A sinful week

Date: 21st January 2017

I was so looking forward for the weekend to come. Driving home everyday for the past 1 week was a bit painful as I was really sick since Monday till Friday. It started off with a running nose on Sunday afternoon but I thought it was alright to go to work on Monday. I paid a visit to the clinic as soon as it was open at 10.00am. I diligently took the medicines that the doctor prescribed without fail. She didn't gave me an antibiotic as the cold was rather new. She asked me to return if it's get worse, but I didn't had any spare time due to a series of meetings lasted till Thursday. By Friday my eyes are both red and hips aching due to coughing too much. Fever has totally stopped on 2nd day, proven that if a person can bring herself to the clinic, she could continue to work. There's no reason for Medical Certificate (MC) being issued. Anyway, it was me who refused the MC. Sinus occurred since Thursday, I guessed.

I waited until Saturday to visit my special doctor cum dermatologist. He straightaway can tell that I suffered from sinus infection and prescribed proper medicines (antibiotics, flu and cough pills that lasted for 5 days). In addition, he explained in details by showing charts of how the sinus occurred and the reasons why it took times for medicines to reach the affected area. Pretty simple actually, it was due to the smallest blood vessels channeling the blood circulation to the faces. Medicines were absorbed in parts where treatment is required through blood vessels. Sinus patient usually needed 5 to 14 days medication.

Pickup pages that was left abandon for sometime

Well, from Monday till Friday I've been committing lots of sins due to ignorant and the excuse of being sick. My brain couldn't work properly I guessed as I was simply saying or commenting or rather complaining to every single little thing without feeling guilty. Little did I know that I was so restless when I rest my head on the pillow each night. Lucky that I'm still alive the next day. Allah still given me opportunity to repent, to seek forgiveness. Alhamdulillah for all the blessings and the enlightenment.

In fact a sound heart has no doubts but when the heart is sick, the doubt started to appear. It what was usually happened, when one of those weird moment appeared you are just feeling restless and hopeless. At times, I was not cool as I was so down with uncertainty and started doubting Him. Faith is something very special. It involves your inner connection with the One you look at to, whichever Gods that you pray to. On the road to a permanent place (hereafter or life after death) one has to firstly purify their heart contently before seeking for a place in jannah (heaven). I plan my life according to what I want to be. Being a sinner all the time, along the way I couldn't help but sincerely admitted that Allah has given and has saved me most of the times. There's no need to repeat the sins again and again.

The saunas protruding in the view beneath, just outside my window. 

Well, just merely looking at the 2 photos that I'm sharing here in this entry. My condominium unit, MashAllah has been surrounded with only good views. These are the views from the master bedroom. The sun will set every evening from my window. The trees planted on the small hill adjacent to the building has a yellowish flowers, non-stop blooming that reminded me of spring season in a foreign country. How could I not feeling grateful with those gorgeous view. The sky is just as clear as the glass window that I managed to clean. So, I think I really should focus of having NO complaints to every little unimportant things and instead concentrating to purify my heart to enable me to feel the love, the compassion and the peace that comes within.

I shall pray for everyone to have the same blessings, happiness and wisdom! 

Naim's experiencing Europe Tour

Date: 15th January 2017

Patience is what I needed the most for not being able to continue my train travel journey since my return from Moscow., i.e. the last Train Rides. Besides, reading according to Mason Cooley gives a person someplace to go when we have to stay where we are. By the way, Mason Cooley was an American aphorist famously known for his aphorisms. One of the other famous aphorism that he has developed was "the time I kill is killing me". He was formerly a professor emeritus of French, speech and world literature at the College of Staten Island. He died in 2002. Getting my son to check on the routes and surveying the places that hubby and I would explore during my retirement is another healing process for my travel craves. Hence, this are the story of his recent trip, fully sponsored by the parents.

At St Paul's Cathedral, London

At his favorite football team, Chelsea Stamford Bridge Stadium

I planned for Naim's trip to UK initially for vacationing with only his brother, Nazhif. Not many people knows that raising Naim to what he is now caused so much worries and headache. When he finally graduated with a mere Diploma in Public Relation I, for once was really over the moon. It doesn't matter when he reassured again and again that he has done with college life. It's a promise between us that Diploma is the basic education, one should at least has. Nevertheless, parents are responsible as an oath to raise their kids well when Allah has granted a child as a trust from Him to us. Naim is one the species that gave so much headache when he started entering the secondary school. He pick-up smoking habit right after, at the age of 13 and now on a cheaper kind of smoke, Vapes (cheaper according to him). The trip was a final gift to him in return of a promise to being a well matured grown up. He knew that he has his lifetime to pay us back. A payment is through his proven success being a credible righteous Muslim man.

At Royal Pavillion in Brighton

A meal that he cooked to save pocket money while occupying a rented house in Bath, booked through Air BNB

I might have told my sister as I couldn't remember well how Luqman, his cousin was tagging along in the vacation plan. What I remembered clearly, I was a bit reluctant when Lugman's cousin wanted to join too when my sister's did suggested to him. Being a cool and nice guy, Naim assured me that he has no issue to have another 1 more traveller accompanying him. Nazhif and I are really impressed with Naim as he is too cool with people, unlike us 2. We are a little bit impatient when dealing with people, especially with people who unable are unable to follow our pace. I would say that Naim shared a bit of hubby's character in that zone.

At Royal Crescent, Bath

At Clifton Suspension Bridge

The initial plan was to tour all Britain states, including Wales and 2 cities in Spain (Madrid and Barcelona) plus a  new year eve in Eiffel Tower, Paris. But I got really busy when it was time to book and confirmed the transportation and deciding on the accommodation. Actually, more on feeling stingy to charge those expenses into my credit card. I took Madrid out from the itinerary just because I was too lazy to think about how would he travel from Madrid to Barcelona. When Nazhif advised that flight to Barcelona is cheaper than to Madrid, I straightaway omitted Madrid from the list. They ended spent longer time in London due to that. By right, I should have let him flew to Madrid, rent a car touring Madrid and travel by road with the same rented car to Barcelona. It would not cost much after all. Sigh... well, one can't turn back the time, right!

At Clevedon's Pier where One Direction's "You & I" music video was filmed  

Few days ago when HSBC emailed Dec/January charges made mostly for Naim's hotel, Air BNB, flight, buses and or what was spent before he returned on 6th January 2017, I tidy-up the actual expenses paid for his trip. It is all confirmed that if I was not lazy he could have explore Madrid at ease. The journey by road to Barcelona would even be more wonderful. Apparently, it doesn't cost much to cover 2 cities at 1 go as living expenses is rather cheap in Spain, in comparing to UK's main cities and/or Paris. The actual pocket money (cash) for food and shoppings, the accommodation and the transportation cost only slightly above RM14 thousand (GBP2,500). Unbelievable isn't it?

At Manchester United's Stadium, clearly not a fan

Enjoying a stroll at Christmas Market at Manchester Town Hall

I'm sharing in this entry some photos he took while following all itineraries and places to visit according to my wishlist. At times, he has been forced to wake up early and explored the cities according to what his mother want. Our priorities are different. He just loves taking his daily outfit like a model pose for magazines, in other word, a person traveling in style. Being on the move for 37 days and 2 other characters that different from him was not an easy task. I realised his difficulties when he returned and shared his adventures. Whatever it was, the satisfaction and his appreciation to us, the parent is priceless. Worth all the efforts and money spent.

At Glasgow Cathedral, such a poser he is

In Aberdeen's city before heading to Invarness

I will share details itineraries and expenses at main cities that he visited should you wanted to travel on tight budget yet stylish according to a 22 year old man. Naim surprised me when answering to what is his most favorite place among all places visited, he quoted an adventure in Scotland's Highland was his best memories. Second in his list when in Barcelona as the cost of living is rather cheaper than in London or Paris. Paris was a highlight of the trip since he spent 6 days and 5 nights with his brother, who mostly look after his meal. The Paris apartment is so cosy and homely for all 5 of them to stay. They usually cooked early lunch and dinner there. While exploring the city, they merely break for light meals and/or coffee to feel warm after walking and exploring in the cold winter weather. However, Paris is rather busy with tourist at the end of the year, especially people with mutual intention that wishes to celebrate new year in the city of lights. It made all attractions packed with people who were queuing to visit. Many places I listed were not visited.

Imitating a model's pose (rather copy and paste) at Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

New H&M Trench Coat with Eiffel Tower as a background

But one thing about Naim is that he is a person who thinks that his look is more important than other things. He couldn't be bothered to visit all places that I indicated in the POI list. Most of the time I have to call and reminded for him to enter those visited place. For example, the museums, the Beatles's Story (rather Beatles museum house) which he complaints as its all required entrance fee. Paying entrance fees mean limiting his pocket money for shopping. It was so important that he dresses well for the photo, OOTD what not. He has set his mind to buy the brown trench coat in above photo right before his travel. He couldn't find sizes that suited him in Prime Mark and finally made a wassap call for permission to buy that in Paris, without any discounted price.

In overall, he's been complaining of only 2 things, that there's no boxing sales day in Barcelona and no fireworks at Eiffel Tower. Apparently, the new year firework was held at Arc De Tiomphe which theoretically can be viewed from Eiffel Tower. The weather was not good on that new year eve, forbids all beautiful fireworks from spreading into Paris night skyline. How pitiful...

To be continued if I see appropriate to do so. 

Nasrul's 19th Birthday at Chillis Suria KLCC

Event's date: 25th December 2016 (late post)

Nasrul came back the week of his birthday. Though he demanded for a Christmas tree after a long years not mentioning it and a gift to be placed under the tree, I didn't actually bother to entertain. We have been negotiating a lot about his birthday gift being 19. A week later, he won the negotiation but what the return promises that he obliged to do is even more priceless. He didn't say anything about the Christmas tree when he woke up in the morning and when he obediently followed us for a beautiful wedding at Cyberjaya. And seriously Cyberjaya is indeed a very beautiful place for a wedding. Further, it gave me a feeling of touring into a foreign city. No wonder both Putrajaya and Cyberjaya are places for tourist who visited Malaysia. After the wedding we went to check the household items we purchased at Harvey Norman in Damansara. That gamer sets in second photo was his motivation to buy when he started earning his own money. He said that, not me. Importantly I did not even want to promise people anything anymore these days, especially those price IT stuff.

Huge Christmas Tree at Suria KLL waterfront, snapped after dinner

After Harvey Norman, we went straight to KLCC for his birthday dinner in Chillis. Little did we know that our family’s most favourite place to hang out for special function, i.e. Chilli’s first location was opened in 1975 in Dallas. They started with their signature dishes of burgers, ribs and fajitas. No wonder we can’t resist of visiting again and again as they have created this restaurant as a place for their customers with the same mind-set. That is a place to hang out with good friends and family over for a foods and a drinks. Another interesting fact is that the first restaurant in Dallas was converted from a post office into a well famous restaurant named as Chili’s.

The birthday boy and the starter, Salads!

Weird choice of mine, a Salmon Steak which I ended not liking it that much

Chillis has grown widely since Dallas and claimed their place in the restaurant industries in many parts of the cities, including in Kuala Lumpur. Chillis restaurant can be found in 32 different countries where in Mexico, they have just recently celebrated their 20 years existence in the country. We’ve been at Chillis first outlet in KLCC since its opening and never failed to return frequently, usually for a steak and burgers. They have few outlet in Kuala Lumpur city, the first one is located on 3^rd Floor Suria KLCC, another is a plot in G10 Bangsar Shopping Complex (BSC), also at Lot G(E) Mid Valley and finally at Chitta Mall. Do drop by should you are happen to be in nearby areas.

Sirloin Steak for hubby

A chicken and ribs combo for birthday boy

We have that party dinner only the four of us whilst Naim was at that time having a blast Christmas vacation in Barcelona and Nazhif was taking a flight to London, thereafter a bus ride to Paris to meet Naim and his girlfriend Yaya. We met Syahirah in KLLC where she joined us straight from her work place. Good thing that the waiting time was not that long, usually lasted to 1 hour. It was just half an hour in our case. We bought a movie ticket, Assasin Creed to watch at TGV’s Cinema seated adjacent to Chillis after dinner. What a fine and convenience arrangement to celebrate one happy birthday dinner.

Syahirah finished only half of her rib's. The balance portion was taken away

Complimentary birthday cake from Chillis

The meal that we ordered are as what I shared in this entry. The price are equal to what other fine dining in the city. It cost us a few hundreds and a happy tummy. You may call first to book in other to shorten the queue time. Take note that all drinks are free refill. Enjoy!

Thank you son for bringing so much joy and contentment to me

Hello 2017, Goodbye 2016

9th January 2017

I've been meaning to write this entry on new year day itself and attempted to do so on the 2nd day of 2017. But it was put on halt as nothing exciting came into mind. It seems to me that I wrote the same thing for the past new years, mainly on resolution and what I had achieved or been at before the year ended. Admittedly 2016 has been a busied yet exciting year for me. The company did so well with a turnover hit nearly RM0.7 Billion in just 10 months after re-activation. Take note, that I've been assigned by the group to run the company along with my other colleagues. As a result of that, bonus and increment that went into my bank account by year end seem unreal. It's too good to be true.

The 1st Instagram Photo shared in 2017

Amazingly, I surprised myself with a greater change instead. No matter how good the money is, i.e. in return of good KPI achievement, I am so cool with it, so content and so peaceful inside that made me feel unmoved with a materialistic world that came by. For example, I've been asking Allah to ease my bank's debt and monthly commitments. When the bank deducted 70% of my bonus for the condominium title (Lawyer's Bill for processing the Memorandum of Title with the Land Office), the unhappy feeling to see the money gone in split second does not prolong. Yet, I felt so much relieves. An uneasy feeling of paying the bank's advance payment to the respective lawyer in November has forever gone. The rest of the monies goes to the rightful people that Allah has guided me well how to spend them. MashAllah, the feeling of peace and blessed are so surreal each day. Knowing that there's a reasons why Allah has blessed you with good things in this life as whoever gets lucky like me is meant to pass those blessing down to others. Sharing is loving guys! When I said that I'm comparing that luck of mine verses how bad the economies are happening in many part of the world that affecting everyone in the industry. Businesses has been closed, people are losing job, genocide war and killings everywhere in the name of World New Order etc etc.

This "Apple" boy said he wishes to get Phd.. didn't I hear that correctly???

Moreover, my analyzing skills has improves into another next level. Whenever I hear a wise people advice something, a question related to that advice will emerges in my brain and my heart will straightaway gets the answer and/or reasoning, rather fine tuning. My heart and brain must have been working in sync perhaps. I noticed this happened to me after I returned from performing prayer where during a round of tawaf in Makkah I seek Allah's assistance for me to inherit a wisdom of Luqman (a wise man that is mentioned in Holy Quran, chapter 31.

Loves in the air.. I was wondering if it's okay if this couple officially tied a knot

Finally, yesterday's while watching a movie, I realized that the pain leaving this world and the loves one behind is unimaginable great. It's not as easy as one would perhaps thought. Therefore, do not be selfishly thinking that you may rest in peace when people that loves you crying and missing your presence and souls when you died. I've been selfish all this while, wanting to meet the Creator in peace and in contentment not knowing that those having a genuine loves toward me silently suffers.

So, before I pen off I wish to say that 2017 will be another great exciting year as I have 3 KPI's that I set upon for my work's PMS. My family and relatives are my focus moving forward beside focusing only to the One, the Omnipresence that has been protecting me from every angles, with left and right unseen protectors. I felt so much love and safer breathing these days due to that unconditional loves received. It is no longer important of whether or not I should receive more loves from others not related as I've been 24 hours has His love. 

May 2017 will brings you guys lots of achievement, a peace of hearts, enormous wisdom, loves, contentment and compassion. Happy new year!