Not feeling well

I should be posting an entry on Raya
But not feeling up to it quite yet.
Am not feeling very well.
Had eye infection since last Friday and got sick leave until yesterday.
Started working today and already colleagues are asking me what am I doing here when it's obvious that I have not yet fully recovered from the eye infection.
Plus running nose.

"Muka puan nampak sembap sangat"
Yes, tell me about it.
A swollen face.
With red eyes.
And almost equally red nose.

I probably should apply for a leave tomorrow.
But today, there's a big meeting coming up in the afternoon.
So I should make the most of my time in the office to day to get some things settled.

"Puan mata merah ni tak jangkit kat anak-anak dan suami puan ke?"
Alhamdulillah, hubby and the kids have been spared from getting infected.
I truly hope that my presence today in the office won't cause anyone from getting infected too.

But yes, I probably should apply for a leave.

Kad Raya 1430H

Eid Mubarak and may Allah bless always!

Ichi nen buri...

Guess who called us up on the very day we had the office's buka puasa session at my home?
Faizly, also (affectionately) known as Sabah.

"Kak, kitorang ada kat Alamanda ni."

"Mai la sini, buka puasa kat rumah akak lah"

"Errr, tak pelah. Kitorang dah buat reservation kat Secret Recipe untuk buka (puasa) nanti. Akak dengan Ustaz mailah sini buka puasa sama-sama"

"Akak tak boleh la, hari ni kawan-kawan ofis buka puasa kat rumah akak. Takkan hos pulak yang takdak. Sabah dengan geng muda-muda kan? Mailah buka puasa kat rumah akak"

"Eh, geng muda kah? Mama pun muda ke? Hahaha... Oh ada orang nak datang rumah akak ye? Takpelah, kalau macam tu nanti lah kitorang datang."

[Overheard by Sabah, Hubby saying "Bungkus je yang beli kat Secret Recipe tu bawak sini. Pastu bawak la baju-baju sekali. Beli lah saiz XL..."]

They - Sabah, his sweet (not-so-) little sister Faireza, mother, father and his friend came over to our place at about 10.00 p.m. I offered to pick them up at Alamanda - not actual pick-up, but rather to lead them from Alamanda by letting them trailing after me on the way back home. They agreed to wait at Alamanda.

I brought Huzaifah with me, knowing that Faizly must be keen on meeting the two boys he's familiar with. At the time I left home, Humaidi was napping - probably too exhausted from all his activities while the guests from office were present.

More than halfway there, I got a call.

"Akak, kitorang tunggu kat Masjid Putra la. Dekat sikit (dengan rumah akak) kan? Takut kalau datang Alamanda nanti berpusing-pusing pulak"
(Laa, bertuah punya adik. Dah nak dekat sampai dah pun...)

So, practically made a U-turn to Masjid Putra.

We first met in front of Masjid Putra's main entrance. Faizly looked oh so kurus, but I prefer his (short) hair cut than the one he wore when we last met. That was more than a year ago.

A year!
Oh how time passed by...

And just like I expected, Faizly was thrilled to meet Huzaifah. And to finally be able to converse and understand Huzaifah properly. "Kawaii," he kept exclaiming. Only that Huzaifah could no longer remember him - a year for us adult is not that long, but for Huzaifah, it must had been aeons ago...

It was good to meet Faizly and to finally meet up with his family members, especially his Mama. Hubby and I have met Faizly's elder brother, Fairuz and his fiancee Aza in Tokyo. Faireza, Faizly's younger (really tall) sister too had been to Tokyo before but we've never met up while we were there. Faizly's Mama bought the materials for our family baju raya last year, and more than that we are thankful for Faizly's Mama for sharing his son with us. I mean, seriously, he's been more than merely family friend, it's more like he's part of an extended family of sort.

Faizly did not came empty handed. There were fridge magnets from Tokyo, chocolates for Huzaifah and Humaidi and dried prawns from Labuan - because he remembered I once made a remark on preferring dried prawns from East Malaysia compared to the ones originated from Peninsular Malaysia.

On the other hand, because we did not know they were coming to visit us on that day, we had no gift to exchange. Adoi! Sabah, akak hutang ye?

Offered them to enjoy some kudap-kudapan (left overs from the buka puasa session) but all of them declined. (Adakah Faireza kontrol ayu? Bukankah Faizly selalu cakap adik dia kuat makan???)

Wanted to call hubby and ask him to return home pronto. But he did not bring the handphone to the surau. Tried calling Ustaz Rizal, one of the 'orang kuat' at the surau, unfortunately at that time Ustaz Rizal was in Shah Alam, not at the surau. He suggested calling Encik Fauzi, the chairman of the surau, but neither I nor him has Encik Fauzi's number listed in our phone's address book.

They insisted on not staying for long because Faizly's friend had to go to work the next day. I offered them to stay at my place, but Faizly replied that Putrajaya is too far from Mama's favourite shopping place - Jalan TAR, in particular SOGO. Apparently, since they arrived in KL, she had made the kids (as her escort of sort) returned to SOGO a few times.

"Sales assistant kat SOGO pun dah kenal Mama, ok? Dah jadi kawan-kawan dah..."

Owh. (I don't think I've been really chummy with any of the sales assisstant at Jusco Taman Equine, my favourite shopping place for the moment. Oh, unless one counts the Chinese auntie in charge of Windsir bed linens as chummy since she wouldn't mind getting additional 'free gift' for us when we purchase Windsir stuff)

Had he told me earlier that his Mama is big on buying handbags, I would've advised them to come to Putrajaya when the "Jom Beli Barang Raya" expo was held in Presint 3. Polo bags sold at 80% discount meh, not even SOGO could offer such bargain!

Next time Faizly, you must have at least a meal and preferably stay at least one night at our home, ok? We insist!

And yes, Huzaifah is as active as that night all the time - he simply does not understand the meaning of 'tired' or 'exhausted'. But yes, like you, I find it a bit disturbing when he insisted on playing with "kawan" at the end of the road when we could not see anybody and told him that "kawan dah tidur" only to hear him responding, "tidak, kawan tak tidur lah. Tu, kawan tengah main tu"...

Anyway, good to see you again dear brother. Sorry Pak Ustaz could not meet up with all of you that night. We hope it would not be the last visit yet...

The guests (plus baby Haniyya). Sabah, apesal pose kontrol ayu???

Faizly's family and extended family (ehcheh, perasan pula!)

Tengok tu - tak ke macam nihonjin dua orang ni?

Ujai, Akif, jangan gerak-gerak lah. Susah betul nak ambil gambar ni...

Nihon-style typical pose- PEACE!

Eh, Akif interframe!

Bila lagi nak jumpa ni?

P/S: The young people at the office upon looking at the photos of that night asked,

"Kenapa puan tak cakap ada tetamu cun lepas kami balik tu? Kalau tak, mesti kami tunggu..."

Oh, agak-agak siapalah yang cun itu?

Makan, makan juga...

The junior officers came out with the idea to hold one "buka puasa" session for the sector.
"Let's get all in the sector to buy the Nasi Arab Amal coupon and we can then buka puasa at an officer's home," Idy and Nabilah suggested.
When we checked with the support staff, they seemed to be reluctant to pay for the Nasi Arab coupon (at RM20 each). No surprise there.

So we came out with another suggestion - let's have a pot luck buka puasa then.
We got some lukewarm response from the support staff. But the boss agreed, and so it turned into reality.

The sectoral buka puasa was held at my home last Tuesday.

Tuesday itself was a busy day for the officers - having to attend meetings both in the morning and the afternoon. I went out during lunch, headed to Mydin to buy disposable cups, plates, bowls and spoons. Bought watermelon and honeydew too since hubby suggested we as the venue 'host' prepare drinks, dates (as in buah tamar a.k.a. buah kurma) and cut fruits.

Practically forced Anizz, a clerk, to join me when I returned home. Anizz helped a lot in the preparation - cutting fruits, arranging utensils, dicing the cincau for soya cincau drinks, etc.
Out of more than 20, 12 officers made it to the event - 5 female and 7 male. Good thing that the Executive Officer brought her family as well, so that we have more people to finish off the food.
And there were plenty of food, including:

1. two variants of Nasi Arab (bought by Nabilah from Saba' restaurant in Cyberjaya)
2. pizza (bought by Anuar at Domino's in Presint 8)
3. Laksa Sarawak (made by Encik Pauzan's wife, who however could not attend the buka puasa)
4. chicken wings (bought by Idy at Bazar Ramadhan)
5. mee bandung (bought by Yus at Brother's Corner in Kampung Abu Bakar Baginda)
6. two variants of cakoi (also bought by Yus)
7. samosa (bought by Fairuz at Bazar Ramadhan)
8. roti john (bought by Zul at Taman Warisan)
9. Ramly chicken nuggets (bought by Hardi, fried by Anizz at my home)

We were supposed to listen to a Tazkirah but both 'Ustaz' Zul and Fairuz arrived just in time for buka puasa, the tazkirah session was cancelled. Alhamdulillah, right after breaking fast, the male quickly performed the solat Maghrib in jemaah while the ladies prayed right after they were done. It's better to have them performing the solat first before hitting the main course since it's easy to get carried away once one starts feasting after fasting for a day. Besides hubby could not play host for the whole night since he still had to lead the terawih in Presint 14C.

Here are some pics of the buka puasa session:

The food

More food

Zul, my PP, could not tahan himself from really feasting

(his wife is in confinement, in kampung, making him a "solo sekejap")

The boss, Encik Pauzan, Zul & hubby

Serbu...

Anizz with the Senior Officers

Fatini, Yus' daughter who was born in France

All smiles (apesal Anizz kontrol senyum hah?)

I envy Yus for having polite and orderly daughters, huhuhu

"Aik, takkan terkenan dengan saya kot sampai jendol dengan remos anak puan pun sama dengan saya?"

- Zul

The balance food after everyone was already full

Plenty of food to be 'tapau'ed by everyone (except for the boss who returned early)

Yus packing the left over (macam berniaga lah pula)

Muka-muka puas dan gembira selepas kekenyangan

Dah siap nak raya?

Ju,

Raya tahun ini kami bersiap ala kadar saja
Pak Ustaz yang paling awal beli baju melayu (jenama John Master dengan potongan 50% di Jusco), jadi kami yang lain beli baju warna sedondon warna baju melayu itu, warna biru muda.
Betul, memang warna baju pengantin kami 5 tahun dulu pun biru muda, tapi kali ni warnanya lain sikit.
Untuk Huzaifah dan Humaidi telah kami belikan baju Raihan, jadi tak perlu nak bersamping.
Untuk Haniyya, tak dibelikan baju melayu pun, cukuplah berbaju warna sedondon.
Pengalaman yang lepas-lepas, kalau dipakaikan anak-anak kami ini baju melayu tradisional berwarna gelap pun bukannya lama dapat bertahan sebelum dicomotkan, inikan pula baju yang berwarna cerah.
Kita tunggu dan lihat saja nanti...

Meriah ke tidak pasar Ramadhan tahun ini, walaupun ada wabak H1N1?
Sejujurnya, kami cuma ke pasar Ramadhan sekali dua saja.
Selalunya cuma makan apa yang ada di rumah, dan sekali dua berbuka di luar untuk memenuhi undangan.
Yang istimewa tahun ini, pengalaman bertukar-tukar juadah berbuka dengan jiran-jiran. Sejak berkahwin, inilah tahun pertama ada pengalaman bertukar-tukar juadah dengan jiran-jiran.
Maklumlah, sejak berkahwin, inilah kali pertama menyambut Ramadhan dan insya Allah, Syawal di Malaysia dan masa di Asakusa pula, bukannya berjiran dengan orang Islam. (Takkanlah nak bertukar juadah berbuka dengan jiranku Makcik Jepun yang tak suka gaijin, lebih-lebih lagi gaijin beragama Islam)
Entah kenapa, walaupun terasa rindu ingin ke pasar Ramadhan bila di negara orang,
bila di tempat sendiri tidak pula teringin sangat nak ke pasar Ramadhan.
Mungkin ada benarnya kadang-kadang kita lebih menghargai apa yang tidak ada di depan mata.
Cuma, bagi kami, sebab utama tidak ke pasar Ramadhan agar lebih mudah untuk kami menundukkan nafsu makan/minum dan mengelakkan berbelanja berlebihan sehingga membazir.

Meriah ke tidak kompleks-kompleks perniagaan?
Oh, memanglah meriah sebab tahun ini kempen Jualan Mega yang selalunya berakhir pada 31 Ogos, berpanjangan sehingga 21 September.
Dan kalau pasukan pemantau pematuhan waktu bekerja untuk penjawat awam ingin buat serbuan, rasanya hari ini boleh cuba-cuba terjah ke tapak ekspo "Jom Beli Barang Raya" di Presint 2. Rasa-rasa, macam ramai yang mungkin 'kantoi'...
Memang betul-betul macam-macam ada... kuih raya, pakaian kanak-kanak (jenama Hamster, Poney dan World of Cartoons dijual dari harga serendah RM5 sehelai), pakaian dewasa, pelbagai jenis kasut, beg tangan dan dompet (jenama Polo dijual dengan potongan 80%), perabot, permaidani dan aneka makanan yang biasa dihidang di hari raya (kek, ketupat segera, lemang segera, ketupat palas segera, kerepek etc)

Persiapan lain?
Kami kan baru saja masuk rumah di Putrajaya bulan Februari lepas.
Perabot masih baru.
Langsir masih baru.
Oh, cuma TV bertukar baru (dan saiz pun dinaikkan ke 29 inci) kerana TV 'lama' (yang cuma bertahan 6 bulan lebih) bersaiz 21 inci itu telah ditolak jatuh ke lantai oleh Humaidi menyebabkan ada "jalur pelangi" muncul sepanjang masa di skrin dan boleh membuatkan penonton sakit mata menonton TV itu.
Harap-harapnya dengan TV besar yang lebih berat ini, Humaidi takkan memanjat naik TV dan menolak jatuh ke lantai lagi...

Di mana nak beraya?
Semalam, waktu menziarahi kami di Putrajaya, Ayah dan Mak sudah berpesan,
"Nanti malam raya mesti berkumpul di Kampung Tunku"
Maksudnya, insya Allah kami adik beradik akan cuba berbuka di Ramadhan terakhir tahun ini dan bertakbir Raya di Kampung Tunku.
Cuma, disebabkan Pak Ustaz telah dijemput menjadi Imam untuk Solat Sunat Aidilfitri di Masjid Rasah, malam itu jugalah kami akan berangkat pulang ke Seremban.
Jadi, mungkin hari Raya ke-2 atau ke-3 barulah pulang semula beraya dengan keluarga di Petaling Jaya.
Ada cadangan untuk adik-beradik Ayah bercuti beramai-ramai ke Pulau Pinang pada hari Raya ke-3.
Mak pun sudah menyatakan kesediaan untuk turut serta, jadi tengoklah nanti macam mana.

Di Switzerland sana bagaimana pula persiapan raya?
Jadikah rencana mahu beraya di Geneva?

Khatam Quran

The office's Puspanita held a Majlis Khatam Quran today. The third Majlis Khatam Quran after a 'divide & conquer' style of tadarus was conducted in all the different departments. Our department was asked to finish Juz 28-30, and we did it in a few days because the verses were further divided among the many readers as we were placed in groups of 3.

Personally, I prefer a more traditional version of tadarus. You know, a medium group of 5-7 people, each person taking turn to read while others listen and correct our reading and someoen will read the translation of the Quranic verses we just read. Sometimes there'll be a small discussion on what we've just read whether on hukum or on asbabun nuzul. But well, I have no problem with any different kind of tadarus groups. In fact I'm thrilled that I get to join one after three years of reading the Quran on my own in Ramadhan (with hubby checking on my reading every now and then...)

Yesterday we had a meeting among the department's tadarus group members and were told that some of us will be needed to help with the Puspanita's Majlis Khatam Quran, and we also need to send 2 representatives as reciter in the Majlis. The No 1 choice was unanimous - one clerk named Aju is a really good qari'ah. But I was quite surprised when my name was announced as the other reciter.

"Eh, tak ada orang lain ke?"

Apparently the meeting decided to pick one representative among the support staff and another among the officers.

I tried to nominate another more senior officer, Puan K, but she declined saying that she had to pick her son from school at 12.00 (the time of the Majlis), so I agreed.

For some reasons I find it quite funny. Long long time ago, back in my high school, my name would never be on anybody's list as the 'qariah'. Nobody would have thought that I would grow up to marry a hafiz too. Now, as an adult (and someone who is married to a hafiz) I try to improve my Quran reading by making it a habit. I usually read two pages in the morning, before I start working, in the office. Hubby once commented about seeing me picking up the Quran only during Ramadhan, but he was then not yet aware about this ritual I have every morning.

I didn't know that others actually paid attention until Encik Shukor, my next door neighbour in the office commented about it. In fact he actually thanked me for reciting the Quran every morning - as listeners also get the 'pahala' when one reads the Quran.

Hanum, who used to work in Mak's old office under Mak's supervision told me that when she first started working, Mak who was the Human Resource Manager in that Ministry reminded her to read the Quran everyday. Be it a page or two, but one must stay consistent in reading the Quran until it becomes a habit that's hard to die. Hanum recalls Mak telling her that we don't know what kind of trials, tribulations and obstacles we're going to face in our life, so having the Quran as a constant companion insya Allah will prove to be handy at difficult times.

Reading the Quran is good in Ramadhan. Joining a tadarus group is good in Ramadhan. But it would be even better if we could remain consistent about reading Quran on other days and become a life member of a long lasting tadarus group...

What we did on Ujai's 4th birthday

Nothing much really, just took the kids out to Alamanda.

Hubby was not around, had to attend a 2-day course in Hulu Langat.
So I thought, why not take Ujai out for a birthday treat of sort.
At first I thought of having a date just with Ujai.
But on second thought, I decided to take all the kids plus Bibik out.
And I invited my cousin Firdaus to tag along - partly because she's good with the kids, and partly because I've missed having a chat with her.

Here are some photos taken on that night...

Ujai and Akif in Black-and-Red suits

The birthday boy who loves climbing

And doesn't know how to sit still even for a while

(there were loads of 'shaken' photos because he kept moving about)

Akif learning a new trick from his elder brother on how to play the sliding board

(climb on top of it instead of sliding on it)

Owh owh

And even when they slide 'properly', Ujai made sure that there was an a'la action movie stunt of colliding with Akif

And here's baby Asim looking at his two brothers

"Ibu, I promise I won't grow up to be like them"

(Yes Ibu, dream on...)

Ujai is 4

(image from Law Memo)

4 years old. Already?

And to think that I remember this story oh-so-vividly.

Oh my – that first moment, the first time I was able to hold him
close in reality after carrying him inside me for nine months – it was pure heaven. There is nothing quite as unique – the feeling of joy, wonder, thankfulness all mixed up together. I even tried to shut my awareness that I had only 11 days before I was going to leave him, just so that I could enjoy our first moments together more. I lied on one side, feeding him, and all wrapped up in taking note of his features – his innocent huge black eyes, his tiny long fingers (like that famous Bollywood heartthrob Hritrik Roshan, my baby has a dual right thumb – so in his case he could even raise three thumbs up!) his soft dark hair, his birth mark, and all

And today Muhammad Azmi Huzaifah a.k.a Ujai is 4.

A really active, mischievious 4-year old who is always on the go, go, go.

Ask anyone who have been to our home and they will have all kind of stories to tell about Ujai. About him climbing the 2-door fridge without using any tools/ladder just to get the ice cream tub out.

Or him climbing the kitchen cabinets, to get at the supposed-to-be-hidden jar of sweets.

Or him walking/cycling on his own along the street side - not on the lane where we lived, but on the lane behind ours.

Personally I believe, in our neighborhood, Ujai is among most well-known boys for their streak of independence. Which at times could be a blessing and at other times, something to worry about.

I'm glad to note that he is more socially adjusted now compared to a year ago - when he was the culprit who bit other kids in his playschool. But he still has a lot to learn about sharing his toy and not treating other people's toys as his own.

He could recite a bits and pieces of Al-Fatihah now, loves climbing, sliding, and running.

He's very cheeky - if I sang (to the tune of Aliff's "Jangan Nakal")

"Please, please, please, Ujai jangan nakal. Kalau Ujai nakal, nanti Ibu marah",

he would sing back to me, "Plis, plis, plis, Ibu jangan nakal..."

He still loves "Thomas and Friends", and also very fond of "Transformers" and "Tom and Jerry". He loves his "Tom and Jerry" pyjamas, and proud owner of 3 pairs at the moment. He used to pester us on getting new Transformers toys at Petronas when there was a campaign going on while "Revenge of the Fallen" was showing at the cinema a few months back. Just two weeks ago, he gave me a RM5 note given to him by his Atok, asking me to buy "mainan Transformers". When we bought him a pair of Transformers rubber slippers using the RM5, he asked back - "mane mainan Transformers?". It's like he was reprimanding us "The RM5 was for a toy lah Ibu, not a pair of slippers. And I don't care that Ibu had gone and spent that money on some slippers, I still want my toy. Remember, Ujai asked for a toy, okay?"

Well, at least RM5 is a huge improvement compared to him giving me 40 sen, saying, "ini duit beli mainan Thomas" when I told him earlier I could not buy one because "takdak duit".

He still has lots of twinkle in his eyes, especially so when he has something up his sleeves. I love his ready smiles and his gleeful giggles. I'm still touched everytime he gives me a peck on the cheek or kisses the back of my right hand. Although we use the cloth hanger as a substitute for a rod, he's never hit unless it's really necessary.

Mak's friend, Auntie (Datin) Hendon once remarked something along the line of "if a kid grows up a happy and well-balanced person, he's going to be all right." Her own son was raised up according to the "happy kid" method - and while he strugged to read at 8 years, more than 20 years later, he became more successful than many others, a live testimonial to his mother's principles.

So yes, while my son Huzaifah is not a whizz kid who memorize verses from the Quran, or can read and count perfectly, or play a musical instrument or a well-trained acrobat or something, my husband and I believe in guiding him towards being a happy, well-balanced person.

We hope and pray that he, and the rest of our children, will be all right in this world and in the hereafter.

Islamic historical events in Ramadhan

Today, Ustaz Zamri (of "Ustaz Zamri Bercerita" & "Mari Mengaji") was the invited speaker for the office's Ihya Ramadhan program. It was my first time attending a ceramah by him, and I stayed awake throughout the program (which is a huge compliment for the speaker with my history of sleeping during lectures/class).

Just want to share about historical events in Muslim calendar that happened in Ramadhan (perhaps as motivation of sort to work hard and not being "lembik longlai" during this blessed month...)

- Battle of Badar took place on 17 Ramadhan, Year 02 Hijri, in which 313 Muslims, of whom only 60 were armored, faced 1000 well-armed and equipped Musyrikin.
- The Opening of Makkah happened in Ramadhan, Year 08 Hijri
- Battle of Al-Qadisiyyah was won in Ramadhan, Year 15 Hijri. The battle is regarded as the decisive battle in the Islamic conquest of Persia, and a key to the conquest of Iraq.
- Opening of Andalus under Commander Tariq bin Ziyad happened in Ramadhan, Year 92 Hijri
- Construction of Al-Azhar Mosque, which later became the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt commenced in Ramadhan, Year 361 Hijri
- Salahuddin Al-Ayubi led the Muslims in evicting European Crusaders from Syria in Ramadhan 584H
- The Battle of Ain Jalut was won by the Egyptian Mamluks against the Mongols (Tartar) in Year 658 Hijri. The battle is considered by many historians to be of great macro-historical importance, as it marked the highwater point of Mongol conquests, and the first time they had ever been decisively defeated. After previous defeats, the Mongols had always returned and avenged the loss, but after the Battle of Ain Jalut they were unable to do so. The Mongol Ilkhanate leader Hulagu Khan was not able to advance into Egypt, and the Khanate he established in Persia was only able to defeat the Mamluks once in subsequent expeditions, briefly reoccupying Syria and parts of Palestine for a few months in 1300.

Small things...

We went back to Seremban for the second time in Ramadhan during the Merdeka break.
Despite her loud yells and all (at the hyperactive grandsons who do not know when to stop) MIL was glad to have us back. Hubby was asked to lead the terawih prayer at the family's surau in Rasah. Since the request came from his Pak Teh, one of the most influential persons in hubby's life, he took a break from being the imam at Presint 14C2 for one night.

On Merdeka day, we brought MIL out to Seremban, hunting for a gas cooker. The one in the kitchen was all rusty and looked really "uzur", hubby and I thought MIL would appreciate getting a new gas cooker. Together with hubby's younger brother, we first checked the gas cookers/gas hobs in two electrical stores in Rahang area, just to survey the price. But having been to Jusco the previous day, hubby noticed that Jusco offered better products at a more competitive price.

So, we went to Jusco in Seremban 2. After a quick drop by at Tan Brothers Supermarket to look for a set of lesung batu. On her previous visit, Mak commented on the fact that I used to have a lesung batu set in Tokyo but none in Putrajaya, so I knew I had to get one fast. We found a nice set priced RM18.90 in Tan Brothers, but I thought what with the sale going on in Jusco, we might get it for a better price in Jusco.

And we did.

I got my lesung batu for about RM17.50.
And we got a good deal for MIL's new gas hob too.
Just RM278 for an Elba 3-burner gas hob which usually costs RM348.

It was not hard to tell that MIL was really pleased with her new gas hob. She said that FIL has been commenting on how old and rusty the previous gas hob was, but he did not go and buy a new one for her. So our pre-Raya gift for her is something that she really appreciates. Last year we got her a new washing machine. The new machine saved her the trouble of keeping track of the wash cycle because with the old machine she had to manually ensure that the machine is filled with water for washing and rinsing. The new machine enabled her to enjoy more time with her children and grandchildren.

She has worried about the old gas cooker causing her trouble some day - either through being dysfunctional or simply refusing to light up anymore. Now that the new gas hob is in the kitchen, we hope she won't have to worry about such stuff anymore. She looked really cheerful when she thanked us profusely for getting that gas hob.

I know that gas hob may not seem like a great pre-Raya gift.
It's not like we're getting her one of those super cosy massage couch.
Or sponsor a trip to Makkah.
But seeing her smiles, proof of her obvious delight with the small gift, really mean a lot to us.

#####

Mak is not feeling well.
I only learned about it last Friday when I wanted to check from where we could get more coupons for Nasi Arab Amal.
(The kariah at Presint 14C2 are keen to make contribution for the Iftar Ramadan in Gaza project through sales of Nasi Arab Amal. In fact my own colleagues at office are thinking of having one Iftar session for us using the Nasi Arab Amal coupons.)
Please join me in making doa for her and for my Ayah too - for them to be granted with good health during this blessed month of Ramadhan and thenafter.

My boy Humaidi is also not feeling very well.
First it was baby Haniyya - who had to give his 6-month jab a miss because he was down with high temperature and flu.
Then, it was Huzaifah - who was also down with flu.
And now it's Humaidi's turn.
Poor boy is now not as active as he usually is, but alhamdulillah he's showing signs of quick recovery.
Please make doa for him, yeah?

Melihat pada kata-kata atau yang berkata-kata?

"Dia tu siapa orang nak panggil Ustaz? Dahla asalnya pun dari kumpulan sesat..."

Entah kenapa hati saya merasa sedikit panas mendengar nama seseorang yang telah kembali ke rahmatullah diburukkan sebegitu.
Serasa mahu saja saya melawan untuk mematikan kata yang berkata, tetapi saya juga perlu hormat pada 'senior' yang baru kali pertama bersua dan berkenalan.
Saya diam.
Tapi hati saya meronta-ronta mahu berkata...

Mungkin dia pernah datang dari kumpulan sesat,
tapi kita tahukah kalau dia bertaubat dan Allah menerima taubatnya?
Mungkin dia bukan dari latar belakang akademik jurusan agama,
tapi kita tahukah segala selok belok tarbiyah yang dia terima?
Kenapa hanya mahu nampak yang salah-salah saja,
tak bolehkah melihat pada yang baik-baik?
Ada yang kata nasyid sepatutnya begini, begini, dan nasyid dia begitu, begitu
dan itu bukan memenuhi hasrat dakwah Islamiah...
Tapi sejujurnya, pada saya, dan saya rasa pada ramai yang lain
dia dan rakan seangkatannya memberi satu alternatif yang didahagakan ramai
Dia dan rakan seperjuangannya komited dalam usaha dakwah
Nasyid-nasyid, zikir-zikir, selawat-selawat yang didendangkannya banyak yang menusuk-nusuk hati dan menggetarkan jiwa para pendengar
Bukankah itu satu usaha dakwah?
Sejujurnya saya tidak nampak sebab kenapa kita harus menafikan dia hak untuk digelar ustaz walaupun mungkin dia tidak mempunyai latar belakang pendidikan agama secara formal sehingga menerima 'tauliah' sebagai ustaz.
Gelaran ustaz itu kadang-kadang diguna sebagai tanda hormat
Apalah salahnya teman-teman dan orang lain yang menghormatinya memanggilnya ustaz?

Pada saya, ada masa-masanya kita perlu lebih muhasabah diri sendiri
daripada terus-terusan memperkecilkan (usaha) orang lain
Inisiatif dia berjuang di bidang nasyid sudah pun nampak hasilnya, walau di dunia cuma...
Inisiatif yang berkata-kata memperkecil dan memperlekehnya apa pula?
Bukankah ada masanya kita perlu lebihkan tumpuan
pada mesej dakwah yang disampaikan
berbanding individu yang berdakwah itu sendiri?
Bukankah ada waktunya kita perlu lebih fokus
pada kata-kata
berbanding yang berkata-kata?

Ramadhan High-Way Code

Taken from IslamicPoster

Simple yet spot on.

Concise and precise.

(But to do or not to do, that is the question of our iman...)

Cerita ceriti puasa

After spending 3 Ramadhan as a student, Ramadhan at work is kind of 'new' again.
I know, I've been through it before.
But those days, I was still single; not married with three kids like I am today.
There was no real sense of urgency for me to get home before break of fast, and I was pretty much used to breaking fast in the car, on the way back home.
Alhamdulillah home is now just 10 - 20 minutes away from office (depending on traffic flow), and I have a trusty helper at home too.

Anyway, the good thing about fasting in the office is that I get to join a tadarus group. When I was in Tokyo, hubby checked on my Quran reading every once in a while. We could not commit ourselves to being consistent in it. Very unlike the small group that we have in the office - not only we checked each other's reading, we also share the translation of the ayat that we read. I can't say whether or not the group will continue having this tadarus group after Ramadhan ends, but I really appreciate it while it lasts...

The other good thing about fasting in a Malaysian government office is that we get to attend lots of "Ihya Ramadhan" programs. Talks/Forums are scheduled on almost all working days through out the month. Yusri, a colleague who has just returned from Paris, is keen on asking me to join him attending those talks/forums. Which is of course, something that we've both missed during our stay abroad. It was not so bad for me because once in a while, some group of Malaysian/Indonesian students would congregate at Asakusa mosque for "Semarak Ramadhan" program, but Yusri rarely had the chance of attending an "Ihya Ramadhan" program while he was in France. So yes, being given the opportunity, the rezq to attend "the meadows of Paradise"* in the office is something that we are really thankful for, alhamdulillah.

The not-so-great thing about spending Ramadhan in the office is that we have to communicate with others. Things might get heated up, things might go wrong and in the middle of it there is bound to be some resentment, dissatisfaction, anger, frustration etc. It is not easy to deal with all these negativity while one is fasting and wants to remain calm so as not to cause "decreased points" in fasting but at times, well, it happened anyway.

Oh, by the by, hubby had been invited to be the Imam for solat Terawih in a make-shift surau at Presint 14C2. Funny to note that after having used to lead the solat in a mosque in Tokyo, now that we're back, hubby is leading solat in a make-shift surau (2 20ft x 20ft tents) in Malaysia.
Siapa sangka, kan?

Note *
In reference of the hadith, which loosely translated as
“When you pass by the meadows of Paradise indulge freely in it!
They said: O Messenger of Allah! What are the meadows of Paradise?
He said: The circles of 'ilm (knowledge)”
Another related hadith would be,
"He who treads the path in search of 'ilm (knowledge), Allah will make easy for him a path to Paradise"

Notes on puasa

Some notes taken from an "Ihya Ramadhan" program yesterday

Q: Is this fast valid?
1. One who fasts while undergoing hemodialysis
Valid.
Among what can deem one's fast invalid is when anything enters a person's "rongga" (including but not limiting to one's nose and mouth). Hemodialysis is not considered to be inserting something into one's "rongga"

2. One who fasts and uses inhaler for treatment of asthma
Invalid.
Unlike rinsing out the mouth or putting drops in the eye, using inhaler is considered as inserting something (usually salbutimol) into one's "rongga".

3. One who fasts and get an injection for medical purposes
Valid.
An injection in the muscle is allowed during fasting but not an intravenous nutritional injection. Likewise, getting an IV drip will render one's fast as invalid because it can act as a substitute for food, yet fasting is to abstain from taking food in any form.

Q: When should I stop fasting?
1. "I started fasting in Country A which started fasting earlier than Country B by one day. I then moved to Country B before Eid and the Ramadhan that year lasts for 30 days. Should I stop fasting earlier than others?"
Yes.
One can only fast for up to 30 days and no more. So in this case, the person could not fast on the 31st day although it was the 30th day for others in Country B.

2."I started fasting in Country X which started fasting later than Country Y by one day. I then moved to Country Y before Eid and Ramadhan that year lasts for 29 days in Country Y. When should I stop fasting?"
In this case the person must not fast on the day Eid is celebrated in Country Y as fasting on Eid is prohibited. However, he or she must make up the days lost by 'qadha' the fast on other days. It is recommended that he or she to make up the days lost until the total day of fasting amounts to 30 days.

#####

Hope this is of benefit to those who were wondering...

Hopes for this Ramadhan

I hope that Muslims will make the most out of these especially blessed 29/30 days...
to repent for all kind of wrong doings
to apologize and grant forgiveness to others
to increase all kind of ibadah and good deeds

I hope that Allah will make it easier for those in places experiencing summer to fast throughout the month.
The long day, the heat, the humidity...
I'll pray that Allah will make it easy for them
And that those who have it easy and still refuse to fast to learn a lesson or two from their Muslim counterparts in those countries experiencing hot sultry summer...
(yes Ju, you are in my prayer...)

I hope that Allah will grant those who have just learn to fast the strength and patience needed.
Be them small kids, new reverts or adult born Muslims who have just started to fast after failing to do so before this.
Let their start be a fruitful one that will lead them to be closer to Allah...
And I hope that there will be less born Muslims trying not to fast during this holy month and drift further away from Allah AlMighty...

I hope that those who are venturing into new areas - wearing tudung, trying to quit smoking, nibbling on food all the time - will be granted strength and self-discipline needed to keep continue doing the good things even after Ramadhan is over

I hope that there will be less Muslims who claim that they fast but missed the real significance of fasting in Ramadhan...
Like those who overspend at Pasar Ramadhan (PaRam) and waste a lot of food at the end of the day
Or like Muslims who 'fast' yet break her/his fast with alcohol
Or like that Muslim couple who asked in an Aunt Agony column, what is the 'kifarah' for an unmarried couple who fornicated during the day in Ramadhan
Or like those Muslim girls (tudung-clad or otherwise, but especially the tudung-clad ones) and their partners who continued all sort of 'ringan-ringan' activities despite not eating or drinking during the day
I pray that Allah will guide them to learn and understand the real meaning of fasting and not continuing getting simply thirst and hunger in their endeavour

I hope that all the great not-to-be-missed bargains in Ramadhan -
the night of 1000 months,
the super extra blessings,
the promised rewards in the hereafter
will entice all Muslims to do good and do better.
And that we will keep the momentum going even after Ramadhan leaves...

Ahlan wa sahlan wa marhaban ya Ramadhan

Air tangan

Kami - saya dan Yati, bibik di rumah - bangun awal pagi ini.
Bertungkus lumus siapkan mee bandung
Untuk hidangan sarapan pagi secara pot-luck di pejabat.

Di pejabat, ada pegawai yang bertanya
"Mee ni puan yang buat ke?"

"Kenapa, tak percaya?"

"Manalah tau, puan kan ada bibik..."

Ada masa-masa memang bibik boleh diharapkan membantu tugas memasak.
Tetapi bibik saya belum dilatih memasak mee bandung (atau mee jawa sekalipun walaupun dia asalnya dari Jawa)
Sesekali memang seronok berkongsi makan-makan di pejabat.
Rasa seronok dan puas bila hidangan yang disaji habis licin dinikmati teman-teman sepejabat.

"Ya, memang ada bibik. Tapi ini kan jamuan sempena meraikan Ramadhan yang bakal tiba, jadi mestilah lebih istimewa. Sesekali saya masak sendiri, bagi yang lain rasa sikit air tangan saya ini."

"Sedap puan, boleh buka kedai ni..."

Sebenarnya mee bandung yang saya hasilkan pagi tadi kekurangan bahan (serai dan saya gantikan sup tomato dengan tomato puree. Saya memang tidak guna kacang atau keledek untuk memekatkan kuah mee bandung saya, sebaliknya guna sup tomato dan bancuhan tepung jagung). Namun, alhamdulillah mee bandung saya mendapat sambutan yang amat menggalakkan. Saya mengaku yang saya sudah lama tidak masak mee bandung, jadi alhamdulillah masih menjadi juga sentuhan kali ini...

Malam tadi Pak Ustaz meragui bila saya katakan padanya saya mahu bangun awal pagi untuk masak mee bandung, "Eleh, bangun buat sarapan sehari-hari pun jarang sekali"
(Dush dush)

Tapi pagi ini dengan hati berbunga-bunga, saya lihat dia bawa bekal mee bandung ke tempat kerja dan beria-ia memuji kesedapan kuah mee yang kekurangan bahan itu.
Ah, mungkin ada benarnya kata orang tua-tua, isteri perlu pandai memikat hati suami melalui perutnya...

Sikit je...

"Ada panggilan untuk ceramah tak bulan Ramadhan ni nanti?"

"Tak ada".

"Oh"

"Agaknya tak dijemput bagi ceramah sebab orang pun faham letih bila berdiri dua jam berterusan... Letih la..."

"Alah, baru berdiri dua jam bagi ceramah pun letih. Rasulullah dan sahabat-sahabat dulu tu berjihad angkat senjata masa puasa, takdak masalah pun... Kita ni cuma berjihad angkat pen, angkat kertas pun dah mengadu macam-macam"

Oopss...
Jadi, ini peringatan untuk diri sendiri;
jangan bagi alasan letih (yang merugikan diri sendiri) untuk menghidupkan Ramadhan kali ini.
Baik melalui ibadah khusus mahupun ibadah am.
Tiada kompromi untuk merungut tak cukup tidur dan menurunkan produktiviti.
Ramadhan bulan istimewa.
Bulan yang patut disambut dengan penuh ceria, bertenaga dan teruja.

Ping Pong - the pics II

Here's a proof that on 1 August 2009 I was in Komples Sukan MSN Perlis, not clad in either red or black attire...
Coincidentally, our department's Batu Seremban team wore red t-shirts, but I doubt they were aware of the siginificance of wearing either red/black on that particular day (in Malaysian history).
Two other department's Ping-pong team wore red and black jersey.
But that day we were busy with our own small, insignificant agenda in Perlis, far and away from all the lock jam/tear gas/water cannons in Kuala Lumpur.
(I also doubt that the players realised the significance of wearing red/black on that very day...)

Note to Mida - yes, I still practised the "slimming effect stance" in the photo, hehehe...

The players, with our Mr Manager in the middle. Thanks to him, we get to keep the nice blue Butterfly (among big names in Ping-pong, the way Nike and Adidas are related to Basketball or track-related sports) jersey. My partner, Encik Lan, is the far right standing guy, in kakhis.

With the three loyal supporters (and Kak Pah being my constant companion/chaperon throughout the 3-days outing) who stayed until the end of the tournament when the Batu Seremban girls had already gone back to the hostel

Selamat...

Took a leave yesterday because Baby Haniyya is down with cold/flu/cough.
Poor baby was taken to see a doctor on last Saturday when he was given a nebulizer treatment there in the clinic and we returned home with three different kind of medicine - for high temperature, for pleghm and antibiotic.
His temperature is not stable - sometimes it's high, sometimes not quite.
But there were a lot of tossing at night (and loss of sleep) as he keeps merengek at night.
Poor Haniyya.

So, he sets the record so far among my sons, to be the earliest to receive nebulizer treatement.
Both hubby and I are asthmatic and now it seems that all our children have some respiratory problem too.
Huzaifah had his first nebulizer treatment when he was about 9 months if I'm not mistaken, in Tokyo. Since then there had been subsequent treatments including two ambulance rides due to asthma related incidents.
Humaidi had his first nebulizer treatment when he was 1 1/2 year old, not long after we returned to Malaysia last year.
Baby Haniyya had his first nebulizer treatment at 6 month.
Poor baby.

He's supposed to get his 6-month jab yesterday.
But there was no point taking him to the clinic because he won't get any jab in his current condition.
Not while he's still down with cold/flu/cough.
Not while he's still on medication.
He's not as boisterous as his two big brothers were at his age.
But now he seems even less lively.
So tak bermaya.
Poor baby.

Please make doa that my baby will recover soon.
It's worrying - especially now in the wake of the H1N1 pandemic/epidemic.
May Allah protect us from any harm, and may we be among those blessed and protected by Him always...

*****

Now that Ramadhan is only a few days away, I hereby seek forgiveness from my readers - family, friends, strangers and all.
Selamat berpesta ibadah di Ramadhan mubarak
dan semoga kekal istiqamah berpesta ibadah di bulan lain...
(I've failed the second part again... and again... and again... I know, I'm so weak that way)
I pray that Allah will grace us to meet, greet Lailatul Qadr wisely and make the best of the extra special night.
Have a blessed, blissful and meaningful Ramadhan.
Ramadhan kareem!

Al fatihah for Ustaz Asri Rabbani

Al-Fatihah for Ustaz Asri Ibrahim a.k.a. Asri Rabbani, who passed away earlier today.

Being from religious school background, I grew up listening to Nada Murni and 'old school' nasyid groups which usually recorded their album at OVA with Allahyarham Ustaz Asri's name mentioned among those acknowleged on the album cover.

In late 1990's, when The Zikr turned a new leaf as Raihan, Nada Murni rebranded themselves as Rabbani and Hijjaz.
I have always preferred Raihan and Hijjaz over Rabbani, but that is not to say that I am not fond of Ustaz Asri.
After all, certain nasyids sound way better when they were sung by Allahyarham Ustaz Asri in his Nada Murni days compared to the "newer version" being sung by others.
He'd been consistent in conveying Islamic message through nasyid through out his life, believing strongly in providing halal alternative form of music and entertainment.

My hope is that his legacy of many nasyid, zikr, selawat etc, will be counted by Allah as part of his "investments" that will benefit him in the hereafter. May he and his family be blessed and protected by Allah always...

*****

I would also appreciate if you can join me in making doa for a colleague.
He's been a confirmed H1N1 patient and is now being treated for it in Subang Jaya.
Been trying to call him but to no avail.
Since it's not advisable to visit H1N1 patients, the best we, his friends, can do for him is to continuously make doa for him and his family...