I finally got to watch Matrix Revolutions today. I was thinking of catching the movie in KL during the Raya break but I suppose the time would be better spent doing something else. We were doing some shopping in Chukai, Kemaman and stopped in one of the many VCD shops inside The Store shopping complex. Upon enquiries at the counter for new VCDs or DVDs, the lady at the counter produced a folder of VCD covers, those with ring binders. I'm sure ALL of you have come across such folders, either at the side of the road, at a night hawker stall or the weekly pasar malam. Saw the cover for Revolutions, asked whether I can preview it before buying. However, she didn't allow it so in a sort of a gamble for my hard earned RM6, I decided to buy it. Apologies to the Tan Sri Minister for Local Trade and Consumer Affairs as he had been working so hard to stop all these pirate VCDs but hey, the supply is there, so might as well, provide the demand, right?
So, I've done watching the film, understood what the Matrix is all about and bla bla bla. I came to think about something else after watching it. I remember my pre-fatherhood days when I would drag Awi to watch any new films at the Kuantan Megamall. She had to come against her will to watch movies such as Matrix Reloaded (which she fell asleep right through), Spiderman, Star Wars and other action films. I don't consider myself to be a movie buff but I just love watching a film inside a cinema hall, enjoying the Dolby Digital sound system and be mesmerised (or bored) for a couple of hours. Now, it's not so easy anymore. My other friends who became parents earlier that I did had warned me about this. Gone are the days of watching movies at the cinemas. It will be another 5 more years until I step into GSC or TGV. And many more warnings. Now, it is becoming a reality for me. I am going through what they went through early on.
But you know what? I don't really mind the change. Some people might say I am losing something. I suppose they are right. But I am looking from another angle, from the point of view of Third Newton's Law of Physics which states an action in one direction will result in a similar action in the other direction. Applying the same logic, I lose something, I will gain another thing. So what if I cannot go to a cinema again? I can always get a VCD/DVD and watch it at home. I won't substitute having a child of my own for just a couple of hours experience inside a cinemaplex. It's like what you learn in economics, about opportunity cost. So, the opportunity cost of having a child is I cannot so freely watch a movie at a cinema? That's not such a big thing to lose, don't you agree?
Life, in a way is like that as well. You lose some, you gain some. It's about finding the balance, the compromise. You ask any married couple, compromise is what ensures a marriage to work. You cannot be so selfish to just getting your own way, it just won't last for long. Life is all about compromise and the choices we make based on that compromise. If you just want things to go according to your requirements then nobody would want to have anything to do with you. You want to get some, then you must be ready to give some as well.
Saturday, November 15, 2003
Time Moves at Lightning Speed
It is already after midnight, so technically Haziq is five months old today, 15th of November. A lot had happen since that night at Pantai Medical Centre, hundreds of diapers changed, pints of milk fed, twice sick with fever and many 'disturbed' nights for Awi. Myself, being a typical father, fell a bit deaf when Haziq wakes up to be fed every night. However, so far I've been able to take it all in my stride. I suppose it is the process of growing up and evolving as a man, from a boy, to teenager, to young adult, and then a husband and now a father. It's just sometimes, I wish time won't move so fast so that all these moments can be enjoyed and cherished longer.
I realise time is relative according to the situation. If you're having fun, the moment suddenly just passes like that. But if you're in a boring meeting, the seconds seem to crawl along and you think you're stuck in a time warp. A friend of mine commented that I've been working here in Terengganu for four years now. Damn, four years already. That sure sounds like a long time in today's standard. I can still remember the first day I reported to work at EPEMSB. I recalled commenting to my friend, Reza that it's a bit weird at the company because a doa was recited every morning. We've never experienced such things before. Must be a Terengganu thing, hehehe. The things that seem to stuck in your mind all these while.
Nevertheless, the one thing I will always keep in mind and I know is so true in today's world is that change is the only constant thing. Reza is no longer here, he resigned and joined another company in KL. I've also changed jobs from the one I initially reported to here in Kerteh. I am also no longer a bachelor, now a husband and father. Things keep changing all around you and it is just something that needs to be handled and accepted.
More things will be changing soon. The year is ending and next year will hold either a better promise or a worse outcome. Whatever it is, the clock will always be ticking and time will move whether you like it or not. We just have to deal with what it brings into our lives as best as we possibly can.
I realise time is relative according to the situation. If you're having fun, the moment suddenly just passes like that. But if you're in a boring meeting, the seconds seem to crawl along and you think you're stuck in a time warp. A friend of mine commented that I've been working here in Terengganu for four years now. Damn, four years already. That sure sounds like a long time in today's standard. I can still remember the first day I reported to work at EPEMSB. I recalled commenting to my friend, Reza that it's a bit weird at the company because a doa was recited every morning. We've never experienced such things before. Must be a Terengganu thing, hehehe. The things that seem to stuck in your mind all these while.
Nevertheless, the one thing I will always keep in mind and I know is so true in today's world is that change is the only constant thing. Reza is no longer here, he resigned and joined another company in KL. I've also changed jobs from the one I initially reported to here in Kerteh. I am also no longer a bachelor, now a husband and father. Things keep changing all around you and it is just something that needs to be handled and accepted.
More things will be changing soon. The year is ending and next year will hold either a better promise or a worse outcome. Whatever it is, the clock will always be ticking and time will move whether you like it or not. We just have to deal with what it brings into our lives as best as we possibly can.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
An excellent setup
The department finally confirmed the leave that all of us will be taking during the Hari Raya holidays. It is always a sticky issue for us, every year during this period because everyone don't want to be on standby during a long holiday. Nevertheless, we are a service department for the whole company so it is imperative for us to provide the excellent service we profess to give. This time around, I decided to volunteer on this one day, where initially none of us wanted to come on. It is the 3rd Hari Raya and according to our plans, we would be in Awi's hometown of Bidor, Perak after spending first day of raya in KL at my parents house. I suppose it is a bit crazy because I will be literally criss crossing the peninsular of Malaysia from the West Coast to the East Coast within a span of 2 days. However, that is the decision of the management and for the sake of everyone, I'll just take up the challenge.
You see, throughout my short working life (more than 4 years now), the past one year and a half had been the most satisfying for me. I know there's a lot more years to go through, but I can confidently state that the times in ICM, EPEMSB was the best working years I will ever had. It is a small setup of 6 persons but the relationship and working environment is so much better than what I previously experienced. Foremost, I am doing something that I love, and even though it is full of challenges and hair wringing moments, but looking back, I don't regret leaving my previous position. The expectations is higher than ever, even today I got kind of a minor slamming by the boss but I see it as a challenge to do better. My current boss does a lot of coaching and tried to bring the best out of everyone. He challenges us a lot but I believe it is all for our own benefits. I also won't trade my workmates for anything. Am and Wan have both helped me in so many ways from day one and even though at times, other people would think that we're having a fight or something due to the volume of discussion, it was all friendly banter between us. The teamwork is just excellent and at times, the work does seem overwhelming. Like during the recent virus attack, we had to spend late nights at the office but we managed to do it all because I can see that all of us loved what we do. It's not because we had to do it but because we know that it's our responsibility. It is a pity that most probably next year, this excellent setup will be broken up due to some management decision which none of us can do much.
It is because of this I don't mind having to make certain sacrifices because I know I have gained so much during this one year and half. Giving a little of my time and effort would be the correct thing to do.
You see, throughout my short working life (more than 4 years now), the past one year and a half had been the most satisfying for me. I know there's a lot more years to go through, but I can confidently state that the times in ICM, EPEMSB was the best working years I will ever had. It is a small setup of 6 persons but the relationship and working environment is so much better than what I previously experienced. Foremost, I am doing something that I love, and even though it is full of challenges and hair wringing moments, but looking back, I don't regret leaving my previous position. The expectations is higher than ever, even today I got kind of a minor slamming by the boss but I see it as a challenge to do better. My current boss does a lot of coaching and tried to bring the best out of everyone. He challenges us a lot but I believe it is all for our own benefits. I also won't trade my workmates for anything. Am and Wan have both helped me in so many ways from day one and even though at times, other people would think that we're having a fight or something due to the volume of discussion, it was all friendly banter between us. The teamwork is just excellent and at times, the work does seem overwhelming. Like during the recent virus attack, we had to spend late nights at the office but we managed to do it all because I can see that all of us loved what we do. It's not because we had to do it but because we know that it's our responsibility. It is a pity that most probably next year, this excellent setup will be broken up due to some management decision which none of us can do much.
It is because of this I don't mind having to make certain sacrifices because I know I have gained so much during this one year and half. Giving a little of my time and effort would be the correct thing to do.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
I have one parenting skill!!!
It's not easy being a father, you know. You don't have that natural motherly instinct that most women seem to have from small. You see young girls playing with dolls, putting on clothes on Barbie and holding teddy bears as though they're babies. They have been training from childhood. Most boys prefer to pillage and destroy whatever toys being given to them. I, for one have fond memories of taking a screwdriver and dissecting a remote control car, just to get to the small motor inside it.
So once Haziq comes into our lives, Awi is the one that is like an expert, a natural, I would say. She said that she's been taking care of her many nieces and nephews since she was at primary school. How can you compete with that? A different strategy is needed, I said to myself. I tried to do all the baby-related tasks like changing diapers, preparing formula milk and bathing him once in a while. I suppose I could do these tasks fairly well but it's not something special or unique. Awi can do those tasks 10 times better than I ever could. It's not that we're competing or what, I suppose I want to do something of which I can be personally proud of.
And in the past few days I believe I've found it. You see, one thing about babies that I'm learning, is that as they grow up, their habits and moods also changed. If they are easy to handle at 2 months old, it doesn't mean they will be so at 5 months. Maybe they sleep fairly easy previously but then at a later age, they become increasingly difficult to put to sleep. And that is what we observe Haziq to be.
He likes to throw a tantrum when he's sleepy. Normally, if one is sleepy, he or she will just lie down and sleep straightaway. Haziq is a bit different. We know that he's sleepy but he won't go to sleep just like that. He will cry a bit and refuse to let his body rest. Now, this is where I discover my one parenting skill. I can put Haziq to sleep faster and easier than Awi could. I'll just hold him in my arms, his head resting on my right shoulder and by crooning "Glory, glory Man Utd", he will be in deep slumber within minutes. Great huh? You can say that I'm indoctrinating him from a young age with which football team to support when he's old enough.
So now, Awi will just hand Haziq to me if she's having some difficulty in getting Haziq to sleep. I suppose it's an acknowledgement from a mother, even though it is only that one skill I have been able to develop.....so far.
So once Haziq comes into our lives, Awi is the one that is like an expert, a natural, I would say. She said that she's been taking care of her many nieces and nephews since she was at primary school. How can you compete with that? A different strategy is needed, I said to myself. I tried to do all the baby-related tasks like changing diapers, preparing formula milk and bathing him once in a while. I suppose I could do these tasks fairly well but it's not something special or unique. Awi can do those tasks 10 times better than I ever could. It's not that we're competing or what, I suppose I want to do something of which I can be personally proud of.
And in the past few days I believe I've found it. You see, one thing about babies that I'm learning, is that as they grow up, their habits and moods also changed. If they are easy to handle at 2 months old, it doesn't mean they will be so at 5 months. Maybe they sleep fairly easy previously but then at a later age, they become increasingly difficult to put to sleep. And that is what we observe Haziq to be.
He likes to throw a tantrum when he's sleepy. Normally, if one is sleepy, he or she will just lie down and sleep straightaway. Haziq is a bit different. We know that he's sleepy but he won't go to sleep just like that. He will cry a bit and refuse to let his body rest. Now, this is where I discover my one parenting skill. I can put Haziq to sleep faster and easier than Awi could. I'll just hold him in my arms, his head resting on my right shoulder and by crooning "Glory, glory Man Utd", he will be in deep slumber within minutes. Great huh? You can say that I'm indoctrinating him from a young age with which football team to support when he's old enough.
So now, Awi will just hand Haziq to me if she's having some difficulty in getting Haziq to sleep. I suppose it's an acknowledgement from a mother, even though it is only that one skill I have been able to develop.....so far.
Cool!!!
I just created my photoblog. Just can't believe how easy these things are to set up. Anyway, if you want to see pictures of Haziq and Awi, please feel free to browse. Only put up 4 pics for the moment, more will come, believe me. Wonder if anyone can tell me whether there is a space restriction or not? :)
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Break in the middle of the week
One thing the expats in my company used to comment is that Malaysia is one of the countries in the world with the most public holidays. Tomorrow is a public holiday in Terengganu and some other states as well like Selangor, Pahang and Kedah, I think. It's to celebrate Nuzul Quran, which falls on 17 Ramadan, the day when the first verse of Quran was taught to the Prophet Muhammad by the the angel, Jibrail. Anyway, it is a break that is much needed even though I have only been working 3 days straight this week. :)
Today is Tuesday and I just LOVE Tuesday night. Why? Because on this night, every week, on AXN channel, at 9 pm, ALIAS comes on air. This series really kicks ass. For me, it is up there among the best series like The West Wing and 24. And Jennifer Garner is THE babe on TV at the moment, for me that is anyway.
A funny/frustrating thing happened today. A friend of mine is heading down to KL by air via the Kuantan airport. Since he's waiting for his brand new car to arrive straight from the factory, he hitches a ride to work this morning in my car, bringing his suitcase as well so that he can leave straight from the office. Just before he leaves the office on a taxi he came up to me to get his suitcase out of my boot. I gave him the car keys and then I sort of forgotten all about it because I had to go for a meeting. When it was time for me to go home, I suddenly realised the car keys are not with me. I gave my friend a call on his mobile and lo behold, he told me my car keys are on the way to Kuantan airport with him. I didn't know whether to be angry or to laugh. Anyway, I managed to get a ride on another friend's car and my car keys managed to find its way back to Kuantan via the taxi driver. So, it all ends well for everyone, except for my car which is stranded at my company's parking lot.
I'm not too angry with my friend because I had been in similar situations before, a few years ago. Don't want to elaborate much on my dark history, suffice to say it involves car keys, house keys and my father having to travel all the from KL to Terengganu.
I'm off to bed in a few minutes. Haziq looks so much better today. He doesn't cough as bad as yesterday and he rather enjoyed pinching parts of my face with his small cute hands. We will have more fun tomorrow since there's no work to go to in the morning!!!
Very bad cough
Haziq woke us up around 2 in the morning with his coughing. It sounded really bad. It is as though something is stuck in his throat and he wanted to get it out. It doesn't sound like the coughing he had a few months bad which is more pghlemy. This time around, it's rather dry and we felt really 'kesian' for him. We hold him up face facing down and tried to coax him to cough out whatever was inside his throat. Something did come out but not much. He's sleeping now and hope his sleep won't be disrupted till morning. Never realised that it's so tough for babies to take medicine. I suppose they're not used to the taste and so would just reject it totally. Previously it was easier but now Haziq is stronger and you can't just force the medicine down his throat, right?
Monday, November 10, 2003
Safety Culture
Pheww!! Just got Haziq to sleep on my second attempt tonight. He's a bit grumpy just now, most probably because he was coughing rather badly and that kind of disrupted his slumber. I gave him his medicine as well and boy did he hate it. He just screamed at the top of his lungs and for such a small person, he sure has a loud volume to turn on to. Hopefully, he will sleep better tonight.
Today I attended a safety reinduction program at the company. It's a compulsary thing for all of us and we need to attend it if we don't want to be interrogated by one of the GMs. Anyway, safety is a very important thing for us, as it should rightly be. Not just at the workplace, also on the road, at our homes and wherever we are. By right it should be a culture for us and we don't have to think about doing it, instead it should be second nature to us, like walking and breathing. It doesn't matter if you work on an oil rig or office room, accidents could happen to anyone at anytime. So, we just have to be aware and alert at all times.
During the training session, we were shown a video called Remember Charlie. It is a safety lecture by this one Charlie Morecraft who survived a horrendous chemical accident when he inflicted 50% burns on his body. He recalled in great detail how painful the treatment that he had to undergo and how at times he just wanted to die. The moral of the story is that we must not end up like Charlie and it is really a choice for us to make. You see, Charlie never really cared about his safety while working in a refinery in the US because he always believed that accidents always occur to the other person, it will never happen to him. Sometimes, we think that we are invincible and in fact, no one can avoid getting into accidents if he doesn't access and manage the risks that he would face.
I just had a close call a few days ago and this story kind of struck home with me. While driving on the road, if you are sleepy or tired, it is your choice to either push on or stop and rest until you are fresh enough to ride. Or while travelling with babies, you have the choice to either put him or her secured to a baby seat or hold him/her in your arms. It is all about choice and if you are not careful, that decision could haunt you for the rest of your lives.
Today I attended a safety reinduction program at the company. It's a compulsary thing for all of us and we need to attend it if we don't want to be interrogated by one of the GMs. Anyway, safety is a very important thing for us, as it should rightly be. Not just at the workplace, also on the road, at our homes and wherever we are. By right it should be a culture for us and we don't have to think about doing it, instead it should be second nature to us, like walking and breathing. It doesn't matter if you work on an oil rig or office room, accidents could happen to anyone at anytime. So, we just have to be aware and alert at all times.
During the training session, we were shown a video called Remember Charlie. It is a safety lecture by this one Charlie Morecraft who survived a horrendous chemical accident when he inflicted 50% burns on his body. He recalled in great detail how painful the treatment that he had to undergo and how at times he just wanted to die. The moral of the story is that we must not end up like Charlie and it is really a choice for us to make. You see, Charlie never really cared about his safety while working in a refinery in the US because he always believed that accidents always occur to the other person, it will never happen to him. Sometimes, we think that we are invincible and in fact, no one can avoid getting into accidents if he doesn't access and manage the risks that he would face.
I just had a close call a few days ago and this story kind of struck home with me. While driving on the road, if you are sleepy or tired, it is your choice to either push on or stop and rest until you are fresh enough to ride. Or while travelling with babies, you have the choice to either put him or her secured to a baby seat or hold him/her in your arms. It is all about choice and if you are not careful, that decision could haunt you for the rest of your lives.
Sunday, November 09, 2003
Great Company
We had another fast breaking party today and it was our turn to host it. Awi cooked a wonderful meal of mee rebus and I'm sure everyone enjoyed every bit of it. This year we decided to have a round robin of berbuka puasa among a group of friends/colleagues. The first one was held at J's place in Rantau Bukit, after that Shai/Am/Junai held a record-breaking break fast and yesterday Sitizud held a combined party with Azian. Ours concluded this year's round robin and I have to admit, it was a total success. Not everybody could join everyone's party but it kind of provided an excellent outlet for socialising outside the normal working environment. A round of applause to the co-organisers, Shai & Azian. (Clap! Clap!)
One thing I see about this kind of gathering is that it's not just the food and drinks. It's the company that each of us provided, an opportunity for us to learn more about our friends, joke around and basically to enjoy each other's presence. I used to have a lot of this experience while studying. It doesn't matter that it's the same old bunch of faces, it is just never boring for us to hang out with. It's difficult when you're working and married to get such occassions. Of course, there are those that go to the golf range or courses to meet people but it's just not the same to the tension releasing moments of just sitting around, talking and yakking yourself away. I suppose women do this on a frequent basis but I guess us men also need similar releases.
Among the group that came to the house today, I believe there is one budding relationship in the works. My sixth sense is not so well honed anymore but I think Awi also concur with me on this. It's kind of cool to see such things, reminds me of the memories when I was also courting Awi and being in the same sort of position. Such exhilirating and exciting moments, indeed!! Maybe another young married couple will be on the way soon...just watch this space.
Haziq is not feeling well today. He developed a cold a couple of days ago and today he began coughing. I have also started having running nose and sore throat, definitely got it from Haziq. We do pity babies when they fall sick because they don't know how to deal or communicate what they are feeling. For instance, we can easily blow our noses hard to clear it but how do we teach a baby to do the same thing? It's not easy but it is just something that we need to deal with.
PS: The hot topic in Kerteh at the moment is that the first ever McDonald's restaurant in Terengganu has just opened up, right here in this town. In fact it's just 3 mins walk to it from my house. Kerteh is on it's way to becoming a cool place to be in......maybe not yet!!!
One thing I see about this kind of gathering is that it's not just the food and drinks. It's the company that each of us provided, an opportunity for us to learn more about our friends, joke around and basically to enjoy each other's presence. I used to have a lot of this experience while studying. It doesn't matter that it's the same old bunch of faces, it is just never boring for us to hang out with. It's difficult when you're working and married to get such occassions. Of course, there are those that go to the golf range or courses to meet people but it's just not the same to the tension releasing moments of just sitting around, talking and yakking yourself away. I suppose women do this on a frequent basis but I guess us men also need similar releases.
Among the group that came to the house today, I believe there is one budding relationship in the works. My sixth sense is not so well honed anymore but I think Awi also concur with me on this. It's kind of cool to see such things, reminds me of the memories when I was also courting Awi and being in the same sort of position. Such exhilirating and exciting moments, indeed!! Maybe another young married couple will be on the way soon...just watch this space.
Haziq is not feeling well today. He developed a cold a couple of days ago and today he began coughing. I have also started having running nose and sore throat, definitely got it from Haziq. We do pity babies when they fall sick because they don't know how to deal or communicate what they are feeling. For instance, we can easily blow our noses hard to clear it but how do we teach a baby to do the same thing? It's not easy but it is just something that we need to deal with.
PS: The hot topic in Kerteh at the moment is that the first ever McDonald's restaurant in Terengganu has just opened up, right here in this town. In fact it's just 3 mins walk to it from my house. Kerteh is on it's way to becoming a cool place to be in......maybe not yet!!!
Very Close Call
We got into an accident yesterday afternoon, well I was the guilty party because I was the one behind the wheel. I must've drove through that road from Kerteh to Paka, a thousand times, but somehow the traffic light presence just wasn't registered in my mind yesterday as were were travelling to the town of Paka. It is the first traffic light in Paka when you come from the Petronas Petrochemical industrial area. It was definitely a red light. My wife confirmed it immediately. A green large crane was coming from the left junction into the main road. I saw it at the very last moment and managed to swerve to the right and just slammed on the brakes. But I was too fast and to avoid hitting any cars, I went up the kerb where the traffic light pole stood and the car just stopped in its tracks.
It was a miracle. Allah must have wanted us to survive this experience. Luckily we were not hurt. Haziq was also sitting in front with Awi, and if I had hit anything, the impact would have affected him worst. I reversed the car quickly and stopped on the side of the road. My legs were trembling like jelly and according to Awi, my face was pale and white with shock. Upon checking the car, there were actually no major damage and it can be driven as normal. Another miracle. I thought the car would be damaged quite badly after such an incident.
This event really made me realise how fragile and how fast things could change our lives. If I had been slower to react or if Awi didn't warn me quick enough, (shudder) I couldn't imagine what would happen. As I hold Haziq in my arms, I am thankful to Allah for protecting us. There was no other force that could've done so.
My company has been promoting road safety all these while to the staff. It is actually what we call the Golden Rules of Safety and driving is one of the rules. We just have to be 110% alert on the road, no matter what. It was just a momentarily lapse of concentration and look what happened. We were just lucky to survive and I don't know what I would do if anything had befallen my family due to my own mistake.
Again, Alhamdulillah to Allah....
It was a miracle. Allah must have wanted us to survive this experience. Luckily we were not hurt. Haziq was also sitting in front with Awi, and if I had hit anything, the impact would have affected him worst. I reversed the car quickly and stopped on the side of the road. My legs were trembling like jelly and according to Awi, my face was pale and white with shock. Upon checking the car, there were actually no major damage and it can be driven as normal. Another miracle. I thought the car would be damaged quite badly after such an incident.
This event really made me realise how fragile and how fast things could change our lives. If I had been slower to react or if Awi didn't warn me quick enough, (shudder) I couldn't imagine what would happen. As I hold Haziq in my arms, I am thankful to Allah for protecting us. There was no other force that could've done so.
My company has been promoting road safety all these while to the staff. It is actually what we call the Golden Rules of Safety and driving is one of the rules. We just have to be 110% alert on the road, no matter what. It was just a momentarily lapse of concentration and look what happened. We were just lucky to survive and I don't know what I would do if anything had befallen my family due to my own mistake.
Again, Alhamdulillah to Allah....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)