The granted prayer

Remember this post? Alhamdulillah, Allah has answered my prayer. I'll be 25 next year, and He granted my prayer this year. :') 

My parents were planning to bring me here on December three years ago, but the visa was closed by that time. What I learned was, Allah didn't grant my prayer early, one of the reason must be to test my patience and faith. And He knows much better if I were mentally or physically ready to be His guest.

I went to the Holy Land with my parents and my eldest brother, for 10 days, from 16th to 26th December 2013.

First, we went to Medina for three days. For a person who was raised in tropical climate country, I am honestly freezing here. The temperature even reached to 8 degree Celsius! But I love that somehow ^_^

 

Al - Masjid an - Nabawi (also known as Mosque of the Prophet) 

Inside of the mosque. And there are lot of zamzam water barrels, and pardon me the black one is not any kind of model xD

Leaving Medina on 20th December, we headed to Mecca. 

 

Friday night - after my first tawaf. Completed my first Umrah as well after taking the photo.

  In front of Jabal Rahmah - where my brother keep trolling me about marriage. 

According to history, this hill was the point where Adam and Hawa (Eve) met after they had been banished from the heaven. So it is considered as the landmark of love, marriage and family.

 One evening, I was in the mosque waiting for Asar prayer. Suddenly my friend texted me requesting to see photo of Baitullah (Kaaba). [She went to holy land about seven years ago, so she missed the Baitullah so much], and I caught this. Bird eyes view of Baitullah - the pilgrims were preparing for Asar prayer. :)

 [View from upstairs of tawaf circle]

All my life when I travelled anywhere, I easily thinking about my homeland, the local food, next task, etc. However, this was the first time ever in my life I didn't feel like coming back, I love being here VERY MUCH. 

One of my friend told me, "Go to Baitullah as often as you are able to." I started feel that I have no more heart going to my dream vacation bla bla bla rich country bla bla or glamorous one. If I ever have chance again, Insyaallah I will put the Holy Land as my first choice :) 

My 3 out of 5 prayers has been granted.
1. Finished study well.
2. Get a job.
3. Pilgrimage before 25. 
4.  (not telling until achieved)
5.  (not telling until achieved)

Visiting Cambodia Day 10: Bye hometown ;)

Last day in Phnom Penh Airport, waiting for AA counter to be opened. 

Bye hometown - that's Makcik's line, not me. hahahaah~
9 days living abroad - I truly missed nasi lemak! waaaa~

To be honest, I did enjoy myself living in Cambodia, it taught me to be thankful living in my own country. I'm not boasting saying Malaysia is absolutely perfect, but after living in the village for so many days, I learned how to live without internet, not enough electricity, no air-cond. However, for the villagers - they never use such lame excuses to be left behind. Though it may look like Malaysia in 60s, the villagers are very hardworking, having more than a single job is such a normal thing for people there, even the youngsters are so workaholic helping out their parents. I was so moved! T_T

p/s: Visiting Cambodia wasn't my in my plan during this holiday. It happened by chance when Kak Reeny told me Makcik was going to visit her hometown. I was pestered to purchase the tickets 3 days before departing. Hahahaha~

Visiting Cambodia Day 1: Welcome

On previous 3rd December, I flied to Cambodia, without my parents. It may sounds weird for unemployed person like me to travel abroad without my guardian. Actually, I joined Kak Reeny (my sis in law)'s mom (which I just call as Makcik) and her 2 sis (Shida and Nasuha). Kak Reeny's parents are Cambodian, that's why I could reach this Indo-china country. This was not an ordinary vacation like I usually went to hotel, having tourist guide, etc. The reason is, Makcik was visiting her hometown in Mongkol Borey. So, Mama suggested me to join 'em to see how the villagers out there lead their daily life. Since I'm in this semester break, I agree, and skipped my Art class for 10 days HAHAHAHAH~

Insanity at the airport immigration.

One of Makcik's relatives fetched us in Phnom Penh airport. But before leaving, I managed to play around snapping some photos with my low battery camera D:

Shida with Cambodian famous taxi, Tuktuk.

We left the airport to visit one of the family in Phnom Penh and next went to Genocide Museum. This museum is the place where they placed all the skeletons and the history of victims of Khmer Rouge during Pol Pot reign. Makcik told us she was one of the servant like what is shown in the museum.

 Real victims skeletons.

Kak Reeny reminded me to purchased baguette (the long French bread) along the journey because it may turn as essential food on th road. She's right, and it's yummy! :D

Baguette is sold everywhere, but we bought some from bakery. 

After visiting some relatives in Phnom Penh and so on, we continued our journey to Makcik's brother's home in Mongkol Borey, more than 6 hours to reach there. We just slept, and when I opened my eyes, we're in Pursat region, dropped in a place to rest for a while. It's like a crocodile den.
 

 The distance between place I was standing is less than 2 meter to the crocodile. 

We arrived at home at 10 pm and I'll continue the story tomorrow :D

Holiday begins - Jamboree 1st.

As the exam was over, the trainee teachers went back home, for end year semester break. Except me and 3 batch-mates & 11 lower class-men, whom went to Terengganu 12th International Scout Jamboree. We departed from campus on 18th November morning. Anyway, this was my first time attending Jamboree and this is my second year as a scout.

Arrived about 5.00pm - Kem Telaga Batin, Terengganu. 

This time I really missed lots of cool things to snap. D:

Being a teacher (whom people said look-a-like Form 4 or Lower 6 girl), leading the Red team from Pahang contingent participants to almost all activities, and joining them to fill my passport stamp. He3 that's why people thought I was Secondary school girl. 

Kinda satisfied I managed to join many activities such as travelling in Kuala Terengganu City, traditional game, dynamic game, paintball, flying fox, rafting, kayaking, etc. Since this end year monsoon is coming, it's raining every day. The site camp was wet, still fresh in my memory how our tents were blown and crashed. We went back to campus at Wednesday, for another commitment T_T

 From this disaster camp, I discovered that my body is pretty extraordinary:

1- It took 3 days to discover a thorn remained inside my foot as it swelled. I thought it was nothing when I stepped on the thorny branch.

2- I accidentally slipped, hit my tent and broke the long thick iron stand inside the tent.

3. Due playing with rain for 4 days, I neither catch cold nor fever. Yey my immunity has increased! :D

During free time in a restaurant for dinner. Ascending by DOB.

 

Some badges I managed to buy and swap. Little beginning to be badges collector =) 

But still unsatisfied I couldn't claim some badges I deserve! D:

My pocket is broke as well. HA HA HA

On the way back to campus, Terengganu has started flooding.

Finishing the semester break

I've been waiting for more than a year to use my passport, which will end June 2012 - so I went to Universal Studios Singapore (USS) with Yah, Nabilah and Nabihah. Departed from Yong Peng at about 5.30am, arrived at JB at 8.00 am - we parked the car at Tune Hotel JB, and purchased the 10.30 am bus and USS tickets there.  It's RM25 - bus (go and return) and $72 - USS (the minimum price without meal and hotel).  

Tune Hotel JB

While waiting for the bus, we went for breakfast nearby the hotel -

lontong + sambal sosej with ice lime drink.

And finally we're here! yey!

My companions.

And here are the places we went:

New York City

Light, Camera, Action Studio hosted by Steven Spielberg.

 Sci-Fi City. We played roller coaster - Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN

We're at the 1s row and it's WOW! I won't ride it anymore ha3

Ancient Egypt - my favourite studio!

We played another roller coaster - 

but it's indoor for this studio and much fun with the effect around.

In ditch black place, it's called as Revenge of the Mummy.

The Lost World - we went for Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. 

It took 2 hours just to queue - the most crowded place. 

But it's worth. :) 

Take a break - have a box of nachos!

Far Far Away - Shrek 4D Adventure. 

We're starving and decided to eat and continue going to Madagascar after the lunch (but it's 5.00pm already) - we entered the food court and one staff said,

"I'm sorry girls, most of the food here are non halal, you can only eat nasi ayam penyet there" (pointed at nasi ayam penyet booth)

and as we're about to go there, other staff said,

"Miss, I rasa jangan makan kat sini tau, walaupun tu nasi ayam, tapi kami takde certificate halal, jadi kalau rasa was was baik makan kt Egypt dengan Shrek je, kat sana memang confirm halal."

When we're about to exit, another staff said,

"Girls, we're sorry we don't provide halal food here, pork and lard are served. Really sorry, you can go to Egypt cafe or Shrek."

Well, thanks to the staffs for being aware of Muslim's sensitivity.

Late lunch at Oasis Spice Cafe - Pharaoh's Baryani set.

It was so late to go to Madagascar, since our bus was at 7.30, and we need to rush. But before leaving the USS, I noticed the  Walk of Fame at Hollywood Boulevard. 

Sorry for my pose Elton John, I only managed to snap on yours. Ha3

It's a great experience and we planned to visit there again next time, because we probably can't make time like this holiday to go out together - Yah is going to work soon while Nabilah will continue her upcoming semester without break. Or perhaps I'll go with someone else. ha3~

4 years passed

It's been 4 years she left me and Malaysia for her further study in USA after SPM. I'm referring to my missing best friend - Yah. She has just graduated in Electrical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and today was the first time I met her since 2007, she had never come back here even once for 4 years because she's damn hardworking taking extra class and vacation every semester break. 

Please forgive her insanity. 

We went out to BP together with Nabilah and her cousin, Nabihah. They both renewed their passports while Yah renewed he IC - how come 22-year-old dude was still using 12-year-old IC? That's why I said she's insane. Insane after leaving me for 4 years ha3.

While waiting Nabilah and Nabihah's (hey I like your name when it comes together) passports, we went to BP Mall - I was planning to call on Maxis Centre to upgrade my broadband plan and Yah was searching for iPhone charger - she's insane for leaving the charger in US.

Nevertheless, when it came to girls' walk - windows shopping was still essential. (except for me lalalala~)

Dropped by at Giordano store.

 What so excited watching designed tee but she purchased nothing LOL

An ALIEN appeared when I was shooting at the mirror.

This one was serious - Yah purchased this pumps for her interview soon.

Finished shopping (and I was just a guide for Yah whole day)  - we went to Rengit Coffee (again) for lunch.

No specific meaning - just showing honey lemon beverage - my favourite!

Honey lemon, orange, hot tea and soy jelly grass.

After taking the passports, we went to Yah's home and snapped some photos at her new gazebo.

PUNCHED! If only I could do this at her - this was what she used to bully me at primary school. 

Back then she's much taller than me, but today she's just 9 cm taller. 

I should've taken more calcium before seeing her back! >.<

Late evening, we went to pasar malam - that's what Yah has dreamed so long to go to a place where she could buy any food with less worry of halal matter. My semester break is about to finish, and I have not much time to bully her back before she starts working and I'm continuing my upcoming 3 semesters.

The story of nasi lemak + visiting the ancestors

When I was brushing my teeth this morning, suddenly something ran in my head - it's nasi lemak. At the same time, I heard the sound of Ayah's car. Mama and he just went back from the mosque for Subuh prayer. Good thing was, they really bought nasi lemak! Last time I ate it was in practicum - around March and April.

 Just ordinary nasi lemak, but it's very precious when you're craving it.

Though nasi lemak is the most common breakfast in Malaysia, I seldom choose as breakfast cause I don't want to get sleepy in class. Ayah said it's just unacceptable theory saying coconut milk could make people sleepy since he ate nasi lemak almost every single day when he was still working and it gave him no effect. Perhaps he's right about it because eating curry would give me no effect either. Somehow, any type of rice would make me sleepy easily, that's one of the reason I rarely take rice for breakfast and dinner.

******

After breakfast, we went to the graveyard behind Parit Arshad's mosque - to visit our ancestors. I offered myself to drive and Mama said she would rather ride motorcycle herself instead of being my passenger. That's very offensive, though she didn't do it.  (T_T)

 Tanah Perkuburan Masjid Parit Arshad

 The area where my ancestors were buried.

 Reciting Yaasin - oh how ascetic my face! ha3

Part time tomb guardian. ha3

On the way back, I drove again and I noticed I could control the car better on narrow road. Thus, I asked Ayah whether he would let me drive myself to college and he said I should take Kakak's Atoz instead of my (soon-gonna-be) MyVi, but I said I wanted his City more (indeed I was joking). However, it's too far to make him trust me since I park real sucks! 4 months more to get my CDL but my confidence and skill seem as if I just got P by previous 4 months. 

N's day out

What is N? It refers to my initial and my date partner today.

My date today - Nabilah.

I asked Nabilah out to watch movie, and made her to drive my (later-gonna-be) MyVi. We went to BP Mall Big Cinema and purchased Kungfu Panda 2 3D tickets (and this reminded me that I should've made another pair of toric lens). While waiting 1.45pm for the movie, my tummy was singing "I'm hungry lalalalala~" So we attacked Rengit Coffee.

 Nokia VS Nikon

 A weirdo snapping photo of weird chairs.

 Our snack. Bean curd - beansprouts for you, cucumber for me. :P

 As usual, my favourite cuisine - noodle soup in chicken + mushroom broth.

 Thanks to Nabilah, she's the one whom put the shawl on my head =)

Purchasing new mouse. I may be a mouse killer, no mouse could last long till 5 months under my right hand. 

After Zohor prayer, we headed to cinema and watching Kungfu Panda 2 made us keep saying "inner peace"- that's how movie could influence our dialogue. What I really uncomfortable was wearing the 3D glasses doubled with my glasses. This wasn't the first time, I experienced it before when I was watching Narnia 3D. 

Went back, I drove and she observe by my side. Seemed I've lots more skill required to control the steering smoothly, especially at the corner. And I guess I did learn how to control it better :)

However....

While I was turning right at my home entrance... I hit the short wall at the bridge. The damn good thing was, Ayah was waiting outside the house (actually he's putting the luggage in his car to go to Kakak's house) and of course I got free lecture again. Before he left, he told me to take care and do my art assignment properly :)