One more day is the topic in Oprah today. If you have one more day, who would you want to spend it with and how would you spend it? Thank God I only watch it half-way. Otherwise, I'm afraid this 'Ratu Airmata' would start sobbing just as the rain stopped. My emotion has been quite fragile this past few days.
Anyway, back to the topic, I would want to spend it with my grandparents. Both passed away when I was still very young. I don't have the chance to really get to know them. I want to hear stories about my mother from them, I want to hear stories about their childhood from them. I'm sure they would have grand tales about their growing up hardship, the Japanese occupation, my grandfather's travel, and many others.
Everyone who have lost their loved ones interviewed in the show today wanted to spend their day doing ordinary every day things like having breakfast together, talking to each other and tending the garden. I've heard often enough for people to say, on your deathbed you'd want to be with your family and friends and not your boss or colleagues. Yet, how often have we put aside the ordinary little things because we're too busy with work.
I know it well when I was busy with too many trainings. I know very well too how doing simple ordinary things can be a luxury with hubby. Yeah... a LUXURY in caps. Like waking up in the morning and enjoying our breakfast without having to rush to work, cleaning house together, do our grocery shopping as if that's the only important thing we have to do for the day so no rush to it, window shopping, watch tv and dvd till we're bored and many other things. It's hard :( I know it would be difficult. But knowing and experiencing it is two different thing. Sigh!
Facebook style... * Sue is missing hubby!
Sunflower gives the connotation of cheerfulness, bright, jolly, merry... you get the idea! However, if any content in this blog didn't fit the cheerfulness implied by its name, look at it this way... I'm putting down all the wretchedness, gloom, melancholy feeling in here so I can continue living up to the expectation of making the association to the sunflower.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Verdict Is Out... It Is Called Grey Area
Frontpage news in our local newspapers...
Fatwa Council deems ancient form of exercise from India 'haram' - The Star
Yoga Ban: Don't question fatwa, says Council - NST
Majlis Fatwa haram yoga - Berita Harian
Yoga diharamkan - Utusan Malaysia
How misleading it was. Is this called responsible reporting? If people did not read the full content, they would not see the IF CLAUSE in the fatwa.
So, it is OK to do the physical movements BUT... and I don't like this statement "doing one part of yoga would lead to another". How do they know? Isn't that pure assumption? There are Muslims who have been practising it for years without succumbing to the temptation of worshipping and chanting.
As for the comments about Singapore and Egypt, read here for another view.
Anyway, what's the point of ranting about it anymore. As for me, Allah and I know what's my 'nawaitu'. I will decide what's best for me and despite the verdict, it is still a grey area with an IF CLAUSE. So why worry No?
Fatwa Council deems ancient form of exercise from India 'haram' - The Star
Yoga Ban: Don't question fatwa, says Council - NST
Majlis Fatwa haram yoga - Berita Harian
Yoga diharamkan - Utusan Malaysia
How misleading it was. Is this called responsible reporting? If people did not read the full content, they would not see the IF CLAUSE in the fatwa.
PUTRAJAYA: The National Fatwa Council has declared that yoga is haram (prohibited) in Islam and Muslims are banned from practising it.
Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said yoga had been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporated physical movements, religious elements together with chants and worshipping, with the aim of "being one with God".
"Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga.
The council is declaring that practising yoga, when it comes together with the three elements, is haram," he told a press conference here yesterday.
He noted that while merely doing the physical movements of yoga without the worshipping and chanting might not be against religious beliefs, Muslims should avoid practising it altogether as "doing one part of yoga would lead to another"”.
Muslims, he said, were discouraged from practising yoga even as a form of exercise as it would ultimately lead to worshipping and chanting, which is against Islam.
Its chairman Datuk Dr Abdul Shukor Husin said yoga had been practised by the Hindu community for thousands of years and incorporated physical movements, religious elements together with chants and worshipping, with the aim of "being one with God".
"Because of this, we believe that it is inappropriate for Muslims to do yoga.
The council is declaring that practising yoga, when it comes together with the three elements, is haram," he told a press conference here yesterday.
He noted that while merely doing the physical movements of yoga without the worshipping and chanting might not be against religious beliefs, Muslims should avoid practising it altogether as "doing one part of yoga would lead to another"”.
Muslims, he said, were discouraged from practising yoga even as a form of exercise as it would ultimately lead to worshipping and chanting, which is against Islam.
So, it is OK to do the physical movements BUT... and I don't like this statement "doing one part of yoga would lead to another". How do they know? Isn't that pure assumption? There are Muslims who have been practising it for years without succumbing to the temptation of worshipping and chanting.
As for the comments about Singapore and Egypt, read here for another view.
Anyway, what's the point of ranting about it anymore. As for me, Allah and I know what's my 'nawaitu'. I will decide what's best for me and despite the verdict, it is still a grey area with an IF CLAUSE. So why worry No?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Crying Can Make You Healthier
We all know a good cry helps to soothe our minds. Now doctors are discovering that tears may help to heal our bodies, too. Roger Dobson reports
It makes nine out of 10 people feel better, reduces stress, and may help to keep the body healthy. It's also free, available to almost everyone, and has no known side effects, other than wet tissues, red eyes and runny makeup.
Extracted from 'How Crying Can Make You Healthier' reported in The Independent UK
It makes nine out of 10 people feel better, reduces stress, and may help to keep the body healthy. It's also free, available to almost everyone, and has no known side effects, other than wet tissues, red eyes and runny makeup.
Extracted from 'How Crying Can Make You Healthier' reported in The Independent UK
That's good to know. I needed one today. Someone really tested my patience today and it has been going on for quite some time. She's bitchy. I told her so and she has been perfecting her bitching skills ever since. I shouldn't be surprise actually. Just say a lot of prayers and shed a few tears to release stress and hopefully everything will turned out fine?
I listened to an audio seminar to block off unwanted noise and were reminded of a few things. Among them:-
* We only have one life. How do we want to live it?
* Are we survivors or winners?
What's your answer? What's mine?
... .gone to think....
Thursday, November 6, 2008
First Formal Education
We normally have lunch in the office. Sometimes we eat at our desk in-front of our PC or laptop and sometimes we have a luxury of gathering at our resource room chit-chatting and reading newspaper while or after having lunch. The topics of discussion can vary from work to economics to artist to politics and family. Recently a colleague told us the antiques of her six year old daughter. It was really funny and reminded me of my first formal education. What a huge gap it was as compared to what children nowadays have to go through at kindergarten and school.
How's your first formal education go? Do you still remember?
I had a really short stint in kindergarten. My mom decided not to continue sending me there because after some time (I don't know how long exactly), I only knew how to spell from A to F :) She said we spend more time playing than learning. Anyway, during my time, kindergarten was more of a luxury than a necessity.
I don't remember much about my time at the kindergarten. I remember we have singing sessions and in one of them I belted 'One Way Ticket' that must have sounded like Greek because I don't know English 'sepatah haram' back then. The only thing that makes sense must be the chorus that contains 'One way ticket to the ...' I still don't know the lyrics of that song until now :D Singing is never my strong point. Dancing will be more of my type hehehe...
I still remember I don't like the rice porridge provided during recess time. I told the teacher I'm not eating the porridge, it smelled like 'fart' hahahaha... I remember I have a favorite batik matching blouse and skirt that I always wore and I also remember abah dropping me off on his motorbike. Was it his Vespa? I can't remember whether he already uses his Vespa then or did he got it much later.
When I was in Standard One, I was quite clueless to the lessons taught in school. I remember we have exercise books with big squares where we have to write 1s for full page, and 2s on the next page, 3s and so on. Similarly with alphabets. I love the feel and smell of a new book, I always lose my pencil and ended up having to write with black color pencil. My exercise book was ugly with smudges from the color pencil.
I love to read or the thought of being able to read ever since I was young. I would look at our text book and read out loud based on the pictures on the book using my imagination. I haven't a clue what was written on them. Be it Malay or English book. I can finally read the Malay books by the second term I think because the spelling session with the vowels make sense to me so much so that I proudly pronounced 'Dutch Baby' as 'dootch babai' to my mom showing her I can already read :)
My father was a fan to Majalah Gila-Gila. He kept them all and what once a material for scribbling and doodling for my brother and I, became my best friend. I read them all and would get frustrated if I couldn't find the continuing series. I can't remember the name of the series I love to follow but the hero only have two front teeth. If I asked mom, she would say either my brother or I tore the pages of some of the magazines and maybe it was thrown away. I do remember Tan Tin Tun and Dan Din Don. I learned chess from Dan Din Don.
English was a mystery to me. There were no rules. I always got scolded by our 'Cikgu Teacher' during reading session. She always pinch the back of my hand for writing mistakes. Back then there's no Sesame Street or Barney to help us with our English lesson. When I first heard English on TV I asked mom why watch Chinese movie. Suddenly one day, as if I got a revelation, I can smoothly read a paragraph in class. I was elated when Cikgu Teacher praised me. I even have few extra friends who must have thought this girl is so 'pandai' can read English already so better be friend with her.
From then on, I started reading all the English books out loud at home, whether I understood the meaning or not. I may have mispronounced some words but I love the fact that I can already read. I remember 1 pink and 1 yellow book about a girl living in Toa Payoh and I love reading the two books. After that I became a voracious reader. Anything that has something written on it, will be read. I have to thank Cikgu Teacher Jaswant Singh for that. For some reason, I remembered her name tonight. She has long straight hair and she wore glasses. I can't recall her face though.
Nowadays children already have to learn big numbers of summation and subtraction and know how to read at kindergarten. My colleague's daughter already feel pressured to pass her kindergarten exam. Children have to grow up faster now. I pity them.
How's your first formal education go? Do you still remember?
I had a really short stint in kindergarten. My mom decided not to continue sending me there because after some time (I don't know how long exactly), I only knew how to spell from A to F :) She said we spend more time playing than learning. Anyway, during my time, kindergarten was more of a luxury than a necessity.
I don't remember much about my time at the kindergarten. I remember we have singing sessions and in one of them I belted 'One Way Ticket' that must have sounded like Greek because I don't know English 'sepatah haram' back then. The only thing that makes sense must be the chorus that contains 'One way ticket to the ...' I still don't know the lyrics of that song until now :D Singing is never my strong point. Dancing will be more of my type hehehe...
I still remember I don't like the rice porridge provided during recess time. I told the teacher I'm not eating the porridge, it smelled like 'fart' hahahaha... I remember I have a favorite batik matching blouse and skirt that I always wore and I also remember abah dropping me off on his motorbike. Was it his Vespa? I can't remember whether he already uses his Vespa then or did he got it much later.
When I was in Standard One, I was quite clueless to the lessons taught in school. I remember we have exercise books with big squares where we have to write 1s for full page, and 2s on the next page, 3s and so on. Similarly with alphabets. I love the feel and smell of a new book, I always lose my pencil and ended up having to write with black color pencil. My exercise book was ugly with smudges from the color pencil.
I love to read or the thought of being able to read ever since I was young. I would look at our text book and read out loud based on the pictures on the book using my imagination. I haven't a clue what was written on them. Be it Malay or English book. I can finally read the Malay books by the second term I think because the spelling session with the vowels make sense to me so much so that I proudly pronounced 'Dutch Baby' as 'dootch babai' to my mom showing her I can already read :)
My father was a fan to Majalah Gila-Gila. He kept them all and what once a material for scribbling and doodling for my brother and I, became my best friend. I read them all and would get frustrated if I couldn't find the continuing series. I can't remember the name of the series I love to follow but the hero only have two front teeth. If I asked mom, she would say either my brother or I tore the pages of some of the magazines and maybe it was thrown away. I do remember Tan Tin Tun and Dan Din Don. I learned chess from Dan Din Don.
English was a mystery to me. There were no rules. I always got scolded by our 'Cikgu Teacher' during reading session. She always pinch the back of my hand for writing mistakes. Back then there's no Sesame Street or Barney to help us with our English lesson. When I first heard English on TV I asked mom why watch Chinese movie. Suddenly one day, as if I got a revelation, I can smoothly read a paragraph in class. I was elated when Cikgu Teacher praised me. I even have few extra friends who must have thought this girl is so 'pandai' can read English already so better be friend with her.
From then on, I started reading all the English books out loud at home, whether I understood the meaning or not. I may have mispronounced some words but I love the fact that I can already read. I remember 1 pink and 1 yellow book about a girl living in Toa Payoh and I love reading the two books. After that I became a voracious reader. Anything that has something written on it, will be read. I have to thank Cikgu Teacher Jaswant Singh for that. For some reason, I remembered her name tonight. She has long straight hair and she wore glasses. I can't recall her face though.
Nowadays children already have to learn big numbers of summation and subtraction and know how to read at kindergarten. My colleague's daughter already feel pressured to pass her kindergarten exam. Children have to grow up faster now. I pity them.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Our Open House
It's a hot night tonight. It has not rained for the past few days and while this could be a blessing to those who lived in flood prone area and even I never like a gloomy rainy day but after a few days of heat, I'd welcome some rain.
It feels like I have been working the whole day today. It's for a personal project and I'm still torn between two options. Probably writing or ranting would clear up my mind for a while.
Around this time last week, I was cleaning the house and slaving in the kitchen for our open house. Hubby wants to cater some of the food but after careful consideration, I figured I can handle all the cooking. I can still smile when I remembered hubby's response when I told him I'll be cooking. "Biar betul!" in such a disbelief tone hehehe...
I rarely cook since we're married. Normally we'll finish work quite late and by the time we reached home, both would be famished. The thought of waiting for another hour or so till the food got cooked was just unbearable. So eating-out it is. But, I also know my cooking is acceptable. No one has been poisoned so far. I know I have never cook at a large scale before but there's always the first time right? And normally my first attempt worked.
It's risky no doubt inviting people to your house and there's a risk of not enough food to serve but I'm adamant to give it a try. There's food backup just in case. Then hubby thought my food backup was still not enough so he bought more backup for my food backup hehehe... The fried chicken, chicken fingers and nugget were a hit so thank God for hubby's extra backup. My second boss went into the kitchen wanting to know how we marinated the chicken. We also cook fried mee as an addition in the late afternoon. We have other plans for the mee actually but I thought that would be too much. Thank God I hired a very competent helper to help in the kitchen. Otherwise, I'll have no time to mingle with the guest at all.
I envisioned myself looking perfectly made-up in my stunning kebaya greeting and entertaining our guest during our first open house together. All the food would also be ready by the time our first guest arrive.
Reality check: I still wore the blouse and pants worn while cooking in the morning and the main dish was still not ready when our first guest arrived. Yikesss!! Lucky they're family so everyone got into the kitchen to help. Anyway everything turned out quite well. The rice was a bit soft and the jelly should be sweeter but other than that, the food were OK. Some of my friends praised lavishly after being well-fed so I'm one very satisfied cook even though I don't have enough time to 'meng-anggunkan diri' :D
I cook a lot of things for the first time last week and I just googled most of the recipes too. Everything has to be cook at a large scale. My only limitation was we don't have that many big pots and pans. I bought some for the occasion but still there were not enough large containers to mix and store things. Next time, I'll know what to borrow from relatives :) Last week was a really tiring but enjoyable week.
I learn many things.
1. I need a bigger frying pan
2. I need a lot more big containers
3. Ketupat and lemang were not people's favorite after going to so many open houses
4. Because of item 3., 2kgs of meat would be enough for the rendang
5. 2kgs of Basmathi rice was more than enough. Maybe next time I should just cook 1 to 1.5 kgs.
6. 2 packs of minced meat were enough for the spaghetti sauce
7. 500gms of spaghetti would be enough. Buy another smaller pack just in case
8. About 3 kgs of chicken would be required for the fried chicken
9. We used 2 packets of chicken fingers and 2 packets of nuggets
10. I need another bottle of chilli sauce. The tomato sauce was not a favorite at all
11. The mee packet bought at Tesco and Fajar wasn't good. If I'm not mistaken the brand was Mi Ku or something like that.
12. We need lots of rugs and towels in the kitchen. It gets messy and wet easily during all the chaos
13. I need the container where people put water to wash hands
14. We need a bigger mat
15. There are few other things we need but the most important thing, cooperation and lots of love :)
Many little things and a smile from hubby from across the room meant a lot during those busy moments. Not to mention the foot massage afterward :D Heavenly.
It feels like I have been working the whole day today. It's for a personal project and I'm still torn between two options. Probably writing or ranting would clear up my mind for a while.
Around this time last week, I was cleaning the house and slaving in the kitchen for our open house. Hubby wants to cater some of the food but after careful consideration, I figured I can handle all the cooking. I can still smile when I remembered hubby's response when I told him I'll be cooking. "Biar betul!" in such a disbelief tone hehehe...
I rarely cook since we're married. Normally we'll finish work quite late and by the time we reached home, both would be famished. The thought of waiting for another hour or so till the food got cooked was just unbearable. So eating-out it is. But, I also know my cooking is acceptable. No one has been poisoned so far. I know I have never cook at a large scale before but there's always the first time right? And normally my first attempt worked.
It's risky no doubt inviting people to your house and there's a risk of not enough food to serve but I'm adamant to give it a try. There's food backup just in case. Then hubby thought my food backup was still not enough so he bought more backup for my food backup hehehe... The fried chicken, chicken fingers and nugget were a hit so thank God for hubby's extra backup. My second boss went into the kitchen wanting to know how we marinated the chicken. We also cook fried mee as an addition in the late afternoon. We have other plans for the mee actually but I thought that would be too much. Thank God I hired a very competent helper to help in the kitchen. Otherwise, I'll have no time to mingle with the guest at all.
I envisioned myself looking perfectly made-up in my stunning kebaya greeting and entertaining our guest during our first open house together. All the food would also be ready by the time our first guest arrive.
Reality check: I still wore the blouse and pants worn while cooking in the morning and the main dish was still not ready when our first guest arrived. Yikesss!! Lucky they're family so everyone got into the kitchen to help. Anyway everything turned out quite well. The rice was a bit soft and the jelly should be sweeter but other than that, the food were OK. Some of my friends praised lavishly after being well-fed so I'm one very satisfied cook even though I don't have enough time to 'meng-anggunkan diri' :D
I cook a lot of things for the first time last week and I just googled most of the recipes too. Everything has to be cook at a large scale. My only limitation was we don't have that many big pots and pans. I bought some for the occasion but still there were not enough large containers to mix and store things. Next time, I'll know what to borrow from relatives :) Last week was a really tiring but enjoyable week.
I learn many things.
1. I need a bigger frying pan
2. I need a lot more big containers
3. Ketupat and lemang were not people's favorite after going to so many open houses
4. Because of item 3., 2kgs of meat would be enough for the rendang
5. 2kgs of Basmathi rice was more than enough. Maybe next time I should just cook 1 to 1.5 kgs.
6. 2 packs of minced meat were enough for the spaghetti sauce
7. 500gms of spaghetti would be enough. Buy another smaller pack just in case
8. About 3 kgs of chicken would be required for the fried chicken
9. We used 2 packets of chicken fingers and 2 packets of nuggets
10. I need another bottle of chilli sauce. The tomato sauce was not a favorite at all
11. The mee packet bought at Tesco and Fajar wasn't good. If I'm not mistaken the brand was Mi Ku or something like that.
12. We need lots of rugs and towels in the kitchen. It gets messy and wet easily during all the chaos
13. I need the container where people put water to wash hands
14. We need a bigger mat
15. There are few other things we need but the most important thing, cooperation and lots of love :)
Many little things and a smile from hubby from across the room meant a lot during those busy moments. Not to mention the foot massage afterward :D Heavenly.
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