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....