HERE'S TO ALL

Note: You are what you eat.

HEY, SERIOUS OR NOT?

Ever heard of a campaign that sounds something like this: PERKASAKAN BAHASA MALAYSIA (or Bahasa Melayu, I also cannot tell anymore). I read and heard about it so many times on newspapers and tv news before. What does it actually mean? Simple. It means that we Malaysians have to strengthen our national language.

Yes people, in case you've forgotten, Bahasa Malaysia (or Bahasa Melayu, I also cannot tell anymore) is Malaysia's national language. Period.

I don't think our government is actually serious about this campaign. I may be wrong but here are my points to support my opinion.

1. They introduce a few subjects to be taught in English at schools. I'm not against it (in fact, loving it) but it contradicts with their campaign. So, which is it?

2. From time to time, I keep on encountering words translated directly from English, eventhough we already have those words in Malay (as shown in the bracketed words below). Here are some examples:
- kolaborasi = collaboration (usahasama)
- interpretasi = interpretation (terjemahan/takrif)
- sinema = cinema (pawagam)
- maksimum = maximum (tertinggi)
- fasiliti = facility (kemudahan)
- informasi = information (maklumat)
- sensor = sensor (pengesan)
And surprisingly, I found these in newspaper's articles and even on the news.

I'm not a language genius but it just doesn't seem right. Now, every time I came across words that I know originated from an English word, I would instantly recall the existing Malay word for it.

Well, I'm just expressing my observation. Nothing more, nothing less.

Sekian, terima kasih.


Note: Who else would stand up for BAHASA MALAYSIA if not us Malaysians?

IKLAN KEK COKLAT KAKAK RADDY

Nota: Kek ini memang benar-benar lazat. Kalau korang dari luar Kuala Lumpur, tanya sendiri dengan taukeh kek berkenaan hal-ehwal penghantaran sebab aku tak tau.

NADA SOU SOU

Sebuah cerita Jepun yang sangat best dan menyedihkan yang gua baru tengok malam semalam. Ia mampu menitiskan air mata jika dihayati.
Check it out at ASTRO Kirana (Ch.122) whenever available.

TAG FROM NAZIAH

**The Who’s
Who Was The Last Person You Talked To? Isma Zaki of Marketing
Who Was Your Last Kiss? Rashidah, after sahur
Who Knows The Most About You? Rashidah & my parents
Who Can Make You Laugh No Matter What? FRIENDS, the show
Who Can You Always Count On? Rashidah & my family
Who Has Your Heart? Rashidah & my family
Who Is or Was Your Favorite Teacher In School? Oh Suat Leng - Prinsip Akaun
Who Is Your Best Friend(s)? Raddy, Huzaimi, Khalid dan banyak lagi
Who Loves You? The Almighty


**The What’s
What Is Your Favorite Song At The Moment? Dugaan-Nya by Hujan
What Are You Looking Forward To? Financial Freedom future
What Is Your Favorite Color? Black
What Website Do You Visit Most? hantamkromo & the links inside
What Is Your Favorite Smell? Whatever smells good to my nose
What Is Your Favorite Movie? Too many, can't tell
What Makes You Mad? Kebodohan & Kesombongan
What Curse Word Do You Use A lot? Err... is my mum around?
What Kind Of Phone Do You Have? Samsung D600 (cracked screen)
What Was The Last Song You Listened To? Aku Lelaki by Afdlin Shauki


**The When’s
When Was The Last Time You Went To The Mall? 21st September 2008
When Did You Talk To Your Crush Last? Amnesia
When Do or Did You Graduate? 2001
When Is The Next Time You’ll Do Something Fun? I'm unpredictable
When Was The Last Time You Ate or Drank Something? 0540 during sahur
When Is Your Birthday? 19th December 1978
When Was The Last Time You Went To The Movies? Amnesia
When Is Your Parents Birthday? Abah 8th June, Mama 14th April
When Were You In The Car Last? Just now, sending Shidah to IE building
When Will You Be 21? 9 years ago
When Will You Be Taking Your Next Vacation? 26th September - Cuti Raya!


**The Where’s
Where Do You Live? Bandar Seri Putra
Where Is The Best Place To Be? Home
Where Was Your Last Vacation? Amnesia
Where Were You Born? Pantai Medical Centre, Bangsar
Where Is Your Best Friend? Around
Where Was The Last Place Your Were Besides Your Own House? Haji Tapah - Iftar
Where Do You Think You’ll Be In 10 Years? My time machine is still in designing stage
Where Is Your Cell Phone? Next to me
Where Are Your Parents? Keramat
Where Was Your Display Picture Taken? During our wedding


Note: This is my first time playing this tag game. Thanks Naziah. To those interested, consider yourself tagged!

NAK RAYA DAH?

Sedar tak sedar kita dah nak menyambut kedatangan Syawal sekali lagi. Ada yang kata sama saja sambutannya macam tahun-tahun lepas. Ada pula yang kata tahun ni lebih meriah dan ada juga yang kata kurang meriah kerana pemergian orang tersayang di bulan Ramadhan menghadap Allah.

Dalam sibuk-sibuk nak menyambut raya dan dah nak akhir Ramadhan nih, agak-agak korang dah buat buat/consider ke benda-benda nih:
1. Bayar zakat fitrah
2. Tukar duit raya
3. Berbuka dengan kengkawan
4. Beli baju/seluar/selipar/spentot raya
5. Check baju raya tahun lepas tu muat lagi ke idak?
6. Songkok tu berkulat ke idak dalam lemari?
7. Kereta dah servis untuk balik kampung?
8. Kuih raya dah settle?
9. Tiket bas/flight untuk balik kampung?
10. Duit untuk lepas hari raya ada?


Nota: Entry nih untuk mengingatkan diri aku sendiri jugak

PELITA

Dengan kecanggihan kamera kecil aku, ini sahajalah gambar terbaik lampu pelita yang boleh aku paparkan di weblog ku ini. Selainnya gampang tak hengat.

Untuk meninjau hasil tangkapan gambar yang lain, semaklah di sini. Tengoklah puas-puas.

IFTAR @ TROPICANA

Sorry guys, lambat sikit upload gambar. Sorry jugak sebab gambar tak berapa sharp. Kamera gua tak canggih. Pun begitu, gua tetap upload kan gambar-gambar nih.

Makan memang best! Terbaik! Thanks to Lazli tukang organize majlis tersebut.

TEPAT SEKALI

"Masalahnya ialah kepimpinan yang tidak cekap. Kita tidak karamkan kapal hanya kerana nakhoda tidak cekap. Kita singkirkan nakhoda".

-Posted by Dr. Mahathir Mohamad at September 16, 2008 6:02 PM on his blog


Note: I can easily relate this statement to my working place. Duh.

SEMALAM

Semalam seluruh Selangor cuti sempena menyambut Nuzul Quran.

Semalam jugak aku baru pasang lampu pelita minyak tanah yang aku beli kat Carrefour ntah bila ntah aku tak hengat. Dah lama jugak duduk dalam stor bawah tangga tu. Aku beli 4 batang kesemuanya dengan harga rm3.90 satu. Trial set kataku dalam hati. Aku suka pasang lampu-lampu tu. Walaupun tangan aku sampai ke pagi ni berbau minyak tanah (ada orang panggil minyak gas, walhal sama je).

Seronok aku tengok lampu tu meliuk-liuk dalam pagar rumah aku. Dalam keseronokan tu, satu sudah jahanam sebab masa aku tuang minyak, terlimpah. Gampang. Aku sebetulnya tak pernah pasang lampu pelita seumur hidup. Serius. Cucuh bunga api atau mercun kat lampu pelita pernahlah. Mak aku tak pakai lampu pelita. Dia pakai lampu mentol karan warna-warni. Senang, takyah kotor-kotor katanya. Itu yang menyebabkan aku begitu teruja nak memasang lampu pelita di rumah sendiri.

Namun begitu, keterujaan telah menyebabkan logik akal aku menjadi lemau lalu nyalaan kali pertama lampu-lampu pelita aku tidak secantik nyalaan pada cetakan sebarang kad hari raya di pasaran. Some minor adjustment should do the trick. Anyway, I'm a first timer, so don't bother (fuh, macam tagline blog Widie)

Nanti aku amek gambar. Kalau rajin aku post kat blog nih. Kalau tak, korang tengok je lah lampu pelita yang terpasang kat umah sesapa dan bayangkanlah itu lampu pelita kat umah aku. Sama je.

Selamat berbuka puasa!

WHAT'S WITH TODAY?

Pardon me, but I don't see anything coming today.
Nothing special.
Nothing unusual.
Nothing.
Later maybe...
Lets just wait and see.

WORTH TRYING

Came across this interesting online contest. It's easy (not really actually). It's Proton's name their new MPV model contest. They offer irresistably interesting prizes:
Grand Prize: 1 x Proton MPV
Consolation Prizes: 2 x Overseas trip for two worth RM15,000

Come on Malaysians, flush your creativity here. I just flushed mine. Nothing to loose there.


Note: I'm not really a fan of Proton but this economic downturn has really turned me into an opportunist.

AL-FATIHAH

Raddy's grandfather (the one with white ketayap) meninggal dunia malam semalam around 2200++ at Keramat. Got his SMS at 2330 while I was at home in Bandar Seri Putra. Sorry I can't be there like I did for your arwah nenek bro.

This reminds me of my arwah Tok Hassan. He also left us in Ramadhan. Malam Jumaat exactly a week before Aidilfitri. The most ironic part would be my dream a day before he died whereby in that vivid dream I ask for his forgiveness during the Aidilfitri. But he left us all before Aidilfitri. I cried my heart out when we received that sad news. FYI, Tok was diagnosed for backbone/spinal cancer that left him paralysed (Najwa Aiman correct me if I'm wrong).

Al-fatihah to all of our family members and other muslims who already left us.


Note: Photo borrowed from Raddy's

THINK IT'S SAFE? THINK AGAIN

I'm very much worried after watching last night's Buletin Utama on the rob and kill case at Shah Alam. I'm more pissed when it was reported that the crime was done by Indonesians. It was also said that it has something to do with the victim's maid who just been fired. Vendetta seemed to be a strong motif. I was even more pissed and sad because it was done during the unfortunate family were having their sahur.

The police did try their best to save the victim but failed. The tragedy ended nastily with the 2 robbers shot to death. Good for them.

Here's an open letter:



Dear Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar;
Please look into this immigrant issues seriously. Especially those who came in illegally. Should we be afraid to live in our own country?
Sorry we have to feel/be afraid because citizens like us can't afford to hire security guards to watch over our home or even ask the police force to escort us everywhere.
Please do something to overcome this fear of staying/living in our very own country.


Read further:
From Utusan Malaysia
From Harian Metro

TITISAN HUJAN TETAP JATUH ATAS KEPALAKU

Nice sideburns. He is now 66 and still singing.


B.J. Thomas - Raindrops Keep Fallin On My Head

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
And just like the guy whose feet are too big for his bed
Nothin' seems to fit
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

So I just did me some talkin' to the sun
And I said I didn't like the way he got things done
Sleepin' on the job
Those raindrops are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

------ trumpet ------

It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Raindrops keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red
Cryin's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me


I just love this old tune. Kudos to Ad3ck (my bro in-law) for the search and download. The song is now my favourite handphone alarm on top of the ever-irritatingly-noisy radio alarm clock.

In case you're wondering, it was a background music for a scene in Spider-Man II. The classic stumble scene when Peter Parker is no longer Spider-Man (for a while), to show how he enjoys being "normal".

Life is really full of surprises. One time it's bad, another time it's good. One time it's down, another time it's flying up high. Who knows what will happen next? Let that remain a mystery of life.

Let's appreciate what we already have. Life that is.


Note: Al-fatihah to Lynn's father who just passed away.

KOMPLEN HARI INI

Went to CIMB of UNIKEB branch in Bangi with Shidah today. We arrived around 13:45. Still a lot of people. I observed that this particular branch have 8 operation counters and a few desk counters. As "usual", only 3-4 counters are attended.

And I wonder, why the hell have 8 beautiful counters when you only "need" 4 to serve your customers? What a waste.

Oh, and Shidah completed her transaction at 14:30.

KOMPLEN HARI INI

Semalam lagi dah sebenarnya aku komplen iaitu sebaik sahaja aku singgah ke kedai runcit marhain untuk membeli ikan bilis dan udang geragau yang dihajatkan bini aku selepas berbuka puasa di Restoran Haji Tapah Bandar Seri Putra yang sangat best itu (exaggerate sikit).

Tidak, ikan bilis dan udang geragau tu tak mahal pun. Yang mahal adalah rokok. Ye, aku baru membayar harga rokok baru iaitu rm9 untuk sekotak besar semalam. Patutlah brader tu buat dek je aku hulur rm9 dengan harapan akan dipulangkan rm0.80 rupanya tidak, cheiss.

Aku rasa aku tau kenapa diorang naikkan harga rokok. Sebab kegagalan kempen TAK NAK barangkali. Berapa juta diorang berhabis untuk kempen yang confirm gagal tu? Pastu nak cover line, naikkan harga rokok. Tapi penanam tembakau aku tengok tetap tak kaya jugak. Macam mana tuh?

Korang rasalahkan, katalah dengan ajaibnya serentak 50% rakyat Malaysia ni berenti merokok, apa akan jadi kat ekonomi Malaysia ni agaknya? Sebahagian daripada pendapatan negara cukai tembakau tu.


Nota: Memang korang akan cakap, Berentilah isap rokok! Sapa suruh kau isap rokok? dsb. Samalah jugak korang marah bila tariff elektrik naik, harga beras naik, tiket bas balik kampung naik, minyak naik dsb. Betul tak?

THIS IS FOR AFDLIN SHAUKI

Got this from a colleague (the one wearing songkok). He was your schoolmate back in ACS Ipoh if I'm not mistaken.

Look at those happy faces. For you people out there who don't know, this is a "standard pose" for hostel students.

To Afdlin Shauki, enjoy!

ADAPT

This is a common scene at my workplace whenever we have visitors from oversea. It's funny when "a" Caucasian visitor can outnumber "a group" of Malaysian.

F: Hey, we are going to have visitors from Germany.

G: How many of them?

F: Only one German and the rest are Malaysian. We are going to provide lunch aren't we?

G: I don't know, it's your function.

F: We must provide lunch.

G: (Whatever)

F: What should we serve them for lunch?

G: I don't know, it's your function.

F: We must not serve Malaysian food. Too hot.

G: Why is that?

F: Omputeh mana makan pedas. We must serve western food like sandwiches, tarts, steak etc. You know? Western food.

G: (I know what western food is moron). Why can't we just serve Malaysian food? Let me ask you something, will they serve you nasi lemak or roti canai or teh tarik when you go to their place oversea?

F: ... No, but they can't eat our food. Too hot. They can't stand it.

G: Whatever. Just propose a menu and I'll take it for the boss's approval.


Note: And we keep on promoting, Come on and visit Malaysia! Truly Asia.

ABOUT MY BLOG

Q1. Why do you have a blog?
A1. Frankly, in the early years, I want to have a blog just because I want to get to know Afdlin Shauki closer (as a fan and a friend) through his blog. He doesn't like anonymous. Another thing, I'm not very good with this web/HTML thing. I foresee that I might be able to learn something through this blogging tool. Taklah susah manapun rupanya. But now, my blog is about expression, observation, sharing thoughts and information. I also think it's a brilliant way to keep in touch with your friends.

Q2. Why hantamkromo?
A2. Hantamkromo means "main belasah je" in my mother tongue or "deliver it as you like" in English. More or less lah. I can't figure any better/suitable name for my blog. It very much speaks for itself.

Q3. Why use the Hellboy image for your profile?
A3. I love that big red monkey. Alright he's a devil who's destined to ruin the world and mankind. But he denied his destiny because hew was raised by human with great humanity values. He's charming (inside) and funny as well. Walaupun tak hensem tapi hatinya baik.

Q4. Aren't you just following the blogging trend?
A4. Who cares? This thing is free! Go make one yourself.

Q5. Some say a blog is similar to a diary. The major difference between this two memory-keeper is, a diary is always be kept secret but a blog is for the whole world to know. What do you think?
A5. It's all about choices. I choose to use blog and I don't treat my blog like a diary. It's a different concept all over.

Q6. How long do you think you will blog?
A6. I'll rest when I'm tired.

Q7. Is your blog for real?
A7. What you see is what you get.


Note: Any other questions, please put it in the comment.

THE CONVICTS ARE BACK

Michael Scofield & Lincoln Burrows

Check it out people... PRISON BREAK: SEASON 4 is coming! I just can't wait to watch it online. Sara Tancredi is back (surprise!). James Whistler and that Susan B(itch) are back with The Company. Alexander Mahone is also in this season. I also saw some new characters. What's the surprise for this fourth season? Let's just wait and see.

Ahh... this reminds me to get the Season 3's DVD set.

Check out some clips at the website. You can find the link under my interest sidebar.

CELEBRATION?

I must say that this year's Merdeka celebration was a bit dull. In previous years, we could see lots of vehicle racing to be the most "flagged" with Jalur Gemilang but not this year.

The only thing we love about this year's celebration must be the carried forward holiday to Monday and Muslims celebrate 1st Ramadhan on that Monday.

Does this has to do with the recent 12th General Election? Or Permatang Pauh? Or Belanjawan 2009? Or Anwar Ibrahim? Or Abdullah Ahmad Badawi? Or the oil price hike?

Here's my guess: All of the mentioned does have something to do with the dull 51st Merdeka celebration this year. Why? I don't know. I think you guys are smart enough to figure it out yourself.

Dear My Government, do you think it will get better next year? Or you would like to make it worse? I hope you have witnessed enough of the people's power because you are the one who should be afraid of us, the people.

ALONG CAME A BOY

I can now happily and positively confirm with all of you that we will be having a boy this December.

Then came another issue. What should we name him? I kind of have lots of girls' name. That happenned because almost everybody in our family predicted our baby will be a girl based on their naked eye. Since it's gonna be a boy, we're kinda stucked with naming him.

We do have some shortlisted names and some of those even got instant rejection by our moms but we have a couple more. The thing about naming our baby is, we want it to be meaningful (good ones of course), one word and 2 syllable (sukukata). That's it. And we're still searching.

Any suggestions? Throw it into the comment box.