Unblocked

An earlier post was deleted on the early morning of 20th June 2008.

My late grandfather Pg Hj Damit Pg Md Salleh had already been in the hospital for a while. The PHD was always there everyday and night. During the school holidays I spent my mornings there with my cousins and sibling to accompany my Nini Banu.

The eve of the 19th, after the usual Hajat prayers, we all went up and opted for a late dinner. He went inside the MICU to recite the yassin for my late Nini Aji. But he came out not long after he had entered because the nurse told him to go out.

My late Nini was experiencing spasms. My cousin Fizul felt uneasy and we stuck around for a bit. After about 20 minutes we decided to go down to the canteen to have dinner.

After dinner we all went up and my uncle asked us to stick around for a bit while we went to get something. Then all of a sudden my other uncles and auties were asked to go inside the MICU. I remember it was around half past 10.

We got worried. Then my Aunt came out and she was crying and told me to call my Mother who had just left. I tried to call. I remember I started to cry. I kept on dialing but no one picked up.

I was even more frustrated.

I couldn't wait. I went inside the MICU. My Aunties were crying. My late Nini's stats was slowly decreasing.

We all started to gather around his bed...

My late Nini Aji passed away the same night.

Eventhough I have been preparing myself for that moment. Eventhough we all knew this was eventually going to happen.

I realised how much I missed my late Nini.

Tears streaming down and it seemed never ending.

Everytime I am alone I think of him. I pray for him.

My fellow readers (If I have any) this is the reason why I had blocked anyone from viewing this blog.

I was protecting my younger sibling who was about to sit for her first semester exam down under in Adelaide. My parents gave strict instructions not to mention anything on my blog.

Abang is so sorry Lina. I wanted to tell you so badly. I really did but to cause you emotional stress at a time when you had your future to deal with. Abang has been there before and it is not the kind of mental state you would want to be in. I love you Lina. I hope you understand.

I deleted the post but my friend had tagged about it already.

Thank You Emmy, Amin.

Please sedekahkan Al-Fatihah to my late Nini Aji, Pg Hj Damit bin Pg Md Salleh. Al Fatihah.

Semoga roh beliau dicucuri rahmat dan ditempatkan dikalangan orang-orang yang beriman.

Amin

He turn's 27 - 1508

Every year this date means a lot to me. It reminds me of a special person I grew up with. A strong bond developed between us and we did many things and shared many things except our ladies Hahaha.

This year he turns 27. He would be a teacher just like me, teaching English.

Audrey reminded me of a post I did about his last year, Fifteen-O-Eight, thanks Audrey.

I texted his mother to wish him Happy Birthday and I apologised fornot being able to wish him personally. Insya Allah I will visit you during Hari Raya and I'll tell you all about being a teacher so far and what its like to teach at our 'Dream School'.

Diki, I pray for your well being and perhaps one day you will find a way back. Get well soon Hadiki. So many people miss you. I miss you.

I sometimes have dreams about you. We would bump into each other somewhere and sat down somewhere and watch the sunset and all we did was enjoy our mochas and chatted the night away.

It was so real. I would wake up from my slumber and pray that you are safe.

Happy Birthday Hadiki. Missing you always Bro

Scorching afternoon runs

Before I start, I would like to take this opportunity to extend a big thank you to 'Mr BR' and Mr BR Sir you will be missed. I have my 3G phone set to auto update for your blogsite, which means I get daily RSS feed of BR.blogspot evey morning and I always get around to read it during my coffee breaks between classes.

The last post from Mr BR was yesterday, Sunday 15th April 2007. See you around Mr BR Sir. Your contributions have opened the minds of the Now, Younger and Future generation that will one day work together to ensure a sustainable Brunei in the years to come. All the best in your career Sir. I truly believe you have "-- helped foster a better informed Brunei society --"

My JPMC Gym membership expired last Saturday and I have been running outdoors since last week. Even with the 'bug' I just had to run. I am convinced I am a 'Running Addict'. Eventhough I do not run for long distances I at least must do a 3 km run.

I have only managed to do 21 minutes for the 3.33 km run that you may view above. I am hoping to do a faster run in the next couple of days but the weather has been blazing hot. I am sure it was only 33 deg C. The Maximum temperature by the weather forecast is 33 deg C while the minimum is 24 deg C.

I think I do roughly the same time on the treadmill but running outdoors under the sun is a totally different matter. I usually start my run around half past four in the afternoon. I have done this route for 4 days now with the 'bug' and my throat is always very dry after completing 3/4 of the distance. Sometimes I feel like I want to vomit.

If all goes well I shall renew my membership this Friday. I miss going to the gym in the afternoons with all the work I have right now. So many things to do and so little time to spend at the gym. But I always make sure I do my runs.

Today I did my run and played futsal from 6 to 8 pm at JKR with the AiTi-ans. I feel so drained and warm tonight. I am going to bed after this.

I have something interesting to share. Its is vey useful especially for those who plan to shed the 'extra' weight. Plus I would love to share with you what I have gone through the past three months and I have lost 10 kg in 3 months. I guess that is not so good since the normal indicator is to lose 2 kg a month. Perhaps this is why I am experiencing the 'Bug'. Below is the latest picture of SiRT. Excuse me for being *Cough*Vain*Cough*

On a different note, I have gone to 'Dreamcones', the new Gelato Joint in Q-Lap. Mr Reeda was there at the launching and Mr Reeda Sir I agree with you; Who does not love 'Nutella'? I helped myself to Nutella and French Vanilla. It was simply divine. I would recommend it to anyone. Drive yourself down to Q-Lap, it is on the same row as CAM.

Lazy Sunday Noon Run

I was not very motivated to run today but I had forced myself off my bed and went to the gym.

I need to run to get my mind off yesterday's disappointment. My School's Choir Girls made it to the finals this year and after coming to their practice sessions and giving some words of 'wisdom', I had unintentionally cemented in my head that my girls stand a chance to win the competition.

Bygones! There will be other opportunities. I will post pictures of the competition tomorrow afer I do some exposure adjusments.

I could vent my anger about the competition here but that would be unprofessional of myself. Sometimes things do not go our way but all good things come eventually. Good Karma - Bad Karma.

Nigel D. Turton - A true gentleman

Nigel D. Turton

You will be greatly missed.

Nigel D. Turton was a respected senior lecturer at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He left Brunei a couple of years ago to retire and return to his birth place, Leeds.

A passionate Leeds United Fan and a heavy smoker, his real passion was Syntax - English Grammar. I googled him but could not find a picture of him but the above is just one of the many books that he got published.

During lectures, he was witty and there was never a dull moment in class with his 'British-Brunei' one liners. Most of the times many would not get his jokes but would laugh anyways.

Nigel was a good friend and we talked a plenty about the stock market to relationships to football. He gave good advice. He was a real gentleman.

I read about his demise on Ms Maurina's blog and read the full story on Alistair's multiply journal.

I owe Nigel alot and our secret is safe with me. He is the sole reason why I am, where I am, what I am and who I am today. The three short years I knew him were enough to influence me and I am indebted to him.

This is what I would say If ever I had the opportunity to pay my respects -

Nigel,
I have quit smoking and I hope you did as well.
I miss the football rivalry and the slurring we used to have.
I miss the intellectual conversations we used to have and the books you would recommend me to read.
I thank you for believeing in me when I wanted to quit.
Thank you for all the advice.
Thank you for being patient.
Thank you for being a wonderful friend.
You will be missed.

From your student and friend,
(Insert real name here)