Blogging : 101

It seems ages since I had typed anything worth reading in this blog. I myself still don't believe that I wrote what I wrote when I read my posts after a while. It seems that I myself don't think I write well. A big sign of low self esteem I wonder? ...


Where was I? 


"posts worth reading"...right.


I remember when I first blogged, it was really gibberish, those daily logs of what I did everyday and so on and so forth. I felt that it wasn't me at all. Then I dabbled in short stories, well paragraphs really, because I don't consider them in the category of stories. I was amazed, again, at what I wrote, constantly prompting self reality checks. I admit, it was no masterpiece and who am I to judge a great literary piece?, but on the other hand, I thought it had flow, which is the most important thing in a story if I do say so myself. But somehow, after a year of excitement in wanting to write more "stories", the spark...the spark that goes off when you want to write that important scene,...it was gone. Just like that. 


But then..


I was in New Zealand. I had things to write about, and people actually started reading my posts. It was a great feeling. 


Being able to write about anything, feeling the flow of continuous thumps on the keyboard and not resorting to saving a post as a draft for later editing, is one of the most satisfying accomplishments I would say on a daily level. Its like getting your tasks done on schedule. Makes you feel you can sit back at the end of a tiring day, and fall asleep without knowing when you fell asleep because you have no worries in the world....


She was the reason I logged in to my dashboard, thinking its worthy to share. 


She always thinks that she's the lucky one, but without sounding to much of a cliche', she has no idea that I am the one who is lucky. I see her constantly making the effort, everyday surprising me until I sometimes sit still, and thank god for the opportunity to have her in my life everyday. I count the days when we have that clarity and calm to build a life together. I pray to Allah that day will come soon.


Amin.

Settled

All of us, god's creations have milestones that we reach either planned or unplanned. Recently I have reached another milestone, which was receiving my bachelors degree from Massey University in New Zealand. Although I have officially passed my papers almost 6 months ago, I think for me and I think for a lot of other people, the ceremony makes it really really official. 


I was reluctant to go for the ceremony at first, but seeing Mak light up when she knew she would be attending her final and last child's graduation ceremony made me change my mind. For me, it was a pretty unplanned trip, as the tickets and the overall planning of the trip was last minute. The tickets were quite a bargain, far cheaper than the tickets I bought going back home for the holidays when I was there. So on the 7th of May, we were on a plane to New Zealand.


Arrived in Palmy after taking a flight from Auckland as usual, and were greeted by familiar faces of Hadi and Iylia. They took us to the motel of Fitzherbert. I was expecting to feel a bit lost, like a tourist, but I guess 6 months is not enough to make you feel like a stranger in your own home of 3 years. 


The days leading up to the ceremony on the 10th were filled with hangouts at coffee where Mak and Kak Yang loved the cappuccino's at various coffee shops around Palmy. Visited the new wing of Plaza, and brought them to the campus. It was a shame that it was nearing winter, as the flowers were already getting ready to wither away in the cold. Mak would have appreciated the greenery and the vibrant colors. Also had the opportunity to hang out with the boys.


Graduation day started early for me as I had to collect the robe from the hokowhitu campus. Went along with Safwan, and got back to the hotel. It was still early so caught a couple more hours sleep. Got ready at around 11, and proceeded to town for coffee and waited a bit more until it was time to enter the theater where it was going to be held.


I made my way to my seat, and being the first time being in the regent, I was impressed and regretted not catching the theater or plays that were on offer when I was in Palmy. Was seated next to Marveys, which was cool as I had someone to talk to while the ceremony took place. 


Waited for half hour or so till it was my turn. Alhamdulillah, it went smoothly, did not make a fool of myself on stage, and was capped by the chancellor of Massey, shook his hand and proceeded off the stage and back to my seat. 3 years and thousands upon thousands of dollars spent, and the climax was those 20 seconds on stage of the chancellor. But having said that, I am proud of my degree. 


I am proud of myself that I held out to go to New Zealand, and wanting to live and experience. I am proud that I did not give up when I failed those papers that set me back a half year. I am honored to meet the people I met when I was there and left still calling them friends. I am especially proud that I proved that going away means you have to compromise or let go of your morals, principals and your iman. I am not perfect but I know now that I am who I am regardless.


I know that not all if any who I thank here will know or read this, but thanks to all that have supported and believed and have guided me throughout that stage. I know now I have a whole new phase, chapter to learn and make mistakes, and hope that all will be there for that too.

Unexpected

As the saying goes, we only have the ability to plan, but whether or not those plans get executed and realized is all Allah's will. 

Went to Redang 3 weeks ago, for a break cum business trip. We went there, (we being me, Rahmat, Ag, and Ikie) practically unplanned. Just packed our bags and drove up to Terengganu. Won't bore you with the details, but I would like to point out that never in a million years I would ever expect going on trips with the guys mentioned. It is not normal, because they are not from the same ol' gang I am so used to going trips with. It isn't a bad thing, these guys are great, but that just shows how life evolves into unexpected scenarios such as these. Rahmat I only met in New Zealand,....Ikie, although a schoolmate, but never was close (like now)...and AG I only met once through Aizat, and then got closer when I started work. It didn't hit me at first, but chilling at the resort dining area, and around me was no Hafiz, the one constant road trip member...then I realized, life is changing.

The trip went well, and I can honestly say, getting away from things to talk about things is good for the mind and soul. Being on an Island makes thinking of other things and wanting to do so many things at once impossible. Discussions were good, and productive, and made things clearer, which pumped us up for things to come. But we can only plan...Half way back to KL, god tests us. Things happen, and it is up to us to get through these trying times, and accept the tests god has given us. After 2 weeks of riding through a dilemma, we have found a solution, and hopefully, it will work out.

Now, on a lighter subject, as you might have read, I have bought my first car, a Honda City. Browsing through the net, I have found this

Pretty garang isn't it. Haha. Angan2 jer ni....will take a few years before I add anything to my car which is pretty much complete inside out. But I have to say, this bodykit looks fierce, bodykit jer la, Still not sure bout those headlights.

I am leaving for NZ in less than 3 weeks. And yikes, I have much to do before then...better get on it.

Little Boy

For those reading that know me personally (which is probably the case as I doubt those who read my posts are strangers, if there are people who still read these posts), I am someone who rarely shows his emotions in public. Countless friends of Meqsu have asked her how she copes with my inability to show emotions, but she knows and I know I am a different creature around her..heh. The point is, I am known for my quiet nature.If I meet you, yes you meaning any of you, and I seem uninterested, thats just me, don't take offence, I do listen, trust me.

I have continued being emotionless despite getting my car, my second car after the legendary Toyota Celica that served me so well in New Zealand. Although I have not shown it through my facial expression, inside, I am feeling like a little boy who just got an expensive new toy. Alhamdulillah, as stated, I got my car last Wednesday and it is more relief rather than joy, but I am very happy. The car drives great (Its new, sure la great kan...but I remain optimistic nonetheless), thank god, as I didn't even test drive the car before I paid the booking fee. It was quite a spontaneous decision on my part, caused by differing opinions from friends and family. I really was set on buying a second hand car, first choice being an old school BMW, and then a used Vios, but when Mak repeatedly says to me "jangan degil, jangan beli second hand...", I conceded. I am a believer that when Mak says the same thing a few times, I better listen. 

Its a good feeling having that freedom of saying yes to any invitations and not having to ask permission from others. I am so thankful for Mak lending her car to me, which helped a lot with work. But yeah, now I feel like road tripping, haha...It was always my buddies that drove long distance, and now, I can do that. 

Everyone is taking their clothes off

There has been a heat wave in an already warm country. I can safely say, if laws allowed them to go out in public in their underwear, people would. 


Even in the center of Malaysia it has been hot waves of hot air, not necessarily caused by direct sunlight, but the air around us is definitely hot. I am sitting here in the office, a non-air conditioned office, wiping sweat off my forehead every 15 seconds. I may or not be in my boxers shirtless, but I will just leave that to your imagination if that's the case, (imagine me couple of years back eh, if imagine me now maybe you'll start vomitting on top of the headache caused by the heat..haha)


Anyhoo, if there are still anyone else but my self indulgent self reading this post, my confirmation letter to graduate arrived a couple of weeks ago to my relief. I have always been paranoid that I counted my credits wrong, and actually I didn't graduate, and have to be a student again...oh the horror!!. On that note, I will be flying back to New Zealand for my graduation ceremony on the 7th of May. Will have to plan a road trip route soon to take Mak ans Kak Yang around NZ.


I am enjoying my life post-study, even with the impossible clients, the unresponsive printers, and increasing weight. My life has definitely shifted mentally, and alhamdulillah, it has been a good transition so far. Again, FLOW is up and running, and pray that I don't lose my determination in pursuing my dreams, that I do my best, and will never neglect my responsibilities as a muslim. Amin.


I am waiting anxiously for my car to arrive, without seeming too anxious to my friends and family, but I am!. Just want to give mak her car back, so she's not bored at home all the time. Insyallah, soon...please Michelle (salesperson of the showroom), within the next 2 weeks...


This has been good. I will write more.

Things we wish we could do

There are times that you play a scene in your head, things that we wish would happen but would never ever want it to really happen to them because its a bad consequence. I wonder if that warrants a sin. I think it does, but sometimes you just can't help it. 


This always happens when some smart hamba Allah double parked but does not have the decency to stay nearby. I double park but I always make sure i'm at a honks distance so that I can move immediately. When that happens, I always have the urge to take out my imaginary sledgehammer from my car boot, and smashing the car that double parked. Then, I would release the handbreak and move it slightly. Finally I would leave a note saying: 


"I moved your car for you, no need to thank me..."


In other news, I am now on my own employment wise, "self employed", leaving the previous company after just 3 months. Haha. We just decided to part ways, and Alhamdulillah, everything was smooth, and no hard feelings. Wish Louco Media all the best. Enter FLOW MEDIA. 


FLOW MEDIA is up and running and our 3 main services are Brand Consulting, Creative Solutions, and Exhibitions and Events. We are a new company, but not at all inexperienced. We are eager to work and give it our all, pulun habis-habisan. Success or failure, we will see, but we will be giving our best, insyAllah. For any further inquiries, contact me, as our website is still under construction. Pray for me and my company's success people.


And lastly, I would like to turn you attention to 2 blogshops, of my sisters, Kak Linda withe Ar-Raiyan, which sells selendang, scarves, and accessories such as bracelets, and rantai semi-precious stones. And the other is Sugarjude, by sisters in Subang Jaya (dunno if they want to remain anonymous, so to avoid being scolded no need la to mention names..haha) Links are provided on the panel to the right.


Till next time.