My muddle thinking

Training at AKRINE 23-24 January 2010

2010-04-24T09:54:00.004+08:00

It has been a while since I last update my blog... a year! wow.

Anyhow one of my friend, Ikram commented that I should put up something regarding my recent training in Kuala Lumpur. So Ikram... here goes..
My training was different than any of my oversea training whereby I went there under my own expense..going alone.. and for Islamic Healing Practice particularly regarding ailments connected to jinn and withcraft.

I have been following a blog; www.akrine.blogspot.com - AKRINE (Akademi Rawatan Islam Nur Ehsan- run by Ustaz Majid) for quite a while and thus made a decision to go there for the 23-24 Jan training.

Its was quite a leap of faith to go there alone as I have never went to Kuang, Selangor. Only upon landing at KLIA around 10pm I received a sms from Ustaz Majid stating directions to go there.

Anyone interested to go there here is the exact copy of Ustaz Majid's sms to me. "Sampai KLIA, naik kete api ke KL SENTRAL. Pas tu naik komuter arah ke rawang, turun sg buloh. naik taxi ke akrine rm 12. LOT 2894, LRG BERINGIN, BT 17 KUANG. Msuk lrg beringin 2km, hga jumpa signboard akrine."

Along the way I simply put my trust & faith to Allah, as a lot can happen... To cut the story short, Allah made my journey easy.. got to the right commuter train, got out at the right place, got a taxi driver that knows where the place is..(actually he knew the other Healing practise 'Pusat Rawatan Islam Manarah' which is on the same road).

Reach there just before midnite (ikram, you might remember exactly?).. I'll continue my story another time but here are some of pictures of the training..

My teacher, Ustaz Abdul Majid in action

Group picture.. myself on the far left

Getting my 'ijazah' from Guru Ustaz Abdul Majid

My new friends; (left to right) Ikram, myself, Zulkifli, Rohimin

With Tuan Guru himself

Who is the fairest of them all?

2009-04-18T12:13:00.006+08:00

My wife always tease me that among my wife and my 3 kids, I am among the 'fairest' of them all.

ha ha ha.. Pictures below were taken just after I got back from my escapade at Batang Duri Temburong which makes me even more fairer as compared before.

Well.. what to do.. !! Anyway yesterday was our 4th wedding anniversary (love you Sayang) and celebrated it with a dinner at Charcoal. hmm.. love those lamb shanks.. Time sure creeps in quite fast as now we have 3 kids under our belt.

May Allah continue to bless us. Amin..!

Princess Raudhah

2009-04-17T15:16:00.000+08:00

After a long hiatus....

2009-04-14T10:20:00.013+08:00

Wow.. was it that long that I didn't blog or even read others..?!!!

It was such a frantic period of my life so far,..starting off with my dearest friend, Jimi: Pg Hj Abdul Azmi, who was hospitalised & sedated for nearly a week end of last February.

It was such a shock to me and actually disbelieved when my fren Zul told me about Jimi. Visiting him while he was still unconscious, I could only offer my prayers for his speedy recovery. Alas, Allah has granted him recovery and he was soon out and about. Alhamdulillah...

In the midst of all that, I have just joined a course organised by Darusysyifa' Warrafahah (an association closely linked with Darusyifa Malaysia) teaching Islamic healing practises. I was not just a participant but also the videographer. The whole course span for about 4 to 5 months.

Of course, office work put a great weight in limiting/stopping me from blogging. This was added by my company decision to move/swap position with another senior manager with a completely different portfolio or technical know-how. Wish me luck....

The biggest impact felt was from my subordinates. Sorry guys.. it has been great working closely with you all. Still there was a huge chunk of my previous work need to be given to the customer thus I am essentially doing two jobs until my other collegues can get a rein over it.

Well, it would be boring to read my blog if theres no pictures in it. Thus here are some pictures taken during my 3 days (10 to 12 April) in Batang Duri Outward Bound Brunei Darussalam. It was a mix group of AiTi, TelBru & Alif Technologies.

The course was beyong expectation.. no kidding. ('Macam kan mati, rasanya' - Bruneian expression)

But overall it was enjoyable. And the funny thing is.. if my company organises another one, I surely would join again!! ('Nda jareh')

Mr. Flying-Fox Man

Grinning to go for 2nd round.. siok eh. Note: Current weight 80.5kg

'Confidence drop'. This was done before we did the flying-fox.

Pump-up to go for the trekking.

All smileys before the trek.

Doa before the trekking.

Was still able to smile...

FYI the trekking took 5hours. My back pack was around 20kg & I nearly 'kepisan'. This was the most grueling experience ever..

After camping in the wild, next day we prepared to go for kayaking (another 3hours experience). Unfortunately no one bring a water-proof camera. :(

On our way back to BSB. Note: Current weight 78kg.

Lady at the gate: B&W rendition

2009-02-15T21:39:00.000+08:00

Old News: partial eclipse

2009-02-15T19:27:00.004+08:00

On the 26th January 2009, me, my wife and Raudhah were eating out at KFC Yayasan whereby I noticed quite a number of people gathering just outside on the footstep. Luckily a fren of my wife mentioned that there will be a partial eclipse happening. Duhh..! Been busy with work that I miss on whats happening. Luckily I brought along my brand new Camera.. hehe.

Captured a few photos of the small event.

An interviewer and interviewee on the steps of Yayasan

FYI those two guys did not turn into those two eggs. (Eggs left by the man without the cap). I overheard people mentioning that eggs would rotate by itself when there is an eclipse. Beats me..

As you can see the bloke really did not turn into an egg. hehe.. RTB also there to capture the event.

The special telescope placed inside the tent as it was still raining.

Leaflets regarding the eclipse were distributed. Made a new friend 'Sulaiman from Fire & Rescue unit'

The crowds..

Sorry dude.. I also could hardly see any silhouette of the eclipse as the sky was still gloomy.

I'm not sure whether you could get any photo of the eclipse using that camera.

At last I could see the partial eclipse. Well.. its actually a computer simulated model on what you should actually see.

At the end, it did not turn out as good as I expected or maybe I wasn't even expecting it at all as it was just another outing with my family. Sorry Sayang as you have to go around shopping without me at Yayasan with Raudhah.

Sarah Najihah Binti Haji Emran

2009-02-12T07:03:00.003+08:00

It has been a while since I have not been back to KB. I have met my dad last night and he inquired about my little ones. That reminds me that so far only my youngest has not been featured in my blog, thus here is the photo of her.

The How-To

2009-02-11T01:38:00.002+08:00

I have forgotten to mention what software I used and how I did the two pictures; Raudhah in words & Naurah's Puzzle Board.

Well, the software I used was Adobe Photoshop CS3 and the how-to was from http://www.gavinhoey.co.uk

I think he is one of the best teachers in the on-line tutorial area so far. Well paced and most importantly very comprehensible.

I have link both tutorials from his website as below. Enjoy and have fun.

Raudhah in words

2009-02-08T22:55:00.002+08:00

I am always fascinated by pictures being composed of words or anything that may seemed to be not so conspicuously link to it.

For this particular case, I have made a picture montage of Raudhah comprising sentences she always use like "Raudhah suka princess", "Raudhah suka pink", etc.

I hope I will be able to decorate my house with interesting pictures like this with different concept and style which revolves around my family.

Enjoy the picture..

Naurah's Puzzle Board

2009-02-07T19:36:00.002+08:00

I have not blog for quite a while as I have been pretty busy with work especially relating to the weather impacting our country.

Anyhow my wife ask me to do a photo project; collection of family photos that we could display in our new house nanti. So thus I have been trying different sort of photo manipulation.. learning it of the Net.

Here is one of my fav..

Now Seven Of Me

2009-01-25T06:32:00.002+08:00

Here is another take on multiplicity! hehehe

Six of me

2009-01-24T17:26:00.002+08:00

I have seen a tutorial on the web in making multiple copies of a subject within the same image. It was simple thus I had a go of it to see how 'easy' it was. I intentionally only create one overlapping image of the subject so as I wont spend so much time doing the 'magic' i.e. erasing with a photoshop utility. hehehe

Later on I will try more complicated subject interaction... if I could find the time .. i.e. kalau ku rajin jua.. :)

Raudhah's cousin

2009-01-17T10:54:00.004+08:00

Its has been a long time I didnt blog. Very busy since I started work. Anyhow my wife requested me to put Raudhah's cousin picture here. His name Hasiib Basyiriin. Like to play with toy cars.. as you can see..

Raudhah's 1st Day to school

2009-01-10T12:01:00.006+08:00

It has been such a busy week for me that I have not updated my blog for the past few days. Just started work on Thursday and was immediately thrown into a full day of workshop. Such a 'good way' to kick start your work. What to do...? 'Cari makan cik...!'

Anyhow I promised to blog about my daughter Raudhah first experience going to school. (its my first experience too as a dad!). Shes coming 3 in February thus she is enrolling to Kindergarden 1 instead of Daycare.

I was actually nervous on how Raudhah would behaved in such a new environment as we never entrusted her to complete strangers before. Journey to the school was uneventful as I guessed she merely thought we were bringing her for 'jalan-jalan'.

Upon entering her class, I was delighted that she immediatley played coloured plasticine given by her teacher eventhough she has this quizzical look on why one of the boy in her class was wailing and crying.

At this stage, we both thought that she had accustomed herself. But later on, when I picked her up from school, she was crying. Her teacher informed that at first she did not cry when we left her but later on when a bunch of her classmates started to cry.. well......

Anyhow, enjoy the pics...

Raudhah's fancy & colourful braid hairstyle

Raudhah dressed by my maid

Getting 'tanda' from her grandpa.

Salam her grandma.

Watching tv while waiting for us to get ready.

Off to school in her pink 'princess' bag.

Raudhah wanted her bag back from her mom at school. (The bag must be left at the green table)

Playing coloured plasticine in class.

My wife seen nervously monitoring from outside her class.

Raudhah's 'quizzical' look. She was actually looking at the crying boy.

My father-in-law NEXT PROJECT

2009-01-07T09:58:00.003+08:00

Not contended with his finished helicopter project, my father-in-law embarked again on another TOP SECRET project.

I managed to get 'TOP SECRET: FOR YOUR EYES ONLY' photos of the exclusive project.

Please keep this secret between you and me.

Diligently working on what seems to be an advanced & sophisticated turbine. Photo taken by me using a powerful telephoto lens..1km away..

'The project' securely covered and perimeter guarded with invisible infra-red rays to detect trespasser.

After I managed to defeat the perimeter sensors, the 'project' was uncovered.

It seems to be the latest and most advanced aeroplane model..!!! with what seems to be a turbine or some sort of propelling mechanism on its wings.

A closer view of the 'turbine'.

Inside view of the 'heart' of the 'Project'.

A quick snapshot of the environment where my father-in-law is currently working on the 'Project'. Photo taken using a super duper telephoto lens from 2km away.

A Full Monday schedule

2009-01-06T15:18:00.008+08:00

My Monday was packed with a lot of stuff to do.. Let me start of with....

In the morning, we (my wife and I) brought along Raudhah to her would be school.

We wanted to buy an extra pair of uniform for her.. just in case.

Managed to ask Raudhah to pose just outside her school.

As usual, the reward for being a good girl was to buy 'mainan' for her.

In this particular case, the 'mainan' is a "Sesame Street Sliding Puzzle Book".

Next was to Boustead showroom..

Thinking or 'dreaming' to own a big car.

As it was already lunch time, we dropped by Aminah Arif Restaurant for some ambuyat. Yummy...!

The gruesome scene after we finished eating.. hehehe

In the afternoon, I send my wife to pick up her car from the workshop. Actually I forgot to blog about it last Saturday. On that fateful Saturday afternoon, my in-law borrowed my wife's car and suddenly it stalled on him. Can you guess from where was this picture taken?

Lastly at nite, I spend a few hours typing in a minute of meeting for an association that I joined. To be honest, its not my 'bread and butter' thus it was excruciatingly and painstakingly taking a long time to complete. Thanks Sayang for the malay translation.. :)

Hot-selling product

2009-01-05T07:20:00.005+08:00

Yesterday my wife and I spent nearly half a day trying to find what seems to be a best-sellling product of the month (or from previous month).

Its black sport-pants for 3 to 4 years old kids. We want to buy it for Raudhah to wear when her new kindergarden class would have sport activities. We know its such a hot item as we met my wife's friend at a hypermarket stating similar things. Citing that they too have gone to several places without any luck. Such a 'pisang panas'.

At the end we contended to just buy a pair of sport shoes for her.

Lesson of the day: Don't buy last minute! hehehe

Raudhah's new sport shoes.. hmm.. is it 'abibas' or 'adidas'?

A day a the beach

2009-01-04T07:19:00.004+08:00

Finally we are able to bring our daughters (except the youngest.. 2mths old) to the beach yesterday. I have been meaning to bring my kids there earlier but both of them got a flu a few days back. My mom-in-law was also willing to tag along with us and join the fun. The venue was Berakas Beach.

As expected there were a lot of people (especially families type) as it was the last weekend before school term begins. The day was surprisingly not that hot as the sea breeze was quite cool. Later on we found out (on our way back home) that it was because it was going to rain.

While my wife and mom were busy watching out for the kids, I was busy watching them through my camera view-finder. (hehehe.. practicing taking shots with the new cam). Overall I was happy to see that my daughters were having fun.

Oh yes.. this is the first time we brought them to the beach and the first time we allowed them to be 'friendly' with the sand. So some unsurprising things happen when you put children in that situation.

Facts of the day: Naurah was 'eating' sand while Raudhah was busy shampooing her hair in it!

From L to R: Mom-in-law, Raudhah, my loving Wife, Naurah

Naurah never hesitated to run to the waves as my wife steadfastly guarding from the rear

"Masya Allah... I forgot to bring my scuba gear!"

"hmm.. whats this? I wonder what it tastes like.....?"

Taking a break

"Siok eh usulnya"

My first photo models

2009-01-02T07:54:00.003+08:00

These are among the first pictures taken by me with the Canon EOS 40D. My main subjects yesterday were my daughters; whereby my eldest was more than willing to be my model. As you can see, she can strike poses without me doing a lot of instructions.

The only 'sasak' part was that every time I took her pics, she would run straight to me and asked me to show it to her on the camera. Multiply that by a few dozen time I took her pics, well.. you get the picture (if you'll forgive the pun).

Obviuosly I have a lot of learning to do.. Anyhow enjoy my pics.

Naurah's favourite hobby; watching cartoons

You can hardly get her attention while shes watching TV

"YES! Top-notch photo Dad" hehehe

One of Raudhah's cutest pose

Romantic pose by Raudhah

My first DSLR

2009-01-01T09:37:00.006+08:00

First of all I would like to thank my wife as she was the person who supported me to finally buy a Digital SLR camera. Without her saying the magic word 'agatah bali..' I would not have done it. *luv u sayang*

Well, impressive photos taken by alt-expression & gembo also did the trick as she was saying how outstanding those photos were. She gave similar comments like mine.. 'macam dalam magazine saja..'

Seems to be I got a lot to catch up with my bros and meet my wife expectations. Need all of your support guys.. Cheers.. and Have a happy new year holiday.

My new Canon EOS 40D with EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM. Photo taken by his cousin; Canon PowerShot A470 with 6.3-21.6mm f/3-5.8.

Working Trip to Kuching 20-23 Nov part II

2008-12-30T21:58:00.007+08:00

If you have by any chance going to visit Kuching next year 2009 and want to stay at Crowne Plaza or Holiday Inn, don't be surprise if you don't find any of them listed anywhere.

Well this is due to these hotels are nor longer continuing their contract with InterContinental Hotels Group. Thus they need to be rebranded.

Hence, with effective from 1 Jan 2009, the new names for these famous hotels are:

Crowne Plaza Riverside Kuching is renamed as Riverside Majestic Hotel
Holiday Inn Kuching is renamed as Grand Margherita Hotel

They actually took down the sign while we were still staying there. (22nd Dec)

Another interesting place we visited was the Kek Lapis Dayang Salhah. It is one of the famous & flourishing cottage industry in Kuching. As you can see it still retains the 'kampung' facade and you have to take off your shoes when entering, similar to what we do when we enter our own house.

Once inside, I felt like I was just visiting friends for Hari Raya, as an assortment of Kek Lapis was served on the table meant as testers. As I was quite hungry, an ample amount of delicious Kek Lapis passed through my gullet. hehehe

Overall it was an interesting experience, anyhow some say that Kek Lapis originated from Kuching. It is true? Welcome any comments on this. Well..enjoy the rest of the pictures...

Front view of the Kek Lapis House

Yummy... free kuih...!!!

Kek Lapis products nicely stacked onto shelves. Even carry-baskets were provided similar to your local supermarket.

hmm.. what was that fancy looking cake called?

Some local celebrities immortalised during their visit there. See if you can guess a few?

Definitely not a celebrity!!!

My kid candid pictures

2008-12-29T22:14:00.005+08:00

Pictures taken today of my eldest daughter Raudhah at home after we (my wife, Naurah & myself) went to the Yayasan to grab a bite in KFC there. As usual, I have to buy some toys for her. Her fav is the 'princesses' aka anything pink type toys thus I bought an assortment of girlie accessories for just under $10.

Shes nearly three, thus doesn't need a 'baby walker', but as you can see... she is using it as a mobile office table.

Look at her pink sandals

"Hello...Yes, this is Miss Raudhah, I would like to order more of your pink sandals..."

Islamic Hijri Calendar

2008-12-29T16:56:00.001+08:00

Free Islamic Clock

Bloodiest Day for Palestine

2008-12-29T07:08:00.004+08:00

Israeli warplanes have targeted buildings across Gaza. Death toll nearing 300.

Such a big catastrophe compounding the Palestinians now. The death toll is already nearing 300 killed. This filthy heavy-handed genocide by the Israeli Government has to stop. Nearly three hundreds palestinians killed compared to one Israeli civillian killed, now where is the rational in these act of barbarism.

Israel as the occupying power under article 55 of the Geneva Convention “has the duty of ensuring the food and medical supplies of the population; it should, in particular, bring in the necessary foodstuffs, medical stores and other articles if the resources of the occupied territory are inadequate”. Israel failed to do so and used it as a bargaining political instrument for oppression.

Are we blind to the fact that the reason for the firing of these home-made uneffective rockets by Palestinians are signs (screams!!!) for help as they have been year after year being strangulated and starved by Israel.

I truly believe that the Israeli Government has other underlying motive for this act. As I noticed that as leftist political parties there need to 'act' tough in order to have any chance of winning elections. Then of course, timing is everything. Israel need to do as much cynical 'genocide' as it could before the new upcoming US President takes Office. Only then it would just do some political readjustment with the US, pretending to 'bow down' to its pressure while in its heart the
'satisfaction' that it had inflict terrible & heavy losses to the Palestinians.

May Allah the All-Mighty bless Palestinians in Gaza. I pray that fellow brothers & sisters there will find strength to endure these Test.

Raudhah's little trick

2008-12-28T21:30:00.009+08:00

My eldest daughter (2yr 10mth) comes up with a little trick that she likes to show-off. This was performed immediately after she just woke up in the morning. (take note of the well-kept hair).

Happy Hijri 1430 & Happy Viewing!

Happy Hijri 1430: My own passage.

2008-12-28T20:45:00.006+08:00

Assalamualaikum to all my family, friends and readers,

Another year passed commemorating the Prophet's (may peace be upon him) historic passage from Mekah to Medinah. This is the time I reflect on all things that happened to me throughout the year.

For me, its quite significant as I want it to symbolise my own passage. A passage where I would find peace and forgiveness by staying on the path that the Prophet has shown.

Hearing the imam recite the 'doa akhir & awal tahun' in Malay, brought a certain heaviness in my heart as I knew that I did not perform the best as I could as a true muslim. I hope I will always be in the embrace of the Most Merciful & Most Forgiving.

Happy Hijri 1430 to all muslims and I pray that we will all meet in the garden of everlasting peace.

Working Trip to Kuching 20-23 Nov

2008-12-28T17:06:00.028+08:00

My last visit to Kuching was more than 15 years ago, thus this place was completely new to me. I went there with colleagues from The Firm. It was a nice place with a lot of interesting food. It is always handy to have a local person to bring you around as I was completely blur on where to go & what to buy that is so-called 'specialised local items'. So I was merely enjoying the ride..!

Melamine anyone? Seems like a strange thing to see nowadays.

To the Pasar Tamu Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Utara

Bought this laksa packet..until now alum cuba! Btw can u guess whose that guy in black? Tips: I'm the famous blogger.

Udang 'Straight' hawker

Mr. Terubuk-Masin man

Stairway To Library Heaven: The unique glass staircase of 'Pustaka negeri Sarawak'

Just three laminated glass needed?! eee.... Also one of my fren mentioned that some1 will sure have fun sitting under the staircase. :)

Whats that 'bulge'?!

2008-12-28T07:54:00.020+08:00

Ever wondered what will happen when you drop a MacBook from..say about 4 feet high? Well, I have the privilege to find that out 3 weeks ago.

Frantically checking the Mac after the unattached bungee drop, at first I thought that my MacBook is 'invincible' as there was no obvious blemishes. Before that, honestly I thought I would have a cracked LCD.

Placing it back into my bag, I went for another meeting. While I was perusing the web.. (pretending to look for something important while the meeting was going on..! :) ).. I noticed my Mac started to grow a 'bulge'. hehehe... not that it had anything to do with me surfing the Net!!

Photos below show the extent of the damage or 'bulge' to the Mac's battery. Btw I got a new battery from AV yesterday for $248. (discounted from the $256 as I paid in cash).

My father-in-law a.k.a landscape designer

2008-12-27T13:09:00.008+08:00

I have been meaning to upload this video ever since my father-in-law started his landscaping project at his place. It began as just an outside aquarium for his fishes but ended up becoming more than that.

At the end it consist of two kettle water-fountains and two helicopters. {earlier version was a boat and a water-village house}. The mini-heli (green coloured) was his first version and of course the big one was his latest creation. Please note that the latter have both the main & rear rotors spinning.

He sure does have a knack of building things from wood, plastic and cement. Anyhow enjoy the vid!

My long rest from work

2008-12-27T08:29:00.001+08:00

Today is the start of my 12 days of 'rest' from work. I took it way beyond the new year as I will be placing my eldest daughter to her first playschool. That will be an interesting experience for me as a dad. Definitely will be added to my blog later.

For now I am simply playing around with the blog... trying to put in gadgets, customising here and there.

Oh yes, yesterday I bumped into my mates & co-worker and was surprised being told that another high-profile colleague will be quitting and going to a greener pasture. Hmm.. *which makes me thinking*. Oh well.. we'll just wait and see..

The question now pondering my muddle brain is 'What to do in this long abstinence from work?'. Any ideas?

Starting this blog

2008-12-26T16:22:00.000+08:00

May Peace be a upon you. At last.. I am able to get myself started to create a blog again. I don't even know yet what sort of blog this will be eventually. So I say to myself just.. do it. Let it grow into whatever direction this may bring.

At the end of the day, my objective is to bring my muddle thinking into some sort of coherent platform or medium that can be share and to make sense of it all.