Good news!

Hello ladies!!
Oh am I excited or am I excited? Yes, I am tres excited! As promised, the "project" that I said was gonna commence in November is finally here! Excitement!
It sure is hard to find time to just sit and not think about my real job but as of late - I did it!
Here they are, my Still Couleurs Bracelets up for grabs for just $2 a piece. They are centred around vintage prints and vibrant colours but I am also making pieces that are more neutral. These bracelets will be the best compromise to your accessories. Wear them with beads, or chains or let them be as they are - there's no harm! I will be updating with more prints and colours. I am also selling necklaces but that's for another update :p.
Feel free to comment below if you'd like to get any and we shall work out payment method, meet up, etc. Come hither!

Thank you my lovelies :)

Xx

Perseverance

I have been told many times over that success comes from perseverance, dedication and commitment. I couldn't agree more.

We persevere even when faced with many failures and disappointment.

We dedicate ourselves to the thing that we wish to succeed in.

We commit our heart and soul to our given tasks and passion.

To those who are far from understanding what success means, of course the three above would look so very scary. But to those who really want to make their lives meaningful, to persevere, to dedicate and to commit are the mantras that never stop being chanted in their hearts.

A few days ago, I have had the honour of being on stage and presenting prizes to kids who have succeeded in their final year examinations. Though a lot of people pointed out that it is quite an adult thing to do, my mind is actually quite lingering on how I wish all the kids in the school are to be presented with prizes for being excellent studs. Later during our lunch, I had a chance to speak to the school's principal and true enough it is quite a struggle to embed success to these kids. There are so many factors that may affect these kids in such a way but to me what's important is for their parents, siblings and even friends to remind them that success is something that may not only help you in the future but also it is something that can help you feel good about yourself.

Not just education, but knowledge is also one of the many things that mean a lot to me. Sure, I'm a nerd. But being one sure as heck has helped me go through hard phases in my life. The principal complained that it is quite a predicament that internet are banned in some schools because the students abuse it for the wrong reasons. This is the main problem about having technology that we have become very reliant to. People always struggle with research via the internet, always saying that there are a lack of information on the internet but I used the internet mainly for my thesis and I got a distinction for it. Can you tell me how this can even be possible? What I'm trying to say is it is a matter of responsibility and wanting to learn that can make even the hardest thing look easy. When you put your heart and mind onto something failure, although inevitable, may be quite impossible.

Sure I've been through failure. Lots and lots of them. Failures in school, games and life. Unavoidable but I still manage to stand up and brush myself off to try again and again. Even now, as I'm sitting here, I am still looking for things to help success prevail. It is a matter of handling your own life, taking control of who you want to become and be proactive instead of reactive. When you have a good idea, work out how you can turn it into something executable and durable. If you just sit there and do nothing, then it wouldn't be anyone else's fault that you're there sulking and thinking why you're not acknowledged by those around you. It's all about taking action and braving through the storm of life.

Some people are more driven by ego. So ashamed of doing petty jobs just because they have Masters or Degree or what have you. But to me it doesn't matter what we do as long as we dedicate ourselves to it. I have done so many petty jobs out there. I have heard so many times people saying to me, "Why do that when you have a degree? Surely you want to be paid what you're worth?" Frankly, yeah sure maybe I want that, I want money to get me to places and buy me things but honestly that is not the most important thing to me. It's being content that I like feeling. I don't want anything else. And because of this I don't care if you tell me I'm not right for my job or I'm too smart for this because not only am I doing this for my own self contentment, I am also doing this for the sake of Allah because I have been led to this path and it feels so good to be here. This is how I know it is meant for me. Just like all the other decisions I've made, when I don't feel it's right, I get out.

My advice is, do not be driven by greed or envy, when you decide to do something. It is not right to do something for the sake of being praised nor is it right doing it for the sake of making somebody jealous of you. Where is the barakah in that? People are so caught up in worldly matters and wanting to be given attention to by others that they forget the main reason why they live in this world right now is to serve Allah in akhirah. I don't get why some people are so so little that they like to condescend others just to make themselves feel good and mighty. If you act foolish to people what do you think Allah will think about you? Sure, you can outsmart people right now, win arguments with them, but what if one day Allah takes that back from you? You have to know that your strength is given for you to do something good about it and your weakness so that you can reach deep within yourself to make better of your life and improve to become better and THEN make good with it.

There are so many things that can contribute to success in this life that can also contribute to success in akhirah. This is why all the knowledge that you've gleaned from places, have to be worthy of knowing and learning. Lend a helping hand to those in need and do it for the sake of Allah. If you're the type who is so used to showing off your smart alec-ness, then use it to guide people to do good.

And when you think it is not worth getting highly educated because it's just "the in thing" then so be it just as long as you persevere through life and start from the bottom to reach the top. I know some people who are like this - who started from the bottom and now they're up top. These are those who strive to have a better life and as a general principle, this ought to be everyone's outlook on life. Don't be imprisoned by "This is my takdir, I shall accept it" because that is not true. You have to be smarter than that.

Watch Your Tongue

A little something something

In my favourite thrift store jacket ever! Random finds are always irresistible, especially when it's just that one item there. This is why I can't wait to go back to Melbourne and do more thrifting! Retrostar always has warehouse sales and you can never miss out on cool vintage stuff. I always end up buying their throwback t-shirts (which I don't wear) but they're collectable items you know, more like novelty you can't ever find anywhere else. Plus, there's that old mouldy smell to them which makes the rummaging all the more worthwhile.

Anyhu, just got back from Tutong for an ambuyat sesh with my family. It has been a while. My sister sat for her last O-levels paper today too so yeay her!! We were kind of celebrating hehehe. Don't think all of the sweating had been paid off coz I think I ate back all the calories I burnt in two days.

Got a big thing on Friday. Excited!!

12th Day

Alhamdulillah.I pray that Allah will give me strength.

"Wahai Tuhanku, lapangkanlah bagiku, dadaku; Dan mudahkanlah bagiku, tugasku; Dan lepaskanlah simpulan dari lidahku, Supaya mereka faham perkataanku."

The Fourth Estate

Allah bless her and everyone else who's doing good things to help impoverished people out there.

Beautiful Du'a

Ya Allah..
Jadikan kami semulia Fathimah Az-Zahraa
Betapa tinggi kasihnya pada ayahandanya
Tidak pernah putus asa pada perjuangan dakwah baginda
Anak yang semulia peribadi baginda
Tangannya lah yang membersihkan luka
Tangannya jua yang membersihkan cela
Pada jasad Rasulullah tercinta
Gagahnya dirinya pada dugaan
Mampukah kami sekuat Fatimah?
Saat diri terluka dendam pula menyapa
Saat disakiti maki pula mengganti
Ya Rabbi..teguhkan hati kami sepertinya..

Ya Allah..
Jadikan kami tabah seperti Ummu Khadijah
Sehingga dirinya digelar afifah solehah
Dialah wanita pertama
Tiada ragu mengucap syahadah
Pengorbanan bersama Rasulullah
Susah senang bersama
Walau hilang harta kerana berdakwah
Walau dipulau 3 tahun 3 bulan
Imannya sedikit pun tak berubah
Mampukah kami setabah dirinya?
Andai diuji sedikit sudah rebah..
Baru dihina sudah mengalah
Ya Allah..tabahkan kami sepertinya..

Ya Allah..
Jadikan kami sehebat Masyitah dan Sumaiyah
Tukang sisir yang beriman
dan Keluarga Yasir yang bertakwa
Sungguh kesabaran mereka menggoncang dunia
Iman tetap terpelihara walau nyawa jadi taruhan
Mampukah sabar kami seperti mereka?
Tatkala digoda nafsu dunia..
Entah mana hilangnya Iman di dada
Ya Rahman..
Kuatkan Iman kami seperti Masyitah
Terjun penuh yakin bersama bayi ke kuali mendidih
Kerana yakin Allah pasti disisi
Sabarkan kami seperti sumaiyah
Biar tombak menusuk jasad..
Iman sedikit pun takkan rapuh.

Thanks to Sabrina Jali for sharing. May our imaans be stronger. May we strive to be women who are steadfast and patient going through this journey towards jannah. Amin.

Something for everyone

Click on image for a bigger view.

I was just going through my folders and found this. I don't remember where I got this from. So I am sharing this with everyone with the hopes that we will get the benefit together in staying healthy and fit. Healthy and fit aren't just for the body you know, our minds and conscience need to be healthy too. Especially when we work in an environment that requires us to make decisions everyday and think on our feet, we need to consume food and supplements that keep us active and going throughout the day.

I myself have been taking spirulina since early this year (on and off though) and I can confirm that there's a difference for when I do take them and when I don't. I tend to get really really tired when I go without but when I do I'm always looking forward to start my day because my mind and body becomes really active and it'll drag on until the end of the day.

If you're still sceptical you can go to the Australian Spirulina FAQ page (linked) and read about it. It's explained simply in this page and hopefully you'll gain a little more perspective and be ready to take spirulina for your everyday supplements :D

I sound like those health promoters on TV telling people eat this not that, do this not that hehe but first hand experience is always the way to share innit?

Aight my bellas I hope it has been a great weekend so far for everyone of you. Make the most out of the rest of it and most importantly - STAY HEALTHY!

Xx

Saturday!!!

Ode to friends who never fail to lift me up when I am terribly down. Emotional turmoil spurred by losing myself in the head - feels terrible, utmost terrible.
Thank you frailty, thank you consequence, thank you disillusionment.
Just 26 more days til :)

Quote of the Day

I Love Islam (@IslamSpeaks) 11/10/11 5:00 PM Ilmu itu lebih baik daripada harta. Harta akan kurang bila dibelanjakan, tapi ilmu akan bertambah bila dibelanjakan. (Ali bin Abi Thalib)

Nisa Halim

Milo Nutella Brownie

Hello folks!
'Twas one of those random days when I felt like baking something satisfying. I wanted something chocolatey but was too lazy to go and buy ingredients so you know what I did? I improvised. We had two tins of Milo and a new tub of Nutella so I figured meh they'll do just fine.
I think this is the best brownie to date that I've made. I have always fancied those chewy, rich and caramelised top brownies made by people who hate their hearts but have never been able to duplicate their recipes. Well, friends, today I think I might have just hit the spot of sunny eureka because I is very content!
So, to not disappoint with just a picture, here is the recipe for my Milo Nutella Brownie =)
Ingredients:1 1/2 cup Cake Flour3/4 cup Milo Powder1/2 cup Sugar1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Essence2 beautiful eggsMilk (I didn't measure. I used milk to lessen the thickness of the mixture but not to the point where it gets too runny like pancake batter)Butter at room temperature. I didn't measure how much butter I put in but it was enough to bring together the dry ingredients (think about pastry making, that's the kind of togetherness I'm talking about here - I seriously don't know how to explain this hehe).Nutella!
How To:Bring all the dry ingredients together first. I always use a fork to mix them together and this is always useful once you get the butter in.
So the second step is to get the butter in and give them all a good mix til you create crumbs or a crumbly texture. At this point it shouldn't look like a cake mix yet but it will upon step 3.
Which is this - get your eggs in. And of course mix the ingredients together. Don't try to break the sugar too much as this is the component that may help you create the caramelised top.
At this point you may add in the vanilla essence and the milk. Use the milk in little portions, start with two spoons first, and when you've reached the kind of consistency you like you may transfer the Milo cake mixture into a flat cake pan (the usual that we use to bake brownies).
This is where the fun begins because this was where I got creative with the Nutella. Well not really. What I did was I put a generous amount of Nutella in the centre and sides and then mixed it with the Milo but not enough to make them into one ingredient, get me? Like when you make a marble cake. Yeap.
When you're satisfied with your "art" you may now get the thing into the oven. Of course you have to pre-heat first. 180 degrees and when you bake it, bake it for 30 min.
When it's done, let it cool, slice into square pieces AND voila! Enjoy!
Hope that was easy for you to understand. I, on the other hand, am very sleepy and I don't really know what I have just typed. So I am going to sleep! Talk to you bellas soon!
Xx

Beauty Tips for my sisters

Alhamdulillah

Assalammualaikum lovelies,

Sorry for falling behind on updates and whatnot. Things have been a whirlwind of events and somehow I feel like I am still floating on something I have not quite put my head around.

Alhamdulillah, after jumping from one temporary job to another I have now been taken in for a permanent job. Three jobs later and I'm finally joining the work force for real and I am ever so grateful for this very important transition in my life. I feel like being an Apprentice in Shell for five months really gave the kick to what sort of an employee/employer I'd be. Well this is the sixth job I've been in since I first decided to get work experience but being in Shell really did the trick. The work ethics there actually gave me a visual of the kind of work place environment I'd like to create. I pray that Allah SWT will give me the strength that I need to stand up tall and make a difference. InsyAllah.

Anyway, on another note, I am missing my friends! The things that we've experienced as Apprentices are sure to be heard of in tales and legends of tomorrow LOL. I don't think I have ever been in situations where a lot of emotions are involved, especially when it felt like we were all being played with by so many people. It's so hard to put up with people whom you have just met for a few months but make it as if you've known each other for a long time and then cross you over like you're a rag doll only to comb your hair again to make you feel like Barbie. You see the picture that I'm trying to paint here?

All I'm saying is that in terms of friendship I look for camaraderie that revolves around trust and the right niat to support each other. To be there for one another and to encourage each other to do good things for our own deen. It's just terribly sad to know that somebody who I confided in and helped soooo many times is actually the very person I have grown to hate in the span of a split second. I hate feeling used and I hate it more finding out that this person has used my other friends as well. Being an apprentice there really showed me how it is being in a huge organisation, it was like being in a gigantic different world altogether and everyone was there for you but only to use you to their own benefit.

And not to diss and attack just one particular person (although who am I kidding, I am doing exactly that right now) but people ought to be careful what they wish for. I was sort of taken aback one time when I was put in a made-up scenario wherein I was gonna have no friends when everyone else's got their own destinations. I didn't want to point this out in front of my friends before I left but they themselves reminded me of the same predicament that was predicted of me actually happening to the person who made that scenario for me. Do you know what I mean? It kinda hurts to see somebody whom you used to be so close to now become your very enemy. I have corrected situations many times before and still the same thing happens. It's always a circle of me trying to adjust things and then me in the end taken for granted for and humiliated in front of the entire universe. It gets really tiring.

I don't know, dealing with personalities is surely hard but I have always been the sort of person who can handle different people easily but when it involves the wrong niat coming from that person himself then the chemistry just tend to fall apart. And I am the sort of person who thinks with my instincts most of the time and being around this person turns my radar off the chart in a 360 degree turn.

Ah well Allah maha adil and good things will happen to those who wait with patience. I really do believe in this one thing. The way I see it, I was put in a situation where Allah tested me with his powers and I endured it with sabar and dzikir. I only wish the best for people and I hope that those who are lost will find their way. InsyAllah, Allah will always show His love to us by making things happen to us. If He doesn't test us enough it doesn't mean He doesn't love us, it just means that we have to be prepared for the other obstacles that may befall upon us. In my almost 26 years, I have gone through so many and only Allah knows how much I have to endure. Alhamdulillah I am now a much stronger person.

I pray that He will make me a stronger person. I feel like something major is going to happen. Just need to brace myself and be prepared for this.

I guess that's all the update that I can give right now. Will post better posts later!

Xx