Looking On The Bright Side

:: 63 Petua Pasangan Bahagia by Dato' Dr Fadzilah Kamsah ::

2012-01-30T14:25:00.005+08:00

Perunding motivasi dan keluarga, Datuk Dr Fadzilah Kamsah memberi 63 petua yang boleh dijadikan amalan pasangan suami isteri yang melayari rumah tangga.

1. Doa yang berterusan.

2. Patuh ajaran agama.

3. Murah dengan pujian.

4. Murah dengan khidmat.

5. Murah dengan belaian kasih sayang.

6. Murah dengan sentuhan.

7. Mencari kebaikan pasangan.

8. Cari masa berkomunikasi, berbual atau bergurau senda.

9. Cari kebaikan dan pembaikan diri daripada setiap pertengkaran.

10. Menghormati had, sempadan atau hal peribadi pasangan.

11. Menilai diri daripada perspektif pasangan.

12. Berfikiran terbuka - boleh tegur menegur.

13. Berani mengambil risiko emosi - tegur/perubahan/berpisah sementara.

14. Menilai dan memberi keutamaan dalam kehidupan.

15. Tolak-ansur.

16. Menghormati dan mengambil kira ‘gerak batin’ (intuition) perempuan.

17. Tidak mengejar kebendaan semata-mata.

18. Sedar bahawa perselisihan kadangkala tidak boleh dielakkan.

19. Mengubah diri untuk merangsang perubahan pada pasangan.

20. Sanggup berkorban buat pasangan.

21. Menghormati pasangan.

22. Berasa amat beruntung (dan nyatakan) mendapat pasangan yang ada.

23. Perhubungan seksual yang sihat dan diredai.

24. Menghormati perbezaan dalam diri pasangan.

25. Sentiasa bermaafan sebelum tidur.

26. Sentiasa bersangka baik terhadap masa depan.

27. Meletakkan hak kepada pasangan.

28. Tidak menjadi hamba kepada pasangan.

29. Berubah secara kecil-kecilan untuk meningkatkan kebahagiaan.

30. Mengawal marah. Buat perjanjian.

31. Mencari penyelesaian dalam situasi ‘menang-menang’.

32. Muhasabah hubungan untuk mencari punca masalah.

33. Menghormati sifat semula jadi pasangan.

34. Memahami peranan ‘pasangan’.

35. Hubungan perasaan sesama pasangan.

36. Jangan simpan ketidakpuasan, sedih, marah atau benci dalam hati.

37. Bentuk kod kasih sayang dan anda berdua saja yang tahu.

38. Sengaja merancang untuk membaiki hubungan suami isteri.

39. Tujuh kali puji dan satu teguran.

40. Sebut ‘I love you’ sepanjang masa.

41. Banyakkan bergurau dan bermesra.

42. Sentiasa berterus terang.

43. Beri masa untuk perubahan berlaku - sabar.

44. Elakkan berdebat untuk mencari kebenaran.

45. Elakkan salah pasangan.

46. Cari titik pertemuan.

47. Selesaikan masalah hari ini pada hari ini juga.

48. Lebih banyak memberi daripada menerima.

49. Minta nasihat, pandangan atau maklum balas daripada pasangan.

50. Sentiasa bersemangat - bangun tidur, pergi kerja, balik kerja dan sebagainya.

51. Seimbangkan hubungan dari segi:

Mental, pendidikan dan ilmu
Emosi
Fizikal dan ekonomi
Sosial
Spiritual

52. Jangan berjauhan terlalu lama (kecuali terpaksa).

53. Tidak terlalu mengongkong.

54. Tidak bertindak bersendirian.

55. Memberi peluang untuk berbeza:

Pendapat atau pandangan
Hobi
Kegemaran
Makanan
Cita rasa
Warna pilihan dan pelbagai

56. Humor atau lawak dari semasa ke semasa.

57. Minta bantuan untuk memecahkan kitaran negatif.

58. Berwawasan dan pandang ke depan (tidak terjebak dengan masalah semasa).

59. Tidak meminta yang bukan-bukan.

60. Bentuk undang-undang atau peraturan dalam rumah tangga.

61. Mencari kelainan dan perubahan positif.

62. Elakkan mendera pasangan dengan apa cara sekalipun.

63. Reda, syukur dan tawakal kepada Allah s.w.t

p/s: pokok pangkal, kasih sayang. I love him for his positive mindset and optimism. (and he's from bangi.. eh perlu ke?)

:: Farewell Facebook! ::

2012-01-25T15:19:00.003+08:00

Hello beautiful Khalifahs!

As of yesterday, I am Facebook free!! YAHOOOOO!!! And let me tell u, it has been a loooong time since I felt this free!

When I first registered with Facebook, I was invited by my bestie, Nad. So I registered but left it untouched. I was hooked on Friendster at that time.. (I dont even remember what I did on Friendster) But it was different then. The internet connection was not as fast.. There were very few people who were logged on to Friendster 24/7 via their phones. You had to find computers with internet connection to access your Friendster. So logging on to the net was a bit of a hassle and therefore very seldom.

Then I moved to Dubai. I took the etisalat wireless plan and was logging on to friendster everyday. Mainly keeping in touch with my malaysian friends. When I came back to Malaysia, the facebook fever was at its peak. I finally accepted defeat and joined in the facebook band-wagon. It was all fun in the beginning.. You get to poke friends, send kisses and flowers, find out what your name means in urdu, find out which FRIENDS character is closest to your personality etc etc.. Most importantly, I get to stay in touch with my Emirates friends..

And then I bought an Android phone.. Facebook got a bit more serious for me. I was finally hooked! I check my news feed everyday, I read everyone's status.. I upload zillions of photos.. It was crazy! And then it got ridiculously serious. I couldnt even publish what I feel like publishing. I had to mind my words.. I had to screen everything. Until a family member 'terasa hati'. I wrote something on my wall and he thought it was about him. At that time I got sick of this whole social networking. I long for a simpler life where friends meet up for drinks and talk on the phone.

How many times have you come back from a trip and couldnt wait to publish your photos on FB? (guilty) How many times have you remind your friends to tag you when she uploads your photos? (guilty) How many times have you suppress your hunger just so you could snap a few picture for FB? (not so guilty). How many times have you checked in on foursquare everytime you go anywhere? (not guity! I think its dangerous! Robbers can easily know when your home is empty and when its not!). How many times have start a conversation with "Eh you baca tak status si polan tu smalam? asal aa? dia ok ke?" (err.. why dont you just call si polan and ask him?)

So there you go.. I am Facebook Free!! To all my friends, thank you for still contacting me thru phone and emails.. To my blog readers, thank you for your interest.. We dont need FB to stay in touch.. We just need some effort and sincerity..

Take Care peeps! love you!

:: Sedih ::

2012-01-25T06:47:00.001+08:00

Ditinggalkan semasa sakit adalah amat memedihkan.. Terasa sunyi dan sayu hati.. Tetapi apabila ditinggalkan semasa sakit, bersama anak yg juga sakit, hanya Tuhan yang tahu macam mana perasaannya..

:: Love Her ::

2012-01-13T14:56:00.000+08:00

EVERY HUSBAND SHOULD READ THIS:

♥ Love her.. when she sips on your coffee or tea. She only wants to make sure it tastes just right for you.

♥ Love her.. when she "pushes" you to pray. She wants to be with you in Jannah (Paradise).

♥ Love her.. when she asks you to play with the kids. She did not "make" them on her own.

♥ Love her.. when she is jealous. Out of all the men she can have, she choose you.

♥ Love her.. when she has annoying little habits that drives you nuts. You have them too.

♥ Love her.. when her cooking is bad. She tries.

♥ Love her.. when she looks dishevelled in the morning. She always grooms herself up again.

♥ Love her.. when she asks to help with the kids homework. She only wants you to be part of the home.

♥ Love her.. when she asks if she looks fat. Your opinion counts, so tell her she's beautiful.

♥ Love her…when she looks beautiful. She's yours so appreciate her.

♥ Love her...when she spends hours to get ready. She only wants to look her best for you.

♥ Love her.. when she buys you gifts you don't like. Smile and tell her it's what you've always wanted.

♥ Love her.. when she has developed a bad habit. You have many more and with wisdom and politeness you have all the time to help her change.

♥ Love her.. when she cries for absolutely nothing. Don't ask, tell her its going to be okay.

♥ Love her.. when whatever you do is not pleasing. It happens and will pass.

♥ Love her.. when she stains your clothes. You needed a new thobe (kurta) anyway.

♥ Love her.. when she tells you how to drive. She only wants you to be safe.

♥ Love her.. when she argues. She only wants to make things right for both.

♥ Love her.. she is yours. You don't need any other special reason !!

All this forms part of a Woman's Character. Women are part of your life and should be treated as the Queen.

Treat the women well..

taken from: nad's blog

:: Recipe :: Khasiat Jintan Manis

2012-01-13T13:03:00.002+08:00

Source: http://yatt-lateef.blogspot.com/

Kandungan Jintan Manis:- Vitamin C-B-A, garam galian (phosphorus, iron, magnesium, copper, potassium dan calcium), galian sureh (molybdenum, manganese dan foliate) , asid amino, tinggi-serat dan rendah-kalori.

Bahan:
Jintan Manis
Cuka Epal
Madu
Air

Khasiat & Kelebihan Jintan Manis:

--[01]-- Cuci usus
Jintan manis sejenis herba berserat tinggi, bertindak seperti ‘julap’ untuk mencuci usus kecil dan usus besar secara sederhana. Herba ‘pelawas’ ini melancarkan proses perkumuhan dan mencuci dinding usus dari toksin, kotoran dan mendapan degil. Yang bagusnya, ia tidak mengakibatkan cirit-birit.. proses pembuangan lebih bersahaja dan tidak terasa senak perut! Sistem metabolisma menjadi lebih teratur dan semestinya ia membantu melangsingkan badan!

--[02]-- Mengatasi masalah kembung perut akibat terlebih angin, gas dan asid
Jintan manis dapat merawat masalah ketidakhadaman, radang perut dan usus dengan cara mengeluarkan gas, angin dan asid yang berlebihan dalam perut. Secara tak langsung ia membuatkan perut menjadi leper dan kemas!

--[03]-- Kawal tahap kolesterol
Jintan manis kaya dgn vitamin C-B-A, bermanfaat mengekalkan daya tahan badan terhadap serangan penyakit di samping dapat mengurangkan kadar kolesterol berbahaya dalam badan. Kadar seratnya yang tinggi dapat mencegah berlakunya buasir dan kanser usus.

--[04]-- Rawat bengkak sendi, sakit badan dan lenguh2 otot
Jintan manis mengandungi ‘anethole’, sangat perlu untuk merawat masalah bengkak atau radang pada sendi, tulang dan otot! ‘Anethole’ juga diyakini dapat mengurangkan risiko keberulangan (recurrennce) penyakit kanser. Kajian menunjukkan penggunaan ‘anethole’ dapat menyekat kemaraan ‘tumor necrosis factor’ dalam tubuh manusia.

--[05]-- Diuretik
Jintan manis bersifat diuretik, bermakna ia dapat mengeluarkan bendungan air di dalam badan.. justeru merawat sembab muka, perut kembung, buncit dan senak perut!

--[06]-- Menambah kuantiti dan kualiti susu ibu
Jintan manis merangsang pengeluaran susu ibu (lactation) dan memberi kesan yang sama pada tubuh sepertimana tugas estorgen. Ia juga boleh merawat masalah kesakitan pra-haid & menopos, masalah rendah-libido dan ketegangan saraf. Dengan meminum secawan teh jntan manis waktu malam, ia dapat menenangkan saraf dan membuatkan anda lebih mudah tidur malam.

--[07]-- Merawat gejala pra-haid, pra-menopos dan rendah libido
Jintan manis dapat mengatasi masalah kesakitan dan kekejangan saraf pra-haid, mengurangkan simptom-simptom pra-menopos dan menggalakkan daya keinginan seksual secara semulajadi (dan berkesan!)

--[08]-- Pelbagai manfaat lain
Jintan manis dapat mengekang selera makan, menyegarkan nafas, menurunkan panas badan, merawat jangkitan mata, meredakan sakit tekak, memulih batuk dan membuang kahak.

Cara Penyediaan Teh Jintan Manis:

- Masukkan 2 gelas air ke dalam periuk.

- Masukkan 1 sudu besar jintan manis (versi biji) ke dalam periuk tadi.

- Rebus hingga mendidih. Setelah mendidih, terus tutup api dan tutup periuk supaya wap herba tidak keluar.

- Setelah suam, tapis dan tuang ke dalam gelas, kemudian masukkan 2 sudu besar cuka epal / cuka kurma / cuka anggur / cuka delima.

- Kacau dan minum 3 kali sehari (before breakfast, lunch and dinner).

- Jika anda rajin bersenam selepas minum secawan teh jintan manis selama 30 minit setiap hari (sehingga 3 bulan, bersedialah untuk kehilangan sehingga 14kg dari berat badan anda!!!)

Cuba lah secawan teh jintan manis ini. Jika diamalkan berterusan, anda akan merasa fadilat dan kebaikannya pada tubuh badan. Ia mampu membuang keracunan dalam badan kerana bertindak sebagai tonik semulajadi yang membersih darah, buang pinggang, paru-paru dan limpa.

:: 20 Perkara Yang Perlu di Jauhi Untuk Mencari Keredaan Allah ::

2012-01-03T10:49:00.000+08:00

(source: http://scripters.ning.com/forum/topics/20-perkara-yang-perlu-di-jauhi-untuk-mencari-keredaan-allah)

أًلسَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

Segala puji bagi Allah, Tuhan sekelian alam. Selawat serta salam buat junjungan mulia Nabi Muhammad S.A.W. keluarga serta para sahabat dan pengikut yang istiqamah menuruti baginda hingga ke hari kiamat.

Sahabat yang dirahmati Allah,

Di dalam kehidupan kita seharian ada perkara yang perlu kita segerakan untuk dilaksanakan dan ada pula perkara yang perlu dijauhi dan ditinggalkan. Setiap perkara yang ditegah atau dilarang sebenarnya terdapat beberapa hikmah dan kebaikan samaada berbentuk luaran (fizikal) atau dalaman (hati dan jiwa)

Terdapat 20 perkara yang patut dijauhi. Perkara tersebut adalah seperti berikut :

Pertama :

Jangan sengaja lewatkan solat. Perbuatan ini tidak disukai Allah SWT. Kalau tertidur akan dimaafkan.

Rasulullah SAW bersabda maksudnya: "Yang membezakan (seorang itu mukmin) dan kufur serta syirik adalah meninggalkan solat". (Hadis Riwayat Muslim)

Firman Allah SWT

فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلاتِهِمْ سَاهُونَ

Maksudnya: "Kecelakaanlah bagi orang yang solat, iaitu orang yang lalai daripada solatnya." (Surah Al-Ma’un ayat 4-5).

Kedua :

Jangan masuk ke tandas atau bilik air tanpa memakai alas kaki (selipar). Takut kalau-kalau terbawa keluar najis, mengotori seluruh rumah kita.

Perlu biasakan memakai selipar atau terompak bila masuk ketandas atau bilik air untuk menjaga kebersihan kaki kita setelah mandi dan mengambil wuduk, supaya najis tidak dibawa keluar bilik air.

Ketiga :

Jangan makan dan minum dalam bekas yang pecah atau sumbing. Makruh kerana ia membahayakan. Dan jangan bernafas dalam minuman atau meniup kedalam minuman.

Di dalam kitab Sunan Abi Daud diriwayatkan hadis dari Abu Said Al-Khudri bahawa ia mengkhabarkan : "Rasulullah Sallalahu 'Alaihi Wasalam melarang minum dari bahagian cawan yang pecah dan melarang untuk bernafas dalam air minum."

Jika cawan atau pingan kita retak , pecah atau sumbing hendaklah dibuangkan sahaja jangan digunakan lagi.

Ini termasuk etika yang diajarkan untuk kemaslahatan orang yang minum, sebab minum melalui bahagian cawan yang sumbing boleh menyebabkan beberapa bahaya:

Kotoran yang biasanya ada dipermukaan air, akan berkumpul di bahagian cawan yang sumbing, lain halnya bahagian tepi cawan yang masih utuh.

1. Ia boleh mengganggu ketika minum. Minum melalui bahagian cawan yang sumbing atau pecah tidak boleh dilakukan dengan baik.

2. Kotoran dan seumpamanya biasa terhimpun di bahagian cawan yang pecah, kerana tidak ikut dibersihkan ketika dicuci, tidak sebagaimana cawan yang masih baik.

3. Bahagian yang sumbing adalah bahagian yang buruk pada cawan, iaitu bahagian yang paling tidak bagus hingga mesti dielakkan, lebih baik dicari bahagian yang masih baik, sebab bahagian yang buruk dari segala sesuatu pasti tidak ada baiknya.

4. Boleh jadi bahagian yang pecah itu mempunyai belahan atau bahagian yang runcing yang boleh melukai mulut orang yang minum melalui bahagian tersebut.

Adapun bernafas dalam air minum, risikonya adalah menimbulkan bau busuk pada air minum yang tidak disukai orang lain, terutama sekali orang yang bau mulutnya mengalami perubahan buruk. Pada dasarnya, secara umum nafas orang yang minum akan bercampur ke dalam air tersebut.

Justeru, Rasulullah Sallahu 'Alaihi Wasalam menggabungkan antara larangan meniup air dan larangan bernafas dalam air dalam hadis At-Tirmizi dan dinyatakan sahih oleh beliau, dari Ibnu Abbas bahawa ia mengkhabarkan : "Rasulullah melarang meniup air dan bernafas dalam air minum."

Keempat :

Jangan biarkan pinggan mangkuk yang telah digunakan tidak berbasuh. Makruh dan mewarisi kepapaan. Pastikan semua pingan mangkuk, periuk belanga, cawan dan bekas makanan dicuci sebaik sahaja selesai digunakan. Sisi-sisi makanan yang dibiarkan didalam bekas makanan bermalaman tanpa dibersihkan adalah menjadi habuan syaitan , kerana syaitan suka kepada makanan yang kotor dan busuk.

Islam menggalakkan kebersihan dan benci pada sifat pengotor dan menjauhkan diri daripada perkara yang boleh mendatangkan penyakit.

Dari ‘Amr bin Syu’aib : ‘Rasulullah SAW bersabda: “Sesungguhnya Allah itu mencintai kalau melihat bekas kenikmatan-Nya atas hamba-Nya itu, dengan jalan menunjukkan keindahan dan kesempurnaannya dalam berpakaian, makan, berumahtangga dan lain-lain.” (Hadis Riwayat Imam Tirdmizi dan ia mengatakan bahawa ini adalah hadis Hassan.)

Kelima :

Jangan tidur selepas solat Subuh, nanti rezeki mahal (kerana berpagi-pagi itu membuka pintu rezeki dan keberkatan).

Abdullah Ibnu Abbas (Ibnu Abbas) telah melihat anaknya tidur pada waktu Subuh. Maka dikatakan kepada anaknya, "Bangun! Apakah kamu tidur pada waktu rezeki dibahagi-bahagikan?"

Rasulullah SAW tidak tidur selepas menunaikan solat Subuh kerana Allah memberkati umat ini yang berpagi-pagi, seperti satu hadis yang berbunyi: 'اللهم بارك لأمتي في بكورها'

(Ya Allah, berkatilah umatku yang berpagi-pagi). Untuk itu, para fuqaha' memakruhkan tidur selepas solat Subuh.

Telah thabit dari Nabi SAW bahawasanya baginda berdoa kepada Allah supaya memberkati umatnya yang berpagi-pagi, sebagaimana yang diriwayatkan oleh Ashab as-Sunan yg empat dan Ibn Hibban dalam Sahihnya, Nabi melewati anaknya Fatimah r.ha yang sedang berbaring pada waktu Subuh, maka baginda bersabda:

يا بنية قومي اشهدي رزق ربك، ولا تكوني من الغافلين، فإن الله يقسم أرزاق الناس ما بين طلوع الفجر إلى طلوع الشمس '

"Wahai anakku, bangunlah dan hadaplah rezeki Tuhanmu, dan janganlah engkau jadi dari kalangan orang yang lalai, sesungguhnya Allah membahagikan rezeki manusia di antara terbit fajar hingga terbit matahari." (Hadis Diriwayatkan al-Baihaqi)

Berkata Nabi di dalam hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh at-Tabarani di dalam al-Awsath:

باكروا الغدو -أي الصباح- في طلب الرزق، فإن الغدو بركة ونجاح'

"Berpagi-pagilah (subuh) dalam mencari rezeki, sesungguhnya berpagi-pagi itu adalah berkat dan kejayaan."

Oleh itu para fuqaha menetapkan kemakruhan tidur selepas solat Subuh, dan dinukilkan oleh Imam as-Safarini mengenai kemakruhan tidur selepas solat Subuh dan Asar.

Keenam :

Jangan makan tanpa membaca BISMILLAH dan doa makan. Nanti rezeki kita di kongsi syaitan.

Dari 'Amr bin Abu Salamah radhiallahu 'anhuma, katanya: "Rasulullah SAW bersabda kepadaku: "Ucapkanlah Bismillah dan makanlah dengan tangan kananmu serta makanlah dari makanan yang ada di dekatmu." (Muttafaq 'alaih)

Dari Umayyah bin Makhsyi as-Shahabi r.a., katanya: "Rasulullah SAW (pada suatu ketika) duduk di situ ada seorang lelaki yang makan lalu tidak mengucapkan Bismillah, sehingga makanannya tidak tertinggal melainkan sesuap saja. Setelah orang itu mengangkatkan sesuatu yang tertinggal tadi di mulutnya, tiba-tiba dia mengucapkan: 'Bismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahu.' Kemudian Nabi SAW. ketawa lalu bersabda: "Tidak henti-hentinya syaitan tadi makan bersama orang itu. Tetapi setelah dia ingat untuk mengucapkan nama Allah (yakni setelah membaca Bismillah), maka syaitan tadi memuntahkan seluruh makanan yang telah ada dalam perutnya. (Hadis Riwayat Abu Dawud dan Nasa'i)

Ketujuh :

Jangan keluar rumah tanpa niat untuk membuat kebaikan. Takut-takut kita mati dalam perjalanan dengan niat yang tidak baik.

Membaca doa bila hendak keluar daripada rumah. "Bismillahi tawakaltu ‘alallahi laa haula walaa quwwata illa billah"

maksudnya: “Dengan nama Allah, aku berserah diri kepada Allah. Tidak ada daya dan kekuatan selain dari Allah.” (Hadis Riwayat Abu Daud, Tirmidzy dan Nasai)

Sunnah berikutnya adalah mendahulukan kaki kiri ketika keluar rumah, serta memberi salam kepada keluarga. Sebelum keluar rumah hendaknya menentukan niat dan tujuan, serta memastikan barang bawaan tidak ada yang tertinggal.

Kelapan :

Jangan pakai sepatu atau selipar yang berlainan pasangan atau pun memakai sebelah sahaja.

Nabi SAW bersabda maksudnya : “Jika engkau memakai kasutmu, mulailah dengan kaki kanan. Jika engkau menanggalkan kasutmu, mulailah dengan kaki kiri. Hendaknya sebelah kanan mula memakai kasut dan sebelah kiri mula menanggalkan kasut. Dan jangan berjalan dengan sebelah kasut. Tanggalkan kedua-duanya atau pakai kedua-duanya” (Silsilah as-Shahihah Albani)

Kesembilan :

Jangan biarkan mata liar di perjalanan. Nanti hati kita gelap diselaputi dosa.

Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala berfirman maksudnya : " Katakanlah kepada orang-orang beriman lelaki agar mereka menundukkan pandangan mata ( terhadap wanita ), dan memelihara akan kemaluan mereka ( menutupya ). Yang demikian itu lebih suci bagi mereka, sesungguhnya

Allah amat mengetahui akan apa yang mereka kerjakan. Dan katakanlah kepada wanita yang beriman, hendaklah mereka menahan pandangannya dan memelihara kemaluannya, dan janganlah mereka menampakkan perhiasannya kecuali yang biasa nampak daripadanya." (Surah An-Nur ayat 30-31 )

Kesepuluh :

Jangan bergaul bebas ditempat kerja. Banyak buruk dari baiknya.

Rasulullah SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: “Barang siapa yang beriman kepada Allah dan hari akhirat maka janganlah ia melakukan pertemuan dengan seorang perempuan tanpa disertai mahramnya kerana sesungguhnya yang ketiga itu tentulah syaitan.” (Riwayat Bukhari, Muslim dan lain-lain)

Kesebelas :

Jangan menangguh taubat bila berbuat dosa kerana mati boleh datang bila-bila masa.

Rasulullah SAW pernah menasihati umatnya agar sentiasa bertaubat kepada Allah : "Wahai sekelian manusia, bertaubatlah kamu kepada Tuhan sebelum kamu mati. Gunakanlah kesempatan yang ada untuk beramal dan berbakti sebelum masa kamu dipenuhi oleh urusan dan kerja. Wujudkanlah satu pertalian antara kamu dengan-Nya, memperbanyakan mengingati-Nya (zikrullah)."

Justeru itu bertaubat dan memohon keampunan daripada Allah SWT perlulah dibuat secara berterusan tanpa henti.Taubat haruslah di perbaharui dari masa ke masa. Ini kerana, setiap insan tidak mungkin terlepas dari dosa, samaada besar atau kecil, dosa batin atau lahir, dosa yang diketahui atau tidak atau lalai dalam menunaikan hak Allah dan manusia lainnya. Bahkan dosa kerana tidak menambah ilmu pengetahuan dalam agama dan sebagainya juga tidak terkecuali.

Kedua belas :

Jangan ego (sombong) untuk meminta maaf pada ibu bapa dan sesama manusia kalau memang kita bersalah.

Sifat orang mukmin akan sentiasa meminta maaf dan merendahkan diri terhadap kedua ibu bapanya. Sentiasa memberi khidmat terbaik terutama apabila mereka menjangkau usia tua yang uzur. Begitu juga sifat orang mukmin yang suka meminta maaf kepada siapa sahaja orang lain yang dirasakan bersalah .

Di dalam surah al-Israk, firman Allah yang bermaksud: "Dan Tuhanmu telah perintahkan, supaya engkau tidak menyembah melainkan kepadaNya semata-mata, dan hendaklah engkau berbuat baik kepada ibu bapa. Jika salah seorang dari keduanya, atau kedua-duanya sekali, sampai kepada umur tua dalam jagaan dan peliharaanmu, maka janganlah engkau berkata kepada mereka (sebarang perkataan kasar) sekalipun perkataan "Ha", dan janganlah engkau menengking menyergah mereka, tetapi katakanlah kepada mereka perkataan yang mulia (yang bersopan santun)." (Surah al-Israk ayat 23)

Dari Abu Hurairah r.a. bahawa Rasulullah S.A.W. bersabda maksudnya : "Sesiapa yang menanggung sesuatu kezaliman yang dilakukan terhadap orang lain, sama ada yang mengenai maruah dan kehormatan atau sebarang perkara yang lain, maka dari sekarang juga hendaklah ia meminta orang itu melepaskannya dengan jalan memaafkan atau menghalalkannya sebelum datangnya masa yang tidak ada padanya wang ringgit atau emas perak untuk membayarnya; bahkan pada masa itu kalau ia mempunyai amal soleh, akan diambil daripada amalnya itu sekadar perbuatan aniaya yang dilakukannya untuk diberi kepada orang itu; kalau ia pula tidak mempunyai amal soleh, maka akan diambil dari kesalahan orang itu serta dibebankan kesalahan itu ke atasnya."

(Hadis Riwayat Bukhari)

Ketiga belas :

Jangan mengumpat sesama rakan taulan. Nanti rosak persahabatan kita hilang bahagia.

Dari Abu Hurairah r.a menceritakan bahawa Rasulullah bersabda yang bermaksud, " Tahukah kamu apakah ghaibah? Jawab sahabat, "Allah dan Rasul yang lebih mengetahui. " Maka Rasulullah SAW. bersabda maksudnya , "Ghaibah itu jika kamu menyebut (membicarakan) hal keadaan saudaramu yang tidak suka hal itu disebut atau dibicarakan kepada orang lain, maka itu bererti ghaibah." Lalu Rasulullah SAW ditanya," Bagaimana kalau saudaraku itu memang begitu? "Jawab Rasulullah SAW " Jika kamu sebut itu benar ada padanya maka itu ghaibah. Tetapi jika ia tidak benar, itu buhtan (membuat kepalsuan untuk memburukkan nama orang lain).

Keempat belas :

Jangan lupa bergantung kepada ALLAH dalam setiap kerja kita. Nanti kita sombong apabila berjaya. Kalau gagal kecewa pula.

Allah SWT berfirman yang bermaksud : "Dan (ingatlah), sesiapa yang berserah diri bulat-bulat kepada Allah, maka Allah cukupkan baginya (untuk menolong dan menyelamatkannya)." (Surah al-Thalaq ayat 3).

Kelima belas :

Jangan bakhil untuk bersedekah. Sedekah boleh memadamkan kemurkaan Allah SWT dan kematian yang buruk.

Rasulullah SAW bersabda: “Si pemurah yang jahil lebih dicintai Allah daripada ahli ibadah yang bakhil.” (Hadis Riwayat Al Khatib)

Sabda Rasulullah SAW. yang bermaksud :

“Sungguh sedekah itu akan memadamkan kemarahan Tuhan dan menghindarkan dari kematian yang buruk (su’ul khatimah).” (Hadis Riwayat al-Turmuzi)

Dari Abu Hurairah r.a, bahwa sesungguhnya Rasulullah SAW, telah bersabda : “Apabila mati anak adam maka terputuslah amalannya kecuali tiga, sedekah jariah, ilmu yang dimanafaatkan dan anak yang soleh yang mendoakannya untuknya.”

(Hadis Riwayat Bukhari).

Nabi SAW bersabda maksudnya : “ Sesiapa yang sanggup diantara kamu menjaga dirinya daripada api neraka hendaklah ia bersedekah walau hanya dengan sebiji kurma, dan sesiapa yang tidak mempunyai apa-apa hendaklah ia mengucapkan perkataan yang baik.” (Hadis Riwayat Ahmad dan Muslim)

Keenam belas :

Jangan banyak ketawa. Nanti mati jiwa.

Suatu ketika, Rasulullah SAW berjalan di depan sekumpulan orang yang sedang ketawa, lalu baginda bersabda yang bermaksud: "Demi Tuhan yang jiwaku ini berada dalam genggaman-Nya. Jika kamu semua tahu apa yang aku tahu, nescaya kamu banyak menangis dan sedikit ketawa.” (Hadis Riwayat Bukhari dan Abu Hurairah).

Dalam hadis lain, Rasulullah SAW mengingatkan kita banyak ketawa dengan sabda baginda yang bermaksud: “Terlalu banyak ketawa itu boleh menghilangkan cahaya daripada wajah kita.”

Ketujuh belas :

Jangan biasakan berbohong, kerana ia adalah ciri-ciri munafik dan menghilangkan kasih orang kepada kita.

Rasulullah S.A.W. bersabda kepada Sayyidina Ali k.w. yang bermaksud :

"Wahai Ali ! Berbuatlah jujur sekalipun hal itu akan membahayakan dirimu didunia. Sesungguhnya kejujuran itu bermanfaat di kemudian hari. Dan janganlah berdusta sekalipun bermanfaat bagimu ketika itu kerana kedustaan itu akan menyulitkan kamu di kemudian hari."

Nabi S.A.W. bersabda maksudnya : “Empat perkara, siapa yang terdapat padanya empat perkara ini, maka ia adalah munafik tulin, dan siapa yang terdapat padanya salah satu darinya, maka padanya ada satu ciri kemunafikan; apabila diberi amanah ia berkhianat, apabila bercerita ia berdusta, apabila membuat janji ia mungkiri dan apabila berdebat ia curang.” (Hadis Riwayat Bukhari no. 34, 2459, 3178 dan Muslim no. 2635. dari Abdullah bin Amr bin Ash r.a.)

Kelapan belas :

Jangan suka menganiaya manusia atau haiwan. Doa makhluk yang teraniaya cepat dimakbulkan Allah SWT.

Ingatlah bahawa doa orang yang dizalimi di fitnah sungguh mustajab di sisi Allah S.W.T.

Nabi S.A.W. bersabda maksudnya : "Hendaklah kamu waspada terhadap doa orang yang dizalimi sekalipun dia adalah orang kafir. Maka sesungguhnya tidak ada penghalang diantaranya untuk diterima oleh Allah."

(Hadis riwayat Ahmad - sanad hasan)

Dari Ibnu Umar r.a, Rasulullah S.A.W. bersabda maksudnya : "Hendaklah kamu waspada terhadap doa orang dizalimi. Sesungguhnya doa itu akan naik ke langit amat pantas seumpama api marak ke udara."

(Hadis riwayat Hakim - sanad sahih)

Kesembilan belas :

Jangan terlalu susah hati dengan urusan dunia. Akhirat itu lebih utama dan hidup di sana lebih lama dan kekal selamanya.

Ingatlah! Dunia tempat menanam, akhirat tempat menuai. Waktu menuai memanglah susah, tidak semudah waktu menuai. Tetapi tanpa melalui kesusahan, kita tidak akan dapat menikmati kesenangan. Jangan sekali-kali mengikut ajakan syaitan dan godaan nafsu menyuruh berbuat jahat dan kemungkaran., anggaplah kesukaran di dunia adalah bersifat sementara dan jangan sekali-kali berputus asa dengan rahmat Allah.

Allah S.W.T. berfirman yang bermaksud : "... dan janganlah kamu berputus asa daripada rahmat serta pertolongan Allah. Sesungguhnya tidak berputus asa daripada rahmat dan pertolongan Allah itu melainkan kaum yang kafir." (Surah Yusof ayat 87).

Sabda Nabi SAW maksudnya; Jadilah engkau di dunia seolah-olah orang berjalan, diwaktu petang engkau tidak menunggu pagi dan apabila diwaktu pagi tidak menunggu petang, Perumpamaan aku dan dunia seperti orang musafir duduk berteduh dibawah pokok kemudian bangun dan meninggalkannya. "

Kedua puluh :

Jangan mempertikaikan kenapa ISLAM itu berkata JANGAN. Sebab semuanya untuk keselamatan kita. ALLAH lebih tahu apa yang terbaik untuk hamba ciptaanNya.

Sesungguhnya setiap perkara yang dilarang itu ada hikmahnya begitu juga dengan perkara yang baik itu pasti ada kemuliaannya. Oleh itu kita hendaklah sentiasa berhati-hati agak tidak melakukan kesilapan hingga terjerumus ke lambah kebinasaan.

Rasulullah SAW bersabda, maksudnya:

“Tiga perkara yang menyelamatkan , iaitu takut pada Allah ketika bersendirian dan di khalayak ramai, berlaku adil pada ketika suka dan marah, berjimat cermat ketika susah dan senang, dan tiga perkara yang membinasakan iaitu mengikut hawa nafsu, terlampau bakhil dan kagum seseorang dengan dirinya sendiri.”

(Hadis Riwayat Abu Syeikh)

Sahabat yang dimuliakan,

Marilah sama-sama kita tinggalkan dan jauhi 20 perkara keburukan semata-maat untuk mencari keredaan Allah SWT. Hidup di dunia adalah sementara dan akhiratlah kehidupan yang kekal abadi. Pertingkatkanlah amal-amal soleh kita dan jauhi kemugkaran, maksiat, perkara subhat dan makruh supaya kita menjadi mukmin yang bertakwa dan dikasihi oleh Allah SWT.

:: Bergaul Dengan Kanak-Kanak Cara Rasulullah ::

2011-12-16T21:14:00.000+08:00

:: Doa Banyakkan Susu ::

2011-12-15T09:39:00.002+08:00

Again, info about brestfeeding. To those who are doing it, I understand sometimes we fear the worst.. milk supply depletion!! Fear not.. Percaya bahawa susu tu rezeki anak kita.. Hanya Allah yang memberi rezeki.. So, mintalah padaNya.. Breastfeeding is a sunnah. We are doing a noble thing.. Congrats mommiesss!!

p/s: I am not anti milk formula. Trust me I'm not! I was only breastfed for a couple of months as a baby and I turn up healthy.. So whenever I hear non-breastfeeding mothers explaining themselves left n right when asked questions like.. u bagi susu badan ke?, I feel sad. You dont have to explain yourself dear mothers! You are doing what you think is best for your child. So the next time people ask, "You bagi susu badan ke?" answer proudly.. "Haah.. I bagi s26.." then shut up and smile! Dont explain why you dont breast feed. If they are mothers, chances are, they too understand, and they wont judge.

These info was emailed to me by a dear friend, Mr Asbanizam. The email was forwarded from his wife of course. Thank you so much Mr & Mrs Asba.. Besarnya pahala korang membantu ibu2 tanpa jemu! Allah je yang dapat membalas..

............................................................

Kadang-kala kita terlampau sibuk mencari-cari benda untuk memperbanyakkan susu sampai terlupa kepada Yang Memberi Rezeki. Sedangkan kepada Dialah yang layak kita minta.

Walau macam mana pun kita usaha tetapi kalau Allah tak izinkan maka tentunya tiada rezeki di situ.

Jadi, di samping memahami dan mengamalkan konsep asas penyusuan (kerap kosongkan payudara dan minum air masak 3L sehari) dan mengambil makanan penambah susu (sama ada makanan semula jadi seperti kurma atau supplemen), apa kata kita check juga hubungan kita dengan Allah.

Mungkin kerana hubungan kita dengan Allah (hablum minallah) dan hubungan kita sesama manusia (hablum minannaas) yang tak berapa cantik menyebabkan Allah menguji kita dengan pelbagai ujian dan teguran. Apa kata kita cuba check amalan kita seharian dan tambahkan amalan di bawah untuk membantu membanyakkan lagi rezeki anak kita.

1. Amalkan doa di bawah

“Ya ALLAH…permudahkanlah segala urusan kehidupanku, banyakkanlah susuku untuk bayiku, dan permudahkanlah perjalananku untuk menyusukan anakku agar menuruti segala yang telah Engkau syariatkan…AMIN…”

2. Surah al-Hujurat ; al-Kautsar juga baik diamalkan bermula sejak mengandung lagi. Niatkan dalam hati semoga ALLAH swt murahkan rezeki kita, anak kita dan banyakkan susu kite. Bagaimana pun jangan kita lupa juga bahawa rezeki itu semuanya datang dari Allah. Sebaiknya dibaca dan difahamkan juga tafsiran ayatnya

3. Amalkan surah al-Baqarah ayat 60. Sambil dibaca letakkan tangan pada breast, and doa dalam hati semoga Allah murahkan rezeki anak kita dan supaya kita mampu memberikan susu yg cukup pd anak kita hingga sekurang-kurangnye umurnya 2 tahun

"Dan (ingatlah) ketika Nabi Musa memohon supaya diberi air untuk kaumnya, maka Kami berfirman: “Pukullah batu itu dengan tongkatmu”, (ia pun memukulnya), lalu terpancutlah dari batu itu dua belas mata air sesungguhnya tiap-tiap satu puak (di antara mereka) telah mengetahui tempat minumnya masing-masing. (Dan Kami berfirman): “Makanlah dan minumlah kamu dari rezeki Allah itu, dan janganlah kamu merebakkan bencana kerosakan di muka bumi”.

4. Amalkanlah berzikir dgn kalimah YA MATIN (Maha Sempurna KekuatanNya) 70 kali setiap hari. Waktu yg paling bagus adalah pada waktu malam dan subuh. Anda juga boleh bacakan zikir tersebut dan hembuskan ke dalam segelas air lalu diminum.

5. Amalkan juga ambil wudhu dan maafkan setiap orang sebelum kita tidur supaya hati sentiasa tenang dan menyebabkan susu lebih mudah untuk mengalir keluar. Perasaan ibu turut mempengaruhi elemen pada bayi tau. Jika menyusu dalam keadaan marah, bayi pun akan menjadi cepat marah. Jadi sentiasalah tenangkan diri dan berfikiran positif supaya elemen-elemen positif dapat dialirkan pada bayi.

Meet Uncle Hussein Feat Hazama - POKOK

2011-12-08T14:54:00.000+08:00

Tersesat malu bertanya
Tak tahu tak tahu ke mana
Terlalu banyak alasannya
Ku terdiam

Menyusur di kaki lima
Terlihat bayang wajah kelmarin
Tersentuh hati bagai luruh

Chorus

Tanya sama pokok apa sebab goyang
Jawab angin yang goncang
Terbang burung terbang
Patah sayap diduga
Seandainya rebah
Kau masih ada

Terlalu mahu dan mahu
Terlupa apa yang perlu
Terlalu banyak alasannya
Duduk terdiam

Tak mudah namun tak susah
Terserah atas pilihan
Tersentuh hati mula luruh

Ulang Chorus

Kau masih ada
Kau masih ada
Kau masih ada
Kau masih ada

Terlalu mahu dan mahu
Terlupa apa yang perlu
Terlalu banyak alasannya
Duduk terdiam

Tak mudah namun tak susah
Terserah atas pilihan
Tersentuh hati mula luruh
Tanya sama pokok

:: Making breastmilk: How your body produces Nature's perfect baby food ::

2011-11-14T10:03:00.001+08:00

source: http://www.babycenter.com.my/baby/breastfeeding/makingbreastmilk/

The process starts during pregnancy

If you're pregnant, you have no doubt noticed the huge metamorphosis occurring in your bra cups. Those physical changes - tender, swollen breasts, and darkened nipples and areolas (the circle of skin surrounding your nipple) - may be one of your earliest clues that you've conceived. Experts believe the colour change may also be a helpful aid to breastfeeding. It's nature's way of providing a visual guide that helps newborns feed successfully (hey, dinner's over here!). Another pregnancy signal: the appearance of tiny bumps around your areola called the glands of Montgomery (named after the British obstetrician who first described them), which also play a role in breastfeeding. These bumps produce an oily substance that cleanses, lubricates, and protects the nipple from infection during breastfeeding.

What's going on inside your breasts

Perhaps even more remarkable than this visible transformation is the extensive changes taking place inside your breasts. Your developing placenta stimulates the release of oestrogen and progesterone, which in turn stimulate the complex biological system that makes lactation possible.

Before pregnancy, a combination of supportive tissue, milk glands, and protective fat makes up a large portion of your breasts (the amount of fatty tissue varies among women, which is why breasts come in such a variety of sizes and shapes). In fact, your newly tender, swollen orbs have been preparing for your pregnancy since you were a 6-week-old embryo in your own mother's womb. By the time you were born, your main milk ducts -- a network of canals that transport milk through your breasts -- had already formed. Your mammary glands stayed quiet until puberty, when a flood of the female hormone oestrogen caused them to grow and swell. During pregnancy, those glands shift into high gear.

By the time your baby is born, the glandular tissue in your breasts doubles in size, which accounts for your bigger-than-ever breasts. Each one may get as much as 1½ pounds heavier!

Nestled amid the fat cells and glandular tissue is an intricate network of channels or canals called milk ducts. Pregnancy hormones cause the milk ducts to increase in number and size; the ducts then branch off into smaller canals near the chest wall called ductules. At the end of each one is a cluster of small, grapelike sacs called alveoli. A cluster of alveoli is called a lobule; a cluster of lobules is called a lobe. Each breast contains between 15 and 20 lobes.

Milk is produced inside the alveoli, which are surrounded by tiny muscles that squeeze the glands and push milk out into the ductules. Those ductules converge and lead to a bigger ducts that end in your nipple. (You can think of the nine or so milk ducts in each breast as individual straws that all end at the tip of your nipple and deliver milk into your baby's mouth.) Your milk-duct system becomes fully developed sometime during your second trimester, so you can breastfeed your baby even if she arrives prematurely.

Production heats up after the baby is born

Milk production and prolactin

You'll begin full-scale milk production within 24 to 48 hours of giving birth to your baby. Scientifically speaking, this period is called lactogenesis. Once you expel your hormone-producing placenta, the oestrogen and progesterone levels in your body start to drop. The hormone prolactin, which has been rising throughout your pregnancy, is released to do its work. This pituitary gland hormone signals your body to make lots of milk to nourish your baby. Laboratory studies also show that prolactin may make you feel more "motherly", which is why some experts call it the mothering hormone.

As your body readies itself for lactation, it pumps extra blood into the alveoli, making your breasts firm and full. Swollen blood vessels, combined with an abundance of milk, may make your breasts temporarily painful and engorged, but breastfeeding frequently in the first few days will help relieve any discomfort.

First comes colostrum

During the early days of breastfeeding, your baby will enjoy a concentrated, creamy-looking, high-protein, low-fat substance called colostrum. You may have leaked a few drops of this thick, whitish substance during the final weeks of your pregnancy (some women have this happen during their second trimester). The precious, easily digestible liquid is full of disease-fighting antibodies called immunoglobulins that strengthen your baby's immune system. Your breastmilk changes throughout the feed to suit your baby's needs.

For your baby to enjoy your milk, it must be "let down" or released from the internal alveoli. Here's how it happens: As your baby sucks your nipple, she stimulates the pituitary gland to release oxytocin - as well as prolactin - into your bloodstream. When it reaches your breast, oxytocin causes the tiny muscles around the milk-filled alveoli to contract and squeeze. The nourishing liquid is emptied into the ducts, which transport it to the milk ducts just below the areola. When she feeds, your baby presses the milk from the ducts into her mouth.

During the first days of feeding, you may feel some contractions in your abdomen as the baby sucks. The usually mild discomfort signals the release of oxytocin, which helps shrink your uterus back to its pre-pregnancy size. (This same hormone caused your uterus to contract during labour.) Another signal: You may feel calm, satisfied, and joyful as you breastfeed. No wonder some people call oxytocin the hormone of love!

As your milk flow increases, you may also feel some tingling, stinging, burning, or prickling in your breasts. Some women say their milk drips or even sprays during letdown. And it helps if you can create a peaceful environment - if you're relaxed during feeds, your milk will flow more freely and easily. In fact, many women compare breastfeeding to learning how to ride a bike: It may be tricky at first, but once you - and your baby - get the hang of it, it becomes second nature.

:: 70 Dosa Besar ::

2011-11-02T21:07:00.001+08:00

Mengikut imam Azzahabiyy dalam kitabnya “Al-Kabaair” beliau menghimpunkan jenis dosa-dosa besar sebanyak 70 perkara:

01 – Belajar ilmu dan sembunyi pengetahuan
02 – Bersaksi palsu
03 – Berjudi
04 – Bersumpah palsu dan bohong
05 – Berbohong
06 – Bergambar di baju (bila sembahyang)
07 – Perempuan pelacur
08 – Berbuat buruk terhadap yang lemah
09 – Berdebat dan memusuhi
10 – Bersifat dayus

11 – Bercakap kasar dengan orang tua
12 – Dusta atas nama Allah dan rasul-Nya
13 – Derhaka pada suami
14 – Derhaka pada hamba Allah, anggap baik dirinya
15 – Hakim derhaka
16 – Homosek (hubungan sejenis)
17 – Mengurangi timbangan
18 – Lari seorang hamba dari tuannya
19 – Lelaki menyerupai wanita
20 – Lari dari medan perang di jalan Allah
21 – Membunuh manusia
22 – Membunuh diri sendiri
23 – Mengamalkan sihir
24 – Meninggalkan sembahyang lima waktu
25 – Meninggalkan sembahyang jumaat
26 – Menderhaka kepada kedua ibu bapa
27 – Memutuskan hubungan silaturrahim
28 – Melakukan zina
29 – Makan harta anak yatim secara tidak betul
30 – Makan dari kekayaan haram
31 – Memberi dan menerima rasuah
32 – Melabuhkan pakaian kerana berlagak sombong
33 – Makan riba
34 – Minum arak
35 – Mencuri
36 – Merompak
37 – Melalukan kezaliman
38 – Melakukan pengkhianatan
39 – Menyebut-nyebut pemberian
40 – Mengingkari janji
41 – Memfitnah
42 – Mengutuk orang Islam
43 – Merasa aman dari kemurkaan Allah
44 – Menipu harta rampasan
45 – Melampaui batas
46 – Menuduh zina terhadap orang baik
47 – Memakai emas dan sutera (bagi lelaki)
48 – Mempercayai nujum dan sihir
49 – Menjadi bapa sanggup
50 – Mencari kesalahan orang lain
51 – Menganggu orang lain
52 – Menganggu tetangga
53 – Menyakiti dan memaki orang islam
54 – Mengintip dan membuka rahsia orang
55 – Mencaci sahabat Nabi
56 – Mengurangi wasiat
57 – Mengingkari takdir
58 – Putus asa dari rahmat Allah
59 – Penipuan dan kezaliman terhadap rakyat
60 – Riak dan mempamerkan diri
61 – Syirikkan Allah dengan sesuatu yang lain
62 – Sombong serta angkuh
63 – Sembelih untuk selain Allah
64 – Tidak mengeluarkan zakat
65 – Tidak berpuasa di bulan Ramadhan
66 – Tidak mengerjakan haji jikalau mampu
67 – Tidak istinjak selepas kencing
68 – Tidak mendengar cakap ibu bapa
69 – Tipu daya
70 – Wanita menyerupai lelaki

p/s: Artikel diberi oleh seorang hamba Allah kepada temanku.. Sekadar berkongsi dengan sesiapa yg sudi. yang lebih penting, ini cuma peringatan buat diri saya yang serba kekurangan.. Again, tak berniat untuk melukakan sesiapa..

(sumber: http://www.nasihatmotivasi.com/2011/04/70-dosa-dosa-besar-jangan-melakukan.html)

:: Motherhood and Breastfeeding ::

2011-11-01T17:38:00.002+08:00

Salam dear friends,

Being a mother is totally not what I expected. Its not just having a little person depending you for everything, not just having a precious person as a symbol of love between you and your husband.. Its a whole new different realm, which cant be explained with words. Just talking about my baby and thinking about him tugs my heart strings.. I never felt a love this pure and deep. Only now I truly understand the sacrifices and the love of my own mother. I feel like hitting my own head with a hammer for every time I refused to do what my mother asked of me, or simply acting like a spoiled brat. (Ya Allah ampunkan dosaku.. Mak, ampunkan jah..)

Anyway, I will talk more about my precious little boy whom we named Faizal Ziqri bin Muhammad Farid in my next post perhaps.

Important thing first. Breastfeeding. Ever since before I was even pregnant, I have always wanted to breastfeed my baby because I truly believe that the milk created by god is the best milk. The bonding between a mom and her baby when he's breastfeeding is priceless. Thats the time when the baby is truly connected with his mother and thats the best time for a mother to talk to her baby, read him doa or simply stare into his eyes and send him loads of love.

I am now breastfeeding my son exclusively. But it was not easy getting here. First few days after birth, my son cried a lot. I didnt know how to feed him and he was still getting used to sucking for food. (versus getting food constantly via umbilical chord, without any effort). We struggled. It was very frustrating for him and extremely painful for me. I mean physically painful. My nipple bled and I cried a lot during that time. No, it was not Postpartum depression, i was crying because of the pain. But I didnt give up. I was determined to keep on trying everything under the sun, so that my son can get the best he can get. I was not ready to deny my son of his birth right to breast milk. People say I need to pump so that the milk keep on producing.. I did that. Still my milk was too low. Then people say I should take herbal tea.. I did that and still didnt work. People told me I should eat papaya, bak choi, soy, fresh milk, anmum milk, I tried everything! Finally my sister in-law recommended a tukang urut to help me massage for milk. In a heartbeat I wanted to try. Syukur Alhamdulilah, that worked. With the help of Allah of course, my milk was flowing, and still is.. i am praying that my milk would be sufficient for him until he's 2 years old.

To new mothers out there, I know it can get very frustrating. You dont know where to go, who to ask and what to do.. I know! trust me, I know!! The key is to relax. Find & read as much as you can on the net. Sites like http://www.babycenter.com and http://www.askdrsears.com are really helpful. Buy books, look out for flyers in clinics, gather as much information about breastfeeding as possible. If you can afford it, go see a lactation specialist. If you cant, try asking a breastfeeding mother. To me, breastfeeding mothers are the best teachers. They know what works and what not. For example, for working moms, doctors would advice you to pump your milk and ask the caretaker to feed your baby using a cup or a spoon. This is to avoid nipple confusion. To me, this doesnt work at all. My son is a hefty eater. He wont accept spoon fed milk. So i bottle feed him my expressed breast milk. Yes, at one point he was nipple confused. But after some reassurance and persistence, he accepts mine. In fact, I believe that babies actually prefer the real nipple, no matter what.

Try deep breathing when breast feeding or pumping, think of your baby, look at his pictures, that really help the flow. I know it sounds ridiculous but it works. Keep on pumping and feeding as frequent as u can. Its ok if you only get an ounce. Keep at it. It will hurt as hell at first but u've been through labour.. so?

It is extremely important to surround yourself with positive people, those who are supportive of your decision to breastfeed. Coz trust u me, even family members are sometimes pro formula. I am blessed to have a mother who is very supportive of my decision. A father who is very protective and a husband who, like me, wants only the best for our child. There will be those who come to you and say, "anak ko ni tak cukup makan ni.. bagi je la formula" or "ko tengok anak orang tu.. gemok je.. tu la bagusnya minum susu tin.." or "ko bagi je la susu botol.. senang ko nak gi keje nanti.." or "jangan biasakan anak ko ngan susu badan.. nanti breast ko londeh.. kita pompuan kena jaga badan.." Tell them all to get lost.

In my office, one particular colleague is very supportive of breastfeeding. He gave me support and endless encouragements. I would ask him questions and he would go back and ask his wife, and would come to work the next day with an answer. His wife, who is also a breastfeeding working mom, loaned me a book yesterday. A book I think every malaysian working mother should read. I dont know where to get it but I think the information is very useful. Apparently this book is very hard to get. (I wonder why!!!) So thank you so much Mr & Mrs Asba!

Ok so here's what I'm gonna do.. I'm gonna attach pictures of the book which I copied. Its not as pretty as the book but you can still read it. The information in it is the most important. Print these pictures out and read it and re-read it until u truly understand the content.

I've done my part. If by publishing this post, I could persuade 1 mother to fully breastfeed her child, I would be very happy.. So good luck! Be patient and pray a lot!

p/s: Everything written here is of my own opinion and is not meant to hurt anybody. I believe that a mother knows whats best for her own child. Every child is unique so what works for me may not work for you. And most importantly, its your prerogative if you choose not to breastfeed for whatever reason. I was not breastfed and I know I turn out great.. because I have great parents.. now thats a whole different story..

CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Miley Cyrus - The Climb

2011-07-14T14:51:00.005+08:00

(Love the song because of the lyrics, love the video because of the horses!)

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

:: blleerrrggghhh!! ::

2011-06-28T10:50:00.001+08:00

:: Indahnya Hidup Bersyariat by Dato' Ismail Kamus ::

2011-06-20T15:29:00.000+08:00

Salam makhluk Allah yang comel lote sekelian!

Rasanya dah lama gila aku tak buat book review.. dan rasanya dah lama gila aku tak tulis dalam bahasa melayu.. so blog post hari ni akan ditulis dalam bahasa melayu rojak, yang aku biasa guna.. (Sorry cikgu BMku Puan Amnah.. saya takde niat nak rosakkan bahasa melayu!!)

Sejak pagi lagi harini aku asik teringat je kat buku ni.. tajuk dia

Indahnya Hidup Bersyariat, tulisan Dato' Ismail Kamus.

Buku ni aku first time terima n nampak masa hari bersanding aku, 17 Julai 2010. Buku ni pemberian seorang teman, Puan Nora. Memula tengok tu aku agak teruja la jugak.. tapi bila dah selak dalam, aku gila2 teruja! Buku ni sangat best!

Pernah tak korang cam tak berapa sure pasal isu2 agama tapi rasa cam segan nak tanya.. ataupon korang tatau nak tanya kat sapa.. haa buku ni pada aku banyak explain pasal 'menda2 segan nak tanya' ni.. Pastu pernah tak korang google something especially when it comes to isu agama, pastu dapat penjelasan, pastu korang baca punya baca, tak paham2 gak.. haa buku ni siap ada gambar dengan full color lagi.. so proses pemahaman tu senang sikit aa aku rasa..

Aku rasa buku ni sangat la sesuai dimiliki oleh semua orang islam, baik yang muda ataupon tua.. buku ni gak aku rasa sangat sesuai kalau bagi hadiah kawin ke.. hadiah harijadi ke.. hadiah apa2 la.. Takyah la takut orang kata poyo ke.. macam bagus ke.. sebab bagi hadiah buku agama.. yang penting niat.. takdenye poyo bagi orang buku.. especially buku yang kita tau sangat berguna dan akan memberikan kebaikan kepada si penerima.. Kalau orang yang terima tu kata korang poyo, biarkan.. doakan biar dia simpan buku ni supaya suatu hari nanti Tuhan bukak kan hati dia nak baca buku ni..

Kesimpulannya, aku sukaaaaaa buku ni!!!!! kepada sesapa yang tatau nak bagi hadiah apa kat teman2, consider la buku ni.. Buku ni dan buku mengenai Ummul Mukminin adalah buku2 favorite aku untuk bagi kat kawan2 sebagai hadiah kawin.. Insyallah manfaatnya kepada pasangan pengantin sangat besar!

Ok la korang.. Aku bagi buku ni 10 out of 10.. (in term of simplicity and usefulness..)

tata.. Renung2kan... dan selamat ber'amal!!

:: When Will I See You!! ::

2011-06-15T16:51:00.004+08:00

Source : National Geographic

I have many dreams when it comes to meeting the underwater creatures.. One of the biggest dream is meeting the gentle giant, the Whale Shark (above picture). And seeing this phenomenon in Mexico is just amazing! I envy those snorkelers!

Some of my other dreams are:

1- Meet the Basking Shark

2- Meet the Mola Mola

3- Dive the Blue Hole

4- Swim with the Dolphins

5- Meet the Thresher Shark (not Treasure Shark!!) - thanks to Loly..

:: NTV7 Public service Announcement :: Sukaaaaa!!!! ::

2011-06-09T10:46:00.001+08:00

I think its great that Malaysians are now opening their eyes in battling the extinction of sharks as well as cruelty towards animals.. Go Go Malaysians! Kudos NTV7!! Next, lets burn down those chinese restaurants with big ass signs of "WE SELL SHARKS FIN" in front of their restaurants!! Especially those in Bukit Bintang..

:: The Next Level ::

2011-06-06T14:05:00.000+08:00

Hello Kind People of the Earth!!

Something has been bugging me this past few days.. Its not a big thing but when you're alone, idly doing nothing most of the time, your mind tend to wander and inevitably satan will play its part.

That said, I am very lucky to have wise friends, whom i can go to for advice or just for inspiration. So this morning, I came to work with a disturbed mind. Didnt know what to do, I talked to the wise man.. he sympathize and empathize with me. I felt relieved. Then he mentioned something that made me think hard about things that I've already learned and known. Its just that sometimes, when you dont practice what you know, you tend to forget.. you are after all only human..

When I was telling him about my challenge, he interjected and told me that I need to get through this in order for me to get to the next level. OMG!! Its been quite a few years since I heard anyone other than myself, talking about the 'level'. I always say things like, we vibrate at the same level, or we need to shed some burden (including negative friends) for us to rise to the next level, or things like that but I doubt a lot of people understand me. I preach this to my husband all the time.. only because I want us to evolve and grow together to the next and better level.

That conversation meant a lot. i feel much better. I now realize that I just need to stay calm, especially during this pregnancy period because, my wise friend said, satan loves to interfere with a pregnant woman's mind and evoke fear and doubt because that is the time when women are usually weak and full with emotional hormones.

And now, I am psyched and motivated! Sticks and stones are never gonna shake me! No money to buy my Lumix? So what? I still have my Nikon.. Cant go to Sipadan? So what? there's always next year.. Friends dont want to be friends? So what? I have my friends who still vibrate at my level and we grow together towards the next level.. No money? so what? I still have my health and loved ones..

This is what i tell my hubby all the time..

"Associate yourself with successful people, and their success will eventually rub off on you.. Associate yourself with problematic people and you will eventually get some of their problem.. Its inevitable!!" in short, "Birds of the same feather flock together".. Drug addicts will be friends with drug addicts (because they vibrate and stay at the same level).. Businessmen will be friends with businessmen (again, because they are in the same level).. rich people will have rich friends (because of the same reason).

So dear friends, things that dont kill you will only make you stronger.. Be aware of what you put into your head because your subconscious mind is so powerful, it will attract whatever you are thinking.. in simple terms, whatever u say or think about, is your doa.. if you think and say it often enough, Allah will grant it for you. So bersangka baik dan berkata baiklah sentiasa..

A book I would like to highly recommend is Power of your subconcious mind by Joseph Murphy. A must read!

So there you go!.. Take care fellow friends of the same level.. Love you!

:: 31st May 2011 ::

2011-06-02T16:01:00.004+08:00

Its that day again.. My 32nd birthday.. woot woot!!!

Long ago, i would be wishing for a surprise karaoke celebration attended by loads of friends with loads of presents.. Long ago, i would wish for a huge bouquet of flowers to be delivered to my office by my other half, followed by a grand dinner and an expensive present when I get home.. Long ago I was naive. Long ago I was immature.

This year, he asked me what I want for my birthday and in a heartbeat, I replied 'nothing', coz i already have everything that I could ever wish for. And the amazing thing is, i meant it. i really did.

I am content with my life and am truly thankful for it.

I have a beautiful, loving and caring family.. My parents and brothers, they were and still are my greatest fan and supporter.. And now i have my in-laws who love me, and care for me and treat me with respect and love..

I have a wonderful husband. With whom I feel safe and loved. A husband who knows his responsibilities and works hard to provide for his family.. A husband who knows how to make me laugh my head off.. (a friend from MMU once asked me (and i think it was recorded) "apai, describe your dream guy" I said, "bald, tall & funny! Most importantly, FUNNY!"). That affirmation became a reality when I married my husband. I guess its true when they say, speak only of good things as what you say is your 'doa' and will eventually become your reality.

I have a beautiful baby growing inside of me.. A gift from Allah that I am truly thankful for. Every kick brings a smile to my face.. Knowing that he will be here in Ramadhan makes it much more meaningful. InsyaAllah its a boy, and going to be born in August. We are going to name him after my late brother, Faizal (who was born on 16 August 1980). I'm praying for his health and I'm praying for Allah's guidance for me in becoming a great mom..

I have a beautiful shelter, near my office and hubby's shop, a safe home, not too big and not too small, just nice for us..

I have a stable job, where I get to practice what I believe in.. Where I can fight for the environment and get paid for it.. Where I can go diving and be considered as working..

I have loving friends. Friends from my primary school in Johor, from secondary school in SBPS, Sabah & SIGS, JB.. Friends from MMU, friends from Flare, Air Asia, Emirates, CIMB, Royal Selangor and Edaran. Friends whom I met along the way.. Horse riding friends, Diving Friends.. Friends who support and stick with me when I hit rock bottom.. Friends who celebrate and laugh with me when I'm at the top of my world.. Most importantly, friends who are honest and love me for who I am.. As friends, we grew together and we embrace each other's change and advancement.. These are the friends who will be with me till the day I draw my last breath.. To those 'friends' whom I've lost along the way, thank you for making my life meaningful when you were in it.. Good luck in your life and should our paths crossed again, I hope we will be vibrating at the same level.

So Alhamdulillah! I am counting my blessing! May this year bring much happiness and wisdom from the Almighty.

When one man, for whatever reason, has the opportunity to lead an extraordinary life, he has no right to keep it to himself.

~ Jacques Yves Cousteau

:: Too Phat - Alhamdulillah ::

2011-05-30T10:22:00.001+08:00

Dian Sastro:
disaat waktu berhenti...kosong
dimensi membutakan mata,memekakkan telinga
lalu diri menjadi hampa
saat paradigma dunia tak lagi digunakan untuk menerka*
sadarku akan hadirmu,mematahkan sendi2 yang biasanya tegak berdiri

Yassin:
ult li albi bissaraha (I'm opening up my heart with honesty)
hayya nab'idil karaha (Let's avoid the hated and hatred)
syakkireena a' kulli ni'ma (Let's remain thankful with what we have)
ba' ideena anil fattana (Let's avoid all lies and sins)

Malique:
merenungi luar jendela,mengagumi kebesaran yang Maha Esa
ku menilai kehidupan dari sudut berbeza
tak memadai hanya kecapi rasa selesa
maukan harta yang mampu beli 1 semesta
berpesta ke pagi botol bergelimpangan
kekasih muda bukan takat berpegang tangan
harta dan jamuan nafsu tidak berkekalan
bila menjelang tua bukan itu jadi bekalan
dan jangan puisi ini disalah tafsir pula
bukan berkhutbah cuma betuli diri jua
ingin hidup sempurna aset nilai berjuta,
saling tukar wanita,senyum dan mati tua
bakat dikurnia jangan disalah guna
jangan kufur nikmat yang diberi percuma
guna kelebihan untuk hikmah bersama
jagalah nama hidup penuh pementasan dan drama
ada berisi ada yang kurus,ada melencong ada yang lurus bukan semuanya tulus
ada sempuna ada kurang upaya ada yang jadi buta hanya bila sudah kaya
sebesar rumah bermula dengan sekecil bata,boleh hilang dalam sekelip mata
ucaplah alhamdulillah bukannya sukar, kerna semua nak kaya atau besar
tetap Allahuakbar!!!

Joe Flizzow:
jadikanlah ku tentera Fisabilillah yang tertera di kalimah harap memanduilah
entah apabila persimpangan tiba,hidup penuh rintangan harus kuhadapinya
harapku tidak terlupa diri bila gembira,dan cuma mula mencari kau disaat hiba
ku cuma manusia penuh dengan kesilapan tapi bisa membezakan cahaya dan kegelapan
tabah bila dihalangan duri onak dan cobaan
teguh bila dicobakan keruh kuasa dan perempuan
sentiasa legar diminda,dikejar dan dipinta dari zaman bermula hingga ke akhirnya
ku mengerti siapa ku tanpamu disisi dan apa guna posesi juga posisi
sementara ini cuma hanya puisi,nukilan tulisan dan bisikan isi hati
mencari keterangan,menjiwai peranan menepati pesanan janji juga saranan
alhamdulillah atas kurniaan rezeki,moga tidak terleka dalam perjalanan ini

Ahli Fiqir:
aku yang memandang di dalam lubuk hati,mencari-cari zat rahsia yang katanya tersembunyi
aku yang melihat alam meliputi wujud menyertai lalu ku pindahkan alam ke dalam mata hati
aku hakiki,aku mengerti segala yang terjadi di langit dan di bumi
gunanya tiada fantasi, pelik dan benar,qada' dan qadar kau berilah ku kekuatan
agar dapat ku hindarkan segala kesesatan
usah kau biar nafsuku terliur dari pandangan majazi ini,
aku yang hodoh lagi hina amat benar merindui
moga cahaya lailatul tak membutakan mataku,semoga segala puji tak ku meninggi diri
moga segala janji dapat juga ku penuhi,moga dapatku hadapi tikaman dari belakang
lidah setajam pisau, ku tidak akan risau dengan cabaran sepanjang perjalanan
ku pasrah ku akur 7,8,6 Alhamdulillah Syukur...

Dian Sastro:
sujudku pun takkan memuaskan inginku
'tuk hanturkan* sembah sedalam kalbu
adapun kusembahkan syukur padamu ya Allah
untuk nama,harta dan keluarga yang mencinta
dan perjalanan yang sejauh ini tertempa
alhamdulillah pilihan dan kesempatan
yang membuat hamba mengerti lebih baik makna diri
semua lebih berarti akan mudah dihayati
Alhamdulillah,Alhamdulillah,Alhamdulillah....

p/s: terasa kecil diri apabila mengenang kuasaNya.. Terasa remeh temeh masalah harian yang melanda bila menyedari semua yg dinikmati adalah pinjaman.. terasa lega hati apabila mengharapkan kasih sayang yang maha esa, dan bukan umat manusia yang serba kekurangan..

biarlah manusia terus membenci.. kerana sesungguhnya ALLAH MAHA MENGETAHUI. Senyum.. Tak perlu kata apa apa..

:: Way To Go Yao Ming!! ::

2011-05-06T17:08:00.002+08:00

Disclose.tv - Yao Ming PSA on Shark Fin Soup Video

Both thumbs up for Yao Ming! This is a huge step especially for Chinese community since they are the major consumer of sharks fin soup.. Maybe there's hope for sharks after all..

For the rest of the world, please stop supporting shark finning.. stop the killing of approximately 150 million sharks per year.. my children and your children deserve to learn and enjoy this most misunderstood underwater creature, that is SHARK!!

:: 10 Wonderful Tips for Eco-Living ::

2011-04-18T14:14:00.006+08:00

(Taken from here)

photo by Dan4th

by Liana Hamidon

These days, the word “recession” screams through every information source imaginable. Though the economy is set to decline for perhaps this and next year, many are looking for ways to save by cutting back on life’s little “un-necessities”. We need look no farther than our homes.

One of the best ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle – both monetarily and for Mother Earth – is to Go Green. And there’s no better time than to start than now. Here are some tips on how:

1. Use Public Transportation
Quite a few Singapore households own cars but if you consider peak hour traffic, congested and expensive parking spots, COEs, high price tag of car-buying, multiple ERP charges, annual maintenance, road tax, traffic fines and rising petrol costs, then owning a car feels less like a luxury and more like a burden. The alternative is easy. Walk and use transportation whether it be buses, trains, other forms of public transportation. After all, God gave us legs, not a set of tires. However, if driving is still imperative, we would suggest organizing a carpool system with colleagues or parents to minimize the impact on the environment.

2. Buy Used
There are numerous parenting forums, message bulletins and websites that showcase excellent ways to trade or buy goods at significantly lower prices. Buying second-hand items can reduce our carbon footprint as there is no supply chain. Collectively, these small contributions can make a huge difference.

Similarly, have you ever been awakened by the yells and honking of ‘karung guni’ man? This wonderful scavenger is on a mission to collect furnishings, papers, and other unwanted goods which would have been otherwise, left on the street or in some other dumping ground. If you would rather try to make a little money from your unwanted goods, a garage sale is the answer. It’s a fun and easy way to get the whole neighbourhood involved while getting rid of unwanted clutter. Just make sure that you don’t end up exchanging clutter.

3. Go Back To Basics
Diapers prices are literally at skyrocketing. It makes you wonder how a simple piece of disposable plastic can fetch such prices? During our mom and grandmother’s time, the cloth-diaper was the mainstay and eco-friendly as they were simply washed after usage. Why not return to cloth diapers or even wet wipes, as my mom loves to do? While we’re at it, let’s replace paper towels with dish towels. All of these “old-fashioned” methods have helped families get during lean times in the past. During these times when our lifestyle is becoming increasingly disposable, we should look to the past for eco-friendly solutions.

4. Squeeze Till The Last Drop
Parents can and should play an important role in teaching our children the value of conservation. Common household items like toothpaste, shower soap and shampoo can be used sparingly. After all, a small squirt goes a long way. Both shower soap and shampoo can be diluted to last longer. Such products contain sodium laureth sulphate, a harsh foaming agent; thus a little dilution won’t affect its efficacy. Even though kids love bubble baths, baths use up a lot of water! Save such luxuries for special occasions. Educate our children and they will grow up to respect the environment.

5. Use Homemade Cleaners
Baking soda and vinegar are effective cleansing tools we can put to good use at home. You can also try lemon juice to get rid of tough grease marks. If you have a garden, use coffee or tea grounds as a fertiliser. The smell is far more pleasant than normal fertiliser and can help reduce your overall trash output.

6. Go Veggie
As inflation rises so does the cost of groceries, especially meat. The livestock industry and meat processing has proven to be a major contributor to environmental waste. Instead of a steady meat diet, why not try bean curd, beans and nuts as protein alternatives? Though it may prove difficult at first, we can teach our children at an early age the importance of a well-balanced diet.

7. No Bulk Portions
For larger families, there is a tendency to cook in bulk and often times we do so excessively. In order to conserve food, eat less and save leftovers for subsequent meals. Furthermore, home-cooked meals have significantly less salt, oil and saturated fat.

8. Visit Local Attractions
Some of the best travel destinations are in our backyard. Teach our children the pleasures of local attractions. In Singapore, the zoo and Night Safari, Bird Park, Botanic Gardens, museums, beaches and parks are popular destinations. Explore new haunts like the Hort Park and Marina Barrage for family picnics. Jet-setting to a faraway destination may be fun and luxurious, but it is the quality time spent with family that creates memorable experiences and leaves a minimal carbon footprint.

9. Stop Impulse Buying
In many households, Spring Cleaning is an annual ritual to rid ourselves of excess, unwanted clutter. It’s human nature to impulsively buy and collect items in the moment. While we would dream of depriving others of that primal satisfaction, we would encourage you to, perhaps, stop and think before buying. Do you really need that 7-minute ab-flexer or triangle sandwich press? Live simply. For every time you get the urge to buy something senseless, put that money into a jar. Spend it on something you really need at the end of the year. We promise you’ll be the happier for it.

10. Tell us what you would recommend for our last tip. (contributed by Ayesha Kohli)
Get creative with toys. Instead of buying yet another toy made of cheap plastic or expensive wood, look around at what is at home. Old cardboard boxes, paint, twine, coloured paper, empty jam bottles, bottle caps of all sizes. Paint, wrap, embellish and create a whole army of toy characters. Keeps the kids busy and creative and makes recycling a whole lot of fun!

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See how easy it is to do our bit in saving the earth? Of course there are many other ways such as;

1- gradually change your light bulbs to energy saving bulbs

2- use less detergent & water (choose 'economy' when selecting ur washing cycle)

3- iron weekly, not daily

4- recycle! recycle! recycle! papers, jam jars, bottles etc..

5- line dry your laundry, not tumble dry

6-spread the word.. be persistent and keep on talking about environmental issues.. eventually your spirit will rub-off to someone..

the list goes on.. bottom line is, there is no way you can do everything and single-handedly save the earth.. so pick a few tips that you think are easy enough to practice and practice them diligently & proudly. Ignore what people say. Keep in mind, you are doing this for your future generations.. your kids, your grandchild.. and most of all, remember "hablimminAllah wa hablimminannas"

buy used: visit bundle shops (like my hubby's shop, the BUNDLE KING and look out for flea markets. It may take more energy but it is definitely more fun!

go back to basics: use cloth diapers & breast feed your child. People used to think that cloth diapers & breast feeding are for poor families. I say screw them! Its very good for the planet and very very good for your child. Why use cow's milk when god has created human milk especially for the new borns? I am also a proud user of cotton pads. No 'whisper' or any branded pads for me.. I choose the cheapest in the market. No, not because I'm a cheapskate but because cheap pads are made of cotton only and the more expensive ones are made with cotton and gels (for better absorption). Way back in the 80s I remember my mother telling me that the gel in pads releases a chemical vapour when wet. And the vapour might be absorbed into our body and might cause ovarian cancer. Wallahualam..

squeeze till the last drop: oh i do! and I recycle the bottles too!

use homemade cleaners: very safe for human, especially children. imagine using chemicals to clean the microwave.. who's to say that the residue of the chemical detergents wont react with heat & might release some sort of harmful gas which then will be absorbed into your food (ok, i may sound paranoid but then again, better be safe than sorry). Instead, squeeze a lemon into a bowl of tap water, throw in the squeezed lemon into the bowl and run the microwave for approximately 10 minutes. then wipe clean the inside. you'll find that the stains are a lot easier to remove and it smell wonderful too!! the rest of the kitchen, use vinegar!

visit local attractions: as a diver, and a wife to a passionate diver, local is the way to go.. do you know that malaysia in within the 'coral triangle'? which means we have among the most beautiful underwater realm in the world. Our corals and underwater ethereal creatures are ranked among those of Australia's Great Barrier reef, the Blue Hole of Belize and the coral reef of Mauritius and the Maldives.

stop impulse buying: trust me, I've been the & done that! I used to have 3 credit cards with RM12,000 credit limit on each card. I was earning a lot but unfortunately i was spending a lot too.. i was sucked in the idea of 20th century young exec. Swiping my card wherever i go.. before long, i was buried in debt. with 11 - 12% interest PER MONTH, who wouldnt? (interest for personal loan is around 10 to 13% PER YEAR! ). with the compounding effect, i hit rock bottom. i had no choice but to seek professional help. I went to AKPK and they helped me make a deal with the banks. They managed to get me a pretty good deal. i still have to settle my debt but they converted it to a personal loan. Which means my compounding interest plummeted tremendously. I must say, going to akpk was one of the smartest action i've ever made. I now spend on cash only. i dont spend the money that i dont own. me and hubby both.. if we want to but something expensive, we'll start a piggy bank.. before long, we'll be able to buy things that we want.. its amazing how fast you can accumulate money when u want something bad enough.. so to me, when you dont own credit cards, you think about what you want to buy and therefore u most likely wont be an impulse buyer.

So boys and girls, start saving the environment now! If you cant do anything else, start using recycle paper in your office.. or at least print on both sides of the paper.. Yeah i know it can be a hassle sometimes and why save when its not even your paper? look at it this way, if the environment and the earth is not enough of a motivation for you, do it for yourself and your year-end bonus.. you are actually doing your bit to save some money for your company.. when your company saves money, u are more likely to get bonus at the end of the year..

Take care peeps!!

:: Squeeze My Hand and I'll Tell You That I Love You ::

2011-04-15T15:02:00.000+08:00

This short story is taken from the book 'Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul'. I read this particular story when I was having my breakfast alone in a crowded mamak near my office. When I finished, I bawled my eyes out and I think I almost gave the mamak a heart attack.. Hahaha.. now that I think about it, it was rather embarrassing and I'm pretty sure I wont be visiting that mamak for at least a week.

Anyway, I suddenly had the urge to share this with everyone. So enjoy peep..

p/s: Love you mother!

Remember when you were a child and you fell and hurt yourself? Do you remember what your mother did to ease the pain? My mother, Grace Rose, would pick me up, carry me to her bed, sit me down and kiss my "owwie". Then she'd sit on the bed beside me, take my hand in hers and say, "When it hurts, squeeze my hand and I'll tell you that I love you". Over and over I'd squeeze her hand, and each time, without fail, I heard the words, "Mary, i love you."

Sometimes, I'd find myself pretending I'd been hurt just to have that ritual with her. As I grew up, the ritual changed, but she always found a way to ease the pain and increase the joy I felt in any area of my life. On difficult days during high school, she'd offer her favorite Hershey chocolate almond bar when I returned home. During my 20s, Mom often called to suggest a spontaneous picnic lunch at Estabrook Park just to celebrate a warm , sunny day in Wisconsin. A handwritten thank-you note arrived in the mail after every single visit she and my father made to my home, reminding me of how special I was to her.

But the most memorable ritual remained her holding my hand when I was a child and saying " When it hurts, squeeze my hand and I'll tell you that I love you".

One morning, when I was in my late 30s, following a visit by my parents the night before, my father phoned me at work. He was always commanding and clear in his directions, but I heard confusion and panic in his voice. "Mary, something's wrong with your mother and I dont know what to do. Please come over as quickly as you can".

The 10-minute drive to my parents' home filled me with dread, wondering what was happening to my mother. When I arrived, I found Dad pacing in the kitchen and Mom lying on her bed. Her eyes were closed and her hands rested on her stomach. I called to her, trying to keep my voice as calm as possible. "Mom, I'm here".

"Mary?"

"Yes, Mom".

"Mary, is that you?"

"Yes, Mom, it's me".

I wasn't prepared for the next question, and when I heard it, I froze, not knowing what to say.

"Mary, am I going to die?"

Tears welled up inside me and I looked at my loving mother lying there so helpless.

My thoughts raced, until this question crossed my mind: What would Mom say?

I paused for a moment taht seemed like a million years, waiting for the words to come. "Mom, I dont know if you're going to die, but if you need to, it's okay. I love you".

She cried out, "Mary, I hurt so much".

Again, I wondered what to say. I sat down beside her on the bed, picked up her hand and heard myself say, "Mom, when it hurts, squeeze my hand and I'll tell you that I love you".

She squeeze my hand.

"Mom, I Love you".

Many hand squeezes and "I love you's" passed between my mother and me during the next two years, until she passed away from ovarian cancer. We never know when our moment o truth will come, but I do know now that when they do, whomever I'm with, I will offer my mother's sweet ritual of love every time.

"When it hurts, squeeze my hand and I'll tell you that I love you".

Mary Marcdante

:: Alhamdulillah!!! ::

2011-03-31T11:21:00.001+08:00

:: Arrgghhh!! ::

2011-03-22T14:52:00.003+08:00

Bila nak rasa baby tendang tendang ni??? arrgghhhhh!!!

17 week pregnant...

How your baby's growing:

Your baby's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord — her lifeline to the placenta — is growing stronger and thicker. Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and she's around 5 inches long from head to bottom. She can move her joints, and her sweat glands are starting to develop.

:: Meeting Meeting Meeting ::

2011-03-09T17:21:00.002+08:00

Hey all,

I remembered telling my good friend, Encik Penn a few years back, that I was looking forward to working in a proper office because I wanted to experience being in a meeting. A proper meeting.. The one with agenda, a chairman, a minute taker.. well, u know.. the whole nine yards..

He laughed at me.. He, who is also a country manager of an international company lives his life attending to meetings almost everyday, said that meetings are boring! It usually is an outlet for people to promote themselves and fish for acknowledgements, if not compliments.

The truth is, I wanted to experience meeting at that time was because it was something very foreign to me.. I never had the opportunity to attend a proper meeting with coffee and tea. (We were never called for a meeting when I was a stewardess).

Now that I'm an officially working in an office, I despise meetings! Especially those meetings that are not well organised. Those meeting without an agenda or where everyone wants to be the chairman, where everybody would talk at the same time and nobody would listen..

I had that kind of meeting just now.. The meeting started at 10 am and ended at 2++pm and we were only given coffee and tea.. I mentioned I was hungry a few times to the attendees but sadly there were no response. Until one of the kind lady in the meeting said I should just go if I cant take it.. (Thank God she understands!)

Dont get me wrong.. I'm not trying to be a diva or anything like that.. I am just pregnant.. It maybe different for other pregnant ladies, but lately when I'm hungry, I'm really really hungry.. like extremely hungry with heart burn and headache..

Ideally, lunch should be served or at least kuih kuih.. coffee and tea just wouldnt be enough..

I had no choice but to leave the meeting to eat. I was already shaking at that time.. and of course furious!

Anyway, this just goes to show that the grass is always greener on the other side.. You always want something that you dont have.. What you have at the moment always seem insufficient.. Things that seems enjoyable and beautiful from afar may not be as good as you think..

So my friend, be careful what you ask for!

I shouldnt have asked for to attend a lot of meetings!

Darn!

:: 14 weeks 5 days scan ::

2011-02-27T12:28:00.001+08:00

Hello happy people of the earth!

Those who are close to me are aware that I have a fibroid in my tummy.. It has grown from 2cm to now 7cm. It scared me at first.. I bawled my eyes out the first time my kind gynea told me about the fibroid, but after a through explanation, I truly understand that having a fibroid is as normal as having a mole on your skin. It will only becomes a nuisance when it gets too big. And mine is considered big. My gynea explained that at some point of my pregnancy, the growth of the fibroid will stop or hopefully shrink as the baby grow. However, i would feel the extra discomfort when my tummy gets crowded. When asked would this fibroid be dangerous to my baby, she strongly said no.. so I stopped worrying. I told myself and my hubby that I can handle the discomfort... No biggie..

It has been very uncomfortable since a couple of weeks ago and it gets worst since last week. I couldnt drive or walk much as a slight shake would give me cramps, similar like a severe menstrual cramp. I couldnt sleep that well because a slight movement would wake me from my sleep, agonized by pain. Hubby was very very supportive.. He would hug and kiss the pain away but there is so much he can do.. the rest I leave it up to Allah.

So on the 23 feb, we went to our routine check up and I armed myself with a bunch of questions about my fibroid pain for my gynea. She answered my questions patiently, showed empathy and finally she performed the scan. We were so happy to learn that the fibroid has stopped growing. And the pain that i'm experiencing now is totally normal, and if at some point I feel that the pain is unbearable, she would be happy to admit me and monitor my condition closely. I told her I might take up on her offer one day. So then she moved on to scanning my baby...

The moment she applied pressure to see the baby clearly, my baby, my beautiful precious baby started to move. It was doing some sort of a dance.. sort of like a worm dance.. it was doing it a few times, that made me and the gynea laugh. So I told the doctor to hold it for a bit as I wanted my hubby to see the dance.. He was in the room but couldnt clearly see the big screen. I called hubby and asked him to look at the big fat flat screen that was in the room.. as soon hubby arrived, my baby suddenly stopped dancing and started clapping its hand.. MasyaAllah!!! That brought tears to both our eyes.. Our baby is so cute!!! Hahaha.. I know I'm bias, but what the hell.. Its my baby..

8 weeks 6 days

The happy joyous baby at 14 weeks 5 days

"Ya Allah, Kau permudahkanlah perjalanan 9 bulan ku.. Kau berilah kesihatan kepada anakku.. Berikan dia kesempurnaan fizikal dan mental.. jadikan dia anak yang soleh, yang akan membawa kebahagiaan kepada semua yang disekelilingnya.. Amin.."

:: Amalkan... ::

2011-02-22T16:09:00.000+08:00

"Dengan nama Allah yang Maha Pemurah lagi Maha Mengasihani. Ya Allah, peliharalah anakku selama di dalam kandungan dan sembuhkanlah ia, Engkau Maha Penyembuh, tiada sembuhan melainkan penawar-mu, sembuh yang tidak meninggalkan kesan buruk. Ya Allah, lahirkan ia daripada kandunganku dengan kelahiran yang mudah dan sejahtera. Ya Allah, jadikanlah ia sihat sempurna, Ya Allah, elokkanlah perangai (akhlak), fasihkanlah lidahnya dan perelokkanlah suaranya untuk membaca hadis dan al-quran dengan berkat Nabi Muhammad s.a.w".

:: Suri Cruise ::

2011-02-14T10:31:00.000+08:00

I am obsessed with her! Major Cuteness!!

:: Jack Johnson - Taylor ::

2011-02-11T11:29:00.003+08:00

They say Taylor was a good girl
never one to be late
complain express ideas in her brain
Working on the night shiftpassin out the tickets

you're gonna have to pay her
if you want to park here.
Well mommy's little dancer's
quite a little secret
working on the streets now
never gonna keep it.
It's quite an imposition
And now she's only wishin'
That she would have listened
To the words they said.
Poor Taylor.

Well she just wanders around unaffected by the winter winds, yeah
and she'll pretend that
well she's somewhere else
so far and clear
about 2,000 miles from here.

Peter Patrick pitter patters on the window
And Sunny Silhouette won't let him in
and poor old Pete's got nothin 'cause he's been fallin'
but somehow Sunny knows just where he's been
He thinks that singin' on a Sunday's gonna save his soul
but now that Saturday's gone
Well sometimes he thinks that he's on his way
but I can see, that his break lights are on

And he just wanders around unaffected by the winter winds, yeah
and he'll pretend that
well he's somewhere else
so far and clear
about 2,000 miles from here.

She's such a tough enchilada
filled up with nada
givin' what you gotta give to get a dollar bill
she used to be a limber chick
time's a been tickin'
now she's finger licking to the man
with the money in his pocket
flying in his rocket
only stoppin by on his way to a better world
if Taylor finds a better world
Taylor's gonna run away

:: Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes ::

2011-02-11T10:46:00.003+08:00

Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside...
But baby, you hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what you're supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside

But just maybe, laka ukulele
Mommy made a baby
Really don't mind the breakfast
'cause you're my little lady
Lady lady love me
'cause I love to lay here lazy
We could close the curtains
Pretend like there's no world outside

And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside
Ain't no need ain't no need Mmmm MMmmm
Can't you see can't you see
Rain all day
And I don't mind.

The telephone is singing
Ringing it's too early
Don't pick it up
We don't need to we got everything
We need right here
And everything we need is enough
Just so easy
When the whole world fits inside of your arms
Don't really need to pay attention to the alarm
Wake up slow, yeah wake up slow
You hardly even notice
When I try to show you this
Song is meant to keep ya
From doing what your supposed to
Like waking up too early
Maybe we can sleep in
I'll make you banana pancakes
Pretend like it's the weekend now

And we could pretend it all the time
Can't you see that it's just raining
Ain't no need to go outside
Ain't no need, ain't no need
Rain all day and I really really really don't mind
Can't you see can't you see,
You gotta wake up slow