Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Its All Becoming So Real Now

Assalamualaikum WRT WBT

The past couple of days have been historical -- either it be because of the after effects of the weekend event, or just in my own life.

At the moment, I am in Penang - The Pearl of the Orient. Thats what the huge sign in the middle of the roundabout said anyway. I wonder why it is called that. Anyone from the north reading this? Care to explain? Please do. Im too tired and lazy to find out for myself. EVEN THOUGH its just a type and click away. I 'think' Ive only been to Penang 3 times throughout my life.

Well, thats as far as I can remember. My recollection of visits to Penang include a swimming pool treat, and stopping at a huge white bridge. I dont know when this was, but Mak did say it was during AyahCik's wedding. Which was what... 22 years ago?

The other time I came to Penang was with the UNIKL Student Council. I had a council meeting at the Malaysian Spanish Institute, and they brought us for a night drive to Batu Feringgi. I think. I dont really remember and I remember not being able to appreciate the scenery bcos it was too dark.

But we did get to ride the ferry from the mainland. THAT I remember bcoz I was so jakon. Haha. On the way back, someone else drove coz I had a headache, so again, the opportunity to 'see' Penang was lost. But I do remember it having lots of clubs and pubs. Pity ey

Anyhow, Im writing this post from my hotel bed -- Equatorial Hotel mind you! A lovely hotel on a hill, with beautiful scenery. I can see the bridge from the balcony of my room.

Im in Penang bcoz my supervisor and I have an interview at Intel. We're requesting a grant for research, which ofkos is my PhD research. Other than asking for the grant money, this visit was also an initiative to meet up with those responsible in allowing me access to the Intel employees. Yup, I need access so that I'll be able to conduct my research, collect data and proceed with my studies.

I had my fast track evaluation last week -- alhamdulillah I passed. That was terrifying I tell you! I'll do another post on that later. So the preparation for this interview wasnt as hard as the evaluation. All I needed to do was edit here and there to meet the needs of the company and refresh what Ive been working hard on for the past month. Lagipun, it wasnt as scary bcoz my supervisor was going to be there with me. So if I stumbled on something, she'd be there to back me up! Haha.

It was very exciting to walk into the doors of a widely known industry. A label we'll see every time we open a laptop. Their sticker greeting you right in the face. Even though I admit that I dont really know that much about Intel's products with the exception of computer chips, but bcoz of the prestigious brand, walking thru the white corridors of their administration building gives you this wonderful fuzzy feeling. The feeling of pride, honour and just plain accomplishment. EVEN when all I did was go in. Haha. Does anyone understand what Im talking about?


The interview lasted for about an hour and a half. And from the feedback they gave, it looks positive :) You dont know how wide Im smiling. Even my supervisor is super excited! Haha.

InsyaAllah I'll be coming back here over the next two years. Even if the grant application isnt approved, I'll still have to come here for my research, to collect data, observe their training and so on. Can't wait! Hehehhe..! Its SO exciting! Don't you think?

Our flight back to KL is at 3.25p.m. So we'e back in our hotel room to hang out. And before you ask, the answer is yes. Yes, I am sharing a room with my supervisor. At first I thought it would be super awkward. And at first it WAS! Haha, I didnt know what to talk about. But since my supervisor is extra friendly, it eventually became easy. No more awkward silences, more of comfortable silences =)

She did ask me if we wanted to go jalan, bcoz she knows her way around Penang. But since it's been raining since morning, I declined. I'm sure I'll find the time to jalan-jalan the next time Im in Penang. In fact, boleh bawak the whole family! Maak!! JOM! Hehehhe..

Its a good thing I recorded the interview session, bcoz I received a lot of input, but didnt have enough time to write it all down. So when I get back to JB, I'll insyaAllah straight away get to work. I need to further detail this proposal and resubmit it to Intel for their final approval. InsyaAllah all will go well.

I need to go to work A.S.A.P. If not, this high motivation level I am experiencing will fade away.

But I will confess something. This trip to Penang and Intel made the whole situation with my research a little more serious, and a little more REAL.

Pray for me!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Checkmate

Assalamualaikum WRT WBT

Although Im supposed to be finishing my presentation materials for my interview this Tuesday, but I just finished watching a video that makes me feel so ashamed and so sad. Which called me to write something about the big issue happening to our country today.

I am a Malaysian, but watching the events of our country for the past couple of weeks makes me feel so ashamed. What is happening to our beautiful Malaysia? A country that is supposed be proud to be a developing country that supports the ideology of democracy. Where is the democracy that we so often boast about to the world? WHERE?

Ya Allah, I just watched pictures and videos of the injustice brought upon our countrymen, our brothers and sisters of the same or different faiths. No matter who the they were, they are still proud Malaysians. Why do I call them true and proud Malaysians? Because they want to see change happen to this corrupted ideology of democracy practiced by the leaders of our country.

My opinion as a younger generation of this beloved country, the decision made by those responsible was the wrong move in a crucial chess game. The wrong move that led to terrible consequences. We can see the result today in the shift of mindset in my generation. Just read the FB statuses and blog posts. Opinions are voiced out, pages are created, and petitions are supported. We can see what the younger generation really think and feel about this situation.

In this internet-based society, we no longer rely on just a couple of sources. News and papers are no longer considered a reliable source of information. We get information from various sources, analyse them and determine which one holds the truth. And in this internet-based society, there is no such thing as limiting the truth. No more cover ups, no more lying to our faces. We are not stupid.

Looking at the reaction of the younger generation of the country, I predict that the full blown consequence of this weekend's event will be seen in the next general election.

What happened in our country this weekend has opened more minds than everyone predicted. This historical event was a moral victory to the cause. The injustice and brutal reaction by those who call themselves the authority became proof, opening the eyes of people who were indecisive before this.

No matter what action taken after this will not give any impact. It will not work. I predict 'harsh' actions, the firing of people, scholarships and loan withdrawals, etc2. Such actions will only make the people angrier. The demand for reform will be stronger and with more force. It was a move that led to checkmate. And you won't be able to change what is bound to come without cheating.

Those loans and scholarships are actually the tax payers money. The people's money.

Their only alternative is meet the people's demands, or lose where it really matters.

We've been condemning other countries such as Egypt and Libya whom have been oppressing their people for years. Restricting their moves and taking away their basic rights. We've been supporting their nation's quest for change. As a person who has a heart and supports human rights, we've been supporting them, we've been praying for them, and we celebrated when they were victorious. So where does it differ in our situation?

If we look at the situation closely, the cause the people of Malaysia were fighting for wasn't conceptually the same as those of Egypt and Libya. The cause was for a CLEAN election, so that we'll be able to have a fair election, the freedom to choose, the right to decide without any manipulation that will favor whichever side. THIS was the cause. But what made it become a full scale 'battle field' was the cover up by those who had something to hide.

All the people of Malaysia wanted was a show of solidarity, a show of support for fairness, for anti-corruption. Why is that so wrong?

All the people requested was for two short hours.

What I don't get is, how some people have the arrogance and the audacity to lie to our faces, and think they can get away with it.

It is our basic rights as Malaysian, as stated in the constitution to do demonstrations. Which is why we call ourselves a country of democracy. We are a people's country. We as the citizens of Malaysia have the right to state our minds and be against what does not benefit the people as a whole. We have the right to speak out! That is the concept of democracy. If this is untrue, then where on earth is the democracy? WHERE?

This is strictly my opinion. Those who do not agree with me also have the right to do so. We are all entitled to our own opinion. But I urge everyone to do a little research before speaking or writing. Make sure you have ur facts right. Read into our history and into both sides. Dont believe something without looking into it first. And DONT under any circumstances should you talk about something you have no knowledge about. Be matured about it. Talk with intellect, not with emotion.

Today, our country is slowly morphing. Malaysia is slowly being flooded with the new generation of intellectual minds. Children are growing up to be teenagers. Teenagers becoming young adults, so on and so forth. We, the younger generation have been growing throughout the phases of our country's political development. We've been watching from the sidelines for so long. We've seen how it's progressing, and how uglier its becoming day by day. Its harder to fool us. Don't take us for granted. We know when we are being lied to.

For the sake of our future, the future of our beloved country, please think before doing something.

I get so angry and frustrated at those who feel this is all a waste of time. We are talking about our future. Malaysia's future. Everyone should be concerned. We live in the same country, on the same land.

But I guess for some, they think this issue does not concern them. That they have more important things to think about such as going shopping at KLCC, or going to the spa -- plans which were put on hold due to this. Oh God, I pity them so much. Im so sad for them.

Ya Allah, no matter what we think is best for our beloved country, only You have the power to determine our future. We want a corrupt-free country, a country where we can live in peacefully. Please help us to achieve this. Break the spirits of those who are against You, make them feel fear of Your retribution. We pray they find the light and gain the nikmah of Your taufiq and hidayah. Without You Ya Allah, we are nothing.

Ameen Ya Rabb.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

A Trip to the East

Assalamualaikum WRT WBT

Ok, lets take a deep breath. *breathe in *breathe out.

How should I start this? I guess the truth is always the best solution.

If you noticed a few posts back, I posted a flyer about a trip to Kelantan. Alhamdulillah, it went well -- not exactly as planned, but it was ok considering what we had to deal with.

The trip was alright. Tiring! But Alhamdulillah no 'casualties". I dont have the strength to write all that happened. Lets just say that we had a pretty rough time handling our bus drivers. And even though Rasulullah teaches us to always forgive, what happened between us (the organisers) with the bus drivers will forever be lodged in my head. And my heart. Just thinking about what they put us thru still makes my heart burn. A couple of drivers from hell.

The overall trip was exciting since it was the first successful trip for us from Jawatankuasa Pemuda Remaja Belia IKRAM Johor Bahru Tengah. The trip was a collaboration between us JKPRB IKRAM JBT with Biro Rakan Muda Masjid Tan Sri Ainuddin Wahid, Taman Universiti. Oh man, thats too long to retype. In the future, I'll refer to our 'group' of volunteers as RnB ok. Just so you guys dont get confused with the abbreviations I use. Anyhow, each month, RnB will organise a small programme named STYLE (Smart Youth Leaders) for the children around Masjid Taman Universiti. We've done qiam for a couple of times, and this trip was sort of a treat for the consistent participants of our programme.

This trip to Kelantan was organised during the school holidays. Here's a picture of the participants just before starting off to Kelantan.


Below: Me counting heads before starting off.


Throughout the trip, we taught the kids about the importance of prayer, how to pray during musafir. Among other things, we taught them the importance of Ma'thurat and the practice of reading Al-Quran where ever they are.

One of the objectives of the jaulah was that we'd be able to khatam the Quran by the time we arrived back in Johor. So each person was given one juz to finish. I was so moved by how dedicated the participants were.


When we arrived in Kelantan, alhamdulillah with the help of IKRAM Kelantan, we were brought to various places and brought to eat Kelantanees delicacies.They also organised some games for us. I wasnt able to follow the whole programme bcos I had to go back to my grandparents house to prepare for the BBQ dinner.



For dinner, we had a BBQ at my grandparents house. My grandparents are awesome! I love them both so much. Tok Ayah Su and Nenek Su too! :) And not forgetting Ayah for sponsoring the event. Love you all so much!


For Subuh, the group went to Masjid Tok Guru =)


Regardless of the trouble we had with the bus drivers, I hope everyone had a blast. I guess only the three of us (me, kak anie and ct) were the ones handling all the heat, containing our sadness and tears. We couldnt show our emotion to the participants. That would ruin the whole mood.

Before starting back to Johor on Sunday evening, we had the chance to do a lot of shopping at Pasar Siti Khadijah and Rantau Panjang. I think this was the best 'slot' for everyone. The participants were given RM5 to buy gifts for their parents, so they were so excited. RM5! You can buy a bunch of things at Rantau Panjang! Eventhough it rained, everyone had a swell time.


There's still so much to tell, but I think I'll leave it at that. A huge shout of gratitude to my good friends Kak Anie and CT who played a very big role in the success of this jaulah. I appreciate both of their friendship so much. Without each other's support, we'd all have broken down right at the beginning. So thank you and may Allah bless us all.


 The three musketeers!

Just a Thought in My Head

Assalamualaikum WRT WBT

Its crossed my mind a couple of times on how I tend to dwell on my emotions. How sometimes my mind just wonders off to wherever it wants. Forcing me to think about my life and the plans I have set into motion.

Sometimes I feel so frustrated seeing how all I can write about are my feelings. Most of the time, I write about my reaction to a certain situation or event in my life. And most of the time, I know no one wants to read me whining. Its sad and pathetic. And yet, I keep coming back. I cant seem to let go of this blog.

The thought of people all around the world have access to all the things I write here is alarming. And freaky. But no matter what excuse I use to make me feel better, its is in fact still freaky.

I guess for those who read blogs of those they do not know.. I'd like to think that they do this as a way to get to know us a little closer. Or they just want to see what we've been doing in our lives. Or they'd like to find out how we think, what type of mental state we are in.

OR they feel like reading other people's problems as alternatives of dealing with their own problems. Oh wau, that was harsh. Sorry.

I dont mind. As long as my readers dont use my words to spread slander.

Why did I write this post anyway? I forget.

Emm.. ok, I'll stop now. Before I go on and on without any fullstop

Marriage

Assalamualaikum WRT WBT

I know Ive been absent for quite some time, so I'll write a quick update.

So, what been happening in my world? Let's see..

Friends getting married, meeting up with old friends, trip to Kelantan, patching up broken friendships, studies, and ofkos life. haha. Such a long list!

Friends getting married. Alhamdulillah :) a few close friends of mine got hitched and I was able to attend a few. Its never too late to say congratulations.

Ejat & Liana - this picture was before nikah, so takde gambar with both the bride and groom.

Ejat is a very close friend -- a loyal junior to be exact. One of the few people who has been with me thru thick and thin. Congratulations dear brother. May your marriage last till Jannah InsyaAllah.

Next, Kak Ira and Syawal


To Kak Ira and Syawal, mabruk! Barakallahu fi kum. Semoga Allah rahmati dan lindungi perkahwinan you all berdua.Semoga di kurniakan anak-anak yang soleh yang akan menjadi penyejuk mata insyaAllah. Wishing and praying for the best for both of you :)

Ok la, thats it for now. Over and out!
Wassalam