Another lovely surprise :)

Salam..

Thank you to my dear friends - Syikin, Haizum, Izyan & Sheila for inviting us over for lunch today.. we had delicious nasi kerabu (thank you syikin!!) and lots of desserts.. and they got a cake for me:) thank you again.. It has been quite a long time since I last gossiping with them;) I miss those times when we were all working in the Regional Hospital.. we did have more gatherings back then..now, it is just once in a while.. as they're all working in different hospitals.. Haizum & Izyan are planning to go back to Malaysia for good this July.. hopefully we'll be able to organise a dinner (at least) before they leave.. I really enjoyed the lunch.. we had a good few hours of chit chatting.. now my hubby knows that I'm not the only one who thinks he likes to nag a lot;p hehe..

cutting my birthday cake :)

the beautifully decorated cake..

the glamorous purple wallet.. a present from Syikin.. thanks a million!:)

Thank you very much my dear friends.. may Allah bless you always... :)

Happy birthday to me! :)

Salam..

This weekend has been extra special for me.. coz it's my birthday today!!:) hehe.. Alhamdulillah.. Thank you to Allah for He has given me the chance to still be breathing today in good health and more importantly in iman insyaAllah..

This weekend is a long weekend as it is going to be followed by Easter monday (which is a public holiday.. yippie!).. so we decided to go to Cork after unable to do so for the past 2 weekends.. we left Limerick on Friday evening..Before reaching Fairuz's house, we stopped by Hafiz/Zue's house as I wanted to give her some of the marble cake that I baked earlier that day.. Zue was on her way out to visit her friends' house, so I made a promise that we would come over to her house again before going back to Limerick.. although I was calculating when would be the best time to do so..

On Saturday, Fairuz got a phone call from Hafiz (Apek is his nickname), inviting us over to his house for dinner.. and I was relieved coz at least I can keep my promise to Zue.. She also invited a few other families & friends to come over.. at that stage, I didn't suspect anything coz it is a norm (for us anyway) to invite friends to come over for dinner and 'mengeteh' - that is melepak and chitchatting while having tea;p hehe..

And we had our dinner - the delicious nasi lemak (Zue's specialty) and yummylicious lompat tikam made by Fairuz.. and somebody brought a few cakes which I suspected they're meant for desserts.. while I was enjoying the lompat tikam, Fairuz made an announcement that it was my surprise birthday 'party'!! Oh my God.. that was something that I didn't expect at all.. and to be honest, I don't like to be the centre of attention.. (shy maaa...;p) hehe.. the cakes that they brought was actually my birthday cake.. I was so touched.. thank you my friends!! Zue made a cake as well.. thank you Zue! I am blessed with good friends.. I can't thank them enough for making such an effort to celebrate my birthday.. I don't know who to thank specifically as nobody would say whose idea was it.. So thank all of you - Zue & Apek, Fairuz & Asma', Mas & k.Aini, Fahmi & Izaidah.. also to Aimi, Jamilah, Fadrie, and Muizz.. thank you so much! I really didn't see it was coming.. it was a pleasant surprise.. I didn't expect any surprises for my birthday.. as I'm 28 years old (owh,I'm old!)..;p

Me.. cutting my birthday cake :)

Thank you, my friends! (this is the best pic after a few try.. pheww)

Later that night, my dear hubby was not feeling very well.. he was suffering from gastritis that kept him awake last nite.. it became quite severe that we asked Fairuz's favour to send Shaz to the hospital at 3 am in the morning.. and he came back nearly at half 5 am.. poor him.. after Subuh prayer, then only he was able to sleep.. so we had to change our plan today..

I was sliding into the car when I found a large red envelope together with a pink/red paper bag.. I got a present from my hubby!! yeay!!.. hehe.. he got me a lovely birthday card and something else.. ;) it was wrapped in a pink wrapper.. as I was unwrapping the present, I was thinking hard of what it could be.. I was pretty sure that it was a watch coz I did ask for a watch (I left mine in Malaysia.. huhu).. but I was wrong.. I was half shouting in happiness when I saw this thing..

From my beloved hubby.. :)

Yeay!! I got an Ipod Touch! the one that I was eyeing for.. I was planning to buy it later on when I was rich enough.. hehe.. thank you Abang! Love you to bits!!:) I'm now a happy Ipod user..;)

Red is the theme.. incidental, I think;p thank you Aimi & Jamilah.. :)

As it was quite late when we left Fairuz's house, we decided to drop by k.Azy & Taqi's house as they were hosting a birthday party for Muslih.. the food was super lovely! I think that was the first time that I had steamboat.. hehe.. it was a lovely party.. To Muslih, happy belated birthday! :)

We also had another birthday party invitation.. but as we reached Limerick quite late, we had to turned down the invitation.. we're very sorry k.Agee & uncle.. I felt so guilty when I found out that she was planning on celebrating my birthday as well.. and that she got me a birthday present.. huhu.. Sorry k.Agee.. *my guilty feeling hasn't subside yet* huhu.. to Aqilah, happy belated birthday!! hope you have a blast birthday! :) to k.Agee, thank you very much & I'm very sorry that I wasn't there.. :(

Apart from my husband being sick, I am a very happy birthday girl! Alhamdulillah.. All praise to Allah who has granted me with good health, happiness, loving families and a loving husband, and great friends whom I considered as my own brothers and sisters.. Thank you Allah.. and thank you for those who remembered my birthday either with your wish or in your du'a and for those who had planned and made effort to celebrate my birthday (can't thank you enough!!).. may Allah bless you always..

p/s : Happy belated birthday to my beloved sister, K.Yah, whose birthday was yesterday.. may you get the best in dunia & akhirat! love youuuu... :)

Ketika Cinta Bertasbih (KCB)...

Salam..

It has been a long time since I made a post in this blog.. I intentionally left it for my dear hubby to write in this blog.. hehe.. I have actually wrote 2 posts but then I keep them as drafts (for the time being).. still need some adjustments before I can publish them.. will do so when time permits..:)

For this entry, I would like to bring your attention to an Indonesian movie entitled "Ketika Cinta Bertasbih".. it is a movie adapted from a novel written by Habiburahman El Shirazy.. if I'm not mistaken, this is the second movie adapted from his novel (after "Ayat-ayat Cinta")..

I was introduced to KCB by K.Riza quite some time ago.. but only last week did I watch it.. Subhanallah.. it is a beautiful movie made in the course of da'wah.. a movie that makes us think & realised that we are far from the true teachings of Islam especially when it comes to love & marriage..

Too many things have been so common nowadays.. too many that we have become desensitized by some mistakes & wrongdoings.. I take one example, in engagement ceremony.. (okay, I did have an engagement ceremony as well..).. there are certain things that has changed so much from the past.. nowadays, not only the guy is present, but he gets a ring as well.. not to mention taking pictures together as a couple and how grand the ceremony is.. and recently, I bumped into somebody's engagement pics & the guy actually put the ring on the lady's finger (in stead of being done by his mother!).. okay, that is soooo wrong.. unacceptable (to me).. is it even legal?? (just being sarcastic;p).. hmm, I wonder from which culture did we adopt these practises..

And one more thing that is becoming more popular nowadays, pre wedding photography.. which I very much opposed (especially when it involves holding hands or hugging).. it costs a lot of money (which should be saved for the wedding itself), it is unnecessary and is far from Allah's order..

“And come not near to zina. Verily, it is a faahishah (a great sin) and an evil way.”

translation from al israa'; ayat 32

Come not near to zina.. meaning not only not to do it, but don't even go near it..

In the early chapter of the book "Tarbiyatul Aulad fil Islam" (Bringing Up Children in Islam) by Abdullah Nashih ‘Ulwan, it is written that tarbiyah should start before the child is even born.. that is tarbiyah to the parents.. once one able to follow the teachings of Islam, she /he can then teach her/his children.. and tarbiyah of oneself started even before marriage (including choosing a spouse).. A beautiful family, brought up in accordance with the teachings in Islam, that is what we are aiming for..

Back to movie that I would strongly suggest you to watch.. yes, this movie has some weaknesses.. but look at the message that it tries to convey.. that love should start after marriage.. no need for dating, no need to spend hours on the phone.. and one should prepare oneself with the knowledge of Islam.. that we must believe of His words in the Quran..

"Women impure are for men impure and men impure are for women impure; and women of purity are for men of purity, and men of purity are for women of purity: these are not affected by what people say: for them there is forgiveness, and a provision honourable"

( traslation from surah An-Nur, ayat 26)

Asbabul nuzul for this ayat: Allah revealed proof of innocence of ‘Aisyah r.a. and Shafwan bin al-Mu’attal.. from the fitnah and slanderous lies about them..
And indeed this ayat can be applied to us too..

It is never late for us to improve ourselves as long as we're still breathing.. InsyaAllah..

p/s: It's sad to know that KCB didn't enter the cinemas in Malaysia.. it would be a good alternative for all the modern love stories ..

Facts : the actors & actresses playing the lead parts in this movie were selected through a reality TV.. of all, only one has a background of acting.. amongst the criteria were ability to read Al-Quran & speak Arabic.. it is so touching to see they performed sujud syukur when they were selected to act in this movie (can be watched in the short clip at the end of KCB 1)..

Trailer KCB



Do watch this movie in your leisure time.. :)
Salam...

Farewell For Friends

Salam..

About two weeks ago, I updated this blog with an entry reminding me about how hard it would be facing life when we have people depending on us.. Well, today will be a bit different.. First up, I will be sharing a little bit of our recent event with some of our friends who will be leaving this country in the near future, going back to Malaysia..

Last Wednesday - in fact, on Paddy's Day - our friend Kak Riza and Ustaz Wan held a lunch gathering specially for two families who, at present, are busy packing their luggage to go back home after finishing their studies here in Limerick University (UL).. They are Abg Zali-Kak Kin's and Hadi-Kak Aida's families..

Over the last 2 years of me and Ina living in Limerick, we have had the magnificent chance to get to know and befriend these lovely families.. In fact, when Abg Zali and Kak Kin were blessed with Hamdan, their fourth child, we were here too..

Abg Zali is in his final stages of completing his PhD in UL.. Kak Kin was a doctor in Kuantan, Pahang, before she took three years off to come to Ireland with her husband.. They are blessed with a daughter and three sons - Huda, Fawwaz, Nabhan and little Hamdan.. We will certainly miss this family when they leave us here..

Hadi is also just a few sentence away from completing his PhD, also in UL.. His wife, Kak Aida, was an English teacher (as what Ina told me, anyway) before leaving her career for a short while to come to Ireland.. They are blessed with three children - a boy and two girls.. Unfortunately for me, I can never remember their names, except vaguely the youngest one, Qistina.. Even so, I can't be certain.. Again, we will miss this lovely couple and their kids..

Pretty Faces

I have now developed some interest in portrait photography.. At the start of my so-called new interest in photography, I thought that having a DSLR would aid me in taking scenery pictures as I love great scenery.. But, alas, it was actually portrait photography that sticks with me at the moment.. I love capturing emotions which, undoubtedly, reveal more than just smiles and laughter, but also innocence and truth..

Now, why was I blabbering about my photography? Reason is simple.. At the recent lunch gathering, I managed to snap a few pictures, mainly as an everlasting memory of our friends, but on top of that, I managed to capture the innocent and pretty faces of the people there.. Hopefully, one day we can always look back at the pictures and remember the visuals of truthful friendship smiles and laughter, and the great innocence of the moment..

I am happy to share these with you..

Ustaz Wan (host) & Abg Zali

Hadi

Happy faces on stairs

Qistina

Nabhan

Huda, Hamdan & Fawwaz

With Hafiy

Salam..

Testing Times

Salam..

Another week has passed since my last entry.. In fact, over a week, anyway.. But, hey, who's keeping count?

Not much has happened over the last 10 days, but enough for me to scribble a word or two to fulfill my so-called resolution for consistency.. A call for interview, a week stepping up as team leader and a few trips around the Limerick ground..

Work, Work, Work

As usual, in fact, as any person in my line of work would probably agree, the bulk of our lives, and indeed, conversation revolve around work.. For me, this week has been quite interesting, in a different kind of way.. Two reason for sure, 1) the absence of my registrar for few days, and 2) what's next for me in my career calling..

I had planned to take a week off as my annual leave last week but due to unforeseen circumstances, albeit not from my part, I had to postpone it to this week.. But no harm done for me, anyways.. What's interesting is the 'turbulent' during the week.. My registrar was away on Tuesday for his interview in Cork, my boss was away on Tuesday handling an interview in Dublin, and again both of them were away on Friday for a conference in Galway.. That meant that I was in charge of the dock on Tuesday and Friday.. Furthermore, we were on-take that Monday night, which also meant that, if I had to handle the post-call ward round alone - it would be either disastrous or a complete calamity.. Each way, I was screwed! Luckily, things were under control.. Phew!

I got called for an interview for an A&E job for coming July.. So bold of me that that was the only job I applied for! Should I not get the job, I will be forced to 'change' my career to a house-hubby.. I should be able to make a strong case for my liking of trauma and acute medicine by proving that this is the only job I applied for, plus the off-the-record chats with the bosses down in the department.. Hopefully, I am making the right choice by taking this road.. May Allah guide me to be the best I can be..

Seeing Difficulties

The last few months, I learned that what I am facing now is not as hard as what some others are facing daily.. I now realize how hard it is to juggle between study and work and rearing a family.. But realizing is not the same as living it..

A very nice couple who are both good friends of mine and Ina stayed with us over the last two months.. Adding to the joy to our house was their little boy.. Of course, it was Ina who looked after the boy when all of us were in hospital..

The joy in their faces every single time they held their boy was indescribable.. In fact, even I enjoy snuggling the chubby kid.. But, with that I also saw how difficult it was for them (and, I assume, every other young family) to juggle between the chores of daily life.. I wonder if I would be able to step up like they do? It gave me great pleasure that them staying at our place also meant that Allah had given me and Ina some opportunity to lighten the hardship they were facing, even if not much..

People say 'learn from your experience'.. I beg to extend.. I believe we learn more from our own and other people's experience, and the only way to learn is by seeing, listening and, if you are really lucky, sharing that experience.. Indeed, these are testing times for any family.. But I always remember and will always remind others around me that Allah has given us so much that it is only fair for us that He would give some hardship and difficulties for us to face, only to strengthen our faith and belief in Him..

Some day, when my turn comes to be tested, I hope Ina and I will be as strong as our friends.. The courage they have showed us and the patience they have portrayed are second to none..

Salam..

Big Steps Ahead..

Salam..

Ahh.. Every single time.. Every single time my fingers hit this laptop keyboard, trying to jot a post, it would be my 'routine' apologetic opening paragraph.. For some, maybe this is not a big deal, but if this blog ever has (or had) avid followers, then most likely there are now none!

Maybe I should just make a brave resolution and try to make this a routine for me, jotting a word or two, even if not much..

Of course, so much has happened since my own last entry.. But at this stage, I can never begin to share all.. Maybe a little bit of what has happened recently would suffice..

Career Choices

It is the time again of the year when doctors in the country will be looking for jobs for the coming July.. For some lucky ones, jobs are already secured - those in the SpR schemes or the SHO schemes.. As for me, the last time I went fishing for jobs was two years ago.. Then I got on to the Medical scheme.. It is almost over now, and my two-year contract is almost up.. I have to pack my CV and start fishing again.. As for Ina, one year has almost elapsed since she decided to take the year off.. Now, she too will go fishing with me..

Career choices are not easy a task to decide.. I am looking to take a 90-degree turn in my career and switch to my new interest, from Internal Medicine to Emergency Medicine.. Don't ask me why or how that happened - it is hard to explain.. Needless to say, I am still banging my head to complete my medical membership..


Now that is just one side of the coin flip.. The other side is about my progress in trying to make some publications to 'sweeten' my CV.. At this current moment, things have moved forward in small baby steps.. I have in my bag three poster presented as second author, one case report as first author.. I am hoping to get this case report done and dusted by end of March, if I'm lucky.. One poster has already been presented in the Irish Association for Palliative Care meeting in Dublin earlier this month (many thanks to Along) and the same audit has been accepted for poster presentation in the European Association of Palliative Care in Glasgow in June.. Along might not be able to go and I wonder if I would be available.. It would look nice in my CV if I could.. We'll see..

In the meantime, there are a few courses I need to get into, most of them related to my Emergency Medicine hopes, and some audits that I am to start with few colleagues here before I end my medical scheme.. Ahh, so much to do..

Some For Me, Some For Others

Alongside the things that I am doing for my own career and CV, recently enough, I regained my interest in teaching, certainly when I remember the days when I was craving for help and assistance facing the final year exams.. It was horrible!

And because of that, I have always offered, to my best avail, to help students, especially the final year ones, who are ever facing the biggest challenge in their lives yet.. Over the last few weeks, I have got involved with some final medical students - be it in hospital or in small discussion groups.. It gives me great joy to see that I could share some of my knowledge and (possibly) experiences to help and guide them through these coming tough days.. May Allah help them as much and more as He helped me during my days back then..

I still have a few more weeks to serve them if they would allow me..

Oh, well.. Maybe that is all for now.. Maybe I will update some more some other time, hopefully in the near future..

Salam..

Mixtures..

Salam..

A month has passed by without any post on this blog.. my hubby has been asking me to update this blog.. but I just couldn't find the time & the right mood.. it has been quite a busy month for me with lots of things happened.. i'll try to keep this post short & sweet.. (honestly, I'm still not in the right mood;p)

1. my new 'career'..;)

You must be wondering what can possibly keep me busy apart from the usual house chores.. i'm now officially a babysitter.. but for 2 months only..;) I'm babysitting irfan hafiy, a very cute 3-month-old baby of Fairuz & Asma'.. Fairuz is working here in Limerick with the geriatric team while Asma' is doing her medical & surgical rotation here.. now, I have a new routine on the weekdays.. & now I have a taste of a true housewife;) it can be very tiring really.. babysitting is not a new thing for me.. I've babysat a few babies before & hafiy is the youngest of all for now:) hafiy is a well behaved baby & I've learned his everyday routines (although he can change his routine everyday;p).. it's not that hard to babysit him.. when he is sleeping, I'll do the chores - cooking, cleaning etc.. and at the end of the day, I'm usually very tired.. although I have the whole night sleep uninterrupted.. unlike the mothers of young babies.. I must say I'm very impressed of those who can function very well although they have only a few hours of night time sleep after the exhausting daytime chores! well,I guess it is a good practise for me(?);P

2. birthdays..

There is quite a long list of birthday boys & girls for January & February.. started with Fairuz's birthday on 22nd Jan, my dear hubby's birthday on 2nd Feb, my sister & nieces' birthday on 3rd Feb and Ustaz Wan's birthday on 7th Feb.. I've made 3 cakes for the birthday boys - red velvet cake for Fairuz, fresh fruit cake for my hubby & marble cheesecake with cream cheese frosting for ustaz.. None for my dear sister as she is far away in Malaysia.. i'Allah someday I'll make a cake for her & Nusaibah:)

Happy birthday to the birthday boys & girls! May Allah bless you always...

3. inhuman humans..

It was very sad & disturbing reading the news lately on the unfortunate babies who were found lifeless at different places back in Malaysia.. 3 babies in 3 consecutive days.. how on earth do people have the heart to do these (or should I say these people have no heart at all?).. I've heard from my friends who are working in Malaysia that there is a very high numbers of unplanned/unwanted pregnancies (especially those who are not married) - sadly many of them are Muslims.. unwanted pregnancies can lead to lies, feeling terrified, panicky and eventually lead to abandonment or worse, killing of these poor innocent babies.. there is only one solution to this matter.. prevention.. for prevention is always better than cure.. and how to prevent? the answer is simple.. back to Islam.. the teachings of Islam is the perfect solution..

"O you who have believed, enter into Islam completely [and perfectly] and do not follow the footsteps of Satan. Indeed, he is to you a clear enemy."

(translation from verse 208, surah Al-Baqarah)

Read the Quran, understand, think & practise.. Don't let Islam be only in your name or only been written on your IC.. Let us be a true Muslim.. Ameen.. InsyaAllah..

I think that's all for now.. hopefully I'll find the mood to write again in the near future.. 'til we meet again in the next post,I'Allah..

P/s: I really think I need a good massage therapy:)