Cranky Old Man

When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in an Australian country town, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meagre possessions, They found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Melbourne. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas editions of magazines around the country and appearing in mags for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.

Cranky Old Man

What do you see nurses? . . . . .What do you see?

What are you thinking . . . . . when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man, . . . .. .not very wise,

Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . . with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food ... . .. . . . . and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice . . . . ... 'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice . . . . .the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . . . . . . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not .. . . . . . . . . . . lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding . . . . . .The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking? . . . . . . Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . . you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . . . . As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, . . . . . . as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of Ten . . . . . . . with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters .. . . . . . . . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . . . . with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . . . ... ... . a lover he'll meet

A groom soon at Twenty . . . . ... . . my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows .. . . . . . that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . . ... . I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide . . . . And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . . . . . . . . .. My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . . . . . . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. . . . . have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me . . . . . . . to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, . . ... . . . ..Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . . . ... . My wife is now dead.

I look at the future ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing . . . . . . young of their own.

And I think of the years . . .. .. . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . .. . . . and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age . . . . .. . . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. . . . ... . . . . .. grace and vigour, depart.

There is now a stone .. . . . . .. . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . . . .. A young man still dwells,

And now and again . . . .. . . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys . .. . . . . . . . .. . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . life over again.

I think of the years . all too few . . .. . . . gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact . . . . . . . . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people . . . . . . . . open and see.

Not a cranky old man . Look closer . . . . see . .. . . .... . ME!!

Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within ... . . .

we will all, one day, be there, too!

PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM,

The best and most beautiful things of this world can't be seen or touched.

They must be felt by the heart.

TALKIN BUAT DIRIKU

Bismillah hir rah man nir rahim.Mahasuci Tuhan yang Engkau bersifat dengan Baqa' dan Qidam, Tuhan yang berkuasa mematikan sekalian yang bernyawa,Mahasuci Tuhan yang menjadikan mati dan hidup untuk menguji siapa yang baik dan siapa yang kecewa.Mahasuci Tuhan yang menjadikan lubang kubur sebesar-besar pengajaran untuk menjadi iktibar kepada orang yang lalai, dan sebesar-besar amaran kepada orang yang masih hidup. ( Jangan lupa sebut nama sendiri... barulah rasa insaf dan kerdilnya diri ini)

Ingatlah! Bahawa sekalian mahluk Allah akan jahanam dan binasa,melainkan zat Allah Taala. Ialah Tuhan yang Mahabesar kuasamenghukum, manakala kita sekalian akan kembali menghadap hadirat Allah Taala.

Wahai SAYA Bin IBU SAYA, wahai SAYA Bin IBU SAYA, wahai SAYA Bin IBU SAYA, hendaklah kamu ingat akan janji-janji Allah yang mana kamu ada bawa bersama-sama dari dunia ini.Sekarang kamu telah menuju masuk ke negeri Akhirat.Kamu telah mengaku bahawa tiada Tuhan yang disembah dengan sebenar-benarnya melainkan Allah, dan bahawa senya Nabi Muhammad itu Pesuruh Allah.Ingatlah wahai SAYA Bin IBU SAYA, apabila datang kepada kamu 2 orang malaikat yang serupa dengan kamu iaitu Mungkar dan Nakir, maka janganlah berasa gentar dan takut, janganlah kamu berdukacita dan risau serta janganlah kamu susah-hati dan terkejut.Ketahuilah wahai SAYA Bin IBU SAYA, bahawasanya Mungkar dan Nakir itu hamba Allah Taala, sebagaimana kamu juga hamba Allah Taala.Apabila mereka menyuruh kamu duduk, mereka juga akan menyoal kamu.Mereka berkata:Siapakah Tuhan kamu?Siapakah Nabi kamu?Apakah agama kamu?Apakah kiblat kamu?Siapakah saudara kamu?Apakah pegangan iktikad kamu?Dan apakah kalimah yang kamu bawa bersama-sama kamu?Di masa itu hendaklah kamu menjawab soalan-soalan mereka dengan cermat dan sehabis-habis terang, tepat dan betul.Janganlah berasa gementar, janganlah cuak dan janganlah bergopoh-gapah, biarlah tenang dan berhati-hati.

Hendaklah kamu jawab begini:Allah Taala Tuhanku,Muhammad nabiku,Islam agamaku,kitab suci Al-Quran ikutanku,Baitullah itu qiblatku, malahan solah lima waktu, puasa di bulan Ramadhan,mengeluark an zakat dan mengerjakan haji diwajibkan ke atas aku.Semua orang Islam dan orang yang beriman adalah saudara aku, bahkan dari masa hidup hingga aku mati aku mengucap: 'La ila ha illallah Muhammaddur rasulullah'.

Wahai SAYA Bin IBU SAYA tetapkanlah hatimu, inilah dia suatu dugaan yang paling besar. Ingatlah bahawa kamu sekarang sedang tinggal didalam alam Barzakh, sehingga sampai satu masa kelak, kamu akan dibangunkan semula untuk berkumpul di Padang Mahsyar.

Insaflah wahai SAYA Bin IBU SAYA, bahawa senya mati ini adalah benar, soalan malaikat Mungkar dan Nakir di dalam kubur ini adalah benar,bangun dari kubur kemudian kita dihidupkan semula adalah benar,berkumpul dan berhimpun di Padang Mahsyar adalah benar, dihisab dan dikira segala amalan kamu adalah benar, minum di kolam air nabi adalah benar, ada syurga dan neraka adalah benar.

Bahawa senya hari Kiamat tetap akan adanya, begitu juga Tuhan yang maha berkuasa akan membangkitkan semula orang-orang yang di dalam kubur.Di akhirnya kami ucapkan selamat berpisah dan selamat tinggal kamu disisi Allah Taala.Semoga Tuhan akan memberi sejahtera kepada kamu. Tuhan jua yang menetapkan hati kamu. Kami sekalian berdoa mudah mudahan Allah Taala menjinakkan hati kamu yang liar, dan Allah menaruh belas kasihan kepada kamu yang berdagang seorang diri di dalam kubur ini.Mudah-mudahan Tuhan akan memberi keampunan dan memaafkan kesalahan kamu serta menerima segala amal kebajikan kamu.

Ya Allah Ya Tuhan, kami merayu dan bermohon kepada Mu supaya tidak disiksa mayat ini dengan kemegahan penghulu kami Muhammad SAW.Subhana rabbika rabbil izati amma ya sifun wassallamu alalmursalinwalham dulillahi rabbil alamin.Setiap yang bernafas, Pasti akan Mati - 'Kullu nafsin za iqatul maut'Firman Allah swt, 'Demi masa, sesungguhnya manusia itu benar-benar berada di dalam kerugian, kecuali orang-orang yang beriman dan beramal soleh, yang ingat-mengingati supaya mentaati kebenaran, dan yang ingat-mengingati dengan kesabaran.' Surah Al-A'sr .

TO WEAR OR NOT TO BUY

A question that has been ringing constantly in my brain since last week - What will I wear?????

Hubby and me will be going for an official dinner next week... which spells BOORRIINNGG all over the place. First of all, it will start with men and women mingling around. Some looking as radiant and over-dressed as usual, some laughing endlessly to some lawak sekupang and some will stand and stare looking blank to the max!

And me? Don't worry about me. Am sure to find few friends whom I haven't met for a few years. Questions, Gossips, Statements!!!!!

And then starts the official ones. The gong... the toast to the VVVVIPPPsss, ladies..bla bla. But the food - I like! Music... hmm.. so so...

Later, the PMC will announce the end of the official part and... hmm..
Here comes bully-the-most-junior-in-the-hall time ( poor him - whoever u may be ), karaoke, pocong pocong and stuff.

And me? Don't worry about me.. I'll try to entertain myself with all the bling bling, lagu sumbang, lost wives, men looking at you-know-what...

I'll be fine. I 'll call hubby once in 5 minutes just to be make sure that he doesn't forget that I'm there too..... hoping that he'll switch his phone on.

But then again, I don't think I have anything nice to wear. Time to go shopping!!! Thank you Uncle LEE!!!!!

APASAL MALAS SEMBAHYANG?

Apasal laa, aku belum terfikir nak bentang sejadah,
Hidup senang rezeki datang melimpah,
Nak dirikan sembahyang, rakan baik setan suruh lengah-lengah,
Allah tarik nikmatku sampai nangis keluar air mata
darah barulah padah.

Apasal laa aku malas sembahyang,
Allah kasi aku jasad siap dengan bayang-bayang,
Bukan ke lebih baik daripada tiang,
Berdiri tanpa roh malam dan siang.

Apasal laa aku malas sembahyang,
Kerja dah best keluarga pun dah senang,
Negara aman damai tak lagi hidup berdagang,
Takkan 5 minit 5 waktu aku tak boleh nak luang.

Apasal laa aku malas sembahyang,
Allah kasi otak supaya aku tak bangang,
Allah kasi ilmu boleh fikir susah senang,
Allah kasi nikmat kenapalah aku tak kenang,

Apasal laa aku malas sembahyang,
Tengok TV, main bola aku sanggup sampai
petang,
Beli tiket konsert, bayar time shopping aku
sanggup beratur panjang,
Ingat masuk syurga masuk neraka boleh main
hutang-hutang? !!

Apasal laa aku malas sembahyang,
Aku kena ingat umur kita bukannya panjang,
Pagi sihat entah petang nanti dah kejang,
Nanti dalam kubur kena balun sorang-sorang.

Apasal laa aku malas sembahyang,
Seksa neraka cubalah aku bayang,
Perjalanan akhirat memang terlalu panjang,
Janji Allah Taala akan tertunai tak siapa boleh
halang!!!

MY PILGRIMAGE TO MEKAH

Dear friends

I'll be leaving for my pilgrimage any time soon. Please pray for my safety as well as hubby. From the bottom of my heart, I beg all of you to forgive me for any wrongdoings. Love always, Junita aka Monstermom.

LET'S DONATE

How lucky we are to be living in a comfortable house

What about those who only have this to live in?




While we enjoy our iftar with these food



Some only had this




While we have loved ones to share our meal with




They have to make do with what they have left


Without husbands



Without mothers

Without their little angels

LET'S DONATE TO THE



Orphans



Senior citizens


Single mothers


Those who fight in the name of jihad...



Go here for more information on how to donate.

Your donation will go to these countries :

1. Vietnam
2. Palestin
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5. Aceh
6. Rohingya
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12. Bangladesh
13. Kemboja
14. Masyarakat Uighur Malaysia

MM

SAY NO TO ISRAEL!

Cheap Bakery Course

MLVK Tahap 1 & 2 Bidang Bakeri (Diiktiraf oleh Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran dan Kementerian Sumber Manusia)
9 bulan
Pembiayaan Sepenuhnya (Yuran Kursus + Elaun Sara Diri) *Elaun Sara diri termasuk kos penginapan dan makanan
Berumur 18-30 Tahun
Bujang
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Tarikh Pendaftaran : 5/4/09 - 15/4/09
Tarikh Kemasukkan: 17/4/09

Bayaran Pendaftaran: RM450
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Anyone interested, please contact lisa@sugarflours.com or refer to the poster above.

Driving style

I can’t understand why some men like to drive with their hand/arm dangling out the window. Is it so cool to drive that way? You could just see their faces as you drive pass them. How does it feel? Good?

Maybe these people have BIID (Body Integrity Identity Disorder) syndrome. It’s a rare condition which compels its sufferers to want to amputate, or paralyze, their own healthy limbs. I think that will be the answer to my question.

I tried it once and it only last two seconds. Sorry to say, it is plain silly. Besides, it’s dangerous. My brain starts throwing all sorts of “What if” questions….
But then again it is not a crime to do that. So, what the heck…

I really wish that I could bring along a ruler/cane/rotan so as to whip those hands as I drive past them. That would be cheeky!!!!

Driving Style ..
One hand on steering wheel, one hand out of window. - Sydney
*******
One hand on steering wheel, one hand on horn - Japan
*******
One hand on steering wheel, one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on Accelerator... - Boston
*******
Both hands on steering wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror - New York
*******
Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in back seat - Italy
*******
One hand on horn,
One hand on holding gear,
One ear listening to loud music,
One ear on cell phone,
One foot on accelerator,
One foot on clutch,
Nothing on break,
Eyes on females in next car,"THIS IS INDIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

FREE

THIS IS MY ANSWER TO THE SO-CALLED FIGHTERS OF MUSLIM WOMEN (SIS)

What goes through your mind?
As you sit there looking at me
Well I can tell from your looks
That you think I'm so oppressed
But I don't need for you to liberate me

My head is not bare
And you can't see my covered hair
So you sit there and you stare
And you judge me with your glare

You're sure I'm in despair
But are you not aware
Under this scarf that I wear
I have feelings, and I do care

CHORUS:
So don't you see?
That I'm truly free
This piece of scarf on me
I wear so proudly
To preserve my dignity...
My modesty
My integrity
So don't judge me
Open your eyes and see...

“Why can't you just accept me?” she says
“Why can't I just be me?” she says
Time and time again
You speak of democracy
Yet you rob me of my liberty
All I want is equality
Why can't you just let me be free?

For you I sing this song
My sister, may you always be strong
From you I've learnt so much
How you suffer so much
Yet you forgive those who laugh at you

You walk with no fear
Through the insults you hear
Your wish so sincere
That they'd understand you

But before you walk away
This time you turn and say:
But don't you see?
That I'm truly free
This piece of scarf on me
I wear so proudly
To preserve my dignity
My modesty
My integrity
So let me be

She says with a smile
I'm the one who's free

Sung by Sami Yusuf

LET THE POSTERS DO THE TALKING

I've stopped buying them and I feel good about it. You can too.

Posters courtesy from http://pkskrukut.multiply.com/photos/album/4/BOIKOT_PRODUK_AMERIKA_amp_ISRAEL


HAPPY NEW YEAR/SALAM MAAL HIJRAH FROM MONSTERMOM

The English Language

I take it you already know
Of tough and bough and cough and dough.
Others may stumble, but not you,
On hiccough, thorough, laugh and through.
Well done! And now you wish, perhaps,
To learn of less familiar traps.

Beware of heard, a dreadful word,
That looks like beard and sounds like bird;
And dead: it's said like bed and not like bead.
For goodness sake don;t call it deed.
Watch out for meat and great and threat;
They rhyme with suite and straight and debt.

A moth is not a moth in mother,
Nor both in bother, broth in brother;
And here is not a match for there.
Nor dear and fear for bear and pear.
And then there's dose and rose and lose -
Just look them up - and goose and choose,
And cork and work and cord and ward,
And font and front and word and sword,
And do and go and thwart and cart.

Come, come, I've hardly made a start!
A dreadful language? Man alive!
I'd mastered it when I was five!

To A Stranger With Love

I've never met her and so I don't know her personally. I knew her for her husband's blog. Since November I followed the blog to know about her struggles to an illness unknown to doctors. It is known as Santau.

She was a loving mother and wife. She was always there to volunteer in all religious activities that was done. She was the jewel of her family. She was loved by all her friends.

To her husband and children, please be strong. This is the challenge that Allah had given to you to test your Iman. The test is only given to special people.

Al-Fatihah to Sister Siti Aisha.

Mahabbah Lillah Camp

Last two weeks after coming back from Kuantan the kids had the opportunity to join a camp organized by JIM Penang. It was an eye opener for them joining kids from different backgrounds of education mainly those from Islamic school. The did enjoyed themselves and I on the other hand tried my best to help around with the activities but had to keep it at the minimum since I had a fever, flu and cough...

Origami session

Traditional eating session. Lunch in a big tray.

After the camp, we headed to our next destination, Melaka. As usual, the kids were busy with the pool activities. Monstermom joined them and too bad I forgot to apply the sunscreen lotion. What a nice tan I had....
Immidiately after Melaka, we rushed back to Kedah, to celebrate Eidul Adha. Last night, we are back in Penang.
Now I have to confine myself in the house hoping that tan will subside in a few weeks...
Piles of dirty laundry to catch up and not forgetting the dust all over the house.
Have a nice week!

Kopitiam@SNC

Last Friday, my parents brought me and the kids to a kopitiam situated in a place which used to be my school, St Nicholas Convent, Alor Setar. As soon as we entered the school gate, I was transformed into my own world. I saw girls running around and giggling to each other when all of a sudden, Miss Mak, our headmistress appeared out of nowhere. When the school bell rang, we would then head to our classrooms and enjoy being an SNC girl....

I was awaken from my dream when my son started pulling my blouse. Grrrr...

That place was a hit! It was packed and you can order from nasi goreng to chicken chop. I was still skeptic of the place but after tasting my dad's meal, I didn't even talk but concentrated on tasting what had been ordered for others. My favourite was KCK. Apparently, when they started the place a gentleman ordered a dish which was not on their menu and he taught them how to prepare it. He was chief of the special branch (Ketua Cawangan Khas).

A combination of 5 classrooms

This is not KCK but my dad's special order. A combination of three dishes.

The school field

My form three classroom


Canteen

It was a mixed feeling of surprised, excited, sad and happy. I wish all of my schoolmates could gather here again, having breakfast in honor of our beloved SNC.

Cuts like a knife

Yesterday afternoon, while waiting for Iman and Nana at school, I noticed a group of kids playing happily. It brought back sweet memories of yesteryears. They were teasing, running and poking each other like any normal boys will do.

I looked harder and to my horror they were actually playing with a knife. Almost all of them, had a knife. I told them nicely that it was not a good idea to play around with that kind of thing. They replied that it was just a toy knife and demonstrated to me how it worked.

Looks just like a kitchen knife, isn't it? Only it was plastic.

Then, if you stab it to your friend, the blade will dissapear into the handle.

For them, it's all about magic and fun. For me, it is danger. They bought it from a toy shop nearby. How could this happen? By letting them play around with this, we are telling them that it is okay... It is not okay. I'm just so worried.

Earlier today, I went to KPDNHEP to file a complaint but to no avail. They told me that anybody could be selling those and it is not under their jurisdiction to act.... I was told to go to a police station or CAP. Well, I don't think the police will be interested in this...

Then, I searched for the shop and found out that it is sold for RM0.80 only.

How about that!

***Update***

I received an email from CAP regarding this matter. Below are the reply.

Salam sejahtera dari kami di Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang.

Kami merujuk kepada aduan Puan berhubung dengan perkara di atas. Adalah sedia maklum bahawa perkara ini sememangnya telah pun dirujuk kepada pihak kementerian berkenaan dan polis diraja malaysia sejak tahun 1990 lagi. Ini bukan kali pertama kami pihak kami menerima aduan sedemikian dan untuk menanganinya memerlukan komitmen pelbagai agensi kerajaan yang pada masa sekarang dalam satu proses pengubalan undang-undang bagi menangani isu yang semakin melarat ini.

Pihak kami amat menghargai keprihatinan pihak Puan terhadap isu ini dan pihak kami akan terus perhatian dan mengambil tindakan yang sewajarnya terhadap aduan Puan. Sekian terima kasih.

Yang benar


Ganesan Sivalingam
Pegawai Penyelidikan
Persatuan Pengguna Pulau Pinang

Friends Forever

I got a message from Wan. She wanted to meet me. Back in 1984 we were classmates of Standard 5 Kekwa. I called her today and that was the first time we spoke to each other in 14 years. It was awkward.

She came to my house and we met. We clicked instantly. I can still remember how she smiled seeing my collection of our school days photos. We talked like there's no tomorrow.

Friends forever. Thank you Wan Teh!

It was only after she drove off that I remembered to grab my camera. Obviously it was too late but then again I know that we'll meet again since she's teaching nearby....

Women in The Eyes of God

Everyone is invited. Speakers are :-

Prof. Madya Dr. Harlina Siraj - Jamaah Islah Malaysia

VEN . Lee Yew Kuan ( ven. - pangkat sami) MALAYSIAN BUDDHIST ASSOCIATION ( MBA)

Dr. Marina David - YOUNG WOMEN CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION (YWCA )

Mr. K.Thirumoorthy - State Secretary Hind Sangam

Call or sms to Norhidaya at 016 236 2672 for reservation.

CheeChuq

Since her arrival, life has been busier. As I walk down the stairs every morning, I can already hear her scream to be let into the house and hence, her breakie. Iman is given the responsibility of taking care of her especially in the event of poo-clearing, bathing as well as vacuuming the carpet. Atief no longer cries for me whenever he wakes up in the morning but will run down the stairs to greet CheeChuq with his usual Assalamualaikum. Nana on the other hand will try to help around especially in playing-with-Cheechuq matter. When hubby returns from work, he'll search for CheeChuq and sometimes forgetting that Atief has been hiding behind the door waiting to be found for almost 5 mins!

Welcome CheeChuq. It's only been 2 weeks but your presence surely made a big change in our daily life.