Midnight Marathon

Am pretty surprised that I am still not that zombified now, when I have been sleeping at 4am for the past two nights settling work stuff. Seems like my worries of not being able to keep my eyes open during the day thankfully didn't happen too. MasyaAllah, indeed sometimes we imagine how hard things could be and doubt if we could do it, but later it humbles and amazes one when at the end of the day things didn't turn out as difficult as expected. Truly only Him could make things easy and bearable. Thank you dear Allah..

Of Shirts and Reminders

While walking home a stranger asked me, "What is life if you live without goals?" Whoa, it stunned me for a while, but brilliant nonetheless -- even though it's actually a design printed at the back of his t-shirt. Perhaps questions can indeed feel more powerful than mere statements at times; especially when they can make you Want to do something, or propel you into a more appreciative mode. Hmm maybe I should have some kind of t-shirts at home that have these on them: 1) "Done something better today?" 2) "Have you worked hard enough to deserve this rest?"

An Afternoon in Kinokuniya

Wheee so happy that Jurong has got 3 bookstores now! Kinokuniya at JEM, Times at JCube, and Popular at IMM  A good sight to see many fathers bringing their kids there today. Was quite impressed with one pair in particular, when I overheard the small boy of probably 6 yrs old asking his dad at the non-fiction corner: "Science is also about space isn't it? And some scientists say that the universe will end, right?" Dad: "Well, some scientists have studied that. There are two theories.." 

And he went on to elaborate deeper while they moved on to another aisle. Whoa, given his young age I think it's awesome that he's exposed to such a level of discussion! I guess not bringing my earpiece every time when I'm outside is pretty worthwhile after all, considering what kind of things I get to hear from people's conversations hehe..

Finding the Connection

Was at the shop when I turned to see a little girl of four staring at me straight. Both of us had our masks on, but she seemed stunned for a while watching me in my turquoise N95. I gave a little wave, and yay her eyes lit up when she waved back! 

Seeing fellow mask-wearers somehow makes me a bit happy inside -- more for the fact that we strangers appear to have one lil extra thing in common; just as how my heart gets thrilled when I come across someone with a book in the train. Hehe.. Perhaps spotting similarities has become something that I fancy more now.

This passage from Austin Kleon's book comes to mind at this point too: "Share your dots. Find people on the internet who love the same things as you and connect with them. Invite others to wonder with you. You have to be curious about the world in which you live.. Look things up. Chase down every reference. Google everything. Don’t ask a question before you Google it. You’ll either find the answer or you’ll come up with a better question."

Ayah and His Diary

When I was prolly 10 years old I remember coming across a 3-page document dated 1987 during springcleaning, kept neatly in Ayah's blue file. What caught my interest was seeing how the text looks like it was written using the classic typewriter, and even more touching was the title "Kelahiran Anakku yang Pertama" (or The Birth of My 1st Daughter). MasyaAllah! Ayah wrote this?? I can just imagine how he could have sat on his desk, thinking and typing away to translate those feelings and memories into words..

Adeih, and now I'm tearing because just 5 mins ago my kakak sat beside me, saying that Ibu told her that Ayah actually penned down a story in his notebook too when kakak got married! Seems like we're all pretty sentimental hehehe.. Although he didn't show his writings it warms my heart to know he took the time to do that secretly; apart from other countless awesome things he had devoted for us.. Thank you Ayah and Ibu, because what you have done all these years remind me of how wonderful it is to be a daughter every day of my life. Happy Father's Day! 

The Blessing in Time

It was nearly 7pm, and a man who's smartly dressed in a long-sleeved shirt approached me today. What surprised me was the fact that he's carrying a donation tin and still looking energetic, when he had perhaps just came back from work! Prompts me to think what do I fill up my time with.. Especially when being tired is a norm now everyday. 

Not to mention that the tin he's carrying was of "Apex Singapore", a rehab centre for the elderly. MasyaAllah, my friends who are still Apex Mentors instantly came to mind at that moment - who have been similarly amazing in helping my madrasah juniors.  Semoga Allah berkati ilmu dan waktu kita, dengan bertambahnya lagi kebaikan yang dapat kita lakukan..

The Young Mother

Love looking at how a mother walked into a surau today with her 1-year old baby girl, completely at ease carrying her child even in her solat. Beautiful it seems how caring after one's precious is allowed while we pray, fulfilling both the amanah of servanthood and parenthood well; and to consider being as independent as one can: figuring things out on your own, being happy even when alone. :) 

When Little Things Matter

For the times when seeing you waving at the window would accompany me to work everyday; when sometimes we would randomly sing a familiar tune with our own lyrics and have a good laugh at it; when, like today, you would buy something delicious and tell us to eat more, while wanting to have only a small portion for yourself.. For all these times and many many more, thank you for making me feel loved, my dear Ibu. 

Of Keeping Good Thoughts

Met an amazing elderly lady at the surau today. She was beside me when I noticed her finger was wrapped in coffee powder to stop its profuse bleeding; 'cos a door had slammed hard and badly broke it with a detached fingernail. But there I was, wowed by how positive she sounded, and how she was keeping good thoughts of Him. 

In smiles she calmly related her story and said, "Mungkin dengan sakit yg kecik ni, Allah nak lindungi cik dari ujian yg lebih besar. Dalam solat tadi cik doa banyak2 semoga Tuhan tolong cik. Anak doakan untuk cik jugak ye? Mudah2an Allah lebih sayang cik dengan cik bersabar." MasyaAllah.. may He bless her dear heart.

The Afternoon Encounter

An incident today left a deep mark in my mind till now, from a chance encounter with an elderly man who was partially blind and walking with a a white cane. It was zuhur, and I had just bought my sandwich when I met him, asking me for directions to a nearby surau which was 7 blocks away. 

As we reached the place he asked me to wait, before rummaging through his bag and handed me a paper filled with some Islamic reminders. "Kita tak buat dakwah dengan bercakap pun takpe; cukup dengan tulisan." MasyaAllah.. Was really struck by how determined and passionate he is in sharing good words, no matter his condition. Caused me to reflect on my own lacking self too. May Allah reward him bountifully and keep him in His care, always. 

Morning Pearls

Took my usual double-decker bus ride, but this time it's lovely to get to hear how a father engages his 5-year old son gently and calmly in a conversation: "No it's not bad; it's good that you're trying. But there's a limit to everything. Limitations; especially at your age. You must learn to help yourself. And you must always love yourself, so that you can love others. There are people who don't even love themselves." 

And when they spotted some foreign workers pruning the trees he said, "Look, they help to make Singapore more beautiful." What beautiful life lessons. Even I get to learn something.  A good start to my Monday morning, alhamdulillah!

A Glimpse of Tintin

Finally got to watch The Adventures of Tintin, and I find myself enjoying the film wayy more than Avatar and The Hunger Games. Somehow I don't quite fancy these two.. Hmm. Makes me want to catch more of the series on Youtube and comics. 

"There are plenty of others willing to call you a failure. Don't you ever say it of yourself. You care about something, you fight for it. You hit a wall, you push through it.. There's something you need to know about failure, Tintin. You can never let it defeat you." - Captain Haddock