.: Sisterhood :.

Introduction.


On several occasions, I will have the urge to make this post, but I’ll drop it off at the last minute simply because I wasn’t sure how to start it. *besides rambling baloney*

Throughout the course of my ramblings, I have gotten to know some of my commentators on a personal scale, in which the topics of discussion range from intellectual to should I say gibberish bits through email, Facebook and the blog. Insha’Allah I’ll meet-up with Sister Shahnaz when I pop over to Singapore later this year. *still in the works* I had promised Miss Unique that within 5 years time, I hope to be able to visit her in Saudi, Anisa gave a holler that she is alright with me bunking at her place *I’ll squish those mangy monsters for you* and as for Farhana, it’s really our little secret, is it not? *coughs* And there may be a truckload of other sisters that I may have left out, so do forgive me if I did.

Hence, I may just do a backpacker’s trip when I’m 30 to visit the lovely sisters. Provided I am still unattached. Or I can always lug the other half in the baggage carrier. I’m sure he won’t mind. He married me, did he not? :P *coughs .. Farhana … coughs ... coughs ... coughs*

To the brothers, I don’t have any plans yet. It does seem really odd if I were to travel half-way across the world just to see you. But if I do, nah … then again … nah … well, it might happen therefore bully for me.

Funny how in the real world, I’m mostly surrounded by brothers *WHY??? WHY???* and in the virtual realm; I come across these beautiful sisters. *and more brothers ... aih~* It’s only a matter of merging it together, bringing out the best of both worlds I guess.

For the silent readers, you can interact with me if you want. Although I am selective in friends, it doesn’t mean I will wipe out any possibilities of expanding my social network for the benefit of forging respectable relationships, and empowering knowledge.

To get the ball rolling, I’m Hajar. Born in Singapore, and been staying in Malaysia close to 20 years. *I am not 20 and I was born in the south-western part of Singapore … so technically, I AM A SOUTHERNER!* I hold a Bachelors Hons in Multimedia, but I’m really not doing much in that area these days. Please do not ask me questions related to IT as I am able to genuinely exhibit complete ignorance by now. Yes, I wear spectacles full time. Born as a Muslim, I reverted *as in trying to be a good practicing Muslim* after returning from Hajj in Jan 2008. Presently, I can be found in Kuala Lumpur and this is not a marriage vitae.

Hey, it didn’t turn out that bad.

8.30pm Malaysian Time

.: Walk away :.

Ignorance is not always a bliss.

I was out with friends. They’re not Muslims. They’re not Malay. And some are not even Malaysians. Over the years, I have become immune to the stares that people hurl at me whenever I am in the company of non-Muslims/Malays.

For a fact, I do know that my actions will bring about assumptions more often slanted towards the negative aspect. Just the other day I got ticked off by a cab driver when he found out I’m meeting a Chinese guy at a public area in the afternoon. I told him it’s a business meeting, yet the words swept past him next to nothing.

Cab driver :: There are so many Malay Muslims! What business can you have with a Chinese guy?
Me :: LoL~ It’s about work.
Cab driver :: The next thing you’ll be telling me you’re marrying him!

From then onwards, I chose to remain silent.

Presumably, everything is over and done for. The stares of disbelief or treachery continued when I met my friend. Looking back, years ago when I wasn’t in hijab, no one gave a second look at me when I’m out and about with my friends. With hijab, things sort of went on a 360 and became all the more disparaging.

Sometimes, this just tires me.

8.56pm Malaysian Time

.: Nervous tension :.

Strained.

“Seek knowledge as far as China”

There is still a long list of things to do, though I feel obliged to blog a few updates down my end. Thanks to all that left well wishes in an earlier post. Not forgetting the ones that emailed and contacted me via FaceBook just to inquire about my well being. Alhamdulillah, I am doing just fine. Albeit this is with the exception of item 3, that had somehow rather sparked a series of shocking alarms among peers and relations.

• Guangzhou, China :: Counting the days. I received various feedback pertaining to my trip, and part of the drama had worn me down to a certain degree. Nevertheless, nowadays, I couldn’t care less any longer. Coming back from there, shall be a brand new chapter. Insha’Allah. Granted an opportune time, I shall blog on this one of these days.
  

• Friends :: Managed to visit friends in my former workplace. Will be having a second trip on 24th July. ^^

• Weight loss :: From a BMI of 18.3 I dropped to 16.8 in a span of almost 1 month. Normal BMI for me is in the range of 18.9 – 24.9. Total weight lost = 4kgs, approximately 1kg per week. Talk about running for The Biggest Loser show.
  

Any suggestions on how to gain weight, ASAP?

8.42pm Malaysian Time

.: Reprise :.

Road to somewhere.

“Leave your home and contemplate that which surrounds you. Climb mountains, traverse valleys, ascend trees, and drink sweet, pure spring water. Thereupon, you find your soul to be free like the bird that sings and swims in the sky in perfect rapture.”

’Aaidh ibn Abdullah al-Qarni

On Saturday, I'll be going down to my former workplace just to spend some time with friends. Been approximately 7 months since I last met them, thus it's about time I pay a courtesy call. Additionally, I'll cease blogging for about a week or so seeing that I have some issues to resolve. Insha'Allah, I'll be back soon enough.

Have a blessed week everyone!

9.20pm Malaysian Time

.: China 101 :.

Trigger.

One of my group members in school was a brother from Harbin, Heilongjiang China. On one occasion, he showed me a giant pandas clip on his lappy, and told me stories about the gargantuan ice and snow sculpture exhibitions held there. In a nutshell, I got distracted by the pandas rolling around clip, which made him switch to speaking about pandas instead. Then he started playing songs. Sad, solemn, depressing songs. I cringe each time he did that and I pulled the stops when he wanted to transfer some of those songs into my lappy.

Sometimes our group discussions, assignments and projects will end close to 5am. Being the only girl in the group, he never fails to remind the others about this, hence I suppose I received special treatment because of it. Age-wise, he is the big brother and to some extent, a protector. So I had a sad, solemn, depressing big brother terribly annoyed when I refused to pronounce panda the way he did. A year later, he pursued his studies in the UK, and we lost contact. Initially, I was supposed to pursue my studies there with him, but I guess fate had other things in store for me. In this case, I am entirely at fault.

Xiong mao …

Panda .......

Xiong mao …

Panda .......

Xiong mao …

Panda .... :P

I’m currently listening to this sad, solemn, depressing song and my thoughts just fleeted to him. His favorite sentence was ...

"If anybody bullies you, let me know. I’ll bring you back to China."

He doesn’t have to do that since I’m going there on my own. Not to Harbin though. I’ll freeze there. As it is, I'm already freezing in Malaysia.

What are the odds of that happening ...

7.33pm Malaysian Time