chocolate muffin

I must say that working here in Ireland has given me so much wonderful experience...So memorable which is such a waste not to be shared to others...I didn't know that my job was more than making a sandwich or hot beverages, it offered me a different sight towards life and its wonders...

God will always know what is best for you and I believe that I got this job here as part of what God knows best about me...I know that my entries are so much related to the older gens, well I can't help it since they are the one's who loves talking and sharing so many things with me...I am a strong believer that stories from the older gen's are so pure and full of advice sometimes direct and sometimes in direct...Its how you look at it...

Actually, I owe this entry for a long time as this occurred during Christmas...I promise I will write this short as I would not want to bore anyone with my lengthy style of writing...As usual, my work will always start in the kitchen and of course, it is my responsibility to get all the plates on the table back to the kitchen...While doing so, a lady called me to the table and asked me to get her a pot of tea...Well, orang tua kat sini memang suka minum teh...Of course, I went and get her the pot of tea as she said she was to tired to queue up...I told her the amount, and you know I had to wait for such a long time to wait for it...You know why? She kept the coins in a handkerchief. She doesn't have much and you could see a vision of her background when you look at her but her smile was something...

That is not the main thing that I want to share, what she said to me was golden when I asked her have she prepared herself for Christmas...'Well, my love Christmas is nothing to me, I am by myself, perhaps for youngster like you would enjoy it cause who knows tomorrow I'll be gone." I politely say that she should not say that and I went off...As I left the table, I had a feeling of sadness, it was so strong that I wanted to cry... I don't know why I felt that way, I kept looking outside and looked at her sipping her tea while rubbing her chest...

What she said keeps playing in my mind as if she is going tomorrow...I slide my hands in my pocket and looked at the tips I received from some wonderful old ladies and gents... I had 5 euros in total and without hesitation, I went straight to the server and packed a muffin for her...I told myself that I can always get this tip anytime but maybe this muffin would make her day...

'Here's a muffin on me, please take it,' I said...She looked worried and asked if she had to pay for it...I chuckled and say 'No, it's on me.' You should see how happy she was as she immediately took the muffin and put it in her stroller...' Thank you my child, God will always bless you and I know he will.' Honestly, it was not about the blessing it was what I felt that was right to do...Who knows that the muffin might be the last she ever had...I walked away and as I turned around, she wasn't there anymore...I felt a bit weird there but of course I am happy to make someone's day just by chocolate muffin...

Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.

-Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.-

the lady in a green jacket

Well this is of course not a title of song like 'Lady In Red', this entry is about an old lady who comes frequently to my workplace...Dear Lady In Green, I don't know your name but you sure made me feel that you have so many stories with the jacket you wear everyday. I always believe that people tend to hold to things that they love the most, it may be the weirdest thing like a sweet wrapper or anything that you can relate to yourself when you look at it...

I often meet this particular lady, from the lines on her face I am sure she is about 70ish...Well that does not matter actually, what interest me is the jacket she wears all the time. A green washed jacket which looked like years back...The first time I notice this lady was during my 1st day at work which was before Christmas, despite the worn out jacket she always had a smile on her face. A very friendly lady indeed whom would always ask for a latte in a small cup. She would always ask me for a newspaper to read and would come around 6.00pm when I am about to close the shop. I notice one thing, she still wears the same jacket since Christmas...Is it her favourite? Honestly, I don't think so...I remembered the other day while I was wiping the tables preparing to close the cafe, she called me to the table and said "My dear, come here I want to show you something." Without hesitation I went up to her and she showed me a doll and told me that she wants to give it to her grandchild...

The doll wasn't anything nice, but she liked it so much and insisted me to like it...Of course, I said it is to make her feel happy. The way she talks about the gift was as if it was the most beautiful and most expensive gift she ever given to her grandchild. While I was talking to her, I can't help looking at the jacket she's wearing it says so much about her just by looking at it...Where is your children? Did they not think of buying you a new jacket during Christmas? So today, I asked my sister if she has and extra jacket that she wants to give away and of course I have a very nice sister who would definitely donate a jacket to this lady....I hope she will like it when I give it to her next week...

P/S:

Lady, I don't have the money to buy you a jacket but I do hope that my sister's jacket will keep you warm...I don't care if you don't remember me but I will remember you always...

"If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble."

-Bob Hope-

Random Feelings

This entry is just my random feelings at the moment, what I am about to write is about my parents...I feel that everyone should write to their parents and let them know how grateful you are to have them...

The thing that triggered me to write this entry was inspired by a tune that my parents love which is 'Yesterday Once More' by The Carpenters. Thanks to the iPod for shuffling the playlist to that particular track during my stroll back home from college...I definitely want that 'yesterday once more' to happen at times to be a better person in life. So here is an open letter to my beloved mum and dad...Mum and dad this is a public blog and I want the world to know how much I love the both of you...

Dear Ibu & Abah (Mummy & Daddy),

Here I am in a place so foreign to me with my sister by side at all times. Syukur Allahmdulliah, Mimi is here with me...I must say that I am more than thankful to have such wonderful parents like the both of you. What both of you taught me is who I am now. When my lecturer praises me or even random people I meet on the street says something nice, I will always say this in my heart 'Allhamdullilah, ibu bapa aku didik aku cukup' and I am always proud of that.

I may not be smart and I may not be the best in everything but the both of you never fail to make me feel that I am smart and good at whatever I am doing at all times. Thank you for always accepting my flaws and my mistakes. Just like daddy always say 'its ok to make mistakes', but of course we need to identify the mistakes and make ourself better.

Mum & Dad, I am here standing on my two feet, you thought me how to talk and walk and of course to also 'walk the talk'...You never gave up on any of us...At the back of my mind, I always remember that you are always at our back...Mum you taught me to be brave and have confidence and Dad you taught me to always think positive...I remember all of the things that you taught us...

I was talking to Mimi the other day and I am surprised that she felt the same way as I do...Sometimes I feel that whatever I get in my life is not so much because of my prayers to god, it is your prayers that he answered to give us a good life...Of course we do pray and ask for what we want and need in life but I am always sure that you both are the one's who constantly pray for us to get what we wanted and need....

Sometimes I feel really tired working and studying at the same time...But I always hold this thing in my mind...You worked for us, came home and feed us and taught us about the world and gave us all the love we need...I bet that was more tiring than what I am going through...Mum and the labour pains from her 4 babies and Dad for being the best at work to make ends meet...We are now no longer babies, but I know deep down your hearts we are still those cute little babies...

I am not writing this because I feel lonely here, but I just felt that I should pen it down. Honestly, I'm not...It is just something that I think everyone should always write about their parents from time to time. There are definitely more to write but I will need a lifetime to share the wonders of you both. As for now I'll leave it here as thank you letter for the both you...

Thank you, Mom.

Thank you, Dad.

Three small words.

So much to add.

For all your love

and your support

a million words

would be too short.

The words, "I love you"

seem too few

to express the love

I have for you.

P/S:

So when was the last time you said thank you to your parents?Think about it...

'Children learn to smile from their parents'

-Shinichi Suzuki-

silent conversation

Have you ever been a position where you had a silent conversation with someone? What I meant is a literally silent one...As I go along in this entry you will get what I am trying to share...

I was walking down the streets near Jervis and as usual I had my trusted iPod to sink my boredom while walking alone...As I was walking towards the traffic light, a guy tapped my shoulder and showed me a stop sign...I indicate that he was telling me to be careful and look out for the incoming vehicles...So the green man on the traffic let went red and I stopped and said thank you to him...He replied with a smile and a nod...So I was like, oh maybe he did not really want to talk...So I walked on...He tapped my shoulder again...I smiled and ask him if I could help him...He took out his phone and typed something...I felt a little bit weird...And this is how our conversation went (thru his phone)...

The Guy: Hi, I am actually dumb(as in he is unable to speak/bisu) and I just want to say hello to you...

Me: Oh, I am sorry...and how are you doing?

The Guy: I am good, I saw you walking and I just want to say that I like your hair...Are from China?

Me:Thanks, that is very kind...You have a nice smile on your face...I am not from China actually but Malaysia...Its part of Asia...

The Guy: Oh I am sorry, but thanks for the compliment..Did you come hear by a boat or a plane?

Me: (I wanted to chuckle but I felt it was not appropriate) By plane, we don't use the boat since I came in here legally to study...

The Guy: Thats nice to know...I am sorry for saying that...Its very nice of you to have a chat with me thru the sms function on my phone...Have a good day and look out for the cars when you are walking....

Me: Its my pleasure, hope to see you sometime...Take care now...

That was one long conversation typed on his phone...What a day isn't it...Actually this happened to me a week after I arrived Dublin...Honestly, I was afraid when he took out the phone but that was quite an experience having a silent conversation with someone...It is amazing how friendly some people can be...Being disable does not stop anyone,this guy thought me something on that day...Whoever you are, may God bless you...

'Kindness is a language the dumb speak and the deaf can hear and understand'

-Christian Nevell Bovee-

hold my hand

Studying, working and living here in Dublin has given me an array of colourful daily life...There are a lot of things that I see and experience which is definitely worth to share...Well this is my view as a foreigner here it maybe different with other people...Like I said in my previous entries, I meet nice wonderful poeple in the bus,train, while sitting down alone in the mall area and even while walking...

Last week during work I met and interesting lady, and old lady which looked like everyone's favourite grandmothers...As usual, I was serving some customers and then came this cute old lady with a smile on her face asking me for a pot of tea...I made the pot of tea of her choice and asked her if she needed anything else...Well, this time is different she needed more than just a sandwich or a pot of tea...She has asked me to hold her hand, and without hesitation I hold her hands...It was quite a grip and she said "Thank you my child, I have no grand children and I don't know where my children are now, it is nice of you to hold my hand." I replied, "Don't say thank you, I miss my grandmother very much so you made my day as well."And she said, " Thank you love, you are very kind, its freezing outside." I just gave her a smile and continued with my work and I overheard her conversation with her friend saying that she loved how friendly some people can be and most of them are in Obrien's Illac...What a great day isn't it despite of being tired washing the dishes and serving my customers their favourite sandwich...One thing I learn for a long time working in the service line is to be able to make the customer feel like its their second home...

This is one of the best experiences and of course I have more...I don't know why but I am closely related to the older generations...Maybe I connect better with them or maybe I am very used to having older people around me like arwah Tok and Mek...Thanks to them, I am such a lovable grandchild to the old folks in Dublin...

"Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever"
-Author Unknown-

A Song For My Ratu Hati...Muna Hj.Kassim...(Mummy click the Play button ok)

am i not Malaysian enough ah?

I must say I am definitely one of those people who will always remember my roots no matter where I go...I am always proud to say, I AM FROM MALAYSIA to anyone I meet...I am pretty sure that reading the title might make someone ponder if I am going to write something about a person yang 'lupa diri'...Actually what I am about to share is rather funny experience of a Malaysian in a foreign land...

As for those who doesn't know, I study and work part time at a sandwich bar...If you've read my blog you would notice some of previous posts...As we all know, everything that happens daily is a life experience that may be happy,sad or whatever you go through it...Beat it lah kalau jatuh basikal sambil hantar nasi ayam to my sister or my bus rides to college...This experience I had today is rather funny to me...Today is the first day I question myself...Am I not Malaysian enough?

So this is what happen...As usual, I will be at the bar waiting and serving my regular sandwich craze customers...Then comes a student, which is definitely Malaysian too me...I am sure anyone who travels or study abroad will know if someone is from their country tak kisah lah Cina,Melayu or India...Right? Or so I thought this way all the time...So the usual script...Can I help you there?And she replied she wanted a cappuccino...So I made the cappuccino feeling rather happy to get a customer from my country...Ye lah dah lama tak cakap Melayu, hari-hari battle with the lidah belit2...(For example: Would you like some budder(butter)?--->actually ini mengajuk kawan-kawan dari negeri cina yang berusaha gigih untuk mendapatkan accent)

I bluntly asked her, "Are you Malaysian?" And of course my Malaysian instinct was correct..."Yes, I am from Malaysia...You Malaysian ke?Seriously you don't look Malaysian" Honestly, I don't know how to feel...Hello tak nampakkah Melayu/Malaysian written on my face...And I said "Ummm,ye saya orang Malaysia,by the way terima kasih and enjoy your meal."Then the person replied to me"Sorry, you memang tak nampak Malaysian, mesti dah duduk lama sebab your English bukan macam Malaysian...Dah lama duduk and kerja sini ke?" And maybe my answer to her draws a big shock on her face when I told her I just arrived here in September and worked for almost 2 months in Dublin....

Honestly, I am not sure on how should I feel...Insulted?More to confused to me...I think I do look Malaysian and I am always proud to be Malaysian...I have more to tell and I will write more on my experiences here as a foreigner...For this entry I will quote from the legendary Hang Tuah which is...

"Takkan Melayu Hilang Di Dunia" -Hang Tuah-

PS: See I am very Malay ok...

**Picture credits to Kasikampus Blog

Cracked Pot

An interesting email that I would like to share with all...It inspired me and I hope you'll get something out of this as well....

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An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.

'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.'

The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'

'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them.'

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.

Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.'

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

So, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!