ChRONoLOGy of SyaWaL 2007
ChRONoLOGy of SyaWaL 2007
Thursday, 11th October 2007; 4.00 pm- there goes the mad rush to finish work so that I can enjoy the week-long holidays. Yerp, indeed Ramadhan, the month full of blessing from Allah will soon change into Syawal, where all the Muslims from all around the world will celebrate the Eid Mubarak…
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my Muslim friends reading this blog. Maaf zahir dan batin! & Happy Holidays to all my fellow Non-Muslim friends too…
Friday, 12th October 2007 – After a hard day’s work of preparing the Raya dishes; ranging from Rendang Daging, Rendang Limpa & Paru (my personal favourite!), Ayam masak Merah (my sis’-Myra’s wish list), Sambal Goreng (Jowo style!), Laksa Johore (every year without fail), Sayur Lodeh ( Abg Sarpon’s cravin’ 4 it), Ketupat (credits to Daddy’s excellent skills in anyam-ing the ketupat), Kuah kacang & last but not least, Prune Cake (which my sis Eyna just can’t stop munching it!), we finally gathered at our house in Bangi- dined together as family, on our last day of puasa. I’m sure everyone will miss this full of mercy, forgiveness and blessing month.. and when Syawal arrives, everyone celebrates it, as we all realize how tough it is to get to Syawal….
After dining and performing solat; the moment we’ve been anticipating- we lit up the kerosene “pelita” lamps around the house and there we were; playing the illegal fireworks I smuggled from my OSR clerk at the office (just can’t help having the kid in me!). Yeah-it was thrilling and cool! The kiddos at my house- especially my darling nephew just can’t get enough of it. Gosh, aren’t we addicted! =)
That night, we could hardly sleep as we were eager for the Raya morning to come!!!
Saturday, 13th October 2007- that morning we adorned ourselves with new set of Raya attire and after our male family members got back from solat sunat Hari Raya, there we were once again, indulging the delicious delicacies prepared earlier. Not a good start to gobble before we hit the road for raya-road-trip-to-relatives’-cribs, thus we had a moderate consumption instead.
Here comes the emotional part- the maaf-maafan and salam-salaman session. This is the moment of truth…where we asked for forgiveness and blessing from our dearly beloved family members…with promises that we will try to become a better person…where we hoped that every souls will get their enlightenment, and a brand new us will soon appear as a better human being, insya-Allah…amiiieeeeennnnn~
Syawal is the month of remembrance of the loved ones who have left us too. In loving memories of our close family members and friends with prayers that they’ll rest in peace in heavenly bliss.
Later, we went from one house to another with the intention of visiting our relatives. Flashing back to those days when we’re still a kid, heck we know that our main motive was to collect as many Duit Raya as we can. Once we were home, we would start counting our Duit Raya and thinking of what to buy with ‘em . Hmm… those were the days where we were able to collect duit raya instead of giving it. However, now… I’m the one who have to part with some of my bonus and hand them to the children and family members… Well, no issues here- that’s what we called “sedekah” I supposed…. hehehe…. *sigh*
Sunday, 14th October 2007- We pushed off to mainland continent Asia’s southern most state–Johore ,after lunch. We departed our home in Bangi and went on the North-South Highway with me chauffeuring my family members tagging along my bro-in-law’s car from behind…
There was a bit of traffic between Seremban and Senawang and rest of journey was smooth. Right after Senawang it rained very heavily and visibility was poor. The rain subsided when we reached Pagoh and drizzled all the way to Yong Peng.
We arrived at our Kampung nearly maghrib. We did an amazing time on the road as we spent 3 hours plus, door-to-door despite going through bumper-to-bumper traffic, thunderstorm and threat of Highway Patrol with their laser guns!
The old house has changed a lot. Even the neighbourhood is far from like it used to be. Yeah-indeed we have lots of fond memories of events that took place in this house. Especially recapping the joyous moments we had back then when my granny = nyayi is still in good health, where she would always gave us valuable advices, which she has instilled in me in my younger years, the values that allowed me to be the person I am today.
I don’t know if I will ever be able to show enough gratitude for the love and guidance that she showed me. I just hope that spending Raya with my nyayi was enough to show that I am eternally grateful for everything my grandparents did for me in the past.
That said, the atmosphere of celebration was as palpable as ever. Throughout the nights, laughter and murmurs of conversations can be heard everywhere, punctuated by the whizzes and bangs of fireworks which eventually we became immune to it playing repetitiously in the background.
That night, we slept as a family, snuggled up, or rather, tangled up together on thin mattresses spread on the floor in front of the TV in the living room — an experience that I will remember from this year’s Raya. It’s not that we have never done so before- infact we have been doing it for years, but this year I’m in a better position to appreciate how special it is to be as a complete family again. I think I already know that such moments are going to be very rare sooner than never.
Monday, 15th October 2007- Taking off from our Kampung Halaman to our holiday destinations in Malacca (which currently I’m blogging from!) & Port Dickson…Time do flies…its really hard to believe that Raya passed by without even realizing. But then again, the Raya spirit will eventually lasts for a month…No arguments there…Indeed, I am anticipating for open houses from fellow friends and family everywhere! Hehe, edible me…
Well, Alhamdulillah bersyukur pada Ilahi…kerana masih berpeluang untuk menyambut Syawal pada tahun ini…2007… the month of Syawal means a lot to me. Indeed, it is the most awaited moment every year… spending joyous moment with family members, friends, relatives… Besides the ‘budget’ that have to be put aside (well, not a biggie deal to me either)…I have no complaint at all,…good food…seeing the happiness in the faces of the loved ones around me…long break…the enjoyment seems to be a great satisfaction especially after going through tough month of Ramadhan…
Those who know me personally, I’m taking this opportunity to wish all of you Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Maaf Zahir Batin…I may have done things I shouldn’t do or regret doing, do forgive me for all my wrongdoings…To all, have fun during this Syawal…cherish the moments with your loved ones and fill this Aidilfitri with unforgettable episodes which can be remembered, to smile and laugh about when next Aidilfitri comes….
Happy Eid Mubarak, everyone! Hope you had a great one…
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HeAVeN’s VeRy SpEciAL cHiLd~
A meeting was held quite far from Earth
"It’s time again for another Birth"
Said the Angels to the Lord above
This special child will need much love
Her progress may seem very slow
Accomplishments she may not show
And she’ll require extra care
From folks she meets, way down there
She may not run, laugh, or play
Her thoughts may seem quite far away
In many ways she won’t adapt
And she’ll be known as handicapped
So let’s be careful where she’s sent
We want her life to be content;
Please Lord find the Parents who
Will do a special job for you
They will not realize right away
The leading role they’re asked to play
So with this child sent from above
Comes stronger faith and richer love
And soon they’ll know the privilege given
In caring for this gift from Heaven
This special child so meek and mild
Is "Heaven’s Very Special Child".
-Author unknown-
Sentuhan Kasih - is a day of activities, excitement and smiles. This special day has left a significant mark to me as it has brought a difference in each and everyone’s lives. You might assume that it is simply spending a day with a child. Yeah- it sounds like fun, you might think. Some may take this as opportunity to network and forge relationships with VPs, VIPs, other sponsors & chaperons, some might use this platform to charm the opposite sex with your fatherly or motherly figure & tender lovingness and even some were lured by the chance of visiting Aquaria! *sigh*. But more importantly, it’s a way to help kids develop a positive self-image, as well as a sense of belonging, usefulness and purpose.
So here I am, taking a break from my busy life. Celebrating the wonders of children and the joy that comes from spending quality time together.
This year I’m taking the challenge to reach out to the children who requires the most attention and affection where I grabbed the opportunity to spend meaningful time with a special child, with a special aura and charisma which captivates me to get to know her a lil’ bit closer..a lil’ bit deeper….
“Sape nama?” I asked her warmly…She paused, and looked at me as though trying to gauge my inquiry, with a slight smile on her face, gently she held my hand, bringing it closer to her name tag, and responded… “Syahmina…”
I was touched, what a beautiful name for a beautiful soul indeed – MIRZA SYAHMINA PUTRI BT SAADON…Yeah- I could say that she is indeed a putri to me…a cute lil’ princess that touches my heart so deeply….
Call me softy or whatever. Despite my survival and trying-to-be-independent character, I am somehow weak cause I’m full of sympathy and empathy, which I have the tendency to be encouraged when I allow myself to feel what another person might felt…
Granted, the child’s development may be different from other children, but this does not make them less valuable, less human, less important, or in less need of love. Love and enjoyment is what they really requires. The child comes first; the disability comes second. I for sure have learnt a lot that day. I’ve tried as best as i can, I hope Syahmina will benefit some of it, and I look forward to her future filled with hope and laughter.
This experience has indeed made us different, has made us better. Through it we have learned the lesson of Sophocles and Shakespeare—that one grows by suffering… And that too is a gift.
Today I was given the greatest opportunity, to accept the experience, with everything that it entails, I would have to stretch out my hands—because out of it has come, for me and all of us, an unimagined life. And I will not change the last word of the story. It is still love…
So send a lil’ joy, and spread a lil’ love~
“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”
- Mother Teresa-
PASSION OR PROGRESSION?? & that is the question…
Without passion, there is no way to excel on anything in life…at least that is how I thought it would be….
Confronted with a situation where you find yourself torn between realizing your passion you thought you are pretty much inclined into or going up the corporate ladder, where you’ll progress faster which eventually deriving more dollars and cents in your life….
Dilemma for me is to choose whether to remain in my current job (which up till now, I still couldn’t feel the chemistry between my job & I) or exploring new area which I just fumbled upon & which I find it kinda interesting (only to find out that the career path wasn’t that promising!)
A tough decision indeed……
Where’s the Career Fairy When You Need One?
I actually think the opportunity to be anything we want to be is, as the saying goes: a blessing and a curse. Yes, sometimes in life we might come across opportunities to pursue your dreams, but, with that comes the added pressure to choose wisely, as well as a sense of obligation in contributing to family’s pride. Picking a career today is like going to a grocery store and standing at the counter with your hands tied behind your back, then being told to select just one food without reading the label, fully knowing you will be expected to eat it five days a week for at least the next year of your life…
The bad news is there’s no such thing as a ‘Career Fairy.’ As much as we want to believe that eventually the perfect job will come along and lead us to the ideal career path – it doesn’t.
Well, I guess there is no simple way to finding a career you love. The best we can do is to continue to assess ourselves and become more aware of our professional strengths. This much I know: a job that lets you do what you do best, is a job that you’ll enjoy most in the long run…
By nature of a job or just life, things will sift and some interests and abilities will rise to the top, but I don’t want to commit to them right away. I want to try many things out, even if I’m not particularly good at it. I dunno, but deep within me, I do feel that Passion should come first. With the sense of satisfaction that you’ll have, the ability to do a good job will naturally follow.
Yeah- I know I might be taking the wrong turn in my life, but that’s just the risk I might have to take it.
“For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice - no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service”
- John Burroughs-
How I truly hope that I won’t regret the decision I make..So help me God~
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