Haj season

It is the Haj season again this time around. Unlike the recent years, this year has more significance to my family and I as my parents plus my uncle and aunts are joining the pilgrimage.

They are on the last flight from the four chartered flights to the holy city and should be landing in an hour plus. They took off at 6.20am this morning meaning we were already at the airport by 3.00am and it was like day time as many people turned up to send off their loved ones.

Huge crowd despite it being around 3am. Soon there werent any space left as it got really crowded.

It was a tearful farewell despite knowing they will be away for just a month. I’ve never really experienced this when I am an adult, last was my dad going for Haj when I was a little girl, so I never really knew how it felt. And this time around, my mum is going too with her elder brother (with wife) and youngest sister.

We were watching until they entered the door.

So here I am with the responsibility to take care after my brothers, my sister-in-law,  and the housemaid. To start with, I’m going groceries soon…

ps: Yes, I changed the template again. Got bored with the previous one. Maybe I should just open up my own domain… hmmm

Mangrove Paradise Resort

Big colourful sign welcoming us

This is a long overdue post. I’ve been so tied up with back-to-back trainings, courses and seminars, there are barely a number of hours spent in the office. I am so out of touch with what is happening back there, or probably it is a good thing that I am away. Haha!!

So this post is dedicated to the latest talk of the town, the Mangrove Paradise Resort. After the many news coverage, bloggers talking about it too, we decided to hop on the wagon and see what the huha was all about.

So off we went.

The resort is situated at Kampong Sungai Belukut. If you do not have the slightest idea where it is, you will have to pass Mentiri if you use the Muara/Serasa/Salambigar route or you will have to pass Kota Batu if you use the route from Bandar. You will definitely not miss it as there is a huge sign by the side of the road indicating the resort’s location. Above is a picture of the welcoming sign at the resort itself.

The jetty or the hallway which will branch out into three main areas

So how was it? I have to say when we stepped out of our car, it didn’t feel like we were in Brunei. There were ponds for fishing with a number of huts provided for the guest’s convenience. They also provide fishing rods for rent or you can bring your own.

Stepping inside, the hallway will branch out into three main areas; the resort, the restaurant and the jetty.

We only went to the restaurant though. So my reviews will only be based on our experience there.

On our way to the restaurant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our experience was, I’m afraid not the one we want to remember as its service was rather slow. It demanded a lot of patience from us and the food itself weren’t that great either.

But fair to say, it was only their first month operating so there are more rooms for improvement which I hope they will or they risk losing their customers.

Many many many tables...

A patron two tables away from us couldn’t take it as their food was also served rather late, so the whole family left.

On the good side, pushing aside the bad service, the view was actually nice. Although it was night, we could see it would be a beautiful picture during day time as the resort overlooks the river. We were given one of the private huts so we ate next to the river.

From the restaurant we could see the chalets but one has to pass through the reception to enter the chalet so we didn’t enter. But we could see there are swimming pools too which is good for the kids. And there is a jetty that maybe provides transportation which I am not sure where too.

So yeah.. overall, it was a 5 out of 10 just because the service was not that great. I hope they will rectify it a.s.a.p!!

Busy month

It is a month full of trainings for myself including my staff this time around. In total there are four different trainings I must undergo with each different from one another. It is a coincident as it falls right after one another.

The first short seminar was on the importance and guidelines of updating an official government website. As part of my job is also to update the department’s website, I alongwith my other staff including our public relations officers and those related with IT matters in our department attended this held at the Civil Service Institute.

The seminar itself was alright but I was hoping that the organisers would give more emphasise on cooperation between IT and PR people in updating a website. I mean let’s face it, it is the PR people who has most of the information and the IT people with their technical aspects. The matter was discussed but only on its surface. The guidelines given were good and I hope to get the full version once it is endorsed. Matters on security were discussed but I was also hoping that they’d give recommendations on what types of anti-virus that ought to be used to avoid being a victim of malicious activities.

The panel of presenters. Picture taken from Pelita Brunei (picture taken by Hernie Suliana)

Overall, it was a good step by the relevant authorities and hopefully they’d improve the content for the next batch.

The other course I attended was on CS4 Adobe Flash… now that was a very knowledgeble and beneficial learning session. It was a three-day course held at Micronet, and fully sponsored by our office. It is very useful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

And at the moment, I am attending a five-day course on web journalism. A program organised by our official tv statio, Radio Televisyen Brunei with AIBD/IBU. Today is the third day of the course and so far we’ve learned quite a number of new interesting things. I’ve used Google before but never to such an extend and that’s because I didn’t know there are such features; discovering new search engines; RSS and many more. I am also enjoying this… thank you RTB for remembering us although we are from a different department. I hope we’d get more invitations from RTB in the near future

And the last course for this month, which will take place at the end of the month will be a course on Dreamweaver. I’ve never used this program before so I am looking forward to this course too.

So there you go.. my schedule for this month.

On a personal note, my parents will be leaving for haj in November, so a doa selamat will be held somewhere end of this month. I’m not sure how it will be as the last time my dad left for haj was back in the 90’s and this will be the first time for my mum. I pray to Allah, safejourney and that their haj will be a meaningful and blessed one. Amin…

 

The moon

My late grandparents and even my parents taught me that it is mid of the Islamic month when it is full moon. And true enough, it is always accurate.

So whenever I looked up at the sky and there’s a full moon, I would know it is mid month.

Today, it is the 19th of Syawal, hence the moon is no longer full as you would be able to see from the pics below. But regardless, it was a beautiful night.

Saw this on my way back from my cousin’s place.

Picture taken by the side of my house. Somehow it looked like a scene from a thriller movie

Had to use a table to replace my tripod

Almost hidden by the clouds

Pretty

Sunset at Tungku Beach

Went to Tungku Beach last Sunday with a purpose to take loads of pictures. My graphic designer needed more pictures for our publications, hence the need for more photos. The hubby was very sweet to accompany me

 

Big waves hitting the stone walls and someone is fishing at the edge

Almost sunset

From where I was, my view was also facing The Empire Hotel & Country Club

Bright blue sky before sunset

The moment

Electric

I’m heading off to bed soon but before that, here are two pictures I took during Hari Raya. Taking these pics were a bit tricky particularly finding the right angle.

Common sight heading to Mentiri from the highway

Pic taken near to Maghrib prayers, almost sunset

Okay, I’m off to bed. Really knackered after watching a soccer match.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1430

With love from Sasz & family

Brunei Darussalam will be celebrating the month of Syawal from this Monday, 21st September 2009. The moon was not sighted hence the additional day of Ramadhan. Malaysia and Indonesia will be celebrating it from Sunday, 20th September 2009. I’m not quite sure on Singapore though.

That aside, with the month of Syawal, I seek for forgiveness from everyone. The wrong doings…everything, I seek for forgiveness.

May we enjoy this blessed month of Syawal after a month of hardwork

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Chicken Burger

As I am sitting here at the living room, my sis-in-law is sitting right across me, each with our own laptops while mum is busy making Hari Raya cakes in the kitchen.. huhuhuhuh.. we are just waiting to wrap the cakes before tucking it in the freezer.

Anyway, 8 days left to Hari Raya and I have not felt it yet, just a bit sad that Ramadhan is almost coming to an end.

It’s been a busy month for me this year as it is for the first time, my mum most of the time left me to do the cooking for the whole family. I’m not complaining, I love cooking

Occasionally, cooked simple dishes and here is one, Chicken Burgers.

Chicken Burgers

Just in case, here’s the recipe;

Ingredients:-

Chicken patties

Butter

Lettuce

Egg

Bread

Mayonaise

Thousand Island

Chilli sauce

Method:

Heat the fry pan using butter, slice the bread into two and heat it for a few minutes using the pan. The butter will add extra flavour to the bread. Put aside.

Fry chicken patties and occasionally add butter so it’ll be juicy. Put aside.

Fry egg using the same pan (sunny side up). Place chicken patties on top of the egg and wrap the chicken patties using the egg.

Place the lettuce in the sliced bread and put the chicken patties on top.

Add mayonaise, thousand island and chilli sauce to taste.

Ready to serve.