Hi there, my most precious Julia. Aw, you are soooo pretty. It's been a busy day for me here. Everyday I wake up at about 3:30am to do an hour's worth of worship. Then I wait until I perform the dawn prayer before I go back to sleep. Needless to say, I don't like mornings. So I wake up everyday at about 10:00am. I as quickly as possible put on some clothes and ride my motorcycle to the day market to buy some fish. Yes, I have an addiction to grilled fish. I also bought some beef, eggplant, cilantro, and chicken liver. Hey, I found some Roma tomatoes today! I haven't seen any of those in years! They were really ripe though, but they would be perfect for my liver and eggplant sauce tomorrow. When I got back home to put the food away, I had to take my Dad's old motorcycle to change the tube. It was a good thing my Dad got me some flat noodles, so that was the breakfast I ate while I was waiting for the dude to fix the motorcycle. After that, I took a shower and went downtown to have a chat with the boss of the music school. When I returned home from that, I gutted the fish and portioned out the meat for easy storage in the cooler. It's a habit I picked up from the food service: instead of defrosting a big chunk then cutting off a portion, I just take take out a pre-cut portion from the freezer to thaw whenever I wanted to eat. It's faster to defrost, too! By the time I got done with that, it was time for the mid-day prayer, after which I have to do my voice training. All I had for lunch were a couple of cookies and coffee. I have to sing for 1 1/2 hours everyday to maintain my voice. After which, I had to help my Mom rearrange her kitchen because the floor in her dining room is moving. By the time I got done with that, it was time for the Asr (late afternoon) prayer, after which I finally had time to grill my fish. And that's what I had for dinner: just fish, no rice. No time for yard work today! I had to take another shower before I joined the group prayer at sunset. Then I had to write a love letter to my sweetie, which I'm doing right now!
Hi sweetie! I love you! Girl, I am tired. I need to slow down even more. This routine may seem all that mundane, but it can get frenetic and weird, and other people can get livid and violent over my routine. What I strive for is sincerity in my worship to Allah. Come and be my wife, my dearest Julia, and join me in Islam.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Qur'an 20120201
67. To every people have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with you on the matter, but do you invite to your Lord, for you are assuredly on the Right Way.
68. If they do wrangle with you, say: "Allah knows best what it is you are doing."
69. "Allah will judge between you on the Day of Judgement concerning the matters in which you differ."
70. Know you not that Allah knows what is in the heavens and on earth? Indeed it is all in a record, and that is easy for Allah.
71. Yet they worship, besides Allah, things for which no authority has been sent down to them, and of which they have no knowledge: for those that do wrong there is no helper.
72. When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, you will notice a denial on the face of the unbelievers! They nearly attack with violence those who rehearse our signs to them. Say, "Shall I tell you of something worse than these Signs? It is the Fire! Allah has promised it to the unbelievers! And evil is that destination!"
73. O humans! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, you call cannot create a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! And if the fly should snatch anything away from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those on whom they petition!
74. No just estimate have they made of Allah: for Allah is God that is Strong and Able to carry out God's Will.
The Pilgrimage 21:67-74
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Allah knows best what it is you are doing.
Allah will judge between you on the Day of Judgement concerning the matters in which you differ.
Shall I tell you of something worse than these Signs? It is the Fire! Allah has promised it to the unbelievers! And evil is that destination!
68. If they do wrangle with you, say: "Allah knows best what it is you are doing."
69. "Allah will judge between you on the Day of Judgement concerning the matters in which you differ."
70. Know you not that Allah knows what is in the heavens and on earth? Indeed it is all in a record, and that is easy for Allah.
71. Yet they worship, besides Allah, things for which no authority has been sent down to them, and of which they have no knowledge: for those that do wrong there is no helper.
72. When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, you will notice a denial on the face of the unbelievers! They nearly attack with violence those who rehearse our signs to them. Say, "Shall I tell you of something worse than these Signs? It is the Fire! Allah has promised it to the unbelievers! And evil is that destination!"
73. O humans! Here is a parable set forth! Listen to it! Those on whom, besides Allah, you call cannot create a fly, if they all met together for the purpose! And if the fly should snatch anything away from them, they would have no power to release it from the fly. Feeble are those who petition and those on whom they petition!
74. No just estimate have they made of Allah: for Allah is God that is Strong and Able to carry out God's Will.
The Pilgrimage 21:67-74
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Allah knows best what it is you are doing.
Allah will judge between you on the Day of Judgement concerning the matters in which you differ.
Shall I tell you of something worse than these Signs? It is the Fire! Allah has promised it to the unbelievers! And evil is that destination!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Letter to Julia 20120129
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
These major corporations simply have no regard for Allah. They consider Allah to be irrelevant to their day to day operations. Obviously they have no foresight whatsoever, and choose to participate only when it is most costly for them.
Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts may thus learn wisdom, and ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts. (The Pilgrimage 22:46)
Well, my mission stands, and I will stand my ground. I am to please Allah with music, and I am to stand my ground here in the Malaysian countryside. I may have failed to stand my ground in the USA though I gave it everything I got before I was ousted 3 months before the financial meltdown. But I intend to give it everything I have to stand my ground here, make my music base here, in a form that is creative and cutting-edge but not secular and disregarding to Allah. InsyaAllah, with the power of music, I will help empower the farmers, fishermen and small businesses over the bankers and the executives, the rural over the urban, and the clean environment over the pollution.
These major corporations simply have no regard for Allah. They consider Allah to be irrelevant to their day to day operations. Obviously they have no foresight whatsoever, and choose to participate only when it is most costly for them.
Do they not travel through the land, so that their hearts may thus learn wisdom, and ears may thus learn to hear? Truly it is not their eyes that are blind, but their hearts which are in their breasts. (The Pilgrimage 22:46)
Well, my mission stands, and I will stand my ground. I am to please Allah with music, and I am to stand my ground here in the Malaysian countryside. I may have failed to stand my ground in the USA though I gave it everything I got before I was ousted 3 months before the financial meltdown. But I intend to give it everything I have to stand my ground here, make my music base here, in a form that is creative and cutting-edge but not secular and disregarding to Allah. InsyaAllah, with the power of music, I will help empower the farmers, fishermen and small businesses over the bankers and the executives, the rural over the urban, and the clean environment over the pollution.
Qur'an 20120129
In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful.
49. Say, "O humans! I am to you only to give warning."
50. Those who believe and work righteousness, for them is forgiveness and a sustenance most generous.
51. But those who strive against Our Signs, to frustrate them, they will be companions of the fire.
The Pilgrimage 22:49-51
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O humans! I am to you only to give warning.
49. Say, "O humans! I am to you only to give warning."
50. Those who believe and work righteousness, for them is forgiveness and a sustenance most generous.
51. But those who strive against Our Signs, to frustrate them, they will be companions of the fire.
The Pilgrimage 22:49-51
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O humans! I am to you only to give warning.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Letter to Julia 20120128
YOOOOOOOLIIIIEEEEEE!!!
Now, it's not as if I don't want to spend money on ingredients and dining out, and other things that make life pleasurable and meaningful to us and others. I'm just trying to be humble to Allah and the situation that I'm in, so I must not be wasteful. You also: please put your fear in Allah, be patient during hard times, maintain your regular prayers, spend accordingly, and never forget to say, " In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful" before you take the first bite of your food. Allah is most Generous to those who humble themselves to God.
Fame is not a blessing. It is unfortunate that we have to live our life and love in the public eye. Some say it is our choice, but that is not how I found you, as you were chosen for me. Some say we have been adequately compensated, but we are still unmarried and no richer than others. It is so important to conduct our life to please Allah, as opposed to pleasing humans. We don't belong to the public: we belong to Allah. Allah grants us the right to fight those who wage war on us, so don't you just lie back and be obsequious. Don't give in to them, Julia. I love you.
Now, it's not as if I don't want to spend money on ingredients and dining out, and other things that make life pleasurable and meaningful to us and others. I'm just trying to be humble to Allah and the situation that I'm in, so I must not be wasteful. You also: please put your fear in Allah, be patient during hard times, maintain your regular prayers, spend accordingly, and never forget to say, " In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful" before you take the first bite of your food. Allah is most Generous to those who humble themselves to God.
Fame is not a blessing. It is unfortunate that we have to live our life and love in the public eye. Some say it is our choice, but that is not how I found you, as you were chosen for me. Some say we have been adequately compensated, but we are still unmarried and no richer than others. It is so important to conduct our life to please Allah, as opposed to pleasing humans. We don't belong to the public: we belong to Allah. Allah grants us the right to fight those who wage war on us, so don't you just lie back and be obsequious. Don't give in to them, Julia. I love you.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Letter to Julia 20120126
Oh my beautiful, precious, beloved, luscious, gorgeous, ravishing, delicious darling Julia, I'm so so sorry my last letter wasn't very romantic as it could have been. I can't seem to focus properly when I have the sniffles. It takes my entire concentration not to let all that snot flow down my throat... I shouldn't even be driving when I have the sniffles.
I went out for dinner last night. I hardly ever go out to eat, and I hardly ever go out at night. I have some knowledge and experience cooking, so I cook for myself all the time. It saves a lot of money, I enjoy my own cooking, I don't give myself food poisoning, I can prepare large portions, I can eat what I feel like eating whenever I feel like eating, I can experiment and research, etc etc etc. Certainly I look forward to doing all those things with you, but do know that cooking is time consuming, especially for someone as slow and lazy like me.
Anyway, I went out to eat last night. It occurred to me that I hardly ever go out to eat, especially at night. But it was such a pleasant night! It was so cool, the country air is so sweet and clear, and there were few clouds, so the stars were out. The traffic wasn't obnoxious either, even though there were still a lot of people active in doing whatever. I had fried noodles at a restaurant that was remodeled from a motorcycle repair shop. It was quite enjoyable: it was nice to get out of my cave for a change.
So the next night I ate out again. The night was nice and cool again, but it was more congested, and there were more bugs on the road. But I had to get some gasoline for my Dad's old motorcycle, so I decided to have dinner out. I had what could be described as fry bread stuffed with ground beef, eggs, and onions which was served with curry and pickled onions. I've become a very fussy eater especially with other people's cooking, so I know very few places to eat out. So when we go out together, we'll just have to follow your nose, and gamble that way, OK? Don't worry: there's a Pizza Hut and KFC in town if you're at a loss. I know the kids are very active late at night around these here parts. One would think that there would be nothing to do, but apparently a lot of people are crazy about late night karaoke here. I don't participate, of course. Old people like me shouldn't mingle with the kids unless I'm forced to. I don't mingle with anybody, actually. I'm just waiting for the time when I can be with my sweetie, and we can go everywhere together.
And together... we will buy a fish!
I went out for dinner last night. I hardly ever go out to eat, and I hardly ever go out at night. I have some knowledge and experience cooking, so I cook for myself all the time. It saves a lot of money, I enjoy my own cooking, I don't give myself food poisoning, I can prepare large portions, I can eat what I feel like eating whenever I feel like eating, I can experiment and research, etc etc etc. Certainly I look forward to doing all those things with you, but do know that cooking is time consuming, especially for someone as slow and lazy like me.
Anyway, I went out to eat last night. It occurred to me that I hardly ever go out to eat, especially at night. But it was such a pleasant night! It was so cool, the country air is so sweet and clear, and there were few clouds, so the stars were out. The traffic wasn't obnoxious either, even though there were still a lot of people active in doing whatever. I had fried noodles at a restaurant that was remodeled from a motorcycle repair shop. It was quite enjoyable: it was nice to get out of my cave for a change.
So the next night I ate out again. The night was nice and cool again, but it was more congested, and there were more bugs on the road. But I had to get some gasoline for my Dad's old motorcycle, so I decided to have dinner out. I had what could be described as fry bread stuffed with ground beef, eggs, and onions which was served with curry and pickled onions. I've become a very fussy eater especially with other people's cooking, so I know very few places to eat out. So when we go out together, we'll just have to follow your nose, and gamble that way, OK? Don't worry: there's a Pizza Hut and KFC in town if you're at a loss. I know the kids are very active late at night around these here parts. One would think that there would be nothing to do, but apparently a lot of people are crazy about late night karaoke here. I don't participate, of course. Old people like me shouldn't mingle with the kids unless I'm forced to. I don't mingle with anybody, actually. I'm just waiting for the time when I can be with my sweetie, and we can go everywhere together.
And together... we will buy a fish!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Letter to Julia 20120123
**sniffle** oh dear i can't focus... where am i? Oh yeah! I have the sniffles again, Julia. How long has it been since the last allergy attack? It's been about a month, I think. That's a long time! Usually, it's every 2 weeks. This environment wreaks havoc on my nasal allergies, which in turn has a profound influence on my voice. But I have managed to sing everyday for nearly a year now, thanks to a strict nasal cavity draining routine which I devised for myself, so the sinus fluids don't run down my throat and destroy my voice. What is the routine? Let the snot drip into a bucket until there's none left. Don't flush your nasal cavity with water: just let it dry by itself. There's a brain-eating amoeba on the loose!
I don't know if you will get this letter on time, since it is the Chinese New Year, which happens to be a public holiday, and the internet cafe may be closed. It's all the same old day to me, but there has been a ridiculous amount of traffic out on the roads here in the kampung these past few days. Congestion, both traffic and sinus! AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! There was a wedding just down the street: my old high school teacher's kids were getting married. People were using my yard as a parking lot, and I had to let them do so. At least none of my baby fruit trees got killed. No, I don't hang out with any of my old high school friends anymore. I was hated back in high school anyway, the outcast, the evil one. I left a trail of destruction in my wake, and I didn't snap out of it until I turned 42. Music didn't save me. Allah is the One who saved me. Thank you, ya Allah.
I don't know if you will get this letter on time, since it is the Chinese New Year, which happens to be a public holiday, and the internet cafe may be closed. It's all the same old day to me, but there has been a ridiculous amount of traffic out on the roads here in the kampung these past few days. Congestion, both traffic and sinus! AAAAAAAAHHHHH!!! There was a wedding just down the street: my old high school teacher's kids were getting married. People were using my yard as a parking lot, and I had to let them do so. At least none of my baby fruit trees got killed. No, I don't hang out with any of my old high school friends anymore. I was hated back in high school anyway, the outcast, the evil one. I left a trail of destruction in my wake, and I didn't snap out of it until I turned 42. Music didn't save me. Allah is the One who saved me. Thank you, ya Allah.
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