Assalamualaikum...
Today, 27th December 2008 is my Engagement Day. Hmm, suddenly it sounds like 'Judgement Day!" But never mind that; yeah, i'm getting engaged today!
The story of my 'love story' - if you can call it that - is sooo ordinary... which in turn makes it kinda extraordinary.
Well, if you're arching your brows right now reading that, hehe, i'll defend myself by saying, that's not my 'saying' actually. That came from one and two of my friends!
Simply said; they told me, for a guy, who is not so 'melayu' (they said, not me!), i chose a very conservative and old-fashioned way of finding a spouse!
And you know what? i happened to agree with them. But, that's the story for another time. Because for now, i'm too edgy to tell anything in here...
Right now, i'm going to grab something to eat, and maybe later, go to gym...
Oh and one more thing, i won't even be there today. i just leave everything to my family. Ironically, i have 'kursus nikah', this afternoon, here in KL.
Hmm, kursus nikah in the midst of engagement day. Not bad huh...
Bye,
AidanZ
Type rest of the post here
Showing posts with label Journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Journey. Show all posts
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
An Eventful Day.
Assalamualaikum...
Have you ever had a day, you really want to rip your own hand off of you, being chased by a police patrol car, and being told 'Sir, it's time to break fast' by a Chinese guy?
Well, i had all that yesterday.
In what could arguably be one of the most eventful day for me in this Ramadhan, i experienced all the above situation with lots.. lots of emotions - from anger, frustration, horror, shock, regret to awe, humbleness and grateful.
Let's go to 'bad' emotions first.
1) I twisted my right wrist - the starting of everything!
I would say, this was the worst thing that happened to me yesterday. My tennis hand was twisted! What could be worse? That was the first thing that flashed through my mind - and with horror too - as i suddenly felt the sharp pain when i lifted my rather heavy bag yesterday.
Despite my vow to not get angry in this fasting month, i felt very very angry with myself! Why did i always have to rush to do things - in this case, lifting my bag. If only i was a little bit more careful, and patient, it won't happen, I chastised myself.
And as the anger - and panic - enveloped me, i made things even worse by twisting my wrist really hard in every direction possible, hoping the pain will subside, but to no avail. And as i learned soon after that, that reckless action of mine just made my wrist hurt even more by the hour!
2) Soon after that, i was in my car, in a hurry to go to One Utama. I was asked to book a table at Shogun, a Japanese Buffet Restaurant, where i planned to break fast with my friends, Aiman and Amir.
No need to say, i still didn't do the booking. While i could't find where i put the phone number of the restaurant, and my watch showed it was already near 6 o'clock, i sped my car heading toward OU.
Come this one intersection at Damansara Perdana, i made an illegal U-Turn, only to see there was a police car there. I felt a bit panic then, but i said, what the heck, almost everyone did that!
I realized the patrol car was following behind, and i saw the light started to flash together with the siren sound. But still, i didn't slow down. I still think that patrol car was after someone else!
At last, when i realized the police started to edge my car to the side of the road, only then i knew, it was me who they were after!
No wonder the policeman was really angry after that! With a glare and a really harsh tone, he asked for my I.C and license and went away for almost 30 minutes! He didn't even tell me what was my mistake and why he needed to give me tickets!
The 30 minutes was supposed to be the time where i felt humiliated - all the other cars were slowing down to see who was the bad guy! - and upset, and frustrated. But I didn't!
As i sat silently in my car, waiting for the ticket, i felt oddly in peace with myself. I stared at my painfully-throbbing hand, as my mind adjusted to what had just happened to me.
Hmm, i said, these - my twisted wrist and the police incident - are obviously a test for me! A Ramadhan tests! To see how i would react and cope with it. I would say i failed for the first one, but i learned to get over it for the second one.
When the policemen came back to me, he almost threw the ticket together with my IC and driving license, but i offered him a smile and a thanks. He didn't return any of them, but it was understandable. I made the mistake, i paid the price.
3) Lucky, during my brief 'arrest', Aiman arrived at OU, and i asked him to do the booking instead. He came from Shah Alam but he was earlier than me, the 'local guy'! hehe. If Amir also managed to be earlier than me, i was dead. He's from Perak!
It was the first time i've been to Shogun and the food; wow! I glanced around and i can see we were not the only Malay there. Quite many, actually.
As we settled down with food almost covered the table, Aiman and I talked. (Amir didn't arrive yet) We talked about old friends, and many others. Then, suddenly one Chinese waiter came to our table and said something like, "Sir, it's already time to break fast!"
Instinctively i looked at my watch. "Haah lah! It's time!". Then Aiman and I laughed! It was so bizarre! And as Aiman said, "It wasn't everyday a Chinese guy come and tell you to break fast! You should write this in your blog."
Later, Amir arrived and we shared the story with him. Oh, and along with so many other stories. As a result, we were among the last group to leave the restaurant.
Although I felt a twinge of guilt for the missing tarawih in the mosque, i was lying if i said i didn't enjoy myself. I'll make it up later, i said, to my conscience.
As for my day, I would say, "All's well when end's well"
I certainly learned my lesson.
and
I certainly need to find a good masseur to do something about my wrist before the holiday finished! Or i have to tell my tennis-buddy Sham, about the 'grieving' news.
Pray for me, will ya? (desperate...)
P/S: My friend told me i need to buy a camera so that i can put pictures in here. A picture worth a thousand words. He's right. But until then, please bear just with my messy writings, ok?
Type rest of the post here
Have you ever had a day, you really want to rip your own hand off of you, being chased by a police patrol car, and being told 'Sir, it's time to break fast' by a Chinese guy?
Well, i had all that yesterday.
In what could arguably be one of the most eventful day for me in this Ramadhan, i experienced all the above situation with lots.. lots of emotions - from anger, frustration, horror, shock, regret to awe, humbleness and grateful.
Let's go to 'bad' emotions first.
1) I twisted my right wrist - the starting of everything!
I would say, this was the worst thing that happened to me yesterday. My tennis hand was twisted! What could be worse? That was the first thing that flashed through my mind - and with horror too - as i suddenly felt the sharp pain when i lifted my rather heavy bag yesterday.
Despite my vow to not get angry in this fasting month, i felt very very angry with myself! Why did i always have to rush to do things - in this case, lifting my bag. If only i was a little bit more careful, and patient, it won't happen, I chastised myself.
And as the anger - and panic - enveloped me, i made things even worse by twisting my wrist really hard in every direction possible, hoping the pain will subside, but to no avail. And as i learned soon after that, that reckless action of mine just made my wrist hurt even more by the hour!
2) Soon after that, i was in my car, in a hurry to go to One Utama. I was asked to book a table at Shogun, a Japanese Buffet Restaurant, where i planned to break fast with my friends, Aiman and Amir.
No need to say, i still didn't do the booking. While i could't find where i put the phone number of the restaurant, and my watch showed it was already near 6 o'clock, i sped my car heading toward OU.
Come this one intersection at Damansara Perdana, i made an illegal U-Turn, only to see there was a police car there. I felt a bit panic then, but i said, what the heck, almost everyone did that!
I realized the patrol car was following behind, and i saw the light started to flash together with the siren sound. But still, i didn't slow down. I still think that patrol car was after someone else!
At last, when i realized the police started to edge my car to the side of the road, only then i knew, it was me who they were after!
No wonder the policeman was really angry after that! With a glare and a really harsh tone, he asked for my I.C and license and went away for almost 30 minutes! He didn't even tell me what was my mistake and why he needed to give me tickets!
The 30 minutes was supposed to be the time where i felt humiliated - all the other cars were slowing down to see who was the bad guy! - and upset, and frustrated. But I didn't!
As i sat silently in my car, waiting for the ticket, i felt oddly in peace with myself. I stared at my painfully-throbbing hand, as my mind adjusted to what had just happened to me.
Hmm, i said, these - my twisted wrist and the police incident - are obviously a test for me! A Ramadhan tests! To see how i would react and cope with it. I would say i failed for the first one, but i learned to get over it for the second one.
When the policemen came back to me, he almost threw the ticket together with my IC and driving license, but i offered him a smile and a thanks. He didn't return any of them, but it was understandable. I made the mistake, i paid the price.
3) Lucky, during my brief 'arrest', Aiman arrived at OU, and i asked him to do the booking instead. He came from Shah Alam but he was earlier than me, the 'local guy'! hehe. If Amir also managed to be earlier than me, i was dead. He's from Perak!
It was the first time i've been to Shogun and the food; wow! I glanced around and i can see we were not the only Malay there. Quite many, actually.
As we settled down with food almost covered the table, Aiman and I talked. (Amir didn't arrive yet) We talked about old friends, and many others. Then, suddenly one Chinese waiter came to our table and said something like, "Sir, it's already time to break fast!"
Instinctively i looked at my watch. "Haah lah! It's time!". Then Aiman and I laughed! It was so bizarre! And as Aiman said, "It wasn't everyday a Chinese guy come and tell you to break fast! You should write this in your blog."
Later, Amir arrived and we shared the story with him. Oh, and along with so many other stories. As a result, we were among the last group to leave the restaurant.
Although I felt a twinge of guilt for the missing tarawih in the mosque, i was lying if i said i didn't enjoy myself. I'll make it up later, i said, to my conscience.
As for my day, I would say, "All's well when end's well"
I certainly learned my lesson.
and
I certainly need to find a good masseur to do something about my wrist before the holiday finished! Or i have to tell my tennis-buddy Sham, about the 'grieving' news.
Pray for me, will ya? (desperate...)
P/S: My friend told me i need to buy a camera so that i can put pictures in here. A picture worth a thousand words. He's right. But until then, please bear just with my messy writings, ok?
Type rest of the post here
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Pokok Melor and me...
Assalamualaikum...Couples of month ago, my housemate brought back two tiny 'pokok melor', in a tiny black bags-or sacks... whatever - and put them at the front porch of my house. I knew they were pokok melor because i asked him, although now i realize, i didn't asked him why he brought back the plants to our house at the time..
A month later, the plants died. Emm.. almost died.
Truth is, i totally forgot about the plants' existence! Until today, i still don't know what took me so long to realize about the poor dying plants. They were there, just waiting for someone with heart(?), to pour them some water to survive. But nobody seems to even spare them a glance, moreover to attend to their needs. Not even their owner!
And that was the time when i decided to be a hero, to play life-saver for the plants, hehe. First of course, i gave them water. Well, that was the most logical thing to do, and i did that. For a few days, i waited, rather impatiently, for something, any changes to happen. Nothing.
The once-gloriously-green leaves still as brown as ever, and the dry stems still as charred as ever.
Then I remember something. I used to help my mom attend to her flowers back at home and -inhaled deeply- i have to make sure it wasn't all for nothing! That's when the idea struck me squarely in my head.
In order for a new life to grow, the old life has to give way..
So, i cut all the dead twigs with scissors - i saw my mom did that before - leaving the plants bare naked with nothing except for their stump gray stem. Then i cleared the space surrounded the plants so they got clear shot at the sunlight. All while pouring water every single day, of course.
Syukur, within a week after that, my 'patience' was rewarded. Small and greenish buds started to appear, and soon, i watched delightfully when young leaves began to replace the buds and grew bigger and healthier everyday.
A little more than a month after the near-death-experience for the plants, they stood proudly, limb towards the sunlight and ready to reveal their first blossom! And blossom they did!
I still remember, every time i poured water over the plants, i will crouch beside them and smell their beautiful scent, with -i'm sure- a wide smile on my face.
In my heart, i savour the scent as my little triumph against the odds and i didn't lie when i said i was really proud of myself!
But all that changed exactly a month ago...
I went back to my hometown for 3 days and i totally forgot to ask any of my housemates to look after the plants- my bad. As if that was not enough, when i got back, i was so busy, plus distracted about something, it was over a week -almost two actually- for me to realize that my favorite 'surrogate' plants were dying, AGAIN!
I took the 'failed deeds' really hard and i fully blamed myself for it.
With regrets, i started everything all over again: poured water, cut dry twigs, cleared space etc...
I was really angry with myself. How could i be so reckless and thoughtless, i asked myself repeatedly, feeling somehow guilty to the plants... and to the Creator!
As i typed this entry, young leaves just sprouted out from the stems, again, and this time i am determine NOT to make the same mistake again. The excitement than once energized me has gone, only redemption left for me now. Somehow, i felt like i have to redeem myself. To the plants, to myself and to Allah, the Creator.
For Aidilfitri, it sure looks like the plants will accompany me back to my hometown...!
***Oh, about the real owner of the plants, i asked him once -sarcastically- about the plants he brought back but did nothing to tend them. You know what his answer?
"Laa, i didn't know you took care of the plants. i saw them ok je, i thought they grow bigger by themselves...!"
I thought i was going to punch his face that day...
A month later, the plants died. Emm.. almost died.
Truth is, i totally forgot about the plants' existence! Until today, i still don't know what took me so long to realize about the poor dying plants. They were there, just waiting for someone with heart(?), to pour them some water to survive. But nobody seems to even spare them a glance, moreover to attend to their needs. Not even their owner!
And that was the time when i decided to be a hero, to play life-saver for the plants, hehe. First of course, i gave them water. Well, that was the most logical thing to do, and i did that. For a few days, i waited, rather impatiently, for something, any changes to happen. Nothing.
The once-gloriously-green leaves still as brown as ever, and the dry stems still as charred as ever.
Then I remember something. I used to help my mom attend to her flowers back at home and -inhaled deeply- i have to make sure it wasn't all for nothing! That's when the idea struck me squarely in my head.
In order for a new life to grow, the old life has to give way..
So, i cut all the dead twigs with scissors - i saw my mom did that before - leaving the plants bare naked with nothing except for their stump gray stem. Then i cleared the space surrounded the plants so they got clear shot at the sunlight. All while pouring water every single day, of course.
Syukur, within a week after that, my 'patience' was rewarded. Small and greenish buds started to appear, and soon, i watched delightfully when young leaves began to replace the buds and grew bigger and healthier everyday.
A little more than a month after the near-death-experience for the plants, they stood proudly, limb towards the sunlight and ready to reveal their first blossom! And blossom they did!
I still remember, every time i poured water over the plants, i will crouch beside them and smell their beautiful scent, with -i'm sure- a wide smile on my face.
In my heart, i savour the scent as my little triumph against the odds and i didn't lie when i said i was really proud of myself!
But all that changed exactly a month ago...
I went back to my hometown for 3 days and i totally forgot to ask any of my housemates to look after the plants- my bad. As if that was not enough, when i got back, i was so busy, plus distracted about something, it was over a week -almost two actually- for me to realize that my favorite 'surrogate' plants were dying, AGAIN!
I took the 'failed deeds' really hard and i fully blamed myself for it.
With regrets, i started everything all over again: poured water, cut dry twigs, cleared space etc...
I was really angry with myself. How could i be so reckless and thoughtless, i asked myself repeatedly, feeling somehow guilty to the plants... and to the Creator!
As i typed this entry, young leaves just sprouted out from the stems, again, and this time i am determine NOT to make the same mistake again. The excitement than once energized me has gone, only redemption left for me now. Somehow, i felt like i have to redeem myself. To the plants, to myself and to Allah, the Creator.
For Aidilfitri, it sure looks like the plants will accompany me back to my hometown...!
***Oh, about the real owner of the plants, i asked him once -sarcastically- about the plants he brought back but did nothing to tend them. You know what his answer?
"Laa, i didn't know you took care of the plants. i saw them ok je, i thought they grow bigger by themselves...!"
I thought i was going to punch his face that day...
Type rest of the post here
Friday, August 29, 2008
Best Friend (3)
Assalamualaikum...
Continue from Best Friend (2)...
Type rest of the post here
Continue from Best Friend (2)...
Mouth wide open, he walked slowly towards his best friend and sat beside him in silent. His face felt hot all of a sudden. Mixtures of indescribable feelings overwhelmed him, made him struggled for words, any words, to come out.
"Why-" At last, after several agonizing minutes, the words came to him. "Why did you write those words, buddy?" His voice cracked a little bit, but that was all he could do to withhold rushes of emotions inside him now.
First the writing on the sand; 'Today my best friend slapped me in the face'; Now, etched on the stone; 'Today my best friend saved my life'.
Why?!
For a long time, his best friend didn't answer him. He just tilted his face and studied the canopies of trees above him, as if the answer was there. His face had nothing on it but peace. From afar, he looked so content and fully at ease, as if he just discovered a secret of happiness and secretly enjoy the knowledge...
Then, he answered.
Looking straight into his friend's waiting eyes, he smiled as these words flowed out of his lips.
"When i first wrote the writing on the sand, i was really hurt buddy. It wasn't as much about the pain you inflicted when you slapped me. Instead, it was more to do with the manner things happened at the moment. Aren't we best friend? I keep asking myself. Didn't that count for something when things got out of control?
"Yeah, things do get messy sometimes, but that was the time when we can rely on our so called friendship to help overcome the situations. Which in our case, didn't happened.
"One great test from God, and our friendship almost crumbled into pieces. And that was what really saddened me at the time..."
He paused. Once again he tilted his head up, this time with his eyes closed. The now sad smile on his face somehow made him looked like an old man with a lot of things going on in his mind.
Watching his best friend through now-blurry eyes, he felt his egos falling one by one. He can never be as good friend as his best friend there to him. Even just now, when he had the chances to blast him for his bad antic yesterday, he didn't do it. Instead he talked about it with smile, as if he just talked about the good weather or the good food they just ate at one fine restaurant in town.
"But i still didn't answer your question just now, did i buddy?" His best friend was back. Again with the smile. Again with the piercing eyes on his face.
He nodded.
"I have to admit buddy, i did that, partly to hurt you. I won't punch you back. Never in million years. You know that, don't you?" He didn't wait for answer as he continued, "So, i did the only thing i knew will affect you. I wrote the writings on the sand..."
His best friend paused, then he continued
"This morning, you saved my life. Even though you are not really a good swimmer, you still dove into the raging river and tried to save me. At first i was angry with you. What if something happened to you? But soon, i have nothing but gratitude in my heart. I was grateful to God for giving me chances to still be alive and even more grateful to Him because He sent you to save me!"
Once again his best friend paused. From the corner of his eyes, he can see his best friend tried his best to fight off his tears. So he looked away. He understand what his best friend went through at the moment. He waited, and after a while, his best friend continued,
"I cannot say how thankful I am for what you did for me. You saved my life! That was the highest sacrifice a friend can do. And you did it buddy. For me!"
The voice cracked. But his best friend didn't finish yet,
"After you asked me to get some rest, i did a lot of thinking. About what had happened yesterday and then today. Only after that did i decide to engrave the stone with another writing. This writing!" he pointed towards the writings on the stone (Today, my best friend saved my life)
"Why-" At last, after several agonizing minutes, the words came to him. "Why did you write those words, buddy?" His voice cracked a little bit, but that was all he could do to withhold rushes of emotions inside him now.
First the writing on the sand; 'Today my best friend slapped me in the face'; Now, etched on the stone; 'Today my best friend saved my life'.
Why?!
For a long time, his best friend didn't answer him. He just tilted his face and studied the canopies of trees above him, as if the answer was there. His face had nothing on it but peace. From afar, he looked so content and fully at ease, as if he just discovered a secret of happiness and secretly enjoy the knowledge...
Then, he answered.
Looking straight into his friend's waiting eyes, he smiled as these words flowed out of his lips.
"When i first wrote the writing on the sand, i was really hurt buddy. It wasn't as much about the pain you inflicted when you slapped me. Instead, it was more to do with the manner things happened at the moment. Aren't we best friend? I keep asking myself. Didn't that count for something when things got out of control?
"Yeah, things do get messy sometimes, but that was the time when we can rely on our so called friendship to help overcome the situations. Which in our case, didn't happened.
"One great test from God, and our friendship almost crumbled into pieces. And that was what really saddened me at the time..."
He paused. Once again he tilted his head up, this time with his eyes closed. The now sad smile on his face somehow made him looked like an old man with a lot of things going on in his mind.
Watching his best friend through now-blurry eyes, he felt his egos falling one by one. He can never be as good friend as his best friend there to him. Even just now, when he had the chances to blast him for his bad antic yesterday, he didn't do it. Instead he talked about it with smile, as if he just talked about the good weather or the good food they just ate at one fine restaurant in town.
"But i still didn't answer your question just now, did i buddy?" His best friend was back. Again with the smile. Again with the piercing eyes on his face.
He nodded.
"I have to admit buddy, i did that, partly to hurt you. I won't punch you back. Never in million years. You know that, don't you?" He didn't wait for answer as he continued, "So, i did the only thing i knew will affect you. I wrote the writings on the sand..."
His best friend paused, then he continued
"This morning, you saved my life. Even though you are not really a good swimmer, you still dove into the raging river and tried to save me. At first i was angry with you. What if something happened to you? But soon, i have nothing but gratitude in my heart. I was grateful to God for giving me chances to still be alive and even more grateful to Him because He sent you to save me!"
Once again his best friend paused. From the corner of his eyes, he can see his best friend tried his best to fight off his tears. So he looked away. He understand what his best friend went through at the moment. He waited, and after a while, his best friend continued,
"I cannot say how thankful I am for what you did for me. You saved my life! That was the highest sacrifice a friend can do. And you did it buddy. For me!"
The voice cracked. But his best friend didn't finish yet,
"After you asked me to get some rest, i did a lot of thinking. About what had happened yesterday and then today. Only after that did i decide to engrave the stone with another writing. This writing!" he pointed towards the writings on the stone (Today, my best friend saved my life)
"I am very thankful to God the irony of what i've done didn't escape me. In fact it gave me reason to believe that what happened today and yesterday held a very powerful 'hikmah' behind it. It served both as reminder and lesson to me about life in general and our friendship in particular."
He nodded slowly. He didn't really understand what his best friend just said. But at this point, he decided he will agree on everything that came out from his best friend's mouth.
If only he knew it was all too transparent on his face, that despite his best friend's soberness at the time, he smiled a little bit while he explained what he meant just then.
"When i wrote the writing on the sand, never once the significance of it crossed my mind. However, God opened my eyes, and i see it clearly now, as i see the flower in the morning and the brilliance of the moonlight during the darkest of night...
"Can't you see, buddy. My hurtful words on the sand, brought up by my anger will soon be erased by the wind of forgiveness. But my engraving on the stone, which came from gratitude for what you have done for me, will always be there. Nothing can ever erase it! The etching on the stone will stay, as will the memory of your sacrifice, in my heart..."
-The End-
Type rest of the post here
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Last weekend...
Assalamualaikum...
Last weekend, i went back to my hometown in Melaka.
Normally, it was one of the highlight of my life - monthly basis i mean - because i can see my Mom, my siblings, and all my nieces and nephews.
Normally...
But not last week...
The reason? My cousin's wedding. The last of my cousins. Well, except me. Obviously, because i am not my cousin.
Ok ok ok. What i mean is, of all my cousins, including me - which i think would be almost 40 of us - everyone is married. Except two of us (We are the youngest of the lot). Well... that is... until last Friday.
And now, i'm the only one left.
Hehe, as all my aunties and uncles kept reminding me when they saw me last weekend, 'ekau tu bukan makin mudo, Zahar. Jangan lambat2 bonar.'
Well, they got that right, right? (sighing...)
Hmm, next year... maybe?!
(sorry, this entry is a little bit haywire. one can only guess why huh...?)
Type rest of the post here
Last weekend, i went back to my hometown in Melaka.
Normally, it was one of the highlight of my life - monthly basis i mean - because i can see my Mom, my siblings, and all my nieces and nephews.
Normally...
But not last week...
The reason? My cousin's wedding. The last of my cousins. Well, except me. Obviously, because i am not my cousin.
Ok ok ok. What i mean is, of all my cousins, including me - which i think would be almost 40 of us - everyone is married. Except two of us (We are the youngest of the lot). Well... that is... until last Friday.
And now, i'm the only one left.
Hehe, as all my aunties and uncles kept reminding me when they saw me last weekend, 'ekau tu bukan makin mudo, Zahar. Jangan lambat2 bonar.'
Well, they got that right, right? (sighing...)
Hmm, next year... maybe?!
(sorry, this entry is a little bit haywire. one can only guess why huh...?)
Type rest of the post here
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Best Friend (2)
Assalamualaikum...
*Continued from Best Friend (1)
"Today my best friend slapped me in the face..."
Silence...
'What have i done?!' The still standing friend asked himself. He felt like shouting his head off, but no voice came out from his throat. He shivered slightly as the full effect of what he just did sank in... slowly, but surely.
He looked at his friend. His best friend!, fiercely he corrected himself, feeling the word echoed in his empty heart. Once again, he glanced at the clear writing on the sand. Once again he closed his eyes, feeling the vein inside his chest pumped wildly. His heart ached. What kind of person slapped his very best friend?
My God... what have i done, he asked again and again in agony.
"Friend!" His eyes sprang open. He couldn't believe his ears. His best friend just called him! Just minutes after he slapped him!
"Let's go buddy. We don't want to be late for our journey. I thought i heard the great river we talked about not far from here." The voice was really calm, and so was the face. In fact, if he wasn't so shocked, he might noticed a little smile on his best friend's still red face.
How could he be so insanely calm?
What happened after that were just a blur to him. No sooner after he collected himself back to the real world, they had arrived at the great river that his best friend talked about just now... or was it couple hours ago? He still felt numbed and out of sort. He just nodded when his best friend told him they will camp there for tonight. Also when he was told to eat something after dinner was ready.
Huh! He was the one who slapped his best friend; and suddenly, he was practically being fed by the very same guy he slapped! What on earth happened to this guy? Consumed by guilt and regret until cannot moved by his own?! Well... maybe that was not totally unexpected. He let his anger got the better of him and he was paying the price straightaway after that.
Little did he know that God had other plan for him to help ease his guilt-ridden suffering.
The following day, he woke up knowing he would ask for forgiveness from his best friend. He realized their friendship meant so much to him, and he would do anything, anything, to turn things back to normal.
"Friend!" He called. "Buddy!" He called next. Louder this time. Eyes shone with determination. Both hands clasped tightly into a fist beside him. Yes, he will even beg for forgiveness from his best friend if he needed to!, he told himself repeatedly.
Then, almost immediately he saw something that made his heart almost jumped out of his chest. His legs felt weak as he saw his best friend was struggling to stay afloat in the wild current of the great river!! His best friend fought very hard, kicking wildly in the water while gasping for air, but it was soon apparent that he was fighting a losing battle.
Any second now, he will lose and became the latest victim of the wild great river.
At the riverbank, the friend quickly recollected himself, and without any second thought, took off his shoes and jumped straight into the wild river. Never once he stopped to think that he wasn't as good swimmer as his now-struggling-for-his-life best friend, or to think about a plan to make sure they both could survive the critical situation.
All he could think of were, the scenes from yesterday. The slapping, the writing on the sand, the calmness on his best friend's face afterward... and the regret he will bear for the rest of his life if things ended with the dea-
NO!!!! I WON'T ALLOW IT! PLEASE GOD! HELP ME!!!
Then, something happened! Later in his life he would say that was God-intervention in the form of one great miracle bestowed upon him to help him save his best friend's life.
A surge of energy suddenly entered his body, giving his strength he knew he never would have conjured by himself. With one powerful stroke, he found himself besides his weakened friend, and seconds later, he swam his way to the riverbank, his best friend safely in the clutch of his other hand.
THANK YOU GOD!! THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY BEST FRIEND'S LIFE, he said with tears.
That evening, as he prepared dinner for both of them, he caught his best friend did something to a big rock near his resting place.
"What are you doing buddy? You're supposed to get some rest.." He frowned at his best friend. But the frown lasted only for 2 seconds..
Because in front of him, etched on the stone by his best friend, was a writing,
'Today, my best friend saved my life'
*Hmm, i think the story isn't quite finished yet. So, wait for the conclusion of the story in Best Friend (3)
Type rest of the post here
*Continued from Best Friend (1)
"Today my best friend slapped me in the face..."
Silence...
'What have i done?!' The still standing friend asked himself. He felt like shouting his head off, but no voice came out from his throat. He shivered slightly as the full effect of what he just did sank in... slowly, but surely.
He looked at his friend. His best friend!, fiercely he corrected himself, feeling the word echoed in his empty heart. Once again, he glanced at the clear writing on the sand. Once again he closed his eyes, feeling the vein inside his chest pumped wildly. His heart ached. What kind of person slapped his very best friend?
My God... what have i done, he asked again and again in agony.
"Friend!" His eyes sprang open. He couldn't believe his ears. His best friend just called him! Just minutes after he slapped him!
"Let's go buddy. We don't want to be late for our journey. I thought i heard the great river we talked about not far from here." The voice was really calm, and so was the face. In fact, if he wasn't so shocked, he might noticed a little smile on his best friend's still red face.
How could he be so insanely calm?
What happened after that were just a blur to him. No sooner after he collected himself back to the real world, they had arrived at the great river that his best friend talked about just now... or was it couple hours ago? He still felt numbed and out of sort. He just nodded when his best friend told him they will camp there for tonight. Also when he was told to eat something after dinner was ready.
Huh! He was the one who slapped his best friend; and suddenly, he was practically being fed by the very same guy he slapped! What on earth happened to this guy? Consumed by guilt and regret until cannot moved by his own?! Well... maybe that was not totally unexpected. He let his anger got the better of him and he was paying the price straightaway after that.
Little did he know that God had other plan for him to help ease his guilt-ridden suffering.
The following day, he woke up knowing he would ask for forgiveness from his best friend. He realized their friendship meant so much to him, and he would do anything, anything, to turn things back to normal.
"Friend!" He called. "Buddy!" He called next. Louder this time. Eyes shone with determination. Both hands clasped tightly into a fist beside him. Yes, he will even beg for forgiveness from his best friend if he needed to!, he told himself repeatedly.
Then, almost immediately he saw something that made his heart almost jumped out of his chest. His legs felt weak as he saw his best friend was struggling to stay afloat in the wild current of the great river!! His best friend fought very hard, kicking wildly in the water while gasping for air, but it was soon apparent that he was fighting a losing battle.
Any second now, he will lose and became the latest victim of the wild great river.
At the riverbank, the friend quickly recollected himself, and without any second thought, took off his shoes and jumped straight into the wild river. Never once he stopped to think that he wasn't as good swimmer as his now-struggling-for-his-life best friend, or to think about a plan to make sure they both could survive the critical situation.
All he could think of were, the scenes from yesterday. The slapping, the writing on the sand, the calmness on his best friend's face afterward... and the regret he will bear for the rest of his life if things ended with the dea-
NO!!!! I WON'T ALLOW IT! PLEASE GOD! HELP ME!!!
Then, something happened! Later in his life he would say that was God-intervention in the form of one great miracle bestowed upon him to help him save his best friend's life.
A surge of energy suddenly entered his body, giving his strength he knew he never would have conjured by himself. With one powerful stroke, he found himself besides his weakened friend, and seconds later, he swam his way to the riverbank, his best friend safely in the clutch of his other hand.
THANK YOU GOD!! THANK YOU FOR SAVING MY BEST FRIEND'S LIFE, he said with tears.
That evening, as he prepared dinner for both of them, he caught his best friend did something to a big rock near his resting place.
"What are you doing buddy? You're supposed to get some rest.." He frowned at his best friend. But the frown lasted only for 2 seconds..
Because in front of him, etched on the stone by his best friend, was a writing,
'Today, my best friend saved my life'
*Hmm, i think the story isn't quite finished yet. So, wait for the conclusion of the story in Best Friend (3)
Type rest of the post here
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Best Friend (1)
Assalamualaikum...
Not so long ago, not far from here, there were two best friends. How they became best friends wasn't really important, as this story takes place years and years after that - at one time when they were walking side by side on their journey home from one of their great adventure.
Just like any other great adventures in this world, the journey was very hard as they had to cross a scorching desert, climbed a steep cliff to a mountaintop, walked through wild forest and dangerous swamp, and many, many, other obstacles we can only think of.
After several weeks, all the hardships of the journey began to take their toll on the two friends. They started to quarrel a little more often than usual, sometimes over something very trivial. Like why you always make that sound with your tongue when it's cold huh?, or, why you always drink more, when i'm the one who fill the water supply throughout this journey?!!
And many others.
It was as if, they wanted to release their frustration over the long journey by irritating the other, or maybe they simply derived pleasure by doing that, nobody knows.
Until one day, as it happened, their quarrel became really intense, and they started to shout to each other. This time, on top of their lungs. Bad remarks, dirty words - name it - flew from one to another, giving clear picture of how deteriorated their friendship had become at that point!
Such intensity (some would say fierceness), it wasn't really came as a surprise when suddenly one of them came lurching towards the other, and in one split second, slapped the friend really hard across the face!
The moment, even though somehow, was expected, never seriously crossed their mind! As the friend who was being slapped fell onto his back to the sand, the harsh reality of what just happened, came crushing on both of them. The still standing one, looked hard on his hand, cannot believe what he just done, while the other, both hands covered his now-red-face, blinking rapidly while trying very hard to contain tears that i would say, have nothing to do with the pain on his face... if you get what i mean.
The first one to move was the one with the red face and broken heart. He pushed himself up into sitting position and stayed there longer than any of us would. Well, who could blame him? The guy was just hit by his best friend!
What he did next, was really unexpected. Even to himself.
Silently and slowly, he wrote something on the sand beneath him.
'Today, my best friend slapped me in the face...'
*Wait for the second part of this story in Best Friends 2
Type rest of the post here
Not so long ago, not far from here, there were two best friends. How they became best friends wasn't really important, as this story takes place years and years after that - at one time when they were walking side by side on their journey home from one of their great adventure.
Just like any other great adventures in this world, the journey was very hard as they had to cross a scorching desert, climbed a steep cliff to a mountaintop, walked through wild forest and dangerous swamp, and many, many, other obstacles we can only think of.
After several weeks, all the hardships of the journey began to take their toll on the two friends. They started to quarrel a little more often than usual, sometimes over something very trivial. Like why you always make that sound with your tongue when it's cold huh?, or, why you always drink more, when i'm the one who fill the water supply throughout this journey?!!
And many others.
It was as if, they wanted to release their frustration over the long journey by irritating the other, or maybe they simply derived pleasure by doing that, nobody knows.
Until one day, as it happened, their quarrel became really intense, and they started to shout to each other. This time, on top of their lungs. Bad remarks, dirty words - name it - flew from one to another, giving clear picture of how deteriorated their friendship had become at that point!
Such intensity (some would say fierceness), it wasn't really came as a surprise when suddenly one of them came lurching towards the other, and in one split second, slapped the friend really hard across the face!
The moment, even though somehow, was expected, never seriously crossed their mind! As the friend who was being slapped fell onto his back to the sand, the harsh reality of what just happened, came crushing on both of them. The still standing one, looked hard on his hand, cannot believe what he just done, while the other, both hands covered his now-red-face, blinking rapidly while trying very hard to contain tears that i would say, have nothing to do with the pain on his face... if you get what i mean.
The silence afterward was really unbearable for both friends. Almost to the point of deafening, if i might add. Nobody really wanted to move. As if by moving, they will finally admit the inevitable; that their friendship was failing! And that, they just realized, was something they were not ready to face... yet.
The first one to move was the one with the red face and broken heart. He pushed himself up into sitting position and stayed there longer than any of us would. Well, who could blame him? The guy was just hit by his best friend!
What he did next, was really unexpected. Even to himself.
Silently and slowly, he wrote something on the sand beneath him.
'Today, my best friend slapped me in the face...'
*Wait for the second part of this story in Best Friends 2
Type rest of the post here
Friday, July 18, 2008
101st: my first ever entry - revisit
Assalamualaikum...
Today i feel like going down the memory lane to my first ever entry for AidanZ.
Call me sentimental.. cause i kinda am, you know.
So, bear with me okay, cause this entry is like a memorabilia for me..
Assalamualaikum
This is my first attempt for my own blog...
Wow, isn't that wonderful?
(I can't help it, but at this time, i close my eyes, take a deep breath, and after that, slowly exhale... very slowly - just to savour the moment!)
Okay, (i opened my eyes) now i've got my own blog.
What do i do with it?
Hmmm, well, i'll figure it out later.
But one thing for sure,
It will be personal,
And it will contain almost everything that happened in my life.
I'll put my heart and soul into it.
From deep inside of me...
To the width of the world around me...
Joy and sorrow,
Happiness and misery,
Hopes and frustration,
The journey of my life...
And others around me...
Can be seen, clearly... and transparently...
Through my eyes.
'Till next time,
Z
Huh, it's really comforting to know that i still stay true to the course of this blog. i just hope it did at least a little good to other people if not as much as it did me.
Thank you,
AidanZ
Type rest of the post here
Today i feel like going down the memory lane to my first ever entry for AidanZ.
Call me sentimental.. cause i kinda am, you know.
So, bear with me okay, cause this entry is like a memorabilia for me..
Assalamualaikum
This is my first attempt for my own blog...
Wow, isn't that wonderful?
(I can't help it, but at this time, i close my eyes, take a deep breath, and after that, slowly exhale... very slowly - just to savour the moment!)
Okay, (i opened my eyes) now i've got my own blog.
What do i do with it?
Hmmm, well, i'll figure it out later.
But one thing for sure,
It will be personal,
And it will contain almost everything that happened in my life.
I'll put my heart and soul into it.
From deep inside of me...
To the width of the world around me...
Joy and sorrow,
Happiness and misery,
Hopes and frustration,
The journey of my life...
And others around me...
Can be seen, clearly... and transparently...
Through my eyes.
'Till next time,
Z
Huh, it's really comforting to know that i still stay true to the course of this blog. i just hope it did at least a little good to other people if not as much as it did me.
Thank you,
AidanZ
Type rest of the post here
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Gift - The Present.
Assalamualaikum...
"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery. But Today is a Gift. That's why it's called the Present."
That is from a movie i saw recently. And i couldn't agree more.
As i always told myself; learn from the past, plan for the future, but live your life fully in the present.
If people asked me, i would say, the first two are the recipes for SUCCESS, but the last one is the recipe for HAPPINESS!
Ask yourselves: Did you give yourself chances to enjoy this life, NOW, rather than LATER? Or you're so BUSY sacrificing your present for the unknown FUTURE?
Or maybe the real question is, DO YOU LET YOURSELF TO BE HAPPY?!
The Key:
Do things that would make you happy! Things that would make you appreciate this life better. And that would make you feel grateful to ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY, because you are still breathing in this beautiful world, still living your precious life, and still have the time to getting immerse in all the goodness in it.
Life is short...
You may never get a second shot for anything you missed NOW...
So, let's together.. take a breath.. and start living our life...!
Type rest of the post here
"Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery. But Today is a Gift. That's why it's called the Present."
That is from a movie i saw recently. And i couldn't agree more.
As i always told myself; learn from the past, plan for the future, but live your life fully in the present.
If people asked me, i would say, the first two are the recipes for SUCCESS, but the last one is the recipe for HAPPINESS!
Ask yourselves: Did you give yourself chances to enjoy this life, NOW, rather than LATER? Or you're so BUSY sacrificing your present for the unknown FUTURE?
Or maybe the real question is, DO YOU LET YOURSELF TO BE HAPPY?!
The Key:
Do things that would make you happy! Things that would make you appreciate this life better. And that would make you feel grateful to ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY, because you are still breathing in this beautiful world, still living your precious life, and still have the time to getting immerse in all the goodness in it.
Life is short...
You may never get a second shot for anything you missed NOW...
So, let's together.. take a breath.. and start living our life...!
Type rest of the post here
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Inevitable Circle of Life
Assalamualaikum...
These last few days, there were string of event that made me wonder about one very important thing in this life...
First, when my good friend, Hasrul, came from Sarawak for a holiday, we joked around of who will get married first. He told me, back at Sarawak, he was being hammered with the one million dollar question of "when are you going to get married?", almost everyday! I know a little bit about that as I too, was so frequently being asked the same question. Syukur it wasn't in a daily basis..!
Second, last Sunday, i went to my ex-housemate, Apen's walimah. he was 2 years younger than me, and as would've been expected, it prompted the inevitable question to me, "when is my turn?". To Apen, I wish him all the happiness in this world, and 'thanks' because of his 'langkah bendul' made me the target once again...
Third was yesterday. One of my best friend (i decided not to mention his name here... not yet) called and after a brief chat, he said someting that really caught me off-guard, "Zahar, i'm going to be a father!" It was really a very pleasant news as he has waited for this for 2 years. Finally Allah granted him a child and I feel very very happy for him.
To Iceman, CONGRATULATIONS! And in a more personal note, thanks because you told me i'm the first to know about the news aside from your family. I'm honoured...
Fourth also happened yesterday. i had a tuition at Bandar Sri Damansara when i received the SMS. It said, "Zahar, aku dah jadi bapak. Baby boy, lahir 12.30 pm tadi..". It was from my good old friend, Hafiz from Triang, Pahang. We were always being very closed before, and i was there when his father passed away and when he was getting married last year (wow, seems like yesterday..). Later, i called him and we talk about a lot of things. lastly i said to him, jokingly, "Ha, dah ready ke nak jadi ayah orang ni?". As usual he laughed before he replied, "Entahlah Z. InsyaAllah. Walaupun rasa macam tak percaya je..."
CONGRATULATIONS to you too Hafiz. I'm very happy for you, my friend!
So, that was what happened these last few days. An almost complete circle of event, if you asked me. Everyone will face it, me included. It makes me wonder, just like my friends keep asking me, 'when is my turn?'
These last few days, there were string of event that made me wonder about one very important thing in this life...
First, when my good friend, Hasrul, came from Sarawak for a holiday, we joked around of who will get married first. He told me, back at Sarawak, he was being hammered with the one million dollar question of "when are you going to get married?", almost everyday! I know a little bit about that as I too, was so frequently being asked the same question. Syukur it wasn't in a daily basis..!
Second, last Sunday, i went to my ex-housemate, Apen's walimah. he was 2 years younger than me, and as would've been expected, it prompted the inevitable question to me, "when is my turn?". To Apen, I wish him all the happiness in this world, and 'thanks' because of his 'langkah bendul' made me the target once again...
Third was yesterday. One of my best friend (i decided not to mention his name here... not yet) called and after a brief chat, he said someting that really caught me off-guard, "Zahar, i'm going to be a father!" It was really a very pleasant news as he has waited for this for 2 years. Finally Allah granted him a child and I feel very very happy for him.
To Iceman, CONGRATULATIONS! And in a more personal note, thanks because you told me i'm the first to know about the news aside from your family. I'm honoured...
Fourth also happened yesterday. i had a tuition at Bandar Sri Damansara when i received the SMS. It said, "Zahar, aku dah jadi bapak. Baby boy, lahir 12.30 pm tadi..". It was from my good old friend, Hafiz from Triang, Pahang. We were always being very closed before, and i was there when his father passed away and when he was getting married last year (wow, seems like yesterday..). Later, i called him and we talk about a lot of things. lastly i said to him, jokingly, "Ha, dah ready ke nak jadi ayah orang ni?". As usual he laughed before he replied, "Entahlah Z. InsyaAllah. Walaupun rasa macam tak percaya je..."
CONGRATULATIONS to you too Hafiz. I'm very happy for you, my friend!
So, that was what happened these last few days. An almost complete circle of event, if you asked me. Everyone will face it, me included. It makes me wonder, just like my friends keep asking me, 'when is my turn?'
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Roland Garros 2008
Assalamualaikum...
Bonjour... Bon week-end
Comment allez-vous?
Qu'est-ce que vous avez fait le week-end? (What are you doing this weekend?)
Aujourd'hui, la finale dames de French Open (Today is the women's final of French Open)
Demain, la finale monsieurs entre Rafael Nadal et Roger Federer. (Tomorrow, men's final between Nadal and Federer)
I don't know about you, but moi, j'adore le tennis beaucoup! (Me, I love tennis very much!)
In fact, these last two weeks, has been like heaven to me. And with the spirit of French Open, i certainly play better tennis than usual..
Ooh, and listening back to commentaries for the Grand Slam Championship kinda reminded me of my little French language i learned a couple months ago. So i tried my best to recall back what little i know and write it in here.
So, forgive me if the sentences above make little sense to you k.. hehe.
And by the way, don't forget to catch the men's final between world no 1, Federer vs no 2, Nadal at Astro Supersport (811), Sunday, for the title. I hope Nadal win!
I also want to take this opportunity to ask if there are others who play tennis out there, and lived here around KL. You know, i'd love to make new friends, especially new tennis buddies...
Paris... Je T'aime.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
True fitness
Assalamualaikum...Wow, it has been a very long hiatus for me to write in this blog. Seems like forever. Hmm, that's what happened when you lived for two weeks without internet connection...
But now, everything went back to normal, i found myself giddy with so many things to tell in here;
HK, books, interesting lessons, my 'graduation' day for French and English Classes, and so many others.
At last, after a long debate with myself, i chose to tell one of my recent experience, a very valuable one, and of course, full of excitement too.
It all started with a phone call from my brother, Aizzuddin. He told me he just had a call from True Fitness Gym offering him a one week trial there. Since he lived afar from the gym (he, in Klang, while the gym, in Sri Hartamas), he gave the caller my name instead.
To make the long story short, i received the call 5 seconds after that, and before i hung the phone, i promised to accept the trial, starting the week after.
The day before the trial started, i got 3 calls from True Fitness, confirming my appointment with them. You can imagine, the whole thing made me nervous somehow. Lucky i invited my good friend, Din to join me. He already became a member of a gym near his house, and he was very eager to see the differences.
And a lot of differences we saw there!
Sri Hartamas branch of True Fitness probably one of the smallest from 4 branches of True
Fitness in Malaysia. But it is still very huge for me. Consist of 4 floors, it is full of modern and advance machines, together with 3 or 4 studios and halls for yoga and 'senamrobik'. It looks like, for every part of our muscles, there's a machine design specifically for it!The first visi
t was full of explanations and promotional talks courting us to become member. But as would have been expected, the fees are so expensive, i have to decline the offer. But nevertheless, we're being provided with a trainer each to show us how to use the machines. For one hour, i tried almost every machine with great interest... and great pain...!At the end, I survived the day not only with pain, but also with more determination to make the most of the one week free trial. Tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, i will come every day, i said to myself confidently.
And guess what? I did it! Almost. Except for one day, when the pain was so unbearable, i went to the gym everyday. Feeling better each time and feel confidence to push myself even harder each passing day.
Of course, just like everything else, we need motivation to do unusual things like this. For me, i was very fortunate when my housemate Iidil, agreed to go with me every night. Other than that, the motivation came in the form of the best nescafe latte' i've ever taste in my entire life! Call it a sin, because obviously, the calories are very high! But the free nescafe certainly captivated and fascinated my taste buds!!
Hmm, even until now, when the free trial had just finished, i still thinking of going there just to take a cup of the delicious latte' and went home! Just like that... hehe, lucky i'm still sane enough not to do such thing...
One of the most interesting things while i was there is about one Malay lady i met there. She must be a member there, and i saw her about three times that week. What makes me so interested in her is her attire for the gym. I guess she must be about 40 years old, but i have no way of knowing whether i was correct or wrong, simply because she wears purdah! Together with her loose attire and tudung labuh, she was definitely way.. way.. different from the others in the gym! And i really really admire her for that!!!
Just picture this scenery in your head. In the crowd of almost everyone is a Chinese in there (you can imagine their attire in the gym), there stood a very confident lady, dressed in what she think is right for her and proper for a Muslimah, showing the world that there's nothing wrong to work out in the gym while at the same time, menutup aurat!
Even me, with my long track-bottom, already feel like out of place from the others, imagine the strong lady! I totally salute her, and May Allah bless her...
The whole experience was very invaluable for me. Part of it, because it gave me another chance to explore things outside my 'comfort and rigid zone'. Another reason, and the obvious one, is simply the realization of the needs to take care of my body and health. Unlike the western country, where the young people started joining gym since their teenage years, we Malaysians (especially Malayyyy) have never being concerned about it. And at this point, i think better late than never, right?!
So, what are you waiting? Let's go find a gym...!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
5th April... an eventful day
Assalamualaikum...
It's been a while since i last put an entry here. it's already midnight and my eyes are puffy with sleepiness, but i forced myself to run my fingers on the keyboard, knowing i need to update something here after almost 2 weeks.
So, i decide to write about last saturday, 5th April 2008.
3 important things happened that day. each of it worth more than one entry of its own. but for now, i am more concern to finish this one first.
The First event, last saturday was my nephew's first birthday. Happy birthday to you Hasif (i silently sang the happy birthday song)
Second event, i got a call from one of my best buddies, Khairuddin, telling me he already booked my ticket to Hong Kong on 25th April. Merci beaucoup Din.
Third event, which still rattled me till now; i went to see one nice 'ustazah' at my hometown in Malacca as my potential suitor when my beloved mom suddenly decided to play matchmaker for me.
What an eventful day that 5th of April huh! Hmm, i got a nasty feeling that one of those event will somehow change my life. Well, what do you think?
It's been a while since i last put an entry here. it's already midnight and my eyes are puffy with sleepiness, but i forced myself to run my fingers on the keyboard, knowing i need to update something here after almost 2 weeks.
So, i decide to write about last saturday, 5th April 2008.
3 important things happened that day. each of it worth more than one entry of its own. but for now, i am more concern to finish this one first.
The First event, last saturday was my nephew's first birthday. Happy birthday to you Hasif (i silently sang the happy birthday song)
Second event, i got a call from one of my best buddies, Khairuddin, telling me he already booked my ticket to Hong Kong on 25th April. Merci beaucoup Din.
Third event, which still rattled me till now; i went to see one nice 'ustazah' at my hometown in Malacca as my potential suitor when my beloved mom suddenly decided to play matchmaker for me.
What an eventful day that 5th of April huh! Hmm, i got a nasty feeling that one of those event will somehow change my life. Well, what do you think?
Saturday, March 15, 2008
MasyaAllah!
Assalamualaikum...
Bonjour et bon week-end...
This will be a very short entry for me, maybe the shortest yet...
I've always heard people said, a picture sometimes worth a thousand words, and it cannot be more true for this single picture that i want to share with you...
I first saw this picture at Kelantan, during the historic elections of this country last week. At the time i was really stunned and my heart jolted powerfully inside me. And as so many emotions came rushing to me at the moment, i can only said 'Masya-Allah, this is truly a humble servant of Allah...'
And at that particular moment, i prayed really hard that somehow i can; if not become.. at least very close to being that humble and close to Allah...! Ameen!!!
Bonjour et bon week-end...
This will be a very short entry for me, maybe the shortest yet...
I've always heard people said, a picture sometimes worth a thousand words, and it cannot be more true for this single picture that i want to share with you...
I first saw this picture at Kelantan, during the historic elections of this country last week. At the time i was really stunned and my heart jolted powerfully inside me. And as so many emotions came rushing to me at the moment, i can only said 'Masya-Allah, this is truly a humble servant of Allah...'
And at that particular moment, i prayed really hard that somehow i can; if not become.. at least very close to being that humble and close to Allah...! Ameen!!!
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Life is a Journey... and it's beautiful
Assalamualaikum...
Bonsoir everybody,
Comment vous-allez? Ca va? (How are you? Fine?)
Moi... Ca va. Tres Bien. (Me... fine. Very good)
Actually... i am more than fine today. In fact right now, i'm sitting in front of my laptop with a grin across my face!
The truth is i don't really know what i'm happy for, but what the heck.. Happy is happy right?!
After a lot of stress lately, this sudden changes of mood is welcomed with relieve. Laughter is the best medicine, and it can't be more true in my case this weekend...
What's better was the fact that it also brought new experiences to me, together with new knowledge and... new friends!
Okay, let me tell you a little bit about it.
It started yesterday (Saturday), when i went to the house of my good friend, Ramadhan, in Cheras. There, i met with another good friend of mine, Nasri. And very soon after that, the chain of event kinda move by itself, which then lead to one the most exciting day of my life. TODAY.
Early this morning, i made something i would never think i'd do if you ask me just a couple of weeks ago. Together with both my friends above, we went to Dataran Merdeka to join Senam Seni Malaysia! You know what is that? It was a 'senamrobik' but using Malaysian music as the background!
For those of you who already have experienced with any kind of 'senamrobik', you should know that it is really enjoyable to move your body, rhythmic with the music. When the music is in upbeat mood, you move faster and when the music comes to sentimental mood, you move in a slow motion mode..
But still, all in all, the better part is, if you do it correctly, you will be sweating all over and feel fresh afterwards. In short, you're actually exercise - which so few people give attention at - and at the same time, you can enjoy yourself.
Although i have experienced a more vigorous 'senamrobik' in the past - when i was still trying to lose my weight, hehe - today's experience still came as a pleasant surprise to me. Why? Because it actually feel close to me, which i think others can feel it too, as all the music used in the session are very well-chosen and very close to our heart. From the malay music (Hati Kama), to chinese, indian (the most enjoyable one), sumazau, tai chi and several others, we actually had listened to them since we were little...
So, in the spirit of health and enjoyment, i consent and recommend you to be involved in any kind of 'senamrobik'. InsyaAllah, you will find it very useful and make you healthier.
Back to my story, the day turns out to be even more interesting after that.
Breakfast this morning was a 2 hour affair full with sharing of so many things and all kind of interesting insights of life. The content of our discussion, let it be secret between us. But one thing for sure, the three of us has agreed on something: we have to move forward to pursue our dream! We are already in our late 20s, and if we don't start any time soon, it will be too late for us. In short, it's like a now or never situation for us.
And that leads to another event that all three of us considered as the first big step to our dreams. Thanks to Nasri, he has a friend, two years our junior, that we think can help us.
And help us he did!
Il s'appele Ridhwan et Il a sa propre entreprise. Il est aussi tres gentil.
(His name is Ridhwan and he has his own business. He is also a very nice person.)
As our conversation goes on, I learned a lot about him and his business. I would say, the excited part is, together with his good friend Humaidi, he just opened a stall at 11th college, University of Malaya, where we sat with him and had a really good conversation over an excellent meal of chicken chop and yogurt drink.
As young as he looked, i also can see the hardship and determination that mirrored across his face which just made us respect him more and more by minute.
He spoke with confidence and clarity that told us the passion he had on his business. And more than once he confide in us that his dream is to help new-and-wannabe-Malay-businessman to be successful. In my heart i applaud him loudly for his good and sacred ambitions to help our race. I even think that i also would really like to help him to help others someday... InsyaAllah.
So many input we shared together and it just made the three of us even more determine to achieve our dreams. Like what my friend Ramadhan said when we first arrived there, 'I feel like crying (of inspiring) seeing these two young guys (in achieving their dreams).
Lesson and knowledge; we can get them anywhere and anytime we want. Providing we really want to find them. I learned a lot from the events that surrounded me today, and i am very grateful to Allah to enable me to see and understand them.
Life is a journey, and the more we learn the better we are to equip and prepare ourselves to face the long and hidden road ahead of us.
May Allah be with us in that journey... and let's together make it beautiful...
Bonsoir everybody,Comment vous-allez? Ca va? (How are you? Fine?)
Moi... Ca va. Tres Bien. (Me... fine. Very good)
Actually... i am more than fine today. In fact right now, i'm sitting in front of my laptop with a grin across my face!
The truth is i don't really know what i'm happy for, but what the heck.. Happy is happy right?!
After a lot of stress lately, this sudden changes of mood is welcomed with relieve. Laughter is the best medicine, and it can't be more true in my case this weekend...
What's better was the fact that it also brought new experiences to me, together with new knowledge and... new friends!
Okay, let me tell you a little bit about it.
It started yesterday (Saturday), when i went to the house of my good friend, Ramadhan, in Cheras. There, i met with another good friend of mine, Nasri. And very soon after that, the chain of event kinda move by itself, which then lead to one the most exciting day of my life. TODAY.
Early this morning, i made something i would never think i'd do if you ask me just a couple of weeks ago. Together with both my friends above, we went to Dataran Merdeka to join Senam Seni Malaysia! You know what is that? It was a 'senamrobik' but using Malaysian music as the background!
For those of you who already have experienced with any kind of 'senamrobik', you should know that it is really enjoyable to move your body, rhythmic with the music. When the music is in upbeat mood, you move faster and when the music comes to sentimental mood, you move in a slow motion mode..
But still, all in all, the better part is, if you do it correctly, you will be sweating all over and feel fresh afterwards. In short, you're actually exercise - which so few people give attention at - and at the same time, you can enjoy yourself.
Although i have experienced a more vigorous 'senamrobik' in the past - when i was still trying to lose my weight, hehe - today's experience still came as a pleasant surprise to me. Why? Because it actually feel close to me, which i think others can feel it too, as all the music used in the session are very well-chosen and very close to our heart. From the malay music (Hati Kama), to chinese, indian (the most enjoyable one), sumazau, tai chi and several others, we actually had listened to them since we were little...
So, in the spirit of health and enjoyment, i consent and recommend you to be involved in any kind of 'senamrobik'. InsyaAllah, you will find it very useful and make you healthier.
Back to my story, the day turns out to be even more interesting after that.
Breakfast this morning was a 2 hour affair full with sharing of so many things and all kind of interesting insights of life. The content of our discussion, let it be secret between us. But one thing for sure, the three of us has agreed on something: we have to move forward to pursue our dream! We are already in our late 20s, and if we don't start any time soon, it will be too late for us. In short, it's like a now or never situation for us.
And that leads to another event that all three of us considered as the first big step to our dreams. Thanks to Nasri, he has a friend, two years our junior, that we think can help us.
And help us he did!
Il s'appele Ridhwan et Il a sa propre entreprise. Il est aussi tres gentil.
(His name is Ridhwan and he has his own business. He is also a very nice person.)
As our conversation goes on, I learned a lot about him and his business. I would say, the excited part is, together with his good friend Humaidi, he just opened a stall at 11th college, University of Malaya, where we sat with him and had a really good conversation over an excellent meal of chicken chop and yogurt drink.
As young as he looked, i also can see the hardship and determination that mirrored across his face which just made us respect him more and more by minute.
He spoke with confidence and clarity that told us the passion he had on his business. And more than once he confide in us that his dream is to help new-and-wannabe-Malay-businessman to be successful. In my heart i applaud him loudly for his good and sacred ambitions to help our race. I even think that i also would really like to help him to help others someday... InsyaAllah.
So many input we shared together and it just made the three of us even more determine to achieve our dreams. Like what my friend Ramadhan said when we first arrived there, 'I feel like crying (of inspiring) seeing these two young guys (in achieving their dreams).
Lesson and knowledge; we can get them anywhere and anytime we want. Providing we really want to find them. I learned a lot from the events that surrounded me today, and i am very grateful to Allah to enable me to see and understand them.
Life is a journey, and the more we learn the better we are to equip and prepare ourselves to face the long and hidden road ahead of us.
May Allah be with us in that journey... and let's together make it beautiful...
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Life and Understanding
By Mullah
Assalamualaikum and Alhamdulillah, I could write in this tazkirah and also in Taman Tun, my former rented house, while I was a student. Today, Saturday 02023008, Abang Zahar, Shah and I have a chance to visit the new-opened shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, The Pavillion. We went there by car and also using public transportations, Monorail and LRT. Alhamdulillah, we reached there by 1535 like and Alhamdulillah, like a new-opened building, there are a lot of crowd, comprising local residents and also foreign tourists.
We are enjoying ourselves at the Pavillion. We listened to the performance of Chinese Performing Artists and not to forget, to visit the new-opened Tun Dr Mahathir’s bread shop, The Loaf. The Loaf at the Pavillion is the second branch, after the first shop in Langkawi. Back to the title, I choose the title after the brief visit to The Times Bookshop. Abang Zahar and I are ‘bookworms’ and in this visit, we explored in different ways. Abang Zahar was searching another section, Shah was exploring deeper into the section and I was looking for the birthday card, that is for my sister.
While I was wandering in this ‘bookish’ and ‘academic’ atmosphere, I glanced to the written walls of the Times. There are two written proverbs, that were catching my eyes and attention. First is by John Lennon that is ‘Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans’. The second proverb is by a renown Nobel Prize winner, Marie Curie. Marie Curie said ‘Nothing in Life is to be feared. It is only to be Understood’. Alhamdulillah, in this brief visit to the Times Bookshop, I had an inspiration that is to understand Life better when in this crisis time. I also tried to understand the hikmah behind in every event. In addition to that, I am also trying to understand my families , friends ,other persons and the conditions that make them up to their present conditions.
Marie Curie got it right with this proverb. I have many fears in my life. What happens if I do this, What if I work in this factory and so on. But the only right thing to do and to solve these problems are to confront it proactively and did the best that I could. Never giving up easily and always striving for a better future. As similar to Tony Fernandes, CEO of Air Asia ‘Believe the Unbelievable, Dream the Impossible and Never Take No for an Answer’. See you in the future.....
Assalamualaikum and Alhamdulillah, I could write in this tazkirah and also in Taman Tun, my former rented house, while I was a student. Today, Saturday 02023008, Abang Zahar, Shah and I have a chance to visit the new-opened shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, The Pavillion. We went there by car and also using public transportations, Monorail and LRT. Alhamdulillah, we reached there by 1535 like and Alhamdulillah, like a new-opened building, there are a lot of crowd, comprising local residents and also foreign tourists.We are enjoying ourselves at the Pavillion. We listened to the performance of Chinese Performing Artists and not to forget, to visit the new-opened Tun Dr Mahathir’s bread shop, The Loaf. The Loaf at the Pavillion is the second branch, after the first shop in Langkawi. Back to the title, I choose the title after the brief visit to The Times Bookshop. Abang Zahar and I are ‘bookworms’ and in this visit, we explored in different ways. Abang Zahar was searching another section, Shah was exploring deeper into the section and I was looking for the birthday card, that is for my sister.
While I was wandering in this ‘bookish’ and ‘academic’ atmosphere, I glanced to the written walls of the Times. There are two written proverbs, that were catching my eyes and attention. First is by John Lennon that is ‘Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans’. The second proverb is by a renown Nobel Prize winner, Marie Curie. Marie Curie said ‘Nothing in Life is to be feared. It is only to be Understood’. Alhamdulillah, in this brief visit to the Times Bookshop, I had an inspiration that is to understand Life better when in this crisis time. I also tried to understand the hikmah behind in every event. In addition to that, I am also trying to understand my families , friends ,other persons and the conditions that make them up to their present conditions.
Marie Curie got it right with this proverb. I have many fears in my life. What happens if I do this, What if I work in this factory and so on. But the only right thing to do and to solve these problems are to confront it proactively and did the best that I could. Never giving up easily and always striving for a better future. As similar to Tony Fernandes, CEO of Air Asia ‘Believe the Unbelievable, Dream the Impossible and Never Take No for an Answer’. See you in the future.....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)