Just finished reading this book a while ago and I'm still intrigued by the last message Elizabeth Gilbert leaves:

In the end, maybe it's wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.

I think that pretty much summarizes what I want to say to her in reality for writing such a book. Sure, I got bored along the way reading this book because I wanted to get to the end as fast as I could but towards the end I find myself being fond of it again and actually kind of sad that it had to end.

What more can I say about this book? Eat, Pray and Love. The three things that we do cyclically whilst living. I believe that even if you're an atheist there is perhaps still that wish inside you that bears hopes and dreams for the future or ones from yesterday that haven't been fulfilled. I don't ever believe it when people say they never pray because people have wishes every day. Like, wishing things would fall into place for them in terms of looking for the right job. You don't have time for spirituality but sure that wishing and hoping from within is putting it out to the universe that you're a believer? What more if those wishes come true? You'd forget about being selfless and be pleased. Pleased of the gift given to you from a higher power. In my case, being a Muslim, gift from my God, Allah SAW.

Alhamdulillah, with my thesis done and handed in today, I'm pleased and grateful that Allah has given me the strength to not give up and just carry on from the day I started planning for my task until the day I completed it and felt satisfied about it. I was even more satisfied when I printed out copies of my thesis and had them bound. When I got them back I actually let them sit on my table for about five days before flipping through them again, today, for submission. Oh, I feel so relieved! It's like a heavy burden has been lifted from my body, like an evil spirit that has been haunting me for the past year but now that spirit has left me and I'm new again. It's that wonderful feeling. And I hope after this the feedback from the product will be as satisfying as what I'm feeling today. I guess if it wasn't for my prayers and guidance from God I wouldn't have been able to push myself to finish this.

And if you read this book you'll be brought into a spiritual journey that you might be familiar with, and if you're not familiar with it yet, you will begin a spiritual journey that you'd want to continue even after you've finished reading it. I have just gone through a spiritual journey this year myself but of course that story has gone stale and if you see me I am a walking proof of that journey itself.

I don't know, it just feels different now that I'm always at a state of zen with myself. I think I found a common ground with the energy within myself. Well for a start, I used to be so angry all the time, always so emotional which clearly would reflect on my photography, my writing, my body language and myself. I guess all those wasn't intentional and was actually caused by a person because before that I was already always in a state of zen and never cared about what is being said about me, what is being thought about me but this person, well this person brought the worst from me. But anyway, all that has passed and I've moved on. I no longer am attached to that emotional obstacle because I found prayer and dzikir. I know that sounds so lame to 21st century kids but it works.

People would try their best to provoke your sanity and they would topple over and laugh when you've gone insane and out of your mind angry about something. It pleases them the fact that they have won over the battle of trying to piss you off because you accidentally pissed them off just being yourself. Point is that all that doesn't matter anymore to me, I don't care now because it was closure that I seek and it was closure that I found. Sure, a little limerick here and there could make me smile for a little while but you know, knowing how the other person has turned out now tells me a lot about who they are. I don't like to compare myself against anyone, unlike themselves, so they're a pawn in their own game because whilst they think I'm being made bait they're the ones who are actually being caught.

Ironic isn't it?

Now what can I say about Eating and Loving? Suffice to say when it comes to love now, I'm the happiest I have ever been in my entire life. I don't like talking about love too much because it would hurt a few people but seriously, I am so thankful to be given a person whom I feel so comfortable with and want to spend the rest of my life with. Alhamdulillah.

Eating. Well, in the book Liz talks about how much pasta and pizza she eats while in Italy. However, in my case, I'm trying to eat healthy because remember how fat I was a few years back? That was when I was a food snob. Always wanting to taste this, always deliberating that, always criticising another. What I thought was a passion for food actually tried killing me. It made me sick. Obese to be exact. Much to certain people's amusement really but it was really when I came to Australia that I decided I should stop being so unhealthy. I never used to eat a lot of fruits and I never ever liked vegetables at all but I have found that balance in my diet. I'm not as underweight as I used to be a year ago, and mind you looking back at those anorexic looking pictures of me breaks my heart because I looked so sick, but I'm at a very healthy level now. And surprise! I exercise more than I should. I'm 25 years old this year and our bodies shut down easily now that we're already in our late 20s. So I'm trying to take care of my body as often as I can because I learnt that going in and out of hospital not only hurts me but also becomes much of an inconvenience to those people who are involved, especially my family. So I'm trying my best to supplement my body with nutrients so that by the time I turn 50 I'd still be fit to run on the threadmill.

So yeah, there are as many advice I can give as the book can give you too but you know all these things are pretty much common sense anyway. The book only helps enhance the things that you already unconsciously do and makes you think of the things that you've done right and what you're doing wrong. I think that's a good thing.

But point is, when there's already a movie produced about this book, I'd still say I prefer reading than watching. You play a lot more with your imagination while you read and it makes you a lot more happier than when you sit for 1.5hours watching something adapted from a book. I've always preferred it that way.

Toodles!

I'm trying to find different approaches on how to write a literature review about this book. I can perhaps talk about it in a cultural perspective but then again that sounds a bit cliche when it comes to talking about religion, background and the like.

My verdict is that I like this book not because it tries to make readers understand the importance of the hijab to a Muslimah, it also tells a lot about a majority of people dealing with racism and segregation as well as those who inflict racist comments, remarks and those who segregate because of the refusal to accept differences in colour, race and religion. To me, it wasn't the narrative itself that captures me into the life of Amal (the main character of the book) but also the journey I experience whilst reading.

I can relate to a lot of the things that is said within the book - especially the feelings and doubts when Amal first decided to wear the hijab full time. I went through it. I had doubts and was actually scared at one point, scared at how my friends would judge me if one day I walk into class with my head covered. Well, from my own experience, my friends were taken aback a little when they first saw me with it but at that time they knew it was Ramadhan so they perhaps understood my spiritual journey. We even talked about fasting together and I'm glad that I didn't have to go through the whole racist thing because I actually prepare myself for that every time I walk out of my apartment. Not everyone here accepts differences and there are instances when those minute minded people would look at me and have the questioning look on their faces. Well, they don't really know what my journey is all about, do they? So I let them judge me this time. I don't care because this is my jihad to get closer to my creator.

A girl actually questioned my intention of wearing the hijab. She questioned the reason why I get my head covered, questioned me covering up from head to toe. She said why show my faith when in the end I'm only going to relapse? Well, the answer is here already in front of your eyes. I don't do this to show off to people because I don't answer to people, I answer to God and only He and I know the real answer why I have chosen this path. I don't have any other answer to that because what is the real answer to why people become pious all so suddenly other than what we already know? Well, individuals have no rights to judge other individuals based on behaviour and aesthetics. I don't dress up the way I am to show to people or to be in-trend. When I first started covering up, I didn't even tell anyone the reason why I've done it because I don't need people to know what my hearts' contents are. It is between me and Allah and whether He wants to reward me for this in the afterlife is not within my grasp because I am not a perfect human being. I am thankful that Allah has shown me his hidayah and for a person as stubborn as I am, this is the most I have done in terms of swallowing my pride. I have never been one to love baring skin except for shorts but other than that, I don't always feel like. I don't even take pride in skin. But that's just who I am and who I am now.

It's up to you to say bad things about me, to question my intention and pray that one day you'd see me not wearing it again and covering up my body and talking about sex openly. I know a lot of people who would be very pleased with that but look at yourselves first. Look at your decision and what you have said when you decided to cover your head. Look back at what your intentions were when you covered your aurah - did you do it because you saw people suddenly covering up and they looked good so you wanted to do the same so people around would praise you? Or did you do it because you feel obligated, you feel that you owe your life and body to God, you feel that you want to earn that extra good deed and prepare yourself for jannah? Question after question from those who want to see me falter only reflects back on those people, not me. Any right minded person would agree to this. It's just like when you call another person "Cock-deprived". When you say this, it only reflects back at you - that you aren't. So the shame is on you. Get it?

So I don't see any reason why I need to justify my decision to cover my hair when I walk out of my apartment or anywhere I go because if you know anything about Islam at all, you'll know the exact reason why. I don't need to preach about religion. I like sharing about religion, of course, and I do stray away sometimes but Allah is just and Allah is forgiving. InsyAllah everyone will find their way so please don't contradict yourself because that alone tells a lot about you. Praise Allah and say Alhamdulillah if the path of righteousness has been shown to you in your heart or wherever, but don't ever be proud to be something the religion tells you not to be.

Remember, Iblis fell from grace because he was too proud.

So moral of the story, and how much I have turned from the book, is that no matter how different you are from the person next to you, no matter how ugly, how beautiful and how jealous you are to another person, remember that you are created different. Everyone is unique in their own ways. Why would you want to be a second version of someone else, when you can be the original version of yourself? I know that is justifiable when applied to individuals who choose to be different in terms of dressing up and whatnot, but it is what's in your heart that matters most. If you stick true to yourself, be yourself and not try to be someone else, guidance will come your way much easier than you think it would. Because of this, you can't judge anyone deliberately just because they have shown to you a different side of them that you have never seen before. Whatever people choose to do, what they want to become, what they wish to proof is all about their journey through this life. Remember Qada' and Qadar are in the hands of Allah so if your conscience tell you to pursue something, do it. If your heart tells you that what you're doing is wrong, listen.

No battle is harder than fighting to listen to the whispers of shaitan. So if one day you feel unattractive in a hijab, remember those are only whispers of the devil. If you can say no to being fat, or wearing smelly shoes, then you definitely can say no to the number one source of evil. Surely that's not too terrible huh? I bet if you set your ego aside and accept yourself for who you are and not look at the people around you and feel that you're lesser than they are, it would be easier for you to be the better person than who you once were. If you know me at all, I have not been a star pupil or the favorite granddaughter or the most favored niece. If you're a regular at my blogs than you'll know how many times I've proven to my non-believers that I am who they think I'm not. Like I said, a lot of people have always waited for me to falter, relapse, fall but my motto in life is to finish what I started. So you figure that out.

These are the kinds of things that are told in this book and that is perhaps why I like reading it so much. I think if time allows me to do so one day, I might give it another read. It's two weeks til my thesis submission now and I'm getting busier and busier by the minute but I'd like to read more books like this. It's not thick either, but the storyline is as real as it gets. There are characters in there who like to question, to block Amal's path and decision but she stands true to her faith and decision and that is what I like so much about this book. A book that makes me reflect on my own journey, that's my kind of book.

Til then, I'll try to blog more here. Tumblr's only taking a lot of my time as it keeps me browsing and browsing. But I'll definitely be back for good after my thesis submission. Toodles!

If you like what you see in the pictures above, I've actually just made screen captures from my cousin's online shopping website.

I'm helping her advertise because I simple LOVE the items she's selling. If you're familiar with Lookbook, The Sartorialist and anything fashion related in Tumblr, you'll be pleased to discover that those things can now be in your possession and not just something in your wish list.

NASQYE'S has everything on offer and at affordable prices. Bags, dresses, flattering skirts, shoes, cardigans, accessories and many more that you can get your hands on.

For terms and conditions, please do visit the website at http://www.nasqye-s.blogspot.com/ and if you're interested in anything, contacting the seller, my cousin, is as easy as a breeze. So please, now, make your way to NASQYE'S and have a haul!

I thought it'd be a very good idea to take a break and do a little bit of blogging before I start on the whole thesis hoopla again.

Ahh.. so how has everyone been? I miss blogging and putting random thoughts on the screen. I'm so used to looking for things, reading, evaluating, using and explaining now that sometimes the thought of blogging again kind of puts me of, scared that I might miss my train of thought about my topic. Can you imagine how many things that are possible to write about the RTB? At the start of Honours, I used to think of RTB as a negative entity - you know, full of paternalistic programs that never seem to want to stop telling people to do what the philosophy tells you to do but the more I research about it and read about public broadcasters the more I understand their goal. Regardless whether they do a lot of vague plannings, wanting to be commercial, and anything bad that we've ever thought about them. RTB, as of now, is my heart and soul. Nothing I want more =)

Truth be told, I am never one to care about what MIB is, the emphasis of the national language, what can and cannot be done in the country et cetera. Perhaps it is good that I'm writing about an organisation that contributes to the whole of the nation's well-being because now, I find that I care a lot. My book, at the end of this semester, will be my baby. My blood, my sweat, my tears. I find that I love Brunei more than ever now, not only because I've been away from it for six years, not only because my family is there waiting for my permanent stay, but because I now care and seriously do. I know I'm not an ideal Bruneian, I have yet a lot to learn and prepare for employment, especially Malay-language-in-writing wise, but I have the basics of it and I'm a fast learner and an apt student so go figure. I'm not confident that employment will be laid out for me in front of my eyes but come what may because I have prepared for unemployment. I have a plan. Who knows this thing that I'm going to do will eventually be something I make a living of so I'm just going to be thankful of any kind of tests and obstacles that may come my way.

The only thing I'm not looking forward to this time I go back home is when those know-it-all elders say this and that that I might not like but who am I to want them to change? They're older than I am, they always do know what's best for me. Like my mom say, if you don't like what those people tell you to do, or whether they're telling you off for the things that you do or have done, just listen, nod and smile. Whether I am to take their advice, or words of wisdom, into perspective is up to me. All the time, for the whole of my life, I have never listened and they, too, have never tire to say the same thing over and over again. You know, love hate relationship somewhat. And that's pretty cool, I reckon.

I can't wait for life to start :) Thank you, Allah.

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This is amazing, he died of pancreatic cancer in 2008, but wrote a book ‘The last lecture” before then, one of the bestsellers in 2007. What a legacy to leave behind…
In a letter to his wife Jai and his children, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe, he wrote this beautiful "guide to a better life" for his wife and children to follow.
May you be blessed by his insight.

POINTS ON HOW WE CAN IMPROVE OUR LIVES

Personality:
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment
3. Don't over do; keep your limits
4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip
6. Dream more while you are awake
7 . Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
8 . Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
9 . Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present
10 . No one is in charge of your happiness except you
11 . Smile and laugh more
12 . You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:
1 3 . Call your family often
14 . Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6
15 . Try to make at least three people smile each day
16 . What other people think of you is none of your business
17 . Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
18 . Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
19 . GOD heals everything
20 . Do the right things
21 . However good or bad a situation is, it will change
22 . No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up
23 . The best is yet to come
24 . Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful
25 . When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it
26. If you know GOD you will always be happy. So, be happy.

While you practice all of the above, share this knowledge with the people you love, people you school with, people you play with, people you work with and people you live with.
Not only will it enrich YOUR life, but also that of those around you