News in brief...

Justice
If you follow the latest news, at least somebody has been noticing. Not only notice but actions had also been taken on somebody who's called Datuk in regards to his mis-behaviour towards the people. This is what some of us have been waiting for. The news is here.

Our own LRT stunt
I was shock to see the news about our STAR-LRT dangling above one of the street in KL. The last time something like this happened about 2 years ago when the monorail tyre exploded without any reason. More.

Politics - current and ex PM issues
I'm kind of a bit tired reading about these related news. Some of us just have to learn to let it go. Yeah, I know, the intention is for the best of our country, but with the current situation now, and how some 'press' uses it as a way of selling their prints - its just does not reflect good for our country. Just imagine our own people having disagreements on the front page of the local newspapers! And they are not normal people - they are our current and ex-PM. Some other people are already sick and tired about it.

Quintuplets
A mother, gave birth to a set of quintuplet (it means 5 babies at one go) last week. This was her first pregnancy after 7 years of marriage. When I first read the brief news - I can guess she underwent a fertility treatment based on the basic info-which was true. Unluckily for her, all her babies weighed 500gms - 800gms passed away a few days later. I guess they were a bit too small. Putting ourselves in her shoes, its kind of exciting and nervous to get 5 babies at one go- but the risk is definitely high. Undergoing such treatment will definily give you a higher chance of getting more than one baby at one time - due to the treatment given, you can have more than 1 egg and sometimes up till 10 eggs. Just imagine if all manage to survive! Anyways, mom has other things to do after this.

Raya Open houses
Without exception, Raya is one of the most look forward events/celebrations of the year. People and relatives look forward to go and visit each other especially when they get invited for the 'Open Houses'. So far, I've received 2 invitations and I have to turn down both as I had /have to work on both dates. Hmm.....its ok. Look at the bright side - I won't be eating too much if I manage to avoid some of these houses. However, I would love to go to a few, if time permits.


Others
A trip to KK last weekend was made worth it. Other than watching the cagers played in the Penang Open U-16, we also had a game with the young ones. Myself, Sir Liew, Abang Ise and Qassim played in the team against the junior Cagers on a '4 on 4' , of 2 quarters game. After a one month fasting month break with only 1 basketball session, I found myself panting like as if my heart is coming off and there's not enough oxygen for me to breath...(talk about being fit). At the age of 60+, Sir was much more fitter than I am. it was really embarassing.I really got to work out and get myself prepared for the coming intensive camp in December. I got to start using the Celebrity fitness free pass already...this is the time.

Satu hari di hari Raya....

This morning,
Went to my mom's place
But she had left for the mosque
Brought over chocolate cake for her as usual
So left it on the kitchen table
Sat down and watched what was on Local TV and Astro
Waited for a while and since she did not return until at about 10.00am
I guess she went to her friend's place
As that was what she had planned the night before
Then I left for a friend's place
A friend which I last met was during Raya last year
When I was in a really bad state
And I ate my first Raya meal there
Complete with Laksa Johor, ketupat palas,rendang and sambal goreng,
Sat down and chatted with her for a while
Later started work at 1.00pm
And that was how
I spent my raya for this year

Last days of Ramadhan, and the arrival of Syawal...

Departing with friends, whether you know its for permanent/semi permanent coz you or them are going far away, or for temporary, especially when they are going back to their hometown to celebrate Raya, has always been a touchy moment for me.

Last Friday, K.Ana and her family went back to Segamat for Raya.
Yesterday, a kiss and a big hug from a girlfriend, and his son, made me shed some tears.

This year, for the second year in a row, I'm going to spend my time working through out Raya,
Not that I was not allowed to take any leave.
It was my choice to work .
As I believe this would be the best choice for me for the time being.

To all my friends, families and also people whom I love like my own brothers and sisters, I would like to wish all of you :

Selamat Hari Raya & Maaf Zahir Batin

Hopefully all of us will get to see next year's Ramadhan , Insya Allah.
And would pray it to be a better one for me,hopefully.


p/s;
To Dilla and Family - thanks for the beautiful, personalised Raya card. That was my first for this year!
To the Landmarks gang -thanks a bunch for the cards. In total, I got 4 cards from Landmarks. It did add up to the numbers of Raya cards received though...hehehe...
And also a surprise Raya card from David - out of the blue. Thanks !

Broadband and its frustration...

The last date I updated something in here was on the 12th then after that none. Not that I don't have anything to write, but I'm a bit lazy and frustrated.

Since I have already owned a PC at home complete with Streamyx - I expected the internet connection to be up and running seamlessly,to make with worth the amount that I need to pay monthly and also the quality and standards that TMnet has portrayed in their ads. However, it was really frustrating when my first weekend, which I look forward to 'romance' my new Streamyx had gone down the drain as there was something wrong with the connection.

I had to call TMnet 3 times - and only on the 3rd time, the guy said , "oh there might be some problem with your browser as you seem not to be able to surf any sites at all. We will raise a report and it will be solved within 2 working days" What! 2 working days?? That will only be on Monday or Tuesday then. Then there's no point of me having the great, advertised, Streamyx as I won't be able to use it at all for about 3 days.Arghh!! This was so frustrating. After having the excitement of looking forward to spend time at home with my PC, now, they gave me the bad news.

On Sunday, I was supposed to go to KK with K.Ana to watch Cagers playing. But it was more than 15 hours away - I needed to do something else to kill my time.My mind was thinking really hard on how shall I spend my 'spoilt' Saturday afternoon when I accidently came across TV3 which was showing a Hindi movie. As usual, Hindi movies are about youngsters and love. But this one was a bit different. It was love between 2 single parents with 2 and 4 adult childrens and how they disapproved the relationship. What attracted me to really watched the movie was the father in the film looked so charming and handsome. He had this look that kind of attracted me to watch him instead of the movie. I thought he looked familiar - well, I think he was Rishi Kapoor. Eventhough he's old and put on a lot of weight, but he looks charming. Hmm...how shall I explain this. He's like John Travolta who looks much more handsome nowadays compare to his younger days...hahaha....

Anyways, watched the movie till end, and then got a precious call from K Ana asking me to sleep over her place that night so that we can shoot off early tomorrow morning. After giving a last try on my internet connection, which still fail miserably - I packed my things and left for her house at about 8pm.

And that distracted my frustation temporarily.Thank god.

Trip to Frasers Hill

Few weeks ago, my friend had a job needed to be done in Frasers Hill. She offered me to join her , but since I was supposed to be working , but still couldn't resist the temptation as I have not been to Fraser's Hill as far as I can remember (I think my memory is still quite good), I agreed to send her there and join her for a night stay only.

Actually, I was planning to go to Genting a few days before that. I needed a change of temperature and environment. But the plan was cancelled as after doing some calculation - it was not worth it. And when the offer to Fraser's Hill came, I just can't resist. I was told that Fraser's Hill is even higher than Genting - so it should be colder. But also not to expect much as the town is really, really tiny. So off we went for about 2 1/2 hours drive from KL.


Here we are - almost arriving. Glad to see the signoard as the road was very narrow and winding. Can't imagine if a bus were to go up there. The driver must be really good, crazy or forced to drive up or get fired!

Haa!! Ladies and gentlemen, this is 'the' Fraser's Hill town centre. It's kind of situated around the 'round-a-bout' / tower clock. How small is it? Well, Just about 5 minutes walking, and you'll cover the whole town!

That evening, we went for a brisk walk session - this was the view from the top of the golf course. Very serene and peaceful...I love this place

We came across this signboard in town....really old. Check out the language...


And I love this police station. It looks old but yet new.


And this is one of the nice looking bungalow with lots of flowers on the front. But the truth is - its ruined down and looks kind of scary with the broken windows....


You got to drive really, really slow in order to check out the names on this signboard.

And I love this building/house. I reminds me of the movie 'Bukit Kepong' - the police quarters...

Plans. plans, plans

Hmm..let's see...

Last year, I managed to spend sometime and buka puasa with my cousins in Singapore for a few days, maybe 2 of the weekends in that 1 month.So, this year, I planned to do it again as I just don't feel like staying at home, and buka puasa alone on weekends.


So, 2 days back, I planned myself well, contacted Esty in Jb , asking her whether she'll be around when I arrive. And then sms my cousin in Singapore checking her schedule for this coming Saturday and Sunday. As everything went well, and I was just about to wait for the next day to get my bus tickets, I received an sms. Something written like this:

sms 1 - 'We are going to KK this weekend for a basketball tournament. Want to join us? " Hmmm..KK and basketball tournamenet sounds interesting but since I've sort of made promises with my cousins, I turned down the offer.

my reply 1 - "maybe not. I plan to go to Singapore. Y?"

sms 2 - " Its ok then."

Suddenly, a few minutes later....

sms 3 - "Well, Coach wants you to go to KK and watch this tournament. We'll go Sunday and return on Monday morning before you start work"

my reply - " Ok. I'll go to your place Sunday morning then." (feeling a bit better now)

I knew this was the answer I wanted to give in the 1st place when the offer was made. I just needed the push factor and I also felt guilty as I had made some plans. But knowing my basketball 'part time' work schedule, anything can happen in the last minute. That's for sure.

Esty, K.Noli and K.Eda - sorry, got to make it another time. Hmm...maybe to your open house after raya..hehehe.....

My first blog from home

I've been quite tight up with a few things this past few days. With the 'worst' haze condition in Klang Valley, I fell sick since Friday and had no energy to do other things other than going to work. I got running nose, sore throat, fever, cough and athsma almost immediate after a 1 day warning - that started of with a sore throat. It was really, really bad, until my 'buka puasa' trip to JB on Saturday was a bad one for me as I couldn't talk much to the girls, and I was 'suffering' through out the event.

Other than that, the good news is, I'm feeling much more better today, after spending a night at K.Ana's house last night. Popped in 2 Actifast tablets (hoping that I don't have to go to the clinic), and hey presto! It worked. Alhamdulillah.

Other good news...hmm...I got my Streamyx connection at home on Friday. After calling the TMNET Helpline twice, my internet connection was only 'connected' after buka puasa that day! Maybe the system was also fasting. What a service. Anyways, its up and running now. So, hopefully no more issues with it. It has unlimited access for a good bargain - so I hope to spend more time at home...surfing...

My next plan is to get a cheap computer table, and also to 'clear up' and 're-arrange' my bedroom, so that it will turn into a 3-in-1 bedroom,TV room, and study/office in the next week or so. I'm feeling a bit more motivated as my internet connection is already up and running.

Oh!How could I forget! A dear friend called from UK and we spoke for nearly 30mnts. We chatted about current situation, things that had happened, he had bought a car for his family, fasting in the UK with his wife and baby around, his plans of celebrating Raya in Switzerland (I guess that's his nearest kampung now..hehe) amd also other things. Good to hear his voice again.

And today, also, I learned how to make 'Moussaka' - an excellent dish which I believe would not help me to reduce weight at all...Its sinfully yummy...

Signing off my first blog from home....

New love

These are my new love.....cook books.Actually not new but Hana just introduced me to BORDERS in The Curve which has good bargains on books - books which are value for money and affordable. Well, I was more interested on cook books and food preparation therefore, ended buying these up. Oh...there is another one on 'Chocolate' but a colleague of mine borrowed it .

I've tried some of the smoothies - I can say not bad at all. It actually helped me to replace my usual food for this Ramadhan coz its filling. The 'Baking' book has a lot of interesting and easy recipes from Appetizers & Snacks, Savoury Meals, Vegetarian meals, Desserts, Cakes & Breads and not forgetting Cookies. They are all 'baked' recipes.

I managed to flip through some recipes - the ones that I'm interested are Lasagna, tarts, pies, pasta and also cakes. Yummy....I hope I really do have the time and spirit to try these recipes.It looks kind of delicious, and the recipe looks practical - its supposed to as it is written on the front page, 'Practical Cooking'. I can't wait, I have to try it out.

Other than those interesting books, I also had a quarrel tonight with a friend. Its so difficult to get involve in a realtionship when the other party does not understand our life and our commitment. I felt sorry that I shouted and hung up the phone on him , but that is just how I felt. I was angry because he just won't understand, would not even consider to understand, and I was sad because how hard I tried to make it work, I don't think we can.

We are just people, from 2 different world, 2 different culture, 2 different religion, 2 different countries.

And always ended up with 2 strong different opinions.

I think I better concentrate on trying these new recipes.....who knows I might open my own cafe in the future!