MALAYSIA: Throwback 2004: August 21st, The Anniversary

Thanks to FB, I managed to contact a friend of mine who is one of the best portraiture photographer in Malaysia - Saiful Nang (http://blog.saifulnang.net)

Our friendship went as far as 2004, August. It was also the month and year I was conned into settling down with Madam and he was our cameraman for our ceremony. My Uncle Ian arranged Saiful Nang to be our photographer. Where he found him (SN), I have no idea. 

Pak Su (Uncle Ian - Ian Davies) and Mak Su (Mak Pati -
Fatimah Yassin), were the people who introduced
Saiful Nang to us

NIGERIA: Lagos: The best Suya in town...(only for the brave)

Looking at my draft file, I have lots to complete. Most I put on hold as I try not to .....BS (bull shit) my way to get it done, lest I irritate my dear Nigerian readers. But if I got it wrong, I kid you not that the info was from a local or readily available info online.... 

Back to the topic, today (Tuesday, August 18th) I decided to do some shopping. Hahhaaaaa.... Usually I leave it to Madam to do it but since she is in Abuja (again, to host some meeting..), I've got to woman up and do it for her. 

I passed Mega Plaza food court which is quite famous among others, for its Suya.

Clover Court sign...

Yes, Suya.. a spicy..no let me rephrase that, VERY spicy thinly sliced meat on skewer, barbecued and some would fried for a short while before cutting into small pieces and serve with fresh cut onions. Traditionally prepared by Hausa people of Northern Nigeria which can also be found in Cameroon and Niger.

Where the magic happens (on daily basis)

So off I go to Clover Court, off Glover Road in Ikoyi to get the best Suya around. There's no signage at the stall, just 2 or 3 men hard at work each with specific task.

NIGERIA: Kaduna-Abuja: Malaysians in Abuja...and the High Comm

It was already late in the evening when we left Kaduna. Entering the interchange into the freeway to Abuja, when were saw this..

a small plot of corn field

NIGERIA: Kaduna State: Madam's Birthday Celebration (The Orphanage)

At long last, we are in Kaduna State!

Kaduna State is to the North of Abuja, but belongs to the North West of the geopolitical zone in Nigeria. 

Map of Nigeria and its states (source:wikipedia)

A huge river, Kaduna River gave rise to the name of the state. But according to Zaharan, our guide for this trip...it has a more sinister meaning. Kaduna, derived from the root word Kada means crocodile in Hausa language. Honest! Google it...But according to another source..it's from another language, Gbagyi which means river. Anyway, right now just accept the simple fact that we are in Kaduna.

the mighty Kaduna River

NIGERIA: Kaduna State: Madam's Birthday Celebration (The Journey)

It's Madam's B'day +1 day today (August 15th) and we had booked a flight ticket to Kaduna to celebrate the occasion with an orphanage. She had requested her colleague, Zaharan  to help out with the event. 

that far ek? (google map)

MADMAN's I MEAN MADAM's BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Today, August 14 is Madam's birthday!!!

Since it was not disclosed in her FB the year of birth, I cannot tell you. But with certain amount of "donation" (another topic, altogether)..I could tell you how old she is this year. Chances are, she would say 19. Trust me.

Met her in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur campus in 1997 and stuck with her ever since. 

I think this picture is nice... I mean no relation to this posting or Madam
being fierce etc etc in office..hahahahahah

Today is her day..luckily got her present just before Eid in Malaysia (her first Pandora). So no problem there....phew!!!

Anyway, to her office colleagues... lucky you to have her as  your boss, manager, mentor or whatever you fancy calling her. Well, I MARRIED HER. Just imagine the stress!!! hahahahahahaha.... 

Again, Happy Birthday Madam!!!!!

MALAYSIA: Hazim....(Jim Boy)

I have a brother with CP (cerebral palsy, since 3 m.o)...and how things are in the house, he is the MAN! 

So when he "decided" to have a short RnR at the hospital...we pack everything to be with him. 

Muhammad Hazim or Ajim Boy

28y.o this year, May 24th actually....he is truly a testament to us that even how slim it was in the beginning for him..he is still with us (28 years and counting) and for that we are thankful to Allah.

The Long Trek Home..... LOS-DOH-KUL

Some pictures before we leave Lagos and on board the aircraft on our way back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.....

16 hours total flight.

7hours LOS - DOH (Lagos-Doha)

about 2hours transit

7hours DOH-KUL (Doha-Kuala Lumpur)

It was the first time travelling on Qatar Airways. First time in Doha's Hamad International Airport etc..etc..First time in Qatar, actually.

Thankfully, managed to steer the children away from the toy shop at the airport....they just need to stretch their legs and waited for the connecting flight at the next gate. 

As usual, arrival in KL was with fanfare. Grandparents, uncle and aunts were happy. Home at last.....

Without Madam.....oh no!

Democracy Day, 29th May

Democracy Day is a public holiday in Nigeria. This public holiday commemorates the restoration of democracy in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, when the then newly elected Olusegun Obasanjo took office at the President of Nigeria. It marked the end of multiple decades of military rule that began in 1966 dan had been interrupted only by a brief period of democracy from 1979 to 1983.

- Wikipedia

His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
(source: Buhari campaign organisation)

FUEL CRISIS!!!

Actually the problem starts way back. I mean way back. For the sake of argument,  and since it is my blog...I can pretty much say what I want. Nothing I say will bring down the (stock) market or appreciates the Naira (currency) anyway...But the problem begins when the fuel price in international market simply...drop.

The fuel price has been hanging around the region of USD100 since 2010. Higher consumption of the black gold around the globe and high demand in China, coupled with uncertainty in some oil producing countries like Iran and Libya (both are OPEC members) pushes the prices. Production can't keep up, so the price soar...a case of supply and demand. 

note the Demand and Supply line (source: Int. Energy Agency)

Fast forward to 2014, the demand became lax and supply overtook. Unused oil was being stockpiled for later use. Supply outstrip demand, the price went down.