A Time to Kill

Its not that I have a lot of time doing nothing, even though I am now spending most of my time doing not exactly what I am supposed to do. But, on my defense, life is full with humps and bumps. No one can expects silky smooth sailing in the ocean, can't we? (Except during my turn to go to oil platform by boat when the chopper is fulled with client's staff, I do expect a smooth journey on sea)

Back to A Time to Kill. BBC aired this movie after Match of the Day (a program where they show all goals from this week EPL games. You see, here in the UK, I can only watch one game (sometime two) per week, via Sky Sport 1. And that after paying hell lot of money to subscribe the channel. So this program is the nearest possible replacement of live games).

I love Grisham's works, in fact, I am now in the process collecting hardback version of all his novels, as it can be found here as cheap as 50p in boot sales. I had seen this movie a few times, yet it failed to make me not to watch it again. Apart from lovely, sweaty Ashley Judd plot, I think its almost perfectly match to my imagination when I read that novel. For me, it is up there with The Shawshank Redemption, although Rita Hayworth poster is the only female element noticeable in that movie.

I fancy this kind of movies compare to the likes of John Rambo thingy, you know, one with pack of action. If you know the movies I had downloaded from internet, I'll bet you'll be surprised.

Anyway, if you accidentally missed both films, its about time for you to start downloading and watch it. You won't disappointed, that I am very sure.

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Bonfire night was celebrated 'widely' here. A few kids (and adults) unfortunately were presented with air times in BBC night news because the accidents they experienced with fire crackers. Ohh, they do sell fire crackers here, big one..but, like alcohol, you have to produce your age identification before buying them.

But, if we compare that to our malaysian standard, I think all the accidents reported were not worth even a minute in our TV3's Buletin Utama. For instance, how can you compare a burned hand with a lost hand? Or, minor face injury with lost of eye? That is one thing we can beat them British. We are by far my friends, more creative than our colonial master.

Melting point

It seems like my sons, at the tender age of 5 and 3 respectively, discovered that at certain temperature, certain material will change it physical form from solid to liquid. In addition to that, once it in liquid form, it can flow flawlessly.

They run that experiment in our house fireplace and the result is..walla..an abstract piece of art.

I threaten to force them to do the cleaning, and after some shouting and acting, both floodgate opened wide. And, at the end, this is the outcome.

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On the weather front, it is not officially winter just yet, but first batch of snow (in the form of sleet) fell yesterday night, after we came home from dental hospital. It was about 7pm and effort to take pictures out of it was unsuccessful. The kids enjoyed it very much, since they were asking about it since the very first day they were here. The mum seems to be unimpressed with it, maybe she had enough of it during her time in Nova Scotia.

Anyway, its very cold right now, so much so to go out throwing the rubbish into the bin involving thoughtfully decision making ala HAZOP session. One have to consider the consequence out of the action.

At least, I never lock myself out in cold weather. If you wonder how it feel though, maybe you want to consider to drop a line or two to this friend of mine. He has vast experience on that subject matter.

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Trick or treat..Happy Halloween everybody

Bila bunga-bunga (daun-daun) berguguran

The chilly autumn is officially here. The weather has been kind so far, but the wind is so strong and chilly you can see people already don their bennie hats and gloves.

Ahh, and the rest of the troop was already here, to be exact, three weeks ago. The eldest already attending school here while the second is ineligible for nursery class since he was 15 days younger when they start the term (term start at 1/9). And their ever-reliable officer, has started her busy life as a student, attending classes (consist of 4 people!!!) and clinical sessions. Between that, she has to cook for the boss and the platoon, which in Newcastle's cool weather find that their appetite towards food is in increasing manner.

We spent our hari raya this year with the mum attending classes, the eldest in the school while the adik and abah make effort to other people houses to taste hari raya delight. At the moment, my PhD program has to make way for the dentist to attend her classes/ clinics. We still try to find the formulas to overcome this, hopefully we will find it before it too late for me. So, my weeks from now on will be like this;

Monday - Send abang to school and then go to lab (since the dentist does not have classes on monday)
Tuesday - Send abang to school, jaga adik, ambik abang, jaga adik+abang)
Wednesday - Send abang to school and then go to lab (since the dentist does not have classes on wednesday)
Thursday and Friday - Send abang to school, jaga adik, ambik abang, jaga adik+abang)

So, I guess I can be considered as a part time student. Since I have to move in group now, I have no choice but to turn my back on my environmentalist side. I had bought a car since they arrived but still commute on bus to go to university. Not because the environmental concern though but more on economically awareness for the fact that I already bought one year £200 bus pass.

Selamat Hari Raya everyone

Pilot - who wants to be a pilot

Second post in the same day, wow, that must be some record for me.

Anyway, click this line, read the article, and pay a special attention to para 7.

I used to like Iron Maiden, but this is new to me. I don't know about this, nor I seeing it coming.

How good are we?

I've been keeping this post as a draft long enough now. Been busy lately with works, as 9 months report's due date looming not far ahead of me.

We are approaching the third week of Ramadhan now, and as it is late summer here in Newcastle, I have my Imsaq at 4.00 and Iftar about 20.00 hours. Lucky thing is, the temperature hardly reach 15 C. For the first two days, I had my iftar all by my self, with self made ayam masak merah and a mug of hot chocolate. Kicap is a must, so I had that too. Thats all, no fancy murtabak, jus tembikai and all. But, I am still fortunate compare to some people in some countries, so no complaint there. Now, I usually break my fast in University Mosque, where they serve beriyani arab with kambing and ayam.

I was also fortunate to perform my terawikh prayers in three different mosques here. Thanks to friends that came and chauffeured me since I have no means of transport yet. The first mosque, predominate by Pakistani and performs 20 rakaat of terawikh. The 'hafiz' recites the ayats to fast for my liking, and the solats were performed in lightning quick.

The second and third mosque, predominate by Arabs, and both perform 8 rakaat of Terawikh. But, the pace is slower, so slow that they finished almost at the same time with the previous mentioned masjid. I like the way the imams in both masjid perform their terawikh though, cause it seems that they put their soul into their solats.

Its amazing when in the middle of ayats, you can hear the Imam sobbing, and followed by the jemaah as well!!! I guess that the advantage of being Arab, where automatically you can understand what Imam recites. We (read: me) can only guess what the ayat is all about. I mean, we do understand that 'nar' is hell, 'firdaus' is heaven and other simple words, but that's all. And when they performed 'qunut' during 'witir' (here they start reciting qunut from the first day of terawikh), its touching your heart deeply, eventhough for people like me, again, that can only guess what the doa is all about. The way the Imam recites the doa, is so soft, touching and most of jemaah cannot stand but to cry on hearing that. And, it is a long qunut too. I don't know, I just did not have that feeling during all these years of terawikh.

Bottom line is, as a muslim, I think it is a privilege to understand arabic. Is it to late for us to learn arabic at this age? I hope not, as people said, nothing is too late in this life.

My Name is Jonas

I'm Newcastle's new signing. My name is Jonas

First game of the season (premier league season it is) and as usual, United started with not so good result against another United.

I now knew what the hype is all about this premier league, after visited open day training of Newcastle United in their so called fortress, St. James' Park. This open day was not publicly advertised, it was only circulated among email of the members and yet, when I stepped in the stadium, the first and second tiers of the sections opened on that day were full with the supporters.

And, even Newcastle United is so professional in their training. Wonder what it feel inside Theatre of Dreams

Some of the pictures. More in www.flickr.com/photos/budakjawi/

Just When You Thought The Day Gonna Come

If my original “countdown” exercise still on schedule, 7 days from now I will aboard a flight to Amsterdam and in the very next day I will meet my family there. If only…

It turn out that it not going to be that way now, thanks to UK Visa Office (and UK Embassy). Suddenly they feel that they need to interview my maid, and set the appointment on 27th of August. So, everything change, and it’s not for free.

1) My Newcastle – Amsterdam ticket – I bought the cheapest one, hence no change allowed. Crash and burnt £150.
2) Two Amsterdam – Newcastle tickets (for my maid and me) – Changes charge at £30/ tickets, plus upgraded required. Approximately £100 for two tickets
3) My trip to Amsterdam, may be by ferry, or by train via Brussels, £100
4) Changes on my family tickets – I don’t know. Rumour was it cost about RM 500 per ticket.
5) Depression of being alone for another a month or so, including puasa and sahur alone – PRICELESS!!!!!!!

But, I am optimistic. Let restart the counting

29 days more………….

Two pieces of glasses (or plastics) to help you see the world

My eldest son just celebrated his fifth birthday about 5 months ago. As a kid, and a boy, he enjoys cartoons and alike (ultraman, power rangers etc) very much. When I came back from work, 98% he will be there in front of the TV, a tad too close for my liking and automatically I would yelled at him, urging him to take a few steps back, for the good of his eyes.
Then, I flew back to the UK, using Malaysia Airlines for AS-KUL and KUL-DEL route. I picked up their inflight magazine, Going Places and started to read it. One article in that magazine touch about myopia and kids, and misconception about it. The article highlighted that WATCHING TV TOO CLOSE WILL NOT DAMAGE YOUR EYESIGHT. It does make your eyes little bit strain and all but that is it. Then it also said, if, your kids tend to watch a TV in close distance, maybe that because they cannot see from afar, and most probably they have myopia.
The article set me aback. Here I am, scolding my son, even before I bring him to check his eyes. I mean, how many of us parents bring our kids to opto to check their eyesight? So, I told this to my wife and asked her to set an appointment with the optometrist. Today, we get the result. He has myopia and quite a serious one too. In term of power, both of his eyes are on 350, very high considering he is a kid and still in developing period. No wonder he watches TV so close.
Being dependable to glasses since 12 years old, I can say that I am an expert in this area, despite this is not the best area to be involved with. Imagine him wearing those glasses, I can help thinking how he will miss certain things, just like me. Football for instance, will never be the same again, so as swimming.
On the bright side, at least we know what is wrong with him. Hopefully this will make his life more colourful.

Insanity

I think, I am in trouble. In this house, with no one to speak, I feel very lonely and near to insanity. And, with the gas supply still on halt, I dine with my specialty sardine and teloq for three days in a row.

Sardine in rice cooker

I try to keep myself busy. First of all, I try to sort out my backyard, which look like a jungle after I left it for a month. But, it is a slow process. This is what I manage to do in two days (well, two mornings actually).

1/4 more to go, but Flymo already exhausted, so as the owner

Don't blame me though, even Flymo thinks it is impossible. We look at it tomorrow, or Sunday, or next week.

Flymo looking to the almost-impossible task in front of him

 

We will have an open day here tomorrow, and I am volunteering myself to take care the drinking water section. At this period, I love all these activities. Its make me to forget about time and thus, make the time past unnoticed. Sunday, as usual, will be filled with badminton; there goes another day unnoticed. The whole weekdays next week, I will bury myself in the office, to be busy.

Life goes on…another 14 days..keep counting

The Second Time Around

Second time was painful than the first one. After a month spending time with the kids (and their mother), it was the time to say goodbye again. Spending time alone in an airport hotel in Delhi, I realized that my life wasn’t that meaningful and cheerful without them by my side. For that reason, million of thanks to the Almighty.

Abang and adik self take picture, using MacBook camera

Since I went back using NCL – AMS – DEL – KUL –ALS route, the return trip looks like exactly the opposite of that. As I am writing, I am waiting for DEL – AMS route to be accomplished. I arrived here in Delhi this morning, and have to wait almost 12 hours for the connecting flight. So long so, I’ve to collect my bags first and then re-check in, as the period between Flight A and Flight B must be less than 6 hours if you want to check in straight away. No complaint though, the difficulties in journey cannot be compared to a month I spent in Malaysia.

To certain entrepreneur-engineer, I am sorry because I left before we have a chance to meet. I was in KL last night, waiting for a morning flight to Delhi. I wanted to call you, but, being a father myself, I think it is quite uncomfortable to ask you to go out late at night, so I dismissed the idea.

Welcome to India

Delhi's traffic.

India journey was, a lifetime experienced. After touchdown at Indira Gandhi Airport, we were welcomed by Delhi’s noise outside the airport. The weather was warmer, nice one after 3 cold months in northeast Angleterre. A driver waited for us and chauffeured us to RCCI guesthouse.

Above: Din negotiating after our names were not in the list. The red shirt guy was our driver, minus english

Below: RCCI guest house. 

Early next morning, we started the journey to Dehradun, which is only about 300 km from New Delhi. What we failed to understand though, why on earth this journey will take about 6 hours, albeit the distance. This kind of journey in Malaysia (equivalent to Kangar-Penang maybe) will take only 2 and half hours, 3 hours top. But, upon reaching the road, suddenly it all makes sense. 

Innova, the mode of our transport. 

We use the shortcuts, instead of highway, to avoid traffic. When I said highway, please don’t imagine the north-south highway, because highway in India means “a main road using by majority of people to go from A to B, despite the condition of the road”.

The above mentioned shortcut. We were in this kind of road for most of the time in the journey to Dehradun.

After half period of the journey, we headed back to the main road to fill our hungry stomach in a nice restaurant. This was what to be our first encounter with the legendary Indian food. I had typical Indian breakfast to fill my stomach.

Above: Typical Indian breakfast

Below: Dehradun town

Arrived at Dehradun half past two and had our lunch in the hotel. It is a nice hotel, with Himalayan (I guess) in the background. The place itself is 2000 ft above sea level, and they have tea plantations here. The town is bustling with daily activities and the sound of the horns from all types of vehicles. Here in India, you use your horns because (a) you wanted to tell others that I am overtaking you, so please move aside, or (b) I am coming in your direction, so please move aside, eventhough I am way over your side of the road. Amazing enough, during my stays, I only saw one minor accident involving motorcycles. That’s all. Everyone seems to be understood with the system.

Madhuban Hotel. If u look carefully, you can see the ridge in the background. I guess that is Himalayan, but, forgive me if I am wrong, I failed my geography

Lunch finished and done and we moved to Indian Institute of Petroleum, another 30 minutes of driving. This is a government institution, with interest lies on with all things associate with petroleum (and fuel). They did their research, and sold the technology to the parties interested. They put less interest in publication (opposite of academician/ university researches), but importantly, have a high regard on patenting. This is more like PRSS or MPOB in our country (I think).

Anyway, there goes our first day in India..

India-Namaste

Dear inspector shahab, namastee

I am off to India (with 2 friends) in wee hour tomorrow morning. 5.00 am from NCL to Amsterdam and then 9.00 am from Amsterdam to Delhi. Still didn't make up my mind whether to sleep or not, since I must get up from bed at 3.00, and move to the airport 15 minutes before 4 am. One thing I will regret from this trip is, the Euro 08 Final tomorrow night. Other than that, nehi he.

The place we are heading to called Dehradun, right at the bottom of mighty Himalaya Ridge. That must be fun. It is expected to rain cats and dogs though. That must be double fun!!! Will report back as soon as I get a decent internet connection.

Acha Namaste

Life never been better (in my fantasy)

This piece was also been published in The Times University Guide. If this is the case back home, I'll be a rich man. Unfortunately this applicable to the UK only. There no lecturer in that list though. Maybe it is not even a real job. Back home, the first one would be a politician (with the certain party of course).

Where to study

If, you want to be a chemical engineer, or you want to continue your study in chemical engineering, which university do you want to choose? See no further my friends, this list published in Times Good University Guide 2009, for UK universities only

Not a bad place to be eh..

Badminton tournament

We (Newcastle's Balai Malaysia) have had a badminton tourney today. I was team up with one of the senior resident here, and we JUST miss the place to advance to semi final. It was not the prizes that motivate us I guess, but rather to enjoy a good sunny day and spending time with others. It's good to flex the muscles here and there, now and then. I did not remember where was the last time I sweat. At here, even playing hours of football did not make you sweat. Try that in Malaysia, 5 minutes of running chasing a ball around the park will make you sweat like a..err..cat. Is it good for our health if we are not sweating? I don't know. I do a lot of exercises though, in fact, I walk everyday to university, a good 15 minutes walk.

On the other note, my only house mate (other went back to Malaysia for summer holiday) left for London and Paris today. This guy, spend 5 years in Newcastle , where he attended Dentistry course alone. No other single soul of Malay, or Malaysian in his class.He finished his study this term, now waiting to go back to Malaysia this August. Good for him.


Then, how about this Russia team, beat a fancy Netherlands in quarter final of Euro. I really cheer for them. They play a good stuff, and man, what about their No10? I tell you this guy will be a hot property in Europe football scene next season. I rather have him in Man Utd team compare to 'a-guy-who-wanted-to-go-to-Madrid' SOB!!!

Good day guys...

Come Back

I am making a comeback. It's summer and today is the longest day of the year here in UK. So, this is a good time to make a comeback

watch this space

3/4/08: Surviving Amsterdam – 2nd Day

Keukenhoff
Amsterdam ArenA
Van Gogh Museum

The places I visited today.

Keukenhoff - the most beautiful garden on earth

Amsterdam ArenA - you are welcome to guess what this place is and

Van Gogh Museum - literally speaking, the place where they keep Van Gogh masterpiece, including the famous Sunflower

Out of 10, I give 9 in term of satisfactory. The single point deducted because I was too late to jump on board of canal tour boat. Damned.

2/4/08-Surviving Amsterdam – 1st Day

Arrived at Amsterdam-Schiphol 5 minute past 7 am, Amsterdam time. Past the immigration without any hassle and then lost inside the airport searching for a place to keep my big bag. I must say, compare to KLIA, this airport is nothing.
Took a train to Amsterdam-Centraal, a place that the function is more or less the same with our KL Sentral, hence the name. Problem was, didn’t know where to go, and the only information in my hand was the street where the Annemarie Hotel located, Jim Wandstraat and this place is about 200 m away from the famous Van Gogh Museum.
So, decided to go to the Van Gogh museum by boarding on Tram no 5. Stop at Museumplein and after 10 minutes or so, found the place. Arrived quite early, so the room still not ready. Had a conversation with the owner and found out that this place is popular among Malaysians. The owner is Moroccan Muslim, and he got infos how to get a halal pizza. That’s great, I solved my tonight's dinner dilemma

 

1/4/08 – 12.41 am: Journey to the West

I wrote this at KL. At that day, still I didn't have a blog, hence today I published it here..

Life is very unpredictable, at least for me. Never in my wildest dream, I will set my foot in countries that once occupied my beloved country, Malaysia, considering I am not a straight A’s student. But, when tomorrow comes, I will start my journey to the west countries, starting from Netherlands and then to the UK.