Last Week in Review

It's been a busy week......I have a lot of things to write but never had the time to do it......So, I’ll summarize the events that had happened in the past weeks....in a nut shell (so to speak.....)

19^th March.... I arrived from Tehran in late afternoon. We went to pick up the car that we just bought at the owners’ house....and brought it back. We were really excited.... we won’t have to rent a car anymore....and the car that we bought was big enough to take the 5 of us around plus 2-3 more people.

After picking up the car, we went to pick up Along at her friend's house. She was celebrating her birthday at MOE after school. But she asked us to pick her up at her friend's house because all her personal stuffs were left there before they went to MOE.

20^th March.... We had a company party/dinner in the evening..... at about 4pm we drove to the JBH which is about 30 minutes from our places. I had sent the car to the car wash next door (cost me Aed40 for a vacuum and wash). We were having a smooth ride to the hotel when suddenly the car started to lose power (it started with the radio that was intermittently switched on & off). I thought that the water from the car wash had had some effects to the electrical system of the car. After a few minutes....it just stalled, at a traffic light not far away from the Jumeirah Beach Centre.

Luckily, a police cruiser was nearby. I told the cop what was wrong....he told me to called the 181 number to get help. The cruiser went by but a few minutes later another policeman parked just behind us....directing traffic. He told me that he had called for a tow-truck to tow the car to a safer area... (We were right in the middle of the busy Jumeirah road weekend traffic). The truck came and pulled us away.... we stopped at a parking space just in front of the Dubai Islamic Bank building. I was about to thank the nice policeman...but he just went away...

A friend (the car’s previous owner, actually) took us to the hotel and offered to help with the car. It turned out that the battery is dead....and, subsequently, that damaged the alternator. I had expected this because I had the same experience when I was in the US.

I was supposed to go and transfer the registration of the car with the previous owner the next afternoon... but we had to postpone it due to the problem.

BTW, read about the company party/dinner HERE.

21^st March.... My daughters’ school (Raffles International School) celebrated its International Day today. We went there at about 1030am... in a taxi. It was our first experience.... but it’s quite an experience.... we got to see cultural diversity...tasted food from different countries and got to meet our fellow Malaysians and some Singaporeans. I let the girls wonder off.... and with my wife lending the hands at Malaysian/Singaporeans booth, I took Apit to every booth opened there.

It’s good to see that people from different religions, countries, cultures and languages could work together in harmony....

We left the school in a taxi at almost 2pm....(we walked to the nearby Masjid to get one.... most taxi drivers are Muslims...and it’s already Dzuhur time....).

22^nd March.... We got our car back....Alhamdulillah.... thanks to everyone who had helped us.

23^rd March.... I had my annual performance evaluations done today. It’s the time to discuss what had been achieved and what had not. Overall, I felt satisfied that everything went ok....but most importantly, I knew my short-comings and knew what’s needed to do to improve.

24^th-25^th March... In Cairo on a business trip.... They put me into a different hotel this time. Sonesta Hotel & Casino, Cairo.... Yes, there’s casino inside, but I wasn’t crazy enough to go there. The hotel room was large, it’s like a suite actually, but the rate (including breakfast) was quite good. Take a look at the photos of the room that I managed to take.....

26^th March.... Went to the school with my wife for a parent-teacher meeting. We had some discussions with the teachers, before sending my wife home and went to the office.

27^th March.... Along was spending the whole day at her friend’s house in Jumeirah 1. We sent her there at around 1130am, after I picked up their Ibu at her Tajweed class in Al Warqa’a. Ain had a birthday party invitation from one of her classmates. So, we took to Café Ceramique, in MOE at about 400pm. Then my wife, Apit and I spent a couple of hours at the food court having an early dinner, while waiting for her. After buying a birthday present for her friend, we went to pick her up.

We picked up Ain at almost 600pm and went to Jumeirah 1 to pick up Along. Since she said that she’ll be having dinner at the house, we went to buy some supplies at the Spinney’s Centre first.

At about 800pm, we picked her up and went home.....

28^th March.... I considered this an opportunity of a life time.... a chance to meet Dr MAZA, a young religious scholar and the former Mufti of Perlis. We went for the QA session about Fiqh in Mirdif right after Dzuhur. A lot of questions were asked....and he answered them with confidence....citing the Holy Quran, the Holy Prophet’s Hadiths and also the words and opinions of famous Muslim scholars from the past and present.

After Maghrib, there’s another session in Arabian Ranches. He talked (ceramah) about the significance of the realizing the through meaning of the Maulidur Rasul celebrations. After the ceramah, we were treated to a dinner of Mandy Rice with lamb and chicken.

We went home at almost 1130pm.

Maldivian Plights

Being an Environmental Biologist by training, I was really sympathetic about the plights of the Maldives people.

It's a nation with over one thousand islands and atolls; and with the maximum elevation of only about 2.3 meters above sea level, it's really susceptible to the rising of the sea level. In fact, it was almost wiped off the world map during the 2004 Tsunami.

Now, the nation that owes its GDP mostly on tourism industries (20% of total GDP) and fisheries (15% of total GDP) is facing a race against time to save itself from total annihilation or, should I say, from becoming the modern day Atlantis.

But at least they are doing something about it. From pushing for the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by the US, to declaring a Carbon-Neutral initiative by turning to wind and solar power within a decade.

President Mohamed Nasheed said in a statement that if the current situation doesn't improve, he would have to find his countrymen a new country to live in. That indicates how bad the situation that they are facing now.

I got this article from the BBC online and it's a very interesting read. Here is an excerpt of it.....

By Chris Morris
BBC News, Maduvari, Maldives

Looking down from a sea plane flying above the Maldives, the coral islands are spread across the water like giant jellyfish emerging from the depths.

People have lived on this archipelago for 3,000 years, and from the air it looks absolutely wonderful.

But down below is the front line in the fight against sea level rise.

We land at a remote atoll - Maduvari - with Maldives Vice-President Mohamed Waheed. It is home to about 2,000 people.

The vice-president takes me to a beach that used to be a paved road 3m (15ft) wide - it has now been reclaimed by the sea. And houses nearby are crumbling into the water.

"There is a natural process, or erosion, going on," Dr Waheed says. "But that process is being worsened by changing global weather patterns."

"How long do you think this island can be inhabited?" I ask.

"Not more than 20 years," he says. "Then we'll have to abandon it. Children growing up in primary school now won't be able to live here."...........

Click HERE to read it further.

I think, we as Malaysians are very fortunate that we are not in the Maldivians positions. However, this is not a reason to destroy our environment at will. Everyone needs to do their parts in ensuring that we are living in a sustainable environment.

So, please stop ruining our slopes, please stop polluting our waters, please recycle, reuse and reduce...and I can go on and on.....

Happy Nowruz Holiday

Nowruz (Persian: نوروز /noʊruz/ ↔ [noʊɾuːz]; marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the Iranian year. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox (the start of spring in the northern hemisphere), which usually occurs on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed. (From Wikipedia)

I was told to leave early today because this evening, Iranians will celebrate the Chahârshanbe Sûrî or the Wednesday of Fire. A lot of hand-made fire-crackers, bombs (definitely not C4) and other explosives will be used to celebrate it. It will be dangerous for me to be outside when it starts and taxi drivers will refuse to take me to the hotel.... apparently out of worries for their own safety. In fact, while writing this entry, they are already starting the celebrations. I can here some explosions a few minutes ago.

So, I got to the hotel early, went out to buy dinner. One of my friends at work today told me to stay inside. He said younger generations are getting the wrong ideas about the celebration. They will set explosives and fire-crackers....even on the streets. Luckily, the hotel gave me an 11th floor room....could be because of that.

Anyhow.... I want to wish all my Iranian/Persian friends a Happy Nowruz Holiday. I hope we will meet again "next year".

Read more about Nowruz and Chaharshanbe Suri HERE

MyUAE-Pro Island Escapade 09

Our good friends from the MyUAE-Pro, a community organization for Malaysian professionals in UAE, organized an outing in a small private island off the emirate of Umm Al Quain (UAQ).
The program was actually planned on the Friday, 6th March. But we decided to rent a room at Palma Beach Resort on Thursday (so did most of the committee members and several other families).
So, I rented a car on Wednesday afternoon and took the Thursday off. Lina had a field trip at Safa Park that day and her mother was there too as an assistant. So, after doing a few errands in the morning, I took Apit to the school to pick up Ain. I managed to submit his school application forms as well. After that we went straight to Safa Park. My wife and Lina were waiting there. They were enjoying their morning at the park. The teachers and kids were about to leave the park when we arrived. So, after a quick lunch of Nasi Goreng at the park, we headed off for Mirdiff. We will be going to UAQ in a convoy.
We left Mirdiff at about 515pm, in three cars (a Mitsubishi, a Cadillac and a Toyota) and proceeded along the Emirates Road passing by the emirates of Sharjah, Ajman and Ras Al-Khaimah. The traffic was quite congested as people were travelling due to the long weekend ahead.

We arrived at the resort at about 615pm, checked in and take a couple of hours’ rest. We had a barbecue gathering that night. Luckily we brought some sausage and I made some coleslaw (if we could call it that).
It’s almost 12 when we got back to the room and dozed off.
We overslept.... it’s almost 7am when I woke the family up. We washed ourselves..... and went for the complimentary breakfast (wasn’t much but it’s practically free).
We registered at the counter and got our “house ribbons”. They put us in the yellow house.
The boat ride to the island took less than 10 minutes.... we rode on a speed boat.
The events had already started when we reached the island. It’s quite a beautiful place.....the weather was beautiful as well, and windy. We were greeted by Bro Mazlan, our House Captain. We quickly signed up for the games. I signed up for water polo and tug-of-war. Later, they cancelled the polo and we played champion’s ball instead (because they beach was filled with creatures suspected to be jellyfish....so, they cancelled all water-related games).



My wife entered the “galah panjang” and the ladies medley events..... she also helped in designing the “House Flag”. Lina entered several events.....the medley, “galah panjang”, tug-of-war, dodge-ball. I think she got at least a runners-up prize for all her events. Ain also joined the “Sand-bowl” event but didn’t win it. She also had a few of her events cancelled due to the jellyfish. And...hehe... she cried over this.....
Apit, on the other hand, was busy playing on the sandy beach.... Once in a while, he will come back to the cabana to drink some water....
We stopped at around 1230 when the call/adzan for the Jumaat solat was sounded over the PA system. Since there was no more water in the bath room (I think they forgot to turn on the water pump), we took our ablution using sea water (it’s also “air mutlak”).



The sermon/khutbah was given by Bro Yusree who also led the solat. It’s so good to see that amidst the enjoyment under the sun, we didn’t forget our obligations to our Creator. We performed Jumaat solat on the sandy white sand and under open air.
After that and after a short lunch, we continued our events/games. I had a final of men’s Champion’s Ball to play.....and the ultimate event, the Tug-of-War. We lost the final for men’s Champion’s Ball (with me twisting my knee again) but practically pulled ourselves into the Tug-of-War final.
My experience after so many Tug-of-War events during my younger years....is size doesn’t matter. Our opponents were big.....but with good strategy and good mentality, we won the Tug-of-War (.....surprisingly, I didn’t even feel my knee hurting.....).
The programs ended at almost 530pm and we took the slower boat back to the resort. It was almost Maghrib time when we left the resort and we stopped by at the nearby masjid o perform our Maghrib solat.
It was a smooth driving back to Dubai....however, we did manage to get lost in Sharjah, but luckily found our way out. We stopped to buy dinner and headed straight home.
Once arriving home, it took us three trips up and down the elevator to get our stuff back to the apartment.
We were all tired.... with muscle pains that would definitely get worse the next day (and it did)...... But the overall feeling was that we had a wonderful time in UAQ.
Many thanks to our friends in MyUAE-Pro and all the volunteers for making this weekend trip something that we will never forget.
Malaysia Boleh!!!
More photos HERE

Anwar Ibrahim, an Interview in Malaysia

By Dinda Elliott

What is it that makes some people so courageous, willing to risk everything for something they believe in? I am asking myself this question, thinking about how we Americans take so much for granted in the freedoms we enjoy every day.

In the cool, high-ceilinged villa that is home to Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia’s former deputy prime minister, who spent six years in solitary confinement after challenging then prime minister Mahathir Mohammad, the drone of Islamic music fills the living room. The Anwar family is religious–his wife and daughters, now both politicians in their own rights, proudly wear tudongs, Malaysian headscarves reflecting Islamic modesty–and I figure the music is part of the Muslim atmosphere of their daily lives. But I am a little worried that my tape recorder will not pick up Anwar’s soft voice above the din. I have waited ten years for this interview.

As Hong Kong bureau chief for Newsweek magazine, I had covered the anti-corruption and reform movement Anwar launched in 1998. Before he went to jail, I had interviewed Anwar and gotten to know him a little bit. Through secret channels, I was able to publish a letter from Anwar in prison when Newsweek named him “Asian of the Year.” Or rather, I should say Anwar found a way–and dared–to sneak a letter to me.

I ask Anwar how he survived six years in solitary confinement. “It wasn’t easy,” Anwar replies. The worst moment, he says, was when his mother died. He just stared and stared at the wall, not knowing what to do. Mahathir had ordered to have cameras installed just outside his cell to prevent guards from chatting with him. Nonetheless, sympathetic guards would shout to the clinic down the hall that Anwar had a headache so that he could have some human contact. There, he tells me, he saw a young Indian man who had been severely caned for a simple theft. “As a politician, I used to say to people ‘I feel for you,’” Anwar says, “but after prison, when you have seen something like that, it is very different. Yes, I feel other people’s pain.”

Halfway through our talk, Anwar stands up to turn off the music, which has reached a louder pitch. “Even here, we always have to keep on some music, because you know,” he says, pointing to the ceiling, “there is always someone listening.” Right now, Anwar is facing more charges–the second time the government has gone after him for alleged sodomy. The case has been kicked up to the high court, and Anwar says he may well go back to jail.

But the anti-corruption movement he launched has taken on steam. Last year, the opposition to the coalition that has ruled Malaysia for 50 years won five states out of 13, and the ruling coalition lost its two-thirds majority. Things have gotten vicious of late, as the ruling elite, widely considered to be extremely corrupt, fight to hold onto power. Most Malaysians think that is the reason the new case has been raised against Anwar. “Yes, they would like to get rid of me,” says Anwar. “But I believe we will prevail.”

There are certainly Malaysians who are suspicious of Anwar, arguing that he is a slick politician just like the rest of them. But like him or not, this man has more courage than I can possibly imagine. Yes, he is a politician; but at least he has a vision of a different, clean Malaysia. And Anwar is willing to risk everything for the sake of that goal.

Further reading:
* “Sexual Politics, Malaysia Style“: The first charges again Anwar Ibrahim

From: http://anwaribrahimblog.com/2009/03/10/anwar-ibrahim-an-interview-in-malaysia/

I got the bug

I woke up at around 600-615am, shivering and had this really throbbing headache......plus my body was aching all over. The sign of something wrong with my body....my immune system was working overtime I supposed.

So, at about 830 I went to the hospital nearby. I was ushered to the ER by a nice Arab lady (a reception clerk maybe). After some paperwork, a male nurse named Geovanni brought me to the treatment room, took my temperature and BP and ask me some routine questions....allergies, medical history etc. Soon after, a doctor came in....Dr Mohammed....who did a very thorough examination....where exactly was the headache?.....how long?.... I also told him about this pain that I felt on the left side of my waist..... I told him that previously, I was suspected to have a kidney stone.....so, he said, he’ll check that too. He told me that he’ll take some blood sample and give IV drips of Paracetamol for my headache.

So, nurse Geovanni pricked my right knuckle and administered the IV drips..... He told me to just relax.... He came in every 5 minutes to check how I was doing and took my temperature. After finishing the IV drip....I went to the toilet to give some urine sample.....Later, he told me that since my headache’s still there, he’ll add a few ml more through an injection. And I got a second needle stuck into my body.....this time on my right butt cheek....

I waited on the ER gurney for about 15-20 minutes while they examine my blood and urine samples.....with Geovanni coming in every now and then to check how I was doing.

Then Dr Mohammed came in with the results.....my urine sample was OK.... but there’s a minor infection detected in my blood. Hmm...that’s why my immune system had to do some extra work....(wonder where I got the bug???). That’s why I didn’t feel well. He told me that he’ll give some medicine and give me a 2-day sick leave. He also told me to avoid oily and spicy food; and take plenty of water..... What else is new???...

So, after taking my medicine at the pharmacy, I went home....really, really satisfied with the services I received from the hospital..... Kudos to the good doctor and staff....Keep up the good work....

Dubai Creek Park

I was supposed to return the rental car on the Saturday (7^th March).... but when I went to the agency, there’s a sign on the window saying that they’re closed..... (Eid Miladun Nabi it said on the note). So, I told the family that because we’re not going to return the car that day, why not take the opportunity to log in another Dubai adventure.

Since it’s near Maghrib time, we stopped at the masjid by Rolla St. After Maghrib, we decided that we haven’t seen the creek in real life. So, I brought them to the Al Seef Marina, just opposite Um Hurrair area. The marina houses many floating restaurants, private boats and a waterbus (abra) station.

We can see downtown Deira from the marina and the abra system connects Bur Dubai and Deira with fee of just Dhs4.00/person. The private boats range from a sophisticated-styled ones to simple-looking dhows. Apit and Ain said “Nanti ayah beli bot macam tu ye?”......hehehe....I wish!!.... But it a nice thought anyway...... if I were taking in Dhs1Mil/year and were a good friend of the Al-Maktoum's, I might consider that.....

The floating restaurants looked quite luxurious....but I did promise my family that one day we will have dinner on one of those restaurants.....

After some photo sessions, we drove to the next destination.....Creek Park.

It was almost 8pm, but people were still coming and going.....unlike in Malaysia, where the parks are “off-limit” after dark, the parks in Dubai are as lively in the evening as during the day. We can still see people taking their families....picnicking...or just strolling around the park. The park is super clean....we really enjoyed our time there.

Next time, we will bring nasi lemak or mihun goring or spaghetti to the park...and have a nice family picnic.... We might invite some friends too.