Asmah's Family Day Event, Malim Nawar 29 April 2017

My wife's family and relatives had planned to have a big event this year. The idea was started by Asmah's cousin a few years ago. This year, things gathered momentum and finally became a reality. The event was to be held at their home village near Malim Nawar, Perak.

I was asked to be the event photographer. I did warned Kak Wati that I am just an amateur and my equipment are basic. I agreed anyway. I took it as an opportunity to improve my skills.

Since it was the Labour Day Holiday (1 May 2017 Monday), we left KL for Kampar very early in the morning at 4.00 AM. As we entered the PLUS Highway at Sungai Buloh, there were many vehicles already. However, traffic flow was smooth.

I exited the Highway at Tapah and headed towards Kampar. We stopped at Kampar Town Mosque for the early morning prayers. After that, we headed towards Malim Nawar. We arrived at Asmah's aunty's house by 7.30 AM.

My wife was to help with Registration of the family members who were to turn up for the event. I busied myself with the task as the Event Photographer. The Organizing Committee had planned several activities for the day until the night. There were games, lucky draws, karaoke and of course, food for everyone.

That night it rained a bit but it did not dampened the celeberative spirits of everyone.

The following are some sample pictures of the event.

Asmah (right) with Intan, Mak Yang and Chik.

Special goody bags.

Ice cream for the kids.

The Rosers Clan family members.

Me with the in-laws of The Rosers.

Kak Wati presented the Opening Speech.

The two most elders cutting the yellow rice cake.

Family group photo.

News papers costumed models.

Pickup peas with chopsticks.

Bursts the opponent's balloon.

Anxious wait and preparation for Hajj Journey

My wife and I had submitted our passports to Tabung Haji on 17 May 2017 for the visa application from Saudi Arabian government. We have yet to receive our full flight details.

As at today, the countdown to the start of the Hajj is approximately two months away. I expect we should be heading to Madinah/ Mecca in early August.

We are now refreshing and going through our checklist with regards to required items to bring. Our financials for the trip and also for whatever expenses for our son, Zharif and the house bills.

We are also preparing for a "doa selamat" session and kenduri. Thus, we need to go through the invitation list and the engagement for a caterer for the event.

My prayers to Allah that all will be well and receive the Almighty's blessings.

To Taiping Saturday 22 April 2017

Monday 24 April 2017 was declared a Public Holiday. So, I went back to Taiping on Saturday morning. Thankfully, the traffic on the PLUS Highway north-bound was smooth. Probably, most people had already made plans to travel in the following weekend with the Workers Day Holiday.

Suria@Meru houses from the distant.

Upon reaching Ipoh, I decided to check in the Suria@Meru housing project. The main access road is still being constructed. I think the contractor does not allow people to go in and visit the site. I only managed to get a very distant view of the houses being built. It looks like it has reached 45% built-up stage. I continued the journey to Taiping.

Rain clouds gathering.

The rain came.

The weather was bright with clear blue sky. Upon reaching Taiping that afternoon, the rain clouds had begun to gather. It would rain that evening. I checked in at the Flemington Hotel near the Lake Gardens. My friends in Taiping were not available to meet me that Saturday evening. So, I had dinner at the hotel and stayed in my room.

Sunday, I was to meet Ban Heng and Murthy for lunch. However, both could not make it. Murthy proposed that we visit our sick friend, Abdul Rahim at his house. So, after my lunch, I left the hotel for Rahim’s house which is located somewhere along Jalan Simpang after Taman Larut Tin.

Murthy was already there with Rahim. Rahim’s wife had prepared us tea and kuih for us. Later, we were joined by Jamaee and Ban Heng. We talked of our good old school days, the old teachers and of old friends.

From left- Murthy, Rahim(seated), Jamaee, me.

 

From left- Murthy, me, Ban Heng, Rahim (seated).

By 5.00 PM, we had to leave. I was to head to Ipoh before I head back to KL the next day. We bid our farewells and wished Rahim good health.

Kenduri Anak Abdullah OE 9 April 2017

Our schoolmate, Abdullah, had sent out invitations to his son's wedding kenduri. It was held on 9 April 2017 at a hall near Kelana Jaya/Glenmarie.

As usual, several of us RIMOS took this opportunity to meet up and chit-chat, a mini reunion.

As I was about to leave my house, Razif telephoned whether I would go with him. I agreed and he came to my house to pick me up.

From left- Ramli, Razif, Zamzam, me and Aziz.

From left- Razif, Ramli, Hanafiah, Abdullah (our host), Aziz, me and Zoul Don.

As usual with wedding kenduri, there was the main buffet spread. After the main meal in the hall, we proceeded to sit at the canopy outside. There was a snack counter of "keropok lekor". There, we continued to chat over the nice keropok and drinks.

By 4.00 PM, we bade our farewell. Hope to meet again.

Short Trip To Singapore 31 March 2017

My daughter and her husband had purchased tickets to the Coldplay World Tour concert to be held in Singapore. My wife and I were asked to go along to help take care of our grandson during the concert night. The Coldplay concert was on Friday night.

That Friday, my wife and I took the morning 11:55AM flight to Singapore from KLIA2. We landed at Changi Airport by 12:45PM. 

Breakfast at KLIA2

To Singapore

This was my wife’s first trip ever to Singapore. I wanted to show her where I stayed and worked when I was there from year 2001 to the end of year 2003. When we got into the taxi, I noticed that the driver was an old man. I asked him nicely whether he could drive us through Tampines Street 21 and Tampines Central. He explained to me that the fare would be more than usual. I replied I understood and agreed.

From the airport, he drove us through Changi and headed towards Tampines. We passed Street 21 and I showed my wife the block where I stayed when started my work there in May 2001. Then, we passed through Tampines Central where the Citibank Regional Data Center was located previously. Afterwards, we passed through Block 940 where I stayed with 2 other friends until my contract ended in December 2003. With the short tour completed, we headed to J8 Hotel, Townshend Road.

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 We arrived at the hotel lobby by about 3.00PM. I informed my daughter that we had arrived. Our rooms were just next to each other. We found out that our grandson had a fever. We decided to take him to a clinic near the area. While they were at the clinic, I quickly walked to a nearby mall to look for an ATM and to buy some food. When, I got back to clinic, the doctor had just checked my grandson. We quickly walked back to the hotel because it was about to rain.

6.00 PM, daughter and husband went to the concert venue. Our little grandson, Zafeer, was in our room. He already had taken his medicines and quite calm in our care. Zafeer played for a while and fell asleep. He woke up after an hour or so. Since he was still on breast milk, he missed his mother. Fortunately, he accepted to drink the milk formula and resumed to be calm. 

Entertaining little Zafeer Ayden

Nina and husband returned to the hotel after the concert by midnight. Zafeer was glad to see his mother again. They returned to their room. Finally, my wife and I could have our good rest.

Breakfast at the hotel cafe

 Saturday morning, we had our breakfast at the hotel café. My wife and I were to return to KL that afternoon. The kids would only return on that Sunday. We checked out from the hotel by 12.00 noon. The hotel staff helped to call for a taxi. When we got in, I asked the driver whether he could drive us past the Marina Bay Sands. He agreed and we caught a glimpse of the building. Despite the low traffic, we could not stop to take a picture because it began to rain. So, off we went to Changi Airport.

Marina Bay Sands, just before the heavy rain

Lunch at Burger King

We arrived at the airport before 2.00 PM. After checking in for our flight, we had lunch at Burger King. Then, we shopped for some small souvenirs. After we made the purchase, we went to the waiting lounge. So, that was our short trip to Singapore. Hope to go again for a longer visit.

Flight home

Hey! My daughter had bought me a Coldplay Concert t-shirt.