552sqft Flat

Alhamdulillah, the unit procured last year, 12 days away till it became 1 year old, finally settled. We totally outsource the renovation works. None by us. We did consider to do part of it by ourselves to reduce the cost but it seems to be a distant dream. We need to ensure minimal disturb to our monthly cash flow, hence outsourcing it would be the fastest way - the fastest being 1 year process not to mention a costly affair (T_T)

Let's have the before and after photo feast of each area starting from the Hall.

Thankfully the tiles are free BUT we had to add 136 pieces i.e. not similar to the free tiles colour scheme *sadis*

A hard lesson learnt definitely but the free 400+ pieces required 2 trips from the site and additional pieces will require another trip. Not to mention loading and unloading it to the 2nd floor of the property!

The cheap vinyl replaced with tiles makes the room looks bigger - green vs cream.

The sink replaced with counter top and new basin, this eats 15% of the total upgrading cost. 

A cleaned yard from any debris with a fresh coat of paint makes it look so much better.

I roamed through all the 'Before' picture but could not find any showing Bedroom 1. The door is closed - I don't remember hiding anything in that room except debris from the previous tenant which he removed after we request him to do so.

   

Only the 'After' shoots.

This picture do not do justice as the tiles are not shown. The location where the tiles are living 'harmoniously' despite their colour and background differences.

That's about it. Alhamdulillah its settled for the time being. We are eyeing another 2 properties at the moment. Which ever we might end up with, I pray that it would be the best decision made upon guidance from the Almighty. Amin.

The Arrival

Sila ke klang valley beekeeper, another blog created for the beekeeping purpose.

12 Rabiul Awal

We are living on this earth, which was created as a bridge to the afterlife. We are here only for a brief period compared to the eternity. Our place in the hereafter is uncertain, all depends on our performance in this world.

There are seven levels of heavens. Where will we be? I would be very lucky to enter the lowest of the seven heavens. Even if the prophet is on the highest level. How high will the highest level be? Even the earth and the sky distance are beyond our reach. The gap between the lowest heaven and the highest heaven is beyond our ability to imagine.

Currently I am residing approximately 5 hours away from Medina, where the great prophet is buried. If I am given the opportunity to perform Umrah or hajj, then probably that moment will be the moment I be the closest to the great prophet.

I am writing this partly because it has been in my mind since past 12 Rabiul Awal and only recently I managed to register my turn to perform hajj. So until 2059 (my turn to perform hajj, almost half a century till the day come) or if I ever given the chance to perform Umrah, currently - 5 hours away is probably the closest distance I will ever be with the great prophet.

An-Nahl : The Bee

Approximately 18 months after I read surah An-Nahl and was guided by Allah to procure deeper knowledge on the bee, we finally had the opportunity to physically start our step in the bee keeping.

Hubby attended a course on bee keeping last weekend conducted by Carambola Bee Farm.

An interesting venture which we are seriously considering at the moment.

Missing: Part 4

Tuesday (1 Muharam 1434 / 15 November 2012)

There are people who thought we have given up hope to find him. Well, everybody entitle to their opinion. As for us, we have searched high (that mid night mega search hubby went up Gasing Hill to accompany his FIL - my father) and low for Kareem.

As for us, we have searched until we are truly satisfied, based on guidance from Allah through reliable soruces, people who we trust. Whom helped without my parents' knowledge; they are the one who contacted my parents, providing information without being asked to. People who expect nothing in return except for having Kareem safely back home. Few even asked to meet Kareem when he has been found, the special boy who they wish to help. Helping Kareem tru guidance on how to manage the unseen which he could see.

For those who still wants to find Kareem, they insist my mother that Kareem is 'seen' being taken care off in a good condition. He is healthy and we should continue search for him. Well again, everbody entitle to their opinion. Some has limit on what the could see, Kareem is doing fine and well - that's it. For my mother he is well, fine, in good condition and being taken care off by Allah because he has reached the paradise. Why would we need to continue the hunt if he is well?

There are those who said he has passed on, yes that is true, passed on tru another life, the eternity. Apakah nasib kita di sana nanti? He is good and well, what about us? Paradise is no guarantee as we are not as special as he is. That's why they are reffered to as special, they are special, the ones who are premitted to enter paradise without questions being asked by Mungkar Nangkir, no waiting time in Alam Barzah for the world to end or go tru Mizan.

Well, Bazlina's sister was told by a man Kareem is well and he was taken away by riding a lorry. See? He got it all, the transportation that he enjoys. It it no guarantee that we would be flying to paradise in a Boeing, rocket or crawling.

While father had vision Kareem was riding a double-decker bus in the flash, I did mention in previous post that when he went missing before he took a ride on a bus. Yes he enjoy bus rides and other large vehicle, lorry, airplance, truck, etc. Well, a ride on a DOUBLE DECKER bus shows a DOUBLE happiness ain't it?

Maka, dia sudah lepas. Apakah pula nasib kita nanti?

Missing: Part 3

Sunday (11th November 2012)

Today, most of the participants of yesterday's mega search has other duties to attend to while others who decided to join are doing so at their own pace.

Mother must have started her search after Subuh, we did not see her even when we left the house after breakfast.

Another few rounds the places he was seen and surrounding areas. Around noon, FIL called hubby before informing the 'orang kampung' that Kareem is yet to be found. The man was shocked and told us that he will keep us updated with any 'findings'.

We all took a nap at home that noon and keep updated with my mother. Mother said she decided to trace Kareem's walkabout starting from the spot he was last seen. She walks for few kilometers and will continue that evening. Zikir words kept her going and the winds provide directions to every turning that she decided to take and any wrong turning will sent her burping. Sounds cheesy - the winds provides direction, go with the wind. Subhanallah, the Almighty was with every step.

Further the nasi lemak seller informed mother that another solat hajat and doa selamat session was held in the morning. The 'findings' from previous solat hajat was Kareem in a weak condition. While today, Kareem is in a very weak condition.

We (me, hubby and the boys) had another round at an adjacent commercial area from he was last seen that evening. When we almost reach home, mother called, asking us to fetch her from a petrol station, she saw us drive passed her. She needs a ride home after hours on the feet. She probably walked for more than 10km.

That night the 'orang kampung' called. He said Kareem is being hidden, he would pray for Kareem to be released but it still upon god's will. The occurance that Kareem was 'hidden' instead of being taken care of not by our kind did not cross his mind when he 'traced' Kareem on Friday night. Again, the guy reminded that Monday will marked as the seventh day Kareem was missing, slimmer chance for any assistance from him to bear any fruit.

Monday (12th November 2012)

A week since he was last seen and we went to work as usual. Mother continued her walk early, again we did not meet her before she left the house.

When I meet her at home after work, watering the plant, I casually asked on her search for the day. She went to Kajang for Zohor after she finished her walk and ride by the car which took her to a private hospital in Puchong. When every turn will end her in front of the hospital. As the hospital not far away from Kajang, she went there to update my grandparents. For her, its a sign that Kareem either in a hospital or he is in a critical condition which requires medical assistance or simply it is an association to death.

After Zohor she no longer feels any desire or urge to continue the search. She has been staying at home since then.

Tuesday (13th November 2012)

The eighth day he went missing and today is Deepavali. Lucky us living in Malaysia, plenty of public holiday. So the search would not effect our annual leave if it were to continue it today. My aunt, mother's sister visited us early that morning. She is a teacher, so she teach. Well a lecturer gives lecture and she too was giving one instead of teaching.

She prayed solat hajat every night since Kareem went missing while my mother also did that besides after every solat wajib. Eventually after about an hour after lecturing, she said in her dream last night, she had images of a body being carried in a black canvas while another man holding an umbrella for the remaining. Kareem is no longer alive.

Then mother said, it (the death) happend the day before with the signs (hospital and the lost urge to search). Further, when mother went out of bathroom on the previous evening, instead of any smell of detergent, septic or any that relate to the bathroom, she sense the smell of kemenyan or burning of dry cocanut. The previous night, it was a hot day but she felt so cold that she needs to cover herself with additional layer of clothing and a blanket. Sign that the body no longer produce any heat - stone cold, cold as the dead.

That noon hubby urge me for another round of search, so off we went to the places we already visited to ease the desire to hunt. I am with my mother, no longer the need to search. So when I was questioned by hubby where next? No more searching of course. We probably had enough search missions that I feel the need to recharge and decided to go for a stroll in the KLCC park. Iskadar had a splashing time at the paddling pool at the park. After days raiding in the car, he too deserve a break. He has been good.

When we reach home, mother was still at home. Well it feels strange to me that for the past few days she would go out early in the morning and be back only by dusk compared to staying at home. She was mourning I guess, praying and zikir to get it over. Mourn for a lost but without any remaining as proof of lost. Disappear into the thin air lost.

The 'orang kampung' called hubby that everning to advice for another mega search that night between 11pm to 3am. That night was the first time mother spoke to the 'orang kampung'. He explained the procedure to mother, the search will begain at the last spot Kareem was seen and a person need to stay (anchor) while the other conduct the hunt. The mission will be held while he perform solat hajat among 100 of his friends, praying for his release. As Kareem is not far away, his remains should be found during this period or a flash of Kareem will appear indicating the end of the expidition.

Half of the Saturday mega search turned up, the following day was a school day and it was a mid night search. We are greatful enough with the turn outs of approximately 10 cars and Bazlina's parents on the bike. Off they went while I stayed with the boys. Hubby was home after 2am, well he should spent another hour searching. I felt distrubed, I could not join the search and yet he was home early!!! Ini tidak adil. Urggghhhh. Lucky him I was drowsy, so I only asked are there any sign? No sight of him :,(

  

Wednesday (14th November 2012)

When I asked mother in the morning on yesterday's outcome, she said that she stayed anchor at the position accompanied by my grandfather. After my father sent hubby home, father joined mother at the location, sleeping. Approximately after 3am, he was awaken by an image of Kareem riding a double decker bus. That was the first sign my father had on Kareem since mother had plenty and he had none.

That morning another search was held to find the body. Off we went around 9am after everybody who decided to participate was gathered. Well hubby went to work while I joined the search in my aunt's car after sending off the boys.

Around 10am hubby texted: the 'orang kampung' advice us to have a tahlil since it has been more than a week. Mother thought if an image flash, it indicates that the body will be found. The actual fact is you only gotta see the image, not him in flesh as he would not be release. I was not riding with my parents, so when we reach home I showed my parents the text, tahlil will be conducted that night. The following day was maal hijrah 1434, quite a number of turn ups for the tahlil.

Since there was no body, mother was questioned on the decision to perform tahlil. It kinda irritates me, we are mourning for god's sake, whats with the questions? Questions on the event is fine, but questions on the tahlil?

Missing: Part 2

Wednesday (7th November 2012)

Malam pertama hilang - alar bukan kali pertama. I was sound asleep waking up the next morning ready for work and daily routine. I strongly belief he will be back by the evening, the following day at the most. The first 24-48 hours are still reasonable time to allow the police force to their work without having to feel too disturbed. I remind my mother to check at JKM as that was the next step she took during previous occasions. However she was hesitate, saying no one would bother to send him to JKM or the police as he is no longer a child.

When I reached home after work, there was still no news on his where about. Mother said she called the lady who helped to ’trace’ him the day before and was told that he was not far from the location he was last seen. That lady helped to find our cousin’s husband a few weeks earlier when he failed to fetch his wife from LRT station after work. The lady said her husband was arrested, turns out to be true. He was kidnapped over night and was instructed to steal from his office in the morning. That was another story all together. Conclusion: she is a reliable source. Our family had doa selamat on the second night, praying he is in well condition.

Thursday (8th November)

The third day was still a routine for me. As for my parents, my uncle and my cousin’s husband (the one who was kidnapped, he was still on leave), they are still conducting daily search since the minute he was last seen. Taking different route, going around in pairs, keeping lookout at anywhere we assume he would go to. However on the third day, my father started going on motorcycle with my unlce. Since Kareem is on foot, he might go to routes which could be access not by 4 wheel vehical.

My father speculate that he might have take public transport and no longer in the area. However mother dismissed the idea as he has no money with him. That morning, I made a few stops around the neighbourhood to distribute flyers (7-11, nearby shops and mosque) before went back to the office.

Friday (9th November)

The fourth day, again I went to work as usual. An article on Kareem disapperance appeared in few local newspapers.

Hubby called from work before 10am saying that a man from his hometown managed to trace Kareem's location upon FIL request for help. He is either 3km North or 3km South. He is not staying in put, he keeps on walking, the reason why it was hard to trace his location. According to that man he is under good care however he asked: why didn't Kareem reply when he was asked where is his house? He could not go home as he could not answer where his house is. Then only the man knew kareem is a special boy. It is just a matter of time when we would find him and he could help only within 7 days from the day he went missing. Otherwise it would become harder for him to trace Kareem.

I went home around 11am that morning while hubby reached home after solat Jumaat. While waiting for him to get back, I did distributed some flyers around the neighbourhood (3km North, 3km South). After solat Jumaat we aimed for houses under construction as we assumed he is under care by someone who would not hand him to the authority as it would cause them trouble i.e. foreign workers. They meant well but they would not risk their life. Hubby assume he is under care by elderly who are caring but unable to bring him to the authority as the elderly has no access to go too far. We went wandering until Asar and perform prayer at home.

Later that evening we are about to fetch the boys from the bs’s house. I asked my mother what shall I get for dinner. She said Ani Soup while father said Ayamas. We still have the Ayamas cupons which valid only till end of the year so we decided not to go to Ani Soup in Sri Manja.

Few minutes after we reached home with the boys and dinner in hand, mother received a phone call from the rukun tetangga. A man saw Kareem’s poster at neighbouring petrol station confirming that he saw saw Kareem on Wednesday as Kareem asked for nasi lemak. He is a nasi lemak seller in Sri Manja. Kareem perform sign language indicating he wants some food which his 8 year old boy gave Kareem with a bottle of water before Kareem left after finishing the meal.

How would not know Kareem is a missing person if he did not see the poster. It was 2 days too late. If Kareem steals instead of asking for food, he would have been arrested and sent to police wouldn’t he? Then he would be found; easily.

Mother left right after Magrib to go to the spot he was last seen. It was raining that evening and so was for the last few days. End of the year is raining season ain' it? When mother get home she reported that Kareem was seen in front of a clinic not far away from the nasi lemak stall that evening, waiting for the rain to stop. Our relatives joined the search till around midnight to no avail.

Saturday (10th November)

A big search comprising of family and friends begain approximately at 8.30am from a Petronas station, nearby to the nasi lemak stall. Around 5 cars gathered and begain the search. My dear friends (Hazwani and Bazlina) joined a lil later. Other relatives who lives further also armed the forces afterwards. At 10am, me and hubby decided to stop for breakfast while texting the others, asking for updates and whereabouts.

We stopped at 7-11s, newspaper stall, houses under renovations, any possible spots Kareem might have go to. Even most nasi lemak stall already put up Kareem's poster - saving us time to ask them, the nasi lemak seller are allied together we assume. By noon, when we stop at any convience store or petrol kiosk, we would see his poster - somebody else has actively participate in the search.

I made hubby go to KESAS from the Sri Manja exit. We went all direction, to Sri Petaling, to Puchong and to Sunway. We distributed the posters to toll both, petrol station along the highway and at the R&R.

We were back at home around noon to allow the boys to get proper nap. Mother was home when we go back around noon. When we updated each other, she said that the lady who trace Kareem also sense his appearance on Friday night and what's more, he is not very far away.

Mother bought chicken dish from the nasi lemak seller. The seller told mother he organised a solat hajat and doa selamat session that morning at an orphan's home in Puchong.

After Asar, we made few rounds around the places we have been to and also a stop at KTM station, distribute flyers at the station. We retreat home after tapau Ramli burger before Maghrib.