The Reader

Photography

  Under the "spotlight" 
  Originally uploaded by nazley.

First, let me tell you about the photo on the right. It was taken by Nazley,my sifu in photography. Tomorrow is a public holiday and he is taking a few of us to Putrajaya and Tasik Perdana to take some photos. I hope to learn as much as I could from him.

Over the last five years since I started using digital camera, I have about 5,000 photos from all over the places and many I have posted at my flickr. Nothing is great so far, but I learn and improve along the way. Like other subjects of my interests/hobbies, the best way is to learn from the masters.

To my friends who wish to join our 'expeditions', please call me. Below is our schedule:
6:30am Leave my home
7:15am Arrival at the carpark next to Masjid Putra, Putrajaya
7:15-8:30am Photo taking
8:30-9:00am Breakfast at the restaurant by the lake.
9:00-10:00am Travel to Tasik Perdana
10:00-11:00am Photo taking
11am onwards- Talks and makan..

Sincere donations

I was disgusted reading the news that some Malaysians had donated expired foodstuff to those affected by floods in Johor. These are the ugly Malaysians who are a shame to our country!

Last night, the imam of our surau appealed to the congretation to donate SINCERELY in cash or in kind via a group of IKM students who are going to Muar on Thursday to provide some helps to those affected by the flood.I am happy to note that three bus loads of students will go to Muar and do whatever they could to those in need of help.

As muslims, our 'niat'( true intention) is a pre-requite to get the acceptance of Allah as  a form of  our ubuddiyyah as His abids(servants). This reminds me of my religous teacher( who passed away more than a year ago) who keeps reminding me of the needs of maintaining the state of 'ikhlas' in our hearts all the time in all forms of our ibadah. It is not easy, but we must be conscious of it all the time, lest our good deeds will go to waste...especially our solats.

In one of the lectures given by Prof Dr Syed Naguib al-Attas last month, he told us that the higher sufis are the muslim scholars who practised the syariah at the 'makam' of 'ehsan'.

To my fellow muslims/muslimahs, please read this explaination of the meaning of ikhlas in Islamic context. It is very,very important all of us undertand what is ikhlas.

Think out of the Block

  New local book on Sudoku 
  Originally uploaded by Adibi.

I do enjoy solving number puzzle like Sudoku whenever I have the time. It provokes logical thinking and it is a good mental exercise for me as I am getting older. The book shown is written by a Malaysian  author who has developed a systematic approach to assist ordinary folks like me to solve the problems faster.

What attracted me more to this book is the processes of thinking elaborated by the author before I could enjoy the reward of solving the puzzle. It is more of the journey than the destination...

As in any journeys/travels, we can learn a lot if we open our mind and heart..

Note: Today is 10th Muharam.

Simple and yet beautiful..

Lamp shade
Originally uploaded by Adibi.

That is about simplicity!

It is so simple and yet it is not easy to do in many things and many ways in our lives. Somehow, things do get complicated and sophisticated as we "progressed"...

This photo of the lamp shade was taken from my room at Colmar Tropicale when I was there a few days ago.

Now, let's be simple and yet beautiful today and everyday of our lives..

Pointed Towers

  Pointed Towers 
  Originally uploaded by Adibi.

Looking at this photo,I would say that it must be taken some where in Europe. But it is located about one hour drive from KL. I was there in the last three days- assisting my partner in conducting a PMP preparation course for a group of government officers. From my short experience there, this hill resort with a French flair is quite conducive for meeting,family get together and seminar.

For me, it was business -day and night. I will go next time for leisure and fun with my friends and family.

Note on photo: It was taken from the staircase leading to the small lake under the bridge -the main entrance to the resort.

Wall designs

The photo was taken by my son Munir when he visited science exhibiton at KLCC recently.

The Globe

The photo was taken by my son Munir when he visited science exhibiton at KLCC recently. Can someone tell me what is the inclination of the earth axis and what is its significance?

Antique Books

This bookshop is located at kilometre zero,Paris-next to Notredam.

@ Colmar Tropicale

For the next three days,until Friday I will be away at Colmar Tropicale to assist my partner in teaching project management to a group of senior managers from a government agency. I have never been there; so if you have been up there, please share with me your experience and give me some tips so that I can enjoy my stay there after our working hours.

It is very unlikely that I would have time to blog, but if my Treo650 can send photos via DIGI,I will send a few to my Daily Snapshots blog.By the way,I have pre-programmed my blog to post a photo a day while I am away.

This photo reminds me of my last trip to Paris. It was a privilege for me to sit down having coffee at Les Deux Magots café in Paris.

The photo was taken by my dear friend Awang Goneng, a Malaysian who lives in London.

Writing:Any where and any time..

Some people asked me how I got the time to write. Well, I write any where I am and whenever I feel like it. All you need is a pen a piece of paper(preferrably a notebook) - which every one can afford.Now, I write everyday-in my notebook and my computer. By the way, I enjoy both worlds - analogue and digital. Both have their own strenghts and weaknesses.

Just carry a pen and notebook with you all the time.Then, take some time to write every day. After a few months, it became my habit. Just tell yourself that it is cool to write;-)

Note: The photo shown was taken by my son Ahmad Maher when we were going home(balik kampung) during the recent Eidul Adha.