On Bandaged Knee

I'm on bandaged knee (purposely written so it sounds like "I'm on bended knee" *grin*). Putting on pants is a torture, lifting my legs to go up the stairs is really painful and it is the same when I have to get into or get out from the car. Even shifting between clutch and brake has me gritting my teeth. I used to say driving an auto car 'tak macho lah' :D Now I wish I were driving one. Any activity that requires lifting my left leg up will see me grimacing in pain. This is what's written on the instruction sheet of Futuro Spiral Lift Knee Support I just bought.

... designed to give reassuring support to weak knee. It can help repair injured ligaments and other tissues by taking some of the strain off the joint.... Those who stand on their feet for long hours may find it helps them to avoid knee pain and stiffness...

This has been a very busy year for me. I have the highest number of training days among my peers this year. Despite my complaints about aching feet, I enjoyed the whole experience. Things get better the second half of the year. I got my wish to travel and I don’t have materials to prepare anymore since it has been taken care of at the beginning of the year. Only few updates now and then are required. That doesn’t mean I’ve not been busy with other things when I’m not conducting training though. Very rarely I feel like I have the time to get bored at work. For 2007, my calendar is already full with trainings up to April.

Normally, my painful feet can be cured with foot massage. At the very least, a good night's sleep. I didn't really expect this knee pain. I can't even remember when it begins but it really affected me on Christmas day. I have a vague recollection of feeling similar pain on and off during some of my trainings for the past few weeks but it must have not been so obvious that I can just ignore it. It got worse and worse since Christmas, despite the Deep Heating Rub and minyak angin, and I don't think I can drive at all yesterday. My brother had to send me to office. And the trip to the panel clinic had the doctor asked me about any history of arthritis. Arthritis? Me?

The doctor rubbed some ointment and put on a cheap bandage. I'm allergic to most painkillers so he can't give me any. I don't really want painkillers anyway. I want to know what's wrong and cure it. Not just lessen its pain. He mentioned the possibility of OA (Osteoarthritis). Sounds very medical and quite frightening to me. Not to mention, the article on OA mentions it normally begins after 45 for women. Yikes!!!! Could this be the work hazard of people doing my job that I have to face? Or is it something else altogether. Colleagues mentioned the possibility of gout which is not any better than OA. Sigh!

I hope these few days rest and Kinohimitsu can heal my knee. Otherwise, I fear of the unknown. Anyway, wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Rewind: Sungai Sarawak

Whenever I look at Sungai Sarawak, the Sri Sarawak tune would be playing in my head and I'd wonder how it has inspired the song and lyric writer to come up with such a beautiful song. The beautiful verses reflecting the legendary river and touching the hearts of people missing their loved ones.

Sayang Sarawak sungainya luas
Banyak perahu pergi seberang
Sekali pandang rasa tak puas
Hati merindu terkenang-kenang


Some pictures of Sungai Sarawak below.

About Love

This is not a review about 'Cinta' the movie but just my observation about love in general. It can be sweet and easy or quiet but deep or even like a roller coaster ride. No matter how it is, love is the greatest gift one can ever have. Sometimes it comes at a great price. It can also be an elusive thing to some people you'd wonder why some are worthy of this gift called love and some don't.

Some may have experienced it and know how it feels to be in love but they may put different rules on other people. For example, parents who disagree with their children's choice of potential spouse or the public on some celebrity's choice of their life partner.

You can't choose who you fall in love with or things would have been easier for everybody. You may like someone but the feelings is not reciprocated and someone may like you but no matter how hard you try, you can't love them back the way they want it.

"No one falls in love by choice, it is by CHANCE. No one stays in love by chance, it is by WORK. And no one falls out of love by chance, it is by CHOICE."

Probably some of you have a long list of criteria your future wife or husband should have. Chances are, for those who are already married, not many of your spouses fulfill all your criteria. You can like someone for no reason whatsoever, no matter what's on your list.

It's funny listening to stories like he's a breast man but ended up with someone whose posterior is more well endowed than the chest :) Or; she doesn't like someone who snores but ended up with someone who snores like a train and she couldn't sleep when the 'train' is not around.

Movies like to use the 'triangle love' theme. The 'interferer' would be portrayed with many negative values to get the audience to side with the hero or heroin in the story. The 'good' party would be very kind and gentle and wouldn't hurt a single soul, even the 'interferer'. Or, if the 'interferer' were nice, he or she would end up with someone else at the end of the movie and all the couples would live happily ever after.

Things are not that simple in real life. The 'interferer' may have true feelings, whose heart could be hurt and broken to pieces. But most people have dictated that if you're the 'interferer', there is a different set of rules when it comes to the matters of the heart. Leave! Easy for most of us to give that advice until when we're in that position ourselves.

Anyway, I truly believe time heals all wounds. Maybe by the time it heals, you may have to learn how it is to love again since you have forgotten how to act or what to do when you love someone. There may be scars but it will still heal. If Romeo and Juliet, or Laila and Majnun didn't die; if Shah Jehan was not imprisoned, they could probably find another love.

Is love all you need? There's the sacrifice, the give and take, the financial considerations, the in-laws and outlaws :D, the skeleton in the closet and many other parameters in the equation. Maybe love IS all you need. But then again, maybe not. What do I know about love anyway.

There are parents who love their children but couldn't let their children live their own life and make their own mistakes; there are people who claim they love someone but won't let him or her do what they want in life; there are children who said they love their parents but couldn't find the time to spend with them.

I think I can go on and on about my observations on love. Love is a gift. It may come in different packages - nice wrapper with ribbons, old newspaper with raffia ropes, gift bags with candies and flowers or the supermarket plastic bag :) No matter how it is, we should appreciate the loves in our life the best way we can. Just remember for some people, love is an elusive thing. Like a priceless gem that one can't afford or not worthy to have.

Rewind: Sarawak Cultural Village

I reached KL last night after a week in Kuching. I went to Sarawak Cultural Village last Wednesday. It was raining lightly that morning but tourist normally don't have a choice. You should just go and do whatever you wanna do because time is not on your side. I was actually in the middle of training sessions. There's a break in the middle of the week so I decided to make full use of the time for sightseeing :)



Bowling Sarawak style anyone?
There's a shuttle service from the hotel for only RM60 which includes the entrance fee and transportation to and fro the cultural village. I was alone and there's another adult family of four together in the van. It was a quiet ride with the light rain for half of the journey. Thankfully the rain stopped not long after that and the sun shone brightly so I can enjoy my time there.

I found out I like Sarawak's native music. I wonder where I can find CDs of the music they played at the cultural village. I have another trip to Kuching in January. Maybe I'll make it my mission to find the CDs then. At the Iban longhouse, a young Chinese lady asked if I can take a photo of her. We chatted after that and since she's alone, we decided to walk together so we can take each other's photo :) She's from JB. I like the fact that she didn't ask too much question and she's as busy taking photos as I was.


This is one of my favorite photo. Looks like one of the Japanese architecture.
This is the interesting looking Bidayuh house.

The huge Melanau house. According to the lady at the Melanau house, the real house is 40 feet tall and 3 to 4 times bigger than this show house. Can you imagine it? The whole village would be staying there.
Outside the Iban house, the Malay lady who's together in the shuttle van asked where I'm from, what I was doing in Kuching and whether I was alone. Duh! Give me a break. I'm not friendly that way. Luckily we didn't cross path after that. I like Bidayuh and Melanau house from all the houses there. Bidayuh house has a unique shape and Melanau house is so big. We stopped touring half way and make our way to the theatre at 11.00 a.m. The theatre was so packed but I managed to get a seat. There's a bunch of government servants there. Must be during one of their finishing the year's budget trip. Most of the uncles didn't decline the invitation to join the dancers on the stage after the show with shouts of encouragement and laughter from their colleagues.





I ran out of battery and memory card space at the theatre. Luckily I brought my 64 MB MMC from my old camera and the 16 MB SD card that came together with the camera when I bought it. So I really have to budget the photos taken after that. It started raining lightly again at 1.00 p.m. One of the shuttle van has already waited outside the village so it was a very nice timing. When we almost reached Kuching, it was raining very heavily. That afternoon was spent sorting out the photos and taking a nap while it was raining outside.






I don't know why I like this photo. Just like you don't know why you like someone but you do :)
Some people might love the experience there and some might find it boring. Depends on whether you prefer Cameron Highlands or Genting Highlands. Come to think of it, now I love both :)

La Tahzan

I'm currently reading a book titled "Don't Be Sad". The English version of the original Arabic book "La Tahzan". The Arabic words sounds beautiful to me. A befitting consoling words for someone who is in despair.

When you wake up in the morning, do not expect to see the evening - live as though today is all that you have. Yesterday has passed with its good and evil, while tomorrow has not yet arrived.

There's nothing that spells tourist louder than a lady with a hat and a camera in her hand, strolling slowly along the river as if she has no care in this world. Many boat drivers call out to the lady offering to bring her sightseeing along the river. She offered a sad smile in return and a shake of her head.

How can she appreciate the beauty of the evening? If only they know the anguish she's feeling in her heart. The helplessness and hopelessness that she's feeling inside. Hopeful that someone would understand but that someone chose to close her heart.

"And it may be that you dislike a thing that is good for you..." (Qur'an 2:216)

Every once in a while, God will test us with some problems to draw us apart from worldly cares and brings us closer to Him. I know that. So I'll accept this as His test and only to Him can I seek solace. Only He will understand every time my heart constricted painfully in remembrance, trying hard to keep my composure while conducting training or act normally around colleagues and friends.

This is not the feeling I want to mark the ending of this year. This is not the feeling I want all the year round actually. But it is not for me to choose the situations I'm in. I can only face the situation as best as I could. And not everything is about us sometimes. Sometimes we are just a spectator on the sideline, wishing the best for our loved ones.

The pleasures of life are short-lived, and more often than not, they are followed by sorrow. Life means responsibility, a journey wherein change is constant and difficulties are relentless in their onslaught.

I know my heart better because of this circumstances. This in itself is a great comfort. La tahzan.

Hello Again Kuching

Heaven and Earth


Antartica on the Sky

Can you see Mumble and friends dancing behind the snowy clouds?

Look at the Curves


Early Morning Sky


Sg. Sarawak

Clear view as compared to my previous visit.

Another Normal Morning

Never Say Never

Iiieee.... I would never do that.
Aiyyyoohhh... I would never go there like that.

How often have you said the word 'never' on something but ended up doing just that or be involved in just that?

"Never say never" is one of the phrases I have always tried to adhere to. But being a normal human being, the 'never' statement would be accidentally uttered when something out of the norm (to my perception) crept up in a conversation. I'd go, "What!!! I would never go there" or, "What??!! I would never accept that", and so on. It has been proven oftentimes that these 'things' that I have said 'never' to would affect my life significantly eventually.

I remember when we were in secondary school discussing about universities, one particular University came into our conversation and all the 'stories' were told and we'd freak out and everyone declares off that University. That's where I ended up getting my degree. The 'stories' that freaked us out have some truth in it but taking all factors into consideration, it wasn't all too bad. I survived the experience and have been receiving positive recognition of being associated to that particular education institution during many of my job interviews.

I also remember the times I went to accompany my friends apartment hunting. We went to one area and explored the many types of apartments there. After haggling with the uncompromising agents and looking at the area which was not fully completed, I told her I would never stay there. Not with the 'lori hantu' roaming the roads and the construction workers' 'kongsi' house occupying the area. And to make matters worse, the traffic congestion on the main road is really worrying. She took my advice and abandoned the idea of staying there. Where do you all think I'm staying now? And that friend has come to visit me many times too :) Situations changed right? No more 'lori hantu' and hoards of construction workers but the traffic congestion is not getting any better. Other than that, everything has been very convenient here.

The above are just two examples of me having to eat my words. Actually, I don't have to defend myself to anybody but a personal realization of things that could happen against my ideal. Does that mean when you actually want something, just say 'never' and it would happen? If only things are that easy. That would mean I would end up with a Mat Salleh guy one day hehehe... Not that I wanted to when I say 'never' to that.

I have a British lecturer for our English course last time. He likes to put his marker-pen-stained hands in his pants' pocket and the pocket would look dirty for days. After he did his laundry, the stain would still be visible but it looked like someone has tried to wash it off. And the cycle would continue. His skin can't stand our hot weather and he'd have big pimples with pus on his arms and he likes to wear short sleeve shirts. I'd go "iiieeewww" and declared myself off Mat Salleh guy as potential spouse :) Never, never, never.... I haven't had many encounter with any Mat Salleh ever since :D

Anyway, I think another one of my 'never' statement would be changing my life. Something that would be a total turnaround on my accepted ideals. Maybe some time in the near future, maybe in the far future, maybe even never depending on circumstances but something has changed. Be it in business or politics, if you could get the person with the strongest opposing voice to change their mind, have a paradigm shift, you'd get the strongest supporter. My opinion has changed too.

Sometimes I wonder why many of my 'never' statement have changed and became a significant part of my life. It is different if you declare yourself off tempoyak or budu but ended up becoming one of your favorite food. No, tempoyak and budu is not one of my favorite food :) But to spend part of your life at a place you thought you'd never go to? What about a lifetime? It is just beyond my human comprehension.

Some books would recommend you visualize the future you want, the things you want and work towards getting it and the actualization process would begin. You'd start finding ways to reach your goal and you'd eventually get it or come as close as you possibly can under the circumstances. The things I have said 'never' to had been in my mind but are not what I visualize for my future. But I guess life works in its own strange way. There is a hadith in relation to this issue.

"Love moderately, for the person you love today may be the one you hate in future; and hate moderately, for the person you hate today may be your loved one in future." (Reference here and here).

It doesn't have to be someone isn't it. It could be a place, a situation or a thing. Never say never. It could be your new ideals, your new principles. Even with this realization, I could still make the mistake of making more 'never' statement in future but with my personal experiences, I'll be aware that the 'never' statements I make could become my reality.

Nature Walk with PRIDE

Just this morning we have the prettiest blue sky, it rained in the evening as it has always been this past few days. Thankfully it only started raining at about 6 p.m. here, after I'm done with my activities for the day :)


I went for a nature walk at Bukit Gasing organized by PRIDE this morning. It was such a lovely morning and the trail is even more challenging than the ones at Kota Damansara Community Forest Park. This is the first time I went trekking at Bukit Gasing.


Someone from my photography group informed me about it but none of them turned up. Luckily I left my huge tripod in the car or they might have mistaken me as one of the official photographers for the event. But then again, nobody would believe I'm one of the photographers looking at the size of my camera hehehe... Only the tripod looks convincing :)


Anyway, I can still join the nature walk, which is a very good exercise. I'm thinking of going to a friend's house immediately after the event but looking at my dirty shoes and cargo pants, I better return to change and freshen up. If you're thinking of trekking there, I suggest you wear sports sandal instead of sports shoe. I would really love to wade the little stream and feel the coolness of the water... just not in my shoes.


Look at the lush greeneries and the clear water. I'm glad I went and I can see how important it is to preserve this area. No development here please. Not even as a man-made park. Nothing can replace this treasure.

Powerful Words

These are some powerful words that keep me going nowadays. Whenever the feeling of uncertainty or anxiety creep up on me, just remember these words to carry on.

"Besabar dan sentiasa berdoa. Bukan mudah menjadi luar biasa."

Yes... be patient and always seek guidance from God, words that can be easily uttered by everybody. Sometimes these words have been so overused it became a cliché that people will not take notice anymore no matter how true they are.

However, these phrases managed to conjure up a very profound impact on me. "Be patient and always seek guidance from Allah. It is not easy being different." Reassuring words befitting the circumstances that managed to touch me deeply.

Yes... it is not easy being different. The challenges may seem daunting or almost impossible at times. Only God knows the outcome. What we can do is just hang in there (click on the link to a brilliant entry by Francis of KuchingKayak in his old blog.).

What To Do On A Gloomy Sunday?

It was such a glorious Sunday morning today. The sky was blue with bright sunshine, coaxing people to get up and enjoy the beautiful day. I'm glad I did bearing in mind the weather can do a 180-degree turn towards the afternoon and evening. It already has.

The sky is gray and gloomy with the frequent thunder rumbling in the distance. Nak pergi jalan raya? In this weather? I don't want to get stuck somewhere in the highway like what happened in Federal Highway/ Shah Alam and some other areas yesterday. So here I am blogging in the comfort of my apartment.

My laptop fan died on me yesterday. I am now blogging from my office laptop, which thankfully is with me since I return from Penang. Normally I'd leave it in the office. The service centre is somewhere in PJ and I'd have to take leave if I want to go there. I'm not sure whether I can in such a short notice cause it has to be this week. By next week I'll be busy again. Would this count as 'emergency'? It is my 'baby' hehehe...

While I was doing my laundry earlier, there's a knock on my door. At first it sounded like someone hammering something into the wall. But the second time, I went near to the door and true enough it was on mine. Unfortunately I did not have a peephole so I did not open. Anyone who has any business coming to my house would call or give Salam or at least let me hear their voices. This one just knocks and knocks without saying a single word.

Once when my mom was at my house, the same thing happen and I was thinking of opening the door since my mom was around but she scolded me. Don't ever ever open the door to strangers. OK mom! I'm not being very neighbourly but that is how things are nowadays. I might consider if they said 'Hello' or give Salam. At least I know whether to expect a male or female. Otherwise, I'm not home.

It is raining and the thunder is getting louder and louder. I better logoff and shutdown everything quick. Hmmm... what is a good thing to do when it rains?

Who Are You? Poll Result

I put a poll question in my blog some time back. It is interesting to see who the readers in my blog are. This is the result...




I'm happy to see the majority of the readers are happy people :) For those who is feeling miserable, I'm sorry and hope things will change for the better. Sometimes we have to change our environment; sometimes we have to change our attitude because those are some of the things within our control. We can't change other people no matter how hard we try.

Sometimes we have to care for other things in order for us to feel better about ourselves. Sometimes we have to find one little thing we love and use it as an escape from life's demand even if for a short while, to keep us sane. Lets pray for happiness and I hope you'll find the best and safe way to be happy.

Another Piece of Penang

My previous Penang trip wasn't a blast so I did not have a very high expectation on this one but I love the hotel where they put me in. There wasn't a single dust on the bed sheet and the pillowcase, even the whole room. My nose would know immediately if there is any :) The sea view is a bonus. It's far but there's nothing to obstruct my view.


The very comfortable bed...


I sat here to enjoy the lovely morning and evening...
The buffet breakfast spread was boring and the room service dishes I ordered was lousy but I still love it due the its convenient location. There are many shops nearby and I wish I could be there longer so I can sample the many Nasi Kandar and Briani restaurants and write food commentary hehehe...


Wide blue sky... I use photo stitch to get a wider view of the sky.
(Larger image at Flickr)
I took a flight there so I don't have to worry about roadwork on the highway and the frequent heavy rain and thunderstorms in the evening recently. The whole time I was in Penang there's only the occasional light shower. One evening I saw a beautiful rainbow outside my window. I can see its a full rainbow too by craning my neck and pressing my face as close to the window as I can but I was still in my praying gear and waiting for Maghrib so have to pass the chance to take its photo. I just took a partial photo because my digital camera is not as flexible as my neck :D


I know I wouldn't have the energy to walk after my training started so I reached early and did some sightseeing. Upon seeing the camera I hold in my hand, many 'beca' guys offered me a ride around the city but I decided to walk and take my own sweet time. This time, I can feel the atmosphere that brings most tourists to Penang again and again. There is a sense of peace in the hustle and bustle of the area or maybe it was just me enjoying my own quiet time walking and sightseeing.




The lovely blue mansion. The tour for the day was over but the guards allowed me to take some photos from the gate.


A different kind of green house.


I'm not sure what temple is this.


Take a pick... your choice of public transportation on the island.


Photo taken from a moving cab...


Also taken from a moving cab... a contrast from the town.

My only regret was I did not try any cendol or ais kacang while I was there. I was so tempted but thinking about the 4-days training ahead, decided against it or I might risk having a sore throat. The cab driver was a very nice old Chinese guy. I didn’t say a word to him about cendol but out of the blue he offered to stop so I can buy the cendol. I declined though because I might mess his cab and I wanted to reach the airport early. Maybe I can change my flight to an earlier flight. Not so much because I miss home already but I'm hoping to get sunset pics from the plane. Such a sacrifice for photography opportunity :) I managed to change my flight and could get the window seat but the cloud was very heavy so I only manage to get some photos where there are interesting colors on the clouds before it gets too dark.


Multi-colored sky
I love its beaches... (entry on my trips to the beach here and here), now I have another piece of the charming island.

What Kind of Dreams Do You Normally Have?

I was reading Atenah's blog entry, which led me to think the kind of dreams I normally have. Most of the time, I don't remember whether I dreamt of anything while I was fast asleep and even if I do, I don't remember what it was exactly. Only rarely do I remember what I dreamt - the sequence and story of the dream or just the feelings it invoked.

I always dreamt of running away from something. My steps are big, I can jump very high and sometimes it feels like flying. I will be jumping over buildings or running on the rooftop, almost flying over any obstacles that come before me. It was just like in Kung Fu movies accept I don't need wires. Normally I can't remember the reason I was running or who is chasing but I'd woke up feeling very tired.

Another dream that I always have is about snakes. A few that I still remember...

I was in a room that looked like an archeological site in Tomb Raider with stonewalls, creeping vines, tables made from rock and snakes all over the place. I was tiptoeing and sometimes jumping from table to table to avoid the snakes. My aim is to get to the doorway. Thank God the snakes didn’t bite me.

Someone was holding my wrist, preventing me from moving and either the same or different person holds a snake near its head, pushing the snake's face on my hand, forcing the snake to bite my hands. I can only see my hand and someone holding my wrist and the snake's head with a hand holding it. I was struggling to free my wrist and the snake was trying to free itself too. It was a real struggle. Fortunately, the snake refused to bite me.

Quite recently...

I was face to face with a big black cobra. It slowly raised its head almost to my shoulder level and we only stare at each other. I remember it was very black I couldn't even see the shine on its scale. Its head had expanded too. We were only like a meter away from each other, staring and not moving. I remember feeling very frightened but that's the end of it.

I was in a stadium, watching someone running away from several snakes that are chasing her. The snakes were as fast and I can see her legs touching, almost intertwining with the snakes that have raised their head while running. Sometimes it felt like it were my legs. I wanted to shout and gave her warning and encouraged her to run but I couldn't find my voice. I can only watched helplessly from the seat, standing with both hands gripping the steel barrier that separates a section of seats with another. (Related entry here)

These are only a few that I can remember. Not a very pleasant one isn't it? So do you remember what kind of dreams you normally have?

On Adapting and Being the Best You Can Be

While I was away on a long Raya holiday (sans internet connection), I had an overdose of Worlds Apart and National Geographic documentaries. One of my brothers is into sitcoms, the other into war movies and documentaries, my mom chooses Malay dramas/movies and I'm into CSI, NCIS, Monk and the likes.

The compromise was either Worlds Apart or National Geographic documentaries - Mega builders, tornado chasers, pyramids and tombs, etc.

There are many things we can learn from these shows. One of them, there are many fields in Science other than medic, medic and medic. One very important value is to be passionate about the things you do and be the best you can be in your field. You'll get the satisfaction and the recognition from your effort. It gives me the motivation to be the best in my field :) Beware job, here I come hehehehe...

In Worlds Apart, people can adapt and grow to love their new surroundings. Maybe because they know they have luxury at home to return to and wouldn't feel the same if they're stuck there indefinitely. But it doesn't matter if they're in Timbuktu or deep in Borneo jungle, the reaction is similar when it's time to leave. The love developed between the two diverse groups of people, with different culture and background, is very heartwarming.

I was just like in Worlds Apart too hehehe... I learnt to live without internet connection but now that I'm back, I'm enjoying the ability to have information at my fingertips, not to mention blogging, email and instant messaging :D

After 340km and 4 hours

I'm backkkkkk.... :)

SELAMAT HARI RAYA everyone.

After 340km and slightly more than 4 hours which include 'jam' at Sg.Besi due to dono-what and Kepong-PJ-Sg. Buloh flyover/traffic light area due to accident, I reached home-sweet-home safe and sound.

Just after I lugged all my things and reached my 3rd floor apartment, rain started to fall heavily followed by thunder. Hmmm... have to wait a bit before I go online. After 11 days without internet connection, I have 385 new emails of which 85% of them are SPAM emails. Duh! @#%~&* spammers.

I'm still on holiday until tomorrow. Time to unpack and rest before the hectic schedule resumes. More blogging have to wait :)

Selamat Hari Raya

I'm going on a long leave with no internet access. Hope everyone will have a great and safe holiday :)

Canon PowerShot A710 IS Review

I was thinking of doing some kind of review on my Canon after using it for a few weeks. But the haze spoils my mood for photo taking so I haven't really tried my new camera. Only the initial try and a hazy one.

Here is a professional review of the camera. If you're still thinking, hope it will help you make the decision :)

Oh by the way, don't forget to take this poll.

Of Soul Mate And Unattached Singles 'Balik Kampung'

My friend told me of this analogy - finding one's soul mate is like waiting for a cab. Sometimes you got a cab, sometimes you don't. If you got a cab with a good driver who is willing to send you to the place you wanted to go to, great.

At times, there will be a cab driver who wouldn't go to your desired destination. At times, there will be a cab driver who has agreed to send you to your desired location but changed his mind when there's a massive traffic jam or accident or landslide ahead. The cab driver will dropped you off at the nearest convenient location to him and ask you to get another cab.

Thanks for the analogy Ben. A very interesting one indeed. Thinking about soul mate reminded me of Eve's creation and the Hadith below.

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Treat women kindly. Woman has been created from a rib and the most bent part of the rib is the uppermost. If you try to turn it straight, you will break it. And if you leave it alone, it will remain bent as it is. So treat women kindly." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Without analyzing the Hadith, I have this vision of a woman who goes around putting her palm on one guy's chest after another; trying to feel a connection, trying to find her soul mate. But then again, scientifically speaking, that would make the men and women who are soul mates share the same DNA? That would be like marrying your family members. Yikes!!!

Some explanation on the Hadith and the creation of Eve is here and here. Lest someone would get the wrong idea, the gist of the explanation...

The Qur'an says only that Eve was created from "it." What this "it" refers to is the point in question. Most of those commentators who have penetrated deep into the meaning of the Qur'an have taken "it" to refer to "species": Eve was created - not from Adam himself - but from the same species as Adam. This is the explanation given - among others - by Abu Muslim Asfahani, and it is this explanation that fits in with other verses of the Qur'an.

Analogies and Hadith aside, Raya is near and many unattached singles will 'balik kampung' with mixed feelings. Partly, they will be looking forward to see family, relatives and friends. The other part would dread the never ending questions about their other half and the unwelcome match making efforts.

You will hear advices about not being too choosy, to lower your expectations and to just get married and produce offspring because you're supposed to. Don't falter, don't feel pressured even if your nieces and nephews have school going children already. If you're not ready, you're not ready. If you haven't found the one, you haven't found the one. Do not take the broken Len Seng bus cause you fear the right cab will never come.

Here are some rules on seeking your soul and its mate.

Happy 'Balik Kampung' to everyone :) Maybe a bit early for me to make a wish but who knows if I got busy next week and everyone would start taking leave and so would I and then I wouldn't have internet connection for a week. Sigh! Might as well make an early wish :D

Who Are You?

I know I have silent readers. I know some are friends and some are strangers. I wonder if you care to answer the poll question below?

Complicated Expectations

This is a story about you and Jamie. I chose Jamie because it is a unisex name. You can be Jamie Lee Curtis or Jamie Foxx. Both men and women can relate to Jamie. And then, there's Lou, just another boy or girl in the story.

How easy life is when you were just friends with Jamie. You talk about anything and everything because you were just friends. You told Jamie about Lou who is being too pushy in trying to get your attention and have a good laugh over it. You call or SMS or email at any time just because you have something to share and you know Jamie would love to hear from you. You become closer each day and then the friendship turns into a relationship. That's when life becomes more complicated.

You started to demand the attention verbally or non-verbally. You started to wish Jamie would do this or that if he/she were really into you. When you're away from each other, you expected Jamie to contact you because isn't Jamie supposed to miss you. Besides, Jamie contacted you before when you're away. Why must things be different now? The worst thing is when Jamie holds back because not too long ago you had a good laugh about Lou who is trying too hard to get your attention that it became a turned off. What Jamie didn't realize, it is OK for him/her to do the same thing Lou did because you like Jamie. There is a difference when someone you like do something to get your attention and someone you don't. But how do you tell Jamie that?

When two people, both expected the other to do something but nothing happened, they will begin to have doubts. Is he/she the only one having the special feeling? Is Jamie really into you? Doesn't Jamie know that sometimes you're having a mixed feeling and just needed a little reassurance from him/her? Time passes by and both you and Jamie hold more and more of yourselves back because the expectations are not met. You finally decided that Jamie is probably not that into you and the relationship started to wane. In the end, both you and Jamie would wonder what went wrong. You thought there was something going on but probably you're mistaken.

What a waste of good friendship to begin with. But such is the story of life. You expected Jamie to understand what you need. Jamie also expected the same. In the end, you thought if the other person didn't understand what you need, it wouldn't work out anyway. You continue with your life until you met another Jamie and the same cycle continues.

I wish I had the solution so you and Jamie can have a better relationship but I don't. The answer may lie in your communication with each other or your expectation towards each other. Whatever it is, if you're in similar situation, I wish you all the best.

Another Kuching Trip

I was in Kuching last Wednesday. As always, I really looked forward to the blue sky up above the clouds.


Since I don't have the chance to go kayaking this trip, I decided to try the boat ride across the river. Despite the haze, my colleague and I went straight for the boat after the training. It was exciting. Both of us looked like a real 'jakun' especially the lady with the camera snapping at everything hehehe...

We're not wearing any life jacket and it felt so near to the water. The boat rocked hard as more and more people get into the boat. I looked at my colleague looking a bit panic. Of course nothing happened and I started to relax as we started moving.


We went for a stroll once we reached the other side of the bank and planned to reach our hotel about 15 minutes before the breaking of fast. We were waiting patiently for any boat to bring us back to the hotel side. Unfortunately, there were no boats coming our way and this uncle (photo below) said he is not taking any passengers any more since it was near to buka puasa time.


Oh oh... My colleague suggested swimming across which was not very funny.


Then there was one uncle going to his boat. We asked if he can send us to the other side and he jokingly said, "esok boleh lah". Why do suddenly everyone wants to be funny? Finally, a boat came. Thank God! We reached the hotel just in time for the breaking of fast.


Night view of the river.


The view on my way back.
(Photo taken by my colleague who had the window seat)
Entry for previous trip here and here.