Letter to Julia 20120901

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

How are you feeling, my dearest Julia?  Are you in a better mood?  I'm sorry that other people put you in a state of insecurity, but please know that you are my Queen, my princess, you are my girl, mine, mine, MINE.  I love you with all my heart, and I want to marry you.

The recent shenanigans you've observed is because there is a lot of money going around and around, but insyaAllah that ordeal is over.  InsyaAllah, that money will come my way quickly, so I can afford to give you a good married life.  Yes, I know that it's old-fashioned that I sustain you, and buy you pretty things, and build your house for you, but wouldn't you want it that way too?  So please pray that Allah grants me my own wealth soon.

The other side of the coin is that we might regret not giving the current situation a chance at all.  I don't want to see you live in squalor like me, but the cost of living here is very low.  Once we are face to face, I can easily discuss the details of things with you, and together we can overcome the hurdles, and take our time doing so, because we will already be together.  You've seen the situation, and we both are prudent people, why not start the rest of our lives together as soon as possible?  Something to think about.

What is my decision?  I want to give you the best married life, of comfort, security, and happiness.  InsyaAllah.  Because I love you, I want you to be happy with me.  There is no other decision to be made by me, for I care about your well-being.  Please pray that Allah grants me my own wealth soon.

Letter to Julia 20120829

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

For dinner, I had an American breakfast.  Beef patty, extra crispy hash browns, and 2 eggs sunny side up.  You know, I do miss that about America, hanging out with friends at those 24 hour diners at 2am, having breakfast and infinite cups of coffee.  I remember deep fried hash browns with onions and melted cheese, at the Belgian waffle place.  Oh my God, I once had friends!   I was young back then, and clueless.

Letter to Julia 20120828

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Ah, my beautiful young lady Julia.  You are still so young, and you have your whole life and love ahead of you.  InsyaAllah, I am done with the past, but I am old.  I have done more than you, whether good or bad, and I have to react to motions set long ago.  It's not karma my love, but simple cause and effect.  Like my foot injury, from working many years in the food business, it will take many years for it to work itself out, perhaps I will die first before I walk without pain.  I shouldn't have been there to begin with, but I made the choice to stay.  Thus, we do things to ourselves.

Outside my house is the stench of dead animal that I and my Mom can smell, but I can't find the carcass.  Perhaps it is hiding in the thicket by the ditch next door, but I don't see it, so I guess I will have to put up with the smell until the scavengers remove the carcass.  It is probably the body of one member of the gang of cats that belong to my brother.  There are 2 males, Scruffy and Scrawny, and 2 females, Frick and Frack, and Scrawny has been AWOL lately.  He has been getting picked on by another male cat that I probably have told you about, a well-groomed and muscular striped cat who swings his balls around like a supermodel swings her ass.  Scrawny had big balls, so I think that's why the other cat harassed him all the time, to the point where Scrawny got killed,  All this violence over some cat food and the right to park outside my Mom's kitchen door.  Well, I'll be feeding those cats from now, so I suppose they'll be parking outside my front door.

Please remember to maintain your prayers, my dearest Julia.  And please know that it is righteous to defend yourself against oppression, and not just lie back and take abuse.  I love you, my sweet Julia.

Letter to Julia 20120827

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hello Julia, my love, my darling.  How are you feeling today?  Please don't overwork yourself.  Just take it easy, just take your time, my lady.  I'm just here doing my daily routine, waiting for when Allah allows us to be happily married.  I don't go anywhere new, I don't do any thing new.  I wake up, I take a shower, I post a letter to my sweetie, I eat lunch, I drink coffee, I voice train, I do yard work, I take a shower, I eat dinner, I produce music, I watch TV, then I sleep, all done with prayers in between.  There are no more loves for me, now that I've found you.  Just the routine, and the waiting.

I told my Dad the other day that I don't care if I never leave the kampung ever again for the rest of my life, except to do my Hajj.  Yes my love, that is how I feel.  I've had enough travel, or I'm too lazy, whatever.  If you wish to go somewhere, then I must accompany you.  Also, I made a promise to the mysterious piano player.  But otherwise for me, no more travel.  Sure, it's a step down from the "honors" and hotels of touring, but I am trying to build something here.  A tourist attraction.  Julia's house.
InsyaAllah.

Qur'an 20120827

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

20.  To any that desires the harvest of the Hereafter, We give increase in his harvest, and to any that desires the harvest of this world, We grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter.

21.  What!  Have they partners who have established for them some religion without the permission of Allah?  Had it not been for the Decree of Judgement, the matter would have been decided between them.  But verily the wrongdoers will have a grievous Penalty.

22.  You will see the wrongdoers in fear on account of what they have earned, and that must fall on them.  But those who believe, and work righteous deeds will be in the luxurious meads of the Garden.  They shall have from their Lord, all that they wish for.  That will indeed be the magnificent bounty.

23.  That is whereof Allah gives Glad Tidings to God's servants who believe and do righteous deeds.  Say, "No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin."  And if anyone earns any good, We shall give him an increase in good thereof, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most Ready to Appreciate.

24.  What!  Do they say, "He has forged a falsehood against Allah?"  But if Allah willed, God could seal up your heart, and Allah blots out vanity, and proves the Truth by God's Words, for God knows well the secrets of all hearts.

25.  God is the One who accepts repentance from God's servants, and forgives sins, and God knows all that you do.

Consultation 42:20-25
-------------------------------------------------------------
No reward do I ask of you for this except the love of those near of kin.

Letter to Julia 20120825

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

YOOOOLIIIIIEEEE!!!!!

How are you feeling today, my beloved young princess Julia?  I pray you're trying to slow down.  I spent most of the evening watching the storm.  I look ahead to our being married together, setting root and raising a family insyaAllah, and together we have the power to make our business come to us, as opposed to jetting around to a different country every day, and not knowing where we are when we wake up, and being under the whim of cruel masters that try to force us into prostitution.  Our Boss is Allah, so come join me in Islam.  Ya Allah, please have mercy on Julia and I, and grant us a happy and secure marriage. 

I'm just too lazy to tour and travel, and I hate the city.  So I'm perfectly satisfied with just staying in the kampung for the rest of my life.  Well, I do have to do my Hajj, and it's best that I do that while I'm strong, so I don't get trampled on.  But otherwise, I just want to be with you all the time, and we go and do things together always, and never be seen without each other.  Hmm.  In other countries, women attend Friday prayers, but in this country they don't.  I wonder why.  When I was in Tempe, the mosque was noisy with their chatter every Friday.  Say, didn't the women attend Friday prayers back when prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) was the imam?  Who changed that?

Well, what to eat today, Julia?  What's in the cooler?  Cheeseburgers?  No... do you want to eat out?  Not really?  How about seafood?  I don't really feel like going to the open market.  Say, how about I mince up that burger meat, we mash up some potatoes, go get some vegetables at the supermarket, and bake a Shepherd's Pie?  One with lots of gooey gravy in it, and Parmesan cheese on top.  Strawberries?  We're going to have to drive to Alor Setar to get strawberries, and they're probably sour.  Oh well OK, we'll douse them in sugar.  We might as well eat out if we're going to Alor Setar.  No?  Drive all the way there, then come back and cook?  Can we just forget about the strawberries?  How about ice cream instead?  Wanna dress up for dinner?  All my clothes are boring, but I want to see you in a minidress.  No, you can't go out like that.

How about I sing you a soothing lullaby?

Qur'an 20120825

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

14. And they became divided only after knowledge had reached them, through selfish envy as between themselves. Had it not been for a Word that went forth before from your Lord to a term appointed, the matter would have been settled between them. But truly those who have inherited the Book after them are in suspicious doubt concerning it.

15. Now then for that, call and stand steadfast as you are commanded, nor follow you their vain desires but say, "I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to God is Final Goal."

16. But those who dispute concerning Allah after God had been accepted, futile is their dispute in the sight of their Lord. On them is Wrath, and for them will be a Penalty Terrible.

17. It is Allah Who has sent down the Book in Truth, and the Balance: and what will make you realise that the Hour is close at hand?

18. Only those wish to hasten it who believe not in it. Those who believe hold it in awe, and know that it is the Truth. Behold, verily those that dispute concerning the Hour are far astray.

Consultation 42:14-18
-----------------------------------------------------------------

I believe in the Book which Allah has sent down, and I am commanded to judge justly between you. Allah is our Lord and your Lord: for us our deeds, and for you for your deeds. There is no contention between us and you. Allah will bring us together, and to God is Final Goal.

Letter to Julia 20120822

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

How are you feeling today, Julia?  I love you, my beautiful young bride.  I've been trying to slow down, after the hectic fasting month.  There was a lot of food, but there's so much I can't eat now that I'm old.  Well, I basically can't eat other people's cooking.  Even the simple foods, cakes and sweets give me gastritis.  Today's breakfast of ketupat (glutenous rice steamed in coconut leaves) and seronding (dried shredded beef) gave me problems until the next morning.  I just don't have a local stomach.  But I managed to quench the burn by slamming a whole wok full of fried rice.

Ah, fried rice!  Truly the poor man's meal, since it tastes better with leftovers.  The key to fried rice is the rice itself: it is best when the rice has cooled overnight in the cooler.  I've seen on TV some people make fried rice out of freshly steamed rice.  I guess you would have to be super skilled to make it come out unclumpy.  But cooled down and slightly dried up rice is the best.  Fried rice should taste light.  Which means that all seasonings and grease must not overpower the sweetness of the rice.  Meats should be precooked, and vegetables added at the end for a short time to maintain crispness.  I start by making a fond, maybe onions, garlic and carrots with light soy sauce in minimal oil.  When browned, part the center, and turn down the heat.  Add a little more oil to the empty space, let it heat up, then crack an egg in there.  Break the yolk, sprinkle some salt and pepper, then spread it around, and let it slightly harden.  Add the rice, increase the heat, and mix everything in, adding light soy sauce constantly to flavor.  Then add the precooked meats, and vegetables last.  Why is fried rice so complicated?  Because there are so many bad versions!

Qur'an 20120822

In the name of Allah, most Gracious,most Merciful.

52.  Say, "See you, if this IS from Allah, and yet do you reject it?  Who is more astray than one who is in a schism, far?"

53.  Soon will We show them Our Signs in the regions, and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth.  Is it not enough that thy Lord is witness to all things?

54.  Ah indeed!  Are they in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Lord?  Ah indeed!  It is God that does encompass all things!

Expounded 41:52-54
---------------------------------------------------------------

See you, if this IS from Allah, and yet do you reject it?  Who is more astray than one who is in a schism, far?

Letter to Julia 20120820

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

How are you feeling, my beloved young Julia?  I'm sorry I took so long to write, but it's been the Eid, and I had to pay more attention to the houses and yards.  I think the Eid is overrated and commercialized, anyway.  I find the fasting month of Ramadan much more rewarding, enjoyable and entertaining.  But my parents take the Eid seriously, and we Muslims take care of our parents.  But I am grateful that I get to eat during the day again.  Plus, the hectic schedule and all that standing in prayer did a number on my feet and legs.  Ouch.

Ah, I had the most delicious fried noodles the other night, made by one of my favorite chefs.  It was a most authentic "mamak" style fried noodles.  It was so accurate!  Do you know what a "mamak" is?  It is stereotypically a fat, male India cook.  But these noodles had the highest quality beef in it.  Oh Julia, it was so delicious!  What an intelligent cook.

Qur'an 20120820

In the name of Allah, most Gracious,most Merciful.

44.  Had We sent this as a Qur'an other than Arabic, they would have said, "Why are not its verses explained in detail?  What, not in Arabic?  And an Arab?"  Say, "It is a guide and a healing to those who believe, and for those who believe not, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness in theirs.  They are being called from a place far distant!"

Expounded 41:44
---------------------------------------------------------------

It is a guide and a healing to those who believe, and for those who believe not, there is a deafness in their ears, and it is blindness in theirs.  They are being called from a place far distant!

Letter to Julia 20120816

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Oh my precious Julia, I want and pray for us to be safe and happy.  I believe war is inevitable, not because of stockpiling arms, spiraling debt and corruption, but because I believe in Judgement Day.  This war exhilarates and excites some others, just like in World War 1.  I do not crave war like others do.  I am very exhausted with conflict.  But life isn't perfect, so I must be ready InsyaAllah, to defend our peace and our love.  We must stick together, all the time!  Please pray with me for our peace, safety and happiness together.

Qur'an 20120816

In the name of Allah, most Gracious,most Merciful.

10.  God set on it mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion in 4 days, in accordance with those who seek.

11.  Moreover, God comprehended in God's design the sky, and it had been smoke.  God said to it and to the earth, "Come you together, willingly or unwillingly."  They said, "We do come in willing obedience."

12.  So God completed them as 7 firmaments in 2 days, and God assigned to each heaven its duty and command.  And We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and with guard.  Such is the Decree of the Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge.

13.  But if they turn away, say "I have warned you of a stunning punishment like that of the 'Ad and the Thamud!"

Expounded 41:10-13
---------------------------------------------------------------

I have warned you of a stunning punishment like that of the 'Ad and the Thamud!

OK so God created the earth in 2 days (41:9).  Then God shaped the mountains, bestowed blessings, and measured sustenance for those who seek it in 4 days (41:10).  2 days + 4 days = 6 days.  The sky had already been there as smoke or gas, then God joined the earth and the sky.  God completed the earth and the sky as 7 levels in 2 days, these 2 days I believe being the last 2 days of the creation of the earth.  Of course God can multitask!  Such is easy for the Master of Time. 

So a day to God is like 1000 years to human reckoning (22:47).  But the Master of Time is also the Master of time distortion, so once we humans have grasped that God's day is 1000 years of our time, our act of comprehension would multiply that 1000 years by another 1000.  And so on, and so on.  Don't think too much about it.  Just think about pleasing God.

Letter to Julia 20120815

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

YOOOOOOOOLIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!

Hi there, my beautiful young Julia.  How are you feeling?  I want to nurture and embrace you, my love.  I pray that Allah will protect us, and our loved ones.  Please make sure you maintain your prayer routine, especially at work, not only to please Allah, but also because it infuriates your enemies and those who wish to oppress you.  It's a shame that a few thugs can tarnish the reputation of an entire population.  But people are the same the world over.  For example, America is full of face-eating homosexual cannibals, right?  No, that's not true.  I've been to America, and I know some good people there.  But there are some rotten kids all over the world, who really need to walk into a trap, like a mouse to a mousetrap.

But our kids make friends with them!  Like Bat Cat made friends with the orange cat next door, who led him into the dirty drain.  Well, I had to wash him, and put him back in his cage.  What about the cat next door?  He tried to walk into my house once, and he got treated like any other cat other than Chee Cheah and Batty: he got a good solid whomp with the broom I keep by the front door.

Now when you design a house, please make sure that it's easier to get out than to get in.  Doors and windows must open out, and there must be a clear path from both levels to a standard fire exit, which also opens out.  Windows must be fortified with steel, either bars or ornate decorations whatever, which also open out.  We should really have a 2 level house.  When you design a 2nd floor, please create a firing hole design, so I can mow those bastards down from above with my automatic rifle, whether they be inside or outside the house.  Therefore, the stairwell should be a spiral type in the middle of the house.

Well, just do your best.

Qur'an 20120815

Qur'an 20080319

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

5.  They say, "Our hearts are under veils from that to which you do invite us, and in our ears a deafness, and between us and you is a screen, so do what you do, we shall do what we do."

6.  Say, "I am but a man like you, it is revealed to me by inspiration that your God is One God, so stand true to God, and ask for God's forgiveness, and woe to those who join gods with God."

7.  Those who practise not regular charity, and who even deny the hereafter.

8.  For those who believe and work deeds of righteousness is a reward that will never fail.

9.  Say, "Is it that you deny God Who created the earth in 2 days?  And do you join equals with God?  God is the Lord of the Worlds."

Expounded 41:5-9
---------------------------------------------------------------

I am but a man like you, it is revealed to me by inspiration that your God is One God, so stand true to God, and ask for God's forgiveness, and woe to those who join gods with God.

Is it that you deny God Who created the earth in 2 days?  And do you join equals with God?  God is the Lord of the Worlds.

Letter to Julia 20120814

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

So I made steak and cheese sandwiches for breaking fast.  I didn't have any sub buns, so I used regular burger buns.  To top the steak, I sauteed a mix of onions and oyster mushrooms (oyster mushrooms are common around these here parts) with a pinch of salt.  Instead of mayo, I just used a fried egg.  After all, mayo is just egg whites in oil and salt.  For the cheese, I bought some Australian processed cheese.  Aussie beware!  I'm for Julia!  But the cheese was OK.  Not having an oven is a pain for baked items.  So to adapt to my poverty, I placed a steel bowl upside down over a flat pan, and let it heat up.  Just enough to melt the cheese and soften the bread.  Still toasted the bottom a little too much, though.

Letter to Julia 20120813

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Well, it is almost the end of the fasting month.  Did you have fun?  I will have to pay more attention to how the compound appears, plus the weekend will be a public holiday until I don't know when, so I don't know when exactly I will be posting my love letters to you.  It could be a pause of a week, or maybe not.  I'm sure you know that I love you, and I want to marry you.  Well, I do!  I love you, and I want to marry you.

Oh... Sundays are so busy.  I'm so tired, and my feet hurt.  And next Saturday will be a Sunday, because Sunday is the Eid.  I have to do ironing next.  Ironing?  Who invented ironing?  Why can't we enjoy the beauty of the patterns of random creases on the back of a shirt?  Wouldn't that be ... Vogue?

Chic?

Sophisticated?

How about a steak tonight?  Oh... I'm sooooo lazy.  I just wanna snuggle with my Julia.

Letter to Julia 20120811

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

And you are so very beautiful, my beloved Julia.  I do love you so very much.  I pray that you eating properly, and getting sufficient rest.  The nights have been as busy as the day for me this fasting month, but I try not to do too much other than watch TV at nights.  Oh, how time flies!  I lost a day yesterday!  Will I grow older?  I want to be with you, take care of you, and watch you age gracefully.  Have you seen yourself with silver hair?  Alhamdulillah.

Qur'an 20120811

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

66.  Say, "I have been forbidden to invoke those who you invoke besides Allah, seeing that the clear Signs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to bow to the Lord of the Worlds."

Forgiver 40:66
---------------------------------------------------------------

I have been forbidden to invoke those who you invoke besides Allah, seeing that the clear Signs have come to me from my Lord, and I have been commanded to bow to the Lord of the Worlds.

Letter to Julia 20120810

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Please forgive me Julia, for my faults.  I am not perfect, but I am trying hard to be good enough for you.  I'm sorry I'm so poor, and cannot give all the beautiful things you deserve.  Our road to love has already been full of controversy, as you know.  My past is as tainted as that of a rock star, for that is who I am.  And you are a supermodel, and I love you so much, and I want to marry you.  I have tried to please God with music, but I am not a prophet nor an angel.  So please forgive me, my beloved young Julia.  And please forgive me, Allah.

Letter to Julia 20120809

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hello, my beloved young lady Julia.  How are you feeling?  I'm sure you are very busy.  I am certainly very busy here.  The Eid is coming up on the 19th of August, which marks the end of the fasting month fo Ramadan.  Aw.  I like the fasting month.  But my parents take the Eid more seriously then me, so I have to make sure the area is as slick-looking as can be.  And a large area it is, too.  I have less time and less energy.  Plus, my feet hurt.  But I'll get it done, insyaAllah.

I had spaghetti for breaking fast, then after the prayers I had a few donuts.  American, huh?  Sometimes I get those moods.  I also got my hair cut today.  I look so butch.

Now, the situation we are in is unique.  A music and fashion business located in the Malaysian countryside in the heart of Asia at the edge of World War 3, and Islam.  Makes your adrenaline rush, when you think about it, huh?  InsyaAllah, God will help us.  So please don't let any instability you discover in property and people bring you down.  Please pray and have faith in Allah, and let's stand our ground.

Letter to Julia 20120807

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

I do love you, Julia.  You are my heart, my life revolves around you, don't you see?  Perhaps you've listening to the lies, gossips and conjectures of others, when you should be with me all the time, and speaking to me all the time.  But I've never been given the chance to speak to you face to face, one on one.  All we have of our love are these strange letters I write to you that I post when I have to play Second Life, which I write out of the inspiration that Allah gives me, which you may have guessed.  That's why I sometimes sound overly businesslike, but under the circumstances I feel it better than saying nothing at all.  I'm not that smart.  But if Allah wills, our love can shake the world.

In 2009 when I first proposed to you, I collected as many photos of you I could, and put them together in a slideshow which I play on my computer constantly.  I haven't searched for any new photos since then, other than the Victoria's Secret fashion show videos.  I didn't want to find any bad news or lies, hinting that you weren't interested in me.  At least back then, you didn't know who I was.

Then I play the Victoria's Secret fashion show in a constant loop.  Whenever you appear, I say a prayer.  Ya Allah, please grant me Julia as my perfect spouse.  Please grant us love, beauty, safety and happiness together in this life and the hereafter, please don't divorce us.  Please grant us long, happy, healthy lives together with beautiful, happy, healthy, and pious children together, please protect us.  Please forgive our sins, please make us great Muslims, please make us faithful to each other and to You, please grant us the highest heaven together, please make our path easy.

So while I await the miracle that would grant me my own wealth so I can give you a good life, I maintain this Rain Man like routine, from tending the yard, to blogging my love and the Qur'an.  I do love you, Julia.

Letter to Julia 20120806

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hi there, beautiful Julia.  My love.  How are you feeling?  I'm so tired.  It's Sunday night, and Sundays are my busy days.  Non-stop work from the minute I wake up until I pass out at night.  Plus, I'm fasting.  What's on the menu for the pre-dawn repast?  In the cooler are eggplants, chilli peppers, ketchup, chicken breast and a bag of noodles.  I guess it's going to be noodles in spicy eggplant marinara.  What's cooking on your stove?  Did you know that I love German food?  Herring, sauerkraut, those little boil-in-the-bag potato dumplings.  We need to figure out how to make a halal sausage.  We could be billionaires if we get it right!  Because there is no such thing as a halal sausage.  The problem is the casing: the stuffing is not an issue, because veal is exactly like pork in flavor and texture, or we can use the right blend of beef parts.  But the casing... what can be a halal substitute for pork intestine?

Oh wait a minute... I'm too lazy to run a food service industry.  I just want to snuggle and make love to my Julia.  Being a rock star already takes up all my energy, don't they realize that?  Do they think it's easy?  Let someone else be the billionaires, we'll just collect royalties.

I do love you, Julia.  Let time be your proof.  And I'm not going to to tell you to hurry up either, even though my feet hurt.

Letter to Julia 20120804

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hi Julia!  Are you having fun yet?  I'm not blonde, so it's all pretty serious to me, even though I seem daffy at times.  Judgement Day is a very serious matter, and to all of you, don't make your business of having fun and your business business supercede the Business of God.  I do enjoy the fasting month though, much more than the Eid.  I had a craving for sambal tumis petai to go with my rice and chicken for breaking fast, so I went to one of the stalls as the crossroads during rush hour on Friday.  Yeah, they had some of the stuff, but somehow I got caught up in yakking (even though I'm not much of a yakker) that I didn't look closely at what I was getting.  It turns out they made it with the petai having the skins on.  Sigh.  Shows you how much I know.  I do prefer my sambal tumis petai served without the skins, though.

By the way, mosquitoes are very dangerous here in Malaysia, especially the black and white striped ones, which like to appear outdoors right before sunset.  They like to breed in still water, even a bucket full is enough for their larvae.  Please don't let any of those buggers touch your beautiful skin.

Letter to Julia 20120802

In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.

Hello there, Julia.  You are my beautiful young precious princess, I love you with all my heart, and I want to marry you.  I pray you are feeling well and confident.  You must be very busy, and there must be a lot of people around you right now.  Please make room for them if you are asked to make room.  Make Allah grant you a great mood.  Don't let the boasting and strutting around of skeptics and unbelievers ruin your good mood.  They are just passing the time until they get their butts kicked by God, and we are just waiting to watch.  If we care enough to observe, that is.