Going natural

I must say that I am very fortunate to have a normal skin. It's not exactly flawless but it's definitely not pimple prone and it's scar free. Now don't start cursing me coz I do get pimples but it's only on the you-know-the-day in a month and it's just luck that those pimples are small and disappear easily once my hormone stops rampaging.

Still a girl got to take care of her skin and I believe no matter how flawless your skin is, never take lightly the importance of washing it with proper cleanser. Oh come on, there's such a variety of cleanser available and most of it are more than affordable. I find it impossible when one can lather their body with rich foamy soap yet fail to paid the same attention to the same skin on their face.

On my quest to womanhood, I have tried many product as well hoping to find the best one that suits my skin and my pocket. The one that hold the first place in my heart throughout the whole years of secondary school and uni time is the Nutrimetics Apricot Cleanser. I totally worship it and savour the freshness it gives to my skin after a hot and humid day. But growing older plus long term exposure to aircond has taken its toll on my face. They became dry and pimple scars took longer than usual to fully resolve. So I had to resort to another cleanser which wouldn't strip the natural oil of my skin. I was thinking of a less chemical product too. This time I used Organic Aid Vitamin E cleanser. The result? Excellent. My skin feels so soft and supple everytime.

However, I notice that the cleanser makes my skin prone to whiteheads especially on the nose. I'm not a fan of whiteheads. They're not easy to express and only makes my pore larger. So I switched to Simple Facial Wash Gel. I'm aware of the brand for so long yet never gotten to try it coz I was thinking " Nah, it's too 'simple' " Hehe. Now I fully appreciate the simpleness of it. The most important is it contains no unnecessary chemicals, not even colour and perfume! Yet it works wonders and I really love the soothing facial toner too. It is so refreshing and cool. It's like a second bath for my skin after the cleansing. Now that's what I'm looking for. The goodness in natural.

I am trying a new deodorant stick which is actually a crystal rock. No colour and no perfume too. Am done with all the commercial ones. They only make the sweat smell worse and ruin my clothes at the armpit. Let's hope this stick successfully kill the smell and be more effective.

Nasab

Sungguh saya sangat terkejut membaca berita hari ini. 17,303 anak luar nikah melayu/tidak sah taraf didaftarkan sepanjang tahun 2009. Seriously?! Wah, scary sungguh. Bagi saya begitu besar angka tersebut. Tidak perlu dibandingkan dengan jumlah keseluruhan penduduk Malaysia. Sebagai orang Islam, jumlah sebegini sangat menakutkan, sangat menyedihkan dan sangat memalukan.

Bagaimana ni? Saya rungsing memikirkannya. Bagi saya isu ini tidak terhenti setakat kelahiran anak luar nikah sahaja. Ia melibatkan nasab keturunan. Apatah lagi bila anak-anak kecil ini ditinggalkan oleh ibu atau bapa yang tidak bertanggungjawab. Maka kebanyakkan mereka tidak mengenali bapa yang 'angkat kaki' apabila teman wanita hamil atau ibu yang meninggalkan anak di tepi surau. Bagaimana apabila masa berlalu dan anak-anak ini sudah besar kemudian melanjutkan pelajaran atau bekerja. Bagaimana jika mereka tidak mengenali adik beradik sebapa? Bagaimana jika mereka bercinta dengan adik beradik sendiri tanpa disedari akibat tidak pernah bertemu ibu kandung sendiri? Nauzubillah. Caca merba keturunan jadinya.

Islam menyarankan salah satu ciri-ciri memilih jodoh ialah dengan melihat keturunannya. Seorang rakan saya selalu berkata pada zaman akan datang mungkin kita perlu menjodohkan anak-anak kita dengan anak-anak rakan terdekat yang dikenali sahaja kerana kita kenal siapa ibu bapanya dan kita tahu bagaimana keturunannya. Peri pentingnya keturunan bukan kerana nama atau pangkat tetapi kerana darah dagingnya. Seboleh-bolehnya kita mahu memelihara keturunan agar zuriat yang lahir nanti bersih dan insyaAllah menjadi orang yang beriman dan bertakwa.

Pentingnya keturunan juga kerana ia berkait dengan kesihatan. Dengan mengetahui asal usul, sekurang-kurangnya kita dapat mengetahui sekiranya ada sebarang penyakit keturunan. Selain itu, saya pasti ramai sedia maklum kita tidak digalakkan berkahwin dengan saudara terdekat. Setakat ini saya pernah berjumpa dengan beberapa pesakit kanak-kanak yang mempunyai pelbagai penyakit dan sindrom yang apabila dilihat sejarah, ibu bapa mereka mempunyai ikatan persaudaraan.

Apa akan jadi pada generasi akan datang? Bagaimana hendak menyedarkan masyarakat Islam kita. Masalah zina ini bukan terhad pada golongan muda mudi sahaja, malah ada yang telah berpangkat datuk. Sudah tua tetapi masih lalai dengan godaan dunia. Masih ligat berlibur. Ada juga yang tidak tahu hukum hakam agama. Ingat lagi satu kes tahun lepas di Pahang di mana seorang bapa mertua berkahwin dengan menantunya sendiri setelah kematian anak lelaki beliau. Alasannya takut tidak manis dipandang orang bila dia selalu datang menziarahi cucu-cucu di rumah menantu. Ya Allah, kalau perkara asas sebegini pun tidak tahu, bagaimana?! Cucu-cucu pun keliru datuk telah menjadi 'bapa tiri'. Nasib baik ada jiran-jiran yang prihatin dan melaporkan kepada pihak berkuasa. Kalaulah ada anak yang lahir hasil hubungan itu?

Sesungguhnya begitu besar cabaran di zaman moden ini. Agama saja yang dapat menyelamatkan kita. Sekarang ini ramai juga golongan ibu bapa muda yang sedar akan pentingnya didikan agama. Ramai muslim yang berpendidikan dan berjaya dalam bidang profesional menekankan Islam dalam didikan mereka. Saya harap ada lebih ramai ibu bapa sebegini, yang dapat menjadi contoh tauladan yang baik kepada anak-anak mereka. Sesungguhnya saya takut memikirkan bagaimana zaman anak-anak kita nanti.

Ya Allah Ya Rahim, peliharalah keturunan kami.

Soaring high

What does it feels like to soar freely high up above the sky? Will the wind still feel lovely on one's face? Will one be able to open their eyes and marvel at the sight of gaze? Or will the adrenaline rush becomes too unbearable?

I really admire those who did bungee jumping. They have enough guts inside them just to step over the platform. I don't think the head down feet up position plunging down is the most bravest thing to do. I think it's the moment when you actually jump, when you actually took that one (could be very small) leap of faith.

I'm not afraid of heights. But I'm very afraid of the possibilities. What if it's not correctly tied? What if I collide with a bird? What if the rope cut loose? What if and what if.

That's what stop me from bungeeing myself at New Zealand. Apart from the 90NZD (around RM200) for one jump and a certificate. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Whereas before the trip I was so excited and determined. This could be my once in a lifetime opportunity only. Guess I'm really not that brave after all.

But I did Swoop. Which is 'soaring' as well like a junior to bungy. But instead of tied up with a cord only, in Swoop we're cocooned inside a special harness. Then we're raised into the air and by pulling a ripcord we're sent plunging down the earth at a super fast speed. But we can swoop three person at a time. So, there's the comforting feeling of hanging high and plunging down with someone else and though we didn't have to step over the platform, one of us have to pull the ripcord ourselves and the consent was given to someone which is not me. I prefer to anticipate the fall not initiate it. Hehe. The feeling? Sort of like Solero Space Shot at Genting. You left your heart and your stomach up there.

So:

• Did I scream? - Yes.
• Did I freak out? - Yes.
• Was I scared? - Out of this world.
• If given the chance, will I proceed with bungy? - Err, we'll see.

Weee~ We're swooping the air.

:: First picture was the lovely feet of Peej and me swinging a giant swing at Penang's Tropical Spice Garden. The swing, build on top a small hill overlook a part of the beautiful peaceful garden. It is a very interesting and unique garden where you can see all the herbs plant (some are very rare) and learn about spices. It's a very stimulating olfactory experience as well. Located near Batu Ferringhi, it's really a must visit.

Sunshine

When I wake up in the morning

Sunshine's falling on my skin

And I call you up to tell you

What a happy mood I'm in

Feel the rhythm in my body

And sing is all I wanna do

I feel the day will bring me sunshine

For it's another day with you

_Nikki Daniels_

Sudah sebulan dua hari kami bertunang. Tapi terasa macam baru minggu lepas saja cincin disarung. Hehe.

Sebelum ini tidak pernah komplian memakai cincin. Sebiji cincin emas pun tak ada. Kalau cincin silver ada la dalam sebentuk dua. Masa dulu barang-barang kemas silver kan agak popular. Jadi sibuk nak beli juga. Tapi pakainya berapa kali saja. Di rumah saya lebih selesa dengan bare hand. Bila sudah kerja pun serupa. Di klinik sentiasa mahu cuci tangan selepas jumpa pesakit. Jadi malas mahu pakai cincin. Nanti kena pakai buka pakai buka. Kalau tak buka takut rosak kena Surgi Scrub.

Tapi selepas dirisik dan bertunang, semangat mahu pakai cincin. Hehe. Biar la pakai buka pakai buka di klinik pun saya rela. Perasaan memakai cincin tunang ini lain rupanya. Selain faktor mahal (emas mana yang tidak mahal sekarang kan), mungkin faktor kasih sayang yang terkandung dalam cincin-cincin itu. Saya suka cincin tunang saya. Suka amat. Terima kasih sweetheart =)

Sekarang sudah bulan tiga. Persiapan baru beberapa peratus. Hmm, banyaknya benda perlu fikir dan buat. I must say we're going through a most exciting and sweet journey in our life. Come on wak! Brainstorm! Hehe.

:: Picture of sunflower by him from a visit to Laman 2008

What's done is undone

Have you ever feel like you wish some things never happen? Have you ever wonder why oh why it wasn't what you thought it was? Have you ever felt stunned because the things that were special to you wasn't as special as it seem to be? Have you ever hope that you can turn back the time and deal with the damage right there and then? Well, I have. Lots of time actually. Hehe.

The thing is, it's life. It's reality. We won't always get what we want the way we want. Those good things are mostly dreams. Fairy tales. Not everyone are lucky to have it all. But it's good to have dreams and sometimes to believe in fairy tales. That way we still have hope and life wouldn't be so dull. But it still hurts when dreams are crushed. Right?

It's important that we should always hope for the best in future. What's life without tears and joys? We whine and complain but I realized I should be thankful with what I have. I am, really I am. What's done is undone. Get over it. Heh.

Have you ever wish that you can celebrate prosperity all year long? Kah kah.

Love, Trust, Honesty

What happens when love stands but with no trust and honesty? What happens when love gets betrayed? I believe it's a question that cannot be answered easily.

Recently, a friend of mine got married again. Yes, again. It's just a coincidence that we found out. His wife happens to be a friend of mine too. He divorced her (for the second time!) which he married only 2 or 3 years ago to get married to the new one. The thing is, before this we have been hearing about this guy flirting and cheating around behind his wife at his workplace. Not only ordinary flirting as some of his act are unacceptable as a muslim. We were quite shocked since he doesn't look like that kind of person way back in UKM. Then they got divorced but make amends soon after only a few months. I know she loves him very much. I guess this time she just couldn't take it anymore.

His new wife is my junior. Oh my, have the world gone smaller? I'm really confuse as to why she accept him as they work in the same company and she should have known about his philandering behaviour. I don't believe in the statement 'love is blind'. In this world now, love cannot be blind. Well, people make choices in their life and we may not understand it. I just wish she would understand the feeling of another woman before she got involved with the man.

A woman must value her dignity and never be the third person. Even if you like a person so very much, be it someone's husband, fiance or even just boyfriend. Please respect the fact that the person is already in a relationship. Stop right there. Because if you didn't, it just shows how desperate you are and how selfish you are. A selfish person who didn't care about other person as long as she gets what she wants. Yes, jodoh di tangan tuhan (the simplest excuse). But, that's where akal and iman takes place. You're not forced, it's you yourself who makes the choice with your own brain. And you have Iman, to reason your feelings. Don't you feel guilty with the other woman? I myself have liked someone before but I never go beyond when I know he's already seeing someone. Besides, what goes around may comes around.

To the man, I simply wish he will honestly love his new wife and be a good husband. It's enough that you've destroyed a good woman's heart. Please stop breaking others.

Love, trust, honesty. They stand strong and well together. I just hope everybody would see it like this.

:: Picture googled

Cerita lalu

Ok. Sudah dua bulan tapi masih tidak update cerita jalan2 NZ. Kami pergi selama dua minggu, terlalu banyak nak cerita rasanya. Tangguh punya tangguh sebab tak tahu nak mula dari mana. Baik lah, mengaku saja. Sebenarnya saya malas. Hee. Biarlah ia menjadi pengalaman manis kami sahaja.

Ampun.

Lain kali dalam post yang lain, mungkin saya akan bercerita dan relate kepada NZ bila ada kaitan. Kalau begitu sekarang kita tengok gambar saja lah.

Saya eksyen saja, ambil gambar di universiti orang. Di Otago tiada bidang optometri.

Suka sangat buildings kat sini. Masa ni tengah tunggu Wani ambil jubah graduasi dia. Rasa macam dalam cerita Harry Potter. Hehe.

Seriously Harry Potter

The next day. In front of Dunedin Town Hall. Konvo sudah! Congrats Wani. Or should I say Dr Syazwani =)

Apakah?

Lepas konvokesyen, kami pergi bergambar di Dunedin Botanic Garden.

Post graduation the next day. Sebelum meninggalkan Dunedin.

Bawah ini gambar semasa hari konvokesyen. Otago tiada dewan besar jadi majlis diadakan di Dunedin Town Hall. Pekan Dunedin yang cantik dan tenang ini kecil saja. Jadi bakal graduan ada Graduation Parade, mereka berjalan kaki saja dari universiti ke town hall. Kiranya satu cara mereka diraikan juga la. Siap ada band piping bag dan pensyarah semua join sekali. Seronok ah sebab penduduk setempat yang tengah shopping2, keluar lunch, pun sama-sama berbaris di tepi jalan hendak melihat parade ini.

Sekian tayangan gambar hari ini.
Nite y'all!