Wow...it has been that long, eh?

I got so caught up with instagram and facebook that I had not been paying attention to my blogs. And yes, my blogs are part of my #projectcomeback.

I realised that I have been neglecting (short of a better word) many things I did with heart and passion many years ago. And it is time I bring them back into my life. And the lives of those around me.

Have a blessed life, everyone!

So little, So much...

Earlier today we stopped at the Tapah R&R south-bound for a short break in journey.  As usual, our family made a bee-line for the Baskin Robins outlet for some refresher.

We were enjoying our scoops of ice-cream when 2 young boys walked in, each holding a RM1 note in their hands. They both headed straight for the fridge containing bottles of mineral water and some juices; yet as their hands held the fridge door opened, their eyes were on the over-head display of BR's offerings and the prices of each item.

Earlier, Hanafy had called my attention to them when they both walked in; in low tones he narrated their movements and body language to me, for I had my back to them.  Hanafy mentioned he noticed the 2 boys loitering at the front entrance of BR before circling round to walk in by the side door close to where we were seated. By the time they reached the fridge door, I half-turned my body to observe. And what I saw tugged at my heart-string.

The two then made up their minds and approached the counter, pointing to the cheapest item on the menu board. The wafer cones...and I heard the counter girl telling them nicely that the wafer cones alone cost that price and was not sold on their own. I remember the boys expression then. I know the look. I am familiar with the boys pretence of wanting to buy mineral water when their eyes clearly said they wanted ice-cream. I looked at my 2 teenagers at the next table, each enjoying double-scoops of their favourite flavours.

Instinctively, I asked Raziq to walk over and casually offer to buy them ice-cream. They were happy and surprised; they became eager beavers and both chose the same flavours. It was a joy to see them lick their ice-cream on the cone as soon as the 'kakak' handed them theirs. Something as unassuming to us as an ice-cream on a cone meant so much to the two boys. They couldn't stop thanking 'abang' for his generosity as they walked out of Baskin Robins Tapah R&R.

And I couldn't help point out to my teenagers at the blessings Allah continually give us. May Allah continue to shower us with His blessings...

    

When it is your own...

A challenge for me as a motivator, as some people like to call what I do. Because I am a mummy.

When the reality sank that his results did not qualify him to apply for a place at any types of residential schools, it must have devastated him. And I have never seen him so disillusioned and disheartened. A bit earlier I had expressed my disappointment over his poor showing - not so much the end-result, rather the lack of effort I have been observing on his part.

I made it clear that my disappointment was not over his not being able to get into a residential school. I stressed that I was sad he had not taken in what we advised him on earlier which could have made some difference in his results. Personally I am not very much keen on him going off to a residential school; he doesn't seemed prepared for that kind of independence yet.

On hindsight, I could have handled that moment when we reviewed his detailed results for the first time better.  Perhaps I should have looked him in the face as I expressed my feelings about it.  Maybe then I could see his expression and then reacted differently. But I didn't. I just couldn't because I was suddenly engulfed in sadness...for me and for him. He had been so confident he did very well. And he did in some ways...only not good enough to qualify for a residential school application.

Fortunately Allah gave me the opportunity to correct myself. He spent some alone time in his room. And I realised I did not bother to ask of his feelings, only ranted on about mine. So when he came down again, I knew I had to make amends.

Allah is the Greatest, for surely. I went on mummy+motivator mode.  I had to...his face and the way he slumped when I asked him to sit by me told me everything. What we conversed I can't print them down now, not because they were private but because as I am typing this, that moment played back in my mind and I am forced to keep my tears at bay.

Alhamdulillah for to me, this is a curve ball thrown to us as a gentle reminder.  Alhamdulillah for His reminder is that He has other, and perhaps much better, plans for my young man. Just as He had done so for my young lady.

Office politics ~ start them young...

She's all motivated today...and seemed somewhat relieved. Today she'll walk into her school grounds in her new set of uniform...no more the light blue baju and dark blue sarong. It's back to the white and turquoise ensemble for her, and a couple of other friends. Last week, she made up her mind, typed her resignation letter and handed that to the PK HEM. As her mum, I have had listened to her reasons, her frustrations, her demoralised tones.

Last week, I read her letter and gave it some minor pointers. The least I could do. She had indicated her intention to step down many months ago but we asked her to give this responsibility another go. I supposed the situation became worst or it did not get better. Furthermore, as a self-study student with no tuition except for Math, she is finding it a challenge to balance homework, revision and her responsibilities as a school prefect, and one with a portfolio to boot. Over the months leading to this decision, she had lost some weight and had had pimples break out even when it was not 'that' time of the month!

One reason for her decision had to do with relationships between senior and junior prefects.  She grieved about how senior prefects particularly girls always pick on junior prefects, use harsh words to tell them off when minor mistakes were made, rant on and on about the mistakes in every meeting even though the 'culprits' had repented. She was one of those who had gone through the humiliation. She shared an experience of a fellow junior prefect who was chided simply because he scored 'only' 7As in his PMR last year. Meetings were either called for or cancelled at the very last moment, and used by these seniors as a public humiliation forum!

The PK HEM asked her to reconsider, even refusing to accept her resignation citing the letter of appointment (Watikah Perlantikan) as an excuse for her not able to resign. She responded that she will return the letter if that being the case. Even the senior who was one of the 'bully' was sent to talk her out of the decision. But her mind has been made. Her resignation take effect 11 May 2014. Heck, she had already scheduled a day for us to get her her non-prefect uniforms and shoes so she could turn up in school as a 'normal' student come Monday, 12 May 2014.  

And so it was that today, she walked out of the house a normal student but full of pride and happy. Yet, while I couldn't be happier for her, I also know the other reason that she now seems to be taking non-academic involvements 'lightly'. And that pains me whenever I think about the matter. But that is another story to tell...

Meanwhile, let's end this piece in good faith. Not being a prefect does not mean good things will not come her way, for those are the plans of Allah swt.

I

What goes around...

What goes around come around. As Allah has willed it.

A few days ago, I gave someone some financial assistance even though at that time, I had very little on me. I asked my husband for his permission before I did that; he asked me to go ahead with my intention if I could afford it. If that were the only consideration, then I certainly needed the money. There were some commitments I had to meet and the money was meant for them.

However I did not feel 'nice' thinking about the matter. Yes, it was a small amount but a small amount was what I had, too. I could not stop thinking if I were in that person's shoes and no one came to assist, how would that make me feel. If that were any of my children, and similarly no one could help them out although they have the means to, then what?

So I gave the person most of what I had. As for my own commitments, well, I still have some time to work on that. And the rest, I left to Allah swt.

Two days ago, Allah swt gave me back what I gave that person. And more. Literally. MasyaAllah, I am still at feeling blessed.

A disgruntled me...

Noticed that of recent years how non-Muslims, and some Muslims too, seemed to be very vocal in expressing their opinions on Islam and the general Muslim community in Malaysia?

Noticed that of recent years how non-Muslims, and some Muslims too, are always questioning the practices and behaviours of Muslims and Muslim scholars in Malaysia?

Noticed that of recent years how Malaysian Muslims who claimed to be ‘practical’ and ‘modern’ practitioners of Islam are also very vocal in always agreeing to the voices of those non-Muslims?

Noticed that of recent years how these Malaysian Muslims are getting to be very vocal in quoting and interpreting verses of the Qur’an to suit their needs and how they see fit to their situation? 

I feel hurt and angry and resentful sometimes, when I read comments and responses to current issues that matter, made by these non-Muslims, and some Muslims too, condemning the practices and rightful behaviours of Muslims.

It hurts even more because they are ignorant of the beauty of Islam and the guidance provided for, for all and everything, in the Qur’an and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Mohammad pbuh.

It is hurtful because they and the so-called practical and modern Muslims belittle and openly look down on the interpretations of the Qur’an in resolving any and all issues that befall.    

Please accept and respect that matters pertaining to Islam and Muslims, particularly in Malaysia, should be discussed by Muslims, well-learned Muslim scholars and ulamas’. Not Christians, not Hindus, not Sikhs...or followers of other faiths.

Muslims in Malaysia don’t discuss the practices and behaviours of other faiths. Malaysian Muslims never openly question the interpretations of the Bible and its’ many versions, nor the interpretation of the Sikh’s holy books or the Buddhists’.

Why? Because doing that that is unbecoming and unacceptable in Islam.

Malaysian Muslims as Muslims are however, permitted to defend the sanctity of this beautiful religion when ‘attacked’ in such manners.

Yet sadly, the voices of these Muslims defending the sanctity of Islam in Malaysia are being dowsed and muted in the name of ‘racial harmony’. 

If this is what it is to be IMalaysia, then I am adamant in staying a Muslim Malay Malaysian in that order.

Leave it to the Master Planner...

My Mastercard expired in July on this year. Usually, the bank that issued this card  would sent the replacement card about 2 months prior to that. So when I did not get my new card closer to the expiry date, I called Customer Service to find out what had happened.

Their system reflected that a letter was sent to me, asking if I'd like to continue with the card or not. You see, this card is an upgraded card, from a basic to a platinum, and for a specific period only. During the free upgrade period, the bank had waived off the service fees and a few other charges that came with a Platinum card. Hence, any decision to extend the use of said card comes with the charges plonked back in and at my expenses.

The Customer Service staff asked if I'd like to extend usage of the card. If I agree, then she'd arrange to send another letter (formality) which I have to sign and return to them. After what I thought were careful considerations, I agreed to continue with the Platinum card and told the Service staff so.

Weeks passed, still no letter. I called them again. Another check in their system, Yes, a letter was initiated and mailed out to me soon after my last call. What is that, ma'am? You did not receive the letter? Now, here is where MY plan changed to become HIS plan.

My second enquiry came after the card expiry date, meaning if I still want the Platinum card, I will have to put in a fresh request. Means, I have to fill in the application form (available on their website) and provide the necessary documents all over again. The last time I did this was, oh about 20-odd years ago...:D

That did not bother me. What did was, with the new card means I would now have 3 creditcard accounts with the bank. Nope, ma'am, we cannot transfer your existing balance and whatever instructions you have on the 'old' card to the new one. Meaning I cannot use the 'old' Mastercard because it no longer exists but I still have to pay for any outstanding balances on that card. AND for any new charges to the new card.

And then it struck me. Hey, that Mastercard has a joint limit with my Visa which means that, effectively I don't really need 2 cards from the bank. I only need one. All I have to do is transfer my auto debit instructions to that one card. Well, as a representative of the bank, of course she'd want me to re-apply for a new card but she cannot say I was wrong, either. And so it was, I very proudly and confidently told her that nope, I will just stick to this card, never mind that it is a Classic card. It's the limit that matters and matters to me.

But what's more pertinent is, as she was telling me about my ending up with 3 accounts, my mind suddenly reminded me that this could be the opportunity for me to rationalise my expenses, and take that step closer to reducing my dependence on creditcards! Wasn't trying to free myself from debt one of the reasons I wanted to work from home...wasn't trying to dissociate myself from elements of interest and riba' one of the other reasons I left my former employers?

Allahuakhbar...as always, He continues to guide me along the path that He has planned for me. Alhamdulillah.    

 

He guides our mind, He guide our hearts, He guide our hand...

Allah will guide us and steer us towards the right way. MasyaAllah...

Day 1 of Ramadhan yesterday and already I am so blessed with awe-spiring incidences.

You know we often read of cases, real or created with good intentions, of how when one gives, one gets back in abundance? Of how it is not the amount that matters, its the intention...and often we hear of how when one gives almost all of the little that one has, the rewards from Allah swt are bountiful.

Yesterday, we made a trip to the bank for some withdrawal transaction; as we approached the bank, I saw a common sight outside the electronic banking area - a man with a large collection bin that has a sign attached. A contribution/donation drive by an orphanage.

Instantaneously, my heart told me to give, just as my mind flashed the image of what I have in my purse, only a RM50 note. Now, what would you do? Doesn't matter...what mattered was, what I thought and did then.

I thought to myself that I'd complete my transaction and withdraw an amount that would give me smaller than RM50 denomination so I could contribute well, not RM50. And that was what I did. After withdrawing the amount I needed, I made a second withdrawal request for an amount that should give me RM10 notes. The screen flashed a message that that transaction was unsuccessful - could not be performed as request did not meet specification. Huh???

Well, I tried again, this time pressing for an amount that hopefully would give me RM20 notes - some machines I used of late do comply to withdrawals in denomination of RM20. Again, the same message flashed on screen - transaction could not be performed as request did not meet specification. Hrmph...I had no alternative but to request for an amount in the denomination of RM50, and finally money came out of the  ATM. I thought I would then ask the teller for smaller denominations so I walked towards the main banking hall. And then I happened to glance out and see the man from the orphanage...

Instantly my mind recalled the image of me flashing in my mind the only RM50 note I had when I saw that man. Just as I remembered how I had planned to not give out that amount as my contribution.

Allahuakhbar...a chill ran down my spine, goose bumps appeared  on my arms. And so it was, instead of to the main hall, I walked out of the bank, walked towards the man and dropped the amount that Allah had already given me hints to contribute.

What happened next with the man from the orphanage is not important...what happened afters, much later when we got home is. We got a call from a school to run a program during this Ramadhan - on confirming the date, the teacher told us they have been given a bigger budget this year so they could reimburse us more than what they had given us last year. And they will also foot the bill for our accommodation.

Masya Allah...

Musings from me...

Some friends are still surprised. Not so much at the results of the recent GE, rather at knowing that I did not vote for the ruling coalition.

Yes, I did not hide the fact that I ‘pangkah’ the full moon. No reason to hide. Is there? Should I be afraid? I mean, I hear open conversations of people who support everything that the government do, I hear loud discussions of their undying support for the government parties, and I hear them talk loudly of whom they will vote for and reminding like-minded friends to do the same, including me. Until they hear my choice. Well, I see no wrong in doing the same as they did.

Usually the first statement to come out of their mouths is that they did not know I am a member of PAS. I don't look like a PAS supporter. (I'll get into that another time.) My parents are after all very solid supporters of and are veterans of UMNO. As was my aunty and late uncle. Many of my family members work for the government. My brothers are businessmen who do work and projects for the government. And I too have some programs that I do (did) for several government agencies.

First off, let me clarify that I am NOT a member of any political parties in Malaysia or out of the country. (The last statement because my husband was formerly a Singapore citizen). Not UMNO, not PKR, not MIC, not MCA, not DAP...no, no, no and no. And not even PAS. Those with so much time on their hands and nothing to do with their minds can check this out.

I am also NOT a fence sitter. I do take offense to people who say I am.

What I am, is simply a Muslimah Malay Malaysian wife, mother, daughter, sister and entrepreneur who uses what I read, hear, see and more important, experience in my decision making.  The latter usually given the higher weight.

And that explains my decision.

Of roomies and beddies...

They say that to know a person better, you have to sleep with them. Or was it, you don't know a person well until you spent the night with them. Or something like that. (Please don't ask who the 'they' are, for I seriously don't have a clue!).

Yesterday some of my TKC batch-mates met up for - mini-reunion since Pat is back from Perth, celebrate the late bloomer's 50th birthday i.e. AnaM, celebrate other January babes...well, do we really need a reason to meet?

It was at the Hotel Majestic, opposite the former railway station. Sigh, love the building. Both, the railway station and the Majestic. Both so majestic and grand.

To add grandeur to the event, being held at the Majestic means we must all be 'majesties'. Well, for that short moment in time. Hence, the 3 fisters who worked hard to arrange the whole shinnanigans presented each and all 14 of us with crowns! Gasp...owh-my-gucci...teary eyed... which we must all wear throughout the hi-tea. Oh, we had our do at their famous Tea Room.

We know us better, we have all lived together - eat, sleep, studied, took part in sports, fought in good spirit, sneaked around late nights etc., for all of 5 growing-up years of our lives and for some, more. We know when we are among us, we just care that WE are there. The married us made sure our spouses give us the space to be 'us' us when we are together. And we are so fortunate our spouses do give us that, Alhamdulillah.

So anyway, since I am also one of those 'celebrated' being a January babe and all, besides the tiara which my family insisted I wear again on my actual birthdate, and the little note book for us to pen our own stories in, I got a birthday present from darlings Tun and Laila!

This morning I opened the paper bag containing the present...and I tell you, I am living proof of the saying that I used to start this entry with!

Green is my favorite color, I was in green house all my school years primary & secondary; my family has since 2 weeks ago re-started fruit juicing and the fruits we juiced daily are carrot & oranges; and the day before yesterday I wrote on the last page of my 2nd little recipe note-book!

Would you believe that...to get what I needed at the time when I need them! Alhamdulillah...for roomies and beddies!

 

Live the sunnah...let that be your resolution.

We who are Muslims will soon remember the birth of our beloved Prophet, Muhammad S.A.W. come 12 Rabi'ul Awal which falls on 24 January 2013, in sya Allah.

We declare our love and highest respect for this great man that Allah SWT has made His messenger. We condemn those who made fun of him, who taunt him and call him names so not suitable of a man of his stature.

From young, we were taught of this great man's habits and practices. Some we know by heart. Tahajjud, istikharah, dhuha...all these are part and parcel of our beloved Prophet's daily routine in his lifetime. Eventually they also form part of the practices in the lives of his close friends and followers.

In the Qur'an, the words of Allah SWT, is also mentioned time and again, for mankind to find solace in solat for in solat lie the answer to many predicaments and situations. Including in man's search for rezeki to fulfill our own needs and wants, and that of others.

So when you do add in your want-to-do list of resolutions come 2013 to consistently perform tahajjud, dhuha, istikharah or any of our Prophet's sunnah, do so because they are the practices of our beloved Prophet SAW. Not because of anyone else, not because we were told to do so by other people...successful or not.

Get our bearings correct lest we be misguided.



 

Family

This has been a month of tribulation for my mum's side of the family, in particular for her younger brother's family.

Last evening, Pak Lang Azizan was wheeled into the Operating Theatre of Hospital Tuanku Fauziah Kangar, Perlis. Finally after a few days of guessing game, the medical team decided he was ready to be operated on. The bruise and soreness that had afflicted 1 of his left toe had spread up. Earlier, his weakened heart condition did not help and resulted in the delayed operation.

I know my mum and her sister, Mak Nyah must be very anxious. I can sense this when I spoke to her earlier. I can imagine why. A few years ago, they lost their youngest brother, my Pak Su. That was devastating for the family. My mum in particular, would reminisce how she had envisaged herself to be the first to go, being the eldest and notwithstanding the fact she herself is not that great health-wise. Mak Nyah, with her heart condition + diabetes + hypertension, shared her sentiment.

Bapak may look all calm and collected but deep down, I am sure he must be living back the memory of his late older brother, our Wa Mid who had undergone a similar operation, also because of diabetes. Just like Pak Lang now. Wa Mid has since passed on; his operation was a success but his diabetic condition worsened and he succumbed to that eventually.

Pak Lang is now placed in the ICU of the hospital. As at the time of my writing, he is still in a coma. My sister who lives in Kangar, informed us that the medical team had to take out his leg from above the knee. My eyes teared up whenever I recall this piece of news. My own family are unable to be there, sadly. We can only make du'a from afar.

This is a trial Allah has bestowed on us all. Allah will not throw challenges in our way that He knows we are unable to face. His plans are the best and we have to redha and prepare ourselves to go through this better.

To the rest of us, especially my own family where Hanafy's side too has a history of diabetes, the underlying message from all this is to take better care of our inner and exterior beings that Allah has loan us.



  

Option; Toddlers/No Toddlers

What is it with me and babies/toddlers and airplanes???

Dear airline operators, I'd like to suggest you introduce a new product or service. An option to non-leisure travelers/passengers if they mind flying in an airplane that also carry families with toddlers aged below 5 regardless of gender.

Please, I don't hold grudges against this age group, what more their families. I too was once a toddler. I too once had toddlers...now, they are both tweens. I just want to enjoy the flight without having my seat kicked non-stop throughout the journey, without having sticky fingers patting my head once in a while with no firm reprieve from their parents (smiling or laughing it off ain't a reprieve, parents!), without screams and yells of restlessness from these young lungs, without temper tantrums for being told to sit in their seats...

And please, this service is certainly NOT discriminatory in action. On the contrary. It is merely giving an option, a choice to non-leisure/business passengers at the point of making their reservations. In fact, open this to leisure travelers, too. I'm pretty sure they'll welcome this option, too.

Just consider this idea...pretty please???

Rings that make the chain...

So bibik did not alight from the flight we booked her from Jogjakarta to LCCT on 15 September 2012. Was I mad? Was I angry? Was I upset? No, nope, naw. And neither was Hanafy. So were we expecting this? Also nope. Its just that, we went to the airport not expecting anything. Or better still, we went to the airport expecting anything!

I would be lying if I say that my emotions were not affected. In spite of her shortcomings which were plentiful, in spite of my not being as close to her as I was with the previous 2 helpers i.e. Yam & Nuzul, she did make life for me as a Work-From-Home-Mum easy. And she has been doing that for me, for us, almost 7 years.

On reflection, maybe bibik's not coming back was coming. A few days before her departure to Jogja, the cooking gas of the wet kitchen stove ran out. We decided not to buy a replacement just yet since in her absence, no one cooks in the wet kitchen. And last night, my hand accidentally knocked over a herb bottle that fell off the shelf and hit against a mug from the mug stand.

In the fall, that herb bottle remained in-tack. The mug? A huge chunk broke off, only 1 piece mind you, and the piece that broke is where one would drink out of. Ironically, that was bibik's mug.

Immediately Raihanah, who was in the kitchen with me when this happened, remarked that God is confirming something to me!
  

The Puzzle Pieces Will Fit...

We had 2 slots of outstation training during this period of no-bibik, both confirmed way before the aidil fitri break. With my mum due to have her eye operated on in that period, we had no choice but to call in for back-up from Singapore.

MIL took the train over accompanied by SIL # 3, with a cough. That took a turn for the worst after a spread of ketupat palas and pulut durian at Zirah's open house. That cough triggered her asthma. 2 clinics and 2 times on the nebuliser did not lessen her coughs. We started to worry - how can we then leave her to fend for the children in our absence? In her unwell condition?

When she went over to spend some days with SIL#1 in Gombak, SIL#1's hubby decided to take her along to Tawakal Hospital where she had an x-ray of her chest, blood test and the works. It seems her nose had water/liquid that lead to the coughs and all. So she's now better, and ready to roll so to speak. In fact, in spite of the coughs and asthma wheezing and all, she managed to get her hair cut and permed, and walked to the nearby shop in Gombak to get tudungs for her friends back home. All part of her ritual when she's here for any visits.

And our household? Allah has other plans. Better plans. The day MIL's cough worsened, I got news the 2 slots of outstation training has been postponed to the following month, when we are back to having bibik in the house. No doubt, this means a much felt dent in our income stream, but I am leaving that to Allah to fit in the puzzle pieces where He knows they belong...have faith in Allah's plans. 

Whose plan is this...?

MIL made her signature oats cookies and as expected, packed a bottle for my mum and one for my brother, Alang as he is fondly referred to. All these she sent up via my SIL and family who had gone back to Singapore for the aidil fitri break.

I didn't have the heart to tell MIL that the one bottle she baked and packed for Alang last aidil fitri had remained intact, seal still unbroken and still on the counter top where we had placed it.

As for my mum, well I didn't know how would I get her bottle of cookies over since from what we can see, there are no immediate or not-immediate plans of anyone going up north for work or leisure. And I wouldn't want to that bottle of oats cookies to go to waste, too.

Lo and behold, a few days later my sister called to tell us that she will be driving down with her husband, over the Merdeka weekend just to spend some time with her children. And us, of course. 

MasyaAllah, how cool it this? So my mum will get her oats cookies after all...

And whose plan is this? 

Redha...Acceptance in Peace

This morning I called this consultancy to follow up on the status of a payment owing to me. I had completed the program more than a month ago, and payment is delayed more than 10 days from the due date.

I had been following up with them since last week, every time I was told to call back the next day for a definite date to collect my cheque.

Today, the girl whom I had been liaising with asked that I speak to their big boss. I had an uneasy feeling about this and my feelings were justified. He asked me to call him back later...much much later, as in 2 weeks from today! Even then, he said he will try to get a cheque ready for me ~ it seems they have problems with their cash flow.

Initially I was angry. And frustrated. And disappointed. And immediately blurted out that I will never work with them again, ever. Fortunately, my husband who was with me, comforted me with a gentle reminder. Do not be hasty with what comes out of your mouth; rezeki is Allah to give. You never know, one day you might find yourself begging them for a job/assignment, if that is Allah's will!

And when I turned on my laptop, there among the earlier posts on a friends' face-book wall is a reminder on what makes us late in receiving our rezeki...

What do you expect, really?

So last night was the much anticipated though not by me, Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL26) event that has become synonym with Malaysia's 1st private television station, TV3.

And for the 1st time, we watched the telecast from start to finish. As expected, we also got to read equally live 'broadcasts' of comments and updates on the walls of facebook friends.

Interesting though some may be, here I just want to touch on those who posed this as their fb status..."Between catching live telecast of AJL26 and a livestream of a religious talk/spending quality time with your children/attending your regular religious class etc., which would you choose?".

In most cases, you can guess the inclination of those who post this type of questions. Yet the comments that volley between them and their circle of friends following their status do little to reflect the kind of causes and lifestyle they advocate. In all likelihood, they come across as belittling those who chose to catch AJL26 over the other.

So my question to them is, what do you hope to achieve with that kind of questions, or any similar remarks?

See it for it is...

Why do we always try to look beneath, behind, inside and around every issues thrown our way and complicate matters?

We always think we know how another person feels, or think. If a person is happy, just accept that that person is happy and be happy for them. Lets not speculate that that person is actually hiding sadness and loneliness just because that person's life looks like it is not as terrific as what it should be.

Take things for what they are. Take things for what they seem. Not everything is a bed of roses, so learn to live with that. But just take what you see and what you see!

If your own life sucks, then that's just too bad...

Connect, Re-connect & Dis-connect...

Its funny how through the current social medium of networking, we meet up and catch up with friends...old ones, current ones and new ones. We trace friends we miss from way back when. They trace us, too...to find out the what, where, when, why, who and how of our lives.

Friends we lost touch with after so many hundred months suddenly become very close with just a click of a button and dash of the keyboard. We are able to share their evolution just by going through whatever photos they chose to post.

And yet, it is through this very medium that we sometimes find ourselves disconnected. We can laugh, joke and tease each on-line. We can be sarcastic in a non-offensive manner and they back at us! And that's okay. However, when a face-to-face connection is made, there abound acwkwardness in behaviors, boundaries as to what we can and should not utter.

So technology...high-tech yet low-touch; go figure!