Salam Eid ul-Adha

I have a very low-key Eid ul-Adha this year, in fact we didnt even celebrate it, which is such a pity.  Last year, we had an open house for family.  But not this year. I went to work instead for 2hrs.  Never in my working life have done that, but this new job requires me to do so.  Its fortunate that the office is only about 20 minutes away and I have said my committment to perform my duties.

Another reason why there was no celebration was because our daughter was having her exam today.  The exam has been fixed and since Eid ul-Adha was pushed back one day later, then the exam still had to go on.  She and the rest of her friends have Physics today despite the celebration.  But I think its ok, its not really a big deal. 

Spent my afternoon browsing the internet for some pictures of Hajj this year, and came across this website with really amazing pictures!  Just look at these, there are really brilliant, make me proud to be a Muslim.  I took these pictures from this site : http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/11/hajj_2010.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed4.  My blog here doesnt do justice to these pictures. Go and see, you'll be amazed!

Royal Wedding of England - Coming Soon

Ahh... I just love wedding!  The engagement announcement of Prince William and Miss Kate Middleton sent lots of anticipations all around the world.  Its about time!  They have been together since 2004 and as friends before that.  How romantic Prince William gave his fiancee his mother's ring, thats lovely.  And the ring looks really nice too.  Its huge saphire surrounded with diamond.  I wonder how much the ring worth?

What a nostalgic time.  Reminded the world of Princess Diana wedding to Prince Charles in 1981, 30 years ago. I was just 12 years old that time, and still vividly remember how extravagant the wedding was.  It was being telecast as live all round the world, including Brunei.  Unbelievable.  And I loved Diana's dress too.  The wedding drew grasps from people and taunted as the fairy tale wedding.

So I am looking forward to witness the wedding of Prince William and Kate next year, Insya Allah.  I am sure its gonna be a grand affair too.  I want to see the wedding dress, the venue and most important of all, those glorify smile and happiness from the couple.  After all its been 30 years since the fairy tale wedding and it was even ended with bitter divorce.  Lets hope for a better future this time!

3D Movies in Brunei

Now that my daughter almost finish her exam, well.. another week to go then she will be free! (her words, lol), she is planning to release the tension by going to the cinema and watch the 3D movie at the Mall Cineplex.

3D movies are so new here in Brunei.  Although we have seen 3D twice in KL but never done that here, not because we didnt want to but there was no 3D movies here yet.  Until recently.  The Mall Cineplex has gone 3D!  I would say, better late than never because 3D movies have existed since 1950s (according to Wikipedia). 

What is 3D movies actually?  According to Wikipedia (again), a 3-D (three-dimensional) film or S3D (stereoscopic 3D) film^[1] is a motion picture that enhances the illusion of depth perception. Derived from stereoscopic photography, a special motion picture camera system is used to record the images as seen from two perspectives (or computer-generated imagery generates the two perspectives), and special projection hardware and/or eyewear are used to provide the illusion of depth when viewing the film. 3-D films are not limited to feature film theatrical releases; television broadcasts and direct-to-video films have also incorporated similar methods, primarily for marketing purposes.

So there you go.  Its a totally new experience for the people of Brunei.  Wonder how is it like at the Mall?  What are the people reactions?  Was it well received?  Since I heard the tickets are more expensive than normal tickets.  Which should be the case since the technology and the equipments must be quite expensive. 

So we might give it a try.  Although the Mall is not really my preference because of the crowds but my daughter is eager to watch and since its in conjunction with her finishing her exam soon, it might be a good idea to go.

Although I have another reservation.  About the 3D glasses.  How do they do it?  Do we have to share the same glasses with the rest of the patrons?  My daughter told me her friend told her that they will discard the used frames and only take the glasses out and use them on another new frames.  If thats the case, then its alright.  Anybody knows?

And here is the costs of the tickets for reference I copied from Ranoadidas.com.

The ZamZam water

Very fascinating.  I have the urge to do a bit of browsing on zamzam water and astonished with the findings.  I always know how special this well water is, for the fact that it has appeared for thousands of years and have been drank and brought home for millions of pilgrims every single year, and never dried up!

We drank quite alot of this water too when we were there for Umrah, there are so many cool containers lined up in Masjidil Haram and we could just stop by and drank the water with a plastic cup as many times as we want.  It simply readily available any time at Masjidil Haram, Masya Allah.

It is indeed a very special water.  There is nothing ordinary about it. The miracle of how it came to being in the middle of the desert, its consistency throughout thousands of years, the beneficial qualities it has, the fact that it never dries up. This water is special.

Below some incriptions i copied from the internet.

Zamzam water:

The fact is, this small 5 ft. deep well is far away from any other source or body of water. It is self-replenishing. It is constantly replenishing itself in order to produce gallons upon gallons of water for consumption of thirsty pilgrims plus the additional amount that is bottled and also the amount that is taken as gifts distributed worldwide to millions. Zamzam water has scientifically been proven to contain healing qualities due to its higher content of Calcium and Magnesium Salts and also the natural fluorides that encompass a germicidal action.

It is also an established scientific fact that pools or water wells tend to grow vegetation such as algae—especially in warm climates. Amazingly is not the case in the well of Zamzam. It has remained free from biological contaminants.

Zamzam Water is pure water, without color or smell, has a distinct taste, and its hydrogen exponent is 7.5, indicating that it is alkaline to some extent.

A study conducted in American laboratories showed that traces of thirty elements were identified in Zamzam water by means of energizing neutrons. Some of these elements scored less than 0.01.  According to various chemical analyses, dry weather make: Zamzam more saline through evaporation, which is, with Allaah's might, good for the human body

As we all know, its all started when Siti Hajar (raa) searched desperately for water in the hills of Safa and Marwa to give to her newly born son Ismail (pbuh) As she ran from one place to another in search of water, her child rubbed his feet against the sand. A pool of water surfaced, and by the grace of God, shaped itself into a well which came to be called Zamzam water.

Below some amazing pictures of this special water.

Rare picture of zamzam well, from the source

 

Another picture of the well



From the top or from the surface

See, the well is not very deep.



Zamzam water is kept in cool container and ready for consumption all over Masjidil Haram.



The Month of Hajj

Its that time of year again!

So for this month and for the celebration to come, I just wanted to blog about this month, especially on the first 10 days that lead up to the 10th of Dzul Hijjah where all pilgrims in the holy land gather at Mount Arafah to get their "title".   How I wish its our turn, but we are redha its not our turn just yet.  Although at times, I feel so uneasya and impatient, I dont want to be left behind, to do this obligation.  I dont want it to be late for us.  Well.. Insya Allah, with Allah's will, we will be there too.

As all Muslim know, Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It is the pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. Hajj takes place in the twelth month of the Islamic calendar and every Muslim who is physically and financially able must perform this pilgimage at least once in their lifetime. It is a rigorous journey - a reminder of the purpose of life and man's ultimate end.

We have to be ready to embark on this journey, try to discharge ourselves from debts, seek the forgiveness of anyone and try to re-establish good relations with all.  Its not an easy one, but as everyone was saying, its the most fulfilling and exciting journey for every muslim.  Masha Allah. 

If we look at these pictures below, we couldnt help but feel the longing to be there.  How I wish, I was there too.  Our last trip to Mecca was in 2002 for our Umrah, and that was almost 10 years ago, a very long time and as we all know there are already so many changes to Mecca.  New building, the biggest clock, the new hotels, improve infrastractures and transportation.  Although this is merely not the reason to go again.  The ibadah will be eased with all these facilities I am sure.  Although these days the cost of the trip increases too.  But as I said, Insya Allah, Allah will give the rezki when we become his guests in the holy land.

Look at these pictures.  One word - beautiful.



The new Excapade Sushi in town

We tried the new and latest just opened Excapade restaurant in town, in Jalan Bunut to be exact.  This is I think their 6th or 7th branch?  Not sure, but their business really flourishes.  The actual name is Excapade Teppanyaki and I think they specialised in Sushi steamboat.  But we dont like steamboat so much so we still ordered the same dishes every time, hahaha.

The main entrace to the restaurant.

I was looking and making order while hubby taking pictures hahaha

Yummy

Hubby's favourite

Another hubby's favourite

This is my favourite

Hmmm..

Green Tea

Interview

What an ironic condition I was in the workplace today!

I was being interviewed at the same room just a month ago and got the job, yay.... And today I was there again but this time as an interviewer! There were a few candidates who interested to take over my old job (about time! Can we move on already and I can be in my new job full time?) and we conducted the interview to see their suitability. Very important for me since I have to ensure that my potential successor is the most suitable for the job . Pity those folks in the office if we just choose randomly without looking at what they can do and offer for the job.

Anyway, it went well, we basically have identified who should be sitting in there. And I cant wait for her to take over. Though there are still some paperwork and documents to be finalised but I am positive someone will be chosen.

But what I wanted to blog about was the irony of it all. Being an interviewer as opposed to the interviewee was a better position I think. I didn’t feel nervous because I know its not me that was being scrutinised so its all good ;). And I did understand what the candidates must feel. Its very nerve wrecking of course, you are sitting in one corner and being asked with all sorts of questions, even the interview room is very intimidating with tables and chairs with no windows. It sure felt like you are being interrogated or something. Whoever being interviewed here sure feel like a criminal one way or another, haha.

Ok, thats not even funny when you went for an interview.

View from my new office

The best thing of my new office is the view, from the 12th floor.  We could see almost 360 degrees of Bandar Seri Begawan, which is awesome.

Sungai Kianggeh leading up to Sungai Brunei.

Kampong Air from afar

Another view of Kampong Air

The motor tambang, graceful image of Bandar Seri Begawan

Masjid Omar Ali Saifuddin from different angle of my new office

We could also see the Bangunan Alat-Alat Kebesaran Diraja

Post Office Building at the fore front and Ministry of Home Affairs at the background

The water fountain at Padang Sir Omar Ali Saifuddin

"Dang Ayang" Mosseluem

 

Tamu Kianggeh



My new office!

Honeymoon is over!

I am not talking about any wedding or marriage but I am talking about my new job, lol. 4th November is the day! I am looking forward to the new challenge (or not hehe). I know there is going to be plenty. I am nervous at the same time although getting a new job is not something I haven’t done for a long time. I got this job (my current one) more than 2 years ago so its not that long. But still this job is totally new. Never done anything similar before and that makes it exciting. Although there are many new things to encounter and to get familiar with. And the work I have to do? Pricing! With lots of figures and formulas. I am “rambang mata” with all the files and folders, there are so many of them. No file housekeeping for may be 5 years?! (Note to self : I must remember to do lots of housekeeping and data clean up when I am actually there on my own. And make that a priority!)

I know I am going to be awkward for a few days since everything around me is new and unfamiliar. Well.. I’ve been going to the new department every thersday and friday since October but still I am more on a honeymoon period where people showed me and taught me how to do things. But this month, I am going to be on my own.

The downside of all these are the fact that I still have to be here half of the time, and spend my other half of the time in the new department. Not very convenient and hard on my attention span since I am still have to divide my attention to two jobs. Which my boss think shouldn’t be a problem for me. Why people always high hope for me and confident with my ability to juggle two jobs? Like yesterday was my first time running the whole 10 pages of report to be submitted every 1st day of the month. Mind you this is my first time looking at it and I was still helped by my predecessor, but my new boss already boasted to my other new colleagues at the end of the day that I did that on my own! And I was like, NNNNOOO! I DID NOT do that on my own! Are you all crazy? This was my first time, remember? I was shaking my head behind their back and not sure how to respond. Emm high expectation is so bad, in my opinion, at least!

More later.

Abacus Holiday Travel Fair

All I can say Bruneian do love to travel!  This is always the situation for every travel fair.  It was jam packed.  We managed to capture some images of the latest fair held at Rizqun International Hotel.  We reached there around 10.30am and the place was in full swing.  I think the whole fair started at 10am but people already arrived early and busy booking their tickets. 

But I must say the venue this time was not very favourable though, it was a bit hard to find, luckily there were others who looked for the same venue at the same time, so we tend to follow them and ended up at the correct place.

We were looking if we could get a better deal for our holiday in December but we found out the whole month of December was close - out, at least for Singapore.  So we didnt pursue any further..

Look! The whole place was packed.



On another part of the fair.

I was queueing up at Darussalam Holding booth, Darussalam is one of our favourite travel agent, they usually offer good travel package.  We booked our China holiday through them and it was awesome!

I was looking at some of the packages on offer.

One of the local packages to Temburong.  I wonder if there are people interested to do this, instead of scrambling to go overseas for their holidays.  Temburong is still a great place to visit and wind down.  And the prices were not too better either.  If you look carefully the package price was cut for about 50%!

There was some sort of price presentation going on.

One of the odd booth where nobody bothered to go, hahaha.  Telbru!  Why do people want to register for e-speed during travel fair promotion?

Then off to buy some groceries hahaha.

Leaked questions?

There was some commotions for the past few days on what happened during the GCE O level Chemistry exam in Brunei. I didn’t really know what was going on since I didn’t really pay any attention to it but from what I read on our local newspaper, some schools had the exam earlier than scheduled. And the students being a “loyal friends” after having the exam texted their friends and told them about the questions, but I am not so sure if its from the same school or not. Looked like the was a leaked questions on Chemistry and the whole country now know about it. I mean whats going on here? Whats up with the affected school? Didnt they know about the actual schedule from the MOE?

I’ve informed Ayang about it and she was really nervous about that, for the fact that they may have to resit the exam which is not so favourable at all. She said she did well on that paper and happy with what she did. And to resit is not really an option. What if things turned for the worst and its going to be a different set of questions? Its not fair for those students who did not cheat and tried their best.

For them it was such a long day.  They sat for 3 papers on that particular day.  And what was even unfortunate is that, in the afternoon, two papers clashed.  Both POA and Chemistry papers started at 2pm.  But MOE advised most schools to set Chemistry later after POA for those students taking both papers, therefore Chemistry after POA and Chemistry paper started later at around 4.30pm and finished at 6pm.  This included my daughter, she stayed at school until about 6.15pm when it was already dark. Its been a long day for her and I could see how tired she was.

I am not really sure what happened on the affected schools where the question leaked though.  But the most unfortunate thing will be if the rest of the students had to resit the exam.  Imagine what they have to go through.

We’ll have to wait and see what MOE going to do. There sure will be some sort of investigations and we really want for them to be open with what they found. And I hope they will consider those innocent students who did well and think of a reasonable and sensible course of action.