11 years and counting

28/12/07 marks our 11th wedding anniversary.....it seems like yesterday that there were only two of us in the family.....now there are five. I am really, really grateful and thankful to the Almighty Allah for giving me the opportunity to meet this lovely lady and to love her. And I will always love her with all my heart. This is the lady who endured three caesarian sections to deliver to me three lovely children in 1998, 2001 and 2004. This is the lady who stuck with me through thick and thin....always there for me when I needed her....I could go on and on....hehehe... Because of that....I LOVE YOU!!!! HAPPY 11TH ANNIVERSARY......

Instant Celeb????

Suddenly, almost everyone I met at work shaked my hand and asked about my Dubai trip....instant celeb...hehehehe..... My OFG friend, Khairi, called me this morning. It turned out that he too volunteered for this trip but didn't make it. There's also another friend who volunteer as well, but didn't make too. Somehow, I felt like Dr Sheikh Muszaphar...our first astronaut....well of course I'm not as handsome as he is. It's no big deal anyway...I'm going there to work and as Mr Roslan said....I must do better than I do at SOEM....hmmm...of course I will.....I'm shouldering the reputations of SOEM and Malaysia over there..... I'm still hoping that Amin could make it.....The SoGul MD wanted a Production Engineer and a Planner. Amin is a planner and a good friend of mine...even our wives know each other....his wife was my wife's junior in UKM. He volunteered....but since his boss is on a Biz Trip in Japan, the decision is put on hold....Anyway...here's hoping.

DUBAI!!!!

I had an interview this morning, with Mr Okawa the TVOPA President. This is the man who will decide whether I'm going to Dubai or not. I went to his office with my GM, Mr Roslan. It went very well...it turned out Mr Okawa is also an American Univ grad from UC San Diego. He spent 6 years there. And Mr Roslan also gave some good words on my behalf....Thank you Boss. If everything goes as planned....I'll be going on the 15th of February 2008.....that's 2 more months. I really have a lot of things to do before departing....I mean A LOT!!!! but I'll take things in my stride.... So, I will spend the Aidil Adha holiday conferring with my family and my wife's family about this trip (or tour of duty...if I may say that). Hopefully, everything will go well.... I wonder if Dubai has any fishing ponds.......hehehehe

The UMP Interview

I have a job interview in Kuantan; as a lecturer at the Universiti Malaysia Pahang. I booked the Seri Malaysia Kuantan last week and after sending my Avanza for an engine job at the UMW Toyota in Puchong, my family and I were off to Kuantan. It rained all the way and we arrived in Kuantan, checked in at about 5:30pm. Luckily, the Highway was not flooded (eventhough LPT runs through an extensive area of swamp forests). We ate an early dinner at the Berjaya Megamall and went back to the hotel just after sunset (Maghrib). I spent the evening preparing myself for the interview while the kids played amongst themselves and my wife marking her SPM EST papers. I woke up at 6:30am and after the Subuh prayer, I drove off to UMP in Gambang (and it was raining heavily since last night). It took me about 30 minutes to reach UMP and another 30 minutes looking for the interview venue (the Pusat Pembangunan Pengurusan Teknologi. The interview went smoothly, the interviewers were professional and friendly....much, much better than those from UMT who interviewed me at KLCC about two months ago. I don't know where I did wrong but I didn't get the job. Maybe because I sucked during the 'mock teaching' sessions. Maybe because my facial expression changed when they told me I would have to teach older students (part-timers). Maybe because they didn't think that I might accept a pay cut if I join UMP....Maybe this, maybe that.... I guess I now have to start "muhassabah"-ing my self and find ways to improve it. But I took the rejection with an open heart. Maybe because the friendly atmosphere that suurounded me when I was there. Thanks to Prof Ahmad, Mr Hanafiah, Mr Hasahudin and Ms Rosidah. Mind you.....I might still have one interview coming.....this one will be big, I promise..... but let's just say I'll keep this one private and confidential for a while. But the most important thing is that I get to bring my family to Kuantan....sleep in a hotel, let them enjoy themselves....There's no greater feelings than to see your family happy...ain't it?

Kenyir and Sg Kejar Re-visiting

My mates from the OFG told me that some of them are going to join Ujang (cartoonist) in Kenyir at the end of this month. But, I have to decline....my kids will start their 2008 school session early next year and alot of things need to be done....So, Kenyir is off. But there's a plan to re-visit Sg Kejar...this time we will go further upstream....but the plan is that we go during the February 08's CNY holiday.....hmmm....sounds tempting....this time it'll be a real camping outing.....but February is not bonus month yet....but we'll just wait and see....if God's willing...I'll go.... Wait ahh!!!

My Little-man is 3 & my Sweetheart is 35

Time really flies by....it's just like a few days ago that this Little-man of mine was just a 3.0kg baby boy. Now, he's a 3 year-old (19/11/07) and full of energy.....and being the only grandson in the family (so far, of course)....he's special. It's always a pleasure to watch him grow into an active and healthy boy....and I know it won't be far away now that I have to bring him to one of my fishing trips.... So, for you Apit...Happy 3rd Birthday "I love the Mocha Cake......hmmmmm" And his mother turns 35th last Wednesday (21/11/07)....and still, somehow, maintain that youthful look and figure that mesmerized me some 15 years ago......A passionate teacher and a loving mother....I wouldn't want to have it any other way.... So, for you Sayang...Happy 35th Birthday.... "A beauty among beauties....." *Just for the record....my Mom's 62nd birthday is just around the next corner....(26/11/07)....

Sg Kejar Experience

For those who want to see my Sg Kejar, Royal Belum experience....click this link http://cid-d919fac41a6ce149.spaces.live.com/

The Sg Kejar, Royal Belum Experience

The trip to Sg Kejar, Royal Belum, started at about 10:45pm that Thursday evening (8th Nov 2007). 4 cars (my Avanza: Arif, Budin, Zulkiram & me, Tapa's Mazda: Tapa, Khairi, Shamsul & Jay , Mamat's Honda V-Tec: Mamat, Juki & Kamarul, Jidi's Ford Ranger: Jidi, Baha, Ijat & Wahab) made up the convoy. We stopped at the Tapah RnR for refereshment and proceeded to our next rendezvous point, Kuala Kangsar exit. We then continued on to Gerik and reach there a little over 3:30am. After filling the almost empty tanks, we went on to the Kg Perah rest area (on the Gerik-Jeli Highway). After a little late night supper, each of us went and found a place to doze off to wait for sunrise.
A few of us slept in the cars and some found the RnR's surau a good place to sleep (including me).
Lan and his brother arrived some time after 8:00am. Then, the almost 1 hour drive to Tasik Banding public jetty and a breakfast of nasi lemak, courtesy of Lan. We unload our things from the car to the waiting boat.
4 boats including a small one manned by Lan's brother. Then, the almost 2 hours of boat ride which include a stop at the Army post for permit verification by the 21 RAMD personnel stationed at the Tasik Banding area. Beyond the Army post, all mobile signals went dead....there went our links to the outside world.
We reached the campsite at about 11:00am... to our astonishment, the campsite was nothing we ever imagined...... it had a surau (where some of us slept), shower rooms and toilets (much, much cleaner and better than any other public toilets anywhere) and a kitchen equipped with a stove (we only need to bring the gas tank).
Some of us started fishing almost immediately....Budin caught the first one...a sebarau or baung....I don't remember....but it started it all. With Baha and Wahab busy organizing the kitchen to make lunch, others were busy priming their fishing rods. So, the first day went on with us, fishing, dining, resting....the evening was also spent fishing.....but not after filling our bellies with Baha's cooking. And we finished our crickets that night (we brought 600 crickets). Most of us slept early that night...may be due to exhaution...after the long journey.
That next morning, after Solat Subuh....we continue to fish...but since our crickets are all gone, we needed to improvise...we use the cangkul to look for earth-worms....At about 9:00am, the boat guys brought us to the opposite bank at from there, we hiked to find the KELAH.... we spend a good part of the morning and afternoon trying to find the elusive Kelah....only Mamat hooked one.....so in one way or the other...Mission Accomplished!!!!.... That same day, Budin caught a trophy Toman....Both Kelah and Toman were to be our lunch....yummy!!!....
That same afternoon, when coming back from Kelah hunting, we found that our campsite was "invaded" by soldiers (from the 303 Wataniah). They were preparing for a VVIP visit (the Army Chief)....So, that night, we were so lucky because the army guys brought generators to light up the whole area. We chatted with some of the NCO's and they said that the Chief was coming to fish.....looks like we share the same hobby as the Army brass....but we went there not expecting a bed and a TV with Astro....but I think, it's good to be the Boss.
We broke camp and departed at about 11:00am....just as a 21 RAMD Major arrived to inspect the progress before the Big-Guy who were scheduled to come on Monday (the 12th).
We arrived back at the jetty at about 12:35pm....From there, we headed for Lan's house near Gerik for some boiled tapioca, papayas and coffee. Some of us took the opportunity to take a dip in the nearby stream that run just in front of Lan's house.
Then, we excused ourselves and went on our journey back home....the last car (my Avanza) arrived in Bangi at about 9:00pm....Exhausted, tired...but very satisfied.....especially for first-timers like myself....

What we got from the experience? A lot....we got to spend the holidays with our friends that we usually only see during the office hours....we got to go away from the obscurities of the hectic working lives....we got to see God's wonderous creations....we got to forget everything and just have fun....and the most important thing was that we got to fish....and we got to hook some too.

All in all...it's a marvelous experience...and we would be looking forward to the next trip....may be to Kuala Koh or Kenyir....I don't know....but tell you what....I'll be going...InsyaAllah....

Signing out.....Haza...

Sg Kejar Awaits!!!!

As it turned out, the Taski postponed the convocation to Saturday next week. That means, I'll be going to Sg Kejar....yeah. A short phone call to my OFG mate, Jay, and my Avanza and I will be in the convoy to Sg Kejar. Luckily, I just had it serviced and the tires alligned and balanced. This seems like a chance of life time....and this would be my first ever outdoor activity outside Selangor..... I hope to post some pix in the next entry....just wait and see.....till then...Sg Kejar, here I come!!!!!

To Go or Not To Go?

I was really looking forward to this trip to Sg Kejar, a Kelah haven in the heart of Tasik Banding area.....more popularly known as the Royal Belum. All my gears are ready.......the wife has given her "go ahead"....I'd have to send them back to PD before going. But as they say...."malang tak berbau"....my second born (Ain) will have her "Convocation" day on the 10th November 2007. We were supposed to go to Banding on the 8th. So, I was left with a huge dilemma.....to go to Banding or to attend my kids "convo"? She'll be graduating at the top of her class...both for Taski and Pra-Tahfiz.....how could I ever going to miss that.....So, I made the decision not to go to Banding/Sg Kejar..... the Kelah can wait, but not my kid's "Convo", no siree.... Family should come first.......and hobby should come a distant second..... To my OFG mates.....I'll make sure I make it the next time around.....

The Big "Three Five"

35 years ago, both my grandmothers were sceptical about my chances of living a healthy life, or even living at all (according to the "Legend")......but 35 years later....that's today (August 4th, 2007)....here I am, living a relatively healthy life, married to a wonderful lady and blessed with 3 beautiful kids. And am still holding a somewhat steady job...hehe...



First and foremost, I thank Allah for giving me the opportunity to live my life this long...and I pray that this "nikmat" will continue. Secondly, to my family.....parents, wife and kids, sister and brother, my in-laws..... for always there to support me, back me up and love me... whenever I'm in difficult situations.....and last but not least....to all my dear friends.....your friendship means the world to me.

No celebration actually.....it doesn't matter to me at all.....as long as people dear to me are around me....I think, that's the most priceless of birthday presents....

But one thing I noticed....I have lost weight.....I am at 87kg now.....at least that's what my scale at home reads. The one at my work place still weighs me at 93kg.....maybe it's broken or something...or past it's calibration date. Well, the most important thing is to take it positively....I "can" lose it....just like my sister did.....

Well looking forward to looking "75kg" again....here's hoping....

11 years and counting.....

I have been here for the past 11 years....only got promoted once....ONCE? yeah, one time...well, twice if job grade revision counts. I came to Sony (1996) as an entry level executive (E4). Then, they abolished the E4 grade and all of us got "promoted" to E3. That happened in 1999 or 2000 if I'm not mistaken. Then, in 2001 I got the long awaited promotion. Could be "rezeki anak".....My wife gave birth to our 2nd child a few day later. Could be because they knew I deserved it. Could be...just to fill up the quotas.....Well....lots of "could be's".

2004 came.....I knew it's coming (the promotion)....but then, the Boss said, I'll give it to her as she will be leading the section....I said...."OK Boss....I don't mind, no problem......"

2005 came.....may be this year.....yeah....Ani the Clerk said...."I keyed in your name and the new RnR for the promotion proposal".....Alright!!!... But then....I got the news....some idiot said that I was completing my Master's degree and upon that, I could be leaving. So, no point giving me the promotion....I don't know who that idiot was....but I hope he'll burn.

2006 came.....well by this time.....I didn't care anymore......promo or not...as long as I have some money at month's end to pay bills and support my family......that'll be ok for me.

2007 came.....I didn't care, I didn't care, I didn't care.........

2008 is coming....may be this is my year......this will be the 7th year since my last promo.....I could get lucky this time....but, it still along way to go.....we'll see.

I don't know how long will I be staying at Sony.....But looking at the current economic situation out there....I think I better look at the positive side of things....yeah....positive-ness, that's the thing that has kept me going all these years. I think the majority of Minang people have this attitude.

It's better to hate your job, than not to have a job at all.

We'll see.

The Semenyih Dam

It's been quite some time since I last fished. I stopped fishing when I started to concentrate on my Master's Degree in 2003. So, sometime in the end of June 07, I got myself a new RM120 Berkley rod and an RM40++ machine, along with a few necessities and tagged along with my friend Rosli D. at the fishing pond in Semenyih. Well, that day we got nothing but sun-burnt skin.

Then, the calling came..... the OFG (Otai Fishing Gang) was going to the Semenyih Dam for a camping/fishing trip (14th~15th July 07). I signed up after my wife said she and the kids would be ok. So after some preps, we met at the Ibrahim Maju Restaurant in Semenyih. There were Budin (LCD HOD), Shamsul (LCD), Khairi (PE LCD), Wahab (TVE-Mech), Ruslan (LCD), Arif (Mt Engr), Rosli D (CTV), Jay (PE LCD) and myself. Baha (TVE-Mech) came later with his family....a happy and healthy bunch, I should say. After b/fast we went to the Sg Tekala Rec area to rendezvous with Juki (LCD), Zul (AM) and Kamarul (Panel). Then, off to the Dam....all 13 of us.

Although the catch were only 13 Baungs and one Toman, we certainly enjoyed ourselves. Out in the wilderness, fishing, camping, male-bonding, getting to know each other outside work. And the ultimate one is the get a taste of Chef Baha's cooking....for the first-timers like Kamarul and I....we came to a conclusion....he's a great cook....

Thanks a lot to our Tekongs for the boat ride.....and thanks to SYABAS for not working during the weekends....

I'll let the pictures tell the stories.....till then....I'm looking forward to the next trip in November.....anywhere... as long as there is camping, fishing, bonding and eating Baha's cooking.....


Chiao.

Kamarul.....enjoying a good old card game with the guys

These guys....Baha & Jay.....Hei Bro....we came here to fish la.....

Zul....with the very first catch....thanks a lot to the "Bells".....

Me with the Toman.....not my catch though....but what the heck......

The Boss....Budin....savouring the durians.....


So are the others (L-R, Wahab, Shamsul, me, Rosli D & Khairi)


It's time to wash away all the filth...before dinner.....


Jay had to report back to his wife every 2 hours....jgn mrh ah.....


Rosli & Khairi.....two of our avid anglers.....


"Raja Baung" Rosli D with his catch....


Chef Baha in action.....


Shamsul....I think you need reading glasses la.....


The Camp......


Back empty handed...but still cheerful....Baha's cooking awaits


Arif and I, arriving at the campsite....

After the Maghrib solat.....just hang loose baby!!!

Juki, with one of the Tekongs....