Turkey: Magical World of Turkey

Bismillah.

It took me nearly half an hour to figure out where to begin. Mom has done an excellent job writing on about 90% of our trip to Turkey. So, I am going to let you have the 'tour' with her. You may do so by clicking below links which is listed sequentially:

- Istanbul Aku Datang 1

- The Turkey Trip Summary Part 1

- Marmara Region: Canakkale- Troy- Asklepion

- Aegean Region: Kusadasi- Pamukkale

- Central Anatolia: Konya-Cappadocia

- Central Anatolia: Cappadocia, land of natural wonders

- Central Anatolia: Ankara

- The Turkey Trip Summary Part 11: On our own in Huge Istanbul

                                                                              ....

Once I set my foot outside the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul, it was early, about 7am in the morning. As it was mid of November, the weather was cold and occasionally windy. Fairly low temperature at 15 degree. Looking at the grey sky, the cool air that I breathe, the mixed smell of au de parfum and tobacco, tall people in dark colours of winter wear, Caucasian women wearing hijabs and head scarfs, all of these brought back my memories in Bosnia. I know it is not fair to compare Bosnia from Turkey. But someone even told me that Sarajevo is like a piece of Istanbul. So, the blame cannot be put completely on me. ;)

Anyway, I would love to highlights on couple of things that I found them remarkable and worth of notice in Turkey. These are the things I personally fall in love with and keep saying to myself not to forget them. They are:

a) nature beauty and ancient historical place

b) shopping focal point,

c) food 

d) language. 

Today let me start off with what Turkey has to offer in regards to nature beauty. And the rest bullet points will come later, okay? :)

If you are looking for a place that could give you a wide-eyed gaze and cause jaw dropping, there are two places that will fit the bills. They are Pamukkale and Cappadocia.

Pamukkale in Turkish means cotton castle. Pamuk is cotton, and kale is castle. From the name itself I believe we can imagine how this place looks like. Well, it is not exactly a castle. It is actually a city which has travertines and terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing hot water spring. Pamukkale was also an ancient city which is called Hierapolis.

View from our moving bus to Pamukkale.

We went there just in time, an hour before sunset. So the view was magical with the sun shone on the white castle-like cascades and makes everything look glittering. Subhanallah!

Cappadocia is located in the central Anatolia. Apart from Istanbul, this was the only place we stayed for two days. Other place was just a night. The reason being that this place has got more to see that we need more time. We visited underground city which largely used by Christians as hiding place during Romans occupation and Gerome park, a fairy chimneys rock formation (historical site under protection of UNESCO). Breathtaking!

Shop in caves. Reminds me of the "Conehead" movies.hehe

The staircase leads to a small chapel built in the cave during Romans period

According to our tour guide, the sci fi movies of Star Wars were filmed here. Hmm.. what do you think of that? ;)

Mom and dad.. awww <3 font="font">

You can ride on the hot air balloon which is available everyday here (if the weather permits). The charges is USD200 per person with a certificate! hehe. 

The hot air balloon started to make its way to the sky..

Soooo excited! Look at countless balloons floating!

So, those are the places that I remember I had to take a deep breathe looking at them. Subhanallah! Wondering how amazing and magnificent these creations are. Lets ask ourselves back.. " How magnificent and great the Creator is, then?" God is the greatest. 

Up next: What to shop in Turkey?

An Introductory: Turkey

Bismillah.

Dear readers,

Think I owe you big. Have been skipping posting since mid of November. I'm gonna write something on my recent trip. Went to Turkey for about 14 days, exploring the well known land of the Ottoman Empire. MashaAllah! What a wonderful land. Turkey is situated at the bridge of European region and Asian region. Therefore, I could say they have the best of both world. So much to see trip. And so much to tell. Hope to be your storyteller soon. ;)

Sweet November

Bismillah. 

Finally, I have got the chance to sit down properly in front of the computer and do some writing.

Okay. Quit blabbering. Since this is one of my medium to record things that happen in my ordinary life. Today, here's the new entry.

Alhamdulillah, all praises goes to the only one, Allah Al Mighty. There are a few good things that has occurred and another will occur in my life. 

My career seems to give me way for the past few weeks. Honestly, after a really long 'climbing' and 'holding' on, I would have to admit, to stop right there and leave would be the easiest way out. Then again, that is what most people do. To search for a comfortable and safer zone. I won't lie that I did think of giving up like many times. Only God knows. But I did not want to be just another person who giving up. Life is not easy and we all know that. I just thought that if I could not make it here, then how am I gonna survive other place? So, I tried and worked hard for it. Prayed hard too. Self motivating was what I did excessively. Until just then, it fall right in front of me. All my work, hardship, pray and patience has been answered. Alhamdulillah, this month has witnessed a step up in my career. And million of thanks goes to the people around me. You guys had no idea how each and everyone of you had inspired and made me think and ponder on life. :)

Another thing is I am gonna do what I always love to do. Travelling! InsyaAllah, in 3 days time, I will be on a jet plane. And the place I am gonna conquer is actually has been in the family list of places to go for quite some times. Dad has expressed his interest to visit this country since I was like 19 years old. And now, insyaAllah, we are close to that. Preparation and packing has been running loosely for the past two months. Hopefully, Allah let us explore the part of the world that he created. Hoping for a safe and smooth journey too. And mostly importantly, to add value to oneself after returning from the trip.

Sahih International

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. - Surah Al Hujurat, verse 13

Indeed.

May we all be in His guidance and circle of iman and taqwa. Ameen.

Stay positive and have faith in Him

Have a sweet november, dearies! :)

Miss Wooly

Bismillah.

This is my top wool wear. It is grey in colour. Bought this in carsia in Sarajevo. Thinking to wear this and other thick and heavy wool apparel again makes me excited.  Though am not going to wear this at the same place but it is the place where Islam came to brighten the Balkan region.

I'm counting days.. sooo excited!

One of many Thursdays.

Bismillah.

Last Thursday, my office department threw a humble eid party although it is kind of late to do it after a month of Syawal. Well, it does not matter. One of the reason is to share the joy and festive food with our non Muslim friends. So that morning, I prepared something to add to the table as cold dessert. I made a fruit cocktail in custard sauce which is my family all time favourite dessert. Learned the recipe from mom. She used to do it in when she was in US.

 

Since my car is no good to transport me to train station for the past few days, I had to leave house earlier to get a ride from my dad to the station. Got up early morning to iron my mom's baju kurung and ran to the kitchen to heat up the evaporated milk. Dashed to shower at half past seven after dad reminded me that he was going to shower and have to attend a meeting first thing in the morning. Luckily my sister were there helping me stirring the milk constantly while I was getting dressed. It was a rushy morning I can say.

 

At the station, I realized that I left my phone in the kitchen. Cool. I was thinking to go back home but I told myself that  maybe I could survive the day without it. So, I stepped into the train without fourth or fifth thought. Went to work as usual and continued with feast in the evening.

Alhamdulillah, everyone was happy and full and I can see the whole bottom of my fruit cocktail container. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ... 

 

 

An hour before I left office, I called my mom to inform her to pick me up at the station later.

 

When I reached my station, I did not see any familiar car. I was getting worried if my mom forgot or fall asleep. So I looked for telephone booth. There are three telephones there. I was delighted and excited actually. I had not been using public phone for more than ten years. Thank god they are there when I truly need them. I went to the first phone and picked up the receiver only to know the telephone was dead. So, I went to the second one. It was dead too. I tried the third and last telephone and fortunately, it is working. I put the coin in and started dialling. I waited but heard nothing except the phone screen keeps on showing 'insert coin'. I inserted more coin but still getting the same direction from the phone. Darn. The phone is broken too. Ya Allah. Why has not anyone go and fix these phones? No one ever reports or complains? Maybe we are depending less on public phone that we could not care less to get it fixed.

 

I wandered around the station looking for someone to borrow a minute of their mobile phone. Hmm, it was not so easy to pick anyone there. Most had tired look on their faces and some got the 'stay-away-from-me' look. I asked from a woman who sells wafer at the booth however she claimed that she got no balance credit on her phone. I kept on looking and saw a young girl standing at a corner of the pavement facing the parking area. She was playing with a cat with her feet. She was smiling to herself. I was too when I saw her and the cat. I knew she would be my saviour. Bismillah. I walked up to her and asked for help. She immediately handed over her phone to me in less than ten seconds. I made that one important call quickly and returned the phone. I offered to pay for the expense, but she refused. I thought that I had to do some explanation before I get to use her phone. But I was surprised. She understood my situation and responded without a delay. She helped me without hesitation. Not a single question. She exceeded my expectation. I was so grateful and thanked her many times. How lovely the girl is. Then, we introduced ourselves. Not long that her family came in a car to pick her. I can see her small brother and sisters. I waved her good bye and secretly made a doa (prayer) for her. May Allah bless her and her family and that she would get the same help she did to me when she needs it. Ameen.

 

“Whoever relieves a believer from a distress of this life, Allah will relieve from him a distress on the Day of Judgment. Whosoever brings ease to a believer who is in difficulty, Allah will bring ease to him in both this life and the next. Whosoever conceals the shortcomings of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his shortcomings in this world and the next. Allah will always help a servant as long as that servant helps his brother.” - Prophet Muhammed s.a.w. (pbuh)

 

P/s: Today, how about being someone else’s silver lining? Relieve someone’s distress, bring ease to someone’s heart, and help someone, as the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) taught us.

 

Happy weekend everyone! (:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pieces from wedding to Eid

Bismillah.

For this year Eid, again, we did not buy new clothes because we decided to re-wear our attire during my brother's wedding. Last year's Eid, we wore the same thing we wore during brother's solemnization ceremony. Therefore, we had save our time and escaped from the hassle of walking into textile shops or brushing people's shoulder in the super crowded street of Tunku Abdul Rahman before Eid. Alhamdulillah.

Light pink cotton cloth with baby blue embroidery as top, with matching blue silk sarong.

Eid festive wish

Bismillah.

Deary readers,

Eid Mubarak to all muslims wherever you are celebrating it.

Let's forgive each other and visit family and relatives. 

It is the best time now!

May all of us have a blissful and joyous one.

:)

Much love from Malaysia,

Tasneem Y.

Something from Lost and Found

Bismillah.

Found this in tagged photos of mine on Facebook. This came from the lowest scroll of photos. I totally forgot I had this.

It was actually my exam schedule for the last semester before I went on my intern.

The Art of Negotiation, Global Marketing, E-commerce, International Accounting, and Strategic Management (the most talked lecturer at that time. I remember feeling like in a military class. It was so 'strategic' and militarized. Nontheless, I passed the subject! Alhamdulillah.Thank you, Sir!)

And I loathe exams. Yeah, tell me about it, man.

But I love art. I love drawing. Love colouring.

So, due to the reason and just to make me fall in love in exams, I have turned this exams timetable sheet into something I do not mind to lay my eyes on. At least.

Oh how I am missing student life now. It was easier. Just attending lectures for a couple of hours in  a day and flexibly spend the rest of the day. Be it revising lecture notes, reading novels or mags, cooking, do laundry, surfing, hanging out with friends, go movies or stay at home simply doing nothing.

Those days.

P/s: Thanks Farahin for taking this photo. You knew I am gonna miss this, Ms Roomate! hehe :)

Dear Ramadhan

Bismillah.

Ramadhan Mubarak!

While I am writing this down, I am on medical leave for a day. I was having cold since last two days and yesterday my nose started to produce excess mucus. I was working yesterday but i just could not held it long. I was trying to speak to clients and at the same time wiping out my nose from almost drip mucus was not fun at all. I am pretty sure my clients can hear me breathing hardly. Plus the new office building is very cold. That does not make it any less harder. But still I can go fasting. Alhamdulillah.

Alright. Since it is the holy month of Ramadhan, I am sure that everyone is on top of the race to grab every opportunity to earn more rewards by doing more good deeds and more ibadah. It is so amazing to see everyone fasting, and some 'finding' their way back to perform salat since they are fasting. While, some others I see they started to give it a glance to Qur'an, and started to read verse by verse. Kudos to those who trying to get back on track and those who decide to DO it! You know that only YOU can make yourself do it. And hello! The big disturbance and distraction of evil and devil has been suspended for these 30 days. So, what are there left to excuse? If there's any, then it is only YOU. :)

For myself, I am trying to finish reading the whole Qur'an book within Ramadhan. After saw a facebook post on how to complete reading Qur'an in a month. The formula is to read 4 pages at every salat time.

I just feel that it would work for me. InsyaAllah. I hope it will. I need to achieve something out of this blessing month. After all, it is a month where any good deeds will be rewarded multiply. Doesn't that sounds like a 'Megasale' to you? I'd be not smart to not make any move to seize it. :) May Allah accept all of our ibadah.

How about you brothers and sisters? What have you been up to for this Ramadhan? ;)

Iftar in Patterson, New Jersey

Iftar in Middle east

Iftar at a mosque in Pakistan

In the name of Allah...

Bismillah.

Bismillah. What does this word means? Bismillah? It is an Arabic word which brings the meaning, "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Compassionate."

I feel moved to share a scene in my life that has to do with this common word, which is being cited countlessly everyday by a Muslim.

This happened when I was in Bosnia. In my office cubicle, there were four of us. All man except me. And the one who had always have the time to 'entertain' my long listed queries is Haris. He was sitting next to my desk plus he is more fluent in English than the rest in the cube so that explains why he had to answer me. Hehe. 

One day, he offered me a snack , Štapići, a salty stick biscuits. 

I took it right away and after the first bite, Haris said to me in puzzled face; 


Haris  : " Hey, you were saying something". 


I stopped chewing and asked him back.


Me      :  " What did I say?".
Haris  :  "You were saying something right before you eat."


Then only I understood what he meant.


Me     : " I was saying Bismillah."
Haris  :"I know but we say that only when we are having a feast like when iftaar and during eid etc."
Me     :"Oh. I suppose we say that everytime before we eat or drink. No matter how big is the   
            meal." 

                                                                                ...

What I would like to highlight from the story above is that, I would not have realized that I recited Bismillah if Haris did not mention it to me. It is good that he asked. That made me think that, one could actually done something naturally, if it is done repeatedly. That when it becomes a habit or natural, one might not notice it anymore.

I read it somewhere from religious storybook when I was little. There is a story of a woman who always say Bismillah everytime she is about to do anything. Before cooking, before eating, before working. Her husband just could not get his wife's behaviour. So one day he put her on trial. He emptied a wheat jar his wife usually use in cooking before his wife comes into the kitchen that day. When the wife came to the kitchen to cook, she took the wheat jar and before opened it, as usual she said "Bismillah". MashaAllah, as God has willed, she scooped out the wheat and start cooking. The husband who was hiding behind was very surprised to see that there the jar is filled! He was very sure that no one get into the kitchen after he emptied the jar and went into hiding and was waiting all the way for his wife to come in. Unbelievable but true. Allahu akbar!

Such a wonderful story we can learn from. Now, I try to make it a habit too. To say Bismillah before getting into vehicles, before making telephone calls, or when I am about to step out from the elevator. ;) 

Because I believe in the word. Because you know that you are asking Allah for his blessings on whatever you do. I don't think a person would say Bismillah before committing a crime or stealing. That would be twisted. ;) 

"Sayyidina Ali (ra) was reported to have said that saying Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim is a duaa that helps simplify a hard task and removes grief and brings happiness to the heart."

Bismillah. It may be just a word. But it has made and will make a difference! 

And I shed a tear to a goodbye

Bismillah.

Today is the day where they will leave Malaysia. Again. After spending a week here. They are going home tonight. Midnight flight as scheduled. Time flies and that I feel a lot when best things happen.

I wish I could send them off to the airport. To bid and wave final goodbye. Unfortunately I'm working today. But I told myself that I would give them a call before midnight. Before they go on board.

After I reached home at about 9pm, and was doing some cleaning, I was thinking of them. Really. How yesterday's outing was greatly good yet too short. Imagining that they are not going home for good tonight. Hoping to rewind it some other times again.

When I walked into my room, I checked my phone. And saw a text message and one missed call.

*Oh my oh my* 

I touched on the envelope icon on screen and the message says;

"Selam, we are heading towards airport, we all feel that time spent with you was too short, all the best to you and your families, Seida, Serif, Davud n Delila..."

:')

Quickly, I checked out call log on the phone, and it was from Serif. 

With an overwhelming heart, I returned the call and we were exchanging words and best wishes. And both were wishing, hoping and praying that we could meet again in future. Whether in Malaysia or Bosnia. As Seida said earlier, she always prayed to come back to Malaysia and when all of us were least expecting it, thought that it was almost impossible, Allah has granted and allowed them to walk again in the land of Malaysia. Allahu akbar! Never lose hope in Allah. Never. :') And I can then meet them in my country this time. 

And I can't put words on how I felt after we hung up the phone. All I know I was shedding tears. Oh how I love them in the name of Allah. Never that I regretted my decision taking the path to Bosnia and to have met them. And everyone there. 

"O Allah, bless them. And their land.

And let me walk in Bosnia again. Ameen Ya Robb."

ćao ćao i vidimo se, inshallah!