I'm writing in the era of the 'new norm'. Yes, the world has been hit by this new norm following the outbreak which later being declared as a pandemic by WHO, it is the so much talked about COVID-19. Who has not talked about it. Even a child would know by now what is COVID-19 is. It has caused such an uproar to the world with millions of death all throughout the world, so fatal that it caused businesses to shut down, educational institutions being closed and hospitals swarmed with patients. It is something the world will remember and to be written as a history. Who would have thought, the so much awaited 2020 presented the world with such significant event, so significant that the world braced it together, it is war against something that never even crossed our minds.
In Malaysia, I would proudly say that we handle the pandemic steadily, bravely, and successfully. At the point of this piece written, we are on the 4th order of lockdown, also known as movement Control Order (MCO), the first three being the strictest. This period will be remembered forever in people's lives because it could have changed their lives forever or may leave a significant mark in their lives. Some lost their jobs, businesses, or even their loved ones to the virus. Schools and unis have been closed for the past two months physically and classes have been conducted online, shops and offices were closed until recently, and even public transport was only partially operating for a while. We are locked inside the house, no outing unless required to get necessities. Life goes on online and in the house. And somehow, miraculously, we survive!! And amazingly, it was not as bad as I thought it would be. Yeah, some boredom and glitches here and there but yeah, we survived. Alhamdulillah due to the strict measures taken, the country managed to bring down the numbers of infected local people to a single digit as of yesterday for a week now. The only number increasing is the number from detention centers of the illegal immigrants. Malaysia has come to live with the new norm that soon will become the way of life.
There are so much good in this. I called them the hidden hikmah. Am not sure if others see it but I do. I see so much good in it that I will miss this situation once situation goes back to normal, though the normal could be the new normal after all. I like the fact that everybody is safe at home. Though I wish they are being more productive. The kids have online classes but only a few hours of the day, and they also have assignments to do. But I still see them having free time most of the time. Perhaps it is my fault for not having a schedule for them. Perhaps! But I am not that kind of kiasu mother who would impose such on the children. What I get to train them mostly during the lockdown is their inner self through some physical activities. One way or the other I get to see them in person 24 hours, their good and bad. Hence I get to build them up slowly to be the person they should be at their age. For example, I get to train them in the kitchen, cooking and cleaning, cleaning the house which include the toilets as well, I get to hear them read the quran and able to correct their mistakes, I get them to do all the house chores at any time (since they are home most of the time) and guide them accordingly. And most importantly, the family bonding time. That is the most precious of all. We get to have meals together for all meals, we get to perform prayers together, gardening, watch movies, have a quick and long chat, and so much more. And surprisingly, there's not much of a quarrel other than quick bickering and loving spat. It may sound too good to be true, but this truly happened. As much I couldn't believe it sometimes, I thank God for all these. We might live in fear of the virus, but Allah has shown us and granted us so much more than the fear.
Though I may see the good in this in my family, I do realised that many more families are suffering. Those living in poverty with no job, shelter above their head nor food on the table. Those being abused in their own homes, or those lacked the family they yearned for due to the distance. May Allah grant them jannah for having to suffer from all those and may Allah ease their sufferings. I do only so little that I help whenever I can.
I pray that all will be well. I pray that Allah will lift up the virus from us all or lead us to the solution that can prevent us from this virus. He is the Most Powerful and Most Knowing, He gives us the virus so that we wake up and change our lives.. it is nothing but for the better as He is the Best planner of all.
PS; i am writing this to mark this historical event just as written by everybody else in every other part of the world.
I
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
A test of patience..
2020 has come to almost to its third month! And this has become the most unproductive welcome of the new year for me. So much of hoping this year to be a better year (of course, anything new should be better, we should always advance in our lives, rightt?), I am yet to be on my feet to do something more productive and income generating. Thanks to my full time role of being a mom and juggling between getting a real "job" done.
Eussuv had his ACL surgery in the third week of January. And his physio goes on until now. So you can imagine the trips to the hospital every other day for his physio. While waiting for his physio session, I managed to catch up with dear friends who always happened to be in the area. How nice! Now he is back to college, I found myself "catching-up" with house work as well as well looking for jobs that I can take up. If only I can get jobs as easy as I did last year. Never lose hope, with continuous effort I am sure Allah will open the way.
On another note, I am still anxiously waiting for the payment of my previous job which has been completed for two months. It's an "excruciatingly painful" wait. Task has been completed, sign-off documents has been agreed, and invoice has been submitted. What else is there? Where is the moneyyyyyy?? I have been tested, again and again. I have no words to describe what I feel right now. My patience is running very low. I may not be the only one in this situation, one probably wait for many more months, or maybe being cheated even... but hey, I am mere human. I have the right to feel this way. I want to shout, cry and beg for this payment!!!! Only Allah knows my predicament. And He Knows and He is the best planner. Please give the patience and strength to endure this.
Above all that, I am grateful that I am still breathing, healthy, well and alive. Happy? So so.. definitely not ecstatic given the situation.
Eussuv had his ACL surgery in the third week of January. And his physio goes on until now. So you can imagine the trips to the hospital every other day for his physio. While waiting for his physio session, I managed to catch up with dear friends who always happened to be in the area. How nice! Now he is back to college, I found myself "catching-up" with house work as well as well looking for jobs that I can take up. If only I can get jobs as easy as I did last year. Never lose hope, with continuous effort I am sure Allah will open the way.
On another note, I am still anxiously waiting for the payment of my previous job which has been completed for two months. It's an "excruciatingly painful" wait. Task has been completed, sign-off documents has been agreed, and invoice has been submitted. What else is there? Where is the moneyyyyyy?? I have been tested, again and again. I have no words to describe what I feel right now. My patience is running very low. I may not be the only one in this situation, one probably wait for many more months, or maybe being cheated even... but hey, I am mere human. I have the right to feel this way. I want to shout, cry and beg for this payment!!!! Only Allah knows my predicament. And He Knows and He is the best planner. Please give the patience and strength to endure this.
Above all that, I am grateful that I am still breathing, healthy, well and alive. Happy? So so.. definitely not ecstatic given the situation.
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Welcome 2020
Welcome 2020. Please do be kind and generous just as 2019 had.
Alhamdulillah I reached 2020. Alhamdulillah I passed by 2019 with just a little glitch.
In shaa Allah the journey shall continue. May I remember to stop along the way and smell the roses.
Alhamdulillah I reached 2020. Alhamdulillah I passed by 2019 with just a little glitch.
In shaa Allah the journey shall continue. May I remember to stop along the way and smell the roses.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
A Closure
I watched a 'feel good' movie the other day. I thought it was the same happy ending love story, a lost love rekindled. But hey I was wrong. It was actually a kind of a practical ending, an ending that I did not expect but made me feel good all over. It's about a closure in life with not necessarily good ending but teach you something about life. I'm sure all of us had one or two episodes in life that you need a closure to it. I mean, yeah sure, everything goes on, moves on but one or two will need a closure for you to move on to the next level of life, and of course to a better one. Then again, there would also be some episodes that has no closure but you have to deal with it yourself to find the right closure, based on where it's going, how it affects your life or even how it ended. You need to figure it out yourself.
I do have one episode of my life where even up to five years ago I still thought I need to be in touch with the other party to have a proper closure. But I was wrong, so wrong because I think I was expecting something else, not even a real closure. Somehow, God is always showing me the way, making sure I head to the right direction and again save me from wrongdoings. I managed to see the closure without having to clear it up with the other party. Everything that happened led me to the actual closure. Easy. If I had thought about it many many years ago, I would have been in a better position emotionally. I guess that's life is all about, a journey that you go through and learn about many things along the way.
As we usher the new year of 2020, this is not a closure to 2019 but I would say another milestone in the journey. The journey that you don't know when it's gonna end, a journey that even sometimes you don't even want it to end, especially if you haven't even reached the spot that you want to be the most in that journey. Or sometimes you have reached it but you don't even realised you have reached it because you are too busy looking over your shoulder, looking behind (regretting, reminiscing) or ahead (too busy planning for the future that you forgot to live the moment), or thinking that you need more. You are never satisfied with what you have, you want more and more.
2019 has been a great year to me. It has been kind and generous. It has taught me many many things without me realizing. Good and bad, happy and sorrow. I was sometimes too busy to enjoy the moment, too busy to find the happiness when the happiness is just within. I truly truly thank God for what 2019 has been. It was a dull moment in one area but so happening in the other. I just have to be thankful for all of it because each and every one of it taught me something. It was truly a beautiful year without me realizing it. Alhamdulillah.
I am ready for 2020. It will mark another phase of life. The big five 0 is looming over my head but I'm ready, I have to be. I welcome it with open arms. And I hope I will be able to write another entry at the end of 2020 to welcome 2021 and so on. My only wish for the year is to be as healthy as ever, more knowledgeable, more optimistic and positive about life in general. I especially want to be closer to God as well. In shaa Allah.
I shall keep and refer to 2019, and 2020..bring it on...
I do have one episode of my life where even up to five years ago I still thought I need to be in touch with the other party to have a proper closure. But I was wrong, so wrong because I think I was expecting something else, not even a real closure. Somehow, God is always showing me the way, making sure I head to the right direction and again save me from wrongdoings. I managed to see the closure without having to clear it up with the other party. Everything that happened led me to the actual closure. Easy. If I had thought about it many many years ago, I would have been in a better position emotionally. I guess that's life is all about, a journey that you go through and learn about many things along the way.
As we usher the new year of 2020, this is not a closure to 2019 but I would say another milestone in the journey. The journey that you don't know when it's gonna end, a journey that even sometimes you don't even want it to end, especially if you haven't even reached the spot that you want to be the most in that journey. Or sometimes you have reached it but you don't even realised you have reached it because you are too busy looking over your shoulder, looking behind (regretting, reminiscing) or ahead (too busy planning for the future that you forgot to live the moment), or thinking that you need more. You are never satisfied with what you have, you want more and more.
2019 has been a great year to me. It has been kind and generous. It has taught me many many things without me realizing. Good and bad, happy and sorrow. I was sometimes too busy to enjoy the moment, too busy to find the happiness when the happiness is just within. I truly truly thank God for what 2019 has been. It was a dull moment in one area but so happening in the other. I just have to be thankful for all of it because each and every one of it taught me something. It was truly a beautiful year without me realizing it. Alhamdulillah.
I am ready for 2020. It will mark another phase of life. The big five 0 is looming over my head but I'm ready, I have to be. I welcome it with open arms. And I hope I will be able to write another entry at the end of 2020 to welcome 2021 and so on. My only wish for the year is to be as healthy as ever, more knowledgeable, more optimistic and positive about life in general. I especially want to be closer to God as well. In shaa Allah.
I shall keep and refer to 2019, and 2020..bring it on...
Monday, November 18, 2019
Life is short
Work has taken a toll on me. While I am so ever grateful that the job finally came.. As I couldn't believe myself I am actually doing it, I really am doing it. Life could not be busier. I'm juggling between like 3-4 hats in a day! Time seems to fly faster than ever. I'm constantly counting the hours and days, deadline after deadlines. And it's only been two months. I wonder how life is for people who have been doing it for years. Whatever so.. I'm not complaining. I take each deadline as a new challenge. I brushed aside all the bad sides of it (yeah, already there), all those whispers of nig nag.. Just go ahead with. There's no right and wrong, it's just how people want it to be. Just bear with it, it won't be long. In shaa Allah, it'll soon be over. And I shall reap my rewards.
Amidst my struggle with time, came a sad news of the passing of a neighbor. A young caring father of 5 kids, and no doubt a loving husband. They seemed to be the perfect family I envisioned. The ones who have it all, wealth, happiness.. Just perfect. Or at least that's what I see. His passing really moved me. Their perfect life is shattered by the big C. He succumbed to it after a year's fight. Little that we know it came to that end. When I looked over to their house I wonder how it would be, a wife without a sleeping partner, kids without somebody to call 'Ayah'. It's just heart wrenching to think about. I long to lend a shoulder, a helping hand, an ear.. but they keep to themselves most of the time, especially during his sickness, we were not even able to visit. I felt bad being a bad neighbor, sounds like an uncaring neighbor I was. But then again, I have to respect their privacy. It's been over a week, and I still keep thinking about. I just cannot move on and yet there's not much I can do to help.
Life is indeed too short. Unpredictable. Daunting if you think about it. But one has to go through it regardless. After almost 5 decades of life, I shall embrace it more, make the most of it, enjoy every moment, but most importantly be ready for the next life as there where I will be indefinitely.
Amidst my struggle with time, came a sad news of the passing of a neighbor. A young caring father of 5 kids, and no doubt a loving husband. They seemed to be the perfect family I envisioned. The ones who have it all, wealth, happiness.. Just perfect. Or at least that's what I see. His passing really moved me. Their perfect life is shattered by the big C. He succumbed to it after a year's fight. Little that we know it came to that end. When I looked over to their house I wonder how it would be, a wife without a sleeping partner, kids without somebody to call 'Ayah'. It's just heart wrenching to think about. I long to lend a shoulder, a helping hand, an ear.. but they keep to themselves most of the time, especially during his sickness, we were not even able to visit. I felt bad being a bad neighbor, sounds like an uncaring neighbor I was. But then again, I have to respect their privacy. It's been over a week, and I still keep thinking about. I just cannot move on and yet there's not much I can do to help.
Life is indeed too short. Unpredictable. Daunting if you think about it. But one has to go through it regardless. After almost 5 decades of life, I shall embrace it more, make the most of it, enjoy every moment, but most importantly be ready for the next life as there where I will be indefinitely.
Friday, August 23, 2019
Life becomes what you want it to be
Ahhh I missed July.. I don't seem to be doing a good job in writing after all, no matter how much I want it. Perhaps there are things that you can't push too hard. It has to come straight from your heart.
Regardless, July and August have been good to me. Perhaps it finally sank in my head that you have to accept life as it is. You have to believe, truly truly believe that Allah has a plan for you, and he is the best planner among all.. He is the best planner of the entire universe, that you shouldn't doubt him not a single bit. Alhamdulillah, ironically the minute I plant this in my head, things seemed to come my way. I am more relaxed though I experience difficulties. Because I prostrate to him and ask him for forgiveness, I ask him to ease my difficulties, give me the clear road ahead to move on. And yes I believe he listens, he knows what's best for me. So just trust him, be patient. Even if I don't get the things I want now, perhaps I shall get it in the afterworld.
I never have long term plans in my life.. I dream it but I don't actually plan it like some people. I let life take its course without me realising it. Perhaps that is why I keep on looking for things in life. I know for sure there are some things in life that I want (without actually working for it, planning for it, just purely dreaming ). I want to travel the world, going to beautiful mountains and seas.. looking at the beautiful nature God has created for us. So yeah... perhaps someday. Even if I don't get it in this world, perhaps I would enter Jannah and have everything that I want there, at a blink of the eye. Only that, I really have to work hard for it.
I am so grateful for whatever, and wherever I am now. Grateful for this healthy body, food on the table, shelter above my head, beautiful family and siblings. No I don't regret not being rich, just enough will do. Alhamdulillah.
Perhaps in my next post I shall write more about happenings.. rather than just my thoughts. OK then, next in line will be my soon to be assumed project or my primary school reunion. We shall see..
Regardless, July and August have been good to me. Perhaps it finally sank in my head that you have to accept life as it is. You have to believe, truly truly believe that Allah has a plan for you, and he is the best planner among all.. He is the best planner of the entire universe, that you shouldn't doubt him not a single bit. Alhamdulillah, ironically the minute I plant this in my head, things seemed to come my way. I am more relaxed though I experience difficulties. Because I prostrate to him and ask him for forgiveness, I ask him to ease my difficulties, give me the clear road ahead to move on. And yes I believe he listens, he knows what's best for me. So just trust him, be patient. Even if I don't get the things I want now, perhaps I shall get it in the afterworld.
I never have long term plans in my life.. I dream it but I don't actually plan it like some people. I let life take its course without me realising it. Perhaps that is why I keep on looking for things in life. I know for sure there are some things in life that I want (without actually working for it, planning for it, just purely dreaming ). I want to travel the world, going to beautiful mountains and seas.. looking at the beautiful nature God has created for us. So yeah... perhaps someday. Even if I don't get it in this world, perhaps I would enter Jannah and have everything that I want there, at a blink of the eye. Only that, I really have to work hard for it.
I am so grateful for whatever, and wherever I am now. Grateful for this healthy body, food on the table, shelter above my head, beautiful family and siblings. No I don't regret not being rich, just enough will do. Alhamdulillah.
Perhaps in my next post I shall write more about happenings.. rather than just my thoughts. OK then, next in line will be my soon to be assumed project or my primary school reunion. We shall see..
Tuesday, June 18, 2019
Eid is here again
Eid is here again after a month fasting in Ramadhan. Ramadhan went by wayyy too fast this time. The world is nearing to an end... That's what we believed in when time flew too fast. Then again, let's live what we are left with first.
Ramadhan has been hectic with work for me. I was editing students' thesis paper.. Paraphrasing to be exact. It took me the whole of Ramadhan to finish 3 whole papers. It took most of my time, my sweat and energy. But somehow I felt like an accomplishment. Aside from earning some good money for Eid, I spent my time well. No K-drama, no TV. It's purely work but not forgetting the quran reciting and Ramadhan prayers. Prayers were still my no.1 priority. Alhamdulillah I managed it well.
Now I am in between papers and next job to come in. After one full month struggling, now I feel empty with no deadline to rush for. I'm trying to pick up my usual routine again of being a mom, launderette, chauffeur, housekeeper and the list goes on! Not that I didn't do while I was working. I was multitasking at my best! I am also picking up again some religious classes that I have missed, as well as my unit trust submission, classes and meetings. Looks like I will have a full life ahead of me. And trying to be too ambitious, I am applying for more translation and editing job.I really hope things will come my way. Only if God wills.
On another note, Eid has been good so far. Managed to reunite with my close family members, but yet to meet my close friends. It's coming soon though. It is a month for celebration but at the same time I can feel the stress on my pocket. The more you have, the more you spent, and it seemed that you need much more. Alhamdulillah Allah has given me sufficient for my need. Though I would love for more (human never have enough huh!) I am still very much grateful for what I have. I am grateful for all that I have, gone through and experiencing now. I am grateful for my health, my children, my husband. I am grateful for everything. Alhamdulillah.
My wish for Eid is to strengthen the ukhwah with my families and friends, to be able to be a better person following the good of Ramadhan (I have yet to get there.. soon maybe) and perhaps able to continue my working momentum.
In shaa Allah. Alhamdulillah.
Ramadhan has been hectic with work for me. I was editing students' thesis paper.. Paraphrasing to be exact. It took me the whole of Ramadhan to finish 3 whole papers. It took most of my time, my sweat and energy. But somehow I felt like an accomplishment. Aside from earning some good money for Eid, I spent my time well. No K-drama, no TV. It's purely work but not forgetting the quran reciting and Ramadhan prayers. Prayers were still my no.1 priority. Alhamdulillah I managed it well.
Now I am in between papers and next job to come in. After one full month struggling, now I feel empty with no deadline to rush for. I'm trying to pick up my usual routine again of being a mom, launderette, chauffeur, housekeeper and the list goes on! Not that I didn't do while I was working. I was multitasking at my best! I am also picking up again some religious classes that I have missed, as well as my unit trust submission, classes and meetings. Looks like I will have a full life ahead of me. And trying to be too ambitious, I am applying for more translation and editing job.I really hope things will come my way. Only if God wills.
On another note, Eid has been good so far. Managed to reunite with my close family members, but yet to meet my close friends. It's coming soon though. It is a month for celebration but at the same time I can feel the stress on my pocket. The more you have, the more you spent, and it seemed that you need much more. Alhamdulillah Allah has given me sufficient for my need. Though I would love for more (human never have enough huh!) I am still very much grateful for what I have. I am grateful for all that I have, gone through and experiencing now. I am grateful for my health, my children, my husband. I am grateful for everything. Alhamdulillah.
My wish for Eid is to strengthen the ukhwah with my families and friends, to be able to be a better person following the good of Ramadhan (I have yet to get there.. soon maybe) and perhaps able to continue my working momentum.
In shaa Allah. Alhamdulillah.
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