Estija 2014: Gua Tempurung

Salam w.b.t and hello everybody!

How is everyone doing? I hope that all of you are doing good. Recently, I joined my friend, Bee to Perak. The trip was arranged by Bee and her friends, which I did not know who they were. So, I just played cool and joined them. Hahaha…

The trip name was Estija 2014, named by the trip coordinator. The trip was two days and one night started on 27 December and finished on 28 December 2014. The total cost was RM310, petrol and toll are excluded. What a way to finish 2014, is not it? Basically, the tentative as following:

27 December 2014, Saturday

9.00 am - Meeting everyone at R&R Tapah

10.00 am - Depart to Homestay

11.00 am - Arrived at Air Terjun Orang Asli for the abseiling activity

1.30 pm - Lunch

2.30 pm - River craft at Sungai Itik

5.30 pm - Rest

8.00 pm - BBQ

12.30 am - Sleep

28 December 2014, Sunday

7.30 am - Breakfast

8.00 am - Depart to Gua Tempurung

9.30 am - Caving Gua Tempurung

1.00 pm - Lunch

1.30 pm - Flying Fox and Archery

4.15 pm - Go home

As for me, I departed from home around 5.45 am and took the KTM train to Tanjung Malim and friends picked me up there. Then we departed to Perak. When arrived, then I met the other people who were joining the event, who before this, we connected through Whatsapp only. We never met each other before. You know what, it was fun meeting new people as everyone interested to learn about each other and most of them are already working and some married. Exchange stories and opinions to break the ice. I think, by gathering around with new people also a way for me to enhance my social skill. As everyone knows, I am an idiot at making new friends.

Alright, I guess this is time for you guys to enjoy the pictures. All of the pictures are taken by using cameras and phones of others, not by me obviously. So, enjoy!

We arrived at the dorm where we are going to stay the night. Everyone looks "pwetty".

They said that we will go to the waterfall by four wheels drive. In my head, I pictured that the 4WD will be like Subaru or similar, but we were transported by a small lorry. Hahaha..it has 4 wheels anyway. I felt like PATI (Pendatang Asing Tanpa Izin) when I was on the lorry.

ABSEILING

Before doing the abseiling, we were briefed on safety by Kapak (the yellow guy).

The height of the waterfall is about two-storey building. I have done much higher before, but this time is much more exciting because there are water as part of the challenge. Luckily my glasses was still intact.

The more right you go, the more stronger the water fall on you. So, I decided to move towards right part of the waterfall to feel the challenges. Wiwiwiwi…

WATER RAFTING

This was my first time doing water rafting using tube, before this I used raft made from buluh.

The river is known as Sungai Itik, and we rafted about 8 km. I also learned several terms used in rafting such as on the job, pedal forward, pedal backward, boom boom, jump jump, and several more. There were at least 6 person on each raft, together with the guider. The river was so violent the current was strong. Bee (green scarf sat next to me), who onboard with me was carried by the strong current. Luckily, nothing worse happened.

Taking a picture with Bee, my old mate

NIGHT, BBQ

While the guys doing the BBQ, girls do what girls do best, GOSSIP! Haha...kidding, the girls are playing games while waiting the food to be ready.

GUA TEMPURUNG CAVING

Gua Tempurung when translated into English is Skull Cave. This is the summary of the tour offered at Gua Tempurung and we subscribed for the Tour 3.

There are many stairs and it was very exhaustive. Like after 1 hour caving, my both knees were shaking vigorously because I was so tired. Then, it came to my realisation that it has been a year I do not shed my lovely body fat in an active way. :(

During the tour, we were showed the drawing on the cave walls. Actually, they are not human drawings. The drawings were a combination of bats' poo and urine that stick on the wall for years, somehow showing several pictures like Picasso's masterpiece.

Also, the guider showed us the shape of the rocks that look like cowboy, monkey riding a motorcycle, pig's leg, and many more. I barely saw any rock's shape resembled to anything mentioned by the guider. I honestly think that if there is any illusion test, I would hardly score any points.

I would call this as "Suicide Mission" because we have to slide down the rock and no safety mattress down there to catch us. If we fall, and fall hard, it is either we kiss the ground or worse, break our bones. It was intimidating, but luckily there were several people down there standby to catch us. Hahaha…

After we slide down, we go through this tiny little hole before we found the river. Then, we walked through the water until the finish line. Practically, we were not only walking. We crawled like a combat, keeping our head down try not to hit the pointy stalagmite/stalactite. 

If you stuck, then you stuck forever. Hahaha..

Throughout the river, I heard people "Auch", "Ooohh", and others because they hit the rock. It was dark although we had our headlamp. At first, I wanted to keep my personal record clear for not hitting any rocks. Unfortunately, I hit the rock once at the end of the water tunnel. I hit once and I felt a real pain surged on my head, I wonder how some of my friends doing when she hit the rock about 5 times. 

Took a rest and groufie before going out the cave.

FLYING FOX (What does the fox say?)

 

We also did a flying fox. Also, I have done much higher before at Sytrex Adventure, but it was still a great experience because I did not slam my face on tree like what happened at Skytrex.

ARCHERY

After finish doing the Flying Fox, we had lunch then proceed to the archery yard. Each of us got seven arrows in the archery.

Me, aiming the target like Katniss Aberdeen. Wiwiwiwi...

This is the final picture taken before we go home.

Instead of dropping me at KTM Tanjung Malim, Bee sent me directly to my house. I arrived at my home around 8.00 pm, Alhamdulillah.

It was a great way to bring down the curtain of 2014. For me, the trip was like a little escapade for me and gave me the opportunity to get some fresh air after experiencing ups and downs throughout the year. Alhamdulillah.

Nevertheless, do not forget to pray for our families hit by massive flood in Pantai Timur as well other parts of Malaysia. Also, send our prayers to the victims of AirAsia Indonesia QZ flight, to our families in Syria, Palestine, and throughout the world.

I think that's all for this time. I will see you on next entry, InsyaALLAH. Take care folks! Salam w.b.t.

P/S - I want to go to Pantai Timur, contribute to people there. If anyone has similar attention and need people, please let me know. I want to take part.

AVANI Sepang Gold Coast Resort

Salam w.b.t and hello everyone.

It is been quite a while since I wrote the last entry. Oh, I forgot! How is everyone doing? Hopefully everyone  is doing great yeah. I am doing just fine, just finished a plate of instant noodle (Maggi Mee) and having my eyes keep switching looking at the laptop and television screen to watch the final series of Masterchef Australia 2014 while writing the entry.

Well, not so much going on with me now. I attended Kak Daeng's wedding early of this month and I am glad I came. 

This is Maher, my friend's son

Apart from that, about two weeks back, our lovely hamster which we named Sakura died. Only his brother, Sakuri left. It was devastating to see the pet that we took care nearly three years had gone. My sisters, my mother, and myself fed it, bath it, play with it and see it grow. Tears did flood my eyes when I found it laying dead in its cage. You will be missed, Sakura.

We buried him the next morning

Last week, my mother and I went to Bagan Lalang. We visit the place known as AVANI Sepang Gold Coast Resort located in Bagan Lalang. I believe, many of you have heard this place before. We did not plan the visit, but after several unproductive days, I said to my mother, "Let's go to see Avani, what is so special about this place." We did not spend the night there, just wandering around the resort area, and beach walking. Below is the pictures I captured when we were there. Only the pictures of my mother, I kept forcing her to pose around the area. Hahaha...

We sat at the lounge pretending we are their guest

The night before we departed, I checked the price of the room of the resort on the internet. From my quick reading, the price for the room starts from RM800 per night. It also depends on the type of room are you looking at, however in my opinion the room is extremely expensive for a normal people like me. I believe, the location of the resort that is far into the sea contributes to the pricey cost.

The resort

The next morning, we departed from Batang Kali around 8.30 am and arrived at AVANI about 11.30 am. The location of the resort is very isolated and far into the village area. It took us about 45 minutes from the main road (LCCT) to reach the location. The traffic is not too bad, it was a working day. However, for a place that is quite exclusive, the road  to the resort is considered small. Well, maybe the developer do not want to destruct the rustic view of the village, which I think is good.

We parked our car at the side of the road, opposite to the entrance of the AVANI before we walked into the resort. From the entrance gate alone, I can say that the resort is very elegant and 'looks extremely expensive'. Since my mother and I were not the resort's guests, we took another entrance which is used by the resort's staff to load/unload the truck. There was no sign prohibiting non-guests from entering the area, but it was a precaution measure if the guards disallow us from doing that. That was what I feel at that time. Hahaha...what a joke. My mother did not give a crap when I said this to her, she just walked into the resort like a boss. 

In front of AVANI's entrance

Correcting her glasses

The Xmas decoration at the lounge

When we arrived at the lounge area, there were a lot of Malay families checked out from the resort. Also, several Mat Salleh waited for the taxi to pick them up, to go to the airport, maybe. There were also families and kids cycling around the resort's area. If I am not mistaken, you can rent the bike and play go-kart during your stay. Other than that, there are also several beach-activities like sailing, kayaking, and others. But not much activities went on at the beach at that time. I saw several kids and families playing sand and swimming around.

When we walked around the resort's area, we also surveyed the price of the foods sell at the restaurant next to it. I think there are two different restaurants next to the resort's lounge, but I am not sure since the area is combined.   We checked the price of the food displayed at the entrance of the restaurant, and guess what? The price of Nasi Lemak was RM18. It was either RM18 or RM24, I am not sure as I could not stare a second longer at the price shown because I found it was too shocking. For me, RM5 Nasi Lemak is considered to be expensive. It is not that I am stingy, I think it is beyond too much for a traditional Malay food where I can buy at the side of the road completed with many side dishes as well as 'kuih-muih'. Other than that, there are also alcohol served at the restaurant which I am not really comfortable with.

From my short visit to Avani, I can summarise several things. Generally, the place is nice and suitable for people who loves privacy, modern atmosphere, and do not have money-issues. Outside the resort, not much Malay food stalls. Actually, there are several but maybe there are overshadowed by the existence of the resort. The beach is beautiful, but if you love the sound of waves hitting the shore, I think the sound here is not that obvious. I think the beach is more like a manmade beach. Well, I don’t know, this is just what I experienced from my brief visit. 

The beach

We left the place like 30 minutes after we arrived since not much we can do there. In my opinion, I would prefer going to Pengkalan Balak or Port Dickson because I can do a lot of solo/family activities there, shopping, sightseeing, and mixed around with the locals. Apart from that, I can have various choice of foods at reasonable price. Nevertheless, I will spend a night here in the future when I do not have any money-issue. Hahaha...

On our way out to the main road, there were many police traffics on the road guarding the convoy of cyclists in conjunction of "Le Tour De Langkawi".

Le Tour De Langkawi

That’s it guys. I will write again in the near future. I have several stuffs to share with you all, like my 2015 resolutions (LOL), SLB, detours I encountered over pass several weeks, and many more. It just that I don’t know which one to start first. Anyhow, do not bother about that. I will see you next time. As usual, take care and Salam w.b.t.

P/S - Everyone has their own preference, so do I.

Detour, How Long Could It Be?

Salam w.b.t and holla everybody!

Basically, after I received the employment letter from SLB early of September, I did a health examination, and apply for visa to start my training in Australia. So, on December  8, I flew to Queensland, Australia and start working. At the moment, after a long day, I am laying on my comfy bed in the staff house near to SLB base while writing this entry.

That is the ideal situation which I wish it is true.

In reality, I am still in Malaysia and not yet start working with SLB. On December 8, I believe everything supposed to be cleared for my departure to Australia. Unfortunately, my visa to enter Australia is still in the process. The processing time normally takes between 8 or 9 weeks from the lodging date, but this time the AU department who processes this particular type of visa had moved from South Australia down to Hobart. This causes the processing time to extend up to 20 weeks, due to the backlog of previous applications. Subsequently, affects my start date at SLB.

I received this piece of information two weeks prior the scheduled start date from the new head of HR. The previous HR Manager has taken a new job role. I found that this is alright, since I am new, and the new head of HR is also 'new', then it will put us on a similar page as everyone is trying their best to put this situation under control.

At first, he seemed reluctant to break the news to me, maybe he worried if I start to become erratic after I heard the news. However, after I voiced out my concern, then he told me the real situation. He even forward me the email proving that they keep tracking my visa application. He also said, there are about 7 to 8 persons are in the same boat as me. So, they are trying their best to speed up everything but dealing with Australia government is not in their control. Therefore, he advised me to hold on a little bit.

"Atiqah, having an IM status is really, really an advantage as SLB employee. Not everyone is lucky to get this opportunity, but you are fortunate. Everyone will fight to get what you have. But, I will tell you what. Getting a visa is the hardest part as an IM employee, it happens in every part of the world. Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi, even in Australia. Anyhow, we are trying our best to get you onboard soon and we do not forget you even though you might think we forgot you. I hope you can hold on a little bit."

I also said to him, "The hardest part is the waiting part."

That is basically the summary of our phone conversation lasted about 20 minutes on Monday morning. From his stand, I am absolutely sure he understands the situation I have been through since he also started as a field engineer. This soothes me a little bit knowing that;

(1) SLB does not forget me,

(2) Everyone in SLB knows my visa status including my future manager at the base,

(3) There are 7 or 8 other persons still waiting like me,

(4) The new HR head welcoming any queries or concerns.

On the flip side;

(1) I am disappointed due to the delay,

(2) I did not see this coming,

(3) Practically, I do not have anything to do everyday,

(4) My savings is running out,

(5) Stress as everyone keep asking me, "When are you going to depart to Australia?", "How's work at SLB?", and others.

I did not anticipate the process will be this long. When I was in Labuan for the FEP, the FS (Field Specialist) said it took him one month to settle down in Labuan. Anyhow, the HR did give the estimation time for me to start, but I will not reveal it until the time has arrive. Finger cross, everything will go smoothly, InsyaAllah.

I also make several blog walking, I know there are two types of employee status in SLB, (1) International Mobility (IM) employee, and (2) Home Country Based (HCB) employee. Maybe the IM employees have to go through an extra procedure like waiting for the visa approval, whereas HBC do not have to. I would say that is the downside in the onboarding process of IM.

I also read the IM employees' experiences, he also experienced the same like me. I have never come across to his blog before this, what he shared is exactly the same I am currently experiencing. What he feels, the situation he has been through, the challenges in waiting for joining the SLB, everything he felt is what I am feeling right now. The different is the year, he wrote it about 3 or 4 years ago.

Here, his blog http://luffyelastic.blogspot.com/

I am a bit relieved and ready to open up on what I feel, so I decided to write this entry. Who knows, someone who experience similar will read this in the future.

Salam w.b.t and see you later.

P/S - Best thing does not come easily, it packs with challenges with mixture of smiles and tears. Please pray everything will be alrigh, InsyaAllah

Three 'La'

About a month ago, I watched a television program entitled "Kalau Dah Jodoh" by Ustaz Kazim Elias. He shared the three type of 'La' that we, human should apply in our lives.

LA TAHZAN = Don't be sad

LA TAHAF = Don't be afraid

LA TAHLA = Don't complaining

Regardless of how big the challenges we face every day, the disappointments that we feel every second, how close we to our breaking point, remember these three 'LA'. We are not dead yet, so we still have our chance to fix everything that we think need to be fixed.

Thus, chin-up, be brave, and stop whining on everything. I am sending this message to myself and cc it to others.

Job Hunting Preparation

Salam w.b.t and hello dear readers.

How is everyone doing? I am not so bad, just a little bit depressed lately. Anyway, life must go on. It is been awhile since the last time I posted on entries related to job hunting. In this update, I would like to share on what you can do before starting your job hunting.

Of course, I listed the tips based on my experience, no scientific researches were done :) Before I started looking for a job, I did not get a proper guidance or assistance from anyone, neither family nor friends. I just followed my gut and tips shared by the netizens on the websites. As a result, I spent a lot of time thinking and planning on how to start my job hunting. I hope the tips here would be helpful for those who acquired it, subsequently will make better than me in the hunting. All the best!

Money

This may be the last factor for some of you to consider, but not for me. It is crucial to support my expenses throughout being unemployed. House rent, transportation, utility bills, food and others, you name it. Try to save money as much as you can, because we never know how long we are going to be unemployed. Like me, I was expecting to get a proper job with steady income in 6 months, max! Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. So, I ended up using my savings as well as my mother's  help to survive throughout this period.

Email address

TheHarryPotterFan@gmail.com or HarryPotter@gmail.com, which is more formal? The last thing you want to do is putting your application in the spam box of the recruiter's email. Therefore, create a professional email ID.

Documents

Resume, cover letter, academic transcripts, university and school certificates, recommendation letter, and other. Prepare all the related documents, soft and hard copy. Keep them properly in a file so that whenever you are invited for an interview, you will be prepared. Whenever the recruiter requests the certificates or related documents, you have them ready in the laptop or tablet.

Resume and cover letter

Prepare your resume as well as your cover letter as early as possible. The preparation of these documents is not a one-off activity, it is a continuous activity. You will need to keep improve, update, and tailor your resume and cover letter based on the job descriptions. Thus, make it interesting for the recruiters to read your resume/cover letter. If you use a similar resume, cover letter and send them to 100 companies, I think you may have a problem in the future.

Answer the interview questions

Well, everyone knows that questions would be asked during the interview. So, preparation is the key to crack the interview. During my time, I googled the interview questions on the internet and wrote my answers. Then, I practiced it over and over to improve my speaking fluency thus more convincing. Similar to the previous point, it is not a one-off activity. I would recommend you to keep looking for more recent interview questions and enhance your answers' quality. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box because not every interviewer will ask the typical questions. Check my entry here, Interview Questions. 

Courtesy of Mr. Google :)

Prepare formal attire

Keep a pair or two formal attires in your wardrobe at all time, so you do not have to do a last minute shopping just to find a proper dress. For myself, I will normally panic if this happen because I am really bad in choosing suitable dress. There was one time where I stared at my interview attire for a long time just to make sense if it look okay or not. I had to iron several scarves and blouses just in case I change my mind in the morning. What a waste of time.

Create a reliable network

This is my personal suggestion, create a reliable network of friends or relatives around the country or world, if you want. There are a lot of advantages, you know. For instance, you can exchange news with them on the current job vacancies in the companies or in their states. Other than that, if you lives in Sabah for example, and you have a job interview in Kuala Lumpur. You happen to have a very good friend lives in Kuala Lumpur, close to the interview venue. You can either stay at a hotel or a friend's place. I would choose the latter because it is more save. Well, it is also depends on how good your relationship with your friend is. If you are a type of friend who is taking advantage of others, I would suggest you to forget your intention. That is why it is important to keep in touch with your relatives and friends regardless in happy and difficult situations.

Enhance necessary skills

Determine the necessary skills you want or need to have and then develop them until you master it. Unlike in Australia, SolidWork is still the typical tool, I reckon and I used it throughout my studies. I never use AutoCAD in my assignments. In Malaysia job market, knowing how to use AutoCAD is paramount for engineering graduates. It is not just know how to use it, you must have in-depth understand on how the software works. I realised this when I attended the interviews and from there, I self-taught from the websites on how to use AutoCAD. It was hard, but at least I know the basic functions of AutoCAD. Similar apply to other skills like language, business, you should start learn them through various ways. For instance, part time job, Skim Latihan 1 Malaysia (SL1M), and extra class.

Leisure activity

Do not ever stop doing what you love to do, except if you love shopping very much. Then, you will have to stop instantly, haha...I love to read story books and writing. I kept several books in stock, so I will have something to read whenever I feel bored. I also started writing and created a blog to fill my free time. It would be great if I am a person who love taking photos, unfortunately I am not that kind of person. I went to several places, met people, see wonderful things but I did not snap the pictures. If not, I can share it on the blog. *Sigh, I must learn taking good photos*

Identify your support system

There are ups and downs when you are unemployed and struggle looking for a job. It is not easy and full of challenges which you never expect. Today you may be the happiest person on Earth, but you never know tomorrow could be a day from hell. What I am trying to say is, keep up your motivation and your fighting spirit high. One of the way is to have a strong support system to back you up in whatever situations at anytime without questions. Different person may have their own support system. Well for me, my family particularly my mother and my sisters are the strongest support system in my life.

Anyway, regardless of how you do it, remember to keep pray to our Creator, Allah. Never ever, ever forget the best Helper and the one who creates everything, Allah SWT. He is the one who plan everything for us, always pray He will help us and put our full faith on Him. This is it for now, I hope this may be helpful for those who read this. Take care and see you in the next entry.

Salam w.b.t.

Note: Pray is the best Muslim weapon, thus do not underestimate the power of pray. Let's pray.

1998, Perginya Seorang Wali

Pada hari ini,tahun 1998, ayah dah pergi buat selama-lamanya.

Status aku dan adik-beradik secara automatik bertukar menjadi yatim.

Wali utama untuk menikahkan kami pergi menghadap Ilahi.

Tonggak utama sebuah keluarga sudah tiada, pergi tanpa meninggalkan apa-apa.

Tiada wasiat, tiada harta, tiada kata-kata akhir dari seorang ayah.

Juga kenangan yang terhad untuk kami pahat dalam ingatan.

Yang tinggal hanya kami tiga beradik.

Menjadi bukti yang dia pernah bergelar seorang ayah.

Kami tiga beradik, puteri kesemuanya.

Ketika itu aku berumur 7 tahun, adik-adik aku masing-masing 5 dan 4 tahun.

Tinggallah seorang ibu muda, mungkin bingung memikirkan cara nak membesarkan kami.

Setelah hakikat dihadam dan redha, maka kami pun meneruskan kehidupan.

Redha, seawal usia itu manakan aku faham erti perkataan itu.

Yang aku tahu, secara lahiriah, kehidupan kami tidak banyak berubah.

Mungkin dah terbiasa dengan ketiadaaan ayah yang hanya sesekali berada di rumah.

Disebabkan kerjanya sebagai permandu lori yang menuntut dia selalu berkelana.

Secara batiniah, aku tahu dan faham yang emak sedang bergelut.

Bergelut memastikan kami semua menjalani kehidupan seperti keluarga lain.

Yang ada tempat berteduh, cukup makan pakai, ada pendidikan.

Kami adik-beradik mula memahami kepayahan emak.

Kami belajar berdikari.

Kami belajar tidak meminta-minta.

Kami belajar bertoleransi.

Kami belajar bersyukur.

Kami belajar tabah dan sabar.

Kami belajar berterima kasih.

Kami belajar untuk bertanggungjawab atas setiap tindakan kami.

Banyak perkara yang dipelajari, yang tiada dalam silibus akademik.

Berpindah-randah menjadi perkara rutin buat kami sekeluarga.

Berjauhan dengan emak turut menjadi perkara biasa.

Kerana kami sering dihantar pulang ke kampung sewaktu cuti sekolah.

Adik-adik selalu ditinggalkan di kampung bersama atok dan nenek.

Pada waktu itu, aku yang sering tinggal dengan emak kerana perlu bersekolah.

Selalu aku dengar orang pesan, "Akak belajar rajin-rajin, jadi orang berguna bila besar nanti".

Walaupun tak diberitahu secara terperinci, namun aku sedar tanggungjawab aku.

Khususnya tanggungjawab sebagai anak sulung.

Aku harus jadi yang terbaik, contoh kepada adik-adik.

Ibaratnya, menjadi penanda aras kepada agar mereka boleh mencontohi aku.

Atau lebih hebat lagi.

Turut aku sedar, tanggungjawab atas emak.

Menjaga dan membela kebajikan emak dan juga adik-beradik aku.

Emak turut menekankan betapa pentingnya pendidikan.

Pada awalnya, sering aku leka dan tak serius dalam pelajaran.

Akibatnya, selalu kena 'bantai' dengan emak bagi mendisiplinkan aku.

Ada satu ketika aku pernah menipu emak dengan keputusan periksa akhir tahun.

Ketika itu, aku berusia 8 tahun, bersamaan dengan Darjah 2.

Namun tembelang aku bocor bila tibanya hari 'report card'.

Tiada air mata, tetapi hanya kekecewaan yang mendalam terlihat dalam mata emak.

Pembantaian emosi yang maha hebat kepada aku.

Sejak itu, aku membulatkan tekad untuk lakukan yang terbaik.

Agar tak perlu berbohong pada emak lagi.

Tanggal 15 November 1998.

Mengubah kehidupan kami 360 darjah.

Bergelar yatim tidak memberikan kami tiket.

Tiket untuk mendapat layanan baik dari semua insan.

Kepahitan lebih banyak mendominasi kemanisan perjalanan kami.

Namun, ia membentuk kami yang hari ini.

Menjadikan aku yang hari ini.

Berusaha dan doa agar kehidupan kami sekeluarga lebih baik dari sebelum ini.

Mungkin keluarga kami nampak tempang pada mata kasar.

Disebabkan tiada seorang lelaki bergelar ayah.

Hakikatnya kami semua berbahagia dalam erti kami sendiri.

Kerana ayah tetap hidup dalam hati kami, InsyaAllah.

Al-Fatihah

1 Soalan, 2 Pengajaran

Ada suatu petang Jumaat, masa tu kita dalam kereta dengan emak dalam perjalanan balik ke rumah. Biasanya petang Jumaat, dalam pukul 5.30 hingga 7 petang ada perkongsian dengan seorang Ostad jemputan di radio Klasik.fm. Petang tersebut, topiknya bebas dan ada persoalan dari para pendengar yang akan dijawab oleh Ostad tu.

Pada masa itu, ada soalan dari seorang pendengar lelaki. Soalannya dalam ingatan kita lebih kurang macam ini lah ya,

"Salam w.b.t Ostad. Saya ada pertanyaan mengenai wang. Pada Ramadhan lepas, saya membelanjakan dalam RM150 untuk membelikan juadah berbuka puasa untuk emak saya. Soalan saya, patutkah saya meminta adik-beradik saya yang lain ganti duit RM150 atau sumbang semula duit yang saya belanjakan untuk beli juadah berbuka itu? Macam mana tu, Ostad?"

Belum sempat Ostad tu jawab, kita mencelah,"Alahai, sikit je pun duit tu...tak payahlah nak berkira sangat kot, dengan emak sendiri pun".

Masa itu emak kita senyap je dengar kita ngomel.

Dah habis kita menceceh, mak kita punya turn,"Kadang-kadang kita tak tau orang itu hidup susah ke...Orang hidup susah ni, RM150 bagi dia besar nilainya. Macam-macam boleh beli, lagi satu kot dia memerlukan sangat duit tu. Kalau macam orang-orang banyak duit ni, sekejap je habis belanja. Pergi shopping, tak sedar kejap je duit habis. Orang susah ni, bercatu duitnya nak tunggu hujung bulan masuk gaji".

Lepas itu, kita pun terdiam sejenak menghadam apa yang mak kita cakap. Memang tepat dan padu jawapan mak tu, tak boleh disangkal lagi. Pada masa yang sama, kita tersedar yang kita dah mula memandang enteng nilai duit ini. Maksud aku, 'memandang enteng' kat sini macam dah tak hargai duit atau bahasa pasarnya, macam orang senang tak heran duit belanja apa saja. Yelah, belajar obersea. Nilai duit kat sana tinggi, balik Mesia sedaplah tukar-tukar. Pastu belum start kerja lagi, belum rasa susah nak cari duit. So, dari situ kita mula macam, "Sedar Tiqah, sedar. Jangan lupa, jangan lupa".

Pengajaran pertama kat sini yang kita cuba sampaikan, sesuatu yang kecil/mudah bagi kita, tak semestinya kecil pagi orang lain. Misalnya, kita mungkin treat RM10 macam takda nilai sangat, selit-selit je celah poket. Kalau ada, ada. Kalau hilang, lantaklah. Kot-kot, tak sedar pun duit tu hilang. Tapi, kita tak tau ada orang di luar sana, dengan RM10 tu lah nak beli makanan anak-beranak untuk bertahan seminggu sebelum gaji masuk (Ini pengalaman mak kita sendiri masa kitorang kecik-kecik dulu). Kesimpulannya, dalam kehidupan seharian kita semua, jangan ambil mudah perkara-perkara yang simple dan kecil.

Kita kongsikan jawapan Ostad tu ya. Ini berdasarkan ingatan kita lah ya. Ostad tu cakap, "Kalau boleh, bincanglah adik beradik elok-elok untuk kongsi budget beli makanan tu. Yelah, kenalah sama-sama jaga ibu bapa kan. Bukannya sorang ja yang kena bertanggungjawab semua. Bahagikanlah, sorang beli ni, sorang beli tu. Gilir-gilir lah agar dapat sama-sama berbakti kepada orang tua. Kalau berkemampuan, anggap jelah apa yang kita belanjakan itu adalah sedekah. Kalau mampu, niatkanlah sedekah. Berganda-ganda pahala yang kita dapat nanti, InsyaAllah".

Pengajaran kedua yang kita belajar dari jawapan Ostad ni, menjaga ibu bapa tu bukannya tanggungjawab anak tertentu ja. Maksud kita, macam ni,"Ko anak sulung, ko lah kena jaga mak bapak". Atau,"Ko tak kahwin lagi, takda tanggungjawab pada laki/bini. So, ko jaga mak bapak". Ataupun, "Anak laki je yang kena jaga mak bapak ni, anak pompuan jaga husband dan anak-anak". Kita secara peribadi berpendapat, tugas menjaga dan berbakti kepada kedua orang tua ni takde had pada sapa-sapa, bukan kepada yang sulung, yang lelaki, yang bujang, atau yang bongsu. Oleh itu, kenalah sama-sama berganding bahu berbuat baik dan berbakti kepada kedua orang tu. Siapa yang hidupnya senang sikit, tolong tampung yang kurang. Siapa yang sebaliknya, cubalah buat mana yang mampu.

Selama mana kita ni masih bergelar seorang anak, selagi itulah kita kena berbakti tak kisahlah kita ni anak ke berapa. Macam ada ungkapan berbunyi, "Seorang ibu mampu jaga 10 orang anaknya, tetapi 10 orang anak belum tentu mampu seorang ibunya". Tambahan pula, walaupun kedua-dua orang tua dah menghadap Ilahi, tugas seorang anak takkan pernah selesai. Kita kena mendoakan dorang, beramal ibadat supaya mak bapak kita tak dipersoalkan di akhirat nanti hanya disebabkan kekhilafan diri kita, dan banyak lagi lah. Kita yang menulis ni pun ada silapnya kat mak kita. Kalau kena suruh tu, bukan main liat nak buat. Rasa macam nak guling-guling. Tapi semakin meningkat usia ni, sama-samalah kita ya semua mencantikkan tingkahlaku kita, lebih-lebih lagi kepada kedua orang tua. Jangan sampai bila dorang dah takde baru nak menyesal, dah takda menda dah boleh nak buat. Harapnya kita semua tidaklah sampai tahap itu.

Oleh itu, sama-samalah kita ingat-mengingati ya.

Salam w.b.t.