A day of “spiritual cleansing”

Tuesday early morning lecture is one of my favourite where we learned and talked about all kind of philosophies and general issues of the world which typically centralize more on education. Yesterday’s lecture was a bit of an eye opener for me where about when he told us a true experiential story about a philosopher cum poem writer. The writer was a great and well-known personage where he never is lack of any ideas in putting up his writings though it occurs that at one particular moment, he just went totally blank and couldn’t think of anything to write at all. He was basically stumped! He thought it was just those ordinary happenings of shortcoming loss however he continues to have no notion at all on what to do for quite a long time. And this has discouraged him big time.

Eventually, he turns to his close friend who happens to be my lecturer and expressed out his frustration and pain. My lecturer is a kind of person who likes to study and dig’s in a lot of issues with regards to education specifically in religious studies. Hence, I would say that his mind contains vast and diverse knowledge.

Let’s just call my lecturer, Ustaz so to say easy for me to actually address him in this story of mind :) And so, when Ustaz had hear his (poem writer) deep sorrow of losing his magic touch, Ustaz immediately suggested him to cleanse his inner sole, in other words spiritual cleansing by following what our Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. had done before during Isra’ Mikraj (I hope I got this right) where Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. had asked Allah for guidance. He prayed and invoked every moment until Allah eventually showed him what to do.

Dalam erti kata lain, Ustaz menyuruh ia bertaubat, sembahyang minta petunjuk, mukhasabah diri, sentiasa ingat kan Allah. Apa-apa kebaikan yang ketani ada di dunia ani semuanya datang dari Allah jua and hence minta lah kepadanya dan berdoa, sesungguhnya Allah maha mendengar dan maha mengasihani. Tidak akan ia menduga manusia dengan dugaan yang tidak dapat tertanggung oleh manusia. Dan apa-apa keburukan atu semuanya datang dari ketani sendiri, jadi carilah kebenaran dan kesedaran diri sendiri. InsyaAllah akan ada petunjuknya.

And in time, he did what was recommended as he himself was ashamed of why he could forget such important thing in life. Thus, he prayed and prayed and invoked every single day until in the end he finally got it! He was able to write up again like he used to be and is full of ideas!

From that, I’ve learned to look at my inner self and be thankful for everything. During these past weeks starting of with studying, my mind’s boggled and can’t even think straight on how to do about my assignments and as a result whining most of the time on how the heck was I ever going to do things which are not in my field at all. But since the lecture, I repent, and realized how low and ungrateful I had been. And now, Alhamdulillah, bits by bits things are going its way fittingly with a little effort and of course faith. Always believe in god’s will! It’s up to you on how you choose your path in life but always turn to Allah for guidance.

A day of stress

What have I got myself into? That was the only thing that I can think of when I got hold of the subject registration form on my first day of enrolling back into university after such a very long time! It has been exactly 18 days of being a student. And already there are about 7 assignments to get done in a month and a half’s time. I seriously am in a deep dilemma of how to get about in doing all these things, honestly speaking, I felt like all the bricks of the world being dumped on me and I don’t know how I’ll be able to get up. Help! *sigh*

I can understand why student has to complain about having to study and do exams all the time, but trust me guys and girls, it’s way much better for you to be where you are right now which is in school coz you’ll face much stressful matter as to where I am right now which is in university. Not that I’m complaining, which is what I’m doing now, also apart from that I’m thankful and grateful of having the chance but it’s just sometimes you feel that what you’re doing is not the thing for you and entirely has nothing to do with you. And that can make you feel upset and unmotivated to go on. And that’s when all unnecessary complaint of little bits and pieces come out of your mind.

Nevertheless, I still have to go forward, not that I have a choice for that matter... and what had actually kept me going is just to put my mindset to believe that there must be a reason for being where I am today but it’s just a matter of time for me to know what the blessing in disguise is. Till then, I just have to have patience. Pray and just try my best, do what is possible and believe that there must be a light somewhere at the end of the tunnel. When you think that it’s going to be the end of world it could be the time when all the great things eventually crawl out. Amin!

P/S: I’m now in a state where I just feel like blabbering out and letting out my tension hence, my post this time might be in an incoherent manner. Though, now I feel a bit better :)

A day of a dreamer

Had watched this show on TV where an actor whose age is around the mid 40’s was being interviewed. He was asked about what he wants in a woman or what he actually look for in a woman as to why he was still unattached considering his later age.

His reply can hardly ever be heard coming from a guy that surprises everyone on the show. He said that he wants to find a woman that he will fell in love with in just 3 seconds from the first encounter. He even learns to become a barrister so that he could actually made nice coffee for his whoever future wife/girlfriend …. The first thing that comes in mind was that… “ada jua laki-laki cemani ani di dunia ani” I seriously thought it was just in movies, but apparently there are those kind of people out there. People who actually believe in love at first sight…

Do you think it's really worth it when you're practically wasted half your life for something that might not actually ensue?

I personally thinks its romantic but I do really doubt it when it comes to risking in believing something that is unrealistic sometimes but nevertheless, to each its own … *sigh*

A day of chit chat’s

I never thought that this day would come where I actually manage to get some time off to continue writing up my post. I really can’t figure it out till now why do I feel that this time of year fly by so fast and there are still so many unfinished things to be done at a short period of time. Kadang-kadang kan bernafas atu pun nada masa rasanya. That bad!

What really pushed me to open up my computer and steadily typing is the idea that I’ve gotten from chit chatting with few acquaintances at my time of boredom. In other words, you can call it as “gossiping” *grin* I guess that’s what bored people normally do lah ah :P nada keraja sebenarnya...

Well, we’ve talked about CHANGES! It’s specifically about how people change from ordinary to being extraordinary :P Changing your attitude from being an introvert to an extrovert. Changing your hairstyle from having no hair to loads of hair. Changing your fashion style from simple to over the top. Changing your way of talking from not much, to too much and the list just goes on and on, on how people change and we contemplate whether these changes were good or bad for the individual.

Well, there are times when we don’t realize that what we do, how we act, how we present ourselves in terms of appearances, stance and communicating are being watched by other people. I always say that I don’t care what others think of me coz I know who I really am but seriously who am I kidding? People’s observations or judgements sometimes do affect our lives, both for better or worse. We can’t stop other’s perceptions on us and you might be surprise of the assumptions being made of you regardless whether it’s true or not. Your actions in fact are the one that reflect yourself without even you realising it. People might think that the changes you’ve made on yourself might not be the best thing for you where else you think likewise.

Hitherto, if you were to hear comments about your adjustments, I guess it’s better to just accept it and tolerate it with an open mind coz as ironic as it may sound those busybody people are the one who tends to be the best analyser as well as being a good witness in seeing the distinct changes in you and then they‘re the ones that would honestly tell you straight in the eyes whether it’s a bad thing or a good thing. Why? It’s merely because they have nothing to loose.

Though, you can also take it in a positive way in which if people are observant in everything you do just think of yourself as a role model :) Meaning to say, you’re interesting to see *grin* hence, if you do a little bit out of the ordinary, others around you will easily recognize and in the end will realize the real reasons of your makeover. It’s without a doubt tough to comprehend, as you really have to take care of whatever you are apt to perform. But still, this will help you to be a better person indirectly.

Despite everything, I believe that people have the right to change how they want to be, provided that it’s to the better. Besides, one's is responsible for its own life. Apapun, kalau mengubah diri atu yang penting mestilah ada nawaitu yang baik. And whatever it is, if you want to change, change because you want to be better for yourself not to be better than others. Never forget who you really are and never ever forget where you come from just because your life gets better. Always remember that whatever you do, do for the good of yourselves and for others. Do not regularly sing your own praises as they are things better kept left unsaid and not shown as people will eventually realize the goodness. Be moderate as life’s not to compete but to live it merrily!

A day of new resolution

Finally!! I have the chance to write up my first post for this year and it’s already the first week of February. Wow, time really does fly so fast, pejam, celik, pejam, celik it’s already 2009!

It’s really hard to believe that another year had gone by and it feels like there’s still a lot of things that had been left unfinished and yet to be started. *sigh* though I have to say 2008 is one of the most memorable year for me, lots of ups and down and unforgettable moments.

Year 2008, though there’s some sad and hardship point in time, I tend to just forget what ever is past and never dwell of whatever heart rending matter but always consider the best and finest things that happen.

Let me see...the days in two zero zero eight; the most cherished ones would be the 14th of April 2008 *grin* where I received the best birthday present ever that is my forever so wonderful beautiful niece, Lya Marissa. She was born the same day I was born, well, technically, the same date with different year of course :P Her birth was a blissful matter for us as she was the first grandchild for both my parents and the first niece for me and my brother :) Other than that, last year had also brought together the so called “Ahli Mesyuarat Negara”, time spend with all of you are one of the best and joyful ever. Laughter and tears shared will always be remembered and hopefully that we could sustain the friendship till the end. I love you all with all the goodness and flaws that you guys have and that what makes each and everyone of you special in your own way and this makes our friendships unique. I thank you all for all the love and support given. You guys have and will always be a part of my life, though we are drifting apart but let’s just put it in a positive way where all of us has our own things to deal in the midst of our days, and with any luck our friendships will be the way it is until death do us part. Insyaallah :) New bond of friendship has also been made along with the rekindle of old ones as well as the discoveries of new journeys and experiences and this made the year 2008 more exceptional than always. In addition to that, I had also received the best end of year present from my students of Form 3 where they had achieved my subject with flying colours and I am so proud of you all. Thank you for putting your best efforts in studying and keep it up all the time!

If I were to put in all the memorable moments, inda cukup sehari kan bercerita, as there are 365 days in a year and yes among those days, some seconds of each day, for me there were always happy things to be remembered..So hence, above said are just parts of the beautiful things that happen in 2008 *grin*

Now comes a new year, it’s a norm for most people to have a new resolution. However for me, it’s always been the same, whatever happens throughout my life, I am always thankful for whatever comes to pass and forever grateful that I appear to be alive to this point though honestly speaking, I have always been afraid of what’s going to happen in the future. Yet, what I do keep in mind always is to just seize the day with confident and always try to have a positive mind (hardest thing to do) and do not let any obstacle swathe your way to be happy and content with yourself. Pray that you’ll be able to endure come what may. Live your life to the fullest, and if hard things surpasses you just take it slowly, breathe it in and always believe that things happen for a reason. Never ask for things to be easier but always try and ask yourself to better. Your future is yours to create, never set limits to what you want to achieve, always think that you can even if you reached to the point where you want to give up, cry if you want, just don’t quit as good things will eventually happen at the end of the day. Believe and have faith in yourselves. Dare to think unthinkable thoughts! *grin* Sound lame...yes, sound naive...yes, sound easy said than done, hell yes...but whatever it is, up to you in creating your own path of life. Greater things in life don’t come easy, without any efforts put in you will not get what living really means. Strive to be all you can be and wheresoever you go, go with all your heart and sooner or later things will go how you want it to be.

And as time, days and years passes by and things happening, never look what you’ve lost but always look at what you’ve got and cherish it especially your friends and family. To all, I wish you all the best and a prosperous year ahead. Semoga dipanjangkan umur and dimurahkan rezeki senantiasa! Amin! :)

Overall, the beginning of this New Year has already started its course and loads of things had already happen, we just have to drive forward with our seat belt on and never look back! Happy New Year peeps!

A day of joyful retreat (DAY 4 & 5)

*DAY 4*

Last day to spend in Bangkok, we decided to just do our last minute shopping the whole day. We started off late around 10 as we had already planned out earlier the day before as we thought that we might not need a lot of time for shopping but just lazing free, grab whatever we see and want. First shop we went was “Big C”. It’s a well known shop for Bangkok where it has a lot of branches everywhere in the city; we went to the largest one. It can be describe as the “Giant” or “Carrefour” version of Malaysia.

About an hour and half, we headed to MPK mall again as there were things that we weren’t able to get the first time we came. I think we spend the longest in this mall, about three to four hours! Don’t ponder your mind about whatever I’m doing for those three hours! You can never imagine and understand :P

Then we went to PRATUNAM. It’s one of the largest market streets in Bangkok. We didn’t spend much time at this place as it was hot and too pack of people. So we just browse through the market about an hour or so or maybe less.

Food stalls & Hawkers found along most of Bangkok streets

Lastly we went to TESCO. I always love Tesco! The best supermarket ever, to me lah ah hehe.. They sell everything macam Giant but wider range of selections. And it’s cheaper and affordable. We mainly buy the fruits in Tesco; do you know that the fruits are overly way too cheap in Bangkok then in Brunei? Very! I bought myself few boxes of cherries which only cost a dollar plus (Brunei) about two hundred baths if I’m not mistaken, imagine in Brunei a box cost seven dollars at least!

Done with our shopping, we headed back to our hotel before 5 as to avoid the inevitable the worst ever traffic jam!

Our last night in Bangkok, we had dinner in one of the Arabian Muslim restaurant nearby. It was delish! Then we decided to walk at the streets nearby our hotel where markets and stalls were set up every night. And I finally get to see the baby elephant up close as it was passing by, though I nearly jump as it held up its trunk. Cute, but I was scared not because of myself but because of the food I was holding. We had takeaway Kebab for our snacks, no way I’m going to give in to the elephant :P

I had the most scrumptious Kebab that night before going off to Dream land :) I feel a bit saddened that we’re going back to Brunei the next day though I miss home. I just have to keep faith that I’m coming back again next time to finish up the travel and living *sigh*

*DAY 5*

Waking up, mixed feeling swim through this head of mind. Leaving Bangkok and going home. Sad but happy! Nothing much to do, had breakfast, finished up with our packing, check out then straight to the airport.

We were very thankful at Wei for his guide and all. He was very nice and polite till the end; he even gave us his number for future services. We were delighted with his offer and tell him that one day we will call him up, if ever! :)

As hours pass by, I was already at the gate waiting to board the plane then itu ini finally landed safely in Brunei near to the evening.

All in all, I have to say my holiday trip to Bangkok as one of the most exciting, joyous and knowledgeable journey for me. And I can definitely picture myself coming back again :) Anyone care to join me? *grin*

A day of joyful retreat (DAY 3)

*DAY 3*

The third day in Bangkok we decided to have an itinerary full of visiting and discovering the inner famous part of Bangkok. Not to shopping malls but to interesting and attractive places.

Up early in the morning, had breakfast then at 9.30a.m.without delay we went with of course our driver Mr. Wei to the famous “floating market” of Thailand. In my mind, it’ll be in the Bangkok city but I was wrong! It was really quite a travel to the place call “DAMNERNSADUAK”. I had the opportunity to take a long nap in the van as the journey truly took us more than an hour. I just realized along the way it was actually out of Bangkok city and located in one of the villages in Thailand.

As we arrived to the place said, it still amazed me how Thailand people greeted people as if we were precious treasure to them. Have not even step our foot out of the vehicle, they’re already standing outside waiting to greet and to lead us the way. Of all the places in the world I’ve travelled so far Bangkok has the most courteous way of welcoming tourists I must say. You felt really warm in a sense and well at ease. We were hailed by a young lady that guides us to another guy who then led us to a big whiteboard where he basically explains a route map of where we’re going on boat. Basically showing us what we’re going to come across and some short stops mainly for attraction visits along the way to the floating market. After the brief explanation, we then paid our ticket for the ride. The boat looks like a ‘temuai’ of Temburong. The only difference is the sizes where it’s bigger and seats are spacious and comfortable plus a rooftop but with open sides and also of course a bigger engine.

The boat

As we load into the boat and being well-seated, we were given a fresh coconut as a welcoming drink and our pictures were taken. I don’t really understand at first why pictures, but later then I’ll tell you *grin* When everything done, we were set to go. I felt like a ride to Kampong Ayer. You can never imagine how overjoyed I felt at that time. Without even reaching the market yet I already felt the journey was worth while.

Welcoming drink

Our first stop was to a coconut sugar farm. The entrance is quite lovely with a few archways of flower and leaves standing along the pebble path as entering the farm. It was only a small area shaded by big zinc rooftop where it’s divided into two large spaces. One space is for selling and presenting the souvenirs and one for the so-called open air traditional kitchen where they cook the coconut and then dry it into sugar. The place is basically surrounded by coconut trees. It’s like being in a Malaysian Kampong area. After listening to the “sugar chef” about how the sugar (macam gula Melaka usulnya but lighter in colour) are made, we got to have free coconut sugar drink. It was sooooo sweet! Kalau taruh banyak ais nyaman lagi tu! I didn’t manage to finish up mine. We got to purchase a packet of the sugar to bring back. The Thai’s normally use the sugar to make their salad’s e.g. papaya salad or mango salad/kerabu as you called it.

The Coconut Sugar Farm (Surrounding & Entrance)

The Sugar & Its Cooking Method

Then, we continue back to the boat and prolong with our journey. But then, as we were moving along the trail, there were small shops selling souvenirs as well at the side, some of them did pull our boat to their side to offer us with their goods. The best thing about buying at small markets like these especially most shops in Thailand is that we can bargain our way in having a very good price. It’ll take a while, but at the end they normally give in to the customers *grin*

Small Souvenir shops along the way

After going through a lot of the small shops, we finally reach where the real market. Most of the goods that being sold are fruits, traditional food, bags, and hand made souvenirs in their small sampan with them paddling and some at the side! I noticed that most are women and quite an age, meaning ranging around the twenties to even the sixties senior citizen. I was astounded by how hard working the Thai people are. I come to realize that these people will work their heads off until they can able to withstand themselves no matter how old they are.

Floating Market

Some of the goods sold

Model of terminator (made of metal) found along the way

Subsequently, we went back to the registration place where we first arrive. When we reach the arrival, we were shown a small plate with our pictures that had been taken earlier. It was striking with my picture of course :P , kidding! But yeah, I was flabbergasted to see how fast they manage to set up the picture plate swiftly. However, it wasn’t free, they actually selling the plates with our picture on it! Pandai banar orang Thailand ani buat business though they didn’t ask permission for taking the pictures. They also did not force us to buy it unless we want to. But seriously, inda jua dapat di tolak tu, muka diri dalam piring ah! Boleh! Yeah we bought it! *sigh* at least it’s evidence that we’ve been to the floating market! Hahaha.... If you ever saw the movie ‘Pesona Nan Grata’ or “Nang Nak”, then you’ll have a clear picture of how the floating market villages look like, its exactly the same.

Next on our itinerary, is to watch the crocodile show. It took 40 minutes to reach where the show is and we arrived just in time for the next show. Bought tickets, we went straight in, it was like a zoo. It wasn’t just crocodiles that can be found in the place, I saw tiger, leopard, parrots, snakes and chimpanzees, in their own cages obviously. You can actually pay up to take pictures with all this animals, but as brave as I am, I could never have the gut to actually stand still beside a leopard or tiger or let alone a lion! Wild imaginations floating in my mind kali masa atu, like it can spring to us anytime with their claw and sharp teeth! Nauzubillah... The crocodile show was stressful to see bukan apa, beri kambang bulu meliat! We didn’t get to see it till the end coz we were already tired of shouting and feeling scared for the crocodile keepers who keep on putting their heads and hand within the crocodile's sharp teeth. We had enough of half an hour torture of looking at the actions!! Unexplainable!

The Crocodile show

We went out and just check out at the souvenir shops in which most selling bags and other stuff of crocodile skins! Stress...stress...they play with it and yet they scrap their skin! We headed out of to our car and continue with our journey back to the city where we asked Wei to just send us off to a muslim restaurant to have our really late lunch at the amidst of the city about 15 minutes to our hotel.

At half past 5 we went back to our hotel to pray and rest up to get back our energy for the evening schedule.

Besides the floating market, the night’s programme is also one of the most unforgettable one for me where I have gotten to watch a cultural show at “SIAM NIRAMIT”. It has the highest stage in the world and one of the best and must see theatre show in Thailand. I have this interest in getting to know other culture if I travel to places, so you can not imagine how thrilled I was to see the show.

The seating of the theatre itself is so huge where it can fit over 1000 people. The stage is true as it was said to be, high and large. The theatre was not that full that night as it was a weekday, but we had quite comfortable seats in the centre where we had a very nice view of the stage. The not so good thing is we were not able to take pictures or videos of the show as it was strictly forbidden. Whoever brought their cameras had been asked to leave it at the counter before entering the theatre, security check was done individually, and our bags were ransack to ensure that they will be no cameras.

The Entrance of SIAM Niramit



Leaflet (Scene Storyboard) & The Ticket

I cannot describe how beautiful and how much we were in awe of the whole show. It was about the “Journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of Siam”. How they can actually change their props within seconds and how real it seems, I wonder. Imagine human beings flying and a river suddenly appears on stage. I thought it was just part of their act when the guy playing water nearby streams, but then again I was shocked when he suddenly jumps into it. He swam up! How astounded we were seeing a river on stage?! Throughout the show, a lot of elements of surprise given and every minute we kept thinking, how they managed to do this and that. A standing ovation was given to the show at the end. For those who have interest in such things, if you come to Bangkok, it’s highly recommended that you come and see this show. Not cheap though affordable but its definitely worth value for money!

I slept dreaming that I went backstage meeting up all the actors and actresses and see how the theater is being made! Just a dream.... *sigh*