This Vagabond ...

"The Lord is Good, His Steadfast Love Endures Forever." ~Psalm 100:5

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Tuesday, November 19, 2013

INDAH SEINDAH BIASA

Posted by Ruth72

INDAH

Maksud perkataan indah adalah / The meaning of indah is :
beautiful , lovely , nice , pretty , cared

Perkataan berkaitan: / Related Words

  1. elok attractive , pretty , exquisite , beautiful ,...
  2. seelok as good as , as beautiful as ,...
  3. ayu cute , pretty , beautiful...
  4. cantik beautiful , gorgeous , pretty...
  5. bagus pleasant , nice , fine , good ,...
  6. seenak as delicious , nice as ,...
  7. busana complete attire with nice finishing...
  8. enak pleasant , delightful , enjoyable ,...   
                                     
 
Hari ni rasa macam nak menulis sebuah artikel mengenai si pemilik nama Indah. Indah mana? Indah Ruhailah @ Siti Ruhailah Bt. Hussein, pelajar Akademi Fantasia 2013. Sekilas, agak banyak yang kurang indah digambarkan tentang beliau dari mula perjalanan pembelajarannya di AF. As for me, maaf bahasa rojak, I've never been influenced by the crowd. I like what I like, kutuklah orang tu macam manapun. That's me.  Lagipun Indah seperti orang lain juga di pandangan mata saya, malah ada ketika dia kelihatan seperti low profile meskipun dikatakan 'menunjuk-nunjuk' (???).

Sebagai seorang peminat dan pengikut AF sejak AF2 lagi (sebab time AF1 saya belum melanggan astro dan melanggan selepas itu semata-mata nak tengok AF yang khabarnya sangat hebat), saya berpendapat AF adalah program realiti yang lama-kelamaannya cenderung kepada sandaran populariti dan bukan hanya bakat seseorang pelajar. Program yang banyak bermain dengan emosi penonton, mengundang rasa kasihan, sayang, malah benci melalui sajian diarinya; mempengaruhi perasaan seterusnya undian penonton-penonton di luar sana yang tidak kenal 100% pun siapa mereka itu yang sebenarnya. Masuk ke program realiti ini seolah merelakan diri dihakimi.
                       
                    Kehadirannya
Kembali kepada Indah, kehadirannya di AF seolah tidak begitu disenangi sesetengah pihak. Buktinya undiannya sangat rendah, kalau tidak terbawah, kedua terbawah. I don't know why, but as I've said emosi penonton banyak mempengaruhi. Jika direnungi, sungguh sayang, bertanding dalam program realiti nyanyian tetapi kemenangan tidak menyebelahi seorang yang memiliki vokal yang merdu dan mantap dan nyatanya antara yang terbaik dalam sejarah AF (memetik kata Edry Abd Halim). Banyak komen, termasuk yang dilontarkan oleh Edry sendiri, mengenai vokal Indah ini. Kehebatan vokalnya seolah sesuatu yang biasa saja bagi mereka...entah apa yang mereka cari? Kelemahan, supaya ada improvasi seperti yang diinginkan oleh fakulti? But why in the first place memilih penyanyi yang pernah punya album ini sekiranya mereka ingin a raw talent? Dan kenapa bila dia menyanyi dengan baik, perkara tersebut dikatakan tidak memberikan impak sedangkan bila pelajar-pelajar lain membuat persembahan yang baik, dipuji melangit? (namun tidak semestinya tidak memberikan impak kepada penonton-penonton yang bersorak di dewan mahupun di rumah). I don't see justice for Indah anywhere in AF. Yang ada cuma sorotan Indah tidak gembira mendapat lagu Putih-Putih Melati pilihan Azhael...lantas dikatakan memilih dan tidak berani menyahut cabaran. Kemudian sesi berborak dengan rakan-rakan mengenai undian tinggi Nabila (dia tidak bermonolog sendirian di sini) lantas dikatakan mengutuk Nabila. Yakin di pentas, lantas dicap 'over'/terlebih atau over-confident. Dikatakan berwajah sombong dan berlagak. Tapi sahihkah? Dan perlukah perkara tersebut dinilai dalam suatu pertandingan nyanyian? Sedangkan di luar negara jarang hal-hal peribadi dikaitkan dalam pertandingan nyanyian. Kerana itulah American Idol, The Voice dan lain-lain berjaya menghasilkan pemenang-pemenang yang benar-benar berkualiti. Namun di konsert ke-9 Indah kelihatan agak goyah, kata Edry. Keyakinannya sedikit pudar (mungkin kerana sering dipukul dengan kata-kata haters di alam maya). Begitulah. Yakin salah, tak yakin pun salah. 

  Personaliti?
Juri-juri juga sering menekankan bahawa AF bukan sekadar mengambil kira vokal tetapi personaliti (agak ganjil dan tidak relevan bagi saya) kerana setiap manusia ada kelebihan, keindahan, kebaikan mahupun kelemahan masing-masing. Malah Indah tidak kalah dari segi paras-rupa berbanding pelajar-pelajar lain. Bezanya, mereka cantik / comel kerana berusia dalam lingkungan awal 20an sedangkan Indah lebih matang dalam usia 26. Dan Indah seorang yang bukan sekadar cantik tetapi anggun pada usianya. Jadi personaliti apalagi yang dituntut? Kalau dalam Maharaja Lawak personaliti lawak yang perlu, dalam pertandingan nyanyian apakah faktor lawak juga ditekankan? Atau mutu nyanyian yang diletakkan di hadapan sekali? (Mentaliti orang M).


Lagu-Lagu Tugasan
   Secara keseluruhannya, saya benpendapat bahawa lagu-lagu yang diberikan kepada Indah kurang sesuai terutama sekali "Jangan Kau Mimpi" milik asal Siti Sarah Raisuddin. Lagu-lagu lain yang tidak sesuai adalah Putih-Putih Melati dan Ku Menanti. Di dalam suatu pertandingan nyanyian yang besar, tak siapapun menginginkan lagu yang santai dan sesuai didengar di tepi pantai atau ketika berbaris di dalam traffic jam yg panjang.  Umum tahu bahawa beliau mempunyai kelebihan dalam mendendangkan lagu-lagu Inggeris tetapi hanya sekali saja lagu Inggeris diamanahkan kepadanya, itupun atas syor Roslan Aziz. Fireworks. Why not 'Listen' atau 'I will Always Love You' atau 'Wrecking Ball'? Takut Indah meninggalkan yang lain terlalu jauh di belakang dari segi skill vokal kah?  Lagu Keroncong pun Indah pandai sebenarnya. Jadi kenapa lagu-lagu terdahulu yang diberikan? Bohonglah kalau dikatakan seorang penyanyi yg baik mampu membawakan apa saja jenis lagu. Mungkin mereka mampu, tapi hasilnya tidak semestinya bagus. Dalam pada itu pelajar-pelajar lain pula diberikan lagu-lagu current hits atau evergreen yang diminati ramai. I know an injustice when I see one dan sebagai peminat Indah, hal ini agak memeritkan bagi saya. Dan berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu yang memikul...

Konsert Akhir
  Sehari sebelum konsert akhir kelihatan Datuk Siti berbicara dari hati ke hati dengan kesemua pelajar. Ketika Datuk Siti memberitahu Indah bahawa beliau sudah ada ramai penyokong sekarang, jelas Indah mengalirkan airmata. Understandable. Beliau tahu penerimaan segelintir penonton sebelum itu dan menyangka undian terendah bermakna she's alone, but not anymore. Her followers on Instagram, facebook and twitter (me included) are growing steadily in numbers until now. 

   Berbekalkan "azimat" inilah, Indah bangkit menghadapi cabaran dan membuktikan kemampuan sebenar. Mujurlah Inspirer Datuk Siti Nurhaliza memberikan lagu yang tepat di konsert akhir, didukung lagi dengan single ciptaan Zul 2 By 2 'Percayalah' yang kebetulan sama tajuk dengan lagu Inspirer dan di mana pada malam konsert akhir juga Inspirer Datuk Siti telah menyampaikan lagu 'Seindah Biasa' (Kenapa lagu itu ya?).  Ada yang berkata, persembahan Indah pada malam itu tak ubah seperti persembahan malam Anugerah Juara Lagu dengan kemantapan vokal dan penghayatan yang memukau. Lagu 'Percayalah' dirasai oleh semua peminat yang setia menyokong dan memahami dan  ditujukan khas buat mereka (you are welcome!). Sayangnya ia terjadi di konsert akhir. Dan kehebatan itu hanya mampu meletakkan Indah di tempat ke-4 Akademi Fantasia di antara 6 finalis. Syukur walau apapun jua. Dan tangan ini tidak jemu-jemu mengundi Indah dan tidak sedikitpun menyesali kos yang terlibat asalkan Indah selesa sekurang-kurangnya antara Top 3. Namun tidak, apapun syukur jua adanya. Tidak dapat dinafikan, terbit rasa terkilan dan sedih buat Indah kerana dia tidak sepatutnya di tangga ke-4. Kalaulah juri professional yang mengadili pertandingan itu sudah pasti trofi Juara di dalam genggamannya tanggal 17 November, 2013. Tapi itulah ketentuannya. Ketentuan yang dirintis program itu sendiri. Impressi yang dicipta. Penerimaan yang diraih peminat. Beban yang digalas Indah.

 Dan Indah mengharungi dan membuktikannya dengan penuh bermaruah. Syabas. Semoga lebih cemerlang di luar sana. Jadikan pengalaman itu sebagai suatu pengajaran untuk mencapai kejayaan sebenar.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Auntie's Daughter

Posted by Ruth72

It's a cool day in Bintulu...slight rain in the afternoon and a little sunshhine right now. Just to update my blog...my little Baby Nia as shown in my previous blog way back in 2008 is now a 'young lady' of 5, so feminine in her ways and her collection of shoes, wardrobe and beauty accessories can easily put me to shame, figuratively speaking hehe...

She's now in her first year of kindergarten, a fast learner, sensitive at heart and such a kind and generous person for someone her age. Selfishness is never in her vocabulary, and thus I test her sometimes by saying if I can have a bite of the food in her hand and she will, unhesitantly, stretch  her hand to me and offer it even though it's the last piece...to which I respond with a kiss and explain to her that I'm just kidding.


That's the reason why I sometimes called her 'anak semba' in Bidayuh...which if translated to English means 'Auntie's daughter'. I don't have a daughter of my own since I'm still single, and more often than not I strongly feel that I love her and her brothers like a biological mother. They truly are the cutie apples of my eye.  :)

(I'm using pink font because pink is her favourite colour ;)



P/S: Above, then...and below, now. 


Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Hello Again, and Blessed Lent 2013

Posted by Ruth72

Seriously,  it's been years since I've last blogged. Among other reason is because I've forgotten my password... lol. After blogspot I got intimate with Facebook but I managed to return and pay a visit to this sweet site that I've missed so much!
What a miracle.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Himbauan Lalu, Pintasan Masa (Part II)

Posted by Ruth72

Seperti yang dijanjikan agak lama dahulu (hahaha...janji siput, walaupun lambat tetap tertunai asalkan sabar), akhirnya inilah sequel untuk blog di atas yang akan membawa ku pulang ke alam remajaku. Best sangat ke zaman remaja? Mestilah best, sebab zaman kanak2 dan remaja lah alam di mana kita menjalani eksplorasi kehidupan; peringkat di mana kita belajar byk perkara baru. Kesilapan pasti terjadi, namun itulah yang bakal membentuk & mewarnai diri kita sebagai insan dewasa kini.


Zaman Persekolahan

Aku membesar di era 80an. Org kata, era Retro. Aku cakap, The Coolest Era. Semuanya amat indah bagiku namun tidak kurang mencabar juga kerana tatkala mengorak langkah menjadi gadis remaja, aku terpaksa berjauhan dgn keluarga & berpisah dengan adik bongsuku yg comel & amat kusayangi krn kami mmg sesungguhnya amat rapat. Ianya sukar kerana waktu itu dia baru berusia 3 tahun. Segalanya kulakukan demi melanjutkan pelajaran di sebuah sekolah bernama Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdillah. Utk kali pertama dlm hidupku, aku menjadi pelajar asrama & tinggal bersama ramai orang. Kolej ini letaknya di seberang Sg. Sarawak yakni Petra Jaya, jauh dari ketenangan kampungku di Siburan. Utk ke sana perlu menaiki bas selama lbh kurang setengah jam atau lebih, kemudian menaiki perahu tambang dari Pengkalan Sapi ke Pengkalan Batu or vice versa (aku kurang ingat mana satu aturannya). Dari pengkalan perahu tambang itu aku perlu menaiki bas ke sekolahku selama lbh kurang 10 atau 15minit. Semua ini sering kulakukan sendiri di usia belasan tahun. Bagiku tiada masalah kerana aku sememangnya remaja yg cergas walaupun pemalu huhuhu...

Maka, bermula dari tahun 1985 sehingga 1990, sahlah aku menjadi pelajar & penghuni asrama puteri K.D.P.A.H.A. Masih segar di ingatan hari pertama aku melapor diri ke sana, ayahku lah yg menghantarku dari kampung dgn menaiki bas sambil membawa satu beg besar berisi pakaian dan barang2 keperluanku. Selepas mendaftar diri aku dibawa ke asrama & kemudiannya melapor diri ke kelas. Ketika itu akulah antara pelajar Tingkatan 1 paling cinonet. Kelas, tingkatan 1B. Guruku cikgu Vivien Voon yg baik hati dan very soft spoken.

Kulihat perkarangan sekolahnya luas, pelajarnya ramai.
Sbg pelajar baru, aku tidak terlepas dari minggu orientasi. Namun orientasi ku tidaklah seteruk mana, hanya disuruh menyanyi dan berlakon babak filem Azura, filem yg sedang hit ketika itu. Kami juga diwajibkan bangun dan berjogging pada pukul 5 pagi selama seminggu dari sekolah ke bangunan Dewan Undangan Negeri.
Aktiviti Budak Sekolah

Secara ringkasnya, aku turut menyertai aktiviti2 sekolah seperti Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah (salah seorang seniorku yang menganggotai persatuan ini kini telah menjadi seorang hakim kanan di Kuching), Koir sekolah (aku mmg gemar menyanyi dan pernah membuat persembahan nyanyian duet dgn kawanku Agnes menyanyikan lagu Falsafah Cinta /M.Nasir & Rahim Maarof), bermain ping-pong, menyertai rentas desa ketika di tingkatan 1 dan berjaya menduduki tempat ke-12 di antara ratusan pelajar dari semua peringkat umur (mana aku dapat tenaga masa tu akupun x tahu walhal aku x pernah menyertai lumba lari & x pernah mengulanginya selepas itu). Pernah jua aku memenangi pertandingan melukis poster sempena kempen Anti Dadah yg dianjurkan oleh Persatuan Bulan Sabit Merah.

Selain itu, aku jua aktif dalam persatuan keagamaan dan di sinilah bermulanya 'akar' religious backgroundku. ISCF - Interschool Christian Fellowship. Kami melakukan perjumpaan (gathering) setiap malam Sabtu / hari Jumaat) & ianya merupakan malam yg paling ku nantikan setiap minggu, memandangkan pada hari biasa kami wajib utk 'private study' yakni turun ke kelas dari jam 7pm-10pm kalau x silap...x pasti, maklumla memori dah karat. Ketika sesi pembelajaran kami akan diawasi pengawas dan warden yg akan meronda dari kelas ke kelas. Sehabis private study kami akan pulang ke asrama & dlm perjalanan ke bilik pasti ada anak2 tukang masak yg menanti di lobi asrama, menjual kuih-muih, nasi lemak & mee goreng untuk santapan malamku sebelum tidur. Dgn pengambilan kolestrol yg ada, aku ditransformasi dari saiz S ke L bilaku menginjak ke tingkatan 4. Not a pretty sight...hmmm.

Berbalik kepada ISCF, aku belajar tentang mendekati Tuhan & menyelami pengetahuan dlm agama. Dari situ jua kumiliki Bible ku yg pertama, bermain gitar dgn lagu-lagu rohani & menyertai Christian Retreat di Pantai Siar & Bako. ISCF membawaku kepada cinta pertamaku, dan ku bukan maksudkan manusia. Kini ku tertanya ke mana hala tujunya saudara2 ISCF setelah lebih 20 tahun berlalu. Adakah mereka masih menghubungi satu sama lain ataupun telah lost contact seperti diriku.

April Fool di asrama adalah hari yang boleh dikira menarik, kerana bermacam peristiwa lucu akan terjadi terutama di waktu malam. Masihku ingat ketika menghuni asrama baru, aku terlihat kelibat2 berpakaian serba putih berlegar di ruang ampaian yg merupakan tempat terbuka di tengah2 asrama. Ada di antara 'hantu' itu yg terkucil dlm seluar kerana ketakutan ketika memainkan watak hantu dan disakat yg lain.

Fran


Ketika remaja, semua ahli bilik dan rakan sekelasku tahu yang aku adalah peminat fanatik Francissca Peters. Boleh dikatakan, era itu mmg milik Fran kerana dialah penyanyi paling popular sekitar 1985-1988. Masihku ingat di tahun 1987, ketika aku memiliki cassette playerku yg pertama (ala2 walkman laa...cuma beza ianya adalah pemain KASET dan bukan cd...btw, bebudak sekarang tahu ker apa itu kaset?). Aku gemar mendengar lagu2 Fran dan pernah melalak2 di tengah malam kerana menyangkakan suaraku tidak kedengaran almaklum tak biasa pakai earphone, lagu lak kuat tahap studio sehingga rakan2 sebilikku yang lain tension hahaha... Sehingga kini (2009) aku masih lagi memiliki kaset2 original Francissca Peters (antara tajuk albumnya - Aku Hanya Pendatang (1985), Kau Bintangku(1987), Harapan (1988), Pasti Kembali (1989), Now's The Time (1990). Album paling hit Fran yg mengandungi lagu Sekadar Di Pinggiran (1986) tiada dlm senarai kerana telah dihilangkan oleh kakakku dan betapa terkilannya aku kerana itulah album yg paling aku sayang...(moral of the story, jgn pinjamkan barang kesayangan kita kepada org yg x tau menjaga harta org lain...kalau nak pinjamkan pun, dalam durasi yg terhad dan kalau boleh dgn interest sekali). Begitulah. Kaset2 yg kubeli itu masih bekeadaan baik sehingga kini wpun mutu audionya dah kurang kerana telah dirosakkan oleh kutu hama. Good influence yg kudapat dari Fran? Aku jadi berminat dgn bidang penciptaan lagu dan berjaya mempopularkan 2 buah lagu rohani ciptaanku berjudul 'Alone' & 'Kau Lebih Indah' (dari mawar merah) yg pernah ku dengar didendangkan di gathering2 sekolah. Penciptanya mungkin tak dikenali namun aku bersyukur itulah sumbangan kecilku demi manusia sejagat, mudah-mudahan.
Best Friendku

Aku takla nakal masa kat sekolah. Seingatku belum pernah sekalipun aku melanggar peraturan sekolah seperti ponteng, melawan guru dsbnya atau masalah2 disiplin yg lainnya. Secara luaran, aku seorang yg low profile, tak banyak bercakap tapi suka sangat menyanyi dan serius gak dlm pelajaran. Dalam ramai2 rakan, aku ada sorang best friend. Namanya Madeline (pun dah lost contact sekarang). Kalau org tengok mmg pelik krn kami berdua macam sama2 pendiam & pemalu namun bila lepak bersama kamilah geng yg paling gila2 & suka gelak. Antara kepakaran kami berdua adalah memberi gelaran kepada orang (not really a good thing though, tapi masa tu macam kelakar & kreatif sangat hahaha...). Dialah best friend ku yg sangat2 rapat. Berkongsi suka-duka dan pernah disindir dgn perkataan 'pendatang haram' oleh cikgu B.M gara-gara lambat masuk kelas (kerana aku sakit perut, tapi kawan sekelas tak tolong bagitau cikgu walaupun dah pesan). Meskipun dimarahi cikgu B.M yg skeptik terhadapku selepas itu, aku berjaya jua mendapat gred 1 dlm subjek B.M SPMku.

Madeline ni adalah pencinta kucing dan tak suka bunga walaupun perwatakannya feminin. Satu persamaan kami adalah meminati lagu2 dendangan Kumpulan Ekamatra waktu itu. Dia pernah membuat beberapa cross-stich yg tertulis namaku dan menghantarnya melalui pos selepas kami terpisah setelah masing2 meninggakan bangku sekolah. Peminat Paula Abdul yg popular ketika itu sebagai penyanyi dan penari, bukan juri American Idol spt sekarang. Madeline merupakan seorang rakan karib yang setia, yg sukar kulupakan hingga kini namun kerana ada sedikit salah-faham, kami membawa haluan masing2 ketika di tingkatan 6 Rendah. Namun persahabatan kami bertaut semula selepas itu. Dialah yg rajin menghantar surat kepadaku saban waktu. Walaupun aku pernah berusaha menjejakinya dan gagal, I wish her the best dan mendoakan kebahagiaannya.
Crush?

Hahaha...topik ini dimulakan dgn perasaan gelihati. Biasalah budak remaja, cinta monyet itu tetap menjelma di jiwa meskipun tak diminta. Yang lucunya, aku pernah benci sangat dekat sorang budak ni. Dia merupakan rakan sekelasku. Orgnya macam serius & sombong sampai aku meluat tak terkata bila tengok muka dia. Walaupun dia pendiam & macam sentimental, aku masih ingat lagi yg dia ni adalah peminat rock. Dia suka lagu2 Kump. Lefthanded. Masa tu di tingkatan 2 & 3. Tapi nak dijadikan blog lah kan, satu hari tu selepas cuti sekolah dia hadir ke kelas dgn bercermin mata (zaman tu fesyen cermin mata bingkai besar dan plastik yg menutupi separuh muka), tapi cermin mata dia nampak lawa. Aku rasa ada perubahan pada diri nya...ya, dia nampak kacak, hahaha...(ketawa lagi). Oleh kerana aku ni spesis pendiam & pemalu dan diapun spesis yg sama maka perkara ini tidak pernah diketahui oleh sesiapa. Tak tahulah kalau dia perasan, tapi rasa2nya hanya aku & Tuhan saja yang tahu kot. Perasaan tu hilang begitu sahaja bila dia masuk ke aliran sains di tingkatan 4, sementara aku sastera. Beberapa tahun yg lalu aku terjumpa nama dia dalam komuniti bidayuh di internet. Just another page of history :-)

Ekspo Bandaraya Kuching

Ogos 1988...Kuching telah diangkat menjadi sebuah Bandaraya. Waktu itu aku di tingkatan 4. Masihku ingat aku pergi ke tapak ekspo bersama kawan2 untuk melihat pameran yang diadakan. Betapa meriahnya suasana, ketika itu terdapat booth RTM & tidak putus-putus memainkan lagu2 terbaru...antaranya Kehebatan Cinta yg sedang hit (Fran/Jamal) & lagu2 dari Kumpulan Freedom, Search dsbnya. Tapak ekspo ni letaknya tidak berapa jauh (mungkin kurang dari 1km) dari sekolahku. Waktu itu tapak ekspo tersebut hanyalah tanah lapang, namun tersergam di atasnya lebih dari 10 tahun lalu sehingga kini adalah Kompleks Mahkamah Kuching. Sesuatu yang agak kebetulan jika difikir-fikirkan.


Aku mengucapkan selamat tinggal kepada sekolahku ini pada tahun 1990 di sekitar bulan Jun, atas pilihan sendiri. Banyak kenangan manis yang terpahat di ingatan sepanjang alam persekolahanku. Bagiku ianya tidak dapat di tukar-ganti dgn wang-ringgit dan apa jua. Terima kasih segalanya.



Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Eat More Fruits & Vege

Posted by Ruth72













I love vegetables & thankful for that because I was born like that. Some people don't like vegetables, for example my bro-in-law and his son to name a few, and don't eat 'em at all...but as for me I can't eat without at least a dish of vege. My favourite is miding (one type of wild fern that grows in bushes & orchards, spread by spore...quite expensive nowadays & made it to the exclusive restaurants' menu in Sarawak), other jungle produce coz I'm a village gal, sawi (mustard), ensabi (the veggie that resembles the taste of wasabi only less stings), kai lan, etc. I even consume young tapioca  leaves. I love the bitter taste of exotic vege. I don't like sweet cuisine...like old generation says, bitter is better. Medicine is bitter but it's good for you when you're sick. It's the sweetness that makes you all the more unhealthy. Likewise, love is sweet but it can drive you to bitterness if you're not careful to ballance the reality. Life is not easy. Accept both the good and bad. Don't be lulled by the sweetness of the moment until you forget about the harsh reality that life has to be lived, things to be bought, almost nothing is free. But some veggies are free for picking if you're hardworking enough to look between the bushes. Ready for your consumption, anytime :-).



Here's another one of my favourite, not a family of vege...Just mushroom. I love all sorts of mushroom as long as they are edible. One of the best food in the world. Yummy.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Hello again...dear lonely blog

Posted by Ruth72




Yeah...it's me again finally, after about 7 months of inactivity. Where have I been? Exactly here, only being idle. I remembered someone significant told me that since I have my own laptop now, I should have blogged more. Why was it that when I first opened this blog, my zeal to write was like an unqenchable flame when at that time I have to borrow my sister's desktop, or even quietly used my office desktop...with people walking past behind me and maybe took a sneak peek. And now, when I have this laptop...my very own laptop, I don't find it in my heart to blog?



Yes, maybe the heart is the answer.



I'm in love. My heart is preoccupied with the person that I love so much, and the need to blog has been overcome by love. It's been a roller-coaster ride, these past months have been. And I will not deny that the special person has made me happy & girlish & giggly again with love. Thank you for your love, and for teaching me a lot of things. 



And I thank God for His unfailing love for me.



As always, His sunsets and sunrise inspire me over and over again.



The sign that He's always there through the changing shadows, seasons & time.



Dear Father, let me not forget You lest I'm intoxicated by love, as You  have never forgotten  me ever since the time I was in my mother's womb.



Teach me to hear Your voice, Your precepts and most importantly,



to not forget to LOVE You back.



Thank you for Your faithfulness despite my lacking of the same.



Sincerely me.



The wretched vagabond.


Picture above ^^^is the Bintulu Waterfront seen from the main road on a beautiful evening on my way home from work, thanks to my Sony Ericksson G900 mobile phone. And thanks to the giver. xoxoxo

26th May 2009

Sunday, October 5, 2008

This I know

Posted by Ruth72
Friday, September 19, 2008

So Blessed

Posted by Ruth72

Today I feel very2 blessed, despite the fact that I had to take a half-day sick leave. (I wasn't feeling well in the morning. Nevertheless I continued to do my work in the office. Afternoon, I went to the clinic. Resting at home n feeling better after a little prayer, I finally find the opportunity to continue reading my book 'A Retreat With Therese of Lisieux'. No wonder it was soooo hard to finish this book. It 'speaks' directly to me.
Among others the book goes:

*Why were saints saints?
Because they were cheerful when it was difficult to be patient,
and because they pushed on when they wanted to stand still,
and kept silent when they wanted to talk,
and were agreeable when they wanted to be disagreeable.

*"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you"
(John 15:12).
Meditating on these words of Jesus, I (Therese) began to see how imperfect my own love was; it was so obvious that I didn't love my sisters (in the Carmel) as God loves them. I realize now that perfect love means putting up with other people's shortcomings, feeling no surprise at their weaknesses, finding encouragement at even the slightes evidence of good qualities in them... Always, when I act as charity bids, I have this feeling that it is Jesus acting in me. The closer my union with Him, the greater my love...
As I've said, it's not a question of always succeeding in loving others and reaching out to them. What matters is continually trying and trusting in God's grace to help us get up when we fall.
*It's strange to think that since I was fifteen I've lived in this small patch of land. No more running in the meadows for me, no more picking wildflowers and seeing vistas reaching into the distance; no variety of towns and shops, no travel to foreign countries.
I can't go places, but I do have a heart that can love and allow itself to be given for others. I'm here in Carmel, so I have to rely on other people in many ways when it comes to doing good in the wider world.
I hear much suffering and need, but I can't always respond with my personal presence. Neither can you, when you hear of distant wars and natural disasters. But ultimately it doesn't matter (where you are), for each one of us has a specific task to carry out. Practically speaking, we can only cultivate the small area of responsibility that falls to our care here and now. If what we do is not done out of love, no matter how GRAND our actions, they are useless.
* A holy person is one whose love is enfleshed in a thousand acts of neighbourly kindness.
*St. Therese wrote: "Search eagerly for the perfect gifts, but I will show you a more excellent way! "says Paul & he explains how all the more perfect gifts are nothing without love. LOVE is the EXCELLENT WAY that leads to God.
I understand that the Church had a heart and that that heart was on fire with love. I understood that only love could make the Church's members act. If love were to grow cold, the apostles would no longer proclaim the Gospel, the martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. I understood that all vocations are contained in love_that love is everything-that it embraces all time and all space. In a word, love is eternal.
Then in an excess of delirious joy I cried out: "O Jesus, my Love, I have at last found my vocation. My vocation is love".
-----------------------
Yes...I feel blessed today because God answers many of my questions.
Something also happened, which at first seemed like a great disappointment and let-down for me 2 years ago, but turned out to be a blessing in disguise TODAY. It shows God's perfect & loving intervention in my life. I am thankful to Him, because He protects me & persistently brings me back to His path & waiting patiently   with love no matter how many times I fall.
I also hear again from an old friend whom I lost contact with for 18 years!
Thank you Lord for Your endless grace & mercy.
~Ruth

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Praise

Posted by Ruth72
Friday, September 5, 2008

The Little Flower

Posted by Ruth72

Currently I'm reading a book about this modern saint of the Catholic Church. She inspired me so much.

With my shallow knowledge in Saints, I first heard about her through Catholic Digest in the early 90's...and her name somehow stucked in my memories altho' I never get to know her until quite recently. I know it is the will of God for me to learn about this spiritual legend and to follow that path of love that she left behind. Born Marie Francois-Therese Martin, she is better known as Saint Therese of Lisieux.

The Little Flower of Jesus.


Sunday, August 31, 2008

The Sunrises Of My Life

Posted by Ruth72

I love sunrises.

Somehow, they have significance in my life and painted some memories which symbolizes HOPE. Why so? 15 years ago, I was boarding a bus on my way to my job interview, when I saw a very brilliant sunrise on the east sky (in my hometown Kuching, Sarawak). A wreck of nerves, I was praying fervently inside my heart that I'd get the job after being unemployed for 3 years after I left school. It was one of the most beautiful sunrises I've ever seen...golden, yellow and orange-colored morning sky. Bright yet soft.
That was the interview for the job I'm having now.

Last week, again I got a bit nervous about things.
Waking up early before work, I saw this sunrise outside my bedroom window.
Dawn of A New Malaysian Independence. Beautiful, aren't they?

Recent photos and happenings

Posted by Ruth72

BORNEO KITE FESTIVAL IN BINTULU, 18th-24th August, 2008. (So many '8's...:-))


Octopus, Sting Ray, Catfish Giant Kites...
And a Cat too...


Giant kites filling the sky...
My nephew with his Bird Balloon which he loves so much...

Below: Some parts of Bintulu seen from 5th floor of New World Hotel.

Hotel by the beach...

Bintulu Waterfront



Thursday, August 28, 2008

Daily Cross...

Posted by Ruth72

Hi...I haven't much time to blog due to some internet connection problem, but I'll try to write as much, if not in the least, as I possibly can!

Just wanna jot down & record the events that touched my heart lately.
I must admit that this week hasn't been an easy one... will not elaborate why, just let it remain a secret between me and He who understands my heart. I felt like being almost bent to my limit, when the Faithful God sees and understands my predicament. He whispered these words in my heart, 'Take this 'trial' as an opportunity to exercise your faith, endurance and sincerity. Love your 'neighbour' (yes, I'm talking about an immediate neighbour here!). Practise empathy, see from that person's view. Show kindness, and do not complain, instead shine'. Awww...I did groan inwardly, but thanks to Him, I still managed to muster a smile outwardly.


It started 2 days ago. That day, leaving office on a somewhat gloomy evening, I was fetched by my family to the night market straight after work. I chose to stay inside the car while my parents, my sister and her 2 children (Shawn & Baby Nia) exited the vehicle to do their marketing. In my hands was this book I'd been trying to finish reading, entitled 'The Abundant Treasure' (of the Holy Spirit). It's a great book, despite the facts that I fell asleep a number of times after few paragraphs late at nite, which has nothing to do with it's greattt contents. It's just that I sometimes get very, very sleepy and tired after a days work.

I rested my head on the head rest of the car seat and looked ahead, when I spotted this sight. It amazed me, for I was like...really, this is not Simelatong or anything.
Yes, at first glimpse, they look like crosses.

Zooming In....... :


I looked again, and confirmed them to be windows of the upper floor of a shophouse. But seeing such 'sighting' (If I may called it so) at such time of, well, misery?...was no coincidence. I saw not one, or two...but 3 windows that resemble 3 crosses (The 2nd one cannot be seen here because it was blocked by the leafy plants).
The word 'Holy Trinity' crossed my mind immediately. How many windows are there in Bintulu or anywhere else that resemble crosses? Hmmm...I'm not sure about that, but the message is clear as the sun. He wants me to believe and keep trusting Him, even in the darkest hour of life.

After leaving the Pasar Malam, I was okay again. I surrendered tomorrow to God. With all the crosses of our own that we have to carry in our daily lives, His cross will always flash to remind us of the ever awaiting salvation. It's never too far...maybe somewhere near the Pasar Malam. And maybe even at your doorstep. Hallelujah!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Shine, Jesus, Shine!

Posted by Ruth72


Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me...

Chorus:
Shine, Jesus, shine!
Fill this land with the Father's glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire...

Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light...

Lord, I come to your awesome presence
From the shadows into your radiance
By the blood I may enter your brightness
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness

Shine on me, shine on me...

(repeat chorus)

As we gaze on your kingly brightness
So our faces display your likeness
Ever changing from glory to glory
Mirrored here may our lives tell your story
Shine on me, shine on me....

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Alahai Dedek Cayanggg...

Posted by Ruth72


Inilah anak buahku, Miellenia @ Nia. Orangnya suka melompat walaupun baru berusia 5 bulan (lahir pada 2.3.2008). Aneh? Taklah...dia akan minta dipegang & dlm keadaan 'berdiri', dia akan melakukan lompatan springnya. Sekilas pandang mcm Tigger dlm kartun Winnie The Pooh pun ada...oppsss :P

Setakat ini catatan rekod lompatannya yang paling banyak adalah 11 kali tanpa henti; belum dapat menyamai rekod Olympic tetapi cukup utk meraih kasih-sayang daripada kami sekeluarga.

Hobinya? Suka menghisap jari. Bila dah penat, dia akan menghisap bibir atasnya pula sehingga rupanya amat melucukan. Nia juga seorang penggemar ikan goreng, telur dll. Dia tak akan berhenti menguyah angin sambil memerhatikan kita makan sehingga kita menyuapkan sedikit makanan ke mulutnya. Tak sabar nak membesar, ye? hehehe...

Friday, August 15, 2008

Saturday, here I come!

Posted by Ruth72

These cuties remind me of my nephew & niece back in Kuching...
(Sorry, topic not relevant...hehehee).

Part 3: LIFE ON EARTH IS A TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT
Life on earth, according to the Bible, is brief, temporary and of transient nature.
Compared with eternity, life is extremely brief.
Earth is only a temporary residence.
You won’t be here forever, so don’t get too attached.
David prayed: Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here but for a moment more.”
We’re just passing through, just visiting earth.
“I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.”-Psalm 119.19.
If you call God your father, live your time as temporary residents on earth.
God says that His children are to think differently about life from the way unbelievers do.

Phillipians 3:19-20:
19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is their shame.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…

There is far more to life than just the few years we live on this planet.
Once you fully grasp the truth that your identity is in eternity and your homeland is heaven, you stop worrying about “having it all” on earth!
God is very blunt about the danger of living ‘here and adopting the values, priorities, and life-styles of the world around us. When we flirt with temptations, God calls it ‘Spiritual Adultery’.
“ You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God”.
-James 4:4
We are Christ’s ambassadors. Sadly, even many people who think of themselves as followers of Jesus Christ often forge this spiritual truth.
Peter wrote:
“Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul” – 1 Peter 2:11
This world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it.
Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.
God warns us to NOT get too attached to what’s around us, because it is all temporary. Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all its contains will pass away.
(See 1 Corinthians 7:31).
With all the fascinating attractions, mesmerizing media, and enjoyable experiences available today, we are constantly entertained, amused and catered to. Hence it’s easy to forget that the pursuit of happiness is not what life is all about!
Only as we remember that life is a test, or trust, and a temporary assignment in preparation for eternity will the appeal of these ‘good’ but secondary things lose grip on our lives. We are preparing for something even better.
“The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
-2 Corinthians 4: 18.

The fact that earth is not our ultimate home explains why we experience difficulty, sorrow, and rejection in this world.
It also explains why some of God’s promises seem unfulfilled, some prayers seem unanswered, and some circumstances seem unfair.
In order to keep us from becoming too attached to earth, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life – longings that will never be fulfilled. We’re not completely happy here because we’re not supposed to be.
Coz we’re created for something much more wonderful!
Likewise, a fish would never be happy living on land because it was made for water. An eagle could never feel satisfied if it wasn’t allowed to fly.
You will have many happy moments on earth, but it’s nothing compared with what God has planned for you.
“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”. – 2 Corinthians 4:18.
It is a fatal mistake to assume that God’s goal for your life is material prosperity or popular success, as the world defines it.
An abundant life has nothing to do with material abundance, and faithfulness to God does not guarantee success. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort!
He’s more interested in what you are becoming than in making life easy for you.
Remember, life is a test.
St. Paul was faithful to God, yet he ended up in prison.
John the Baptist, and millions of faithful people have been martyred, have lost everything, or have come the end of life with nothing to show for it in the world’s eyes.
But in God’s eyes, the greatest heroes are not those who achieve prosperity, success and power in this life, but those who treat life as a temporary assignment and serve faithfully, expecting their promised reward in eternity.
Your time on earth is not the complete story of your life. The rest of the chapters must wait until Heaven.
When life gets tough, when you’re overwhelmed with doubt, or when you wonder if living for Christ is worth the effort, remember that you are not home yet!
There may not be recognition, cheering crowds, red carpet for you on earth, but keep the hope alive that all these are temporary and of NO eternal values.

LIFE ON EARTH IS A TRUST

Posted by Ruth72

Part 2: LIFE ON EARTH IS A TRUST
God has entrusted to our care and management:
Our time, energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships and resources.
They are gifts. We are stewards, or managers of whatever God gives us.
God is the owner of everything & everyone on earth.
We never really own anything during our brief stay on earth – God just loans it to us while we’re here.
When God created Adam & Eve, He entrusted the care of His creation to them & appointed them as trustees of His property.
“God blessed them and said to them: “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground: - Genesis 1:28.
Part of our purpose today is to manage and take care of God’s creations on earth. This role has never been rescinded.
Everything we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands.
“What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
(as if you have accomplished something on your own). – 1 Corinthians 4:7

“The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord; the earth and all who live on it are His” – Psalm 24:1.

Our human nature says, “If I don’t own it, I don’t have to take care of it”. But God expects us to live by a higher standard: Because God owns it, I must take the best care of it that I possibly can.
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” – 1 Corinthians 4:2.

In the story of the talents, a businessman entrusts his wealth to the care of his servants while he’s away. When he returns, he evaluates each servant’s responsibility and rewards them accordingly.
At the end of your life on earth you will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well you handled what God entrusted to you.
That means, EVERYTHING you do, even simple daily chores, has eternal implications.
Money, as most people fail to realize, is both a test & a trust from God.
He uses finances to teach us to trust Him.
He watches how we use money to test how trustworthy we are. Money can be the greatest test of all.
“So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches” (of heaven). – Luke 16:11.
God says there’s a direct relationship between how I use my money and the quality of my spiritual life!
Is the way you manage your money preventing God from doing more in your life?
Can God trust you with spiritual riches?
Jesus said, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded;
And from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”
-Luke 12:48.
Life is a test, and a trust. The more God gives you, the more responsible He expects you to be.

LIFE ON EARTH IS A TEST

Posted by Ruth72

Part 1: LIFE ON EARTH IS A TEST(Excerpts from ‘What On Earth Am I Here For’ by Rick Warren)
God continually tests people’s character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Words like trials, temptations, refining and testing occur more than 200 times in God’s word.
God tested Abraham by asking him to offer his son, Isaac.
God tested Jacob when he had to work extra years to earn Rachel as his wife.
Adam & Eve failed their test in the Garden of Eden.
David failed his tests from God on several occasion.
Others who passed personal tests of character:
Joseph, Ruth, Esther, Daniel, Job etc.

Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test.
You are always being tested.
God constantly watches your response to people, problems, success, conflicts, illness, disappointment, and even the weather!
He even watches the simplest actions such as when you open a door for others, when you pick up a piece of trash, or when you’re polite toward a waitress or attendant.
We don’t know all the tests God will give you, but we can predict some of them, based on the Bible.
You will be tested by major changes, by delayed promises, by impossible problems, by unanswered prayers, by undeserved criticism, and even by senseless tragedies.God sometimes tests our faith through problems. Hope ~ by how we handle possessions, and love ~ through people.
One very important test is how you act when you CAN’T FEEL God’s presence in your life. Sometimes God intentionally draws back, and we don’t sense His closeness.
A king named Hezekiah experienced this test.
The Bible says, “God withdrew from Hezekiah in order to test him and see what was really in his heart”. – 2 Chronicles 32:31.
Hezekiah had enjoyed a close fellowship with God, but at a crucial point in his life, God left him alone to test his character, to reveal a weakness, and to prepare him for more responsibility.
When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life. Even the smallest incident has significance for your character development.
Everyday is an important day,
and every second is a growth opportunity to deepen your character, to develop your love, or to depend on God.
Some tests seem overwhelming while others you don’t even notice.
But all of them have eternal implications.
God wants you to pass the tests of life, that’s why He never allows them to be greater than the grace He gives you to handle them.
God keeps His promise, and He will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, He will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
Every time you pass a test, God notices.
He makes plans to reward you in eternity.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him”
-James 1:12

The Tongue

Posted by Ruth72


Why I choose this topic? Nothing controversial, juz a thought that the tongue is a very important 'tool' that we own and cherish. To cherish our tongue, we have to be cautious of how we move it and wag it (careful with our speech, that is). Afterall, we have only one tongue.
Some people even pierce their tongues...for styles maybe, even pleasure and way of life.. but to me it must be sheer painful, so no thanks. I can't even begin to think of how I'd eat and drink or brush my teeth and even talk with something (a foreign matter) being stucked on the surface of my precious tongue.

We can sing and talk and express ourselves because of our tongues, among others. When I was a little girl, I used to stick out my tongue at my big brother who was a terrible teaser. He made me cry often, and got all the fun from it by himself (by the way, he's now a very gentle and responsible 39 year-old dad to 4 children, who scolds his children for being naughty...hello???).

My tongue also endows me with a very 'kampung' taste bud. I eat raw chilly to accompany my food and dishes such as sambal belacan, tapioca leaves, bamboo shoots, dayak mustard (ensabi), petai, cencaluk... hahaha, and the list goes on. Yes, I have a taste for bitter/bittersweet food. 'Town' food don't fancy me that much. As a little girl, I ate a lot. I was and still am not a choosy type, I ate whatever was set on the table, even when it means salt & chilly blended together. Being born in a poor family and lived such a modest life in the 80s, I had nothing much to complain and couldn't afford to be selective. (There are 8 of us, and my dad's salary was only one quarter of my current salary. But quite amazingly, he managed to put us all through school, altho' he couldn't afford to accomodate us higher levels. Even then, we're most grateful. Thanks dad).

So....the tongue. We use it for all kinds of purpose. Now, I'd like to remind myself of the danger of misuse of the tongue. I myself tend to forget it, and struggling to remember the implication of the words we use in our daily lives. So here goes:

“ A slip of the foot you may soon recover,
but a slip of the tongue you may never
get over” – Franklin.

“ If anyone considers himself religious
and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue,
he deceives himself and his religion is worthless”
- James 1:26

So if you love yourself, please love your tongue and careful not to utter careless words which can hurt yourself and others.