Purple

Purple, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Ixora

I like this one too.

Purple, bigger

Purple, bigger, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this at the roof garden this morning.

There is just one that is wrong with the whole digital slr thing. You tend to forget to bring along the memory card.

Anyways, this was taken in my roof garden this morning. Used it to see if I could add borders. Voila! I could and I did. I think its lovely.

I am now not so upset as I was a few days ago. I going to read more pages today...I hope.

Slim

Angry birds

Angry birds, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this while Adam was doodling.

This is Adam, earlier in the afternoon. He was trying to perfect the art of drawing the angry birds. I like the fact that he likes to draw. And he is very conscientious about it too...

My wife made an observation the other day. She mentioned that whenever a family have dinner together, they never seemed to be together. Think about it. Whenever you have a family dinner, more often than not, you or some of your family members would be playing with their smartphones. Am I right? Concentration is passed from the present to the future. Sigh.

50mm Minolta 1.4 at 1.7.

50mm Minolta 1.4 at 1.7., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Su doing her work.

Its almost 15 minutes to midnight. Su has just woken up from her nap and I am sleepless in Seattle. So while waiting for the computer to finish setting up Adobe Photoshop CS3, importing pictures, exporting pictures and sharing them on Flickr (go Mac!) all at the same time, I read.

The title is The Duchess of Malfi. I managed to come close to the end of the introduction. Seems like its going to be an interesting play.

Oh well, I hope that none of us will stay up too late.

Oh by the way, Arsenal won 7-1!! Hooray!

Contax 45/2 on my Nex

Contax 45/2 on my Nex, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Took this with my Minolta 35-70 f4 at 5.6

This is fast becoming my favourite set up. It works great. It focusses beyond infinity. Would love to bring the Zeiss Biogon 25mm out and see what it can do. Maybe I will. Later. Or tomorrow.

My KM 7D with my 35-70 F4.0

My KM 7D with my 35-70 F4.0, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Taken with the Contax 45/2

My trusty KM 7D. If the frame number is anything to go by, I would have shot less then 4k using this camera body. I think I am way under utilizing the camera. But I l don't think I will discharge this work horse. I may have the NEX 5 and the CZs and the legacies, but this is one camera that I would like to pass on.

Slim.

Oh by the way, I finished my TMA. I hope I managed to get it in on time. Now for tonight's class. Should I or should I not.

Friends.

Friends., a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Took this on Sunday morning. Feels very Leica-like. But the truth was and still is, I have problems focussing.

I like the way the 3 friends are arranged and how I manage to capture the movement involved in casting the rod.

I love this. I really do.

Via Flickr:
Three friends, fishing.
Zeiss Plannar 45mm f2.0 at 2.8, NEX 5. Using the B&W HC mode.

Bon Jovi

Saw this when I wanted to chill by listening to some "unplugged" music. Love BJV.

Slim

Look over there!

Look over there! Su 05022012, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
Using the toy mode.

I really like this picture. And I really like as to when and how this picture came about. Anyways, I am taking a break now from reading my texts. Got an assignment due.

This was taken in Changi. This was taken early Sunday morning. Usually I would be with a friend doing what we do what we think we do best, that is taking pictures. But he was not around and Su was free. So we decided to have a morning stroll. That was nice.

Anyway, I was using the zeiss 45/2 and I told Su to pose. She did and I took this shot using my Nex 5. What I like about it is the toy mode effect of the camera. And Su's red dress made her pop out from the picture.

I really like this.

We had breakfast afterwards. Just in case you are wondering, Adam was with his grandmother at that time.

In the afternoon, we went to Masai.

NEX 5 with 45.2 Plannar

NEX 5 with 45.2 Plannar, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
My dad. With the tools of what was once his trade. 05022012

This is my dad, in his new, still yet to be completed house in Masai, Johor.
Brought my in-law there yesterday. It was the first time for Su and my mother-in-law. We reached there around 4 and left around 9 pm. There was a jam at the causeway. We manage to reach our home at close to eleven.

Slim

Almond Muffins

Almond Muffins, a photo by Nor Salman on Flickr.

Via Flickr:
45/2 Plannar with Nex 5.
www.muffinsrecipe.net

Su made this. She downloaded it from www.muffinsrecipe.net. She downloaded it, got started with it 5 minutes later and while its baking, manage to set up 2 sets of cupboard. I did not manage to taste it because by the time i wanted it, it was left in my dad's place. Time move too fast if you ask me.

What the lens did to me and my son.

We are going for our first photograher's outing this Sunday. Take a look at the the picture of me taken by him. That is super sharp man! And that is taken indoors. Look at the composition. I like. I think he is a natural. I can't wait. Its all set. I just hope the weather will be good and we will find a good location.

Argh. Need to go JB soon. But not before I read a few more pages of pride and prejudice.

Slim

This is it.

This is the one! This is the lens that nearly cost me my marriage! Serious.

Taken by my antique Panasonic LX1, which has a Leica as its lense.

Morning walk

Boat

That is what I would like to have. A boat. Not a big boat but small enough for me and Adam to drive out and fish. Would that not be great? I'd like one of that. So, instead of driving around, we will be boating around. I wonder how much would a boat like the one in the picture cost? Took the pictures on this post using a new lens.

New lens

I took my very new, pre-owned nevertheless CZ 28mm 2.8 RM lens and brought it to Punggol Marina. I love that place, especially early in the morning. I went there because, I have not gone for morning walks and sleeping again after I sent Su to work is a bummer. I went there too because, there are boats. Although you can't climb into one of them, you can really go very close.

I felt good when I reached home, although the walk took me less than half an hour. I want to go again. I am charging my battery now and thus can't take a picture of the lens. Will post it soon.

Oh about the lens? Its chrome, its small and its sharp. It really is sharp. Bought it for SGD$1200. The previous owner said that its only 3 days old. Doesn't matter to me. I like it just because it works.

Sale

Planning to sell my zoom lenses.

Here is the link for more info of the lens.

Ok, reading time.

New lens.

Minolta MD 50mm 2.0

Been trying out a new lens. Its the Minolta MD 50mm 2.0. I fished it out from deep within my dry cabinet. I remembered that when I bought it, it was way before digital. I did not touch it as I was using my KM 7d ever since. Anyway, I bought an adapter that could fit the MD lens onto my Nex and the results blew me away!

Test

Test? What test? I don't have the necessary patience to conduct tests on the sharpness of the lens or the bokeh or whatever else. The proof is in the pudding and this pudding must have had its proportion of ingredients spot on. The light, the subject and the expression of the subject plus the characteristics of the lens itself must are the ingredients and the proof is in the final results. Two pics and a picture of the lens itself.

Misc

Class starting soon, too soon. Class starting this Friday and tomorrow is already Wednesday. Need to read! Don't waste my time. Do something about it is my motto this year. Oh, bought several other lenses. Hopefully I can take better pictures to make the purchases worthwhile.

And one more thing.

A friend of mine gave me some brownies and chocolates. I thought that it looked nice and so I took some pictures of it. I put them up on FB and I received nice compliments. The brownies and chocolates were nice. Were as in it was gone in 60 seconds!!! Thanks bro!

So much for starting early.

Ashamed

Yup, have not been reading for a couple of days. I need to focus...focus!

Focus

And talking about focus, check out what I found when I took a closer look at my dry cabinet. MD mount lenses! And I am so excited. I am so excited that I ordered an adapter so that I could fix the lenses on my NEX. I think I am going to have so much fun.

Fun

I went to Kampung Lorong Buangkok to take pictures. I must say I am losing my touch as the pictures are crap. I used my NEX and A-mount lenses mounted on it using the sony adapter. Handing was unconventional but it got easier as the day goes on.

Kampong Lorong Buangkok

Kampong is village in Malay and it seems it is one of the last kampong still standing in modern Singapore. Its a small place with less than 50 houses. I saw Chinese and Malays as part of the population. We went there early and ended at 10.00 am. Apart from the mosquitoes, I think I had a great time. Went there with an old buddy of mine. I think his pictures are better. Oh well. I would like to go there again, this time with my MD mount lenses.

Slim.

Early starter.

I have begun reading. I am reading up on the study guide on ELT 370. That will be Shakespeare on Film. I have just read the fourth page. The tone in the study guide is quite personal and candid. Written by Anthony R. Guneratne. I hope it will be a breeze. There are 3 books (oh no! they are plays) and 2 DVDs. Arrgh. I should not have open up the package so soon eh. Well here goes.

After Noon, Just

Went marketing today. Bought about a tonne of vegetables and fruits. Also bought three packets of briyani for lunch. Can't wait to tuck into that. But will be waiting for Adam to get back from school.
Now should be the time when I do some reading. I guess. I will. Soon. Reading Point of Entry by Peter Schecter. More than half way through. More of a light reading if you ask me.

Slim.

Today.

Hmm, what did I do today?

First and foremost, my darling wife went to work taking the train which allows me to sleep in until 10.
My right shoulder has been sore for the past week or so. Its manageable if I were to stand, sit or move around, but the pain become unbearable when I lie down. As such, I could hardly get enough rest at night. The funny thing is, the pain only comes at night. In the wee morning, my shoulders become comfortable again. It could be the pain killers that I took just before sleeping time. But I can't be relying on painkillers all the time right?
In the morning, I went to Courts looking for a case for my 13 inch MBA. No luck, nothing that I fancy. Went back for lunch, only to leave the house again to fetch Azan to SIM.
Met Adam as he walked back from school and told him where I was going. Told him that I should be back around 4. I was backed 20 minutes after 5.
Spend time with Adam, going over his school work. Ended about half past 6. Wifey called and said that she would be back on her own. So we waited for her for dinner.
Dinner was nasi lemak which Puji cooked. Invited Tini to come over but she said that her Tiler would be coming and she has to be at home. She is renovating her house.
Watched the Malaysian Super League where the Singapore 12 team was beaten by a penalty. The final score was 1-2 in favour of Kelantan. I think that the Singaporeans wasted too many of the chances. But seeing that the average age was about 23, I think the experience should be useful.
Wached In Cold Blood just now. About how a woman was forced to kill her lover. Her lover was a drunkard. Sigh, what people would do for love eh?
Watching Perfect Deception now. I am watching it in mid-episodes and in mid-series. So I don't have a clue as to the story lines. But I do think that its nice...
I have collected my books while I was at Unisim. Lots of them, I think. Have not really go through each and everyone of them.
I am taking 3 modules this semester.
Ok, I guess that covers what I did today.
What shall I be doing tomorrow? Hmm, let me see.
Oh, I have to send wifey to school. After which I have to do marketing with Puji. That should take up most of the morning. Adam should be back by 2, his piano lessons is at 2.45 and after which I should be heading towards woodlands around 4.00. I hope that that will give Adam, enough time to complete his homework.
Adam has a new PE teacher. A veteran. Adam was taught the correct way to jog and what is pacing and all that. He told me that he finished his run earlier than his classmates who sprinted earlier. He was called slowpoke but he was happy he finished before them. I am so happy he completed the run and did not gave up and walk.
Its 50 more minutes to midnight and my shoulder still sore. Wifey is snoring away. I hope she is having sweet dreams.
Going to have a shower and after which to finish my Isyak. Maybe I will read a bit.

Slim.

Many, many things has happened

Besides from the eventful trip my family and I took to Phuket and Hong Kong, I am fortunate enough to be owning a macbook air, a swatch chrono automatic and and ever, even more loving wife.

Enough said. I need to go Unisim and get my reading list.

Slim

I have showered.

Ok, where was I. Oh yes, conflicts and more conflicts. So, if there so much conflicts why do people do still do it? Marriage is a social construct. It is constructed by people, by society, and some may argue, so is religion and thus it can be deconstructed. Look at those couple cohabitating. What do they care about marriage and religion (maybe some do...). And because of this conflict theory, administrators of the state decided against having conflicts and marriage and religion and have the state the sole reason as to why people work. Thus, they work for the state, because they belong to the state and the state does not exploit them because, they work for the needs of the state and since they belong to the state, they work for themselves. Get it? Try googling Khmer Rouge and Communist. But who am I argue, I just questions.

There is another theory that supports the reasons as to why we do things the way we do. This is called the developmental theory. This theory suggests that it is only natural that we do things the way we do, simply because thats is how it has been done. We are born, we study, we work, we get married, we reproduce, we take care of our elders (optional to many, I know), and we die. Its just natural. So based on this theory, its natural to learn as much as we could, earn as much as we could, (try to resolve any conflicts along the way) and then reproduced and retired. That sounds so much like the mantra of a political party I know but hey, I just question.

There are other theories that may support why we do things the way we do such as the symbolic exchange theory which I can use to elaborate on why marriage break up...(Oh! the sanctity of marriage) but then questioned I did.

I did ask a few of my women friends (all of them are married by the way so no, its not one of those after sex conversations you see on tv) as to why they strove to achieved the academic qualifications that the implications of the positions in the work place. Based on the conflict theory, and the researches done by Ms Quah, these women should be cursing and swearing at their fate in life. They should be ranting, not like me but more, about the stress they feel in juggling two shoes (or hats) during the same 24 hours we all have. According to one of them, instead of ranting, she is grateful to what she has become. She said that she sees the value in paper qualifications as she is now is in a better position to make decisions for her family of 6. Perhaps, this is a better way of bringing up a family as compared to how she was brought up, but nevertheless, an exchange has occurred. What exchange? Part of the time she can use to spend time with her children is used for work and that that time is exchange for a better position that enable her to make better decisions. This exchange between quantity and quality must be in her favour as she is constantly doing it. The exchange theory states that there must be exchange of two things that enables one to still be in that relationship. Money for sex, friendship for companionship etc etc. Nevertheless, there is still conflict.

Its early

I mean, it can be 5 am for all I care, 0834 hrs is still early. I am not grumbling mind you, I am beyond grumbling. I am ranting! Anyway, come to think about it, I don't have much to rant. It was a good drive to and from Su's working place. I had a good night's sleep and I think Su did too. Sun is out and it is kind of warm. Typing this on my mac mini, and sitting on the platform in front, really is cool, abit warm and way too early, still.

I am a sociology minor right, and I am exposed to these many theories about why things are (socially) the way they are. There is this guy, Webber something, said that there are conflicts in wherever we go. According to him, it is because of our own needs and the needs of others. These needs are conflicting and thus therein lies the conflict. For example, if you are working in a company (I mean who doesn't), your needs are to earn as much money with as little effort as you can right? There are those who wanted satisfaction blah blah, but this is not about them, yet. But the company you work for has its needs to0. For one, they want the most results with as little cost to them. Thus according to Mr W, working for a company is a case of exploitation. Now, to me this all makes sense. There are times when I do feel like I am being exploited but I guess, I joined the company with my eyes wide open, and even though I feel like I am being exploited, I chose to remain. Silly I know, but sometimes its good to feel needed.

This theory of conflict now extends to marriage. Think about it, why do many people get married? Love? Companionship? Material security? These are valid reasons. Its true, but what they don't mention is why the other party, their spouses, get married to them. The spouses' reasons can be as valid as the people you talked to but most often than not, they are different, as different as being man and woman. These is where conflicts arises. And in some instances, the failures to resolve these conflicts leads to stress, and these 'stresses' if they become unmanageable, could result in the break up of the marriage, and in worst case (in my opinions anyway) the break up of a family.

So, with the two examples, one can see where I am going at. The tricky part is when you combine two source of conflicts and begin to wonder, why the hell we do it. Let me choose two areas of conflict, the company or the workplace and marriage or at home. Seeing it already? No? Ok, lets continue. OT abit, the light outside is very nice. I think I will go and take some pictures first. Ok, did that it shows the view from my room. Hey! I did not say I want to go outside!

Okok, where was I. Oh yes, conflicts in the workplace and at home. Now I can talk about men and women, but I need to go to JB to top up my petrol soon, so I will discuss about women. Now there is this lady, Stella Quah, who did some some research and stated that women, nowadays strive for better material gains and higher academic achievements. All is fine and dandy until the day they decide to settle down. Hey! We all have only 24 hours everyday, and a 9-5 working schedule has become a myth. To stay on top (not sexually speaking, but its nice ((I am a guy, mind you)) seriously), in other words to climb that social ladder and or even to have job security so as to hold on to that well paying jobs as a result of the academic achievements, its has become of a 8-11 kind of a thing. So, in this case, the needs of the women would then seemed to be the working careers. So what happened when they get married. Many, who do get married would make time for the family. But many still would not quit their jobs. I mean, who don't want a 5 figure salary, every month. So logically, time would then be split between work and at home. Those who have children are in a worse predicament!. I read about a dual role theory where women, in coping with the needs of the home and office starts to think liberatively but act conservatively. But thats another point and another paragraph. So, my question is, why do women do it! Many a times, it is their parents who encourage their children to strive for higher educational achievements and increasing their social status by earning a higher income than they themselves. Thus, if one were to have higher educational qualifications and in turn have a high rate of income, presumably, one would have to spend more time in the office and less time at home, thus logically, one would have lesser time with the family and in turn, parent child relationship would then diminished, quality wise. Got it? Thus, not only is there conflict between the women and the company they work for, but between the roles they have to play at home, between being a manager and a wife and or a mother.

O.k, will continue after I shower.

Did not go to class today either!

So there! I did not go to class today. What I did was to read, a n d email some questions to some of my friends. And only 1 replied. Oh well. You will know your truest friends from those who email you, er not email you back!...

You know, I really need to brush up on my talking skills. No, not the physical, actual part but the words that come out from those physical parts. I am suppose to do an assignment on how material and education attainment would have made women (yes, women) less a mother than she should be ( I did not make this up!). I guess, they exclude men, because men would have made sucky (read: iphone 4s) parents, whether or not they are dumb or clever, earn big money or otherwise. But I beg to differ! I think women (well, those er, that I know of) have made it a point to strike a balance between climbing the corporate ladder and bringing up the kids (hubby included).

Talk about this later. Need to shower. Smelling like a er, guy who has not showered!.

Slim

Not going to class today!

I have decided. I am not going to class today. I don't want to feel frustrated for 3 hours today. Thus, I will do my own readings and come up with questions to email the tutor.

So, I have started reading actually. Its a book by Stella R. Quah entitled Families in Asia, Home and Kin. I'll keep you updated.

The magic school bus

I have managed to download the entire series of the magic school bus. I find the series both educational and fun and so does Adam. Now he can view each and every episode on his ipad and his computer. I think this is great! Oh, Apple has introduced a newer version of the iphone 4 and it is called iphone 4s. The 's' stands for sucks! They should call it the iSUCK. Although it has a faster processor and what not, it does not dazzle as much. I have a theory, and I think it is because the engineers has hit rock bottom in terms of getting into the tunnel of ideas. Seriously, who cares about the chip, its the cool factor inside that matters.

That's me
Slim.

Downloading

I am into torrenting for the past few days. I know its not right and some, ok, most, will say that its illegal. But it is exciting. Currently I am downloading The Magic School Bus series and it will a bit more than 24 hours to get it all in. Actually, I am more excited with the technology. As of right now, I can play .avi files on Adam's Ipad. Is that not great. I am not limited to just watching .mp4 movies. I can just download the movies, and transfer them to the Ipad through dragging the necessary files. Thus, if I ever want to get an ipad, I would now get the 64gb ones.

Other than that, not much has happened since I last logged in. Hmm, well, I have restarted to frequent JB now to fill my Trajet with petrol. Its a nice feeling, still, after all this time, to be able to go in and out of another country. I have calculated and I would be saving about S$30 per trip. That will be $60 per week or $240 per month. Not much, I know, but the savings do pile up, and I can do much more than just pump petrol. I went shopping.

Still on the subject of torrenting, I have taught my dad and sister how to do it. I guess, there is one thing more for them to do. Ha ha.

Change subject...separation is not good. It could be a better option in the end for either or both parties but however, you look at it, its not good. Its one of those that is the opposite of a "good to have thing". And it gets worse if you blab it all out on facebook.

Sheesh!

Slim

Walk, skip and drag

It was wifey's turn to drag me out for exercise. This time, she AND Adam dragged me to Compass Point. But instead of driving there, we took the train. All in all, it was an hour and a half work out. It was, no, it is very tiring. But I know its for my own good. So I am loving it.

Slim-er.

Walk

Went for a walk yesterday night. About 1km I think. Including yesterday's that would mean I have been active-er for the past 3 nights. Slept better and woke up in a better shape. I think this would be a start of a very beautiful routine.

Insider secret.
I don't like to jog because its aimless. There is no end or a destination. That holds true to walks. So what I did was, I set a destination and in this case, my destination was the postal boxes where I could post my letters. There are several in my area so, I guess I won't be bored going to the same one every night (yes, this will be a nightly affair). Its only about thirty minutes worth and right now, I am walking very slowly. I think I can go faster.

Slim-er

V

Watching V right now. Season 2. I find the pace to be very slow, and thus, I am blogging.

Actually, I am suppose to be reading. My next module, for sociology is on families. Done abit of reading, just the ppt slides, lol, but I think I know where does this module is going to. I ought to be attending tonight's class. I hope it will be a fun one.

Anyway, the picture is a picture of me and my family. Yup, thats me, the not slim one, thus forever slimming, geddit geddit? No? Oh well. It was taken in Zul's house in Bukit Batok.

I am trying this format. Where the pictures are smaller. I wonder if it will look better.

Slim

Its a time for hugs

This saddens me and yet made me feel grateful. I am grateful that I am still here to be forgiven, and to forgive and I am sad, thinking of those who I missed. First and foremost, my mother. Anyway, this is a picture of Su hugging and asking for forgiveness and being forgiving in turn to one of the more significant individual in her life.

Slim, nex 5, 18-55mm

10 cars worth

Went visiting yesterday, and it was very crowded in one of the houses. We thought that there was an open house we do not know about. But it turned out to be 10 cars worth of family members visiting.

It was quite a joyous occasion, for me, this Hari Raya, thinking that I used to be involved in such groups. But this year, I will always remember as the splintering year. My family is splintering and there is no, er unity, in a sense. Oh well, at least I still have Adam and Su.

Taken with the NEX-5 & 18-55mm e mt lens.
SLIM

I don't like

I don't like where this is going. I scored a 48 for my first TMA in language acquisition. Found out just this morning. Read Chapter 6, now reading Chapter 7. Not bad.

Hooray! Arsenal qualify for the group stage in the UEFA championship.

Slim

I really am trying to read.

I really am trying to read. I am suppose to read chapters 4-9 of this textbook and my study guide. But I can't. Maybe I won't but that is besides the point. My eyes will close only after reading half a page. And that happens after every page. Ya Allah! This can't be happening. Ok. Adam will be back at 3.00pm. Its half past 12 noon. Lets get this done!...

Slim

Kit lens

This one is taken by the KM 18-70mm kit lens. I like this one better. Nicer colors. Slim.

Shower

About to have a shower when I saw a bunch or roses lying in the kitchen. I think Su might have bought them. They are nice.
Sony 30mm 2.8 macro.

Fasting

I have not fasted for several days. Apart from having to eat my medication for my gout, I am having indigestion. Not only that, green mucus is coming out of my mouth and nose. I can't fast. I need to continually input liquids into my body to was down the phlegm. It just won't go down on my own. The indigestion is being taken care of by the prunes I am eating.

Prunes..
I tried to chew them for at least twenty times, but I can't! It will be too sour and I, reflexively will swallow it. The problem is that some of the pieces are still too big. I will then choke and cough and there they will be, the pieces of prunes and the phelgm...the P brothers.

Made half a bottle of honey lemon drink. Drinking it hot. Used two small slices of lemon and clover honey. About 2 tablespoon left of the honey was left as I rummage through the fridge. Feeling better now, athough I think its mostly psychological as I had only taken two sips (its still hot).

Its almost 1 pm and I have yet to get started on my socio assignment. Going to tutor soon in about 1 and a half hours. Need to get something done! Oh I did! I went to the market...

Market...
I went to the market and bought 9 chickens. I had 6 of them cut into twelth each while the other, I plan to roast them whole in the oven. I bought them from the stall in Geylang, and the seller was or is very jambuuuu! She was so jambu that I felt embarassed buying from her. Its her eyes. They are so clear, and her smile... Oh well, we all need more chicken. Pic taken using KM7d and the kit lens at 5.6.

Slim.

Annual fees

Why do banks still charge annual fees for their credit cards even when they will waive those charges? Its getting very inconvenient to call them and wait for till the cows come home only to have a 10 sec conversation who will agree to the waiver? I mean is there a point? Maybe its too check if I am still alive and I am telecommunica-able? Sheesh!

Pic taken with the KM 18mm-70mm kit lens. Cropped out the more intimate details. LAUGHING OUT LOud.

Slim

Leftover

I had leftovers briyani today. It was delicious. Puji reheat it in a wok and that must have enhanced the flavours. She cooked a fresh pot of chicken curry, which was delicious and together with prawns fried in batter, I had a wonderful time eating what I think was one of the best leftovers ever. Adam, well, lets just say that he got curried away. Here are some photos. Taken with the Sony 30mm macro.

Wifey reached home late today. I know I should have pick her up but then we'll be late too. So, by the time she arrived, the prawns were halfway gone.

Slim.

IFTAR @ SOTA

Iftared at SOTA yesterday with wifey, her colleagues and our friends and some of the students there. Had Briyani and Qathirah for drinks. Enjoyed myself there. The food was fantastic and that made Adam really happy. Yesterday was also the day that somebody other than me call Adam, Faiq. It was Arinah, Khairul's daughter. I like the sound.

Insyallah, will be iftaring at a friend's place this Saturday. Insyallah or god willing, it will be great.

Slim

Good news comes in triplets right?

Its Adam's birthday today. All the people that really mattered in Adam's life took the trouble to come. His Wan, his Atuk, Mummi and Tante all came. And thanks to an ever tireless wife, we made the birthday dinner a success. We had grilled chicken, home made pizza, mac and cheese, and spaghetti bolognaise. Apart from the pizza, I cooked the rest. Presents? Well, he is currently in a flash and dash craze and he got not 1, 2 or 3 but 4 of the cars. While we were busy watching the soccer match between Singapore and Malaysia, the three cousins, were busy racing the cars! I sure hope the neighbours won't be upset.

Singapore won, by the way. I doubt that they will go beyond the next round, but then, neither will Malaysia.

School starts tomorrow, but dad called a family meeting tomorrow. I guess I have to miss this week's class.

Su went and used the pregnancy test kit. It turned out that we are positive. But that was yesterday. Today, she said that there were some spotting. I hope for the best. I guess we have to wait till 1st August to find out. I am worried, not about the results, but about her. I am worried because she is worried. I don't like that.

Adam is now in la la land. In his new bed I might add. A bed he ordered online and which he himself settled the delivery details. In my opinion, that is the best birthday present I can give, not the bed but the process of getting the bed.

Good night all.

Slim

I am worried

Its going to be 1st August soon. That will be the day when we will go to the hospital and check if we are pregnant. So, I am worried. Que Sera Sera...

Its Adam's ninth birthday in two more days. I am so happy. I am so proud of him. He was asked to go and see the doctor regarding his weight though, and that will be tomorrow. He ordered a new bed online, and that is his first online purchase. Can't wait to see everything settled. Planning a pasta party for him this Thursday. Hope it will be a success.

Wifey wants to paint his room. I hope I don't have anything hard thing to do...

Slim

Working tomorrow?

There are two fertilized embryos in Su's uterus right now. She is sleeping soundly, while I am here, listening to Lee Oskar's Before The Rain lp. I do hope and pray that the fertilized embryos will develop into fetuses. The doctor said that Su's embryos are graded at level 4, with 5 being the highest grade. I am so happy that 2 can be used. And I am so happy that my little boys could fertilized them. Knowing me, they could have been finding a place to nap, maybe even listening to an lp.

I have a picture of those embryos, but Su kept it. Once I get my hands on them, I will put them up, that is, if I don't nap and listened to lp.

While I now sip on BOH's passion fruit flavoured tea, I shall tell you about the images shown. Basically, they are pictures of Iryad, riding his bicycle. They are more about where he is riding his bicycle, though. He rode his bicycle in Tampines Bicycle Park. Nice Park, except that you have to be certified to be able to ride on the track. So that what we did. We got him certified. He celebrated by doing a lap (of victory?) and we ended up going home after that. Must be the highlight of the day, because I can't remember what we did prior to that...Strange.

Tomorrow is Monday, I just glanced at the clock and its already Monday. Su wants to go to work tomorrow even though she is still on medical leave. But I love her so much so I told her, that she CAN not go to school of she so wishes, but I will be just a phone call away, if she needs me.

My uncle called this morning, no, yesterday morning. He said that my dad has instructed him to propose to this lady whom my father intends to marry. He asked if I wanted to go. I don't know. Should I?

Its 19 minutes passed midnight. I am sleepy.

She will be home soon today.

Su is at KKH having her eggs extracted. I was told to pick her up at 1.30pm. The nurse told me to wait for a call from them. So here I am, waiting.

Went to KKH earlier in the morning. Manage to submit the sample slightly before the deadline. A bit embarassed when I hand the bottle which contained my 'produce' but all is good. Somebody held the door for me while going into the clinic, somebody said thanks when I hold the door for her, and a staff nudge my hand and ask me if I am ok as he was delivering a trolley load of files. Not a bad day. Its 12.15 pm now. I hope everything will go smoothly. AND it will be a successful one.

Had a talk with Adam regarding names. He suggested using the name Mohd. I guess, bit by bit, he is accepting the new role that he has to play soon, insyallah.

In the meantime, while waiting for the call, I will continue listening to Bette Midler.

Slim

Dad's birthday

It was my dad's birthday yesterday. We celebrated it just before me and Wife had to go to KKH. We had it at New Hawa restaurant in Simpang Bedok. It was nice, although a round table could have been better seating arrangements. We had lots of food, grilled siakap, grilled sting ray, kangkong belachan, fried spring chicken, hot plate tofu and chili crab. I can guarantee that there are others.

Slim.

10.30pm

It had to be at that time, the nurse, Sarah, said. But the car decided to act up. We took a taxi to KKH and to have my darling wife have her thigh injected with something I can't pronounce. It is suppose to ripen her eggs for reclamation tomorrow. For tomorrow, her eggs and my sperm will be infused, in a petri dish.

Have read many blogs regarding that person's experience in IVF, many a times, a sad and a negative account. I have not reached that stage yet. The only negative part that I am feeling right now is the trepidation that I have to 'perform' and produce a sample tomorrow by 10 past 10 am. Talked to Wife about it and decided that watching porn was the way to go. Tried and tested I guess since I have had to perform twice already.

So tomorrow will be the eggs extraction. Friday will be the implantation. I hope that it will be over soon. Hopefully. Hopefully I do not have to be the hands that has to inject the medication to my wife every night. And I hope, no, I pray, that once we succeed in getting pregnant, it will be a smooth one.

I have actually tried to talk about us having another one, maybe twins, to Adam. He is really quite reluctant to have them. I hope it will not be that bad for him if we do have another one. Taken to discussing names with him. Brought out many possibilities. Not the least amount of interest shown by him. But there was one spark though, he did mentioned about how he wanted to be call and its Aadam...with a stress on the Aa and not the Dam...

I like A'kin for a boy.
Or maybe Akil and Akilah.
Slim

My dad

My dad drop by just now. He started by telling me about the jam at the causway. It went from there and we talked about his intention to get married. It was a long talk. But to sum it up..
He..She is quite elderly, I'm 60+ and she is 50+. She is religiously upright, I think it will be good if I marry her. I just want the company and since she is already there, I don't want to be caught by the khalwat police...
Me...I support you in whatever decision you decide to make. But I don't think its fair that you are marrying her for the reasons you mentioned. Maybe you should get to know her, her family and more and for her to know more of you before you make the decision.

Yup, plus the other extras such as my sister's sofa and whats been happening in Tampines, that was mostly it.

I hope he will make the right decision, but I think I got to him when he said that there are so many years left for him. What I did was, I used my training in how to deal with parents and I said,"Are you telling me that you know what is going to happen in the future?" and "Statistics have shown that men could live until 83 while women could live until 89. Thats at least 20 more years. Would you want to rush into things that may provide a lasting impact for the 20 years?" Cool huh?

Now, I need to shower and off to tuition I will go.

Slim.

Birthday and Marriage

Today is my dad's birthday. He is such a joker. He told my sis to tell me and my youngest sis that he wanted to remarry. My mom's death has yet to reach its first anniversary and he wants to remarry? Oh well, it should not matter. What matters is that both my mom and him had a wonderful life together. True, they have their ups and downs, I've witnessed a few of them myself. But with them, running the ship that they run, it was all good.

So, maybe he does have the intention to remarry. Maybe has already have somebody in mind. I just hope that its for the best. He has already bought a house somewhere in Johor. So I am assuming that it can be lonely. Bearing that in mind, I wish him the best. Of course, that's just me. My sister on the other hand, is a totally different story.

Betrayal is a word I would describe how she is feeling right now. She claims that its dad's right to remarry, rightly so, but its her right not to acknowledge that. She said she does not want to lose him. I can't fathom that, but that is how she feels.

Dad borrowed my car to send people to Senai airport for their um'rah. Knowing dad, he is doing a favour to somebody who is significant enough in his life to warrant that favour. So he borrowed my car, so he has not returned it, so there is a parking summons on his car's windscreen, an individual action has its repercussion and implications. Thats what Su said. I am with her except that one needs to weigh the repercussion and implication against one's action that one intends to take. Its logical, except that sometimes, logic is not the logical way to go.

Can't wait for Harry Potter's last instalment.

Wii

My sister passed me her Wii system last weekend. Have not played with since, well, it's not, me. But I did play it today and I only played tennis, Wii style. Never in my wildest dreams that a computer game could make me sweat like I sweat just now. Its awesome! I love it. Even though the game encompass just the mild swinging of one's arm, I can't help getting into the tennis stance, the continuous shifting of my body weight from one leg to another and I did, this is so not me, let out the occasional grunt or two. After two 15 minutes sessions, I feel great...Well not exactly, my two feet are sore and I've been gulping water, like a camel...Oh well. Life Wii goes on!

Ha ha ha.

Too bad Nadal lost the wimbledon final this year. Was rooting for him. Well, I was rooting for Sharpa something something more...She is way prettier. Ciao.

Slim