Ahlam, A Blooming Red Rose

The flowers that grows to glad all Earth,
Are emblems of a better birth,
When we shall wake beyond the skies,
And see the plains of heaven arise.



(17/1/2015), i've attended a driving class to prepare for KPP01. I swear it was hella boring of a class and i admit i kinda slacked off, not that it was my fault but hey it was super stodgy&tedious. Despite that tiresome class, alhamdulillah, i'm really glad i've attended and i've met a very vibrant soul, a soul of hope and belief.

Ahlam bt Muhammed.

How would i define her?

She's as pretty as a blooming flower. A livid,ravishing,delicate flower. A flower she is, a gem that gives  glow and colour for the poetry of nature. She's like, a full blown red rose, an emblem of beauty. And each time i gazed at her perfect ash-gray coloured eyes, i was dazzled and mesmerized.

When I was in the class, I sat in the back row, yep, it was easier for me if I zonked out. Hahaha, how peculiar i was because in class (at school) i sat in the front row! Okay but driving class and academic class is different okay. It's TOTALLY MISMATED. Okay that's not the point over here. Okay back to the topic.

30 minutes after the class had started, a lady in purple jubaah caught my attention. It was not because of that jubaah, but it was because the niqaab she was wearing. She certainly had some sort of an "aura" that made me intrigued to get to know her.

Since she was kinda late, the instructor was really grumpy towards her, man, i despised him!! He even made fun of her because she was wearing the niqaab. I just COULDN'T ACCEPT IT. Dude seriously, i would have smack him up in the face for that abhoring behaviour! She replied a few words in English and i knew that she was aggrieved of his misbehaviour.

The class went on for around 2 hours and a half, and finally it was our break time for brunch. Since i had no company, I went to the cafe by my own (seriously this is how a forever alone feels like??) gosh, i felt so lifeless and forlorn, I had the urge to socialize with somebody.

When I was at the cafe, I was really famished thus I bought some sandwiches. Dude, the place was filled with men, everywhere! I was really scared because I was all alone on my own, but then, from a far, that lady in purple caught my attention again. She was alone too, I approached her as she was unwrapping her sandwiches plastic.

"Assalamualaikum"

I said the salaam and I gave her my sweetest smile.

And then I introduced myself and we started talking :) She became my friend in just a short while. She's 29 years old, and she's from a suburban area in Yaman. There was something about her voice that i found rather captivating. Her voice was subtly sensual and smooth, a velvety whisper, her voice was rather sultry and melodic.

From some strangers to a friend :) Alhamdulillah i had somebody to be with the whole day! She told me her story and I was totally enchanted and I couldn't help myself to ask for more. I like to listen to other people's story, how their life journey is. Journey is like a story book, it is livid and fresh.

She told me that she was engaged when she was 15! Wow, I was totally astonished. I mean, the man came to hand-in marriage when she was so young? Seriously the man had some guts! She was engaged for 10 years and finally she was married at 25. She's currently under a scholarship from her country (if it's in Malaysia, it is like khazanah negara scholar) my o my, she's certainly a bright girl! She told me that the scholarship was a blessing for her, since 18, she had been to universities all around the world, under full sponsors. She had learnt about so many different culture while studying in the same time! (that is certainly, my life goals, sobs) And currently, she's studying under linguistic course in UPM, living with her husband and a daughter in Serdang, pursuing master studies. I've asked her mostly everything in overseas! How's life is like in UK, US and so on. MasyaAllah sister, you've totally inspired me. She had a hard time studying back in the US because of the skeptical thinking of islamophobic, and plus she was wearing a niqaab too. I knew how harsh it was, reality, it's saddening.

Break time was over and we went for dhuhr prayers together. And that is when I get to see her face :) I'm not able to describe how beautiful she is. As far as that I can say, she's as beautiful, as lovely as a blooming, red rose. An emblem of beauty. And now that I can truly see the beauty of Islam too, we, are the protected pearls.What Islam has established for woman is that which suits her nature, gives her full security and protects her against disgraceful circumstances and uncertain channels of life.  The status of woman in Islam is unprecedentedly high and realistically suitable to her nature. Her rights and duties are equal to those of man but not necessarily or absolutely identical with them. If she is deprived of one thing in some aspect, she is fully compensated for it with more things in many other aspects.

I wish that I could spend more time with you, sister Ahlam. Thank you for everything. Thank you for being an inspiration, a motivation. 'Til then, hope that we will cross our path again.

May Allah be with you at every step you take,
May Allah guide you in each decision you make,
May Allah help you when life gets rough,
May Allah Bless you with more than enough,
May Allah protect you when you fall,
May Allah hear you when you call,
May Allah sooth your heart when you don't understand,
May you always be in Allah's loving Hand.. 

Ameen

a blooming red rose.
-A.M.

Sealed with kisses,

YTN Scholarship Interview Experiences (Yayasan Tenaga Nasional) UNiTEN

The view was amazing.

Just my experiences and opinion on this.

I was offered an interview under YTN and the iv session was held yesterday at the RHR Hotel @ UNiTEN. Alhamdulillah, i was shortlisted and not many people were lucky enough for that position, thus i didn't miss out the opportunity to try out my own luck for that. I swear it was terrific :) I had the first ever scholarship interview experiences and it's gonna be a blazing fuel to keep me going towards further achievements in my future undertakings.

We were grouped into 5, A,B,C,D and E. I got to be in the E group and there were a total of 7 peeps in my group, 2 from SMAP Labu, 2 from Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah, 1 from MRSM Taiping and ..... that one girl which i didn't remember much. She didn't say a word and she was passive, so yea... she kinda slipped of my mind (sorry wherever you are). The girl from SMAP Labu was really friendly! She was the first to introduce about herself. (Hannan I'm sorry i was in a rush and i forgot to give you my contact number :( hmmm) The first session was a cozy talk with TNB's board of director. The talk was mostly about TNB and it's future, yep mostly he focussed on the job opportunity TNB offers. What the future holds for us under the scholar, the face of the future job holders and so on. Seriously before the talk i had no idea about the courses offered and how it is interrelated with TNB corporation (albeit the fact that i did some research on that). And yeah after the talk, i was truly mind-boggled.

The next session started at around 10.20, another cozy talk with the YTN's administrator. The session was aimed to make us crystal clear of the Yayasan Tenaga Nasional's scholarship, and our path later on with our career. It makes me realize that what goes around, comes around. What i'm trying to say over here, that a company doesn't easily give out scholarship to Malaysian's student for the sake of "just for fun" or in terms of helping/just sponsoring but in a total debt, and as a compensation, we need to work for them. Well, we have to keep in mind that reality... kinda hurts. In this whole vast world we're living in, i don't think anything is ever free anymore. (exceptional for the air we're breathing in). But, nevertheless, i was totally impressed to learn that the YTN's scholar is 15% more than MARA or JPA scholar. And that, if we're qualified and if we meet the total requirement, any of us under the scholar may be able to continue studying in overseas! Gosh, that made me aroused and I was totally in an excited state. (nope this is not chemistry).

We had a break for roughly 20 minutes. We had brunch but i chose to check on my phone. Gosh seriously what should i be preparing for the writing test later and the interview itself? Thus i googled TNB and i read more and more facts on that. (at the end of the day, it turns out to be that it was kinda unnecessary.. the question wasn't really related about TNB's history, mission, vision or anything likewise/related..)

I was really nerve-wrecked.

Again, another session. It was still a talk, but this was different. Because at the end of the session the writing test will be held. Gosh i wasn't prepared for any kind of questions that may be coming out. And plus, the air conditioner was set on high, it feels like i was in the ice pole. I was freezing to death in there and my esteem almost dropped to zero. God, just end this quick. The talk was handled by aunty Norin, she currently works in the Leadership Resources (LRM). She wanted us to unleash our inner passion, and to voice out. She gave us a few examples on Malaysian heroes that foot-stepped in a career that differs from what their courses were back in the universities. Later on, she spoke about the top 5 career driving employment in Malaysia, gave the 4Q's (IQ,EQ,PQ&SQ), DDRC, secret formula on walking through the iv process, ranted on about employment values and finally, she summed up the talk with the 3 keys, talent, passion and conscient.

And that marks the end of her talk.

It's time for the writing test. *gulp*

I wasn't sure what i felt but i took a deep breath and I loosened up.

Okay and they were handing out the question papers. I took out the pen i used for my SPM papers. So, there were two pages on that paper, the front page was about us and the back page was mostly about TNB, and there were 11 questions in total. Oh why was I THAT nerve-wrecked? That was just an opinion-based paper. To voice out our own opinion. They just wanna get to know the real me, not much of a pain. Like i've stated earlier there were no history of the company, mission/vision or anything like that. Hahahaha. Silly me for worrying too much.

And so, I answered the whole Q&A paper in fully English. The first page was about our fav childhood memories, fav subject in school, how do you describe yourself, something like that. The second page was the harder one, because it was related to TNB's future. Like, what related skills do you have to improvise TNB in the future? What is your idea to help TNB outshine? What makes you qualified for the YTN scholar? haha ok i don't remember in details, I'm sorry. But the questions were something likewise. Seriously, the questions were a cinch!

So, the writing test was over and we had a break for lunch and dhuhr prayers. We went to Jupiter Cafe for our lunch. There were myriad of delicacies but i wasn't in any mood of eating. But seriously, I've tried the best fruit parfait there and i think I'm in love. xo. I wish i could snap a photo of it but hahaha ain't nobody got time for that. I went for dhuhr prayers with my SMAP Labu friends.

The Jupiter Cafe House

The interview session.


Seriously the agonizing wait made me jittered. I tried to calm down and go easy with myself but I just, couldn't. Hence, I did the hand-thingy he told me to do and Alhamdulillah it works. :) I wasn't nervous at all and finally i was able to breathe.

And therefore my name was summoned up (i mean called upon lol) and I entered the room with 100% confidence. Bismillah, with the name of Allah the most beneficent. And i said the salam to the interviewers. There were 4 interviewers in total, 2 women and 2 men. Seriously DON'T FORGET TO GIVE OUT SALAM/GREETINGS. There's like, a mark for that. It's your first impression.

Like most/any other interviews, it began with the question, 'tell us about yourself'. Seriously, just go easy with yourself, i was just imagining i had a talk with my friends, nothing much.

Done with that, they proceed on with the voice out paper. Little did i knew that the questions were a trap! Haha it wasn't a trap actually, but i wrote something else that contradicted. I mean, a business manager that likes biology? Yea i wrote biology for the "fav subject in school&why?" and I've just realized that i wrote like, 5 lines about that :(

And soon, they found out that I was just trying out my luck with the scholarship and that my passion was somewhere not in the business field.

"awak ni, nak jadi doctor, kan?"

gulp, they knew the truth.

And so, to save myself, I told them that people changes and that was my childhood dream. Hah, so much of a cliche answer.

And the interviewer said,

"we want someone who is passionate in this field and not just because of the scholarship. Business is not an easy work if you don't have a thing for it. Imagine, if you're working with TNB under business management and you don't enjoy it, a few years later you realized that this isn't right for you and you choose to chase your own dream? It is entirely possible for that to happen, just look at the examples of our Malaysian heroes we gave you earlier in the talk."

Man, I was awestrucked!

"and i guess, that's the end of our session. Do you have any question regarding this?"

And thus, i said no, i smiled to them and i said thanks for giving me the chance to be here, and i left. Haha no chance for me i guess :) but that sure was a pleasant experience!

Before I headed back home, I took a selfie outside the RHR Hotel lobby.

Thank you for a remarkable interview experience, TNB! :)

Apple Pie 

I've been dying to try out Stephanie Jaworski's recipe for apple pie. Her recipe really works divine and scrumptious! I've tried it out today and i swear it was PURE PURRRRFECTION. Those mouth-watering brownish luscious succulent delightfully lip smacking tender flaky texture, just made me, crave for more! I'm so sorry if you're on diet or something, this might've failed your intention. *evil laugh. Okay i've been exaggerating quite much. Lol

You can get the recipe here along with the video demonstration. ;)

http://www.joyofbaking.com/ApplePie.html

So, here's the pics and step-by-step photo (by my own. hiks)

To make the pie crust and apple fillings

1) Mix those listed ingredients in a food processor. Or if you don't have one, just put everything in a large bowl and just use your hand for that! it works the same anyway. Get ya hands working ya lazy bump :D (i've used Anchor unsalted butter. it works fine :)

2) When everything is mixed well and incorporated, cover with a plastic wrap and set it aside. Chill the dough for aprx, 1 hour in the fridge.The dough needs their rest too, ya know

3) Time to get those apples all ready and set up :D wishy washy bath time for those apples.

*i've used 3 kinds of apples for this! :) The Granny Smith, Red Delicious  and  Gala  apples*

4) Peel the skin of the apples and core them up.

5) Cut those apples into smaller pieces :). Mix those other ingredients to get the fillings ready.

Macam rojak buah. Hiks

6) Set them aside for roughly 1-3 hours, and when they're done, strain those apples to get their juices.
    (I've waited for around 2.5 hours in total. srsly the painful wait. ouch)

7) It's time to get those tart shell ready :D

Bought the tart shell at Aneka Bakery for RM 10.60. The size is 10"

8) Take out those chilled dough from your fridge and shape it into the tart shell.

9) So, it's time for the fillings! caramelize those strained juices in a saucepan under medium heat. Add    cornstarches to the drained apples and finally, pour those caramelized apple syrup back into the drained apples. (reunion time for the apples!! hiks)

10) Fill the tart shell with the fillings :)

11) Roll out the dough into thin layer and lay it over the apple pie. (bed time story for those apples. hehe good night little apples). Make slits& tidy up the edges using a fork. Seems edgy.

12) Baking time (another 45-55 minutes of agonizing wait)

13) Done :D (those golden-brownish texture. i just can't *-*)

14) So, you're done with that. Time to add up some calories :)
      (don't forget to chill it in a fridge overnight before cutting. I'll post the pic of the sliced pie tomorrow
       hehe. Garnish with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream)


Thank You, Stephanie Jaworski.
Regards,

satisfied subscriber.

The Aftermath

The recent flood may leave a trail of structural destruction, but what about the emotional impact? The disaster leaved a trail of total devastation..... The feelings of grief, despair and frustration are all mixed up, mushed up in an emotional despair that may take years to heal. The recent flood that hit the east-coastal area brought major catastrophe and lost. The last time Pantai Timur were badly affected were in the 70's, (my mum told me that she was 7 years old during that time), and it hit again in 2014, and it brings the same prevail.

Many residents in Kelantan that were affected in the flood aftermath are now pondering their future. Well, some of them that were lucky enough not to be involved in the flooding recently may feel relieved, but what about those whom belongings and residentials were washed away, not to mention the life of their beloved ones were taken away,too? While the floodwater has now mostly receded, many of the evacuees have nothing left, they are bare-footed and mostly, just clothes on their back. Really, I can't imagine being in shoes of those who were terribly affected. Allahuakbar.

The journey to Kelantan yesterday really made me feel totally devastated. I can't really describe my feelings in words. All around as far as my eyes could witness was wrecked apart houses, ruined belongings,buildings,....mud....... those scenery made me felt bitter. Alhamdulillah, our house in Pasir Mas were only slightly affected. Our house were only submerged not quite much, but still, leaved a trail of total mess and that took us a whole day to clear up those madness.

"pandang kanan ,hancur rumah...pandang kiri, rumah tinggal tapak, kiri kanan, budak-budak berkeliaran tiada rumah...."

There's nothing left to say but to keep on praying... insyaAllah.... there will be ray of hope and sunshine, everything will be alright and those halted business will be back to life soon.

"Fainna Ma'al Usri Yusra" -al Insyirah
Surely, after the hardship comes ease.

Book Review ((Denyut Kasih Medik))

This is not the common cliche malay love novel. Seriously talking, i HATE MALAY LOVE NOVELS. This book is really, beautifully written i must say. It is about the ups and downs of an HO doctor (doctor in training), Dr. As-Solihul Muslih. My o my, he's a picture of perfection. Yet in every aspect of life, his career, his iman, his looks, his deen, just every single detail about him is more than perfect. There's a saying, ((perfect guys only exist in books)) eh? Nope. I will find one (like him), and be one (like him), insyaAllah.

This book was first published in 2010, yep,my dad bought this for me as a birthday present, a long long time ago. He knew that i wanted SO MUCH to be a doctor, ever since i was 6. Ily so much dad! This book has been an inspiration for me all this while :) an elixir for me to keep on studying without hesitation&jihad fii sabilillah.

Every chapter in this book ended with a fiqh (feqah) session. Yep, truly it is a golden opportunity to increase your knowledge in Islam! I love how the story line goes, every problem that he faces, the writer somehow intertwines it with Islamic hadith. for example, when he argues about the usage of clexane (enoxaparin, to prevent blood clotting that contains pig proteins/lards) over heparin. That argument was brought up in a scene, when his patient was involved in an accident, had to undergo TKR (total knee replacement.) Knowing that his colleagues were only following the hospital protocols without the feeling of "jihad", really upsets him. Through some ups and downs and being scolded on his first day by the MOs, he had won over the argument and yay, the S/C given to muslim's patient is restricted, only with heparin.

Through this book, i knew so much about the life of a doctor, how hectic their life is, the worst part of being a doctor, the medical terms and everything. Nope, those worst part doesn't even scares me! That is a challenge to deal with and that is the "fun thing" in life :D

Thank you, Dr. Farhan Hadi, for this inspirational book.



Love always,

Pineapple Jam Tart (Resepi Tart Nenas Paling Sedap Dalam Dunia)

So, i was bored today and i decided to bake something :D my baking skills is reallyyyyy getting rusty nowadays hahahaha.

I feel like sharing the recipe. trust me in this, this recipe works fabssss!! few years ago, a very close friend of mine gave me this pineapple jam tart recipe. She told me that this recipe is currently being used by her aunt, who owns a bakery. yep, so, i gave it a try and yes it works dabomb! and yea the ingredients are also somewhat cheap and affordable :) haha this tart really reminds me of Eid-Ul-Fitr.

so, without further ado.... *drumrolls*

Ingredients for The Tart (1 serving apprx. 40 pieces):

                  Jam Tart

• 250 g buttercup (strictly use buttercup ONLY)
• 50 g fine granulated sugar OR icing sugar
• 380 g wheat flour+1 teaspoon of custard powder
• An average-sized egg 

*for the jam, it is not necessarily to be pineapple, it is totally up to you. I've just bought it from a bakery shop nearby :)
  since my fav is pineapple tart, so i've decided to make pineapple fillings for the tart.

*before baking, brush some eggyolk onto the tart to make it shine and glossy

Methods of preparation:

1) Mix everything in a stand mixer/hand mixer, step by step. (buttercup,sugar,flour and egg)
    Beat for approximately 5 minutes 'til all the ingredients are incorporated/mixed well. so, when you're
    done with that, set the mixture aside. Let it rest for aprx. 10 minutes.

2) Shape the jam into balls (they will make work easier) like this.

3) Roll out the mixture and shape it into tarts.

**i've used this to make the rolls :) you can easily buy this from any convenience store/bakery shop

4) brush the nicely-shaped tarts with egg yolk

5) Preheat oven to 180 degree celcius, and bake the tarts for 20 minutes ± (plus minus)

6) The outcomes *ta-daaaa!*

looks yummy rite? haha you're done! enjoy your tarts :)

Goals!!

damn it idk why i'm still awake. it's 2015 and it's page 1 of 365. happy new year's eve guys!

2014 has taught me a lot, really a lot.
People that you think gonna be there forever, aren't.

The new year is a great excuse to have a fresh new start.

Time for me to give up people who I've been fighting to hold on to and cherish those who has always been here, give up those who has brought me nothing but pain and self-doubt.

If you've unfortunately landed in the 'To be given up' category, I hope you have a good year and I'm sorry but what has to be done, has to be done. May the New Year bring you all the health and wealth and whatever it is that you want.



Well, let's hope for Allah's miracle! We never know what life offers, aite? So, you have to explore the whole world and regret nothing, remember to be under the guidance of Allah SWT and live life merrily <3

Dear me, stop reminiscing on the past and be a happy new me :) i promise!

so, my 2015 goals:

• International Baccalaureate
• 9A+
• Kolej MARA Banting
• Medic
• Study hard and smart
• 45 kg hehehehehehe
• never look back, what's past is past, learn from your mistake, girl!!!
• make umi&ayah proud of me, me , me, Nadia Alesa bt. Che Nordin! :D

i have to make my parents proud of me :) i know i'm not a good daughter. so much rebellious!
wake up nadia! time to change!!

someday people gonna look up at me :) i'm gonna be on top!!

i'll surely find someone Irish, a cute Irish guy and marry him!! preferably hazel,grey or green coloured eye :3

my favourite quote;

shoot for the moon, even if you miss , you'll land among the stars.