Last Day of Year 2008

O' well...how time flies... No more regrets of the past. Let bygones be bygones. I do have some lessons learnt but it will be kept in my memory chest for future references and remininces if need be, merely for betterment but not to mourn...

Listed below are some of the things that have affected my well being in year 2008...

1. My contract for service as the Corporate Communications Consultant expired in January and I was then offered to head a new department known as the Knowledge Resource Centre. Like it or not, I took the challenge or else I will be jobless. And I truly am thankful to Allah swt for this opportunity. Being an avid reader, I feel like a fish in water, I blended well with library matters and learning the management of library/resource centre based on the job training. I love what I am doing now, seriously am, though my forte is Corporate Communications. Never before I look highly at librarians as I am now. Thinking back, I should have taken Library or Information Science instead of Mass Communications during my degree days... but again, everything happened for a reason and only Allah swt knows whats best for us, right? Whatever, I am a happy person now.

2. Due to my tight work schedule, I did not manage to give part time lectures to college students like I used to do before, thrice a week for evening classes. Soru miss sikit laa... Anyhow, I am so touched when two of my previous students came to see me prior to them departing to pursue studies abroad. They said, "Miss, we need to see you. We need to get your blessings." I am so touched. Indeed teaching/lecturing profession is something great. Now one of them is in the US and another in New Zealand. Both doing Corporate Communications. Btw fyi subjects that I used to teach are Corporate Communications, Brand Management, Contemporary Advertising, Customer Relations and Mass Media & Society.

3. My application to pursue Phd was successful when my proposal was accepted in July and I am now a doctorate student of UTM. Just settled my formal registration last week. Got my own student matric card, library access card, etc. It definitely is going to be a hectic year ahead, I know for sure. Actually its funny to think of my studying path. I had my degree in Mass Communications majoring in Public Relations. Then I continued with a Masters in Business Administration and now am pursuing Doctorate in Computer Science - focusing in Information Security. Three different areas altogother. May Allah swt provides me a smooth path in learning and completing my research. Amin.

4. I went to Bali for holidays with four of my colleagues and later called ourselves 'Geng Lulur' simply because we merrily went for spa together excitedly since some of us had never been to a spa before. Also because our hotel was next to a mini mart which sells very cheap lulur and every night we went there to 'borong' them till the shelves were empty and the shop owner did not manage to replenish them timely. Bali was great, beautiful, serene and so natural. I love everything about Bali. I will definitely go there again.

5. Went to Cherating a few times and got so hooked with Hai Peng Kopitiam in Kemaman. Had a bliss with my niece and nephews on the beach. I want to note here that Impiana Cherating is one great hotel with spacious room and an ambience so cozy and homely. The beach front is beautiful too. I love the satar, the keropok lekor and the nasi dagang there in Kemaman. An evening in Kuala Kemaman with the sweet and salty breeze from the sea and smells of freshly boiled keropok lekor, grilled satar and otak-otak really entice me and makes me longed to go there again soonest possible.

6. Escaped to Tioman Island with an ex-colleague, just the two of us, and had what I called a real holiday, without any disturbance from office. Why? Because of no coverage, thus no emails received via my blackberry and so no worries at all of office matters. The island hopping was great, the snorkeling was fun and satisfying, the water was crystal clear, the underwater world was magnificent and so magical, I was mesmerised. I spent most of my time in the sea than in the chalet. Indeed I felt so relief, fresh and anew after this escapade. I am really a water person (is there such statement eh?)!

7. Office politics, resignation of top guns, arrival of newcomers, bragging of their past achievements and success stories elsewhere, noviceness of some superiors on certain matters, lackadaisical attitude of some staff, backbitting, ass licking and all the likes, really created a momentum at work. Some times we were so pissed off and other times we were accepting and learning to shut off. Whatever, its all part and parcel of a workplace situational analysis and organisational behaviour. Anywhere, its the same. There is a choice, take it or leave it. Not standing on the fence and be a hypocrite. My only plea is that hopefully no talking or complaining or gossiping about matters like these anymore. Or rather, do not share with me. I do not want to know, do not want to hear. It gets nowhere. It just gets me wanna vomit. I just want to do my work and achieve my departmental KPI. Period.

8. Took my mum and sisters for a holiday in Langkawi. Had a wonderful time shopping. Yes, shopping. That was indeed the plan. Apart from visiting some historical places, of course. But, still the main agenda then was shopping. We, or rather my mum, really shopped till she dropped tired. Poor mum, did a lot of walking in Langkawi than in her lifetime, I guess. Bought some Corelle crockeries (to add to our existing collection of European Herbs), some Corningware caseroles of the same theme, about two dozens of batik sarong, a Scholl sandal for me, a Clark sandal for adik, lots of chocolates and three perfumes; J'dore by CD, Princess by Vera Wang and Incredible Me by Escada. Adik was the happiest. She bought the Clark sandal on her own and she ate chocolates there like drinking water... seriously she had chocolates for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Also during morning break, tea break and supper... in fact, she only stopped when shes asleep! She was so hyperactive then. Not like when shes at home... We really had a bliss in Langkawi and I am glad that I managed to make this vacation in Langkawi a reality. We went with just two luggage but came back with seven. Thank God that it was MAS and not AirAsia or else we will have so much to pay for the check-in bags/boxes.

9. I had the opportunity to meet Tun Mahathir and Tun Siti Hasmah during the recent Workshop on Leadership for Librarians and Information Professionals, held at the Perdana Leadership Foundation. I also had a chance to ask Tun Mahathir a question during 0ne of the sessions and put my company's name in the limelight. The best was when I managed to speak one-to-one and face-to-face with both Tun Mahathir and Tun Siti Hasmah. Plus, had my pictures taken just the two of us, with each of them and later with both of them. Also, got both of them to sign my caricature book of them (written by Eu Yu) which I brought all the way from home and received a personalised wishes from both Tuns written nicely. Am contented. Am impressed with Tun Mahathir's ideas, opinions and reading habits. Am amazed with Tun Siti Hasmah's gracefulness, an etiquette to master by all ladies. Such a lovely intellectual couple. Great idols. It made me think... how I wish I will grow old being brilliant and articulate and able to think well like them...

10. I thought I have found love again in 2008. Now I guess it was just infatuation. I was never lucky in love. There were times when you felt you were needed but there were also times when you felt that you were being ignored. I felt both, at one point. Now I just couldn't be bothered anymore. Enough is enough. Having all those feelings made me become a dreamer. I tend to put aside many things that I needed to do and I spent most of my time by just lying down and let myself float. Float, float and away...! (I actually fell asleep dreaming!) It was indeed not healthy. It was my sheer imaginations and self created feelings. I became lazy. I was in my own world. World full of fantasy. No promises and no future. Its just me and the knight in shining armour. The one that touched my heart then. Huh! Thank God, I came to realization fast. The knight was not actually the Prince Charming. May be not yet. I quickly came back to reality. I will never let myself into this again. No, no, no... this is utterly ridiculous. I am not a teenager anymore. Thinking back, that experience really evoke my senses, make me realized certain things and most of all, it made me more mature and a much better person.

Ok, I guess my 10 points is sufficient to end year 2008. A chapter is about to be closed. Many more things did happened but let it be my self-kept stories. A new chapter is about to begin in less than half an hour. Goodbye 2008! Lets embark into year 2009 with big great strides...

Kalambicara is rushing to watch the countdown of the new year on tv... till we meet again in 2009... Cheers!

Salam Maal Hijrah 1430

Its been more than a month that this blog is left idle, full of cobwebs eh? I know... I am aware...just that the drive is not there for me to begin writing, too many reasons to state here and of course being busy and having a tired body, mind and soul are among them... :)

Anyway, I guess it is not too late for me to wish all my Muslim readers Salam Maal Hijrah 1430. Today is already the second day of Muharam, new month of the new year in the Muslim's calendar.

Hopefully this year will be a much better year for me and also for my family. I do have some resolutions, some things to achieve, some dreams to be fulfilled and some missions to be accomplished. Insyaallah I will strive hard and with blessings from Allah SWT, the road ahead will be with less or no obstacles.

A friend once said that sometimes Allah breaks our spirit to save our soul. He breaks our heart to make us whole. He sends us pain so we can be stronger. He sends us failure to make us humbler. He sends us illness so we can take care of ourselves. Sometimes Allah takes everything from us so we can learn the value of everything He's given us... Allah is great!

So dear all muslims, Salam Maal Hijrah 1430. May all that you wish for in the new year come true! Amin! Insyaallah!

Kalambicara is signing off with fresh new hopes and wishes for the new year 1430H...

Budak Kelantan

Out of depression and upsetness last Friday (as per my last posting), I went for a movie. An unplanned one. While still working on a report at the office, a friend of mine (a Lecturer from the uni where I did my part time lecturing) buzzed me, inviting me to a movie entitled 'Budak Kelantan'.

Honestly, little did I know theres a movie on this title. She said another colleague of her told her that the story is interesting. The timing was right. I need a break and automatically said yes to her. We went to Alamanda Putrajaya and watched it at GSC. Something really got into me that day that I accepted the invitation. It was the second time in my life I went for a Malay Movie. The first was Cinta Kolestrol long time ago with my cousin. But this time it was special because I went to see 'Budak Kelantan' straight from work on a Friday in a Baju Kurung. Can you imagine? I totally forgot about my appearance.

Anyhow, I did enjoy myself. Not so much of the storyline or what but the fact that I got to listen to Kelantanese dialect in a whole movie and am proud of the language uttered. Seriously. Being a Kelantanese myself and been residing in KL since 1983, some of the words used in the movie remininced me of my growing up days in Kuala Krai and Kota Bharu. Nowadays, we still speak Kelantanese, of course, but not all words. For example, the word run or 'lari', we used to say 'ungga' but now we seldom use the word, instead we said, 'lari' as well. And many more. I smiled and laughed a lot merely listening to the words spoken.

For the review of the story, please go to this link. Funny thing is that its written in both Kelantanese dialect and English version. See if you can understand the Kelantanese version, found it while browsing.

http://miloskilos.wordpress.com/2008/11/02/budak-kelantan-my-review/

All in all, I rate the movie as 3.5 out of 5. Reason: Not all Kelantanese are as depicted in the movie. It is definitely not representative, just a scenario of one group. Should highlight those successful ones too. In that movie, the successful ones are graduates of UM but with no permanent job and selling burger and drinks by the roadside. Can do better actually... he he.. Not to forget, the dikir barat songs, so nostalgic,with photos of the places enroute KB-KL. Anyhow, it was a good and entertaining movie. I forget my unhappiness on that day. Hopefully theres a sequel to the film. Well done.

Kalambicara is still smiling recalling Jaha's conversation with Buchek when they first met :)

Aaaarrrggghhh!!!

Today, on my way to office, while driving, I was screaming my heart out. Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!!!

Reasons:

1. Along the route, at different locations, I came across three proton saga cars crawling worst than tortoises in a fast lane. One was talking on a handphone. Another was smoking with one hand out, shaking off the ashes of the cigarette butt on and off. The final one was just sight seeing I guess cos' there were no cars at all in front of him, and he was taking the damn sweet time observing the scenery along the road, in a fast lane and couldn't care less about me tailing! My question: Why these type of human beings drive a Proton Saga? It enhances the bad reputation of the brand name whereas the driver(s) should be at fault. Sigh.

2. I got 6 messages coming in my handphone while driving and a few calls non stop ringing. Hello, I am driving and will never slow down to read messages or answer to calls and I do not like to wear a handsfree, can't stand the little speakers in my ears. Also, even if I on the speaker, I can't really hear well (my music is at full blast, of course!) and I do not want to look like an insane driver, speaking to oneself (though I do not mind singing out loud, tapping my fingers on the steering, tapping my feet on the pedal and/or shaking my head left and right while driving). Hey, its my principles ok? Unless, if the hp keeps on ringing like a zillion times, then I will signal and stop by the roadside. On top of it all, my blackberry too was non stop buzzing and the red signals keep blinking, meaning emails or messsages are coming in, non-stop. Aiyo... so tension ma... tak sampai office lagi, baru pukul 8.55 am dah ada 23 emails and needed my response. Phew!

3. I was thinking hard of the departmental KPI (Key Performance Indicators) and its evaluation next week. I have solid justifications for two of the eight initiatives that was rated a bit low but for me to say it out loud during the evaluation session will affect the well being of my superiors. Some of the delays were due to changes after changes and finally back to the first one, without taking into consideration on time. Time is the essence. The undecisiveness and 'not that great decisions' (don't want to say lousy, though it actually is 'lousy decisions') affect my departmental performance. And, worst still, I have to answer and rebutt, me...moi... ok!

4. One of my staff is giving me problems. I found out that a few things were not done accordingly. I do not see the urgency in accomplishing work. A few completed tasks were later found incomplete, wrong, not as briefed (though I saw notes were taken during the briefing) and the list goes on. I had spoken to this staff, not once but thrice... and still I found the errors. What more, tasks assigned to this staff, was never submitted on time. Procrastinate or forgetful or plain novice of what deadline is? Looks like I need to slowtalk again... but till when... tak reti2 ke... tak faham, tak tahu...tanye laa. As a result of this staff incapabilities and not meeting my standards (he he I ada benchmark and expectations of my team), another staff keep complaining to me because this person got to redo the other persons wrongdoings or uncomplete tasks or merely plain rechecking, out of curiousity after a few errors found. Marah la yg sorang ni. And, telinga mak ni dah tak larat nak dengar...tu yg mak pikir-pikir sampai menjerit sekuat hati dlm keter tuh. Adus!

5. I plan to go for a 3D2N holiday in Singapore this December. Imagine, my last trip there was in 1990! Need to book Tiger Airways asap if I am really going. But I am contemplating now. I have always wanted to go to New Zealand (NZ). And now, NZ dollar is lower than Singapore Dollar, pikir2 its better to go to NZ. Accomomodation, I have a friend doing PhD there and she keeps pestering me to visit her. Now I am confused. This year I only managed to go to Bali, Cherating and Tioman Island. On top of this all, last night I rasa terpanggil seruan Ilahi... so rasa nak gi Mekah. Seriously. Am not kidding. Never felt this before. A few days ago pun dah rasa and had told Flower Girl about it. Now ni musim haji and a few of my relatives and friends are going. Lagi terasa lak. Dok jalan2 seantero dunia, Mekah tak penah pegi lagi..huhuhu. Feel so bad pulak. Kalau mum tau, sure lagi dia nasi tambah, he he he. So camner, am a bit confused now. Last2 ni, sure tak ke mana2. To umrah, kena lepas musim haji nanti la... tahun depan la Insyaallah.

Alamak! Panjang la pulak posting ni jadik. Dari nak lepas geram je, konon satu para je... thats normal me la... in fact, kalau dibiarkan I can go on writing everything that is in my head now. Ni pun banyak I control macho dan tapis, buat mental screening. Kalau tidak satu dunia akan mengenali isi perut ku...mua ha ha ha.

Feel good now... Out of my chest dah, lega sikit. Masalah tu tetap ada, but sekurang-kurangnya I tak rasa tertekan sangat. Insyaallah I can manage and handle with care. Selalunya fitrah Kalambicara ni, risau je lebih, lepas tu kacang je... bak kata one of my seniors and roommate (for three semesters) masa belajar dulu, "You ni suka je risau, suka je nyusahkan diri, benda tak der ape. Lepas tu semuanya you boleh solve nanti. Tak faham I!" Yes, Kak Ju (Juliana Omar, formerly with Bernama, now with Petronas), I ingat tu. :)

Kalambicara is sigining off with high hopes that all will be settled and overcomed smoothly, Insyaallah.

Thats it!

Like I mentioned in my first blog dated 1 Oct 2007, I am known among friends at previous workplace as the "Lady of Principle" and friends during MBA days used to call me, "Miss Powerhouse" and these two names are synonym with me for quite some time.

My point... today I uphold these two names with dignity. Pantang I ialah bila seseorang tu boleh kata I macam-macam which are not true and exaggerated, straight to my face or behind my back, and I got to know it... jangan harap I boleh ketawa2 lagi dengan orang tu...Worst still, if that person(s) can tegur2 and talk to me like nothing happened before.

I am no hypocrite. How can I joke, have fun or even eat and be merry with you when earlier you said things so much about me. I know this is not about me personally but still it affects me and my well being. I will not forget. The wound maybe will heal but the scar will always be there. I reiterate: I can never forget. Can never erase it from my thoughts. It will be embedded in my mind. Yes, I am hurt. And, I will not forget those untrue things that you said to me especially on my work performance. Hello... how do you measure? I do not want to blame you but I do have all the justifications, reasons and evidences. Dare you tell lies...!

As a result to all these hulaboo... I just cannot make myself smile with you anymore, let alone to talk about things other than work. So, I made up my mind, not to join lunch as organised today. Honestly, I do not know the purpose of this luncheon, it was quite abrupt and out of the blues. Whatever, I just do not have the heart to go, thats all. Period. I have come to the point already. No regrets. No turning back. Come what may...

Kalambicara is a bit upset with some matters and words expressed by some people today...gtg

Dingin - Ziana Zain

Dingin malam yang menyelubungi
Hening sayu dalam hati
Berbicara bersendirian

Ku rasa resah
Selama dibuai rindu
Pada cinta yang terlalu
Terpendam di dalam khayalan

Kan ku leraikan impian indah
KepadaNya ku berserah
Mungkin tak daya
Ku tawan cinta yang sama

*chorus
Dinginnya getaran asmara
Sentuhan mula bermadah
Ku tak bisa juarai
Jiwa yang ku tak punya

Dinginnya bila kau berkata
Ruang buat ku tiada
Memoriku gengamilah
Biarkan aku beralah

Dalam hatiku tiada dendam
Walau impian semalam
Masih mekar dalam ingatan

Kan ku leraikan impian indah
KepadaNya ku berserah
Mungkin tak daya
Ku tawan cinta yang sama

oo hooo ooooo…

Kalambicara is suddenly feeling so cold... gtg now :(

Think & Act Like A CEO

This morning we had our weekly Operations Meeting. Due to the Raya holidays and all, we did not have the meeting for the last two weeks.

This meeting was chaired by the CEO himself and attended by all Heads of Departments (HODs) in our organisation. The main objective of this meeting is actually to allow HODs to bring up any issue direct to CEO's immediate attention and get the solution or feedback there and then.

Anyway, a meeting is a meeting lah.... so I guess you all know the process of a meeting. Am not going through the details here. Just that there was this one statement that I could not forget. The CEO said that we all, HODs, have to think and act like a CEO.

At that very moment, I smiled. Can I also earn an income like a CEO? How I wish...

Back at work after the meeting, I publicised one book available at KRC (Knowledge Resource Centre) via email to all members of the management. The title is 'Speak Like A CEO' by Suzanne Bates. Not long after, someone came to KRC and borrowed the book. Good.

Kalambicara is still smiling recalling the positive effect of the CEO's remarks.

Its My Day!

Today, 11 October, is my birthday, my day.

I started receiving birthday wishes since the last three days. Thanks a zillion to all for the wonderful thoughts.

So, what did I do on my day? Well, with my mum and sisters, we went to Mid Valley and The Gardens. I called this visit to shopping complex as my retail theraphy. It was really healing and I truly enjoyed and never had enough. Met my brother and his wife there and together we window shopped and had lunch.

My initial intention was to get a handbag, a perfume and a new facial care set. I have set the brand that I wanted. Anyway, am not going to reveal them here. My current Lollipop handbag is almost seasoned. My current perfume, Aigner Black by Etienne Aigner is almost at its last drop. So is my Glamourous by Britner Spears. And, lastly I need to act fast on the pores and wrinkles on my almost sagging face! :) Doesn't it look like I really need all these items? I do, right?

Talking about treating myself, in the end, I bought nothing. Reason, the brand of the handbag that I aimed for was not there. Have to go to either KLCC or Pavillion. As for the perfume and the facial care set, I was so frustrated when I compared the prices there with the ones I saw at the duty free in KLIA. I should have bought them during the promotion at KLIA before boarding the flight to KB during the recent Raya. Arrrggghhh!! Not only the prices differ, but the extras given in the package was so much attractive. So, being quite thrifty nowadays (as the economy too is on the downturn - blame it there!), I decided not to embark yet. Maybe I will wait till the Christmas Sale soon or on my next trip somewhere.

After Mid Valley and The Gardens, we went to an auntie's house in Putra Heights for a Raya gathering. Oh well... found the nasi dagang now... my auntie made nasi dagang with gulai ikan tongkol, kerutup ayam and gulai udang. Also theres nasi impit and kuah kacang and laksa. Yum yum yummy...

All in all, thats how I spent my day, nothing extraordinary this time but had a great time with my family. Btw, I am not sad or down or feeling emotional or lousy today. I am okay. Maybe this age is coming to me already, he he he. Accepting the fact of life, thankful to Allah swt that I am still alive and kicking. I am not upset even when I did not receive the one wish that I was earlier hoping for. It was understandable and I had already anticipated it. So, no hard feelings at all. I am happy. I had a simple day but a great one, today, on my birthday, with my loved ones i.e members of my family. Alhamdulillah.

Kalambicara is signing off while humming "Happy Birthday to me...happy birthday to me...!"

Ceria Beraya

Its now ten days of Syawal and many are still in the Raya mood. Me, still not had enough of the Raya food. Till now, I have not tasted the Lontong and Lodeh, Soto, Nasi Dagang, and the like yet. We celebrated the first three days of Raya here in KL and another three days in KB. We went back to KB not so much for celebrating Raya but more to celebrate a cousin's wedding i.e my Aunite Mo second son's wedding.

As I was still working on the eve of Raya, so not much baking was done this time around. I managed to bake only three types of cookies namely Biskut Mazola, Choc Chip Cookies and White London Almond, as compared to my usual six or seven types. For cakes, I baked one fruit cake, one orange cake and plenty of cupcakes with butter frosting. I only bought some pineapple and roselle tarts and some 'kuih batang buruk'. I did received a few containers of cookies from some business contacts as well, so that added to a few varieties on the coffee table. Oh btw I also prepared some toffee from the recipe given by Villas, my colleague. It was quite a favourite among those with sweet tooth. My mum made Nasi Hujan Panas (colourful rice) with Ayam Masak Merah, Dalca, Acar Mentah, Sambal and Kerutup Daging. Best giler! Also theres my mum's specialty and all time family favourite, the ketupat pulut kacang in daun palas. In addition, we bought some lemang and beef rendang. But, I forgot to snap photos of these food on the main table...hu hu...too busy entertaining...

Anyway, see the photos below for some of our Raya and wedding celebrations both in KL and KB this Syawal 1429H...

My mum, me, my uncle and his wife, at my house.

Replenishing the cupcakes, the hottest kuih raya...

With my uncle and cousin, all born in the same year!My mum (leaning against the wall), my sis, my aunties and a cousin.

The bride and groom (my cousin, Nik Nadzmen), at the bride's house.The newly wed, again, at the groom's house.

From the groom to the bride.

From the bride to the groom.

My mum, my sisters, my aunties, my cousins & an uncle, at the groom's house(my auntie's house) in Pasir Mas. Shes in white tudung.

My sis, my uncle and my cousin at my house... Namastee!

My mum's famous sweet ketupat pulut with black eye peas

(before being wrapped in daun palas).The ketupat pulut after being wrapped, ready for steaming. The dessert on the coffee table...

With my cousin, Farha, at my house.

Photos below are some 'kuih raya' that I made i.e self made, home made...

Choc Chip Cookies

Biskut Mazola

Cupcakes

Slices of Orange Cake

Slices of Fruit Cake

Toffee

Well... thats how I celebrated 1st of Syawal 1429H. It was tiring, but I had fun, especially being together with my siblings and meeting relatives. Travelling with my siblings was full of laughter. Took a flight with mum back to KB and traveled back to KL in a car, another sis of mine took the flight with mum. It will be too tiring for mum to be in a car for more than 8 hours. All in all, the last Raya enhanced our bonding and love for each other. Hopefully, next raya will be even better. Insyaallah.

Kalambicara is happy and contented now...

Salam Aidil Fitri 1429H

To all Muslim followers of my blog, heres wishing you "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri and Maaf Zahir Batin". To the rest of the readers, "Happy Holidays".

Andai ada tersilap bicara

Andai ada terkasar bahasa

Andai ada terguris rasa

Andai ada tercipta sengketa

Ampun dan maaf dipinta

May we all have a blessed and meaningful Eid this time around.

Salam Aidil Fitri from the bottom of my heart.

Kalambicara got to rush for some last minute prep...

Seatbelt Attraction

I am always amazed with kids... especially those less than a year old. They will be interested in EVERYthing and will try hard to catch hold and bite... yes...BITE... to taste, maybe.

Pix below is my beloved nephew Hasif Zahin bin Roshidi. They were captured three months ago when I visited him in Kemaman. It happened in the car and I was at the passenger seat. Watch and read the storyline...

1. The seatbelt really mesmerised him, a temptation he could not resist...

2. "I got it, I got it... the taste is fine with me..."

3. After being stopped by me... looking straight at me, nasib tak nangis!

4. And ... when I ignored him ... back to his attempt... very determined.

5. "Yum..yum...yummy...! At last I have tasted it, the seatbelt!"

Well... thats my nephew... 7 months old at that time. Hopefully, he'll grow up to read this blog and laugh his heart out. But, will I still be around then?

Kalambicara signing off with a mixed feeling now...

Warisan

Actually, I do not like to talk about whats in the news nowadays. I do not see the news value or news worthiness there anymore. Not like newswriting before... Its not that I do not know whats happening in the country and around the world. I do. But from various other sources, not so much from the mainstream media.

With whats happening in the country at present, I have this odd patriotic feeling. My mind goes way back during my orientation days decades ago in ITM, now UiTM. We were asked to sing this song over and over... and till now I can still recall the lyrics... and it really touch my heart every time I hum this song. For all ITM breeds out there, I guess you know this song well... The title, if I am not mistaken is Warisan:

Anak kecil main api
Terbakar hatinya yang sepi
Air mata darah bercampur keringat
Bumi dipijak milik orang

Nenek moyang kaya raya
Tergadai seluruh harta benda
Akibat sengketa sesamalah kita
Cinta lenyap di arus zaman

Indahnya bumi kita ini
Warisan berkurun lamanya
Hasil mengalir ke tangan yang lain
Pribumi merintih sendiri

Masa depan sungguh kelam
Kan lenyap peristiwa semalam
Tertutuplah hati terkunci mati
Maruah peribadi dah hilang

Kini kita tinggal kuasa
Yang akan menentukan bangsa
Bersatulah hati bersama berbakti
Pulih kembali harga diri

Kita sudah tiada masa
Bangunlah dengan maha perkasa
Janganlah terlalai teruskan usaha
Melayukan gagah di Nusantara (repeat 3x)

Kalambicara is thinking, "How 'bersatu' are we now... to be 'gagah di nusantara'!"

What is the time Mr. Tiger?

Believe it or not, it’s almost 4.30 am on Sunday, 14 September 2008 and I am still wide awake, doing office work!

As of now, I am not feeling sleepy yet. I guess I will wait till ‘sahur’ and the ‘subuh prayer’ before I take a rest. I am working using my laptop in front of the television downstairs. Upstairs, my sister, a final year Quantity Survey student, is wide awake too. She is finishing her thesis.

Actually, there was no intention on my part to do work at wee hours like this. But, since my sis requested me to accompany her (so that there is another soul awake in this house and not her alone at this odd hours), and I do have unfinished tasks, so here I am, active like a bat eyeing for food before daylight comes.

Earlier I was watching documentaries via the Astro channels, one after the other, until I got bored, thus switched to this laptop. And out of boredom too, drove me to updating this blog at present, between work.

(I know the remarks my mum will make if she later realizes what I am doing at this time. Well, she will say, “Jago male tengok tv ko, buak kejo ko, buleh pulok. Cubo kalu bangun dok baco Quran ko, semaye sunat gapo-gapo ko, lagi baik, tamboh bule-bule poso gini…”) Obviously you will know that we are Kelantanese.

Well, she has a point. Mum is always right… but….ermm… Never mind, I rest my case now.

Kalambicara needs to focus back on her work now…

Excruciating Pain or Pedih Menusuk Kalbu

For this particular post, I am writing in Bahasa Melayu (BM)... To those BM Experts out there, you may judge me and see how I score...

Pernah terdetik tak di hati kalian satu perasaan yang sayu dan hiba? Sayu sehingga menusuk kalbu. Bukan satu kesedihan yang nyata. Cuma satu perasaan yang membuatkan diri, hati dan perasaan terasa amat sebak, sayu dan hiba...

Sudah lama aku tidak mengalami perasaan sedemikian, tetapi malam tadi... perasaan itu menyinggah di hati dan sanubari... terasa benar... sehingga air mataku menitis membasahi pipi... tanpa disedari.

Mungkin dek banyak perkara yang bermain di benak fikiranku... dan tiada yang dapat ku luahkan melainkan kepadaNya jua. Pilu... amat pilu ku rasakan. Perit pun ada.

Titisan air mata dan kesayuan yang ku alami itu benar-benar memberikan satu keinsafan. Elok juga perasaan itu melanda diri ini. Sekurang-kurangnya aku berpeluang berteleku dengan lebih khusyuk mengadapNya dan berserah. Ku bermuhasabah. Hanya Dia yang mengetahui segala yang berlaku dan bakal berlaku.

Perasaan sebegini datang tanpa dipinta. Dia jua yang menjadikan ku dilanda badai kepiluan dan kesyahduan sebegitu. Dia yang Maha Mengetahui.

Aku pasrah. Aku redha. Aku sedar. Aku akur. Aku berserah...

Kalambicara needs to be alone now...

Flashback - Bali

I went to Bali during the recent Vesak Holiday in May. Since some of my friends complained that my blog is lacking pictures, thus here I am posting just some of the photos taken in Bali. I tried not to put those that has been posted by some of my friends in their blogs or Friendster or Facebook...whatever. So here are some of them... Apologies for no captions... lazy laa... Let the pictures speak for themselves...

I think I like Bali. I fell in love with Ubud, love the scenery of the paddy fields on the way to Ubud, love the Pasar Ubud and all the merchandise there, love the art galleries along the road (bought a piece myself - an abstract), love the creativity of the Balinese and am so amazed at their crafting skills. Also, impressed with their devotion towards their beliefs.

Deep in my heart, I have made up my mind... I would like to go to Bali again and specifically to Ubud. I want to rent a villa with small stream and a private pool and to wake up in the morning with the fresh air from the greens of the paddy fields and picturesque view of the paddy terrace... and my other half hugging me in the open balcony... (phew! what a dreamer I am, eh?)

Well, as they say... Life is but a dream... so a Dreamer I will be... :)

Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream

Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream

When I want you in my arms

When I want you and all your charms

Whenever I want you, all I have to do is

Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream

When I feel blue in the night

And I need you to hold me tight

Whenever I want you, all I have to do is

Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam

I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine

Anytime night or day

Only trouble is, gee whiz I'm dreamin' my life away

I need you so that I could die

I love you so and that is why

Whenever I want you, all I have to do is

Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam

Arhh...! This Everly Brothers song spontaneously comes to my mind every time I dream... and I have been dreaming a lot lately... really got to wash my face lah! Wake up! Wake up!

Kalambicara has to quit now or else I will be embarassing myself here...