Beauty Tips

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.
The beauty of a woman must be seen within her eyes,
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole.
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows,
And the beauty of a woman with passing years only grow

Apparently written by Audrey Hepburn

So simple yet so profound.

~Salam~

Family Time

I love it when my family go on our little journeys and outings. Usually we go on a spending spree once or twice a year. We're not rich in money but rich in precious family time. :)  Such an outing took place last Saturday. After Zohor with our hearts at ease but stomachs empty, we hailed a cab and went to Woodlands Central. That place is so vintage. Quite an ancient place with so many shops selling good quality stuff at rock-bottom prices. My eyes were set on this restaurant that we ALWAYS go to to celebrate anything. That day was a celebration. A day to celebrate my sister's move from Primary school to Secondary school, my brother's success in getting into his choice of course and Polytechnic. Also, to celebrate my success in securing a place in University (Technically I got offers just that I haven't accepted any yet). To the restaurant we marched.

Ordered food we did. Seafood fried rice, steamed chicken rice, Milo Dinosaurs, hot teh tarik and kuih-muih as dessert occupied our spacious table. Such a sinfully delicious spread. I wish I can have that Milo Dinosaur again. Its actually iced Milo with lots of whipped cream and Milo powder as well as Chocolate syrup on top. YUMMY! And the seafood fried rice always have me coming back for more. After the generous portions of lunch+dinner, we head off to Woodlands Central where all the good shops are constantly hidden only to be found by those patient and adventurous enough to look for them. My dear mum was such a person. She can search for anything at all. Seriously, she's like the treasure hunter or the lost-and-found lady. And so... As a family, we went shopping and purchased T-shirts, jeans, pants etc... So fun!!... My passion for making cute little things/artsy stuff drove me to get fabrics, buttons, ribbons etc. I just had to get them mainly because I'm on to another ART project.:)  And my hobby for collecting tudung (headscarves) and shawls just pushed me to get like over 7 tudung. Was it seven? Or more? A girl can never get enough of those essentials. :D 

The day concluded at 8pm at night. Exhausted and with a lighter purse then before, we hailed a taxi and headed home. I loved the ride home. Always. Living in the north allows you to see and experience many things that people don't always get to encounter by chance. For example, I saw some of the ships and their repair equipments in the distance on my left. On my right, I could see the prisons and rehabilitation centres.Not exactly a sight you would welcome but the thoughts following the sight you simply have to welcome. I realized that I have so much to be grateful for. For my family and their everlasting love and concer. For my friends for being there and when we stopped talking, its as if time too stood still between us. And when we meet and talk again, its as if nothing changed between us. Countless blessings sometimes in disguise. Thank you. Somehow I find that the air is fresher up north. I think its because of the pockets of forest in the north cleansing and purifying the air at all times.With that, if you happen to pass by those little forests, you get to see their inhabitants: Monkeys. What a sight to conclude your family day :) Forever indelibly inked in my book of memories.
Alhamdullilah.


~Salam~ 

Acquiesce

"It is better to sit alone than in company with the bad; and it is, better still to sit with the good than alone. It is better to speak to a seeker of knowledge than to remain silent; but silence is better than idle words." Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) - Bukhari

~Salam~

Pet Lovers

I have always wondered why pet lovers would allow their pets, especially dogs and cats, to kiss them or lick their mouths or faces. Have they thought of this:

This actually occurred to me only after I saw this.

I'm not a pet person. That is to say, I don't really like pets. I used to be allergic to cat's fur when I was younger. Now, I still am not that fascinated with the idea of having pets. Having pets in my family is strictly probatum est. A big NO-NO. Its not that my parents are martinets nor are they bohemian(gosh, far from it!). It just seems to them and myself that letting pets or animals have their freedom is the right thing to do.

I understand how much some people can love their animals or dear pets such that you treat them like people, kissing, cuddling, licking(?)  those criminally cute creatures. But shouldn't there be some distance or privacy for both the owners and their pets? Plus, can you imagine, your cutsy little cat went out, disappearing in broad daylight doing God knows what and come back home all purring and sayang-sayang(lovey-dovey) and SMACK, you give your cat one good kiss on the lips. And then the licking starts. You have no clue where your cat's lips have been and where or what your cat's tongues have licked.
Personally, I wouldn't want my face to smell like a cat's crotch. No sirreee.

~Salam~

Confused weather

I think the weather is confused. Of late, the weather can be unpredictable. It would be so bright and shiny early in the morning and then in a split second, clouds would gather, hiding the blue landscape of the skies and poof! It would start pouring. On another occasion, the skies would be almost cloudless except for one or two suspiciously small yet ominous clouds lurking at the far corner of the sky. And you would think that those clouds would never reach the vicinity of your skies.Well, you thought wrong. Because somehow the forces of Mother Nature gave rise to strong winds that could actually sail a ship  the ends of the world. Such strong winds would translate to the transportation of those one or two HUGE clouds to the vicinity of your skies. Soon after, it rains!

Today, well actually now at this moment, the skies are as white as snow. No, it doesn't snow here. It just rains. But thing is, the skies being white would mean that there are fluffy cloud-containing water vapour just waiting to condense. And now, I'm waiting for those water vapour up there to condense. It still hasn't rained. For two hours, I delayed my outing(going shopping for art stuff actually). This wait, this mystery is such a maddening conundrum. COME ON, will you just start pouring...

I would say that the weather is highly confused. Incensed sometimes(because it gets so hot and humid that people go out wearing super mini shorts and almost nothing on top). All because of her darn old nemesis; GLOBAL WARMING. They just don't get along. Can't you guys just kiss and make up? Can't you see what you are all doing to Mankind?


~Salam~

I read this on Hanisah's blog and thought how true this statement is...

“If Allah brings you to it . . He will bring you through it . . . “


P.S.: I really love this sweet and simple quote. Sorry I ripped it from your blog. But I love this one. Keep on inspiring girl :D

~Salam~

To be happy or not to be

Seriously? Seriously?!

Yes, seriously I am happy. Ever since things took a change for the better(or worse sometimes), I believe I am better person now than I am before. Before...there was school and all the stress that entails the title of a student. There were so many things I wished I would rather be doing then other than study. The world of academia I was trapped in was all mere words and humanoids with a veneer of kindliness. I am happy to be rid of it. It wasn't the most horrible of times nor was it the most happiest of times. It was more of a state of tolerance. And everyone has a certain limit to their tolerance. Thank goodness I am very tolerant and full of patience (trust me, I can be very patient unlike any other until you burst my bubble then I'll get you!).

Now, it is different. I feel like a new person. Someone who could do anything. Someone who could pursue their passions. My passions... Its a long list but some important ones are to pursue my favourite field of visual arts, to be better for my family and friends and achieve an inner peace and happiness for happiness comes from within. If you need other people or material things to be happy, then there's something wrong dear. So far, I am reaching closer to those passions.

Because of that, I am happy. It feels strange to be happy. It has a je ne sais quoi feel to it. And I'm liking it.

"Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude."

~Salam~

Thanks

When many things are happening, albeit good or bad, sometimes all you can say is Alhamdullilah, thank you yet again for everything.

~Salam~

21 Guns

Favourite All-Time Song: 21 Guns sung by Green Day featuring the American Idiot Musical Cast



Do you know what's worth fighting for
When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating?
Does the pain weigh out the pride
And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside?
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

When you're at the end of the road
And you lost all sense of control
And your thoughts have taken their toll
When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul
Your faith walks on broken glass
And the hangover doesn't pass
Nothing's ever built to last
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

Did you try to live on your own
When you burned down the house and home?
Did you stand too close to the fire?
Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone

When it's time to live and let die
And you can't get another try
Something inside this heart has died
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky


One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms
Give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky
You and I

To put it all in a nutshell:  Violece never made anyone happy. It is never the solution.

~Salam~

Words from a wise man

To paraphrase what Muhammad Ali said to his daughter, Hana Ali:

Everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.
Where do you find diamonds?
Deep down in the ground, covered and protected.
Where do you find pearls?
Deep down at the bottom of the ocean covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.
Where do you find gold?

Way down in the mine, covered with layers and layers of rock.
You've got to work hard to get to them.

Your body is sacred. You're far more precious than any diamonds and pearls. If they are mere objects, and they are covered and hard to attain, then how much more should God-loving women, also be covered. So when I see a covered woman, I know that she respects herself and understands that as God treasures her, she should also treasure herself, because “that which is holy is hidden.”

~Salam~

Hijab Problems?

Who's got a problem with hijab?

I suppose there are many people with such related problems albeit the hijabis or otherwise, non-Muslims and Muslims etc. Talking from a hijabi's perspective(yes, I wear the hijab/tudung. Surprise to those who didn't know! Well, you didn't know me enough), I do have problems with regards to hijab or wearing the hijab or adhering to the hijab code or with people having less than pleasant opinions or comments about it. After reading the article titled 'Who's got a problem with hijab?' and long trail of comments posted, it was comforting in a sense to know that I'm not the only one in this. It got me reflecting...

In the past when I was a little girl (it wasn't THAT long ago), my mother had me wearing the tudung or hijab. I've been wearing it ever since. But back then, I was clueless as to why I'm supposed to wear it. It was more of a habit then. As I grew older, there were so many questions with regards to hijab and etc. Why do I wear it? Am I doing it for Allah? Why is it that women have to cover up their heads and not men? How come there are other women of my faith not wearing the hijab? These are only a mere handful of questions constantly bubbling up in my mind. My mother who was my only source of knowledge with regards to this was also lacking the knowledge. My inquisitive nature just could not bear the state of being clueless. Even though I do attend madrasah every Sunday, there are some topics that are simply left to our own discovery. As such, I set out on my journey to discover more and more about my faith and hijab.

What I have found out thus far... To put it in a nutshell...

Wearing the hijab and following the hijab code helps me keep my Iman. You can say that it is like a constant reminder of Allah s.w.t. When I see others of my faith not covering up and prefering to adhere to the latest fashion trend as dictated by the rich few, it makes me feel sad.  Sad for them actually. Why? Because they are trying to suppress a part of their religion; being modest suddenly became a fashion faux pas today? And I have heard one to many of the same excuse for not covering-up. Some examples... "We're modern women, why should we adhere to strict dressing laws?", "I've got all the time for this. I'll do it when I get older"or "I'm just not ready". I guess partly they think that being modern means dressing in the lastest fashion and being open-minded when it comes to everything(pardon my harsh generalisation). If you're open-minded about nudity, is it impossible to be open-minded about modesty?  But I suppose it also takes time to learn and gain knowledge about Islam maybe thats why people are at different levels of piety. Even though, Allah has already designed your life even before you were born. Allah has also given you the power to make choices. I know this sounds confusing and I have been confused countless times about it. But Allah's knowledge is indeed beyond human comprehension.


Another thing that bothers me is that....Since I'm adorning the hijab, it does not mean that I think of myself as someone 'holier' than others. Of course there are the occasional slip-ups with my solat, the not-so-bad frequent pranks on people, sometimes screaming at my siblings, secretly wishing to disobey my parents. But aren't we all human? I never think that I'm better than anyone else because of what I wear. Wearing the hijab is my choice now. I could have rebelled against my parents' wishes and not wear the hijab and they cannot do anything about it. But now, the hijab has become a part of me. And I am happy.

What I have discovered has made me happy and peaceful within. Even though not all my questions were given answers to the fullest detail, I believe that being closer to the truth is better than being stagnant in thought.

Alhamdullilah for Allah has protected me.

~Salam~