Of Birthdays

Another day to thank Allah for the blessings that He's given. And, it's my birthday!

Nadia T wished me happy 5th anniversary of my 21st birthday and I told her it was the most accurate wish so far! Made me smile. And Papa, quoted one of my most favorite quotes (I found it last few years) "Happiness is wanting what you have". I even edited this quote to another favorite - a picture of an old couple, sitting on a bench watching people go by on a street and they had their arms around each other. How lucky to be growing old together and still be in love!

It's been a great day so far, well wishes from friends and family... I didn't think so many people remembered it! Even at work, Thana has been motioning it since last week.. It's an ordinary day - I'm at work, it's lunch hour - but it's fasting month. The month to accumulate extra points! (and to bear in mind - easy come, easy go) And in 3 weeks' time - it'll be Raya again. Without Faheem this time around. Our first family member absent. Hope he'll be doing fine come the day.

Oh, I was so bored the other day - I googled myself. And guess what I found:

http://www.fazrestaurants.com/

Beautiful restaurants located in San Francisco by Faz Poursohi. Cool kan? They even have specialty promegranate product line and candied pomelos! Love, love, love! One day I'm gonna have to go there.

Ooh, and I have to post one reminder - the thing that I've always longed to do on my birthday, is to plant a tree. Thought it was gonna be last year (25 on 25) but didn't happen. Wonder if it'll be executed this year? I think I wanna it to be a pokok kenanga, or bunga tanjung. Or perhaps a fruit tree? Something exotic like... uhmm.. got it - the fruit my mom always told about when I was schooling in Muar. Some sort of buttery tasting fruit but with horrendous fur that makes you itch like crazy. Hmm.. I'll ask her later today. Oh, we're going for dinner and tell about it more soon! Laters! (gotta search for a tree now)

Of The Beginning of Fasting

Nope, I am not using the name of the person who's named after the fasting month. Case closed.

Anyways, yesterday was my first day of fasting - exactly one week delayed from the rest of my fellow Muslims. Not on purpose, simply biological. And this year, I feel good and actually anticipating to perform fasting. My aim is for cleansing! Cleansing of mind, heart and of course the digestive system.

To begin my day yesterday, got a text early in the morning from Ms. Oon, my piano teacher. And, guess what? I passed my Grade 6 at 117! Alhamdulilah! Well, it was just a pass, but that was all I aimed for. Close to merit, though - only 3 points away. And distinction is at 130. Regardless, after reading the text I was smiling like a clam - ALL the way to work.

And tonight, will be breaking fast with Ajeep and Am at Bora Ombak. Tried scouting other places for makan, cause I'm not fancying buffets this year, and found few interesting places that should be checked out in future:

1. Izzi KL - in Jln Sultan Ismail near Bukit Bintang
http://www.izzikl.com/press_det.php?id=2

2. Ciccio Pasticcio Bar & Pizzeria - Changkat Bukit Bintang
http://food.malaysiamostwanted.com/venues/ciccio-pasticcio-bar-changkat-bukit-bintang-kl

3. Bistro de Paris - Jln P. Ramlee

4. Little Bali - Desa Hartamas

Oooh.. and this year, our company buka puasa will be in Shang! Hehe.. nice change from Nikko or Prince. Looking forward to it, definitely.

Laters!

Of Predicament and Problem

Quoting my father;

"Difference between a predicament and a problem is that problems have solutions."

Unlike problems, predicaments are difficulties that you have to live with. But it does not mean that life has to be difficult, you just need a way around to live with the predicament. And Papa gave a striking example of his illness - which is a predicament to him (probable to the rest of us) but he has found a balance in which his life can be good.

Specifically, I thought that it was to spark me to classify my own difficulties to - Problems or Predicament. If it is the prior - find a solution. Life is that simple! Yes, when my idealistic self speaks, nothing is impossible! But of having stamina AND consistency (actually, they're both about the same) is another thing. Like the past month, has been invigorating. Everyday was in 5th gear. And I need to find out, HOW to keep it this way.

And, I also aim to be MORE SELFLESS, and think of others more often!

xoxo

Of Pure Kindness

Last few days, as I was driving back from work and grumbling in the crazy KL traffic, I saw a kindness that made me go "Awwwwwww...!" Aloud. Alone. In my car.

Well, it was in front of PWTC where the stupid traffic always gets bottle-necked because people are switching lanes to go to Mahameru and some to Jalan Kuching, etc. There was this policeman on a motorcycle who stopped by the right hand side of the road (mind you, right is the fast lane) nearby the road divider. And I was almost cursing him of being inconsiderate and ignorant due to adding more congestion that is already terrible to bear.

Then, I saw him reach out his hand... as if trying to grab something. I thought, he couldn't be grabbing for a piece of trash JUST to get it out of the way - but the way he did looked as if it was. And he kept reaching for it. When I past by him, I saw that it was a kitten! He grabbed it by the neck and held it up in his arms then put it in his motorcycle basket and drove off (the second part I saw through the rearview mirror).

My heart melted on the spot, I tell you! I didn't know this sort of kindness still exists! And coming from this policeman? Gosh, it was a rare sight for me. And, I felt lucky and thankful for the thought that at least someone somewhere somehow still cares.