memories of the shing-a-ling-a-ling...

When I was in primary school, my older brothers and sisters have already grown up and in their late teens-early adulthood era. My eldest brother already started working as a teacher. I remembered every evening I would always go back home from school with him, and he always played his favourite songs in the car. Everyday the same routine, which I think where my first influence in music started. Basically, I could say, these artistes are some of my earliest favourites....

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Money, money, money....always sunny, in the rich man's world... Yes, that's one of ABBA's hundreds of famous songs all through the years. They have so many catchy songs and my brother has many compilations of them.

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Roxette, another Swedish star like ABBA, with songs that I still like to hear until now.

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Perhaps my brother is a loyal hardcore fan of hers for a long time...I'm not sure about now, though. He has almost all albums of hers, and also his own compilations. For me, I sure like her songs during the 90s when she was still a rocker compared to now when she started going 'mellow'..

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Karen Carpenter's soothing voice never fails to calm the listeners. The Carpenter's brother and sister duo produces soft, melodious music that's very nice to enjoy. Many of their songs became my favourites back then.

Well, those were the artistes who had entertained my journey home from school every day. My brother had many more collections of his own i.e. Lobo, Black Dog Bone, Allahyarham Sudirman and many more. A good song is the one that can stand the test of time and we as the listeners, never get bored listening it. 

Till the next post.

(p/s: the chick pox is still making me feel miserable, but last night was the first night of getting enough sleep since I first had it..Alhamdulillah...)

Malaysians Do Read

Perhaps reading is one of the oldest hobbies in the world, other than collecting stamps, don't you think?

A fellow blogger started this Malaysians Do Read project for us to share our reading habits. So why don't we join this really good project and share everything about the book that we love etc. etc.

My mom said I started learning to read at the age of 3. The difficulties of acquiring a nanny to take care of me at that time, made my mom decided to bring me to her school when she worked. And the library was the best place to stash me, I guess. So, that was my first encounter with the habit of reading. After some time, my habit of reading didn't just consists of the normal reading, but also the activity of cutting the papers to really small pieces, that later landed me the nickname "Mouse".

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However, no need to worry. I later grew up to be a very normal person who likes to read. My childhood favourite is Around The World In 80 Days by Jules Verne. I still love it. I admire Mr. Fogg (who doesn't?), the cool and debonair yet eccentric subject of the classic adventure tale. I also have another favourite back then, but here is the sad and cringing part....I didn't remember the title and the author, I couldn't be sure. Oh, dang...I have been squashing my brain all these years to track the novel but in vain. It's a Malay novel of 300-500 pages and if I'm not mistaken, has the word Hidayah in the title and the author could be Hasan Ali or similar to that name. I remember the protagonist of the novel, Mahfuz. Please, if anybody know about this novel, please contact me, I would like to read it again. The problem is, I couldn't find it in my parents' house anymore, don't know where it went....I remember finishing that book in 2 or 3 days with one day without sleep, because it's so good.

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My mom used to subscribe to the Reader's Digest, and that means there's a lot of RD in my house, a lot for me to enjoy in my younger years. Then came the teenage years, I started indulging myself in Christopher Pike's and R.L. Stine's teenage horror flicks. It was so cheap at that time, maybe around RM5-RM7, then year by year, they escalated till about RM10-RM11. Now I don't know how much is the price.

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When I was in college, I discovered Agatha Christie's crime novels at a second hand bookstore and I fell in love with them right away. I love to read how the old Ms Jane Marple solves a case, being a very observant and sharp-minded woman despite her age (that's what made the criminals oblivious of her) and also the weird Hercule Poirot, another master figure created by Ms Christie. I still love the books. After all these years, I still haven't finished reading all of her books, that's an excuse to keep buying it,eh?

After having a career, I no longer read consistently. It's sad, I agree. But starting last year, I started to read again, and by reading, I mean, finishing a novel or any kind of fictions. I wrote about some of them in this blog. How do I pick my read? By the size (easy to hold, and to keep inside a handbag), by the synopsis (crime, mystery, thrillers...or non-fictions with the topic that I would like to know about) and finally, by the price (affordable, that is). The author? Doesn't matter much, unless my sole purpose is to buy a book from a particular author. Book cover? As long as there's no naked person in front of it, I don't mind.

When do I read? One of the most hateful thing for me to do is waiting. So, I read whenever I have to wait at banks, service counters, clinics, commuters and LRTs (whenever I use them, and whenever it's not too jam-packed) and etc. etc. That means I always have a reading material with me wherever I go, be it books or magazines. I also read at home when I have a peaceful time to read.

Talking about reading in commuters, I remembered the time when I was in Japan. Commuting by train is as usual and routine as eating, and from my observation, the Japanese mostly do only two things inside the train among other things; sleeping or reading. Almost everybody would read, even in a packed train. They read mangas (comic books), newpapers, or any other kind of books. What's funny is that, when they read newspapers, of course, when there is enough space, they just fold the newspaper in two or three folds, and they read segment by segment, but when more people coming in and the space becomes tighter and tighter, so is the newspaper, its fold becoming smaller and smaller, and yet they are still reading it. What a sight to behold. So committed they are in reading, perhaps that is the only time they have to read it.

Ok, what else?
What can I say...? Reading is joyful when you pick up a very good one. A beautiful piece of work is the one that is able to bring its reader lost in the story and able to picture the story in the brain. And after the last page, you will feel so overwhelmed and sometimes wanting more that you keep reading you favourite parts again and again. So, pick up a book, and start reading.

touched...

Saturday morning....

I'm dedicated to spend the whole day at home because I have a few tasks to work on. Like every other morning, I start my day checking on my social network and blogwalking. Kem, my friend, had this video posted in her blog...

Enuff said...I am really touched, although I'm not a mama yet..

(p/s: aku pun meleleh gak air mata ... isk isk)

randomly speaking....travelling

What is the most important thing that you look for when you go for trips or vacations?


For me, the most important thing is to relax, and enjoy the view. Go around, see places. Take photos, appreciating the place's highlights.


I don't do shopping.
I don't go with one bag and come back with three bags.
I never like to travel heavy.


The only shopping I do is for the things that are unique and well-known to the place, for memorabilia or gifts to really close persons. The best things are those that you can't find anywhere else.


For places well-known for historical sites or beautiful nature, those are the things I look forward to enjoy.
For places with great structures and buildings, or famous hang outs, that's where I want to see.
And snap pictures.
No expiry. Lasts a lifetime.


And travel with a lot of people, is headache.
And travel with a guided package, no freedom.


Oh, I would love to be able to do that...travelling. 

randomly speaking....headache

should we spell it as one word or two words?

headache vs head ache

anyway, it is a pain in the a... erm, head.. and I usually got it on a really hot day
but today is not so hot, and I am inside the house all the time.

still i got it. and coming to think about it, I've had headaches quite more than usual lately.
maybe because of the weather.
yes, blaming the weather always makes sense, isn't it?

or is it because I didn't have my usual cup of coffee in the morning?

it's throbbing, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the whole back of the head.

and my throat is feeling sore..cough cough

uhh, I guess I'll have an early night.

daa....

randomly speaking....consultant

consultants and persuasion are two inseparable words.

they cannot exist without each other. do you agree?

especially if the consultant main job is to promote and sell his/her company's product to potential clients. and that clients are the average you and I.

being a product/service consultant, you have to be wise on words, learn psychology, and be persuasive.

this one consultant is very passionate in talking that she didn't realize she was demeaning her client. to get to her point, she asked her client in a quite demanding tone...which sent her client thinking, "do you think I'm stupid?". maybe that way is suitable in giving talks to raise awareness on an issue, but quite hard on an intimate eye to eye session...to sell a product??

she has to grab the attention, but not in a hurtful way

with all that being said, in the end, we just have to maintain positive opinion on one's intention...
once you detect a fire in your heart, douse it with sabar...

randomly speaking....space

space is sometimes an issue.


people need space. space to live, to work, to socialize, to think, to breathe etc.


the size of space? it depends on the individual needs. some people need a large space while some just need a small one.


me? 


a couple of years ago i was happy with the amount of space i currently have. but now, it is beginning to suffocate me. limiting my moves, my freedom. perhaps i need a bigger space now.


however, to find that one place that suits your particular need is not quite easy. especially if your means of acquiring is limited.


patience.
for a bigger space.


let's make the best out of this tiny space, as I have always done.


happy weekend!

kata hati...

....ahhh, apakah sebenarnya perasaan ini? kenapa aku berperasaan sebegini?

benar, ketika ini ada perkara yang mengganggu jiwa. dan aku tahu, sebahagian daripadanya dicetuskan oleh kekurangan aku sendiri juga...tetapi aku tahu ia boleh diatasi, dengan sedikit kesabaran dan elaun masa..tetapi, aku bukannya nak cerita pasal perkara yang mengganggu ketenangan jiwa aku itu...

aku sebenarnya memikirkan orang yang aku ceritakan permasalahan aku itu...kerana aku bukan jenis suka cerita sebarangan je...menganalisa tindakan aku sendiri, pastinya orang itu aku percaya sungguh2, pastinya orang itu ada integriti. akta rahsia rasmi dan tidak rasmi. semua dia boleh simpan. semua dia boleh serap. dan semua dia boleh cernakan dan cuba pula nak membantu aku. sungguh2. dia risau akan aku. bukan sekali dua. dari mula aku kenal hingga sekarang. dia memang sentiasa bersama aku, apa masalahku, menjadi masalahnya juga. dan dia sentiasa cuba menolong, walaupun ada antaranya bukan bidang dia. bila dia tak dapat tolong, dia bagi semangat kat aku, berusaha menceriakan aku dan menasihati aku. sentiasa buatkan aku berfikir ke depan. bukan saja untuk masa sekarang.

kadang-kadang aku segan nak cerita sesuatu masalah. sebab aku takut dia berubah fikiran terhadap aku. tapi dia meyakinkan aku, perasaannya tidak berubah. dia tidak mahu melihat aku bersedih. kerana dia akan sedih juga. itu yang dia selalu kata.

aku bersyukur aku mengenali dia. tapi dia juga satu dugaan. hanya Allah swt yang tahu...bagaimana nasib kami nanti. tapi aku harus berusaha. kerana aku tidak dapat menipu hati sendiri. aku sentiasa ingin berada dalam keredhaanNya, namun aku sentiasa berjuang. sungguh, hidup itu perjuangan...perjuangan untuk nikmat yang sedikit di bumi supaya dapat merasai nikmat di sana..pernyataan itu bagaikan satu motivasi...

sesungguhnya aku tersentuh, dengan sentuhannya...

aku ingin menggembirakan hatiku, kerana ia akan menggembirakannya, dan aku gembira apabila dia gembira

aku akan menyelesaikan masalahku

semoga dipermudahkan olehNya

Tiga Kali Seminggu by Dr. Faisal Tehrani

Tiga Kali Seminggu (directly translated as Three Times A Week) or hereafter referred to as TKS, is a compilation of short stories written by Dr. Faisal Tehrani, one of the most read novelist in Malaysia. In it, 15 short stories written during his two decades of writing. In his preface, Dr. Faisal explains about the motivation behind each story that he wrote and tells about its themes and objectives. His introduction to his works helps me to understand the reason and the background of each story. Even though the stories are short, it is a journey of understanding and swallowing the ideas from the start to finish. Some have romantic essence, but it is never shallow. The romantic and love theme is laden with substance. Good substance. The others are, in general, about life philosophies, religion and social matters presented in a mature, highly imaginative, provocative and abundant in knowledge derived from the author's experience and beliefs.

I have a few favourites of all the 15 short stories. One of them is Hajah Abidah. It is a story of the experience of a seasoned female celebrity performing haj in Mecca and in the process, discovers her call in life and her real soul mate in front of the Kaabah. Then, Cinta Medeni, a love tale within the background of sufism and time research in Islam. Manifesto Mergastua, the letter from all fauna to caliphs of the Earth, us humans. Muthupalaniappan, a heart-wrenching story of the relationship between a young ambitious teacher and a poor pupil. Finally, Setelah Diciptakan Adam..., of feminism and the nature of women beside Allah swt.

Apart from that, 10 more short stories of similar themes including the title story, Tiga Kali Seminggu which is rather funny. TKS is an enjoyable read which is light in terms of time consumption but mildly heavy in substance. And I would like to spend some time some day for another Faisal Tehrani treat.

Adieu.

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Book Heavens II

Bazaar Chowrasta, Georgetown, Penang

While living in Penang...this place was my starbucks for cheap used books, and where I first bought Agatha Christie's crime thrillers .... On the ground floor you can indulge on many kinds of jeruk other than the wet market. Go up one floor and there are a small food court, clothes and shoe shops and finally the second hand book shops. It's dusty, musty and stuffed, but you'll get good books if you are willing to spend a few hours to scavenge the place. And oh, that is when you don't have any specific requirements. If you already know what you are looking for, e.g. title, category or author, you can just say it to the shopkeeper and he will direct you to the respective blocks of books. You can still even play with the price, especially if you are buying in bulks.

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 It's been a couple of years since I last went there...I wonder how it looks like now...

Kedai Buku Pustaka Mukmin, Jalan TAR, KL

                            

This book store is newly found by me...well, since I am not the kind of person who make frequent visits to the famous Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. This store is located right across the street from the Globe Silk Store and Da Vinci, not far from Sogo. It's main trade is Islamic books and school books but it also has a wide variety of educational books sorted by categories such as books about medicine, laws and acts, engineering, language, architecture and etc, not excluding malay novels too.  

These book shops are just some of the simple but lovely places for me to find books. It's a place to get loco, indeed! (..depending on your budget..uhuk..)

Oh, and by the way, the 30th Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF) is coming soon! See you there, InsyaAllah...

a healthy note

...

This is just a simple note about health.

I have been bombarded with questions such as these;

i. Are you sure that your internal organs now do not have any problems?

ii. When do you usually go to hospital?

iii. What are the three most important things in your life right now?

iv. Do you know what is 'silent killer?'

...and some more...

The fact is,

if you ask most people (including myself), they'd say that health is the most important thing in their life. Without good health, you cannot work. Without employment, you don't have means to survive and provide for your family. Without good health, you do not have the strength to take care of your loved ones, especially those who need special care. Without good health, you cannot enjoy your life and have the ease of mind.

The fact is,

the silent killers are heart attack, cancer, diabetes and stroke. Those are the main culprit of majority Malaysians, and I dare say of the global community. The sad thing is these illnesses do not have symptoms that you can detect early. Most of the cases are detected when they are already in serious stages. And these illnesses have been known also to attack the younger generations, not just senior citizens. How many people that we've heard, who seemed fit as a bill but suddenly fall down and died without warning? Yes, we have heard of the many notable person in our society but what about those who were just simple people and unknown? How many has become victim of these silent killers?

The fact is,

the government can only do as much to provide a good healthcare system to all 27 million of us Malaysians. But we cannot rely solely on public healthcare. True, with only RM 1 for registration we can get consultation, blood test and medications, but is it enough? How much can we know about our health status by a simple blood test?

Most of us, including myself, only go to see a doctor when we feel sick and unwell. Most of us don't have the awareness to go for full-body medical check up at least one a year and make it an annual habit. Sometimes the signs are there but we don't attend to them seriously. A yearly complete and comprehensive full-body medical check up can keep you up to date of your physical health and most importantly, to detect any signs of abnormalities at the earliest stage. In that way, we can take actions to prevent those signs from becoming a death sentence for you.

But then come the dinero effect. Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I know, we cannot make a full medical check up at public hospitals and clinics. It is only available in private and semi-gov hospitals. And the cost does not come cheap. In average, a full 22+ tests and check ups including CT scans and MRI can cost RM 3,500 and it has been increasing steadily from the previous years. Who knows how much it can be 5-10 years ahead? 

Health is not cheap, especially when you don't have it anymore and dependent on medications and treatment which can make you part with thousands of dollars every month. And medical insurance can never be 100% assured to help you. Sometimes, rejections and dejections can happen.

Therefore, it is a no brainer that we have to be serious with our health. Say it any way we like but prevention is definitely better than cure. For those who just started their career, it is important to see further on to the future. It is important to have a car and a house, it is also important to invest, but life and health is also an investment. The more you put your effort in securing it, the more it will sustain in God's will. Securing an amount from your monthly pay for a yearly check up or finding a good health programme that allows you to make installments is part of the things you can do for early prevention.

We can never know what lies ahead of us, because it is God's mystery and only He knows. That is why we have to put our effort to make our lives better. Usaha, doa dan tawakal. Effort, pray and leave the rest to God. But it is never tawakal before effort and pray. Effort is always the first step. After all that we managed to do, if we still have illness, then it is God's will. There's a reason for everything. Always, we cannot see it with our eyes....but we can see it with our heart.

Live life.