Fear of the Unknown

Some people are scared of losing their power and authority, fear of not having being respected therefore approaching retirement is a mind boggling issue. I think this is what we call pre-retirement anxiety

Somebody here is feeling it now and splashing it to everybody..he's acting not like what he's so supposed to act..he can't think wisely..can't make a simple decision..all his decisions are merely base on his mind....

Maybe he's afraid of waking up a day after his BIG Retirement..and a different feels and ambience will greet him..no more PA, no more driver..no more staffs to do sommersault to catch his files when he is angry...and no more papers to tear ....and no more trips to Sabah and Sarawak on business class, with free hotel stay and luxurious meal by the golf course.....

Its funny how people fear of the unknown....maybe he should go for holiday or umrah a month before his retirement so that his restless soul could be cured.

Things to do when...

Things do to when you travel on early flight such as at 7.35am


-prepare your kids school bag or nursery bag

-sleep early

-rise and shine early at 5.00am

-applied basic make up like foundation, loose powder and blusher as well as lip gloss so that you don't end up with zombie look

-prepare small change for ERL Ticket and catch 6.20am train no later than that otherwise you have to terkedek-kedek cari gate at the airport

-remember to bring along your camera or your handphone will do

-At the airport: if you already check in at the counter or online, proceed to your gate and if you still have some spare time, browse for interesting book, good to kill the time for two and a half hour journey..at least half of the book can be finished from a single trip
-Otherwise just walk slowly and feast your eyes with candies, chocolates and perfumes along the way to your destination- the gate!


-View at KLIA at 7.00am before boarding to Tawau...snap some photo while waiting for your turn to board the plane

Things to do onboard:

-switch off your electronic devices and set your handphone to offline mode, this way you could still take some photo incase you forgot your D90 or D5000 or whatever model you have

-While waiting for your juice or plain water on board, enjoy the view if you can't sleep or read..or applied your make-up, the finishing part:eyeshadow,eyeliner,mascara..don't forget to praise Him for those breathtaking view...

-Remember the scene from English Patient..?
-If you seat by the window snap as many photos as you can, watch the cloud formation,the blue sky and mountains and the sea from above but choose your seat wisely..row no. 5-8 are okay..I always avoid row no. 10-16, row no.22-25..
-I always check in online for return trip and choose my seat by the window but if I have to rush then, I'll choose isle

-Breakfast will be serve by this time, they normally have nasi lemak, murtabak or roti canai..I always opted for murtabak which is small but thick and nasi lemak, but hate the anchovies...while you enjoy your meal, look outside coz the fluffy white clouds keep on changing their form

-You are full and not sleepy and flipping thru The Star or Utusan Malaysia..BUT please don't flip and slap the paper..its annoying..it happen to me few times, I don't know what are their problem, but these guys keep on doing that flipping and slapping loudly...

-Its been almost 2 hours plus and you could see Tawau with its green and hilly area..to avoid pressure in your ear, you can chew gums or sweets...

-Pilot announced for landing..
-You can tell that if in few minutes time the plane will touch down but the aircraft is still gliding..then the touch down will be a little bit bumpy and worst it might sway aside ..I've experience that moment few times at Sandakan, KL and Tawau

Things to do when you arrived at your destination: Tawau:

-Snap a photo of the airport..as usual..and don't ask a person next to you to hurried..relax..


-Straight to Immigration Counter and if you did not bring your passport, please keep nicely and safely that little piece of paper..I once accidently left it in my luggage bag which I check in..kena sedaazzz kat kaunter.. :-P

-If this is your first time in Tawau, just walk confidently and read the signboard...
-Straight ahead to your next destination and enjoy the trip in Tawau..

Things to do in Sabah if you've only few hours:

-Should go to their market..fish, crabs, prawn...seafood are cheap, but Sandakan is much cheaper than Tawau...
-Ask your driver to bring you here..Pasar Ikan Tawau..rolled up your jeans, you don't want to board the plane with fish smell don't you...hehehe...Eau De Eden pun kalah ni..

-Rule no.1: snap a photo of the main entrance..a must..



-Watch out..its slippery..and survey the price
-This market is smaller compared to Sandakan's..


-Smaller size prawn..soft shell

-RM25 per kilo...buy as many as you want (don't forget to check your purse first
-Buy a polystyrene box with ice cube
-There will be many small boy who will offer their service to carry those thing
-Don't be Hj Kedekut, even though your car is just few meters away..their chargers is only RM1..some of them did not have a chance to go to school...

Things to do at the airport with fresh seafood:

-Make sure that you wrap it nicely so that the melted ice won't mess other people's luggage, there many shops offering this service

-Once you are done with this..follow the same chronology...

-The next day: flip your recipe book and google for resepi ketam bunga, masak lemak ketam, or just ketam goreng simple ala thai...
Two crabs for two adult..

-You have been traveling so much lately and need some time with kids..
Things to do when you can't bring your kids to swimming pool:

-You should bring the pool to 'em..
-Go to Carrefour and bought this blue thingy
-Unwrapped the box and fill it with water and let the kids enjoy the splash..
-But my kids end up with fever that night... :-)
Things to do bila dua-dua anak demam panas:

-Don't panic..
-Go see a doctor..
-Bagi minum ubat..in my case I have to forced Hadif and used whatever skill I have
-After 4 days..still not recovered..go see the doctor again..follow the same method..sambil jelum kepala..doa
-Still not working..pi cari air penawar...doa


Things to do on your next trip:

-Follow the same procedure

-View towards Immigration booth in Johore Bahru and Singapore
-If you can't open the window, switch off the flash of your camera..if you use DSLR, make sure you set the ISO lower, off the flash and set whatever thingy...

-Make sure that you captured the sky, the horizontal lines and the sea..

-And when you've done with trip, kids has recovered..bring them to Putrajaya for Hot Air Balloon....


These are my routine......

Education System:An outsider's viewpoint

SPM result are in their hands..some of them LOL and some the other way round, each year the passing rate are increasing, the systems are changing and the pressure are heavier.

Schools and learning are two different things for kids in this era, straight A's are common,they cried when they got only 4A for UPSR, they cried when they could only got four distinction for PMR..teachers are facing new kind of challenges

From what I observed schools are no longer what it used to be ..not a place to have fun, to explore a new world..and expressed ourselves in our own way..

I don't know much about education system, policy, pedagogy and what not, but I do know that the system change when a new minister took over. We don't even have the opportunity to see the result of previous system, do a post mortem and cross check..and suddenly someone up there wants a new system to be implemented. And as usual teachers and our childrens are the victim.

I don't understand why do we have to change the system every few years..?

Why can't we look at the education system as a material in a lab that is being tested..undergoing R&D..it takes many years to see the result, whether its positive or negative, what are the implications and so on..

'They' should think properly and wisely with considerations on every aspect..not just to revised and update their portfolio.

Kids goes to school with heavy bag, in and out carrying few kilos of books, and rush home for KAFA, for sports, tuition and homeworks are waiting at home, and to catch up on Ben 10 and to check their FB and myspace and top up their reload card...oh well..

I'm blessed to be born in the 70s....it was all laid back..we go to school, we sang 'listen to our motto'...we studied Rampaian Sains,ERT, Sejarah and we have music class with a piano at school's hall...we can choose either to join Girl Guide, Brownies, St Johns..or not joining any of them at all...

We are safely at home by 2pm and have some time to help up in the kitchen, go for quran class, play around pokok nipah and main polis sentri..we watch Toriton at 6pm or Heathcliff and did our homework later and by 10pm we already in the dreamland..We were reminded to performed and score in school but there was no burden

Some parents took a brave steps by sacrificing their job and concentrate on homeschool, but some don't have a choice but to follow the system that stole the freedom of being a child

One senior staff at the office told me that her child was confused about 'penjodoh bilangan'..she don't know that a river should be addressed as 'sebatang sungai' simply because her female BM teacher told her that = 'sebatang digunakan utk benda yg tegak dan lurus'...so the poor kid was really confused coz all her life most rivers in Malaysia are not 'lurus dan tegak'.....As I said earlier, I don't have a clue about the art of pedagogy or its principle..but I guess there should be a better way to make a child understand even a simple things in life.

I once asked my teacher (was in form 4) while we were reading an article from a textbook, I asked her the meaning of 'ilmu bantu'..and she simply replied..'nanti masuk universiti, awak tau la'....
I was left with that question for many years to find the meaning...why can't they just explain..it was nothing but for me I remember that incident until now...

Its important to listen to what a little soul wants to ask..and the answer does not have to be perfect, as long as we try to explain that should be enough ..learning and teaching is an art that comes with a challenge

Le Tour de Langkawi, Sabah & Ipoh

Since kids were left with their mak tok and tok ayah in Alor Star, I had a chance to prepare for my trip properly without rushing to Parcel E and stuck in really bad jam everyday..and he got a chance to prepare for his exam..(i hope so..:)

I left for Kota Kinabalu on the 3rd March at 9.20am, it was almost full with many kind of people and also many kind of odour..I think this guy next to me just had nasi lemak with egg....due to the fragrance that has been released on board..

3rd March 2010-Wednesday-KL-Kota Kinabalu:

Arrived KKIA at 12noon and it was so hot..headed to Promenade Hotel which is facing the sea but not too far from the Filipino market
I had to wait at their lobby for an hour facing this same view..it was also fully booked and many late check out and too many tourist in groups from the Penisular, Japan ...MLM..etc

My room at level six-its a smoking floor, I actually requested for non-smoking room but since I've been waiting for so long and tired..I just grabbed whatever they offered..its a room with a view (RM155++ for government rate), their king size bed are limited so I don't mind having this room except when I travel with kids..

Nothing much to be done except for channel surfing, reading the material for the next day briefing and enjoy the sunset...unfortunately its a fixed glass window..so I could only captured all these photo from inside the room..sunset from Promenade Hotel KK at 6pm...

I went to the market for dinner of seafood which was served in a simple way without spoiling the taste and freshness of the food.
Seaweed with air asam, it looks like a plastic toys, and crunchy and fresh..

My ikan putih bakar with air asam..simple menu, they pre- grill these stuff and after you decided which squid, prawn or fish, then they'll heat them up again.The concept of this market is simple just like our pasar malam, with long tables and dim light and smoky ambience..its a good place to see many kind of people from different places coming to this humble spot for a local taste.

The pearl stalls were already closed after we finished our meal..nothing much to shop but everytime I passed by that area, my left palm will get itchy..is it true..?hahaha..hope not!


4th March 2010-Thursday, KK-Keningau:
I woke up as usual but it was already bright...
Same spot captured at different time..once again please ignore the glare in this photo

We left for Keningau at 8.00am with our driver T.Jay Afifi..yup that his real name..we were joking, maybe his father is a fan of T.J Hooker

We planned to arrived in Keningau by 10am depending on the road condition and the thickness of the mist..(just to add some drama here..)
Crocker Range from afar..we will cross this range and will see a misty cool mountain...

It was a long winding road..Cheryl Crow's 'Everyday is a winding road' came across my mind...
This is peaceful and slow moving Keningau town, with timber shophouses along the road, its 1200 ft above sea level, it looks like a sleepy town but there are also 3 star hotel here (Juta Hotel and Perkasa)

I finished the briefing and site visit and had a chat with a young majistret who lives there for two years, she's still single and enjoying her life in that small town and have not thinking of going back to Penisular yet..

The journey back to KK was much better because the sky was blue and its perfect for some photo as memento
A small resort along the range..this is one of the place to pull over and have some coffee and photo shoot

A dog was barking at the hill when I shoot this photo..'anjing menyalak bukit'..T.Jay told us that his friend from this hilly side of Sabah cried the moment he saw a beach..a real beach with white sand, waves and salt water...some people live their whole life in certain area and don't have a chance to move out and explore the world around them

It was misty and cool and we could off the air cond and enjoy the natural breeze
Reminds me of route to Mordor (Middle Earth)

I'm not tired looking at the same spot..

5th March 2010-Friday, KK-Sipitang-Papar-KK-KL:

We left for Sipitang at 8.15am and check out from the hotel..different driver because T.Jay's father has passed away this morning ..Al-Fatihah to him..

Route to Sipitang is the same as going to Keningau but we just had to go 12 o'clock at the roundabout where else Keningau is at 9 o'clock..its a different view with no climbing the hill and no mist except for hot sun and lorries and movers along the road



Our proposed site...to many issue..can't revealed everything here, bound by the act...hehehe..

Sipitang is a small town by the sea ..a nice and humble place..but maybe not for luxurious traveller, but for those who seek for something different Keningau and Sipitang are the place, but can't expect to have all the convinients like we do in KK...

After finished our job in Sipitang we left for Papar...another small town not too far from KK...
Yup..I was wearing a black jacket under the hot sun..can't stand the heat and sunburn..and that guy had his no 20 cigarettes..'jalan-jalan cari makan...makan angin..'..(Faira and Zakiah, if you guys read this--> biar pecah di perut okay..)

We had lunch there and had small chat before we left for the airport ..Tuan Richard told us Court's antic :that different people with different cultural background will take an oath according to their culture..for example:

'Saya, Jingo anak Jimi berjanji bercakap benar, jika tidak benar, bila saya panjat pokok kelapak, saya akan jatuh..'.. ni kalau orang bukit..

kalau orang laut pulak, their oath will be something like this:-

'Saya, Jimi anak Jonngos, berjanji akan bercakap benar, jika tidak benar, bila ke sungai, saya akan dibaham buaya..'....!! woohooo..!!

Lain padang lain belalang...

Anyway I left for KL at 4.55pm on board of MH51 Boeing 777 which was full with Oshin look alike, Rain wannabe,Takeshi Kaneshiro look alike...Mr Cigerettes had a bad day..(he should sing Daniel Powter's .'i had a bad day,'..)he had stale asam fish on board...muaahhhahahaa...

Arrived at the airport at 7.30pm and rushed to the ERL station and after 35 minutes met my dark, tall and handsome hubby..(please do not puke people..)

We went for a movie at Alamanda -Percy Jackson the Lightning Thieves..a movie that is only suitable for younger generation, weak storyline..the only eye candy (for me) is Pierce Brosnan..(i'm already old...but he said..you are not that old to watch this movie..)..thats so sweet...i replied (but my mind process a different thing..) woman..!!

6th March 2010-Saturday-Putrajaya-Ipoh
Tired and missing the kids..and we were up and ready to meet them on Saturday morning in Ipoh..but stuck in Putrajaya due to Le Tour De Langkawi 2010, they just released the cyclist for Putrajaya-Genting route..



Energetic young cyclist in multi burst shot using Nikon D90...

We arrived in Ipoh and anxiously waiting for the kids and pengantin..what would she wear, will Hadif cry upon seeing his abah, will he recognized us..it was too many mind boggling questions....

Hadif only said :'aabaah'' with his soft tone..and don't even mind about his mother..

Look at her..everywhere is a playground..
Sufiya was playing around with these renjis-renjis stuff...she splash the water everywhere
Family photo from Ipoh and Alor Star

We headed back to Putrajaya at almost 4 pm and the traffic flow was bad after Ipoh tol, it was raining and cars were stationed along the highway about one km...not moving at all...


As expected..an accident involving one car, one tonne lorry and a bigger buddy...white liquid was all over the road...


This big guy was in the middle of the road.....accident, rain and slippery road..what a perfect combo...

That did not spoilt our mood especially when we were finally reunited with lil S & H..

It was a lovely ride with the kids onboard, sleeping like they always do and the sky was perfect for some shooting but I just used my loyal N82 to snap these picturesque view ...sometimes they make funny formation, and there are times that you'll lose yourself in that fluffy white cloud....imagination could bring you high up...



It was a tiring week that made me weak..Oh, what a rhyme!...but this week will be the same like last week..

Wedding, Engagement, Kuala Nerang..and a strange feeling

We left for Alor Star last week on Wednesday due to my official trip to Kuala Nerang, we left around 11am and as usual had some burger for breakfast..the car as expected was full with bunga telur, diapers, luggage, flowers..etc..It was hot and I expect Kedah will be hotter...

There was an accident at Sungai Besi highway heading to KL somewhere near Seri Petaling area..it was on the other lane, but as caring Malaysian :-P people always slow downtheir car to catch a glimpse of the incident and make the traffic flow even slower than usual.

It was a smooth journey along the highway and Sufiya keep on reminding Hadif to behave when they are in Kedah without us...:-)

She understand situation around her now..

We arrived in Alor Star at around 4 pm and headed to Star City Hotel near Jalan Sekerat, a decent hotel..tapi banyak nyamuk...but we spent most of our time at home where gulai nangka and ikan temenung lemak awaits us..

Kids were left with their mak tok the next day, and we left for Kuala Nerang ..It was more than an hour journey under a hot sun..tiring...I notice tecoma trees are blooming..(at first I told hubby that they are cherry blossom...hahhah..hentam saja)..thanx Aishah for the info.

After settled my stuff at the Court, we were treated by our host from MDPT..Pn Aishah who brought us to this place, under a big trees and nice view towards two rivers that lead to Alor Star...

Kuala Nerang town..it was hot and a glass of air tebu was a cool and cold treat...leeggaa..

Preparation at home were not much to be done, no pakat masak-masak or anything,it was all taken care of by the caterer...the salon,..and what not
My girl was busy too..dari Putrajaya dok sibuk nak pakai inai...

Akad nikah was on Friday-Maulidur Rasul..sekali lafaz...syukur...


Hadif and Sufiay wont sit still..exploring the whole area..we were at this same place six years ag, how time flies..and now come here again with additional member




Us in pink..happy in pink...

We both left for Penang on Sunday and the journey was akward without the kids inside the car screaming and laughing..at first it was a sad journey


We saw another fire engine at the roadside near Jelutong...open fire..

Stp by at Penang Road for jalan-jalan at Sunday market, they have this every last sunday of the month..they are many interesting items to look at ..organic cloth stall, handmade soap, antiques, painting, cucur udang...and also street performance..

A group of ladies in kebaya Nyonya performed with their singer-Johnny..they reminds me of my SNC teacher...:-P

Flute by and Irish copule..it was soothing and calming even thou it was really hot..they played few nice song very well

Hubby saw his friend from afar..a street artist with his friend



There is also one antique stalls with interesting items to collect especially for those who go for old and rustic stuff..I love them too but don't have a proper storage area yet..one fine day...I will...


We left for Putrajaya after attending an engagement ceremony ...it was another strange journey without the usual passenger....
It was really dark with heavy cloud base somewhere before Taiping



We arrived in Putrajaya at almost 11pm...another strange feeling..the house is empty without them