Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Well, here I am typing this very post to declare that I had finally survived the dream which I have always been having for the past 6 hellish years! Anyway, to those who do not know what I am talking about, feel free to read the post which I had typed on Wednesday, 24 June 2009, with the title - WILL I EVER HIT 20? You will know what I mean. Don't forget that the post was kinda lengthy.
Last and not least, as for today, I shall enjoy my 20th Birthday with an ease of mind with my close friends! But for sure, I will not return home exceeding 2130 hours. This is because my dad had told me he will leave his office at 1930 hours and want me back by around that time if possible, so that we can celebrate my Birthday as a family, which we always did on each one of my siblings' Birthday.
And yea. This will be my last BOYISH Birthday celebration. Because starting from next year, I will be 21 and since I will be serving in Singapore Armed Forces, I will be MAN already too! HAHAHAA XD
I survived! ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Yesterday, on the 29th of June, I intended to go shopping for my army things since my enlistment date is just around the corner. Since my cousin Ray happened to do hiscouting on some things, we decided to go together! To be honest yea - at first, I thought of buying a few army shirts and singlets only but at the end of the 7 hours outing, I ended up shopping more than I should! HAHHAAHAA.
Anyway, the trip started at about 3 in the afternoon. I waited for Ray at Woodlands and upon his arrival, we proceed to our first stop - Beach Road Army Market. There I consulted Ray's opinions on what are the things which I need to buy for army and decided to purchase 2 pieces of army shirts and singlets each. These cost me about $23 in all after getting $2 off from the aunty! LOL!
Later, we proceed to our second stop - some kind of shopping center which I never went before. It was located near Bugis and about 15-20 mins walk from Beach Road. Our intention to go there is to visit a store which is believed to be selling cool army stuffs for Regulars. We wanted to check out their cool gadgets since we have nothing to do.
Eventually, we can't detect the exact location of the store on our radar and proceed to our third stop - a food place located behind Bugis Junction. There as usual, I ordered a 'Roasted Chicken Rice' and 'Coca-Cola'. Seriously, the food taste not bad le! While eating, me and Ray chatted about our lives, about his then army lives, about fashion related, about musics and about many more! Seriously, I learn lots of new knowledge from him! :D
Right after, Ray accompanied me to Bugis Junction - our fourth stop, where we tried on new clothes from Topman and had a look at shoes from Everlast and Converse shops. Seriously! The designs are nice and some even caught my attention. HAHAHAA!
As a result of this, I suddenly have the temptation to buy a new pair of shoes. Anyway, since I seldom came by Bugis Street and after hearing much positive feedbacks of that place quite often from friends, I decided to check it out. At such, it became our fifth stop! At first I wonder to myself - Who knows I can find the same shoes which I like from Bugis Junction at Bugis Street at a much cheaper price?
Trust me! My hopes didn't went far! As soon as I saw the shoes at Bugis Street, I was totally turned off! The shoes that was being sold there was NOT NICE lar! The threads on the shoes was unevenly sewn, the curves on them was not perfect and lastly, the brand name on it are totally GG! Not wanting to offend the store sellers, we made our way out of the store and of course out of Bugis Street! =x
Last and not least, before going back home, my temptation of buying a new pair of shoes is still there so I suggest Ray whether we should try visit Old Woodlands Central Rd area to check out the shoes shop there not, since there has always been having good deals! And thus, that became our last and sixth stop for the day!
Upon reaching, we visited a store which my best friend had intro-ed me a week before. Without hesitation, I grabbed a pair of jogging shoes as I really want to get back to my running starting 1st July 2009, while Ray purchased a jacket which looks gorgeous on him! Seriously, the uncle who served me was damn nice. He is helpful and patient. I am very satisfied with his customer service offered. One day, if I know his name, I will send him an appreciation letter for sure.
That's not all! HAHAHAAA. After that, I brought Ray to a shop where there is this Everlast pair of shoes which I like upon having looked at it for the first time while going out with my best friend last week. It looks quite similar to that we saw from the Bugis Junction. So, I wanted Ray's opinion on what he thinks of it. After hearing a couple of good comments from him, I purchased the shoe as well. I feel that the purchase is a good buy, especially by a fact that I was served by a chiobu (At least I pay GST worth it lor xP) HAHAHAHHAA!
Lastly - to summarize this post, I feel that shopping with Ray is a wonderful thing since we cousins are close to one another and we always have a common topics that we we can chat, laugh and joked around without offending one another. Apart, I learn lots of knowledges from him too! Thanks Ray for following me shopping! Also, if we free again, we shall go shopping again man :)
Thanks Ray for shopping with me! ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Saturday, June 27, 2009
It has been a while since I tasted the meaning of happiness right after my business was set up overseas. During these times, my life was all about making money, money and more money. Yea, it may sounds that I am money minded but please take it to reality world - What will you be if you do not have money? Are you able to even afford buying your basic needs whenever required in order to stay alive? Am I right?
Anyway, some would have known that I was away to my aunt's and uncle's house to attend the prayers for my late cousin who had just passed away. There, I watched my mum, aunties and female siblings and cousins cutting and chopping the necessary food preparation for the prayers which is to be held today on 27 June 2009. It was really fun to watch them while we guys slack doing nothing at all. HAHHAAA.
The next day, considering that I woke up quite early - at about 4 in the morning, I decided to help my aunt to do some dish washing! And yea! I HARDLY wash my plates even at my own house. HAHAHAA. After settling the dish washing, I decided to have a short nap. Shiok arh! Do work quite little than I nap till 8am! LOL!
Anyway, at about 9 in the morning, knowing that my uncle is going to my late cousin's cemetery, I decided to follow him. The reason to why I followed him is that I want to pray for my cousin a little closer. At least, praying for him at his graves is way better than praying from further away. Though, it hardly make sense, it does work in my thinking, sadly.
As soon as entering the cemetery gates for few metres, we suddenly heard a crash sound. We turned and saw a car behind us - a Hyundai Sonata had rammed into a cab. The cab driver make a lot of noise lar of course! Not wanting to care much, we continued proceeding to 3 graves, including my late cousin's where we prayed for quite a while and left.
Having done that, we headed to Gek Poh to buy some groceries which might still be needed. The best part is this. After paying for all the goods, I remember carrying quite a few number of plastic bags and walking slowly with my uncle, since it's raining heavily and considering the floor is still very wet.
Then, there came a fleet of stairs. As I was going down it, my uncle reminded me again to pay extra attention to my steps. But sadly, few seconds later, I crashed down the fleet of stairs, leg first. My slipper torn apart and my feet was in drastic pain for few moments. Feeling like a man and controlling the macho, I picked myself up and walked barefoot across the streets towards his home. HAHA!
After that, few hours before the prayers commence, one of my aunty remembered that my Birthday is just around the corner. She announced to all my relatives le and thus, they sang for me an advance Birthday wish! Thanks all! I do realy appreciate it! :)
Lastly, even though my this post might sound boring, at least for me, the aspect of be being able to socialize, talk and learn more knowledges and skills from my uncle, aunties, cousins and friends had made me to be very happy. For sure, my stay there had been worth all my time indeed as the happiness which I gain at every seconds are priceless and can't be bought using money!
Happiness ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Those who have added me in MSN would have realized that my private nickname was written as 'Will I ever hit 20?' I am very sure that some of you have asked me and some might have been wondering what I meant by that. And yea! That is exactly what I am going to explain here.
During my secondary school years, I have always been having this dream, in fact - the very same dream that states that I will die in a most horrific road accident when I am 20. Ironically, the dream have stopped quite a while until recently. Maybe this is due to the fact that my 20th birthday is just around the corner.
Anyway, I believe that some of you would feel what is so big deal of my dream isn't it? After all a dream is just a dream but yea, try to think of it. Would not you feel scared if you have a same dream for few weeks consecutively, whenever you are asleep? How would you react to it? Would you try to stop thinking about it and pray that it would not at all be true? or Would you try lying to yourself and not caring at all on what does this dream actually means?
As for my part, I will take this dream as form of message which is meant to conveyed to me - even though I do not know what messages are there behind this dream. Though I am not ready to die at such a young age just yet, I would still prefer to stay optimistic and believes that there is at least a form of message for me, apart from death itself.
Despite all this, if my dream which I have always been having meant that I were fated to leave this earth anytime soon, I would like to say this to all my families, friends, relatives. Thanks to all of you for always being there all along. And if, I have commit any wrong to you in the past, please forgive me.
In contrast, if this dream represent something else apart from my death, I will take it as a second chance which is being given to me by god. At such, I promise that I will pledge to be a much better person by taking the past as another learning journey in my life. Take care all :)
Will I ever hit 20? ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Last Saturday, after about 2-3 weeks of me not going swimming, I finally get back to my routine - with my swimming partner Nelson, an Air Force personnel. On that day, I only did about 6 laps instead of the usual 16 laps in the pool while Nelson did 8 laps instead of the usual 16 laps too.
The reason to why we both did not perform as well as before is as follows. Nelson just returned from Air Force training in Brunei and thus he has not had much time to recover from his tiredness. As for my part, the reason to why I did not perform well is all due to my deteriorating health which I have been experiencing right after my favourite cousin passed away last few weeks. Despite this, I will try to stay strong and to strive on :)
Anyway, about an hour an a half after we swam, we decided to have our dinner at Banquet. To be honest, I was the one to suggest us to go there since I have not been eating my favourite food namely 'Golden Chicken' from there - for the past 2 weeks. To my delightful, I realize there is a slight change in the store which I never failed to buy from every week.
I could easily spot the change in structure of the store, the type of cashiering system which is being used, the "NEW" sets of meals which are being offered and of course, the staff of the food in the store. I was so happy. In my heart I says, "Yeay! At last after 2 weeks I can eat the Golden Chicken"
Right away, I approach the staff and placed my order. To my disappointment, she said that the food is no longer available. In fact, my favorite food store has extinct as well. I was really astonished. I really did not expect that the 2 weeks of me not visiting the store would result the store to close down.
Thus, I tried to stay cheerful as usual and ordered 'Black Pepper Chicken' from the Western store. And yea, Trust me! That will be the last time I will order the meal from there! For me, the chicken is nice but the sauce they use really sucks BIG TIME! I rather spent my hard-earned money on the food from Swenses instead!
Anyway, will update my blog whenever I'm free again. Till then :)
Saturday's routine ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Since few hours ago, I've been having this awkward feeling deep inside my heart that there's something isn't right is going to happen but I just couldn't possibly figure out what will it be.
I really hope that this isn't something bad of course! Anyway, will update you all of any news if there is any - with regards to this awkward feeling. Take care all! Goodnight. Hope to hear from you soon if there is a chance :)
Something's not right ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Monday, June 15, 2009
The most toughest week among all my life has passed ever since my favourite cousin, Allahyarham Muhammad Yassier Eyzhaq Bin Mohd Abdul Ghar passed away, a week ago on 8 June 2009. For the past 7 days, I have been trying very hard to come back to my senses and I have been forcing myself to accept the fact that he (my favourite cousin) will no longer be here for me anymore.
The only reason which I can accept to believe that this has to happen is that our god, Allah s.w.t. - love him more and thus, he is fated to leave this cruel earth for eternity, much earlier than all of us had expected. Despite this, I will still miss him very much and will always remember his motivational support and kindness which he had given to me all along. Thanks a lot again brother for all the good deeds which you had done while alive. May Allah s.w.t. bless you to the fullest and may you be sent to heaven for eternity.
Lastly, I would also like to thank a million thanks to all of my friends, business partners, customers and to whoever who had sent their condolences to our families, for giving me the consistent support while I was feeling down within the one week. Without all of your efforts to boost my moral up once again, I won't feel as happier as I am now.
I do really appreciate it.
Coming back to senses ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Thursday, June 11, 2009
3 days ago - at about 0530 plus, everyone of you who had happened to read my blog or saw my MSN nickname, would have known that my favourite cousin had passed away. He's only 24 years old and he passed away unexpectedly. Till now, I can't accept that he had left us.
Anyway, the last time when I visited him at his house was on 22 April 2009, a week after I graduated with a Diploma from Polytechnic. Back then, I shared the joys with him and his family on successfully graduated with a Diploma without having a need to retain, in any of the 3 years of my Polytechnic life. At that point of time I still remember the facial expression which he had while looking at my results and Diploma certificate.
He was very happy and proud of my achievements. Later, while we were in the kitchen, he told me these exact words, "Hafiez, if you can continue study, please go and study. Don't stop halfway". Hearing that, I nodded and smiled. Two weeks later (about a month before he passed away), he came to my house after intending to visit my parents for quite a while. There he seemed like acting normally. He joked, smile and chatted like usual and even played with my punching bag with me. Seriously, nothing seemed wrong.
Then came the big day which marked the end of his life. He was pronounced dead on 8 June 2009 at about 0530 hours. Seriously, its the most unexpected news which I ever had and I cried non-stop after that. I felt very hopeless and my heart broke into a million pieces upon hearing the news.
This is because he, Muhammad Yassier Eyzhaq Bin Mohd Abdul Ghar, had always been there for me since I was sent out of my house by my dad in 2004. For an instance, upon being sent out of my house back then, I stayed at my ex-girlfriend for few days. At times, I will sleep in the streets, sleeping in the cold wind and rain as well. Feeling sympathy, he called me and asked to heed to his house my cab. Even though the time was clocking 2 in the morning then, and he need to book in to his camp the next day, he waited for me patiently, carried my bags upstairs and even made me food and drinks before telling me to call it a night.
The next day, he will fetch me to school and gave me additional pocket money to spend on my daily needs. Then, upon returning home, he will show his concern by asking me how has my day been, how has my lessons been, have I completed my homework or not and so on. He never stop caring for me. Not to forget, he always makes me smile and encourage me to stay strong despite my hardships which I had gone through back then. This cycle goes on and on for about 6 months of my stay there.
Apart from this, whenever I see him, he will treat me the same way like before - or if not much better then usual. Seriously, I owed him alot. I will never ever be able to pay his kind deeds to him especially since he has already gone now.
Lastly, for those who read this post on whom are muslims, PLEASE - I beg you to offer a very short prayer for my cousin (Allahyarham Muhammad Yassier Eyzhaq Bin Mohd Abdul Ghar) and his soul so that he would be in the heaven for Eternity. Al-Fateha.
Will always remember you Abang ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Monday, June 8, 2009
Just received the news that my favourite eldest cousin just passed away just now.. I find it hard to believe and now I can't seem to be able to stop crying.. Anyway, I will not be online for few days.. Anything just sms me..
Favourite cousin passed away ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
To start with, my current weekend had been the most fruitful times which I had ever in my life. It's not due to the reason that I had another wonderful and enjoyable weekends of going out with friends or families but it's much more than that!
Basically, on Friday night when I could not sleep, I spent my time reading through few articles on how to edit an oscommerce site. I did that out of curiosity and most of us would have known, I have ZERO knowledge on IT related things! Apart from this, since I had paid quite a sum of money to my developers for the past few years - just to create, maintain and update few of my websites at any one point of time, I decided to try it myself and put the information which I had read to a practical test.
So, the first thing which I did was to get myself an FTP client. Basically the function of this File Transfer Protocol is to transfer files between computers on network such as Internet. In other words, you can use FTP to exchange files between computer accounts, to transfer files between an account and a desktop computer or to software archives on the Internet.
Anyway, I got myself two FTP clients to start my mission rolling. They are SmartFTP and FileZilla respectively. As soon as that is done, the test drive begins! I tried fiddling the FTP on my oscommerce site and following my instinct on how to use it without having much difficulties. Soon enough, I tried to read more information on how to edit some of the features from the oscommerce community forum and trusting each and every one of their points and recommendations, it proved to be worthwhile.
Hours after hours, I tried and soon, without me realizing, my oscommerce had lots of difference! By now, it had been heavily modified! To be honest, I myself could not believe that I am the one who modified it! Fair enough, now I understand what my parents usually told me are true - "New knowledges and skills are necessary. It will benefit you greatly and that's only IF you are willing to learn them"
For my case, the benefits which I will experience are not only the knowledge of using FTP and getting new skills to edit HTML, PHP and CSS languages but I will also be able to SAVE A HUGE SUM of MONEY in the future! Anyway, if you are wondering on how much money I will save, here are the costs breakdown.
#1. My Oscommerce site - Heavily modified site with my own detailed preferences and features in the website. For this aspect, developer will easily charge at least SGD $3, 200 for EACH SITE as normal market rate! Apart from this, I have heard from one of my friends who owned an IT company, he have charged a customer up to SGD $15, 000 before! Nevertheless, the developer whom I happened to know quote me about SGD $1, 600 only for each sites. It's quite cheap right? Despite this, I am unsure whether what they quote me can wrap up everything which I want, especially by the fact that I am those "Mah Fun" people when it comes to terms with my businss related activities.
Anyway, since I will be opening another 2 sites in weeks or months to come, this means that I will have 3 oscommerce sites. Thus, assuming that I have not learn this new knowledges and skills, and I decided to consult the latter pricing packages, it would easily cost me at least SGD $4, 800!
#2. My personal websites - For this website, my good friend Stanley have been helping me and doing my website since I was in Polytechnic Year 2. I owed him a lot as a result. This is because he never asked me for money for his work and time. He even told me that he wanted to do my website for free and yea! He kept his words and never asked me for a single cent!. Kudos to Stanley! God bless you always mate =)
Thus, as you all can see, the minimum savings which I can get for #1 is at least about $2, 500 if I pay myself SGD $700 for the two new oscommerce sites which I am planning to open in weeks to come. In contrast, for #2, I will be able not to disturb Stanley so much, especially when I need to make sudden and urgent amendments to my website! LOL!
Lastly, to those who wished to start an online website business, feel free to contact me. Even though I am new to developing my own oscommerce site, I am not new in business aspects. Thus, I am quite sure I am able to give a few tips and pointers to you too. Feel free to spam me if I am not busy :)
Something new ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Friday, June 5, 2009
Today, I really felt like crying - just that I have no shoulder to cry on. This is what people normally describes life as a single loner and loser like me is all about.
Anyway, yea! My day had been pretty bad lately. For the past few days, I've only managed to sleep about 4-6 hours on every 2 days. So you can imagine how much time I have spent myself in such state. After all, it's not that I don't want to sleep but despite the nature of being completely worn off, both physically and mentally for the whole week, I just possibly could not sleep!
Ever since me and my cousins visited a "park" located on top of a deserted hill last Friday, I sensed that something quite freaky has been going on within myself. Since then, I have been seeing "things" around, been hearing "things" as well. and HELL NO! I am not hallucinating!
To add this matter to become worst, I woke up in a drench earlier in the morning. In my dream, I was persistently being chased by a ghost who loves to jump about - if you know which one I am referring to. Seriously, the dream was so horrible and only god knows how fearful I am - even up till now.
Lastly, I really hope that everything will be better in the days to come and hopefully, I wouldn't be haunt anymore. This really makes me traumatized indeed!
God bless and cheers!
Traumatizing week ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Today will be the most busiest day for me!
I need to settle quite a lot of things for my clients' business. Some of the tasks are as follows:
1) Change all product pricing for them. Not few BUT many!
2) Email their customers of the new price changes.
3) Scouting potential markets for my clients.
4) Advertise clients' website!
WISH ME GOOD LUCK! :)
Busy day ahead! ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Once again, I find it hard to sleep after tossing around in bed for few hours. I do not know why even though my eyes and body were very tired! Thus, at about 0300 hours, I found myself sitting in front on my laptop replying to all orders and inquiries from customers. It took me a few hours before finding myself free once again.
Suddenly, something came across my mind. The thought of me not blogging for quite a while made me want to start blogging again - since my own personal website is currently under development. Right away, I went to 'blogskins.com' and selected the skin for my blog in accordance to my mood. Once that is done, I editted quite a bit of things here and there using my shallow knowledge on HTML and this is what I get! =)
A good ending ............... Written By Hafiez Ismail
