.....INSPIRING HADITH.....

ABU HURAIRAH R.A. NARRATES RASULULLAH PBUH SAID:

"FOR EVERY MISFORTUNE, ILLNESS, ANXIETY, GRIEF OR HURT THAT AFFLICTS A MUSLIM - EVEN THE HURT CAUSED BY THE PRICKING OF A THORN - ALLAH REMOVES SOME OF HIS SINS."

.....JUST SHARING # 6.....

.....JUST SHARING # 5.....

.....JUST SHARING # 4.....

.....JUST SHARING # 3 .....

MY 'WHEELS' THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.....

JG 3726 (1970-1980)

JAF 4352 (1980-1983)

NM 7733 (1983-1986)

JBK 6376 (1986-1996)

JEE 9649 (1996-2004)

JHL 2551 (2004-2012)

.....JUST SHARING # 2 .....

SOLDIER AND DOG, BOUND IN LIFE AND DEATH.....

London: Liam and Theo were a team, fast friends doing a dangerous job - searching out roadside bombs laid by insurgents in Afghanistan. The British soldier and his irrepressible dog worked and played together for months, and died on the same day. On Thursday, they came home, flown back to Britain in a sombre repatriation ceremony for the soldier, remembered for his empathy with his animals and the companion he loved.

Lance Corporal Liam Tusker, a dog handler with the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, was killed in a fire-fight with insurgents in Helmand province on March 1 as he searched for explosives with Theo, a bomb sniffing springer spaniel mix. The dog suffered a fatal seizure hours later at a British army base, likely brought about by stress. Military officials won't go as far as to say Theo died of a broken heart, but that may not be far from the truth. "I think we often underestimate the grieving process in dogs," said Elaine Pendlebury, a senior veterinarian with animal charity PDSA. Some dogs react very severely to their partner's loss." She said it was not uncommon for pets to respond to their owners death by refusing food and becoming sick, and the bond between working dogs and their handlers is especially close. "The bonding that I have seen between soldiers or police and their dogs is fantastic. When you see them working together, it's really one unit."

A military Hercules plane carrying Tasker's body and Theo's ashes touched down on Thursday at an air force base in Southwest England. As the funeral cortege drove slowly away, it was saluted by a long line of military dog handlers, with their dogs at their sides. At the nearby town of Wootten Basset, where people line the streets in a mark of respect each time a dead soldier is repatriated, dozens stood silently - some with dogs at their feet - as Tasker's friends and family laid roses atop the hearse. The Defence Ministry said that Theo's ashes would be presented to Tasker's family later at a private ceremony.

Tasker, 26, from Kirkcaldy in Scotland, spent six years as an army mechanic before joining the military working dog unit in 2007. "I love my job and working together with Theo," Tasker said in a profile of the pair released by the ministry before his death. "He has agreat character and never tires. He can't wait to get out and do his job and will stop at nothing."

The soldier and the 22 month-old dog had been in Afghanistan for almost six months, uncovering roadside bombs and weapons in a dangerously daily routine. Theo became a bit of a military celebrity last month after the defence ministry released photos and video of him and Tasker to highlight the life-saving work of military dogs. The footage, now deeply poignant, shows Theo - energetic, ears cocked, tail wagging - alongside Tasker searching a compound for explosives.

Tasker's mother, Jane Duffy, said: "I'm not a nurse or a vet, but I would like to believe that Theo died of a broken heart to be with Liam."

P.S. This extremely touching real-life story is a very clear example of "eternal, everlasting and undying love".

.....SYUKUR ALHAMDULILLAH - Friday 11.05.2012.....

          Syukur for everything that He's bestowed upon me...good or bad, gigantic or puny.
          Syukur for each and every dawning of a brand new day.
          Syukur for every tick and beat of my heart and.....
          Syukur for the continued functioning of my bodily parts, particularly, my thinking faculty.
          Syukur Alhamdulillah.....
Amin, Amin, Ya Rabbal Alamin.....

.....PIECES OF JULY by MSA.....

This is my vision of tall pine trees
in the moist and serene morn:
'tis when the leaves whisper in the breeze
in happiness or in forlorn;
shadows cast'd upon gentle hills
reaching vales so silent, cool and still.

I stand here amidst the velvet grass
with white clouds so high above:
but would I see this one world so vast,
if not through the gift of love;
mirthful joy, these are my only friends
when tears are without a seeming end.

I feel the earth that's under my feet,
smell the air after a storm:
tasted fruits so bitter and yet sweet,
watch pearly dews in the morn;
and I feel now as I touch a hand
the warmth of life beautifully grand.


(A humble gift for your birthday, 04.08.73 from M.S.A.)

.....JUST SHARING # 1.....

What is the best we can do
for our friends?
We can offer our time,
our trust, our compassion.
We can be shoulders to cry on,
hands to hold,
ears to listen.
But most of all,
we can be mirrors
affirming our virtues
our friends may have forgotten
in themselves.

- Ellen Erlanger -

.....My month long hospital stay.....

          This 'unfortunate event' occurred when I was in Form 3. I had fallen very ill and had to spend some time in the Johor Bahru General Hospital. It was towards the middle of April 1965, that I started to have frequent headaches and I felt very, very uncomfortable, especially when I returned home from school in the afternoons. I honestly did not know what was happening to me or what malady had started to strike me. I did not tell my parents about my discomfort for fear that they would worry. But the afternoon of April 23rd saw a striking change in me, which triggered quite an alarm among my family members. My whole body had become swollen and puffed up and on the advice of my father's colleagues, I was admitted to the Johor Bahru General Hospital for treatment. Incidently, my father was not around then, because he had gone to Taiping, Perak to attend a course. April 24th 1965 saw me being warded in a hospital, for the very first time, and my stay there was to last one solid month.

          The doctors had diagnosed a kidney ailment and it was quite serious. I did not know it then, but my condition caused much concern among the doctors who treated me, and of course my family. I was only fifteen years at that time and I thought I was suffering from just an ordinary disease. Come to think of it, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay in hospital because I had many visitors, made many new friends and the medical staff were very kind and friendly towards me.

          My diet, during my hospitalization, was watched very, very closely. From the moment I stepped into the hospital, I had to say goodbye to normal food. I was only given toast and tea for breakfast and rice and jam (believe it or not!) for lunch and dinner, for that whole month. I was directed to drink lots and lots of barley water daily, and my dearest mother never failed to bring the supply from home. She had faithfully boiled the barley seeds for me, and she also came to visit me everyday, without fail. Incidently, my mother was three months pregnant with my youngest sibling, Rodziah then. Dearest, dearest mother.....what a horrific time you went through, having to walk from the bus stop along the sea front, up to where the Officers' Ward was situated, daily. The route was uphill all the way and I was sure she was exhausted all the time. BUT I never heard her complain, not even once. She never failed to bring the things that I had wanted, like my school books, story books, my transistor radio and also the British Pop Magazines, which I loved to read then. Mak, thank you for all the sacrifices that you had made for me.

          During my stay in hospital, I had to undergo a lot of medical tests, like the ECG, blood tests, x-rays and also the urine tests, which were done daily. I could not cheat on my food intake for they would definitely find out. Once I could not resist my temptation and consumed some chocolates, and on the very next day, the doctor reprimanded me severely. I was also made a case study for the medical students. The discussion sessions were done during the night and at the end of them all, I would feel very exhausted indeed.

          After my discharge, I still had to watch my diet. I could resume eating my normal food but everything had to be 'salt-free', for quite some time. I also had to go for follow-up examinations, initially once a month and later once in three months till the end of the year. My month long stay at the Officers' Ward, General Hospital Johor Bahru certainly holds bitter sweet memories..... till this very day.

.....School Days.....The Best Days (Part 3).....

           When I attended Form 6 at the Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar (English College), Johor Bahru, my world opened up a little more. For the first time ever, I attended a Co-Ed school and it was really fun. I spent 1968 and 1969 at the MSAB and it was only then that I started to have boys as my friends.I suppose at that age also, we would develop an interest for the opposite sex - not so much for anything serious, but only to look at and admire in silence. Yours truly particularly, admired an Indian prefect, who was really good looking. He was the product of a mixed marriage between an Indian father and a Chinese mother. He was the brother of one of my schoolmates in SIGS. Anyhow, I just loved to watch him. He always looked smart, charming and presentable and his 'physique' was something else! He was a sportsman and excelled in athletics. He excelled in his studies too and had chosen Dental Surgery as his profession.

          I had a good time during my two years in Form 6. I suppose I was more sociable and less reserved and where studies were concerned, I really looked forward to my General Paper classes. I reckon I did okay, because every time before lessons began, my English essays were read out to the class, practically every week. I really felt proud and happy.

          Another unforgettable memory of mine revolved around my 'floral arrangement masterpieces'. I used to bring flowers from home (my mother really had 'green fingers', incidently) and my special masterpieces occupied a special corner on the teacher's table. Compliments on this score were also abundant.

          Honestly speaking, school days were the best days of my life.....

.....Allahyarhamah Nor Farizah Binti Mohd Nor (06.05.1965 - 13.04.2012).....

In ever loving memory, Allahyarhamah Mn Fija, a warm and gentle lady, a good friend and a loving wife and mother. She would've turned 47 years old today (Sunday, 06.05.2012). AL-FATIHAH.....

.....My Love Affair With The Radio.....

         
          During the '60s, that is the time I spent in Secondary School, the pop music scene was very much the 'IN" phenomenon. I enjoyed listening to music of practically all the pop groups and also the solo singers. My little transistor radio was my constant companion and as a means of overcoming my 'extreme loneliness' at home, I uesd to correspond with practically all the disc jockeys and radio announcers over Radio Malaysia and Radio Singapore. I used to request for songs and also participated in radio quizzes. My name became a household moniker among the other ardent radio fans, and my love for the radio stuck on with me right up to my days in the University. It was no surprise when I was dubbed the 'Transistor Girl' by my pals in campus, because everywhere I went, my transistor radio came along with me - right up into the lecture hall.
          
          My Love Affair with the Radio continued on throughout my working years, right up until this very day, when I'm enjoying my retirement years. Now and again, you can still hear the name 'Hasnah Rahimah Rahim' being mentioned on air, particularly over Brian Richmond's "Vintage Sundays" Radio Show, over Singapore's favourite radio station, GOLD 90 FM. Long Live my best buddy forever, the Radio!

.....FRIENDS by Alexandra Ginty.....

I was given a beautiful card that read:

“The Purpose of Life is a Life of purpose”

Now I live on this side of cancer, liking the strength and authenticity it changed, in fact seeing a difference in my eyes in photos after cancer – a new spirit…

This poem was written as I discovered that gift of friends

Friends

When cancer hits a deadly blow

And fighting so hard is where you must go

Colleagues come from far and wide

To offer help and be by my side

Surgeon, doctor, nurse or friend

Skill of the knife or listening ear lend

Giving their talents is all they can do

Making the journey is all up to you

The sickness and pain is so hard to bear

But around every corner my friends are all there

To cheer me on like the crowd of a race

And pull me on to keep up the pace

Every stride, every minute moves to the past

Through chemo and surgery and on to the last

But last is a hard one as all of you know

A living uncertainty time only will show

When asked what I learned most of all I can tell

Was friendship of colleagues to help me get well

You never can see till its taken away

How much of you loves to help people each day

Returning to hugs  a patient tells me

That we all have a path and how big mine will be.

.....School Days.....The Best Days (Part 2).....

         

          My secondary school days began in 1963, i.e. after I got pretty good results in my Std 6 Examination. I was struck with fever during the exams and on the last day, I was told that I had contracted chicken pox. Thank God, I had managed to complete my exams despite the hitch.

          My teachers in the Sultan Ibrahim Secondary Girls' School were: Form 1 (Mrs Lily Kwan); Form 2 (Mrs Gladys Yap); Form 3 (Mrs Sudhakaran); Form 4 (Miss Shirley Howe) and Form 5 (Miss Juliet Tan). My secondary school years were simply awesome. Besides lessons I had made an effort to participate in games and extra-curricular activities. Despite the distance between my home and school, which was about eight miles, I managed to attend activities which were held after school hours and during the weekends. I tried my hand at playing softball and tennis, and I also joined the Land Rangers plus several societies.

          During my secondary school years, my school was very much into fund-raising. We had to raise money to build our school hall and also to purchase instruments for our school band, which was formed a year after I left that wonderful school. Some of the activities held were fun-fairs, jumble sales and also musical concerts. My classmates and I organized two concerts and our guest artistes were the 'in' singers of that time, namely the 'penyanyi-penyanyi pop yeh yeh angkatan '60an. We rubbed shoulders with Jeffridin and The Siglap 5, A. Ramli and The Rhythm Boys and A. Rahman Hassan and The Nirwana. We had a marvellous time indeed, and the best part of all was that I was chosen to be the Emcee for both concerts. It really is hard to imagine how the 'quiet and reserved' Hasnah could become alive and vibrant on stage. Anyway, all the students did a wonderful job and we managed to collect quite a big sum of money to contribute towards the school building fund.

             We climb the same slope

Head for a commom peak

We share the same hope

As we set out to seek

Those steep ways, those straight ways

That we travelled through together 

Those steep ways, those straight ways

Binded us in our endeavour

Those sweet days

Those school days

A feeling we can't repress

Our school made us a success.

         

 (Beautiful and nostalgic memories have come rushing back.....Those were the days, indeed!)

.....School Days.....The Best Days (Part 1).....

     
   
          At a very young and tender age, I had already wanted so much to go to school. I kept on pestering my father to let me go to school and since there were no pre-school classes then, he sent me to a private school, known as Union School, which was situated at the present day Jalan Bukit Meldrum, Johor Bahru. That was in 1956. My class comprised students of all ages, even teenagers! I can only recall the name of my closest classmate, i.e. Laily. I had a wonderful time during that one year, and each day without fail, I was sent to school in a private vehicle, driven by an old Indian man. He fetched me home too, in the afternoons.
       
          Even before I went to school, I had learnt to read. My father was my teacher. He would purchase simple storybooks for me and we would read them together. Another daily activity which I can recall was when I would ask either my father or my uncle to read the newspaper headlines for me. I also loved to read the cartoon pages and the "Wak Tempeh and Dol Keropok" stories never failed to tickle my funny bones.I had cultivated a love for reading very early indeed, and this interest certainly paid dividends as the years went by.

          My schooling proper commenced in 1957 when I was admitted into the Sultan Ibrahim Primary Girls' School. My primary school teachers were as follows: Std 1 (Cik Fatimah Abdullah); Std 2 (Y.M. Tengku Esah Bte Tengku Abu Bakar); Std 3 (Mrs Selvarajah); Std 4 (Miss Murugesu); Std 5 (Mrs Chelliah) and Std 6 (Mrs Teoh).My progress in primary school was excellent except for a short spell in late Std 3 and early Std 4. I had become short-sighted then, and my studies were affected. However, I was too scared to reveal my condition to my parents. It was only when my teacher (Miss Murugesu) told my father about it, that I got my eyes examined and true enough, I had to wear glasses.

          It was a fact that I had grown up as an extremely quiet person. This was the comment that had appeared frequently in my Report Books. My teachers usually wrote this remark "A very hardworking pupil, but she is too quiet. She should mix and speak more in class." I did try to improve and socialize more, but the adjectives "quiet" and "reserved" still stuck with me as I moved on to secondary school.

.....TOWER TALL - in memory of the late NND.....

TOWER TALL - in memory of NND

I gave my love a diamond, whisper slow

I made my love a promise, tower tall

I said one day, just wait

I'll buy the world for you

One day you'll see my promise will come true.

She looked down at the diamond, whisper slow

And said it sparkles brighter than them all

She said I'll need no more

as long as I may live

You gave me love

What greater gift can anyone give?

And so I made a promise, in reply

A vow that I will honour

till I die

The vow I have for you

maybe the whisper slow

My love will be forever tower tall.....

.....My Early Childhood Memories.....

     

          My earliest memory, I should think, was the birth of my sister, Roseana. I was only two years three months old then, but I can still recall the time when my mother had her labour pains in a pirate taxi.Yes, we did not have a fixed abode then, and had to seek shelter from one relative's house to another. It was really a sad state of affairs, and for Ana's birth, my grandaunt, the late Tok Chik Bee, offered us shelter in her 'hut' at Kg Sekolah Arab, Johor Bahru. We had barely arrived when my mother gave birth to Ana, at around dusk on 21.11.1951. I was too young to understand it then, but my parents really had a tough time in their early years of marriage. My father was only a Hospital Attendant at that time, but through his perseverance and hard work, he managed to secure the post of Hospital Assistant in 1952, I reckon.


          My next memory was that of our stay at the Hospital Permai Barracks and Quarters from 1952 onwards. Sometime in late 1953, we (my father, mother, Ana and another sister, Rohaya, born on 29.07.1953 and I) shifted to a brand new Quarters at 1902, Hospital Permai Qrs. It was a big and beautiful house. There were four bedrooms, a spacious hall, a dining room, kitchen, two bathrooms plus lush surroundings where we kids would romp around. In this house, the rest of my siblings were born - Razak (25.04.1956), Rozah (28.08.1957), Rashidah (19.10.1959), Ramlah @ Nina (02.03.1961), Rosnita (21.01.1962) and Rodziah (12.10.1965).

          Our neighbourhood was a very quiet and deserted one. We had very few neighbours. Therefore, most of the time, we only had each other for company. It's not surprising then, that practically all the Rahim progeny grew up into quiet , reserved and shy adolescents. I guess it was only when we embarked on our tertiary education that we opened up more to others.