Where is My Bike?

my bike that was stolen (8/18/2011)

Above is the picture of my orange bike. It's orange in color, a BMX Thruster bike. 

I bought it for about $75 last year from Wal Mart, a few days after I came to USA. 

But now,

THE BIKE IS GONE...

forever, perhaps...

Only if I'm lucky enough I'd see the MY ORANGE BMX BIKE back.

May Allah forgive those who stole my bike. 

Cheese Muffin

Today I bake a simple pastry called the 

CHEESE MUFFIN

This is not the first time I baked cheese muffin. I have lost count of how many times I baked cheese muffin. I started baking cheese muffin when I was in Malaysia. 

So, here's the recipe for the cheese muffin : 

Ingredients

4 oz butter

4 oz cream cheese (you may add more if you'd like it to be more cheesy)

1 large egg

3/4 cup milk (preferably full cream milk)

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Method

1. In a large bowl, mix together butter, cream cheese, and sugar by using an electric mixer or by hand until they are nice and fluffy. Add the egg afterwards. Continue beating them.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. 

3. Add the flour mixture, followed by milk into the large bowl containing the creamy mixture. Then, stir the mixture until everything just combined.

4. Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a muffin pan with 12 paper muffin cups. Divide batter evenly into muffin cups.

5. Bake the muffin for 16-20 minutes. To test the muffin, insert a toothpick or a fork into the center of the muffin, making sure that it comes out clean.

6. Let the muffins cool down before serving. Else, keep them in an airtight container. 

This recipe can produce up to 18 muffins. Happy trying !

Fruit Flan

Yesterday I made a simple fresh fruit dessert called the 

FRUIT FLAN. 

I gave half of the flan to the Malaysian boys in another house nearby, and the other half for me and my housemates. It turned out to taste good. 

Maybe I shall change the fruit decoration, trying more variety of fruits. 

So, here's the recipe for the fruit flan :

Ingredients

8 oz/ 227g of cream cheese 

6 oz/ 170 g of pure cream 

3 pieces of Graham cracker (or any cookies of preference)

1/2 oz of butter

Any fruits (sliced)

6 teaspoons of sugar

Method 

1. Blend Graham crackers until they become nice and grainy. 

2. Melt the butter. Mix the butter with the grainy crackers. This will be the base of the fruit flan.

3. Put the base in a circular cake casing (preferably the side of the casing could be opened).

4. In a large bowl, mix the cream cheese, pure cream, and sugar by using electric mixer or by hand until they are nice and fluffy. 

5. Use a wooden ladle or spoon and spread the mixed cream cheese, pure cream, and sugar all over the base evenly. 

6. Now, you may put any fruits that you like with your own preferred decoration. 

7. Leave it in the fridge for about 30 minutes, before it's ready to be served.

Happy trying ! 

I am Homesick

obtained from : 123rf.com

So I'm done with summer quarter. FEEL GREAT. 

When most of people are enjoying themselves with family, go traveling, or working, I was busy studying. Now I'm glad that those study stuffs are over. Yeah, I can waste my time now!  

But hold on!

I only have two weeks to enjoy myself. 

I have Orientation Assistant training in 2 weeks time.

I wonder how that's gonna be. I'll be busy again. I hope it's gonna be really FUN.

Well, the seniors said it's TOTALLY JOYFUL.

I hope that's true.

At this rate, I really feel like I WANT TO FLY BACK TO MALAYSIA.

I miss my mom, my dad, my brothers, my sister, my cats, my bedroom, my house, etc

Why flight? Why so expensive? Can't you pity me?

T____T

Almost everyday you disappointed me when your price is never below $2000.

That's really a lot of money!

Now you tell me, how am I supposed to go back?

in my dream?

WHATEVER

Please, please tell me to be patient

because

I'M NOT STRONG.

I AM HOMESICK.

obtained from : urbanclimbermag.com

ANGER

obtained from : ajandscottieann.blogspot.com

Today, I'd like to talk about anger. The reason is because someone just made me really mad today, making me almost losing my patience. 

ALMOST.

Before I did something bad, I realized that I'm fasting today.

I told myself to calm down because I'm fasting today.  

so, I brought myself away,

to get some serenity.

Besides, I do have to get myself ready for the session with autistic kids this afternoon. 

I must calm down.

I don't want my anger to affect my mood when I'm with the kids.

I remember three instant methods to deal with anger :

1. Say the word of protection

Audhu billahi minash-Shaitan-ir-rajim.

(I seek refuge with Allah from the Satan, the cursed one)

if that doesn't work,

2. Change body posture

Sit down if standing; lie down if sitting

if that doesn't work either,

3. Take ablution

Wash face, arms etc

The second one seems to work on me. I decided to leave the place. May Allah forgive me and remove the anger from my heart. Amin.

Birthday Cards from Malaysia

I'm ON CLOUD NINE ! Happy ! Delighted ! Anything of that sort. 

I just received birthday cards from my family in Malaysia. 

All of you rocks my world ! 

Very sweet of you my dears !

Thank you very much my dearest :

♥ Ayah

♥ Ibu

♥ Abang

♥ Baby

♥ Aeman

♥ Ami

I love you all very much ! ♥

Till we meet again.  XOXO

Reading or Understanding Al-Quran ?

obtained from : ejamdrac.blogspot.com

" Indeed, this Quran guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do the righteous deeds that they will have a great reward. "     

  - Surah Al-Isra' : verse 9

Allah has promised a great reward, multiple of rewards for those who read the holy Quran in Ramadan. Then, there comes the 1-month challenge of reading the whole Quran. Al-Quran has 30 juz, meaning 30 sections. So, when Muslims try to finish the whole Quran in one month, we have to read at least 1 juz per day. That's about 20 pages. I have a tip to share, on how to finish (khatam) Quran after one month.

Let's see :

Al-Quran has 30 juz

1 juz = 20 pages for 1 day

1 day = 5 prayers

20/5 = 4

4 pages = 1 prayer

so, 

20 pages = 5 prayers = 1 day = 1 juz

Sometimes we feel that reading 20 pages at once is kind of difficult. So, why don't we try to break the pages for each time we pray per day ? That sounds easier. Anyway, this is just a suggestion. If you prefer to read it 20 pages at once, then go for it. 

However, reading Al-Quran is worthier if we understand it. 

Sometimes, tears flowing from the eyes of the people who read the Al-Quran because they understand what they read. If we just read without understanding the contents, it's still very good, but reading with understanding is better. Just take for an example, when we learn a new language. After some point, we might be able to read the language, but we might not be able to understand what we read. 

Al-Quran has its own beautiful language, that Allah has created for us to deliver His messages to human. Maybe we can read, but without understanding, we won't get the messages well. 

Nevertheless, reading Al-Quran is better than no reading at all. 

Do we have to be fluent in Arabic to understand the language of Al-Quran ?

Of course no. But, if we are, that's an advantage. We can always refer to translations or tafsir to understand what we read in Al-Quran. 

So, why do we read Al-Quran even though we do not understand the contents ?

I have a story to share. It's from a blog that I've read.  

There's an old man living with his grandson in a farm. Every morning, the old man will read the Al-Quran in his bedroom. The grandson, viewing his grandfather's action, try to follow his action. 

One day, the grandson asked his grandfather, "Grandpa, I read the Al-Quran, but I don't understand its meaning.  Even if I do, I'll forget after I close the Al-Quran.  So, what's the point of reading the Al-Quran?"

The old man went to the kitchen and grabbed a dirty basket, which was filled with coals before. 

"Here, go to the river, fill in water in this basket." The boy then went to the nearby river behind their house and filled the basket with water. However, when he went back to his grandfather, no water left.

"You're very slow. This time, try to run." said the grandfather. So, the boy ran to the river, and ran back to his grandfather to show him the basket.

"See, there is no water left. I can't fill this basket with water." said the grandson. 

"So you feel useless ? Try to look at the basket now." replied the grandfather.

The boy looked at the basket. He noticed that the dirty basket from before was clean now. 

The grandfather continued, "That is how we read the Al-Quran. Even if we don't understand it, but it's still purifying the heart of the reader, bringing tranquility. It's all up to Allah. He knows what His servants do."

obtained from : 4iphonewallpapers.com

So, even if we read the Al-Quran without understanding it, it's still better than no reading at all. Look at the stairs above. If we read the Al-Quran with understanding, we'll climb more stairs than those who read with no understanding. Those who do not read Al-Quran at all shall be at the very bottom of the stairs.

Now it's Ramadan. If we don't read the Al-Quran before, why not starting to read it now, taking advantage of the great reward Allah has promised us. Slowly, we could improve from reading with no understanding, to reading with understanding. InshaAllah. 

What is Ramadan ?

obtained from : 123greetings.com

Ramadan is the 9th month in Islamic calendar. It's also known as "Ramadan Al-Mubarak". Unlike any other months in Islamic calendar, Ramadan is a very special and a holy month because only during this month that  Muslims all over the world are fasting for 29 or 30 days, depending on the lunar cycle. Allah has mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185 about the specific obligatory of fasting during the month of Ramadan :

"   The month of Ramadan (is that) in which was revealed the Qur'an, the guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever who is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to)  which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.    "          

      - Surah Al-Baqarah : verse 185

Fasting everyday in the month of Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The length of fasting duration per day varies for different regions of the world because the duration is from the moment of the true dawn (Fajr) until the moment when the sun set. However, Ramadan is not only about fasting, or not eating and drinking. Besides abstaining ourselves from foods and drinks, Muslims are also subjected to restrain ourselves from bad intentions, bad deeds, bad speeches, or anything relating to the earthly pleasures. 

Despite the challenges to face to stay away from eating or drinking for a period of time, fasting contributes to health benefits. Just think of our digestive system like a machine, which needs to rest after working for a very long time. What happen when we don't stop eating is that our digestive system won't get its time to rest. It has to work every time we eat or drink something. When digestive system is given a time to rest, it'll function better. Just like human, we perform better after we have enough rest. 

I believe the Almighty Allah has promised a great reward for those who fast in the holy month of Ramadan. May all of us be blessed with bountiful blessings from Allah in this holy month. Amin. 

Not too late to wish all Muslims all over the world, Ramadan Kareem ! Happy Fasting ! 

Foods Eaten Only During Ramadan ?

For the past few years during Ramadan, I was always looking forward to eat certain foods. I consider them "foods eaten only during Ramadan" because they are mostly sold during fasting month in Bazar Ramadan. These are some of the foods that I favor most during fasting month :

1) Bubur Lambuk 

obtained from : kasutvincci1.blogspot.com

Usually during Ramadan month, mosques or neighborhood committee members will cook and distribute Bubur Lambuk for free. They are either mixed with sliced chicken or beef or sometimes anchovies, with some other vegetables like cashew nuts and carrots. They are a number of variants in Bubur Lambuk, according to different states in Malaysia. As for me, I usually eat the free Bubur Lambuk distributed by mosque in University of Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor. Even though my mom always cook some other dishes as menu for break fast, I usually choose to eat Bubur Lambuk first. The reason is because I love the soft texture of Bubur Lambuk, requiring no chewing action to take place. Sometimes I'm just lazy to chew food. 

2)  Otak-otak

obtained from : justtryandtaste.blogspot.com

The next favorite food is otak-otak. Direct translating, otak-otak means brain-brain. Definitely that's not what it means. Otak-otak is otak-otak, that's it. It is made of fish meat, wrapped inside banana leaf. Otak-otak is best eaten when it's still hot, just grilled. When I bought these from Bazar Ramadan, I usually have to wait for a long time because of the long line of people waiting to get otak-otak. Also, when people buy, it's not just two to three pieces, but eight and above. If I buy otak-otak, I have to make sure I grab one first before it's finished by my other siblings, who also love to eat otak-otak very much.

3)  Tepung Pelita 

obtained from : kzeecraft.blogspot.com

Next is Tepung Pelita, also favored by my dad. I usually eat this after I prayed Maghrib prayer, after eating all other heavy foods. It's a soft kuih, no bake pastry that has two layers : white layer made of coconut milk (above) and green layer (below) made of pandan leaves and sugar. They're sometimes wrapped in pandan leaf, or poured into cups. Tepung pelita is also usually found everywhere during Ramadan only. However, if unlucky, the tepung pelita does not taste so sweet or a bit bitter due to the bitterness of the pandan leaf. 

That's it for now. I have some other foods that I'd like to talk about, but I think I should share it the next time. I suddenly think of these foods when I was studying for my exam, which will be tomorrow's morning. How I'd love to eat these foods if they're available here. But no, it'll only available if I made them myself. Why ? Because I'm not in Malaysia. 

First Day of Ramadan 1432 H

Alhamdulillah, the plan to have a small break fast ceremony in my "temporary" house last night was successful. Everyone of the Malaysians that stay in the campus came to my house. 8.33 pm was the time when the Maghrib adzan was heard, indicating the time to break fast. 

The menus for the day were :

1. Tomato rice 

2. Korma chicken 

3. Vegetables in sour gravy 

4. Shrimp curry 

5. Tepung pelita 

6. Bread pudding 

7. Kuih melaka/onde-onde

8. Fruits cocktail 

9. Air bandung laici

10. Chocolate chips cookies

11. Grapes

After we had a mild break fast, we had Maghrib prayer together. Then, we continued to eat heavy food. Thank you to everyone who came and wished me "Happy Birthday" and "Happy Fasting". I was lucky that I got two wishes this year since my birthday falls on the first day of Ramadan. 

Ramadan kareem to every Muslim in the whole world !  May Allah bless all of us with bountiful blessings on this special month.

Twenty

from 20 US dollars note

Two-Zero (20), pronounced as "twen-tee" or in America we pronounce it as "twen-ee". Doesn't matter how you pronounce the number, I know you know that 20 is a number. 

Today is a special day for me because I was born 20 years ago on the same date as today. Alhamdulillah, thank you Allah for giving me oxygen to breathe, and a healthy body and mind, so that I am still alive till now. 20 years are equal to two decades. Reflecting on my life for the past 20 years, I could say I'm glad I was born in a very loving and happy family. Thank you ibu, and ayah for raising me up with abundance of happiness. Every second is counted. Thank you for having a high patience dealing with my temper and stubbornness. I love you both very much till the last second of my breath. Thank you also to my sweet and cheerful siblings : abang, baby, eman, and ami for coloring my life with a lot of laughter and happiness. I love all of you very much till the end of my life.

This year's birthday is meaningful because it falls on the first day of Ramadan. So, I get double wishes this year : Happy Birthday, Ramadan Kareem. It's not easy for my birthday to fall on the first day of Ramadan. Maybe it'll happen just once in my whole life. 

This year's birthday is without my family members. I'm in Rochester, NY whereas my family are in Seri Kembangan, Malaysia. There are not many friends staying back in Rochester either. So, I don't expect anything special like last year's celebration to happen again. Plus, my birthday is just another day in one of 365 days a year. Wishes are good enough. 

It's still a long way to go for me. I still haven't achieved a lot of things that I can be proud of. If you were to ask me what good things have I contributed to the world, I can't tell because I don't really contribute anything to the world. Not yet, I guess. But, I do hope I can utilize the brain that Allah has granted, for the benefits of the world. 

Everyone is destined to die one day. It's a no-no if anyone ever say that they're immortal because only our creator, Allah is immortal. I believe when some people say, "Your birthday reminds you that you're approaching death." 

My wishes for this year's birthday would be :

1) I hope to see my family again, everyone of them in a good health when I go back to Malaysia next year.

2) I hope I'll have a better immune system to fight against illnesses.

3) I hope I'll be stronger to face any obstacle in life.

4) I hope I'll have a bountiful wisdom.

Hopefully Allah will grant my wishes. Amin ~

birthday cakes from last year :