I am a SPONTANEOUS person. I don’t like rigidity, schedules or anything that is caged. I always follow the instinct of the heart; and I do unpredictable things when I feel like I wanna do. Hahaha! I once bought ticket to Penang when I felt like flying to Penang (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2008/10/23/rumah-terbuka-part-ii-the-house-of-the-joy-luck-club-penang/) ; I drove from Serendah to Purajaya just to get my Miftahul Qulub @ Al-Quran (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2011/06/18/bizarro-weekend-spontaneous-putrajaya-instantaneous-uncanny-familiarity-between-ryan-reynolds-the-green-lantern-hrithik-roshans-krrish/); and I did the unplanned the Bungy Jump at New Zealand (https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2012/03/22/the-kia-ora-experiences-in-te-wai-pounamu-new-zealand-the-real-middle-earth-on-earth/)! – Well ….(,”)

One for the album…or blog! Oh, well. (,”) I just love BATIK, anyway. 

Yesterday, I went to Bota Kiri to attend Muzem’s wedding. Initially, been planning it with someone but an eleventh-hour setback emerged due to professional conflicts. Oh, well… I can’t pinpointing to anyone because it makes sense to prioritize work BUT…I just feel like angry. So, whatever. Then, an alternative plan was concocted where my parents would be following me to Muzem’s wedding and then we would part way from there; my parents to the Up North back to Jitra, Kedah whereas I would go back to Serendah, Hulu Selangor.

A snap in the middle of chaotic. For my blog only, of course. Haha!

Little did I know that Muzem’s place, Bota Kiri is like WAY SO FAR and intertwining lanes and roads!! It took us around 4 hours to reach there (after following signboard to Bota Kanan and then had to ask the Laundry Service girl as no signboard of Bota Kiri is erected).

My parents. Had a sip at R&R Bukit Gantang with them, Khirwan & Firdaus as Ayah was so adamantly wanting to TREAT MY FRIENDS with drinks. Kept telephoning me and all, INSISTING! Well, that’s my father.

It was already 3.30 P.M. when we arrived there and bumped into Lin and her family as they were about to push off! So nice meeting Lin’s folks. My parents were very overwhelmed by their humbleness. It’s true that small deeds count. Those are trivial but that what really set apart from one person to another. Anyway, it was just nice meeting Helmi Roseli & Khirwan, my old close friend back in USM!!!! OMG!!! It’s been ages since I last met him! AND guess what? He CAME ALL THE WAY from Penang to Bota Kiri by BUS!!!!!!!!! He parked his motorcycle at Penang Jetty and boarded a bus! Oh My God! That was so….touching and honest act that a friend could offer, no? My parents and I were moved by that. Khirwan had demonstrated sense of friendship ought to be respected.

Was Khirwan so fixated to Firdaus “Firdak” Sulhi? Hahhaah just kidding! Khirwan and I (below).

As the newly-wed, of course Muzem was so busy entertaining guests; I mean you can’t afford to expect that the bride and grooms to give you full gracious attention as there are hundreds of guests! But I felt good that at least I make effort to honour that friendship by attending the wedding ceremony although I admit that I am not a wedding aficionado. I just don’t. It’s not like I hate or loathe; it’s just I am not into wedding atmosphere – but I love the food, though! Haha! Nevertheless, I do take extra-mile efforts if the person is a good friend that has demonstrated great sense of eternal friendship or relatives that I am close to. It’s just me, a Quid Pro Quo. If the person has been so good and constantly keep in touch with me; of course I will do the same as per the person, aite?

Me and Firdaus Sulhi – upcoming groom this coming May. Yikes! (,”)

It was then dawned to me that if I were to return to Serendah, that would be me alone and I hardly knew the way from Bota Kiri to Kuala Lumpur (well, perhaps I exaggerate! Part of me wanted to explore and all). So, I decided spontaneously that I would be following my parents back to Jitra, Kedah – merely for ONE NIGHT ONLY! Insane, but I felt kinda exhilarated with the idea! Since I was about to go back Up North, Khirwan asked if he could join me as Lumut (where he planned to take the bus going back to Penang; took around 30 minutes from Bota Kiri) was out of consideration due to time-constraint.

So, we pushed off around 4.10 p.m.; with Firdaus Sulhi as the leader of the so-called convoy; and then my parents’ Vios & my own Dagny Taggart! It was a non-stop chit-chatting between me and Khirwan! It was fun to finally get to update whats-hot-and-not with him! God, it’s been a while! He is a good friend and I was overwhelmed by how he came all the way from Penang to Bota by BUS just for a wedding?? I pray he will find success in life. Insya ALLAH my dear friend! (<“)

It was around 7.00 p.m. that we arrived in Butterworth, Penang to drop Khirwan & off we went to Jitra, Kedah! It was around 9.00 p.m. when we arrived there (after had dinner at a place called “Atap”). The house was a bit dusty and in a mess because Mak was away for 3 months; so Ayah of course, couldn’t be bothered. Had trouble sleeping as it was a bit itchy and dusty all over & at the same time had to SLEEP in order to wake up as early as 6 a.m. to avoid the congested traffic due to end-of-holidays!

Well, except for traffic at Chinese cemeteries especially in Kampar and Temoh where the Chinese are celebrating Cheng Beng (Hungry Ghost) today – some people just simply PARKED THEIR CARS ON THE ROAD LANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So selfish!); the journey was smooth-flowing. All in all, a good experience for me.. (,”) And oh, well; congratulations to Muzem & Aqilah. (,”)

Sometimes, I feel like I am Alice. Stepping into the looking mirror with everything so adventurous and a sturdy Mad Hatter besides me. But I wonder, did I do the right thing when I followed the rabbit-with-the-clock into the hole? In the end, I won’t have the Mad Hatter besides me when I need badly. And people will never know that Mad Hatter exists besides me to guard me because when I need, Mad Hatter is non-existent. Oh, well.

I know. It is inevitable. It should be perceived through logical ion of views. But I guess I was too excited to prove to others that Mad Hatter wasn’t just a fabricated fantasy of Alice? Mad Hatter exists in every single thing that Alice does. Mad Hatter helps Alice when everyone tells Alice is a lunatic especially when Queen Of Hearts set off to “OFF WITH HER HEAD!”. But of course, I should have known. 

Of course, all these are merely codes and metaphors to illustrate. I wouldn’t disclose it directly. Only for my mind to know. At least, I have siphoned it out. My blog, my valve.

I have always love Tim Burton & Danny Elfman. I love the composition of this track. And oh, although this movie has some personal nostalgia for me, it has nothing to do with that. I am dedicating this whole innuendos for my life, NOW.

Oh, Alice, dear where have you been?
So near, so far or in between?
What have you heard what have you seen?
Alice, Alice, please, Alice! 

Oh, tell us are you big or small
To try this one or try them all
It’s such a long, long way to fall
Alice, Alice, oh, Alice

How can you know this way not that?
You choose the door you choose the path
Perhaps you should be coming back
Another day, another day

And nothing is quite what is seems
You’re dreaming are you dreaming, oh, Alice?
(Oh, how will you find your way? Oh, how will you find your way?)
(There’s not time for tears today. There’s no time for tears today.)

So many doors… how did you choose
So much to gain so much to lose
So many things got in your way
No time today, no time today
Be careful not to lose your head
Just think of what the doormouse said… Alice! 

Did someone pull you by the hand?
How many miles to Wonderland?
Please tell us so we’ll understand
Alice… Alice… Oh, Alice

(Oh how will you find you way?… Oh, how will you find you way?)

Sensitivity and empathy are two elements that are always affiliated with femininity. When a male embodies that, he is always ridicule for being sissy or ‘less macho’. Oh, well, don’t bother. It’s been ages since I first accepted myself as an omega-male. Yeps, I am not an alpha or at least beta male. I embrace myself as an omega male. Sounds a bit odd, but that’s the reality. Instead of seeing that in a negative connotation, I rather perceive it in a more positive nuance. 

Being an omega male with rather androgynous feature, I can blend easily with both sexes. The males are attracted to the effeminate features whilst the females are fond with “kawaii” cutesy persona. Either way, it’s a win-win situation. 

Nevertheless, it isn’t why I am writing this piece of entry. I am talking about empathy. I don’t know why I have high empathy when I hear or see other people’s plight. I guess that’s why I am a teacher. I feel the pain when I see others in the pain; I feel the sadness when others are saddened. In a way, I am blessed that God SWT bestowed me with this emotion. It makes me alert with what others are experiencing and hence, channeling them as lessons to my own life.

There are times when I feel that whatever that I am experiencing is so difficult that I hardly could breathe; but when I see what others are experiencing which are far WORSE than what I am having, it makes me humbled and ashamed. My problem is so miniscule in comparison to theirs. You know, some are having marriages problems, battle of children custody problems, parents gone ills problems, weddings called-off problem, having terminal illness problems, and many more. These are far worse than having Tonsillitis (which I am having now)!

Above all, I hope God SWT will bless the lives of people around me as well as my loved one (s). Hopefully, ALLAH SWT will also continue to bestow the halo of light in my life as well. Amin.

Prior to the school holiday (Mid First Term), workload has been piling up. Between the workload, Alhamdulillah; I have managed to do 6-7 part time translation of journals on Human Resources & also Alhamdulillah; the house issue has settled. No more bureaucracy shenanigan from Putrajaya! Besides, I also managed to draft my own script on the upcoming Choral Speaking competition entitled “One Heart, One Malaysia”. Honestly with the commotion that happened 2 years ago (REFER TO : https://undomiel84.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/choral-speaking-hulu-selangor-district-level-competition-2011-running-snow-white-to-2nd-placing/  ), it has somehow deterred the spirit; but my Head of Panel said “we are just having fun; don’t give a damn about others”. So, I just did my scripting thang. (,”)

Anyway, Kat asked me to join her to The Purple Walk at Putrajaya via Facebook on Friday. This gathering/walk was to commemorate the  Malaysian women and also it coincided with The International Women’s Day. Since I am always looking forward to revive a healthy life style regime, I was kinda cool with the idea! So, around 8.00 a.m., Kat came to my sister’s crib in Putrajaya and then off we went!

Kitty Kat & I. Yeahhh! For the healthy life!

The crowds were thronging. Initially, both of us thought it was going to be ala Ekiden Run or Putrajaya Walk with a few distances to be covered; but how disappointing to know that it was merely 500 meter; and it was more of  parade of contingents from respective ministries marching along to show support to peacefulness in Malaysia. Sounds a bit far-fetched, but I could feel the political embroideries beyond the gathering! And somemore, VIPs only turn out circa 9-9.30 a.m.! Gave a little bit of speech and then off to eat at the booths?! Sorry, but I am neutral plain Malaysian. I see the flaws at both sides. Please understand the relevance (in case some people want to STIR CONTROVERSY out of this puny piece of mind!).

Not to be put off by that, Kat and I decided to do ourselves the walking. So, we walked from the beginning till the end; back and fro; and then walked around looking for Kat’s ministry contingent but prove to no avail. Then, we decided to kill time at Precint Diplomatik’s “Haji Tapah” (which by the way is my favourite as it is near my sister’s house) and updated whats-hot-and-nots. Feel so good to catch up with your best of friend as we are so busy leading our own personal and professional lives. You know, we’ve been the ups and downs, losing jobs, getting new opportunities, losing lovers/meeting new flames, family problems; hopefully friendship till the end.

The PDRM (Royal Malaysian Policemen) Band.

On whole, it was another baby step for me for a new healthy regime! Thanks Kitty Kat.

The finishing line – which was just 500 meter, anyway. But since Kat and I did our back-and-fro and the “tawaf”, more or less we covered around 2 KM. (,”)

I am a noob in sophisticated gadgets and I am absolutely one of those aliens who think that investing in such gadgets for expensive amounts is a little bit wasting. Well, I am not saying anyone in particular; I am saying about MYSELF. I guess that is because I have no fanatic interest in them. For books, travelling – is OK; but for gadgets, I’ll be thinking a lot before I buy anything (except for laptop; probably!) although I may somewhat afford to buy (albeit exhausting every sources I could siphon out!).

So, after 6 years of using the obsolete Sony Ericsson w300i – with the screen went blank and volume gone-that-you-have-to-use-speaker-to-talk, I have decided to buy a new one when my Sony Ericsson’s charger went KAPUT. Coincidentally, it was exactly the end of the month, nearing the Payday but I am in tight water now as I have to pay for a summon (YES!) and also the lawyers’ fee pertaining housing documentations – BUT, I have no choice but to buy a new one; after all, I am also relying my ALARM CLOCK with my mobile phone! Of course, if I were to buy a new one, I would want it to be a worthy; not just another “grab-whatever”.

Sony Ericsson w300i – Oh… it had accompanied me from Banking Days to Teaching Days (6 years!). Forever missed. R.I.P.

To cut the story short, went to The Mines, exhausted all the financial source I had ( I literally gone penniless at that state of time, of which I never experienced before. Kinda scary!) and got myself Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus GT-S7500. There went my RM700 away! But you know what, it’s just a matter of time and I actually really need that! Love the easy-breezy mode and as I am getting accustomed to the ‘touch screen’ (I was a key-pad generation!), perhaps I will upgrade to smartphones, who knows? – if I got extra cash.

For some pampered brats that Mamma and Papa still buy things for them, this is just nothing. But for a working adult like me, RM700 is a lot! Yeah, maybe because I am not into gadgets – travelling and other stuffs with that price is OK for me; but gadgets? NEED TO THINK A LOT.

Indeed, I have to confess that buying the mobile phone had somewhat jeopardize my personal financial ledger. How am I going to wade the murky water? You know, ALLAH SWT is Great. As a fragile, forgetful and weak soul, I sometime felt so embarrassed. I admit there are times when I am too absorbed with the ephemeral world that I tend to neglect The One. But still, there are so many grace and bless bestowed upon me. Alhamdulillah Ya ALLAH. I hope I can improve myself….. *sigh*. You know, God works in a mysterious way. Alhamdulillah Ya ALLAH for enlighten the darkness and alleviate the woes by granting a few opportunities.

House???? To much to settle; financially, emotionally, physically. But, oh…well.

Cash flow-in from Night Classes (both Science & English) for Year 4, Year 5 & Year 6 -under the wings of Kak Fidah has somewhat alleviate the woes in financial. Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah.

Life is beautiful and mysterious. Be grateful, Alhamdulillah.

And recently, I’ve also just received another translation tasks – to translate a few journals from English to Malay Language. Passion and profit intertwining and hopefully, it can help to assuage the burden for this month. This time, it’s  mainly about the Human Resource journals. Kinda interesting; such as :-

1. “The Role Of HR Practices In Managing Culture Clash During The Postmerger Integration Process”;
2. “The Effects Of Downsizing On Labor Productivity : The Value Of Showing Consideration For Employees’ Morale And Welfare In High-Performance Work Systems”;
3. “Individual And Contextual Correlates Of Managers’ Attitudes Toward Depressed Employees”;
4. “Socialization Of People With Disabilities In The Workplace”;
5. “Linking Human Resource Practices and Organisational Performance : Evidence from Small and Medium Organisations in Malaysia”;
6. “Gender & Employment Involvement In Malaysia”

Of course, the real workload in school is piling as well. So little time, so much to do! But….all in the name of Positivity! I can do these, Insya ALLAH!

Sometimes, I always fantasize myself as the United Nation’s Interpreter ala Nicole Kidman in her film “The Interpreter” when I do my translation part-time. It’s just so cool. Hahaha.