d first and d ONLY drive-thru Fast Food restaurant

The first time I came here was in February 2011. It took almost 45 minutes for us to order few burgers, drinks, etc.!well... being the first ever a drive-thru fast food restaurant in Miri and just few months in operation, what do you expect? That was then. Yesterday, we spent almost 15 minutes just to order a burger???

His 2nd Anniversary::Darwishy M Fauzi Abdullah

Happy Birthday Darwish and be a good obedient boy. May Allah swt always be with you and bless you with good health, wealth and faith. Amiin.
Darwishs' beloved mom and dad - Wie and Fauzi. Congratulations to both of you as well.

His 1.5' X 2.0' birthday cake prepared by TwinzBites Sdn Bhd, his Granny's own Bakery and Cafe.

bROWnie & bLACkie

These are their 'house' cum playground, fully imported from the Pet Shop, Ikano, Damansara last April. They, we called them Brownie and Blackie - the cutie little hamsters were imported from J&J Pet Lover, Miri.
In the photo above, is Brownie. It has short white and brown colour fur, less active but very sneakie.
And, this is Blackie. It has black and white fairly long fur. Very active and nottie.

a wonderful afternoon@PETROSAINS KLCC::Part 1

This was our second time we went to one of its kind in Malaysia - the Petrosains. The first was around 7 - 8 years ago.

Afi::MAfiq::Masri@Prima Villa Playground@01:00am

Family Carnival 2011::Masjid Assyakirin Bintulu

The first of its kind in Bintulu - Masjid Assyakirin Family Carnival 2011 was held at the Masjid compund itself on 14th and 15th of May 2011.
Despite heavy downpour, the organised program had successfully attracted thousands people from all walks of life.
They are not "Pegawai Agama" or Religious Officer, but some of the Street Soccer supporter who were enthusiastically watching the game under the drizzling rain.
Apart from the Street Soccer, there were numbers of entrepeneurs selling their products, from Nasi Beriyani, Rojak Buah, Books, Clothing, Filters, etc.
Nana and M Asri showing their support. We went there at around 10:05 am after sending Erwin at Bus Terminal Bintulu.

Erwin 2 PLKN@Sibu Camp 2011

Another round of PLKN series. The objective is to enhance the spirit of patriotism among the young Malaysian; fostering national unity and integration; develop positive character/behavior/attitude through moral values; promote spirit of volunteerism and produce more vigorous young, intelligent and committed.
Laga’s eldest son Erwin Syarmizie was with us arriving from Brisbane, Australia, for the Program Latihan Khidmat Negara (PLKN) or literally translates National Service Program 2011. He is a very pleasant, polite, decent, humble, friendly and sensible young man.
After the past one week experiencing the El Niño effect, Alhamdullillah, praise only to Allah swt, that morning was showered by heavy cool rain. We took our breakfast at Refah Café – one of our favorites eating place in Bintulu. Participants are required to be at Bintulu Bus Terminal, Medan Jaya by 09:30 hours, hence after a brief breakfast, we arrived at the Terminal around 09:21 hours. To our surprise, despite the blessed shower; parents, relatives and friends supportively jam-packed the Terminal area ushering the One Malaysian participants departing for the PLKN’s Lanang Sibu Camp.
The registration process was very smooth, well managed and organised. Another thing that I must say; the crew, I mean the officers were very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Below, some of the faces - hundreds participants in one out of 10 buses (I think) showing their enthusiasm and commitment, though will be away from their families and comfort zones for about three months.
To Erwin and all the participants, we wish you all the best and enjoy your program.

Ta'lim : Part XXIX

“Hadhrat Huzaifah Radhiyallahu anhu (ra) says that, whenever the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihi wasallam (saw) – peace be upon him (pbuh) happened to face any difficulty, he would at once resort to solat.”
Solat is a great blessings of Allah swt. To resort to solat at the time of worry is to hasten towards His Mercy, and when Allah swt’s Mercy comes to rescue, there can remain no trace of any worry. There are many traditions concerning this practice of the Prophet Muhammad saw (pbuh). Similar was the practrice of his companions, who followed him in the minutest detail. Abu Darda ra says:”Whenever a strong wind blew, the Prophet Muhammad saw (pbuh) would immediately enter the Masjid and would not leave untul the wind had subsided. Similarly, at the time of a solar or lunar eclipse, Prophet Muhammad saw (pbuh) would at once start offering solat. Suhaib ra was informed by the Prophet saw (pbuh) that all the precious Apostles of Allah swt also used to resort to solat in all adversities.
Ibn Abbas ra was once on journey. On his way he got the news of the death of his son. He got down from his camel and offered two rakaat of solat, praying in Tashahhud for a long time. He then recited ‘Inna lillaahi wa innaallaihi roaji oon’ and said, “I have done what Allah swt has ordered us to do in His Holy Book – al Quran ul Kareem.

d new Sg Tujuh Immigration Check-Point

This is the new Sg Tujuh or literally means the Seven River, Malaysia's Immigration Check Point. I am not very sure when exactly it launched its operation in this, if not too much for me to say, another landmark for Baram district, Miri. Regardless, the commencement of its operation definitely has eased the Mirian (especially) and definitely the Bruneians. The photo was taken from the no-man's land on 30.4.2011.

parallel to TAR Road KL

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman or Tuanku Abdul Rahman Road (TAR) is one of the popular places (especially amongst the Malay) in Kuala Lumpur. It has a lot of things to offer and one of its popular items is textiles products. Last time we visited this was week before Raya 2010 days after we landed our feet in KL from our stint in Egypt.
On the way back, we spent sometime exploring the back lane. Very interesting.

Last week, we spent almost the whole morning looking or shopping for Raya 2011 - The earlier the better. And, definitely not during Ramadhan where we are supposed to focus on cleansing our spiritual portion; earning as much as possible all the offering by Allah swt; and self reflex our deeds.

Lanzs' Craze@high-end machine

Zailan's machine that had cost him RM 40,000. Named after one of the most top Italian cyclist - De Rosa. Using Compagnolo crank and carbon fiber body, the weight is about not more than 8 kg! Well, with that cost, one could buy a brand new Manual MyVy.!
This one - Cannondale had cost him RM 35,000 and weigh about 7 kg. The lightest mountain bike that I'd ever experience.

Zailan is one of the founder of the Le Tua cycling team that had helped and produced top Malaysian cyclist. One of them is Anuar Manan.

one fine evening @ Little Penang Cafe KLCC

After spending almost hours at Petrosains, KLCC, we quenched our thirst and filled our hungry stomach at one of our favorite’s restaurants, none other than Little Penang Café. Why our favorites? The service is superb; the hospitality of the staff is commendable; the price is reasonable (for KLCC) and above all, their products - foods/drinks are excellent.
Nana, M Asri, Afi, M Aiman, Chote, Afiqah, Siti Asmah, Farah, M Afiq and me (not in the picture because I took the photo?!)

TwinzBites@Bintang Plaza...expanding their market share

To know TwinzBites is to visit them at 1st Floor between the old and new extension of Bintang Plaza from 09:30 until 22:00 hours daily. Adjacent to ESPRIT boutique, the kiosk is strategically located in front of the Body Shop at 20 meters away from Mc Donald's.

now everyone REALLY can fly...@ lower cost

Thanks to AirAsia....for connecting and bridging me and my family in Bintulu when I was on two months special assignment at KLCC. Flown by AirAsia AK 5141 & AK5140, I spent almost every weekends with my family in Bintulu. Otherwise, I'll have to fly less frequent and with tonnes of money. I must say, the service is very reliable and commendable.

our new machine::SCOTT & TREK 4 rejuvenating program

LAST weekend, I've finally made up my mind; we bought two units mid range bicycle - Mountain Bike TREK brand and a road bike of SCOTT for M Aiman and me respectively. The whole intention is for us to rejuvenate our health and fitness level, which is unsatisfactorily alarming. Friends and even my boss suggested me to invest in thread mills and some other typical fitness gadgets, but I was a little bit sceptical with the idea. Cycling is always my favorite activity and due to lack of discipline, I'd stopped the activity since in Terengganu 6 years ago.

Quenching our thirst @ Sajian Warisan, Miri

'Electric Lime' drink; Fresh Water Melon juice; Special Three Layered Tea or 'Teh-C spesial' and 'Teh-O Ais limau Kosong' or Ice Lemon Tea with no sugar by Sajian Warisan...anyone?

It has been quite sometime we never visit Sajian Warisan. We were very hungry and thirsty after a two and a half hours driving along the bumpy, winding and narrow Bintulu-Miri coastal road (not highway as described by some 'blind' politician). Our favorite Madly's cafe was full-house and finally we decided to quench our thirst at Sajian Warisan despite the unfavorable speculative voices we heard from people around us.

My Last day at Level 54 of the world tallest Twin Tower

Today is my last day sitting at my corner-lot office of L54 of the world tallest Twin Tower, tower 1 KL. My last day of my two months assignment with the second man of the Malaysian Oil and Gas giant, one and only fortune 400 companies – the Executive Price President (EVP), Gas and Power Business of Petronas. The opportunity or rather privilege serving the EPVs, VPs and other prominent top management team was indeed a wonderful and a very challenging experience that had made me another better person. The two months stint had taught me about what ‘corporate world’ is all about and being a ‘brain’ or thinker of the business is not an easy task as what most of the people perceived or envied. Not all people fit the team and if one thinks that he is the possible candidate, he must possess certain characters, knowledge, experience (if I want to add in the list) and also, not only mentally but physically fit. As for myself, at this age, I have conform to the above prerequisite except for the physical part of me, hence I gentlemanly withdraw myself from the game to give way to young, dynamic and talented executive. Also, I want to be fair to the business and the team. Millions if not zillion of thanks for accommodating my two months stay here in GPBU; sharing and teaching me the ‘corporate world’. Despite the short span of time, I can feel the camaraderie that we had built together had made me another better Saiful. My departure is just a physical part of me, my heart and soul will surely be with you forever after. Hopefully, God willing, we will cross path again in future tour of duty. Last but not least, as a mere humble imperfect human being; please accept my apologies for all my shortcomings and wrong doings on my part during my many encounters and interactions with you, especially while performing my duties.

what an experience::my trajet BREAKDOWN@05:35hours

Last weekend I’d decided to fly back and spend my weekend with my beloved family in Bintulu. I bought the flight ticket last minute but lucky me, the fare is still fair! Thanks AirAsia, you really have made everyone can fly. Kudos to the head honcho, none other than Datuk Tony Fernandez.
This time, I woke up as early at 04:45 hours and at 05:16 I was already at the KLCC’s car park warming up my eight years old machine – Trajet. Alhamdullillah, after one week idling under the roof of KLCC, the MPV hesitantly kicked off. Just after crossing the traffic light to Jalan Tun Razak tunnel, the machine produced a very irritating screeching sound, suspected from the belting system. I turned off the air-condition unit with the intention to stop the sound, true enough the sound subsided. Not after 15 minutes or about 10 km driving, somehow or rather, my eyes sighted the engine temperature gauge indicated me an abnormal situation. I prayed before Allah swt seeking His help to avoid any unwanted circumstances. At one time, when the temperature dropped and stabilized, I’ve decided to drive on at low speed. However, it was just for a while when the temperature started to deteriorating that forced me to stop at the nearby Rest and Refresh (R&R) Sri Kembangan. Lucky me, alhamdullillah, praise only to Allah swt, at that odd hours, the R & R was still in operation. Took my breath and went straight to the toilet – refreshing and draining my contaminated urine. The ETD of AK 5141 – my flight to Bintulu was at 07:30 hours. Time ticking!.... Alhamdullillah, Zailan answered my call and to cut the long story short, Zailan arrived 20 minutes later to the scene. What else should I say?; “Thank you Zailan, you are such a great person”.

Ta'lim : Part XXVIII

It has been reported by Ibn Mas’ood Raghiyallaho anhu (ra) that the Holy Prophet Sallallaho alaihi wassalam (saw) peace be upon him (PBUH) said: “The decline and fall of Bani Israil started thus: when the pious among them saw certain sins being committed by the transgressors, they forbade them from doing the same; but when the sinners did not repent, the pious because of their relationship and friendship continued to mix with them. So, when this state of affairs began to prevail, Allah swt caused their hearts to be accursed in the same manner.” (i.e. the hearts were also affected with the disobedience of the transgressors). Then is support of this, the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (PBUH) recited a verse of the Holy Qu’ran, which says: ‘The disobedient and the transgressors among the Bani Israil were accursed by Allah swt.’ On this, the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (PBUH) emphatically instructed his Companions:”(To avoid such decline) you people must enjoin upon others to do good deeds and prevent them from doing forbidden things: you should restrain every tyrant from tyranny and invite him towards truth and justice.”Another hadith says that the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw (PBUH) was reclining comfortably when suddenly overcome with emotion, he sat up and said: “I swear by Allah swt that you people cannot attain salvation, unless you prevent the tyrants from tyranny.”

28.4.2011::the beginning of their 2weeks break

After almost 5 months away from their brothers - M Asri & M Aiman and little sis - Afiqah, Bintulu Airport witnessed their excitement when Afi and M Afiq exit the arrival lounge around 18:25 hours. Except M Asri, M Aiman and Afiqah waited impatiently but zealously for their big brothers at the arrival hall.