Welcome Back

After 22 years in England, Itul finally returned to Malaysia for good, and would be reporting to work next week at my old place, UMMC. She had been back since before Raya but we only get to meet her last week, and again during Syahril's open house in Bangi last Sunday. It was the last for the day for us after having food earlier at another friend's house. No wonder I put on a few kgs.

She was understandably apprehensive, which reminded me when I reported for duty at Universiti Malaya some time ago now. It seemed like ages ago. I was not really sure what to expect, how my new colleagues would be like and in the first six months, it was certainly a shock to the system - both good and bad - from time to time. There were bad habits which I picked up since, but it was part of assimilating into a new work culture.

I made the transition - with some pain and headache, but I was glad that I did. I certainly returned to Malaysia at the right time, with starting a family as well as my Dad-in-law's heart condition. I was sure things would pan out just as well for Itul.

All the very best!

KL Back to Normalcy

I overslept this morning, and driving from Gombak to work, I paid the price. Put it this way, I was reminded of how the traffic in KL was actually like. The crowds were back, schools were opened. and the customary an hour's morning commute to work was back. Bless!

I set off well after 8 and by the time I reached work, I was rushing already to start my morning rounds. Luckily thee was no clinic for me on Monday mornings. I was able to take my time going through the cases, before returning to the apartment for lunch and to pick up the Wii console we left there yesterday when we rushed from Bangsar to Gombak.

Afternoon clinic was a lot lighter and I was able to catch up on some paperwork, and of course ad the news. Last weekend was a busy one with all the admissions after the Raya break and visits to friends and family.

Day Two

A drab day in all honesty. It was dull in the morning, and it started to pour come lunchtime. My mother-in-law were driven out for lunch by my brother, and they were stuck halfway up Genting Highland. In earnest, it would be a bad idea to drive out of town today.

We drove over to 1Utama for lunch, but had to turn back as there were no parking space left. We ended up having lunch at Bangsar instead. Pizza for the boys of course, even though both of them looked tired after the outing yesterday. Idlan woke up with a sore throat, and he was still tired after lunch. We cut our outing short after he started sneezing.

Traffic in KL was OK, even in the heavy rain. I would imagine the town would be empty for the next few days, and would only start to pick up by the weekend. The weekend would be madness as most people would be traveling back into KL, as well going around for the inevitable "Rumah Terbuka". Not looking forward to that!

Selamat Hari Raya

It had been a full day of eating, drinking and all round partying. After the prayers in the morning, my brother-in-law came to visit and hang around for a bit before I received a call from my sister to come over to Bukit Antarabangsa.

More food. I was really full even before lunch. For lunch, my sister went over to one of the celebrity who lived in my Mum's neighbourhood for more food. We did not join them, and called it the day.

Irfan and his grandparentsCome evening, we went over again to my parents house and it was havoc. The sparklers were out and the boys with their cousins were really having a ball. Even helping out clearing the mess they created after playing with the fireworks.

As I was blogging this entry, I was still at my Mum's having more food, while waiting for the children to calm down. Chelsea was playing Wigan on the TV, leading 2 nil. It was halftime. I might hang on until the end of the game.

To all my friends, colleague and family, thanks for all the Aidilfitri wishes. I may not be able to reply to all of them today, but I was sure I would get around to it soon. Selamat Hari Raya.

Last Tarawikh

After Tarawikh last night - probably the last one for the year, I brought the whole troupe to join Julia's children at my Mum's place. It was havoc and we stayed well past midnight.

Julia wanted to go to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman to look for some bargain, but I would imagine that the traffic going to be a nightmare! It sure would be fun though.

My parents would be in Kuala Lumpur through out Raya, but talking to my Dad, he was keen to head back to Penang for a couple of days after that. I don't think I could spare the time though. My break would last until Wednesday, and I would be back to work - on call as well - next Thursday. The week would just fly by like a breeze I was sure.