On the Friday night me and Epan went to USJ to meet out old friend back in our secondary school. We didn’t joined them for futsal instead we went late and later joined them for yamcha at sunway pyramid. After that we together watch the Holland vs France match of Euro 2008.

The next Saturday morning, my parents met our contractor for our new house. There are major repair going to be done at the house before we get in this August. At the same time, we went to Taman Rimba Komanwel to see the waterfall last time I went back in Form 2. We take a hike about 15 minutes and eventually arrived to the site. It was superb! By night time, I had a barbecue at Epan’s house with his family. Yummy!

So guess what happens the next day? Like everyone else, I also wanna wake up late on Sundays!! Hehehe.

*taken from www.chedet.com

The price of crude oil has increased by 400 percent in the last three years. It follows that the price of products must increase, sooner or later. In other countries petrol prices had already increased. In the United Kingdom one litre of petrol sells for more than one pound sterling or RM7. In the United States it is about RM5.
That the price in neighbouring countries has gone up is shown by the rush to fill up by Thai and to a lesser extent Singapore vehicles.

The Government has now announced an increase in petrol price by 78 sen to RM2.70 per litre, an increase of more than 40 per cent.

I may be mistaken but there seems to be less vehicles on the road today. But obviously that is not all that will happen. All other consumer goods, services and luxury goods would increase in price.

The cost of living must go up. Put another way there will be inflation and the standard of living will go down.

Obviously our increase in petrol price is far less than in the United Kingdom or the United States. But our per capita income is about one-third of theirs. In purchasing power terms our increase is more than in the UK or the US.

The increase hurts but the pain is greater not just because of the increase percentage-wise is higher than in developed countries but because of the manner the increase is made.

A few days ago the Government decided to ban sale of petrol to foreign cars. It flipped. Now foreign cars can buy again. Flopped.

Knowing that in a few days it was going to raise the price and foreigners would be allowed to buy, why cannot the Government just wait instead of banning and unbanning.

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?With an urgent, careful stare,
I see panic in those eyes.
If I see you lying there,
Hoping this was the last time

?If you hear a distant sound,
And some footsteps by your side.
When the world comes crashing down.
I will find you if you hide.

If you wish it, wish it now.
If you wish it, wish it loud.
If you want it, say it now.
If you want it, say it loud.

We all make mistakes.
Here’s your Lifeline.
If you want it, I want to.
We all make mistakes.
Here’s your Lifeline.
If you want it, I want to.

There?s a field near the dream.
I watched it grow with whitest light.
I watched us all reach out and lean.
For the strength to touch the sky.

If you hear a distant sound.

And some footsteps by your side.
If you feel like coming round.
I will take you for a ride.

If you wish it, wish it now.
If you wish it, wish it loud.
If you want it, say it now.
If you want it, say it loud.

We all make mistakes.
Here’s your Lifeline.
If you want it, I want to.
We all make mistakes.
Here’s your Lifeline.
If you want it, I want to.

Ooooh….

If you want it, I want to.
If you want it, I want to.
If you want it, I want to.

If you want it, I want to.
If you want it, I want to.
If you want it, I want to.
If you want it, I want to.
If you want it, I want to.

Improvise:

Is there any chance by all means that our country will have bicycle park of its own that gonna have a look like picture above? I hope our Malaysian won’t pretty much maximize their two-wheeler like the second picture above. This happens in India.

Did you know why our Malaysian even though fuel price is hiking, but none of us are changing to bicycle for daily use even though we can afford to buy the most expensive ones? I did give a thought about this before and come out with few points listed below:

1. Malaysia has a very hot climate and high in humidity. Hot climate means lots of lots sweat and high humidity means that sweat won’t dry off easily! If you cycle for 5 minutes to your office, I very sure you gonna sweat like mad. And by the time you reach to your office, there are no shower whatsoever to comfort or clean yourself! Malaysia is high humidity which means high water vapor in air. When there’s high water vapor in air it slows down the drying process of your sweat! Believe me because I used to cycle to my campus during my second year. After that, I decide to walk. Ahaha.

   
   



2. Ergonomically speaking, cycling can kill you here. So far, I almost got hit 3 times. I hit 2 girls in campus (seriously not for fun ok). Actually why hitting thing happen? Because pedestrains and riders are using the same road! I hit that girl not because of her number (she’s fat), I accidentally hit because we’re are sharing the same road. And that road we’re sharing also used by cars and motors. So I was avoiding the car coming from front and guess what happen next? You know it! So they (to whom whoever may concern) should prepare a road for pedestrians and bicycle riders. Other busy road also really indeed need if there a lot of riders there too.

   
   



3. Check out the bus, I don’t feel like riding one.? Why? There has been so many cases before about bus express accidents. By statistics , it was proven that these bus drivers are underpaid thus elevate them all to drive without any single care at all! Remember “The Bus of Death”? The bus from Melaka Sentral bound to Alor Setar which killed 21 beloved passengger inside including the busdriver himself. So by having a dangerous public transprtation, why should you risk your safety after all we can provide on our own by driving a car, right ?

   
   



4. Lrt, Putra, Monorel, and ERL doesn’t reach every single corner of KL.? You got to be kidding me if you’re cycling. For KL residents, this is one of the main problem to commute. That’s why a lot prefer to park and ride the train. But the bottom line is they still driving though.

   
   



5. Generally, parents would say, “The kids are going to school. So I need to sent them by car. You think you want me to carry them with my bicycle?” Think again. Wakaka.

   
   

Yesterday our Government already announced the new fuel pricing with exceptional of 40.6% (Malaysiakini.com) increment. So in the evening itself as my family going to fill the petrol, here in Putrajaya watches a long queve from the Precinct 16 Petronas station until up close to Alamanda Shopping Complex. That is like almost 800 meter long of queving cars. By 9 o’clock at night, still long queve. But this time it was in the watch by the police. Police were there to watch the traffic.

I believe it is the time Malaysians look to the Westerners or simply the nearest is the Japanese where they cycles or commutes by train to office.

Went there like last week and truly was mesmerized by the enormous screen made by splashing water! Wow! I watch the clip for 15 minutes where they starts to play at 9.00 pm and another run at 10.00 everyday since March until May 08. Me myself went watch twice! Hehehe. Enjoy the video!

You know what I like the best part when it comes to go places? I like the part where there less people to be seen around. Even better if there’s people at all! Hahaha. Actually I’m just making a point here. Certain places you go you might wish there’s a lot of people and I do believe sometimes you don’t. For example: i) Fairs, exhibitions, and expos of course you wish there’s a lot of people which indicates how successful and interesting that event could be. ii) Restaurants. I wish not too many otherwise your wait for the orders will take more longer. iii) Cinemas. I wish there’s NO people at all so that I won’t have to stand in long queues and the best part is: I get to choose the best seat! iv) Beaches. Too many people means you have to find other spot or otherwise ending up your own resort swimming pool! Haha. But the main thing is a nature for human to be alone and not to be alone. Have you come to a scene where you would shout,”Leave me alone!”? Or perhaps mutter “I’m booooring”? This come where you need to be with someone you want to be with or just be alone with yourself. Both feelings, believe me, offers truly different feelings.

I remember I came to Taman Alam during my teenage where the whole school like 400 students (yes, my secondary school has less student because it’s a residential school), we would walk about 3 hours tour around this sanctuary. Taman Alam is located in Kuala Selangor. It offers a stop for birds’ migration from the north of China if I wasn’t mistaken before they continue down under to Australia. My friends and I went under the supervision of our teacher hiking around the sanctuary. The feeling was a bit different because along the way, we are teasing ourselves, talk nonsense but we did enjoy panoramic view. As young kid, of course you get excited to see all the living creature at their best habitat.

But now as I went back again. I came here with my dad accompanied by the tour guide, the feeling was different. Of course the panoramic view is still there, but again, it comes with a different feeling. You’ll find yourself puzzled by the nature and feel very calm. I like this kind of exotic locations. The tour guide, which coincidently my old friend’s sister , explained to us about the ecological, biological aspects which I have no idea as an engineering graduate. My dad was a graduate in geography studies back in University Malaya so he pretty much keep up with the conversation with the tour guide. We would walk about 15 minutes to the 30 meter watch tower and the whole view can bee seen. The tour guide told us that they receive frequent visit from the Japanese because they have extensive sponsorship in ecology studies. Some foreigners would come during the bird migration to study and took photographs. Other than that, student will come to camp at near entrance camp site where they have toilets and chalets too.

Having no people around gave me a time to think and look everything around. I bet this is the places that people like me (I like camping and outdoor okay) would wish there’s not many people around. Now and then I was there I learn a lot and have great deal of time. Thus, this are few places that you wish there are less people to be seen around! It was superb!

“...Do you see the fields beneath the clouds?
With stars as trails to lead you out,
Can you sense the pain that?s everywhere?
And if you try you?ll never care,
And the love you had when you were young
Is right outside for all to come,
Because your life is full of pure desire
A place so gloriously wired…”

—Angels & Airwaves

More photos here.

I’m here once again on the soil of Selangor’s first sultanate official residence Kuala Selangor. I spent my secondary here for 5 years you know. Within that period of time, I learn so many stuff around this local town. When I was there which is like 11 years ago back in 1997, this place definately a ghost town. Not many cars even not many premises around. But today I went back to take my SPM certificate, it developed with so many buildings all over. I was excited. One of the places that I went is the Bukit Malawati and Taman Alam. Bukit Malawati can be consider quite a scary place. You don’t want yourself there during the night time. There are so many local folklore’s been swaying around. And one of the most famous stories that went on reaching my ears is about the Sultan’s cannon. It was said that the one covered in loin cloth has been explode for no reason back in the 70s. This sudden explosion were believe as an indicator of bad omen that going to fall in Sultan’s family. Well, when I was there, I think as far as I can remember, if you see the picture with the canons below, that was not the real canon. I think so it wasn’t real. Why? I am very sure last time the are 3 cannons mounted on a bedrock piles up with the earth fills. But this time they replace it with a some sort of cannon wheels. And i can feel the cannons are made out of caissons instead of real steel. I remember the real cannons which bares the name of first 3 sultans of selangor and one of the cannons were wrapped in yellow cloth. But today it wasn’t there! So i asked few people around as usual to feed my curiosity. You know I always let my curiosity controls me. Hahaha. What had happen to the real canons? Then one of the guards said that the real cannon with the yellow cloth was relocated near to the Sultan’s mausoleum. I went there to see the cannon and have a photo of it. I remember once I getting near to the mausoluem to get closer to the cannon, my body starts to shiver. Brrrrr. Now I found one of 3 cannons originally located at the top of the Bukit Malawati. I wonder why they move it here. I don’t know what had happen to the other 2 cannons. This one’s name is ‘Petoi Boga’ in Bugis which means White Princess. I read the information board and state that the canon was found in Buluh Rive, 12 km to the south of Kuala Selangor on Sept 23rd 1966. That is like almost to Klang. There aren’t much different compare to last years when I was in Form 1. I think today they should put more informative boards so that people will more aware of its historical value. Other than that, as you can see the next pictures is the lagendary ‘Tangga 100’. This stairs were built from the port and right up to Sultan’s palace. Some of the remnants can be seen clearly until today. It proves that our local people also have the ability of building such structure that could last hundreds of years. I always watch this ‘Engineering An Empire’ at History Channel. They depicts all the previous archaeological sites really pulls my interest and present it in a computer generated graphics. I think they should come over here and do the same too. Hehehe. Selangor’s Sultanate starts from Bugis decendants as far as I know. Some of the road in Kuala Selangor are name after the Seven Bugis Warriors which some of them I remember Pangeran Muda, Daeng Celak, Daeng Merewah, and Pangeran or Daeng whtever they call it lah. Hehehe. Back those days I know this road when I went jogging in the evening during my residential schools day. This is why it is good to have roads name after somebody, right? On top of Bukit Malawati I can still there is a newly build Museum Kuala Selangor. I bet you all who interested can go there to learn more about the historical aspects of Kuala Selangor rather than just a fishing site. Hehehe. I remember when I was in form 4. I went to this camping for KRS ‘peringkat daerah’ at Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah School (SAAS). During the night time, we were having this ‘Kembara Malam’ where all of us were split in groups and walk alone around Bukit Malawati. How was that sound? Horror, right? Warf. But I was excited! Hahaha. But not too excited okay otherwise else will happen. The person in charge was an ex-comando who has deep experience in this thing. He strictly asked us to carry water each one of us. WHY? Probably he told all the ‘locals’ that please not to disturnb those who carries waters. I guess. Because we did have a walk or morel ikely like tour around Bukit Malawati including ‘Perigi Beracun’, ‘Busut Malawati’ and others as well. In the end at our camping site which is at SAAS football field, he gazed at our hands and feets. We never ask why, but he look very attentively with his torchlight setting one after another. He knows what his doing that is one for sure. The picture that contains one huge rock is called ‘Batu Hampar’. Situated just before the entrance of Sultan’s palace, it was a place where they execute all those who commits adultery. I remember I read the sign one lady got beheaded because she committed adultery. Read it like long, long, long time ago. Imagine back in those days where all the kampong people tried to build these structures. How can they lift huge stone as big as we have like so-called ‘Batu Hampar’? Can you imagine that? Very much impressive. Other than that, Bukit Malawati still have the poisonous well, a watch tower (where they determine the starting day of the fasting month and Raya), couples of 200 year old Angsana tree and some shops too. I like the view up there. The view up there still offers the same which I had on my very first glance 11 years ago. Anyhow, I’m gonna miss this place. Wish one day I could go back and pay a visit again. Further reading: i) Bukit Malawati on Sejarah Malaysia ii) Bukit Malawati on Journey Malaysia

The latest picture of Malawati Fort today. Note that the cannons are mounted on their wheels.

The old picture. Note the yellow cloth covered cannon in the middle in the 90s. Now moved to the Sultan’s Mausoleum. Refer picture above taken by the writer. (Picture source: Abdul Halim Nasir, Kota-Kota Melayu, Kuala Lumpur, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, 1990)

Click here for more photos.

You know the day I finished the final exam is the day (given by that you are very positively sure that you gonna pass the paper) when you are graduate. Compare to SPM, normally those days teenagers would feel the freedom that they gain. All of them are very excited to reach the so-called world out there. Some would continue study, but majority would go out looking for job or in other words ‘making money’. Why? Because where comes the money comes the fun. Agree? Haha.

Every single batch in Malaysia denotes about 400 000 of people each. From this, the higher education institutions offer roughly about ONLY 150 000 seats available for these students to further diplomas or degrees. What happen to the other 250 000? Some STPMs and some go for certificates. But MAJORITY straight went out looking for jobs. For the ladies who possesses good looks, she will go for receptionist, promoters or GROs. For guys would go work for McDs, KFCs, and many other fast food chain in Malaysia (recently got 24 hour McDelivery that allows more species so-called mat rempits easier to find job). But a huge number would go out and become factory workers. This is what happen to every batch of our country’s teenagers. If we combine every year, it’s gonna be a very very huge number you know. I bet only few would return back and continue their studies (maybe because of their parental advise or ambition to become a professional since they already have the money from working). From my observation, once you got your hands on the money, it very hard for you to study. SO imagine an 18 year old who going to choose for money or study. I believe instead of study, he or she definitely will continue to work for money more and even more. A lot of our people still didn’t aware how important education as it is today. It’s crucial but our teenagers today just wanted to have a simple life without higher education. It’s just my opinion. If you say I’m wrong, I’ll say: There no right or wrong in stating opinions, so whatever~

After the exam, I realized that I been here for over 5 years now. Then, i didn’t know what to do. Anyhow, after I finish my exam, on the same day I simply message some of my friends outside mmu informing them that I already graduate. Somehow if you feel too excited means you just do it no matter what people gonna say bout you, right? Hahaha. My batch had a photo taking sessions. It was great.

But I remember my days were quite wasted with just sleep and eat all over and over again. Well, we all do that after graduate, right? But not for long and you know you have to move on. On my final week in Melaka here, I did spent my time with all my classmates. It might be our last time together after everyday we met during class for few years. I went fishing, went for a movie, and yamcha almost every night. Hahaha. One thing for sure, I’ll be leaving Melaka. A lot of things happened here. I’m gonna miss it all. I’m just lost of words right now.

Wah….it’s been a long time since I updated this blog. Is it? Nah. Probably there’s nothing much to share. Everyday is the same day as usual. Go class, then sleep, eat all those normal stuff people do. I went to MATA’s musical theatre last week. It was awesome. Aiman, the assistant director, told me it’s a kids musical theatre. But I counted there’s only like 2 kids acting. Ahahaha. But of course it’s mainly for kids. I went the one on Saturday night play. I like the part where suddenly the scorpion queen came out and realized it was Lyza. Wakaka. Damn funny! They make up themselves until you hardly recognize them during the play. Here are couple photos I took. My battery is low so there’s not much picture I can share with.

My presentation will be next week. So wish me all the best and hope I could tackle all the questions bombard upon me. Hehehe.

Me with the scorpion queen. Wakaka.

The stage. Like the lightings!

“...Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.
Your hands can’t hit what your eyes can’t see…”
-Muhammad Ali

Hectic? Nah..still not that hectic yet. For the past couple of months I’ve put myself in KL and some time back in Melaka. It was so tiring when it comes to driving. However, to be at home, it pays you off. Agree? Hehehe. After the wedding, comes the election. Before the election was my midterm exam. After everything settled, now comes my Final Year Project (FYP). I need to put myself in the blast zone where I have to blast myself to the max to settle this once and for all and straight graduate. I have been all around doing my fyp. I’ve been looking for some material to include in my project so that it will look more interesting. How do I make it more interesting? Well, two things that I have in mind: modeling and simulator. I will first simulate my project in form of a model basically so that the moderator have a clear view what it is all about. The simulator acts as calculator where it calculate the turbine output in Megawatts. Mainly it just a kind of a program which I make from Visual Basic (VB). I had no experience of using VB. Now I have to borrow some books from the library and start learning VB myself. Other than that, in order to do calculation few factors like current, flow rate and area are taken to come out with the output. There you go another job falls down on my shoulder. Anyhow I still have some time to update my blog here. Hehehe. Talk about my first vote is nothing much. There’s not much of a story to share. You can read it yourself bout all the stories that happen currently in the newspaper, online webs and many other reliable sources. Hehehe. I’m not gonna waste my time. But as a first time voter, I just tick what I think is right to tick. At least I didn’t have the guilt feeling after what all the thing that came out from the news.

Congratulations to my brother, Shaparuddin. He just got married. Now I got a new sister-in-law. Welcome to the family. However, not every story ends with a happy ending. On the wedding day itself, my grandfather, Haji Rejab bin Arsyad, passed away at Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, Sg Petani, Kedah at 3.50 am. He died of kidney stone and stomach ulcer. He was 84.

I believe it happen to me and I want to share with you all this so-called story of mine. You know, my grandfather has been admitted into the hospital on the day where my family went to Kelantan for the wedding on the bride’s side. By the time we got back to KL, the news has been spread to all over the family on my father’s side. I got a message from my cousin brother, Arin urging every relative to come down and visit the grandfather as advised by the doctor. As for my family, we just came back from Kelantan, and with a wedding preparation on the way, all of us siblings were too tired. As a matter of fact, after the night when we arrived from Kelantan, my parents straight shoot to Kedah to visit him, which they hope were not the last time.
The week of preparation goes by. I was in Melaka attending my classes. At one point, I called my parents asking for some budget so that I could drive alone all the way from Melaka to Kedah to visit my grandfather. But my parent would not allow me to. They have their own excuse knowing that I never drive that far alone before. I have to force my dying-to-see heart to let go. My parents told me he will be fine. They told me he was in good condition. He can even complaint the food feeded was lack of salt. Maybe he wanted to taste the real taste for the last time perhaps.
Then, when the wedding day arrived, at about morning 4.30 am, my family got the shoking news. My parents never sleep after that. The wedding has to go. Tasks were already delegated. I can see my dad were sort of lost. My uncle came and hugged him. When I was out managing the kompang boys, all the relatives which arrived at my house early that morning at 8 o’clock, recited surat yaasin for my late grandfather. All the invitees from my fathers side had to cancel off their attendance. Only Along Zihan’s family came from Ayer Hitam, Johor. I know my dad didn’t talk that much. People normally went back immediately for a family funeral, but we have to stay. I persuaded my dad to go back on the same day, but due to tiredness, we made it on the next day.
When we arrive, Pak Long and Pak Ngah was there. I sat in the middle between both of them. Pak Ngah told me,”I was very proud and honor to serve him until his last moment”. He told me until he until tears fall down his cheek which he couldn’t stand anymore. Pak Andak were also there. Everyone in the living room felt bitter as we all in the moment of sorrow. Pak Ngah later told me how he wanted so badly to taste the food as his last time to taste it. He hardly talks but remember every single name that he can mention mumbly. After that, Pak Ngah brought me and the family to see the grave. Then, we went to visit my last grandmother who passed on 2000 at another cemetery nearby. My grandfather was buried next to my great-grandfather, Arsyad bin Ali who passed away in 1940. During night time, all of my father’s brothers would sit down together of them talking about something under the wooden old house where they used to grow up when they all were small kids. I was there looking a far wondering what topic it might be. But seeing them together again in the state of mourning at the same time putting me in the state of condolement.
If you ask me what is my last moment with him, definately I will remember. My last moment with him is during the breakfast on the third day of Raya Aidilfitri last year. He can’t see clearly that time so I have to take his hand and make him hold the cup of tea. I sat beside on his left shoulder. We ate together at the black color wooden rectangular table outside the patio. Others joined were also my new grandmother and my mum. We have a chat for a while. That morning was very calm and can hear some birds chirping. I never thought it would be my last moment with him.

“I didn’t had the time to say goodbye. I never even had the chance to see his face for the last time. For this, I am totally regret. I hope it wil never happen again especially to my loved ones. Al-fatihah to my grandfather…”

For the wedding album, click here.