Belum Temenggor Series: Introduction

Yippeee... I'm on leave today. It has been a very trying 2 sessions of 2-days training back to back for me. One reason is because I didn't get any break after my trip and the other reason... some of my participants have only touch the PC to perform routine tasks on a system related to their job. They have never use other applications at all so I have to be very, very patient. To give you some idea of what I'm up against... the mystery of finding the desktop, the task of creating folders and subfolders and the challenge of controlling the mouse to select text. It makes me realize how we take some things for granted.

Same day last week, I was on an island at Temenggor Lake. How I wish I can be there now.

From the bridge, looking at Pulau Tikus. The island is named as such due to its shape but I did hear squeaking noise behind our dormitory at night.


From the island, looking at the bridge.


Another view of the bridge from the island.


The view on the other side of the island.

The Shoe Doesn't Fit

Sometimes.. when you're at crossroads, facing the toughest challenge in your life, making the ultimate life-altering decision, you only have yourself.... and your Creator. No matter how well intended and well meant opinions, feedbacks and suggestions from your families, relatives and friends, no one can truly understand and fully comprehend your situation.

You'll sometimes feel like you have to defend yourself every now and then with explanations and clarifications on why your situation is different from what they think. Occasionally, you'll feel like there is no point in making people understand because they can't. They have your best interest at heart but do they really?

You need them to give you differing views when you are more emotional than rational. You need them to dissect and analyze your deicsion so you are aware of any loopholes or loose ends. But sometimes, you only need the emotional support... a pair of listening ears, a strong shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold on to.

No doubt... we should learn from other people's mistake. We should observe the signals and symptoms and do the hypothesis and apply the probability theory and what not. But sometimes, the shoe just doesn't fit. You just feel it in your heart that you need the 6 and a three-quarter size with B cut instead of the normal size 7 which is readily available.

Reminder to self: have made the same error in judgment in the past... do not repeat!

My Handphone Story

The handphone hanging on my neck got entangled with the brooch on my tudung. As I was trying to disentangle it, it got loose and fall off the chain straight into.... the toilet bowl. It happened so fast I stood there with mouth opened trying to register what had just happened and the consequences of it. Oh oh...



I like hanging my handphone on my neck. It has been a habit since my days as a consultant and vendor. Whenever I was at a client's place, I could be all over the place so instead of carrying my handbag with me all the time, I just carry my handphone. I can dash off everywhere without my handbag, feeling secure as long as my handphone was with me and I don't have to worry about accidentally leaving my handphone behind or forgot where I put it.

Luckily the toilet bowl was clean so like it or not, I picked up the handphone and washed it with soap and water. This happened at the office so I don't have the luxury of getting creative with clothes hanger or whatever to picked it up. Satisfied with the amount of soap used and feeling sure the handphone was clean enough, then only I switched it off, took it apart and used tissue paper and the hand dryer to dry it up.

Almost immediately after I switched on the handphone afterwards, I got an SMS and luckily everything was OK as I managed to exchanged a few SMSes. But not long after that, I received an SMS from my brother but I couldn't reply as I can't use my 3, 6, 9 keypad. It was fine just a few minutes ago. I supposed it was urgent as he called me not long after that and I couldn't hear a thing. He tried several times, so was I. The only SMS I could send was, "Hp rsk. X suara". He later sent me an SMS saying that I should use a 3310 like him instead so at least he figured out my situation.

How can you live without a handphone nowadays? Can I afford to wait a few days to find a new handphone? I have been thinking of getting a new one. A PDA phone maybe but it has just been at the back of my mind. I have not done a proper research on the internet. I suppose I could live without a handphone for a few days because I have a phone at home and I will not be going outstation any time soon so people can contact me at the office but... I just FEEL like I have to get a handphone NOW!

So I got myself a new handphone. One stall has a catalog comparing handphones which I used to make my choice. I was in a rush that time so instead of comparing with many different brands, I just look at something I'm familiar with. A Nokia. Since Thursday, 1st March, I am a proud owner of N73. It's not the latest model but it has all the features I want. That was the fastest purchase decision made by me when it comes to gadgets. When I reached home later, I tried my 6610 again. I have to figure out how to transfer all my contacts and SMSes to my new handphone. I got another shock. The 3, 6, 9 kepypad was OK and I called my brother. Crisp and clear. I felt like slapping my forehead.

The next day when I told what happened to my colleagues, everyone offered to buy my N73 at a discount. Duh! No thanks. Since I've bought it, I might as well make full use of it. I didn't fully realize the N73 focuses on its digital camera until later and I took it as fate since I like photography. I have to let go of my 6610 sooner or later anyway since its charger was already spoilt I had to dig for my old 3210 charger and the battery life was not very reliable these days. Intead of buying a new charger and battery, it's about time I changed my handphone.

I still have not fully transfered the content of my 6610 to my N73. Transferring can be done via the infrared and my laptop has infrared so it was not really a problem but not all the SMSes was transferred. I've tried many times. Luckily the contact numbers can be transferred without any problem. I want to keep those SMSes but... I have to live without it if I have no choice. OK... I have to get back to playing with my new handphone :)