Assalamualaikum,

As usual, Malaysians (Malays mostly) tend to make little things turn to be big issues. For today, it is about breastfeeding in public and taking selfies of it.

I thought it was merely about NIP (Nursing in Public) at first, but it turns out that it has something to do with taking pictures of yourself BF-ing and posting it in social media.

I wrote on my FB:
I was a curator for twtmsia quite some time ago, and I have brought up issues about Nursing in Public. I believe in getting two sides of the story. I have been on both sides. I have seen LOADS of women breastfeeding their children, having real issues in bf-ing their babies, have experience the difficulty in bf-ing, experience the shameful feeling when bf-ing in public, etc. 
Mungkin you guys feel that people who nurse their babies in public are shameless people...but sorry to say you might be wrong. Sebab tu la wujudnya nursing cover...sbb mereka ni malu. Secara logiknya, hampir semua women are ashamed of showing their tits to people. Lebih2 lagi women in Malaysia. Our culture sendiri ajar kita utk berasa malu.
Another thing is the issue of seeing other women NIP. I myself, when I see any bf-ing mommies tgh bf be it in public or even in their own hospital room, I will lower my gaze. I will not stare at her breastfeeding babies. Because, I know how the mothers feel, insecure on the inside when other people (strangers esp) see them breastfeeding.
One needs to understand on breastfeeding babies thoroughly to have a real grasp on this small matter that we have here. It is nothing so big to make an issue of.
So stop punishing and pointing fingers.
Selagi kita berada on only one side of the fence, selagi tu kita jgn menghukum.

Truth is, I myself have posted a couple of pictures of me breastfeeding. One, the day I gave birth of Mimi (in hospital) and another in Gold Coast when I was BF-ing Lulu in Hard Rock Cafe.
Why did I post these pictures?
The one with Lulu is to educate people that it is possible to BF your baby in public without exposing your skin.
The other was just because of Lulu in the picture, nothing to do with me bf-ing Mimi. It was just a coincidence that I was BF-ing.

Anyway, people in social media keep saying that women who NIP are shameless, that they purposely want to NIP because of their pride in BF-ing. People who say these things, I would say they don't know at all about breastfeeding. I'd like to put them in a place where there is no easy access to a baby room, and with a crying baby who wants milk ASAP and refused to be console unless he/she gets milk. A mother's instinct would be to give the baby's milk right there and then. I am very sure that in Malaysia, most mothers would feel insecure to start feeding their baby in public. I did.

And to answer about Dynas' NIP flash mob, I feel that with that flash mob, she and the group actually made a difference here in Malaysia. Malls in Malaysia once upon a time ago, was not known for being nursing-friendly. There were no specific place to breastfeed, very little baby rooms. Mothers tend to bf in toilets, fitting rooms...so it's no wonder why most modern moms eventually choose bottle over breasts. So, after Dynas' NIP mob, a lot has changed. Baby rooms in malls became nursing-friendly. Some malls go to an extend of making a very very comfortable baby room for mothers and babies. Nowadays, we see some restaurants with kids area and provide nursing-friendly environment.

About people who stare at women who BF...maybe you are not used to it, I understand. So stop staring. It's not wrong for a woman to feed her child, it is wrong for you, a stranger, to judge her. Any mother with a hungry baby has no intention of showing her tits for other people to see. They are only thinking of their children. If you feel uncomfortable, lower your gaze. Easy.

Echoing my fb status, if you are only on one side of the fence, you have no right to judge.

Assalamualaikum.

Listening to Mufti Menk's lecture again. As always, he never cease to give me great learnings. I hope Mufti Menk will be granted good health by Allah SWT so that he could pass on his knowledge and guide us to be better and closer to Allah SWT.

From the lecture, Solutions to Our State of Weakness.

A man came to prophet Muhammad SAW and said, "O Messenger, give me a good advice.
Rasulullah SAW said, "Don't get angry."
"Give me more advice," said the man again.
And once more, Rasullulah SAW said, "Don't get angry."

Lesson learnt:
Anger is a dangerous weapon...always against ourselves. Always be patient, Sabar. When we get angry, we always do things we will eventually regret. Do not vent your anger for someone else to another person(s), particularly to your parents or husband/wife and children.
If you get angry, especially if your anger is eating you inside, take wudhu' and PRAY. Vent your feelings out to Allah, talk to Him, ask Him for calmness, ask Him for forgiveness, cry to Him. Allah is the ultimate BFF. He will always be there with you, ALL THE TIME. Make Him your BFF.


Ya Allah, make me a better person each and every day while I'm still alive. Guide me to Your path and never let me astray. I am not always a good person, but I assure You that I will continue to strive to be better. Amin.

Assalamualaikum,

These few days I came back to my guitar. I miss playing it and suddenly I remembered one of the best times I had playing guitar. It was during my studies in UKM, when I took Modern Music as my co-curriculum subject.

We performed many songs on stage as a group and because I was the only girl playing guitar in the band plus I guess mainly because our vocalist who was so good looking, we became somewhat well known. I love being in the class because our teacher (for goodness me I can't remember his name) is really a talented person.

I was then at the same time playing guitar for the university's theater club. It was kind of a coincidence of how I began participating in theater. Abang Bob/Pisang actually is the one responsible. He saw me one day playing the guitar on stage during rehearsal for an event and approached me asking if I want to join theater. Although I was quite taken aback, but I did go to one theater session and I then found myself a member of Kelab Teater Rimba, apparently one of the famous theater club in Malaysia (mainly because of its founder, Bung Kancil).

Anyway, back to the music, the best moment of it all is during the final test. Besides the theory test, we have to do a practical test. Which is, performing. And the hardest song that we have to do was Relaku Pujuk by Spider. This song during that time, was a hit and everyone knows this song. We nailed the rhythm guitar quite easily. Then, me & the other guitarist had to find the tab for intro & solo. When we finally able to fit in the piece by piece of the tabs, I was given the lead guitar. Wow!

I was not as good as the other guitarist, but I think the instructor wants to showcase my talent & partly because I nailed the solo tab easily. And also, maybe since I am a female guitarist, if he gives me the lead and I nailed it, we easily can get A for this subject (in terms of practical).

I however, was having a bit of trouble with the intro. I practice and practice but occasionally I still slip. Up to the point when the other guitarist offered to do the intro if I am not confident to deliver it perfectly on that day. Thus, that became plan B. So, I practiced so much to make sure I do it perfectly. It all depends on me getting the intro perfect.

On that day, I was nervous but at the same time I have that feeling of excited-ness. I am performing for perhaps the last time with these guys (some of the band members are on their last year in UKM), so I want us all to get A. It was thrilling.

We performed other songs first. Relaku Pujuk was our last song. I was nervous as we waited for our drummer's queue for my intro. Really nervous. I remember I took a breath and let it out. And did the intro...and...nailed it! The feeling of relief! As soon as I got through the intro, rhythm guitar and me looked at each other with a look that says, "Yes, we passed that! Let's rock this show to the end!"

Needless to say, We Rock.

Assalamualaikum.

Near to the year end.
Alhamdulillah, thus far, 2015 is a great year.
I have travelled many places, learn many things, do new stuff, venturing in new business, etc.
Thank you God.
Thank you for these blessings.

I have yet to blog about the many places I go, but will do albeit slow updates.
Thing is, I have so so so many pictures and is is hard to choose and upload these.
Help!

Assalamualaikum,

A pumping guidance for mothers:

These days I have found solace in You. You are my guidance, You are my light.
Constantly I turn to you, praying the words of mercy to You.
In You, I found peace, and Home.
Everyday I strive to be good and everyday I am battling with myself...my bad side.
And whenever the bad wins against my good self, I feel that I have indeed failed You.
And I turn to You again, asking for forgiveness, asking you to purify my heart, my black heart.
Ya Rabb, forgive me.
I am just a tiny microscopic person living amongst other people worthy of Your attention.
Yet you still blessed me with a lot. You blessed me with extraordinary parents, an amazing husband, beautiful clever girls and the materialistic stuff we have now. My gratitude to You will never be enough. Thank you Allah!
My Rabb, keep me in this faith and guide me to strengthen my faith towards You. Do not lead me astray, push me forward and not backwards.
Lead my family to You, guide us to elevate our faith so that we can finally taste the sweetness of Imaan.
O Allah, we are upon Your mercy. Tie our hearts to You for eternity.