Monday 28 February 2005

Hand Modellin?

Remember the lil posting i sent out a few days back? Well, yeah i've actually went for that hand modellin session. And yes i was rite, we were guinea pigs. It's more like a survey instead of modellin, no photos were taken.

Basically, we juz try out a body buff scrub and some Vit. C booster gel on the hand, that's all. Products are from tis MLM company called Herbalife. I was expectin tis lady who called me, to be sellin her business but she seemed to be so caught up talkin about the fun activities she arranges for her clients and staff. There was no hard-sellin or recruitment at all. Plain small talks and another invitation to her party. Tis time to try out their shakes. Supposedly these shakes can help ppl to achieve ideal weights, the lady showed us some pics of her clients and yeah, results proved so. Hmm but i was juz too lazy to attend it today.

So guys, that's my lil entry for the so-called hand modellin experience i had on Sunday :)

Un Long Dimanche de Fiançailles (A Very Long Engagement)

Rating:★★★★★
Category:Movies
Genre: Romance
I watched tis movie with my cuzzin and she rated it 6 stars out of 5! Me, i'm perfectly fine with 5.

The movie, which evolved around the World War 1 era, tells the story of a young woman, Mathilde's relentless search for her fiancée. The story is told like putting together random pieces of puzzle, so it can be quite a blur but at the end u will get the big picture. Expect a lil violence, humour, nudity and a cameo apperance by a Hollywood actress.

A very charmin n heartwarmin movie wif excellent cinematography. Reminds me of Pearl Harbour and Dirty Dancing 2: Havana Nights. I'd really love to go catch it again...wif bf tis time...ahhh~

Monday 21 February 2005

Damn Ringtone Provider!

I got a shock when I received my mobile phone's bill 2 days ago. Bf and I were charged abt $90 for tis service called mTouche. Called up the operator immediately and was told mTouche hosts many mobile service companies. Hmmm i noe, last month bf and I responded to a ringtone provider that promoted ringtones/wallpaper dowloads for $1/day. Just that once. And we are still charged for that service?! Sometimes I do receive SMSes from the provider abt new ringtones/wallpapers etc, but I juz assumed it was an advertisement for them. Tis providers are really schemin, I should have known!

Luckily, the operator gave me the telephone no. to mTouche and I managed to call them up today since their lines are opened only durin office hours. The person there told me that I was subscribed to a ringtone provider called COOL. Then i told her, I did not subscribe, I just replied to them, downloaded ringtones from them ONCE and that was it. After hearing me blabber, she agreed to terminate the service for me, but she cannot help me to waive the charges incurred to my bills this month. Grrr...dammit! $90 gone juz like dat!

Hope u guys dun fall into tis kinda trap... NEVER ever respond to SMSes for mobile phone services! Lesson learnt at a high price. Pfft!

Sunday 20 February 2005

Goodbye GLD




18.02.05 The day I left GLD. Was not lookin my best but I was bloody happy! The highlight of the day was my farewell solo performance for some of my female colleagues. the looks on their faces and encouragin words left me delighted.

So many memories, people watchin, lessons in life and workin ethics that I have gained here over the past years. Thank you guys for the precious and eye-openin experience.

Tuesday 15 February 2005

The Dancer I Am

HASH(0x8cfa394)

What kind of dancer are you? (Girls only)
brought to you by Quizilla

You are a Belly Dancer. You are charming inside
out, your life follows an interesting rhythm,
beautiful and smooth, you know how to be the
center of attention when you want to, you love
your friends and you can trust them on your
life. Your ideal man is the one with a sweet
witty character who understands how much
freedom is important to you.


>>Dear Quizilla, r u psychic??! LMAsmiley("laugh3");<<

Friday 11 February 2005

Ang Pow Collection!




After 2 days of rotting at home over the Chinese New Year holidays, I have finally stepped out of my house and got a feel of the Chinese home visiting culture. Feasted on pizzas and some new year goodies like "love letters", nuts and preserved fruits. Yum yum! Brought 2 oranges for my colleague and she gave me 2 oranges back( I didn't noe i'm supposed to get oranges back??) AND a red packet! Wheeeee~

MTV ASIA AID


Hi Everyone!

I juz caught the re-run of this global benefit concert on MTV and would like to appeal to everyone out there to kindly Continue to make more contributions to support the efforts to aid the South Asia tsunami victims.

Juz SMS: MAA(space)GIVE
to the following numbers dependin on where u r located.

Singapore 79000 (SG6/sms)
Malaysia 39777 (RM5/sms)
Thailand 86420 (THB5/sms)
Indonesia For Indosat: 19200 (IDR2000/sms), Telkom: 6882 (IDR1000/sms)
Phillippines 2657 (5 Peso/sms)
United Kingdom 83833 (£3/sms)
Germany 81750 (Euro 2.49/sms)
Finland 179600 (Euro 2/sms)
Denmark 1231 (DDK30/sms)

Or visit MTV Asia Aid website for more details and making online donation

All donations will be channeled to UNICEF. UNICEF, as most international relief groups, prefers cash donations, largely because of the substantial cost of shipping goods. With cash donations, UNICEF can purchase supplies in local regions (close to the affected areas) as much as possible. Not only does this local purchasing save money, but it supports the local economies of the affected regions.

THINK GLOBAL. ACT NOW. THANK YOU smiley("smiley2");!


Wednesday 9 February 2005

Salam Muharram!

To all my Muslim mutiplyers...HAppy 1426H! Here's somethin i'd like to share as we usher in the New Year, taken from user dzulrena's Review postings, written by Yusof Islam aka Cat Steven. Cheers!



The Role of Muslims in the Modern Era

Why are Muslims presently being afflicted with disunity, trials and tribulations? Perhaps because there has been a misunderstanding of what is required from Muslims in this modern time and age.

To solve modern day problems, Muslim scholars and leaders need to analyse the structures and strategies that are applicable for our time and age. Some say that in order to cope with the challenges of life in the Modern (Post Caliphate) Era we must agree that Muslims are living in a time which resembles the Makkan, early period of Islam, rather than Madinah and post Madinah, where Muslims were living under a unified governmental system with one single head of state.

During the Makkan period, the basic environment was far from God-centred, it displayed many superstitious customs and was dominated by ignorance of God's Will. The term given to that period was 'jahiliyyah', Islam, of course, was seen as strange - another strong reason why it resembles times and conditions today. The main role of Muslims at that time was to call humanity to enter the state of inner-peace (Islam) and accept the existence of the One True God and believe in His messenger, Muhammad, peace be upon him.

Therefore, for us at present, calling to belief in the One Transcendent God of all (Tawheed), similarly, becomes the first and foremost priority. Other than calling to God, many commands of Qur'an related to economics, law and International treaties, cannot be fulfilled in the absence of the Caliph and the Imam of the Believers being in place.

Every Muslim who loves God (Allah) as his Lord, Islam as his religion and Muhammad as his Prophet, wants to work and serve his faith. But how? Without the Caliph should we work for our national state, dedicate our time to a political party? Work for a Group or Movement? Build a Mosque or school?

In the collection of the saying of the Last Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, by Imam Al-Bukhari, it is reported on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud: 'The people used to ask God's Messenger about good, but I used to ask him about evil for fear that it might overtake me….. I said, "Will there be any evil after that good?" He said, "Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them)." I said, "O God's Messenger! Describe those people to us." He said, "They will belong to us and speak our language." I asked, "What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my life?" He said, "Adhere to the group of Muslims and their Imam." I asked, "If there is neither a group (of Muslims) nor an Imam (what shall I do)?" He said, "Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet God while you are still in that state." '

In another saying collected by Imam Al-Bukhari on the authority of Abu Hurayrah: 'A Bedouin came to the Prophet and asked when the Hour will be. He told him when Trust (Amanah) is lost. He asked how would it be lost. The Prophet answered, "When authority comes into the hands of the unfit." '

Actually, the word 'modern' is a Latin word which means 'now'. So, in fact, Islam is the true Modern Religion for Mankind, because it is the form of Religion as God wishes it to be followed today. It confirms the permanent principles of Faith and Actions of all previous Divine Revelations sent to previous Prophets such as Jesus, Moses, David, Abraham, and also provides an intellectual basis for ijtihad, and the development of laws and customs suitable for any time and circumstance which believers may find themselves. Who knows, this maybe the time which was mentioned by the Messenger of God, when he prophesied about the trials in times to come and said, 'Be like the good son of Adam': "Kun ka-khayr-ibni Adam"[1] Meaning, there would come a time when it is better to be killed than to be condemned for killing.

We are living in a time where perhaps our main task is to do as the first Muslim community did, to invite others to Islam. Being patient, strong in faith and of good morality, looking to improve the condition of humanity first and foremost.

Unfortunately, most of our organizations and institutions are designed only to serve ourselves. But being ethno-centric, inward-looking, inhibits our contribution to society as a whole and it does not conform to the universal requirements of our message. "Wa maa 'alayna illa-l balaghu-l mubeen" (And nothing is required of us other than to convey the message, clearly) and "Wa ka dhalika ja'alna kum ummatan wasatan li takunu-sh-shuhada 'alan-nas…"(And thus have We made you a Middle Nation that you may be witnesses over mankind). The Prophet, peace be upon him, helped everyone, he did not restrict charity and words of guidance only to Muslims.

Today there are millions of people who are still grossly ignorant of the teachings of Islam; surely we could use our time better by helping them to appreciate this perfect religion, rather than making them run away from it? And we know that in the UK and in many other countries, people are looking for guidance, looking for the truth, looking for justice, looking for peace. But as someone else once observed: Islam is being hidden by Muslims.

The Prophet said, 'Give good news and do not make people run away.' My particular story, that of a Western 'Icon' discovering Islam, and joining the prayer line of fellow Muslim Believers is a microcosm of what can happen when the teachings of Islam are conveyed truly and without distortion or hindrance. However, nothing had prepared me for what I was about to discover in regards to the present state of Muslims globally. I did not realise the structure of Muslim life had been dismantled through the elimination of the Caliphate. I didn't realise the danger of nationlism, I just thought, 'How great to see so many colourful Muslim Flags!'

As fortunate as I have been to discover Islam, I cannot express my gratitude to Allah Almighty enough for having guided me through the reading of the Glorious Qur'an first, the sayings of the Prophet second and the words of the scholars, third. A Wise Education, I believe, can provide the solution to the global community of Believers' (Ummah) present condition. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, is reported to have said, 'To search for knowledge is compulsory for every Muslim (male or female).' He also said, 'Whenever Allah wishes good for a person he makes him understand the Religion.'

Unfortunately, most Muslims today are born Muslims; looking back to the Glorious past of Muslim civilisation and trying to reclaim it by short cuts and quick fixes. Every attempt to establish a model Islamic State within the last hundred years has failed. Maybe the solution is that we all need to become new Muslims, like the first generation, where belief, seeking knowledge, good character, prayer and charity, identified who you were.

Makkah was difficult: Muslims were persecuted and killed, but patience was the response from the Prophet and the community of believers. Never did they give up their call inviting people to the Oneness of Allah and the way to Paradise (Jannah).

Even in the early days when a small group of weak Muslims were given permission to live in a Christian country so as to be free from persecution, they displayed exemplary moral behaviour, and gave the message of Islam with wisdom and courage.

When Muslims of the Qur'anic generation moved into any new country, their attitude was always to behave as Muslims and to bring Islam to that country and help people to know and embrace Islam; to make that land, 'Dar as-Salam', a land of peace and justice. That is an objective, which we living in the West should all hold.

In the Qur'an, God Almighty says, "And let there arise from among you a community enjoining what is reputable (Ma'ruf) and preventing what is immoral (Munkar)…" How many Muslims practice this today? Ma'ruf is universal, it stands for any humane and noble moral virtue. Also Munkar is not only practiced by non-Muslims. We must also be able to criticize our own selves if we are to be amongst the guided.

The first place to start reformation is with yourself. "Verily never will God change the condition of a people until they change themselves. But when God wills a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back nor will they find besides Him any to protect." The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "By Him in Whose hand my soul is, you must enjoin what is reputable (Ma'ruf) and forbid what is immoral (Munkar), or God will certainly soon send punishment from Himself to you. Then you will make supplication and not receive an answer."

So we can see that the solution to our situation is to develop our belief and actions first and then invite others, Muslims and non-Muslims to the Truth. In the Qur'an we read, "Verily! All mankind is in loss. Except those who believe and do good actions, and enjoin on one another the Truth and enjoin one another to be patient"

The Qur'an is for all times. These days we need to understand it according to the time and circumstances we live in. Without the Caliph, we are orphans with only one guardian, God the Most Glorious, the Most High.

This is the age of Islam. We should look to our responsibility in giving this beautiful message to the people who are ignorant of it, that includes Muslims as well as non-Muslims - Mankind all together. Allah will join us and bless us with unity and success if we fulfil our role and do not rush His Decree or be impatient.

"Fastabiqul-khayrat ayna maa takunu ya'tibikumu-llahu jamee'an, inna-llaha 'ala kulli shay'in qadeer" (And strive all of you together in the race to good deeds, wherever you may be God will bring you together. Verily God has power over everything). [2]




[1] Al Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud
[2] Surah al Baqarah
__________________
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ أَنتُمُ الْفُقَرَاء إِلَى اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ هُوَ الْغَنِيُّ الْحَمِيدُُ

Tuesday 8 February 2005

-=Gong Xi Fa Cai=-


To all my Chinese colleagues, friends and multiplyers! Good Luck, Good Wealth and Good Health come ur way in the Year of the Rooster!

Xing Nian Kuai Le,
Wan Shi Ru Yi,
Nian Nian You Yu!

Is my Hanyu Pinyi spellin correct? Hua Yi Cool eh smiley("chinese");?

Samra Samar




Raw and edited

Saturday 5 February 2005

Infectious Enthusiasm!

Yes! I've Mod my page finally! All thanx to my dearest Ned who read up the tutorials and guidelines at the group, modify, and sent me some codes to place in my page. I've been wantin to noe how tis is done, and was thinkin of goin abt it when I've quit my job but tis gurl was so enthusiastic, she kept bombardin me with codes that i juz had to do it too! And now...Tada! I've got myself a customised Multiply page. Hehehe! How d'you like it?

I'm a happy birdie tonite ;)