New Year 2009

'My All', Haji Mohd Nadzri, Nadzirul Asyraf and Nadzirul Isyraf;

My parents. Abah Haji Abd Hamid and Mamah Hajah Siti Alam;

My Siblings, Adi Putera, Masuriyati, Adi Wisma, Adi Siswa, Adi Diwana, Adi Suirya and Dewi MasAyu NurIrffah AzZahra

Brother/Sis In-Laws;

Nephews and Nieces;

All Family of Dewi Suriya and Pantaran Budi

Wishing you all a blessed, healthy and prosperous 2009.

May Allah shower us HIS love and tender loving care upon us....Amien3 YRA

I LOVE YOU ALL.........

I am back online....

As usual, the end of the year is always the busiest of all times. I have been running here and there with different kind of activities, ranging from the Raya Celebration to family gathering.

One of the big projects I did was the oneIM 2008 HLP, which I and the team organized every last Friday of the month, throughout 2008. Activities included indoor and outdoor games, ball games, etc. I feel relief that it is over now.

Then, I led another project, the oneIM Raya Get-Together. This is the first of its kind organized as oneIM. Usually, the get-together was just a small one in the office. The objectives were to unite all staff in IM regardless of race, culture or religion and to further strengthen relationship amongst staff. I chose Kesyukuran Dalam Kemeriahan as the theme. Varieties of food were catered including lamb briyani, rendang, sate and not forgetting the raya biscuits.

Then I initiated the Amanah Kasih charity project. The project serves as the avenue for IM to lead or participate in charity projects or events. It is also hope that the project would encourage staff to be more involved in such projects. I don't know how and what came to my mind when I chose Amanah Kasih as the project name. So is the oneIM get-together theme. But, if you read through the oneIM raya theme closely, it does relate to Amanah Kasih (Amanah-trust;entrust, Kasih-care;love). What I could gather, both projects are in the wake to 'realize' and help the needy while we lived a blessed life.

The kitchen of their old house

My manager, Hj Yahkup, supported the project positively and he even proposed the 'family' for the project. The project was joined by 4 young energetic and enthusiastic graduates, Dk Ratna, Meng, Azeez and Khadiman. So, after doing some findings, we made a visit to the family concerned, a family of 9 - 7 little children (4 girls and 3 boys), ranging from 11 months to 12 years old.

Me talking to one of the girls

The responses had been good since. Donations in the form of money and basic needs like clothings, food, kitchen ware, etc poured in not only from our very own IM staff but also from staff outside IM in BSP. The money received will not only be for the focus of one but for any, those are in need throughout the country. This will then 'lengthen' the good deeds of our staff, who generously donated.

Khadiman, looking at the deteriorating condition of the old house

May Allah bless our good doings....amien3 yra....

Note: All pics were taken before the family moved to their barrack. Our next visit update will come in soon

Pilihan 95.9 / 96.9 Going Pink

Yesterday, I was invited to Allen Shim's show in Pilihan 95.9/96.9. It was a good session which lasted for an hour and I could not deny, Allen is a good DJ. I was accompanied by beloved one, who sat with me in the studio, throughout. Thanks for your untired, continuous support love....

Special reserved parking.....

The show was supposed to start around 1430hrs but we arrived early than expected. So we took the opportunity to know each other and our next community project.

Listening earlier to Allen on air, I was flattered when Allen said 'She is a good speaker'. Am I?

There had been good responses from the listeners. Questions poured in via the short messaging service and there were even listerners who would like to contact me for some info/advice.

Once again, thank you to Allen for letting me in and thank you also goes to Aeril for bringing me in.

Watch this space, as next to go PINK would be the Women's Company.

Would you have made the same choice?

At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection.

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?' The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. 'I believe, that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

Then he told the following story:

Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father

watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman' s head.

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!

AND NOW A LITTLE FOOTNOTE TO THIS STORY: We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate. The crude, vulgar, and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.

22nd ASCOPE Games

This year, Brunei, represented by Petroleum Brunei (PB) had the honor to host the games. In previous years, Brunei was represented by Petroleum Unit (PU). The games was launched on 22 October, with a reception cocktail for all participating countries at the Indera Kayangan, the Empire Hotel and Country Club.

Me, Mazlan, Hjh Juani, Hjh Noraini and Nadia at the reception cocktail

ASCOPE, the ASEAN Councils On Petroleum, consist of Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia and Philippines take turn to host the games.This is my 6th participation and represented the tennis team.

With Shapiee, partnering for the mix-doubles against Thailand

In action....

Partnering Mazlan against Malaysia


The tennis contingents

The games ended on 25 October with a farewell dinner at the Royal Berkshire Hall, Jerudong Park Polo Club. Next year in 2009, it will be Singapore to host BUT it could be postponed due to the financial crisis, as announced by the CEO of SPC at the farewell.

With tennis mates from Thailand and Indonesia

Looking forward for another tennis tour, though I have to do it under the hot sun.....

Pink Activities

Last 25 October, 2008, I was again invited by DJ Anna to her show in Kristal FM. I was joined by Matron Dayang Hajah Jaliha Hj Momin, Community Health Nurse, who is also the Chairlady of our Brunei Breast Cancer Support Group. On air, the Matron shared on how to do Breast Self Examnation (BSE), the diffirent steps how to do the BSE and other breast cancer related info.

I was also joined by my nieces, DayangKu Farah Aiysha and DayangKu Farah Abadi (the 'Ambuyat' Girl in the ASTRO Disney Channel). The girls had the chance to learn from DJ Anna how to operate their system and later they had the chance to request for their favourite songs to be played on air.


While later in that afternoon, I was invited by the Ministry of Health, as the guest speaker at their function, in conjunction with the October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The talk, attended by community nurses from throughout the country, was organized to increase their awarness being the frontline health personel.

Matron Hajah Mariah Haji Buntar presenting the souvenir

Read related articles from the Brunei Times
Vow To Fight Her Last Breath
Breast Cancer On The Rise In Brunei

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink October is here. There is currently not very much effort have been put in, into gearing up to increase the awareness amongst the public in the country. Unlike others, I have seen about Pink October in the TV, posters all around and also public talks being held. I do know only a small part of the community is taking this into account seriously and I have been invited as the guest speaker later at the Awareness Program, on 25 October, 2008.

The fact is an estimated 182,460 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to occur among women in the United States during 2008. An estimated 40,480 women will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second deadliest cancer in women (behind lung cancer).

Al-Fatihah.....

During our last summer holidays in London, we were shocked by sad news from Brunei. A colleague and my SS79 mate, passed away, after some months of battling against cancer.

The colleague, who was an active golfer, suffered from colon? cancer.I still remember the last time when I met and talked to him in the office. He looked so worried (who didn't?) and he had lost so much weight already then. I did not know about his illness until another colleague told me. I was hoping to see him again after that but he was already on medical leave.....

For the case of my SS79 mate, he left behind a wife and 8 children. He was diagnosed with lung cancer.

May they rest in peace and in the safe-keeping of Allah SWT....amien.....

Is RP30,000 = SGD4.60 worth the rush?

I received this article this morning and sharing it with you all, as reminder....Astagfirullahaladzim

Demi Allah, tak pantas kita hidup bermewah-mewahan... tak pantas kita hidup berlebih-lebihan... dan tak pantas kita hidup dengan pemborosan...Artikel ini mengingatkan, betapa diluar sana masih banyak orang2 yang sebenarnya lebih pantas untuk memiliki sebagian harta kita Mudah-mudahan sama-sama bisa diambil ibroh-nya...

Kompas, Selasa, 16 September 2008

Mereka Meninggal Demi Rp30 Ribu!

Demi uang sebesar Rp30.000, ribuan orang di di Jl Wahidin Pasuruan rela berdesak-desakkan dan mengakibatkan 21 orang tewas.Peristiwa tragis itu terjadi saat pembagian zakat yang dimulai pada pukul 10.00 WIB. Ribuan warga miskin yang datang dari berbagai pelosok desa di sekitar Kota dan Kabupaten Pasuruan itu berebut saling berdesakan guna mendapatkan zakat dengan nilai nom ina l Rp30.000 per orang yang dilangsungkan oleh keluarga dermawan H Syaichon di Jalan Dr Wahidin Sudirohusodo, Kota Pasuruan.Keluarga Syaichon yang mengatur para penerima zakat masuk satu per satu ke dalam halaman rumahnya, akhirnya membuat ribuan orang yang terkonsentrasi di sebuah gang tak bisa bergerak, bahkan orang yang pingsan pun tidak bisa keluar. Puncaknya adalah: 21 orang tewas!

Nice to be home....

Alhamdulillah, we arrived home safely last Sunday, 14 Sep. Still feeling tired and 'small' jetlag to get over. But it is still nice to be home though and still miss the kind weather here in Brunei. The boys, Darling and Baby are back to school the next day after we arrived and to start their holidays again soon. I will be back in the office next week Monday.

While in Central London, I was unable to update happenings, as the place where we stayed did not have any internet or wi-fi connection. So, I have a lot of catch up to do, since it has been almost 2 weeks, from my last post.

Will be back soon.....

A Day at the Dockside Outlet Centre

Along the way to Kent University Medway

Kent University campus area

Greenwich University in the background


Dockside Outlet Centre


Dockside Marina



Dockside Outlet Centre stores

On the way to Chatham

Finally....

My counting down is over. Me, Darling and Baby were off to London last Wednesday evening, to meet dearest hubby/ayah and for our holiday.

Entourage from PB and DS sending us off at BIA

Dubai transit

At London Heathrow Airport, we were received by dearest hubby/Ayah.

Outside Heathrow Airport at the 'London Taxi' stand

London Victoria Station - reminded me of college days

Darling Asyraf and Baby Isyraf at Gillingham, groceries shopping

Ramadhan Mubarak - Time For Reflection

In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

O Believers, fasting is decreed for you as it was decreed for those before you, so that you may learn to restrain yourselves.
(Al Quran 2:183)

The Prophet (SAW) said:'Allah has said: "Every action of the son of Adam is for him except fasting, for that is solely for Me, and I shall reward it (in a special way).....A person who dasts experience two joys, he is joyful when he breaks his fast and he is joyful when he meets his Lord."
(Bukhari Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever fasts during Ramadhan with faith, seeking reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven. And whoever spends the Night of Power (Laylat ul Qadr) in prayer, with faith, seeking his reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven."
(Bukhari Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: "Whoever prays during the nights of Ramadhan with faith, seeking his reward from Allah, will have his past sins forgiven."
(Bukhari Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: "If a person does not give up accusations and bad behaviour while fasting, Allah has no need of his giving up food or drink."
(Bukhari Mullim)

The Prophet (SAW) said: "There are those who get nothing from their fast but hunger and thirst, and there are those who pray at night and get nothing from it but loss of sleep."
(Ahmad)

Purify your intentions, seek reward from Allah and fulfill your duties and increase your ibadaa for the sake of Allah alone. The true reward is yet to come Insya Allah.

May Ramadhan user upon us peace, happiness and prosperity.