WHY AM I STILL BLOGGING?

I am a late bloomer when it comes to blogging and when I finally got to it, blogging was no longer all the rage. In fact, it is now considered as passé. So why am I still blogging? Why am I still holding on to something that is almost outmoded and outdated? Why can't I simply use Twitter or facebook? Nobody reads my blog anyway so why don't I just quit? The reason is simple. I am not the type of person who can give my opinion in fifteen words or less. I am not good at summarising my thoughts and ideas. I love lengthy detailed sentences. I am of the older generation and I will never be the always-on-the-go type which usually typifies the younger generation. Blogging enables me to touch on a topic or a subject at a deeper level (there's nothing deep about the things I write actually but I like to think that I put some thought into them before they are published). I have lost my spontaneity (which I doubt I will ever regain) and that's why I prefer to voice my feelings in my blog instead of putting them out for the whole world to see on facebook or Twitter. I know a few friends who have put their blogging to rest and a few others who are taking an indefinite hiatus. Blogging can be quite frustrating if you know that nobody is reading your blog but I have always considered my blog as a diary in which I can jot down anything I like about the happenings in my life (which do not amount to much actually). Of course, I don't write about very personal things. Certain things are better kept to oneself and I am not ready (I guess I'll never be) to share that part with the rest of the world yet. Blogging can be quite time-consuming and a lot of times, you run out of ideas. Not everyone is born to be a writer and not many can keep their creative juices flowing . That is why many bloggers choose to limit their subject matter and focus on one specific area. At the same time, there are many unique blogs which have attracted loyal followers from all over the world. These bloggers have created inimitable identities and styles for their blogs. They have readers who give them constructive comments and sometimes, even financial support to keep on blogging. At the moment, I am not even sure how long I will keep on putting my thoughts in this blog. I hope it will not suffer an untimely death since I intend to bore (to death) anybody who comes for a visit. I'm sure one of these days, this blog is going to die but I do hope it is not going to happen soon.

GETTING TO HAPPY 2

I wrote way back in March about Terry McMillan's new novel 'Getting To Happy' and I was super excited (I almost peed in my pants) to get a glimpse of the cover. I simply love it and I can definitely tell who's who. Gloria is the one in baby blue. Robin is in pink. Bernadine is wearing the lavender dress. And Savannah is in canary yellow. I must have read Waiting To Exhale about a thousand times now and I can hardly wait to know what these ladies' lives have been like for the past 15 years. I'm not sure if this sequel is going to be as good as 'Waiting To Exhale' but I can hope, can't I? After all, life is partly about our journey towards happiness and contentment. Nothing stays the same and nothing can be perfect forever.

WELCOME BACK RAMADHAN

InsyaAllah, Ramadhan 1431H will start on Wednesday and I sincerely hope all of us who are observing this month will be in good health. Amid the excitement of welcoming this blessed month, let's not forget that there are others who might not be as fortunate as we are. Therefore, let's not be wasteful, indulgent and extravagant. Let's make this month a time for us to cleanse and purify our bodies, hearts, minds and souls. Let's practise moderation, patience and self-control. Let's have a truly meaningful Ramadhan.


p/s This is the link to the official Ramadhan timetable for Malaysia which can be downloaded and printed for our convenience.
http://www.islam.gov.my/portal/puasa10.php

AL-FATIHAH

I had just returned from town when I received a phone call from an ex-schoolmate informing me that Firdaus Yusoff, one of our friends from high school, had passed away. I knew that he was hospitalised but this was a real shock. Firdaus Yusoff or Oz, as he was fondly known, was a jovial person and was my classmate. We were never really close when we were in high school since he was a 'rocker' and I was not one. Our class had a lot of 'colourful' characters and he was one of them (I only found my 'true colours' after I left school). He also liked to tease me (and another friend, Gush) a lot! He had always been interested in music and music was in his life until he was hospitalised. His first (official) public performance was during our school's Silver Jubilee celebration back in 1982. I might be wrong here but that was the first time I saw him playing. After our public examination, all of us went our own ways and Oz went to one of the public higher learning institutes to further his studies (and played music on the side). Then, his music took over. That was the beginning of his foray into music and he stood by his music till the end. The last time we met was somewhere in Central Market when he was still busking. Through facebook, I managed to get back in touch with a few of my ex-school chums including him. I found out that he was working in Langkawi and from his pictures, he looked truly happy. Now, Oz is gone but the high school memories will always remain. Al-Fatihah.