New laptop or new phone?

Just about anyone I know is getting or already acquired the latest smartphones. Even Pingsu, the sub-editor on NSTOnline desk is a proud owner of the new IPhone 3Gs, constantly sharing knowledge with our boss, Lokman.
Fauziah is a proud owner of Nokia N97 while Shahrul of Emedia is perpetually on Facebook, thanks to his Blackberry which he got it cheap during Umno General Assembly.
Too cheap that I told him I wouldn't want to be seen with one.
His colleague, Shida owns an OmniaII, a Samsung PDA.
BHOnline staff are flashing their IPhones while NSTOnline had just submitted the requirement for next year's budget.
Me? Am still using the Palm Pro. It has been over a year and yet it is still serving me well.
Even my Dell Inspiron laptop is almost dying. My Palm is still going strong. Can't be anywhere without it. In case, there is an update on Facebook or an important email from the office.
All the excuses to be with my Palm. She sleeps with me. Wake up in the morning and the first thing I do is to check www.nst.com.my. Just not to get overlapping stories when I am in the office.
Then it is Facebook before slowly getting out of bed.
Do I really need a new PDA, smartphone or whatever they call it nowadays? With the latest getting cheaper by the day, I am tempted. But my Palm is serving me well. Holding on to temptation.
But what I really do need now is a new laptop. My Dell's screen is getting hazier and it is only just beyond a year old.

So long, Ibu

My auntie, one of two surviving ones, passed away in Kemaman on Wednesday night after several months without solid food due to old age.
Kalsom bte Hassan, 80 (at least that's what appeared on her MyKad)was a healthy woman until last July when she was admitted to Kuantan Hospital for treatment. Since then, she lost her appetite and will and kept herself in bed most of the time.
Ibu, as she is affectionately known to everyone, had requested to take care of my little sister, Yam after two of her own passed away at a very tender age.
Yam took great care of my Wak Ngah and Ibu for as long as we remembered, just how the couple had taken care of her all these years.
Wak Ngah passed away about seven years ago when we were in JB and since we had just gone back to KL for Syakirin's wedding decided to give it a miss.
But not this time. Together with Norlida, Kak Wai and Kak Tah, we embarked on a journey to Kemaman to visit Yam and family.
We managed to have a last look at Ibu and made it back to KL after filling the car with satar, keropok lekoq and sotong.
The last time I met Ibu was in April and somehow forgot to bid her goodbye as we left Yam's house.
Last month, we were supposed to drive down to Kemaman but was called off as Norlida was not feeling well.
And just two days before she passed away, we made plans to travel to Kemaman to visit her during the weekends. But God has made his decision.
So long, Ibu. Songs about you will play on everytime Mother's Day is around the corner.

MMMM...,MAYBE I'LL DROP BY SOMEDAY

Met Rocky the other day in Balai Berita's Newscafe. He asked why I was not seen in MM office.
Then I realised I have not been visiting them since I left the company in late July last year, except to return my tag and parking coupon a week later.
I am in close contact with several reporters via Facebook and SMS but somehow never thought I would be missed.
But then Yushaimi whom I met at his open house last Saturday said no matter where I work, I am still Badrolhisham Bidin of The Malay Mail.
Maybe, I will drop by on Tuesday to see hello....

OPENING HOUSES INSTEAD OF LAZING IN THE PD SUN

Thank You Izwan. You are doing great in Port Dickson! Now, I can enjoy my Hari Raya and attend open houses.
Last Saturday, we visited my second cousin, Kak Manja and her family in Sungai Buloh Country Resort. Happy to see her mom, Mak Yok, looking healthy as ever. We had mee bandung and Abang Syed made coffee specially for me.
Later, we visited Yushaimi and family who also opened his house for friends and relatives in Sunway Damansara.
Too bloated to enjoy the laksa but I had some satay. Met old friends like Yani and Yusri there. My children blended well with his daughter, Iman.
The previous week, we attended Mimi/Nizam's open house in Petaling Jaya. Met Shook and his family. Could not recognise Amirul as he is much taller and bigger than both parents combined.
We then stopped over at Chawan in bangsar for supper where we met Datuk Hishamuddin Aun who was having coffee with some friends.
During the day, we visited Rahman, a Bank Islam manager who is staying in the neighbourhood.
Next weekend? We want to attend a wedding in Keramat. And later, we might make our rounds to my siblings' houses.
Am working on Sunday as there is an NSTLive session for Bagan Pinang by-election. I am moderating as Izwan should be busy running around in PD.