au jourd'hui c'est mon anniversaire!

At 12:05am, I was awoken from slumber by Amt. I was lying on his bed. Ingat nak baring2 je, sekali tertidur.

He tapped on my feet... I slowly opened my eyes. Then the three of them sang in unison... "Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to Along... Happy birthday to you!"

All with wide grins on their faces.

Ahhh... what a wonderful way to be woken up :)

Ina was the first to give me my birthday present on my birthday. A bookmark with my name on it. Isn't it cool? However, the honour of giving me my first present belongs to Nora. A set of Crabtree & Evelyn hand wash and lotion. Macam tau2 je my handwash dah nak habis ;) That, together with a card from K Lell, were the first things I received sempena this year's birthday. They were waiting for me on my desk at work, after a looooooong meeting regarding an upcoming "birthday celebration". The first wishes came a day early from from friends on facebook and via email.

This year I'm spending my birthday with my loved ones (last year I was all alone in Seoul)... and it feels wonderful!!

After a bit of pampering with a pre-planned facial (I knew I needed some "help" after my umrah trip... the scorching desert sun wrecks havoc on my skin), I went to KLCC for some shopping with Ina, Amt and Mama. Got a pair of shoes (Thanks Mama!), a lipstick (Thanks Amt!) and I treated myself to 2 pairs of slippers and some lingerie (partly sponsored by Bonuslink birthday vouchers).

Singgah kejap kat Habib... trying all sorts of ring. Mama offered to buy me one... within a predetermined budget of course (although I'm free to top up if I wish for something nicer, hehe). Oooohhh, so tempted! But the one I liked costs almost the same as my umrah trip and I don't feel nice about having Mama spending so much on me. So I just said "tak pe lah...". If I really want it, sampai termimpi2 tonight, then I might just go there tomorrow and get it. I'm still not into the habit of spending that much moolah on items. Holidays takpe ;)

Papa arrived home from his Alor Star trip around maghrib. The plan was to go for a dinner celebration, but we were still full from our makan2 at KLCC foodcourt and Papa wasn't feeling so well. So postponed to tomorrow.

Also postponed was a surprise outing that Ina and Amt has planned for me. Patutnya nak buat today but since I had my facial appointment, so we'll do it tomorrow. I wonder what it will be. All Ina said was to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and to bring my SLR along. She said she wanted to take me to do something/somewhere that I haven't been doing/been to for a while. Hmm... I'm not going to spoil myself by over analysing that and will let it be. A surprise is going to be much better without any expectation kan? But my guess is that we'll go somewhere yg kena jalan while taking photos. Bird park maybe? She said that we will leave around 8:30am and will habis by 3pm.

So... to all my dear friends and family, near and far... thanks so so so so so much for the birthday wishes. They mean so much to me, to know that you care to remember (albeit I'm pretty sure some are with the assistance of technology aka facebook, hehe) and that you made the effort to send in the greetings.

To a year of happiness, good health, penuh rahmat and keberkatan. AMIN!

the holy lands...

I wish I could stay there longer. Where there are no worries, nor stress. Just peace and sense of calmness.

12 days passed by so quickly... too quickly.

I have tales to tell... lessons... reminders, but that's for another entry. For now, I just wanted to leave these photos here, with hopes that I'll be visiting again... soon! :)

18 muharram...

We remember our birthdates on the Gregorian calendar, but how many of us know or even celebrate our birthday on the Islamic calendar?

This year, secara kebetulan, I am celebrating... in a good way. Because today (in about 15 hours' time) I'll be on board a plane towards Madinah & subsequently tanah suci Makkah.

I hope for a good start to my Xth year on earth... one that is blessed and filled with contentment.

AMIN

39 tips to a better life in 2009...

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day.. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. Buy a DVR and tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did in 2008.

7. Make time to practice meditation, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, OR issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16.. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the NEGATIVE BLUES away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

26. Forgive everyone for everything.

27. What other people think of you is none of your business.

28.REMEMBER GOD heals everything.

29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

33. The best is yet to come.

34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often.. (Or email them to death!!!)

37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today, I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

39. Enjoy the ride. Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

2009 wishlist...

People usually make resolutions. I'm making wishlists instead...

I wish to...

Cleanse my soul and be a better Muslim. Insyallah the process will start with umrah on 15/1 ni

Do more things with BNM Volunteers

Improve on my kelam-kabut state at work and try be better at it too. Can't continue like this... die lor...

Improve my photography skills and get one of those *photo coffee table* books done (I still haven't printed my 2007 travel photos ;o )

Get a new plush comfy mattress and maybe buy one of those mini laptops.

Be nicer to people around me

Be a good daughter to my parents. Less tantrum (hehe) and do more for them

Visit see more of the world: Hoping to visit Stockholm, Prague, Vienna, Austrian mountains, Paris, Angkot Wat, Terengganu and Kota Kinabalu (again), Tokyo

Lose weight!! haha

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Cukup lah... for now :)