"Goodbye for now!"

After 3 years living through the ups & downs, and the hot & cold of Dubai, we bid farewell to our friends there today.

"Good bye for now!"

The clock moved much faster than I wished for in the last few days. Meeting friends were high on our agenda. There were formalities to be done too; canceling residence visa, selling off our cars, closing bank accounts, chasing service providers for refunds of our paid deposits, and last but not least the mother of all chores - packing & cleaning~!

Meeting friends we did~!

During our final couple of days, we were invited over for 'makan-makan' by a few friends - and to everyone, we say 'Thank You!" We wish to thank everyone who attended our luncheon last Friday - what a memorable occasion for us to be able to meet and say 'good byes'.

My family and I truly appreciate the sending off today. A heartfelt 'Thank You' to everyone who were there in persons, and for making us feel blessed to be your friends. Equally appreciated are all the greetings and well wishes received from friends who could not be there. A special mention to brother Imran, Zaida and family for graciously and generously hosting us on a few occasions during these last few days.

I shed tears today, partly because I was overwhelmed by the thought of separation, and mainly because I was humbly reminded how blessed my family and I were to have such wonderful people as our friends!

We have safely arrived in Jeddah. Except for Zeti ( In KL ), we are full house - a rare event for our family, and when it happens it is priceless!

We will not be unpacking tonight. The many farewell gifts we have received will remain in our suitcases - and will be opened with lots of fond memories of our friends and friendship tomorrow morning. Thank you all!

When tomorrow comes...we will all remember the friends we have today!

Kereta curi dari Malasia memasuki pasaran antarabangsa!

source

June 23, 2010

Dubai: Dubai Customs recently handed over 24 stolen vehicles to Malaysian authorities.

The vehicles were illegally imported to the country in containers coming from Malaysia to the UAE to be sold on the local market. Dubai Customs had suspicions about the shipment. It was then seized pending further investigations, which unveiled an international gang was behind the operation.

In accordance with Dubai's Public Prosecution's decision, Dubai Customs delivered the cars to Syed Mohammad Hasrin, Malaysian Consul-General in Dubai, Gan Tack Guan, the Director of Interpol in Malaysia, and Saeed Al Tayer, Manager of Customer Services in the Dubai Customs Jebel Ali centre.

Salah Al Sammach, Manager of the Confiscations Department in Dubai Customs, said Dubai Customs' primary objective is to ease the transportation and passing of products in accordance with trade regulations.

"This is accomplished thanks to our highly skilled, attentive and professionally trained inspectors and availability of high-tech scanners. The inspectors were able to detect the cars before they made it onto the UAE auto market due to their accurate surveillance of the shipment that carried the smuggled cars," he said.

"Our inspectors are very careful in protecting UAE society from stolen, counterfeit, and illegal products."

He praised the coordination between the various bodies in foiling the smuggling attempt.

"Happy fathers day" - a short story!

In the grade five class room, Faiz watched as his friends was comparing cards they have created for their fathers. He himself has completed his. The class teacher, Miss Drury, had earlier given them the task to create their own 'Fathers day' cards.

Alysa and Adrina drew match stick figures of a man, holding hands with what appear to be his wife and children. On Alysa's, there was only one child, obviously herself, represented by a figure with pony tail wearing what looks like a Hawaian skirt.

"We were having vacations in Hawai! i love my Dad for taking us there!" Said Alysa to Adrina, explaining the picture on her card.

When it was Adrina's turn to describe hers, she said, "I drew this picture of us in a park, my Dad often take us there to play!" There were three other children in Adrina's picture, her siblings!

Faiz looked down onto his card, and wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt. There were no match stick man, nor a woman. There was only a rainbow, some clouds, and an angel.

Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder, followed by the presence of miss Drury by his side.

"Your Dad will be proud of you for creating a card for him. He knows. Your mom knows too!"

Faiz felt the warmth of Miss Drurry's hug. He rests his face against her bosom and cried. He missed his parents!

"We all love you!" Said Miss Drury, stroking Faiz's head. "May they rest in peace, and God will look after them" She continued.

Faiz wiped his tears dry, nodded and smiled.

"Last night I dreamt meeting my Dad and my Mom. They were so happy to see me! Dad took me fishing! He asked me to study hard! I will study hard Miss Drury....I will"

Miss Drury sat there a moment longer. Their eyes locked. She smiled back.

"When the school close for Summer, I will take you and your sister on a vacation. We can go fishing on a boat. I will speak to your Auntie. Would you like that?" Miss Drury said in a whisper.

Faiz nodded, excitedly!

"I will do one very nice card for you too Miss Drury!" Said Faiz, and his face lighted up!