The ABCs of Life

This is late, but here it goes:

I thank God for life and for faith;

I thank my parents for giving birth to me, for the love and care, and everything they’ve given me,

To my husband who filled my birthdays with all kinds of surprises,

To families and friends for always trying hard to remember,

And to everyone for their lovely wishes and prayers;

Thank you for everything

Psst…special thanks to tinkerbell for the gift. To Hana for the yummy cake and the Mayfield girls for ‘making’ me celebrate

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. Read the rest…

All praise be to Allah, my little princess is now a toddler. She had her first birthday on January 15th 2008, 2 days ago. Well, we don’t really celebrate birthdays but Abuhandzalah made a special collage for all of us to remember the 12 wonderful months she has been with us.

Please pray that she’ll grow into a fine, responsible young lady that will benefit her Ummah and cherish her family.

Fidaa’, we love you!

:: Ummi, Abi & Abang Handzalah ::

It has been a long time since I ‘reported’ any kitchen trials of mine but I could assure you that the kitchen has been really busy with many of them! Ok, I’m no pro at cooking and that’s why it’s categorized as ‘kitchen trials’. So, expect non-perfection of my doing though the little knowledge shared is InshaAllah useful, plus, I will only share/recommend recipes that I’ve successfully tried. I’ve found an easy cupcake recipe from the net that I’ve been using to make lovely cupcakes these days. I can’t remember from which site it was but it might be from Cooks.com. I will usually get a few recipes to compare, choose the easiest and alter to my needs or likings. But this recipe works praise be to Allah so I didn’t do much alteration with it. And here it is;

2 large eggs

125g/4oz soft margarine (I used vegetable fat spread)

125g/4oz self-raise flour (so you won’t need other raising agents)

125g/4oz sugar (increase or decrease as you wish, I usually decrease ‘em)

1 -2 tsp vanilla essence (as much as you need and sometimes I use banana which tastes really fine)

Turn this recipe into brownies by adding 225g cooking chocolate/white choc; add in hazelnuts/walnuts if desired. If you’re measuring with a cup, everything’s equivalent to 1, except sugar would be 1/3 of it. If you have a mixer than just put everything together. But if you’re a manual chef like me, follow these simple steps:

Cream butter and sugar. Throw in the eggs … yes, just throw them in and beat them until everything’s well mixed. Fold in half the flour; mix well and then throw in the rest. I do like ‘throwing’ recipes - hassle free they are ;). Fill them into the cups; only 1/3 if you’d like a topping afterwards. Otherwise filling 1/2 the cups would be fine. Bake for 18-20 mins, Gas Mark 4.

Left pic: My cuppy brownies, topped with buttercream.

Right pic: The ‘failing’, runny butter cream decoration. Never never never trust recipes without trying them out first!

That’s how it’s like for my kids when they first found the ‘window’. Once they discovered that behind those long clothing on the walls are windows; the eyes to the world outside, they’ll begin to seek ‘opportunities’ simply to get a little bird’s eye view especially from the bedroom’s window that’s easily reachable from the bed. They’ll even play some tricks to get themselves up on the bed and later climbing on the window and start ‘observing’ what’s life like outside. Once they started talking (that’s Handzalah for now), they’ll be describing what’s going on outside and even who’s out there - though apparently all persons mentioned are none but everyone else.

When Handzalah was into this window ‘thingy’, I was so paranoid and seeing him nearby the window was like watching a scary movie. But as time passes, I’ve come to realise that it’s one of those things in life that kids will learn to know, understand and might enjoy for a certain period or so. They’ll get over it after sometime but they’ll need your supervision until then. After all, the windows are securely closed and locked. Handzalah has lesser interest in viewing the world nowadays but since Fidaa’ had find her way to the window; it seems like they’ve found a new ‘hobby’ to enjoy together. I call it ‘the window session’ where both of them cheerfully climb up the window from the bed with Ummi (mommy) watching them calmly until they start to perform some heart-pounding stunts. Then the session will be cut short of course!

Negligence might lead to accidents therefore please do supervise your children ALL THE TIME if they need to have such sessions at home. Lest your windows aren’t safe enough to let a kid enjoy a view by it’s side, NEVER opt to hold the session. Mind you, I’ve fallen from a two storey building called home from my sister’s bedroom window when I was a toddler myself…all praise be to God, I fell hard but hurt not, miraculously.

Read the rest…

Ok, she was in her jeans and sleeping tee …but with a pretty scarf put on by Izi!

‘Kakak-kakak’ came for a visit today. They cooked us a very special lunch and other than doing what they do best which is entertaining my kids, they spend the last hour at my place dressing up my little girl, trying to make her smile and snap her pictures.

To Izi, Hana, Leen and My, thanks for the lovely time, gifts and lunch. It was a nice holiday treat :).

“Don’t say goodbye, say till we meet again…”, that’s an excerpt from a lovely nasheed about parting friends. And since it’s the holiday season when people are most likely to travel, I’d like to say till we meet again to my students and friends who’ll be leaving town especially to Yatie who’ll be flying back to our homeland soon, for good. We’ll miss you! I’m writing this farewell note early because I don’t want to forget doing so the day you leave. All the best, thanks and please forgive me for everything!

Can’t wait to hear the Takbir and see everyone on ‘Eid prayer today and of course; we’re having a Girls ‘Eid+Yatie’s Farewell Party at kakak-kakak’s place in the evening. It’s a little party for my dearest tafsir students and I’m going to cook them lontong goreng InshaAllah. Anyone else would like to join? Girls only though …

Some BREAKING NEWS on ‘Eid morning:

- My sister delivered a baby girl past 2am Malaysian time today! All praise be to Allah :). My parents 2nd granddaughter and my sister’s first child. Can’t wait to see the little lady’s pic. I hope Emo da tinkerbell will post some on her blog soon. Congratulations Chak and Uncle Naeem!

- My husband has reached the end of the road…for his PhD. Well, all praise be to Him for the chance given and at last, we’re ‘free’. There’s a long and uncertain road ahead, and it might also be pretty hard and bumpy. Praying for all the best and friends, please make du’a (pray) for us.

A little gift for everyone; below is a translation of ‘Eid’s Takbir in English. If you’d like to know what is ‘Eid and Takbir, please visit this link.

Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great, There is no Deity but Allah

Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and praise is due to Him.

Allah is Great, Allah is Great, Allah is Great, There is no Deity but Allah

Allah is Great, Allah is Great, and praise is due to Him.

Allah is the Greatest, and an abundance of praise is due to Him,

and glory and praise be to him morning and evening.

There is no Deity but Allah, Alone, He was True to His promise,

and He granted victory to His worshipper, and He supported His troops,

and He conquered the allied parties of the enemies all by Himself.

There is no Deity but Allah, and we worship no one but Him,

and we will sincerely follow the religion for Him, even against the wishes of the disbelievers.

‘Eid Mubarak to all Muslims out there and happy holidays everyone!

Love, lots of that: Nurin a.k.a lukluk

Have you ever have a go with a paintball war game? If I have enough comrades to join me in the field, I would have played this physical game a long time ago. But girls are girls; not many women would like to spend a day-out to be shot with a tippmann m4 of course! Cosy air conditioned shopping complex would be a better place to hangout rather than a field filled with warriors dressed in special suits, mask, gloves and goggles trying to outdo each other. And since the main attacking scheme would be shooting paintballs, any girl would of course like to avoid getting hurt even without any cuts. I’m not trying to ridicule my own kind but paintball is just not the kind of game women prefer above others.

But for me, if given a chance, I would really love to have a shot with the latest gears available down the field. What say you? And if you’re a girl interested in the game; drop me a line to join the infantry. Peace!

Thanks to Ultimate Paintball.

It’s the blessed Day of ‘Arafah in Southampton. My eldest sister in Malaysia has just gone to hospital awaiting for delivery of her first child. My brother in Vancouver has just dropped me a line asking about tracking a parcel he has been anxiously waiting. And my husband is currently in a meeting for his transfer viva. The amount of nervousness and anxiety I have now … only God knows!

Butterflies in my stomach, this anxious feeling is holding me back.

I hope this time will quickly pass.

I wish the clock won’t just tick; can’t it just make the hour round complete?

Oh Lord, let this anxiety flee in exchange of Your kindest certainty.

I wish, I pray, things will be OK

as never would You burden one with more than he could bear.

My cold fingers put together; holding on to You

praying for a warm shining star lighting this dark freezing real-life drama.

Oh Allah, don’t leave me to myself I shall go astray

Oh Allah, don’t leave me to myself I shall fade away…

khaleel el-wafy, 18th Dec 2005 @2:51pm

The Best Days of the World - that’s the first days of Dhulhijjah. If you don’t know what month is it now according to the Muslim’s calendar; it is Dhulhijjah. The blessed month of pilgrimage and celebration of ‘Eidul Adha. These days before ‘Eid are the best time to increase good deeds especially fasting and dhikr (remembrance of Allah).

‘Eidul Adha is also an event of charity in which sharing is a big part of it. The meat of sacrificed animals are distributed among the members of the community (especially the poor and needy) to enjoy. Back home in Malaysia there’s usually a big feast in both ‘Eidul Adha and ‘Eidul Fitr and though the celebration is a bit smaller here the excitement are always amazing. You don’t need to be home to feel ‘home’ sometimes because many wonderful people would love to open their doors and hearts to you and make you feel at home during this time of celebrations. (But I still miss home! Of course :))

Muslims in Southampton will celebrate ‘Eid on Wednesday; 19th December 2007 InshaAllah. And a day before‘Eid - the Day of ‘Arafah - would be the day Abuhandzalah will have his viva transfer. Please pray for his success; please pray for everyone, for peace in the world and salvation in the hereafter for these are the best days of the world that we hope will be the days Allah will answer our prayers.

‘Eid Mubarak to all Muslims out there, and have a pleasant holiday to everyone!