"I love this crazy, tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful, beautiful life"
"I wanted a perfect ending...Now I've learned the hard way that some poems don't rhyme and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, and taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity."
~Gilda Radner
"Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life: Define yourself" - Harvey Fierstein
This Crazy Life
The Shortest Path to Jannah - an email
----- Original Message -----
From: "jeffrey Hassan"
To: ppim-net@yahoogroup s.com
Sent: Thursday, February 12, 2009 2:52:55 PM GMT +08:00 Beijing / Chongqing / Hong Kong / Urumqi
Subject: [ppim-net] the shortest path to jannah
ASLM
Dear friends,
It is now 4 days since we returned from our trip to Gaza /Cairo. Have been awaiting my respected elders/colleagues) to input first but since there appears none forthcoming, I will write my thoughts and experience and humbly request them to correct or input as necessary. (Pleae note These are my own personal views and do not represent any organisation including MERCY Malaysia. Please forward with discretion )
We left on a MERCY Malaysia mission on the 27th of January ( 8days after unilateral truce by
Israel) after filling up our wills in sealed envelopes. Sent off by The MERCY office team,Dr Faizal Perdaus (acting Prez MERCY) our families and Dr Musa (x prez PPIM). The team consisted of Prof Hatta Shahrom (x PPIM president), Dr Fauziah Hassan (O&G, APSH,x treasurer,MERCY Malaysia), Dr Norherah, (Family practitioner) , Ms Reem Bashir( a sudanese psychologist) . After a 12 hour flight, 2 hrs stop ( no deplane in mumbai) we arrived in Cairo at 5 am on the 28th. Immediate briefing and off we were to the Rafah border about 4 hrs away except our driver got lost and we got a free tour of the sinai and the Suez canal. We finally reached the Rafah Egyptian border crossing at 430 pm. After 40 mins (which is like a record ,as most people who try to get into Gaza never manage to, and those who do wait hours to days on end, many leave for home with just having seen this border crossing.) we were through Egyptian Immigration. We praise Allah for everything.
We entered Gaza with the Azan of magrib at abt 530pm with the MERCY logistics officer En Hapis. On hand to greet us were Dr Ikram (Anaes Lecturer CUCMS) and Dr Al Amin(Surgeon Tawakal) who were the initial team in.(they had come in the day of the truce or just after). We proceeded to Palestinian immigration and were welcomed warmly. Prof Hatta even managed to get a soda from one of the officers. We then went to our lodgings and met the previous team under Dr Heng.,Drs Lai, Azlina, Asmarawati, Khairol, Shamsul.
Dr Azhar Abdul Aziz (x VP MERCY )who had come with the Qatar team was also there. I had tried to meet him in Kl last summer but Allah planned for us to meet in war torn Gaza.
We had been assigned to Nasser hospital,in Khan Younis, 20 mins north of Rafah, named after the Egytian prez who had funded it. 300 bed and handled 500 patients during the Israeli aggression. Some department good, most run down. Many equipment down as no spare parts allowed in and no maintenance. The only equipment working in physiotherapy was the manual one and one traction. The rest were all broken down. The ECG, EST machines etc were ancient. Dr Fauziah, Dr Norhera served the OG departemt and other O&G hospitals and saw areas that needed improvement. Prof Hatta and Ms Reem were taken on trips to asess the psychosocial needs of the Gazans.
On the first day there was a drone attack in front of the hospital. Maybe 10-15 m from where I was doing my rounds. There was a loud bang, flames and massive smoke. 2 mujahidin on a motor bike had been targeted by the drone. Both survived alhamdulillah altho one had to go to Ot. 2 other passers by were also sent to OT.13 kids who were around had to be treated for
shrapnel wounds. Prof Hatta who had gone to A&E noted that the children were stoic and did not cry even though they were in obvious pain. Most treated as outpatients. This was during a supposed truce. Death is very near in Gaza.
We toured the areas of destruction and I found comparison with the Earthquate in Adapazari in Turkey where we had also been on a MERCY mission. Whole blocks were flattend. Olive groves were uprooted, schools, Universities, mosques were not spared. Parliament was destroyrd.Even UN schools,building were damaged.The Islamic Universtity of Gaza had two blocks that housed 75 labs totally destroyd. They ahd just acquired some DNA machines abt 3 million worth as they have quite bit of genetic disease in Palestine.These wrere destroyed. The dean of Medicine was an old friend from my days in Dublin. Holds an Irish passport but when asked to evacute by the Irish ambasador in Tel Aviv he refused.Indeed we were told that when the borders were opened Gazans came back instead of leaving for Egypt.."This is our land, we were born here and we
will die here" was what they said.
The mosques in front of Shifa hospital was just a pile of rubble with a fruit carton written on it masjid Shifa. The new wing of the hospital had also been hit. This hospital had been taking the brunt of the casualties. They have a collection of gruesome slides of the victims, killed, maimed, kids adults, women.. At the height of the conflict they were taking in 200 patients an hour.
The homes of ordinary Gazans were also piles of rubble. Some had just been built. They had moved to relatives homes or had to erect temporrary shelters.one was just the black plastic sheeting It was winter and I was wrapped in 4 layers. I wonderd how they coped especially the kids. May Allah always protect them.
Everywhere we went were greeted very warmly that we were feeling guilty. We would be served good food although I don't believe they themselves were taking as good as they were
serving their guests. This was true Muslim Arab hospitality. In severe adversity , guests were still treated well. May Allah increase His bounty on them.
We heard stories of the mujahideen and the help that Alllah had sent them. Malaikat had come and fought with them. One mujahid had been blown up to pieces and the only piece of him left had a beautiful aroma that was smelt by all the villager who had come. They would be hiding and waiting for the enemy for days surviving only on water and dates. Tanks would blow up and their explosives still be intact. A mujahid heard a voice telling him to wait in his hiding place till he had a chance to strike the enemy,which he did. The enemy claimed that they had fought with
ghosts and with people in white uniforms. The mujahideen did not wear white uniforms. May Allah always be with the steadfast.
The thing that struck us most was their spirit. Indeed they were carrying on as normal a life as they could. As much as the enemy wanted them to surrender and cower they stood firm and fought. For 23 days they were bombarded from sea,land and air and they were steadfast. The craters made by F 16 bombs were nearly two storeys high! The enemy with 500 tanks could not enter the cities except fight at the peripheries. In the 6 day war(1967) 3 Arab nations were defeated in 6 days! We were told that there were even weddings during the onslaught. Children were playing football and were trying to go to school. May Allah continue to be with them.
We met amazing people. A lady we met told us that after the enemy had bombed the mosques her 14 year old son would pray every prayer in the mosque for he wished to be syahid while worshipping Allah. She had told him that if he decided to become a mujahid himself he must tell her so as for her to make doa for him and not find out only when he was syahid. Prof Hatta/Ms Reem were offered bowls of soup by a refugee grandma who had her grandson syahid. She was sitting amongst a pile of rubble that had been her abode. After relating her story to them and crying a minute she offered the little food she had to them. May Allah alleviate all their suffering!
Everytime we asked "What can we do for you?" The answer would be; "Please do not stop making doa for us"
They did not ask for money or food or anything material only that we do not stop beseeching Allah to help them in their struggle against a merciless enemy.
We met with persons who told us "We promise you three things:-
- We will defend this land
- We will liberate this land
- We will pray with you in Al Aqsa one day soon"
Medically the Drs are quite a lot. They however have not been able to leave Gaza for training and some of them had not been out for 10-12 years,.They thus need help in training. Equipment needs to be upgraded and new equipment added. InsyaAllah we have made these recommendations to MERCY Malaysia. There is also plan to build a rehab centre in south Gaza. There is a state of the art one in North Gaza that was damaged but still functioning. There is also plan to setup a MERCY Malaysia-Palestine psychosocial centre.
We were supposed to stay till the 4th February but were asked to evacuate as there was worry about increased bombings.There had been one near our lodgings the day after
we arrived. On midnite of the 1st we received sms and calls from the embassy,and MERCY base camp Cairo for us to evacuate asap. We heard six bombs dropped by F16s near the house and the house shuddered with the explosions. We moved to the ground floor and evacuated the next day back to cairo.
We had few more meetings to attend and a few more things to do but fate was such that we had to leave. We could leave when things got hot but the Gazans cannot. As Mr Ging , UN officer in Gaza said , "There is no safe place in Gaza".
Indeed, Death is close in Gaza or tis the shortest path to Jannah
I wish to record my gratitude to
- Our understanding families who had understood the need for us to go
- MERCY Malaysia for providing the opportunity
- The MERCY team in Cairo
- The Malaysia Embassy in Cairo who had been amazingly helpful in facilitating our entry into Gaza especially En Fauzi
- My extraordinary teammates, May Allah bless them all.
Wassallam and May Allah protect all those in Gaza,
jeff
Make Cake in a Mug - wikiHow
When your sweet cravings kick in but you don't have time to bake something tasty and warm, here's an excellent recipe to make a simple, quick and easy chocolate cake. It's a great cooking lesson for kids, and a different way to use hot chocolate mix any time of the year. Share this recipe with everyone and use this as a "friendly" treat for friends.
Ingredients
Recipe 1 - Chocolate cake
- 9 tablespoons hot chocolate powder mix
- look for sugar-free, calcium fortified mix for a healthier cake
- look for sugar-free, calcium fortified mix for a healthier cake
- 4 tablespoons flour
- use whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative
- use whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons oil
- for a healthier recipe, use canola oil, and replace half the oil with apple sauce
- for a healthier recipe, use canola oil, and replace half the oil with apple sauce
- 3 tablespoons water
- Pinch of salt
- 4 Tbsp. cake flour
- if you don't have cake flour, sift 1 cup all-purpose flour and 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- other kinds of flour will work as well, but the cake will be heavier
- if you don't have cake flour, sift 1 cup all-purpose flour and 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 4 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp. cocoa
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp. milk (any kind)
- 3 Tbsp. oil (any kind but peanut)
- splash in a little vanilla
- 1/3 cup yellow cake mix
- 1 egg white
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- topping mix (optional)
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- Grease the inside of the mug with cooking spray.
- Measure and pour the dry ingredients into the mug. Stir ingredients with a spoon.
- Crack the egg and add it to the mug. Stir to get the egg incorporated in the dry ingredients.
- Measure and pour the wet ingredients into the mug.
- Stir and beat everything together to get a "cake batter" mix. Use your spoon to scrape the bottom. Fold the bottom mixture onto the top a few times to get all of the dry ingredients (chocolate powder and flour) moistened and incorporated with the wet ingredients (water, egg, and oil).
- Microwave on high for 3 minutes. Timing may be different for various watt amounts.
- Watch as the cake starts to rise while in the microwave.
- Use a potholder or oven mitt to remove the mug from the microwave.
- Remove the cake from the mug. Take a fork and cut the cake into 4 pieces (quarters). Cutting the cake will help it cool down faster, as steam "escapes" easier.
- Garnish the cake with ice cream, whipped cream, glaze, syrup, or the topping of your choice.
- For an extra treat, add a few mini marshmallows (you can learn how to marshmallows from scratch!) or chocolate chips before you put the mug into the microwave. If you're using marshmallows, be sure to "protect" your microwave tray by lining the bottom with paper towels.
- As soon as you remove the cake from the mug, be sure to soak the mug with water immediately. It will be harder to clean it if not taken care of or tossed into the dishwasher "as is".
- When you remove the cake from the mug, the bottom may still be in a liquid form. This is okay and if you wish to, place the cake back in the microwave for a longer time.
- Tablespoon
- Large mug (microwaveable)
- Microwave oven
- Cooking spray
- Fork
- Spoon
- How to Make Rice Cooker Bread
- How to Make Microwave Divinity
- How to Make Cheesecake Stuffed Dark Chocolate Cake
- How to Make a Pirate Chocolate Biscuit Treasure Chest Cake
- How to Bake a Chocolate Chip Cake
- How to Make Marshmallow Mint Chocolate Cake
- How to Make a Chocolate Chip Cookie Birthday Cake
- How to Bake a Crazy Chocolate Marshmallow Cake
I found this interesting post from this website a while ago. Note the sarcarsm
Rule #1: In the Middle East, it is always the Palestinians that attack first, & it's always Israel who defends itself. This is called "retaliation" .
Rule #2: The Palestinians are not allowed to kill Israelis. This is called "terrorism".
Rule #3: Israel has the right to kill Palestinian civilians; this is called "self-defense" , or "collateral damage".
Rule #4: When Israel kills too many Palestinian civilians, the Western world calls for restraint. This is called the "reaction of the international community".
Rule #5: Palestinians do not have the right to capture Israeli military, not even 1 or 2.
Rule #6: Israel has the right to capture as many Palestinians as they want (around 10,000 to date being held without trial). There is no limit; there is no need for proof of guilt or trial. All that is needed is the magic word: "terrorism".
Rule #7: When you say "Hamas", always be sure to add "supported by Hezbo-Allah, Syria and Iran".
Rule #8: When you say "Israel", never say "supported by the USA, the UK,European countries and even some Arab regimes", for people (God forbid) might believe this is not an equal conflict.
Rule #9: When it comes to Israel, don't mention the words "occupied territories" , "UN resolutions", "Geneva conventions" . This could distress the audience of Fox, CNN, etc.
Rule #10: Israelis speak better English than Arabs. This is why we let them speak out as much as possible, so that they can explain rules 1 through 9. This is called "neutral journalism".
Rule #11: If u don't agree with these rules or if you favor the Palestinian side over the Israeli side, you must be a very dangerous anti-Semite. You may even have to make a public apology if you express your honest opinion.
And I have stated my choice for Palestine against Israel. So what? I have to make public apology now? Think not!
What now, after Gaza ceasefire?
Assalamualaikum,
GLOBAL TRENDS by Martin Khor
Israel claims victory while announcing a ceasefire in its military actions in Gaza. But the effects of its aggression have damaged its image and the peace process.
AND so Israel has finally announced a unilateral ceasefire in its war on Gaza, after 22 days of the most violent and aggressive bombardment of Palestinians trapped in the small and overcrowded strip of land.
However, Israel is not pulling out its troops and tanks. Its re-occupation of Gaza thus continues. Neither is it lifting the siege, raising the question of bringing supplies to a people who have been starved of food and deprived of medical care and electricity.
So long as troops and the siege continue, the war on Gaza is not yet over, and the plight of the Palestinians continues.
Another immediate question is the response of Hamas. It has vowed to fight on as long as Israeli troops are in Gaza. Whether rockets will still be fired into Israel will be closely watched.
For weeks and years ahead, there will be heated debate on the Israeli military action of the past three weeks, the disastrous effects on Palestinian lives, and the political impact on Israel, Palestine and the region.
In announcing its ceasefire, the Israeli premier claimed victory, saying its enemy Hamas had been weakened militarily and taught a lesson.
However, Israel’s political goal of either toppling Hamas or shattering its hold of power has failed. The reverse happened. Most analysts believe Hamas has emerged with a much stronger political standing among Palestinians and the Arab world, with its prestige having risen for having stood its ground and resisted Israel’s overwhelming force.
Casualties of war: Palestinians carry a body killed during Israeli strikes on Saturday. — AFPIsrael has indeed done a disservice to Hamas’ rival, the Fatah and the Palestinian Authority, whose image and legitimacy diminished increasingly the more the war continued.
While Israel and its supporters tried to portray it as a war between equals, the rest of the world saw it differently. It was a one-sided onslaught of a powerful war machine using the most deadly and sophisticated weapons against a defenceless people who have been deprived of weapons, food and health care.
One of the atrocities has been the use of bombs that release clouds of white phosphorous, which cause the most painful injury and death, burning the skin to the bone.
As the borders were sealed, the Palestinians were unable to flee from the war zone. They just became captives awaiting their fate. Over 1,200 died and more than 5,300 were wounded, with grossly inadequate facilities to treat the victims.
Israel’s audacious action in the face of popular outrage around the world was only possible because of the staunch support of the US government. The Israeli Prime Minister even boasted how he phoned President George W. Bush to insist that the US abstain in the UN Security Council vote calling for an immediate ceasefire.
The Bush administration supplied Israel with most of the weapons and aircraft used in the war against Gaza. European countries are also not blameless. While they decry the civilian deaths, they did not put pressure, such as aid withdrawal, on Israel.
The double standards and hypocrisy are staggering. While billions of dollars of funds and weapons are constantly supplied by the West to Israel, there is a ban on any weapons to be obtained by the elected government in Gaza. The Palestinians are thus prevented from defending themselves, while they have to absorb the most horrendous bombardments.
For almost two years there has been a blockade of Gaza, preventing food and other essential items from crossing the borders. When the Palestinians build tunnels across the border with Egypt to enable the inflow of food and essentials, it is portrayed as a crime.
Many people across the world asked these questions: Why deny weapons to Gaza to protect itself while supplying such deadly and sophisticated weapons to Israel which used them to such deadly effect?
Why grudge the people of Gaza to obtain food and medicines through the tunnels when these essentials are blocked from entering by road or ships?
Perhaps the incoming US President, Barrack Obama, will act differently from his disastrous predecessor who gave a blank cheque to Israel. The speculation is that Israel decided on its ceasefire before Obama took over office, as it is unsure whether the new President will be as supportive as Bush.
But even if he wants to be more even handed in his approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Obama faces the power of the Israeli lobby. The US Congress on Jan 10 voted overwhelmingly (390 to 4) to fully support Israel in its war action.
Another issue that will long be the subject of public outrage is the heavy onslaught on civilians. Israel’s propaganda machine insisted that its military never targeted civilians, and blamed Hamas for “hiding among the people” and causing the civilian casualties.
Few bought this blame-the-victims story, since the majority of those who died or were injured were civilians, including so many infants and children. The head of the United Nations’ relief agency expressed his increasing anger on the effects of Israel’s actions.
Israel claimed its bombing was based on pin-point precision, and avoided civilian casualties. If there was such precision to avoid civilians, why did its missiles hit United Nations facilities three times?
First, a UN school was hit, killing 40. Second to be hit was the headquarters of the UN relief agency where hundreds were seeking shelter. Just days later, two people were killed when missiles struck another UN-run school, prompting UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon to express his “outrage”.
Ban had been assured by Israel that the UN’s premises would be fully respected. Perhaps Israel wanted to “teach a lesson” not only to Hamas but also to the United Nations, whose officials had become increasingly critical of Israel.
Many experts have described many of Israel’s actions as war crimes. United Nations senior officials have asked that the Israeli military be held accountable for several incidents that caused the deaths of civilians. Will there be follow-up actions to hold Israel to account?
That Israel’s image in the eyes of the world has plummeted to a new low may be one of the most important effects of its war on Gaza. The peace process is in tatters.
Palestinians understandably hold a deeper grievance against a cruel power that killed and wounded the family members of so many of them. Millions of people around the world came out in protest to show their outrage.
At the end, it is hard to see what Israel has gained from its “victory” in Gaza, while there are so many negative effects. The verdict will likely be that this was a senseless and counter-productive three weeks of aggression against an oppressed and defenceless people.
Source: The Star
Date: 19/01/09
Quotable Quotes
Below are quotes said to me from friends & family:
- Hobby no. 1: Buy books. Hobby no. 2: Read books - The wise old man
- You're the different one in the family - Mom
- You can do it - Nearly all my friends
- Why not pursue your Ar. qualification? - About 50 people
- Are you sure you don't have German blood in you? You're so efficient - David Meacock, the senior Draftman at my previous office
- Huda garang - my sisters
Yeay! I got an Award
Yesterday when I was blog browsing my friends blog, I noticed my name was one of the recipient of her Award. Thanks Aini!
I also received her friendship award. Yes, eventhough we have never met in real life yet, I consider her and her twin as my friend, in better words my 'sahabiah'.
With this I'm awarding these award to my sister Wanie who is also my newfound internet friend and my 'sahabiah' too. And also to Ryehanna
A Social Observation
Artikel kali ini adalah berkenaan pemerhatian saya terhadap masyarakat Barat selama saya menziarahi Dublin, Paris & London dalam tempoh 2 minggu. Ini adalah semata-mata pemerhatian saya semata-mata. Mungkin ada benarnya & mungkin tidak.
[1] Masyarakat Barat masih menebal malunya.
Saya berkata demikian kerana sepanjang saya berada di sana di musim panas, JARANG sekali saya berjumpa mereka yang bercium, bercumbu-cumbu atau berpeluk-pelukan, baik di taman-taman atau di tempak mana sekalipun. Boleh dibilang dengan jari kalau terserempak pun.
Justeru, keadaan sosial remaja Melayu hari ini meniru apa? Tidak dinafikan apa yang dipaparkan cerita dari Barat itu tidak menggambarkan sepenuhnya bahawa disebalik masyarakat yang pincang, ada juga yang baik. Seperti ada negatif, semestinya ada positif.
Saya siap berpesan pada adik saya yang sudah pun ke Malaysia, bersiap sedialah untuk melihat kejutan sosial Melayu hari ini dibandingkan 6 tahun lepas.
[2] Kemudahan Pengangkutan Awam.
Kemudahan pengankutan awam mereka amat baik sekali. Sekalipun keadaan nampak lusuh dan tidak berkilat, tetapi gerabak keretapi yang membentuk sebahagian sistem pengangkutan awam terAMAT-AMAT EFISYEN. Tiket seharian (day ticket) mereka berharga dalam 5.30 pound di London (untuk Underground kawasan 1) dan Euro 17.00 untuk di Paris (untuk Metro, RER & Bas kawasan 1).
Anda boleh kemana sahaja di London & Paris hanya berpandukan peta Underground di London atau peta yang disediakan oleh stesen pengankutan awam di Paris untuk pelancong. Semua kawasan utama terutamanya kawasan pelancongan, kawasan komersial & taman-taman awam dihubungkan secara berkesan oleh jaringan pengangkutan awam ini. Anda tidak perlu berjalan jauh untuk menikmati semua ini. Dan sistem keretapi@LRT ini menghubung juga kawasan yang 2-3 jam perjalanan jauh & lapangan terbang.
Di Malaysia, malangnya saya berpendapat keadaan ini belum tercapai - buat masa ini. Saya amat berharap Kerajaan Malaysia dapat menggunakan duit subsidi minyak untuk menambah baik dan mengembangkan sistem pengangkutan awam (terutamanya LRT) ke kawasan Shah Alam, Subang, Klang dan sebagainy. Buat 2 tingkat macam RER kalau boleh, boleh ramai lagi orang naik. Tak le sesak macam sekarang ni.
[3] Pembuangan Sampah & Kitar Semula
Budaya kitar semula amat kuat disini. Sudah menjadi norma masyarakat. Plastik sampah untuk bahan-bahan yang boleh dikitar semula dijual berasingan dan ditulis RECYCLE.
Untuk membuang sampah pula, anda perlu membeli pelekat untuk buang sampah dari City Council yang bernilai Euro 4 setiap satu dan melekatnya di plastik sampah sebelum anda membuang sampah. Jika tidak, sampah anda tidak akan diangkat sehingga ia berderderai di hadapan rumah anda sendiri. Anda tidak mahu itu terjadi bukan?
Oh ye, sundries shop, SPAR (macam 7-Eleven) & supermarket di Ireland tidak menyediakan plastik bag percuma untuk barangan yang anda beli. Kena bayar harga yang tinggi untuk mendapatkan plastik beg dan anda akan dipandang pelik kerana memerlukan plastik beg, nampak sangat tak sayang alam..hehehe. Di Tesco, saya mendapati anda kena ada beg sendiri untuk membawa balik barang-barang yang dibeli dan juga anda boleh bayar sendiri barangan tersebut di Self Check in Counter! Check-in barang sendiri dan bila nilai belian dipaparkan di skrin, anda cuma perlu masukkan duit dalam slot. Macam beli tiket komuter. Tak perlu ada Cashier!
[4] Barangan dapur yang murah
Selama saya di Dublin, saya dapati barangan di sini memang murah. Pemerhatian ini dibuat dengan tidak menukar nilai Euro kepada RM. Boleh dikatakan Euro 50 boleh membeli barangan dapur untuk seminggu. Berbanding di Malaysia, RM 50 hanya boleh beli barang dapur yang tidak sampai pun sehari!
Tidak terhad kepada barangan dapur, barangan keperluan seperti pakaian juga murah pada musim SALE. Kadang-kadang pakaian boleh didapat pada nilai Euro 1 pun ada!
...Itu sahajalah yang saya terfikir sekarang ni.
Happy Teacher Day

Assalamualaikum,
Happy Teachers Day to my mother. On this special day, your dedications to future leaders are celebrated.
You see, my mother is a teacher. She is my teacher during my younger days before I started my formal education. And 8 years ago, she finally became a ‘real’ teacher. Meaning she started to teach formally in school, my former primary school.
My mother teaches English and other subjects. Her students are fond of her. Although, my mother do sometimes complaint of disobedient and naughty students. But I know that she meant well. She sometimes surf the internet in search of teaching materials to nurture her students interest in English and for that my mother has won ‘Anugerah Guru Cemerlang’ (or was it ‘Guru Terbaik’?) from her school.
This Teachers Day, I can see that she will receive lots of gifts from her students and also parents of students. And for this, I dedicate this poem to my mother and all teachers who have taught me all this while, formally or informally. May Allah Bless all of you always. Insya’Allah.
Guru Oh Guru
Berburu ke padang datar
Dapat rusa belang kaki
Berguru kepalang ajar
Ibarat bunga kembang tak jadi
(dedikasi kepada Hari Guru dan guruku tercinta)
Dialah pemberi paling setia
Tiap akar ilmu miliknya
Pelita dan lampu segala
Untuk manusia sebelum manjadi dewasa.
Dialah ibu dialah bapa juga sahabat
Alur kesetiaan mengalirkan nasihat
Pemimpin yang ditauliahkan segala umat
Seribu tahun katanya menjadi hikmat.
Jika hari ini seorang Perdana Menteri berkuasa
Jika hari ini seorang Raja menaiki takhta
Jika hari ini seorang Presiden sebuah negara
Jika hari ini seorang ulama yang mulia
Jika hari ini seorang peguam menang bicara
Jika hari ini seorang penulis terkemuka
Jika hari ini siapa saja menjadi dewasa
Sejarahnya dimulakan oleh seorang guru biasa
Dengan lembut sabarnya mengajar tulis-baca.
Di mana-mana dia berdiri di muka muridnya
Di sebuah sekolah mewah di Ibu Kota
Di bangunan tua sekolah Hulu Terengganu
Dia adalah guru mewakili seribu buku
Semakin terpencil duduknya di ceruk desa
Semakin bererti tugasnya kepada negara.
Jadilah apa pun pada akhir kehidupanmu, guruku
Budi yang diapungkan di dulang ilmu
Panggilan keramat "cikgu" kekal terpahat
Menjadi kenangan ke akhir hayat.
Nukilan Allahyarham SN Dato' Dr. Usman Awang Dipetik daripada buku antologi puisi Guru oh Guru yang diselenggarakan oleh Zam Ismail terbitan Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP),
Six-word Memoir
I read in the Star today an article about Six-word Memoir where Americans unleashes their creative impulses. Only 6 words are used to describe a life story.
Example:
"Carbohydrates call my name everyday" - Humour
"Fell in love. Married. Divorced. Repeat." - Love
The memoirs is edited by Smith Magazine.
Hmm..my 6-word would be:
BANYAK SEDEKAH, BANYAK HARTA, BANYAK PAHALA
What's yours?
50th Merdeka
You must always remember that no matter how high you climb up, you must come
down the same way. Be good to those you meet on the way up. When you come down, you will meet them again, unless of course you decide to jump down and break your neck!
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra
1st Prime Minister of Malaysia