Tuesday, March 31, 2009

March's Over, April's Full

Today, March 31 is the last day of the first quarter of 2009. Tomorrow will be April 1 and the first thing that we will think of is the April Fool. Never mind, just do what should be done, even to the extend of fooling your friend(s), in the spirit of April Fool, even though nobody is certain of how April Fool got its name unlike the Valentine's Day.

But what makes April full? Right, as I've said, March is the end of the first quarter of the current year. So, what's our first quarter report? We need to look back and prepare the report. A report needed to plan for the next quarter, the quarter that will make the first half of 2009. That should make our 'table' full.

Besides the 'reporting' and 'planning' business for the next quarter, Mukah will have some real business to do. This fast-growing coastal town will be full with activities of the Pesta Kaul 2009, which will start as early as the middle of April even though the official 'ritual' will be by the last weekend of the month. So, to make sure that you'll be up-dated with the activities, I'll post them once they've been confirmed by the organisers.

See, April is full (and fool if you want to do it on April 1). And just imagine if there is somebody telling you, "I want to see the report of the first quarter on my table tomorrow!!!". Come April 1, he'll just say, "It's April Fool , my friend"

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Go Ferrari

F1 2009 season vroooms off today in Melbourne with the qualifying round. New teams, new engines, new drivers - all out for the new season. And me, I'm still with Ferrari. Though champion in the constructors category in the 2008 season, its driver, Felipe Massa was a point behind McLaren's Lewis Hamilton for the drivers championship.

For the 2009 season, Ferrari will be going for the titles again with Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen in their red machines.

Ready!!! 1...2...3...4...Go! Good luck, Ferrari

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Suns of Matu

There may be only one sun, at least the one that we belong to. But any early morning drive from Matu to Mukah and a late evening return back to Matu proves that Matu has many suns. A different display of sunrise and sunset everyday. Something that gives drivers a refreshing start and a relaxing end to the day.

Driving into the early morning sun(s)

Driving back into the sunset

Cruising across the Igan River

Indeed refreshing and relaxing. What happen in between the rise and the set is ours to decide!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

A Small Touching Story

I got this story through an email from a friend and it sounds good, good enough to share it with the world .....

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: "Daddy, may I ask you a question?"

DAD: "Yeah sure, what is it?"

SON: "Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?"

SON: "I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"

DAD: "If you must know, I make RM100 an hour."

SON: "Oh," the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: "Daddy, may I please borrow RM50?"

The father was furious, "If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I work hard everyday for such this childish behavior."

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that RM50 and he really didn't ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.


"Are you asleep, son?" He asked.

"No daddy, I'm awake," replied the boy.

"I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier" said the man.

"It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the RM50 you asked for."

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. "Oh, thank you daddy!" He yelled.

Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.


"Why do you want more money if you already have some?" the father grumbled.

"Because I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.

"Daddy, I have RM100 now, can I buy an hour of your time?

Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you."

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of us working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without spending some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our heart.


So, do remember to share that RM100 worth of your time with someone you love.


Thursday, March 19, 2009

Who's To Blame?

There was a story about four people.

Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody.

There was an important job to be done.

Everybody was asked to do it.

Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.

Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it.

Somebody got angry about that

because it was Everybody’s job.

Everybody thought Anybody could do it,

but Nobody realised

that Everybody wouldn’t do it .

It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody,

when actually

Nobody asked Anybody.


Blaming you, blaming me but there's no YOU or ME in there ..... so who will take it? ASK yourself while I'll ASK myself, fair?


Igan Ferry In The Mist

March 18, 0730 hrs - the Matu-Igan ferry was already loaded with vehicles but it's not going anywhere, just yet. Visibility was only around 50 meters. It's a misty, misty morning. Reminds me of the haze. So we waited for nature to clear itself.

The ferry managed to find its way across some 30 minutes later, through the fading mist.

Upriver

Downriver

Landing point at Matu mainland

Full but not going anywhere

The other ferry into the mist

Landing point at Igan mainland

Misty, uncertainty is just another beginning of a new day. A challenge in its own way, making us a better person each day.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Golfing In Sri Aman?

You may have heard of the tidal bore (benak) and its annual festival or the ferocious Bujang Senang of Batang Lupar when you talk about Sri Aman. The tidal bore will occur during king tides and the Sarawak Government Almanac is a good guide for its timing. As for the Bujang Senang, enough is enough; let the mysterious croc-attacks be history.


But golfing in Sri Aman may not sound very familiar. People will ask, do you have a golf course in Sri Aman? To me, it’s a very fair question because it’s not as popular and well-known as the DGCC or the KGS.


The Pakit Camp Golf Club was established in 1991, based at an army camp in Pakit, 15 km from Sri Aman town. Starting off with 3 holes then, presently the golf course is a nine-hole par 35 stretching 2,515 meters in between the army offices and quarters buildings. Due to the ‘not so fair’ fairway, golf is played under the local rule of ‘preferred lie’ within one-club length not nearer to the hole all the way here. There’s no buggies or caddies to ‘enlighten’ players but bag carriers is available on request from the army personnel or you can bring your own. Trolleys will be easier and of a big help throughout this challenging course.


To get a better picture of the course, here’s some stats hole by hole.

Hole 1 - Par 3, 147 meters with the OB on the left and hazard on the right. A bunker is waiting if you tee-off far over the green.


Hole 2 - Par 4, 277 meters with a wide fairway but too much left or right will end you up in the OB on both sides. A bunker is just before the green.


Hole 3 - Par 3, 144 meter. Blind green up the hill with the hazard on the left.


Original and long-time golfer of Pakit Camp Golf Club, William Linang tees off at Hole 3


Hole 4 - Par 4, 243 meters is a good chance for hard hitters to go for an eagle or a birdie at least. All the way on the left is OB.


Hole 5 - Par 5, 413 meters gives a narrow and tricky fairway for medium distant hitters with the OB on the left and the hazard on the right. The next shot onward should easier once the green is in sight.


Hole 6 - Par 3, 150 meters with the hazard on the right and OB on the left. A chance for a hole-in-one prize here during tournaments.


Hole 7 - Par 4, 295 meters with the hazard on the right, OB on the left and also the right towards the hole.


Hole 8 - Par 4, 335 meters is a walk back on fairway 7 with hazard all the way on the left and OB all the way on the right.


Hole 9 - Par 5, 511 meters is a long walk back to the clubhouse. A ‘zig-zag’ fairway, the green uphill is only visible after the 3rd shot on regulation.


Whenever I got a chance to shoot back to Sri Aman (from Matu) during long weekends, this will be my favourite playground for a good afternoon walk with friends like William, Sabestian, Peter Manjan, Bobby, Choon Poh, TC Peng ... to mention a few.


So, next time you’re in Sri Aman, bring along your gears to Pakit Camp and try your skill at this challenging course. Happy golfing …..


Friday, March 6, 2009

What A Week

What a week it was for me this week, packed and interestingly shorter though still with the same number of days! Kicking off with opening of the Development Exhibition at the Dewan Suarah Mukah on Sunday, March 1 which my office participated. I have to rush back to Matu in the afternoon for another function - the Malam Mesra Ria Matu 2009 held at the Matu Waterfront at 8 pm.

The function was attended by YB Encik Abu Seman Jahwie, ADUN N.38 Jemoreng who later gave away prizes to winners of various competition such as karaoke, poco-poco, shuffle, Ratu Kebaya Remaja etc that kept the crowd till 12.30 am.

Next morning I rushed back to Mukah for a meeting regarding the YAB Chief Minister's visit to Mukah. Since my office Land Cruiser is still 'in the dock' due to the last flood, I have to rely on my Kembara, my reliable Kembara. Back to Matu late in the evening, it's all the household routines - laundry, ironing and 'surfing'.


March 3, 8.30 am - I attended the installation of the new councillors of the Matu-Daro District Council (MDMD) of which I was part of. The ceremony was followed by a lunch and later a meeting with councillors.

March 4 was my only full day in the office this week which enabled me to clear off my table, mails and entertain some public. Late evening it was another rush back to Mukah for a meeting next morning.

The SDMC meeting on March 5 attended by Permanent Secretaries and Residents, and chaired by the State Secretary, Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot was held at the Menara Pehin Setia Raja. The State Secretary later went for site visits to some ongoing projects around the Division.

Today, March 6 was a big one. YAB Chief Minister Pehin Sri Haji Abdul Taib Mahmud visited Mukah to hand over some financial assistance to the recent flood and fire victims in Mukah Division which was held at the Politeknik Mukah.

After the Friday prayers, the Chief Minister spent some time at the Development Exhibition at the Dewan Suarah Mukah. And of course, he visited our booth which brings back some memories of the old days of Matu.

Thank you, YAB Pehin Sri... from all of us in Matu

What better way can I ask for to end the week than this. Another week gone and another one will come, and I AM READY. We all should be!


Tuesday, March 3, 2009

MDMD Councillors Sworn In

The new councillors of Matu-Daro District Council (MDMD) took their oath of office at the MDMD office in Matu today, March 1 for a one year term from Jan 1 to Dec 31 2009. The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by YB Encik Abu Seman Jahwie, ADUN for N.38 Jemoreng.

In his speech, he urged the councillors to be of an exemplary personality, be knowledgeable on current issues, proactive and acceptive to change. The appointment must be considered as a recognition to them by the government on their ability to serve the people, he added.

The swearing-in, a blend of old and new, and young as well.

One for the album. YB Abu Seman with the councillors after the ceremony.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Trapped Kancil

As I rushed back to Matu from the development exhibition in Mukah on March 1, I was a little bit shock to see something very rare here - a road accident. A Kancil seems to have got out of control and trapped by the roadside along the stretch after the Igan - Matu junction to the ferry point, at one of the few sharp bend.

According to a resident staying nearby, the accident happened at around 4.30 pm the day before, Feb 28. Other than that, I don't get much information about the passengers but I hope they are okay.

This stretch of the road may be very quiet and the volume of traffic is very low but a few sharp bends may need some extra caution. A split second of carelessness may be very costly.

This posting is meant as a reminder to all of us that accident can happen anywhere but with patience and extra care while on the wheel, we can make the difference.