mussafir مسافر

Assamualaikum and hello.

This blog of mine will be back online this coming January. Until then, thank you.

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Assalamualaikum and hello.

Today is the last day of Ramadhan here in Malaysia and tomorrow, I and other Muslims will celebrate Eid Mubarak or else known as Hari Raya Aidil Fitri here. Eid Mubarak is the celebration of the success of overcoming all the obstacles we had to endure during the month of Ramadhan. It is not, however, a ticket to over indulge. It is the time to practice what we have learnt during Ramadhan.

Well, to all those who know me…

(click the picture for a larger version)

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Assalamualaikum and hello.

Ministry of Education has posted the 2009 school calendar. I post a copy of them here but if you need to look at the original, click here.

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Assalamualaikum and hello.

Tomorrow is the 51st celebration of my country’s independence from the British. The following is the logo for the celebration as well as the theme song for it. Enjoy.

The logo

The theme song (click > to play)

Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!

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Assalamualaikum and hello.

I am a big fan of the Mythbusters (currently playing on the Discovery Channel on Astro). Let’s have the free online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, explains what or who the Mythbusters are:

“MythBusters is an American popular science television program on the Discovery Channel starring American special effects experts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman, who use basic elements of the scientific method to test the validityof various rumors, urban legends, myths and news stories in popular culture.

MythBusters is typically shot in San Francisco, California. Planning and some experimentation usually takes place at the cast’s workshops; experiments that require more space or special accommodations are filmed on location around the Bay, and occasionally the show travels to other states or countries. The show is produced by the Australian company Beyond Productions; it is written, produced and post-produced from Artarmon, Sydney.”

Let’s look also at a snippet of the opening video for the show

Then I saw this footage on YouTube, where Adam and Jamie set out to demonstrate the difference between a cpu and gpu. See the footage yourself to see their version of it. Enjoy.

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Assalamualaikum.

The lady next to me is actually the first girl I asked out for a date. That’s the truth. And only after 20 years, we finally managed to meet once again. Her name is Suzana Abdul Rahman.

We played for our school’s handball team when we were in Form 2 and 3. When I went to SMACH, I’d lost contact with her until we met in a state tournament where we represented our respective schools. I managed to contact her again after that and asked her out for a bowl of ABC at Kedai Payung. She agreed and we had a date, the only date as it turned out. As we had to prepare for our SPM, I again lost all contact with her.

I did ask around but most of our mutual friends had no idea where she went after SPM. Then I was called for the ADP and later the TESL program, and upon graduation, was sent to Sabah. I got married, had a wonderful time in Semporna and then got transfered back to, of all places, Kemahang, where Suzana and her family stayed. Again I asked around but it seemed that no one (the ones that I asked) knew her.

Then, early this year, a teacher got transfered from Pahang to my school. He is actually from Kemahang so I asked him if he knows any Suzana Abdul Rahman. As a matter of fact, he does, as Suzana is the sister of his mate here in Kemahang. All he can tell me was she’s married and staying in KL. Ah, at least I finally got the info that I need.

Last Thursday, I received 3 missed calls on my handphone. I didn’t recognize the number so I didn’t bother to call back. Later that day, my school’s canteen operator, Abe Wie, who is now learning how to use his brand new laptop almost everyday with me and the other two ICT teachers in the lab, came in as usual. As we are busy with the really informal IT class, I got an sms from the same number.

“Hi. Ini Suzana Mek Itik. Call me.” That’s what written in the sms.

I read the message aloud to the rest and we had a good laugh. I was sure I had never called anyone “Mek Itik” and thought of it as a prank. Abe Wie however told me to think really hard. It’s someone from my past, he said. Then it stroked me. What if this message came from the very Suzana I’ve been asking about. Abe Wie, probably seeing the twinkle in my eyes, quickly explained that Suzana is the daughter of one of the workers at the canteen and she had found out that I was teaching there. She wanted to see me and had waited at the canteen but since I was too busy, never had the chance to go there yet. I wasn’t able to see her that day because she had already gone back home with her mother, so we promised to meet on Saturday.

Well, we had our ’second date’ on Saturday and we had a long conversation, exchanging stories about ourselves since the last time we met. She is as feisty, cheerful and bubbly as she was 20 years ago. She’s not in KL anymore but staying in Jeddah as her husband is working at a bank there. She’s now a Hajah (of course) and a mother of a girl.

Well, to you Suzana, who is a friend and will remain a true friend.

Oh, the picture above is actually an artistic touch from me. I am currently learning how to touch up photos and draw using my trusty laptop. The actual picture is below.

Addendum:

Suzana has flown back to Jeddah to be with her husband. Bye my lady, and be missing you. Have a great Ramadhan. 

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Assalamualaikum and hello.

Last March, I and 3 other teachers from my school were called to the District Education Office to receive our promotion letter from the DG41 grade into DG44. It was a time-based promotion and our promotions were backdated to 2006. Nothing much to shout about actually. Just an increase in salary and an advancement to a higher grade. 

Then, in the final week of April, the school’s clerk called me to the office. He showed me a letter and also some Kew. 8 forms, which are the usual forms needed to be filled to make the necessary adjustments for the salary increase. There were red marks all over the forms, made by one of the many clerks at JPN (State Education Office), which usually means that my school’s clerk have to make some corrections and resubmit the forms.

All was well until he pointed out that the clerk at JPN had marked that I was not eligible to have my Anjakan Gaji Kedua, a raise from the second tier or level to the third level of the salary matrix in DG41, be counted in the promotion to DG44. The reason being I am already in DG44 since my promotion was backdated to 2006 so the Anjakan Gaji Kedua in DG41 is not applicable. The other reason is the letter of promotion to DG44 is dated earlier (3 January 2008) than the approval letter for the Anjakan Gaji Kedua (15 February 2008).

I would have let it by if not for my school’s clerk who says that I am entitled to have the amount from the Anjakan Gaji Kedua be counted for balancing the salary increase in new grade. For example, now I am still receiving RM3115.15 per month, at level P2T15 in DG41. Due to the Anjakan Gaji Kedua, I should be receiving  RM3435.28 or P3T16 starting this July. However, according to JPN’s clerk, since I was promoted to DG44 since 2006, I will be getting RM3433.83 at P1T4 in DG44 instead.

That’s RM1.45 lower that what I should receive if  the Anjakan Gaji is counted. I know that it’s a small difference (tiny to some) but according to my clerk, based on his understanding of the Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam’s circular, I should be given either at the same amount (RM3425.28) or the closest higher amount in the new grade, which is RM3584.11 (P1T5) at DG44. That’s a hike of RM150.28! i would also be one T higher than my peers.

There’s also the fact that I receive the Anjakan Gaji Kedua because I passed PTK at Level 2 in 2007. So I called the Ministry and talked to one Encik Zulkifli, an officer at the Human Resource Division. I gave him a detailed background of the problem and he agreed that my school’s clerk was right. He even pointed out the particular paragraph in the circular that actually deals with this particular issue. Armed with that knowledge, I went to see the JPN’s clerk myself.

First, he was adamant that I am not eligible. When I showed him the particular paragraph, he asked me to wait while he conferred with his superior. He later called me into the office of his officer. Inside, there were 5 others, and it looked like they have been called to discuss this issue. The officer in charge said right away that she cannot allow my Anjakan Gaji Kedua be counted as the base for my salary increase for the DG44 promotion. Not even when I showed her the paragraph.

She even said that she have the backing from another officer in Human Resource Division of the Ministry, who apparently was in a conference and was only able to sms. She also mentioned that I wasn’t the first case and if she had allowed my case to go through, she also have to allow the other teachers to have their salary increased. I told her that was a problem she created herself and had nothing to do with mine. She still refused to entertain my complaint so I had no other choice than to take this matter to Putrajaya myself.

Before I did, I called up JPA, the authority in this matter. I managed to talk to a Ketua Penolong Pengarah there. She listened as I gave her the detail of my problem. She asked me a few questions and later agreed that I should receive the amount my clerk had told me. I later called the officer in JPN and told her the detail of my conversation with the KPP. She refused to acknowledge the conversation and what infuriated me more was her refusal to call the KPP herself to discuss this issue.

So, to Putrajaya I went. I made an appointment to meet the KPP at JPA first so there I went, the morning of 10 June. Being the first time going to Putrajaya, I went a little earlier than my appointment at 10 am. I also brought along the missus for support. At 10 sharp I was in the office of the KPP but she had to go out for another business first. After 32 minutes of waiting, I was finally able to see her. She looked at my service record and immediately told me that I am not eligible to have the Anjakan Gaji Kedua as a civil servant can only have one Anjakan in any grade. Since I already got my Anjakan Gaji Pertama in 2005 so, there I cannot have the Anjakan Gaji Kedua.

I was crushed. I was devastated. Coming all the way to Putrajaya only to be told I may not have what I thought I deserved. Instead of going to the Ministry of Education, I decided to go back to my sister’s house. Still, there’s something dangling at the back of my mind. I decided to call En. Zul to thank him for his views and help. En. Zul, however, insisted that I meet him. So off to Putrajaya again I went, with little or no hope whatsoever.

Well, En. Zul kindly informed me that what the KPP at JPA had told me was misleading and I actually had earned the Anjakan Gaji Kedua in accordance to the PTK standard. He also looked further into the real issue between myself and JPN Kelantan. He concluded that I am entitled to a raise and the JPN people has misinformed his superior officer of the real issue. He also pointed out to me some mistakes in my civil service record and I need to address that with JPN also.

I left Putrajaya with a smile on my face and treated my family with outings around KL. Managed to get my kids have their picture taken with an Ultraman and even paid for my missus’s brand new handphone. I drove back to Kelantan a day later.

The next Monday I called En. Zul and he confirmed with his officer that I should get my raise and he is drafting the letter to be sent to JPN Kelantan. I thanked him from the bottom of my heart. A week later, the letter arrived for my copy, as well as a copy for my principal and my guess a copy for JPN as well. Will be heading down to JPN in the next few days with my head held high.

The moral of the story, stand up and fight for your right. Don’t let other people tell you otherwise unless can be proven in black and white.

Till the next update, ciao.

p/s: Just got a call from another teacher, who is in the same boat. He’ll be coming over to discuss his next move.

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Assalamualaikum and hello.

Insya-Allah, this 20 March, I’ll be meeting a number of my old coursemates, more specifically the boys. It has been almost 12 years since the last time I’ve seen some of them, which was on our graduation day, 3 August 1996. Then we went our separate ways. I was sent to teach in Sabah with Puyu, whom to my surprise, stayed within the education. Most if not the rest, got themselves in other jobs in other sectors.

With regret I have to say that the planned mini reunion for the TESL3 boys was a complete and total disaster. Everything was in place and I was really looking forward for the reunion. I didn’t know for sure how many will turn up. A few had text messaged me that they won’t be able to turn up but most kept silent. I actually didn’t mind if there was going to be only 2 or 3 of us. At least I’ll be able to see them.

I thought of driving down to KL but later changed my mind since it would be pointless to be driving alone as well as very exhausting to me. So I purchased an Air Asia ticket online. Got myself an flight from Kota Bharu to LCCT at 8.55 am. Based on my last experience of flying to KL with Air Asia before, I’ll be landing in LCCT around 10 am. I then need to take the coach from LCCT to KL Sentral which will take an hour’s journey. From KL Sentral, I’ll hop on the KTM Komuter service to Subang Parade’s station where I’ll meet my brother. He had agreed to drive me to IOI Mall from there.

All was well as I boarded my flight in KB. Landed around 9.55 am in LCCT. Managed to hop on the 10.30 coach to KL Sentral and got there exactly an hour later. Got onto the Komuter to Subang Jaya at 11.45 am. All this while I had only two persons calling me about the gathering. I was getting a bit apprehensive. Where are the rest? I got another message from another friend that his car broke down.

It was around that time that I got a message from a friend that was already at the venue. He said he had to leave because his son who he had brought along was throwing a tantrum and also he had another appointment later on. I was just minutes away from where we were supposed to meet. 45 minutes top. That was a real blow to me. I was fuming. I was disappointed.

The moment I stepped off the Komuter at Subang Parade’s station, I made up my mind. Since this friend of mine had to leave, I guess it would be pointless for me to go there at all. So I text messaged the rest of the boys, saying that I had an accident on my way to the airport, missed my flight, was on the waiting list and finally made up my mind that it wasn’t worth the wait. I apologised to every one of them and told them that it was all my fault.

I spent the rest of the day with my brother (who had called his office to ask for the rest of the day off), stayed at his apartment that night and flew back home the next day.

Is that the end? No.

I heard that this friend of mine were furious with me for botching up the reunion. He also had the gall of telling those asking about the reunion on the TESL3 egroup to get “the pictures” from me. Thank a lot, dear friend.

If you expect me to bad mouth about this fellow, sorry to disappoint. I’m just telling you how it is from my perspective. It’s up to you to decide whether I’m at fault. If you don’t, thanks. If you do, also thanks. Always remember, there’s alway two sides of a coin.

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Assalamualaikum and hello.

“A slam dunk (or simply a dunk) is a type of basketball shot that is performed when a player jumps in the air and manually powers the ball downward through the basket with one or both of his hands.”

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/slamdunk

Just finished watching Slam Dunk (the anime) on Animax. You can read more about the anime and manga on Wikipedia. I just love this anime. It actually reminds me to the days when I played basketball. Yes, I did play basketball at one time. I’m not very good at it but not that bad either . Started playing when I was in Form 4. Wasn’t representing any school’s house or even the school’s team (already on the school’s rugby and handball team actually). It was purely for fun, a shot or two for the exercises. Wasn’t impressing any girls either.

When I entered PPP (Pusat Pendidikan Persediaan) for the American Degree Program, I started playing basketball more seriously. Most of my roommates at that time either play basketball or tennis, so it was basketball. Still, it was for fun and exercise. My skills are not enough to make it into the ADP’s team. When I left ADP to join TESL matriculation program, I found that a few of us, namely Mat Berg, Ayish, Achai, Azli and myself had the skills for the game and we started playing, once or twice a week. It wasn’t until the TESL 4 gang arrive on the scene that we became a real team. I truly couldn’t remember the names of the those juniors who made up the team but a team we were. (Those who knows, please tell me so that I can put their names here)

We started playing matches and I mostly stayed on the bench, coming in later in the third or fourth quarter. As I said, my skills wasn’t good enough to be in the starting line-up but enough to be in the team. It was most likely because I’m a senior that I was included in the team instead. I can’t remember how many games we played but I do remember I didn’t score any points in any of the earlier games.

Not until this one game. Man, I wish I can tell you more about the team we’re against but honestly, I could not. All I can remember about that game is the score I made. My only point scored in a real game. It was as if we had planned it out in advance. Everyone was in their expected place, doing all the right moves when the ball came into my hands as I was standing inside the D but still outside the free throw area and a bit to the right. There’s no opponent in front of me so I took the shot. It felt like any other shot I made during practice and watching go right into the basket, it felt like time stood still. It was the most unforgettable moment.

I guess we didn’t make the first round since instead of basketball, we played handball. And we were good in handball that we each got a gold medal to prove it. It’s in my treasure chest somewhere (still have a few boxes unopened from the last time we moved). But the memory of that one shot is the one I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. No matter that we lose the game or not that night. Didn’t matter whether we played again or not later that year. That one shot was all I needed to remind me of the entire basketball playing era.

Here is the opening video of Slam Dunk the anime. Enjoy.

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Assalamualaikum and hello

Hei, don’t get any wrong idea about me and the missus. We’re just fine and still in love. The above is just a title of a television series that I’m into. To those who has Astro, it’s on Channel 733 or Discovery Home & Health. The channel is part of the Metro package. To those that don’t, sorry.

Well, Til Debt Do Us Part is a series that deals with married couples who are on the brink of bankrupt and separation due to excessive and often time uncontrolled spending, incuring huge consumer debt. The hostess of the show, Gail Vaz-Oxlade is a no-nonsense guru of finance. She lays down the rules and tells the couple straight in their face where and why they have failed in managing their money. She usually lays down a 3 steps plan to help the couple dig their way out of the debt pit.

Her first step would have the couple live strictly on cash for the next month. She also puts the cash money in clearly labeled jars, namely Food, Transportion, Clothings, Gift and Others. Everytime they take out cash from the jars, they have to write what they use the money for in a Budget Binder. Any receipt must be out into the respective jar. She also set some challenges for the couple so that they can work out their marital problems that is burdened by their monetary problem. If they succeed in facing her challenges, she’ll reward them with $5000 to help them in paying off their debt.

Why am I loving this show? Gail’s rules has actually helped me in managing our household expenses. By having a budget binder and keeping all the receipts helps me in keeping track to where our money goes. I also learned the benefits of buying some household necessities in bulk. For example, my youngest son is currently on Dutch Lady 123, and one 1kg pack should last 3 or 4 weeks, so instead of buying 1 or 2 packs, we simply buy 6 or 12 packs at a time. This is also true with his Drypers. This actually helps in cutting down the number of trips to the shop we would have made otherwise, or the money we would have spent on the spur of the moment buying.

If you have the chance, do watch the show and you’ll learn how to appreciate and manage your money.

Till later, bye.

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