Look at my new shoes - Cuti Raya Day 2

Kasut baru, kasut raya, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

A rather dull day today. Anita had to go to Putrajaya to settle the maid's permit for next year, and I babysat the two boys. She was back by 1 and we planned to do some shopping later in the day and get a haircut for Idlan. His fever is now better and he is getting restless to leave the house. Since Anita and her Mum was tired from the Putrajaya journey, they took a nap before we left.

We set out at around 3.30. The traffic was really bad along MRR2 and Jalan Ampang. We finally reached the Great Eastern Mall carpark just before 6! 2 and a half hour journey to travel 7 miles! Madness. Apparently the Minister has announced that tomoorow will be a day off for schools. The parents hence set about to leave for kampung tomorrow and went into a last minute shopping frenzy. The traffic was basically jam-packed, not just at Jalan Ampang, but most of the trunk roads into the City Center. We were lucky that the boys were still under control in the car, and nobody needed to rush to a toilet.

Since time was tight, we got the shoes for the boys. Irfan actually picked her own (above). Apparently the spider on the laces were the clincher. He can't stop running around in them right after. We then headed to Cozy House to see if there are any empty table for iftar. We were turned away however. Reluctantly we had to settle for a table at Penang Village right next door. I decided to have Japanese instead at Express Sushi. It worked out better for me I think.

Luckily the traffic back was smooth. By the time we reached home, everybody was already tired. Time to catch some zzzz. I am taking my Uncle to see the Urologist tomorrow, so going back to UMMC for a bit tomorrow morning.

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More Updates in my PhotoBlog

I have been encouraged by the positive feedback I am getting so far on my photoblog at harisphotoblog.com. I have added on another tab or segment called 'theme'. This is basically a project-based series of photographs conforming to a theme. The theme will be added from time to time, and the one I am building up to at the moment is concerning the Eid. The Eid 2009 theme menu in the site can be accessed here.

As you can see, it is further divided into four to five sub-segments and over the next week or so, there will be separate slideshows on each of the segments. So please check them out. If you have not visited the photoblog please do so. I trust you will see that the photos will be decently presented, and please enjoy them Should you wish to use them for any purpose, please drop me a line. I am more than happy to accommodate your requests. Happy Puasa - or the coming few days and 'puasa enam' at least.

Hari Raya Holiday - Day 01

KLCC Night Walk 6, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

Yes! The holidays already started, but unfortunately without a bang. As those who followed my tweets had learned, Idlan had high temperature last night and had to be taken care of. He seems to have been better during the day and started playing his Wii again. That's a good sign.

Lat's artwork in perspectiveI had plenty lined up to do. To start off, I sent the car for service as we are planning to use it for our trip to Penang after Raya. Then I took Irfan to his Pingu School while Anita had her manicure and pedicure. Bak home, we ran a few errands, going to the bank to transfer our maids' money back home. We then headed out to buy some groceries before it started raining heavily. I have yet to do my own shopping, so I decided to do it after iftar. I set of alone to KLCC.

I had the opportunity to observe Lat's artwork close-up that evening, and it was mesmerising. Simply breath-taking, true to form. Lat s a famous cartoonist and I grown up with his comic as staple. He takes a very dry view of current affairs and hit home with his drawing. He takes no prisoners, and regularly lampoon famous public figures and normal boring daily routines alike. I find his drawing funny and touching, but the best of all was his series on kampung life. If you grow up in kampung, you can't help but smile every time you read it. And this is no exception.

The life-size mock-up of a kampung houseThe Ghazal trope on showIn the main foyer in Suria KLCC, are life-size work of his 'Kampung Boy' series, with all its stereotypical characters, complete with a full-size kampung house. When I arrived there, there were also traditional ghazal troupe playing, and tourists were taking the opportunity snapping away. Let's start with the positives, the artwork was classy, and very well presented. The troupe played very well, excellent sound system and acoustics at the foyer. The vantage points and access was great. I spent almost 20 minutes looking at all that was on offer. Next to them are stalls selling gifts and cookies, all themed similar to the artwork. Very neat indeed.

What is ashamed was there was no guidance for the tourist. It's fair for us who are familiar with firstly Lat's work, but more importantly the selling of the kampung concept to the visiting tourists. There were no tourist guides explaining the goings on, what the exhibits are, not even pamphlets for them to read. I can't help but to realise that there is an opportunity missed here. Worst still, the only access to staff for information were in the form of security personnel, and they were all non-Malaysian! Alamak! Imagine if a tourist ask what was the guitar-like instrument the troupe was playing, I would offered to run around naked at the foyer if the Nepalis 'Pak Guard' can say 'gambus'. If you hear in the news that a naked streaker was cought in KLCC, you have yourself an exclusive on who it was and why.

After doing my shopping, I headed for some food. Unfortunately, most of the food were sold out at the stalls since there was a rush earlier for iftar. Even O'Brien ran out of white bread for sandwiches, and they only sell sandwiches. Had some nasi ayam, then off for some coffee at Starbucks before a quick stroll. There were still plenty of people at Suria at 9.30 last night, by the time I headed home. It was a pleasant walk in the end. At home, the boys were helping their Mummy and Grandma baking some cookies for the Eid. The smell was nice. Idlan's fever was also down by then. Alhamdulillah.

You can see the Twin Towers through the roof

KLickers in Melaka

From the sound of it, the KLickers had a great time in Melaka yesterday. It was a roadtrip over there organised by the 'management'. Unfortunately I was on call yesterday and wold be a pain to leave Lembah Kelang in case anything happens at the hospital Looking through the photograph, I wished that I was there.

Courtesy of ArupImage courtesy of Magnus Caleb, featuring Michael if I can see clearlyJaav, courtesy of Magbus CalebJaav's take on the Eye of Malaysia - is that what it is still called now?

Construction completed

Construction completed, originally uploaded by Haris Abdul Rahman.

What a football it was last night, and I finally got to bed just after 2, having to wake up after a couple fo hours for Sahur. United played Spurs and as I was settling down for some noodle and titbits, Spurs scored after 50 seconds. Oh dear!

But United actually passed their way back into the match superbly and were crafting chances. After a few misses, finally Giggsy stroked in the equaliser from a freekick. Before halftime, we were were leading with Anderson hitting the onion bag. The match took a turn when good old Scholesy ... did a Scholesy and was sent off. We held on though, and it was clear that Spurs will not win if they did not score within 5 minutes of the sending off allowing United to regroup. Rooney scored another later in the match with United the deserved victor. It was a good night all around.

Woke up this morning pretty early with one thing in my mind. I wanted to upgrade my photoblog and get it up and running. I purchased a new theme last night which I thought was appropriate for it, and I must say I was pretty pleased. Setting and lining the site up took some doing however but I think it ws well worth the time. Please visit it at harisphotoblog.com and see what you think. No, I have not yet had the time to go out shooting for a themed slideshow yet. Maybe I will do that in the coming holidays.

And talking about holidays, we will be heading to Sungai Petani for the second day of Hari Raya. We have already booked a couple of rooms at Kelab Cinta Sayang, and will probably be staying there for three nights. Should be a good break. Will be bringing the Wii of course. Will definitely be visiting the family in Penang as well.