It's Here - The Book

I know one of the things I dont really fancy Alor Setar or even Jitra is the lack of good book shop. The best we have is Popular but still its not big enough to cater good quality books for certain particular interest. At the most we could do is to drive to Penang to Borders (Queensbay) or MPH (Gurney Mall).

But Alhamdulillah with the internet and all the on-line shopping it provides, with just a few clicks plus a credit card, Kinokuniya and MPH would not hesitate to send you the books you want (that is, if they have it).

I ve been looking for this book like more than 5 years ago. Imagine that ! I found about Total Immersion through the internet when I first started swimming. I had no personal trainer and I did most of my research on swimming from the net. Back then I could still find most of Terry (Laughlin)'s writing about his innovation from the website (unlike now where you can only find excerpts from the book). I had printed and compiled them but thanks to my filing system, I ve lost them, together with the files in the computer too (that I have the Virus to thank).

And what a delightful surprise when I found the book in Kinokuniya's website. I made the purchase through their site and it took only two days from the day I ordered, for me to get hold of the book.

I am so excited, and hopefully the book will help me get into the pool in no time.

:-P

Just An Observation

A wife who doesn't give due respect to her husband,
would find it hard to respect other people too.

Buruk Tau Kalau Marah-Marah

Ya memang buruk sangat kalau kamu marah. Kamu nampak macam orang yang hilang diri. Kamu juga kelihatannya sangat tidak bijak bila kamu marah. Tambah-tambah lagi kalau orang tahu sebab yang kamu marah itu. Marah kalau tak bertempatlah yang paling buruk, seburuk-buruknya.

So, kalau nak marah, ikutlah cakap Nabi (Muhanmmad SAW) duduklah dulu, kalau dah memang sedang duduk, baring, tapi dah kalau kat ofis takkan nak baring bergolek atas lantai.....

....dah... pegi amik air sembahyang, kasi hilang itu buruk.

Syntax Error

What is wrong with
her
?

I am disappointed and I am angry. But I know its no use in retaliating, because the person I'm angry with will never change. She will always be the person she is. She will always think that she is better than me and that I am subjected to her and that I am beneath her.

And I think it is better to remain calm and not bring myself down to her level.

To Apologize Even When You Are Not Wrong

Sometimes you have to apologize even when you are not wrong because you have to feed the other person his ego; and most importantly you just want the work to get done.

This is especially so when you have to deal with some other departments who think that your work is at their mercy. It will become pointless to debate with them when you know they will never budge from their stand, let alone to admit their mistake.

They need to win the battle to make them feel good, but you know deep inside that the war is actually yours to be won eventually.

Hah !

Popo Demam

My poor baby is not feeling very well. Took him to see the vet two days ago for a few shots. Last nite he looked better and this morning I could see that he's s still a bit weak.

I have to keep watch on him, not to let him out of the house. And every time I hold him I keep on chanting this to his ear :-

Ya Allah, janganlah bagi Popo sakit

* Aku kalau demam telan panadol saja.


:-)

Everything Has Its Appointed Time

Everything.

When things don't turn out the way you want it to be, its not the time yet.

You pray. You hope. You wish. You long. You anticipate

..but if its not the time yet.. it wont happen.

And when it does happen, you will suddenly see all things clearly. You will see why HE didn't grant your wish earlier. You will notice whatever HE is granting you today does not revolve around you personally, it somehow tends to relate with some situations, some people, some circumstances, which you will understand why HE wanted you to wait and be patient, because sometimes, even when you are ready, the other persons involved might not be and the situations at the moment must have not permitted.


...and when it does happen, you will see how pleasing it is when all things fall into places, at the right time..and at the right moment.

Just like finishing the last few pieces of jigsaw puzzles, you suddenly see the whole picture and not only a few pieces out of 1000.

...and all you can say is

ALHAMDULILLAH

for

HE is Most Knowing

I Have A Few Clothes

Ok. I dont have that many working attire to wear everyday. In fact I ve been wearing the same clothes like a few times every month, and to certain extent, twice a week. Ya, I dont give priority to my working clothes unlike most. My Baju Kurung, the ones I ve been wearing every now and then are the courtesy of my mother. Its not something I'm proud of, but my mother still buys for me the cloth for baju kurung and she herself would send them to the tailor. My task would only be going to the tailor and pay for it. If not for my mother's effort, I wont have any baju kurung at all. I am very comfortable with the arrangement and I think my mom is too because everytime I go to the tailor to make payment, I always pay for hers too.

This entry has no relevant at all with Anwar's battle for PM seat, nor does it has any impact on Pak Lah's incapability to take control of anything that's going on in our country. N@jib too wont find these entry as threatening as the SD made by RPK.

But I guess its better to talk about my clothes than discussing about them......

*Actually I do have a few other clothes, but I'm waiting for the right size of my body to fit in. Ya I bought the dress one size smaller hoping at that time I would be a lot slimmer.

I'm still hoping..... (for the smaller size.. not for Anwar/Pak Lah/Najib)

Bila Aku Rindu

Menonton Ayat-Ayat Cinta semalam membuat aku menangis.


Ada sesuatu yang sangat menyentuh hati

Ada sesuatu yang menjadikan aku rindu....



pada yang telah lama aku tinggalkan

pada yang menjadikan aku sebagai aku



dan yang paling aku rindu

adalah

pada diri aku sendiri yg dulu

.

Some People Just Got It

I have to admit here how talented Hadie is when it comes to photography.
That same scene wont be as beautiful through my own lenses.

She just has it.

Popo The Four Legged Boy

"Mana pi gelas Ann kat dapur ni Mak?"

"Mak simpan habih semua dalam almari,
habih semua benda ada kesan dia..."


"Bukan boleh letak cawan gelas atas meja tu,
semua nanti dia masukkan mulut dia"



"Eshh..sapaaaa yang Mak dok bising nih...?"




"Tu laaah.... yang kaki empat tu..."

On The Run

I dont know how much more should I thank HIM for placing me in such a wonderful place like my new home now. The best thing that I enjoy most is the spacious road and the fresh air I get during my morning run. Yes, I m getting back on my feet again after almost a month of all the nity gritty of moving and getting accustomed to the new place. But I did start my cycling much earlier though.

I just hope I will get to meet other slow female runners like me around the area. Not that I dont like to run alone, but sometimes I think its nice to have a company who has more, if not the same, passion than me so that we could push each other. I heard theres a Jitra Running Club somewhere around; think I ll just ask around for more info on that . But on a second thought maybe I m still too slow to join a club. Let my feet get accustomed to a faster pace than the hare first.

In the meantime I'll just have to hang on to my iPod for a good and loyal company.

Afifah- Motien's Only Daughter

Pretending
Originally uploaded by anickue

Her original look when shes not making faces

:-)

Motien's

Motiens sons

Her daughter
a small version of Motien

Motien is worried about Najmi. That eldest son of hers is sitting for UPSR this year and shes worried because Najmi seems to be enjoying listening to songs more than studying.

"Ni No fon Najmi: 019******;
Hang tolong bagi semangat sikit kat dia.
Dia dok gheja dengar lagu....Macam aku dulu la..."

Well Njami is not in the pic. I will try to post his photo whenever I can.

Do You Believe In Dreams

I dreamed of my friend a few nights ago. We have not kept in touch for almost 10 years now. Blame it on me but I know this time its not my fault. The last time she called that night was somewhere in 1998 and she was so excited about her project which was making her RM20K richer every month. Ya, she wanted me to join her and she even suggested me to quit my newly appointed job. I was amazed by her excitement and she read my amazement as amused. So she hang up the phone.

And I have never heard from her ever since. But I know she is doing very very well, even though the RM20K monthly project didnt last that long, but it lasted long enough for her to get a good capital for her next project...and next ... and next. Yes, she s very successful now.

But am I regretful for not joining her...?

Well, no.

...... dan janganlah pula Anwar bersumpah dengan lafaz "WALLAHUU"......

Ya, adik-adik, kakak-kakak... lafaz sumpah hendaklah dengan sebutan "kasroh/tanda bawah" dan disebut dengan lafaz sumpah seperti :-

1. WALLAHII
2. TALLAHII; atau
3. LILLAHII

Ambil perhatian ya kalau suami atau bf yang bersumpah:-

Wallahuu Abang tak kawin lain

atau

Wallahuu Abang tak ada gf lain

Silalah ke dapur ambil pinggan dan cuba "aim" kan ke dada pasangan dan minta dia ulang sumpah dengan sebutan yang betul. Jika tidak layangkanlah pinggan itu ke dada beliau.

Cerekarama Politik

Aku rasa ramai yang rasa lelah dan penat dgn suasana politik Malaysia hari ini. Sepertinya hampir lemas rakyat Malaysia dibanjiri dengan drama politik membuatkan kita rasa negara kita sudah terhoyong hayang dengan bertimpa-timpa masaalah yang timbul berturut-turut dan berderet-deret.

Sayang sekali saat begini, aku begitu terasa kehilangan Dr M. Ya, dia sudah tidak relevan, tetapi Malaysia perlukan ketua yang dapat menjaga anak buah dan rakyatnya dengan baik. Dr M, meskipun penuh dengan "baggage"nya yang tersendiri tetapi dia mampu mengawal orang di bawahnya, sekalipun seperti ketua yang sangat digeruni dan ditakuti. Dalam masa yang sama aku juga mahu meletakkan salah kepada DR M yang terlalu mengongkong anak buahnya dulu di mana hampir setiap keputusan dibuat oleh Dr M sehingga sekarang tidak ada satu pun pemimpin kerajaan yang mampu membuat keputusan tegas yang tersendiri. Seperti ibubapa yang membuat segalanya untuk anak-anak, bila sahaja mereka tiada, anak-anak tak tahu apa benda pun !.

Lebih memburukkan keadaan, terdapat pula lah Hamba Allah yang bercita-cita nak jadi PM pada 16 September ini. Seorang Hamba Allah yang juga penuh drama, ulah dan sandiwara menjadikan suasana semakin kalut.

Ya, kamu mungkin terkejut. Tetapi aku memang tidak begitu yakin dan percaya dengan Hamba Allah yang seorang ini.

Rekodnya sebagai pejuang Islam seperti yang digembur bukanlah begitu baik ...........

Maaf.

My One and Only Popo

I ve been contemplating with the idea of getting Popo a friend. But Yan suggested me against it, because Popo has been an only cat for a few years already and that he may not like it or start to "merajuk". Some cats would resent their owner for bringing in a new mate in the house.

Jealousy is in their dictionary apparently.

But cK said:-

Why dont you ask Popo
"Popo tak mau payung emas kah.....?"

Pabila Bas Meninggalkan Aku

Kejadian seumpama ini sudah lama tidak terjadi pada aku.

Dan sudah hampir 10 tahun aku tidak menaiki kenderaan awam paling popular di negeri ini. Kali terakhir aku berulang alik naik bas ialah sewaktu aku mula bekerja dulu. Pun begitu bas itu sering menghampakan aku yang mana membuatkan aku terpaksa berjalan 4km ke bus stop di jalan besar...... dengan baju kebaya dan kasut tumit tinggi.... (ya aku kadang2 sangat feminine walaupun tidak suka memakai lipstick) kerana bas yang aku tunggu tidak muncul-muncul.

Pernah juga berlaku apabila bas tidak sampai-sampai dan oleh kerana aku sudah sangat-sangat terlewat, aku telah menahan satu kereta polis yang sedang lalu memintanya menghantar aku ke tempat kerja. Polis yang baik hati itu, walaupun agak terkejut, telah sudi menghantar aku pada pagi itu. Sebab itu walaupun ramai orang yang marah dan kata macam-macam pada Polis Malaysia, aku diamkan saja.

Dua kejadian itu (dimana yang pertama sangat kerap berlaku walaupun tanpa baju kebaya) tidaklah boleh dikira sebagai ketinggalan kerana taman yang aku duduk itu selalu dianggap oleh pemandu bas sebagai tempat orang yang berduit yang tak perlukan khidmat bas. Atas anggapan itu, pemandu bas selalu menipu syarikatnya dengan tidak mahu lalu di taman aku. Dia tidak tahu bahawa atas ketidak-prihatinannya itu, aku lah yang menjadi mangsa. Dia tidak tahu bahawa ada hamba Allah yang tidak berduit untuk beli kereta lagi waktu itu.

Ok. Balik kepada tajuk. Aku benar-benar ketinggalan bas pagi tadi bila aku "ter"bangun lewat dan sebaik sahaja aku sampai ke tempat menunggu bas, aku hanya sempat melihat punggung bas tersebut. Dengan pandangan sayu dan mata terkelip-kelip, aku terus juga memparkir kereta dan mengambil keputusan bahawa walau apa pun berlaku aku tidak akan membawa kereta. Aku bertekad untuk menunggu dengan harapan masih ada bas yang akan datang membawa aku ke tempat kerja.

Alhamdulillah, tidak sampai pun 15 minit, sebiji bas tiba dan aku sangat gembira kerana bas itu berhawa dingin.. yeahhh.... tidak seperti bas yang aku hanya sempat lihat punggungnya tadi yang seperti bas zaman P.Ramlee... bas yang baru tiba sangat selesa dengan tempat duduk yang empuk dan lapang. Kaki aku tidak lagi tersepit dengan tempat duduk depan.

Jika beginilah keadaan bas yang aku 'discover' pada hari ini pada pukul 8.15, aku rasa kalau aku 'ter'bangun lewat lagi sekali esok pun tak pa nih.......

Oh ya perjalanan hanya mengambil masa lebih kurang 30 minit .

Memang bas aku bas lama, tapi tidaklah seburuk ini

Ini bukan gambar kejadian sebenar antara aku dan bas

aku pakai kebaya ok !

bukan sari

:-P

A Thought ....

I had posted an entry the last time warning people not to get involved with married couple's feud. I ve heard so many stories where a best friend could turn to be an enemy just because she told the wife about the affair of the husband. The case could be vice versa too and I used to wonder why the wife/husband would always listen and accept their spouses' excuses and justifications even when it is a clear cut or caught in the act case.

But now I know why. The reason is because the partner would always want to believe what they want to believe, they want to hang on to every single explanations, justifications, excuses which are all lies most of the times, because if they do not take the "accused" words, they would have to deal with the most difficult situation and might soon have to make a life changing decision. Instead of continuing with any unwanted ugly battles and scenes with the accused, its much better to gulp in everything he/she said and move on...


Case closed.

One continue to hope and pray that it will never crop out again....





....too bad......because sometimes, it will...

Its Not That Bad

Ya... memang bukanlah sesuatu yang teruk jika naik bas ke tempat kerja. Saya tahu kalau yang tinggal di KL, naik bas atau LRT atau tren, semuanya itu bukanlah sesuatu yang asing lagi. Tapi, bila tinggal di bandar kecil, atau negeri kecil seperti di utara ini, menaiki kenderaan awam bukanlah sesuatu yang ditunggu-tunggu atau disukai. Kenderaan awam yang paling utama pula hanyalah bas.

Bas kat sini pula bukanlah bas yang macam Intrakota ka Rapid ka... yang di KL sana. Di sini bas yang ada biasanya yang macam kamu semua tengok dalam cerita P Ramlee tu, yang macam dalam cerita "Masam-masam Manis"; hah macam tu lah bas yang saya naik pagi tadi..... Cuma yang bezanya saya dengan "Cikgu Murni", tak adalah lelaki hensem yang mengorat saya .

Few Adjustments

There are some things which I find that need a few adjustments to my new life now in Jitra. For instance:-

1. The Distance

Its now a 23 km drive from the new house to my office when it used to be only 7 km drive all these years. So, everyday its now more than a 40km drive. Hmmmm....

2. The Tolls

If I am late (which I find almost every other day) I can just use the highway which cost me RM4 to and fro; RM1.60 for the the first toll and another RM0.40 for the second one. And for one month I d have to spend close to RM120 on toll alone. Even if I dont use the first toll (by taking another route to go out through the second toll) I still have to spend almost RM32 monthly.


Now since there's a price hike on the fuel, I am seriously thinking of other alternatives to commute to work; yes, Jamis does come to my mind ... but to cycle 46 km everyday .. oh come on, even a pro will give it a second thought.. (kan Aini kan kan kan). Going is ok.. but the coming back time would be a dread, especially after all hard (?) day at work. I might have to take the taxi for me and Jamis to go back to Jitra which will defeat the purpose since the taxi price wont be RM15 anymore (before the hike).

The other choice is the BUS. Hmm.. I can park my car near the bus station in Jitra and take the bus straight to my workplace.

The price of the "I Love Jitra" thing

Oh ya, since I have to start early to work, I cant cycle and run in the morning anymore except during the weekend. So I have now started my cycling at night; quite safe actually. I dont know about my running yet.. but I'll figure it out when I buy the spot light to attach to my body during the running.......

Dia Mai Dah

JCPenney online dah mai dah..... !!


Excitednya aku


http://www.jcpenney.com.my/



Ingat nak beli boot satu lah





... murah saja RM134.99





*maklumlah kat Jitra ni snow kadang
sejuk sampai ke kaki

Perempuan Macam Polis .....

Evidence dah penuh keliling pinggang
masih mahukan Confession !

:-)

I Love Jitra

So, I'm getting into the third week of staying in the new house now. Actually its not exactly new in the true sense, its a second hand house which I bought from an old couple who made the house as their vacation/transit house. A semi detached house just like I always wanted, not so small and not so big. I dont think I can handle a bigger house. My priority is the windows, for the wind to go in and out; good ventilation is a must. I cant stand a house with no windows or just one or two.

I couldnt thank HIM more for making my dreams and my wishes come true. The surrounding is just nice too; fresh air, good neighbours who are not so nosy but still keeping their eyes on my every moves (haha..who wouldnt when a single lady with a racing bike moves in). Well at least they dont come around and start asking questions.

My house is not very far from the Jitra small town. You can find almost everything within a 5 - 7 minutes drive, the small mall with its own cineplex and bowling alley, Old Town cafe, Pizza Hut, KFC, and the rows of food stalls and some other small shops with reasonable price goods. And if you need to go to Alor Star, you can take the highway which is about 1km away from my place. What more could I ask...?

Alhamdulillah

And of course Jitra is nice for my cycling and running too. Like I ve said before, its quite hilly and the road's condition is not bad.

Soon a makcik with tudunng on a road bike would be normal sight here in Jitra.

Popo Was In Trauma, The Kitchen Cabinet Still Hasnt Come

I ve moved in to the new house. Most of the things were shoved into the big black plastic bags, and some thrown into the boxes with a thought that the unpacking and finding things would be dealt with later. (Sure enough... I could not find my my shirt after that).

The main issue I had to face during the transition was Popo. It was such a traumatic experience for him and for me too for not knowing how to handle him. He was so terrified with all the bustling, sounds of things being moved and voices of strangers in the house. It was apparent I was not prepared when it came to him. At one point he was so scared that he went into hiding and I found him later on with full of dirts and oil ( i think he must have been hiding under a vehicle). I put him inside the toilet and later into a cage and Popo went berserk. He had never been caged before.

When I brought him inside the new house, he was still inside the cage, crying and complaining but a bit calmed as he started to see things which are familiar to him, like the sofas, his play tent, Jamis (my bike, not a Javanis worker) and a few other things which are not new to his sniffing nose.

Since there were still some strangers inside the house, he was still in shock and when I let him out of the cage, he went into a corner and stayed there for quite some times. He was only relaxed after being coaxed with some fresh shrimps and the sound of my sweet tender loving care voice. (Perlukah dijelaskan di sini suara aku sweet? Ya, perlu.).

Anyways, after two nights at the new house he is now adjusting himself well with the surroundings, sniffing and snooping around.

Alhamdulillah.


Oh ya.... I love my new house !

Just A Thought

Sometimes, well most of the times, it is best to acknowledge the mistake we make and apologize. Our ego may not like it, but if you suppress the ego, you can stand taller without even looking like a looser. But if you keep on staying in the denial state, you would discover how hard it is to find all sorts of excuses and justifications for the mistake made. Just admit it and move on. People may or may not forget the blunder but they will definite respect you more for the courage you put on when you admit it to them.

If you keep on denying and giving excuses and worse still if you start blaming it on other people, it tells a lot about the person you are and you may not like if if you know what we think of you.

The Effect of The Green Tiles

I am finally moving out of my rented house insya Allah this weekend. I'm stressing insya Allah , God Will, and with all my wills, hopefully I will be done with the packing by that time. Theres nothing more that I detest more other than three things; packing, packing and unpacking. Of course, its the way of the world, we may not like doing things we re doing but we know we have to do them anyway.

The Contractor is on the run again. He s been hiding behind the wife literally and physically, but I have to give him some credits for his lack of thinking here. Firstly, he should have known that by causing me troubles he would definitely be black listed by all my friends and secondly he must have read my name card wrongly about my profession. Had he understood the meaning of my work, he would know I CAN be mean. I was angry at first, but now all I'm interested is to get things done.

I had to take things into my hand and continued where he left. I bought the tiles and everything and had to ask HIS worker to finish it off. Shukri (the worker) said he would have definitely finished everything off long ago had there been no delay in the tiles. Its so odd that the tiles for the bathroom never came. I bought the tiles for the bathroom and took the opportunity to even change the tiles in the kitchen. The kitchen tiles was apparently a huge mistake. I thought the color and texture were cool to my so called artistic eyes but I guess since it was put up to the walls, it didnt look that good and cool anymore. cK was even asking me "What were you thinking when you chose the color?" Ok, I admit it that that green was horrible.

Ever since I changed the green kitchen tiles, things are starting to fall into places, even though the contractor still wont pick up my phone, his wife has put on a brave face and took things into her hands. The wife apparently works under him too. I cant get angry with the wife as its not her fault and all I know I have to work with her so that I could get my kitchen cabinet ready in time.

Now come to think of it.. all the delays with the house must be due to that horrible ugly tiles. The thing is that when I first bought the house I asked Allah "Please let me have a beautiful house". And Allah The All-Knowing must have known that HE can never granted me that wish if the green tiles is still around.

Alhamdulillah. Allah Hu Akbar.

Things I Learn

Ok. I know my heart beat has never touched 40bpm, the lowest was 79 of which i tried my best lying down in bed not moving an inch and trying my best not to even blink my eyes too, afraid that the blinking would erupt the beat.

and so I learned to listen to my own body instead of struggling to follow others' workout. I have to get it in my head, Aini is much younger and she s been at it for some times now. I have to accept that I cannot climb the hill like her at the moment, even though I do think that i dont have issues when coming down, and thats because my size is double her size.

and so i learned the best way to get it going without being "overtrained" and get all cranky and jeorpadize my relationship with everybody, is by doing it slow. Lower my heart rate to between 60-75% of the maximum heart beat, during the workout so that I could teach my body to burn the stored fat (of all my staple food of pastas pizza lasagna) first rather that groping for the carbo.

ok and so i learned i need not have to have a Prince to make me a good cyclist. I need to push more to pedal at higher cadence without even bouncing on the seat. A carbo frame wont help me at that.

and so I am learning how to balance my energy for running and cycling. I could run 10km a few weeks ago, but now, I'm back to walking and running and its such a torment to even run 3 km. My cycling on the other hand is getting better.


Now, perhaps some swimming would balance everything up ..........

Posisi Aerodynamic

Kalau kita baca pasal teknik kayuh basikal ni, kita akan jumpa bahawa posisi yang paling bagus untuk mengayuh dengan lebih laju ialah dengan posisi aerodynamic. Posisi ini membolehkan kita menambahkan kelajuan dengan mengurangkan rintangan angin dan menggunakan tenaga yang sedikit apabila berkayuh.

Memang tertungging-tungging tonggek bongkok apa segala para pengkayuh basikal nak bagi badan dalam aero position, sakit habih pinggang bahu semua (aku lah tu...)

Tapi...bila aku solat... baru aku terperasan......... kalaulah aku ni rajin buat solat sunat beratus-ratus rakaat, pasti aku tiada masaalah naik basikal...

Sebabnya... tiada posisi yang lebih aerodynamic melainkan waktu ruku' dan sujud .............

Saturday Ride

I had a good ride yesterday even though at the last 10km I was really gasping for air ..

I started out quite early from the house, right after Subuh prayer. At first I was planning to go out as early as 5.45 am and stop by at Nora's house for the prayer before proceeding to Changloon, but then I thought I might as well start from the house rather than knocking on Nora's door when shes still in Dream Wonderland. I had done all the packing that night and so its only a matter of dressing up and putting on the make up ( kidding..make up hapanya nak kayuh basikal) and sped off to Changloon in a matter of 25 mins. I took the highway.

Alor Star is a very flat land, you wont find any hills around and we dont have that many flyovers here to try climbing. Thats why I always love cycling in Jitra because of the few small hills here and there. This time around anyways, I had Changloon in mind, thinking of climbing that hill again on the way to UUM and make a turning to go to Perlis through Pauh and go down to Kodiang before coming back to Changloon. The ride should be around 56km.

I only had one bottle of plain drinking water and a power bar. What a mistake, I should have put Gatorade instead, as I learned later in the ride.

Its only after the 5th km when I met with THAT HILL, and since I'm quite new, the climb was really a test. When I started to climb I was pedaling at almost 60rpm and when I was about to reach the top my HRM was shouting at more than 160 and the speed was at about 10-13km/h. I had to stop to at the top to make sure the heart dropped at 131 before coming down. But the climb was worth it because what a descend I had. I was going down at 51.6km/h !!! Yeehaaaaa.... Last week I only managed to get 44km/h doing the same hill.

I had to face a few small hills afterwards and more climbing before coming to the round-about in front of UUM for the turn. The returning trip from UUM was not as bad as it was now a matter of going down and I could try the big gears for a speed. Again I had to face the HILL and tortured my heart, my feet and all of my body for the second time. I was climbing at the last few meters to the top at 5-6km/h !!

I took the Changloon-Kuala Perlis highway which was about 13km from the UUM-Changloon junction and took a turn to Pauh. The ride on the highway was smooth. I was pedaling at the rate of 25-30km/h which to me is quite fast as my usual average is about 21km/h. Maybe this time around I was trying pedaling with the big gear. Pauh was nice and the road was not as bad as I had expected. I was cycling under shades of trees and it was quite refreshing, especially after coming from the scorching hot sun at the high way. It was cool and relaxing from Pauh to Kodiang but when I reached the latter the road was apparently under construction *sigh* . I did not have to suffer that much as after about 400m I then made a left turn at the famous junction of Kodiang towards Changloon again.

This road should take about 13km but I was very close to bonking. I did take a few sips during the ride and I even stopped for a half of the powerbar at one point but my energy level was very low. I saw a shabby closed old shop hut with and old rattan chair with cushion outside and decided to take a break. I finished the other half of the powerbar and just sat there watching the kampung folks going up and down. After 5mins or more I continued the ride but I was having a tough time. The road greeted me with many ups and downs, and its all about "oh no..another climb" and "ahh yes...coming down" and "oh no..another climb again..".... It was not supposed to be that bad, all are very small climbs, but since I was close to worn-out, I was crying all the way..! And there were a few kids on the road who were trying to have fun with me by pulling some rope in the middle of the road (like coming to finishing line) that I had to shout out loud "Wehhhh Hoii..! Jangan ! Jangan !! Tak mau mainnnn.. Jatuh nanti...!!" Ya, I was cranky because I was tired.

I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel, when I saw Changloon town again ! Alhamdulillah. Since I was dead beat, I didnt bother to use the proper lane, and since my car was not very far from the junction and all the cars were not speeding, I took the incoming car lane and carefully rode on the right side of the road. Yes, it was dangerous, but I took the chance.

I had never been happier to see my car again!


Dist: 58.8KM
Av : 21.7 km/h
Mx: 51.6 km/h

Heart Rate

Av: 148
Mx: 164

Cycling Is Fun

I want to go, I want to go
To the greenfileds with you baby
C'mon lets go. c'mon lets go
Wo Wo Wo

Riding on a bicycle together
We could ride forever
C'mon letes go, C'mon lets go
Wo Wo Wo

Riding on the cycling road
Everyone is having fun
Riding on the cycling road
Nobody knows our cycling road


Shonen Knife
Cycling Is Fun

Adik Dan Boifrennya Yang Jaguh Lari

Tiba-tiba aku teringat cerita Adik yang beria-ria cerita pasal boifren baru dia. (Adik baru darjah 3 ok waktu itu).

"Kak Ann boifren Adik tu best !"

"Ya ka..?"

"Ha ahh... best wooh dia... dia lari kuat tau.... lajuuuuu !"

"Ahaa..."

"Dalam sekolah tu dia yang paling lari laju sekali. Adik kalau main dengan dia, tak larat tauu nak ligan*... "

"Uhhh.. hebatnya"

"Ha ahh.. dia lari laju sungguh, kalau Kak Ann lawan lari dengan dia pun, Kak Ann pun kalahhhh..."


Aku, dalam hati. "Mak aii.. banding aku dgn boifren dia pulak."

*kejar

Nenek Tua Di Pizza Hut

Hari itu aku dan Nora ke Pizza Hut Jitra, menikmati hidangan dengan lahapnya, terutamanya ahli sukan (ehem ehem ehem) yang baru kayuh basikal Jitra-Changloon-UUM.

Sekali, kami berdua terlihat seorang nenek tua dengan baju lusuh kain batik berserta beg plastik di tangan masuk ke restoran itu. Aku dan Nora memang pernah lihat nenek itu berjalan seorang diri kadang di sekitar Jitra, dan bila melihat dia, tersentuh rasa kasihan memikirkan kenapa dia dibiarkan berjalan seorang diri. Tapi bila difikirkan semula, mungkin anak cucunya sudah tidak mampun membendung keinginan nenek tua untuk keluar berjalan. Mungkin sudah habis ikhtiar mereka untuk menghalangnya dari keluar rumah.

Ok. Kembali pada Pizza Hut. Nenek itu, kami lihat berjalan dari meja ke meja seperti berbual dan bertanya khabar. Tapi kata Nora nenek tua sedang meminta wang dari orang ramai.

Kaki nenek tua akhirnya sampai ke meja kami. Kami pun menyapanya, bertanyakan sama ada dia sudah makan atau belum. Kataku " Kalau nenek nak makan duduklah... nanti saya order kan makanan. "

"Nenek mahu Pizza?"tanyaku

Dia gelengkan kepalanya. "Nek tak lalu makan.."

"Nenek mahu cappuccino ..? Kita letak whip cream..nak?"

Hehe..Ok nenek tak mahu makan atau minum cappuccino. Aku dan Nora tahu dia mahukan wang. Sambil aku buka beg tangan (ahli sukan pun ada handbag tau..) dia bertanya pada kami:-

"Kerja kat mana cek berdua nih...?"

"Saya kerja kat Alor Star" kataku sambil menghulurkan RM5 padanya.

Sambil mengambil wang tersebut nenek tua masih sempat memberitahu kami orang lain memberinya "dua ketul merah" (ya dia benar-benar guna term itu).

Sambil aku dan Nora tersengih aku kata padanya "Ya lah..depa kaya duit banyak..."

Masih mengenggam not hijau RM5 itu dia bertanya lagi.

"Kerja apa ...?"

"Saya kerja kayuh basikal..."

Nora tergelak kecil.

Nenek merenung aku dan kemudian menyua kembali pada aku not hijau itu.

"Nahh lah.. ambik lah ....."

"Eh tak payahh.... saya bagi kat nenek.."

"Ambiklah balik..satgi tak cukup duit pulak..
dah kerja pun kecik dok kayuh basikal saja.."

Sudah tentu aku tak ambil RM5 tu. Buruk siku nanti.Tapi kami kemudiannya diberitahu budak-budak pizza kat situ bahawa nenek tu memang macam tu, kalau not merah dia ambikla, kalau biru dia tak ambik........ hehehe

Kata budak pizza lagi, dia selalu masuk Pizza Hut. Sejuk katanya ada aircond. Kat luar panas.

Waktu aku dan Nora melangkah keluar dari Pizza Hut kami nampak nenek tua sedang duduk atas kerusi di situ dengan gaya yang sungguh relaks dan santai dengan kaki di letakkan di atas kerusi sebelah lagi.

Aku rasa dia tengah tunggu order "Pepperoni Delight Stuffed Crust with Extra Cheese" kot..... maklum dia dah dapat dua ketul merah dan satu ketul hijau...

Aku doakan dia selamat di jalanan.

Dari Alor Star

Alhamdulillah buat pertama kali dalam sejarah Kedah perubahan itu berlaku juga, walaupun aku pada mulanya sebelum pilihanraya bermula agak skeptikal dan bimbang rakyat masih tidak mahu berfikir.

Aku rasa ada banyak benda yang perlu dilakukan oleh Pembangkang (yeahhh..!) untuk menawan kembali Kedah, tetapi berita baiknya aku rasa Pembangkang (lagi sekali yeahhh!(first time boleh panggil depa pembangkang)) benda-benda tersebut tidak akan mampu mereka lakukan.

Terlalu banyak isu dalam yang perlu diselesaikan mereka. Seperti bisul yang sudah masak dan meletup, nanah yang keluar berbau hanyir di semua lima tempat ! Seperti juga kapal yang akan tenggelam, masing-masing hanya memikirkan diri sendiri, hatta nakhoda kapal sekalipun perlu dan mahu selamatkan dirinya dulu. *

Anak-anak kapal masing-masing mahu melompat menikam siapa yang paling dekat untuk naik keatas mahu selamatkan diri. Mana-mana anak kapal yang lemah akan ditolak terjun dulu ke dalam laut bahkan ada yang terjun sendiri ke laut membunuh diri.

Kapal-kapal penyelamat walaupun tidak segah Kapal Besar tetap hadir menarik sesiapa yang masih boleh diselamatkan. Bila Kapal Besar tenggelam, kapal kecil juga yang berguna.


Ahh.......Siapa saja yang kata kapal Titanic tidak boleh tenggelam...? ? ?

Betapa Sejarah banyak mengajar kita tapi manusia tidak pernah mahu berfikir.


* Jangan lupa babak filem Titanic "You Jump, I Jump" Cinta sejati merpati dua sejoli.

Bila Aku Ke Kedai Basikal Cari Jersey, Glove dan Pam Basikal

Tuan Kedai: Kita ada banyak jenis basikal di sini...

Aku: *angguk*

Tuan Kedai: Yang ini RM2 ribu lebih ...yang ini RM1 ribu lebih....

Aku: Ohhh.. *angguk lagi*... apa beza ini dua basikal..?

Tuan Kedai: Ini mahal punya sebab body dia aluminium....

Aku: Ohh.... itu macam ka...

Aku: You ada jersey ...?

Tuan Kedai : Ada.. ada... ini jersey.. original punya...

Aku: *angguk* Glove pun you ada ka..?

Tuan Kedai: Ada.. ada... kalau mau kayuh basikal mesti mau pakai glove...

Aku: *angguk*Pam basikal..?

Tuan Kedai: Ada..ini ada dua tiga jenis...

Aku: Oh... Boleh tengok..?

Tuan Kedai: Boleh.. boleh....Cik.. nanti lu bawa anak lu mai tengok suruh dia pilih sendiri dia mau jersey mana..glove mana..jenis pam yang dia suka.......

Aku: *cis*

Perbualan Dengan Pengkayuh Basikal dan Bapanya

Aku: En Radzi, saya nak kayuh basikal ni, berapa heart rate yang ok untuk saya ?

En Radzi: You kayuh sekarang barapa ?

Aku: 141 bpm (beat per minute)

En Radzi: Eh tak payah exert teruk.. buat dalam 120-121 camtu saja...

Anak En Radzi: Hmm.. itu pun dah kira exert tu.. you buat dalam 60 ..

Aku: Hah..??? 60 ???

Anak En Radzi: Ha ahh ... 60 bpm .. kayuh relax-relax ja...

Aku: Huishhh gila lah 60... you punya resting heart rate berapa ..?

Anak En Radzi: 41 bpm

Aku : *gulp*

Kata aku pada Nora selepas hari itu:

Gila dia punya resting hear rate 41bpm.
Dia suruh aku kayuh relax 60bpm.
Kalau 60 bpm aku tak payah buat apa lah....
aku tidur saja pun dah lebih 60bpm.

Popo

Photo By:
Hadie

Bukan Salah Ibu Mengandung Bila Blog Tidak Di Update

Ada pelbagai perkara penting dalam otak aku semenjak sebulan yang lalu. Semuanya perlukan pemikiran tajam serta aksi fizikal yang berbahaya. Aku harus menanganinya semua sekali gus. Tapi seperti biasa seperti kata mak aku "Kalau dah nak terburai baru kalut cari jamban". Aku masih dengan sikap sambil lewa.... kecualilah perkara itu adalah yang menjadi top priority aku pada ketika itu.

Senarai yang perlu aku lakukan:-

1. Pindah Rumah
2. Kemas Rumah untuk kemas barang
3. Kemas Barang untuk pindah rumah
4. Kejar kontraktor yang masih gagal siapkan dapur dan bilik air aku
5. Kejar masa dalam larianku dan berlari seperti ahli sukan sebenar - dan bukan seperti makcik yang penat mengejar cucu
6. Kayuh basikal seperti ahli sukan sejati juga
7. Belajar pakai kasut basikal supaya aku tidak jatuh di jalanraya dan menjadi bahan ketawa satu pekan Alor Star
8. Memperbaiki renangan aku supaya boleh masuk Ironman Langkawi 2009.

Ok, abaikan No: 8 kerana itu tak mungkin terjadi. Bukan sebab aku tak boleh berenang, tapi sebab aku tidak tahu dan pasti sempatkah aku sembahyang asar dan zohor (jama'(taqdim atau ta'khir)(?)) sepanjang masa aku berenang-berkayuh-berlari itu. Mungkin aku perlu menulis kepada penganjur untuk lepaskan aku untuk solat dengan harapan aku tidak tersungkur tidur terus waktu sujud.

Sekali lagi aku katakan abaikan saja No:8, kerana aku masih lagi belajar bagaimana menggunakan clipless pedal yang sudah pun tercalar apabila aku jatuh basikal kelmarin kerana tak sempat unclip kasut basikal itu. Juga abaikan No: 8 kerana aku masih tak dapat berlari 10km di bawah 60minit.

Tolong doakan No: 1 termasuk supaya Allah berikan aku tenaga untuk No: 2 dan No: 3.

Tolong doakan untuk Kontraktor yang disebut di No: 4 kerana silap haribulan aku akan menghempap dia dengan basikal aku ... . Maaf bukan dengan basikal aku, mungkin dengan bahan berat lain yang boleh melumpuhkannya; Jamis terlalu berharga untuk dijadikan senjata.

P/s: Jikalau kamu terdengar cerita seorang makcik bertudung kayuh basikal racing jatuh basikal dekat traffic light dengan kaki masih terlekat di "pedal"; tolong jangan percaya ianya aku. Sila hubungi aku terlebih dahulu untuk kepastian.

The Tribe Has Spoken

Alhamdulillah !


"Mereka merancang dan Allah juga Merancang.
Sesungguhnya Allah adalah sebaik-baik perancang"

Ali-Imran: 54



Aku tiba-tiba teringatkan Allahyarham Dato' Haji Fadzil Mohd Noor dan kesemua mereka yang telah bekerja keras membuka jalan dan laluan pada pembaharuan pemikiran rakyat hari ini.


Terima Kasih Juga Pada Semua Yang Mahu Berfikir


.

Keluarga Bahagia

SMS yang aku hantar pada mak untuk memperkenalkan Jamis kepadanya:-

Mak, ann nak habak sesuatu kat mak,
ann harap mak tak terkejut...
ann dah beli basikal baru dengan topi dan spek hitam sekali..
Doakan keselamatan ann di jalanraya ..........

Jawab SMS mak aku:-

Nak buat apa la nak naik basikal tu.
Pikir la kita dah berumur. Tak kan elok nak naik lagi.
Istighfar banyak2.
Kalau nak naik jangan bagi adik beradik tengok .. Pi kayuh jauh2

Kata abah bila mak bagi tau pasal Jamis:-

Awat dia tak beli motor besaq ...?

Rupanya Abah nak suruh aku beli motor besaq macam Harley lah agaknya tu .....

Hmm... kena cari jaket kulit dulu !

.

Malam Pertama Dengan Jamis

Oh ya , jangan terkejut. Jamis bukanlah lelaki Jawa yang baru kukenali. Jamis adalah nama basikal baru aku. Tiada nama lain yang sesuai untuknya melainkan nama itu sahaja. Aku tidak bercadang meletak namanya sebagai Ahmad Jamis Zulkarnain. Aku rasa nama itu terlalu panjang.

Malam pertama aku membawanya balik kerumah, hujan masih turun dengan lebat. Aku menyesal kerana tidak pernah membeli baju hujan. Aku juga berfikir kalau membawa basikal sambil memegang payung, mungkin akan membahayakan kedudukan aku sebagai manusia yang masih bernyawa. Maka niat itu terpaksa aku tundukkan sedalam-dalamnya dalam benakku.

Walaupun Jamis sangat mengiurkan, aku terpaksa tidak memperdulikannya dengan memusing badan aku memandang dinding sewaktu tidur. Aku masih terfikir bagaiman cara dan waktu yang sesuai untuk aku cuba menunggang Jamis. Untuk memunggahnya membawa ke satu tempat yang lain dengan kereta, aku rasa sangatlah menyukarkan, apatah lagi aku perlu ke ofis selepas itu. Aku kemudiannya memikirkan bagaimana kalau aku menunggang Jamis pagi nanti, kerana pasti penduduk taman aku riuh tertanya-tanya siapakan gerangan orang putih (?) yang menunggang basikal begitu.

Aku tiada pilihan lain, aku bangun pukul 5 pagi tadi, terus bersiap dengan topi dan seluar khas Jamis dan terus keluar dari rumah dan menunggang Jamis dengan perasaan sungguh bahagia...........


.

Rakyat Yang Berwawasan Dan Basikal

Ok . Ok Lebih baik aku mengaku terus. Daripada aku memendam rasa seorang diri cuba menyembunyikan apa membuak di dalam diri, aku rasa aku terpkasa angkat tangan dan mengaku kepada kamu semua:-

Aku sudah beli basikal

Membeli basikal bukanlah satu fenomena baru dalam masyarakat. Malah adalah menjadi impian setiap budak kecil dan kanak-kanak untuk memiliki basikalnya sendiri. Mereka akan dihadiahkan basikal apabila lepas bersunat, lepas dapat nombor satu dalam kelas, berjaya naik ke kelas A, menang dalam lumba lari dalam guni, dan ada yang mendapat basikal apabila berjaya berpuasa sebulan penuh. Itu semua adalah sebagai insentif pembangkit semangat buat mereka.

Bila kita dewasa, jika boss puji kita, tak adalah pula boss hadiahkan basikal. Kalau kita kerja bagus dan pelanggan suka pun, tiadalah mereka menghantar satu biji basikal ke pejabat kita. Kalau kita berjasa pada ketua kampung kita sekalipun, basikal bukanlah lagi hadiah utama. Maksud aku bila kita dewasa hadiah basikal bukanlah sesuatu yang kita nantikan. Sekalipun kita telah mendapat taraf anak mithali, pada umur 30 tahun ke atas, mak dan abah tidak lagi terfikir untuk hadiah basikal pada kita.

Jadi, bila kita kepingin atau teringin banget mahu kembali ke alam sebelum kita balilgh dahulu: menaiki basikal dengan laju bersama angin menderu ke muka ..... maka kita kenalah beli sendiri basikal itu sebagai hadiah untuk diri sendiri (mungkin kerana kita merasa kita telah menjadi rakyat negara Malaysia yang berwawasan).


Ya, aku lah itu, kerana aku yakin aku adalah rakyat Malaysia yang berwawasan yang akan mengundi insya Allah pada 8hb ini, maka aku telah menghadiahkan diriku dengan sebuah basikal seperti di bawah:

Aku masih berfikir adakah aku akan ke tempat mengundi naik basikal

.

Pilihanraya 2008

Aku menjangkakan tidak ada sebarang perubahan pada pilihanraya kali ini. Tidak seperti lima tahun lepas, isu panas menggelegak seperti "Reformasi" sudah menjadi basi, dan semakin busuk. Demonstrasi jalanan telah dikuasai Hindraf. Tiada isu baru yang boleh digembar gemburkan melainkanlah kamu ahli Hindraf.

Parti yang paling berkuasa tidak perlu banyak berpenat lelah. Kalau dua media massa utama masih terus disalahgunakan mereka, suara pembangkang tidak akan mampu menembus tembok pemikiran rakyat Malaysia yang sudah tepu dengan idea parti yang paling berkuasa.

Internet hanya akan berguna kepada mereka yang masih mahu mencari kebenaran dan mereka yang mampu serta berpendidikan.

Orang kampung dan mereka yang masih selesa di bawah tempurung hanya memegang apa yang didengar dari radio dan yang dilihat di tv. Kalau hanya membaca surat khabar mulut parti yang paling berkuasa, pastilah kemampuan pemikiran tidak akan melangkaui jauh daripada apa yang mereka rasa mereka nikmati.

Apa lagi yang harus kita terangkan jika kata-kata ini menjadi pegangan hidup:-

Kalau tidak kerana parti yang paling berkuasa,
jalanraya depan rumah makcik ni belum tentu ada

Bagaimana lagi harus kita menembus pemikiran mereka dengan menerangkan kepada mereka bahawa:-

Parti yang paling berkuasa bukanlah kerajaan,
dan kerajaan bukanlah parti yang paling berkuasa....

Dan kamu atau sesiapa sahaja yang tidak menyedari yang itu, dan kalau kamu sudah berumur 30 tahun ke atas dan masih salah faham tentang itu, silalah bungkus pakaian dan naik kereta (atau motosikal atau basikal) dan bawa lah laju-laju kenderaan anda itu dan teruslah terjun ke dalam laut. Bunuh Diri ? Ya memang kamu tak layak hidup, apa lagi mengundi !

Munajat Cinta - The Rock feat. Ahmad Dhani

Cute clip.


"Tuhan Kirimkanlah Aku
Kekasih Yang Baik Hati
Yang Mencintai Aku
Apa Adanya"




The kids are Dhani's sons and niece.

Yan.. Bukan Kasut Tu...

OK. Lets forget about dogs and other animals. I know the last entry sounds so harsh .. like I was cursing people. But I still stand by what I said. To reach some extent of maturity one must learn how to be grateful.

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody


Some people spend the time doing the things they LOVE
even if its not with the persons they love ...

:-)

Jangan Jadi Anjing ....

... yang tidak mengenang ....
.
.
.

bukan itu sayang

sedang anjing juga menjilat tangan yang menyuapnya

bahkan kesetiaan binatang itu

melebihi nilai setia makhluknya Adam

kalau saja kamu belajar dari anjing

kamu bukan lagi "seekor"

tapi kamu telah melebihi menjadi "seorang"
.
.
.
manusia sebenar

yang paling tidak

mengenang

kalau pun tidak setia

.



Aku Dan Kucing
(yang mahu belajar dari anjing)

Februari 2008

Manage The Work Not The People

I ve read the first few chapters of "Rules of Management" by Richard Templar a few times already (never mind that I have never got to the end of the book and would always start again and again from the first page) and I think Ive read the principle of managing the work and not the people, but it had never really hit me until last night.

I suddenly realized that to be a manager is not to manage the people.. its more about managing the WORK. People, according to Templar, will know how to manage themselves. Its the work or the system that takes priority here, because even when the machines take over humans jobs, you still have to manage the system and the way the works are done by the machine. Work is still work irregardless whether its done by human being or machines.

The concept really hit me because, whatever all other motivators write in their books about getting your staffs motivated and everything, people in their true and nature selves cannot easily change. You just cant expect people to transform themselves after a few days of motivational camp. After a couple of weeks they will forget everything they've vowed to do, all the working commandments, the ethics... bla bla bla bla... and soon after you will find that they will turn into their usual selves again.

How long can we sustain being eager, motivated, excited about our work... and how often can the employer keep on sending staffs for courses and camps ? When jobs need to be done, we dont wait for the staffs to be motivated .. All we would want is the tasks to ready in due time and without so many mistakes ...


.

Just A Thought

Sometimes if you want to move on in life... you have to let go of the past. You can't hold on to something that is not there anymore. But when you let it go, it doesnt meant that you are trying to forget it too. The past will always be part of ourselves, we can never erase it but to keep on holding to it, would hamper our journey in life.

I still look back at my past. There are things I wish could have been better, things which I should have done or maybe should have not. I feel like I have been blessed by HIM with so many things that I had gone through, happy or not, and those phases in my life made me what I am today...


.

We No Stupid - We No Calvin

I read Calvin & Hobbes, in fact I have a few compilations of the strips. I especially like the questions put by Calvin to his father. His father is just a regular father, he does not know everything and he doesnt have every answers to every questions. But just so to keep Calvin quiet he would sometimes create his own version of answers.

And everytime I read the newspaper or watch the news, listening to all the craps delivered to us by the government, I cant help feeling like they are treating me like I'm Calvin and they are his father, the way they diminish our thoughts and playing fools with us.

If you put "the People" instead of Calvin, and his father as the "government/politicians" in the following dialog , you'll get my drift.

Calvin: Dad, how come old photographs are always black and white? Didn't they have color film back then?

Dad: Sure they did. In fact, those old photographs are in color. It's just the world was black and white then.

Calvin: Really?

Dad: Yep. The world didn't turn color until sometime in the 1930s, and it was pretty grainy color for a while, too.

Calvin: That's really weird.

Dad: Well, truth is stranger than fiction.

Calvin: But then why are old paintings in color?! If their world was black and white, wouldn't artists have painted it that way?

Dad: Not necessarily. A lot of great artists were insane.

Calvin: But... but how could they have painted in color anyway? Wouldn't their paints have been shades of gray back then?

Dad: Of course, but they turned colors like everything else did in the '30s.

Calvin: So why didn't old black and white photos turn color too?

Dad: Because they were color pictures of black and white, remember?

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!

We can go insane !

We No Stupid

The most insulting thing about us being Malaysians is that the politicians really take us for granted. Its so sickening to be treated like kindergarten's children, telling us stories and making comments like we are all stupid.......

Larianku Yang Kurang Kencang

Aku pernah berlari.. dulu...

Aku berlari dalam 4,5 kali seminggu di mana setiap kali berlari paling kurang 3 km saja. Aku sungguh teruja dengan larian yang 'ciput' itu. Aku tidak pasti berapa minit utk setiap km aku berlari. Yang pasti aku sangat suka dan mula menjadi angkuh, sombong dan blagak.

Aku menyertai satu Larian Kebajikan, 5km. Aku sangat konfiden. Aku sangat optimist. Aku sangat berkeyakinan aku boleh menang dalam larian tersebut. Paling tidak, aku yakin aku boleh mendapat tempat 10 teratas. Aku mula mencanang pada keluarga yang aku akan masuk berlari dan berkeyakinan aku boleh menang. Mak aku mulai risau

Mak harap Ann tak menang.
Mak malu nanti kalau kawan mak tau.

Aku heran dengan Mak aku yang tidak bangga anak daranya yang masih berlari sedangkan anak orang lain sudah berlari sana sini mengejar anak-anak mereka.

Kata-kata mak tidak mematahkan semangat aku. Aku yakin aku boleh.

Pada hari larian, aku begitu cool .. begitu konfiden.. hidung kembang kempis... Pada saat berkumpul sebelum tembakan, aku membiarkan makcik-makcik itu berada di depan..

Biarlah.. aku pasti boleh mengejar mereka nanti

Bila larian bermula aku pun mula melangkah dengan bergaya.....

Aku memang bergaya berlari.

Hadiah disediakan dari tempat Pertama hingga Ke Dua Puluh.


Aku mendapat Tempat ke -21.


Makcik-makcik tua itu memang kuat berlari rupanya.

Aku jadi malu... dan tidak pernah lagi berlari semenjak dari itu hinggalah hari ini. Tapi kali ini aku tidak lagi sombong dan balagak.

Aku tak mau mak aku malu lagi....

Tuhan Manusia

Pantang aku bawa balik buku baru saja, mesti dia nak baca dulu.

Buku yang aku ambil dari adik aku. Akhirnya, Alhamdulillah, buat kali pertama aku dapat membaca novel Faisal Tehrani, walaupun aku telah mengikuti perkembangan penulis berjiwa besar ini sejak dari dulu lagi, dari zaman aku dan dia muda-muda dulu.....

Beberapa kali, ada ketikanya aku terpaksa berhenti membaca dan berfikir tentang apa yang dikatakannya. Ada juga sesetengahnya aku perlu membaca berulang kali untuk lebih memahami maksud yang ingin di sampai.

Ada jawapan dari buku ini terhadap persoalan yang selama ini aku cari. Untuk itu aku sangat bersyukur dan berterima kasih pada penulisnya.

Persoalan dan tema yang dibawa agak berat tetapi bagi yang mengikuti segala suka duka masaalah murtad dan pemikiran liberalism dan juga isu fahaman 'wahabiah' yang makin berkembang, novel ini pasti memberi kepuasan kepada mereka yang cintakan Islam yang tulen.

Insya Allah aku akan membuat ulasan yang lebih panjang tentang buku ini bila aku habis mengulang membacanya lagi.

Popo, buku ini tajuknya "Tuhan Manusia"
Bukan "Tuhan Kucing"
Lain kali kalau ada tajuk yang sesuai,
barulah Popo boleh baca ya, sayang

Sebenarnya, aku tak nak Popo pening kepala tentang "Pluralism" dan segala persoalan lain yang dibawa oleh buku ini. Aku takut dia makin pening, lagipun baru dua hari lepas Popo kena cucuk vaksin.

The Cycle

Ok everybody ... I'm back to running again this time ....

The cycle which revolves around running, swimming, going to gym,
basketball, baking, cooking, reading ...... !

Wish me luck !

Kenapa Kami Menangis Hari Itu Di Pejabat

Kami telah mendapat staff baru. Ini adalah staff yang ke 5 yang sepatutnya menggantikan seorang staff yang telah tinggalkan ofis kami dua tahun lepas. Selepas daripadanya tiada seorang pun yang bertahan lebih dari enam bulan, dan yang paling singkat 2 hari.

Kami tidak tahu sama ada puncanya ialah kerusi dan meja tempat duduknya atau kedudukan meja tersebut yang mengadap dinding. Aku sudah minta mereka supaya mandikan kerusi dan meja itu dengan air bunga.

Percaya atau tidak, ramai graduan universiti yang paling utara di sini yang datang meminta kerja sebagai kerani di sini. Yang paling cekap dan pandai bekerja adalah seorang pemegang diploma tapi sayang dia juga pastinya tidak mahu bekerja dengan gaji seorang kerani di Alor Star ini.

Minggu lepas staff yang baru itu, selepas ditemuduga, telah mendapat perhatian kami untuk diambil bekerja. Katanya dia dulu pernah bekerja dengan majikan bangsa Cina yang selalu memakinya. Kami rasa dia calon yang terbaik; "if she could survive for three years being shouted and cursed by the previous employer; she would surely be able to handle the pressure of works in our office".

Tapi kami semua mengalir air mata hari itu bila diminta menulis surat ke mahkamah dia telah mengeja perkataan "mahkamah" di dalam Bahasa Inggeris sebagai :-

KOT

John Kelabu

I found a kitten outside the gate on my way out to the office. I dont know how he got there, but he looked so fragile and vulnerable and dirty too. I guess he must have fallen into some dirty drains somewhere.

I went back into the house again and came out with some milk and wet food (Popos' obviously). He was starving alright.

When I came back that afternoon, he was within the neighbourhood, trying to eat some rice and fish thats been left by the neighbour. I thought he was so small for the rice, so I took him back and gave him milk and kibbles. I did not bring him inside the house.

Popo was not really happy with the new friend at first. He now has to share his space under my car with the new kitten. He didnt like it, I guess, because he kept coming back into the house complaining, meowing here and there (now Popo dont really usually meow) to me.

I have bought the new kitten his own kibbles, so Popo wont complain to me anymore.

I dont want to be attached to the new kitten, I just want to feed him and make him strong so he can go out and face the world on his own. It'll be difficult for me and for him if we get attached because I might have to leave him soon. I think the kitten knows that.. no strings attached, just good food and a shelter under my car.

After a couple of days, Popo is beginning to accept the new friend. Hes not jealous, he knows hes still the king of the house. He just let the kitten be.

I think I'm going to call the new cat John... After John Kelabu (go figure)

Air Supply Dan Motein Dan Aku

Aku mula dikenalkan kepada kumpulan Air Supply pada awal tahun 80an dulu oleh kawan yang paling-merapu-merepek si Motien. Hanya orang jiwang saja yang akan menghargai Air Supply dan Cerita Hindustan dan oleh kerana Motien adalah salah seorang Kelab Jiwang maka tidak hairanlah jika hampir semua lagu Air Supply dihafalnya. Dan oleh kerana aku adalah kawan yang rapat dengannya pada waktu-waktu itu, maka sehingga hari ini aku boleh nanyi bersama lagu “Making Love Out Of Nothing At All” tanpa perlu melihat lirik (walaupun aku agak skeptical sama ada lirik yang dinyanyikan itu betul atau tidak.. maklum sajalah kalau budak darjah enam yang salin lirik dari kaset…).

Hampir setiap petang aku menghabiskan masa aku dengan Motien, menyanyi-nyanyi sambil menulis lirik yang didengar dan berkhayal kalau-kalau Air Supply akan datang buat konsert di Malaysia, dan kami boleh pergi menonton.

Waktu itu mana ada internet lagi, dan kami yang tinggal di Alor Star yang masih budak waktu itu, tidaklah mampu membeli majalah hiburan. Jadi pengetahuan kami tentang kumpulan musik yang digilai sangatlah terhad. Yang kami tahu waktu itu tentang Air Supply ialah nama dua orang penyanyinya iaitu Graham Russell & Russell Hitchcock (Motien selalu berangan dia adalah Russel dan aku Graham sebab aku lebih tinggi anatra kami berdua dan suara aku kata Motien tak sedap macam suara dia yang dia rasa ala-ala Russel).

Pernah juga kami berpeluang menonton video Air Supply in concert dan Motien waktu itu telah jatuh cinta “yamatzzzz” pada drummer Air Supply waktu itu (yang kami penah lihat juga di cover kaset mereka). Entah informasi mana yang kami dapat, kami amat berkeyakinann mengatakan bahawa nama drummer itu ialah Rothman. Bermulalah kegilaan meroyan Motien pada Rothman yang tak dapat dibendung lagi. Aku tidak tahu apakah yang telah meracau dalam pikiran budak Motien yang berumur 13 tahun waktu itu bila saja setiap kali dia jumpa kotak rokok “Rothmans”, Motien akan mengutipnya dan menggunting nama Rothman pada kotak itu dan menyimpan kepingan nama itu di dalam buku khas “Air Supply”nya.

Sehingga hari ini aku tidak pernah mendapat kepastian betulkah nama drummer Air Supply itu “Rothman”. Yang pasti sepanjang jalan di lorong ke sekolah kami atau di sekitar taman perumahan kami, di jalan yang mana sahaja dilalui Motien, pastilah tiada lagi kotak rokok kosong jenama Rothmans di atasa tanah.

Kata Motien:-

Kesian dia dok atas jalan.

Aku juga pernah tanya Motien:-

Hang bayangkan kalaulah Air Supply mai buat konsert kat KL

dan esoknya SRP, apa hang nak buat?

Motien jawap:-

Hah ! Mestilah aku pi tengok konsert… SRP boleh amik lain……

Air Supply tak tau lagi bila nak mai pula

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2007 had been quite a good year, Alhamdulillah, even though there was not much changes from the previous ones.

I'm opening another chapter in my life this year, Insya Allah. I will be venturing into some new turnings with more responsibilities and commitments coming my way.

I pray for the best for whatever HE has instored for me......
Amin

Dialog YM Di Petang Hari Lepas Aku Habih Kerja Dan Tunggu Kalau Ada Peminat Mau YM Dgn Aku

NN: so camner life kat alor setar..
Me: la ni winter kat sini
Me: below -5C
NN: ha ha ha
NN: hampa kami nak tanya yang lasagna dlm kotak tu kena rebus dulu ker
Me: ya cik.. haruslah merebusnya dulu
Me: nak mampuih makan tak rebus..
Me: terlekat kat kerengkong sapa nak tanggung
NN: ha ha ha..itulah terjadi kat kami..
NN: hi hi hi....
Me: gilaaaaaaaaaa
Me: serius..???
Me: hangpa pi telan cam tu saja,,?
Me: spaghetti ka..?
NN: no, lasagna dlm kotak tu...la
NN: not spagetti
Me: hehehe
Me: hangpa ingat keropok ka..?
Me: keropok pun org goreng dulu wehhh...!
NN: ha ha ha

Nora, Orang Sombong dan M Nasir

Aku terima SMS dari Nora

Awat Pensyarah2 ni snobbish sangat tak tau

Dan aku telah menjawab

Pasal memang tak ada isi....
Orang yang berisi akan semakin tunduk.
Alaaaaa macam M Nasir tuuuuu

Dan kata Nora pulak

Ish Ish Ish.. buleh lupa suami sendiri pulak

Please take note:-

Orang berisi yang dimaksudkan bukanlah bermakna gemuk atau tembun atau gendut. Ia lebih kepada maksud orang yang ada ilmu dan bijaksana(knowledge n wisdom) atau seperti yang selalu dibaca oleh Ustaz-Ustaz waktu Kuliah selepas Solat Maghrib "Ilmu dan Amal". Harus dan wajib kedua-duanya sekali untuk menjadi orang yang berisi, kerana ilmu sahaja tidak akan membawa apa-apa tanpa kebijaksanaan keupayaan mengaplikasikan ilmu yang ada. Sebab itu ada pensyarah, doktor, lawyer atau lain-lain orang yang merasakan dirinya sudah berilmu tapi sebenarnya masih kosong kebijaksanaannya kerana kalau benar ilmu-ilmu itu diamalkan, pastilah tiada masa mereka untuk menyombongkan diri.

Aku memang heran dari dulu sampai sekarang kenapa manusia harus sombong. Sedangkan apa saja yang kita miliki sekarang ini bukanlah hak kita yang hakiki. Pada harta yang kita milik ada hak-hak orang lain yang perlu kita tunaikan. Contoh yang paling nyata ialah konsep zakat itu sendiri. Pada harta kita ada hak-hak orang miskin dan 6 golongan lain yang layak untuk merasai sedikit daripada harta kita itu. Dan mungkin kita sendiri juga sering lupa, bahawa rezeki yang sebenarnya datang dari DIA bukan kerana siapa atau apa-apa.

Dan kalaupun kita sombong dengan ilmu yang ada.... apa lah sangat ilmu yang kita ada. Tak payahlah aku cakap tentang tujuh lautan dakwat pen yang tak akan kering.

Tapi sebenarnya kalau difikir dan direnung kembali aku ingin mengklasifikasikan golongan sombong ini kepada dua jenis:-

1. Orang Sombong Yang Insecure

Golongan sombong ini sebenarnya masih merasa tidak cukup tentang dirinya atau dalam bahasa Inggeris "insecure". Pasti ada sesuatu kekurangan yang dirasakan pada dirinya yang menyebabkan mereka terpaksa mengangkat keluar satu-satunya pertahanan diri yang terakhir yang dimiliki oleh setiap makhluk Adam; iaitu "ego". Dengan ego dan kesombongan diri inilah mereka merasa mereka dapat mengabur mata manusia dari melihat kekurangan dirinya atau paling tidak mereka juga mahu mengaburkan mata mereka sendiri daripada mengakui kekurangan yang mereka ada.

2. Orang Sombong Yang Rasa Dirinya Lebih Dari Orang Lain

Inilah golongan yang selalunya melibatkan orang-orang yang merasakan dirinya cerdik pandai dan orang lain semua bodoh sedangkan dirinya yang dia rasa pandai itu, bukanlah pandai "tera" mana sangat. Termasuk dalam kelompok ini juga ialah orang *kaya-kaya (atau hampir-hampir kaya) yang merasa bangga bila mampu mamakai beg LV dan kasut Jimmy Choo dan orang sebelahnya hanya memakai beg kain yang dibeli di Factory Outlet serta kasut Vinci. Termasuk juga di kalangan mereka ini yang membawa Merc Siri yang entah ke berapa dan disebelahnya aku yang hanya membawa kereta insan biasa .... (Maaf kereta Merc bukanlah kereta impian aku, kalau kamu bawa kereta tersebut dan kembang kempis hidung belagak depan aku, pastilah aku tak berdengki langsung).

Tanpa prejudis, aku tidak tahu siapakah pensyarah-pensyarah yang snobbish yang Nora maksudkan itu. Mungkin juga mereka itu termasuk Golongan 2 di atas yang merasa mereka layak untuk kembang hidung depan Nora yang sebenarnya lebih berisi dari mereka (err.. maksud "berisi" di sini errr... dua-dua sekali ya)

Dan aku juga berdoa agar Marlia Musa tidak berjumpa denga blog aku, kerana pastilah aku terkedu macam mana nak jawab pada Marlia tentang pengakuan Nora bahawa M.Nasir itu suaminya.

*Erti kaya yang sebenar ialah merasa cukup dengan apa yang ada. Seseorang itu masih lagi belum kaya jika masih belum merasa puas dengan apa yang dimilikinya. Contohnya aku sendiri yang masih mahukan iMac dan Canon 5D (ok 400D pun jadilah) dan.... ahhh.. abaikan sajalah.. sampai bila aku nak kaya kalau asyik nak macam2 nih.....