Reminiscing Old Memories Can Be Costly, Sometimes

If you ask me what is the memorable moment in my life, I would say it would be my secondary school years. Since living in breathing on this earth (I've never been to other planets or at least ISS) for 24 years, school hood memories are etched deeply in my mind. Although I have wasted my 5 teenage years in 'unconventional' environment (yes, I'm from boy school) unlike other teenagers, I really enjoyed the brotherhood, happy and sorrow moments in my Alma-mater. That what makes my school hood moments unique.

The urge of meeting my school friends is so strong that I always try my best to attend reunion with those boys. Mingling with them gives a truly different experience because we share the same wavelength that other people do not. As a result of that, I went to a mini gathering in Kuantan with the boys who are studying in UIA Kampus Kuantan.

Despite the long-distance drive from Kerteh and the gathering was held on weekdays (Monday, 18/4/2011), I was very enthusiastic about it. Right after work, I quickly change from my working coverall to casual attire and rushed off to Kuantan. Finally, I arrived in Kuantan just before dusk. I went to the UIA out-campus male hostel in Indera Mahkota 2 to meet my friend Uganda and Ramdani first and performed Maghrib prayer there.

Then, we went to a steamboat restaurant near East Coast Mall in Kuantan (I forgot the name), where the mini gaythering was held. The attendance was quite impressive: Skema, Sam, Cinok, Ramdani and Uganda were present. Sam, Cinok, Uganda and Ramdani had just completed their studies while Skema has another one year to go before completing his medical studies.

The lads after chomping the steamboat

The ambiance was so good, we reminiscing our school life and laugh about it. Hanging out with them really made me forget my current life for a while, the life that is starting to get messy and stressful. That's the true brotherhood, bro.

Some of the UIA students that happened to be in the same restaurant too

After finishing all the steamboat food provided by the restaurant (it is a pay-per-head-eat-all-you-can concept restaurant), it was time to say goodbye. Sam and Skema had examinations ongoing, so they went home earlier. The rest of us, including me went to take as stroll around Kuantan to witness the nightlife there and stopped by Teluk Chempedak beach to have drinks and resume our conversation there till the makcik asked us to leave when she was about to close shop.

This time, I really had to say goodbye to them. After sending them back to their hostel at 0100HRS, I rushed back to Kerteh. Driving in the middle of the night was truly refreshing but I did not dare to drive fast as I was feeling extremely tired and sleepy. When I was about to reach Kerteh, I've hit a pothole at high speed and punctured the rear right tire.

The morning after the incident

It was unfortunate for me as the sidewall was already ruptured and need to be replaced. The next morning I went to tire shop and get the tire replaced.

Ruptured sidewall

The misery does not end there. On the next day after the tire changed, I noticed the left rear wheel was dented. The dented was so bad that the air leaked through the dented area. I have no choice but to replace the wheels. A good way to say goodbye to the stock wheels. So, the cost of reminiscing old time? Nearly RM2000, who said it is priceless? It is very pricey for me!

The aftermath

On the positive side, I just take this as my unfortunate day. Bad things always happen in the most unwanted moment. I just have to chew it up. To Uganda, Cinok, Skema, Daneng and Sam, I have so much fun hanging out with you guys! Errrr, can you donate me RM400 per person to cover up my loss? Come on, all of you are doctors and pharmacists... to be! :P

The lads: me, Skema, Cinok, Daneng & Uganda

EcoCare 2011 Mangrove Replanting Activity

I managed to make my weekend productive this week by participating in mangrove replanting activity in Sg. Kerteh, yesterday. This activity is organized as one of the annual event of EcoCare program for 2011. For information, EcoCare is an initiative between Optimal (my workplace) and Malaysia Nature Society (MNS) to preserve mangrove in Sg. Kerteh, Terengganu. This time, around 20 volunteers consisted of Optimal staffs and local village folks of Kg. Gelugor had worked hand in hand to plant around 100 mangrove seedlings in an area at Sg. Kerteh.

Briefing session by MNS representative

All participants gathered at Kg. Gelugor jetty at 1430HRS and were briefed by MNS representatives about the activity. We were transported to the replanting site by two boats. Some of the participant including me went to the nursery located by the side of Kerteh River to collect the seedlings and brought it to the designated replanting site. Our mangrove seedlings of choice for that day were Bakau Minyak (Rhizophora apiculata).

Welcome aboard!

Collecting the mature seedlings

From my experience, working in swampy area is very challenging. The soil is very soft that you will be submerged into the mud at knee level. Walking around the site to plant the seedlings was not easy. In the end, I ditched the rubber boots and walked bare foot. It is better that way and of course, covered in mud was inevitable.

Covered in mud

The seedlings were planted 1 metre apart of each other to ensure successful growth. A hole is made using straight hoe about 1 foot deep. Since the soil is muddy and soft; and we had limited number of straight hoe (only three provided) some of us starting scouring the mud using our hands. And I’m not missing the fun too.

At the replanting side after all seedlings had been successfully replanted

The activity ended at around 1600HRS. We cleaned ourselves and boots before leaving the site. It was a very satisfying moment for me seeing the seedlings filled the empty space of the site. I hope the seedlings will grow into adult mangrove and maintaining the ecosystem of swampy area in Kerteh River. We arrived at Kg. Gelugor Jetty on 1430HRS and were served with light refreshment before heading home.

Some of the participants that missed the boat!

P/S: bakau gardening is more calory-burning than regular gardening at home :)

Shopping in Kerteh

Sleepy Kerteh, Friday morning

You must be wondering why the post's title is quite specific, right? I just want to share with you my experience about my life here after staying here for more than six months in this sleepy town. Yes, you can expect different shopping experience here in Kerteh.

First, step into TMC supermarket (Giant in disguise) at Mesra Mall and you will be greeted by wonderful Quranic verses recitation via the supermarket's PA system. You cannot find this anywhere else and as a Muslim, it is a good thing for me. But somehow, I beg to differ. Won't other shoppers of different religion feel offended with this? Correct me if I'm wrong here, but can you, as a Muslim imagine stepping into a supermarket that plays Bible recitation or Buddha's chanting over the PA system? We will not feel comfortable shopping in that kind of environment, right? To make things even worse, they just stop the Quran recitation audio to make announcement and then just continue after finished making announcement, just like radio shows. That is why I oppose the idea of airing Quranic recitation over the supermarket's PA system. We cannon simply pause the recitation for fearing it would change the meaning of the verses. Somehow, there are place that needs us to be secular, not mixing it with religion. But do not get me wrong, I'm still support the airing of azan and Quran recitation from the mosque since this place is only visited by Muslims.

Secondly, you will not find unmotivated cashier anywhere else, only here. I've been to The Store Kemaman, Giant Kijal (yes, another Giant, just bigger) and Pasaraya Sama Maju in Paka, they share one characteristic, the cashiers will take your shopping items reluctantly and scanning them slowly before putting them into plastic bags. I never seen anything like this anywhere else and yet very annoyed with it. But then, I guess I cannot complaint much since the locals seem ok with this and not complaining. So, I just need to be silent on this. :P On another note, there is one cashier in TMC had given me hope on this issue. He was very efficient in his work and I just spend less than 3 minutes for 5 items purchase compared to 10 minutes transaction of the same number of items before this. Too bad I cannot see your name to be written in this blog though. Keep up the good work! :)

So, that is all I want to share with you for this time. Hope you can get some ideas about this town and it's surrounding area should you decide to move into this town. Cheers~ :)