It's contagious and really like on a winning streak. Went out to Emirates Stadium again, this time for a real showdown. The Lilywhites have called, and I responded to the call. This was for Carling Cup semi final. First leg was played at Arsenal. Get off from work a little early, stopped at Paddington for dinner at Nahar Restaurant, and headed straight to Highbury football ground.  

I was supposed to come with Nik (a true Gunner) but something else got the better of him. But it was a blessing for Samad, who I ended up went to the game with, since he was a Premiership virgin and will be leaving London next week.

The temperature was not that cold and we had almost a perfect seats on the stadium. We were sitting at almost in the middle of stadium (opposite dug out) and just on the second row from the pitch. So we were like few yards away from all of the actions. Wonder if we actually made it on TV . Anybody saw us?

Anyway, it was a fantastic night. Spurs went ahead at first half courtesy of Jermaine Jenas. It wasn't until 15 minutes of stoppage time Arsenal leveled the game in a fortunate goal by Theo Walcott. Second leg will be played at The Lane on January 22nd. Hopefully Spurs can take care of the business and get the monkey off their back by winning a silverware this year.

Stranded on a tube for almost half an hour to get back and finally made it home minutes to midnight, and it was all worth it.

On a serious note, today mark a first day in Islamic Calendar or Maal Hijrah. Wishing everybody many happy returns this year and God bless.

Happy New Year to erveryone. We celebrated this new year in a very modest way. We were at home when the clock hit midnight on a new year. It was a grand celebration in London though. About 12 minutes or  £1 million worth of fireworks light up the sky near London Eye. What a display, that much I can tell you.

We went to Bicester to add to the mad rush shopping on Boxing Day. It wasn't really a lot of people for Boxing Day's Sale standard. We managed to stay on for hours anyhow. Bumped into a lot of Malaysians that day, living true the all time our favorite past time.

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It felt like something you can only dream of, well sort of. Friend of mine, Nik happens to know a friend who works with this printing company that have a season corporate box at Emirates Stadium. And yes, you read it right, the infamous Arsenal. Nik was offered two tickets of the available seats, and guess who he brought along? It was like winning a lottery, or having one of your purposes for existence being fulfilled.  So on Saturday 24th November 2007, we showed up at the home of arguably one of the best team in English Premier League.   

The atmosphere was vibrant, we could not feel it from where we were but the 'Firm' below made their attendance somewhat 'loud'. I have nothing to complain besides the weather that could have been a bit better (it was freezing cold outdoor), but when you're sitting on a corporate box, and watching Arsenal game live at Emirates Stadium, not even a twister would move you from that spot. 

First half was nothing spectacular, but after the second whistle, Arsenal started to show more determination. But it was not until the last remaining ten minutes that Gallas scored with a fantastic header and followed by Rosicky superb goal that sent Wigan players home with the newfound knowledge of football.

It was a brilliant outing. I am no Arsenal fan, but to be there with 60,000 odd Arsenal die hard fans, make you belong. It was a blasphemy for people like myself, but we will wash it down when Spurs make a visit to Emirates later next month, or not...

Before we knew it, it was time to bid farewell to Alex and Hanafi. Both of them will be leaving by end of the year with Alex is the first one to go. It is sad to see them leave but I know they will surely be missed.

Good Bye party was held at Cheong's place. It was in a sad-happy mood. It was very hard to face the fact, but the whole idea of them leaving hasn't really sunk in yet. Gone they will, no doubt to do amazing adventure for other great causes, but we hope they'll keep in touch and remember the times they were here. Our path will cross again someday surely, and we wish them the very best!

Dania celebrating her birthday twice this year. The first one was lucky enough to coincide with our Hari Raya Open House. Just a week after, she had invited score of friends from school to a swimming pool birthday party. They had a splash at Kingfisher Leisure Centre right in the middle of Kingston town. It was a blast and Dania really loved it.

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