.

2011-07-16T00:03:00.008+08:00

Salam and hi...

wowww its been forever since my last post....

hope all my blogger friends in the pink of health. I would like to share the photo below...

It was more than 10 years since the last time I was here. The village, is beautiful, charming and still maintain the old charm of the fisherman's village should be, at least my personal opinion. You can still smell the salt in the air, the tint of fishy smell mix with the sea breeze….

Gobeilt Village...

2010-10-10T13:53:00.004+08:00

Japan Trip 3: Nara

After spending more than half day in Kyoto, we went to Nara by train which took about 45 minutes. We almost cancel our trip to Nara because running out of time. We just cut it short and we were so lucky there was a free shuttle at the Nara Station to go to the old site of Heijo-kyo Palace. What a lucky day, the free shuttle was due to the main events for the 1300th Anniversary Celebration of the capital city. The Heijo-kyo or the Heijo Capital was Japan’s first international capital founded in 710. Therefore this year, 2010, is an incredibly special year for Nara and also for the Japanese nation as it marks the 1,300th anniversary since the capital’s foundation.

Daigoku-den Hall

(It was used as the venue for important political and ceremonial occasions)

Suzaku-mon Gate

(This gate served as the official gate for the Heijo-kyo Capital and foreign deputies always entered through its portals.)

Guards dressed in classic costume on duty in front of the gate.

Night life in Osaka

(We reached Osaka at night and we went to find the halal restaurant. There is a Turkish restaurant in the city centre.)

2010-10-09T22:18:00.003+08:00

Japan Trip 2: Kyoto

Kyoto was Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country's seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people. Osaka to Kyoto is not that far actually. It is about 30 minutes by train. We took Hikari from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station by JR Tokaido line.

Kyoto Station

Kinkakuji - Golden Pavillion

(Zen temple in northern Kyoto whose top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf. Formally known as Rokuonji, the temple was the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and according to his will it became a Zen temple of the Rinzai sect after his death in 1408.)

We had the opportunity to stroll along Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk. It is the name given to a 2km-long path through north-eastern Kyoto. Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk covers five significant temples and two shrines. Kyoto's Philosopher's Walk is path along which a philosophy professor, Kitaro Nishida, used to frequently walk. It is a surprisingly pleasant and relaxing walk even today, though you will undoubtedly share it with more tourists than Kitaro did.
We were very unfortunate because we cant see the cherry blossom because out of season.

Sanmon

(The two-storey main gate to Nanzenji Temple was built in 1628 by Todo Takatora in memory of those who died in the civil War Oska Natsu-no-jin)

School Children playing cricket

The view part of Kyoto Perfecture

2010-10-02T10:36:00.005+08:00

Japan Trip 1 : Osaka

Assalamualikum. Last June, I had the opportunity to go to Japan. I took flight from Australia to Kuala Lumpur then connecting to Osaka. Any and every city in Japan is considered expensive to visit. Transportation cost isn't that bad due to good public transportation but taxi can cost an arm and a leg. The food and accomodation also expensive here. Osaka itself doesnt have the cultural attractions but it is good for first timer. You will see different environment and what can I say, Japanese people are very helpful. I had been travel to a few countries but Japan is considered the best in term of their helpfullness (except big city like Tokyo). Eventhough they dont speak English, but whenever you ask for help, they will try their best using body gesture or even the sign language uhuhu.

Kansai Airport

Breakfast in the Osaka Ramada Hotel (need to be selective to ensure halal) : Udon, fish and chip, sticky rice with egg

Underground: Raining in Osaka - Male and female all bring the umbrella

Night Shopping district

Route

InsyaAllah if there is a spare time I will update my trip to Kyoto-Nara, Tokyo & Fukushima

2010-08-12T22:32:00.003+08:00

Salam Eid ul Fitri to all friends....please forgive me for any wrong doing. This morning I went to Rivervale Mosque to perfom my eid prayer. Enjoy the short clip of the event

updated on 10 sept 2010

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

Ihya Ramadan

I would like to wish happy Ramadan kareem to all friends. I hope this Ramadan will bring us more blessing from Allah.

2010-06-01T13:57:00.002+08:00

Spider web

The belief of considering other things as one's guardians besides God is as feeble as a spider's web. The spider's web is the frailest of all dwellings, if only they knew it (29:41).

Salam to all my friends, may all of us in the best state of Iman. Just sharing the ayah from surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider). Im busy with my trip to Japan soon, I will share some photos InsyaAllah. A part of that I still have tons of work to do, please make du'a for me and all of us. And dont forget to make du'a for Malaysian which involved in Israel's interception of an aid flotilla.

2010-05-09T11:54:00.002+08:00

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day - I would like to wish all mum out there happy mother's day (especially to my blogger friends). May Allah bless all of you and Al-Fatihah to those mum who left us for good.

2010-04-17T19:46:00.003+08:00

Catfish

Western Australia

Salam to all my friends...Its been a while since the last time I updated....Let me share the photo of Keli sambal....the best keli sambal ever LOL. It came all the way from Malaysia..thanks to Lin. I think the officer at the P*** International Airport had been lazy to screen all the lugage. Usually they will be very strict, Allahamdulilah it all rezeki!

To all my dear friends: I would like to apologise coz I have lost all my friends contact number coz my hp problem and I have no backup. It is much appreciate to those Im in contact with before to email me your contact no. at this email arsaili76@gmail.com

2010-02-27T09:38:00.002+08:00

Wind Farm

Albany Wind Farm, Albany Western Australia

"Albany Wind Farm is a wind power station near Albany, Western Australia. It has 12 wind turbines, with a generating capacity of 21 MW of electricity", source Wikipedia

Salam to all my friends...Im so occupied rite now, busy with work. May Allah make it easy for me and also for all of us. And may Allah grant shifaa to our blogger friend, Mas Afzal..ameen.

2010-01-08T17:35:00.005+08:00

New Year Trip

Denmark WA

Salam Maal Hijra 1431 and Happy New Year 2010

2009-11-29T19:43:00.003+08:00

Key dondon

Im pretty excited when I saw Malay apple or also known as Tahitan apple or Spondias dulcis L. by the scientific name. In Malaysia this fruit is well known by the name of kedondong or ambra. I'm laughing out loud when I saw the label - key dondon....ummm sound like kedondong in Australian slang LOL....

My mum made the best 'jeruk kedondong' I ever taste, because its really crunchy jeruk..yummy yummy. But my favourite is ulam kedondong with sambal belacan kicap.....wallllaaaaaaa! Since my parents came over and stay for a month, so I bought a kilo of kedondong for jeruk and ulam.

Western Australia

2009-11-29T19:34:00.002+08:00

Eid ul adha

Salam eid ul adha to all my friends. Life is all about sacrifice, no matter how small or big our sacrification. Even working to earn for living is a form of sacrifice, staying away from family because of jihad is also sacrifice and so on. However we need to translate the meaning of struggle and sacrifice in our lives into concrete actions that we can take. If we do that to get the pleasure of Allah, InsyaAllah I strongly believe that He will grant us success.

Our menu for this eid: Chicken rendang, nasi minyak, acar rampai, kuah kacang, nasi himpit, masak lodeh dan sambal tumis. And dessert is fruit custard.

The chaos in the kitchen when preparing for the dish really make it feel like raya......

Perth, Western Australia

2009-11-07T16:04:00.005+08:00

Hungarian Pastry

Salam...may all of my blogger friends are in good health and in the best state of Iman. Im busy with writing, thinking, writing and thinking.....owhhh so boring and tiring. Writing report is unlike writing blog entry.

Anyway I would like to share the traditional Hungarian famous pastry Kürtőskalács or Kürtős Kalács. This Hungarian pastry also known as chimney cake or stove cake. I like it very much!! I saw this pastry when I was touring the city of Budapest but not sure about the ingrediant. I just bought it at the exhibition on Hungarian Food Industry at the hotel and they explained better about the ingrediant. Moreover I can personally see the baking process of kurtos.

2009-10-09T10:37:00.012+08:00

Happy Eid Mubarak

Salam to all my friends. I hope it is not too late to wish everyone happy eid mubarak, Maaf Zahir Batin! I got back to Perth for almost two weeks after a short trip home to celebrate eid with family. Last year I celebrated my Ramadhan and Eid in Perth so this time around, I went home.

The last week of Ramadhan, I already in my hometown and paint the town red..ehehe. My dad also waiting for me to come back to visit the needy people. It is the annual event during the month of Ramadhan to give some duit raya and goodies. Since I was not around last year, I missed a lot of the updates. We drove to this kampung and I can see a lot of changes. The houses that I used to visit no longer there but had been replaced by the new houses, Alhamdulilah. I asked my dad, and he said its a new government project to help the needy.

And the sad things, I found out many of the old people passed away already. I told my dad, its only last year I didn't join him to visit them, but so many people are no longer with us. But for the second thought, it is good for them (do I sound mean? ). Some of them really suffer, and I remember this one old man, he lived alone, his house was really in bad condition, and he was not well too at that time. Al Fatihah to him and others too.

This is another different story about 3 siblings. The history started when their mum suffered from post natal blues (meroyan), and out of her six children, 3 are having mental illness. These three sibling live by their own at the company house where their dad use to work for many years as labour. But their parents passed away many years ago and now they lived by themselves. I dont even know where will they live if the company no longer allow them to stay there. Obviously they will have no place to go.

This old lady also having mental illness. She lived with her daughter and 3 grandchildren. Her daughter is a divorcee, left by her husband with 3 kids to be fed and now is working at the factory cleaning the bottle for recycling. Her small kids stay at home looking for her unwell mother.

This is another old lady, never been married and live by her own at her golden age. She's no longer has the energy to earn for living.

This is only a few interesting story of the unfortunate people. So we must be grateful of what we have and dont forget the needy. Even a small amount of money and goodies we give to them, it will make a different, at least will make them smile.

2009-09-12T12:57:00.005+08:00

The Great "Balik Kampung" Exodus

Salam...time fly and Eid ul Fitri just around the corner. True Malaysian with their “balik kampung’ ritual will be a part of Eid celebration. Im not exceptional to this phenomenon and I experienced it all the way since I went to Semenanjung for my pre- u and to UK for my tertiary education. Along my journey, Im much more dealing with air transport (what choice do I have except tongkang ..ehehe). I had a big dilemma to decide when to buy the ticket. To get cheap airfare, early booking is needed. But sometimes we are not even sure when will be the raya break started. Some lecturer will do make up classes so that they can ‘balik kampung’ earlier. Thats mean we can go back earlier too if there is no more lecture. But if we purchase in advance, so there is slim chances to change unless you pay for 1st class.

There was one incident when we went for the check in, the staff at the counter told us that all of our name were not in the list. At that time we felt so hopeless over the possibilities to be stranded in Semenanjung. And I don’t want to spend my Eid in the college. But somehow the problem resolved because it was not our mistake at all. We had the authorised ticket but somehow our names had been deleted from the system. During that time, the cheapest flight means the earliest morning flight. So usually my friends and I will leave the college in the late afternoon and lepaking at the Subang Airport Terminal 3. We then break our fasting together at the A&W, the only available fast-food. The adventure of going back home will be more exciting if it was the same timing with my sister. So we will be lepaking together from the evening till the next morning. It was tiring but we always in happy mode. The excitement to go home, finish the remaining ramadhan and celebrating eid with family is what we always looking forward as ‘perantau’.

Almost 5 year in UK, Im so lucky that we had our Ramadhan during the winter. The fasting was short unlike now where my friends in UK fasting longer hours during the summer. During winter, we had a short semester break that was about a month. So I took the opportunity to go home for Eid whenever possible. But again, as a student of course money is the main constraint. To get cheap flight is not easy during this time. And furthermore Brits like to travel during the winter to the hot and sunny countries. So the airfare during that time is relatively high. I need to search for the cheapest and there is one time, I had to gamble. I asked the travel agent to find the cheapest for that peak season so she suggested that I fly from Manchester to Amsterdam with British Airways and from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with Ch*na Airlines. The problem was Ch*na Airlines was crashed in Hong Kong few months before my trip. No wonder there is so many available seats and the price is cheaper than any other airline. I took it and Alhamdulilah I had a safe journey. But that was the first and the last..ahahaha!

Above is the story of the yesteryear and the scenario is much different now. Nowadays, with the existence of budget airline at the national and international sector, it encourages the mass ‘balik kampung’ exodus. Our Malaysia National carrier also offer competitive price and there is always extra flight available during the festive season. The breaking of monopoly in air transport in Malaysia is really spill the advantage to people like me. Even I consider myself pretty late in making decision to go home for Eid, the good bargain ticket is still available and also the connecting flight to Kuching. So, this year I will celebrate my Eid in Malaysia... yessssss!!!!! Lin also manages to get her leave and join me in Kuching for at least a few days. Then I will stay few days in KL before flying back to Perth. I will be in Kuching from 14 to 24 Sept and KL from 24 to 27 Sept. I can still go to Bazaar Ramadhan and eat all my favourite food...ahahaha so happy! Its time to do the spring cleaning and pack for "balik kampung". Flight will be tomorrow night and some last minute shopping need to be done. And the end of wake up call from my mum...ahaha. Thanks for calling me for sahur every morning.

p/s Ok Kuching blogger -Abg Putra, Uncle Pharo, Pak Ngah, Sdr Razak Putit - come over to my house for raya ok!! Dr Sam InsyaAllah see you in KL. Dont think can meet up with blogger friends in KL coz sure most of them 'balik kampung', so maybe next time.

2009-08-22T13:08:00.008+08:00

Déjà vu Ramadhan
Salam to All…….wow it’s been almost a month from the last update….Im so busy and I had caught fever and down for almost two weeks. Alhamdulilah I’m ok now and it’s just the right time for me to welcome holy month of Ramadhan.

I couldn’t helps but feels nostalgic whenever Ramadhan visit us. Ramadhan by default is a month of celebration, religious devoutness, and strengthening family and social ties, but for me, it is the month when the feelings of homesickness reach a peak, with all the nostalgic feelings Ramadan brings.

Feeling nostalgic and craving for my mum's cooking always tingling in my mind. I can list down all my must -have gastronomic item….sob3x. The holy month of Ramadan is also a time for feasting and rejoicing. Ramadhan bazaar appears in every city and town, bustling with activity and bursting at the seams with great food. At hometown, without fail I will visit Satok Bazaar Ramadhan, eating food by my ‘eyes’ and end up with nothing. I will make another round and make difficult decision to buy..but I still like the ambience.

During this Ramadhan, sahur with family is always the best. I lost my appetite just now during my lonely sahur (my sis, BIL and my nephews went back to Malaysia for hols) and how I wish I can go through this with those peoples I love. Sahur always remind me with my mum. She such a supermum and wife, she almost never fails to wake up early and prepare meal for sahur. Whenever everything is ready she will wake all of us. Even when my sisters can take over the post, she will always be the first in kitchen. There was one time (we were kids and my dad is handicap in kitchen) and she had a fever. … and hardly can’t get up from bed but she still fulfill her duty. She took a head scarf and tied around her head like bandana head band to reduce the headache so she can prepare meal for sahur.

Another ritual that is close to my heart is the ‘man’s activity’ with my dad during Ramadhan. Since teenager I always follow my dad to visit the old, poor and needy peoples. My dad will look for close and long distance relatives and then any needy people to be given goodies and ‘duit raya’. This activity is very meaningful and teaches me how to become a better person. At the same time it makes me realize there still a lot of unfortunate people in Malaysia.

To all blogger friends- Happy Ramadhan Al Mubaraq;

As the crescent moon is sighted…And the holy month of Ramadan beings…May Allah bless you with happinessand grace your home with warmth & peace ! (Unknown)

****************************

Tag from En Me:

Why do I blog?

Improve my writing skill
Snapshot of some event of my life
Make new friends

2009-07-28T08:28:00.005+08:00

Fighting for shifa

Salam…..I hope all of my blogger friends are in the best state of health and Iman. Talking about health I just read the sorrowful news about the Malaysia famous director Yasmin Ahmad who had passed away…Al Fatihah. And a few days ago I received news about a friend who had been admitted to the hospital. It gives me pause…pause for thought!

I have been through ….well I think it is a lot with all the health turbulence. At one time, hospital is just like a second home to me. But who am I to complain, when I read other bloggers experience dealing with terminal diseases or suffer from more complicated health issues, then I’m in much better shape. When I look back to a window of my yester – years, there is always a hikmah from what had happen to me. Allah had tested me with all the sickness but in return, Alhamdulilah He awarded me with strength and determination to excel in my studies, secured a good job, surrounded with peoples that I love, travel to a lot of places, blogging..ahahha

Yea, through blogging, I have the opportunity to meet a lot of new friends. And from them, I have learned to appreciate life. There are a few blogs that really strike me…and the first blog belong to cancer patient, arwah Z…Al Fatihah to him. Yea I cried badly reading through his last journey fighting for cancer. He taught me the real meaning of life and family values. Another blogger is Kassim Selamat. I had the opportunity to visit him once and really hope to see him again. From his blog, I learned about determination. I also follow Dr Ajak, a young surgeon with a bright future who was fighting against leukemia. Following his long journey fighting for this cancer, made me burst into tears. His unbearable suffer from chemo, the transplant and all the roller coaster feeling sometimes beyond our imagination. But from his writing and photos really explained what he had been through. My last trip home, I had the opportunity to meet him. He looks happy and healthy Alhamdulilah.

Another blog is belong to Muha, a young man from Pahang who is also suffer from cancer. I had the opportunity to visit him sometimes ago. What amaze me, even though he lose his sight, he still can direct us to his place. The opportunity to meet him in person, gave me the chance to see his positiveness toward life. I’m holding my tears looking at him…. His cheerfulness sometimes makes you forget that he is a person that had gone through a lot in his life. Please read this article to know more about his battle in life.

Photo with Muha, Malaysia

To all my friends who are in the battle fighting for shifa, the only thing I can offer is to make d’ua to ALLAH.

2009-07-09T20:39:00.005+08:00

Oxford

Salam all....Alhamdulilah Im now in Australia for about a week already. Im so busy with the report I need to submit and other tonnes of work waiting for my attention. My updates on my journey to UK had been stopped up till my conquest on Cumbria territory. Actually my journey then proceed to Oxford. I was forced (ahaha....I still keep the threatening email from Mrs Wan) to visit them in Oxford. I really enjoyed my short stay in Oxford and thanks to Wan for photo session, thanks to Mrs Wan and aunty for nice meal.

Im so happy and I had been waiting for many years to revisit UK after spending half of my yourthful life in UK. I just like a kid receiving candy when my boss informed me about the Hungary trip. Ok I would like to share some of my photos in Oxford including the Christ Church College's dining hall. This hall had been using as Hogwarts dining hall (used in the sorting ceremony) in the Harry Potters.

Christ Church College's dining hall a.k.a Hogwarts dining hall in Harry Potter

Oxford, UK

Punt (boat)- Lets go punting (boating) in Oxford

Student after the final exam - The students of Oxford striding about the city in black ceremonial robes, worn because this has been the custom during final exams for centuries and because the customs lends dignity and stature to the mundane act of taking a test.

2009-06-12T18:30:00.009+08:00

UK..here I come..

Salam..Im now in Leeds. I just arrived here last night after about 5.5 hours journey from Heathrow Central Bus Station. Mr Baker picked me up last night. Even now is summer, last night the temp is about 11 degree celcius..pretty cold. Now I'm going out to paint the town red.

Updated 1

Leeds city centre, England

Roundhay Park, Leeds

Update 2 - a walk down memory land - Liverpool

Albert Dock, Liverpool

Update3

Grasmere, Cumbria

2009-06-01T08:58:00.002+08:00

MH124- AK5202-MH2547-MH004-MA4866-MA4869-MH003-MH125

Salam, tommorow is the big day, yea Im going home for holiday. Im going for a conference in Hungary, so I will take this opportunity to go back to Malaysia for a week. This time I will go back to Kuching to be with the love one. Lin will join me in Kuching...yesss! I have the endless list of my favourite foods that I would like to eat. Some of them, my mum can simply collect at the backyard (bamboo shoot, midin, paku pakis, young jackfruit, tapioca etc)....no problem with the unhealthy food sources.

After a week stay in Kuching, I will take the flight

Kuching - KL - London Heathrow. I will stay another week in the North England before going to London - Budapest.

After that,

Budapest - London- KL.

I will be in KL for the last week of June, then

KL - Perth.

So, I couldn't flying in the cyber coz busy with real flying ahahaha. I will visit you guys whenever I have time ok. Take care all.

p/s; anyone free, we can meet in Kuching and KL later....bro Ajak and bro Kadok, InsyaAllah will see you guys. Dr Sam I will call you later k. Abg Putra see you on the 10th June?

2009-05-24T13:58:00.004+08:00

How safe is safe?

Salam...while I'm eating lunch lavishly, my thoughts just wandering through my brain...how safe is safe enough? I cant denied that food is the caused of many health problem. Be it the food itself or the diet, both contribute to a lot of problem. Sometimes I just feel paranoid but at the same times I'm so hopeless. Im just not in control because how much option do I have.

What I'm trying to say, as the consumer, Im not sure how safe is the chicken that I buy. I do believe that some people are not being responsible and try to be creative and innovative to pump the chicken faster and cutting the cost. The hormone, the paracetamol and some other chemical which caused danger to human had been applied. Im not sure and I dont have the evidence but that is what I heard. Or maybe we shouldn't eat chicken, eat more fish.

The same question goes back how safe is safe? Recently, the farm fish like catfish (keli) claimed to be fed by the dumping of pig sewage in the fish fond. Here arise the question of halal and the definition of safe food is also a part of halal term. If the food is not halal, of course it is not safe. In fact the sewage-filled lagoons at the pig farm in Eastern Mexico are suspected of creating condition for swine flu.

Ok..maybe I should eat only sea fish but again and again....how safe is safe? The sea fish are exposed to mercury contamination. Mercury are very dangerous to us and can caused a lot of problem.

Im just being paranoid but what really matters, I hope producers will be more responsible to the product that they produced. The local agriculture produce should be monitored closely and also the imported food from abroad. The farm produced should be properly label with halal and also the name of the farm which supply the product.

2009-05-16T11:09:00.014+08:00

Happy Teachers' Day

Source: youtube
So this year, let us not forget our teachers who made us what we are. Happy Teachers' day to all my teacher May ALLAH BLESS all of you and Al Fatihah for those who are no longer with us.

Im so blessed with wonderful teachers, some of them who are really inspired me to become 'human'. Thank you teacher...I really appreciate all my teacher, but the list below are the best!

Kindy-Cikgu Margeret - thanks for being so caring and motherly and i enjoyed her storytelling..very soft spoken but strict sometimes when we became so hyper. Thank you Cikgu

Primary - Cikgu Rakeah Awi (Mathematics)- every time in the class, she wont waste any minutes but really try her best to teach us how to do mathematics....she is very approachable and I can see sincerity in her. Thank you Cikgu

Lower secondary - Cikgu Maimon Awi (English) - you never failed to motivate us to improve our english and prepared some additional reading material to be read at home. Thank you Cikgu

Upper secondary - Cikgu Maimunah (Bahasa Melayu) - she is very dedicated and hardworking, every week we will be assigned to do at least 2 eassy. She checked the eassy with all the grammatical correction. She will put the best eassy of the week on the notice board. Besides that we need to do other excercise, prosa klasik, rumusan etc. No offence some teacher are lazy to assign their student to do essay coz they are lazy to check (so many student and its really takes time for them to check). Terima kasih Cikgu

Pre-U - Cikgu Satirah Mat Sharif (Mathematics)- she is another hard working teacher. She taught me Mathematics and she really doesnt mind to explain again and again till you understand. She's willing to spend time after class to help you to clear the air. Thank you Cikgu

Pre-U- Cikgu Hasmah Markom - she is also another caring teacher. I still remember she's the one who supervised my Extended Eassy (EE). She kept me motivated to do well in my study right after I came back from medical leave. In fact she was very encouraging and willing to check my eassy for one of the competition. Thank you Cikgu.

And also my undergrad & postgrad lecturer...thank you!

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires. ~William Arthur Ward

Happy teachers day to all blogger friends; Cikgu Toknabe, Cikgu Panji & Hubby, Cikgu Azizul, Cikgu Pakngah, Cikgu Azlanlin, Cikgu Meen, Cikgu Xiiinam, Chegu Bani Hasim, Cikgu Muzem, Cikgu Abahmuiz, Cikgu Patungcendana, Cikgu Zue, Cikgu Shifu67, Cikgu MadamGold, Cikgu fly, Cikgu Hayad, Cikgu Jawe, Cikgu Fauziah, Cikgu Yazrie, Cikgu Jane, Cikgu BEiB, Cikgu Azza, Cikgu KakPah, Cikgu Ashley, Cikgu Onezaba, Cikgu Oden, Cikgu Acucomfort...and all (yg terlupa jgn marah ek)

2009-05-10T10:28:00.008+08:00

You kiss and you die?

Assalamualikum and good day to all my friends. Yea...Im so busy with my jihad, and I hope I will accomplish my aim and dreams as soon as possible.
Today is mother's day...talking about mother's day....there are so many reaction about it. Some of my friend says that I'm trying to look modern by celebrate mother's day, some of my friends dont believe in mother's day because it is a marketing strategy to sell the greeting cards, some of my friends think that his mum is an old fashion women who dont care about 'mother's day', some of my friends argue that mother's day should be every day....etc. Well I respect them for what they believe or disbelieve in. Intelligent people have already thought what and why they believe in something....

Western Australia

But as for me, I look at mother's day as a good strategy to strengten our family ties. It is once a year and why not we celebrate, if we can get the whole family together that would be fun I think. Or if that is not possible, at least we can share among our sibling to buy a present...it doesn't matter cheap or expensive, what really matters.... it's the thought that counts. I think now all mothers are aware of 'mother's day', modern or old fashion women....there is lots of promo through newspaper or TVs, and we dont want our mum to feel neglected. Maybe she looks like she doesn't care but deep down who knows.....maybe she's been waiting for her children to wish her 'mother's day'....so dont take it for granted.

I know in our society, there are still a lot of cases where the children cant hug or kiss their own parents....it seem like 'you kiss and you die'. I hope it is not too harsh to say that some children only kiss their parents during their funeral. I cant blame them because it is not our culture...we are not use to it, we are not physical in expressing our love...some feedback from my friends...'tak biasa la', 'malu la', 'ehh nanti mak aku ingat aku ni demam ker apa' etc.....

Well, I see it this way, good deed is always difficult thing to do and sometimes need courage to do it (if it not halal, so easy...teringat plak kes Nab*l terpeluk Irm*..opsss..this is not gossiping blog ok..ahaha). So 'mother's day' is the good day to implement it and once we do it... it will be easier and then it will become natural. Just tell our mum, today is mother's day and I have a present for you and I pray for your good health...and instead of kissing her hand, just hug and kiss her cheek. I know how awkward it is at the beginning but once you get through the first time...you can just do it next time easily. One hug will make our mum happy for the whole day!

I'm not a good son but I try to become one. This entry is good reminder to me myself. And again, 'mother's day' is a good occasion but dont take it it for granted. As in Islam, our responsibility toward our parents is not only on Mother's day but it is every day.

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-04-26T11:08:00.008+08:00

Screening?

Salam....there is so many things I would like to share but due to time constraints, very little I can offer. But today I would like to share about Women Issue which I think is very important. It’s happened in my family and wouldn’t want it to happen to other people out there.

Western Australia

My aunty passed away many years ago due to breast cancer. We accept it as Qadaq and Qadar... but what is the best lesson we learn from this? yea breast cancer screening is very well important especially to those with a high risk. My mum is in her late 50 and I had reminded her many times to go for mammogram and woman at her age should go for the screening at least every three years. But she's so scared and according to her friends mammogram is very painful procedure. She has her 'family' doctor (Dr Q) for routine check up and the expenses are all covered by health benefit (employer scheme). She used to request for the mammogram and Dr. Q said it is not necessary and advise my mum to do her 'self checking'. Taking the advice from Dr Q, she was very happy and makes that as an excuse not to go for mammogram.

But somehow she experience discomfort on her arm and then she had requested for mammogram. She finally allowed going for mammogram (Dr Q is acting like he’s the one who paying for the expenses…argghhh it’s all the employer money ok). As a result, there is a small lump near her armpit about 1cm. When my mum calls Dr Q for the result, he said the result is ok. Then my sister calls him for confirmation and asking if there is any lump. Then he said there is a lump but he reassured it should be fine. My sis so mad and asked him how sure is he that the lump is ok? My mum went to see him the following day and he asked my mum to wait for another 6 months for futher check up.

My sis contacted Lin for second opinion and I also contacted my friend, a medical lecturer and also talked to my colleague who is currently doing research related to breast cancer. They advised to go for further check up with specialist. If necessary fine needle biopsy might be needed. My sister set appointment with the consultant at NM Medical Centre and at the same time contacted Dr Q for referral to specialist. If Dr Q made the referral, then it would be covered but if he doesn’t want to do so, then we just pay ourselves. My sister really pushed Dr Q with saying there is a lump and we requested for further check up and let the specialist decide. Unless it is all normal then it would be unreasonable to ask for referral. He at last agrees after another drama! Fuhhhhhhhh

My mum went to the consultant and he asked her to do the ultra sound, instead of one there is another one but didn’t appear in the mammogram. The second newly found lump is very small. The consultant said it should be ok and asked my mum to come back in 3 months time for another ultrasound. I hope everything is fine.

Personally I think the Breast Screening should be done to all women 50 and above and also the high risk group (e.g. history of cancer in family).

The programme in the UK has screened more than 19 million women and has detected around 117,000 cancers.
A report by the Department of Health Advisory Committee published in 1991 suggested that the programme would save 1,250 lives each year by 2010.2
The World Health Organisation's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that mammography screening for breast cancer reduces mortality. The IARC working group, comprising 24 experts from 11 countries, evaluated all the available evidence on breast screening and determined that there is a 35 per cent reduction in mortality from breast cancer among screened women aged 50 - 69 years old. This means that out of every 500 women screened, one life will be saved.3

source:http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/breastscreen/index.html

I hope my friends who read this, please bring your mum for mammogram if they already 50 and above or if there is cancer history in the family. It cost less than RM200 in private hospital and this is might be a good gift for the coming Mother's day? Besides that overall medical check up for elderly is also important.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!!!

2009-04-01T22:49:00.005+08:00

Mi Kolok

Western Australia

Salam to all my friends, again I'm drowning in the ocean of work. It seems so many thing I have to do and sometimes it put me into maximum stress. But there is no turning back, I must go forward and finish whatever I start earlier. I have to be responsible to myself and all the stakeholder involved.

In the midst of my busy life, I'm still longing for one of my favourite food, Mi Kolok. I never prepared it myself before, in Malaysia I just help the Mi Kolok vendors to earn some profit. Yea, at least they have the business for having people like me..ahaks. Well, here there is no way to get Mi Kolok so I decided to prepare myself, first try...no bad la....there is big space for improvement. Yea cooking is a skill, it needs to be polished and always try and try..thats the way I see it. But my cooking skill will always fade away once I landed myself in the mother land..ahaha.

* Mi Kolok @ mi sapi is the famous mi in Sarawak beside Laksa Sarawak. Make sure you try when you visit Sarawak. There is a few types of Mi kolok - Mi Kolok goreng, mi kolok basah (the soup and mi mix together), mi kolok kering (just like in the photo: you eat mi and then follow by the soup)

2009-03-14T00:07:00.009+09:00

Happy birthday dad and me

Yesterday I met an Iranian brother. Well I'm helping him because he is new to this place and struggling to settle down. Then we had the conversation

AR: How old are you brother?

Me: Guess?

AR: errrr 22 maybe

Me: ....big smile.....

errrr 22 maybe.... When I hear that figure I feel like a kite flying on the sky, feel so young again even though I know Im still young indeed...ahahahaha.

Me: I'm @#@#@ and in fact tommorrow is my birthday

AR: I can't believe it...you look so young brother...

Me: I'm young..ahahahaha

Today, when I woke up, there is a sms from Lin for the well wishes. Thanks! And my sis served the breakfast, mi goreng and she hugged me for my birthday wishes. My brother in law also wished me by reminding the big number.....sabar je la ahaha. They bought me a present too. My nephew wrote a birthday card for me..so cute. He's only three... and this evening we will be going out for dinner at Fish and Chip in Freementle......

Western Australia

Again this year there is no double celebration...my birthday partner is away in Malaysia. We are sharing the same birthday..we always celebrate it together. But my two sisters already arrange the day for him. All of us share to buy him the present, a new handphone for him. Happy Birthday to my beloved Dad.

My blogger friend, Kadok who just celebrated his birthday on 12 March wished to have the same birthday with his coming offspring...( Kadok baby dah lahir belom?) ...and you know kadok, having the same birthday between dad and son not that fun because always have to share the cake or even the present..ahahahaha...

Well honestly its good to have the same birthday with my dad because its usually become the gathering time for all. The family ties is more important, the get together always blend a good and sweet memory. It is not just the cake and candle but the manifestation of love among family is really matter for me.

2009-03-03T18:39:00.004+09:00

In Honor of Siblings

Western Australia

I took this photo the last couple of months at the Shelly Bridge . That two little kids, a brother and sister enjoyed themselves and it reminicsing about my childhood days with my big sister. I’m the second child and our age gap is only 2 years. Yea we were very close during that time but not always in a good term. We always fight with each other during our childhood days like cat and dog..ahahaha. But somehow we became close when we were teenager.
But what can I say; she is always a good sister. As the eldest, she set a good precedence. She did well in her study and that become a good catalyst for me to follow. She made her way to MRSM, did her degree, went to US for her master and currently doing her Phd in the kangaroo land.

To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.
~Clara Ortega

HAPPY MAULIDUR RASUL

2009-02-13T14:23:00.004+09:00

Short

Salam Jumaat...may Allah bless us with HIS mercy and bounty. I just went to Friday prayer and alhamdulilah today there is a huge crowd and as usual some of the congregation participants have to pray outside of the mussola. The mussola is not enough to accommodate all the participants. However, this is a good indicator that there is a lot of Muslim still practising...Alhamdulilah.

But what really strikes me today and made me unhappy...I spot a few participant simply wearing short pants to perform their Jumaah. Is this a new trend? Yea it might not as controversial as what Amina Wadud did last time by leading the prayer and proud to be the first female Imam...but the small thing like this is not healthy at all. I think as a Muslim this is simple knowledge of such a mundane matter of the male aurat. The 'aurat' is between their navel and the KNEE. I'm just wondering even if we need to be fashionable, please dont wear short pant on Friday so that easy for us to perform the jumaah. For God sake its only Friday...maybe the rest of the time we can go home and simple change but not on Friday. As matter of fact the congregational Friday prayer is a must for male muslim. Ok...this is the issue of short pants (at the knee level) and another case where some of them wearing short pants but still cover their knee. We need to be careful. Some of the pants just few inches down the knee and when we perform the solat, the movement especially during the rukuk or sujud, will somehow expose the knee. This is a common sense and as an adult we should be able to think about it. At least if still want to wear it on Friday, bring the sarung.

Mandurah, Western Australia

Maybe I'm sound like Ustaz or Iman but no kidding, as an adult we should show good example to the kids. We dont want them to have an idea that wearing short pants during solat is ok and at the end it become a trend and culture. In fact wearing short pant exposing the aurat is a big sin and what more when we meet Allah. I do wear short but at least 3/4 length so even if I need to perform my solat it wont expose my aurat. I hope this entry will be a good reminder to myself and also my blogger friends.

2009-01-29T15:15:00.006+09:00

4D....

Salam...sorry again. I've been so busy these few weeks and in fact still busy to settle few things for my trip to Europe in June InsyaAllah. Im so happy to be awarded the grant from one of the organisation in US but in return there is so many thing I need to prepare..phewwwww!!! I wish I just win 4D instead..ahahaha. For sure I dont have to do anything but jolly myself. BUT..a big buttttt....it is only in this dunia but in hereafter, buying 4D means I already book my ticket to hell....hell no!

I still owe saudara Kelana this tag...I know it stale already...ehehehe

1. Do you think you are hot?
Yes.....its summer here....

2. Upload your favourite picture of you.

Western Australia

3. Why do you like that picture?
I like scenery

4. When was the last time you ate pizza?
Last week

5. The last song you listened to?
Haziq - Joget Cinta Sakti

6. What are you doing right now besides this?
Relaxing

7. What name would you prefer besides this?
None

Tag 5 people.
(i)CT(Reminasi Kehidupan)
(ii)DrSam(Archive of life)
(iii)Penoreh Getah
(iv)Kasawari
(v)Izman

8. Who is no. 1?
She is a blogger friend whom I call aunty and we share the same hobby..travel (Aunty come over to Perth laa ask uncle to sponsor u..eheheh)

9. No. 3 is having a relationship with?
He is dating someone...also a blogger (dont forgot to introduce me to her later k..ahaha)

10. Say something about no. 5.
He is my age and went to the same uni with a few of my secondary schoolmate. Currently working and live in Port Klang. ( Sorry bro so busy...since u keep remind me of new entry then I spare sometimes to write..ahaha)

11. How about no. 4?
He is the first blogger I had meet if I'm not mistaken. It took place in the Senai Airport (bro...when are you coming over?)

12. Who is no. 2?
He is another friend who is originally from Terengganu. He now lives in Sungai Buloh with his family...a nice and friendly 'old' guy(Dont forget to belanja me sushi king k for promoting u here..ahaha)

2009-01-07T12:42:00.006+09:00

Beautiful firework blast Vs horrific bombing blast

Salam...fuhhh nothing much happen today. I'm just wasting my time waiting for my computer to get fixed. After the big bang computer crashed before, the condition of my desktop getting worst. It is so much slow as before and when I run the software it is easily get hang. It is just simple software run, imagine if i start with the modelling...errr dont get me wrong, Im not a model..or supermodel at all....far beyond my own imagination..LOL! Ok, the technician suggest for the new computer and I would like to forward it to my imediate boss and I hope I can get at least faster computer. I'm tired of playing around with a tortoise..let me get my hand on a cute rabbit! At least I can surf faster and update blog frequently..ahahaha... I should stop day dreaming, I don't even get a new computer fast like a rabbit yet but I had been thinking so many thing to do with it heh...

Burshwood, Western Australia

On the new year eve, I joined Kak I and family to watch firework. I'm so lazy to get in the crowd but since kak I drive and I'm acting like pensioner datuk at the back seat...I enjoyed every moment. I brought with me the tripod and of course my toy. After going through heavy traffic jam like a crawling baby..we then reached the destination. Lot of people already parked themself at the riverbank for the count down and firework. We managed to find a place and I started to set up my tripod and place my camera facing the fireworks launch plateform area at the far end, on the other side of riverbank. Ok, since I haven't really do my homework, so here is the photo I captured. Im not really happy with the output. Dont know when I will get ample time to enhance my knowledge on the photography. Well it all about opportunity cost..in order to get something you need to let go of something else...yea wait for the right time to come. I really enjoyed the beautiful firework but at the same time my heart goes out to those suffered in the cruel, barbaric and reprehensible, it is also senseless attacked by Israeli government. SAY PEACE NO WAR!!

2008-12-27T17:09:00.012+09:00

Boxing day ...Maal Hijra 1430

Salam..yesterday was a Boxing day...and a friend asked if I watch a boxing match? err..hang on..its nothing to do with boxing..ehehe. The term of Boxing day is originated from the tradition of putting gifts in boxes for the less fortunate. There is nothing ritual about Boxing Day because it is actually a great day with massive discount by shopping outlets. A big name like Myers or David Jones offered up to 70% discount or what we called price attack.

Perth City Centre, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah tomorrow we will be tuned to the beginning of new Islamic Calender. We will be in the new year, 1430 hijra. If you asked me about my new resolution, it would be very general from year to year. I'm always try to get hold on what being recommended by our Prophet Muhammad;
young before old

rich before poor

healthy before sick

"free time" before busy

life before death...
Im preparing myself for those five forgotten fundamental of life. Maybe out of those five, I had gone through a hell lot of turbulance in the quality of my health. Those experienced really made me appreciate what a good healthy life is, how you can really made a good deed when you are healthy, how you can become a better person when you are healthy, how you can treat your parents well when your are healty..... Therefore this is the best time (when we still young and healthy) for us to make a hijra, hijra from bad to good, from good to better, from better to a great man.

This remind me of my blogger friend, and every time I think about him...I will cry deeply in my heart. He had been tested with terminal illness and by now he lives each day. My doa for him may this new year Allah will grant him Shifa and may Allah cure him leaving no sickness behind inshallah.

Perth, Western Australia

Therefore, I would like to wish everybody Salam Maal Hijrah. May this new year brings us happiness and may Allah shower his continuous blessing on us.

Thanks riel for the card

2008-12-22T18:42:00.008+09:00

Port Klang - Sungai Buloh - KL Sentral - Perth
Salam...its time..its time for me to go. I feel so reluctant to go back to Australia to leave behind all the loves one.....aiyooo sound so melancholic!

Well here Im, showered myself with the peak summer in Perth. People are busy shopping for Christmas and I'm busy shopping for groceries and what not. The empty house leave me with no food stock. So I better stock up food for the Christmas since many stores will be closed.
As promised, I would like to share my stories with blogger friends. Im having four-eyes meeting with Saudara Izman in Port Klang, Dr Sam in Sungai Buloh and Penoreh Getah in KL Sentral. Since I'm having fun travelling with LRT, Commuter and Putra, I have no problem to meet my blogger friends. As long as their place are well connected with either one of these three public transports, it wouldnt be any problem for me. If you asked me to drive, then I will surrender. I even lost in my hometown Kuching, so not to mention Kuala Lumpur.
#Im so proud with one of the young Malaysian in the LRT that day. He gave away his seat to the old woman. Thats the spirit man! Man with the gold heart.

One fine afternoon, I took Commuter to Sungai Buloh Station. I arrived a bit early as scheduled. Its ok for me to wait since I have no comitment. While waiting, I try to finish reading a novel to make my time fully occupied and at the same time I kept my eyes on the road. After a while, I saw a bimmer parked in front of the station and at the same time I recieved a phone call from Dr Sam. I saw the plate no, and I confirmed with Dr Sam if that was his car. He said yes. I made a move to join this man in his bimmer and at the same time I saw a beautiful young artist came out from the car. I introduced myself to Dr Sam and boarded to his car at the co pilot seat and the young artist seated at the back. So we chit chat while driving and they brought me to the famous Briayani Batu Pahat in Sungai Buloh. Really it was marvellous as compared to Briayani Insaf which always made me insaf at the time I want to pay for the bill. Thanks Dr Sam and Kak Z for the great lunch. Alhamdulilah, they are very nice and always made you feel welcome! Both of them are easy going and we share lots of stories. They send me back to the station and I boarded commuter to KL Sentral. I had another meeting with Penoreh Getah at KL Sentral. Since he was free, so we decided to have teh tarik at KL Sentral. While waiting for him, I went to perform my prayer and then I went to my favourite spot, the bookstore. Penoreh Getah called me once he arrived in KL Sentral and we chit chat as if we already know each other for so long and when I checked the time...gosh Im late to pick up Lin...ahahaha. Penoreh getah also need to go back to his office. So we dispersed to our own destination. Thanks penoreh getah for the teh tarik. InsyaAllah next year dont forget to introduce ur 'ehem'..ahahaha.

Sungai Buloh - KL Sentral, Malaysia

* sorry I have to chop Dr Sam head (Blue shirt) in the photo coz he is too tall ( ahahaha..only me know the real reason why). Kak Z with blake headscraft. Thats me in orange shirt but sorry again my face was covered..err by mistake?..ahahahaha. And that handsome man with beard is Penoreh Getah.

The day before departing to Australia, I received sms from Dr Sam. He and Kak Z wanted to come to my place. So we dated at Giant since that the easiest spot. Lin managed to join us this time around and we had another good time. I had my last teh tarik before flying to Australia. Lin scolded me for letting Dr Sam paying again that night. Actually Lin wanted to buy them dinner but since I haven't packed my stuff and I need to wake up early for the airport, so 'mengeteh' is the best option. Never mind next year InsyaAllah, we can meet up against and that will be on me, ok. And thanks for the gift Dr Sam and Kak Z. May our ukwah remain stronger!

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2008-12-17T14:10:00.004+09:00

Crossing to .....

Salam to all my friends...woww...its more than a week already but I have no time to update my blog. Currently I'm in Kuala Lumpur and having a good time here before I go back to Australia this coming saturday. Yea..having a good time...meeting a few bloggers, enjoy myself on the lrt, monorail and KTM...I will update my meeting with my blogger friends later k. A part from that, there are a few things I would like to share...things that I encounter when Im in KL..

Im almost knocked down by the car at zebra crossing and the driver scold me...

owh is it my fault???? Lin told me ..wake up this is Malaysia....not Singapore, UK or Australia! I dont want to debate till the cows come home..I want a change!! Please change our beloved Malaysia to a better place to live.

I skimming through a lot of malay novel in the bookstore and I found out some of the novelist are too excited to create a beautiful, trendy and modern name for the character in the novel. Some of them over do it and make it unrealistic.

Personally I dont think a mother character in the novel should be named after a trendy name!

I went to buy a newspaper with RM50 notes..really I have no small chance. The business operator sound irratating ...it just RM1 la

Owh again is it my fault???? I hate when the operator didnt prepare a small chance. By principle make sure you ready when you want to run a business and remember customer always right.

Before I went to KL, my beloved sis baked a layer cake for me. Im not a big fan of any sweet food but it doesnt mean I dont take sweet food at all. I might have a bite or so and thats enough. This is Kek Lapis Bombay (but Sarawak mari..ahahah). The recipe is given by my late aunty to my mum many years ago.

Kuching, Sarawak

2008-12-07T14:35:00.010+09:00

1429

Salam...Im in Malaysia at this moment. By right at this time I'm supposed to be in Chiang Mai to attend the conference. But due to some problem the conference was cancel last minute. So I decided to go back to Kuching to celebrate Eid ul Adha.

Bukit Tinggi, Klang, Malaysia

When I was in KL earlier I managed to meet my blogger friend, Saudara Izman. I went to Port Klang to meet him since I was free and he was busy at work. I took Komuter from KL Sentral and mind you it was the first time I went to Port Klang. When I reached the Port Klang Station, I felt like in other country ahahaha.... I reached Port Klang earlier and Saudara Izman fetched me at the station. He drove me to Bukit Tinggi Jaya Jusco for lunch. He brought me to Windmill and I was a bit reluctant at first. I know the food is expensive overthere but at the same time I dont want him to feel offended if I asked to go some where else. I dont mind to go to stall or cheap food court as long as the food is clean and good ehehehe. Thanks to Saudara Izman for the great lunch...when I told Lin about this, she said that probably the most expensive lunch I ever had..ahahaha. Thanks Saudara Izman for buying me a great lunch!!! and a good chat too. May our Ukhwah Fillah will remain abadan abada (forever)..InsyaALLAH.

I would like to wish all of my friends and family happy eid ul adha.

Kuching, Sarawak
Last night we started to weave the ketupat shells lead by my mum. I know how to weave it but easily forget and last night I had to relearn how to weave it...uhuhu..but it works.

'May this Eid-ul-Adha become a great reminder to all of the importance of principles such as faith, repentance, honesty, simplicity, equality and concern for the dispossessed and the poor'.

2008-11-29T20:50:00.005+09:00

Transgenesis by Amir Husaini

Wilson, Western Australia

Bagi saya novel ini sesuai untuk bacaan peringkat awal remaja dan ke atas. Ia merupakan suatu novel sains fiksyen yang amat menarik. Saya jarang menjumpai novel sains fiksyen dalam bahasa Melayu dan apabila membaca novel ini, saya rasakan kekuatan novel ini terletak kepada kreativiti penulis menghubungkaitkan jalan cerita dan dunia sains. Pembaca didedahkan kepada asas sains yang memang di pelajari di sekolah, contoh mudahnya proses fotosintesis. Asas sains ini diolah agar menjadi satu jalan cerita yang menarik. Secara peribadi, saya berharap pembaca terutama peringat awal remaja agar memiliki novel ini. Ibu bapa juga hendaklah mengalak anak-anak membaca novel sains fiksyen agar dapat memupuk kecintaan anak-anak kepada dunia sains. Amat menyedihkan masih ramai anak-anak bumiputera yang tidak meminati dan lemah dalam bidang sains (saya tidak mempunyai unjuran statistik tapi cikgu-cikgu sains sila beri pandangan anda).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friend, Saudara Amir Husaini for giving me this novel with his signature on. Really appreciate it and many thanks. I hope he will write more science fiction novel to incalculate positive interest among younsters in science. Saudara Amir is a qualified scientist (by qualification) himself and expert in Science and philosophy. Err by the way, saudara Amir I like your first novel too..ehehehe

2008-11-21T20:02:00.006+09:00

Kesum...

After Friday prayer, I went to Bunning to hire a Ute. Owhh by the way, we managed to rent a detached house, Alhamdulilah. Basically we already moved out all our stuff except the matress. So, I planned to move the mattress and at the same time to pick up the dinning tables that I bought last week. There is no free delivery service, they charged around AUD$40 just to send the dinning table set. So might as well I rent a ute, so I can kill two bird with one stone..umm. But things happened...We only moved the matress since the dining tables cannot be collected after two. Im so mad because they didnt inform us about it. I thought it would be open like office hours. Partly its my mistake too, I should always ask.

Daun kesum or Laksa leaves

So, I booked the ute again on Monday noon just to collect the dinning table...such a hassle. After returning the ute, I went to the plant and herbs section in this gigantic Bunning warehouse. I saw lot of herbs expecially the english herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley etc. But there is Laksa leaves....yesss! I had been looking for laksa leaves or known as Vietnamese coriander or in Malaysia it is called daun kesum. I did heard about laksa leaves in Perth and people did mentioned that we can buy it in Bunning. At last I found it. So it is easy to cook laksa penang or even assam pedas....yummyyy. I hope that laksa leaves will grow well over the summer. I just got to know that daun kesum is also known as Vietnamese coriander (rau ram) because Vietnamese people commonly eaten fresh daun kesum. It's not only in Vietnam but also Thailand (pak pai) and Cambodia (chi krasang tomhom).

ute=pick up or utility truck

2008-11-16T13:01:00.004+09:00

Moving

Karawara, Western Australia

Yesterday I went to a friend house, Kak F and abg R. They celebrated their daughter’s birthday. Happy birthday to A, she is now 3 years old.

By the way, we are moving out. The previous house is a town house terrace concept. Since we have always received complaint from neighbour next door, we decided to rent a detached house. Our neighbour doesn’t understand the concept of having kids (fair enough; they have no kid themselves). You can’t just simple stop the kids from making any noise, cry or whatsoever. My two little nephews are too young to understand and you can’t simply said quiet. Looking for a house is not easy and when you move to a new house you need a lot of money for the bond and etc. There is a lot of work to do as well, to transfer the phone, electricity, water and internet service to a new place. Since the new house is unfurnished, so need to spend money to buy fridge, washing machine and at least basic furniture. I hope this will be the last house and can’t afford to move again.

But a good lesson I can learn from this situation is that be patience and tolerate to others.

2008-11-09T12:14:00.004+09:00

Justin Timberlake said....

Salam...thanks for the comments, I mean the previous entry below..ahahaha. There are many reactions from friends but I'm not in the state of upset with something or what...I wrote the entry just to remind myself .... Alhamdulilah, there are still lot of people aware about bragging and at least we can work it out together...with simple approach, self reflection. I know it is hard to become humble...but at least we are trying to be one. And we need to treat people with full respect and yea I'm agree with Justin Timberlake, "What Goes Around Comes Around".

Western Australia

Last month there was a Pasar Malam (5pm till late) organised by International student association in one of the university here. I'm so excited and I came early (at 5 pm)...since there were so many food, i'm confused myself. I didnt know what to buy really. So, at last I bought Nasi Lemak and ayam percik. Satay vendor reallly made profit that night. There were a long queve as people line up to buy satay...and most of them are local people here. I think Oz people like satay very much.

2008-11-02T22:36:00.005+09:00

Hey...I'm the boss ok Burshwood, Western Australia

Salam to all my friends. I really want to write about this matter for quite sometimes…bragging. When we talk about bragging…the scope is very wide and you can see different kind and ways of bragging…why??? Because it involve human and human are very colourful in term of personality. I think bragging is a part of us but the degree of bragging makes it different between others. The same concept with ego and when it is too much, people will feel irritated.

Me myself tend to do it as well…. unintentionally…When I talk to much, sometimes it just spit out or I might choose the wrong words or I might acting as if I’m so good…that’s why sometimes we need to review back what we had done. Little that I want to hurt my friends, other people etc but sometimes things happen.

Back to the issue, I used to experience how sad I’m when people treat me like I’m nobody. Even my own relative and because they are somebody… title-bearing people, rich, high status quo and bla bla bla…they can brags so much that some of their comments were on the fringe of being irrational and unbelievable. As well as bragging some of them also puts other family members down as if they are the only clever, rich people on the planet earth.

Even some of the bosses are so bossy…they don’t be bothered to greet their staff or coolie ‘good morning’ or even smile…. Their concept is..I’m the boss and the staffs should greet me…not the other way round. The same thing at the university….my friend who are doing his Phd keep on complaining how boastful his supervisor…. as if she is the cleverest person on the entire universe..as if she is the only person with prof or associate prof. What make it worst..some of them are very proud of failing some students….If in other country supervisor can treat their Phd student as a friend..why not in Malaysia. If the boss in the other country can treat their employee with dignity, why not us… Hey come on la…for God sake…its all from ALLAH.

I pray to ALLAH that I wont be like that and I want to become a humble man. If we don’t want to be treated badly, so do the other people. Put ourself in their shoes..nuture our heart to be sympathetic. Having a sympathetic heart will make us aware of the human nature, their strength and weakness made by Allah S.W.T. This will prevent us from becoming proud and arrogant. Proud and arrogant people are damn by Allah S.W.T.

2008-10-28T01:22:00.001+09:00

Okra..where are you?

Bentley, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah..at last I managed to submit my work at 12 midnite yesterday and today my boss cancelled the meeting...so I went out to do some errands and relax my tired little brain. As usual, cooking is a good therapy for me ...you know just to escape from my work routine. So I did my laundry, went shopping and then I did some cooking.

The menu for today is Mackerel Asam Pedas and pak choi oyster sauce. For asam pedas, I add up tomato and okra but as usual, when I need something, I have to go around to search for it but when I dont need it it always around...iskkkkk. Thats what happened today when I'm looking for okra...or in Malaysia we called it lady finger or in Malay we call it Bendi. I end up found the frozen baby okra after I went to a few places!!!! I love that asam pedas but poor my bro in law because its too hot for him...errrk sorry.
On saturday recently I went to another open house by kak F. My friend picked me at the office in the afternoon. At first I dont want to go but for the second thought, I still need my lunch so why not...I never regret..the food is good...especially rendang dind ding ek...the famous rendang in Perak....and yesterday another open house...the last open house I guess. I went there at noon and then drove back to the ofiice and stayed till midnite. Tomorrow I will start another work marathon...wish me luck..

2008-10-17T22:24:00.007+08:00

Please...give me back the Syawal spirit!!!!

Open house 1

Open house 2

Salam syawal to all my friends..sorry for my absent in this blogging world. The same and traditional excuse is of course Im busy. Im really tight with my work. I have to prepare for my presentation in Chiang Mai and my boss want it to be ready this week. I had been working like a dog to finish it but at the same time I have to settle my other job too. Sometimes life is all about work work work. Well, nothing is easy in life and to achieve our dream its all need to pay off with hard work. I will try to spend time to visit you guys...since I cant go for physical visit for syawal..so I have to do it virtually..ahaks. Enjoy the clips above....my visit to the open house at the beginning of syawal. What can I say, Syawal abroad is much happening as compare to Malaysia. I think the main reason is because you are away from home and visiting friends is consider a must. You treat your friends like family here. When I was in Malaysia, I keep on wondering why neighbours, freinds or even relatives didnt come to visit...during my childhood, people just simply come, they dont wait for open house or they dont have to think twice about it. The door always open for the guest. But now people prefer to stay at home watching tv or go for holiday. Please give me back the syawal spirit.. I dont want my grandchildren to lose their identity, their faith, their boundary.....

2008-10-02T20:37:00.010+08:00

Pre and post raya update

We celebrated raya on wednesday, 1st oct, so the night before we were invited by friend to his house for tahlil and takbir!!

'Masak bermasak' for open house - the night before raya - menu: beef rendang, peanut sauce, glutinous rice, chicken soto, mi rebus and bingka cheese.

My two nephew playing firecracker...its really a suprise to find firecracker in Australia...

We performed our sunnatul eid ul fitri at Masjid Al Hidayah, Hepburn which is on the way to Joondalup.

Sermon or Khutbah raya in Malay and English. This masjid is well known among malays in Perth in fact it is known as masjid melayu..

2008-09-28T14:19:00.003+08:00

Eid is coming

Cotesloe Beach, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah, Eid is coming and that will marks the end of the fasting month. I'm really greatful that I can perform my duty this time around. Unlike last year, I was admitted to the hospital due to illness which affected my Ibadah. I will celebrate Eid here in Australia with my sister, bro in law and my two nephew. But they will be off to Malaysia on the third raya for a holiday.

I would like to beg for forgiveness for any wrongdoing which I realise or not. For those 'balik kampung' take care and drive carefully. I hope this coming Eid would be the best and happy event for all.

2008-09-17T04:53:00.002+08:00

Night and the city

Kings Park. Perth City Western Australia

Last few weeks, I went to Kings Park to shoot some photos. I just want to share with you guys how's Perth city at night. The evening is capped off with views of the dazzling lights, bright neon signs and traffic stock.

Since we are already halfway approaching syawal, all the bright neon remind me of home. It is the annual event to light up oil lamp or pelita starting on malam tujuh likur. The neighbours will do the same things. Its really happening. I still remember the excitement I had when I was a kid... lighting up the pelita and also playing the fire crackers. Umm wish I can celebrate raya back in Malaysia. I plan to light up the pelita here but still looking for pelita...ahahaha. Or else I need to be creative about it. I dont want my two nephews to miss the event. At least they can cherish every moment they have been given for time is passing by.

2008-09-07T04:23:00.008+08:00

Break fast

Perth, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah we had been fasting for few days. So far so good even though you never feel like home. There is no bazaar ramadhan..there's no mother cooking...sob sob sob...

To treat ourself, yesterday I cooked rendang ayam, mushroom soup and my sis helped with mix vegetable and nasi minyak. It is very nice meal for break fast ehehe..Rendang ayam is not that bad..I had to replace kerisik with dried coconut (dry fried). And there is no tumeric leaves..couldnt find it here ..so i just put kaffir leaves.
Today we will have murtabak for our break fast..my bro in law is the master chef...umm maybe I want to try Mi Bandung too...if it a sucess will keep you guy posted ..ahaks

2008-08-31T10:40:00.007+08:00

The month of reflection

Salam Merdeka and salam Ramadhan....I'm very thankful to ALLAH for given me the opportunity to celebrate Malaysia Independence day and also the blessing month of Ramadhan.

Honestly National Day is just like any other public holiday for me before but as I grew older I started to look out for the real meaning of Independence. And the most important is how can we contribute to become a good citizen and a proud Malaysian. Even the political scenario are heated up with all burning polemics, it wont give us 'license to kill'...

happy merdeka!

Burshwood, Perth Western Australia

The month of Ramadhan is always the most meaningfull month for me. The feeling is different...that is the barakah of the month. I hope Ramadhan this time will be better than previous Ramadhan..let us finding solace and joy in this blessing month!

2008-08-18T20:03:00.008+08:00

Busy

Salam to all my friends... Sorry for late update. I'm busy with personal matter (its a lame excuse, I know..ahaks) and for info, I'm back in Perth. After Sabah trip that day, I went to Kuching to settle few things and managed to see Sarawak Regatta 2008. Actually I'm not into the crowd, in fact I'm not comfortable to be surrounded by so many people. But it seems my passion to take photo is greater than my discomfort to be in the crowd made me go to see the event.

Sarawak Regatta, Kuching Sarawak Malaysia

After Kuching I went to KL before flying to Langkawi. I enjoyed my trip with Lin to the Lagendary island. I was in primary school since my last visit. So what can I say, Langkawi definitely had been transformed. I love the Island Hopping and also the cable car trip.

Langkawi, Malaysia

From Langkawi we went back to Kuching for my younger sister convocation. Congratulations to S on getting her master degree and wish to go back for her Phd Convocation in few year times.

Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

From Kuching I flew back to KL and then Perth.

p/s abanglong(Novelman) sorry cannot make it to see you. I also cannot get the software. InsyaAllah my next trip ok.

2008-07-28T10:32:00.003+08:00

What a small world

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

I was in Kota Kinabalu recently. I stayed in KK for about a week. My parents and sis decided to tag along. Since I’m busy with my work, they had their own activities, mostly shopping. They are familiar with KK since they had been there for a few times.
I’m very happy with my journey this time around. I couldn’t agree more with the statement “what a small world”. Yes indeed this world is not that big. On my way to airport carousel to pick up my luggage, I saw someone very familiar. My eyes started to autofocus and confirm the image…yes he looked very familiar. Then I decided to approach him…and stand still next to him. I say out loud his full name clearly and he reacted.

AS: Heyyyy….arsaili….fuhhh lamak sik jumpa (fuhh long time no see)
Me: Aouk…memang..cam sik cayak jak..(yes it is, seem unbelievable)
AS: 10 years?
Me: more or less…
AS: U still recognized me….am I still the same?
Me: Perfectly the same…ehehe
AS: I take it as compliment…u too….where are you goin? Im working in KK now..
Me: Im in Australia now but I have a few meeting in KK…
AS: Where are you goin now? You want me to send you anywhere?
Me: It’s ok..I’m waiting for my friend to pick me up and send me to the hotel.

We then exchanged the contact number and promise to go out for coffee later. That is my friend, AS and he is a qualified Chemical Engineer. We went to UK for our degree. Since busy with work I almost forgot to contact him. A day before I leave KK, I sms him in the morning. He only replied me in the late afternoon. He said he just finished his work and he then picked me up at the hotel. He treated me for our late lunch at City Mall. He told me about drama in his life. After graduating he joined petronas for only 6 months before decided to quit. Then he returned to Kuching and work as engineer for a year. He again quitted and joined SIA as trainee pilot. He went to Australia for the training. After completing the course he worked with SIA for a few years. He then decided to quit SIA and join Air Asia…iskk iskk iskk. What’s next? Just wait and see..ehehehe. He then told me about his passion…he made a very big mistake early on. He shouldn’t go for chemical engineering because he really wants to become a pilot. But after SPM, he’s too young to decide himself but rather follow what his parents said. Having his uncle as a pilot and died in plane crashed, his parents really against his will. But he’s very determined and now he becomes one.

2008-07-21T08:59:00.004+08:00

Oriental Chewing gum

Kota Bahru, Malaysia

Do you like chewing gum? I do!! and infact sugar-free chewing gum is good for dental health. People claim that sugar-free chewing gum is “toothfriendly” as it helps increase saliva flow and clears food debris from the mouth.
A part of chewing gum, I love oriental chewing gum since my childhood. But somehow, it is difficult to find fresh from “oven” oriental chewing gum nowadays. The most you can get is the packaged from the store. When I was in KB, I’m so fascinated with the hawker, offered the oriental chewing gum hot toasted from charcoal. Well, don’t get confused, oriental chewing gum here refer to flatten sliced cuttlefish. During my stay in KB, I went to buy this chewing gum every evening. I love it very much. The hawker sell it for RM1-2 per sliced according to size.

Kota Bahru, Malaysia

The process is first with toasting the cuttlefish. After that the cuttlefish will be flatten with the machine. The machine is just like the sugarcane machine. It is use to flatten and soften the cuttlefish. Then you can easily chew it…wallla…ahaks.

2008-07-08T08:54:00.004+08:00

Visit Kelantan 2008

Kota Bahru, Kelantan Malaysia

Date: Friday, 11 July 2008
Im in the airport now waiting for my flight to the land of hornbill. As promised I would like to update my stay in Kelantan. I came to KB for few meeting with local authority and Alhamdulilah Allah make it easy for me. I took the opportunity to meet two famous blogger in KB (husband and wife) Cikgu Nasir and Cikgu Panji. They picked me up at hotel and bought me very delicious dinner at Syam Restaurant. Cikgu Panji made the order, and when they served the food …errkk too much for 3 adults and 1 kid. But it’s really make me feel welcome…ehehe. Thanks Cikgu Nasir and Cikgu Panji for the dinner and also the helping hand in my work.
Im a fan of nasi kerabu and almost every day I bought nasi kerabu from Medan Selera. I just found out nasi kerabu got four color; blue, yellow, black and white. But blue color is always my favourite… by right they suppose to use bunga telang (Clitoria) to give colour to the rice but nowadays they might just use the food colouring agent…ummmm.not healthy because according to research colouring link to cancer.

2008-07-08T08:54:00.003+08:00

Cik Siti Wan Kembang

Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu Malaysia

Matredo1's daughters

Im in the city of the famous tale, Cik Siti Wan Kembang. But I’m not gonna update on my travel to Kota Bahru but on my previous journey to Kuala Terengganu (KT). Kota Bahru will be the next entry ok. Well KT is the only place that I never been exploring before. I came to KT for the big mission, but definitely not mission impossible..ahaks. Alhamdulilah, my tasks almost finish in KT and I really hope everything will go well. I’m very blessed with many nice Terengganuan and make my job easy. The credit should go to Matredo1, a blogger friend that help me a lot. That’s the first time ever we met and he’s very helpful. Thanks for the accompanying me and help me with my task. DBI is another blogger that I met. He picked me up at the hotel for the breakfast at the famous nasi dagang (that controversial restaurant – the expensive kari kepala ikan issues if you guys still remember). He was very busy for his migration to overseas but he still spends sometimes lepaking with me and thanks for the ‘kepok’. There were many significant people who really help me concerning my work and I really appreciate their help.

2008-06-30T12:14:00.002+08:00

Im back

Cameron Highland, Malaysia

Sorry for my absent in this blogging world. At the moment I'm in Malaysia and busy with my work. But I have a lot of story to share especially with the blogger that I met while Im travelling. I landed myself in Singapore before I made my way to KL to meet Lin and then we headed to Cameron Highland. She had to attend a seminar overthere and I enjoyed myself with strawberry, sweetcorn and fresh air. The photo above I shot from the hotel. Now I'm in Kuala Terengganu and I managed to meet 2 popular blogger in East Coast...ahaks... I will update u guys later. Got to go for another appointment ...

2008-06-15T23:45:00.000+08:00

Tiger eye

Bentley, Western Australia

Today, Sunday 15 June we celebrated father's day in Malaysia. But in Australia it will be only on Sunday 7th September 2008. So I would like to wish Happy Father's Day to all concern. My sister, S organised for the event. Well, she's always the event manager since we are here. We just chucked in the money and she bought the present for our dad. This time around we bought him Suasa ring with tiger eye stone (color: rich gold with earthy brown). He really wants this ring for a long time ago but keep on changing his mind either to buy it or not.

Tiger eye- the stone of self discipline. It was believed to have healing ability: relieves high blood pressure and very helpful in the presence of following diseases: bronchial asthmakidney, rheumatic heart disease, otitis and psoriasis.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

2008-06-08T16:59:00.001+08:00

Diospyros - Food of the God

Brastagi, Medan

Alhamdulilah after struggling for few weeks, I managed to complete my task. I managed to key in all the data, I managed to complete all the grant application and now I need to sit and read all about statistic. I just need to refresh my mind with all the boring stuff so call statistic. On top of that, I need to prepare some document and contact few people for my next assignment. My boss will be away for almost 3 weeks, she has to go to Alice Spring, Adelaide then New York. I will then travel once she come back.

Last week my sis and her soldiers went to Persimmon farm which is not far from our house. She brought back very nice and sweet persimmon. I get to know this fruit from my mum when I was a kid. My mum is very fanatic to 3 types of fruits; rambutans, water melon and persimmon. By then, my mum called persimmon as "buah Kasmak". But when I was in UK, people call it Sharon fruits. In in this kangaroo land they call it persimmon. When I was in Medan, they call it Pisang Kaki. The first time ever I saw persimmon tree when I was in Brastagi. Ancient refer this fruit as 'Food of the God', have lead to it classification in the genus Diospyros of Ebony family. Dios - God, pyros -grain or food.

2008-06-02T17:39:00.003+08:00

Autumn - winter

Bentley, Western Australia

Dia datang lagi

Merentas waktu
Dia datang lagi
Terasa ke tulang hitam
Itu satu kurniaanNya

Meredah masa
Dia datang lagi
Daun kering menyelimuti jalanan
Itu satu petanda kekuasaanNya

Menelusuri waktu
Dia datang lagi
Ranting sepi tanpa dedaun
Itu satu rahmatNya

Meniti masa
Dia datang lagi
Tundukla hati tanpa bantahan
Itu tetap sebahagian kehendakNya

___

Today is public hols for Western Australia - Foundation day commemorating the foundation of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Swan River Colony was a British settlement established at the Swan River on the west coast of Australia in 1829.

On the way to my work station, I saw lot of 'naked' trees without leaves. All trees are beginning their long winter's rest. In four season countries it s common to see different colour of leaves. The pigment that colour the leaves are

chlorophyll (green)
carotenoid (yellow, orange, and brown)
anthocyanins (red)

2008-05-25T22:18:00.004+08:00

Papaw

Coles, Bentley Western Australia

Last few weeks I went to Coles with my sister. And I saw this fruit...papaya...err nope..it is clearly written yellow papaw. I thought it might be the same fruit so called papaya but with a different names. I did some reading about it and there is literature claimed papaw is another name for papaya.

The scientific name of papaya is Carica papaya L whereas the common name is Betik - Malaysia, Mamao - Brazil, Papaw or paw paw - Australasia and tree melon (mugua) - China.

Somehow there is another literature trying to distinguish between papaw and papaya.

Papaw -Distinct yellow flesh and tends to be a larger fruit

Papaya - Orange to red flesh and usually a smaller oval or pear shaped fruit

But my conclusion, papaya is papaw and papaw is papaya...ahaks..to make life easier!

2008-05-17T18:37:00.005+08:00

Age that I wish to go back to - tag from Muha

Flower that I give to my sis for mother's day

Bentley Western Australia

Seafood Platter for Mother's day
Frementle Western Australia

I wish I could go back in time of my undergrad - university life. For me, my undergraduate year is the basis for what I am now. After all the hard work and determination it had finally paid off. I had been granting few academic excellence awards and it somehow put me into a perspective. It opens good opportunity in my life. Life as undergrad student is not that fun, but the undergone processed to become a better person was really interesting and enriching.
Allhamdulilah, Allah the Almighty!

#I just spoke to Muha on the phone for the first time..he's so jovial!..be strong my brother!#

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Happy Teacher's Day

2008-05-10T17:02:00.008+08:00

Yes, I feel Japanese!

Does the weather affect your mood? I think yes… I’m having my “lazy Saturday” and it’s raining outside. You can imagine how cold the temperature would like and I feel like hibernating under my duvet. I hardly go out on saturday except if I have things to do in the office. Or else I will stick to my routine; do my laundry, read novel, or cook. I have to solidify my Saturday and enjoy it to the fullest coz I have to work on Sunday.

When I was busy with my laundry, my brother in law was busy in the kitchen. He turned our kitchen to Japanese kitchen..uhuhuhu. He decided to prepare Japanese cuisine called tempura… I managed to shoot a few photos while he was cooking. He lived in Japan for few years and that makes him comfortable preparing Japanese food. His Japanese family taught him how to prepare most of Japanese dish and I think he’s really good.

Bentley, Western Australia

Tempura (てんぷら or 天麩羅, tenpura) is a classic Japanese dish of deep fried battered vegetables or seafood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempura). My brother in law prepared both vegetable and seafood tempura together with Japanese rice and Miso soup. Miso soup (味噌汁, miso shiru) is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which is mixed softened miso paste (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso_soup).

Yes…I feel Japanese..ahaks!!

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Happy Mother's Day

Best wishes to all mothers, here and everywhere!

2008-05-02T23:06:00.004+08:00

To forgive but not forget

Bentley, Western Australia

“Ok class, I would like all of you to do exercise on page 45 to 50. Please submit at the end of this period”, said Cikgu W. She was walking around the class while we were doing our work. She then stopped at my desk. She was taking my workbook and flipping through. “Who ask you to do all the exercise?” She referred to the scribble answers in pencil. I had answered most of the exercise in the workbook with the help of my tutor. My dad sent me to the tuition class. Once finished with the module, my tutor asked me to go through the school workbook.

I’m so sacred at that time; her pitching was so high and loud. “I’m sorry, I will erase all the answer". I told her in my slow nerved wreaking voice. She returned my workbook with her protest body gesture. That was the first time ever my teacher shouted at me. I’m proud to say that I’m teachers’ pet at school since in primary 1. The main reason is because I’m always ahead of other students (as I’m in Kampung school, not comparable to other good school) and managed to finish any assignment a little bit faster. To keep me busy and occupy, I was appointed as a class leader and I had been holding the portfolio for 6 years (primary 1 till 6). As a class leader, I have to

go and forth to the staff room,
take names of students who made any noise when teacher was not around,
write down questions or exercise on the blackboard whenever my teacher feel so lazy
assists my friends to finish their work etc.

The bell was ringing, that means the end of the period. Cikgu W was waiting for all of us to submit the workbook. I was puting my book on top of my friends’. When I just about to sit, I saw a “flying saucer” landed onto the dustbin. That so called flying saucer is my workbook and I recognised it well. My workbook is well wrapped in the transparent plastic with the help of my mum magic touch. I was so shocked and speechless for a few second. Cikgu W asked Z instead of me (as a class leader) to help her with the workbooks and leave the class. I was walking slowly to the dustbin and collect my workbook and I was in tears. I was so terrified that I initially thought of not going back to school again after the incident. I hope she would be better by then but she did throw my book again and again and she always ignored my existence in the class. She enforced her psychology war towards me. I didn’t tell my parents about the incident. My dad found out only when he checked my workbook. At first he thought I didn’t submit my homework, but I told them all the story. My dad told me to once against submit my workbook and inform him if she still refused. I did and she stills the same.

My dad took half day off to see the headmaster. I did cried because I’m afraid Cikgu W will scold me for my dad complaints. After my dad lodging the complaint, she kept the war between us. She had been abusing me emotionally and mentally. To be honest I hate to be in her class and English subject as well. I suffered till the rest of the year. Luckily when I was enroll to primary 5, she didn’t teach me anymore. Alhamdulilah.

But till now I still don't understand why she behaved that way! Did I do some big mistake and unforgiven sin????

I met Cikgu W last year and I greeted her. She still remember me well ..err maybe for what she did to me. She was very proud that I made it all the way to university. I've long forgiven her for what she did and I'm also blessed with lots of other teachers who treated me nicely....so it is better for me to "forgive and forget"..err but I still can't forget..ahaks

2008-04-20T20:38:00.002+08:00

Saturday Nite Fever

Yesterday the weather was cold and that’s reminding me of the coming winter. The temperature might be around 9 degree Celsius and we were in the city. We went to Royal Perth Hospital to visit a Malaysian friend. Yea poor him, and I know what it’s like being sick in a foreign country, and he has my full sympathies. Alhamdulilah he’s recuperating. Actually I don’t know him personally but I know about them from other Malaysian friends. It’s just a matter of time and I don’t have the opportunity to meet him and his family earlier. But believe it or not he’s one of my blog silent reader! Ahaksss…. What a small world. He read my blog occasionally just to know about life in Perth before they arrived here.
After the visit, my brother in law, my sis and I decided to walk to the city centre. It’s not far from the hospital. We just want to enjoy the Saturday night fever..ahaks. Well of course there is no suitable place for us (mostly club and bars operated at night), so we end up to one of the Malaysian restaurant.

Perth City Centre, Western Australia

2008-04-13T17:07:00.003+08:00

When I'm back on my feet again

Lake Toba, North Sumatera, Indonesia

I haven't written much lately. I always think I'll have more time then, but I really don't. So many things have happened which keep me out of perspective. But things getting better and I'm back on my feet again...err its remind me of my favourite singer, Micheal Boltan - When I'm back on my feet again...ahaks!

By the way have you all buy the new novel by Norzailina Nordin. You should get one because it featuring name of the few bloggers. Im still waiting for the novel to reach me here down under.

**********

Here are the 8 fact about me - tagged by Kelat

Like shooting photos

Love reading

Happy cooking

Enjoy travelling

High emphaty

Independent

Moody

(when not in the best mood will reluctant to talk)

Perfectionist

(sometimes)

2008-04-01T15:01:00.005+08:00

Mount Sinabung

Gundailing Hill, Brastagi, North Sumatra

We went to Brastagi, a tourist town which is located in the Karo Highland. Its remind me of Cameron Highland and the types of agro products are similar which is well suited the low temperature. In Brastagi, we can see the Mount Sinabung which is about 2417 m above the sea level. This dormant volcano can clearly be seen from Gundailing Hill. You can even catch the smell of sulphur in the wind.

2008-03-25T17:14:00.003+09:00

Land of Karo

North Sumatra

Sipisopiso is a waterfall near Tongging, 24 Km from Kabanjahe on the northwestern tip of Lake Toba. The name Sipisopiso means "like knives". Sipisopiso is visible from the vantage point at Tongging, where you can also enjoy scenic views of Lake Toba. I can feel the fresh cool mountain air! grgrgrgrgr

Sipisopiso Waterfall emerges from an underground river in the Karo plateau and plunges 120 meters (some sites put it as 110m) off a sheer cliff into the ravine below. I photographed Sipisopiso from the vantage point at Tongging, but unfortunately it was a heavy mist that morning. You hardly can see the the facinating flowing waterfall....

2008-03-19T21:45:00.003+09:00

Lake Toba

In front of the hotel, Samosir Island, North Sumatra

This is one of the picture that I took when I was in Samosir Island. Samosir Island is the large volcanic Island in Lake Toba and the fifth largest lake Island in the world. This Island is the centre of Batak Culture and history.

Salam Maulidurrasul to all my blogger friends

2008-03-14T10:05:00.001+09:00

Salam. I'm in KLIA now, just about to boarding at gate C27 MH125. Sayonara all my family and friends in Malaysia.

2008-03-10T22:51:00.002+09:00

Away away away.....

Salam to all my friends. Sorry for my absent in this blogging world ...ahaks... Actually at this moment of time I'm in Medan, North Sumatra. Come back for the update soon okey!! FYI I will be going back to Australia on the 14 March 2008.

Citi Inn Hotel, Jalan Palang Merah, Medan

2008-02-28T00:45:00.001+09:00

A moment in time...

Tanjung Aru, Sabah Malaysia

I just arrived at the hotel from Tanjung Aru and it's rainning like cats and dogs. Actually Aunty Combi and Uncle picked me up at the hotel earlier. I enjoyed this evening with aunty and uncle...we chit chat a lot of things. Umm.... I think I'm a bit friendly tonight..ahaks....thats because both of them make me feel very welcome. Thanks for the effort, I know uncle might be tired after work and then he needs to drive about 45 minutes from Tuaran to KK. I'm so glad to meet both of them and hope to see them again. They not only bought me dinner but also souvenir...like it..like it...thanks again.
Many thanks

2008-02-20T21:20:00.003+09:00

“Your lives are fading in the shadows of time,

but your legacy lives on"

Michael Hensley
Kings Park, Western Australia

SB: Assalamualikum.......

Arsaili: errr.....SB..long time no see..how are you?

SB: I'm fine...it's been a few years since we last met..

Arsaili: yea, gimme ur number....ok got it.

SB: gimme a miss call so I can save your number..ok got your number!

Arsaili: You still with the same company? I saw you in the newspaper...so popular yea

SB: ehehehe..where are you now?

Arsaili: I'm in Australia but now I'm around for some work. Since I'm with my friends, I will give you a call and maybe we can go out for tea ok.

SB: Ok, keep in touch.

5 minutes later.....

Incoming SMS from SB: I greet you with salam earlier because I'm a muslim now....

Alhamdulilah he become one of us. Actually when he greeted me earlier, deep down in my heart said.."what the hack he greeted me with salam!". I knew him as a non-muslim Melanau guy. Whatever it is, I'm happy for him. Its just that I'm so obvious try not to respond to his salam earlier..ahaksss...

2008-02-14T15:04:00.002+09:00

Cat scratcher

Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

Last month, I bought a cat scratcher for our cats, Misty and Kiki. It cost RM150 but I asked for RM20 discount..ahaks. My sister told me I might get even more if I know how to bargain..ummm. Can you see Kiki caught in action?

Why cats scratch things?
They scratch to mark their territory.
They scratch as a means of threatening other cats.
They scratch in play.
They scratch while stretching.

And the act of scratching actually removes frayed and worn outer claws, exposing new, sharper ones.

Sorry to my dear friends for not visiting your blog coz im so busy at the moment. But I will back to my feet once I go back to Australia InsyaAllah.

2008-02-04T18:39:00.000+09:00

Young meet old

Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

Dad: What happen to your jeans? Koyak sana koyak sini…
Arsaili: No la, just a little bit
Dad: You don’t have enough money to buy new decent jeans?
Arsaili: errr, actually I just bought it a few weeks ago….
Dad: Huh, with all those holes and koyakan ..and faded color some more
Arsaili: that’s what we call fashion..kwang kwang kwang…

It stills a hot issue at home whenever my dad saw me with those jeans…isk3. After all the jeans is not too bad rite?it doesn't expose my aurat what…ahaks

2008-01-26T15:07:00.000+09:00

A Walk in the clouds

Last Thursday, we went to Lundu and Sematan. Lundu is located in the west of Sarawak, on the west bank of the Batang Kayan (Kayan River), and not far from the South China Sea. It is about 90 km from Kuching.

Gunung Gading becabang tiga,

Pantai Pandan jauh ke tengah.

Hancur badan di kubur tanah

Budi baik di-kenang juga.

"Tusk Mountain has three peaks,

Pandan Beach stretches far to the middle.

A person's body may be dissolving in the grave;

A kind heart is remembered always.

"---as recited by the late Hbi anak Muda"

What is interesting about Lundu/Sematan? There is Gunung Gading National Park and many resorts available for the tourists. We didn't go to any beach but just went there for sightseeing. Somehow we bought a lot of crab which is cheap. Umm..I did learnt something new about mushroom which was sold at the market in Sematan. There are 2 species which are known by local as Kulat sawit and kulat bibir. Kulat sawit grow on the dead palm oil frond while kulat bibir grow on the dead thrunk of rubber tree.

Kulat bibir

Kulat sawit

Lundu also famous with seafood cracker - fish, prawn and cuttlefish cracker. Lin bought few packets to bring home and we had the opportunity to visit the factory.

Lundu, Kuching Sarawak Malaysia

2008-01-22T15:48:00.000+09:00

Follow me..err follow up

Normah Medical Specialist Centre, Petra Jaya, Kuching Sarawak Malaysia

Yesterday, I went to Normah Medical Specialist for my every 6 months follow up. Since I'm in Kuching so I decided to see Dr W. and I had to do my urine and blood test. Umm, not a pleasant feeling because I hate needle..uwaaa. After all it was not that bad.

On the way to the cashier, I met aunty Raji**. She worked over the counter which deal with x-ray, ultrasound and whatever related. We knew her for more than 15 years, all the way back to my late grandpa, my mum, my dad, myself and also my sis. So, since we always meet she just like a good friend to us. I think it is easy to make a friend than an enemy.

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Sorry for the delay..I can't remember who tagged me, if not mistaken aunty combi, aunti antulawa and pakteh...here you go!

2008-01-18T01:18:00.000+09:00

Chicken Rice

Satok, Kuching Sarawak Malaysia

Umm, it has been a long time since I last posted about food. Singapore chicken rice (Scr) is our favourite or in other words...the whole family choice of food...uhuhu. Every time I go back to Kuching, I will go to Scr. So last week, we went to Singapore Chicken Rice. I told my mum about it, so we all agreed to go out for lunch. I called my sister for the lunch date since she worked at one of the bank at Wisma Satok, just a walking distance to the outlet. Around 1 pm, we all gather at the outlet; my parents, my youngest sister, maid and me. Shortly after our arrival, my sister showed up. So we ordered chicken rice, oyster kalian and bean curd. Besides enjoying the foods, we also enjoyed each other’s company. I do believe sharing meals together strengthens family ties. The lunch was sponsored by my mum…”penaja hari ini” ahaks… thanks mum!

p/s to my big sis, don’t jealous ok…still remember sometimes we have to go for a long drive to have lunch together…uhuhu. To lin, next week we will go SCR!

2008-01-12T23:35:00.000+09:00

Its for real!

Who is this handsome man?

I’m late for the date…. This is not a good attitude at all, as my dad always reminds us to be 1 hour ahead of time. Luckily this is not a job interview or any other formal meeting. This is what we call punctuality. If not, I’m definitely will be kicked out of the list…ahaks. I would like to apologize to Pak Ngah for the waiting…uwaaa 15 minutes late..to bad to bad to bad….There is no excuse but my car…err not my car ..someone car is not in its tiptop condition. I don’t know what’s wrong with the car but the engine was hesitate and not smooth. About the date…I met another blogger, Pak Ngah and as usual most of the bloggers I met were very senior than me.. and I’m honored to call them uncle..ehehe. What a record, we had a conversation over the tarik at Kopi O’Corner for about 3 hours. And I think I had been talking too much …ahaks. Maybe we had chosen the right topic to discuss which was all about education, junior versus senior. But I salute Pak Ngah for being himself, a fatherly and humble old man… opsss humble “senior” ehehehe… sharing and expressing his sanity opinion and wisdom. Thanks for the 2 glass of teh tarik and mi jawa..and keep in touch Pak Ngah!

2008-01-09T15:31:00.000+09:00

Salam Maal Hijrah

Kabong, Sarawak Malaysia

Hijrah Masa

Bila masa menjengah usia
Bila hari menginjak pergi
Lemas tanpa disedari
Begitu pantas detik berlari

Bila 1428H melabuh tirai
Bila 1429H menyingkap masa
Terkesima tanpa kata terlerai
Begitu alpa di alam rasa

Bila angka bertukar rentak tari
Bila hijrah bertukar azam
Berkobar semangat tanpa disedari
Begitu hijrah memahatkan iltizam

Salam Maal Hijrah to all my family and friends.. may Allah bless all of us.

2008-01-05T15:20:00.000+09:00

Sri Aman - here I am

Sri Aman, Sarawak Malaysia

After 3 hours drive (about 200 KM) from Kuching, we finally arrived at Sri Aman, the second division of Sarawak. Sri Aman is famous with "Pesta Benak". At this moment of time, I'm in Abang Putra's office at RTM Sri Aman using the wireless internet service. So happy to meet Abang Putra in person. He showed us around the building, and we had the opportunity to visit the Conty and took some photos with the dj on duty. Earlier, Abang Putra brought us lunch at Nono Cafe. I will update the photos later.

Have a great weekend!

___________

updated today - 7 Jan 08

2008-01-01T22:43:00.000+09:00

Best wishes to all of my friends,

For the year ahead......may 2008 usher in a time of prosperity, good health, happiness and joy and may all our wishes and dreams come true! May ALLAH bless!

Super, MAS KUL-KCH, Malaysia

I think this year is a bit special…I celebrated my new year on board. The flight should be landed at 1145 pm but due to bad weather we were delayed for half an hour. Two flights earlier flew to Singapore instead because they cannot land in Kuching. But I’m lucky enough to be able to land safely in Kuching. It was raining like cats and dogs and few places were flooded. Today it stops raining even though it is cloudy which is good for people who stay at the low land. If it is non stop, high possibility lot of places will be affected.

2007-12-21T12:34:00.000+09:00

Three stooges

Starbuck, Cheras Selatan, Malaysia
I have a great chances to meet Saudara(uncle) Budin and Uncle J few days ago. Saudara Budin picked me up at LRT station Bandar Tun Razak. He arrived early and I saw him standing at the station while talking on his mobile. I saw his picture before but mind you he is different. At first I'm pretty sure that was him but when I passed by there was no reaction from him as if he didn't expecting to meet someone. I walked straight to the gold merc. He described his car and the plat number instead of describing himself..ahaks. Maybe his car is much easier to describe as compared to complicated himself ekekeke (just kidding aaa).Umm..so from the other end I sms him. I can see his action replying my sms. He text me " mana u angkat tangan"... I would love to angkat kaki ekekekeke... at last I end the hide and seek game and told him that I'm standing at the other end through sms. We have a great chit chat at the Starbuck Cheras Selatan and Uncle J joined us a bit late due to his other commitment. One of the hot issue that we have a good laugh was about my age. Saudara Budin revealed when he first saw me he thought that I'm "budak sekolah" ahaks....I take it as a compliment......uhuhuhu

Uncle J, Arsaili & Sdr Budin
I'm confortable with both of the otai ( old timer - thanks Kelana for sharing this term) eventhough there is a big age gap. There are very friendly and knowledgeable as well.

2007-12-20T00:26:00.000+09:00

Happy Eid'ul Adha

I would like to wish all of you Happy Eid ul Adha. May our sacrifice will always be blessed by Allah. May the fruits of sacrifice, obedience and trust, which the Eid ul Adha teaches, prevail and continue after celebrating this blessed day.

2007-12-13T19:05:00.000+09:00

updated(Fri, 11.40 am)...Back for hols

Fuhhhh.. What a relief!! My sister and her family pretty ok now..I did help them to settle down and its time for me to go. I know they should be ok because it is not the first time they lived abroad.
I will be leaving this evening at 5.30 pm from Perth to Kuala Lumpur for my hols and work. So I would apologise if I could not visit you guys’ blog that frequent. InsyaAllah I will see some of you in KL…

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They are here!

Perth International Airport, Western Australia

I went to the airport at 4.30 pm and the traffic was quite busy. When I reached at the arrivals terminal, I can see lot of people but deep down I knew that they will be late. So while waiting for my sister and her family, I can see people with banners, flowers, balloons, and even toys in the basket. They were so excited waiting for friends and family. I can see love, happiness, caring and many positive things…they hugged, they kissed, they smiled, they cried but all for the same reason… happy to meet up again with their loved ones. My sister and family stuck with the immigration procedures and they only get out at around 5.30 pm. We hugged and I’m happy to see them especially my two nephews. My sister complained how difficult travelling with small kids. Luckily it was only a short journey and my youngest nephew was not that cranky while on board. I still remember when she was in US, it took her more than 24 hours with few transits. According to my sister, they had a very good “drama air mata” at the airport. I know my parents are very sad and will miss their only two grandchildren. Well it is good in away that we can easily persuade them to come and stay with us here even for a short term…ahaks…

2007-12-11T18:03:00.000+09:00

Pre-raya Haji shooting

Bentley, Western Australia

Last Saturday after Asar, I went to Kak Ij house. There was a pre-raya Eid ul Adha shooting by RTM. Three RTM crew came down to Perth for the shooting..geng Saudara Budin..uhuhu .
So we have to wear our raya suit. But what I like most is the food…ahaks. There was a lot of food on that day. I did contribute nasi himpit…and it kept me busy all night long because I was in the process of moving. While I did some packing and cleaning, I boiled 3 big packet of nasi himpit which contained of 18 small packets. Since I only have a small pot to boil it, so I need to do it many times. A few packets of nasi himpit had burned because I fall asleep..uhuhuhu. By the way, it was the first time ever I eat “daging rebus” with “air asam”. It’s very nice and according to Kak Ij this is special dish among ‘orang utara”... is it true my my “utarian” friends…saudara wira, saudara Kelana…who else from utara?? aha...TokMoh the kedahan..ehehe

2007-12-09T14:31:00.001+09:00

Home sweet home

Bentley, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah, my application to rent a new house with 3 rooms had been successful. But the rent is very expensive, AUD$385 perweek. Due to the difficulty to find a house and the time constraints I had no choice but just grabbed it. In fact that was my strategy to get a house, apply for expensive but furnished house for less competition. The reason why I need to move is solely because my sister and her family will reside here. The problem to rent in this country, the tenant must be here in order to sign the agreement. Therefore, to make sure the house is ready for them once they arrive, so I decided to rent the house under my name and add their names in the lease later. It works that way, so for now on I will stay with them and share the rent. My sister and brother in law with my two nephews will be arriving here next week. I finished moving my stuffs to the new house and still doing some cleaning to the old house. The hand over of the old house might be on Monday or Tuesday..Fuhhh what a tiring and stressing activites. Next time I will use the moving agent, just pay and they will settle it for us. But on second thought, I don’t think I’m rich enough to pay for the service..ahaks!

2007-12-06T01:00:00.000+09:00

You've Got Mail

Technology Park, Western Australia

I was pleasantly surprised, and quite pleased actually when I received the card yesterday. When Van passed it to me, he said that someone send you a chirstmas card. I laughed and explained to him that I don't celebrate Christmas. When I open it, suprise..suprise..suprise...it was an Eid ul Fitri Card from Kassim Selamat. Umm, maybe he wanted to send me Eid ul Adha card... but when I doubled check the date stamped on the envelope..it was send few months ago. Ahaks.... When I asked Van, he told me that card had been arrived here but they thought the receiver is in Northam. So they send it over there and since nobody by that name in Northam, they send it back here. No wonder it takes months for me to get it... anyway thank KS, really appreciate it.

I was tagged by Aunty Jun on this "about me" tag. So here it goes:-

1. A movie that made you laughs.
For sure there is a few but I always like the Wedding Planner

2. A book that makes you cries.
A child called “it” by Dave Pelzer’s – The Heartbreaking true story of the abused Child

3. A Best Friend.
Too many

4. A favorite childhood memories
A strange things that happened where my sis and I found a pair of swan in my dad store room. There was a rabbit at our verandah but gone in a few minutes. We then found a tortoise crawling near the verandah as well. It all happened on the same day. Late that evening it was raining heavily. Till now I don’t know the reason why so many animal visited our house on that particular day and where did they come from.

5. Your favorite animal.
Cat

6. Your favorite food
Chicken rice, Nasi Kerabu with extra budu, Kuew teow goreng, tomyam (not etomyam..ahaks)

7. An item of clothing you cannot do without.
all...inside n outside wears

8. Something you collect.
Coins, stamps (best childhood hobby uhuhu), fridge magnets, novels

9. Your favorite store to shop in.
Jaya jusco, IGAs, IKEA

10. Your favorite flower.
Lilies – because Lin loves this flower…

I would like to pass this tag to : Dean, Aunty Antulawa, Intan

Have fun !!!

2007-12-04T19:11:00.000+09:00

Ero qui.... Pisa, Italy

I just finished meeting with my boss . Three hours long!!!!! Fuhhh..I'm mentally exhausted. There were so many input I need to take note and deal with. So it will keep me busy for the whole week. I will stay up tonight to plan out what I need to do and settle few urgent tasks. How I wish I can go for holiday at this moment of time.

Errr..let me share a photo about my trip to Italy many years ago. So you can see the younger version of me..ahaks. It always my dream to visit all the seven wonders in the world (but now so many listing on the seven wonders of the world….umm clashed of interest perhaps) but I managed to visit only a few places and one of them was the homeland of the famous Galileo Galilei (Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer, and philosopher) to visit the leaning tower of Pisa. Do you know that this world known building is totally a mistake? But Strange enough that such a colossal miscalculation by the architect has instead been embraced as a symbol of civic pride. I enjoyed this trip very much except we went at the wrong time that was in the peak summer.

In 2004 if I’m not mistaken, I went to Perak for a course and I met my ex-housemate. He drove me to Teluk Anson or now known as Teluk Intan to visit the younger cousin of the leaning tower of Pisa which is known as the leaning tower of Teluk Intan. I just made the comparison of those two monuments.

We must not say every mistake is a foolish one.
Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)

2007-12-03T10:21:00.000+09:00

Iqra, read, baca

Mill Points , Western Australia

Friday last week, my friends asked me if I would like to join them for jogging at Mill Points. Umm the place sound familiar but I never been there. Actually it is only by the Swan River which is not that far from my house. At first I’m a bit reluctant to go but after the second thought, I agreed to join them. Due to my health problem, I didn’t jog with them. I brought a novel and sat at the bench facing the swan river. That novel was given by Oshun Muhammad a.k.a Opah D quite sometimes ago but due to many work loads I have no time to read. All my reading novel activities had been stop to give more time for reading the academic journal (ahaks..very dry reading material). So I grabbed this opportunity to finish my reading on “Ninja Kunaharo – Misteri Kelubung Putih". So this is my review;

Novel yang di tulis oleh Oshun Muhammad memang mengibas kembali zaman awal remaja saya. Saya memang terdedah dengan novel-novel sejak kecil lagi dan merupakan peminat siri 5 Sekawan oleh Enid Bylton. Saya berpendapat novel Ninja Kunaharo ini dapat membawa pembaca menyelami jalan cerita yang begitu menarik. Saya sendiri kekadang tersenyum apabila menbaca novel ini dan bahasa yang digunakan amat bersesuaian untuk peringkat umur awal remaja. Di samping memaparkan unsur humor penulis juga telah berjaya mengetengahkan nilai-nilai murni yang boleh mencetus kesedaran di kalangan golongan pembaca sasaran.

That is my short review of Ninja Kunaharo – Misteri Kelubung Putih. Don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t mean because I got this novel from the writer then I give a positive review on her book. But honestly this is very interesting 'masterpiece' for young teenagers. Parents should encourage their kids to read, not only this particular novel but any good reading material. We want to cultivate the reading habits among Malaysian and it should start from the early age. The existence of the writers like Oshun will forward wide range of quality materials for reading. I hope she will keep on writing different series of Ninja Kunaharo. I told my friends to buy this novel and all different series so that their kids can have their own collection.

I have a good collection of novel from my favorite’s author such as Micheal Palmer, Danielle Steel, Nicholas Spark, Jodi Picoult, John Grisham, Norhayati Berahim, Norzailina Nordin and many more. But now, I have to slow down and reduce the number of fiction books and concentrate more on non-fiction stuff such as academic journals….because one of my bad habits, once I read the novel, I can’t stop. I will keep on reading till I finish and I don’t be bother what happen around me..ahaks!!!

2007-11-30T11:49:00.000+09:00

Coffee ohhh kopak

Belmont, Western Australia

Perth is not as happening as Malaysia. By 6 pm you can see the sign of death city. All the malls are closed by then. Except on Thursday it closes at 9 pm and you can see a kind of festive all around. The road busy with cars and people hang around in the mall for shopping or window shopping. Surely there is another world at night especially over the weekends. There is lots of pub to cater the social needs of the youngsters in particular. I don't go to this kind of place so most of the time I will stay at home or just go to the restaurant for dinner. Yesterday evening, my friends and I went to Belmont Shopping centre. It is not far from our house, about 15 minutes drive. My friends had their listed things to buy and as for me I just want to go for window shopping ( I didn't bumped into Opah De..if not mistaken she lived near by...is it true Opah..ahakas). But I end up bought some food at Coles. While waiting for them shopping, I felt so thirsty so I decided to buy Iced Coffee. There is cafe near buy. Actually it was the first time I bought iced coffee and I thought it will be white coffee with ice. Believe it or not, she first scooped ice cream then pour the iced coffee...I lost my word..and I just took the coffee which cost me AUD$4 ....my friend told me you better through it away...yea I know but it such a waste...kind of throwing AUD$4 bills into the dustbin. But the issue is that we don't know if the ice cream is halal or not. There is very limited halal ice cream product here in Australia. Only certain product of Cadbury and Peters claimed to be halal. So without further due I just threw it into the dustbin....sayonara..ahaks.. I went to Coles and bought the packed ice coffee. I checked the ingredient and it is definitely halal. Just be careful, even pork food product has the halal label on it…errkkk!

“O ye who believe! Eat of the good things that we provided for you” (Holy Quran 2:172)

2007-11-28T17:22:00.000+09:00

Kucing, Kuching, Cochin, Ku - Ching

Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

Kiki (male) and Misty (female) are both our beloved cats. Somehow Misty reminds me of Tampuk in Jowopinter's blog.... his mum's cat. Speaking of the witch, many people curious how did Kuching city get its name?

The question of how Kuching got its name has puzzled and discombobulated. It spawned many stories, ranging from the plausible to outright nonsense in explaining how the name came about.

Most people believe it something to do with cat. There was a small river named Sungai Kuching which was always visited by wild cats. Not far from the river there was a small hill occupied by pokok Buah Mata Kuching (an edible fruit Nephelium Malarese) and the hill was named as Bukit Mata Kuching. According to this story that is how the origin of the name Kuching

Another speculation how Kuching get its name is from the word ‘Cochin’. Cochin is derived from the word Kaci meaning harbour. During the Brooke dynasty, Kuching was the important harbour among the Indochina.

The Chinese believe Kuching got its name for the Mandarin word for ‘old well’ is ‘ku (old) ching (well). The well was either dug by the earliest Chinese settlers or was already there when they first set foot in the area because the well was referred to as the ‘old well’ among them. The exact site of the well is at number 59 Upper China Street, a shop selling and repairing scales. The floor of the shop is slightly sunken because it was built on top of the filled-up well.

In fact there are many other tales but which is the right one? Ahaks..leave it to the historian to decide…

2007-11-25T20:37:00.001+09:00

Sunday Scribbling

Bentley, Western Australia

Fuhhh..I feel a little bit tired. I went out at 9.30 am to accompany my friend, M to Ambassador Hotel in the city. Actually today we became a tourist guide to M’s friend, Kak A and Makcik. They came here for holiday and joined one of the tourist packages. Since today is the free day for them so we brought them to Subiaco Market just to see the Australian fresh produces then followed by visiting one of the universities. We then stop for lunch at Makan-Makan restaurant and had a break for 1 hour for Zohor. They dropped me at my house and they resided to M house. I managed to do my laundry and clean the house while waiting to send them to the hotel. On the way back to the hotel, we went to Burswood for them to take photo by the Swan River. After the photo session (sound like artist..ahaks) we brought them to souvenir shop in the city. Since Kak A and Makcik were too lazy to go out again for dinner, so we went to Ole-ole restaurant for roti canai, not far from the souvenir shop. I just had 1 slice of roti canai because I’m still full. Their flight will be tomorrow morning. After dropping them off at the hotel and wished them a safe journey home, we decided to go for Town of Victoria Park Christmas Street Mall. It was really happening… Pictures that speak a thousand words…..

2007-11-23T15:14:00.000+09:00

Forget-us-not

Bentley, Western Australia

A few weeks ago, I went to the library. I saw this young man, probably in his 30’s mobile freely with his wheel chair. Its remind me of KS, the famous blogger known as Kassim Selamat. When he stopped at one corner, I approached him and started the conversation. He seems pretty ok..there was no sign “erkk..leave me alone”.. so I continued the conversation and interviewed him (just like a reporter..ahaks). He told me that he had involved in the motorbic accident in England. As a result of this accident, he injured his lower spine. He originally from England, and so happened not far from a place where I lived when I was in England...umm what a small world, I don't meet him overthere but in Australia. So we chatted for quite sometimes. I wish him all the best to end the conversation.

Here in WA, I think the facilities and amenities for disable community are well-established. In fact today, I saw the taxi for disabled (see the photo that I shoot). Alhamdulilah Malaysia is now moving towards disable friendly user. We hope there will be ‘free barrier’ environment to cater the needs of disable community. This is very crucial and the implementation definitely will take time. The government needs to invest in the existing development and imposed the rules and regulation concerning disable need in the future development. It’s not solely the building but also the recreation facilities, transportation and others.

Therefore I hope disabled people of our generation do not have to wait in futility for that long to see changes. And what important is that they can lead fairly normal lives.

2007-11-21T11:40:00.000+09:00

Tragedy November

Technology Park, Western Australia

When I walked out to my car this morning, I can hear a weird sound rushed my senses. Deep down, I know what happened to my car. To make sure… I got into my car and checked the light indicator. Well well well…I forgot to turn off the lamp..what a tragedy!!!! I can’t start my car ….for sure the battery totally flat. What a day…I need to go to the office to settle few things and I need to go for another property viewing at 4…I called the mechanic, but he’s not free till later this evening. Umm..I called a few friends if they have any jumper cable to jump-start the car..but none! Ok..here I’m writing this entry. I just don’t know what to do now….last hope is the caretaker who lives next door. But he’s away at the moment. I hope he can help me to deal with the car once he gets home.
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The caretaker Mr M. did help me with my car but the jump start didn't work. The battery seems totally flat. So I walked to main street to buy the new battery which cost me AUD$114...uwaaaaa..so expensive which is about RM300 plus. Mr.M helped me to install the new battery....thanks Mr. M. I will buy him dinner this weekend. Tomorrow I will send my car to the mechanic Pak Y, an Indonesian guy for service. It will cost me perhaps another AUD$80. And what make it worst I received a letter from the insurance company regarding my claim when I was admitted to the hospital before. They request for further info and it must be fill by the attending medical officer. It was an emergency and I don't even know who is the doctor. I called the Royal Perth Hospital and Patrick promise to call me back tomorrow. I want to scream .....arrrrrrrrrrrrrr

"If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason" Jack Handy

2007-11-20T16:44:00.000+09:00

Property Viewing

Bentley, Western Australia

Last Thursday, I receieved the phone call for the estate agent. She told me about the house for viewing in Bentley at 4 pm. So after work, I drove to Bentley and reached there 5 minutes to 4 pm. OMG.....there were a lot of people waiting in front of the property. And more and more people keep on coming. So, I parked my car nearby and joined the crowd. The listing agent was not punctual and she only came at 4.3o pm..erkkk there is "australian time" here...Anyway, I managed to see the property, nice and only 6 months old. However, there is a very slim chances to get it. So many people interested to rent the house. I did fax my application the following day and keep on praying that I will get the house. The property is in good condition and the rental is also affordable. I don't know why is it so difficult to find the accomodation in Western Australia...plus the rent is very expensive.

Tuesday 20 Nov 2007 - I received a phone call for the property agent saying that my application is unsuccessful...uwaaaa..keep on searching!

Tuesday 20 Nov 2007- 1643 pm - another phone call from property agent saying that my application is unsuccessful!...the property that I went for viewing yesterday...

2007-11-16T22:47:00.000+09:00

Raya - 10

Kak I house, East Victoria Park, Western Australia

Err…hold on…this is the last entry on raya…ekekeke… the nostalgic raya of the year..uhuhu. The photo above was taken at Kak I house. I told Kak I to organised small raya gathering…just among us on the 11th of December. “us” here refer to our so call closed friends. It so happen we live near to each other. My house is only 5 minutes distance from Kak I, and a few other friends live at the same block with Kak I ( this block is consider as the future Malaysia Hall in Perth..ahaks). I brought 2 types of biscuits – Love letter (I bought in JB) and Coffee biscuits (Lin bought in KL) and I also prepared lasagne for that day. Other menu was Mi Goreng, fried chicken, custard, fruits and other biscuits. That’s was the last raya gathering for me.
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These past few weeks I've gone through the motions of daily life.... I feel a bit lost..or i'm just lost in myself..sometimes there is a lot of thing you need to do..to acomplish ..but at the same time you can do nothing abou it. You just sit and keep on thinking to figure out what is the best way to do it..or how to do it. At the same time, more and more job starting to pile up...then you feel the full blown panic attack...depress...tired..bored...

STOP please...gimme a break!!!!

2007-11-12T16:12:00.000+09:00

Raya - 9

Raya Open House, Bentley, Western Australia

A week after Seloka Raya event, there was another “open house” by one of MAS staff on the 3rd of November. We were invited in the afternoon and the foods were marvellous. I enjoyed my favourite food such as chicken rice, rendang tok, serunding, lodeh and cakes.

*****
Today is really hot, it’s about 39 degree Celsius…I’m sweating and you can even feel the heat. Owh…summer is here!!! Ahaks. It’s the time for ice cream and cold drink uhuhuhu

2007-11-09T21:28:00.000+09:00

Raya - 8

East Victoria Park, Western Australia

Here is the short clip on Seloka Raya...it's not that clear...ahaks...just a shot from my handphone.

2007-11-07T11:19:00.000+09:00

Raya - 7

Perth Western Australia

“Seloka Raya”
An open house to commemorate Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Perth 2007

Saturday, 27th October 2007
Address: Kent St High School GYM
Kent St, East Vic Park, WA 6101
Western Australia

The seloka raya is a musical show filled with dance and acoustic performance, not forgetting acting skills by our own students from Malaysia who are anticipate pronouncing our greatest celebration after the full fasting month of Ramadhan

Not just that, delicacies such as satay, soto, nasi minyak, ayam masak merah and other raya food will fill the stomach for the night throughout

Organized by Malaysia Student Department Australia
And UMNO club WA with cooperation with MASCA and WAPEC

Ahaksss..after spending about 10 days in Malaysia, I continue my raya in Australia...

2007-11-05T17:13:00.000+09:00

Raya - 6

The Puteri Pacific Hotel Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia

I'm so busy for the past few days..erkk seem still busy today and most probably will be even more busy for the whole week...busy at "gaban" level. But life must go on. The photo above I shot in the hotel. I stayed at the Puteri Pacific Hotel when I was in Johor Bahru. The next day, I went to Singapore and took the flight back to Perth, Australia.

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Happy birthday to my only brother, May Allah bless you!! I'm not that close with my brother but he's always there for me when I need help. He will help but at his any convenience...ahaks..sometimes I will forced him help me nowwww...uhuhuhu what a demanding bro here..ekekeke

2007-11-02T13:23:00.000+09:00

Raya - 5

Danga Bay, Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia

I spend one night in Johor Bahru before I flew back to Australia. Lin became my tourist guide because she used to work in JB about six years ago. We took a bus to go to Danga Bay or previously known as Lido beach to meet this Pak cik and Mak Cik. Luckily it was still early because we got out at the wrong bus stand. Therefore we had to walk further for another 10 minutes to reach Danga Bay… ahaks… once we reached the tram centre, Pak cik and Mak cik already there. We cit chat for a while and we gave them Salted Ikan Terubuk for Kuching. We continued our stay at Danga Bay and decided to go for tram ride. I cost us RM3 perhead.... good experienced but I'm not really happy with the safety and another annoying situation when the driver kept on honking the pedestrian. They should remind the passenger about the safety and find the proper mechanism to ensure the pedestrian get away from the track..maybe replacing the irratating honking sound with pleasant music?????

2007-10-31T09:41:00.000+09:00

Birthday!

Araluen, Western Australia

I'm not good at remembering the numbers, birthday or whatsoever...uhuhu. So I need people to remind me....luckily this morning my mum remind me about my kakak birthday..so I ( and also on behalf of Lin) would like to wish my beloved kakak happy birthday and may Allah bless you. About my kakak, I'm very close with her, she's my enemy and she's also my friend....ekekeke. I can't denied that she is the best kakak..err by the way she's the only kakak..eheheh. Who am I today is part and parcel of her influence, for her best example especially in academic... upsr/penilaian darjah 5, PMR/SRP, SPM, degree, master....I do believe as a sister or brother, we should set a good example to our adik-adik...somehow it will infuence and expose them to the importance of life. Thanks to my big sis!!!

2007-10-29T14:10:00.000+09:00

Raya - 4

Big Sis house, Petra Jaya, Kuching Sarawak

Most probably that was the last time we celebrated raya at my sis house…the house is already put up for sell. They already bought a new house which is very near to my parents and her in laws. The new house was ready but they might just stuff their furniture and all their good since they planned to be away for 3 years starting the end of this year. At my sis, a part of all the cakes, we are served with lodeh and satay.... by the way that is the photo of my nephew..very mischievous and super active boy...lady in pink is my younger sis, lady in blue is my youngest sis and lady in yellow is my beloved mum.....ahaks

2007-10-27T16:20:00.000+08:00

Raya - 3

Endoscopy Suite, Normah Medical Specialist centre, Kuching Sarawak

I arrived in Kuching on the 10 October. The following day I had made an appointment with the physician. There were three available physicians on that day and all of them I’m familiar with. I prefer to see Dr. G but unfortunately he’s not available in the morning. So I met Dr. C whom is well known for his sense of unfriendliness… whatever!!!….after discussing a few things, he then referred me to general surgeon Dr. L for the endoscopy. I just had my breakfast and medicine in the morning (obviously I’m not fasting by that time in month of Ramadhan…shyyyhhh). By then I was not allowed to take any food till after the procedure. So, he asked me to come back at 3.30 pm and see Dr L. Dr L is very friendly and soft-spoken doc. He went through my file and screens all my history for the last 10 years and he did ask me few questions here and there. Then I got ready for the endoscopy. I came with my dad because I cannot drive after the procedures. The nurse guided me to the endoscopy room which is next to emergency room. My dad and I sat for a while and then the nurse called me in to the suite. There were 2 nurses; the assistant and the instrument nurse around and they asked me to change my cloth and take off my spec. They asked me if I wear any denture but I said no. I lied down on the bed and the nurse covered me with the blanket. Then Dr. L came in and explained the procedure to me. He gave me the injection on my left arm and just in few minutes I’m off. I just woke up after the procedure…Dr. L told me something but I barely can remember…ekekeke kind of drowsy. Dr L gave my dad a copy of CD of my endoscopy and before we went home, my dad settled the bills. It cost us about RM700, not that bad I guess. Since the doc said I’m ok ….so I enjoyed my raya and all the food. But once I got the full report from DR L, then I found out there is gastritis and erosion in my stomach lining. Lin told me I better not take spicy food and carbonated drinks….ekekekek luckily we only knew after raya….if not there is no meaning of raya without all the foods and carbonated drinks. By the way the helicobacter pylori result was negative.