Karlbum's Memoir :: The Adventures Begin

Short Holiday 2008

2008-08-20T13:20:40Z

My mid sem holiday is somewhat over. I'm already back at Gua Musang. Am here early so that I can start on the new timetable as well as properly putting the stuff that I moved from the old house.

So how did I spent my short holiday, basically there was not much that I did, I attended a relative's wedding. It was a simple affair nothing grand but the atmosphere was definitely festive.

The Imam that did the solemnization was really funny, first he made the groom really nervous by purposely saying another person's name. Then he gave the usual wedding sermon. After the solemnization is the really funny part. He then transformed into the wedding director. Even telling the newly weds what to do. For instance he told the groom to put on the ring to the wife's finger and then counted so that the photographers get a chance to snap pictures. Then he instructed the groom to kiss the bride and then counted very fast saying that it needn't be too long as they have other times to do it as long as they want.

On another note, Alya is not feeling pretty well lately she has been coughing and the doctor have given her some medication. But the cough have not really subsided so far.
Alya is also pretty heavy right now. When we weighted her at 1 month old she was already 3.6kg an increment of 500 grams then at 2 months old her weight shot up to 4.7kg. I bet when we weigh her next she'll be close to 6 or 7kg.

Till next time

Adieu

PMR Trial 2008

2008-08-14T13:42:34Z

Have been pretty busy this week, for starters, the school was open on saturday as we had to replace for the Aidil Fitri holiday. What's more was that this week was the Trial Exam for PMR.

The questions were a bit tough for English, a few students just didn't know what the questions really wanted. They gave a dialogue whereby two persons were debating on the good and bad of being involved in sports. The students were asked who they agreed with. So the students had to do 2 things, first was to extract the main points and then use it as a basis for their own opinion. Pretty tough but some had managed to do it quite nicely.

Tomorrow is the Mid Semester 2 break, but I have not started my journey back to my kampung yet, instead I'm going to finish arranging and moving all the small items to the new house. Hope I can finish it all in a day as on saturday we have to attend a wedding.

I have another story, but we will get to that story another day

Adieu

Moving Blues

2008-08-06T14:06:23Z

I have finished moving, and there were several hiccups along the way. For instance, I had to wait for 3 days to get my telephone line reinstalled, that explains why I haven't been updating my blog.

There were also problems with the lorry that was supposed to pick up some of the bigger stuffs. Supposedly they promised to come pick it up saturday afternoon. but in the end I had to switch to another lorry and they couldn't make it in such a short notice, but only the next evening. The astro installer was amazingly easy to get hold of, in fact I called him and he came by 1 hour later after he was finished at another house.

So far the home is pretty cozy, no problem in sight. A locksmith will be coming this friday to change a lock. Also a builder will be coming next week to fix a shed at the back of the house. Now all I need to do is just a little bit of plumbing. Need to fix the pipes so that it will be easier to use it for the washing machine.

All in all, it was a good week though I still have a few more item left at the old house. Plus good a pretty achy muscle from the heavy lifting.

Adieu

Moving Day 1

2008-08-01T15:28:48Z

Today is moving day one, haven't really moved yet more of cleaning up the house and putting up curtains. The house now looks a lot better.

Spent the whole morning cleaning up the house. Then in the afternoon we put up the curtains. Also got a colleague to come and check the electrical system at the house. The were 2 electrical points that need to be fixed, and also will need to fix the toilet a bit.The pump was not working that well. The simple solution is to just get a thick plastic to replace the one in the pump. You can use any, he suggested I use the one that comes with sugar.

Also needed to fix the light in the kitchen. So that the lighting will be better in there. Easier to cook under good lighting. Went back after dinner to send a few non essential clothing to the house.

Tomorrow is day 2. More tiring? perhaps

Adieu

House Hunting : Part 2.2

2008-07-29T13:04:57Z

I've stopped hunting for a new house, as I have found a pretty nice house, bigger than the one I'm renting currently. 3 bedrooms with a single toilet. Comes with a porch and a nice patch of garden. Talked with the owner this afternoon, a pretty decent guy. Already booked the house and will be moving in to the house this friday.

The house is at Taman Wangi, the surroundings are pretty nice, will be neighbours with a few more teachers. Also managed to find a nanny for Alya. Will be leaving her to a nice motherly makcik.

Just feel glad that I got that house. The funny thing is that my landlord actually called me to say that she found me a house. A lil bit too late I say, as I had already booked that house. But then again I don't think I'll go for that house if I have a choice as the area is not as nice

Anyways will be pretty busy for these few days.

Till next time, adieu

House Hunting : Part Two

2008-07-26T23:22:23Z

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Seems that I will have to hunt for a house again. My landlord just called me yesterday to tell me that she has sold the house. I've been given a month. House hunting is tiring and boring especially in Gua Musang. People here usually book a house that will be empty. That's why u rarely see a sign that says house for rent or that sort.

Hope that it won't take that long for me to find a house this time around.The last time I was merely lucky because a friend saw a house for rent/sale and I managed to get the house just in time.

Adieu

p/s: If any of you know anyone that has a house for rent in Gua Musang. drop me a comment before 9 August.

Full Inspectorate

2008-07-26T15:21:38Z

Last week the School Inspectorate camped at our school for one whole week. They came here to do a full inspection on the school. The reason is because we have been an under-achieving school for a number of years already. They were here trying to help us get back on our feet.

I was observed twice, once for English and another one for P.E was expecting somebody to come in and observe me during Biology but that never happened. Got good inputs from them, especially for English. She commented that I need to play a bit with my deep "sexy" voice and to use the board more often. Yeah I know my voice is a bit deep so sometimes the students can't hear me that well.

All in all it was a good experience, the last time I was observed was when I was doing my practicum, and I do welcome the feedback that they had given me

Adieu

Che Esah : In Memoriam

2008-07-24T00:24:50Z

My grandmother on my father's side passed away yesterday. It was very disappointing for me. I was still at school during that time because we had extra-curricular activities, and I had to cover for another person.

My family tried to call me to tell me about the death at 3pm but they couldn't get through to me, the school is a virtual wireless dead zone. I was finally told about the news when I was on my way back from school.

Rushed from Gua Musang to Machang, but when I had arrived, they have buried her, as it was already night and they wanted to finish before Maghrib. The only thing that I managed to do was meet my family members.

My grandfather was still in shock, he was asleep when my grandmother passed away. He kept babbling about how he will be lonely, and blaming himself for not dying earlier. The two of them were close, and have never been apart. Her death is still a shock to us all, as my grandfather was the one that was sick. She was the one that looked after him.
She had no illnesses and that morning didn't complain about anything. That afternoon her feet was cold and my auntie wanted to take her to the hospital, but she died quickly after. Whatever it is, she will always be loved by us. The quiet and sweet grandmother that loves to smile.

Farewell dear one

Al-fatihah & adieu

Robot Ticks : The Results

2008-07-22T12:07:51Z

The results is in. We sent in 5 teams. 3 for the Category A (under 18) and 2 for Category B (under 15) and did not sent in any for the Open Category (themed exhibition). Out of all that only 1 team got a mention. We got 4th in Category A and nothing in the others. The last year winner conquered the competition by winning every single category. Last year they were also the representative for Malaysia, I guess this will be a repeat for them.

Back to the 4th winner.... was glad that we won something. At least the kids have something to be proud of. Beaten by the reigning winner isn't that bad considering they won 1st, 2nd and 3rd place! I hope this will motivate them to do better. Shows that some team from the interior of Kelantan can hold their own when compared to SBP and Technical Schools.... not that they are not bright, but just lack some motivation sometimes.

So I guess that is it. I hope next year we will be better prepared and not do anymore last minute thing

Adieu

Another Slip

2008-07-20T12:16:10Z

Today at school was just informed that one of my colleague had an accident. The accident actually happened at the same place that my accident happened. But as it happened, the colleague went down the road on the left side and a ravine was just waiting there. They miraculously survived the ordeal with nothing but scratches and bruises, but their car was really in a bad shape. A friend told me it had dents and scratches everywhere, up down, in front back sides... everywhere!

What this really is, is just a reminder to us that, that particular road is very slippery and very hazardous. I myself was actually the third person from the school to had an accident there. The news of it happening wasn't really spread out. Now only does we talk about how dangerous that part of the road after so many incidents happening right there and two accidents happening in a span of less than a month.

Reminder to self, running water plus downhill road plus cornering is a dangerous mix!

Adieu

Did You Leave A Comment?

2008-07-18T02:03:17Z

Due to a revamping of my site, I overlooked one tiny setting that caused all comments to go to the Junk folder. so If u have left a comment before this, it may or may not have been kept in the system. With that I apologize. By the way the problem has been fixed and I'll make sure to check that setting if I do revamp my site in the future...

Adieu

Robot Ticks

2008-07-15T08:12:28Z

Have been pretty busy these few weeks, I took over the job of mentoring my school's robotic teams. Previously they were looked after by the PK KO, but he was transferred to another school and as I was one of the mentors last year, I took over his job this year. But to make it all sound more crazy, I'm mentoring 5 teams this year! as opposed to just 2 last year.

It has been hard work for me, staying back after school everyday, I only go back home at around 5.30pm. But truth to be told I enjoy it, playing with those lego kits reminds me of my childhood, even though when I was a child I only had a small set. But true enough it does bring out the creative side of you

]]> So back to the teams, 2 teams are the under 15 team and 3 more are under 18s. Just last week I told them to redo their robot designs as most of them were pretty unstable and some could even turn properly without dragging its back wheel.

The under 18s have finished their robot design and moving on to the programming side of it, but as thing goes the younger ones are still playing around with the design of their robots. Makes me feel very nervous. Why shouldn't I, the competition is actually on thursday, at that's just 2 more days. Phewwwww..... hopes the kids will be able to do it in time

Till next time

Adieu

Blood Pressure Metered

2008-07-14T11:30:52Z

Was feeling a bit dizzy this morning so I had a quick visit to the doctor today. Was quite shocked to see my blood pressure, it was quite high 159/100 even the doctor made quite a face and even though I've been plagued with high blood pressure before (was diagnosed with young hypertension) have never been prescribed with high blood pressure medication. Today she gave me normaten, told me to try it out if it helps.

This is where it is important that you have your own Sphygmomanometer or in lay man's term Blood Pressure Monitor. I personally have one, just to keep a tab on my blood pressure, my parents also own one. High blood pressure runs in the family

Wondered why my pressure shot so high, I have managed to keep it at a nice 120ish for a while. Maybe it is the pressure of work, but that couldn't be it.. hmmm who knows...

Adieu

Drifting : Do I Know How?

2008-07-10T23:40:47Z

A week ago, I had a moment of panic... the car went out of control while travelling down a hill side. It was a simple right corner but one where there was running water on the road.. it made it very slippery and while trying to turn right, the rear end moved first and the car drifted to the right because of that... it turned my car into a mower and mowed the grass on the right side of the road.... managed to regain control in time and put it back on the road...... (on the left side is a big chasm and on the right side a big drain)

Stopped a few meters away after the incident to take a look a the car, no serious damage, just a whole lot of scratch and a dent near the tail light. Lucky that neither the light nor its bracket was broken... if not that alone would cost a few hundred. Got a quote from toyota, they quoted 600 just to fix the dent alone.... I had it fixed at a small workshop near my home for just 60 ringgit And their work was remarkable... the paint wasn't even chipped....

I myself wasn't hurt in the incident just that my body is sore from the incident.... was wearing my seatbelt.. so that must have protected me while giving me a shoulder ache..

Meanwhile on another front. Alya is now 40 days old... she's a lot chubbier now and has gained a few centimeters as well.

She also likes to smile and make small sounds whenever i talk to her.. and her eyes definitely follows me around whenever i get up to get something. The joy of fatherhood????

Till next time, Adieu

p/s: no I don't know how to drift

2 Weeks Old

2008-06-15T09:30:35Z

My newborn is now 2 weeks old (15 days including today), reminiscing back, the day after she was born, the mum and baby was allowed to leave. We headed straight for her grandpa's house for him to have a look at her, we also swung around to her great grandma's house. We also managed to stop at Abuya's (a local sheikh) for her tahnik ceremony.

She was all fine and dandy until her third day when the visiting nurse announced that she has a slight jaundice and we needed to check her blood for it. We went to check her blood daily at Lundang Paku Health Clinic, and on the 3rd time, her jaundice had went down and the nurse told us to bring her back only if necessary.

I went to the registration office and had gotten her birth certificate, in a month's time I will be getting her MyKid. She is now officially know as Nur Alya Fatima, though her family likes to call her Alya for short. Alya can mean a few thing such as "a high place", "venerable", "mountain", "high", while Fatima is the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH or in old arabic "to wean"
as such her name can mean "The light of the venerable Fatima".

During the weekend, we did a little get together for her Aqiqah, and we managed to get it done with a minimum of fuss, even managed to get a goat for it at the last minute and luckily it was cheap. During the aqiqah, the imam shaved her hair a bit. I was instructed to finish it on my own. Her head was soft, and it took me almost 4 hours just to shave her head. (Have shaved my own head in less time) Probably because I was afraid that I would hurt her. That afternoon her belly cord fell off on its own accord, this was only noticed when I was checking her diaper.

Alya is still sleeping around clock only waking up for her milk and for her diaper to be changed. She is also more active during the night, waking up several times in the wee hours for her milk and sometimes not going back to sleep after it. This is to be expected, but a bit tiring for me and her mum. On that note, I need my beauty sleep.

Adieu