Look at what came through the post today!

I received my birthday present through the mail today and what more could be better than a book by the author herself? It is a book written by my dear fellow blogger: Raden Galoh of http://onebreastbouncing.blogspot.com/.

The demise of my husband had drawn us to one another: she as a breast cancer survivor while I as one who had lost her husband to oesophageal cancer.

I immediately texted her to convey my gratitudes and then quickly slumped myself on the sofa, flicking over the pages.

In no time, tears were streaking my cheeks as I read her words which brought vivid scenes in my mind. It was not as if I had not already known her story; I have read them in her blog. Furthermore, she had revealed some of them to me during our personal encounters, especially when I brought her to meet my sister, Kak Long.

I am proud of this very strong and optimistic lady who has taken all the physical and emotional pain she has been tested with to bring herself closer to the Almighty. I suspect that she has probably experienced more significant events in her life for the past 5 years than the many years she had before the diagnose.

I pray the best for her and her family while they all go through this ordeal, or as I prefer to call it, rahmah. May Allah reward her jannah for her patience and tolerance of it all!

My 'friends'

I actually don't make a habit of looking out my window each morning, just to avoid the usual analysing of the weather where I'd be attempting to match it with the forecast over the telly the night before. If it rains, I'd grab a brolly or two off the hooks. If it fogs, glooms or shines, there's practically nothing else I could possibly do other than enjoy another blessed day by Him; to hold my children's hands, peck their cheeks, fuss over their meals, listen to their never-ending tales, and just simply breathe in His air into my lungs - giving me an extension of life.

Right - cut the melodrama!! What I'm perhaps trying to say is, I'm not letting the rhythm of my life be controlled by the temperamental British weather. In actual truth, instead of going all physical, I've been running a marathon reading books of various genres; from the dull indulgence of academia,

to chic lit (I reallllly tried resisting but they called and beckoned me at the car-boot pitches, 'take me home, take me, I'm only 10 or 20p'),

motivational (oooh, you wouldn't believe the amount of pep talks I voluntarily sign up to..),

and surely, spiritual (a picture of the book I'm reading is unavailable; it's actually one my dad just sent - In search of Excellence in Life: Experiences from the well known persons which include scientists, scholars, intellectuals and priests from all over the world, edited by my step uncle, Shaya'a Othman. Ergo, I've put up the pict of my all-time favourite, everyday companion).

I'll be back to share some insights that have been playing around in my head, God permitting...

If you are interested...

Time for my reviews of the books I have been presented with. I know, friends are asking already, because I have tempted them so. All the books I have chosen have one thing in common: neither one of them is a novel that you have to follow religiously from the beginning to the end. So, that was what I ended doing; I read all four books simultaneously.

Here goes:
Book 1: Growing Up in Trengganu by Awang Goneng
This book is the epitome of a compilation of picturesque descriptions. The words are clearly conjured, enough to make the reader imagine himself in the scene, so clearly painted. Emotions are evoked, and senses aroused. Food, characters, setting and emotions are all nostalgically captured. If you once drooled over Enid Blyton's cakes and scones, then you will definitely drool over Awang Goneng's beluda in cigarette tins. I don't think I have ever tasted a beluda ever, but now I'm dying to have a bite of Pok Mat's delicacy.

Being initiated by the works of Awang Goneng’s blog, http://kecek-kecek.blogspot.com/(thank you Bluewonder, but I have already visited his blogsince some time ago), it is not surprising that he often steps back, recalling bits of what he had already written in previous chapters. I am not from Trengganu but I had enough friends from that state who used the Trengganuspeak to clearly hear the words and phrases Awang Goneng uses, such as Doh Nok Wok Guane.

Being a person who was born and bred in the city, it is a wonder how the enticing words of Awang Goneng injects a feeling of balik kampung and familiarity. Nostalgia? How can that be when I was never really there before? That’s the power of Awang Goneng’s words – he transports you to the land of Trengganu through his magical words.

Book 2: Life is An Open Secret – 18 Inspirational Stories from Ordinary Life Experiences, by Zabrina A. Bakar

If you are thinking of looking for a storyteller for a story-time session, then look no further! Sis Zabrina is the person you’re looking for. Her book is a compilation of only 18 + 1 inspirational stories, but the stories are told with great impact. You can clearly imagine her, all flesh and blood, telling the story to you personally. To me, that is what makes the book special; it challenges you to reflect on your character.

The stories are simple, and some vaguely familiar, but the style of the writing beckons you to read on and turn the pages. You’d find yourself smiling at her nonchalant manner and slices of humour. Quotations are not only extracted from the Quran and Hadith, but are also from famous and wise people from all times and cultures. Among my favourite was this, by Charle Schultz:

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.

It's already tomorrow in Australia.

Even though I had finished reading this book last week, I found myself rumaging through it again, when the cookie in me was crumbling a few days ago. With Allah's help, somehow, the words certainly helped me reflect on myself and the situation I am in. Well done and thank you, Sis!

For the other two, I shall have to come back some other frosty morning...

not a bad weekend

I'd say my weekend wasn't too bad. The hospital equipments were finally collected on Friday, after such a long wait. It's a relief to see all the things go as their presence brought strong memories of Mr D's last days, full of pain and discomfort. Once the things were gone, it meant more tidying up to do. I began sorting out things that didn't belong to any of us and did all that was necessary. Somehow, I haven't yet sorted out Mr D's clothes or personal belongings. Well, all remains untouched, except for his personal documents. Phew, thank God Mr D was such a tidy and organised person - everything is in order and placed in neat folders (unlike mine!). On Saturday, I got a book through the post from the dear Kak Teh - the wonderful works of her beloved Awang Goneng: Growing Up in Terengganu. WooHoo!!! I picked up the book and read through the first few pages. I was already glued to it but somehow, the children really knew how to take me off it - calling for things to be done. So, I gave in to their calls because a book needs to be enjoyed wholeheartedly: physically and mentally, and I wasn't going to spoil it all. Once I get all these settled, I will go away to that enchanted land called Teganu with those picturesque words of Awang Goneng, don't you fret! Then, today, the K's came over with their parents (my second cousin), bringing me a bagful of things from home. Among them were some gems I had asked for - an autographed copy of Life is an Open Secret from my old chummy, Sis Zabrina (super WooHOO!!), and two more books: Tunku Halim's 44 Cemetry Road and Norma Kassim's A Walk Through Life. With all that said, I don't know why I am still here, typing away when I have four good books (minus those three from the library - yikes!) to drift off with. So, if you don't hear anything from me in the near future, you'll know where I am...

Checklists

Everything needs to be maintained to be as best as the original condition: cars, houses, friendships, work, stamina, faith, interests, communication, etc. Over time, you pause to study the damages done and try to repair or upgrade.

My life is full of checklists. Checklists for daily chores within the house, checklists for the responsibility I have with my children, checklists for the tasks I have to do and checklists of the religious commitments I have. It's a way I try to maintain the good things I have now. There are also things that I don't list down in my checklists but are often there at the back of my mind. They are things I know I should do but am playing dumb about.

Maintaining your momentum in the fast pace of life is difficult. It's challenging. It's nerve-wrecking. Nevertheless, you persevere...

I am now writing a book of checklists - a practical guide for Muslim parents and children. I'm perhaps being too ambitious but I didn't write it without a purpose. The book was aimed to help my children and perhaps could be shared with some close friends in the same situation as I am. You see, I even print out checklists for my children as a routine!

This is not the first book I have written but the first of its kind. My intention was to complete it by mid this year but ... I've got to check my own checklist first. Some may say I am too ambitious and that I should prioritise. But hey, I'm not doing this for any reason other than: I NEED THIS FOR MYSELF - literally! I already have a friend who's willing to co-write with me and that's already good news! (Yes, Sis, if you're reading, it's Y.O.U!!). God willing, I'll have it published by the end of the year. Any tips and comments??

Guilty!

I'm a loser. A total weakling unable to control her desire. Thus, this post will be a short one because I have to finish what I started.

A couple of weeks ago, I left a comment on a fellow blogger's site saying that I have been prohibited by myself not to pick up a novel. Therefore, I have been trying my very best to block out any talk about novels - reviews, comments, critiques. Spare me all of those.

Still, I've finished a book everyday this week (except for Wednesday because I was on the road a lot then). Although there are more academic books I should be buried in, I have been defeated resulting in me ignoring them. So, I'm just going to finish off this one and perhaps another one I got from the library yesterday (double guilty!) , and by Monday, I'll be reading those boring stuff till the wee hours of the morning - I promise!!