Guess Who?

Who is this baby bear?

A break?

When there are no lectures, this means, the research continues.
Does it mean ample time to research more stuffs? Like going to the library?
Or does it mean that postponement of lectures will affect the flow of the uni management here? I hope not. I don't want to be graduating later than the stipulated time, yeah.

It's been a nerve-racking, heart pumping week. I'm glad the show's over and the kids like it. Felt like a superstar for one day. But the perseverance of having to endure the entire double sessions in such a state yesterday was beyond what you could imagine. On the other side, it brought joy to some people who were, perhaps, childhood deprived? Heh.

Lectures have been cancelled tomorrow and Sunday. It shall only resume on the 3rd week of Syawal. Quite a hiatus there.

Time to change gear.

Ramadhan Rocks, You Gals Rock Too...

Saff's own '82 babes
( With the absence of Yati )
and oouh, those tired faces...

SAHABAT YANG BAIK ADALAH YANG ORANG YANG BERCAKAP BENAR, DAN BUKAN HANYA MEMBENARKAN KATA-KATA.

We are special

Today was a tiring day but it was worth it. We had a special task to a special school, specially for the special kids, thus, a special Children's Day performance for them. So I was on duty as the school's photographer as per usual to capture the significant moments of the performers and the audience. Reached there early morning to entertain the girls and boys ranging from 7 years to teenage years.

This time round, there were certain protocols in taking pictures. So, ahah, yeah, I won't be able to put up any pics as it can only be circulated internally and approved by their school before publishing any shots. But I could show the performances we did by both our students, and the teachers.

What I felt...
Their presence opened up our hearts.
Their warmth and enthusiasm in response to our actions were overwhelming.
There's a sense of sincerity in the way they receive and accept our performances.
It's nice to experience and witness the lives of the less fortunate in this blessed month.
The school really reminded me of my N/I/E Townsville Campus back then; the kampung aura, the familyness.

No wonder two of my cousins are teaching in this special field.
I guess, it leaves a special thing in those who teach these special ones; not like us, our hearts always tainted with black stains.
But like a friend said, the emotional support we need to provide them is intensive.
And I think it's worthwhile.

As for us who went there...
I think we enjoyed ourselves; the bangra dance, the twisted cinderella skit, the smiles on their faces. To my surprise, we are such creative teachers after all. That's why we're in right, because we make a difference... =)

Life of a fellow brother

I feel great when Ramadan comes. I feel great when I know that whilst everyone else is busy in their daily activities, I am sacrificing my desires for the sake of God. I feel great when I see one of my friends, who bases his life on sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll; take a 'chill pill'. I feel great when he goes through the whole day without a cigarette. I feel great when I see my other friend, who chooses to base his vocabulary on every four letter word in the colloquial dictionary; stop and look back at his mistakes, and at the end of the month become a changed person. It's a great feeling.

Going back to the question "Why do I fast?" or "What keeps me going?" the answer is very simple. I ask you now, how many times do you turn on the TV or flick through the newspaper, and find yourself drenched with the fact that a large proportion of the earth's population lives in famine. How many cases do you hear about people who die from hunger in Sudan, or Ethiopia, or ….the list goes on. These people wake up every morning to the notion that they may not live to see the night. These people fast because they have no choice, they simple have no food to eat, or no water to drink. When I fast, I do it out of my own choice, no one puts a gun to my head. What keeps me going are the faces of those innocent youngsters in the countries such as Sudan who fast the whole of the Gregorian.

"You need to sacrifice to achieve great things"

By Mohammed Zaoud.
Sixteen years of age and heading into his final year at Homebush Boys High School in Western Sydney.

Ramadhan's Galore

Alhamdulillah, 11 sekawan managed to meet up for iftar with all the hubbies (w/o Hid's presence though *nun jauh di sana*) Usually, for tarawih, the girls would be the Imamah. This year, for the first time, we had the gentlemen to lead us! Of course, credit goes to the host of the iftar Nan & Zan!

I am very happy. Why? Albeit the different status for half of us, we still find time to get together. Best,eh? And I am personally happy because I've never celebrated my birthday being with the 11, but me & nul managed to celebrate our silver jubilee moments together. It's more of a personal treat for me to Nul, due to our iftar date that happened to fall on September.

11 sekawan (Hid, let me do the magic for you okay...) & 5 Hubbies
Specialised brownies (with our names & hubbies) & mango cake

I had to dash to grandma's place. It's been quite some time since my family members had tarawih together. I remembered the times when atuk was still healthy, he'd be our imam. That's years back. So this is one of the ways to get spiritually united for us. Moreover, it's my dearest Sept cousins birthday too (Have quite a no. of September cousins, both paternal and maternal )

Happy birthday dearies!
(Some of the other Sept babies were absent)

After family affair, I was happy as to meet my sisters I've not met for quite some time. Although there was a minute attendance (This time round the brothers won us by their numbers), I forged new friendships with a few. I just had trouble sleeping (which I am having till now) so that's why I could easily wake up for qiyam. Thinking of qiyam reminds me of a dear sister whom I can't spend the wee nights with her this year. She just continued her studies in Azhar and I am missing those times we planned for qiyam last year. I wish you are here so I can spend more fruitful wee hours with you *melancholic*

Had group discussion straight after qiyam. To savour my bliss, and I guess it's my rezeki, I had the chance to capture the shots of the Infrared Photography @ N.L.B straight after discussion on its last day. More or less, the technique was quite similar to me. I've tried applying the same techniques to my shots, only that I was oblivious of its term back then. Actually, I have planned to visit the exhibition that day, but since I had my discussion there, it's killing two birds.

The muggin' life has not ended...

Thinking of the all the 4 assignments + presentations at one go. Some of them which are...

• Ummah Concept - Positive Value
• Islamic Aqidah - Challenges & Responses (Internal : Rejection & Extremism)
• Adat Perpatih

I guess, when it's Ramadhan, it's time to seek more knowledge than usual, huh?

I'm tired, but it's the blessed month after all... =D

TwentyFive

Clock striked at 9.53am. Parents returned home and surprised me with a Light Cheesecake, the simplest I could be happy of. Actually, I was oblivious of the cake they brought in. Anyway, it wasn't expected after all. I was busy clearing my emails that time. Thanks emak and abah for meaningful presentation during your daughter's birth time!

Last Wednesday, we had an advanced birthday lunch. Parents decided to surprise me. Drove me to an anonymous restaurant, later, only to discover it was Bilal Res.tau.rant.

A sumptuous meal indeed, alhamdulillah.
( Spot the huge drinks? )

I'm not turning any younger. Although birthdays are a time of celebration, this is a time to reflect. The milestones of my life have been filled with a lot of colours. Alhamdulillah, the storms of life I once had is gone. I'm glad to be able to colour the last few years with rainbows.

Significantly...

I've learnt the meaning of listening and persevering things over the last few years. To appreciate someone as how or what the person is.Things that you believe you can achieve albeit hardships that you knew you had to face emotionally.

I've learnt not to let history repeats itself. To be aware that He is there if you seek His guidance. To relearn the wisdom of life by doing the right things and let it be a success.

I've learnt the traits that makes you a good servant of Him. To be in the circle of good friends inviting good and forbidding evil. Not fretting those not inviting you in their tidings of enjoyment. Instead, be glad.

Most importantly...

An important 25th year of difference deep down inside.
I have my close ones to share my twenty five years on earth.
I am able to breathe and witness the beauty of Allah's bounties.
He gives me the chance to seek repentance and keep renewing my faith in Him.

Thank you my friends and dearest ones (you know who you are)
for your prayers and well wishes today...

(I love the fabulous b'day message Farizi! *muah*)

Teachers' Day #2

The loot for me! Hee (Alhamdulillah)

What's in there?

Coincidentally, 99.5% of the gift boxes were of green and pink (Look below)

They also think that I'm...

And they surely can't differentiate between...

A Miss and a Mdm...
That's one lesson you have to learn, kids!

=)

Happy holidays cheechers!

Harapan

Pernahkah kamu terfikir, apabila kamu rasa ingin juga dihargai, daripada orang-orang yang terdekat, mereka yang tidak kamu sangka yang sebenarnya melakukan hal demikian?

Ada manusia yang menghargai dengan kata-kata. Ada pula melalui gerak-geri mereka. Bagaimana pula orang yang kamu harapkan tidak melakukan kedua-dua hal tersebut?

Adakah kamu akan berasa hampa? Kecewa? Atau pun menerima seadanya kerana orang yang dekat dengan kamu mungkin terlupa? Terlalu sibuk dengan hal ehwal lain hingga apa yang penting bagi dirimu kurang penting bagi mereka? Jika ini yang berlaku, mampukah kamu memaafkan mereka? Atau terus memendam rasa?

Lumrah manusia, pastinya ingin dihargai. Harapan tidak selalunya tercapai. Orang-orang yang terdekat selalunya menjadi sumber inspirasi dan sayap yang penting. Bila tiada kata-kata penghargaan dan terima kasih daripada mereka, kita mesti belajar memaafkan. Memaafkan memang sukar kalau tiada keikhlasan. Namun kita mesti cuba dan terus cuba.

Kerana pergantungan dan harapan kita hanya pada Dia.
Bila hati sedih rintihlah padaNya.
Supaya hati tenang dan lega semula.
Agar kita dapat bangun dan hidup kembali.

X X X

Kepada semua pendidik ku ucapkan Selamat Hari Guru.
Penat lelah kita hanya kita di arena yang mengerti.
Teruslah berjuang ...

Walaupun ada hari-hari yang kita rasa tidak dihargai, tiada yang berterima kasih.
Atau sesiapa yang mungkin tidak ingat langsung tentang hari istimewa ini.
Teruskan usahamu dengan penuh dedikasi...

Terima kasih kepada mereka yang memberikan ucap selamat kepadaku pada hari ini.
Thanks for remembering.

Teachers' Day Update #2 soon...