It is not a weakness to fall in love. I see it as strength. Weakness is the need to control for without that control, you are vulnerable and insecure. To love is to be willing to sacrifice a part of you for something or someone else. A part of you meaning time, energy or even thoughts. To add an additional and unnecessary emotions to oneself. You are perfectly able to live on your own. Replacing needs with the existence of pets, people and creativity. But to fill that gap with a person takes deep courage. To let yourself choose another person is risky. I'm a coward. I have been disappointed before. And am very reluctant to experience another relationship. To be vulnerable to another promise. To gamble another future. But maybe, it's time to be a bit more brave.

Congregational

Congregational Prayers. Solat ajjamaah. As Muslims we are asked to pray 5 times a day. If you combine them all together it could take less than 30 minutes. Like Yoga, just faster and easier. The act itself is easy; IF you take laziness, tiredness, time and discipline OUT of the equation. But you're human. You're bound to feel the pressure of at least one if the things mentioned above. Well at least i do. I feel the pressure. Some days more than the others. Some days performing prayers are so hard. There are things need to be done, or i have been so physically mentally and emotionally tired that i FEEL the burden of prayers. Yet there are days when all i want to do is to be in my wudu' and do a marathon of prayers. Well, that's the chapter of imān and that's for a different time. Anyway, during those lazy period, i am glad for solat ajjamaah/congregational prayers. Praying together forces me to keep my prayers on track. My parents impose certain solat ajjamaah on us at home . Growing up, i used to hate it so much. Because my father would take his time reading each surah and ayah when i know he can read them at a faster speed -i sometimes observe him praying on his own. Then of course, the lengthy duas afterwards. If i pray on my own, after the last salam, i would stand up and recite my duas WHILE folding the prayer mats and taking off my attire. But as i grow older, i tend to appreciate it very much. Mainly for 3 things. 1. I realize that my surah recitation is heavily influenced by my father -though not nearly as good. 2. My mother pinpoints my mistakes in my salah rituals -like she does everything else. 3. It's 27 times better than doing it alone. My parents impose the congregational prayers at home to lead by example. Though the school taught us how to pray and what to read, seeing my parents performing prayers together gave me a deeper understanding of the matter. Most of my friends nowadays are now married with babies. I don't mean to sound preachy but i implore that you too impose salah aljamaah at home. Even if it's just once a day. Or once a week. It'll be good in the long run. For you, your children and the society. I promise you, it won't be easy. But it will be worth it. InshaAllah.

Didn't know it was time to say goodbye Didn't know it was deep till i start to cry If it's true why must wonder why Must be true cuz it makes me fly so high...

The rock

That rock by the sea just stood there With each passing tide eroded That rock by the sea just stood there that rock by the sea gone forever

I never fit into the mold That odd piece of puzzle The tall one in the picture The only girl in class I took the road well travelled Yet arrived at a different destination I seemed like a lost butterfly But I feel at home wherever I stood I glorify my personal preference Not affected by my peers Rely heavily on traditions But I'm known to break barriers Thrown into the ocean Struggling to stay in rivers I swim against the flow Floating among the divers

Tribute to MH17 & MH 307

For it is never lost For it is never gone A black ribbon does not seal a fate A half raised flag can still mean hope A sincere prayer is never ignored A mourning displays affection We are the kite In the sky we love The soaring kite Flying above Bringing with us Our beautiful culture Connecting the world Introducing our nature Against the odds We strive through our mission Believing in God, Skills, and determination. To our missing sisters, Whom we lost but are not forgotten, One in hiding but we're still seeking, Both currently not in sight But neither are gone from our minds. For nothing is gone Until it's forgotten Alive in our hearts You will be remembered

Can't you see this picture? This picture that I'm painting? So loud and vivid now With all the colours I'm using, Come and look at my drawing Not just the strokes I'm making If all you see is blue, Is it the sky or the sea? When all you see is green, It's impossible to see the tree, If all you see is red, It's hard to smell the flowers, When all you see is black, You won't catch the running horses. So please take a step back, Stop looking oh too closely, And maybe you can see This beautiful simple scenery And finally understand, The meaning of my story. -Maha.