Her Waffle

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. I'm writing this entry from the comfort of my bedroom in Manchester, enjoying the 3rd day of Ramadhan 1441H amidst a pandemic lockdown. It is no doubt a totally strange experience altogether, but when Allah decrees anything to happen, it will definitely happen according to His will. Ma shaa Allah. Despite the misery of being cooped up in this humble abode, Allah still gives us enough food, peaceful days and nights to do 'ibadah, strong Internet connection, and sanity, still. This whole experience should never be likened to being detained in a prison or even in a refugee camp as we get to still enjoy the luxuries of life albeit with minor limitations. Ramadhan in lockdown means we don't get to spend our taraweeh at the masjid, have sumptuous iftaar with friends and families, or even visit bazar Ramadhan (-__-"). But hey, Ramadhan doesn't stop when all these can't happen, does it? Because Ramadhan is all about growing closer and cl...

Picnic with Deramore 5.0 girls at Alexandra Park, 21 April 2018 Sebab tak lama lagi nak habis belajar kat sini dah untuk ijazah sarjana muda.  Sebab nanti mesti rindu Manchester. Sebab nanti mesti rindu musim bunga lagi. Sebab nanti tak tahu bila akan kembali. Sebab nak mengenang akan kegembiraan masa lalu juga nanti?

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Oh well, as always. I am not your frequent visitor anymore ey? If you're a person, you must be mad at me for not saying hi for so long kan? Disappeared for months and suddenly emerge out of the blue to confide in you. So, I am sorry for not updating. But truthfully, I miss you; I miss pouring my heart out here. Because you're a mere blank white page which doesn't judge me at all. You're a loyal listener and definitely a faithful friend of mine. Sooo, to make up for my long hiatus, this particular entry is gonna be a whimsical one because I just want to update, update and update. And maybe write some thoughts about life, in general. - Final year at university has been quite errmm how do I say ehh..not so hectic - but it's just me not balancing my time well and keep on doing work at the very last minute meh... But alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal, winter exam just ended last Monday - for me. We're starting our FINAL SEMESTER next ...

14 September 2015 12 June 2016 The 9-month stay in Manchester is woven with so many bittersweet memories. I still remember how I was so excited being in this country for the first time. The English homes that we passed by along the the highway from Manchester Airport to Rusholme seemed very beautiful and fascinating. The autumn breeze had also made me shivered LOL. Now that I'm accustomed to British weather, 23 degree celcius made me sweat when I wore slightly thicker clothing. Summer + autumn day in Manchester Getting excited about spring during first year (May 2016) Unforgettable road trip with Deramore 4.0 during easter break (March - April 2017) The place I'll forever miss. Kaabah & me. Masjidil Haram, Makkatul Mukarramah (April 2017) Despite the unpredictable weather here, I really enjoy the change of seasons. It's an experience full of wonders seeing how yellow orangeish Whitworth Park changed to leafless white and later to cherry blosso...

So that you can recall; Ramadhan 1437H in the UK was during summer 2016. So that you will remember there was one time that you witnessed the sky starting to get brighter at 4 in the morning. So that you know when one part of the globe is shrouded in darkness, its other side has only just begun to grow stronger. May He allow us to enjoy Ramadhan this year with barakah and rahmah. May He keep us grounded even when Ramadhan has left. [Deramore Street, Manchester] [June 5th, 2016 - 29 Shaaban 1437H]

Manchester Central Library, May 2016 (acah acah pre-exam visit) People have such strange relationships with libraries. Some would really enjoy the refreshing scent coming from those old thick dusty pages while some would simply fall asleep due to the deafening silence of this sanctuary. Strange; how silence can easily bring about so much loudness that you really can't stand being in there. It will always make you feel like an outcast. Truly, these places are not bad at all. It's just that we define peace and 'home' differently, I guess? Finishing a tub of Haagen Dazs' Pralines n Cream in an hour might not be your translation of home but maybe it is for others. Being surrounded by determined people who sit at the same spot in AG finishing their revision may just keep you motivated but not for those who find this downright intimidating. However weird this may be, just be at those places that can keep you going; that can remind you of 'home'. Because w...

Two ducks by the lake at Dunham Massey Deer Park, October 2015 Visiting classmates in York, October 2015 At Clifford's Tower with Aini, York, October 2015 Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Today is 14th October 2015 and it marks one month of us living here in the UK. Today is also the first of the Muharram 1437H, the new year according to our Islamic calendar. I reckon this as a beautiful coincidence that during the early of Muharram we are here living a new life with a fresh new spirit.  The previous entry was solely about how dreadful it is that homesickness makes me feel so lousy but alhamdulillah that feeling is slowly fading away. But I still have dreams of going back home though, enjoying my sunny days with my loved ones in Malaysia. I guess I miss home so much.  * York We went to York last Saturday, trying to escape the busy-ness of our beloved city of Manchester and indulging ourselves with the natural beauty of Yorkshire. It was ...

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. Stepping into a new journey in a new place of a foreign land feels rather strange and terrifying. What more with the fact that you are far far away from home which has all the luxuries of life that you have treasured all this while. Living here without your family is difficult and to cope with the unpredictable weather is a whole different story. I remember the first few days after my arrival in the UK that I found it super difficult to even smile at the wonderful scenery that greeted me here. It was all because of the longing to be in my mother's warm embrace under the hot sun of Malaysia again. HA HA YOU WISH! There's no such thing as a U-turn now for I ought to take the route straight ahead to get to the finish line in time. After all, this is what I've been asking from Allah, yes?   Fa biayyi ala'i Rabbikuma tukazziban. Then which of the favours of your Lord will you deny? Alhamdulillah that God sends me Aini to make me feel at home...