Locked Out~!

Yesterday morning I was locked out!

Okey, my mind was pre-occupied with things. My hands were also full - with thrash bags, my lap top bag on my shoulder, cat's food and what I thought were house and gate keys. Bang...I slammed the door closed with my foot. I put the cat's food down under the shade where the cats normally feed, and walked to the rubbish bin outside on the street. 

I then thought I have left my sun-glasses inside. I wanted to open the door - then I realized I have left both the house key and the gate key inside. What I had in my hand was indeed my sun-glasses! Ermmm, someone please tell me this was only a once-off lapse, and not a permanent sign of aging.

The whole day while in the office I was figuring how to get in! I called my once-a-week visiting maid to ask if she keeps one spare key. 

"Yes...but only house key, sir!" Replied Linda, nervously.

At 4pm I was already in front of her house to collect the key. I explained carefully that the reason I am taking they key was because I have left mine inside the house. I didn't want her to think I was not trusting her to keep the house key while I would be gone for my Eid leave. She relaxed and recovered from her nervousness.

About 5pm I was in front of my house - with no key to open the gate. Gates to Arab houses are high like fortresses. I thought about climbing, but immediately abandoned the idea! Safety first, was not what stopped me. It was something else called 'Kurang Upaya!' 

As the temperature was soaring high at above 40 degree, I stayed in the car and waited for the temperature to cool down a bit more and hoping that I would get some ideas or that a miracle would happen! 

Then God sent me His help! 

Rizwan, an Indonesian who worked as a driver for an Arab family a few doors away from my house walked to the same rubbish bin on the street near to my house. Four months ago, when I moved to the neighborhood I have approached him and introduced myself. We chatted about three times after that.  The last few nights I have seen him at the local Mosque praying Terawih. Little did I know that one day, I would be needing his help.

I stood near to the gate, and helped to push him up. With a little more effort from him,  he jumped down on the other side.

The gate was opened at last.

As a show of my appreciation, I gave him a packet of the Patchi chocolate which I have bought to bring back to Malaysia for my children. 

Now,  we have become closer friends. I might have been locked out from my house, but God has opened my eyes and heart to appreciate kindness that could come from simple people.

"Friendship without self interest is one of the rare and beautiful things in life." - James Francis Byrnes

TKC 3 : STAR 1 : Budak Kolej 0 !!!!

Latest: TKC 3 : STAR 1+1 (Tonight one of my former classmates from STAR ~ batch75 ~ came visiting. He is on a vacation in Dubai with his family, and also visiting his niece who is residing here on the Palm! ). Above: Nazrah and her princess Aishah. Top: Pakwan and Pakpayne!

One of our joys living abroad is when friends and relatives come visiting! Their visit provide us with an opportunity to catch up with the latests, to get fresh supply of budu, tempoyak , daun kesum, presented with the odd ole-ole from home, get to read latest copies of printed Malaysian newspapers and magazines, and best of all rekindling memories of yester-years with new twists and fresh perceptions.
LiL and I have been fortunate! And the score for December is infact , LiL 3 Vesus Mine 1. Yes, we have received three of LiL's TKC buddies versus one of mine from STAR. Regardless, her friends are my friends and mine are also hers. Such is the simple rule of cobweb of marriages; you marry into the network of relationships from both sides. I heard one more of my STAR friends is coming to town! So, I am still optimistic of equalizing the score.

Today we were visited by Dato' Zurai and Puan Siti both ex-TKCian who happened to be in Dubai on a trade and business trip. Despite the many touristic attractions beckoning, they were focused on their mission ~ probably one of the hardest working trade mission I have seen. They are here looking for opportunities to market products developed by FAMA, and also products from Puan Siti's company. One particular product caught my imagination and triggered my anticipation - and according to Puan Siti who is also the director of marketing for her company, the product's effectiveness has been proven! Looking at how glowing her smile was, I needed no further convincing! I look forward to putting it to test. hahaha! * No need to say lah what product....you can guess already what! Clue: there is the word Tongkat in the name of Ali. hehehe*
LiL and Dato' Zurai were batch mates! Puan Siti was their senior but it was hard to tell that fact if not for the information volunteered to me ~ and I said this as a compliment to Puan Siti for keeping her vitality (The Boss of the vitality capsules is herself a showcase for the product lah kan!) and this statement is in no way intended to imply that her Juniors were anything but as youthful and full of vigour too! Gosh, why am I justifying myself here! One thing for sure, happiness was visible on everyone!

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Umi Kalthum Ngah and her husband Ir. Mohd Sufian who were on a short vacation in Dubai. I came to know Umi Kalthum through her blog "Biasanembun.blogspot" and also as an author of a few novels and childrens' motivational stories. She brought two 'signed' copies of her books! Thank you. LiL had known Umi from TKC days while Ir. Mohd Sufian was my batch mate from STAR! Needless to say, an evergreen friendship.


We accompanied our guests of last week and of today to the Global Village which is located a stone's throw from our residence.

Inspecting the stall selling Gaharu....a tray was seen displaying Malaysian Gaharu!!

Long time no see....but school days camaradie lives on!

School buddies reunited at the Arabian Ranches!

Below, Dr. Umi Kalthum Ngah and her husband Ir Mohd. Sufian visited the Global Village on Dec 17th. The visit was after a long hard day of sight seeing.....must have been very tiring for both, but they went through with the GV visit partly to fullfill a promise we have made to Luqman! So thoughful of both Umi and Pian!

Umi Kalthum Ngah capturing a scene in the Global Village! Her husband in the background was testing the different varieties of Yemeni Honey!

Spices! Lots of them...found in the Yemeni cluster!

The Senior and a Junior - posing today for tomorrow's memory! Luqman was tired towards the end of the long walk....! We spent 4 hours there.

To our guests, we thank you for visiting us! Your presence brought joy and happiness and hopefully will also rejuvenate our friendships! Please come again.....

ps: To friends not from TKC or STAR, with the exception of Budak Kolej Melayu *wink wink*, you are equally welcomed! Read HERE, if you want to understand what has been going on between STARians and the Budak Kolej!