Fulfilling the Ultimate Obligation: Being A Muslim in Less Encouraging Surroundings

I was looking at the different colours of shawls in front of me when I realized she wasn't local.

Without asking to confirm, I quickly concluded that she came from a European country by just looking at her fair skin and lighter shade of hair colour. She initially thought I was the stall owner.

"It's ok. I will translate for you. I will ask on your behalf." I offered to ease her difficulties as the stall owner couldn't speak english. She gave me a big smile at once, feeling happy to hear that. In a reflex, I smiled back.

It Only Hurts Me Even More

Note: Nisa's Blog, Happy One Month Anniversary! (This should be my last post before my flight to Mecca this Saturday, June 5th. Would be back after 2 weeks, maybe June 20th)


"Are you free today, Lin?" I asked my sister.

"Not really. I have to stay at the store, mom going back home today."

I pouted with disappointment.

"Why ask?"

"I thought of asking you to come with me to the PCB. I want to ride horse there."

PCB is the abbreviation locals use to refer to a nearby beach. Pantai Cahaya Bulan. A friend told me, there are horses to ride for the visitors.

Mom was listening in on our conversation. Curious. I rarely behaved in such way as I'm always fatigue these years, losing interest in most activities. It seemed she was trying to provide me outdoor hours as much as she could.

I Would Do Anything For You

Last night, I stumbled upon a new nasheed by the British Muslim singer, Sami Yusuf.

Anything for You. Click the play button below to listen (click the video on the left side bar of the blog if this one doesn't work).

Anything For You by Sami Yusuf

I listened to the song all night. And continue listening until now. As I usually get online via Yahoo Messenger almost every time I surf the internet, I shared it with several friends and asked for their opinion regarding the nasheed.

Since Malaysians are not really used to English nasheed, a friend of mine was thinking that it was a common love song, not realizing it is actually dedicated to our beloved Prophet Muhammad p.b.u.h.

Upon knowing it wasn’t the usual love song she had always listen to, she asked me, "Can this song be dedicated to lover?"

My Long Journey of Finding the True Culprit: I Hate Electrics, I Love Mechanics (Part 2)

He had so many arguments. Clear, solid and proven. All what he was saying weren't wrong at any point. I agreed, electrical engineering is actually a fascinating field. The engineers are free to bring their creative ideas into life. They don't need lots of money to experiment on their own. Small pocket like mine can afford the thrill of testing a new idea any time, almost anywhere.

Only passion required.

From there, you can taste the sweet joy of success at almost every attempt you make. If you use the right components, of course. Err..no short circuit, please.

My Long Journey of Finding the True Culprit: I Hate Electrics, I Love Mechanics (Part I)

I kept on staring at the textbook.

Words of Basic Electrical Engineering were printed on the front cover.

The page I was 'studying' seemed to be written in a foreign language I've never known.

Foreign, ancient and long lost. I couldn't understand even a word. I couldn't concentrate.

I shifted my sight to the ceiling, wandering into the future.

How would I survive in this course for another 7 semesters? The very first semester is depressing enough. In contrast, this is the time I should have scored really well. Very easy subjects. Others are aiming to score A and I'm thinking about passing? Thinking about getting it done. 

My roommate was focusing on her book. Her eyes were fixed on the same chapter I was opening. Envious of that look on her face, I stopped watching her and continued wandering.

Memory Crash: When It Happens to Humans

The girl worker came in to use the toilet. Mom was inside.

“Mom…err…,” I was pausing and struggling to find it in my head. Even though I worked hard to hide it, she still could sensed it easily. She had a sharp eye.

“Umi..” she quickly uttered, ending my strenuous effort.

“Mom…Umi wants to use the toilet,” I raised my voice a bit so that mom can hear me. At the same time, feeling awfully miserable unabled to recall her name.

“Forgive me…” I looked at her.

Psychology: Balancing Brain Dominance

It was a fine evening in June, 2008.

I was drawing with my niece and nephews. We were making bookmarks out of our own sketches on small pieces of colourful notes.

I was concentrating on my own sketching when I suddenly thought, why not try using my left hand to draw?

I've been training my left body parts to do as much as possible since I was 17. I was in my last year at the boarding school when I first started doing so.

Things began to take place a year before that. I could sensed my overall performance was declining. My academic performance, my sport achievement, my basic health condition. Everything was gradually worsening.