24 Hours and Counting

Everyone ~ let me correct that, almost everyone around the world is looking forward to 2009. Some lucky ones will get to see it, but some may fall short - not of thier choice but there is a far more greater power who decides when your time is up. If one is staying in the Gaza Strip now, or sailing the Somali waters, it gets tougher. So in this last few hours of the year of 2008, life for me goes on as usual and I would say I have been keeping myself busy. I hope to blog about my reflections of 2008 and anticipation and hope for 2009 but well, I 2008 still has some errands for me.

The final hours of 2008 mean a lot to my friends and relatives - some who are tying the knot at this year end. Weddings are common during this time especially - I observe that the restaurants are packed with wedding receptions be it in Sibu or Sri Aman. As I ply between these two Divisions I see cars, buses and 4WD vehicles bearing flags and 'Just Married' decos. This is usually due to the fact that during any year ends, relatives from afar come together (be it for leave or holiday) all for one reason - like it or not, to celebrate the coming of the new year.

One of the newlyweds party I manage attended was my relative's at Li Hua Hotel, Sibu - Congrats to Mr Len Barakas & Ms Jurah. Distance is not a hurdle as this Iban - Bidayuh wedding brings together the world of Song, Kapit (groom) and Padawan, Kuching (bride) together.

So when its relatives ~ it means adjourning to their house and there will be this session known as 'ngansar ke kaki sampai pagi' (party all night long) just for the fun of it as almost everyone there knows one another and we mingle with our new found relatives

I had my share these 'parties' and 'celebration' in Sri Aman be it for the pre Christmas celebrations or other reasons - one thing I notice is that during these functions the 'Poco-Poco' dance addiction is phenomenal. Anyway I believe its safer a safer alternative to the 'Shuffle'.

Chirstmas Show Cum Dinner 2008 organised by St; Lucke Chirch and RTM Rasa FM (Radio Sri Aman) - YB Tuan Masir Kujat the Member of Parliamemnt for P. 202 Sri Aman rendering his Golden Voice


And there we have it - the 'Poco-Poco' ~ the favourite dance for all who went to the dance floor. I have to admit that its easier than doing the Macarena.


The 'Poco-Poco' was made more livelier with some upbeat tunes by Mr & Mrs Jennarino Jeraki and Jenny Tan

I also attended a dinner to fete the outgoing Councillors of the Sri Aman District Council as their term ends this year 2008 ~ the dinner was officiated by YB Tuan Masir Kujat

And here the 'Poco Poco' dance performance by the Councillors was also the highlight that night


2008 also sees my friend who is famed for introducing the Pirate of Bintulu in my blog ~ Congrats to Mr. Alexander Donald who graduated with Master of Human Reource Development this year. Your 'Secret' of success must be shared with all of us one day.... hehe

My Christmas in Sibu

Christmas this year for the family was marked by attending Christmas Eve mass at the Sibu Iban Methodist Church. I am glad that I came in time too as the 'Pendrive' virus or something similiar to it struck again resulting in the PC which contained the whole night's program to stall. Cikgu Mamat who was operating the PC and LCD projector kept restarting the PC as it seemed to 'hang' whenever he try to get the PC to read the pendrive.

Cikgu Mamat looks resigned to defeat by the evil pendrive as all that comes out was ERROR and a blank screen. - little did he know that a CSI was amongst the congregation... Not Horatio Caine but his partner 'Sugar Cane' ...ehem...was around. Anyway all was done in good jest as Cikgu Mamat is my University senior in USM, Penang

While Cikgu Mamat and I cleared up the problem we had the Church's choir perform the Christmas Carol with the congregation (minus the lyrics on the screen as the pendrive was unreadable). At first he was reluctant that I meddel with the computer but I assurred him that he should leave it to the CSI as his restarting of the PC and those mouse movements were distracting everyone. After interrogation I am informed that the materials in the pendrive was copied from his Notebook and it could not be read by the Church's notebook when he tried to put it in.

The Carolling went on well as the Christmas Songs (minus the lyrics) were more easily sung but the important thing in the pendrive was the Mass's message on the 'Meaning of Christmas'.

After being reassured that the Windows Office version between Cikgu's computer and the Chirch's computer were compatible the CSI proceed to 'decontaminate' the pendrive (using the PC's own Antivirus) and using an alternative route to access the Pendrive and Eureka! the screens lit up with the program and Christmas Mass proceeded smoothly - all in 10 anxious minutes (Just in time as the Choir Group almost finished their show).

CSI has done it again (hopefully Horatio Caine will recruit me into his full team soon!) ~ I manage to identify the cause of the hiccup (the evil pendrive is the main culprit, and I know it will come back again one day to make this CSI's work more difficult). At least this year's Christmas Eve won't be spoilt by the pendrive criminal and I am glad to have made it a meaningful Christmas especially for this cute baby who is attending his first Mass.

There were some light refreshments and fellowship after the Service - though I am impressed by the high tech approach in their presentation, they really need to know the simple technical know hows on solving potential 'computer related screwups'. I know because of a bad personal experience I had as shared in my previous post.

The Flood Situation in Sibu

If the flash flood that struck Sri Aman Town was something to harp about, I have to sympathise with the Sibu folks. During my holiday (leave) in Sibu I was quite worried at the sight of the mighty Rajang River - especially its water level during this rainy season.

The water at the Express Wharf was quite high a few days ago

Another view from the Wharf

In fact the high water levels put some of the roads in Sibu under water affecting some housing areas. My brother in law's house was seriously affected ~ though the water did not enter the house but the roads were submerged by some one foot level water that made it it look like rivers

CSI versus The Tailor

As I had commented in Hammy's Blog, I was toying with her advice to personalise my wardrobe . I had an official event coming up in Sri Aman and was passed some clothing material a week earlier. Thus the problem was in getting a tailor who could work fast as most of the tailors in Sri Aman refused to do a rush job. Since I was holidaying in Sibu I went to my Dad's favourite tailor at Wisma Sanyan ~ Singapore Tailor. Operating from Wisma Sanyan would have to mean that he should be one the best (to be able to rent the place I mean).

Singapore Tailor proprietor has a treasure load of clothing materials to meet your needs and he does work fast as I requested that he complete my 'baju kebangsaan' in four days

The bush jacket looks tempting - I don't have one yet.. Who knows, I may get one soon - I still can't imagine using this pricey suits. Most clothes that I use are either from 50% bargain. Actually I am just terrified that I may overdress myself. I did attend one function at one time with a full suit only to discover that the VIPs who arrived were only wearing jeans and collared shirts

But anyway - as he measured me I argued with him most of the time to keep the waist slim - he wanted it to be '36' and I argued I am just '31' - yeah right. CSI intends to get a Court Order or Warrant to take that measuring tape from him as evidence that it has been 'altered'

Maal Hijrah 2008

As the Maal Hijrah 2008 was to be hosted in Sri Aman, I rushed back from Sibu on Sunday afternoon to assist the various organising committees prepare for the celebration there.

The Sarawak Governor recieves a ceremonious welcome as he arrives at Rumah Sri Aman at 4:00 p.m on 28th December 2008

Tuan Yang Terutama Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Haji Muhammad Salahuddin is led into the Rumah Sri Aman with the Toh Puan

That night prayers were held with a Ceremah from Dr. Daniel Zainal Abidin ~ and I must admit this is my first time inside the Masjid Bandar Sri Aman. I was assigned to take care of the non Muslim VIPs who will be joining the Governor and the other Muslim VVIPs for dinner after prayers.


The next morning we had the Perhimpunan Maal Hijrah 2008 at the Sri Aman Dewan Suarah. Amongst the VIPs who were waiting to recieve the Governor's were (from left) YBahagia Datu Putit Matzen, YB Datuk Francis Harden ak Hollis, YB Datp Sri Abang Zohari (representing the Right Honourable Chirf Minister), YBahagia Datuk Mohd Morshid Abd Ghani (Acting State Secretary) and Datu Misnu

Awards were given to deserving candidates during the Perhimpunan Maal Hijrah 2008

At the end of the function I managed to pose with the Sri Aman Heads of Department who helped in coordinating the event through their committees/agencies (from left) Jamhari, Majuan (Superintendant for Land & Survey Sri Aman), Irwandee (Divisional Engineer for DID Sri Aman), Awang Syukri (SAO Lingga), Zolkifli (JPJ Sri Aman Chief), CSI and Mahri (DO Sri Aman)

I took the opportunity to try the bus service in Sri Aman to return to Sibu (after using the official car all the way from Sibu). It was late into the afternoon and the norm for most of the Sri Amanians who wish to travel from Sri Aman was wait at the Temudok Junction (T - junction which links Sri Aman to Kuching and Sibu/Miri). The only bus company that operates in Sri Aman is the Borneo Bus and if you missed their time this is the option one has to take.

One has to stop the buses that pass through the junction and enquire if they have any seats available in the bus for your journey. If not you will have to wait for another bus, and another....and one really has to rely on luck.

I managed to get one Baram Bus which would be stopping at Sibu (after asking 3 buses). I had the backseat to myself. It was a fun ride but I must advice if one has just through an appendicitis operation or any pregnant ladies (say 7 - 8 months) - never sit at the back of the bus if the roads are bumpy. I had a nice time bouncing on my seat sometimes several inches into the air along the way back to Sibu.

I was aching all over when I reached home and manage to join in a Thanksgiving dinner hosted by my Darleena's Mummy and Daddy. I hope she will update her blog Chantelle in 2009 so that we know how's life in Canada.

So, should I be considering looking into what has happened in 2008 and make plans for 2009? I still have not made up my mind as there's another dinner to attend tonight. I have been postponing things in life and I know that I also cannot sit back and wait for 2009 to come. It is by God's mercy that we wake up to a new day everyday. God Bless Us All.

Nadai Nama Nama Under the Weather

Some of the readers has been SMSing me again in the past weeks on the reasons for my slow updating of the blog in the past weeks. Is it due to the upcoming holidays or was I too busy closing shop for the year 2008? Nonetheless I have kept myself busy for the past few weeks and I have tonnes of materials to post for Christmas when my computer caught the bug. How it happened I do not know - I am supposed to have the latest antivirus software which is supposed to shield my computer from any latest threats. The technician who came to repair my PC suggested reformating my hardisk but I pleaded with him to find another solution - so he had to take the PC to an ICU (SAINS Centre) in Betong. So here goes for you guys out there especially on the occurrence of flash flood in Sri Aman town last Monday (last week).

When my computer went out I was in deep thought and went to CSI mode (Computer ScrewUps Investigation)

After a several tests it was deduced that the main cause of the crash was one of the 'pendrives' that had been fitted into my PC for one of our on going projects


One of the pendrives which was put in by our participating Committee members was full of viruses which autoruns. Several of the committee members have been raiding my PC with their supposedly safe pendrives and one of it screwed up my PC. Horation and I are still investigating

Lightning Flood in Sri Aman

Most of us in Sri Aman were surprised to see a report on the news (including Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo) that the town had been struck by a flash flood as high as 3 feet on 17 Disember 2008. MySarawak.org news portal also picked the news too.

With these news transmitted Statewide including Radio Sarawak FM, those with relatives outside Sri Aman obviously were worried and kept calling one another including our Resident Office. It was fortunate on that night I managed to move around town to assess the flash flood situation. If not we would have to respond to queries from the Sarawak Disaster Committee Operations Room in Kuching which would tiff us off for not reporting a serious flood event in Sri Aman. Pictorial evidence indicates that the water level was not three feet as reported.

The picture of the flash flood at Century Building

Pedestrians walking on a 1 feet level water or three feet level water?

Pictures in the newspapers are usually angled to put some unrealistic image of the flash flood situation. Sometimes the local journalists who report it here tend to 'sensationalize' their news

The shopkeepers here wading in the flood - usually people would panic on the sight of rising waters but it seems that Sri Amanians convey to me the same story - the occurrence of this flash floods have always been part of their daily lives throughout their live. "Its not serious la...It will go away as quickly as it comes" one of the trader informed me

For some they call this flash flood a 'nuisance'

Shopowners come out to clean their five foot ways - some of the kids seem to be enjoying themselves

The playground at the Sri Aman Mini Stadium - the kerb in the picture is already 1 feet - so it would be wrong to say that the flood level was three feet, otherwise the kerb would be covered by flood waters

The water level is passable even by the mini Kelisa and Kancil

The road outside the Majlis Daerah Sri Aman (Sri Aman District Council)

Sri Aman News in the Making

Which is why, on seeing how famous blogs are becoming, I am glad that one Utusan Sarawak (Valentine Ngumbang) has taken into blogging. He covered the Pontianak Tale in his news which was widely read in Sri Aman when the event happened. Though I have informed him I will be guiding him in terms or format and design I will play no part in the news content he intends to publish. I adviced him that he needs to put his own character into. But if there are news that needs our Resident's Office verification he needs to refer to us as not to cause panic or unecessary inconvenience (like the flash flood news).

Good Luck Valentine - welcome to the blogging world with SriAmanNews!!

To all Nadai Nama Readers ~ Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 2008! Things have not been right lately in the ICT sphere...even the photo down there I put the Year 2009, but well I could be predicting the future?

God Bless and May Peace rule! I will be back with more later once my poor computer recovers!

Christmas is for everyone - it has its own meaning in everyone's heart. Treasure it.

Deja Vu

Nobody's perfect - I have to admit that. In my last post, trying to differentiate where Sarawak and Sabah is located just need a little homework in the case of the advertiser. Thus mistakes can be avoided or minimised. Even I am not free from making errors. So when something happens to me, I always put in my mind that some always have it worse. An incident yesterday evening reminded me of last month's exciting windy adventure when a gentle and friendly wind blew away our tents (see i am being positive here). This time its a case of Humpty Dumpty which had a great fall. The loud crashing sound caused a lot of commotion. It happened at the Sri Aman Waterfront where the Riverine Esplanade was being constructed.

I am reminded of a similiar case.......


So I guess I know how they felt


And how the public felt when they came to see...


Rushing to the scene i discovered a crane had partially fell into the Batang Lupar River


Though it rained heavily the whole evening - everyone was curious to see who screwed up


Some went for a closer look trying to determine who screwed it this time

The Borneo Post reported that a 40 something old crane operator escaped unhurt. People within this age category tend to do a lot of screw ups.

It took quite some time for them to decide what is the best rescue plan and one of them was to call in a nearby ship powerful enough to lift the crane out of the water

And the sheer strength of the ship managed to do just that

Slowly but surely the crane was brought to its feet again

Overall it took about three hours to complete the operation

So Humpty Dumpty managed to get up on its feet again - thanks to the help of the ship which was berthing at the esplanade. If not they would have been totally screwed.......