Selamat Hari Raya

Another Ramadan has ended. What have I achieved, gained or learnt during this glorious month?? I shall ponder on that to achieve a more meaningful Ramadan next year insyallah. This year ill be celebrating Eid in Brisbane together with umi and abi, just the three of us, and all the rest will celebrate Eid as shown below .

Abang+kak ah
Iyah + A.ikhwan } Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 
Mas + najib  

Me, Abi, Umi } Brisbane, Australia

Irfan } Auckland, New Zealand

Zaki } Leeds, UK

Who knows where we will be in 2009. 

Eid Mubarak to all! 

Explaining hijab to non-muslim kids

I am now doing a part time job dealing with primary school kids from age 5 to 12. Looking somewhat different from the majority of the people in this school, kids would approach me and ask why I have “that thing” on my head. I knew I would have to deal with this question since I’m the minority in this country, but I wasn’t expecting it to come from an 8 year old on my very first day. 

My first reaction was a 20 second silence. Not that I didn’t know what to answer but I was thinking on how to give her a simple answer which is not confusing. In the end my response was “because I have a different religion”. Older kids would ask a lot of other questions regarding the head scarf like “do you wear it when you take a shower” “don’t you feel hot” “what else must you cover” “do you wear it at home”. Because these kids are roughly 11- 12 years old, I answered as simple and as truthful as I could which I think is just what they needed.

Just a few days ago, a new kid arrived and she asked me the same question. Instead of just saying I have a different religion, I said I have a different belief. Because I was not attending to any other kid at that moment, I figured its better that I have a two way discussion with the kid so she understands better. 

Me:- You know how different people have different names and look different from one another. They also come from different places, countries. Can you tell me what else is different between all of us?
Girl:- Different eye colour, different hair colour.
Me:- that’s very good. What about different language
Girl:- yeah! and different way of dressing too
Me:- that’s right! And a different religion, that’s what I have, A different religion.

I find this an effective way to approach younger kids provided that you have the time to have the conversation. Some people would say you should tell them why you are covered so they understand why your religion wants you to cover. As for me i would elaborate on that if they raise the question, which usualy comes from older kids.

Some other answers I came across from other people were :-
“I tell them that I want to look as nice as Mary, the mother of Jesus”.  
“this is what I believe and it helps me to stay modest"

Add some other responses you may think would help.

Poem by mufti Perlis

the much talked about poem from the mufti

translation in english by malaysiakini

"The first stanza of Mohd Asri's poem spoke of "the people's wealth being turned into stakes" between players of a game. And when the resulting hatred turned into flames, ‘all that is seditious will be swallowed (as the truth)', the poem went on to say.

In the third stanza, which created the most buzz, the mufti wrote: "When the country has come into disarray, it is better, Sir, for you to step down".

The religious scholar ended his poem with enigmatic words of advice that many believe were meant to focus on who the people should pick as a successor to Abdullah.

"Seek a successor who is of high character. Let not a robber replace a thief,"

Politics

Politics in Malaysia is getting really interesting nowadays ever since the political tsunami that struck Malaysia on March 8 2008, and since that I can’t help but read the news everyday on Malaysiakini.

From what I can see, the government seems to want to do everything all at once, wanting to win back the people’s trust, and why is this the case…. A simple answer is because the opposition is stronger. They were not doing anything before this. 

Imagine what will happen when they are in control again and the oppositions weaken, you think there will be a clean and fair election?? You think they care about the country? They are more concern about gaining wealth for themselves and their family. With this current turmoil happening, many put the blame on our current PM but I would think his deputy plays a somewhat similar role and deservers the blame as well. 

I find this excerpt from an article rather interesting. Its in relation to our former PM who many calls 'father of development'. 

 “Many say Dr Mahathir was a great leader. I cannot accept this. It was his administration that left us in the difficulties we are in now. From reckless deficit spending on vanity mega-projects to a seeming incapability, or was it unwillingness, to deal with destructive corruption to the dismantling of the Rule of Law to the encouraging, nurturing even, of sectarian interests, his was an administration that left Malaysia deeply divided, distrustful and greatly crippled.”

We should vote not to get the best party in because there is no such thing, but vote to get the worst party out. I wouldn’t want to live another 30 years knowing I have to have two jobs to have a decent life to support my family.

Sunshine Coast

I have lived in Brisbane for almost 2 years, and just recently I started to explore this ever so beautiful Queensland right from Brisbane (the centre), up north to sunshine coast and down south to Gold coast .

THINGS TO DO

On the 10th of august 2008, I began my journey with Safura, Zul and Shahril to explore Sunshine Coast, the northern part of Brisbane.  

1. The Home of the Crocodile Hunter 

If you are traveling with young children, you have to drop over the Australia zoo. You will be entertained by the exciting wildlife shows offered for the whole day, where every show will give young children valuable information. During your visit you will notice zoo keepers walking around the zoo carrying animals for you to pet which is undoubtedly enjoyable for kids. 

You will also notice a special playing area for the kids with a jumping castle and a small merry go-round. An extra aud18 will give you the chance to take a picture while cuddling a koala; I was told that the picture quality and background is better here compared to the one at koala sanctuary.  This kid below is so adorable and i cant help but upload this picture. 

Tips: - Bring your own food if your kids prefer home cooked meal. Lots of drinking water, wet tissue, sun hat. I’m sure this will be joyous day for your kids and you.

Price: - aud50 (adult) 
         : - aud31 (children) – do check the website for family passes and  updates
Opening Hours: - 9am – 4.30pm  
Website: -http://www.australiazoo.com.au/

2. Strawberry Picking

We were lucky since august is strawberry galore we went for strawberry picking. I noticed a number of strawberry farms further up Australia zoo as well as on the way back to Brisbane. after about 1/2hour picking strawberries and taking pictures we headed back to Brisbane. I didnt only bring back strawberries but the strawberry jam too. Im actually not a jam fan but Shahril’s description on how deliecious the jam is made me want to try it with bread and scones at home and i had no regret. 

Cost:- aud8 per kilo ( pink bucket)
        :- Strawberry jam aud2.50
Opens till :- 5.00 or 5.30

3. Tin Can Bay Dolphin centre 

This one was a doleful experience. I woke up as early as 5am, had breakfast, refreshed myself and smilingly ready to meet the others for our dolphin trip. It was a 3 hour drive from Brisbane to reach tin can bay, (thank you Shahril for driving us in the morning, and Zul on the way back).

We had a few stops along the way which extended the actually time we should reach tin can bay. Once there, we were devastated to know that dolphin feeding starts only at 8.00am ‘sharp’ everyday. Yup! We didn’t get to feed the dolphins : ( . ill try again next time! I won’t loose hope.

And because of that, we went on a dolphin cruise at 11am. After an hour there were still no sign of any dolphins and we headed back to the shore. Although they detest us, we still had a great time on the boat taking pictures of the gorgeous scenery.  

If you are a person who loves fishing, you can rent a boat for 2 hours (aud50per boat) and catch some fish. Make sure to bring a long sun block, a hat, and your fishing rod. 

Tips: - sleepover at tin can bay for the night if you would like to feed the dolphins. I saw a few backpackers hotel along the way to tin can bay. It would be much easier than waking up at 4am and drive to sunshine coast the same day.

Cost: - dolphin feeding. Free but they do appreciate gold coin donation just to keep the bay  running
         : - cruise aud15


4. The Ginger Factory

This is a worthwhile experience to get some insights on ginger. Admission is free, but if you would like to go on ‘The taste of ginger tour’ its aud9.50 for students. The tour will let you visit the ginger factory, you will get information from how ginger is planted, harvested until its processing stage.

After gaining some valuable information you will escorted to the tasting room to try out some products made from ginger as well as gain some information on cooking tips. Everything tasted wonderful except that I didn’t try ginger sauce coated with meatballs.

The next interesting thing you could do and do tell me about it if you have because I didn’t get the chance to try is to ride on the ginger train and boat tour. You can either purchase your ticket for the boat and the train separately or purchase both together at roughly aud12. The website will give you more information.

Website :- http://www.gingerfactory.com.au/gingerfactory/
Opening hours : - 7 days (9am- 5pm) closed on Christmas day
Address : - Pioneer road yandina, sunshine coast, Queensland
Phone:- (07) 5446 7100

5. Macadamia factory

You should stop over the macadamia factory as it’s just opposite the ginger factory. Here you can find macadamias coated with honey, garlic, chocolate and many others. 


TRANSPORT

The best way to move around is to rent a car 


FOOD

you can try Pancake at Mc Donald’s