1 Syawal 1429H

Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar
La Ilaha illaLlah, waLlahu Akbar
Allahu Akbar wa liLlahilhamd

On this joyous occasion of Eidul Fitr, we would like to wish
"Eid Mubarak, may Allah accepts all our good deeds."

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Maaf Zahir Batin

*This is our first Eid in Malaysia after we got married. For two years we celebrated Eid with fellow friends in Ottawa, Canada. And our first Eid in Malaysia is joined by Maryam and Aiman, our comfort of eyes (qurratu a'yun). We will be celebrating Eid in Sungai Ara, Penang.

Bank Rakyat vs. Tabung Haji

Last year I opened a saving account for Maryam with Bank Rakyat. I decided to go with Bank Rakyat because of two things. First, Bank Rakyat's operations are 100% syariah-approved. Second, recently Bank Rakyat has gained high profit and gave high dividends to their members. High profit means their whole business operations are good, so there is a big chance that the hibah-rate for their savings is high. Furthermore, there is a branch near to my hometown in Sungai Ara, Penang. Since the account is to save money for Maryam's future, the officer suggested to me to choose Tilmiz account, where only one withdrawal is allowed per month.

After one year, it seems that putting money in Bank Rakyat is not efficient. First, there is no branch near to our home in Kuala Lumpur nor my office in Gombak. So we can only put money when we go back to Penang, or through my parents. So my mother always go and deposit the money for her granddaughter. However, she used to complaint to me that the officers are not friendly. She expect that an old lady like her should at least get a smile and a nice greeting from the teller officer, plus all the helps available. Besides, the area is always congested and it is very hard to move, what else to find a place for parking.

Today, I have discussed with my wife and we closed Maryam's saving account with Bank Rakyat (actually my wife did not like the idea in the first place). We transferred her money to Tabung Haji and also opened another account for Aiman. It's time for the whole family to start building funds for pilgrimage to Makkah.

Daily Intake for Maryam & Aiman

Aiman's Daily Intake
9:00 a.m.
Alvesco 160 inhaler
Flixonase nasal spray
Zinnat syrup 2.5 ml
10:00 a.m.
Ventolin evohaler
Iliadin nasal drop
12:00 noon
Promethazine syrup 2 ml
6:00 p.m.
Alvesco 160 inhaler
Flixonase nasal spray
Zinnat syrup 2.5 ml
7:00 p.m.
Ventolin evohaler
Iliadin nasal drop
8:00 p.m.
Promethazine syrup 2 ml
4:00 a.m.
Promethazine syrup 2 ml
Once daily: Clarityne syrup 2.5 ml

Maryam's Daily Intake
Iliadin Decongestion Nasal Drop 2x
Augmentin Syrup 3 ml 2x
Antamin Syrup 1.9 ml 3x

*Doctor mentioned that Aiman's cough will stay for about a week or two since he has a very sensitive nose. As for Maryam, antamin is a strong medicine that will cause drowsiness, but it seems that it failed to put Maryam into sleep. She's still active, and proven that antamin has no effect on her. As of today, September 30th, one day before Eid, Aiman's cough is gone, save for a few mucus that still inhabits his nose. Alhamdulillah! So we only continue with promethazine, zinnat and nasal drops for Aiman.

Maryam's Language Part I

First word: Baba (then mama)
Early words:
1. Lela (from Apek's song Aspalela - thanks to her aunties!)
2. Gijah (a corruption of elephant in Malay)
3. Cuti (holidays)
4. Todak (spearfish - a corruption of box - kotak)
Yes words:
1. Nak (I want it!)
2. Biar lerr (Let me do it)
3. Takpe (It's okay)
No words:
1. Nanak (I don't want it)
2. NOOOOO! (followed by a loud cry)
Good words:
1. A-kum (assalamu'alaykum - when entering house)
2. Aa-kebar (Allahu Akbar)
3. Laa-laah (La ilaha illaLlah)
Friends words:
1. Aa-iq (Faiq - cousin)
2. Kakaya (Sister Farihah - cousin, Faiq's elder sister)
3. Aa-sar (Aisar - cousin)
Family words:
1. Aa-man (Aiman - her younger brother)
2. Baba (father), also Yang (darling, copied from her mum)
3. Mama (mama), also mek (copied from her aunties & others)
4. Ayoh (grandpa, her mum's papa)
5. Nini or Ani, Syasya or Sya, Tan or Pin-tan, Ana (her four aunties)
Usual words:
1. Ash (I want ice - give me ice!)
2. Tumpah ke? (did I drop the water?- of course after she dropped it)
3. Sakit ke? (does it hurt? - when someone cried "ouch" near her)
Best word: Aa Baba (I love Baba!)

Monkeys and Stock Market

A story about how stock market really works.

Once upon a time in a village, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for RM 10. The villagers seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest and started catching them.

The man bought thousands at RM 10 and as supply started to diminish, the villagers stopped their effort. He further announced that he would now buy at RM20. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again.

Soon the supply diminished even further and people started going back to their farms. The offer rate increased to RM25 and the supply of monkeys became so little that it was an effort to even see a monkey, let alone catch it!

The man now announced that he would buy monkeys at RM50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on his behalf.

In the absence of the man, the assistant told the villagers: "Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has collected. I will sell them to you at RM35 and when the man returns from the city, you can sell it to him for RM 50."

The villagers squeezed up their savings and bought all the monkeys. Then they never saw the man nor his assistant, only monkeys everywhere!!!

Welcome to the Stock Market!

My Special Last Days of Ramadhan 1429 H

Aiman was very sick. It all started last month, a week before Ramadhan, when he had fever, then came cough plus lots of mucus. And since last month we had sleepless nights. Aiman could not sleep because of the cough. It was painful for us to see our 4-month baby suffering from severe coughing. We went to consult our general physician twice within two weeks, but it was fruitless. This is not a normal cough. This must be something else.

So we brought Aiman to Dato' Dr. Azizi Haji Omar, consultant paediatrician and paediatric chest physician cum medical director of Damansara Specialist Hospital. He confirmed that Aiman may suffer from asthma if he is not treated quickly. "Throw away all the perfumes that you have in your house, let Allah's natural air come in." So we took his advice and prescription, and alhamdulillah, within one week Aiman's condition improved. After one week, we went to see him again, and Aiman has fully recovered. Everyone was happy.

However, on Friday, September 19, Aiman had a strong fever. We tought that this is just another fever. So the next day we went to Shah Alam as planned. Saturday afternoon, Aiman's condition worsens. The cough came back, plus the mucus. And his breath was weak and short. We decided to take him to a clinic nearby and give him a nebulizer. At the clinic, even the nurse on duty didn't have the heart to put Aiman with the nebulizer. I had to do it. That night Aiman's breathe improved a bit. Sunday morning, Aiman became very weak. His breath was short, and it seems that he didn't have the energy to breath. We called Dr. Azizi and informed him of the situation. He advised us to quickly come to the hospital and admit Aiman into the ward. However, he was not on duty that day.

We rushed back to Kuala Lumpur. Aiman slept all the way, and his breathing improved a little. That afternoon my wife went to the hospital with Aiman. The doctor on duty asked her to admit Aiman into the ward today, but we had to refuse since Maryam will be looking for her mother. However, we promised that we will come to the hospital every four hours to put Aiman on the nebulizer.

Monday morning, nothing much improved. We had no choice but to admit Aiman into the ward after Dr. Azizi himself asked us to do so. He said that it would be better since the nurses will make sure that Aiman receive his medication on time and he will be able to use the nebulizer frequently. He confirmed that Aiman had been infected with bronchitis, and this has nothing to do with the previous coughs that Aiman suffered before. Aiman's lungs were infected with a virus that is causing him trouble to breath and produces lots of mucus and coughs.

So I had to take one week off and cancel all classes. The whole family resided in the hospital for six days. My wife, Maryam and me. The doctor however allowed us to leave for iftar at 6:30 p.m. and come back at 9:00 p.m.

On Wednesday, Dr. Azizi told us that Aiman's bronchitis has stabilized, and his lungs are improving. It just that there is still a lot of mucus in his nose. The mucus is causing the coughs. Three times the nurses sucked out his mucus, and it was so painful that his crying can be heard in the whole ward!

On that day also, Maryam had a cold. Same sypmtoms with Aiman. Thursday morning, I quickly brought her to Dr. Azizi's attention. One is enough. He suspect that Maryam may also suffer from bronchitis if she is not treated quickly. Luckily older kids have better immune system.

Saturday, September 27, Dr. Azizi allowed Aiman to be discharged from the ward. His lungs are ok, but the mucus is still there. The cough will go away in about two weeks. Maryam is also improving. Alhamdulillah!

My million thanks to Dr. Azizi, nurses and staff of Damansara Specialist Hospital, plus all those who helped us through these turbulent times. May Allah bless you!

Haa... Next time laju lagi!

View Larger Map

Living in Kuala Lumpur can be very challenging. For those who have not been here, you should know that Kuala Lumpur is a "tolled" city. Most of the major routes that connect to the city are "tolled" highways (highways in Kuala Lumpur does not mean free of traffic jam). Since we need to pay toll everytime we move, it's wise to have a Smart Tag with Touch 'n Go card so that we don't have to stop and pay at the toll booth with cash. However, sometimes technology also has its own problem.

Once, I was driving from Shah Alam to Kuala Lumpur via Federal Highway (Federal Route #2). There are certain routes of Federal Highway that are always congested, so I took and exit at Subang to enter New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE - #E1) from Subang to Damansara. Since I was a bit speeding at the toll both, the infrared scanner failed to scan my Smart Tag. Instead of paying RM 1 at Damansara toll both, the scanner deducted the maximum charge of RM 45.40 and stated that there was no record of my entry into the expressway. A week after that I went to Damansara's NKVE Office and reported the incident to the officer on duty. She informed me that it will take two to three weeks for them to check it, and it may take up to 30 days for them to refund the overcharge amount. Three weeks afterwards I received a cheque from them.

My wife says: "Haa... I always told you to stop, but you didn't listen. Luckily you was with my father when that happened." From that day onwards, I always stop at the toll both...

We don't need I.S.A. to protect Islam

We don't need I.S.A. to protect Islam. Detention without trial itself is unislamic. If someone were to condemn or harass Islam, that person should not be brought into detention without trial. That person should be given the right to be tried in courts. Various Muslim organizations, instead of lodging police report, should approach that person and have discussions in the first place.

Only through discussions and talks the wrong perceptions on Islam among the public can be avoided. Detention without trial will only show that Islam is a weak religion, and anyone who criticize it will be put into detention. At least that person should be tried in courts.

In support of this view: ISA tidak diperlukan untuk bela ajaran Islam and Abolish I.S.A. Movement!

MyVi Oh My...

1 Ramadhan 1429 was a holiday throughout Malaysia due to 51st National Day celebrated on 31 August 2008. It is time to send MyVi for service. This time to Perodua Service Bukit Raja - near to our house in Taman Cahaya Alam in Shah Alam. However, since we went to see our potential new home last Saturday in Setapak, we stayed in Taman Tun for the weekend. So I set out early since I am not familiar with Bukit Raja area. Apparently to find the place is not that difficult. Once you exit NKVE Bukit Raja Toll Plaza, take a left turn twice and you are already there. Lorong Keluli 1C is somewhere on your right. The building is at the end of the street.

I arrived at 9:45 a.m., earlier than my appointment time which was 10:00 a.m. Since we have lost the MyVi record book, the receptionist had to look for our records from their online database. Then I had to wait for about 30 minutes (siapa suruh sampai awal?) before a service officer came and check the car. I asked for a normal package service plus engine cleaning. The engine was so dirty, and the battery's acid was all over the place. At the same time I asked the service officer to replace the car's skirting (penangan adik ipar kita la tu...) since it is broken. She told me, "Oh, for this one you should order it with us earlier. We don't keep extra stocks with us." Ye la tu, twice I called this service center and told them that I want to replace my car's skirting, and the answer given to me was: "Don't worry. Just come to the garage and the service officer will settle it with you." And that was how she settled it with me, next time order dulu! Sorry la car, it seems that you'll have to stay skirtless for a while. How come a Perodua Service Center don't have their own model's accessories?!

There are two waiting lounges, one on the groundfloor and the other on the first floor. The one at the groundfloor is small, the one on the first floor is nice and big! A lot of magazines, a tv set, and free drinks plus crackers (but then it's Ramadhan so no use!). From the waiting lounge you can see the garage downstairs. However, the toilet was terrible! Doorless, dirty and smelly.

1.00 p.m. already, but still no announcement for me. I went downstairs and asked the cashier to check whether my car is ready or not. Two hours and a half is too long for a normal car service. She responded, "Ohh... your car was ready long time ago, but we sent it for car wash. That's why it took such a long time..." Ya ya, as if the car wash is somewhere far away from your building. The car wash is exactly in front of the building.

One week after that they gave me a call and asked whether the car is ok or not. Ok la, maybe next time I'll go to other service center pulak...