Beauty..

Sometimes in the darkest hour we forget the simple things that surround us. We overlook the little details that may bring relief and joy even for a fleeting moment. Focus on the dark and be blinded or seek the specks of light that bring hope. Hope, after all is one thing that all of us have a lot of.

Currently at least two of my close friends is in the midst of preparing to go for Hajj. The annual pilgrimage has begun. Getting news of their pending departure struck a chord in me. A tinge of jealousy perhaps because its not me that is going. The Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. I just want to get it done yet have not. Why ? I am the type who likes to get things done and over with. Like paying the bills once it arrived - unlike my other half - well that's a contentious story by itself. So, 5 pillars, 4 done, 1 left. To appease my mind, I have been to Mecca 3 times. For Umrah, the voluntary (is this the right term for sunat ?) not mandatory visit.

Since the first Umrah I kept telling myself that I will come for the Hajj, yet god in his ways invited me back for the 2nd and 3rd Umrah. So, for now, hope and wait. Inshaallah. To those going - lambailah kami yang tinggal ni.




A parcel arrived yesterday. It contains a book, a tangible output from 2007. Details and short review here.

Just being morbid...

I am certain quite a few will be put off by this post. Apologies, am just continuing the seemingly morbid ideas that goes through my head in recent times. The sequence of pictures seems to dictate a path soon to be trodden. The discarded coffin, the plots reserved for adults and the innocent exit sign losing innocence due to its placement.

Anyway, I am winding down a special day - according to my kids - my birthday. I don't subscribe to celebrating it as to me its just a passing of time which coincided with the day I was brought into this world. Got quite a few things done today. Highlight of which is my first ever organic lunch courtesy of Den. Was quite good and should have a camera with me. A tad more pricey but worth it. Never imagined that brown rice served with veggies could taste so refreshing and good.

To those who sent their best wishes, by mail (mainly the banks and businesses...) and sms, thank you. To those who forgot, no worries, I prefer not to be reminded that I am getting ever closer to my exit point. To the few friends whose birthday falls within a few days of mine, may your coming years be a thousand times better, healthier and happier. Happy Birthday ;)

Kiara - birds in the graveyard

Let your mind wander, making up the story as you go. Start with the curious bird reading the faded markings on the old tombstone...

RC helicopter

It started as a meet over laksa and satay. The menu expanded to include thick lamb soup with bread, roti jala with chicken curry, trifle, pudding, cake, kuih and numerous other that I can't recall because its just too varied and I did not taste them all.

Accompanied by cold drinks, hot drinks and ENO for my dear bloated friend who has to fly off to another engagement tonight. Then Anuar came and the story revolves around his hobby - radio controlled helicopters. It was interesting but expensive. Then again, I presume not as expensive as keeping a mistress, ahem...

The ground briefing to a very attentive audience followed by...

...some practical, technical lessons. Notice the guy in white trying to figure out the black box...

Wooohoooo, actual flight.

Higher, further and faster.

Demo over, dismantling for storage. The battery pack only lasts for about 10 minutes of flight. Need to fly for half hour ? Prepare 3 fully charged battery pack. Err, a pack costs RM180.00.

Back into its custom made storage case.

Fully taken in future pilots all nagging their pa and ma for a helicopter of their own. Thanks to Anuar. Thanks to Dee and family for being a super host with super food and super company.

Adult class...

Actually it was a Hari Raya Gathering organised by Masjid Al-Hidayah, Kelana Jaya. It was held in a classroom and there was a lecture as part of the event. Its quite amusing to see ol.. ehem mature persons sitting in classroom chairs with some tending to nod off despite the interesting topic of proper diet and healthy lifestyle for senior citizens.

It truly was a very informative lecture presented by Dr. Azman from Hospital Serdang. It made me think that to be truly safe in our diet, we would have to grow and prepare the food ourselves. Nothing is guaranteed anymore and the melamine tainted milk is proof of that. Milk, supposed to be the healthiest of food turns to poison because of human greed.

Anyway, a new book of which I am partly involved in its preparation is out. Check out this link for details. Not just for mariners but could be useful for anyone who would like to understand how ships are navigated at sea.

SK Kampung Tunku - snapshots

Entrepreneurs day at SK Kampung Tunku. A fun Saturday.

Generations apart...

From one end to the other. From a beginning to an ending.
One reminiscing the past, one anticipating the future.
Will the journey be the same ?

Oreo delight

Scrumptious chocolaty confection. RM20.00 for a jar of 50 pieces. To order call Zafni at 019-2215699.

Colour

Garden creepers...

B & W

A first test shot...

An old bum goes into a coffee shop and asks for a cup of coffee."But I don't think you can pay for it," says the waitress. "You're right," says the bum. "I don't have any money, but if I show you something you've never seen before, will you get me some coffee?"

"Well, OK," says the waitress.So the guy pulls a hamster out of his pack and it starts to dance. It has incredible rhythm and can do awesome moves."One cup of joe, comin' up," says the waitress.The guy guzzles it down and asks for more.

"Money or another miracle, or else no joe," says the waitress.So the guy pulls a frog out of his pack. The frog starts to sing, and his voice is beautifully high. A guy rushes over and asks for the frog for $300. The bum gladly accepts.

"Are you insane?" asks the waitress. "You sold a singing frog for three hundred bucks? It's gotta be worth millions!""Not so," said the bum matter-of-factly. "The hamster is also a ventriloquist."

Seafarer's Open Day

Invitation is open to all active and non-active seafarers, their families, ship owners, agencies and training institutions which involved directly with the development of Malaysian Seafarers.
Central Mercantile Marine Fund and with the cooperation of Malaysian Marine Department will organized a scheduled coaster bus to attend seafarers onboard their vessel and transport them to the Mariners Center to attend this event. It is a complementary service.


Various programs will be held from 1100 hours
until 1530 hours. They are:

i. Customer Open Day by Ministry Of Transport Malaysia Agencies.
There will be at least 12 agencies under The Ministry Of Transport Malaysia. To name few, Road Transport Department, Department of Civil Aviation, Port Kelang Authorities, MIROS etc.
Booth and information counters will be set up along Jalan Depoh in order to ease the agencies to interact with their customer.

Exhibition Booth will be available by the agencies to relay information’s of their services to public.

ii. Blood Donation Program
This program with the cooperation of Ministry of Health will be held at Laksamana Room, Mariners Center, Port Kelang. It is open to all visitors.


iii. Traditional Games
Traditional Games such as Congkak, Dam Haji(checkers), Batu Simbang, Permainan Tutup Botol and much more will be held at canopies around the Mariners Center Port Kelang.

All seafarers and visitors are welcome to participate. This will make the Mariners Open Day more eventful.

iv. Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Deepavali Feast
Hari Raya Aidilfitri & Deepavali Feast is held to celebrate all seafarers and visitors during the Mariners Open Day celebration.

SEAFARER OPEN DAY 2008
“GREETINGS MARINERS”
CUSTOMER OPEN DAY BY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AGENCIES
ORGANISED BY
CENTRAL MERCANTILE MARINE FUND
MONDAY, 20 OCTOBER 2008
AT MARINERS CENTER PORT KELANG, SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN

A public service announcement for KWPPL.