Anekdot : On 'Resume'

~ Solehah & Her Eldest Brother : November 2010 ~

As going through a bundle of job application resume, a boss came across an application stated ASAP (meaning 'As Soon As Possible') for the date the applicant is available to start working. However when he saw the applicant put AMAP down for expected salary, he asked his secretary what does it mean. She replied, "As Much As Possible!"

Catatan:

1. Hari ini (09/06/11) merupakan hari pertama abang sulung Solehah melaporkan diri untuk bekerja. Walaupun bukan berstatus tetap, kalau CMP masih ada tentu dia amat suka & akan meraikannya.

2. Semasa hayatnya, CMP pernah korbankan seekor lembu peliharaannya untuk kenduri kesyukuran meraikan anaknya mendapat kerja meskipun jawatan tersebut bukanlah sesuatu yang boleh dibanggakan.

3. Bagi CMP, jawatan & gaji tidaklah penting kerana ia merupakan permulaan. Seorang yang berpendapatan RM600 sebulan jauh lebih baik jika ada baki RM5 (sebelum gaji berikutnya) berbanding yang bergaji RM2 000 yang terpaksa berhutang RM5 pada penghujung bulan untuk hidup.

4. Bagi ayah Solehah pula, peluang yang ada harus dimanfaatkan untuk mendapatkan status yang lebih baik. Kepada abang sulung Solehah, selamat maju jaya.

Personal: On 'Kenduri'

~ Solehah with her long-faced : Kenduri, December 2010 ~

Setiap kali cuti sekolah, ramai yang menerima undangan kenduri. Ayah Solehah tidak terkecuali. Secara amnya, ada dua jenis jemputan iaitu kenduri kahwin & kenduri kesyukuran/tahlil sempena berkhatan atau aqiqah.

Untuk cuti pertengahan tahun persekolahan 2011 ini, ayah Solehah (sehingga pos ini dibuat) menerima 18 undangan sama ada daripada keluarga, kenalan atau jiran. Seberapa dapat, semua akan dipenuhi kerana jemputan tersebut sememang untuk ayah Solehah - sebelumnya lebih untuk anak Cikgu Mat Pedu.

Ada dua isu bila memperkatakan tentang memenuhi undangan terutama jika terdapat lebih dari satu jemputan sehari. Pertama, jarak perjalanan & kesesakan lalu lintas yang semakin ketara menyebabkan tidak sempat pergi lebih dari satu tempat. Kedua, mengajak Solehah untuk ikut serta.

Catatan:

1. Berbual (di tempat kenduri) dengan seorang rakan, rupa-rupanya isu mengajak anak-anak untuk ikut serta adalah masalah biasa. Kata rakan tersebut, "Anak-anak lebih selesa di rumah dengan aktiviti masing-masing. Kalau dipaksa juga mereka 'memberontak'." Rasanya Solehah tidak terkecuali.

2. Dah menjadi trend kini sudah semakin ramai orang Alor Setar mengadakan kenduri di dewan berbanding rumah.

Tahfifah: On 'Step Up'

~ Solehah's Old Man & Friends : 16/05/11 ~

Teka teki (beza antara jatuh pokok kelapa dengan jatuh telaga buruk) serta yang terkini, pengalaman seorang kerabat terdekat Solehah semasa temuduga (kena tahan jika dimarahi) mengingatkan ayah Solehah akan cerita berikut:

An old mule fell into an old well. After assessing the situation, the owner (a farmer - although sympathized with the mule) decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. He called his neighbours & asked them to help him to bury the old mule in the well & put him out of his misery. Initially, the old mule was hysterical.

But as the farmer & his neighbours continued shovelling & the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he should shake it off & step up!

That he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off & step up ... shake it off & step up!" he repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful or distressing, the mule kept on shaking it off & stepping up! It wasn't long before the old mule (battered & exhausted) stepped over the wall of the old well.

~ adapted from: Mikey's Funnies ~

Catatan:

1. What could have buried the old mule blessed him, all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity

2. Whenever your superior scold you, always reflect on this story & tell yourself : He has the right to say whatever he wants about you, and you also have the right to choose how you want to response to yourself. Choose to response POSITIVELY & CONSTRUCTIVELY & choose to be HAPPY.

3. Kalau Cikgu Mat Pedu masih ada, dia pasti akan berkata, "buatlah macam mana pun, asal jangan patah @ buta."

Anekdot : On 'Questions & Answers'

~ Solehah's Dad & Brother : 05/11/10 ~

Son : Mummy, who keeps bad people from robbing our house?

Mum : The police, dear.

Son : If our house is on fire, who will save us?

Mum : Firemen, dear.

Son : Mummy, where does food come from?

Mum : The farmers, dear.

Son : Where do babies come from?

Mum : The stomach, la ...

Son : Mummy?

Mum : Apa lagi???

Son : Then ..., what do we need Daddy for?

Jamung: On 'Bertudung'

~ Solehah, Mama & Family Friends - Serikin, Sarawak : 01/05/11 ~

JEDDAH: Ketua Suruhanjaya Amal Makruf Nahi Mungkar Cawangan Makkah semalam menyelar larangan pergaulan antara lelaki & perempuan di tempat terbuka di Arab Saudi. Sheikh Ahmed al-Ghamdi juga berkata wanita tidak perlu berpurdah untuk menutup muka mereka & tidak ada dalam Islam yang melarang wanita memandu.

"Ada perselisihan dalam menafsir al-Quran yang menyebabkan beberapa ulama berpendapat seluruh tubuh wanita perlu ditutup. Bagaimanapun, ada ulama berpendapat, wanita tidak perlu menutup muka, tapak tangan & siku. Ada yang berkata, rambut juga tidak perlu ditutup," kata Sheikh Ahmed ketika berucap di persidangan mengenai 'Penyertaan Wanita Dalam Pembangunan Negara' di Jeddah.

Kenyataannya itu mendapat sambutan kaum wanita yang menghadiri majlis berkenaan. Menurutnya larangan bergaul hanya perlu dikuatkuasakan apabila lelaki & wanita bertemu secara sulit, bukan di tempat awam.

Sheikh Ahmed menjelaskan, Islam mengarahkan wanita menutup aurat untuk membolehkan mereka menyertai kehidupan sosial, bukan menghalang mereka berbuat demikian.

Sheikh Ahmed pernah dipecat kerana menyokong pergaulan lelaki & wanita tetapi dilantik ke jawatan itu semula April lalu.

Agensi : Harian Metro (Khamis, 2 Disember 2010)

Catatan:

1. Ayah Solehah terjumpa berita di atas baru-baru ini - pembungkus nasi lemak.

2. Barangkali berita ini boleh mengurangkan sedikit tekanan terhadap desakan (lebih kepada kutukan) seorang guru Solehah (bukan ustazah) yang sering menyuruhnya supaya bertudung.

3. Solehah antara sebilangan kecil murid kelasnya yang tidak bertudung.

4. Solehah pasti bertudung bila sampai masanya nanti - seperti mama & emak-emak saudaranya.

Tahfifah: On "Power of Action"

~ Solehah & Ex-Sarawak Rangers : Kuching, 01/05/11 ~

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders & went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying & I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.My heart went out to him.

So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses. As I handed him his glasses, he said, “Hey thanks!” There was a big smile on his face -those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out he lived nearby, we talked all the way home and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I invited him to play football with my friends.

Since then we hung out all weekend & the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. My friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, “Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!” He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, “Hey, big guy, you'll be great!” He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. “Thanks,” he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began “Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach ... but mostly your friends ... I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.” I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. “Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.” I heard the gasp go through the crowd. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Catatan:

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse.

Personal: On 'Things In Life'

~ Hajjah Puteh : Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, April 2011 ~

Solehah is very close to her grandmother (Hajjah Puteh Hamid-HPH, the wife of Cikgu Mat Pedu - CMP). Since birth, HPH has been (I believe will always be) the strong 'protector' of Solehah. Since HPH is staying with Solehah's family, she had some influence on the family. For example, the name Solehah was given by her; she just told that she want that name. So as to the other two Solehah's brothers (Faiz & Afandi). The mum and dad had to adjust it to the name they had in mind.

She is now 84 years old (she said her real age is 76). All long, she is very healthy. Recently, for the first time she was warded - fever, lost appetite & weak. Alhamdulillah after three days at hospital she was discharged & recovering positively. Doctors couldn't precisely detect what the problem was.

To Solehah's dad, HPH is not only a strong supporter of CMP & the family but she is also a personal mentor about life. The following, are what she taught him (indirectly):

Things in life that;

Once gone, never come back: TIME, WORDS & OPPORTUNITY

One lost, hard to build-up: RESPECT, TRUST & FRIENDSHIP

May never be lost: PEACE, HOPE & HONESTY

Are most valuable: HEALTH, KNOWLEDGE, LOVE

Are never certain: DREAMS, SUCCESS, FORTUNE

Make a man: HARD WORK, SINCERITY & COMMITMENT

Can destroy a man: PRIDE, ANGER & ALCOHOL

Never fail: RELIGION, TRUE LOVE & DETERMINATION

Catatan:

1. Terima kasih HPH ~ semoga sentiasa sihat & panjang umur.

2. Terima kasih kepada doktor-doktor kerajaan yang telah bersungguh-sungguh memberi rawatan terbaik.

3. Terima kasih kepada kaum keluarga yang membantu menjaga semasa HPH sakit.

4. Terima kasih kepada semua - keluarga, jiran & kenalan yang hingga kini masih datang menziarahi.

Anekdot: On "Hubby"

~ Solehah & Dad : Aidil Fitri 2010 ~

After being shouted at by her dad, a girl sat sadly in her room. When mum came home, she asked, "What happened dear?"

The little girl replied, "Mum, I can't handle your husband anymore! I want my own hubby!"

(Ubahsuai : E-mel rakan)

Catatan:

Pada dasarnya, ayah Solehah tidak akan memarahi Solehah. Namun, baru-baru ini tahap kesabaran ayah Solehah benar-benar teruji apabila Solehah tidak serius menyudahkan kerja sekolah.

Akibatnya ...

Tahfifah: On 'Aids & HIV'

A close friend reminded me (via e-mail) that senior citizens are the leading carrier of Aids. According to him, those approaching 50 or who have reached 50 and past are the nation's leading carriers of Aids:

Hearing Aids;

Band Aids;

Roll Aids;

Walking Aids;

Medical Aids;

Government Aids;

most of all, Financial Aids (to their children)

NOT forgetting HIV ~ Hair Is Vanishing

He ended his e-mail by saying:

I'm only sending this to my 'old' friends.

I love to see you smile!

Give me the grace to see a joke.

To get some humor out of life.

And pass it on to others.

Catatan:

1. There are more ... such as Eye Aids, Teaching Aids & 'MGH (more grey hair).

2. Solehah's mum will be joining the 'warga emas club' this year.

Personal: On 'The 10th. Birthday'

~ Solehah : Dah 10 Tahun ~

Today, 23rd March 2011 is Solehah's birthday. She is now ten years old ~ time seemed to pass so fast. So, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOLEHAH!!!

Although being demanded by Solehah & suggested by his second brother (either influenced by friends or as shown in TV dramas on how a birthday is being celebrated), no special celebration is organized or being planned in this short-period. This is due to the time & the condition do not permit us to do so.

For that reason, Solehah came home (from school) with 'a long-faced' today. After being explained, she accepted the reasons - just good enough to make her face 'inches shorter'. Anyway, she received a birthday card & wishes from mum, dad, granny, brothers & a few close family members. Also a number of wishes through her facebook. According to her mum, she also received a few birthday presents from her classmates at school. Earlier in the morning (before going to school), her granny gave her a birthday angpau.

To the dad & mum (on this birthday), we thanked Allah The Mighty for giving Solehah to be part of this wonderful family. Not forgetting for the good health given. Although not the best, academically she is not so bad. We hope in years to come, Solehah will be better both in health & academic performance.

Catatan:

We (mum & dad) would like to take this opportunity to thanks those (family members, doctors, nurses, friends & individuals) who have shown that they really care.