Monday, June 30, 2008

Ratatouille????

And I thought it's just an animated movie title that Disney-Pixar had come out with......maybe because the main character was a rat......(I had a sneak-peek of the movie when we were at Imran's house the other day)....How wrong I was.....

I managed to snap these pics at breakfast this morning at the Golestan Cafe, Homa Hotel in Tehran.....

Plainly written in Farsi and English

What it looks like....looks Yummy, isn't it?

Yes...it's actually a cuisine.....click here to know more about it.....

But I won't add it to my usual "baked bean-fries-sausage-scrambled egg-apple juice-coffee" breakfast.....Still "haunted" by that first impression.....hehehe....

Sunday, June 29, 2008

My Favorite Engineer....

She's not just an engineer, she's a Domestic Engineer....at least that's what my Sayang calls herself now. And she blogs too. Click here to see her Multiply site.

I remember my father told me when the family sent me off to the US to further my studies......He told me to keep a diary....and don't get too soaked up with sentimentals and "something else" (I forgot). But stubborn as I was then, I didn't keep any diaries.......What a collection of diaries it would be if I did. I did have a lot of adventures.....from being pulled over for driving without a license (which subsequently handed me my first ever courtroom experience), to my journey all across the US & to the fateful afternoon when I injured my right knee playing football (I'll have a special entry about this topic, InsyaAllah).

But now, come the "technology"....you have weblogs (aka blogs).....It's just like a diary, and more.....you can even put photos, videos and even your favorite songs in it......plus unlike a diary, you can share it with everyone.....(is this a plus side or the other way around?).

Back to my favorite Engineer......She has been religiously up-dating her multiply site....not only the blog parts....but the photos, videos & song as well (for the last two, she was doing it even before I did...hehehe).

One of our Otai's here in Dubai, Pak Payne, an avid blogger himself, said that it's good to keep a blog when you are away like this.....It will serve as something to remind you to your "adventures" when you finally go back to Malaysia......Well he got that right....absolutely right......

Finally......my salutes to all the bloggers out there....and to you Sayang, keep on blogging.....

Saturday, June 28, 2008

At the swimming pool...........

I brought the family up to the swimming pool this afternoon.......As usual, Lina and Ain didn't have any problem with the pool......Apit was still afraid to go into the water.....he looked as if he wanted to, but he was just too afraid to go in.....

It all changed when Lina pulled him into the water.....Twice!!!!....and the rest....is Apit's swimming pool history.......

To see the videos, click here

More pictures of their afternoon at the pool, click here.

Uptown Mirdif.....

We had a dinner invitation by Mrs Haza's old Tesl friend, Zaida, and her husband Imran. So, Amin and I took our families on a taxi ride.......Imran met us at the piazza (photos here).....Zaida made nasi lemak. Rusdi and his wife Mastura arrived later.....bringing nasi kerabu......Bro Zuhairi and K Ina came with their son Naim....they brought kuih bengkang (bingka) pandan......We were later joined by Pak Payne and his entourage......

It looked like a mini gathering of My-Uae......

For more reports and photos....check Mrs Haza's site here and photopage here,and Mrs ZBA's blog here.

Secret Recipe


Yesterday (Tursday, 26/06/08) was my first day at the office after 2 weeks of working in Iran......I had an overdue Objective Setting interview with Tanikawa.....but I don't wanna talk about work here......



We went back at about 6pm...in Venkat's Honda Accord.....I managed to snap this photo of the Burj Dubai.....soon-to-be the tallest building in the world...





He dropped Amin and I in Karama....near a bus station....so, we took a bus home (#61), it's filled with people coming home from work....and it's filled with that odour coming from their sweaty bodies...esp those working in construction sites....but I survived....and here is the ticket.....





We arrived home at 830pm....so exhausted.....that I dozed off once I put my head on the pillow....



My Recipes
I just want to share something with those who happen to read my posts......
My Meatball Spaghetti.........Here it is......(in Bahasa Malaysia)



Spaghetti







Bahan-bahan

1. 400 gram daging kisar
2. 3 botol kecil Prego Sos Pasta/Spaghetti (atau 2 botol besar)
3. 1 biji bawang besar dan 10 ulas bawang putih dipotong dadu
4. 3 sudu besar minyak masak (selok-eloknya minyak jagung)
5. Garam
6. 1 biji tomato dipotong 16
7. 1 keping keju Cheddar
8. Oregano
9. Lada sulah
10. 1 paket spaghetti (selok-eloknnya “Buitoni” atau “San Remo”)
11. 1 sudu besar majerin atau mentega
12. Keju Parmesan

Bebola daging

Masukkan 200 gram daging kisar yang sudah di”brown”kan, garam secukup rasa, 1 sudu teh serbuk kari, sedikit lada sulah, oregano dan 1 ½ sudu besar tepung gandum di dalam mangkuk besar.
Gaul adunan sehingga sebati.
Bentukkan adunan menjadi bebola berdiameter lebih kurang 1 inci.
Masukkan bebola-bebola tersebut ke dalam ketuhar gelombang mikro dan masak selama lebih kurang 10 minit, atau goreng di dalam minyak yang sedikit selama 3-4 minit.

Sos

“Brown”kan daging kisar dan simpan patinya.
Panaskan minyak masak dan tumiskan bawang besar dan bawang putih. Tambahkan garam secukup rasa dan kacau selama 1-2 minit.
Masukan daging kisar, tambahkan sedikit garam dan kacau lagi selama2-3 minit.
Tuangkan sos Pasta/Spaghetti dan pati daging dan kacaulagi.
Masukkan sedikit garam, oregano dan lada sulah secukup rasa.
Bila sudah mendidih, carikkan keju Cheddar dan masukkan sedikit demi sedikit. Kacau untuk memastikan semua keju sudah larut.
Masukkan tomato dan kacau lagi selama 2-3 minit.
Jika ada bebola daging, masukkan dan kacau lagi selama 2-3 minit.
Biarkan mendidih selama 1-2 minit dan padamkan api.



Spaghetti

Rebus spaghetti di dalam air yang dicampur dengan sedikit garam sehingga masak.
Toskan dan gaulkan dengan sedikit majerin atau mentega (untuk mengelakkan daripada melekat).




OK....Bon Appetit!!!!!



Saturday, June 21, 2008

On His Majesty's Service

We had a gathering at MATRADE building to celebrate the Agong's birthday......I brought the whole family after the Jumaat prayer.....we arrived just on time to sing "NEGARAKU". We had the opportunity to meet fellow Malaysians, feast on some bihun goreng, nasi lemak and lontong. Not to mention karipap, kuih lompang, sirap bandung etc. It really felt like we're in Malaysia....

Poem recital.....the show of Muhibbah....

For more reports, click HERE

Friday, June 20, 2008

Ekbatan to IKA to DXB.....what a journey....

Ali Reza dropped me at Ekbatan 1 at almost 500pm, with a promise to pick up at 700pm....."go shopping" he said. I ended up spending the next 2 hours in Ekbatan wondering around, watching Iranians go on their daily life. Ekbatan was almost like a deserted town when I arrived. It was close to 600pm when suddenly everything came to life.....all the shops started to open...suddenly people came and went.....young and old. Ali Reza said that shoppers close their shops at lunch time, go home to rest and re-open in late afternoon...usually until 1100pm. That's why Ekbatan comes to life only after 600pm.

It was interesting to see some road-siders selling their stuff....from pirated CDs to cheap clothes to imitation sunglasses to kids toys......hey, it's just like at home.....if not for the Farsi.

Two road-side vendors preparing their goods

Ekbatan's coming to life.....on the right is a masjid

Ali Reza came at 5mins past 700pm (I had just finished with my Asar prayer at the masjid) and took me to Ekbatan 2 taxi office to get a taxi to IKA. I arrived at IKA at about 815pm......performed maghrib prayers at the musalla....and went upstairs to check in.

I thought if I checked in on-line for my flight home, I wouldn't have to face the hassle of checking in at the counter. So wrong I was.......I arrived at the counters and failed to find the baggage drop counters to check-in my luggage.....So, I had to stand in the line for 1 hour to check my luggage in....when I finally finished the check in and had my passport stamped by the customs, it was almost boarding time......so, I had to fight off hunger and went straight to the boarding gate. And I spent the next 2 hours trying to get some sleep but I only dozed off for not more than 10 minutes.....so I watched the reruns of The 70's Show, 30 Rock and also Shark.....not bad actually....

When the Airbus A330-200 arrived ni Dubai.....we had to take the airport bus to the main terminal.....the announcer said that an Emirates dedicated terminal is still under construction....so, the plane will park some distance away from the main terminals and the passengers would have to take a bus to reach the terminals.

Lining up at the customs counters was ok.....baggage collection was also ok....the only problem was....I stood at the wrong carousel for more than 10mins before I realized it.....I collected my bag and went out to catch the cab.

It was almost 130am but the taxi stop was so congested that the airport staffs had to take control......I'll let the pictures tell it......

Sea of people at DXB taxi pick-up area

Sea of taxies........I also saw a few lady cabbies....

People were still lining up when we headed out of DXB

I arrived home at almost 230am....thanks to the sleepy cabby....I hope he'll be ok....

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

NUTS!!!....

I was taking a break this morning at the small park in front of the office building when I saw these two very interesting "figures"....jeng, jeng, jeng....One looks like a pigeon and the other looks like a sad face.....whoever did this must be very artistic and creative.....

I went Nuts

My wife texted me today....with an order of the Iranian pistachios.....well, I was craving for that nut as well. I asked Ali Reza about Ekbatan's pistachios.....He said they're of inferior quality.....There's a shop near Vanak Square that sells very high quality pistachios and other nuts. So, from Ekbatan I took a cab to the shop....Tavazo Dried Nuts just opposite the Saie Park.....

The entrance to Saie Park

I bought 1kg of Pistachios, 1kg of mixed nuts and 1/2kg of black raisins. It costs me almost USD30.....(luckily the shop accepts USD...I was short of Rials).

These are the things that made me go NUTS

Ali Reza said I could take a cab to Homa Hotel for only about 3000Rials...but I decided to do the unthinkable....to walk my way back to the hotel.....And walk I did. My target is to reach the Vanak Square.....

It was an acsending road towards the Square......and I was carrying about 7kg on my back (includes my Vaio with its cables, my external harddisk etc....not to forget 2.5kg of nuts). Luckily, I was wearing my Adidas running shoes (thanks Sis, for the RM50 voucher)....so, my feet and legs didn't hurt a bit.....(now I know why my wife alwasys insisted me to buy expensive shoes)....

My journey from Tavazo to Homa.....

I reached Vanak Square about 40mins later.....there were a lot of people....Vanak Square is like a transportation hub for the surrounding areas....so, I was about 10mins from the hotel....Thank God.....I was almost dehydrated......

I started off from Tavazo at about 715pm and arrived at my hotel room at about 805pm.....a 50min-walk....tired but I think I needed that work out.....It's been quite some time......

But next time....I think I'll take a cab......but today....today, it's just to get some fresh Tehran air.....and to test my will....hehehehe.....Phew!....tomorrow morning...I'll check out.....can't wait to get back to Dubai and be with my family.....

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

My Dinner tonite

Just want to share something....I ate dinner in my hotel room tonite....

A Homa Hotel Club Sandwich, garnished with some fries, pickled olives, slices of fresh tomatoes, fresh lettuce and some dill pickles. The dessert was chocolate cake..... Total cost? 77000+ Rials....plus a couple of thousands more as a tip.....Luckily, they have some complimentary mineral water in the fridge...I didn't have to order drinks.

Here they are.....Selamat menjamu mata....hehehe

p/s: Exchange rate....USD1.00 = 9360Rials

Flowery Shahab

I took some photos of the flowers that they have in the small "garden" just in front of the factory building I'm working in.

Some how, it reminds me of Ayah & Mak....their house in Kota is surrounded by trees and flowers......We can see some samples here.

Here are the Shahab's photos......the last one is actually a butterfly who waited for me to snap and then flew away.....amazing right?

Monday, June 16, 2008

The Blade Runner....

I was watching the CNN in my hotel room in Tehran....and they were talking about this guy.....Oscar Pistorius.

A congenital amputee....he hopes to represent his country, South Africa, in the coming Beijing Olympics.....Michael Johnson and Co would be very proud should Oscar's dreams come through.....

Talking about MOTIVATIONS.......

It's all about MOTIVATIONS

I found these quotes on the wall of SMK Saujana Impian, Kajang, canteen.....Pretty interesting.....

Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that - Dr Martin Luther King Jr, American Human Rights Activist

The man who can drive himself farther once the effort gets painful is the man who will win - Roger Bannister, 1954 Olympic Gold Medallist

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb - Nelson Mandela, Former South African President and Statesman

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall - Nelson Mandela, Former South African President and Statesman

It is not the mountain that we conquer, but ourselves - Sir Edmund Hillary, First Man To Conquer Mount Everest

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Men's Success

They said, "behind every successful man, there is a woman....". But perhaps Datin Seri Wan Azizah's version is much better.....she said, "behind every successful man, there is a wife....". My version: "Behind every successful man, there is a wife, three kids and one heck of an extended family..."

When people talk about being rich.....they usually talk about money, multiple-storey bungalows and big cars. Me, my definition of rich is not about money and all that sort of things.

I feel rich when I'm with my family and friends.....you don't have to work your socks off at the office, you don't need any down-payment or even a 20-year, RM1000/month monthly installment. Family and friends just come to you......

I told my wife, that we don't have to be "stinking rich".....have "an obscenely huge amount of money"......when we have a family like ours......we are already rich.

I mean, we could go to almost every state, and territory, in Malaysia and find either a family member or a friend, to say the least.

To all my family and friends.....thank you for everything.....we'll see you again....(may be next year)....

THEY are here....

Their flight landed early on the Friday morning....it was supposed to arrive at 350am, but it arrived 315am instead. They were already waiting for us at the Marhaba counter.....This could be one of the happiest days of my life......having to hug and kiss my family......after more than a month being apart.

They spend the Friday morning resting....catching up with their sleep....trying to recover from the jet-lag, I supposed.

I brought Apit to his first ever Friday Solat.....he seemed to be a bit "culture-shocked".....so many mamaks around....he has this not-so-good impression about them....thanks to the "over-friendliness" of those restaurant mamaks in Malaysia. But he behaved himself.....he didn't complain even though he had to perform "solat" outside.....not in the air-cond.....

I brought him to Al-Ismaily Cafe afterwards to buy our Beriyani lunch......Can't imagine how proud I was to tell everyone who was asking about this little boy...."This is my son..." He was anxious actually....the cafe was filled with all the mamaks....

That afternoon, I brought my family on a small tour around the building......Everybody was quite happy with all the facilities......

We did some shopping at the Speedex Supermarket......

That night we ordered SFC.....The stove was still not working and I want to show my family that we have alternatives to the more expensive "brands".

14/06/08 - Deira City Center (DCC)

We went to the DCC.....to buy some house-hold things such as laundry baskets, mop and brooms...etc...We had lunch at the food-court....the kids wanted Burger Kings....and BK it was....

After lunch, we went to Carrefour....I managed to sneak two pairs of pants in among the other stuff.....they totalled to almost Aed500....oh man!!!....

Apit didn't get what he wanted.....to get a ride on one of those small cars (just like the "Kiddy Cabbies" at MidValley).....he went on crying for almost half an hour....he cried when we were lining up to take the taxi. Once in the taxi, he slept all the way home....He was tired actually......

We wrapped up the weekend by taking the kids to the swimming pool last night.....Apit was sound asleep, so I left him with his mother and brought his two sisters up to the swimming pool.....at 1000pm....

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Pakatan Rakyat's Leaders Were Here

DSAI, TS Khalid (TSK) & Dato' Husam (DH).....three of the top PR leaders were here. DH was on his way back from Tehran, where he met with investors for some investment opportunities in Kelantan. DSAI and TSK were here also for the same reasons.

But, they manged to spent a few hours meeting us in Dubai. We all (about 150 Malaysians, the biggest gathering so far) converged at Bro Fudzail's house in At-Twar 3.

They had dinner (or rather supper) with us....the normal people.....Nasi Beriyani Mendi....with chicken or mutton....and some other delicacies brought by other Malaysians....it was really a wonderful time...especially for us the new guys....A chance (might be once in a life time) to meet the Leaders.....to shake hands with them.....and above all to meet other Malaysians....

It was that night that I met with those people I knew only through emails....such as Pak Payne, Hasnol, Ajim, Imran etc.

We left At-Twar with total satisfaction.....and a full tummy.....knowing the next morning, the other event will unfold....our family will arrive at 350am at the airport....Thanks a lot to Bro Zuhairi for picking us up and taking us back......

DSAI, flanked by DH and TSK

"It's all about giving justice to the people....."

He's a Menteri Besar......but couldn't care less about the protocols

The Leaders enjoying their Nasi Mendi feast....

Some of the Malaysians at Bro Fudzail villa.....the biggest gathering...

See other coverage and photos of the gathering at these links:
http://dperantauan.typepad.com/, http://pakpayne.blogspot.com/, http://bakpo.blogspot.com/2008/06/bersama-pemimpin.html, http://1426.blogspot.com/2008/06/anwar-khalid-husam-thrilled-dubai-crowd.html, http://picasaweb.google.com/nik.rahman/HusamAnwarKhalid/photo?authkey=cRfKFJl3bdI#s5211143218992117922

and check out that guy in the green shirt and white "kopiah" in the middle of the second pic here

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Timberland Away

Today it's the second time that I'm wearing my new Timberland shoes. They hurt my heels....I've developed blisters on both heels. It turned out that they are 1 size too big for me....I wear size 10/10.5, but these are size 11. My feet must be expanding to the max when I bought them (bcoz of the heat I think).

So, I decided to send it back home to my brother. Maybe he could find a buyer. Hey!!! they're original Timberlands...they're price at about RM300 to RM500 a pair in Malaysia......and I've only been wearing it twice....maybe he could get a good price for them.....

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Deira City Center

Din and Shaharon picked us up at the Apartment at about 11am.....destination? Deira City Center....one of the "big-ass" shopping malls they have here in Dubai.....I wasn't planning on buying anything but came home with a new pair of Timberland shoes (Dhs279 - original price Dhs395- hey...I really need another pair...I've been using my current Camel Active pair for more than a month) and a GENX MP3 player (Dhs99 - 2GB- I was eyeing for the Ipod but realized I couldn't afford a branded one...luckily I saw this one on our way out).

Next time, I'll bring my family....it will be Summer Sales in a few weeks' time......

My personal effects (that's what they call them in the emails) arrived at 4pm.....all 16 boxes of it plus Apit's bike.....I spent the whole afternoon putting them in order....except for the kitchen stuffs (7-8 boxes)...I'll wait for Mrs Haza to come....

Then, finally I got my hair cut.....at the Falcon Gents Saloon.....near the point where we take our shuttle to work.....Dhs15 for a haircut in Dubai...hehe...quite reasonable considering Al-Amin's Dhs40 haircut. The barber (an Indian guy) probably recognized me from my Friday visit....he said "sorry to keep you waiting for so long..." but at least now...I have a barber....yes!!!...

Next weekend plan....go to Shindagha Carrefour.....with the family....

Friday, June 06, 2008

Sharjah Tour

My plans for today are to go to the barber shop near Al-Rolla, have my hair cut, come back and get ready for the Jumaat prayer. But the barber was so busy with customers that I had to postpone the hair cut and head back as it was almost 12noon. Jumaat Sermons and Prayer start at about 1215.

We had our Beriyani (as usual...every Friday) at Hamid's cafe. Din, our new-found friend had promised to take us to somewhere. We took a taxi to the Bur Dubai city center where Din was waiting near the Citybank building. We met Bro Shaharum, Din's housemate who will be our tour guide for the day.

Our first destination was the Dubai Outlet Mall, about 20km from Bur Dubai. The place houses many brand names but at a bargin price. Most of the stuff there are either surplus stocks or factory reject. The Mall is located in the middle of the desert. Searing heat welcome us there....I was planning of buying a pair of shoes to go to work...I have been wearing the same Camel Active shoes ever since I arrived in Dubai....my other shoes are in the cargo due to arrive tomorrow. But I ended up with nothing.....maybe next time....

We left the Mall and headed for Deira. Shaharum had some business to do at a tailor (Phulwani Trading) there. The shop is located near Naif St. There owner, an Indian, is fluent in Bahasa.....and I met a lot of Malaysians there too. Maybe I'll have my baju raya made there when the time comes....

We left Deira and headed to Sharjah, one of the Emirates, located east of Dubai. Sharjah to Dubai is like Seremban to KL....It's here where we can see more Arabs....and the cost of living here is still much cheaper than Dubai. Many people who work in Dubai prefer to live in Sharjah because of that....but the only bad thing is that the journey it takes from Sharjah to Dubai (20km) is about 2 hours.....because of the traffic congestion.

We went to the Central Souq aka the Blue Souq.....which houses many carpet stores and jewelery stores among other things. We watched the beautiful sunset from the Souq yard.....performed Asar and Maghrib prayers at a make-shift "surau" under a staircase....It's very convenient actually, except that we had to take ablution at a men's room about 20 meters away.....we had to dodge all the ladies while making our way to the surau. And one more thing.....the water was so hot, you could make a half-boiled egg with it.....why? the tanks are located on the roof....hehehehe.....

Shaharum stopped by a carpet shop to buy some tapestry for his sister who's moving to a new house....the owner, Abdullah, is his old friend....I think he's from India or Pakistan, but speaks very good English....

Maybe next time I'd bring my family to this place.....the wife would love it....I'm sure.....

We stopped at Al-Tawassol restaurant for dinner. It's in Deira city. The restaurant serves Yemeni food which was very good. We ate rice, Chicken Salona and some kind of mutton dish (don't recall its name).....the cost was about Dhs60....Dhs15+ per person....fair enough....

They dropped us at the apartment....we were a bit tired but pretty satisfied....

I learned more about Dubai....and met two new friends.....not counting the Malaysians that we met at Phulwani's.

Tomorrow...haircut, Rostamani and cargo un-packing await....

(Pictures are in the photo page)

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

My Tehran Ordeal...A Blessing in Disguise....

On the 02nd of June, I took a taxi to Imam Khomeini International Airport and arrived there at about 3:40pm. My flight was supposed to be at 5:30pm....hhhmmm, just nice. After waiting in the line for about 20mins at the entry point....I managed to get into the check in counter area...(03rd until 07th is public holidays for the Iranians.....a lot holiday makers were there).....I went ahead Iran Air counter and to my disbelief, the clerk told me my ticket has been cancelled. WHAT? She told me, I was supposed to call 72 hours before boarding to confirm the ticket.....Hey....nobody told me that.....she told me to wait and go to the waiting list counter....Yeah right, at least 20-30 people in front of me.....The problem is, I had to get out of Iran because my 15 days visiting visa expired on that day....

I called Al-Amin......telling him about what had happened.....Then I called Asim (our travel desk guy).....he was on-leave....but I was so glad that he was willing to help me.....through his colleague who's at work......

But then, Asim called back....he's had arranged me to board the Gulf Air....635pm flight..... Business Class......Asim's friend called....she introduced herself as BeeGee (?)...at least that's what I heard she said her name was....

I went to the Gulf Air counter and gave the clerk the PNR and ticket numbers....he said my name wasn't in the system.....good Lord!!!... What's happening to me....I called up BeeGee.....she managed to talk to a supervisor....a lovely Iranian lady....who speak English....I guess, that BeeGee asked the Super to contact Bahrain (Gulf Air is based in the Kingdom)....after a few minutes....I was called and told that my name was there.....phewwww...Alhamdulillah....

The Immigration counters......It took me at least 20 mins at the counter to have my passport stamped.....once stamped...heh...I'm out Iran...hehehe...

I rushed to the boarding gate 26....where my business class seat awaited me.....hehehe seat number 4D aboard the Boeing 737.....my first stopped would be Bahrain International Airport....but I tell you....business class is cool....big seats....special treatments....good food....hehehe

I landed at about 700pm local time.....so many people there....didn't know where to seat....but suddenly I remembered...I was in Business class.....they have a lounge for Business class travellers like me.....I went up there....found a Surau and perform my Maghrib and Isyak prayers (Jamak Taqdim)...and qada' (replaced) my Asar prayer....lost during the ordeals in Tehran....

Just then I received a text from Amin....HR were asking about our family passport copies....we were going to the Foreign Ministry the day after.....I only had the soft-copy in my Thumb Drive.....so I asked the lounge clerk....thank God....they had a printing service.....so, what else do they have in the lounge? I didn't have the time to explore as my Dubai flight had started the boarding process.

I boarded the Boeing 737....this time I sat at 2D....and enjoy the rest of the flight....me....a Kampung boy...in the Middle East....Business class.....well thanks to the Iran Air people who cancelled my ticket.....A blessing in disguise huh?

Well....deep inside, I realized that how Allah had taught me something.....firstly, to be patience.....He will help you. Secondly, if you have friends....true friends....they will help you, no matter what.....Thirdly, if you are patient enough....He will reward you.....Business class ticket...no other bigger rewards in a situation like that..... like Usman said today...."InnAllaha ma'as sobireen"...."Allah will be with those who have patience"

Praise be to Allah.....and thanks a lot My Friends.....

Sunday, June 01, 2008

The Last Day

Tonite is the last night for me in Tehran for my 2nd Tour of Duty......it's gonna be a lot more of a tour like this.....

Ali Reza took us for a satay (Iranian kabab, that is) treat near his house in Ekbatan....a community equivalant to our Damansara Heights.....I take Iranian food really well....less fat, more fibre and protein....in fact I'm begining to like yogurt.....Kamahli (Ali Reza's assistant) was there also.....

We took a ride home on a "vintage" Iranian car....don't remember the make, though. It's comfy....and could run also.....hehehe.....reminds me of those old taxis that we used to have in Malaysia.....

Tonite I pay the hotel fees.....costs me about USD2400+.....luckily, I saved some money here because we only pay for our dinner here....breakfast is free at the Meraj Restaurant on the 16th floor of the hotel.....and lunch is courtesy of ShahabCo......

I'll take a 530pm Iranian Air flight home tomorrow.....can't wait to get home.....my hair is in dire need of a cut.....and I have left my apartment for more than 2 weeks now....wonder if Shanawaz has fixed my stove.....my wife and the kids are coming in about 10days......it's been like ages since I last ate her home cooked meals......