Black Diamond

Assalamualaikum

The break is over! NOOO! Back to reality baby! No more waking up late. No more brunches and dinners and gossips. Oh no!

One of the highlights of my break..or wait..one of the highlights of 2013 is…. I did it! I told you I’m going to challenge myself to ski down the Black Diamond slope..and that’s what I did! Alhamdulillah. It was crazy! Surprisingly it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. My nerves got to me the first time around as I somersaulted, slided, rolled in different ways down. The second time however, it was better! Last year I was scared of the height and speed. 

Alhamdulillah, I overcame those fears and REALLY REALLY enjoyed skiing. I was thinking of joining another trip to the slopes to which my mum was like..”op..op..dah dah la tu”. My mum was just worried. The day after the trip every inch of my body hurts. The next day I got myself a massage and yeap..my back was bruised. It was crazy and is much fun. 

So.. Bungee Jumping next? We’ll see…

Take care and stay safe!

Wasalam.

Till then, Love.Sofhan Hasni

All about challenges

Assalamualaikum

Guess what? I reached my 100^th post! Alhamdulillah. Who knew I’d manage to stay disciplined?

Throughout the year, it always warmed  my heart when people tell me they've tried the recipes that I posted. Some are altered some are copied directly. Heartwarming indeed.

We’re almost a month in 2013 and I should say life is going well so far Alhamdulillah. This year, along with my list of resolutions, I decided that this year would be a  “Challenge Myself” year for me. Here are the things that I have challenged myself with

I have always been insecure or scared of so many things. One of the things that I wasn't sure that I wanted to do again, ever, was skiing. I’m scared of heights and speed. I was sooo scared last year when I went skiing for the first time. Even the second time I went earlier this year. You should have seen my friends coaxing me trying to make me ski down the slope. But I did it. The next day (it was a weekend ski trip), I tried other green circle (beginners) slopes and moved on to the blue square  (intermediate) slopes. Once I let go of my fear, it was AMAZING. I felt revitalized, free and light as air. It felt great! So the next ski trip which would be in March, I’m challenging myself to go down the Black Diamond (advanced). Wish me luck!:)

The second challenge is Kick Boxing. I am such a lazy person when it comes to exercising. I thought paying for the gym membership would eventually make me go to the gym but NOOOOO. I’m still a lazy bum. But this year, my friend and I decided to take up kick boxing. Which IS GREAT! Not only I get to learn funky self defense moves but it’s also a great workout. Not to mention a hot instructor teaching us twice a week. Hah*drool*!(Hi mom!).

I have a major issue with speaking in public. Which is weird. I mean, even when I need to introduce myself. I know my name, I know myself better than anyone else, what’s up with that right? I tried the exercise that Amy Cuddy taught in her TedTalk and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if it’s really working on me. My friend said it worked for her. I’ll try again some other time. Anyways, I decided to recite a poem that I wrote a while ago (read it here) and again, it feels good. Not only that I get to express myself, but I get to do something that I’m scared of.

 Alhamdulillah for the strength, the opportunity and the courage. *pat on the back*

What’s next?

Wasalam

Till then,

Love,

Sofhan Hasni

Mirrors Don't Lie

Assalamualaikum

As I wrote in the last post, this year is about reflection. Have you ever asked yourself why you’re so stubborn? So lazy? So arrogant? So ignorant? So hot tempered? Often times, no. Because most of the times, we don’t even realize it.

Some may already know that I’m switching my major to Psychology and of course I’m taking bah-jhillion psychology courses and is forced to finish thick textbooks that could work for 1) exercising 2) protection. Psychology really did open my eyes. When you learn about people’s behavior you will automatically reflect that on yourself. At least for me. Why am I so this and so that? Do you I have issues?Oh yes , I do. But this was the most crucial part of all. The realization.

The other thing that has become a habit of mine is observing others around me. And what did I realize? That I’m not exactly a pleasant person. Well not to my standards anyways .How do I know this? Here is how…Often times we pray that Allah will guide us to be a better person and as for me, my prayers were answered in a way that I didn’t expect. I am forever thankful, Alhamdulillah. Have you ever watched the movies about the Christmas Ghost of the past and future? Where you’re life is like a movie before your eyes and you were the audience? It’s somewhat like that. There must be times when you observe people around you, and you realize that you might not like someone because of their attitude and funnily enough, quite a number of times, I see myself in these people.

Have you ever met a person who is “always” right (to themselves anyways)?I have.

Have you ever met someone who needs o have the last say every time? I have.

Have tolerable you ever met someone who wants everyone to tolerate her behaviors yet she herself is not tolerant? I have.

Have you ever met someone who likes to debate over simplest things? I have.

Have you ever met someone who easily loses his/her temper? I have.

How do I feel when I’m around these people? Ouch..Being a sensitive person that I am.It hurts. It really does. What’s scary is that these people reflect me. I could see myself in their shoes and I don’t like it at all. Looking at yourself in another person, can be an awakening experience. I can guarantee it! The best thing about it is when you try to fix your own flaws, you know where to start.

What is disturbing  is that we might already know some of our bad attributes and still feel it is okay .Wrong! It’s not acceptable at all! Next time you are in the presence of someone makes you squirm on the insides or grit your teeth, ask yourself why and are you somewhat similar to that person?

If you were to spend a day with another you, would you have a great time?

Wasalam.

Till then,Salut,

Love,

Anggerik

Growing up..

Assalamualaikum

This year, I must say, is a year of reflection. Or perhaps realization? This is the year where I’ve turned 21. A legit adult in Malaysia. (I’m legal at the age of 18 in Canada). Turning 21 was a big blow for me. End of last year, I decided to move out and live on my own. Without anyone, I am forced to take responsibility on myself. I pay my own rent, my own bills, I cook my own meals and wash my own laundry. At the same time of course, being a student, my grades are my responsibility as well. Slowly I told myself that I could do this and Alhamdulillah so far so good.

Studying overseas is fun. It’s a new environment, new weather, a new circle of friends. It is fun. But it’s not exactly easy. Not for me at least. It took me a whole year to fit in. Before coming to McGill, I knew there aren’t many Malaysians, getting a good grade is tough, French is the dominant language. Being a stubborn person that I am, I took up the challenge anyways. Boy what a challenge it was! By the end of the school year, I was crying to my mom on skype on how stressed I was.

Alhamdulillah things got better. Slowly it got better. I got the hang of being far far away from family and close friends (well, I made new ones here of course), living on my own, the learning system. Alhamdulillah everything went into place.

The reason why I am writing this is because there are people who think that studying abroad is like taking a vacation. “Yeah, studying is hard, but you’re in Canada for God sake”..Erm, because it’s on the other side of the globe that makes it EVEN HARDER. How many times have I cringed to have my family with me during difficult times?Countless.  How many times have I contemplated to drop everything and come back?Countless. How hard it is sometimes to get in touch with your family because well..they have their own lives..Countless.I don’t get to go home during the long weekends or holidays (heck, we don’t even have a lot of hoilidays compared to Malaysia)..How many times have I been frustrated with my grades because the markings were tough?Countless. How many times have I felt lonelier than ever? Countless. How many times have I cried for being tired, disappointed and scared? Countless.

Things are not easier, just because we are at a different place. It’s how we deal with it. I chose this path (Allah has chosen it for me) and I shall walk along this path till the very end. InsyaAllah. Before I PRAYED that I’ll get somewhere furthest from home. Because I want to learn to be independent. My prayers were answered. Did everything went according to plan? Noppy nope nope. But if these things can make me grow up, then, I should be strong. Learn from it and move on. Things don’t always go our way, ABSOLUTELY. But how can you learn to stand properly without ever falling down?

Wherever we are, whatever we do, try to make the best of what Allah has given upon us. Easier said than done.

Have I wished I’m on a different path altogether?Oh boyyy YES! But that’s not what is written for me, this is. For the past two years, I have learnt so much, that I don’t know if I could have learnt it otherwise.

In times of hardship, you’ll know who your real friends are and how your family will be by your side through ANYTHING.

At the age of 21, it’s a good age to grow up isn’t it?

Growing up isn’t entirely fun. But when you get to look at things clearly, it’ll make a world of a difference. You no longer feel like slapping yourself after each decision you make.*wink*

Wasalam

Till then, A bientot,

Love,

Anggerik.