Late night thoughts

To ask if Islam is a religion that promotes violence, therefore influencing incidents like the recent Paris attacks.. is like asking a teacher if he or she has never had a rebel in the classroom, like asking a grandmother if there has never been a black sheep in the family, like asking a manager or a CEO if there has never been a staff that betrays the values and principles that the company believes in.

We do not condone the behaviour of these antagonists; they do not speak for the rest of us. For anyone to make that comparison shows ignorance and stupidity on his or her part.

Yes, I truly feel for the Paris victims. Yes, the actions were very inhumane and despicable and unacceptable, no doubt. But if you have been following the news from reliable sources, you would know that ISIS has killed thousands of Muslims across the Middle East. You would know that ISIS had launched an attack in Beirut a few days prior to the Paris attacks, where the victims were primarily Muslims. And yet why didn't these incidents receive as much coverage in the media as much as the Paris attacks? Apparently Muslims around the world being killed doesn't evoke emotions or draw enough ratings for the media outlets to justify a proper coverage? Double standards, much?

So if this was about religion, why would ISIS kill their own kind? This is a group of people interpreting the religion in their own twisted way to substantiate their political agenda. No one in their right mind agrees with these motherfuckers.

I am dumbfounded that there are people asking why Muslims are not confronting the ISIS issue if we don't agree with their beliefs. Why? Because we do not want to aggravate the situation. Because Muslims everywhere are already receiving backlash and discrimination way before this incident. Because the Muslims in France are currently being threatened and treated like trash because they have to answer for someone else's actions. Because it has come to a point where whatever we say is probably going to get shot down by others. Because ultimately, people will believe what they choose to believe. 

With the exception of these extremists, we all want world peace. Unfortunately, we are never going to have it if we continue to have this surface impression of other religions and cultures without really taking the time and effort to understand each other. 

We can't allow ISIS to achieve its goal of driving a wedge between Muslims and the rest of the world. That shouldn't be the case. It's ALL of us against ISIS, or any terrorist groups for that matter.

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace."

- Jimi Hendrix

Vibrant vietnam won me over

I realised that you have to learn to love the horn in Vietnam. I've been to Thailand a couple of times and traffic was hell there but trust me when i say, Vietnam has the loudest and most aggressive traffic I have ever experienced. You can literally hear a horn every few seconds; it seemed to say, "Get out of my way or you'll get run over!" and it sure as hell looked as if they wouldn't hesitate to do just that. The bus horns were the most annoying and it echoed throughout the town. Talk about pimping rides.

My experience there was nothing short of amazing to say the least. Everything about it - from the beautiful landscapes in Sapa and Ha Long Bay, the friendly people we met, the vibrant culture - was truly enchanting and i did not expect to fall in love with it as much as i did. Everywhere we went, the Vietnamese really went out of their way to ensure we were well taken care of. I'm definitely coming back for a visit.

xoxo,
aishah

What went down this weekend.

Hits and misses

So it's been a while, i know, but i've been really busy trying everything out with all my hits and misses. Okay maybe that sounded a bit like PR reasoning. An honest one? I've been too busy with life. You guys should get one sometime.

Frankly i'm unsure if people still find blogging cool. Not that anyone reads mine for that matter; this simply helps me keep things in check every now and then - a space where i can talk to myself and put things on paper, look over my life's general headway, that sort of thing. Facebook or Twitter is a little too modern and intrusive for me still, despite being around for some time. So full of quack too. Give it a few more years perhaps, or until i can find an urgent reason to have one. (I can hear my close friends groaning at this.)

I wonder if things would ever go back to how they used to be. Which leaves me to share this..
 

Great question. What if we disconnect to connect again? Certainly it doesn't hurt to receive a $5 dining voucher in return for something we should already be practising in our lives - to truly connect with our loved ones. Something i'm guilty of myself.

On a different note, can you believe it's already 2014?! I'll be turning a quarter of a century this year, and finally settled in a job that i feel quite happy with for the first time - Alhamdulilah! I intend to make it a life-long career if things keep up the way they are going lately. I shouldn't be too quick to speak though, since i'm still learning the ropes and juggling work with school. Very much aware of the fact that things might not stay the same after this year as change is a part of nature. As our mamas always tell us, "Jangan main hembus je nanti malu sendiri!"

For the new year, there is a lengthy agenda I have in mind but at the risk of embarrassing myself if i don't live up to them, i'll put a sock in it.

Wait for it...

Tulipmania

    

 

So simple yet so wholesome, with its broad green leaves and its resplendent flower petals. Perfect and complete even only as a stalk; majestic when planted and grown together in a tulip field. No surprise it's the only flower yet capable of causing an economic bubble.

I dream of you in colours that don't exist

(via weheartit & jelanieshop)

When all else fails.

It's 3 o'clock in the morning yet i just cannot seem to sleep despite the heavy eyelids and being in bed for hours. Something doesn't feel quite right, almost as if there is something weighing down on me these past few days.

I'm terrified. There is this overwhelmingly intense fear of losing things in my life i consider so precious. It's just tearing at me, savage to the highest degree. If only there were some ways you could compromise with God - to ask that He doesn't take away what you love or let them suffer even, and in return allowing me to bear the consequences instead.

It's especially tough when you are helpless - when there is absolutely nothing you can do to make things better. At the end of the day i suppose i know that all i can do is seek guidance and pray, and in praying, will i find solace from the reality of things and start to have faith that things can and will be better.

Insya'allah.

I wuv you, birthday boy!

To the one with the cutest eyes and the sexy smile, happy birthday!

My first conversation with this silly boy happened on February 13 last year. I didn't think there was going to be a nerve in me that would be tickled into falling in love with him but because that conversation occured, it led to a mutual friendship and later, every wonderful else. Something that, as he always likes to tease, happened because of his irresistible charm.. Haha.

What i'm sharing with you now, in the light of my lover's birthday, is an extremely truncated version of how we first got to know each other and the progress that followed. But right now i doubt the story matters more than our birthday boy who turns 26 today :)

The sweet and kind Irfan is now wiser, tougher, smarter and still every bit as incredible as when i've first known him. I always have him in my prayers and wish nothing but the best for him, have nothing but love for him. He rocks my world and i suspect that might go on for a very, very, very, very, very long time.

xoxo,
aishah

Wear love. Share love.

I came across these tees while i was doing some online shopping and i thought, what a wonderful way to spread a meaningful message around.



A company called Spit in the Dirt came up with the idea that these two simple words, printed on a tee, would help people see life in a different light and be constantly reminded of the fact that love makes a difference, every day. So they began selling them to their friends and before they know it, they started shipping all over the world.

Also, a cut of the proceeds goes to the Senegal street boys' education and trade school training. Great tee for a great cause -- why not?

If you folks would like one for yourself, let me know before the 28th so we can save on shipping costs.

To my bub and all my lovely friends and family, i ❤ you! Happy v-day, everyone.

Xoxo,
Aishah

I have a need.

A need to write it down, to put my feelings on paper so i have something that i can hold on to.

Last year i fell in love. With the utmost sweetest guy i know and i haven't been the same since. They say the best people come in your life when you least expect it. I was struggling to figure out how to get things started for myself, stressing with everyone's expectations and my own. I was lost when he came in the picture.

We got to talking and before i know it every day till the wee hours of the morning we would spend texting each other about the most random things, and just about everything under the sun. The hours we spend talking on the phone. Sometimes i'm still amazed by his patience with the terrible phone reception in my room. How'd he call me right back no matter how many times the line went dead. We shared stories, we laughed, we cried. He's full of wit -- a quality i admire in people. I am someone who is rather opinionated and on my good days i always have a comeback to anything a person says (except maybe when i'm in the wrong and i know it) so it's great to be on the same wavelength with someone who gets my jokes and my sarcasm and how i communicate.

There's something in the way that he talks and brings himself about. How he goes all out to help the people he cares for, how much he adores kids.. It's very endearing. He reads. He volunteers when he can. His sincerity and empathy towards the less fortunate amazes me. I remember telling a friend of mine at first, "Is this guy for real?" and being the way i am, i undoubtedly questioned him.

I can't recall the exact moment when i went from liking him, to loving him. All i know is that the moment i realised i no longer have that frightened voice in my head stopping me from having an open heart, no hesitations, no excuses i tried to come up with.. That's when the realisation sank in that i had fallen in love. And i fell hard too. I finally dared to love unlimited.

He lives with a purpose; He's not one to sit around and do nothing. I, on the other hand, like to play life by ear and i am very particular about my downtime. In a way we compliment each other.

We haven't been together for long, about 8 months now, but in those 8 months i've changed. Not because he wanted me to be different but because he loves me the way i am. He taught me not to swallow my emotions but to speak them out loud and to act on them. He makes me feel good about myself because i am beautiful. He makes me believe i can achieve things when others bring me down. He helps me with everything. He is willing to talk and listen when i have problems and he makes me feel needed because he counts on me as well.

I am not trying to embellish our relationship and make it seem like we're this perfect couple with a fairytale story to tell. We are not. In fact it's quite unconventional how we got to know each other and got together.

A relationship based on love is not always rainbows and butterflies. It's hard work, but it's so worth it. Love can change and love will change you. You're in it because you choose to. You learn to accept these changes, adjust and compromise with one another. As with every relationship, we have our issues -- our own obstacles and setbacks but despite everything, i find myself still wanting to try with him. To work things out no matter how difficult. If i may be so bold, i think that's love.

It's when you're both still standing there, unwavering, after a horrible fight, admitting that you're scared but wanting a go at it anyway. It's when you've had a long bad day and all you want is to hear his or her voice comforting you and telling you things will be alright. I am committed to him, to us.

So here i am, as i have always been. Offering all of my love.

Sayang, i just want you to know that i am grateful for us. I appreciate having you in my life and i'm overwhelmed with emotion and shedding tears as i am writing all of this (no i am not being sarcastic). Thank you for being mine.

I love you, bub, in more ways i can describe and i always wish and pray that we will last because as much as it scares me to admit this to myself, i think i have to let you know that from the bottom of my heart, i cannot imagine being with anyone else but you.

Please hold me tight now and assure me, promise me, that this year will be better for us.

Infinite xoxo,
Aishah

So where do we begin to catch up?

My 2011 has been quite the ride. But here we are at the starting point and that leaves me with more drive and will to take on the next one and make it better than ever.

I managed to get some things going in my life and I have faith they will help me realise and work out my goals and dreams, slowly but surely, God willing.

Right now i am contented :) How is everybody?

I'll get this up and running again because it's a brand new year and because I miss writing.

In the meantime, here is a picture that describes so much how i want to live this year..

xoxo,
Aishah

Happy New Year :)

Pretty in Pink.

Please vote for my sweet little honey pumpkin if you have a Facebook account.

Simply search for "Bows Affair", look for Pretty in Pink contest on the wall and click on the Like button on the 19th picture.

Let's hope she wins!

xoxo,
aishah

♥

Dear Irfan Isa,

Will you be the buck to my doe?

xoxo,
aishah