Finally... my last three state capitals

The year 2009 is pretty special to me. This year I finally achieved my life long goal to set foot in all of Malaysia’s state capitals. Yeah, after 45 years of being.

I’ve travelled quite extensively over the years (due to my work) but for some reasons, three state capitals – namely Johor Baru, Kuantan adn Kota Kinabalu – escape me.

Funny thing is I’ve been to all the states in Malaysia even Sabah (went to Labuan two years ago and took a ferry trip into the State and went river cruising somewhere) but never managed to visit the state capital - KK.

But somehow 2009, I was presented the opportunities to finally menjejakkan kaki at these three state capitals (and in my book it means the city centre itself and its famous landmarks).

Johor Baru – I’ve flown over JB countless of times especially in the 90s when we at Computimes have to take to turn to attend events in Singapore almost every other week. I even flew into Senai Airport once but instead of going into JB city centre, I went the opposite direction into Desaru. And that’s about it. And that's the nearest I've ever came to JB until May this year. So it was real pleasure when P1 Wimax held an event there and I was fortunate enough to join them. And I finally saw the Tambak Johor with my own two eyes and enjoyed the sea breeze in Danga Bay.

Kuantan – Okay, I’ve skirted around Kuantan a couple of times on my way to Terengganu and Kelantan (somehow you don’t have to go through Kuantan town to get further into the east coast). And this year, I’ve been to Kuantan twice. And the seafood by the beach.... aaaahhhhhh!

Kota Kinabalu – Finally KK. Was there in November. More seafood thanks to Veena. And its pretty there (well I was at ShangriLa Tanjung Aru and of course the view from my hotel room is simply breathtaking). I didn't get to do much while here (wished I've joined the rest for Island hopping sojourn on the last day though) but I'll would love to come back. But more importantly, this trip completes my dream.

And I'm stilll excited about Percy Jackson

Now who would have thought that a book series based on a Greek mythology managed to bring the five of us at home together. It’s such a rage in our household these past few weeks that we practically rushing to read the series and rereading it over and over again.

Not that we were not “together” before but as far as I can remember this is the first time that all of us went ‘gaga’ over a book or rather a book series. It doesn’t happen with Harry Potter (Yan does not like it) and certainly never with that over rated Twilight saga (sorry girls but I could not even bring myself to complete the first book let alone… urgh… never mind).

I’m talking about Percy Jackson & The Olympians, a series of adventure books written by Rick Riordan, and like I said itsbased on Greek mythology. The series begins with a young boy named Percy Jackson who is diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia discovering that he is the son of Poseidon, the god of the sea. In the process, he learns that the Olympians still exist, along with many other figures and monsters from Greek mythology like Titans, cyclopes, and other creatures.

In the stories, author Rick Riordan has moved the Greek Gods from the Mediterranean to America (the new civilisation kononya) – where now the Underworld is beneath Los Angeles, Mount Olympus is 600 floors up in the Empire State Building in New York, the Island of the Lotus-Eaters is in Las Vegas – and all of the monsters, gods, and adventures have been brought up to date, in a way that is funny for the reader but respectful of the original myths.

But what excite us most is that the series are really funny, fast-paced, and really well written. Riordan did a wonderful job of making all the characters endearing, even the kids who are bullies and the not-so-nice kids. And although you can get lost reading the series because there are so many characters and monsters and creatures to remember, I truly enjoy reading it. And whadaya know, a movie based on the first series -The Lightning Thief - will be coming to theaters early 2010. Can‘t wait.

Cuma seriously, I was rather puzzled because the series escaped us for four years (until Asma bought the first series) as the first one was published way back in 2005, to be followed by The Sea of Monsters (2006), The Titan’s Curse (2007), The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008), and recently the final book in a series The Last Olympian came out not too long ago. (And of course we now are proud owners of all five plus one guide book called The Demigod Files).

But better late than never. Trust us.. Percy Jackson and the Olympian series are amazing read. We are suitably entertained!!

Things you must never do bila jumpa awek cun

Okay, ini ada satu peringatan, khususnya untuk anak-anak bujang di luar sana.....jika mahu memikat anak dara... ini BUKAN caranya ya...

Kalau jumpa awek cun, sebaik nya kena la tunjuk macho and gentleman. Bagi salam ke and introduce diri. Jangan main cekup sahaja tangan anak orang

Kalau ikut main rentap saja tentulah awek cun pun terkezut and cuba menjauhkan diri. Dan jangan gigih mau tarik itu awek cun jugak kena pulak mak dia ada kat situ.
Dan agak-agak la ya... kalau orang dah tak sudi jangan main paksa-paksa lak.

Sekian untuk peringatan pada hari ini.

We're Good, Babe! A Letter To Wife!

Dear Wife,

Our union is love. This is the love which you inspire in me. True love that comes from devotion and passion, and for which the greatest sacrifices are the sweetest delights.

Happy 16th Anniversary, Babe! And We're Good! Alhamdulillah!

Love and Thanks.

From: Sang Suami

1993

2009

My baby turns 13!!

Last week, my baby turns 13. And yes, our little Miku-Miku girl (whatever that means) is no longer that little anymore. Sigh!

I wish you happiness and all that comes with it

I wish you luck and awareness

I wish you good judement

I wish you good health

I wish you prosperity for your future

I wish no harm to you ever

I wish this life for you is all you want it to be and knowing I helped a little along the way

Arissa - Our Nippon Girl oh her birthday

My 8 Days of Raya (1430H)

Thanks to Facebook, I am no longer rajin updating this space. Sometimes, well err most of the time, I'm tempted to simply close this blog. But then again, I've been keeping this space since 2003.... which is rather a long time. After all, the real reason for me to set up this blog in the first place was to note down happenings around my family. So this blog stays....

And now for my this year's Raya entry.....

Day One: Woke up early... somehow most of us find it easy to wake up early on Raya day. Went to the nearby surau for Solat Raya. Whoaaa, nearly missed it as they started early. The solat, I mean. Oh, this year, we did not balik kampung. Long story.
Back home, the ladies are all ready in their Raya bajus. Soon after, brother in law Abg Lan and family came over, followed by another BIL, Nyah Ji and family. Lepaking and eating were the order of the day. They stayed on until evening. A few nephews and a niece stayed on to spend the night at our place. Then in the evening we decided to go bowling (yeah tuan-puan, we went bowling) at Sunway Pyramid. Well, at least we did not go in all the baju melayus and kurungs like some other people there.

Us and our tamu - makan2 and sembang2

later on, we found ourselves at the bowling alley

Day Two: Early morning, Yan went online googling for pancake's recipe. Yes, pancakes for breakfast. While Yan cook with Nisah, the boys went swimmng. And I was on FB. Then we had a long leisurely breakfast which started around 9am which ended around noon!!! After Zuhur, we drove up to Abg Lan's place in Sg Buloh for some lawatan balas. Fantastic spaghetti carbonara awaits us there. Delicious. Later that night, cousin Anom and Nasir came over.

Day Three: Tummy ache. Akibat lupa diri on the first two days of Raya. Spending most of the day in bed trying to sleep off the pain. By night time, felt better and decided to go out for dinner at our favourite place Fig & Olive in Sunway Pyramid.

.... at our favorite makan place

Day Four: Busy day. Many more people came over. As we were already sick and tired of segala lemang rendang, Yan decided to serve nasi putih and masakan kampung this time. Delicious. People streamed into our homes from noon till quite late at night. Alhamdulillah.

it's good to see the guests polished off our spread...

Day Five: Did absolutely nothing. Except late at night, went out to buy bercucuk satay ayam at USJ8. Sedap la pulak.

Day Six: Woke up very late. Then realised that I've to go to work today. Kelam kabut satu round. Alas, walked into the office dengan selambanya at 11.30am!!!! Went to Solat Jumaat at the Taman Desa mosque. Whoaaaa, masjid kosong. Apparently, many people are still in kampung and on leave. But the khutbah, with its multimedia presentation and all, is very humbling. MasyaAllah! After work, went to raya at my brother's place in USJ3.

Day Seven: Busy day. Before noon, drove to Cheras to attend majlis merisik Nisah, our niece! The rombongan sebelah lelaki came on time and as the only available uncle, was entrusted with the duty to represent the soon to be bride's side. Stammer my way through successfully. And then it was lunch feast. Makan lagik. Left soon after as another niece, Shida, was already on her way to our place. Reached home and Shida was already there. Chit chat some more. By 6pm, made our way to my uncle's place in Shah Alam for Raya open house do. Makan lagik....oooh heaven!!!

with Mak Su and Ayah Chu

Day Eight: More tetamu came over. Long lunch and Yan baked cream cheese carrot cake, my favourite. And, yes I seriously need to start my puasa enam soon. Tomorrow, perhaps?

So, that's my raya this year. Thus far....

Salam Aidil Fitri 1430/2009

The food to our soul is hope. The delights of our heart, happiness. As we closed another Ramadan chapter, InsyaAllah we have brought hope and happiness onto others. When done, , the journey of realisation will give hope to have our own happiness., beyond any physical pleasures. Spare yourself a thought. Salam Aidil Fitri to all. Have a Grand Raya. Maaf Zahir dan Batin!

Raya dulu-dulu!!!

I was revisiting old entries of this blog and was reading my previous Raya entries when it struck me that I now have a rather vague recollection of my Raya experiences especially when I was smaller and younger.

So out came the old photo albums where I searched for old Raya photos. Unfortunately, there were not that many photos and certainly none when I was in the primary school years. The fact is I really do not remember much about how I spent my Raya with my parents and brothers - except that we usually would drive to my Opah's place in Lahat (near Ipoh) after the solat Raya and on the second day of Raya, my Bapak's mum and siblings would be coming down to our place in Temoh for some serious Raya "lepak" session. That went on for many years, ever after my Bapak's passing.

Here are some of my Raya of yesteryears that I managed to .. err... salvage:

First Raya with Alia

Then Asma came along the next year (just check out her hairdo)

... and Arissa appeared the next year (us with Mak Temoh in Temoh)

Cousins - Safia, Ina, Alia, Asma, Soraya holding Adam with Arissa sleeping peacefully.

Bapak's siblings and gang used to come down to Temoh every second Raya ... so much so it became a must tradition that went on for many years (pix in mid 90s, probably Raya1996)

And of course before that, all of us would gather at Opah's place on the first day of Raya (this pix taken on Raya 1986)

However...one of my most favourite Raya happened in 1993... when I got engaged on the second day..

My family getting ready with the hantaran pertunangan before making their way to Kampar...

to sarung the cincin to this beautiful lady

I didn't go though... the rombongan left for Kampar and I went to sleep. This is me after they all got back from Kampar. Happy man!



As for Raya with kawan-kawan, we normally visited each the on the thrid or fourth day of Raya... like this Raya in 1983 when my Form 6 buddies came over to my place in Temoh. Those good old days!!!!!

Buka Puasa Feast ... and we don't need fancy hotel buffet to enjoy it.

Iftar is definitely a happy time. These past two days we had guests over for iftar. And the wife together with our delightful Kak Encik (Yan's cousin) cooked up a storm that all enjoyed immensely. Let's the photos explain....

Sunday...

The chef and the cook

Sibs - Nisah and Affan

The host and the guest

The mom and the bro

The lauks - ayam masak merah, lemak keli belimbing, kari daging, hati lembu rendang and sayur campur

The mascot???? The cucu!!!

The appetiser and the desserts - yummm yummy

The fruits

Saturday...

Sessi bertemu menantu

The guests

Appetiser - Mee rebus

The dessert

More desserts

Alhamdulillah!

Just remember that you have many gifts

Our dearest Asma,
As you turned 14, it is also a time to rejoice that you have remained in Allah SWT’s perfect protection in all forms and ways starting with your health, beauty and intellect and ending with the days he has allotted you unhampered by crippling disease and or lack or loss of intelligence.

We are so deliriously happy to see you all grown up and we pray that you will before making every decision big or small make a prayer to ask Allah for His guidance, help and blessings.

We pray that you ask Allah SWT to give you at all times guidance, the ability and desire to follow His guidance (The Quran), wisdom to understand its beauty and its markers, Afiyah which is an all enveloping protection from Him both in this world and the next.

Just remember that you have many gifts, some you are aware of while some you will become aware of as they unfold. Do remember that they are all from Allah and use them in the path of Allah.

We pray for your health, your protection, and for your happiness. Always. We are here to love you and support you in your journey. May you always feel the gentle cloak of Allah’s Love and Rahmat on your shoulders.

Love and prayers for you always! Happy 14th Birthday, Asma!

Amin.

From,

Mak and Bapak!

There Is No Map To The Journey Of Life.

Way back in 1979, around this time of the year, I was just a Form Three pupil preparing for my SRP. As I was not a particularly brilliant nor was I a ‘rajin’ student, the fact that I barely sneaked into Form Four later was indeed a huge personal victory. Studying and taking exam are clearly not me!

And what do you know, exactly 30 years on, here I am staring at PMR (again!) - that all-important exam for the 15-years olds in the country.

Yes, my Alia is 15 this year. Thanks to my beautiful eldest daughter, I am relieving those nerve-wrecking moments of 1979 again and again. In fact, we celebrated her birthday on August 10 recently.

Of course, it feels it was only yesterday when we brought her home from the clinic and I was hovering anxiously around my wife trying to help her gave our baby her first bath. Today, we still hover around our eldest daughter – “urging” her to study and to do her chores.

We celebrated her birthday (and her sister’s Asma as well as both are August girls) by having a makan-makan at New York, New York Deli in One Utama recently. An okay lah joint! 2-in-one celebration.... jimat duit this year!!

Anyway, here’s a poem for my Gegenemaye:

There Is No Map To The Journey Of Life.

There is no book to the journey of life, and the road you are destined be mother or wife, will seem at times to have bedrock of fear but never forget sweat pea, I am always near.

Watch for the souls who like trees root in soil, for fear that there heart is the thing they will spoil. Don’t let them lead you to alleys of dark, where you’ll be forced to protect your light and your heart.

Some live as victors and challenge the past, some never get there and live as a cast. I know of life that the road is not clear, but you have your bapak Alia, I am always here.

There is no map to the journey of life, so live to be whole, not just girlfriend or wife. Souls like ours need pasture & plane, and your soul my girl will be restless, again and again.

As you journey ahead your spirit will speak, it is for home you are heading, it is home that you seek. Where that is only you can find, let your heart lead the way and just follow behind.

While I am out here ahead in some way, I hope the signs I write, you’ll find on your way. Read them and do what you will, at the end of the day its your heart to fulfill.

If there was a book to the journey of life, yours would be bound with the pain of my strife. It would heal and protect and ease your pain, and help you find your feet again.

The words would be written with the depth of my love and never forget I am with you, be it here on earth while I’m still alive or even after I’m gone.

Choose your obsessions...

(Life has been somewhat "hectic" emotionally and otherwise lately... then I stumbled upon this poem. Interesting!)

Choose your obsessions
For they are unworthy possessions
Trojan horses
They bind you
Without you realizing
They hinder your natural design
And make you completely blind

Choose your obsessions
For they are unworthy possessions;
They are the weeds,
You; yourself choose to grow.
Some seeds are rotten..
Still you keep them, them, you don’t throw.

And after the tsunami
You wonder why you were destroyed
By; your own army…

Choose your obsessions
For they are unworthy possessions;
They determine; the extent of your regression…
Although we must All have some,
Eggs turn into chickens
Choose your obsessions
For they are impressions
Which can determine your future
& Tomorrow’s positions
The journey; and the final decision.

Choose your obsessions
For they are unworthy possessions

by Siddharth Anand

Tennis 101

For some really strange reason, I love watching tennis, particularly the Grand Slam over the television. But of course, I don’t play tennis. (tried it in college for a while ... but never got the hang of it, though).

I think tennis is the sole purpose why we subscribed to sports channel over Astro. Because I don’t do EPL or err football, that’s for sure. Which I guess is a good thing for the rest of isi rumah as I won’t be fighting for the remote control except during Grand Slams.

Anyway seeing that I was kinda glued to the telly earlier this month watching the Wimbledon, the wife decided to finally join me and learn a little bit about the games. Now, for a newcomer, understanding how the points are accumulated in tennis can be a bit confusing and tedious. Come to think of it... memang pun!!!! So it took us (Asma and me) a while to make Yan understand the whole concept of tennis.

However, by the time the singles’ finals were underway, I’m happy to note that Yan has finally able to grasp the whole thing. Which let us to these two conversations:

Ladies Singles Final
Serena Williams was clearly dominating the game, much to Yan’s dismay who for some reason (she thinks Venus more better looking????) was rooting for the older sibling.

Yan: Ish ish kenapa ngan Venus ni hari ni?
Asma: Oh dia ada masalah kewangan tu!!!!!!
(I love my daughter!!)

Men’s Singles Final
As Federer and Roddick battling out point-by-point and set-by-set, Yan was watching very intently.

Yan: Okay, I know. If the score reach 6-6, then both will go into tea-break!
Us: (Ketawa berguling-guling)

(I simply love my wife!!!)

Smile... yes just keep on smiling!!!

It has been rather a trying two weeks for me but life goes on...

And when I watched Jermaine Jackson sang this song at the memorial, it brought back many memories. I believe this is one of my almarhum Bapak and mak's favourite song. This and Tudung Periuk. Anyway, Happy 74th Birthday to Mak. And I miss Bapak! We all do!

Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though it's breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll see the sun come shining through for you

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile


(Note: Pix taken about a year before Bapak's passing. Possibly the last picture taken of him with Mak at our place in Temoh, prompting Asma to say that house (or rather the decor) still looks the same today. Hmmm).

Laskar Pelangi - Membuka Mata, MengusikJiwa

Sejujurnya saya tidak mengetahui bahawa Laskar Pelangi itu sebenarnya adalah sebuah novel tulisan Andrea Hirata yang kemudiannya diadaptasi menjadi sebuah flem atas judul sama lewat tahun 2008. Dan sejarah perfileman tercipta bilamana filem itu muncul menjadi filem pecah panggung paling laris di Indonesia. Ever.

Yang saya tahu Laskar Pelangi adalah sebuah lagu dendangan kumpulan Indonesia Nidji yang menjadi kesukaan isteri saya. Memang lagunya merdu lantas saya jua amat menyukainya. Namun seperti lagu-lagu lain saya tidak begitu memerhatikan baris lirik lagu itu. Saya mendengar sekadar untuk merasa tehibur.

Sehinggalah pada Mei lalu saya singgah di blog sahabat siber saya Saudara Feisal (matsalo.blogspot.com) yang bekerja di Indonesia dan betapa beliau menyukai filem ini. Ini membuatkan saya menjadi teruja untuk menonton filem ini. Saya ada juga ternampak novel Laskar Pelangi ini di geri PTS sewaktu menjenguk Pesta Buku Antarabangsa di PWTC April lalu. Namun saya ini umpama orang Melayu lupa diri yang lebih meminati novel-novel berbahasa Inggeris hanya sekadar memandang sahaja.

Sebenarnya buku ini adalah tetralogi buku karya Andrea berkenaan kisah masa muda beliau di Belitong itu sendiri. Buku berikutnya adalah Sang Pemimpi, Edensor dan Maryamah Karpov. Buku ini juga tercatat sebagai buku sastera Indonesia terlaris sepanjang sejarah.

Dua hari selepas saya menonton Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen yang mengujakan sangat dan ketika saya di bawah sedar masih terbayang-bayang peperangan hebat antara puak Autobots dan Decipticon, tiba-tiba ada rakan baru dari alam siber memberitahu bahawa Laskar Pelangi The Movie boleh di download di Internet.

Makanya malam itu saya bersama Asma, anak dara nombor dua saya, berjaga lewat menonton Laskar Pelangi. Verdictnya? Without a doubt, one of the best films ever.

Tiba-tiba keterujaan saya terhadap babak peperangan antara mesin dalam filem Transformers hilang lenyap setelah menonton filem ini. Kini apa yang berlegar di pandangan saya dan di fikiran saya, hanyalah 10 orang anak-anak di sebuah kepulauan kecil di Selatan Sumatera lewat tahun 70an yang menangis, ketawa, bermain dan menyusuri hidup susah amat sambil terus-terusan menimba ilmu pendidikan. Novel ini bercerita tentang kehidupan 10 anak dari keluarga miskin yang bersekolah (SD dan SMP) di sebuah sekolah Muhammadiyah di pulau Belitong yang penuh dengan keterbatasan.

Dipimpin dengan penuh kasih sayang oleh guru besar Pak Harfan serta guru wanita cekal Bu Muslimah, 10 kanak-kanak ini adalah:

• Ikal – watak Andrea Hirata Seman itu sendiri.
• Lintang; Lintang Samudra Basara bin Syahbani Maulana Basara
• Sahara; N.A. Sahara Aulia Fadillah binti K.A. Muslim Ramdhani Fadillah
• Mahar; Mahar Ahlan bin Jumadi Ahlan bin Zubair bin Awam
• A Kiong (Chau Chin Kiong); Muhammad Jundullah Gufron Nur Zaman Syahdan; Syahdan Noor Aziz bin Syahari Noor Aziz
• Kucai; Mukharam Kucai Khairani
• Borek aka Samson
• Trapani; Trapani Ihsan Jamari bin Zainuddin Ilham Jamari
• Harun; Harun Ardhli Ramadhan bin Syamsul Hazana Ramadhan

Oh ya, mereka kini kawan baik saya!!!

Filem ini punya segala-galanya bagi saya. Lakonan mantap, lakon layar berkualiti tinggi, runut bunyi membuai emosi dan sinematografi nan indah. Sebagai seorang yang juga membesar di tahun 70an di sebuah petempatan penuh bijih timah, kehidupan di Belitong yang melatari cerita ini agak serupa dengan latar belakang zaman kanak-kanak saya. Lalu saya amat memahami. Walau hidup saya tidak sesusah anak-anak di Belitong ini (kerana selayaknya hidup saya lebih mirip dengan anak-anak di Gidong – penempatan orang-orang lebih berada di sana), namun paparan Laskar Pelangi amat dekat dengan hati. Syukur di tempat saya anak-anak tidak disekat untuk bergaul walau berbeda kelas penghidupan.Malah kami bersekolah dan bermain bersama.

Kembali kepada filem ini, garapan ceritanya amat meruntun emosi maka saya pasti anda akan ketawa terbahak dan mengalir air mata tersentuh rasa di sepanjang perjalanan flem ini. Kalau anda pernah menonton Slumdog Millionaire yang menang banyak Oscar itu, Laskar Pelangi ini pada pendapat saya adalah lebih baik. Jauh lebih baik.

Saya tidak punya apa yang boleh diperkatakan lagi. Cuma saya hairan amat kenapa cerita sebegini hebat tidak ditayangkan di Malaysia sampai hari ini. Malah DVDnya juga tidak ada lagi dijual di sini (tetapi dengarnya sudah lama ada di Singapura).

Apapun, keesokan paginya, setelah isteri saya bersama kakak dan ibunya bertolak ke Kuala Pilah, saya mengajak ketiga-tiga anak dara saya dan terus saya memandu laju ke MPH di One Utama untuk membeli novel Laskar Pelangi serta Sang Pemimpi. Buku lain sudah kehabisan stok. Dan novelnya – diadaptasi dengan baik sekali oleh PTS untuk pasaran Malaysia - itu sudah membuatkan saya kembali insaf dan kini mencintai sepenuhnya bahan bacaan bahasa Melayu.

Bapak: Pergi beli dan bacalah Laskar Pelangi. Anda pasti akan merasa lebih berinspirasi. Tidak banyak buku yang dapat melakukah hal sedemikian. Dan kalau boleh tonton filemnya jugak... susah mahu jumpa filem yang boleh mengalirkan pelbagai rasa emosi seperti ini. A+ dari saya.

The original Laskar Pelangi

RIP Mr Jackson

It was in 1983 I think. My friends (I can't really recall but it must be Azmy, Baha, Amran and Zamri waiting for a movie to start at 3pm at the nearby Cathay) and I were having lunch at one of the stalls in Padang Kanak-Kanak in Ipoh, when I saw a Jukebox. I decided that the place could do with some music and so I made my way to the machine. I was browsing through the selections of music when I chanced upon a song that I've read in the newspapers which apparently was already huge hit in the US. Unfortunately, in ancient time Malaysia (unlike today), such hit songs would take their own sweet time to come to Malaysian airwaves. So naturally I chose the song.

Listening it for the first time then, I remembered vividly my friends asking me then: "Lagu apa ko pilih ni Mior???" But I was hook, line and sinker. The beat was simply infectious. And thus began my fascination with the singer's beautiful music and to a certain extent, his eccentricities. Oh yes, the song was Beat It by Michael Jackson.

And today the music dies. RIP Michael. And Al-Fatihah. (he converted to Islam last year)

Sometimes a movie can be ridiculously crazy.. like this one!

Movie reviewers in the States are basically up in arms against Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen saying that it is empty, hollow, an assault on the senseless, and brainless. Sheesh, what's with these people!!!!!

I only have one word - FREAKING AWESOME! (oooh okay its two words). Now I'm too pumped up to sleep. Gotta have another go at the movie, I guess.

When Aidil Met Zara

Aidil, the handsome active guy, finally met Zara, the ohhh so beautiful and graceful girl and they hit it off together. Kami yang tua-tua riuh-rendah seronok ... as usual. Aaaaah ....babies...
(Both pix were taken last weekend at my bro-in law home in Cheras using my old battered phone ... hence the quality.)

The sound of .... my animated Arissa

Arissa, my youngest, is pretty creative, I believe. And resourceful too. During last
December long holiday she took it upon herself to learn anime-related graphics
and some easy video editing stuff.
She has created quite a few and this one is the latest. Of course as a Bapak,
I'm mighty proud. Now if only she listens to me more....

One hot Saturday... ada tetamu and ada orang kahwin

It was really hot and humid yesterday. And by 5 pm I was already floored... exhausted giler. I still can't think clearly and decided to go Yanged (Kakak, see you are a noun!!!) with this entry. So here goes a rather detailed happenings for the day...

6.45am: Wife woke me up ... in time for Subuh prayer.

7.03am: Refrigerator visit.. minum ayor sejuk. And then say hi to Yan's cousin Kak Encik and her husband Abang Din in the living room. They were watching TV. They came on Thursday nite and it was fun having them over, as usual.

7.05am: Decided not to watch the TV3 Motivasi Pagi with them, went back to my bedroom and switched on the Internet. Blog hopping! And of course, Facebooking!!!

7.16am: Yan came in and asked me to google pancake recipe. Okay, our breakfast would be pancake, obviously.

7.33am: Breakfast. Ooh got nasi goreng too. Yipee!!!

7.33am - 8.20am: Eating and chit chatting away with my tetamu. Can't recalled what we were talking about though. Hmm, getting old.

8.21am: Asked Hadim (Kak Encik's youngest son) to join me watching Diversity on youtube. I should be getting money for promoting Diversity, no? Then his brother Afiq also joined us. Last-last semua dah ada depan PC.

9.15am: Kak Encik's family left for Bangi to visit her second son Wan. (Hmm I don't even know his full name. Note: must ask Yan later).

9.30am: Back in front of a PC. Yan was dozing off in front of a TV. The kids were having breakfast.

10.a00am - 10.30am: All were getting ready to go to Kuala Pilah for Yone and Azri's wedding reception.

10.33am: Left home. Figured will be in time to join the rest in Kuala Pilah by 12 something. Took the KLIA highway (or is it the PLUS highway?)

1040am: The drive was smooth. Should be on time....

11.07am: Approaching the Nilai exit at the KL-Seremban highway and oooo oooo traffic jam. Damn!

11.40am: Traffic was RIDICULOUS. We were inching away. Just passed the Nilai exit.

12.38 noon: Reached Seremban. God. More than an hour from Nilai to Seremban.

12.50 noon: Exited via Senawang. Oh no.... so many traffic lights.

12.53 noon: Swung into Petronas Mesra. Beli roti... sudah lapor.

1.07 pm: Reached Bukit Putus. (for the record: this is our first time to Kuala Pilah) and it felt like we were going to Cameron Highlands instead.

1.18pm: Thank God, that stretch didn't drag on. Before long, after Ulu Bendul, it was ... urm .. normal route again.

1.30 pm: Noticed there're stalls selling daging salai, ayam salai among others along the way. Interesting. Made mental note to buy those on our way back nanti.

1.45pm: Reached outskirt of Kuala Pilah town. Received call from Anom enquiring where we were. They were eating already.

1.46pm: Asked Yan to read the map on the invitation card. She asked Asma instead sebab takut bagi salah direction and thus incurring the wrath of the driver..

1.50pm: Got confused after the junction.

1.52pm: Stopped at one kampung house. Asked for direction.

1.53pm: Got direction.. drove off and alhamdulillah found the rumah kenduri.

2.04pm: The rombongan were almost done with the makan-makan... so we took our turn. Lapar. And the food was heavenly... bayangkan daging masak lomak, among others.

2.10pm: As I was eating away happily, suddenly my aunt Achik promised that she'll give a baju batik (size S lagik) if I'm successful with my Biggest Loser effort. I just blinked and said to myself, "What Biggest Loser? I'm eating now!!!!"

2.30pm: Then took photos here and there. But it was hot.. really really hot. Imagine the pengantin in their songket berlapis bagai.

3.05pm: Left Azri's home.

3.18pm: Reached Kuala Pilah town. Yan snapped some photos for the benefit of her niece .. Nurul... who would soon become a full-fledged Kuala Pilah resident.

3.35pm: Stopped to buy the daging salai... also some dodol.

4.15pm: Reached the PKLUS highway via Senawang. Traffic was not as bad as in the morning. But it was still hot... no its hotter... even with air-cond in full blast.

5.03pm: Reached home. Exhausted. The heat was rather unbearable. Mandi, solat and then zzzzzzzzzzz........

9pm: Alia and Asma woke me up... they were hungry, apparently.

9.20pm: Left home with family in search of food.

10.35pm: Back home. Switched on Internet. And air cond!!!! aaaah lega!!!

All in all, the day went rather well. It was great having Kak Encik and family as usual. It was good to be able to join the rest in Kuala Pilah, despite the heat and the horrendous traffic. Here are some photos from Kuala Pilah:

Kak and abang ipar pengantin... Anom and Nasir. Kat Penang hari tu lupa nak amik gambarq.

Arissa, Asma, Yone and Alia

The anak-anak gadis and seorang teruna with the pengantin

The bride's family

Hari ni lupa nak amik gambar dua orang... so tuan-puan will have to make do with this one... hehehe