Of Bunga Telur & Bally Shoes

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

While attending one of my cousin's wedding today despite of heavy migrane and sore throat, it is somehow so true that to have a shariah-compliant wedding is quite a huge challenge. To eliminate things that have been part of traditions since early age is not that easy actually.

That is why when people asking my opinion regarding this topic, I will definitely tell them to look into the family's background prior to judge on anything. Different families will be having different perspectives. Although the groom and bride itself have a strong intend to have a really shariah-compliant wedding, we have to consider the fact that a wedding event is mostly dominated by the parents rather than the couples itself.

The Wedding Ambiance

It is not to say that the parents are not having a good foundation of Islam, but as I mentioned in my previous post regarding baby boomers (who definitely have children that are currently in the age that suitable to get married), they are the types who always think about many factors; and one of it is other's perspective and view. It is majority of Gen Ys like us that falls under the category of not to care what people want to say; as long as we didn't do anything harmful be it to ourselves or others.

That is why whenever we are going to any events or party, it is better for us to keep our own perspective to our own rather than quickly speak out our opinion which may hurt the event's organizers. As for myself, as long as you're invited, you just come in the event you've nothing more important than the event itself. It is not to say that other's invitation is not important, but today's lifestyle really need us to prioritize our schedule as we are the only one who are fully responsible to our own life; and it is not an option, it is a must, if you think about it to the deepest point.

Have a nice day :)

Wassalam.

Trip to Manila (Overview)

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

When the route was temporarily introduced somewhere in the first quarter of 2014, I was too eager to check if there is any special promotion. Oh, I forgot to share that eye-ing for newly introduced route is another trick to get special fare for any flights.

Although there's no more direct flight from MYY to MNL, I am somehow thankful that I get the opportunity to visit the country of Jose Rizal, one of Philippines warriors during old days. It takes us about 2 hours and 30 minutes to reach Manila from Miri. We spent 6 days 5 nights there but in reality, we just have the luxury to explore Manila for four days since our departure flight arrived Manila at dusk and we have to leave for Miri as early as 11 am.

Rizal Monument, Luneta National Park, Manila

Our first impression upon arriving at Manila is it is almost like Las Vegas as the hotels near to the airport were all luxuries; on top of the Spanish American English accents spoken by its citizens. I was lucky that day since my Philippines colleague was also boarded the same flight so his presence is quite helpful; at least to get a slightly lower rate for taxi to Makati.

It takes about 30 minutes from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to reach our hotel in Makati. The reason I selected that hotel on top of quite good reviews from Trip Advisor was there's one Pakistanis halal restaurant which takes us less than 10 minutes walk from the hotel. Mind you, searching for halal food in Manila is quite challenging on top of expensive.

In general, we only spent one day to visit historical places in Manila and the remaining three days were all utilized for shopping. I cannot deny the fact that Manila is a heaven for handbags shoppers. We spent our first day by visiting Intramuros. We searched for handbags extensively on second day at Greenhills Shopping Centre, Tutuban Centre and Chinatown on third day and a day before we returned to Miri, we spent our time at Mall of Asia, one of the biggest shopping centre in South East Asia.

The Mall of Asia Amusement Park

The Eye, Mall of Asia, Pasai City

Although it is quite challenging to find halal food in Manila, a good thing is in every mall, there'll be at least one halal food cafe. But of course, whenever the supply is less than the demand, the price is somehow not worthy for that kind of taste. But back to our initial intention, we are traveling to experience the various cultures and environments, not just to fill our empty stomach.

Oh, our return flight from Miri to Manila only cost us 86 MYR per person. So this is the main reason I traveled to Manila although this city is not in my checklists. After all, it is the experiences and life lessons that matter while we live as Allah's slave in this temporary world.

Have a nice day :)

Wassalam.

P/s: This post is drafted while I am heading for Kuching from Miri via MH 643.

A Letter to Baby Boomers

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

Dear Baby Boomers,

I hope this letter won't make you feel offended. This is just an open letter from one of the Gen Ys who've found that dealing with some of your gens are troublesome and making things harder.

We understand that security is your main priority in whatever means. We know that you've undergo many hard things in life and as much as possible you try not to let us fall into that traps. We do value your many years of experience in doing things.

Tusan Cliff, Miri-Bintulu Road

As time goes by, things will slowly change. Something that you've seen as thread before could be an opportunity nowadays. Something that you feel unsafe during your old days could be manageable risks today. The methods that you may think and proved effective few years back may no longer works for us at this moment.

We Gen Ys growing up in a transformation era whereby many new technologies emerge and hence we could know many things just via a simple click at the end of our fingers. Please do not misinterpret as we are still believe in your real experience and capability but we just want to make things as simple as it can be. We don't like to debate on things that face many obstacles just because of bureaucracy. We just want things to be get done as fast as it could be!

We admit that we don't like to have frequent meeting and discussion as we believe there are many newly invented technologies that should be able to shorten the meeting or discussion duration. We don't prefer some of your gens who love to beat around the bush. We are okay to accept negative respond or in a simple word, it is NO, CANNOT, DISAGREE and so on. Just tell us why and we're okay!

We Gen Ys just don't understand why we keep a lengthy procedure when it was proven ineffective. We Gen Ys can't accept why there is Don'ts but when we ask on its significance, your gens can't even give even a simple explanation. We Gen Ys can't even think of why we need to follow your rules when it even make people to become more retarded!

We Gen Ys basically just want you to be able to answer on our WHYs and not just simply because we have to follow the elders. It is so simple right?

Sincerely,

One of the Gen Ys

Have a nice day :)

Wassalam.

Silent Treatment

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

Sometimes, we speak the loudest in silence. It is either we choose to remain silent because we believe that nobody care to listen or we just to tired to tell them the same thing for almost everyday.

 

But there is some cases whereby we must keep ourselves silent just because the consequences of telling the truth is too bad to be experienced. But after all, telling the truth is a must for everyone who uphold integrity in their life, not necessarily for Muslims only.

 

What is so magic about silence is it can improve the situation as time goes by. I am not saying that it will be happened for every situation, but most of the situations can get better if we choose to be silent; on top of not hurting anybody using the harsh words and cynical/ sarcastic statements.

 

Freemantle, Perth (Winter 2014)

Sometimes, being too vocal can exposed our own weaknesses. As much as we do not want others to have bad impression about us, we also have to act accordingly in order to ensure our weaknesses that can be other's weapon in the event of they want to bring us down are being well-managed as well. Being careful by remaining silent can be a very good precaution in this kind of situation.

 

After all, we should not hide the truth that need us to speak out in case it is extremely needed especially for the benefits of ummah. The truth that sounds bitter is always better than a sweet lie.

 

Beating around the bush is another thing; and if we want to gain other's trust on us, always learn on ways to keep our points and views sharp and objective. By being straight to the point, we can save our time, avoid speculations, and free our heart from any negative feeling as there is no more thing to be hide; if it is compulsory for us to reveal the real hurt truth.

 

Have a nice day :)

 

Wassalam.

 

 

 

 

Grow Up

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

 

 

In order to survive, we must try our best to grow up. Growing up not necessarily portrayed by increment in number of age only. It can be in term of becoming more stable in our financial, more calm in any situation, have stronger sense of human, better emotion control and know better when and how to respond.

 



My about to grow water spinach as of 0700 hours 27th November 2015.



Sometimes, it is only in the situation whereby being strong is the only option that we have that we can grow up well. That is why in Islam, we must have a strong faith that everything happens for reasons. It is just sooner or later that Allah will reveals the hikmah to us.

 

This morning, after doing some housework, I pay a visit to my small nursery to see the current progress of my mustard and water spinach growth. Alhamdulillah, they are growing well! Last time, when I planted them inside used tyres, they grow well but since it is quite often I forgot to water them, on top of hot and dry climate during that time, the leaves turn yellow. It ends up that I only can eat only few of it, but it is enough for one time cook.

 

Looking back on the things I've done, it is somehow true that only in desperate situation that we can really unleash our real potential. The only thing that we must always keep in our heart and mind is strong believe and faith that Allah will never leave us, but human will; although the closest person to our heart including our own parents.

 

Always spare our times for Him, and He will never leave us alone in any situation. A strong connection with the Most Powerful is indeed required in order for us to be a grown up lady or gentleman.

 

Have a nice day :)
 

Wassalam.

Trip to Krabi (Overview)

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

 

 

27 November 2013 was marked as my first oversea trip at the age of 24 years and 10 days old. It was never been planned. When I underwent my one year attachment at Kuala Terengganu, my sister suddenly asked if I am OK to follow her to Krabi since returns ticket for two just cost about 375 MYR at that moment. In addition, she offered to pay using her money first and I will pay her later.

 

Sometimes, unplanned things are better than the planned one. Knowing the fact that it will be our very first oversea trip, we searched extensively on everything there. Plus, we will be heading to Phuket as well for one night before spending the remaining 5 days out of 7 days in Krabi itself.

 

School in Phuket

 

We were excited when we saw this at the first time and suddenly our taxi driver told us:
"Why are you so excited? They are doing demonstration."

 

I made one major mistake. I booked for 4 different hotels during our stay in Krabi and it really make us feel like a total nomads. It made me adore those Bedouins who were used to live in nomads during ancient years considering all the stuffs that have to be brought together during transfer from one place to another.

 

We ate this pancake for almost every night. There are many similar stalls along the road in Ao Nang.

After all, I cannot be hard to myself as it was my first time experience. The trip runs well with just one scam issue: and it happened during our last day and we almost missed our flight back to Malaysia. We have paid in full a taxi that supposedly sent us to Krabi International Airport but the taxi never come to fetch us as per promised. I remember the liar lady name until today: her name is Apple.

 

One of the sceneries during our four islands hoping. Subhanallah :)

 

 

Luckily my sister's friend got extra Thai Baht that morning, so we just paid him in MYR upon returned to Malaysia as we only left with few Thai Baht on that very last day.

 

My very first international trip have opened my eyes that there's a lot of kind people in this world and I shall make more efforts to meet more of them, explore the world and experience different culture by myself.

 

Our very first snorkeling experience.

 

I shall thanks my sister for the trip as it has broadened my horizon on top of strengthening my belief that this world consists of more good people and only few bad people.

 

Have a nice day :)

 

Wassalam.

Itinerary

 

 

 

 

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

Sometimes, I do feel it is hard to plan for a vacation. But somehow, it is through traveling that I think I have improved myself in many ways.

 

Istanbul, Turkey

 

I will be out of country in less than a month time. This time, I choose a non English speaking country after few of my friends have suggested me to try this country. It gonna be winter again this time, but as long as it is not a snowy winter, I believe I am okay. Having past experience when visiting Perth 18 months ago I think may help.

 

When planning for itinerary, here are few things to be well considered:

 

1) How long will we be there?

 

2) How long it takes for us to reach that destination? If it takes us more than 4 hours, we should consider having just a light activities upon reach the destination and start heavier activities on the next day. Do not let our fatigue spoil our moments.

 

3) The cost: accommodation, transportation, entrance fee, food.

 

4) Nearby attractions so we can make it a one go trip.

 

5) Options in the event of sudden closure or unavailability of that particular place.

 

6) Distance between one place to another.

 

7) Weather forecast.

 

After all, do not plan it to be too rigid as we will become too discipline in order to follow the itinerary. Set some flexibility. Remember, this is the time when we want to be the real us without bothering if there is anything to be catched for.

 

Have a nice day :)

 

Wassalam.

  

The New Beginning

Assalamua'laikum wbt & Good Day,

 

Only after four years, I realized that writing is part of my soul. It is part of me as I can live my life through writing.

 

Thanks Allah for making me to realize that this is my real passion.

 

My first blog started in 2008, when I were still in my first year of my Degree. And as I am reaching the end of my study years, the skill seems to be deteriorated. I do not know why. Maybe too eager to complete my Degree. After all, receiving a scroll during our convocation day is not the end anyway.

 

It is indeed a commencement for a new world. New world that make us learn that being kind is more important than being right. New world that teach us that there are some people we only meet by accident just to teach us the meaning of memories. New world that teach us that life is really like a wheel; hence we must always be kind in anytime, anywhere. New world that teach us to appreciate every single moment in life, regardless how it will impact our emotion in that particular moment. New world that always teach us to let go whatever things that ruin our internal peace and tranquility.

 

My Alma Mater

 

 

After all, in any situations, it is always us that matter. It is always you that matter. Whatever happening will be still happening, it is the way we perceive things that will differentiate us between one to another.

 

Have a nice day :)

 

Wassalam.