Of Driving Test and Long Lost Friends

Of Driving Test and Long Lost Friends

Today I took my driving test, for the second time actually after failing the on the road test. :P The last time I took a small junction too fast, rally style hehe.... The tester for today is the same as the last time, he cut the test short and made me took two small junction. This time I made it quite nicely and as a result I passed the test. Now waiting to get the drving license, and don't forget to buy two sets of P sticker.

While waiting for my turn to take the test, I've met two long lost primary school friends - Syamil & Salwa. I recognized Syamil immediately, but Syamil and I decided to verify it's really Salwa by making a miss call. Where did he got her phone number? From another primary school friend he said. Syamil didn't change much, just being taller and a bit slimmer but Salwa's skin tone had brighten too much as a result of being a 'puteri lilin' since she enter secondary school. That's why we are not sure it's really her in the first place.

We haven't met each other for almost six years although Kuantan is not that big and all of us attended secondary schools around Kuantan. After getting re-acquanted, we updated each other what each of us had been up to and what's up with our other friends. Syamil got a place at Pahang Matriculation Centre while Salwa is waiting for UIA English Language Matriculation.

Speaking of Matriculation College let's take a look at one of terms and conditions of the programme.



At first, I found the term very ridiculous. Who would be married before the offer came out? If you are already married or get married during the programme the offer is revoked immediately. But then... A shocking news from my two long-lost friends - a few of our fellow primary school friends are already married and one them already have a child! *Gasp* I thought they were joking but I can't find the twinkle of mischief in their eyes and they wouldn't joke about such news. Even more, Salwa swored she had met our friend and her husband.

Masya-Allah, I'm stupefied to hear the news and made me speechless for a few moments. I don't want to elaborate much on this matter by mentioning who's who or when but I hope they would live happily with their respective husband/wife. But suffice to say, there's a stark contrast between my primary school and seconday school in term of socio-economic background. In my primary school, many of them are from the lower category with some are the urban poor. On the other hand at my secondary school many are from the upper category with many of them parents are professionals, businessmen, and a few politicians. We have MB's son and daughters even. And I suspect that difference made such early marriage happen. Wallahualam...

This had made really appreciate what I have now - a good family, great friends, a chance to further my studies and pursuing my dreams. And being super-single too... :P

O Boss, Where Art Thou

O Boss, Where Art Thou?

This week I'm supposed to present to him his company's new logo designed by Shahril and start to soft-launch goldenminds.net online forum but I can't get in touch with him. Called his two mobile numbers, but no answer. Maybe I should call him at home. He might be overseas right now, like he did a few weeks back. I may be my own boss in this website business, but actually my clients/customers are my new bosses!

This is one thing I hate doing jobs remotely over the internet because I'm pretty much depends on the client to feed me with the necessary materials and infos by the means of email and phone. If his office is somewhere near my house I could easily just climb up to his office and kindly ask for the materials from his staff but his office is far away at Kota Bharu so that's out of question. Well, looks like my job will take a break this week. And that's mean my payment will also be delayed. :S

Note: Later on I've called his house, his sister said he is still not back from somewhere. Can't hear very well, too many static & interference on the line perhaps. Oh well, he must have went overseas again and left his mobile phone with his staff.

Related Reads: How Do You Build a Start Up?

Talking Heads

Talking Heads

"Insan Terdidik, Bukan Sekadar Tepelajar"


Pn. Hjh. Rubiah binti Hj. Sidin
Pengetua
S.M.K Abdul Rahman Talib

A Malay Engagement

A Malay Engagement

The Day Before Engagement

My family and I are supposed to be in Jengka on Friday but due to some problem we could be at my grandparent's home on Saturday. Pak Lang and Mak Teh is already there when we arrived but Uncle Azwan, the one that will be engaged had not arrived yet. Wonder where he is back then? It's impossible for him not to be here for such an important ocassion.

He finally showed up at 5:30 pm, only to complain his body aching all over due to representing the Ordnance Corps in rugby and already feeling feverish. Uncle Azman and Pak Long arrived shortly after while my grandma is busy at the kitchen with my aunties cooking rendang for tomorrow.

After Maghrib prayer we started being busy with the hantaran (gifts), a neighbour made the sirih junjung while the rest is taken care of by Auntie Hamisah and Auntie Siti. As agreed with the women's family, we will send 7 tray of hantaran. Meanwhile, Uncle Azwan is busy arranging a portion of the wang hantaran in the album.


Uncle Azwan busy arranging the money

Then after Isya', the meeting starts to discuss the itineary for tomorrow. Pak Long as the eldest son volunteered to be the spokeperson for tomorrow. Also discussed some other details such as how to get to there and such.

The Engagement Day

At 7am we are already busy cooking for the kenduri doa selamat, scheduled at 9am. The kenduri doa selamat went as planned and it took about 45 minutes. After that is some last minute preparation and finishing. Uncle Azwan took the trouble going to the town to buy the metal polish and polish the case which will hold the engagement ring.


Last minute polishing


My Grandparents and Cousins

At 11am, our five-car convoy started our journey to Felda Sg. Retang at Jerantut. Uncle Azwan didn't came along - hold the fort, that's the order. ;-) We arrived at noon and the engagement ceremony start soon after. After some discussion and doa selamat, Miss Halijah Ibrahim is declared officially engaged to my uncle, Captain Ahmad Azwan bin Osman. Insya'Allah their wedding wil take place after Eid-ul Fitr end of this year.


Auntie Siti and Auntie Hamisah


My grandma and her would be daughter-in-law

By the way, next Sunday is another uncle's wedding at Mentakab. ^_^ And oh yes, what do you all think of this new MacOS-themed template? I made it myself. :-)

Tech Heads: Canon i560 First Impression

Tech Heads: Canon i560 First Impression

Today we'll do a short review of this printer which I acquired recently to replace the Canon S600 which had ceased function. The recomended reatil price of this printer is around RM600, so that makes it a mid-range printer.

Technology

Ink

This model employ a 4-colour Think Tank technology. Each colour is in it's own tank, Black, Cyan, Magenta and Yellow thus reducing the printing cost as you don't need to discard the whole colour catridge when one of the colour is depleted. Personally, I simply love the technology.

Resolution

True 4800 x 1200 dpi Resolution with 2pl & 5pl Ink droplet which is more than enough to print out near-photo quality prints. It also support EXIF print to optimize printouts from digital cameras. But of course, it printouts still can't beat a 6-colour printer or the professional colour lab. Although good enough for casual photos it still lack the details.

Speed

Canon claims 22ppm Monochrome / 15ppm Colour but thay way too optimistic. As I tested, a full page of text took 10 seconds to print while a 4" x 6" borderless photo took a full 50 seconds to print.

Others

The printer is thankfully as claimed is quiet not like my earlier S600. Canon claims it's rated at 39db but I can't possibly verify it. The bundled softwares are mostly Canon own product but it's still easy to use and very functional like the Easy-Web Print app that make sure websites fit in the paper for printing and there's no pictures get cut into halves.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Today we have a birthday girl and a birthday boy, iFos and Shahril! Both are 18 today. Moga dimurahkan rezeki & dipanjangkan umur.

By the way, my birthday according to Hijri calendar is this Saturday. :D And as I noted, both of them also have an almost similiar initial, one being S.A and the other one is M.S.A.

Talking Heads

Talking Heads

"Hear the patient's history carefully and attentively, and not make your own his-story" Prof. Omar Hasan Kasule Sr., Deputy Dean (Research & Postgraduate Affairs) and Professor of Medicine Kulliyah of Medicine, IIUM Addressing a group of medical students.

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PS: From now on I'll periodically post quotes from people of all walks of life. It will be published under the title Talking Heads.

Raed Tihs

"Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoetnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be at the rghit pclae. The rset can be a ttoal mses and you can sitll raed t wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe."

Visit to Karangkraf

Visit to Karangkraf - *Updated*

5th April 2004

As promised I'll do a write up of my visit to Karangkraf at Shah Alam. If you don't want to read doesn't matter, it's for my own record anyway.


[L-R]Sri Diah & Eyes

My journey started at Renaissance Hotel. After checking out, Mum and I took a taxi to KL Sentral. Mum took the ERL to KLIA and catch a flight back at 3pm. Meanwhile I stashed my bag in one of the electronic lockers and bought a return Komuter ticket to Shah Alam.


With Sri Diah

The train is late 7-minutes and it took me approximiately 30 minutes to reach Shah Alam. Upon embarkation at Shah Alam station, Sri Diah had just arrived to pick me up. No waiting, just like when I went to meet Pak Adib. :) A short 5 minute drive is all needed to reach Karangkraf and Ultimate Print Headquarters. It is located in front of the Volvo plant and quite easy to find.

We get into the building through the staff's side entrance. Electronic keylock is everywhere, and without a pass and password you couldn't get anywhere. First stop is Sri Diah's room then we proceed to the cafe. Met Majalah PC's editor on our way. Majalah PC had been my regular read a few years back before I 'graduated' to CHIP.


With Dr. HM Tuah Iskandar

After lunch on Sri Diah's expense the next compulsory stop is the book shop. What novel I got? Jangan Ada Dusta of course, signed by the very writer! Back to Sri Diah's room she called Eyes to join in our discussion. After almost two hours at Karangkraf I must make my move. Lucky me, met Dr. HM Tuah Iskandar also!

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Morning Walk KLCC Park

3rd April 2004


Pak Adib & M. Hasni of PalmX.

Actually I planned to have the morning walk session last week but then Pak Adib had some other program and I also unexpectedly found myself in Bangi and could not make it anyway. Upon M. Hasni's suggestion we met up on the beautiful Saturday morning. I walked all the way from Istana Hotel to KLCC Park. I didn't have to find him, I literally arrived just behind his back aat 7:30 am. :D After exchanging some greeting, we start our warming up. As expected, passer-by gawk at us. Wondering why three unrelated people from different generations meet up and excercise together.

We all 'tawaf' KLCC Park three times and while walking Pak Adib shared with us his knowledge and experience. We stop at his favourite spot on second round and do a bit of 'aerobic'. He made us sit on out toes. That's a bit hard for me, all my 800N of mass only on meagre 37.5 square centimetre. Calculate the pressure, luckily my shoe got some nice cushioning. Hehe. Then at 8:30 am, Dad call me to get back to the hotel for breakfast so I have to go. Insya'Allah I'll get to join him more often once our 'forward base' in KL is reestablished. ;)

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"Love maybe blind, but marriage is a real eye-opener" - Nourza

Farewell Lunch

Farewell Lunch

Farewell lunch for Azra today, who is going to MMU next month. She's in Kuantan until Sunday to get the Yayasan Pahang one-off cash incentive. The lunch is sponsored by yours truly after my client dumped a couple of hundred bucks in my Maybank Account. ;-)


[L-R]Hafizah & Azra


[L-R]Qayyum, Anuar, & Me. Why all of us eyeing the other table?


[L-R]Azra & Nad

The lunch is scheduled at noon but have to wait for Azra to settle her stuffs at Yayasan Pahang. Then have to wait for Qayyum and Anuar some more. Only at 12.40pm we headed to Pizza Hut. I made the order quickly and then we get into some chat, updating each other what's up with our friends. Which university to go is the main topic, followed by what jobs we have done and some gossiping of course. :-P Those saucy gossips is kept to us, I won't tell it here. Back to our main topic, looks like only me & Hafizah are waiting for UIA Matriculation. Nad & Qayyum will go to KPM Matriculation. Azra will go to MMU of course. Anuar? He still waiting for an offer.

All in all, it's a good meet although at my expense. After all, I don't know when would I see them next time. So better treat them this time. Ok folks, I'm off to KL (again) tomorrow evening. And good luck to all post-SPM students!