Friendship in true sense of the word

Recently I meet up with some friends. Different places , different walk of life but the theme is the same. Religion and relationships.

It all started with one question “So what’s the single scene like?”
I was at ease when my friends have the same school of thought when it comes to relationship. We talked about why our recent relationship doesn’t work out.

My homeboys came with the same conclusion “regardless of how many good times, it hurts just the same when it ended.”

One of them is as objective as I am. “So it hurts and it sucks but you give yourself time and said what’s done is done. Move on. Don’t dwell upon it too much.” Yea we do have our time where we have our “weak moments” but we believe there are better people for us out there. It’s just a matter of time. I mean who can resist our wit, charm and outlook on life” (ok, bragging but heck I don’t care).

I believe with my new outlook, my friends took time to talk about religion. Regardless if they are Muslim or not. That’s what I love about them, the fact that many of them are third culture kid, adjusting to changes is easy for them.

I believe they took time to talk about religion to also see if I am the same Lyana that they know. Totally understandable.

Here’s what I know from the whole meet up. My ignorance towards my own religion is what keeps me humble. I believe in the authenticity of my faith but my progress and knowledge of my own faith is so little that I don’t dare to preach anything beyond what I know. Hence, I learned to listen more to what they have to say and their own understanding of religion.

One of them mentioned that a Muslim father said to a potential convert “You are a Christian and you will go to hell” and I just shook my head in disbelief. Thinking “Seriously sir?! What in the world are u thinking saying such thing?” and we both agree there’s a better way to pitch it.

After meeting my friends, I came back and sat down with my parents. I told them “You know, my friends have good hearts regardless of their walk of life and school of thoughts.”

I truly believe in that. To others eyes, they can appear to be blunt or daunting but to me they are great friends. I am thankful that I have diverse friends and the end we look only at one thing, how good we can be as a friend.

Blessings

I have been having series of dreams that appears in similar patterns. Recurring dreams and signs I can't decipher at the moment.

For whatever reason 3 of the dreams felt so real, I was convinced I lived in it.

A friend said it doesn't have to be dreams and signs, sometimes it's the certainty of the heart. Tough in many ways.

For whatever reason it is, I continue praying and turn to Him every time I feel joyful and sorrow.

I have my monologues with Him and sometimes on my many journey home I shed a tear or two.

I don't hope for "shoulda woulda coulda" sparks since the day we decided to part. I just know He has helped me.

He blessed me with friends and family that could spot sadness through my many denials.

He bless me with those that says "Let's leave this town for a while and it's unkindness"

He bless me with friends that knows I need more laughter than acknowledging my distress.

And most certainly He has bless me with strength , guidance and peace.

A peace confined in less than an hour but greater than any feeling of contentment I have ever felt.

He has helped me to move along in more ways I could imagine.

For that I am forever thankful God.

Sexy Funky Cool

When a line.. a verse... a word could evoke emotion. Then the person who wrote it or present it turns u into a believer.

We believe in something that evokes certain types of emotion.

Then there's bench marking. As for me after reading Khaled Hosseini's book, Mitch Albom's and Paulo Cuelho's book became just a o.k.

There's one band that turns me into a believer and benchmark it so high that my other favorite band became secondary. Yes, that band is Kings of Leon.

I was not a huge fan until I went to "Lolla Pallooza" a 3days music fest and I saw them performed live.

Initially I went to Lolla with the idea of watching Arctic Monkeys and Snoop Dogg.

After watching Kings of Leon performing live, standing 3rd row in a 100,000 crowd, I still remember how good their music sounded. The sound of bass and guitar alone could just give me goosebumps. To the point that they make Arctic Monkeys and Snoop Dogg look bad performing. Yes, that's how good they were.

From just a fan to "Use Somebody" I was converted into Kings of Leon fan over night.

Kings of Leon is an old band. They have been there for ages and u may not know this but they are 6 times Grammy award winner. Mainly for "Sex on Fire" and "Use Somebody".

Yes, a lot of people don't get the murmuring of the vocalist but I believe their songs are about creating a vibe and atmosphere. Sexy in a rock and roll manner. Caleb's husky voice is too damn sexy to be ignored too.

But here's the problem of an indie band turning mainstream. They get criticized for going into normal air play. I say "Screw That" if you don't loose the sense of ur music why not? Staying indie don't pay the bills.

As expected "Come around sundown" was being critic left right up down for going into the mainstream. It's so predictable of reviews , so I turn deaf ears and choose selective reading.

I love how the vocalist put it “I didn’t want the world to start to hate us because every time you’d turn on the radio, you’d hear one of our songs,” said Caleb Followill, 28, by telephone from Los Angeles. To avoid overexposure Kings of Leon turned down offers, for example, to appear on “Ugly Betty” or to have one of their songs performed on “Glee.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/arts/music/12pareles.html

In a lot of ways too much exposure can kill the band too. The emphasis is quality and not quantity.

Don't get me wrong, I love Bruno Mars but the FMs killed it by putting it on loop for every 1 hour.

For The Kings I believe their music is still relevant and still authentic in every sense of the word.

If the movie is good. If the cd is good. Then I say "SCREW THE REVIEWS" you have your five sense to make your own judgement.

Til then Carpe Diem folks ;)

Why I love Jason Mraz

Love thy neighbor.

Love thy neighborhood drug dealer.

Love thy cop.

Love thy criminal.

Love thee bank.

Love thee borrower.

Love the happy.

Love the sorrower.

Wait… does this mean I have to love Justin Bieber?

Fuck.


Taken from Jason Mraz's blog

Soul searching journey

When I was in Melbourne, I visited my friend Kim Ong and her hubby Josiah Ng (yes the cyclist that make us proud by earning Gold medal in Commonwealth games).

Kim asked me "What brought you to wear tudung?"

"Faith mostly."

"Can you 'buka tudung balik' once u wear it?"

"Well, religiously you can't but again it comes back to faith. Trust me, everyday I pray for strength and certainty to keep my hijab on. It's a series of steps I take that leads me here. I'm not saying those who doesn't wear tudung is a bad person. Let's leave the judging to God. In the end God measures you against you. He doesn't compare ur deeds and sins with others.Some people found other ways of thanking God. This is one of my many ways to thank God."

"You look nice in it. I like the way you wear them, very trendy"

As I'm typing, I realized I am such a lucky girl.

I realized that so many of my non muslim friends are supportive of my move. That's what happen when one starts to see the content of one's character rather than their looks. I have many good friends from all walks of life and nothing warms my heart more than knowing they are always cheering me on. Thanks folks ;)

Then there are also some shocking remarks by muslim friends who thought my move have a lot to do with guys. I don't blame them, I do tend to date a lot and hardly take a breather in between. So it's only natural for them to see it that way. Regardless some statement by "used to be good friend" hurts big time.

This is how see hijab. It is a submission of love towards God and urself. I see it as sexual modesty. The western media looks at hijab as oppressive yet when they see girls in lingerie grinding the pole in snoop dogg's video, they termed it as degrading women. So who would you rather follow, a path that is clear or a society that is confused in it's view when it comes to woman and their body?

Then there's a question of guys. Someone asked "So how now with tudung u'll have dwindling fan base as compared to before?"

I just told them "Do u see me with any guy now? Even when I'm not wearing tudung, it doesn't lead me to any Mr. Right. Allah knows who is best for me."

Many arrives at the assumptions that someone influenced me to wear it. It is easier to point out what moved me to wear it because answers like "New found faith " or "It's what I want for me" doesn't suffice anymore.

Believe me when I say I seek for peace in life. Mostly I seek for the connectedness with my Maker. I did tell myself that once I get that peacefulness in my daily prayer and just a time with Him, I will stick to the right path , Insha Allah. In the end that's what happened and my hijab is a symbol of a promise I make to God.


I was a party girl, I don't regret the past I have because it has led me here. To the door of repentance. A friend of mine said " Allah's forgiveness is bigger than any sin committed" . I couldn't agree more. We all hope to enter jannah, for me my deeds and ibadah is just for one thing- to be at His mercy because that's where it starts.

There is always a better angel within us that calls for the path of righteousness. It is up to you to respond to the calling or ignore them.

When the callings come, I hope you answer it and I'll be there to witness the many amazing journey carved out for you.

Insha Allah

inquisitive nature of man

My uncle and aunt was the selected few to perform Haj.

So I volunteered to take care of my little cousins while they are away.

I was watching 2012 with a 7 year old and he asked me

"B.lyana, kenapa bangunan semua tenggelam"

"Oh ni tunjuk pasal hari nak kiamat"

I was too lazy to explain about the effect of global warming.

Then there's a scene of ummah performing solah around kaabah.

"Eh! Ni ka'abah.. Kenapa diaorang tunjuk ka'abah dgn dunia kiamat? Umi dgn bab ok ke?"

"Umi dgn bab ok. Ni cerite je. Dia tunjuk orang sembahyang pasal kalau kiamat nak dekat orang sembahyang nak stopkan kiamat"

Ok I know it's not the most logical explanation but try being put on a spot like that!

Then comes the million question..

"Ok kalau tuhan boleh stopkan kiamat..kenapa tuhan bagi kiamat? "

Now what would u say to that as an adult to a 7 year old..and he demand an answer on the spot..

I bet we need more than 5mins to think of the perfect answer