The Master of The Game

Hey,there... While sitting on my desk, trying to remember things that should be done, it finally reminds me of my 'azam' on year 2010. Well,I targeted to read at least 6 books in this year which I think I may not achieve that target. Since I've been so busy and trying to adapt with my working situation, it took me quite s long time to spend my time on reading. I only read articles from various sources instead of purchasing novels or other books.

The latest book I have read was The Master of the Game written by Sidney Sheldon.

Master of the Game is a novel by Sidney Sheldon, first published in hardback format in 1982. Spanning six generations in the lives of the fictional MacGregor/Blackwell family, the critically-acclaimed novel debuted at number one on the New York Times Bestseller List. It was later adapted into a 1984 television miniseries. It was a story of four generations families that live with the power of running their business.

The story then moves one hundred years back to the arrival of Jamie MacGregor (1865–1894) in Klipdrift, South Africa in 1883 to seek his fortune. He is soon defrauded by a wealthy Dutch storekeeper, Salomon Van Der Merwe who steals his diamonds, gets him knocked down and leaves him in the desert to die. Jamie is rescued and taken to Capetown by van der Merwe's servant Banda and in his company, Jamie plans his revenge, as does Banda for his younger sister who was killed by Salomon. The two sneak into van der Merwe's heavily guarded diamond mines in the Namib Desert and succeed in stealing a load of diamonds worth a fortune.

Jamie, now rugged and unrecognizable, returns to Klipdrift, cons Salomon into believing him to be a rich businessman and violates his daughter Margaret who gradually falls in love with him. However, when Jamie learns that Margaret is pregnant by him, he refuses to marry her and reveals to Salomon his true identity. The violation of Margaret's chastity becomes the talk of the town and Salomon soon commits suicide, an unhappy man. Jamie, initially, despises Margaret, but when she gives birth to a son, Jamie develops extreme fondness of his son and consents to marrying Margaret for the sake of their young son, Jamie Jr. (1886–1893).

Jamie creates a company called Kruger Brent (named after two guards who were calling each other in the diamond field) and pours all his attention into the business. At one point, after Kruger-Brent takes over the diamond mines, a young American named David Blackwell attempts to rob the mines in exactly the same way as Jamie and Banda did, but is caught by the guards. Jamie, feeling sympathy for Blackwell, gives him a job in the company. Jamie likes his determination and he works his way through the ranks becoming a Kruger-Brent executive.

Kate grows up beautiful, strong-willed and manipulative. Having fallen in love with David Blackwell as a child she is determined to marry him, and thwarts his engagement by buying the company owned by his fiancee's father. After many years of trying Kate becomes pregnant, but when she is seven months pregnant David is killed in a mine accident, causing her to go into premature labor and give birth to a son, Anthony "Tony" Blackwell. Like her father before her Kate pours her life into Kruger Brent, making it a global conglomerate, and she moves to New York. She naturally expects Tony to take over Kruger Brent, but Tony is more interested in becoming an artist. While he clearly has the potential to become a world-famous artist, Kate secretly destroys Tony's career by bribing a notable French critic to give negative comments on Tony's work. Kate manipulates him into marrying Marianne Hoffmann, whose father owns a scientific patent she covets.

Kate takes in her two granddaughters, whom she names Eve and Alexandra, to raise. Eve, having inherited Jamie and Kate's ruthless and cunning, sees Alexandra as an interloper and repeatedly attempts to kill her starting when they are young children, taking advantage of their identical looks. Alexandra is thought to be clumsy and accident-prone as they grow up and Kate clearly favors Eve as the heir apparent to Kruger Brent, but when Eve tries to implicate Alexandra in a sex scandal Kate realizes the truth about Eve and disinherits her, giving her only a small allowance. Enraged, Eve plots revenge against both her sister and grandmother.

The book closes at Kate's ninetieth birthday party with all her relatives present. Robert, now seven, is turning into a talented pianist. Kate sees him as Kruger Brent's heir but Alexandra and Peter laugh her off. Looking around at her family, including Tony, who was released from the institution for the occasion, and a masked Eve, Kate still believes that she acted properly, even though everyone in her family has been negatively affected by her actions.

p?s : buku ni memang best!

Julau-Sibu-Sarawak

Hey,there! i think it's not too late for me to wish SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI MAAF ZAHIR & BATIN to all Muslims and HAPPY MALAYSIAN DAY to all Malaysians out there! Some of you might have a week of Raya holidays,right? Wow,how lucky you are. Having a really golden time with your families and friends.

Well,I gotta work on 5th Raya which was so damn boring and really,really wanna shut down my steps. Work,huh? Yeah...gotta do it...

15th Sept 2010, Wednesday
I went to Sibu,Sarawak for Majlis Pelancaran Kg WiFi di RH Julau dan Majlis Penyerahan Komputer Riba 1Malaysia kepada penduduk di Julau. Hearing the program makes me think this is another fascinating event I ever involved. I could have imagined a nice place with a village style and meeting those Sarawakians,knowing their cultures and the people itself.

My flight was scheduled at 7.30pm from KLIA and I arrived at 9.45pm at Sibu Airport.
On my way from the airport to RH Hotel,the surrounding was totally different from what I thought before. It was dull,bored and quiet place which I don't think I'm in love with that place.
But,yeah...I told myself "I was just arrived. Let's discover it tomorrow"

Given such spirit to know and understand the lifestyle makes me eager to stay there. SO,this was where my journey took a place.......

16th Sept 2010, Thursday
The Journey! I was being told that the road to Julau was very bad in condition. 'Pil Mabuk' I guess that really helped me a lot during my traveling. I had that 1/2 hour before the journey and it works! The journey took 1 hour and 15 minutes and yes!!! The road was like hell!!! OMG! I never thought it would be like this! 4km before I arrived at that village,the road was changed to 'jalan tanah merah' - like a 4 wheel-drive experience! Oh! How difficult for those who lived there to get down and to go to the Pekan Julau. It made me feel how grateful I am of living in my place, even though my family are not from the rich groups. Bersyukur kepada Allah SWT.
However, it was a meaningful experience to me since I never experienced the actual 4 wheel-drive and I really thankful for that.

The rumah panjang was really nice. If I have a big family,then the design of rumah panjang will be suitable for those who want to gather with families all the time. Most od the Ibans are Christians and maybe some of them are Muslims but it's minority. So,they ate food that are not Halal. The rehearsal started at almost 11am and finished at 3pm. Then,we discussed some important matters and went back at 4pm.

17th Sept 2010, Friday
The actual day of the event!!!
Things move as planned. Luckily,it's not raining on that day. Cool~ SUN~
I like to see the performance of Sarawakians. They are absolutely unique and the culture is still there. The most joyful part was when YB Menteri delivered his speech to Rumah Panjang's residents. The speech was fantastic and really gained attention from that residents. The way YBM delivered his speech was very spontaneous and I salute him for that. Congrats!

YB Dato' Joseph Salang was also there,delivering his speech. He spoke in both languages English and Iban to reach his people who has supported him all the way since he became a minister. He was simple and friendly. YB Datin Seri Utama Masnah Rais, on the other hand was a brave women and always supported her husband. She was with us during the event and she was very nice and humble. She joined those Iban's residents and she can managed herself with that situation.

The event ended up at 5.45pm. Then,I continued with the culture program at Rumah Panjang Canggan which was located approximately about 5km down from Rumah Panjang RH Guntul. The cultural performance were beautiful and great! I could see their traditional costumes which was unique for me. The Ibans were happy and enjoyed the show - i can see that. Children were playing,running back & forth,singing,yelling,laughing and screaming to each other. They were all excited with the activities held over there. Finally,we went back to hotel nearly 10.30pm.

And...and...and...had dinner with Chairman! EEwwk! I don't think I enjoyed the dinner! Snobbish!!!!

18th Sept 2010, Saturday
Balik KL, yea!!!!!!!!!
I love KL !!!!!!!!!
I Miss KL !!!!!
KL, I miss you !!!!
Arrived at KLIA at 2.30pm.

???

All this while, I have listen to you, right...
I accept your advise, right...

But what did you do now?

A Letter to Lover

Dear Lover,

First and foremost, I would like to say sorry to you as being one of human you dislikes. My attitude to you might be horrible and made you obviously mad at me. My questions to you were just fool and cannot be considered as logical thinking. My words to you might be as bad as I'm smashing your head down. Those involving me with you seems so terrible.

I appreciate your kind assistance to cheer, help, guide and advise me. Besides, you have been a wonderful listener to me where I can tell you my exciting experiences, sad stories and you are also my shoulder to cry. I cannot deny that I enjoyed my time being with you. I know you might advise me in any aspects and I am thankful to have you for that reason.

Knowing me as rough, hot-tempered and sensitive, you managed to handle and control me. You know how to approach me when I am happy, mad and sad. You know the right way to speak to me so that I will listen to you. How lucky I am knowing a person like you. But, why can't these last long, my dear? Why can't you consistently repeating the task to me? Why must you treat me like this? Why must you speak to me like there is no tomorrow?

I am disappointed at that time. I was disappointed. I trust you, I believe in you. But you simply hurt me like that. You're slashing my flesh into pieces and you did nothing. You let my blood ran out like a river and you did nothing. Pretending you didn't know what is going on, like you don't ever understand me again. I shall run away from you.

For all memories I had since being with you, I am thankful and glad, because I was given the chance to beloved again. A chance to see the sun shines brightly on top of my skin. A chance to see the new world and feel the fresh air.

I must go now, away from the fantasies world. Goodbye.


Sincerely,
Nadia Nazaruddin

FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE...

i've been thinking of those questions for the last 3 days...i know i was not supposed to ask that matters especially when it comes to religion and God...

"mempersoalkan kebesaran Ilahi itu tak elok"

yeah,i knew it...

well, i started this by seeing all the good things. some of my friends have better job,some of them have a job with a better paid...and both of these categories are happy with their working life... while me, i am still under contract which does not confirm me as a permanent staff. i have applied for some position in the organization but still no news yet, and this makes me feel worry all the time...
i am happy with some of my friends because the got what they want...then,i made my mind, thinking that is not fair...

the same situation goes to people who are beautiful,fair and really gorgeous...why do i dont receive the same thing as them? that was what i think before...i know, God made us with different kind of personalities and also with different kind of looking...

one of my friend had said...

"u can ask everythingn, but eventually, u need to return to the hakikat kejadian, dan semua persoalan harus kembali kepadanya, membuat kita insaf akan kejadian Allah...sebenarnya hakikatnya ialah Allah jadikan itu semua untuk 1. Membuktikan kebesaranNya,diversity is beauty 2. As a principle of balance kat dalam dunia ni, sebab kalau semuanya sama, adakah itu adi?, sebab adil tak semestinya saksama, sebab adil ialah meletakkan sesuatu pada tempatnya, jadik bila Allah jadikan umatnya itu cantik dan kurang cantik (bukan tak cantik nerd) Allah dah meletakkan sesuatu pada tempatnya 3. setiap makhluk Allah dah tentukan rezekinya, sebab tu ada peristilahan "ulat dalam batu pun boleh makan" inikan pula kita manusia..."

yes...i almost forgot that...
and i feel guilty to the God of pointing Him and might be sound like i'm blaming Him...
i had my prayers and pray to the God...show me to your right path...i am grateful for what i have...

Saba Restaurant with Manja

saksikanlah Manja kekenyangan melantak nasi arab sepinggan!

gambar gelap! Ni plak Chicken Hanith aku...sedap!

alamak! Gelap plak gambar ni...ni la Grilled Chicken Manja...

Babrican Epal & Babrican Strawberi

Manja nak sangat try makan nasi arab tu...sanggup tunggu aku balik dari Sabah...so,aku pon bawakla die pegi Saba Restaurant kat setiawangsa...kak seri la yang bagitau kat situ ade restoran arab...

haa,ape lagi...kitorang pegila...ramai plak manusia yang makan kat situ,maklumla...sedap...
kenela tunggu sampai manusia abes makan...dah tu,terus serbu la kat meja yang kosong...

manja order Grilled Chicken and aku plak macam biasela Chicken Hanith...kitorang minum Barbrican,Manja perisa epal aku perisa strawberry...sedap giler!
kenyang kot dapat makan nasi arab...portion memang banyak...manja sampai mengah2 nak abeskan sepinggan nasi tu...hahahaha! kelakar tengok dia makan...

Journey to Sabah, Pulau Banggi.

hey,hey,hey.... it has been such a long,long time... yeah...kinda busy lately...
Right. For the 1st time in my life, i have been sent for outstation at Pulau Banggi,Sabah on last 13th July 2010 until 16 th July 2010. It was an honorable for me to follow my boss's instruction. I was being so damn excited and yeah, i really was, but not after when i started my task...hehehe!

Here are the itenery:

13th July 2010/Tuesday.
Early in the morning, i had few events at HQ - the BB Trail Flag-Off, Enforcement Meeting & NKEA Lab Presentation. Pheww! What a hectic Tuesday! I managed to settled those events in a good condition, even tough it was not so-perfect-wanna-be. huhu...

I managed to taste the food we ordered from a good caterer - Shang-Ri La. Yummy! Delicious! And also having lunch surrounded by Malaysian artistes - Sazzy Falak, Yasmin Hani, Nurul Ajai and Jehan Miskin. They're elegant and of course beautiful. Also,not to forget my junior form Masscomm!!! He did his internship with Spencer Azizul and Encik Razif is his uncle...What a small world...*sigh*

At 3pm, i was ready at the lobby... rushed to airport to catch flight at 5.30pm. Very,very, very hectic Tuesday...

14th July 2010/Wednesday
Woke up early in the morning at 6.30am but in Sabah it was like 7.30am...The sun was up in the sky and as being me, 1st time landing at Sabah, it was quite shocked seeing the sky was so bright...hahaha! I thought i was late...So,breakfast is important. i went to the cafe and eat! Yummy! Food at Le Meridien were so good and tasty...I ate a lot for breakfast until i'm full. Knowing i will be working till late night and energy is needed.

Then,me and my colleague (wan seri rahayu) went surveying the town. We actually tried to find something for the press, yeah, some food. We did and it was so damn hot! Terbakar aku dibuatnye...

At 3pm, the was waiting near the hotel lobby...we brought the press to Kudat. The journey on the road took us 3 hours and it was so ****!
I can't stand it,man!!! Aku mabok perjalanan la... Ape lagi...hahahaha! Abes minyak cap kapak and asam...I cannot tell you how terrible it was...

Arrived at Kudat at almost 7pm. Tired and Sleepy. Schedule was still on. At 8.30pm,we brought all the press out for a dinner...Hmm,Yummy...I ate a lot...=)
Time nak turun bas,aku jatuh melutut sebab pening & mabok lagi...hahahaha! Kelakar siot! Driver bas nampak aku...hahahaha!

15th July 2010/Thursday
EVENT! EVENT! This was the day I obviously tired and fed up!
Woke up at 6.30am as usual,then had my breakfast before heading to the jeti. Our ferry was at 9am.

This was my 2nd time experiencing the ride on ferry. Hehehe! It was awesome! Luckily the weather and the sea was just fine...So I tak mabok kali kedua...The journey from Kudat to Pulau Banggi took us 1 hour and 15 minutes. Wow! Imagine if it is raining! Berombak and bergelora! Abes tercemar laut Sabah bila aku muntah...=p

Arrived at Pulau Banggi at almost 10.30am and started working. The view was amazing and beautiful...Event finished at 1.30pm and without wasting our time,we packed our stuffs and wait at the jeti. Ferry arrived at 3pm. Wow! Tired!

Arrived at Kudat again at 5.05pm and we had to wait for the press to finish their assignment. They need to catch the dateline. So,we waited. At 7pm,it's time to go back to Kota Kinabalu... Riding a bus again made me scared...Luckily,i had taken medicine for mabuk perjalanan. Thank God! Tak mabok langsung!

Arrived at KK at 10.10pm. Phewww! Tired and sleepy! And stinky too...We checked in at Imperial Hotel and clean up ourself...Then,we went down for a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Hmmm,Vanilla Latte was great and delicious! Thanks to Abang Zeddy for paying the bill... ;)

16th July 2010/Friday
Yeay!!! It was the last day staying in Sabah!!! I miss my home, families and of course my Manja...Our flight back to Kl was at 7.15pm and we went shopping!!! Cool!

So...that was the whole story about my journey to Sabah...