And I guess, there is sadness somewhere in every Muslims because being Muslims, theres still a bonding feeling somewhere among us especially when it comes to matters involving Muslims vs Non-Muslims, even in Saddam's case.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Ma's Salamah Saddam - Good Bye Saddam
And I guess, there is sadness somewhere in every Muslims because being Muslims, theres still a bonding feeling somewhere among us especially when it comes to matters involving Muslims vs Non-Muslims, even in Saddam's case.
Friday, December 22, 2006
To Neuter Or Not To Neuter
Popo is becoming more and more active as the day goes by although hes still a quiet boy. He loves to play with his toys and sometimes when I'm not playing with him, he would be jumping here and there as if hes playing with an imaginary friend. I'm a bit worried whenever he plays with his 'friend'; he would be jumping in his litter box and suddenly rushed off running to the kitchen, or hide under the table or under my wardrobe as if hes seen a ghost. And his game with me now involves bitting my hand and my toes. I know its a sign of affection and that he just wants to play with me but his bites are still painful nevertheless.
Since hes heading towards puberty, I'm now considering whether to neuter him or not. My personal preference is to neuter him while hes still a kitten. A male cat who has been neutered would be less aggressive and less likely to spray his urine all around the house. Moreover, I am more concern when the time comes he needs to go out and find a girlfriend (during mating season) and I'm sure I wouldnt know how to handle him when hes on heat and starts to scratch and kick the door to go out.
How would my baby boy survive the outside world with all the other street cats who own the neighbourhood. Popo would surely have to fight them to get their girls or else he would have to venture further outside the neighbourhood in search of a mate to fulfill his passion (hmmmm...). My father's cat, Saddam (yes his real name) was having the same problem, he would be roaming the streets and started to fight with other cats almost everyday. Being a Saddam that he was, he would still be coming back home with all the bald patches here and there, wounded, scratched and bled sometimes.
I dont want Popo to go through the same ordeal. .
The reason I was having doubt was because I was afraid that he might loose a bit of his masculinity and that the 'housemates' would be coming back and worse still if they start to befriend him. But well, after some reading from the internet, I think the pros of neutering far outweighs the cons.
I think I'm going to go for it !
Source :
http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/reports/early-neuter.html
http://www.kittenrescue.org/spayneuter.htm
You Love Somebobody Because You Love Him
But some people find it hard to accept that the person he/she is in love with is returning his/her love. In this world of searching for love it all depends on your luck. It if its meant to be, its meant to, if it its not, then its not. Many of us have experienced the broken heart of love being rejected, and many of us too had in our past found it hard to love the person who was falling head over heels with us. Thats just the way the world works; some guys have all the luck and some guys just have to make do with what they have (and try to feel lucky having them).
And the funny thing about us mortal being is that when the other person really loves you in return, you make it hard on you. You start to have all sorts of crazy ideas about why does this person love you too? And if you re one with emotional baggage with inferiority complex issue who thinks himself as someone not worth of being loved, things can sometimes be very very difficult for both the person and his love object. The other person would have to be the one to work hard on loving him and show that he is truly worth of love.
Sometimes, when the other person loves you, and because you love him too, you will try to eliminate any other unwanted reasons and justifications for that person returning your love. This is where you start to play some little games of questions hoping that person would diminish the assumptions you create. Like when cK called me and I knew its beacuse he missed me; but women being women you want the man to profess his feelings; to say them in words (Men are From Mars; Women From Venus - John Gray) . So I started to ask him why was he calling me ... and I further added my own answer that he called me because it has become his routine. Little did I know that it hurt him because to him, he called me for the obvious reasons; he loves me, he misses me and he just wants to hear my voice. And my reason for the false accusation was because I wanted him to say that in words, and not just let me play with my own assumptions even though I have known the fact.
It has been more than 7 years now, but I still wonder what is it about me that he loves me, may be its because by chance since we re in the same district, maybe he hasnt met the other beautiful girl, may be I'm just his alternative until the right girl comes along for him. I still can picture myself seeing cK looking at me with love and I just stood there searching for any other person in the room, thinking that he might be making a mistake here and finally pointing the finger at myself "Who...Me..???"
And even if cK questions about my love, I think its up to me to prove my love for him; instead of being hurt (yes it can be hurtful) only time and all my efforts and determinations will be the jury of my true feelings.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
I Should Have Stayed Being Silent
Imam Ali AS - Nahjul Balaghah
I should have stayed silent for a very very long time.
to use language.
Jalaluddin Rumi
p/s: Maaf ..........
Monday, December 18, 2006
Kampung Boy - A Hit in USA
December 14, 2006
MULTIPLE AWARDS AND PRAISE FOR LAT
Malaysian cartoonist Lat is no stranger to awards and recognition — they've been raining down on him for many years, mostly in Southeast Asia...
Here now some award news from the USA, not one, not two, but three marks of distinction have just been bestowed on KAMPUNG BOY!
1.
Kampung Boy has been named an Outstanding International Book for 2007 by the United States Board of Books for Young People and the Children's Book Council. A list of this year's Outstanding International Books will appear in the February issue of School Library Journal, and the books will be promoted by the USBBY and the CBC at meetings and conventions throughout the year.
2.
Kampung Boy has been named to the Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books Blue Ribbon List for 2006--their best books of the year. It will appear in the January edition of the Bulletin.
3.
Kampung Boy has been chosen a Booklist Editor's Choice for 2006.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Cinta Lelaki : Untuk Adik Lelakiku
Cinta pertama seorang lelaki seringnya menjadikan mereka seperti betul-betul buta. Cinta pertama seorang lelaki juga bersifat begitu naif dan berseri dengan jujur. Cinta pertama seorang lelaki sering dapat dihidu oleh wanita yang dicinta, dan dengan cinta yang dipegang oleh wanita itu ianya seperti satu senjata yang amat berkuasa . Wanita yang baik akan menggunakan senjata itu dengan penuh bijaksana untuk kebaikan kedua-dua pihak terutama jika dia juga amat mencintai lelaki itu, tetapi malang sekalilah lelaki yang cintanya dipegang oleh wanita yang tidak jujur, berhati hitam yang boleh menghidu bau emas sejauh seribu jarak. Senjata yang dipegang akan digunakan hanya untuk kepentingan dirinya. Namun lelaki yang sedang mengalami cinta pertama tidak akan dapat membezakan antara dua jenis wanita ini.
Lelaki mencintai wanita cinta pertamanya berlandaskan kepada banyak sebab utama, tapi pilihan teratas seringnya jatuh kepada kecantikan luaran wanita tersebut, walau kecantikan itu sangatlah bersifat subjektif. Cinta pertama seorang lelaki tidak berlaku sewaktu umurnya 30 tahun, dan oleh kerana ianya sering berlaku pada umur yang sangat muda, lelaki masih terlalu awal untuk benar-benar mengenal. Wanita hanya dilihat dari sifat lahiriah yang luaran sedang hati budi dan sifat sejati dalaman wanita masih begitu kabur di pandangan mata muda mereka. Cinta yang diberi akan sepenuh hati mengharapkan satu akhiran yang halal yang membahagiakan.
Namun tak semua cinta pertama akan berakhir dengan "mereka hidup bahagia selama-lamanya". Wanita yang tidak menghargai cinta pertama seorang lelaki kadang mengambil kesempatan di atas ke'naif'an lelaki mereka. Jika wanita tersebut belum saja lagi begitu membalas cinta itu sepenuhnya, masih ada keinginan hatinya untuk melihat padang lain yang mungkin lebih hijau pada firasatnya yang lugu itu. Berlaku lah sedikit kecurangan yang kemudiannya akan betul-betul menghancurkan hati lelaki mereka. Ya, lelaki boleh menangis atas kelukaan yang dihadapi saat cinta pertama. Air mata itu lah yang akan seterusnya menjadi dendam kepada wanita-wanita yang akan hadir di kemudian hari di dalam hidup mereka sehinggalah mereka bertemu pula dengan cinta sejati. Hanya cinta sejati yang akan melembutkan hati keras lelaki yang telah dirosakkan oleh cinta pertama mereka.
Sebagai manusia kita sentiasa mengharapkan perjalanan yang penuh dengan bunga-bungaan dan bauan yang harum, namun perjalanan hidup yang sebegitu tidak akan dapat mematangkan kita. Pelayaran hidup yang tidak beralun dan berombak akan membuatkan kita terbuai layu. Jika cinta pertama kamu berjaya, Alahmdulillah, pasti akan ada lagi di dalam perjalanan hidup ini yang akan menanti kamu untuk mengajar kamu sesuatu tentang hidup. Dengan wanita yang bersama kamu sekarang, masih banyak yang akan membuatkan kamu terus belajar mengenali wanita pertama yang kamu cintai itu. Teruslah mencintainya dengan seadanya dia, yang juga seperti kamu masih belajar tentang kamu dan juga hidup ini. Maafkan lah atas ketidasempurnaan dia kerana kamu juga tidak sempurna.
Namun, tak semua lelaki juga akan kekal dengan cinta pertama dan cinta sejati kerana yang aku diberitahu lelaki boleh sahaja akan bertemu cinta sejati kedua, ketiga dan seterusnya ke empat.
I once heard : "Men are born polygamous". But not all men .......... of course.
Adikku, if you belong to the former, hmmmm... I'll blog about that when you come to that point insya Allah ... LOL
Popo
My knowledge about cats is very limited, but one thing I knew for sure was that I wanted a male cat (no I'm not being sexist.. I believe any female felines would be able to scare the housemate just the same). Popo was not a healthy cat when I found him, being a kitten and living with the other ferocious street cats, he must have been bullied. Even some of its whiskers I believed had been cut by some stupid punk kids. It must have been a very tough world for him.
I took him to the vet few times already for the basic vaccins. The first few days when hes with me I was sick and and I must have trasmitted some of my fever to him. As the result he was also sick and had to be taken to the vet again. I was actually worried when he was sick. I couldnt sleep worrying about him.
Hes one happy healthy kitten now who likes to snuggle my feet. I bought him some toys, scratch pad, vitamine paste (it does look like a toothpaste, only its black with tuna falavour) and I must have spoilt him a bit with good food.
Duh.... I dont want to go on and on about Popo. I must admit I talk a lot about him these days....
When I told Nora that cK must have been tired hearing about Popo; Nora said .... in a very low tone voice "Ohh... hes not the only one...."
OK , OK I heard ya !!!!
ps: Oh ya the Kings of the house seem not that bold anymore ........
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Popo The Quiet Predator
I finally decided that I should be getting myself a new housemate of my choice to scare away the housemates not of my choosing.
I found him at the wet market in town. He was sitting all by himself and looked so quiet.
He is quiet alright for I hardly hear him 'meowing' except during the ride home in the car.
"What should I call him ?"
"Mat Odongo"
"Ohh come on.. not that kind of name"
"Call him Popo, I used to have a cat by that name when I was small"
Best Friend
"Happiness is about how you choose to view the world
not about how the world can accomodate you"
-cikgu Nora-
Old Town
Alor Star-10 Nov 2006
My good friend Cikgu Nora. We can spend our time together until the wee hours of the night, just talking, discussing, debating, chatting and all the activities that stimulate our minds and the topic could be just about anything under the sun. My best friend after cK.
Queen Ann
how hv u been,
ure lost never to be seen,
here i am waitin so keen,
to see ur name again here on my phone screen"
sms from Hadie
07-Dec-2006 /12:51 am
Everybody calls me Ann. I grew up with that name which is a bit different from my original name in the birth cert. I never knew how it all started except that according to Tok it was her idea, being the first child and first grandchild, I was treated like a Queen and I guess "Ann" was the closest to my real name .... thus "Queen Ann" must have popped into her mind.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Ananda; The Gold Digger
"Its something to do with your phone bill. Could you please reduce the calls you ve been making"
"Uh..??"
"Your bill alone has reached RM1,500-00 ....!!"
Gosh....! Dang...! I was thinking like ouchhhh...... how could I have made all those calls up to a whopping RM1,000-00 ... no.. no... RM1,500-00...
"Errr... could I have a look at the bill later.....?"
I was so embarrassed ..... Am taking advantage of him paying the bill ? Have I gone overboard ? My mind was so occupied with the figure wondering how could I have spent that much ..... untill he gave me the bill ....
It was so shocking to see that the thousand of ringgits came from the calls made to me when I was in Cambodia. I was aware that the incoming international call from Malaysia would cost me a bit ... but I didnt realize it could reach a crazy RM1,2xx-00 !!!
Yes most of the calls were made by him, and when I looked at his bill the same days and times he called me cost him only as local calls. One call which cost me RM125-00 cost him only RM2.40.
And the total cost of all the calls I made to him when I was there was RM84-00 and most of the calls didnt even reach a minute. For a few seconds call, they charged me RM9.10 per one call.
Every SMS cost RM1.10 which I think is quite reasonable, but RM9-10 per minute ... to Cambodia ??
"Get your own prepaid card from the place you go next time ........like when you go to KL get your own prepaid card..."
"KL...??????????"
Why I Love To Iron These Days
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
My Next Toy
Me:
"I'm dying ! Its on sale ! 25% discount !
Its a good buy !!!!!
The 60ltr looks nice !"
cK:
"...and so your wardrobe would only be left with a few of your undies,
since the rest would be shoved into the sack.....?"
Me:
"Ok I'll go for the 55ltr !"
(in the photo)
"But I'll have to find money for the ticket first"
cK:
"Oh I see... so the trip is not tomorrow....???"
" If you buy now, are you going to backpack to Nora's house in Jitra
and then stop by at different mosques every other nights? "
Thursday, November 16, 2006
When You Make A Stand
For Allah is with those Who restrain themselves
and those who do good""
"Bersabarlah ! Sesugguhnya kami tidak akan mampu bersabar melainkan dengan pertolongan Allah; dan janganlah kamu bersedih kerana mereka dan janganlah dadamu menjadi sempit dengan apa yang mereka tipu dayakan
Sesungguhnya Allah bersama-sama orang yang bertaqwa
dan yang membuat kebaikan"
An Nahl: 127
How soothing the words of Allah are when you really need them .....
You re hurt and you cried silently as you looked back; you wished they were not true, you wished you could refuse to believe but in tears you slowly admit that you have to swallow the bitter truth.
And when you feel that its time to make a stand, you have to really look into yourself to find all the strenghts that you need during this crucial moment of your life, because its something that you re not used to doing. It takes up all your energy and it exhausts you, but you know you have to hold on to it....
....because if you make any wrong move, you re dead ! They will eat you up .... again .. and again..
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Things I Learnt From My Trip
Cambodia Is Like Malaysia 20, 30 years ago
The surroundings, the infrastructure, the people. What amazed us most was the part that the Cambodians have a lot of free times. They would be walking in the parks, sitting near the Mekong River bank. They seem so relaxed which I think is good that they are not so much in a rush like in Kuala Lumpur for example. Malaysians do not go to the park anymore during weekend, they go to the malls.
The poverty level too is very high. Along the road on our way to Siem Reap we could see that many of the areas are without basic facilities like electricity and water. Houses were built next to the river (or canal) and they still use the river as their water source. I saw kids and women having their bath in the river too.
Currency-USD Is Widely Used
It broke my heart to see that a plate of fried rice cost us USD4.50. Arggghhhhhhhhhhh..............! Their currency is in Riel. USD1 is equivalent to 4200Riel and RM1 was about 1,200Riel (at that time-Oct2006). Being a developing country they need the help from the tourist to bring as much USD to the country as possible. Thats why the tourists (except Malaysians) have to pay the airposrt visa when they want to go in (at about USD20) and again when going out (including Malaysians) another USD20. It even stated somewhere at the airport that they need the money to expand their international airport.
Indonesianz Speak Better Intonation of English (Well at least Ijul does)
Its not because I'm so obesessed with Indonesian that I can even say that their intonation is better, well at least better than mine. Ijul speaks with perfect pronounciation of every English words that come out of her mouth. With the right stresses at the right time and its not even a put up accent, its just the way she speaks. I thought its only because of the English language but actually even when she speaks her own language, she would speak with such confident and and with a great deal of strong pronounciation, I mean like the time when I was referring to Ijul about the Indonesian word "timpuk", she didnt get what was I telling her and I kept on saying to her " You know "timpuk", banter ..." and she was like " Ohhhh... TIMPUK ... " with the stress at the "K" sound there. When I pronounced "timpuk" its as if I put a stop at the "k" sounds but Indonesian would even stress at the "K" sound; 'Timpukkkkk" Get it ? And I also discovered that the English people understand Ijul better when she speaks. Hmmm..... I vowed to do something with my English.
I tried to speak like Ijul with cK and he mocked me saying that I sound like a robot !
Ijul Is Tough !
Hahaha.. really, I always consider myself as someone whos quite determined and not afraid of hard work, not the 'manja' type, and independant, I mean like if I want to do something, I would put my mind and body into it and would just shoot off right from the start and nothing rarely stop me. But being with Ijul for about 6 days, I could say that I came around being second (thats because they were only the two of us). "Orang Malaysia tuh tak pernah susah ....". Maybe shes right. We have been blessed with so much wealth and stability, economically and politically that we have become to comfortable and complacent and to certtain extend we have taken some things for granted.
Alhamdulillah is all I could say, but Ijul is afraid what might happen to the Muslims of Malaysia, say in the next 20 years. From what she could see if we dont do anything about our economic and political conditions, we would be swept aside soon ......
Conclusion
Well..... I really want to improve my 'speaking', I think I might join the "Toast Club".
and I want to travel to many other countries..... and I dont mind backpacking ..... to get to see the real people of the country ... not just the tourist places .....
ps: Ijul kalau aku pingin ke negara jauh aku perlu ngumpul uang dari sekarang deh... gimana jadinya plan kita backpack jkt-bali ... Arghhhhhhh...... money money money !!!!!!
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Mari Ketawa Dan Menangis Bersama KKDN
Ref : KKAWALAN PENERBITAN DAN TEKS AL-QURAN
Antara Senarai Buku-Buku Yang Boleh Kita Ketawa
- Hot!Girl (热辣少女)
- Wanita Seksi (美艳美媚)
- Godaan Seks (春色无边)
- Cinta Haram (禁恋)
- Kak Long (大姐姐)
- Wanita Yang Merayau Sepanjang Malam (夜游女郎)
- Lelaki Yang Bertanggungjawab (大丈夫)
- Si Comel (小亲亲)
- Cinta Liar (豪情)
- Mimpi Pisang (香蕉梦)
- Guru Dara (处女教师)
- Isteri Muda Yang Berlaku Curang (风流少妇)
- Kisah Doktor Yang Tak Siuman (变态医生)
- Dunia Ceria (美妙世界)
- Kisah Tengah Malam (夜倾情)
- Kudumbal Seks Kathaigal (Kisah-Kisah Seks Keluarga)
- Oru Kanniyin Karnapal (Mimpi Seorang Gadis)
- Cinta 100 Ela (Raja Azmi)
Antara Senarai Buku-Buku Yang Boleh Kita Menangis
- Sebahagian Daripada Rawatan Pesakit Menurut Al Quran dan Sunnah (Prof Dr Harun Din dan Dr Amran Kasimin)
- Mengapa Kita Mencintai Keluarga Nabi SAW (Muhammad Kadzim Muhammad Jawad)
- Tokoh-Tokoh Terkemuka Ahlul Bait Nabi Rasulullah SAW Jilid 1-14 (Ali Muhammad Ali)
- Siapa, Mengapa Ahllul-Bayt (Hassan Abdul Qadir)
- 40 Hari Khalwat Catatan Harian Seorang Psikologi Dalam Pengasingan Diri Sufistik (Michaela Ozelsel)
- A HISTORY OF GOD (Karen Armstrong)
- Muhammad A Biography Of The Prophet (Karen Armstrong)
- The Battle For God Fundamentalism In Judaism, Christianity And Islam (Karen Armstrong)
- Kundalini For Beginners (Ravindra Kumar)
- Kontroversi Hukum Hudud (Kassim Ahmad)
- Hukum Mengenai Rokok & Mencukur Janggut (Rasul Dahri)
- Tafsir Al Mizan (Mengupas Ayat-Ayat Ruh dan Alam Barzah) (Allamah Sayyid Muhammad Hussien Thabathaba'i)
- Pengakuan Paderai Melayu Kristiankan Beribu-Ribu Orang Melayu (Azizan Ahmad)
- Seri Dasar-Dasar Filsafat Islam Prinsip-Prinsip Islam (Dalam AlQuran) (Dr Bahesty dan Dr Bahonar)
- Amalan Bid'ah Pada Bulan Muharram, Rejab, Syaaban dan Ramadhan (Dr Abdul Ghani Azmi Bin Hj Idris)
Bagaimanakah akan berkembangnya pemikiran rakyat Malaysia
apabila buku-buku bertanda merah seperti di atas diharamkan ?
tidak akan terbuka perdebatan,
semakin sempit pemikiran,
tidak akan ada persetujuan untuk tidak bersetuju (agree to disagree)
makin lemah daya intelek
tiada ada hujah-hujah bertebaran
yang akan memaksa pengkajian dan pemahaman ....
How Could You Do This To Us ?
"What do you expect from people who banned "Lelaki Komunis Terakhir"? And these people banned the movie when they had not even watched it. It's all because of the word "Komunis Terakhir". Which means if Amir put it "Lelaki Kepala Hotak Hang" they would surely have no problem with it."
Monday, November 06, 2006
Cerita Orang Marah
Tiket bot saya menunjukkan bot saya akan berlepas jam 12.30 tgh hari. Waktu saya dan orang ramai di pintu itu, jam di tangan sudah menunjukkan hampir pukul 12.30. Saya cuba-cuba lihat tiket bot orang lain dan saya dapati tiket mereka menunjukkan bot yang berbeza dari tiket saya. Saya mula jadi bimbang dan cuba mencari ruang ke depan orang ramai untuk bertanya makcik guard yang jaga pintu tu, untuk mengetahui adakah saya ini termasuk orang-orang yang dah terlepas bot.
Sambil mengangkat beg tersebut saya meminta maaf kepada si empunya beg, tetapi Mamat ini setelah melihat saya menjatuhkan begnya terus menengking ke arah saya dengan menuduh saya sebagai seorang yang tidak punya penglihatan. Dijeritnya kepada saya mempersoalkan penglihatan saya sebagai seorang yang seperti Stevie Wonder. "Buta kah ???!!!!" Saya agak terkejut dengan pertanyaan yang garang seperti itu. Kalau wanita biasa yang lain, mungkin mereka akan merasa malu dan akan tersipu-sipu menyusup keluar dari orang ramai dengan deraian air mata.
"Kenapa harus marah ...?"
Mamat yang seperti kehilangan dialog terus membuat tuduhan lagi "Buta !!!"
"Eh.. relax lah... !! Saya dah minta maaf ! "
Mamat tercari-cari ayat yang lebih baik lagi "Buta !!"
"Kenapa harus marah dan jerit-jerit. Tak bolehkah bercakap elok-elok? Saya bukan sengaja nak jatuhkan beg tu ""
Mamat menggapai-gapai mencari kata yang tak terjumpa "Buta !!!"
"Ehh... relax lah !!!!"
Moral Cerita
*** Oh ya ! Mamat itu dan keluarganya mendapat tempat duduk di belakang kerusi saya di atas bot.
Cambodia - Day Two
Siem Reap
Look at the bed. You can guess which one is mine.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Cambodia - Day One
I reached KLIA and met Ijul at LCCT, Sepang. That was the first time I met Ijul, face to face. I was a bit anxious as it would be our first time meeting and staying together for 5 nights. We actually had the same thoughts, wondering and hoping that both of us can get along well for the whole of the trip. I was actually worried that she might get to know me 'better' and discover I'm not that 'nice'.LOL
Our flight was scheduled at 3.15pm but the plane coluld only take off at almost 4.20 pm because of the bad weather, it was raining heavily at the airport. The flight took about 2 hours from KL to Phnom Penh.
We were greeted by Hari, Ijul's friend whos working at the Indonesia Embassy in Phnom Penh. He was kind enough to provide us the first night accomodation at Paragon Hotel. The room which comes with Air Cond and warm water costs 35USD.
Our hotel faced the Mekong River. We found out that there were many Cambodians who like to sit along the river bank until the wee hours of the night. We spent the first night walking along the Mekong River and took some photos which included some fried bugs !
And later that night, we went to a hotel where Hari was waiting for us with his gang. We took Tuk-Tuk from Bali Cafe which was 2USD trip.
The BackPack Packing
Do your homework
If you really want to go backpack, you have to start doing your homework early on. Plan your trip at least 6-12 months ahead. It helps especially if you want to get a good cheap flight from Airasia. You can get a very good bargain for the flight you intend to take. Study the place you want to visit thoroughly and compile them in one file.
These are a few things you have to know:-
- Political situation of the country. You may not want to end up with the street demonstrators (or if u re like me who WANTS to be part of it, thats another story, go talk to your parents first)
- The Visas and all the taxes you may need to pay, you may get shocked like me who didnt know that we had to pay an airport tax of 25USD when I wanted to get out of Cambodia. Apparently Malaysians need not pay any tax when going into Cambodia but still have to pay the 25USD when going out.
- The price of the taxis, tuk-tuk. The trick and trade of the taxi drivers and tuk-tuk. Like you have to know the places yourself instead of accepting and agreeing to everything that the Tuk-Tuk drivers suggest.
- Get the map of the town you're visiting. Get the idea of the place in your head.
- Check the tips from other travellers.
- Check the cheap hotels you intend to stay. Make some notes and try looking for any comments or reviews from other travellers who have stayed there.
- Get to know where the Mosque and the muslims community are.
- Find the Halal restaurants from the internet, so you wont be starved to death while crawling in town looking for one.
- If you re planning to travel from one place to another, its good to know the ticket price of the bus, taxi, train etc beforehand so that you can make a proper and estimated budget.
You can also buy all the travelling books, like LonelyPlanet Guide Book, but they can cost half of your flight ticket.
Anyways, below are the essentials for your packing :-
Top Of The List
- Passport
- Tickets (flight, train etc)
- Booking documents (when you book online - eg hotels)
- Identification Card
- Some cash (in USD)
- Driving license (just in case)
- Photos (ur ID photos - some places might require photos)
The Bag
You should also get yourself a small pouch or something like the blue pouch I have. I love this small bag, its not bulging as any other pouch , quite thin and can carry my passport, cards, bills and other small stuffs which can be easily reached.
You still need to be careful with the sling pouch as it can sometimes not only reachable for you but also be easly reached by the snatch thief as well.
The List
Appparels.
- One thin cotton shirt, one t-shirt, one long sleeved shirt, one thin jacket (which I didnt bring but felt that I actually needed one) one pair of jeans and one cotton pants (or khaki pants). Jeans are heavy actually but if you still want to look cool during the trip, just shove it into the bag. You dont have to bring a t shirt, just buy one at the place u re visiting as the first souvenir for yourself ! Get a dri fit shirt which u can wear for more that a few days, it doesnt smell !
- Underwear: panties - get the light ones, 4-5 pieces. Bras- 3 at least
- Telekung and sarong with socks - for solat
- Socks if youre taking your Nike sport shoes
- Sandals
- Cap/hairband/cotton bandana
- Swimming suit (no, I didnt go to the beach in Cambodia)
Personal Hygiene
First Aid
Panadol.Charcoal pills (when the foreign food is not to your stomach liking) Miyak Cap Kapak (ointment) when you cant stand the foreign smell in the local bus or their musics. Bring some Vitamin C as well or maybe some other vitamins to boost your energy all through out the trip.
Miscellaneous
Your Travelling Companion
Notebook
Something for you to jot down everything from your plan, itinerary, expenses etc......
Pray
Never forget to pray for your trip to be safe and sound
Cambodia-The Plan
So its on !
I was excited.
Friday, November 03, 2006
I Am 21 again !
Happy Birthday To Me !
happy birthday dear me
life as you ve learnt is never easy
but you've made it quite fairly !
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Masa Yang Berlalu
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Can I Hold The Memory
Not knowing the uncertainties that lies ahead.
Believing what has been written somewhere is my fate
And yet I planned the plan thats been meant for me to create.
Along the way I found myself
together with the other side of me that I always tend to forget
Tis' a couple of lessons I learned
From a far away friend who is never hesitate
to point out her thoughts thats forthright straight !
ps:
I will unfold my 6 days story in a short time
after the sorting out of the hundreds of the photos comes to an end ...
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Eidul Fitri 2006
"I want to teach you five of those things which deserve your greatest anxiety to acquire them:
Have hope only in Allah.
Be afraid of nothing but sins.
If you do not know a thing never feel ashamed to admit ignorance.
If you do not know a thing never hesitate or feel ashamed to learn it.
Acquire patience and endurance
because their relation with true faith is that of a head to a body, a body is of no use without a head, similarly true faith can be of no use without attributes of resignation, endurance and patience. "
Imam Ali (AS)
Selamat Hari Raya
Monday, October 23, 2006
Aku Gubra
Terlalu banyak yang telah diperkatakan orang tentang “Gubra”. Aku adalah orang yang terlewat untuk menontonnya. (Inilah harga yang aku harus bayar bila tinggal di tempat yang namanya Alor Setar ni, di mana cerita atau filem yang aku nak tengok, agak susah nak cari, mungkin salahku yang begitu gigih menunggu vcd originalnya).
Aku suka “Gubra” walau aku agak kurang senang dengan beberapa perkara yang dibawa oleh filem ini. Aku ni agak fundamentalis dalam hal2 yang berkaitan dengan isu sensitif yang dibawakan oleh filem-filem sekarang terutamanya bila aku mahu menontonnya dari kacamata seorang Muslim. Aku juga sensitif dengan message-message yang dibawa oleh filem. Tapi aku ni bukanlah pengkritik hebat, aku hanya salah seorang penonton yang agak cerewet memilih filem yang mahu ditonton.Kalau ada yang mahu melabelkan aku fundamentalis Islam, aku tidak akan membangkang.
Ramai fundamentalis yang marah dengan filem ini yang mengangkat persahabatan keluarga seorang bilal dengan pelacur. Aku melihatnya dari sudut lain sebagai seorang fundamentalis juga. Aku juga pernah membaca betapa marahnya para fundamentalis Islam kerana bagi mereka “Bilal jenis apakah itu yang tidak membawa message “Amal Maaruf Nahi Mungkar” di dalam persahabatannya dengan pelacur-pelacur itu?”. “Amal Maaruf Nahi mungkar yang mereka mahukan ialah dengan satu terjemahan sahaja iaitu dengan menegur dan memarahi pelacur kerana memilih kerjaya itu dan seterusnya memboikot pelacur tersebut dan anaknya juga akan dilarang untuk bercampur gaul dengan anak mereka. Inilah watak bilal yang mereka mahukan. Mereka agaknya terlupa untuk menterjemah ayat untuk berdakwah dengan hikmah. Barangkali mereka sendiri tidak tahu apa itu maksud “Hikmah”.
Aku suka dengan persahabatan baik yang dijalin antara keluarga Bilal dan Temah serta temannya Kiah , satu perhubungan tulus dan jujur sesama insan atas dasar keagamaan dan juga kemanusiaan yang mana akhirnya menjadikan pelacur-pelacur tersebut tertarik dan mahu kemballi kepada fitrahnya. Fitrah seorang Muslim. Cerita pelacur Muslim seperti ini mengingatkan aku pada waktu zaman Revolusi Iran, di mana antara tempat utama bagi para revolusioners untuk turun berdakwah ialah rumah-rumah pelacuran. Mereka tidak memandang rendah apatah lagi menghina para pelacur tersebut. Dengan penuh hikmah mereka berdawah dengan mengatakan bahawa antara sebab para pelacur tersebut memilih karier itu adalah kerana tiadanya pilihan lain yang disediakan oleh kerajaan Shah pada waktu itu yang menyebabkan ada segelintir rakyat terpaksa memilih kerjaya yang “paling tua” di dunia itu.
Aku juga paling suka dailog antara Temah dan Mas ketika Mas sedang mengajar Temah membaca kitab suci Al Quran.
Temah: Mas tak marahkah Temah tak pakai tudung?
Mas: Tak. Kenapa nak marah ?
Temah : Kalau Temah nak pakai tudung ?
Mas : Kalau Temah nak pakai tudung? Mas belikan
Temah : Kalau Mas beli, Temah tak nak pakai ?
Mas : Kalau Temah tak nak pakai tudung, Mas simpan. Mana tahu kalau satu hari nanti Temah nak pakai; dah ada
Betapa hikmahnya dan bijaksana “amal maaruf dan nahi mungkar” yang dibawa oleh Yasmin dalam cerita Bilal dan Pelacur.
Yasmin berjaya membawa sesuatu yang sangat fresh dengan memberi nafas baru bagi seorang bilal dan juga keluarga bertudung labuh hitam yang sangat terbuka, bijaksana yang menunjukkan contoh dan sikap yang baik sebagai Muslim. Di dalam dunia sekarang yang memandang serong pada mereka yang memakai kopiah dan bertudung labuh hitam sebagai pengganas ekstrimis yang suka berdemonstrasi, Yasmin mengangkat golongan ini ke satu tahap yang sewajarnya.
Aku juga akui bahawa pada mulanya aku agak skeptical bila melihat babak keluarga yang memakai tudung labuh warna hitam di sebelah katil bapa Jason . Melihat keluarga betudung labuh hitam di sebelah katil tersebut, aku seakan menantikan suatu babak yang tidak baik yang akan menjatuhkan mereka yang memakai tudung labuh, tapi Yasmin yang bijak tidak membawa message seperti itu. Dibawanya babak Mak si Jason yang marah-marahkan suaminya yang tak nak makan kalau tak ada daging babi dan keluarga bertudung labuh hitam disebelah pada mulanya agak terkejut dan tersenyum tetapi kemudiannya si ibu bangun dan menawarkan daging rendang buat si Nyonya. Aku menarik nafas lega.
Signifikasi pada pemakaian tudung labuh hitam di situ menunjukkan bahawa famili tersebut adalah keluarga yang wara’ dan amat serius dalam beramal. Tudung hitam yang labuh juga selalu melambangkan perempuan yang fundamentalis, ekstrimis dan sangat patuh pada peraturan menutup aurat di dalam Islam. Yasmin tidak meletak di situ famili yang memakai tudung putih tiga segi yang biasa, beliau juga tidak meletak famili yang memakai selendang atau scarf. Dengan membawa pemakaian tudung hitam yang labuh itu, Yasmin telah memberi satu imej yang sangat positif kepada orang ramai bahawa tudung hitam yang labuh tidak bermaksud ekstrimis yang melampau dan menunjukkan bahawa ada juga di kalangan mereka yang pandai bermuamalah dan berbuat baik sesama insan, hatta insan itu bukan Muslim sekali pun.
Inilah message 'uswatun hasanah' yang mahu di bawa oleh Yasmin dan saya percaya message tersebut telah disampaikan dengan begitu baik. Mungkinkah terpesongnya aku dari fahaman biasa fundametalis di sini adalah ini kerana lakonan Namron sebagai bilal yang sangat handsome dan cool. Teruja sungguh kalau memang benar ada lelaki Muslim Melayu seperti itu !
Di satu cerita yang lain, tentang Orked, terus terang aku agak menyampah dengan watak Orked di dalam Gubra. Barangkali aku masih mengharapkan watak yang sama seperti di dalam Sepet, “innocence”. Innocence itu sudah hilang di dalam Gubra (bersesuaian dengan umurnya barangkali) dan diganti dengan watak yang agak mengada-ngada dan manja terlebih. Itu pada pandangan aku, mungkin itulah sifat seorang Orked yang kalau saja bukan Orked sekalipun, sesiapa saja yang berwatak sedemikian, aku memang akan menyampah.
Tanpa memaafkan Arif sebagai seorang yang telah menduakan isterinya, aku agak “bengang” dengan Orked yang pada masa dan hari yang sama suaminya di’tangkap’ olehnya sedang berdua-duaan dengan wanita kedua, si Orked juga pada waktu itu sedang berjalan berdua dengan lelaki yang bukan mahramnya. Aku maafkan kalau Orked keluar berdua sebagai teman tetapi yang aku tidak faham, sebaik sahaja dia menempeleng suaminya, Orked terus berjalan berdua dengan lelaki yang bukan mahramnya itu “dengan memegang tangan” ! Ahhhh…… alangkah tidak adil dan peliknya wanita bernama perempuan. Boleh saja dia berpoya ‘flirt’ dengan lelaki lain tetapi amat marah bila mendapati suami berbuat demikian. Okay… aku faham, paling tidak Orked belum di bawah selimut dengan lelaki bukan mahram tersebut. Tetapi, jangan menipu Orked kalau engkau menafikan engkau juga sedang cuba menggoda lelaki bukan mahram tersebut ketika beliau keluar dari bilik air dengan tidak memakai baju. Apa perlunya engkau Orked menarik bulu seorang lelaki bukan mahram dari tubuhnya. Lihat saja bahasa dan lenggok yang engkau gunakan sewaktu bersama lelaki bukan mahram tersebut.”Orked, I’m sorry, but you didn’t come with clean hands too maam”.
Dan aku juga paling tidak faham dan memang tidak akan masuk akal, bagaimana seorang yang bijak seperti Kak Yam yang boleh berbahasa Inggeris dengan baik, boleh menjadi seorang ‘maid’ di Malaysia negaraku yang makmur ini. Melainkanlah maid itu adalah seorang Filipino dan aku percaya yang amat sangat Kak Yam bukanlah orang Filipina.
Aku juga sebagai seorang fundamentalis agak terkejut dengan babak-babak yang melibatkan sentuhan-sentuhan yang tidak sepatutnya oleh sesama Muslim yang bukan mahram. Barangkali kerana aku berpegang kepada hukum fiqh “Matlamat tidak menghalalkan cara”. Sekalipun message atau niat yang hendak dibawa oleh Yasmin adalah kasih sayang yang teramat sangat sesama watak di dalam itu, aku masih merasakan itu tidak menjustifikasikan sesuatu yang jelas haram. Aduhhh.. aku ini juga bukanlah manusia malaikat tapi aku rasa aku perlu menyatakan sesuatu yang benar walau aku sendiri tidak sebersihnya.
Aku mahu berkiblatkan sekali lagi kepada Iran. Walau tidak banyak filem mereka yang aku telah tonton, tapi di dalam satu dua filem yang aku berpeluang menonton aku kagum bagaimana mereka dapat mengeluarkan filem yang amat bermutu tanpa menggadaikan maruah dan prinsip Islam. Tanpa perlu watak si suami mencium isteri, si isteri mencium suami, dari ekspresi lain, penonton masih dapat merasakan kasih sayang yang wujud antara watak suami isteri tersebut. Mereka juga tidak pernah perlu menunjukkan rambut isteri yang mengurai atau serabai bagi merealisasikan watak perempuan.
Inilah harapan dan impian aku bagi industri filem Malaysia. Menghasilkan filem yang jujur dan berilmu dan pada masa yang sama tidak sesekali menggadai maruah dan peribadi Muslim. Memberi imej yang baik bagi pelakon dan seterusnya menjadikan filem sebagai medium dalam berdakwah.
Yasmin telah mengorak langkah yang baik dalam penceritaannya di dalam cerita Bilal dan Pelacur dan juga Keluarga Bertudung Labuh Hitam yang telah memberi message yang positif kepada masyarakat. Tetapi dalam masa yang sama aku juga mengharapkan sesuatu yang aku rasakan tidak mustahil boleh kita lakukan. Jika Iran boleh melakukannya, kenapa kita tidak ?
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Fuming Mad !
mm..dah baca gak prettyfit tu dulu..
tp tak silapnya dia cedok dr blog anjakan paradigma sbb entry dia lambat sikit..
tu kalu aku tak silap la..
tp as i said, blog anjakan paradigma tu dah takdek, so tableh la nak cross check n verify tarikh entry derang tu..
apa2 lah...
yg penting maksudnya sampai..
hehe
selamat hari raya "
Whoever said those words above, kindly be informed that I will never never write something via cut and paste from others and claim that its mine.
That is so so far below me.
Please check that my original entry revolves around my discussion with a couple of my closest friends. Had it been from cut and paste why would I include their names.
Ohhh shit... I dont need to defend or prove myself.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Ramadhan Is Leaving
Ramadhan is leaving us in just a few more days.
What have I gained so far? What have I endevoured to gain ?
Did I take this once in a year time's opprtunity to get closer to him ?
Have I ever been close to Him all these times, even before Ramadhan?
Has Ramadhan now become just a superficial ritual ?
Has it become a celebration month where everybody gets to go to the Ramadhan bazar and choose all sorts and variaties of food ?
Do we really cherish the true meanings of Ramadhan;
something far beyond hunger and thirst?
Will it's spirit linger around us for the next 11 months until a new Ramadhan comes around?
Will we be praying as much after this month is over?
Will we still find time to keep close to Him?
Will there still be another Ramadhan for us next year?
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Walking Alone
During this time, you will learn more about yourself. You will discover more of your strenghts that you never knew existed. You recognise your flaws and acknowledge your weaknesses. And you learn from your mistakes. You vow never to repeat them.
You realize that you can never change people. You realize that the only thing you can change is how you react towards people's behaviour that you know can hurt you. People can hurt you as long as you let them to. To retaliate can sometimes imply that you are just like them. So you stay 'above' them.
The best thing when you re on your own is you know that you are never really alone. And you slowly and shamefully turn to HIM for you know HE will never forsake those who turn to HIM.
You learn to walk alone now because you know
the next journey you re taking will never be accompanied by anybody.
Friday, October 06, 2006
My Comfortable Sneakers You Are
How I wish we would always be together
And stay like this forever
You are my right, and I am your left
A mirror you are that reflects my true self
In each of my weaknesses and best
You make me believe I’m no less than the rest
I want no Prada, Jimmy Choo and all that is not cheap
(though an iPod 80GB may be something I need)
And you want no JLo as you gladly admit
(But I’m sure if shes around you’d of course,like to meet)
We have talked and discussed just about anything under the sun
From history, politics, religion, work and all that is fun
We may not agree with each other at certain times
But we both respect each another as somene more of a friend not a fiend
Best friends, lovers, soulmates you just name it as you like
For this relationship does not need a label for it to survive
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Heart
And ohh.. for the rest of the story.... I .. errr... fell asleep after the first 15 minutes.
(Alor Setar version)
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Asalnya Adam
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Adik Has A Boyfriend
We were both lying down in bed, talking when Adik told me she has a boyfriend.
"Whats his name ....?"
Smiling sheepishly "His name starts with "F" ..."
"Farid..? Farouk..? Fauzi...? .....hmmm...?"
"No.. !.. No ....!"
"Fuad ...? !.."
Covering her face with the pillow ... smiling ...
"Oh.. FUAD.... !"
"Wahhh... tell me.. tell me more.. how in the first place did he become your boyfriend ?"
"He sits next to me in class... One day he suddenly asked me... "When you grow up who do you want to get married to ?" I said "I dont know" and he then said to me "You'll marry me then ..!" and I replied "That sounds alright""
And they are both 8 years old.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Will Ye Have Patience ?
Will ye have patience?
For Allah is One Who sees (all things)"
Al Furqan :20
And next time when I'm about to go crazy because the driver in front of me is driving at 20kmph, I would think of this verse !
You Are How You Eat
And if you ever get to know Anis, you will notice how she eats. She would arrange everything neatly on the plate and eat them slowly and gracefully. That’s the word; yes despite the fact that, how ‘cranky’ or ‘crazy’ she can be, she eats her food gracefully !!! It amazes me the way she eats. But Anis would always eat the fries first because she likes the fries hot.
I on the other hand would eat everything at the same time. I would take the chicken together with the bun dipped in mashed potato and coleslaw with a little bit of the chili sauce in the coleslaw. I would take the fries too in between the chicken and the coleslaw. Its like I can just take almost all the foods at the same time, I cant do like Nora does. I just cant take them one by one.
Now, the way Nora eats is exactly the way she does her works. One by one; and one thing at a time.
I guess Anis does her work the same thing too. Neatly and ….. ‘gracefully’ ?? How does one do her work gracefully ….?
And in my case, I suppose you can imagine how I work … which makes me running here and there all the time ……
P/S : Now ....... I even heard that the way you eat shows the way you are in bed …. *wink*