The Life of Mahatma Gandhi by Louis Fischer

I have always wanted to read on Gandhi. All I know that he was a good guy but I have no idea what kind of person he was. I’ve tried to read on him from one book but gave up not even halfway. I just couldn’t be impressed with the person he was in his younger days.

So, when I came across this book by Louis Fischer, I forced myself to read it. I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I enjoyed reading about Gandhi himself.

Fischer started the book with the incident of Gandhi being killed. So he did not start with the young Gandhi. His death was quite a drama, so I hang on to the book till its last page. Even so, it was quite hard to like Gandhi in the beginning. But as I read the book, it dawned on me that; 1) people change & 2) even if you were not a good person, you won’t always be bad.

Fischer said that Gandhi was a self made man. I couldn’t agree more. He was not influenced by any’ism’. He learned how to be good. He did not read so much in his younger days but looked at the world with open eyes. With his practice of detachment, he found peace and love. His non violence approach was what captured the hearts of the many. His dream of United India was not materialized and it somehow dragged the sad feelings in me with it. I was even mad at Jinnah. A Muslim who disunited India because of his political gain. Jinnah’s Pakistan is not religious at all.

Now, let’s talk about my verdict of this book.
I don’t fancy Fischer’s style of writing. He failed to get me hooked to the book. I finished reading this book because I forced myself to. I really wanted to know about Gandhi. And I’ve got what I’m looking for. I felt in love with Gandhi, but not the book. It’s one of the book that won’t last on my shelf. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5.

My first Gladwell

Told ya I'd be back.
This time around, I just want to share on the current book I'm reading.

Long, longgggg time ago, when my life was so soo in perspective, whenever in a bookshop, whenever I passed by the self help section, I was like... why ever on earth do people need to self help??? ...  but after I went through my dark depression phase for the past 2 years, I hold on to the quote " everyone you encounter are fighting a battle that you don't know about, and don't judge!', so tightly that I began to pick one after one self help books myself. And guess what, I find reading them is so therapeutic. Indeed....

        I've read some interesting books on redirecting my life. Alhamdulillah... Whatever happened has so much blessing.

       Anyway, currently, I'm reading Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell. I've seen people sharing on Gladwell's they are reading on instagram and it was until this one day that I saw Engku Emran's (iamkumbre) post saying that he was at the moment reading his fourth Gladwell. Fourth?? Come on! What's so good about this man...

       And it was on this one day too that, when I stayed at this one airbnb unit in Genting Highlands, the place I was staying, offers a collection of books which of my cup of tea. There was where I first tasted my Gladwell's Blink.

       Back to Melaka, I searched hi and lo for this book but it was not available. I searched online and found the book would cost me an arm and leg. But, what  is meant to be read, then is meant to be read. I accidentally found it in Caroussel for RM13. So, to make things short, here I am, reading on Chapter 5 of the book and seems can't put it down.

       What I like about the book is that, it is so related to our everyday life. If any of you thought that Blink is for the corporate takers, then you are wrong, my friend. Even the examples and studies sampled in the book are so close to all of us. As a teacher, a mother, a wife, I found this book very interesting. So, if you are those who do marketing or human resources, then this Blink is a must read. It deals mainly on snap judgements, prejudices we make everyday. It helps me to minimise on being judgemental. Don't we all need that, in order to make this world a better place?

      I know.. wow!!! isn't it? Ok, got to go and continue reading. Can't wait to finish it and I actually aim to finish reading it by this coming weekend.

I'm Back

I humbly understand that I don't really have a reader for my blog... how pathetic.  However, it's just good to have the feeling to write again.
         There were so many things happened. Some good things and mostly bad things but no worries, I'm over it and decided to embrace life again.
       Just can't wait to start again. hmmmmm

Skating Icescape ioi City Mall Putrajaya

TThe kids have been here for numerous times and yet, this time around I've decided to share about it. 

I'm actually blogging this while waiting for them skating. 

One of the reason l'm sharing about the girls' skating is because it's Sofea's first time. Yeayyy!!!!! For Sofea!

Normally, she would bring her books and colour pencils & accompany me with my coffee. However, this time around, she wished to skate. 

The girls were so excited that they decided to skip lunch. They had breads earlier so, why not. They took along biscuits so they can nimb on it. 

As some of you might know that, once you are out of the rink, you can't go back. You will have to pay for new entrance. So, pack biscuits or breads along.

At first, I wanted to rent the penguin to help Sofea learn skating. But, luck was not on our side. The penguins were all rented at the moment. Sofea has no choice but to learn it herself. Owh by the way, the penguin is available for rent at RM30 per hour. Pricey yeahh? 

Sofea is indeed a fast learner. With only 2 rounds of skating and holding hands to her sisters, she was brave enough then to skate on her own, in the middle of the rink.

Yeayyyy! Bravo you girl!

Well, these are some information on the fee for the Icescape;

Entrance - RM23

Socks - RM5

Gloves - RM10

All inclusive of GST.

I would suggest you buy the gloves and socks before hand. There's plenty of shops selling of course, in ioi itself. Daiso is also there but from my experience, you hardly find suitable ones. 

Here are some photos for the album....

Holding to each other.....

Sarra went out first. Gotta to treat her at Wondermilk.

Late lunch for the skatters at The Teh Tarik Place.

We were so happy that we refused to take off our icescape bands. Hahahaha 

Teachers are of Low Mentality? Owh really?

I've just finished reading the latest edition of Time magazine.

i am not a regular Time reader nor am I a subscriber but I do read whenever I find the cover intriguing. 

I have a BHsc (Politcal Science) hons from International Islamic University of Malaysia but so do my other friends but I doubt with their work commitment, they read. I'm not trying to brag or something. Don't get me wrong. Not my intention at all. 

I am just a plain bibliophile. By being one, I am truly blessed.

I mean, I don't even have anyone to discuss what I've read in this issue or any other issues but it gives a kind of satisfaction that is beyond explaination.

And why is this?

This person have no right at all to belittling my profession as a teacher. 

Gotta admit,  I am just a plain primary school teacher. And I am so proud that I am destined to be one. Where I see every single child as naive and innocent. I am all responsibled to compliment as much as I could, in any area that their parents are lacked off. 

No matter how low you parents want to perceive us, we certainly have no control over that.

But I can only pray that Allah will open your heart to be thankful to people like us, to open your heart to look at your own offsprings as yours truly. 

Be thankful to every single things in our life as they are only working on God's will. 

If having to care for your own child is a burden, think of those who are dying, praying days and nights so that God give them one. 

Reflect! 

Mothers Day

A mum can't publish a post on Mothers Day as she would be bussied being celebrated by those who dearly love her. 

Anyway, as for my case, the reason why I was not able to post anything is because I was danggg tired managing the kids.

This particular year, I trully feel that it is such a challenge being a mommy. It trully is....

     First, Arissa, my eldest hit puberty. Oopppsssy.... Kids nowadays are not like us when we were kids. We dutifully listened to our parents, we believe in their grace and approvals and all those restu thingy.

In Arissa's case, I feel like it's my resposibilty as well everytime she faces her time of the month. Argghhh!!!!! 

      Then, it's the primary one child phase, where you have to constantly check your child bag. Not only on her homework, but whether she has taken any of her friend's belongins etc. Well, tell you what, earlier this year, Sofea forced her friend to buy her a "Frozen Notebook'" from the school bookshop. Wouldnt some parents consider that bullying already? It was a really like a smack on my face...

     And of course, my OCD Sarra is now in her year 4. Tahap 2, as they are refered to at school. Her OCD got her carried away and is so so obvious that it hinders her Maths. She couldnt finish all her maths test and ended up with the lowest in class for Maths. Her days are also short as she would spend half of it doing her Maths homework which she has it everyday. She has no life now. :p

    Now, those things are really a big deal for me as hubby isn't around most of the time. I guess, if calculated correctly, for the whole one month, he would only be home like for only for 5 or 6 days. He's back today, the next day, he'll be packing his back and off to elswehere. Well, the family rizq is in that way, who are we to question God's will. 

   So, on the special day meant for mothers, I took the initiative to treat myself. It's me who could only make me happy on this day. Husband was in Kelantan. 

My happiness for the day. It costed me RM98. 

Owh and yesss, the girls made me sandwich. That was sweet of them. So, if someone tells you that it is haram to celebrate mothers day, and says that it is actually something Christian, just ignore him. For as long as you could put a smile on your mom's face, make they feel loved, I am sure, Allah has already reward & bless us. Aminnnn

BAD Day

Bad days just happen, don't they? As much as you plan well of your days, when it happens, it happens.

I find these two weeks of school begins thing really tiring although I've been a teacher for more than a decade. (Oh! My! I am that old.... Sigh )

Sofea starts to go to the same school I'm going this year. She's in year 1 now. (am really that old.... Sigh again). I've waking up early than usual, preparing lunch boxes for the girls, and of course to set aside some morning time for any 'surprise' from Sofea. Yesterday, she went into the car without combing her wet hair. The day before, she didn't wear her pinafore belt.

Today, I've decided to stay calm and focus on her. I deliberately woke up later than usual as I plan to just buy them food at the canteen later and not to trounle myself for their lunch boxes.  Boy, I was hoping too much.

All ruined when Sarra screamt in the bathroom. Why? Simply because there was a frog in the washroom the nigt before. You get it? The frog was no longer there, she just sensed that mummy's plan to calm doesn't suit her. Wait! There was another scream. Now it was Sofea in the other washroom because there was a dead cockroach in there. Arghhh!!!!! Now it's mommy turn to scream.

Luckily it lasted very short. As their hours of the day improved, mine was to the opposite. As I was driving into this narrow alley, this orange Nissan did not want to make way for me and scratched my humble Vios hind door. I guess that lady did not stand for her subuh prayer. I really cannot fathom her stubborness.
                     
              


See? You can even see the yellow paint of the Nissan on my grey paint.

What a way to start a day.

But alhamdulillah. These were the minor mishaps of my day. They were so minor that, close my eyes,  there were abundance of good things happened too the same time. It really up to one to see either the glass half full or the glass is half empty. I have to be grateful and thankful that there was so so much good things on my side.

Indeed, those things happened in the morning, was just a test of my gratefulness to life. Think of those in Syiria suffering from the cold weather, those in Manik Urai, Sarawak with the flood....

Sujud syukur

Olive Music Cafe

Once, I posted a pic of me having coffee at Chaiwalla. My friend, Nurul then immediately asked me wether I've tried Olive Music Cafe? Woa... That's my first time hearing it. When I asked her where is this Olive Cafe, she said it's in Nong Chik, I said Whhattt???? No way! How come I've never seen anything except that Big Food, which I'd rather skip always?

      So one beautiful night, I dragged the whole small family of mine there. Seriusly.... That's place is like 3 minutes from Ibu's house. If you peeps know where is the Masjid Kolam Air? then it is on the opposite side of the road. But you can't see it from there. You would need to go to the back rows of the shoplots there. They opens from 5pm till midnight, by the way.

      Anyway, as we went inside, the place is almost packed and it was few minutes after 8. I saw some reservations sign on the tables too. But I can assure you, even that, once you set your foot into it, you'd love the ambience. It's so love at the first sight kinda thing. There was a live band singing beautifully. Since, we were seated right in front of them, they asked us to request for any song we want. Wasn't it lovely?

Here are they singing a Yuna's number. Beautiful3!

        They don't call it Olive Music Cafe for nothing. Apart from enjoying lovely entertainment by the band, the cafe is really using music as its theme. The placemates are of old records and the coasters are of CDs. Cool isn't it?

And oh yes, they take orders using their small palm pads which look like Samsung Tabs. So, be mind that your normal phone line should be interrupted. If you want to Whatsapp or Instagram your pictures of food, you got to get out of the place. Hahahaha. Well, not funny. Skip! 

       Foodwise? Nurul said she enjoyed hers, the last time she went there. As for us, we find the it quite oily to our standars but did tasted nice though, My guess, this is not the kind of place where you have dinner. It is more for relaxing, chit chating and is for coffee and snacks. I did however tried their coffee and it was good. Price is normal for this kind of cafe. 

      Let's check out what we were having.

Mine.

Abang's.

The kids had lasagna but I couldn't snap the picture as it went straight into their mouth. We were starving for dinner when we came. 

I would definitely come again and again and again. Really love the ambience. Well done! Jb should have more of these cafes.

PS! Did I tell you their washroom is also clean? 😊

Angry Birds Activity Park

We had so much fun last Saturday at the newly opened Angry Bird Park Johor Bahru. It is located on level 3 in the newly upgraded KOMTAR building. So come rain or shine. You won't miss the building though even if you are not familiar with Jalan Wong Ah Fook as you can already spot few angry birds outside the building.

         Well,  as the name suggests, it's a park for doing lotsa activities. So, if you intend you to go there, make sure you dress appropriately. No dress, no baju kurung & jubah of sorts, ya.... No.. No... No!

Unless you pay a heap amount just to take pictures there. 

        The entrance fee is RM70 but of course with Mykad and Mykid, you"ll pay less. Fees are the same for children and adults. As for us, we took family package ( for two adults & two children ) plus a single entry ticket for the total of RM278. Oh! Yes, please wear socks as you can't go in without a pair of socks. But of course, they do sell socks at the entrance. Since my fashionista husband wore his Florsheim shoes that day, we have to rent a locker for RM6 for 4 hours. Alternatively, you can rent it for RM10 for a day.

        Well enough said, let's check out the photos. See it for yourself.....

Jumping on the trampoline. 

My overacting husband.

Come on swing Arissa!

In the pool of sponges

Sarra's favourite spot.

Of all the indoor theme parks in Johor Bahru, this is so far the best for us. We are the type who enjoy physical activities. So, if you are like us, then you might enjoy this park as much as we do. Highly recommended. 👍

The SEARCH band & Us

My husband and I are among those who grew up listening to all the rock kapak, particularlly the band SEARCH & especially my hubs as he grew up in Kelantan. You can even call us Search die hard fans. My husband is even die harder fan than me as he is into the Dunia Search, Search fan club. When the band did their 30 years Concert, he followed them everywhere. And.... You guys would say that it's over statemenf if I say that he got invited to every, I mean every private function of the band. Like.... Amy's wife, Norish birthday celebration. Get this, recently Amy da legend followed his Instagram. I mean.... What???

Anyway, it is such a devastating feeling that we could not go for the band's Istana Budaya Concert. 😫 Eventhough we have planned for it months before. What to do, hubs is soooo caught up with work. He's married to work, what....

So, one fine day, after our visit to IJN, we just parked by the road side simply to take a picture with the big poster. It just happened so that they, the assembles were just arrived for the sound check session. After waiting patiently, we finally got the priviledge that turned out to be the envy of many. Hahahahah!

Why don't you guys check out our pictures to see whether you can get jealous, ah ha!

 

This close? 😱

Kid yaw!!!

This is after the session.

My girls.

Well, just to confirm that I, myself is an ardent fan, I share with you these,

This was at Amy's solo concert at Istana Budaya. Such an entertaining show it was.

Can you just see how small sofea was, hahahha. This was in JB, again in the soundcheck session.

I simply like soundcheck session as you can get this close to them. Anyway, all the best for the band. I will keep on supporting you peeps.

Botanical Garden Melaka

I can hear my knees go queekk queeekk.

     What a way to spend the weekend. The girls have been pestering us to take them here since last week. So, we finally made it today.

     We rented the bicycle RM5 each for one and a half hour. Try the bicycle first and pay. The bicycles are mostly in good condition. The park is quite big. It is recommendable.