Dear Readers,

Salam & Good day to all... I hope you'll have fun reading and probably collect something useful here. I welcome all comments & commends. Please don't be anonymous. I'd like to know my visitors :)

"La Tahzan, InnaAllaha ma'ana" (Al- Quran: Surah At- Taubah- Verse 40)
Translation: "Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allah is with us."

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." ~Edmund Burke~

'It's not what the world holds for you, but what you bring to it' ~Anne of Green Gables~

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Jauhkanlah Diri Daripada Hasad Dengki...

* In Malay

Bercerita dengan seorang sahabat tentang cabaran dalam kehidupan & kerjaya sehari-  hari. Dalam begitu banyak cabaran, hasad dengki tentulah salah satu daripadanya... kan?

Kadang- kadang, kita yang tak ada apa- apa pun didengki orang. Tak faham kan? Mungkin kita ada keistimewaan yang kita sendiri tidak perasan. Cuma dapat dilihat oleh orang lain. Mungkin juga ianya ujian daripada Allah. Apa- apa pun, redhalah. Keistimewaan atau ujian, kedua- duanya kelebihan buat kita. Peluang untuk kita menjadi insan yang lebih baik.

Kita ni semuanya manusia biasakan? Soal hati & perasaan ni, bukan terhad kepada perasaan cinta aje kan? Hasad dengki pun, soal hati & perasaan juga. Macam cinta, hasad dengki juga bukan dipaksa- paksa. Ia juga sukar diteka. Betul ke? Hmmm... Inilah dia penangan penyakit hati.

Tapi, semua penyakit ada ubatnya. Macam cinta, hasad dengki juga boleh dikawal... Boleh diubati.

Soalnya, mahukah kita mengawal desakan hati itu? Mahukah kita mengubatinya?

Takkan tak mahu? Ih ih ih... tak baik tau dengki- dengki.

Hasad dengki ni, bukan sekadar menyakitkan orang yang didengki, malah menyusahkan diri sendiri. Apabila hasad dengki meluap- luap, senanglah syaitan nak cucuk jarum kerana lubangnya sudah ada. Sudah tentu kita semua tak mahu syaitan menguasai diri kita kan?

Siapa yang tak pernah berhasad dengki atau didengki orang, untungnya mereka. Saya belum termasuk dalam golongan yang beruntung itu. Belum lagi :) Syukurnya, penyakit ini, hanya 'mild' buat saya (rasanya laaa... eikkksss). Syukur sangat. Sekiranya kita didengki orang, berdoalah kepada Allah semoga perasaan hasad orang itu akan beransur- ansur pulih dan janganlah mencurahkan minyak keatas hati yang memang sedang berbara :) Jangan cari penyakit... *wink* Kasihanilah orang itu kerana dia juga sedang menghadapi kesukaran melawan perasaan hasad dengkinya (peringatan untuk diri sendiri...).

Apa pula yang dapat kita lakukan kalau kita sendiri yang berhasad dengki terhadap orang? Susah ni... kan? Tapi, seboleh- bolehnya. kawallah. Hasad dengki itu, simpan aje didalam hati. Tak perlulah menyakiti orang yang didengki tu. Gunakan semua tenaga & sumber yang terkumpul dengan perasaan hasad dengki itu untuk memperbaiki diri. Lebih berfaedah begitu. 'Inspiring rivalry' ... (peringatan untuk diri sendiri lagi...).

Disini saya sertakan senjata doa untuk melindungi diri daripada didengki orang, dan juga supaya kita sendiri tidak berdengki dengan orang :) Semoga kita semua mendapat kebaikan. Amin...

Ayat Penggerak:
Boleh baca kelebihan doa ini diwebsite Darussyifa' ye. 
Sumber: Darussyifa' Online --> http://www.darussyifa.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=50
Sumber: Koleksi Doa Terpilih oleh Dato' Dr. Haron Din

Lagi satu doa yang berfaedah buat kita semua dalam usaha memajukan diri.
Sumber: Koleksi Doa Terpilih oleh Dato' Dr. Haron Din

Segala kebaikan & kelebihan itu datangnya daripada Allah, segala kekurangan adalah daripada diri saya sendiri. Semoga entri saya pada hari ini menjadi sumber yang berguna kepada kita semua.

Semoga cemerlang semua!

Friday, January 20, 2012

Good news on HALAL in Malaysia

Been waiting for this news for a while now. This is a real good news...

I hope there will be more enforcement soon.

Source: http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2012&dt=0120&pub=Kosmo&sec=Negara&pg=ne_07.htm

Level of confidence increased on HALAL in Malaysia... :)


Sunday, January 15, 2012

The Laksamana Sunan series :)

Can't shake this off... a good read is a good read. I spoke about this series so passionately that a few of my friends & I have become a member of ASFC --> Abang Sunan FanClub. Kekekeee...

I managed to spread the Laksamana Sunan fever... ngeeeeee...

Since my last entry, Ramlee Awang Murshid have added 2 more books in this series... Cinta Sufi & Sutera Bidadari. Of all the 5 books, my favourite ones are Cinta Sang Ratu & Sutera Bidadari.

These 5 books are such an enjoyable & entertaining read... full of adventures!

I'm sure there is a 6th book coming... Can't wait!

If you haven't read these books, you better! Go get them! Go go goooo...


 


Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Menyahut Seruan Rukunegara...


Yang ke-5 : KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN

* In Malay 
*****
Seperti yang telah saya war- warkan kepada beberapa orang sahabat saya, maka saya, The Sometimes Speechless akan mencuba pada tahun 2012 ini, dengan sepenuh sedaya upaya saya untuk meningkatkan tahap kesopanan & kesusilaan saya. Saya juga menyeru kepada rakan- rakan pembaca, seluruh rakyat Malaysia & warga dunia supaya sama- sama menyahut seruan yang murni ini.

Ngeee... 

Usia dah semakinnnn meningkat... Masa untuk memperbaiki diri... Walaupun sepatutnya dah mula sejak dulu lagi, tapi rasanya sekarang masih belum terlambat. 

Terbaca sketsa dibawah sewaktu menghabiskan masa di Facebook...

Source: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=194956643930576&set=a.115609218531986.22414.103099216449653&type=3&theater

Walaupun rasanya saya tidak sekasar itu, tapi tergigit cili, walaupun sedikit, pasti akan terasa pedasnya...

Lagipun, saya pernah membaca ada hadis yang menyebut:

“Orang yang dijauhkan dari sifat lemah lembut, maka ia dijauhkan dari kebaikan.” (HR.Muslim)

Oh tidak! Tak mahulah dijauhkan daripada kebaikan... terutamanya dalam keadaan dunia yang semakin kucar- kacir sekarang.

Semoga saya mempunyai kekuatan dan keazaman yang cukup tinggi untuk mencapai azam yang satu ini. 

... dan azam- azam yang lain juga!

Marilah kita sama- sama!

Doakan saya ye! Terima kasih! Sayanggggg you all!

Saturday, January 07, 2012

I AMSTERDAM :)

With the famous 'I Amsterdam' landmark :)

I love Amsterdam. Not for the wrong reasons... no no noooo... Surprisingly, it's a cool place to visit. I enjoyed my time here...

Probably because it was less crowded and I got to spend half a day with nature *skipping*

2 days were not enough! Not enough! *sigh*

Amsterdam has trams... so convenient. I love trams... Amsterdam has trams,  Melbourne has trams... Why KL doesn't have trams?

We took a Thalys train (First class!) from Paris Nord to Amsterdam Centraal. The ride was smooth, the 3.5 hours journey was comfortable. The trip from Paris to Amsterdam took us across Belgium. If you take this kind of trip you can immediately know that we were not in France anymore because the architecture is different. So much difference for neighbouring countries :)

Foods served on Thalys's first class :)

When we arrived at Amsterdam Centraal, the Dr.; Ph.D was already waiting for us. 7 years didn't make a difference at all. It felt as if we were still in university time, when were still young adults. Still so young now :P

Amsterdam Centraal

First thing first when we arrived in Amsterdam, dinner! Our stomachs were already drumming and I kept on thinking of 'nasi briyani'. Hahahahaaa... So, the Dr.; Ph.D brought us to an Indian restaurant where the chicken briyani & mango lassi were so yummy! Over the roof yummy! I want!

After dinner, we went to the famous 'red light district' where I was fully prepared to experience a culture shock! But eh, not too shocking... Unfortunately, I have seen it all on tv. I'm not going to tell you about this district, you can Google it. Mr. Goog has everything *wink*

I didn't take a picture of the district... I was busy experiencing the area... kikikiii... Anyway, I borrow a photo from Mr. Wiki, just for you guys :)

Photo from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_red-light_districts

The next day, we're off for a fun day. The Dr. didn't come with us. He has to prepare for his thesis defense. So, it were Anastasia & I again... having fun in the winter!

Amsterdam city

Amsterdam river cruise... niceeeee... loving it...don't miss it!





Then we're off to 'Zaanse Schans' to go and see windmills! OMG, I loved this village. I wish I have a getaway cottage there... the place was beautiful, the air was cold & fresh, the wind was strong... it was just beautiful.

So cold!

Hmmm... I love it!

I wish to have a cottage here...

Tasted them all... all good!

...

Imagine living here... so beautiful...

Then we went to see a traditional Holland's clog making. The lady who gives the explanation to us was funny... we truly enjoyed her presentation... hihihiiii...

To the left, to the left...

..
...

Clog making village... beautiful too...

The funny lady :)

Cuteness!

Last destination was Volendam, a local fisherman village... it was already dark & bitingly cold... brrrr... I loved it!




Once we got back to the city, it's off to dinner time. Ribs... I love ribs... *drool*
No picture... sorry! :) Was busy enjoying the food... no time for picture :P

The next day, which was our last day, we're off to buying souvenirs... before that we stopped to pose with 'I Amsterdam' :) It's near the Van Gogh Museum. That time, there are people constructing an ice skating ring there... *sigh* we came to Amsterdam to early in December. Otherwise, we'll get a chance to show off our skating skill :P Yeah right! Hahahaaa...

I love winter morning... so peaceful...


After we were done with our souvenir shopping, we hurried to Vrije University to support The Dr. during his thesis defense. So much support from us :P We arrived 45 minutes late! But his other friends were there & looked like he was so cool & so sure with his answers... so, no worries.

He was smiling so big later when posing with his Ph.D. Congratulations!



That's the end of our short trip to Amsterdam. Too short. I loved the country. Must go back again.

Some pictures of Amsterdam cuteness!

I want one!

Heheheee... drink & cycle... efficient :)

Thursday, January 05, 2012

KITA SHARE APA KATA USTAZ

*In Malay

Itu tajuk email daripada salah seorang sahabat saya hari ini. Kita panggil dia Cik N laaa... N = 'Nips' sebab dia pembekal 'Nips' di kelas dan saya tukang makan... Hihihiii...

Semoga entri hari ini dapat memberi manfaat kepada kita semua. InsyaAllah.

**********

Assalaamu 'alaikum..

Kita ini semuanya sama

Tiada beza yang tua mahupun yang muda

Jangan menyombong atau takbur sesama manusia

Sekalipun kita berpangkat atau berilmu

Kerana disisi Allah

Kita semuanya sama

Kata ustaz

Jangan kita hina orang yang lemah

Yang kurang berada

Mahupun yang kurang paras rupa

Tiada beza yang mengerjakan sawah

Mahupun yang membina perumahan mewah

Kerana disisi Allah

Kita semuanya sama



Kata ustaz lagi

Jangan kita hina

Budak kecil yang comot lagi berhingus

Kerana dia tiada dosa

Sedangkan kita

Setiap waktu dan ketika

Memenuhi hati kita

Dengan titik-titik noda

Dalam tidur, dalam jaga



Akhirnya ustaz berpesan,

Ingatlah!

Kita manusia semuanya adalah sama

Yang membezakan kita

Hanyalah AMAL dan TAQWA

Biarlah kita kurang dimata manusia

Tetapi tinggi disisi ALLAH



Peliharalah dirimu

Agar tidak dinodai dengan suasana

Sesungguhnya dirimu

Ada harga diri

Yang tidak ternilai mahalnya



Segalanya UjiaN

ALLAH menguji KEIKHLASAN bila bersendirian...

ALLAH memberi KEDEWASAAN bila ada masalah...

ALLAH melatih KESABARAN dalam kesakitan...

ALLAH tak PERNAH ambil sesuatu yg kita sayang TANPA menggantikan dengan yg lebih baik....



SAHABAT SEJATI

apabila ingin berteman,jgnlah krn KELEBIHANNYA,krn mungkin dgn 1 KELEMAHAN, kau akan MENJAUHINYA...

andai kau ingin BERTEMAN, jgnlah krn KEBAIKANNYA, krn dgn 1 KEBURUKAN, kau akan MEMBENCINYA...

andai kau ingin berteman, jgnlah krn ILMUNYA, krn apabil dia BUNTU, kau akan MEMFITNAHNYA....

andai kau ingin berteman jgnlah krn sifat CERIANYA, krn andai dia MURAM, mungkin kau akn MENJAUHINYA...

Andai kau ingin berteman.....TERIMALAH dia seadanya kerana dia juga MANUSIA BIASA SEPERTIMU....

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

Au Revoir Paris!

Seriously, 4 days in Paris was not enough. Anastasia & I kept smacking our own heads for the '4 days Paris adventure' decision. There are so many more things to explores, places to see, beauty to experience. But, too bad...

I think we're actually meant to go back there :P

We'll be back... ngeeee....

Anyway, overall experience in Paris... what I love about Paris:
  • Loved meeting my old friends. Great guys!
  • Loved The Eiffel Tower
  • Loved The Louvre Museum
  • Loved the yummeh nutella crepe
  • Loved the marvelous time we spent at The Grevin Wax Museum. 
  • Loved the River Cruise.

Turkish food we enjoyed at a halal Turkish restaurant near metro station Riquet.
I sure enjoyed the lamb :)

The challenges for me in Paris:
  • It's a city. So, it's crowded. People everywhere. Plus it's shopping for Christmas time. I'm a 'kampung' girl. I'll be happier in a place like Guilin :)
  • The metro. 
    • The confusing exits, inter-connections & ticket machines for first timers, the crowd (again), the narrow walkway.  If you complain much about the LRT system that we have in KL, then don't. The LRT that we have here is in much better condition. I feel like I was in a hole in the metro system. Their trains are older. But the trains are in good condition & clean. Some of the trains, you have to open the doors manually. Some are automatic So, if you ever ride a Paris's metro, be sure to look for a knob or button to open the door. 
    • The best thing is, Paris metro system is well connected to all destinations. Once you exit, 'oh there's the Louvre', 'oh, there's the Arc de Triomphe', 'oh there's the Grevin'. Heheheee... convenient. When you take the RER, the train to the suburbs (you will take this because RER A goes to Disneyland... we didn't go there), you'll get a chance to ride on a double- decker train. Interesting :) 
    • By the way, do you know how complicated and deep is Paris's metro system? I read about the metro system on early 2011 in a NatGeo magazine. The metro system goes deep & knowing about it made me a little bit claustrophobic :)  
    • Errr... another thing, the metro is not for disabled friendly. All stairs, no escalators. Good for us the young & not so healthy but lazy to go exercise. Ngeee... 
    • During our trips in the metro, there are people singing, playing music, recite poem & verses from the Bible (I guessed, from the bit of words that I understand). They entertain for a little donation.
I did have difficulties with Paris metro didn't I? Hmmm...

The Ocean's 11 gang @ The Grevin Wax Museum

What else I haven't talked about?
The Champ Elysees... a stretch of road full of boutiques, malls & restaurant along the way. You'll find LV, GUCCI etc here. During Christmas, there stalls selling a lot of stuff there. I loved the stalls. They made effort to decorate their stalls. Nice :)

Christmas decoration along Champ Elysees 

Where did we stay?
We booked a BnB because it's cheaper. Our BnB was near the Riquet station. It was on the 25 floor overlooking The Eiffel Tower & The Sacre Coeur. Can you imagine the view? It was just lovely. Our host was a lovely, friendly, helpful, resourceful & chatty lady who served beautiful breakfast and made delicious strawberry & peach jam. The room & the house was small but comfortable. We enjoyed our stay there :)

Breakfast prepared by Luce Namer, our host. Burppp... There's actually a baguette as well. I missed it from the lens there...

I guess that's all about my trip to Paris. In four words to summarize the experience...

I will be back!

Hehehehee...

p/s: Sorry it took me such a long time to complete this last entry of my Paris adventure.

 The Paris Nord station where we took our Thalys train to Amsterdam. 
Story & photos coming soon :)