The Mighty Jungle

1) What would be your first reaction when someone says that they've gained weight?

Asma: I would start eating more to equal their weight.

Correct Answer: Someone has cast black magic on the person.

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2) What would be your thoughts if someone you knew ignored you for a whole month, and said that they could not establish contact because their company did not allow them to bring their personal laptops & handphones to their location, that they fell off an offshore platform, broke their leg, then they fell off a helicopter after the platform incident, and worked the next month while still on medical leave?

Asma: I would take the hint that the person has no personal interest in me.

Correct Answer: The person has been witchcrafted by jealous ex-girl friends.

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Summary:

In both situations, when the correct response of the person had to do with black magic, I am quite certain my facial expression was that of McCaulay Culkin's.

I suppose if I gained weight, my natural reaction would be to hold myself accountable and exercize. This is probably the standard response.

Similarly, if people exhibit strong behavior which includes complete avoidance and bizarre excuses, naturally I would see it as a rejection. Then I would move on.

Perhaps everyone else gets the black magic response a lot, but not me. I believe in accountability, and if we are quick to blame the invisible forces of nature, then we are neglecting the truth. We are ignoring the core issue. Furthermore, it's unjust to blame others for an assumption you cannot prove.

Do you remember the case in Malaysia a few years ago where the football player went MIA on the day of his wedding? His family stated that someone cast black magic on him. The groom was silent. His jilted fiance sued for losses. The next few weeks, he married another girl.

Call me negative, but I think he had cold feet. That's normal. Don't call it black magic. Be a man and own up.

In any case, I do accept the person's opinion because we are all entitled to one. I just don't understand how they arrived to that conclusion.

Just sharing. Have you experienced this?

Social Engineering

In December, my department was a given an intern. His name is Jonathan. John hails from Kuching and is completing his final semester at a local university UiTM Sarawak campus.

Ever since my days in Port Dickson, I have always enjoyed having interns. Something about imparting what you learned at the office, and relating that to what you've learned from textbooks and your lecturers excite me. When I can, I also try to relate it back to Islamic concepts.

With John, the experience is two-fold. I find him enthusiastic, confident, sharp and dedicated. I give him manuals, and he ASKS me questions before I get to ask him. On his 3rd day, I have already given him tasks that I would normally give a graduate. At the end of each day, I love having discussions with him about what he has learned, what his observations are, and going through his tasks.

After he has completed his tasks, he says, ''What's next?''

He's so confident and sharp that I am secretly training him to take over my position. Hahaha.

So he follows me around to the control room. I will be letting him perform our annual stock count with the auditors as well as the tank dipping exercizes. He will get a flavor of pre-turnaround and major project exposure. Though it adds more hours to my work, it doesn't feel that way at all.

Thus far I have never asked my interns to make me coffee or the like. I'm not sure why some Malaysian staff in other companies do that. What a waste of talent.

In any case, I celebrate people and talent like Johnathan. I can only hope that he enjoys his internship as much as I have teaching and coaching him.

PS> My other colleagues and line manager love him too!

I'm thinking of getting him a Christmas present. Any suggestions?

Back to School

I have recently developed a school girl crush on Darren Criss. He's one of the new guest stars of the Musical Comedy Glee.

Of course, on-screen I do get a little uncomfortable when Chris Colfer (Kurt) looks at him longing-ly 'cos his character has a crush on him too. Hahaha

He's in the Harry Potter Musical which I find hilarious. It's on YouTube. Go check it out.

2011 Unveiled

Air Asia regularly announces their new destinations i.e. to South Korea, Paris and now New Zealand. Like any die-hard explorer, these news always sends shock waves through out my body. So I check my calendar for 2011. To my dismay, most of the long public holidays such as Chinese New Year, Hari Gawai (Sarawak only) and Eid'ul Fitr all fall early/end of their respective months.

Managing the small Finance unit focusing especially on hydrocarbon and capital projects means that I have to be around every end and early of the month to ensure the books are closed and reported correctly. In 2011, it means I will not be back in the peninsular for the long holidays.

Furthermore, 2011 will be an exciting year for the company. A brief background, the company I work for refines natural gas (not crude oil) into liquid green products such as naphta, gas oil, light gas oil, etc as well as solid waxes that are used to produce lipstick, plastic wrap, candles, etc. We do not supply our liquid products to Malaysia but mainly to Western countries, but our customers for our solid waxes are from all around the globe. We will be having our biggest plant turnaround where we perform statutory inspection and maintenance without which our operating license will be revoked. Secondly, our new wax plant expansion project will be commissioned a few months prior to the turnaround. The company is embarking on this wax plant project to capture new markets and capitalize on our high-margin products.

The turnaround has recently imposed a No Fly Zone beginning 1st July 2011 until Nov because manpower needs to prepare for this historic event . No Fly Zone literally means No Annual Leave allowed from July until the Turnaround is completed. It also means we have to work 6 days a week beginning July 2011. The turnaround will commence 2 days post Eid'ul Fitr for 56 days.

Having said that, annual leaves have to be planned from Jan-June, and mid-months post year-end statutory audit (Feb-April).

In a nutshell, I have not purchased any flight tickets from Bintulu-KL-Bintulu for 2011. I hope my family & friends understand that I won't be home for the holidays.

For friends who are getting married, I hope you have your reception before July *wink*. If not, please excuse my absence.

My friend suggested that I get my family to fly down to Bintulu for Eid. Knowing my family really well, I told them that would be extremely challenging and highly unlikely. I'll spend all the holidays in Bintulu =)

For the time being, I will have to delay the much awaited holiday plans.

See you later Paris, Seoul, and Christchurch! Wait for me.

Betrayal and Desolation

Have you ever felt so disappointed that it rendered you speechless, numb and empty?

In the movie Braveheart, William Wallace is a Scotsman who fought to free his country from British rule. He discovered that the very enemy who wanted to kill him in battle was his own Crown Prince of Scotland, Robert the Bruce. The future heir gambled his country and his people...for land.

Shame.



Personally, I have had 3 of these experiences through out my existence, the first making its debut in 1994, and I would say was life changing. The most recent one is 2010.

Sometimes I wonder, where did I go wrong?

Has my desire to believe in the good of others (husnu dhan) served me well?

The Apple of My Eye

My nephew Emir enjoys hanging out with his family. When I am back in Bangi, he will stick to me like glue. He also sticks to his uncle Shahir like glue. So I love taking him out for lunch, bringing him to hang out with friends, etc. He loves helping the adults out i.e. gardening with his grandpa, baking and cooking with the ladies, washing the car, cleaning up after guests, and etc.

Having said that, he is still just 35 months old.

When I was doing the groceries for the family, I forget that these hypermarkets love planting toys at the paying counter. It's a strategic location because most parents will just end up buying the toys for their kids if the kids throw a tantrum. It's always a challenge because Emir will spot a toy car and insists that I buy it for him. This is one recent encounter I will never forget:

Emir disappeared into the aisle while I was hoarding ground beef for the family. Once noticed he was not beside me, I searched for him. Then I found him holding a pack of Vitagen and casually dumping it into the shopping cart. As we made our way to get pasta, he spotted a box showcasing some really neat racing cars. Emir has a thing for cars like women have a thing for shoes.

So he took the box and stated as a matter-of-factly to me: ''Emir nak beli''.

Knowing that I was not going to pay RM30 for that, I tried to reason with a 2 year old:

Me: Emir, I'm getting you the Vitagen so you can't have the toy.

Emir walked to the cart, took out the Vitagen, the cars still in his hand: ''I don't want the Vitagen anymore.''

Me: Emir, you have a lot of toys at home. We are not buying this ok? Muah can't afford it.

Emir then walks up to the price scanner, on his tippy toes and scans the toy a few times.

Me: Emir, what are you doing?

Emir: I'm paying for my toy.

Me: (laughs) Emir, that machine shows you the price ( I don't know how to explain what price is). You pay somewhere else. Not there. Plus, we don't have money to buy that.

Emir: I have money (he takes out a RM1 note and waves it at me).

So Emir follows me around until we arrive at the cashier. He helps me put the items on the conveyor belt, and he ensures that his toy makes it safely on the conveyor belt. Once it was there, he flashed a triumphant smile, started dancing and singing that he was going to get his toy...which caused our neigboring shoppers in front and behind us to crack up.

I'm not sure whether all 2 year olds are like this, but I'm pretty sure they are. So I telepathically told my sister Murni to take him to the front of the counter where they bag the groceries. Emir somehow understood this as ''adult tampering''. He walked back to the counter where I was and said:

Emir: Muah kena beli car Emir. Nanti Emir marah tau.

A little amused, that statement sounded very familiar (It's something I would say when I am getting really angry).

While he looked away, I took the car and snuck it back. He later saw it not there and asked me where the car was.

Me: The cashier isn't selling that toy. It's his (lame).

Emir had such a sad look I nearly died. But I couldn't buy it for him because I do feel he has enough toys. In addition to that, I didn't want to give in to his whims and fancies.

Murni took him away to divert his attention. He was trying not to cry eventhough his face was all teary.

In that instant I had so much respect for mothers. I know I probably could have handled the situation better. Probably should have slow talked and reasoned with him or something. Honestly, I think mothers make good managers because if they can manage and lead their children, I bet they can lead an organization. It feels easier to lead a graduate and a senior staff.

Hats off to all mothers and my female and male friends who are home makers!

(note: My conversations with Emir is usually all in Malay. He is currently learning Bosnian and English)

PS> When my sister Murni has her children, I'll have more than 1 apples of my eye. She currently thinks we won't love her children as much as Emir.

The Darndest Things

Hafiz: Mariane, what is SMDS (my current employer)'s staff retention rate?

Mariane: 90+ %.

Hafiz: 97-98%?

Mariane: About there.

Hafiz: Do you know that somebody will be leaving SMDS soon?

Asma: It's me.

Hafiz: No la. Someone else.

Asma: No seriously, it's me.
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After playing 4 games of volleyball and enjoying every part of it, we went for a group dinner. While waiting for our food to arrive, we decided to play Sudoku & Scrabble International on Hafiz's iPad. Hafiz is the Master at Scrabble (Sudoku, volleyball and pretty much everything else). He is also a pretty decent cool guy. Amir & I were being coached by Hafiz because we were noobies. Hafiz's tile was as follows:

ERBOING

All: What word are you gonna use?

Hafiz: BONER?

Asma: whoah....is that even in the dictionary?
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At the volleyball game, our friend Hanim played in another team. Though we train together but play on separate teams, she however came to support us.

Hanim: Asma, make sure the ball goes ABOVE the net! I'm gonna PRESSURE you so you perform!
Asma, be alert! Asma what are you DOING!
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Ms Sweets: How do you stay happy all the time?

Asma: (very surprised) You think I'm happy?

Ms Sweets: Yes. So many unimaginable things have happened to you through out but I see that you are happy.

Asma: (thinking) It's hard work. Daily mental programming. Normally I just switch off. In really difficult situations, I allow myself time to grieve, then I release what was hurting me (object) and pray for the happiness of the object. I don't know how other people do it. It has worked for me.

Ms Sweets: My mom said the same thing.

Asma: Your mom is smart. Listen to her.
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Emir is trying to assemble a DVD player. He leafs through the manual pretending to read it. He goes to the store room and takes out the tool box. Emir's mom Ilham and I observe him intently. Emir reaches out to his mother, puts his hand on her arm...

Emir: Ibuk jangan risau OK. Emir buat.

Ilham and I look at each and speak in telepathy: Emir, we are worried BECAUSE you're doing it.
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Emir: Muah (auntie), jom pergi swimming

Muah Ach (me): Hujan la, Emir.

Emir: Kita pakai topi la

Muah Ach: Ada guruh la.

Emir: Kita tutup mata la.
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I miss my nephew Emir la pulak!

Heed Not Thy Warning?

My attempt at getting a diving license in Perhentian before the start of the monsoon season only resulted in ''incomplete education''. Yes, I did not graduate. The seas began to get rough and choppy, and I broke my own record of having seasickness...twice. To enjoy the remaining of my last minute holiday, I had to end the classes.

Having said that, we did manage to have a few although short dives and I was already craving for more. I even began planning to pursue my ''education'' in Sabah hehehe.

Now that I'm back in Bintulu, I found the letter from my SJMC Specialist, written in 2005.

The letter specifically forbade me from scuba diving and rock climbing.

Ironic?

I haven't decided yet whether I want to heed the Doctor's advice. Yes, crazy Asma always wants to go for the adventure-driven activity.

Decisions decisons decisions...

The Adventurer

People have their ways to manage their daily challenges. As for me, it usually involves sleeping, getting some physical exercize, reading or just dropping things and going off for a holiday. My love for books and lust for travelling is sometimes scary, as I would really throw caution to the wind.

In October itself I did the unimaginable: I have literally gone for unplanned travels, 3 travels in total. I finally went to Penang island, re-visited Miri and jumped on a bus to Perhentian island. Perhaps it's the fact that I couldn't plan anything this year due to the nature of my job in Bintulu which is heavily business driven. Most of my trips are return-home trips where I would just laze at my parents' house. It's challenging to plan group holidays if the group bases the holidays on price alone, and so I plan for suitable timing with like-minded groups. When I can't satisfy any of the above, well, let's just say I would have to exercize judgement. Hehehe.

I've been thinking seriously about perhaps becoming a host of a travel show. Submit my idea to the Travel Channel. Perhaps be the first Muslim-friendly travel show host for the general public and inculcate some Muslim-friendly travel tips, itineraries and shed light on many myths Muslims have on travelling.

As part of my assignment, I may shoot a video of myself playing host to real tourists at one of my random travel locations. HAHAHA

Oh how I wish so badly...

Visit Bintulu Album...Part 1

Here are snippets of what we do in Bintulu. Basically it's anything under the sun. We have to be creative to keep ourselves occupied. Fishing, sports, barbeque-ing, night activities, or just jumping on a bus leading you to anywhere from Sarawak, Kalimantan, Brunei or Sabah.

Apart from the beautiful caves, the rainforests, diving and river surfing, the best attraction in Bintulu is:

US

Seriously ;-)

Meet the band members

The star gazers

The creepy lantern makers

Look Ma! Kites!

The volleyball players

Look your ENEMY in the EYE

Learn how to FLY like Jojim

This year I am happy to have been able to strike out many things on my To Do List. There are still a lot more to be done, but the progress is positive. One of the short-term things among the long-term ones is to get my arms numb and FLY like Jojim at Volleyball.

(Pictures courtesy of Fairuz, Fairuz, Izuan, and Mariane)

The Promise

I can’t promise I’ll know exactly what to say
But I guarantee I will tell you the truth anyway
I may not know the rules of the game
But when I play it will be fair and insane
I am terrible at chatting and calling everyday
But when I am around I will be with you all day
I may not have enough to go for holidays as I’d like
But when there are bad days you know I’ll be by your side
I can’t promise that I will never hurt you
But I do try very hard to do a lot of good
I may not have an interesting life to share
But I will listen to your interesting life stories
I may not be physically strong
But I will fight and defend when you are wronged
I may not be strong all the time
But I will be ready with a hug and a smile

I may not know how to show that I care
But I promise you that I never stop caring
I may not promise you the stars and the moon
But who can anyway?
Everything will be all right
As long as it matters

-asma snuggly under the covers-

the Outdoor Type

One of my all-time fave songs during the teenie years by The Lemonheads. The video is a cover though, couldn't find the original.

''I can't go away with you on a rock-climbing weekend

What if something's on TV and it's never shown again

It's just as well I'm not invited I'm afraid of heights

I lied about being the outdoor type''

Currently listening to Maher Zain and Luc & The Lovingtons on rewind.

We Are Not Alone

Nurul: There are no ghosts in Ramadhan.

Steph: Are you serious? Hungry ghost festival occurs in Ramadhan this year. There are ghosts la. If not, it would be such a contradiction.

Nurul: Asma, are there ghosts in Ramadhan?

Asma: Yeah, ghosts roam free through out the year even Ramadhan. The only ones tied to the chains is Lucifer the Devil.

Nurul: What?!!

Asma: I'm quite sure of it. Why la?

Nurul: All my life I believed ghosts don't bother us in Ramadhan...

Asma: Uh...

Nurul: OMG. Now I can't sleep at night (N begins to freak out). Grace, can you sleep over tonite?

All: Asma...what have you done?

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H: Do you promise to never cast a lustful eye at another man?

Asma: I suppose I can test my loyalty in Ramadhan....

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Fairuz: Wouldn't it be cool if chat had a middle finger emoticon?

Asma: Don't we already have it?

Fairuz: What is it?

Asma:

On the Eve of Eid 'ul Fitr

Asma,

Thank you for this gift. I admire the Muslim world for this custom and thank you for encouraging me to take the time to reflect on my own transgressions. For the times I have come to your office and been short tempered with you I ask your forgiveness. I ask that in your prayers you ask Allah to give me strength to be courteous and respectful.

I wish you a safe and happy holiday.

Regards,
Dave Cunningham

Utusan Paper: Eid Mubarak from Timbuktu!

Maaf Zahir dan Batin

Blessings in Ramadhan

By far, this Ramadhan has seen many challenges. With every challenge, I've learned to push myself, my strength and weakness, and seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

• My dear maternal grandmother passed away. This will be a separate entry all together


• My staff had to go for an emergency brain surgery to remove her tumor, and is on medical leave for 1.5 months


• My sister Sofiya left for Madison, Wisconsin.

The blessings I have received:

• A dear friend has requested my assistance in her effort to convert to Islam.


• Organizing iftar (buka puasa) for initially 150 orphans in Bintulu within 2 weeks.


• A friend also confided her intention to don the hijab and requested guidance.


• I managed to solve the mystery of the holy grail even when I think it was too overwhelming

This entry is dedicated to blessings. I remember being asked to organize iftar for the elementary school orphans, and my friends and all volunteered knowing that we had only 2 weeks to organize this. We brainstormed, all 9 Peninsular-ians on how to maximize our time and efforts. We divided tasks and conquered.

At the same time, all of us sought funds from our friends. This year, my company was not going to take part by funding iftar since we wanted to avoid racial sensitivities. So, for the first time, it was solely an effort from our organization i.e. BISMI. I was delighted when my friends, family and colleagues managed to amass RM 15k + in funds in such short notice. I managed to get 150 bond cars for the children as well from Retail KL. They were most helpful. The most touching aspect is the biggest contributor was a non-Muslim among our peers, donating RM 5k. May Allah reward her.

In our hugely pact schedule, we focused on how we wanted to help the orphans. Then, our team leader had a brilliant idea of joining forces with the local mosque. At this juncture, since we accumulated RM 15k+, we decided to increase the number of orphans to 310 inclusive of 40 hard core poor.

The best feeling was that usually we group together for fun things, but it was the first time all of my friends were doing charity together. The feeling was magical. One friend was a little sad that at the mosque, the imams were announcing all these corporate bodies funding this, that, this and that. Nobody mentioned the small number of young shell staff doing charity on their own. We just had to remind each other that we are not seeking publicity, but Allah's blessing, and hoping to inspire the children to excel in everything that they do. Yes, our deeds went unnoticed, but hopefully still leaves an impact on the children.

In between I was working weekends and on Independence Day, and I rushed to help a friend don the hijab. I noted how beautiful she looked. She's such a good person. I can't help but be biased when it involves family and friends. Then, she told me her intention to wear the hijab. I supported her 100%. Plus, I had this silly smile on my face. I was delighted.

Alhamdulillah, the event went on smoothly. We were so happy that we managed to contribute, even if it was small. Yes, we still remember our friends in Pakistan and Palestine, and we contributed to them as well. I like the fact that Mercy Malaysia and Aman Palestine has that recurring donation where you get to get the bank to deduct monthly from your account. However, we do understand that our brothers and sisters in Bintulu require our assitance as well.

Tomorrow, all of us will be celebrating together i.e team iftar. It will be potluck, so everyone will be bringing their signature dishes. Can't wait!

The Answer

God grant me

the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

the courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.