29.8.09

kepada kawan-kawanku yang bergelumang menyiapkan assignments di bulan Ramadhan...



Negaraku
Tanah tumpahnya darahku
Rakyat hidup bersatu dan maju
Rahmat bahgia Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta
Rahmat bahgia Tuhan kurniakan
Raja kita selamat bertakhta



Happy 52nd Independence Day, Tanah Melayu!

24.8.09

best friend - roommate - brother : birthdays di penghujung bulan

Azreen - 26 - 22nd


Muizz - 26 - 24th


eldest brother - 42 - 27th

3 down, 26 to go...


yup, i've survived 3 days of Ramadhan. all is good. syukur alhamdulillah for all the blessings and rezeki for both Iftar and Sahur.

having said that...it's 26 more days to Eid. hhmm...

21.8.09

Ramadan

Ramadhan Kareem!

ingat lagi tak?

نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ غَدٍ أَنْ أَدَاءِ فَرْضِ رَمَضَانَ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Niat puasa harian: Sahaja aku puasa esok hari pada bulan Ramadhan tahun ini kerana Allah Taala.



نَوَيْتُ صَوْمَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ هَذِهِ السَّنَةِ كِلِّهِ لِلَّهِ تَعَالَى

Niat puasa sebulan: Sahaja aku berpuasa sebulan Ramadhan tahun ini kerana Allah Taala.

20.8.09

...

apa yang pelik?

Isn’t it strange how a $100 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to the mosque, but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn’t it strange how endless an hour seems when we are serving God, but how short it is when we watch a football game or tennis for 60 minutes?

Isn’t it strange how 2 hours seem so long when you’re at the mosque and how short they seem when you’re watching a good movie?

Isn’t it strange that you can’t find things to say when you’re praying, but you have no trouble in thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn’t it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Koran, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit in the last row in the mosque?

Isn’t it strange how we need to know about an event for the mosque 2-3 weeks before the day so we can include it in our agenda, but we can adjust it for other events at the last minute?

Isn’t it strange how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others, but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn’t it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but we question the words in the holy books?

Isn’t it strange how everyone wants a place in heaven, but they don’t want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?

Isn’t it strange how we send jokes in e-mails and they are Fowarded right away, but when we are going to send messages about God, we think about twice before we share them with others?

19.8.09

Sami Yusuf - You came to me (Arabic) - Ramadan 2009

Sami Yusuf - You came to me (English) - Ramadan 2009

time dah nak puasa ni...


bila tiba bulan Ramadhan...


Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat Sahur, the pre-dawn meal, then they perform the Fajr prayer. They have to stop eating and drinking before the Azan starts until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set until the next morning's Fajr prayer call. Then the process starts all over.

Ramadān is a time of reflecting and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual thoughts and activities during fasting hours are also forbidden. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness of closeness to God.

The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity. However, A certain level of self-control can be lost by those who suffer from eating disorders

The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavor to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling are exempt, but must make up the days they miss. More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 miles in a day as exempt. The elderly or those who suffer from a disability or disease and have no prospect of getting better in the future can pay the cost of Eftar for a person who cannot afford it, or else they can host him in their house and have him eat with them after sunset as a way of repaying for the days they could not fast.

A person who is observing Ramadan might break the fast accidentally, due to having forgotten it. In such an instance, one should spit out the food being eaten or cease the forbidden activity, immediately upon remembering the fast.

When Ramadan came to overshadow Ashura in importance, it took on some characteristics of the latter. According to the well-known hadith, the person who observes Ramadan properly will have all their past sins forgiven. According to another, "When Ramadan arrives, Heaven's gates are opened, Hell's gates are closed, and the demons are chained up" and who ever passes away will enter paradise.

yeah, i know it's been long since the last entry...

nothing interesting had happened lately. it's all about work, work and more work. Wawa's cukur jambul ceremony had taken place on Sunday. it's a low-key but nevertheless joyous occasion.













Dini, who had turned 3 on July 20th got his 1st motorcycle helmet yesterday. soon, he could ride around the neighbourhood on the motorbike with his dad...like what i had done with my late dad when i was Dini's age.





tak lama lagi puasa. hhmm...

14.8.09

2 more days before Wawa's cukur jambul feast...


...and i will try my best to be sane when the day comes.

birthdays awal bulan...

eldest sister - 8/8 - 41

Ima - 10/8 - 31

Awang Hairil - 13/8 - 26

Fazlee - 14/8 - 33

Anas - 14/8 - 22

Nissa - 14/8 - 22

*yawn...

TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE (kononnya lah!)



1. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Sleep for 7 hours.

4. Live with the 3 E’s — Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

5. Play more games.

6. Read more books than you did the previous year.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink plenty of water.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

14. Forget issues of the past. Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.

15. Don’t have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

16. Realise that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

17. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

18. Smile and laugh more.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don’t hate others.

20. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

23. Don’t compare your life to others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don’t compare your partner with others.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Forgive everyone for everything.

26. What other people think of you is none of your business.

27. GOD heals everything.

28. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

29. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

30. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

31. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

32. The best is yet to come.

33. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

34. Do the right thing!

35. Call your family often.

36. Your inner most is always happy. So be happy.

37. Each day give something good to others.

38. Don’t over do. Keep your limits.

39. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.

40. Don’t be more calculative in your life for all things.

6.8.09

lebih kurang 2 minggu lagi nak puasa...


Salam Nisfu Syaaban...hari ni buku tahunan baru lagi!

3.8.09

got it!

i'd pierced myself for my 26th birthday...

been wanting it for several years, so i have finally done it. yup, a certain part of my body is now adorned with one of these...


30.7.09

"edah" saya telah tamat semalam...


i'm a free man again! eh, bukan i am always free ke?

birthdays hujung bulan...

29/7 - Afnie - 26


30/7 - Farahwahida - 22

i was 26 on the 27th...


life's still good!

26.7.09

Di Mana Kan Ku Cari Ganti-Saloma

Yasmin Ahmad - this is for you.

we may not have spoken to and met each other before...


...but your passing has devastated me. rest in peace, Yasmin Ahmad.

24.7.09

get well soon, Kak Min!


we'd love to see you churn out all things Malaysian, and of course win awards again.

Jumaat pertama di bulan Syaaban

you want a peace of mind?



1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked:

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction, our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God...God has created each one of us in a unique way.

No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.


2. Forgive And Forget:

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. This in turn results in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive,20Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.


3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely.


4. Do Not Be Jealous:

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No.

Remember everybody's life is shaped by his/her destiny, which has now become his/her reality. If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.


5. Change Yourself According To The Environment:

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.


6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.


7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. . Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and
meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.


8. Meditate Regularly:

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining twenty-three and half-hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before.

You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily meditation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.


9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental chanting of God's name.


10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:

Do not waste time in protracted wondering " Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to be done.

It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Why cry over spilt milk?.

20.7.09

sorang pontianak...sorang lagi suka berak tak kasi tau!

Joyeux Anniversaire!!!


Azian @ Pontianak - 26

Dini (seen here with her baby sister, Wawa) @ Pemberak - 3

16.7.09

kejap aje dah Khamis!


dah 22 pun nak eksyen!

nak tau macam mana Riz boleh survive selama 22 tahun (and counting)?



baju pergi kelas...


baju pergi lepak...


grad jugak!

14.7.09

birthdays 3 "adik-beradik"!

Nora was 22 on July 8th, birthday dia dah lepas so HARUSLAH gambar dia kecik! kihkihkih...


Fatin is 22 today - July 14th


Bella will be 21 on July 17th. MOTIPP gambar dia besar? sebab rupa dia dah macam Mak Hajah!


Bella, Nora and Fatin during Eid One World in October last year.

11.7.09

nasihat yang berguna to start my Saturday...after a tremendously eventful Friday

1st day of RWMF




had brunch at Sikin's stall...for her mom's Laksa Sarawak. Afzan made pancakes. tasted awesome.

had solat Jumaat at Masjid Darul Farhanah. the last time i prayed there was during Eid in 2007 (bukan solat Raya tapi singgah for solat Asar waktu tengah beraya in the neighbourhood) with Zai. met my distant nephew - the absofuckinglutely dashing lawyer - Ashraf.

accompanied Zai to Bank Islam for his moonlighting job. met Ustaz Noreffendi there...the coolest ustaz in SJS. he had taught my batch Pendidikan Islam from 1999 - 2000. left for NZ for his Masters' degree. graduated last year. he had 2 children when he left in 2004. now? he has 5!

nope - i didn't go to RWMF. months ago memang nak pergi tapi budget lari - ticket quite expensive. boleh beli Puma trainers sepasang!

had early dinner at Planet Sambal (for Kuchingites who are in the dark, it's next to Ipanema). the verdict? i'd definitely be its regular patron. food was appetizing. decor was fab - modern chic. the best thing about it? opens 24 hours!

went online for a while after Isyak. sayang seribu kali sayang - Aida baru je nak offer FREE 3 days' pass to RWMF. she just got it Thursday. yes - shite! if i were to be handed the pass, say, a week ago...i'd brave the mozzies, revolting body odours, tanah becak (selepas hujan...since Kuching rained at noon and before Isyak) and perhaps would give aikido a miss for the weekend. i've been missing aikido lebih daripada sepatutnya.

bila takde duit
...Tuhan uji pulak dengan free pass. memang rasanya sangat celaka. korban aje lah RWMF. there's always next year. you win some, you lose some, kan?

met Am Trav after Isyak - selepas "jual mahal" for about a year. i enjoyed his company tremendously.

met Din right after since he stayed at the same hotel as Am. he was with a friend. had drinks at Waterfront (yang harganya SUPER DUPER mahal), which i last spent time to lepak 3 years ago. while lepaking, a blogger friend (tak nak sebut nama. bagi clue pun tak boleh sebab mention an alphabet from his name pun orang dah tau. kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan?) was there too with his posse. kesian kawan-kawan dia merajuk sebab 7/8 of his time was spent at my table. borak-borak. kihkihkih...i still feel guilty for making him abandon his friends.

Din's friend left for Grappa. chatted with Din in front of his hotel's entrance before i bade adieu.

i would relive this Friday all over again if i'm allowed to.

what's in store for me today? besides my aikido class at noon - wallahualam.

8.7.09

blast from the past...

to those who have left us...



andai aku mati
kuharap angin barzakh bertiup lembut
kuharap bekalan amalku tidak diragut
kuharap harta peninggalanku tidak direbut
kuharap sedekah jariahku jangan disebut
kuharap dosa kejahatanku tak bersambut
kuharap pahala kebaikanku melata bak rumput
asal jangan dipijak, direnggut-renggut

andai aku mati
bahagialah keluargaku
bahagialah teman-temanku
bahagialah orang sekelilingku
bahagialah selagi mampu
kerana bahagia itu perlu
buat pengubat rindu
buat pereda nafsu
buat pemusnah sayu
buat penghilang sendu

andai aku mati
jangan bergaduh lagi
menegakkan kebenaran yang tak pasti
bertempik, berteriak, bersorak
menegakkan dusta dunia
menegakkan kebencian yang makin marak
yang nyata sia-sia
jauh dari syurga

andai aku mati
pastikan keluargaku teguh
pastikan teman-temanku utuh
pastikan amal, tinggalan, sedekah dan kebaikanku
tidak rapuh
dimakan usia, disesat dunia
dikabur derita fana

andai aku mati
tutup mataku,
qiamkan tanganku di dada
mandikan tubuhku, jiruskan air serata-rata
kafani diriku, solati jasadku
semadi dan talkinkan jenazahku
doakan aku selamat di alam sana
sempat meraih syafaat khatimul anbia
untuk bertemu azza wa jalla
dalam merasa nikmat syurga
tidak ku kesal hidup di dunia

7.7.09

sorang suka kawen, sorang lagi tak...

tapi, dua-dua kawan baik aku. happy birthday, folks!


Ira - 26 on 6th - suka kawen

Bernard - 26 on 7th - tak suka kawen

5.7.09

anggun - berganti hari HQ

sedih gile lagu ni! tsk...tsk...tsk...

4.7.09

the weekend is back!!!

...and i love aikido classes on Saturdays and Sundays.

Salam Kemerdekaan


yup, it's The 4th of July!

1.7.09

200th...


it's July 1st!