Prague: Prague Castle (^^)

So we are still in Prague Castle.. *Virtual tour kono*

So after St George's Basilica, I went to the permanent exhitbition; "The Story of Prague Castle". Picture taking was not allowed so everything is well kept in my memory hehe Well, there were huge chambers inside. I remember one chamber has the crown with colourful jewels on it, enclosed in a glass cube. There were portraits of the Bohemian kings, the ornaments and costumes they used to wear and some china.

Then I went to search for the Golden Lane but I ended up at the castles' gardens. There's nothing much to see in winter but I bet they are very lovely in spring. Everything was leafless, dry and brown in winter.. there is a lookout there where you can get a nice view of the town.

 

Nampak putih2 di tangga itu? Itu snow ok! (^^)

That's one of the garden there. Nothing much in winter (-_-")

When I took this picture, I was standing right next to a vineyard. Went down those steps and it led me to a street. And on my last day there, I found out there is one train station a few minutes walk from that street. So x perlu la kamu bersusah payah menyeberang Charles Bridge kalau malas. But still, I think for a Malaysian, that is quite a distance to go on foot.. Kita kan x berapa biasa berjalan :P

So after taking pictures over this side of the castle, I walked back to the direction of St. Vitus Cathedral to find the Golden Lane.. O0o0 I actually missed the sign.. It was hidden behind other buildings and the access to it was only a narrow alley that's easily ignored sebab macam tiada apa2 di situ okies!

So this is the Golden Lane.. I really hate my camera right now because the colour of the buildings are actually more vibrant than this (-_-")

So what is this place? Well, it's a line of ancient houses; used to be dwelt by goldsmiths in the 17th century where they've attempted some alchemy to turn metal into gold *Terus terbayang Full Metal Alchemist*

There were ancient weapons displayed there but I took this one to my liking..

 Crown in the castle + this = Jack the Giant Slayer!!!!!!!

Imagination runs wild when you are traveling alone~

I went inside of course. This is the picture of the steps that led to the upper floor where there's a medieval  armoury display. I've never been to Europe before so this was my first time seeing them so agak kagum! Reminds me of Fantaghiro, Tarabas and Ramualdo~

Hurm.. Minta tolong stranger amek gambar, mesti berdiri tegak jak (-_-")

Anyway.. I was actually thinking at that time.. "Wow.. mesti orang dulu2 tough bole muat dalam armour begini"

and a few seconds after that, I caught the sight of this!

Yah! armour untuk mereka mereka yang buncit! Heeee They didn't make the pants.. Takot nda muat kali hehe :p

Kagum dengan ini jugak!!!! (0_o)

Some of the interior of these houses were made to look like the medieval times. There were bedrooms, kitchen and bars.. And some turned into souvenir shops. The above is a window of a shop selling wooden puppets and toys. Teringin jugak mo beli satu.. Tapi.. X pa la nanti kumpol habuk jak.. *Padahal mahal!!* 

The last building to visit was the Rosenberg Palace. I don't have the picture of the building.. and they don't allow taking pictures in it BUT!!!! My greatest discovery in this building was the PORTABLE LAVATORY!

Rosenberg Palace was once resided by unmarried noblewomen with the of age 24 and above (Pergh! Aku layak!) during the 18th century. They were those pious ones I guess because the room has the kneeling prayer bench and a bible there. And at one side of the room stood the PORTABLE LAVATORY

I'm not a good artist.. Well, I have no talent at all when it comes to drawing but I want to make this as clear as possible to you. I know there are portable toilet for camping; the one that you can carry around that looks like a a stool with a hole in the middle. This is almost like that but it's made of high quality wood with glossy finishing.. And the seat is cushioned. There's a white porcelain bowl inside.. And the lid cover is also cushioned so if it's not in use and with the cover on top, it will look just like a an expensive-looking comfortable stool..

Well, after that it started to snow outside. Melompat gembira sebab xpernah rasa snow \(^^)/

Went to look what the dungeon looked like and saw the ogreish looking torture tools.. Then I decided to leave the castle ground and explore the other parts of Hradcany.. I just follow where the crowd goes and voilla, they brought me to Loreta!

I don't know much about Loreta because it was closing when I got there. All I know is it's a pilgrimage destination. 

So to close my visit to this part of the city.. I treat myself with a huge plate of Arab food and mocha!

Percayalah... Portion yang besar ini berjaya ku habiskan! Yaw!

Read More

Prague: St Vitus Cathedral

First and foremost.. I think my parents are weird heeee

During those weeks before the Boracay trip, I frequently asked them whether I could go or not.. It's very weird for both of them to persistently say NO.. Usually, either one of them will be on my side. One evening, I found a letter from Ketua Polis Negara on my table. Penangguhan Lawatan Ke Filipina. Yeah~ The title was something like that.. Said to my friends

"Pelik weyh parents aku x bagi pegi.. Aku jadi x sedap hati pulak.."

What's even more weird was their calm reaction when I said I'm going to Prague alone~

GG: Mommy.. Adik pergi Prague.. Dekat Czech Republic. That's somewhere next to and a little bit below Germany.. Adik pergi sorang tau..
Mommy: Bestnya! Take care! Musim apa tu ah sekaranf?

GG: Babah, aku x jadi pi Filipin.. Pi Czech. Sorang2...
Babah: Bekas Soviet bha tu kan.. Bha. Hati2 saja

Monolog dalaman... "Ok~ Ganjil~"

So Second day in Prague~ (^^)/

Prague castle is so0o0o0o0 huge that you definitely can't miss the sight of it. It looked so magnificent even from afar. You can see clearly the minarets of St. Vitus cathedral jutting among the roofs of the other buildings in the castle ground.. The weather was a lot better that morning. Still cold but the sky was clear, though the sun was hidden behind some clouds.

Crossed the Charles Bridge for the second time and followed the signage to the castle. Yes, it was written in Czech hee

Naaaa~ Hehe maen agak2 jak la kan which route to take. I have a map with me but it was not that helpful. The path towards the castle is slightly sloped for a few hundred meters so kita kena fit!!! But I was walking on cobblestone and between colourful buildings so I was quite overwhelmed by the surrounding that I didn't feel tired.. Tapi itula susah travel sorang2~ You have to contain your excitement. Kalo nda, mungkin aku suda  melompat lompat gembira... (^^") hee~

The gate alone was immensely stunning. But I found the baroque style statues were a bit disturbing because one was a man with a club in his hand and the other with a dagger; both in a position ready to assault. Two guards were standing still there at the entrance. Not moving at all; not even a twitch! But I actually caught one of them looking at me. No he didn't move a muscle. Only the eyes moved.. Mungkin sebab aku gagal menutup excitement atau penampilan aku yang ganjil dari tourist laen pada saat dan ketika itu..

So I went in.. Berjalan sambil memandang ke kiri ke kanan ke atas dan ke bawah seperti jakun.. Memang aku tengah jakun pon. I had palpitations and was in awe.. The uniqueness of the architecture and the opulence that surrounds me.. MashaAllah~ Hebat betol akal manusia anugerah Allah ini~ Serius aku jakun gila!

So, once you walk in, you'll find yourself in a square where there's a fountain, again designed in baroque style. Then you'll see this incredible building, St. Vitus Cathedral. Again I was in awe.. (0_o)

This was my first time seeing something Gothic so wow I was captivated . The design looked so complex  and it's massive and I just can't imagine how they could built such thing in the 13th century.. Hebat btol~ But yes the construction was in stages and it actually underwent some restorations.

Okay.. So how much does this place cost? If you're not the type who wants to look what's inside the buildings, it won't cost you anything.. But if you're a nerd, like me.. Who needs explanation on every single object; it's CZK 350 for long visit (means the ticket is valid for single admission to all buildings and exhibitions) and another CZK 350 for an audio guide (3 hours only)  and you have to put CZK 500 deposit for the device and will get the money back once you've returned the device in one piece to the counter... So my journey begins.. The area is huge and yes I spent 6 hours here alone that day

I immediately took this building to my liking.. I was taking pictures of every angle and was focusing my camera lens on the gargoyles.. Maklumlah, sebelom ni tengok di kartun jak kan.. Yang bole bercakap2 lagi kalo di The Hunchback of Notre Dame tu kan.. And from visiting this castle, I finally found out the real function of gargoyles.. I have always thought they are solely for the purpose of decor.. But actually they are for draining water from the roof, gutters and terraces. So let's see how the interior of this building looks like..

 This is the ceiling...

There are chapels like this and that thing on the right is a tomb of a saint. Each of the stained glass windows at the chapels tells a story.. 

This is the tomb of John of Nepomuk. He was a saint who was drowned in Vltava river by one of the Bohemian king because he refused to disclose what the queen confessed during the confessional. His tomb was made of silver and it was all shiny.. Actually this picture doesn't give the nicest view of the tomb. Too many tourists at the other side so dari tepi sini pon jadi laaaa~

Eyh ada bha pulak dari depan punya pic hehe berusaha nda kasi  masok group berbahasa Sepanyol di tepi itu~

Yah! Manage to get a Korean guy to help me take my picture in the cathedral.. So I was really inside! Bukan google image~ Sesungguhnya aku malas mo buat watermark..

The Great South Tower

And we can actually go up to the lookout gallery of the Great South Tower \(^^)/ another good reason to practice healthy lifestyle.. This tower has 287 steps; spiral steps and very narrow... Not for claustrophobic.. I was out of breath when I reached the top but the view of Prague from the lookout was to die for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! amazing~ And that's why I decided to skip  Petrin hill because it was winter and I already had a good view of Prague from this tower (^^) o0o0 this is not included in the long visit ticket so I paid another CZK 250 and got a golden metal coin as a souvenir.

Tiba2 rasa geram sebab.. my more expensive camera's image quality is not as good as my cheap camera and the price difference is around RM 600..Urgh.. Aku yang x pandai setting ni tau~

I wanted to stay longer but the cold winter breeze was not that friendly.. It was very windy and I can't feel my hands.. So I took as many pics as I could and went down.. Ada la feel sekejap2 tapi eyh sejok babe!

One of the gargoyle... Only few of them are original ones. Some are new ones installed in the early 19th century.

That red building is St. George's Basilica

The interior. It's smaller and there was this soft humming voice echoing in the hall.. Memang rasa macam dalam cerita The Da Vincci Code sekejap.

Eyh?? Panjang suda.. Nanti la aku sambung :P

Read More

Prague: Day 1 (^^)

So I've told you how the crazy idea just popped out and how I finally got myself a two-way ticket from KL to Prague just 2 days before the trip hikhikhik.. Itu baru drama mukadimah.. I decided to work on the day of my flight and take an evening off.. and memang takdirNya.. I was busy to the max that I only got to the airport by 1.30 pm whereas the flight to KL was at 2.05pm.. People were already queuing for boarding hikhik seb baek sempat drop-off baggage...

My bro was already waiting in LCCT when I arrived and he sent me to KLIA. Got my euros from him and we had an early dinner together. He left early and therefore my loneliness starts.. Went to the bookshop and bought a Lonely Planet travel guide. Bumped into my best friend in primary school and she told me that my flight have been canceled due to bird strike, Ades.. Hearing this, I thought "There goes my short Euro trip.. It'll be shortened like it's not short enough.. duh!"

KLM was very efficient at resolving the matter. Passengers were boarded into other airlines and they even settled the connecting flights so that we'll arrive at the destination at the intended time

"Miss Salleh, do you mind taking the flight tomorrow at the same time"

"Yes I do mind.. I already made bookings for my accommodation and I would really appreciate it if you can get me a flight that arrives in Prague on the 20th please~"

So they arranged a new flight for me... the AWESOME EMIRATES.. It was 6 hours flight to Dubai then 6 hours from Dubai to Prague. The flight to Amsterdam was supposedly at 11.45 pm. The new flight was scheduled at 2 am. Penantian yang berbaloi.. when I entered the aircraft.. Jakun sekejap.. I start to realize what pleasure and luxury I've been missing from boarding low cost airline~ uiseh! 

But I was too sleepy to take the pics of the cabin.. So zZzzZzzZ.. Kroh kroh kroh.. 

The transit was about 3 hours so I performed my Fajr prayer at the airport.. Seb baek Islamic kan, prayer room memang merata-rata. But Dubai airport was extremely crowded with transit passengers. It is by far the most crowded airport that I've ever been in.. The bench were full.. The restaurants were full.. And everything looked so expensive and I felt poor~ (-_-")

Betapa adhoc nya la trip ni, I don't even know what currency UAE is using, I don't know what's the exchange rate is like.. Maen beli jak souvenir guna magic card.. Balik Malaysia baru aku fikir heeee

And emirate's in flight service and food deserve a compliment too.. Memang terbaek dan halal~

The movies were latest ones tapi aku pilih untuk tengok Hotel Transylvania, Taken 2 and The Raid: Redemption.. Kena kasi ketawa aku oleh orang sebelah sebab tengok sambil tutop muka dengan bantal.. Ganas btol!

Dalam banyak2 film Melayu, Hantu Kapcai jadi pilihan Emirates haha

The guy seated next to me was a Slovakian who lives in Czech. He was away for 3 months to escape the winter and was quite surprised to find it was still cold in Czech. 

"This time of the year, it shouldn't be this cold.. Ice should already melt.. Everything should already be green and flowers should be in blossom in a few days.. But not this year.." he said..

He was very concern about me being alone in Prague. Asked about my transport to the hotel from the airport.. And was shocked when I said I haven't got any plans yet..

"Dear, everything will be written in Czech.. You'll be confused.. You better get some friends with you"

And after that he helped me get my backpack on my back.. haha O0o0 mesti dia rasa aku sangat budak sebab kecil (-_-") 

I have always been an obsessive travel planner.. I would already know how the transport system works and how to get to a destination months before a trip. But this time I was definitely clueless.. Went straight to the money changer and then the info service.. The lady at the counter has fair English fluency and she didn't say much although I needed more info actually..

GG: Hello. I need help on how to get to the central.. (mau cakap lagi tapi telah di potong)

Lady: You buy this 90 minutes tickets for 32 Kc. Take a bus outside; cross the street then to your left. Go to the last station, Djevick and from there take metro.

Paid 32 Kc and did just what I was told. I wanted to ask more but the lady continued to do what she was doing so malas la.. And minutes after that, I found myself inside a bus filled with people whose appearance are much superior in terms of complexion and charm and they were talking in languages that are alien to me. Masa ni ada rasa mo nangis because I can't understand a word! Not even a word! Tapi nasib baek lah kacak so I just stole a glance at some of the best looking ones dan menikmati pemandangan indah haha 

The journey to the central took less than 90 minutes. When the bus stopped at Djevicke, I took a train to Mustek and from there to Karlovo namesti. The Metro system is easy to understand and the signage are clear. Sangat sistematik; susah lagi LRT di KL tu. RA & I almost took the wrong train in KL because the signage are confusing!

The above is the pic of my 23 beds dorm. Got top bunk and I only paid RM 115 for five nights! Murah bukan?? Hehe O ya the name of the hotel is Mosaic House. And the best thing about it is, there is a halal restaurant just across the street.. Like 1 minute walk from the entrance door.

What I don't like about it is the energy saving technology.. Not that I'm against environment conservation or what.. I just found it annoying when the lights were suddenly turned off while I was reading on my bed or in the shower.. and sometimes you can't even get your battery fully charged because of this energy saving thingy.. but the place was cozy and clean (^^) but the internet connections were sometimes poor but still I was able to upload pics every night hehe

I arrived at the hostel at around 3 pm.. Had a long shower because my last bath was the morning before I went to work.. Urgh filthy~ And then as to not waste any time, I decided to explore a bit of Prague before sunset. The bunks next to mine was shared by a girl from England and Greece. So I asked them whether I could go to Charles Bridge on foot

"It's very near. You just turn left from the hotel exit and walk until the end of the block where you'll see the river. And from there just follow the pathway along the riverbank and in few hundred meters, you'll find the bridge.." *mendengar sambil admire British accent itu*

So I did just that and voilla! Charles Bridge!!!!!!

And from there I just follow the crowd haha

Believe me, that evening, there were only 2 places of interest known to me in Prague; Charles Bridge and Prague castle. I bought the travel guide alright but I only read through it once before boarding in KL.. I only opened it again on the first night in Prague because I need to plan where I should go the next day. I don't want to miss the must sees! \(^^)/

It was not that crowded on the bridge that evening. May due to the cold weather. But I really like the statues..

The construction of the bridge started in the 13th century and finished around the 15th. The statues that are present now are however replicas.. But still you can enjoy the artistic value of the baroque style.. The sculptor must have been an OCD to have sculpt so delicately~

This is a view of church of St Nicholas (^^)

I've hundreds of pics on facebook.. So tengok sana la ah.. I can only share some of the pics in this blog..

That night I had a jet lag. Was wide awake at 4 am because it was already noon in Malaysia.. Forced myself to sleep because I need to recharge to explore the city! 

To be continued~

Read More

Solo Travel.. Finally..

Currently I'm still in Prague.. Waiting for the right time to go for shower.. Checking out of the hostel in 2 hours..

Anyway.. How come I'm traveling alone right now... Loooooong story....... Lets just make it short

Well, it was decided that we would have our first trip at 1/4 of the year because we know all tension would've piled up by then.. Opted Boracay as our destination since it's cheap and we are going to do a much much more expensive trip in the middle of the year. But then came the SS (who almost ruined my Mabul holiday) into the picture.. And he successfully wrecked our Boracay vacation because the government may not be in the SS side but it seems most of the public are saying SS intrusion was some act of valor (-_-") Tulung lah~

So, our tickets was on the evening of the 20th and since it was all ruined, we still haven't decide where to go by 17th... We were twisting and turning on our bed in a hotel in Bangi. Browsing the internet for tickets and flipping heaps of brochures that we got from MATTA fair.. And when I finally got to KK that night (17th), I finally decided I should go to Prague..It was like a calling.. "Haziah, PRAGUE!" I don't mind being delusional when it comes to traveling hikhik

So voilla! I bought the tickets yaw! Not so cheap though. But it could've been more expensive...

What I missed....

Well... This solo travel was of course by Allah's will and it never occur to me that I would do something like this this year.. As early as March.. We can never foretell what's His next plan for us and that was how I can't foretell the passing of my beloved aunt while I was on my way to Prague. She was sick alright. It was so acute that her condition deteriorate within 2 weeks. A newly diagnosed cancer but it was too late. It spread to the spleen, uterine and liver and the origin was not known.. The liver damage complicates her condition.. Enlarged liver and her skin turned yellow... 

When I first came to visit, she was still conscious but in pain. That lasted for a few days. The last time I talked to her was when Mom came over all the way from Labuan to visit.. Then I went off to KL for a friend's wedding and on Tuesday, when all the family members were called for counseling, I was there, and she was delirious. I've never seen her like that.. I've one uncle who had stroke last year and I just can't watch him like that.. It feels different when watching a mere stranger lying on the bed, immobilized or delirious as to watching someone you've known quite well when he or she was in good health.. It feels different... and in both occasions, I wept. I just can't handle it.. Too much emotions came rushing in.. Too much memories..

SPM RESULT!!!!!!!!!!

This is important because my dear cousin was waiting for her result to come out.. This is like something that the family have longed for for the past few months since our trip to Indonesia. Our family is too small so we get really excited even when there's small events (like I'm excited about my niece first 200 m sprint in MSSWPL this April and I'm gonna be there to watch her run! \(^^)/) So.. My cousin scored well, 7A and 2 B. Not straight A's but still that's excellent enough. Mom said my cousin is a little bit upset with her result because she wanted to get straight A (like most people do)

But Nuyui (because she sometimes stalk  my blog), I can't deny scoring straight A's in SPM was one of the most memorable thing in my life because I got what I wanted but then as you grow, you'll find that finishing school with exceptional grades is just a beginning. The path that I walked after that gets harder and harder and you can trip at any point as you pace. Stay focus on things that really matters, pray for Allah's guidance and assistance.. inshaAllah everything will work out just fine no matter how hard it is (^^)/ Yosh! Like what my friends always remind me of.. Success and Happiness matters but they mean nothing without Allah's blessing..

It's more than AWESOMENESS

I can't deny that I did feel lonely at times as I travel alone.. But I learnt a lot.. I learnt about myself too.. Traveling is more than spending money and taking cool pics.. More than laying your eyes on awesome ancient buildings and relics and extremely good looking Caucasian. It's education..

I love going to places with historical values.. Watch nature's diversity... And observe how other countries function as a nation.. Memang aku nerdy sikit bila travel but that what's traveling is all about to me.. To observe and think~ And realize that one is just a small part of this complex world who can actually make a difference.. chewah! but really I do believe so..

Hurm sooo aku aim 20 countries before I get married.. So I think I've just completed 50% of the target.. Hoo-Ah! \(^^)/

Muka excited lepas nampak deer and rabbits on a train from Salzburg to Prague (^^)

Read More

Mabul Island 2013: Revisited

We've been planning for this trip since December.. Saw cheap tickets for March and text Z about the plan. When she said okay, I instantly purchased tickets for three; that was for me, Ricci and Fega.

Oho! But this trip was not without drama and the drama started a few hours before our flight! Our flight to Semporna was on the day when the armed Sulu men in Lahad Datu attacked the police in which 2 men on our side were killed. My mom called me 3 hours before my flight and plead for me not to go.. Her exact words were "Dorang merusuh suda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Histerical okay~

I was stopping at a red light, was on my way to my working place to settle some things before I leave for my short getaway and it was already after 5 pm. Seriously, bingung.. I posted an emotional post on my blog a few days before so obviously I was emotionally unstable..

I have 2 counselings waiting..

And I have a flight to catch in 3 hours

Bingung.. Bingung.. Bingung.. I must go!

Yah! Mata sembam lepas nangis sebab rasa diri derhaka.. Tapi pigi jugak tu :p

Well, my parents failed to talked me out of it so yah.. Pigi jugak.. I cried because I think I was a bit harsh to my mom in our conversation.. And for that I hate you SS.. But my dad sort of cooled things off when he text me at 6.30pm when I was still at the hospital..

"Cepat la balik. Tertinggal flight nanti.."

Dan kemudian bermulalah....

We spent the night at Marina Hotel. Paid RM 38 per pax for this 3 single bed room. Simple but the room was well equipped with the basics and very comfortable (^^) 

Zeq came around 7.30 am and we head straight to Uncle Chang's office. Settled the essentials and off we went to the  Mabul Island \(^^)/ 

I didn't take many pics for this trip, though. Maybe because I've been there before and this time I'm more focused on diving. We went diving in Kapalai; never been there. I saw a huge turtle resting inside a coral there!! I don't know how to exactly describe it though. Still not familiar with all the diving terms but the coral formed this space where the turtle lodged itself to rest. So, during my 3 dives I saw big nudi branch.. 3 crocodile fish.. A huge grouper that scared the hell out of me.. A giant moray eel that made my heart skipped a beat because I was afraid it would come out from that hole to eat me haha and fish that looked like some stick.. I don't remember what it's called.. And many other creatures... It's an entirely different world down there. Subhanallah....

Sunbathing.. Though they're not literally lying under the sun.. Obviously shaded haha

Saw these egg shells while strolling in the village. 

Melepak lepak di depan bilik.The most epic part of this trip was, it was on the same day when the 6 policemen were brutally killed by the intruders in Semporna. So that night my phone rang endlessly that I'd to switch it off. Z and I continued watching 'Love Actually' that night. But we were being cautious, of course.. Like we didn't roam for no reason.. It's just that we didn't want to ruin the trip with things that we are not sure of. There were too many rumours that time

Right before our first dive.. Putih masih!

Dan ini kaki budak2 degil yang lupa mo di rotate hehe

Paling awesome.. Nampak kereta kebal dekat airport Tawau!!!!!! \(^^)/

P.S. Finished writing in Prague hehe feel~

Read More

Ikhlas yang hilang~

Reading this post will only waste your time~

Bismillah...

Ikhlas is such a delicate word.. 2 syllables.. Simple.. But hard to put into action...

"Saye ikhlas.." a person that I used to know once said to me.. A few years after this particular person professed so, it became meaningless and things turned into shattered hopes and memories deliberately erased. 

It brought to an evening of solitary; it was raining outside and I was sitting crossed leg on my bed, a closed book clasped in one hand and my eyes were fixed on the rain drops on the leaves outside the window. The view of that and the smell of the rain was so refreshing.. I let my mind loose for a while to think about life.. 

Ikhlas is doing the right thing over and over and over again without expecting anything in return.. 

That's like a mother's unconditional love to her child.. She endured excrutiating pain during childbirth. Brought up the child with the best upbringing that she can afford to give.. And till her last breath, she will always be there for her child.. More often than not, that lady sitting on the chair next to the immobilized and delirious patient,  who patiently attend to each and every of the patient's need are mothers... MashaAllah.. That's the power of Ikhlas..

Ikhlas need not be uttered.. need not be verbally professed.. It is from actions.. It is felt by those at the receiving end.. And even by the witnessing eyes..

It was one of those long international flight. I was seated in a different row but my friends were still close enough for a chat. A family of three was seated in front of my friends; a lovely Caucasian couple with their adorable toddler. The couples ordered the in-flight meal and handed a credit card to pay. Unfortunately, only cash was accepted for payment. It didn't took long for my friends to offer their cash to the family. I was watching from my seat. It was like they were communicating telepathically with each other. All of them dug their hands into their bags and start to search for the remaining foreign currency they have left without saying much to each other. There were no trace of hesitancy on their faces when they paid for the meal for three. At the end of it I exclaimed, "MashaAllah sisters!" and we just giggled. The matter was never talked again after that. But I was very touched by my friends' action. I'm not sure whether I will do the same if I was in their position. That was Ikhlas.. And Ikhlas don't hesitate~

To be honest.. I can't tell whether I'm ikhlas or not in my deeds.. I don't know how it feels like to be ikhlas.. Do you feel self-gratification when you're ikhlas? Do you feel contented with life when you're ikhlas? Perhaps.. I once read that when you think you're ikhlas, that's when you're most probably not. So I guess, ikhlas is not something an individual can measure.. It is something that is decided by Allah the Almighty..

But one thing that I'm very sure now is.. Something that I love doing and passionate about start to feel like a burden to me.. It's not that I lost my passion.. It's just that things are very much ruined by a particular person and this have made me lost interest.. It made me want to run away.. Things are made complicated than how it used to be and I start to question why do I let myself stuck in this absurdity when I can find better opportunities elsewhere... 

But at times, I think maybe it's me who is too weak to accept the reality of life.. Where ever I go, if I choose to leave what is at hand, still a new challenge is waiting. So it's either I persist or get ready to face challenges that I couldn't foretell for now....

I really don't know whether all this while I've been ikhlas or not.. But this load that I feel in my heart right now is like a sign that I'm drifting away further and further from being ikhlas.. I'm writing this as a mean to ease that burden and to those of you who have read this far, please pray for me that i'll be strong  and may my intention be straightened and fortified.. Ameen..For the sake of Allah and the Ummah is also something that I think is easier said than done... huhuhu

Count your blessings, Haziah... 

Focus on the essentials and don't let those things you detest impede you from developing your potentials...

I'm starting to realize there are more and more things about life that I haven't understand as I grow older... May all of us always be in His guidance as we face this phase of confusion~ Ameen

One day, all of this will make sense.. InshaAllah~

All of it from abcdefghijKlmnopqrstuvwxyz~ heee

Read More