Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind

It was five minutes to Scheduled Departure Time in KL when the ground staff walked into the flight deck to tell us that we're only two passengers down and they're VIPs.  I asked who it was and he said it's the ex-Deputy Prime Minister and his wife.  "Anwar?"  I asked.  He just smiled.

I was excited then!  I just met him at Fudzail's house last week but there were about 150 other people there so I didn't want to bother him with a photo request or a personal conversation.  But now's my chance!   Just after top-of-climb I saw him going into the toilet from my camera so I rushed out and waited for him.  As he came out I gave him a Salam and shook his hand.  I had a quick conversation with him and found out he was on his way to Jeddah for a conference and wouldn't be stopping by in Dubai for long.  So I wished him a pleasant trip and went back into the flight deck with a big smile on my face.

A few hours into the flight about an hour before top-of-descent into Dubai I stepped out to go to the toilet.  I bumped into Datin Seri this time and had a short chat with her.  She obviously just woke up and was not in the mood but was polite enough to indulge me for a little while.  I didn't realise Datuk Seri was in the toilet until he came out and the crew intercepted him to ask for a photo.  When offered by the Purser I couldn't say no!

I think this man is going to be the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia. I have a good feeling about this.

Proud to be Malaysian

London, England.  11.30 am  11th June 2008.

I got to witness The First Batallion of the Royal Malay Army Regiment (Batalion Pertama Rejimen Askar Melayu) at the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace.  As I was waiting and snapping pictures to check my camera settings I started clicking on a Rolls Royce which just pulled into the gates.  It was the Queen!  I couldn't believe it!  A great start to the day!

As my excitement grew the British band marched in.  I couldn't wait.  Then I heard a familiar song.  A marching band was approaching and it was playing an old Malay song.  I couldn't remember the name of the song but I knew the Malay Regiment was arriving.

As the ceremony started I felt proud to be there.  Thousands of miles away from our homeland, our young men look good in their Baju Melayu, sampin and songkok.  Those guys made Malaysia look good.

At the end of the ceremony I followed the band down the road.  They were playing a song that made the hair on my neck stand up.  I heard a song I haven't heard in a long time.  I did some digging on the internet and I found the lyrics.  I had tears in my eyes when I sang this song again.

Inilah barisan kita, 

Yang ikhlas berjuang, 

Siap sedia berkorban, 

Untuk ibu pertiwi! 

Sebelum kita berjaya, 

Jangan harap kami pulang, 

Inilah sumpah pendekar kita, 

Menuju medan bakti! 

Andai kata kami gugur semua, 

Taburlah bunga di atas pusara, 

Kami mohon doa, 

Malaysia berjaya! 

Semboyan telah berbunyi, 

Menuju medan bakti!

If you've forgotten how the song goes HERE it is.

I snapped almost 300 pictures and the best are HERE

so lazy...

I knew this wouldn't take off.  I just don't have the knack for it.  Let's face it, I'm not a blogger!  But then..........I'm writing now aren't I?

So what's been happening this week?  Let's see.....

Today  (Fri) - my son's picture appeared in the paper for his Monster Chocolate Sale in school.

Yesterday (Thurs) - started out early with the Monster Chocolate Sale in Horizon School then I had to go thru my annual medical where I met the most entertaining nurse ever!  Then I went home had lunch and got changed into long sleeve and tie to face a Psychologist for my Pcychometric feedback.  In short, I'm normal and possibly with above average intelligence.  Went to the Dubai Chelsea Supporter's Club (DCSC) AGM at the World Trade Centre.  Haven't seen these people for almost a year.  They noticed.  Had fun anyway.  Now the club is known as UAE CSC.

Day before (Wed) - nothing much.  Came back in the morning from Mauritius.  Dead tired.

Day before that (Tue) - went to Mauritius very early in the morning.  Spent 14 hours on the ground in Mauritius of which 2 hours were spent on the beach watching people in bikinis.

Day before that (Mon) - Psychometric Evaluation.  The first module had 567 questions.  There's no way I could lie my way through that one.  Second Module straight forward but third was just plain weird.

Day before that (Sun) - supposed to do a Bahrain turn but was cancelled.  Sat at home to be on standby instead.

Day before that (Sat) - Sore.  Went to Busri's to hang out then went to Faisal's for Wahid's farewell party.

Day before that (Fri) - big day.  Tri nations football tournament.  Had loads of fun and sure will be sore tomorrow.  Was appointed Malaysia B captain by default because I was the first one to arrive.  Had to pick the teams for all four matches.  How do I keep everyone happy and win some games at the same time?  Tough.  Came out third from five teams.  Good enough.  Beat Singapore 2-0 with my brilliant choice of players.  Sweet.