Been hibernating

There's not much activity on this blog since end of last year. It's already February now, and I've yet to post anything on Seri Kepayang this year.

So this posting is a stop-gap measure.

What I have found out is that, if you lay off writing for a length of time, you will get a bit rusty

What have I been up to over the last few months? In so far as writing is concerned, I have been hibernating for the most part.

Otherwise, there was the family trip to the northern states and Langkawi in December.

The highlight of that trip must surely be the cable car ride up to the peak of Gunung Machinchang. Everyone in the family knows I am afraid of heights. But to keep my reputation intact, I put on a brave face, and went through with the ordeal.

Suffice to say, that would be my one and only visit up Gunung Machincang.

January went by very fast. I don't particularly remember anything big going on there.

And February, well, it is the month for Sambutan Hari Wilayah. Lots of programs to keep me busy at the office.

Keep well, folks.

Good morning 2012

Went to bed early last night and didn't wait to usher in the new year. I've never bothered to do so in the past. So this time, it's very much the same.

Woke up early and savoured the cool fresh morning air, and enjoyed the soothing view of our front garden from the living room. Subhanallah.

And what's more, Man United got whacked by Blackburn at Old Trafford last night. So it must be a happy new year indeed.

Good morning and welcome 2012.

Family Day @ Putrajaya Lake Recreation Centre

Our office held an enjoyable Family Day in Putrajaya last Saturday.

The venue was the Putrajaya Lake Recreation Centre in Precinct 13.

Nothing elaborate. There were some games for the kids but for the rest of the time people were free to do their own activities. Some did a spot of fishing, others took to the paddle boats while others went on a motorised boat ride.

The climax of the day was when food was served. Lots of ikan bakar, and lots more kambing golek (grilled lamb).

Swine flu hits UiTM Seri Iskandar

Syafiq’s campus at UiTM Seri Iskandar has been closed due to swine flu outbreak. At least 10 students have been tested positive with the flu.

So Syafiq is now with his Opah in Kampong Kepayang, safely away from the virus. He did complain of having a slight fever and a cold earlier this week. But alhamdulillah, he was cleared by an on-campus doctor as having just common cold.

Swine influenza virus is said to be very common throughout pig populations worldwide. But swine influenza was first recognized to be a disease related to human influenza during the 1918 flu pandemic.

The 2009 H1N1 form of swine flu is one of the descendants of the strain that caused that 1918 flu pandemic.

The H1N1 outbreak began in Mexico when it was first identified in April 2009. It led to the closing down of most of Mexico City’s public and private offices and facilities in order to contain its spread.

And, in early June, the virus spread globally. Malaysia is not spared, of course. Yesterday saw the first H1N1-related death in this country.

So everyone, please take extra to avoid being infected:

1. Practice good hand hygiene: wash your hands with soap and water often, particularly after travelling on public transport.

2. Use anti-bacterial hand gel: this is said to be better than using soap.

3. Use tissues: cough or sneeze into a clean tissue and throw it into a bin immediately.

Malang tak berbau

Had a riding accident last Thursday and broke the mid-metacarpal on my right hand. With the hand now cast in plaster, my ability to type at the PC is very much impeded. But otherwise I am on the mend alhamdulillah.

SMSPs School Reunion

Sekolah Menengah Sains Perlis hostel blocks and Industrial Arts wrokshop as we remember it back then

School Reunions are a happy occasion - especially when you've not had one ever since you left your Alma mater.

Since leaving Sekolah Menengah Sains Perlis 31 years ago (my gosh...is that how long since I left school?) I have never been to any reunion. That's because there were none. Not until a few years back.

But, if I was honest, it is also due to the fact that we seniors (I was from the second batch of students, we entered in 1974) were never really in the loop with former students who keep in touch with the school. Not that we were doing it on purpose of course. Call it ignorance if you like. Or (to make it sound better) let's just say that we were too busy - managing our companies, directing our departments, etc. etc.

To be sure, our fond memories of the school remains. As the saying goes "Tempat yang jatuh lagi dikenang...inikan pula tempat bermain". Or in this case, "tempat belajar"?

But this hiatus shall come to an end soon. Although the school's name now sounds rather weird to our ears (its name was changed soon after we left), many of us will re-connect with our old school again come 4th July 2009.

I wait for this date with bated breath. Haven't met many of my friends for more than 30 years!

Obama's first fumble in office?

Barack Obama has had to be sworn in as US president for the second time in two days. Apparently the US President – thought to be one of the most gifted orators to grace the White House – does have the butterflies after all.

But of course, being the most powerful person on earth, he won’t ever have to worry about getting the stick. Nope. The blame goes to Chief Justice John Roberts who was said to have “flubbed” while administering the oath during Tuesday's ceremony.

But I like the excuse given by the Chief Justice as to why a second swearing-in was necessary. It was mainly "out of the abundance of caution” he reasoned.

Now, that’s a lawyer for you…or more like loyar buruk?

Aidil Adha

Just got back from Ipoh.

We spent the Hari Raya break with Emak. All my brothers and my sister were there too, together with their family. All came back home to be with Emak.

It was an opportune time to do a majlis tahlil for arwah Apak.

We remember him, everyday. The sadness lingers. The memory lives on.

There were sadness too, this Aidil Adha, for a section of our community struck by tragedy at Bukit Antarabangsa. Our heart goes out to them for their loved ones lost in the landslide.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Adha.

Hypoglycemia

I was in Ipoh to visit my parents over the weekend. But on Tuesday night, just before maghrib, I dashed back to Ipoh again.

Emak was admitted to hospital due to a serious condition of hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia, or commonly called low blood sugar, happens when blood sugar level drops too low to provide enough energy for one’s body's activities. This happens when the level of glucose drops to about 3.0mmol/l and below. When Emak was admitted, her reading was already around 2.0mmol/l and she was almost unconscious.

Hypoglycemia can occur in people with diabetes who take certain medications to keep their blood glucose levels in control, which is the case with Emak. She was on an overdose of her medication and, to compound matters further, she had not felt like eating since the day before.

As someone with a sweet tooth myself (yes, I am fond of sweet foods) I have to be careful too. Diabetes lurks.

And, unfortunately, it runs in the family.

Exercising regularly, reducing fat and calorie intake, and losing weight are the three main steps for preventing the onslaught of diabetes. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. Easier said than done. But still.

Alhamdulillah my beloved Emak is now recovering. She is still weak. But otherwise she is alert and her appetite is back.

Computer being upgraded

Salam to everybody.

No posting this week. Computer being upgraded.

Also, I shall be away for a workshop in Melaka, and followed by a trip up north for my brother in law's (Iduan) wedding.

Have a good weekend. And enjoy the school holidays-cum-wedding season.

Oh! What a mighty tough presentation

Had a big presentation at work place today. It was for the procurement of the services of consultants.

To be sure, I was not expecting everything to go plain sailing. The grilling and bullying by tender board members are legendary. A feeling of tension and nervousness is bound to afflict even the not so faint-hearted ones amongst us.

But was I in for a shocker.

Yup. A shocker it was. Debates and arguments ensued. Fortunately, everything went right, towards the end. Well, almost!

Sure, I came out of the meeting room slightly bruised and battered. But, what’s more important is that I achieved my objective.

Back in my room I said my syukur. To unwind, I played music on my PC: Stairway to Heaven, by Led Zeppelin.

Ahh…what a life :-)

Malaysian teachers: there's still hope yet

Today is the last day of the school term for 2007. Parents all over the country with children in boarding schools were out in force making their way to these schools to fetch back their children.

With Anas, in Batu Kikir, being taken care of by a friend, I made my way to Kuala Kubu Bharu MRSM to collect Syafiq.

Before leaving the college, I stopped by at the administrative block to meet up with the college principal. She is the new principal, having just been transferred here since early of this month. So, my visit was partly a ‘courtesy call’ to get to know the new head. But it was also to discuss Syafiq’s running into trouble with the school authority – like any normal teenagers would.

As I approached the door to her room, I must admit that I was half expecting to be greeted by a matron-like, stern-looking grumpy old lady. You know, like the mean, cane-wielding teacher from the Lat cartoon character.

To my surprise, what I found was this mild-mannered lady who nevertheless exudes confidence as she speaks. She was a good listener, and it showed. For every time after I had finished my piece, she would give her views and comments, which just seem to hit the right notes.

Even on the issue of disallowing students to use hand phones in college – always a sore point for me, what with two of Syafiq’s hand phone already being confiscated – she managed to not irritate me with some feebleminded reasons I have heard before such as “hand phones encourages students to show of…bla, bla, bla”.

But what really impressed me was that she came across as being sincere. She also displayed something of a rarity among the current crop of teachers, which is a passion for teaching. Even though she is the principal, she told me that “saya tak suka dipanggil puan”. Saya lebih suka dengan panggilan cikgu, sahaja, sebab saya seorang pendidik. Teaching is my passion”.

When I asked for her phone number, she volunteered it without a moment’s hesitation. She even requested for my number. Later on, whilst driving back home, I received a phone call. It was the principal “just checking” to see if the number I had given her was correct. Now, how’s that for sincerity?

I know I have always had doubts with the ability of our teachers to truly “teach” our children in every sense of the word. Unlike those in the 1960s or even 70s, the current breed are merely salary earners. They lack passion, competency and, as a result, respect from students and the community at large. But my meeting with this madam principal has proven that there is still hope yet for the teaching profession – and more importantly, our children.

I am a happy parent for that. And just by the look on Syafiq’s face, I think this teacher has managed to convince him to be a better student. Here’s hoping to a better year in 2008, Syafiq. Together, with the support of your madam principal, let’s make sure that it culminates in an excellent result in your SPM, insyaALlah.

Post Raya blues

Just got back from kampong this afternoon in time for solat Jumaat at our local surau. The traffic on the highway today was smooth, thankfully. But wait till tomorrow, or this Sunday, and the balik kota traffic will reach its climax as people rush back in time for work on Monday.

The thing with balik kampong for Raya is that, no matter how bad a propspect it is to 'do battle' on the roads and highways, one has no choice but to join in the exodus.

This is not to say that one is forced into it. For there is always that nice thought and warm feeling of joining our parents, siblings and relatives for Raya to look forward to.

There will also be chances to catch up with old friends, and to engage in bersoreh with the elder relatives as I update our Buku Salasilah Keluarga. And of course there is the joy, laughter and merry-making by the children which is very infectious during the festive period.

And the food. Well...what can I say. I am pretty sure the term 'balanced diet' was never meant to go with 'Hari Raya'.

Caution goes to the wind as I gulped down plates of rendang (Mak's), lemang, ketupat and lots of sweet drinks and kueh (Mem Besar's jam tart...mmm). Enough to get my doctor to give me a good dressing-down when I see him during my next appointment -- IF he finds out, that is (wink, wink).

Alas, come Monday, it's back to work!

What a drag. I can just see Mem Besar pinching me out of the bed this Monday. And mind you she's got a mean of a pinch. Ouch!

Happy Hari Raya while Shawal lasts, but together, let's not forget to do puasa enam, okay.

Selamat Hari Raya

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri
Minal Aidin Wal Faizin

to all my friends, colleagues and visitors to Seri Kepayang blog
May ALlah grace us with the chance to greet Ramadhan again
next year

Azizi Hj. Ahmad Termizi
Kampong Kepayang Fair Park
Ipoh
Perak Darul Ridzwan