16 Days Since My Last Update! Whoa!

Plenty happened in the last 16 days. The elusive meetings that I have been planning is finally almost here. Come 2nd and 9th April there will be 2 big meetings with over 30 papers in the agenda. I am right now tracking it down with over half have been submitted.

Okay back to the last 16 days. The other day I attended a Weekend Leadership Seminar meeting a whole hall full of motivated people. More of that later. I could not attend the Community Security Meeting and the Gotong Royong (community work) as I was taking care of my kids. My wife had some function that she was catering. And then it was the Weekend Leadership Seminar! Man, am I stoked!

Attended 2 subsidiary Board meetings, one on 18th March and one on 26th March, someone once told me that it is not a good idea to hold meetings on Monday. I believe her now. It was 2 difficult meetings. Then on 19th and 20th March I attended a seminar to earn my CPE points. 16 points obtained. Done!

On the 23rd March I attended wife's cousin's wedding. Food was not bad. Fan was not working, were stewing and slowly melting. Suddenly my father-in-law invited me for the Formula 1 on Sunday 24th March. It was Formula 1 week. And what a day. Vettel won, with Webber second and Hamilton third but not before a drama where Vettel ignored team orders and overtook Webber and again not before Alonso cam aground on the 1st or 2nd lap. But when you are actually there you are oblivious to this unless you sit in front of a screen if not, all you do is watch the cars pass you by every few minutes. It got a little dull and hot and by the time I realised it, it was already chequered flag!

But I took some cool photos. Here they are:

The Sepang International Circuit - Formula 1 Grand Prix 23-25 March 2013

Caught some of the spectators at the paddock

The Grid Girls

The Paddock

The Grid Girls again.

Grid Girl

The teams preparing for the start of the race.

The Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak and former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad

Standing to Negaraku - Malaysia's National Anthem

Some spectator at the paddock

Grid Girls

Grid Girls overlooking the podium

The Podium

The Podium with the Prime Minister waiting for the winner

Winners arriving. That is Hamilton I believe.

The winners at the podium Hamilton, Vettel and Webber

Prime Minister quickly running away from the soon to come champagne shower

The champagne shower

That was last week. Now on Thursday seemed like a lifetime away as again I am struggling to get the papers out as some of my colleagues are not diligent enough to get the papers out on time even though they had plenty of time to prepare for the looming meetings. Wonder what others do in my situation. Never had it so bad compared to my previous jobs. Oh yes, on Monday I was on leave. Sent the car the windscreen replaced. Seems to hear a rattling sound or it could be my pack of Eclipse. The windscreen cracked when a small stone hit it. Managed to have our crab again at the Pangkor Village. Lovely indeed.

I am all over the place today. Right after Formula 1, went to an office party of a dear friend who is part of the family. It was also her 50th birthday. She have done so much for the family. A lot to be thankful and grateful for. Then it was Monday. Managed to take the children to play at Kidz Sports and Gym. Total surprise for them. They had a wonderful time. The boy even made friends.

Also managed to arrange for a tinting appointment on Sunday at Cool World. Saw the job they did on my wife's car. Impressive. Now it is my turn. It is 2 years overdue anyway and it is getting hot. Cool world is at http://www.coolworld.com.my/.

I am still waiting for the papers and it is already 7:30 p.m. I am hungry but I am on a forced strict diet. No heavy meals at night just fruits and one main meal for lunch. Not sure if it will work without exercise. Speaking of exercise that will probably be my next topic.

Sad day for Malaysia

Royal Malaysian Police

In the last 24-48 hours our nation have lost over 7 policemen with more injured due to an incursion by Sulu intruders claiming to be representative of the Sultan of Sulu. This is to enforce a claim over Sabah a Malaysian sovereign state in the north of Borneo. At one time they were known as North Borneo. Details of their claim and arguments for an against can be read here http://anotherbrickinwall.blogspot.com/2013/03/get-facts-right.html and here http://globalnation.inquirer.net/66281/north-borneo-sabah-an-annotated-timeline-1640s-present.

I am not about to go into who is right and who is wrong and who instigated it and so forth. There is already enough being said all over the globosphere in the internet and elsewhere. I have even said my piece in many of these places. What I want to write is the needless loss of lives of members of Malaysia's security forces in a foolhardy attempt to lay claim to a foregone conclusion. Of course the timing too raises a few eyebrows and makes one go hmmmmm....

I just had lunch with my mum when we discussed on the moments when we thought my father perished in a helicopter that was shot down by rocket fire. I will look at my dad's memoirs to see what he wrote on this.

Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja

My dad was not from the police but he was from the Royal Malay Regiment or Rejimen Askar Melayu Diraja. This is their crest. This is some of their history http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Malay_Regiment.

He was in the 5th,9th,6th,8th,3rd and 23rd RMR, in that order.

Anyway below is the chronology of the sad events still beleaguering Malaysia. I took this from Bernama. Thank you Bernama.

Feb 12 - A group of men in army fatigues, believed to be armed, land on the shores of Lahad Datu.

Feb 14 - Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar identifies the group as comprising Filipinos. The group claims to be linked to the so-called 'Sulu Sultanate' from southern Philippines.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak says, the Malaysian Government will try its best, including via negotiations, to handle the issue of intrusion before ousting them from the area.

Feb 16 - Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein confirms the group is not a militant or terrorist group but is in fact, a strong supporter of the so-called Sulu Sultanate. He stresses the situation in Kampung Tanduo where the group is located, is under control.             

Feb 18 - Hishammuddin says, the governments of Malaysia and the Philippines are working closely to resolve the conflict, through diplomacy without bloodshed.

Feb 24 - The Philippine Government sends a boat under humanitarian mission to ferry the 180 Filipino armed personnel, including 30 guards, who are holding up in Lahad Datu, Sabah since Feb 12.        

Feb 26 - The deadline to expel the group passes but negotiations are still in progress.

Feb 28 - The Malaysian Government is urged to negotiate directly with a 'Sultan Jamalul Kiram III' in Manila to end the conflict of seizing the area in Lahad Datu, Sabah which has prolonged for more than three weeks.

March 1 - Two policemen, ASP Zulkifli Mamat and Sgt Sabarudin Daud, are slain while 12 armed intruders are shot dead in a gunbattle between the group and security forces in Kampung Tanduo.

March 2 - Six policemen are killed in an ambush at the 'water village' of Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul, Semporna. In the incident at 8pm, six of the armed intruders are also killed.

March 3 - The bodies of six policemen are taken out of the 'water village' as security forces come to the rescue of 19 policemen in the village. 

March 4 - Philippine Foreign Affairs Under Secretary Jose Brillantes and Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia J. Eduardo Malaya are reported to have met Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein to seek a peaceful resolution.

The IGP stresses that security in Kunak, Sandakan and Semporna in Sabah is under control.

Police release list of six police officers and men killed in the ambush in Semporna, Sabah.

March 5 (7am) - Security forces mount operation as they launch attack using F-18 and Hawk fighter jets on group of armed intruders at Kampung Tanduo in Lahad Datu, Sabah, followed by army and police follow-up operations and searches in the village area.

(8am) - The prime minister says the government must take appropriate action to protect its dignity and the country's sovereignty as demanded by the people as the efforts to avoid bloodshed in Lahad Datu was unsuccessful.

(11am) - The IGP, in a media conference with Armed Forces Chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mod Zin, describes the operation, 'Ops Daulat', as achieving the objectives set.

(1.30pm) - The home minister, in a press conference with the defence minister, confirms the security forces did not suffer casualties or injuries.

(4pm) - The IGP holds a press conference to announce that follow-up operation and search are ongoing as the police believe the enemy is still in the area.

As at 7pm, the police have not confirmed the total number of armed intruders dead, injured or captured. -- Bernama

Read more: Chronology of armed group intrusion in Lahad Datu - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/chronology-of-armed-group-intrusion-in-lahad-datu-1.229301#ixzz2MrnbrrWM

Nothing more to say for now. Deeply saddened by what transpired.

Had a scare...

Hospital Angkatan Tentera Tuaku Mizan

Early yesterday morning received a call from my mum at 5:00 a.m asking me to take my dad to the hospital. His prostate is acting up again and he have not been able to relieve himself properly. Quickly had a shower and did my prayers and took him to the Emergency at the Military Hospital Tuanku Mizan. After around 20 minutes they saw him and gave him a shot of Frusemide which is a muscle relaxant. Took time but finally he managed to relieve himself. We returned home and I went on to work. I thought that was that. At 11:00 a.m my wife called me saying that my mum (who is not well herself) is driving my dad to the hospital again because he is still feeling a lot of discomfort. First I am concerned that he is going to the hospital again and then because my mum is driving. My dad is 72 this year while my mum is 68 this year.

Taken from www.webmd.com

I quickly rushed to the hospital. When I arrived they had already fixed a catheter to my dad and he was not comfortable. We had lunch and then went to the Urology Unit in Hospital Kuala Lumpur for what he thought was his appointment. Apparently we were told his appointment is on 26 March and not 26 February and we were advised to keep the tube there for 2 weeks. I am not too pleased as the tube is just a temporary solution. I wanted a better solution. Since the tube was put in temporarily we had to return to Hospital Tuanku Mizan again to put a tube that is able to last for 2 weeks. It was almost 4:00 p.m by that time when I returned home.

I was still tinkering with my repeater set-up still not working effectively. When I got a little sleepy and went up to take a nap. I never did take my nap as I received a message from a former colleague of mine in a past life who told me that some of our colleagues in our working place has been suspended due to some poison pen letters or some malicious blog. Quickly I updated our Group and there was a frenzy exchange of indignant remarks. I will call one of the ex colleagues later today. For now I have a meeting to attend. I will just leave with what is prostate. I am taking this from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate and Medline Plus http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/prostatediseases.html. 

I will add on later on how to prevent prostate diseases since I want to know myself.

What a week

Abdul Nasi Briyani Batu Pahat Power

For reasons unknown last week was a tiring week for me. First my colleague brought us to Abdul Nasi Briyani Power. Its nasi beriani Batu Pahat. It is located here https://foursquare.com/v/abdul-briyani-power-batu-pahat/4cc7c3d1be874688138380af. Really good stuff. And that was on Tuesday. 

Low Sang

On Thursday my assistant and I hosted the ladies from our Shareholders to Gong Xi Fa Cai lunch at Unique Seafood in Citta Mall. Here https://foursquare.com/v/restoran-unique-seafood-subang/4f656b64e4b0e78c018a1422. Many many course meals, mainly seafood of course, unfortunately service was a little slow because there were too many people. The Low Sang (Mix Raw) or Yee Sang was done at the end instead of at the beginning since they have been misplaced..... This is the Yee Sang. The idea is to toss as high as possible while mixing for prosperity.

On Friday as a return gesture the ladies invited us for Low Sang at their office. There was also Lion Dance as well. Example of a lion dance. There was a pair. I did not bring my camera and my Blackberry takes lousy pics. Some lion dance includes various acrobatic moves this just involved eating oranges. The line for food was deemed too long so my old friend who worked there invited me to join them for nasi beriani at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail mosque. Nasi beriani again, his treat. So cannot really say no can I? Went there, did the damage, did the prayers, hang around his office for a short while bitching about stuff.

On Saturday my wife had to do some dessert table at Ikano Power Centre (IPC) in Mutiara Damansara. There were so much stuff and the cake was sooooo huge I had to help to send her. Parking there is atrocious. Once I dropped her off at the parking drop off I went for a 2 and a half hours of bliss i.e. reflexology in Damansara Utama then returned to pick her up.

Contemplating on buying a new television. Heart almost set on the Philips 3D TV. Good stuff. This one. My wife was very hungry. Picked up the children from in-laws place and went to Sakura Kristal in Taman Melawati for dinner. This is their blog. http://sakura-kristal.blogspot.com/. Never disappoints except for a little issue with lemonade that apparently was not sold in those giant mugs. But when told that I ordered exactly the same just a week before finally they relented. Was just about the call the cook, the sailor and the candle stick maker if I cannot get my gigantic mug of lemonade.

Sunday. My wife was all set to have our anniversary meal in Pangkor Village for the chilli crab and fried buns but it was closed on Sunday. Strange must be doing roaring business that it can afford to close for a whole day. So decided to go to Citta Mall instead again to Unique Seafood. Not as many people this time so we ordered chilli crab and the fried buns, which to my wife's delight they also have. My son had his homemade sizzling tofu and my daughter her lemon chicken without any lemon. It was yummeh! Delightful except for when they accosted us with the bill as they close at 3:00 p.m. With my fingers still sodden with the gravy I am a little annoyed that they can be so crass, what can we expect when you rely on foreign workers.

After that went to Time Square to get my son his school bag. He have gone through 4 bags in 9 months. Time Square have got good choice for bags but we are not fond of Time Square. Something about the aura there....Then we went to Festival City Mall to make my glasses. Not cheap at all. Settled for one at A Look. I love A Look the staff there is very polite and patient wherever we went. First went to A Look back when we were in Johor Bahru and have not stopped since. http://www.a-look.com.my/. 

Our new Epson Printer

Then we went to All IT to look at printers. The old staff there is no longer around. Wanted to get laser printer with wifi but it is quite dear. For wife's business finally settled on an EPSON Photo Printer. Seems complicated so will take my time to install it. Since it is wifi will no longer need cables, yeehaaa! At the same time as well, looking at improving the wifi signal strength by doing some workaround, installing repeaters, home plug etc. Will update more later. For now the repeater is not behaving itself. That ends my week. See you again next week.

Sunday...need to wash car

While I contemplate about washing the car let me share the song I cannot get enough of. Enjoy. Walk by Foo Fighters.

The week that was

Tanjung Belanja, Parit, Perak

Petai

Inside the petai plant

It ended with being eventful. Drove on a day trip to Tanjung Belanja  in Perak for a relative's wedding. That's Tanjung Belanja, if you speed you will miss it. It used to be a ferry terminal to cross the river to get from one side to the other. They are cousins on my mother's paternal side. We entered through Bidor and stopped to buy petai or parkia speciosa.This is the petai tree. The inside looks like this.

We met relatives never met before and many others. It also shed some light on the mystery that is my great grandfather Raja Mahadi bin? (that's the mystery). I will add on the pictures some day. It is still in my camera and I am not too keen on opening my dry cabinet where I keep my cameras.

The handsome X6

We left Kuala Lumpur at 8:30 a.m. arrived there at 12:00 p.m. and by 3:00 p.m were on way home. Journey was not eventful except for an X6 that was racing with a Lamborghini. I love X6. I hope I can get it some day. Currently I am driving its lesser sibling....Alhamdulillah.

We arrived at 6:00 p.m and only then I checked my Blackberry Torch 9800. Because we shouldn't text while driving, a big no no. Saw the message and I was aghast. A very good old friend of mine just lost her father. He passed away at 3:00 p.m. Al Fatihah. Instantly I called my wife who was with the children at my in-laws place in Ampang. Se left the children there and came rushing home. The long journey and exhaustion forgotten we needed to be by my friend's side quickly and we left soon after I completed my Maghrib prayers. 

We got to Federal Hill not before a miss turn and quickly entered. She immediately stood up with her face terribly upset. A little squeeze from me and a hug from my wife we told her of how much we were sorry and cared for her. The remains of her father was placed in the direction of the Qiblat and everyone was on the floor reading the Yassin and other Quranic verses. Shortly representatives from the mosque came to begin the Tahlil.Tahlil is read among others when there is death in the family or when one wishes to remember and honour the memories and life of someone who have passed away.

Kuey Teow Kerang Wangsa Maju

We stayed for a short while and left at around 10:00 p.m. Stopped by Wangsa Maju for the delectable char kuey teow. There it is in the middle. The only one worth mentioning in my opinion. On its left serves satay, tauhu bakar and otak-otak. So far only tasted the tauhu bakar. Good stuff. It means grilled tofu. Here it is. And that was Sunday.

Leha Kelfood in Taman Melati

Example of laksam

Monday was a day of rest. Still the Chinese New Year holidays. Did nothing much. Went to have lunch at Leha Kelfood. Great food there. I had two helpings of laksam that did not help my figure ahems and ayam percik. 

Tuesday did a little more. Went to meet a friend over the Card Project. (more about that much later) in A&W. It was Coney Tuesday so had the Coney Dog and the root beer float which is a must for any visit to A&W. Went home and wife made nasi lemak with fried chicken and sambal petai (see above). Delectable.

Fusion Ara Damansara

Example of cantonese kuey teow

Wednesday. Did not feel like going to work. Traffic was smooth. Many still on holiday. Had lunch at Fusion Ara Damansara. Here it is. Food is wonderful here. Normally I would go for nasi goreng ayam dara, to die for, and last week I had their char kuey teow, so today I wanted to try their cantonese kuey teow. This is it. Look something like that. 

Thursday we worked on a big project paper for a humongous project. Still not getting anywhere but the message of how critical it was have been drummed into everyone. Colleague brought nasi lemak and murtabak Singapore from Johor Bahru. Lovely stuff.

Don't Retire, Rewire

Friday, still not getting anywhere with my work. The due diligence and audit teams is driving me nuts at how inefficient they are. Pity such big names in accounting and legal fraternity but how poor is their discipline. Maybe it is a reflection of Gen Y or Z or maybe that I am getting old and cranky. Still stuck with the book Don't Retire, Rewire. This book. Great book. Been dabbling on this retiring for a while now. The crankiness of the corporate world is getting to me and when I saw this book got my AHA moment. Why retire when you can rewire. So I visited my dear friend's SOHO (Small Office Home Office) and shared an idea of mine that's been bugging me all month. Then he called his brother and we got the picture together. With all our ideas put together it just might work. We call this Project Kakibut. He's going to put together a more definitive design next week while I work on the strategies. The Project Sepakmula is facing some obstacles. The Kakibut is tough but doable with something concrete.

We did our Friday prayers in Kelana Jaya not before we had our favourite chicken rice there.The he hooked me to this new game on Ipad called The Room, great stuff for mystery and history buffs like us.

Now it is Saturday and my mum is looking to get the Samsung Galaxy Note II and everyone wants to tag along. Looks like we are going to have lunch somewhere. Wonder where....

Okay wonder no more we had lunch at Chicken Rice Shop. Ordered the Prosperity Set C. Boy am I stuffed. My mum have not bought any but I swear there's conspiracy afoot. At every turn when we wanted to see Iphone 5 they would show us a carefully wrapped package with the words almost similar "sorry, we do not have a demo model, but we can show you the one in the package but you need to confirm that you are buying it first......". And I go eh? With Samsung we can see touch, scroll, hold, weigh anything we want but with Iphone? Even the Mac store does not sell telco stuff only the other stuff. Because of the size and its user friendliness my mum is all set to get the Iphone 5. Once she gets it I am sure my dad will follow suit....even though he swears that his basic Nokia is enough for him....I know he have been looking at the smart phones for a while now only the price is deemed prohibitive.....we shall see.....

In meantime this morning I started a couple of projects. The idea was to fix the curtain brackets at the children's room, to cut a recalcitrant padlock that I've misplaced the key and to lay out the cables to connect my Unifi box to my Iptv box. (These are in 2 separate homes.) I have sort of finished the brackets. Need to do another hole but not in the mood to grab my drills. Been trying to cut the padlock with a bolt cutter (why does CSI make it look so simple) and it is official! I am a wuss...weakling...sigh.....Even using a file took ages and I happen to have the wrong type of Swiss Army Knife that is without a file. Where did I put my old one I have no idea. And the cables are still neatly wound in a plastic bag. Been there for the last 6 months now? What happened to the old one? Mouse or mice that's what happened. And my wife is so cheesed off with them that she caught all 3 or 4 of them. I am not good at such things another long baby story.

So that's the week that was.

To a Child, Love Is Spelled T-I-M-E Movie

To a Child, Love Is Spelled T-I-M-E Movie: I'm hopeful that this movie will make you stop and think a bit today about what is TRULY important. It is a remindeder of how crucial it is to "be there" for the important people in your life, and if you're a parent...you know there's really no one more important than your children.

I forgot I had a Blog!

Its just after the Chinese New Year Holidays, welcome to the year of the snake. I just checked and just realised that the last time I wrote was on 28 November 2007. A lot have happened since then. I changed jobs twice in 2008 and 2009. My daughter was born in 2008. I moved homes a few times. First from Kuala Terengganu to Johor Bahru in 2008. Then from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur in 2009. And again in 2010 moved within the housing estate to be closer to my parents. How close? I am now their neighbour.

I originally planned for this blog to be my ramblings about everything and anything. Suddenly I received an email from my mother. She sent me this. http://www.lifesecretsonline.com/blog/2013/01/27/LoveIsSpelledTime/?Id=83420. Still figuring out how to add the video here. And suddenly it hits me. I want this blog to be my journal. Every single day until I breathe my last breath I will write about my daily happenings even if it is just one word.

A day in the life of an ordinary man, son, brother, husband, father, cousin, nephew, uncle, subordinate, superior, commuter, driver, colleague, customer, friend. We are many things to different people in our lives and we impact their lives in turn no matter how brief or fleeting.

If anyone were to come across this blog, welcome, enjoy your stay.

Why people are always bent on disturbing the peace%2E%2E%2E%2E

Today its the 25 November 2007. Been reading the news from the mainstream and not so mainstream. I am very concerned for the well-being of my beloved Nation. First there was a group calling themselves Bersih demanding for free elections. As if the elections were never free i.e. it have always sided with the government of the day and not them. And yet they never say anything when they do win. All they do say "It is God's Will!", "The People has Spoken!" and when they do not? "PHANTOM VOTERS!" etc etc etc.

All I can say is if there was actually phantom voters, or vote rigging it only means that either their representative has not a good job or that their representatives themselves cannot be trusted. Having been actually involved in the election process and machinery I cannot see anyway that a vote can be rigged. Monitored, yes i.e. the vote is not confidential but rigged, unless they are David Blaine or David Copperfield, I do not see how.

Let me elucidate.

Let's say at the Ballotting Station there are 2 parties vying for the seat. Party A and Party B. In every Ballotting Room of the Ballotting Station, both Parties must place a representative that will be watching the voters and comparing their information against their own voters list to identify that there are no phantom voters or people who is suspect. Then they make sure that every voter places their voting slips into the ballot boxes.

At the end of the day both representatives will tally the number of slips used against number of slip unused and total it to make sure that it equals to the number printed for the ballotting room. Every slip has a number and it must correspond to the numbers on the booklet. Booklets issued is at random. After both agrees that the number is accurate, it is then resealed by both representatives and it will continue to be accompanied by both representatives until it reaches the counting centre.

After all this control, checks and balances, it is almost impossible for additional slips to be thrown in as the numbers of slips will be more then number used. It is pure nonsense. Same goes with changing the slips with another. It is not possible for you to know what slips will be used for which ballotting room and even more impossible for you to know how many voters will turn up.

Only thing that I do agree with Bersih is to extend the campaign period and to allow every Party access to the media. That should be allowed. They have a right to be heard. But if they say anything seditious, that is on their head. EC must play a huge role to monitor everyone to ensure that the elections will be and remain peaceful.

Ok. I have said my piece.

What about Hindraf? I dare not repeat what they want but to even question the Independence of Malaysia is going too far. Do not blame others for ones own failure to develop ones own race. Where will it end? Should the Malays sue Portugal and then Holland for colonising Malacca for beginning the era of colonisation? Should we then sue Thailand for allowing the Japanese army to have unhampered entry into Malaya? Why not sue China for supporting Commnunist Party Malaya?

It will never end. If you are so angry with UMNO or BN don't discount the sacrifices that the people has gone through to achieve Independence. Just because one is angry with UMNO and BN it does not mean that UMNO and BN or the then Perikatan should not be lauded and placed on a pedestal for achieving a relatively peaceful Independence.

On the 50th Year of Independence to do such is really hitting below the belt and slapping us Malaysians in the face.

Not a happy camper...

Okay not only did I have to rush to Kemaman last night for a meeting on our Raya Open House on the 22nd October 2007, also I was told by my Boss that Chairman requires my presence at the dialogue on 11th October in Kemaman. My whole plan to leave for KL with my family this morning is in tatters. So here I am back in office on the day I am suppose to leave for KL to begin my leave. Now since I have to work today and tomorrow, effectively I will only be taking 3 days leave for our road trip.

Oh yes on a positive note, I have paid the final RM15,000 as deposit for the purchase of the apartment. We have also been given the keys to the apartment. Now just awaiting approval from the bank for the loan. I know I am hocked to the hilt but still I do pray and hope that it will be approved.

Oh did I tell you?

Its been so long. Anyway on March 15, 2007 I was transferred out of the Audit Department to head a new outfit called Corporate Communications, Legal and Secretarial....soooo Legalllll...I'm backkkkkkkkkkkk. Right now 2 ladies under me...one for Legal and Secretarial and one for Corporate Communications. The bosses lovely sweet thing of a PA just joined and she's assisting me in Corp Comm(as we practitioners like to call it...). I'm going to ask the L&S girl to go fully on the L while I write down minutes as the S. Or something like that.

And then between that time and today? Dang...never knew there's so much work. So that's my excuse..what's yours?

Its Aidilfitri again?

It seems to me that I always feel like blogging close to Aidilfitri. I started around same time last year. Never did continue and now here I am again. Suddenly I realise that I actually have a blog. Talk about stating the obvious. This morning here I was flying into Kuala Terengganu from KL and who was there to greet me? The YAB Menteri Besar himself. Apparently it was the launching of the aero bridge at the new airport. The airport is not ready but the aerobridge is. So there he was and all I can say was, "Apa khabar Dato'?". That's it. A handshake and off I went into a taxi to whisk me off to my office. An elderly man but his driving....WOW...is all I can say.

It was actually the start of another busy day for me. This guy came from master alliance communication to convince me to change agencies that publishes the annual reports. Then came a guy from Bank Islam. Oh did I tell you I'm buying an apartment in KT? Why KT? Its a lovely place and very relaxing. Even if I no longer work here I want to continue maintaining it as my very own holiday home.

And the days wore on. My worried Syima, a Junior staff about the mess we made with the Chairman's raya cards. Well he read the riot act but it should still be okay I think. I'm still thinking of buying a house though.

I am sleepy. Another box of dates came for me. Now I need to quadruple my dates consumption. Trying to make some sense on the chaotic nature of my desk. Should be time for iftar soon. See ya.

Ahhhh nothing much to tell

Just that Ramadhan is ending, how fast time flies. Aidilfitri approaching. Managed to get a key paper supported by the Board. Went on a shopping frenzy in Kota Bharu. They have malls like I mentioned before. Not like Kuala Terengganu. Only thing they have is a tiny department store like the Store. That's it. That's all they can boast. Kota Bharu is far more happening and advanced compared to KT. Iskh!

Oh yes I just got a new addition to my staff, a 6 months stint girl from Tesdec. Its a state's iniative for Terengganu grads that is still without jobs. Just joined yesterday and already given work to do. And on my side heck a lot of work to pummel her into shape. Need to find out within next 6 months whether she is good addition to the workforce.

There's some rumours abound that TDM will be meeting Pak Lah soon. Well we shall see if that happens, time to resolve all this squabble, altercation what have you once and for all. Always people act as if like they are holier then thou and therefore blameless. Politicians are never blameless.

Procrastinating

I know, I know, its been ages since I last wrote. A lot have happened between then and now. Let me list it out as it is rather long.

1. I left for a business trip to British Virgin Islands and Switzerland between 24th June and 3rd July. Got utterly disgusted in the process of the behaviour of an employee in the company that I cancelled getting her any souvenirs.
2. The company won a hard fought stay of execution
3. Mum went for a hand microsurgery on 18th July
4. Stayed at a lovely and personable Cherating Bayview Resort for 2 days from 22nd to 23rd July
5. Attended the Asia Pacific Chief Auditors' Summit between 24th and 26th July
6. Wife begins trainging EFL for the INSPEN staff in Kemaman
7. Had a meeting with SMIDEC CEO on 7th August
8. Attended the first shareholders' meeting on a privatisation on 8th August
9. Celebrated wife's birthday on 9th August after the long day of meetings and after she came back from Kemaman at almost 10.00 pm. Gave her the handmade silver brooch I bought in Zurich

Okay that's it. That's all for now. A lot of nonsensical political stuff happened and its not something I will dwell on right now.