PRE TRAFALGAR DINNER NIGHT

I had just finished my Physical Training at lunch time. We did another different pattern and it was just nail but fun. After my shower, I played on my scales on my Piano what I have learnt this week and I was surprised I got them all correct. I laminated some briefed Scales and it helped a lot and I was not even looking on the book. Quick progress and hey it really paid off drilling head this week plus my 2 music pieces coming along. Felt really happy. Yesterday, I was given another music piece by Proff Douglas which is called A Song for Erin. Thank god it’s a simple piece.

I had a Chicken Club Sandwich for my Lunch and I thought it was delicious. During lunch time, they arranged the tables already for Trafalgar Dinner Night tonight and I am just excited to attend it. I would certainly be enjoying my self tonight and not because of some Port or alcoholic drinks, but merely because there’s something new is happening. Weird huh!

After my dinner, I received another parcel. I was quite happy at last my online shopping stuff has just arrived. There’s something I ordered from EBAY and I am not going to tell you. Only certain people would know and not even my family nad big SECRET. Well it’s a collectable item. Last Monday, I received a parcel as well quite a big box and it was after lunch time as well where I put a bigger smile in fact I was laughing as if I received a letter from home. I guess I found another stuff to spend my 2 years here which is spending on collectable items from online shopping.

I had a hair cut yesterday afternoon and paid £7.50 down next to Naafi. Not bad and I am fully ready for the dinner. They also have massage service and maybe I would just drop someday. Playing Trumpet and Piano in a long hours could be pretty tense sometimes. This early in the morning I wrote 2 pages on MUM’s Birthday Card. She will be 51 I guessed this coming Sunday. Not bad for 2 pages of writing with some tears of expression and appreciation.

After my ELEMENT class with the Warrant, one of the boy in Brunei Band rang me and I was shocked when he told me that he edited some videos and photos during their Graduation Band few months ago and wanted to send copy to England. Ooooo That was so sweet and thoughtful and the Band are missing me he said. Wow… another Moral booster for me today.

Well I am late now for work and another music piece to sort out before a long weekend starting tomorrow. Yeepeeeee…. Long Weekend and I am going home to Brunei….. I mean I am staying alone in Portsmouth chatting on Internet imagining I would be in Brunei. How is that?

GUN WHORF QUAYS

It’s Monday morning. I got up early semangat and before 7am I was already in my uniform. Kejarangan tu, antah ah semangat kali for a new Monday.

My Sunday was a bit quiet. Spent on internet in my cabin and it was my last Puasa Enam and felt abit tired though coz I didn’t have my sahur last night. Few hours spending on internet, I got bored. Then I walked to Gun Whorf Quays just to get fresh air. It was half five when I got there and decided to break my fast at one of the Oriental Restaurant. 13 pound buffet was not too bad as we could eat as much as we can served with 60 dishe. Wow yummy. With my full tummy, I walked back to my where I live.

Noraini K, an air crew is here. So I managed to call here from my cabin and we spent hours talking on the phone updating our lost weeks. She was on my flight to London month plus ago. It was a good laugh when I told here I bought a bike and got stolen. Hehehe

This morning when I called her, she was getting ready putting on make up. Now it’s 0719H, I don’t want to be late for breakfast because I am expecting my favourite Hash Brown and Scrambled Egg. Yummyy… Have a great Monday….

BROADBAND & Weekend at SOUTHAMPTON

Saturday, 18 Oct 2008

I just got back from Southampton today with other colleagues, Willie, Ripin and Fahmi. I woke up very late and I missed my lunch as I thought I wanted to try that Chinese Restaurant nearby my accommodation but it was close unfortunately. Dropped by to get a BOW TIE for my Trafalgar Dinner next week on Thursday. I got a Bow Tie for £10 and it’s not bad.

They fetched me at 1330h with my hunger, we drove down to an hour journey to Southampton. It was a lovely sunny afternoon and I was wearing a t-shirt until I got there the weather changed to cloudy. We went straight to Burger King as I realized it was not only me who was hungry. Everyone has not had their lunch yet.

We walked around pass stretch of shopping areas and it was quite busy and crowded. I stopped by at this Contemporary Paintings & Artwork stall with various impressive paintings. They are unique and I have never seen such paintings before.

Yesterday after my Jumaat Prayer, I walked down town to collect my Bank Pin no then I bumped into Fahmi who was happened to be there as well. I eventually collected my pin no and joined others after that. I had no plan really so we drove down to Gun Whorf Quay and had window shopping around.

I registered eventually a MOBILE BROADBAND for an 18 months contract with ORANGE which is a £15 monthly direct debit. It was very quick and they gave me some sort of like a DVD stowage and I got it. I was so interested and had it tried online once I got home.

I got online instantly and chatted with Shahirin from Singapore. I guess there’s no longer for me to go up to the guest room for wireless internet anymore as this Broadband indeed would be very handy and surely keep me busy.

Wednesday, 15 Oct 2008

I am here again at the same spot connecting on internet at one of the guest room in HMS Nelson... Hmm cakap melayu saja ku this time. Actually aku kanyang plg ni bakas ku dinner tadi diatas dalam Bar. Setiap hari Rabu, dinner kna served diatas arah Bar so people can enjoy having their meals along with their Beer.

Aku makan Sup Cauliflower sama Roti bulat. Seperti biasa sini mesti makan sup.... nyaman jua lah. My favourite is Mushroom soup. Buleh plg skip, tapi ku rasa makanan sini inda banyak wah. Yatah takut ku lapar tangah malam. So, lapas sup, I chose Lamb Jorgan Josh sama nasi putih, ubi kantang, carot and beans. Ok jua lah, makan pakai garpu n pisau. Very the Orang Puteh. I was sitting with this bini2 orang puteh muda. Kami becakap sikit lah. Masa ni pandai ku udah ‘Breaking The Ice’ sama almost anybody. Macam sibanar lah ku cukup lagi dengan Slang Omputeh sasat ku atu.. I guess I have improved quite drastically sal dapat ku kira berapa banyak ku becakap melayu disini.. atu pun ah,,, cakap sorang2. Masa ni bepikir pun ku cakap english.. hmmm u ever imagine kah tu?

Tonight, kan tidur awal ku..... Pasal I need to get up very early in the morning tomorrow. Banyak keraja ku kan buat. So atleast kalau ku bangun subuh maybe dalam kul 4am, I can start reading my Music theory, buat workbook theory dll.

Tadi aku attended lesson with Piano Professor.... kepisan ku wah after keraja dibaginya last week. So di checknya tia tadi patang. Nervous ku jua and he gave me lots of tips n points and he's been helpful lah.. Sekali apanah..... hmmm. MORE WORK coming in.... Tebeliak mataku tarus ni wah....... scale F Major...... another arpeggios n broken chords.... kepisan utak ku mengusahakan broken chords ah.. tunggang tebalik ku cuba tuk mengkoordinate jari jemari ku ahh..... selapas music piece Gavot... ada lagi music piece dibaginya....hmmm THE AUTUMN from VIVALDI.... Gavot lagi balum perfect... hmmm sabar ja lah apa buleh buat. I think it's time to heads up now. Sal atu I need to wake up early so that I can learn faster.... Oh yeah, Proff lend me 3 CDs of Classical Music for me to hear... hmmm he even listed me Radio FM yg ada Classical Music... Astahhhh.........Bila tah ku berehat ni.. hehe

Tadi aku jumpa Mess Staff betanya pasal TAFALGAR DINNER, tutup kah udah for registeration... Yes it was already closed. Suruh nya tunggu skajap then I got my self a seat for the coming dinner... Happy ku.. Sja lah, atleast ada kan ku buat. I was checking my Mess kit di bilik complete kah inda.. rupanya my BOW TIE nada ni wah.. antah I tot ada ku bawa udah dulu... Inda apa,, nanti tah ku membali d kadai I am sure banyak bejual... Next week kali dinner nya.... and it should be fun. Yang siuk nya, that night there will be Marine Band Concert playing throughout dinner… Of course not the Trainees dangan ku blajar.. Band yg udah qualified lah…

After Lunch, I was talking with Nabilah on the phone... saja buang tebiat... Lama ku becakap sama kedia.. siuk jua ah,, sal lama udah ku inda ketawa senda gurau..... Then lapas tu back to work lah main Piano... Main Piano lagi.....

I think, even sama my colleagus, I didn't have much time talking and chatting with them ni wah... atu pun time coffee break ja bejumpa atu pun sekajap...... baru tah lega dapat becakap and baibun ni wah..... After break... balik semula main muzik.... Kadang2 ngacau urang tah ku tu buang boring rah bilik sebalah... pemain Bass Tuba and bass guitar n Double Bass.... Namanya c TOM, Heheh. cali ni wah.... basar banar instrument Double Bass ah.. teingatku Pelakin 60 an, S Samsudin main double bass dalam movie hehehe. Rupanya jiran ku ani umurnya masih 17 tahun tapi tinggi ya tah..

Last Monday ada kedia mengatuk bilik ku, "U HAD A GOOD WEEKEND SIR?" pasal last weekend kami clubbing beramai2 after Parade Band. Then ketawa ku tebahak2 sal baru ku realise kedia di Bawah Umur and inda dapat masuk club n also inda dapat Minum... cali urangnya.. sebalahnya sama jua instrument nya... rupanya abangnya.... hahaha. lagi cali... namanay c SAM. Adi beradi join muzik. heheh kadang2.. time ku focus,,, aku plg kana kacau. Ada tah tu urang menutup lampu bilik ku.... or kana lukis Katun rah my white board.... tau ku tu keraja siapa... so balas balik lah........... Sapa lagi kalau inda c Andy.

More events coming in. Yatah.. Halloween coming... antah ahh... Jadi apa kah ku tu... Then theres Long Weekends.... Trafalgar Dinner, Christmas Dinner... tepaksa cari TUXEDO lagi ni... macam2 saja durang sini ah... kalau nada party, music and Beer, inda sah... hehe. I think ketuahan kali aku ni udah... The thing is I have been there wah.. ya tah, udah tah enjoy ni and time to focus... tapi.... tempting jua ah. Astah....

Tadi time kami break coffee sbalah pagi, I was on queue for Coffee then aku jumpa c Pete, hehe another orang puteh cali... He’s 20 and kedialah yang mendangani ku clubbing dari awal sampai abis.. cali wah meliat kedia mabuk.... I was chatting with him... rupanya caranya becakap cematu,,, pikirku kedia masih mabuk hehe. Katanya,, hari ani ia ahir bangun wah 730am pas tu 745 ada Parade... hehehehe 730 aku baru mandi, 745 breakfast... special lah sikit... diri siapa.. apa kan? Lucky I don’t have to do Parade and lots of Sport. Jan ingar eh..

Esuk I have ELEMENT Class sama Ence Marine Band sbalah pagi... yatah semakin mendalam ni Theory nya ah... tau ku jua.. Then lapas tu ada Sport sama instructors. Takut ku tecramp lagi karang kaki ku ni... Yatah pasalnya aku kan bangun subuh jua dapat ku stretching awal.... I must RUN smoothly esuk.... Last week ENGKANG2 ku membari malu... Di Brunei lagi ku inda catu... See lah.

Ku liat Blog c Shukriy ah, Pic nya lawa2 ni wah.. suka ku meliat and menjadi2 ni.. aku pulang inda active lagi dalam photography. Anyone inda pecaya, liat sendiri rah blogspotnya…

http://servicesunit.blogspot.com

I guess for Shukry, u need to cover more events and location sal biasalah, the more pic u r taking the more u will learn. Kalau buleh any subject and disana karang baru u tau which one u like… All the best to u…. May I suggest if u can shoot some pics rah Sekolah tani dulu d Salambigar n di Sg Hanching. Happening jua tu n memory. Of course minta permission lah dulu rah principal, gtau what ever reasons… or gambar curi ja… u can take pic rah kanten di Sekolah rendah Sg Hanching… Arah bunga time tani selalu bekabun, padang bula… Class tani 1st time bejumpa darjah 3 kah? Then move out tu Sekulah Menengah Salambigar.. take pica rah kanten, tempat makan tani dulu.. makan nasi bungkus.. tempat assembly rah ko pengsang, d dewan tampat ku bekelahi sma c Marno..hehe, rah tangga… rah bilik tani dulu Form 3C kah.. 'I WANT THE JANTUNG', nya Miss Loida Noccon eh. Hmm Rupanya kedia mau pic HEART.. panggilnya Jantung… Jan lupa take pic rah class Art, Geo, Library rah tani meng attack…. Cali ehh.. Atu pun if u wish lah…

I wonder what can I do here?... Bah kan tido dulu… Night

TUESDAY, 14th October 2008

Today is Tuesday. It’s a long day for me as I have been very hard trying to coordinate both hands with musical piece given by the Professor. It was last week on my 1st day of his lesson when he gave me bundle of work. I was quite shock when he gave me scales of C Major, G, D, A, E for me to practice in last than a week. Pwehhh… Not only that, I got Broken Chords, Arpeggios, Hannon fingering ex and musical piece.

I rang NONA after she SMS me that morning once I arrived in my musical Cell. She was asking where was the workshop that I mentioned before. It was my Pump Break of my car that needed to be repaired asap and hopefully she found it.

I could manage to sort out my scales and others except for my musical piece called ‘GAVOT’. I felt that I have used up all my brain today. Every Tuesday would be my lesson with Professor as well as Instructor. That made me more into pressure and too bad I have to keep my Cornet away for a while…

I started my Piano lesson with instructor today in the morning and she let me play all the work given. That was when I felt that my brain was about to burst and it was f*#@ing nail! Again it was that musical piece that shot me in the head. GAVOT oh GAVOT..My lesson with professor was postponed to tomorrow.

I felt time passed so quickly that I really made my time the whole morning on that Piano. When the buigler blew that buigle for lunch break, I quickly walked towards the Wardroom for Lunch. Even 1 hr and 15 minutes of lunch break flies in a sec. I wanted a fresh air for a while and I knew I would gradually progress in my Piano. It was busy during lunch and I really had no mood talking with others as I was mentally tired. I didn’t remember what I had for lunch.

I rang Mum but I couldn’t get her then I phoned BB and it was a relieve talking to BB as I missed home so much and I guess it’s been a while now not talking in my language. Ngalih ku wah cakap urang puteh ganya ahh… tapi inda ulah wah,, nada dangan ku sini..

It was only yesterday when this Orang Puteh greeted me, ”Selamat Malam, Apa Khabar?” I was shocked until I realized he is a Dentist who served in Brunei before. Cali jua tu…… inda disangka2 jauh sudah ku tu ah, ada jua urang kan cakap melayu atu….

I hope BB is now enjoying reading my blog updating my life. But hey… Inda jua adil tu…. Why can’t it be vise versa. Whose going to update me life in Brunei? To BB, solve this matter, and also to NONA and Nabilah…. Pls stay online all the time.

Back to my story as I have said it was along day today. I was late for my afternoon class or maybe time was so short for lunch break. Malas tah ku ingau, gagas ku tarus bah ulehnya. Baru jua ku becerita sama Dentist yg cakap melayu tadi time minum Coffee… skali ku liat jam ah, 1315H. I had to rush for my Zuhur prayer for a while and walked 8 minutes to school. Again I faced my Piano and practiced that music piece again and again and again. I was so optimistic and really forced my self and I guess it paid off at the end and felt like magic when I progressed tremendously… Sakit kepala ku tarus ehh.. Kepisan. Tau2, abis time keraja.. wow, capat jua masa ah bejalan.

Kadang 2 when I think about it, my life is so full and kadang2 boring jua sal routine wah. I know what is going to happen everyday. So sometimes I need to alter a little bit to avoid boredom. Even after I realized time was over that day, I knew that I would be going home, have dinner, log in internet then off to bed ready for tomorrow.

Once I got into my room, I prayed Asar and all in a sudden Almarhumah Ngah Amit was in my head. I was so lesu, ngalih inda bermaya and mentally exhausted. Bukan lagi sujud, ampai2 ku atas tikar sembayang tebangang. Of course it was after my Asar prayer as I coiled up on my mat thinking of her. It was not long ago when I remembered Nabilah phone me up one day, “Bang Redzky, Ngah Amit meninggal”. It shocked me. I was thinking deeply and tears run down my eyes. I was quite emotional and how lucky she was when she passed away in a last 10 Ramadhan. I wonder when is my turn? Sedih ku nyamu….

While waiting for Maghrib, I got up from my mat and moved to my bed. I cried thinking of her and I guess apart form her, I really missed home. There is always this feeling that I felt I am lucky to be here studying music in England at one of the prestige School of Music for 2 years. I remember paying $80 per month just to attend my 45 minute Piano Class in Brunei and I stopped for a while because I just couldn’t afford it. Now, I am facing my Piano everyday from morning to Friday looked after by Professor and Instructor here in England. Syukur Alhamdulilah, life has getting better now. I feel like a dream come true and I just can’t believe it sometimes. I just love studying music here with friendly colleagues, staying in a Victorian accommodation with great food. I have my own time here to manage particularly in Solitude and I like that.

I don’t know what I am talking about with all the subjects jumbled up… Last Night, I was watching TV in one of the Victorian room alone. I felt like being in a Buckingham Palace. Exaggerating huh! It was my 1st time watching TV here as I am not a TV person but it was good sitting on a comfortable sofa all alone watching English TV. Now I realized that I have the luxurious but have no friends. I guess I needed somebody to talk to.

I just downloaded my favourite song called ‘Kau Tetap Milikku’ from The Seed featuring Maria. Nice…. Recalling memories. Siuk ehhh… I hope NABILAH is burning her midnight oil now preparing for her O Level exam. Don’t be playful, time to concentrate, get focus and score on your result. Insyaalah I will always pray for you success. You can do it Nabilah, make our family proud. Good Luck!

Marines Band Reunion

I attended Marines Band Reunion at the HMS Nelson Gym Last night. It was after my breaking of fast dinner, looking quite smart with my blazer and tie. Crossed over the road I had no clue weather I was late or early and apparently it was quite misty tonight and dark. When I reached there, it was quiet and thank god it was still early. After sometimes, the Band flocked in together and I was chatting with them before they went in for the parade.

It was reunion for the Marines Band and most of the ex Marines Band who attended the function were the seniors who joined as early as in 1940’s. I sat down right at the front row and watched the Band parading up and down. It was around 45 minutes show non stop and it was smashing!. I really enjoyed the night and we moved to Senior Rates for Booze…. Haahaha… They boys were feeling so relieve after the parade and seemed quite excited. BZ to them.

At 2130H, Andrew Spratt waited outside Wardroom gate and I got myself with Jeans and T shirt and with the rest of the boys, we headed to town for clubbing. This would be my first time and I thought it would be a good idea to socialize and breaking the ice with the others. Went to Weatherspoon, Babylon and the last pub which I didn’t know its name. Met another Brunei colleague over there. We started with the crowds and slowly everyone disappeared including Spratt that I could not see him around and I ended up with this chap named Beets, I guess. He is funny though and we stayed until half three and walked home as the boys would be having memorial service in the morning.

SATURDAY, 11 Oct 08

I woke up lazily at lunch time and I felt great today as my back pain and muscle shock has gradually recovered. I didn’t really have any plan for this weekend except for Andy’s invitation for tonight’s Band Reunion at HMS Nelson Gym. I shall see if I have mood to go. Did my laundry and organized my stuff.

My week has been so long and busy now as I am having lots of homework given by both Piano and Cornet Professors this week and I needed to focus on both instruments. Yet, I attended new class on ELEMENT by WO2 Harding. We revised on music theory from scratched so that I won’t miss anything. I was given another homework and reference book on loan.

Did my first physical training with the instructors on every Thursday onwards at 1100H. We had circuit training continuously then few miles run around the Dockyards. My muscle started to get stiff and nearly cramped when I ran and I had to slow down a bit so I won’t get cramped. It was like 2 months now I have never run and now it’s time to heads up for more cardio activity.

Last Tuesday, was my first breakfast in the Wardroom as I missed on Monday. It was the best breakfast ever as I had an original English Breakfast here as I have always wanted. I had Scramble egg with hash brown potatoes, mushroom, tomatoes, Toast, A cup of Coffee and a glass or Orange Juice. What a heavy breakfast and I was quite late for my class. Oppss!

Yesterday, I walked to Portsmouth Mosque to perform Friday prayer. It recalled of my lost bike when that bike used to bring me to the mosque for Tarawikh last Ramadhan. It was only 2 weeks plus that I got to use that bike until it was stolen in London last Hari Raya. Hmmm I walked 30 minutes to the mosque and felt great that I was right on time when I got there.

Dropped by at HSBC down at Commercial Road claiming for my account PIN no which I have not received for nearly 3 weeks now. They would be sending another one to me by around a week. Oh great. It’s quite disappointing waiting for the PIN no as I am desperately in need of getting a mobile broadband so that I could log in internet anywhere anytime. I just wish everything would run smoothly this time and eventually receiving my PIN no safely.

Today is my 4th day of PUASA ENAM. I thought I wanted to complete my Puasa Enam by this Sunday. Hmmm I was supposedly fasting yesterday on Friday because I thought could fast and not attending standeasy. I was practicing on my Piano until Proff Douglass knocked on my door inviting me for a coffee on charity next to the Gym. It was hard to refuse and I had to go. Before I realized, I had coffee and lots of Chocolate. I felt guilty and funny at the same time because I couldn’t resist those Chocolate. Hahaha… Anyhow Syawal has a long way to go and Insyaalah I could complete this.

I was talking to a Chaplain during lunch time at the Dining hall and he invited me to attend Trafalgar Dinner Night which will be held on Thursday, 23rd Oct 08 in the Wardroom. I shall see if my Mess Kit is complete and that would be nice to mingle around especially with such an honor to be invited. Princes Charles and Duchess of Cornwall would be visiting Japan on the 27th Oct, 31st Oct to Brunei then off to Indonesia as part of their official visit. Wow!… I wish I could be there…

MALAM JUMAAT GEMILANG

Last Thursday night, 3rd October 2008, Lancaster Gate Berry House London, marked important day of my life as I finally QHATAM my ALQuran on the 3rd day of Syawal in UK = 1st day Raya in Brunei. I started a week after Ramadhan and intended to complete it before Raya but was a good effort I thought. Alhamdulillah.

Ya Allah, ampunilah dosaku, ampunilah dosa ibu bapaku, terimalah puasa dan amalanku. Berilah aku kesihatan, jauhi aku dari hasutan iblis dan syaitan, berkati hidupku, berikan ku rezeki yang luas dan lancarkan lah segala urusan ku di sini. Amin2 Ya Rabbalalamin.

SOME PICKY NICKED MY BIKE!

It’s been a week now that I’ve not been updated my Blog. Apart from Hari Raya celebration and back to school business, there’s another reason why I felt so NOT in the mood to update. I myself don’t know where to start because apparently there’s so much to tell and I try to summarize each subjects so that I won’t bore any readers if there’s any. I guess I will just jumble up my stories that I am going to cover and it won’t be in order.

I woke up lazily today because I had a back ache. I tried to stretch my back so it might relief a bit. I guessed it must have been from the last Sunday when I moved to the new cabin and I had to carry heaps of luggage in a few trips back and forth. Oh yeah… I got an upgraded cabin and I don’t know how it happened because I thought I have never requested for an upgraded cabin as yet. I planned to request for a bigger room after Ramadhan considering that I would be here for 2 years and it was just on Hari Raya Eves that my request has been fulfilled miraculously by God because I haven’t said anything yet. Or maybe somebody could have done it for me. Yet I won’t complain with my new cabin. It is bigger, nicer, comfy, and spacious with queen bed. Alhamdulillah and I believe in miracles.

It was on Sunday when I got home from London to Pompey = Portsmouth. It was 6 days of my Raya leaves and I returned to HMS Nelson Wardroom. I felt really good to be home. In my heart when I eventually arrived in Portsmouth Harbour Train Station, I said to my self, “Home Sweet Home”. Despite my relieves of coming back, there something left behind not the same as I was on my departure and here’s the story.

My overall Hari Raya Celebration in London was just not too bad. As I said before it is better than nothing and there is nothing to compare to Brunei. In fact I was lucky to be able to celebrate Raya with others because there is few unfortunate people working on that 1st day Raya. I would never forget my Takbir Raya in Brunei Hall and proud to be part of the small gathering to celebrate Raya together with other Bruneian. I would certainly never forget my 1st Takbir Raya recital. Brunei Hall Raya followed by another open house at Brunei High Commissioner at Belgrave Square in London boost Raya mood with lots of food and cakes as well as the crowds. The next day of 2nd Raya was another great open house at the accommodation of our Brunei Embassy down at Kensington.

It was just 2 days of Raya celebration and it slowed down immensely and the rest of the week was just a LOAFING days after a month of my settling down in Portsmouth. I had no where to go and stayed few days in our DA accommodation at Lancaster Gate facing Hyde Park. My loafing in London created a monotonous activity which forced me to explore London with my Bike. I remembered the purpose of me bringing along my Bike.

Getting a London Map would be a good start and I studied the Map and planned my destination. I started cycling down to Brunei Hall and I realized it was just behind Lancaster Gate then off to Waterloo Station. I passed over Marble Arch, Dorchester Hotel and Buckingham Palace and crossed over to River Thames Bridge and arrived at Waterloo station.

Loafing around Leicester Square down at Music shops and logged in Internet for few hours and headed home. Stayed another night in a DA accommodation and left on Friday morning and as I have always wanted to explore more on my own. I checked in at Bayswater HOSTEL for 2 nights and obviously cheaper, £16 per night and I was quite happy with the cleanliness and its security - Hmmmm….. I stayed in a 4 bedded room and felt great having the experience staying mostly with other backpackers from around the globe. Felt a bit strange and scary though at first and it was worth a money for just spending few hours of sleep in a sharing bed for 2 nights.

This is the saddest moment that I encountered when I stayed at the hostel or maybe I wouldn’t blame the Hostel. Some ‘picky bastard’ nicked my Bike after staying a night there and I was shocked then next day as I took out my bike locker key from my jacket and realized my bike was gone forever. I got shocked and I thought I must have parked it somewhere. Hmmmm….. Walked towards Whitley’s speechless and slowly I felt moody. I just bought my bike I guess 2 weeks ago in order for me to go for the Mosque for Tarawih and its gone. What a pity! Certainly I’m going to miss my SCOTT Brand bike which I bought a total of £418 at Fareham. What a luck! Nevertheless I was just ‘Pasrah’ maybe that bike is not meant for me and it may be for the purpose of going for Tarawih and now Ramadhan is over and my bike has gone.

Yesterday on Monday, I walked through the main gate of HMS Nelson and walked for 10 minutes to reach my Music Cell in a cold weather. It would have been better if my bike is still around….Oh yeah, I think this one’s funny. A night I lost my bike, I was stunned on my top double decker bed in that Hostel thinking of my bike and ended up reciting Yassin hoping my bike would be returned. Yet still missing! Uwaaaaaa……..

Hey, look at the bright side, I got my self upgraded cabin now, my Cornet starting to sound good and I’ve started my Piano lesson with Professor today with lots of homework. And the most important thing of all, I feel much more energetic and optimistic focusing on my music……Not forgetting I have been able to fast my Puasa Enam in Syawal for 3 days over the last weekends and hoping to complete them this coming weekends, Insyaalah.

My poor Bike.............

SELAMAT HARI RAYA

Selamat Hari Raya to everyone… I just can’t believe it’s Hari Raya now and this my 2nd day Raya here in UK particularly in London. Today is a 1st day Hari Raya celebration in Brunei. It’s passed midnight here in London and I’m listening to Pelangi FM where Bruneian started their Takbir Raya live at the Mosque.

The feeling is just so SAYU though we celebrated Raya 2 days earlier. Nevertheless, my Raya celebration in London has been so great despite being away from family. It's better than nothing. I wouldn’t imagine my self stuck in my cabin in Portsmouth on 1st day of Raya.

Last Monday was our last day of Puasa here in UK and I never expected Syawal moon would be sighted as I was not ready mentally. I was laying on my bed reading a magazine while waiting for Sungkai when PW Yaakub rang me saying that Tomorrow (Tuesday), would be Raya. I jumped out from bed and got surprised. Then I phoned Fahmi and we planned up to depart to London together tonight. Then I had my last Sungkai in Dining Hall with my Raya eve smile.

I felt so happy that Hari Raya is emerging and at the same time, felt so sad that Ramadhan is over. Cycled to Portsmouth Mosque to pay for Zakat of 4 pound. It was quiet and I said to myself, I’m gonna miss this mosque so much. Packed my stuff and took a train to London Waterloo Station along with my bike. Met Fahmi at station by 2230H and we grabbed a taxi going to Lt Kol Abg Abas apartment at Lancaster Gate. The apartment was so big and we were welcomed by the family. Great and sweet family.

1st day Hari Raya here in UK on Tuesday, 01 Oct 08 / 01 Syawal 1429 meant a lot to me. Dressed up in my favourite white Baju Melayu, Sinjang and Songkok. Fahmi and I walked to Brunei Hall when we arrived there early by 0730H and was quiet. After sometimes, other Bruneian started to appear and we had Takbir Raya down at basement. I couldn’t believe that I made my ever first Takbir Raya that lovely morning in public and felt so great and sayu sekali. After takbir, we had open house makan in Brunei Hall with lovely food and kueh Raya. Alhamdulilah, my 1st day is celebrated with others though not around my family. I met Affendi who is taking his Master in Wales there and then we moved to Brunei High Comm for an open house. Food served was excellent along with Kambing and Serunding. There was Kek Tapak Kuda in London. Yahuuuuuuuuuuu at least felt like home. On my 2nd day Raya, we went out to open house at Brunei Embassy’s house Kensington Garden. Great food with Sateh.

I have been listening lagu Raya from Pelangi FM and witnessed Sembayang Raya live now. I wish SELAMAT HARI RAYA, MAAF ZAHIR BATIN to my family at home and friends wishing everyone a wonderful Hari Raya celebration this year.

HARI RAYA CELEBRATION IN UK