In a fancy restaurant, not so bright, not so dark and the ambiance screams fine dining. Ignoring the crowds, the guy gets down on his knee, focused on what he rehearsed every night since a month ago. As he gather his guts, he slips his hand into his pocket and pulled out a red box. Everything was as perfect as he’d imagined.

Slowly, he opened the box.

Sparkles fled and filled the air, lights came dashing out piercing through the walls, luminating every dark corners of the restaurant. The linearity of time stops as all eyes focused on the ‘star’. He presented to her, a token of love, a band that’ll hold them together, today and so forth, a ring.

She looked at him and then the ring, alternating the two, speechless and awed.

He took one final deep breath, thinking it for the very last time. Flashing through every memory he had about any girl, including the posters on his wall and all the Bond girls he liked. He questioned himself, will he be a good husband and father? Can he cater all her needs and necessities? Will he offer her a solitary comfort and safety? Ultimately, through thick and thin of life?

He realized, he’s been asking himself those questions a long time ago. The answer lies within the beautiful person properly seated in front of him. The one that everyone calls “the One”. He blinked, making sure it’s not a dream. He asked what he wanted to ask. He couldn’t have done it any better.

As tears build up, she held his hand. Softly, she replied.

* * * *

So what did he asked and what did she replied? Leave a comment!

ps: We got our wedding ring last Saturday! Wohoo!

Have you watched the video? To some extend it is funny. But after 2 minutes, it became a different story.

The video is about naughty kids getting caught swimming in a tank. The kids were interrogated and one of them actually cried. Personally, it’s a disgrace to degrade those kids, what more, catch them on camera in their trunks. They should have let the parents to deal with it and not take matters in their on hands. Maybe later on, ask for compensation or something.

Think about it. When you were young, were you as naughty? If you are, then I bet you must had one hell of punishment for ‘corrective measure’.

After watching the vid, it has become very apparent, we don’t respect the young ones. The cycle repeats when it’s their turn to become an adult.

“They’re just kids with no pride and brain.” .. or so we think.

ps: WTH kan?

Where? Pantai dalam (Google map)

Who? Bloggers.

What? Anything under this great blue sky.

Why? Because ideally, our blog connects, so should we, physically. Unite!

Fill in this form and save me the headache.

ps: Nak datang, datang, tak nak sudah. Tak pakse pon.

WARNING: MLM = STRICTLY PROHIBITED

Pada 21 Ogos 2010, bank telah pon menolak RM 917 dari akaun saya. Berkali-kali saya terangkan melalui telefon, bahawa jika Maybank berbuat demikian, komitmen saya terhadap pinjaman kereta, perbenlanjaan sehari, duit minyak, apatah lagi perbelanjaan menjelang Hari Raya akan terganggu.

Saya kesal dengan tindakan bank sebegini kerana;

1. Tiada sebarang surat dihantar untuk memberi tahu tarikh pembekuan akaun.
2. Tiada panggilan dari pihak bank berkenaan pembekuan akaun dan tunggakan kad kredit.
3. Bank telah membekukan akaun saya, walhal itu semua adalah wang saya.
4. Tiada sebarang ‘mutual understanding’ berkenaan penyelesaian baki.
5. Bank telah menolak baki RM 917 daripada akaun saya tanpa persetujuan saya.
6. Bulan depan sudah Hari Raya, tetapi saya tidak punyai wang untuk dibelanjakan.
7. Saya telah merayu supaya tidak menolak RM 917 dari akaun saya dan meminta untuk menyelesaikan baki minimum.
8. Bank tidak seharusnya membekukan akaun tanpa pemberitahuan atau notis.
9. Jumlah tunggakkan adalah RM 907, tetapi dikenakan tambahan RM 10. Untuk apa, saya pun tidak tahu.

Sekarang, kerosakan telah dilakukan, wang telah dirompak dari saya. Perbuatan Maybank saling tak tumpah seperti Ah Long, di mana mereka membekukan akaun, memaksa pelanggan melunaskan hutang dan membiarkan pelanggan mengikat perut untuk menempuh seharian. Mana pergi kemanusian?

Saya terkilan, kerana sanggup syarikat gergasi yang selama ini saya setia sejak bangku sekolah lagi telah menindas orang kerdil. Apalah sangat RM 917 itu kalau dibandingkan dengan USD 1 billion untung selepas cukai yang dibentangkan oleh Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid.

Apakah wajar bank menindas golongan usahawan yang tidak berjaya macam saya? Bukankan ada cara lebih baik selain merompak dari akaun saya? Tidakkah Maybank boleh menyusun ansuran selama tiga bulan? Yang paling penting, mengapa menjelang Hari Raya?

Oleh itu, saya sarankan kepada masyarakat umum, jika hendak menggunakan kemudahan kredit kad, pilihlah bank lain. Janganlah anda terikat dengan Ah Long gergasi seperti Maybank.

ps: This letter was sent to all major online news publisher, utusan, harian metro, berita harian and kosmo.

pss: Share this by clicking the facebook, retweet it and like it. The public needs to know before they get roped in like I did.

You know the sad part is? I didn’t even give instruction to deduct my account! What a fucking moron! First they block, second they retrieve my money without my consent. I don’t ever recall telling them to contra the RM917. For all I know, I was begging on the phone for an alternative way around this. So I guess, Maybank has made their stance, so have I.

Ini bukan company lagi, ini syarikat Along!

I sent a complain through Maybank website, guess what? The form doesnt work! WTF? The form.

I went through the clause or agreement, it states:

Item 10.2 Upon the cancellation of the Credit Card or upon the revocation, suspension or restriction of the rights of the Cardholder or Supplementary Cardholder to use the Credit Card aforesaid, the Cardholder shall, upon demand by Maybank, settle his/her Credit Card Account in full or in part as required by Maybank.

It clearly states, in full or in part, Dont be a RETARD MAYBANK! and no where under the clause it says anything to do with blocking account. Is that even legal? Should I tie this thing to court?

WHAT CUSTOMER SATISFACTION? DAMN YOU! FOR AS LONG AS I AM STILL MAD AT YOU, I WILL DO EVERYTHING WITHIN MY WILL TO STOP PEOPLE FROM USING YOUR SERVICES!

What should I do now? I guess sit at home since I don’t have any spare cash to use. Stupid Maybank!

17th August – Credit Card payment due. Since no payment was made, they blocked my account. That includes any transaction through Maybank2u. And I wasn’t aware of this until pay day. The amount I owe is RM 907, minimum payment RM 130.

19th August – Salary pumps in. I wanted to settle my loans, debts and everything that is on top of my head. Then I realised my account was blocked. Called Maybank remedial service, staff not in. It’s only 4.35 pm and they put me on machine. Everyone went home I guessed. So I called the next day.

20th August – Called them after Friday prayer. Was greeted warmly and explained my situation, that my savings is blocked and I can’t do anything. I asked them whether they can contra that from savings. They can, but they wanted the full amount of RM900.

That’s is a total BULLSHIT! All this while, I can ask them to immediately contra my account for minimum payment. Now they want full!!

I explained to the lady, it’s going to be Raya soon, and I need that money to do my shoppings, food for September, fuel etc. And guess what she said, no. WHAT AN IDIOT. HOW AM GOING TO LIVE TILL NEXT MONTH? DARN IT MAYBANK!

Well, to some extend, I understand that I owe them money but that’s a service. They are gaining from me from interest, late payment charges and other charges. Why can’t you just accept the minimum amount? I’ll pay accordingly later on! WHYY? WHYY ARE YOU SO THICK HEADED?

My car loan is RM 700, fuel to go to work plus highway, close RM700 as well. Lunch money for the whole month, RM 250. Minus other installment as well, I’m dead. At the end of the day that RM900 is going to be used for fuel and lunch money, which I plan to cut and use for raya shopping.

Fine, I’ll just submit unwillingly to Maybank and pay RM900 full amount. They told me, I’ll be able to use my account again by evening. At 4.23 pm I called in to check my status. No one is in! MY ACCOUNT IS BLOCKED OVER THE WEEKEND! HOW MORE SCREWED CAN I BE ?!

Since everything else (other credit card, loans) is due on 21st, which means to say, I’ll be imposed with late payment fees! SERIOUS SHIT. DON’T MAYBANK PEOPLE HAVE MIND TO THINK WITH? Understand the burden that I’ll be facing. Come on, there’s always a way to override it. Don’t make things worst. Have some decency please, it’s close to Raya, let me give out some duit raya this year.

After this shit, I’m withdrawing all my money and putting it elsewhere. It’s never a good idea to put all in one basket. MAYBANK REMEDIAL SERVICE really have to take a toll on this. HAVE SOME DECENCY LAH, UNDERSTAND YOUR CLIENT. After all, I’m trusting you my money here, that’s all a man is really worth (on this life).

ps: It’s not the first time they blocked my account. It happened before.

pss: Let’s just hope LHDN refund my money and NuffNang to pay this month, else, I’m dead!

Ustaz Rosli, seorang pensyarah dan juga seorang ilmuan tamadun Islam. Daripada penceritaan beliau, beliau nampak begitu mahir dalam bidangnya. Antara topik yang pernah beliau bentangkan, adalah kisah-kisah sahabat, isteri-isteri Muhammad SAW, sebelum dan selepas kedatangan Islam.

gambar dari Nizam

Ramai yang tanya, mana lagi afdhal? 8 rakaat ke 20? Biar aku petik sebijik-sebijik ayat die.

Muhammad SAW hanya sembahyang 3 kali di Masjid dan buat 8 rakaat sahaja. Muhammad sembahyang 3 kali di masjid sebab 2 perkara; tak nak jadikan tarawih wajib dan masjid time die penuh sangat. Walaupun Muhammad sembahyang 8 rakaat sahaja, tetapi, 1 rakaat beliau ada 3 juz Quran bacaan. Selalunya Muhammad SAW akan habis tarawih mase dekat sahur.

Kemudian, ada orang tanye, 8 ke 20 rakaat? Jawapan beliau:

Orang Melayu selalu bergaduh pasal 8 ke 20, kenape tak gaduh pasal 30 rakaat ataupun 38 rakaat? Memang ada mazhab sembahyang 30 atau 38, tapi kita pilih untuk bergaduh 8 atau 20.

Sebaiknya, tarawih dan amalan kamu itu adalah antara kamu dan Tuhan. Terpulanglah kepada diri sendiri, nak 8 ke 20, atau tak payah. Ibadah tak semestinya dari berzikir, sembahyang tarawih atau bacaan Quran. Bekerja mencari nafkah pon ibadah. Begitu juga dengan derma, berkongsi ilmu, berbaik selepas bergaduh.

Cukuplah, panjang lebar aku sharekan intipati tazkirah. Tak perlulah nak berlagak kalau buat 20, kalau satu rakaat pon tak diterime sebab riak. Sekian.

ps: Kadang2 kalau aku balik awal, ade je suare sumbang, “Aik, 8 je?”

Grandma is doing well. Granddad, well, not so considering he’s in his 70′s. He tends to forget whether he prayed or not, so most of the time, he doubled it. And he’s always laying down, which makes it hard to lay eyes on him. Someone who used to be very strong and determined, now, flat on his back.

While heading out to Ramadhan Bazar, I asked grandma whether she’d want some delicacies for iftar. She gave me this list that I had to memorized, which was easy actually. Then I asked Wan (grand dad), what he wanted since he was listening to our conversation.

“Wan, ewin nak pergi pasar, nak pesan tak?”

He gestured a kueh,”bagi Wan.. alaa ape name ni.. ”

“Apam balik? ” I asked.

“Bukan! Ala mende kecik tu..” emphasizing his gesture.

“Ohh.. tepung pelita?” I asked again.

“Bukan!”, he denied.

“Kueh puteri lilin, karipap, murtabak, bendere, lapis, gulung, pau goreng, gule melake ..” I spoiled him with a long list of Malay delicacies.

“Bukann…! Ala.. mende kad kad tu, utk handphone” he replied.

“Ohhhh! Top up!” I guessed.

“Haaa.. betul la tu!”

“Maxis, Digi, Celcom?” I asked again.

“Maxis kot”

I had a premonition he’s going to be wrong, so I rushed into his room and got his mobile phone. It said, Celcom.

It’s this tiny detail that makes me miss my grandparents. I wish I could spend all day long, loitering their living room and talk about everything there is to talk about. After all, they won’t be around forever. It’s ok, I have 2 weeks off a month from now. Until then, let’s prepare a long list of questions!

ps: Sembahyang 8 ke 20? Next topic to share

So mom started to indicate me on the intrinsic ways to my brothers new home. I roughly have some idea where it’s located, but unsure the exact place. I bet Garmin can solve this guidance issue. My youngest brother than hijacked the conversation, wanting his share of thoughts about the new place.

“Ewin tahu, rumah tu ade dua (2) perabot?”

I looked at him, filled with amazement and confusion. I asked again, “2 Perabot?”

“A’ah.. 2 perabot!”

On second note, I started doubting my Malays, what is a perabot anyway? As I recall it’s furniture, you know, chairs, tables, dining sets, beds etc.

“Bukan 2 perabot la, 2 seti!” mom ended my vigorously processing thoughts.

Adoi, perabot and seti, how can he be confused of the two words when he’s in Form 2? More over, why did I doubt myself? Cute, but he’s a teenager, so cute no longer fits the picture. But then again, who cares, he is my baby bro.

Imaging this sentence in Malay, “di bulan puasa, seronok juga kalau dapat baring atas PERABOT sambil menonton TV“. Can I pass SPM? Right, I don’t think so.

ps: Schools over, doesn’t mean I have to stop learning.

It was hosted at Nilai Spring Resort, somewhere south of KL. The trip from my house took about 45 minutes. It was blazing hot and surprisingly very windy.

For me, it was the third time for me on a real golf course.

The first nine holes witness a mental break down. I was hitting everywhere else except for the target. The weather wasn’t helpful either, it was hot and humid. My peers were Wong and Herfa. Wong is regular and Herfa, just like me a beginner.

I was doing so bad until Wong told me, “Edwin, remember practise driving range.”

From there, things took off. I played much better, more composed and focused. Landed a few chance for birdie, unfortunately I was pretty much a sissy when it comes to putting. It’s always too short or slow to reach the hole. The score was good for the second nine, it was full of bogey and a par.

Having to recover from a bad game, landed me this..

.. 2nd place in Rookie Category and if I have to thank anyone, it’ll be Aisyah Rozi. If she hadn’t tried hard to understand my new hobby and the time needed to practise, I wouldn’t have a place in the rankings. Thanks hun! Also thanks to Dad for the set. Oh yes, and I played 108. Which is a big deal

ps: Ramadhan is coming, I doubt I’d have the time to swing. So puasa, is really PUASA

Every single time I played, this is what happen, broken toe nail. It was a direct result of going too fast and changing direction in an instant. I keep forgetting I’m 74 kg! (was 64 kg 7 months ago). Weight shifting requires lots of energy and exerts physical capability. *Repeat After Me: You’re not young anymore!*

I didn’t go through proper surgery as I did it myself. Just a nail clipper, a chain saw, a lighter, a spanner and 3 types of kitchen knifes. Except the first, the rest are just gimmicks. It was pretty hard to pull out the whole chunk, the skin was still attached to the nail. By applying minimal constant force, I did it. Patience was the key factor.

Since my toe is pretty much exposed, it feels like naked and funny.

I guess it’ll be months until I get to play again. Oh well.

ps: Will tell you about my first golf tournament in the next post

The common question was, should I get a ring? What should I bring? Who else should I invite? What do I need to wear? Answer;

1. Depends on the girl’s family. Mostly yes.
2. Something sweet, Ferrero Rocher can never be wrong.
3. Direct family, father, mother & siblings
4. Smart casual would suffice.

Anyway, I successfully had mine. Both family seems to be getting along just fine. It turns out, my mom’s cousin was Aisyah’s neighbor. What a small world.

We left home about 2.42 pm. It took dad 25 minutes from Keramat to Sect 7 Shah Alam, no surprise, he’s a speed demon too but generally, I’d say he’s ashamed of being late (it’s a family thing, being on time.)

Now that this is done, I need to buckle up and save for the wedding. Generally I’m happy, but I have to admit, I am freaked out a bit. I mean… I’m getting hitched? Yeah I know, wtf kan? Like all the advises I got, just go with the flow. And so I am.

I guess eventually, I have to shutdown this emo blog as the feeling slowly subsides.

ps: Did you know the gold price is RM 143 per gram? Gile mahal!

pss: Thank you for your wishes

I’ve been with Maxis since it’s inception in 1999. After 11 years, I gave up this bitterness affair. It’s pointless. As a loyal partner, I deserve better, especially if I’ve been paying almost RM100 monthly. Why the change?

1. Cost Issue

With Maxis, I had to call them every time the bill arrives. There’s always some hidden charges that’s not mine. There was once, my bill peaked RM300 ++. It was due to GPRS and my phone is not even Internet capable! It was ok if I had to called once in a while, but it’s not fucking ok, if I had to call them MONTHLY. Such a waste of time.

2. Family or Supplementary Line

With Maxis, it’s only 15 hours of free calls between Principal (me) and Supplementary and RM 30 commitment fees. Digi offers unlimited calls at only RM15 commitment fees. If you’re the type of person who likes to ‘gayut‘ with your girl, this is the best way to do it. Oh and, free MMS and SMS too

3. Barred Phone

Shitty Maxis won’t allow you to call them if your phone is barred! Even if you were to inform them of your payment, you’d have to use a different phone! How fucking stupid is that? If you know your client is owning you money, it’ll be in your best interest to listen to them for any arrangement/adjustment, not totally block them. So for Customer service, NEGATIVE!

Digi, well.. I haven’t got barred yet.

4. Rewards

Being loyal for 11 years doesn’t pay off. I only knew that calls to other Maxis on your birthday are free when I changed to Digi from a friend. All this while, they did not bother to inform me of any rewards. They like to keep their customer in the dark kot? Other benefit? Not ever! As for Digi, non yet still too early.

Simpler Calculation

Maxis: RM 50 plan + RM 30 supplementary = RM 110.
You’ll have to fight for the difference every month and you don’t even know what’s it for! Talk about integrity..

Digi: RM50 plan + RM15 supplementary = RM 65.
That’s more like it. Make small money but honest

Those four reasons are good enough for me to jump boat. Maxis don’t need my shitty money, it’s ok, I’ll give it to someone else. When will they learn, that telco business is about trust? I guess they won’t.

Although I have to admit, I often get drop call especially while driving (changing base station to another) but that’s just a pinch and it doesn’t really bother me.

ps: German 3rd place. Not bad for a very young team

Every time I look at you, I long for your touch. The sharp edges of your body, the fumes you left, the snaring sound, the breath-taking experience, the oh-so-good rush , you left quite an impression to this goatee-d boy.

I think about you, I look you up, I even googled you. Yes, I am your fond stalker.

But I can’t have you.

I can’t let you snuggle between me and my lover. I’d hate to make an impossible decision of owning you. I’d have to starve just to keep you by my side. Not now, not at this critical time.

I bet you’ll make me feel alive, pumping adrenaline through my veins, pulling every strain of hair left on my head. You were the one, I’d even lock you up in my room. Too bad, you’ll not be featured in the picture I’m painting.

This is good bye, this is it. I’m officially parting ways with my dream. Bye, for now.

ps: In case you’re wondering, I test drove an ER6-F today and it was awesome.

pss: Kumpul duit, pakcik nak kawen

WTF? I just joined 6 months ago and barely learned anything, what makes me want to go? I love my work, my environment, the people I work with and most importantly, the sit-back-relax-but-work mode. Very stress free (I assure you, I am pretty much stressed up, but only revolves around work).

Seriously, if anyone would like to spread rumours, at least make it a cool one, like I’m banging the front desk girl or exchanged punches with the MD. Anything lower than that wouldn’t be something of my appetite. Booo!

ps: I hate that vuvuzela sound on live telecast, annoying, kinda like the rumor