Yes, I watch Korean dramas. It's not something to brag about because their writers and directors are so good at drawing you into the story. Well, not ALL dramas or movies are good. Only some that I enjoyed and had me thinking.
As in every matter - there are the good and the bad points. But the point I want to bring up here are the good traits that I've observed in the Korean culture, that I hope will influence the Korean show fans. I'd like to share a couple here :
They always 'wish' for another person whom they come into contact with, good things or say words of appreciation.
E.g. to fellow workers, before leaving their workplace they'd say : 'You've all worked hard', or 'Good work'.
To the vendors they purchase from 'May you get good sales'
Humility when meeting with new people or with someone older.
It's not just the bowing out of respect -even in the faces you can see humility and respect.
We are so lacking in the above two traits.
I hope those good traits brush off on us who watches them, and the rest.
"O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)."
The Quran, Al Hujurat 49:13 (translation of the Quran by Yusuf Ali)
[ I know I've quoted the above verse quite a few times. Shouldn't we always remind ourselves?]
Madame Blossom's Book of Poems
Friday, March 20, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
An interesting word
I was at the Nuts and Dried Fruits stall, looking at the varieties offered - $3.90 for every 100 grams. There were also various kinds of cashew nuts available, honey coated cashews, roasted cashew, and about 3-4 others, And then I saw dried cranberries, and I love to eat cranberries with roasted cashew together. I wondered if I can buy them mixed, since both of them cost the same. So I asked the seller, "Can I mix them up?"
"Mix?"
"Yes mixed."
" 'Hanchegem' 'hanchegem' can mix.. not 'hanchegem' cannot mix. "
It sounded like some Korean word. What does it mean? Was it like coated non coated? Interested, I asked,
"What is... 'hanchegem'?"
"Hanchegem, then like two hanchegem.. then can mix."
About 2 seconds later I realised what it means.
'Aah.. hundred grams.. ok ok. "
"Mix?"
"Yes mixed."
" 'Hanchegem' 'hanchegem' can mix.. not 'hanchegem' cannot mix. "
It sounded like some Korean word. What does it mean? Was it like coated non coated? Interested, I asked,
"What is... 'hanchegem'?"
"Hanchegem, then like two hanchegem.. then can mix."
About 2 seconds later I realised what it means.
'Aah.. hundred grams.. ok ok. "
Thursday, March 05, 2015
a tribute for her
It's been a long long time since I've called her by name. Now that she's going soon.. I've reminiscing those times I've spent with her. I found myself, opening my blog and looking for posts about Blossmobile. :p
"Harta dunia.. harta dunia" - I reminded myself. We first used this term when we were in Makkah. We notice that most drivers there drive like there is no one else on the road. And they don't care if their car is scratched or even if windscreen is cracked. In Singapore, when we get into a mini-tiny accident.. just a bit of scratch.. drivers get out of their cars, causing a major traffic jam during peak hours, to discuss the 5cm scratch on their cars.
So we figured - these drivers in Makkah, they are Muslims right.. so their take on their worldly belongings, like their cars.. must not be as serious and precious as the Singaporeans. To them, this must be merely 'harta dunia' (just a worldly belonging).
After I got back from Makkah, I too began not to feel too attached to material belongings, little by little. The car too, I'm not over sensitive about the car - especially after moving to JB, when you have to sometimes miraculously squeeze between cars to get to the Customs booth on some mornings or evenings. These days it's much better alhamdulillaah.
Blossmobile has a few dents and scratches that does not bother me AT ALL - alhamdulilaah.
In fact there was once, when there was a knock - I moved too close for comfort. I thought I hit the car very light. There were no visible scratches or dents on the car in front. We moved on and I forgot about the case. Then in the evening, at home, my husband was the one to noticed the car and asked so surprisingly, 'What happened to your car?!' By then I had totally forgotten about it, so I asked him back.. 'why? what happened?'.
"Why?!?!?! there is a big dent in front!"
I was surprised to see the big dent too. I didn't realise it was like that. At that time, I thought I'd just draw a bandage and write 'Ouch' near the dent - but of course I didn't. Anyhow.. the next time we went to service my car, we had it knocked back in shape. Now it's as good as not so new.
Blossmobile has served me well over the last 9 years plus. Masyaa Allaah, Alhamdulillaah. If it's not for the stupid COE system in Singapore - I would have kept that car until I die (illa masyaa Allaah)
My husband's car's COE is ending this month. Now that we can only afford one car for the family, we surely need to get a bigger car than Blossmobile. So I'll have to let her go too, even though she has 10 more months to the end of her COE term.
I'm suppose to let her go by next Monday in exchange for the bigger 2nd hand vehicle. But I asked my husband to negotiate with the dealer, to let me keep her for 2 weeks more - until the last day before hubby's car's COE expires. At least until then, we'll still have the 2 cars. Insyaa Allaah.
May it be a good 2 weeks. Aamiin.
Update : I'm holding on to her for another 10 months insyaa allaah. Until the end of her COE term.
"Harta dunia.. harta dunia" - I reminded myself. We first used this term when we were in Makkah. We notice that most drivers there drive like there is no one else on the road. And they don't care if their car is scratched or even if windscreen is cracked. In Singapore, when we get into a mini-tiny accident.. just a bit of scratch.. drivers get out of their cars, causing a major traffic jam during peak hours, to discuss the 5cm scratch on their cars.
So we figured - these drivers in Makkah, they are Muslims right.. so their take on their worldly belongings, like their cars.. must not be as serious and precious as the Singaporeans. To them, this must be merely 'harta dunia' (just a worldly belonging).
After I got back from Makkah, I too began not to feel too attached to material belongings, little by little. The car too, I'm not over sensitive about the car - especially after moving to JB, when you have to sometimes miraculously squeeze between cars to get to the Customs booth on some mornings or evenings. These days it's much better alhamdulillaah.
Blossmobile has a few dents and scratches that does not bother me AT ALL - alhamdulilaah.
In fact there was once, when there was a knock - I moved too close for comfort. I thought I hit the car very light. There were no visible scratches or dents on the car in front. We moved on and I forgot about the case. Then in the evening, at home, my husband was the one to noticed the car and asked so surprisingly, 'What happened to your car?!' By then I had totally forgotten about it, so I asked him back.. 'why? what happened?'.
"Why?!?!?! there is a big dent in front!"
I was surprised to see the big dent too. I didn't realise it was like that. At that time, I thought I'd just draw a bandage and write 'Ouch' near the dent - but of course I didn't. Anyhow.. the next time we went to service my car, we had it knocked back in shape. Now it's as good as not so new.
Blossmobile has served me well over the last 9 years plus. Masyaa Allaah, Alhamdulillaah. If it's not for the stupid COE system in Singapore - I would have kept that car until I die (illa masyaa Allaah)
My husband's car's COE is ending this month. Now that we can only afford one car for the family, we surely need to get a bigger car than Blossmobile. So I'll have to let her go too, even though she has 10 more months to the end of her COE term.
I'm suppose to let her go by next Monday in exchange for the bigger 2nd hand vehicle. But I asked my husband to negotiate with the dealer, to let me keep her for 2 weeks more - until the last day before hubby's car's COE expires. At least until then, we'll still have the 2 cars. Insyaa Allaah.
May it be a good 2 weeks. Aamiin.
Update : I'm holding on to her for another 10 months insyaa allaah. Until the end of her COE term.
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Sitting outside
Sitting outside, reading a book, occasionally looking up at the stars, feeling the soft cool breeze - is wonderful - alhamdulillaah.
I'd love to write a story with a scene and dialogue about the stars, insyaa Allaah. We really need to add nature into our stories.
I'd love to write a story with a scene and dialogue about the stars, insyaa Allaah. We really need to add nature into our stories.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
A weird dream
This dream.
I was advising a brother, who doesn't want to repent yet because he says his sins are way too many. So I was thinking of how to convince him and to assure him that Allaah will forgive him and how easy it is to to gain rewards than it is to gain sins.
I remember trying to draw a scale to show that idea.
I think we were in a desert.
"Whoever shall come [before God] with a good deed will gain ten times the like thereof; but whoever shall come with an evil deed will be requited with no more than the like thereof; and none shall be wronged. "
Al Qur'an Al-An-am 6:160
Asad's translation.
I was advising a brother, who doesn't want to repent yet because he says his sins are way too many. So I was thinking of how to convince him and to assure him that Allaah will forgive him and how easy it is to to gain rewards than it is to gain sins.
I remember trying to draw a scale to show that idea.
I think we were in a desert.
"Whoever shall come [before God] with a good deed will gain ten times the like thereof; but whoever shall come with an evil deed will be requited with no more than the like thereof; and none shall be wronged. "
Al Qur'an Al-An-am 6:160
Asad's translation.
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