LIFEJOURNEY

The curtain of 2020 will be descending and a new year will be arising in a matter of hours. It has been a year none of us could have predicted, in which there have been downs and also ups when we saw everyone pulled together to overcome the challenges thrown at us by the pandemic. As we welcome the New Year, let us build on the best that we have learnt from 2020 and look forward with renewed hope for a healthy, safer and better year with the Almighty's grace and accord. Happy New Year, with kind regards from me to you readers, your families and loved ones.   💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫

The Two Things Killing Your Ability to Focus - William Treseder  I used to wake up, stumble over to my phone, and immediately get lost in a stream of pointless notifications. This digital haze continued throughout the day, keeping me from accomplishing important tasks. I was distracted, anxious, and ineffective as an individual. I knew I had to change but could not seem to break free from the behaviors that kept me locked into the same cycle.  This problem is not unusual. Executives across the world stumble through each day in much the same way. Two major challenges are destroying our ability to focus.  First, we increasingly are overwhelmed with distractions flying at us from various connected devices. Smartphone and tablet use is spiking, and, as of 2019, we now use digital media for an average of over 12 hours per day. This hyperconnected state does not allow us to process, recharge, and refocus.  Second, we rely excessively on meetings as the default form of interaction with other

How to Preserve Your Integrity   Nancy's boss has just let her know that her client's order is about to leave the company's warehouse. As she picks up the phone to call them, he tells her there's a problem.  " The shipment was damaged by someone on our warehouse team," he says. "There are some dings, but this shouldn't affect the product's performance. If they complain, we'll blame it on the trucking company that delivered it to us."  Nancy pauses, feeling uncomfortable. "But didn't our warehouse crew damage the product?" Her boss shrugs. "Yeah, but the customer doesn't know that. I'll just file a claim now, saying it was damaged on delivery. Don't worry, the client won't even notice the damage."    Nancy's boss walks out and she sits at her desk, unsure what to do. She knows it's dishonest to blame the damage on the trucking company. It's also dishonest to deceive her client and give th

Paper Planes is a thoughtful, spirited look at competition and perseverance that features a plucky Australian boy and his grief-stricken dad muddling through the mom's death in a car accident to win a paper plane-making competition. Grief looms large over the film, it keeps dad Jack from doing much to guide his son. Dylan steals from his father and subverts the rules as does his grandfather on occasion to have a good time but the film is overwhelmingly an uplifting look at overcoming grief and fear, standing up for yourself and others, and rethinking the very idea of winning fairly in a highly competitive game.  

I have been looking around for this book and has always been out of stock. Finally I purchased it online from a book store in Johor Bahru, Johor. For Muslims, Surah (Chapter) Al-Fatihah has been integrated into their lives since childhood. Muslim children began to know their religion by learning to read and understand it. They could also memorize the chapter. When the child reaches adulthood, Surah Al-Fatihah has become inherent in him. It continues to be at the tip of the lips of a Muslim every time he prays, fasts, pays elm and conducts his religious ceremonies. Thus, it should be placed at the highest order, in accordance with its acclamation.  Samudera is a Sanskrit term literally meaning the "gathering together of waters". It refers to an ocean, sea or confluence. The word is also present in other languages influenced by Sanskrit. Samudera Al-Fatihah, the name of the book often believed to be a synthesis of the Quran. The Chapter although consists of 7 verses, it is l

Before you know it, this plausible antidote named Messenger RNA (mRNA) is developing at a rapid speed, thank you to research and science. This is uplifting. With all due caution, the tourism sector and the by-sectors ancillary to it are now geared for influx of travellers i.e. airports will be re-launched, shoppers and strollers will be out and about. Think of the cinemas, theme parks and stadiums, they will gradually be given energy to.  Let us take stock of this centennial pandemic and reflect on ourselves that how much devastation has been felt because of it, the resilience and tenacity of the forefront and the mortal beings will remain and shall be stronger should there be any endemic in the foreseeable future. By the way, how old were you when you  realised that this is the correct way? :):) 🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

Kelok 9 West Sumatera, Indonesia.

Araghe Sard (Cold Sweat) an Iranian film brought me here.  Based on real events Araghe Sard shows us Afrooz’s struggle against the Iranian legal system. She is the captain of Iran’s national women’s futsal team. After 11 years of effort and hard work, she achieves her dream, Iran is in the final of the Asian Nations Cup. They have to travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to play the match, but she is detained at the airport.  Under Iranian law, no woman may leave the country without her husband’s permission, and Afrooz’s husband has used his legal right to prevent her from leaving the country. Thus, begins her long, painful struggle to try to travel abroad in time to play the final. Her husband, a famous television presenter from whom she had separated unofficially a year earlier, seems determined to stop her. It is difficult to know whether he is doing this to get his revenge on her for the breakup, or simply because he cannot bear Afrooz being an emancipated woman pursuing her passion

If you think you need a corporate office to get your business started, think again. Find out how these multimillion or billion-dollar companies launched in the unlikeliest of places. However massive they may seem now, at one time, some of the largest and most successful companies around started in someone's garage. Sometimes the garage was at the childhood home of the company's founders. Other times, the entrepreneurs had to rent a garage just to get a little privacy for their ideas to grow.  The humble beginnings of these said companies prove that great ideas are still great ideas, no matter where they're started and developed.The lesson here is that the most amazing ideas have no boundaries. From small, rented garages to multimillion or billion-dollar companies, anyone who's passionate about an idea can start—and grow—that idea anywhere, as long as they have a little privacy and room to shut out the rest of the world.  (Following are companies that started from a g

There are many different types of murals i.e. community murals, commercial murals, mural installations, abatement murals, temporary murals, banners, live-painting, opportunity sites, and the list goes on. With no limits to creativity, the only barriers are the physical dimensions of the surface.  Ernest Zacharevic is a Lithuanian-born artist combining fine art techniques with a passion for creating art outdoors. Experimentation lies at the heart of Ernest's style, with the only constant being the dedication to his ever-changing concepts. With ideas leading the way, he removes the restriction of artistic boundaries, moving freely between the disciplines of oil painting, stencil and spray, installation and sculpture; producing dynamic compositions both inside and outside of the gallery space. Ernest's primary interest is in the relationship between art and the urban landscape, with concepts often evolving as part of a spontaneous response to the immediate environment, the communi

The importance of keeping your mind sharp cannot be overstated. We are all part of a fantastic intellectual and information economy, which thrives on ideas, creativity and intelligence. Keeping your mind sharp is sure to give you the edge over the competition, and more importantly lead to your own higher levels of happiness.  When your mind is in top shape, you will:   • Have greater motivation and focus  • Get more done  • Come up with more creative ideas  • Find inspiration more often  • Remember more  • Experience a better quality of life  A FEW PRACTICES EXTREMELY BENEFICIAL IN KEEPING YOUR MIND SHARP ARE:   1. Continue reading, absorbing knowledge and  experiencing culture  Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself. It should be something pleasurable and done for intrinsic reasons above all else. Read blogs on subjects both within your field and in new fields you know nothing about; read books; watch lectures on fascinating new subjects; read about ancient so

Firstly, today marks my mom's birthday who turned 82. Happy Birthday Mak! May Allah Al-Muqit showers you with grace, good health and sustenance. Thank you for the enormous sacrifices and unconditional love. I am forever grateful. ❤⚘🍥 In addition, Nurlela is a song originally sung by the late Bing Slamet in 1960. It is also a song that my late father always dedicate through out his life to my mom whose name is Laila. Here is a take on by Glenn (RIP), Tompi and Sandhy of Trio Lestari of the 118th out of 150 popular Indonesian songs named by the Rolling Stone Indonesia. This Malay Nusantara, Cha-cha and Calypso beat never ceases to amaze its listeners, so Enjoy!   🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

  The word batik is thought to be derived from the word ' ambatik' which translated means 'a cloth with little dots'. The suffix ' tik' means little dot, drop, point or to make dots. Batik may also originate from the Javanese word ' tritik' which describes a resist process for dying where the patterns are reserved on the textiles by tying and sewing areas prior to dying, similar to tie dye techniques. Another Javanese phase for the mystical experience of making batik is “ mbatik manah ” which means “drawing a batik design on the heart” Until today, the batik’s true origin is still a mystery but what is sure is that batik is a very old form of art. Evidence of early batik has been found in the Middle East, Egypt, Peru, Japan, East Turkistan, Europe as well as India and China (Central Asia) 2000 years ago. Despite its ambiguous origins, batik reached its highest artistic expression in South East Asia, particularly in Indonesia and Malaysia. In the 17th c

“Good music is good no matter what kind of music it is.” - Miles Davis 🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾 "Aquarela do Brasil" written by Ary Barroso in 1939 and known in the English-speaking world simply as "Water Colour of Brazil", is one of the most famous Brazilian songs. It is about the said country many qualities, praising their natural resources and riches of their land, celebrating their beauties, their traditions and their people. Brasil on another note, is a 1981 album by Brazilian artist João Gilberto, featuring Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Maria Bethânia who sang this subtle and wonderful piece in accordance and in unison.   Also, "Historia de un Amor" (Spanish for "A Love Story") is a song about a man's old love written by Panamanian songwriter Carlos Eleta Almarán. It holds the world record to be the most popular song to be translated and sung across the world in various languages by various singers from

Hits @ Astro has provided amongst others my favorite family drama when I was growing up such as Little House on The Prairie. Well done. I am happy that I can watch Mind Your Language rerun already in its Season 2 on Hits 😊 . However, it should be rated as X or at least 18+, in a way that underage persons are not allowed to watch! During those days many were not aware how outlandish the sitcom was. The girls from France and Sweden caused chaos in class vying for their teacher’s attention and the guys would be watching their shapes or vital statistics in class and often teasing them with language only adult could understand. There is religious and political tension led to infighting which is all happening in that series. Now I understand the dispute between persons from Punjab and Pakistan calling each other infidels and even from Italy and Spain where they fight on how entrench their Catholic beliefs are , China and Japan with their communism anti imperialism stance versus de

Thank you Allah for waking me up, for the roof over my head, a bed to sleep in, food on my table and shoes on my feet. Forgive me if I ever start to complain and forget my blessings. Happy Thursday and keep our chin up! ⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤽⤼⤼⤼

The Pearl of the Orient is tireless with local and overseas travelers coming to visit daily if not yearly basking in the sunshine through out the year. Scene like this came to an abrupt stop, as a result, many hotels and inns are up for sales. This holiday destination is bracing for tough time. Tourism covers many areas from flights, accomodation, b & b, food, sight seing, culture shows, arts and museum. These operators are all affected most likely for a long haul. Just so not Holiday Inn Ferringhi as it is almost a ritual to visit this fantastic hotel in Penang. It offers a complete view of the seaside. Our last trip was early this year, never had the slightest idea things would go south for the hospitality industry then. The road to recovery is long but we will get there in the course of time. Shot from the Tower Block. Until the dust settles, I fathom the stretch of night market usually bustling with noise and energy sees a very low turn out of sho

Today marks the 1st day of Shawal according to the Lunar Hijri in that after a month of fasting, the act of worship ended in jubilant despite some inevitable flaws. This year Eid is celebrated in a manner which is very different from the past. Prayers are conducted at home, food is served just within our means as the number of guests is restricted to 20 or less in a house at one time and interstate traveling is prohibited. Face mask, sanitizer and stagger visiting are making their presence in staying safe and well from the ongoing bizarre outbreak. One thing for sure may it brings a good cheer to everyone despite the limitation. When all is said and done home is where you are, it is an anchor, a port in a storm and a refuge. God Bless. 🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥🍥

The chime of rain for the most part brings calmness to my being. Heavy rain hitting a tin roof above my head is totally captivating. Cities where porches are barely available, moment like this brings back memories of rustic living, simply unpretentious.  After many dry days, lo and behold it poured yesterday evening. It rained cats and dogs for 16 hours. A crisp and chill night that one often desires.  The monsoon rain which is prevalent most of the time is after all a fascinating sound and sight. ☔☔☔☔☔☔☔☔☔☔

Nuzul Quran is a noble event which falls on the 17th day of Ramadan known for the revelation of the first verse of the holy scripture to Prophet Muhammad PBUP. Chapter 96 The Clot verses 1 until 5 were handed down following which reading was given prominence to. Such is the importance of reading to present time that it has been everything but nothing short of accumulation of knowledge. It is acquired and disseminated to enable the discovery and breakthrough for many areas of study for the benefit of mankind. "The most complete gift of God is a life based on knowledge" Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) ==================

Mother's Day is widely celebrated as an occasion to rejoice all mothers and motherhood. In one voice, let's honor the women who raised us and all the mothers who sacrificed for their children. ⚘⚘⚘ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

SLEEPERS is a legal thriller drama that tells the account of four boys from New York City's Hell's Kitchen. In the process of committing petty theft, the boys commit a prank that goes horribly wrong, severely injuring a man. As punishment, the boys are tossed into detention hall, where they are brutalized, assaulted and sexually abused by the guards. Over a decade later, the two of the quartet who have turned to a life of crime encounter one of their former tormentors and have the opportunity for payback. As the ringleader of the detention hall guards, Kevin Bacon is at his absolute creepiest as the deeply disturbing Sean Nokes. He is pivotal to the four boys’ descent into hell and submission into his evil persona. In the bar scene where he meets his demise sets the wheels in motion for the payback. Stellar performance by Jason Patric, Brad Pitt, Billy Cudrup, Ron Eldard, Kevin Bacon, Minnie Driver, Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman in this 1996 flix which displayed B

In Brief The International Labor Organization was founded in 1919 and incorporated into the United Nation (UN) as a specialized agency in 1945. It emphasizes the need for workers to enjoy conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity through their employment. The ILO promotes international labor standard through its field offices in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and Central Asia. The ILO has 187 state members. 186 of the 193 member states of the UN plus the Cook Islands are members of the ILO. The UN member states which are not members of the ILO are Andorra, Bhutan, Liechtenstein, Micronesia, Monaco, Naura and North Korea. My current stint with the ILO Asia and Pacific Region office located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as its freelance translator and interpreter has provided me with an insight of the informal economy that accounts for jobs that are neither taxed nor monitored by the authorities, and that make up a