Why I love Penang again?

By now, I could safely say that we have managed to keep this one tradition that I started off the moment I got married, which was to go for a holiday with my whole family at least once a year. Alhamdulillah, a very meaningful event for me. Ones that I look forward every year in my hectic schedule.

It was my mom's turn to choose a holiday spot this year and she has chosen to go to Penang. The last time we went there was when K turned 1. Read here.

We stayed with AirBnb at Tanjung Bungah. Arrived on Saturday and the traffic was clear. But boy, Penang was very wet in September. It has been raining heavily the past three days. So that Saturday when we arrived, it was pouring heavily 70% of the time.

Day 1

We first went to Penang Art Street. Nothing much to shout about. The queue for all the good food and snacks were crazy.

At night, we strolled along Batu Feringghi. Almost midnight as it kept on raining the whole evening.

Day 2

Started off our morning early to Bukit Bendera. Bought the VIP pass because man, the queue was crazy. It was really worth it guys. And guess what, it was raining again!

Then, we went to Kek Lok Si Temple.

And had a swim at Batu Feringghi.

At night, we had our dinner at Gurney Drive. Then, dropped by at Penang Avatar Secret Garden where my brother witnessed some scary encounter here. To be fair, it was almost midnight when we arrived.

Day 3 

At Komtar, shopped, played some games, eat!

Then, 7 hours journey back home ya'll. Traffic was crazy.

Overall, Penang was hectic, full of queuing for food, waiting for the rain to stop and then stuck in traffic jam. I used to really love Penang. Has it been different or have I been different?

Moral of the story, Penang is not for cranky parents guys. 

Nonetheless, anywhere with this bunch make me realize.. I live for this. I miss this moment already.

Birthday party for K and A

So, guess which outlet did the girls request for their birthday party this year?

Yuppp, KFC again (T_T). Third year here guys.. tak boring ke? I suggested A&W, Pizza Hut, all lah except McD, but it's their day. So, we obliged.

But, this year.. Khaira is a bit shy. She is no longer interested with the games and all.

Next year, tempat lain please?!

Thank you to all our families and friends!

Khaira turns 7!

Khaira is 7, guysssss!! 😭😭😭 It has been 7 years since I became a mom. Soon she’ll become a teenager, then to uni and have a family of her own.

As usual we celebrated her birthday at school. I love having a birthday cake resembling their interest at that time, and this year Khaira was obsessed with Powerpuff Girls. The irony, I used to be obsessed with them during my time.

2018 is another tough year for Khaira. Firstly, she had to stay at school from 750am to 4pm, or even 6pm when she had Tae Kwon Do. Her separation anxiety got worse, it took her 3 months to adjust. Then, her first time taking examination. She got so nervous and just about when she managed to control her emotions better, her diagnosis was confirmed. She has asthma and on inhaler after years of monitoring.

This year she struggled with being bullied, struggled with girls issue; kawan tak kawan. And I have always been there to protect her. Until today, my friend advised me and said, "they need to learn to feel sad and handle their own problem". She couldn't be more correct.

But all, in all.. I am very proud of you, Khaira Asyikin. You cope with everything well. She won multiple awards this year. Everytime I asked her on what she wants as a reward, her answer went from Buku Rampaian, to some stuff in kedai RM2. Very low maintenance this one!

I love you and I always will, K. Although you need to fight your own battle sometimes, I'm right behind you always ok. Always remember that k, my love. You're adaptable and strong!

Aisha turns 4!

Aisha turns 4, how time flies 😭

As usual, we had a birthday celebration for her at her school. Cake bought from #shaeryscake

At 4, Aisha's own personality started to shine. She's a fast learner, it surprises you again and again. Tough and moody, but deep inside she's super sweet. She is the type of person who would wait for you in front of the door to come in from work, ask if you are okay, massage you and always check on you. Before I go to bed, she makes it a habit to comb my hair. She's just like Kapal junior, not only physically. In fact, that is what I called her nowadays, Shaharil Jr.

It’s funny how these girls are way too opposite of each other. While K prefers to speak in Malay, A prefers English. K panics and think ahead, A calm and adaptable. Each have their pros and cons.

But both has the same traits, they’re a thinker.

The other day, A asked me about the no photo sign outside Daiso. Why is it ticked not crossed. And kept on asking me to tell the cashier to correct it (T_T)

Recently, Love told her that he would be outstation to Kuching, Sarawak and she asked why would Abi go to Sarawak to buy cat.

She's adorable like that when she's not cranky.

My baby is all grown up. I still come home and smell her all over, hoping the toddler's masam smell won't go away and kiss her all over without her complaining. I love you, Aisha Asyikin. May you grow up and be caring always k, Sweetheart?

Cinta Dunia Takut Mati by Ustaz Pahrol Juoi

My scribbles from a talk I attended earlier:

Al Wahan = cinta dunia

Lima musuh orang mukmin:
1. Orang mukmin yang hasad dengki
2. Orang kafir yang memeranginya
3. Munafik yang memarahinya
4. Syaitan yang menyesatkannya
5. Nafsu yang mengajak kejahatan

"And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah, so will you not reason?" - Surah Al An'am verse 32

Minta 'afiat --> Maksudnya kalau sihat, sihat dan taat.

Dunia tempat berpenat, akhirat tempat berehat.

Orang yang paling ingat mati, kualiti kerjanya paling baik. Tingkat produktiviti untuk Allah swt.

One way ticket, macam nak pergi oversea. What food to bring, baju, rumah di syurga. Excited nak pergi syurga.

Hati bila nak solat = hati nak jumpa Allah swt.

Allah swt suka pakaian kemas, asal niat kerana Allah, bukan untuk riak.

Bukan seimbang, tapi integrated. Bukan 50 dunia, 50 akhirat. Tapi, kerja dapat gaji, dapat pahala --> integrated. Every action; mesti relate to  akhirat.

Contoh:
1. menguap --> tabii untuk masuk oksigen dalam badan bila mengantuk --> wajib menguap kalau tak menguap boleh pengsan sebab tak cukup oksigen.
2. Tapi kalau menguap sebab nak sakitkan hati --> haram
3. Menguap baca Astaghfirullah --> sunat
4. Menguap besar sampai anak tekak --> makhruh
5. Menguap bersahaja --> harus

PEng route 3

The very last night after Ramadhan, I remember I was feeling very down after Tarawikh prayer with my two girls. I didn't fully utilize my Ramadhan this year, that was for sure. Was checking my Whatsapp when I received the good news.

Alhamdulillah :)

A few days after, BEM called me to convey the news and letter came a few weeks afterwards. Ramadhan gift, thank you ya Allah. Alhamdulillah.

Anyhow, I applied my PEng via Route 3 BEM (Route for a Professional Engineer from an overseas Regulatory Body). I have obtained my Chartered Engineer, CEng. which is a Professional Engineer from IET UK in 2016, hence after consulted with Ir. Shamil, a PEng consultant in our department, he suggested me to go through Route 3.

My Chartered Engineer journey was Alhamdulillah a smooth one. After registering with IET, filled in the Chartered Engineer form online here https://www.theiet.org/membership/profreg/ceng/. Waited for a year for the interview and managed to get my CEng a couple of weeks after. The interview was not as technical as I thought, but more on leadership, management, ethics and risk which were quite scary for me. But I learned a lotttt throughout the process especially on risk management.

I knew I should have gone for my PEng right after that, but I was lacking of knowledge and confidence. Ir. Shamil and my then HoD were very supportive and guided me all the way. Basically, the conversion process was very simple.

I extracted this from BEM's website: http://www.bem.org.my/documents/20181/43352/PEnotes.pdf

(i) The applicant need not sit and passed the Professional Assessment Examination or be corporate member of IEM.
(ii) Applicant shall submit to BEM a certified latest Professional Engineer Certificate issued by a Regulatory Body of other country.
(iii) The professional engineers status shall be check that it is equivalent to BEM’s professional engineer qualifications eligibility.
(iv) The applicant is not entitle to be registered as a Professional Engineer if at any time prior to his
registration there exist any facts or circumstances which would have entitled the Disciplinary Committee to cancel his registration pursuant to section 15 of the Registration of Engineers Act 1967 (Revised 2015).
(v) Summary of practical experience not less than 3 years using company letterhead certified by a PE in same branch of engineering at which the applicant did his practical experience
and;
(vi) has complied with the requirements as determined by the Board.

Basically, what I needed was:
1. My CEng certificate
2. BEM application form Route 3
3. A letter from my University on my teaching experience
4. A letter from industry (in my case TNB) on the consultation work I have done with them (accumulative of 3 years).

It's that simple.

Try it guys!

Aidilfitri 2018

Tad bit too late to wish all of you Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir batin!

Raya has been good for us. Of course, with the passing of both my grandparents, at both sides now, things have been different. But I guess this year we managed to cope with it better.

Sigh, so guys.. if you still have your grandparents with you this Raya, please do cherish them as I miss my grandmom so much 😭

Anyway, forgive me for all the wrongdoings guys!