Ayat-ayat Cinta

Under normal circumstance, I seldom read Malay novel. The love stories are usually too good to be true or the hero is overacting, hopeless romantic kind of guy which I found, maaf ya, really daunting. There are of course some which are different like Dedaun Hijau Di Angin Lalu by Manaf Hamzah which I read when I was 14 and can still vividly remember the story line. I read it in one night under the gleam of a corridor light of my dormitory. That was what you have to pay for potong line for I really can’t wait my turn. I cried reading it, several times.

Back to Ayat-ayat Cinta, why I read this novel?. TV3 aired Ayat-ayat Cinta the movie last Raya and friends been talking louder about it since then. I haven’t read the book and I missed the movie. I was like, zero knowledge on something big, something of what people been talking and discussing. It hits me hard when out of nothing Chenta ask me ‘Have you read the book? No?’.

Don’t worries, I wont spoil you with the synopsis, (ke semua org dah baca?).

AAC is not an ordinary love/romantic novel. Written by Habiburrahman El Shirazy, a novelist from Indonesia, and as well as a scholar from Al Azhar University, Cairo, Ayat-ayat Cinta is a romantic Islamic novel. For some reason I couldn’t understand myself, I didn’t google ‘AAC book review’ like what I usually did before reading/buying. And for that I’m really grateful, as the beauty of this novel is found and grown on every page I read.

at the very 2nd last page...

And given the story’s central theme is on love, you don’t really get much of that until you read half of the book. Be patience as despite Habiburrahman did a good job in describing Cairo and introducing the characters, the early part is (to me) rather dragging.

This novel somehow touches my heart deeply, inspires and allows me to sit and think about my own story of love. What kind of love do we glorify most? Honor most? How far do we stand to the test? The main characters have to make their call and sacrifice. Love hurts, doesn’t it from time to time.

Ah, love…

desir pasir di padang tandus
segersang pemikiran hati
terkisah ku di antara
cinta yang rumit
bila keyakinanku datang
kasih bukan sekadar cinta
pengorbanan cinta yang agung
ku pertaruhkan
maafkan bila ku tak sempurna
cinta ini tak mungkin ku cegah
ayat-ayat cinta bercerita
cintaku padamu
bila bahagia mulai menyentuh
seakan ku bisa hidup lebih lama
namun harus ku tinggalkan cinta
ketika ku bersujud
ketika ku bersujud

Ayat-Ayat Cinta – Melly/Rossa

To those who are in love please spare your time to read this novel. It explicates guidelines in relationship in a way that you don’t even realize it.

"Biar cinta itu halal dan diberkati. Biar cinta itu kekal dari dunia hingga akhirat."

p/s I did watch the movie, they attempts to tackle various issues, and while it goes for that, it holds back, leave some significant scenes, hence not being able to deliver its punches to the full. I guarantee you; the novel is 10 times better than the movie.

Jalan-jalan LA

I have a terrible upper back pain. It started more than 2 weeks ago, resulting head ache and stressful sleep. May be it’s the job, again.. – I’m most disturbed with the current situations where technically I have to cleanup whatever blunders left by this guy. Yes, menanggung memang dapat (sikit) duit but to think of the workloads and the compulsory extra 1 working hour everyday, it’s just not worth it. But I really shouldn’t torture myself to insanity thinking of it or doing it kan. Bila la nak jadi Kimora ni kan Zira …hehe (oh I love her too).

And I kind of miss my writing. Previous posting are lack of describing, expressing, telling and all, just few words as caption to the picas. So not cool when you try to read them back. Blerrghh..

Having opportunity to visit a friend is the best itinerary when traveling abroad. You got to see how they settle in, how they enjoy every day and every minute of their life there. You got to see their beautiful house, the comfy rides, and their different lifestyle that oh, we can only dream on here… and daku hanya mampu menemplak diri sendiri kerana dulu banyak main, dan tidak pernah serius memikirkan mahu belajar di mana, mau jadi apa. Jujurnya, hati saya hangat melihat kebahagiaan mereka sekeluarga.

Well, we shall now resume most probably our last programming of Jalan-jalan’s jauh log in 2008, which actually happened more than a month ago. How time flies.

LA – 20-21 Sep 2008

I can’t thank Acoy & Aju enough for their generosity for EVERYTHING in LA. To think back of it, Acoy might have to deny iftar/terawikh invitations, or Aju might have missed the baking/cooking for iftar or raya cookies. So as the kids, which might miss having fun with others? Dah la tu, masuk Universal Studios tak dapat main pulak tu….

Oh well...on 21st Sept, we started the day early and headed to north of downtown LA to Universal Studios!


malu-malu kena paksa posing ngan Acoy..hehehe

No, we didn’t masuk, only posed at the entrance gate but that was already so impressive. The major factor is time constrain, but deep down our heart we felt unfair for Iman. So perhaps some other time with him.. oh ye ke Abah?. We then strolled around the many shops and buy few must-have thingy.


smile....



the globe.. nampak that shy little girl in pink?

Then Acoy drove us to Hollywood Boulevard

Walk Of Fame
At first I was like who is this? and this? I hardly even heard of their names. Rupanya these sidewalk honor celebrities from the silent film of yesteryear to today’s blockbusters so don’t aspect to know every single name on the bronze star plaques.

There is a song describe them as: “people who worked and suffered and struggled for fame, some who succeeded, and some who suffered in vain..." emmm…

Oh, it’s my name!.

Mann’s Chinese Theatre
Best-known for the hand and footprints in its forecourt.

the power of wide lense , vertically. result: longer legs!hah!

No matter how much Chenta claimed that he is not star-struck, but here, just cant resists sticking his hands in the prints!

Kodak Theater
Just few steps from Chinese Theatre is the famous Kodak Theatre.

Front façade of the Theatre.

I was wondering why it doesn’t look like what I saw in TV. I google around and found that during the special occasions, the building is dressed before the ceremony, including a different sign though not always, drapery to hide all the storefronts, and the famous large red carpet. Emm no wonder it looks so boring.

Hollywood and Highland Complex
At the back of this complex, past the arch, the gate frames a terrific view of the Hollywood sign and you can pose for pictures on the oversized "casting couch" with the Hollywood Sign in the background. I so wanted to do that but this one family been sitting there like a statue. Jauh akak datang ni…. kempunan tau!

not that bench.. a couch far back behind...


my best shot

The elephant statues that surround the courtyard were used in the Road to Hollywood movie.

Actually, Hollywood and Highland also connects to the Kodak Theater and Mann's Chinese Theater. You can’t miss the street performers on the sidewalk in front, dressed up as everything from Homer Simpson to Wonder Woman. But they expect a tip If you want to take a picture with them.

paparazi's work

After feeling so much like a star, we set off to Citadel!.

Acoy decided to try a short cut route which gave us to see a different LA. Chicano and Asian neighborhood!.

Such a beautiful outlet with palm tress all around it.

Levi’s store is massive! All the grief of not buying any Levi’s at Boston gone! And Chenta got another pair, aci? Iman got his share too.

With few goods in hand, we move back to San Marino just enough time for Tuan Rumah to cook for Iftar. Our best Iftar in US!. Tanpa rasa malu menambah berpingan-pinggan! Oh pinggan itu….

Tuan Rumah,
I’m not a good writer. With limited vocabs and inaccurate grammars, I dedicated this entry to you Sekeluarga. Hope to see you again (soon) before our visa is expired or before you move to other city. Kalau other city, we meet at that city lah.(hehehehe stalker ke apa kami ni?). And when we finally do, I want to give Umi the biggest possible hug. Thank you again.

I boarded the terminal with lumps in my throat and teary eyes. Chenta jelling jek!hiks!

Good bye US.

Jalan-jalan Boston

I wanted to update earlier but things have been pretty hectic lately. I hate my job, enough said.

16 – 20 Sept 2008

Oh I forgot to mention, masa check in kat Lax, I was ushered aside and this officer shouted dgn kuatnya: “female assistances needed, we have red code over here”. I was like, wtf? Ya, daku kena red code, abis kena raba and hand luggage and hand bag kena selongkar, they wiped inside my bag, my shoes and my hands with this wet tissue and put it inside a machine mcm dlm CSI tu. While waiting for the result, I was seated at a chair and they ask few questions. Macam siut jek kan! Tapi daku cool jek…. Eleh…diorang ni mcm bagus jek nampak org pakai tudung, terus declare red code.

jalan-jalan dipagi hari taking pictures like there is no tomorrow.

cool pics on the first day / wrentham outlet store

Bila Chenta pi 'kerja', I was jumping off and on a train or bus or walking on my own like I've never did before.

leaving foot print at Harvad / Harvard Library

Enter to grow in wisdom / me and Mr John Harvard

Around MIT / The famous MIT structure

Alice : claiming

Boston definately wonderful. Although I insisted to everyone that this is no honeymoon, I cannot deny that this is probably a honeymoon indeed.

Did u know that Boston is kampung halaman B&J?

children's museum anyone?

Moi @ Boston tea Party / Chenta @ Boston's Historic North End

prudential tower

I ended this entry with this special picture.

Abaikan saiz bahagian atas kakiku!

kalau rajin, sila bagi caption..hehehe

Jun-On

tolong... saya ketakutan!!

lebih takut lagi bila dia depangkan tangan dan melompat mcm hantu cina!!

serious, saya takut.... (abah pon takut..)

kalau awak, awak takut tak?

permainan apa ni Iman?

Jalan-jalan Taoyuan Airport, Santa Monica LA

15 Sept 2008
The you-never-know-where-and-when trip.

Entry transit

Following my ridiculously busy weeks, and holy month of Ramadhan is just started, I hadn't been looking forward to any trip away from work. When Chenta called and informed me about this trip, my mind opposed to believe. I simply put down the phone and continue working. Who would have thought that his usual mengacau-call is actually not bogus?

We had less than 2 weeks to settle visas and my flight tickets. Mind you even though Chenta had the invitation memo for the forum, they (his admin) didn’t give the full itineraries, expecting me to book the flight through their agent. I was rather mad and impatient because not only the price is 2k higher than what Azidah quoted me, the agent didn’t confirm yet their booking which means I have lesser days to book causing changes in flight fares and availabilities or, even worse they might changed airline or routes. At this point, I nearly gave up. Dah la tu, interview date for visa pon very last minutes. If we fall short this one, we wont be able to book for another date. That’s it. So the idea of bringing Iman is out of question. Poor baby kena tinggal lagik.

Nak dijadikan cerita, on the day we supposedly flew 14/9, Typhoon Sinlaku slammed into Taiwan with heavy rain and strong winds forcing the cancellation of dozens of flights including MH099. Insensitive MAS not even bothered to inform us about the cancellation saying that this is not their technical failure whatsoever. The flight was scheduled at the same time next day. At first, his colleagues tried to change the route from via LA to NY. I was like, matila aku kalau mahal. Luckily the not so friendly ticketing staff said the tickets were tagged as cannot-be-changed.

On 15/9 we flew to LA via Taipei. Masa dah nak sampai Taipei, this one stewardess who wore fake long eyelashes dengan kalutnya ask us what we want for buka puasa. 5 min later she came back with a mas plastic bag, tapau food for buka puasa.

Airport.

Santa Monica Pier, LA

Arrival at Lax was ok, surprisingly fast clearance. Kuih tart tidak diperiksa langsung..heheh. We had more than 5 hours for our next flight to Boston. So, we hop on a yellow cab to Santa Monica Pier! Santa Monica is only 7.6miles away from Lax. Chenta dah google since kat Taipei lagi mana nak pergi transit lama giler tu.

pic taken from the cab.

at the pier.

Santa Monica is exactly like we saw in the movies. Cantik. I love the planks of the pier, which somehow look very modest yet classic. The amusements park was closed for private function, not that we have time for them but at least I want to pose in front the famous vintage merry-go-round. And I found kasut Forrest Gump! hehe

Enjoying one of the best sunset along California coast (as the local claimed), macam tak caya jek..:)))

We than had our iftar at Mariasol Cocina Mexicana, and took a yellow cab back to Lax. Pergi lalu town kena USD30, balik lalu highway pusing masuk town balik, kena double!. Cisss.

Sampai Lax Chenta hantar daku ke terminal 7 as I will fly with UA, his was AA. Melepak la daku sesorang kat T7 tu. Called Aju using public phone (maxis bengong tak roaming despite dah sound awal2), left message as Tuan Rumah berterawikh di luar. Maaf la Tuan Rumah, baru teringat nak call… hehehe tu pon tukar coins beli mag Vougue..hehhe

Lepas take-off I look down and ternganga melihat California illuminates beautifully. It was massive! Like a golden city. Ampunkan kejakunanku itu.

gambar gegar tp nak tunjuk jugak...

Oh I sat sebelah pakcik tua, gemuk, typical American, but behind me were these 2 young Mexican muka ala2 Santi dlm Goal tu.. hehehe

*as usual, click picture to enlarge*

Raya 2008

I was tired... stressed out and frustrated at the fact that I have to work on Raya eve. Well, actually, work is not the right word kan Zie. its just I’m not used not to take super early leave for Raya. And I have to buy ready-made baju raya as the tempah one is poorly tailored. Duh!

On the happier note, this raya we managed to gather everybody for a family photo shoot.


Keluarga Hj. Setam (ini bukan semua ya..)


Complete gang of Keluarga Hj. Johari

Iman enjoying this raya to the max. He prefers traditional kuih like dodol, bangkit and rempeyek. The only cookie he likes is almond london, for he will only lick the chocolate coating.


Iman buat muka everytime Mummy panggil nak amek gambar!



Keluarga En Anwar

Sekali lagi, salam lebaran for all. Don't forget to give and forgive in every way we can.

*click image to enlarge*

Salam Lebaran 2008

malam tadi Iman asyik menyanyi

buai laju - laju
sampai okok sena
apa apa dalam dalam baju
setuntum bunga ciiiinaaaaa...

mungkin Atuk Nah yang ajar sebab di kampung, dia suka duduk di buai....
tersentuh hati...
malam tadi, lagu-lagu twinkle little star, are you sleeping kurasa kesat ditelinga....

Ya, tidak relevan kenyataan ini dengan tajuk entry,
daku syahdu sebenarnya..
buat pertama kalinya daku akan pulang ke kampung dipetang raya...
kalau keadaan jalan teruk, mungkin tidak sempat berbuka...
mungkin hanya akan sampai dimalam raya ...
tiada cuti...




kepada rakan-rakan semua, tiada kata yang dapat menyatakan keinginan bersalaman sendiri memohon jutaan kemaafan. selamat berhari raya, bergembira dengan keluarga.



errr... ini keadaan biasa meja saya.. ya, sungguh tidak kemas, saya tahu. tapi saya suka. apa ni??
jiwa sungguh kacau............nak balikkkkkkkkkkk