College Life : Semester 2

In the name of Allah, most gracious and most merciful, I begin my post with.

This is a live update all the way from KMKN. Basically, this is my very first time I update from the north.

Salam Maal Hijrah 1437

Assalamualaikum,

Few hours ago, we just started our new year which is in Islamic means in Malaysia. Alhamdulillah, for still being able to inhale and exhale on this awal Muharram.

One unique thing about Islamic calendar is that it did not commence with something less significant. With divine guidance, it started with the sacrifice of the early Muslims and the triumph of truth over evil. That is hijrah.

I still remember the days where I attended religious school, the part where I learned the Sirah which stands for History of Prophet. Hijrah was a journey between Makkah and Madinah, about 300 miles apart; a migration that changed the situation of the early Muslims for better. It is marked the beginning of an era, a civilization, a culture and a turning point for Muslims in history.

Basically, Hijrah as a principle that is integral to Islam, should not be relegated to a mere date; its celebration should be loud and be seen to impact positively in the lives of Muslims. Essentially, the celebration should remind us about the meaning and significance and make us to be focused on the need for absolute compliance.

The meaning of the word hijrah is often translated as “flight or migration”. It is also used to mean leaving an environment for a better environment, even though it may involve some difficulties. In this context, Allah says: “And lot believed him. [Abraham] said, “indeed, I will emigrate to [the service of] my lord.

Apart from the pomp and festivity of celebrating either the new Hijri year or the Ashurah day, even if we have to argue that there was no foundation  or evidence for its celebration, it is a time for reflection, a time for sacrifice and a time and opportunity to change from bad deeds and move to acts that will earn the pleasure of Allah.

Well, let's just pray for the best this year would be much more better than the last Hijri. Since I've returned to Kuala Lumpur, I managed to gain back my sort of positive vibes and motivation. I was at the deepest and at the lowest point during my first semester, and I had less motivation during that moment. But now, I am all ready for the next semester. This year taught me to become more matured in order to solve complex problems and stuffs and alhamdulillah I managed to face it!

Remember the last post where I exaggerated that I screwed up my exam? Alhamdulillah, HEP just announced that our results were good and wow 4.0 are everywhere! (and he was indeed happy too according to what the students said). Alhamdulillah, only Allah knows how happy I was the moment I received the news. So, I'm looking forward to much more challenging Semester 2, Insya Allah.

{Indeed with the difficulty there is an ease. Indeed with the difficulty there is an ease.} (Ash-Sharh 94:5-6)  

Road Back to Allah

In the name of Allah, most gracious and most merciful, I begin my post with.

As it may sound cliche and most people do, I will turn to back to Allah during the hardships of my life. When times are indeed happy and life seems to be so good, no one feels obliged to turn towards His Deen .It's all about living the moment.

Why am I writing this? Something came up to me last morning. I lost something valuable, which was not really extremely valuable but it can cost me a fast food. Since I am the type of person who is hard-to-let-go kind of girl, of course it was a challenging day for me to accept.

I kept looking in my pocket, bag, wardrobe and everywhere but it was gone. I remembered very well I placed in my pocket and probably I accidentally lost it somewhere in the mall. 

I came back home with a full tensed written on my face, freaked out and felt like I just lost my daughter. Though it's just a some amount of money. So there I sat, in silence and istighfar. Silence is overwhelmingly loud when you gather your chaotic thoughts, I whispered to myself. How did this happen? What if I didn't bring the money along? It wouldn't happened this way.

Maybe it is kind of reminder from Allah. Maybe Allah misses me. Maybe Allah wants to reconnect with me. I nod my head.

I remembered before my finals, I will recite Yassin everyday, practice solat hajat and so on. But when I came home, I seems to be left everything in college. Sometimes I even left my prayer times at home. Astagfirullahalazim. Then I started to realized my mistakes. During that time, I knew Allah still loves me. I mean, relationship with Allah it's not when you're having a crucial occasion, but actually you need to connect with Allah till the rest of your life. Whether it is during hardship or good times, always run back to Allah. Our creator.

Often, the things you brought you happiness are the cause of your pain and emptiness. It was bad for us, we just couldn't see until it cut into pieces. The heartaches of this world are here to remind us what we should never have attached our hearts than anything to anything other than The Creator than the first place. We search for someone who will understand and ease our pains, we cling to the creation in desperation.

Allah has told us that He is the Best Planners. Sometimes things aren't meant for us right now, their pieces don't fit. Eventually, it will fall into places. One by one, like a jigsaw.

“and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.”

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:216)

Not to worry my dear, Mira. You'll gain a better reward, Insya Allah.

Life in KMKN

Hello earthlings! It's been a while since I updated my blog and currently, I'm in the state of missing my life as a blogger. Since my college life was quite hectic *as for me*, I've never had an opportunity to update even a single thing about my college life. Even if I have a free time, I would spend myself with books and trying my best to catch up those academic concepts.

I know some of my friends, or probably most of my batch mate think that college life is fun and you can all yada yada to back and fourth. It is undeniable that I had the time of my life here, managed to gain some new friends from all over the Malaysia especially Sarawakians, and thank Allah my lecturers are super nice too. Feels like I'm still SMK student though, not a college students haha.

Deary classmates

But in the midst of journey, I've been through numerous of obstacles. Sometimes I feel like giving up along the journey. You can imagine if you were in my shoes, you've tried so hard in your studies, attempted all the questions, study everyday, but it's just your desires are not just that simple to achieve. Alhamdulillah, I've managed to score my tests recently but rather somehow I don't have that kinda high level of confidence to score well in my finals.

It's just I can't barely even set a good target for finals. Overall, I can answered my finals except I think I screwed up one paper. It's just a bad feeling when most of your friends are able to do well in examinations and they are just simply effortless. I know some of my friends who likes to hang up on the phone till midnight but still can score well in tests etc. 

Ze roomate

I would usually fill up my days will full of anxiety and sometimes I could almost depress in whatever I do. I would eagerly study when everyone is sleeping during the evening, cause I'm know I ain't that genius. I need to work hard to be establish as anyone could. I've known my standing. It's just I need to work hard, and patience.

Being a student who is bonded to MARA sponsorship is not an easy task I would say. Everybody has a super damn high expectations on you. Even at times, I think I just misfit in KMKN. 

But then I've realised, I know Allah is watching over me. I know Allah saw my efforts. I know Allah is fair. And I almost forget the formula of DUIT that stands for doa, usaha, ikhtiar and tawakal. Doa, usaha and ikhtiar are my usual routines but I tend to forget tawakal. Reliance on Allah. 

Dear Najwa Amira,

I know life in KMKN has been hard for you,

You even think that you've misfit in the institution,

But you need to strongly believe in Allah's wisdom.

Allah tahu yang terbaik untuk hambanya,
Barangkali kau mempersoalkan kemampuan kau,
Mungkin kau tak segeliga kawan-kawan kau,
Mungkin selama ni kau skor sebab kau bernasib baik,
Mungkin kau rasa kau tak bijak,
Tetapi yakinlah dengan qada' dan qadar Allah.
Allah tempatkan kau di sana,
Yakinlah tempat kau di kolej.
Sebab Allah tahu kau boleh melakukannya.

Ingat Allah, Mira.
Kembali kepada Allah.
Have a srong faith in Allah's wisdom.
Allah sedang menguji kau.
Allah uji kau sikit je.
Dengan segala nikmat dan kemewahan yang kau dapat,
Takkan kau nak mengeluh dengan ujian yang seciput tu?

Mana Mira dahulu yang tak pernah kenal erti putus asa?
Penat lelah?
Mana Najwa Amira yang dahulu?
Come back Najwa Amira.
Be positive and have reliance on Allah.

Najwa Amira,

Do you remember what your best friend told you before you entered KMKN?

"Najwa, kat sana nanti awak jangan fokus sangat kena compete dengan budak-budak MRSM/SBP semua tu. Apa yang penting, awak fikirkan untuk buat yang terbaik. Insya Allah Allah akan nampak usaha awak. Kalau tak awak akan rasa down" - Debator friend

Memang kita cepat down pun. Need to bear in my mind your advice, Izzati. Whatever happens, you've done your job Mira. Biar Allah pula lakukan tugasNya. May I remain in college till I complete my foundation. Amin.

What is Beauty is All About?

Assalamualaikum to my lovely readers.

This a post for me, and for girls who are currently searching the 'beauty' of themselves.

As we are living in this so-called society, I am tad bid confused about something. Something that should be simple. Something that you should have made clearer, instead of sending millions of other people like me on a wild goose chase in search of truth. What are we exactly searching for? Let me put it simply ; we are searching for what exactly beauty is, because the ways you define it are very obscure. As if you've drawn out a map for us, in invisible ink and in foreign language that only those in the inner most circle understand.

The way society seem to define what beauty for women is, you need to be slim, blemish free, your breast and buttocks need to be big yet proportional, your hair needs to be impeccable and any imperfections need to be done away with cosmetic procedures. Now although your view of society has been mapped out it's a challenge to take the first step. The first step is hard to take, because we can't decide where our foot goes. We use magazines, news, Hollywood and the media as our compass. They all lead us around circles, because they can't even decide what they want.

The others who think they know what's in 'style' or 'fashionable', and we're also left with one question. Who has the right to judge other person, for what they look? When question is hung over us, like a mistletoe, we can't help but kiss each other butts under it. One person like some else dress, and suddenly it's a fashion statement or trend. Fashion seems to be creating an army, an army of society's beauties.

But what about rest of us, where do we stand in the war of beauty? We're fighting everyday on the front lines, just trying to survive. Our weapons of choices are kindness, optimism and love. We pour water on the robots, so their makeup washes off and the fake shell they live in explodes. Society is your army is filled with the millions who left behind, and have no where to go but with flow. As for our army, we're all here by choices. We could have been brainwashed by you, but we escaped that fate. We made our own path, one that hasn't been walked on by everybody else.

Everyone draws their own path, you don't have to go to a certain way to get to your destination. Everyone picks up their own marker, and draws the line they choose to follow. Girls or women, we are so beautiful. More simply saying, bring it on!

To be beautiful is to be yourself. You don't need to be accepted by the others. You need to accept YOURSELF.

xoxo,

Mirano Mira.

Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar : Beauty Tips

Vinegar is a wonderful, and inexpensive which is an addition to your beauty regimen. Vinegar can help restore the natural acidity of your skin, which may clear up skin problems such as dryness, itching, flaking, and acne. Not only works well on skin, but is also a hidden gem that beautifies your hair and body. Since vinegar is rich in antioxidants, it fight againts free radicals that accelerate aging process. It also soothes and disinfects thanks to it anti-bacterial properties. 

I've been actually tried this since I was young, and this miracle solution actually works well for me. Apple cider vinegar is usually head-to-toe beauty cure for all. I have provide several solutions for you, as you can stay beautiful without a fortune.

Face Wash 
Mix one part apple cider vinegar with three parts water for a simple, but nourishing face wash. The vinegar wash will help restore your skin’s pHlevel and normalize your sebum production. This means less breakouts, oily skin and reduces the chance of infections. After washing, don’t forget to moisturize with your favourite moisturizer.

Conditioning Hair 
If you want to restore your hair pH level without using any chemical, try to rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar (diluted with few parts of water) after shampoo. I always try this routine, and it is able to make my hair shiny and moisturize. Well, it doesn't smell as much you expect and your locks will definitely be shiny and strong in no time!

Deodorant
Dab a small amount of vinegar under your arms and go! The smell will be a little bit strong at first, but it will vanish once it soaks into your skin.

Whiter Teeth
You can use vinegar diluted with water as a mouth rinse to kill bacteria. You can also brush your teeth with mixture of vinegar and baking soda. These ingredients will not only whiten your smile, but it will also combat tartar buildup. Voila, it's a complete oral hygiene!

You can try these methods. You'll be surprise with those benefits.

xoxo,
Mirano Mira.

Zoo Volunteer 2014

Assalamualaikum my dear readers,

Ya ya. Aku memang dah lama sangat tak update blog. SANGAT LAMA OKAY. Atas sebab tertentu, kekangan masa dan sebagainya, memang aku tak aktif sangat nak berblogging kalau nak dibandingkan waktu aku umur 12 tahun dulu. Hehe. Nak pula lagi beberapa minggu sedang menghitung hari piano exam aku dah dekat. Trial pun akan menjelang tak lama lagi. Jadi, jadual aku memang terlalu padat tahun ni. Yes, budak besar lah katakan -___-

So anyways, pada tanggal 10 Jun 2014, aku dan budak-budak Melawati volunteer kat Zoo Negara. Satu pengalaman yang cukup manis, baharu, dan sangat berguna kepada aku dan rakan-rakanku.

Kumpulan kesayanganku!

Kumpulan aku dapat Bird Aviary, maknanya kena cuci kat tempat burung lah. Pertama kali aku pegang pencakar untuk membersihkan tempat burung. Hehe. Memang syokla. Cubit-cubit roti untuk makanan burung. Bagi flamingo makan ikan yang fresh gituu! Group lain ada yang cuci tempat harimau, kerbau, akuarium, dan sebagainya. Penat, tapi memang berbaloi!

Cubit roti!

Kalau korang tak ada buat apa-apa waktu cuti, aku highly recommended korang pergi volunteer kat Zoo Negara! Nanti akan dapat sijil. Lagipun, volunteer ni kira value added untuk resume kita bila nak apply scholarship/kerja nanti.

Memang banyak yang aku dapat belajar dari volunteer ni. Aku dapat belajar, betapa susahnya orang yang selalunya kita pandang sebelah mata iaitu penyapu sampah, dalam menjalankan tugas. Kami sapu dedaun kering 7 orang pun, Ya Allah memang cabaran. Bila dah sapu je, ada je dedaun nak gugur balik. Itu tak sapu 'kandang' burung Emo lagi. Dengan pasir bagai. 

Daripada situ, kami dapat belajar betapa susahnya orang nak cari duit demi sesuap nasi. Ingat kerja sapu sampah tu simple ke? Kalau orang yang kerja zoo pula, banyak betul tugas yang perlu dipikul. Nak cubit roti 7 orang pun makan masa. Apatah lagi kalau seorang je yang bertugas untuk cubit roti?

Serious, kalau diberi peluang lepas SPM ke nanti, aku nak pergi volunteer kat Zoo Negara!