The ABCs of Life

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[1] By (the Token of) Time (through the Ages), [2] Verily Man is in loss,

[3] Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.

(Surah Al-’Asr)

It’s the 17th day of 2008 and tomorrow, according to the calendar that the world follows, I’ll be a year older… and a year wiser I wish!

I’ve been unwell for more than 2 weeks. It’s the longest time I’ve been sick with flu and migraine (I recently discovered that I do have it!). Therefore, I’ve been away from the computer and the blog and even teaching. As for Sotonians, 2007 left with Yatie waving goodbye to all of us. And a few days later as 2008 begins, Azila came back for a short ‘visit’ before flying back home to Malaysia last Monday. We don’t know if she’ll ever be back ‘home’ in Soton again. Alhamdulillah though, we managed to sent her to the Interchange and watch her take the bus to the airport with her other house mates and friends. It was like a dejavu then. Physically ill, emotionally confused seeing people whom are dear to my heart saying goodbyes. I’m too old to cry in public and perhaps I’d better not make other people cry too! Emotions could be contagious, you know. I just hope Yatie and Azila are safe and sound in their homes and I pray for the best, may Allah will always be with them.

I don’t really believe in goodbyes. If friendship is about having people living nearby, we’d all be best friends with our next door neighbour. And if friendship simply ends with a physical separation and temporal bye-bye, technology in communication won’t be so highly advanced and developed. Families and friends are gems you keep in your heart, and you carry them everywhere you go and try cherishing them with all your might. Physical existence is a bliss but absence makes the heart grow fonder, putting love to test so people will learn to love and appreciate better. Life is short and nobody lives forever, here. So don’t be afraid of goodbyes and believe in ‘hellos’ in the hereafter. If we’re apart from the people we love now, may it be temporary and may we meet again soon in the future. But if life vanishes before we find each other may Allah unite us in His eternal gardens of the hereafter.

We don’t even know if we’ll be saying goodbye too, soon, but life’s too short to waste time only thinking of uncertainties. I’m not going to hold myself back, I’m not going to wait for things to just happen. I want to make things happen by His will, I want to make the best out of the time I still have left here, and in life. Things happen, life changes. The one who waits and do nothing about his/her own life is going to be left behind. Time and tide waits for no man.

I’ve ventured into a few new things recently. I’m pushing myself to improve my writing skills so I’ve sent some of my little works to be published. I’ve been rejected and rewarded but what’s important I’ve been learning all along. Thanks to my family, my dearest husband, and a nice young lady named Fazleen…for without their encouragement (and force sometimes), I’ll only put my writing gift to a waste.

I’ve also begin my 2 months replacement for Sister Nur, as a Bilingual Teaching Assisstant at a school nearby today. I was really nervous but Subhanallah, some of my previous students in SMS ‘remembered’ me and gave me a warm welcome. This is one of the most amazing days in my life, having the chance to work with children, a job I’ve always admired and loved. It’s wonderful to experience a different culture of education here and learn how they cater the needs and interests of young hearts and minds. I’m looking forward to spend my 2 months in the school gathering as much experience possible, observing and learning as much as I can. I hope I’ll make good out of this opportunity especially in educating my own children at home. I’ve been hesitant to accept the job but since it’s only 4 hours per session, 3 days a week, and Abuhandzalah is willing to take care of those two little angels, I thought I’ll have a go and thank God I did! Or I’ll be missing a great opportunity. I’m also ‘peeking’ into some home schooling blogs/ideas to see how I can utilize my time with my kids effectively. I want them to have fun while developing their skills and interests.

17 days, and there’s still a long way to go … to learn, to improve, turning over a new leaf. Whatever you’ve been doing, I hope you’ve been spending these 17 days wisely and will spend the rest of the year beneficially for yesterday will never come again tomorrow.

All the best in life; especially to those having exams next week.