The reason why AI is a bad idea and the proof the I'm not in the tech gen

The laptop that I so much rely on has a mind of its own. It decided to play a little game with me. As I trialed out a different OS, the main one thought I would be fun to watch as I go mad trying to find my important folders; it moved and renamed all of my essential files. And so, rephrasing my first sentence, the laptop either has a very strong alter ego, or it has a bad case of schrizophrenia.

I despise the net generation!!

... except when I needed an alternative to handing in assignments in hard copy.

My home page just changed from this...

to this...

I currently have no idea of what to do with myself. In my four years of university I never once took even a minute, or half, to think about what life would be like in my post grad years. Of course, I will work, InshaAllah. But I'm not sure if I can take much of "life without assignments". Funny, isn't it? Since most of my assignments have been last minute works, and sometimes even worse.

Gulam Awwal's kid.

কে যাস রে ভাটি গাঙ বাইয়া

কে যাস রে ভাটি গাঙ বাইয়া
আমার ভাইধন রে কইয়ো
নাইওর নিতো বইলা
তোরা কে যাস কে যাস

বছর খানি ঘুইরা গেল
গেল রে
ভাইয়ের দেখা পাইলাম না
পাইলাম না
কইলজা আমার পুইড়া গেল
গেল রেভাইয়ের দেখা পাইলাম না
পাইলাম না

ছিলাম রে কতই আশা লইয়া
ভাই না আইলো গেল গেল
রথের মেলা চইলা
তোরা কে যাস কে যাস

প্রাণ কান্দে , কান্দে
প্রান কান্দে কান্দে প্রান কান্দে রে
প্রান কান্দে
নয়ন ঝরে ঝরে নয়ন ঝরে রে
নয়ন ঝরে

পোড়া মনরে বুঝাইলে বুঝে না
কান্দে কান্দে প্রান কান্দে

সুজন মাঝিরে ভাইরে কইয়ো গিয়া
না আসিলে স্বপনেতে
দেখা দিত বইলা
তোরা কে যাস কে যাস

সিঁন্দুরিয়া মেঘ উইড়া আইলো রে
ভাইয়ের খবর আনলো না
আনলো না
ভাটির চরে নৌকা ফিরা আইলো রে
ভাইয়ের খবর আনলো না
আনলো না

নির্দয় বিধি রে তুমিই সদয় হইয়া
ভাইরে আইনো
নইলে আমার পরান যাবে জ্বইলা
তোরা কে যাস কে যাস

কে যাস রে ভাটি গাঙ বাইয়া
আমার ভাইধন রে কইয়ো
নাইওর নিতো বইলা
তোরা কে যাস কে যাস

———————

গীতিকারঃ মীরা দেব বর্মন
কন্ঠ ও সুরঃ শচীন দেব বর্মন


I can just imagine Shondha singing this, haha!

Life is random ... so are the messages I send and receive

"i finish class at 3. Wanna get a side good with me?"
"i'm not sure abt what 'side good' is but i'm guessing its 'ride home'. and yes."
"Lol see i dont even need to speak proper english for you to understand me. Marry me?"


Quiet a touching proposal.

ND says: so its in? (the assignment)
EM says: yep
ND says: YAY
ND says: 1 to Go
EM says: she [lecturer] stared at me for ten seconds at first
EM says: bcos we handed it in a week early
ND says: lol
ND says: did u give it to her?
EM says: yep
EM says: cos the box wasn't there
ND says: lol
ND says: oh ok
EM says: probably bcos it was due a wk later
ND says: it was originally due mon tho
EM says: yeah but i think she expected everyone to hand in later
ND says: lol we're done. out of the way
EM says: yep
EM says: all good
EM says: our four yrs of wasted time is coming to a close
ND says: yay
EM says: u should have been there at our very last lecture
EM says: it was a momentous occasion
EM says: everyone hugged
EM says: even andrew
EM says: and almost all of the HIMs were in class
ND says: what srs?
EM says: yeah!
EM says: didn't ayesha tell you?
ND says: no
ND says: i didnt ask
EM says: u missed out
ND says: narh
EM says: it was actually fun
ND says: what did the other non-HIMS think? haha
EM says: i admit it would have been more fun if you were there
EM says: this was after class
ND says: oh ok.
EM says: they left
EM says: we kinda hung around a bit
EM says: i think probably cos some of them are not planning to come to dinner
ND says: unis been the worst most depressing 4 years of my life. I'm not sad to be seeing the end of it.
ND says: lol oh well
EM says: nikki, i'm such a pest
ND says: depends where it is; i might not be going to the dinner haha
EM says: i'm sorry
ND says: huh?
EM says: i just lied to you about it all and now i'm cracking myself laughing
EM says: i'm so sorry
ND says: lol
EM says: nothign happened
ND says: i didnt think it'd happened haha
ND says: ayesha didnt even go? lol
EM says: yeah right!
EM says: no
EM says: she didn't
ND says: narh i believed u when u said it
ND says: but at first i was like 'what the???' haha
EM says: i thought about being more of a pest and letting you find out from someone else
EM says: but couldn't take it any more
EM says: lol
ND says: lol
ND says: damn
ND says: u cuda carried it on for weeks


I don't know why I'm putting this up, but its happens to be one of the two highlights of my day. Here's the next.

There I was, waiting in line at Coles, conforming to the polite tradition of keeping about 4 feet of space from the customer being served. And along comes a lady through the exit ... that's right, through the exit ... She gets her items and stands somewhat south-east of me. After half a minute of fidgeting she sternly asks me,
"Excuse me, are you in the line?"
I was speechless, thinking to myself, "Do I not look like I'm in line? Where else can you form a line in such a small shop unless you're waiting at a different counter? And why is she talking to me like that???"
The most I could muster out of my mouth was a mumbled "Yes".
"Then can you please move forward?" - anger pouring out with every word. (You should have seen her face)
More blank looks from me. She must have thought I can't speak English if she missed the inadvertent smile on my face.
By now, the checkout-chick had called out,
"Next, please!"
I moved forward without a reply,and as I walked up to the counter I heard the lady behind her inform her politely, but not necessarily quietly,
"You're supposed to be waiting behind here."
"Oh, ok. In that case," she calls out to me, "I apologise."

Go figure.

Light all throughout the tunnel

My interview at L was not exactly the most successful event of my life. It was almost the oposite, in fact. Nor was my addressing of selection criteria oh-so-very impressive - after all, it began with "I have no working experience in a health environment". However, I was fortunate enough to get an interview along with two other youngsters who possibly did HIM (otherwise youngsters generally wouldn't go for such a position) and two older ladies, both of whom have worked somewhere in the health industry.

Wonder of wonders! Department manager thought well of me!

We're a dying breed, us HIMs. 2010 will be the year when NSW produces the last of HIMs. This is the time when HIM managers will be most keen on taking in new graduates to train us up - যাকে বলে কিনা "বাজিয়ে দেখা". I'm going to hold onto that thin string of hope for my interview at L and any other places I apply for. Jenny thought well of me, which means I have a just that much a better chance at L for the next job I apply for at L, even if I don't get this one.

Counting down the days (there's a message for Flynn)

আমি যে অসম্ভব নস্ট্যালজিক একটা মানুষ সেটা সন্ধ্যা কে অন্ত্যত ১৫-২০ বার বলা হয়ে গেছে। আমার জীবনে এখন এমন একটা সময় যখন এই নস্ট্যালজিক ভাবটা সবচেয়ে বেশী প্রকাশ পাওয়ার কথা। কিন্তু হায়, প্রকাশ পাওয়ার সময় বা সুযগ কোনটাই পাচ্ছি না! সারাদিন ধরে হয় assignment করা, নাহয় সেটা নিয়ে panic করা (যদিও বেশীর ভাগ সময় দ্বিতীয়টাই করা হচ্ছে)। তার উপর অপেক্ষ্যা করে আছি আমার জীবনের সবচেয়ে প্রথম course-related চাকরীর ইন্টারভিউ-এর রেজাল্টের জন্য। আগামী ৩-সপ্তার মধ্যে একটা চাকরী না পেলে যে আমি বেকার দলে পরব! আল্লাহ বাচাও গো!!! সুযোগ অঢেল। কিন্তু আমার না আছে এক্সপেরিএন্স আর না আছে কনফিডেন্স।

এদিকে আমার ক্লাসের ছেলেমেয়েরা প্ল্যান করছে শেষ exam-এর পর ডিনার করতে যাবে। এমন একটা জায়গা খোজা হচ্ছে যার কাছাকাছি বার/ক্লাব আছে। তোদের বার/ক্লাবে তোরা যা। কিন্তু আমার জন্য অন্ত্যত একটা হালাল রেস্টুরান্টে (বানান জানিনা) গেলেই হবে। City-তে হালাল কোন জায়গার খোজ দিতে পারবে কেউ? যেটা ১৫-২০জন মানুষের জন্য cater করতে পারবে আর খাবারের দাম $20-25? হুম, ব্লগস্পটে আজকাল মানুষজনের যত যাতায়াত...

Flynn, this is for you: if you know any halal restaurants in city that can cater for 15-20 people with around $20-25 meal pp, please let me know asap. Otherwise I shall certainly miss out on the very last time my HIM buddies (if they can be called so) gather. Of course there's grad day but that doesn't count.

বি দ্রঃ সন্ধ্যার সাথে বোঝাপোরা আছে।

"on the same boat"- এর বাংলা version পেলাম - "একই গোয়ালের গরু"!

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগের ভেতর

আমি বাংলা কবিতা বা গান সাধারনতঃ (নাকি সাধারনঃত) পোস্ট করিনা। কিন্তু এই গানটা আমার খুব ভাল লেগেছে। সরাসরি গান থেকে লিখেছি, কোথাও থেকে কপি করে না, তাই বানানে ভুল হলে জানানোর অনুরোধ করছি।

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগের ভেতর

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগের ভেতর মন খারাপের দিস্তা
মন খারাপ হলেই কুয়াশা হয় ব্যকুল হলে তিস্তা

মন খারাপের খবর আসে বন পাহাড়ের দেশে
চৌকোনো সব বাক্সে, যেথায় যে মন থাক সে
মন খারাপের খবর পড়ে দারূন ভালোবেসে

মেঘের ব্যাগের ভেতর ম্যাপ রয়েছে মেঘ পিওনের পাড়ি
পাকদন্ডি পথ বেয়ে তার বাগানঘেরা বাড়ি

বাগান শেষে সদর দুয়ার বারান্দাতে আরাম চেয়ার
গালচে পাতা বিছানাতে ছোট্টো রোদের ফালি
সেথায় এসে মেঘ পিওনের সমস্ত ব্যাগ খালি

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগের ভেতর মন খারাপের দিস্তা
মন খারাপ হলেই কুয়াশা হয় ব্যকুল হলে তিস্তা

দেয়াল জুড়ে ছোট্টো রোদের ছায়া বিশালকায়
নিষ্পলকে ব্যকুল চোখে তাকিয়ে আছে ঠায়
কিসের অপেক্ষায়?

রোদের ছুরি ছায়ার শরীর কাটছে অবিরত
রোদের বুকের ভেতর ক্ষত
সেই বুকের থেকে টুপ টুপ টুপ নীল কুয়াশা ঝরে
আর মন খারাপের খবর আসে আকাশে মেঘ করে
সারা আকাশ জুড়ে

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগের ভেতর মন খারাপের দিস্তা
মন খারাপ হলেই কুয়াশা হয়, ব্যকুল হলে তিস্তা

মেঘের দেশে রোদের বাড়ি, পাহাড় কিনারায়
যদি মেঘ পিওনের ডাকে, সেই ছায়ার হদিস থাকে
রোদের ফালি তাকিয়ে থাকে আকুল আকাঙ্ক্ষায়
কবে মেঘের পিঠে আসবে খবর বাড়ির বারান্দায়
ছোট্টো বাগানটায়

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগের ভেতর মন খারাপের দিস্তা
মন খারাপ হলেই কুয়াশা হয়, ব্যাকূল হলে তিস্তা

আকাশ জুড়ে বৃষ্টি এল, আকাশ জুড়ে গাঢ়
রোদের সাথে ছায়ার আড়ি, মুখ দেখে না কারো

মেঘ করেছে পড়ার ঘরে বিছানাতা জুড়ে
উথাল-পাথাল মেঘ করেছে নিঝুম হৃদয় পুরে

বুঝি হঠাৎ করে মেঘ পিওনের খনিক অসাবধানে
তার চিঠির গোছা উড়ে গেছে কখন দূরের বনে

গড়িয়ে গেছে ঝর্নাজলে, ছড়িয়ে গেছে গাছের ডালে
মন খারাপের পাতাগুলি গাছের পাতার মত
নিল পাহাড়ে পরছে ঝরে, ঝরছে অবিরত

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগের ভেতর মন খারাপের দিস্তা
মন খারাপ হলেই কুয়াশা হয়, ব্যাকূল হলে তিস্তা

মন খারাপের মেঘে গেল সারাটা বন ঢেকে
মেঘের ডাকে গুমড়ে ওঠা কষ্ট থেকে থেকে

ছায়া যেন ছায়ার মত মেলায় পাহাড় বনে
ছায়াটি তার ফেলে গেছে রোদের মনে

এপাশ ওপাশ রাত্রি ফুরায় মন খারাপের ভোরে
পশলা মেঘে বৃষ্টি পরে, বৃষ্টি পরে ঝরে

আয় বৃষ্টি টাপুর টুপুর, আয় বৃষ্টি ঝেপে
মন খারাপের বৃষ্টি, তোকে দুঃখ দেব মেপে

মেঘ পিওনের কোথায় বাড়ি, কোথায় সে কোন দূরে?
আষাঢ় হলেই কোথা থেকে আসে আকাশ জুড়ে

মন খারাপের দিস্তিগুলি কখন বিলি করে?
রাত জাগা কোন ভোরে, মেঘের দিপ্রোহোরে
পাকদন্ডি পথের ধারে বাগানঘেরা ঘরে

এখন রোদ উঠেছে, মেঘ পিওনের যাবার সময় প্রায়
যেসব চিঠি হয়নি বিলি পরেছে ঝরনায়

গড়িয়ে গেছে নদীর জলে, ছড়িয়ে আছে গাছের ডালে
টুক টুক টুক পড়বে ঝড়ে পাহাড় দলির পথে
ধীরে ধীরে শুকিয়ে যাবে শুকনো পাতার সাথে

মন খারাপের সজলটুকু শুকিয়ে গিয়ে শেষে
মিলিয়ে যাবে তিরতিরে এক 'মন কেমন' -এর দেশে

মেঘ পিওনের ব্যাগে এবার মন কেমন -এর দিস্তা
সেই মন কেমন এর স্রোতের টানে চলছে বয়ে তিস্তা



কেউ যদি গানটা শুনতে চায়, here's the address to download

The Special One's

Emu has 5 HIMs in her msn list. HIM with capital H-I-M; wow, must be special. 'Any potentials', was the question on little Llama's mind. I ido wonder at what kind of discomfort she went through before finally admitting to Shondha that she had seen 5 "special one"s on my msn list. And before long, Shondha asks me who those special ones are, and possibly wondering why didn't she know about them.

It's a pity no one remembered what I've been wasting my time with for the last four years...

E1: is emon at home?
E2: i don't think he is. not sure though. can't get in touch with him.

The age factor

E1: How old are you?
E2: None of your business.

ああああ~~~! しあわせええ~~~!

A quick update

• I have paper cuts within paper-cuts.
• I have several bruises on my right hand.
• I am unable to write with a pen/pencil or the like due to my bruises.
• My wrist is giving way from handling God-forbidden thick records. (someone advise me on the correct use of the term "God-forbidden"... Islamically)
• I have forgotten to ask my ex-supervisors for permission to use them as references. DAMMIT!!!
• I'm sleepy.
• I can't get the friggin' songs out of my head that I've been repeatedly hearing to almost the whole day for the last 2 weeks.
• I have to summarise around 5-6 articles by tonight.
• I have to start and finished preparing for a presentation for Monday morning.
• I have to summarise 3/4 more articles by Wednesday arvo.
• I have to start and finish an assignment by Friday.

On a side note - Marcin, for the sake of God, PLEASE reply sometime during the weekend.

On a side-side note - I need to grow up.

On a further side-side note - I need to build up my confidence so I don't break down in front of a panel of 3.

Plenty more side notes but no time.

YA ALLAH! HELP ME!!! I PUT MYSELF IN YOUR MERCY!!!

Of shoes and sharks

A cople of days ago I went and bought myself a lovely pair of shoes. They really are lovely, and felt as though they were made just for my feet ... at the time. Unfortunately, it so happened that, along with the lovely pair of shoes I had inadvertently bought myself a set of foot problems. Around midday yesterday the shoe was rubbing badly against the back of my foot. Bandaged up immediately, it caused no further problems. Today, I'll be leaving the house with band-aids on several other areas of my feet in order to avoid any blisters. I intend to have no blisters to accompany my new shoes.



In other news, being in a work environment as the shadows of the managers made me realise what a 'kid' I still am. It feels like an acquarium-fish jumping into the ocean. I didn't realise it in the first few days, but slowly I started to notice all the variety of 'fish' around the workplace. Some as docile as ... sea cucumbers, while others ... well, I suppose as vicious as a shark that is hungry enough to go vegetarian. They really made me wonder - 'Do I ever want to become a department manager?' There really may be employees out there who are vindictive enough to go out of their way in order to blame another to the point of tears! Most of those who know me will know what little patience I have. I really don't want to end up in an unknown workplace, fresh out of uni, with a bunch of sharks and traumatise myself. I'll have enough to worry about with learning the ropes of work life ... and hours.

God help me! ... in finding as good a place as BT.

Turning up at uni to find a friend wearing the same coloured clothes as me, I can take.



Standing behind a girl wearing a top with the same material as me, I can take also.



But supervisor going monochrome on the same day as me?! What were the chances?

...

currently busy maing my parents believe that old age is a state of mind.

.... oh hey! another whisker for my collection!

Speaking of whiskers, there's a new cat in the neighbourhood. It is snow-white, with grey tail. Extremely docile. Wasted no time in cuddling up to me. When I grabbed it and plunked in onto my lap it didn't even wince. For two minutes it was ... my cat. It's not that I'm not greatful that I have Cheeky - even now I'm smiling at the fact that I have a cat sleeping peacefully on me chair, ... albeit shedding on it, - but I seriously feel the need to increase the population of cats in my vicinity.

Then again, Cheeky won't stand for any other feline smell, let along a feline in flesh and fur. The nutty cat hissed when she smelled another cat on me. That cat has a problem. Ruddy little anti-social thing.

Moment of Muse

This comment was made for a still of Alan Rickman as Colonel Brandon in "Sense and Sensibility" -- "lol Harry Potter has ruined all chances of me ever taking Colonel Brandon seriously. :P"

Faces...

I learned a new phrase today which I really hope to use some day - intellectually tickling.

Shall post up my own POWs when I feel like being a good girl.

tsk tsk

I just finished watching Avatar and let me tell you - not a very satisfying ending. The initial excitement and drive of creating possibly the very first "cool" Western (though Eastern-inspired) cartoon was gone by Chapter 13 of Book 3, when Zuko joined 'team Avatar'. Ah well, there's always Naruto...

Sasaki Kojiro is dead. I am seriously so sad that I could almost cry. Shinjirare nai. Kojiro-sama ha shinda.

Dougies

Anyone interested in going to Dougies? It's about 30min from City by train and very close to the station. Mediterranean style food. Reasonable prices (I think so anyway). I've never had it though. Here's the address if you want to check it out: http://www.dougiesflamegrilled.com.au/.

...

'Do you remember me telling you we are practising non-verbal spells, Potter?'
'Yes,' said Harry stiffly.
'Yes, sir.'
'There's no need to call me "sir", Professor.'
... Behind Snape, however, Ron, Dean and Seamus grinned appreciatively.


I had tears coming out of my eyes when I read this in the train! I thank the Almighty that there were not too many passengers in the train to find me weird...

Randomness

saya belum menikah says:
do u know how much u sound like someone utterly love struck?
saya belum menikah says:
by a cat

A Little While, A Little While

A little while, a little while,
The weary task is put away,
And I can sing and I can smile,
Alike, while I have holiday.

Why wilt thou go, my harassed heart,
What thought, what scene invites thee now?
What spot, or near or far,
Has rest for thee, my weary brow?

There is a spot, mid barren hills,
Where winter howls, and driving rain;
But if the dreary tempest chills,
There is a light that warms again.

The house is old, the trees are bare,
Moonless above bends twilight's dome;
But what on earth is half so dear,
So longed for, as the hearth of home?

The mute bird sitting on the stone,
The dank moss dripping from the wall,
The thorn-trees gaunt, the walks o'ergrown,
I love them, how I love them all

Still, as I mused, the naked room,
The alien firelight died away,
And from the midst of cheerless gloom
I passed to bright unclouded day.

A little and a lone green lane
That opened on a common wide;
A distant, dreamy, dim blue chain
Of mountains circling every side;

A heaven so clear, an earth so calm,
So sweet, so soft, so hushed an air;
And, deepening still the dream-like charm,
Wild moor-sheep feeding everywhere.

That was the scene, I knew it well;
I knew the turfy pathway's sweep
That, winding o'er each billowy swell,
Marked out the tracks of wandering sheep.

Even as I stood with raptured eye,
Absorbed in bliss so deep and dear,
My hour of rest had fleeted by,
And back came labour, bondage, care.

- Emily Jane Bronte

It's here...

I torture, I pain... I hope to do so anyway

Just thought I'd put this up for the sake of ... well, just putting it up.

"Hello Macgyver"

This has to be the best reference I've heard made not only in House, but in all of television - the phrase "how's it going team Macgyver?" used by House in an episode where the patient is stuck in the South Pole.

... Don't get it? Well, not all of us like watching sci-fi as well as Macgyver. Colonel Jack O'Neill in Stargate, played by Richard Dean Anderson, was stuck with his team member Samantha Carter in Antarctica in ep i-don't-remember, in season i-also-don't-remember. At the beginning of the Stargate series, I think in the 2hr pilot, Carter made reference to Macgyver's ingenuity (to which O'Neill did a curious raise of eyebrows). One of the much watched bloopers of the Antarctica episode is where a frustrated Carter yells out something like "Build a nuclear reactor, for crying out loud! Your used to be Macgyver, Macgimmic, Macgadget and now you're just mac-useless. God! I'm stuck in the ice with Macgyver!" Of course, it was part of her dialogue and did not go on air.

... Still don't get it? Oh come on! You must know who played Macgyver! Richard Dean Anderson! He became the face of Macguyver, way before our time mind you, and I'm pretty sure he became the face of the Stargate series too ... at least to sci fi fans. ... But you wouldn't know, would you?

Ah well. There's three of my favourite shows so cleverly combined that it was hardly noticeable... or was it? May be the writers of House didn't even know what they were putting in Laurie's mouth... Or may be Laurie improvised it...

Leave my chicken be!

An utterly grossifying tale:

"Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has set an almighty challenge: they'll give US$! million to anyone who can bring lab-made meat to the market by 2012. In vitro meat production would use animal stem cells placed in a medium to grow and reproduce. The result would mimic flesh and could be cooked and eaten.
Science writer William Saletan recently wrote on slate.com: "Instead of growing a chicken embryo into a bird ad cutting meat from it, you skip the bird part and grow the meat directly fromthe embryo."
While PETA is pushin the idea to stop animal suffering, they are expecting a backlash from people who may well ask, if it looks like a duch and tastes like duck, is it a duck? Let's watch this develep."

Let's. I mean, come on! PETA has pushed it here. I can understand their cosmetics-not-tested-on-animals and I fully support it, but this is pushing it. This is messing with my chicken! I like my chicken to look like a chicken, not a lump of boneless flesh. I do wonder how PETA plans to go about feeding all those billions of carnivours in the animal world. You know what? Maybe they should start a campaign for animal rights, in the animal kingdom. First on the black list - LIONS!!

Honestly! leave my chicken be ... a chicken!

Brief Hybernation

Sayonara all, for I shall go on a brief blog-hybernation while the fate of my technical life is being decided. Much to say and write, but alas, I cannot do so yet.

Matte ne~~~!!!

NOT MY POEM!!! I SWEAR!!!

His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord

Last convo from SGP

me: i'm here. see me?
shondha: yep, this is better. web msger is weird
me: when's ur flight. how much longer?
shondha: at 8.30 but we are leaving the hostel at 4.30. now its 2.37
me: (i seriously don't know why i'm feeling so excited). make one last entry in ur blog before u leave
shondha: lol, i am feeling excited! oh emu, do i have to?
me: just a little one. to make it a dozen
shondha: lol, okay i will.. ma will come in half an hour. its funny, i used to have so much to do online, now all i want to do is talk to her. everything else is secondary!
me: narir taan
shondha: how is ls preparation going?
me: haven't properly started yet. and emon just busted my motherboard today
shondha: hm?
me: my computer. is pretty much dead
shondha: its so strange emu... i am going to miss singapore! and this ls is very much compu dependant. e*. my english is gone...
me: lol. tends to happen when u'r learnig a new language
shondha: hm. u know what i did today...
me: ki korso?
shondha: went to botanical gardens... started from home at 7. three of us went... there is a really beautiful orchid garden in sgp... entry is $1 for students. finished packing last night at 2 to go to botanical gardens
me: $1!!!!!!!!!!
shondha: yes. u know what, i should come back here with u again
me: u shud
shondha: save up for both of us, we can come in few years
me: might even make that my first trip out of australia by myself
shondha: :)
me: or maybe stay over for a wk on the way to bd
shondha: yes, that would be good if possible...
me: second trip u'r coming with me to jap :P
shondha: i didnt have weight or money otherwise, if u look hard enough, shopping is pretty good here, too. oh yes i am coming
shondha: sorry, few friends came. i can eat with chopsticks now
me: think hard and make ur last words from sgp to me memorable. lol
shondha: i can eat RICE with chopsticks
me: thats the best u can do?
shondha: there u go, u should remember that. lol, i thought of telling u before u asked for a memorable word. i am sleep deprived, cant think now!
me: oi! don't u dare go without saying someting!
shondha: lol, accha, chup koro, 5 mins time dao ekta chotto blog kori. tarpor ma er shathe kotha bole chole jabo, i should enjoy singapore now
me: i'm only at uni for 3 more months. K. i shut up
me: exactly. enjoy sgp now
shondha: yes, inshallah kalke tomar shathe kotha hobe. amar jonno doa koro, okay?
me: of course. Wait. where's the last memorable saying
shondha: lol, i dont have any memorable saying
me: awww. ja bhag
shondha: print out this convo and highlight what u want
me: but take care
shondha: and hang that on the wall to keep it memorable. inshallah i will.. u take care too, okay?
Sent at 5:04 PM on Thursday, 17 July

Hybernation

Everyone seems to have gone into hybernation... and so shall I.

Don't you worry, blog, for we shall be back during exam season.

Misfortunes

They say not to laugh at others' misfortune. I laugh at my own! Bwahahahaha!!!!!
I fell! I slipped and slid down three steps and very painfully landed on my butt. But it was sooo funny!!!!! Aaahahahaha!!!

...as if Henry leaving wasn't enough, now Harry leaves too

He looks strangely like Cheeky's very first kitten.

আমার সাদা-কালো বাঘের বাচ্চা!

He left. Now both of us are miserable. Obachan called to let us know that Harry's not as lively as before he left. Cheeky, however, is currently feeling over the moon to have her rival out of the house.

I've learnt several lessons from my experience of kitty-sitting:

- Don't have a kitten running around in the house unless there are kids running after it.

- Don't let a kitten think your limbs are its play-things ... and I do mean ALL FOUR LIMBS... seriously.

- Don't let a kitten go under your car unless you enjoy giving a cat a bath ... without the use of toilet.

Depression rant

Cool Whispers drift from the north on the night,
Yet you warm my heart for we hold the light.

The land must fade from green into white.

Hush my heart this love is a fire.
This love will burn like a fire.

Lie side by side in the soft winter white.
Hold me close to you, as we brace for flight.

In time I pray they'll see what we feel.

Gentle love this pain won't retire.
This love must burn like a fire.

Close your eye's and dream what I see.
Peace for the moment, future unclear.

Hand by hand as we stand on the wire,
The ending so near, our past close behind.

Light bends through trees, leaves spiral and wind.
We're far from here and frozen in time.

Cool Whispers drift from the north on the night,
Yet you warm my heart for we hold the light.

The land must fade from green into white.

Hush my heart this love is a fire.
This love will burn like a fire.


...and I didn't even go out of my way to be depressed...

আমার মন খারাপ

আমার মন খারাপ

দগ্ধ দিনের গল্প

www.murchona.com থেকে শীর্ষেন্দু মুখোপাধ্যায়-এর লেখা "দগ্ধ দিনের গল্প" পেলাম। দেখে interesting মনে হল। পুরোটা একটা কনভার্সেশন; মনে হয় শুধু দু'জন মানুষের। এরকম কনভার্সেশন পড়তে মজা লাগে, কিন্তু শুধু দু'জনের ৫৮ পৃষ্ঠা কথা পড়ে কি মজা পাব? ২০ পৃষ্ঠা পড়ে যদি বিরক্ত লাগে তাহলে তো সময় নষ্ট। রিস্ক নিব?

... না থাক। যেদিন কিছু পড়ার থাকবে না সেদিন নাহয় পড়া যাবে। এর চেয়ে "ফুল চোর" পড়ি।

হম্‌ম্‌। পরীক্ষা শেষ তো তাই এই খেয়ে দেয়ে কাম নাই অবস্থা।

List of things to come:
- Z-man's wedding; must go shopping on Monday.
- ten pin bowling with the ladies.
-

...aaah heck! I'v got such a boring holiday this time. Screw blogging. I'm only talking to myself anyway. aaah mo!!! juubun dattebayo~!!! Life has seldom been this boring and people-less.

I quit life.

Oh boy, I'm going through another one of those ranting posts. ~Intruder alert~. Must not overdo.

Note to self: must ask someone if শীর্ষেন্দু মুখোপাধ্যায় is the same as শীর্ষেন্দু মুখার্জি.

Postcard from SGP

Buddha Tooth Temple

Buddha Tooth Temple?? Tooth temple??!!! なんで それ? Did Buddha, by any chance, lose a tooth there?!

That aside, this postcard would be the very first postcard I've gotten in my life, so far as I can remember. Dear সন্ধ্যাবাতী cheating করেছে; চিঠির বদলে পোস্টকার্ড দিলো। কিন্তু খুব cute একটা stamp-এর জন্যে মাফ করে দেযা গেলো। Large Indian Civet.

ধন্যবাদ , ありがとう ございます and thank you.

余所者!!!!!

私 の ぼろぐ に 余所者 は 有る。 だから ほうじ に かく。人 は 男 です よって 邪魔立て です。 くさ!!!

One day, so many events

- bus driver willing to give me a free ride to avoid getting a $10 note in the morning.
- I carry out the most satisfying bulls****ing in an exam in my 18 years of education life (to my knowledge).
- I complete my last exam for the semester.
- Bus driver gets a 90cent tip from me, then some more tip from the next passanger, then correct change from the next, and finally gets refused by a "tight" passenger.
- I discover that i'm 10cents short for my train fare.
- I take myself to M apu's new flat.
- Tahmeed vomits on his clothes and gets a change.
- Tahmeed vomits on me but unfortunately I don't get a change
- Tahmeed then stares at two of my fingers as he ponders about which to eat first.
- I go shopping with abbu and get myself Balushai. damn it, I'll go fat on that.
- I regret talking to the chick on msn. She's currently bugging me.

Mark Of a Jurist Birmingham POWs

Don't think you know islam unless you've studied fiqh.

Never try and invalidate ibadah. Always try and validate.

Whoever hurries up an affair before its time is punished by being forbidden from it.

We can save a lot of time by combining intentions for allowable actions. Eg. instead of praying 10*20 rakats, pray 2 rakahs with 10 intentions.

If a commodity is allowed to be traded then it is permissible to give it as a gift in charity or as a security or deposit.

Have a book of debts.

Risk depression goes down for men after marriage. Risk of depression goes up for women after marriage.

When a man gets married he gets a wife. When a woman gets married, she doesn't get a wife. Men earn, women spend.

The inter-joining of intentions.

The essence of lying is in deception.

The consideration in contracts is for the real intention and meaning not the wording or sentence construction.

Maximising your deeds.

Acheiving piety starts with the heart, and everything else follows.

Reward of C3 + (C1/C2) is great!

Shouldn't give 1/3 with the intention to cause harm to the inheriter.

Do not be hasty in applying rules.

Knowing the rules of fiqh will make it easier to answer questions from such people who don't know when to stop asking wny but why?

Housework is just as rewarding as mans work!Maximise your ibadah by combining your intentions!

ANY action can be combined with appropriate unlimited C3 actions to maximise reward.

One should not combine obligatory worship with nafil worship on a single intention.

The power of intention!Madhabs are a means and not an end.The creator of the heavens and earth is so Merciful.

Let me benefit from my ilm and hideAn ibadah is something which requires intention. Mualamah - eg. day to day activity. Ibadah (worship). Qurbah (seeking nearness to Allah). The slave must struggle in life to do worship and you must intend a proper islamic intention for ALlah.

Allah only accepts from the pious ones.

Verily you're tested by the level of your iman.

The Prophet said: Let not anyone sit down in the mosque until he/she has prayed the two rakah.

The Prophet said: There is no inheritance from the person who kills.

The person who dies has its intelligence with him. SO can think of debts etc which he did not pay.

A handful of charity given by the sahaba is better than us giving mound Uhud in gold not because they gave more but because they intended more.

This course is much better than I have previously thought!

If someone steals from you, say: its a gift to you.

It is recommended for one to keep a book of debts and store it next to the will. The partners should also notify each oter of their book of debts.

I was amazed by how much benefit can be attained by understanding fiqh in our daily lives.

You should never be negative about the other person's ibadah. You should make it easy on people.

Just because your prayer is correct, doesn't mean it has been accepted by Allah. Allah only accepts from the muttaqoon (pious and God-fearing).

Ya sheikh when we heard you may not do another course this year, we were quite upset but when we have heard you spend 12/52 weekends with your wife, we say take your time ya sheikh.

The intent behind a speech is upon the intention of the speaker except under oath in front of the judge.

The small deeds that are done continously are more loved by Allah than the large deeds done infrequently in one go.

When you plan to do something, correct your intentions in three phases: in beginning, middle and the end of the action, less can the shaytan overwhelm you with his whispers.

The shaheed will be prevented from entering jannah due to debt.

It is very easy to say haram but true fiqh is to know when to say halal.

You can't extend a small specific intention to a wider general meaning. You can reduce a wider intention to a smaller meaning. Subordinate rule 3.

What more do muslim women want!? Is is not enough:
* That jannah lies beneath our feet.
* We can enter jannah through any door.
* Our children need to give us their time.
* We can enter jannah by obeying our husbands.

The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world!

May Allah raise in rank those who supply JEWELS OF BENEFIT to the ummah.

There is a difference between correctness and acceptance of worship.

Be a purple cow! strive for the cause.

We should all try to be like Umar (RA) because he used to deal/ politicise people with the truth according to goals of shariah.

Time to change, we can't sit back and worship Allah in our houses, in our circle of muslim friends. Time to wake up and reuse the mistakes of the Jews and Christians. WHat happened in France, Chechneya etc can happen here.

God alone determines the fate of battle.

Whoever fasts in ramadan and shawaal it is like they have fasted for a whole year.

Difficulty is always to be removed and anything that leads to it is desirable, except by express requirement from the shariah.

The nature of fiqh is that is gives you a way out, but the whole point is it comes back to the heart.. are you truly worshipping Allah from your heart?

Be like Umar who used to deal with the people with absolute truth.

Allah will keep firm those who believe with the word that stands firm in this world and in the hereafter. Allah will cause to go astray those who are wrongdoers. Allah does what he wills. (Ibrahim 27)

Istikarah has changed my life.

The muslim society appears selfish expecting muslim women to work as full time professionals ignoring her personal or family life. Please appreciate muslim women's roles as mothers, wives, daughters and sisters. May Allah raise their ranks further.

Companions used to make upto 70 intentions for one action.I have benefited from the hitting of a righteous man ( man talking about when he was hit by Umar ibn al-Khataab (ra).

Verily with difficulty comes ease.Make things easy not difficult. Give glad tidings and do not make them run away.

A special job description should be devised for muslim sisters to work in specific professions:
* Hours of work - 4 hours
*Preferably from 10-2
*To work 3 weeks a month
*Full salary for 1/2 of the time work.
*Time off if circumstances change.

Imam Malik is of the opinion that torture is permitted in order to gain information out of somebody.

Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal used to tell his students: before coming to my class give sadaqah and make the dua - Oh Allah give me benefit from the ilm and hide the mistakes of my teachers from me.

Beware of the tongue it can lead you to heaven or hell.

Examples of maqasid (goals and purpose of shariah).

1/ Religion 2/ Life 3/ intellect 4/ progeny 5/ wealthIts by struggling against ourselves that we become better than the angels.

Don't think you are heading towards jannah. Always think you are heading for jahannam. Don't think your good deed is enough for Allah!

Islam makes things easy for you.

Before doing an action, think about your intention carefully and add together as many intentions as you can to get more reward.

We should be like students of knowledge not laymen!

Plan with wisdom and good advice.

Fiqh is missing from the ummah.

The children of medinah are amongst the naughtiest in the world.

You should snitch on those people in the community which cause great harm overall. If you see someone stealing your car you would snitch but if you see someone stealing from the community you would not?

The prophet (pbuh) suggested to Julaybib who was short and ugly to marry a daughter of a noble man. The father refused but the daughter agreed to this alliance and convinced her father. The marriage was blessed and there was no plastic surgery involved!

Governance is upon Justice - once a man came to a companion and said "I have killed someone - the companion said - "Allah's mercy and forgiveness is encompassing" Another man came to the same companion and said "what happens to a killer? The companion replies "the punishment is severe". THE reason for the different answer is that he thought the man was about to kill."

Allah testifies there is none worthy of worship but HIm and the Angels and the people of knowledge.

"Thirsty for knowledge... drink it from the fountain of Al-Kauthar courses.

All haram can be made halal.Study of fiqh can also increase Iman as other topic in islam.

We should all try to be like umar(RA) - Governing people with the truth.

You and your wealth belong to your father.

Prohibition takes precedence over obligation.

Actions of the heart are considered over speech of the heart.

The appliance of the rules of shariah with regards to the 5 universal matters. Religion, life, intellect, progeny and wealth. Have no contradiction and if applied by all with in no doubt benefit mankind immensely.

Reality hits

I just got Z-man's and G-man's wedding invitation on fb. And reality hits. Z-man's going to be married!!! My one and only crab girl! I'll surely miss her. This post is dedicated to me missing crab girl.... let's have a minute of silence.

Quick highlights of my life

1. Got my presentation mark back – 23/30!!! Woohoo!!!. Everyone knows it was a fluke. We seriously can’t figure out how it happened. Z and my part got us 13/15 and the other two got us 10. A few party hats, some wacky music, and over-enthusiestic speaker who does not really know what she’s reading and a speaker who can’t go on in the middle of the lecture because her tooth had been pulled out the week before. A pretty combination if you don’t want to pass a presentation! But, heck!!! We got DISTINCTION!!!

2. Looking forward to lunch with Shondhabati and crab-girl on Thursday! Yeay! Need to save up and go shopping for crab-girl’s gift. Can’t wait1 … for both!

3. Also looking forward to possible rock climbing on 22nd June. I need money. And lots of it. Sponsor me someone.

4. Also looking forward to going to next AlKauthar course on the 14/15th of June. Why must everything come at a time when I’m so damn short of money and E2 … has other issues for which he can’t lend? Why? Naze?

5. NOT looking forward to exams on 20th, 23rd, 24th and 26th. AlKauthar is the weekend before my first exam, and rock climbing is on the weekend after it. I don’t really need a break after finance exam, and I don’t really need to be sore before 3 exams on the week after, but hey. It’s a once-in-a-long-time opportunity. So I wants to go.


Right! Off I go to watch gender interaction at … nearby cafe!

Plans for the holidays

1. make checkerboard cookies.

Something about ともだち

Ah heck! I had a muse right after I woke up and now it's gone. Aaaah heck!

Anyway, it's soem complaint about people wanting to keep secrets from people without any reason. I mean, I really don't mind if you're meeting up with a friend. But when I tell you that she is hoping to see you so let's meet, it's kind of unfair not to let me know you're meeting up. What kind of behaviour is this? I REALLY DON'T CARE WHEN OR WHY OR WHERE YOU MEET. REALLY! But please, have the curtesy of saying "Oh, that's sweet of you, but we made plans to meet up with her. But if you still want to meet, then I'll come."


Really...
I DON'T CARE WHO YOU MEET OR WHERE, WHEN, WHY YOU MEET.
I'm not likely to say "Oh! Can I come along too?" I get it - you two have something to say to each other. And it's common knowkedge that when two out of a group want to meet, they want it to be only the two. And trust me, in a group of Muslimahs, the rest won't take it to heart if they find out.

I won't anyway. You should know that. You've known me a while.

UGH!!! This is so frustrating!!!!

Let's just throw what little I can comprehended about "friendship" out the window and leave the Emu as a bitter, cold-hearted lone-emu (as opposed to lone-wolf).

Between a rock, a hard place and an abnormal mind

Post removed for fear.

sigh...

নিত্যনতুন অনুভবের দিন শেষ। এখন শুধু পাই nostalgia

Have you any wool?

Yeay!!! I found wool!!!

Divano

ARGH!!! I shall go nuts!!! Even when I'm commenting on someone's blog I'm thinking about how to stretch the sentence so as to make it to word limit!!!

I've gone nuts!!! And to make things worse I have "Divano" in my head!!! I don't even know what that means!!!

I'm reading Musashi. I've missed my Musashi.

My needs - no need to read

Need to finish 1500 word assignment. Need to finish the 2 articles for tomorrow's class. Need to talk to AC about deferred exams. Need to find out why I have a classification class tomorrow and when. Need to find tutor for finance. Need to go blank in the head. Need to quit uni.

Fellow commuters

Days like today I wish I travelled on trains and buses more often.

Cought the G'field train and sat down across from a young-ish girl crochetting and humming away. Stared at her, made sure she looked at me twice and then commented on how nice the colour combination for her crochet work was. It was a cot blanket for her nephew, Oscar, due in about two months. Made me regret that I didn't come up with the idea of making something like that for Tahmeed before he was born. There's still time though. It's winter and there's a range of things to be made. I just have to find out what they are. ..... And learn to crochet ... and I have just accomplished that, finishing the very first round of something called a granny square! But more on that later. Knit happens, you see.

Anyway, crochet-girl aside, the asian dude sitting on next to me in the second train I caught for the day happened to be someone who is taking an accounting subject at uni or tafe. There I sit, frantically flipping my book back and forth, trying to finish the finance 'homework' our lecturer 'set' a couple of weeks ago, while dude-face very enthusiastically eats his brunch. He finishes, and pulls out his own uni/tafe work that just happens to be on accounting ... on the only day I have to do accounting on the train. A bit of *snicker snicker ... look away and hide that grin* and we're back to work. Who knows how many mistakes he may have picked out in my answers. I know he was looking at my answers.

Bus-ride back to the station: believe it or not, a bus-driver that's actually fun. He'll honk if you walk instead of taking the bus, close the door in your face and rev up when he sees you running to catch the bus. The most entertaining bus-driver I've seen in my life. I actually look forward to catching the bus to and from uni just in the hope that he'll be the driver. Last year, when packing up the CMS tent he stood there without helping out a bunch of girls and only one guy. "I'm just gonna stand here and watch how a bunch of girls pack up a tent." With much hope that the only 'man' would be able to figure it out he left for 2 minutes or so and came back to find that it was a girl who had the last laugh. *Pat on the shoulder* - "You must be so embarassed." Well, brother, so should you.

Anyway, I had a lovely old conversation with him about the henna on my hand and the tattoo on his arm.

Why is it that people from the African continent are so beautifully tall. I've seen many school students at the station in the last three and a half years of uni, but even now every time I see one that is exceptionally tall with a good figure, I can't help but steal as many glances as possible. Most tall and thin people look plain "lanky" (I'm not sure if this word exists, but it should) to me. But these people look somewhat sophisticated and elegant. Pure and simply - stunning.

Yet another highlight of a day full of highlights - I beat a year 7/8 kid in a staring contest. He started it. He stared at me and so I stared back. Got off after two stops though. Such a shame.

Oh dear. I've discovered a hobby I didn't know I even had. But I'd rather not say it in public because it can be so badly misconstrued that it's sickening. So off I go to bed.

Odd thought and Monkey Majik

Renew your wishes, now get out of the fray
You'll never change if you keep running away
A little time, you need to figure a way
'Cause you know it doesn't lie in front of you
'Cause you know it doesn't lie in front of you.


One of the things I really like about eggs is their shells. They're amazing! They're brittle, but if you try to shove one into another, it'll shove right in. The shell breaks but the membrane inside won't let it fall apart. I love 'em!


Invention of a new list...

The Need-To-Do List

1. Need to occupy myself with assignment.
2. Need to get fit so I can bend over backwords ... literally.
3. Need to learn to cook scrumpcious snack as I get more and more sick of depending on packaged junk food when assignments hit.
4. Need to make sure there's broccoli, carrots, baby corn and zuccini in the fridge at least for 3 days of every week.
5. Need to wittify myself.
6. Need to comply with feminine dress code, though I don't see any valid reason. Apparently it's not right to want to wear men's (E2's) jackets, even though they're waaaay more comfortable than what friggin' women wear. THEY DON'T BLOODY MAKE PRACTICAL CLOTHES FOR WOMEN!!!!! (excuse the language, but as can be seen, I'm exasperated)
7. Need to get a hobby.
8. Need to learn to cook as mother slowly stops cooking yummy food. チケン わ 食べ たい よ~~~!!!
9. Need to finish sewing scarf, 4 abayas and whatever salwar kamiz material is sitting untouched for years.
10. Need to learn Tae Quan Do, Karate or Tai Chi.
11. Need to go to Royal Botannical Gardens and climb a tree.
12. Need to complete this list and accomplish what's on it.

"lekhpora kore je,onahare more shey. janar kono shesh nai janar cheshta britha tai."

Ema finds a nice song

I found a nice song. But it's reserved. I'm only putting this up on the blog in case I forget it. It has something to do with meadows.






(sadia, stop thinking what you're thinking)

おたんじょうび に おめでとう えまーちゃん!

AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SOMEONE VANISH ME INTO NON-EXISTANCE!!! THIS WORLD IS A PAIN IN THE BEHIND!!! TOO MANY UNCERTAINTIES; TOO MANY TEMPER TANTRUMS; TOO MANY I-WANT-BETTER-THAN-WHAT-I'M-GETTING!!! IT'S PAST 2am AND I'M NOT ASLEEP BECAUSE I CANNOT BECAUSE OF LIFE!!! ANYONE WOULD UNDERSTAND HOW HORRIFYINGLY PAINFUL THAT IS, RIGHT?????


だれか たすけてえええ!!!!!

Kumquat recipes

Kumquat Refrigerator Pie

1 baked pie crust, 9 "
1 (8 oz.) Cool Whip whipped topping
2/3 cup pureed Kumquats
1 can condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice

Beat condensed milk and whipped topping. Add lemon juice and beat until thickened. Add pureed kumquats, pour in pie shell and chill in refrigerator for several hours.


Whole Preserved Kumquats

syrup, for 4 quarts fruit
3 cups water
3 cups sugar

Prepare Kumquats: with a sharp knife cut slits (1/2 inch deep) at right angles on the blossom end. Cook slowly in water about 10 minutes or until tender. Drain and add to prepared syrup.

Boil syrup for 10 minutes in a separate container, add drained kumquats, simmer for 20 minutes (covered) and allow to cool (covered). Kumquats should be translucent.


Tropical Kumquat Cake

3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
1 tsp. cinnamon
1-1/2 cups chopped Kumquats
1 cup chopped nuts
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple (well drained)
3 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

In a bowl, beat eggs, sugar and oil. Fold in dry ingredients and mix well.
Add chopped Kumquats, nuts and pineapple. Pour into greased and floured tube pan. Bake 1 hr and 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Cool, remove from pan.


Kumquat Puree Preparation

Wash fruit, cut in half and remove seeds. Place in blender or food chopper (A blender makes a finer puree). Do not cook. Use puree in recipes as called for or freeze in zip-lock bags or other freezer containers. Frozen kumquat puree can be stored for six months or more. When you use frozen puree .. defrost and drain the excess liquid before using.

http://www.kumquatgrowers.com/recipes.html

Once a kumquat, always a kumquat

"The Cantonese often preserve kumquats in salt. A batch of the fruit is buried in dry salt inside a glass jar. Over time, all the juice from the fruit is extracted through dehydration into the salt. The fruit in the jar becomes shrunken, wrinkled, and dark brown in color, and the salt combines with the juice to become a dark brown brine. A few salted kumquats with a few teaspoons of the brine/juice may be mixed with hot water to make a remedy for sore throats. A jar of such preserved kumquats can last several years."

Wiki

小さな 恋 の 唄

ほら 貴方 に とって 大事 な 人 程
直ぐ側 に 居る の
只 貴方 に 丈 届いて 欲しい
響け 恋 の 唄
ほら、 ほら、 ほら
響け 恋 の 唄

This song has a wierd name - Chiisana Koi no Uta...

How A Pearl Develops

- by Muhammad Alshareef


When news of the Christian army that had prepared on the horizons to wipe out Islam reached him, Abu Qudaamah Ash-Shaamee moved quickly to the Mimbar of the Masjid. In a powerful and emotional speech, Abu Qudaamah ignited the desire of the community to defend their land, Jihad for the sake of Allah. As he left the Masjid, walking down a dark and secluded alley, a women stopped him and said, "As salamu alaykum wa Rahmatullaah!" Abu Qudaamah stopped and did not answer. She repeated her salam again, adding "this is not how pious people should act." She stepped forward from the shadows. "I heard you in the Masjid encouraging the believers to go for Jihad and all I have is this…" She handed him two long braids. "It can be used for a horse rein. Perhaps Allah may write me as one of those who went for Jihaad."

The next day as that Muslim village set out to confront the crusader army, a young boy ran through the gathering and stood at the hooves of Abu Qudaamah's horse. "I ask you by Allah to allow me to join the army." Some of the elder fighters laughed at the boy. "The horses will trample you," they said. But Abu Qudaamah looked down into his eyes as he asked again, "I ask you by Allah, let me join." Abu Qudaamah then said, "On one condition, if you are killed you will take me with you to Jannah amongst those you will be allowed to intercede for." That young boy smiled. "It's a promise."

When the two armies met and the fighting intensified, the young boy on the back of Abu Qudaamah's horse asked, "I ask you by Allah to give me 3 arrows." "You'll lose them!" The boy repeated, "I ask you by Allah to give me them." Abu Qudaamah gave him the arrows and the boy took aim. "Bismillaah!" The arrow flew and killed a Roman. "Bismillaah!" The second arrow flew, killing a second Roman. "Bismillaah!" The third arrow flew, killing a third Roman. An arrow then struck the boy in the chest - knocking him off the horse. Abu Qudaamah jumped down to his side, reminding the boy in his final breaths, "Don't forget the promise!" The boy reached into his pocket, extracted a pouch and said, "Please return this to my mother." "Who's your mother?" asked Abu Qudaamah. "The women that gave you the braids yesterday."

Think about this Muslimah. How did she reach this level of Taqwa where she would sacrifice her hair when today other women do the same to imitate Kafir icons, and her son when other women would die so long as their son stayed home. Indeed, she spent her life in the obedience of Allah, and when exam time came, she passed. Not only did she pass herself, but her children shone with that same beauty of Iman, children that she herself raised.

Very often - and perhaps in our times when we have forgotten much of the Sunnah - the lectures, khutbahs, and talks are all directed to the Muslim men. We forget that from the Hady – guidance and way – of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - was that he would allocate a specific day of the week to teach the women. Women would come up to him in Hajj, in the street, even in his home and ask him questions about the Deen. At the Eid Salah, after addressing the men, he would take Bilal and go to the women section and address the women. Allah revealed an entire Surah by the name of Surah An-Nisa – the Women. And another by the name of – Maryam. And a third by the name of al Mujaadalah – the women who pleads. It is in enlivening this Sunnah that today this speech shall be addressed to the believing women, al-Mu'minaat.

Dear Sister, Dear Mother, Dear Daughter. Everyone is looking for happiness and fun, and I am sure you are not excluded. Where is that happiness and fun though? And where and when do you want that happiness? Do you want happiness, do you want to have `fun' in this life at the expense of the hereafter? Or is it in the hereafter, when you meet Allah that you want to be happy?

Every where you go you shall find a swarm of people and media and culture swearing to you that happiness is the happiness of the Dunya. Is it really happiness though? On the day of Repayment, Allah shall take the most `happiest' kafir of the Dunya and dip him in Jahannam – Hellfire. Then he shall ask him, "Have you ever seen any happiness?" The Kafir will say, "Never!"

Nay, the happiness is only the happiness of the hereafter no matter what happens in this Dunya. Allah shall bring on the Day of Repayment the most tested human and dip him in Jannah – Paradise. He shall then ask him, "Have you ever seen sadness?" And that person shall say, "Never!"

And don't think that this happiness and fun is exclusive to the hereafter. It is very much tied to this life as well. Listen and understand the words of Allah:

Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer verily to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter). – Surah AnNahl (16/97)

Dear Sister, you have to understand that you or anyone may enter Hellfire! By Allah, we are not better than Fatimah, the daughter of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. And he said to her, "O Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad, Ask me whatever you wish from my wealth, for I shall avail you nothing to Allah." Meaning that it doesn't matter if you're my daughter, if you don't work for Jannah, saying to Allah that my father is so and so will not help you in anyway.

Islam is filled with many Mu'minahs that completed their Taqwa of Allah. When the other girls put up posters of kafir singers and kafir athletes and kafir actresses, you should put up posters in your heart of Fatimah and many other Mu'minahs.

Aasiyah, the wife of Fir'own. Her Eeman in Allah thrived under the shadow of someone that said, "I am your Lord, Most High!" When news reached Fir'own of his wife's Eeman he beat her and commanded his guards to beat her. They took her out in the scalding noon heat, tied her hands and feet and beat her perpetually. Who did she turn to? She turned to Allah! She prayed, "My lord, build for me a home with you in Paradise and save me from Fir'own and his deeds and save me from the transgressive people."

It was narrated that when she said this, the sky opened for her and she saw her home in Paradise. She smiled. The guards watched astonished - she's being tortured and she smiles? Frustrated, Fir'own commanded a boulder to be brought and dropped on Aasiyah, to crush her to death. But Allah took her soul before the boulder was brought and she became an example for all the believing men and women till the end of time:

[And Allah has set forth an example for those who believe: the wife of Fir'own (Pharaoh) – when she said, "My Lord, Build for me a home with You in Paradise, and save me from Fir'own and his deeds, and save me from the transgressive-disbelieving people.] -Tahreem 66/11

When we talk about Jihad and Shuhadaa' - martyrs, do you know who the first Muslim in Islam to be killed in the path of Allah was? It was Summayah, the mother of Ammar. When Abu Jahl heard of her Islam and her husband Yaasir and her son Ammar, he whipped them all and beat them. So much so, that Rasul Allah would pass by them as they went through this test of their Iman and would say to them, "Be patient O family of Yaasir, for you have a date set (when you shall enter) Jannah!"

As Abu Jahl beat Sumayyah one day, she refused to recant her Deen, something that enraged Abu Jahl. He took a spear as she lay on the burning sand, looking up to the sky, and he speared her through her midsection. She was the first of her family and the entire Ummah to meet Allah as a Martyr.

Dear Sister, our role models come from the Quran. You may have heard the story of the boy and the king. When the entire village became Muslim by the death of that young boy, the king ordered that an enormous fire be kindled and that all those who would not recant their religion be burnt alive. A Mu'minah, stood with her baby over the fire. She looked at her baby, and seeking her child's weakness and innocence, she considered turning her back. The baby said to her, "What are you waiting for mother. Go forward for you are on the truth!" She nodded. Then with her baby in hand she was pushed to her death.

[And they ill-treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, Exalted in Power, Worthy of all Praise!- * Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness to all things.]. - Surah AlBuruj, 8,9

And dear sister, your role models come to you from today. As her son tells us, a senior women in a Muslim land decided that all the vanity that normally happens in the gatherings of women was not for her. She turned to Salah and praying at night, and in her old age, she found herself calling to her so one night from her prayer room. He son says, "I came in and she was in Sajda saying that she was paralysed!" Her son took her to the doctors and she began a cycle of rehabilitation, but there was little hope. She then commanded her son to take her back home, take her back to her prayer room, take her back to that Sajdah. As she prayed to Allah in her sajdah, the night came when she called to her son. "Astawdi'ukallaah alladhee laa yadee'u wa daa'i'uh – I leave you in the trust of Allah, and whenever something is left in Allah's trust it is never lost." She passed away in her sajdah. Her muscles froze in that position and so they had to wash her body as she was in Sajdah. The prayed Janazah for her as her body was in sajdah. They carried her to the grave yard as her body was in Sajdah.

The buried her as she was in Sajdah. And the Prophet said that we shall all be resurrected on what we died on, she shall be resurrected on the day of judgement in Sajdah to Allah – Jalla Jalaaluhu wa taqaddasat asmaa'uhu - because that it how she lived and died.

Part II

There are many other stories that we know about of powerful believing mothers, wives and sisters and many, many that Allah only knows about. Whenever a halaqah is going on, the Muslim women outnumber the men. At the American Open University, (http://www.open-university.edu) the overwhelming majority of students are Muslim women. Go to an Islamic teachers/schools conference, attend a lecture and you shall see the mismatch of sisters to brothers. Sometimes it is sad to see all these brothers lacking the motivation that many Muslimahs have. But if there is a beautiful sign in all this, it is that – in sha' Allah ta'ala – those sisters are going to raise an army of believing men and women in the coming generation. WAllahu akbar!

When Imam Ahmad was still young, his father died. He would tell his students of the work his mother went through in raising him, and he would pray for her. In the cold Baghdad nights, she would wake long before him to warm the water so that her son Ahmad could make wudu for Fajr. Then she would wrap him in blankets, herself cloaked in her Jilbaab, and guide him through the dark, cold alleys to reach the main Masjid, long before Fajr so that her son could get a good seat in class. Her son Ahmad - at that age in grade 2 or 3 - would sit all day long studying Quran and Sunnah, and she would wait for him to finish so that she could drop him home safely. At the age of 16, she prepared money and food for him and told him, "Travel for your search of knowledge." He left for Makkah and Madinah and many other places and to many great scholars. She raised Ahmad to become one of the four greatest Imams in Islam.

Dear sister, after all this, ask a non-Muslim what it is that he wants from you? Does he want you to be liberated? Liberated from what? From Allah and his Messenger? From the Quran and the Sunnah? From Jannah? From this deen that Allah chose for you?

And what is he going to give you in return? Happinness? By Allah, he does not own any happiness to give. Is he going to give you love and protection from punishment in the grave and from the gatekeepers of hellfire and from death? Why is it that they want to liberate young beautiful women? Why don't they liberate the seniors? Why don't they liberate the indigenous? Why don't they liberate the inmates? Why is their target audience a young and skinny and tall women (their definition of beauty) between the age of 13 – 28? And why is their first call for you to take off your Hijab?

Remember that friend – if you consider him so – carefully, for – without any doubt, by Allah - he shall be your bitterest enemy on the day of Repayment:

[Friends on that day will be foes, one to another - except the Righteous] - Surah Zukhruf (43/67)

One Kafirah summed up exactly what they think of women, "It's not who you are, it's what you wear and what you look like!" And listen to Fabian, a french `model' (of what?), as she spit on the fashion industry. "Fashion houses made me into a mannequin, a wooden idol. The mission: to manipulate hearts and alter minds. I learnt how to be worthless, nothing on the inside, cold. We lived in a world of filth in all that filth means."

When the Prophet - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - stood on the plain of Arafah and gave his farewell speech he said to the Ummah, "Treat the women kindly!" History records that in Europe in the same year, at the same time that Islam was saying this, the Christian clergy were arguing whether a women was a human or an animal! Those clergymen are the ancestors of the Kuffar that now want to `liberate' you.

There is much more than can be said. I shall conclude with the advice of Rasul Allah - sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam - to every Muslim mother, daughter, and wife: "If the woman prays her five (Salah), fasts her month (of Ramadan), protects herself (from committing Zina), and listens to her husband, it will be said to her, `from any door you wish, enter Paradise!" Sister, that is where you want to be.

[O ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when He calls you to that which shall give you life; and know that Allah cometh between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom ye shall (all) be gathered.] - Surah Anfal 8/24

Boredom

Spell your first name backwards: Ume
The story behind your msn name: short for Emu Martian
Where do you live?: physically on Earth
3 words that sum you up: you tell me
{DESCRIBE YOUR}-
wallet: brown, the largest I've ever owned, though not as large as some other people's
hairbrush: comb- black, with teeth
jewellery you wear daily: nothing
pillow cover: blue
shoes: need new pair
CD in stereo right now: what stereo??
what you are wearing now: dress with splits on the sides and pants that were made in India
hair: tied and clipped up
what's In your mouth: tongue and teeth
what's in your head: the sentence "what's in your head: the sententence "what's in your head: the sentence "what's in your......""""....
Some of your favorite movies: Pirates 1,2,3, Ice Age 1,2, Illusionist, The Prestige, Charlie & ... (recent)
Something you're looking forward to: trip to Maroubra Rocks and Botanical Gardens
The last thing you ate?: delicious dinner of rooti, lamb and salad .... mmm
Something that you are deathly afraid of?: ... umm... gee... death? *blink*. .... Heh, kidding. It just seemed like the answer that would go. But seriously, more afraid of Hell.
Do you like candles: love 'em. love to see 'em burn, burn, BURN!!!
Do you believe in a thing called love: hai (yes)
Do you believe in soul mates: so far I have absolutely no understanding what-so-ever of what that means.
Do u belive in love at first sight?: the more correct term would probably be lust
Do you believe in forgiveness?: yeah. In fact I'm all for it. I need it from soo many people.
Any animal you could have for a pet would be?: one of each. A cat doesn't seem to be enough.
What are 3 places you wouldn't mind relocating to?: Jannah! ... and Bd and Japan
What are some of your favourite pig-out foods?: I find it hard to 'pig-out' (what a horrible term!). But I do enjoy a packet or two of Hydrabadi style Kurkure... all 500g of it!
What's something you wish you could understand better?: Jinsei. Sou sou. Life itself.
Anyone you miss that you haven't seen in a long time?: Mijan chacha and Shamima chachi!! *waaah* - My other parents!
In the last 24 hours have you?...
Cried: yes, today, cutting onions
Gotten sick: sniffles, yes
Sang: yes, out loud when the house was empty - a rare occation. And I rediscovered my lack of ability to sing. I got scared of my own voice.
Eaten: in the last 24 hours? well duh!
Felt stupid: yes, at doing this stupid quiz, and various other things, I'm sure.
Hugged someone: Arshdeep and Cheeky!!!!!!!
Wanted to tell someone you loved them: yes, and I did. ... ... Stop staring. It's my cat.
Met someone new: not really met, but talked to my 11 yr old neighbour's 11 yr old friend
Talked to someone you have a crush on: heck no! what crush?! why do all the quizes have this type of question?
Fought with your parents: little one, with father-dear, over me talking too much.
been centre of attention or the wallflower: yes, Arshdeep's center of attention. He came home from his little walk and started going "Emu, Emu"
Do you like being around people?: yes, mostly.
Who do you argue the most with?: Mother, cos I'm always around her.
Who do you always get along with?: Mother, cos I'm always around her.
Who has the coolest siblings?: A lot of people, including me, even though they are a bit screwed in the head.
Who is the smartest?: the smarted person? I don't know who that is!
Who is your Hero?: question is too unspecified. What kind of hero?
Who has a crush on Samantha?: Darrin Stephens in Bewitched.

The Wiggles

I turn on the tv on ABC and what do I see...?
"Mooove like an Emu! Move!"

I love the Wiggles!!!

Ajuni's Ichigo Ichi e

girl across the road
12, going on 13

Last Cigarette: never smoked
Last Alcoholic Drink: *under-aged*
Last Car Ride: yesterday
Last Kiss: this morning - from Arshdip
Last Good Cry: last year
Last Library Book: The Beasts of Clawstone Castle - Eva Ibbotson +19 more
Last book bought: can't remember
Last Movie Seen in Theatres: Daddy Day Care
Last Movie Rented: "I don't rent 'em I only buy 'em"
Last Cuss Word Uttered: Shut up
Last beverage Drank: water
Last Food Consumed: cocoa pops
Last Crush: *under-aged*
Last Phone Call: morning - with dad
Last TV Show Watched: Postman Pat
Last Time Showered: last night
Last Shoes Worn: flip-flops
Last CD Played: random songs
Last Item Bought: chocolates
Last Download: "we don't really download 'cos it takes 10 hours to download"
Last Annoyance: Amrita - this morning; she wouldn't drink her milk
Last Disappointment: can't go to sleep-overs every week
Last Soda Drank: Fanta
Last Thing Written: "jelly" on the shopping list
Last Words Spoken: "yep"
Last Sleep: 2 hr 40 min
Last Ice Cream Eaten: last afternoon - chocolate, vanilla & strawberry
Last Chair Sat In: my own chair
Last Webpage Visited: youtube.com

E2's Ichigo Ichi e

E2's interview of ichigo iche e:

Last Cigarette: 7/8 years old
Last Alcoholic Drink: don't drink
Last Car Ride: 4 hours ago
Last Kiss: 2 weeks ago
Last Good Cry: 1 month
Last Library Book: Excel yr 12 study guide and Physics, Jacaranda Physics, Chemistry in context
Last book bought: Fundamentals of Logic Design
Last Movie Seen in Theatres: I am Legend
Last Movie Rented: Pirates 3, Simpsons, Harry Potter 5
Last Cuss Word Uttered: .....
Last beverage Drank: Sunrise Orange Mango Drink
Last Food Consumed: dinner - tehari
Last Crush: *emu blinks*
Last Phone Call: from Tousef
Last TV Show Watched: Goodnight Sweetheart (british comedy)(‘cos there was no Simpsons)
Last Time Showered: few hours ago
Last Shoes Worn: black sneakers ... for sneaking, you see!
Last CD Played: dvd – PC Powerplay DVD
Last Item Bought: 6 pack ... Iced Coffee Up&Go
Last Download: Windows Update
Last Annoyance: interview not leading up to anything in particular
Last Disappointment: see above
Last Soda Drank: coke
Last Thing Written: 56
Last Words Spoken: “fifty-six”
Last Sleep: 17 hours ago
Last Ice Cream Eaten: 3 wks ago
Last Chair Sat In: my chair
Last Webpage Visited: yourtv.com.au

Shinanigens...

Too funny!!!

"You put hair in my friends bottle! And i almost swallowed it you idiot. You watch when i get back home" 4:06pm 10-JAN-08

some things are more fun to remember than to forget them 3

very sorry to a certain person, but i really want to remember this.

Do not pick up any private numbers or unknown numbers! I'll explain later iA. - 5-jan-08

A woman will call to ask you to marry her brother. Just ignore it. Please. I'm off to pray now. Will call later to explain. - 5-jan-08

The original human tetris

some things are more fun to remember than to forget them 2

Going from ancient to recent...

HAHAHAHA!!
*rolls on train floor*
y, emu- wat indecent activities hv u been engaging in?!?!
Rofl again! - 15-mar-06

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!lady,kemon lagtese tor?bura bura feeling hochche taina!lol!lady shon"kache eshe pashe bosho debo tomai ador".tui raate ghumanor agge ekta jinish imagine korbi! tui vebe nibi ami tor shamne ekta golap fool ar ekta narikel niye darai asi!ar boltesi "cholona ghure ashi ojanate,jekhane nodi eshe theme geche"kmon laglo?ami jani tui amake kokono dump korbina,cos i knw da tecnikz;p may Allah pour His blesings upon u!may Allah giv u a long life!tc! - 17-mar-06

Laughin so hard, tears r cuming outta me eyes!! Maybe u shud reply or call, Just as a precaution 2 whoeva it is.

hehehehehehehe.
My day is much betta now. Lol! - 21-may-06

"SHUVO SHOKAL"janai tore,LADDY!!how iz my lady doing!??ekkhan gana shunai tore,"hattimatim tim,tara mathe pare dim,tader ache duto shing,tara hattimatim tim"Tc - 19-jun-06

How abt i let u know wen ur msgs begin 2 make sense. Less sms-ing 4 me. Dnt becom a doormat, ok? - 4-jun-07

So i passed on the info. She says (& i quote): "i think i like cheeky".
Lol! KAWAII! - 22-jun-07

Damn. ow u've got me confused: berry V or moccha? Did i say i was hapi that i hav only 1 exam left? I'm paniking now cos i've just wasted ~1hr stationary shopping. AGHHHHH! - 23-jun-07

*Waaaah!*
came dwn with fever during exam.
Am weak &dizzy atm... Wat HAPPY DAYS!?! - 26-jun-07

Am confused & dizzy. Sleep bekons.
Yell @doc if s/he duznt provide immediate cure. & if immediate cure u hav, them plz pass on2 me. - 26-jun-07

No needles. Shoo! No needles!
Zettai iie!! - 26-jun-07

Illness now worse. Shokku desu ne!!
Shiranai...
Doushiou?! - 27-jun-07

Duf. Ur totly weird msgs s making the public thnk i hav sum sort of psyc disorder! I keep bursting out in laugta. - 11-oct-07

I sweare! Either u or ur fone had betta be dead!
Y RNT U PIKING UP?! - 15-oct-07

Tonight after 8 inshaAllah:-) - 26-oct-07

P! - 20-nov-07

Thanks so much for the yummy cakes.all of us enjoyed it,lots of sadaqa for feeding the poor and hungry on ur way iA! - 24-nov-07

Salam ppls, just letting u no I'm back safe &sound Alhamdulillah. Just need a lot of rest atm. Can't begin to explain how much I miss Makkah. Wanna go back :-( - 25-dec-07

wherefore art thou emuo?!? - 28-dec-07

Peugeot