The Gang Annual Pre-Raya Visit to Jln Masjid India

It was the Gang Nite Out last Friday. We decided to go for "Malam Mencari Nasi Kandar" for sahur. But with Roslan (my eccentric bro-in-law) everyone was conned to go to Jln Masjid India for our annual ritual Raya shopping for bargain baju raya, butang baju melayu, songkok, bunga plastic and macam-macam ada... However, this year, the ladies managed to find a stall that sell excellent Rendang Tok and Rendang Sotong. The Rendang Sotong was so good myself and Ibuk Puspa almost finished the whole tupperware of it.



Later the Gang decided to go for the famous Nasi Lemak International in Kg Baru. It was already 4.00 am but the place was so busy. It was so packed not only with the Muslim but the non-muslim were also busy lining-up hoping to get a taste of the nasi lemak. My verdict of the Nasi Lemak..OK lah but I had taste better!



After the nasi lemak, the gang decided to be more adventurous by exploring further in Kg Baru for the "Fire Flower". We managed to get some but Ibuk Shila spent the most. I have the feeling, she must have been deprived of all this during her childhood... Anyway I am happy coz my "Fire Flower" cost much less than the one bought by Ibuk Puspa.

I know this year Hari Raya will be a great one for the Gang and their family. Just can't wait for those Open House!

Raya Mood

Everyone in the office already in Raya mood today.



I will still be working till Tuesday.



I dedicate the following Raya wish to all my staff, friends, relatives, and to all the hearts that I touch before.... Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir Dan Bathin...

A Call From Mecca Makatul Mukaramah

My mom called from Mekah Makatul Mukaramah last nite. She is fine and will be back home this Sunday. It has been her annual ritual event to spend the last 2 weeks of Ramadhan in the holy land.

She used to bring back many souvenirs (tasbih, prayer mat, kopiah, jubah and even carpet!). This time around I told her not to stressed herself with all these gifts. She should just spend her time, money and energy for herself and Allah. I hope, I managed to convince her.

Mekah and Madinah have always been close to my heart. I was there with my other half last year for our umrah. I still remembered my first umrah back in 1997. I was so excited and ignorant I tried to finish 3 umrah in a day.

I did my Haj in 2000. I was lucky because of my assignment in Dubai, I was considered as delegate from Middle East country thus didn't fall under the Malaysian quota. (of which in Malaysia young people like me will have to wait for another 10 years).

The experience was so blissful, I learnt a lot. Haj really turn my perspective about life and relationship among human being altogether. I tend to appreciate more with what I have nowadays.

"those who gives - received".

Johor - down memory lane

I was in Johor last Thursday for the engagement session with our staff. I haven't been to Johor for more than 2 years and by the time the plane touched down in Senai, I felt a sudden sad feeling. First, Johor had always been my favourite place. I spent almost 3 years during my younger years working in fabrication yard in Teluk Ramunia and Pasir Gudang. Second, I lost my elder brother (2 years older than me - Along) here in JB recently. He passed away in his car at the car park of his apartment in Stulang upon arriving from KL.


The airport is under construction and I can see they are building a bigger airport to fit the status of Iskandar Development Region. The taxi trip from airport to Mutiara hotel, passing by the UDA and the Petronas Station (I stayed here before at Jln Padi Huma 3), really hits the sentimental spots in me. It is trip down memory lane with many nostalgic places and thoughts playing in my head.


How time flies! I was a young engineer in 1992 looking after my first project in MSE Pasir Gudang and Sime Engineering in Teluk Ramunia. It was almost 16 years ago! Those days driving around with my black Ford TX3, I seemed to be immortal! Life is full of fun and energy. You know what you want and you work hard for it. Driving back and forth JB-KL-JB passing by the highways and the dark Desaru jungle at 2.00am seemed normal. At one time, one of our colleague was late for a meeting in KL. He had an accident near Felda Air Tawar just after Desaru. He actually hit a father elephant, accompanied by the mother elephant and baby elephant. The Jumbos were crossing the road and lucky him, the car hit the soft spot on the animal. Surprisingly all three Jumbos just walked by as though nothing happened. My friend's car was totally wreck and the insurance considered it as "write-off". He was OK except for some after shock experience! Those days you can even heard the roar of the tiger if you forget to close your back door at nite!



My late Along was just being assigned to his new job in Johor early this year. He was so proud of his new job and took it seriously. I was in US when it happened. Along had travelled back from KL to JB on Friday to attend a "gotong royong" function which he had to officiate. 12 hours earlier I did sms him telling him I will be flying back to KL from Washington DC that weekend. As usual he replied "Roger" and he will wait for me at KLIA on Sunday. But as fated, Allah loves him more, I got a call from my younger sister on Friday(US time when I was about to leave for New York Airport), telling me the sad news that Along passed away in his car at his apartment in Johor. He must have been very tired after driving from KL that nite. The post mortem revealed Along had a stroke. He was a pillar in our family and losing him had affected every member of our big families. May Allah placed him with the Righteous. Along is survived by his beloved wife and 2 beautiful children. I know one thing, Along loved all of us and willing to sacrificed anything just for us and his family. May Allah give strength to his family and children for this trying moment.


Amin.

Bangla Flu

I had a very bad flu today and it not only caused me headache and dry cough but also back pain.

I seldom sick . But this time around I was knock out by this virus that I had codenamed "Bangla Virus". It reminded me of the same uncomfortable high fever I experienced long time ago after my visit to Delhi. First, it caused you to have dry mouth and dry throat. Then came the unstoppable coughing that caused your throat and vocal cord to swell, it was so painful it made your eyes turn to tears. It also caused you to have diorhea.

I had tried everything including the one dozen antibiotics and some cough syrup prescribed by Dr Nik. But the results is the same. I still had the tingling itchy feeling in my throat and it always ended-up with bad continous dry coughing and it sounded funny.

We had a division meeting last Sunday. I was glad I was not alone as during the meeting several Managers were coughing, the same one that I had, only that they sounded worst than me. At one time almost every other person was coughing and almost interrupted the meeting. Somehow, I felt better knowing I am not alone downed with this Bangla Virus..

Someone told me the traditional precsription for the cough " 3 camca kicap masin and perah dgn satu sudu limau kasturi". I will try tonite and watch my favourite movie till sahur time.

Dr M join UMNO again

1. Tun Dr Mahathir joined back UMNO today.
2. But he was not sure if his application will be accepted by the UMNO Supreme Council.
3. It will be good not only for the Malays but for all Malaysians if Tun is able to contribute again.
4. Tun is one of the geniuses (they come every 100 years in each society) that Malaysia is lucky to have.
5. Of all the previous PM, Tun Dr Mahathir is the one who stands out.
6. May Allah bless him with good health to guide us again.