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

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.