Faith Friday : Al-kahfi

Truthfully, I didn't know about the sunnah of reciting al-kahfi during Friday. During boading school, we recited Yassin every Friday. It's was like a weekly routine and I got used to it.

I hope everyone know about this fact, why we have to recite al-kahfi.

There are 4 trials that can be learned from al-kahfi and Subhanallah, solution on how do we survive can be found in surah al-kahfi too. 

source

Day 24 - Don't take this for granted

Have you watched the video? I feel so sad to realize how badly technology has been affecting us. We spend too much time everyday looking down at our phone. It's kind of depressing to see it affecting not just grown-ups but kids. I mean, do we have to keep kids quiet by giving them those devices? There is a lot of ways to keep them entertained and quiet, right?

Born in late 80's, I am so grateful that I had a chance to play outside, enjoy the sun, climbing trees and got hurt and I don't care. Compared to kids nowadays, they always inside playing games, online. Some got addicted to it and just don't care what happened around them.

Disconnected. Which explain my current life. Oh well, talking about it..now I am writing virtually. Using the net. 

The thing is, I had lost my samsung galaxy note last two months due to mainboard failure. In order to replace the mainboard it will cost me a fortune. RM300-450++. So my smartphone are not smart anymore. Dead. haha...

So now, I am lucky as my previous phone nokiaE72 is still functioning. Wait, it is consider as smartphone as I can still whatsapp and email.:D On positive side, it doesn't need charging frequently - the battery can last up to a week and making me less dependent on the phone. On the other hand however, I kind of missing my note :( Frankly, breaking up with your loyal companion is hard.

• Common problems, lost all phone numbers that aren't attached to the sim phone book. Sorry people if I don't have your number. Besides, I also lost important dates such as birthday.

• My E72 has no apps that could distract me all day long. No more games, candy crush, guess the emoji. I only has solitaire and block cascade installed, which is factory default setting.  Not to forget, instagram, facebook or twittter. I have to log in on computer to access social media and for sure I am malas to do so. I don't know if I should be happy or sad about this. 

• In addittion to the apps, I lost count of my period calculation. I was counting from the apps and never ever note it down on paper. Talking about too dependent on technology. I should have wrote it somewhere or ask my husband to remember it for me. I also forgot how many days left to ganti puasa :(

• I shall mention my dead note special function. It lets you taking notes easily, making to-do list, stylus pen, s planner, 8mp camera, huge screen and the list goes on. It a lie if I didn't think of getting those shiny-new-launched-golden note 3. Always a dream. 2k ++ seems out of my monetary budget at the moment.

• Lastly but most important, I don't have the access to Al-Quran 24/7. I really missed it though. Really. It was convenient apps ever. I can just read it anywhere with just one click away. I love the translation, I love that we can scroll down and do search findings on surah. Bookmarking important ayat and access it instantly. Also I can learn proper recitation of ayat. I am so sad. This is the best part of having smartphone :( I am shame to admit that it is hard for me to bring the book of Al-Quran anywhere I go. Let not discuss the excuses. I shall start to do so though.

Can you live without your smartphone? 

and kids, that's "How I Met Your Mother"

Just watched it and I am so SAD right now. It is just that I haven't thought an hour could feel like years. It was fast, packed with lots of big moments, kind of rushed a bit. well, what can you expect, it was the last episode. There was a lot of things going on there and all I can say.. what a Legendary Ending!

I really like the ending though. It was simple and sweet kan..*tears welling up* I know that some of the fans went outrage and mad over the ending and keep saying what a waste of nine years. Well, the beginning nor the ending should matter the most right? What I mean is the process for all of it. You got to know all 5 characters plus the mother in the last season. Not to forget every life lessons that we have learned. I think that should overcome all the negative comments.

Already missing HIMYM. It feels like all of them are real and out there somewhere. No more updates on their life. I'm so in need of those "high infinity!" Let it echoes. Maybe re-watched all of their episodes.

via 

and this is my favourite scene of all. Nine years to know how exactly they met and it was so sweet. She's so beautiful. Ok. Sorry for the spoiler, if you haven't watched it.You should have watched them!

via

p/s: I love the twist at the end. So unexpected.  Everyone should move on. Letting  someone / something go is hard, somehow they really show that it is possible. 

Drawing Dreams | MARA Interview Tips

Assalammualaikum

The interview starts today and some of us still don't have the exact date. MARA only stated 1-3 April for the interview and I'm already nervous. So, to curb my anxiety problems, trust Allah and get prepared is the right solution.  Googled some of tips from various blogs; afterschool, mygabus, sophie (interview uitm), I would like to share what I found.

So, basically MARA stated these on their site and please prepare all the required documents. Put it in order will lessen your kelam-kabut if ask to find any.

Compare to last year and year before (2013 and 2012), base from my friends solely, there was no interviews for postgraduate. However, some said that they had a group and individual interviews since 2009 for MARA scholarship/loan. I can't verify if it was for postgraduate or undergraduate. More or less we shall be prepared la kan.

Briefly, the group session was like this:

“Calon perlu mendaftar di kaunter pendaftaran berdasarkan panel yang diberi. Jika tidak silap saya, ada 12 panel kesemuanya. Setiap panel mengandungi 8 calon dan 3 penemuduga. Calon akan diberi tugasan dan perlu membahagikan masing-masing kepada 2 atau 3 kumpulan. Temuduga keseluruhannya mengambil masa 1 jam. 40 minit akan diberi kepada calon untuk berbincang dan membuat perbentangan sesama sendiri. Penemuduga tidak mengambil bahagian dan sekadar memerhati sahaja. Setelah perbincangan dan perbentangan selesai, penemuduga akan bertanya tentang tugasan dan tentang ahli kumpulan yang lain (contohya ahli mana yang patut dilantik menjadi ketua ataupun jika ada peniru di kalangan mereka.) Setiap seorang calon akan ditanya satu soalan. Setelah itu, penemuduga akan bertanya tentang kursus yang diambil oleh calon. Sesi ini bersifat terbuka dan sesiapa sahaja dibenarkan menjawab soalan. “ 

(via: afterschool)

and more detailed example; rephrase from yaya,

• Calon diminta duduk ikut turutan dari no 1 - 7 (meja mesyuarat), atas meja ada 1 task. 
• Task: ada 8 orang di dalam hot air balloon : yb. dato seri najib tun abdul razak (Prime minister), rozita che wan (acteress), dr. fadzhillah kamsah (motivator), khairul fahmi che mat (goalkeeper), tony fernandes (bisnes leader), yb dato ibrahim bin mohamad (ketua pengarah MARA), zety (gabenor bank negara) and islamic minister. 
• Select one character and discuss , debate, tolerate and defend our chosen character, kenapa character kita must be save from the hot air ballon.
• kita kena menonjol sikit. cari peluang untuk bercakap.  group saya, okaylah semua dapat bercakap, (except dua org, sampai interviewer tu tegur kenapa tak bercakap )
• at the end of the discussion, select only 4 characters to be save.  kitorang sepakat memilih: prime minister, ketua pengarah MARA, gabenor bank negara and islamic minister. 
• then, habis discussion (40 minit) kitorang boleh tanya apa2 soalan kepada interviewers. ( 3 interviewers - 2 org lelaki, sorang perempuan).
• apa lagi, peluang ni saya guna untuk bertanya tentang pinjaman ni.

I  can relate this to my previous interview in 2005, for Petronas scholarship. Basically there was 2 sessions, group and individual. First it started with group. Each group will be given a topic, my group topic was deforestation. You have to pick from a box randomly, a method to curb the problems. I got campaign as a method to halt deforestation. Others got authority rules, recyling, etc. From that you have to discuss among yourself to pick the right order for a solution. 

I believe the interviewers just wanted to know how will you work in a team, personal skills, contribution in a group, some sort mcmtu I think. Now I am even worried. Nowadays, we are as postgraduates, they will expect more as we have grown this far right.

Some Basic Rules

1. be early - an hour before lg bagus, in case sesat jalan or no parking
2. well-dressed - baju kurung with no more than 3 colours tau. serabut nanti. 
3. knock the door and give salam - show respect to the interviewers
4. sit still, smile - body language is important 

Common Interviews Questions

1. Please introduce yourself
2. Why do you choose to pursue study in  _______(the cost : architecture/medicine/...)
3. Who is your favourite architect? Favourite building? (those applying architecture)
4. Why oversea universities and not local universities?
5. Instead of JPA, why do you choose MARA?
6. How will you contribute to MARA in future time?
7. Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

- On introducing yourself, please don't be boring. Help the interviewer to remember you by giving some unique things about yourself. For instant, your hobbies or interest. This will grab their attention and help them to know you better. 

- Why do you choose architecture, please don't answer it because of "passion". Too many of us will give the same answer. I believe you should be detail and relate it to what you have learned. For example, relate it to your ambition, strength, challenges, hopes..or maybe environmental issue, current issue, pollution. 

- In terms of question on predicting future, I suppose the answer is somehow to know how commit yourself towards the study/industry. Convince the interviewer on how determine yourself to become successful in what you have chosen.  

Extra Tips
- keep update with current issue, in case they ask for opinion.
- do a research to know a bit about MARA.
- keep calm while answering the question.
- don't talk too fast or too slow that you can't be heard.
- be confidence
- don't forget to doa and tawakkal. Allah will ease everything, InsyaAllah.

Wish you all the best! Good luck. :D

Oh! Krabi, Thailand - Expenses

Before going to a trip, I'm sure we want to set our budget kan. I hope all these info more or less will help you guys tau.

Details
22 May - 25 May 2013
4 days, 3 nights
2 person

Further Details
Oh! Krabi, Thailand - 1st Day
Oh! Krabi, Thailand - 2nd Day
Oh! Krabi, Thailand - 3rd Day


Total Expenses
RM 230 : Air Asia Ticket Flight
RM 105  : Air Asia Services & Fees

Hotel
 RM 253.36 / THB 800 per night : Miti Resort, Ao Nang

Transportation
THB 300  : Airport - Ao Nang (by bus)
THB 500 : Ao Nang - Airport (by taxi)
THB 60 :Ao Nang Beach - Hotel (by tuk-tuk)

Activities 
THB 2000 :Phi-Phi Island
THB 1900 : Kayaking & Elephant Trekking

from left : Thai Food, Lunch at Ao Thalane, Hasna Palace, Sareefah corner

Now the best part, FOOD! Sedap ok. but it was so sad as that we haven't have time to explore more on the other side of Ao Nang, as we didn't rent any motorcycle. So cheapstake kitorang ni :P

Foods
THB 54 + THB 65 + THB 95 : 7eleven
THB 20 + THB 70 : Breakfast
THB 300 : Dinner at Sareefah
THB 240 : Dinner at Hasna Palace
THB 200 : Dinner at Thai Food :
THB 95 : Banana Chocolate Pancake (2 pcs) + Strawberry Shake
( THB 45 : Pancake alone)
THB 130 : Street Food - Fried Prawn + others
* all lunch included in our activity package

Souvenirs
THB 380  : Fridge Magnet - for 8 pieces
THB 1040 : T-shirt - for 8 pieces
THB 80 : Keychain - for 5 pieces

Extra
THB 90 : Adapter
THB 100 :Tips

- I forgot the agent name, it just along the road side, beside a pizza restaurant
- 7eleven is slightly cheaper than usual sundry shop
- street food : not recommended. It was oily. tempted by it looks. Sorry :(
- adapter bought at phi-phi island, quite cheaper than Ao Nang (RM150) and here (RM24).
- t-shirt at phi-phi island slightly cheaper than Ao Nang. at Ao Nang you have to buy in a large group. Luckily we met a group of tourist (10 people) also from Malaysia. 130 Baht for a shirt quite a steal kan. It was 20 baht before.

Plus minus, we had spent RM 1500 tau. Yeay! for the whole trip RM750 per person. Quite cheap kan?

Will come again to Krabi? absolute YES!

Have a nice trip ok.