1st Ramadhan of 2016 was my 1st anniversary of covering my head since I started back in Ramadhan 2015. I didn't remember until a colleague of mine reminded me during lunch last week. Wow. Time really flew so fast.

Throughout this 1 year, I have learned a lot. Like, you don't just cover your head but you also change the things you do, talk and how you act. You represent the symbol of hijab. Modest. I also learned to be more patient in any situation. I chose to to be quiet when I'm angry cause I'm worry that I might blurt some bad things out.

One thing for sure, I learned how to be closer to Him. Bit by bit, good things came through. I mean rezeki comes in many forms at my door step even the smallest. I also learned that covering your head doesn't mean you're religious or pious than other people. It shows that you've embrace your religion and yourself in a different way.

I'm glad that my change did not cause me to lose some of my friends or maybe I did. But what I know that those who were with me throughout this journey were people I love and care most.

Things has changed ever since my hijrah, I mean in a good way. I see who my real friends are, I get so many supportive words from friends, I became more appreciative of things around me, I became a humble person, I realize that money is not everything, I try not to be judgmental towards people, I try to talk only good things about people, I try to make my parents happy, I try to see things in a different perspective, I try not to be bothered by the worldly things, I try to be nice to people (although sometimes it gets to my nerves), I cursed less, I make new friends who can inspire me to be a better person, I learned to be a better daughter and wife.

As I type this, I wonder what would happen if this change has not take it place. Where am I now? But that was the past. I also learned that changed come in stages. No matter how small a change made by someone, the action that counts. Every first step leads to another.

This journey hasn't been easy for me. There are times when I wanted to go back to my old self. The test were to great for me. But my parents, close friends and Juan always motivate me to be consistent and to be strong. Peer pressure is always there especially when they criticize you or when they question your decision but through determination, you can make it. Nothing comes easy in this world.

On another story:

A few days before the Ramadhan, a Chinese friend of mine texted me:

She: Hey, puasa starts next week right?

Me: Yes on 6th June

She: Wanna meet up for buka puasa?

Me: Can. But can you tahan or not until 7.30pm?

She: I ok. You wanna do this week or after you start puasa also ok. I will preserver

Me: We make it on Friday next week?

She: Ok. Selamat berpuasa ya

She was the first to remind me of puasa even before Ramadhan starts. I feel very grateful to have such thoughtful non-Muslim friend and moved by her action. We knew back when we were doing our Masters and promised to make a point to meet up every once a month no matter how busy we were.