As the curtain closes

As the attention shifts into Hari Raya I feel saddened that Ramadhan is again leaving us. At yesterday's Jumaat the khatib came close to tears saying goodbye to the blessed month. It was a warm and fulfilling tribute to the month which holds the greatest night of all, the night better than a thousand months.

I am also saddened at a other incidences as well, particularly how some Muslims practice their faith. Everyone I know don't have a problem fasting. Even my 8-year-old girl (who only missed one day-even then she ate 2 hours before iftar) could do it. Allah said that the fast is the only ibadah for Him. When you pray other people can see. When you pay zakat other people can see. When you perform the Haj millions will see you and thousands will send you off at the airport! But when you fast it's between you and Allah. You can cheat in many ways when others are not looking. You can swallow water when you're in the shower and thats only between you and the Almighty.

Now, many people would fast. Many people would do the one ibadah which is difficult to do. To refrain from food and especially water is not easy! So the faith of Allah is evident in most Muslims but what confuses me most is what about the other ibadah? I see a lot of people don't even perform their prayers regularly. They've showed their faith with their restraint but lack their other worship. That is what I don't understand. You believe in Allah but you don't carry out all that He requires of you? So what's the point? Might as well enjoy yourself and leave out fasting as well!

There must be certain amount of faith for someone to do something for God. That faith is already proven when you carry out what is required of you between sunrise and sunset for a whole month. Since you've shown that you have faith or 'Iman' in one aspect why not show your Iman in the other five as well. Don't remember them? Here it is:

• To believe in Allah (SWT) (God) in His Existence, His right to be worshipped, His Oneness, His Attributes, and His right to legislate
• To believe in God's angels
• To believe in the Holy Qur'an and the other Holy Books, (Torah, the Gospel of Jesus, the Psalms of David)
• To believe in God's Messengers, of whom Adam was the first and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the last
• To believe in the Resurrection and the Day of Judgment
• To believe in Divine Preordainment

While I'm at it why don't we remind ourselves of the Pillars of Islam as well:

• Saying the Shahadah
• Performing the 5 daily prayers
• Paying zakat
• Fasting in the month of Ramadhan
• Performing the Haj

So here's my point. You've done one, why not do the other four? You've proven your faith by performing one of the pillars haven't you? You're convinced that there is the existence of God so why not worship him?

If you felt offended reading this, I apologise. But I hope it got you thinking, at least. At most, I hope you start to act. Remember, this world is not the permanent one. There's bigger (but for some, not necessarily better) things to come!
This is writen mostly as a reminder to myself and my children but I hope you've taken something from it too.

May Allah bless us this Ramadhan and Aidilfitri. May Allah grant us the opportunity to spend another Ramadhan next year. May Allah forgive us as Allah is the Most Forgiving and likes forgiveness. Ameen.

This pretty much sums it up

Lester Burnham: I figured you guys might be able to give me some pointers. I need to shape up. Fast.

Jim Olmeyer: Are you just looking to lose weight, or do you want increased strength and flexibility as well?
Lester Burnham: I want to look good naked!

Atkins journey: week 1

Phase: Induction
The goal is to eat less than 20 grams of carb per day to get the body into ketosis (a biochemical process of dissolving fat).
DAY 1
Breakfast:
2 eggs fried in butter	1.2
1 cup tomato and onions fried in ghee	7.2
Green Tea
Lunch:
1/2 roast chicken	0
Salad greens and cucumber	2.5
Dinner:
Sirloin with herb butter	0
Side of broccoli	3.4
Mix vegetables
TOTAL	14.3
The whole day I didn't feel like snacking. Lunch was late-ish but dinner was definitely late. Hunger didn't strike at all. Had a headache whole day but that might not be the diet as it started in the morning. Other than the green tea for my breakfast my beverage of choice today is plain water.
Carb count today is 14.3 g, some from the eggs but mostly from the vegetables - tomatoes, salad, cucumber & broccoli.
DAY 2
Breakfast:
2 egg omelette with turkey strips, scallions and red pepper fried in 1 tbsp of butter	3.2
Lunch
Grilled Iranian Lamb	0
Tabouleh (parsley salad)	0
Cucumber, tomato & onion salad	2.5
Snack
1 chicken sausage which I later discovered contained rusk. Worse case scenario: 10 g of carb.	10
Decaf coffee with cream and 1 packet Splenda	1.8
Dinner
Fish fillet pan fried in olive oil	0
Chili mayonnaise	0.7
Grilled eggplant & red pepper	4
Beef pattie	1
Egg	0.6
TOTAL	23.8
Water is the choice again for most of the day. I made some rooibos tea but didn't drink it as I wasn't sure if there was any natural sugar in it. I made a mistake of snacking on a potentially carb explosive piece of sausage. I will read the label before I eat anything and promise not repeat that mistake again. I also found my decaf coffee stashed in the freezer. Woohoo!
After dinner I felt hungry again. I'm not sure why so I made myself a snack.
I also went to the gym today. I go only once a week but I know this one really works. I've been going for a year now and there's noticeable difference on my physique and stamina. Check it out here.
Carb count may be higher today. Worse case scenario - 23.8 grams!
I will have to switch vegetables too. Cucumbers, tomatoes and peppers are the higher carb vegs! I'll have to stop by the supermarket and get some lettuce. I'm cooking everything at home tomorrow so I will work out a menu before I go for it!
DAY 3
Breakfast
4 turkey bacon slices	0
2 slices cheese	0.6
Decaf Coffee with Splenda	1
Lunch
4 pieces fried chicken wings	0
Caesar salad with 4 quail eggs and canned tuna	1.6
Dinner
Salad greens & onions in olive oil dressing 2 g	2
Sirloin steak 0g	0
TOTAL	5.2
I've been good today with a low total carb count of 5.2 g. The salad greens I just bought helps. I don't really like it that much but I'll just have to suck it up!
Tomorrow might be tough. I'll have all three meals in Colombo and I'm not sure what they have on the menu. I have made some snacks to bring with me just in case.
DAY 4
In flight
Decaf coffee with Splenda	0.1
1 tbsp almonds	0.7
Breakfast
2 poached eggs	1.2
Small steak	0
Mushrooms	0.5
Salmon	0
Lunch
Caesar salad with shrimp	0
2 chicken wings	0
Quail eggs	0.3
Dinner
Grilled salmon in lemon butter sauce	0
Mix salad	2
Snack
2 chicken wings	0
Quail eggs	0.3
Peanuts	9
TOTAL	14.1
It was a challenging day. It was difficult to control of what I get in-flight and at the hotel with the limited menu. My protein source in Colombo would have to come from seafood since the meet wasn't Halaal and I had to make sure it didn't come with rice but somehow I managed. I had a packet of peanuts which I later found out I shouldn't have had in this phase.
Total carb intake today is 14.1 g.
DAY 5
Breakfast
Grilled chicken	0
Beef in soy sauce	3
Coleslaw salad	1
Cheese	1.2
Decaf coffee with Splenda	1
Lunch
Beef salad	1
Dinner
Lamb kofta	0
Salad	1
Broccoli	3.4
Beef soup	3.8
TOTAL	15.4
Had breakfast in-flight which again was difficult. I had to pick through the tray to make sure I stay clear of the carbs and sugar. The crew don't seem to understand when I say I can't eat fruit or any sugar - they still served me a fruit plate and a dessert!
Lunch was light as I was really tired after the flight. I also found out that I'm eating to much vegetables.
I'm showing some symptoms of this early stage such as cramps and constipation. I'm hoping it will sort itself out by the end of week 2. Another home diet tomorrow which will be a lot easier.
Total carb count today is 15.4 g.
DAY 6
Breakfast
2 eggs	1.2
Decaf coffee with Splenda	1
Lunch
Lamb chops	0
Salad	1
Snack
Sliced American cheese	0.6
Dinner
Chicken tomyam soup	0
Mix veg in tomyam soup	5
Fried chicken	0
TOTAL	8.8
Today was easier as I prepared everything at home. I might be addicted to coffee though as I'm still having it every morning. I will try to skip it tomorrow.
I've been a good boy, so total carb count is less than 10!
DAY 7
Breakfast
Lamb Masala	0.8
Lunch
Chicken tomyam soup	0
Mix veg in tomyam soup	5
Snack
Cheese	1
Dinner
Chili Mussels	4.2
Caesar salad	2.5
Grilled fish	0
	13.5
Another relatively easy day as every meal was at home.
End of week one! I will weigh myself tomorrow but I don't think there's much difference. I have to look for hidden sugars and carbs in my food as it seems like the body has not changed is metabolism style. All I need is 48 hours of real low-carb then I should be on my way.

A new journey begins

I'm highly motivated now. A few days ago I flew with a First Officer who recently lost 15 kg. He told me about how easy his diet was and how quick he got it off. He also told me it isn't even hard to keep it off. So I went to the bookstore and bought a book. I've started reading the book and have covered the first part It was all about the science of this diet and so far I have to say I'm pretty convinced.

The second part is the 'induction'. I will find out in due time if this works but I'm very motivated now. My goal is to lose 10-15 kg. I weigh 75 kg now. My target would be 64 kg which put my BMI to 25. And if I do more maybe I can bring it down to 60 kg which would be BMI 23.4. I weighed 56 kg when I left MRSM when I was 17.

The challenges I foresee is plenty. Mostly the food I have to give up. Mind you the Malay diet isn't exactly healthy even in the conventional way but it will be difficult to give up my Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai and Masala Dosa. I even have to give my my favourite beverages. Caffeine is to be avoided which means coffee is off the menu. My post-meal ritual is in jeopardy too. Teh Tarik is tea, milk and sugar and I'll fail miserably if I get anywhere near it. Raya is coming too. Which means kuih raya, lemang and ketupat is off.

The benefits on the other hand is plenty. The low-carb, high-protein, high-fat diet leaves plenty on the plate. Meat is high on the list. I can eat as much beef, lamb or chicken as I desire. So rendang is ok! And supposedly I'll lose weight.

Of course it's not as easy as it sounds and they'll be roadblocks but I think I can do this one. So here we go....

Parallel lives

I just got news that a good friend of mine just became a Captain this afternoon. Nowadays this kind of news is kind of a regular thing since most of us arrived at the flying scene at the same time and has reached the point in our careers to progress to the next step. But this news was a bit different.
It was different because I've known this particular guy a good 21 years. We first crossed paths when we were 12. We were classmates in form one (St. John's, KL). We found out we lived nearby too. We became friends quickly. We were different but similar enough to be best friends. One thing that I remember about this early relationship was how this guy got me hooked on aeroplanes.
He couldn't stop talking about it. Being twelve, we made models too. We didn't have much money so we pooled those little paint bottles! It worked because we virtually saw each other everyday. We were classmates all the way till form three. After the SRP results we planned to go to boarding school. A whole bunch of us did. We ended up in the same school up in Perlis.
We were roommates when we were in form five and spent most of the holidays travelling back home together. We both had the same ambition - to become an airline pilot. We eventually split paths when he joined MAS and I ended up getting my own flying license. I didn't get the job I wanted in MAS so I ended up in SIA. I had to do almost the whole license again so I wasted a good year doing that. On his side, he spent a year being a cabin crew in MAS as they had too many cadets.
So when I started flying commercially he did too. Him on the 737s in MAS and me on the A310s in SIA. He moved on to a bigger aeroplane and so did I. He flew the 777s and I went up to the 747s.
When I tendered my resignation in SIA to join Emirates the first few people I told was my best friend. He had something to tell me too. He would remain my neighbour, living in Abu Dhabi, flying for Etihad. We came to join the UAE on the same day.
Three years and a bit on we came to another parallel crossroad (if there is such a thing). He passed his Final Line Check on the same month I did. We have both realised our dreams. The twelve year old boys putting together aircraft models are now airline Captains.

Four wheel feelings

Something has been playing in my mind since earlier today.  It was a question about soul.  A question about the heart.  "How can I feel like this about a car?"

Here, let me lead you into what I'm thinking about now.

I watched Top gear this morning and Clarkson drove the Alfa Romeo 8c in it's opening bit.

Why, after watching that bit, do I want an Alfa Romeo?

I now own a VW Golf R32.  Sweet ride.  It looks like a small box but it drives like a dream.  The 3.2 V6 torques it from idle.  The DSG takes it seamlessly to 6th.  The AWD sticks it to the road even when sand mixes with water.  And my balls shrink well before the tires squeal in this car.

What more can I ask for then?

It's been said (by Clarkson) that you can't call yourself a true petrol-head unless you've owned an Alfa Romeo.  I've owned two.  If you listened carefully in that video, Clarkson described an Alfa as the heart & soul.  And if you've watched that series enough, you learn that whatever car comes up against an Alfa, that car will be better to in every aspect and probably cheaper too.  But Clarkson never fails to say that he'll buy the Alfa.

I suppose it's a bit like falling in love.  You just can't explain it.

Anybody has an old Alfa for sale in Malaysia?

All it takes is a smile

It was another regular day in Dubai.  This time I had to bring my new car for a tinting job.  I figured if I bring it to a reputable place I'd get my money's worth and none of the headaches.  Three years in this city and I still get sucked in.  The next day, in broad daylight I saw how horrendous the job was.  It was sickening.  The guy who did my Alfa back in KL who had half a shop and an expired credit card to push the bubbles out did a better job than this.

So I gave it two weeks (so that the guy can't tell me to wait for it to dry out and the bubbles would disappear) before I went back to the shop.  The manager of that shop (I found out about this much later) has a very bad reputation so I knew I had to avoid him at all cost.  If I did I had a plan anyway.  So I walked into the shop and looked for a familiar face.  I saw the sales guy who took a few grand away from me a couple of weeks ago and smiled at him.  He recognized me.  I reminded him what he did (or more precisely, attempted to do) to my car and told him we have a problem.   I parked my car in the sun this time and showed him, in all it's glory, how stupid my car looks.

It didn't take much convincing at all.  He agreed to replace the whole thing.  He even explained it to his friend the installer (who Effed up) how bad his job was.  So tomorrow I'm sending the car back in to reinstall the whole thing for free. 

  I didn't get to use the speech I practiced because all it took was a smile and a human approach to a human mistake.

The Gaza Issue

Today is Day 19 of the Israeli military's offensive on the Gaza strip and I think it's about time I put something down in my blog.  

Everyday I read about the brutality in the newspapers, internet and magazines but the more I read the more questions I seem to come up with.  What is most depressing is the useless acts we come up with to show the Palestinian people our support.  What's the use of showing solidarity when every single minute they fear for their lives, if they haven't lost it yet.  They don't need us to tell them we're behind them.  They don't need us to send them medicine and food while the F16s are flying over their heads dropping phosphorous bombs.  They don't need the international community and the UN to pass a resolution to tell their aggressors that what they're doing is wrong.  They need somebody to physically stop the Zionist regime to stop the violence.  That means military action.

So what can you do, as an individual, to help?  I can only think of two things: pressure your leader to have the courage to send military support to stop the IDF and pray to God that these leaders have the courage to do it.

I know, it's not as simple as it sounds.  More military action would probably mean one thing-world war.  But isn't that exactly what happened in Europe in WWII?  The Allied Forces went into war with the Nazis to save the Jews from being annihilated.  We need our own Allied Forces to save our brothers and sisters in Islam.  But who would it be that is brave enough to go against Israel's big brother, the US?  To risk sanctions and possibly an attack?  I don't have an answer to that so I hope I will be surprised in the near future.

So before you light up that candle or step out to demonstrate against the brutality ask yourself this: who are you doing it for?  Are you doing it to make yourself feel better or are you making a direct contribution to the plight of the Palestinians?

Of banks and lies

With the lowest of expectations, I set off to the bank a few hours ago and was somehow surprised that I could still be disappointed.

To start with, I don't like banks.  I don't like bankers or the people who work in banks.  And I seriously despise the bank that I'm with here in Dubai.  I apologise to family and friends who are bankers for not being able to say that in your face because I just don't have the cajones to do it.

What I don't like most about banks is how they disguise themselves to be doing us, mere mortals, a favour by lending us the money with a 'small fee' to pay them back over time.  They tell us it's in our benefit to borrow money from them.  They tell us they're doing it as a public service.  They tell us if not for them, nobody can own anything.  What they don't tell us is that they wouldn't do it if there's nothing in it for them.

I loathe bankers because they tell us it's o.k. for us to borrow from them and we believe them!  The mob mentality has since prevailed.  We take it for granted that it is already the norm and it's part of our life.  It's hard to change a single person let alone generations who have believed that there's absolutely nothing wrong in this practice.  The desire for worldly possessions is too strong.

Interestingly enough, it's all mentioned in the Quran and Hadith about the pitfalls of usury.  I dug deeper and realised that money lending was never meant to be a money making venture.  What has evolved is the actual monetary value of money itself.  It has no actual value.  It used to have an equal value in gold or silver but now oddly enough the value of gold and silver is the one that fluctuates.  What is even more odd is that gold and silver fluctuates against currencies that fluctuate as well!  How's that for usury?

What I despise most is that I am so weak that even when I realise that what I'm doing is wrong I still do it.  

I still have a desire to hoard cash for various reasons-retirement, my children's education...... and that Volkswagen Golf R32.  When is it going to end then?  I hope, for my sake, well before I die as I feel regret that I carry this sin everyday and sure hate burning in hell.