Wow... The last 3 days have been a good one... I was away from office for a free food and nice software training for RBI. If only my previous company had invest in something like this, things could have been really straightened up... RCM and RBI methodologies can be centralized and can be easily linked to SAP system.
I have also started browsing/surveying for our family car candidates over here in KSA. The list will be announced soon insyallah. My housemates are eager to go and see a Car Auction in Dammam. People said that u can really get a good bargain over there for 2nd hand cars... Imagine, car like 2004 Audi TT can be purchased at only 25000 riyals. Crazy huh?
Wonder what my lovely wife n kids are doing this week... Hope that there are doing fine.... 51 days left! Hopefully my Iqama is ready for ziarah trip Insyallah.
Tomorrow is a special day for me... Wanna go out for a nice steak dinner tapi tak der wife and kids kat sinih... So, postpone jer la niat ...Insyallah, some other time.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Genap Satu Bulan At KSA
Today, it is exactly one month from the moment I step my foot on the land of Saudi Arabia. It feels like a year .
So many things happened this month, a change...a life change . I simply believe that we should be ourselves no matter where we go but with improvements as days go by.
No doubt, my family and work life had been impacted quite seriously, as I am away from my wife n kids, new boss, new job, new housemates, new friends, new intereaction, new languange, new routine, new food, new environment , new super hot weather!, etc2...
I guess if I could make one change, I would change the law to allow all expats to bring their wife and kids since day 1. At least a month ok...? not 3 months ..! I just hope that Allah will give my lovely wife the necessary strength and will to move on wihout me being there all the time. Used to do soooo many things together when we were office mates. I missed those moments.. Hopefully time flies real quick until my family are here! But wait a second, that's about 4 months from now.... Ouch!! Wake up Firdaus!
I have also realised that my culture shock is normalizing now. Getting acclimatized to the weather now as well.
Arabic food = nice but I prefere malaysian foods better.
When I get back home this Raya Insyallah ,I wish that the time will move super slow. With a lot of things to be done at raya aidilfitri, time will definitely be flying fast....9 days will surely not enough. Perhaps I need to sleep just 2-3 hours a day... Maximize my time with my super wife and super kids....I would rather just watch them sleep rather than sleeping and missing those precious time
So many things happened this month, a change...a life change . I simply believe that we should be ourselves no matter where we go but with improvements as days go by.
No doubt, my family and work life had been impacted quite seriously, as I am away from my wife n kids, new boss, new job, new housemates, new friends, new intereaction, new languange, new routine, new food, new environment , new super hot weather!, etc2...
I guess if I could make one change, I would change the law to allow all expats to bring their wife and kids since day 1. At least a month ok...? not 3 months ..! I just hope that Allah will give my lovely wife the necessary strength and will to move on wihout me being there all the time. Used to do soooo many things together when we were office mates. I missed those moments.. Hopefully time flies real quick until my family are here! But wait a second, that's about 4 months from now.... Ouch!! Wake up Firdaus!
I have also realised that my culture shock is normalizing now. Getting acclimatized to the weather now as well.
Arabic food = nice but I prefere malaysian foods better.
When I get back home this Raya Insyallah ,I wish that the time will move super slow. With a lot of things to be done at raya aidilfitri, time will definitely be flying fast....9 days will surely not enough. Perhaps I need to sleep just 2-3 hours a day... Maximize my time with my super wife and super kids....I would rather just watch them sleep rather than sleeping and missing those precious time
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Awareness Campaign
1) I was doing a reliability improvement awareness campaign this week. We went to PP and MTBE control rooms to give briefings on RBI, RCM , RIS and RCA stuffs to all the guys as part of the campaign. I was really amazed and surprised to see many many operators, including shift superintendent working their fingers with tasbih ! Masya Allah... This is the kind of example that we want to show to all . No wonder SABIC tak pernah rugi since 2001. Asyik untung ajer...berkat kot agaknya...
2) Noticed that Arabs are very friendly guys. Kalo dia jumpa member rapat, mesti cium2 pipi masing2...siap bunyi tuh... Kalo dah rapat sangat, siap cium hidung member dia tuh....walla weyy... Itu dah tahap rapat giler aa tuh...
3) Bad drivers are everywhere. U simply have to practise defensive driving here. Here, it is a mixture of drivers from India, Arab, Phillipines, Myanmar, Pakistan and not to forget Malaysians!
4) Whenever there is an accident, onlookers will be making traffic jam worst...same like in malaysia...
5) If u are caught in an accident, u are advised not to move your car until the police arrives.
6) One average-size arab guys can amazingly finish up a big tray of rice + lamb/chicken..
Tomorrow is a weekend... Yeay!! relax and enjoy... Next week is a training week...rileks lagih..!
2) Noticed that Arabs are very friendly guys. Kalo dia jumpa member rapat, mesti cium2 pipi masing2...siap bunyi tuh... Kalo dah rapat sangat, siap cium hidung member dia tuh....walla weyy... Itu dah tahap rapat giler aa tuh...
3) Bad drivers are everywhere. U simply have to practise defensive driving here. Here, it is a mixture of drivers from India, Arab, Phillipines, Myanmar, Pakistan and not to forget Malaysians!
4) Whenever there is an accident, onlookers will be making traffic jam worst...same like in malaysia...
5) If u are caught in an accident, u are advised not to move your car until the police arrives.
6) One average-size arab guys can amazingly finish up a big tray of rice + lamb/chicken..
Tomorrow is a weekend... Yeay!! relax and enjoy... Next week is a training week...rileks lagih..!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Work Picking Up...
Wow... it has been a week since the last time I updated my blog... Work started to pick up i guess..
Enjoyed meeting new friends and of course, new malaysian buddies yang seperjuangan over here in KSA. Obeserved that many Malaysian brothers from Petronas, BASF, Titan, etc2 left their families utk mencari rezeki halal.....Sometimes, I really don't get it how can these guys be so resilient and extra sturdy emotionally, being away from their wife n kids... I really really cannot take it... This one whole month was like crazy for me man.. Feels like a year.. Miss my wife , lana and my miracle twins...
Imagine u just met these a few malaysian braders next door and we managed to ice break real fast...and managed to blend together real fast... Kitaorang terus kamcing and siap tgk world cup matches sekali, borak2 and kutuk2 team lain.....Amazing huh? ...Kalo semua melayu bersatu macam nih kan bagus kat malaysia...takyah pecah2...kejap pas, kejap umno, kejap keadilan...apekemendee aaa brader..Bila melayu nak maju weh...? We need to unite. Kalo still gado2 lagih kat mesia, bawak diaorang dtg sinih kat arab...insyallah bersatu... hahahah
Fresh and pure mango juice is cheap and abundant here... I will have a small glass everyday... rich in vit C .
Bought a new ab trimmer and a set of dumbells last week in Dammam... time to change my figure back to where I was ... The Ab Trimmer is really effective and kicks ass.... Set a target to try to have a six pack before I go back to Malaysia this Raya...Insyallah... Diet is on plan... I have not touched any arabic food for almost 2 weeks now... impressive...haha...
Weekend nih maybe nak pi usha car dealers in Dammam... getting ready to buy a car when my wife n kids are here this november insyallah..
Hope that my wife is coping very well with the babies, considering the fact that this Esso TA's month.. Be strong sweetie!
Enjoyed meeting new friends and of course, new malaysian buddies yang seperjuangan over here in KSA. Obeserved that many Malaysian brothers from Petronas, BASF, Titan, etc2 left their families utk mencari rezeki halal.....Sometimes, I really don't get it how can these guys be so resilient and extra sturdy emotionally, being away from their wife n kids... I really really cannot take it... This one whole month was like crazy for me man.. Feels like a year.. Miss my wife , lana and my miracle twins...
Imagine u just met these a few malaysian braders next door and we managed to ice break real fast...and managed to blend together real fast... Kitaorang terus kamcing and siap tgk world cup matches sekali, borak2 and kutuk2 team lain.....Amazing huh? ...Kalo semua melayu bersatu macam nih kan bagus kat malaysia...takyah pecah2...kejap pas, kejap umno, kejap keadilan...apekemendee aaa brader..Bila melayu nak maju weh...? We need to unite. Kalo still gado2 lagih kat mesia, bawak diaorang dtg sinih kat arab...insyallah bersatu... hahahah
Fresh and pure mango juice is cheap and abundant here... I will have a small glass everyday... rich in vit C .
Bought a new ab trimmer and a set of dumbells last week in Dammam... time to change my figure back to where I was ... The Ab Trimmer is really effective and kicks ass.... Set a target to try to have a six pack before I go back to Malaysia this Raya...Insyallah... Diet is on plan... I have not touched any arabic food for almost 2 weeks now... impressive...haha...
Weekend nih maybe nak pi usha car dealers in Dammam... getting ready to buy a car when my wife n kids are here this november insyallah..
Hope that my wife is coping very well with the babies, considering the fact that this Esso TA's month.. Be strong sweetie!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Facts Thru My Observation
I observe the following things over and over again in KSA....
No 1.
When Pak Arabs buy a new car, they will simply leave the plastic wrappings for the sunwiser, seat belts, seats and even with the price tag posted on the front wind shield.... Konon2 baru laa tuh...nak menunjuk... Dah seminggu pakai kereta pon still macam tuh.... Kalo aku dah pening bau plastic...
extreme hot + bau plastic = perfect vomit will take place
No 2.
Cars are everywhere dirty and filled with sand,except those with high value/expensive cars, in which they will maintain the car to look sexy and clean. In conclusion, if u are a lazy bump to wash your car and u are staying here in saudi, try to choose white color. Black color is simply a disaster for 2 main reasons.... Black absorbs heat and you are gonna have to wash the car at least 2 times a week.
No 3.
Water is more expensive than petrol here . No doubt. Water is the fuel for life...
No 4.
Try to watch wold cup with an arabic commentator. You will enjoy the commentator more than watching the football match itself . I like it... hahahaha...
No 5.
If you do not susbsribe to a satellite TV, most programs will be repeated everyday, same time for a week...
No 6.
When it is hot and humid, it's a bad bad bad idea to even step ur foot outside of the house.. Stay cool in the house with air cond running
No 7.
I can't find a dog anywhere in the city/streets :)
Jauh perjalanan, luas pandangan...
No 1.
When Pak Arabs buy a new car, they will simply leave the plastic wrappings for the sunwiser, seat belts, seats and even with the price tag posted on the front wind shield.... Konon2 baru laa tuh...nak menunjuk... Dah seminggu pakai kereta pon still macam tuh.... Kalo aku dah pening bau plastic...
extreme hot + bau plastic = perfect vomit will take place
No 2.
Cars are everywhere dirty and filled with sand,except those with high value/expensive cars, in which they will maintain the car to look sexy and clean. In conclusion, if u are a lazy bump to wash your car and u are staying here in saudi, try to choose white color. Black color is simply a disaster for 2 main reasons.... Black absorbs heat and you are gonna have to wash the car at least 2 times a week.
No 3.
Water is more expensive than petrol here . No doubt. Water is the fuel for life...
No 4.
Try to watch wold cup with an arabic commentator. You will enjoy the commentator more than watching the football match itself . I like it... hahahaha...
No 5.
If you do not susbsribe to a satellite TV, most programs will be repeated everyday, same time for a week...
No 6.
When it is hot and humid, it's a bad bad bad idea to even step ur foot outside of the house.. Stay cool in the house with air cond running
No 7.
I can't find a dog anywhere in the city/streets :)
Jauh perjalanan, luas pandangan...
Monday, July 5, 2010
Picking Up
Not a good day for me today.... I was in a shock fever due to sudden temperature change...Office was bloody cold (around 12C) and the temperature outside was 45C . I was shivering in the office and was not lucky enough as I did not have my jacket on.....
I could feel my thermostat sensor on my back side of the brain tickling everytime I shivers .. These pak arabs acts normally like nothing is going on...
Work is picking up and time seems to be movin' faster now... Can't wait to get my iqama ready so that I can
Good news.... our KRMJ is organizing a trip to Madinah al Munawarrah this July 28th to July 30th... The president of the club is renting a bus to take us all there to Masjid Nabi for a Ziarah... Not sure whether they plan to stop over at Makkah for an Umrah or not.... I wish I have my Iqama ready so that I can tag along... :( Hopefully, I will get it before the trip is fully booked..!
Esso TA has officially started today.... My wife has to be onsite everyday from 7am - 8pm , for a month or so... I am very worried as she will be extremely tired with the onsite work and then, have to take care of my babies during night time at home as a mother of 3 ... But I know she can do it Insyallah...My prayers and support are always acoompanying her... If only I can be there during the TA....
Hope that she will be super vigilant and super careful during this TA kay sweetie? Practise SPSA and LMRA !
Miss my twins....
I could feel my thermostat sensor on my back side of the brain tickling everytime I shivers .. These pak arabs acts normally like nothing is going on...
Work is picking up and time seems to be movin' faster now... Can't wait to get my iqama ready so that I can
Good news.... our KRMJ is organizing a trip to Madinah al Munawarrah this July 28th to July 30th... The president of the club is renting a bus to take us all there to Masjid Nabi for a Ziarah... Not sure whether they plan to stop over at Makkah for an Umrah or not.... I wish I have my Iqama ready so that I can tag along... :( Hopefully, I will get it before the trip is fully booked..!
Esso TA has officially started today.... My wife has to be onsite everyday from 7am - 8pm , for a month or so... I am very worried as she will be extremely tired with the onsite work and then, have to take care of my babies during night time at home as a mother of 3 ... But I know she can do it Insyallah...My prayers and support are always acoompanying her... If only I can be there during the TA....
Hope that she will be super vigilant and super careful during this TA kay sweetie? Practise SPSA and LMRA !
Miss my twins....
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Happy 1st Birthday Miracle Twins !!
Alhamdulillah, today ( July 2nd 2010) is our miracle twins' 1st ever birthday.... Praise be to Allah for blessing me with this magnificent twins to add even more love, passion and happiness in my marriage life with my wonderful, super wife.
Daddy is so sorry for not being able to be there to celebrate your 1st birthday ever... I wish I can hug both my sophie "bam bam" and my rayyan "pumpkin" right now ....Daddy prays so that both of you will be a great son and daugther in the future, with success in Dunia and Akhirat...
Anyway, it is amazing how time really flies....A year has passed us by....I have got to get myself a new nikon D90 kit soon, to not miss all the sweet and great moments of my wife n kids...
Daddy is so sorry for not being able to be there to celebrate your 1st birthday ever... I wish I can hug both my sophie "bam bam" and my rayyan "pumpkin" right now ....Daddy prays so that both of you will be a great son and daugther in the future, with success in Dunia and Akhirat...
Anyway, it is amazing how time really flies....A year has passed us by....I have got to get myself a new nikon D90 kit soon, to not miss all the sweet and great moments of my wife n kids...
Sophie and Rayyan with daddy and mummy at Cik Ani's house
The ladies behind all these happiness ... Super wife
These are their face expression when the twins are sleepy and boring
Celebrated Kak Long's 4th Birthday at Atuk's house....Just like Kak Long, Sophie and Rayyan also love balloons very much...
Sophie posing with a cute girly smile
Yiiiihaaaa... Rayyan's hobby is flying/swimming on the ground since 6-7 mths old.
In Penang, Auntie Fizah's engagement
Play Time!!!!! Great to have someone to play with huh?
Still flying, even at 9-10 mths old... :)
Raya Aidilfitri at Atuk's house..Bukan Main lagih Rayyan smile
Tuh dia aiih...pandai posing btul flower girl nih...
Rayyan with his fuel charge
Sophie manja with Daddy
Hello....where is my steak ?, why can't I eat like mummy n daddy?
Enjoying his special bread, with a face 100% like mummy.
Apple and Orange of my eyes, before daddy took off to Arab
Conclusion : Time really flies... Cherish all your family moments together in moments of happiness and pain. Looking forward for years and years of never ending happiness insyallah!!
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