Marah, Fed Up, Geram Pen Dua Mata Merah Hitam

Celaka sungguh orang yang cipta pen dua mata merah dan hitam. Aku ni dah tak dapat bezakan dua warna ink tu. Habis rosak borang permohonan pinjaman pendidikan MARA untuk anak aku. Dateline dah dekat. Mana cukup masa lagi nak print lain. Lepas tu nakkena sain saksi la, sain suruhanjaya sumpah lagi.
Aduh sakitnya hati!!!

My Niece Ezlin's Wedding 31 August 2014

My cute little niece is finally getting married. Ezlin is my second sister youngest daughter. After so many suitors and many years, finally her heart has opened to this chap who was her former school mate of Sultan Muzaffar Shah Secondary School, Malacca.

Hmm, well, could be something to do with name of the school and my name.

Her akad nikah was performed on Saturday 30 August, followed by the khenduri on 31 August 2014. Well, another meaning to celebrate Merdeka.

My sister Eliza (standing left), Ezlin (in white) with the Dulang Girls.

Fizam putting the wedding ring on Ezlin's finger.

The gifts (above).

Fizam and Ezlin , at the high table.

My family with the bride and groom.

Selamat Pengantin Baru, Ezlin and Fizam!

A Personal Reflection - I Could Have Been A Chef

Ever reflect upon yourself if you are not in your present job, what you could have been if you chose something else?

Many years ago, when I had just started my job as a Systems Operator, I saw an advertisement in a local newspaper about training for a career in Hotel Management in Switzerland. I wrote a letter (1980s, no email yet) to inquire about the program.

A few weeks later, I received a telephone call (my office number. Those days mobile phones were as big as a briefcase). The caller asked me whether I was really interested in the career in the hotel industry. The training program was to be in a college in Switzerland and the course would take two years. I was required to get a sponsor (what?) which were the top hotels in KL those days - such as the Hilton, Holiday Inn and Merlin.

So, what stopped me from pursuing a career in the hotel industry? I was afraid to hunt around to look for a sponsor. Otherwise,who knows, I could have been a celebrity chef by now. I could have worked at many hotels around the world. 

At present, I take comfort that I am a "Chef At Home". Really, I enjoy cooking for my family. My specialty are fried pasta, fried rice, spaghetti, grilled foods - chicken, lamb, fish, steaks. 

Here's to good food, good life.

To Ipoh for Hari Raya

Made a brief trip to Ipoh during the recent Hari Raya holidays. The traffic was heavy but smooth moving that Friday morning. It was the fifth day of Aidil Fitri. Stopped at Rawang Petronas for latte on the go from the Starbucks there. At Tapah R&R, we stopped for toilet break. As usual my two "kids" asked for BR treat. The two of them are young adults now but still ask their dad for a BR treat.
We continued our journey towards Kuala Dipang, near Malim Nawar. Here we visited two of my wife's aunties. After about 2 hours there, we went on to Ipoh.
We checked in at Syuen Hotel by 6.30 PM. After 8.30 PM, we went to Buntong to visit my wife's uncle. Her cousin was also staying there since she had just given birth to her second son.
It was wonderful to meet with the old folks.
We returned to KL the next day. A brief but meaningful trip.

Brother Monty bin Mohamed Passed Away 16 July 2014.

At 3.15 AM on 16 July 2014, I received an SMS from my sister Eliza that my elder brother Monty (age 62 years) had passed away. Monty had been having a disease in his lever for over one year now. It had become more chronic in the last three months. Monty was admitted into the government hospital in Kelang twice. The most recent was in the end of June 2014 until he died. By this time, his liver had stopped functioning. When I visited him two weeks before his death, I noticed his eyes were yellowish, a clear sign of liver disease. I felt sad to see him in a such weak and helpless condition.

So, that 5.15 AM of that 16 July 2014, my other brother Mahathir (with his wife), my elder sister Eliza and I went to the Kelang hospital. We arrived at the hospital mortuary by 6.30 AM and was met by a kind staff, Encik Rosli. Apparently, Encik Rosli was the one who contacted my sister to inform of Monty's death. He informed us to proceed to the service counter to sign a form to claim Monty's remains. We were informed that he and his colleague would begin the washing of Monty's remains at 8.00 AM. We were guided to the waiting room to rest and to wait until then.

All us three siblings began to inform all of Monty's next-of-kin and our other nephews and nieces. We could contact all the others except Monty's three sons. The response we got was either no reply or number out of service. We tried several other telephone numbers that could be found from Monty's mobile phone after which we were able to reach them. Since most of Monty's family are away in Taiping, Bukit Mertajam and Kelantan, they could not come to Kelang that morning in time. Only one of his sons, Najib, who works near Port Kelang was able to reach the mortuary by 8.30 AM.

After the remains was shrouded in clean white cotton cloth, our small congregation of siblings, nephews and nieces performed the final prayers for departed Monty, guided by Encik Mat as imam. At 9.10 AM, we proceed to the burial ground somewhere near Selat Kelang, Sungai Sireh (near Port Kelang). The burial was completed by 10.45 AM.

The feeling of grief lasted for several days. I really felt sad that Monty had died in pain. At least, his death ended his suffering.

Bought five new books Blissful reads

Went to Kinoukuniya bookstore with the intention to buy one book. However, after browsing the shelves, I had picked five books in total. Blew some over RM400 altogether.

Here's to blissfull reads in the nex few days.

In hospital due to asthma

Argh!. Two weeks of bad, dry cough and nightly fever for four days. Several hospitals in KL were full (no beds available). Finally, got admitted in Damai Hospital in Taman Melawati on 21 June 2014.

The good doctor diagnosed it as asthma and a little lung infection. The doctor also informed me that I have Diabetes Type 2. Now, I have to be more careful of what I eat. And her usual advise to loose weight. I am now at 95 KG.

Glad that my son made an effort to visit me from his National Service camp.

Discharged from hospital on the 24 June 2014. Happy to be at home resting after 3 nights in hospital. Felt very lonesome. Furthermore, I missed making a trip to Taiping for my old school re-union dinner.