sharing to enrich our life

They were reluctant at first. It sound so scary to them. People fear what they don't know. To venture into new field is like throwing one self into the river. Will we be able to swim to the river bank?

I created a ning homepage for the school staffs. A private network just for insiders. To get people to sign up is like asking them utilize a new unknown software. But when they try it, it is fast becoming a tool to get connected. To know what happen to the football and hockey team for example. Or to give vent to their anger when a long planned program was attended by only a few.

I stayed up last night to perform solat hajat, a special prayer asking Allah to grant a certain wish. I prayed for my kids. Their exams are around the corner. My eldest son told me he understood a lot of difficult lesson only when exam is near. Signs that Allah is granting my prayer. When ever my kids tell me they are having difficulty with their study, I will always turn to Allah. And Allah is always near, waiting for us to ask from him.

After the solat hajat, I registered online to attend an Asia Pacific Education Conference as a presenter. I have participated in a university level innovation competition and had won gold medal. I have presented my research at university level alongside lecturers. I have attended world level seminar as participant. Time to venture one step ahead as an international level presenter. All these started after I attended a national level seminar as participant. I no longer fear the unknown because I have make conference as something familiar to me. If my application as a presenter is rejected, that's not a surprise. On the contrary, being accepted is a real shock. I'm just trying my luck. Who knows. No venture, no gain.

Ya Allah, please make niat or intention solely for you. To share my knowledge with others in the hope of making a small difference.

May Allah bless us all.

vent - figurative release or expression of a strong emotion, energy, etc. :children give vent to their anger in various ways.

Behind it all

I always believe there is a reason for everything. Something behind it all. Like when I was small.

My father was a soldier. When we were small he was seldom around. Either he was guarding the jungle or he was stationed in Sabah or Sarawak, across the ocean. Mom was stranded at home with a baby to take care of. I was the eldest. Naturally I have to take over my father's place to manage the family. Mode of transportation was the public bus. No car, no motorbike. I had a bicycle that I used to go to town and buy our weekly food supply. On my way home, my bicycle was laden with grocery bags. There were plastic bags on the front handle and on the back of my bicycle. If ever my tyre punctured, I had to push my overloaded bicycle all the way home, climbing up the steep hill.

If I'm sick, I would ride the bus on my own and went to the army hospital. I registered myself. The nurse on duty had to looked down over the counter to see her small patient. There usual question would popped out of her mouth, "Where's your parents?". I would asked the doctor to give me double dose because my younger sister had fever too but she was afraid to ride the bus with me without any grown up. I was used to doing things for myself.

All the hardship has transformed me into a tough person. I thanked to Allah for the strength all these experiences had given me. It's nothing compared to the strength Gaza people had inside them. Israel regime cannot kill the spirit and strength they had inside them. Their homes, offices and schools are torn down. Their comrades are killed by the day. But their faith to Allah is impenetrable.

So don't complaint about the hardship that we are facing. I have long changed from a person asking "Why me?" to a person asking "What's good in store for me after all these is over?". Always looking forward to the hidden pleasure behind all the hardships. Try to see the benefits behind it all that are waiting for us. May Allah gives us the strength.

May Allah bless us all. Ameen.

laden - heavily loaded or weighed down : a tree laden with apples | [incombination ] the moisture-laden air.