Up in Heaven...

I’m sure that all Malaysians are now deeply saddened by what happened to Nurin. I’m personally enraged. All sorts of ‘methods of punishment’ come flashing on my mind if ‘the bastard/s’ get caught. At only 8 years old, Nurin felt all the torture that a little girl shouldn’t have even heard of. Not only she was kidnapped and taken away from her family and medication for almost a month, she was also beaten, sexually assaulted, murdered and her body stuffed in a sports bag by a sick, heartless, empty-headed creature. I dare not refer the ‘psychopath’ who did all those things to Nurin as human or animal because, ‘his/her’ behaviour was neither human-like nor animal-like. But sad to say that in the world that we live today, only the mentally mutated human species is capable of doing such a thing.

Is our Malaysia not a safe place anymore? At 50 years old, we’re still a developing country, but the crime rate is catching up really fast exceeding our country’s development. Nowadays, there are so many varieties of crimes. Reading and watching Malaysia’s local news is like watching scenes from 'CSIs’ or ‘Criminal Minds’ when it comes to ‘crime’ section. It is mostly devastating when innocent children were the victim.

Despite all these, are we suppose to lock up our children at home or always follow them where ever they go? I don’t have a child myself, but if I do, I might lock them up or follow them around just to make sure they are safe. Or even, force them to wear a security bracelet embedded with a GPS locator so that I can track their location at all times. If technology and law permits, might as well plant a microchip inside them so that I’ll know if they have even the slightest idea of removing the security bracelet.

But, would that be a good idea? Don’t we remember our childhood? It was fun, full of adventure, outdoor activities, plenty of friends... home was just like a transit for us to eat, sleep and maybe catch a cartoon or two in the evenings. Then, we’re off again playing catch, rounders, ‘teng- teng’, ‘lompat getah’ and all the games there were. My brother, sister and I were born and raised in Kuala Lumpur and we never felt any real threat during our childhood.

Maybe Malaysia (particularly Kuala Lumpur in this case) has changed dramatically over the last 30 years. If threats are all around us, then we must evolve to be ‘competitive’ with the threats, so that neither we nor any children will fall victim to any kind of crime. Children especially must be taught of safety precautions so that they can take care of themselves and also because it is impossible for us to guard them all the times.

When I was young, my father always told me ‘never accept any sweets offered by strangers’. ‘Be careful when you walk and never walk alone’. ‘Come home before it turns dark’. ‘Never talk or stand too close to stranger especially if they look suspicious’. ‘Scream for help if you think you’re in danger’ and my aunties go the extremes of reminding me to ‘run/ scream like mad’. It was most fun to go out at night and I was always stubborn. My father and mother couldn’t always say no, but they reminded me to ‘go out in groups and make sure there are elder brothers/ sisters with you’.

Will all the reminders and tips make our children paranoid? I don’t think so because in my case it made me aware that not all people are good, even if they look nice and the reminders also alerted me of my surroundings. Children must be prepared with all the necessities so that they can take care of themselves when the parents are restricted of doing so. This will also give parents a little peace of mind and parents don’t need to worry about their children’s safety all the times.

Let us all pray really hard and work together to make sure that the same thing will not happen again to any child because childhood suppose to be time for learning, adventure, fun... Let us all pray really hard and work together to make sure that the ‘creature/s’ responsible for what happened to Nurin will be brought to justice and will be given maximum punishment (even that won’t be enough). Each of us holds a responsibility in making Malaysia a safe place for all its good citizens. Nothing is ever too fishy or too suspicious. Make everything our business, because we care. After what happened to Nurin, all of us should have reached the level of ‘better paranoid than sorry’.

As for Nurin, rest in peace little angel as you’re now safe and protected under the care and love of Allah s.w.t, up in heaven.

One simple act of kindness...

What does it take for you to be remembered fondly for the rest of your life and even after that?

One simple act of kindness. That's all it takes. It doesn't matter in what form. As long as it is a sincere one, you'll be more than fairly rewarded.

I remember one absolutely tiring day when I was just a junior executive. I was in charge in training and among the responsibilities were getting the training materials ready on time and making sure there are enough copies for everybody. There are a lot of modules, a lot of participants, a lot of work...

During the preparation for the training, I made frequent trips to the copier room. One day, I was really down. My feet hurts from standing and walking all day long. I've already substituted my heels with a flat sandal... I didn't want my feet to be sacrificed. It was a dreadful day to be facing a few copier machines during lunchtime. Then, out of nowhere, a canon copier technician appear...

It's time for him to service the machines. I was so frustrated because that means my work also had to stop. I was already so tired, I just wished I could finish copying as soon as possible. So, reluctantly I started to collect the training materials and stopped whatever I was doing.

I'm not sure what made him say those wonderful words to me that day. I think because he saw my tired face, slouch shoulders, heavy steps... and maybe also he didn't want me to be in his way. But I really didn't care of the whys... I only know that 'let me help you with that' was the nicest and sweetest thing a man could say to a woman in my condition. He sounded sincere, but I still asked him whether he was sure about his offer. With a smile, he said 'yes'.

Only one word... the best word.

So there we were... him servicing the copier machines while tending to my training materials. I was sitting on a table, hanging my feet, enjoying a bit of free time. We didn't talk much. But at that time, I feel like he was the nicest man on earth and the silence was the best conversation I ever had.

After an hour, his work done, so were the training materials. I said thank you with my highest appreciaton, he said 'no problem' with the sweetest smile on his face. Then we parted.

I remember telling my good friend I just had the happiest time that day. And it really was. Believe it or not, I think I still remember his face, the canon copier technician. I don't think he remembers me. But that doesn't matter.

One simple, sincere act of kindness can go a long way. You don't plan this kind of things. It just happened. If it happens to you, you'll feel wonderful. And if you make it happen to other people, the feeling is amazing. You just won't believe what one simple, sincere act of kindness can do.

So, go out there, be kind, be sincere... make people feel good. Then tell me how that makes you feel.

Fanaa...

I'm listening to Hindi song right now. Chand Sifarish, OST of Fanaa. One of my favourite Hindi movie. But I think this is the best Hindi movie ever. The storyline, especially the love story is closest to reality. Aamir Khan gave an outstanding act and Kajol is as excellent as ever. Even though the ending is not the happy ending you always expected from Hindi movies, the ending is very much satisfactory. Makes you wonder what would you do when choosing the lesser of two evils.

Make sure you catch the videos of Chand Sifarish and Mere Haath Mein.

Good site...

Today, a colleague of mine forwarded a very good link. All of us muslims should visit this website. Especially those like me who always travel and away from home. We have limited time to spend to listen to Islamic teachings, and when we have the time, we rather spend it window shopping, go to the movies, bookstores or always in front of the tv catching up with missed CSIs episodes. I feel that I've drifted for a distance from Islam. This does not feel good.

I thank ALLAH for this website and for giving this idea to the webmasters. May ALLAH bless you all always for what you're doing in the path of ISLAM.

'YouTube', the Islamic version --> www.ceramahislam.com

Late nights...

Working until late night again today. It's been like this for three weeks and I think it's going to continue this way until a few more months. Up till now, my body still can take it. Physically still going strong, mentally still ok... but motivationally, extremely low. Still in the end, the heart matters the most. I actually prefer a more relax lifestyle (you too right?) where I can go and have a life. But no complain. This is what I wanted, I chose this path and now I must go all the way, at least until the project completed. Then, I might turn to another direction, where I can spend sometimes doing the things I like.

At times like this, I think everybody will start to reevaluate the course of their chosen path. Heads up to those who are enjoying what they really enjoy right now. I wish my mind was as clear as you guys and I wish that I was strong enough to follow my heart. For those out there who are like me, just believe that everything happens for a reason and there's always a blessing in disguise. Only that we must put an effort to hunt for the blessings.

The question now is, have we got a plan for the hunt? I think I have... more of a draft actually. At least something already there. This time I have to make sure that it goes to the direction of the heart. This time I must make sure I'll be doing things that will help not only myself, but also others.

Oppssss... time to go. Taxi will be here in 5 minutesss...

2006 Blessings counted

There are so many things to be thankful for in 2006. Have you counted your blessings?

In 2006, I'm thankful for:
An amazing family... mak, ayah and my two adindas, I love you guys! My aunties, uncles, cousins, nephew and nieces... interesting group of people :)

Great friends and an international group of new friends

Challenging job... which has taught me the meaning of perseverence and thick face ;)

Technology! Life is much easier and interesting with digital camera, memory cards, thumb drive, external HD, FM modulator, MP4 player etc etc...

An increase of income

Good books! Thank you Clive Cussler for Dirk Pitt, thank you Neil Fiore for 'The Now Habit', thank you Gervase Phinn for 'Up and Down in the Dales', thank you Velocity Media for 'Digital Camera Magazine'...

Thank you ALLAH for 2006!

Qaisy & Laila

Last night I watched 'Qaisy & Laila' at RTM1. I love it! I wished I had watched it at the cinema and now I'm thinking of buying the VCD. I'm not sure where I was when 'Qaisy & Laila' went to the cinema in 2005. Where was I?

Anyway, I'm glad that Habsah Hassan decided to produced this movie despite the setbacks. Apparently her movie is as good as her song lyrics. I'm also glad that they casted Jehan Miskin and Fazura as the main roles. You guys did it beautifully... really reminds me of the chemistry between Azmil Mustapha and Ogy Ahmad Daud ;) Umie Aida and Radhi Khalid also did really well. I love you guys! This movie has given me hope that one day Malaysian movies will be acknowledged internationally.

Can't wait to watch another Habsah Hassan's movie...