The Effect of Quran on the Soul

An old man lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.
Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Quraan .

His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Quraan just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book.
What good does reading the Quraan do?"

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, "You'll have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.
 
This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead.

The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house.

The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!""So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket. "The boy looked at the basket and
for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Quraan. You  might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the  work of Allah in our lives."

Cheers to my BD Babes!!

Monday's almost over too?? why does time always fly when things are goin good??
Week end was shiny, today was lovely... ahhhhh what great feelin it brings, i feel Alive!

I spent week end dancin alot! Both my home & maiden studio bellydance classes ended durin the week end. I'm really happy at how both classes turned out. And the different experience I had with both set of gurls are truly truly precious. I've got gurls sayin how their shoulders are connected to their hips and no way they can isolate their muscles (everythin will shake!!), and someone else sayin she's got two left feet while another just does not believe i have a backbone n can't stop wantin my tummy! hahaha all those cute remarks make me smile and at the end of the lessons, i saw isolations, lotsa sexy hips swayin & glowin smiles!
*clap clap clap & pat pat pat*

Thank U so much dearies, i had lotsa fun dancin & hangin out with u esp. durin the last one (such pity peanutgal can't make it)!! Keep on practisin & shimmyin alrite, let down ur hair & dance dance dance!!!

{{HuGs to aLL of U}}

A Heart, A Dream..A Love, A Hope

You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen when your heart's not open
You're so consumed with how much you get
You waste your time with hate and regret
You're frozen when your heart's not open

Mmmmmmm... If I could melt your heart
Mmmmmmm... We'd never be apart
Mmmmmmm... Give yourself to me
Mmmmmmm... You are the key

Now there's no point in placing the blame
And you should know I'd suffer the same
If I lose you, my heart would be broken
Love is a bird, she needs to fly
Let all the hurt inside you die
You're frozen when your heart's not open

Mmmmmmm... If I could melt your heart
Mmmmmmm... We'd never be apart
Mmmmmmm... Give yourself to me
Mmmmmmm... You are the key

You only see what your eyes want to see
How can life be what you want it to be
You're frozen when your heart's not open

Mmmmmmm... If I could melt your heart
Mmmmmmm... We'd never be apart
Mmmmmmm... Give yourself to me
Mmmmmmm... You are the key

Mmmmmmm... If I could melt your heart
Mmmmmmm... We'd never be apart
Mmmmmmm... Give yourself to me
Mmmmmmm... You are the key

If I could melt your heart.....

I will rock you like a baby, I will,
Cradled in my arms,
I will keep you safe from danger,
Shelter you from harm...

There will never be another lover,
Who treats you like I do,
We can drift into forever,
On a love that's made for two...

Dont you ever say this love's not special,
Dont you ever think it’s not essential...
Baby...

I was only thinkin of you,
Hopin you were thinkin of me,
Two hearts beating just like one,
Against the world...
Baby...

I am always dreamin of you,
Hopin you are dreamin of me,
I could never live,
One day without your love...

I will kiss you like an angel, baby,
Cradled in my wings,
I will take you up to heaven,
Show you precious things...

If you promise that you love me,
If you promise that you care,
I will be here for you always,
And forever this I swear...

Dont you ever say this love's not special,
Dont you ever think it’s not essential...
Baby...

I was only thinkin of you,
Hopin you were thinkin of me,
Two hearts beating just like one,
Against the world...
Baby...

I am always dreamin of you,
Hopin you are dreamin of me,
I could never live one day,
Without your love...

Though you say you want a love,
But you don’t think you believe it,
Just open up your heart,
And you know you will receive it...
Oh baby...

Baby...
Dont you ever say this love's not special, oh
Dont you ever think it’s not essential...
Baby...

I was only thinkin of you,
Hopin you were thinkin of me,
Two hearts beating just like one,
Agaisnt the world...
Baby...

I was only dreamin of you,
Hopin you were dreamin of me,
I could never live one day,
Without your love...

I was only, I was only, I was only thinkin of you...
I was only, I was only, I was only thinkin of you...
I was only, I was only, I was only thinkin of you...
I was only, I was only, I was only thinkin... oh baby

By God, I am Beautiful

Inspired by Sheida's entry(http://cherryblack.multiply.com/journal/item/49), decided to find the translation in English...Very Empowerin...

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
The figure she carries, or the way she combs her hairs.
The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes.
Because that is the doorway to her heart,
The place where love resides.
The beauty of a woman is not the facial mole,
But true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is caring that she lovingly gives,
The passion that she shows.
The beauty of a woman,
With passing years-only grows.

Bellydancercise [UPDATED]

Allo Babes!

Please take note of the CONFIRMED timing & day for the Upcomin class. Thank U.

Here are the details for the class

Class commences: 8th of April (6 sessions: 8th, 22nd April & 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th May)

Time: 10.30-12noon (The Basics + The Workout), 11am-12noon (The Workout)

Location: Dance on Us Studio at Claymore Point

(Click here for location)

Class size: 6-10 students only

Fees: $75, $60 (if any of u gurls wanna walk-in, it'll be $15/session)

NOTE: Registration closes on 31st March 2006

Let me noe ASAP if u r keen to attend the new sessions! Hope to see ALL of u again!

Dreamin of Cuba

Ahhhhh it's juz so so appealin!

So raw, so energetic, so fun!! Other than Arabic tunes, Cuban/Latin music always set my heart racin and feet tappin and of course, my hips..ohhh it's obscene to describe..the music is so so so invitin! Maybe because the rhythms are played from the heart and send some kinda vibe to the one listenin! They feel like someone sneakin up behind me, seducin and whisperin in my ears Amor & Sensuality that u juz feel so hard to resist. Freakin Charmin!!

I was at the Latino Sensation workshop earlier and good God, the instructor look like rugged, older version of Ricky Martin, his name was Miguel. The way he talks, so humble and passionate...it's a Cuban thing, i dunno...and he wore tis hat that looked somethin like Che Guevera wore, but with no Communist star but a DIESEL sign. He's middle age but groovy (like someone i noe). I have been to one salsa workshop before, conducted by a local Chinese guy but the feeling, the energy, the "lenggok" is juz different...Mucha Smitten I am today(not with the instructor lah u! i'm referrin to the moves!) It juz takes me back to the Womad fest where Liz, Sitz, Azmi n I were all soakin the music and dancin away to the beautiful live tunes after we were taught some moves by a member of Asere..the feeling was amazin! Such a pity though, the Salsa section in our workshop today was juz 30 minutes, with Miguel and his Cuban babe performin a lil number for us to appreciate the dance. It's really a spontaneous dance but u juz have to keep ur feet movin in rhythm...it's challengin and exhilaratin! Upon reachin home, i received an SMS from one of my colleague whom i tagged along, decided to take up Salsa! WhoA~

Other than Salsa, we were introduced to some Latin social dances like rumba, cha cha and mambo. Bahh i ain't cut out for those...the timings for the moves are weird for me. Actually Mambo's alright, the moves are similar to Salsa except that Salsa involves more hips swayin and somethin new that I learnt, there's also Shoulder Shimmies for Salsa! Anyway, the Latin social dance instructor was the old man who is always at the studio, he seems to always move slowly and his hands are pretty shaky but when he dance...oh, u totally forget he's aged! So was his partner Julie! They look so good together esp. when doin the Waltz...awwww, how i wish i'd be like that when i'm old...have a hubby who'll take me dancin..sweep me off my feet all over the livin room, hand in hand, step by step we go with the music's flow...awwwww romantic rite??i'm such a Sucker for such things! LoL

The other dance that I pretty much enjoyed was Rumba Flamenca, ahhh it's pretty gypsy-like and fiery..So Nice esp. since the music used to dance was by Gypsy King. Wooohooo! The only dance that I actually could fit in juz fine, but heh...it's only some basics

AHhh all the dancin & music has taken away my foul mood and negative aura! I'm REJUVENATED!

P/S Dee: i strongly recommend u & Man to join the Salsa course (if u both are free) cos the instructor is a native Cuban! it's startin on 25th March, 2-3pm...for 6 sessions. $100 course fee + $20 one-time registration!

No Punchline

Isn't too pleased with myself today. As always, when it comes to doin presentation and persuasion to a big group of people! It is juz not my thang!!

I had to introduce & pull JC newbies to join Kickboxing tis afternoon. After my Physical Combat class in the mornin, a colleague decided to rope me in to demonstrate Kickboxing to the students. I was totally fine & excited abt the idea since I am pretty familiar with Kickboxing & Cardio Combat so, a few sets of 8 is GREAT! I found the perfect music and practised my moves in the cosy toilet of Century Square (yeah the 2nd floor one that has a damn big mirror with comfy couch and tables for make-up!), so after assistin in another school, i was pretty much set to go!

Then while I was on my way to that JC, i was told to PROMOTE Kickboxing instead of juz demonstratin and tellin them what they will be taught. My demonstration was almost scrapped but thank God it wasn't! So within abt half an hour I had to crack my brain to think of how to attract these students to join the activity. I wrote some benefits down in points but I did not have time to rehearse out and add some spice to them. Kinda demoralised...and when i was in the school hall, the students were almost dead. Greeting sounded so loathful...no zest, no enthusiasm. My colleague went on n on abt yoga and even got the students to do a lil balancin act. I was tryin hard to remember what the hell i wrote in my notebook, and the next thing i noe, the mic was in my hand.

SHIT! Stage Fright!!

My hand was tremblin and i can't hide it...tried my best to focus and remember the main points but the tremblin won't go away. So i juz had to quit talkin and get into my groove instead. I hesitated to pick up the mic again after the demo, kinda scared that i might end up repeatin all over what i have said before. Urghhhh i juz so hate it when i'm like tis! I am so sure that I would be able to present myself better if i had some time to myself to plan out and think aloud of what to say. Spontaneous Smooth operator i am not...dammit!! How am i to overcome such shit?

Sure, plannin & practisin makes perfect, but sometimes circumstances juz do not allow that. How, how do i overcome gettin panicky and be all confident to give instructions clearly as well as reach out to the masses with an impact Spontaneously? i'm always jittery when it comes to such things!! Tis habit of mine is really I-R-R-I-T-A-T-I-N-G!

And u noe how many people actually signed up for Kickboxing? Abt 15...not even half the number of students that signed up for the other 2 classes demonstrated with it. I could only make myself feel better by sayin, well they already have a Compulsory Body Combat class to attend so probably they might noe that Kickboxing & Body Combat are almost the same, so they'd rather learn some other stuff rather than juz kickin n punchin abt all the time and the class was scheduled at a bad timing, kinda late since the students will be havin school the next day. hmmmmms...i juz hope i won't be shut out from doin any more demos/promotions because of my first experience. bummer...

2 months after the Hen Party..

Mel & Manto are happily married! Was invited to their weddin dinner and i must say it went real fine. The bride was radiant, the groom was all "grinny", the food was delicious, the performances by fellow colleagues were cool and i must say, KhajWedding (http://khajwedding.multiply.com) did a brilliant decor job (as always)!

Ahhhh Congrats Mel dearie!!

From ur receptionist of the nite,
Sophie ;)

NiKe ROCKSTAR Workout

Attention to all the LADIES in my Contact, did any of u buy March's issue of SHAPE magazine?

There's a free Nike Rockstar Workout gym pass that comes with it. Juz collect the pass at Ngee Ann City's Nike Women shop.

Rai(ladyjenna) and I are goin for it. Tentatively we are goin to attend the session at Paragon's Fitness First on 18th March, 1550h. We've not made any appointments yet, and hopin for more company for a dancin & hip hop good time! Any of u wanna join us?? Let me noe by Wednesday, 8th of March ok!

for more details abt the Nike Rockstar Workout, pls go to www.nikewomen.com.sg



Btw, there will be a Nike Rockstar event in April, i suspect its a massive work out thingy!

Venue: Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza
Date: 13th April 06 (Thursday)
Time: 1930-2200

Shall we make tis our NEXT multiply ladies affair? LET'S GROOVE~

Multiply Ladies Affair@Baladi

Spent Thinking day not with girl guides, instead i had a female bondin session with my gurlie contacts from Multiply. A lil dinner cum sheesha cum "flashy" session, all in the comforts of the cosy Baladi.

Love the company, love the ambience and most of all, i love u all! Hope to have another lovely outin again, with u ladies...and hopefully more of u could make it next time :)

More pics of our crazy antics here by the original paparazzis:
boneeta.multiply.com/photos/album/35 (the one who compiled all the pics?!)
icebitch.multiply.com/photos/album/96 (the one who provided Free Flow camera usage!)
shasya.multiply.com/photos/album/22 (the one who got eye for details & beautifully edited pics of our outin! i've yet to download them!)

CHEEERS babes~