparations was still ongoing. I was pleased with the setting of the Pelamin (throne), flower arrangements, music etc. It was so beautiful, simple but elegant, subtle but grandeur. Thanks to my best friend, Sam who’d assume the role of wedding planner and the rest of the team.

My nephews and nieces once again led the procession. When the main door opened, we were shrouded in a white smoke. Once the smoke cleared we saw everyone was standing with wide smiles welcoming the Raja Sehari. Everyone look so stunning in white. The Gamelan music that accompanied the procession exudes the regal moods and adds elegance to the ceremony. I was deliriously happy to see a lot of people that important to me present on that day. I cannot stop my tears from falling when I was hugged and kissed by family, relatives and friends one by one along the red carpet. There were layers of people standing close to the aisle to get a close look at us. I can’t stop smiling along the way to the Pelamin. It was like both ends of my mouth were hooked to my ears.

The ceremony was conducted in Malay and English hosted by Marina and Nizam. It sounded and looked like a televised wedding of a royalty. Asrul on the other hand brilliantly played the role of a floor MC.

I wept like a baby when Mak Cik and Mak Lang offered their blessings during the Menepung Tawar rite. They were like mothers to me. They brought me up and look after me like theirs. I will be forever indebted to them. I am sure they were proud to see their little Adik Syam now a married man.

A slide show depicting our colourful life was shown during lunch, I didn’t eat much though; the environment was too exciting to be missed.

While we changed into another outfit for the cake cutting ceremony, Asrul kept the guests entertained with his renowned antics. There were lucky draws and best dress competitions. The guests were also entertained by performances by Ikhsan and Indra.

The air was less formal when we re-entered the ballroom for the cake cutting ceremony. We were like those film stars on a red carpet attending a world premier. Guests, some who’d just came once again lined up on each sides of the red carpet for an opportunity to shake hand and get a close look at us, their stars for the day. That was one of the most memorable walks I have taken in my life. We had a 7 tier dummy cake for the ceremony that looks far from convincing, but they were pretty nevertheless. Fly me to the moon track by Jean Marrie Riachi was played as a background for the event, from the walk to the cake cutting. I can still literally feel the whole event every time I hear the song.

We each then gave our speech. We were both quite emotional during our speech. Mine especially. It’s embarrassing when I think about it again. Erase erase…

The ceremony was concluded with a superb performance by Liza singing I will always love you where we had our first dance.

Our First Dance

1 June 2009

Majlis Bertandang

How I wish I could just lie down and rest in the Honeymoon Suite provided for us by the hotel. I don’t know if I can last the whole day. Mom insisted to have this additional ceremony at Flat Larkin for her friends and relatives who couldn’t make it to the one held at The Zon yesterday.

It’s Asrul turn to do the make up for Hani. He still has not lost his touch. At least Hani still look stunning in the light green frock from Moyang Art.

There was no Limo Service, so we had to drive ourselves from the hotel to Bandar Baru UDA where we were joined by the bride’s entourage then to Flat Larkin Hall. It was so funny; we sure looked like a pair of pengantin kahwin lari.

It was a scorching hot day. With headache from last night still linger and now the heat stress, I wish I could call off the event. I can’t hide my resentment, it shows on my face. I said to myself, it will be over soon. Mom really put an effort. With all the support at her disposal and her life long experience with weddings, the wedding ceremony at Larkin looked like a scene from a movie of P.Ramlee’s era. The Kompang, the Silat, the Kuda Kepang, the Zapin, you name it. Everything was meticulously done, from the setting of the Pelamin, the food and the hall deco. Apart from the heat which was beyond our control and the nuisance from the karaoke singer during the Menepung Tawar, and the sound system hiccups during the Zapin show, everything else was perfect.

My journey in marriage life was just begun with the conclusion of my rather elaborate wedding ceremonies, but I thank ALLAH for giving me Hani as my Jodoh.

Sah ... Majlis Nikah dan berinai

2009-05-28T22:52:00.005+03:00

I did not get to sleep last night. My mind was active thinking of what my future is going to be like. Tired of tossing and turning, I got out bed and joined Along and Om watching Champions League Final on tele. I went to bed again after the game, and only managed to get some two hours of uninterrupted sleep.

At 8.30am, my entourage was ready with all the ‘hantaran’ (Gifts for the bride) and we arrived at my now parents in law’s house just before 9.00 am. I tried to hide my apprehension. I believe all my trainings and participations in debates and acting were paid off. I managed to put on a game face and acted cool even though my hands were actually trembling and my heart was pounding as fast as a steam engine on a locomotive.

I took my place on a specially made mattress for the groom opposite the Kadi. The rather long ceremony started off with a sermon and recitals of all sort of vows etc2. I was still maintaining my composure and did not really pay attention to what was going on around me. But everything went blank the moment when the Kadi hold my hand (in hand shake position) for ‘Akad’ and started to utter the Ijab, (he suddenly changed the pitch of his voice from mellow to somewhat hard). It was like I was transported into another dimension where there were only me and the Kadi. The murmur that was previously filled the space went quiet. Without thinking, I made the Lafaz Qabul as soon as the Kadi gave the signal. Words just came out from my mouth loud and clear in a single breath. Without hesitation, he said ‘Sah’ to the witnesses and recited a prayer. I was so relieved. It was like a burden being lifted off my shoulders.

After the ‘Akad’, it was time for the ‘Batal Air Sembahyang’ ceremony, where I presented my wife with the dowry, gift and exchanged rings (But in my case I put on a necklace on her neck instead). When it all done, I supposed to perform a ‘Solat Sunat Syukur’ (prayer) but I rushed outside and had a cigarette. What a relief.

After meal, we changed into a green Songket for Majlis Berinai. In this ceremony, the bride and groom were blessed by the elders from the both side of families.

I still cannot belief that I am now a married man. But I am thankful to ALLAH that made it all easy for me to perform his call. To my beautiful wife... I'll do my best to make you happy.

Qatar OK

2009-05-21T09:32:00.000+03:00

Diam tak dia dah nak masuk 6 bulan aku berkelana di Qatar ni. Masa mula-mula datang dulu macam-macam yang aku tak suka tentang Qatar ni. Ada saja yang tak kena pada aku. Tapi bila dah lama sikit, bila dah boleh menyesuaikan diri dan kawan pun dah bertambah, aku jadi suka pulak. Suka maybe a little underrated, aku boleh kata aku dah mula menganggap Qatar sebagai rumah kedua aku. Dengan peluang dan rezeki yang ada di sini dapat aku membantu keluarga kalau tak banyak pun sedikit.

Dari Jemapoh ke Manchester : Episod 1

2009-05-20T19:17:00.001+03:00

London

13 May 2009

Flight aku pagi, macam biasa Kaduk hantar aku ke airport. Aku bawak satu beg kabin je tapi punyalah berat dan padat, yelah pasal aku akan terus balik kahwin lepas tu. Bila sampai Heathrow, aku terkenang saat-saat masa first time datang London tahun 2007. Masa tu aku pergi berenam, ada Arwah Suffian, Sam, Che Noni, Kak Long ngn Farid. Senyum2 aku teringat Sam kena tengking ngn immigration officer masa tu, pada hal belum sampai turn dia. Masa dia waiting in line tu, officer tu (bukan mat saleh pun) dengan kiurang ajarnya tunjuk kat Sam, lepas tu jerit kuat-kuat ”You, You’ What you do?” Terkujat Sam sambil terketar-ketar jawab ”I am an architect”. Kali ni aku masuk UK tak ada masalah, pegawai immigresen tu punya lah budiman (Org putih) siap sempat borak2 lagi ngn aku.. pasal aku kata aku nak shopping untuk wedding aku kat London.

Lepas semua clear, aku gi tempat hisap rokok kat luar terminal tu. Kat situlah dulu aku hisap rokok ngn Arwah sampai-sampai je kat London. Lepas tu aku naik Tube, dengan kad Oyster yang sama dan turun kat Willesden Green.

Cuaca kat London masa tu sejuk jugak, aku pulak memang tak bawak baju2 tebal, dengan cuaca mendung, gigil2 jugak lah aku berjalan ke Sarawak Foundation House yang letaknya dalam 800m dari stesen ketapi tu. Zaitun yang book tempat ni, pasal murah. Kawasan neighbourhood Rumah Sarawak ni memang cantik, penuh dengan pokok2 besar dan redup, dengan rumah2 yang dihias bunga2 pelbagai warna. Ada nota kat pintu rumah tu. Penjaga tu tak ada, dia suruh call. Aku masa tu dah tak tahan nak terkencing dah ni. Aku pun try call guna no Qtel aku, Call not allowed, text pun tak boleh.. apa lah Qtel ni.. lepas tu aku cuba pulak Digi, tak ada credit pulak. Aku memang dah tak tahan dah ni.. dah hujung2 dah.. Aku tak ada pilihan, aku sembunyikan beg aku kat belakang planter box depan rumah tu, then aku lari pergi lorong sebelah rumah tu, setelah aku pasti semua line clear, aku pun go with the flow lah.. hahaa.. hmm kalau org perempuan macamana agaknya kan.

Hmm aku dah mati akal dah, macamana nak call penjaga rumah tu. Last-last aku dapat idea, aku keluarkan laptop, register wifi pakai credit card, then call dia guna Skype. Tak lama lepastu orang tu pun sampai.

Bila dah selesai semua, aku pun relax2 kejap sementara menunggu Christy.

Petang tu, hujan lah pulak. Tapi hujan kat England tak lah lebat macam kat Malaysia. Aku berjalan dalam hujan ke stesen ketapi. Tunggu punya tunggu Christy tak sampai2, so aku pun rayau2 sekitar area tu, sempat singgah Sainsbury lagi beli pisang dan sedikit makanan. Lepas tu aku masuk restoran fish n chips yang dekat dengan stesen tu dan lepak makan situ.

Bila Christy sampai, aku pun bawak dia ke Rumah Sarawak tu. Kitorang terus click.. padahal tak pernah jumpa ni. Kitorang lepak2 kat kitchen sambil Christy menceritakan apa yang berlaku kat Da’a ngn Zaitun. Lepas dah hilan penat, aku bawak Christy jalan2 melihat pemandangan kota London di waktu malam dan akhirnya had supper di satu restoran dekat Covent Garden.

14 May 2009

Kalau mengikut perancangan asal, hari ni sepatutnya kitorang buat London City Tour, tapi memandangkan Da’a ngn Zaitu akan hanya sampai malam nanti, so aku bawak Christy pergi Bicester Village Outlet Mall kat Oxfordshire. Masa dalam keretapi tu, borak punya borak, rupanya Christy lah yang uruskan hal recruitment aku masa nak masuk Shell dulu. Jumpa jugak akhirnya. Aku tak beli banyak barang pun kat Bicester Village tu, kerana memang aku tak nak shopping pasal banyak duit nak guna untuk majlis aku nanti. Tapi tetap jugak terbeli 2 scarves Burberry dengan sehelai baju Ralph Lauren, yelah teket keretapi nak ke sana pun dah mahal kan, takkan balik tangan kosong pulak.

Sebelah petangnya, kitorang jalan-jalan kat Bond Street (yang mana aku beli Rantai Berlian Tiffany untuk hantaran), Oxford St, sebelum concluding our shopping day at Harrods ngn Harvey Nichols. (Oh ya aku beli coklat untuk hantaran kat Harrods. Main beli je tak baca2, rupa2 coklat tu yang jenis ada alcohol, ada rum, wine etc. Aku Cuma tahu pasal tu bila habis majlis, masa Hani ngn famili dia dok makan2 cokelat tu.. adoii malu gila aku..)

Lepas Da’a ngn Zaitun sampai, kitorg pun gi makan malam kat area Willesden green tu je. Makan kofta dan grill2 yang biasa orang Arab makan tu. Banyak jugak kedai makanan halal kat area ni. Lepastu kitorang lepak2 je kat rumah, meeting untuk reshedule diorang punya trip, sambil showing off barang2 yang aku ngn christy beli kat da’a ngn zaitun.

15 May 2009

Hari ni aku jadik official tour guide kat diorang. Kitorang keluar agak awal jugak. Mula-mula kitorang pergi Westminster, tengok Parliament House dengan Westminister Abbey. Kitorang breakfast makan sandwich yang dibeli kat Sainsbury on the way ke train station pagi tadi kat garden sebelah Westminster. Seronok jugak main lompat2, lari2 macam budak kecik.

Lepas puas bergambar kat park tu, aku bawa diorang ke Leichester Sq, beli teket theatre untuk show malam ni. Then kitorang berjalan kaki melalui Soho, Picaddily sebelum berhenti lepak kat Trafalgar Sq. Lama jugak kitorang lepak kat Trafalgar Sq tu untuk menghilang kan penat. Yang diorang ni all out ambil gambar kat setiap penjuru dataran tu.

Dari Trafalgar Sq, kitorang berjalan ke Buckingham Palace melalui The Mall. On the way tu kitorang terserempak Askar2 British tengah buat raptai untuk upacara apa tah, so berpusu-pusulah kitorang dengan pelancong2 lain tengok raptai kawad ala-ala hari kebangsaan. Macam scene dalam movie2 civil war pun ada, dengan askar British berseragam merah dengan topi berjambul tu.

Kat Buckingham kononnya nak tengok Changing of Guards, tapi manusia punyalah ramai so tak kuasalah kitorang nak berhimpit2, tengok dari jauh je. We then had lunch kat satu restoran ni. Set meal dia 10 pound je. Memang sedap dan layanan superb. We took our time enjoying our lunch sambil borak2.

Lepas makan kitorang naik tube ke Russel Sq. Da’a ngan Zaitun nak tengok patung lilin kat Madame Tussaud. Diorang dah beli teket online masa kat Malaysia lagi. Dekat stesen tube tu ada kedai souvenir besar. Kat situ ada agen jual teket bola. Da’a memang nak sangat pergi tengok match EPL ni. Infact this was the reason dia datang Europe, to see Man Utd play at Old Trafford. This match in particular, is the most important one. If Man Utd win or draw the Championship is theirs. The match pulak lawan Arsenal. Team kesayangan aku, tu yang aku pun semangat sama nak tengok. Sebenarnya kitorang memang dah cuba macam2 cara nak beli teket match ni. Tapi sold out. So bila agen ni kata ada teket, kitorang grab je, walau pun mahalnya ya Rabbi sampai beratus2 pound. Teket yang sepatutnya berharga 30 Pound kitorang beli at 120 Pound each. So besok pagi2 kitorang kena naik ketapi gi Manchester lah.

Teket tu kena collect in 1 hour so, Da’a ngan Zaitun proceed ke Madane Tussaud. Sementara diorang berdua tengok patung2 tu, aku dengan Christy habiskan masa ronda2 area Marylebone tu. Kitorang menapak sampai sakit2 kaki, dah la sejuk. Dekat hujung2 High Street tu ada pulak kedai farmasi besar, siap ada kerusi urut. So kitorang pun apalagi, berurut percuma lah.

Dari Russel Sq. kitorang naik tube sekali lagi ke Westminster. Kali ni kitorang melintasi Jambatan Wesminster ke Southbank. Da’a ngan Zaitun sepatutnya naik London Eye, kerana teket Madame Tussaud tu include sekali dengan London Eye ride, tapi they decided to do that later, sebab diorang akan balik semula ke London dari Manchester nanti. To kill the time kitorang pun lepak2 baring2 kat padang depan Bangunan shell kat Southbank tu untuk meregangkan otot2 yang kejang sambil berangan betapa bestnya kalau dapat kerja di Shell london tu. Gi kerja naik ketapi turun kat Waterloo, petang2 boleh jogging kat Queens Walk tepi Sungai Thames tu.

Dari Southbank, kitorang melintas Pedestrian Bridge semula (sebenarnya aku nak naik ketapi kat waterloo then turun kat London bridge, tapi Da’a ngan Zaitun tak dengar aku jerit2 suruh diorang patah balik). So bayangkan betapa jauhnya kitorang berjalan kaki sepanjang sungai dari pedestrian bridge tu sampai ke Tower of London. Macam nak tercabut lutut dibuatnya. Sampai2 Tower of London pulak, hujan.. so kitorang lepak makan2 kat satu restoran dekat2 situ. Tunggu hujan berhenti.. tapi hujan tak behenti jugak, malah makin lebat.

Dalam hujan2 tu jugak kitorang berlari ke stesen Tower Hill dan berkejar ke Theatre District. We made it to the theatre just before the show started. Kitorang tengok Chicago. Diorang punya acting, dancing and singing were better than the movie version. Tapi kerana keletihan, aku siap tertidur masa last-last part tu.

Kitorang terus balik rumah lepas theatre, packing dan tidur, pasal esok aku ngan da’a kena bertolak ke Manchester pagi2. Zaitun ngan Christy akan spend the day kat London, dan bertolak ke Manchester sebelah petang.

Bersambung

Aku dah lama plan trip ni dengan Da’a, sebelum datang Qatar lagi. Trip ni sepatutnya trip Rombongan Cik Kiah POK Fc. Tapi last last Cuma Da’a, Zaitun ngn Christy je yang pergi. They all cover Italy, Spain, Paris ngn UK (London & Manchester). Sayangnya aku tak dapat join the whole trip pasal dah suntuk sangat dengan tarikh nikah aku. So aku fly Qatar Airways dari Doha, jumpa diorg kat London then fly to Singapore from there. Something happened pada Da’a ngn Zaitun kat Itali, malam sebelum aku terbang ke London tu, so diorg kena stay Italy lagi satu hari, Cuma Christy je yang akan fly ke London esok.