End of year entry

Salam w.b.t and hi all.

First all, I look forward to go home, Malaysia. My flight will be on Monday, Aberdeen - London - Malaysia.

Hopefully will be arrived home safe and sound, and not miss my connecting flight.  

I have several projects line up when I am home.

One of the project is to fix the house. After all the years, my mother's house need a maintenance since many things damage. Toilet door fell off, roof leaks here and there, cracks in our bedroom, and many more.

I just remained silent and did not say a word to my mother about fixing things because I did not have enough budget.

Alhamdulillah, now I can confidently say to my mother, "Mak, go find suitable and reliable builder to fix our house. This is the budget I have, and Mak can use it to fix the house".

I told her about my intention last week. So, right now I am sure she is pretty occupied with surveying and finding what need to be done to fix our house. She is a pro about this, as long as we have the resources.

So, when I come home next week, I will help about cleaning, moving furniture, etc.

I told her, for now, just to fix the main damages first because that is the budget I have for now. She has a dream to renovate and enlarge the front of the house, make a beautiful garage, roof, and gate. I will try to fulfill her dream next year or earlier, InsyaAllah.

Also, I want to go back to our hometown to visit Atok. He must be very surprised since I don't tell him about I am going home.

I am ready to leave Aberdeen. I already packed my bags, let go many groceries, and other items. Tomorrow will be the final cleaning, basically just to mop the house, dispose the rubbish, and do the laundry. I already vacuumed and cleaned it yesterday, so not much to do.

I have been sleeping in the sleeping bag since last week. See...how ready I am to go home for holiday. Hahaha..

Two days ago, I thought I want to sweep the leaves at the backyard, but it was just to chill outside. I reckon around 3-5 degree C and I cannot work in this cold. So, I think forget it. I might get frostbite if I stand outside a minute longer with only wearing shirt + sweater + sweatpants.

Do you expect me to wear winter jacket, socks, scarf, gloves, and thermal shirts just to sweep the backyard? Nah, thanks. 

Tonight, will go out with friends, have dinner, and celebrate Hogmanay. Hogmanay is the Scottish version of New Year.

I don't know what to expect in 2017 actually since all my resolutions are still in draft stage. Hahaha...shoot.

Okay, I think that's all I have on my mind for now.

Take care and see you guys next year.

Salam w.b.t.

P/S - I gotta the feeling...hooo...that tonight is gonna be a good night

Before I leave

Salam w.b.t and hi all.
Time flies really fast. We are three/four days away from 2017. Well, I don’t really look forward to the New Year actually because, I don’t.
It is not really a big deal, well, it is a big deal. It is just this is where everybody will be away and have a lot of holiday. I really need to be really patient for them to reply my emails!
Anyway, I am still in Aberdeen as a vacation, trying to use up my annual leave. I have a lot of things to do during my vacation before leaving Aberdeen.
So far;

• Already buy the one-way flight ticket to Malaysia. So sad and nervous
• Watched Fantastic Beast at the cinema. I am a bit disappointed with this movie, I don’t really understand what is it about apart from magic wound whoosh here and there. Whoosh £10.60 for the ticket

Eddie is so weird and awkward in the movie, although it is part of the character. I don't like it

• Packing my stuff for shipping. See the state of my house! Like a shipwreck

• Donated my pre-loved items to the charity shops, mostly the winter clothes since I will not require it in Qatar
• Sold my car
• Sold many of my items as I am trying to lessen weight for luggage
• Get my SLB Laptop fixed as I screwed up with the software
• Met the dentist, four appointments back to back
• My beloved wisdom tooth on the left cheek started to grow. I was in pain for three to four days but now, it is no longer sore. Yay!
• I have been going to the city for 4-5 consecutive days before Christmas, just to see/survey the price for my favourite things. Today, I don’t see much difference although it is Boxing Day. So, I just buy it instead of waiting for another "cheaper" version. I bought three shirts
• Snow fall heavily today. Nice opportunity to see it before I leave Aberdeen

Still considering whether I need to buy the tablet-laptop convertible or not. I was at the Curry's PC World for nearly two hours today, but I did not buy it. The price is £149.99 + £45.00 for Window installation. I don’t know if it is a need or a want. Besides, I surveyed the price sold in Malaysia is way much pricey.


Buy it or no? I don't know.

Not much I have been accomplished for the past two weeks. Sometimes, I felt lost as in, "What I want to do today since I have a lot of free times". So, I decided to write to-do-list every day. At the end of the day, I will cross out what I have done and see what else I can do. It is boring when you are alone and don’t have any plan.



So lame and unorganized life

That is why I write this entry so that I can cross out the to-do-list for today. Haha…Ok, I will write properly next time.


Take care guys.


P/S - Anyone is going for vacation/backpacking/volunteering event next month? Any vacant spot? I would love to join.

 

Quick Life Update 9

Salam w.b.t and hello everyone,

How is everyone doing? It is been a while since the last entry. I was pretty occupied and a lot of changes happened since the last two months. So far, I am doing great actually. I will give a quick updates on what's going on with my life so far

D&M

Finally, the decision was made. I will be in Drilling & Measurement from now on, and I will be relocated to Doha, Qatar. Yippe.. This final decision was told to me approximately end of October and in the meantime, they already signed me up for the school in Abu Dhabi. It was unbelievably quick because I was not prepare at all.

Abu Dhabi

Regardless, on November 5, I flew to Abu Dhabi to attend the school. The school will be 5 weeks. 3 weeks for Measurement Zero and another two weeks for Measurement TS.

School

Tomorrow will be the last day of the Measurement TS course and what is left to do is the presentation. Hopefully I will pass with flying colours as the course is really tough. Sleep deprived, continuous assessments/tests/exams/practical are really pushing me to work hard. Alhamdullillah, the instructor and classmates are really helpful and I have a lot of supports from many MWD/LWD across the globe.

Some others classmates will stay for another one month and a week to attend another two courses. I will do these courses probably next year since I don’t have background on these two courses. From my understanding, if you don’t have a good preparation and experience for these two courses, you will be struggling. That’s why I will attend it after sufficient preparation and good amount of field experiences.

Meeting people

Finally I met other trainees which we only communicate online. Also, I met other Malaysians who are attending the school. Surprisingly, the readers of my blog, I met them.. From wireline as well as D&M A bit embarrassing, but I cannot hide myself. Hahahahahaha…

Also, make a lot of new friends. In the class, I sat next to a guy name Stevan, from Perth. It was nice because I can reminisce my memory in Perth. Miss the place much. 

D&M crews for first rig practical, happy face before we started the job. At the end of the practical, we were so flat out.

Flying back to Aberdeen

From Abu Dhabi, I will be flying back to Aberdeen this Saturday. It feels a bit weird though, when most of the trainees are begging for holiday to go home. And for myself, I will take a week off in Aberdeen next week while sorting the administration issues. Since I will be moving to Qatar, I need to take care of my work visa, apartment, car, and various other matters. So, I will use my time off to sort these out. I pray that my transition will occur smoothly.

Dentist

Oh…. I need to see dentist..

Holiday

I think I will take couple weeks off once I sort all things in Aberdeen and when my Qatar work visa is ready. I cannot just sitting at home doing nothing.

I think that’s enough for now. I will keep you updated guys. Oh man…time flies really fast…Believe it or not, yesterday (7 December) marks one year of me with Schlumberger. A lot of ups and downs, but I enjoy and appreciate it.

That’s me, I will write again. Take care and see you guys in the next entry.

Salam w.b.t and chow!

P/S - Need to make new year resolutions for next year. Actually, I don’t have one this year, so unorganized :D

50 pence

Salam w.b.t and hi all,

How are you doing? I would like to share a story what happened to me yesterday. I hired a driving instructor to teach me to drive before taking my practical driving test for UK driving license. Currently, I am using my international driving license but it will expired early of December. My driving test will be in early of November, and I need to be prepared.

Therefore, yesterday was the second class by this instructor. I will just name him as SN. He charges me £33.00 per hour lesson. Ok, I am fine with it although it is a bit expensive. Yesterday was one and half hour lesson, therefore the price would be £33.00 + £16.5 = £49.50. The transaction was made in cash, pay before the lesson starts. I knew the price but I intently asked him, ''How long the lesson and how much?''

SN answered, ''That would be £50.00''.

''Oh wait, I thought it would be £49.50 for 1.5 hours'', I said

''Well normally I will just round it up. It is just 50 pence. Do you need that 50 pence, seriously?''

I passed him £50, ''Oh yeah, I need it. I am not posh, and I am working, even though it is 50 pence''.

He passed £2.00 to me, ''I don’t have change''.

''I have the change here. There it is £1.50''.

''There you go. You get your 50 pence. You can go buy a bar of chocolate with that'', SN said.

''Oh aye. I will buy it after the lesson. That’s the plan''.

He just scoffed.

It was a bit annoying to me. I am not stingy, but in some situations, you have to be professional. Besides, I am working just like him. I did not get the money from my poo.

Let me put this way. If you go to the KFC, and the price of the meal you buy is £6.20. Then, you just pay £6.00 and do you expect the cashier will let you get away together with the meals?

No, I don’t think so.

This is similar situation, you have to be professional instead of ridiculing the person.

Well, unless the person says, ''Keep the change'', so you can keep it.

I felt irritated but I don’t care. Yesterday was probably the last lesson I had with him.

P/S - Oh man. I look forward to the next best thing. I watched Deepwater Horizon last Sunday. It was a really great movie, I am telling you. You must watch it. I think I will include the movie review in my blog entries in the future.

Ben Nevis - 2016 Challenge

Salam w.b.t and hello everybody.

How are you guys doing? I have just got back from a great place, Ben Nevis last weekend. It was absolutely a great and unforgettable weekend. A week earlier, my friend, Kanoon asked me, "Do you want to join me and my friend to go to Ben Nevis?''

I made a quick google, and it says about mountain. I did not ask much, and straight away agreed to join her and others. Couple days later, I made a quick research of how far is it from Aberdeen, and at the same time I realised Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in the British Isles. Therefore, I know I might be struggling as I am not that fit. Oh my…

Camping pod for the ladies, tent for the guys. We stayed at the camping site at nearest to the bottom of the mountain

Inside of the pod, feel like a Hobbit house

However, I believe I will be fine. It just, I believe. Although I know I will be struggling. There was five of us, but divided to 2-3. Me, Kanoon, A (His short name). Edward, and Jackie. I was in the three group as I was the drag, me, Kanoon, and A. I did not want to go down, I just kept climbing, climbing, climbing. Extremely tired and painful, but the guys took turn carrying my bag. So, I should not complain much. I am glad that they are really, really helpful and athletic as well.

Reception and the shop at the camping site. I bought fridge magnets here as a souvenir

Basically, the following was the itinerary.

View of the mountain, bonnie. Subhanallah!

30th September, Friday

4.5 hours' drive to Fort William from Aberdeen through South. After back from work, picked up my stuff at home and picked up my friends from their place.

1st October, Saturday

5.5 hours of the climb, spent approx. 1 hour at the top, another 5.5 hours of the  descend. We took a different route from where we came. The route of descend is flatter, but more challenging. No visible footpath most of the time, and we need to cross the river. The current was really strong, and honestly I was scared a bit. We threw our bags across the river first, and A waited for us on the other side. Also, it was already dark.

Start of the journey. Light drizzle just for a while.

The view during the hiking to the top. Amazing, isn't? MasyaAllah

Waterfall. The water was so cold and crystal clear.

This kind of rock arrangements which you will see when you nearly to the top. Around 10-15 of this. I did not count actually, too tired with numbers.

From left: Andrew, A, Kanoon, and myself

Alhamdulillah...I made it after all the pain and sore

 

The lake, its name is Lochan Meall an t-Suidhe

2nd October, Sunday

Drive back to Aberdeen, coming from North. It was just me and Kanoon as the guys took the train going back to Glasgow. I thought I want to the same route that we took to come to Fort William, but due to my confusion of the junction, we took a different route. But, it led us to very scenic, mountainous road. We drove to Inverness where it is famous with Loch Ness Monster, the myth. Arrived home safely around 5.00 pm.  

When at the top, I was expecting there will be flat or grassy ground. But, I was wrong. It was rocks, rocks, rocks everywhere. We sat on the rock that poke our bumps.

See the background. Like a portrait, right?

On Monday, I came to work like usual apart from walking like a zombie. Basically, I was limping as my legs were still sore but not as bad as on Sunday. Feeling better now.

We stopped at the lake somewhere along the road because the view was so pretty to be ignored

I showed the pictures to the guys at work, and I feel a bit proud with myself. It was not easy I am telling you, but I made it although it took nearly 12 hours.

I shared more pictures on my Facebook, have a look if you want :)

P/S - I am impressed, I managed to hold my pee for nearly 13 hours!!! You never know your limit until you are beyond it.

Tough times

Salam w.b.t and hello all,

 

How are you guys doing? I am not doing really good for the past two weeks. I start to feel like a hamster now, running in the circle. Keep doing it again, again, and again. Well, basically I will share what happened for the last couple of weeks.

 

My Wan (Grandmother)

My Wan, was admitted to the ICU on 10th September. At the beginning, she was brought to the hospital to get her bone fixed. However, once she was at the hospital, doctor detects multiple illnesses. Suddenly she went to coma for about one week. On Saturday, 17 Sept, stroke hit her straight to her brain. The chance was slim. I didn’t call my mother every day, but they updated me from time to time.

 

On Tuesday, my sister said my Wan opened her eyes and everyone thought she was gaining consciousness. My mom was really excited according to my sister. At 5 p.m., she passed away after saying, ''Allah''. And buried around midnight. I did not know about the passed away not until 9.30 pm UK Time (Approximately 4 a.m. Malaysian Time).

 

I did not feel anything for the first couple of minutes after reading the Whatsapp message from my mother. I knew I cannot do anything, as things already happened and I am in Aberdeen instead of being with my family. I emailed my manager to take a day off and then after I feel the lost. I cried and read Yassin for my beloved Wan. I haven't speak to my mother ever since. She needs time.

 

So, that’s about it. I can't imagine how is everyone doing now.

Wan, she made big part of my life after my father passed away.

I hope you can send prayers, Al-Fatihah to my grandmother.

 

Training in US

I was supposed to attend the 7-weeks training in Houston which started on 12th September. However, the processing time for visa to enter US has been extended. They need to do extra administration process, basically background check. I gave all information required such as travel history, siblings, parents, etc. I know where this is heading. The fear of some kind of terrorist whatsoever.

 

At the moment, I am still in Aberdeen and I was advised to forget about the training. Go for the next one. If this happened, I will be idling for another year. Well, not doing nothing exactly. But doing the same thing that I have been doing for the past 10 months. That’s why I feel like I am a tiny hamster running on the wheel and I am sick of it.

You can go as fast as you can, but you are going nowhere. Irony

 

Changes

Following to the inability of me to attend the training, they are planning several changes for me. The HR is talking about changing me to another segment that has training center outside of the US. I detested the idea of changing the segment at first and I did not even take it seriously. After a while, the HR discussed about it with me again. And after thinking it seriously, I said, ''Let's go for it''.

 

It is human nature to afraid of changes. I am aware of it. In my opinion, being in a comfortable zone makes people afraid to changes. That’s what I feel now, I am in my comfortable zone now. Exactly like a hamster.

 

I don’t know the outcome yet, and I don’t know what lies ahead, but I pray and hope the very best will happen. 

 

Getaway

I feel like to escape to somewhere. I didn’t know where to exactly. After a quick reading on the internet this morning, I think, ''Glasgow then''.

 

Therefore, I booked a hotel located right in the Glasgow city center. The weather in Glasgow tomorrow will be cloudy and raining. Actually, before this if I want to go somewhere or do things, I will always give excuses to myself. Save money, weather, no friend, busy, etc. For this time, ''For once, just let's do it'', I said to myself. So I booked a hotel. A bit expensive because I did book at last minute.

 

I will share the travel in another entry.

 

Friends

I have nobody here. I missed all my friends which are far, far away in Malaysia. Honestly, I miss being surrounded with friends that understand me inside out, even though not many actually. I can count using my one hand only, don’t need two hands. I love it when no one judge me :)

 

I miss friends who will keep reminding me to do good deeds, dakwah, tarbiyah, and look after each other.

 

Feel a bit missing when saw pictures on Facebook, IG, friends hanging out together, weddings, getaway, etc. I don’t think I am being missed. Haha…

 

I think that’s all from me for now. Quite a long entry, don’t you think? So yeah, that’s me. I will update again in the future.

 

Salam w.b.t and take care all.

 

P/S - Undervalue can no longer injure a human, it has evolved to kill them silently

"Akak memang lain dari orang lain"

Salam w.b.t and hello everybody.

How are you guys doing? I am doing great! Actually, I was a little bit under the weather. I started having fever last Wednesday, but managed to finish my day at work. On Thursday, I thought I am getting better, but I was not. Fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, chest pain, but I still came to work. Dave (FSM) and Graeme (senior engineer) told me, "Siti, if you feel crap, just go home". Another David, insisted me to go home. I did not want to stay at home because I have nothing to do at home. However, I end up went home around 10 am as I cannot act cool with my croak voice. Hahaha…

On Friday, I took a leave as well. I was really sick because I stayed in bed from most of the time, while watching movies. Hahaha…No way I am going to stay still on my bed. Movies and books.

On Saturday, even though not fully recovered I decided to go out. I went to Dunnottar Castle again and bought groceries. My mates at work invited me to join them in the city watching football and chill out together. I don’t know why I did not go. I don’t know because I thought I want to go at first.

This time, I managed to enter the castle. Weather nice. View is spectacular.

Today, I cleaned the house, did some gardening at the backyard, also managed to finish reading an action book written by James Patterson. Now, I am sitting down at my desk writing this entry.

Honestly, it has been tough time for me for the last couple of weeks. Right now, I have ME-time, four days although I am a bit sick. I appreciate it very, very much. I lost motivation, this time for a good reason (I will share later), and when it happened, I don’t know what to do and what to feel. Most of the time, I felt angry. Being angry is so exhausted. I lost my focus and unhappy.

Therefore, many things happened when I was not myself. Quite hard though. Therefore, having four days alone gives me time and space to think properly. I called my mother last Wednesday, I shared with her everything that bother me, and compared why others don’t experience difficulties I am going through, why and why.

All my mother can say was, "Sabar lah. Akak memang lain dari yang lain sejak dulu. Dulu, masa kawan-kawan akak sambung belajar, akak kerja. Orang buat ini, akak buat sekian, sekian. Sabarlah. Bila tiba masanya, ada jalan keluar tu. Cari motivasi, jangan putus asa. Jangan layan hilang semangat tu lama-lama".

Translation: Be patient. Since beginning, you are always different from others. When your friends pursued studies, you started working. People do this, you do that and that. So, be patient. When the time comes, I am sure you will find the way out. Get motivated and don’t give up. Stop feeling demotivated.

I totally agree with her. Therefore, I am trying to find my spirit to move me forward. Thinking about it, actually nothing is stopping or dragging me down in reality. It is just myself feeling shite. I just need to find the way to get myself moving and for a start, stop whining and be positive!

Yeap, that’s it from me now. Gambatte! Hahaha… I will write again in the future. Take care folks.

Salam w.b.t. and see you later.

 

P/S - I am thinking to go to Budapest or Barcelona during Christmas and New Year Holiday. But I don’t have plan in place. Anyone???

Jangan putus-asa

Lelah terasa diri ini sejak dua menjak ni.


Penat berusaha mencapai ekspektasi.


Mengah memaksa diri untuk mendaki tangga kejayaan.


Sering-kali terjatuh, tersungkur, bergolek-golek.


Bukan tak biasa tersungkur.


Bukan tak pernah rasa kecewa.


Bukan tak pernah menangis kerana gagal.


Tapi entahlah.


Setiap peristiwa itu unik.


Bukan boleh kata, "Oh, aku pernah kecewa bulan lepas. Sama ja. Tak payahlah nangis".


Tak sama.


Setiap kali, tak sama.


Penat, memang diakui sejujurnya.


Penat, lelah, mengah memaksa diri mengorak langkah.


Menaiki anak-anak tangga ke puncak.


Tetapi memikirkan, "Ah, tak lama lagi ni sampailah kita ke puncak".


"Sabar lah diri. Jangan putus asa. Tak mengapa kalau tersungkur buat kesekian kali. Tak mengapa menangis kecewa, menangislah. Tiada siapa larang".


"Selepas hilang kesedihan itu, kukuhkan tapak kaki. Kuatkan hati dan doa. Jangan putus harap, usaha".


"Pasti kejayaan menanti bagi mereka yang tidak berputus-asa".




The Pier, St. Andrews, Fife

Quick Life Update 8

Salam w.b.t and hello folks.

How are you guys doing? I am doing great. I has been an insane week. I just got back from Malaysia last Sunday, and get back straight to work on Monday. I know I can take a day off just to relieve my jet lag, but I did not.

I would say, the week was crazy. I was helping the folks at work and stay back until midnight just to get things done. I do not get paid for overtime, but I will take my time back. Also, it does not feel right to leave your team behind.

Anyway, this is my quick entry, Quick Life Update 8. 8??!!! What! I don’t get a chance to write properly on things. That’s fine. Ok, here is the update.

1.      I have received update on my Technical Training. Yeay! I will try my best to prepare and hopefully will pass with flying colours, InsyaAllah.

2.      I passed my UK driving theory test on Thursday. The next step is to take practical driving test before I can get Full UK Driving License. At the moment, I will use my Malaysian Driving License.

3.      I bought a car yesterday. A second hand car, Kia Picanto. I need to travel to different bases and run errands. My colleague can pick me up in the morning and give me a lift to home, but I think, "That’s it. I don’t want to trouble him anymore". I need to learn to organise myself, although I am a bit nervous to drive here.

My new car. I haven't give it a name yet. Any suggestion? :D

4.      I spent money quite a lot  for the past two days as I just bought a car. I paid for insurance, road tax, council tax bill, gas & electric bill, etc.. Insurance is quite expensive as I am using Malaysian Driving License. I think I will create one special entry on how to get the UK Driving License together with some advices. One thing I regret is, I should have start applying for UK Driving License as soon as I arrived here in Aberdeen. Well, no use of dwelling the past.

5.      Time flies fast. Really fast, I am telling you. Today is the last day of July already. Oohhh…

6.      Hopefully I will get a chance to go offshore soon.

What else…. I think that’s it for now. I will try my best to keep this blog alive, InsyaAllah.


Alright folks. That’s me. Take care and see you guys in the next entry.


Salam w.b.t and chow.

P/S - Next week will be 'fantastic'. Pheww..

Quick Life Update 7

Salam w.b.t and hello folks,

How are you guys doing? It has been a while. I am doing fine here.

I have many things to share here, but I don’t know how to put it in words. Or, I don’t really have suitable words to express what I feel.

So far, works are not really bad, mates are great to work with and fun as well. Honestly, the people that makes the working environment interesting. Although sometimes they give a hard time.

Nearly 20 hours of fasting in Ramadhan, I managed to do it so far. Well, as usual woman got her period.

Random statement, "I like to be busy". Busy with works, chores, and anything. It is just a way to make my mind occupy and my body tired. So, my mind will not have to wandering around about other things such as boyfriend-marriage-husband. LOL.

This is not a good thing, but I start to swear at work or whenever things did not go as I want. I blame the guys at work. This is really bad, really, really bad. I must learn to behave and control myself better!

Oil price, plummet as the UK vote to leave EU. One thing I am amazed is, the people here, they are well aware and informed about the political circumstances of their country, regardless of what position they are in the society. They have a very good understanding about their government as well as the opposition. They have resources and the transparency and then, they decide. They exercise their rights, voting. They can even explain in details about politics to me. I am amazed. Compared to Malaysia, I don’t think I can explain in one sentence of what is the mission of our government. Most of the things are related to money. I don’t know.

I am planning to buy a car. Still need to save money in order to buy a car. Also, I need to take theory and practical driving test in order to get UK driving license. All in all, I need to study and save money as it is not cheap.

 

Raya, is around the corner.

I don’t get too involved with Malaysian community here. I believe they are all nice, but I feel awkward. I don’t know how to say this. But imagine this, most of them got family with kids. So, whenever there is gathering, it will be like a family day. If I come, it will be just me, myself, and I (song title, hewhewhew). It is awkward. Well, there are bunch of students, but I don’t have any idea about them. Of course, students will be with their own colony. So, I end up solo. Well, hopefully not for long. I will find a support group, I think.

So, that’s it from me for now. I will update later. Take care guys and all the best in whatever you are doing. Wish me best as well.

Salam w.b.t and see you.

 

P/S - I did my medical checkup yesterday, and I passed with flying colours, except that my weight is 57.4 kg. But, I keep convincing myself that I am lighter than that :')

 

My first Ramadhan in Aberdeen

Salam w.b.t. and hello folks.

I don’t have fancy pictures of food, restaurants, whatnot to be posted on social network. But, I would like to share so far what it is like fasting here, in Aberdeen. Ramadhan 6 today.

Maghrib is around 10.15 pm, and Subuh is around 2.10 am. So, I have approximately 4 hours to before I start fasting again. Well, compared to Finland and nearby regions, they have less than an hour. So, 4 hours. Should not complain much.

Also, I shared with my workmates about Ramadhan, fasting, and basic ideas why Muslim fast.

*

Kris: I have an energy drink in my car. I can nip out and give it to you.

Me: What? Energy drink? No, no. When I say fasting, I mean no food, no drink, nothing goes inside our body.

Kris: What??! I thought you cannot eat only. You can drink. What if you dehydrate?

Me: I haven't reach that level yet, and I can assure you it won't be until dehydration. If it is too much, I will just break my fast. So, don’t worry.

*

Alan: Toon, are you fasting ey?

Me: Yeah. Do you want to try to fast with me as well?

Alan: I don't think I will make it. If I don’t eat and hungry, I will be grumpy and have my period all day.

Me: You are the first man I know that can have period ;)

*

Workshop supervisor came and asked me several questions about Ramadhan and fasting. After our chat, I told him, I am not really good at explaining stuffs but I will try my best to answer.

He said, "Nah, don’t worry. You already answer all my questions. Before this, we did not have a chance to ask this sort of thing here. Since you are here, we can ask you".

"I will try my best to address all the questions, Fincham".

*

They are curious, curious on many things. They asked about headscarf, hajj, mosques, and many other things. Some even asked about marriage (Hahahaha). Most of the times, I doubt if I have properly explained to them since I am not that alim.

Anyway, Ramadhan Mubarak to everyone. No matter where we are, we are aiming the same objective, to be a better person.

The view of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat. I went there last month.

P/S - The responsibility is bigger

My first trip offshore

Salam w.b.t and hi all,

How are you guys doing? I am doing great. Hopefully all of you are doing great as well.

Actually, before I start writing these, I wanted to watch a movie called "Sinister". But after 16 minutes, I think the movie is a bit scary for me to watch alone although it is 11.00 am in the morning here. So, I decided to write an entry.

It is been awhile. Several important things happened lately.

I was offshore for two weeks. I was assigned to Brent Bravo platform, of course as a trainee, which means I observed the job. No responsibilities yet. This was my first time going offshore, ride on the chopper, and being in the middle of the ocean.

In the middle of North Sea, with the risk anything could happen at any time.

Before I left, the senior engineer said I will be there for seven days or less as the bed space limitation might require me to leave the platform at a short notice. We done the job on the fifth day, and I thought, "This is great. I am able to see the job from start till finish before I down manned".

We done on the fifth day. On the sixth day, I called the base, they said, "You will not be relieved until next week". This means I had to stay another week.

"Oh my god".

It is not that I don’t like there, but I was worried. You know, as a female, you will have period every month. And, it was about time and I did not prepare. I don’t think there is women tampon sell at the Bond. (Ladies, be prepared. Bring it and extra whenever you are going to somewhere and only God knows when you will return)

Also, on the third day, there was an unfortunate event happened in Norway. A chopper outbound for one of the platform in the North Sea was crashed. The passengers were all oil and gas workers, and they are all dead. Let me tell you, everyone onboard was worried including me. This particular specification of chopper is mostly used in the North Sea. It can cover long distance from onshore to offshore.

These are only some factors that made feel nervous.

Even though there is nobody wait for me in Aberdeen, but I was homesick when I am offshore. The homesick feeling was difficult. It is like the feeling of wanting to go back to my comfort zone. I am sure it is normal to experience this, I saw many personnel on the platform sometimes sit and stare blankly at the wall.

Being away is tough. You have to learn to control this feeling, in the meantime keep your head straight.



The view from Computer Room in Brent Bravo



Anyway, long story short, I stayed there 15 days. Everything went well. I also got the chance to see they pulled out the completion using our tool on the day 13. So, it was great.

Everything was massive. It was really huge and old platform. Everyone on the platform was really, really, really helpful and nice. From OIM, DSV, DE, drilling crews, and everybody onboard.

They shared their knowledge and experience to me. They are really good at what they are doing. "Good" is so understatement, I would say excellent. They are very excellent at what they are doing. Even though in some occasions, the language become a little bit to understand. They come from all over the UK, so difference accents. My ears are not used to listen to various accents, so it took a bit of effort to understand them.

When I was there, it was like what I read on textbook come to life. It is surreal to able to see, experience, and become part of it. 

The first job was to section mill 85 feet of window, but the client decided to extend the window to 180 feet due to certain circumstances. We were continuously milling for nearly 3 days, and I was hoping our tool will not fuck up. We were really pushing the limit. When we were arrived at 150 feet, the client said that’s fine. 150 feet is fine.

I did not know, but when I back onshore, the senior engineer said, this is the world record. 150 feet. So, you should be proud to be there and see it. Around 6 persons only can come onboard to operate this tool and involve with the operation.

Well, I know you don’t really understand on this bit as it is a bit technical. In short, I am glad to be there even though as an observer.

There are a lot more to learn, and I have to remain focus on developing my knowledge and skills. It is tough with the current business environment for the Oil and Gas industry.

Also, I am looking forwards to the next trip, which I don’t know when. But, I look forward to it.

I think that’s all from me for now. I will see you in the next entry.

Salam w.b.t and take care guys.

P/S - Bond, is the shop name on the platform. Most platforms have the Bond.