THE ARRIVAL OF THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADHAN BUT NOT THE WAY IT USED TO BE

The month of Ramadhan has arrived yet again. This year, however, the fasting month is not the same anymore because of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. To fight against this disease, Movement Control Order [MCO] is imposed throughout the nation. Consequently, there are routine activities that Muslims could not carry out anymore during this holy month. The most saddening thing would be people are not allowed to visit the mosque to perform the prayers - especially the special prayers that could only be done during Ramadhan, i.e. the tarawikh prayers. We now just do them at home - minus the joy of performing them together with neighbours and friends. The distant calls for prayers [adzans] could only be heard from homes, without being able to accept them. I just hope that this devastating period would bring some changes to the Muslims - we need to be at the mosques as frequent as possible when time permits later.

Another event that is the highlight of the month should be the Bazaar Ramadhan, not only for the fasting Muslims but also to the non-Muslims alike. No longer could we get mouth-watering food and drinks to break our fast with. On the other hand, this should get us back on the right track, a reminder that fasting is the month to practise moderation and breaking fast should not be a feast.

There are of course other things that have been made difficult or almost impossible to do now but this is time to self-reflect and for us to spend more time to submit and worship our Creator rather than focusing too much on the worldly obsession. We might not even be able to celebrate Eid as we used to do but again, the darkest hour is before the dawn. Let's put our hands together and pray this pandemic will soon be over and may we all be blessed by Allah the Almighty

MY COLLECTIBLES: KEY CHAINS - PART TWO

CONTINUATION OF PART ONE

As the Movement Control Order [MCO] has been extended, it's time to continue cataloging my key chains collection.

I have some more key chains kept in four boxes which are yet to be opened and checked. Wonder if I will still have the time to do so,

HOW DO I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME DURING THE MCO PERIOD?

The Movement Control Order (MCO) to fight COVID-19 virus started on the 18th March 2020 and we already in the third phase which is expected to end by 28th April 2020. So how do I spend most of my time during the #stayhome period? Fortunately my house is a kampung [village] house style with some area in the front and back part. Most of my time is spent outside, tending the plants and managed to plant a few new ones as well. Let's have a look at some of the fruit/edible plants I have at home.

apple custard [buah nona]

rose apple [jambu air]

[ulam raja]

bird's eye chili [cili padi]

other apple custard [buah nona]

sapodilla [ciku]

soursop [durian belanda]

screwpine leaves [daun pandan]

 the matured apple custard plant [buah nona]

jambu batu [guava]

lemon [lemon]

more lemon [lemon]

The leaves of the lemon plants are badly eaten by small grasshoppers.

kaffir lime [limau purut]

papaya [betik]

Fasting in the month of Ramadhan starts this Friday which means I will have to spend less time outside under the scorching sun. At the same time, the temperature is quite high these few days so I have to look for other activities which require less energy.

MY FACE MASKS SAFELY ARRIVED

A friend was kind enough to get me two boxes of face masks. Not that I go out frequently during the MCO period but I have the essential protection that one could not get from the pharmacies out there. Furthermore we are still not sure how much longer we will be ordered to stay home to fight the COVID-19 virus.

Thanks Puan Rozida Mohd. Ramli, my coursemate from UPM TESL class of 1993, for the help, sending the parcel all the way from KL by courier. May kindness beget kindness.

Read how I was scammed buying face masks on Lazada HERE.

THE SURPRISE THAT ARRIVED ON ONE MCO DAY

A courier man sent a parcel to my house this morning but I neither bought anything online nor expected anything from anyone. I even told the delivery guy I did not make any online purchase for the fear he might be sending the package to the wrong person. I thought it could be the remaining face masks I did not receive sent by the company which had conned me before this. [READ HERE]

I guess surprises still happened during the MCO period. The box containing "Harumanis" mangoes was sent all the way from Perlis by a dear friend. She is my TESL coursemate of UPM class of 1993.

Thanks a lot Puan Sharon Taty Mokhtar for the fruits, but most importantly for your kind thought. Only Allah may repay your kind deed. And for one thing, the surprise had really made my day.

THE KPI THAT WAS ACHIEVED DURING THE MCO PERIOD TODAY

Too much focus had been put to all kinds of work in the backyard and it was time to shift the attention to the front lawn. It was time for repotting activity for the hibiscus plants that needed new and nutritious soil as well as bigger spaces to live in.

Fortunately, I always keep some organic soil and pots at home as they would be important if I suddenly decide to carry out gardening.

before

To be able to get the hibiscus plant out of the old pots was already an achievement. Sometimes they would get stuck and pulling them out could cause damage to the plants.

Just look at the intertwined roots that looked like the intestines which had to be cut off. No wonder the plants' growth was stunted and they looked unhealthy.

after

The task was successfully done and the KPI of the day was achieved. While some people posted on the social media their skin complexion has become a few tones brighter after staying for too long inside the house, on the contrary, my tan is already a few shades darker. With all the gardening work in the sun, I manage to maintain all the three criteria nonetheless: tall, dark and handsome.

As you can see, my organic soil stock is running dangerously low. I will have to call the nursery I use to visit and ask the boss or the staff whether they could do delivery during the MCO period. For the time being, let's just pray the hibiscus plants in the three pots will be growing well and healthy.

MY COLLECTIBLES: POTTED BOUGAINVILLEA PLANTS

The weather is now quite hot actually and it should be the best time for my potted bougainvillae flowers to bloom at the same time.

In Malay, the flowers are called "Bunga Kertas" or paper flower if translated directly. It could be because of the texture and the thickness of the petals which are similar to a piece of thin paper.

The striking and multi-coloured display is something you could feast your eyes on. I even had strangers stopping by the roadside and stepping inside the house compound just to admire the myriad of colours longer. Unfortunately, the flowers would not last long and soon they would all drop off from the branches and I am so ready to sweep them away. 

So, enjoy the nature's gift while you still can. I do that every day without fail.