Ahan in the Afternoon...

Meroyanism....

2012-01-26T15:43:00.001+08:00

The weather recently has slid into the dangerous zone where I start to panic, because soon it will be too warm for my black turtleneck, black inner and sheer outer, wooly pants and heavy abayas, and also other aspects of my urban hijab. Everytime the mercury rises in the thermometer, I lament my plight of not having warm weather clothes and whenever I attempt to buy some, I still end up buying thick and warm apparels. It doesn't help that for the past four months it has been raining steadily without fail and I am sooooo happy, contented and cocooned in my so called winter apparels!

I have been advised by many to learn the art of layering, if being warm is so important to me.

this called multi wrap hijab where a few layers of sheers are overlapped to cover up, and keep warm too! Must learn this technique....

And today is the 4th day in a row that I have forgotten to pick up my comforters and a few abayas from the dry clean shop. This is despite the fact that yesterday I used a bookmark, a large piece of paper, and wrote on it "Pick up the dry cleaning U forgetful moron!" and left it on my car dashboard. Yet this morning I drove past the dry cleaners and didn't think of it till I'm in my office. Maybe my subconcious doesn't respond well to me name calling myself?

Tomorrow I will try a note that says " U are such a wonderful person that U will no doubt remember to pick up the the dry cleaning without fail!"I hope that will work.

You ever had a random thought or two? I sometimes put them on post-it notes and stick them where I can see (on the fridge, on the bedside wall, on my car's dashboard). But at my rate, stapling it to my forehead would be better, I suppose....

this is my note to myself.....

Really got to go pick up those clothes from the dry cleaners coz my supply of even vaguely-professional looking work clothes is fast dwindling. I may have to go to work next week in a new pyjamas and wearing my bedsheet wrapped around me like a shayla!

totally out of topic: I am soooo dying for a baju tidur celoreng like this. Know where I can get one?

p/s- the other day, I told Mr. Hubby to drive us all to Burger King for dinner and I sat next to him lost in thought till we reach TC, then I screamed "Why aren't we at Sushi King?" The whole car screamed back at me "Mak! U said Burger King, not Sushi King!"

Quoting Ju, "drama King Kong betul lah lu....."

Sombre Week....

2012-01-20T22:57:00.000+08:00

Not in a very good week it was.

We lost our beloved JoJo who had been with us for nearly 5 years. On Tuesday 17th January, about 7pm, the vet had to put Jojo down. Reason being he had contracted sporothricosis and it has spread to his lungs and liver.

It all started out when Jojo got into a fight with a neighborhood cat, just a few weeks before we moved to Taman Guru. He was bitten on his tail and front foot. We took him to the vet then and was boarded overnight there to get his wound treated.

Toook him back the next day with the wounds cleaned and with a few medication for him. We applied the cream, fed him his medicine but only start seeing him becoming withdrawn and shabby in his fur. Hilman will bathe him like twice a week to get back his beautiful white coat, but he started to develop black crusty mange on the corners of his ears and nose.

JoJo became withdrawn. Refusing to come into the house to snuggle with the kids, like he usually does. He instead chose to look after Comel's kittens who were placed in a box in the garage. He would spend most of his time licking Comel's kittens clean when Comel roams off everywhere.

Tuesday afternoon, Hilman called me at the office and told me that Jojo has started to sneeze out blood. I was stunned for a while. Drove back home, took a look at Jojo, and had a very bad feeling, deep down in my guts. Solat Asar, then took kiddos and Jojo in his carrier to the vet.

The vet at Jawhari Cat Centre was tsk tsking us when we showed her JoJo. She took him into the examining room at the back there and checked poor old JoJo for quite some time.

She came out with a very serious look on her face and took a big book off her shelf and proceeded to opening it at a page with Zoonitis written on the top. There were some pics on the pages, of cats with lesions like the one Jojo had. and she pointed to one word, "sporothricosis"

You can read all about it here.

So, she slowly explained that Jojo's liver and lungs have been infected and that he is in a lot of pain. The potential of Jojo recovering just from medication is very low, she said. And, the disease that JoJo is carrying is potentially harmful to us human, especially if Jojo scratches or bite us (which can happen, when he is in a lot of pain). She strongly recommends that he is put to sleep, the humane way.

I looked at Hilman, as JoJo is his cat, always have been. His eyes was watering already and nostril all flared. Called Mr. Hubby to tell abt the vet's diagnosis and recommendation. He said, let Hilman have the final say.

As I got off the phone, saw the vet talking to Hilman in the corner of the clinic. Between nods, I could see shruggings from Hilman. I went up to them and he said, lets do it Mak. And the vet signalled that she persuaded him to agree. I was lost, kinda fast all these things happening around me.

So, the vet went into the room for surgery with JoJo. Husna just bawled her heart out in front of the room door, I bet a lot distracting for that vet trying to put JoJo to sleep peacefully back there. Hilman walked out of the clinic, and I was in the waiting room, alone with a crippled cat.

It was fast. A few minutes later she came out, leading Husna to a seat at the waiting area and told me that they are wrapping JoJo's body in surgical paper and we can take him home for burial. I told Husna to go look for Hilman. He needs to do this, coz I just can't. And he came in shortly, after summoned by Husna. Went to the back room, brought out the carrier, with Jojo's lifeless body in it.

I could see tears streaming down his face, but there was no emotion at all on his face. Denial mode has kicked in, I suppose. We all walked slowly to the car, and the short drive back was agonizing, I tell you. I had this big, bulky lump in my throat that would not go away in spite of me swallowing countless time. Husna was sobbing away softly next to me, while Hilman was stony silent at the back with the carrier and JoJo's body on his lap.

Reached home, Hilman immediately went to our backyard to start digging a hole, as it was getting dark. He selected a corner underneath the duku tree, where he has hung his hammock and takes his afternoon siesta. I understand, he wants his cat to be close to him, even in death. Husna meanwhile, went to cut up pandan leaves, picked flowers from our rose and melur tree and proceeded to make bunga rampai!

I was numbed, just stood under the duku tree, as Hilman labored at the hole. After reaching the depth of nearly three feet, he stooped and picked the carrier up. He slowly extracted a neat blue parcel from it. The clinic did a very good job of wrapping JoJo's body, I'd say.What was left of JoJo was carefully packaged in bundle of blue surgical paper with surgical tapes criss crossing it neatly to secure the package.

Hilman held the package, and told me that its still warm. I could just imagine, it has been less than 30 minutes before his last breath. I nodded, can't find any words to reply. Hilman said, it might still be alive Mak, the doctor might have made a mistake, JoJo could just be sleeping only. I could not take it any longer, and broke into a loud sob. Hidung dah sebesar ubi kentang, jangan cerita lah!

He tried to pry open the package, I stopped him. in between my sobs, I told him, JoJo is no more with us. He is in a better place, where there is no pain and suffering. He's in an animal heaven. He nodded. Slowly, he lowered the package into the hole in the ground, pushed soil on top of it and patted down the package into the deep. The finality of it all just came rushing at me, what more him, who was doing the deed. I turnede and walked into the house. Went up to my room and took a bath, solat Maghrib and said a very long doa for my kids to overcome this grief. For them to be able to move on without grief.

Went down, had dinner with them. Hilman ate with glazy eyes, not exhibiting any emotions (I suspect he gets that from his father!), while Husna asked a lot of questions relating to death, heaven and sporothrichosis. After dinner, Hilman asked me for some Panadol, he said he did not feel well. I suspected so too, coz he wasn't eating much. Touched his forehead, yes it was hot. I guess all those pent up emotions is finally taking a toll on his young body. He downded the Panadols and went straight to bed.

It has been three days now. The sadness still linger. And yes, yesterday I cried a bit, still. But we also have 7 other cats with us, to fill the void that JoJo has left us with. Though no cat could ever replace JoJo in our hearts, special as he is, there are other cats that needs to beloved equally.

I don't even want to put JoJo pics here, it hurts too much. Have began compiling all of JoJo's pics in a folder to be saved on a CD and thumbdrive for the kids. Its the very least I could do for them and in rememberance of our JoJo.

Oh! By the way, a friend whose daughter is very sick, need all the doa we can make for her fast and speedy recovery. Please all, do pray that Nin's daughter, Humairah will recover from her illness soon. Read about her ordeal here . Semoga Allah menyembuhkan adik Humairah.

New Year already?

2012-01-16T14:58:00.001+08:00

Wahhhhhh..... its the 16th day of 2012 already! As usual, me in my siput babi mode always exclaim how fast time just fly by. Usually leaving me with many undone tasks (what else is new?)

So how did you people celebrate your new year? Countdown? Fireworks? Party? We celebrated our New Year nite at Teluk Chempedak in a cultured manner, you can say. Attended a Malam Jambak Puisi Pantai Ambang Tahun Baru that was organised by Jabatan Kebudayaan Negeri Pahang. As usual, the invitation came from Teo Wei Seng who without fail will extend invitation to us every event that he takes part in. The year before it was titled Bacaan Puisi Kerohanian di Ambang Tahun Baru. Can view the pics here and here.

the stage....

us...

There were poetry reading, singing of cultural folk songs (lagu-lagu rakyat), traditional dances, sketch and silat performances. Sorry, no pole dancing or table top dancing to suit some of you rowdy people's taste! Muahahahaha.... well at least, not in my blog!

the silat group, showing their moves....

Sani Sudin strumming on his ukulele as he recites a poem....

Teo Wei Sing saying his piece....

an Indian classical dance....

A sketch.... dun ask me what it is about coz I dun understand. Mungkin nilai seni dia terlalu tinggi, tak tergarap dek minda cetek saya.

Next day, we went romping on the beach, collecting seashells and driftwood. You all tengok pics aje lah yer?

I have the world's largest collection of seashells. I keep it on all the beaches of the world... perhaps you've seen it.?

We headed east toward East and just found incredible shells, huge shells and driftwood. The idea was to kind of make some beauty, to highlight what can be new beginnings.

It is an interesting biological fact that all of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea---whether it is to sail or to watch it---we are going back from whence we came.

me and kiddos.....

my loves....

So, that was our New Year celebration. Kinda low key, but okaylah for orang kampungs here in Kuantan. Will try to find time to post properly, once I have got a new chambie or an LA. But for now, this is all that I could muster!

Till the next post. Ciaooooo....

Bye-Bye 2011

2011-12-30T13:36:00.000+08:00

Happy New Year uolls!

Will write a proper post next year.

This will be my last post for this year.

Wanna thank all you regular readers and followers for making my blog lively in your own ways.

Week of Friends and Kids....

2011-12-23T16:39:00.000+08:00

with Legal Aid Centre volunteers and Executive office at an appreciation Hi-tea for volunteers of the LAC.

LAC is a wing of Pahang Bar Committee that gives out free legal counsel and representation to people who can't afford to pay lawyers. LAC also organises talks and dissemination of information regarding the legal rights which we call the outreach programme. These are usually held at the Orang Asli villages, Feldas and small villages where legal representation does not normally reach.

with Legal Aid Center chairman, Azni....

So, we, the volunteers, either are assigned files to handle (on pro bono basis) or assigned to give talks to create legal awareness in the community. And, once a year, the Legal Aid Centre will throw us a makan-makan to show their appreciation in our volunteerism. Not that we demand for it, but it is nice to gather and meet up with like minded people and chit-chat over a bowl of curry mee and a mug of coffee.....

the other volunteeers, QutaQ, Shidah and Kak Am.....

On Thursday nite, we drove down to Cherating for a firefly watching session. Yes, some of you regular readers would surely say "haven't you watched them fireflies sooooo mant times before and posted it in this repetitive blog of yours?" Yeahhh, what can I say? I can never get enough of those beautiful fireflies. Never. Plus, this time, I brought along many newcomers to the the world of fireflies watching. Cik Ros and her two kids, my two nephew and nieces and Dr. Anna, a member of MNS Pahang.

look for this signboard if you are in Cherating and feel like a spot of fireflies watching!

Hafiz, the boatman, is a member of MNS Pahang and an avid lover of the fireflies on Cherating river. He really takes the effort to study them, their lifespan, theit habitat and habits too. He gives a very informative briefing before we got onto boats to go sight the fireflies.

Hafiz here with the briefing he gives before the fireflies sighting...

last point where you can take pics. After this, no picture taking is allowed as the flash from the camera contributes to light pollution that disrupts the fireflies habitat.

a pic with Hafiz, Prof Maketab our MNS President and Pak Su, the turtle conservationist......

The next day, we had a MNS volunteer appreciation dinner at New Mexica Garden. This dinner is a token of thank you to all the MNS Pahang volunteers who helped out in two major projects, namely the Tree Planting at Tg. Api Esplanade and the Trail Restoration Programme at Taman Teruntum. We were lucky that Prof Maketab was kind enough to join us and as usual, in his own words"touch base" with branch members.

It was also Aaleema's birthday that nite. So, it was kinda like double celebration. We had a cake for her, that we stabbed before eating (yes, we are brutal and vicious kinda people )

the cake had not a chance against three Amazonians..... hehehe!

these are the volunteers that makes MNS Pahang a dynamic one. Thank you people, I am so proud of all of you!

Okay, enough about dinners, hi-tea and food erkkkk?

Took the kids to Zoo Kemaman. Its the holidays, but I have had not time to take them anywhere yet. What with me not having an assistant or chambie in the office, with house moving, house renovations and all, I admit I've not been organising much activity for the kids.

So, Tuesday morning saw me and Cik Ros and kiddos driving to Kemaman. Had our brunch at Hai Peng Kopitiam at Chukai town, before proceeding to the zoo.

It is situated on the way to Kg. Yakyah (another beautiful place to sight fireflies, if you are a nature lover). It is one of the zoos where animals there live in a near to nature kinda environment (read: not on cemented floors in cages).

this is the zoo's layout plan. Situated just inside the entrance....

these are the excited and happy faces of the kiddos....

the girls, being girls simply love to pose. While boys are more camera shy, I presume....

Lots of animals there. I noticed that, the animals here look healthier and less depressed compared with those at Zoo Negara. But dun take my word for it, go see for yourself! The whole premise is well kept, clean and most important f all, does not smell of feces! I would say that this is a very well maintained zoo.

sunbathing....

afternoon siesta at the lion's den....

while next door, the tigers were socialising...

they do look healthy kan ? Shiny fur and sinewy body....

young elephants....

playful bear...

and the girls, again.....

So there goes last week. Fast and furious, like those cars. Hope next week will be slower. I'm getting old. Past paced life is simply too exhausting for me....

Till then, have a great weekend and Merry Christmas (I hope Hassan Ali will not accuse me of proletylising Muslims to become Christians!)

Santa Cat is soooo cute kannnn?

Pronounciation is VERY Important....

2011-12-19T16:26:00.002+08:00

Have ever listened to someone talk, and ask yourself "What the hell is he/she talking about? I can't make a thing out of that gibberish that he/she spews!"

Well, sometimes, some people they talk fast, failing to articulate each and every consonants and vowel that they should. Some people just wanna show off, speak with an accent and end up sounding silly.

Today, to illustrate this point, I will use two videos here as points of reference. Please watch the first video, with the full lyrics version here then watch the second video, also with lyrics but with the singer too!

After watching the above, now brace yourself for some shock and watch this and digest it....

Watch both, and tell me what you think......

Wordless Wednesday....... Amalia's Wedding

2011-12-14T13:38:00.000+08:00

Tiada Azam....

2011-12-13T16:58:00.001+08:00

Okay, saya isytiharkan secara terbuka dan tanpa selindung, saya tidak ada azam untuk tahun baru 2012.

Ramai yang dok tanya kat FB, Twitter dan sms, apa azam nak masuk 2012 nih. Sejujurnya, memang tiada.

Mungkin saya masih dalam mode ini?:

muahahaha..... perasan bagus.

Tahun demi tahun, berbagai resolusi yang telah saya buat. Ada yang tercapai, tetapi lebih banyak yang tak sampai. Frustasi, saya tahu saya seorang yang alpa bila mengejar cita-cita. Selalu leka dek benda-benda yang tak semena.

Jadi, tahun ini, saya berazam untuk tidak membuat apa-apa azam tahun baru. Satu kontradiksi diri, saya tahu. Kerana azam untuk tidak berazam itu sendiri adalah satu azam, kan? Konpius ke belum lagi?

ilustrasi ini mungkin buat anda faham.....

Saya tahu, ada yang mengambil kesempatan dengan datangnya tahun baru untuk berubah menjadi lebih baik lagi. Makanya, azam tahun baru mesti di tanam. Azam untuk meningkatkan produktiviti kerja, naik pangkat, belajar dengan lebih tekun lagi, adalah contoh-contoh azam tahun baru yang boleh tahan mulia, saya rasa. Itu bagi orang. Mungkin saya enggan meningkatkan tahap diri, enggan mamuliakan diri dan hanya mahu bertahan di takuk ini. Makanya, tahun ini saya tiada azam....

saya mahu jadi begini. Santai tapi tak gedikkssss....

Jadi, sudah-sudahlah bertanya ye, pada saya tentang apa azam saya. Kerana jawapannya tetap kekal tiada. Nantikan saya kembali normal (read: blogging in English) dan akan saya kongsi gambar-gambar perkahwinan Am dan Wadi di post saya nanti.

Ini sahaja post saya bagi hari ini. Saksikan anak-anak kucing ini dengan mesej-mesej dari saya. Ciaoooo....

notakaki: agak-agaknya orang nama Azam ni hensem ke tak?

Wordless Wednesday....

2011-12-07T13:46:00.000+08:00

First December Post....

2011-12-06T15:24:00.000+08:00

Hi all....

Its December already! Can you believe it? of course you can, kan? Yang cannot believe it, is me. Haishhhh....

Been very very very busy! Cerita pun tak guna, I'll be repeating myself over and over and over again. Tak ada LA, tak ada chambie, kerja banyak, projek banyak, tanggungjawab banyak. Minta-minta Allah panjangkan umur agar sempat settle segalanya sebelum menutup mata.

On the 28th November, MNS Pahang organised the Trail Restoration Project at Taman Teruntum with 150 volunteers from Cargill Palm Oil (M) Sdn. Bhd.

the MNS Pahang team...

We took them volunteers up (in the pouring rain) to clear the overgrown, dilapidated trail, restored a gazebo, painted some benches, made some stools out of some logs, tagged about 50 trees and put up signages along the trail.

the whole exercise took us about three hours.

those with raincoats are from Cargill, those without are from MNS Pahang.

We all macho! Hehehe....

This is the 5th year that Cargill has worked with us, MNS Pahang. Them in their CSR programme and us in our conservation objective. Win-win situation!

during the project. With a fallen log across the trail....

The same weekend too, we moved into our house in Taman Guru, after stalling from Hari Raya to Hari Raya Haji and later to cuti sekolah. We finally made that leap that we have been putting off for so many reasons and just plunged. And boy, was it a mess! I did not realise just how much accumulated junk that I have hoarded over these years in that tiny house of mine at Bukit Setongkol.

No pics of the moving activities as the whole exercise itself is sooooo taxing on me physically, mentally and emotionally. Yes, I was SAD to leave my house in Bukit Setongkol. Lots of memories there. First house that i owned. Kids grew up there. Banyak lagi lah, nak cerite, nanti I nangis.....

jangan buat mak emo, okay.....

A friend of ours, her eldest daughter got married on Friday 2nd December. We all went to wish her well and eat our hearts out on lauk kampung of masak tempoyak ikan patin, gulai lemak cili padi rebung and perut, daging masak kicap, sayur campur, ikan masin , ulam-ulam dan sambal belacan! I think ALL weddings should stray away from the customary nasi minyak. Its so blahhh and predictable!

the newlyweds....

the ole us....

Saturday morning saw me driving down to KL with the kids. Had a MNS meeting at the HQ at Jalan Kelantan.

Abang Long and Adik in front of MNS HQ....

After the meeting, we went for dinner then I decided to expose the kids to some civil action. I took them to an Occupy Dataran assembly. Even as early as 8.00pm, we see pilce personnel being stationed all around Dataran Merdeka. They keep shooing away people around that area.

just moments before being shooed away by the police....

Some of U may ask what is #occupydataran? It is an independent an autonomous grassroot initiative to reclaim Dataran Merdeka as an open and democratic space for people to gather, discuss and explore the true meaning of democracy beyond the representative system, to redefine the democratic system beyond the ballot box, to imagine a new political culture beyond race, ideological and political affiliation. For more info of their activities, U can check them out at facebook.com/occupydataran

That nite, we had to adjourned to Dataran Dewan Bandaraya, as the Dataran Merdeka was closed to public (can U imagine that?) and heavily guarde by police personnel

so, the assembly starts, at the Dataran Dewan Bandaraya

Fahmi Reza was our moderator that nite and here he was explaining the code of conduct of the People's Assembly which include respecting each speakers' opinion, openness to new concept and ideas, listening to understand and not to contradict, non-judgemental and inclusiveness to make sure that everyone's voice is heard.

That nite, on the agenda was the Free Trade Action and Human Right's Celebration upcoming in this week. The kids had a very good exposure at seeing how the youngsters communicated their ideas, defended it and persuaded the assembly to agree with the. I would say that I am proud of the oratory skills shown by these young people, their passion for their cause and their interest in the global movement of democracy.

Hilman in rapt attention, listening to a two sided argument going on at the front....

this is their sign.....

This Assembly meets every Saturday nite from 8pm-11pm at Dataran Merdeka. It is open to all to join and take part in its proceeding. I say, go give it a try. U'll be impressed....

If U need persuasion to be actively motivated, listen here to this song by Makana, titled We Are the Many...

Sunday morning was spent at BookExcess in Amcorp Mall. Remember that RM100 that the govt gave the school kids before the school holidays? Well, the kids wanted to use theirs on books, so I added in another RM100 for each of them and they had a great book shopping spree that morning. Hilman got himself the whole Percy Jackson set of Gods of Olympus and Husna settled with good ole Enid blyton books.

That nite we went to Akmar's new house at Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, for dinner. It was kinda mini reunion too, for she also invited Mira over. Been such a long time since I met up with Mira who was our classmate during our UKM days.

us, 15 years after graduating from UKM.....

anak-anak kami....

and the kaum bapa....

So, there it is. My update for the first week of December. What's in the pipeline? Hmmmm..... a lot, but I dunno if I can achieve all. Will update later when I do, okay?

Take Five Post

2011-11-24T18:55:00.000+08:00

I'm in the office still.

Been like this these past two weeks since I got rid of my chambie who took emergency leave to send his sister for registration at UiTM. Sorry if I sound like a bitch, but my definition of emergency is a family member involved in an accident, an impromptu operation, a heart attack or even childbirth.

Sending your sibling off to an IPTA is not an emergency in my book. She did not get her offer letter the morning you asked for emergency leave, did she? In all probability, the offer letter was accepted a few weeks ago, so all arrangements should have been made earlier and no room for last minute emergency.

See? Told you, I was turning into a fire-breathing dragon lady lately. Can't help it. The quality of newly grads are so dismal that I grind my teeth often at their lack of logical thinking and blurness (got arr this word?)

yours truly, in front of the PC that she doesn't know how to operate....

Anyway, backtracking to why I am posting this.

In the midst of doing damage control to the files that was previously handled by the ex-chambie. I am going thru each one with a fine toothcomb. Looking for unanswered correspondences, unfiled papers, undrafted documents. In the same time, I'm tidying up after a messy man, I would say. Changing dog-eared files, bandaging the torn apart covers, re-tying loose files. Its a wonder how some men can treat a file like a heavy duty tool, by the wear and tear that I find on them.

I am now beseiged with a terrible headache from staring at them files for long hours.

I tried hopping around on one feet around the office, to improve circulation of blood. But its not helping. Made myself a big mug of coffee, the cold wet rain outside kinda pushed me into it. Not helping either. Blasted my favourite songs loud and blaringly from YouTube and sang along. Did nothing to help too.

reason why I'm not a singer.....

So, here I am, blogging away my headache in the evening. Yes, I know I am Ahan in the Afternoon, but lately my afternoons are kinda occupied with clients and work. Will soon change to Ahan Anytime, if that pleases you critical people, okay?

hehehe.... in offensive mode!

Okay, gotta go back to work now. Hope to leave ze office by 8pm today. Truly and totally bogged, I am. But what to do? These files are my babies, I do have to tend to them.

Got to get myself a stress reduction kit, like this

any of you readers need this too? I can share mine.

If I don't control my frazzled nerve and throbbing head, I will end up like this soon:

Ciaoooo.....

Wordless Wednesday.....

2011-11-23T23:21:00.000+08:00

Its Friday, I'm Happy.....

2011-11-18T17:12:00.000+08:00

Yuppp.... U guessed it!

I had a tough week. Made some tough decision, affecting not only me, but others too. But its a berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu memikul kinda decision. Gotta live with it.

Went up the trail twice. Two days, back to back, Wednesday and Thursday. Day one with Mr. Lee Wai Hoong and team Cargill. Day two with Zela and team Jabatan Hutan. Alhamdulillah, we settled a big portion of the project's preliminaries.

UPSR results out. Nadia my niece, the bookworm, as expected got her 5As. While Nabila, my stepdaughter, had to settle for 2As only. But like her father remarked, you can't expect much of a girl who has to keep home, babysit a Standard One brother and help out at a canteen.

So, here's hoping that next week would be less stressful, less hectic and more productive ehhhh?

Have a great weekend dear readers......

Aku Maafkan Kamu

2011-11-14T17:27:00.000+08:00

I have always like Malique and his strong worded songs. He doesn't mince his words to send out his messages via his brand of music

Here is another of his, one of his best I would say.

I find it very relevant to the scenario these days where there is so much arguments on differing opinion, everywhere.

Dalam dunia maya ni kita jumpa macam-macam orang. Ada yang kita dah kenal dulu, tapi kini berubah. Ada yang sama jahil macam kita tapi mahu tunjuk depa bagus, konon tahu segala. Ada yang tahu nak nasihat orang jer, tapi diri sendiri pun tak betul mana. Ada yang suka hukum orang atas kesalahan yang dia nampak tapi salah sendiri pandai sorok dan bila orang jumpa pun salah dia tak ada siapa yang berani tegur sebab dia "besar".

Saya suka lagu ini sebab dia bagi "closure" pada saya, pada mereka juga, jika mahu ambil iktibar darinya. Saya mahu hidup aman tanpa ikatan persahabatan palsu yang bikin minda sasar. Apa-apa pun, Saya Maafkan Kamu.......

Hapdate Skit Pasal Projek Mak....

2011-11-11T13:37:00.000+08:00

Hokkkayyyy..... jgn spekulasi yer baca tajuk post ni! Mak bukan mak hayam yang buat projek juta-juta jual anak hayam. Lagipun mak dapat tahu sekarang ni kan, nak projek juta-juta tak boleh jual anak hayam dah. Kena jual lombu, ngko! So, Kak Ijat kita is now officially Mak Lombu, ko apo?

I know I wrote about cows up there. But I like cats hokkayy?

As uolls know, if you have been reading my past posts, MNS Pahang will be having a trail restoration project at the jungle trail behing the Taman Teruntum Zoo on the 28th November, 2pm - 6pm. Its a joint project with Cargill (M) Sdn. Bhd. as part of their CSR.

So, basic groundwork has been done. Thank you Mr. Lee Wai Hoong, Jean Wong and Cikgu Chin Wai Fatt for doing the recce with me a few times! Basic paperwork has also been done. Thank you Mee Foong, our loyal Secretary who does ALL the paperwork efficiently. Now its the nitty gritty details yang memeningkan kepala sikit. Pending now, is getting the people from Jabatan Hutan to come and identify the species of trees that we wanna tag. That is supposed to be under Zela's responsibility, but gotta remind her too, lest she forgets!

Then, there's the problem of getting chainsaws with its operators! We need at least three chainsaws to clear the huge fallen logs on the trails. There are about 7-8 humungous trunks of logs across our trail. During the recce exercise, we had to climb over them to proceed on the trail, but if parents were to bring their kids up there, climbing over them logs would not be a safe options, as some of them are in the stage of rotting already!

what would happen if we operate the chainsaws ourselves....

Anyway, En. Ramli Awang of Unit Taman dan Lanskap MPK, has assured us that he will try to help us out by asking his people assist us. Still waiting for that phone call from him!

Then, there is the t-shirt for the participants to deal with. Initially we have been instructed by them to order t-shirts with collar for this project. After submitting style and design, they decided to without collar and asked us to tone down the green so as not to glow in the jungle. So the end product will be something like this....

cantik tak?

A big hug and a bunch of thanx to Wen Tan who did the design for us. You have always been someone we can rely on when it comes to designing our tees! Will keep one for you, as a token of our appreciation darling.

Food for hi-tea will be under the responsibility of Aaleema and Fidah. These cousins are always put in charge of refreshment because they know where to get good food. Gurls, make sure we knock them off their feet with our selection of mee hoon siam, popiah goreng and teh tarik, okay?

For VIP, we have been instructed to invite YB Chang Hong Seong, again. The Cargill people were impressed that he was such a laid back kinda person who could eat with them tepi the longkang during our Tree Planting Project at Eplanade Tanjung Api. Kudos to you YB for being such a rakyat person at heart!

there's our YB Chang, planting trees with us in the last project....

So, Shikin, please be on standby to alert Press once YB accepts our invitation formally, yer? I've spoken to him already the other day, and basically he has agreed to grace our event. Just waiting for his black and white reply jer now.

Apart from that, I really do hope that everything else will go smoothly, no hiccups and no problem. If you people happen to be free on that Monday, do come over and join us at Taman Teruntum for a spot of trail restoration and some exercise too!

Till my next posting, ciaoooo!

Have a great weekend okay? I know I will.......

Aidil Adha a.k.a Raya Qurban

2011-11-04T16:31:00.000+08:00

another Raya is here again. Time sure do fly fast!

So, dear readers, I am taking this opportunity to wish you all Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha. Dalam semangat kita mengorbankan haiwan-haiwan ternakan untuk diagih-agihkan kepada yang kurang mampu, jom juga kita "korbankan" beberapa yang lain.

Jom kita korbankan perasaan tamak kita terhadap kekayaan dunia dan gantikannya dengan mencari bekalan dan kekayaan untuk hari Akhirat. Jom kita korbankan sifat sombong dan takbur kita untuk selari dengan gelaran kita seorang hamba, hamba Allah. Jom kita korbankan sikap suka bersangka-sangka terhadap manusia, supaya hidup kita lebih saman dan tiada prasangka. Jom kita korbankan ego kita yang tinggi melata dan terima pendapat orang lain sekali sekala.

Have a great weekend uolls!

Cerite Weekends.....

2011-11-02T18:07:00.000+08:00

I guess cerite-cerite pasal gomen kita yang tak berapa nak cerdik nih agak depressing, kan? The AG's report does send some of us spiralling into panic and depression, I heard.

Buhsan lah cerite pasal depa-depa ni yang tak pernah berubah year in, year out. Tunggu je lah PRU13 nanti, kot-kot ada tsunami perubahan, kan?

So, hari ni nak cerite tentang aktiviti hujung2 minggu saya the past few months. Those of you who are friends with me on FB would be quite updated of my activities, as I do have the tendency to overshare on FB! Hehehehe.....

For those of you who are just on touch-and-go basis with me on the blogosphere, if you care to read on, here are some of my activities recently.....

we had a trail restoration recce recently.

We, MNS Pahang had been asked by Cargill (M) Sdn. Bhd. to organise a CSR programme for them in the nature. They opted for trail restoration from a few suggestions that we forwarded them. Hence we are now scheduled to do restoration to an old trail behind the Mini Zoo, in Taman Teruntum.

will re-tag the trees with new tags as many have fallen off.

New tree tags will also bear the Cargill and MNS logo on it! Thus we will be more "in the public eye", if marketing theory has got anything to do with it! Hehehe.....

fallen logs across the trail that needs to be removed. There are a few every 100 metres or so.

did a spot of tresspassing at the peak there. We climbed over the fence to climb up the light house. Notice how my daughter, Husna, is marvelling her mother's climbing skill there?

and she joined the leagues of trespassers too, only to crawl in via an opening in the fence....

view from the top of the lighthouse. Simply spectacular! You can also see one of our trekker there, a red blob amidst the green...

this is Cikgu Chin, posing with the solar panel at the top of the light house. A fine example you are Cikgu, to your students, trespassing along with us on a Saturday afternoon! Muahahaha.....

Recce ended at about 6:30pm and we adjourned to KFC Teluk Chempedak to reward ourselves with cheesy wedges and lime Krushers! Yummy......

Most of my other weekends are spent doing up our house at Taman Guru. we bought an old house (built in the 1980's) and now still doing pembaikpulihan to our future abode.

my dad, my hubby and my son - the three important men in my lives, putting up a curtain rail together......

My dad is into handiwork and simply loves the opportunity to use his hands to build and fix things. It has now rubbed off on Mr. Hubby and my son Hilman, too.

Grandpa patching up nooks and crannies while kiddos looks on....

my brother Qamal, helps out too whenever he comes back from Johore...

but of course, all the high up and dangerous areas are reserved for the tuan rumah, kannnn?

the kids' project! Kolam ikan dan turtle, also the water feature for our home...

Bila dah bosan buat rumah jer, we'll take a break and go for a 'nature rejuvenation', from time to time.

the wekend we went up Panorama and down the fern trails, with Rosnah and her kiddos Lokman and Nana.

spotting colonies of pitcher plants along the way....

and wild orchids too....

the kids, ardent trekkers they are all!

ended the day with a dip in the river amidst heavy rain!

So, that is my cerite-cerite weekends. InsyaAllah in my next post, will share with you my caving exploration and whitewater rafting experience. Be patient and stick around. I will muster up the rajin-ness to blog about it! Till then, adios friends!

My 350th Post.....

2011-10-27T17:26:00.000+08:00

Hi there my readers, silent or followers, friends or foe.

I started blogging (my very first post) on the 1st April 2008. It was an April Fool prank of mine, setting up a blog and blogging lah konon. You can read my very first post here.

Then, the habit of writing syok-syok sendiri kinda took off and pretty soon, by my 5th post, I already have got readers! Boy, was I amazed to know that some people wants to read about my mundane life and all the problems I am facing. (initially, this blog is where I come to whine and rant about my so imperfect life then).

Well today in October 2011, this is my 350th post! Wooohooo..... I have come a long way, I would say. Time sure flies when you are not aware of it as you write away.

Though I am writing this in a happy mood, I do admit blogging has not always been a bed of roses. I have been in situations where I got into spats with fellow bloggers before over postings or real life incidences. I have been critisized for what I wrote, lost friends over my beliefs and ideologies offended some readers and bloggers too at time.

But, it is with pride that I say, I have never removed or erased any of my postings even if it was heavily attacked or ridiculed. Heyyyy, it my baby. I gave birth to it, or the idea of it, in my mind and I'm gonna see it live here in the virtual world no matter how ugly it is.

I refuse to dwell on the negatives. I have had a great time blogging. There were times when I update very regularly, sharing my thots and feelings with all to read here. There were times too, that I went on a hiatus, just keeping my own counsel, not touching the lappie or posting anything about it. But time after time, it has been proven (for me at least) that blogging does do wonders for my soul.

It allows me to purge feelings and emotions, to rave and rant when I can't do it in real life, to poke fun at tight-ass individuals or just to share my random activities.

I do hope that I will live to post my 3,500th post. I do hope my fire to write will not be snuffed out midway life. I do hope to get to know more people on the blogosphere, to offend less people with my writings, to continue to have ideas to write here and never to be inclined to wipe out my blog.

To all you readers out there, regulars or accidental stop bys, I thank you for coming here and paying tribute to my writings by reading. I know some who reads but NEVER leave comments, thank you too. For those I consider friends who will always comment on my posting, I am eternally grateful to you people who spur me on to write some more.

To the other social medias, like FB and Twitter that sometimes distracts me from this blog, I just want U to know, the blog is like a familiar old friend that I will keep coming back to no matter how exciting FB and Twitter can be. Because, here is all where it started......

Big Spender, Low Performer......

2011-10-25T17:00:00.000+08:00

The recent AG's Report has got many of us reeling with disbelief. And what is more appalling is the snootiness of the government in trivialising the serious side of good governance in the aftermath of the unveiling of the report.

I'm not gonna write my 2 cents worth here, coz it will just be swear words and ramblings and rantings of a very frustrated rakyat at the attitude of our government. Instead, I'll just be doing some "cut and paste" job from here and there for sharing purposes.

The Tourism Ministry overpaid nearly RM270 million for advertisements when it chose to use direct bookings instead of open tenders. So the paying of 1-2 million for setting up websites is peanuts compared to the cost of placing advertisements. It is indicative of the minister’s inability and incompetence of putting her ministry in order. The same vendor has been at it- placing exorbitant advertisement fees for years. If the same vendor can control the Tourism Ministry in almost a cartel-like embrace, that should raise everyone’s concern of a possibility that ministry officials are more than just good friends with the particular vendor. It can suggest that corrupt practices and favoritism in return for consulting fees is rampant at the ministry and the loud mouthed minister is not able to do anything about it. Taken from here.

Selain itu, semakan juga mendapati LPKP mengambil masa antara 41 hingga 756 hari untuk menyelesaikan 123 daripada 257 aduan, yang mana bertentangan dengan piagam organisasi iaitu 30 hari bagi urusan pengendalian aduan. Taken from here.

The ministry also spent a whopping RM1.95 million to buy 1,000 racks — RM1, 950 per rack — to hold its tourism pamphlets for the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign. Perhaps it’s time for the ministry to set up an in-house workshop for the fabrication of display racks since these are going to be used continuously. We are not going to nit-pick at the ministry’s inability to explain the unaccounted or missing 149 units of racks amounting almost a quarter of a million Ringgit — but that would surely be grounds to trigger a domestic inquiry. Why would the ministry be billed for the missing 149 units and if that can happen to 149 units, can the ministry be certain that they actually got 1000 units? Taken from here.

Previous media reports showed the MoA picked a company called Agroscience Industries Sdn Bhd, owned by Shahrizat’s husband, Datuk Dr Mohamad Salleh Ismail, to spearhead the project, under a company called National Feedlot Corporation Sdn Bhd (NFCorp). Shahrizat’s three children, Izran, Izmir and Izzana, reportedly play key roles in the NFCorp. Izran is CEO while his brother and sister are executive directors. Taken from here.

He pointed out that the audit report had found that the Marine Parks Department paid RM56,350 for a binoculars not worth more than RM1,940, more than 28 times the market price.The department also purchased common items like laptops, printers, DVD players and LCD televisions for RM192,694 when their total value should not have exceeded RM20,193. Taken from here.

The Auditor-General’s report yesterday showed the ministry has yet to pay RM110.67 million it owed to more than 70,000 farmers under a scheme to encourage a higher rice production.Citing Padiberas Nasional Berhad (Bernas), Malaysia’s rice industry regulator, the report said the farmers were eligible to receive RM341.29 million between January 2007 and January 2010. However, Bernas only managed to pay incentives worth RM230.62 million as at end 2010, citing lack of funds.This resulted in 73,291 farmers not receiving incentives totalling RM110.67 million. Taken from here.

Malfunctions barely a year after the RM142 million RazakSAT satellite was launched caused it to take 1,328 unusable mapping images that were inaccurate by up to 37km, the Auditor-General’s report showed today. The report made available today said state-owned Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB), which operates RazakSAT, lost RM10.89 million in 2009, of which RM7.7 million went towards insurance premiums for the faulty satellite. Taken from here.

Only two out of 300 computer laboratories for Sabah schools have been constructed since the government began its RM160.73 million project in April 2008, the Auditor-General’s report said today. Sabah recorded the highest number of computer lab construction projects as well as costs, followed by Sarawak (RM49 million), Johor (RM10.88 million) and Selangor (RM11.95 million.) Taken from here.

The National Sports Institute (NSI) paid RM3.94 million for 18 horses that were not qualified to race in the 2008 World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Auditor-General said in his report today. The report noted NSI had failed to get the Treasury’s approval before buying the horses, as required for direct negotiation purchases. Taken from here.

Land acquisition costs for the Senai-Desaru Expressway project exceeded estimates by nearly 103 per cent or RM375.6 million more than originally stated, according to the 2010 Auditor-General’s report. Following this development, the Auditor-General is suggesting for the government to adopt a new approach by “capping” expenditure for future projects. Land acquisition for Senai-Desaru Expressway Bhd (SDEB) was initially estimated to cost RM365 million but the final cost weighed in at RM740.6 million. Taken from here.

The Defence Ministry must explain why it paid RM7.6 billion for armoured personnel carriers (APC) procured by DRB-Hicom Bhd for only US$559 million (RM1.7 billion), Tony Pua said today. Defence Minister Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi told Parliament last Tuesday his ministry did not have any information about the deal between DRB-Hicom unit Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd (Deftech) and Turkish firm FMC-Nurol Defense System (FNSS) for 257 units of Pars 8x8 APCs. Taken from here.

Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) and Syarikat Prasarana Negara Bhd were among six government-linked companies (GLCs) that paid employees up to two months’ bonus despite suffering an accumulated RM354.91 million in losses in 2009, the Auditor-General’s report said today. The report also said that sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional was among ten government companies that have not paid Putrajaya any dividends despite making net profits in 2009. Taken from here.

Nine ministries and government departments overspent last year’s overall operational allocation by a total of RM3.73 billion, according to the Auditor-General’s Report released today. The ministries include the Education Ministry, Health Ministry, Home Ministry, Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry, Public Service Department, Attorney-General’s Department, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Public Services Commission. Taken from here.

Putrajaya risked public safety when it took four years to approve funds to repair the damaged roof at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the Auditor-General said in his report released today. The report highlighted that the Merdeka Stadium Corporation (MSC), a federal statutory body responsible for the management of all national sports complexes, had applied to repair damage to the Bukit Jalil Stadium a total of four times since 2006. Taken from here. Their lackdaisical attitude about the rakyat's safety is truly alarming. Now they approve Lynas plant to open in Kuantan. If there is a radiation leak, how? Wait four years before they decide that the plant should close?

Ali Kadir posed a very relevant question about our reaction to all these mismanagement and over spending here.

And the ONLY reaction we got from our government was this feeble and unconvincing promise here.

I am sad. Very sad. With the going ons in this country. Am I wrong if I say it right out now that I love my nation, but I detest our government for all these here, and some more elsewhere? I am just one person, one vote, but I feel for this nation, for all of the other taxpayers. What say you?

Homework untuk Weekend

2011-10-14T16:47:00.000+08:00

Yeayyyyy...... tomorrow starts the weekend.

Besssttt! I loike, very much. Even if I dun have any plans for the weekend.

Gonna leave uolls with a karangan to read

Kalau rajin, translate lah. Anggap lah ini homework untuk weekend nih yer?

Bye! Till next week, okay.....?

of Loss...... part II

2011-10-13T13:58:00.001+08:00

My last post was kinda vague, I know. Not in the mood to write yet.

Neither am I now, but, to really wait for the right mood..... it just might never come. So, what the heck, here's a brief 'explanation', if one is needed, of the last post.

On the 25th September 2011, Wangari Mathai , Nobel Peace Prize winner of 2004, passed away at a Nairobi Hospital after a prolonged struggle with cancer. She is the founder of the Green Belt Movement in 1977 which has staunchly and continuously campaigned for environmental conservation and good governance.

She is an idol, for me. Some has dubbed her as Earth Mother as she has always been seen as one who was visionary and saw over the trees canopy, but never lost sight of the roots.

Wangari Mathai 1940-2011

The world mourns, I mourned too. A loss that is irreplaceable, but in remembrance of her extraordinary life to one who devoted her time and efforts to peacefully protecting the environment, the one she calls "our common home and future".

And that is of loss number One.

On Friday afternoon, 7th October 2011, while DS Najib was busy tabling the annual budget for year 2012, I suffered a miscarriage. A relatively painless one (as I was not even aware that I was pregnant!), I bled while I was driving down to KL. It came in short, spasms of cramps, which I put down to period pain. But when the bleeding started to get heavy (I usually only spot on the first day of menstruation) I knew something was just not very right.

Drove towards Damai Medical Centre on hubby's instructions, and was admitted to their A&E department. Was seen to immediately by a kind and calm gynaecologist and after a brief scan of the womb, she confirmed that I am suffering from a miscarriage at 6 weeks term, and a D&C procedure needs to be done immediately.

Was prepped for the procedure at 3:30pm, and was already discharged at 7:30pm! I thot that was fast! Not much pain, except the re-occuring stomach cramps.

Only the next day, did the real reality of the loss of a "future could have been child" sank in and a bit of sadness kinda hit me. Its a loss that I did not anticipate as it was not expected in the very first place, but a loss all the same.

Thus that is loss number Two.

On Tuesday, 11th October 2011, we lost our dear and veteran artiste Dato Ahmad Jais due to old age ailments. He was 75.

Immediately thot of Abby and Ted who are great fans of his, especially his song Budi Setahun, Segunung Intan. It is a MUST song for these two every time we go for our karaoke sessions together. I sms-ed them, and yes, they too have heard of his demise.

Al-fatihah for his soul, may he be placed in the gardens of Jannah with all the pious others. May his legacy of beautiful songs continues to contribute pahala for him there.

And that my friends is loss number Three.

Hope that will be all the loss for now. No more, please.

Till the next post. Ciao!

of Loss.....

2011-10-11T11:52:00.000+08:00

a flower falls even though we love it. A weed grows even though we don't.....

nanti saya cerita what this is all about, when I'm in a better frame of mind....

I'm back......

2011-10-04T16:57:00.000+08:00

been away for a while.

merajuk mood. But then dun really know what is that I merajuk about.

just at that instance, all that is said and uttered kinda made me "withdraw" for a while from expressing my feelings and thoughts openly.

being labelled "dirasuk hantu Ambiga", "tidak bersyukur", pro opposition and agent Freemason etc. is not really the height of one's writing experience and it also shows how little those accusers know me, if not at all. Being challenged to show commitment to my cause, I too removed some from my FB's list, and some others voluntarily removed me from theirs. Its okay, I'm cool now. I look at it as a consensus that we agree to disagree.....

I wish I could privatise this blog of mine. But I know there are ghost readers out there who are supportive of my rantings and raving here without them even writing it down at the comments page. To privatise it would be shutting these people out unnecessarily when the actual fact is its only a handful that I do not want their visit here.

so, am gonna be back in the blogosphere, insyaAllah. Not gonna give two hoots about those who do not like my writings. I write for syok sendiri reasons, will continue to do so. Lu tak suka? Lu boleh blah.....

muahahahaha........

Selamat Hari Raya.... yang terlambat! Huhuhu....

2011-09-26T11:21:00.000+08:00

Hello people!

Been away from this blog for a loooooooong time erkk?

No excuses, it is intentional, actually.

Reasons? Will keep it to myself, for now.

Anyway, would like to take this opportunity to wish all my Muslim reader SELAMAT HARI RAYA!

Mak tahu dah terlambat ni nokkks, tapi ampunkan jer lah mak ni yer. Mak ni nan hado mood nak blogging hari tuh.

Anyway, insyaAllah, akan kembali berblogging lagi selepas ini (read:selepas habis Syawal)

In the mean time, I'm leaving U with lots of <3. <3, <3, <3, .... its hearts okay? Not party hats on bums! Muahahahaha......

Introducing..... TENGOK dan RASA

2011-07-12T17:24:00.000+08:00

Today, I made lots of enemies on FB. Ya Allah, ampunkanlah hamba Mu ini. I removed friends from friends list, blocked some of them too coz I thought we have agreed to disagree on our own respective page. But some just encroached my space with their arguments and some challenged me to remove them in support of my cause. Well, I did. No remorse, no regrets.

Looking at the status updates, I see many that is low on morale. Many going on a roll, calling out vile names to those who do not agree with them. We have been labelled as Bershit Bastards by some. Sad ehhhh.... what Malaysians have come to?

A sliver of hope came up in two articles written by two young Malaysians. Read about it here and here. Honest words from people who has not learn to lie yet. (read: politicians!)

Was just browsing thru the walls, when I happened to come across...... "drumroll"....... this! It took my breath away! Man.... it is good. Lots of wonderful pics with lots of short but meaningful write up.

The blog owner is Syed. Used to be a partner of mine in our firm. He has since moved on, to greener pastures, I assume.

He is an avid photographer. Quite new at it, but has managed to capture the essence of photography, I would say. Even without the words that he blog, his pictures tells a story. So, this is the silver lining to this blahhhh day of mine. Do go visit his blog, it is light reading and pleasant on the eyes too. Nothing heavy, just pics that speaks.....

in Pon & Zi mode....

2011-07-11T16:45:00.000+08:00

just came back from Sydney.

been looking at them Bersih 2.0 clips that are all over the Net.

SAD! Seeing felow Malaysians being kicked, being shot at with tear gas canisters, being stomped on..

I bet the police were feeling the way the picture here depicts.....

what a pity, for U and for me!

entri Maroh.....

2011-06-28T23:30:00.000+08:00

Just read Malaysian Insider today.

Ibrahim Ali called the Bar Council, a Bastard Council.

Read about it here.

this is a guy whose Mummy certainly didn't teach him much manners....

Well, I say, Ib old boy, you leave the election rally to Ambiga. She is a trained proffesional, a lawyer. You, on the other hand, should concentrate on searching for an erection. It is evident by the way you have been throwing your weight and speaking out of your ass, you are not capable of having one!

And don't you go around tomorrow and claim that you have been misunderstood again. You have done it once too often. We do not buy it anymore!

If all leaders used the same lame excuse you did. History would have been written this way, I guess....

entri Kuciwa....

2011-06-27T16:23:00.000+08:00

Ngkorang pernah tak rasa kuciwa?

Bahasa bakunya mungkin keciwa, tapi saya guna bahasa P.Ramlee.

Ketika setiap perbuatan dan laku kita sering disalahertikan? Ketika sentiasa dihambat penindasan demi penindasan. Ketika bersuara itu dituduh sebagai ahli parti pembangkang dan agen perosak kerajaan? Ketika warna t-shirt pilihan juga bakal membawa kepada penahanan? Ketika media-media arus perdana pesat menjuarai kebatilan dan enggan menulis tentang kebenaran? Ketika undang-undang dan mahkamah bukan lagi saluran mencapai keadilan? Ketika masih ada kengkawan yang hanyut dek arus kealpaan, enggan menerima kenyataan. Ketika malam menatap wajah anak-anak yang tidur bersebelahan? Menanyakan diri,apakah kualiti alam yang pada mereka, bakal kita wariskan? Ketika harga barang-barang runcit dan ikan naik berlambungan? Ketika rasa tiada lagi yang dapat kita lakukan? Buntu dan hilang arah tujuan?

Maka tatkala ini, berdoa lah. Berdoalah kepada Allah...

Ingatlah .......

‎..doa, munajat dan rintihan memanggil Tuhan adalah nyawa kepada kehidupan..dalam suka, dalam duka, dalam indah, dalam gundah..kepada Allah tempat kita menadah..dunia ini sempit apabila mata hanya memandang sempadan hidup..namun ia amat luas jika dihampar dgn doa yang ikhlas.....

p/s - entri ini hanya menggunakan gambar kucing kerana pada waktu ini, penulis berpendapat haiwan lebih tinggi darjatnya di mata Allah daripada manusia-manusia yang melakukan kerosakan di muka bumi.

of Time...

2011-06-23T21:51:00.001+08:00

Been racing against time lately...

and it seems like I'm always losing....

Datelines for court applications, written submissions, letters etc got to met. On top of that I have other kinds of commitments to MNS Pahang and a few of our annual supporters (yes Cargill, I still owe you people the tax exemption letter!) Been organising one projects after another, in a short time span. Letih wooooi! Dateline to move in to our house in Taman Guru is by Hari Raya. That too, is putting a lot of pressure on me and Koka as it involves me giving up all my weekend activities to help out at re-doing the house. Been nearly three months now that I have gave up climbing mountains, trekking and frolicking in the sun with the girls, coz of the weekend projects being done at the house.

I do admit that I am somewhat a procrastinator at times. They say procrastinators are people who waste time. Well I won't waste my time defending procrastinators, even I am one. It does seems that my procrastination is one of the reasons why I am always harried by datelines.

my time management chart will look something like this....

I know, wasting time is somewhat a sin. And the Quran tells us explicitly in the Sural al-Asr that swears by the time, verily men are always at loss. Well, the thing is, when you are hard up for an extra time, only will you realise that you have actually squandered some precious time some time ago. At least, that is the case for me....

verily, I am among those who are at loss....

forgive me Allah

It also doesn't help that I sometimes take on more than I can chew and end up lacking of time to do all that I undertake to do. These past few months has seen that. Aside from my 9-5 job, my involvement in the Save Malaysia community project, I've also became project coordinator for two MNS programmes, namely Tree Planting with Cargill and just recently A Billion Acts of Green with BASF-Petronas. These two projects ate up a big chunk of my time too.

There is this phrase that we lawyers use quite often, its "buying time". Basically its when your client does not have a defence to a civil suit, but just needs some time to look for the dough to pay off the plaintiff, then he appoints you to buy him some time. It is usually done by filing in a defence at the very last minute and all sorts of stalling tactics like filing in an application to strike out their pleadings because their font size is less than 12 points, an application for full and further details of the debt when you know very well your clients are soooo aware of them details. It is unethical to a certain extend, but you still do it because you wanna 'buy time' for your clients.

putting time in your shopping cart? Where is the cashier, I wonder?

I know I need to brush up on my time management. "Prioritise, prioritise," I keep murmuring to myself everytime I'm in a jam with time. Need a plan on how to manage my time. Need I enrol in a course? I bet I will be the only 40 year old there amongst newly graduates.... haisshhhhh! Its like trying to schedule a time management seminar into my calendar if only I can find the time to go buy a calendar first.

time management looks complex here, to me

I live a very unstructured life....

I thought of finding some time to to everything, till I come across this...

apparently, I have to make time.....

Okay, okay, I'm technically out of time here. There's tons more to do, and what do I do? I blog! Sheeeshhhh....

running out of time, or jogging out of time?

I've scheduled two articles on law and environment to read before my bedtime. That should be a good use time don't you think so? Only if I have the time to think lah, kannnnn? While I slave away at reading materials I would rather not read, I wish all of you a good time with your time.

not this kind, though....

Ciaooooo....

A Billion Acts of Green.....

2011-06-21T13:36:00.000+08:00

Ello uolls.....

Dah habis mood weekend ker?

Care to read about what we did last Sunday?

MNS Pahang and BASF-Petronas organised a World Environmental Day Celebration with the tagline of A Billion Acts of Green. Venue was at Tapak Pasar Tani Baru, behind the Malay Town tuh, dekat dengan Seri Dagangan Busines Centre new phase. Programme started at 8:30am. About 80 volunteers from BASF-Petronas and MNS turned up to do the distribution.

kiddos with the banner...

What did we do this time round? We gave away 1000 pieces of non-woven shopping bag to the people at Pasar Tani and at the same time, collected back as much plastic bag as we can. We also advocated the usage of the reusable shopping bags instead of the plastic bags that are currently given out at Pasar Tani.

Husna as a green bag model in her pink outfit...

advocating the usage of reusable bags instead of plastic bags...

yours truly, the bag lady..... selirat dgn platik beg yg dikutip dari pengunjung-pengunjung Pasar Tani

Why, do we do this, U ask?

Because, In a landfill, plastic bags take up to 1,000 years to degrade. As litter, they breakdown into tiny bits, contaminating our soil and water.

When plastic bags break down, small plastic particles can pose threats to marine life and contaminate the food web. A 2001 paper by Japanese researchers reported that plastic debris acts like a sponge for toxic chemicals, soaking up a million fold greater concentration of such deadly compounds as PCBs and DDE (a breakdown product of the notorious insecticide DDT), than the surrounding seawater. These turn into toxic gut bombs for marine animals which frequently mistake these bits for food.

Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating discarded plastic bags mistaken for food. Turtles think the bags are jellyfish, their primary food source. Once swallowed, plastic bags choke animals or block their intestines, leading to an agonizing death

gini hahhhh turtles tu bila termakan plastik beg....

Plastic bags in general take anywhere from 20 to 1,000 years to breakdown in the environment. This is a very long period of time; however, eventually they would breakdown and disappear. Once in a landfill though, they never breakdown. Modern landfills are designed so that nothing in them breakdowns. This means that as space becomes more of a premium something eventually will need to be done with the bags. There is a huge cost to this. Some may justify the cost by discounting the costs to the future but on this timescale it makes any future cost irrelevant. All of these factors cost taxpayers billions of dollars over the years.

The plastic bags that are not put in the waste basket end up as litter. Litter is a huge burden on society. Litter is so pervasive in some parts of the world that in South Africa plastic bags are called its national flower. In China plastic bags cover the streets and are known as white pollution. Plastic bags cover the streets, clog drains and gutters, and are even linked to diseases!

plastic bags in landfill are major environmental problem!

So, these coming days, do your part as Earth citizens and do say NO to plastic bags. Here's a manual on how to do so.....

Entri Meroyan by A Non-Economist....

2011-06-13T22:03:00.000+08:00

I know I have not been keeping to my words, about regularly updating the blog. No excuses, you people are not imbeciles that would buy my story of mega busy-ness (after all I'm only a lowly lawyer in a small town not a high flying politician from a ruling party, kannn?)

Truth is, I'm a bit pissed off with the going ons happening around me. Yes, its happening around you people too, if you care to sit down and give an ounce of thought about it. Worrisome, that is all I can sum it down to be.

Recently Husna asked me an innocent question that got me thinking. She came leaping into the car the last day of school, just before the holidays, with a barrage of questions for me. "Mak, mak, Adik nak tanya! Adik nak tanya Mak nih. Adik nak tahu ni!"

I asked her, as I turned the corner of the parking lot, heading home with her. "Apa dia Adik?"

"Mak ada pencen tak? Mak boleh tak pencen? Pencen sekarang boleh tak Mak?" she asked, like a bullet train, shooting all her questions all at once.

A bell started to ring in my head. I know for a fact, something must have triggered this barrage of queries. So, I took a deep breath and answered her, "Mak kerja sendiri lah Adik. Tak ada pencen."

I heard her gasped, and she retorted in astonishment, "Tak ada pencen? Mak kena keja untuk selama-lamanya ke? Mak tak boleh rehat ker bila dah tua?"

I didn't want to answer that morbid question, so I sidestepped her question with one of my own. "Kenapa Adik tiba-tiba cerita pasal pencen nih? Why the sudden interest in pension and pensioners?"

muka puzzled dengan soklan budak Husna nih....

She took a sip of water from her Dora the Explorer water bottle and lauched off into explanation, "kawan Adik, emak dia dah nak pencen minggu depan. Dia cakap, nanti emak dia duduk kat rumah, masak untuk dia, tunggu dia balik dari sekolah, buat homework dengan dia, boleh bawak dia pergi taman petang-petang. Dia cakap emak dia dah tak payah gi kerja dah sebab dah pencen, tapi bulan-bulan masih ada duit pencen. Adik nak lah Mak pun macam tu. Adik nak Mak tunggu Adik kat rumah, masak untuk Adik, main dengan Adik. Adik nak lah Mak pun pencen!"

Haishhhh..... so this is what it is all about erkkkk! Her need for a full time stay at home mother. And she went on still, "Kalau Mak tak ada pencen, maknanya Mak kena kerja ye selama-lamanya? Sampai Mak tua? Sampai Adik besar? Sampai bila-bila? Kenapa ya Mak?"

I wanted to reassure her that insyaAllah, I will, one day, stop working (but it sounds like a lie!) I wanted to tell her that even if she has a full time working mother, its still the quality of time that I spend with her that matters (but she won't understand that view yet). I want to tell her that its okay, we will all die first from the Lynas' thorium radiation before we all grow old, so no pencen pun tak apa (tapi bunyinya morbid lah amat sangat kan?)

Reality is, the economic and financial scenario today certainly does not look optimistic at all. It doesn't help that as of 1st of June the electricity tariffs has been increased by 7%. Just a few weeks earlier, the price of sugar has been increased by 20cents per kg. I don't even wanna talk about the prices of fuel and gas that has been on a yo-yo level ever since I could drive a car! The effect is, prices of other foodstuffs and other household essentials around us are slowly increasing whether or not we are aware of it.

The leaders, in retort to the rakyat's laments, keep telling us to be more prudent in our spending. Its like parents telling children to be more wise in managing their money when they themselves go on a spending rampage.

Just recently, the government spent a whopping RM27million for the Million Youths Assembly held last month, 18 times the initial RM1.5 million budget for the National Youth Day event. Though they are quick to defend themselves that was obtained via sponsorship from the private sector, but seriously, I just don't buy it. Read about it here.Call me old skool or whatever, but I just do not see the rationale of spending so much on a "reach out" programme such as this when we still have got poor families living below the poverty level.

This is not taking into accounts the hearsay reports about the spending habits of our FLOM aka Big Mama. I have heard so much about her extravagant spending habits from many sources but of course it is yet to be proven. Tapi orang tua-tua selalu kata, "kalau tidak ada angin, takkan pokok akan bergoyang" Which basically means, there must be some basis for all that expensive stories we have heard about you, kan Rosmah? Some can be read here and here.

Okaylah, kita rakyat biasa kena berjimat cermat. Uolls menteri, Sultan, Raja, terus-terusan hidup mewah ke? Atas duit siapa? Cerita pembinaan Istana Negara yang kos pembinaannya kita dah melambung menjadi RM800 juta pun menyakitkan hati rakyat yang hidup kais pagi dan makan pagi nih! Duit sebanyak itu, kalau diagih-agihkan pada orang yang miskin dan memerlukannya, pasti meningkatkan taraf hidup rakyat dan orang-orang yang berpendapatan rendah. I do not buy the story that the poor are lazy. They are just unfortunate! They are victims of our haywire economic system which does not lend a hand on the low and downtrodden!

The rich are just getting richer by the day, while the poor are still there, being poor. Terngiang-ngiang pesan my mother masa I mula-mula start kerja dulu. Katanya, "Ahan, dah ada kerja, ada gaji, jangan lupa sedekah. Jangan lupa tolong orang. Ingat selalu, orang miskin perlukan orang kaya untuk dunia ini dan orang kaya perlukan orang miskin untuk akhiratnya nanti!"

I wonder if those rich Ministers and entrepeneurs were ever taught this by their mothers?

Okaylah, bebel punya bebel, afternoon post dah jadi late nite post. Defeats me being the afternoon blogger when I first started out dulu. I know that I have been on a roll, about this price hike thing. Can't help it, it really gets to me!

I'm leaving you people with a poem from Dr. MAZA. Read it well, read it slow. Digest the words, the emotions that is pregnant with meaning and look deep into yourselves for a bit of empathy for the poor!

DIALOG PURBA LAMA:
FATWA, KUASA DAN AIRMATA

ini cerita purba lama..
di kala puisi ini di baca, ia sudah menjadi lagenda..
di sebuah negara bangsa, yang hanya tinggal nama..
...sebuah kisah yang sudah mengubah sejarah
pada hari raja dan bendahara sudah pun tiada
hanya tinggal kenangan, sebuah kerajaan yang keguguran

suatu tika..
ketika sang raja melata dengan bangganya,
konon, mencemar daulat, menziarahi rakyat..
maka sekelian rakyat, dikerah penat..
sang raja dihidang bukan sebarangan..
agar istana terus muliakan,
lantas ditulis kata ‘raja berjiwa hamba’

tampillah seorang rakyat yang penuh nekad..
kata penjaga: jangan hampiri duli raja!
…kamu hanya rakyat biasa, tiada pangkat, tiada nama
Jawabnya: tapi aku rakyat yang punyai hajat!
terus sahaja dia ke hadapan, tidak dapat ditahan..
dengan penuh takwa di dada dia berbicara:
Wahai sang raja! Hati apakah saudara?
tergamak membina istana harga ratusan juta laksa..
ketika rakyat hidup penuh sengsara..
tatkala kami membilang-bilang suapan harian,
anak-anak yang hendak diberikan makan..
pakaian keperluan yang wajib disediakan..
dengan penuh lelah dan susah..
bayaran sekolah dan madrasah..
harga makan yang melambung..
atap bocor yang belum ditampung..
lantai berbunyi yang makin canggung..
anak ramai yang hendak ditanggung..

malang sekali…
khazanah bumi yang patut dikongsi..
dihabiskan untuk istana sang duli..
dipotong segala bantuan dan subsidi..
untuk kerakusan nafsu berahi..
duli-duli dan menteri-menteri..
pengampu-pengampu di sana-sini..
syaitan atau sultan, bendahara atau buaya..
nampaknya sama sahaja..
menteri atau pencuri,
pengampu atau penyapu..
sudah tiada bezanya..
terus berfoya dengan harta negara..
sedangkan…
keringat kami tidak pernah berhenti..
airmata kami terus mengiringi..
derita ini terus kami warisi..

ketika kemewahan raja dan bendahara..
dilapor dalam berbagai riwayat berita..
kisah duka rakyat, siapakah yang mempedulikannya?

Aduhai celakanya…
dalam sengsara rakyat jelata..
kalian tambah istana dan kota..
sedangkan yang lama masih boleh diguna..
rumah buruk kami pula, siapa yang akan bina?
apakah jenis manusia? apakah jenis raja, begini rupa?
apakah jenis memanda dan bendahara…
yang sanggup bersekongkol dosa?!

Maka murkalah sang raja..
“derhaka! kamu menentang beta!
beta penjaga agama, jangan sebarangan bicara!”
titah mengadap ahli fatwa, supaya hukum dapat diguna..
kepada penderhaka yang menentang kesucian kita
panggil setiap yang patut, tangkap dia atas nama penghasut!

maka bersuara ahli fatwa:
..atas nama agama kita, hai orang desa,
kamu rakyat derhaka yang berdosa..
menurut hukum tuhan, raja mesti dimuliakan..
tiada engkaran, tiada soalan..
hanya kata: menjunjung titah, tanpa bantah!

Hairan sang rakyat, seraya berkata: kamu siapa?
Sanggup kamu membela dosa mengguna nama agama?
Jawabnya: kamu ternyata hanya orang biasa..
tidak kenal orang berkedudukan mulia..
mana sang mufti yang dilantik duli..

Berkata sang rakyat: aduhai, malang sekali kamu sang mufti,
Tidaklah kamu dikenali, tidaklah kamu diperduli..
Dengan nama Rabbul Izzati, aku ingin kau beri erti,
apakah tugas anta selama ini?

Terkedu sang mufti, jantung berdegup
Tapi..terpaksa disahut:
Ya! Kerja kita membela baginda raja..
agama Tuhan kami guna,
siapa derhaka kami hukum dosa,
siapa terima, kami janjikan syurga..
setiap keramaian yang diada..
kami puja, kami dewa sang raja..
dengan doa-doa yang dicipta..
atas mimbar jumaat,
ataupun di majlis tarian memikat..
rakyat mengamin, kami menjamin..
maka duli tidak perlu diri dicermin..
kami kata tuanku sekelian sebaik-baik pemimpin..

kata sang rakyat: wahai sang mufti!
jika kau pernah mengaji,
jika kau tahu firman ilahi,
jika kau faham sabda Nabi..
apakah hukum istana ratusan juta harga atas derita jelata?

Jelaskan, halal atau haram wang yang dicengkam?
jawab sang mufti: hukum itu tiada dalam agama, jangan ditanya!
katanya pula: apakah hukum rakyat yang tidak bercermat?
dengan cepat mufti menjawab:
dia berdosa, tempatnya dalam neraka..

maka baranlah sang rakyat, bangkit dengan semangat,
diasak terus sang mufti dengan sindiran bertubi:
ketika duli pergi berjudi,
habis dibelasah wang negeri,
apakah fatwa kau sang mufti?
Ketika duli mabuk arak,
habis agama berselerak,
di mana mufti terletak?
ketika raja bersenda berpoya,
habis jadi cerita rakyat jelata,
ke kota sini dan ke sana,
wang negara enak dibelanja,
sang mufti kau di mana?
Marahlah sang mufti kesayangan duli:
Diam! Derhaka hukumnya haram!
sang raja penjaga agama,
mereka payung kita,
jangan dipersenda, itu satu dosa..
mati mereka kami adakan upacara doa..
ramai yang akan membaca..
imam-imam besar dibayar..
pahala-pahala akan dihantar..

sang rakyat masih baran:
wahai mufti pilihan!
apakah Tuhan menerima pahala bacaan
dari upah wang rakyat yang dimakan?!
aku sekali lagi ingin bertanya:
Apakah hukum istana,
yang dibina atas airmata rakyat jelata?

Titah Raja: Panggil menteri, hukum si degil ini!
dia cuba menghasut rakyat dan negeri!
tidak hormati mufti, dan kesucian duli-duli..
datanglah menteri dengan pantas:
“kau penderhaka, kau pengganas,
mesti ditangkap, mesti diberkas,
agama pun dah kata kau berdosa,
maka kau dihukum tanpa perlu dibicara..

berkata sang rakyat yang dihina,
sambil tunduk dengan airmata:
aku kenal Tuhan, agamaNya, juga negara,
bukan seperti yang kalian dusta..
agama bukan untuk melindungi dosa raja,
agama bukan untuk mempertahan noda penguasa
agama bukan untuk menzalimi rakyat jelata,
agama bukan untuk penindasan orang bawahan,
agama Tuhan untuk keadilan sekelian insan

Tuhan lagi membicarakan hamba-hambaNya,
setiap pahala dan dosa ditimbang seadilnya,
bagaimanakah aku disalah tanpa mahkamah?
Apakah kamu melebihi Tuhan Yang Maha Rahmah?

Sekali lagi aku bertanya:
apa hukum membina istana dengan sengsara rakyat jelata?
aku datang dari desa yang dihimpit berbagai perit,
aku datang dari keluarga yang rendah tanpa mewah,
mengira setiap belanja dan harga,
mengundi setiap barang yang dibeli
menunggu setiap detik kehadiran gaji,

apabila aku bertanya kemewahan istana dan pembesarnya,
harta para penguasa bangsa dan kuncu mereka
dari wang negara dan harta kita,
lalu kamu menyebut tentang dosa dan derhaka..
kalian dan raja memang menempa neraka..
dan sedang meruntuhkan negara..
atas derita kami rakyat yang sengsara...

maka, ditangkaplah wira rakyat,
tiada siapa yang mampu menyekat..
kendati, dia dilupa,
dihukum tanpa bicara..
namun puisi ini, tetapi merakam memori,
untuk pertiwi yang disayang,
juga wira yang tidak didendang..

Tuhan tidak akan lupa,
setiap kezaliman ada balasannya,
harga istana yang dibina, akan tetap dibicara,
wang rakyat yang ditelan, tetap dipersoalkan,
Di Mahkamah Tuhan Yang Maha Memberikan Keadilan!

Solidarity Walk Friday 20th May 2011, 2:30pm

2011-05-19T16:48:00.000+08:00

Yup, its about Lynas again. I know some of you out there are getting tired of hearing me parroting about this issue. Shooo, go elsewhere if you only want to read all those rosy stuffs. Here, you will have to put up with my not so rosy writings about the goings on in my life and the happenenings around me. Well, it is MY blog after all, kannnnnn?

For those of you readers who are still in the vague about what is this Lynas thingy that I am harping about, please go read here. A well researched and comprehensive factual write up about why we the people in Kuantan are soooo against the opening of this plant here.

It is not only us in Kuantan who are against this dangerous and hazardous plant opening here, but the people in Australia are apprehensive too of the safety of the ore and raw materials that will be transported from Mount Weld to Freemantle. Read about their objections to this here.

We, the people of Kuantan, comprising mainly of apolitical public who are mainly concerned about the safety and wellbeing of our children and our future generation came together as one under Save Malaysia to set up an action comittee. Headed by one Vincent Jiam who is married to Serena Hee, they both run a montessori at Jalan Air Putih. They, of all people knows the value of a child's life, a child's health, as they deal with children everyday in their capacity as a montessori owner.

So, tomorrow, Friday the 20th of May 2;30pm, we will be organising a Solidarity Walk from KLCC to the Australia High Commision to hand over a memorandum, pleading (yes, I say pleading) that the Australian government would step in to talk to Lynas (who has refused to talk to us!). We are hoping that our plea will not be falling on deaf ears this time round. For those of you who are around KL area, do come and support us in our plight to stop this dangerous plant from taking up residence here in Kuantan.

Datanglah beramai-ramai yer. Jangan kasi malu orang Malaysia. SlutWalk kat Toronto pun boleh gather 3,000 orang. Ini satu bentuk jihad, marilah sokong kita. InsyaAllah ada ganjarannya dari Allah untuk kita yang berjuang secara tidak ekstrem dan di dalam lunas-lunas undang-undang lagi.

So, people, see you tomorrow at Taman Suria KLCC! If possible come in black t-shirt as a show of mourning over the fate of our small town here in East Coast. Come, help us. We need all the support that we can get!

My Friend the Wind....

2011-05-18T12:44:00.000+08:00

Today's post will clearly show my age, I know.

Just wanna share a favourite song of mine, sang by Demis Roussos. Yeap, most of you wouldn't have heard about him coz he is just not from this era. He was from the yesteryears.

This is a beautiful song with lots of Greek places mentioned in it.

I am in "listen to the wind" mode these few days. Trying to recharge myself from all the running around that I have been doing, am doing and will be doing. Haishhhhhh.......

And ohhh.... here are the lyrics too. In case you wanna sing along! Hahahaha.....

My friend the wind will come from the hills

When dawn will rise, he'll wake me again

My friend the wind will tell me a secret

He shares with me, he shares with me

My friend the wind will come from the north

With words of love, she whispered for me

My friend the wind will say she loves me

And me alone, and me alone

I'll hear her voice and the words

That he brings from Helenimou

Sweet as a kiss are the songs of Aghapimou

Soft as the dew is the touch of Manoulamou

Oh oh oh

We'll share a dream where I'm never away from Helenimou

Blue are the days like the eyes of Aghapimou

Far from the world will I live with Manoulamou

Oh oh oh

My friend the wind go back to the hills

And tell my love a day will soon come

Oh friendly wind you tell her a secret

You know so well, oh you know so well

My friend the wind will come from the north

With words of love, she whispered for me

My friend the wind will say she loves me

And me alone, and me alone

I'll hear her voice and the words

That he brings from Helenimou

Sweet as a kiss are the songs of Aghapimou

Soft as the dew is the touch of Manoulamou

Oh oh oh

We'll share a dream where I'm never away from Helenimou

Blue are the days like the eyes of Aghapimou

Far from the world will I live with Manoulamou

Oh oh oh

La la la .... Helenimou

La la la .... Aghapimou

La la la .... Manoulamou

La la la .... Helenimou

La la la .... Aghapimou

La la la .... Manoulamou

Picture Blog....

2011-05-10T16:56:00.000+08:00

Tree Planting in Conjunction with Earth Day Celebration at Tanjung Api Esplanade... (7th May 2011, 8am-12pm)

the participants....

the venue.....

registration....

starting off....

cleaning up the esplanade....

tree planting cousins....

happy volunteers....

1000 Mothers Against Lynas at Teluk Chempedak on Mother's Day. (8th May 2011, 6pm-9pm)

mothers, with a message.....

for our children's safety and future.....

staunch supporters, also surrogate mothers of my children.....

from all race and all walks of life.

Holding candlelit vigil.....

from all age....

spelling it out loud

Stop Lynas....

Ramblings after Langkawi......

2011-05-03T17:32:00.001+08:00

Back from the Langkawi trip. Boy, there sure was a lot of gamat there. Minyak gamat, bam gamat, air gamat, bedak gamat, minyak rambut gamat, tonik gamat, pencuci muka gamat, kopi gamat, lilin gamat, pes gamat dan macam-macam gamat lah yang mak tak kowser nak sebut kat sini.

ni hahhhh gamat, kalau ngkorang belum pernah tengok!

The trip went by a lot quicker than I thought it would. It was an enjoyable one with the kiddos in tag, but it would have been better if it was just us adults! Hahahaha.... will be going there again in September, insyaAllah, as our MNS AGM this year will be held there. Gonna go snorkelling at Pulau Payar marine park then coz we did no manage to do so this trip!

Hilman and Husna at Dataran Lang....

No there were not any kangaroos there!!!!

While we were there, apparently a lot of HOT news/going ons happened erkkk? We who did not watch TV nor read any newspapers for the solid 4 days only got to know that William of Windsor married Kate Middleton on Friday and about Dato' Shazryl Eskay's sumpah laknat at a mosque in Sentul when we got back to KL.

after Saiful Bukhari, its Shazryl Ekay now....

when lah are we really gonna know the truth erkkkk?

or is the truth actually too abstract for us to understand?

someone please tell me.

Also heard that Osama Ben Laden was killed by the US troops when his villa in Pakistan was bombarded by them. His bloodied body was then flown by helicopter to the USS Carl Vision ship and thrown to the sea under 24 hours after the pivotal gunfight. And why, I wonder? Again, someone please tell me....

And Obama took credit for Osama's death.....

Fed up actually with the going ons in this country and this world too! You don't hear much good news anymore these days. Reading the newspaper and watching the news is now like reading a horror stories and watching horror movies, no joke!

But this morning, I read a refreshing news online. Datuk Ahmad Kamal Abdullah or better known as Kemala has been awarded the title Sasterawan Negara. He is the 11th person to have receive this award.

Malaysian National Laureate (Malay: Sasterawan Negara) are individuals who were awarded the Laureate for their contributions to Malay literature. I particularly like Kemala because his writings indirectly reflects that he is an enviromentalist and highly infused with bits and pieces from the Quran and hadis. If you have read his Alif kepada Alif and Burung-Burung Kudus, you will see just what I mean.

I reproduce here, a translation of Jalan Ke Rumah Pertama for your reading pleasure:

Path To The First House

Let's master the zigzag path to the

First House. And slip to the corner of the mountain

Ease yourself and stop for a while. Do ask

the parrot who dances wildly. And this

first dahlia falls upon her wing.

Look! That is the cool waterfall. Ah, what

a reward and joy. You need to love

someone by the lonely traveller washes his face

"Here I am," say's Moses' monkey.

As this historical river of yesteryear whiten its sin

Looking at you again

The parrot saying with a sigh

"I am waiting for a thousandth hunter!"

Last of April....

2011-04-28T13:43:00.000+08:00

How time flies erkkkk....?

It is the last days of April now.

In less than three weeks we will see the month of Syaaban, then Rejab and then Ramadhan, our holy fasting month.

Days are getting shorter, I feel. 24 hours is never enough to do all that needs to be done. Been existing on a 5 hour nightly sleep pattern lately.

What with not having an LA anymore, (yes, Safiza left our firm. For a greener pasture, I presume) I am reduced to a headless chicken running around, going to court, attending to MNS projects, working on the Lynas in-depth examination comittee, chauffering the kiddos to and fro school and running errands for my parents too!

ooooopppssss.... this is the headless horseman, not the headless chicken.

Can lah, uolls read the post, ignore the pics lah yer?

Its gonna be a long weekend, with the Labour Day holiday thrown in on Monday. I"m off to Langkawi with my other half and the kiddos. Hope to get some reprieve from all this hecticness (which was aptly pointed out by a friend, of my own doing!) Yes, I have a tendency to wanna do all things I have passion for and that puts a lot on my plate! But here's hoping Langkawi will "recharge" me and make me more prepared to tackle the weeks ahead!

no, this is not Langkawi and that is not a silhoutte of a helang at Dataran Langkawi...

like I said earlier, ignore the pics, just read the post!

7th of May will see us celebrating Earth Day at Esplanade Tanjung Api. This time round it will be a joint venture effort with Cargill Palm Oil Industries. Activities on that day will be cleaning up the esplanade, especially down by the beach where the tide brings in lots of litter and debris. This year also we will be planting 100 trees there. Yes, 100 tree in one morning! 30 ketapang, 20 penaga laut and 50 coconut trees. Its one of our biggest tree planting project so far and we do hope that it will make our planet Earth greener! Do come join us, if you are in Kuantan on the 7th May, 7:30am!

gambar ini tidak ada kena mengena dengan yang hidup atau yang mati, apa lagi post di blog ini....

So, that's that. I reckon this will be my last post for the month of April. I hope to get an LA to assist me soon, or I might just go bonkers trying to juggle all duties on my own. Wish me luck ehhhh? I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

told you to ignore them pics didn't I?

1000 Mothers Against Rare Earth @ Teluk Cempedak Beach

2011-04-18T17:10:00.000+08:00

This is an open invitation to all, but especially targeted to women who are mothers or who would be mothers.

This is the plight of the mothers in Kuantan, on Mother's Day this year, come join us on the beach of Teluk Chempedak, in the evening.

Bring a carnation along. Let us cherish the sunset. Let us protect the babies who are here and those who are coming into the world in the future.Lets sit on the beach and reflect on our actions....

We are meeting in peace. We are gathering in solidarity. We are all against the opening of Lynas Rare Earth Plant in Gebeng.

We are the mothers of the children living here in Pahang, we are saddened by the thought that our backyard will be a dumping ground for radioactive waste that will affect the health of our children in the long run. Its not just the children, but the mothers, fathers too.......

One of the worst nightmares of having a Rare Earth Plant in your neighbourhood is that mothers may give birth to deformed babies.

Can you imagine the pain and ache if the new life a couple and the family look forward to will be mentally retarded or physically deformed? Can you imagine the agony if a mother has to decide whether or not to terminate pregnancy?

Hence, we hope you will send this event invite to all our your friends or tell them about this event. In three weeks, we hope to get 1000 mothers with their families to be there.

Please support us......

Entri Tika Bosan....

2011-04-14T17:24:00.000+08:00

Yes, I just did this. But it was no fun coz a staff walked in on me and gave me a weird look.

Heyyyy! I tak kacau you hokkayyy? I buat dalam bilik I.

Kenapa bosan? Sebab tunggu orang yang janji nak call, tapi tak call lagi. Sebab nak menghabiskan minggu ini, tinggal esok sehari lagi.

Sebab hujung minggu ini tak boleh berjimba-jimba sebab ada MNS Council Meeting!

Sebab saya belum ada kasut Keen.

Sebab saya lapar dan rasa macam nak makan KFC Pocketful yang Hilman panggil sebagai KFC Forgetful

Sekian, terimakasih kerana membaca....

Please come back again when I'm sane.....

Muahahahaha................

Of Gunung Datuk Climb and the Pain After it....

2011-04-11T15:58:00.001+08:00

Yup, you read right. The above is currently my life's motto, but I do not necessarily approve of angry bread loaves and bagels!

Just got back from KL last nite. Saturday was spent climbing Gunung Datuk in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan.

Gunung Datuk is about 1½ hours drive from KL. To go there, get onto the North-South Expressway and head South for Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. Take Exit 223 (Pedas/Linggi). Immediately after the toll, take a left turn at the T-junction. A much shorter and quicker route is to take the 3-o'clock exit (you'll by-pass Pedas). Continue along the road until you come to the traffic lights at the end of the road. Take a right turn. Keep going forward (you will soon pass another set of traffic lights) until you see a signboard indicating a left turn to Gunung Datuk. Take the left turn and move on for about About 4km. There will be a junction to the left. This road goes through a rubber estate. Not long along the road, there is a fork; take the left turn. Go all the way and you'll come to Gunung Datuk's base camp.

We came from Kuantan, via Chini, Muadzam and Gemas. Took us about three hours of journey!

pardon their grammar, but this is the signboard located at the foot of the mountain.....

Trekking at a moderate speed will take 2½ hours up and a little bit over an hour down. Sounds like an easy trek right when I just break it down to minutes and hour? But actually, the first hour of trekking was really tough as the hill's gradient was somewhere 75 degree to 85 degree. Yes, pacak habisss the first hour of climband coming down that same slopes requires you to use your knees a lot for braking!

The trail is really straightforward as there's one clear path leading all the way to the peak. It's well-trodden and pretty wide, so trekkers should not get lost nor get tangled with thorny plants. Along the way, there's a patch of yam plants where the leaves stand out from among the common jungle tropical flora.

at the plateau before scaling the peak....

yes, Husna my little trooper did it too. So proud of her.....

For me, the best part of the trek is at the peak. There is no beirut, nor muddy ground, nor tall trees and bushy shrubs to block one's view. Formed by several gigantic granite boulders (that's really not the word coz they are much bigger than what the word suggests), the area around the peak is spacious. Whoever can brave the few rungs of metal ladders and sits at the peak will be offered a 360-degree view. On a clear day, I was told, one can see the Seremban town and as far as the Straits of Malacca.

Once at the top, be prepared for for some of the strongest winds on an open mountain top. But after the sweaty, struggling walk up, sitting with the strong cool winds blowing in you face is truly a refreshing experience.

us, at the peak....

The event that was supposed to be a half day climb dragged to be a full day affair as there were team members who did the climb and descent in 6 hours! Since we all came as a team, we all waited till the very last person came down. Aaleema, though you did it at a siput babi's pace, we are still proud of you coz you did it without any drama or tears!

Late lunch (yes, 6pm!) at Am's place. Her mom cooked us her famous ikan sembilang masak berlada (best in the world!), masak lemak nangka muda with ayam, kacang panjang goreng dengan hati ayam and ulam jering dengan sambal belacan yang super hot! Most of us ate more than one servings, that was for sure! Thank you Kak Am for extending the warmest of hospitality towards all of us. Semoga Allah membalas budi baik akak pada kita!

After Maghrib prayers, we left Am's place and headed for I-City in Shah Alam. The original plan to go watch Odissi by Ramli Ibrahim had to be scrapped because of time constraint. W reached I-City at a little bit over 10pm and walked around (no! We hobbled and limped around actually) watching the beautiful sceneries of electric trees.

a sight for tired eyes, but it did nothing for my tired limbs....

The night ended around 2am for us and I just dropped into a deep fitfull sleep the moment my head touched the pillow. But I heard the gals had their sessi kaunseling at Aaleema's place. Topic nya, "ego trip", kalau tak silap saya lah. Tunggu mereka-mereka yang berkenaan buka blog sendiri kalau uolls nak tahu. I dun do hearsay posts! Hahahahaha.......

Wahhhhhh..... woke up next morning, I could not move my legs. No joke! Sakit gila peha dan betis, belum masuk lagi lenguh bahu galas backpack yang hanya 5 kg lebih tuh. Can't imagine how Am, Zela and Zarina's shoulders felt that morning coz they carried up 13-15kgs weight in ther haversacks as part of their Gunung Tahan expedition training.

gini hahhhh rupa I kesakitan pagi tuh....

sampai kembang-kembang lobang hidung menyeringai...

And so the day ended with us journeying back to Kuantan and the closing activity of the day was applying deep heat ointment to the legs and shoulders. (I know that ointment should have been applied BEFORE the climb and not after!), but what the heck, I just needed something to do while I whine about the pain and the ache I was suffering from to the kiddos.

I do hope this pain will go away soon, coz even as I am writing this post, the gang is already planning a trip up Gunung Irau! Woooo hoooo.... talk about tak serik kannnnn?

So, uolls, jaga diri baik-baik hokkayyyy? Nanti mak hapdate lagi blog ni bila sengal-sengal badan mak ni dah kurang. For now, mak redha dan pasrah jer lah jalan terhencut-hencut macam OKU. Mak yakin, pahala sabar mak banyak nih.......

Itu, Ini, Cerita, Ceriti....

2011-04-07T17:43:00.000+08:00

Hello people! How Have you all been keeping? Well and in the pinkest of health I suppose?

A lot has been happening all around us. A lot that I wanna write about (if only I have the time!). But lets just have excerpts of a ilttle this, a little that, as I honestly do not have the time to write lengthy posts already these days.

Latest today, in the newspapers is the furore over artifial eggs! Yes you read right. Read about it here! Our market is now inundated with artifial eggs brought in from China! Where else erk? That is one damn weird and inventive nation that manufactures artifial rice, artificial milk and now its eggs!

According to those who have seen it themselves, consumers have a hard time telling a genuine egg from a fake one. This is good news for unscrupulous entrepreneurs, who intends to make a fast buck at the expense of the unsuspecting and uninformed consumers.

To create egg white, the manufacturer used assorted ingredients such as gelatin,benzoic acid, coagulating material and even alum, which is normally used for industrial processes. Meanwhile for the egg's yolk, some lemon-yellow colouring powder is mixed to a liquid and the concoction stirred. The liquid is then poured into a round-shaped plastic mould and mixed with so-called 'magic water', which contains calcium chloride.
This gives the 'yolk' a thin outer membrane, firming it up. The egg is then shaped with a mould. The shell is not forgotten. Paraffin wax and an unidentified white liquid are poured onto the fake egg, which is then left to dry. Wallahhhhh! You now have an egg, even without a chicken! Puts the debate of which comes first, egg or chicken, to a standstill erkkk?

Hardy shells are formed by pouring paraffin wax and a liquid onto the egg, which are then left to dry.

Experts warn of the danger of eating fake eggs. Not only do they not contain any nutrients, a Hong Kong Chinese University professor warned that long-term consumption of alum could cause dementia! So housewives out there, be very careful when purchasing eggs now! We dun wanna feed our family with those fake eggs do we?

To be frank with you readers, it was this morning while I was sending the kids to school trhat I heard the news over the radio on IKIM.fm. It said "pengguna-pengguna dinasihati supaya berjaga-jaga kerana terdapatnya telur tiruan yang di jual di pasaran sekarang..."

Inside my head, I was going, "Whoaaaa... telur tiruan? Ada kah jantan-jantan yang tak ada telur yang telah buat excessive order untuk telur-telur tiruan ini, sampai ianya membanjiri pasaran?" After listening to the rest of the news only I understood, its them artifial hen eggs! Pardon me for that transgress of thoughts soooo early in the morning Muahahahaha....

So that was this morning. Now, yesterday, the whole nation was again thrown into shock when Senior Customs officer Ahmad Sarbani Mohamed's death plunge was the topic of the day at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into political aide Teoh Beng Hock's death. With the outcome of Teoh's death still undetermined yet this news is just a tad bit too much for the rakyat.

Malaysian's Police re-enactment of the victim's jump off MACC office....

I saw lots of comments and sarcasm circulating on the social media like FaceBook and Twitter. Status like "Siapa ada premis kat ground floor mesti kaya lepas ni sebab SPRM dah tak dibenarkan menyewa bangunan yang tinggi sebab semua saspek dia jatuh dari tingkap dari tingkat atas!" Or nearer to home, Syed's FB status yesterday afternoon was "wow..SPRM ni memang best..he came to the SPRM office and purposely jump from the 10th floor..congratulation SPRM U have managed to close another investigation paper"

Ye lah, orang menyampah lah dengan spin story ngkorang SPRM woiiii! Nanti siasat punya siasat, pegawai ngkorang yang sepatutnya interrogate si mati rupanya tengah layan porn, time office hours. Hahhh! Nak jawab camner ngkorang? Oooooppps lupa, ngkorang sure nak guna defence, we miss the Carcosa Sri Negara screening of local poliician's porn, sebab tu weolls tengok yang kat opis nih!

Apa-apa pun, marilah kita sama-sama sedekahkan al-Fatihah buat roh arwah Ahmad Sarbani Mohammed dan berdoa semoga rohnya tenang di sisi Allah sentiasa.

The day before yesterday, saw a big group of Kuantan residents turn up at the Pusat Dagangan Indera Mahkota to attend a Sessi Taklimat Berhubung Projek Lynas di Gebeng organised by PKNP.

For those of you who are not from Kuantan and not in the loop, our generous government has agreed to allow Australian miner Lynas to set up the refinery here in Gebeng Industrial Site and this has sparked a public outcry within the local community with residents fearing radioactive fallout from the rare earth mining operations.

Despite a lot of protests and the bad experience at Bukit Merah in Perak, where Mitsubishi Chemicals operated the Asian Rare Earth refinery back in the 1980s, work has already began by Lynas here in Gebeng.

About 500 over people attended the talk and it turned out to be a 4 hour debate between the so called learned panellists which failed to convince the local residents that this project is not dangerous to the health of the people surrounding Gebeng areas. What irked us most is that the blatant absence of the perpetrator itself, Lynas, at the talk. Instead, reps from MOSTI, Nuklear Malaysia. AELB and DOE were the ones who made presentations on behalf of Lynas. Makes these 4 bodies look like balachis for Lynas who sits in the background goyang kaki and tell his 4 servants, "I've paid you good money! Go out there and be my mouthpiece!"

The attitude of some of the presenters also did not go down well with the locals. When the presenter from MOSTI was answering the rakyat's queries, he did it in such a condenscending manner as if all who were present in the hall that nite were imbeciles. He punctuated his answers with "can you follow me?" and "do you understand me" every one or two sentences! That just rubbed some of us the wrong way and yes, he did get a lambasting from yours truly when he kept on repeating that radiation occurs everyday and everywhere around us, so we do not have to be worried about the radiation from Lynas at Gebeng since we are already open to radiation. What he failed to understand is that the radiation that we are exposed to now on a daily basis is not from Lanthanide (the radioactive mineral mined in Australia and brought to our shore to be processed).

And then there is the issdue of consent and non-consent kinda radiation. The ones that we are now exposed to, are the one that we consented to. When we buy an airline ticket and fly in an airplane, its an implied consent that we agree to expose ourselves to the radiation that is involved in the process of flying. If a smoker also emits radiation from his cigarette, I can remove myself from the presence of the smoker if I choose not to be expose to the radiation from his cigarette. But if I stay in his presence, I therefor consent to be exposed to the cigarette radiation.

I suppose, smokers protect themselves from their own cigarette radiation this way....

What they did not get into the so called brilliant scientific mind of theirs is that, we the people of Kuantan are not consenting to allow ourselves to be exposed to the radiation from the Lynas plant. No matter how safe they assure us it is, we do not want it in our small rustic, peaceful town! Please do not try to force it down our throat coz the puke that will come up will cause the current state government a 5 year stench, if you get my drift?

And so, the night ended and we went back to our normal routine of mundane life. But the China Press newspaper apparently felt that what we had to say that nite carried weight coz they allocated a whole page writing about the outcry that we raised during the talk. While the mainstream papers chose to downplay our plight, China Press was highlighting it fairly and openly.

kindly use Google Translate to further understand why I look like I saw a ghost here!

Muahahahaha.....

So, that's about all that I can write for now. Will find more time to do a proper post on the Lynas thing itself. But in the meantime, do Google up Lynas in Bukit Merah, Perak to further understand why we are against it. It is something lawyers call res ipsa loquitor.....

Of Wisdom and Tea....

2011-03-30T16:07:00.001+08:00

Hello people!

Been hectic lah. Tak sempat nak update blog betul-betul. Macam-macam mau tulis, tapi masa yang mencemburui kita, so tak tertulislah akhirnya.

Just a short stop by here to share this beautiful video by Dawud Wharnsby Ali titled Wisdom and Tea. It is about a one sided conversation of a man with his dying mother. It brought tears to my ears, listening to this. Kalau ngkorang tak tersentuh dengan video nih, memang hati kering lah!

Dawud (David) Wharnsby Ali (born June 27, 1972) is a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, performer, educator and television personality. He is best known for his pioneering efforts in the musical/poetic genre of English Language nasheed. Dawud Wharnsby is also lyricist, vocalist and guitarist of the folk music duo Dawud & Idris, alongside composer Idris Phillips.

As a social activist, Dawud Wharnsby Ali also lectures internationally at community events and universities, speaking on topics related to social justice, disability awareness, music, spirituality or Qur'anic philosophy, tradition and ideology.

I also like his rendition of The Veil. He sings about the challenges a Moslem woman faces donning the hijab. You can check it out here.

So, this should be my last post for this month! Hope to update more regularly next month. Have a great weekend (early wish, I know)! Take care......

The Face in The Mirror....

2011-03-22T17:18:00.001+08:00

What do you see when you look at your face in the mirror? Do you see your authentic self or a reflection of who you are?

I ask myself this question recently while I was putting on make up to go attend a dinner, a reunion dinner actually, of a group of MGPS girls. I wondered, as I looked into the mirror, am I becoming more comfortable with the uniquely looking face that stares back at me? I really hope so. You see, this growth of self acceptance and self love is slow and very subtle, especially after years of benign neglect.

My husband, excited with all the make up action, whipped out his camera and took loads of pics of the 'painted' me.

It dawned on me, one of the ways that we can begin to love our faces is to enhance them with makeup. Those lipsticks, gloss, blushers, eyeshadows, eyeliners, mascara and glitter powder are symbols of love actually. Love for our faces....

There was a time, during my twenties, when I wouldn't have dreamed of walking out of the door without my war paint on. At that time, makeup was for me, a sophisticated mask that endowed me with self confidence and to a certain extend acted as a camouflage.

Then in my thirties, af ter having the kids, and started spending more time outdoors with nature, I stopped wearing makeup except when attending dinners or functions. It was (and still) a relief to stop wearing cosmetics on my face because doing so gave me an opportunity to learn to feel more comfortable with my features. The world I had come from had been so self absorbed and obsessed by appearances. Now later in life, I was only starting to get in touch with my inner woman and not concentrating too much on her outer packaging.

But thruthfully, I noticed a difference in the way I felt about myself without makeup. When I put it on, I tend to like what I see in the mirror. I like the reflection of my face all coloured and painted in the mirror. When I didn't have my makeup on, I rarely looked!

I now understand that looking my best, working with what I already have (big eyes and rounded cheeks, I have been told) is not as superficial a goal as I originally thought it was, in those days. These days, makeup is simply a tool to look my best. When I look my best, I feel better. When I feel better, I accomplish more!

Making up my face has again began a self-affirming cycle of acceptance for me. It is a ceremony of self nurturing and a presentation to my husband too (he loves it when I put on makeup!). And lately, the ritual of putting makeup on, can be very spritual for me.

So, today when I glance in the mirror, I mouth a thank you to Allah for this face that stares back at me, and put on some lip gloss.....

Here's sharing some of the pics that Mr. Hubby took....

Sanctum and Saturday....

2011-03-09T21:41:00.000+08:00

The gang and I went to watch the movie Sanctum last Friday nite at East Coast Mall. We watched the movie in 3D and here's sharing my thought on it.

The story is about Master diver Frank McGuirewho has explored the South Pacific's Esa-ala Caves for months. But when his exit is cut off in a flash flood, Frank's team-including 17-year-old son Josh and financier Carl Hurley--are forced to radically alter plans. With dwindling supplies, the crew must navigate an underwater labyrinth to make it out. Soon, they are confronted with the unavoidable question: Can they survive, or will they be trapped forever?

If you like outdoors, rock climbing or scuba diving, you will love it. Although I felt that the movie was way intense but the action packed scenes were really riveting.

a scene from the movie...

ohhhh how I miss my scuba diving days!.....

Among the 3-D-simulated experiences to follow: ultra-deep-sea diving, rock-climbing, parachuting, getting caught in a cyclone, underwater claustrophobia, getting all of your bones broken bouncing off of three separate cavern walls in a single drop, and so on.

What are the movie’s strong suits are the production design and cinematography, including the 3D visuals. Though the movie lacks credibility on the character level, I was convinced everything taking place was in a cave and not necessarily a set. After researching a bit about the making of the movie I found out that most of the scenes were filmed on sound stages, but on film, I was convinced otherwise. The way the characters have to squeeze, maneuver, climb, duck and swim puts us in a state of genuine tension and claustrophobia. These types of images were executed well enough that I felt the movie had no business resorting to cheap gimmicks like one character’s hair getting caught in a chain and their skin getting ripped off. I doubt anything this drastic or horror movie-like happened during the real life ordeal. (Yes, I closed my eyes during that scalp removing scene!)

tak suka tawww scene rambut tercabut dari kulit kepala sebab terlekat kat pulley...

Anyway, I would reccomend those of you who are nature lovers to go see this movie coz it kinds of remind you how formidable nature is against mankind at times. And there are a few heart touching scenes about father-son relationship that is worth watching!

Saturday morning sees us heading towards KL to try out a new activity that we have not yet experienced. ATV ride in the forest! Situated at Kemensah (yes, behind the Zoo Negara!), there is this adventure camp that offers a few types of packages and trail for ATV fans.

The first 10 minutes or so were spent on safety briefing and the way to handle the machinery. Then another 10 minutes to slowly ride around the premise to familiarise ourselves with our ride. Then we were off!

There we were in a row!

pose-pose yang orang lain tak mahu lihat kan?

dia yang terbabas....

all of us....

we came to this waterfall, known as Sofea Jane falls

apparently this falls got its name from the famous local artiste who once shot the movie Cinta Kita at this falls. If you Google it up in Majlis Perbandaran Ampang Jaya site, it will surface as Air Terjun Batu Asah.

acara wajib! Mandi air terjun!

aksi "mercy killing"ala dalam filem Sanctum tu pun ada. Our favourite line is "... take me to the water"

I know, we are morbid!

saw a rambai hutan tree with lots of fruits nearby....

our ATV Guide, Halim offered to get us some to taste. Yeayyyy!

the fruit, up close and personal...

it tastes sourish and can be used in cooking as substitute to belimbing buluh, according to our guide..

all of us, at the end of the day, doing a bit of rock climbing! Hahaha....

So folks, that is about all for this post. Will try to update more often after this as my new maid is already here! Meaning that, I do not have to do too much household chores! Not that I'm a domestic goddes or anything like that, but 57 days without a maid was a VERY trying period for me, honestly!

So, ciao for now!

Not So Right Kinda Post....

2011-03-04T16:21:00.000+08:00

I have a problem. These few days I simply don't feel like 100% and its not something that I can put my finger on. Its not like I'm sick or anything that I can straight out tell, like a sore throat or a headache. But its just something not right and I do not know how to explain it. Not even to myself, what more to this post...

I know that its probably nothing, coz I can still joke about it to myself. Coz I can still rationalisethat my Aquarius positivism is gonna pull me through this unknown malady of mine.

Yes, I do not feel entirely right. Maybe its not me myself, but because of a friend who is going through a bad patch in her life. Her marriage life actually! Maybe what I should do is readjust my conception of what it means to feel good, or maybe lower my standard for the feel good feeling, and then I will be able to say "Hey! I feel great!" and be truthful about it.

maybe I need medication to help me regain my mojos?

I think I should also give up worrying about this not-feeling-so-fantastic thing is a body or mind thing coz I'm quite sure the answer is "both"!

And that way lies madness, and this way sits madness, and over that way loiter madness, leaning on the wall waiting to pounce on me! Let me not give in to it, lest you see me in a straitjacket being escorted to the asylum.

yup! That could just be me, on a bad day....

So, what are the symptoms of my mystery illness you might ask? Its just sometimes I feel like my skeleton is trying very hard to get out of my body and dance around the house in a grotesque macabre fashion while the rest of my skin and flesh slumps on the floor like a kain buruk.

sick ehhhh?

Food seems tasteless and that is quite rare for me who has got a great appetite for everything or anything edible. I become too sensitive to the smell of blood from red meat, and feel like puking the other day when my mother was cutting up meat in the kitchen to cook kurma for the kiddos.

I have a near constant stuffed-up nose and it irritates me that I can't smell my soap collection every now and then. I feel the smell of soap is the most heavenly smell, here on earth and a stuffed-up nose is such a hindrance to the enjoyment of fragrant soap bars.

iye, I rasa macam Micheal Jackson yang sangat plastik hidungnya....

Okay, I'm a big whiner, I know, and I'm gonna stop here coz I do not want to lose readers from this incoherent ramblings of mine!

Ciao, have a great weekend!

living for the weekend....

2011-02-25T12:21:00.001+08:00

Oh what a time I've had this week

but now that its over its time to awaken the FREAK

after all this time the real me has been asleep

Oh what a time 'Ive had this week

but now I'm ready to relax and release

after all this time its been boring and bleak

Oh what a time I've had this week

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND FOLKS! I KNOW I WILL.....

Volunteerism, and the price we have to pay.

2011-02-23T23:11:00.000+08:00

Volunteering is the practice of people working on behalf of others or a particular cause without payment for their time and services. Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote a better or improved human quality of life. Some people also volunteer for their own benefit, i.e. to meet others, to make contacts for possible employment, to have fun, and a variety of other reasons that could be considered self-serving.

Volunteering takes many forms and is performed by a wide range of people from a wide range of walks of life. Some volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work in, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue while other volunteers serve on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a natural disaster or for a beach-cleanuplike us in MNS. (Malaysian Nature Society, for you first timer readers of my blog!)

Now, I have been a MNS member since 1998 and has always volunteered to serve or help out in any of its project either here in Pahang or elsewhere in other states. I am also a volunteer on the Legal Aid Comittee, where we render legal advice and legal clinics for free in our monthly outreach programme. When we volunteer, we do not get paid. We do it in our own time, at our own expense and we only hope for some form of acknowledgement from Him in the hereafter.

What provoked me to write todays post is a series of happenings that lead to a ugly altercation between me and another individual about the spirit of volunteerism a few days ago. It still leaves a bad taste in my mouth even as I am typing this out.

Last month, we, from MNS Pahang was approached by another branch to take part in an ocean clean up programme that is to be held at an island down south. They needed divers for the ocean clean up thingy and so I asked around within the MNS Pahang circle and got 8 people who agreed to do it. I e-mailed them Pahang will send 4 divers and 4 non-divers to participate in the programme. Can you please send me the details and itinerary of the programme? They replied, yes, will send you all those soon.

Checked my e-mail a few days after that. There it was the full itinerary. A three day two nites kinda programme held at a posh resort on that island. The question of cost immediately popped up in my mind, but I thought the resort would be susidising a portion of the cost for the programme, since it is the vicinity of the resort that the clean up would benefit. I promptly forwarded the e-mail to my other members who have volunteered to join in the programme.

A few days later, I got another e-mail from the organiser. This time it spelled out the cost for us to go join in the ocean clean up thingy. For divers 2 nites stay, plus ferry fee and diving equipment rental total is RM700++. Non divers will have to fork out RM600++.

gini hahhh muka mak baca e-mail tuh.

tiga kali check, kot-kot I silap tengok ada extra zero ker kat belakang figure 6 and 7 tuh!

Now that kinda shocked me, coz all this time when we do volunteer work, we never stayed at expensive, high end kinda accomodation. All we needed was a basic sleep area with basic amenities like toilet and bathroom. Many a times, we slept in tents and there was once when doing a Legal Aid project at Kg. Mat Daling in Hulu Tembeling, we slept in a surau when it rained too heavily and our tent got unpitched!

I forwarded the e-mail to the rest of the gang and got a few whoaaaa kinda reactions from the girls. I remember getting a SMS from Shikin telling me that the figure is double of what she budgeted for the trip and the volunteer programme. The rest, via Zela as their spokesperson asked for extension of time to pay up, coz they kinda wanted to wait for pay day to reinforce their financial situation before banking in that big amount.

I do understand their predicament. Me being a partner in my own firm, earning slightly more than them, also feel a bit reluctant to fork out that much money for a volunteer kind of project. My rationale is, with that amount of money, we could go do volunteer work at three or four more other projects. Yes, it is a big sum to pay to go clean up some ocean! What with we giving our time, our skills and effort, we also have to give money? A bit not rightm I feel

But since we have already committed to help out, we decided we will still go, but need the organisers to give us an extension of time to pay up. So I called the guy in charge, A Singaporean who works in Johore, to explain the predicament of my members to him. (that is part of the duty of a VC in a soviety, I guess, to look out for the welfare of its members!)

He was politely cordial to me and was very firm that the dateline to pay up could not be extended as the resort will not reserve rooms for us if we did not pay in full by certain date. I thought resort accepted a deposit of 50% for reservation and the rest to be paid upon checking in? Well it wasn't that way, say Mr. S (identiti dirahsiakan). I tried suggesting to him that our team might be able to stay elsewhere, in cheaper chalets nearby the posh resort and still join them for the ocean clean up thing, but he was adamant that since we are joining their programme, we have to follow their 'set of rules'. Made me wonder where this rule came from? Got rules one arrrr for volunteer.

When I persisted to haggle for an extension of time to pay up for my team members citing to him that these girls really do want to support this project but need to wait till payday to come up with the funds, this kiasu of a man even suggested that I write out my personal cheque on behalf of them since I trust them, and I can collect from them. That kinda put me in to defensive mode, all at once.

muka marah mak cakap dengan mamat kiasu tuh....

weiiiii..... ini volunteer work lah! Ada ke volunteers kena bayar sampai mahal gitu sekali untuk duduk dekat resort bertaraf lima bintang? Bercuti pun aku dengan geng-geng aku ni duduk chalet-chalet budget ajer, ni lak gi wat kerja amal. Kalau tak ada kelonggaran langsung dalam terma-terma pembayaran atau di mana kami boleh tinggal, then bukan lah volunteer work. Itu PLKN namanya. Budak-budak PLKN pun dapat elaun tau, kita apa dapat? Letih badan ada lah. Nak drive down ke sana lagi, nak naik ferry lagi, nak gi dive kutip sampah lagi, pastu bagi lak kat ngko RM700++ tepat pada hari yang ngko nak? Mungkin ngko punya dictionary definition volunteer tu lain dengan dictionary aku kot?

I bit my tongue so the above dialogue did not let loose. But boy was it raging in my mouth and was at the tip of my bitten tongue, ready to be let go like a whiplash!

So, to make the story short, our team pulled out from this project. We decided that if the organisers could not make some leeway for extension of time for payments, we would rather take our volunteerism spirit elsewhere. Maybe we are only suited to carry out programmes at orang asli settlements, Feldas, the kampungs and all places simple and cheap. Not our place it is to be on private beach of a luxury resort, diving and cleaning up the oceans. Maybe there are caste too in volunteerism, and I found out about it the hard way!

No, I'm not bitter. Just a tad bit dissapointed by the attitude of the organisers. But I will make it a lesson for me the next time when I organise a project, to be more flexible with volunteers coz I simply resented the way there was no flexibility for the volunteers in this case.

To end this ranting, raving, mad post, I leave you with a quote from Martin Luther King Jr on volunteerism;

We are prone to judge success by the index of our salaries or the size of our automobiles, rather than by the quality of our service relationship to humanity

Hope that gets you people thinking about our role, here on earth!

February... the month of Aquarians!

2011-02-17T23:40:00.000+08:00

February is nearly over. Haisshhhhh... time flies, even when you are not having fun! Hahahaha....

February has always been a birthday month for me coz there are 4 important birthdays to be lebrated in this month for 4 important person. There is Am's birthday on the 9th of February, Hilman my son and Nora's birthday on the 11th February and there's my birthday on the 13th February!

All 4 of us are Aquarians!

They say, Aquarians are extremely independent, they just will not be tied down for long. Their firm views and opinions can change to stubbornness if they are pushed into a corner. Nevertheless they are very faithful and supportive in the right relationship. Even though they may get thoroughly involved within a relationship Aquarians need to preserve their privacy and independence.

I see a lot of truth in the above statement, as far as where I am concerned at least!

this is Amalia... I call her Kak Am coz she was my senior while we were in UKM, many many years ago!

This woman has always been someone I have looked up to from the very first day I met her back in 1990, when she came to our Perumahan Luar Kampus block to demonstrate some silat cekak moves in their bid to recruit new member for the UKM's Persatuan Seni Silat Cekak group. I was a matriculation student thenand she was a faculty student already by that time. She was among those seniors that were always cordial to juniors (as opposed to those bullying ones! Yes, there were a few!). But then we didn't actually move around in the same circle then, but the mutual respect for each other was always there.

Fast forward to 1998, after I finished chambering in KL and decided to come back to my home town to practise, she was the first familiar face I saw at the Kuantan courts complex! She kindly welcomed me into the Kuantan legal fraternity (she herself hails from Negeri Sembilan, but have been practising here in Kuantan for nearly 15 years now!) She introduced me to her friends who later became my friends too. She was my 'sumber rujuk' in court practises and law matters.

She was also the first person I confided into when my first marriage was crumbling and tossing on the rocks. Matter of factly, she gathered her calm and poise, acted for me in the divorce proceeding and kept motivating me to move on with my life after it was over.

She is not much of a talker, we don't have long heart to heart kinda conversations, but she is a firm leader by example. From her I learned the art of handling grief with dignity. When her brother Angah, passed away from a road accident just barely 7 days before her sister's wedding, I saw that she was the glue holding the family together with her calm and collected exterior, firm decision making in a lot of matters and being a gracious hostess to relatives and friends at the same time.

She who also led by example, always stopping for solat no matter how far we travelled or to where we travelled. There were days when I was still in my tatih stage of keeping to my solat, I look to her for inspiration and good example. In fact, even to this very day, when faced with problems that are big and insurmountable kinda porpotion, I always ask myself, "What would Kak Am do if she were in my position?" that kinda lended me some form of rationality in facing adversities.

This is one tough Aquarian that I pray will be by my side for a long long time more. I am sure that I will benefit from this friendship in terms of emotional and spiritual growth, as she has unconciously provided me over these years.

And, I do pray that she will be blessed with good health (this is very important to her!), lots of sense of humour to keep up with me and the rest of the crazy gang, a good and prosperous year (a partneship offer, maybe?) and happiness in this world and the hereafter!

my Aquarian son, Hilman Jauhari, but is adressed as Abang Long at home....

This ~~little~~ Aquarian, okay not so little Aquarian, I gave birth to thirteen years ago on the 11th of February. My firstborn. A funny but private kinda personality, he is. He talks a lot, but rarely show any emotions. He keeps a lot to himself and will only talk in a very open manner about his feelings and thoughts, with his Grandpa (my father). Coincidentally, he is also my father's first grandchild, so the bond is very strong between the two of them.

I would say he is an easy to reason with kinda child. Rarely do I need to resort to yelling or scolding to get him to toe the line. Yes, for those of you who knows me and my parenting style, I am a constant nagger! That is bad enough for any child! Huhuhuhu....

He is helpful around the house, especially tending to the pets. And I have been told by his teachers that he loves helping out at the Pusat Sumber Pembelajaran in school and will soon be made a Pengawas Pusat Sumber.

Not very studious. He is more into his PSP and MP3 player, though I try to limit the exposure of those two gadgets to him during weekdays. He is more of a hands-on kinda guy, prefering to take apart his Gundam robots and then reassembling them again. I tried to introduce him to Sudoku, but I see that it has not caught on to him yet.

I pray for him to be a filial son (anak yang soleh), who will abide the laws of Allah and will be a good Moslem. Someone who will be the continuance of my pahala in this world, even when I'm gone. I also pray for his success in life, in his academics, in his career in the future and for a good health till the end of his life.

this is Datin Nurabani Yusof, who is Nora to me....

This glamourpuss of an Aquarian is a close friend of mine too! She shares the same birthdate as Hilman, i.e 11th February. Slightly older than me, she is fashion diva and handbag collector (she bought 5 branded handbags on her Europe tour last year!) We have been friends since our Usahanita days, when it was the rage to be in a Persatuan for lady bosses then! Hehehehe....

She used to own a beauty salon then, but now has become a full time tai-tai, and her favourite pastime is of course shopping! She is the 'glamour' friend of mine who forever will chide me for wearing my favourite seluar celoreng and will tell me about the latest trends in fashion. Apparently, according to her caftan is now out and it is 'in' to invest in chiffon now. Whatever lah yer?

Though I admit that there are very few similarities between me and her, but our friendship has lasted for quite a number of years. She is a kind hearted and true friend in many ways, and though some of my learned friend do occasionally poke fun at me for my association with her, it doesn't change a thing. We are buddies, in a weird, odd ended kinda way, and it is with pride that I share here that she values my input a lot when it comes to her daughters education and academic matters.

I watched her kids grow up, from little girls to young ladies now. I have always been the one to accompany her to children's academic function (she feels a sense of security when I'm around at that kinda function!) Together we had gone to MRSM Kuala Kubu Baru to get her daughter Abbiona's SPM result back in 2008. We cried tears of joy together when Abbiona managed to score 8As. Sent Dilla, Dek and Abby off to college, Uni, together too. Attended Dek's convocation the Cybernetics College at PICC back in 2009. That was a proud moment for me too, just as if my own daughter was graduating!

In return, the very same year, she attended my convocation at UKM, when I got my LL.M, with all three of her daughters! It was a joyous moment for all of us.

This is an Aquarian that I know I would want to have around as a friend for many many more years. Her subtle presence in my life from time to time does lend some 'colour' to it and add variety to my social circle. After all I think I deserve a diva or two on my friends list, don't I? Huhuhu.....

that's me, a true Aquarian at heart, born on the 13th February 1971

Yup, I ain't beating around the bush, I just hit my big four-oh a few days ago! Ain't no spring chicken, me at this age. But I am really, truly, undeniably young at heart! Muahahahaha....(mode: tak sedar diri!)

By the way, we are now in the age of Aquarius, just in case you did not know. According to the Wikipedia, The Age of Aquarius is either the current or new age in the cycle of astrological ages. Each astrological age is approximately 2,150 years-long, on average. Its a long time for Aquarius to be around man!

Read all about people like us here!.

So, to sum up this post, I just wanna tell you readers that I am sooooo full of cakes these past few weeks. I have wolfed down like 6 types of cakes from all the birthday celebration of all the people above (two cakes were sprung suprise on me!) Not that I am complaining, but I am so worried of my escalating weight as nowhere in the horoscope that it says Aquarians are naturally slender and skinny people! Hahahahaha....

Ciao.....

Valentine? Bahhh.... humbug!

2011-02-14T16:04:00.000+08:00

Hello readers, followers and friends....

How was your weekend? Good, I hope! Mine was spent in the caves of Jebak Puyuh at Hutan Lipur Gunung Senyum. Will post pics of the trip soon!

Just a quick update on the most over-hyped day in the life of people in a relationship. Hahahaha.... yes its Valentine's day today!

I heard that roses has reached the same value as a kg of fresh prawns? Try putting those roses in substitute of them prawns in a tom yam? Wouldn't be the same right? But then, I have always been ruled by my stomach, not heart. Susah some people mau understand errkkk? Hahahaha....

Valentine's punishment?

At the risk of sounding like ole Scrooge on Christmast day, I still think think that everyone is resisting hard trying not to be sucked into the whole commercialisation of the day.

According to all the ads the man would take the woman out for a perfect dinner, where he spends his entire life savings on it. What with the roses, the fine dining, the wine, the lone musician to accompany the the candlelit dinner and all! The woman on the other hand will have manicured, pedicured nails, done her hair and spent my life's savings on some negligee and 'fuck me' heels which he will have have off 5 seconds after she wears it. They would suppose then, make love till the wee hours of the night then collapse exhausted in each others arms!Hahahaha.... humbug, I say!

this is what Valentine is all about, actually....

Culture watchers agree, is that the much-hyped holiday creates so much pressure and so many expectations for peoplewho are in a 'relationship' (read: not married yet!) . The ubiquitous ads for long-stemmed roses, heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, and flowery cards prompt many to think of all the reasons they don't want to remain half of a couple. Apparently Valentine's breakup is much more frequent nowadays because Valentine's day put so much pressure on some people! People are notorious for not being strong enough to sit a partner down and tell them that "its over!", so they procrastinate till something forces the issue, and Valentine's day does usually has that kinda effect!

creating Valentine's rage?

I still l remembers the "competition" that Valentine's Day inspired among girls in school and university. The more flowers or balloons a girl received, the more popular and worthy she was considered. Some even go out to the florist to order and pay for a bouquet to be delivered to them under the theme 'secret admirer' as not to lose face!

we, from MNS should do something to this mass cultivation, then destruction of roses in Valentine's celebration!

Do I write this in anger? No! I would say more of a frustration and annoyance. When the same worn-out themes get recycled year after year, with no historical insight and no sense of the bigger broader meaning of relationships, yes, that's a bit frustrating and annoying.

I so connect with her....

If you turn on a television or visit a website or read a newspaper or magazine or listen to a radio station, the treacly blatherabout Valentine's Day will be everywhere. Won't I have some emotional reaction to that? If you enjoy the usual Valentine's Day rituals and don't presume that everyone wants what you want, then I'm happy for you. But if you are among those who feel sorry for anyone who isn't coupled on Valentine's Day or think that Valentine's Day is a day to profess my everlasting love to my other half at the expense of breaking our accounts, then I guess my attitude toward you is smug bemusement.

the reality of Valentine....

And, last but not least. For those who are married, but feels 'itchified' to celebrate Valentine's with your secret lovers, I leave U with this!

Muahahahaha....

Till then folks! Have a great day!.....

Jerangkang Joy Jaunt by Jehan....

2011-02-10T17:58:00.000+08:00

Muahahahaha.... (gelak dulu mula-mula, menengok ker tajuk post yang begitu overrrr kannnn?) What to do? Had to get it all nearly the same spelling maa....

Okay, down to business now! This update is about our Chinese New Year holidays outing at Hutan Lipur Jerangkang. Its a 3 days 2 nites trip that saw us camping, cooking, swimming, camwhoring and laughing our heads off in the wilderness.

For those of you who are not familiar with Jerangkang, it can be reached from the KL-Kuantan road. About 30 km after passing Maran, turn left at a signboard 'Hutan Lipur Jerangkang'. The road leads through rubber plantations and passes under the new KL-Kuantan Highway. For the last part a 4WD is needed, but that may change as work is in progress on the access road.

Well, we went in right after a full week of rain, so a 4WD was really needed. Besides the bad and muddy road conditions that could only be tackled by a 4WD, the main problem of lady campers, i.e. excess baggage also could be addressed by this 'big' vehicles.

first trip, barang sahaja dah nak melimpah keluar....

Total, there were 13 of us on this trip. 5 from Kuantan and the rest from KL. Yes, you read right, there were more KL people who loves outdoor compared Kuantan buddies who were too busy collecting ang pow packets lah, attending friends' weddings lah, sakit lutut lah, and 1001 other excuses to stay at home. Anyway, lets dwell on the positive, we had power in numbers! 13 of us, woohooo.... and 11 female to 2 males!

and so the journey starts....

setting up camp....

its a team effort!

setting up our cooking and dining area...

cooking area and ration....

first menu, barbecue chicken!

We took turns cooking, coz there is quite a number of us, after all. So, while some were manning the chicken on the coals, the water on the stove and the boiling of rice, we went down to the falls...

the one nearest to our campsite.

and took a dip in the pool!

the cool, fresh water from the falls is certainly refreshing and invigorating!

at nite, we had bonfire....

sambil-sambil makan kuaci, abis 2 packet besar...

supper with kuaci, just like hamsters..

The next day, we went trekking uphill to many other falls upstream. We had to break up in groups as to take turn to safeguard the campsite as some form of valuable belongings are left in the tents. Our group consisted of me, Am and Zela. Shilah took sentry duty while her gang went off for a dip in the pool.

From the campsite a clear trail leads uphill alongside the river. The main trail is on the right bank, but it is also possible to cross the river and follow the left bank. An 'endless' succession of waterfalls is the reward, most of them with attractive pools

After about half an hour of trekking uphill, we came to this secluded falls, and decided to have a dip!

Am, as usual tried her terjun tiruk theme...

while Zela and me, are more conventional...

aksi Am, mahu panjat falls....

takut kitaorang nak ikut, so amik gambor dari jauh je lah. If anything happened, at least we have documentary evidence (mode: thinking like a lawyer!)

a dragonfly stopped and perched on my pants, posing for me....

beautiful creature...

then we trekked back down...

According to the locals, there is a total of 43 separate waterfalls. These pictures cover the falls until step 6 or 7, so there is still work to be done...! This series of waterfalls belongs definitely to the most attractive that can be found in Malaysia!

Because the river has eroded a broad gully, it is never difficult to find your way back. You just need to follow the flow of the water down....

Stopped again for another dip at another pool. While we were there, a pair of butterflies posed for me, sportingly (I got 15 frames of their pics!)

cantik kan depa nih?

Am caught me, trying to photograph them.... hahahaha!

How much more stupid can I look ehhh?

the next morning, we had a visitor!

Jebat came to look in on us. He is a policeman with the local police station and had once camped with us at Jerangkang, last year.

one for the road

a group photo of us....

And so, on Saturday, after Zohor prayers, we packed our things and exited the forest. Back to civilisation with a recharged kinda mood from all the positive ions we picked up from nature! Looking forward to another camping trip in this beautiful surroundings again, soon. But this weekend will be spebt in a mini expedition at Jebak puyuh and Gunung Senyum in Jengka.

Will update on that later, okay?

Bar Dinner, Shaolin and Chinese New Year....

2011-02-01T17:19:00.000+08:00

Saturday, 29th January, was our Pahang Bar Comittee Annual Dinner. It was held at the newly opened Zenith Hotel, right across from the East Coast Mall.

As usual, our office, in support of the Pahang Bar Comittee, bought a table. This year, our dinner is graced the our Sultan Ahmad Shah himself.

The annual dinner is usually the time for us lawyers to catch up with one another as Pahang is a very big state and many of us are spread far and apart in our practise. We are such a big state that I have heard lawyers from Raub cursing outstation lawyers for asking them to mention on behalf (MOB) for their cases in Rompin! That's a 5 hours drive, for your information! Tapi sesetengah lawyer di luar dari Pahang nih kan, asal sebut Pahang, dia ingat mana-mana kat Pahang pun kita boleh MOB. Tengok-tengok lah jugak yer, kengkadang kes Kemaman pun suruh kita MOB, apa cerita, kan?

Okay, enough of my ngomel. I'm sharing some pics of the dinner here with you readers.

with Zela....

the menu...

a light moment with the Sultan, as he was enquiring about my practise....

then it was photo time for us.....

Koka and me....

not contented with being rowdy in the ballroom, we took our hoo haa and laughter to the nearest mamak stall.

us, at the mamak stall....

For the other 78 frames of pics from the dinner, it can be sighted at my FaceBook page. Blogs uploads are too slow to share ALL pics here.

Sunday nite saw me watching Shaolin the movie with Koka at East Coast Mall. It was a wet and rainy night. What with the school holidays already started, my mom took the kids back to her house and we both had lots of time to kill. Hence the movie.

I have always been a big fan of Andy Lau, and in this movie, he reaffirm the reason for me to sooooo lurve him! Huhuhuhu.....

This movie tells the story about when China is plunged into strife as feuding warlords try to expand their power by warring over neighboring lands. Fuelled by his success on the battlefield, young and arrogant Hao Jie (Andy Lau) sneers at Shaolin's masters when he beats one of them in a duel. But the pride comes before a fall. When his own family is wiped out by a rival warlord, Hao is forced to take refuge with the monks. As the civil unrest spreads and the people suffer, Hao and the Shaolin masters are forced to take a fiery stand against the evil warlords. They launch a daring plan or rescue and escape.

Andy Lau as General Hao Jie...

There are a few heart touching scenes that caused me to cry. One of them was when the General Hao Jie lost his daughter Nan due to his greed for power. The anguish on Andy Lau's face was so real that I felt his pain too. And also when the bad guy tried to drown his wife in a big urn filled with water, while he looked on helplessly, I cried too.

and when he embraced the Shaolin monks lifestyle...

It’s a story we’ve all seen before, and a staple of the martial arts cinema: the fighter whose hubris eventually leads to his comeuppance at the hand of a villain. After being reduced to next-to-nothing, he is then taken on by a master who offers introspection, humility and a deeper understanding of kungfu. But, I love it still. And the appearance of Jackie Chan as the cook at the monastery, add a bit of colour to this otherwise bleak and sad movie.

Andy Lau and Jackie Chan... my two favourite heroes!

Well, I say this is a fast paced, action filled movie with lots of underlying messages for us to read and ponder upon.The simple art of being compassionate was explained and demonstrated well in the movie.

By the way, Tommy, if you are reading this. There was the famous "tim kaii, tim kaii worrr...!" dialog that I so love. It was uttered by Andy Lau while he was stranded in a wild boar's pit!

So that was my weekend. Short and sweet erkkk?

Just wanna take this opportunity to wish all my Chinese readers a very Happy Chinese New Year. May this year of the Rabbit usher in prosperity and happiness for all of us! Happy holidays too.....

Please do not misinterpret the year of the rabbit as the year of the Bunny Playboy sign, hokkayyy, you men out there. I have heard some remarks that say, the year of the Rabbit is auspicious for the playboys! Dun you believe it!

So, signing off, till after Chinese New Year. We will be off camping at Jerangkang if weather permits. Will share the pics here later. Ciao....

Wet Week....

2011-01-28T16:31:00.000+08:00

The weather has been real erratic lately. But then, what's new, right. Its happening all over the world, I see.

Here in Kuantan, it has been raining incessantly, in showers and in buckets. Strong winds and gale too accompany these downpour and not much outdoor activties can be done. Being cooped up in the house is no fun. Not for me, what more the kids.

So, in light of the wet season, I decided to to some wet activity, so as not to make much difference in the comfort aspect. Koka, of course, agreed with me, since he is a fan of water too! We bundled the kiddos into the car and we headed for Hutan Lipur Sungai Pandan. It is situated about 25km from Kuantan town and is named Sungai Pandan because according to local folks the greenish colour of the water resembles the wild pandanus leaves!

this is the pic of the waterfalls, air terjun Sungai Pandan...

To reach this falls, you will have to trek for 15 minutes from the car park situated at the main entrance. Ooooh! You will also have to pay RM2 for entrance fee, per person. It goes to the maintenance and upkeep of the park.

the kids of course loved it...

mandi sakan diorang nih....

kiddos and me, waktu depa naik untuk makan....

lunch was kari ikan tenggiri, cooked by my mom, cicah dengan roti....

Adik makan, tak hingat dunia! Hahahaha....

and in they went again....

us, by the side.....

The kids and Koka had about two hours of water play, when it started to rain again. We decided to call it a day and trekked down.

on the suspension bridge....

other picnickers that we met on our way down...

menidurkan anak kecil, di bawah pokok....

Hilman....

So, the rainy season kinda forced us into wet activities, I guess. Not that we are any stranger to playing in the rain. We love both, the sun and the rain.

a few weeks ago, in Sungai Lembing. In the rain too....

this was caught by Am....

me, sticking my tongue out to collect raindrops...

stupid, I know. But just couldn't resist it...

So, here's hoping for a better weather next week. We plan to go up Jerangkang waterfalls during the Chinese New Year holidays. Sure would be nice if it is sunny and dry, coz the rocks would not be too slippery.

Oh, by the way. We (the gang and I) are featured in Her World magazine, February's issue. Just a page of write up about our activities. But still we are sooooo proud! Huhuhuhu....

to read up about us, Go get Her World, February issue.

we are on page 72

Here's wishing all you readers a dry and great weekend! I've got a dinner to attend tomorrow at Zenith Hotel and my oh me, I've got nothing to wear. Will have to pop over at Rifai's place for last minute help from him.

Will update about the dinner if its interesting. If not, will update after the Chinese New Year holidays. Try not to mis me too much arrrr..... Hahahaha!

Giving Thanx.... or Buoh Mujor!

2011-01-21T12:57:00.001+08:00

Yup, my maid ran away yesterday (I can see eyeballs rolling to the back of head and statements like "is this this still about your maid?" forming on lips). Huhuhuhu.... its MY blog maaa! Leave if you do not want to read about it! (mode: kureng hajar!)

Well, she has left. In a taxi. With a guy, whom she claim is her husband (she left us a note, telling us that her husband came and forced her to leave).

I rushed back home yesterday, and found the house empty, of course. She had cooked lunch for the kids before leaving. Ironed their school uniforms for till Friday. Washed the bedsheets and blankets she had used. No trace of anything hers at all left. Not even the house clothes she was wearing that morning. She took everything that is hers, that she brought from Indonesia and all that I bought her during the one year stay with us.

She had fed the cats before leaving in the taxi, my neighbours told me. She left her set of keys hanging inside the keybox in her room and neatly padlocked the house grille and the gate as she left. What does that tell you about her leaving?

I called the agent that sent her to me, he told to first check for any loss of belongings. I went up to my room, the door was still intact, locked. Opened it up, it was still the same mess I left this morning. No any added mess or signs of rummaging or ransacking. Checked Hilman's room, nothing there too, except his mess. Guest room, also nothing untowards. Her room only look different coz the sheetless mattres was folded into two on the bed, leaving the room looking bare on one side and her cupboard doors were left ajar, for me to see its emptiness.

Nope, she didn't touch or take anything of ours. The kids' laptop was still there on the console table, where they last did their Score A exercise the night before. My camera is still in my daypack that I left on the stairs when I came back from KSNP together with my iPad. The microwave oven, the toaster, the fruit juicer, the food processor were still in their places in the kitchen.

After taking in stock of my surrounding, I headed for the police station to make a report of her running away as a formality. I still had her passport with me and my name is still there as her sponsor and employer. Just wanted to put an end to that responsibility I had for her.

After police station, I went to pick Husna up at school. As we drove back, I told her that her Kakak Ita has left us. She was suprised, as she too didn't see this coming. She asked lots of questions like, "Dia lari sampai bila? Dia balik tak malam ni? Esok siapa yang nak jaga Adik? Siapa yang nak masak untuk Adik?" Haihhhh lah, terkesima kejap mak nih dengan soalan-soalan Husna. Sebak pun ada, sebab rasa kesian sesangat ke Husna. Ita tu ibarat best friend dia kat rumah tu, sebab kucing-kucing hanya nak kawan dengan Abang Long.

And so we reached home, she ran into the house and right to Ita's room. The finality of the folded mattress kinda hit her hard, and she started to cry. A slow, sobbing kind of cry. We both ate lunch in silence and I coaxed her to do her homework after that. She still keep asking if she can later write a letter to Ita in Indonesia to ask Ita to come back. I just nodded mutely, not wanting to further upset her with the reality and truth of the real world.

5pm, we dressed up, and I took her along to my Quranic classes at Masjid Negeri. We sat together at the back of the class, listening to recitals of the Quranic verses by my classmates and read some too, myself. Its was kind of theraupetic, bringing an unexpected calmness to the inner tumoil that was slowly mounting inside of me. It is like taking Panadol when you have a throbbing headache, and feeling the relief in slow and steady degree.

After the class, at 6:30pm, I called my mother to tell her about the maid absconding event and asking if I could tumpang Husna in her house for a week or two after school while I look for a new maid. My mother was aghast and went on a tirade, as usual. She has got a high level of distrust for foreign maids and has always been unapproving of me taking them in as employee. But, what choice do I have, kan?

But amidst her ranting and raving of them being dishonest, irresponsible and tak boleh diharap, she offered to come stay with me so that the kids everyday routine will not be disrupted and Husna will not have to miss her mengaji classes in the afternoons. Yeayyyy.... for that! A big burden is suddenly lifted from this shoulders of mine!

And so, I went to pick her up after Magrib prayers and she is currently at my home, cooking up a frenzy for her grandkids.

As I reflect back on the happenings, I choose to look at mostly the positive aspects in the whole scenario. Though some would say, "apa yang positif nya kalau maid ngko dah lari?", I choose to adopt the Terengganuspeak of buah mujor.

I studied in Terengganu for 5 years (1984-1988) and have picked up some of their way of thinking over those years. When anything bad happens, they tend to highlight the good of things that did happen too or the give thanx for the bad of things that did not happen. It always stars with the word "mujor!" or roughly translated to mean lucky.

So in my case, applying the priciple of buah mujor, I find that:

Mujor maid I tu lari tanpa ambil apa-apa harta I. She could have, if she wanted. She could also have broken into my room to get her passport and some jewelery and cash too if she wanted to. The fact that she didn't, I have to be thankful.
Mujor dia lari tanpa meninggalkan anak-anak I berkeseorangan di rumah. The scenario of Husna waking up after her afternoon nap alone in an empty home is so frightening for me, that I kinda thank my lucky stars that she chose to abscond on a day when both kids are at school. At least then, I know that they are in a safe premise with adequate adult supervision.
Mujor ada mak yang boleh tolong bila time-time gini! Yes, I am so thankful that I have a supportive family that offers help instantly when I am faced with situation like this. My sister called up immediately after knowing about it on FB and consoled Husna about losing her kakak.
Mujor diberi kekuatan oleh Allah untuk tidak meroyan macam orang sawan babi bila menghadapi situasi sebegini. A few years back, I think I would have been like a mad woman, venting my anger and frustration on the people around me (read: kiddos). Yes, I am still angry, I am frustrated. But I am learning to embrace the spirit of redha, slowly but surely. I am persuading myself to believe that this is an ujian from Allah either as a form of kifarah for my past misdeeds or to elevate the status of my imaan.

And so, I leave you readers to ponder on my post. Many might not agree with me on this, but we still can agree to disagree kan?

Have a great weekend! I know I will. Maid or no maid, weekends are mine to enjoy to the limit! Muahahaha....