Of being a good person

I just could not understand how some people could act to be religious but could also have much negativity in their minds, character, behaviour and attitudes. Really, could both be in a person's mind?
1. Can a person be religious but likes to talk bad things about other people?
2. Can a person be religious but never ever be grateful  of the good life he/she already has?
3. Can a person be religious but blames other people for anything that goes wrong in his/her life?
4. Can a person be religious but never even visit his/her old parents, what even to help take care of them?
5. Can a person be religious but neglect his/her own children or family?
6. Can a person be religious but neglects to perform his/her whatever job or task?
7. Can a person be religious when he talks of religion eloquently but never care about being excellent in his job or life?
8. Can a person be religious but spread untruth about other people?
9. Can a person be religious but make materiel gains or profits by cheating other people?
10. Can a person be religious but dislikes to contribute to charity.

There are this kind of people who talks very well about religion, prays at the mosque (or church), dress up in pious looking clothes but somehow does not reflect the true act of being religious.
I do not claim to be a religious man but I try my best to be a good person, as what my religion expects of me. I try to provide to my family, educate my kids and perform my duties at work to the best of my abilities. I do my best not to behave negativily.
I try to be a good person as what God and my family expects me to be.

Lesson learnt - Make early reservations for hotel stay

After visiting my sister in Sungai Petani, thought of stopping by at Taiping for the night. Oh, the reality hit me. All the hotels in Taiping are full today (even hotels in Ipoh are full). Must be the weddings season at its peak this weekend. After several hotels, finally I found one that still have rooms available - Hotel Potato at Simpang. The name of the hotel has a small history to it. Long time ago, the land where the hotel stands now was a potato farm.  A few years ago, the landowner sold the land. The new onwer built some houses to be sold and the hotel.
If I could not get a room, I thought I just have to drive all the way back to KL.
Now to contact my friends in town to tell them we could meet tonight.

Eldest Sister In Hospital

Last night, received news from my nephew , my eldest sister (in Sungai Petani, Kedah) is in hospital. She was hit by the car (in reverse) by her husband (old people, old car, bad combination). Checked with my niece, she said that there was no broken bones but there is internal bleeding which the doctors might perform surgery to remove. At her age of 75, this sounds serious.
After handing over some tasks to my deputy and gotten approval from my boss (who has been "missing" from his room since morning. Meeting perhaps). Now leaving the office (12:30 PM) and need to pack my bags to leave for Sungai Petani.

Bought a new DSLR camera

For many years, I have wanted to buy an SLR camera. Even in the "old" days of using films, SLR cameras were expensive items. Back then, with two small kids to support, an SLR camera was not in my priority list. I have always been using the compact cameras and Canon was my favourite brand (perhaps due to my late dad who also had Canon cameras). However, my first ever digital compact camera was an Olympus. Then, I upgraded to a Canon Ixus 105. When Canon launched its affordable DLSR, the EOS 1100D, my intererest in DSLR camera was re-kindled but I did not rush to get one. Year by year, newer 500D series came into the market and I was really itching to get one.

So, finally on a fine Saturday afternoon, I went to KLCC and bought my first ever DLSR, a Canon EOS 600D (perhaps the advert that featured Ian Wright had influenced my choice). Years of using compact cameras, now I need to learn to use a DSLR. Of course, the easy way to learn is using the Auto mode. The guide book say a new user could learn to use the great features in one week. Hmm, let's see....

King Edward VII School Old Boys Reunion Dinner 19 Nov 2011

Our School's Old Edwardian Association KL held a reunion dinner recently. My batch of MCE 1978 boys filled two tables this year. It was good to be able to meet a friends from school that you had never met for many years. Overall a good turnout this time with every tables met the full sittings. A time to be merry, talked about the good old school days. Some took up the MC's challenge to go up the stage to sing. The format was free-flow and we had a good boisterous time.

My kids are poles apart

Had a tiff with my son last night. He is now in his Sijil Peperiksaan Malaysia (Malaysia Certificate of Education) exams and I am concerned with his (seemingly) late preparation. My son appears to be "lost" with his studies since the age of 14. He was caught not completing his homework and for several years failing in his examinations. Hey, I am not looking for straight "A's" but all passes (well, at least C's), would do. I have tried sending him to a few motivational programs but they did not seem to affect great positive change. Even tried to send him for tuition but he asked to quit half-way with some funny reasons. However, he would usually be engrossed with computer games.
His elder sister was just the opposite. My daughter had planned her studies, attended tuition and always consistent in doing revisions and practice. She has now just completed her Degree and now applying for work.
I worry for my son. He does not have a clear ambition or goal. Character and behaviour wise, he is good. He is brilliant with puzzles and games. Only he dislikes to read or study for real knowledge.
Dear Allah, I pray for my son.

Honour My Mentors

Today brought to my mind to honour my mentors. Other than my parents, these people had helped me at a certain stage of my life to be better.
1. Mr Muthusamy, my Mathematics tuitor. I was always frustrated in this subject until I met this man. Mr Muthu's methods of teaching had enabled me to understand Mathematics, after which I found the subject a joy to learn.
2. Mr Ng Peng Khoon, the School Band master. Mr Ng gave me the encouragement to develop my leadership skill. From playing the side-drum, I became the leader for the Trumpet Section for 3 years (until I left school).
3. Mr Ngim Kai Hock. He was the Data Center Operations Manager when I was with Citibank Malaysia. From his example, I learned People Relations skills, which is important in managing people as a supervisor.
4. Mr Iftikal esq., Training Manager of AMMB. He taught me how to "dress for success".

Hhmm, are any others? These are the four people whom I could recall right now. From the bottom of my heart, Thank You for the guidance you had given me.

NACRA 2011 and Electricity Breakdown

Attended the NACRA 2011 awards presentation dinner last night. This time round, all adjudicators received a cheque for a token sum instead of the usual gifts. We also had our names displayed on the "credit lists" on the slide-show. That gave every adjudicators a new "glad" feeling to have received such recognition.
TM won the Overall Best Corporate Report Award for 2010.
I was looking forward to a hot shower when I arrived home but it was not to be. There was an electricity breakdown for the whole general area. Had to take a cold quick bath instead. Went to bed in darkness and perspiration. Good thing the power came back sometime after one and half hours. Could switch the air-cond on for a while to cool down the room temp. Good job, TNB.

November-December Weddings Season

Aside from the yearend monsoons, the weddings season is back. You could find weddings at any housing area, community halls and even hotels. You could be invited to one or two on the same day.
I have two weddings to attend today, one is my nephew's. Since his father is away on the Haj, he had asked me to bless him and his bride (the adat menepung tawar). Ha , ha...the mark of being an elderly uncle.
Good for me, he only asked me to do the "tepung tawar" and not to recite the prayers.
Oops...time to go for my bath and get ready....

My 50th Birthday Party 12 Nov 2011

God blessed, my birthday party went well. This party was the first one ever I held on a "grand" scale. The venue was at a private club. The catering crew and banquet manager had done a good job. The food was splendid and the "star of the buffet" , the roast lamb was tastefully wonderful. Of the 150 persons on the invitation list, the attendance reached only 67%. Most of my family, relatives, staff and neighbours were present but only 3 of my schoolmates and friends came. Only 3 out of the 40 schoolmates and friends invited came! That was the sad part. So, there was abundance of food which my family had to take home.
To my family, relatives, neighbours, staff and friends who came, my greatest thanks goes to you. Also, thank you very much for the presents. May Allah bless all of you.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Love my kids

I have two children, a daughter and a son. My daughter, who shares the same birthdate as I am (8 November, natural childbirth) is now 24 while my son is 17. I have fond memories of their growing up years. I had spent a lot of time with both of them because I worked shift duties those days (computer data centers require people to work on shifts). As they grow from little children, through adolescence and to teenhood. well, there were moments of frustrations due to their misbehaviours but overall, both of them have been wonderful. People, love your kids. The moments you could spend time with them are brief. They will soon grow up, then, will leave the nest and have a life of their own. Cherish the little time you could have with them.  Once its gone, its gone forever. To my  two "little" kids, I love you very much. I pray that you will have rich, fullfilling lives ahead.

Leadership - Respect Is To Be Earned, Not Demanded

Reporting to a boss 10 years younger than me, has some challenges. He is quite "friendly" but not appealling. Many young people are promoted to managerial positions based on their "excellent" technical skills or paper qualifications. Come with an ego "I am the boss" on their heads, they demand respect. They forget to realise that they need the support of their "lower subjects" to get the work done. Some lack people relations or coaching skills which resulted in staff leaving to other pastures. We had a spate of resignations and difficulty in retaining experienced technical staff due to this egoistic boss. Managers got to realise that respect has got to be earned, not demanded. You got to really care for your staff, only then will the staff take care of their work and you. Managers are Coaches. As a Coach, you got to know your staff strength, weakness, their concerns. Talk to them, guide them to reach the desired skill level, not just pin them up for their mistakes. Help them if they are over-loaded, not to leave them in dire straits.
Managing people is never easy but if you do it right, it will be rewarding not just for the manager but also the whole team.

What I Miss Most

In this wee hours of the night, reminds me of what I miss most - my mother. Being the youngest of 7 siblings, I had lived with her the longest (my father had died when I was 15, year 1976). Even when I had moved to Kuala Lumpur to work, I would return to Taiping to visit her every month. The trips became more frequent (every two weeks) in the last 4 years of her life. She got shingles for almost two years and then, she had a stroke which paralysed her left side of her weak body during her remaining 2 years. My mother had finally "gone home" on 17 August 2009, at the age of 89. Since her parting, I still make my trip to Taiping but only once every three months or so. Just to look at the old house and to visit my parents graves. Mom (and Dad), I miss you both.

Reached the 50th Year Mark

Today I am 50 years old. Having survived a heart attack four years ago (22 Feb 2007), to have reached the age of 50 is quite an achievement. That event also gave me a new perspective to what my life is all about. The importance of loving my family, maintaining contacts with good old friends, pursuing my hobbies or setting and getting things done. Every day is a Gift and a completed year is a grand Bonus. Appreciate the Power of Now. What I do today determines the life I will live tomorrow.

Reaching 50 and beyond?

I will age 50 years tomorrow (8 November). Wow! Am I really that old? When I was a boy, the older generations of uncles and aunties were a colourful group of people. Some were funny, a few were grumpy and there was one or two that I held in awe. In my teens, the age of 50 was like eons away. Now, the 50th mark is here....hmm. I wonder what will it be like, to maintain a good healthy and fit lifestyle...