Lebaran Nostalgia...

“Thoughts are the shadows of our feelings -- always darker, emptier and simpler…” - Friedrich Nietzsche

(A bundle of love letters)

Terungkai di hadapan mata
Lembaran cinta melancholic,
Penuh tenderness dan passion
Tidak pudar, cinta ke akhir hayat …

Bergenang membaca sekilas lalu
Lembaran romantis, syahdu
Luahan suara hati dua kekasih
Jadi teladan anak cucu…

Kisah cinta puluhan tahun
Kembali bertandang ke ruang hati
Hanya tinggal memori indah,
Imbasan nostalgia tersimpul rapi.

Kerana dia sudah tiada lagi disisi…

(Al-Fatihah untuk Baba Wi)

Books for keeps...

''“The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living differ from the dead...” - Aristotle

Senator Ubai and Nik Aminah were already waiting at my office since 5.30 p.m. They waited for a while for me to finish my meeting with DG. We then fetched Bee from her house. When we arrived at Kak Nora's it was already time for Maghrib. Kak Nora was ok but I could feel the sadness in her. She just lost her beloved husband recently. We stayed for a while and Kak Nora showed us 'Lembaran Nostalgia', a book dedicated to her by her late husband.

After a simple dinner at a nearby restaurant, we sent Bee and later Nik Aminah home. As it was already late, Senator Ubai decided to spend the night at my Putramas apartment. Tonight I brought home 2 books. A novella ‘Siapa Gila’ by Kak Nora and ‘Simply Sudoku’ by Nik Aminah.

Terima kasih daun keladi...'

Reflections of life...

“Lost love is still love. It takes a different form, that's all…”

I pause at days end

To reflect on previous hours spent

How did I spend them?

Or do I need to repent?

'

Did I lift another's load?

Speak a kind word or two.

Give a smile without wanting it back,

Did I travel in someone else's shoe?

'

Lord, I want to live my life

So others around me will be blessed

Because I follow you

And with others are not stressed.

'

So as I reflect upon each day

May my reflections be good,

and may I not have to repent

But know I live my life as I should.

(G R Price)

In pursuit of healthy living...

“Sometimes we reveal ourselves when we are least like ourselves…” - Anaïs Nin

My work place has started some improvements in physical and dietary habits of staff. These initiatives are to help us feel more alive, to get the most out of each moment and day and not just pass through it. As part of the initiative to promote wellness amongst staff, HR department is organising a seminar on managing good health practices. The seminar will be conducted by renowned health experts, Professor Dato' Dr. Khalid Yusoff, the Professor of Medicine and the Senior Consultant Cardiologist and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, UiTM, Dr. K.C. Wong, a leader and innovator in the world of healthy lifestyle, Mary Easaw Nutritionist and Dietetics and Dr. Mohd Nizam from UKM. They will be covering topics on cardiovascular diseases, diet, nutrition, fitness and ergonomics at the workplace.

Participants will undergo a mandatory comprehensive health risk assessment comprising of cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides and body mass index. All participants who undergo this health risk assessment must attend the seminar. Upon completion of the seminar, participants will be able to understand own risk factors and consequences. Learn how to modify or overcome risk factors. Change mindset towards eating right and getting fit and be able to perform right exercises to reduce stress at work and know how to handle ergonomic issues.

Last week when my back was in immense pain, I was all geared up to join this Health Awareness Program. Now that the back pain is gone, rasa malas pulak nak sign up… Hot-hot chicken shit!

Happiness keeps you sweet...

“Music makes one feel so romantic - at least it always gets on one's nerves - which is the same thing nowadays…” - Oscar Wilde

Trials keep You Strong,
Sorrows keep You Human,
Failures keep You Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

Family dinner outing...

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble...”

Last night we went to Taman Cahaya to discuss the menu and other arrangements with Seri Mayang Catering. We have decided to throw a small wedding reception for Iwan and Ella at Dewan Seri Perkasa, Masjid Taman Maluri in mid August and will be inviting only close friends and relatives. It was already late night when details were agreed and finalized. We drove to Kg Baru and had late dinner at one of the famous warong nasi lemak. The skyline was so beautiful from where we sat.

Tonight, after work, we decided to go for bowling outing at the Club. They played two rounds. I just sat back and watched. Wouldn’t want to hurt my already hurting spine. After the game, we ordered dinner from the Bowling Café. Sara and I had mee bandung, he ordered nasi goreng and Iwan and Ella shared a plate of fish and chips.

Another mishap...

“It's not denial. I'm just selective about the reality I accept...”- Bill Watterson

Last night I didn’t watch the game between Italy and France to the end. 

My blocked nose and backache was nagging me again. Took a couple of panadol and forced myself to sleep with the TV switched on at a very low volume. Once in a while I was awakened by the shouts from the living room. By the time I was drowsy and ready to sleep, the piercing 6 o’clock alarm woke me up.

From the bedroom window, the traffic along Jalan Kuching was looking ok and moving smoothly. I thought of going to office early this morning to prepare for the audit exit meeting. While I was cruising to get out of the car park, a white Satria reversed out of its parking space at top speed and hit my Spectra. The impact was very hard and for a moment I was shocked. The lady driver apologized profusely. We exchanged business cards and agreed that we do not have to lodge police report and she will pay for the repair.

When I reached office I was all stressed up. The accident and the nagging backache contributed to my foul mood. Sympathetic to my condition, Linda immediately called our resident doctor for an immediate appointment. As there was only one other patient, I didn’t wait for long before the doctor attended to my back. I underwent 15 minutes infra-red heat treatment to relax knotted muscles. I was also given muscle relaxant and pain killer.

The audit exit meeting was brief. I applied for half-day leave to settle things. When hubby sms, I told him what had happened. He came and we drove in two cars to Selayang. Thomas estimated that the repair will cost us around RM500 and the car will be ready in two days. Before going back to our Putramas apartment, we stopped at Pertama Komplex to choose kad jemputan. Hubby went back to office again after lunch. I and the kids drove to Klinik Gigi Sharifah Aminah in Gombak where Ella had her tooth temporarily crowned, which cost us RM300. And she was all smiles after that. While we were there, the rest of us had our teeth checked and polished too!

Back at the apartment, the kids merrily went for a swim and I happily straightened my back on the bed and dozed off while waiting for dear hubby to come home…

A little mishap...

"Let's dry our tears, and our fears..."

Saturday: I woke up late, the kids too.

We decided to have chicken rice at the Mall and bought some provisions from the Cold Storage. Later we went to Mandy Villa Apartment to check on the status of the renovation. We were a little disappointed with the contractor’s job. The paint works in the master bedroom have not been completed. The lightings were not fixed. They are supposed to hand over the apartment end of June to us. To sooth angry hearts, we bought a few kg of durian and have a durian and ice cream party while we watched the football game between Germany & Portugal. Too much of good food caused some of us visiting the toilets much too often in the middle of the night!

Sunday: At 1.30 p.m. Sara and I drove to Plaza Damas for our appointment at the Dewi Sri Spa. We had a long lingering traditional massage and the strong herbal tea after that was just therapeutic. We bought hot-dogs and some cheese bread-sticks from Bread Story to bring home. When we reached home, there was a slight commotion and panic when we saw Iwan pressing a bloody swab of tissue papers over Ella’s mouth. Ella just had a bad fall in the Study and broke one of her front teeth!

Macam mana boleh jatuh tertumus macam tu ye?... Tak pe lah. Malam ni kita enjoy tengok bola France Vs Italy. Esok mak check Klinik Gigi yang boleh buat good tooth capping untuk Ella...

My travel journal...

“The shortest distance between two points is often unbearable…”- Charles Bukowski

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with him and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 25 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn’t even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Into the morning sun, I voyage through
Across the ocean, thousand of miles
Laughter and tears along the way
Unraveling the shape of things to come

My Overseas Travelogue: munmus.blogspot.com

New Salary Structure...

“Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work...” - Albert Einstein

Today I was invited to attend a farewell lunch at the Penthouse.

The lunch was for Azman, a Deputy Director in my former department. His transfer to our London Office as the Chief Representative is long overdue. I was seated with the VIPs at the main table and among the topics of interest, besides football and golf, was the new salary structure.

Last month, our Board of Directors has approved the implementation of the broad-banded grading structure, accompanied by a new salary structure. These initiatives will better reflect and reward the growing accountability and responsibilities in line with our expanded roles. The introduction of broad-band job grading structure is aimed at motivating staff to develop their competencies and proficiency before progressing to a higher job band. More challenging, at the same time rewarding.

I think it is timely for the salary structure to be reviewed to ensure that we remain competitive. And the organization to continuously enhance its position as an Employer of Choice. Packaged with the new structure, for those who may find it difficult to adapt to the environment, may wish to explore alternative career or seek other opportunities outside the organization. This would also include those who do not have the inclination to progress and who consistently are not able to meet minimum expectations. If I read this correctly, you better resign now or else you’ll get sack eventually if you do not perform.

I heard that our salary revision will be backdated a few months...

Emmm… I should start calculating my increments from now… Nak buat apa dengan duit banyak-banyak ni ye?...

A relaxing weekend...

“The only way to survive eternity is to be able to appreciate each moment…”- Lauren Kate

I slept till noon whole morning on Saturday. I would have slept on. But I have to get ready before noon as today we decided to drive back to Melaka to say hello to Mak and Abah. Sara followed us. Iwan and Ella have other plans. We visited kubur arwah Ja and stayed a while to say prayers. We had dinner with Mak and Abah and they were excited when we talked about our plan for our family Umrah trip this coming September.

Later we drove back to KL and joined the kids in front of the TV to watch the disappointing matches between England/Portugal and Brazil/France.

On Sunday we woke up late noon. We decided to watch movie at 1-Utama but the tickets were all sold out. Called 3R at Sri Hartamas and had an hour of relaxing body and foot-reflexology. Of late, hubby has been complaining about backaches and stiffness of his left arm. It’s about time for him to go for a thorough medical check-up. In the mean time, a deep muscle massage by Pak Su will do good for his tired body. In the dim light, as my foot was being massaged, I snoozed for most of the hour and let him talk to himself.

Tonight while holding each other close, we talked till the wee hours, reflecting about yesterdays and planning for tomorrows…