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Don’t judge someone by what he/she owns

2011-11-28T00:03:00.000+08:00

In our society, we often judge other people by what he owns – what he wears, what car he drives, what gadget he uses, where he stays, did he buy or rent a house etc. Yes, we live in a materialistic world. That is why branded goods such as Gucci, LV and Prada can become so big. They are the symbols of social status (ever notice how these big brands always put their logo/names at places where other people would notice?)

But seriously, do you think all these branded stuff will allow us to judge someone better? Does driving a BMW car make a person more successful in life than someone driving a SLK (Small Little Kancil)? Or does using a LV handbag make someone more elegant than someone with a ayam brand-less handbag?

No, no and no. There’s absolutely no way we can and should, judge someone by the things he owns. Instead, we should judge someone by the contribution he makes to the society, the value someone brings to the people around him or how much this person has help mankind progresses.

For example, people often see Bill Gates as one of the richest people in the world (or used to be). Perhaps people should shift their focus and look at how he, together with Microsoft, has helped people with the invention of Microsoft Windows. What he created has actually helped millions and millions of people worldwide to work more efficiently. THAT is a contribution to the community itself.

Another example, your average school teachers. To be honest, they are not remarkable at all since most of them do not drive big cars, lives in big houses and certainly do not own a truck full of branded stuff. But does that mean we should judge them as someone not important or insignificant? No. In fact, teacher is one of the most important jobs in the world. They don’t earn much (well, most of them anyway), and yet we cannot ignore their contribution to our society. They share their knowledge with others and also teach our younger generation how to be a better person. That’s why I believe people should never ever look down on their teachers. If you want to look down on someone, go find those financial traders who are reaping investors off whether the investors are earning or losing money.

I know to some people, this could be quite a huge shift since we live in a materialistic world where power, money and statuses mean close to everything (if not everything). But I really really hope that more and more people will learn to appreciate and respect people who are actually contributing to the society and people who are trying to make this world a better place to live in.

Really, there’s no point earning millions if you are not contributing or helping this world at all..

So people, judge wisely and hopefully one day, all of us will be able to see each others differently.. Insyaallah

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2011 - Syawal 1432H

2011-08-28T20:52:00.005+08:00

I want to wish Selamat Hari Raya 2011 to all my Muslim friends / readers wherever you are in this world. Hope you can share happiness and celebrate Hari Raya in peace & harmony. I know many all of us will be going "balik kampung" (going back to their hometown) today. Wish everyone will have a safe journey home. Make sure you don't speeding on our highway..

Again, we wish all of you Selamat Hari Raya & an apology for any mistake wrongdoing.

From: Azwan, Zatty, Rayna & Aydan

Get well soon

2011-08-20T19:04:00.003+08:00

Aydan is admitted due to high fever and bronchitis. Love from the parents is the best medicine for you baby.. Other than that, plenty of water, good quality of sleep plus Dr Nazim & all the nurses expertise do help a lot, too. It's time for you to build up your bullets in your immune system now, son!! Get well soon, my little fighter..

Islam itu Indah - Sujud Sahwi

2011-08-02T01:02:00.002+08:00

Sujud Sahwi

Sahwi bermaksud lupa sesuatu. Pengertian dari segi syarak adalah terlupa sesuatu di dalam solat. Sujud sahwi adalah sujud yang dilakukan sebanyak dua kali setelah selesai bacaan Tahiyat akhir dan sebelum salam; ia dikerjakan untuk menutup kecacatan dalam pelaksanaan solat kerana terlupa, dan hukumnya adalah sunat.

Sebab-sebab sujud sahwi ada tiga: kerana kelebihan, kerana kekurangan, dan kerana ragu-ragu.

1. Sujud Sahwi Kerana Kelebihan

a. Barangsiapa terlupa di dalam solatnya lalu tertambah rukuk, atau sujud, dan sebagainya, maka dia perlu sujud sahwi.

2. Sujud Sahwi Kerana Kekurangan

a. Barangsiapa, justeru terlupa, lalu meninggalkan salah satu sunat ab'adh, maka ia harus sujud sahwi sebelum salam. Misalnya, makmum terlupa tahiyyat awal dan hanya teringat setelah sempurna qiam (berdiri tegak), maka dia tidaklah perlu duduk kembali dan cukup baginya sujud sahwi. Namun, sekiranya dia teringat sebelum separuh bangkit untuk qiam, maka bolehlah dia kembali duduk dan menyempurnakan tahiyyat awal dan tidak perlu sujud sahwi.

3. Sujud Sahwi Kerana Ragu-ragu

a. Keragu-raguan di dalam solat adalah kerana tidak meyakini sama ada terlebih atau terkurang, umpamanya seseorang ragu sama ada dia di dalam rakaat ketiga atau keempat. Keraguan ada dua jenis:

b. Sekiranya seseorang lebih cenderung kepada satu hal (waham, atau lebih 50% pasti), umpamanya dia lebih meyakini dia kini di dalam rakaat ketiga dan bukan rakaat keempat, maka dia harus menurutkan mengambil sikap kepada yang lebih ia yakini, kemudian dia melakukan sujud sahwi setelah salam.

c. Sekiranya seseorang itu ragu-ragu antara dua hal, dan tidak condong pada salah satunya (dzan, atau hanya 50-50 pasti), maka dia harus mengambil sikap kepada hal yang sudah pasti akan kebenarannya, iaitu jumlah rakaat yang sedikit. Kemudian menutupi kekurangan tersebut, lalu sujud sahwi sebelum salam.

Sujud sahwi ialah sujud kerana terlupa melakukan sesuatu sunat ab’ad seperti tertinggal tahiyyat awal.

Sujud sebelum atau selepas salam?

Dalam Mazhab Syafie, sujud sahwi dilakukan sebelum memberi salam.

Dari Abdullah Bin Buhainah r.a., bahawa pada suatu hari Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. menjadi imam mereka mengerjakan sembahyang, lalu baginda bangun sesudah rakaat yang kedua dan tidak duduk (untuk membaca tahiyyat awal); orang ramai pun bangun bersama-sama dengannya (meneruskan sembahyang) sehingga apabila baginda selesai sembahyang dan mereka menunggu salamnya, ia bertakbir semasa duduk, dan ia sujud dua kali (sujud sahwi) sebelum memberi salam, kemudian ia memberi salam.

Dalam Mazhab Hanafi, sujud sahwi dilakukan selepas memberi salam.

Dari Ibnu Mas’ud, r.a., bahawa Nabi Muhammad s.a.w. sembahyang Zohor lima (5) rakaat, lalu baginda ditanya oleh para jemaah: “(Ya Rasulullah) Adakah bilangan rakaat sembahyang telah ditambah?”

Baginda pula bertanya: “Mengapa (kamu berkata) demikian?”

Mereka menyatakan : Tuan telah mengerjakan sembahyang lima rakaat”

(Mendengarkan itu) Baginda pun sujud (sujud sahwi) dua kali selepas salam.

Hadis Shohih- Riwayat Bukhari dan lain-lainnya)

Manakala Mazhab Maliki pula bergantung samada terlebih atau terkurang bilanagn rakaat. Jika terkurang, sujud sebelum salam. Jika terlebih, sujud selepas salam.

Doa sujud sahwi

Ertinya: Maha Suci Allah yang tidak tidur dan tidak lupa
"Subhaana man-laa yanaamu walaa yashuu"

Hal-hal Penting Berkenaan Dengan Sujud Sahwi

1. Apabila seseorang meninggalkan salah satu rukun solat secara tidak sengaja, dan ia belum sampai pada rukun yang sama di rakaat berikutnya, maka ia wajib kembali kepada rukun yang tertinggal itu, dan kembali meneruskan solat dari situ. Sekiranya dia sudah berada pada rukun yang tertinggal itu pada rakaat berikutnya, maka rukun yang tertinggal itu dianggap terganti dengan rukun pada rakaat berikutnya itu. Pada kedua-dua hal ini, wajib dia melakukan sujud sahwi setelah salam atau sebelumnya.

2. Apabila sujud sahwi dilakukan setelah salam, maka harus pula melakukan salam sekali lagi.

3. Apabila seseorang yang melakukan solat meninggalkan sunat ab'adh secara sengaja, maka batallah solatnya.

a. Jika ketinggalan kerana lupa, kemudian dia ingat sebelum beranjak dari sunat ab'adh tersebut, maka hendaklah dia melaksanakannya dan tidak perlu sujud sahwi.

b. Jika ia teringat setelah melewatinya tapi belum sampai kepada rukun berikutnya, maka hendaklah dia kembali melaksanakan rukun tersebut, lalu sujud sahwi selepas salam.

c. Jika ia teringat setelah sampai kepada rukun yang berikutnya, maka sunat ab'adh itu gugur, dan dia tidak perlu kembali kepadanya untuk melakukannya, akan tetapi perlu sujud sahwi sebelum salam.

4. Sekiranya seseorang itu terlupa sujud sahwi dan teringat hanya selepas memberi salam maka bolehlah ia sujud sahwi, dengan syarat ingatan itu timbul dalam masa yang tidak begitu lama.

5. Sekiranya imam terlupa sujud sahwi, makmum bolehlah sujud sahwi setelah imam memberi salam.

Semoga kita merebut segala peluang yang di’offer‘kan di bulan Ramadhan ini sebagai medan ibadah untuk kita di dalam universiti Ramadhan.. Islam itu indah..

Complain and do nothing about it

2011-07-27T00:47:00.000+08:00

“My job sucks”.
“My boss does not apappreciate me”.
“My colleagues are irresponsible”.
“I just cannot mix well with my colleagues”.
“I can’t communicate with my in-laws”.
“My car is so problematic!”.
or the ultimate “I hate my life”.

We hear these all the time from people. The funny thing is, these people would complain and do nothing about it. They’ll still be in the same situation a year later! It’s either they are too lazy to find a solution to their problem, or they don’t really mind about the problem at all. But then again, if they don’t really mind, why are they complaining in the first place? To release stress and frustration? Or to “let it out”, as one of my friends love to call it. Doesn’t look very healthy to me.

But seriously, do you think it’s worth it to spend so much energy into doing something destructive like complaining? If you are doing it once, then it’s fine. But most people do it over and over again! Well, my advice is pretty simple, if you are unhappy with what you are facing now, then it’s time to ask yourselves some simple questions.

• What is it that you are complaining? Your boss? Colleagues? Job? Family? Lack of money? Identify the source of the complaint.

• How long are you doing this already? Do you complain about everything? Or is there one particular thing which you always complain? And how often do you do it? Identify whether the issue is caused by something/someone, or the issue is with you and the way you look at things.

• Do you think this is healthy for your overall well-being? If yes, why do you think so? If no, how are you going to overcome it and stop all the negative energy infesting in your brain? Ask yourself if you are fine with how things are going now and you prefer to do nothing. Or perhaps you DO want to do something.

• If you want to overcome it, how do you think you can find a solution? Cut down on your expenses? Talk to your colleagues/boss? Change job? Think about multiple ways to solve your problem one at a time. Think simple and avoid complicating things.

• Or maybe you do want to change things but there are other factors which are forcing you not to make the changes? Identify those factors and also their impact on your life. Do it as soon as possible. If the factors are so important that you prefer not to change things, then try not to complain too much. The negative energy will not help you at all. And if you are determined to change things, stop complaining too. Focus your energy on how to solve the issues instead.

Life is short and I think it’s better to spend our life doing what we really want to do, and be happy. True, we have our commitments and responsibilities, so making a change can be quite difficult at times. But I always believe that we control our own fate and we build our own happiness. If we always sit around and do nothing to fix the things we don’t like (things we always complain about), those things will always be there to haunt us and make us miserable.
Complaining does not fix things. Action does.

p/s: but if you are the type who complains about everything from the land to the sky, then you need to change. The problem most probably lies within you and how you see the world. I notice that this post is quite similar to some of my previous posts. guess i’m running out of topics to talk.

Check it out

2011-06-18T01:48:00.003+08:00

To my wife Zatty and her partner Anita, I want to say this:

Congratulation on launching your new blog and all my heartfelt best wishes to you guys for continued success!!

You guys might visit this: http://cottonmoms.blogspot.com/

Busy is an Understatement

2011-06-04T00:20:00.002+08:00

Most phones nowadays come with calendar, organizers, or other PDA functions which are meant to make you more productive and occupied. Productive? Not sure about that. But occupied? Definitely a YES.

The sad thing is, we’re becoming too occupied for our own good. We are so busy that we do not have the time to notice other people around us. We have lesser time for our family, our friends, and our neighbours. Gone were the days when we go visit our neighbors during weekends. Heck, sometimes it’s even difficult to have all the family members sit down and dine together. There will always be 1 or 2 missing family members who are too busy with their work.

And when we finally have a bit of time, we’ll either be too tired to go out or too busy trying to relax ourselves. So the most we can do is to send a short e-mail, or a simple SMS to whoever concerned. That’s it. No more snail mails (I still love snail mails actually though I don’t do it anymore). Lesser phone calls. And yeah, less frequent meet-ups as well.

So when people say technology brings everyone closer.. in a way, it does. But it will only bring people “this” close….and nothing more. In fact, the warm feeling when you’ve received a snail mail from someone halfway across the globe.. will never be there again. The warmness of people will start to fade with time, and the advancement of technology.

Also, if you do notice one thing, the number of hi-bye friends that we have tend to get more and more (people we don’t really notice, also known as passerby)..and the number of ‘true’ and close friends, becoming lesser and lesser. Depressing, isn’t it?

But it’s not hopeless yet. There is still something we can do – learn to appreciate and free up some of our time to BE THERE for people. It can be 5 minutes short call, 10 minutes of conversation, or 30 minutes of lunch appointment. Or just a couple of minutes of heart-to-heart chat. Be there and notice the people around you.

Remember, busy is not an excuse for not being there when someone needs you most..

Happy Birthday Wifey!

2011-04-09T02:04:00.004+08:00

Last Wednesday, my wife Zatty turned 28. I just wanted to give a shout out to her and say Happy Birthday..

I know I rarely take the time in our hectic, jam-packed days, to take the time to enumerate all the wonderful ways, which you bring a smile to this normally smile-less face, by simply being you, you make this world such a better place..

And while I never thought I’d ever meet another with such joy, you proved me wrong when you delivered our happy girl and boy, so thank you for the love that you’ve brought into my life, thank you for being the perfect lover, friend and wife..

Honey in all seriousness, I love you so much and I am truly lucky to have you as my wife and count my blessings the day we met. I love you, I'm grateful that I'm a part of your life, and so glad that we are growing old together.. :)

Happy Birthday Wifey!!

Rayna says, "I Two!!"

2011-03-27T01:08:00.000+08:00

I cannot believe that our baby girl turned 2 today.. Time really does fly once you have kids! I can still remember every detail of the day she was born. We knew she would complete our family and she did in every possible way. What an amazing journey the last two years have been. Rayna, we are truly humbled by who you are becoming and the amazing gifts you give us every day. Thank you for being our "baby" no matter how old you are getting.

In technical terms, Rayna is 24 months today. But at two, enough is enough with defining age in months. Am I right people? I mean, also technically speaking, I turned 345 months soon, but when asked how old I am, I reply simply, 29. I swore I wasn't going to be one of those dad who when asked the ages of her children responded in months beyond 24. And I'm keeping that promise. Once moms start spouting off numbers like "185" and "246" you have to be a lot better at math than I, to figure out how old their kids are in years. Today Rayna is two; in September she’ll be 2 1/2. My only diversion might be that if you ask me next January, I might tell you she's "almost three"- either way, I'm done with the months for Rayna.

There. I'm off my soapbox and on to what this post was really all about. Rayna at two. Here is some of what she's got her hands into and brain wrapped around these days:

* Another love of Rayna's: school. So much so that she wants to go every day. Rayna's teachers tell me that she is doing very well, and that you can not tell that she's the youngest in the class. The older children apparently really like Rayna and call her their baby.

* Rayna plays very well independently. This is really nice, especially as it is getting harder and harder for me to get down on the floor to play dolls.

* Rayna likes to watch Little Einstein and sometimes the news. Don't ask me where the news came from, but she asks me from time to time.

* Rayna likes to "sing" the ABC's. Mostly she dances around to the song singing, "Double-B T, Q, S,Z" She likes to sing this song over and over and over and over and over and over again, and requests that you sing along too.

* Rayna eats great, sleeps well and still likes her bath.

* Rayna likes to walk up/down stairs like a big girl with one hand holding the railing and other hand holding an adult. She can blow her nose by herself but she needs to work on waiting for the tissue to be at her nose each time BEFORE blowing! Speaking of nose, she knows the different parts of the face. If you ask her where her nose, eyes, ears, and mouth are she can show you. She also knows where her elbows are.

* This past month Rayna's temper switch has been turned from off to on since she turned to be a big sister. When Rayna gets upset about something she can take it to an extreme level of throwing a big temper tantrum. She will be so mad and worked up that there isn't anything to do to get her to calm down other than have her sit on the couch or be in her crib until she calms down. As parents, it is tough to stay strong, keep your cool, and be consistent with discipline so that she will grow up to be a good girl, but we are managing.

* Rayna is a fun, lovable, cheerful, kind, happy, vibrant, beautiful, smart two year old who is growing and learning at what seems like lightning speed. She is the apple of our eyes and hearts.

The past two years have flown by. It has been such a joy to watch Rayna grow and discover and learn. I love the way she thinks. I love to watch her process. This will be another big year ahead for her, as she is a big sister now. I can't wait to see how she reacts to her lil brother,Aydan Mikaeel who, by the time Rayna turns three will be crawling around her next party. Unreal..

"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."

Why Do You Earn More Than Me?

2010-12-22T23:49:00.004+08:00

So what?

One of the biggest taboos while working for people is to talk about your salary publicly especially when your colleagues are around. However, there will be times when something as confidential as salary, is being broadcast or informed to the wrong parties. The result? Dissatisfaction among employees.

Let’s be honest, most people are not content with what they have and that includes their salary. And most people also think that they are the one working harder than most of the people in the team. So when the news of a peer/colleague receiving a promotion or a higher salary than themselves, all sorts of negative feelings will appear.

“Why is that idiot getting higher salary than me when all he does is talk talk talk?”

“Why is the new guy getting the promotion ahead of old/senior employees like us?”

“Why is he getting a higher increment and more bonus when our job role is the same?”

Questions like these will keep popping up in the head all the time. It’s normal. After all, we’ve put in so much hard work for the company and it seems like we’re not being appreciated (funnily, some people who always spend their office hours chatting and Facebook-ing also think they’re not being appreciated enough). I’ve been through that before on a couple of occasions and man, I was pretty pissed back then.

But things have changed, and I believe I’ve changed.

Over the years, I’ve given much thought on this issue and I can tell you it’s a very common issue which exists in every organization. But rather than making my life miserable by asking myself questions which I could not answer, I prefer to ask myself a few questions and also try my best to answer them HONESTLY (without any discrimination and with extreme fairness + calmness). It wouldn’t help if you answer these questions when you’re jealous of some people.

• Is the guy really better than me? Or perhaps my performance is actually not-so-good?

• Is there anything I can do to match him or even better than him?

• How much time do I have left until the next performance evaluation? I need to use those time to improve myself.

• Is there a need to talk to my supervisor regarding this? Maybe my supervisor is not happy with something I did which I’m not aware of? Remember, this is to have an honest heart-to-heart talk with your supervisor and not a confrontation.

• Maybe your supervisor has some ideas on how you can perform better in the future?

• Perhaps there are something which this guy has to do, without your knowledge? Maybe he really did go that extra mile?

• Will you be happy after the promotion or the increment? Will you be happy with your new job role or you rather stay where you are now? After all, money is not everything.

• How much is this affecting your mood and overall well-being? Do you think you’re wasting too much time thinking about something you have no answer of?

• And most importantly, do you think there is something that you can really do to change the situation?

Among those questions above, I find the last 2 to be the most important question. If there is really nothing you can do to change the situation, then why do you even bother to think about it? If there IS indeed something that you can do, then do it and change the situation. Get out from that emotional hell you’ve put yourselves into.

For me, even though I know there are people who earn more than me, I don’t really think much about it. Perhaps they are indeed better than me in certain aspects of things. All I can do is to commit myself to do my work, and to get the expected reward from my company. The important thing is that the company or my supervisor should appreciate what I do, and I myself must like what I do.

Whether the company appreciate that guy’s work more than mine, is not really something I can control.

And when I think there’s really no other option for me.. then I might just go find another job and find someone who I think will really appreciate me.

Remember, it’s not worth torturing yourselves by feeling lousy or bad especially on things that you have no answer to. If it’s within your control, then change it. If not, then just ignore it.

DISCLAIMER — I don’t Facebook that much in office. Nothing much in there except other people’s photos.. :P

Shit happens

2010-11-30T23:04:00.004+08:00

بِسْــــــــــــــــــمِ اﷲِالرَّحْمَنِ اارَّحِيم

Sometimes, things won’t go your way. Yes, shit does happen.. and for some unfortunate folks, shit happens pretty often too. And it’s perfectly fine for it to happen. Because sometimes, no matter how well-planned you are, things just won’t work out. Call it bad luck but that is just the way it is.

True, you can always have plan B, plan C, D, X, Y, Z. But all those backup plans are there to minimize the damages done when shit happens. For example, your boss screwed up and decided to retrench 20 people in the company and you’re 1 of them. Is it within your control? Hmm, not really. But can you have a backup plan before it happens? Definitely! One of your backup plans could be having an emergency fund to help support your expenses when you’re jobless, or you can have a backup plan to sell your car in order to raise some fund.

However, despite all the backup plans, it doesn’t remove the fact that shit has happened. What’s next then? Be honest about it. Don’t give any excuses and don’t attempt to hide it. If someone asks you what has happened, just admit that shit happened even though not everyone will buy into that "shit happens" excuse. But that’s their choice. For you, being honest is the best you could do.

Well, there’s actually 1 more thing that you should know. That is..our society does not like people who screwed up, or people who have been in a "shit happens" situation. That is why entrepreneurs who have failed in their businesses find it hard to land a job after their businesses closed down. However, our society despises cheaters even more than people who experienced "shit happens" situations.

So, in the end, the decision is still yours – be honest about the entire situation, or try to cheat your way through it.

The Simple Stuff

2010-10-16T22:27:00.006+08:00

We live in the information age, and in my opinion, it has make our life somewhat more complicated than before. Perhaps it’s due to the unlimited amount of information that we’re exposed to and the countless of options available to us.

Our designers are coming out with more and more complex designs. Our building architects are doing the same. Our consumers demand more and more features in a single product even though they don’t need all of the features. And our doctors are giving us more and more medicines when the simpler approach would be to drink more water and eat more fruits.

Well, in some cases, going the not-so-simple direction does help but most often than not, it just complicate things. Perhaps we are being trained this way, or our environment forces us to become this way. I don’t know. All I know is, we are starting to lose what we always call “common sense”. Ever heard of people saying “common sense is no longer common”? Maybe that has something to do with our way of life which ignores the simple stuff and focus on the not-so-simple stuff.

Heck, some people even come out with many different ways to cut a fruit!!

But people, I guess it’s time to wake up a little and be aware of how simplicity can actually improves our life. There are many problems which don’t require us to think of complicated and complex solution. All they need is one simple solution, that’s all. Not everything is complicated, so don’t assume everything to be complicated. Start thinking the simple way and if cannot be solved, move on to more complicated solution.

Hope it helps.

p/s: the reason I am writing this post is that, nowadays, I really notice a lot of us tend to think a bit too much on a problem. We would think of so many complicated solutions and yet failed to solve the problem. Why? Because the solution is supposed to be simple and straightforward, but most of us just failed to figure it out.

Be "the dad"

2010-09-27T22:16:00.002+08:00

Rayna,

This time last year you were nestled contentedly in mama’s warm womb, your safe house for over nine months, protected from the harsh world. I wondered if you were a boy or a girl, but mama guessing that you were a girl. I loved resting my hand on mama’s abdomen and feeling you poke me. I had fun watching the bumps rolling on mama’s tummy when you stretched and jabbed inside your cramped living quarters.

Anticipation for your arrival to the "outside world" filled my mind, and I eagerly awaited the beginning of being a father. You were a little baby girl and we knew inside that was just right; you were the little girl we always wanted.

I was there, Little One. I was there when they lifted you up from your mama's tummy. Mama worked hard all day to help you be born. In the end, the doctors helped her by opening up her tummy and lifting you out.

As I look back at the past year and see how quickly you've changed from that helpless, little baby into a strong, little young girl, I feel a little sad, but happy and proud.

At first, you couldn't do much but cry, wet and poop your diapers, and sleep. I carried you, snuggled with you very often.

When you began to smile, it lit up your face, and my heart. You started laughing and interacting, and I loved to make you laugh. You enjoyed and hearing us sing to you. You loved to sit in our laps, go for walks, and be carried in the carrier. You began watching us with keenly observant eyes. Your little body often wiggled with contagious excitement and you made happy sounds when you watched other children play, saw a cats, saw toys with bright colors and funny sounds, and when you felt the breeze on your face.

You and I have always had fun playing together. You enjoyed sitting with me, leaning against my body for support, and soon you began sitting up on your own, a feat which you enjoyed very much.

You enjoyed sitting in your chair at the table while we ate and you played with spoons and straws. But soon you weren't content with just watching us eat food. Food intrigued you, and it quickly became apparent that you loved to eat.

You began crawling in a unique style, pushing yourself along with one foot and always making sure you could quickly sit up at a moment's notice. Exploring comes naturally to you, and baby proofing made our lives easier.

Standing in our laps brought great big smiles from you, but when you pulled up to stand on your own, you had such a proud and happy look on your face. At first you liked us to hold your hands while you took steps, but soon you refused all our help and preferred to cruise around the room holding onto furniture.

When you took your first solo step we were so excited! At 11 month you really began walking and now you don't crawl anymore. You fall on your diaper often, but practice makes perfect and your pace is becoming steadier and faster. Why, you almost ran today!

Even though you don't say any grownup words, you have learned to communicate in many ways other than by crying - by squeals of delight, screeches of annoyance, yells of anger, babbles of frustration, laughter. Your expressive face and body has much to say to anyone who will take the time to "listen." When you want your milk you tug at my shirt.

You have grown much in this year. Though you still have much growing to do, time goes by fast, and you won't always want to sleep with me or be carried. Life is a series of weaning, and you will grow up fast enough in your own time (not mine), so I'll try to enjoy you for who you are and not rush you to grow up.

After 1 year 6months, soon I can't WFH anymore, I need to take this challenge and I do this for our future - even though it was really hard. I know, they can take a good care of you as good as mine and give you full attention needed. You’re a big girl now and I want you to see the real world and make friends. I will assure myself that we do this for your own good. I know you will be a big, strong, independent young woman someday, but you'll always be my sweet little baby girl. I know that Allah has prepared something great and special for you. I swear I had to fight back the tears, put on my pray and be "the dad”. Happy 18 months Birthday and I love you, Rayna!!

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2010 - Syawal 1431H

2010-09-08T22:43:00.002+08:00

Ramadhan has come to an end, and here comes Raya, the most awaited celebration for kids & most suffering (in terms of financially) for adults. :)

Since Raya entries have been sprouting everywhere and it's just a couple of days away anyway, I'd like to wish my readers (there are like, only two active readers that I know of lol) eid mubarak and have a safe journey if you're travelling. I want to wish everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Happy Holidays!

I am going back to Kuantan for Raya and I know it is going to be an enjoyable time. Afterwards, we will go back to KL to my families and celebrate with them. Can’t wait! We have a good excuse to enjoy those lovely Raya meals and delicious cookies. Our Baby is now 16 weeks and doing really well Alhamdulillah. We saw him / her kicking and boxing away in Zatty’s tummy last week. What a wonderful feeling and it make me smile like an idiot. A miracle in the making. Praise to god for this gift. InsyaAllah, next year it will be 4 of us.

Again, we wish all of you Selamat Hari Raya & an apology for any mistake & wrongdoing.

From: Azwan, Zatty, Rayna & Baby

Hukum Solat Jumaat Pada Hari Raya

2010-09-05T11:36:00.002+08:00

Soalan: Apakah hukumnya menunaikan solat Jumaat sekiranya Hari Raya jatuh pada hari tersebut, iaitu hari Jumaat?

Jawapan:

Para ulama berbeza pendapat tentang hukum solat Jumaat yang jatuh bertepatan dengan hari raya, sama ada ‘Eidul Fitri mahupun ‘Eidul Adha. Dalam kitab Rahmatul Ummah fi Ikhtilaf al-A’immah karya Imam Ad-Dimasyqi dinyatakan bahawa:

“Apabila hari raya jatuh pada hari Jumaat, maka menurut pendapat Imam asy-Syafi’i yang sahih dinyatakan bahawa tuntutan solat Jumaat tidak gugur bagi penduduk setempat (pemastautin) yang mengerjakan solat Jumaat. Adapun bagi mereka yang datang dari kawasan lain, tuntutan tersebut digugurkan. Demikianlah menurut pendapat Imam Syafi’i yang sahih. Sekiranya mereka telah menunaikat solat hari raya, dibenarkan bagi mereka untuk terus pulang tanpa mengikuti solat Jumaat. Menurut pendapat Imam Abu Hanifah, bagi penduduk setempat, mereka wajib menunaikan solat Jumaat. Menurut Imam Ahmad pula, tidak wajib solat Jumaat sama ada penduduk tetap ataupun tidak. Kewajipan solat Jumaat gugur setelah mengerjakan solat hari raya, tetapi mereka wajib menunaikan solat Zohor. Menurut ‘Atha, solat Zohor dan solat Jumaat gugur bersama-sama pada hari tersebut. Maka tidak ada solat sesudah solat hari raya selain daripada solat Asar.”

Ad-Dimasyqi tidak menampilkan pendapat Imam Malik. Ibnu Rusyd di dalam kitabnya Bidayatul Mujtahid menyatakan bahawa pendapat Imam Malik selari dengan pendapat Imam Abu Hanifah. Dinukilkan bahawa, “Imam Malik dan Abu Hanifah bersependapat, ‘Jika hari raya jatuh pada hari Jumaat, maka mukallaf dituntut untuk melaksanakan kedua-duanya’.”

Berdasarkan keterangan-keterangan yang telah diberikan, ternyata bahawa dalam hal ini terdapat empat pendapat:

Pertama, solat Jumaat tidak gugur terhadap penduduk kota (ahlul amsaar / ahlul madinah) di mana di tempat mereka ada dilaksanakan solat Jumaat. Bagi mereka yang datang dari kampung atau gurun (ahlil badaawi / ahlul ‘aaliyah) di mana di kawasan mereka tidak dilaksanakan solat Jumaat, kewajipannya digugurkan. Maka sekiranya mereka (iaitu mereka yang datang dari kampong) telah menunaikan solat hari raya, mereka boleh terus pulang tanpa mengikuti solat Jumaat. Inilah pendapat Imam Syafi’i. Pendapat ini juga merupakan pendapat Uthman dan Umar bin Abdul Aziz.

Kedua, solat Jumaat tetap wajib ditunaikan, sama ada penduduk kota di kawasan di mana dilaksanakan solat Jumaat mahupun bagi penduduk dari luar. Pendapat inilah yang dipegang oleh Imam Abu Hanifah dan Imam Malik. Maka, solat Jumaat tetap wajib dan tidak gugur biarpun sesudah menunaikan solat hari raya.

Ketiga, tidak wajib solat Jumaat tetapi mereka wajib solat Zohor. Demikianlah pendapat Imam Ahmad.

Keempat, solat Zohor dan Jumaat gugur kewajipannya pada hari tersebut. Tiada solat sesudah solat hari raya melainkan solat Asar. Demikianlah pendapat ‘Atha bin Abi Rabbah. Turut dikatakan bahawa itu juga adalah pendapat Ibnu Zubair dan ‘Ali.

Pendapat yang Rajih

Setelah diteliti, didapati bahawa pendapat yang paling rajih adalah pendapat Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal rahimahullah. Huraian lanjut tentang hukumnya adalah seperti berikut:

Hukum pertama, jika seseorang itu telah menunaikan solat hari raya (yang jatuh pada hari Jumaat), maka gugurlah kewajipan ke atasnya untuk menunaikan solat Jumaat. Ia boleh memilih sama ada hendak menunaikan solat Jumaat ataupun tidak.

Dalil-dalilnya merujuk kepada hadis-hadis Nabi SAW yang sahih, antaranya yang diriwayatkan daripada Zaid bin Arqam r.a., katanya: “Nabi SAW melaksanakan solat ‘Eid (pada suatu hari Jumaat) kemudian baginda memberikan rukhsah (kemudahan/keringanan) dalam solat Jumaat. Kemudian baginda bersabda, ‘Barangsiapa yang kehendaki (solat Jumaat), hendaklah ia solat.” [HR Al-Khamsah, kecuali At-Tirmidzi. Hadis ini sahih menurut Ibnu Khuzaimah].

Diriwayatkan daripada Abu Hurairah r.a., bahawa Nabi SAW bersabda: “Sesungguhnya telah berkumpul pada hari kalian dua hari raya (‘Eid dan Jumaat). Maka barangsiapa yang kehendaki (solat hari raya), cukuplah baginya solat hari raya itu, tidak perlu baginya solat Jumaat lagi. Dan sesungguhnya kami akan mengerjakan solat Jumaat”. [HR Abu Daud, Ibnu Majah dan al-Hakim juga meriwayatkan hadis ini dari sanad Abu Salih, dan dalam isnadnya terdapat Baqiyah bin Walid, yand diperselisihkan ulama’. Imam ad-Daruquthni menilai hadis ini sebagai sahih. Ulama hadis lain menilainya sebagai hadis mursal]. Hadits-hadits ini merupakan dalil bahawa solat Jumaat selepas solat hari raya menjadi rukhsah. Ini bermakna, solat Jumaat boleh dikerjakan dan boleh ditinggalkan. Pada hadis Zaid bin Arqam di atas (hadis pertama), Nabi SAW bersabda “kemudian Nabi memberikan rukhsah dalam solat Jumaat”. Ini menunjukkan bahawa setelah solat hari raya ditunaikan, solat Jumaat menjadi rukhsah (kemudahan/keringanan).

Menurut Syeikh Taqiuddin an-Nabhani, rukhsah adalah hukum yang disyariatkan untuk meringankan hukum azimah (hukum asal) kerana terdapat sesuatu keuzuran (halangan), disertai ketetapan hukum azimah, namun hamba tidak dibolehkan mengerjakan rukhsah tersebut.

Maka solat Jumaat pada hari raya menjadi rukhsah kerana terdapat keuzuran iaitu perlaksanaan solat hari raya. Tetapi disebabkan rukhsah itu tidak menghilangkan azimah (hukum asal) sama sekali, maka solat Jumaat masih tetap disyariatkan. Justeru, ia boleh ditunaikan dan boleh juga ditinggalkan. Hal ini dikukuhkan lagi dengan sabda Nabi SAW yang terkandung dalam hadis Zaid bin Arqam “Barangsiapa yang kehendaki (solat Jumaat), hendaklah ia solat”. Inilah manthuq (ungkapan tersurat) hadis, manakala mafhum mukhalafah (ungkapan tersirat) bagi hadis tersebut (dalam hal ini ia berbentuk mafhum syarat, kerana terdapat lafaz ‘man’ sebagai syarat) adalah : “barangsiapa yang tidak kehendaki solat Jumaat, maka tidak perlu baginya menunaikan solat Jumaat”.

Kesimpulannya, orang yang telah melaksanakan solat hari raya, maka gugurlah kewajipan ke atasnya untuk menunaikan solat Jumaat. Lafaz ‘man’ (barangsiapa) mengandungi pengertian umum, tanpa mengira sama ada penduduk kampung mahupun penduduk kota. Adapun bagi lafaz umum, ia akan tetap berada dalam keumumannya selagimana tidak ada dalil yang mengkhususkannya. Dalam hal ini tidak ada dalil yang mengkhususkan (takhsis) keumumannya.

Hukum kedua, bagi mereka yang telah menunaikan solat hari raya, tetap disunnahkan dan diutamakan untuk melaksanakan solat Jumaat.

Secara dasarnya, kedudukan antara azimah dan rukhsah adalah setara (sama), tidak ada yang lebih utama kecuali jika terdapat nas yang menjelaskan keutamaan salah satu daripadanya, sama ada azimah mahupun rukhsah.

Namun dalam hal ini, terdapat nas yang menunjukkan keutamaan solat Jumaat berbanding meninggalkannya. Dalam hadis Abu Hurairah r.a. yang telah dinyatakan sebelum ini, terdapat sabda Nabi SAW “…Dan sesungguhnya kami akan mengerjakan solat Jumaat”. Ini menunjukkan bahawa meskipun baginda SAW menjadikan solat Jumaat sebagai rukhsah, akan tetapi Nabi Muhammad SAW tetap mengerjakan solat Jumaat. Sungguhpun demikian, perbuatan Nabi SAW ini tidak wajib, kerana baginda sendiri mengizinkan sama ada hendak menunaikannya ataupun tidak. Maka, perbuatan tersebut sifatnya sunnah, dan bukanlah wajib.

Hukum ketiga, jika seseorang yang telah menunaikan solat hari raya memilih untuk tidak menunaikan solat Jumaat, maka wajib ke atasnya untuk menunaikan solat Zohor.

Solat Zohor tetap wajib ditunaikan kerana nas-nas hadis yang telah dinyatakan hanyalah terhadap solat Jumaat dan tidak mencakupi solat Zohor. Kewajipan solat Zohor adalah kewajipan asal (al-fardhu al-asli), sedangkan solat Jumaat adalah hukum pengganti (badal) bagi solat Zohor. Maka jika hukum pengganti (iaitu solat Jumaat) tidak dilaksanakan, maka kembalilah tuntutan syarak kepada hukum asalnya, iaitu solat Zohor. Hal yang demikian adalah dalam mengamalkan “istishab”, iaitu kaedah hukum untuk menetapkan berlakunya hukum asal, selagi mana tidak terdapat dalil yang mengecualikan atau yang mengubah berlakunya hukum asal.

Hukum keempat, mereka yang tidak menunaikan solat hari raya pada pagi harinya, wajib ke atasnya untuk menunaikan solat Jumaat.

Rukhsah untuk meninggalkan solat Jumaat ini khusus bagi mereka yang sudah melaksanakan solat hari raya. Mereka yang tidak melaksanakan solat hari raya tidak mendapat rukhsah dan mereka tetap wajib menunaikan solat Jumaat.

Dalilnya merujuk kepada hadis Abu Hurairah (iaitu hadis kedua) di mana Nabi SAW bersabda, “Barangsiapa yang kehendaki (solat hari raya), cukuplah baginya solat hari raya itu, tidak perlu solat Jumaat lagi.”. Ini merupakan manthuq hadis. Mafhum mukhalafahnya pula, orang yang tidak melaksanakan solat hari raya, maka ia tetap dituntut untuk menunaikan solat Jumaat.

Imam ash-Shan’ani dalam Subulus Salam ketika memberi syarah terhadap hadis tersebut berkata: “Hadis tersebut adalah dalil bahawa solat Jumaat (setelah ditunaikan solat hari raya) menjadi rukhsah. Boleh dikerjakan dan boleh pula ditinggalkan. Tetapi (rukhsah) itu khusus bagi mereka yang menunaikan solat ‘Eid, tidak mencakupi orang yang tidak mengerjakan solat ‘Eid”.

Oleh itu, orang yang tidak melaksanakan solat hari raya, tidak termasuk dalam pengecualian dari keumuman nas yang mewajibkan solat Jumaat. Mereka yang tidak menunaikan solat hari raya, wajib baginya menunaikan solat Jumaat.

Meninjau Pendapat-pendapat yang Lain

Pendapat Imam Syafi’i

Secara dasarnya, Imam Syafi’i tetap mewajibkan solat Jumaat yang jatuh pada hari raya. Namun beliau menetapkan kewajipan tersebut terhadap penduduk kota (ahlul madinah / ahlul amsaar). Bagi penduduk desa atau padang pasir (ahlul badawi) yang berkunjung ke kota untuk solat ‘Eid (dan solat Jumaat) dan di tempatnya tidak dilaksanakan solat Jumaat, maka mereka dibenarkan untuk tidak mengerjakan solat Jumaat.

Imam Syafi’i berpendapat sedemikian kerana menurut beliau, hadis-hadis yang menerangkan gugurnya kewajipan solat Jumaat pada hari raya bukanlah hadis-hadis yang sahih dan beliau tidak beramal dengannya. Berkenaan pendapat Imam Syafi’i tersebut, Imam ash-Shan’ani dalam Subulus Salam berkata: “Asy-Syafi’i dan segolongan ulama berpendapat bahawa solat Jumaat tidak menjadi rukhsah. Mereka berhujah bahawa dalil kewajipan solat Jumaat bersifat umum untuk semua hari (termasuklah pada hari raya). Hadis-hadis dan atsar-atsar (yang menjadikan solat Jumaat sebagai rukhsah) tidak cukup kuat untuk menjadi takhsis (pengkhususan) kewajipan solat Jumaat kerana sanad-sanad hadis tersebut telah diperselisihkan oleh ulama’. Saya (ash-Shan’ani) berkata, “Hadis Zaid bin Arqam telah dinilai sahih oleh Ibnu Khuzaimah. Maka hadis tersebut boleh menjadi takhsis…”

Oleh yang demikian, jelaslah bahawa Imam Syafi’i tidak menilai hadis Zaid bin Arqam tersebut sebagai hadis sahih lalu beliau tidak menjadikannya sebagai takhsis yang menggugurkan kewajipan solat Jumaat. Beliau kemudian berpegang kepada keumuman nas yang mewajibkan solat Jumat pada semua hari (ayat 9 surah al-Jumu’ah). Namun, Imam ash-Shan’ani menyatakan bahawa hadis Zaid bin Arqam adalah sahih menurut Ibnu Khuzaimah.

Dalam hal ini perlu ditegaskan bahawa penolakan Imam Syafi’i terhadap hadis Zaid bin Arqam tidaklah mencegah kita daripada menerima hadis tersebut. Penolakan Imam Syafi’i terhadap hadis Zaid bin Arqam bukan bermaksud bahawa hadis tersebut (secara mutlak) tertolak (mardud) kerana sudah menjadi suatu kewajaran dalam penilaian hadis bahawa sesebuah hadis boleh diterima oleh sebahagian muhaddis tatkala muhaddis lain menolaknya. Dalam soal ini, Taqiuddin an-Nabhani dalam Asy-Syakhsiyah al-Islamiyah Juz 1 menukilkan: “…(kita tidak boleh sewenang-wenangnya menolak suatu hadis) hanya kerana seorang ahli hadis tidak menerimanya, kerana ada kemungkinan hadis itu diterima oleh ahli hadis yang lain. Kita juga tidak boleh menolak sesebuah hadis kerana ahli hadis menolaknya, kerana ada kemungkinan hadis itu digunakan sebagai hujah oleh para Imam atau para fuqaha…”

Oleh itu, walaupun hadis Zaid bin Arqam ditolak oleh Imam Syafi’i, bukan bermakna kita tidak boleh menggunakan hadis tersebut sebagai dalil syar’ie. Hal ini adalah kerana terdapat ahli hadis lain yang menilainya sebagai hadis sahih iaitu Imam Ibnu Khuzaimah, sebagaimana penjelasan Imam Ash-Shan’ani. Maka, beristidlal dengan hadis Zaid bin Arqam itu tetap dibenarkan dan hukum yang disandarkan pada hadis tersebut tetap berstatus hukum syar’ie.

Pendapat Imam Malik dan Abu Hanifah

Ibnu Rusyd menjelaskan hujah kedua-dua Imam tersebut; “Imam Malik dan Abu Hanifah berkata, ‘Solat hari raya adalah sunnah, sedang solat Jumaat adalah fardhu, dan salah satu daripadanya tidak dapat menggantikan yang lain. Inilah yang menjadi prinsip asal (al-aslu) dalam masalah ini, kecuali jika terdapat ketetapan syara’, maka wajib merujuk kepadanya…’

Berdasarkan keterangan tersebut, ternyata bahawa Imam Malik dan Abu Hanifah juga tidak menerima hadis-hadis yang menerangkan gugurnya solat Jumaat pada hari raya. Dengan itu, mereka berpegang pada hukum asal, iaitu solat hari raya sebagai sunnah dan kewajipan solat Jumaat. Asas kepada pendapat mereka sebenarnya sama dengan pendapat Imam Shafi’i. Namun demikian, mereka memberikan pengecualian bahawa hukum asal tersebut boleh berubah sekiranya terdapat dalil syar’ie yang menerangkannya.

Atas dasar itu, memandangkan terdapat hadis Zaid bin Arqam (yang dinilai sahih menurut Ibnu Khuzaimah) atau hadis Abu Hurairah r.a. (yang sahih menurut ad-Daruquthni), maka sesungguhnya hadis-hadis tersebut dapat dijadikan takhsis hukum asal solat Jumaat, iaitu yang pada asalnya wajib kemudian menjadi rukhsah (tidak wajib). Dengan demikian, hukum yang diterima adalah hukum yang telah ditakhsis yakni solat Jumaat menjadi rukhsah bagi mereka yang menunaikan solat hari raya dan statusnya tidak wajib. Inilah pendapat yang lebih tepat.

Pendapat ‘Atha bin Abi Rabah

Imam Ash’ani menjelaskan bahawa pendapat ‘Atha’ tersebut didasarkan kepada tiga alasan, iaitu:

Pertama, berdasarkan perbuatan Ibnu Zubair r.a sebagaimana yang diriwayatkan oleh Imam Abu Daud bahawa: “Dua hari raya (hari raya dan hari Jumaat) telah berkumpul pada satu hari yang sama. Lalu dia (Ibnu Zubair) mengumpulkan kedua-duanya dan melakukan solat untuk kedua-duanya sebanyak dua rakaat pada pagi hari. Dia tidak menambah atas dua rakaat itu sehinggalah dia mengerjakan solat Asar”.

Kedua, solat Jumaat adalah hukum asal (al-asl) pada hari Jumaat, sedangkan solat Zohor adalah hukum pengganti (al-badal) bagi solat Jumaat. Maka, jika hukum asal telah gugur, maka secara automatiknya gugurlah hukum penggantinya.

Ketiga, pada zahirnya dari hadis Zaid bin Arqam, Rasulullah SAW telah memberi rukhsah pada solat Jumaat. Namun baginda SAW tidak memerintahkan untuk solat Zohor bagi orang yang tidak melaksanakan solat Jumaat.

Demikianlah alasan yang digunakan. Imam ash-Shan’ani tidak menerima pendapat tersebut dan telah membantahnya. Menurutnya, setelah solat hari raya, Ibnu Zubair tidak keluar dari rumahnya untuk solat Jumaat di masjid, maka tidaklah dapat dipastikan sama ada Ibnu Zubair menunaikan solat Zohor ataupun tidak. Kemungkinan (ihtimal) bahawa Ibnu Zubair solat Zohor di rumahnya. Apa yang pasti, menurut Imam ash-Shan’ani, Ibnu Zubair tidak mengerjakan solat Jumaat.

Bagi alasan kedua dan ketiga, Imam ash-Shan’ani membantah bahawa solat Jumaat adalah hukum asal (al-asl) manakala solat Zohor sebagai hukum pengganti (al-badal). Sebaliknya, solat Zohor adalah al-asl manakala solat Jumaat merupakan penggantinya. Hal ini adalah kerana, kewajipan solat Zohor ditetapkan terlebih dahulu berbanding solat Jumaat. Solat Zohor disyariatkan kewajipannya pada malam Isra’ da Mikraj, manakala solat Jumaat disyariatkan kemudian. Oleh demikian, sekiranya solat Jumaat tidak dilaksanakan, maka wajiblah kembali kepada hukum asal iaitu mengerjakan solat Zohor.

Kesimpulan

Berdasarkan huraian yang telah diberikan, dapatlah disimpulkan bahawa sekiranya hari raya jatuh pada hari Jumaat, maka hukumnya adalah seperti berikut:

Pertama, jika seseorang telah menunaikan solat hari raya (‘Eid), maka gugurlah kewajipan solat Jumaat ke atasnya. Dia boleh memilih sama ada untuk menunaikan solat Jumaat ataupun tidak. Namun, disunnahkan baginya untuk tetap melaksanakan solat Jumaat.

Kedua, jika orang yang telah menunaikan solat hari raya memilih untuk tidak menunaikan solat Jumaat, wajib baginya untuk melaksanakan solat Zohor.

Ketiga, bagi mereka yang tidak menunaikan solat hari raya pada hari tersebut, wajib baginya untuk solat Jumaat. Dia tidak boleh meninggalkan solat Jumaat lalu menunaikan solat Zohor sebagai ganti.

Demikianlah hasil pentarjihan bagi masalah ini berdasarkan dalil-dalil syar’ie yang ada.
Wallahua’lam.

Rujukan

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Ash Shan’ani, Muhammad bin Ismail Al Kahlani. Tanpa Tahun. Subulus Salam. Juz II. Bandung : Maktabah Dahlan. 224 hal.
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KH. M. Siddiq Al-Jawi

Can I afford to make a career change now?

2010-09-02T23:33:00.002+08:00

This is a question that has been troubling many people for the past few months. And it might actually continue to next year. I will not give you a straight YES or NO answer because it might be too risky for me to do that. In the US, even companies like Lehman Brothers ended up in big trouble.. so it’s near impossible to actually predict which company will retrench and which will close down.

What one can do, however, is to check thoroughly the company background and future plans. The recession in US last year is actually a double-edged sword. Some companies might close down or start downsizing, but there are also companies such as HP and ACS who decided to cut the jobs in the US, and offshore most of the jobs to Malaysia or India. This is good news for us or bad news for someone.

What about the smaller companies? That’s even more difficult to predict. You need to see what is the CEO’s direction and his dreams. You also need to know the company’s financial condition and the characteristics of the CEO, whether he has the capability to excel. You’ll need a very motivated and smart CEO to go through this difficult time.

And for those companies which have been mentioned over and over again in the US such as Citibank, AIG and GM, then it would be best for you to check out the company’s plan for the Malaysia office – whether to close it, or to shrink it, or to expand it.

In the end, I can only say this – follow your gut feelings. If you feel that it will be fine and it is something you really want, then go for it. Just make sure you have some money for rainy days. All the best!

Rayna @ 16 month old

2010-08-03T12:07:00.003+08:00

Last Tuesday, our baby turned 16 months old! This is the most fun age thus far!

Rayna’s progress has been pretty remarkable: she continues to surprise me with new things and words that only she could understand. She does things that totally amaze me.

Here are a few of Rayna's developments;

* She shakes her booty to her favorite TV commercials and songs

* Points at things, food, or drink when he wants them

* Picks up the phone, dials a random number, and pretends to talk to an imaginary friend on the other end of the line

* Walks freely (and fast) on her own

* Is most happy when watching her Barny, Pocoyo and Chugginton - she responds by clapping her hands, smiling and laughing, jumping, shouting, and dancing

* Directs my hand to pick up something if she wants it

* Can differentiate milk from orange juice and water

* Brushes her teeth all by herself

* Attempts to comb her hair (she must have seen it from mommy)

* Automatically puts my cellphone on her ear and pretend to talk to someone

* Understands the meaning of “no” and “don’t do that”

* Loves “reading” books

* Rayna will sit down when she drink and can drink from a cup all by herself.

* Communicates using jumbled words and actions

* Has always been fascinated with gadgets like cellphones, computers, and remote controls

* Is extremely joyful when he’s with papa and mama

* She loves to put things into containers, and loves to put lids on things.

* Rayna is very girly and loves having her hair brushed. She loves shoes and getting dressed up.

* Rayna loves to run, run, run, run!

* Of course with all of these great things, comes some bad. Rayna has developed a bit of a temper. We are trying our best to ignore her outbursts when they are over silly nothings (taking something out of her hand), as well as trying to teach her to be patient (stop whaling and get off the floor while Zatty making her dinner). The girl wants what she wants when she wants it. Perfect for her professional career someday, horrible indication of her teenage years. Pray. Pray very hard.

Rayna continues to be a very happy, very active, extremely social little girl. She is very kind, and very affectionate. Her adventurous, passionate streak will definitely keep us on our toes in the months and years to come, but as long as she doesn't look at us with her big baby blues and say "peace", we might actually accomplish some discipline.

Our Bundle of Joy

2010-07-20T16:13:00.003+08:00

In the middle of last week, I leaked the fact to my mother that my wife was pregnant with our #2.

I wanted to go ahead and make it official here on my blog, and give you the story.

In short, Zatty is close to 2 months pregnant. We’ve actually known for at least 4 weeks. You might ask why we kept it private? Because she told me to. :) And smart husbands obey. ;)

My wife is a more private person than I am. To me, telling my online friends that we’re pregnant isn’t that big of a deal. But, she didn’t want anybody except for close family knowing. So, I had to wait for her to be OK with it.

This week, she officially told the world on her own blog. In fact, she’s even doing weekly updates now for those of you who want to follow along. Once she started doing that, it gave me the green light to tell you guys.

So, life is on it’s way to becoming even more interesting. :)

It is adventurous being a working man, a blogger and using that to make a living enough to now support a family with TWO kids. More motivation for me, I guess.

I’m going to have to exercise more. Like a lot of dads, I gained weight during the last one. Didn’t want my wife to feel left out (that’s my excuse). But, I can’t do that again or my cute chair will break! ;)

Alhamdulillah, thank god for this gift..

S a n t a i

2010-06-08T21:48:00.002+08:00

My best ever birthday present by having my wife and my little princess in my life. Alhamdulillah..

Photo by: Azwin Omar

VMware High Availability (HA)

2010-06-04T21:56:00.003+08:00

Insufficient resources to satisfy configured failover level for HA

The above is a common error for those using ESX clusters with HA enabled. It's basically saying that ESX is unable to power on a VM due to violation of the availability constraints (in other words causing the current failover level to become less than the configured failover level).

When strict admission control is used (i.e. the checkbox that says Do not power on virtual machines if they violate availability constraints is ticked) you must ensure the following requirements are satisfied (from vi3_35_25_resource_mgmt.pdf) :

HA calculates the maximum memory and CPU reservations needed for any currently powered on virtual machine and calls this a slot. A slot is the amount of CPU and memory resources that will be sufficient for any currently powered on virtual machine (powered off or suspended virtual machines are not considered when calculating the current failover level).
HA determines how many slots can “fit” into each host based on the host’s CPU and memory capacity.
HA then determines how many hosts could fail with the cluster still having at least as many slots as powered on virtual machines. This number is the current failover level.

As an example, you have a cluster of 2 servers, each with 2x2Ghz quod core CPUs (16GHz in total) and 32GB RAM. The two heaviest VMs are configured as follows:

VM1 - 2GHz CPU reservation and 1GB memory reservation
VM2 - 1GHz CPU reservation and 2GB memory reservation

ESX would define your slot as 2GHz reservation for CPU and 2GB for memory. So each ESX host in the cluster is able to support 16/2=8 CPU slots and 32/2=16 memory slots. (Note: apparently if you use virtual SMP, ESX would multiply the number of vCPU say 4 with the highest CPU reservation found on the cluster!)

With the failover capacity set to "1" (default) the host with the largest number of possible slots is dropped from the calculation, and you're left with the total number of slots available (sum of slots available on each node). In our example because the nodes have identical hardware the result remains unchanged (8 for CPU & 16 for memory), which is not a lot and turning on strict admission control would result in significant resource wastage if reservation is used incorrectly.

Some tips I picked up from work:

Use Resource Pool and set reservation to 0, effectively letting ESX worry about allocation of memory and cpu, which it does pretty well dynamically. It's a bad idea micro-managing VM by defining reservation individually as this gets tedious with large number of VMs.
For strict admission control to work properly and to avoid the common error mentioned in the subject line the reservation value for each VM must be correctly assigned. In most cases opting instead for Resource Pool is the easiest and often more effective solution.

Don't use virtual SMP CPU (i.e. more than 1 vCPU) unless you have to!

Selamat Ulang Tahun Sayang!

2010-05-25T00:01:00.000+08:00

Dear Zatty,

Since day one we've shared something incredible, something that most people only dream of. I had been searching for you all of my life. You have made me the happiest I have ever been. You are sincere, caring, loving wife, and I wouldn't trade you for the world. I am so thankful and blessed that you loved me as much as I loved you, and that you made me your hubby.

We have been married for 2 years, and I have cherished every moment since the day we met. I love you more and more everyday. Thinking about our future fills me with anticipation and excitement. We make the perfect husband and wife team, with our lil princess Rayna into our world, and hopefully a baby boy one day. We are going to have an amazing life together raising a family. All of our dreams are coming true, insyaallah..

I just love our new home and want to thank you so much for making it possible for us to live in such a wonderful place! Don’t worry about the times that we will be tight on money, I know that we can make it through and get to that place where we’ll have all we ever wanted. Look how much we have already! We have so much to be thankful for! We will just continue to lean on each other, loving and supporting one another with all of the love we have, and we will be just fine.

Our life together is already amazing, and together it will only get better and better. I will forever be grateful that you came into my life and made all my dreams come true. Together we're perfect, and I will enjoy enjoying spending the rest of my life with you. I love you more than words can say.

Loads of Love,
Azwan

Happy Birthday to you

2010-04-06T00:26:00.001+08:00

Happy 27th Birthday Syg!!

I have said Happy Birthday to you frequently today but the sentiment doesn’t seem to be enough to truly celebrate you. This is the fourth birthday I’ve shared with you and each one has been completely different from the next, each unique, like you. In celebration of you, I’m listing many of the things I love about you, even the stuff that makes me a bit nuts because it makes you.. you.

There have been a few speed bumps in our road, but we always stay hand in hand, heart to heart and soul to soul. I never knew love until you; I can't imagine life without you. You are my everything and I am so blessed with your love and devotion. I love you, more than I can ever tell you. There are no words for the love I have. It is yours, always and forever, eternity and beyond.

I appreciate your outlook on life. I love your optimism, and your belief in people. I wish I had as much faith in the good of people as you do. You do not see the world this way in a kind of blind, naive or ignorant bliss. Instead you choose to have hope in spite of what you know about the world or perhaps because of it. You seem to just have a confidence that the universe has a plan and that we’re all part of something larger than ourselves and somehow, some way things will work out.

You constantly surprise me. And in many different ways. I never know what my days with you will bring. I love learning little things about you, watching you discover something new. You aren’t afraid to fail at something and you always put your whole heart into the things that matter to you. You live without regrets.

I love that you let me share your food and eat off your plate. I love that you push me to try new things, to be involved and I love that you know when to let me be. I’m staggered by your faith in me, the way you push me to be my best self and the depth of your love. But most of all, I love you because of all the things that are you, all the silly, fantastic, fun, complex, moody, amazing, wonderfully real and passionate facets of you.

I hope to grow old with you for the rest of my life. To celebrate good times with you and support each other through the bad times. Marriage is a journey that we will grow together through. We will learn things about each other every day. We will not always have good times but we will always love each other and work through our problems. Marriage is forever. So I promise you forever.

I celebrate you, today. I hope your birthday has been full, that you’ve seen how much better the world and the world of your friends and loved ones is because you’re in it. Happy Birthday, Baby..

Rayna is ONE

2010-04-01T23:08:00.002+08:00

Rayna is ONE last Saturday. I can't believe how fast this year went. What a joy it is to be her Papa! I absolutely love her so much and feel blessed that we have such a beautiful and funny girl. She makes me and Zatty laugh so much with all the little things she does. She is walking few weeks before her birthday with 6 teeth in her mouth.. She gets this smile on her face like she knows she is pretty cool. She is still sleeping right now.. We took a vacation day from work last week to make it memorable and I will update about it on the next entry. Insyaallah

Here's what Rayna doing at 12 months:

* Rayna's favorite new game is peek-a-boo. She is playing it a lot. She loves to hide peek out from behind the curtains and crack herself up. She also loves to do this with the sheets or her blankets.

* Rayna is still sleeping and eating well. She wants to try anything and everything off of our plates, and wants to eat it like we do.

* She loves to climb stairs and is very proud when she does so. She crawls up our stairs so quickly, that I have had to run after her to catch her a few times. The only thing is, she is not so good at getting down. She has gone down a few steps at my parents house a handful of times, but she doesn't like to sit down and go around backwards. She wants to step down like the adults do. So, she stands at the top of the stairs and says, "eehhh! eeehhh!" for you to come and hold her hand so she can step down. Something to work on, for sure.

* You have Six little teeth in your mouth and you enjoy grinding them.

* You enjoy walking the whole house until you tired and you come to find me for sleep.

* When we're in your room, you crawl to it as fast as you can, throw anything on the ground, and climb up. Then you try to rock yourself, which is hilarious to watch. Another thing you love to do in your room is open up the dresser drawers and pulls out all your clothes.

* Your developing speech continues to blow my mind. I love it! You're very eager to learn words and that's so thrilling.

And here we are. One year old. It really amazing how much you made our day in the first year of parenthood. We've certainly come a long way. I love you my sweetheart. To all, thanks for reading!

Tak kenal maka tak cinta

2010-03-12T22:57:00.004+08:00

اللهم صلى على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله واصحابه وسلم

BIODATA RASULULLAH SAW

Nama : Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim.
Tarikh lahir : Subuh hari Isnin, 12 Rabiulawal bersamaan 20 April 571 Masehi (dikenali sebagai Tahun Gajah; sempena peristiwa tentera bergajah Abrahah yang menyerang kota Kaabah).
Tempat lahir : Di rumah Abu Talib, Makkah Al-Mukarramah.
Nama bapa : Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim.
Nama ibu : Aminah binti Wahab bin Abdul Manaf.
Pengasuh pertama : Barakah Al-Habsyiyyah (digelar Ummu Aiman. Hamba perempuan bapa Rasulullah SAW).
Ibu susu pertama : Thuwaibah (hamba perempuan Abu Lahab).
Ibu susu kedua : Halimah binti Abu Zuaib As-Saadiah (lebih dikenali Halimah As-Saadiah. Suaminya bernama Abu Kabsyah).

USIA 5 TAHUN

· Peristiwa pembelahan dada Rasulullah SAW yang dilakukan oleh dua malaikat
untuk mengeluarkan bahagian syaitan yang wujud di dalam hatinya.

USIA 6 TAHUN

· Ibunya Aminah binti Wahab ditimpa sakit dan meninggal dunia di Al-Abwa ' (sebuah kampung yang terletak di antara Makkah dan Madinah).
· Baginda dipelihara oleh Ummu Aiman (hamba perempuan bapa Rasulullah SAW)
dan dibiayai oleh datuknya Abdul Muttalib.

USIA 8 TAHUN

· Datuknya, Abdul Muttalib pula meninggal dunia.
· Baginda dipelihara pula oleh bapa saudaranya, Abu Talib.

USIA 9 TAHUN (Setengah riwayat mengatakan pada usia 12 tahun).

· Bersama bapa saudaranya, Abu Talib bermusafir ke Syam atas urusan perniagaan..
· Di kota Busra, negeri Syam, seorang pendita Nasrani bernama Bahira (Buhaira) telah bertemu ketua-ketua rombongan untuk menceritakan tentang pengutusan seorang nabi di kalangan bangsa Arab yang akan lahir pada masa itu.

USIA 20 TAHUN

· Terlibat dalam peperangan Fijar . Ibnu Hisyam di dalam kitab ' Sirah ' , jilid1, halaman 184-187 menyatakan pada ketika itu usia Muhammad SAW ialah 14 atau 15 tahun. Baginda menyertai peperangan itu beberapa hari dan berperanan mengumpulkan anak-anak panah sahaja..
· Menyaksikan ' perjanjian Al-Fudhul ' ; perjanjian damai untuk memberi
pertolongan kepada orang yang dizalimi di Makkah.

USIA 25 TAHUN

· Bermusafir kali kedua ke Syam atas urusan perniagaan barangan Khadijah binti Khuwailid Al-Asadiyah.
· Perjalanan ke Syam ditemani oleh Maisarah; lelaki suruhan Khadijah.
· Baginda SAW bersama-sama Abu Talib dan beberapa orang bapa saudaranya yang lain pergi berjumpa Amru bin Asad (bapa saudara Khadijah) untuk meminang Khadijah yang berusia 40 tahun ketika itu.
· Mas kahwin baginda kepada Khadijah adalah sebanyak 500 dirham.

USIA 35 TAHUN

· Banjir besar melanda Makkah dan meruntuhkan dinding Kaabah.
· Pembinaan semula Kaabah dilakukan oleh pembesar-pembesar dan penduduk Makkah.
· Rasulullah SAW diberi kemuliaan untuk meletakkan ' Hajarul-Aswad ' ke tempat asal dan sekaligus meredakan pertelingkahan berhubung perletakan batu tersebut.

USIA 40 TAHUN

· Menerima wahyu di gua Hira ' sebagai perlantikan menjadi Nabi dan Rasul akhir zaman.

USIA 53 TAHUN

· Berhijrah ke Madinah Al-Munawwarah dengan ditemani oleh Saidina Abu Bakar Al-Siddiq.
· Sampai ke Madinah pada tanggal 12 Rabiulawal/ 24 September 622M.

USIA 63 TAHUN

· Kewafatan Rasulullah SAW di Madinah Al-Munawwarah pada hari Isnin, 12
Rabiulawal tahun 11Hijrah/ 8 Jun 632 Masihi.

ISTERI-ISTERI RASULULLAH SAW

§ Khadijah Binti Khuwailid.
§ Saudah Binti Zam'ah.
§ Aisyah Binti Abu Bakar (anak Saidina Abu Bakar).
§ Hafsah binti ' Umar (anak Saidina ' Umar bin Al-Khattab).
§ Ummi Habibah Binti Abu Sufyan.
§ Hindun Binti Umaiyah (digelar Ummi Salamah).
§ Zainab Binti Jahsy.
§ Maimunah Binti Harith.
§ Safiyah Binti Huyai bin Akhtab.
§ Zainab Binti Khuzaimah (digelar ' Ummu Al-Masakin ' ; Ibu Orang Miskin).

ANAK-ANAK RASULULLAH SAW

1. Qasim
2. Abdullah
3.. Ibrahim
4. Zainab
5. Ruqaiyah
6. Ummi Kalthum
7. Fatimah Al-Zahra '

ANAK TIRI RASULULLAH SAW

Halah bin Hind bin Habbasy bin Zurarah al-Tamimi (anak kepada Saidatina Khadijah bersama Hind bin Habbasy. Ketika berkahwin dengan Rasulullah, Khadijah adalah seorang janda).

SAUDARA SESUSU RASULULLAH SAW

IBU SUSUAN/SAUDARA SUSUAN
1. Thuwaibah 1. Hamzah
2. Abu Salamah Abdullah bin Abdul Asad

SAUDARA SUSUAN
1. Halimah Al-Saidiyyah 1. Abu Sufyan bin Harith bin Abdul Mutallib
2. Abdullah bin Harith bin Abdul ' Uzza
3. Syaima ' binti Harith bin Abdul ' Uzza
4. ' Aisyah binti Harith bin abdul ' Uzza

BAPA DAN IBU SAUDARA RASULULLAH SAW
(ANAK-ANAK KEPADA ABDUL MUTTALIB)

1. Al-Harith
2. Muqawwam
3. Zubair
4. Hamzah ***
5. Al-Abbas ***
6. Abu Talib
7. Abu Lahab (nama asalnya Abdul Uzza)
8. Abdul Ka ' bah
9. Hijl
10. Dhirar
11. Umaimah
12. Al-Bidha (Ummu Hakim)
13. Atiqah ##
14. Arwa ##
15. Umaimah
16. Barrah
17. Safiyah (ibu kepada Zubair Al-Awwam) ***

*** Sempat masuk Islam.
## Ulama berselisih pendapat tentang Islamnya.

Sabda Rasulullah SAW:
"Sesiapa yang menghidupkan sunnahku, maka sesungguhnya dia telah mencintai aku. Dan sesiapa yang mencintai aku nescaya dia bersama-samaku di dalam syurga." (Riwayat Al-Sajary daripada Anas )

Nabi Muhammad SAW - Manusia agong

KENALI NABI MUHAMMAD S.A.W. SECARA LAHIRIAH. Begitu indahnya sifat fizikal Baginda, sehinggakan seorang ulama Yahudi yang pada pertama kalinya bersua muka dengan Baginda lantas melafazkan keIslaman dan mengaku akan kebenaran apa yang disampaikan oleh Baginda.

Di antara kata-kata apresiasi para sahabat ialah:

- Aku belum pernah melihat lelaki yang sekacak Rasulullah saw..
- Aku melihat cahaya dari lidahnya.
- Seandainya kamu melihat Baginda, seolah-olah kamu melihat matahari terbit.
- Rasulullah jauh lebih cantik dari sinaran bulan.
- Rasulullah umpama matahari yang bersinar.
- Aku belum pernah melihat lelaki setampan Rasulullah.
- Apabila Rasulullah berasa gembira, wajahnya bercahaya spt bulan purnama.
- Kali pertama memandangnya sudah pasti akan terpesona.
- Wajahnya tidak bulat tetapi lebih cenderung kepada bulat.
- Wajahnya seperti bulan purnama.
- Dahi baginda luas, raut kening tebal, terpisah di tengahnya.
- Urat darah kelihatan di antara dua kening dan nampak semakin jelas semasa marah.
- Mata baginda hitam dengan bulu mata yang panjang.
- Garis-garis merah di bahagian putih mata, luas kelopaknya, kebiruan asli di bahagian sudut.
- Hidungnya agak mancung, bercahaya penuh misteri, kelihatan luas sekali pertama kali melihatnya.
- Mulut baginda sederhana luas dan cantik.
- Giginya kecil dan bercahaya, indah tersusun, renggang di bahagian depan.
- Apabila berkata-kata, cahaya kelihatan memancar dari giginya.
- Janggutnya penuh dan tebal menawan.
- Lehernya kecil dan panjang, terbentuk dengan cantik seperti arca.
- Warna lehernya putih seperti perak, sangat indah.
- Kepalanya besar tapi terlalu elok bentuknya.
- Rambutnya sedikit ikal.
- Rambutnya tebal kdg-kdg menyentuh pangkal telinga dan kdg-kdg mencecah bahu tapi disisir rapi.
- Rambutnya terbelah di tengah.
- Di tubuhnya tidak banyak rambut kecuali satu garisan rambut menganjur dari dada ke pusat.
- Dadanya bidang dan selaras dgn perut. Luas bidang antara kedua bahunya lebih drpd biasa.
- Seimbang antara kedua bahunya.
- Pergelangan tangannya lebar, lebar tapak tangannya, jarinya juga besar dan tersusun dgn cantik..
- Tapak tangannya bagaikan sutera yang lembut.
- Perut betisnya tidak lembut tetapi cantik.
- Kakinya berisi, tapak kakinya terlalu licin sehingga tidak melekat air.
- Terlalu sedikit daging di bahagian tumit kakinya.
- Warna kulitnya tidak putih spt kapur atau coklat tapi campuran coklat dan putih.
- Warna putihnya lebih banyak.
- Warna kulit baginda putih kemerah-merahan.
- Warna kulitnya putih tapi sihat.
- Kulitnya putih lagi bercahaya.
- Binaan badannya sempurna, tulang-temulangnya besar dan kukuh.
- Badannya tidak gemuk.
- Badannya tidak tinggi dan tidak pula rendah, kecil tapi berukuran
sederhana lagi kacak.
- Perutnya tidak buncit.
- Badannya cenderung kepada tinggi, semasa berada di kalangan org ramai
baginda kelihatan lebih tinggi drpd mereka.

KESIMPULANNYA :
Nabi Muhammad sa.w adalah manusia agung yang ideal dan sebaik-baik contoh sepanjang zaman. Baginda adalah semulia-mulia insan di dunia.

R a y n a being R a y n a

2010-03-02T23:24:00.004+08:00

She is 11 month old last weekend. I had the great pleasure of watching Rayna play the other day, and I realized that she is really no longer a baby. She is a little girl. A toddler. Rayna is a flurry of constant activity. Here is a sampling of what she's been up to this month:

* Rayna learns to walk and LOVES to climb. Especially the stairs, and not just in our house. She climbs stairs anywhere she can find them. I follow behind her and let her explore. It is like an adventure for her- "What is going to be at the top of these stairs?" Sometimes when she gets near the top she goes more quickly, like she is excited to find some secret waiting for her at the top. Often she looks over her shoulder at me standing behind her, and smiles as if to say, "Look at me, papa- way up here”

* She is such a little cuddle bug. She loves to snuggle up in our laps, and she loves to give hugs and kisses. It is the absolute BEST feeling ever.

* Rayna is babbling a lot and making an attempt at a few words. This month she also added, "whoa" and "A- ba" to her vocabulary. Still, despite her new additions, she mostly just babbles in her own little language, while we pretend that it makes perfect sense. And "da-da" is still a clear winner in her language race. "A- da-daaaaa!!!!" Is her favorite saying ever. Gee, I wonder who her favorite is? ;)

* She is pointing everywhere.

* Rayna is continuing to test the limits (often times on purpose it seems) and we are having tell her "no" more and more. She looks like the cat that swallowed the canary many times, as she walks up the stereo with at great big smile on her face, only to look back at you as if to say, "Look at me. I know this isn't allowed."

* I taught Rayna to give high fives. It's her newest trick..

* Rayna is sleeping well, with 2 naps a day (ranging from 1 hour to 2 hours each) and sleeping 10-11 hours overnight. She is still sleeping well and eating well.

We are looking forward to her first birthday next month, and are excited to celebrate the best year of our lives, with our family and friends. Every second with Rayna is truly a treat!

Ingat 2 perkara & Lupa 2 perkara

2010-02-08T09:52:00.003+08:00

Ingat 2 perkara itu ialah ingat kebaikan orang pada kita dan ingat kesalahan kita pada orang. Manakala lupa 2 perkara pula adalah, lupa kebaikan kita pada orang dan lupakan keburukan orang pada kita.

Namun pada zaman mutakhir ini, jarang sekali kita dapati tentang perkara ini. Hari ini kita lebih banyak dan lebih suka mencari keburukan orang lain walaupun ada kebaikan yang pernah ia lakukan. Masing-masing ingin mencapai puncak tertinggi untuk sentiasa menjatuhkan orang lain dalam mendapat sanjungan dan pujian duniawi walaupun terkadang perlu melanggar syariat agama.

Adapun anjuran ini tidak bermaksud agar kita selalu menyenangkan dan menjaga hati setiap orang lain kerana kita tidak akan mampu untuk melakukannya. Kita takkan dapat untuk sentiasa menjaga hati setiap orang di sekeliling dan kekadang kita pula yang sentiasa makan hati disebabkan menjaga hati setiap orang.

Hidup akan menjadi kusam dan penuh dengan kebingungan apabila kita sering melihat keburukan orang lain. Tetapi apabila kita selalu bersangka baik dan memandang kebaikan orang lain, hidup kita menjadi lebih menyenangkan dan kita akan mempunyai banyak masa untuk menghargai setiap orang lain dengan hati yang lapang.

Begitu juga dalam berhubungan, janganlah kita berteman dengannya kerana kelebihannya, kerana disebabkan terlalu menyanjung kelebihannya yang ada padanya, apabila ada 1 kekurangan yang ada padanya, kita akan menjauh dan membencinya. Yang terbaik adalah, terimalah seadanya dan saling melengkapi kekurangan masing-masing.. =)

Kita tidak suka dengan keburukan tersebut, maka singkirkan lah ianya dahulu daripada diri kita sebelum kita melihatnya pada orang lain..

Jelousy? Envy? Lonely? Kurang Kasih Sayang? Kesepian? Hasad Dengki?

2010-02-06T16:06:00.002+08:00

It was something that my mother used to tell to me. I have always thought it was something that she made up but today thanks to Mr Google I now know that it was a hadith.

“Do not look to those above you. Look to those below you, as it will more likely remind you of Allah’s favors bestowed on you.” [Saheh al-Bukhari and Saheh Muslim]

Muhammad Rasulullah SAW also said on another occasion that:

“If one of you looks at someone wealthier and better built than him, he should also look at someone of lower standard than himself.” [Saheh Muslim]

My mother wanted her children to be more thankful. I want some people to shut up.

If you know when you are looking at your friend’s new diamonds bling bling, your colleague’s new vacation photo albums, your neighbor’s new ride or even your buddy’s new baby that looks like Suri or Benjamin Button; you will be fuming mad with jealousy, just remember this hadiths and by all means refrain from reading this blog looking. It will save you a lot by reducing the probability of getting stress induced hypertension and of course dosa mengumpat.

This is a reminder to myself. Tapi kalau ko makan sushi takkan ko tak terasa wasabi. hehehehe..

Are you ready for PD season 2??

2010-02-04T18:04:00.000+08:00

I had a wonderful weekend smile.. =D Again, I'll let the pictures do the talking..

Date: 30 & 31 January 2010
Venue: GBR, Port Dickson

Powered by: The Coolest Family on Earth

Hot mommas in action

The coolest family in the world!

daddies rawk!

Mrs Organiser - Sarah + Ashrul + Baby Rafiq

Abg Sham + Kak Bie + Anak2

Remy + Steph + Ryan

Khairul + Fatin + Emir

Hubby + Fad + baby

Ayie + Suzan + Baby Putra

Mr MU + Ezan + Baby Sarah

Hubby + Ielya + Baby Isyraf

Shahrul + Nana + Baby Saif

Fadzril + Anita + Baby Adzryl

Aril + Amie + Baby Qaira

The double digits

2010-02-03T10:49:00.003+08:00

rayna @ 1o m.o

I just looked at the ticker and just realized that my baby is almost a one year old. She has become such a loving, affectionate child and it is hard to believe that she is 10 months old. We're in the double digits now.. I can't believe that it's already time to start brainstorming for your first birthday party. It seems as though Mama and Papa just brought you home.

In the last month it seems like you've just "come to life" so to speak because you have become so alert, aware and engaged in the world around you. Mama and Papa are really enjoying watching you grow and learn.

Here are some updates of what my little dancing machine is up to:

1. She crawls as fast as lighting and pulls herself up on everything. She can stand now with out holding onto anything for a long time.

2. Rayna has been talking up a storm and has become quite the little chatterbox. She is saying more and more sounds that actually sound like the real word. So cute..

3. She mimics me constantly and if I start to dance and I am holding her, she dances too.

4. It's hard to imagine her that old. She's still so tiny that I can't even picture her walking. I know it will boggle my mind to see it.

5. Rayna loves to clap. We've been trying to teach her to wave bye bye. Sometimes she gets it right but we think she believes she's waving when she's clapping.

6. She's started clicking her tongue, which is funny.

7. Rayna very playful. She absolutely love playing peek-a-boo. She just love it! She also enjoy when we ask her to find us. It's so touching to know that she definitely know who we are; we love seeing her search for us when prompted to do so.

8. She love clapping hands, but not her own. Rather, when asked to do so, she will clap Mommy's or Daddy's hands. It's so cute and she love doing it.

9. Nowadays Rayna favorite toys aren't toys at all.

Every month with you has been and continues to be magical. Mama and Papa love you with everything we have! Love you to pieces!!

Mega Family Day (Part 1)

2010-02-02T19:01:00.008+08:00

I'll let the pictures do the talking..

Coming soon..

2010-02-01T01:41:00.002+08:00

Thank you for a great weekend. We had a wonderful time. There was so much to do, and we wanted to do it all, but couldn't due to time constraints.. Last but not least, korang memang terbaek dari ladang =)

More pictures will be coming soon !! or more here

Pictures by: Azwin Omar

My Super - Duper Superhero!!

2010-01-18T22:24:00.014+08:00

Finally, I found my superhero.. worth sharing!

Separation Anxiety

2010-01-06T11:29:00.002+08:00

Rayna's got it bad and I have no idea what to do about it.

The bad part now is with this separation anxiety whenever she wakes up during the night she looks for me and can't fall back asleep until she's scooted over and burrowed in right next to me. I can't imagine trying to get her to sleep in her own bed when she's already getting completely freaked out that I'm going to somehow disappear.

So that's the night routine. When it's time to wake up it is kind of nice opening my eyes to my smiling baby but then once we get outside the room the freaking out begins as soon as I set her down with her toys. Just to make a bottle, get a cup of coffee or pee I have to listen to her complain or even scream. Sometimes I'll pick her up and do what I need to do with her on my hip if I can't deal with the crying but other times I'll just call to her that she's ok and hope that she'll get over it.

She never gets over it.

She'll only play with her toys if I'm sitting on the mat next to her. Even then she'll turn around every couple of minutes and grab onto me like she just needs to be sure I haven't gone anywhere. I assure you, I haven't gone anywhere!

So the question is what do I do about it???

All the books and websites say separation anxiety is completely normal around this age and a bit older. I'm sure it doesn't help that it's mostly just Zatty and I all day. She only gets babysat maybe once or twice a month and although we go on play dates during the week I'm always with her. Do I just accept this as a phase and deal with it until however long? (Possibly losing what's left of my mind in the meantime) Or do I let her 'cry it out' in hopes that she'll figure out how to be more autonomous? Perhaps the solution is just the opposite, to shower her with love and affection whenever she asks for it that way she'll grow to be more secure that mommy will be there when she needs her and therefore she'll be able to relax if I walk away that I'm not going to abandon her. Maybe letting her cry will make the problem worse. Or maybe I'm making the anxiety worse by always being with her? Or maybe I'm going to drive myself batty by over thinking it!

Would love to hear other people's experiences with this..

I know I've been complaining a lot lately but it's been a rough couple of months and sometimes it's nice to just get on here and vent. Not to mention the support ALWAYS helps!

Thanks for listening.

Welcome 2.0.1.0

2009-12-31T11:34:00.000+08:00

I wish all of you have a Happy New Year.

The year end brings no greater pleasure then the opportunity to express to you season's greetings and good wishes. May your holidays and New Year be filled with joy.

Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful Holiday and a Happy New Year.

Rayna is driven by curiosity

2009-12-29T11:07:00.001+08:00

OMG, 9 months sounds so grown up.. oh no.. I’m not ready for my baby to become a toddler!! This month was all about utilizing mobility, she has explored practically all parts of the house.. one thing I’ve learned this month NEVER underestimate your baby.

Here are a few of these months’ developments:

- Her first tooth has come out!!

- Rayna is "cruising" all over the place. She walks very well while holding onto the furniture, nearby hands or legs, one hand on the chair while she walks along looking for the next spot where she can grab. I predict that she'll be walking on her own by next month or two.

- Rayna stands on her own for short periods of time. The longest I have seen her stand is about 5 seconds.

- She’s become so smart and can think of simple solutions.

- Rayna thinks me is the funniest dude on Earth! Papa buat muka sikit je terus dia gelak mcmla kelakar sangat.

- She doesn’t mind falling while playing. Of course we made sure she’s safe - on the play mat and some pillows laying around for her to fall on but we gave her the freedom to explore on her own. When she falls she kept quiet and just quickly gets up again. Unless of course if she sees Mama and start to fake-cry..

- She can crawl so fast now. I move my eyes away for a second and she’s already behind the TV eating the wires.

- She's in a bit of a carseat boycott stage. Once she is in she doesn't make a peep, but she pitches a bloody fit going in. I usually try to distract her by singing a song or making some crazy noises accompanied by ridiculous facial expressions. That usually does the trick. She loves to stand in the car in the space between the two front seats. Mungkin terasa mcm co-pilot kat situ. Dan lagi best kalau dapat berdiri pegang stereng kereta. Mulut mulala bising buat bunyi2 excited sambil pukul2 stereng.

- Kalau tengok Rayna ni physical kecik je sebenarnya. Cinonet jer. Tapi bila tengok dia bergerak sini sana, adoi…tak sangka. I think she’s grown the most this month in terms of mobility. Penat mengejar dia skarang ni. I need to grow an eye at the back of my head now ;P

- Rayna continues to LOVE music. Especially Iklan kat TV - TM Connect everyone tu.. As soon as it plays she starts moving, crawling and standing in front of the TV and dancing.

- Rayna does not want to stop moving. Ever.. especially when she has a target..she will get really excited and determined to get (eat) it.

- Rayna is a good little sleeper. She also waves goodbye..

- Rayna has little interest in the sippy cup. She wants to drink out of a "real" cup. It is a bit messy, but we still let her on occasion. I think mostly the cold water pooling on her gums feels good when she drinks out of a cup. We'll keep trying.

- Rayna's easy going, happy personality is in tact. She really lets anyone hold her at any time. She does sometimes reach for me when someone else is holding her and I am close by, but she really doesn't fuss about it. In fact, we can go whole days without hearing any tears or fussing.

Happy 9 month birthday Rayna

8th monthsary

2009-12-05T14:01:00.004+08:00

one happy family

My goodness.. I just can't keep up with these girls! Every time I turn around they are older, bigger and doing completely different things. Rayna is now 8 months old and extremely busy. Wow. I can hardly believe I just wrote those words. 8 months old? She crawls (hands and knees now, no more low crawl) all over the house saying mama, dada, and lots of other baby babble. Her favorite activities are climbing and standing. Usually she's climbing up on something to try to stand on it. Luckily she still needs to hold on to something to stand!

Most days it seems like our worlds revolve around Rayna, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Not so far down the road, we will have to teach her the meaning of no, and set boundaries and give her responsibilities and teach her about accountability. She will always be my princess, and right now, it's fine by me if she knows that she is.

You have been a part of my life for these few short months, and yet I feel like I have always known you. I can’t imagine a day or a time before you, I can’t remember when I didn’t know you. Every day, I get to enjoy our world through your eyes. I love getting to see your eyes light up when I’m gets home, and how happy she is to see me. I get to wipe your sloppy kisses off my cheek, and unwrap my hair from your tiny fingers.

I'll let that sink in for a little bit. Wow. Here is what the little stinker is up to:

** She knows she will attract attention if she cries or babbles.

** She learns the meaning of "no!" by the tone of my voice and immediate actions.

** She is still toothless. It's really cute to see her. Even though she is getting bigger and looking less like a baby, this gives her a sweet look.

** Love to stand. That will change fast. She crawls, stands, LOVES to walk and reaching for her daddy.. yay!

** Rayna is on the move! She crawls all over the place, pulls herself up very well, is starting to climb, and is very interested in walking to you with the help of your hands, or objects in the way.

** We have had to lower the mattress in her crib. Sigh.

** Rayna does not have one single tooth. I feel like she has been working on these teeth for months now, but not a single one has popped through. If she never gets her teeth, we'll have to teach her how to smile with her mouth closed come kindergarten. :)

** She continues to be the happiest little baby. She is easy and adaptable. And although she lets us know when she wants something, she seems to do so calmly at first.

** Rayna has learned how to repeat sounds. Me and Rayna love to make this sound with her mouths is like blowing out almost with the "a" sound. It is a really messy way to repeat sounds, and it is a little close to spitting for me, but it is certainly funny to watch her repeat it.

** She has started to make the da-da and ma-ma sounds. She doesn't do it as her first words, of course, she doesn't realize what she is doing or who she is talking about, but it is coming.

** Rayna is becoming less a fan of the getting dressed process. Not great timing with the addition of layers that the cooler temperatures require, but she is usually pretty well distracted by a funny face or song.

** She is still loving her brightly colored toys; especially those with buttons. I mentioned a phone that I’m bought for her. It lights up, plays songs, and has buttons. It was an instant winner. She loves her books too, but we're learning its best to read those with pages she can't grab at and crinkle up. The board books are a hit! She grabs at everything, plays intently and loves to discover. I love to put her on my knees when I am laying down and swing her high in the air while she giggles away. She still loves to dance and sing, and we so every day.

** She has a great little sense of humor. She loves when we make funny noises or voices. She is also just discovering the fun of peek-a-boo. A favorite game of hers is when we lays her on the bed and shakes the mattress saying, "a boom" She laughs and laughs and laughs at this but it makes her laugh so hard that now we find ourselves tickling her saying to make her laugh in general.

I love you more than words can say. I can’t wait to watch you grow up, to see what excites you, to help you learn and grow. I can’t wait to teach you things, and share every single day with you. And even as I say those words, I want you to stay my little baby girl forever. I’m not ready to give up my cuddles and coos. You are already so independent.

Please don’t grow up too fast. We still stand over you together at the end of every day entirely in awe of the wonder that you are and the indescribable love that we have for you. You are a miracle. You are our pumpkin. You are our dream come true. You are everything that we wished you would be and much more that we never even imagine you could be. You are our beautiful, precious, sweet daughter. You are our life.

Nobody's Perfect - I Am Nobody

2009-11-13T00:11:00.001+08:00

Because of many feedbacks I got from many people after reading my 'many' post, I think I should write more!! haha! I don't know whether I wrote controversial issues, as some might view it or I wrote something that is very true, that happens in our everyday lives, but which many refuse to accept as the fact that is happening as we grow older.

Disclaimer: Again this is my personal view over things which happen around me. Some might not agree, might’ve, but my intention is just to highlight the issues surrounding us.

HYPOCRITE = Someone who pretends to have certain beliefs or opinions that they do not really have. (In Malay, it is 'bermuka-muka') - Two Face, Backstabber !!

We've always used this word in our lives, sometimes accusing others to be a hypocrite and sometimes we are hypocrite, without realizing it. Well, I know in Islam 'Fitnah' itu lebih teruk drpd membunuh', but how many people actually did not say things behind other's back? Well, I tried my best to recall a few people, but none actually, haven't said something behind somebody’s back.

So the truth is, everybody says something behind everybody's back, regardless of whether they meant any harm or not. My point is what is the point of accusing others to be a hypocrite when we do the same thing? Don't make a big fuss about others being hypocrite/talking behind others' back because in the end, it all points out to you, to the real you.

Though shocking it may be, sometimes it is the crowd that makes us to be a hypocrite or 'org yg suka mengata org lain'. I thought this will only happened in high school or University life, when we are still developing our senses, but it is sad to say that we are still influenced by our peers, the crowd around us. That is how the world works. The question is, are you still influenced by your peers to be a hypocrite? Or does we live the life that our peers expect we to live? Or we just want to seek people attention by making stories?

It is a loss to see a ‘supposedly mature’ young man/woman who still lives in their peer's/friends' shadows. Well, I am not critical towards the idea of having many friends, but..how many friends actually listen and cry with you when you are in deep trouble compares to the friends who will only be with you to share your laughter and when you are free of troubles and pockets full of money? again..that is how the world works. Again, how many friends will stand by you when you are in the wrong path, advising you to get back on track? The answer is.. not many. Cause in the end, your friends will have their own family,their own problems to think, their own life to lead.

Back to the issue of 'hypocrite'. Well, i don't blame others for talking behind others' back, nor I blame people who are hypocrite & opportunist. Those qualities are possessed by everybody, whether you are aware or not. But the only thing that disturbs me so much is, how people can act innocent after they bitch about other people? Well, maybe after that you can make up and be friends again. Yes, we should be forgiving. But to make others to look bad, as if they were the only ones who bitch about others is unacceptable. Why we need to pretend to be a Mr/Mrs Perfect? Grow up la.. Am I confusing you?

My whole point is that, I believe that people have some good and bad qualities within themselves. You have to be brave to admit your bad qualities, but to hide it, act innocent & blame it on others is wrong. But, who am I to say it is wrong? Don't accuse others of being hypocrite / bermuka-muka when you are also a hypocrite. Even if when you are unsatisfied with others, don't incite/influenced other people to dislike that person. You can complain, but your complaints might influence others to dislike other people. So even if after that you are in good terms with that person. What about other people who heard your complaint? Isn’t it much better if you keep reminding yourself that everybody has good & bad qualities? Just tolerate with his/her bad qualities as there are the good sides of him/her.

I've seen and heard many things around me, and I’ve come to a simple conclusion.

1. Take responsibility of what you've said and done. You might said or write unwanted things when you are not in your senses, be brave & don't act innocent as if nothing happens and put the burden on someone else or making a lot of sad stories..(If this cannot be done, then you shouldn't bitch at all bouts others even if he/she did something wrong!)

2. Be your own self. Though I do agree it is difficult not to be influenced by your friends, you should have your own beliefs. What’s the point of studying in university but still possessing the 'clinging' & PHD type of personality?

3. If you help others, don't hope for a reward or you’ll be very disappointed. But we are just humans, of course we want to help others, with a hint of hope that they'll be there when we need them. Learn to help & hope the rewards come from ALLAH SWT. If not, politely decline that you cannot help. (Unless the person is in deep trouble, c’mon for the sake of humanity, give him a hand, Allah will pay you)

I'm not perfect either. I do admit I’m loud, sometimes selfish and difficult, I do complaint too! But, I’ve found those who possess my qualities, those who will hear my complaints but uninfluenced by it. Those who hold the view that ignorance is a bliss! These people have aspired me to be a better person, with strong personalities. I’m learning and very fortunate that I’ve people around me to light up my once dark path. It is always true that setiap kejadian ada hikmahnya.

I was abandoned (or maybe I keep off my distance), but I’ve found greater opportunities to become a better person with the help of ALLAH SWT. For me I think, the trick is simple, do and write what ever you think is right with good intentions, ignore those who have wronged you and learn to forgive..Then you'll have a smooth path!

" To be trusted is a greater compliment than to be loved and it is quality that matter, not quantity"

A Fabulous Weekend

2009-11-02T09:06:00.007+08:00

Enjoyce some of the pictures & a big thanks for yesterday. you guys rawk!

Picture by Hafiz Ismail - WOW studio

You're 7 months old!

2009-10-27T01:15:00.002+08:00

Where does the time go? October seemed to fly by for me. Rayna is 7 months now and is cuter than ever. Seriously?! Are you honestly telling me another month has passed by? I have become an official cliche; the time seriously flies by. Every parent on the planet warned me, "Enjoy her; times goes so quickly." I'd just smile politely and think, "OK.. I've heard that a million times." But sure enough, here I am seven months later saying that very thing. Where does the time go? How is it POSSIBLE that Rayna is already seven months old?! She's a character I'll tell you. Here are some things that she's been up to:

** She cracks herself (and us) up at every turn. She is an EXTREMELY happy baby. She is constantly charming the pants of people with her ear to ear grin. It lights up a room and is completely contagious.

** She is very excitable. When she sees something she likes she kicks her legs like crazy and squeals.

** Everyday is a busy day now with baby roaming around the open spaces. She isn't yet crawling on all fours but rather crawls army style. But I'm sure she will 'upgrade' soon.

** Rayna gets closer and closer to crawling every day, though we are certainly not in a rush for her to become fully mobile. She has gotten very good at holding herself up on her knees and hands or elbows and rocks front and back, but hasn't quite got the forward motion down yet.

** She's very strong. She sits up like a champ, totally unaided, totally unsupported. She pulls herself half way up, but can't get herself all the way up. She is even starting to try to pull herself up on things.

** She is scooting all over the place. It's not what I'd call a traditional crawl yet, but it gets her where she needs to go. She sorta swims on land. She pushes off with her toes, and then reaches her arms out in front of her and pulls herself forward. She rotates like this until she gets where she wants to be. She has started to pull herself up on all fours, and is rocking back and forth a lot! Any second now she is going to just take off and crawl.

** She really into small stuffed dollies. Everything still goes right into her mouth. Everything. No teeth yet though.

** Rayna is a recent gadget girl. She loves buttons. Buttons on the computer, the phone, astro remote control. She loves to push the buttons; especially if they make noise.

** She sleeping much better these days, and she even taking naps a little easier.. emphasis on "a little". It's a work in progress.

** We still sing songs. She recognizes her favorites now and gets really excited to hear them. She loves to dance, or should I say bounce up and down.

** Rayna is still totally chill. I'm still completely amazed by this, but know better than to complain. She goes with the flow and is easy with change.

** On a big developmental note, she finally decided to roll both ways. This makes her play time even more fun, and all over her crib at night. We are convinced that you'll soon be crawling, but we're not rushing it because that means we have to baby proof the house.

We're loving every single second with her. She is the absolute brightest spot in both of our lives. When we go in to get her in the morning, she smiles back at us from her crib and kicks her legs and it absolutely warms my heart with the deepest love I have ever felt.

We are very blessed with our darling little princess. Now if only we could slow down time. Maybe this is what everyone said about having a baby, about how it is such an incredible mix of physical exhaustion and pure love. No doubt there is an amazing amount of both.

The day when you were 6 months

2009-10-14T13:26:00.015+08:00

Ya Allah, Thank You for giving us hearts of compassion and love for our children. You see how our hearts break when our babies are in pain. I pray right now that You would touch each suffering child and relieve their pain. Please bring complete healing and relief. Give their parents courage, faith, peace, and hope. Bring people around them with words of encouragement and life.

Rayna..

Last few weeks you had your last Rotateq vaccinations, few days later you started getting feverish, vomiting, and diarrhea but I thought that was a normal reaction to the vaccines. By Friday afternoon that fever was still sticking around and getting worst. By dinner it had jumped up to 38 and that's when I started to freak, we took you to the nearest clinic and of course the doctor couldn't find anything else wrong with you and he chalked it up to being a severe reaction to the vaccines but said if you are getting worst the next day, we need to bring you ASAP to the hospital. The next day your condition keep getting worse. You was shivering, lethargic & wouldn't eat or drink but everyone kept telling us it was the vaccines and that we should give it time, that just didn't seem right to me.

The next day, you had a very high fever, lost your appetite and was generally miserable.. Your mood had gone from cuddly to miserable and you spiked a fever of 40! I think the saddest thing I've ever experienced is every time your fever comes back you gets the chills and curls up on top of me and just shivers. You didn't eat and drink for 2 days. Your mouth was tightly closed. I didn't know what else to do but to dig into your mouth. I remembered you bit me hard and I wondering if that is the pain of teething. Then you screamed and cried in tears. We rushed you to the ER where we were really scared and we cried silently. In the ER, you had a drip line setup so that they could administer antibiotics and to avoid dehydration but you crying out loud, and I know you are sick and I am sick at heart.

The MO advised us to admit you for observation and to run test and escalate you to the Paed which we promptly complied. By afternoon, we had you in the hand of a good doctor. You were warded and we accompanied you. You had a thorough check-up. The Paed was satisfied that you were okay though she kept on asking us how long you had sick. But she still insisted that you stayed another night in the hospital. But you just screamed and cried. I remembered your mom was in tears holding you tight to stop you from struggling.

Oh, how we prayed for you for all night. I remembered you just refused to put on a drip & medications.. Rayna, I understand, you are just as stubborn as your father.. Fortunately, all the urine, stool and blood test they ran came back mostly negative. It turned out that you had likely come down with a viral fever.

I would like to thank you for all who coming to visit our lil princess when she admitted to the hospital (esp: my family and my PIL), to all who wished, prayed, SMSed, YMed and FBed. Zillion thanks..

We will always love and pray for you..

Dear IT Support

2009-10-01T17:55:00.004+08:00

Dear IT Support,

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a slow down in the overall performance, particularly in the flower and jewellery applications that had operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 un-installed many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, but installed undesirable programs such as EPL 5.0, NBA 3.0 and ESPN 2.0. And now Conversation 8.0 no longer runs and House Cleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I’ve tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail. What can I do?

Regards,
Desperate

Reply:

Dear Desperate,

First keep in mind; Boyfriend 5.0 is an entertainment package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Try entering the command C:\ I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME and download Tears 6.2 to install Guilt 3.0. If all works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewellery 2.0 and Flowers 3.5. But remember, overuse can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Late Night Teh Tarik 6.1. Late Night 6.1 is a very bad program that will create SnoringLoudly.wav files. Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-Law 1.0 or reinstall another Boyfriend program. These are not supported applications and will crash Husband 1.0. In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have a limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider additional software to improve memory and performance. I personally recommend Hot Food 3.0 and Lingerie 6.9.

Good Luck,
IT Support

1/2 way to a year?

2009-09-29T00:02:00.005+08:00

How on earth is my tiny little baby already 6 months old? Can you believe we're 1/2 way to a year?! I've been feeling extra nostalgic lately, since Rayna is becoming more like a kid and less like a baby every day.

A few of my friends have had babies in the last few months, with new addition to my family last Saturday, and I can't help but picture myself in their place, meeting their sweet little ones for the first time and enjoying all those wonderful first moments. But at the end of the day, when I'm putting her to bed for the night, I'm reminded how much of a baby she still is when she curls up in my arms, collapsing land sleepy like a sweet.

At the same time, I marvel at the fact that in the same amount of time that she's been here from now, we'll be celebrating her first birthday, and likely experiencing her first words and steps. We're just so happy to have this little sweetie in our lives. Here are some of the highlights from her 6-month old.

Rayna @ 6 months

- Rayna learned to voice up her opinion recently. When she doesn't like something or want people attention, she screams.

- She is such a morning person. she wakes up early and even on weekends!.

- Rayna is trying to learn how to crawl, but her little arms just aren’t strong enough yet, so she usually ends up scooting and rolling around the floor on her forehead with her butt in the air.

- She’s fond of chomping on not only her hands but also her own feet. Sometimes when she can’t pull it close enough to her mouth dia akan membebel in frustration. Too many people are saying it’s because dia nak dpt adik!

- Another favourite hobby of her is putting into her mouth everything that crosses her path. Most often this would be her fingers, of course.

- Rayna suka berdiri. Kalau kita pegang dia, dia mesti nak push kaki dia so that she’ll be in standing position. Boleh tahan lama lak tu kaki dia berdiri. Siap gerak2 nak jalan kedepan. Mommy & Daddy yg penat nak pegang..

- She can roll from back to tummy to back again to tummy again etc. she does it more and more often now. When she’s frustrated she’ll roll and move her body even more, angkat2 bontot mcm nak merangkak..

We will go in for her 6 month jabs and will know soon how much she weigh and how long she grew! The past six months have gone by so fast. It is so exciting to see Rayna grow right before my eyes.

Happy 6 months birthday Rayna.. We love you!

Aidilfitri - 1 Syawal 1430H

2009-09-23T00:40:00.006+08:00

Salam Aidilfitri dari Kami Sekeluarga.. Maaf Zahir & Batin

Rayna & 39 ℃

2009-09-04T01:01:00.003+08:00

My baby is sick. Possibly sick from the vaccine intended to protect her from illness. And I am sick at heart. You see, I took her in for her 5-month well baby visit four days ago. At that time, she received two vaccinations: DTP and Rotavirus.

Two days after my baby received the vaccine, she started having mild diarrhea and high fever. I didn’t think much of it, until 12 hours later when she threw up (and I earned a daddy Medal by catching it in my hand, thankyouverymuch!) The next day, her mood had gone from cuddly to miserable and she spiked a fever of over 39. Since then I've had to hold her non-stop, including do my work with her, she actually fell asleep while laying on me! Poor kid.

I am worried for her. She is crying and just a bit sleepy. Thank goodness i'm working from home this week, which keeps me watching her 24 hours non stop. And that little body just starts cranking up the heat. I can literally feel the heat off the top of her head. I think the saddest thing I've ever experienced is every time her fever comes back she gets the chills and curls up on top of me and just shivers.

I am not “pro-vaccine” or “anti-vaccine.” I am all about the informed decision. I fully recognize that my daughter might not actually have rotavirus, or that she might have rotavirus but have contracted it from a source other than the live vaccine. I do feel though that this diarrhea, vomiting, and fever constitute a potential adverse reaction to the vaccine. People around were telling us of the possibility of brain damage. Oh, how we prayed for you that night.

Now that you are sleeping with mama while I'm writing this, we know that Allah has prepared something great and special for you. I swear I had to fight back the tears, put on my pray and be "the dad".

Rayna, we will always pray for you.

too BIG, too FAST

2009-08-26T14:41:00.007+08:00

Rayna's getting too big, too fast!!

Rayna: Kenapa? tak percaya ke??

My little princess, Rayna, is growing up way too fast! she'll be 5ive months tomorrow! How did this happen? I was looking at her baby pictures today, and I can barely remember her being that small. It's sad how fast they grow up, but I know it'll just keep getting better! Every time I see a baby who's younger than Rayna, it freaks me out. She should still be the smallest baby, not the baby who stretches all the way across the whole pillow! Even so, I wouldn't trade this stage for the newborn stage. Rayna is so much fun and so sweet at five months. She's such a happy, laid back girl. All you need to do to make her smile is look her in the eye and say something.

She’s trying so very hard to roll over! She can get all the way onto her side and seem to get past that one arm in the way.. She can sit up for a few seconds as well. She’s leaned over pretty far, so I don't think this counts just yet..haha! She’s always been big about standing up. She likes to stand up on your lap. She can't seem to be still for long, and her legs have always been very strong, so we wonder if she'll walk early.

She loves to experiment with making different noises. She fakes coughs, and screeches, and giggles, and coos all the time. She thinks she is adding to the conversation by doing this while others are talking. She is still basically bald, but has started to grow some fuzz on the top of her head. She rolls over onto her belly very well but can't get back on her back and often throws up if on her stomach too long. She wants to crawl but can't seem to figure it out yet. No teeth yet, but she's been biting on everything and drooling for several weeks now. She loves to suck on her own toes and delightfully reaching out and grabbing them to put in her mouth. She pats the back of my neck while I hold her, and has recently started pulling my hair hard.

Rayna, at 5ive months old:

-You still sleep through the night.
-You go to bed at random times and you wake up by 7. You lay there so quietly and happily that I don't know exactly when your sweet eyes open for the day.
-You nap 2 or 3 times a day. The times and lengths are different every day.
-You love your baths.
- You like to hold anything and suck your thumb.
-The bouncer no longer puts you to sleep. It invigorates you! You think its fun.
-You are so big in your bouncy seat. I wonder how much longer you will be able to sit in it.
-You will sit happily in mommy's lap, which is something I prayed for.
-I think you know your name.
-I wouldn't be shocked if you turned out to be left-handed. I'm sure it's too early to tell though.
-You still favor me, but you've stopped crying when you're being held by someone else and you see me, which means you've really warmed up to all your uncles & aunties.
-You know your grandparents and are very peaceful and happy with them.
-You don't have any teeth yet.
- You kick hard & drink a lot.
-We will start you on cereal soon.
-You are absolutely beautiful.
-You smile all the time and do little bitty laughs, but you don't belly laugh very often. When you do it just makes my day.
-You like to crinkle your nose and make a little flirty face.
-We call you Rayna and Puteri.
-You are loved by everyone who knows you!

I'll make myself stop there.. Although I could go on and on about her!!! There's just nothing like having a baby. It changes your life so much, yet you wonder what it was like before them!

Happy Birthday my lil' princess, Rayna! We love you!

Trendsetters: Autopilot Bottle Feeding

2009-08-20T12:56:00.002+08:00

This is NOT my baby, I got it from one of my friends! Maybe this parent / babysitters has a profesional training to do this or maybe we just not creative enough.

My advise is.. stay safe and please don't try this at home.

BPA - Percuma

2009-08-11T16:53:00.001+08:00

What is BPA?

“ Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic compound with 2 phenol functional groups, or in a more understandable sense for the likes of you and I, it is an important compound used to produce plastics. Studies on it was already being done in 1930's as there was a suspect of it being hazards, but only in 2008, it became a common topic in the news as some governments posts concerns on its safety. BPA is widely used synthetic chemical in the plastics industry, is found in polycarbonate plastic food and beverage containers, like baby bottles, baby formula containers, sports water bottles and epoxy resins that line metal cans of food. Recent media reports question the safety of products made with polycarbonate plastic and specifically, Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate products. “

As a father of Rayna, I’ve been doing a fair amount of research on BPA, its effects, and products containing it. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little freaked out. It’s in Rayna’s bottles, pacifiers, our cups, and bowls. And, it’s in the water bottles that Zatty and I drink from daily. I wasn't taking it in seriously because I thought, we all grew up fine. I'm sure those days, there are no such thing as BPA free and what not. But then, my instinct kicked in, and yes, I would and have made the extra effort to purchase slightly more expensive bottles for Rayna, which are BPA free.

Rest assured, the evidence is not 100% conclusive that our daughter or we will have health issues in life due to exposure to this chemical, but who wants to expose our kids to any more risk than they’ll already be exposed to? BPA has shown negative effects to animals exposed to the chemical. That’s all that I need to read to know that I don’t want it in my kids or in my family.

So, soon I’m going to purge our house of all plastics that I am not sure are clear of BPA. This will include all of our current baby bottles, pacifiers, plates, etc. We’ll stick to glass where we can right now, and will purchase BPA-free to replace what needs to be replaced and find alternative by buying a boxed FM (formula milk) instead of a canned FM.

BPA – Cheat sheet

Paed's alternative recipe

2009-08-05T09:18:00.003+08:00

We went to Rayna's Paed last weekend for her first dose of RotaTeq with hope I will get a better explanation from Dr Nazim regarding this vaccine. Unfortunately, the call did not go well. I would love it if all doctors would practice the following three phrases:

"I don’t know. I need to check. This is normal."

I was not upset; I used a nice voice. When the doctor insisted that only the first dose of the vaccine needs to be given before 32 weeks, I gently reiterated my understanding that it’s actually the last dose that needs to be given before 32 weeks.

No one is perfect. I made a mistake. The pediatrician made a mistake and let’s learn from our mistakes. I do a research for this to answer my question so others can learn from our mistakes.

What is RotaTeq?

RotaTeq contains up to five strains of rotavirus. It is made from both human and animal sources. Infection with rotavirus can affect the digestive system of babies and young children, causing severe stomach or intestinal illness. RotaTeq is used to help prevent rotavirus in children.RotaTeq works by exposing your child to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body. RotaTeq is for use in children between the ages of 6 weeks and 32 weeks old. Like any vaccine, RotaTeq may not provide protection from disease in every person.

How is RotaTeq given?

RotaTeq rotavirus vaccine

Your child will receive RotaTeq in a clinic, hospital, or doctor's office. RotaTeq is given as an oral (by mouth) liquid. RotaTeq is given in a series of 3 doses. The first dose is usually given when the child is 6 to 12 weeks old. The booster doses are then given at 4-week to 10-week intervals before the child reaches 32 weeks of age.

Tell your doctor if your child spits up or vomits within 1 or 2 hours after receiving RotaTeq. The child may need to receive a replacement dose to be fully protected from rotavirus. Always wash your hands after handling the diapers of a child who has been given RotaTeq. Small amounts of the virus may be passed in the child's stool and could possibly infect others who come into contact with the child's stool.

Important information about RotaTeq

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving RotaTeq. When your child receives another vaccine in the future, you will need to tell the doctor if the first dose caused any side effects. Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving RotaTeq. Before your child receives RotaTeq, tell the doctor if your child has recently had a fever. Also tell the doctor if anyone living with or caring for the child has cancer or a weak immune system, or is receiving treatments that can weaken the immune system (such as radiation, chemotherapy, or steroids).

Always wash your hands after handling the diapers of a child who has been given RotaTeq. Small amounts of the virus may be passed in the child's stool and could possibly infect others who come into contact with the child's stool. Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of RotaTeq. Your child may not be protected from rotavirus if the doses aren't given within 4 to 10 weeks of each other, or if the child does not receive the full series of vaccines. Avoid receiving the doses of this vaccine in different clinics or from different doctors. Your child should receive the same brand of rotavirus oral vaccine for all doses given.

Different brands of this vaccine may not have the same dosing or booster schedule. Call your doctor as soon as possible if your child (after receiving a RotaTeq) has stomach pain or bloating, vomiting (especially if it is golden-brown to green in color), bloody stools, grunting or excessive crying, and eventually weakness and shallow breathing. Becoming infected with rotavirus is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving the vaccine to protect against it. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Read more

Call me Dad!

2009-08-01T00:31:00.002+08:00

4th month update: I can’t wait to cheer Rayna on in all the trivial moments of her life because it seems to me like her tying her shoe will be the same as winning the Nobel prize. :) To be honest, having a baby and making the transition to parenthood is a very complicated process, but it look easy to others. My life was easy before parenthood, and while easy is nice, it gets me nowhere. Only when pushed we will get to learn who we are as we rise to the challenges we're facing. I should say this from my perspective as a human being and my little experience as a father of Rayna. With all the various pressures on young families like me, often there is not enough time and energy for me to spend with both of them.

Got this from the net, worth reading:

For your baby:
* Your baby may discover that they can begin to make sounds. You can make sounds with your baby and see which one they respond too.
* Your baby is enjoying trying to hold things. See which toys he likes to hold most. Over the next few months he may try to pass the object from one hand to the other.

For your wife/partner:
* Discuss the changes you are experiencing in your sexuality with your wife.
* Respect how much your life has changed in the last four months! Talk about how parenthood is an opportunity to develop a deeper feeling of closeness, although life seems so stressful at times.

For yourself:
* Take time to get a message and sauna.
* Take a walk with a friend and let him know what you have discovered about being a father.

"During the fourth month you start to notice that there is a change in your intimate sexual relationship with your wife. It is very normal for this to happen, but why this happens is not well understood by dads. The reduced sexual desire experienced by new mothers is linked to a natural hormonal process. For the survival of young babies the mother's attention and emotional energies are totally focused on the infant. This "preoccupation" with the baby is part of our biological heritage for the survival of the species! In fact, biologically, new mothers secrete a hormone that reduces their sexual desire."

A natural maturing of the sexuality and intimacy occurs as you make the adjustments and changes as partners and parents. A mutual respect and appreciation can develop within the couple for each other as individuals. It is difficult for us as men if our experience of intimacy is only linked to our sexuality. For many new dads the early months of fatherhood provide a challenge to expand their feelings about intimacy. Many new dads find it difficult to talk about sexuality with their wives. I encourage you to talk about the sexuality in your relationship with your wife. As you go through life as a parent and adult there may be many conversations you have with your wife about the changing sexuality in your relationship.

So, if your wife feels sexually withdrawn but too concerned about your baby.. things are going well! :)

It is normal for new dad like us in the early months of fatherhood to feel jealous of our new babies. Perhaps it is really not jealousy of our babies, but from the loss of attention we feel from our wife. This is probably a normal response to the wife's feeling of "preoccupation" with the baby. Kurang kasih sayang in Malays.. hahahaha

The period of the pregnancy is usually an emotionally close time for a couple. The intensity of the pregnancy and early months of parenting now give way to the daily needs of the baby being the center of the relationship. As a new dad you begin to wonder when your "couple" relationship will get back to the way it use to be. There is good news and bad news at this point. The bad news is the relationship can never go back to the way it "use to be." The good news is with time and patience your relationships as a "couple" can become more intimate and satisfying.

I'm out! need a good rest for tomorrow to see Rayna's Paed, Dr Nazim.. Rotateq la pulak!

Rayna: Birthday monthsary

2009-07-28T19:44:00.013+08:00

Yesterday, my little angel is officially 4th month old! Wow! She’s a grown up huh! And she’s getting more and more cute each day (",)

To celebrate her “birthday monthsary”, we decided to spend the day malling and shopping and i hope i can get something for my lil one for her 4month birthday. But oh well, we had our dinner that night, so there was still a “birthday” event for Rayna eventhough she can't eat what we eat, she just melopong je tengok..haha! Wait 2 more months aite..

Just a week before she turned 4 months, I noticed some new developments like:

I see her moving sideward on her own, with our support.. and now i can see Rayna rolled over by her own without support.. fyi, actually,during her 3 month, she already try to roll over and start moving a lot while she lay down in her cot.. and now i can see that she enjoys playing alone there sometimes hugging her inchworm. She loves making noises like shouting during the morning and night.. i'm so excited when i see she spontaneously smile, babbling and making sound which is really funny..

We enjoy her more everyday.. she really changed our lifestyle.. eventhough me and my wife is a lil bit busy right now with our works but we still know all the developments of our lil princess RAYNA.

Till then, the counting start again.. tick tock.. later guys!

A Song To My Baby

2009-07-17T16:52:00.005+08:00

You may download this.. It really work with Rayna and she will fall asleep when i sing this song to her.. alhamdulillah..

Download here - Dr Ari Ginanjar feat Hadad Alwi

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ ذِكْرًا كَثِيرًا

Hai orang-orang yang beriman, berzikirlah (dengan menyebut nama) Allah, zikir yang sebanyak-banyaknya. (Surah Al Ahzab 33:41)

Simptom Influenza A (H1N1)

2009-07-09T12:02:00.005+08:00

Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia atau World Health Organization (WHO) pada 24 April 2009 telah mengisytiharkan krisis kecemasan kesihatan antarabangsa ekoran merebaknya wabak Virus Influenza A (H1N1) (Selesema Babi atau Swine Flu) bagi memberi amaran wabak yang dianggap makin mencemaskan dan berpotensi untuk menjadi pusat ‘pandemik’ atau wabak yang akan merebak. Selesema babi yang disebarkan oleh manusia ini telah mencetuskan keadaan panik di seluruh dunia terutamanya di Mexico dan Amerika Syarikat (AS). Sehingga 6 Mei 2009, wabak ini telah mengorbankan 29 orang di Mexico, 2 orang di United State (US), 1786 orang telah disahkan dijangkiti dan lebih 4169 orang disyaki dijangkiti di seluruh dunia. Jumlah kematian dan mereka yang dijangkiti meningkat dari semasa ke semasa dan amat dikhuatiri merebak ke Negara ini.

PENGENALAN

Demam Virus Influenza A (H1N1) adalah sejenis penyakit sistem pernafasan (respiratory) yang biasanya ditemui dalam kawanan babi. Virus Influenza A (H1N1) atau demam babi ini biasanya berlegar dalam spesies babi sahaja dan tidak menjangkiti manusia. Namun jangkitan terhadap manusia telah berlaku dan penyebaran virus ini dalam kalangan manusia telah mula dikesan sejak tahun 1988.

Apakah Virus Influenza A (H1N1)?

Virus Influenza A (H1N1) adalah sejenis penyakit respiratory yang ditemui dalam kawanan babi disebabkan oleh virus influenza jenis A (H1N1). Selesema babi ini dikesan saban tahun dan biasanya terjadinya kepada mereka yang mempunyai kaitan dengan babi. Manusia biasanya tidak dijangkiti oleh virus ini tetapi jangkitan terhadap manusia telah dikesan. Virus selesema babi telah dilaporkan merebak dari manusia ke manusia lain. Tetapi pada masa lepas, pemindahan virus ini adalah terhad dan menjangkiti sehingga tiga orang sahaja.
Adakah Terdapat Jangkitan Demam Virus Influenza A (H1N1) di US?

Pada akhir Mac dan awal April 2009, beberapa kes jangkitan virus ini (H1N1) terhadap manusia telah dilaporkan di Southern California berdekatan San Antonio, Texas. Beberapa negeri lain di US juga telah melaporkan jangkitan yang sama pada manusia dan juga telah dilaporkan di peringkat antarabangsa. (Perkembangan terkini mengesahkan bilangan jangkitan virus di Amerika Syarikat boleh di dapati di http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/investigation.htm. Pusat pencegahan dan kawalan penyakit (CDC - Centers for diseases control and prevention dan Jabatan serta agensi kesihatan sedang bekerjasama dalam menyiasat situasi ini).

Adakah Virus Ini Berjangkit?

CDC telah mengesahkan bahawa virus ini (H1N1) adalah berjangkit dan merebak dari seorang ke seorang manusia lain. Walau bagaimanapun masih belum diketahui cara dan bagaimana mudahnya jangkitan ini terjadi.

Apakah Tanda-tanda dan Simptom Virus Influenza A (H1N1) Terhadap Manusia?

Simptom Virus Influenza A (H1N1) ini terhadap manusia adalah sama dengan simptom selesema biasa seperti demam, batuk, sakit tekak, sakit badan, pening kepala, sejuk dan kelesuan. Ada juga sesetengah kes cirit-birit dan muntah yang berkait dengan selesema burung yang dilaporkan.
Pada masa yang lepas, beberapa penyakit (kegagalan paru-paru dan sistem pernafasan) dan kematian telah dilaporkan dengan jangkitan selesema babi dalam manusia. Seperti virus selesema bermusim, selesema babi boleh menyebabkan keadaan kesihatan kronik.

Bagaimanakah Selesema Burung Merebak?

Virus jenis A (H1N1) selesema burung ini dijangka akan merebak seperti mana virus selesema bermusim lain. Virus selesema ini biasanya disebarkan dari seorang ke seorang yang lain melalui batuk dan bersin mereka yang terkena jangkitan. Kadang-kadang seseorang itu boleh dijangkiti melalui barang yang disentuh dengan tangan dan kemudiannya menyentuh mulut dan hidung mereka.

Bagaimanakah Seseorang Yang Dijangkiti Selesema Menjangkiti Seorang Lain?

Seseorang yang dijangkiti mungkin boleh menjangkiti seorang lain bermula sehari sebelum simptom itu merebak hingga ke hari ke-7 selepas dijangkiti (sakit). Ini bermakna kita mungkin boleh menyebarkan virus ini sebelum mengetahui yang kita telah dijangkiti.

Apa Yang Perlu Dilakukan Untuk Mengelak Daripada Dijangkiti Selesema?

Perkara yang terpenting sekali adalah membasuh tangan. Cuba untuk berada pada tahap yang paling sihat. Dapatkan tidur yang cukup. Sentiasa aktif, menangani tekanan, minum banyak air dan makan makanan berkhasiat. Cuba mengelak dari menyentuh tempat yang dicemari dengan virus. Mengelak hubungan dengan mereka yang sakit.

Adakah Terdapat Ubat Untuk Virus Influenza A (H1N1) Ini?

CDC menyarankan pengambilan ubat seperti oseltamivir atau zanamivir untuk merawat dan/atau mencegah jangkitan virus selesema babi ini. Ubat antiviral adalah ubat-ubatan berpreskripsi (pil, cecair ataupun ubat sedut) yang melawan virus dari terus membiak di dalam badan anda.
Jika anda jatuh sakit, ubat antiviral akan dapat melegakan dan membuat anda sihat dengan lebih cepat. Ia juga dapat mencegah dari komplikasi selesema yang lebih serius. . Untuk tujuan rawatan, ubat antiviral adalah lebih berkesan untuk diambil sebaik sahaja jatuh sakit (dalam dua hari selepas simptom).

Berapa Lama yang Diambil oleh Seseorang yang Dijangkiti dengan Selesema Burung Untuk Menyebarkan Kepada Orang Lain?

Mereka yang dijangkiti dengan virus ini boleh dikira sebagai pembawa virus selagi mereka di dalam simptom sehingga tujuh hari dari bermula sakit. Kanak-kanak, terutama anak-anak kecil berpotensi untuk dijangkiti untuk jangka masa yang lebih lama.

Apakah Kawasan-kawasan Yang Berkemungkinan Sebagai Tempat Yang Dicemari?

Kuman boleh merebak apabila seseorang menyentuh sesuatu yang dicemari dengan kuman dan menyentuh pula mata, mulut dan hidung mereka. Titisan rembesan dari batuk dan bersin dari mereka yang dijangkiti boleh bergerak melalui udara. Kuman boleh merebak apabila seseorang itu menyentuh titisan rembesan batuk dan bersin dari seorang di atas permukaan seperti meja dan permukaan lain dan menyentuh mata, mulut dan hidung sebelum membasuh tangan mereka.

Berapa Lama Virus Tersebut Boleh Hidup Di Luar Badan?

Seperti yang diketahui sesetengah virus dan dapat hidup sehingga lebih dua jam di permukaan seperti meja kafeteria, tombol pintu dan meja. Membasuh tangan dengan kerap akan mengurangkan kesan pencemaran yang didapati dari permukaan-permukaan ini.

Apa Yang Boleh Dilakukan Untuk Mengelak Daripada Dihinggapi Penyakit?

Buat masa ini belum lagi ada sebarang vaksin untuk melindungi dari selesema babi ini. Terdapat beberapa perkara yang boleh dilakukan untuk membantu menghalang penyebaran kuman yang menyebabkan penyakit pernafasan seperti demam selesema. Cubalah langkah-langkah ini untuk melindungi kesihatan anda:

• Tutup/lindung mulut dan hidung anda dengan tisu sewaktu bersin atau batuk. Buangkan tisu tersebut ke dalam tong sampah selepas menggunakannya.
• Basuhlah tangan dengan sabun dan air dengan kerap terutamanya selepas batuk atau selesema. Pembersih tangan berasaskan alcohol juga berkesan.
• Mengelak dari menyentuh mata, hidung dan mulut. Kuman boleh merebak dengan cara ini.
• Jika anda sakit akibat demam selesema, disyorkan supaya anda tidak bekerja atau ke sekolah juga mengehadkan pergaulan dengan orang lain supaya mereka tidak dijangkiti.

Apakah Cara Terbaik Untuk Mengelak Dari Menyebarkan Virus Melalui Batuk Dan Bersin?

• Jika anda sakit, hadkan pergaulan anda sebaik yang mungkin.
• Jangan pergi ke sekolah;
• Tutup mulut anda dengan tisu semasa batuk dan bersin. Ia boleh membantu mengelak orang-orang di sekeliling kamu dari jatuh sakit;
• Buangkan tisu yang telah digunakan ke dalam tong sampah;
• Tutup mulut anda semasa bersin dan batuk jika tiada tisu;
• Basuhlah tangan kamu setiap kali batuk dan bersin.

Apakah Teknik Terbaik Untuk Mencuci Tangan Dan Mengelak Dari Jangkitan Selesema?

Membasuh tangan dengan kerap akan membantu melindungi anda daripada kuman. Basuhlah dengan sabun dan air ataupun pembersih tangan berasaskan alcohol. Basuhlah tangan antara 15 ke 20 saat dengan air suam dan sabun. Jika tiada air dan sabun, tisu pakai buang berasaskan alcohol atau pembersih gel boleh digunakan. Ianya boleh didapati di kedai-kedai ubat dan pasar raya. Jika menggunakan gel, sapulah tangan anda sehingga gel itu kering. Alkohol di dalam gel tadi akan membunuh kuman dan ianya tidak memerlukan air untuk berkesan.

Apa Yang Perlu Saya Lakukan Jika Jatuh Sakit?

Jika anda tinggal di kawasan yang dikenal pasti wabak Virus Influenza A (H1N1) itu merebak dan mempunyai simptom-simptom demam selesema termasuk demam panas, sakit badan, selesema, sakit tekak, muntah mual dan cirit-birit, anda perlu berjumpa dengan doktor, terutamanya jika anda risau tentang simptom-simptom tadi. Doktor akan mengesahkan sama ada sebarang ujian atau rawatan adalah perlu.

Jika anda sakit anda perlu:-

• Tinggal di rumah dan mengelak hubungan dengan orang lain sebaik mungkin untuk mengelak jangkitan;
• Mendapatkan rawatan kecemasan jika mengalami tanda-tanda awal penyakit;
Untuk kanak-kanak tanda-tanda dan perlu dibawa untuk dirawat adalah seperti berikut:-
• Kesukaran bernafas dan pernafasan yang terlalu cepat;• Warna kulit bertukar kebiru-biruan;
• Tidak minum air yang secukupnya;
• Tidak bangun dan berinteraksi;
• Tidak suka dipegang dan asyik merengek;
• Simptom seperti selesema dan pulih tetapi kemudiannya berulang bersama demam dan batuk yang lebih teruk;
• Demam dan beruam.

Bagaimana Seriusnya Jangkitan Virus Influenza A (H1N1) ini?

Seperti demam selesema yang lain, kesan selesema babi (Virus Influenza A) (H1N1) pada manusia adalah berbeza dari tahap sederhana ke tahap serius. Antara 2005 hingga Januari 2009, 12 kes jangkitan pada manusia tanpa kematian dikenal pasti di Amerika Syarikat. Walau bagaimanapun kesan dari selesema babi ini boleh menjadi serius. Pada September 1988, seorang wanita mengandung berumur 32 tahun dari Wisconsin dimasukkan ke hospital akibat jangkitan paru-paru akibat selesema babi dan meninggal dunia 8 hari kemudian. Pada tahun 1976, wabak selesema babi dikesan di Fort Dix, New Jersey mengakibatkan lebih 200 kes serius dan satu kematian.

Bolehkah Saya Dijangkiti Melalui Memakan Dan Menyediakan Masakan Berasaskan Babi?
• Tidak.
Selesema babi tidak boleh merebak melalui makanan. Ianya tidak boleh dijangkiti melalui makanan dan produk berasaskan babi. Memakan produk berasaskan babi yang dimasak dan disediakan dengan sempurna.

TINDAKAN SERTA-MERTA KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN

• Kementerian Kesihatan menguat kuasa serta-merta empat langkah pencegahan:-
i. Bahagian Kawalan Penyakit, Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia mengaktifkan Bilik Gerakan untuk membuat pemantauan situasi wabak Virus Influenza A (H1N1) dengan pihak WHO bagi memastikan tindakan-tindakan proaktif diambil untuk melindungi kesihatan awam penduduk Malaysia.

ii. Semua Pengamal Perubatan termasuk di sektor swasta yang merawat kes-kes yang mempunyai tanda-tanda atau gejala ‘influenza-like illness’ atau ‘severe pneumonia’ dan mempunyai sejarah melawat Mexico, California, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, New York atau Kanada selepas 17 April 2009 diminta untuk memaklumkan kepada Pejabat Kesihatan Daerah yang terdekat dengan serta merta melalui telefon untuk tindakan pencegahan dan kawalan.

iii. Saringan tanda-tanda jangkitan Virus Influenza A (H1N1) di semua pintu masuk negara untuk pelawat atau warga Malaysia yang ada melawat ke negara Mexico, California, Kansas, Ohio, Texas, New York atau Kanada selepas 17 April 2009.

iv. Membuat kenyataan akhbar dari masa ke semasa situasi wabak Virus Influenza A (H1N1) untuk maklumat orang awam di Malaysia dan langkah kawalan dan pencegahan yang diambil oleh Kerajaan.

• Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai menyatakan pada Sidang Media pada 26 April 2009 mengenai wabak berkenaan amat berbahaya kerana ia tersebar melalui manusia bukannya haiwan seperti selesema burung atau ‘avian flu’ yang pernah melanda negara ini.
• Beliau bagaimanapun meminta rakyat negara ini supaya tidak panik kerana Kerajaan sentiasa berwaspada terhadap apa jua wabak yang boleh menyebabkan kematian.
• Pengawasan itu membabitkan pemeriksaan kesihatan terhadap orang ramai antaranya mereka yang menunjukkan tanda-tanda demam panas.
• Pengawasan di semua pintu masuk negara diperketatkan sebagai langkah berjaga-jaga bagi mengekang penularan wabak selesema babi dari merebak ke dalam negara terutama penumpang penerbangan dari luar negara termasuk AS.
• Orang awam yang ingin mendapat maklumat lanjut berkaitan dengan wabak Virus Influenza A (H1N1) ini boleh mendapatkan maklumat tersebut melalui talian 03-88810200 atau 03-88810300 pada waktu pejabat atau di laman web Kementerian http://www.moh.gov.my

Sumber : Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO)• Pusat Pencegahan dan Kawalan Wabak Amerika Syarikat (US Centers of Diseases Control and Prevention) atau CDC• Akhbar-akhbar Utama Tempatan

Laman Web Pusat Maklumat Rakyat

Rayna's @ Nursery

2009-07-04T08:45:00.003+08:00

Today marks the first month we send Rayna to the nursery. Lawak bila teringat macam2 benda jadi.. This is the chronology:

First Day
I woke up early in the morning ready everything i.e change diapers, baju etc.. and my wife asked me to sent Rayna to the nursery.. Why? sbb my wife takut dia sedih & nangis, yerla first day.. Okla, so, in the morning when I left Rayna to her teacher, she wasn’t asleep; she just smiled at me happily as I left. I felt so sad, sedihnya hantar anak untuk org lain jaga. Oh God how I wish I could take care of Rayna by myself.

Rase nak MC je bila dah tinggalkan Rayna kat situ. We miss her so much.. wah.. teruknya perasaan rindu kat anak.. How do other people do it? I don’t know how we're going to cope with this. I just hope Rayna copes better than we do.

I masuk office to settle all jobs pending but all I do all day is thinking about Rayna. My wife keeps calling the teacher, asking how she’s doing. At one point teacher tu tanya my wife, “Risau ye puan? Rayna ok”. Of course my wife said "Yes very much". She haven’t been separated from our baby at all since birth.

Currently, I think Rayna was ok at the nursery, except for one small incident. I'd rather not elaborate here otherwise I’ll obsess about it all day today too. But I always said to my wife; don't put too high an expectation. Eh, if it's our children of course we have expectation but we need to be realistic and reasonable too. Of course org lain jaga takkan sama dgn kita sendiri jaga. I hope and keep praying they take good care of my daughter, the best they can.

Petang tu when my wife pick Rayna, dia elok senyap jer. Happy as usual like nothing happened. Part yang lawak sekali is:

Day 1: they called Rayna
Day 2: they called Aleesaaa (with no "y")
Current: they called Puteri

Macam2 da.. How sweet, Rayna has friends now. Baru 3 bulan dah ada ramai kawan.

Right now, after she back at home, Rayna keep asking to be breastfed so many times, then nak dukung.. I think she missed Mama & Papa kot.. :P

Today she’s at the Nursery again and both of us in the office, alone. Tak sabarnye nak balik.. Rayna, we miss you sooo much..

3 months and still counting

2009-06-25T00:38:00.007+08:00

Rayna: 1.. 2.. 3 bulan lahhh..

Happy 3 month Birthday Rayna!!

She turned 3 months on the 27th. At 3 months Rayna has developed new habits and skills. It’s amazing to watch her grow everyday.

- She can troubleshoot some hardware and computer problem.. hehehehe Nah, Just Kidding!

- She can smile! She’s smiled before but now she smiles for a reason. She smiles whenever she’s happy, when we talk to her, make a funny face. Seronok sgt tgk dia senyum2.. geram!

- She loves it when people talk to her. Kalau siapa rajin layan bercakap2 dgn dia, she stares back intently listening to what we say to her.

- Rayna can talk her own language, produce more saliva and dribbling.. seriously lawak..

- Rayna suka tido meniarap. Tiba2 je dia develop this habit. Kalau tido terlentang sekejap dah bgn balik. Tapi kalau tido meniarap lena dia tido. At first takut jugak nak bagi dia tido meniarap takut dia tersembam muka. Tapi now I’m not so worried sbb dia pandai angkat2 kepala pusing kiri kanan to find her own comfortable position. (only allow this for daytime naps la). Mlm2 elok pulak dia tido telentang on her cot.

- Rayna become more visually alert and are attracted by nearby objects that move or are brightly coloured. Curtains, shadows, mobiles, etc. She will be studied intently for a few minutes. Sometimes, she put her hands together over the chest and study them thoughtfully. She will then put them into the mouth for further exploration.

- Dah suka mandi. Esp if mandikan dia while singing or talking to her. Dia pun berboxing la dlm bathtub tu dgn muka happy while looking at me.

- She’s very well behaved! Seriously, taking care of her is so easy. Alhamdulillah. Of course she has her bad days sometimes, but most of the time mmg baik je dia. Takde meraung2 out of the blue. Jarang nak dgr suara dia menangis2. Senang nak bawak travel. How did we get so lucky?

Alhamdulillahh.. and thank you Rayna, tak pernah susahkan Mama and Papa..

Rayna's 2nd month check up

2009-06-18T15:55:00.000+08:00

Last Friday Rayna had her second check up. In the morning we woke up early to get ready. Agak kelam kabut jugak sbb this is first time we visit Az-Zaharah BBB. This is also Rayna’s second time change the paed. Masa mula2 masuk dlm kereta tu, dia menangis macam tahu2 je nak kene cucuk. But for her own good & for her health so terpaksa bawak jugak. Alhamdulillah, lepas the car dah start jalan.. Rayna senyap je sambil mata melilau tgk keliling dia jadi syok pulak duduk dalam carseat tu. Lama2 dia khayal sampai tertido dlm tu..

Sampai hospital we went to Dr Nazim’s clinic. Rayna ukur berat. Guess how much she weighs now? 4.8 kg! tak sangka Rayna dah besar. Dr Nazim ckp berat ok. Lepas tu Dr examined her and gave her jab. Kesian Rayna, kene inject dekat peha. Menangisla but tak la meraung like before.

We asked Dr Nazim about rashes since Rayna had some rashes on her body. He said rashes Rayna biasa2 je, no need for special cream or anything, Cuma letak baby lotion je. Rayna ada jugak putih2 kat lidah. He examined her tongue and he said that’s only because of milk. Basically he said Rayna looks healthy, alhamdulillah. He gave us colic drops and ubat demam in case Rayna develops fever because of the jab. Most likely she need it.

Beza betul keluar rumah time berdua and keluar bertiga. Kene prepare awal, kene bawak beg Rayna, stroller Rayna. Kene curi masa & cari tmpt nak breastfeed Rayna. but.. She’s so well behaved! Alhamdulillah.. macam ni selalu la kite kuar jalan2 kan Rayna..

My on-call pun dah nak habis. No more working from home for now, I’m feeling the blueees . Next week dah start hantar g Nursery balik and i can’t watch her 24/7 anymore.

Susu.. oh susu..

2009-06-14T11:47:00.002+08:00

Have you all realised the rising costs of stuff nowadays in Malaysia? Everything seems to increase when fuel increases. How ironic! Anyway, since last few months, I have noticed that milk powder have increased tremendously from previous months. Most milk powder brands have increased their prices quite a lot. Rayna drinks Enfalac A+. Before you can purchase Enfalac A+ at around RM52+ per 850g tin. Now, if not mistaken, it has RM76+. Gone up to almost RM24.

Now the price has gone up to RM79.50(based on normal retail price)! Shopped around and managed to get the cheapest 400g tin was around RM45, itu pon kat Kedah. We definitely need to search back the wholesaler in KL for milk powder which we can get the cheapest price for Enfalac A+, but I am predicting wholesale price probably have gone up anyhow.

Anyone got any “jalan” for cheaper milk powder price? Semua barang naik, gaji saja tak naik. Forgot to mention that only that day I buy a ferry tickets to Langkawi and that too has gone up in price. So what is dropping in price? Mekdi maybe..

It's Our Anniversary

2009-05-24T00:23:00.001+08:00

Dateline: 05/24/2008

Your belated 26th Birthday and our 1st Anniversary comes with my humble
commitment to love you for life. To give you the joy of a relationship
that lets you be yourself, because I know and identify with the human
being in you.

Sure I don't claim to understand everything that you care about as best
as you do, but I will always strive to listen with my heart and reach out
for the emotionally complex being in you, to understand how best my life
can serve yours and support you fulfilling the purpose for which your
life is meant. On your 26th and beyond, it is with my life and with the life that we
hope to create together that I say I love you. By seeking your hand to
build a family and pass on the gift of life to our kids..

I say I love you in life and beyond, for eternity..

I wish a blissful 26th Birthday and 1st Anniversary and many more to
a selfless lady with so much integrity and grace and worthy of the
true gift of love.

I love you and I always will..

The Diaries of Rayna Aleesya

2009-05-18T23:44:00.001+08:00

Presenting our love! Thank you Allah..

6 weeks update

2009-05-12T19:56:00.001+08:00

At first, the only trouble I’m having is trying to give Rayna a bottle. We are trying to train Rayna to feed from a bottle because my wife is going back to work soon. We started by giving Rayna one bottle a day and increase it to two, three bottled milk a day; during the daytime so that she’ll get used to it by the time we get to work.

The problem is, Rayna knows the real thing is right there! She can smelled it.. hehehe. If Rayna sees her mommy, mula la dia jeling je. I hope nanti bila babysitter dia yg bagi bottle bolehla dia minum habis. Kalau tak sian Rayna lapar. As started, I would sit down holding her in my arms. She would make that cute little suckling noise telling that she’s hungry. She’d be smiling, expecting to be fed soon. I put the bottle in her mouth and then…she closed her mouth!! She would look at me dgn muka confused, why is I shoving this rubbery thing in her mouth! I stop and then try again, but as soon as she saw the bottle coming towards her she falled asleep unless she is really2 hungry, no choice. Tapi I thinks she’s still hungry sbb bila dia calm down dia make that suckling noise again and sometimes dia hisap jari, my lengan or my clothes. After a few attempts dapatla jugak dia minum dlm 1-2oz sambil tido, without “burp”. Sometimes dia moody terus until the next feeding. Rayna oh rayna..

Ever since we moved back to our house Rayna’s been adapting really well. She’s much less moody, and seemed to be more relaxed. She loves sleeping in our bed. In the beginning we tried letting her sleep in her own cot but she hates being alone by herself. As soon as we put her in the middle between the two of us, immediately she becomes relaxed and fall asleep on her own, then we move her back to her cot. So takde lagila session angkat berat, joget2, nyanyi2, and passing baton for Mommy and Daddy mlm2.

Whenever it’s feeding time, My wife will hear her stirring and just breastfeed her lying down and then we’ll both drift back off to sleep. Rayna pun pandai bila lapar je buat bunyi then terus pusing kepala n badan mengadap Mommy, dah ready nak minum. She doesn’t mind bathing too, nowadays. Dia senyap je tak nangis2 dah But it breaks my heart to see her eating less because she refuse to feed from a bottle. Fortunately ptg/mlm dia compensate balik dgn minum byk2 frequently.

Rayna, papa and mama really sorry. I wish mommy could breastfeed you fulltime. But Mummy has to go to work.. I promise I will make sure mommy will breastfeed you all night and weekends ok.. as many times as you wish.

Hope you will recuperate soon from your fever.. :(

Rayna Aleesya - 4 weeks

2009-04-26T12:43:00.001+08:00

More pics to come..

3 weeks update

2009-04-21T00:18:00.001+08:00

lil' princess

Today marks the three week birthday of my wife and three weeks of my daughter

3 weeks update

The thing that surprises me the most about parenthood is the love I feel for my baby. To anyone who is contemplating whether it’s too soon for them to have a baby, my advise is, just do it..it’s never too soon! Seronok tau ada baby ni.. taktau nak describe..

Characteristics of baby Rayna masa baru lahir;
-Banyak rambut, kecik and halus.
-Kuku tajam mcm mommy
-Skin kadang2 gelap/merah esp bila dia nak nangis and kadang2 putih bila dia calm
-Muka ada org ckp mcm Daddy, ada org ckp mcm Mummy
-Kecik je dia…2.9kg
-To us dia cute sgt!

Perkembangan baby Rayna after 3 weeks;
-At around 1-2 weeks dia dah suka angkat kepala lama2, mcm kuat je leher..
-Banyak menyusu every 2 hours approximately, dah tembam sikit
-Suka burp ngan me. Actually bukan dia burp pun, dia syok tido kat my chest
-Alhamdulillah tak meragam
-Suka susu ibu dari minum susu formula
-Pandai mengerengkan badan sendiri bila tido
-Tak suka mandi, time ni lah kalau nak dgr suara dia meraung
- Tak boleh sejuk2. That’s why dia tak suka mandi kot
-Masa breastfeeding suka tutup muka dgn tgn dan tido
-Suka kuarkan tgn dari bedung
-Byk expression muka. Senyum, masam, muncung, ketawa..even tgh tido pun.
-Tak heran pun kalau kite lambat tukar pampers dia. Tapi kalau lambat feed dia bila dia lapar.. siapla menyanyi
-Lebih berjaga mlm daripada siang

my precious!

rayna & me

rayna & mommy

As for myself, my wife’s recovery is going well, I think. The whole “toilet issue” I was worried about takla seteruk yg disangkakan. To me, the doctor did a good job with the stitches and she healing well. Sleep deprivation ada la but tgk muka Rayna sejuk je rasa.. maybe tu yg dipanggil baby blues..

BUT, having Rayna is definitely worth everything, no contest.

The Birth Story

2009-04-01T15:19:00.006+08:00

Thursday, 26 March 2009

My wife noticed some spotting after she goes to Subuh prayer. So, me dgn kalutnye bersiap pergi ke Hospital. We reached the hospital around 6.30am. My wife was monitored with the CTG machine and a nurse checked her dilation. She said my wife was 1 cm dialated and to my surprise, she also told me the CTG results showed that my wife was already having mild contractions. She called my wife's doctor. She came back in and told me my wife was to be warded straight away.

She got my wife into the blue robe and that’s when reality sank in. This is it. I thought I would have some sort of instinctive feeling that would tell me the time has come. But no, the moment came sneaking on us. My wife started to panic. Nasib baik I was there to calm her down.

The nurse gave my wife an “injection” up the butt to clear her bowels. At 9am, she inserted the vagina tablets to increase the contraction intensity. My wife dilation progressed really slowly. My gynea had to leave in the afternoon sbb dah lmbt sgt sbb my wife tak beranak2 jugak. She told me; let’s give it some more time. In 12 hours, if the dilation doesn’t increase up to 7-8 cm, we will need to proceed to c-section. The baby’s heartbeat has been steady before but it has started to increase.

Friday, 27 March 2009

The contraction pains came at around 3 am. My wife said they feel like period cramps, but they get more and more painful. Masa ni the nurses asked my wife to sleep tapi dah susah because of the pain. I stayed by my wife side sepanjang malam giving her support and what necessary needed. The whole night my wife was put on the CTG machine. That thing terlalu ketat on my wife tummy, tambah contraction lagi, dahla takleh pusing kiri kanan takleh bangun..kene baring telentang which really hurts her lower back and makes the baby push even more on her ribs.

At around 6.30am, Dr Raja Juhaidah came in to check on my wife. She was only 4 cm dialated after inserting the second tablets 8 hours ago.

Tup tap tup tap..

After almost looong 25 hours of labour, at 7.39am 27 March 2009, I became the proud father of baby Rayna Aleesya. Syukur My wife and my baby selamat and sihat waalfiat. As tired as I was, I can't even describe what I felt. Bundle of joy was to lacking. It was elation.. indescribable. Even exhausted I was overcome with love and joy whenever I looked at her.

Welcome to the World, Rayna Aleesya!

Alhamdulillah..

2009-03-27T23:07:00.006+08:00

Syukur pada Allah SWT.. semuanya dah selamat..

Our baby dah dilahirkan pada 27 March 2009 @ 7.39AM, dgn berat 2.9 kg.

Our lives have changed in ways I could never have imagined.

Internet connection is very limited unfortunately. Stay tuned for the birthstory, coming up as soon as I could find the time..

37.5 weeks check up

2009-03-21T23:09:00.005+08:00

Just got back from my wife 37th week check up.

Dr Raja gave my wife the admission form. So anytime now whenever our baby decides to make her grand entrance we can go straight to Emergency. This check up was really brief. Doc scanned my wife's tummy, reported that our baby’s weight now is 2.6 kg and baby already engaged. She said weight is OK tapi oklah as soon as minimum 2.5 kg time deliver nanti. My wife gained around 1 kg compared to last month.

Yg kelakarnya, prescription doctor for my wife this time;

1. Relax. Be prepared for any circumstances. Actually she said i can bring my DSLR into Labour room.. wahahaha.. to do some exercise with my wife, we went to OU to do more walking but my conclusion is more shopping and my wife pun senyum je in agreement. Hehe..

2. No more s*x. This one not my own punya conclusion, ok. Dr Raja actually advised it would not good during this period because of hygiene issue.. hehe.. (sepatutnya boleh je ;P)

Well, I’m not complaining!

Tanda - Tanda Bersalin

2009-03-17T13:06:00.006+08:00

Sekarang anda sudah hamil dan anda mungkin sudah bersedia untuk mengadapi hari kelahiran bayi anda. Proses kelahiran boleh memberikan keriangan dan juga ketakutan bagi mereka yang hamil. Anda rasa tidak sabar untuk melihat bayi anda dan dalam masa yang sama merasa takut terhadap kesakitan dan komplikasi yang mungkin berlaku semasa proses bersalin.

Ramai wanita merasa bimbang yang mungkin mereka tidak dapat mengenali tanda-tanda hendak bersalin sekiranya ia terjadi. Adalah penting untuk anda mempelajari tanda tanda awal bersalin supaya anda boleh membuat persediaan yang optimal untuk mengahdapi kelahiran.

BERSEDIA UNTUK KELAHIRAN
Sebelum kandungan anda semakin berusia, adalah cukup bagus untuk anda mengetahui peringkat-peringkat kelahiran. Sekiranya anda ingin melahirkan dihospital, cuba buat ‘tour’ disekitar bilik bersalin anda.

Ini adalah tip mudah untuk anda menyiapkan diri untuk kelahiran anda:

• menghadiri kelas antenatal

• Berbincang dengan kawan yang pernah melahirkan

• Tonton video kelahiran

• Amalkan pernafasan and relaksasi.

Tanda bersalin sebenar Vs Tanda bersalin tidak benar

Sekiranya anda merasa keliru yang mana satu tanda kelahiran benar atau tidak, anda bukannya berseorangan. Memang ramai yang tidak begitu pasti tentang tanda awal bersalin.

Ramai yang mengadu mengalami tanda seperti mahu bersalin tetapi tidak tahu samada masa sudah benar-benar tiba atau cuma mengalami masalah sakit perut biasa sahaja. Sekiranya merasa ragu, jumpa saja dengan doktor, tak perlu rasa malu sekiranya ia terbukti bukan masanya lagi. Yang penting, jangan tidak mengendahkan tanda-tanda tersebut.

KONTRAKSI RAHIM
Kontraksi adalah tanda awal dan isyarat yang paling penting yang menunjukkan anda sudah sampai masa untuk bersalin. sekiranya kontraksi sudah ada, cuba perhatikan masa, tempoh dan berapa minit jarak diantaranya. Kontraksi yang sebenar berlaku secara teratur dan pada jarak yang konsisten. sekiranya ia berlaku setiap 5 min secara teratur dan semakin kerap, pergilah berjumpa dengan doktor untuk mendapat kepastian.Kontraksi biasa atau Braxton Hicks contraction agak berbeza, ia kurang menyakitkan dan tidak teratur dan akan hilang dengan sendirinya tidak lama kemudiannya.

Sakit Belakang
Sakit belakang sering menjadi masalah utama wanita hamil, tetapi ia juga mungkin satu tanda kelahiran. Sakit ini akan semakin kerap dan kuat dan rasa lebih teruk pada bahagian bawah belakang.

Pecah ketuban
Dalam cerita drama atau filem,wanita selalunya sedar yang mereka bakal melahirkan apabila ketuban mereka pecah. Tapi ia bukan realiti sebenar. Kebanyakkan wanita langsung tidak mengalami pecah ketuban sehinggalah disaat-saat akhir proses bersalin. Yang kerapnya, doktor yang akan memecahkan ketuban anda untuk mempercepatkan proses bersalin.Pecah ketuban berlaku pada segelintir wanita hamil sahaja dan sekiranya anda mensyakki yang ketuban sudah pecah, jumpalah dengan doktor dengan segera.

Bloody Show
Disaat awal anda bakal melahirkan, selalunya terdapat lendir pekat bercampur darah keluar dari faraj. Ini adalah pluk mukus yang menghadang sebarang kemasukkan asing kedalam cerviks. Ia juga menghalang sebarang kuman dari merebak kepada bayi. sekarang pluk ini sudah tiada dan bayi sudah boleh bergerak kebawah dengan perlahan-lahan.

Serviks terbuka
Sebaik sahaja kontraksi berlaku, pangkal rahim anda akan menjadi lebih lembut dan lebih nipis. Walaubagaimanapun, cuma doktor sahaja yang boleh mengetahui perubahan ini semsa pemeriksaan faraj.

Ditulis oleh Dr. Raja Juhaidah Raja Abdullah

The Eight Month - 35 Weeks

2009-03-04T22:10:00.013+08:00

Last Monday we went for my wife check up. This time there was such a loooong queue at the clinic sampaikan me yg sgt penyabar ni pun dah bangun gi tanya nurse what’s going on, why aren’t we seeing the doctor yet although our appointment was supposed to be at 10.30am.

Finally our turn came. As I walked in the door, Dr Raja terus ckp, ‘Eh, yg ni kecik sgt pulak perut dia. Tapi you dah dekat nak deliver dah ni kan….”. Then when she scans my wife belly, she told us our baby is healthy, baby’s head is positioned down where it’s supposed to be. So even though the baby’s size is a bit small, everything else is fine, so there’s no need to worry. Our baby now weighs 2.1 kg, so he gained about –o.1 kg compared to last month. Mummy gained around 2 kg compared to last month. We are very disappointed because we planned to see our baby face tapi tak dapat dapat since last detailed scan. Next time perhaps.. or our baby want to do a surprise to us!

I do a research and found something interesting. On episiotomy, the doctor said it’s often practiced for first babies. Second one, not so much. On epidural pulak, the doc said, it’s up to you but they advised mother-to-be to look at the situation. Kalau time admitted to the hospital tu already 5-6 cm dialated, tak perlulah. Kalau induced, or kalau labour pain starts early ( i.e. 1-2 cm dialated pun dah sakit, labour process would take looong hours) it’s best to take the epidural. Sbb if not then after 12 – 24 hours kita dah takde energy nak push. Tapi kalau yang tahan sakit, cepat dilate and labour process mcm short, tak perlulah amik epidural. On the side effects pulak, the doc said medically takde side effects yg teruk but some people have the opinion that it will cause back pain. But in my opinion back pain tu could be caused by other things like your posture, too much bending during confinement, etc. sbb org yg tak ambik epidural pun ada yg have back pain.

So kesimpulannya I think I will take the advise la. Tgk keadaan mcmana when my wife in labour nanti. I also try to search about sunatkan baby. The doc said lagi bagus buat time baby, senang nak jaga and baby will recover very quickly. But for me, if my baby is a baby boy I will let him bersunat time besar sikit…which I want him to fell a thrill.. hehehe..

After this my wife appointments at the hospital is every week. I love coming for check ups because I can see the baby active on the screen. You know the feeling when the holidays/vacation is approaching; you’re so excited that even when you’re at work you feel like your “soul” dah pegi to that vacation place? That’s how my wife feels right now with 5 weeks to go till her due date. Malas dah nak pi keje!

Valentine Schmelentine

2009-02-14T14:30:00.001+08:00

"Valentine's Day is a day invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap."

Joel (Jim Carrey)
in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Had a conversation with some of my colleagues yesterday, about Valentine's Day.

The most common question of the day, "Any big plans tonight?"

For single people who don't celebrate, some of their answers/reasons/things they do:

i) Singles yang loser: "Weh aku mana celebrate Valentine's Day doh. Valentine's Day nih kan follow orang Christian, to celebrate Saint Valentine's Day, said to be a priest in Rome. Christian ada festival diorang, Jews ada festival diorang, kita ada festival sendiri. Takkan nak follow pulak brader." (tak pasal-pasal jadik alim)

ii) Singles yang mengaku kononnya ada girlfriend/boyfriend: "Why should we have a specific day to celebrate love? We should celebrate our loved ones every single day. Malam nih aku penat ah. Tido kat rumah je." (padahal layan p*rn)

iii) Singles yang takde idea nak menipu camne dah: "Mengarut ah benda-benda nih. Menghabihkan duit aku je. Baik aku tido je. Penat doh, dah la weekday." (padahal layan p*rn jugak, dengan gigih)

iv) Singles yang terlampau loser: Antar bunga, teddy bear & greeting card yang sweet kat diri sendiri

For couples who somehow don't celebrate, some of their answers/reasons:

i) Couples yang betul-betul alim: "Religious reasons."

ii) Couples yang partner diorang away/outstation/Missing In Action: "Entah la, dalam banyak-banyak hari, hari ni pulak dia takde. Tak sayang i betul la. By the way you wanna go out tonight? For a drink perhaps? Or dinner? In KL Tower?"

iii) Couples yang tengah bergaduh: "Isk kitorang mana celebrate benda-benda camnih. We don't believe in such thing. We celebrate every single day together like Valentine's Day.." (pppfftt)

Just a joke guys, I'm just playing hehe.

For those who celebrate Valentine's Day today (for whatever reasons), I don't wanna wish you guys anything. Just appreciate your loved ones with special treatment every single day, for the rest of your lives. Not just on Valentine's Day.

For those who don't, have a good rest and take it easy on the something good!

I'm out.. gtg to"see" my lil baby!

The Seventh Month

2009-02-07T16:19:00.003+08:00

Last week we went for my wife 7 month check up. This check up we get to meet Dr Raja Juhaidah again.

She said our baby now weighs 1.8 kg. Alhamdulillah 0.5 kg weight gain from our last check up. Everything looks ok during the scan. Doc ckp my baby’s head position dia kat atas rupanye. She tried to capture a scan of my baby’s face tapi tak dpt because she was so active! Tgn dia bergerak2 with her mouth wide open and tumbuk2 mcm tgh kickboxing! Maybe dia malu kot..

Everyday my wife tummy gets visibly bigger. Our baby pulak sentiasa bergerak2. My wife belly terbonjol sana sini dgn kaki dia, or tangan dia.

Pregnancy makes time flies so quickly, somehow. Err..7 months dah boleh beranak kan? I hope my wife will have enough time to equip herself with the Mommy skills!

For our baby stuff, we had done some surveying on the internet and got a list of stuff we need to buy. We went to Midvalley all excited, and yet after a couple of rounds in the Jusco’s baby department, etc we were still clueless on what to buy!

We started reading forums on the internet about pregnancy and babies. It helps especially on deciding what stuff we really need to buy and which brands are better than others.

We finally got some baby things bought but we’re still a long way to go. Tapi seronok beli barang baby ni. My wife geram je tgk sume cute2. Cuma taktau nak pilih jer. Nowadays kalau nak beli barang mengarut2 mesti terpikir, ish, baik pakai duit beli barang baby!

Again.. I’m so excited!

Pray for the people of Gaza

2009-01-13T12:40:00.010+08:00

Ya Allah.. Sebagaimana Engkau Pernah menghantar burung-burung ababil menghancurkan tentera bergajah Musyrikin, maka kami memohon kepada mu..

Ya Allah.. turunkanlah bantuan mu kali ini kepada orang-orang Islam di GAZA, hancurkan lah rejim zionis di muka bumi ini..

Amin ya rabbal alamin..

My Baby is..

2009-01-09T22:29:00.009+08:00

= A GIRL!!

Today we had a 2D/3D detail scan at the hospital with our new gynea, Dr Raja Juhaidah. First thing the sonographer do the jobs and she took pictures of the baby’s face, and so on.. Btw, they have a huge screen for my wife and doctors to watch the baby. So mummy can have a valid opinion on who the baby looks like, really! The sonographer asked us whether we want to know our baby's sex. We agreed and straightaway she said, then this one must be a girl. She moved the sonogram to between Baby’s legs and.. there it is!

Sonographer also checked other parts of my baby’s little body. Her kidney, brain functions, how many fingers, heart etc. I was holding my breath as she scanned each part of her because I was so nervous. But alhamdulillah, she told me everything looks fine.

2nd trimester was the so-called honeymoon period. Hmm, I dread to think what the third trimester is going to bring! But I’m also thrilled, because we’re getting nearer and nearer to the day we get to meet our baby =)

My healthy little girl, we love you! I hope you grow up to be just like your Mummy =).

When Baby Kicks & Stretch..

2008-12-28T18:35:00.001+08:00

For the past week my wife has been feeling as though she could feel the baby move inside her belly. But at first I could only feel them when my wife lying down quietly with both my hands on her tummy. The movements are so soft and brief that I thought I was only imagining them. But lately it has occurred more frequently so my wife asked me to try and put my hands on her tummy too whenever she thought the baby might be kicking. I’m felt it too! So it wasn’t just my imagination!

Now I think my wife able to recognise the movement even when she is moving about doing normal things. She can differentiate it from other things going on inside the tummy like gas or constipation. The size of her tummy has doubled up in the past couple of weeks so I suppose the baby has gotten bigger too. The kicking has increased in frequency and impact. Most of the time it’s at the lower part of the belly, on the righthand side. I’m assuming the legs are there..probably? Sometimes my eife told me she feel it kicking at work, while watching tv, or even while sleeping.

The feeling I get when I first felt the baby kick is very difficult to explain. It’s an excitement unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. At first it’s more of disbelief, mcm tak percaya je betul2 something living inside of my wife tummy..it looks so small. After some time mmg excited gila bila rasa baby gerak, almost everyday my wife asking me to hold her tummy whenever she feel something..hehe..But I don’t think I can ever get bored with it. Kalau dia kick je I feel like the baby is telling my wife something.

My wife reaching her 6 months milestone. Can’t wait for our next appointment so we can see our baby again!

To all my blog readers, Selamat menyambut Awal Muharam 1430 hijrah & Happy New Year 2009!

What's Your Dream Job?

2008-12-05T22:19:00.004+08:00

Some people (including me in my previous company) complain a lot about their shitty jobs. We’re so sick with our jobs that the only “decent” conversation we have every day is WHINING about work. The list of complains range from:

• under paid, over worked
• shitty boss, shitty colleagues
• work long hours and sometimes weekends
• no career advancement
• no bonus, overtime compensations increment and incentives
• dirty office politics
• too far from home

How to find work in Malaysia
by Edge

1) Use big cables
Well if you have contacts, you can stop reading now. Hehe.

2) The most effective method is to pass your curriculum vitae or resume to friends or family members. Your contact can deliver your resume to the appropriate person, sometimes directly to the managers or supervisors. He or she can also recommend and put you in a favorable position to be considered for employment. Furthermore, you can also follow up the status and know the results promptly.

3) StarRecruitment in The Star
By far, the leading newspaper in Malaysia has the most comprehensive advertisement for job vacancies, especially in Saturday’s edition. Most multinational companies prefer The Star over other newspapers. The Saturday’s edition is a MUST BUY for job seekers.

4) Jobstreet
Without a doubt, the most popular website for job seekers in Malaysia. Of course, there are other websites like JobsDB and others but Jobstreet has been a leader in this area for many years. Due to its huge popularity, this might be a disadvantage as well. Since there are so many users, job applicants tend to apply on any possible vacancies available, regardless of the job’s requirement and their majors. I asked some Jobstreet staffs at a Career Fair a few weeks ago, and they admitted that thousands of job applicants just click the “Click Here to Apply” button without even reading the job requirements. This create an abundance of applications that are not even related and should not even been considered in the first place. But I’m not saying Jobstreet is not effective at all. You should definitely try it out as well.

5) Job agencies
Go to some job agencies, take some simple tests (English, Math or IT) and attend face-to-face interviews with the job agency consultants themselves. They will recommend you to companies (their clients) if you’re good enough or qualified. If you’re not called, that means the vacancies have been filled or you fucked up the interview. Hehe. But the disadvantage is obvious. By having the job agency as some sort of “middle man”, you’re not gonna get full salary. The job agencies will take a huge portion of your salary as their commission; some even take unreasonable percentage up to 30%. Mostly this only applies to contract positions, but again, it depends to the job agencies of course. I know a guy who gets a job in a banking institution through a well-known job agency. His supposedly monthly salary is RM2,200 but he only gets RM1,500. RM600 goes to the job agency. So, go figure. Imagine you have to live in Kuala Lumpur (not with parents) with that salary.

List of top job agencies in Malaysia:

i) Adecco
ii) Manpower
iii) Kelly Services
iv) Match Link
v) JenJOBS

Other Useful Tips and Thoughts

1) Resumes: Based on my limited experience and observation, hard copy resumes are better and effective that soft copies. Even though soft copies can be circulated accordingly within and outside the department, most CEOs, managers and supervisors don’t really have time to check their e-mails, let alone look at them. They are so busy that the only time they can actually look at your resume is when they’re interviewing you.

2) Don’t be too choosy and picky, if possible. Looking at our economy right now, we don’t have the privilege to choose jobs. Unless you’re a high-flyer, all-rounder, Harvard or MIT or Oxford or Stanford graduate with triple degrees and 4.01 CGPA, then it’s a different story. Okay that’s an exaggeration. If you have excellent results (perhaps 3.5 CGPA and above) and active in extracurricular activities, of course you have options to choose. Hehe if your results are average like me, then we should be reasonable and grab any opportunities out there.

Currently there are 80,000 graduates unemployed or 18,000, whatever it is. Regardless of the mixed reports, 18,000 is still a huge number. Therefore the competition is fierce; you should be able to differentiate yourself from the rest. As we all know, English speaking applicants will be at better positions to be considered. For Petronas/Esso/TNB/JPA/Mara scholars, they should be thankful if they’re offered employments by their sponsors.

3) Salary is indeed important, but don’t over-negotiate with the companies. I learnt this the hard way. Hehe. Since our economy is not doing so well, we should accept the average salary in a reputable and established company in Kuala Lumpur to be around RM1,800 to RM2,300. For Petronas scholars, the starting salary for fresh graduates are RM2,250. For Esso (Exxonmobil) scholars, starting salary for engineering graduates is around RM3,000. Earning RM2,000 a month is barely enough to survive in Kuala Lumpur. Some friends I know earn RM1,600 to RM1,700 a month living by themselves in Kuala Lumpur.

4) For better prospect and bright future, you should look for possible employment in multinational companies like IBM, Dell, Shell, Exxonmobil, Accenture, Schlumberger, to name a few. The working environment will be different and more challenging. However, expect to work long hours, sometimes even on weekends. It’s basically a give and take, work long hours, earn good money. Schlumberger pays more than RM3,000. Accenture pays up to RM3,600 for fresh graduates. Some companies even pay up to RM5,000 for fresh graduates, including attractive housing allowance.

5) There is quite a popular saying, “results are not important, as long as you’re confident, presentable, have excellent communication skills and know how to do your work, you’ll be fine”. I think the ones who came up with such “statement” are excellent students who never had problems finding jobs. The saying is true at some point, but since there are too many unemployed graduates out there, companies need to find something distinctive to distinguish the applicants. Therefore, results are indeed important. By just looking at your resume, of course the company gonna be more impressed with 3.40 CGPA than 2.50 CGPA right? So if your results are average like me, expect to have some tough time finding jobs. A friend of mine with an impressive 3.49 CGPA still find it difficult to get a decent job. Isn’t that crazy? It’s a tough world out there. Be prepared.

Experience is more important than results. Experience is better than MBA or PHD. Good results are more important than bad results. (uuuuuu..)

6) The ability to communicate fluently in English is A MUST, not viewed an excellent advantage. You just have to. No matter where you work, they expect you to have flair in the international language. Fluency in 3 languages could be crucial. Chinese applicants have the advantage because they are fluent in Mandarin/Cantonese, English and Malay but most Malay applicants are only fluent in Malay and English. Some might have basic knowledge of Arabic if they’re coming from Islamic schools.

7) According to some job agencies, there is a big trend for multinational companies to set up their Call Center right here in Malaysia, mainly due to our low costs. Therefore, this will create many job opportunities for Call Center analysts and other IT positions. Since such business decisions are based solely on cost, there is a long term concern where companies are outsourcing their IT divisions/departments to India. So the future for IT graduates has been a hot debate lately. I was told in a presentation a few weeks ago that with the cost to hire ONE engineer in Malaysia, they can hire FOUR in India.

8) You can learn more in small organizations compared to the big ones. In terms of politics, you can be recognized more and have higher chance for promotion.

9) Initially I was under the impression that golf and tennis won’t be added advantage in the corporate world Malaysia, but now I do. The ability to play golf (especially) and tennis will put you in a more favorable position in the company. Because of the different cultures, some important business decisions are made on the golf course.

10) Look for a CAREER, not a JOB. there's a huge difference (other than the spelling). okay tak lawak.

i came across this quotation some time ago. i don't remember who said it.

"If everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane."

Cheers!!

A guide for expatriate drivers in Malaysia

2008-11-30T20:33:00.010+08:00

A guide for expatriate drivers in Malaysia
by David Astley a British/Ozzie guy now living in KL

Since arriving in Malaysia in 1997, I have tried on many occasions to buy a copy of the Malaysian road rules, but have come to the conclusion that no such publication exists (or if it does, it has been out of print for years). Therefore after carefully observing the driving habits of Malaysian drivers, I believe I have at last worked out the rules of the road in Malaysia.

For the benefit of other expatriates living in Malaysia, and the 50% of local drivers who acquired their driving licences without taking a driving test, I am pleased to share my knowledge below:

Q: What is the most important rule of the road in Malaysia?
A: The most important rule is that you must arrive at your destination ahead of the car in front of you. This is the sacrosanct rule of driving in Malaysia. All other rules are subservient to this rule.

Q: What side of the road should you drive on in Malaysia?
A: 99.7% of cars drive on the left hand side, 0.2% on the right hand side, and 0.1% drive in reverse (be on the look out for drivers reversing at high speed in the left hand lane of freeways, having just missed their exit). Therefore on the basis of 'majority rules', it is recommended that you drive on the left. However, be aware that only 90% of motorcyclists travel on the left hand side - the other 10% ride in the opposite direction or on the sidewalk. Fortunately, motorcyclists traveling in reverse are rarely seen.

Q: What are the white lines on the roads?
A: These are known as lane markers and were used by the British in the colonial days to help them drive straight. Today their purpose is mainly decorative, although a double white line is used to indicate a place that is popular to overtake.

Q: When can I use the emergency lane?
A: You can use the emergency lane for any emergency, e.g. you are late for work, you left the toaster plugged in at home, you are bursting to go to the toilet, you have a toothache or you have just dropped your Starbucks coffee in your lap. As it is an emergency, you may drive at twice the speed of the other cars on the road.

Q: Do traffic lights have the same meaning as in other countries?
A: Not quite. Green is the same that means "Go", but amber and red are different. Amber means "Go like hell" and red means "Stop if there is traffic coming in the other direction or if there is a policeman on the corner". Otherwise red means the same as green. Note that for buses, red lights do not take effect until five seconds after the light has changed.

Q: What does the sign "Jalan Sehala" mean?
A: This means "One Way Street" and indicates a street where the traffic is required to travel in one direction. The arrow on the sign indicates the preferred direction of the traffic flow, but is not compulsory. If the traffic is not flowing in the direction in which you wish to travel, then reversing in that direction is the best option.

Q: What does the sign "Berhenti" mean?
A: This means "Stop", and is used to indicate a junction where there is a possibility that you may have to stop if you cannot fool the cars on the road that you are entering into thinking that you are not going to stop.

Q: What does the sign "Beri Laluan" mean?
A: This means "Give Way", and is used to indicate a junction where the cars on the road that you are entering will give way to you provided you avoid all eye contact with them and you can fool them into thinking that you have not seen them.

Q: What does the sign "Dilarang Masuk" mean?
A: This means "No Entry". However, when used on exit ramps in multi-storey car parks, it has an alternative meaning which is: "Short cut to the next level up".

Q: What does the sign "Pandu Cermat" mean?
A: This means "Drive Smartly", and is placed along highways to remind drivers that they should never leave more than one car length between them and the car in front, irrespective of what speed they are driving. This is to ensure that other cars cannot cut in front of you and thus prevent you from achieving the primary objective of driving in Malaysia, and that is to arrive ahead of the car in front of you. If you can see the rear number plate of the car in front of you, then you are not driving close enough.

Q: What is the speed limit in Malaysia?
A: The concept of a speed limit is unknown in Malaysia.

Q: So what are the round signs on the highways with the numbers, 60, 80 and
110?
A: This is the amount of the 'on-the-spot' fine (in ringgits - the local currency) that you have to pay to the police if you are stopped on that stretch of the highway. Note that for expatriates or locals driving Mercedes or BMWs, the on-the-spot fine is double the amount shown on the sign.

Q: Where do you pay the 'on-the-spot' fine?
A: As the name suggests, you pay it 'on-the-spot' to the policeman who has stopped you. You will be asked to place your driving licence on the policeman's notebook that he will hand to you through the window of your car. You will note that there is a spot on the cover of the notebook. Neatly fold the amount of your fine into four, place the fine on the spot, and then cover it with your driving licence so that it cannot be seen. Pass it carefully to the policeman. Then, with a
David Copperfield movement of his hands, he will make your money disappear. It is not necessary to applaud.

Q: But isn't this a bribe?
A: Oh pleeease, go and wash your mouth out. What do you want? A traffic ticket? Yes, you can request one of those instead, but it will cost you twice the price, forms to fill out, cheques to write, envelopes to mail, and then three months later when you are advised that your fine was never received, more forms to fill out, a trip to the police station, a trip to the bank, a trip back to the police station, and maybe then you will wish you had paid 'on-the-spot'.

Q: But what if I haven't broken any road rules?
A: It is not common practice in Malaysia to stop motorists for breaking road rules (because nobody is really sure what they are). The most common reasons for being stopped are:
(a) the policeman is hungry and would like you to buy him lunch;
(b) the policeman has run out of petrol and needs some money to get back to the station;
(c) you look like a generous person who would like to make a donation to the police
welfare fund; or
(d) you are driving an expensive car which means you can afford to make a donation to the police welfare fund.

Q: Does my car require a roadworthy certificate before I can drive it in Malaysia?
A: No, roadworthy certificates are not required in Malaysia. However there are certain other statutory requirements that must be fulfilled before your car can be driven in Malaysia.
Firstly, you must ensure that your windscreen is at least 50% obscured with English football club decals, golf club membership stickers or condo parking permits.
Secondly, you must place a tissue box (preferably in a white lace cover) on the back shelf of your car under the rear window.
Thirdly, you must hang as many CDs or plastic ornaments from your rear vision mirror as it will support. Finally, you must place a Garfield doll with suction caps on one of your windows. Your car will then be ready to drive on Malaysian roads.

Q: What does a single yellow line along the edge of a road mean?
A: This means parking is permitted.

Q: What does a double yellow line along the edge of a road mean?
A: This means double parking is permitted.

Q: What does a yellow box with a diagonal grid of yellow lines painted on the road at a junction mean?
A: Contrary to the understanding of some local drivers, this does not mean that diagonal parking is permitted. It indicates a junction that is grid-locked at peak hours.

Q: Can I use my mobile phone whilst driving in Malaysia?
A: No problem at all, but it should be noted that if you wish to use the rear-vision mirror to put on your lipstick (women only please) or trim your eyebrows at the same time as you are using a mobile phone in the other hand, you should ensure that you keep an elbow free to steer the car. Alternatively, you may place a toddler on your lap and have the child steer the car whilst you are carrying out these other essential driving tasks.

Q: Is it necessary to use indicator lights in Malaysia?
A: These blinking orange lights are commonly used by newly arrived expatriate drivers to indicate they are about to change lanes. This provides a useful signal to local drivers to close up any gaps to prevent the expatriate driver from changing lanes. Therefore it is recommended that expatriate drivers adopt the local practice of avoiding all use of indicator lights. However, it is sometimes useful to turn on your left hand indicator if you want to merge right, because this confuses other drivers enabling you to take advantage of an unprotected gap in the traffic.

Q: Why do some local drivers turn on their left hand indicator and then turn right, or turn on their right hand indicator and then turn left?
A: This is one of the unsolved mysteries of driving in Malaysia.

Q. What is the use of the hazard warning lights?
A. Contrary to all international protocol, this four way flashing light is = switched on when the Police are escorting VIPs on the road to warn lesser mortals to move out of the way and not hinder the flow of the motorcade. Taking a cue from the Police, motorists use this at the slightest excuse when it rains to tell other motorist to get out of the way as using their hazard light anoints them with powers that part the traffic, somewhat akin to Moses parting the Red Sea.

I'm out~

4th month check up

2008-11-22T10:42:00.001+08:00

On last Friday, we went to the gynea for our monthly check up.

This is the second time we saw Dr Leny (leny-pon-leny lah). She’s a female, muslim, nice and not so talkative. Overall she turns out to be "ok" lah. During the check up she scanned our baby for a long time from every angle and movement. She took time to point out where’s the uri, the baby’s cord, head, legs, hands and heartbeat. My wife gained another kg, thank God. I was worried that my wife tummy seemed so small for a 4 month pregnant lady (nampak cam buncit je, bukan pregnant) but the doctor assured me that the size is as expected.

After the visit I was smiling for hours thinking about the baby’s movement and about how I lucky my wife to be pregnant with this beautiful baby. She already 4 months ++ now, already halfway and it feels like time is passing so quickly. Pregnancy is turning out to be such a magical experience. I think I will miss it a lot once it’s over. Next month’s check up, we’ll have a “Detail Scan” where we’ll scan each of the baby’s organs – kidney, liver, heart etc.

Baby, maybe next month you’ll tell us whether you’re a boy or a girl! I can’t wait!

The Symptoms

2008-11-01T22:10:00.001+08:00

How we found out?

I have to say my wife first sign to being pregnant was the sudden increase in her sense of smell. This was before she did the pregnancy test. Bila queue up utk amik lauk lunch or at food court suddenly the smell of food hit her so hard and not in a good way. She would start to feel queasy and lose her appetite. I would be giving her that cheeky look and trying to hide a smile. After the same thing happened a few times, I was already determined that my wife is pregnant. I was determined not to believe myself until proven otherwise.

A bunch of friends thought I should ask my wife to test herself, so this time I asked my wife to bought a home pregnancy test kit.. and it turns out

TWO LINES means POSITIVE !!

My wife was sooo excited. So was my mother in-law and my mother when we told them. My father and father in-law seemed more calm. I myself was actually TERRIFIED!

We didn’t have a “regular” clinic at the time, so my wife pegi nearby her office. The result was postive.

After my wife tested positive, the symptoms started to kick in full force. Whenever she near any food, she would feel nauseous and worst when someone is cooking. Even then the unbearable smells still creep in. Needless to say she haven’t been cooking anything herself since. Her appetite kept decreasing as a result. But since she is pregnant, she can’t skip meals. So it’s a challenge for us every mealtime to figure out what to eat. There’s isn’t many options for non-smelling food, really. The first few weeks I think my wife lost some weight instead of gaining it like she should.

She also getting headache and nausea almost constantly throughout the day. Whoever named “morning sickness” must’ve been a man. Sometimes even me if I don’t have snacks around, mealtime would be really horrible because the gasses would’ve been accumulated and bubbling to come out, making me feel like vomiting the food I just ate.

Having said all that, I must say that this pregnancy is actually relatively not easy. I’ve seen and read about other women with much worst symptoms. Some people when they get pregnant they worry about things like bila nak give birth tu sakitla..or sakit2 time pregnant etc. To me I think being pregnant itself would be a wonderful journey, pain or no pain. You can watch you baby grow and feel her/him move inside of you..it is a bonding experience like no other. As for labour pain, well, ALL your dosa will be wiped clean and you will emerge from the labour with a clean slate like a newborn yourself. Nothing to be scared of.

Now, 17 weeks my wife into the pregnancy, yes, I am still terrified. But, I am also very excited and cannot wait to meet my baby. I may not be the perfect father later, but I promise you Baby, I will try my best.

The "Boxer"

2008-10-13T17:34:00.002+08:00

I know the baby will be kicking so many more times in the future, but oh dear, I was sooo excited to see my baby kick! Last Saturday we went for my wife third month check at our new gynea. She scanned my wife and suddenly told us “See, the baby’s kicking!” I took a closer look, and yes, behold, my baby is kicking!

It’s really2 tiny, but you can see clearly the legs bent and kicked. The image still keeps me smiling till now.. i'm full and blessed.

The Baby

2008-10-12T16:48:00.000+08:00

My wife is 15 weeks pregnant. ok, i do realise it's a bit late to start a blog for the baby.

i wanted to start earlier, but my wife seems to have better talent at telling the story on her blog. But now i'm thinking, ok, maybe one day Baby might want to hear the story from Daddy too. And by then i'm pretty sure i'd have forgotten the experience. bukan ape Baby, soon you'll find out how FORGETFUL Daddy is.

This blog is dedicated to my dear Baby.

Hopefully one day you will read this and be reminded of how much you are loved :)

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 for Dummies

2008-10-10T23:52:00.000+08:00

System Center Configuration Manager - Configure Software and Hardware Inventory

How to Configure Software Inventory for a Site
Note You must have Modify permission for the Site security object class or instance to perform this procedure.

To configure software inventory for a site
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Site Management / - / Site Settings / Client Agents.
2. In the results pane, right-click Software Inventory Client Agent, and then click Properties.
3. In the Software Inventory Client Agent Properties dialog box, click the General tab, and enable and schedule software inventory.
4. Click the Inventory Collection tab, specify the file names or file types, and then select the reporting detail for files you want inventoried.
5. Click the File Collection tab, and specify any files you want to collect from clients.
6. Click the Inventory Names tab, specify a single, consistent display name that you want to use for a manufacturer or software program, and then specify the inventoried manufacturer or software program names that currently appear in Resource Explorer.

How to Configure Hardware Inventory for a Site
Note You must have Modify permission for the site security object class or instance to perform this procedure.

To configure hardware inventory for a site
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Site Management / - / Site Settings / Client Agents.
2. In the results pane, right-click Hardware Inventory Client Agent, and then click Properties.
3. Use the Hardware Inventory Client Agent Properties dialog box, General tab, to enable and schedule hardware inventory. The General tab is also used to configure the maximum custom MIF (IDMIF) file size that will be processed by the site.
4. Click the MIF Collection tab, specify the file names or file types, and then select the reporting detail for files you want inventoried.
5. Click the File Collection tab, and specify whether you want to collect IDMIF or NOIDMIF files from clients.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 for Dummies

2008-10-10T23:38:00.000+08:00

System Center Configuration Manager - Reports

How to Create a Reporting Point
A reporting point in Configuration Manager 2007 is a site server role that hosts files used by Configuration Manager to display database information in Report Viewer. Use the following procedure to create a reporting point on a site system computer.

To create a reporting point
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Site Management / - / Site Settings / Site Systems.
2. Determine whether to create a new site system or modify an existing site system, and then follow the associated step.
3. To create a new site system and add the reporting point role:
4. Right-click Site Systems, click New, and then click Server.
5. To add the reporting point role to an existing site system:
6. Right-click the site system name, and then click New Roles.
7. Configure the general site system settings, and then click Next.
8. Select Reporting Point, and then click Next.
9. Specify the Report folder for the reporting point. Configuration Manager creates a folder with the specified name under \Inetpub\wwwroot. The default folder name is SMSReporting_sitecode.
10. Specify whether the Configuration Manager console opens the Report Viewer Web page using hypertext transfer protocol (http) or secure hypertext transfer protocol (https), and what port number is used. The default port for http is 80, and the default port for https is 443.
11. Click Next, and then click Close again to exit the wizard.
How to Configure Report Options for a Site
The reporting options for a Configuration Manager 2007 site provide the ability to select the default reporting point used and whether a new browser window opens when running reports and dashboards from the Configuration Manager console. Use the following procedure to configure the report options for a site.

To configure report options for a site
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database.
2. Right-click <>, and then click Report Options.
3. Specify from the drop-down list the default report point that will be used when opening reports and dashboards from the Configuration Manager console. If there are no reporting points available in the list, you must exit the dialog box and then create a reporting point. By default, the maximum number of reporting points displayed in the drop-down list is five.
4. Specify whether reports and dashboards that run from the Configuration Manager console open in a new browser window or if they open within the console.
How to Modify the Number of Reporting Points in Report Options
The Report Options dialog box provides a drop-down list of the available reporting points. By default, a maximum of five reporting points appear in the drop-down list. Use the following procedure to modify the number of reporting points that appear in the drop-down list.

To modify the maximum number of reporting points in the drop-down list
1. Open the Registry Editor on the computer on which the Configuration Manager console is installed.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\SMS\Admin UI. Create the SMS, Admin UI, and Reporting keys if they are not present.
3. Create a DWORD value named MenuCount under the Reporting key, and then enter the value for the desired maximum number of reporting points that will appear in the drop-down list.

How to Run a Report
Reports in Configuration Manager 2007 are opened in Report Viewer, which can be opened from the Configuration Manager console or by using a Web browser. Reports can be opened from any computer that has access to a reporting point for the site and for users that have sufficient rights to view the reports. Use the following procedures to open a report from the Configuration Manager console and from a Web browser.
Procedure

To run a report from the Configuration Manager console
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Reports.
2. Right-click the name of the report that you want to run, and then click Run. The report will either open within the Configuration Manager console or be displayed in a Web browser window.
To run a report from a Web browser
1. Open a Web browser, enter the URL for the report, and then press Enter. The default URL for a report is http://reporting point name/SMSReporting_site code/Report.asp?ReportId=ReportID.
2. Alternatively, you can go to Report Viewer, select the report from the list, and then click Display. The default URL for the reporting point is http://servername/SMSReporting_site code.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 for Dummies

2008-10-10T23:31:00.000+08:00

System Center Configuration Manager - Dashboards

How to Create a Dashboard
Dashboards in Configuration Manager 2007 display multiple reports on a single page. You can create dashboards to monitor information about related hardware or software or to group the reports you use most frequently. New dashboards can be created by specifying the dashboard properties or by cloning an existing dashboard. Use the following procedure to create a new dashboard by specifying the dashboard properties.
Procedure

How to create a new dashboard
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Dashboards.
2. Right-click Dashboards, and then click New Dashboard to open the New Dashboard Wizard.
3. Specify the following dashboard properties:
· Name: Specifies the name for the dashboard. This setting is required.
· Comment: Specifies the description for the dashboard. This setting is optional.
· Limit cell height: Specifies whether to limit the height of the dashboard display. When this property is selected, type the maximum height, in pixels, in the Height text box. The default value is 250.
4. Click Next.
5. Specify the dimensions for the dashboard, and then click Set. By default, the dashboard is made of two rows and two columns.
6. Select the row and column for the dashboard report, click the Select Report icon, select the report from the Select Report dialog box, and then click OK.
· Note The dialog box will display only the reports that do not contain a report prompt and reports for which the user has Read access.
7. Repeat step 5 to add additional reports to the dashboard.
8. Use the Move Up and Move Down icons to change the dashboard position for a highlighted report.
9. Click Next, and then click Close.

How to Add Reports to a Dashboard
Dashboards in Configuration Manager 2007 display multiple reports on a single page. Use the following procedure to add reports to a dashboard.
Procedure

To add reports to a dashboard
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Dashboards.
2. Right-click the name of the dashboard that you want to modify, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Reports tab. All reports that are used in the dashboard are listed in the Dashboard reports area, along with the position (row and column) for each report.
4. To add or remove columns or rows from the dashboard, specify the dimensions and then click Set.
· Note When the dimensions for a dashboard are reduced, the reports assigned to the rows or columns are removed from the dashboard temporarily, but they can be restored by increasing the dimensions to the original size. The reports are permanently removed when clicking OK or Apply.
5. Double-click a dashboard position, select a report from the Select Report list, and then click OK to insert the selected report into the position.
· Note The dialog box will display only the reports that do not contain a report prompt and for which the user has Read access.
6. Use the Move Up and Move Down icons to change the dashboard position for a report.
7. Click OK to save the dashboard and exit the dialog box.

How to Run a Dashboard
Dashboards in Configuration Manager 2007 are used to display one or more reports on a single page. Dashboards are opened in the Report Viewer, which can be opened from the Configuration Manager console or by using a Web browser. Dashboards can be opened from any computer that has access to a reporting point for the site and for users that have sufficient rights to view the reports in the dashboard.
Use the following procedures to open a report from the Configuration Manager console and from a Web browser.
Procedure

To run a dashboard from the Configuration Manager console
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Dashboards.
2. Right-click the name of the dashboard that you want to run, and then click Run. The dashboard will either open within the Configuration Manager console or be displayed in a Web browser window.

To run a dashboard from a Web browser
1. Open a Web browser, enter the URL for the dashboard, and then press Enter. The default URL for a dashboard is a http://reporting point name/SMSReporting_site code/Dashboard.asp?DashboardId=DashboardID.
2. Alternatively, you can go to Report Viewer, select the dashboard from the list, and then click Display. The default URL for the reporting point is http://servername/SMSReporting_site code.

How to Remove Reports from a Dashboard
Dashboards in Configuration Manager 2007 display multiple reports on a single page. Use the following procedure to remove reports from a dashboard.
Procedure

How to remove reports from a dashboard
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Dashboards.
2. Right-click the name of the dashboard that you want to modify, and then click Properties.
3. Click the Reports tab. All reports that are used in the dashboard are listed in the Dashboard reports area, along with the position (row and column) for each report.
4. To remove an individual report while keeping the original number of rows and columns in the dashboard, double-click the report to open the Select Report Properties dialog box, select -Blank- from the Select Report dialog box, and then click OK.
· Note Several reports can be removed at the same time by decreasing the number of rows or columns in the dashboard. Decreasing the number of rows will remove entire rows of reports, starting from the bottom of the dashboard. Decreasing the number of columns will remove entire columns of reports, starting from the right-hand side of the dashboard.
5. Click OK to save the dashboard and exit the dialog box.

How to Delete a Dashboard
Dashboards in Configuration Manager 2007 display multiple reports on a single page. Use the following procedure to delete a dashboard.
Note The reports displayed in a dashboard are not removed from the database when the dashboard is deleted.
Procedure

To delete a dashboard
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Computer Management / Reporting / Dashboards.
2. Right-click the name of the dashboard that you want to delete, and then click Delete.
3. Click Yes to confirm the deletion.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007 for Dummies

2008-10-10T23:20:00.000+08:00

System Center Configuration Manager - Software Update

To prepare SCCM for Software Updates
1. First, we have to add a new role to SMSSERVER called the Software Update Management Point.
2. If not already running, on the Start menu, click ConfigMgr Console.
3. The ConfigMgr Console window appears.
4. In the tree pane, expand SMSSERVER, expand Site Management, expand SV4, expand Site Settings, expand Site Systems, and then click \\SMSSERVER.
5. In the Actions pane, click New Roles
6. In the New Site Role Wizard, click Next
7. On the System Role Selection page, select Software update point, then click Next
8. On the Software Update Point page, enter proxy information (if any) to enable access to the Internet.
9. Click Next when done
10. From here on, the setting selected here will correspond to the Options set in WSUS. All changes made here will be automatically reflected in WSUS.
11. On the Active software update point settings page, click on the checkbox next to Use this server as the active software update point to enable it.
12. Also enter port information used by the WSUS server if changes have been made. If not, leave all settings as default.
13. Click Next to continue
14. On the Synchronization schedule page, configure the frequency of synchronization with Microsoft Update or do not enable if manual synchronization is preferred
15. Click Next to continue
16. Select the appropriate Update classifications that you require WSUS to synchronize with.
17. Click Next to continue
18. Next, select the products that you would like WSUS to synchronize with Microsoft Updates
19. Click Next to continue
20. On the Languages page, select all language version of updates that WSUS should download.
21. Click Next to continue
22. After going through the Summary of the configuration, Click Next to continue
23. At this point, the Software Update Point role will be created
24. Click Close

To view SCCM logs
1. Launch a Windows Explorer session and navigate to C:\Program Files\MicrosoftSCCM2007\Logs
2. Open the SUPSetup.log to view it and you should see the installation details of the SUP
3. Notice a line that states:(Parameters: C:\PROGRA~1\MIF5F3~1\bin\i386\ROLESE~1.EXE /install /siteserver:SMSSERVER SMSWSUS)
4. This is the command line operative that SMSSERVER uses to install the Software Update Point
5. A clear giveaway that installation was successful is the last line which states the exact.
6. What has also happen at this point is that SCCM has taken over WSUS and relatively own it.

To configure SUP in SCCM
1. In the SCCM Console tree pane, expand SMSSERVER, expand Site Management, expand SV4, expand Site Settings, expand Site Systems, and then click \\SMSSERVER.
2. You should now notice the ConfigMgr software update point already installed
3. Click on Component Configuration
4. Right-click the Software Update Point Component option and select Properties
5. You will notice that most of the settings here seem familiar from the Wizard during setup of the SUP.
6. Click through the different tabs to look at the settings.
7. REMEMBER, SCCM is now the main owner of WSUS and whatever we configure here will reflect in the WSUS Options
8. Click on the Products tab and then select.
9. Click OK

Install Software Update Point in SCCM
Configure the Windows Update agent GPO:
1. Open a GPO
2. Go to Computer configuration\Windows Components\Windows Update
3. Configure the Configure automatic updates option, Set it to auto download and shedule the install
4. Choose your own schedule
5. Configure the Specify intranet microsoft update service location
6. Configure both options with the value http://wsusserver:80
7. Import the SCCM-2007 adm template:
8. Download the adm template to configure SCCM 2007 client installation command line parameters http://www.blogcastrepository.com/files/folders/documents/entry15469.aspx
9. Open a GPO
10. In Computer Configuration Right-click on Administrative templates
11. Browse to the SCCM-2007 and add the template.
12. Go to Computer configuration\Windows Components\SCCM 2007\Software Update point client installation
13. Configure the command line with the parameters you want.
· SCCM2007_Example="smscachesize=1500 smssitecode=S01 smsfp=FSP01"

To publish the Configuration Manager 2007 client to the WSUS server:
1. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to System Center Configuration Manager / Site Database / Site Management / – / Site Settings / Client Installation Methods.
2. Right-click Software Update Point Client Installation, and click Properties.
3. To enable client installation, select the Enable Software Update Point Client Installation check box.
4. If the client software on the Configuration Manager 2007 site server is newer than that stored on the software update point, the Upgrade Client Package Version dialog box will open. You should click Yes in this dialog box to publish the most recent version of the client software to he software update point.
5. To finish configuring the software update point client installation, click OK.

To configure SCCM Client Agents
1. If not already running, on the Start menu, click ConfigMgr Console.
2. The ConfigMgr Console window appears.
3. In the tree pane, expand SMSSERVER, expand Site Management, expand SV4, expand Site Settings, and then click on Client Agents.
4. In the results pane, right-click the Software Updates Client Agent and select Properties
5. In the Software Updates Client Agent Properties dialog box, you should see three tabs.
6. Ensure that Enable Software Updates on clients is selected.
7. Click on the Update Installation tab.
8. This is a setting for mandatory updates
9. Click on the Deployment Re-Evaluation
10. Select how long you would like the Client Agent to re-evaluate itself for software updates. The default is 7 days. For testing purposes you may want to reduce this setting

To look at Inventory Updates
1. Expand the Software Updates container.
2. You will notice 5 nodes under the container.
3. The way SCCM works with regards to software updates is different than SMS2003. Although essentially patches are deployed via a software distribution model, it no longer ties itself to the Software Distribution Feature per say.
4. Click on the Updates Repository. This is where you will find the complete inventory of updates that is synchronized with WSUS.
5. Right-click Updates Repository and select Run Synchronization. This will initiate an action to pull all the updates from the WSUS database
6. To verify synchronization is taking place, navigate to the C:\Program Files\MicrosoftSCCM2007\Logs folder and launch the wsyncmgr.log
7. Look for a line that states Found local sync request in site control file (You can pause the SMSTrace utility to hold your log place)
8. Let’s look at the Site Control File.
9. In a Windows Explorer session, navigate to C:\Program Files\ MicrosoftSCCM2007\inboxes\sitectrl.box
10. Open the sitectrl.ct0 file with Notepad
11. Once the file is opened, Click on the Edit menu and select Find and key in WSUS and then click FIND NEXT.
12. Click Find Next until you find a section in the file that looks similar to this:

BEGIN_COMPONENT
SMS_WSUS_SYNC_MANAGER>
6>
SMSSERVER> PROPERTY Sync Schedule><><><0>
PROPERTY Sync Retry Intercal><><><60>

13. This section of the Site Control File controls the synchronization of SCCM with the WSUS Server
· Notice a setting that states PROPERTY <><><1179…..>

To deploy updates
1. Select an update that you would like to deploy, right-click it and select Deploy Software Updates
2. The Deploy Software Updates Wizard should appear
3. First, key in a name that you would like to identify this deployment, then click Next
4. On the Deployment Templates page, select Create a new deployment definition.
5. Deployment Templates are essentially pre-defined settings that you can re-use. This is to save time and the number of clicks needed to complete the tasks if you should have setting which can be re-used on to other deployment scenarios.
6. Click Next to continue.
7. On the Collection page, Browse and select a Collection that you would like to deploy to.
8. Click OK to accept it.
9. Then, Click Next to continue.
10. In the Display/Time Settings, configure how you want display notifications and time sync options. For the purpose of this exercise, select Allow display notifications on clients and Client Local Time.
11. The final setting on this page is important. This setting denotes the timeline when the software update will become mandatory and forced to install. When the time you advertise the package, it will not automatically install until the duration specified here. So if you want updates to apply IMMEDIATELY, set this to 0 weeks.
12. Click Next to continue.
13. On the Restart Settings page, configure whether you would like to suppress the restarts. For the purpose of this exercise, suppress Servers and Workstations by selecting the check boxes.
14. Click Next to continue.
15. On the Event Generation page, select Create Windows event for software update installation failure to have events written into the Event logs.
16. Click Next to continue.
17. On the Update Binary Download page, select how you want clients to react to distribution points. Select Download software updates from distribution point and install for both settings
18. Click Next to continue.
19. On the Create Template page, specify whether you would like to save the settings you had selected earlier as a template for re-use at a later time. For the purpose of this exercise, key-in template
20. Click Next to continue.
21. The Deployment Package page is where you would specify the installation files that will be available to clients. Select Create a new deployment package.
22. At this point of time, you have to create a shared folder on the SMSSERVER. This is the folder SMS Clients will poll the updates from.
23. Navigate back to the Deploy Software Updates Wizard
24. On the Deployment Package page, enter the name.
25. Enter \\SMSSERVER\location in the Package Source box, then click Browse to check its path
26. Click Next to continue.
27. On the Distribution Points page, click Browse and select a Distribution point. Select SMSSERVER and click OK.
28. Click Next to continue.
29. Click Next to continue.
30. Select the update language Click Next to continue.
31. In the Deployment Schedule, select when the updates should be made available. Select As soon as possible.
32. Notice that the deadline for software installation is 2 weeks from the deployment date which was the setting chosen during the Deployment Template
33. Click Next to continue.
34. Do not enable NAP Evaluation for this exercise
35. Click Next to continue.
36. Click Next on the Summary page to begin the process.
37. Once done, a Successful message will appear. Click Close.

To verify the update packages
1. Launch a Windows Explorer session and navigate to \\smsserver\location
2. You should now see the update installer present in the folder
3. Let’s check the log files.
4. Navigate to C:\SMS_CCM\Logs\ and launch the PatchDownloader.log
5. Look for a line that starts with …
6. Download destination = \\smsserver\location\a213789.. (this set of numbers is the Unique patch ID and it is significant for tracking the updates through the logs on the client side.)
7. You should notice the other entries signifying downloading and successful creation.
8. Now, navigate back to the ConfigMgr Console
9. Expand Software Updates and click on Deployment Management.
· Note You may have to Refresh to see the Updates
10. Right-click and select Properties
11. Go through the different tabs. You will notice that these are all the setting which was configured through the wizard. You may change these settings at any time.
12. Click Cancel
13. Under the , you will be able to view the software update that was configured to be deployed
14. Click on Deployment Templates.
· Note You may have to Refresh to see the Templates
15. Right-click Template and select Properties.
16. This is the setting which was saved during the wizard and can be modified here.
17. Click on the Deployment Packages
· Note You may have to Refresh to see the Packages
18. Right-click and select Properties.
19. Browse through the tabs
20. Under the , you will be able to view the Distribution Points and Software Updates

To view the process from the client side
· Note: Perform the following on the SMS Client, WINXP2
1. Launch Control Panel and double-click on Systems Management
2. Click on the Actions tab.
3. Select the Software Updates Evaluation Cycle and click Initiate Action
4. Launch a Windows Explorer session and navigate to C:\WINDOWS\System32\CCM\Logs
5. Open the smscliui.log. Notice the last line verifying that a Software Updates Assignments Evaluation cycle was triggered.
6. Navigate to C:\WINDOWS\System32\CCM\Logs and open the UpdateDeployment.log
7. Notice the last couple of lines.
· Message received: …. (denotes a message received to initiate cycle)
8. Then…
· Removing scan history… (denotes the removal of previous scans)
9. Then…
· Starting updates assignments… (denotes the start of a scan)
10. Then…
· No updates assigned.. (denotes the end of the process)
· Note The Software Updates Evaluation Cycle does not actually perform an evaluation on what the SCCM Client is lacking but rather compares with an assignment from the SCCM. At the moment, there is no assignment from the SCCM there fore, no comparison is done.
11. Now, in the Systems Management Control Panel dialog box, click on the Actions tab and select Update Source Scan Cycle, then click Initiate Action.
12. Launch a Windows Explorer session and navigate to C:\WINDOWS\System32\CCM\Logs
13. Open the ScanAgent.log
14. Notice the line that says: ***WSUSLocationUpdate received for location…. (denotes the start of scanning by WSUS)
15. Then…
· ScanJob completed. (denotes Scan completed)
· Note: The Update Source Scan Cycle is essentially the manual scanning Trigger.

To view the process from the SCCM
Note: Perform the following on the SCCM Site Server, SMSSERVER
1. Go to the SCCM Admin Console and expand Software Updates, then Refresh the Update Repository.
2. Expand the Update Repository, then expand Security Updates followed by Microsoft.
3. Click on Windows XP
4. Notice the columns are now updated with the recent scan results. Denoting clients that would need the updates and those that do not. It also states what percentage of compliancy are the computers on the network.

To modify the Deployment Update
Note: Perform the following on the SCCM Site Server, SMSSERVER
1. Earlier, we targeted our software update to the All Mobile Devices Collection so that the updates will not be deployed. We need to change that now
2. In the ConfigMgr Console, expand Software Updates, then expand Deployment Management.
3. Right-click and select Properties
4. Click on the Collection tab, then click on the Browse button.
5. Select All System, then click OK
6. Click OK on the Properties dialog box.
Note: Perform the following on the SCCM Client
1. Go to the Control Panel and launch the Systems Management option.
2. Click on the Actions tab and select Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cycle.
3. This will trigger the download of new policies and will initiate the advertised security update
· Note: You may have to wait a couple of minutes to see the advertised program
4. A pop up should appear from the tray area denoting that there is a new software update waiting to be installed.
5. Click on the balloon to launch the Available Software Updates dialog box
6. There should be information about the KB885836 security update that was configured earlier to be deployed. Click Install