photography contest

I wonder if there would be any entries for a photography contest, if I were to hold one.

The subject is 'police officers in Malaysia wearing seatbelt in patrol cars'.

So far (at least in JB) it's hard to find one.

Dewey the Library Cat

His full name is Dewey Readmore Books, very apt for a library cat, adopted by staff at the Spencer Public Library, in a small town of Spencer, Iowa.

A chat with Nassim over teh tarik after last Friday's night ride in Larkin, triggered my bookstore visit yesterday. It's been a while since I read a novel, so I'm hunting for one to read.

I was in MPH City Square Johor Bahru browsing for a Crichton's Pirates Latitudes. They only have it in hardcover (read: expensive), so I guess I'll just have to wait for the paperback version. I picked up one of Azizi Ali's book on property investment, looked at the backcovers of all books Toyota management (because they are all plastic-wrapped), while holding Umar in arms. Man, he's getting heavier day by day. Naza took care of selecting the children's educational books, and the payment at the counter (of course, with my $).

I lingered at the non-fiction (Albom, et. al.), and I saw Dewey posing innocently to the camera on the book cover. The backcover stated his full name (yes, this one's also was wrapped in plastic), and I'm hooked just by reading his name. So, I brought his story home as well. A true story would be much better than a novel if it involves cats, I think. Paulo Coelho (probably The Zahir) just have to wait until next month to reside on my bookshelf.

A quick research this morning returned the links scattered in this entry. Interesting, indeed. Especially for an ex-librarian (in MBS Sentul), book lover, and feline adorer in me.

Up to this point, I'm only at the first chapter. I'll continue reading during lunchtimes. Meanwhile, have a load on Dewey's photos in Spencer Library's website. He's also on Facebook, by the way.

photo credit goes to Spencer Public Library

selamat hari raya aidil adha 1430H

A few of the guys in the office left for their kampungs already, although my Kelantanese colleague seating next to me is still in his seat staring at the computer.

 

I guess since last evening, my mind too, have left for Senawang. Aidil Adha had never been a big celebratory occasion for me, subconsciously regarding it as the lesser hari raya, second to Aidil Fitri. Perhaps I need to experience it in Kelantan and Terengganu, where they say the celebratory mode is the other way around.

 

It has been quite some time since we went back to Senawang. That's why i'm eager to go back this weekend (tonight, insyaAllah). Aidil Adha being the occasion, Ibu's house is expected to be full, with Hafiz my younger brother and his family making the trip from Ipoh and Akak with Azeem and Byron from KL celebrating the day. Oh, and this will be Umar's first trip to Senawang.

 

For Naza and I, we'll be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary on Saturday. That's another big occasion, too. Should I get her the Casio digital piano or a solitaire diamond ring or a pair of diamond earstuds? The keyboard is not prone to being lost, although it is very much less sparkling than diamonds. Still scratching my head for the fund, though...

 

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha to you.

Al Insyirah

Bismillahirrahmaanirrahiim

Al Insyirah
Bukankah Kami telah melapangkan untukmu dadamu?,
Dan Kami telah menghilangkan dari padamu bebanmu,
Yang memberatkan punggungmu?
Dan Kami tinggikan bagimu sebutan (nama)mu.
Kerana sesungguhnya sesudah kesulitan itu ada kemudahan,
Sesungguhnya sesudah kesulitan itu ada kemudahan.
Maka apabila kamu telah selesai (dari sesuatu urusan), kerjakanlah dengan sungguh-sungguh (urusan) yang lain,
Dan hanya kepada Tuhanmulah hendaknya kamu berharap.

Surah 94, Al-Quran Kareem

Jangan Merokok

Kapal ni dulu siap belayar keliling dunia dok promote kempen jangan merokok. Tu diaa… punya la besar dia punya tulisan.

Kawan-kawan, jangan merokok.

BT-ing

I'm sending/replying SMSes from my office PC lightning fast, thanks to Bluetooth connection, and Nokia PC Suite.

Ultra cool! Well, that's one of many things that I could do differently (faster) with my handphone via BT.

With NPS, I could also manage my handphone data, faster. Backup, organise or deleting data has never been easier.

What needed are

• a pc
• good internet connection (to download the NPS software)
• bluetooth USB dongle - got it for RM30, I bet there are cheaper ones elsewhere

Check out what's behind the 'Bluetooth' name - wikipedia

Okay, I'm lagging waay behind in terms of embracing the technology. That being said, it means that I'm using it at a time when the technology is matured and the cost of the hardwares are relatively cheaper :)

What's next? Perhaps a BT earpiece for handsfree communication while driving (only).

sore arm

We went for Umar's first immunisation on Saturday evening in Pasir Gudang. The doctor didn't chart his growth, but we did a check on his weight.

He weighs 4.3kg, on his 60th day. No wonder my arm is sore this morning. I guess from carrying him around the house, for his time being awake is a bit longer now.

Other obvious signs: puffy cheeks, double chin (hiding his neck), rounder butt cheeks (used to be flat as a chopping board), and his head is filling the beanie hat now.

We are happy for this. Alhamdulillah.

Seri Alam Toastmasters Club

The Seri Alam Toastmasters Club is a continuity of MMHE Toastmasters Club. Established since 2005, as a company club it was open primarily to MMHE employees, while also accepting members from outside the workplace. It has gone one step further, and now it is a community club. Meaning, you can also be a member.

For the time being we are having the meetings in MMHE's office in Bandar Seri Alam (read: free venue), with the courtesy and support of MMHE.

Currently, yours truly is the Sergeant-At-Arms for the club. What is Toastmasters? Find out more about it here.

--------------------

Club Information
Club Number	00856876
Club Name	Seri Alam Toastmasters Club
Club contact phone	017 7151881
Club contact e-mail	wan@mmhe.com.my
Meeting Information
Meeting Day	1st & 3rd Thursday
Meeting Time	7:00 pm
Meeting Frequency	Twice a Month
Meeting Place 1	MMHE Seri Alam office
	Jalan Suria 2, Bandar Seri Alam, Masai
Meeting City	Johor Bahru
State	Johor
Zip	81700
Officer Terms	Annual
Advanced	No
Club Type	Community Club
Is your club	Open to all interested parties
Charter Date	12/01/2005

Aidilfitri 1430H 2009

(L to R): Adam, Nazahiya, Umar (on lap), Akmal Hizam, Marsya

Selamat Hari Raya from all of us.
Mohon maaf, zahir dan batin.

Ben 10 in Malay

Ben 10 was just starting on Cartoon Network over Astro that Raya morning. I was entertaining local kids coming over our house in Plentong. Without hesitation one of them said:

“Eh, tukar Bahasa Melayu lah”.

I did not know that it’s served bilingually. It did not matter to my children, and so we were not bothered with the technology. Five minutes later I heard Ben uttering Malay words.

Splendid. We learn something new every day.

Image copyright Turner Media Innovations

Evening Sky - 02.09.2009

I just had to stop at the roadside en route to Plentong when I saw the sky that evening.

It was fantastic.

Subhanallah.

Norzah the writer

He's an old hand when it comes to writing. Only this morning I discovered that he's been blogging since 2007.

He's my uncle, by way that his wife is Ibu's cousin. A retired government servant, I have high respect upon him. I still remember that morning while at the neighbourhood mamak shop buying things that Ibu asked me to buy. I caught a glimpse of his face on the front page of a newspaper (memory not so fantastic, can't recall which newspaper). I was only 9 at that time, and buying a newspaper was never in my shopping list. I bought that paper (instead of the usual Kiki chewing gums), for Uncle's face was on the front page giving his thoughts on something, as a somebody from MAMPU.

I guess he's one of my role models (also his wife, Aunty Bong) when I was growing up. You know, a kampung boy (and girl) who went to further their studies in universities overseas, hold high ranks in government, successful, makes folks at home proud. Drives a Volvo. That sort of thing.
Only very much later I found out that he's an avid writer. He gave me a thick novel as a gift when I visited him after I graduated. A Malay novel that he wrote - Saga.

As a tribute, I put his blog link in my blogroll. Love to read your thoughts, Uncle.

Eid Mubarak 1430H

Here’s wishing all of you:

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri

Mohon maaf, lahir dan batin

Have a blessed Eid Mubarak.

Enjoy your festive holiday wherever you are, and come back safely.

greeting graphics taken from Institut Memandu Bunga Raya pamphlet

Masjid Abu Bakar Johor Bahru

It’s been my favourite masjid in Johor Bahru since I first stepped into its courtyard. That was 19 years ago, when my cousin steered his van with us inside for our solat, en route to Singapore.

The architecture and finishing of the masjid is amazing, while being simple. The black small domes are distinctive, and I really like the brass fittings adorning its white doors and windows.

I would never miss the chance to go for solat Jumaat in this very place, and 3 weeks ago I did. The parking space is always crowded, so I went there quite early. Parked only at the sides of the entrance way, to ensure my easy way out after the solat. While it may seem that the masjid would be congested, it is actually not so. There’s ample space. Another thing I like about it is that there’s an array of water faucets for ablution along the covered pavement leading towards the side entrances. Seldom I have to queue for my turn.

These facts below I gathered from an information board erected on the masjid grounds:

• Located atop Bukit Kecil, overseeing Selat Tebrau. You can see Singapore from here, and the view is simply breathtaking.
• Construction took 8 years to finish, sice 1893, costing $400,000. I’m not sure whether the sum is based on current value, or the amount at the time of construction. If it is from 1893, that’s an awful lot of money.
• First opened in 2^nd February 1900, officiated with a solat Jumaat.
• The marbles are from Italy.
• The mimbar is from Turkey.

No info on the sparkling chandelier, though.

Photo by Pasha Razak Photography

Ikea raya ad

Fuhh... makin bertambah lawa rumah kampung kat Juasseh.
Mak Lang pun sekarang ni nampak makin berseri-seri.

Err... agak2 Ikea nak amik aku buat commercial utk hias rumah Ibu kat Senawang pulak tak?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n95qbcMaQIM

ehh... tapi macam bukan rumah arwah atuk je tu. rumah sapa eh? Uwan Acik ko?

kemaskini 14.09.2009:
Setolah berburak dongan Ibu, rumah yang dalam iklan tu sebona'eh rumah dokek Gombak yo... sobab eh, rumah kek Joseh tu tongah di renovate buat tompek mandi ngan tandeh.