.: Monumental eclipse :.

Scattered here and yon.

Sometimes ten seconds feel longer than a quarter of a century.

Sometimes.

11.22pm Malaysian Time

.: Scavenger :.

Dirt and rubble.

He diligently rummaged through the piles of rubbish. The foul stench and scorching sun didn't matter to him. A decent looking young man who couldn't possibly be more than his late 20s, he finally grabbed 2 toolboxes, a couple of garbage bags and placed it on his carrier. Seemingly satisfied with his haul of the day, he left the premises.

... ~ ...

I was doing my work from home when I heard the postman delivering the mail. Half an hour later I decided to check our mail. As I was about to step out of the house, that was when I saw a man loitering around our garbage bin. He didn't look like the garbage collectors, so I decided to peek through the curtains and observe his behavior.

In some areas in the city we can still find someone rummaging through rubbish looking for recyclable materials. However, this was my first time seeing someone doing that at a residential area. I had mixed feelings. Part of me wanted to go and offer him assistance of any kind. Another part restricts me from doing that because of safety reasons.

Just hope that whatever he found then, will be useful for him and possibly his family.

Oscar the Grouch.

11.13am Malaysian Time

.: 伊斯兰教 :.

Islam.

Pls click on the images to enlarge it

Brother Ikhwan wrote a blog entry relating his experience at PERKIM HQ; [A Trip to PERKIM HQ], where he also posted some images of the Islamic reading materials he obtained while he was there.

As I have a small collection of my own written in Chinese, I felt called upon to share it here particularly to my Chinese Muslim friends since I've heard it's not easy for them to get it. Some of these books were published in Malaysia while others were brought over from China, Singapore and Turkey.

If anyone wants to read any of this, I'm not too sure whether I can purchase/source the overseas publications since it was gifted to me some time ago. However, I am willing to lend, photocopy or scan the contents for you. Should you require additional reading materials, I can try asking friends in PERKIM and MACMA.

Sharing knowledge.

10.34am Malaysian Time

.: Wednesday :.

Another rainy day.

At a Chinese Muslim Restaurant in Shenzhen.

The owner was speaking in super lighting speed slurry Chinese. I guess the owner is in his early 40s, a merry guy who is very generous with his smiles and laughter. Acknowledging my incompetence, I gave up any efforts to comprehend his speech and chose to focus on something much more interesting; like the colorful menu while my friend kept him entertained.

Me :: What did he say?
Friend :: I don't know.
Me :: What do you mean?
Friend :: His dialect is a little different. He was asking where are you from, and are you a Muslim. I told him you're from Malaysia, and ya. He told me he heard Malaysia is famous for aerobics.
Me :: Aerobics? You just made that up right?
Friend :: I'm serious. He did say that.
Me :: Aerobics??? ... but why aerobics? *starts looking at the menu again; so many good food, too little time to try them all!*
Friend :: Beats me.

My friend had such a stoic expression on his face that I couldn't possibly think he was lying when he said that. But really ... why aerobics? Why?

PS :: This may be a little belated, but Happy Mid-Autumn Festival *中秋节快乐* to everyone! I still have one mooncake sitting in the fridge. :)

Hitting the books.

9.10am Malaysian Time

.: 覆水難收 :.

Opening chapter.

Global Hanyu & Culture College (GHCC) is a leading provider of Mandarin courses and study in China programs. It has a partnership with Shanghai Jiaotong University in the Confucius Institute @ Shanghai Jiaotong University - Global Hanyu & Culture Center in Kuala Lumpur - this is a member of the worldwide network of Confucius Institute under the Chinese government's International Council for the promotion of Hanyu abroad.

The Good News

After some conversations and reading tests, the teacher estimated that my Chinese proficiency level is between level 3 and 4. Level 3 and 4 touch on intermediate Hanyu grammar, hearing, practical oral, pronunciation, character recognition, and introduction to culture. Introductory class begins this Wednesday. Thankfully, there are only 6 levels so I will most probably complete all of it by mid of next year.

The teacher also suggested I sit for the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK - Chinese Proficiency Test) level 4.

The Not-So-Good News

The upcoming HSK test is this November.

Can I make it?

9.45am Malaysian Time

.: Sea of amity :.

Friendship.

The most beautiful discovery that true friends can make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.

Elizabeth Foley

Back at work.

12.47noon Malaysian Time

.: Selamat Hari Raya :.

Maaf zahir dan batin.


Accepting forgiveness can be as difficult as offering it so perhaps out of the 365 days in a year we can take this blessed opportunity to open our hearts and seek forgiveness from others as well as accept their forgiveness. Hopefully this will mend and strengthen our bonds with one another, allowing us to get on with our lives basking in the light of a re-energized positive conscience.

.................................... ~ ....................................

:: Eid Greetings ::

Eid mubarak to my dear readers, brothers, sisters and loved ones!

May all of you have a joyous celebration!

Have a safe and pleasant journey!

.................................... ~ ....................................

In this regard I will sincerely appreciate it if everyone can forgive me if I'd ever written or done anything that may anger, hurt or sadden any of you. I will resume blogging on Sunday, Insha'Allah. :)

Reviving forgiveness.

11.55pm Malaysian Time