My Saturday

It’s only one week and I kind of lost track of days. For past three days, I thought it was Saturday.  Three days ago, I went to hospital thinking it was Friday and when the nurse told me it was Wednesday, it took sometimes for me to register it is not Friday yet. I’m afraid that by end of January, I might totally forget the day and date.

Today, I know it Saturday because my hubby told me yesterday that we are going to IKEA. Hmmmm….. IKEA is the place where I try not to go there.  My hubby can be in IKEA for hours.  He simply loves the place.

He wanted to get a new bookshelf. I just don’t understand how many bookshelves that he wants. We already have a few. Let me count…  one in the family area, one in Syafiq’s room, one in Zara’s room, one big one in the family area and one in the guess room. So all in all there are five bookshelves.

My hubby said that the new one is meant for Zaki and Amir. It is not purely for books only, but also for Amir’s tools and whatever he created.  I agreed with his reasoning so off we went to IKEA after our breakfast. We wanted to beat the crowd, and we managed to that.

I didn’t follow him circling IKEA. I waited for him outside the cafeteria but I didn’t eat anything. I had roti canai for my breakfast at Islamic Kitchen, so I was still full. He said he would be fast, and while waiting for him, I watched people passing by. Interesting observation!

True to his word, I didn’t wait that long. Within 30 minutes, he has made the selection.  I thought that we will go straight to the racks to collect the shelves, but he has other plans. He detoured and started to buy plants, pots and container. Hmmm…. Sabar aje lah…

By the time we left IKEA, it was almost twelve and the kids tuition will start at two-thirty. So, there is not enough time to get the Sg Besi Nasi Ayam. Instead, we swinged to  Mac Donald next to the old Mint Hotel. I can’t remember the hotel new name. Actually, McD is no more my favorite. Dah bosan!

My hubby started to assemble the shelf after the tutors went back, and he managed to get it up by nine-thirty.  It was quite sometimes since he assembles anything. Haha,…. The next project is to get my hubby to assemble the coffee table that has been in the storeroom for more than a year.  I really hope that he will get the coffee table assemble.

Gonna Miss Them

Who will I miss most now that I’m no more the resident of the level six? Will it be my boss? Nah… he is just one of the guys.

What about my team? Yeah… I will surely miss them.. They are a bunch of good girls. Let see who they are.

Suja, my sidekick, who has been with me through thick and thin, who together swim, drown and float with me during the early days of outsourcing, who struggled together to understand those $$ signed and making a sensible report out of it.

Yeah…I have to say that our relationship is not only as a boss and staff but also as a friend. Sitting next to each other gave us lots of opportunity to gossip, and one thing that I’m going to miss most is teasing her.

Emma, Inez, and Julia are the other three ladies who I’m gonna miss too. Haha…they must be relieved now. No more tapauing for Zai. Actually, these young girls are my teachers. Whenever there are new jargons, they will be my reference point. Occasionally, they are my partners to discuss on the novels that we shared.

I’m gonna miss Kit, or sometimes when I’m in a teasing mood, I called him Kit Kat. He is the tallest guy on the sixth floor. There were a lot of things that we shared, mostly like kakak and adik. Whenever something bothers him, he will squat down between Suja and me. I knew then that he had something on his mind. We are basically a team. We can gang up and tease Inez and Suja at a click of our fingers. Same wavelengths when it comes to teasing. Ohhhh… how I’m gonna miss those moments.

I’m gonna miss the rest of the CCG teams too. Chris and his finance team are the busiest team. Always huddled together to look at the figure, and if not lucky all three will be sitting around the big boss table.

The contract team, Daniel, Anne and Ivan, is the quietest among the three groups. They daily activities are to read through the contracts or deals with things pertaining to contracts. They will sit and stared at the contracts and will only get up whenever there is something to discuss.

The noisiest team among the three is my team. Sourcing team or Girl Power, where we deal with vendors for quotation and other related sourcing activities. Haha there were times you can hear Inez screaming and shouting at someone over the phone. Hope she will tone down later. Don’t want her stress level to go up.

Others that I’m gonna miss is Mei Khuen and Wan. They are my basically my lunch buddies whenever my BFF not around or whenever times permit. I’m gonna miss our lunch at the break out area where we shared one story after another.

But one person that I’m going to miss most is Yati, My BFF. We shared a lot and discussed our life, our faith, our kids, hubbies, and families and of course about works. With Yati, it will always be a serious discussion, looking for some solution or advise. Our friendships will not stop here. We can always interact through phones and other media.

Also, I’m going to miss the people on the sixth and fifth floor. Even though I do not have any close interaction with some of them, but the spirit as one ISD is there. You have shown it during the teambuilding. Keep up the spirit and raise to challenge, my fellow ISDians…

Tale of Land of No Name - Final Episode

More and more people are coming to the land of no names. The older citizen of Land of no Names felt that they were not wanted anymore. Even though they felt that way, they continued to do their chores and works without complaint.

One day, there was news blowing across the land of no names that the powerful king is planning to take over the Land of no Names.

“Did you heard the news, John?” asked Matthew as they were walking towards the field.

“What news?”

“That the Northern King is coming to take over the land?”

“Really?”

“Yes and it going to impact us big time John.”

“What do you mean?”

“The new king said the land has more people than what it can offer.”

“So?”

“So there will be some people who will ask to go.”

“Go? Go where?” asked John. He looked worried.

“I don’t know. They will simply choose the one they don’t want and out you go.”

“Hmmm… you are pulling my leg, right Matthew?” John stopped walking.

Matthew just shook his head and continued to walk towards his house. John quickened his steps to join Matthew. Suddenly Matthew stopped and turned his body to look at his corn fields. The vast field was his property, and he didn’t want to leave the field.

“What if the king chooses me?” He mumbled.

“I don’t want to leave,” he shouted and quickly turned and walked to his house.

John was surprised to see Matthew’s behavior.

“Aahhh… don’t tell me that the rumor is true?” said John softly.

Now he’s worried. He also didn’t want to leave this place, the place where he learned his trade, the place where he met his wife, the place where his children grew up.

He walked to his slowly, thinking about what to do if the new is right. He needed to have plans if the king asked him to leave. Upon reaching his house, John quickly called his wife.

“Sarah honey! Sarah!” John walked to the kitchen where he normally found his wife.

“Oh dear! Sorry.... didn’t here you”

Sarah quickly went to get John a glass of water. John who was sitting at the dining table quickly drank the water.

“Thanks honey.”

“What’s up dear? You looked worried.”

“Hmm… Matthew told me that there’s a rumor going around that the land will be taken over by a new king. More people will have to leave the land.”

“What are we going to do John?”

“We need to plan, Sarah. We need to make sure that we have something that we can use when we leave the land.”

“What about the land, John? This is our forefather’s lands. It has so many memories.” Sarah wanted to cry.

“Sarah, this is just a rumor. Let’s think of our plan and execute it if it happens.”  Sarah nodded her head in agreement to what John’s said.

Somewhere in Matthew’s house, the house was noisy. As usual his young kids were in the house playing. Matthew sat at the chair in the living room, looking outside through the window. He sighed, thinking his future. He didn’t want to leave.

While he was watching the fields, Jane came out from the kitchen with a glass of water. She stopped when she saw Matthew was not his self. ‘What happened’ wondered Jane.


“Hi honey!” Jane greeted Matthew cheerful and gave Matthew a kiss on his cheek.

“Hi!’ he replied softly.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Just tired.”

“Hmm… Why don’t you rest first before dinner? It will be ready in twenty minutes.” Jane rubbed Matthew’s shoulder. Matthew nodded.

“Kids,” called Jane, “quiet, please. Daddy’s tired and need some rest.”

Jane went to the kitchen to prepare for dinner. Matthew continued to look outside thinking about his future.

Few months later, the rumors became true. One district after another has been asked to select who should be asked to leave the congested and overpopulated Land of No Names. Matthew and John were worried that they would be selected.

“I don’t want to go, John.”

“Ha? You don’t want to go?”

“No. I love this place, and I don’t think I can be apart from it.”

“Matthew, if you are selected you have no choice. You have to go. They will be paying you and you can start a new life outside this Land of No Name.”

“Do you want to go John? Really going?” Matthew asked.

“I am ready Matthew. I have made plans with Sarah what we going to do and where?”

Matthew was shocked to hear that John has planned. He never knew that John and Sarah, their good neighbor, has some planned if they selected.

“It is not too late to start thinking what you want to do,” said John softly to Matthew.

Matthew nodded and quickly went back to see Jane. He knew that he needed to discuss with Jane on their future. Upon reaching his home, he stopped at the door. Slowly he raised his hand and twisted the knob, at the same time thinking on his plan.

He went to the kitchen where Jane usually was. Slowly he walked to Jane. Jane, who was very engrossed in kneading the flour, was shocked to see Matthew. Normally, Matthew would still be at the field.

“What’s wrong baby?”

“Hmm… Did you hear anything about people was asked to leave Land of No Name?” asked Matthew.
“Yup I did. Why?” asked Jane.

“What if, we are selected to be the one?”

“Oh… just pack our things and go.”

“Go where and what to do?”

“Matt, I knew you are worried about this. I have already contacted my sister in the North. Her husband has a mill, and if we want to, we can join them.”

Matthew’s spirit went up. At least his wife has some planned, and now he can breathe easily.

“Thank you dear” Matthew gave his wife a kiss.
As Matthew came out from his house, he heard someone called his name. He turned and saw Gabriel.
“What’s up, Gab?”
“Hmm… I heard there’s a rumor.”
“What rumor?”
“The one that anyone of us can be asked to leave this place.”
Matthew nodded.
“I’m scared. I’m not ready Matt.”
“Pray that you are not selected.” Matthew turned toward the field.
Gabriel sighed.
“Gab, one more thing. Start planning for other thing if you are selected,” shouted Matthew.

Two weeks later, the King called them to the castle. John, Matthew, Richard, and Thomas were called. All four knew that they were the selected one.

“Dear all,” said the king, “You knew why I called you here, right?”

"Yes said John. The rest nodded.

“The new ruler wanted the piece of your lands. They wanted to build a new castle for the king. You will be paid for the lands.”

“How much, sir?” asked Thomas.

“A lot. Will a pouch of gold coins enough?” He showed a medium size of pouch that has been filled with money.

The king asked his general to hand the pouch to the four of them. There were names written on the pouch. The four opened the pouch and smiled. It was more than enough to last for few generations.

“Thank you sir,” the four said at once.

“Oh ya… you have, until the end of the month to move out.”
The king reminded them.

They rushed home and told their wives. Everyone was happy. Who have thought that their land would purchase such a fortune? But they didn’t know that each of them received different amount. It depends on the size and location of their land, but whatever it is, it is more than enough.

Gabriel upon hearing that Matthew and John were selected was relieved. His name was not mentioned, and he could continue with his life. Gabriel went to see Matthew.
“Matt, I heard the news.”
“Yup Gabriel. I was selected, but I’m very happy. It gave me an opportunity for me to do other things.”
“You are not sad, Matt.”
“I am, but life has to go on,” said Matthew with a satisfied and happy grin.
“All the best mate.”
“You too.”
Finally, the time has come. Everything that they wanted has been loaded into the wagon. The kids and the wives had said goodbye. Matthew and John for the last time stood together looking at the fields which they have been doing since they were small.


“I’m going to miss this place,” John said softly.

“Me too. There are too many memories.”

“Yup. Matt, did you remember when we first played in the corn fields?”

“Hmm… when we couldn’t find our way home where our parents and the neighbors have to help to look for us.” Matthew laughed.

They stood there reminiscing the old days remembering all the important events that happened to them. They were silent. No words could describe how the felt. For the last time, they looked at the place knowing that, it won’t be there anymore. Their houses and fields would be replaced by big castles.


Sara and Jane, who watched from the wagon, walked to their husband. They stood beside their husbands. Holding hands and saying goodbye to the place that has served them.


“Good bye, but forever you will stay in my hearts.”

Am I ready?

Yeah! It's Friday. Let's enjoy the day. Forget whatever happened yesterday and let's
focus on today.  Yes, I'm going to focus on today and my future. No point in dwelling with what happened in the past.

Talking about future, I have few things line up for me. Whether it is going to materialize, I'm not sure, but I really hope that it will happen.

I also need to focus on my health. Years of abusing my body has taken its toll. Time to take a break from work. Time to refocus on what I want to do. Time to re-strategize my life. Spending more time to enhance my spiritual and less on the worldly goods.

My new path will not be easy. I bet there will be lots of challenges, but nothing is more satisfying than getting things after overcoming all the hurdles in life.  Insya Allah, I will persevere, I will overcome all the hurdles and be successful.

Never throw in the towel before I try.... that's my motto.

My two wives...

This blog has been very quiet. It slowly gathering dust, but I hope that I will come here regularly and clean the dust. Not a promise but I will try my best to be here.

Do you know that when I created my malay blog, I never expect to feel like I have two wife. The English blog is my first wife or an old wife where my malay blog is my new wife. Like a man who practice polygamy, I also felt the same. I spent so much time with my new wife, until I feel like I neglected my first wife. Nauzubillah... di jauhkan dari perasaan ini....

It is not my intention to spend more time with my new wife, but I found that sometimes, it is easier to write there than here. Maybe, I don't care about my grammar or my language on my malay blog. The language is more relax. Casual.

When I first created this blog, I was kind of free. Not much work at that time, and I kind of having lots of free time. But not the past few years. It was hectic! The workload eased after the team has more members and some of the work has been distributed to others. Now I have more time to myself to do other things...

Hmm....What will I do with this free time? More blogging time? Maybe. What else? Reading. I can't live without books. Every where I go, I must have books. Either physical book or soft copy, it doesn't matter. As long as I can read. But don't give me journal or technical document. I won't read that!

Two years ago, I bought this book, the Doctor in the House for my hubby. A very thick book and frankly speaking, I haven't read any single page of it. But I hope, really hope that one day, I will read it.

Oh yeah...will I be running out of book? I don't think so. Because this itchy hand will always find a way to surf the online shopping and click the add to cart. Two days ago, I bought 5 more books, and in total, I have around 20 books that I haven't read.

I don't know which one I preferred. Physical book or ebooks? I like the smell of the new books, and it is my dream to have a book store. Only a dream, OK! but problem is storage.

Storing my books is always an issue. I guess I need to have a dedicated bookshelf for me.. Yeah!!! Oooppss where will I put this bookshelf. Most of the space in my house has been taken. Argghhhh...Problem...

So a mixture of ebooks and pyhsical books will be better... but of late, I seldom read my ebooks. My kids always hijacked my iPad, and by the time I get my iPad back is when the battery runs out. Another problem right....

Anyway whatever it is, I still have something to reads, and I can run to the wonderful world of fictions...

Mr. Mood

Mr. Mood...

Where have you been?

Are you leaving me...

Mr. Mood...

I'm looking for you...

Searching around...

But nowhere can be found...

Mr. Mood....

Do you know....

I  need you...

To be with me...

Day and night...

Ahh...Mr. Mood...

Without you...

I am nobody...

I am hopeless...

Scrambling to get things done...

Dear Mr. Mood...

Will you come back....

To lift my spirit...

As we used to be?

Oh Mr. Mood...

Please, please come back....

Please come back......

 -zai-

31013:13:16

No matter what...

Haha..not sure what's got into me. I'm updating both blogs on the same day. It must be a miserable day that I have today. It's too early in the morning for me to feel this way, but hey.. this feeling has been there for months. It was dormant, and this morning, it was really strong until I have to ponder what I want to do in my life.

Well , the only think that keep me firmly on what I'm doing today are my kids. They are the one keeping me slogging through my life. Well... mother loves never know boundaries right. No matter how tired I am, when one of my kids asked for help, I would not hesitate.

That's what happened last night. I reached home around 8pm after on the road for more than an hour. Thanks to the traffic jam. When I got home, my brother in law and his wife were there. They came over to visit my sick mother in law and also to discuss something with my husband. I let them talk and discuss their family affairs. No interference from me.

I thought I could rest for a while, but Syafiq came and asked me to help him with the C++ Programming. He has his exam this morning at 8am. Good luck son. He has some problem with understanding some of the C++ terms. Being a mother and also I know the topic, I sat down with him. Yeah...at that time I was still not having my shower or my dinner. No matter how tired I am, I still helped him.

From helping him, we moved to discuss music. I saw his playlists, and he introduced me to some of his favorite singers, which are not popular at all. After that, he went and played The River Flows in You on the piano. It made me relax as that is one of my favorite song.

After he left, I have other tasked, which my kids think that only me can do it. Not even their dad. Do you know what? It checking the text books, taping what ever need to be taped and wrapped it. Haiyahhh... at that time I was still not having my shower.

Hmm...by the time that I can really chill down and enjoy my reading, it was almost 11.30pm. But I'm grateful and thankful to Allah for giving me four lovely kids who occasionally drives me crazy with their antics. They are my world no matter what they do....