Strange Strange Call

Few days ago, I received a phone call from Najib. Not the DPM, possibly an officer working in an employment agency. I am not an important person.

Anyway, he called and asked me if I am interested in securing a job in JB. He mentioned a few companies where the job may be suitable.

He told me he will send me an SMS to enable me to send my resume to him through his email address.

It's strange that he called as I have put up that ad, God knows where, many many years back. Now when I am about to go over to JB, this Najib called, out of the blue. Strange indeed!

Should I respond?

New Toy #2 Part 3

Lazy to blog so no new posts since so long ago. Anyway, as promised, an update on my new toy, the Toyota Hilux High Lift. Enjoy the pix.

Front Angle Shot

Side Shot

Front Shot

Back Shot

Front Differential - Look at the details

Looking into the wheel arch - detailed shocks, leaf spring etc

Experienced sleepless nights to assemble this 1/10th scale model. Getting the tiny pieces and assembling them was a real headache but worth every second.

The finished, fully assembled model is a sight to behold.

Mind you. You need good eyesight to assemble this. If your eyesight is so so, then should one tiny screw drops, you will have a whale of a time looking for it. Possibly you will attempt to feel for it by sliding your hand across the floor.

If you do not like to assemble it yourself, you can always ask the guy at the shop to do it for you, for a small fee, of course. Nothing is free in this world, except air. Polluted air I suppose is free.

New Toy #2 - Part 2

I am currently assembling this kit by myself and I just love the details on the kit. Here is the model that will eventually turn out. Hope it is the same or better. huhu!!

My New Toy - Part 3

Ah, here are the pix of my new toy. Don't be jealous!!!!!


Pretty Wild? 4-Wheel Drive and 4-Wheel Steering. Wish I can own one like that. I mean a real one!!!!

New Toy #2

Ha ha! While going around R/C Car Hobby shops, I came across another R/C Toyota Land Cruiser kit . It was a pickup model. Wow, it looked nice and very realistic and it's a Tamiya.

Guess what happen next?

I bought it. $$$ draining off, but no regrets. It may be a collector's item in the future and may be worth more than what I have paid for it.

Well, just another item to add to my collection. I guess I have to be more determined not to part with my Vitamin M next time. Hmmm, wonder if I have the will power!!!!!

No pix as this is a kit, not assembled yet.

My Road Trip Back To Cat City (Kuching)

I am now writing this piece after having survived the road trip from Miri to Kuching. You may be wondering, 'What is the big deal?'.

Well, It took me about 11 hours total to drive from Miri to Kuching on our so called Special highway. My daughter and I started from Miri at 5.00am. Yes, 5.00am. A nice time to sleep and continuing my dream. I actually woke up around 4.00am.

We arrived at Kuching at 4.00pm after a very very late lunch (3.00pm) at Serian, one of the smaller towns about 45 minutes from Kuching City. Wish I have taken a picture but I am sure you can find some pictures of the place on the net. Just do a search.

Yeah, a long and tiring journey as I did not get enough sleep the night before. I slept around midnight to 1.00am.

My ADVICE! So if you decide to make any long road trip, ensure you have enough sleep, else you may doze off while at the wheel. If you doze off while driving, especially when you are taking a bend, you ........ I leave that second part to your imagination. I am sure you will be thinking what I am thinking.

My New Toy - Cont'd Part 2

Hey, I felt disappointed I could not get my new toy on Wednesday as promised by the shop owner. Anyway, I finally received it on Friday, whew, just in time before I leave Miri on 1st Nov 2008.

I took a few pictures but did not have the time to upload to my blog. I will do it after I am more r less 'settled' down in Kuching. More about that later.

Stay tuned!

My New Toy

I have been eyeing a big boy 'toy' at a shop a week back but could not touch or see close-up as it was being assembled at another place. Shop owner asked me to come back in a few days.

Today, I made the trip to that shop hoping to see the finished product.

Wow, I was impressed with the details but still not fully completed.

The shop owner recommended I upgraded a few key components of the 'toy' to ensure I do not regret later. I agreed and he gave me a quote.

OMG, the figure is insane, man!!!!

Nevertheless, I agreed to get it from him. As he is still waiting for a component for the upgrade, I was asked to come back in a couple of days.

Damned, I have to pay a deposit!

Well, I will continue in my subsequent post and maybe a pix or 2 of my new 'toy'.

My Farewell Dinner on 25.10.2008 - Finally

Wow, I finally hosted my farewell dinner as planned, for my ex-colleagues, friends and family members from Brunei. After a month of planning and deciding on the venue last minute really wore me out. The reason I had to wait till a week before the dinner as I needed the feedback from those I have invited, especially from my Muslim friends. If they confirmed not going for my dinner, then I would have chosen a Chinese restaurant.

I have also arranged a surprise for my honoured guests which I will reveal later.

Come 25th October 2008, I went down early as I was the host. After most of them have arrived and it was already around 7.30pm, I asked to have the dinner served. Sorry I did not take any pix on the dishes which were recommended by one of the staff.

Charlie's Angels?


One for the Album


Entertaining themselves


Tummies getting full

About half an hour into the dinner, time for my surprise!!!

I have engaged a magician to perform during my dinner as I did not want it to be just another dinner. When the magician started the music, all eyes were glued towards the magician who introduced himself. The show was an eye opener for my guests as it was unexpected. The magician performed well and won applause from my guests as well as others who happened to be at the restaurant. Even the restaurant staff was pleasantly surprised.


Above pix showing the magician in action, entertaining my guests

We continued our dinner after the performance.

We finished dinner around 9.30pm and my guests started to leave, with their tummies filled with good food.


My daughter in the middle, rubbing the magic off the magician

I am sure this dinner will be a memorable one to them.

Farewell, my friends!

1st October 2008

The day came and went quietly for me. Hey! It's Hari Raya Day 1. Selamat Hari Raya to all my Muslim friends, colleagues and acquaintances. A big day for those celebrating this special occasion. The young ones and those young at heart, even not so young at heart will look forward to this celebration.

Yes, I heard the firework bombs in the neighbourhood but not as bad as during Chinese New Year. My ears hurt, my nose sucking in those polluted air that time. I remembered in the early days, they did not let off firecrackers or shooting star fireworks. They merely played with these sparklers and sometimes these loud booms from bamboo (nowadays steel - for safety reasons?) cannons.

When I went around the place, it's pretty quiet too. Guess everyone avoids visiting and giving away those hard earned cash. It has become a tradition to give 'Green' Paus during this time. Must admit I did see some houses full of visitors though but far in between.

With cost of living going through the roof, everyone is extra careful to spend unnecessarily. The future so uncertain.

Anyway, wondering if any Muslim can comment/refresh our memories on how this celebration came about in the first place. It will be interesting I guess. Later, later, when my postings go 'public'.

Again, Selamat Hari Raya!!!