Going...going...

Hi all,
Just thought I should mention that I will be moving to a new blog soon. It's still under construction at the moment but when it's done, I will leave my last entry here. Thanks for dropping by whenever you did and apologies for the inconveniences caused :) Happy 2009.

Opps I did it again!

Right I have been rubbish with blogging at the moment. But hey.. I've come a long way from blogging once a year don't you think? Hehehee..please bear with me... Hubby and I have just returned from a 2 week vaca to Singapore a week ago and we are slooooooowwlly recovering from the trip. Yep..we took that long because for some reason we could not acclimatise to the weather! I am now in no man's land! London is too cold for me and Singapore got too hot for me to handle. So yes.. we need to invest in an air con unit for when we next visit. I have never needed the aircon all those time. I hardly ever sweat!
Anyways..please bear with me whilst the pictures get sorted out. Not that we've taken many but there were a few.... Stay tuned :)

The cat family

I had an interesting dream last night. I was in a huge bedroom and I had it all to myself. The room was well lit, nice chandeliers and candles on the dressing table. It gave me the feeling like I was in a castle of some sort but all I see was my room. It was nicely furnished. No not just nice, it felt grand. The furniture were chunky-like.The atmosphere in the room was very cosy, sensual and luxurious. For some reason, I saw myself waltzing into my room as if that was the normal thing to do. From a corner I could see 3 animals. There's a cat, a black jaguar and a lion. Talk about the cat family eh..The three of them were sat on the floor just watching over me. I went over to the lion and stroked his head and looked at the black jaguar sitting next to him and in my dream I said to myself 'The black jaguar is such a beautiful creature..'
In the dream it felt as if the three of the were protecting me and it felt like they have been since I was young. How weird is that? I didn't mind their presence as it felt like they were meant to be with me wherever I go.I wonder what they mean...

I am on 2 wheels and yes it is a big deal for me!

As I have previously mentioned on one of my earlier posts, I have taken up cycling. At 20-something years of age, I surprised myself when I did it. Of course it wouldn't have happened without Milzys' support. Having to endure my drama and nonsensical woes about falling and bla bla bla. He had me cycling on my own within an hours' practice.
It all started with a colleague lending me her bike home. As our company was holding a 'Cycling for a cause' thingy, she thought it might good for me to try so that I could join them.
Anyways. from then on, Milz went straight online and started looking at bikes for days. I knew we had it coming... he's going to order us bikes. He loves cycling and this was part of the reason why I decided to give it a try. In no time, he's ordered our bikes, burning a hole in our budget lol..
Today was the day he picked out bikes. He got up early on a SATURDAY morning to collect them. You know we both wouldn't get up if a bomb explodes outside our house. Ok ok I lie.. 'I' wouldn't wake up a bomb explodes outside out house.. but I digress.
He fixed our bikes and we drove down to Evans to get my helmet, gloves and mudgurad.. I have to say cycling is an expensive thing. Then again, everything is getting expensive.
So yeah there I was trying to cycle when we drove to the common. Milz made me ride on the horse path which was muddy and hard. I was getitng frustrated not being able to get going. But when we got on concrete path I was flying!
Anyways, on the way back, I almost ran into a toddler which shocked and angers me. I was pissed off because I was tired, I was new at cycling and didn't want to have to deal with accidents and lastly, WHERE THE FUCK were the parents allowing this toddle free to run around the cycling track?!
I never thought anything about the stories I heard about how motorists hate cyclists and vice versa but I can now appreciate having been a cyclist for 2 days.
Anyway, I am not going to give up. Today, I almost went head first into the lampost, a dog and a toddler.. who know what tomorrow might bring? I am going to be positive as fuck :)

Habib Noh

Abstracted from Sue's blog. Hope you don't mind babe :)

Habib Noh bin Muhammad Al-Habshee

(1788 - 27/7/1866)

Habib Noh bin Muhammad Al-Habshee came from Kedah, Malaysia. Not much was known about his early life. He came from a family of 4 brothers: Habib Noh, Habib Ariffin and Habib Zain (both died in Penang) and the youngest Habib Salikin, who died in Daik, Indonesia.

From his marriage with Anchik Hamidah who came from Wellesley Province, Penang, they were blessed with only one daughter named Sharifah Badaniah. Sharifah Badaniah later married Syed Mohamad Bin Hassan Al-Shatri at Jelutong, Penang. The couple then gave Habib Noh his only grandchild, a girl named Sharifah Rugayah. She married Syed Alwi Bin Ali Aljunied and they had five children, two boys and three girls namely Syed Abdul Rahman, Syed Abdullah, Sharifah Muznah, Sharifah Zainah and Sharifah Zubaidah.

By most account, Habib Noh arrived in Singapore shortly after Sir Stamford Raffles landed on the island. He was in his thirties then.

Although he spent the rest of his life in Singapore, and died there, he travelled around, mostly to Johor Baru and other peninsular states of Malaysia, preaching Islam.

He was a very pious man. His nights were spent in praying till dawn. And he was a constant visitor of the graveyards, often praying for the souls of the dead. He always moved around with his closest friends except when he specifically requested to be alone.

He was well loved by people from all walks of life, especially children. He would often buy sweats and give money to children, the poor and destitute.

Thus it was without surprise people recounted many of his karamah.

He possessed the ability to literally disappear, and be seen at far away places. It was reported that he was ever seen praying in the Grand Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia without actually making the journey there himself physically. Once he even told a departing haj pilgrim that they will meet in Mecca. When the person arrived there, it was Habib Noh himself who greeted him.

Habib Noh was also well known as a great healer, especially for children whom he loved very much. There was once when he healed a child with an injured leg, by simply putting his hands over the wound and reciting some prayers. Within moments, the child was able to run again as though nothing had happened to him. The father of the child was so happy; he donated shillings to Habib Noh, who in turn gave the money away to the needy.

Habib Noh would brave even the thunderstorm to tend to any sick child. He ever walked to Paya Lebar from his home at Telok Blangah under heavy rain to heal a child. When he arrived at the child's home, to the astonishment of the parents, Habib Noh was not drenched at all.

In another incident, Habib Noh was awakened by the continuos crying of his neighbour's child. When he went over, he found that the family was too poor to buy food for the hungry child. With tears in his eyes upon hearing the story, Habib Noh took a coconut kernel, poured some water in it and recited some prayers. By God's will, the water turned into milk for the child.

Habib Noh is also known for his powerful and accurate premonitions. He seemed to know if people were in need, sick or have intentions meant for him. Once there was an Indian Muslim man who traveled back to India to visit his family via sea. He made a sacred pact with God that if he were to return to Singapore safely, he would present Habib Noh with a gift. Upon returning, he was shocked when Habib Noh was already waiting for him at the shore.

Habib Noh called out to him,"I believe you have made a promise to give something to me." Surprised, the Indian Muslim man said, "Speak oh wise one what you wish for and I will gladly present it to you."

Habib Noh replied, "I would like to have rolls of yellow cloth to donate to the poor, the destitute and children."

Hugging Habib Noh, the Indian Muslim man cried, "By God, I will be most willing to present it to a man who is exalted in the eyes of God for his kindness towards mankind. Please give me three days to present them to you."

He did within the stipulated time.

After 78 years of life devoted to Islam, Habib Noh passed away peacefully on Friday, 27 July 1866 corresponding to 14 Rabiul Awal 1283. A few days before died, he gave many advise to his beloved friends. Amongst his treasured words were, "Don't be greedy for worldly materials nor have any ill-feelings towards anyone throughout your life."

Habib Noh breathed his last breath in Telok Blangah, at the residence of Johor's Temenggong Abu Bakar. When news spread, many people from all walks of life, including Englishmen who converted to Islam through Habib Noh, and those from the neighbouring islands came to pay their last respect. All horse-drawn carriages in Singapore came to a halt from their daily activities, to ferry the old folks, women and children to the funeral for free. But just before the cortege left the Temenggong's house for the burial ground, a strange phenomenon took place.

Before his demise, Habib Noh had actually instructed his friends to bury him at the top of Mount Palmer, which during that time was a small burial ground. Somehow on that fateful day, everyone had forgotten about it and they were all preparing to go to the Bidadari Muslim cemetery. When the time came to carry the coffin, it refused to budge from the ground. Nobody can lift it. The atmosphere turned panicky, and almost everyone cried upon seeing the coffin not moving one inch, despite the strong attempts of able men.

Fortunately, someone finally remembered the late Habib Noh's instructions; came forward and addressed the true situation to everyone. Each person realised their lapse in memory and immediately decided to proceed to Mount Palmer instead. Through the will of God, the coffin was able to move at much ease and cries of Allahu Akbar! (God is Great!) filled the air. As per his parting wish, Habib Noh was safely buried at Mount Palmer.

His karamah did not end there. During World War 2, when Telok Blangah was extensively aerial bombed by the Japanese, not a single bomb touch Habib Noh's tomb. And when the Singapore?s government wanted to build an elevated highway along Tanjung Pagar, the bridge was designed to curved around it, the height almost on the same level as Habib Noh's Mausoleum. It was almost impossible for every driver not to notice it. Now everyone can visit him without going up the 49 steps to the top of the hill that housed his grave.

Next time, when you drive around that corner towards the end of Tanjung Pagar's highway bridge towards Changi Airport, do not forget to recite Al-Fatihah for this great saint.

May Allah bless his soul.

Ramadan :)

To all families and friends, I would like to wish everyone Selamat Berpuasa!

• The most important consideration in undertaking a fast, as in any act of devotion, is to seek nearness to God, and seek His pleasure and Forgiveness. This itself generates a spirit of piety in man.
• Creating the conditions of hunger and thirst for oneself, simply in obedience to the Divine order, measures the faith of man in God and helps strengthen it by putting it to a severe test.
• Fasting enhances through creation of artificial non-availability, the value of the bounties of God which man often takes for granted. This inculcates in man a spirit of gratitude and consequent devotion to God. Nothing else can bring home to a man the worth of God's bounties than a glass of water and a square meal after a day long fast. This also reminds man that the real joy in enjoying God's bounties lies in moderation and restraint and not in over indulging.
• Fasting makes us deeply conscious of the pangs of hunger and discomfort suffered by the less fortunate among our brethren. They have to put up with difficult conditions all through their lives. It thus kindles in man a spirit of sacrifice leading to change towards his suffering brethren.
• Fasting gives man an unfailing training in endurance, a spirit of acceptance. This could well prepare him to put up with the unchangeable situations in life in the same spirit of resignation as cultivated during the fasts.
• Fasting develops courage, fortitude, and a fighting spirit in man to surmount the heavy odds in life with a cool and tranquil mind. It sharpens his power of concentration to overcome obstacles through a vigorous exercise all throughout the month, leading to a steeling of his will power and resolve, that could help him in challenging situations in life. It is seen than many an undesirable habit which is difficult to give up, is more easily given up during the days of fasting.
• Fasting teaches man reliance on God, and confidence in Him. Just as the vigorous state of fasting for a whole month is undertaken with His assistance, bitter situations in life could also be surmounted with His help.
• Fasting develops a spirit of patience in man, with the realization that the days of fasting, though seemingly unending, do have a successful and happy end. Thus is life. All bitter situations pass, and come to an end.
• Fasting is meant to conquer anger and develop self-control in man. The vigorous effort required to put up with hunger and thirst can well be extended to conquer other infirmities of human character that lead man into error and sin.
• Fasting inculcates a spirit of tolerance in man to face unpleasant conditions and situations without making his fellow beings the victim of his wrath. Many people, when facing discomfort and deprivation, become irritable and annoyed. This anger is then vented on those around them. Fasting helps a man become more tolerant despite his own discomfort.
• Fasting mellows a man and enhances his character, giving a jolt to the human instincts of pride, haughtiness, jealousy and ambition. Fasting softens his character, and clears his heart and mind of many negative emotions.
• Fasting exposes the weakness of man in the event of his being deprived of two basic bounties of God; food and drink. It infuses into him a spirit of weakness and submission, generating humility and prayer in an otherwise arrogant being.
• Fasting breathes the spirit of forgiveness in man towards others, as he seeks God's forgiveness through fasts and prayers.
• Fasting gives lessons in punctuality. Man has to adhere to a strict schedule of time in the observance of the fast.
• Fasting could affect the economy of the individual as he is less wasteful on food and meals.
• Fasting demands a rigid sense of discipline, mental, spiritual and physical. This forms characteristics which are an essential ingredient to success in life.
• Fasting creates spiritual reformation in man, infusing him with a spirit of enthusiasm and zest to change and become a better human being in the eyes of God. This is an excellent opportunity, given to believers each year, to change themselves and consequently their destinies.
• On the physical side, fasting cleanses the human system of the accumulated impurities of uninterrupted eating throughout the year. It prepares the body to face diseases or conditions of scarcity. The rigid abstinence of a fast regulates man's health, sharpens his intellect and enhances the qualities of his heart.

(Adapted from an article by Marhum Ahmed Sheriff Dewji, published in the Light Magazine)

On Tuesday, 26th August, I rode a bic for the first time!!!! I have never ridden a bike my whole life except for a tandem and my friend lent me her bike so Milz drove me to the common to practise.. Total time taken? 30 mins :D Will tell you more!