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[Belief]

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Believe.
Believe.
Believe.
Believe.
(and you shall forget)
(and you gotta try. Harder)





[WeekendGoodness]

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Weekend equals to;
+ more sleep, sleep, sleep
+ visit IKEA
+ enjoy nice, steamy curry puff
+ watch more movies
+ listen to good songs
+ reading novels

Have a wonderful weekend!


[HIJAB, who?]

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Paris’ fashion ads will never be the same again.

Princess Hijab is, as she puts it, hijabizing the public advertisements as well as billboards around Paris with famously misconceived Hijab. In her blog, she wrote; 

“With her spray paint and black marker pen, [Princess Hijab] is out to hijabize advertising. Even Kate Moss is targeted. She knows all about visual terrorism! And she will not spare her right of expression for the likes of publicists. Make sure that all advertising can be hijabized “ ‘cause that’s her fight Jihad is her art”. And don’t forget, she acts upon her own free will. She is not involved in any lobby or movement be it political, religious or to do with advertising. In fact, the Princess is an insomniac-punk.”

Deep.

Hijab is a highly debated topic in France as it involves the role of religion and the subject of Secularism. But, worry not as this anonymous princess fights back the perturbing, sexy models that clad in lingerie and political skanks with sprays and black marker pens; an act of disagreement and exasperation.


Agree or not, she has successfully brought something new to be discussed on our table. Princess Hijab, may the force be with you!

Visit her here!


[CheapBooks!!]

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(click image to enlarge)

Venue: Perpustakaan Negara
Date: 27th March - 1st March



[Q&A]

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Today, it is my turn to take charge of Faculty of Education’s booth during our last day of UiTM Customer’s Day 2009. I went there around 11:05, five minutes late, and replaced Hani’s place beginning 11:00 up until 2:00 p.m.  Miss Azieyati and I were assigned to answer the questions by the public/visitors regarding our faculty; the courses offered, how-tos, and blahblahblah.

The event was a blast.  So many questions asked by not just the public, non-UiTM students, but also the undergraduates that currently taking their respective courses in UiTM. There were several questions asked;


    1. Saya dari course _________ tengah amek Diploma, boleh tak saya nak amek Degree in Education? Ada        benefits tak?

Ans: No. You have to re-apply, and re-learn everything.

2. Anak saya budak Matric, senang tak nak masuk TESL nih? Lepas grad kena jadi cikgu sekolah laa kan?

Ans: TESL? Teacher? God, I hate that stigma. I need 15 minutes to clarify and kill the myths. 

3. Abang budak Law ke?

Ans: Do I look like a lawyer to you? Can’t blame her though, I clad in grey shirt, black tie and black, unpolished shoes. 

4. Can I have your phone no.? We may contact later, you know?

Ans: Sure, sure. Writing on a piece of paper, and handed it to her. Believe me, she’s such a hottie, from OM (Office Management) She looks like a model, I think. Well, a man can dream.

I was asked by a friend of mine to join SIFE and I’m still thinking of it. If I’m about to join it, most probably I will resign from my post in PMFP. 


Conclusion:

1. I think we’re so darn lucky to be in TESL program. I can list you tens of reasons, for sure. So, taking it for    granted is a no-no.

2. TESL = Teacher is a myth. Go tell the whole world!

3. Good (looking) girls do come to such event. Hehehe.

4. UiTM is so rich, I think. The foods, the brochures, the exhibition, are totally awesome. UiTM memang di    Hatiku!


[OSCAR:The Winners]

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BEST PICTURE

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
"Frost/Nixon"
"Milk"
"The Reader"
"Slumdog Millionaire" (Winner)

BEST ACTRESS
Anne Hathaway, "Rachel Getting Married"
Angelina Jolie, "Changeling"
Melissa Leo, "Frozen River"
Meryl Streep, "Doubt"
Kate Winslet, "The Reader" (Winner)

BEST ACTOR
Frank Langella, "Frost/Nixon"
Sean Penn, "Milk" (Winner)
Brad Pitt, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler"
Richard Jenkins, "The Visitor"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams, "Doubt"
Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" (Winner)
Viola Davis, "Doubt"
Taraji P. Henson, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Marisa Tomei, "The Wrestler"

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Josh Brolin, "Milk"
Robert Downey Jr., "Tropic Thunder"
Philip Seymour Hoffman, "Doubt"
Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight" (Winner)
Michael Shannon, "Revolutionary Road"

BEST DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire" (Winner)
Stephen Daldry, "The Reader"
David Fincher, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Ron Howard, "Frost/Nixon"
Gus Van Sant, "Milk"

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Dustin Lance Black, "Milk" (Winner)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Simon Beaufoy, "Slumdog Millionaire" (Winner)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
"Departures" (Japan) (Winner)

BEST ANIMATED FILM
"WALL-E" (Winner)

BEST ART DIRECTION
"The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button" (Winner)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
"Slumdog Millionaire," Anthony Dod Mantle (Winner)

BEST FILM EDITING
"Slumdog Millionaire," Chris Dickens (Winner)

BEST COSTUME DESIGN
"The Duchess," Michael O'Conner (Winner)

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
"Man on Wire" (Winner)

BEST ORIGINAL SONG

"Slumdog Millionaire," "Jai Ho" (Winner)

BEST ORIGINAL SCORE
"Slumdog Millionaire," A.R. Rahman (Winner)

BEST MAKEUP
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,"(Winner)

BEST SOUND EDITING
"The Dark Knight"(Winner)

BEST SOUND MIXING
"Slumdog Millionaire" (Winner)

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Winner)

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
"Spielzeugland (Toyland)" (Winner)

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
"La Maison en Petits Cubes" (Winner)

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
"Smile Pinki" (Winner)

[Four People]

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As I grow up and evolve, from one state of mind (and physical too) to another, I always wonder the purpose of my life, the purpose of I’m breathing every millisecond and every molecule of oxygen that I stole and acidic carbon dioxide that I propelled.

I Love to interpret, trying to decipher what’s people like; how they behave and what they behave that way. And I interpret my behavior too, and believe me that is the hardest part. Indeed, children are the most precious earthlings, and the rest just invite more harm than any good.

When I asked my Ustazah (I seldom get an Ustaz) about the purpose of life, she’ll simply said this, “Tidakku jadikan Manusia dan Jin melainkan untuk mengabdikan diri kepada ku”, flip through Quran and read Surah Az-Zariyat, she added. And it’s a big no-no to ask further questions regarding it. I have no doubt in whatever I’ve believed in, but I want to know more. I want more than what is written. I want to feel the Purpose, not just knowing it by name, if there is such thing.

So, I started to search for God.

Since I was a child, I saw people go back and fourth from the Surau, with white kopiah on their head. They swallow everything that been said, they nod and they laugh, they weep and they chant. And I tried to follow. I don’t want to be tortured in the grave soon after. I don’t want to be burnt in hell soon. Even the notion of it can invite a feeling of nausea.

But, I can’t.

I can’t blindly follow what people say and do. So I decided to find my Purpose of life by reading. I read whatever I can read. I read what the Jews said, what Pope critics, or what Dalai Lama has to say. I swallow everything till my heart contents. Everything.

I don’t follow and offer to be enrolled under one dogma, I prefer to be on my own, and I am my own league. And each and every day, I am becoming more convinced and seemed to be more content and less bitter.

The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself.” (Lao Tzu)


Therefore, I concluded that there are 4 types of people, roaming on the surface of the earth;


1. People who has found the Purpose

2. People who still looking for the Purpose

3. People who care not looking for the Purpose

4. People who think they have found the Purpose, but they're not.

And I see more people with the number 3 and 4 on their carved forehead looking for more shits and giggles. This I know.


As for me, I am still looking.

and you?


[SundayStroll]

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Today is such a lovely Sunday, so I decided to wake up a bit early and went out, heading to Saba’ Islamic Media, checking Sheikh Yusuf Estes’ DVD, but unfortunately they has not yet released it. Maybe next month, the girl at the counter said. Maybe.

So, I aimlessly strolled around, had my breakfast and went to MPH Bookstore. After a quick chat with Shah (my ex-workmate), I quickly grabbed four books to read. I have quite a plenty time to kill, so there I was, with four books and one magazine in both of my hands I steadily crept at the very back of the last, hidden shelf, sat down and started enjoying the feast before my eyes.

Here are the books that I had a quick flip through;


1. Love Letters of Great Men edited by Ursula Doyle MacMillan.

Have you noticed the book that Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) read in an on-the-bed-scene? Well, the book was actually just a mock-up prop in the movie, but YES, people start digging for it. So, this Ursula Doyle smartly turns it into a cash cow! Ka-ching! You can read Love letters of Victor Hugo, Nopoleon Bonaparte, Victor Hugo, Oscar Wilde, Alexander Pope and etcetras; famous men with pen in hand and heart in mouth!

I didn’t buy the book. Too romantic for unromantic me.

2. Brida and The Zahir by Paulo Coelho

I don’t have to read the synopsis, comments, review, or whatevershit when it comes to Paulo Coelho. I Love his work so much. I haven’t read this book and I don’t even care to read the synopsis. I just want to buy this book. Period.

3. Ayat-Ayat Cinta by Habiburrahman El Shirazy

I Love the movie so much. But I hear some hearsays that the Novel is much, much better that the movie. So I decided to buy the book and by I’m typing this, I’m already at page 28! Not so impressive, aye?

4. Off The Edge (magazine)

I Love how Patrick Teoh write about them politicians. He’s a genius. It will cost you RM 6. I can buy a plate of Pak Li's Mee Goreng Mamak dengan Ipoh White Coffee with that cash. So, I didn't buy it. I've read it though!


I ended up buying 2 books; Paulo Coelho's The Zahir and Habiburrahman's Ayat-Ayat Cinta with 30% discount! and I still haven't finish reading Animal Farm. Urgh!


p/s: I bribed them workers with 1/2 dozen Big Apple's doughnuts. Future investment, I must say. Hahaha!



[Adzan]

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p/s: How come we still be oblivious to His call? 
(Solatlah sementara sempat, kalau mati muda, xsempat solat waktu tua!)


[Shit Happens..]

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1. I (absentmindedly) thought the meeting with Tun Dr. Mahathir is tomorrow.
2. and I've sold my Puteri Gunung Ledang's ticket to a friend of mine.



great.

[The Oscars: 2 days]

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[Some Unholy Wars]

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The war clouds are looming. Gloom and doom, it is. So he packed his best weapon from his armory, and bid his farewell. These unholy wars will never end. It has no bruises, neither blobs of blood nor guts. There will only be sweat and tears. He’s at the brink of the red line on the grass; hesitate to traverse over owing to the fact that he might not see the blue skies again. He sat down. And he pondered.

These unholy wars ain’t holy at all. But it is a must. A must. He made up his mind and he went, anyway.

He saw soldiers perished; they bleed not but the lost souls were up in the dark skies. He saw the judas running away from the battlefield; whizzed in their pants, and heard them huff and puff. They told him to retreat, but he listens not to them words. He believes that a man can find peace in the midst of war, and there’s calmness in the eye of a storm.

Until he’s at the very front line, ready to slay everything that lies in his way and at that very moment, he saw Him. He cried. He finally at peace.

Some unholy wars just strike from within.


[The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas]

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The best film, so far.

I must admit that I Love this movie so damn well. The theme of prejudice, hatred and friendship and innocence were portrayed so well throughout the movie. John Boyne's has portrayed the sacred, innocent friendship between Bruno, the son of a Nazi commandment, and Schmuel a Jewish, who live on the other side of the electrical barbed wire fence. they started a secret friendship and getting fond of each other everyday.

Some of the scenes are very upsetting, and the strong deliverance of the cast has made such a great impact on me. It somehow reminded me about what is happening here in our Motherland, Malaysia. We has influenced our kids to go through street's demonstration, for example, and nurture negative values in them for the sake of our political trust and mission. Little that we know that these kids are the victims of continuous hatred and filthy politics commission. and guess what they'll turn to be? A plain hater.

So, don't tell me about Heaven, if there's blood in your palm.