Baiting & Fishing @ Popular Mega Bookfair

Weehoo!! I went fishing yesterday and came home happily bagging a full net.. No, i didnt go near the sea during this rainy season.. my baiting & fishing activity revolved around Danga City Mall and my bait stuck at Popular Mega Bookfair.. yesterday was the preview day for Popular Card member and all i can say that it was cheap, cheap, cheap!! the discount was almost 90% for certain products..

The Percy Jackson Collection for Aina4

My fishing net has bagged 6 cds and 7 books.. 3 of the cds are japanese drama boxsets which were sold 3 for RM10, a saving of RM61.70 on those.. a jaw-dropping indeed!! while the other 3 are movies which were up for grab for RM10.50 each.. tehee!!

I get myself the hard cover of Jefferey Archer's Path of Glory & Jodi Picoult's Change of Heart at RM16.90 each.. who cant be smiling for these babies, right?.. my youngest sister wanted the Percy Jackson Collection which was sold with 30% off.. i also get myself a Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird and a children book, Return to the Hundred Acre Wood.. my oh my, i have plenty of books and cds to keep me occupied during this semester break.. ngee~

This Bookfair is on up till next weekend.. i plan to make a 2nd visit there when my sisters are here next week.. Aina² wants to get Jane Green books while my youngest Aina plans to get the remaining 2 Percy Jackson books.. tehee!!

Suturing A Mother's Heart

It broke my heart to see a very aged, almost a century old deeply hurt mother bursting into an ocean of tears on an evening of Eid-ul Adha.. The sacred day had witnessed a sad sonata for this poor mother.. The second she grabbed and hugged me with tears in her eyes, my heart melted right away, totally understanding her sorry plight.. Empathy is the only antidote that i can offer.. An irony to this sacred event, a mother's heart has been hurt and broken into pieces yet again for the umpteen times by none other than her own kins.. It'll take forever, perhaps down to her last breath to nurse her wounded heart and suturing each of its pieces back together.. Wake up, Children!! Your mother's heart is aching, deeply, sinking in sorrow..

Feeling rejected and dejected, she traveled miles away, leaving her own home to find a new sanctuary to nurse her heavily injured heart.. at her own home, she couldnt help feeling estranged, rejected and dejected by her own kins.. she has traveled from one home to another until she settled down in her new sanctuary.. A year has passed since then.. The almost a century old mother has tasted the bitterness of feeling unwanted in her own home..

Her dear husband has left this world, resting in peace.. Helpless and vulnerable as she already is, she has witnessed her own kins are drifting far away from her, one after another.. her most-dear child has turn himself away from her in her own home, completely disregarding this old mother's heart despite her tender loving care throughout these years.. hoping for the wound to heal over time, she moved in to another child's place within the close vicinity.. and yet again, she was hurt.. she has been rained with reasons and excuses hinting of wanting her away from them.. with the remaining strength and guts, she tried her luck with yet another child of hers, but only rejection was left to be harvested.. her maternal heart was stabbed several times by her own children..

Having not much choice in her hands, she was determined to step out of her own home a year ago.. there, she had to bid goodbye to the place where she had harboured the love with her dear husband and children for more than half a century.. with heavy and wounded heart, she had carried herself traveling miles away from her own place to a rather foreign land.. The small language differences didnt hinder this mother to find a new sanctuary.. here, the residents of her new sanctuary hope that she'll feel loved and happy.. unlike in her own hometown, the small language barriers here might limit the daily communication but the people here are hoping that she can feel the love they harboured for her.. i'Allah..

A mother's heart would still be wounded upon thinking of her ingrate children.. deep down she still harbour high hopes of wanting to come back to her own home.. it is her very initial sanctuary after all.. thousands of memories were crafted there with her late husband and children, that place was where she had lived her entire life.. and may it still is, a dream she has kept deep inside her heart..

On the sacred day of Eid-ul Adha, with high hopes she expected to be invited back home upon knowing one of her child was visiting her at the new sanctuary.. after a year away from her own hometown, she misses her initial sanctuary back home, and perhaps harboured the intention of visiting the place where her husband was laid to rest.. for that, she has waited the whole morning for her child to arrive.. "When are they arriving?", "Where are they now?", "Are they here yet?".. these questions were rained anxiously by her the entire morning.. her waiting has come to an end when the long awaited child arrived at 3.00pm.. the 3 hours of meeting was far fetched from her expectation.. there were neither a single word nor an invitation uttered by her child of wanting to bring her home.. she was feeling devastated and rejected yet again.. just minutes before the break of Maghrib, the child asked for the permission to leave.. her strength had completely diminished, she couldnt hold her tears any longer.. once the child step out of the door, the poor old mother burst into tears, feeling deeply wounded.. succumbed to feel totally rejected, she just couldnt stomach to waive her child goodbye, staying inside sinking in her sorrow.. after a while, she could only mustered her remaining courage to say that she has resigned to her fate of spending her days at the new sanctuary.. she has no other place to go but here.. wouldnt that break your heart to see a vulnerable old mother sinking in her sorrow, deeply.. i dont know if her heart can be sutured anymore.. it is beyond repairs, too many scars and painful wounds to be nursed..

For all i know, the people of the new sanctuary are trying their hardest to provide for her needs with love.. they just hope whatever they do will help this old mother to mend her broken heart, despite deep inside they just know, it is nowhere near from the reality.. yeah, reality bites!! a mother's heart is delicate and only tender loving care can nurse it healthily.. while the Almighty still loan her to us with limited lease of time, all we need to do is to care for her.. i'Allah, with this, it is hoped that she can be a proud mother.. i pray hard that my mother and myself will not experience any of this horrific tragedy.. i'Allah, i hope my sisters and i will always remain true to love our mother with all our hearts despite what happens.. i cant even imagine what my life would be without her..

Anyways, i pray for the children of this old mother to find their way back home and remember to love her with all their hearts, cherish her while she's still here.. i hope they will suture back the every broken pieces of her heart together and nurse it with full of love.. may they will come around and realize that they'll be old too someday.. Only Allah knows best, what the future might hold for us.. we never know if what goes around comes around.. Allahua'lam.. in the meantime, let's love our mothers with all our hearts, if we are drifting away, take a second to remember their sacrifices, giving birth to us, to raise us, to put up with our unreasonable antics, to nurse us with love.. whatever it is, we just have to remind ourselves that "Syurga itu di telapak kaki ibu"

Grin!!

because i had a wonderful rendezvous with 'em yesterday (technically!! as it's 1.30am now).. ngeee~

No, i have no intention of writing a review here.. it's enuff to say that i just cant wait for Part2.. Ngeee~!!

Eid Mubarak

To all Muslims,
Eid-ul Adha Mubarak

Merdeka!! Merdeka!! Merdeka!!

TGIF!!! and Weehoooo!!

I've finished my final exam.. Tehee!! TOODLES to my 2^ndhorrific semester and the infamous ECONOMIC ANALYSIS as well.. thank you for making my life a living hell.. muahaha.. I just cudnt be happier when it's finally over.. phew~

MERDEKA!! MERDEKA!! MERDEKA!!

Ok ok.. I know this is an outdated entry.. I've enjoyed a week of MERDEKA since last Sunday.. for the past 5 days, I've been hogging the TV as if I haven't been watching it for years.. it took me 2 days after the final exam to went back online.. I just feel that I need to rekindle my relationship with my precious TV.. ahaha.. so what should I do to kill the time during this semester break.. hurmmm~ vacation sounds like a good idea but with whom, yea? Aina4 is still struggling with her finals.. Aina² is super busy at the hospital, she's in the transition of becoming a MO.. I've also been thinking of visiting Aina³ in NCL during Xmas since we've been granted the 9 days leave but I dunno if I can stomach the cold weather and at the same time Aina³ is intended to spend her Xmas break in Egypt.. so at the moment, the UK vacation is put on hold for a while..

Naem has suggested 12^th Dec as the day for our Universal Studios day-out.. yeay!! Cant wait!! I hope Aina4 can make it to this trip.. lil hope for Aina² to join us as she might still be very busy.. Aina³, u gotta wait till ur summer hols next year, yea!!

Anyways, in the meantime, I just have to get myself really busy with my beloved TV programs..

Mondays – The Amazing Race

Tuesdays – The Biggest Loser Asia

Wednesdays – Juggling between CSIs on Axn and Rain on KBSW

Thursdays – Juggling between The Amazing Race Asia on Axn and Rain on KBSW

Fridays to Sundays – anything interesting will do

See, sounds pretty busy right.. wakakaka!!

Halloween in Islamic Perspective

If yesterday, i touched about the misconception of "Crossed-Fingers", today i feel like sharing info about Halloween in Islamic Perspective.. again, this urge comes from my saddened heart for knowing some of my friends were celebrating this so called spooky annual festival..

i know, my entry comes 3 days too late as Halloween has been celebrated last Sunday.. however, i guess im not doing any harm for putting up this entry today, albeit 3 days too late.. insyaAllah this is for a good course.. with this, i hope i will not get to see any of my friends enjoying Halloween next year.. this festival should be regarded as the dreaded misconception by all Muslims as this event can lead us to idolatry or syirik.. nauzubillah.. let's protect our faith and aqidah, friends..

Virtually all Halloween traditions are based either in ancient pagan culture, or in Christianity. From an Islamic point of view, they all are askew forms of idolatry (shirk). As Muslims, our celebrations should be ones that honour and uphold our faith and beliefs. How can we worship only Allah, the Creator, if we participate in activities that are based in pagan rituals, divination, and the spirit world? Many people participate in these celebrations without even understanding the history and the pagan connections, just because their friends are doing it, their parents did it ("it's a tradition!"), and because "it's fun!" Understandably, we like to be part of our community and extend our tolerance by sharing in joys of others.

So what can we do, when our children see others dressed up, eating candy, and going to parties? While it may be tempting to join in, we must be careful to preserve our own traditions and not allow our children to be corrupted by this seemingly "innocent" fun. When tempted, remember the pagan origins of these traditions, and ask Allah to give you strength. Save the celebration, the fun and games, for our 'Eid festivals. Children can still have their fun, and most importantly, should learn that we only acknowledge holidays that have a religious significance to us as Muslims. Holidays are not just excuses to binge and be reckless. In Islam, our holidays retain their religious importance, while allowing proper time for rejoicing, fun and games.

Guidance From the Quran
On this point, the Qur'an says:

"When it is said unto them, 'Come to what Allah has revealed, come to the Messenger,' they say, 'Enough for us are the ways we found our fathers following.' What! Even though their fathers were void of knowledge and guidance?" (Qur'an, 5:104)

"Has not the time arrived for the believers, that their hearts in all humility should engage in the remembrance of Allah and of the Truth which has been revealed to them? That they should not become like those to whom was given the Book aforetime, but long ages passed over them and their hearts grew hard? For many among them are rebellious transgressors." (Qur'an 57:16)

These are some of the extract from an article taken from Muslimness website.. the rest of the content can be found here..

Lets Watch Our Words..

Dear Brothers & Sisters in Islam,

Are you familiar with the phrases, "Cross my fingers", "I keep my fingers crossed", or "Cross my heart n hope to die" and the likes.. i believe most of us have at least heard these phrases once or twice.. these words are popular and frequently used in movies, dramas and songs to symbolize good luck or for nullifying promises.. in fact, unfortunately, some of us have embedded these words in their daily vocabulary without realizing the meaning behind it.. these words may sound cool to you but lets be reminded brothers and sisters, to be very careful of what we utter in our conversation as it may hurt our aqidah and faith in the end..

The reason why im posting this issue is because im saddened by the fact that these phrases are widely used without guilt by some of my Muslim friends, especially in their FB statuses.. there were few instances whereby i was taken aback after reading their statuses as these phrases were "nicely" arranged in their sentences; staying oblivious of its meaning.. Thus, i figured perhaps i can use this medium to unveil the truth behind these phrases.. hence, i went to visit Mr Google and found an interesting article to support my doubts.. these are pretty much the gist of the message, however, the full content can be found here..

Crossed fingers have a Christian usage as well. Yet even here there is a divergence of opinion as to its exact meaning or origin.

While most agree that it was a “secret sign” employed by Christians when Christianity was illegal there is a divergence of opinion as to what it evolved from. Some today suggest it is a version of a cross (two fingers “crossed over” each other, thus symbolizing a cross). Yet I have trouble with that suggestion.

For the earliest Christians, when this symbol’s usage first developed, the cross was not as common as a symbol as the fish for Christianity. Since the cross was a depiction of a purposely painful and gruesome method of public execution its usage was less common in the first century and came into use as early as the second century.

The fish, however, has a much earlier usage by Christians. ICHTHUS is a Greek word, which means fish. Christians used the word as an acrostic, meaning “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior.” There are early examples of a fish scribbled in places associated with Christians-used as a sign to identify one Christian to another. Many suggest that crossed fingers were a simple fish sign one Christian would use to identify them to another.

It amazes me that the simple symbol of crossed fingers can be used in so many different ways-as a symbol for good luck or giving the user the ability to lie. Yet for us the most important usage would be a symbol of the Christian faith. It either is the symbol for the cross (possible) or a symbol of a fish (more probable, in my opinion). As a symbol for the fish it’s a profession of faith-saying that the user believes that “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, (is the) Savior.”

So Brothers & Sisters, lets be reminded again to be careful of our words.. whether the "crossed fingers" symbolizes cross, or fish, this phrase and act are the symbol or identity to portray faith in Christianity.. dont get too carried away to copy the Westerners lifestyles as these are probably their propaganda to shove us astray from the right path.. so brothers and sisters, dont hurt our aqidah by uttering these words or copying this act.. Let's say NO to the phrases of "Cross my fingers", "I keep my fingers crossed", or "Cross my heart n hope to die" and the likes..

Let's say "Allahu Akbar", "Alhamdulillah", "Subhanallah", "Masya Allah" instead.. and make these words as parts and parcels of our lives..

Miss Spoiled Brat

I cudnt help to feel a lil bit down on my luck when i have to cross path with such a very spoiled person.. She gives me nothing but series of migraines.. being the youngest child in her family, im good to say that she's the biggest spoiled brat i've ever met in my adulthood.. thank god, my youngest sister turns out fine and is nothing like this spoiled brat.. not even close!!

My bad luck began when i had to be in the same group as her.. well, in the outside, she looks perfectly fine.. Alhamdulillah, her appearance fits her as a fine Muslimah.. and for those who dunno know her, they might think that she's a very well respected person as she always talks about blessings, taqwa and more (in her facebook, of course).. and she looks bright and one of the most interactive student in class.. she loves to shoot questions albeit sometimes few of it were seen unnecessary.. thus, i thot, having her in my group will be a good thing for she may be able to support us in our studies.. lil that i know, it will turn out otherwise in due time..

I begin to notice her true colors when we were in our 1st semester.. we were needed to perform a mini research project.. while me and my other 2 group members were in the library having a discussion, she seems to be the one with the most arguments.. to her, this was wrong, that was unacceptable and whatnot.. despite her tonnes of arguments, she failed to give solutions.. and while all of us were discussing in the library, she, on the other hand was so busy with her lappy, u know, "facebooking".. each of her movements seem very much important to be updated, that includes during lectures too.. she'll be updating stuffs like "im waiting for my presentation turn", "im sleepy in class", "the lecture is so boring".. bluerghh!! a lil too obsessed with facebook.. and kinda self-centered too!

Anyways, after knowing her for almost a year now, i can managed to conclude she is nothing as she may seem in the outside.. her works were just junk, despite her countless arguments.. i had to be the one clearing up her mess.. normally i would have to sacrifice my night sleep, burning the midnight oil to amend her crappy works.. and i thot im the very last minute person here but she's far worse.. other than her crappy works, she is very pampered as she would love to wait for others to spoon-feed her.. when it comes to work delegation, she would pick the easiest task.. she contributed the least in group discussion, presentation, write ups..

Last friday, i had my patience tested at its peak.. she was crafting her antics yet again.. instead of contributing and completing her part in our group project, she went on asking us for answers of her own individual assignment.. i cudnt help but to snap.. but alhamdulillah i still have sanity in me.. instead of swearing, which has been drafted earlier on.. i wrote an email in a very fine and subtle words to remind her to be considerate of others.. it's unfair when she's not contributing to the group.. well, lil that i know, instead of understanding my message, she failed to attend classes the next 2 days during the weekends.. when asked, she told that she wanna quit school.. she had intention of quitting but as she received my email, her intention is being materialized sooner..

Crap, i know she's blaming me.. despite feeling disgusted, i went on apologizing to her if she's quitting because of me.. i reminded her not to make hasty decision, but to no avail, she's quitting anyways.. well, darling.. suit urself.. it's your future at stake.. perhaps, it's the best thing for us all.. at least we will not be burdened by you anymore..

It's fancy to cross path with a 27 y.0. spoiled brat.. says who spoiled brat can be found during teenage years only.. and it's a shame to have a well respected person in the outside to act in such a way.. i hope it will not give a bad impression of us Muslims.. most of us, do things perfectly, instead of taking responsibility for granted.. anyways, i pray that she'll come back to her senses sooner or later and do not follow her heart blindly.. i'Allah.. a lil advice to her,

"You cannot make an omelette without breaking eggs"