Back to the Old Routine

After the time off and conference leave, it was now back to work proper. In the middle of a long weekend - Monday was a public holiday for the installation of the Agung - I was on call on the Sunday. I was at Julia's place with my Mum the day before and the day after the call of course.

Despite being a long weekend, the call was surprisingly busy. Managed some sleep though as well as the first half of the United match. By the time I was ready to go to bed, the Barca - Real match kicked off. I was too tired to watch though.

At least I had Monday to rest before starting the week. Another long weekend coming right ahead but I had another call later in the week.

I was also scheduled to be in Singapore for a meeting next week, before returning to give a couple of talks the weekend after ...

It was always good to get back into the swing of things.

To The Earth We Return

I got a call in the early from my Mum to say that my Dad was in pain. I asked to call the ambulance while I made my way across to Bukit Antarabangsa. The paramedics were performing CPR when I got there and Ba was no longer with us. Anita raced across next to join me.

We lifted Ba back into the house while the khariah from Masjid came to say their prayers after Suboh.

Neighbours visiting before we carry the body to the MasjidThen I went to the Police Station to file in the report and get the burial under way. 9 am and the van came to pick Ba up for the mosque. We bathed him. We perform the solat next. Said our final goodbyes. Even Irfan and Idlan were in tears. By 11 am, we were already at the burial ground.

It rained heavily after the burialThe house now seemed emptyI buried Ba next with the help of the neighbours. We read the talqin. I was numb the whole morning. It happened so suddenly. Unexpectedly.

My Uncles and relatives arrived from Penang as the burial was being performed. We then came back to Mum’s place in Bukit Antarabangsa for prayers and lunch.

I was glad that the neighbours were around to help me out and my Dad hardly suffered. It was a dignified passing, in the best of sense. We all are going to miss him ... Alfatihah.

A Sad Monday

I finally made it to my bed at 3 am after a quick stop at McDonald’s on the way home from the hospital. Typical of Sundays, the admissions tended to come during ungodly hours after they had enjoyed their weekends. After going through the admissions, I was peckish and decided for a quick burger on the way home.

The sleep then also wasn’t a particularly good one, being interrupted every half an hour or so. But the call just after 6 am woke me up. My Mum rang to tell me that one of my Aunt took the turn for the worse overnight and was fighting for her life in Intensive Care.

I made plans to visit her later that morning, since I had to sort out my post-call chores. Anita went to pick up my parents after dropping Irfan at school. They plan to go earlier. Then the news broke that she was no longer with us.

My parents and Anita arrived as the body was being cleaned. I couldn’t finish my work in time and by the time I reach the apartment, they were already transporting my Aunt in the hearse heading back to Penang. They plan to lay her to rest later in the afternoon. My parents then drove back to Penang, but I wasn’t able to go at such short notice, especially on the day post-call.

It was only a couple of weeks back that her son - my cousin - got engaged. The wedding was planned next month in Terengganu and Penang. It looked like it would be a sombre affair. Alfatihah ...

Engagement

One of my cousin got engaged last Sunday and I was asked to tag along during the trip to visit the girls’ house in Cheras. I started my rounds early that morning so that I could make it in time as the event started at 10.30 in the morning. I drove to Ampang first to pick up my parents before turning around to join the rest of my relatives.

It was then followed by an early lunch and by noon, I was already at my Mum’s place at Bukit Antarabangsa ready to get on with the rest of the Sunday. I had an Uncle coming from Muar as well as Penang. And with he ceremony finishing early, they were able to take a relaxing drive home.

The wedding would be in April, in Kuala Terengganu and Anita was keen to go. It would be likely that we would be taking the van there along with my parents. We would then spent a couple of nights there since the boys would still be on their Easter break. Earlier today, I managed to sort out my leaves as well. Looked like at system go at this point ....

The Lone Droner

The weather on the two afternoons we were in PD was great. And the tides were high before sunset when we went to the beach. That made for some nice strong waves and great condition to hit the sea. The boys certainly enjoyed it.

The warm sun contrasted well with the cool sea water - sunscreen needed of course. Once you got in, you felt like staying in all day since to was really nice and refreshing in the water. The great breeze also was an added bonus.

But somebody had to fly the drone. Despite the heavy breeze, the drone held its position well and flying was not a problem at all.

I managed to get some great 4K footage and the customary photographs as well. Unfortunately there were clouds on the horizon, hence I was not able to get the red sunset as the sun kiss the horizon. I was happy enough however.

I brought the drone out on both afternoons and managed to fill up my memory card. Good thing I brought the charger along, otherwise I would be out of juice by the end of the first afternoon.

Now came the part of doing editing on those huge 4K files ..... That could wait I supposed ....