Things I Wish I Had Known When Starting Out in Life

I’m 50 years old, and I’ve made my share of mistakes in my life. I’m not a big believer in regrets … and I have learned tremendously from every single mistake … and my life is pretty great so far.

However, there are a few things I wish I had known when I was graduating from University and starting out as an adult in life.

Would I change things? Off course as humans, we make mistakes. From mistakes we learn how to live correctly.........

Do I share them now to share my regrets? No, I share them in hopes that our kids, just starting out in life, can benefit from our mistakes and our lessons.

What follows isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s one that I hope proves useful to at least a few people. Here comes the first few..............

1.How to control impulse spending.

If there’s anything that can undermine our monthly budget, it’s impulse spending. Buying clothes when I don’t need them. Buying gadgets because I gotta have them. Ordering stuff online because it’s so easy. Buying that new phone.........I’ve learned to control my impulses, at least a little better. Now, I give myself some time to breathe. I think over my purchases, see if I’ve got the money, think about whether it’s a need or a want. That would have been a useful tool 25 years ago.

2.All that stuff that’s stressing you out — it won’t matter in 5 years, let alone 25.

When things are happening to you right now, they mean all the world. I had deadlines and projects and people breathing down my neck, and my stress levels went through the roof. I don’t regret the hard work but I think I would have been less stressed if I could have just realized that it wouldn’t matter a single bit just a few years down the road. Perspective is a good thing to learn. Learn to live with everyday stresses.

3.All that time you spend watching TV is a huge, huge waste of time.

I don’t know how much TV I’ve watched over the years, but it’s a crapload. Hours and days and weeks I’ll never have back. Who cares what happens on reality TV, when reality is slipping by outside? Time is something you’ll never get back — don’t waste it on TV. I seldom watch TV anymore now!

4.You gotta stay active and have regular exercise.

Ask any old folks and what do they regret most? Not having regular exercise and getting sick in their twilight years. Off course as we get older, all the dreaded disease will haunt us such as High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Heart problems etc etc. What if we were very active and have regular exercise during our younger days?

5.Junk food will come back to bite you in later life.

Yeah, it wasn’t just the sedentary lifestyle that got people fat and sickly. It was all the damn junk food too. Nowadays kids eat pizza and burgers and sugar cereal and desserts and donuts and coke … well, you get the picture, as their regular meals. When you are young maybe you can eat anything, as bad health was something to worry about when you got old. But then when you are old, you can't reverse all those stupid eating habits. Stop all the thrash food now and eat healthily.

6.How to plan finances.

You have to teach your kids how to plan their finance. You are supposed to budget and track your spending, when becoming an adult. Everybody has to learned how to plan, and how to stick to that plan. Surely you'll deviate from your plan, but you've to learned how to handle that too. Maybe that’s not a skill you can learn from book reading. You just gotta practice. The basic budget rule for our income is to keep 30% as saving, 30% for paying the housing loan, 30% for food/utilities/transport and 10% for contingencies.

7.Smoking is just dumb.

I started smoking when i was in form five. I won’t go into why I started, but it didn’t seem like a problem, because I knew I could quit anytime I wanted. Or I thought I could, at least, until many years later I gave it a go and couldn’t do it. Five failed quits later and I realized with horror that my addiction was stronger than I was. Sure, I eventually beat the habit (quit date: Sept. 15, 2003) but it took a piece of my soul to do it. So make sure your kid does not smoke (that includes smoking shisha).

8.All the stuff you’re doing that seems hard — it will be of use.

This is the first one that might not be as obvious. There were times in my life when work was hard, and I did it anyway, but hated it. I did it because I had to, but boy did it stress me out and leave me exhausted. Hard work isn’t as easy as I wanted it to be. But you know what? Every bit of hard work I did without knowing why I was doing it … it’s paid off for me in the long run. Maybe not right away, but I’m using skills and habits I learned during those times of high stress and long hours and tedious work — I use them all the time, and they’ve made me into the person I am today.

9.Make time to pursue your passion, no matter how busy you are.

If you love traveling, just do it. If fishing is your hobby, allocate time for it.. If you like carpentry, go for it. With a family and school and a full-time job, there just weren’t enough hours in the day. Well, I’ve learned that you have to make those hours. Set aside a block of time to do what you love, cut out other stuff from your life that take up your time, and don’t let anything interfere with that work. If you wait till you are old enough, maybe you don't have the energy and vibrancy to enjoy it.

10.Keep a diary. Seriously. Your memory is extremely faulty.

We forget things really easily. Maybe not short-term stuff, but long-term. We can't recall all those incident in secondary schools and maybe don’t remember things about our kids’ early years, because we didn’t record any of it. I wish I had kept a diary.

Bantah Bantah Bantah

Sime Darby Healthcare, the health care arm of Sime Darby Berhad, is buying over Institut Jantung Negara, the institute founded by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to treat patients suffering from the nation's No 1 killer disease.

If you have a heart problem and you are short of cash, a visit to the hospital will probably kill you before the heart attack can reach you.

I hope Pak Lah does the right thing before he goes off, i.e to make sure IJN stays as it is today.

Latest pics of our former English teacher Mr Paul Francis

1975




2008

Courtesy of smsjohorkluang.blogspot.com

Things that took me 50 years to learn

1. Don't waste money buying thread mills, stationary bikes or the likes. Ultimately it will become a white elephant in the house and are use to hang your clothes. Only way to slim down is to eat less and exercise more.

2.Don't delay going to Haj because the kid is facing an exam, still small or any other excuses. If you wait till they get married, you'll end up as a nanny to their kids and still cannot go to Haj. If you want to go to Haj, Just Do It.

3.If the meeting is more than one hour, the chairman is wasting everybody's time.

4.Pak Man Telo scheme or the likes will never make you rich and you will never make a fast buck.

5.Multi Level marketeers are always a hassle but will never go away. Buy the cheapest product to keep them at bay.

6. People who want to share their religious or political views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

7.The most destructive force in the universe is gossip and jealousy.

8.You should not confuse your career with your life. Start living...........

9. You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think
she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

10.Never say to a woman that she's fat or obese.

11.Never envy those driving fast and flashy cars. They might be pimps or loan sharks.

12.A person, who is nice to you, but rude to a waiter, is not a nice person.

13.Yes it's true. If it's not broken, don't fix it.

14.There is a fine line between genius and insanity. Those with high IQ's think on a different scale than the average person. They make themselves that way, through over-analyzing, internalizing everything, predictive thought patterns, unrealistic expectations of society and the people around them, and an array of other self-defeating, self-destructive thought patterns. Pray hard your boss is not one of them.

15. Never never never lick a steak knife.

16.I don't understand why people celebrate birthdays! Why would you want people to rejoice you growing a year older!

17.Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

18.Never love your spouse/kids/sibblings/parents/friends 110 percent. They are not yours and God will take them away one day.

19.Friends in need is a friend indeed.

20.Tough times never last, tough people do.

21. The Mercedes CLK sport car driver picking his nose at the traffic light might be rich, but he has no class.

22.Never argue with a traffic cop. Plead with him or get the summon.(No duit kopi O).

SMSJ junior gals (30 years ago)

Click pic for a larger image. Kenal sesiapa? Cute cute juga depa ni!
Courtesy of Azida

Don't watch if you have a weak heart!!

Tarian akhir zaman

Climbing the slopes of the Football field 20/8/1975

Sorry for the long absence, as i was involved with some messy projects. This photo of us climbing the slope to the football field. The field was only completed much later and only can be use after a year of us staying in the school. As you can see from the photo, the grass were only recently planted then.

Being the pioneers of a new school were really terrible as one cannot use all the facilities that were intended. We were deprived of our football and rugby games and we were also deprived of good laboratories. We could have scored more A's if all the facilities were in place!!!

From left Lee Meow Choon, Murtaza, Ghizan, Azman, Bahau, Tahir, me and Ghaffar/Nordin.

Obama Helped Stranger 20 Years Ago

Oct 05, 2008

The Norwegian newspaper VG has reported a truly amazing story about a newly-wed trying to get to Norway to be with her husband, and the stranger who helped pay an unexpected luggage surcharge.

The blog 'Leisha's Random Thoughts' has translated the story:

It was 1988, and Mary Andersen was in line at the Miami airport checking in for a long flight to Norway to be with her husband. When it was finally Mary's turn, she got the message that would crush her bubbling feeling of happiness.

"You'll have to pay a 103 dollar surcharge if you want to bring both those suitcases to Norway," the man behind the counter said.

Mary had no money. Her new husband had travelled ahead of her to Norway, and she had no one else to call.

"I was completely desperate and tried to think which of my things I could manage without. But I had already made such a careful selection of my most prized possessions," says Mary.As tears streamed down her face, she heard a 'gentle and friendly voice' behind her saying, "That's okay, I'll pay for her."

Mary turned around to see a tall man whom she had never seen before. He had a gentle and kind voice that was still firm and decisive. "The first thing I thought was, Who is this man?"

Although this happened 20 years ago, Mary still remembers the authority that radiated from the man. He was nicely dressed, with brown leather shoes, a cotton shirt open at the throat and khaki pants, says Mary.

She was thrilled to be able to bring both her suitcases to Norway and assured the stranger that he would get his money back. The man wrote his name and address on a piece of paper that he gave to Mary. She thanked him repeatedly. When she finally walked off towards the security checkpoint, he waved goodbye to her.

Who was the man?
Barack Obama.

Twenty years later, she is thrilled that the friendly stranger at the airport may be the next President and has voted for him already and donated 100 dollars to his campaign:"He was my knight in shining armor," says Mary, smiling.

She paid the 103 dollars back to Obama the day after she arrived in Norway. At that time he had just finished his job as a poorly paid community worker in Chicago, and had started his law studies at prestigious Harvard university.

Mary even convinced her parents to vote for him: In the spring of 2006 Mary's parents had heard that Obama was considering a run for president, but that he had still not decided. They chose to write a letter in which they told him that he would receive their votes. At the same time, they thanked Obama for helping their daughter 18 years earlier.

And Obama replied. In a letter to Mary's parents dated May 4th 2006 and stamped "United States Senate, Washington DC' Barack Obama writes:

'I want to thank you for the lovely things you wrote about me and for reminding me of what happened at Miami airport. I'm happy I could help back then, and I'm delighted to hear that your daughter is happy in Norway. Please send her my best wishes. Sincerely, Barack Obama, United States Senator'.

The parents sent the letter on to Mary.

Mary says that when her friends and associates talk about the election, especially when race relations is the heated subject, she relates the story of the kind man who helped out a stranger-in-need over twenty years ago, years before he had even thought about running for high office.
UPDATE: Also, remember this was 1988, when 100 dollars was quite a bit of money, compared to today's value.

Truly a wonderful story, and something that needs to be passed along in the maelstorm of fear-and-smear politics we are being subjected to right now.

Kalau artis Malaysia di Tanah Suci......

Mungkin beliau sedang berjenaka dengan kawan kawan, tetapi peribadi perlu dijaga kalau berada di Tanah Suci..............

John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech in 1961

On a frigid Winter's day, January 20, 1961, John Fitzgerald Kennedy took the oath of office as the 35th President of the United States. At age 43, he was the youngest man ever elected. He had won by one of the smallest margins of victory, only 115,000 popular votes. This is the speech he delivered announcing the dawn of a new era as young Americans born in the 20th century first assumed leadership of the Nation.

The inaugural ceremony is a defining moment in a President’s career, and no one knew this better than John F. Kennedy as he prepared for his own inauguration on January 20, 1961. He wanted his address to be short and clear—devoid of any partisan rhetoric and focused on foreign policy. He began constructing the speech in late November, working with friends and advisers. While his colleagues submitted ideas, the speech was distinctly the work of Kennedy himself. Aides recount that every sentence was worked, reworked, and reduced. It was a meticulously crafted piece of oratory that dramatically announced a generational change in the White House and called on the nation to combat “tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.”

Kennedy wrote his thoughts in his nearly indecipherable longhand on a yellow legal pad. The climax of the speech and its most memorable phrase, “Ask not what you country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” was honed down from a thought about sacrifice that Kennedy had long held in his mind and had expressed in various ways in campaign speeches.

Barack Obama's victory speech is as rousing and as stirring as Kennedy's speech.

Read on, and you be the judge............

John F. Kennedy

INAUGURAL ADDRESS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1961

---

"My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--
ask what you can do for your country."

---

Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom--symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning--signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn I before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears l prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe--the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.

We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

This much we pledge--and more.

To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do--for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom--and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge--to convert our good words into good deeds--in a new alliance for progress--to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbors know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.

To that world assembly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support--to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective--to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak--and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.

Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.

We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.

But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course--both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind's final war.

So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.

Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.

Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms--and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.

Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah--to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."

And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavor, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.

In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than in mine, will rest the final success or failure of our course. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.

Now the trumpet summons us again--not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are--but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation"--a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.

Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shank from this responsibility--I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it--and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

America Boleh! - Yes We Can!

Tuesday, November 4th, 2008, Chicago, Illinois: Text of President-elect Barack Obama's victory speech in Chicago on Tuesday, as released by his campaign:

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.

It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference.

It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled - Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America.

It's the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day.

It's been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America.

I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he's fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation's promise in the months ahead.

I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden.

I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation's next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House. And while she's no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure.

To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics - you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you've sacrificed to get it done.

But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to - it belongs to you.

I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington - it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston.

It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory.

I know you didn't do this just to win an election and I know you didn't do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime - two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor's bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair.

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek - it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you.

So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers - in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people.

Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too.

And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world - our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down - we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security - we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope.

For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing - Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.

She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons - because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.

And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America - the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.

At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.

When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.

When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.

She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.

A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can.

America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?

This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:

Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Even i shed a tear or two after this speech

-zack

Selamat mengerjakan Haji 2008

Kepada semua bakal bakal Haji 2008 terutama nya semua rakan rakan, saya mendoakan agar anda semua akan mendapat Haji yang mabrur. Semoga banyak bersabar menempuh dugaan dugaan di tanah suci dan selamat pulang ke Malaysia, insyaalah.

Rahim and Barack Obama!

Sorry for the long absence. I was rooting for Barack Obama and he won the US presidential election today. It was quite a joyous and jubilant occasion for many people in every part of the world. As you all know, when the US sneezes, the world would catch a cold. His election as the 44th US President is a momentous time in US and world history, and hopefully he will bring peace to Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. Bye Bye to the war monger McCain and Bush. Bush will go down in recent history as the most hated US President ever!

This picture was given to me by someone. Rahim sitting pretty in the centre is in UKM, i was told. To his right is arwah Zack, behind him is Sabirin (correct me if i'm wrong), i can't remember the guy sitting on the left, but i met him once, one score ago.

Saei pada 23 Ramadan 2008

Picture was taken on the 23rd of Ramadan 2008. Although it was the fasting time, hundred thousands of people can be seen doing the Umrah. The final league of the Umrah is a 3.5 km walk from Safa to Marwah. In normal times, one can walk 3.5 km leisurely within one hour, but when one walks with thousands of 'buddies' within a confine area during fasting time, the walk becomes very tough and a big test for one's iman and perseverance.

As can be seen from the picture, people from all walks of life, the men wearing two pieces of white cloth, walks shoulder to shoulder, praising and making dua' to Allah during the one hour journey.

The 'original' saei on the ground floor has been widen to double its capacity from the original size. Work is still going on to widen the upper floors. I foresee the work can be completed next year as workers are doing the final touches.

One has to timed correctly when doing the Umrah as not to accidentally joining into the peak crowd. The best time is after the Suboh prayers or before mid afternoon. I have timed myself doing the Saei on the top floor when it was not so crowded. For a one way Safa/Marwah or Marwah/Safa, a brisk walk is about 4 minutes. So for seven circuit, one can complete the Saei within 30 minutes.

Silat Lincah di SMSJ

Photo dated 1-10-1974. I can't remember the occasion, but i think it was a show for somebody. Maybe others can jog my memory.During my teenage years, learning silat was a passion and i would go to great length in search of good silat gurus. Thank God, not a single moment i would put to use the skill learned. I would prefer to use the langkah seribu if i foresee any problems, especially during my days in UK! And in the Reformasi demo era, running fast was a great help too!

Nowadays young kids and girls are taught various art of self defence like Taekwando , Silat and Karate. Of course it is useful if you are in a tight situation, but the best action is still to get away from it as fast as possible. This instinct should be instilled into our youngsters unless there are caught in between the devil and the deep blue sea! Then it is fight to the end and Tawakallah.

So the best art of self defence is running! If you can run fast, nobody can catch you. Running need practice and you need to practice it everyday. In your runs, your enemies will be left in your quake and you will gain the extra benefit of a good body and supreme mental health too.

So start jogging and start running today.

The Masjidil Haram Expansion - Jabal Omar Project

Picture taken on my last day in Mekah. It was the second day of Eid and everyone seems to be rushing to Jeddah, and probably home. No policeman can be seen around, so it was very chaotic.

Cranes are everywhere and the work of breaking the rocks and carting it away are progressing very slowly. I doubt the project can be completed on time as they have not even started work on the foundations (but miracles do happen in Mekah)! That's why dust is everywhere when wind is blowing. For our jemaah Haji, it make sense to bring a good quality mask.

A Malaysian company (PSDC & KLCC) is the Project Manager for the development of Jabal Omar. In fact, the joint venture company offered places for JKR Engineers to work with them in this project, with good remuneration (double in US Dolars) and benefits, with a 5 year contract. Nobody accept the offer as there was a nasty catch in their contract clause i.e no family members allowed in Mekah. Many become disinterested because of this clause. Most probably they want the engineers to concentrate fully on the project without any personal problems. Well there are many experienced and capable engineers in JKR but most are not bachelors or a duda yet!

This is an artist impression of the new Hilton. Sadly the old Hilton will be demolished soon to make way for more wide open space. My son had many a good times at the Burger King restaurant there! For those who want to takeaway a good Arab food especially lamb mandi, try the Herraz Restaurant on the second floor.The Ben Dawood supermarket on the ground floor is always crowded, so don't go in before or after solat time.

The construction of Makkah’s Jabal Omar project will be completed within 30 months, and the plan includes a number of residential towers and 40 hotels.

The SR12 billion project is located in a mountainous area close to the Grand Mosque. The towers will accommodate 34,500 pilgrims and the project is being developed in areas around the Grand Mosque.

It will create a model residential and commercial center with new roads, pathways, tunnels, electric stairs, and other facilities.

The project will create prayer areas for 78,000 worshipers and will be linked to the Grand Mosque’s sound system.These prayer areas would be considered an indirect expansion of the mosque.

The project has taken into consideration the environment and the topography of the area.

The groundbreaking for the second largest project after the Haram expansion was started two years ago.

Jabal Omar company is also studying tenders from various top class hotel companies such as Sheraton and Move & Pick to manage some of the residential and hotel towers being built as part of the project.

More than 200 hotels have been demolished in order to implement the Jabal Omar project.

The project would also build a mosque to accommodate 10,000 worshippers and also a conference hall overlooking the Grand Mosque with a seating capacity for 2,000 people.

.......................................................................................................................................................

Projek ini, termasuk perluasan dari utara halaman masjid hingga pembangunan perumahan menara, bertujuan untuk menyediakan lebih banyak perumahan dan kemudahan untuk penziarah. Projek ini juga termasuk SR12 bilion menara Jabal Omar, salah satu usaha yang terbesar yang bertujuan untuk pengembangan daerah sekitar Tanah Suci Haram. Dengan keluasan 230,000 meter persegi, ia juga termasuk projek hotel bintang lima, pusat komersial dan kemudahan untuk 200,000 penziarah.

Projek-projek lain ialah pembesaran Hospital Ajyad, yang terletak berhampiran masjid, dan pembangunan jalan lain untuk ke Tanah Suci Haram sejajar dengan jalan yang ada dari Jeddah-Makkah. Jalan baru 5km, dirancang juga untuk manafaat penziarah.Makkah Development Authority juga mengendalikan pembangunan Shamiya, Jabal Khandama dan Jabal Al-Kaaba daerah di sekitar Haram.

Projek ini juga bertujuan untuk mengembangkan daerah di wilayah pusat kota suci dan merobohkan bangunan tua dan usang yang tidak selamat lagi.. Mereka juga akan menyediakan sistem pengangkutan yang selesa bagi mengurangi kesibukan lalu lintas di kota tersebut.

Jumlah keseluruhan keluasan untuk dibangunkan di dianggarkan 587,250 meter persegi, dengan 90 % bangunan yang lama. Perluasan dari utara halaman mesjid itu sendiri akan mencakupi luas 1.2 juta meter persegi antara kedua masjid dan jalan lingkar ke utara, Jalan Masjid Al-Haram ke timur dan Jalan Jabal Al-Kaaba ke barat.

Projek Jabal Omar akan menyediakan lebih dari 25,000 pekerjaan. Jabal Omar menawarkan kemudahan perumahan bagi 100,000 orang, tempat wuduk berhawa dingin untuk 100,000 dan ruang terbuka sembahyang untuk 120,000.

Syarikat Jabal Omar akan memiliki modal SR3.5 bilion termasuk SR1.1 bilion sebagai sebahagian dari pemilik real estate di daerah itu. Sebahagian dari saham bernilai SR850 juta akan ditawarkan sebagai langganan awam.

Jalan baru akan dibina dengan 1,000 meter terowong dan akan melalui daerah Mawarika, Tandbawe, Jabal Ghurab, Rusaifa dan Zahareen.

Adalah dijangkakan 50 tahun untuk rancangan pembangunan untuk Makkah disiapkan oleh Makkah Development Authority .

Tempat makbul doa di Masjidil Haram

Klik rajah untuk lebih jelas.

Rajah dan penerangan rengkas diberikan kepada saya oleh saorang Mutawif dari Indonesia yang telah lama bermastautin diMekah. Banyak riwayat dari hadith hadith yang menyebutkan tempat tempat yang mustajab disekitar Kaabah. Dengan pembesaran Masjidil Haram oleh Khalifah Khalifah dan pemerintah pemerintah Mekah (golongan Wahabi) dari zaman ke zaman, banyak tempat bersejarah telah berubah, dan tempat asal saperti yang disebutkan ddialam Hadith pun banyak telah hilang ditelan zaman.

Walaubagaimana pun catitan ini hanya merupakan petunjuk sahaja kerana tempat asal sebenarnya hanya Allah sahaja yang mengetahui. Jangan dipegang dan diiktiqadkan terus rajah dan tempat ini, tetapi terimalah dengan hati yang terbuka kerana pada pendapat saya, semua kawasan di Masjidil Haram adalah tempat yang akan termakbul doa kita. Kita perlu berdoa dengan bersungguh sungguh dengan rasa takut, rasa resah dan dengan rasa pengharapan yang tinggi, insyaallah, akan dimakbulkan oleh Allah swt. Allahualam.

1. Hajaratul Aswad. Kemungkinan untuk berdoa disitu sangatlah tipis kerana sentiasa sesak dengan manusia.Tetapi jika anda yang jenis 'daring' dan nekad, tempat no.1,2,3,4,5 dan 6 adalah tempat yang paling mustajab doa. Itu sebab ianya tidak pernah kesunyian dengan tangisan dan suara doa sya'du manusia yang memohon kerestuan Allah swt.

2.Multazam. Juga sama saperti diatas.

3.Pintu Kaabah. Juga sama saperti diatas.

4.Tempat Jibril mengimami Rasulullah. Tempat ini jarang diketahui orang. Kalau berkesempatan melalui kawasan tersebut, lihat ada batu berwarna coklat di tepi dinding Kaabah.

5.Tempat asal Makam Ibrahim dimana Nabi Ibrahim bersolat dengan tanda seramik coklat.

6.Pancur Emas.

7.Pintu Kaabah yang tertutup.

8. Multazam untuk Wanita.

9.Maqam Ibrahim.

10.Telaga Zam Zam yang asal sebelum ditutup.

11.Pintu Bani Saibah.

12. Line Miqat Tawaf.

Ada satu cara untuk mendapat peluang ketempat mustajab tersebut. Apabila azan berkemundang, mulakan tawaf dan rapatkan diri dengan Kaaba walaupun bersesak sesak. Apabila iqamat, terus cari tempat solat berdekatan dengan Kaaba. Selesai salam solat, terus serbu ketempat tempat itu. Kalau ada 'timing' dan rezki, insyallah boleh mencapai hasrat.
Allahualam

Electric wheelchair in Masjidil Haram.

Traditionally for those who cannot make their tawaf on foot, they can hire a porter to push the wheelchair for them around the Kaabah 7 circuit for a sum (see picture above). One circumambulate of the Kaabah on the first floor of the Masjid is about 1 km. It is a tiring job pushing a wheelchair for 7 km non stop and so the cost of hiring the porter is not cheap. One must be very extra careful when pilgrims in wheelchairs are near you because the sharp edges of the wheelchair can cause injury. The porters will be pushing the wheelchairs very fast so as to make more trips and more money.

Nowadays the electric wheelchair has make its appearance in the Haram, albeit belatedly. Atleast the physically unfit pilgrims can now move on their own at their own pace. (see picture below).

Gambar apa ini?

Lihat gambar satu objek putih bulat dikanan Kaabah. Gambar diambil oleh isteri saya pada 26 Sept 08 lebih kurang jam 7.11 pagi. Gambar kedua dibawah, diambil beberapa saat kemudian tanpa zoom, objek putih sudah tidak kelihatan.Ini bermakna ianya bukan disebabkan oleh apa apa tompokan/kondensasi di lensa camera. Klik kanan pada mouse untuk buka gambar dilain tab dengan lebih besar lagi. Peristiwa ini semasa kami mengerjakan ibadah umrah pada terakhir 10 Ramadhan 2008.

Dibawah gambar objek putih yang saya muat turun dari blog Mazidul. Kelihatan objek yang sama saperti gambar di kaabah itu. Saya pernah lihat gambar sebegini di beberapa website Indonesia sebelum ini. Allahualam.

Sila layari blog Mazidul untuk mendapat keterangan lanjut berkenaan objek bulat putih itu.
http://mazidulakmal.blogspot.com/2008/05/jin.html
http://mazidulakmal.blogspot.com/2008/05/gambar-apa.html

Ini gambar yang lebih kurang sama.
klik sini

Solat jumaat di Masjidil Haram pada 26 Ramadan 2008

Mungkin ramai yang pernah bersolat jumaat di Masjidil Haram, tetapi pada bulan Ramadan kawasan sekeliling Masjid akan dibanjiri oleh kesemua penduduk tempatan Mekah dan para jemaah Umrah. Pada pukul 8 pagi, ribuan jemaah sudah membanjiri Masjid dan sejam sebelum masuk waktu zuhor, mereka yang datang lambat terpaksa bersolat di jalan raya.Dari gambar diatas, kelihatan Masjid lebih kurang 500 meter jauhnya, tetapi lambakkan jemaah dijalan raya adalah sepanjang 2 km. Saya jangkakan lebih 2 juta bersolat dimasjid dan 1 juta diluar.

Gambar diambil dibelakang Hotel Hilton. Jaringan keselamatan digantung kerana pembinaan hotel baru disebelah Hilton.Sukar dipercayai, tetapi Hotel Hilton dan Hotel Intercontinental akan dirobohkan didalam masa dua tahun ini untuk pembesaran dataran Masjid.

Pada masa sekarang Hilton adalah hotel yang terdekat dengan Masjidil Haram.Pada bulan Ramadan saya difahamkan, kos biliknya semalam ialah Rm6,000 tetapi pada hari biasa hanya Rm500 sahaja.Walaupun begitu, pakej Umrah Hilton yang bernilai RM60k untuk 10 hari laris dijual, dan ramai hartawan Malaysia tinggal disitu.

Walaupun cuaca panas terik sehingga mencapai kepada 50'C, jemaah tetap bersabar mendengar khutbah jumaat, walaupun bukan giliran Imam Abdul Rahman Sudais. Imam yang terkenal dengan suara lantang dan merdu ini kadangkala mengimamkan solat terawih dan tahajud. Pada malam 27 Ramadan, beliau membaca doa qunut hampir satu jam pada akhir solat witir pada jam 2.45am.

Kelihatan banyak tower crane disebelah safa-marwah kerana pembinaan untuk membesarkan tempat saei. Ramai yang tidak suka bersaei ditingkat atas, walaupun dibawah terlalu sesak. Mungkin mereka tidak dapat merasai jejakan kaki dibatu batu bukit Safa dan Marwah.

Kedai kedai disebelahan jalan akan diserbu oleh orang ramai setiap kali selesai solat sehinggakan pekedai tidak dapat melayan pelanggan dengan baik. Harga pun biasanya akan dinaikkan oleh pekedai kerana terlalu ramai pembeli.

Kaum wanita pun ramai bersolat dijalanan

Barangan berkualiti boleh didapati di supermarket Ben Dawood didalam Komplek Hilton. Barangan dikedai kedai tepi jalan, biasanya buatan China dan tidak ada kualiti.

Sesudah solat jumaat, para jemaah bersurai.

Amalan Iktikaf di Masjid Nabawi dan Masjidil Haram

Iktikaf sunnat iaitu yang dilakukan secara sukarela semata-mata untuk bertaqorrub kepada Allah SWT seperti iktikaf 10 hari terakhir bulan Ramadan. Amalan ini dilaksanakan oleh Rasulullah diakhir 10 Ramadan. Dikedua kedua masjid ini, amalan iktikaf dilaksanakan oleh ramai jemaah, dan mereka membawa bantal dan selimut untuk tinggal selama 10 hari didalamnya.

Saya perhatikan ada beberapa orang melayu yang beriktikaf di Masjidil Haram. Oleh kerana ramainya orang beriktikaf, semua ruang ruang solat mesjid telah dipenuhi oleh mereka dan adalah menjadi kesulitan bagi jemaah lain yang ingin bersolat. Kita perlu hadir satu atau 2 jam sebelum solat fardhu ke masjid untuk mencari mana mana ruang 'sekangkang kera' yang ada atau meminta kebenaran jemaah yang beriktikaf untuk 'menyelit' diantara mereka. Kadang kala usaha mencari ruang solat banyak menyebabkan pentengkaran diantara jemaah yang merebutkan ruang ruang yang ada.

Apabila kita sudah mendapat ruang kecil untuk beribadat, ruang itu tidak akan dilepaskan sebegitu senang. Kadangkala apabila kita masuk ke Masjid pada jam 10 pagi, ramai yang akan keluar selepas solat Maghrib jam 7pm atau selepas solat Qiam (Tahajjud) pada jam 2.45am. Bermakna kita berada di Masjid lebih dari 10 jam. Jadi bersedialah untuk melawan perkara perkara yang membatalkan wudhu'.

Masa beriktikaf dipenuhi dengan membaca Al Quran (sebaiknya khatam Quran semasa 10 hari), bersolat sunat dan berzikir. Walaupun begitu, ramai juga yang asyik tidor, mungkin terlalu letih berpuasa.

Bagi mereka yang susah 'menyimpan' wudhu sebegitu lama, saya perhatikan ramai memperbaharui wudhu dengan menyapu air mineral yang disimpan dalam botol kecil secara sedikit keanggota wudhu sambil duduk. Itu satu skil untuk kita amalkan kalau perlu.