Sunday, August 31, 2008

STOP SMOKING - GOOD START IN RAMADAN


To Muslim friends and colleagues who smoke..

It's a good time to STOP SMOKING this time around after so many failed or abortive attempts .. Let us look at these facts :

Smoking has been targeted as a major public health problem in the United States and the world since 1979 when the US Public health service named it as the number one cause of preventable disease and early deaths in Americans.

In 1982, the Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, made the statement that smoking was "the most important public health issue of our time." Fortunately the public believed the information and data, and smoking has continually decreased during the last two decades, and thousands of people have successfully quit smoking. Still, there are millions of people who have continued to smoke, many who are long time hard-core smokers, and thousands of teenagers who begin to smoke each day.

For many years the cigarette manufacturers fought the data that cigarettes are harmful to your health while evidence increased that cigarettes were responsible for a high percentage of deaths from heart disease, lung cancer and emphysema.

Now the manufacturers have been successfully sued by the various states to help compensate for the high cost of health care by the states for the treatment of diseases attributed to smoking. Taxes on cigarettes are being used for a wide variety of health care costs. Some of these taxes are also used in prevention campaigns aimed at encouraging young people not to start smoking.

Let us answer these questions ...

  • Are you embarrassed and annoyed because your family and friends or your physician are always urging you to stop smoking?
  • Are you worried about your health such as getting lung cancer or heart disease if you don't stop?
  • Have you become discouraged because you have tried in the past and could not stop, or restarted after a short time?
  • Do you think that you are so addicted that there is no hope for you?
  • Are you determined to stop smoking now?

If you answered yes to ANY of the above questions and really would like to stop smoking, there are many things that you can do to stop. Many people have successfully quit on their own, while others have benefited from attending group programs that help with information and encouraging tips. Surprisingly, almost 90% of ex-smokers stopped on their own. Some of these had tried stopping many times. Each time you try to quit, the chances are better that you will stop smoking.


Facts about SMOKING :

  1. Recent surveys show that 25 percent of all American adults smoke.
  2. More than 430,000 deaths in the United States each year are attributable to tobacco use, making tobacco the No. 1 cause of death and disease in this country. (United States)
  3. Smoking prevalence among adolescents has risen dramatically since 1990, with more than 3,000 additional children and adolescents becoming regular users of tobacco each day.
  4. Nationwide, medical care costs attributable to smoking (or smoking-related disease) have been estimated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be more than $50 billion annually. In addition, they estimate the value of lost earnings and loss of productivity to be at least another $47 billion a year.
  5. It would cost an estimated $6.3 billion annually to provide 75 percent of smokers 18 years and older with the intervention—counseling, nicotine patches, nicotine gum, or a combination—of their choice. This would result in 1.7 million new quitters at an average cost of $3,779 per quitter—a move that would be cost-effective in relation to other medical interventions such as mammography or blood pressure screening.
  6. Epidemiologic data suggest that more than 70 percent of the 50 million smokers in the United States today have made at least one prior quit attempt, and approximately 46 percent try to quit each year. Most smokers make several quit attempts before they successfully kick the habit.
  7. Only 21 percent of practicing physicians say that they have received adequate training to help their patients stop smoking, according to a recent survey of U.S. medical school deans published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The majority of medical schools do not require clinical training in smoking cessation techniques. It is hoped that this guideline will serve as a call to action.
Practical Applications on Quitting Smoking

Here are some things for you to try on your own if you want to stop smoking.

General:

  1. Get plenty of rest. Smoking is one of the hardest addictions to overcome and you need all the energy you can get.
  2. Addictions may be related to brain chemistry imbalances. Good nutrition is very essential, especially during the time you are trying to form new patterns of behavior.
  3. Some habit patterns such as smoking often have triggers that go along with them. For example, sitting in a favorite chair or getting a cup of coffee, then automatically reaching for a cigarette. Try to look for these trigger emotions or habits that go along with your smoking so that you can avoid them.
  4. Avoid being around others who smoke while you are trying to break the habit.

Specific:

  1. Decide on a stopping date. Tell others when it will be so they can encourage you.
  2. Throw all your cigarettes and any related items such as your lighter or matches away. Do not put them where you can get them again "if you need them".
  3. Do not drink or use any beverages or medicines that contain caffeine or alcohol. During the time you are trying to break your cigarette habit, using any other addicting substances will cause you to be less successful. In addition, this is a good time to strongly consider giving these habits up also, as they are strong stimulants to smoking.
  4. Drink plenty of water and juices during the first week you are quitting. Try to drink at least 6 glasses of water per day. Getting the nicotine out of your system is helped with increased amounts of drinks that do not contain caffeine or alcohol.
  5. At any time during the day that you are at work and crave a cigarette, take a drink of water and go for a 10-20 minute walk. If you are at home, take a cool shower. It is difficult to smoke while in the shower.
  6. Eat simple foods such as salads, fruits, vegetables, and whole wheat breads. Avoid overly spicy and rich foods because they may contribute to the craving for a cigarette. Avoid foods made with white flour, white rice and refined foods. Without the complete vitamins, especially B vitamins, the body often develops cravings.
  7. Do not skip breakfast and then go for a "coffee break". This is a sure time to need a cigarette. Instead, eat a hearty breakfast of cereals, fruit and whole-wheat toast. Avoid high fat foods such as bacon and eggs and pastries.
  8. Go to bed early. An adequate rest may naturally help to reduce the need for a cigarette to keep you calm.
  9. Thoroughly air out your house; sleep with the windows open.
  10. Don't wish that you could have "just one more smoke". Remember that you have just given up a disgusting habit that could kill you, and gained a freedom that will be with you for life, and improve your health dramatically.
  11. If someone knows that you smoked in the past and offers you a cigarette, tell them that you are an ex-smoker. This reinforces your decision to be a non-smoker.
  12. Ask God to help you. Many people fail at quitting smoking, but God honours those who trust in Him and he will supply all your needs, and help you overcome this habit if you ask Him.
One of the efforts made by Madinah City Council is to set up a bill board reminding fellow Muslims to stop smoking when we are in Madinah.

This is what it looks like :


So, Good Luck for your effort and may Allah give you strength to STOP SMOKING FOREVER ...

Ramadan_Effort

AHLAN WA SAHLAN YA RAMADAN


MERITS OF RAMADAN

When we speak of the merits of something (fadl or fadail), we are actually saying the deeds in it are highly recommended and the reward and benefits highly emphasized and guaranteed. I would like to cite several Ahadith that address this issue of fadail, merits of fasting during Ramadan, and filling the entire month with more 'ebadah than any other month.

Abu Hurairah (RA) relates the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said when one Ramadan came:

"A blessed month has arrived. Observing it in fasting is mandated on you (the believers). During this month, the gates of Paradise will be opened and the gates of Hellfire will be closed. The evil ones (Shayaatin) will be handcuffed. In it there is one night, during which worship is better than worship in a thousand months. Whoever is denied its blessings has been denied the biggest blessing." (Ahmed, Nasaae, and Bayhaqi)

This hadith is similar to the previous one, except that it emphasizes the importance of being mindful and aware of the rules that govern the 'ebadah of fasting. For one of the key words in every 'ebadah is "muwafaqah Ash-Shari'ie," observing in accordance to the commands of the Lawgiver.

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(Extracted from The University of Southern California (USC) Muslim Students Union)

Saturday, August 30, 2008

TERSUNGKUR DI AMBANG RAMADAN

Jatuh, luka, bangun semula, uabati, sembuh dan jatuh semula adalah lumrah kehidupan yang harus dilalui oleh setiap insan. Ada yang bernasib baik hanya jatuh sekali sekala dan sembuh semula dengan cepat dan tidak jatuh-jatuh lagi. Alhamdulillah, rezekinya dan qadar hidupnya memang telah ditetapkan demikian.

Pagi tadi dalam bergegas untuk menghantar kunci ke rumahku, akau terseungkur di depan pejabat di sisi keretaku. Sudah agak lama aku tidak jatuh secara fizikal (walaupun secara bathinnya aku telah banyak kali jatuh dan bangun semula) kerana begitu berhati-hati apabila doktor memberitahu aku tidak boleh jatuh kerana ia boleh menyebabkan tulang belakang aku yang telah dibedah sakit kembali.

Luka fizikal yang dapat dilihat dengan mata kita ..

Aku terjatuh dan hampir tersembam di muka jalan kerana tergelincir di atas tanah yang licin di hadapan pejabatku. Nasib baik tidak ada stafku yang melihat, kalau tidak aku mungkin merasa malu, maklumlah badan yang agak tua jatuh seperti sebiji nangka.
Semasa tidak dapat mengawal langkahku, aku sempat menahan badanku daripada terhempas terus dengan cuba menongkah badanku dengan lengan kananku dan kaki kiriku. Natijahnya, lengan kananku mengalami kesan luka dengan batu-batu kecil serta lutut kiriku juga terasa sakitnya.
Setelah membasuh dan menyapu tempat yang luka dengan Losyen Antiseptik (Povidone- Iodine), aku teringatkan kata-kata 'setiap musibah yang menimpa diri kita merupakan musibah sebagai penebus dosa (kafarah)' ...
Aku pasti ini merupakan kafarah ke atas diriku di ambang Ramadan Al-Mubarak ini. Aku sebenarnya bukanlah seorang manusia yang mulia seperti yang ditanggapi oleh rakan sekelilingku serta keluargaku. Aku rasakan hidupku dipenuhi dengan janji dan tanggungjawab yang tidak tertunai olehku walaupun masa yang diberikan 24 jam sehari atau 365 hari setahun.
Aku tidak pandai membahagikan masa...
Aku tidak pandai memberikan keutamaan dalam hidup ...
Aku tidak tunaikan sebaiknya tanggungjawab sebagai seorang ayah ..
Aku tidak tunaikan dengan sebaiknya tanggunjawab sebagai seorang suami ..
Aku tidak tunaikan tanggungjawab sebaiknya sebagai seorang majikan ..
Aku tidak solat tepat pada waktunya ..
Aku tidak melaksanakan apa yang aku katakan ..
Aku tidak zuhud kepada dunia dan apa yang dimiliki oleh orang lain..
Aku jarang bersyukur dengan nikmat yang Allah berikan ..
Aku tidak berterima-kasih dengan apa yang telah Allah kurniakan ..
Aku tidak peka dengan kesusahan orang lain ..
Aku hanya menilai sesorang daripada apa yang aku lihat ada padanya ...

Betapa banyaknya dosa dan kelemahanku !!!
Bolehkah aku menebusnya di kala usia sudah menjangkau setengah abad ini ..
Di mana maut yang boleh datang pada bila-bila masa ..
Seperti yang terjadi kepada mereka-mereka yang telah pergi si sekeliling kita ..

Di ambang Ramadan Al-Mubarak ini ..
Allah turunkan musibah yang amat ringan padaku ..
Itu pun aku dah tidak sabar menahannya ..
Apatah lagi seksa di hari pembalasan ..

Ya Allah ...
Di ambang Ramadan yang bakal tiba ..
Berilah kekuatan kepada hamba-Mu ini untuk menghabiskan saki-baki hidup ini ..
Dengan beramal kepada-Mu ...
Dengan berjuang menegakkan agama-Mu
Dengan berbakti kepada ummah ini ..
Dengan mengikut jejak rasul kekasih-Mu ..
Se hingga ke hembusan nafasku yang terakhir ...

Perkenankan doa hamba-Mu ini Ya Allah ..
Ameen Ya Rabb ...

Ya Rabb al-'alameen ..



1-September-2008 (1-Ramadhan-1429)

AFK
Skudai


Wednesday, August 27, 2008

26TH YEAR AS AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER



LEGEND :
1 - Safety Inspection on 132-kV Circuit Breaker (Etilina Malaysia)
2 - Safety Inspection at 22-kV Cast Resin Tx. (Idemitsu Pasir Gudang)
3 - Verifying 22-kV Volatge using Electronic Voltage Detector (ISM, PG)
4 - Live Phasing Test on 11-kV supply at TUDM Butterworth
5 - Discussion with Siemens Engineer Germany during F.A.T on Ring Main Unit
6 - Inspecting Cast Resin Tx (with the late Zulkifli Abdullah) in Belgium
7 - Discussion with Siemens Test Engineer in Germany
8 - Switching on 22-kV RMU at UTM Skudai
9 - Servicing 22-kV Siemens 8DJ10 Ring Main Unit
10 - Discussion on HV Lab Design at STRI (Swedish Transmission Research Institute), Sweden
11 - At SAFF Consultants Office, Vandar Seri Putra, Bangi, Selangor (2008)
12 - Just returned home from JKR Office on Saturday (Batik Shirt) in 1982/83

Today, 27-August-2008 is the 26th. year of my career as an Electrical Engineer. I started work at JKR Headquaters in Jalan Mahameru, KL on the 27-August, 1982 as a time-scale Electrical Engineer at Kumpulan D. Later, I was seconded to UTM Jalan Semarak, KL as a Maintenance Engineer and moved on to Skudai Campus in 1989 as a Senior Time Scale Electrical Engineer. In 1994 I was promoted to the Chief Engineer at Director of Works Office and in November, 1995 I resigned from UTM to form SAFF Consultants, an M&E Consulting Engineers firm.
I continued working as an Electrical Engineer whereby I managed to obtain by Professional Membership status (Ir) in 1987, my Competent Engineer Status in 1992 and my Service Engineer status in 1994.

During my tenure in UTM, I had been to Indonesia, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, UK and France attending Factory Acceptance Test (F.A.T) on equipment procured for the campus development projects. Those trips had enlightened me on certain products and increased my knowledge on the equipment manufacturing and handling.

I had also been given opportunity to engage in several projects and servicing & testing works all over the country. Among the projects involved were LISRAM (Langkawi International ShootingRange of Malaysia) used during the Commonwealth Games in Malaysia, commissioning of 33/11-kV supply system for TUDM Butterworth, testing and commissining of 33/11/6.6 and LV systems at MLNG 3 plant in Bintulu, Sarawak.

I also had opportunities to design High Voltage (22/11-kV) infrastructure system for few university campuses in the coiuntry such as UTM, USIM and UTHM.
The last 26 years have been wonderful years of my career and I really thanked Allah for Granting me such a memorable time and experiences and I hope I could use the knowledge and experiences gained to guide the young and budding engineers in achieving something more beneficial in their engineering career...Ameen..

BSPutra

Saturday, August 16, 2008

28TH ANNIVERSARY

Today is my 28th. Wedding Anniversary to my wife, Ismawati. We were married in Melaka on the 16th. August, 1980 after completing our 1st. year course in Electrical Engineering at Sheffield University, England.
We didn't have any special celebration to mark the occasion except that I just bought a strawberry cake to be shared within family members who are at home.


The anniversary reminded me that I had a married life of 28 years and wonder whether I had played my role as a husband, father, leader of the family, fried to the kids, companion to my wife as what should had been played according to the sunnah.
From my recollection, I think I did not play my various roles well enough to the satisfaction of every family member. Something that I am sure is that I had tried by best to play the different roles at different times.
I ask for the forgiveness from Allah and to my wife for any shortcoming and hardship which I had brought to the family during those 28 years.
With the remaining years that I have, I hope I could still improve and redeem myself on the shortcomings that I have.
May Allah Grant me strength and Guide me to the improve my roles.
To all my family members, just note that I am still what I was before except that I am getting older and more sensitive towards life issues. I will give my level best to make everybody happy and hope that Allah will me us beneficial to others until we were called back by Allah... Ameen..

JB.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Munzir IB Convocation 2008


Today is one of the memorable day again for Munzir. He received his Diploma in International Baccalaureate (Dip. IB) and Excellent Student Awards (top 30) from Ketua Setiausaha Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan & Koperasi (mewakili YB Datuk Noh Omar). All 368 Kolej Mara Banting (KMB) students passed the exam and KMB has topped the world's list in DIB performance. 5 of its students scored 100% (45/45) marks in the exam.


The convocation was held at Putrajaya International Convension Centre (PICC) from 8.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m today and about 1,000 people attended the occasion.
Although it was a tiring session, it was a memorable day for Munzir for having made another milestone in his study. He received Academic Excellent Award 2006 from the minister two years ago after obtaining 11 A1's in his SPM.


Munzir will continue his study at Leeds University, England starting this September 2008 until June 2103, and we pray to Allah to Grant him all the success in this world and in the hereafter...Ameen..



Lol from all in the family ..

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Selamat Pengantin Baru, Intan & Amir



This afternoon I attended Datuk Ibrahim's second daughter wedding held at Dewan Majlis Perbandaran Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. The bride, Hajjah Intan Sufina bte Datu' Haji Ibrahim was married to En. Amir Hazree bin Hamidon from Kedah.


When I arrived, the Menteri Besar Negeri Sembilan was also there and shortly after he left after having his meal (with full police escort). I also met some old friends who were together at Hajj Pilgrimage in 2006 (Cik gu Adam, Prof. Dr. Alias, En. Salleh, PM Abdullah ).

After having our feast meal, we left the hall after greeting the bride and the groom all the best in their new life..
'Baarakallahulak.. Baarakallahu alaik .. Wajam'aa Bainakuma Bil-khair ...'

BBnilai..

Friday, August 8, 2008

Kemalangan pada 08-08-08

Sudah menjadi suratan dan agar mudah untuk diingat, kereta aku telah dilanggar oleh sebuah bas sekolah pada tarikh keramat ini, tarikh 8hb. Ogos, 2008 atau 08-08-08; hari Jumaat.
Pada pagi tersebut, aku telah keluar bersama anakku Munzir seawal jam 6.45 pagi untuk ke Wisma MCA, Jalan Ampang untuk membuat permohonan Visa Munzir yang akan melanjutkan pelajaran di University of Leeds, England.
Aku menjangkakan kedudukan Menara MCA itu di sebelah kanan Jalan Ampang arah ke Bandaraya KL, rupa-rupanya ianya di sebelah kiri. Aku terpaksa membuat pusingan-U kerana walaupun aku datang dari arah Sg. Besi, aku telah melalui Jalan Yap Kwan Seng dan membelok ke kiri masuk ke Jalan Ampang. Jika aku tahu Menara MCA bersebelahan Hotel NIKKO, tak perlu lagi ke Jln Yap Kwan Seng... aku hanya perlu belok kiri selepas Menara Tabung Hadi di persimpangan Jlan Ampang/Jalan Tun Razak. Walau bagaimanapun, Alhamdulillah, Munzir mendapat giliran ke-12 dalam barisan untuk masuk ke pejabat VISA.

Nak dijadikan cerita, rupa-rupanya gambar untuk permohonan VISA perlu berlatar-berlakangkan dengan warna PUTIH dan bukannya BIRU yang biasa kita buat bagi gambar paspot. Jadi, terpaksalah pula kami berkejar ke kedai gambar di Ampang Park...gambar segera 4-keping dalam masa 5 minit pada kos RM15.00 (boleh tahan !!! Kalau di JB, 4-keping 5 minit, hanya RM10.00). Nak buat macam mana, terpaksa akur sebab kita perlukan segera... :-((

Setelah urusan VISA selesai, aku dan Munzir bergegas balik ke Bandar Seri Putra untuk menghantar Munzir ke Astana Dugang Resort, Sg. Merab bagi mengikuti Program Pra- Penerbangan Pelajar Perubatan anjuran Malaysia Muslim Medical Association.

Semasa di sinilah, bas yang menghantar peserta program telah melanggar kereta aku apabila ia cuba membuat pusingan balik. Bumper belakang kereta bercalar teruk dan lampu belakang utama telah pecah ... Anggaran kos pembaikan adalah di sekitar RM2,000.00



Setelah berbincang dengan pemandu bas tersebut, aku akur kemalangan tersebut adalah ketentuan Allah dan kami berbincang dan memutuskan untuk menyumbangkan kos pembaikan setakat termampu. Pemandu tersebut mengaku ia yang bersalah dan mengatakan bahawa ia hanya ada RM30.00 di dalam poketnya untuk membeli susu anaknya apabila kerjanya selesai kelak...



Akhirnya akau memberikan fomula yang boleh dipersetujui bersama iaitu :
1. Sekiranya kos pembaikan > RM1,000, pemandu bas tadi akan membayar RM500.00 secara ansuran;
2. Sekiranya kos pembaikan < RM1,000.00, pemandu bas hanya perlu membayar (kos pembaikan sebenar)/2 .

Sesungguhnya, Allah telah menetapkan Qada dan Qadar bagi setiap insan dan perjalanan segala-galanya di dunia ini. Kita hanya dapat berdoa dan menerimanya dengan lapang dada.. Setiap yang berlaku ada hikmahnya ...
Allahu a'lam...

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Get Well Soon, Syed Hadi ...



Syed Hadi (with tanjak) on his wedding day [10-2-2008] and in full
PPE during the
commissioning of USIM 11-kV PMU on 11-11-2007

Last Sunday I received a phone call from my Testing and Service Engineer, Syed Abd. Hadi Syed Mustaffa. The surprise call from him brought along the surprise & sad news - he has broken his left leg .... Astaghfiru Allah ..

Syed Hadi was just married on the 10th. February, 2008 and has been working with SAFF Testing & Supervising Services since he came back from UK last year. He graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University in Electrical/Electronic Engineering in 2007.

So, with him bed-ridden and will be out-of-work for the next 1-3 months, SAFF will be short of an engineer. We really hope that the broken bones could still be fused together as close as possible to the original and may this father-to-be be patience and persevere going through this hard and challenging time of his family life. May Allah Grant His Rahmah to the family... Ameen.

Skudai.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Car Tyres Could Cost Our Lives


Sin Soon Lee Car Tyre Shop and Worn-out Tyres

Well, the topic doesn't seem intersting at all!! What is it all about? Why this item has to be put on a blog ??
My reason is very simple.. I am sure the experience or info that I am gong to scribble may be an eye-opener to some of us. Those of you, who are veteren drivers or road users may take the thing as a reminder...ok ??


Sin Soon Lee Car Tyre & Battery Shop

Everybody knows pretty well that other than the brake system, tyres are very important items for a car. Good tyres enable car stability when the car execute corners or the car could be stopped at the desired distance when brakes are applied. These phenomena is important to save lives of drivers.
Worn-out tyres will normally cause car-skidding and other road accidents as the car could not be stopped on time or at the desired distance. Worn-out tyres could also the car to be swerved out of control when executing corners and the car would be out ofcontrol.
So, tyres could save our lives and as such they must be replaced when necessary..

This morning, I have gone to a tyre shop to replace two of my car tyres. The mechanics had informed me a month ago that I have to replace the tyres as I had complained that the car had over-steered every time I took a corner. I had requested the two new tyres to be installed at the front and the existing front ones be shifted to the back.
When the tyres were removed by the Tyre & Battery Shop owner (husband and wife), to my surprise, the rear wheels had seriously worn out. The steel belt had even been exposed !!! (the tyres could just explode on hitting hard materials).. It seemed that two of the tyres were totally worn-out while the other two had already 75% worn-out. In the end, I had decided to change all the four tyres as I always commute every week between JB and KL.


Husband & Wife Tyre Shop Owner busy replacing the tyres

It must also be notes that most tyres can only be used within five (5) years after they are manufactured. There is a 4-digit number printed on each tyre that indicates the week and year of manufacture. We have to make sure that the tyre is just being manufactured and they are not manufactured two or three years ago.. Beware !! sometimes tyres are sold at 50% of normal price but it is just stock-clearing. The photographs below (circled) show the week (1st 2-digit) and the year (3rd. & 4th digit). So make sure that you are not cheated ...


The manufacturing date of a tyre (wkyr)



So, in the end, I have to purchase 4 tyres instead of two but I think I have no choice. This is because Safety is Uncompromised ...