Happy 3rd Birthday Rizqeen Hani

Happy 5th Birthday Imran Haris

11th of August - 1st Ramadhan

Below is just an excerpt from online news about the accident that took my mom's life. I'm still having a hard time to write. Perhaps another time...

KUALA LIPIS - Pengetua Sekolah Menengah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Cameron Highlands maut manakala suaminya yang memandu kenderaan terbabit cedera ringan apabila kereta yang mereka naiki terbabas ke bawah tebing.
Ketua Polis Daerah, Superitendan Abdul Razak Hassan berkata, mangsa, Nishah Ismail bersama suaminya, Ali Hussein Abdul Ghani yang juga Pegawai Pelajaran Daerah Cameron Highlands sedang dalam perjalanan ke Kuantan atas urusan kerja.
Menurutnya, kejadian terbabit berlaku kira-kira jam 4.30 petang kelmarin di Kilometer 27 Jalan Sungai Koyan - Cameron Highlands.
“Mangsa bersama suami menaiki kenderaan jenis CRV sedang dalam perjalanan dari Cameron Highlands ke Kuantan. Sampai di tempat kejadian, kereta yang dipandu suami mangsa hilang kawalan lalu terbabas ke kiri jalan dan masuk ke bawah tebing.
“Mangsa cedera parah di kepala dan meninggal dunia di tempat kejadian. Manakala suami mangsa hanya cedera ringan dan dirawat sebagai pesakit luar di Hospital Lipis,” katanya, di sini, kelmarin.
Abdul Razak berkata, mayat mangsa dibawa ke Hospital Lipis untuk dibedah siasat dan dituntut ahli keluarga sebelum dikebumikan di kampung asal arwah di Kota Bharu, Kelantan

Career vs Family

When I started working, it never cross my mind I would actually be starting a career. I just need a job and fast. Though it did occur to me I have to proof to them I am good at whatever task they throw to me. Why? Because I'm competing with kids 6 years my junior! If I don't perform, they might as well hire someone younger.

After one year of showing them what I'm capable off, I did get the reward I deserved. Perhaps more than what I thought I deserved. So my next target was to find a place closer to home so I can spend more time with my family. And I did mention this to my boss. So, when the half-year review came, she asked me again about my plans. Am I going to go through with it? Being the honest me, I told her it's not easy for me to decide. If I were to change, it would mean less pay and more work. Not necessarily more time at work but definitely more paperwork to handle. And I do have to sacrifice my Saturdays depends on which company I'm going to. So that is not really a good option. The perks is that the office is around 3-5 km from home. And I would end up with less pay than what I'm getting now. A lot less!

This is what she had to say. As a mother and a friend she understands my concern and what motivates me to consider those options. She too have 2 kids about the same age as mine. Being able to send them to school and play time is precious. But as a Manager, she has to be selfish. She doesn't want me to leave and would like to do anything she could to get me to stay. However that does not mean she will force me to stay. She will respect my decision either way. She has plans for me and that plans means more responsibility. Her plans goes more than 12 months for me.

I was a bit stunned and wasn't able to comment anything on that. But I assured her if I am leaving I will not leave her hanging. Besides there are others that are capable to do what I do. The one and only different is I am loud. Hahaha... Seriously. Most of my team mates are not vocal people. Unfortunately for her, I am. I would say what's on my mind and will admit to whatever mistakes I did. She said the most significant trade that I have is that I can take criticism positively. And to her that is one of the most important for someone to be able to further his or herself in an organization.

So now I am torn between family and career. I am still not looking for one. But if I were to be offered with a career plus good reward. Who am I to say no to that? No worries, I still have 2011 to think about it.

Family trip to none other than Port Dickson

Finally we managed to go for a family vacation last weekend. After all the brainstorming on where to go we decided on the nearest spot. Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan. To add to the excitement, we're going there without hotel reservation. We're gonna take our chance on just walking in and book a room.

So after the parents-teacher session at Imran's kindy, we're off. The journey was fine because kids we're asleep all the way. We even had time to drive along before deciding to stay at Permaisuri Resorts. They only provide apartments. So we took the Studio Apartment and requested for extra mattress. The appearance and facility was okay but the cafe was terrible. There were flies everywhere. And the service was not that bad, given the fact that most of them are new at this. I can seem to trace any experienced staff but they were helpful. I'm giving them few months for the next visit.

Anyway, we had a blast at Blue Lagoon beach. Yes, that is the name on the place. The water was great and Imran had fun building his sandcastles. Would you believe me when I say I never build one myself? So this thing is new to me too! Hahaha... Hani also had a blast. Not once she made anyone miserable. Except when she wanted to sleep in our bed instead of hers. At one point the only regret I have is that Imran couldn't make new friends at the beach. The kids were not being friendly. And most of the people there were young couples fooling around with each other. And I do mean fooling around in the water.

Enough rambling. I can't wait for another family trip. Hope It'll be soon...