"Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is Our Master. It is in Allah that the faithful should put their trust."

~(Surat at-Tawba, 51)

We all still have a long way to go before Syawal comes but I'm enjoying every moment of Ramadhan.

This Ramadhan has also been different for me. Read A CLOTH OVER MY HEAD, THE FINAL PUSH.

This year's Ramadhan has taught me the meaning of patience, grateful and change. Change to a betterment.

I couldn't be more than blessed that I was given the chance over and over again previously but I never used it wisely. But alhamdulillah, this time, I didn't get it slip through my fingers.

Donning the hijab full-time has made my life almost complete as a Muslim. I know as an individual, there are many things I have to learn because learning never stops. Having Juan as part of my support system apart from my family, has made things easier. I'm not perfect not I'm near to perfection but I try my best to do what's right in the perspective of own religion.

Every single day when I step out of the house with a piece of cloth on my head, I feel safe and respected. Safe and respected in my own definition. It made me feel like I have gain the Muslim identity that I have long lost previously. I found that in hijab. it's hard to explain because it's more on spiritually.

Nevertheless, I don't judge those who has been in my shoes. It's just a matter of time when Allah will come knocking their hearts and lead them to the right path.

..............in my opinion.

So for those who has watched Ted before, you would want to come back to the cinema to catch Ted 2. Ted will be come screaming to your cinema on 25th June 2015. Definitely, humor will make you fall off your seat.

I never love having teddy bear, but I know once I see Ted, I gotta have one.

He's so cute than you wanna bring home. Mushy, mushy come to mama. imagine having Ted at home, watching TV beside you.

Remember to catch him this 25th June 2015 at your nearest cinema.

Logon here for more info.

Perhaps a newly opened cafe by a fan of Penang football club. I assumed

It was on Monday night that me and Juan couldn't bothered to cook dinner. Plus I couldn't decide what I wanted to eat.

Juan googled interesting halal places to eat so we bumped into Haria Cafe. Their major dish was the nasi lemak kukus and ayam goreng berempah.

Presentation wise? Plating looks good. 

Sambal wise? Reddish but a bit watery. 

Ikan bilis? Crunchy and not too salty. 

Rice? Smells nice but lacked of coconut milk

Ayam goreng berempah? A bit of dissapoinment. Tasted like a normal fried chicken. Perhaps the marination process did not complete whereby it would be good if the chicken can be marinated a few hours or better still, overnight.

I couldn't taste any of the grinned lemongrass. The chicken was hard. Maybe because it was fried longer than it should. The meat was dry and not moist. 

However, if you don't fancy ayam goreng. You can try their sotong sambal and daging redang. The rendang tasted so good. I believe it would go well with the rice. Total price for 3 plate of nasi lemak including drinks were RM20. Quite reasonable. I wouldn't say it was cheap because nothing comes cheap nowadays.

Indeed he is. We can talk almost about anything with him.

That's my dad. 

My dad has been travelling around throughout his life for work reason and my mum will the one who's involve in the children's education and well being. But although he is a few thousand miles away from us, he never fail to follow up with the children's progress. My dad will call us a few days once to make sure that he never loses touch with his family.

The most obvious time of the year is during Hari Raya and Chinese New Year. He rarely celebrate with us. So normally only me, Dianah and my mum goes back to my grandma's place. But regardless the fun, we miss having him around.

Working abroad is definitely an eye opener and extends the way your mind think but having to live far away from the family is another thing. The loneliness can consume you if your will and spirit is not strong enough. Working abroad also makes the family closer. We started to appreciate family time whenever he's home.

I know my dad has been working real hard to make sure that his family has the basic needs. As he grow old, all I want to do is spend as much time as I can with him. With the remaining years he has, I only want to give the best so that he'll always be happy. I know that I don't earn as much as he did, but I would want to repay back all the effort and time he had spent in raising me and my sister.

Happy Father's Day, daddy.

It's the 2nd day of Ramadhan. How's fasting been treating you? Today also marked the 2nd day that I fully don the hijab. Nothing much change except that I get weird stares and question marks on people's head. I guess, that's.....normal.

My heart was pounding fast the morning after our first sahur. Perhaps I was excited and nervous at the same time. But you know, I'm glad that I did it, at last. After I've been thinking and hesitating for the past few years.

I'll be leaving for my parent's place today because me and Juan wanted to celebrate Ramadhan with them. First Ramadhan was with my in-laws. 

I'm so grateful that things are different for me this year especially Ramadhan. I have don the hijab.......at last. I celebrated my 1st year anniversary with Juan middle of this month. We didn't travel far except we spend a night at one of the hotel here and had a nice dinner. A lobster shared by 2 person. It was h.u.g.e I tell you. As big as my face.

I'm looking to more good things ahead. May this Ramadhan brings me closer to my Creator. That I'll be given the guidance in becoming a much better Muslim, a good daughter and wife.

Salam Ramadhan everyone.

The last weekend was a much awaited weekend. You know why? *cough*. Me and Juan turned 1. Now I can be like those people on FB posting 'Terima kasih sayang kerana menyayangi diri ini bla bla bla bla'. No, I don't do that.

I have booked a night stay at the Copthorne Orchid Hotel a month before our anniversary date. Because it was a school holiday, I'd thought it's better to book a room earlier. To my disappointment, the hotel wasn't what I expected. From the receptionist to the condition of the hotel although the exterior of the hotel looks exclusive. I expected a squeaky clean bathroom with different selection of coffee and teas at the pantry not a leaking bathroom ceiling :-(.

At the reception counter:

I noticed that the there were few trainees at the reception with broken English but I assumed that they were Hotel Management course student. Judging by their younger looks. There were no greetings from them. It was a straight 'Yes?'. No smile no nothing. Really? Was that the first thing the uni taught you when it comes to greeting your guest? Ok,that....nevermind.

Then there was a couple who had problem with their room. I think so. A trainee attended their enquiry. Her senior assisted them after while. Mother-of-all, she spoke to the trainee as if there were no one around. Not enough with the condition of the hotel, the seniors don't even talk politely to her trainee. At least, bagi la muka kan. I think budget hotel uncle is way friendlier than this one. They should send their seniors for a hotel management training. Seriously.

That night, we went for a nice candle light dinner at Feringgi Garden. I've heard alot about this place. First impression, wow. The place reminded me alot about Sri Lanka. The interior of the restaurant make you feel as though you're in Italy? *this exaggerating* but hey, that was how I felt okay. 

The portion was quite big. In fact me and Juan ordered a plate of large lobster which at first we though we wanted to order a small one since neither of us had lobster before. We're jakun like that. So don't judge. The look of that creature itself gave me a chill.

We called the waiter and told him that we wanted to cancel our initial order. When we said we wanted to order a small lobster:

*gave a stare at Juan first*

Waiter: Small lobster is small. Not enough. *gave a grine*

He must be thinking that Juan will just swallow that whole small lobster.

Me: How big is small and how big is big?

Waiter: Eemm, like this

*showing the same size as the big and small lobster*

Me: Ok, we'll order big one. We both will share because I cannot eat much.

Waiter: Ok ok. One big lobster. Anything else?

Me: No that's all. Thank you.

 'Enough meh?'. I said 'Let's try first'. 

Then came the gigantic super lobster. 'Cam ni ja?'

As we keep digging that poor lobster, our stomach became so full that we left 1/4 of it on the plate. Could not finish it anymore. Man, the power of large lobster but surprisingly it tasted sweet. We couldn't say that the lobster tasted good because that was our first time. We aren't sure how lobster should taste like. Don't look down on that ugly sea creature next time.

Ok, the price. Ready to burn a hole in your pocket boys. The lobster we ate cost us RM140++. We ordered appetizer and it cost around RM20++. They even serve premier wagyu beef that cost RM350++. I swear I will not poop if I eat that beef. I can't say that it was a fine dining restaurant because there were loud music playing that night and you'll noticed that the guests consist of expatriate. However, we ended our night in our hotel room, watching TV with our buncit stomach.

Anyway, Happy Anniversary to us.

This is a continuation of :

A CLOTH OVER MY HEAD, A THOUSAND QUESTIONS

A CLOTH OVER MY HEAD, THE 'ALMOST THERE' JOURNEY

It was in Ramadhan 2013 when everything was at its peak. The tears and the uncertainty. I cried countless times thinking about whether or not I should make this transformation. I started going deeper about my religion.

It's so strange that as a Muslim, I know so little about my own religion that I was in fact born with. How denial I was. I was finding something that was missing but I did not know what was it. No matter what I do, no matter how much money I have, no matter how many good friends I have, no matter how happy I was, it still felt empty. Although I was married, it was still incomplete.

Learning about the do's and don'ts in Islam and the reason behind these rules are hard work. You don't just listen to talks or read books about it, you need to understand what are these rules for and the significant of it.

Then I started to be discipline in my prayers. I started praying and each pray was complimented with du'a. I pray that if this is the path that were meant for me and if this could give me the happiness that I have been seeking, I will embark no matter what comes in my way. Every single day I feel even lost in what was I supposed to do but I did not stop and gave in. I changed the things I normally do from my daily routine to something different. I started to spend more time with my parents. Sometimes being extra nice to them, it helps to ease the journey that I was about to embark. At then end of the day, no matter what you want to do, ALWAYS get your parent's blessings.

 I also consulted my aunt who had gone through this path. I recalled what she told me when I last visited her. She said 'Kalau kita betul-betul mendalami agama kita dan niat kita ada lah untuk berubah, hati kita akan dibuka oleh Allah untuk berubah. Perasaan itu akan datang sendiri. Dan pada masa tu, air mata akan mencucuri pipi bila masa kita berada di atas sejadah'. I cried *goodness, my heart is so gooey*. She also said that change come in stages, the moment we put on the hijab, everything will fall into places. So never judge a person who wears tight clothes even with hijab on her head, because we will never know probably that person could be better than us.

The way we educate the society about Islam today compared to when our Rasulullah S.A.W had done is so different. We gave the impression to society that Islam is all about implementing stringent rules to Muslims especially women. The truth is, women are consider as the most noble creature every created by Allah and they sit at the highest hierarchy of men.

I was wearing the tudung on and off just to get a hang of the feeling again. I try covering up as much as I can when I'm out.

Honest truth, it brought some different opinions on this idea among some of my Muslim friends. Some say 'Why don't you wear it when you're in office too?' *Yes, I only wear it when I'm out but not in the office*. Remember when I say change comes in stages and people go through change differently. Ultimately, the goal is the same. The destination is what most important. How you want to reach your destination is just individualistic. It's your preference. Human has a different method when it comes to achieving goal but for as long as your intention is good, pure and at the right path, just do it. Follow your heart.

It continues till this day, 2015 where I thought 'Hey, let's just do this'. I was not pressurized by friends or family. It came naturally. I was surrounded by friends who wears the hijab since high school and they're part of my encouragement in changing the way I wear and it also helps that they were encouraging me from afar. Modest. It didn't feel hard on me because I was brought up in a family that stresses modest in what we wear. Even my mum started covering her head only 2 years back. Alhamdulillah. 

So apart from wanting to be a real Muslim not just by name, I also wanted to practice the faith that I have been born and brought up with.

Donning the hijab is not just putting a piece cloth on your head whenever you wish or because everyone is doing it or because you religion told you so. It comes together with a very great responsibility. The cloth you put on your body represents and portray what your religion had taught you. Islam is a religion of peace. Perhaps of what has been portray by extremists around the world, it gave an impression to others that Islam is all about 'no'.

I had a few non-Muslim friends who asked me why Muslims need to cover their hair, I could not answer because my knowledge about Islam is not perfect. But I know why I wanted to change and Allah knows too.

The process of change requires patience, tawakal, hard work, du'a, support from the right people (family and friends) and pure intention. Change will not come if you don't seek. At times, you feel like giving up and in my case, mainly because of peer pressure but move a step back and think again why do you even want to change at the first place? Don't make the change if you think that is what required by your religion without understanding it at first. Understand, learn, embrace and practice.

The journey to be a true Muslim is not and will never be easy. At times, you think that everything is going against you, but believe me when I say as long as you're sincere in everything you do and that you do it for Him, good things will come eventually. I'm grateful that I'm given the chance by Him to go through this change. After how I was last time as a Muslim, I never thought I'll be given the chance but you know, He's the Merciful one, and no other.

When people say 'Sabar itu separuh dari iman', I now know the real meaning of the quote. To those who are still struggling, don't give up. Always pray to be given the strength to fight towards the road that Allah has lay down for you. Satan will always come around to persuade the good things you want to do but always remember that a strong will complimented with a strong faith will always win.

 Do not worry what the society may think about you,the decision you make and how you decide to change because it doesn't matter. Society don't determine whether or not you will go straight to hell or heaven. Change doesn't come overnight *Rome is not built in a day* nor change will work if you don't strive but for as long as you make the first move even the smallest one, give yourself a pat because that means Allah has chose you. Talk to Allah because He understands even before you let it out. In fact, to this date, I'm still struggling with myself but I pray that I'm given the ultimate strength to keep going along this path.

When you succeed, don't judge other people who is going through what you went through and how you were last time because you'll never know if God decided to change your heart around.

The final push is always the hardest one. It's like you're standing in both world. Pray will all your heart is the answer.

I have found the missing pieces and I hope you find yours too. Perseverance is the key.

Today is the 1st of Ramadhan and today also is the first day that I have fully embrace the hijab. To those who has supported me throughout this journey, I thank each one of you for being there for me and has been the inspirations of this change.

xoxo

Cotton lyra instant shawl by misswishwardrobe, handbag from Cath Kidston Singapore, MNG jeans and cotton long sleeve top by TLA

I have naturally thin hair therefore finding the right shampoo is very important in making sure that my hair doesn't fall off much because I don't want to end up being Boldy Yong. I'm not a big fan of any particular shampoo brand. They're mostly trial and error usage. 

During my trip to India, I bought a few local brand products like the Himalaya. Known for its natural ingredient. I also bought myself a bottle of Garnier Triple Nutrition Strengthening Shampoo (which I think I should have bought more). This was not my first time using this brand. I have tried Garnier previously during my stay in Colombo, Sri Lanka. I bought because I did not bring my own shampoo and I loved the smell and the texture. Your hair smells good the entire day. I never had the chance to use it again in Malaysia until my recent trip to India. I was like one hell of a jakun.

So what do I love about this shampoo?

Firstly, the smell. It smells like a mixture of fruits and coconut in one bottle. Secondly, because of all the shampoo that I have tried (even Himalaya) Garnier works the best. I still have dropped hair when combing but only a a few strands not chunks of them. The smell can long the whole day and my hair felt so smooth the whole day.

"Enriched with the goodness of Olive , Almond, Coconut Oils and fruit vitamins, Triple Nutrition Range nourishes and strengthens hair from scalp, through lengths to tips, leaving hair strong, nourished, shiny and manageable."

Garnier recommended to use this shampoo together with the conditioner but I rarely use conditioner. Even without the conditioner, it still works amazingly.