MAYBE it's his last World Cup

A few years ago, we had a discussion.
A lecturer asked us “So what brings people of all color together?”

Some of the answers:-

Smile

Language

Natural disaster

And in the midst of all that hands, a short one rose up and said “World Cup!!”

Besides new found respects from testosterone driven being, she killed it off by saying “Even females sit down to watch them k”

Yup that short armed, not yet blonde hair was me.

That was the year I knew the name of the “oh so handsome” Kaka.

I remember telling my dad “Goodness, I never see someone who looks good, run so good like that”

Dad shook his head and went “A guy can look good running? Only you could come up with that.”

That was also the year that my sister cursed at “that Argentina player for making David Beckham get the red card” or so she say.

But what I remembered most about world cup was …

My family staying up to watch Brazil match.

Dad in his proud yellow jersey.

Kakak and I was going off tune with “Ka Kaaaa… Ka Kaaaa”. You would only how that sounds if u watched the movie Evolution.

That was 4 years ago.

Since before I was not a soccer chic. Give me EPL or La Liga, I’ll doze off in 15 minutes (that is if you are lucky enough to get me to watch)

But we never miss the World Cup.

Recently I couldn’t sleep, after a few prayers, I saw dad walking to the living room at 2AM. Asked him who is playing

“USA vs Ghana” he said.

So I sat down because I heard USA is a good team, consistent and the underdog. Hence, I joined him.

Dad was for Ghana , I rooted for USA.

We watched it and I think we screamed a tad bit too loud, we woke my mother up. Who was sick at that time.

It was a good game. For the first time after a long time I watched soccer intently.

Then I asked my dad

“I know you like World Cup but how come this year you hardly miss a match?”

He asked me back “How old will I be the next world cup?”

“59”

“Well who knows this might be my last world cup.”

I was speechless.

Then I sat there with my old man, enjoying every minute of that game.

My new found harmony

Down with flu for 2 days after a year of flu-free period. Boo hoo hoo.

So I've been complaining about how hard it is to find good music. A good tune. Forget about great tune, it's almost extinct with the emergence of voice box and artist like Lady Gaga.

How funny that is, Lady Gaga's creative process is deemed as absolute junk in my book. What's weirder (if there's such fitting word) Lady Gaga manage to make necrophilia an "IN" thing.

As if we run out of definition when it comes to being sexy.

Since when a turn off became a turn on?

I don't know, you tell me.

So I search high and low for good music. By good it means music that does not do too much. Good melody, meaningful lyrics and have substance to it.

So subjective isn't it?

I came to terms that my taste in music is rather odd (at least everyone tells me so), rather eclectic, rather haywire at times. I don't blame them, chances are its true.

So I’m trying to connect the dots between having Flu-Lady Gaga-Good Music.

Found it!

Since I couldn't do much during my flu period, I do what I do best. Search for new bands to listen to.

The Lady Gaga part is just plain distraction. Her face popped out when I'm cringing thinking about music these days.

It bugs people that I am not well verse in "airplay music" and to be honest I am not proud of it.

Some people think it's me trying to be unique or rebellious. Believe it or not I stop listening to radios these days too. The music on air, make me cringe. An artist who has 2 or more hit songs on air is like a slap on the face for me. What's better, the songs on air are like broken tune. Same song repeated if not twice, 3 times within an hour.

I found 2 good bands in my endless search.

So, these 2 bands are namely Trent Dabbs and Wakey!Wakey! have really good sound and music.

Their music: rather mellow, raw and melodic.
Their instruments: your classic guitar, piano and violin. Nothing new but that's what I like about these 2 bands
Their lyrics: Poetic and deep.

Will we be hearing their music on our local radio station?
I don't think so.

These bands are not made for big cities that enjoy commercialism. This means commercial music where Katy Perry, Pitbull and Justin Biebier sell.

It's made for easy listening and maybe for those that love artists such as Switchfoot, The Fray, Gavin DeGraw, and Edwin McCain.

I think these two bands are also inspired by these artists.

How would I really classify these two bands?

In most genres, they could be qualified as ballad.
For me I would classify them as "The music I listen to after the rain"

I know, odd.

Again those that are dear enough would know, it's my favorite weather.

I would definitely line these 2 bands up with The Fray, Adele, Matthew Perryman, Switchfoot and Corrine Bailey Rae in my play list.


So yeah, hear them out.




Wakey!Wakey! Brooklyn. I though this song is amazing



Trent Dabbs Until You Won Me Over.


I'm going to head back to my bed, sulking and trying not to whine about having flu. Till then, count your blessings that today you are up and healthy :) Ciao Amiga!

Khushu' in Solat

Since I knew how to pray up till a year ago, I prayed because that is what all Muslims have to do.

When I was young I was told “Sembahyang, kalau tak Tuhan marah”.

Not many gave a substantial answer or perhaps it was also due to my ignorance.

I used to envy those that pray not just for the sake of praying but actually look forward to it.

However I was always curious about feeling khushu’ in my prayers.

I caught myself saying “How I wish I could talk to Him like she did” whenever I saw a Muslimah taking her time in her prayers.

That was up till last year,

I remembered my first time feeling khushu’.

All around me felt vacuumed. I did not notice the cling and clatter of my environment.

It was just me, Him and utterances of Quran verses.

I remember breaking down and cry after I ended my prayers. I finally get what I wished for and that feeling was amazing.

It was just plain tranquility; I was, for once, able to silence my thoughts.

All my worries subside.

My body, soul and mind were at its absolute calmness.

My heart was filled with gratitude.

If only I could paint it with words.

Tonight I read on “Khushu’ in Salah” from the book “Prayer according to Sunnah” compiled by Prof. Muhammad Zulfiqar.

I like how Hatim Al Asamm describe how he performed his solat

“When it is near time of Salah, I perform a perfect Wudu’, and proceed to where I am going to pray and sit down there until the Salah begins. I become fully attentive to what I am about to do. I then stand up and pray, imagining the Ka’abah is in front of my eyes, Paradise on my right, Hell fire to my left and the Angel of death behind me. I imagine that it is the last Salah I’m about to perform, stand up in hope (in Allah, His Paradise and rewards ) and fear (from Allah’s torment in the Hell-fire) and recite the takbir with concentration. I recite the Quran calmly, make Ruku’ humbly, go into Sujjud with Khushu’ and then sit on my left leg foot laid on the floor and the right foot raised up, all the while praying with sincerity. Afterwards, I do not know (nor feel certain) if that Salah was accepted from me”

I think the way he described it was perfect.

Till then have a good night and Salam :)