Kesum...

After Friday prayer, I went to Bunning to hire a Ute. Owhh by the way, we managed to rent a detached house, Alhamdulilah. Basically we already moved out all our stuff except the matress. So, I planned to move the mattress and at the same time to pick up the dinning tables that I bought last week. There is no free delivery service, they charged around AUD$40 just to send the dinning table set. So might as well I rent a ute, so I can kill two bird with one stone..umm. But things happened...We only moved the matress since the dining tables cannot be collected after two. Im so mad because they didnt inform us about it. I thought it would be open like office hours. Partly its my mistake too, I should always ask.

Daun kesum or Laksa leaves

So, I booked the ute again on Monday noon just to collect the dinning table...such a hassle. After returning the ute, I went to the plant and herbs section in this gigantic Bunning warehouse. I saw lot of herbs expecially the english herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley etc. But there is Laksa leaves....yesss! I had been looking for laksa leaves or known as Vietnamese coriander or in Malaysia it is called daun kesum. I did heard about laksa leaves in Perth and people did mentioned that we can buy it in Bunning. At last I found it. So it is easy to cook laksa penang or even assam pedas....yummyyy. I hope that laksa leaves will grow well over the summer. I just got to know that daun kesum is also known as Vietnamese coriander (rau ram) because Vietnamese people commonly eaten fresh daun kesum. It's not only in Vietnam but also Thailand (pak pai) and Cambodia (chi krasang tomhom).

ute=pick up or utility truck

Moving

Karawara, Western Australia

Yesterday I went to a friend house, Kak F and abg R. They celebrated their daughter’s birthday. Happy birthday to A, she is now 3 years old.

By the way, we are moving out. The previous house is a town house terrace concept. Since we have always received complaint from neighbour next door, we decided to rent a detached house. Our neighbour doesn’t understand the concept of having kids (fair enough; they have no kid themselves). You can’t just simple stop the kids from making any noise, cry or whatsoever. My two little nephews are too young to understand and you can’t simply said quiet. Looking for a house is not easy and when you move to a new house you need a lot of money for the bond and etc. There is a lot of work to do as well, to transfer the phone, electricity, water and internet service to a new place. Since the new house is unfurnished, so need to spend money to buy fridge, washing machine and at least basic furniture. I hope this will be the last house and can’t afford to move again.

But a good lesson I can learn from this situation is that be patience and tolerate to others.

Justin Timberlake said....

Salam...thanks for the comments, I mean the previous entry below..ahahaha. There are many reactions from friends but I'm not in the state of upset with something or what...I wrote the entry just to remind myself .... Alhamdulilah, there are still lot of people aware about bragging and at least we can work it out together...with simple approach, self reflection. I know it is hard to become humble...but at least we are trying to be one. And we need to treat people with full respect and yea I'm agree with Justin Timberlake, "What Goes Around Comes Around".

Western Australia

Last month there was a Pasar Malam (5pm till late) organised by International student association in one of the university here. I'm so excited and I came early (at 5 pm)...since there were so many food, i'm confused myself. I didnt know what to buy really. So, at last I bought Nasi Lemak and ayam percik. Satay vendor reallly made profit that night. There were a long queve as people line up to buy satay...and most of them are local people here. I think Oz people like satay very much.

Hey...I'm the boss ok Burshwood, Western Australia

Salam to all my friends. I really want to write about this matter for quite sometimes…bragging. When we talk about bragging…the scope is very wide and you can see different kind and ways of bragging…why??? Because it involve human and human are very colourful in term of personality. I think bragging is a part of us but the degree of bragging makes it different between others. The same concept with ego and when it is too much, people will feel irritated.

Me myself tend to do it as well…. unintentionally…When I talk to much, sometimes it just spit out or I might choose the wrong words or I might acting as if I’m so good…that’s why sometimes we need to review back what we had done. Little that I want to hurt my friends, other people etc but sometimes things happen.

Back to the issue, I used to experience how sad I’m when people treat me like I’m nobody. Even my own relative and because they are somebody… title-bearing people, rich, high status quo and bla bla bla…they can brags so much that some of their comments were on the fringe of being irrational and unbelievable. As well as bragging some of them also puts other family members down as if they are the only clever, rich people on the planet earth.

Even some of the bosses are so bossy…they don’t be bothered to greet their staff or coolie ‘good morning’ or even smile…. Their concept is..I’m the boss and the staffs should greet me…not the other way round. The same thing at the university….my friend who are doing his Phd keep on complaining how boastful his supervisor…. as if she is the cleverest person on the entire universe..as if she is the only person with prof or associate prof. What make it worst..some of them are very proud of failing some students….If in other country supervisor can treat their Phd student as a friend..why not in Malaysia. If the boss in the other country can treat their employee with dignity, why not us… Hey come on la…for God sake…its all from ALLAH.

I pray to ALLAH that I wont be like that and I want to become a humble man. If we don’t want to be treated badly, so do the other people. Put ourself in their shoes..nuture our heart to be sympathetic. Having a sympathetic heart will make us aware of the human nature, their strength and weakness made by Allah S.W.T. This will prevent us from becoming proud and arrogant. Proud and arrogant people are damn by Allah S.W.T.

Okra..where are you?

Bentley, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah..at last I managed to submit my work at 12 midnite yesterday and today my boss cancelled the meeting...so I went out to do some errands and relax my tired little brain. As usual, cooking is a good therapy for me ...you know just to escape from my work routine. So I did my laundry, went shopping and then I did some cooking.

The menu for today is Mackerel Asam Pedas and pak choi oyster sauce. For asam pedas, I add up tomato and okra but as usual, when I need something, I have to go around to search for it but when I dont need it it always around...iskkkkk. Thats what happened today when I'm looking for okra...or in Malaysia we called it lady finger or in Malay we call it Bendi. I end up found the frozen baby okra after I went to a few places!!!! I love that asam pedas but poor my bro in law because its too hot for him...errrk sorry.
On saturday recently I went to another open house by kak F. My friend picked me at the office in the afternoon. At first I dont want to go but for the second thought, I still need my lunch so why not...I never regret..the food is good...especially rendang dind ding ek...the famous rendang in Perak....and yesterday another open house...the last open house I guess. I went there at noon and then drove back to the ofiice and stayed till midnite. Tomorrow I will start another work marathon...wish me luck..

Please...give me back the Syawal spirit!!!!

Open house 1

Open house 2

Salam syawal to all my friends..sorry for my absent in this blogging world. The same and traditional excuse is of course Im busy. Im really tight with my work. I have to prepare for my presentation in Chiang Mai and my boss want it to be ready this week. I had been working like a dog to finish it but at the same time I have to settle my other job too. Sometimes life is all about work work work. Well, nothing is easy in life and to achieve our dream its all need to pay off with hard work. I will try to spend time to visit you guys...since I cant go for physical visit for syawal..so I have to do it virtually..ahaks. Enjoy the clips above....my visit to the open house at the beginning of syawal. What can I say, Syawal abroad is much happening as compare to Malaysia. I think the main reason is because you are away from home and visiting friends is consider a must. You treat your friends like family here. When I was in Malaysia, I keep on wondering why neighbours, freinds or even relatives didnt come to visit...during my childhood, people just simply come, they dont wait for open house or they dont have to think twice about it. The door always open for the guest. But now people prefer to stay at home watching tv or go for holiday. Please give me back the syawal spirit.. I dont want my grandchildren to lose their identity, their faith, their boundary.....

Pre and post raya update

We celebrated raya on wednesday, 1st oct, so the night before we were invited by friend to his house for tahlil and takbir!!

'Masak bermasak' for open house - the night before raya - menu: beef rendang, peanut sauce, glutinous rice, chicken soto, mi rebus and bingka cheese.

My two nephew playing firecracker...its really a suprise to find firecracker in Australia...

We performed our sunnatul eid ul fitri at Masjid Al Hidayah, Hepburn which is on the way to Joondalup.

Sermon or Khutbah raya in Malay and English. This masjid is well known among malays in Perth in fact it is known as masjid melayu..

Eid is coming

Cotesloe Beach, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah, Eid is coming and that will marks the end of the fasting month. I'm really greatful that I can perform my duty this time around. Unlike last year, I was admitted to the hospital due to illness which affected my Ibadah. I will celebrate Eid here in Australia with my sister, bro in law and my two nephew. But they will be off to Malaysia on the third raya for a holiday.

I would like to beg for forgiveness for any wrongdoing which I realise or not. For those 'balik kampung' take care and drive carefully. I hope this coming Eid would be the best and happy event for all.

Night and the city

Kings Park. Perth City Western Australia

Last few weeks, I went to Kings Park to shoot some photos. I just want to share with you guys how's Perth city at night. The evening is capped off with views of the dazzling lights, bright neon signs and traffic stock.

Since we are already halfway approaching syawal, all the bright neon remind me of home. It is the annual event to light up oil lamp or pelita starting on malam tujuh likur. The neighbours will do the same things. Its really happening. I still remember the excitement I had when I was a kid... lighting up the pelita and also playing the fire crackers. Umm wish I can celebrate raya back in Malaysia. I plan to light up the pelita here but still looking for pelita...ahahaha. Or else I need to be creative about it. I dont want my two nephews to miss the event. At least they can cherish every moment they have been given for time is passing by.

Break fast

Perth, Western Australia

Alhamdulilah we had been fasting for few days. So far so good even though you never feel like home. There is no bazaar ramadhan..there's no mother cooking...sob sob sob...

To treat ourself, yesterday I cooked rendang ayam, mushroom soup and my sis helped with mix vegetable and nasi minyak. It is very nice meal for break fast ehehe..Rendang ayam is not that bad..I had to replace kerisik with dried coconut (dry fried). And there is no tumeric leaves..couldnt find it here ..so i just put kaffir leaves.
Today we will have murtabak for our break fast..my bro in law is the master chef...umm maybe I want to try Mi Bandung too...if it a sucess will keep you guy posted ..ahaks

The month of reflection

Salam Merdeka and salam Ramadhan....I'm very thankful to ALLAH for given me the opportunity to celebrate Malaysia Independence day and also the blessing month of Ramadhan.

Honestly National Day is just like any other public holiday for me before but as I grew older I started to look out for the real meaning of Independence. And the most important is how can we contribute to become a good citizen and a proud Malaysian. Even the political scenario are heated up with all burning polemics, it wont give us 'license to kill'...

happy merdeka!

Burshwood, Perth Western Australia

The month of Ramadhan is always the most meaningfull month for me. The feeling is different...that is the barakah of the month. I hope Ramadhan this time will be better than previous Ramadhan..let us finding solace and joy in this blessing month!

Busy

Salam to all my friends... Sorry for late update. I'm busy with personal matter (its a lame excuse, I know..ahaks) and for info, I'm back in Perth. After Sabah trip that day, I went to Kuching to settle few things and managed to see Sarawak Regatta 2008. Actually I'm not into the crowd, in fact I'm not comfortable to be surrounded by so many people. But it seems my passion to take photo is greater than my discomfort to be in the crowd made me go to see the event.

Sarawak Regatta, Kuching Sarawak Malaysia

After Kuching I went to KL before flying to Langkawi. I enjoyed my trip with Lin to the Lagendary island. I was in primary school since my last visit. So what can I say, Langkawi definitely had been transformed. I love the Island Hopping and also the cable car trip.

Langkawi, Malaysia

From Langkawi we went back to Kuching for my younger sister convocation. Congratulations to S on getting her master degree and wish to go back for her Phd Convocation in few year times.

Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

From Kuching I flew back to KL and then Perth.

p/s abanglong(Novelman) sorry cannot make it to see you. I also cannot get the software. InsyaAllah my next trip ok.

What a small world

Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia

I was in Kota Kinabalu recently. I stayed in KK for about a week. My parents and sis decided to tag along. Since I’m busy with my work, they had their own activities, mostly shopping. They are familiar with KK since they had been there for a few times.
I’m very happy with my journey this time around. I couldn’t agree more with the statement “what a small world”. Yes indeed this world is not that big. On my way to airport carousel to pick up my luggage, I saw someone very familiar. My eyes started to autofocus and confirm the image…yes he looked very familiar. Then I decided to approach him…and stand still next to him. I say out loud his full name clearly and he reacted.

AS: Heyyyy….arsaili….fuhhh lamak sik jumpa (fuhh long time no see)
Me: Aouk…memang..cam sik cayak jak..(yes it is, seem unbelievable)
AS: 10 years?
Me: more or less…
AS: U still recognized me….am I still the same?
Me: Perfectly the same…ehehe
AS: I take it as compliment…u too….where are you goin? Im working in KK now..
Me: Im in Australia now but I have a few meeting in KK…
AS: Where are you goin now? You want me to send you anywhere?
Me: It’s ok..I’m waiting for my friend to pick me up and send me to the hotel.

We then exchanged the contact number and promise to go out for coffee later. That is my friend, AS and he is a qualified Chemical Engineer. We went to UK for our degree. Since busy with work I almost forgot to contact him. A day before I leave KK, I sms him in the morning. He only replied me in the late afternoon. He said he just finished his work and he then picked me up at the hotel. He treated me for our late lunch at City Mall. He told me about drama in his life. After graduating he joined petronas for only 6 months before decided to quit. Then he returned to Kuching and work as engineer for a year. He again quitted and joined SIA as trainee pilot. He went to Australia for the training. After completing the course he worked with SIA for a few years. He then decided to quit SIA and join Air Asia…iskk iskk iskk. What’s next? Just wait and see..ehehehe. He then told me about his passion…he made a very big mistake early on. He shouldn’t go for chemical engineering because he really wants to become a pilot. But after SPM, he’s too young to decide himself but rather follow what his parents said. Having his uncle as a pilot and died in plane crashed, his parents really against his will. But he’s very determined and now he becomes one.

Oriental Chewing gum

Kota Bahru, Malaysia

Do you like chewing gum? I do!! and infact sugar-free chewing gum is good for dental health. People claim that sugar-free chewing gum is “toothfriendly” as it helps increase saliva flow and clears food debris from the mouth.
A part of chewing gum, I love oriental chewing gum since my childhood. But somehow, it is difficult to find fresh from “oven” oriental chewing gum nowadays. The most you can get is the packaged from the store. When I was in KB, I’m so fascinated with the hawker, offered the oriental chewing gum hot toasted from charcoal. Well, don’t get confused, oriental chewing gum here refer to flatten sliced cuttlefish. During my stay in KB, I went to buy this chewing gum every evening. I love it very much. The hawker sell it for RM1-2 per sliced according to size.

Kota Bahru, Malaysia

The process is first with toasting the cuttlefish. After that the cuttlefish will be flatten with the machine. The machine is just like the sugarcane machine. It is use to flatten and soften the cuttlefish. Then you can easily chew it…wallla…ahaks.

Visit Kelantan 2008

Kota Bahru, Kelantan Malaysia



Date: Friday, 11 July 2008
Im in the airport now waiting for my flight to the land of hornbill. As promised I would like to update my stay in Kelantan. I came to KB for few meeting with local authority and Alhamdulilah Allah make it easy for me. I took the opportunity to meet two famous blogger in KB (husband and wife) Cikgu Nasir and Cikgu Panji. They picked me up at hotel and bought me very delicious dinner at Syam Restaurant. Cikgu Panji made the order, and when they served the food …errkk too much for 3 adults and 1 kid. But it’s really make me feel welcome…ehehe. Thanks Cikgu Nasir and Cikgu Panji for the dinner and also the helping hand in my work.
Im a fan of nasi kerabu and almost every day I bought nasi kerabu from Medan Selera. I just found out nasi kerabu got four color; blue, yellow, black and white. But blue color is always my favourite… by right they suppose to use bunga telang (Clitoria) to give colour to the rice but nowadays they might just use the food colouring agent…ummmm.not healthy because according to research colouring link to cancer.

Cik Siti Wan Kembang

Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu Malaysia

Matredo1's daughters


Im in the city of the famous tale, Cik Siti Wan Kembang. But I’m not gonna update on my travel to Kota Bahru but on my previous journey to Kuala Terengganu (KT). Kota Bahru will be the next entry ok. Well KT is the only place that I never been exploring before. I came to KT for the big mission, but definitely not mission impossible..ahaks. Alhamdulilah, my tasks almost finish in KT and I really hope everything will go well. I’m very blessed with many nice Terengganuan and make my job easy. The credit should go to Matredo1, a blogger friend that help me a lot. That’s the first time ever we met and he’s very helpful. Thanks for the accompanying me and help me with my task. DBI is another blogger that I met. He picked me up at the hotel for the breakfast at the famous nasi dagang (that controversial restaurant – the expensive kari kepala ikan issues if you guys still remember). He was very busy for his migration to overseas but he still spends sometimes lepaking with me and thanks for the ‘kepok’. There were many significant people who really help me concerning my work and I really appreciate their help.

Im back

Cameron Highland, Malaysia

Sorry for my absent in this blogging world. At the moment I'm in Malaysia and busy with my work. But I have a lot of story to share especially with the blogger that I met while Im travelling. I landed myself in Singapore before I made my way to KL to meet Lin and then we headed to Cameron Highland. She had to attend a seminar overthere and I enjoyed myself with strawberry, sweetcorn and fresh air. The photo above I shot from the hotel. Now I'm in Kuala Terengganu and I managed to meet 2 popular blogger in East Coast...ahaks... I will update u guys later. Got to go for another appointment ...

Tiger eye

Bentley, Western Australia

Today, Sunday 15 June we celebrated father's day in Malaysia. But in Australia it will be only on Sunday 7th September 2008. So I would like to wish Happy Father's Day to all concern. My sister, S organised for the event. Well, she's always the event manager since we are here. We just chucked in the money and she bought the present for our dad. This time around we bought him Suasa ring with tiger eye stone (color: rich gold with earthy brown). He really wants this ring for a long time ago but keep on changing his mind either to buy it or not.

Tiger eye- the stone of self discipline. It was believed to have healing ability: relieves high blood pressure and very helpful in the presence of following diseases: bronchial asthmakidney, rheumatic heart disease, otitis and psoriasis.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

Diospyros - Food of the God

Brastagi, Medan

Alhamdulilah after struggling for few weeks, I managed to complete my task. I managed to key in all the data, I managed to complete all the grant application and now I need to sit and read all about statistic. I just need to refresh my mind with all the boring stuff so call statistic. On top of that, I need to prepare some document and contact few people for my next assignment. My boss will be away for almost 3 weeks, she has to go to Alice Spring, Adelaide then New York. I will then travel once she come back.

Last week my sis and her soldiers went to Persimmon farm which is not far from our house. She brought back very nice and sweet persimmon. I get to know this fruit from my mum when I was a kid. My mum is very fanatic to 3 types of fruits; rambutans, water melon and persimmon. By then, my mum called persimmon as "buah Kasmak". But when I was in UK, people call it Sharon fruits. In in this kangaroo land they call it persimmon. When I was in Medan, they call it Pisang Kaki. The first time ever I saw persimmon tree when I was in Brastagi. Ancient refer this fruit as 'Food of the God', have lead to it classification in the genus Diospyros of Ebony family. Dios - God, pyros -grain or food.

Autumn - winter

Bentley, Western Australia

Dia datang lagi

Merentas waktu
Dia datang lagi
Terasa ke tulang hitam
Itu satu kurniaanNya

Meredah masa
Dia datang lagi
Daun kering menyelimuti jalanan
Itu satu petanda kekuasaanNya

Menelusuri waktu
Dia datang lagi
Ranting sepi tanpa dedaun
Itu satu rahmatNya

Meniti masa
Dia datang lagi
Tundukla hati tanpa bantahan
Itu tetap sebahagian kehendakNya

___

Today is public hols for Western Australia - Foundation day commemorating the foundation of the Swan River Colony in 1829. Swan River Colony was a British settlement established at the Swan River on the west coast of Australia in 1829.

On the way to my work station, I saw lot of 'naked' trees without leaves. All trees are beginning their long winter's rest. In four season countries it s common to see different colour of leaves. The pigment that colour the leaves are

chlorophyll (green)
carotenoid (yellow, orange, and brown)
anthocyanins (red)