Busy III and Farewell

This is my last day I will be in my office. For the past three weeks I was really buzy. I was busy packing my belongings and moving from my small rented house. I will miss that house. Then, I have to go for 9 days course for my promotion eventhough i already got my study leave. I have to prepare 3 presentations and 2 paperworks. It was slepless night. Alhamdullilah, I've gone through all the challenges smoothly.

It is really sad to leave my office after few years of staying here. It is absolutely unsure whether I have a chance to come back here. Since my university have lot of branches, I can be posting anywhere in Malaysia after I finish my study. I will miss this place and my office where spent a lot of time here. Hopefully one day i will come back....

Decision III: Final Decision, UK or UKM

After about 1 year of juggling between pros and cons, I make my final decision. I'm going to do my Phd in UKM and not UK. It was really hard decision with full of controversies. Having a dilemma for a year was a tough time for me. As undecided person I remain in doubt, in anxiety, in anguish. But I learnt few lessons. Indecision accumulates problems, worries and sometimes aggression. I wasted a lot of my times too. To decide is precisely to know to renounce, to know I have to lose advantages and values in order to win others.

It is truly a lie if I said I'm not sad about letting go the biggest opportunity in my life. Infact it is heartbreaking when I saw my friends who were together with me during BTN course for overseas students sent me emails. Going to study in UK was my dream. I struggled to get this oversea scholarship, passed all the tests and requirement, went through few courses. I didn't have problems in getting universities. I was offered to go to Southampton University and was given with 2 supervisors. No problems in my scholarship level but there was 'something' that makes me think many times about going there until I reached my final decision. I'm NOT going to UK. It was a shock news for everybody. My collegues asked me why and gave me their opinion and comments. I have no answer for that, I just follow my heart, make my choice and just let it happens when it happens.

Our life is our choice, and I make a choice to determine the path I should follow. In the process, I may loose something and may gain something...but that is life. I cannot always get what I want. Sometimes, I have to sacrifice something in order to get somethings else...and sometimes I really want something and instead are given somethings else... Whatever happen, I've always believe I should do as best as I can for whatever I have or get.

Bye-bye Southampton!!

Filling In The Forms

I’m going to further my study. Leaving my current position for awhile and moving on to a new position of being a student.

Starting to be a new student again is fun, exciting, full of whimsy and wonder how I can adapt to be a student after few years of working. Until, quickly, one thing drags me right back down to Earth: A bunch of forms you have to fill out, sign, and date that all seem to be saying the same thing, asking my name, birth date, address, phone no and etc.

I’ve always hated forms. If people ask me ten things I hate most, one of it will be filling in the forms. I spend hours and days just to fill of my scholarship and other agreement. Add to the forms for my scholarship and university forms the application forms to get for my study leave I had to sign and I’m currently being bombarded by forms. Forms that eat me alive and remind me of my own incompetence. If I can’t fill out a form, how am I ever going to be a good student and make a good research?

University Ranking

This is a really good article to be shared!

University rankings: Think again on academic staff

By H.Z.A., Kuala Lumpur
14 November, 2007

THE failure of our public universities to make it into the top 200 of the Times Higher Education Supplement university rankings recently should not surprise the vice-chancellors and policy-makers in the Higher Education Ministry. They knew exactly what was needed even before the rankings began in 2004 but they have ignored it. In the late 1980s, a local daily published a series of articles lamenting mediocrity in academia. However, the vice-chancellors then did nothing to address the issues raised and their successors later took a different, and more medio-cre course of action to highlight their "successes", i.e. by winning medals at invention and trade exhibitions.

After the 2005 rankings created a controversy, I pointed out that many of our university professors do not deserve their coveted posts. The reason these professors do not qualify for the prestigious posts is because of their very low number of publications and citations.

They may have doctorate degrees and may have spent a good part of their life teaching. However, they should not have been promoted to their current posts which, in the more advanced universities, is reserved only for those academics who are recognised among their peers for having obtained a high level of expertise in a particular field.

I also suggested that all universities should post the biodata of their academics on their websites that include their published papers and the citations (if any) that they have obtained.

However, many of these universities have not done so and those that do post the data seemed to have buried the publication and citation information among other personal data, such as administrative posts held and medals won at invention shows.

It seemed that most of these universities are not keen to post their academic staff's biodata on their website since this will expose their weaknesses.

As an example, an analysis of the citations obtained by the academics at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) from 1996 to last year revealed that more than half of the professors there do not deserve their posts (http://ekspress.psz.utm.my/jsp/Citation/Citation 96-06.xls).

Of the 44 full professors listed, only 11 had accumulated more than 50 citations each in that period. Three are outstanding with more than 100 citations each and deserved their professorships.

Of the remaining 33 full professors, 27 of them obtained fewer than 10 citations each with a few of them obtaining only one. Some of them who were promoted to the post of professors nearly a decade ago only obtained their citations in the last few years.

This shows that they had not obtained any citations, and hence were hardly recognised locally or abroad, when they were promoted.

The same pattern can be seen for the other academics who held the posts of associate professors and lecturers. However, a few of them are really outstanding and they have even accumulated more citations than the citation-challenged professors mentioned above.

The other local universities listed higher in the Times rankings have similar patterns in their academic citations, although they may be slightly better than UTM.

If the VCs and the ministry are serious in achieving world-class standard for the local universities, then they should consider abolishing the current "seniority of service" system and purge the academia of the "deadwood professors".

In reputable Western universities, it is not uncommon to find a senior lecturer who has published more than 100 papers during his many years of service there.

This is because he had not obtained sufficient recognition in his field of research because of a lack of citation of his papers. He may be good at teaching the basic knowledge to undergraduates but he is simply not good enough to be made a professor.

This academic meritocracy system should be implemented here if the government is really serious about having world-class universities.

Those professors who cannot prove that they are worthy of their prestigious posts should either be demoted to the rank of senior lecturers or make way for those more deserving.

The unwritten promotion system of considering only the number of papers published should be replaced by the number of citations obtained.

This is to ensure that the academics concerned realise that they have to publish quality papers to get their citations and subsequent promotion. Currently, some of the academics are known to publish mediocre papers in large numbers in order to get promoted quickly.

EXAM oh EXAM

Yesterday I was called by the exam unit. They asked to give a report regarding one of my students. This student claimed she overlooked the exam timetable and didn't come for the exam. Oh my goodness!!!!! I was wondering how can she forgot one most important days in her life?. Didn't she reconfirmed about the timetable? Why didn't she ask her friends? Didn't any of her friends notice her that she was not around during the exam? Is it really her carelessness or she has any other reason? Only she and God know the answer.

Hajj: The journey of a lifetime

Hajj season will come again! A few of my colleagues will go for Hajj this. One of my friends mom will go there too this year. She asked me about my experience about going for hajj last year. It reminded me to my memorable and soul journey and inspired me to write it down.

It happened so fast. 10 years ago my father brought me for Umrah. At that time, I was a student and really busy with my examination but I was determine to go. I went for umrah and a day after I came back I had to sit for the exam. Alhamdullilah, I passed my exam. During my last day in Makkah, I prayed to Allah that I wanted to come again with a good preparation and without worrying about other things such an exam. After 10 years, my prayer was finally answered but the only similar thing happened was about the exam. This time I was not the who sat for the exam but my students and I had to mark the paper.

I was not like other Malaysian pilgrims who have gone through many hajj courses. It was all sudden. Three weeks before I left for my hajj, I got a call from Tabung Haji (TH) asking me for medical check up. I was speechless when the TH officer told me that I got a place for Hajj. My youngest brother was spontaneously shouted “ Laa…. tak jadi le kita pergi Langkawi” as I promised him to have holidays in Langkawi.

For a few days, I couldn’t believe that I was going for hajj and I had sleepless night, thinking whether I was ready for this journey. Then I looked it positively, I was the chosen one, why should I rejected the invitation from Allah? Hajj is once in a lifetime. It is an opportunity, who knows if I would not get a second chance? I might never be blessed with another opportunity to be the guest of Allah again so I had to take this unexpected invitation.

Then I felt incredibly fortunate. Words could not even describe the immense amount of gratitude I felt in my heart for Allah. There was still emotional challenge of being overjoyed at one moment and sometimes fearful the next. One of my friends cried when she heard I was leaving for hajj. She was happy that I was blessed to go at the young age but at the same time feeling sad because she didn’t know when will be her time (InsyaAllah you will be there too!)

Within three weeks, I made all the preparation for my hajj. I rushed around and got everything in order, marking for the examination papers, sorted my teaching plan for the next semester, applying for my leave, went for hajj courses, read hajj books and all other affairs including paying loans and debts. I wanted everything clear before I went for Hajj. To be frank, I was quite stress but I reminded myself this was my first hurdle. Eventhough, I was in the chaos to get everything settled there was always somebody who offered their help to me. For example, one my friends offered help to replace my exam invigilation since I had hajj course in Shah Alam and another example while I was busy marking the examination paper, my colleague knocking my door and asking whether I wanted her to be my second examiner. They offered help without knowing that that I was going for hajj ( I didn't tell my friends until the last few days). I always think these were the help from Allah.

My journey started from Kompleks Tabung Haji Kelana Jaya where all the pilgrims from Malaysia assembled before boarding the flight. In the Kelana Jaya Hall the excitement of completing one of the pillars of Islam surrounding me. When I heard the melodious chants of the Talbiyah rang out

“Here I am - O Allah here I am. Here I am - There is no partner unto you - Here I am. Verily all the praise and all the bounty are for you and the dominion. There is no partner unto you".

The emotions began. The feeling of wanted to cry without knowing why (the fearful, happiness, grateful a truly mixed feeling that cannot be described by words). For a moment things were a bit of a blur as I moved from one emotion to another on this emotional rollercoaster. The fulfilling a commandment of Allah would be of more satisfaction than all the materials that I’ve got in life- nothing could compare. At the same time, I had a deep fear that I might make some mistakes or might do something wrong on the Hajj. For the last three weeks I prayed to Allah that I could complete this Hajj without any mistakes and that Allah would accept my Hajj.

All the procedures before boarding was settled quickly and efficiently. I should praised all the TH workers who were extremely competent. It took 9 hours in the flight to arrive Madinah. Everything went smoothly but I got flu a day after. It was not a big deal since I managed to go to the mosque. The scene of Masjidul Nabawi was mesmerized. The structure of the mosque was inexplicable beauty. Even the social scene of Madinah was so simple, relaxed, peaceful and uncomplicated. Listening to the melodious azan and beautiful voice of Imam leading the prayers was unforgetable. This was the home of prophet Muhamad and I realized why prophet Muhamad loved to be here.

There was once, I was late for Maghrib/dusk prayer in Masjidul Nabawi, so I had to pray outside the mosque. It was really cold as I was not feeling well and had flu. While waiting for Isya’ prayer, I was shivering but patiently sitting there reciting Quran and once a while looking at the jet black sky with sparkling stars hanging above the minarates of prophet mosque. Then, I looked at the beautiful piece decorated door (gate) of the mosque and in my heart ..I wish if …. I could pray in front of the door it was enough for me as it could saved me from the coldness. The next morning, for the dawn prayer, my wish came true. I exactly got the place in front of the door. Allah listened to my wish but I laughed to myself as my sister said if you made a wish, wish for the best. I should wish to pray inside the mosque not just infront of the door. The first lesson I learnt, Allah listen to your/prayer/doa if you do it sincerely. Lesson no.2, If you made a doa, doa for the best.

During my first visit for Umrah 10 years, I didn’t really appreciate lot of things for example I went to Raudhah (Garden of Paradise) in Masjidul Nabawi but I didn’t know what to do. But this time, I really determine to go. I read about the history of Masjidil Nabawi and all the Barakah. In fact, I studied the plan of Masjidil Nabawi; the location of Raudah, Prophets grave as well as Hadrat Abu Bakar and Hadrat Umar (r.a) who was buried next to the Prophet (saws). There is a Hadith (narration) that states that the area between the pulpit of Masjidul nabawi and the living quarters of the Prophet (saws) is a garden of paradise and the prayers offered in the Raudhah are equal to 100 00 prayers.

Since my sister couldn’t accompany me, I just followed a small Malaysian group who went there but I was actually alone. There was crowd of people trying to reach raudhah. The scene may look a little bit chaotic but I prayed to Allah to make my way easier. The atmosphere and the emotions inside the Raudhah was unexplainable. The special feeling went deep into my soul. Alhamdulillah with the determination and absolutely the help from Allah, there is no problem at all to enter and pray in Raudhah. Lesson no 3. Determination and prayer is ultimately important while we are doing our hajj.

My 8 beautiful days in Madinah were fulfilled by doing the ibadah and visiting historical sites. Then we departed to Makkah where I started to do my first umrah for this hajj season. Makkah is no ordinary city, it has an extra million of people during the Hajj season and the place is packed out. You can see people in every direction you turn, there are thousands of people moving about. Often your own movement is very restricted. The place was buzzing, so many people moving to and fro.

Masjidil Haram was enormous, I felt like dwarf standing there in the middle of millions of people. It was beautifully decorated with such beauty and attention to detail. It was an absolute masterpiece.

When I enter the Masjidil Haram and moved straight to Kaabah, my eyes were locked onto the Kabbah. It was the not the first time I had seeing Kaabah but the feeling will still be the same. For a moment, I was like I was the only person in the whole mosque, standing before the baitullah. The hustle and bustle disappear. Kabbah looked beautiful, absolutely splendid and magnificent. There was truly a mixed emotions. No words can describe the emotions unless you can see with your own eyes. It is totally different from what you can see in the picture or watch in the television. I still couldn’t believe I was in front of Baitullah. The only thing I can think of was Ya Allah! I stand before you humbled. I was really grateful for Allah gave me a chance to be in His Holy land.

After doing my Tawaaf, I prayed and made doa. I couldn’t stop tears from streaming down my face. I was grateful and indebted to Allah for giving me a chance to stand in front of kaabah. I thought to myself, I was just a humble human being that has a mountain of sins which I have to ask for forgiveness. Truly, here I am a sinner, a person who has disobeyed Allah during my life; a sinner, who is burdened down with many bad deeds; a sinner, who has neglected many responsibilities to my fellow human beings; a sinner, who has seen so much evil but has never done anything to stop it; and I have to stand infront house of Allah to beg for forgiveness and ask for more. Sometimes I thought for a sinner person like me it was really shameful to ask more since the merciful and gracious Allah had given lot of things in my life but my sister said we have to be “greedy” in doa. Just asked anything from Allah as He is the most kind merciful Lord. In the holy place doa will be easily accepted if we asked sincerely. The important things I had to ask from Allah were to accept my repentance and let me be a pious Muslim and die as a Muslim.

In the middle of going for Saie I lost from my group, but I was grateful that ten years ago Allah opened my father‘s heart to bring me here. So, I had the experience and knew what to do next. If we are the first timer in Masjidil Haram we may feel confuse with all the gates and surrounding and blur what to do. While I was performing Saie, I noticed a middle age woman from Malaysia was following me. She was holding my telekung. After completing 7 rounds walking of Saie and she told me that she lost and separated from her husband. She looked sad and didn't know which gate to go. Alhamdulilah I found her husband and he said that he couldn’t concentrate during the Saie, worrying about his wife who never been here. I met the couple again in Jeddah Airport on my way home. I didn’t remember her, but she expressed her gratitude many times and told me she was really indebted for my help during the Saie. Lesson no ?? Be kind and Help others. You may forget about your help but those who were helped will never forget you.

Everything was peaceful in Masjidil Haram. The atmosphere was increadible and there was always feeling of safety and belonging. Here, I didn't have any financial worries, I didn't think what or where I was going to eat, and I wasn't even concerned about any worldly affairs.

However, outside the Masjidil Haram there was one thing that distracted me very much. I saw the major junk food giants was rearing their heads in this holiest of places on Earth. It somewhat spoilt the atmosphere here until I had a sentiment not to eat this junk food. Boycott!

My hajj began by going to Arafah. It was a big day for all the pilgrims. A lot of people said we were blessed to have Akhbar Hajj (wuquf was on Friday). As I was performing the Hajj for the first time and I was daunted as well as excited at the same time. There was a rush of adrenalin as we recalled all the steps we had to complete during the Hajj. Since that year was Akhbar Hajj and we expected the number of pilgrims will be escalated, and definitely the would be traffic jam problems along the way to Arafah. I had prepared myself with sport shoes, energy biscuits and bottles of water as I was told we might be long hours in the bus or we might needed to walk. However, my journey went smoothly than what I ever expected and the bus driver was continuously recited the Talbiyah of Labaik with loud and clear. I respected him when I saw he was in ihram, driving a bus and lead the Talbiyah heartedly. 3 in 1. Since the thunderous of talbiyah rang out everywhere and also on our tongues; and an emotions sandstorm of excitement and anticipation in my heart took the first steps of my Hajj, the journey seemed to be so short. We arrived Arafah less than one hour without having problems. I was quite shocked and felt unbelievable as in our briefing by Tabung Haji representatives that there might be many problems along the way. Lesson no ?, Only Allah can do the miracle.

Before I went to Arafah, I wrote everything that I want to ask for including repentance from my lord. In Arafah I expressed all what I wrote, my hopes and sought assistance against my fear to do hajj. This where my tears fell and my heart overhwelmed with thankfulness to Allah. In the middle Zuhur it was actually a challenge for me to do my ibadah. I felt sleepy, a bit distracted with unnecessary things. This was the time where you need to be strong and do more prayer and zikr.

To describe the Wuquf in Arafah I had to quote from the words from Lady Evelyn Cobbold an Englishwoman who perform hajj in 1934 “ It would require a master pen to describe the scene, poignant in its intensity, of that great concourse of humanity of which I was one small unit, completely lost to their surroundings a in a fervor of religious enthusiasm”

The Day of Arafah is like the Day of Judgment in many respects but the most important difference is that on the Day of Judgment we will have no more opportunities to make amends. On the day of Arafat, we still have unlimited opportunities to repent, make amends to our lives and change the direction of lives for the better.

Wuquf in Arafah lasted until dusk. At that night we moved to Mudzalifah but unluckily we didn't stop, just passing by since many roads were blocked.

My journey to Mina was a test of patience, after 13 hours in the bus I had to walk 4 kilometers with my bags to my camp. We had to go through a massive Muassim tunnel. Before we enter, we were advised by Tabung Haji representative it was risky to walk trough this tunnel with our belongings during the peak hour. We took the risk. The fear was surrounding me, my heart was pounding so fast as I was moving towards the seem endless tunnel. I was prepared if anything bad happen to me (Actually I was prepared to die). I was surrounded by masses of people, all wearing the white ihram, I felt like being in a crowd at a football match but with no opposition. Everyone move to the same direction, the direction of jamraat to throw the pebbles, the thunderous echo of same call, the Talbiyah of Labaik raised my hair. To see these, it brought my imigination of myself in the judgement day. I leave everything to Allah… The fearful, my soul and my life. Alhamdulillah we were safe walking to the end of the of the tunnel. Lesson no ?, leave everything to Allah

Actually, Mina is not too far from Arafah or Mudzalifah, but since there was enormous crowd of pilgrims in Mina the bus went round and round without reaching the camp. Alhamdulillah, at that moment I was quite cool. 13 hours in the bus, there was no feeling of hunger or thirst or not even had the feeling wanted to go to the toilet. Amazing! because if I was in Malaysia I absolutely suffered if I couldn’t go to the toilet more than 13 hours! Then, I still strongly walk to the camp eventhough we lost direction and had to ask the representative from Tabung Haji to fetch us. Allah tested us but He gave us strength and spirit.

I only felt utterly exhausted when I arrived in my camp but after a few hours of rest I reminded myself there is no possible reason could I have for being unhappy for 13 hours in the bus, the experience in the tunnel and the late arrival in the camp, after all I am a guest of Allah. Nothing was going to ruffle me, this was simply a test from Allah and I wasn't going to blame anyone, not even the bus driver, Saudi Authorities or Tabung Haji and of course not my sister or my brother. Allah had given me all the happiness and comfortness while I was here and this was only a minor test. Lesson no ??, be patient. You can see the light and find your way.

Going for jamraat was the major fear in my hajj, since I heard and read news where a lot of pilgrims being hurt, crushed and even killed by the masses of people moving to and from the pillars. The task had initially seemed formidable to me. I made preparation for this difficult mission.

Even my father was really concerned about stoning at three different jamraats. Before I left for hajj, my father repeatedly advised me to be extremely careful in jamraat. He demonstrated many times how to walk away after stoning. He always told me not to be separated from my sister. I remembered vividly my father said “No matter how, try to stay with your sister. Hold your sister’s clothes”. My father was really supportive on my intention to do hajj but definitely there was still concern and worry about letting her unmarried daughter to go. Alhamdulillah, I had completed the stoning safely and again amazingly and not to be riya’, it is much simpler and easier than I thought.

Even though there are crowd but still there was space for me and I was freely stoning the jamraat. It might be due of the new system and regulations of jamraat that made everything easier but I did believe everything was decided by Allah whether we have to go through certain task smoothly or not.

When I was in Mina there was a real eye opener to me. As we went to the jamraat, I saw a lot of poor people spend their Hajj. These people may have been from the poorer parts of the world and the only shelter they had was the sky above their heads. They would sleep in rows underneath the bridge and on the footpath during those few days of Hajj. They scattered outside our camp. They did not even have the tents or blankets to cover themselves. In comparison, I got everything to make myself comfortable with abundance of food and mineral water that were served to me, but no matter how they came, no matter how they lived we all have the same intention to do hajj.

Another incidence was, I had to walk a long way to go to Jamraat for stoning. Our camp was Mina Jamraat where it was located nearby the three Jamraats. I must admit that we paid higher than normal Malaysian pilgrims (Muasassah). There was one night, where all the gates to Jamraats were closed by the Saudi soldiers for certain reason. Since the path to Jamraat was one way path we had to walk more than usual. In fact we walked more than those Malaysian pilgrims who lived in Mina Muassim for stoning. I could heard mutter and murmuring of dissatisfaction of walking more to Jamarat. At that moment the only thought that I had was we might paid more to stay near Jamarat but money cannot buy everything. It was Allah’s will to make everything smoothly or not. In my case, I thought Allah wanted to show there was no difference between those who paid more or less when you do Hajj. The only things that made the difference were your intention and your Ibadah throughout the Hajj. Lesson no ? Money is not everything.

I spent three days in Mina and completing all the stoning at three different Jamraat, I had to complete my hajj by doing Tawaf, Saie and Tahlul. The day I wanted to perform my Tawaaf and Saie I wonder how can I complete it because there were crowd of pilgrims wanted to do the same and sometimes the scene may look chaotic but I did believe there must be space for me. Again I should say, after all I am a guest of Allah? Alhamdulillah, again there was no problems in completing those tasks.

I think this Hajj realised that there is more to this than just visiting the Kabbah. It's a means of change and purification; it's a means to improve yourself and lose the bad qualities, such as selfishness, greed, impatience and etc. It was a soul journey. It was a journey of determination and lessons

Throughout my stay I met people all over the world from Bangladesh, China, India, Africa and etc. It just like annual conference of Muslims. Muslims of every colour and nationality who gather there manage to communicate across the barriers of language and culture. Everyone stood together and side by side. Eventhough we didn’t talk all the big issues of Muslim World but getting to know each other was amazing. I met with Fatimah from South Africa, such a nice lady who accompany he mother and brother. She handed me zam-zam water when I couldn’t stop coughing. It was just a simple action by her but I will remember her forever. I met Faridah also a South African who told me that her grandfather hailed from Kedah. I did a talking with Indonesian teacher who said that she had a daughter same age like me. I was really sad and felt sympathy to her when she told me that she didn’t eat for three days in Mina since there were no supply of food by the Indonesian authority. I felt guilty when I got abundance of food in Mina, there was a sister in Muslim was in hunger. I met a 20 years old Pakistanian who asked me how to differentiate Malaysian and Indonesian. I tried to explain to her but she said we just look alike. So at last, I mentioned to her that I also couldn’t distinguish between Indian and Pakistanian. The Turkish always cherish and made me laugh. They couldn’t speak English and I couldn’t speak their language. When I sat beside them, they would ask me ask me something. The scene would be like “ ayam’ and “itik” did the talking. At last I would only showed them my mat prayer and tudung made from Turkey. Sometimes I thought the Turkish love me. They like to talk and smile to me and sometimes insisted me to eat their bread, There was once where and old Turkish lady walked beside me hold my cheek like a baby. I was stunned there. One of my cousins who also did her Hajj and met me said I looked a Turkish when I was in Mekah. Did I?. No …lah.

The service and food quality the by Malaysian caterer was impressive. It was actually the same caterer who prepared the food for my brother in law when he was working in the batch (offshore) in Malaysia. They met in Makkah and knew each other. The food was amazingly delicious, there was no single day where I lost my appetite. I ate everything heartedly. Nasi Lemak, Nasi Goreng, Nasi ayam, cream soup, just name me everything were unforgettable and irresistible. My brother jokingly said that I didn’t have so much test and challenges throughout my hajj but my biggest test was about food where I couldn’t resist of eating any food preparing for me. When I talked to him about the food he would said “sudah-sudahlah cerita pasal makanan” ( Enough to talk about food). However I didn’t gain weight, it might be due to the walk I did for every prayer to the Al Haram. It was good exercises and I felt really healthy. (I don’t do much walk in Terengganu, life so easy easy and simple because you can park your car easily).

The prophet (saws) said that there would be different groups of people coming to Hajj. The rich will come there for holiday; the middle class were coming there for shopping and the poor would be coming for begging. I prayed I was not any of these groups. My second brother had reminded me many times not to do a lot of shopping as gifts for my family. I noticed most of Malaysian pilgrims spent a lot of money for shopping. I was advised by my brother not to divert my intention for Hajj. He said that I shouldn't forget who I am or why I came here. Our minds should be clear and focused on the task at hand. In fact, my brother didn’t give me any money as a gift as my other brothers did because he was afraid that I will have to think what to buy for him. Alhamdullilah, I listened to him and in fact I had not much temptation to do shopping but I still bought few things for my family and friends.

Before leaving Mecca, I had to visit the Kaabah one last time (farewell Tawaaf). For most of us, this will be our last glimpse of the shrine. Again my tears couldn’t stop. While praying for doa I kept thinking whether I have other chance to be here, the holiest place and house of Allah. There is an old proverb—before you visit Makkah, it beckons you. When you leave it behind, it calls you forever.

Hajj was an incredible experience for me. It was a journey full of lessons. Hajj taught me a broad spectrum of lessons ranging from racial equality and piety to patience. It enhanced the feeling and knowledge the greatness of Allah. There is no replacement for the happiness an peacefulness I got during my Hajj. I hope that Allah blessed me once again to afford performing hajj. I also fervent wish that everyone is blessed with the opportunity to do hajj as early as possible in their lifetime

P/S ; I'm not a good writer, I ask forgiveness from Allah and everyone if my writing give a wrong definition and meaning of hajj.

Choices in life

The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Have you ever regret for whatever decisions that you have made?. Eventhough I believe everything is fated to us but sometimes I do regret.

My siblings have often commented that I have a bad sense of direction in a road or even in life. I recall having this sense of confusion and anxiety about choosing the right direction and making decisions starting from my schooldays. For example when I was in form four, I have to choose to go to science or social science stream. I choosed science stream and as a consequences I lost few of my best friends after they when to the social science stream. I passed the exam but when I was in university I ddn't even majoring in science. There is a little bit regret for that decisions.

Eventhough I believe everything has been fated to us but as a normal human, sometimes my life still goes on questioning whether I could have done things differently. It seems that I regularly encounter difficult decisions and constantly wonder if I made the right choice. I always want to pick both options, even though I know it is not possible. For some people, choosing what to do is very simple but I seem to dwell on the choices I am presented with and often regret the decision before its impact is recognized. After I finally reach a decision, I cannot help but wonder what would have happened if I made a different choice. Where would the other road have taken me? Then I will answer it to myself, just leave it to Allah. The next day i will think back about my choice ( I hope that my friends in UUM will not bored with my call talking about my choices)

This constant second-guessing and the feeling that I missed out on something vital seems to haunt me. I find myself questioning everything that I do, reflecting upon the past and things that do not matter now, instead of looking toward the future. I constantly get caught replaying the same message in my head — “What if . . .?” — and wonder what could have happened if I had done something differently. Would it have changed my life, or would it have not affected me at all?

I never took English literature during my school days and I'm not really interested in literarature but from my understanding ( sorry if I did a wrong interpretation) what this poem meant, for I too shared these familiar concerns and emotions. Traveling the road of life is something that we all must do, whether we like it or not. We may not always be happy with the choices with which we are faced, and may even regret the decisions we have made, wishing we had “taken the other road,” but in the end those choices and experiences, whether good or bad, shape who we are as unique individuals.

The last line of the poem, “And that has made all the difference,” I can relate it to my own life. There have been countless times when I could have made a different decision, not knowing if the outcome would have been better or worse. It helped me recognize that choosing one thing over another is not an easy task, and that not liking the outcome is entirely possible, but whatever you choose you must learn to live with it, because sometimes just making the decision offers a sense of accomplishment. Instead of dwelling on the past and on things that we cannot change (you can't turn back the clock), we must simply move on and look toward the future, making the best decisions that we can along the way.

When I think it back it is normal to have anxiety and that it is human nature to second-guess ourselves. So while we may not be able to control the future, we can at least try to improve it by learning from the past.

Selamat Hari Raya

Ramadhan is almost comes to the end. Just in few days we are going to celebrate Hari Raya (Eid Mubarak). Ramadhan is going to leave us with all its barakah. It is really sad huh! There is no more tarawikh prayer. This is the time I enjoy most since I can get together with my neighbourhood. Knowing each other. In other months, I usually spend most of my times in the office and during weekends I will go back to my hometown. I seldom talk to my neighbour since we seldom meet (Maybe I'm not a really good neighbour). I go out to to work at 8 a.m and go back at 7 p.m. Sometimes I will go back home at 10.30 p.m. My neighbours actually are really nice to me. I see a lot of nice people are really good to me during this month. Since my class finish at 6.p.m and I have to rush my Asar prayer, I will just buy my food for breakfasting but most of the time I will get the food freely. The seller gave it for free. Sometimes I felt really uncomfortable with this situation. There was once I insist to pay but they rejected it. I asked why, she said "takpelah bulan puasa, apa salahnya buat baik kat orang yang dah penat kerja". That is why I love to live in Terengganu, people are really nice here.

Even though this Ramadhan is the busiest Ramadhan I ever had in my entire life and there are only few times in I can go to Bazar Ramdhan but there are a lot of things you cannot do in other months can be done in this month. You can find time to do it. Miracle huh!

I'm going to have my two weeks Hari Raya holiday starting from tomorrow. Just to wish all the my friends and all the muslims Eid mubarak.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA!

Busy II & students

It's been awhile since I wrote anything and it's because I'm really busy. Workload! It comes almost to the end of the semester, we have to finish everything before Hari Raya holiday started. Tests, assignment. Not just a lecturer got headache, the students almost half dead with datelines and tests scheduled. Poor them! But sometimes I realized that a lot of students do last minute work.

Reading from my friends blog I found a very interesting analogy, After Hari raya holidays, my students will sit for their final examinations. In these few weeks are really important to them. them. Let me share with you this analogy.

Now, we’re heading towards the last ten days of Ramadhan. We’ve being informed many times that the cream of Ramadhan which is Lailatul Qadr, is somewhere in this last ten days period. In fact, we were given valuable tip that we should seek for it in the odds nights of this last ten days.
Hazrat Aa'ishah radhiyallahu anhaa narrates that the Messenger of Allah sallalahu alayhi wasallam has said, "Seek the night of Dignity in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan".(Bukhaari).


Narrowing areas to be read" haaaa……

Stay awake, perform solah, cite Quran and read doa during this few nights are not the same as other nights. Let say, we go for our "sleeping beauty" and as a result, miss the Lailatul Qadr. Regret it whole heartedly, we then decided to stay awake, perform solah, cite Quran and read doa during ten days period in Syawal. The reward will never be the same!


The same thing goes with preparing for incoming final examination, these few weeks are crucial for them, they have to prepare and doing their best for final examanition. If they miss this few weeks chances. wait and see what happen to their result!

Busy

For the last couple of weeks, I'm very busy, rushing everywhere. Thanks Allah, Ramadhan has started. My schedule is not really pack as before but I'm still busy with the classes that need to be finished before Hari Raya. I'm grateful to be a lecturer since there a lot of flexibilities in working. Even though you're busy, you can adjust and plan your schedule and have some time for ibadah :example going for tarawikh prayer.

On my previous job I missed a lot of tarawikh prayer at mosque since I went back at 11 or 12 a.m and. Sometimes I had my breakfasting in the office. It was really hectic. Life was so busy. Everyday, I kept thinking of changing job and at last I found a job that i love most.

Sometimes it is good to be busy, coz you will concentrate on your jobs. You will plan everything and times will not be wasted for unnecessary things. From my experience I will be productive worker when I'm busy.

Recently I found nice poem to be shared, eventhough how busy you are don't forget about your ibadah.

PRIORITY IN LIFE

Busy, busy, busy is on everyone's tongue

Like a number one song, a million times sung

Running around crazy, as rational as a clown

Confusion and mayhem, things are upside down
Something is missing, something not quite right

Something so obvious, like black on white

My heart is agitated and in a state of suspense

As I try and define it, only an absence I sense
Life seems to have no purpose any longer

As I seek the elusive fame, status and wonga!

Laugh you may, but we're in the same boat

Chasing a dream which is misleading and remote
Surely mankind has a real purpose to serve

Surely there is something better we deserve

Better than the rich kid, respected and cool?

Designer cloths, fast car, a penthouse with a pool?
Better than parting and chilling with the boys?

Mobile phones, laptops, x-box and fancy toys?

Definitely there is more to life than these

To real happiness these are not the keys
We must wake up and we must get wise

There is something better, we must realize

Take a few deep breaths and deeply think

Because into your heart the truth must sink
The big problem is - our priorities are wrong

Everything has a place in which it belongs

So re-arrange things in their proper layers

First on the list is the daily prayers
Don't take it lightly -Salah must be completed

And day in day out, it must be repeated

Even if you are travelling or have ill-health

Or are tired and old or are busy getting wealth
The Salah is the link you must never neglect

This is the golden rule you must respect

It separates the Muslims from the rest of mankind

And by this Salah, the Muslims are defined
Bowing and prostrating, the prophet prayed

In performing the Salah, he never delayed

Before his maker, the prophet would stand

Submitting to and followed every command
In this spiritual ecstasy hours would pass by

And many tears from his eyes he would cry

Asking for guidance and forgiveness for all

And asking for mankind to accept the call
If we follow this example, we will also succeed

so for true guidance, we should also plead

We should turn to Salah, at our times of need

And only towards goodness this will lead
All the rest of the problems will disappear

And true peace and happiness will appear

The salah will embrace the soul like a friend

Things will come together - all wounds will mend
All the missing pieces will fall in their place

And this life on Earth, we will truly embrace

The link with Allah will not be broken,

This is the promise that Allah has spoken
To pray the Salah, don't ever forget

To pray the salah, you must always respect

To pray the salah, you must never neglect

To pray the Salah, to Allah will connect.
Your right priorities have to be defined

and chasing shadows, you must leave behind

In praying your Salah, success you will find

With contentment in life and peace of mind

Dedicated to brothers and sisters who knows that they needs to start praying more regular (including me). May Allah give us all the guidance and strength to prioritise our lives properly and through His mercy attain success in this life and in the hereafter (ameen).

Cool Meaning

Cigarette:
A pinch of tobacco rolled in paper with fire at one end & a fool at the other.

Love affairs:
Something like cricket where one-day internationals are more popular than a five-day test.

Marriage:
It's an agreement in which a man loses his bachelor degree and a woman gains her master

Divorce:
Future tense of marriage

Lecture:
An art of transferring information from the notes of the lecturer to the notes of the students without passing through the minds of either.

Conference:
The confusion of one man multiplied by the number present.

Compromise:
The art of dividing a cake in such a way that everybody believes he got the biggest piece.

Tears:
The hydraulic force by which masculine will power is defeated by feminine waterpower.. .

Dictionary:
A place where divorce comes before marriage.

Conference Room:
A place where everybody talks, nobody listens & everybody disagrees later on.

Ecstasy:
A feeling when you feel you are going to feel a feeling you have never felt before.

Classic:
A book which people praise, but do not read.

Smile:
A curve that can set a lot of things straight.

Office:
A place where you can relax after your strenuous home life.

Yawn:
The only time some married men ever get to open their mouth.

Etc:
A sign to make others believe that you know more than you actually do.

Committee:
Individuals who can do nothing individually and sit to decide that nothing can be done together.

Experience:
The name men give to their mistakes.

Atom Bomb:
An invention to end all inventions.

Philosopher:
A fool who torments himself during life, to be spoken of when dead.

Diplomat:
A person who tells you to go to hell in such a way that you actually look forward to the trip.

Opportunist:
A person who starts taking bath if he accidentally falls into a river.

Optimist:
A person who while falling from Eiffel Tower says in midway See I am not injured yet.

Pessimist:
A person who says that O is the last letter in ZERO, Instead of the first letter in word OPPORTUNITY

Miser:
A person who lives poor so that he can die rich.

Father:
A banker provided by nature.

Criminal:
A guy no different from the rest... except that he got caught.

Boss:
Someone who is early when you are late and late when you are early.

Politician:
One who shakes your hand before elections and your Confidence after.

Doctor:
A person who kills your ills by pills, and kills you with his bills.

Happy Birthday K.Sya!

DEAR K.SYA,

I Wish I Can Give these things to you as a birthday present BUT......

I Think The best thing I can Give it you as a Birthday present is........

.::Doa utk K.SYA::.

..Bismillahirrahmanirrahim...

Ya Allah..panjangkanlah umur sahabatku,
Kurniakanlah kesihatan yang baik padanya, terangi hatinya dengan nur pancaran iman..

Ya Allah..tetapkanlah hatinya, perluaskanlah rezekinya, dekatkanlah hatinya kepada kebaikan, jauhkanlah hatinya pada kejahatan, tunaikanlah hajatnya baik hajat dalam agama, dunia dan akhirat...

Ya Muhaimin.. jika dia jatuh hati izinkanlah dia menyentuh hati seseorang yang hatinya tertaut padaMu agar tidak terjatuh dia dalam jurang cinta nafsu

Ya Rabbana..jagalah hatinya agar tidak berpaling daripada melabuhkan hatinya pada hatiMu..

Ya Rabbul Izzati..jika dia rindu, rindukanlah dia pada seseorang yang merindui syahid di jalanMu..

Ya Muhaimin.. Jangan biarkan sahabatku tertatih dan terjatuh dalamperjalanan panjang meyeru manusia kejalanMu..

Ya Allah.. kurniakanlah sahabatku
kesenangan, ketenangan, kebahagiaan dan kecemerlangan hidup di dunia dan akhirat kelak..

Ya Rabbul Izzati.. bahagiakanlah hatinya sebagaimana Engkau bahagiakan hati-hati hambaMu yang lain...

AMIN


HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Nisfu Syaaban

Last night was a Nisfu Syabaan night (15 of Syaaban). I remembered when I was a little girl my late mom will bring me and my brothers to surau nearby. Our neighbours will join us too. Just imagine few boys and girls with their moms walking to the surau together. Happy Faces!

Eventhough, we didn't understand a lot of things about Nisfu Syaaban but we enjoyed ourself as kids. Our moms taught us a good lesson: a training and educating us to pray and to go to the surau. Every year, we always remember Nisfu syaaban night, because on that day our moms will be busy cooking 'onde-onde' and 'Puteri mandi' to bring to the surau* (my mom died on the way to this surau* at the age of early 40's). Until now, I don't know what is the significance of this onde-onde and puteri mandi to Nisfu syaaban night but that was a tradition of how we celebrated Nisfu Syaaban in our neighbourhood. On the night of nisfu Syaaban we went to surau listening to the preach by Imam and for Yassin recital. Thw night of Nisfu Syaaban also reminds us that Ramadhan is not far away. As a little girl, I enjoyed myself celebrating the night. That was a good old days.

In my adult age, the last few years I still didn't forget the date of Nisfu Syaaban, but there is no more onde-onde or Puteri Mandi on that night. Until last night, I really, really forgot. Shame on me since I rented a house just infront of the surau. To my excuse, yesterday, my day didn't go well. I seldom lose my temper, but yesterday i was really angry to a girl who didn't send my letter. The letter suppose to be signed by her boss and she should sent the letter to human resource department. I handed the letter one month ago and did the follow up. She conformed that she had sent the letter until yesterday I called human resource department and they checked the file and didn't receive anything. I called her back asking about the letter and she said she had sent the letter. I asked her when? she answered - baru pagi ni. When I asked her what time - she said pukul 10 (that was the time when i called her). Oh my goodness, that letter suppose to be sent one month ago! It happens that is an important letter of my scholarship. Her carelessness might affect my scholarship. For the whole day, I was really not in the mood but is that a good excuse for forgetting Nisfu syaaban or what my mom taught to do on that night?

Who is clever?

One Night 4 College Students Were Playing Till Late Night And Didnt
Study For The Test Which Was Scheduled For The Next Day.

In the morning they thought of a plan. They made themselves look as
dirty and wierd with grease and dirt. They then went up to the Dean and
said that they had gone out to a wedding last night and on their return
the tyre of their car burst and they had to push the car all the way
back and that they were in no condition to appear for the test.
So the Dean said they can have the re-test after 3 days. They thanked
him and said they will be ready by that time.

On the third day they appeared before the Dean. The Dean said that as
this was a Special Condition Test, All four were required to sit in
seperate classrooms for the test.

They all agreed as they had prepared well in the last 3 days.
The Test consisted of 2 questions with the total of 100 Marks.

Q.1. Your Name.........................( 2 MARKS )

Q.2. Which tyre burst ?...............( 98 MARKS )

a) Front Left
b) Front Right
c) Back Left
d) Back Right .....!!!

Jigsaw puzzle

Sometimes What I Needed to Know About Life I Learned From a Jigsaw Puzzle
- Author Unknown

1. Don't force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.

2. When things aren't going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.

3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.

4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.

5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).

6. The creator of the puzzle gave you the picture as a guidebook.

7. Variety is the spice of life. It's the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.

8. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.

9. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.

10. Don't be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches aresurprising.

11. Take time often to celebrate your successes (even little ones).

12. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can't be rushed.

DECISION II

"The battle of life, in most cases fought uphill and to win it without a struggle is almost like winning without honour. If there were no difficulties, there would be no success; if there would be nothing to struggle for, the would be nothing to achieved. Difficulties may intidimate the weak, but they act as a wholesome stimulus to men of resolution and valor. All experience of life, indeed serves to prove that the impediments thrown in the way of human advancement may, for the most part, be overcome by steady good conduct, honest zeal, activity perseverance and by a determination to overcome difficulties" -EDMUND BURKE

Playing chess taught me a lot of good lessons and philosophy that related to our life. It teaches me about patience, determination, hardwork, preseverance, not to be overconfident and etc. I also learnt about struggle, failure and triumph; while struggle is the thing sought, struggle has its joy and failure is not without its uses. Another important lesson I have to learn is making decision.

Decision! Making a decision is a very important element throughout a chess game.While playing chess, every single steps and movements need a decision. Your decision is crucial. Once you make a wrong decision it may leads you to disaster. If you make a right wise decision you can win the game. However, decision has to be made in the time frame given. Either it is a right or wrong decision, you have to decide with time limitation. Right or wrong you will only realize after you have done it. When we made a wrong decision, we have to strive and rise back and find other solutions. Sometimes will find a solution but sometimes you can see the bad consequences of your decision. Losing hopes while you are still in 'battle' is absolutely losing a game. I remember one of the chess player said to me don't lose hope until your opponent can say 'check mate'

Winning the game is really important to me. The truth is I'm afraid of losing and sometimes I blame myself for making any wrong decisions. I remember when I was 8 years old, I will cry everytime I lose. After few years, the important lesson I learnt from chess actually implies in our life, while making your decision you may win or lose. Leave it to Allah for every decisions you have made. If you lose, don't slip into despair and oblivion. Winning may be important but sometimes learning from losing that we become a greater winner.

teacher

“Teacher is like the sun, which being itself luminous, sheds light; or like the musk which being itself fragrant, makes other objects fragrant. He who possess knowledge but does not practice it is like a notebook, which itself being unintelligent, nevertheless serves as a medium of transmission of knowledge, or like the needle, which while remains naked, serves in making clothes for others, or like the wick of a lamp which burns itself out in giving light for others." (Al-Ghazali, Ihya Ulumudin)

I love teaching. I enjoy myself to be a lecturer. At this moment, I never dream to change my job as what I did in my previous job.

I remembered, when I sent my resignation letter to MCCM and said I wanted to be a lecturer, my collegues in MCCM laughed at me. They said I will be a young, naive lecturer and will be bullied by my students.

I enjoy to be in my classroom with the students. In fact, I told my students it is not just my job but it is my hobby. It’s something that I do, I enjoy and have passion into it and that I happen to get paid for. That doesn’t mean it’s not without its frustrations and downsides. Of course not. But I certainly don’t teach just for the money. And that’s a sentiment shared with my sister (also a lecturer).

Teaching is a process what we are probably involve with and committed to. When you love teaching, you should teach what you love. It is easier and you will be interested in every angles of that subject. You will be full of enthusiasm talking and teaching about it. Entering the classroom each day is a new experience for me because each day brings new challenges and achievements. In my experience, once you step into a classroom, it is just like a magic, I forget about everything outside there and the things matter to me is just what I'm going to talk for that class and the flow of ideas are just like a stream. Magic uhhh.....

Having students excited about my subject is a bonus to me. Sometimes, student can realize or see our excitement or sincerity in teaching them. It is my goal and satisfaction to enrich the student’s lives by increasing their knowledge and educating them in different aspects/situations in life. I feel by teaching and educating others even for a short amount of time is an honour and a privilege in which is a true blessing.

Logic Facts

Logic facts

If your father is a poor man, It is your fate but, If your father-in-law is a poor man, It's your stupidity.

Practice makes perfect..... But nobody's perfect..... So why practice?

Since light travels faster than sound, People appear bright until you hear them speak.

Money is not everything. There's MasterCard & Visa.

Behind every successful man, there is a woman And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.

Success is a relative term. It brings so many relatives.

"Your future depends on your dreams" So go to sleep ....ZZZZZZZZ

The more you learn, the more you know, The more you know, the more you forget. The more you forget, the less you know So ... Why learn????

A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.... What more can I say.......

Decision

EVERYTIME CHOICES ARE MADE, OPPORTUNITY COSTS ARE INCURRED

Have you ever experience when you can't make a decision? Especially the decision that you think will affect your career and the whole of your life. I do, in fact I'm really in dillema. After a few months juggling pros and cons, I still cannot decide which one to choose. Getting opinions from my siblings and friends making me to have a really bad headache.

Sometimes I think I have made a wrong decision started from the beginning. Let say, at the first place I want A and I was offered to have B. So, I thought B was the best opportunity for me but at the same time I never released A because my strategy, it was for precaution purposes. But after went through many courses and listening to many opinions and views, I started to think it over and over again until I couldn't choose between A and B. This ia chance a of a lifetime, I might lose both if my decision is thought to be wrong by my Dean.

Eventhough, that I said I still cannot make a choice, but I did made a decision which is a mid decision between two. I thought that was the best decision and I would have more times to think. But I was wrong. For now, I think my decision is wrong the worst decision I ever made! I overlooked certain factors and consequences and it is really preasurred me. I regretted for the decision I had made. I should choose between two and not taking the middle way. My problem will be solved if I choose either or started from the beginning and never listen for what ever people said. Now, I'm quite helpless and not in the full spirit especially when people asking or talking about my undecided choices. Sometimes it is a phobia for when my friends open their mouth asking me A or B. Criticism will be made either I choose A or B.

Taking from my friend's words, life indeed is a survival. Making a decision is part of survival techniques. No matter how hard it is to make a decision, we still have to make a decision, we still have to do it. In my case, sometimes I just hope that fate will take me to whatever path it choose. However, when thinking back, I have power to choose. I have my mind to decide, I have strength to do whatever I choose to do, and I have a lot of things bestowed upon me by the gracious lord. So, why should I become helpless creatures just waiting something to be on them??? I have to decide but for now there is no result for my decision. He3x

Birthday

On the 26th July, I celebrated my birthday. Nothing special happened on that day except there were few things that really touched my heart. The thoughts and wishes from my friends and students. Thank you to all of you for reminding me I'm getting one year older. Thanks to Siti for your wishes and doa early in the morning, Kak Rusnah for your lovely 'paun', Fiza for your call and my former students for their wishes and Ferrero Rocher ( I think I'm a good lecturer coz my students remember what I said in class. He3x. My examples in the class for the topic of demand and supply and international trade are always Ferrero Rocher. That is my favourite chocolate and in fact I eat only two types of chocolates Ferrero Rocher and Hersheys. That was really an implicit example but my students understand explicitly). Lastly, I was really touched when Is (my bestfriend since i was in university) gave a long call from Sarawak, singing happy birthday with her husky voice ( she got a soar throat), but it was a really nice song I ever heard. Is, I think if you get bored with your job right now, you should joined AF lah. It is not a gift that is really important but the thought that makes me really happy. I'm truly happy on that day. Again, thanks to all of you for cheering up my day. Love all of you!.

The Way To Happiness

The Way To Happiness

1. Keep your heart free from hatred
2. Keep your mind free from worry
3. Live Simply
4. Expect little
5. Give much
   
   Happiness is not found in seeking more but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.
   
   

WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

According to Webster’s Third New International Dictionary’, happiness is a state of well-being characterized by relative permanence, by dominantly agreeable emotion ranging in value from mere contentment to deep and intense joy in living, and by a natural desire for its continuation. "In the distinction between this term and its synonyms (i.e., felicity, beatitude, blessedness, bliss), it defines HAPPINESS" as the general term denoting enjoyment of or pleasure able satisfaction in well-being, security, or fulfillment of wishes.

Some students of education and psychology define HAPPINESS as the continued feeling or state of delight, contentment, and joy emanating from the permanent sense of self-goodness, goodness of life and goodness of man’s destiny.

Different individuals and groups of people may have different ideas with regard to the best ways of achieving happiness. However, there are several theories and speculations which many a people share as constituting the main sources of happiness. These may be classified as follows:
(1) Wealth
(2) Rank and position.
(3) Educational achievements (Academic and Honorary Degrees).
(4) Fame (i.e., in politics, arts, sports, science, etc.).

Wealth is, probably, the element mostly associated, if not synonymous, with happiness as many people think. This understanding so deeprooted in the hearts of so many, to the extent that almost everywhere people are engrossed in the acquisition of wealth. They look towards wealth as the primal constituent of happiness to the point that for them the two are entwined.
How happy are those men and women who own business empires, wide expanses of land and estates, large bank deposits, etc?

Many indeed are those people who own millions or even billions but are suffering from an almost permanent lack of peace of mind as a result of the fear they have over their wealth the fear of, say, political turmoils, market movements, wars, plunders, theft, etc. And not only does such fear lead to sleepless nights for these people but even tensions, mental anguish, heart attacks and deaths. You can see the example of Christina Onasis, Ferdinand Marcos, Nicolae Ceausescu and etc. Rich but unhappy!. So guys happiness is very subjective and depending on the individuals. Be happy of yourselves.