My Penang

27-28 October 2014

Somehow i think the tagline of My Penang works. Had the opportunity to walk around the heritage street, which was interesting.  Hotel right in the smack of Armenian Street, which made it easy for me to walk around.

There was a thieves market near the hotel. They said you can find your lost belonging here... haha

The art drawing on the street wall somehow intriguing to a certain extend looks like a puzzle to be solved.

I'm super hungry. Having a light meal here at Jawi Peranakan which was really good.

Toast baggali bread with beef soup

Continue walking along the street

Walk back to the hotel for a short rest. It has been a loong day. Patiently wait for 10pm...

Nasi kandaq beratuq...pergh.. hujan2 pun masih bersungguh utk pergi. The fried chicken a bit dry but gravy memang best.

The next day, walk up to penang hill or bukit bendera area

Had a good lunch at nyonya restaurant and bought a small packet of nasi lemak that they said sedap and cheap.

I think i already overdose the caffeine intake. Too much coffee. Heading to airport at 5.30 pm. and reached home almost 10pm. Perggghhh... penat.

Thank you for the hospitality, see you again. Now, get ready for work..

Self Sufficient

Effortless Hariz

When you're alone, you have no choice but to be self sufficient. When in doubt, indecisive and not knowing, i force myself to think harder. Find alternative,  create options, be resourceful,  ask around, ask for help, think and think what is the best way to handle it.

The truth is, i do not have all the answer and i do not know the end result. All i know is that i'm trying my best, decide on the best option available and hoping it will turns out to be good.

Tomorrow, my first assignment outside KL. I'm anxious. I will be on my own. My boss send me to get things moving and in place. Have doubt if i can pull this together. 

Keep reminding myself to be self sufficient and the rest leave it to the Al-Mighty. 

Quote for today, niceee

HE OFFERED HER THE WORLD AND SHE SAID SHE HAD HER OWN. 

Surf More?

I have been contemplating which data plan should i subscribe? Since I have returned company data card, I have been relying on my current data plan of 3GB which is not sufficient. My current commitment will end next month. Time to change.

At first I'm eager with Maxis fibre plan, then I got to know they also use TM line which means support will be slow. Then I explore Unifi since I have not encountered any problem using them in the office.

Then I stop. Back to reality.

I hardly stays at home. Weekends seems impossible to just be lazy at home. I'm always on the move.

Back to Maxis. Surf More plan with 5GB is doable. They have promotion with astro on the go. Additional 2GB given foc just to watch Astro channel. Maxis zero plan is not bad either. But the data plan not good enough.

Begitulah....

melt..

One mth old

One yr old

He's my brother

i'm 4 years old

New family member. Sharing the same birth date with one year old. Both of their father also sharing same birth date. Kuasa Allah. 

Watching them growing up, makes me old. 

One is learning to walk. Watching him reminded me how i'm so scared to learn how to cycle. The imbalance that makes you fall.

The other one seems lil impatient since he has no tab and phone to play with. My brother and SIL decided to stop his addiction. One most prominent change is that he is more social. Not afraid to approach everyone. I've new name - cik su lift. Oh boy. Suddenly he became so clingy. 

One of the most challenging question.  "Cik su.. kenapa cik su tak telefon masa hari jadi .."

pengsan....

masih pengsan....

pengsan lagi......

Speechless...

Pengorbanan

Saya merasakan perkataan korban itu sangat besar maknanya. Begitu juga dengan perkataan ikhlas. Kadangkala mendengar perkataan korban diguna pakai tidak ditempatnya membuat saya rasa sedikit kecewa.

Kecewa.. hah!

Sharing article frm utusan.

Dari segi bahasa, korban bermaksud dekat, manakala dari segi istilah ia bermaksud menjalankan perintah agama atau taat kepada perintah Allah kerana ingin mendekatkan diri kepada-Nya.

Menjelang hari mulia ini juga kita sering teringat kepada sejarah Nabi Ibrahim menyembelih anaknya Nabi Ismail selepas menerima wahyu daripada Allah supaya berbuat demikian. Pada suatu hari Nabi Ibrahim bermimpi, dalam mimpinya itu Allah menyuruh Nabi Ibrahim menyembelih anaknya yang bernama Ismail.

Selepas mendapat mimpi itu, Nabi Ibrahim pun memberitahu isterinya yang bernama Siti Hajar. Maka berbincanglah Nabi Ibrahim, Siti Hajar dan Ismail. Siti Hajar berkata:"Mungkin mimpimu itu hanya mainan tidur saja tetapi kalau mimpi itu merupakan wahyu, wajiblah dituruti."

Apabila mendengar kata-kata ibunya, Ismail berkata kepada bapanya: “Ayahku, sekiranya ini merupakan wahyu dari Allah SWT, aku sedia merelakan diriku untuk disembelih". Setelah persetujuan dicapai, keesokan harinya Nabi Ibrahim pun membawa puteranya Ismail untuk disembelih.

Perkara Nabi Ibrahim hendak menyembelih anaknya telah sampai kepada pengetahuan orang ramai. Hal ini membuat orang ramai takut sehingga ada yang mengatakan: “Nampaknya Nabi Ibrahim mungkin sudah gila hinggakan mahu menyembelih anaknya sendiri. Kalau kita biarkan perkara ini, nanti kitapun akan dibunuhnya".

Walau apa pun tuduhan orang terhadapnya, namun Nabi Ibrahim tetap menjalankan tugas yang diperintahkan oleh Allah SWT terhadapnya. Setelah Nabi Ibrahim dan anaknya Ismail sampai pada tempat yang dituju, berkatalah anaknya: “Wahai ayahku, aku fikir cara yang baik untuk menyembelih adalah dengan cara aku disembelih dalam keadaan menelungkup tapi mata ayah hendaklah ditutup. Kemudian ayah hendaklah tahu arah pedang yang tajam dan ayah kenakan tepat kepada leherku."

Kemudian Nabi Ibrahim pun melaksanakan perintah yang Allah SWT perintahkan dalam mimpinya. Baginda pun mengucapkan kalimah atas nama Allah lalu memancungkan pedangnya pada leher anaknya itu. Maka terperciklah darah mengenai badan Nabi Ibrahim. Sebagai seorang manusia biasa, Nabi Ibrahim pun menggeletar dan membuka penutup matanya.

Tetapi alangkah terperanjatnya apabila melihat yang disembelihnya itu bukanlah anaknya melainkan seekor kibas. Dengan memuji kebesaran Allah SWT kedua-duanya pun berpeluk-peluk sambil bersyukur kepada Tuhan kerana memberi kekuatan sehingga dapat melaksanakan amanat daripada Allah SWT.

Seharusnya peristiwa pengorbanan yang dilakukan oleh Nabi Ibrahim dan Nabi Ismail a.s ini diceritakan berulangkali agar ia tidak dilupakan, terutamanya oleh generasi muda. Berapa ramai agaknya anak muda di zaman ini yang sanggup berkorban merelakan diri disembelih oleh ayah sendiri?

Peristiwa pengorbanan Nabi Ibrahim menyembelih anak kandungnya Nabi Ismail, mempamerkan sifat ketakwaan dan ketaatan seorang hamba Allah demi menegakkan agama Islam walaupun terpaksa mengorbankan anak kesayangan sendiri. Setiap orang Islam sepatutnya memahami dan menghayati makna di sebalik peristiwa tersebut.

Artikel Penuh: http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/Rencana/20121024/re_06/Hayati-makna-peristiwa-korban#ixzz3FEcCRXdt 

Peace

After 30 days...

Lill things that changed.

1. Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk

The opportunity that I had, everyday while driving - Monday to Friday. Sunrise give me sense of hope, a new beginning and opportunity to be better than yesterday. TO DO LIST. Sunset give me time to reflect my accomplishment, my day and where does the time go? RESULT. This is what happening inside my mind, everyday while driving and watching the sun up and down.

2. PC is my best friend

I've been using PC in office and home. Kind of like it. It's faster, i think. Not sure why. But things are faster. Not to worry, dear Note II. You're still my number one. I sleep with you everyday. 

3. Why everyone names start with A

Yep. I have Adi, Alee, Albert, Allen, Alan, Ali, Angela, Aza, Azhar, Azimah, Azrin and Agnes.

4. Alone and Loving it

I'm on my own. My boss is thousands miles away. My one and only colleague always on site. I don't intend to make friends... i mean best buddy. No. I don't share my personal life. Its just a casual chat. Hi, good morning, makan dah.. and that's it. The rest is just work. I go out for lunch alone, everyday. I'm enjoying my quiet time.

5. 100%

Last month, I reached 100% of my free talk time of 600 minutes = 10 hrs for the first time. Kira rekod la ni. Gila lama cakap.. 10 jam. Same goes to my data plan of 3GB, reached 100% (but this is not my first time).

6. 8.30pm

On 29 th Sept, Monday.. I slept at 8.30pm. Fuyooo. Kepenatan. From 6.30 am until 4.45 pm i'm out on the road. From US Embassy to HSBC Lebuh Ampang to KLCC to Binjai to Troika and lastly, home. Pengsan.

7. Don't call me baby

at 6.01 pm.. cause I'm no more available to assist you. I need to join my other friends on the road queuing. Its unpredictable. It may took me 45 mins, one hour, 1hour15 mins, 1hour30 mins or two hours. Oh!

8. Inefficiency

I hate inefficiency. Period.

9. Rain..

makes me nervous. Coz it may cause flash floods, extra traffic jams and low visibility. I never felt nervous with rain. But now, I do.

10. Sleep now.

Wake up time.. 5.30 am

OKBYE

US Visa Application

1. Opening

I applied US visa without having proper plan and reasons. The only justification why i'm willing to pay RM512 is because i have time. Honestly, I don't know when will i be able to step on US soil.. it seems so far far away.

2. Fill up forms and payment

I paid visa fee prior to submission of the application form. Once paid, i have no more excuses to procrastinate or to change my mind. Half way through the questions,  i stop. Contemplating whether i should be 100% honest or tweak my answer to be more convincing. A friend of mine gave me his friend address, currently working in US.

3. How to answer

Finally,  i decided to be honest. I don't know anyone in US, i pay for my own expenses and i will be going there by myself, most probably in a group tour. I don't have air ticket, booking form from any travel agent and i use hotel address, near JFK airport as address/place to stay.

It took me about 2 hours to fill up the form as i recheck my info many many time prior to submission. Once submitted, print the confirmation of application.

4. Select interview date

I selected end of sept, so that i can reflect my salary from new co in the bank stt, 8.50 am. Please print confirmation slip for the interview.

5. Supporting Doc

The most time consuming is the preparation of the supporting doc. I compile everything into one clear folder (employment contract, 3 mths payslip, bank statement, epf statement, loan statement,  s&p, degree certificate, sample itinerary and hotel info).

6. The Day

I dressed casually,  shirt and jeans. Get out frm house at 6.30 am. Road super clear. Parking .. I just park my car at Menara See Hoy Chan (the brown color building, next to US Embassy). Parking rate, 1st hour RM 3 and RM 1.50 / hour thereafter. No need to be so early like me.. the guard will only allow you to queue when it's near to your appointment time. Surprisingly,  the queue was not that long. Yep. Maybe its autumn and winter season soon.

7. The interview

It took more than 30 mins for the couple before me to finished their interview.  Based on their faces, i think it was unsuccessful. Nervous gila rasa dlm hati apalagi bila mengenangkan RM 512 yg tidak dipulangkan jika gagal.

Saya: Good Morning
Mat Salleh: Good morning, how are you?
Saya: I'm good. Thank you.
Mat Salleh: Why are you going to US?
Saya: For sightseeing
Mat Salleh: How long?
Saya: 12 days
Mat Salleh: You intend to go by yourself?
Saya: Yes, by myself with a group tour
Mat Salleh: Do you travel alot? Where?
Saya: Yes.. to bla..bla..bla
Mat Salleh: Tell me about your job?
Saya: bla bla bla...
Mat Salleh: Tgk monitor sambil menaip. Ok your visa approved. We will send to the address given.
Saya: Thank you very much... dengan senyuman hingga ke telinga.

8. Closing

Alhamdulillah.  Dua minit yang begitu bermakna. Rasa berbaloi effort yg berjam-jam itu. Visa for 10 years, expires 2024

US.. see you soon. Dec? Entah. Mungkin :)

Unpredictable days...

view from my desk

WORK

It has been 20 days in the new place. The first week was like catching things flying above your head so that it won’t touch the ground. Things are flying fast. So you need to be like calamari with many hands. This exclude urgent task that come from nowhere without any sign. Oh boy, I was having FUN. I have a lot of things to catch up and learn.. which is good, a sign of growth :) I have a very small team. One un-function, the whole team collapse. We rent a small room with dedicated phone, fax and internet line. Distraction is lesser. I don’t have to be responsible for maintenance of the OFFICE and the PEOPLE. I can simply says.. I’m sorry, I don’t know. I’m new here :D

ROAD TRAFFIC

is terrific. Return trip from home to office will consume minimum 2 ½ hours daily. I already knew my preferred route, which lane I should take, what time I should leave home & office and my parking spot. I just have to endure and make use of it. Sipping coffee early morning inside the car with kuih or sandwich is my routine now. Yep, now I prepare breakfast or sometime, fried mee hoon from the stall. I usually reach office 45 mins early and reach home before Maghreb prayers ends. Being far from office is an opportunity to discipline myself, 5 days for work and 2 days for myself.

TIME

I read a lot of stuff over the internet on managing my time. How to be more productive, efficient and meaningful.. (sometime taking nap or sleep extra 2 hrs also meaningful and priceless ok…). One of the changes I made is to do a time log. So I can monitor how long things take, what task completed/ pending and to answer my own important question: of where does the time go? Also, a bit of planning on how I want to spend my weekend (usually while I’m driving) since it is precious too. 

PEOPLE

I’m back -reaching out to my family and friends that I have left for few months due to the transition. Thank you for your understanding, especially mom with lesser phone calls and no visit at all. Yeay! Since saya menumpang office orang, things also have been good. Office colleagues have their own expertise from accounting, tax, company secretary and consultancy. I just need to ask.

TRAVEL

It has been ages I’m trap not going anywhere. At first, I wanted to go to US for Christmas and New Year but few friends say it’s not a good timing since winter is heavy and will be tiresome to move around. So postpone. Since I’m also lazy, maybe I want to consider Japan, a solo trip maybe. A short one. US can wait next year. I submitted my US visa application yesterday. The interview session scheduled on 29th this mth. Wish me luck, I don’t want to lose the visa fees. Mahal tu.. RM512 

END

It’s interesting… when days are unpredictable. You don’t know what to expect. It’s a mystery and Allah knows best :)

menunggu Merdeka..

31 Ogos 2014

Banyak dan luas maknanya kali ini. Mengharap rasanya manis.

Mengharap juga saya punya satu hari utk menikmatinya... satu hari untuk saya. Satu hari untuk tidak memikirkan. Satu hari untuk bebas berbuat apa saja. Satu hari untuk menikmati ringan nya bahu saya. 

Satu hari nikmat 'Merdeka'

.... sebelum saya dijajah semula.