Training Tour- Hong Kong

When I first arrived in Hong Kong for my 2-week training, the contrast of the life I had led in Malaysia was overwhelming. I felt suffocated by the crowds I encountered wherever I went. Most of important places are reachable by trains. Thus, their main ‘transportation’ is by their own legs. For the people like me, must be impressed by their efficient train schedules. 2-4 minutes different for every trip for a station- It’s pretty convenient to not have a car! And, since almost all the folk using the trains, they seemed so well educated in using the elevator as well. By default, if you are not in rush, you need to stand on the right side of the elevator. This rule has been ‘programmed’ to all Hong Kong people.

I stayed in L’Hotel Causeway Bay Harbour View on Hong Kong Island. About 1km away, I found a large number of Indonesians along the Causeway Road and occupied the whole Victoria Park like celebrating something. But, no. They were just killing time there in groups doing anything they wanted, only on weekends. Thus, it was easy for me to find halal food around.

It was end of July; the weather was just like in Malaysia. I guessed, I’m gonna have typical chaotic KL life but in Hong Kong. A week passed and it’s time to discover the Island Town. Of course I studied a bit about the nearby attractions and Aberdeen Fishing Village was my first worthy destination. I went to the Central station and took the Bus 70. It brought me to Aberdeen Tunnel after few stops. I tried out the sampan ride (Sightseeing Sampan) and wander around the dried seafood stalls and seafood markets. I can sense the co-existence of modern life which catching up to the old traditions- I checked out some sorts of seafood being bartered away to the seafood restaurants and wholesalers.

Just stand close to this signage, someone will offer you a ride.

Po Toi Island

As I walked along the promenade, I saw a group of tourist queued up for tickets. I stood still for few minutes on the pier before I decided to join them to get aboard to emmm.. I don’t know where! It displayed 3 names of Island on the banner: Lamma Island, Po Toi Island, and Cheung Chau Island. I had difficulty to get explanation from them but the ferry schedule written on the ticket was helpful- it was an Island hopping. Po Toi Island was the first tiny Island, reached after 45 minutes ride. I had a steep climb and descend as well as casual tracking. The views? Check it out:

Snapped by Elpis, perfectionist with her perfection! 😊

Stanley Beach

While waiting for the ferry to fetch us to the next Island, I had a talk with a local Hong Kong lady, Ms. Elpis. She was enthusiast to introduce some attractive places and revised my weekend itinerary. So, instead of going to the other Islands, I eventually alighted to Stanley Beach. It was a good consultation since I can reserve the plans for next day. Elpis accompanied and showed me around before she left to her home few kilometers away from the coast. Besides the beach, the main attraction here was the Stanley Market for picking up t-shirts, keyrings, and other souvenirs. As usual, some items are overpriced. I believed I could get cheaper identical items somewhere else.

My Sunday :')

Yesterday owed me Lamma and Cheung Chau Islands. I geared up for the next adventurous trips as early as 7.30am. This time, I took a different route to Ferry Piers. As I reached the ticket counter, the staff was trying so hard to explain that they are shutting down the service. Yes, just like in some south east Asia countries, English is their second language. Some local people find it a bit difficult in such situation. I can’t get him until another tourist showed up to tell me that actually, typhoon no.8 is approaching. The tropical cyclone warning signals are issued. Once the signal is higher than no.3, all government agencies shut down their operations, including the ferry services. I was just in time to get aboard before the signal triggered. Plans cancelled.

Mong Kok Market

Sky 100

View from the pool. 

Symphony of Light

Elpis was so helpful as she kept updating me with the typhoon thingy via WhatApps. When the uptime of the operations, what are the alternative activities I shall consider. Many thanks, Elpis! Unfortunately, I found my shoes crumbled, and my feet were in pain because of it. I can’t tolerate the pain so yeah, I rest in the hotel for hours before I went up for swimming. That was my Sunday! Nonetheless, my weekend was still wonderful.

Stago Training Room

Dinner treated by trainer @The Peak

The Hospital- The Odd-Old Couple

As a biomedical service engineer, I spend half of my working hours in hospitals. Another half, in car or flights. Most of the time, I deal with machines, not humans. Doesn't it sounds interesting? Because for me, human is way more complicated than machines. Emotions and expressions not measurable. Not even identical to mechanical and electrical things- I've always got the multimeter and gauge with me.

Anyway, living with non-living things makes me believe that human too, is a unique creature. Its just that I isolating myself from crowds. Thus, once in a while, I take chances to talk to strangers. It's a task I giving to myself, every chance I got.

Today, I met a married couple. The husband is 57 y.o, and the wife is 53 y.o. It was a long conversation we had but the last part of the conversation was fascinating.

"We NEVER loved each other".

Brows furrowed. I asked, "what with the 4 sons and 2 daughters?"

"It was a shotgun marriage. It's funny when we eventually managed to get over it. The keyword is responsibility" she added.

The shocked silence in the hallway made her realize she should clarify.

"Well, at times, responsibility could override love. Sex could definitely override love. We are the living proof telling you that, it works".

I nodded, beginning to see her point. The husband agreed. I am still struggling to understand the whole idea. As I walked out leaving them, I affirmed that human is still a unique yet complicated. At the same time, I believe the story is not that simple.

...and the sex thing? Without love? At that age surviving their relationship, what say you?

Just Another Random Thought

Unlike usual, today I had my breakfast alone. While having my half-boiled egg, I mumbled to my self..

"If you have RM10,000 monthly salary, would you drive a Saga go and back to work?"

There's ways of thinking. Regardless how much you earn a month.

Vios and Saga may have around RM600 different for monthly instalment. RM600 different every month and yet served the same purpose. Not to talk about the respective car specification. But in general, both have identical capabilities.

1. I'm gonna buy Vios as it fulfill my satisfaction. The brand is trustworthy. And basically less problematic vehicle by far.

2. I'm gonna have Saga as I able to turn the RM600 different into more significant needs such life insurance, education saving, investment (worldly or for hereafter), etc..etc.. It is reliable enough, low maintenance. In fact, instead of I have a Vios, I can have 2 units of Saga which bring more convenient to my family.

In fact, eventually the user does matter. If the Vios only travel roughly 10km a day and become total liability while the Saga is 'Uber-ize'.. Or, vice versa. Different story we have here.

What's inside your brain do influence your decision. This topic is not about Saga vs Vios. This topic is mainly a little message telling us that we do decision(s) every day. Mistake is mistake, but do we become even wiser?

"How much roti canai? RM2.00 kan?"

Yusra First School Day

If you want, you can stay at home and enjoy your home-school. Because Mama is a good teacher of you. She taught you how to read, and behave before any other teachers, or I myself.

But Yusra, I want you to be here to introduce you the meaning of COMPETITION. Your younger sister, Maryam is not a competitive rival to you at this age. She is in fact, ‘taught’ you the meaning of sisterhood.

2 January 2017- Registration and orientation day, Adam & Eve Kindergarten.

Your generation occupied with ‘the best beat the best' populations. While I, the generation of ‘the best beat the rest' only have chances to groom you to be the ‘bestest’ of the best.

4 January 2017- Your first formal class.

Thus, a simple yet big thing that not easy for a kid like you to understand in this life competition is, failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success. Then, you gonna be on the roll. InshaAllah.

Azam Tahun Baru? Nahhhhh!

The flight delayed again. I rested my head against the back of the bench. I think I did my job well. I’ve attended few service calls this month and all went well, including this ‘unnecessary job’ at Sabah. The Elisa analyzer wasn’t broke down as claimed. Anyway, job is done.

As I reached KLIA1, I searched for Airport Limo Malaysia (ALM) to get home. The driver was waiting outside with his poker face, greeted with an empty stare. In the car, I looked at him and he at me, until I broke eye contact and pulled myself up. “Why are you so dejected?” I asked. “Oh, nothing. I’m just too tired waiting in the queue for customer”. My forehead wrinkled. “End of year, less people traveling. People just spend time with their families for Christmas, Malaysia has no snow. Why should they come to Malaysia?” He continued.

“Money troubles?” He nodded unwillingly.

2016 seemed tough for almost every of us. He wasn’t the first people I met expressing the down and out looks. There’s few more people in my circle who serving for the downsizing companies. Late payment, no bonus, twice payment a month, and firing non-productive staffs. It is happening in fact to multinational companies.

Scrolling the feeds on facebook, you will find some people showing off their financial capabilities. Bought 4 new tires for RM1000++ each. Travelling here and there with branded cars and flights. Eating lobster as just the ‘dessert’. It is happening in fact by the jobless fellas. Their minded are so confusing and I decided not to give a shit. Most of the time, I saw people who reminds me to think that at least, I have home, I was in school, and have a marvelous family. Because a lot more people around us have lost their homes, livelihood and families, even worse, they have nowhere to go.

My company paid us accordingly. Never missed or late, thus I never missed pay my car and house too. And I have a helpful wife who always makes things easier. Shouldn’t I be grateful enough?

My life not bounded to yearly planner. There’s no such thing as ‘azam tahun baru’. Because life never tells me to make a change in such way. I believe in sunnatullah and the concept of tawakkal.

No life is so hard that you can’t make it easier by the way you take it.

Maryam binti Faruqi

The only name in my head was ‘Hawa’. I want my second daughter named as Hawa. Hawa is not just the name of my late mother, but also mother’s of mankind.

Until one day I watched a program on OASIS channel, Dr. MAZA showed up ‘tadabbur-ing’ surah Maryam, 19th chapter of al-Quran. The tadabbur was so captivating for the whole 15 minutes segment. He explained how a woman (Maryam) at that time being tested heavily while she is a good servant. I mean, a really good servant who always put her obedient as priority at all times. Not even that, she had a precocious girlhood and was born to the pious household of Ali-Imraan (family of Imraan).

…and (mention) when the angels said, “Oh Mary, indeed God has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. Oh Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those bow( in prayer). [3: 42-43]

Then, there are lines in surah Maryam recording her dialogue which implies her high dignity while a complete stranger approaching her:

…and mention, (Oh Muhammad), in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east. And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our angel (i.e: Gibriel), and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man. She said, “indeed, I seek refuge in The Most Merciful from you, (so leave me), if you should be fearing of God.” He said, “I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you (news of ) a pure boy (i.e: son)”. She said, “how can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste? He said, “Thus,(it will be); your Lord says, “ It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter (already) decreed”. So she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a remote place. [19: 16-22]

Generation of today is generally lost this value. I am not the one who capable on controlling my decend generations (at least) to be isolated from the social damages. To find Maryam in current generation is merely impossible, I would say.

"The long December rain is falling now. Running down on street to nowhere...

I want my daughter to be Maryam not only by name, but essentially by act. Being inspired by the tadabbur, I changed Hawa to ‘MARYAM’.

Above all, the days will come (by Allah’s will) when they are big enough to know the meaning of upholding the Quran and sunnah while becoming the future CEO of some major international, multi-galactic corporation and caregiver of their tired and aged parents.

A New Direction

What’s Next?

Ever since becoming a father, I’ve been secretly worried that I’m doing it all wrong. I hope it was just a mutual feeling of fathers. Maryam is my second child and she is 1 year old, so you would think I’d have improved at this fathering thing by now.  I hope of the same. I’ve listened to few (if not a lot) of parenting lectures by well known educators, who are specialized in early education. But to put the knowledge into practices is another challenge, I would say.

Decision has been made. Farah discontinued her contract as a research assistant and willing to live her life as a full time mother of the kids. It started a year ago, 3 months after Maryam’s birth. Alhamdulillah, so we did successfully get her through the infant years. Yusra? She is a supper happy sister. She seems waiting the moment of Maryam walking without our hands so that she can play any toddler things together.

A year has passed and it was actually a life ‘simulation’ for it telling us what is next after being the only source of family’s income. Not bad! The only thing affecting us is the monthly saving. There were few events through the year which required us to use huge amount of money. Our little home renovation and my ACL surgery were ones of them. Its okay! No biggie since we really looked on the financial flow accordingly. But eventually, we think, things just not enough. Farah has tried to run an online business but seems flunk. I had a good increment but the liabilities grow exponentially. This is how life telling us to move in the other direction. Things managed and never bother us so much.

We lived our moderate life without telling people our activities in real time by Facebook or any other social media. Why should we? We are not the center of the society, by the way. In fact, I feel better living in Klang without Unifi and the congested data line here.. Haha! Anyway, soon, we need an MPV and Yusra will start her formal schooling. I need a new plan, new direction.

What would it be?