Saturday Outing

Saturday
September 15
Thrid day of Ramadhan

Nazim's called me on friday night, and told me he already rented a car. We have decided to go to a few places around Melbourne. At 11 am Saturday morning, after taking the car from AVIS car rental we picked up adel's and thier kids we went straight away to DFO (Direct Factory Outlet) at Essendon. It took us about less than 20 minutes to reach the place. This was my second visit to DFO. I came here last year during boxing day with Naguib and Yufri. It a huge shopping area and one of it is DFO. DFO itself is a big shopping area. Nazim and Adel's was so impressed. Not to mention Adel's especially spent quite alot. :) ( Don't angry at me yaa ) .

I don't want to compare with Malaysian prices. But buying dollar to dollar some are really cheap even cheaper compared to Malaysia when there are having sales. I did some shoping and spent for about AUD 40. ( Have to budget though, still have until end of the month before i receive my next schollarship paymen). I bought 3 Giodarno sweaters, which i liked the cutting and colours. The most important thing it only cost me AUD 10 each, which is cheap. :). I thought of buying some more but hey I have to stop this.

Then I stop at cutlery outlet. I am not fond of any cutlery barnd Naritake, Correll, Pyrex and etc. But then I saw big size square bowl (Correll) which cost only AUD 5 each. I bought two bowls because i need it very much, since I don't have enough bowls in the kitchen. Nazim's saw the bowl and he also bought it.

We finally finished our 'tour' in DFO. It took us 4 hous to complete the 'tour'. They are planning to come again next time. Well in that case Nazim need to rent a car again. :)

An Assault

There was a man in his 20's

Standing in front of me

Waiting for a train

as I am

Suddenly

I noticed

Whip lashes mark on his calf

It looks fresh

Still red

Three horizontal stripe on both calf

Then I thought

Was he being assaulted

Get into the train

We sat at different row

But we facing each other

Without being noticed

I looked at him

Oh God

I really felt

He was in pain

He looked down

Sadness as if he wanted to cry

Worried Horrified and Traumatised

Don't really knows what he was thinking

I could feel the pain inside him

But

I could not reach him

Then the train stop

He walk out

Slowly

Uncertainty

Confused

Not sure where he wanted to go

Wish there is something I could do and help

Hope I was wrong about him.

First Day of Ramadhan

Palm Sugar and Coconut Milk Bubur kacang hijau

First Day of Ramadhan.
13th September 2007

Woke up as early as 4 am. I have already cooked the day before, just re-heat and had my early meal before start fasting at about 4.51 am. Had my morning prayer after that and did some reading and work.

The whole day was really great. I really can focus on my work , managed to complete what I had planned for the day.

I have planed to cook at Adel and Nazim's place. I cycled to thier place and reached there by 5 pm. I made 'Bubur kacang hijau', since I found Palm Sugar (Gula Malaka) made in Malaysia at Saigon Market, Footscray. Really excited. The 'Bubur Kacang Hijau' ready by the time when we breaking fast at 6.11pm. I hope it was nice, at least Adel and Nazim's could finished it. Later I cooked Chicken Kurma and fried cabbage for dinner.

Food Fest

Definitely I will miss the food fest during the month of Ramadhan in Malaysia.
:(

Ramadhan Al-Mubarak

September 13th , 2007

First Ramadhan.

It will be my second ramadhan in Australia. My last Ramadhan abroad when I was in Bandung, Indonesia. But now, it is a totally different environment when majority around you do not celebrate Ramadhan. But still where ever I am, I will celebrate Ramadhan.

True Friend

Reaching out
for someone
Who
knows about you
Who
understand you
Who
Cares about you.
Will be there
When
you need for support
When
you need a shoulder to cry on.
Who
Will be there
at time when you need most

A friend
Who understand each other
Who know each other
Who help each other
Who always support each other

True friend
Who cares for each other
For better
and at worst
Sacrificed
Help each other
At time when needed
Even
When life at stake

Dearest friend

Who know who you are

Thanks for being my friend

My true friend

Even sometimes

I am so selfish and ego

You always been there for me

You are my 'brother'

You are always my true friend

Journey

It still a long way to go
Not sure how far I will go

When I looked back
Time passes by

How far my journey was
How much far I have to go
How much I have lost
How much I have achieved

What I have done
Have I done enough
For my Family
For my Friends
For my Country
or
Even for myself..........

Do I missed something?

Red Rose

Sharing my thought of happiness to everyone who know's me
How I am fine and in good health
With this Red Rose I offer you a true friendship.

Boat deck at Edgewater

Today will be the last day I went for my morning jog before Ramadhan. Tomorrow i will change my schedule for jogging or cycling in the late afternoon before breaking fast. First time since last spring (last year) I jog really early at 6.30 am. I will miss my morning jog for the next one month. It should not be the reason I cannot jog in the morning in month of ramadhan, I did that last time few years back. Anyway I already set my mind. Exercise first then start preparing for breaking fast.

On my way back I took a different jogging track which lead me to the Edgewater housing area. There is a small man made lake with it boat deck and which the lake connected to Marybirnong river.

Jolimont-MCG

Since monday i was really busy. I had a dateline re-submitting my Ethics Application yesterday September 11. Hmmm it reminded me the demolition of two twin towers on September 11 2001.

We received an email from Austin Health Ethics Committee last thursday, September 6 regarding our first round Ethics Committee meeting on August 28. There were corrections and additional documents need to re-submit. Since then I work like mad. (Not really actually :). Managed to do all the corrections and being edited by my supervisor, I did a total of 15 copies of all the documents. Oh my god.

Had a sleepless monday night. Then yesterday I went to the Ethics Research Unit, where i met this Lady Ethics Officer. She was so sweet, so gorgeous looking and so kind to me :). She still remember me, we have been communicating for the past few weeks and always advised me on the ethics information and guidelines. She greeted and gave me a smile, she really made my day :). She received and help me with the documents. Gosh what a relief. I managed to accomplish my second obsticle for Austin Health Ethics. Now just need to wait for the results.

On my way back in the train i just realised that i forgot to punch the ticket. Hmmm I need to stop because i don't want to get caught by the Train Officer and received AUD 300 fined. Then i stoped at Jolimont - MCG station. There is a big stadium with nice park surrounding it. Spend few minutes and enjoying the scenery while waiting for the next train to come.

Tour de Flamington

Well finally, I manage to buy a bicycle. It will help me saving alot since almost everyday i am going to Adel and Nazim's house. At the same time i am exercising. :)
I have bought the bicycle last week and really am excited about it. Here it is compulsary to wear head gear and all the safety precaution as if you are riding a motobike.

Me and Adel on our bicycle.

The expectation

It not been easy lately.
Need to get ready all the time.
Alert
Underpressure
2 weeks
It always been unexpected
Suddenly there will be some dateline to catch
Always last minute and urgent
Rushing
Felt so depressed and frustrated

Don't like last minute thing
But
No choice
Can't complant
Nobody's fault.

Now
I have already set my mind
Mentally prepared and always alert
for what ever unexpected event
Will come in future

Home sweet home

It going to be almost a year now, I am stay here in this house.

Really convinient just 5 minutes walk to campus. Even though it is a little bit expensive AUD 250 perweek or in a month AUD 1084. I am sharing the 2 bedrooms house with Yuhanis, and we devided the rental equally. The rental is excluding all the bills. Just imagine how much we need to spend in a month. Electricity, Gas, Water , internet and phone bills. Monthly total of AUD 800 - 900 each person need to spend just for the rental and bills. Gosh, everything here in Australia is expensive and to think of it how fortunate to be Malaysian staying in Malaysia and have most of thing inexpensive.

Anyway me and my housemate manage to save alot in transpotation since we stay near to our campus. Still we manage to have some extra for our foods and necessities or even travelling during weekend.

Like this house very much. Look small but cosy. We have almost everything in the house. So bless. Alhamdulillah. Will stay here until we finish our study.

There is a small backyard at our place which grow lemon tree. Really great. Lemonade anyone... :)

A Promotion

I was blessed and so fortunate.
Alhamdulillah, Pray to Allah.
After all the hard work, dadication and patience. I was awarded a promotion
I went back last April and apply for the promotion.
I received an email and my staff called told me about the news.
This was the email i received dated last Friday which i only read it yesterday.

Dear Colleagues,
I wish to congratulate the following academic staff on their recent promotion to Senior Lecturer DU/DS52.

1. Dr. Abdul Halim Mokhtar, Sports Medicine Unit
2. Dr. Mohd. Nahar Azmi Mohamed, Sports Medicine Unit
3. Dr. Lian Lay Hoong, Molecular Medicine
4. Dr. Mohazmi Mohamed, Primary Care
5. Dr. Sajaratulnisah Othman, Primary Care
6. Dr. Muhammad Yazid Hj. Jalaludin, Pediatric
7. Dr. Nur Darlina Mohammed, Radiology
8. Dr. Rosay Anak Jawan, O & G
9. Dr. Sanjay Rampal a/l Lekhraj, Comunity Medicine
10. Dr. Noran Naqiah Mohd Hairi, Comunity Medicine
11. Dr. Victor Hoe Chee Wai Abdullah, Comunity Medicine
12. Dr. Mas Ayu Said, Comunity Medicine
13. Dr. Nurliza Khaliddin, Ophthalmology
14. Dr. Surina Zainal Abidin, Ophthalmology
15. Dr. Azlina Amir Abas, Surgeri Orthopaedic

Professor Ikram Ismail
Dean
Faculty of Medicine
University Malaya

Alhamdulillah.

Candle light dinner at Balaclava

It was a great day yesterday. Starting with a good news from back home, had a great academic writing workshop and had a wonderful dinner at Pam's house. Pam is a Librarian at our University Footscray Campus Library. I was introduced to her by my supervisor. She is a nice and helpful person. She always help me when i have some difficulties with my references stuff. I have the previlage to meet her personally each time when i have difficulties at meet her at her office.

She already ask me and invited me to have dinner at her place few weeks back. She did ask if there will be any restriction for foods. I told her what are the things i should not take. I had the opportunity last night. Met her at the office at 5.30 pm. We took a train from Footscray station and stop at Balaclava station.

I was greated by her daughter Kate and her husband David. Later on we were joined by her Nephew Paul and Paul's girlfriend Anna. It was really great, there were so nice and we had a good conversation.

David cooked for dinner. His the chef for the night. He made grilled salmon and asparagus. Pam made tomato soup for appetizer. And finally we had Caramel Honey Macademia Ice Cream and strawberry with papermint tea. Mmmmmm it was fabulous. I really enjoyed the dinner. I might come again and next time i will cook for them. :)

Darkness

It was dark afternoon. Finally it was raining which lasted for 20 minutes. There was not much rain here for the past 2 - 3 weeks. Really warm and dry. But today was an exceptional. Having our lunch while watching the rain.

Lunch at Essendon

At 3 pm after came back from the airport, we went for our Lunch at French Cafe "Patisserie" Essendon. We had Salmon sandwich,vege sandwish and doughnut with Latte.

Melbourne Airport

After 2 months, Nazim and Adel's Mom (Mama Rock) decided going back to Kuala Lumpur. Her flight to KL at 3 pm. We reached Melbourne airport at 1.30 pm. Thanks to Uncle Frank who gave us a lift to the airport. She definitely will come back.Will missed her cooking and company though :) . But for now Bon Voyage untill we meet again.

While i walk around the St. Kilda Beach area. I found this place. Chinta Ria Soul ( Cinta or Chinta? ). Anyway it run by a Malaysian. The interior design was nice. Serving Malaysian Food like Asam Pedas, Curry etc. I just passed by not interested to have lucnh in the Rastaurant. Better cook myself Asam Pedas. It was nice to know there is a Malaysian Restaurant in this area.

Luna Theme Park

There a theme park in St. Kilda Beach area. It call Luna Park. Come in and let have fun. Roller Coster anyone?

Golden Man

Golden Man in front of Luna Theme Park at St. Klida Beach. Who ever put some money in his golden bucket, he will shake your hand and ask you to hold his magic sward. Then he will blow a ballon and give it to you. It for the kids not for the adults. Some of the kids like it but some are afraid of him.

St Kilda Beach Sunday Market

It was a beautiful sunday morning. Shinny no clouds in the sky. Temperatue was between 17 - 21C yesterday morning. Warm with cooling air from the sea. We reached St. Kilda Beach area at 12.15 pm. In the Tram itself, it was so crowded. Yup everybody' going to St. Kilda Beach. The main attraction was Sunday Market where you can find all arts australian made stuff here. The market located just few meters walk from the beach area. It is a nice place. Adel and Nazim bought a nice scenery painting cost them about Ausie 140. You know what an Iraq man selling the painting.

We spend there for about more than 2 hours. Interesting place to come if you want to buy arts collection.

Holsten Beer

Mmmmm
Nice. Want some.
An advertisment pose for promoting Holsten 'Beer'
:)
Haa Gatcha!!!!

This is actually not an alcoholic drink. It looks like beer bottle. Hahaha. Uncle Frank ( Adel's and Nazim's Uncle) came to thier house and bought 4 bottles of 'Beer'. He told us not to worry, it is a non alchoholic drink (like sparkling juice back home). :) .

That was cool, i like it .............................. :)

The Chocolate

Chocolat Shelf at Big W supermarket
Some of the chocolat you can choose.

After i had a really bad and stressful day on 31st of August. I am make sure that i had a great time out yesterday. Went for shopping at High Point Shopping Mall with Adel, Nazim, the two litlle kids and thier Mom. Adel and Nazim's mom going back to Malaysia on Monday (tomorrow). She wanted to buy alot of chocolates as souvenirs to her relatives and friends. Went to all the supermarket and get some aussie made chocolates but suddenly we saw this Chocolate shop. Was amassed with the decoration inside the shop. Wow every where chocolate. I am chocolate a freak. Found it so fascinating. Ooooooo chocolates chocolates chocolates and alot of chocolates.

Just realise that, this is one of the best homemade brand chocolate in town. Darrell Lea, you can find it everywhere at any shopping area in Melbourne. Well Adel's mom (mama rock) didn't waste her time. Sho bought lot lot of chocolates. I did bought some and ate it. Mmmmmmmmm very nice.

So next time I know where to get good homemade ausie chocolate and with reasonable price.