Wooo... ho... ho.. Balik Kuching.

Yezza...

Lamak dah aku sik update blog tok. Ermmm... Entry tok aku decide nak tulis dalam native language ku jak. 

Wooo... ho... ho... balik kampung. Tiap-tiap pagi aku layan lagu sudirman tok dalam Imeem.com. Aku excited nak balit dah. Jumpa parents aku, jumpa family aku, jumpa cinta aku, jumpa kawan-kawan aku. Walaupun aku excited nak balit tapi few things aku masih unsure:

1) Aku tauk gine-gine aku akan rindu dengan England. English values dah boleh kata tebal juak dalam aku tok.

2) Kawan-kawan selain sidak semandin, aku dah lamak sik jumpa. Mesti awkward jak kelak mun jumpa.

3) How am I gonna suit myself to working environment in Kuching kelak. You know with all politics & etc. Then aku sik sure if freedom of speech di terimak kah sik dalam working environment kelak. Because in the UK, aku bebas menyuarakan apa dalam palak sik kira level pekerja dalam organisation. Sometimes it can be harsh but we take it professionally. Nothing personal.

4) I am shopaholic. I know susah mok dapat apa benda yang aku maok bila dah di kuching kelak. Btw, bagus juak lah for my pocket. Hehehe...

5) I'm afraid my english accent will disappear.

Tapi sik pa lah... Aku rasa aku boleh sesuaikan dirik aku kelak. Anyway aku pergi aku dapat nyesuai dirik aku bah. Aku pun rasa dah tiba juak masa aku nak build strong base in Malaysia industry. It is time to conquer the engineering industry. Time to make contact and make as much money as possible. My formula is as below:

Profession + Contacts = Strong base

Then, Strong base x Politic involvement = Job opportunities

Therefore, Job opportunites = Money.

Well, that's how engineers think. That's what we call "mathematic language". Everything dapat di polah equation. Hahahha...

4 years dah aku sitok... Bila aku packing, sekali maok 6 enormous boxes sekali maok barang-barang aku. They cost me like £270 to send them home. Damn...  Aku sik mok buang buku-buku aku time uni dolok. Rugi bah... Lelah-lelah bayar £30,000 pakei dapat semua knowledge dalam buku ya.

My next mission....

To make SSB Consulting Engineers as the first M&E consultant in Kuching with sustainable and environmental friendly approach in design. I have the knowledge and I am capable to do it.

The conclusion is, I am looking forward to come back home.

Balik Kampung - Sudirman

 

This end has no end...

This end has no end... I think it is the most appropriate phrase to describe my current situation.

Due to the world economic downturn, the UK is badly affected by this traumatic human made disaster. The UK construction industry also not immune from this traumatic phenomenon. As myself working in the UK construction industry, I believe now I am a victim of it.

For past few months, starting from the fall of the financial empire, Lehman Brothers in London, many UK workers have been made redundant. Although my situation is different, I still have my employment. Lucky I can say, but I am suffering from the 10% salary cut. The decision has been made by the company to regain profit since Waterman is a PLC company. With 10% salary cut, I think I am struggling to accommodate myself in the expensive UK living expenses. I might be ok if the whole salary belongs to me. But as a grown up, it is my responsibility to send part of it to my parents to relief their burden. They are not desperately needed for my money. It is just me do not want them to work hard after their retirement.

So I have made a brave and biggest decision in my life to given up all my hard work, all the luxury that I have achieved in the UK through my own effort. I decided to resign in May and return to my hometown, Kuching. I know it is hard especially when I have spent 4 years of my life in this dream land. From a crap student to a hard working engineer. I crawled slowly to where I wanted to be. Unfortunately it has to end here. I think rather than suffering from this uncertainty and unpredictable UK job market, I believe the motherland has something to offer to its own people. Frankly speaking, there will always be a place for a professional like me.

Alhamdulillah, luckily I have been offered a position in Kuching. Pretty good offer even though not as much as I earn here. But still can afford ( I can say) my humanly needs. In fact, it is far more better then what I have got here in Manchester. I believe it is time to go home, where all people that I love, especially my beloved parents can be by my side. I know they miss me so much and how bad they want me to come home. Yes... Your son will come home, mak & ayah. Your son will be at home everyday, spend most of his time with you both. And once again, the house will be full of laughter. Someone will lay on the sofa with tv and satellite remotes on his hand all day for the whole weekend. Yes... That person is going to be me.

Goodbye to beautiful Preston and surrounding Lancashire County and peaceful Manchester. Goodbye Mr. Timpson and his cobbler shop where I used to shine and repair my work shoes Goodbye Joe and his skinhead gang. Goodbye Kayode with his dreadlock hair and bling-bling jewellery. Goodbye Mr. Khan and his kebab takeaway. Goodbye Mr. Kuldip and his news agent. Goodbye Ah Fong and his chinese chess set. This is Great Britain. It is undeniable, Britain is great.

I hope one day I will come back here. Maybe not for the employment, just for revisit. I hope by that time Deansgate still busy as usual, Old Trafford still peaceful as it is, Piccadilly still green and crowded with different races and colours, Mr. Mcfenna's fruit stall still operating at Market street, the Town Hall bell still ringing. Having my education and experience obtained in the UK, I am proud to be British product. It worth every single penny I reckon.

So this is it... The End Has No End...

Manchester Central Library from above

Tribute to the Northwest top boys...

The Northwest top boys a.k.a The Poks...

This entry is in the memory of the 5 Sarawakians who always stay together through the pain and happiness while being student in the Northwest England region.

The Northwest top boys are:

Mambo (Kuching): University of Liverpool

Adi (Miri): University of Liverpool

Ary (Bintulu): Liverpool College

Kaz (Kuching): University of Central Lancashire

Jal (Kuching): Salford University

All first 3 names have returned to our beloved Sarawak and make a living in their homeland. Now it's only me and Jal still chasing our dream in this beautiful and challenging Northwest England land.

Mambo has become an engineer at his father's company. He was the most brilliant and easy going person among us. Being the only person who obtained the 1st class degree award in Civi Engineering, we're proud of him. 

Adi now has become a Mechanical engineer for an oil & gas company in Miri. The coolest and calm person I've ever met. One of the closest to me. I miss Adi so much...

Ary, the youngest and concern about every little think. He thinks too much. A passionate Everton F.C fan. Rock is his life... Now continuing his education at Lim Kok Wing Kuching.

Jal, a devoted West Ham United F.C fan. Do all he can for his girlfriend. Very talkative. Loves his bedroom so much...

And me, no comment.... Discover yourself, will ya...?

So, hope we'll meet again someday... All of us...

What is it like to be an engineer?

Hello...

This time I would like to talk something about my career.

First of all, I'm a Building Services Engineer. Maybe you kind of wondering what do I do for living.

What is Building Services?

Imagine yourself in the most fabulous building in the world. Now take away the lighting, heating and ventilation, the lifts and escalators, acoustics, plumbing, power supply and energy management systems, the security and safety systems...and you are left with a cold, dark, uninhabitable shell.

Everything inside a building which makes it safe and comfortable to be in comes under the title of 'Building services'. A building must do what it was designed to do - not just provide shelter but also be an environment where people can live, work and achieve.

Building services are what makes a building come to life. They include:

• energy supply - gas , electricity and renewable sources
• heating and air conditioning
• water , drainage and plumbing
• natural and artificial lighting, and building facades
• escalators and lifts
• ventilation and refrigeration
• communication lines, telephones and IT networks
• security and alarm systems
• fire detection and protection

In every place that you see these services...building services engineers have designed, installed and maintain them in working order. Imagine the air filtration systems you'd need in a forensic laboratory. The heating controls in a special care baby unit? How to control bacteria and humidity in an operating theatre? What about security systems at the headquarters of MI5? Lighting the new Wembley Stadium? Coping with a power cut in a 45 storey office block? 

This is everyday work for a building services engineer.

Sounds tough innit? It is tough because I am a Junior Engineer. With 3 years experience (2 in Malaysia and 1 in the UK) I still consider meself as a beginner. But to be honest, I am getting better each day. Life is all about learning. Going through it everyday improves me a lot. Attach, working for one of the best company in the world is a good stepping stone for me to excel in my career. I'm proud being part of the company.

Fortunately, I have many people around me who really understanding and supportive. The bosses and office mates really help me much. But the support from my family, friends and especially my lovely girl (Nurul Zawiyah) is much appreciated. With their support, I can go through all the pain, stress and etc in everyday life as a Building Services engineer. No matter how successful you are, never ever put aside the people you love because they always be there for you when you need them. 

For me, family (my love, you're part of it) always come first. Even though everyday life is tough and I always out of energy after long day working, I always try my best to spend time with them even just for a moment. By doing so, that's how I show my appreciation towards them. Especially with my girlfriend. I always wake her up as early as 5 in the morning (9pm UK time) just to talk to her. I do know that I am interrupting her resting time and I am sorry for that. And as usual she never disappoint me and always sacrifice her quality time for me. I am so lucky for having such an understanding person like her.

I promise to myself that I'll work hard and do my best to be on the top of my career. I am sure, one day I don't have to struggle like this anymore and spend more time with my family. It's not always be like this forever. So please be patient... This if for our future too...

My very last fag...

Hello...

At 8.30 p.m (GMT:0:00) 04/02/09, I smoked my very last fag. I decided to quit for good. I'm so determined to do so. It's for goodness in fact. I know it's hard to quit cold turkey but I'll do my best. I'll live a healthy life after this.

So, if anyone ask or offer me a fag, I would likely respond " No, thanks... I've given up fagging". 

So do the best to stay healthy....

p/s: I fact I promised to my parents and my lovely girlfriend to quit when the time has come. I know it's now...

Transitional Stage

Aaaahhhhh....

Aku rasa aku dalam transitional stage dari seorang single ke in relationship... I found it's hard but never give it up...

Nearly 5 years aku single aku rasa aku ilang relationship skills. To be honest, aku macam selalu jak molah girlfriend aku kecik ati. Ermmm.... I know it's my fault. Aku masih coba nyesuai dirik aku dengan relationship. Yalah, before aku sik pernah nak ambik tauk hal orang, nak care hal orang or nak jaga ati orang. But aku bukan jenis yang pengempang. Aku sik pernah nak ngeluar kata-kata kasar apa indah. Aku berkelakar dengan bagus, cuma cara nya jak sik betul & orang selalu boleh salah paham dengan apa yang aku padah. My intention is to tell something good, but it turns out jadi bad bila orang salah paham dengan cara aku express something... And I did that to my very best girl. Cara aku hanya sesuai pakei orang-orang Barat (foreigner). Sedikit sebanyak aku dapat rasa adap ketimuran aku terhakis juak sebab cara hidup di sitok yang suka berterus terang depan-depan dalam apa juak perkara.

By the way, don't worry about it. Aku dah 25, so I know how to suit myself with changes in this life. Diam di England for nearly 4 years, jauh dari family & friends aku belajar banyak benda pasal hidup. So now aku belajar balit pasal relationship. Life is all about learning. 

Thanks to my beloved girl, Nurul Zawiyah for giving me chance to improve. I'll do my best for her. Soon or later, I know I can change. But please understand, I can't change immediately. I have to do it slowly. Because I believe immediate change won't last long. So don't worry my love... You're the only one that I love and care of. I wanna be your very best partner. You know every dream and plan I have for you, don't you. I'm sorry for what I've done for you. Please be patient because I'm in Transitional Stage. Don't you love me for what I am? And I really appreciate that. And I wanna give my very best to you....

 

Brand new me...

Assalamualaikum...

I just came back from my beloved hometown, Kuching. I departed on 10/01/09 @ 8.00pm (GMT:8.00) and arrived in Manchester on 11/01/09 @ 11:45am (GMT: 0:00). Usually I'll come back to Manchester happily because I got my life (house that I rent & profession) here. But this time it's slightly different. It's so hard leaving Kuching and it cannot be helped...

Alhamdulillah.... After 5 years being a single guy and I resisted love so much (not because I'm too choosy), I finally found someone that I really in love with. Someone that opened my heart to accept love once again. Ohhh... It's so sweet to fall in love again.

If I could have 3 wishes, I wouldn't wish for the stars, the moon, the riches and this life. But I would wish for 25 hours a day, 8 days a week and 13 months a year to spend a longer time with you.

Please wait for me because for sure I'll be back again. My heart and soul belong to Sarawak, my parents, family, friends and you.... That's the element in my life that I'll shouldn't forget and never forget... So don't afraid that I'll never return. Should I be dead before returning home, that's the only reason you'll never see me again....

Till we meet again my love... Nurul Zawiyah...

I Fall So Deep - EOL