Thursday, October 31, 2024

Isu telekung

"Boleh tak abang tolong kita?"
"Tolong apa?"
"Susah jadi perempuan…"
"Ara…kenapa ni?"
"Abang tahu tak Pejabat Mufti Selangor keluarkan ijtihad. Perempuan pakai lengan pendek tak sah sembahyang. Kena pakai lengan panjang dalam telekung and telekung tak boleh terpisah tudung dan kain. One piece aje astu kena pakai serkup kepala tak pun anak tudung yang tutup sampai ke leher"
"Siapa cakap tu?"
"Susah la nak sembahyang. Berat…membebankan. Ramai murung bila tahu. Astu perempuan tak boleh pakai baju kelawar.Tak sah"
"Ara bukan pakai pun baju tu"
"Emang la tapi se-Malaysia tak puas hati. Viral tau"
"Baca dekat mana?"
"FB"
"Nak abang tolong apa?"
"Nak nangis aje. Letih jadi perempuan. One piece nampak bentuk dada. Tak faham la. Serabut baca. Kita baca banyak kali astu keliru. Manjang cari salah perempuan. Asyik nak nerakakan kita aje mmm"
"Islam tu memudahkan tak membebankan. Mufti Wilayah tak keluarkan apa-apa?"
"Tak sure. Tolong kita, please. Kita tak nak solat pakai lengan panjang. Acam tak selesa. Dalam rumah kan"
"Nanti abang cari jawapan"
"Maceh tau"
"Dah. Jangan nangis"


(tt)

Drama sebelum Subuh

"Abang…"
"Hmm"
"Baby…"
"Ada sini"
"Sayang…"
"Kenapa? Lapar?"
"Tak"
"Tidur. Malam dah ni"
"Jom main badminton"
"Bila?"
"Sekarang"
"Tidurlah. Esok pagi kita main"
"Jom laaa"
"12 dah. Ada hantu haaa"
"Biar la hantu. Kita tak kacau dia pun. Kita nak main dengan laki kita bukan laki dia"
_

"Keluar aje tengok langit"
"Habis tu nak tengok apa?"
"Tengok kita"
"Tadi dah tengok masa main"
"Tengok sampai boring"
"Dah boring dah hahaha"
_

"Ra, alaaa jangan merajuk. Abang gurau je"
"Kita kan takde dalam hati abang. Cakap I love you pun tak pernah. Susah ke?"
"Tidur, pagi nak kerja"
*diam*
"Apa tidur pandang dinding. Sini la"
"Dah boring kannnn"
"Gurau je"
"Terguris hati tau tak?"
"Hmm sorry la"
"Tak maafkan. Sorry"
"Esok kita sambung. Malam ni tidur"
"Sampai hati abang, kan?"
"Laa abang gurau je"
_
Sekian drama laki bini dua jam sebelum Subuh.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Siapa yang salah?

Aku bergaduh dengan Ara - masih lagi tentang isu yang sama cuma situasi berbeza. Ara, seperti biasa, walau salah tetap tak mahu mengaku salah. Setiap kali bergaduh, memang aku yang perlu mengalah - sebab aku tak mahu panjangkan perbalahan. Tadi kami bertengkar lagi. Aku naikkan suara, dia pun tak mahu kalah jadi kami berbalah tentang siapa yang salah. Dia marah bila aku tegur dia enggan mengaku bila buat salah.

Kami bergaduh lebih kurang 30 minit. Ara katakan sesuatu yang buat aku terdiam - terluka pun ya. Selepas itu, aku hanya diamkan diri tapi tak bermakna aku mengiyakan setiap tuduhan yang di lemparkan. Aku rasa terbazir masa dan tenaga jika terus berlawan cakap kerana pada akhirnya aku juga yang salah. Kami bergaduh di awal pagi. Aku rasa tak selesa tambahan pula kami sama-sama berpuasa. Tentu syaitan gembira. 

Tak lama selepas itu kami bercakap seperti biasa. Aku keluar hantar Umar dan Adam ke sekolah. Ara ke pejabat setelah aku sampai di rumah. Mujurlah hari ini kembar tak menangis seperti beberapa hari sebelumnya. Perancangan asal, pagi ini nak bawa kembar bermain dengan Jessica sambil camping ala-ala campervan tapi alih-alih Ara bawa jeep ke pejabat. Mungkin dia terlupa walaupun sudah di ingatkan dua hari sebelumnya.

Aku singgah di tempat kerja Ara untuk minta maaf tentang hal pagi tadi. Ara berikan aku kunci jika aku ingin menukar kereta. Katanya dia terlupa aku ingin meredah sub-bandar hari ini. Sampai di parkir, aku buka pintu dan lihat jeep bersepah dengan plastik, botol air dan bekas makanan. Aku pulangkan kunci. Aku tak jadi tukar kereta. Marah pun tidak. Aku sudah jangkakan perkara ini. In marriage, don't expect anything.

Di Costa Rica, aku bawa 6 buah kereta. Ara boleh gunakan semua kenderaan kecuali sebuah kereta yakni kereta peribadi aku. Ara tak bawa kereta ke sini. Kereta peribadinya masih berada di Kuala Lumpur. Semua kenderaan di bawah tanggungjawab aku kecuali kereta Ara. Dia mahu menjaganya sendiri. Kami tak ada pembahagian kenderaan seperti pasangan lain. Seorang lelaki tidak mudah berkongsi kenderaan dengan isterinya. 

Anak-anak bermain dengan riang. Melihat mereka keriangan merupakan satu keindahan. Ada banyak momen penting yang aku terlepas. Ada kalanya aku merasa sedih tak dapat melihat anak membesar di depan mata ketika aku perlu keluar berkerja. Kata C.S. Lewis "Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work." Dunia kanak-kanak adalah di luar rumah. Mereka suka meneroka alam.

Kembar keletihan. Sampai saja di rumah, usai makan dan mandi, mereka ke katil untuk tidur petang. Aku ambil kesempatan untuk berehat hingga masuk waktu Asar. Jam 5:15 petang, aku terima panggilan daripada Ara - jeep habis minyak. Aku bersiap, ambil tong dan bergerak ke stesen minyak. Aku rasa geram. Sudah di ingatkan berkali-kali tapi tetap tak mahu berubah. Ada banyak perkara yang perlukan toleransi. Ini salah satunya. 

Ara akan mengisi minyak apabila oil warning light sudah memberi amaran. Ketika itu barulah tergesa-gesa mencari stesen minyak. Kalau bernasib baik sempatlah sampai. Biasanya tidak. Aku tiba di lokasi hampir Maghrib. Berbuka hanya dengan sebotol air. Beberapa tahun dulu, aku mempunyai sebuah jeep berenjin diesel tetapi menjualnya semula. Enjin diesel lebih sukar di hidupkan jika minyak sudah kering di tangki. 

Love should flow freely

"Are you happy?"
"Sangattt. Kita jogging, masak, laundry, lipat baju. Full"
"Abang sakit perut. Ulang alik tandas"
"Makan apa?"
"Entah. Tak makan pedas pun"
"Kita pun tak pedas tapi tak di makan tatau kenapa hihi"
"Hmm"
"Abang okey?"
"Okey"
"Tukar ubat?"
"Tak"
"Don’t force yourself to stay if your heart isn’t with me. I want you to be here because you truly want to be. Love should flow freely. If your heart isn’t with me, let it find where it truly belongs"
"*Orang yang menyayangimu belum tentu sabar, tetapi orang yang sabar menghadapi sikapmu sudah jelas sayang padamu"
"Faham la kita teruk. Semalam cari gaduh dengan kita. Asyik tegur baju. Semua tak betul"
"Bila abang cari gaduh?"
"Eleh"
"Quote tu untuk abang sebab Ara sabar dengan abang. Terima kasih"
"Maceh aje? Hadiah la gold bar ke. Eh termintak pulak hihihi"

*YouTube



27-10-2024

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Lunch note for wife

I dropped by my wife's office to bring her a lunch box, along with a short note and a flower. I hope she enjoys her day.
_ 
My dearest,

I don’t know what to write, but being far from you, even when you’re just going to work, makes me feel lonely. I miss seeing you around the house. It feels like something is missing. Your presence warms our home.

Enjoy your day, darling.


Yours to keep,
Abang

Kisah Selasa

Sabtu lepas aku bad mood dan Ara buat kesilapan kecil. Ya, kami bergaduh tentang baju lagi. Kali ini tentang baju yang sudah di basuh dan aku yang naik darah - masih dengan alasan yang sama; Ara ingin membantu tapi dia membuat kesilapan kecil yang tak dapat aku terima.

Aku marah sangat. Aku ambil basikal dan keluar dari rumah. Aku kayuh sejauh 150km. Bila balik, hati aku masih panas mengingatkan sehari sebelumnya dia acuh tak acuh saja bila aku berbual tentang penutupan 450 cawangan 7-Eleven di Amerika Utara ekoran masalah inflasi.

Ketika itu aku di dapur sedang mencuci pinggan. Dia pula baru saja pulang dari kampus. Aku sedang bad mood tapi masih ingin mulakan perbualan. Aku hidangkan teh hijau bersama cookies. Dia ralit melihat telefon. Entah apa yang di sibukkan aku sendiri tak pasti.

Barangkali dia sedang membalas pesanan atau mungkin keletihan. Apa yang aku sampaikan tidak di hadam dengan baik. Lain yang aku sampaikan lain pula yang di tanya. Aku naik berang kerana dia bertanya soalan yang salah. Nampak sangatlah dia tak beri perhatian pada topik perbualan.

Matanya masih tertancap pada skrin telefon. Mungkin isu itu berat dan dia pula penat. Aku naik angin dan tinggalkan dapur begitu saja. Aku tak boleh marah. Setiap kali marah, aku akan ingat perkara lepas. Ini kejadian kali ketiga dia tak beri perhatian ketika aku bercakap. 

Kami memang pernah bergaduh tentang ini. Ara pernah marah aku lama dahulu ketika aku sedang sibuk menaip mesej membalas pesanan client yang ingin selesaikan deal. Dia berbual tapi fokus aku pada skrin. Aku respons sekadarnya saja. Dia mengamuk lalu aku simpan telefon. 

Itu kejadian kali pertama kami bergaduh dan aku tak ulanginya lagi. Setiap kali aku perlu membalas pesanan pelanggan, aku masuk ke bilik untuk mengelak perbalahan. Aku tak suka bergaduh. Biasanya aku yang akan beralah. Jarang selali aku nak perbesarkan hal kecil.

Kali ini berbeza sebab aku marah tentang dua perkara. Pertamanya tentang baju. Aku mesej dia - 48 perkataan. Dia balas 14 patah perkataan yang di akhiri dengan "Ok". Aku malas nak bertanya lanjut tapi bila dia balik dari kerja, aku tetap minta penjelasan. Dia pula yang naik angin. 

Hari ini aku cool sikit. Tengah hari tadi aku hantar makanan ke tempat kerja Ara. Aku siapkan bekal - nasi putih, ayam percik, sup sayur. Pembuka selera, betik. Minuman, teh hijau dalam thermos. Pencuci mulut, cheesecake. Bukan aku yang masak. Aku sediakan bekal saja. 

Aku sediakan dua set; lunch box dan minum petang. Minum petang hanya buah potong - mangga muda, nenas, tembikai, jambu dan buah naga. Aku sediakan  colek buah dan serbuk cili. Masyarakat di sini makan buah potong bersama serbuk cili. Ada perisa asli, pedas dan masam. 

Ara habis mengajar jam 9 malam. Sampai di rumah 35 minit kemudian. Aku hidangkan mi rebus bersama susu. Selesai makan, aku ajak duduk di sofa. Aku ambil besen bersama air suam dan garam bukit untuk dia rendamkan kaki. Selepas 10 minit, aku urut kakinya.

Belum selesai urut, Ara sudah pun terlelap. Aku angkat dia ke tingkat atas. Aku biarkan saja dia tidur. Jam 11:30 malam dia terjaga lalu bangun untuk bersihkan diri. Aku lihat Ara sangat keletihan. Kembar tidur lebih awal -  sebelum Ara balik kerja lagi. Penat bermain di mini gym.

Ketika Ara balik, semua urusan berkaitan anak-anak sudah selesai. Rumah pun sudah di kemas bersih. Ara tak perlu lagi buat apa-apa kerja. Semuanya sudah teratur. Aku tak mahu bebankan Ara. Cukuplah dia berpenat-penat di pejabat. Rumah tempat dia beristirehat. 

Sebelum tidur, aku sediakan pakaian Ara untuk esok hari. Aku seterika dan letakkan di almari berserta stokin dan tudung. Aku rasa hari ini sangat panjang dan memenatkan. Menjaga 4 anak kecil perlukan tenaga yang banyak. Alhamdulillah segalanya berjalan lancar dan baik-baik saja.


Catatan 22 Oktober 2024

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Spread the love

I take my quadruplets to the supermarket to gather supplies for the homeless. We pick out clothes, sweaters, blankets, and other essentials to help during the rainy season in Costa Rica. We also include hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant. For food, we get bread, juice, protein bars, crackers, and instant noodles, along with gloves, socks, beanies, rain ponchos, and some cash to support their daily needs.

My children spend time with them—playing, eating, and singing together. I hope they grow up with compassionate hearts, becoming individuals who positively impact others, even through small gestures like smiling at a stranger and saying "hi."
_
I'm wearing a simple outfit today: a lavender slim-fit polo shirt, paired with antique white slim-fit pants and light brown loafers.

Toddler math adventures

I’ve completed five math-related tasks with my four toddlers, with the last simple task happening today. They’ve been learning to count objects using toys and blocks, starting with small numbers. The second task focused on shape recognition, where I introduced basic shapes using toys, books, and shape sorters. When we're outside, I point out shapes they’ve learned at home.

The third task involved sorting and categorizing. I used colored blocks and objects to sort by color, size, or shape. For the fourth task, I chose simple puzzles that involved counting or shape matching to help develop problem-solving skills and spatial awareness, while the sorting task introduced early mathematical concepts, helping the toddlers learn the ropes of math.

The fifth task was playful measuring. I had them use cups or spoons to measure during playtime, like filling and pouring water or sand. One of the activities involved watering their plants with three cups of water each day. I also incorporated math into daily routines, such as counting steps while using the stairs, and sang number songs and rhymes like "This Old Man"

Monday, October 21, 2024

The man with 53 marriages

Abu Abdullah, a 63-year-old Saudi man, revealed in a recent interview that he has been married 53 times over the past 43 years. According to him, the purpose of these marriages was not pleasure but to seek peace, stability, and a lasting connection. He explained that his first marriage at age 20 initially brought him comfort, but subsequent conflicts led him to pursue other marriages. Over the years, he married both Saudi and foreign women, especially during his travels abroad, with some marriages lasting only a night.

Currently, Abu Abdullah is settled with one wife and has no intention of marrying again. Reflecting on his experiences, he emphasized the importance of stability and noted that true happiness, for him, lies not in youth but in maturity and understanding in a relationship.

(C&P)

Billionaire buys island for bikini

A recent viral story involves Soudi Al Nadak, an Instagram influencer, whose millionaire husband, Jamal Al Nadak, bought her a private island for $50 million. The reason behind this extravagant purchase was to provide her with a safe space where she could wear anything she wanted, including a bikini, without fear of judgment or restrictions. The couple, who met as students in Dubai, have been married since 2021 and live a luxurious lifestyle. Soudi frequently shares glimpses of their opulent life on social media, including their trips to the island via private jet.


(C&P)

7E

Recent reports show that there are approximately 13,000 7-Eleven stores in North America, covering both the U.S. and Canada. Of these, around 9,402 are located in the United States, with California having the highest number—about 1,896 stores, making up roughly 20% of the total. In a significant development, 7-Eleven has announced plans to close nearly 450 underperforming stores across North America, representing about 3% of its overall locations. This decision reflects several challenges, including declining sales, inflation, and shifting consumer preferences, particularly a notable drop in cigarette sales.

The company’s CEO stated that inflationary pressures, reduced customer traffic, and evolving consumer habits have driven the decision to close these 444 locations. In August, 7-Eleven reported a 7.3% decline in foot traffic, continuing a downward trend. This decrease is attributed to low-income consumers becoming more cautious with spending amid inflation, high interest rates, and a weakening job market. To address these challenges, 7-Eleven will focus investments on higher-demand locations. This strategy follows an unsolicited takeover bid by Canadian rival Alimentation Couche-Tard, which owns Circle K. 

If successful, the acquisition would make Couche-Tard the world’s largest convenience store operator. In response to the bid, 7-Eleven’s parent company plans to split into two entities: one dedicated to 7-Eleven convenience stores and gas stations, and the other managing 31 less profitable retail operations. Couche-Tard has confirmed a revised takeover offer of over RM201 billion after the initial RM165 billion bid was rejected. If successful, it would mark the largest foreign buyout of a Japanese company to date, solidifying Couche-Tard’s industry dominance and signaling a bold move to outpace competitors. The stakes have never been higher.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Double taxation in Malaysia

Starting February 2025, Malaysia’s minimum wage will increase from RM1,500 (set in 2022) to RM1,700. When I was studying in the UK, I worked part-time for £6 per hour. Today, the UK’s minimum wage has risen to £11 per hour. However, heavy taxation burdens UK citizens. Malaysia’s tax system is similar to the US model. With the recent budget announcement by PMX, Malaysia will adopt double taxation, similar to systems in the US, Japan, and Canada, where individuals are taxed both as private citizens and business owners.

Cara (budak) bunuh lipan

"Baru lepas hmm...apa eh...bunuh lipanKat tandas tadi...tiba tiba lipan melintas...panjang lebar macam jari...tatoottt....
terduduk kat jamban terus, angkat kaki tinggi...jirus lipan tu dengan sabun mop lantai..dan kurang gerak, letak sabun mandi pulak...haaa dah tak gerak dah lipan tu....tatottt....Syukur saya yang nampak lipan tu....dibuatnya anak kena sengat lipan...hmm..."

Jun 20, 2024

_

Tak pernah tak comel.

Saturday, October 19, 2024

Hmm

I feel deeply depressed.

Friday, October 18, 2024

Imran Strange

It's Friday! Time flies so swiftly. For Jumaah prayer today, I chose an ivory shalwar kameez paired with brown Peshawari chappals. Oh, and I shaved, leaving just a goatee like Dr. Strange—at my wife's request. 

MAS returns to U.S. in 2025

Malaysia Airlines will resume U.S. flights in March 2025, connecting to Chicago, Miami, and New York. These routes, made possible through a partnership with American Airlines, mark the airline’s return to the U.S. market after several years. The collaboration aims to enhance connectivity between Southeast Asia and major American cities, aligning with Malaysia Airlines' broader expansion plan.

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Yahya Sinwar

Today, the IDF confirmed in their news that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was killed in an IDF attack, along with two of his bodyguards. He was a crucial figure who led Hamas in the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
_

Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader, was detained by Israel for 22 years. He was arrested in 1988 by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for his involvement in founding Hamas' military wing and orchestrating attacks against Israeli targets. Initially sentenced to multiple life terms, Sinwar was released in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange deal, where over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners were freed in exchange for the captured Israeli soldier. After his release, Sinwar rose to prominence, eventually becoming the leader of Hamas in Gaza.

Unit 8200

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently launched an attack on Beirut, resulting in the deaths of 136 civilians, with hundreds injured and thousands displaced. This situation could lead Lebanon to become a second Palestine. Yesterday, Sayed Hassan Nasrallah, head of Hezbollah's intelligence since 1992, was confirmed killed in one of these strikes. Before his assassination, Nasrallah identified the "main target" as the Glilot military intelligence base near Tel Aviv, which Israeli media reported is home to the Mossad headquarters. He also noted a secondary target, Ein Shemer, a military airport used by Israeli drones. Both targets are key to Israel’s defense strategy.

The conflict began on September 17, 2024, when thousands of handheld pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies intended for Hezbollah exploded simultaneously across Lebanon and Syria. By September 22, 2024, 42 individuals had died, including at least 12 civilians. The simultaneous explosions of the pagers and walkie-talkies have raised suspicions about Mossad’s involvement. Hezbollah had acquired around 5,000 units of these pagers, believing them secure from hacking. The Taiwanese company remained tight-lipped and declined to comment on the matter, stating that an Israeli firm served as a third-party seller and has refused to cooperate in any way.

There are theories suggesting that the pagers and walkie-talkies were tampered with by an unknown entity, who altered the batteries and added triggers to cause the explosions. Many associate this with a secretive unit in Israel known as Unit 8200, an elite intelligence division of the IDF focused on signals intelligence (SIGINT) and cyber warfare. Established in the early 1950s, Unit 8200 plays a crucial role in intelligence gathering, data analysis, and military support, renowned for its secrecy and rigorous selection process. It has produced many veterans who later founded influential tech startups, contributing to Israel’s reputation as a global tech hub, such as founder of Better Place.

While Mossad is one of Israel's most recognized intelligence agencies, it operates alongside other important organizations, particularly the IDF's intelligence units, including Unit 8200. Mossad primarily concentrates on foreign intelligence, covert operations, and counterintelligence. This structure enables Israel to maintain a comprehensive intelligence capability, where Mossad's prominence can overshadow the significant roles of other units. Such strategic positioning helps safeguard sensitive operations and maintain operational security, keeping elite and specialized units out of the spotlight. This approach minimizes risks by limiting exposure and enhancing mission success. 


October 1, 2024

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Hot daddy at the library

I took my quadruplets to the National Library of Costa Rica in San Jose today. Established in 1888, this library holds a significant role in the country. I grew up visiting public libraries to borrow books and complete homework, so I always encourage my kids to explore libraries and make it a point to visit public libraries wherever we travel.

According to a report by Utusan Malaysia, 348 public libraries have closed in the past five years, with the total number dropping from 3,002 in 2019 to 2,654 last year. Meanwhile, data from the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC), a nonprofit organization, shows that Vietnam leads Southeast Asia with 6,991 public libraries, followed by Thailand with 2,116.

Among the most beautiful libraries in Southeast Asia, Singapore’s Rotunda Library & Archive ranks first, followed by the National Library of Indonesia. In third place is the Starfield Library in Seoul, fourth is the Tianjin Binhai Library in Yancheng, and fifth is the Nakajima Library in Akita. Malaysia's own Raja Tun Uda Library is ranked 10th.
_

For today's outing, I dressed in a white V-neck t-shirt, worn jeans, a baseball cap, sunglasses, and brown desert boots—well, I'm the perfect example of a hot daddy. 

Is Google collecting data?

Google has denied claims that Pixel phones provide the company with private user data such as location, network status, phone number, and app list every 15 minutes. Cybernews published a report containing these allegations on October 9, citing its own research team's findings as evidence.

Honda

Honda’s marketing strategy in Malaysia has been highly effective, positioning the brand as more premium than other Japanese competitors like Toyota, Lexus, or Mitsubishi. In contrast, Japanese consumers view Honda as a second-tier brand with lower engineering quality, leading to less popularity in its home market. This demonstrates how marketing can significantly influence public perception. In Japan, Toyota holds the reputation of being a top-tier brand.

Never ends...

My thoughts of you never ends...

June 22, 2024
_
"When I am unhappy, I read your letters. When the mist overwhelms the “I” in me, I take two or three letters out of the little box and reread them. They remind me of my true self. They make me overlook all that is not high and beautiful in life. Each and every one of us, must have a resting place somewhere. The resting place of my soul is a beautiful grove where my knowledge of you lives."

Kahlil Gibran, Love letters to Mary Haskell

Kira hmm

"Hmm ke sepuluh"
"Apa la best kira hmm tuuu"
"Nak kira bulu mata, awak bulu pun tak ada haha"
"Ada laaaaa. Halus pendek jeee. Bukan takdeee. Eeee dia ni kan."
"Kening pun tak ada"
"Kening pun ada laaa"
"Bulu kaki pun tak ada. Bulu tangan pun tak ada"
"Ada laaa....ada laaa......ingat saya ni kucing takde bulu tu keee....habis semua bulu pun takde..."

Jun 26, 2024
_

I keep myself occupied, but even with everything going on, you’re still on my mind. You're always the last thought before I fall asleep. Where did you work today? Drive safely on your way home. If you want me to keep you company while driving, just let me know, alright?  Don’t microsleep. If you’re feeling too tired, leave the chores for another time. 

I try to suppress my longing, but it weighs heavily on me. I miss you, sayang.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Visi

"Banyak perkahwinan gagal selalunya sebab tak ada visi terutamanya bagi orang lelaki. Sebelum kawin ada visi - nak kawin. Bila dah kawin, apa visi yang kita nak kejar, yang kita nak dapatkan dalam tempoh 5 tahun, 10 tahun? Contoh paling senang, lepas 10 tahun kawin kita nak beli rumah kedua bersama. Bila ada visi, kita mesti work hard untuk capai. Ramai orang bila kawin, visi nak besarkan anak. Betul, tapi visi dengan pasangan yang penting"
"Tepat dan padat. Apasal abang tak jadi motivator eh? Kaya tau. Modal cakap-cakap aje"
"Abang suka business pitching. Letih jadi motivator cakap benda sama hari-hari. Duit masuk pun nilai sama je"

Pendam

"Abang dah tengok?"
"Dah"
"Takde komen?"
"Tak ada"
"Sure?"
"Yeah"
"Actually Ara pelik. Ara dah lama nak tanya tapi tak tahu macam mana"
"A real man always checks his partner's mood. Tu je"
"Betul?"
"Haah"
"I'm here for you, abang"
"I'm good"
"Terima kasih tau sebab setiap hari tanya mood Ara"
"Ye"

G1

"Sayanggg"
"Kejab happy, kejab moody"
"Alaaa. Abang buat apa? Acam orang tua banyak fikir"
"Tesla dah lancarkan robot. $20,000-30,000 sebuah. Juta-juta dia nak keluarkan tahun depan. Robot pembantu rumah, tinggi 4.3 kaki $16,000"
"Mesti ramai hilang kerja, kan"
"Rasanya. It is easier for rich people to replace regular workers and make even more money on top of what they already have. Nak kekal relevan kena ada skill. Wealth is derived from skill, not physical labor"

Untuk Nurhara

Aku mencintaimu
dalam setiap fajar  
dan rembang senja 
yang membakar kerinduan.


September 25, 2024

Disney & LGBTQIA+

In recent years, Disney has really stepped up its support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Their properties, like Pixar and Marvel, are starting to feature LGBTQIA+ characters. For instance, you have Phastos in Eternals, who is a gay superhero, and Ethan Clade from Strange World, who is a queer lead. Even in Onward, there's a minor character who mentions having a same-sex partner, showing that representation is becoming more common in Disney films. Normalizing LGBTQIA+ identities opposes human values.

Disney isn't just stopping at characters, though. They've released Pride-themed merchandise and donated some of the profits to LGBTQIA+ organizations, showing real commitment to the cause. Plus, many of their animated shows and movies highlight principles like Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity (often referred to as DIE), making sure to incorporate these important themes into their stories. What led to this shift in focus and the decision to instill these values in young audiences?

Monday, October 14, 2024

Duit

"Kita tak kira setahun. Kita kira satu job berapa banyak kita buat duit"
"Ooo"
"Kenapa Ara tanya?"
"Saja"
"Tahunan pun kita kira tapi untuk company. Personal kita kira berapa deal meletop"
"Kerja abang kan, apa yang best?"
"Duit"
"Lain?"
"Duit je. Lain tak ada"
"Tak boring?"
"Tak"

How We Earn

Poor people earn money through physical labor, the middle class earn money through intellect, and wealthy people earn money through resources and power.

Shift your focus

"Some people focus on making a $980 million profit, others on buying 55 hotels, while Malaysian netizens focus on an artist’s divorce"
"Orang Melayu kan suka artis mesti la ambil tahu hal rumah tangga orang"
"Ye"
"Tak perlu otak untuk berfikir"
"Habis dah tulis panjang lebar pasal dah sign tapi buka mulut?"
"Dahhh"
"Boleh move on dah"
"Dah move on pun"
"Hal artis cerai hiruk-pikuk sampai jadi hal negara. Tulis dekat Facebook 'Shift your focus, and your life will upgrade too'"
"Alaaa kita ambil tahu sebab"
"Ye faham. Bukan cakap pasal Ara. Peguam memang kena ambil tahu hal masyarakat. Peguam dan masyarakat berpisah tiada"
"Tu polis, bang. Bukan lawyer"
"Eh silap"

Delivering memories

I rode my bicycle around the neighborhood with my twin daughters to deliver some homemade grilled halibut teppanyaki to several neighbors for lunch. Normally, Don handles this, but he’s currently out of town. Our neighbors already know that we’re leaving the city around December, and they feel sad since we’ve become like family. Although I don’t socialize much with them, my wife has built strong relationships with many of them. Nearly 80% of our neighbors are expats from around the world, making this a truly wonderful neighborhood. It reminds me of the Arab proverb: 'Choose your neighbors before you choose your home.'"

Isu wanita (2)

Kes satu

"Sy pernah kena. Sy adu bekas suami pukul. Boleh pulak ustaz tu ckp mcm ni, puan makan nasi lemak pg td puan ingt tak rasa mcm mana? Ptutnya tak. Mcm tu jugaklah ptutnya puan lupa apa bekas suami buat dan taat.

Sy smpai warded kena pukul.

Memalukan ustaz saja..sampai skrg sy x boleh lupa."
_

Kes dua

"Saya nak kongsikan kes terakhir minggu lepas - kes menerusi telefon melibatkan luahan isteri yang berdepan dengan suami yang baran, kasar dan suka caci maki hanya dengan sebab yg remeh.

Satu ketika, dalam satu pertelingkahan, si suami bersuara: "Tak kisah lah, kalau mati pun mati lah..." Kata-kata suami menjadikan isteri takut dan bertindak keluar dari rumah.

Tak lama, isteri dipanggil menghadiri sesi kaunseling di pejabat agama atas aduan si suami. Menurut Ustaz bertugas, si isteri (klien saya) dah nusyuz sebab keluar rumah tanpa izin suami.

Bila si isteri adukan tentang ugutan yang suami katakan, jawab si Ustaz: "Awak tu isteri, kalau perlu mati pun kat tangan suami, tak pe sebab awak tu isteri..."

(Sumber: Facebook)

Hizb al-Bahr

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim

اللّهُمَّ يَا عَلِيُّ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا حَلِيمُ يَا عَلِيمُ
Allahumma ya 'Aliyyu ya 'Azim, ya Halimu ya 'Alim

حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Hasbunallahu wa ni‘mal-Wakil

يَا ذَا الْجَلاَلِ وَالإِكْرَامِ
Ya Dhal-Jalali wal-Ikram

Hizb al-Nasr

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ 
Bismillahi ar-Rahmani ar-Rahim

 اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَجْعَلُكَ فِي نُحُورِ أَعْدَائِنَا، وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شُرُورِهِمْ
Allahumma inna naj‘aluka fi nuhuri a‘da’ina, wa na‘udhu bika min shururihim

 اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ عَضُدُنَا وَأَنْتَ نَصِيرُنَا وَبِكَ نُقَاتِلُ أَعْدَاءَنَا
Allahumma anta ‘aduduna wa anta nasiruna, wa bika nuqatilu a‘da’ana

 حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ
Hasbunallahu wa ni‘mal-Wakil

 وَصَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى سَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ
Wa salla Allahu ‘ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa ‘ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallam

Tasbih, Tahmid, Tahlil

1. Tasbih (تسبيح):
"SubhanAllah" (سبحان الله) 

2. Tahlil (تهليل):
"La ilaha illallah" 
(لا إله إلا الله) 

3. Tahmid (تحميد):  Alhamdulillah" (الحمد لله)
 
4. Takbir (تكبير):
"Allahu Akbar" (الله أكبر)

5. Istighfar (استغفار):
"Astaghfirullah" (أستغفر الله)

6. Hawqalah (حوقلة):
"La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah" 
(لا حول ولا قوة إلا بالله)

7. Salawat (صلوات):
"Allahumma salli 'ala Sayyidina Muhammad wa 'ala ali Muhammad" 
(اللهم صل على محمد وعلى آل محمد)

8. Kalimah Tayibah:
"La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur Rasulullah" 
(لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله),

Friday, October 11, 2024

Handsome me

I'm dressed in a rose pink slim fit baju melayu with a white sampin for Jumaah prayer today.

Thursday, October 10, 2024

Indonesia

Today, two intriguing news stories concerning Indonesia have emerged. Firstly, an Indonesian news presenter raises the question of why Malaysia garners more technology investments compared to his own country. Eurasia Review attempts to address this query, albeit missing one or two key points. Secondly, Indonesia has prohibited Apple from marketing the iPhone 16 series until the tech company commits to investing within the nation. This strategy mirrors a previous approach taken with BlackBerry, when Indonesia pressured the company to incorporate the Indonesian language into its settings—a demand that BlackBerry ultimately acquiesced to. Indonesia feels empowered to enact these measures, bolstered by its status as one of the most populous countries in the world.

Nobel Prize in Literature






Han Kang, the daughter of novelist Han Seung-won, has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. She is widely recognized for her novel The Vegetarian, which was listed among The New York Times' 100 best books of the 21st century.

Perempuan vs lelaki

"Yang laki trigger sangat tu mesti jenis poket nipis. Cuba poket tebal macam abang. Tak adanya nak terasa ke apa"
"Menyampah baca komen"
"Lelaki ni ego dia tinggi tapi tak mengaku. Acah-acah cool, relaks"
"Kannnn"
"Laki ke perempuan sama je bila ada duit. Laki pun bila banyak duit berlagak dengan bini, pandang bini macam hamba. Layan macam kuli. Bukan tak ada kes, ada, cuma tak ramai bercerita. Tu je"
"Ha'a. Kita ada baca komen cakap macam tu"
"Bila bini senang, laki ambil kesempatan. Joli duit bini, skandal sana sini. Dah selesa bini tanggung tak nak usaha. Kalau perempuan kerja cari duit jangan ada niat nak bantu suami. Niat kerja kerana Allah sebab tanggungjawab suami mencari nafkah. Kan orang tua dulu suka halau laki pergi kerja jangan duduk rumah. Buang masa je layan isu perempuan vs lelaki. Sampai kiamat tak habis"
"Teruk sangat pemikiran lelaki Melayu"
"Lelaki ni mana-mana pun sama je. Yang beza didikan yang dia terima. Dah sakit hati jangan baca komen. Tinggalkan benda yang tak bermanfaat. Baca lepas tu sakit hati nak buat apa"

Plot twist

"Ada plot twist. Lama sangat mandi"
"Ha la. Banyak hari tak balik"
"Buat apa eh sejam setengah dalam bilik air?"
"Lama tak jumpa air macam tu la"
"Kita nak gosip. Lama tau kita tunggu dengan penuh kesabaran"
"Okey mulakan"
_

"Kan abang dah cakap laki tu salah"
"Pandai dia belit mangsakan isteri. Jahat la"
"Pertama, dia ingat dia banyak duit semua perempuan nak. Kedua, dia ingat duit dia boleh beli semua perempuan"
"Ha'a"
"Kali pertama cerai okey la kata salah orang. Kalau dah 2,3 kali kawin-cerai, dia la masalah. Takkan nak cakap salah orang lagi"
"Kannn"
"Tu orang kata yang di kejar tak dapat, yang di kendong berciciran. If you have a good partner, stop searching for a perfect one"
"Acam mana abang tahu semua eh"
"I'm a businessman. If you understand human nature, you can succeed in any business"
"Ayat diaaaa"
"Hahahahaha"


Panggilan telefon
26-09-2024

Cerita Haff

"Kita cakap dengan Baba, kalau nak carikan jodoh kita nak laki ada duit. Tak handome takpe. Kerja jauh pun takpe asalkan ada duit. Senanya, kita tak nak laki selalu outstation"
"Alaaa sian dia"
"Abang tahu tak, Haff tiap bulan pinjam duit kita bayar loan kereta dia. Beli kereta mahal astu duit takde. Roadtax pun acam tu"
"Bayar tak?"
"Half"
"Lebih tu?"
"Next month astu pinjam lagi. Credit card tak bayar. Kereta kena tarik, kita jugak dia cari. Stres tau, bang"
"Mana pergi duit dia?"
"Entah. Client bayar fees, dia tak buat kerja. Mengamuk la orang pun"
"Yela dah tak buat kerja"
"Dia suruh kita jadi penjamin. Memang tak la. Astu ajak beli rumah joint loan. Tak nak kita"
"Nasib la. Kalau tak buta je tanggung hutang dia"
"Gaduh aje dia cakap belum kawin dah berkira. Lepas kawin tak tolong suami. Astu mula cakap syurga bawah tapak kaki suami bla bla bla"
"Dah tanggungjawab laki cari duit. Ada pulak suruh tolong-tolong"
"Time gaji paling best. 'I nak jersi bola, please'. Acam tu je dia minta macam-macam tanpa rasa bersalah. Every time gaji tau"
"Ara beli ke?"
"Tak kuasa kita"
"Apa punya jantan la"


09-10-2024

Bisnes baru

"Scroll apa dari tadi?"
"Cari rumah"
"Tak payah, lambat. Meh abang ajar"
_

"Kalau depo RM 40 ribu, monthly RM 1400. Bila nak untung? Berniaga asap je"
"Astu macam mana?"
_

"Nak berniaga ada 2 rahsia. Pertama modal guna paling minima. Sesikit yang mungkin. Ara bawa keluar RM 1500 dulu"
"Cukup ke? Acam sikit sangat"
"Cukup. First time meniaga tak payah modal besar"
_

"Modal Ara, untung Ara"
"Astu abang?"
"Nak berniaga jangan libat suami / isteri,. Kalau suami ajak isteri meniaga tak apa, tapi kalau isteri ajak suami jangan. Suami jangan kerja dengan isteri. Nanti kuasa dominan bertukar. Bukan senang nak kekal profesional. Adik-beradik, ipar-duai, mak ayah pun jangan. Kalau masalah susah sampai masam muka. Silap hari bulan bertumbuk. Kawan pun jangan. Masa belum untung tak apa. Bila untung, 5 sen pun berkira. 5 sen tu nampak sikit tapi kalau main kuantiti, banyak. Contoh 1kg 5sen. Kalau sehari keluar 2 tan berapa? Kalau 2000 tan? Macam pasir, sekali keluar dekat Dubai 3,000- 6,000 tan, Afrika Selatan 500-2,500 tan, Texas 2,000 tan, California 5,000 tan. India 1,000-3,000 tan. Cuba kira 2000 tan sehari x 5sen convert USD. Tu satu hari. Sebulan? Mahu tak bergaduh. Bunuh pun boleh"
_

"Modal RM 1,500. Sebulan paling sikit Ara akan dapat RM 3,750. 25% simpan, baki guna untuk penambahbaikan. Lepas tu buat pelaburan. Ara kena ambil gaji walaupun sikit"
"Tak payahlah, bang"
"Kena. Sikit pun tak apa. Pantang orang bisnes tak ambil gaji. Kita kerja bukan buat kebajikan"
"Okey"
"Dari untung tu, Ara guna untuk tambah unit. Game ni kita tak guna loan bank. Kalau ambil loan, memang sangkut la bisnes tak kembang. Loan nak bayar, modal nak pusing, liabiliti nak tanggung"
"Maceh tau ajar kita"
"Nanti Baba tanya buat apa susah-susah berniaga. Laki tak bagi duit ke haa macam mana"
"Baba tak tanya"
"Macamlah Ara tak pernah uruskan kontrak antarabangsa. Satu job komisyen ratus ribu, kan?"
"Kita acam nak 7 types of income gitu hihihi"
"Amboi dia"


09-10-2024

Tak ada otak

"Suami biasanya tak sentuh duit isteri. majority isteri yg tak bertanggungjawab. Suka amik kesempatan terhadap suami yg baik. Nak kerja, tapi duit nk simpan sendiri. Dia tak pikir bila bekerja kos rumah meningkat.

Selalu kena makan kat kedai, jarang masak kat rumah. Brg2 dapur semua basi sbb jarang masak.

Kos pengasuh lagi bertambah. Walhal kalau isteri jaga anak, boleh jimat banyak.

Belom lagi kira emosi ank2, terabai sebab mak dia selalu tiada disisi. Tiada tempat bermanja.

Sedar diri sikit, bila bekerja isteri secara tak langsung menambah beban suami. So kena ringankan sikit dgn cara hulur duit secara sukarela. Jangan nak selfish sgt. Ada otak, guna. Jgn simpan."

(Sumber: Facebook)
_

"Mendidih tau baca. Sakit hati. Gila ke apa?"
"Tak belajar agama macam tu la. Orang nak kawin, dia pun nak kawin tapi ilmu tak ada"

Wednesday, October 09, 2024

Hujan sepanjang hari.

Duta Melaka

"Melaka gets almost 10 million tourists after naming Chinese star Fan Bingbing as ambassador, but locals wonder if it can last"
"Siapa Bingbing?"
"Pelakon negara China"
"Dah tak ada orang lain ke nak ambil jadi duta?"
"Entahlah, bang. Malaysia kan pelik"
"Satu dalam dunia kot ambil rakyat negara luar jadi duta tempat sendiri"

Wonderful weather

On a rainy night, with a cup of hot tea, a good book, and my wife in my arms, I want to thank Allah for this wonderful weather.

Demam Hindi

"Cepat-cepat praktis"
"Hindi aje"
"Tu je yang senang"

Keras hati

"Dah tengok dah?"
"Dah"
"Maafkanlah orang walaupun susah. Nanti laju kita masuk syurga"
"Abang nak kita maafkan siapa? Haff tak guna?"
"Tazkirah Jumaat. Mendidik bini. Bini pulak keras hati"

Cerita teknologi

"Masa abang berniaga dulu, kalau beli barang nak jual balik, abang tak lanyak. Attitude bisnes tu penting. Kalau dah lanyak tak jadi barang niaga. Jadi barang peribadi. Kita pun kalau nak beli barang mesti tak nak barang macam tu"
"Astu kenapa la berkira sangat"
"Sekarang dah senang tak macam dulu. Dulu kalau nak ukur sudut kena perhati betul-betul, kira manual. Sekarang orang guna laser je. Dulu kalau nak potong mozek ikut bentuk susah. Sekarang dah ada multi-angle measuring ruler. Ukur, alih, potong. Ngam je masuk ikut bentuk apa kita nak. Mekanik dulu kena dengar bunyi enjin baru tahu rosak apa. Sekarang orang beli alat scan dalam 2,3 ribu terus tahu apa rosak. Macam ukur tanah, dulu guna tripod 3 kaki kita nampak tepi jalan tu. Sekarang direct satelit. Tripod tu kalau manusia lalu haa nampak semua. Topless"
"Ye ke, bang?"
"Ye"
"Seram aje"
"Orang tak guna dah. Berat nak angkut. Teknologi memang memudahkan tapi orang jadi tak mahir macam orang dulu-dulu. Kalau barang rosak dah tak pandai kira manual sebab terlalu bergantung dengan teknologi"

Koko panas

"Koko panas, boleh? Tak boleh abang dah buat dah"
"Maceh"
"Bangun. Abang nak duduk sini"
_

"Kita berat tak?"
"Tak"
_

"Acam mana nak kiss?"
"Sejak bila tak reti?"
"Cakit tau jambang tajam"
"Kiss yang tak ada jambang"
"Saja kan"
_

"Laa dah tidur"
"Belum"
"Pergi baring. Abang nak baca sikit lagi"
"Tak nak"
_

"Abang buat yang agama suruh je. Nafkah keperluan hidup satu bahagian. Nafkah untuk Ara sahaja satu bahagian. Ada rezeki lebih abang bagi lebih. Bagi duit dekat isteri tak rugi. Laki bagi duit, ada je barang dia beli untuk laki dia. Perfume la, kasut la, baju la, helmet la. Bahagian dia tu, dia beli la untuk diri sendiri. Nak wangi-wangi ke, nak dress ke apa. Sebab tu Islam asingkan tapi ramai yang campur sekali"
"Maceh tau"
"Ha"
"Duit nafkah kita beli emas astu kita plan nak beli kondo astu sewakan"
"Ara beli apartment dekat JB buat bilik sewa untuk orang kerja Singapore. Demand tinggi. Satu bilik dalam RM850-1200. Cari yang sub-sale tak pun rumah lelong. Maintenance apartment tak mahal sangat tiap bulan. Tak pun beli rumah dekat Jepun. Satu bilik sewa dulu RM1500 paling rendah. Cari rumah 3 bilik"
"Mata kita bling bling nampak duit hihi. Untung tau jadi perempuan. Duduk rumah aje boleh buat duit astu beranakkan duit astu buat kerja rumah dapat pahala. Semua dapat"
"Beli property tak rugi. Harga naik tiap tahun. Sewa dekat Selangor tahun ni naik 1%. Dekat KL naik 5%"

Tuesday, October 08, 2024

Lari dari rumah

Daddy: Hasha nak pergi mana? Lari dari rumah?
Hasha: *angguk*
Daddy: Bawa baju selai je? Beg punya besar
Hasha: Ibu marah
Daddy: Jom balik. Kita buat rumah lain, nak? Daddy buat rumah special untuk Hasha
_

Ibu tak bagi mandi kolam. Dia merajuk nak lari dari rumah. Merajuk bawa beg kuning, baju sehelai.

Rambut

"Handsome rambut"
"Bini suka kan"
"Astu?"
"Saja bagi bini cair"
"Cair sangat"
_

"Abang la jahat"
"Abang pulak"
"Astu siapa suruh pergi Kino rambut jatuh-jatuh dekat dahi. Fav tau rambut laki acam tu. Nampak abang terus hati kita jatuh ke lantai hihi"
"Handsome, kan?"
"Ha'a. Tapi abang tak ajak kita dating. Sedey tau"
"Dah lawa sangat. Mana laki berani dekat. Segan"
"Mengada"
"Iye. Abang sedar diri. Nak perempuan biasa je tapi dapat perfect. Dengan cantik dia, pandai, bijak, kerja bagus, anak orang besar"
"Eleh abang tu"
"Iye"
"Kita pun tak tahu kenapa kita suka abang tapi kita ada ramai pesaing"
"Mana ada"
"Eleh"
"Iye"
"Abang pernah cakap dekat hati dia, abang ada pesaing. Dekat hati abang, dia tak ada pesaing. Sama la. Dekat hati kita, abang tak ada pesaing. Dekat hati abang, kita ada pesaing"
"Semalam abang dengar YouTube. 'Jodoh itu takdir. Siapa orangnya, di mana tempatnya, dan kapan waktunya sudah ditulis 50.000 tahun sebelum kita diciptakan. Ditulis ulang 40 hari sebelum ruh ditiupkan ke dalam rahim ibu kita, sehingga yang namanya jodoh tidak akan tertukar. Kita tidak punya pilihan dalam hal itu. Terus, pilihan kita di bagian apa? Di bagian apakah kita layak bahagia dengan dia atau tidak. Di situlah letak pilihan kita.'"

Healing through reflection

For the past two months, I’ve been revisiting my old blog posts and permanently deleting some of them. Specifically, I’ve been removing posts that capture arguments between my wife and me. I didn’t delete all of them, though. I kept a few that I find funny and cute. But those that feel toxic and bring back harsh memories, I decided to let go of. I don’t want to hold onto those moments, especially when I was unkind to her.

Arguments and fights are a normal part of any relationship. They’re part of our growth journey, and there’s nothing unusual about them.

Monday, October 07, 2024

Worth reading





  1. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
  2. More Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
  3. The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada
  4. Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum
  5. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

Kawin

"Tu sebab abang cakap, bila orang bercerai, kita jangan side mana-mana. Kita baca, dengar, ambil iktibar. Cukup sekadar tu"
"Laki handsome, ramai penyondol. Tak handsome, sakit mata mmm"
"Laki muda umur 20, 30  dia cari perempuan ada duit. Senang nak joint loan. Kebanyakannya macam tu. Laki umur 40, dia nak yang muda dan lawa sebab duit dah ada. Baru boleh bangga dengan member. Tu sebab banyak laki umur 40 atas kawin 2"
"Ri tu cakap kawin dua sebab nak tumpang bini"
"Tu kalau laki sengkek. Kalau berduit kepit yang muda barulah syurga. Kemegahan seorang laki bila kawin dengan perempuan lawa. Baru semua orang respect"
"Acam tu rupanya"
"Kalau level bawah, dia sengkek tapi dapat tackle perempuan ada duit. Bangga semacam tu"

YouTube

"Ada eh orang tengok YouTube bayar?"
"Ada la. Dari RM 43.90 jadi RM 54.90"
"Banyak naik"
"Astu la"
"Tu phone apa? Apple? Kalau Apple memang mahal sikit sebab ada Apple tax"
"Ooo patut la"
"Verified button dekat FB pun kena caj RM 50 tiap bulan"
"Hihi baru tahu"
"Takkan Mark baik hati sangat nak bagi free"
"Kapitalis"
"Tak tahu pulak orang guna YouTube bayar. Ingat layan macam abang je"
"Free banyak ads"
"Abang guna browser tapis semua ads siap kalau bukak YouTube satu iklan pun tak ada. Paling best kalau tutup browser, lagu boleh main. Kalau guna app, tutup je lagu pun off. Power tak abang?"
"Emang businessma kedekut ngat kan. Semua free"
"YouTube free, Netflix tak langgan. Dah berapa abang jimat setahun. Ara tak sama abang. Ara kaya keturunan. Semua tu Ara tak pandang. Ara celik mata je dah kaya. Cara kita belanja tak sama"
"Ha'a" 
"Abang track semua perbelanjaan even beli kopi secawan. Kita kena tahu duit kita pergi mana"

Pindah

"Kita tak jadi pindah tempat abang cakap tu. Kita pindah tempat lain"
"Tengok tu"
"Hari tu abang macam okey la dekat dengan laut tapi macam nak tasik jugak"
"Camtu la dia"
"Ara tak update nak kerja ke tak. Situ pergi Europe dekat. Dah berangan weekend nak lepak Shakespeare & Co cari buku. Pergi Geneva pun dekat. Dah diam je, abang pun 'Duduk tempat lain dulu la'"
"Ehhh salahkan kita"
"Abang nak view tasik. Mall pun ada, airport dekat, private residences ada, sekolah dekat. Okey, situ je la kot"
"Boleh percaya ke?"
"Tengah survey lagi"
"Abang nak stay setahun aje, kan?"
"Cadangnya"
"Astu pindah aje. Jangan fikir"
"Jauh tak Kakak nak balik? Yang tempat hari tu 13 jam 1 transit"
"Check cepat"
"Hari tu pilihan kedua macam nak pindah Swiss tapi malas"
"Pindah Kajang sana"
"Dah check. Ada direct flight 13 jam. 2 hari baru sampai"
_

"Berjiran pun dengan satu negara je. Nak have fun mana"
"Astu kita cakap jangan banyak fikir. Pindah aje"
"Ha ye la"
"Bila?"
"Tunggu la fikir dulu"

Smoothie

"Smoothie mmm?"
"Heee"
"Bakpo suko?"
"Smoothie sedap, kan?"
"Smoothie mana, bang?"
"Pagi-pagi tu"
"Sebelum Subuh ke after Subuh? Ke lepas Zuhur?"
"Hahahahahaha"
"Suko dio"


Panggilan telefon
24-09-2024

Big place

Did you remember the big place we visited this morning? Daddy has a story for you. It’s about curiosity and a flying car.
Once upon a time, in a busy city, there was a magical place called MIT, where curious minds gathered to learn and create amazing things.

In this special school, there lived a friendly robot named Robo. Robo loved helping students with their inventions. One day, a little girl named Mia visited MIT. She was curious about everything!

Mia wanted to make a flying car, so she shared her idea with Robo, who said, “Let’s build it together!” They gathered colorful blocks, wheels, and shiny wings.

With Robo’s help, Mia learned how to measure, connect, and build. They laughed and experimented, and after a lot of teamwork, they finally made the car.

When they finished, Mia sat in the car, and Robo pressed a button. Whoosh! The car lifted into the air! Mia giggled with excitement as they soared above the trees.

From that day on, Mia and Robo became great friends, inspiring each other to dream big and create wonderful things.

And in that magical place called MIT, curiosity and friendship always led to amazing adventures!

The end.
_

I took my kids to visit the MIT campus yesterday. It was a casual trip to inspire Umar and Adam about higher education, encouraging them to envision their future and motivating them to pursue their dreams. I want them to think big. For my little ones, I introduced the idea of this prestigious institution in a fun and engaging way.

I miss my home

Nothing feels normal anymore. Every moment is a reminder of her presence, and the weight of missing her is unbearable. Some people say that sometimes you have to accept the fact that certain things will never go back to the way they used to be.

It’s heart-wrenching to be away from the one I love. My heart belongs to her, but choosing to be with her feels impossible right now. I know where my feelings lie, yet here I am, stuck in a place where I can’t choose her. It’s a painful contradiction.

My world has become so quiet. I’ve lost the words to write. My mind is constantly whispering her name. Goethe said, "I have so much in me, and the feeling for her absorbs it all; I have so much, and without her it all comes to nothing."  Without her, I am lost.

I’m trying to find peace, to let go of the things and people I can’t hold onto. I want to accept that what’s lost is gone, but my heart is my adversary. It clings to the hope of what once was and what could have been. Still, it longs for a future unwritten.

She’s just an ordinary girl, full of adventure and life. But in her presence, everything feels extraordinary. She turns my world upside down, and somehow, it feels beautiful. She makes me feel alive. I miss my home, and now it feels like it’s vanished...
_

When the spring breeze comes,
I will go to the mountain and gather azaleas,
And send them to you.

But, alas, the azaleas bloom in vain,
With no one to share their beauty,
For the heart yearns for love that’s lost.


Azaleas by Kim So-wol:

Sunday, October 06, 2024

Kakak big thing

Raysha: Kakak big thing
Umar: Kakak is very, very big hehe
Kakak: What’s that?
Raysha: Big thing!
Kakak: Daddyyyy! Raysha just called me a big thing. What’s up with that? Did I put on weight?
Daddy: It’s quantum physics

Saturday, October 05, 2024

My dearest sayang

I’m at Central Park, my favorite spot in New York. A few months ago, I shared the song "Biar Mimpi Sampai Ke Bintang" while sitting right here. You were in Krabi then, enjoying a family getaway. We were still exchanging emails, and in one, I jokingly said, "Jangan rindu." You seemed really upset in your reply. I was just joking, but perhaps you were in a bad mood because of the excruciating heat in Krabi. 

I’m having a sandwich and coffee while listening to the song, watching my toddlers play happily. Umar, Huda, and Adam are gossiping with their mom.

I can’t help but think of you. Wishing you a peaceful sleep, my dearest sayang.

"In the most selfish way possible, I want to be the only one who has your heart. I want to be the one who understands it completely, the one who holds it close. I don't want anyone else to feel your touch or the warmth of you just being near. I don't want anyone else to kiss your lips or taste the sweetness that I love. I want to be the one who kisses you goodnight and wakes up to you each morning. I want to be the reason you smile and to see the light in your eyes from the smallest things that make you happy. I want to be the one who brings you happiness and makes you laugh until you cry. I want us to be in the same book and to end in the same chapter. I want to be your last everything. In the most selfish way possible, I want all of you forever." — Unknown

 

Central Park, New York
October 5, 2024

Lizz

Umar: Why are you late?
Kakak: Traffic!
Umar: Jalan gedek-gedek
Kakak: I catwalk, okay?
Umar: Like a lizz hohoho
Kakak: You jerk!

Cerita kahwin

Daddy: Kakak target nak kawin umur berapa?
Kakak: 33
Daddy: Umar?
Umar: 30
Daddy: Adam?
Adam: 18 hehe
Daddy: Daddy tak galakkan kawin muda tapi kalau nak kawin jugak kumpul duit. Laki yang tak mampu sara keluarga tak boleh kawin. Get rich first, fall in love later. If you choose a woman, you lose money; but if you choose money, you won’t lose a woman
Adam: Money can't buy love, daddy
Daddy: All women want a man with money. No girl likes a broke guy. Remember that
Huda: Daddy, I need your advice too
Daddy: Follow your dreams, not your boyfriend. If you happen to find a good man, keep him. Many girls lose a good man because they listen to toxic friends' advice. Find a man who sees your success as his success, someone who isn’t insecure about your achievements.
Umar: Tunjuk ajarku, Sifu
Daddy: Each time you look for a woman, value her mind above everything else. Every woman is beautiful, but looks alone can’t provide anything. A sharp mind can offer advice, and her mindset will help raise your children. Bob Marley said, "If she's amazing, she won't be easy. If she's easy, she won't be amazing." Nothing worth having comes easy. If you find a good woman, cherish her and give her your all. Live your true love story


New York, USA
05-10-2024

Aprikot

Abang masih makan aprikot sejak sayang beritahu abang aprikot baik untuk melawan dan menyembuhkan kanser. Sayang cakap sekali sahaja, sepintas lalu tapi abang sentiasa ingat. Terima kasih ambil berat tentang abang.

Chest pain

4:55 AM in New York. I just woke up from that same dream again. I tried to check my inbox, but it wouldn’t open. Now I'm dealing with some chest pain.

Friday, October 04, 2024

Teman bercerita

Abang ada banyak cerita nak cerita dekat sayang tapi sayang tak ada. Setiap kali ada cerita, abang selalu ingat sayang.

:(

Lingering thoughts

Last night, I had a dream about you. While I can’t recall all the details, I distinctly remember seeing a new email from you in my inbox. When I woke up, I checked my email, but there was nothing new from you. I spent two or three hours on the chat app before logging out.

I tried to keep myself busy with the kids, hoping it would help me remember and miss you less, but it didn’t work. I just returned from Jumaah prayer, and thoughts of you keep coming to mind. I miss you, just like I always do. How was your day, sayang? How have you been? How are the kids?

"ودي أنسى اللي صار، بس كيف أنسى اللي كان."

"I wish to forget what happened, but how can I forget what was."

Jumaah style

I’m wearing an emerald green baju melayu with khaki cream pants and a songkok for Jumaah prayer today.

Tak pernah berpisah

Daddy: Umar okey?
Umar: Okey
Daddy: Tak nak main lagu?
Umar: Nope
Adam: Babang rindu Kakak
Daddy: Daddy try adjust jumpa Kakak dekat New York, okey?
Umar: Okey
Daddy: Dah. Jangan nangis. Dah besar, Kakak kena keluar belajar. Nanti Umar dengan Adam pun sama
Adam: Kakak tak ada tak best
_

"Umar depres. Kakak homesick. Ada flight kita jumpa dekat New York"
"Jab kita check"
"Tak pernah berpisah"
"Acam kita dengan Prince"
"Susah jugak ni"


03-10-2024

Tubi

"Tu apa?"
"Kata dah off Netflix guna Hulu"
"Hulu acammm lemau aje"
"Cuba buka Tubi. Situ banyak movie. Free je. Cerita pasal crime pun banyak"
"Tak pelawa kita. Sampai hati"
"Pelawa apa tak pernah tengok. Saja buka je"
"Astu tahu"
"Memang la. Abang kan suka usha saham sana sini"
"Astu tak cakap"


03-10-2024

My favorite

Dancing in the rain with Ara will always be my favorite.


October 3, 2024

Big and Little

It’s bedtime! Tonight, I’m going to share a story about “big things” and “little things.”
Once upon a time, in a bright green meadow, there lived a tiny bug named Benny. Benny was a little ant who loved to explore. One sunny day, he decided to go on an adventure to find the biggest thing in the meadow.

As he scurried along, he saw a beautiful flower. “Wow! This flower is huge!” he exclaimed, marveling at its vibrant petals. But Benny knew there were even bigger things to find.

He continued his journey and came across a tall blade of grass. “Look at this giant tower!” he shouted, climbing to the top. From up there, he could see even further.

Finally, Benny reached a giant tree. “This must be the biggest thing in the meadow!” he said, gazing up at its enormous trunk and sprawling branches.

Benny realized that while he was tiny, he could still discover amazing wonders. With a happy heart, he headed home, excited to share his adventure with his friends.

From that day on, Benny knew that both tiny things and big things made the world special.
Alright, folks, story time is over. Time to close your eyes and get some rest. Good night, everyone. Thank you for bringing so much happiness to my life.

Raysha: Nanite dada
Daddy: Good night, Raysha

Hasha: Bye-bye dada
Daddy: Bye-bye Hasha

Daddy: Daneal, tidur
Daneal: Tak nak
Daddy: Malam kena tidur. Tidur cepat. Kejab lagi Ibu datang haa

Daddy: Luqman, tak nak tidur? Pejam mata
Luqman: Ball
Daddy: Esok kita main. Sekarang Luqman kena tidur


October 3, 2024

Breakfast: Stir Fry & Frittata

This morning, I prepared beef stir fry with a frittata and enjoyed ginseng tea for breakfast. No smoothie today.

Thursday, October 03, 2024

Cukur

"Seminggu dua ke sebulan dua lagi abang cukur"
"Lamanya"
"Jambang baik untuk halang sinaran UV. Boleh bantu kekalkan kelembapan kulit muka macam fungsi air kelapa dalam badan"
"Astu tak nak shave?"
"Tak nak"
"Potong acam The Wolverine. Jambang aje. Rambut tak nak"
"Robert Downey Jr tu? Tak nak la"
"Hugh Jackman la. Tony Stark Iron Man. Abang ni kan"
"Hahaha mana tahu"

Kekal muda

"Morning, handsome"
"Hi, princess"
"Smoothie ke tu?"
"Ha"
"Semalam kangkung. Ri ni apa pulak?
"Special sikit"
"Jangan pelik-pelik ngat. Risau kita"
"Mixed berries + banana + apricot + cashew milk + Greek yogurt + almond butter + agave syrup + vanilla extract + cinnamon + collagen powder + flaxseeds"
"Collagen?"
"Kekal muda hehe"
"Bakpo tok titih embun?"
"Biar la. Orang nak handsome-handsome sibuk je"
"Lorat"

Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Bang haji

"Tak tahu sedap ke tak. First time buat"
"Abang letak apa?"
"Nenas + pisang + kangkung + avocado + air kelapa + limau kasturi + Brazil nut"
"Nenas wajib"
"Hahaha kekal handsome"
"Resipi apa ni, bang haji?"
"Tropical Green Smoothie"
"Ooo"
"Ee tak nak la panggil bang haji. Macam orang tua je"
"Astu kata suka tua"
"Tak suka"
"Hihihi"

Hulu

"Tengok apa? Siri Netflix?"
"Tak pun"
"Habis tu?"
"Benda apa tu?"
"Acam Netflix"
"Mata 2 je nak tengok banyak sangat"
"Netflix dah stop jab eh"
"Pulak. Tengok RTM.klik je la. Senang. Banyak informasi"
"Tak nak la. Acam orang tua"