November 26th 2006
Budaiya
I was delighted when it finally rain in Bahrain last week. Everyone was raving about the rain. Everybody welcomed the rain and the cooler weather.
However yesterday, it rained again but this time it was nothing to celebrate about.
Unfortunately it was the day we were hoping it wouldnt rain. But it did and it poured heavily last night.
We were doing the trailer loadings, supposedly 16 trailers on their way to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. And we were caught in the drizzles that continued to be a downpour that flooded the place.
Rain or no rain, the loadings gotta be done and the trailers need to go on their merry way. Hopefully they will be on a safe journey to their destinations. Insyaallah.
This morning I noticed the road infront of my house was crawling with cars, people on their way to work. Oh boy am I lucky I dont need to go into town today..!
Well that reminds me, since we were asking for a cool weather and the exclusive rainfall, God has granted our wishes..!
There you go..your favourite rainfall. God always grant us our wishes one way or another. Sometimes it is a Blessing in disguise.
My balcony was wet, which gives me another task to clean it up.
A colleague's room was dripping, and all the furniture, carpet, tv and radio were wet. The place that we are staying in is an old building and its leaking everywhere. It was okay in the summer months so nobody take any heeds to repair the damage. The plumbing system is atrocious. The building owner couldnt even bother to rectify the problems. She only like to collect the rents. So when the sink wouldnt work, you try to repair it yourself, you cant wait for her, help would not come from her side.
When the A/C doesnt work, you call the service people and pay out of your pocket, or you will be sitting in an oven.
The only consolation that we have here is "convenience", it is close by to the office. We just need to walk a few steps.
Well..you cant have it all..when you lack the funds..! So we make do with the best of what we have.
May God Bless those that have a good hearts and intentions..!
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Saturday, November 25, 2006
November 25th 2006
Budaiya
Yesterday was a nice day off. The weather was cool and my friday walk to Jawad was very pleasant. I always enjoy this walk once a week at least, gives me time to relax and enjoy a time alone.
I gave up on the pigeon story, and decided to get the help of one of the guy here to help me clean up a bit and seal the window opening with a piece of slatted wood panel. That should keep the pigeons out.
When I cleaned up the place, I discovered some boxes that have been covered by dust and poops and put them out. But unfortunately the owner of the boxes and water bottle was not happy that I put the stuff out.
She said..." Why did you throw my stuff away..without telling me ? "...in a very stern voice.
I didnt throw your decorated boxes away, I was just merely putting them outside. How do I clean the filthy store without taking your dirty boxes out ?
Hey woman... you should at least say thank you to us for cleaning the space.
Since you are also using the area and you dont care to keep it clean. I just dont understand how she can stand the smell and the filth in that area. She uses it as a pantry area, with her electric kettle, microwave and rice cooker. Now at least the place looks cleaner. Second phase will be done after I come back from my trip. That will be a permanent seal to the window opening and sterilizing the place. The carpet will have to be replaced.
Its such a pity when people say..."What can I do ?"... when there is a lot of ways and means to do things. It just needs a bit of thoughts and a feeling of responsibility and time management.
Since he was and still is acting to be so busy, I have done his job. He will definitely and conveniently forget that he had to clean up the place.
We shall see what the next act will be like.
Today is ...
Election Day in Bahrain.
Loading day for 6 trailers.
And hopefully the rest of the day will be pleasant as well.
Feel like making "bubur kacang" and serve it with glutinous rice.
Budaiya
Yesterday was a nice day off. The weather was cool and my friday walk to Jawad was very pleasant. I always enjoy this walk once a week at least, gives me time to relax and enjoy a time alone.
I gave up on the pigeon story, and decided to get the help of one of the guy here to help me clean up a bit and seal the window opening with a piece of slatted wood panel. That should keep the pigeons out.
When I cleaned up the place, I discovered some boxes that have been covered by dust and poops and put them out. But unfortunately the owner of the boxes and water bottle was not happy that I put the stuff out.
She said..." Why did you throw my stuff away..without telling me ? "...in a very stern voice.
I didnt throw your decorated boxes away, I was just merely putting them outside. How do I clean the filthy store without taking your dirty boxes out ?
Hey woman... you should at least say thank you to us for cleaning the space.
Since you are also using the area and you dont care to keep it clean. I just dont understand how she can stand the smell and the filth in that area. She uses it as a pantry area, with her electric kettle, microwave and rice cooker. Now at least the place looks cleaner. Second phase will be done after I come back from my trip. That will be a permanent seal to the window opening and sterilizing the place. The carpet will have to be replaced.
Its such a pity when people say..."What can I do ?"... when there is a lot of ways and means to do things. It just needs a bit of thoughts and a feeling of responsibility and time management.
Since he was and still is acting to be so busy, I have done his job. He will definitely and conveniently forget that he had to clean up the place.
We shall see what the next act will be like.
Today is ...
Election Day in Bahrain.
Loading day for 6 trailers.
And hopefully the rest of the day will be pleasant as well.
Feel like making "bubur kacang" and serve it with glutinous rice.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Dear Pigeons......
November 22nd 2006
Budaiya
The weather has changed for the better, which means it is cooler now even in the afternoon. Walking around at the souq yesterday was pleasant and I even end up buying some hot samosas on the way home.
The evenings are much cooler and if you go out, you may need a shawl. A walk along the beach would be just fantastic at this time of the year.
But all is not well, when I found out that my heater broke down yesterday.
And on top of that I have been battling it with "someone' over the issue of pigeons who had decided to move in and started roosting in the nook at the air condition unit. Seems that the whole family are there, in that cosy fourth floor bird apartment. I could hear their sound, the father, mother and babies. They were so happy flapping their their feathers and I could soon manage to make a feather pillow and have a pillow fight with this 'someone"
What irks me the most is that this "someone" couldnt care less, about the condition of our living space. By unblocking the cover to the A/C opening, would only invite all the birds to start nesting and building up their signature. He was not supposed to use the A/C unit, since it had been closed.But because they needed to use the room, he must turn on the A/C. I had told him that he needed to put a barrier so that the birds wouldnt start nesting. He said..what can I do..we are so busy...wait..wait..wait...
after this show....after that show...this...that...and I am getting impatient.
Firstly the place is very dirty now.
Secondly the smell is overwhelming.
Thirdly it is very unhygienic and unhealthy having the pigeons apartment right next to our rooms.
I guess, just because he doesnt stay there, he doesnt care. Why should he ?
It doesnt affect him the least.
How I wish, we could educate him,that the the pigeon droppings carry bacteria and can cause a few serious illness.
Public health - pigeons carry a range of diseases, some of which may be transmitted to humans if droppings contaminate food stuffs. For this reason their presence cannot be tolerated in and around food premises. They also carry mites which can cause skin disease and dust from their feathers can cause respiratory problems.
Illnesses and problems linked with pigeons include:
Psittacosis - a flu like illness which can cause death in vulnerable people
Meningitis - rare, but one causative agent is commonly found in pigeon nests
Salmonella - diarrhoea, vomiting and in extreme cases septicaemia and possibly death
Skin diseases
Insects - including mites and fleas
Attraction to rats
Aggravated chest problems and asthma
Histoplasmosis - a respiratory illness caused by a fungus that thrives among the droppings
Occupiers of buildings have a duty to minimise the risk to the health and safety of staff and visitors, from the hazards caused by pigeons.
The most effective way of keeping pigeons away from buildings is to deny them access to enter or use the building as a nesting or roosting site.
P.S: Some people believe that birds, if they come to your garden, they are bringing good luck. But I guess its not with pigeons. I dont mind if the birds flew by, stop for a while,take a dip in the bird bath, but please dont leave your signature behind.
Budaiya
The weather has changed for the better, which means it is cooler now even in the afternoon. Walking around at the souq yesterday was pleasant and I even end up buying some hot samosas on the way home.
The evenings are much cooler and if you go out, you may need a shawl. A walk along the beach would be just fantastic at this time of the year.
But all is not well, when I found out that my heater broke down yesterday.
And on top of that I have been battling it with "someone' over the issue of pigeons who had decided to move in and started roosting in the nook at the air condition unit. Seems that the whole family are there, in that cosy fourth floor bird apartment. I could hear their sound, the father, mother and babies. They were so happy flapping their their feathers and I could soon manage to make a feather pillow and have a pillow fight with this 'someone"
What irks me the most is that this "someone" couldnt care less, about the condition of our living space. By unblocking the cover to the A/C opening, would only invite all the birds to start nesting and building up their signature. He was not supposed to use the A/C unit, since it had been closed.But because they needed to use the room, he must turn on the A/C. I had told him that he needed to put a barrier so that the birds wouldnt start nesting. He said..what can I do..we are so busy...wait..wait..wait...
after this show....after that show...this...that...and I am getting impatient.
Firstly the place is very dirty now.
Secondly the smell is overwhelming.
Thirdly it is very unhygienic and unhealthy having the pigeons apartment right next to our rooms.
I guess, just because he doesnt stay there, he doesnt care. Why should he ?
It doesnt affect him the least.
How I wish, we could educate him,that the the pigeon droppings carry bacteria and can cause a few serious illness.
Public health - pigeons carry a range of diseases, some of which may be transmitted to humans if droppings contaminate food stuffs. For this reason their presence cannot be tolerated in and around food premises. They also carry mites which can cause skin disease and dust from their feathers can cause respiratory problems.
Illnesses and problems linked with pigeons include:
Psittacosis - a flu like illness which can cause death in vulnerable people
Meningitis - rare, but one causative agent is commonly found in pigeon nests
Salmonella - diarrhoea, vomiting and in extreme cases septicaemia and possibly death
Skin diseases
Insects - including mites and fleas
Attraction to rats
Aggravated chest problems and asthma
Histoplasmosis - a respiratory illness caused by a fungus that thrives among the droppings
Occupiers of buildings have a duty to minimise the risk to the health and safety of staff and visitors, from the hazards caused by pigeons.
The most effective way of keeping pigeons away from buildings is to deny them access to enter or use the building as a nesting or roosting site.
P.S: Some people believe that birds, if they come to your garden, they are bringing good luck. But I guess its not with pigeons. I dont mind if the birds flew by, stop for a while,take a dip in the bird bath, but please dont leave your signature behind.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Chained messages
November 19th 2006
Budaiya
Early this morning I received a SMS from a friend. A chain message that requires you to send back to 9 other people asap and you will receive some good news tomorrow. If you dont send them out you will get some bad news.
Are you superstitious? How do you feel when you get such messages in your emails or sms ?
Sometimes I get irritated. Eventhough we are not supposed to be superstitious, that we must believe in GOD, it somehow affect you and you start scrambling to send the mantra out. Less the unfortunate happens.
No prizes for guessing I did forward the message out to 9 other people.
I pray that GOD will protect me. Insyaallah.
The reason why I did send the messages out is because it carries a good meaning and I wanted to share it with the others.
And this is another one of those that I received in my email.
Some thoughts that I would like to share here.
I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R L I F E
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements
involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:
.Respect for self,
.Respect for others and
.Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a
wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate
steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for
your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the
current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your
love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order
to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
Well...we'll see what tomorrow brings...!
Whats for dinner ?
Beef patties and potatoes with cheese and freshly ground pepper.
Yumm...O
Budaiya
Early this morning I received a SMS from a friend. A chain message that requires you to send back to 9 other people asap and you will receive some good news tomorrow. If you dont send them out you will get some bad news.
Are you superstitious? How do you feel when you get such messages in your emails or sms ?
Sometimes I get irritated. Eventhough we are not supposed to be superstitious, that we must believe in GOD, it somehow affect you and you start scrambling to send the mantra out. Less the unfortunate happens.
No prizes for guessing I did forward the message out to 9 other people.
I pray that GOD will protect me. Insyaallah.
The reason why I did send the messages out is because it carries a good meaning and I wanted to share it with the others.
And this is another one of those that I received in my email.
Some thoughts that I would like to share here.
I N S T R U C T I O N S F O R L I F E
1. Take into account that great love and great achievements
involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three R’s:
.Respect for self,
.Respect for others and
.Responsibility for all your actions.
4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a
wonderful stroke of luck.
5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate
steps to correct it.
8. Spend some time alone every day.
9. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for
your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the
current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your
love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order
to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.
Well...we'll see what tomorrow brings...!
Whats for dinner ?
Beef patties and potatoes with cheese and freshly ground pepper.
Yumm...O
Saturday, November 18, 2006
It rained...
November 17th 2006
Budaiya
A nice friday for a change. Woke up to a moody morning and looked like it was about to rain. I am always looking forward to a rainy day, I guess I miss the rain. It was almost... never rains in Bahrain.
Rainy days always brings back nostalgic moments, especially the fresh smell of green grass after a rain. It is nice when you are indoors, watching the rain falling down, washing your window panes.
I remember a time when I was in a train on a rainy day, with my favourite song "words dont come easy"...playing in the piped music system. Somehow that moment of my journey stuck in my mind till now.
Another moment in time was when I was sharing an umbrella with someone, caught up in a heavy downpour at the Lake Gardens. That time we were poor still, both of us just started work and could not afford to buy a car yet. We were soaked to the skin but being "in love" made it all so much fun. And later he bought a car and soon we parted ways.
And there were times when it rained heavily at home and the padi fields would get flooded and it looked like a sea of brown water.Like a whole river of tea with milk. Sometimes it was flooding the whole area and you have to wade in the water. But my house is on a hilly area so it was never a big problem, only the ground was wet and the gooey earth got stuck on to your japanese slippers.
We always carry an umbrella wherever we go. The weather was really unpredictable, it is sunny and rainy all the year round. So whenever I buy a handbag, there must be room enough for a 3 fold umbrella.
So whenever the sky is looking grey we can anticipate some drizzles. Even Mecca suddenly rained out of the blue at the end of last Ramadhan.
Rain is always seen as a Blessing. It washes all the dirts and let the parched ground have something to drink.
So I am looking forward to a cool evening, curling up on my couch with a hot mug of tea, watching my favourite tv shows.
I hope it will drizzles again tomorrow...
Words to inspire you...
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
Take a moment and count how many friends that you have that are willing to walk or take the bus with you...?
Chances are, they will hitch another ride when your limo broke down.
You are only good enough when they can benefit from you.
Budaiya
A nice friday for a change. Woke up to a moody morning and looked like it was about to rain. I am always looking forward to a rainy day, I guess I miss the rain. It was almost... never rains in Bahrain.
Rainy days always brings back nostalgic moments, especially the fresh smell of green grass after a rain. It is nice when you are indoors, watching the rain falling down, washing your window panes.
I remember a time when I was in a train on a rainy day, with my favourite song "words dont come easy"...playing in the piped music system. Somehow that moment of my journey stuck in my mind till now.
Another moment in time was when I was sharing an umbrella with someone, caught up in a heavy downpour at the Lake Gardens. That time we were poor still, both of us just started work and could not afford to buy a car yet. We were soaked to the skin but being "in love" made it all so much fun. And later he bought a car and soon we parted ways.
And there were times when it rained heavily at home and the padi fields would get flooded and it looked like a sea of brown water.Like a whole river of tea with milk. Sometimes it was flooding the whole area and you have to wade in the water. But my house is on a hilly area so it was never a big problem, only the ground was wet and the gooey earth got stuck on to your japanese slippers.
We always carry an umbrella wherever we go. The weather was really unpredictable, it is sunny and rainy all the year round. So whenever I buy a handbag, there must be room enough for a 3 fold umbrella.
So whenever the sky is looking grey we can anticipate some drizzles. Even Mecca suddenly rained out of the blue at the end of last Ramadhan.
Rain is always seen as a Blessing. It washes all the dirts and let the parched ground have something to drink.
So I am looking forward to a cool evening, curling up on my couch with a hot mug of tea, watching my favourite tv shows.
I hope it will drizzles again tomorrow...
Words to inspire you...
Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down.
Take a moment and count how many friends that you have that are willing to walk or take the bus with you...?
Chances are, they will hitch another ride when your limo broke down.
You are only good enough when they can benefit from you.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Is it thursday today... ?
November 16th 2006
Budaiya
I actually forgot what day it is today. Been hectic rushing out for last minute things and its beginning to give me a headache.
Today I observed some chain reactions here, I mean when someone has been given a high dosage of why he did not deliver, he in turn started to bark at everyone within his vicinity. Things have actually been boiling, like a lava waiting to erupt. So today he went flying about doing his job.
Funny though, his good friends are the ones who complained about his lack of performance. Those people whose mouths that he fed, with all his special gourmet cookings. Perhaps he didnt know that there are double headed snakes lurking all over the place.
My headache is getting worse, I need to get my comfort food fast.
Budaiya
I actually forgot what day it is today. Been hectic rushing out for last minute things and its beginning to give me a headache.
Today I observed some chain reactions here, I mean when someone has been given a high dosage of why he did not deliver, he in turn started to bark at everyone within his vicinity. Things have actually been boiling, like a lava waiting to erupt. So today he went flying about doing his job.
Funny though, his good friends are the ones who complained about his lack of performance. Those people whose mouths that he fed, with all his special gourmet cookings. Perhaps he didnt know that there are double headed snakes lurking all over the place.
My headache is getting worse, I need to get my comfort food fast.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Bling Bling is over ...
November 12th 2006
Budaiya
Yesterday was the last day of the bling bling exhibition. The crowd came in full force in the evening and there was a long queue at the entrance.
Lucky this year the show went on without an incident. There were securities everywhere both in uniforms and non uniform. Security camera was fixed in every stand and security personnel were mingling with the exhibitors and visitors. On top of that policemen with guns were also all over the place, guarding all points of entry.
We are glad that it is finally over and can move on to the next projects.
And hopefully we get to pay back all the lost sleeps since the past two weeks. My legs would surely welcome a good massage and my stomach and taste buds would be happy for a new diet.
My eyes were feasting on those beautiful creations, for jewellery design has always been my passion but was not able to pursue the field. It was just amazing.
Hong Kong pavilion was the most crowded, as always had been every year.
No matter where they are located, the crowd would find them. It has always been a crowd puller, I guess due to the nice designs, mostly diamonds and white gold and the price was rather affordable to all walks of life.
A small gift from one of the exhibitor, a scarf in my favourite mauve colour.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Jewellery Arabia 06
November 8th 2006
Budaiya
Its that time of the year again when all the glitter is back.
The biggest jewellery show was opened here yesterday by the Prime Minister.
As usual there are exquiste jewellery and watches that blinded the eyes.
You see diamonds everywhere. You see the rich and all their entourage.
Outside the exhibition hall you can see a luxury car show, with chauffers waiting patiently.
You see beautiful models showing off the jewellery.
And for us mere mortals it is enough just to ogle at the gems in the showcases.
All those hardwork and extra hours during the build up have finally paid off, when you look at the finished products of your stands. And in a couple of days, you will see them being teared down and the hall will be empty and quiet again.
An interesting story that I would like to share here is by observing one of the exhibitor.He had a huge banner almost the height from the ceiling to the floor.He brought in a crane to fix the banner and covering the front part of the biggest exhibitor in the hall. We were just observing the drama, knowing very well that he has to reposition the banner later on. He then proceeded to set up his display counter, pardon me, but they look more like candy showcases...!
On the morning of the show opening,our people were vacuuming the gangway carpet and he expected us to clean up his stand. When our people did not vacuum his stand he shouted with all the foul language that he was brought up with. He then started to throw out all the rubbish and dirts from his stand on to the gangway that we have cleaned. Can you imagine the scenario
of an elderly man in coat and tie, throwing tantrum ! Everybody were looking and enjoying the free show.
The points that certain exhibitors did not want to understand is that whoever the contractor that set up his stand has to clean the stands that they built. We only clean the general area.
But on the other hand if he had been a gentleman and spoke in plain simple english with a little word of "please", we would have vacuumed his stand.
Moral of the story ... a smile...a simple "please"...would probably get you a much needed assistance. And never to look down on anybody just because of their nationalty and skin colour.
The one thing that I have learned from doing this show is to exercise tolerance, keeping my cool, and try to be nice to everyone.
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