Botak Head
Gulp! Gulp!
I want! I want!
01 December 2003
30 November 2003
Back to Work
I hope all of you had a nice holiday. Pity Joliekins who had to work on the third raya. It was a very quiet raya for me as I didn't get to visit any of my friends or relatives. I just stayed at home with my wife and baby. Anyway all of them came to visit us so it was OK as Rahil kept us quite busy. Now am an expert at bathing her and changing nappies. Rahil is now one month old and is growing at an incredible rate. She now weighs 4.2 KG which means that she put on a Kilo in one month. As compared to other babies she is quite good natured and only cries a bit when she's hungry but has been a bit cranky after she had her hepatitis B shot. She wants to be held all the time and is constantly hungry.
Talking about hungry. After fasting for a month, I was really happy that I had lost weight and my waist line had gone in by an inch. However, this was short lived as I soon regained my "lost" weight only 4 days after Hari Raya. I realised that I was not the only one and a few had in fact become more heavier after ramadhan. No wonder with all the sticky tasty and delicious food which was being gluped down in the tonnes. I look around and everyone seems to be munching potato chips, raya biscuits, chocolates and durian with coconut milk and pulut - all the time. Oh and I just realised that its my lunch time.
Talking about hungry. After fasting for a month, I was really happy that I had lost weight and my waist line had gone in by an inch. However, this was short lived as I soon regained my "lost" weight only 4 days after Hari Raya. I realised that I was not the only one and a few had in fact become more heavier after ramadhan. No wonder with all the sticky tasty and delicious food which was being gluped down in the tonnes. I look around and everyone seems to be munching potato chips, raya biscuits, chocolates and durian with coconut milk and pulut - all the time. Oh and I just realised that its my lunch time.
18 November 2003
Islamic State
I know this post is bound to generate some controversy but I think this is an important issue we need to sit down and discuss openly. More so in view of the release of the recent PAS Islamic State Document (Dokumen Negara Islam). I haven't read the document and many of my friends feigned ignorance and some of my Muslim friends even refused to discuss it saying that they were not experts. I guess this is due to the general assumption among common Muslims (read, not Ulama) that questioning anything related to Islam may somehow be wrong.
Well I guess that we had this coming for sometime. One argument I always had with my friends who supported PAS, was that they didn't even have a clear idea what represented an Islamic state even though they always used to harp on the issue. To them Malaysia is not an Islamic country. Of course their usual arguments were that we don't follow Islamic law (completely) and another was that we allowed non-Halal activities like gambling inside the country. However, are these the only criteria for being an Islamic state?
One of my friends (very educated and holding an good position) told me that an Islamic state would be more just (Adil) and there would be no discrimination on basis of race. That's a very nice idea and then I asked him what about religion. Would followers of other religion have the same rights as Muslims? His reply was bit ambiguous but in summary - non-Muslims would be second class citizens in the ideal Islamic state and in the end it would ultimately lead to more people converting to Islam to get the benefits. Also all of them have to follow Islamic laws even though they were not Muslims. But is it just, when you force people of other faiths to pay special form of taxes for living in an Islamic country. Is it also just when you don't allow them to celebrate their own festivals as a public holiday just because Islam is the state religion?
Many of my friends look to the Arabian countries as ideal Islamic states. So which country is an Islamic country? Is it the strict Wahabi monarchy of Saudi Arabia, the Shi'ite Ayatollah led Iran or the military controlled Islamic state of Pakistan. Or is it the Turkish style? Do we calculate how islamic a country is by the number of mosques, or by the number of women wearing veils? I gently remind them that only a few of the countries in that part of the world are democratic, where opposition is little tolerated or completely non-existent. The human rights records of some of these countries, especially with regards to women rights are downright appalling. Some of these countries do not allow women to hold top positions or work outside their homes or even drive, forget the right to vote. Minorities? Just don't start.
Coming back to Malaysia, it has been accepted as an Islamic country by the whole world and has been given the chairmanship by the OIC. But look at the facts. Living standards in Malaysia are quite high even though not to developed nation levels. It has a good standing in the World and even non-Islamic countries pay attention to what its leaders has to say. Muslims are not discriminated against. Everyone has the right to pray with Mosques and Suraus in almost every neighbourhood and workplace. There are Islamic laws (for Muslims) and most important of all, non-Muslims live peacefully and prosper under the leadership of Muslims who are elected democratically. Still my friends argue that it is not an Islamic country.
Well I guess that we had this coming for sometime. One argument I always had with my friends who supported PAS, was that they didn't even have a clear idea what represented an Islamic state even though they always used to harp on the issue. To them Malaysia is not an Islamic country. Of course their usual arguments were that we don't follow Islamic law (completely) and another was that we allowed non-Halal activities like gambling inside the country. However, are these the only criteria for being an Islamic state?
One of my friends (very educated and holding an good position) told me that an Islamic state would be more just (Adil) and there would be no discrimination on basis of race. That's a very nice idea and then I asked him what about religion. Would followers of other religion have the same rights as Muslims? His reply was bit ambiguous but in summary - non-Muslims would be second class citizens in the ideal Islamic state and in the end it would ultimately lead to more people converting to Islam to get the benefits. Also all of them have to follow Islamic laws even though they were not Muslims. But is it just, when you force people of other faiths to pay special form of taxes for living in an Islamic country. Is it also just when you don't allow them to celebrate their own festivals as a public holiday just because Islam is the state religion?
Many of my friends look to the Arabian countries as ideal Islamic states. So which country is an Islamic country? Is it the strict Wahabi monarchy of Saudi Arabia, the Shi'ite Ayatollah led Iran or the military controlled Islamic state of Pakistan. Or is it the Turkish style? Do we calculate how islamic a country is by the number of mosques, or by the number of women wearing veils? I gently remind them that only a few of the countries in that part of the world are democratic, where opposition is little tolerated or completely non-existent. The human rights records of some of these countries, especially with regards to women rights are downright appalling. Some of these countries do not allow women to hold top positions or work outside their homes or even drive, forget the right to vote. Minorities? Just don't start.
Coming back to Malaysia, it has been accepted as an Islamic country by the whole world and has been given the chairmanship by the OIC. But look at the facts. Living standards in Malaysia are quite high even though not to developed nation levels. It has a good standing in the World and even non-Islamic countries pay attention to what its leaders has to say. Muslims are not discriminated against. Everyone has the right to pray with Mosques and Suraus in almost every neighbourhood and workplace. There are Islamic laws (for Muslims) and most important of all, non-Muslims live peacefully and prosper under the leadership of Muslims who are elected democratically. Still my friends argue that it is not an Islamic country.
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri
13 November 2003
Quality time with my Babies
Looking forward to this weekend as I can get to hold Rahil in my arms again. You must be wondering why. Thats because I am a weekend husband. I only get to see my two babies during the weekends or if I am lucky, when my wife takes leave and comes over for a while. I work way up north while my wife works in KL. We are still trying to adjust to this life. It was bad before we got married but now its terrible to be away from your loved ones. I just try to be an optimist saying that its much better then being unemployed which was Hell. We can only talk on the phone and message each other sometimes but.... We still haven't got used to it and when I have to go back it really hurts. More so with the thought of leaving Rahil now-a-days. I can't wait to remain awake at night to feed her while my wife gets her well deserved rest and to bath Rahil in the morning. Bye for now.
12 November 2003
Classic
Was just listening to Nazareth's Where are you now, one of my all time favourite songs when I recalled an e-mail I received sometime back. It was quite funny because it was true. Something about when we were kids compared to kids now-a-days. The part I liked best was "When we were kids, Michael Jackson was still black".
A teenager once commented that she had not even heard of some of my favourite songs. She referred to them as Oldies. To us born in the 70's and who grew up in the 80's, these were the "in" or "Hip"songs. As teenagers, we danced to songs by Wham, Modern Talking, A Ha, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson. There was Madonna with her Like a Virgin but I didn't like her much. There was also the MC Hammer phase with the funny baggy trousers. Of course we can't forget Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You.
I don't know why but I have always liked Rock especially classic soft rock. Some of my favourite rock groups/singers were and still are Nazareth, Guns and Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Scorpions and Iron Maiden. Some of the songs like Smoke on the water by Deep Purple were already Classics when I first heard them.
However, my listening habits are not limited to rock, I listen to almost anything from Rap to New Age music. Still, classic soft rock is on top of my list.
Here are some of my all time favourites (Top 30) in alphabetical order. Heard any of them:
1. All Out Of Love - Air Supply
2. Amanda - Boston
3. And I Love Her - Beatles
4. Black Magic Women - Santana
5. Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
6. (I just ) Died In Your Arms Tonight - Reo Speedwagon
7. Every Breath You Take - Police
8. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
9. Final Countdown - Europe
10. Have I Told You Lately (That I Love You) - Rod Stewart
11. Highway Star - Deep Purple
12. How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
13. I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner
14. I've Been Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
15. Is This Love - Bob Marley
16. No More Lonely Nights - Paul McCartney
17. November Rain - Guns N Roses
18. Now And Forever - Richard Marx
19. Patience - Guns and Roses
20. Soldier Of Fortune - Deep Purple
21. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
22. Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra
23. Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns and Roses
24. Tonight's The Night - Rod Stewart
25. Waiting For A Girl Like You -Foreigner
26. We Will Rock You - Queen
27. Where Are You Now - Nazareth
28. When I Need You - Leo Sayer
29. When The Smoke Is Going Down - Scorpions
30. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
"Kid these are not oldies, they are Classics...."
A teenager once commented that she had not even heard of some of my favourite songs. She referred to them as Oldies. To us born in the 70's and who grew up in the 80's, these were the "in" or "Hip"songs. As teenagers, we danced to songs by Wham, Modern Talking, A Ha, Duran Duran and Michael Jackson. There was Madonna with her Like a Virgin but I didn't like her much. There was also the MC Hammer phase with the funny baggy trousers. Of course we can't forget Stevie Wonder's I Just Called To Say I Love You.
I don't know why but I have always liked Rock especially classic soft rock. Some of my favourite rock groups/singers were and still are Nazareth, Guns and Roses, Ozzy Osbourne, Led Zepplin, Deep Purple, Scorpions and Iron Maiden. Some of the songs like Smoke on the water by Deep Purple were already Classics when I first heard them.
However, my listening habits are not limited to rock, I listen to almost anything from Rap to New Age music. Still, classic soft rock is on top of my list.
Here are some of my all time favourites (Top 30) in alphabetical order. Heard any of them:
1. All Out Of Love - Air Supply
2. Amanda - Boston
3. And I Love Her - Beatles
4. Black Magic Women - Santana
5. Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley
6. (I just ) Died In Your Arms Tonight - Reo Speedwagon
7. Every Breath You Take - Police
8. (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
9. Final Countdown - Europe
10. Have I Told You Lately (That I Love You) - Rod Stewart
11. Highway Star - Deep Purple
12. How Deep Is Your Love - Bee Gees
13. I Want To Know What Love Is - Foreigner
14. I've Been Waiting For A Girl Like You - Foreigner
15. Is This Love - Bob Marley
16. No More Lonely Nights - Paul McCartney
17. November Rain - Guns N Roses
18. Now And Forever - Richard Marx
19. Patience - Guns and Roses
20. Soldier Of Fortune - Deep Purple
21. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
22. Strangers In The Night - Frank Sinatra
23. Sweet Child Of Mine - Guns and Roses
24. Tonight's The Night - Rod Stewart
25. Waiting For A Girl Like You -Foreigner
26. We Will Rock You - Queen
27. Where Are You Now - Nazareth
28. When I Need You - Leo Sayer
29. When The Smoke Is Going Down - Scorpions
30. Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton
"Kid these are not oldies, they are Classics...."
11 November 2003
Give Me Milk
Uuugh! You tricked me.
Rahil at 8 days making a funny face after being given plain water instead of milk.
You should have seen her. Passed her mother, the bottle containing plain water to wash her mouth. She was happily sucking away when she realised that there was something wrong with the taste. She quickly pushed the nipple or Teats (Thanks joliekins) away and made this face.
What is in a name?
A lot of people have been asking me what the name of my daughter - Rahil, means. Some said that it sounds like an Indian name, some say it's a masculine name. Others said that I should have picked a "melayu" sounding name.
Coming back to how I got the name, when we got to know that my wife was carrying a girl, we started seaching for names. I browsed through a number of web sites and even bought a book of baby names. Of course a lot of people chipped in with their suggestions. Some of them even wanted us to name the baby after them. Anyway, there were none I liked and most of them sounded so common. One day I just picked up the Quran (Yusuf Ali's translation) and randomly opened it up. Would you believe it, I found this name in the page I just opened.
Rahil is the arabic version of Rachel. She was the favourite wife of Jacob (Nabi Ya'qub) and the mother of Joseph (Nabi Yusuf) and Benjamin.
I would have preferred her name to be without the Binti (or daughter of) as her name becomes too long with my name at the back which is by the way made up of three words. I don't why they suddenly changed the practical idea of having a surname without the Bin or Binti. The argument that people don't know whether you are a male or female doesn't hold much water. There are a lot of other problems too. For example, in western countries, people would call you by your father's name thinking that it is your surname. Also there is the unwanted association with Mr. Osama and after Sept. 11 you can be sure that you will get a lot of unwanted attention while travelling to western countries if you have a Bin in your name. As far as they are concerned, you may be a relative of Osama.
UPDATE: (15th January 2005)
Found that the name Rahil is Hebrew for 'Innocent'. In other website it is translated as 'Path Guider/ Leader'.
Coming back to how I got the name, when we got to know that my wife was carrying a girl, we started seaching for names. I browsed through a number of web sites and even bought a book of baby names. Of course a lot of people chipped in with their suggestions. Some of them even wanted us to name the baby after them. Anyway, there were none I liked and most of them sounded so common. One day I just picked up the Quran (Yusuf Ali's translation) and randomly opened it up. Would you believe it, I found this name in the page I just opened.
Rahil is the arabic version of Rachel. She was the favourite wife of Jacob (Nabi Ya'qub) and the mother of Joseph (Nabi Yusuf) and Benjamin.
I would have preferred her name to be without the Binti (or daughter of) as her name becomes too long with my name at the back which is by the way made up of three words. I don't why they suddenly changed the practical idea of having a surname without the Bin or Binti. The argument that people don't know whether you are a male or female doesn't hold much water. There are a lot of other problems too. For example, in western countries, people would call you by your father's name thinking that it is your surname. Also there is the unwanted association with Mr. Osama and after Sept. 11 you can be sure that you will get a lot of unwanted attention while travelling to western countries if you have a Bin in your name. As far as they are concerned, you may be a relative of Osama.
UPDATE: (15th January 2005)
Found that the name Rahil is Hebrew for 'Innocent'. In other website it is translated as 'Path Guider/ Leader'.
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