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

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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)

Papaw

Coles, Bentley Western Australia

Last few weeks I went to Coles with my sister. And I saw this fruit...papaya...err nope..it is clearly written yellow papaw. I thought it might be the same fruit so called papaya but with a different names. I did some reading about it and there is literature claimed papaw is another name for papaya.

The scientific name of papaya is Carica papaya L whereas the common name is Betik - Malaysia, Mamao - Brazil, Papaw or paw paw - Australasia and tree melon (mugua) - China.

Somehow there is another literature trying to distinguish between papaw and papaya.

Papaw -Distinct yellow flesh and tends to be a larger fruit

Papaya - Orange to red flesh and usually a smaller oval or pear shaped fruit

But my conclusion, papaya is papaw and papaw is papaya...ahaks..to make life easier!

Age that I wish to go back to - tag from Muha

Flower that I give to my sis for mother's day

Bentley Western Australia

Seafood Platter for Mother's day
Frementle Western Australia

I wish I could go back in time of my undergrad - university life. For me, my undergraduate year is the basis for what I am now. After all the hard work and determination it had finally paid off. I had been granting few academic excellence awards and it somehow put me into a perspective. It opens good opportunity in my life. Life as undergrad student is not that fun, but the undergone processed to become a better person was really interesting and enriching.
Allhamdulilah, Allah the Almighty!

#I just spoke to Muha on the phone for the first time..he's so jovial!..be strong my brother!#

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Happy Teacher's Day

Yes, I feel Japanese!

Does the weather affect your mood? I think yes… I’m having my “lazy Saturday” and it’s raining outside. You can imagine how cold the temperature would like and I feel like hibernating under my duvet. I hardly go out on saturday except if I have things to do in the office. Or else I will stick to my routine; do my laundry, read novel, or cook. I have to solidify my Saturday and enjoy it to the fullest coz I have to work on Sunday.

When I was busy with my laundry, my brother in law was busy in the kitchen. He turned our kitchen to Japanese kitchen..uhuhuhu. He decided to prepare Japanese cuisine called tempura… I managed to shoot a few photos while he was cooking. He lived in Japan for few years and that makes him comfortable preparing Japanese food. His Japanese family taught him how to prepare most of Japanese dish and I think he’s really good.

Bentley, Western Australia

Tempura (てんぷら or 天麩羅, tenpura) is a classic Japanese dish of deep fried battered vegetables or seafood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempura). My brother in law prepared both vegetable and seafood tempura together with Japanese rice and Miso soup. Miso soup (味噌汁, miso shiru) is a traditional Japanese soup consisting of a stock called "dashi" into which is mixed softened miso paste (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miso_soup).

Yes…I feel Japanese..ahaks!!

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Happy Mother's Day

Best wishes to all mothers, here and everywhere!

To forgive but not forget

Bentley, Western Australia

“Ok class, I would like all of you to do exercise on page 45 to 50. Please submit at the end of this period”, said Cikgu W. She was walking around the class while we were doing our work. She then stopped at my desk. She was taking my workbook and flipping through. “Who ask you to do all the exercise?” She referred to the scribble answers in pencil. I had answered most of the exercise in the workbook with the help of my tutor. My dad sent me to the tuition class. Once finished with the module, my tutor asked me to go through the school workbook.

I’m so sacred at that time; her pitching was so high and loud. “I’m sorry, I will erase all the answer". I told her in my slow nerved wreaking voice. She returned my workbook with her protest body gesture. That was the first time ever my teacher shouted at me. I’m proud to say that I’m teachers’ pet at school since in primary 1. The main reason is because I’m always ahead of other students (as I’m in Kampung school, not comparable to other good school) and managed to finish any assignment a little bit faster. To keep me busy and occupy, I was appointed as a class leader and I had been holding the portfolio for 6 years (primary 1 till 6). As a class leader, I have to

• go and forth to the staff room,
• take names of students who made any noise when teacher was not around,
• write down questions or exercise on the blackboard whenever my teacher feel so lazy
• assists my friends to finish their work etc.

The bell was ringing, that means the end of the period. Cikgu W was waiting for all of us to submit the workbook. I was puting my book on top of my friends’. When I just about to sit, I saw a “flying saucer” landed onto the dustbin. That so called flying saucer is my workbook and I recognised it well. My workbook is well wrapped in the transparent plastic with the help of my mum magic touch. I was so shocked and speechless for a few second. Cikgu W asked Z instead of me (as a class leader) to help her with the workbooks and leave the class. I was walking slowly to the dustbin and collect my workbook and I was in tears. I was so terrified that I initially thought of not going back to school again after the incident. I hope she would be better by then but she did throw my book again and again and she always ignored my existence in the class. She enforced her psychology war towards me. I didn’t tell my parents about the incident. My dad found out only when he checked my workbook. At first he thought I didn’t submit my homework, but I told them all the story. My dad told me to once against submit my workbook and inform him if she still refused. I did and she stills the same.

My dad took half day off to see the headmaster. I did cried because I’m afraid Cikgu W will scold me for my dad complaints. After my dad lodging the complaint, she kept the war between us. She had been abusing me emotionally and mentally. To be honest I hate to be in her class and English subject as well. I suffered till the rest of the year. Luckily when I was enroll to primary 5, she didn’t teach me anymore. Alhamdulilah.

But till now I still don't understand why she behaved that way! Did I do some big mistake and unforgiven sin????

I met Cikgu W last year and I greeted her. She still remember me well ..err maybe for what she did to me. She was very proud that I made it all the way to university. I've long forgiven her for what she did and I'm also blessed with lots of other teachers who treated me nicely....so it is better for me to "forgive and forget"..err but I still can't forget..ahaks

Saturday Nite Fever

Yesterday the weather was cold and that’s reminding me of the coming winter. The temperature might be around 9 degree Celsius and we were in the city. We went to Royal Perth Hospital to visit a Malaysian friend. Yea poor him, and I know what it’s like being sick in a foreign country, and he has my full sympathies. Alhamdulilah he’s recuperating. Actually I don’t know him personally but I know about them from other Malaysian friends. It’s just a matter of time and I don’t have the opportunity to meet him and his family earlier. But believe it or not he’s one of my blog silent reader! Ahaksss…. What a small world. He read my blog occasionally just to know about life in Perth before they arrived here.
After the visit, my brother in law, my sis and I decided to walk to the city centre. It’s not far from the hospital. We just want to enjoy the Saturday night fever..ahaks. Well of course there is no suitable place for us (mostly club and bars operated at night), so we end up to one of the Malaysian restaurant.

Perth City Centre, Western Australia

When I'm back on my feet again

Lake Toba, North Sumatera, Indonesia

I haven't written much lately. I always think I'll have more time then, but I really don't. So many things have happened which keep me out of perspective. But things getting better and I'm back on my feet again...err its remind me of my favourite singer, Micheal Boltan - When I'm back on my feet again...ahaks!

By the way have you all buy the new novel by Norzailina Nordin. You should get one because it featuring name of the few bloggers. Im still waiting for the novel to reach me here down under.

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Here are the 8 fact about me - tagged by Kelat

Like shooting photos

Love reading

Happy cooking

Enjoy travelling

High emphaty

Independent

Moody

(when not in the best mood will reluctant to talk)

Perfectionist

(sometimes)

Mount Sinabung

Gundailing Hill, Brastagi, North Sumatra

We went to Brastagi, a tourist town which is located in the Karo Highland. Its remind me of Cameron Highland and the types of agro products are similar which is well suited the low temperature. In Brastagi, we can see the Mount Sinabung which is about 2417 m above the sea level. This dormant volcano can clearly be seen from Gundailing Hill. You can even catch the smell of sulphur in the wind.

Land of Karo

North Sumatra

Sipisopiso is a waterfall near Tongging, 24 Km from Kabanjahe on the northwestern tip of Lake Toba. The name Sipisopiso means "like knives". Sipisopiso is visible from the vantage point at Tongging, where you can also enjoy scenic views of Lake Toba. I can feel the fresh cool mountain air! grgrgrgrgr

Sipisopiso Waterfall emerges from an underground river in the Karo plateau and plunges 120 meters (some sites put it as 110m) off a sheer cliff into the ravine below. I photographed Sipisopiso from the vantage point at Tongging, but unfortunately it was a heavy mist that morning. You hardly can see the the facinating flowing waterfall....

Lake Toba

In front of the hotel, Samosir Island, North Sumatra

This is one of the picture that I took when I was in Samosir Island. Samosir Island is the large volcanic Island in Lake Toba and the fifth largest lake Island in the world. This Island is the centre of Batak Culture and history.

Salam Maulidurrasul to all my blogger friends

Salam. I'm in KLIA now, just about to boarding at gate C27 MH125. Sayonara all my family and friends in Malaysia.

Away away away.....

Salam to all my friends. Sorry for my absent in this blogging world ...ahaks... Actually at this moment of time I'm in Medan, North Sumatra. Come back for the update soon okey!! FYI I will be going back to Australia on the 14 March 2008.

Citi Inn Hotel, Jalan Palang Merah, Medan

A moment in time...

Tanjung Aru, Sabah Malaysia

I just arrived at the hotel from Tanjung Aru and it's rainning like cats and dogs. Actually Aunty Combi and Uncle picked me up at the hotel earlier. I enjoyed this evening with aunty and uncle...we chit chat a lot of things. Umm.... I think I'm a bit friendly tonight..ahaks....thats because both of them make me feel very welcome. Thanks for the effort, I know uncle might be tired after work and then he needs to drive about 45 minutes from Tuaran to KK. I'm so glad to meet both of them and hope to see them again. They not only bought me dinner but also souvenir...like it..like it...thanks again.
Many thanks

“Your lives are fading in the shadows of time,

but your legacy lives on"

Michael Hensley
Kings Park, Western Australia

SB: Assalamualikum.......

Arsaili: errr.....SB..long time no see..how are you?

SB: I'm fine...it's been a few years since we last met..

Arsaili: yea, gimme ur number....ok got it.

SB: gimme a miss call so I can save your number..ok got your number!

Arsaili: You still with the same company? I saw you in the newspaper...so popular yea

SB: ehehehe..where are you now?

Arsaili: I'm in Australia but now I'm around for some work. Since I'm with my friends, I will give you a call and maybe we can go out for tea ok.

SB: Ok, keep in touch.

5 minutes later.....

Incoming SMS from SB: I greet you with salam earlier because I'm a muslim now....

Alhamdulilah he become one of us. Actually when he greeted me earlier, deep down in my heart said.."what the hack he greeted me with salam!". I knew him as a non-muslim Melanau guy. Whatever it is, I'm happy for him. Its just that I'm so obvious try not to respond to his salam earlier..ahaksss...

Cat scratcher

Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

Last month, I bought a cat scratcher for our cats, Misty and Kiki. It cost RM150 but I asked for RM20 discount..ahaks. My sister told me I might get even more if I know how to bargain..ummm. Can you see Kiki caught in action?

Why cats scratch things?
They scratch to mark their territory.
They scratch as a means of threatening other cats.
They scratch in play.
They scratch while stretching.

And the act of scratching actually removes frayed and worn outer claws, exposing new, sharper ones.

Sorry to my dear friends for not visiting your blog coz im so busy at the moment. But I will back to my feet once I go back to Australia InsyaAllah.

Young meet old

Kuching, Sarawak Malaysia

Dad: What happen to your jeans? Koyak sana koyak sini…
Arsaili: No la, just a little bit
Dad: You don’t have enough money to buy new decent jeans?
Arsaili: errr, actually I just bought it a few weeks ago….
Dad: Huh, with all those holes and koyakan ..and faded color some more
Arsaili: that’s what we call fashion..kwang kwang kwang…

It stills a hot issue at home whenever my dad saw me with those jeans…isk3. After all the jeans is not too bad rite?it doesn't expose my aurat what…ahaks

A Walk in the clouds

Last Thursday, we went to Lundu and Sematan. Lundu is located in the west of Sarawak, on the west bank of the Batang Kayan (Kayan River), and not far from the South China Sea. It is about 90 km from Kuching.

Gunung Gading becabang tiga,

Pantai Pandan jauh ke tengah.

Hancur badan di kubur tanah

Budi baik di-kenang juga.

"Tusk Mountain has three peaks,

Pandan Beach stretches far to the middle.

A person's body may be dissolving in the grave;

A kind heart is remembered always.

"---as recited by the late Hbi anak Muda"

What is interesting about Lundu/Sematan? There is Gunung Gading National Park and many resorts available for the tourists. We didn't go to any beach but just went there for sightseeing. Somehow we bought a lot of crab which is cheap. Umm..I did learnt something new about mushroom which was sold at the market in Sematan. There are 2 species which are known by local as Kulat sawit and kulat bibir. Kulat sawit grow on the dead palm oil frond while kulat bibir grow on the dead thrunk of rubber tree.

Kulat bibir

Kulat sawit

Lundu also famous with seafood cracker - fish, prawn and cuttlefish cracker. Lin bought few packets to bring home and we had the opportunity to visit the factory.

Lundu, Kuching Sarawak Malaysia