Some Valuable Experience.

I have a problem with my kitchen sink since yesterday,I don't know whether it is clogged or what,but the water just won't go through,filling the sink basin.I called my landlord so he came this morning with some chemical that is use to clear clogged pipe.It didn't work,he gave the number of a plumber he knew,ask me to give him a call,and later deduct the bills from this month rent.I don't have any problem with that,only I have on me just a few dollars to get to the end of the month,and I know how plumber in my place charge for their work.

I know how they charge because I use to help my friend who is a plumber while I was in my hometown.The charge is 4 to 5 times than it should be,simply because the work look difficult and messy,but actually very simple if you know how.So using my experience,I do it myself and everything is OK now,except for all the water on my kitchen floor!I manage to do it without replacing any part and using what I have available in my house.

What makes people willing to pay high for it?It surely is messy,you will get all wet sometimes,if it is clean water than it is still OK,but if it is not?The charge will be higher for toilet jobs!Charge will be higher too if the pipe is in the wall or floor,and if there are things that need to be replace,the pipe,the connector,elbow joint.You can easily get 3 days pay just for 1 job!

My life have not been easy,so I learn to do many odd jobs just to sustain myself.I sell cakes my mother made by setting a table by the roadside,I run a stall with a friend selling food,then later become a cook when his friend ask for help when he open up a restaurant,I made the drinks too sometimes.Then I got my break and manage to get a good job as an executive in a computer company,until I manage to set up my own company,but then I ran out of luck so I have to struggle again,this is when I help my plumbing friend,I can also do some electrical work,sometimes I help my contractor friends build house or do paint jobs..This is all good experience because it will be useful to you one day,like what happen to me today.

Rich people can always pay people to do jobs for them,even the simplest of task they can afford to pay someone else to do it,but me,I learn to do lots of things,so during times like this,all that experience sure come in handy.If I have some money,I want to start my own cafe,I will design the interior my self,I know the material so I can look and buy it from the best deal I can get,and I can ask some of my friend to help me with all the construction,plumbing and electrical jobs.Hope my dream will one day come true..Maybe I'll name it The Bloggers Cafe.

We Are Getting Worse.

There are certain things that we have to pay to achieve something,but is it worth the price to pay?We live in a modern world,life is much easier today compared to 20 or 50 years ago.We can travel easily,we get all the latest news at our fingertip,we can reach anyone anywhere in the world when ever we want to,most of our daily task have become easier with the help of washing machine,microwave oven,vacuum cleaner,dish washer.We can relax and enjoy good movies,good music in the comfort of our living room and a lot of other things.Life is easy,but what have that turn us into?Did we become a better person?Do we or our next generation inherit the good trait that our parents,grandparents teach us?

I took the bus today to go to the city,but unfortunately,the bus that I took have a broken air conditioning system,so it was an uneasy journey for the passengers.The bus driver should check it first before he start his journey.One very unhappy passenger walk to the driver,and scold him,it almost started a fight,and to my surprise,that passenger works for the same bus company!He can tell the driver politely instead of yelling,or he can just get down and wait for another bus.

Bus drivers have some bad attitude too,they drive as though it was a car,weaving in and out,suddenly braking which at times almost got some passengers falling.They didn't stop to pick up people,how could they are driving so fast.They are being paid monthly salary,not by trip,so I don't understand why the rush.I doubt it that they are running on a tight schedule because they can relax at their stops and they certainly know what the traffic is like during certain times of the day.

I actually hate taking the bus,but I have no choice,I hate it because I have to wait sometimes for an hour for the bus,people don't know how to queue to board the bus,they sit in the bus like it was meant just for them,they give you that certain look if you want to sit next to them,they couldn't care less for the older,they even reserve a seat for their friends if they manage to board the bus first.We have a lot of foreigners working here,and most of the time,these people are the one who do this sort of things.I don't have anything against them working here,but you are in a different country,so try to follow the rules and the way of the local people instead of acting like it is your own place.

If you ever come to my country,especially in the city,try to avoid using the bus,use the monorail or LRT(Light Rail Transit) system instead,it is more convenient and efficient.I'm waiting for the LRT to extend their service to the area where I live,it will much more easy and convenient to travel then,even though it is a bit expensive.One more thing,avoid driving to if you can.The drivers here are mostly trainee stunt drivers or racing drivers wannabe!That is just the driving part,did I mention about the bike riders,motorcyclist?You will be amazed at how they ride their bike,especially dispatch or delivery riders,small bike,at full speed and zig zagging in and out of traffic!I sometimes feel like there is no meaning of all those traffic signs,traffic lights..they are always being ignored.Going into a one way street because it is a shortcut,beating red lights and speeding like you have a pregnant women in your car,changing lanes whenever you feel like it,without signaling,parking where you feel it is convenient to you,the best is right in front of the shop you want to go,even if it is blocking almost half of the road.

I can write about this and divide it into 4 parts and I'm still not done I think.These are the attitude of people in my place now.Inconsiderate,selfish.Most of them are educated,coming from a good family.Most Malaysian no matter if you are Malay,Chinese or Indian,we are brought up with manners,respect as the most important things.Yet when we grow up,we change,we lost all that value each time we get into our cars,each time we are among friends.I don't know why,but there is a certain Jekyll and Hyde character in most of us now.Is this the price that we are paying for the life that we have now?Is this what we are going to pass to our children?What kind of person are they going to be?

I love the old days..everything is at a much slower pace,everybody say Hi! to almost everybody,smiling at someone you see,always helpful,always respect each other,going out of our way just to help,just so other people will feel comfortable.We not only know our neighbours,but almost everyone living in the neighbourhood..

Almost One Month...

4 more days and it will be this blog 1st month anniversary.Its achievement is some how very surprising,because this is a personal blog,no specific niche,no certain target audience,no certain posting schedule,no certain topics to write about,just what I was thinking at that moment are what this blog is all about.

The visitors are almost 1000,I get an average daily visit of about 35 - 50,the highest among my 3 blogs,7 visit through search engines and about 12 subscribers.Some of you might say this is nothing,but to me it is some thing that I am proud of,since I only use Link Referral and BlogUpp to promote my blog,I'm not actually an active member of Blog Catalog,I only submit this blog to 3 blog directories and lately I'm not very active in the 3 forums I join.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all LR members that have visited this blog,giving their reviews,about 120 of it so far,most of it are very encouraging,some not very good but its OK,Blog Catalog members,my forum members from Blogger Forum,Bloggeries and Blogger Talk,I got 3 people submitting their reviews to Stumbleupon,lots of comments..thank you all,I really appreciate it.This special thanks goes to 3 very wonderful people who have been very supportive to this blog..my girlfriend,Bushra@nyomel..I love you so much,you are always by my side no matter what,mostly in the last 5 difficult years..it is not much easier now but I think we have gather strength from our past experience to see this relationship through,and I always pray to God that one day,hopefully very soon we can achieve our dreams to be together,forever.Sandra from Croatia who always visit this blog,leaving comments and now we have start mailing each other,thanks for your support,your friendship and last but not least,to Nancy,it is wonderful to have other bloggers as friends,even though we never met,we never knew each other before,but through life on the Internet,and mutual understanding of how great this life is,respect for each others interesting view and thoughts,we become closer and supportive for each other.

Blogging is more about exposing our self,our thoughts and our dreams,but it is actually a medium that connect us to others,in ways we never thought could happen before,reaching to people we never knew we could,and gaining respect,friendship and trust by being true to our self,being honest,being open and doing it with lots of love and care.We live in different part of the world,different culture,different religion,different circumstances but here,on the Internet,we live in harmony in one big blogging world,blogging community with one common reason,to let people know about us,and in the process,we learn a lot of things,and get to know a lot of great and wonderful people.

If we all can live this wonderful life in the real world,wouldn't it be nice?No war,no hate,no prejudice..no borders or skin colour or religion separating us,everybody is equal,everybody helping,loving and caring for each other.

Hopefully I and all of you will still be around next year when I can write again to celebrate this blog 1st year anniversary and we will see how much things or the world have changed within that period.Thanks again to all of you,keep on blogging and remember to have respect and love for our fellow bloggers,our brothers and sisters in this World Wide Web.

Faith/Destiny.

Do you have faith?Do you believe in destiny?If you have a religion,I'm sure you have faith and you know about destiny.Some people don't have a religion,they don't believe in God,I'm not saying its wrong,but I'm not saying its right either,it is their choice and we cannot do anything except to respect their rights.

I'm a Muslim,not by choice,but by birth,but I have no complaints,never ever thought about changing it,I feel blessed I'm a Muslim,and because of that,I have strong faith and I believe in destiny,just like the teaching of other religion I believe..please correct me if I'm wrong and please forgive me if it is a mistake.

I have a good life,good job and then I got an opportunity to start my own business,doing computer maintenance for schools and government agencies.Have a good start when my company was awarded our first contract.I rent a good house,take my mom to live with me,buy a car,I really enjoy life because I can afford it,but I seldom do my religious duty,I seldom pray,I don't consume alcohol or gamble,because it is not allowed for Muslim,but I didn't thank God for the wealth,the good life that I have.In 2004 I lost everything..The business,my house,my car..I went back to my hometown because my uncle promise me something,but for 3 years,it was just promised,I move from one house to another,imagine living in the same town for 3 years,but living in 9 different places in that short period.When you don't have anything,people will have sympathy at first,but it won't last very long,and they will consider you a burden.

I do odd jobs to gain some income,luckily God still love me,I have this ability to heal,help people trace lost things,get rid of demons,but not because I have superpowers or what,just that all things are with God willing.I do earn some money doing it,I don't charge anything actually,but people are generous enough to donate some money,or food.What a turn around right,from a businessman to a healer,some of you might think its weird,I find it weird too.

I left my hometown late last year because I wanted to do something with my life again,and because people back there think I'm weird,that I might do something bad to them..funny,because those are the same people who came to me for help,well,that's life.I apply for I think about 200 jobs,4 called for interviews,but to this day..nothing.So I start blogging,at least I'm doing something.

Even after all that had happen,I kept my faith intact,when I was in my hometown,guys there love to gamble,but I never do it,even when I'm the one who actually need the money more then them!I believe what you get is what God will gave you,not directly from Him,but through others and believe me,I do get money and food from someone I never expect,God have His way in helping you as long you have faith,very strong faith.

I've gone through all sorts of things in my life,and I believe my destiny is here,on the Internet.Who knows one day I will become known as a Blog Consultant,Internet Entrepreneur or whatever,we never know what our destiny is,what tomorrow would bring,but as long as we have faith,trust in God,do what is ask of us to do,leave those that are not allowed,keep on trying,keep on praying,God always listen,always see and one day you will get what is destined for you and remember,always be thankful,always have faith,don't ever trade it for something else.

Being The True You.

I get request for link exchange from other bloggers,but most of the time I just turn it down,very politely.Two reason for this..

• The first ever link exchange offer I got was from a forum member,PM me and so I reply,put his link on my blog,but mine never appear on his,so I just delete his,he never PM me again,he's still around in the forum,yet not as active as before.
• My second exchange,received an email,this time he does put my link on his blog,but his request made me canceled the whole thing.He wants me to click his ad everyday,and he will do the same..I need a way to get some cash,but I'm not that desperate!

There are other bloggers link on my blog as you can see,but that is because I wanted to put it there,because I like their blog.I never ask them to put mine on theirs,I prefer to do things my way,odd..but still it is my way and I like it.My mother always say that I rather help other people when I'm suppose to help myself first,and I certainly agree,but that is just me,this is who I am.I will do whatever I can to help others,but to ask for help,I'll wait until I really need it,if not,I will try to do with what ever that I have.

When I live in my hometown,before I move here 6 month ago,we have a tradition,when there is a wedding,all the village folks will do their bit in helping out.Some will help with food preparation,attending to guest,washing dishes,setting up tents and whatever you can to help make the wedding goes as well as possible.I normally like to help with preparing the food,and on the wedding day,helping washing dirty dishes.The last wedding there is in August,I move here in November last year.I enjoy life there,but it seems that there are people who doesn't like me because of who I am..not because I'm bad or what,but because people love me,care for me..I live in a house that was once a school,the village folks clean it up,fix it and even painted it so that I can live there and for food,my neighbour will cook for me everyday..but I always knew that there will be people who won't like it..so I make my plan to move back here,closer to my family.

What makes me sad is,the person who started making stories is actually my close friend..and he told almost everybody that I'm a bad person,I'm not who they think I am..just because I'm getting more popular than him,I'm not after popularity or publicity,I am who I am,and I do things my way,not because I want everybody to like me,but because that is how I was raised,what my parents taught me.If you're nice,humble,honest,people will like you but there are people who will hate you too..this is life.

So here I am,leaving all that behind me,living alone in my rented apartment,sitting in front of this faithful PC for almost 14 hours everyday,browsing the Internet,posting to my blogs and looking for ways to earn decent money.I miss some of my friends,my neighbour,folks that are good to me there..but I leave that place knowing that I have done so much for most of the folks there,and I have a good life,yet when people make stories about you,the same folks that you have helped,are the first one to believe it and spread it to others..that makes me really sad.

Life must go on..my life is much harder here,yet I'm happy,I'm closed to all the people that I love and that really care for me,I live alone without anyone disturbing me,I have all the privacy I need,but sometimes it does get lonely..

I might be putting some AdSense ads on my blog,not that I wanted to make it as an income,and I doubt that I will be making much from it,but I certainly can do with a few dollars I get from it,and I really hope that all you folks don't mind.If you feel that I should not put up those ads,let me know,and I will respect your opinion.I see some blogs or website have donation buttons on it,but I think I will never do that here,like I say,I do need money,but I will do it,and find it my way.

Before I sign off,always be who you are,don't pretend because sooner or later,people will know.Just be yourself,some people will like you for it and some will not,we can never ever please everybody,but being good,being kind,being honest all have their rewards.I'm not rich,but I don't have to be one to help others.

Doing Things My Way.

For every blogger,the main thing that they want after publishing their first post is certainly to get people to their blog and of course read it.Having started a blog but with only a handful or sometimes no visitors can be very frustrating.You have done all there is that you know and that you've learn on how to get traffic to your blog,but still didn't get as many as you wish you can.You look at other blogs,yours have a better and much,much nicer template,design.Your content is good,so are theirs but some you think just don't have very quality content..but why do they have a lot of visitors,but yours don't?Why they have page rank but yours don't?

Why put pressure on yourself?You wanted to blog or do you want to enter a contest?Bloggers get so obsessed with numbers,statistic that they forget the main reason they started blogging is because they wanted to write something and share it with others.Yes..without people coming to your blog how can you share?What do you expect to achieve if your blog is only 1 month old,1000++ unique visitors/day?You have done all the necessary thing to introduce your blog to the Internet community,be patient,it will be discovered,you have to have faith and believe in yourself.

We always like to compare what others have,instead of being thankful of what we already have.Your blog is new give it some time to grow,in the mean time,it is better to keep feeding it to make it grow stronger,and the best thing to do is to keep on posting something good,and updating it regularly.Instead of comparing other blogs,just concentrate on yours.There are lots of path you can follow for success,but the best is to create your own path,and if you succeed,others will follow your path.I always believe in myself,and I do things in my own way,sometimes I don't even do what others might do,or follow the path of successful bloggers,yet I believe I can succeed.We can only try to do the best we can,but in the end,it is not up to us whether we succeed or fail.If you believe in God,you will know what I mean.

Always be thankful for what we have and don't look at what we don't have and feeling bad about it.There are others who are not as fortunate in this world.There are people who don't even have a place to call home,no bed to sleep on,no food to eat..There are places that have been struck by disaster,many lives are lost in a very short time,yet here we are,sitting cosily in our own home and regretting about things that we don't have and we wish we could have.If we care to learn about those disaster,we know that we can lose whatever we have just like that,even our own lives.Be thankful,be grateful that we are still alive,because life is God greatest gift to us..

If you're a blogger,be thankful you can still make a post to your blog,even if only 2 people read it today,you never know what will happen tomorrow,will you still be around to make a post or maybe tomorrow you will have 500 people reading your blog..Value what you have ..Value life.