the shoes that were supposed to last for 2 years..

.. didnt even make it to 1-year mark. Pity.. pity.. they're pretty comfortable. One thing i'm proud of though: they had ascended and descended Mount Sinai with me. Whee~ Anyway, abg ajak me to Metro sale at Expo today. I said yes, with high hopes that i'd find a decent pair of shoes (I had searched at Causeway Point and IMM a couple of days ago.. in vain!). Happy to share that i found it! :) like the careful sewing, the leather feel, comfortable interior. Within my $50 budget, too.

Never seen this brand before. But whatever! Let's see how this pair will do :D
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Seorang sahabat bakal pulang ke tanah air.

Seorang lagi masih di bumi Jordan. Atau sudah kembali ke Syria?

Rindu lah..

-----

Sometimes, my heart swells for them.. with hopes of happiness and many du'a..

I hope that what I am feeling for them is genuine, ya Allah..

For I want to be a friend who is sincere in this friendship..

For I do not want to be one who envies another..

But one who supports and cheers another on..

Please protect our bond, ya Allah, from my own evils.

-----

Yet,

Many times I wonder if I can love the people around me whole-heartedly.

Many times I think I am not.
 

coming clean

I wrote this half-baked post below in March. I can still imagine that episode. Something came loose that night, as I made my confession and hugged her.

There is still a disquiet in my heart. I wonder if i had hurt her?

Let me begin with the tadzkirah that was shared in my games team. The core message was 'jangan terasa hati. Jaga hati.' Because often times in camps, when people have unsettled things, long discussions, last minute changes.. people get stressed, tired.. and either irritable or unresponsive or slooww. Train of thought slows down or is muddled. And so, in the process, they may irritate other people, hurt their feelings with their tongue, facial expression or body language. Be it intentionally and unintentially. At the end of the day, take time to reflect if you had done someone wrong or if you think you had done someone wrong. If you have, find that person to ask for forgiveness. Before you go to sleep.

Or that you may feel hurt because your peers didnt listen to what you were saying, brushed you off, raised their voice at you or some other 1001 reasons. The most important thing for you, is husnuzzhon. It could be their action was not done on purpose. They may not even realised they hurt you. Or that their action is influenced by the stressful state they are in. So, you have got to brush it off, believe it is nothing personal and move on.

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I choked at some points during the tadzkirah, because I had a secret. I like to think that I am not capable of holding grudges. But I guess, I could not be at peace. With myself and also with this person. Because, after looking within myself long and hard, I saw there was a little flame of anger. Dissatisfaction. Hurt.

I knew that for my own sake, I needed to be true to my words. That I needed to forgive. At that time, I thought, okay, I would share with her what had happened, how I viewed it, how I told myself many times she might not have meant it but it hurt me still. How I had tried to brush it away but somehow couldn't let go. Just saying "I forgive you" in my heart did not feel enough. I wanted to tell her out loud that I forgive her, as though I need a verbal confirmation from my own self. And, I wanted to tell her I hope nobody else will feel hurt by her the way I did. I know that it's just her being herself: Rough and loud. Knowing this fact, I was still surprised I had taken it (the old incident) to heart. Was it ego? Over time, I opined that perhaps she needs to be careful too. Of the way she responds to people. As much as people learn to understand and accept her character, especially those who do not know her for very long, she has to know what kind of effects she may have on them. And one example is me.

It was a mixed feeling, really. Wanting to forgive and forget, while wanting to be able to explain my thoughts discreetly. I did not want to sound "corrective".. I just wanted to be honest because I am worried for her well being, mine and others', whoever that 'others' are. Truthfully, this piece of hadith had been tugging me: A Muslim is from whose tongue and hand, other Muslims are safe.

I needed to tell her before the night ends. Before I go to sleep. Because I may not see tomorrow. (Yeah, that was how strong the need was. Like an EMERGENCY.) So I gathered my courage and went to look for her at the tent area. I said I had something to tell her, and we walked to an empty grass patch. I started carefully but alas, I couldn't control my emotion. She was puzzled by this sudden change and asked, "what's wrong, Liyana?" And so, I told her.

It was.. bittersweet.

Alhamdulillah... a burden released. From that moment on, I felt that I could begin to love her sincerely as my sister. :')

I do hope I had not hurt her in turn..
Just watched Rise of The Guardians movie yesterday.


It's the second movie I have come across in which Overcoming Fear is the main subject. The first was Green Lantern. I don't think I told you before.. Even before Green Lantern came out, I had this nagging feeling that I want to watch it. Really really want to watch it. I saw the trailer, it piqued my interest. So, I figured I would just wait for the online version to come out. I didn't know what to expect.

I remember.. that particular day, I was on medical leave, coz my left big toe and its surrounding area were inflamed. I had trouble walking. And, I suspected that I was allergic to one of the medications.. So earlier on that day, I took it again to confirm. I switched on the PC, went to the usual online movie website, chose one of the many links for Green Lantern and waited for it to load. A few minutes into the intro, and it was decided: Online is not good enough. Not with the current mediocre version (coz that time the movie was still fresh in theatres). This time, I am going to get myself some good quality film.

So, yeah, limping and with eyes starting to swell coz of allergy, I made my way to GV Yishun. That was around afternoon. Throughout the movie I was sometimes distracted coz I started to feel a bit breathless and my heart beating kinda quickly. Again, it was the allergic symptoms. I ignored them though.

Was it worth it?

Yes. yes. yes. I didn't understand the subconscious pull. You'd say it was nafsu, right? I'd say, too. But I dunno.. there was something else. And the message that I got at the end of the movie was clear. Of overcoming fear. Of strong will. Gosh.. as I am typing this, I can feel the weight of it. I can't help but think that I was meant to watch it. To learn something from it. Ryan Reynolds (I think he's a good actor though.. especially in Buried) and cool powers aside, I can't help but think I was meant to watch it. To learn something from it. Like, someone is trying to show me that it is for me. Sort of a weird feeling. Somehow, it is not the same as wanting to watch Lord of The Rings or Harry Potter or The Hobbit..


The pivotal point in Green Lantern for me was, when Hal came face-to-face with the humongous black thing that was Parallax on the street, and Hal was trying to defend himself against the enemy, only his green 'shield' to protect him.. weakening yet desperately holding on. And then, he found strength. In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight; Let those who worship evil's might; Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!





I know.. I know.. typical. But that particular moment was really something. It was symbolic. Just like the scene in Rise of The Guardians, when Jamie said to Pitch Black, "I believe in you. I'm just not afraid of you anymore." Then as the Black Sand touched him, it turned golden.



There was another scene, that re-surfaced an idea, a hope, a wish, for my future.. a wish which was formed after I met ammu Ahmad at al-Azhar mosque.. when Jack Frost was shown his last memory. What I got from it is a character who is caring, assuring and making his loved one smile, and self-sacrificing.

Okay. I am feeling a lump in my throat.

It's just hard.. to have strong will. to maintain that strong will. In matters that really matter! I have fallen on my knees many times. And, I have become aware of a dark side of me who likes falling down. That's one of the core things I ask from Allah: a strong will. I guess I haven't worked for it or wanted it bad enough. That's why I still feel weak.

Also, to help someone and be selfless? Ahh.. you know what's in my mind, what's brewing in my heart, ya Allah.. please guide me to make the right choice for my future. I am beginning to seek meanings, and am frustrated where I am. Hmmm... I know I have to overcome this uneasiness - fear? - of facing the unknown.



Chin up, Liyana. Let's do better in 2013!



On a side note, I didn't know before that there were such 'legendary' beings as Jack Frost and Sandman. Santa Claus, tooth fairy, Easter bunny.. them I know. Interesting lah, all these fairy tales!

Welcome back to school

I've got to do better this time!
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I would love to see my teachers again.
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My twenty-third year has closed. Now my twenty-fourth year begins... I wonder if i'd live til the end of it.. and i wonder, if i'll be able to make good this twenty-fourth year and finish well.
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I watched a 19-minute video about "the real situation in Gaza". Saw it earlier today in FB News Feed; a friend 'liked' the vid. So I was curious.

The video showed scenes from Dec 08 - Jan 09 (I believe, coz that was the caption in the video). And.. well, I am feeling sick in my stomach right now. Not because of some dead bodies and blood. But because of the CHAOS, DESTRUCTION, CRUELTY, DESPAIR, and FEAR that the Palestinian people live with everyday.

I just can't grasp it. It's like, I am in a different universe. Yet I know damn well that I am just a vast ocean away. Same planet. I can't bear thinking about what's happening over there... Allah... help us all!

Seeing clips of a jet 'sending' a bomb down to a building.. whoa.. so fast! Zup! And then, BOM! Smoke and fire.. One is not safe. One doesn't know where it will hit next. Or when. A lot of uncertainties..

I wonder.. how are Palestinian girls my age going about their lives? What are they doing now? What are they thinking and feeling?

I know in my heart that the innocents will prevail, I know who will win in the end (for it has been promised), but the long and hard struggle.. is really really painful (even for someone like me, being so far away) that sometimes, one needs reminders.. encouragements.. to endure and continue living.



 
Whoa! I didn't post anything at all in October! Kinda surprising, even to myself, coz there were a few things that happened before or in that month worth sharing..

Hah! Okayy.. I know, the truth is.. I'd kept putting myself off from posting thoughts and pictures. Lately I've not been using my mobile blogging app. One, I've been delaying to put captions on my Egypt trip pictures. A whole bunch of them! Gosh! Kinda crazy, the amount of pictures, plus video time, I captured and collected. And I want to be able to finish uploading and captioning them before sharing with y'all. But as time passes, my memories of the info and whatever detail are fading.. yikes!

And, there was the Legoland day trip I went with my uncles, aunts and cousins.

Plus, the archery course.

Kak Rohaya's wedding~~

And.. of course, Eidul adha =)

There's also... my dwindling motivation at work. I've been feeling edgy, anxious, and sometimes 'dreading', for quite some time now. This is not good. Not good at all.



 
"Mak.. Liyana nak sign up archery course, boleh?"

"..Tak payah lah.."

*buat muka tak percaya* "haa..?" (Intonasi bukan marah atau whining tau. More like terkejut+sedih jap. Faham ke?)

"Sekali-sekala mak cakap tak boleh.."

*terus dapat akal* "Tapi baitul maqdis mak dah cakap tak boleh.."

"Hmm.." *senyap sekejap*

"So.. boleh Liyana masuk archery course?"

"Boleh lah.."

"Terima kasih, mak!" *beaming, tapi tetap dapat rasa mak tak 100% setuju*

"Lepas belajar archery, Liyana belajar driving pulak." *cuba sedapkan hati by sharing with mak plan kite*

Kite do'a Allah lembutkan hati mak kite.. semoga mak faham kenapa kite nak belajar archery. (Tapi, kenapa mak kata tak payah in the first place, eh? Musykil tiba2. Mana lah tahu, ada sebab yang rational)

One thing i miss about ayah is.. his support. Mak dan ayah support. Tapi, ayah lebih in the forefront. Sungguh, kite sangat2 appreciate ayah kite izinkan kite gi situ, gi sini, buat tu, buat ni.. (mmg kadangkala mak dan ayah kasi red light, which i accepted.) Klw tak, rasanya kite tak jadi kite yang sekarang ni. Yang berkarakter sebegini, yang berfikiran sebegini, yang berpengalaman sebegini. (Note: maksud 'berpengalaman' di sini bukan 'ada banyak pengalaman' tau. What im saying is, i have the experiences that i have mostly because of what my parents allowed me to undergo, and be exposed to.) Mak agak 'reserved' dan hesitant sikit.. jadi bila ayah dah takde ni.. susah sikit lah. Hee.. susah sikiiit je. Kite nak kena convince lebih and be more selective of things (ie if there are 2 things i want to do/go for, i'd ask her permission for 1 only, or ask for 1 first then the second a few days after).

Apa pun, kite sedar bahawa di mana redha mak ayah, di situ lah redha Allah. Jadi kite pun do'a jugak agar Allah lembutkan hati kite dan buatkan kite sentiasa bersedia untuk menerima, bilamana mak tak izinkan sesuatu. Semuanya khair, inshaAllah.


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Where shall my next destination be...? Kashgar first, or Canada..? Or Russia?

Something to look forward to in my life..

 
Spotted at kak Halimah Latiff's FB timeline:


لو صدق المريد لوجد الشيوخ على الأبواب

Makna:Kalau seorang murid itu jujur niatnya (dalam menuntut ilmu),Dia akan dapati para syuyukh di pintu2 (iaitu mudah mencari).

kite rasa macam ada rasa rindu lah.. kenapa eh? kite tak pasti, samada 'rindu' ni rindu kat Mesir.. atau rindu kat akhawat di sana.. atau rindu nak bersama2 orang2 yang menuntut ilmu.. atau mungkin, satu keinginan sedang tumbuh sikit demi sedikit; keinginan untuk berada lebih lama di sana.. untuk belajar? untuk bermusafir?.. atau mungkin sebenarnya ada rasa ingin keluar bebas dari Singapura sedang mendidih?

semacam rindu gitu.. hmm.. kenapa eh? pelik.





i was meant to be there, and then here!


On Monday evening, 17 Sep, i made my way to Darul Arqam to attend the Stories of Prophets class. The day before, Marliyana shared that on last Monday (ie 10 Sep) the topic was Nabi Musa & Khidir. Couldn't help thinking, what a coincidence! The subject was about Nabi Musa, n there i was, rigghhtt.. in Sinai, a significant land in his story, on the same day (10 Sep) but different timezone. I also thought that particular session would've been particularly useful to me, coz believe it or not, during the time i was there, i was somewhat regretful that i came without having refreshed myself with Nabi Musa's history. 

And guess what?



When i saw the topic that was flashed on the screen, on the night i came to this class for the first time.. this past Monday, Allaaahh.. I felt like exclaiming out loud: this was indeed Fate! The speaker was going to share about Nabi Musa & Bani Israil: their life in Sinai! you know that warm fuzzy feeling? yeah, I was full of it during the class. Allah moved my heart to attend that session just as He had stirred a desire in my heart several months ago; a desire to go to Egypt. There must be something that Allah wants to tell me.. :')

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At 4.03am Cairo time, 11 September 2012

I've conquered Mount Sinai. Alhamdulillah thummalhamdulillah..!
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Mudah-mudahan sampai!


I just spent a little over one hour typing a (rather simple & straightforward) email in arabic.
-__________________-"
Sabar je eh with the formatting.
Done and sent.
May everything go smoothly and we get to attend the majlis 'ilm.

abrupt end

My ramadhan ended a few minutes ago. Quite unexpected. I had been looking forward to spending the last night at Ghufran (despite not being confirmed yet coz havent got green light frm mum). To my last small effort to make this month a bit more meaningful, not simply mediocre as it already is. Now im experiencing some sort of numbness.. midway btwn sadness and regret. There's this hollow feeling in my heart. Allah.. :'(
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tarawih jama'atan at mjd mukminin

It's the 28th night. This picture was taken after 8 rakaat. It felt nice to be back here, for both iftar and tarawih. I only remember the last time i did so was during my attachment days. I gotta check my past organisers. Maybe i had actually come here in Ramadhan 2009, 2010 and/or 2011. Ramadhan kareem.. Ramadhan kareem.. *ahhh.. it's nearing the end*
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tarawih at masjid ba'alwie on the 25th night

I had been here only once: the day kak hidayati got married. That was 4 years ago. Wah.. lama tu.

Made our way to Farrer Road mrt stn after work, then took 186 bus to Dunearn Road.. 5 stops away. We met a makcik in the bus. She walked with us to the mosque. She's a regular here. Peramah :) she has a daughter who's reading Sociology in UIA. Her daughter's name is Shahidah and was frm RP. I thought she's é Shahidah RP whom i got to know frm D-Talk and worked part-time at Darul Arqam's bookshop before. But, nope, different person.

So, anyway, we're waiting for Isya' now. May tonight be a better night for me than the past two..

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