two sentences

So I'm back in Malaysia. Again.

And I'm just going to put down two lines here: 

1. Please kindly return a smile. 

2. Always remember to say thank you, and when someone thanks you, acknowledge their gratitude. 

shoe-safe guarantee

Back in the land of calorie-laden food! 

Sure, fun to see my family and all that, but let's focus on the main point here...

Is it just me, or boutiques are crazy popping up in Bangi? I'm not a jubah person (as you would already know...) but man, these places have the nicest jubahs in the world. 

We went to several stores with Aunty M to choose her birthday present (fail). Our efforts weren't in vain though, because I did learn something that day - well, more like, pondered something.

WHY DO BOUTIQUES ASK US TO TAKE OFF OUR SHOES?!

I assume the logic behind shoe removal is for hygiene reasons, or they're worried we'll get their wooden floors pierced by stiletto heels?

But what if some people feel exposed or vulnerable upon removing their shoes? And how would you guarantee that we'll see them again when we leave the store? You never know if a cat would nick those shoes outside, do you...

Some don't even give salaam! Please, go ahead and coldly look at me in the eye and then ignore me, so nice to shop here.

Bahahah forgive me, clearly something horrible has gotten into me.

not butter

"*inserts some religious rituals procedure that eventually turns out as inaccurate* IMPORTANT!! PLS SHARE"

"*types some """fact""" about the Prophet and how he loved to (insert)* PLS SPREAD THIS"

"*shares some misguided information about the true faith* RT IF YOU LOVE ISLAM"

"*writes a paragraph on some non-existent day, e.g., Different-Faiths-Burn-Quran-Day*"

*attaches a picture of a Hadith, only to find out it was fake, but keeps it anyway because you have 3,000 RTs* 

*uploads photoshopped pictures of a celebrity supporting (insert) or condemning (insert), garnering said person numerous bashful comments*

*publishes hateful rumours about an unresolved issue, have 40239939110 users liking your post, in which, was completely inaccurate and defective in the end*  

If the Internet is ice cream, one can say that social networks are the cherries, granted that we use it for good, instead of spreading false information, which may lead to fitnah, by the way.

Let us all do a little research before spreading, sharing and retweeting. Google it, check its authenticity, share/RT if true, inform the tweeter (I think I just invented a word, really, tweeter??? but whatevs) if it's a hoax. 

Go on guys, do our homework.

Kindly correct me should I have posted untruth. (because, come on, heels can't help me with this.) 

so domestic

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

I love my Bibi. I do. Alhamdulillah I have been blessed to have (and had) two wonderful women taking care of me at home. 

picture off google

The first one was Bibi A, who sticked with me since my very first years up to the point where I was a jumpy 8-year old. When she had to return to Wonosobo, Indonesia, I was devastated. Fortunately, a few months later, my granddad and I had a lovely grandpa-granddaughter trip to Jogja and paid a visit to Bibi A's house. I was in tears when we departed to the airport, knowing that I won't be having Bibi A around (so what if I wailed, I was 9, get over it, haha).

Soon came Bibi Y, who replaced Bibi A. She is an amazing cook (she makes really good lasagna), a tech savvy, and one whom I insisted that she learn how to drive. Of course when she first came I felt a little distant, but now, gee I love her so much. Bibi Y flew to Malaysia when I was in Year 3, and is currently on a holiday in Jawa Tengah.

My parents frequently (and jokingly) mock me for the fact that I can't even fry an egg. Pffft I can bake and frost delicate cakes - could you do that when you were 16, Mama? Haa.

There was that one time in class when my Sejarah teacher asked me if I could make some ikan goreng and I had to sheepishly mumble "Boleh, kot..." and tolerate the whole class snickering. Oh, I bet you guys don't even know how to make ikan goreng, too. I'm not the only one, pffft.

Normally, when Bibi Y is enjoying her one-month holiday (probably off on a beach with a juice and the mini umbrella thing with her son right now), Bibi A will come to our aid. She'd fly to KL and I'd be the happiest person alive. Over the years, we grew very close and I used to have conversations with her daughters once in a blue moon.

However, Bibi A is nearing her senior citizen years and in order to respect her... I won't be having her as a Bibi anymore. 

and that, is, why, I am bibi-less this school holiday. 

or not really that bibi-less, as my aunt's Bibi, Bibi H, comes during the day on weekdays.

But Bibi H is at my cousin's on weekends, and even if she's here from Mon till Fri, she has my baby cousin to take care of, so yes, I can be considered as bibi-less.

So I learnt how to steam iron on YouTube! So proud of myself. (I bet you didn't know how to steam iron clothes when you're 16, Abah, haha). I also ironed Abah's trousers! I improved, the last time I ironed my tudung it got burnt and had to be thrown away - bibi Y laughed a little too much before blabbing on the proper way of ironing.

Abah thinks that I can't sweep. Ha, I swept and wiped the floor, it's squeaky clean now. *winks at Bibi for teaching*

I do laundry everyday! It's really easy, I mean, you just press a few buttons and voila, they're all clean. The folding part is a bit tricky, and if I can't resort on using hangers, those pants and shirts are going to look like a hastily flipped omelette. 

My bibi is garang, ok. Bibi Y would kill me if I ever messed the stack of clothing she meticulously folded. 

Despite her being strict and all, I am so, so, grateful to have Bibi Y, because otherwise the whole house would turn upside down, all the insides jumbled up as if our house had just been destroyed by a tornado (naudzubillahi min zalik). Cepat balik, bibi! Hehe.

My parents constantly remind me to love and respect our Bibi. They take care of us, bathe us when we're kids, teach us a lot of things that we can't personally get elsewhere, like being grateful for what we have and to count our blessings. Y'all crying for iPhone5s, my bibi's husband passed away when she was pregnant with their first son, can't afford to have a house, yet she's very strong, and she takes things in her stride.

God bless us with so much that we lose track of it sometimes, forgetting how He can take it all away in a flash.

shawwal 1434H

ismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalammualaikum.

Taqabbalallahu minna wa minkum. May Allah accept our deeds in the succeeding month of Ramadhan. 

I deeply apologise for my wrongdoings, my hey-it's-not-nice-to-blog-something-like-that, my words... basically my everything. Hehe.

Recently, I wrote a Niexter article on Eid Etiquette. Thought I'd share it here.

The Dos and Dont's of Eid-ul-Fitr are highlighted. 

Eid Etiquette

Eid-ul-Fitr would be one of the meritorious aspects of Shawal, the month succeeding Ramadhan. During this prosperous time of the year, Islam has prescribed an elegant approach of celebrating. There are several do's and don't's when observing this day.

First and foremost, wake up early. It is recommended to take a bath after dawn for Eid prayer. Put on your best clothes. For Malaysians, the customary practice would be to wear baju kurung, baju kebaya or jubah. The men would have their baju Melayu's on. Don't overdress! You're not going to a birthday party, afterall.

Before going out to the mosque with your family, have breakfast. You may opt for some good, mouth-watering ketupat or rendang if you like. However, it is narrated that the Prophet would consume dates and they are usually odd-numbered. Eating in the morning emphasizes the fact that the one-month fasting in Ramadhan has ended. Besides, it is forbidden to fast on the first of Shawwal.

Ever wondered about the calls that you hear in the morning? That's the takbeer! Takbeer starts from the night before Eid. Whether you're in the car or simply on foot to the mosque, recite takbeer. The moment the Imam enters to lead Eid prayer, the period of takbeer would end.

Once you're at the mosque, you would witness a huge number of Muslims gathered in different hues of traditional attires. Offer Eid prayer in congregation. This once-in-a-year prayer may be performed at any time between sunrise until the sun reaches its zenith. Preferably, Eid prayers are to be performed at a conducive open field. Nevertheless, it can also be done in a mosque that can accommodate plenty of people.

An obligation for every adult Muslim that has more wealth than that of the amount they need is to pay Zakat-al-Fitr. Normally, our parents pay on behalf of themselves and us. Paying the Zakat before the congregational prayer would be advisable. The Zakat are then given to those who are entitled to receive, such as those who live in poverty.

Upon completing Eid prayers, the Khatib would recite khutbah. Khutbah serves to preach the public. During the khutbah, you should never talk for it decreases your rewards. Engaging yourself in a conversation is not recommended. Unlike Friday prayers, Eid prayer preceds the Khutbah.

Oh yeah, use a seperate route to and from the praying ground. You would be able to meet different people along the way. Offer Eid greetings and smile. You would most likely make your Eid, and their Eid too!

please kindly correct me if I posted anything false.