Investment

"Hijrah itu pengorbanan, hijrah itu persaudaraan..."

Resolutions, yes resolutions. To be materialised. Been splurging with new books from one of my favourite bookstores earlier today. Although it's main purpose was for education, no harm getting to know in depth our religion, mah? I would have stayed longer but I had to visit my uncle who had just undergone an operation. I always stay very long in bookstores. But these as investments, worthwhile even for personal use.

Indeed hijrah brings an impact to me this year round. Why? Maybe because I've been mugging with my research for the past one week and straining my eyes the whole day on the seerah of Rasulullah, including his hijrah and other sahabahs' sacrifices. There's just a lot of discoveries and new perspectives or point of view - politics especially (well, i don't quite favour reading on Politics). Maybe in the past, what I've learnt was merely memorising facts and the timeline of events and vomitting them back in exams. But now, refreshing myself on Islamic History makes me explore newer things and I realise the importance of it. The realisation of how tougher it is now that we have to come out with our own critical opinions based on various relevant resources. Especially when it involves terms which are highly intellectual. Maybe this is one of my components of Hijrah...

To say that hijrah as a paradigm shift is just a cliche. It's way beyond that and it holds different interpretations to different people. Hijrah in the past might differ from hijrah in the modern world. But, as Muslims, it roots down to a single niyyah. Niyyah that solely us Muslims should heed and practise.

To all my akhawat and ikhwah fillaah, I pray that all of us will step ahead afresh and recharge ourselves for this new year. As this hijrah might bring special meaning to each and everyone of you, may whatever you want to achieve for, if it's best for you from Allah, may he reply to your du'as. Let us pray for each other...

A broken glass

What would you do if for every moment you were truly happy, there would be a sudden moment of sadness?

"Sesiapa mencintai Allah pasti semakin sunyi dengan manusia. Di tengah keramaian dia rasa keseorangan. Saat kesukaan dia berduka. Jika orang tertawa dia menangis. Jasadnya dengan manusia, batinnya kepada Allah.

"Ketenangan dan kebahagiaan adalah hembusan dari langit, diturunkan ke dalam lubuk hati orang yang beriman, mereka akan tetap berhati teguh, di kala insan lain mengalami kegoncangan... "(Syed Qutb)

The pathway that lies before me,
Only Allah knows.
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments,
Just as He unfolds the rose.

The Art Of Procrastination

Some or most of us possess a brilliant trait of procrastinating. However, is it totally a waste of time? How do you define a waste of time? Procrastinating is basically not ignoring tasks you need to do but merely delaying the latter mentioned. Hmm, so is procrastinating needed? Or should you dump that trait considered 'bad'. Some work best preparing early while others brag and admit that they work better under pressure - when the date's up to your neck.

I've actually surfed on this as an effect of my own procrastinating character.
___________________________________________________________________
Originally By Dave Noland Columnist

At some points in our lives, most of us have received some sort of "preparing for college" type lessons. Whether it be in high school, with an "Effective Note-taking Seminar" or during Orientation with a "Balancing your Time" discussion, there has been an emphasis on teaching us how to succeed in college, not only within the classroom but outside it as well.

But all these lessons have missed one of the most important parts of doing work in college—effective procrastination. At first, it seems the term "effective procrastination" is an oxymoron, like "military intelligence" or "Bowdoin party." In reality, however, there is such a thing. Effective procrastination, as opposed to just wasting time, has two main elements.

One, it must be an activity with a variable length of time, meaning that you can do it for five minutes just as easily as for 50 minutes.

Two, it must be something that completely engages your mind, otherwise you will just spend the time worrying about the work you should be doing and get no benefit from the procrastinating. Thus, watching TV is not an effective procrastination tool—it engages your mind, but is not really a variable length of time. You could end up catching "The Warriors" on AMC, and all of a sudden your ten-minute break turns into two hours. (For us perhaps, LOST/Grey's Anatomy on tcs 5)

Since so much work is done on the computer these days, one of the simplest and most effective ways to procrastinate a bit is to look at web sites. Thus, the ideal site for procrastinating is one that you can spend a few minutes on, enjoy the content, and then get back to work.

Another great procrastination technique is exercising. Anyone who knows me knows that I treat my body like a temple, and so regular exercise is very important to keep your body as fit as your mind. At least that's what they tell me. Personally, going up stairs tends to leave me short of breath, so I don't really speak from experience here, but I have heard that a short bout of exercising will help refresh your mind.

Continuing with the idea of treating your body well, having a drink while in the midst of studying can often be very useful.

There are many other useful techniques for procrastination that I won't explore in depth here, such as talking to roommates, making paper airplanes, creating your own meth lab, or a host of others. The important thing to remember is that procrastination involves putting off or delaying your work, not ignoring it. Effective procrastination means you eventually will finish the work you need to do, and when done right, actually means you will be more focused and do a better job on that work.

*Modifications done on unappropriate contents
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If delaying means staring and doing nothing, that's just couch potato-ing. When i first thought procrastinating was a total waste of trait, it actually brings out the best in you. When the writer mentioned exercise, I remembered the attitude and increased energy gained to do work even after martial art trainings which I frequent back then. One thing for sure, I need to continue with those. And I realised that i often indulge in a pre-activity that I love before setting myself on a thinker's mode. Why so? Because that acted as a boost of motivation for me to have the right energy and positive attitude to start the tasks I need to commit later. May not work for you, but it does for me.

As such, I end this entry with a sheer feeling of joy and syukur that I am now able to start with my resubmission assignment and some read ups after clicking 'publish post'. Voila~

Higher and tuffer...

A long holiday for sure
While some are travelling
Others are busy with either work, school, and community work
Deadlines to meet, retreats, meetings and more meetings

Deadlines to meet, yes I am
Not more of work this time round
Except for the pile of books brought home
And level lesson plan to be done
But more of assignments, group discussions
Research and more research
And time is shrinking and shrinking
3 individual assignments, an individual and group presentation
All close to each other

But Alhamdulillah
At least Relite's number is increasing
At least I have a good research team InsyaAllah
At least I am still given a better health to continue life
At least given the chance to meet Muharram!

3 things to remind myself:
No milk products
No fruits
No spicy food (Oh, do i LOVE those :< )
For the next few weeks.... Thanks to asdiqaa' (friends} who prayed for my well-being I'm on the road to recovery...
But what colours my life more are these...

My p1 reading programme heroins and superheroes!

Happy holidays! \m/

Upgrades and updates!

Enough of written expressions. I just want the flow of normal, bahasa 'kolokial' today. Alhamdulillah.. I am grateful to Allah for He has granted me with the hopes and prayers which I hope I could attain. Just want to update my routine life...

Getting the hang of working life although I still continue working at home till wee hours, everyday (unless I am in total lassitude.) Seriously, it is easier taking over a class the beginning of the year rather than being posted in the middle of the year. CA has been replaced with DE ('diagnostic exercises'). So, there'll be constant setting of papers every few weeks. Alhamdulillah, I have lesser p1 students to teach. Only 16 of them. Good behaviours from my p5 class, which is a total contradiction to my p3 class which bears the largest quantity among my other classes. Still a level rep for p3. Well, di sebalik racun itu, ada penawarnya.

For the first DE, I am given the task to set a p3 paper. Looking back at some of the questions, I tend to create certain complex sentences rather than simple ones. Heh. Too much of youths' phrases/talks, I guess. First time setting a p3 paper I did p1 exam papers last year. Soon, be setting p5 and also at a later stage, the p1s. Maybe that is why, I feel more at ease conversing with p5s because of the par frequency. Bonus, they are good boys n girls.

For CCA, I'm not in netball anymore. Alhamdulillah, I applied for Computer Club and I got it! But now it's called IT club which includes, computers (websites, etc), movie making(i think), robotics and video editing. So I was told that I'd be on the computers side. I'm also in PC (pastoral care)/Discipline Department. Me and another colleague of mine will be handling PC's website. Although I'm not in ML dept., I still have to update myself with watsnots of that dept. as I am an ML cekgoo. CME committee, as a member. And also, one of the videographers for PM session. And for p3 remedials, I am the only one incharge. Now it keeps me wondering, with all this plus other duties (which is not mentioned), will I survive? Perseverance and patience is really needed. Plus, Allah's guidance. Right, Buff? (Well if u're reading lah buff, hehe)
The implementation of blogging is still on hold (how ah, buff?)...

Frontline? Haha the conversational 3rd language during pre-assembly with my colleague to the whole school last Tues. It was a last minute thing as I was told only the day before. Basic greetings which will continue until term 1 ends. But it when okay i guess? Next big challenge for me is tomorrow! Short talk/speech/watever infront of the whole school again, alone! Touching on Self-Control. I admit this is excruciatingly nerve racking! Not that I'm not used to stage. In fact, I've been on stage since my yesteryears. But, this is work. Maybe just a totally different ball game?
I just pray to do well in this field. I am feeling much better than I first entered. This means a lot to me as being here I am not only representing myself as an educator. In fact, I'm the youngest here. I guess, I am also representing myself as a Khalifah, bestowed that responsibility to nurture the future ummah especially the future mujahids and muhajidahs, hopefully. Aameen...

Uish, this is the longest entry I've ever done! Time to prepare for my speech tomorrow. Sooo feeling freaky...Please pray for me friends...

Bintang di dada langit

bukankah bintang itu berkelip setiap malam
hiasi dada langit agar tidak kelam
hanya bintang satu itu lihatnya kusam

bukankah semua bisa bergandingan
cuba fahamkan renungkan sejenak
atau yang satu hanya akan muram
tanpa sinar bintang yang gilang-gemilang
sedang bintang penunjuk arah yang sesat jalan

bintang oh bintang
bercahayalah engkau
malam ini dan malam lainnya
walau bintang yang lain enggan bercahaya
walau bintangmu seorang sahaja
kau tetap bintang kejora

Bukan kerana tiada pilihan

Mitsaqan Ghalizan bersaksi Tuhan
Ikatan kukuh jadikan tauladan
Moga daulah Islamiah dijadikan pegangan
Menuju mahligai bertunjangkan Iman

Si fulanah tidak pasti di minda dan hati
Seolah-olah hadirnya di situ satu elusi
Wajah-wajah yang pernah mengisi diri dahulu
Ada yang masih kekal sama. Yang lain, ada yang berubah.

Si fulanah bingkas dari tempat duduknya.
Meminta izin untuk kembali.
Salaman itu miftah ke kunci hati
Kerana salaman itu daripada si ummi

Dua perkataan membuatnya terpaku dan tabah.
Dibisik oleh bibir yang hanya si fulanah dengar.
Diiringi dengan ucapan silaturrahim.
Ikatan. Kerana ikatan. Diucap berulang kali.
Si fulanah terkedu. Tiada lafaz dari bibir.
Hanya bisa menjadi saksi sebak yang cuba dihijab oleh si ummi.
Hanya kaca-kaca bersinar di mata si ummi menjadi bukti.
Lalu Si fulanah pula menyusul, membasahi pipi.

Si ummi berkata lagi,
Moga-moga berjumpa dengan yang baik.
Tidak pun yang lebih baik.

Si fulanah semakin sebak. Aameen iringi du'anya dalam diam.
Maafkan si fulanah, ya ummi.
Jika pernah mengguris hati ummi
Kerana Allah lebih tahu.
Yang ummi rasa baik bagi si fulanah, mungkin tidak baik untuk kami di kemudian hari.
Dan si fulanah pasti akan janji-janji yang Maha Esa, demi kebaikan walad ummi.

Bukan kerana tiada pilihan.
Jelas bukan jalan yang mudah.
Tetapi kerana Allah yang bimbing si fulanah memilihkan.
Dan moga pilihan si fulanah yang kini tetap jelas keranaNya.

Terima kasih ummi kerana du'amu.
Ku du'akan ummi sekeluarga bahagia selalu.
Entah bila Allah ketemukan kita.
Mungkin bila masa fulanah pula tiba...

x x x

To a sadeeq and his zaujah, Selamat Pengantin Baru...

..An image of love..

Iqra'

Iqra'. Bi ismi rabbikal ladzi khalaq. Khalaqal Insaana Min 'Alaq.
Iqra'. Warabbukal Akram. Al ladzi 'Allama Bil Qalam. Allamal Insaana. Maa Lam Ya'lam.

It's the challenge of the new term when you were given the trust to conduct the reading programme for the non-readers or slower ones. Oooh, entirely testing your patience as it touches very very basic readings. It means penetrating the little brains with very very basic reading methods. Alphabets, phonetics, and other oohh la las. I really sympathise with them. And I am willing to teach those who will strive hard to focus in the lesson rather than those who preferred to leave their antennas elsewhere. Given only 5 weeks to let them master the art of reading in this programme, I really pray to make a difference by then since I am taking the angels from other cekgoo's classes too. The only thing I hope is the stakeholders to be the supporting factors for our children to succeed. It doesn't take a hand, only a hand to groom a holistic child. As the word holistic itself represents various dimensions of knowledge, so does the process needed towards the goal.

As much as this process includes their involvement in the field of education, I myself am undergoing my own expanding of experiential learning next week. Oh, blurgh. Will I able to sleep the night before thinking of my intrapersonal skills and the application of interpersonal skills to the whole assembly in the hall. Shall I faint, puhlease? Mode of communication: English. Well, it's not that I am unable to speak well. It'll be better if it's in Malay with all the Malay students isn't it? I am getting the goosebumps and I doubt my capabilities next week; fumble through a speech, and that's it! Good luck students, you might be hearing a teacher talking Greek.

But it's the holiday moment now. Salam 'Eidil Adha to all Muslims around the world!
Make sure you sacrifice well this year!

The power of 'ilm

I breathe like a pregnant woman today searching of oxygen inputs in town.
Difference is, such woman carries a baby. Mine, a lappy.
Additional reason, it was raining the whole day.

Revelation as a source of knowledge was yesterday's module.
Earlier today was Fiqh as-Sirah. The common topic I find in all modules so far is the Jahiliyyah period, only that it touches different perspectives according to our subject matter. Fiqh as-Sirah, led by Dr. Md Noor will include classwork as well as quizzes which carry a highest waitage than assignment. So, we had one today for classwork. A 10-15 mins write up before our dismissal:

'Why is Arabian selected as the birth place of the final Prophet?'

Questions to ponder for myself:

- Am I able to be a walking Sirah person with several quotes of authors at the tip of the tongue?
- The recent encounter with the pakcik which will shoot and converse with you in Arab and discuss verses of the Quran be it on Nahu or tafsir. Makes the heart thump and awe in admiration? Subhanallah. Be ashamed of yourself widz. Must learn from him.

Searched high and low for books at Kino and Borders. Next mission? Read up!

Good: Yes, you here me. Read up!
Evil: It's thick. A lot. Cummon, it'll make you sleep.

Shoo, you evil! Gear up! I need to read these few thick books to prepare for the handing of assignment in February. Current readings include those by Karen Armstrong, Martin Lings and Sayid Muhammad Nadwi. I've yet to choose the topics out of the course outline to be my subject matter of research. Imagine this, 10 marks for 7-10 pages. *Thinking analytically and critically* By the way, there was no stock for Islam and Orientalism, by Mariam Jamilah. Anyone by chance owns one? Cos I'd love to read this.

Well widz, get ready to mug every weekend!

x x x

To Miss K, thank you for the belated birthday treat and the precious time. Unwasted.
"If you want a good person, you have to be a good person" - our tadzkirah of the day~

Wacom

Ok, nilah dia wacom yang dibeli.
Wanzu, have a look aite? ^-^

Ada masa, widz akan test the tool.

Nikahton~

Alhamdulillah, my lappy went for a spa treatment for a few days and back refreshed today.
Unfortunately, I couldn't upload the exclusive pictures on new year's day itself.
I'd say that 2006 is one of the best Januarys ever celebrated. Particularly because of 2 pairs tying the knot. One of the night of NY and the other on NY itself. A very, very touchy occassion especially for the latter.

Munira, the lovely bride. My twin birthday sister. And the rest of the Saff sisters.
She got hitched first before me, it seems (haha!)

Dear Munira,
Our friendship started in 2003 as trainees. However, we met again as activists. Had our share of ups and downs as students as well as outdoors. Glad you made it with the person you much dearly treasure. May Allah bless you and Dani with a faithful and fruitful journey of marriage life. Always be there for each other and last till Jannah. The nikah was very memorable...

Nan, the gorgeous bride and 10 bestfriends. (a maid of honour and 9 bridesmaids)

Dearest Nan,
This particular occassion is indeed something that I believe, the 11 of us won't forget. All of us have been there for each other for almost 20 years of friendship. Through thick or thin, we have been witnessing ourselves bloom and be shoulders to cry on. Despite choosing different paths in life, we manage to be there and revive the sweet moments. And surely this first knot that you made marked a turning point for all of us. I was really touched and some of us shed tears to witness the ijab and qabul, as legally husband and wife after 7 years of ukhuwwah. I pray that you and Zan will be sailing strong after the aqad. May Allah guide the both of you all the way and be a good zauj and zaujah to each other. Last... till Jannah.

Dearest buddies,
I thank Allah to be blessed with such wonderful friends and accepting each other's idiosyncrasies and antics (although how irritating we are to each other!). We are such a unique clan. Gradually, more of us will be following Nan's footsteps. I wonder, will we able to hang out like we always do? Painting reality, there will be changes to our lives in the future. But I hope, all of us pray that this very strong ukhwah will stay till the end.

1 down, 10 to go. Ehem, who's next girls?

x x x

Lelaki yang soleh adalah untuk wanita yang solehah
Moga Allah kabulkan do'a-do'a kami dengan pasangan yang kami inginkan
Yang Kau tahu adalah baik bagi kami...

Returning tags

To Yalin dan Gild:
Wa'alaikumussalam gild. Selamat tahun baru masihi untuk gild. Yalin pun sama, ye? Thanks for the ucapan~ May Allah bless this new year with good returns!

To Uan:
Hehe, linked ya again bro!

To Wanzu:
Bro, okaylah, nanti widz snap wacom tu okay? Tunggu je orait... Bab lappy widz tgh repair.

To Buffy:
Oh yeah man, how's he ah? orait? New Year to u 2 sis! Let us have a great year this year, hopefully!

To Menots:
Alo dear! Wazzup eh? Been spending the last days of holidays before work starts, trying to enjoy myself with my loved ones around me...