Merdeka..!!!

Personally, I don't feel the joy (or the heat) of "merdeka" celebration this year. I am not sure if anybody else has the same feeling as mine. It may be true though as our local newspaper has published on how our Minister has blotted his concern (or his anger) over the situation. I found the joke published then was partly true. We have been surprised by the increment of the gas price quite severely. No joke, 3 times in a year. And honestly speaking, my car needs RM110.00 to fill the tank compared to RM80.00 before the last increment. Well, Govt may have solid reasons anyway. However, if it is really the reason of the sour response from the public of our merdeka celebration, does the Govt need to get angry with us?

Hmmm... It could be yes & no. Simply because of one question that I ask myself; what will you do if you are the PM? And the answer could be, I may be doing something worse than that. Instead of 3 times a year, I may increase it 5 or 6 times a year... LOL.. Not only that, I may increase 50 cents at one time, not 5 cents and not 10 cents... :)...

By the way, back to our merdeka fiesta. Are you gonna be part of the shouters? Then, go back early from work as the roads are gonna be very hectic tonite. As for me, like last year, I may be shouting from the boot of my car together with my naughty kids & my sweet Alex (tak bley dis year...).

I relate "merdeka" with my true blue feeling whenever I walk across the horizontal escalator in KLIA... Such a huge airport. I always feel proud for being Malaysian.

Last but not least, what "merdeka" really means to you? Whatever it is, let's shout... Merleka.. Merleka.. Merleka.. Opppsss... Let's shout properly... Merdeka..!.. Merdeka.. !.. Merdeka.. !

Film Makers Are In The Making...

I can't help but to admire this piece of art from Azwar. This is what his siblings & him will do when opportunities are given to use either video recorder or camera.

I don't really let them use as they like for both of the toys are rather fragile. More to it is that, I know I can't afford to have a replacement if it crashed. Anyhow, being kids, they will beg for it all the way especially when the toys are new & they have not got any newer toys of their own. At times I will give in & let them crash it. Of course with non-stop nagging either from their mom or me :).

Well, as you might have thought, they will snap whatever comes into their path namely, remote control, cartoons that are showing on tv, sandals, their own legs & fingers, their nose, their funny face, kitchen, fridge, toilet bowl, sofa, etc, etc. I dare not share those pics with you guys as some of them are censored :).

Among them, I like this one. My house becomes their studio at times. This is proven with the scattered peripherals, beautiful murals, torn sofa, etc. Hmm.. They are really the future film makers. The horror story perhaps... :)...

Anis Awadah...

When I reached home yesterday, it was about 8pm at nite. First thing I noticed, Awadah was not feeling well at all. I placed my back hand on her forehead, hmm.. not really hot. Subsequently, I placed my hand under her chin covering her neck. Not really hot. However, she was coughing quite bad. According to Alex, she has given Awadah Panadol Syrup. Awadah likes it anyway, including her brother Adam. Both took it :).

And as usual Awadah will stick herself to me probably wanted to leverage her warm with me. Or most probably, she is so comfortable with my bulgy belly that will surely give her warmer welcome :). I then positioned my armpit over her head. In theory, I think it will somehow absorb the heat from her head faster :). But most of all, I just wanted to make her as much comfortable, make her feel loved & cared. And believe me, that will cure her pain tripple the medicine's healing speed. Overall, her condition wasn't that bad.

At about 9.30pm I have to leave the house for I have promised a friend from Kota Bharu to meet him in Bangi to discuss about our multi-million dollar project, "Bela Ikan Puyu" or scientifically named as "Anabas testudineus".

"Ayah balik lambat la tu... Takmboh (Terengganu-speak, 'tak nak' in bahasa baku) kawan ngan ayah..."

That was her remark. When I came back at about 12 midnite, she was already in not-so deep sleep. Her condition was like worse... She was panting in her sleep and coughing in interval. I shifted her head & the upper part of her back onto the pillow so that she can breathe a little bit easier. I slept while hugging her. We were separated by the "bantal peluk kelkabu" for I am scared my bulky legs will make her breathless once again. She was OK through out the nite except she cried twice somewhere at 3 or 4 am and 5 or 6 am. After I rub her back, knead her neck a little bit, she went back to sleep.

I have sent her to clinic this morning & nothing severe as advised by Doctor. She is sleeping when I called her just now. Too bad, she could not join her brothers for a picnic with their Auntie (Alex's elder sister).

Wish to see her smile again this evening...!

Tradisi Belah Mulut Bayi...

Hari ni genap 8 hari Anis Atheefah berada di dunia yang fana ini. Dan dia asyik tidur je. Merengek bila lapar susu atau "berak". Mungkin Tok dia kat kampung tak henti-henti berdoa supaya Atheefah berada dalam keadaan baik dan jugak berkelakuan baik.

(Tok Atheefah ada tepon Ayah Atheefah 2 hari lepas... Kantoi, Ayah Atheefah duk kat kedai kopi pada pukul 10 malam. Ishk... Tak pe Ayah Atheefah dah cover sambil tanya khabar Tok Atheefah...)

Berbalik kepada topik kita kali ni, ianya tradisi bagi Mak & Ayah Alex. Selalunya diorang ada melawat. Memandangkan Mak Alex tak sihat sangat sekarang ni, diorang tak dapat datang la. Selalunya, genap tujuh hari baby, Ayah Alex akan buat upacara ni... Biasa la suami Alex jarang dapat lalui pengalaman tradisi ni. Sama ada duk tempat kerja atau kat padang golf. Tapi petang semalam Alex ingatkan untuk jalankan upacara tradisi ni.

Alex : Hari ni genap tujuh hari Atheefah.. (Sambil tersenyum...)
Me : :-).. (Tak paham maksud sebenar Alex)
Alex : Buat belah mulut la...
Me : Nak pakai apa? (Tahu la bukannya ngan pisau ke apa ke...)
Alex : Pakai madu la... Madu ada tu...
Me : OK...

Oleh kerana terkasima ngan kelajuan download Streamyx yang baru diinstall, terlupa plak nak buat petang semalam... Tapi malam ni sure buat...

Biasa tak ngan tradisi ni? Cuba share skit... Tapi belah mulut baby je tau... Kes belah mulut suami atau isteri atau kekasih tak masuk buku... :)

Special Appearance... :)

Just a little updates... Being busy with a lot of things... Office, etc... Ngan baby tak de la busy sangat.. :).

Pictures - Not so in order...

Pic 1

A special appearance of a proud father of five :)... (Proud tapi 2nd day dah ada kat padang golf.. Alex hanya mampu senyum... Dah nama pun Crazy... Ishk...)

Pic 2

Masa discharge, Alex sempat bergaya ngan kain batik dan t-shirt volleyball.. Rasa2nya, duk adjust tali maternity pad kut... :)....

Pic 3

Ramai la plak nak posing ngan baby ni... Baby buat dekk je la...

Pic 4

Baby yang sentiasa nyenyak... Cuma sekali sekala mata berkedip tak tahan lampu flash kut..

Detik 12 Malam...!

(Finally managed to load the pic. Alex was in pain, be patient Dear; while baby was deep in sleep)

=========================================

The most awaiting moment has finally arrived... A cute baby girl has made its appearance on earth for the very first time.Yeah...!!! Anis Atheefah is the name to be....Well, I am not gonna brag a lot now. It's 2.30am my dear friends. I got a lot of things to do in a morning. Thus, I need a little sleep anyhow...I am updating this at this very hour to fulfill a special request from Alex to all her well-wishers. She felt less pain this time compared to the previous ones. She quoted that (before she really push the baby out), this must be due to the "doa" from her friend-bloggers...Overall, the baby & the mom are in good condition. Of coz, I saw Alex was putting extra effort to subside the pain.
Statistical Data:
Time of birth : 12.32am
Date of birth : 12th. August, 2005
Weight : 3.65kg

p/s - My few attempts to load the pic failed... I give up.. Too sleepy to try.

Jam terus berdetik...!!!

(I may look bias to my boys, the girl's pic seems clearer... No.. Not at all... Coz, all the pics taken before have gone with crashed Hard Disk)

=====================================

Through out morning, my mind is always on Alex. Atheefah is showing very little sign of making an appearance. Or rather she is in the midst of making a surpirse come-back?!!!

However, my brief conversation with Alex just a while ago has put me back into standby. The pain comes & go more often. I have reminded Alex to update me in sequence with the pain frequency. I would guess if it is not tonite, it will be early morning on 12th. August. Is anybody sharing this date? To the fact that 10th has turned Akuro down, so sorry. Came to know, 11th. is Delinn, still got hope :).

Hmmm.. As of now, I am wondering whether my 2 kids have come back from school as Govt has instructed schools to close shop for 2 days... The hazy condition has turned from bad to worse today. Hopefully, the mask I bought last nite will help the 2 kids.

I will come back with Picture 5 very soon... :)

Penantian Itu Suatu Kebahagian Dalam Penyeksaan...

Today is 10th of August, 2005. Atheefah is due to arrive on earth. Ironically, there were no glaring signs yet... Hmmm...

Atheefah, come to Ayah please... :)

Before I leave to office this morning, I rub Alex's belly to check the condition of Atheefah... No movement or what not... Alex said, "tido lagi tu...". LOL...

I am on standby anyway... 40 minutes drive from office will hopefully give Alex time to call me when the pain started to penetrate.

Let's wait....

Golf & Woman Are Associates?

Hi.. I am trying "trebuchet" font now.. Hmm.. Not bad...

By the way, for the interest of Alex's blog friend, she is still waiting for Atheefah... She is still with her false alarm... While waiting for her delivery.... :)

Well, I have played golf for 3 donkey years now... Everybody seems to relate golf occassion with woman. I do not know how far it's truly related, however, I continue to hear that every now and then.. Allow me to share that... I know my blog readers are non-golfers in general except my anon friend. Nonetheless, let's learn something anyhow... :).

Jargons:

Driver - It's a Wood 1 Club used to tee-off. Note : Not many people can use this, including me :).

Putter - It's a club used to put or to roll the ball into the hole.

Incident 1 : When one tees-off with his new driver and the ball goes very far.

Then, the friend golfer will make a remark, "biasa la, bini baru...." An addendum to the remark when the ball is just 100m in distance will be "bini baru... tak biasa lagi..."

Incident 2 : When one borrows his friend's driver and the ball goes very far.

This remark is a bit western. Though, it doesn't stop golfer from putting it forward. The remark goes as "bini orang memang sedapp....". How sure they are, remains vague / unknown to many other golfers, inlcuding my anon friend & me.

Incident 3 : When one has given his driver to a friend and at one point feels like using it.

The saying goes as "eh... pinjam janda aku jap..." And if the ball flies high the sky, far-sighted, the remark will follow suit, "syok lagi janda aku ni rupanya...". It applies to the negative situation as well where the remark goes as "patut la aku cerai janda aku ni..."

Incident 4 : As Pok Ku (not a blogger, instead he is a club house manager) used to share a tip or two on making sure the ball rolls into the hole definitely.

He said, when putting, say to yourself, "saaaaaayyyyyyyaaaanggggg....". And when saying that ones should memorize his sensual encounters with his wife. And when the ball goes in, one should add "hmmmmm..... maniiiiiisssss...." in sequence with the sound that the ball produces in the hole "kloq..kloq..kloq.. kloq....".

That's to share a few... Come and join me for once on the field... :). And that not to be taken as humiliating woman whatsoever. No intention in any way you look at it. Instead, it shows how we treasure woman all the time through out our days. Even, when we are not at home... (Don't chuckle okay....)

My mind falls back to the picture I used to receive through e-mail some times ago, men's brain is illustrated with naked woman... Is it really true? Hmmm....

Hello... Merajuk Lagi....?

It has been 2 continuous nites.... I got bombarded by someone... OK, it's my mistakes after all. I am not gonna talk a single word about it anyway. It was about my phone conversation with Alex this afternoon.

To home phone => Ring... ring.. ring... ring... ring... (12 times). It was ringing none until it was dead.
To Alex's HP => Ring... Kring.. Ring.. Kring.. (5 times). Until the 6th one....

Alex : Lo... (Short cut for Hello...)
Me : Mana gi semua ni...?
Alex : Ada... Dok dengar.. HP duk dalam bilik...
Me : Rumah?
Alex : Hihihi.. Dok ingat nak sambung lepas access Internet malam tadi...
Me : OK la.. Tak dok mood doh nak borak... Bye...

To the fact that I wanted to ensure that Alex is OK with the coming soon baby, I was like worry shit when nobody cares to pick up the phone. My feeling was not that stable then... That's why I decided to cut the conversation off.

The next 10 - 15 minutes... My phone rings, showing "Home".

Me : Hm?
Alex : Hihi... Merajuk lagi?
Me : Chuckling... My mood suddenly came back...

The conversation continued.. You don't want to know anyway.. But one thing for sure, it's not about KoteX that my anonymous friend was talking about eventhough I know I gotta get used to its term soon... :(....

Some points for you to ponder:-
- A little follow up from Alex has done wonders... (I can feel how Ayu misses her other half tremendously... hihihih)
- Give & take between both hubby & wife is indeed necessary...
- Continue to show that you care...
- A little bombardment is nothing compared to the love between the husband & the wife...

John Safe, do you agree with me? You sure do.... LOL...

Anak-anak Penawar Segala Duka Part V(a)

Well, I can't stand to wait until she is born. Honestly, I am eagerly waiting for her. I hope to name her Anis Atheefa. In full, Anis Atheefa Binti Aziz Jaafar. Heheheheh...

As I can't really wait, allow me to start Part V (a) now. Then, Part V (b) will follow suit after her birth :). Yeah, this our fifth baby. Hope no complication. Doctor says so anyway.

If I recall the moment when we had Adam, that was like our last baby. And Alex promised herself not to have another one. Well, I can understand.. The pain, the hassle, the hard time, etc that she has to go thru for 9 full moon. Not only that, it continues until they have grown up. Nevertheless, as our old folks used to say, "kita mampu merancang, Tuhan yang menentukan". That happened to us about 3 years after Adam was born, Alex stopped buying her "KoteX". :).

And Alex refused to see doctor to confirm until 3 months later. It was confirmed anyhow. Since we are having this fifth one 3 years after Adam & Adam supposed to be the last one, we seem to buy everything new. Unlike first 4 babies, almost everything was like "recycled"; baju, seluar, tilam, lampin, etc, etc. Buaian? Oh... I forgot to check its condition. Is it still usable? Yet to see.

Overall, we are not that "kelam kabut" anyway... Well, it's the fifth one... Hehehhehe.... It makes us happier as it's gonna be a girl... We hope it's gonna a be a girl... That's what the doctor said.. Anyhow, we are prepared with the consequences.

Alex is due to deliver on 10th August. I am somewhat in standby mode all the time :-).
Anis Atheefa:
Your elder brothers Muhammad Akmal Azwar, Muhammad Akmal Adlan, Muhammad Akmal Adam; your elder sister Anis Awadah; your mom Wan Rohaniah and your dad Aziz Jaafar are all eagerly waiting for your first cry... They are all waiting to pinch your tiny little cheek :).

Will this be the last one? Hmmm... I leave it to Alex.. Hehhehehe... (Ok la.. ok la...)

Mid Year Blues

It has been five years... And it happens at every mid year appraisal. This is when every staff will be assessed of their performance for the past six months. Subsequently, you may be redesignated and/or promoted. Simultaneously, you may also expect a larger digit in you pay-cheque. Well, it may only large in font size though... :).

Hmmm... Having mentioned all that, I believe that routines happen to almost everybody or rather every private limited company in Malaysia. Being nil experience in Government, I think SSB, SSM or PTK too are of this purpose. The system used to measure the performance may differ but the purpose remains intact. Henceforth, people are producing a lot of performance measurement tools namely, KPI and Benchmarking, to name a few. And not too outdated perhaps, our conventional measurement tool "gut feel" or some group of people address it as "pilih kasih". I am not into touching this anyway :).

Of all the methods available for measuring the performance, I personally think that it's hard to run away from these 2 essential elements which are tangible and intangible factors. Let me give one example in the context of IT Service Provider like us.

Tangible factor : Machines repaired per day per engineer.

Intangible factor : Attitude - remains vague. Worse if the staff used to receive best actor award :). That's where "gut feel" comes into play.

By the way what leads to "blues"?

1) Low increment - definitely :).

2) The staff thinks that he/she deserves more for what he/she has done.

3) Worse, when the other colleague who seems to be doing nuts, get more.

What we do when in "blues"?

1) Some will talk out loud. (Ni pemberontak punya kaki la..). Not so subversive one will just to talk to the wife/hubby expressing how disgust he/she is over the situation :).

2) Some will silently login to "Jobstreet" and change the status to "Actively Seeking Job" :)

3) Some will just smile externally and scream internally noting the fact that the fifth baby is due to arrive on earth very soon.

Why he/she is still in the same company even after 5 years? - :).

1) Everytime, the market standard shows no far deviation from what he/she got.

2) The total package that he/she got (salary, bonus, medical, insurance, oversea trip, etc).

3) The increment % is always above the inflation rate.

4) I have to say this in Malay, "tahap kemasinan mulut". At least, people listen to you in this company :). Useful especially when friend asks for favour. Eg. Aida asks to release the repaired machine before payment :).

5) Of course, job satisfaction is also a factor.

A lot more to justify. It's only you who can decide. As of this round, yet to see...

Cau Cin Cau...