What a Year - 2012

2012 marks 2 major winnings for me:

 

1.  Berjaya melangsaikan hutang JPA - wooohooooooo.

This is quite an achievement. To be a much better citizen of Malaysia, I sacrifice current desire for many other things and opt to settle my study loan. Even though I had written an appeal to JPA to convert my loan into scholarship the moment I finished my study, and JPA had diplomatically declined, and I felt a little disappointed, it's finally over baby! You know as what I had shared before, every month JPA would send a love letter to me, sharing verses from Quran and hadith Nabi on the consequent of delinquent in paying back the loan. Also, in worldly manner, it was stated that they would go after my guarantor and so on. It's finally over baby!!!! Thank you to government of Malaysia who had paid for my study loan and allowed me to pay back only 25% out of the hundred thousands worth of the loan. For that I am truly thankful for.

 

2. Berjaya membawa anak2 mengembara ke negara luar - yeeehaaaa.

For the 1st time, we had managed to bring over the whole family to a country which the kids aptly refer to as "negara sejuk". They had always wondered how the life in "negara sejuk" would be like and they finally had a chance to experience it. Mr. X and I also for the 1st time had tried the frenzy booking for Airasia ticket the moment the ad was out to get the best deal. Not bad for staying up till 3 am to get the ticket. We first logged on at 12am and after a few rounds of being directed to the "waiting room" and watching the circle went round and round and round, and after a few "connection lost" thanks to mediocrity of online wire by Celcom, we eventually did it. The overall flight ticket was around RM3k for the whole family, whereas at normal rate, it would reach RM10k. Rezeki, alhamdullillah. 2nd rezeki was getting to stay at a dear friend's house and having the meals cooked for us! How lucky that was! Dah ler rumah free, dapat makan free lagi....syukur sangat....thank you very much to hosts whose names I dare not mention, nanti korang carik dia pulak....well, you can know if you are my friend in my Facebook.

 

There are just so many joyous moments in 2012, and of course, there are also bad moments. Let's just mention the good ones, so that insya Allah, the upcoming years will be much better ones.

 

Oh tahun ni saya tiada bibik. Setelah saya hantar pulang yang terakhir pada Januari lepas, saya cuba hidup tanpa bibik. Penat wooo...saya cuba untuk berfikiran positif setiap kali saya rasa penat. Terutama ketika gosok baju, bila kaki dah lenguh, saya mesti pujuk hati dan kederat saya supaya bertambah kuat. Ketika masak, bahang memasak insya Allah akan memisahkan seorang isteri dari api neraka. Sebab itu ada org kata, kalau makan kat rumah isteri masak, lauk telur goreng pon sedap. Oh kalau itu saya jawab, sebab isteri itu memasak dgn ikhlas, dan sambil masak dia berdoa supaya masakannya dapat mengenyangkan setiap ahli rumah. Dia akan masak dgn penuh kasih sayang. Tiada nilai komersil, hanya nilai kasih sayang. Yang ini kat kedai takde jual. Walau sibuk macam manapon, cubalah memasak di hujung minggu sekurang-kurangnya. Makcik jual sayur dan ikan kat Taman U tu pernah pesan kat saya, katanya apsal ko beli barang sikit sangat? Saya kata sebab saya amat jarang memasak, saya selalu balik malam. Saya hanya boleh masak waktu weekend. Dia kata takpelah dek. Yang penting ko kena masak juga. Jgn sampai tak masak langsung. Oh, betapa pentingnya satu aktiviti seorang isteri yang satu ini.

 

Tahun ini kedua-dua emak dan ayah saya telah menjalani operations yg major juga. Emak dah pon berumur 1940 lahir, so 72 tahun. Abah lahir tahun 1926, so umur dia dah 86 tahun. Sama dgn Dr.M abah saya tu. Doktor kata abah saya dah tak boleh drive, tapi dia nak drive juga. Mana tahan duduk rumah saja. Emak pulak doktor kata dah tak boleh buat kerja berat. Jadi mcm nampak gaya saya kena ambil bibik untuk tolong mereka, tapi emak saya tidak suka. Dia kata dia rimas. Kita tunggu dan lihat mcm mana keadaan tahun 2013 iye.

 

Kerjaya nampaknya semakinlah mencabar. Saya kena selalu update my knowledge, and selalu nak kena bagi motivasi kepada rakan2 dan anak buah. Tahun depan saya rasa lagi mencabar. Tapi saya kena cuba buat dulu, baru saya tahu kemampuan diri kita yg sebenar. Saya rasa saya sudah capai satu tahap di mana, saya mesti cuba. I have got to try and do it. I have to expand my boundary and reach those which I thought was unreachables.

Persepsi manusia berbeza-beza dan kita tidak boleh puaskan hati semua orang. Yang penting, kita usaha dgn ikhlas, bekerja sebagai satu wadah ibadah dan niatkan semuanya kerana Allah. Insya Allah usaha kita akan dipermudahkan oleh-Nya.

A Day in Caversham, WA

A day to remember for caressing wild kangaroos and much awake koalas in Western Australia. Not to forget the wombat, llama and donkeys and kookaboora.
Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

A Decade

The first decade

The real self emerged

The unknown realm finally explored

The unexplored boundary crossed

The remotely thinkable possibility tried, triumphed?

 

Triumph brings with it many definitions

Losing it, winning it, short term, long term?
Survival, growing, avoiding from plateuing, improving?

Understanding - seek to understand first in order to be understood

 

It takes two to tango

It takes two to define the yin and yang

Complementing is a much better word than antagonizing

 

Sakinah, mawaddah dan harmoni

It takes hard work

It demands patience

It calls for perseverance

What's the end in mind is what matters the most

 

Look into their eyes

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

Seek to make others happy, so you will be happy in return

It may not be for now, it can be for hereafter

 

Till death do us part

For richer and for poorer

Only exist in legends?

Happily ever after is a legend

Legend brings many lessons

 

Reflection of first decade

Will there be another decade?

Hard work, patience, perseverance

Tolerance - the simplest yet most painful to do

 

Syukur alhamdulillah

What is bestowed is what is the best

Be the best, hope for the best, pray for the best

For all you know, now is the best.

Learn from Your Mistakes Too

It has been a really really long time. So many happenings. Ups and downs. Twists and turns. Rights and wrongs.

Have you heard of this saying:

"Common people learn from their own mistakes. Smart people learn from the mistakes of others."

I disagree to this saying. Whoever that says this apparently has not lived long enough. Or maybe has not learned much from his/her journey in life. To me, we have to learn along our life, through our own journey of experience as well as other people's journey. You will learn so much more from your own mistakes. Because the mistake will leave you with scars so deep that they will be embedded in your mind and eventually, build your character. Hence my friends, try new things, make mistakes and learn from them.

It is better to die trying new things and get noticed or remembered for your good deeds, rather than play it safe all the time, never get noticed and die in silence.

This is some of the insights I gain from reading this book - 81 Challenges Smart Managers Face by Tim Connor. Such a brilliant read.

 

"The biggest human mistake is to settle for too little in life".

Obsesi Tudung Eksklusif

Tudung eksklusif yang paling best dalam pasaran, in my opinion, is from Jelita Sara. So far when I compare this type against others, they are no where near. The marketing is just superb. Maybe the raw material used manage to produce such high quality end product. No need to mention about the CEO is the model lah.

 

Mahal betul harga tudung eksklusif ni, lebih dari harga baju kurung. Tapi sesuaikah ke pejabat? Pada aku memanglah sangat tidak sesuai. Untuk ke majlis kahwin, open house, pegi shopping mall oklah. But please, not to the office. Unless, office ada buat majlis lah.

 

Yang paling geram, tudung Jelita Sara ni selalu Sold Out. Menyampah aku. The boss really has to hire more tailor, so she can produce much much more. Apparently, the spending power of women is insurmountable these days. With 30% women required at the Management level policy, I bet this kind of tudung business will flourish even more. Keep it up to the CEO of Jelita Sara. Make more tudung please! 

Some Food for Thought

There have been so many events that I wish to write. Whatever happens on you, all are for a purpose - to further develop your character, so that you will know your Almighty the Creator much deeper. So you will learn to love Him more, and realize that you will sooner or later, be back in His realm.

 

Life Dedication to Your Other Half

I met a friend whom I've not met for about 10 years. Her then handsome, intellect, tall and healthy spouse is now not so well. Even though the spouse can still work, there are deteriorations in his physical fitness hence affecting his agility and overall well being. With small children longing for attention, home requiring daily cleaning and maintenance, handling everyday chores, preparing and deliver work commitment, life must have been a big challenge to my friend. I totally salute her commitment, dedication, hard work and perseverance in undergoing and managing her everyday life. What comes to mind is - will you be there when your spouse is no longer the same person he/she used to be?

 

For conservative Catholic, they cannot divorce their spouse, no matter whatever the circumstances will be. I used to joke this with a Philipino collegue who practise this - "Hey, till death do us part. You better be good to your wife". They can never be divorced. Scary isn't it? In Islam, even though it is the most hated Halal act, it is allowed. Now, for good and for bad, for rich and for poor, will you be there? Will I be there? The question keeps on playing. When a wife/husband dedicates their life to take care of her/his spouse, that is an event worth taking note. You can see it printed on the newspaper - a man quit his job to fully take care of his wife, in last week Berita Harian. It is amazing. Try to picture yourself in the situation, will you be there? Will I be there?

 

Redha Allah Melalui Ibu Bapa

Why do girls agree to get married outside Malaysia without their fathers as the "Wali"? When parents do not give permission to you to do things, they have 1000 reasons since they live longer than you. They have seen or they themselves have experienced the difficulties. They know your capability. They can almost foresee what is going to happen. Girl, when you elope and nikah at Narathiwat, without your parent's knowledge, you have successfully put your whole life at risk. You are totally at the mercy of your spouse. But then again, by asking you to get married without your parent's consent, you can know already what type of person this guy is. Why the hell do you agree? Maybe at the age of 22 - 25, not much must have happened to you. Someday you will know, through your own experience, that Redha Allah itu adalah melalui redha kedua ibu bapa anda. Bertaubatlah, dan minta ampun maaf segera dgn ibu mu, terutamanya. Caution - this happens to people surrounding me, not me ah. Nauzubillah.

 

Mom Can Never Be Selfish

The good traits of my mother is she will always put her children, or grandchilren's needs above hers. She is one unselfish soul. This trait however, I cannot take for granted that all mothers are the same. Being a mother myself, I am also learning to practice this good trait. You think it's easy? Let say in a warm sunny day in Terengganu, near a beach, at the warung, you order 2 iced milo - 1 for you and 1 for your kid. When the waiter comes, only 1 iced milo. Do you take it or do you pass it to your kid? Who drink it first? It may sound minor, but these very small act develops your character as a mother - to be selfish or to be selfless? Ok another instance. Say the warung is so crowded, there is no seat. Suddenly your husband finds a place to sit, but lack of 1 chair. Do you then find the chair for your kid to sit first, or you ask the kid "Find your own chair kakak/abang/adik"? Do you know that how you treat your children, they will grow up and be a person exactly as how you treat them? From there they will observe, and think that this is the most acceptable way of doing things.

 

When my mother was sick, alhamdullillah, a few of us gladly willing to take care of her. We feel that she has done marvellous things, which your life can never repay what she has done. Now, what do you think will happen to the selfish mom? She will cry and tell people - "Tak guna semua anak aku, tak nak jaga aku bila aku sakit." Pernahkah dia terfikir, bagaimana dia mendidik anaknya dari dewasa hingga terkini? Had she been very selfish in the past? Tepuk dada tanya iman. Semoga Allah menjadikan aku ibu yg baik dan solehah, supaya aku boleh mendidik anak2 ku dgn baik, supaya mereka menghargai jasa ibu bapa dan dapat menjagaku di waktu susah. Dapat mendoakan aku tatkala aku tiada kelak. Amin.

 

Make A Difference

In our life, try to make a difference. We cannot change the world, but we can change our surroundings. At least we can try to make a change to a soul. Opportunites are everywhere. Do not think of the rewards, just know that 1 thing you give, or 1 act that you do, insya Allah will be repaid in manifolds. You don't have to ask for it, it will come to you, in many forms. At the end of the day, people will remember you up to the extent of how much you touch their life. That's all. This morning, I bump into a person, wajahnya persis Allahyarham sahabatku Seri Tambak. Hanya Al-Fatihah yg mampu aku sedekahkan. Begitu banyak nasihat, tips dan pengajaran yg sempat beliau kongsikan bersama. It is always in my heart. We are as good as the legacy we leave behind. Do good, don't be selfish, take care of yourself, your spouse, your children, family members, insya Allah, there will always be souls who will take care of you.

Benarkah?

Benarkah orang Melayu tak berapa gemar tinggal di apartment atau condo? Sebenarnya bagus juga kalau beli untuk buat investment. Setiap kali pelancaran rumah baru, pemaju terpaksa peruntukkan hampir 40% kepada Bumiputera. Mereka akan tunggu beberapa ketika, sebelum mereka mohon untuk lot Bumi ini dibuka untuk lot antarabangsa.
Rumah condo ni ada banyak kemudahan. Cuma yg tak best bila kena bayar yuran bulanan. Surau gerenti takde. Tapi ada peluang bergaul dgn lebih rapat dgn masyarakat antarabangsa.
Yg terbaru di JB, condo ni dkt betul dgn Pantai Lido. Mmg indah dan nyaman.
Dari segi harga, mungkin ramai org Melayu kata baik beli lot bertanah, boleh cucuk tanam. The verdict for me - kalau ada wang lebih, jom buat investment.
Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Woohooo!!!

Syukur alhamdulillah....wa syukurillah......hasil daripada Tax Refund
tahun lepas (yg dah lama jugak aku tunggu actually, manalah tahu, kot2
gomen x nak bayo tahun ni...)...akhirnya.......HUTANG JPA TELAH
SELESAI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooooo.......Tarikh Mula bayar -
22/3/2003. Maknanya aku berhutang JPA ni dah dekat 10 tahun jugak
lah..walau pon Aziz CFP kata hutang JPA ni xde interest so boleh
dilewat-lewatkan, aku still jugak rasa rimas.....aku rasa sebab baca
doa tu lah....Ya Allah jauhkan aku dari bebanan hutang dan sifat kejam
manusia......

Alhamdullillah....telah selesai satu hutang....next is hutang rumah
pulak....hari tu gatal pegi re-finance sbb follow Aziz CFP punye
program...now program tu entah ke mana....tinggal sikit2 je aku
follow....agak susah utk jadik org yg berdisiplin dalam berbelanja.
Kena selalu balance between nak hidup lama atau nak mati esok. Agak
payah tu.

Simpan duit byk, kalau mati tinggal. Kalau tak simpan, esok susah sapa
nak tolong ye tak? So you have to strike a balance there. Dalam rezeki
kita, ada hak org lain di situ. Jgn tamak dan jgn pula boros. Yg
penting, bukan byk mana gaji kita, tapi byk mana berkat yg kita dapat
dari gaji kita. Itu yg lebih penting.

Alhamdullilahhh...wooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooooooo...

Welcome to the family

For a much better drive. Nak beli baru belum mampu sangat, so settle lah for this one first. Mari doakan you can last for a very long time.
Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Farewell my friend

Agak sedih, but has to go. May you find a better owner.
Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

Happy 37th Birthday Ayah!

What a joy!
Sent by Maxis from my BlackBerry® smartphone

The Zombies by Huda Eka

Entailing 9 zombies trying to attack 3 smart girls. House with a
garage, protected by the peter shoot, sunflower and the walnut.

What the ????

'50% of women prefer bigger boobs to high IQ'

Almost half of young women aged 18 to 25 would rather have larger
breasts than high intelligence and a third would readily swap IQ for
bigger boobs, a new study has revealed.

Experts have held responsible the youngsters' growing obsession with
celebrity culture and the burgeoning market for plastic surgery.

The study, which has shocked women's groups, also found that a quarter
of those surveyed felt bigger breasts would make them feel 'happier'.

And nearly 60% of the respondents believed that men would be 'more
interested' in them romantically if they had bigger breasts.

It comes in the midst of widespread concern about the pressures put on
modern-day women through advertising and magazines.

"Women face now unprecedented pressures to focus on their body," the
Daily Mail quoted Kat Banyard from women's group UK Feminista as
saying.

"Industries that focus on the way women look are flourishing - and
that means that from a very early age, women are taught that the way
they look matters more than what they do.

"The consequences of this can manifest in eating disorders or extreme
measures such as plastic surgery. These figures show that women still
loathe their bodies on an industrial scale."

The survey of 1,142 women by the discount website by
www.MyVoucherCodes.co.uk aimed at finding out more about the attitudes
young women hold towards brains and beauty.

In contrast with bigger breasts would attract more men, only 43%
thought that men would be 'more interested' in them if they had a
higher IQ.

Researchers also revealed that about 40% of the respondents would
prefer to have a 'slim figure' than high intelligence, with many
stating that it would make them feel 'more confident'.

Almost the same percentage of people asserted that they would swap
their IQ in order to be their 'ideal dress size'.

When it came to relationships, most women felt men 'valued'
intelligence in women, although two thirds said that they felt
appearance was more significant when attracting a partner.

The same was true in the workplace, with almost half believing that
being 'attractive' would also help a woman advance in her career.

Almost 80% also felt that they were judged more on their looks than
intelligence.
Source: ANI, Published March 3 2012.
____________________________________________________________

What's happening here hello???? Brain and beauty. Should go hand in
hand. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. So the most safe way to
evaluate beauty, is from the inside. A good heart. A caring person.
The one who will be with you in your times of ups and downs. Find the
person?

All the talks about beauty boil down to business sense, only. Baru
semalam aku ternampak Dato' Siti buat promo SimplySiti kat Plaza
Angsana. How did she look? Flawless complexion. Well, maybe she use
mineral water to wash her face everyday. Maybe she use high end make
up (do you think she really use SimplySiti products???) Oh come
on...........

Oh well, all women love beauty. All men love beauty. But not all men
or women love to be brainy. It's hard work to be brainy. It's nerdy
too.

Apabila Malas dan Tiada Iman

Saturday, 25th Feb. 2012 sad story of the day for me:

Harian Metro has front-paged a story about a group of five siblings
who allegedly took their aging father out of a nursing home only to
return him a few hours later after getting his signature to officially
hand over the rights to land in Kluang to his children.

The daily quoted Norijah Bidin, who manages the Nur Ehsan nursing home
in Kempas, Johor, as claiming that the siblings had told her they
wanted to take care of their father.

Norijah said it was only after some investigation that she found out
that the children merely wanted their father's signature, so that they
could proceed to distribute the family's ancestral land among
themselves.
____________________________________________________________

Ya Allah, jangan lah nanti ada anak2 kami yg berperangai begini. Nauzubillah.
Usaha tangga kejayaan. Didikan anak2 memang sudah menjadi asas.
Pengajaran hebat.