RANDOM.....as the new moon appears

Now…
Out of sheer randomness, Antu would like to talk about

How my 1st morning of Ramadhan started

I was sitting at the counter as usual. And at normal basis, the mall guard would stand by near the counter.

Suddenly he asked *translate* "Salam, I'm sorry to disturb you, but can you translate this in English?" .I replied yes. And he pulled out his small little book (buku 555-I havent seen this book in ages) and a pen, started writing in Arabic. I was stunned.
As he continued to write in that small paper, i was mesmerised and impressed by such beauty in his writing and his memory.

Why? It is a very rare to see a person writes in Arabic nowadays. And he is a young lad. Kids nowadays barely write Jawi and this kid can write it without hesitation. (I have to apologies, this sentences is applied to the surroundings I am in especially my work place and my lifestyle)

He stops, and looked at me *translate* “Akak*, it’s this sentence”. And ask me to read it. (*Akak means big sister-mostly people would use it to show respect)




I admit that I was never good in reading Arabic or reciting the Quran. And with the little knowledge that I had, I tried my best to read it. (Honestly, to rate myself in a scale of 1 to 10, I'd be close to 1 or 2 only)

I looked at him, and confessed that I need help from him to actually explain to me the meaning of it in Malay. He recites it in Arabic, and then translates:

“Hai orang-orang yang beriman, diwajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagaimana diwajibkan atas orang-orang sebelum kamu. Tujuan agar kalian takut dengan Allah”

He apologised if the meaning wasn’t that accurate. And pass me the book. I jotted it down and start to translate it in English.

I gave it back to him.

After a while I remembered my sister advised. She stated that the Quran uses beautiful words and sentences that need the right and proper way to translate it. So that its beauty can be understand.

I call him back to ask him regarding the book and explain to him that I need to translate it again according to the write and best English translation.

He then pointed out that the book wasn’t for him, it was for his friend, another guard who was post at the entrance of the mall.

“Call him here”, I requested. And the boy came, a bit shy and looking down on the floor. “Give me the book and I’ll help you get the accurate meaning in Bahasa and English”

So my research in the translation had begun.

I started reading articles and search through the internet.

"Wahai orang-orang yang beriman, diwajibkan atas kamu berpuasa sebagaimana diwajibkan atas orang-orang sebelum kamu agar kamu bertakwa, (iaitu) dalam beberapa hari yang tertentu. Maka jika di antara kamu ada yang sakit atau dalam perjalanan (lalu dia berbuka), maka (wajiblah baginya berpuasa) sebanyak hari yang ditinggalkan itu pada hari-hari yang lain. Dan wajib bagi orang-orang yang berat menjalankannya (jika mereka tidak berpuasa) membayar fidyah, (yaitu) memberi makan seorang miskin. Barangsiapa yang dengan kerelaan hati mengerjakan kebajikan, maka itulah yang lebih baik baginya. Dan berpuasa lebih baik bagimu jika kamu mengetahui. (Beberapa hari yang ditentukan itu ialah) bulan Ramadhan, bulan yang di dalamnya diturunkan (permulaan) Alquran sebagai petunjuk bagi manusia dan penjelasan-penjelasan mengenai petunjuk itu dan pembeda (antara yang hak dan yang batil). Karena itu, barangsiapa di antara kamu hadir di bulan itu, dan barangsiapa sakit atau dalam perjalanan (lalu ia berbuka), maka (wajiblah baginya berpuasa), sebanyak hari yang ditinggalkannya itu, pada hari-hari yang lain." (Al-Baqarah 183-185).

As I was going through and reading further, I heard a soft Quran recitation behind me. To my surprise, the boy was standing and smiling while reciting the Quran on my screen. And behind him, were 2 more guys were standing listening and reading.

These guys were very happy and smiled at me, asking me the meaning in English. I was a bit shy and admit that I am never good and only have little knowledge of the Quran.

I volunteer to write the meaning in his small little book.

They left the counter and the guard continued his duty.

This got me thinking.

How beautiful such feelings can be. How wonderful such emotions would be. They left by giving salam to each other. They left by shaking hand and exchanging smiles.

These kids* have this beautiful spiritual attachment in their hearts and they share it with others. (pardon me, but I call them kids as I like to label myself being an old person and a big sister to others)

The guard is a Sabahan (if I’m not mistaken) and the two others were Bangladeshi, working in Village Grocer at the mall. I assume the reason why they were interested in the translation is because they can share it with each other and they can share it with the others.

As my eyes wondered around, I noticed that they are like one big family, going about giving salam and smiling to each other all around. Not to just their foreign friends, but also to locals, as they greeted one of my concierge team with a hand shake when he arrived.

I must say, it is truly an eye opener and great wake up call for me. I got to taste a small percentage on how beautiful the hood can be and witness the splendour of Ramadhan.

It was truly beautiful indeed.

What do you think? Write your views and comments about the column. I would like to hear your opinions. Anything & everyone is welcome

RANDOM.....life in cartoon motion

funny i tell ya =D

What do you think? Write your views and comments about the column. I would like to hear your opinions. Anything & everyone is welcome.

RANDOM.....black&white love

Now…
Out of sheer randomness, Antu would like to talk about

LAT

Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, more commonly known as Lat, (born 5 March 1951) is a Malaysian cartoonist --wikipedia.com

I grew up with his 'karya' (works). In my opinion, his works are genuinely awesome. Even though i have read it trillions of times, yet, when i read again, still makes me laugh =D

"Tak lekang dek panas, tak lapuk dek hujan"

its a Malay saying which means ‘it would last through any harsh weather’ – a metaphor used for any karya (great works) of an artist.

His works includes all subjects.
From the yummyness of banana leaf....
...to government officers.....
...to dealings of teenage crisis......
.....or odd situations in a chinese restaurant....
......even transportation.....
...and of course....durians.......
....yummy...yummy...durians.....
And at the end of the day, the massage that he trys to convey is hidden, yet beautifully constructed to be deliveried into the people's hearts.

=D


And for the love i have for Dato' Lat, I would like to make a shout-out:

KEEP ROCKIN THAT HAIR-DO.....IT's AWESOME!!!!

What do you think? Write your views and comments about the column. I would like to hear your opinions. Anything & everyone is welcome.

RANDOM.....uphill feeling

Now…
Out of sheer randomness, Antu would like to talk about

Being in the BRIGHTSIDE clan

"I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet"

3 days ago my sis and I had a motorcycle accident.
Last 3 weeks, I had to tow my car to a workshop
Last 3 month I had a flat tyre.

As we sat waiting for the doctor to come back with the x-ray, my sister giggles at my silly jokes.
While my car was being towed, I sat in the truck with those men and they were chuckling at my anecdotes.
As I sat on the side of the road, looking at my flat tyre, I had a smile on my face as my heart was making gibes.

It’s funny how I can still find a ray of sunshine in a gloomy day. People around me have often asked how I can be so positive. When situation seems to be so difficult, I tend to be a bit optimistic.

"I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet"

It’s an old Persian proverb. I had come across this aphorism when I was watching NCIS. Ducky was telling his intern and explaining how situation can be such a pain in the *ss, but still, you can think on the brighter side.


Yes, sometimes I do cry at night, when things aren’t going my way and I tend to be dejected.
Yes, I do sometimes hide away my tears if things sadden me.
Yes, I am human, to add up, I’m an Eve, whom can cry in any given hard situation.
And yes, it is no shame, at all, to display your emotions and you can cry if you want to.

My sister had to do an x-ray. When we fell off the bike, I landed on top of her head. I had a big cut on my knee. We have bruises and cuts on our hands and legs to add it up.
My car’s engine was jammed, resulted to no motor oil. I had to buy a new engine and that cost more than I have in my bank account.
My car didn’t have a spare tyre and I have be at work in 30 minutes. There was nobody around because everybody’s already at work.
But I don’t know why. At these given hard times or situations, my mind and heart tend to think on the bright side.

I had no broken bones and I can send my sister to the emergency ward, on the bike.
I was safely on the side of the road, at 8.30pm, after the rush hour, on Friday.
I wasn’t in the car when the tyre went flat.

And I thank God, the Almighty. Still, I was fortunate.



These hard times will make us stronger.
These hard times will make us wiser.
These hard times will make our skin thicker.


Learn to value live and love.
Be more grateful and minimize arguments or complains.
I learn the value of money at the age of 18. But these children didn’t

TrashPickers
FisherMan
TheFarmer
TheCleaner
ConstructionWorker

I am still blessed to have food on my table, a roof over my head, a pillow when I sleep, a family to go home to, beautiful friends to talk to....and many more.


Dont count your blessings....just appriciated them more.

What do you think? Write your views and comments about the column. I would like to hear your opinions. Anything & everyone is welcome

RANDOM.....the same passion, the same contribution

Now…
Out of sheer randomness, Antu would like to talk about

Unsung Heroes - Contributors & Supporters


There was a family who stood there watching. And their son caught my eye.
No, he wasnt good looking.
And no, i wasnt eyeing nor glaring at him.

He just stood there, watching the group.

As Kirby, Kevin, Richard and his wife were trooping, he stared at the group. With no expression on his face.

Nor scare, nor happy.

Just stood there, watching.

The father tried so many time, pushing him to go to the troopers to take a photo, but the son indicates that he didnt want to.
The family stood there, watching the son, watching us.
Then the father noticed that i was staring at them. I quickly looked away.
He reached into his pocket, gave it to his son, and pointed towards me.

As he came, walking, i knelled down, for him to gave his family's charity contribution.

And as he was putting it inside the box, i kept looking at him.
He looked at me, and i smiled.

"Thank you.....thank you very much...."

The kid with no expression, I'd tell you, when he was putting the charity inside that box, his face just lids up. When I thank him, he smiled.
Yes, he smiled.
And as he was walking back towards his family, the father, mother and his brother, cheered and clapped for him.

I bow down, indicating thank you, to the family.

As they turned and walkaway, i saw the family patted the son's back, stating well done, and the son just smiled and was very proud of himself.
He had the most beautiful smile i've ever seen.

I hold the box in front of my face, and yes, i started to shed some tears.

I looked towards the group, and i saw Kirby as the stormtrooper posing with visitors, never a dull moment that he wouldnt pose for the camera and shaking hands with the kids. Kevin, the imperial officer, whom always there trooping and being a sport, posing for pictures. Richard and his wife, Biker scout and Jawa, side by side, creating a power house. And there was Dave, whom always carried the banner all day, assisting and up-to-toe for each picture taken. Ivan and Azizul, both camera men, capturing each moment and also making sure everybody's ok. And there was also Tara and Deneb, Richard's children. They were always there, assisting the posters, taking pictures and videos together.


And then i remember the last week event. Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon festival. Where the 501st family gathered and show their support for charity. That moment was beautiful. Almost amazing. Helping,side by side, to raise fund for the Japanese Tsunami Relief. All came to support the event. Even the ones who cant make it, their support shines by comments, texting and wishes.


At that moment, what i encounter, what i saw, and what i remembered in my mind, made me suck up my tears, and kept going. It was a new found strength, that inspire me to push just a bit longer and make the best out of everything.

And boy, was it worth it.

Yes, we were proud of it.

I am proud of them.

I am honoured to be with them.

In the name of charity, and sharing the same passion, we raise fund.


The 501st family, helped to raise fund. Supporting each other.
=)




I stood there watching. At a family. The son caught my eye.
No, he wasnt good looking.
And no, i wasnt eyeing nor glaring at him.


He was a down-syndrome kid.
and he had the most beautiful smile of all
=)

Lady: "where're hans solo....?"
501st: "we dont have him..."
Lady: "why?....you should, you know..."
501st: "we're the bad guys...."
Lady: "the bad guys....?"
501st: "yup, the bad guys...."

and bad guys it is,
not bad
not bad at all...

What do you think? Write your views and comments about the column. I would like to hear your opinions. Anything & everyone is welcome