dumbo?

Last Tuesday we had a makan2 to celebrate Norzuhaira's birthday. Many happy returns to you, Nor. Semoga berkekalan hingga ke... whatever.

Anyway, while at our mouths end of downing glasses after glasses of teh tarik, nasi lemak and koey teow, we were catching up with everyone on news.

Congrats to Mal for his new appointment in Telekom Smart School. Malaysians will be hoping that through Ikmal's hardwork, more schools will be 'smarter'. :)

The topic of discussion did touch on Intelligent Quotient, where Ikmal is a MENSA member with a high score of 171. Ending that topic, I told myself I need to take that test just to see how clever/stupid I am. Here is the results - not the official test though.

better now

We sent Aneesa for a blood test last night and after 3 days of ultra-violet photo therapy, the reading has decreased to 189, which is below the reference level 205. This means that Aneesa's bilirubin (that causes jaundice) is decreasing below the threshold level of 205. This may also mean that her liver is functioning better. The UV machine will be collected today, so no need for more therapy sessions. :)


















In another note, my special thanks to friends in Calgary for the well wishes - pheewit! I know you gals are happy for us and we really appreciate that. Oh yeah, if you want to send gifts, my address is... hehe... just kidding. ;)

More pictures to be posted soon; exciting and revealing ones... like how Aneesa looked right after she was delivered - still covered in mucus and some blood, the doctor and nurse in the labour room, etc.

Aneesa Farzana binti Wan Azrizul Azad

Our pride and joy! Still have traces of jaundice if you look carefully.

We had Aneesa's blood checked at the hospital and the reading was 247. Anything above 300 will warrant admission to the hospital. So we both decided to rent the UV photo-therapy machine to be used at home so that we can care for Aneesa personally. In fact, Yanti would be more comfortable at home, rather than the hospital.

It is the 3rd day that Aneesa is under the UV photo-therapy and we hope that her jaundice reading will decrease when we send her for the blood testing soon.

Lyana loves her little sister very much. She even know how to pronounce her sister's in her very own cute way... Aneesha. Hehe..















My cute girl @ "Komel".

Everytime Aneesa cries, she will run to her little sister and say, "Aneesha, don't cwy. Aneesha, don't cwy" while waving her fore finger or smoothing Aneesa's hair and then kissing her on the cheek. Aww...It's so touching.




















I'm so glad Lyana is not jealous of her sister and is taking it very well. What more can a parent ask for?

male @ female

In Biology class I learned that the father is the one who determines the gender of the child. Thus, I was thinking at current count, the presumption is...

Kamcheng Human Male 'Producers'
1. Mafiz = 2 boys
2. Telal = 2 boys

Kamcheng Human Female 'Producers'
1. Me = 2 girls
2. Edrin = 2 girls
3. Harris = 2 girls

Kamcheng Human Multi-Gender 'Producers'
1. Fiqar = 1 boy & 1 girl

Kamcheng Human Unconfirmed-Whether-Multi-Or-Single-Gender 'Producers'
1. Ibdil = 1 girl
2. Edrus = 1 boy
3. Jai = 1 girl

Kamcheng Human Awaiting-Production 'Producers'
1. Ezuan
2. Ikmal

Hehe.. Jangan marah ye. ;)

the wait is over

Alhamdulillah, the wait is over. Our little girl was born at 8.08am on the 11th of November 2005 at the Darul Ehsan Medical Center, Shah Alam. At delivery time she was 3.2kg, the same weight when Lyana Fareeha was born.

Our gift from Allah is named Aneesa Farzana, where "Aneesa" from the Arabic base word anees means cheerful or mesra while "Farzana" from the base word farzan means intelligent or bijak. We hope that Aneesa Farzana will have both qualities when we do'a for her everytime we call her name, Insya Allah.

I have some pictures taken with the normal camera but have not finished the negatives to develop them. I also recorded part of the childbirth. Will post some pictures soon.

Thank you very much for all your well wishes and contributions. I'm sure Allah will repay your kindness and sedeqah.

I gotta put this in writing so that I remember this in future. I think I have discovered why I sleep so much after every child delivery. The last time when Lyana was about to be born, during the last several nights I always find it hard to fall asleep so I played games on my computer to keep me occupied. Then, when Yanti said she was experiencing severe pain and ready to go the hospital at 4-something in the morning, I jumped straight into action. After the delivery, I slept for long periods in the hospital sofa and sometimes just on the floor, layered with my sleeping bag.

This time was the same - I couldn't sleep. So I kept myself busy doing the jigsaw puzzle until about 2.30am when Yanti said she wanted to go to the hospital. Several nights before that I was sleeping very late too, usually around 4.00am playing Final Fantasy X on the PS2.

After Aneesa's delivery, I slept away like a baby almost the whole day on 11 and 12 November. I remember Yanti saying to me, "Abang yang deliver ke Yang (Yanti) yang deliver? Abang ni asyik tido aje."

Hehehe. "Sorry Yang, abang penat jaga malam... Gubra!" ;)



















Yanti, 5 days before delivering Aneesa.

gubra

Anxiety is all over me now because Yanti is due to deliver tomorrow and no major signs of 'delivery activity' is showing.

Hmm... wait.... wait.... wait....

two count downs

I have this jingle in my head that's hard to describe but it sounds like the countdown jingle during NBA games when the time is running out.

Yes two countdowns, one for Hari Raya Aidilfitri and the other for Hari Lahir of our second child. Which comes first? I don't know.

But the increasingly apparent and increasing contraction my wife is having sometimes sends my heart racing. I still remember the times from the first pregnancy when I keep asking Yanti when the contraction was painful to her, "Nak beranak dah ke?" I was ever ready to go the hospital - proven when we I drove her to HKL at about 4am in the morning.

This time I'm trying not to ask her too much though anxiety does set in sometimes. As always, I'm ready to jump into action when she decides to deliver. But this time it's not as far as KL because we have chosen Darul Ehsan Medical Center, in Shah Alam.

We will not be celebrating raya in Alor Gajah this year, but only limiting ourselves to the Klang Valley vicinity, with the clock ticking so ever close to the delivery day.

Will it be a Hari Raya baby? Menghitung hari, detik demi detik....

Our congratulations to Fiqar and family for their gift from Allah. We hope to join you soon.

I guess, Telal's anxiety is much greater than mine having waited very long for their gift. We wish you all the best and our doa is with you. Will you be delivering your own child? Maybe delivering your own baby would be the most special gift to your wife and child.

To all, wishing you and your family Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin. :)

Syabas Malaysia!

A'kum all,

Thank you very much for the attendance, food and atmosphere that you brought last night. It was certainly nice to see most of you eat your heart out and to meet with the whole family. Bila sekali-sekala jumpa ni tiba2 je nampak anak2 dah besar, gigi dah banyak.. tsk..tsk... mak-bapak pun ada yang besar gaks. ;) Lepas tu main bunga api pulak, alahai best nyer - macam hari raya. Thanks for the bunga api - Nor & Nur.

Thank you to the first ladies of your husbands/boyfriend, your support to them are steely and determined. I'm sure you're glad you married the Kamcheng boys (or was I wrong there...kikikih). Let's see if I can remember all the names - Haniza, Eza, Sue, Rose, Ann, Yati, Nili, Lili, bini Zaini (sorry Zaini, aku terlupa nama bini ko). Thanks for also helping out.















Mafiz & Wan Edrin - you're missed. Ada gaks sikit2 mengumpat malam semalam pasal both of you - that's our way of showing affection apparently. Sorry if you chocked on your food. Minta maaf, jangan marah ye. :)

Alhamdulillah, most food was managed to be cleared so we had cut down on wastage. I was mentioning to Telal yesterday... "Kalau memberi makan orang yang berpuasa adalah seperti memerdekakan hamba". Tapi kalau bawak makanan berlambak-lambak dan bagi orang melantak macam tak makan 3 hari macam mana, ah? Merdekakan nafsu & syaitan kot? Hahaha..

Sorry that the toilet had no door. I'm sure this will be remembered and made as a joke to poke at me in future.

Today, is birthday boy Mafeitzeral's 29th year (gregorian calendar) since he was born. May all the blessings from Allah come to you after we sang PR Ramlee style "Allah Selamatkan Kamu". I'm sure the neighbours heard us because their guest in the C-Class were waving frantically at me when they left last night - dunno if they were happy to see me or really happy that they managed to leave the place.

Last but not least, I would likened that though we Kamcheng dudes & dudettes are friends in principle, we are actually family in nature (well except for Harris-Edrus, Azad-Telal relationship).

Thank you again, everyone. Next trip we shall do picnic, ok? Maybe at a waterfall in Sg Gabai? Very nice... We can do barbeque too.

[Telal, this is the speech that was supposed to be delivered last night but sometimes ideas come easier when I'm not stuffed...;)]

Membukakan Puasah

(In Uncle SV's tone)

"Baik lah, kuputusan wuntuk wishu wini tilah dicapaikan beddasarkan makkluman balas yang lipas. Mamandangkan ramey ali-ali Kamcheng Kadawaley sudda mamilih ari hahad 23 Oktober sabagai ari wuntuk membukahkan puasah, jaddi saya dengan rasa sukahcitah yingin manjamput SUMMMMMMMMMMMUUUUUUUAAAA worang sama dia punya kiluarga wuntuk mari saya punya rumah agar kita samah-samah dapat mambukakan puasah kita. Dingan wini jugah, saya wingin menghumumkan tanpah sigan dan silu yang kita summmmmmuuuaaaa misti mau bawa itu makannann atau minnuman pada ari tarsabut agar tidak parlu makann capati sajja.

Pita wuntuk mancari arah ka rumah saya bolih didapatkan di blog saya di blog winni dibawwah. Jikalau tardapat hapa-hapa kakaliruan birlaku dalam pirjalanan ka arah rumah saya, sila lah menghubungkan nombor saya 019-3710583 atau nombor wisteri saya 012-2166467. Sakian, trima kasey."

balik kampung + buka puasa

Last Saturday we 'balik kampung' to Alor Gajah. It was a while since we went back - more than 2 months. Everytime we plan to go, there was always other programs happening like abah & mama coming to KL instead, or I will have classes/exams, etc.

The whole Zainal clan was there, including Kak Anne & Nur. So it was nice to buka puasa with full family attendance. I can see mama really enjoying our company - she was beaming and busy cooking for us even before we arrived at noon. Mama cooked nasi tomato and kurma ayam kampung with kari ayam kampung as well for buka puasa. Yum-yum!

This year if our baby is delivered before raya, we will not balik kampung on raya day. So most probably this will be the last time we balik kampung - unless we have another trip back. If this happens, it will be the first time in my life not celebrating with my parents on the 1st day of raya.

On another note, sempena menyambut cadangan Dr Telal, we will be hosting a pot-luck buka puasa at our humble new home. Dates suggested are 20, 22 and 23 October 2005. I have a feeling that many would prefer the 22 Oct, Saturday. Boleh lepaks-lepaks then buat qiamulail sampai sahur kan? hehe...

Anyway, please bare with us if the place is a bit out of spec, maklumlah rumah baru. Fyi, the toilet on the ground floor does not have a door - we'll try to pester the developer to fix it a.s.a.p. but if we still can't get them to do it within this week, I will just have to install the door myself.

For the pot luck, bring any food at any amount you like. There is no restrictions/obligations. But it would nice if we could coordinate so that we don't end up with everyone bringing murtabak. "Nak makan hape murtabak dengan nasik aje... giler babs la." Hahaha..

Ok, before you ask here's the map to get to my place. Hope you don't get lost while using it.

i'm guilty

Ok, ok... I know I'm guilty for not updating my blog frequent enough. During the lapse of silence, these have happened:

We have moved to Shah Alam into MBSA quarters. Our new address is No.11 Jalan Platinum 7/43E, Seksyen 7, 40000 Shah Alam. It was blardy tiring, cleaning, packing, moving and unpacking again - and all that happening in Ramadhan. My feet still ache until today.

Me & wife were ferrying stuff almost every night in two cars the week before Ramadhan to reduce the loads needed for the rented lorry. On move day, 1 October 2005 (Saturday), we made 3 trips. The cost for the lorry was RM420, where RM120 was for charged per trip and RM60 for the manpower to help carry loads.

Since we moved in, I was busy preparing our new home to be livable - installing door locks, putting up curtain rails & curtains, installing electrical and mechanical stuff, arranging furniture, etc. Memang penat giler pindah rumah ni.

Anyway, you are all invited to come to our place. Don't have to wait for invitation but please call first. I can give instructions to my place.

This ramadhan we must arrange for a buka puasa. Why don't you suggest a date that you're free in my comments list and I will try to arrange something... I was thinking of Pizza Hut - we eat all we want.

badminton - the Kamcheng way

I have a feeling that I will cherish this picture 20 years later. I would be proud that we have the 'tak tau malu' attitude to wear the T-shirts. Plus, our superb meals after the games.

I mean, this is history being made. Though it was a short-lived 4 months badminton session, I certainly hope that it will continue to be on in future - sampai tua bangka. Imagine still playing at age 55. ;)

tadaaa

Try it at http://www.personality100.com

Tyrell Dinosaur Museum

This post is overdue actually. Anyway, it happened on 10 September 2005 when me, Poh & Calvin (all M'sians working for Talisman) went to a place called Drumheller, about 150km from downtown Calgary. We were heading to the Tyrell Dinosaur Museum.

Poh rented a Toyota Echo to drive us around. Thanks for the kind gesture, Poh. Along the way, the scenery was filled with vast expanse of prairie fields for cattle to feed on the grass. Very nice.


Toyota Echo does the job. In the rear, you can see the rolls of hay which are prepared for the coming winter.

The Tyrell Dinosaur Museum was something. The museum offers a different perspective from other museums like the London Museum and the Petrosains, Malaysia. The dinosaurs depicted here are their actual fossil/bones, whereas the other museums would offer 'skinned' and 'fleshed' dinosaurs. Some are just replicas while the ones in Tyrell are actual ones dug from the badlands.


The preparation room - since it was a Sunday, there was no one working in them. It would be cool to be able to see them at work.


My favourite dinosaur - Stagisaurus.


Most feared - Tyrannasaurus.


Me at the Badlands. This area saw many fossils uncovered.

shah alam 10km run

Normally, Sundays would mean waking up late at about 8.30am, a lazy 100 metre walk to the nearby mamak stall and a hearty and fatty roti telur breakfast while reading the newspaper. For an urban man who is always under stress during the weekdays, the sedate pace on weekends like this is luxury.

However, yesterday I decided to be on the move. I participated in the 10km run in Shah Alam. Phew! The last I remember running this far was during the Subang Jaya 10km run, when I participated with Telal, which was about a year ago.

The run started from Dataran Shah Alam and ended in Dataran Shah Alam, passing through several sections of the city and housing estate, where some areas were hilly and quite challenging. I took 1 hour 32 minutes to complete the whole course, which is pathetic compared to my past 'performances'. I usually will manage something like about an hour if I keep running non-stop, maybe slowly but surely it's 100% running.

However, my 10km run yesterday consist of maybe 60% running and 40% walking. My new shoes caused both my feet to blister - wrong move. I should've used my old running shoes.

Anyway, I still managed to finish it and have a certificate to prove it. :)

I pledge to participate in more runs in future. Anyone interested, do join me. I'll try to put up the weblink in this blog.

tag me?

Started working today. Finally getting over the jet lag.

So Telal, you tagged me? Here goes...

Seven things you plan to do before you die:
1. Sky dive (after I manage to get approval from wife - takut bini kawin lain kalau mampos...heheh)
2. Hajj (going in 2007, Insya Allah)
3. To taste a life with RM1 million cash.
4. Travel to all the countries in the world to see all the nice places and wonders of the world.
5. Write several books on various topics of interest.
6. Help economically poor people to improve their livelihood by providing jobs and business opportunities.
7. Repent all my sins to Allah and humankind.

Seven things I could do:
1. Become a good son, brother, husband, father and citizen.
2. Exercise more, eat less.
3. Continuous learning and self-development.
4. Never miss a prayer.
5. Visit friends and families more often.
6. Buy another bike.
7. Read quran everyday.

Seven celebrity crushes (more of 'like' than crush):
1. Mawi!!! Hehehe... just kidding. I'd say Brad Pitt. (Am I more gay than Telal or what? I just like his acting.)
2. Samuel L. Jackson
3. Angelina Jolie
4. Jackie Chan
5. Jet Li
6. Ning Baizura (her songs, not her)
7. Heather Graham

Seven often repeated words:
1. Oops, sorry (automatically after release of stink bomb...hahaha)
2. YA ALLAH! (when sometime extraordinary happened, like my wife releases her stink bomb...hahaha)
3. Niamafullat! (when I'm swearing)
4. Ciss! (when I'm angry)
5. MMMBBUAAAHHHH!! (when laughing out loud after doing something cheeky with my mates)
6. Lyana! (calling my daughter for errands or playing with her)
7. Hello?

Seven physical traits I look for in the opposite sex:
1. Pretty face (complete with pleasant smile, nice eyes, etc).
2. Fair skin.
3. Straight hair.
4. Slim but not thin.
5. Nice voice.
6. Medium sized boobs - NO, not large ones.
7. Wonderful personality and positive attitude (ok, maybe I can't count this)

just a little bit more

In S'pore right now, 12.10am of 19 Sep 05. I really need a shut-eye. Have checked into the airport transit hotel. I'm going to shower, solat and then tido. Will fly to KL at 6.50am this morning.

Yanti & Lyana, I'm coming home.. :)

balik rumah... ho ho ho... balik rumah... ho ho ho...

It's 17 September, 11.30am Vancouver time now, while M'sia is 2.31am, 18 September. I'm currently at the Maple Leaf Lounge, Vancouver airport waiting for my connecting flight to S'pore and then KL. Will reach KLIA at about 9.00am, 19 September, because I lose a day travelling into the east.

This morning has a story of it's own. I wanted to check-out at 8.00am, but Execsuite being an apartment, the office does not open on weekends. But on weekends, the Resident Manager (RM) was supposed to be in-charge. But when I called the RM, he/she didn't answered. The suite key was still with me, while the phone and Internet bills were still unpaid. I left my room by reading ayat seribu dinar and walked out with my bags.

With the help of another tenant, I managed to get access into the Execsuite Tower building where the office is and dropped the key with a note into the Key & Mail Drop Box. At that time, I left my bags in the Execsuite Manor building because I don't want to leave it in the open (unless I want someone to steal it).

After I exited the Execsuite Tower only I realised that my bag was locked in the Manor Building and I need the key to go in. The taxi was already waiting and I was in the verge of panicking - like how am I suppose to get my bags now?

As I walked towards the Manor Building, masya Allah, the door was wide open with a wedge holding it open but there was no one there. It was as if the door was left open specifically for me and I simply went in and collected my bags. Allah surely had helped me... Alhamdulilah.

Well, that's the power of faith and doa at it's best.

sunday in Banff

On Sunday, with the promise of sunshine from the weatherman, Lynne & hubby, Mike, were kind enough to take me on a trip to the mountain ranges in Banff. It was a 2-hour ride in Mike's white sports car. Very fast at times. [It's ok Mike, I'm sure the coppers don't read my blog. Btw, Mike's car registration number plate is... ;) ]


A view of the mountain ranges while on the road to Banff.

We reached Banff village at about 11.45am and grabbed some grub. Then, it was straight to the parking lot and we got ready for the hike up to Lake Agnes. I was thrilled! The guide book mentioned that the hike distance is about 3.4km with moderate difficulty. We would start from Lake Louise and reach Mirror Lake half way, and then Lake Agnes near the peak. Lake Agnes, would be about 2315 metres above sea-level.


Lake Louise - its turquoise. Mike mentioned some mambo-jambo on why it's turquoise in colour but I can't recall what it was. Sorry Mike... hehe..


Me at Lake Louise, with the mountain that we climbed in the background.

So, we hiked and we hiked and we talked and we talked along the way. I was panting after about 5 minutes into the hike. Phew! It was hard work. Then we decided to slow the pace because I was sweating in my sweater. Finally, we reached somewhat like half way through the hike and stopped to drink. But because the temperature was quite cold, I don't feel very exhausted compared to climbing in M'sia.


Half way through the hike. Notice Lake Louise in the background. I started shedding my sweater because I was sweating.

We later reached Mirror Lake (pictures in my videocam, will upload later) and took more pictures and rested as well for a drink. By this time, it was getting much colder and I had to wear gloves that Lynne had thoughtfully brought for me. Along the way, we saw some residue of snow from Saturday's snow fall.

After about 1 hour 40 minutes of climbing, we finally reached Lake Agnes, where a tea house is located for hikers to enjoy snacks to 'celebrate' the successful climb.


View of Lake Agnes - finally!


Two men and a lady... and 'Lady' Agnes, which is turquoise, at the tea house.

It was very very beautiful up there. Just before the tea house is a medium sized waterfall which was fed by Lake Agnes. It cascades down into Lake Louise, I think (where else would it go?). Then Lake Louise feeds a river which flows all the way into Calgary. Remember my walk in Prince's Island Park and the river in my previous blog? Yes, it feeds that river.

It was cold up there with the cold wind blowing. We ordered 2 hot chocolates and ate our packed lunch at the tea house. After spending about 30 minutes basking in sun and taking pictures, we proceeded a little further to the edge of Lake Agnes. Along the way, we spotted this cute little animal called a 'pika' that looks like a squirrel but with very short tail and make this cute sound like "eeeeett". Didn't manage to get them on video or camera, though.

We also saw a mamut (did I spell this correctly?) eating some leaves on our hike back to the tea house too. It was cute too. Nope, we didn't meet any grizzly bears - might not have had the chance to tell the tale if we had, I guess.


Here we are at the other end of Lake Agnes, where the ice and snow melts into the lake. If you look closely, you can see the snow capped tea house in between the two mountains. Gorgeous isn't it? Perfect for making postcards.

Me sampling the snow. Brrr...


The snow feeding Lake Agnes.

After that, we climbed down the same route which took us a little over 45 minutes to reach Lake Louise. Aahh, what a climb.

Mike later took us to his father's cousin's house in the town of Banff. Phil & Jean live in a very nice home which was 90% built by Phil himself. I was impressed! Phil is a do-it-yourself man who used to be a true-blue cowboy, complete with horses and revolvers - but he has sold those off and pursued a life of an entrepreneur owning several businesses. But Phil's retired now.

They were hosting supper and was serving flavored rice (tasted like Briyani) with chicken curry, papadom and glorious chutney. Then, the meal was complemented with chocolate cake with ice-cream and a wonderful cup of cappucino. I wish I had taken some pictures.

After chatting and chatting, we later retired at about 10.00pm with goodbyes. Along the way back to Calgary, we were lucky to have seen the Northern Lights in the sky. It was light-purplish and dancing in the sky. Masya Allah. It was beautiful. But it was too dark to be able to capture the spectacle on video or digital camera.

I finally reached Execsuites at about 11.30pm. Mandi, solat & tido.

Lovely trip! Thank you very much Lynne and Mike, not forgetting Phil & Jean too.

working... Talisman Energy Inc.

Me ready for work.

I've been taking the taxi everyday to work and return now because it always rains and can get very cold, as low as 0 degrees Celcius especially with the wind blowing. I tried walking home last Friday but my ears, nose and hands were experiencing cold-bites until I can't feel them. So, I took the taxi half way home.

Every morning I will call 2991111 for a taxi to fetch me at Execsuites, the operator already recognizes my voice. "Mr Azad, right? Taxi at Execsuites?" Hehehe.. But waiting for the taxi by the street, I shiver like crazy - you'll know it's really cold when there's mist coming out your nose when you breath. The other indication is most people wear thick coats/jackets/trench coats/scarves/gloves/snow caps. So, it's not just me.

Here's a picture of me working in Room 34016. I also have a very nice view of the Calgary landscape from the 34th floor of Banker's Hall.

The room temperature can be controlled by a regulator and it's set at a cool 22 degrees Celcius, so there's no need to put on a coat.


The view from my room.


Banker's Hall from ground floor. The first 3 floors consist of retail shops, so lunch is just a lift ride away.



Lunch - vegetable sub.

I stick to seafood or vegetarian for meals. My only source of meat is serunding daging, which nervously got through customs. ;)

tour of downtown Calgary

On 4 & 5 September 2005, I toured the downtown Calgary on foot. 'Downtown' here refers to the heart of the city where the main/major business buildings and operations are located. Calgary is also known as the oil city because it houses many oil & gas companies, like Nexen Oil, Husky Oil, etc including the services companies, like Schlumberger.

Anyway, my tour brought me to several places of interest within the city. It was also to get me to aclimatize to the weather and environment. During the 2 days I toured downtown, the weather was perfect for walking - sunny day with cool breeze and the temperature was about 10 degrees Celcius. Armed with my video and digital camera, here are my pictorials:


Orienteering with a map, I roam the city.


Almost all big buildings have the Canadian flag flying. This one is just opposite Execsuites.


A view of downtown at about 10am. This was taken while I was walking towards Eu Claire Market.


Reached Eu Claire Market in less than 10 minutes and I was expecting a wet market selling fish, produce etc - well at least initially that was what it intended to be, I was told later.


Rupa-rupanya, it contained retail shops. There were shops selling clothes, souvenirs, wine, hair-dressing salon, etc.


After roaming around and buying some postcards, I had a Subway tuna salad for lunch. Two things I noticed... 1. The helping was large; 2. It was expensive at $5.66 - RM16 for a salad?

As I walked, I noticed a structure that looked exactly like KL Tower. As I approached it, I discovered it was Calgary Tower - memang saling tak tumpah. But it's much lower than KL Tower though. I didn't go up it either.



Then I went to Sears and bought some stuff. The lady who was packing my stuff suddenly greeted some passerby with salam. Apparently I discovered it was her cousin. Anyway, delighted to find a muslim, I enquired from the man the closest masjid. However, it was quite far but he mentioned that there is a musola in downtown Calgary - in the EPCOR Center for Performing Arts. So I went there with his directions.


This is the musola (surau) on 2nd floor of the EPCOR Performing Arts Center. It was empty when I came so I stayed a little longer and managed to solat together with some muslim during Asr.


After prayers, I found this glimmering building near the EPCOR Center. It is Calgary's Municipal Building.

Oh, I should add - walking in downtown, I realised that majority of the pedestrian are disciplined and adhere to traffic rules. If the sign shows stop, they really stop even if there is no vehicle around. No one jaywalks here... because undercover cops will fine offenders $80 on-the-spot, I was told later.


Stop/Walk lights.

On top of that, there is close to virtually no traffic jam in downtown. Again, drivers are more disciplined and orderly too. They stop at junctions even when there are no vehicles, and they let pedestrians pass too - always.


I got a glimpse of the Fire Engine and Ambulance while I was walking and these two vehicles were tearing down the street blaring their sirens. There was an incident at that place in the picture because I saw the paramadics carrying a girl into the ambulance. Sorry, didn't take pictures of the coppers, though. Enough close encounters with them already.


Since it was getting late, I decided to walk back. Here is a picture of Calgary skyline at about 7.00pm.

I decided to walk through the Prince's Island Park back to Execsuite. Here's me by the river.


Here's a picture of the bridge across the river.


I finally reached back to suite 316 in time before sunset.

I miss you, Sayang

Drumheller & Banff

Wooo, I had an eventful weekend. On Saturday I went to Drumheller, a small town about 150km from Calgary with Talisman's Malaysian expatriate Poh Kwong Wee and international assignee Calvin Chua. Poh was kind enough to rent a car and took us on the trip. Though it rained all day and was freezing cold at 0 degrees Celcius, we had fun.

At Drumheller, we went to the Tyrell Dinosaur Museum. It seems Drumheller or better known as the "Badlands", have been a graveyard for dinosaurs. Many fossils were unearthed, and still are, here. Pictures on my visit will come in future blogs.

Today, Lynne Lepansee, a consultant with Talisman which came to Malaysia, and her husband Mike took me to the mountains in Banff. Banff is about 200km away from Calgary. Since the weather was beautiful with no rain and snow, we went on a 4-hour return hike up one of the mountains to Lake Agnes. Lake Agnes was gorgeous and the view from up there was picturesque - postcard perfect.

After the hike, we went to the Banff town and then to Mike's father's cousin, Phil and her lovely wife Jean, nice and quaint house for supper. They were wonderful host. More pictures on that too.

I'm going to sleep now - too tired for more blogging.

Execsuite

Let me show where and how I am living in Calgary...


Execsuites' main entrance. The office is through this doors but I stay in an opposite block - the Manor.


This is the Execsuite Manor - a 3 storey apartment.


Yup, the sign pointing to the right.


This is entrance to the Execsuite Manor. Notice there are two doors. The first one is not locked, while the second one is.


I'm given 2 keys - one to enter the Execsuite building as depicted here. That's one turn to the left and I have 7 seconds to enter before it automatically locks the door again.


Then, into the lift to level 3.


From the lift, turn left and walk. Here is the hallway to my room.


And here we are, room 316.


This is where I use the 2nd key to unlock my room door.


This is the view of my room once the door has been unlocked. Straight on is the bedroom, on the left where you can see the stand-light is the living area and kitchen, and the toilet is on the right just before the bedroom. Not shown in this picture on the left from where I'm standing to take this picture is the closet while on the right is a store room.


The bathroom - and me.


The bedroom. Sepah sikit.. hehe.. the cleaning lady will clean my suite every Monday with fresh sheets and towels. I have to do my own laundry though, at level 2. Otherwise I can use the laundry service, which I will. Malas la nak basuh and dry clothes sendiri.


This is the kitchen, complete with dining set and cutleries, fridge, electronic stove and oven, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, electric kettle and diswasher (under the counter).


There's the coffee maker, phone and a CD player. That is the table where I sit with my laptop to update this blog.


This is the living area - picture taken while sitting at the table in the picture above. There's also a video player and videos to rent at CDN5.00 for 2 tapes.


This is the balcony.


This is the view from my balcony.