Happy Eid Mubaraq

Ikhlas....

Needy

Recently, I joined my parents for a visit and donation program at one of the kampung. From the visit, it makes me realized how fortunate am I as compared to this poor people. They really live in bad condition. I met this old man, very sick and have nobody to help him. He hardly can move and the house condition is very bad... You can see how happy he is when we gave donation to him...at least he knows that he still can eat the next day. We went to a few other houses and you can see all different scenarios. Looking at their condition make me cried. Sometimes, its make me wonder, there are still a lot of poor people out there. Thank to God, I still can live in comfort even though I’m not rich. I have all my basic necessity, and the most important thing is that I'm happy.

Poem

Ungkapan rindu
terpahat di hati ini
entah pada siapa
ingin ku ceritakan
rahsia di hati ini

Ungkapan rindu
padamu pertiwi
entah sampai bila
berakhirnya sebuah kisah
anak muda di perantauan

Ungkapan rindu
hanya buatmu
ayah bonda tercinta
usah ditangisi di kejauhan
demi cita-cita tulusku

Ungkapan rindu
akan terlerai jua
di kedatangan syawal mendatang
mungkin ada waktu buat kita
sempurnakan bersama

This poem i would like to dedicate to my friends and bloggers. Have a blessing Ramadahan and syawal especially to those who are going to celebrate Raya abroad.

"infant-mother bonding"

Yesterday, was the first day my sister went to work after 60 days maternity leave. My brother in law only entitle for 7 days paternity leaves right after the baby was born. Actually this is their second child but the first one, passed away after about 18 hours see this world. So it is understood how precious this second baby is. It is not only for them but also for us. My sister is the only one whom already married, the rest of us still single mingle… so this is the first grandchild for my parents. The baby is so cute; all of us missed him a lot. Yesterday, my sister sends him to her in laws with her maid. The week after next will be our turn. And my sister cried after send him. She missed him only after a few minutes. So, my sister went back early yesterday.Her office is not far from mine and both of us have no lectures, so I drove him to her in laws to see her baby. This is what is called "infant-mother bonding." When a mother and a child are bonded, the child prefers the mother over all other human beings, constantly seeks contact with her, experiences significant joy in her company, and distress when even momentarily separated from her.

Happy Ramadhan

I'm so excited about Ramadhan. It different and make me more productive. Just like previous year, Ramadhan make me always come early to the office and I always have longer hours to spend. My common practice is that I usually wouldn't sleep after Sahur. So, I can drive early to the office without traffic jam. Anyway, I would like to wish all my friends Happy Ramadhan and may Allah bless all.

She is my mum

Everyday before I go to work I will kiss my mum hand and her cheek. Emm...a few days ago, when I kiss her cheek, I felt its no longer firm. I just realized it and while driving to work my brain actively thinking about her. Its make me sad suddenly. The fact is that she's ageing. She's getting older. Sometimes I really hope I can stop her from ageing, I want her maintained young and healthy. And I want her to be around forever and ever. But, when I think again and again, I know I have to accept the fact that all of us will die one day. As times goes by, we will getting older. Some are very luck can live for longer time and some people just leave this world at very young age, even a few hours after labour. I don't know, its kind of sad, when I look at my mum, she's the best mum in the world. I owed her everything, and I know I can not repay her. But the only thing I can do and what I’m doing right now is trying to be a good son. At least I can make her proud and happy of having me as a son.

Tosei

Homemade tosei

Ingredients

3 cups rice
1 cup urad dal (a type of bean/lentil you can get an Indian grocers)
Salt to taste
Oil/margarine/ghee

To prepare the batter

Cooking the dosei itself may take a short time, but the preparations require at least two days.
1. Soak the rice and urad dal in separate containers for at least eight hours.
2. Finely grind the soaked rice and urad seperately until it reaches the consistency of pancake batter. Add some water if needed.
3. Combine the rice and urad dal pastes and let the mixture ferment at room temperature for 16 hours after which the batter will double in size.
4. Add salt to taste and mix well.

To cook tosei, you will require:
1. A flat skillet or large shallow pan placed over a medium fire.
2. A flat bottomed cup to scoop and spread the batter.

To make the tosei

1. Heat the skillet until hot. Sprinkle some water on top.
2. Scoop some batter and pour it onto the skillet. Use the flat bottom of the cup to quickly spread the dosei over the skillet in a circular motion. Tosei cooks fairly quickly, so watch carefully so as not to burn the pancake.
3. Place a dab of butter/ghee on top of dosei and spread.
4. If needed, flip dosei over to cook for a few seconds. Before frying another piece of dosei, wipe the top of the skillet with a piece of kitchen tissue.

Serve while hot with dhal and coconut chutney or chicken curry.
- from : http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:TVEP17qrlhUJ:www.tourismpenang.gov.my/page.cfm%3Fname%3Dlc09p+recipe+tosei&hl=en

I love Tosei, personally i think tosei is very healthy food. Its not that oily as roti canai. I ate that tosei at one of mamak restaurant in Malacca. Uitt..its make hungry thinking about foood!!!

Cat fish @ Ikan keli

Cat fish belong to Clariidae family have different species such as clarias batu, clarias macrocephalus and etc. I never try freshwater fish, because since kids my mum never served us with freshwater fish. My mum said freshwater fish taste too fishy unlike saltwater fish. But a few months ago, when I was in northern peninsular of Malaysia, I saw lots of fried catfish with sambal served in the food outlets at the highway or even in the town. I was influenced by my colleagues from West Malaysia to try catfish or know as ikan lele in Indonesia. So, out of my curiosity, I tried. Emm...it tasted just like other fish and delicious.

In fact, catfish was claimed to have medicinal benefits. Fresh Omega-3 can be derived from the polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids in catfish. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to many health benefits including cardiovascular, brain, and visual improvement. Another freshwater fish, Ikan haruan (ophiocehalus striatus) or knows as snakehead fish is also good to heal cuts. I still remember after I had undergone major surgery before, my mum forced me to take Pati Ikan Haruan….it tasted yuck, but I have no choice. It’s good to heal internal incision.

Beloved mum

Emm...this morning I'm a bit emotional...sad. I told my mum I want to fast last night. Last year I couldn't complete my fasting because of medical reason. My mum always being herself...a very concern and caring mother. She woke up at 4 am today just to prepare me for my sahur. I don't ask her to do so. Actually I'm not surprise, because that what she always did. Her concerned is more than anything. It’s make me think, am I able to do the same to my mum when she's getting older....as the eldest son, my responsibilities towards my parents is very big. I promised myself to be a good son and fulfill my duty towards my parents. Thank you mum!!

Time flies

Sorry no updates for a while. My life seems very busy but I hope whatever I did in the past few weeks at least benefit me in one way or another. But, do believe that I had learned something new. Actually every second in our life is considered as learning process, whatever we experience in our day life, will contribute to knowledge.

"Love, work, and knowledge are the wellsprings of our lives, they should also govern it."

Pause

"Each one of us has something that we must do, whatever happens, have faith and accept". (Laila & Qaisy)

Yea...its make me think...I have things to do in my life, as son to my parents, as brother to my siblings, as believer to ALLAH, as individual to society, as lecturer to students and bla bla....the list will go on and on. However our existence in this world comes with millions of responsibility. And all of this will distinguish us from others. In fact which way we opt, bad or good...it all depends on us, our environments, family and etc. Once in a while, we must pause, sit and look back. What had we done and are we on the right track? If we are divert from straight path, do something and back to the right path. If we ignore it, from day to day we will adapt easily to faulty things, and it become more difficult to disengage as times fly. That’s why early improvement better than ignoring it. People said, actually good deeds is difficult to perform as compared to bad deeds. But what ever it is, the most important thing is that we must ensure, yesterday is better than today and tomorrow will be better than today...

Jealousy

Jealousy....who is more jealous, man or woman? For me, both are if they can not control their emotion and minds. I read somewhere saying, jealousy is the heart diseases. In fact jealousy is claimed to be the first sin that was committed. Its happened when ALLAH said to Iblis to bow down to Adam, but Iblis refused to bow because he was jealous of the honor that Allah gave to Adam. This is followed by the first crime on earth due to jealousy among Habil and Qabil, the son of Adam. Qabil killed his brother because of jealousy. They fight for one woman. So it is proven that jealousy can caused a major trouble if it is not control. I believe jealousy is the inner thing, where all of us have the sense of jealousy but at different level. We can manipulate jealousy for a good cause. For example we can create the sense of competition but not by betraying people. It must be healthy competition.

This is the beautiful supplication or du’a to protect us from evil – jealousy;

“I seek the protection by the most perfect words of Allah, from the evil of every devil or creature and from every evil look.”

Finale

Emm...so busy this week. Up to one stage, I feel I couldn't breath. Every single things seem against me. I reached home after 11 pm from Monday to Friday. Yesterday was the finale....so I work more than 12 hours per day. Even today, I have to go to office but I just leave the office at 1 pm. I need rest and got headache already. I will try to forget about work till tomorrow. Monday I will start to rock and roll again....seems that heavy workload never end....

"Work as though you would live forever, and live as though you would die today".

"Work is love made visible".

"Winners take time to relish their work, knowing that scaling the mountain is what makes the view from the top so exhilarating".

Postcard

I wrote about cancer in the previous posting. And today, after a visit to my sis and play with baby Farhan, we all (my parents and me) went to shop at the nearby supermarket. I saw a collection of postcards for free. So, I took all different kind of postcard. But one special postcard reminds me of my friend as I mentioned in my previous posting.

Liver Cancer

Sorry, it had been long time…it takes me about “sepurnama” to update my blog. I am too busy with work. Actually lots of thing I want to share.

Well I just received bad news. A friend of mine is very ill at the moment. He’s a good virtual friend that I have. I still remember, I met him in the Islamic chat room and he’s the first person respond to me. I am kind of lost in the virtual room since it was my first time. Those day, he’s healthy till after sometimes, he informed me that he had been diagnosed having Cirrhosis of the liver. All the symptoms showed from time to time. He suffered from this disease and in and out from hospital. He experienced Jaundice, lost appetite, lost weight, pain etc. One time he disappeared with no news. When he online again, he told me that he was admitted. I read about cirrhosis and I’m aware of all the stages. When he told his condition from time to time, I know that he’s not doing well. His condition getting worst. But I just keep it to myself and I told him to be strong. But sometimes he told me that he wouldn’t last longer. I felt hopeless too and I just don’t know how to respond. The only think I told him, just pray to ALLAH the Almighty.

He always on off, till a few months ago, he disappeared. I am so worried and asked around but other friends also have no news about him. Till 2 days ago I got news that he had been in the hospital all this while. He had been diagnosed liver cancer. Now he’s at home, very ill. Wish I can talk to him, ask him to fight. I performed my solat hajat for him and wish he will be fined and ease from pain.



What is Liver Cancer?
There are two main kinds of liver cancer. Heptoma and cholangiocarcinoma. Heptoma is cancer of the hepatocytes. (The main functioning liver cell). Hepatoma is primary liver cancer. Hepatoma usually grows in the liver as a ball-like tumor, invading the normal tissue surrounding it. A history of infection with the hepatitis B virus puts individuals at risk of developing heptoma.
Cancer of the bile duct cells is called cholangiocarcinoma. Cholangiocarcinoma originates in the bile ducts and is often caused by infestation with the liver fluke Clonorchis (a parasite). The cancer grows along the bile ducts in sheets or lines,and is hard to find on X-ray studies.
Most cases of liver cancer are actually cancers that started in another organ. This is called metastases. Because of its very high blood flow and many biological functions, the liver is one of the most common places for metastases to grow. Tumors that originally arise in the colon, pancreas, stomach, lung or breast can spread to the liver.
Liver cancer is much more prevalent in many of the developing countries than in the industrialized world. Its incidence is highest in subSaharan Africa, China, southern Asia, and Japan. Japan is the exception of the industrialized countries. China accounts for about 45% of the world's cases.
What Causes or Increases Risk for Liver Cancer?
Once cause of liver cancer is exposure to vinyl chloride. Other causes of liver cancer are unknown. However certain risk factors have been identified. The risk factors are: Chronic Hepatitis, Cirrhosis of the liver and liver flukes (parasites).
http://www.mamashealth.com/cancer/livercancer.asp

Umar

Emm...through my friend’s blog, I always listen to nasyid. He has good collection of nasyid in his radio blog. One of my favourite is "Aku Hanya Umar". When you read and digest the lyric, it’s all about the famous Caliph Umar. Caliph Umar is the successor of Caliph Abu Bakar.

AKU HANYA UMAR

Sebelum disapa sinar iman,
kau bagaikan singa yang mengganas,
membunuh anak perempuanmu,
tanpa rasa belas dan kasihan,
dipandu hati sekeras batu,
jahiliah yang menyesatkan.

Bila nur al-quran menusuk ke jiwa,
lunturlah segala keangkuhanmu,
berubah dan beralih arah mu,
terbentur segala kekejaman,
menjadi wira miskin nestapa,
membela yang tak berupaya.

Tidurmu dirimbunan tamar,
tenangmu tiada tercalar,
berbantal lengan tanpa pengawal,
berselimut embun keimanan.

Di malam yang hening,
meratap menyesali diri,
pada dosa kealpaan,
dibasuh dengan air mata,
memohon keampunan tuhan.

Engkau khalifah berjiwa hamba,
mentadbir tanpa singgahsana,
menghina diri dihadapan Allah,
kemuliaan diri manusia.

Mulia hidup bersulam taqwa,
mulia mati mu kau syuhada,
pergi rohmu ke alam tinggi,
terbang menuju ke syurgawi.

Aku hanya seorang umar,
kemuliaanku kerna islam,
semua ke syurga kecuali dia,
ku bimbangi dialah diriku.

Hati sekeras batu,
berubah menjadi selembut air,
jadi teman kebenaran,
jadi musuh kepada kebatilan.

Kelengkan - keringkam

When I was in Kota bahru, me and my parents went to Istana Jahar, which houses the Museum of Royal Traditions and Ceremonies. This unique palace was built in 1887 by the then Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Ahmad (1886 - 1889) for his son, Long Kudin who succeeded him as sultan. The name Jahar was taken from the tree that stands at the entrance, also known as 'Flame of the Forest'.

But what attracted me most were the fine display of songket from Malaya as well as Bali, India and Sumatra. There are selendang known as kelengkan. It’s quite a surprise looking at this selendang kelengkan. Kelengkan reminds me of keringkam, the traditional selendang of malays in Sarawak. It’s almost the same as what we have in Sarawak. It’s also from gold thread. In fact the name sound alike. I took a photo of selendang from my mum collection. Red in color is belong to my mum, she wore it during her wedding and the dark brown belong to my late grandma. Sarawakian call this selendang as tudung keringkam.

Touching

It was Sunday. I watched a movie called Christmas Shoes aired by TV3. It is a good movie but yet very touching. I just couldn't stop myself from being so involved with the storyline. I feel kind of stupid for being emotional after all it’s just a movie. It is a good movie indeed, great movie with all good family values.

Here is the synopsis;
He didn't know he needed a miracle, until one happened.
Robert Layton (Rob Lowe), a successful attorney, is on the brink of losing his marriage. Nathan Andrews (Max Morrow), an eight-year-old boy, is about to lose his young working-class mother (Kimberly Williams), to illness. When Robert crosses paths with Nathan on Christmas Eve, Robert's life is changed forever. Something as simple as a pair of shoes was going to make all the difference in the young boy's life. And by helping Nathan, Robert realizes the true importance of family, faith and love.
http://www.cbs.com/specials/christmas_shoes/story.shtml

Actually this movie was adapted from a novel wrote by Donna VanLiere,the New York Times best-selling author.

Prunus armeniaca

A few months ago, Safuan, a friend of mine sends me herbal medicine from Cairo. He also send fresh apricot or known as Al- Barquq in Arabic through his friend whom returned to Sarawak. Actually I don’t even know how the fresh apricot looks like because what I am familiar with is dried apricot. The scientific name of Apricot is Prunus armeniaca under the family name of Rosaceae.

This fruit is believed have originated in China, where it has been cultivated for over 4,000 years. It was introduced in Europe during the time of Alexander the Great. In Middle East, apricots were very popular for their taste as well as for their invigorating perfume.

The best thing about this fruit, it is classified as food of heal. There are lots of medicinal values can be found from this fruit. It is beneficial in the treatment of Constipation due to high of cellulose and pectin contents. Besides that it helps people suffer from anemia in account of high content of iron in this fruit. It is also good cooling drink when the juice mixed with honey.

Busy-eventful-occupied

Assalamualikum friends…. Sorry for no updates for long time. At first I thought I will enjoy this 3 months semester break. Free myself from busy life dealing with lectures and students. But it’s totally out of picture. I hardly find times for myself, works seem endless. New semester begin soon but my notes have not ready yet. There is a lot of administrative works to deal with.

You may have heard the saying,

"If you climb to the top of the mountain but haven't enjoyed the journey, then it wasn't a successful climb."

Am I so busy climbing to achieve my goals that I was missing out on the views along the way? I guess I am. Maybe I should pause for a moment to reflect on my busyness; not only about what I am busy doing but also how I could be doing things differently – with less effort and stress, and with more ease and fun.
I hope after this, I’m moving forward, rather than away from, a more enriching and enjoyable life.

Canarium odontophyllum

Dabai or known as "Sibu Olive" is very famous in Borneo Island. It is called Kembayau among Bruneian. I tried Dabai fried rice before but not fresh dabai.




"Quality fruits have oily yellowish appearance when the outer dark purple skin is removed. The edible portion is the unctuous mesocarp about 6 - 8mm thick that surrounds the hard 3 angular seed. The whole fruit is soaked 5 - 10 minutes in hot water to soften the mesocrap and eaten with sugar. The seed containing the whitish compressed cotyledon can also be eaten. It has a fine flavour, crunchy with rich ‘lemak’ taste.

Kembayau trees grow easily from seeds. There is a 50:50 chance of obtaining female trees. Normally male trees are removed. The presence of wild male trees is sufficient to produce pollen for female flowers".
http://www.brunet.bn/org/bsmehp/invest/agroindu/smecrop.htm#kembayau

A Perfect Day

Emm...just got back from outstation. It was a tiring journey. Anyway, I managed to finish reading one novel. Spend my free time reading the book when I was on flight, airport and also in the hotel room. Good novel on family values...a story about a man who has rediscovered his priorities after finding money and fame. This is the second novel I read from the same author; the first one is "The Carousel".




"I have learned that each day is a miracle unearned" pg 338

ulat mulong

If people come to Sarawak and have the opportunity to visit Pasar Minggu Satok, might capture the cute, fatty worm selling by the farmers. This worm is known as ulat mulong or sago worm or grub, a famous delicacy in Sarawak. Ulat mulong if leave matured will turn into the beetle, a family of Rhinchophoridae or large weevils.



According to some people, to cultivate this ulat mulong, the sago palm will be fell and purposely left to rot. This rotten palm wills soon invaded by the ulat mulong weighted up to 8 gram per ulat mulong.



Ulat mulong believe to contain 3-7 % of protein, 10-30% fat and the rest is water. In Sarawak, Sibu is the heaven for this delicacy. I still remember, my student just came back from Mukah, Sibu brought the smoked ulat mulong to be shared with friend in my class. She offered me, but I decide not to have it. In Islam, they said this ulat is halal because it is from the palm. It just like worm in fruits which is allowed to be eaten.

Mother's day

Emmm..it had been a long time. So busy to update my blog. Actually I got a lot of thing to share but just bear with me.

Anyway….HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to my mum and all mothers out there.
Last Sunday, my family and I were celebrating Mother’s day. I got my mum a present and we went to Chinese restaurant for dinner. Some of my friends argue about celebrating mother’s day. They said it should be everyday. Yea I agree with them but somehow I’m not a millionaire to give my mum present and treat her for dinner everyday. So, at least during mother’s day, I can buy her present and spend time together. So, I don’t see any problem with celebrating mother’s day. But just don’t take for granted, only entertain our mum on mother’s day. Even if we don’t stay at the same place, we should make an effort to come and visit them. Or at least call them as frequent as possible.

You were always there,
Even when it wasn’t easy…
You always understood,
Even when I
Found things hard to explain.
And you always had time for me,
Even when you didn’t have
Much time for yourself…
You’ve always let me know
How much you cared…
And I’ll always love you for it

(quote from the card send by my sis to my mum)

Funeral Blues

I'm back...after having enough rest. Actually after my trip to Kota Bahru, I got a fever, luckily not Typhoid Fever. Its an outbreak in Kelantan at the moment. From KL to KLIA, we took ERL which is much better. The non-stop journey from KL Sentral to KLIA only took 28 minutes, faster and no worries about traffic jam. While in ERL, I saw a very nice poem on the board written by W. H. Auden, the American Poet, borned in York England. He was a Chancellor of The Academy of American Poets from 1954 to 1973, and divided most of the second half of his life between residences in New York City and Austria. He died in Vienna in 1973.

Funeral Blues

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last for ever; I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood,
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

W. H. Auden, April 1936

Time fly

Fuhhh..time fly so fast. I had been busy with work. The worst thing is that my computer "kong". I just collect them from the "hospital". Both computer and laptop course me RM350. Actually my laptop cost me that much, changed the hard disk. Well, it's time... because it almost 3 years old. According to the technician, 3 years is the common life span for the hard disk. After that, you need to replace it.
Anyway, sorry to my friend...because I didn't update my blog for quite sometimes. Bear with me….and I will disappear again next week. I will be away for a week starting 12-17 April. I will travel to KL for work and then Kota Bahru for Cuti Cuti Malaysia. It’s ashamed because there are a lot of places in Malaysia I have not been to. Well, my excuse is that while still young, we better travel far to other countries in other continent. When we are getting old, have no energy to travel far, then we can visit a short distance places in Malaysia itself..hehehe..

Talking about times, I remember that al ustaz did mention about this during the kenduri arwah that I attended last nite.

Ibn Abbas (ra) said:

The Prophet (salalahu alahi wa salam) was giving an exhortation or advice to a man, so he said to him

"Take benefit from five before five: your life before your death, your health before your illness, your spare time before you get busy, your youth before your old age and your wealth before your times of poverty."

Kitchen

There is a clichéd expression, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. But how to go about woman? I guess it should be the same...let go back to basics....its all about food and you never been wrong. Some people say it should be roses or presents, but some people believe it not always that way.

According to my counsellor sister, what woman need at this age of equality is understanding and also a man who's willing to share the household chores with his wife. My sister said that she's feel flatted when she saw her man in the kitchen (pssst sis, sushi ring the bell?).

I used to be a skillful man in the kitchen. But unfortunately my skill in the kitchen is deteriorating. Being away from home, teached me how to be independent in the kitchen. This is also what we call survival. About 5 years abroad, I need to prepare Malaysian diet for myself. Day to day experience make me good in the kitchen. But now, I was pampered by a woman call mum. Hehehhehe...my beloved mum! Her food is always the best! I can not resist it. That’s her secret to tie my dad for more than 30 years in the marriage I guess. My dad is a conservative but yet very helpful with other thing. He doesn't know how to cook at all. But he will help for example grind the coconut if my mum needs it.

But it's a healthy phenomenon where lots of man knows how to cook. The new age guys have gone the length of pampering their spouse with breakfast on bed (yuck...common on...ladies need to brush their teeth in the morning before breakfast..heheheh). As a matter of fact, work together is always a good thing.

Wishes

Thanks to my family (parents, sisters n bro) and also my friends for your best wishes. I know some of you really remember my birthday with heart. In fact I received sms 12 am on the dot! And also wishes from friends whom I never remember their birthdays. I feel bad actually for being ignorant, forgetful about my friends’ birthdays.

This is a few sms that I received…..

#Hepi besday! Bila nak kawin?

#A’kum. ..selamat hari lahir ke 29. Semoga dpanjangkn umur dlm iman n taqwa…mg cpt jodoh…hehe.murah rezki…dpt buat phd dgn segera…moga brjaya dunia n akhirat. J

#Hi happy 29th birthday

#Happy Bday to u!

#A’kum, happy birthday.semoga pjg umur dimurahkan rezeki, dipermudahkan segala urusan dunia akhirat, hidup sentiasa diberkati Allah s.w.t. Enjoy ur day..

Thanks to all and may ALLAH bless all of us..ameen!

"It is not how old you are, but how you are old. "

Tomorrow I will be 29. Thinking about my age, sometimes make me going berserk. Next year I will be 30…oh my God. Am I that old….uwaaaa. At this age I’m consider a mature old man. But it is contradict with my personality which sometimes childish. I still remember, my colleague whom I can call mother told me that I will only become mature when I get married. Well..it’s ok for me….I took it as compliment. Childish means still young…. young at heart.

I’m expecting not only birthday wishes but soalan cepu emas, "when are you getting married". I think I will answer it with a big grinning and no further comment. To be honest, I have no answer for that. I don’t even have a girlfriend and I’m not prepared to be a husband. I’m still enjoying my bachelor life in fact. There is a lot of thing I need to do before that. Maybe at the age 30 will be the right age…but who knows. It’s all faith. What I really care at the moment is trying very hard to get scholarship to further my study.

I will celebrate my birthday with my dad, we share the same date of birth. When I was a kid…I hate the fact of sharing with my dad, shared the birthday cake or even a present. (Terrible me!!!). But now, I am very proud and happy to celebrate with my dad. I share my happy moment with my dad. Maybe I will bring my dad out for lunch or dinner tomorrow …see first what is the arrangement. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BELOVED DAD. MAY ALLAH BLESS YOU! This also goes to Lang @ Zamani Ahmad, SEMOGA DI RAHMATI ALLAH! Pssttt Lang, maybe we can celebrate birthday together in the future..hehehe.

"Age ain't nothin' but a number. But age is other things too. It is wisdom, if one has lived one's life properly. It is experience and knowledge. And it is getting to know all the ways the world turns, so that if you cannot turn the world the way you want, you can at least get out of the way so you won't get run over. " Miriam Makeba

Temporary

After quite sometimes my blog was facing error with the photos, its only today I had spare time to reorganise my blog. Nothing is permanent. It's the same thing with the fotopage. Out of sudden, I faced some problem with the photo, which I don't expect to happen. I had to upload my photos to the new host. I hope I wouldn’t encounter any problem after this or at least not so soon.

When you relate this with life, we are here also on the temporary basis. The present life is our training ground. The present life is a trial in preparation for the next realm of existence. Hereafter is our destination.

And they say: “What is there but our life in this world? We shall die and we live, and nothing but Time can destroy us.” But of that they have no knowledge: they merely conjecture: And when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, their argument is nothing but this: they say, “Bring (back) our forefathers, if what ye say is true!”
(Qur'an 45 : 24-25)

Mengkarung

Last week, when I want to check letter in the mailbox, I was surprised with a welcome greet of a green creature! Uhhh..it’s a species of lizard which we call “Mengkarung” here. So, I rushed back to take my camera and take a few shoots. We had no chemistry, I even feel scared to get close to it. People always said that it could cause the hair loss if this creature jumps off to your hair. It is also believe that this creature also can cause blindness if it urine splash into your eyes. Maybe because of this believe since kid, its makes me not friendly to it..hehhehh…



Anyway, if anyone know the scientific name of this creature, let me know…its not iguana..right?

Al Fatihah

Last night, my aunty passed away after 2 weeks in coma. As believer, we let her go and let her rest in peace. ALLAH loves her more than anything.

"Verily, with ALLAH alone is the knowledge of the Hour. And HE sends down the rain, and HE knows what is in the wombs. And no soul knows what it will earn tomorrow, and no soul knows in what land it will die. Surely, ALLAH is All-Knowing, All-Aware. " 31:34

Sadaqah Al Fatihah to Arwah.

Al Fatihah.......

Seeking Knowledge

Life seems pretty occupied lately. But I cherished every moment that I had.

I met my uncle last night. He's talking about his plan to do his doctorate in September. I salute him for his ‘go-getting’ attitude. But at the age of 53, I just wonder what he has in mind. Even I know that study is just like forever and age doesn't matter at all, but he doesn't have to go through all the hassle and crack his head which full of white hair. He has everything in his life. But when I keep thinking about it, I made my own conclusion. It is all about satisfaction. Peoples will do whatever that makes them happy. Happiness is kind of great motivation that forces them to achieve their dreams.

When I was in UK, I saw lots of old generation back to university. I still remember, I talked to a retired man who decided to go back to university. I asked him, what is the reason for doing the PhD at his age and he told me it just for fun, to kill the boredom. He mentioned that his kids whom are all grown up and away. It leaves only him and his wife at home. So, instead of doing nothing, he decided to study.

Umm…I’m very keen to further my study but its just all about time and opportunity. InsyaAllah, its always the first priority in my life at the moment.


Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.
- El-Malik el-Shabbaz (M

Knowledge

Knowledge is not what is memorised.
Knowledge is what benefits.
-Iman Shafi'

This is a good quote. In my profession, I always remind my students about knowledge. The right way to study is not by memorizing but it all about understands. Once you understand, the knowledge will be beneficial to you and stay longer in your memory box. But if you just memorize without really understand what's going on, it can just slip away easily from you.

Bamboo Clam

Imagine the white juicy worm….what do you think about it? But don’t judge a book by its cover!!! Don’t let your imagination put you off because what are you looking at is actually ambal, or known as Bamboo Clam or Sea Needle. It is a distant relative of the mussel; almost fish-like flavor, which is one of Sarawak’s finest seafood delicacies. This humble creature can be found all over South-East Asia but best in mud flats of Sarawak River Estuary. Their long, tubular shells (which look like bamboo) can be anything between three and fifteen cm long, and they are able to stretch their flexible bodies much further out of the shell to suck in food particles.

Fresh Bamboo Clam

Catching the bamboo clam need skill and is an art in itself. Clam feed at high tide and hide during the low tide deep under the sand and mud. It is also to prevent the dehydration. So the bamboo clam hunter will squirt the limejuice down the hole left by the clams. When they experience the change in acidity of water, they will slowly expose themselves at the surface and they will be collected, transfer to the bucket.
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http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/thu/feb17h26.htm

I don’t really a fan of this bamboo clam. But I did eat and I prefer curry-fried ambal.

Curry-fried Bamboo Clam

Chicken

Emm..just now I had a clashed of interest with my sis. We had a friendly argument about how to fry the chicken. She’s very lazy (hehehe…pssttt not that lazy because every time she’s on semester break, she did all the housework. I will only miss her when she’s back to uni…what a cruel brother!!!), and just to cut short, she just want to marinate chickens with ready-made spice powder. But I don’t like it, I prefer the traditional way of doing it. So, I offered to prepare the ingredient.

Its very simple actually; red onion, garlic, ginger, black pepper and white paper. Pound all of those. Then marinate the small-cut pieces of chicken with the ingredient. Don't forget to add the turmeric powder (to make it golden yellow when you fry it). Left it a side for marinating process. About half an hour it is ready to fry….wallaaa!!!!

Blurpppp…..so full and enjoyed my dinner with fried chickens…

COW

I still remember, that day, my sister and I went for lunch together. She was talking about her research on women issues. And in the middle of conversation, she asked me if i ever heard the term, COW. I said yeah...cow is the animal with four compartment stomach...hehehhe. I still remember the animal biology subjects that I had learn many years ago. My sis laughed out of her heart...she said it got nothing to do with that animal. But for second thought she said...it is related, if you read between the lines. Cow is the term used among the western people towards their female enemy. Its not a good word to be used anyway.

Well, my sister explain to me, COW actually is the abbreviation, which stand for Cunning Other Women. It is the term used for the women who are trying to seduce other women's husband. According to my sister, there are many cases happened nowadays which involved "COW". So, women out there, don't be one of the "COW" geng....hehehhe..

Hajj

I'm so happy to see my friend online again. A very far away friend from Brazil just returned from his pilgrim. I'm so happy for him. I know him more than a year before him journey to Islam. I still remember, that old good day, when he told me about his interest to Islam and then the day when he decided to become Muslim. He makes me comprehend, how lucky am I, born as a Muslim. But sometimes I take thing for granted, which I regret. I hope I will become a better muslim.

L-Bro Abdulla

Stress

Yesterday was really a stressful day for me. Actually I'm busy with the paper that I’m supposed to prepare by Monday next week. And what make it worst, today I had meeting with my boss regarding that paper. So, last night, I had to crack my head tried very hard to come out with the main points and issues. Since I'm in the state of stress, my brain didn't work out. So, I just jotted down whatever I can and went to bed. This morning, I just informed my boss about it. He said I had unnecessary stress, because actually the information is available already, we just need to sit down and discuss. Argggghhh…but…Alhamdulilah.....what a relief!!!!. The meeting just takes about two hours. Then my boss will get it ready on Monday. This is what people said, two head better than one… hehehhe.

Well, as a muslim, I always belief the best way to overcome stress is by practicing Islamic way of life. In relation to the problems we face in life and the stresses we have to overcome, Allah has said “You will face calamities (distress/grief) as trial and not as punishment or torment. These trials aim at showing mankind as to who is the true believer, dedicated to the will of Allah”.

I still remember, when I was in the university, I always read Surah Al-Insyirah to reduce my stress during the exam fever. I always read the surah before I enter the exam hall and even before I start answer the exam question. Its really help!

[Inshirah 94:5] So indeed with hardship is ease.
[Inshirah 94:6] Indeed with hardship is ease.

Hylocereus undatus

I went to Semenggok Agriculture Research Centre few weeks ago. I managed to take some photo on Dragon fruit plants. The scientific name of Dragon fruit is Hylocereus undatus. This tropical fruit is also known as strawberry pear or pitaya/pitahaya. When I first see this plant, I guess it is a cactus. But when I read about it, it is actually a species of cactus. No wonder they look like sisters! The dragon fruits don’t have a sweet smell like other fruits. Its taste is very simple, a bit like the Kiwi fruit. Both dragon fruit and kiwi contains many seeds, which look like black sesame seeds. I still remember, about two years ago, during my sister wedding ceremony, she gave a bucket of fruits with one big dragon fruit to her fiancé as wedding gift (hantaran).

Semenggok Agriculture Research Centre

(http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/pages/la-woman.htm)

Here is the legend about dragon fruit;
The sensation surrounding this fabulous fruit can be attributed to a legend created by ingenious Asian marketers. According to the legend the fruit was created thousands of years ago by fire breathing dragons. During a battle when the dragon would breathe fire the last thing to come out would be the fruit. After the dragon is slain the fruit is collected and presented to the Emperor as a coveted treasure and indication of victory. The soldiers would then butcher the dragon and eat the flesh. It was believed that those who feasted on the flesh would be endowed with the strength and ferocity of the dragon and that they too would be coveted by the Emperor.
Quoted from (http://www.tropicalfruitnursery.com/dragon/index.htm)

Risotto vs Paella

Recently, a friend asked me about Risotto as a result of reading my blog on oryza sativa. But as far as I know, it is not a type of paddy or rice but a cooking style. I checked on the web the meaning of risotto as below;

(rih-SAW-toh) - Risotto is actually an Italian cooking technique used for native Italian rice, Arborio. This old world method involves stirring hot liquid little by little into the rice for about 20 minutes, which will create a dish unlike any other rice recipe you have tried. Risotto is prepared this way and served immediately to preserve the unique, gourmet texture of a very creamy sauce around al dente, pasta-like rice kernels. The center of rice cooking is in the Po Valley in the Northeastern corner of Italy. It is where the arborio rice is grown. It is considered the classic rice dish of Piedmont, Lombardy, and Veneto regions of Northern Italy.

I did tried Vegetarian Risotto when I was in Italy. But it’s different with our cooking style. It’s creamy and taste of olive oil. It’s a bit frustrated because at that time we are craving for rice, especially my mum. We have no time to cook, so it had been quiet sometimes for us not eating rice at that time. So, when we saw risotto served at the hotel, all of us very excited. But once we tasted it…we end up with one spoon only. It’s just not our food.

Talking about Risotto, its remind me also with a Spanish dish call Paella. It’s rice as well. When I was in Madrid, I went to eat Seafood Paella at Grand Via. Its better as compared to Risotto.

Firewood

Firewood warms you twice, once when you cut it, and once when you burn it!

I captured this phrase in one of the movie. Then i did my homework, and figure it out. I guess this phrase suits people in 4 seasons countries.

http://cambria.extension.psu.edu/nresources/heatingwood.htm
"The old saying that "firewood warms you twice" has once again been proven true by many this year. If you heat your home with wood, you know the work involved throughout the year and how "warm" you get while cutting, splitting and stacking firewood. You also know about the cozy warmth burning wood provides for your home all winter long."

Maal Hijrah

Happy Maal Hijrah to all! I hope its not to late to wish all my dear friends Happy New Year. Well, for me Hjrah is the new begining for me to start all over again whatever aims or goals that I had not been achieve so far. Well it pretty sad for not getting what you want but I think its normal for everyone. You won't always get what you want. Unless when I was a little boy, I can just scream out of loud asking for whatever toys or games that I want. Sometimes my parents won't buy my tactics if they think what I want is not reasoanable or right for me. But somehow I almost get it all.....heeheh what a terrible kid I was.

Well, as a new start, I will plan ahead what I'm suppose to do to realise my dream. What I wanted so badly is to further my study abroad. I had been trying since last year but its not on my side yet. But I guess, there's always blessing in disguise. Maybe I had more time to prepare myself for a challanging course or whatso call "Permanent head Damage".

I did ask one of my friends if he got any new resolution. He told me that he never had one.... emm is it possible?????. I don't know, what he meant by that but what I can say he might be just take life as it is. If there is any good opportunity, he just grab it. No need to set any goal or target...Yea..when I think about it, thats not a bad idea at all. Sometimes by setting target, its not a question it give you momentum or driving force to work on your target, but the beauty for not having one is that you won't get hurt. I mean, for sure you will feel dissapointed if you did't achieve your target. If you don't set any, you won't feel that bad.

Well, I guess..it merely up to you and you just know who you are. So, its not an issue for not having any new resolution or its not a must to have one.

Happy Maal Hijrah!!!!

Ethics

Today, I went to visit my aunty at Normah Medical Centre. She was admitted for the past few days. Being an old woman, her health is deteriorated especially after she broke her shoulder. She’s depressed when she become immobile. According to doctor, when she is in her depressing state, somehow her brain produce more chemical and the ageing process had been speed up. (any doctor?…help me with this!!!!)

According to doctor, the visitors also contribute to her stress. The visitor tend to chit chat something which is not positive. For e.g, “my neighbour also broke her shoulder, after few days she passed away”. You imagine, being sick and someone tell you this type of story…for sure you will be more stressed. Furthermore, old people are very sensitive. So that’s why in Islam, we have the ethics to be observed when visiting patients.

http://www.brunet.bn/news/pelita/25ogos/khutbah.htm
Ketika menziarahi orang sakit, terdapat beberapa adab-adab yang dianjurkan oleh Islam antaranya:

Pertama: Apabila kita menziarahi orang sakit, janganlah duduk terlalu lama kerana dikhuatiri boleh mengganggunya dan menghalang pergerakannya. Tetapi jika dengan ziarah itu boleh menenteramkan hatinya maka tidaklah makruh duduk lama di sisinya.

Kedua: Adalah elok bagi orang yang menziarahi orang sakit itu bertanya keadaannya sambil meletakkan tangannya di atas dahi atau tangan pesakit tersebut asalkan dilakukan tidak bertentangan dengan hukum syarak.

Ketiga: Jika orang yang sakit itu dalam keadaan tenat dan tidak boleh bercakap apa-apa, maka disunatkan bagi orang yang berziarah itu bertanya kepada ahli keluarga tentang keadaannya.

Keempat: Apabila berada di sisi orang sakit, maka disunatkan menyuruhnya bersabar dan hendaklah menyenangkan serta menenteramkan hatinya.

Kelima: Ketika menziarahi orang sakit atau-pun semasa berada di tempat lain pada bila-bila masa maka disunatkan mendoakan pesakit tersebut supaya lekas sembuh.

Keenam: Andai kata orang yang sakit itu dalam keadaan tenat, tiada harapan untuk sembuh atau dalam keadaan nazak (muhtadar), maka sunat bagi orang yang menziarahinya lebih-lebih lagi orang yang akrab dengan pesakit, mengajarkan atau mentalkinkan (membacakan) di telinganya kalimah 'Lailahaillallah' sekali sahaja. Kemudian diperhatikan keadaan pesakit itu, jika didapati ia di dalam keadaan tenat (mendengar apa yang diucapkan) maka dibiarkan dia iaitu tidak ditalkinkan lagi kalimah 'Lailahaillallah' itu. Walau bagaimanapun jika pesakit itu nampak menggelisah atau masih bercakap-cakap atau menuturkan perkara-perkara lain selain daripada kalimah tauhid maka diulangi lagi talkin tersebut sekali lagi, mudah-mudahan matinya nanti diakhiri dengan menyebut kalimah 'Lailahaillallah' sebagaimana hadis Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam yang maksudnya:

"Dari Muaz bin Jabal ia berkata, sabda Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam: Barangsiapa yang akhir kalamnya 'Lailahaillallah' maka ia kana dimasukkan ke dalam Syurga.'' (Riwayat Al-Imam Abu Daud).

Ketujuh: Sunat dibacakan di sisi orang yang hampir meninggal dunia itu Surah Yaasiin sebagaimana juga disunatkan membaca Surah Ar-Ra'd.

One more think that I learn today is how to be a good son. When I saw my cousin entertain their mum nicely, it makes me INSAF. I hope that I will be able to handle my parents with full of caring when they are getting old (it is not easy to deal with old people, need to be patience). They always sacrifice for their kids but we as kids sometimes take them for granted.

tenualosa toil

Emm…today is Tuesday; just follow the normal rhythm ( for this semester)…finished lecture at 6 pm. So just got back and now try to relax for a while by writing my blog. Emm, smell good from the kitchen, my mum prepared for dinner and I’m busy in front of the computer. What a good son…!!!! (guy should be at the kitchen as well…huhuhhhu).

Whoa, my mum fried my favourite clupeid fish, Ikan terubuk (the very Sarawak fish ..hehehe). Ikan terubok is a very famous here in Sarawak. In fact last night at the dinner with the guests from Semanjung, they told me that they had arranged a trip to Satok to buy Ikan terubok masin. Thats the best thing to be brought back.


Anyway, Ikan terubuk or known as tenualosa toil is considered as the economic and cultured fish in Sarawak. Before, this species can be found in a large number in Sarawak estuaries. But the concern is that the scenario had changed because it is currently undergone a dramatic decline. I cannot imagine that I wouldn’t find any ikan terubuk in the market one day!!!!

oryza sativa

Hi, just want to share the photos that I took on the way back from uni. The road is pretty ease, no vehicles as usually because it Sunday. Noon time people usually at home enjoy lunch with family. I’m pretty late for lunch by the way, its 2 pm.

I dropped on the shoulder of the road and took a few shot of paddy field. It catches my eyes with all those plastic bags hanging cross over the field. Looks lively though.

Paddy or the scientific name, oryza sativa is the oldest agriculture activity in our country. One of the common pests that attack padi when it is in reproductive stage is sparrow, or what is knows as burung pipit. That’s the reason why the farmers put all those colouful plastic bags in order to scared the birds. The traditional method is using scarecrow but the birds seem so clever and not scared of a limited number of scarecrow. By putting all this plastic bags, which moving left and right, it will chase the birds away. But still it won’t stop the birds to steal the paddy, its only can reduce the attack. Ohh…bye the way, I forget to mention that paddy field usually have been attacked both from the air and on the land as well. Birds from the air, and rats will be on the land.

My late grandpa used to tell me, just let the birds eat, because that’s their food. They won’t eat all. It is kind of sadaqah to God creation, makhluk Allah.

Responsibility

Fuhh, what a busy week. I won’t have my weekend this week..uwaawaaa. Since we are going to organize Seminar and Exhibition on 31 January, being in the committee will keep myself busy all the way till the event. So tomorrow and Sunday I will be in the university to run the errand.

This is all about responsibility and being responsible. I guess each and every one of us should accomplish whatever task given and agreed on. Infact in Islam, responsibility for both men and women is a well-developed theme in the Quran.

The leaders who work most effectively, it seems to me, never say "I." And that's not because they have trained themselves not to say "I." They don't think "I." They think "we"; they think "team." They understand their job to be to make the team function. They accept responsibility and don't sidestep it, but "we" gets the credit…. This is what creates trust, what enables you to get the task done.
Peter Drucker

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
Abraham Lincoln

You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of.
Jim Rohn

Wing

Yummy....roasted chicken wing always my favourite...top 5 in the chart. Even my mum said, one day i might be able to fly coz wing lunatic. I do fly...flying with MAS...heheh. Emm..speaking of witch, chicken....remind me of few proverb..

"The turtle lays thousands of eggs without anyone knowing, but when the hen lays an egg, the whole country is informed."
- Malaysian Proverb

"Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow."
- Italian Proverb

"If you were born lucky, even your rooster will lay eggs."
- Russian Proverb


p/s Don't chicken out...heheh

Manner

National campaign to promote courtesy and good values…wow a pretty hot issue right now. Well, I’m the number one supporter to this campaign coz it’s a good idea indeed. Not to say other people, but me myself sometimes forget how to be civilized towards my same species that so call homo sapiens. Imagine when people serve you with sincere smile and get atrocious face in return…or when they greet you a very good morning and you just let them talked to unresponsive statue… ergghh…..I regret it all…

Personally I think all of us should work hand in hand to re- imposed the courtesy and good values in each of individuals…which seem tarnishing from time too time. I always remind my students as well to be proud of being polite and civilized people on earth…so at the same times the reminder goes to me as well. We don’t want that the new generations to perpetuate these rude, obnoxious and vile manners and, if left unchecked, will soon be the new norm.

In fact, as Muslim we should realized that Islamic teachings required us to observe the manners (adab) of Islam such as courtesy, politeness, friendliness, helpfulness and the likes when we carry out our day to day life. Something to ponder!!!

"to cut is to cure"

The latest book that I had read was Flashback by Michael Palmer. I just finished a few hours ago. Micheal Palmer is one of my favourite author. I enjoyed reading his novels such as The Patient, Extreme Measure, Natural Causes, Silent Treatment etc.

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This is the review

http://www.allreaders.com/Topics/info_8765.asp?BSID=12139460

Toby Nelms is a innocent, average eight-year-old boy. He has to have a operation, but it was routine. He's gone home, to terror. He has nightmares of the operation, while he's awake, recalling every horrifying detail. Slowly, he retreats into his own world, not eating or speaking. Dr. Zack Iverson has come home to work at his older brother's hospital. One of his first cases is Toby. Zack is intrigued by the boy, and becomes convinced that he is reliving the operation, that he wasn't properly anesthetized. But as Toby gets worse, Zack knows he has to find out what is happening. Before Toby, or someone else dies. Megan, Resident Scholar

Colourful lights

I’m back! The Eid ul Adha celebration was good. I had the joyous festive this time….feel like Eid ul Fitri. In Sarawak, Eid ul Fitri always the real one as compared to Eid ul Adha.
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Umm, I would like to talk about the light. It might be different scenario in Semenanjung. The colourful lights will flashed from the muslim house in Sarawak. It is kind of a must for Muslim society in Sarawak to have the colourful lights on as the signed of celebrating the festive. Personally I think it is quite stimulating and give you better raya spirit…hehehe. Even this is the third day, our house still keep the colourful lights flashing. My dad will switch off before going to bed. Emmm, just wait for the electricity bill end of the month…

Eid ul Adha

HAPPY EID UL ADHA

-maaf zahir batin-

Have a blessing Eid with your family.

May ALLAH bless us!!

@@@@@@@@@

Allah is great, Allah is great,
Allah is great
There is no God save Allah,
To him belongs all praise,
Allah is the greatest,
All praise is due to him,
And glory to Allah
Eventide and in the morning,
There is no God save Allah the unique,
He has fulfilled His promise,
And made victorious His servant,
Made mighty His soldiers,
And defeated the confederates,
There is no God save Allah,
He alone we worship,
With sincere and exclusive devotion,
Even though the idolaters hate it,
Our Lord please have mercy on our Prophet Muhammad,
And on the family of our Prophet Muhammad,
And on the companions of our Prophet Muhammad,
And on the helpers of our Prophet Muhammad,
And on the wives of our Prophet Muhammad,
And on the progeny of our prophet Muhammad,
And bestow upon them much peace.

With this saying, Muslims start their festive day, the festive day of Sacrifice (Eidul adha) glorifying Allah, praising him of his blessing on Muslims.

Winter melon

Emm.....do you know winter melon? This oriental fruit is famous among Chinese with the name of Tong Qwa. Even some people call it with the name of Chinese Winter Melon. It’s a crawling plant, fruiting on vine just like pumpkin. The scientific name of winter melon is Benincasa Hispida. You know, even though my mum always prepared Chinese meal, but we never have winter melon. For Chinese people, winter melon is good for soup and often served at Chinese banquet

Winter Melon Soup
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup winter melon (1/2 pound)*+
2 cups chicken broth
4 Chinese dried black mushrooms
2 - 3 slices ginger
Salt and pepper to taste
1 green onion, sliced diagonally into three pieces
Water to boil winter melon

Wash the winter melon, remove the green skin, seeds, and the pulp. Cut into 2-inch pieces. Place the winter melon in a pot of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for approximately 20 minutes or until the winter melon is tender.Add the chicken broth, mushrooms, ginger, green onions, Add seasonings as desired. Simmer for about 20 minutes. Add green onion for garnish. Serve hot.


Ohh…by the way, you can find a drink with winter melon flavour, a pack drink or even a can drink. It is not bad..I mean the drink itself, you can try it at home!!! The end of last year, when I went to Sabah for paper presentation, I took the opportunity to go for holiday as well (just a matter of extend a few days stay !!).... together with my parents, my aunty and two younger sisters. This is what people said as " killing two birds with one stone" <*wink>. When we were in Kundasang ( Highland), I saw the farmer sold the winter melons. It was the first time ever I saw the real winter melon or "Buah Kundur" and my Kedahan friend pronounced it as "Buah Kunduq"....hahahh.

There was lots of pumpkin (cucurbita pepo) too. I saw different kind of pumpkin before. In the Western countries (especially when approaching Halloween night), you can find it easily in food store. But the pumpkin over there is different as compared to Malaysian pumpkin. The shape and even the colour are different.

Ananas comosus

Last week my research assistant took a weird photo of pineapple at the farm nearby. Out of one pineapple, there are many pineapples branch out at the crown and also at the bottom.

The owner calls it Ghost Pineapple or Nanas Hantu. According to him, some people offer good price for that fruit/s. I see it as a beautiful plant…..hehehe! But on second thought, what if it is really Ghost Pineapple….eeeeeeeee!!!!
Anyway, there should be an explanation from Horticulturist.

Bereavement

It’s raining again…early Sunday morning. After subuh, I just chat with some friends. Around 8.15 am, I received a phone call from my close friend. He informed me about his dad, passed away at 8 am. Innalilah….!!!!! He was attacked by stroke for the second time and what worst is he got hemorrhaged in his brain.

I didn’t know what to say to him, and he just refused to talk further. So, what can I think of is saying condolence to him and asked him to be patience. From ALLAH we come and to him we return….

I know him since we were in secondary school and we also went to same university abroad. It just when he got married last year, we don’t really go out anymore. He’s busy with his family life which I envy most …..But sure we do still keep in touch.

The last time I met his dad about a year ago, during his wedding. His condition is considered ok after the first attack even he was paralyzed half of his body.

Emm…Its reminds me of what people said, “life is InsyaAllah and dead is definite”. So, we pray that he will be placed among the believers!

-AL FATIHAH -

Custard Apple?

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I'm not sure what fruit is this, it might be custard apple (Annona reticulata) or known as buah nona. But it taste a bit like soursop (Annona muricata). Is it a hybrid of Custard apple and soursop?

Anyway...its my favourite..creamy taste!!!

A murky day

Since last night, it’s raining. I think some area; low land area might be flooding. In fact went I drove home this afternoon, the road is clogging with water. It seems the drainage system can not managed the large volume of rainwater. Well, thinking of it I feel bless, as compared to some countries draught all year long. So, who are we to complain?

But I still don’t prefer rainy day because it makes me sad…gloomy somehow. Here is the poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow :-

The Rainy Day

The day is cold, and dark, and dreary
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
The vine still clings to the mouldering wall,
But at every gust the dead leaves fall,
And the day is dark and dreary.

My life is cold, and dark, and dreary;
It rains, and the wind is never weary;
My thoughts still cling to the mouldering Past,
But the hopes of youth fall thick in the blast,
And the days are dark and dreary.

Be still, sad heart! and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

I should hide myself under the blanket…..hibernation during the rainy day..heheheh

Sleeping beauty?

It was raining cats and dogs this morning. Yeyeye.. that means I don't have to supervise the students. No way to do the practical on the field at this weather. Lazy me aaa.....but the students like it very much coz they can crawl back to bed. I don't know why it is so good to be on bed, under the blanket when it is morning rain. Just makes you lazy like a full python.

Talking about sleep, I used the sleep like baby, all 9 hours long…..heheheh. So usually I go to bed early. But it is no longer my routine. I try to reduce to 6-7 hours, its quality not quantity matters. Try to act like normal adult.hehehe! But it just my habit, I didn't stay up at night when I was in university. I'm a morning person, wake up early and start my day early. For me it’s the same thing or much better as compared if stay up at night and couldn't attend the lecture in the morning.

I had read that “sleep is a physiological state characterised by the loss of consciousness and a very marked slowing of the various functions of the mind and body”. When u sleep, you will experience 3 phases of sleep; falling to sleep, deep sleep and dreaming. The most productive sleep is during the deep sleep cycle. These 3 phases is repeated every 8 hours. So sleep for just about 3 hours has better restorative benefits

Domestic violence

Last week I was helping my sister with her paper for the conference at UTM Skudai. It is on domestic violence. What captured my attention was the case study on one of her respondent. What a poor victim. When I first read the case, I just couldn't believe it’s really happen. Well, its not that appropriate to go on detail here. What I can highlight is that the respondent used to beaten up by her crazy husband and emotionally torched for almost 14 years. From time to time her husband’s tantrum getting worst. At last she decided to make a report and end the meaningless marriage. The trigger is after her husband keep threaten to rape their daughter.

According to my sister, "the silent culture" among Malaysian women makes them prone to be a victim. But it is ashamed for men to lay a hand to women. It is clearly stated in Koran and hadith.

Allah (swt) instructs us in the Qur'an:

"...Live with them on a footing of kindness and equity. If you dislike them it may be that you dislike something in which Allah has placed a great deal of good" (Qur'an 4:19).

This is reinforced in the following sayings of Prophet Mohammed

Narrated Mu'awiyah al-Qushayri: I went to Allah's Apostle and asked him: "What do you say (command) about our wives?" He replied: "Give them food what you have for yourself, and clothe them by which you clothe yourself, and do not beat them, and do not revile them." (Sunan Abu Dawud: Book 11, Number 2139).


Pray to ALLAH that I will be a good husband if I have my own family. Emmm…don’t asked further question…don’t know when will I get married ok! Heheheheh

Last Breath

Check this out!!!! One of my favourite nasyeed, Last breath by Ahmed Bukhatir
http://www.sparklywater.com/files/flash/lastbreath.swf

Here's the lyrics;

From those around I hear a Cry,
A muffled sob, a Hopeless sigh,
I hear their footsteps leaving slow,
And then I know my soul must Fly!
A chilly wind begins to blow,
within my soul, from Head to Toe,
And then, Last Breath escapes my lips,
It's Time to leave. And I must Go!
So, it is True (But it's too Late)
They said: Each soul has its Given Date,
When it must leave its body's core,
And meet with its Eternal Fate.
Oh mark the words that I do say,
Who knows? Tomorrow could be your Day,
At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell
Decide which now, Do NOT delay !
Come on my brothers let's pray
Decide which now, Do NOT delay !
Oh God! Oh God! I cannot see !
My eyes are Blind! Am I still Me
Or has my soul been led astray,
And forced to pay a Priceless Fee
Alas to Dust we all return,
Some shall rejoice, while others burn,
If only I knew that before
The line grew short, and came my Turn!
And now, as beneath the sod
They lay me (with my record flawed),
They cry, not knowing I cry worse,
For, they go home, I face my God!
Oh mark the words that I do say,
Who knows, Tomorrow could be your Day,
At last, it comes to Heaven or Hell
Decide which now, Do NOT delay !
Come on my brothers let's pray
Decide which now, do not delay ....

This link is given by my friend. When I first listened to this song, personally i think it is different from other nasyheed coz it some how creates a mix feeling. ( sedih & takut ??)

When I start digest the lyric, I found its a good reminder to me as a Muslim. One big question lingering in my mind.... if I’m going to face ALLAH at this moment am I ready. Will my good deeds outweigh my bad deeds? When I think about death, it makes me scared. Even I know that as a Muslim, death is not something to be feared, although it is obviously makes people sad. As what Ruqaiyyah Masqsood quoted in her book, World Faiths: ISLAM....life is God's Gift, and the length of one's life is His grant.

Pray to Allah that all of us will return to HIM in the best state of Iman. Ameen

Can I call myself a blogger?

Assalamualikum....jus feel wan to have a blog. Maybe to cure my boredom.....as what had been said "the cure of boredom is curiosity". Umm...so let me explore..... what is d beauty of having one. I guess it kind of one having something to turn to if u have nothing to do. So u can write and share with anonymous whatever u feel to write. Thats what i think so far..let u know if i can think of something else!

Uhh...better stop here. 10.47 pm..time to sleep >>>>>"sleep tight, don’t let the bedbugs bite"...."Eat hearty, sleep tight, and pleasant dreams to you"....."Sleep tight and wake bright"....ok, dun forget to wash ur feet and say the prayer before u sleep. Eeerrr..check the steps below...it might be good for u. It did work for me...seldom have a nightmare.


=read the last three Surahs of the Qu’ran (Qul-Huwallah, Qul-A’udhu Bi Rabbil Falaq, Qul-A’udhu Bi Rabbin Nas) then blow on both hands and wipe the hands all over the body (starting from the face and front of the body). This should be done thrice. (Bukhari)
=Ayatul Kusri should also be read. (Bukhari)

=Then Recite:
Allâhumma bismika amütu wa ahya.

O Allah, with Your name I die and live. (Bukhari)