Home Sweet Home

We're back in KL now, drove down from Kerteh at 6 am and reached the city around 11 am. The streets were jam packed with cars, as expected. Ultimate patience was needed but I was up to it and we reached my Bangsar home around noon after manouvering through Kenny Hills and the Damansara interchange.

The last time I was in KL was about 2 months ago. Being back to my hometown of Bangsar really made me realise how much I missed being here. I was born here in Bangsar and I've been living here until I was 17, when I left for further studies in the UK. Driving around the neighborhood gave me a sense of belonging and I sort of reminiscience to various things I did here years ago. The place where I played video games without the knowledge of my parents and the location where my bike was stolen. The McDonalds where I used to hang out while doing Geography questions preparing for my SRP. And many more memories just came gushing in. The place is busier now, with more shops and cafes on every corner but I just loved the area and wished I can be here forever.

I went for terawih prayers at the local mosque, Masjid Abu Bakar As-Siddiq in Bangsar. I basically grew up here, went for afternoon religious classes from the age of 6 to 12 and had been involved in various activities such as Khemah Ibadah. I once considered it to be my second home but as the years gone by, my visits there have been reduced to the occasional Friday prayers. Rather sad about it but I'm too far away to make frequent visits there.

Anyway, there was a khatam quran session for those involved in the tadarus (reading of Quran) throughout the fasting month. Abah is a participant so we all went for the session followed by the breaking of fast at the mosque. After terawih prayers, there was a sort of a quiz conducted by the mosque and the questions were related to Islamic history and knowledge on the Quran. It was quite a fun session and I realised how much I didn't know about the area. Didn't manage to answer any questions correctly but totally enjoyed the time.

Our time in KL is limited, only until the afternoon of first Hari Raya. I intend to make the most of it by spending time with my siblings and just being in the house. There's just no place like home. Despite the fact that at the moment, I'm based in Kerteh, it doesn't mean that I cannot enjoy the home in which I grew up in.

Friendship

It's the last day of work before the break for Raya. Most of us will be travelling on the road or air during this festive so we need to ensure the safety of yourselves and your beloved ones as well. Anyway, I'm a bit stricken for time so maybe this will be short one.

I just want to touch on something I consider is very important in our lives, friendship. Friends are those that we care for in health and in sickness and those that we can count to be there when we need them. I don't have many friends but for those few, I really know that they can be counted on whenever I require their help or support, likewise, vice versa. A couple of my good friends are sort of 'feuding' at the moment. I've told them not to prolong this matter but who knows whether they'll listen to me or not. Nevertheless, I just hope they'll get over it soon because in a place like this, they're not many friends to hang out with. So, those few people we have, we want them to be comfortable with each other and not be uneasy.

Anyway, gotta go now. Have to do a lot of packing tonight!! Off to KL we go tomorrow morning.

Chiro Flashback: Fasting in Europe

This shall be the first among many blog entries on the many experiences I had during my student days in London. To me, the period between Jan 1994 to July 1999 was the defining moment in my life. I suppose I really grew up during that time. There were many lessons in life from that 'age', some bad but a lot of them good. Why the name "Chiro"? Well, I used to live with four good friends; Bik, Farouk, Chaks & Basheer in a 3-room apartment which used to be a Chiropractor clinic somewhere along Edgware Road, in the middle of Central London. So, we called ourselves "Chiros". It's just something for us to define ourselves by and one the many names, my good friend & room mate, Farouk created. (Guys, remember Red Nose Reindeer, Ting, ABG, Braecol and Durian & Monyet?) I believe all of them would agree that the time spent there was THE best times ever. And if not, I definitely believe so. Since coming back from the UK, I've shared among a close group of friends two articles revolving the topic of living as Chiros. I am owing them one article this year, which I promised to send by April Fool's Day every year but it has been such a hectic year. Nevertheless, better late than never, so here goes boys. Enjoy the walk down memory lane...

It is less than a week to Hari Raya and so Ramadan, the fasting month is fast coming to an end. I remember how torturing fasting used to be as a young boy. The days seemed to crawl oh so very slowly and I just couldn't stand the heat. Now, I feel as though I don't want the month to end, it's kind of cool to just have one main meal per day even though I don't think there's much reduction on my overall BMI. However, in the past few days, I have been going through my mental records, recalling the days of fasting while in London. There are many experiences such as breaking fast (iftar) during lectures with a chocolate bar, iftar with the Muslim community in my college and tirelessly explaining to the Mat Sallehs what fasting is all about. However, three events stood out from the 6 Ramadan's I went through there.

Firstly was going for terawih at Malaysia Hall. Every night, the Malaysian community held a terawih session and it was a good opportunity to come together. Most of the congregation were students of course and some of the many Arabs living in that area. Our apartment was just a 10 minutes walk from Malaysia Hall, so we always try to pray terawih there. One image which stood out in my mind was Farouk walking in the freezing cold from the apartment to the Hall wearing a kain pelikat. I can't imagine how many people must have stared at him that night. But then Farouk was one who would do all these funny things and we adore him for that. Another main attraction about terawih was the 'MORE' (meals after prayers). Man, on this one month, the food was really, really good. The sponsors didn't really hold on the budget for that month. Us students didn't really care, it was excellent and free food, what more can a money-stricken student in London ask for? Hey, we were living in Central London okay where the rents were sky high.

Second total recall was during the Ramadan in my third year, final year for Farouk and Chaks. I think it was in Jan 1998. For some reason, Farouk suddenly became quiet and subdued, unlike his normal bubbly self. People that knew Farouk at that time would describe him as an ever-grinning, funny, vertically-challenged and never serious guy, except during exam season. He's more serious nowadays but on some rare moments when we meet up, I could see those traits are still there. So, when Farouk wasn't talking anymore and just gave smile when we talked to him, of course we were very much concerned. Bik and I held a theory that he was TAKEN by aliens, replacing inside him with another being, he was THAT different. There was once, he quietly went to the Halal Fried Chicken take away further up the Edgware Road without telling any of us. When he came back, he ate the meal alone quietly inside his 'brothel'. We were quite stunned because it was just never done before. Usually we would go together and he knew that we didn't buy any food yet. That was just a funny experience to remember. A few days later, he wrote an email to all of us explaining the reason which was that he will be going back to Malaysia at the end of the academic year while most of us would still be in the UK studying. I think I can understand his fears and concerns at that time, I would become an alien too if the same things went through my mind. Today, we're still good friends even though I don't have the luxury to spend a lot of time with the guys like Farouk, Bik, Mukhriz & Chaks. I very much want to but I have to compromise between family and friends. But they will always be like brothers to me.

The final recall was the time when I inter-railed with Bik from Spain to Morrocco and back with a stopover in Portugal. I believe it was Dec 1998 and also in the fasting month. Never knew why I agreed to such a hair-brained idea by Bik to travel at that time, I lost so much weight some people didn't recognise me. The conditions wasn't really favourable, freezing cold and windy but we survived to tell the story. We almost got tricked by a hustler in Tangiers, Morrocco but Bik saved the day with his stubbornness. I ate a half of delicious roasted chicken (there must be something with me & chicken) in Casablanca and oh yes, who can forget the breaking of fast in Marrakesh when a couple of Moroccan guys offered dates & sweet cakes to us?

I need to say this. The situation before the beginning of the journey wasn't really conducive for myself & Bik and I was seriously contemplating to cancel the trip. But we've paid a lot for the inter-rail and bus tickets so what to do? My own mind was somewhere else and I suppose I was kind of an ass to Bik during most of the journey. But he's a great friend and was always patient with my antics. Bik, remember the acting/role-playing session I did inside the hotel room in Rabat or Casablanca? Truly sorry for that, man. Hehehehe. A lof of other things happened on that journey. I left my jacket on a train and it was sub zero in Spain at that time. I even fell sick but I got my beloved jacket back. Staying in cheap hotel rooms with no hot water. Happening night life in Marrakesh with shows and food stalls. Bik also almost didn't get into Morocco because of some visa issue but luckily it was the immigration's officer fault. Stupid Spanish guy. It was an unforgettable journey and all of it was done during the fasting month.

So, there you have it. It's amazing that all these events are still clear as though you went through them yesterday. It's good to remember the past but you don't have to live in the past. You can learn a lot from history, even your own life's. To all my Chiro mates, have a happy fasting month. Next, Hari Raya in London.

P/S: Wanted to scan the hari raya greeting card we printed with our group picture at Marble Arch, but couldn't find it lah. I have put some pictures in my photoblog, do browse there for pictures of men when they were just boys.

Golden 15 minutes

I would like to thank my wife Awi. She always wanted the best for me and Haziq, I suppose it is a natural instinct a wife and mother has. Yesterday she reminded me about something, which I guess most people don't think as a lot but perhaps in the long run will do myself and Haziq much good. You see, nowadays Haziq wakes up around the time we're preparing to go to work. And if he's in good health, we noticed that he is in such a good mood. Not like some babies who will wake up crying, Haziq will give the most beautiful smile and you can see that he is very happy. Awi told me that if I am not there to experience this moment of 'good mood' then I might lose it forever because such times will not come by again. Who knows how Haziq will be when he grows up. I mentioned earlier that babies characters change as they grow older so we'll never know what to expect. The journey is through uncharted paths for us so might as well you take note of all the beautiful sceneries along the way because you may not come by the same road again. These periods of "Golden 15 minutes" must be cherished and treasured. So, thank you again, Awi.

PS: Came across by youngest brother's blog today. Ucop, kenapa tak bagi tahu awal2. Anyway, it's kinda cool and do continue blogging. Now I know why you're speaking in French. :)

To Know or Not To Know

Innggerland!! Innggerland! Innggerland! Better get that out of the system first. For those who are unaware, England just qualified into the final of the Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia. They will play the host sometime next week. Hehehe, talk about being a true fan, can't even remember the date of the final match.

It's Sunday again and over here we work on the weekend. It's the practice since a long time ago because it is encouraged for Muslims to 'beribadat' on Fridays as it is the holiest among the days in a week. However, other places in Malaysia doesn't practice, except for 2 other states. So, we're stuck with it, but as the saying goes, "When in Rome, you act like a Roman".

I look forward to Sundays because Smallville comes on air tonight. Not many of my friends watch it but I know a few who followed it like loyally, like my brother Cu. We can even have an intellectual discussion on a particular episode, we're that big a fan. (To view pic of Cu, do visit my photoblog). Anyway, one thing that I like about the series is, besides for Kristin Kreuk's deep eyes, is the relationship between young Clark Kent and the elusive Lana Lang. It's the sort of cat and mouse game between a boy and girl who know that they like each other very much but just couldn't take that one step towards expressing their feelings to one another. I'm sure many people had gone through such an experience.

I, myself had been in those situations myself. The normal procedure for a relationship to blossom is boy meets girl, they get to know each other formally. After that, they get closer and the getting to know becomes more personal. They might spend more time with each other and in today's world, it could be in virtual space and real space. Feelings start to develop but neither are willing to tell the other person, afraid of rejection. Nobody likes to be rejected or unwanted. So, sometimes lost opportunity will not come by again anymore. This could go on and on forever, until someone takes a deep breath and just tell the truth about his or her feelings. And if the other party expresses the same, Wow, the excitement just cannot be described in words. It is the best feeling and having gone through those experiences before, I have to say that one of the best part, is when you're uncertain or not sure whether the other person likes you back or not. You might call her at night to bid her goodnight or have a chat in the middle of the night under the stars. Maybe, there's the customary daily good morning wish to one another via email. I tell you, this part is one which I really enjoyed. Not that I want to do it all over again, once is enough I suppose but watching Clark and Lana play the same game week in week out, just makes my heart light all over again.