Before the year ends

Salam. Hello there! Yeah thought I'd get acquainted again with you readers after quite some time.

It's been a while since the I've posted anything to this blog. Let me guess, every time u check, it's the same "Who would've thought?" post keeps coming up. Yeah, it bothered me too :-P

So, what's been happening so far?

For one, things have been back to busy again. After taking some deserved rest, I've gotten back to work for the last few months. And I came to learn of the 'wonderful' surprise that was in store for me.

I'm now in a different department with a much different working environment. New job, new colleagues, new office (had to move twice), new boss, new everything...

Unfortunately everything new does not necessarily mean it's better. Here's a breakdown:

#1: 730 AM daily meetings. This is a tough one. Even though this is the official starting time for work but I've never arrived at this time before (thanks to flexi-hours), let alone having a meeting at this time. But now, with daily meetings at 730, this means having to come to work real early.

#2: Sg Liang traffic. Got a major surprise on the first day back where it takes a good 15-20 mins for a few km stretch in Sg Liang (from Fire Brigade to Masjid Sg Liang). From what I've heard, the background to this was that due to increased traffic on the main road (with Sg Liang Industrial Park and commuters to and from KB), the residents in the area finds it difficult to get to the main road. Eventually, traffic police were stationed at the intersections to let the traffic flow better. However, what happens now is that it's mostly favouring the residents where almost all the cars were let out first before letting the traffic from the main road through.
Therefore, setting off from home has to be done much earlier.

#3: New job. Constantly bombarded with new info and new work with things to be closed out. I've started to make a list of things to do on my proverbial plate, and that list just keeps growing as the days go by! Most of the time, I feel like playing catch up with everything that is happening. The words "Chaos management" comes to mind.

#4: New office. This actually sounds better than it really is. I still prefer my old place but I should be thankful to even have an office unlike some colleagues who had to settle for cubicles.

You know the words. The only thing that's certain in this world is change (or something to that effect). I hope all these changes will be good for me. Insya-Allah. Amin.

Before I forget, I'd like to wish all of you Selamat Tahun Baru Hijrah 1430 and Selamat Tahun Baru Masihi 2009. May all of us have a blessed year ahead. Amin.

Who would've thought?

Who would've thought that I'll be able to meet not one but two of my former teachers back in Secondary school both at the same time and place.

It happened tonight where I was visiting an uncle for Raya open house, who happens to be working in the same department with both of them. Yes, the interesting thing is that they are both still working together as well. One was my Form teacher who really knew how misbehaved we were back in the good ole days ;-) The other is the school Principal during the time.

It was really good seeing them again after all these years. We even took a photo opportunity and it was during this time that my form teacher reminded us that this was reminiscent of a photo that we took when we (the students) interviewed the former Minister of Education back in 1992. At that time, we had an interview session with the Minister for our school magazine. Both our form teacher and the Principal were the ones who supervised us during this memorable trip. If I have the time (and the courage! haha), I'll try to look for that picture and post it as well.

I would like to wish them both Happy Teachers' Day.

Back on winning ways

Image from CNNSI.com

It's great to see The Fed winning titles again. This time, it's his hometown tourney in Basel.

After the '08 breakthrough in the US Open, the confidence is high again. Will he capture the year-end Masters Cup which will feature only the top 8 players in the world? We shall find out in November.

Reports also suggest that he will be cutting back on his exhibition appearances next year to concentrate on the Slams and Masters Series. This will only be good for him as he chases that golden record of surpassing Pete Sampras of 14 Grand Slams. He needs 1 to tie and 2 to break.

Let's hope he does it.

A priceless momento

Last night, I've received a priceless momento that I'm honoured to safekeep.

It was a post-card written by my late grandfather sent to my father and uncle, during his journey to the Holy city of Makkah to perform his first pilgrimage.

The year was 1963.

During those days, we were told that all the pilgrims travelled for days by ship with many stop-overs. A vast difference than what we can do today.

Here is the cover of that post-card. The name of the ship was called Kapal Haji Malaya. It was also great to see his own handwriting, which was a first for me.

The post card cover

His signature

PS - Happy birthday sis!

Eid Mubarak

Would like to wish all the readers of nine-o-five,

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Mohon Maaf Zahir & Batin

To friends and family members abroad, hope you guys enjoy ur Hari Raya celebrations with the gang over there. It ain't so bad celebrating raya abroad. Heheh.

To those who are at home, try to control the food intake :-p

I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Hari Raya. Amin.

Final post from Manchester

So, now I've come to the end of the student life in Manchester.....

This will be officially the final post from Manchester. To be honest it's quite sad to leave this place. Many memories, experiences, meeting new friends and rekindling old ones. The year had it all.

In no particular order and by no means a complete list, these are some of the most memorable moments:

• Back in the student life and going through the challenging year with some great colleagues. Will never forget the library sessions (which at one point seemed to last forever! heheh) It was also the place where we formed the Okot Solutions with mis-integration. The global domination has already started with the Venezuela office being highly contested among the male CEOs!! :-D
  
• Got to meet new friends from different backgrounds and nationalities.
• Meeting unique Bruneians.
  
• The words "The Gallery" had a new meaning. Expertise in shopping, food, hi-tech stuff and overall funtime!!! It's a happening place indeed. Hosted by Bung T and Jester.
• Getting the Gold medals in BruManch badminton tourney.
• Watching Wimbledon on Centre court and seeing Roger in action. Involved a memorable overnight camping experience.
• Celebrity sightings in Prince Naseem and Carlos Tevez. Autograph sessions from Edwin van der Sar and the Bryan brothers (tennis).
  
• Cheshire Oaks. Enuf said.
• Discovery of ebay.co.uk and online retail.
• Experienced the real e-speed.
• The Rome trip.
• The concerts.
• The Apple store.
  
• Tennis indoors and in the park.
  
• The Man Utd matches.
• The supposed indoor skiing trip which turned out to be "slide down an icy slope on tyres"!
• Bitten by the golf bug.
• Signed up for a gym membership and let's just say it wasn't exactly a good investment!
  
• The trip down memory lane aka Leeds and Newcastle.
• Reunion with the ole gang from Leeds.
  
• Blackness Inn Scottish experience with none other than McManon. Mini Cooper convertible ;-)
• Stagecoach and Magic Bus.
  
• Raya open house with a daring first time dish.
• Rusholme. Qabily rice in Al Jazeera, Lamb briyani in Saajan, Spicy wings & chips in Pizza Co., Mixed grill and Mango lassi in Kebabish, Lamb doner and chips in Camel One, BBQ wings in Chicken cottage, Chicken and BBQ ribs in Krunchy and Kansas, Faluda in Moonlight, Thai banana buffet, Good ole Jati, Soto from No. 4 in The Gallery and the list goes on....
• Honda Civic dark green in colour. The ride that made it all possible.

Writing that down has already brought back some great times.

Syukur. It is with Allah's will that these opportunities have been granted. Alhamdulillah.

More than words...