Things I love about 2020

 Hello, December!!!

Can you believe it is already the end of 2020? I am finding it hard to believe how fast time has passed. Part of me is glad that it is coming to an end but part of me is wondering what good would 2021 be if we havent found a solution to our problems in 2020?

Whatever it is, new year is approaching and I would like to pen down some of the things I love about 2020. I'm hopeful that 2021 will be a better year. InsyaAllah

Here are the some things I love about my 2020

My Umrah trip

Missing this view

It was such a good trip for my soul. I needed that trip more than I thought and Alhamdulillah I came back a much better, person. That trip was everything! Allah permudahkan everything right from the get-go for all of us. Everything was perfect and we had an amazing experience. I am so blessed that my first time to Mekah was with my husband and both my children. I was so happy that my children got to experience it with me and my husband made it so comfortable for all of us. Thinking about it makes me miss it so much. I cant wait to go back. We all want to go back as soon as the gates are opened and as soon as this Covid-19 over. 

My Hijrah

I never thought I'd wear the hijab anytime soon. I always thought I'd be like my mum. She started wearing the hijab at the age of 60 if I'm not mistaken so I thought I'd probably be like that too. I had no plans to wear it and was struggling at the idea of wearing it in Mekah because I'm just not used to it. Before Mekah, I bought a few designs that I thought would be suitable for Umrah and that was it. I have a few Duck tudungs in my collection (that I bought over the years for tahlil and all that) but I never wore it and didnt know how to style it. I was clueless.

View from my hotel room

But when I came back to KL, I felt like I have to keep it on. It didnt feel right taking it off. I remember getting ready to go to the supermarket for the first time and still debating with my own self if I should wear it or shouldnt. In the end, my good self won. I kept it on and it has been smooth sailing. All my worries about styling, about how people might perceive me, about clothes to wear were all gone. It was as if I've been wearing it my whole life. It was that natural. 

I left for Mekah on the 25th February and that was the first day I had my hijab on and never took it off. That was my hijrah day and 2020 made it possible. At 40 years of age I started wearing hijab. 

My 2020 Ramadhan

Ramadhan this year was so different from the previous years. We were in lockdown and couldnt do much but order food and stay indoors. This year's Ramadhan was the best ever because it was the only time that we got to really spend at home and focus on being a good muslim. We normally have lots of distractions but this year I felt like fasting was easier. Somehow getting up for Sahur was easier too. Terawikh with the kids felt natural. Keeping prayers was easy too because we were at home with not much things to do. I feel like it was the best Ramadhan to date. I started reading the Quran too during this Ramadhan. Although I wanted to Khatam within that month, I didnt get to do it. But InsyaAllah, I'll try harder. 

Quality Family Time

This year we spent A LOT of time at home and not much travelling, which is a shame because we are HUGE on traveling. But despite not being able to do the normal things we do as a family, I feel happy that we are spending a lot of time together. We are usually too busy with the outside world and sometimes hardly have time for each other but this year, we are always together. When we do get together with other family members (cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncle), it is always short but it is always fun because we know not to take things for granted. Alhamdulillah, I think 2020 has brought lots of family closer together. In my case, I think it has and I love that about 2020.

Discovering New Passion

The painting that I am working on now

One of the things I love about 2020 is when I rediscovered my passion for art. I wouldnt have picked it up if it werent for the lockdown. I have so much time at home now and this is how I fill my time. Exploring new ideas and painting. I'm not a professional and far from it. I still dont know what my style is but I love exploring and so far I've gotten quite good feedback from friends and family. 

2020 is not that bad.

Feeling inspired

We are reaching the end of 2020. Can you believe it? 1 whole year of living this way and surviving this pandemic. It has many ups and down for sure but we made it. 

This year has been quite a year. I want to say I hate it but I cant because I have a lot of valuable experiences and wonderful memories of it too. One of the things I found was my passion in art. It took me 41 years to realise that I am actually pretty good at it. I wish I had pursued it in University or when I was younger. I may lead a different life all together if I had done that. Who knows?

Since I started painting this year, I've done mostly small paintings. But after a while, I felt like I could do with a bigger canvas. I bought one in 60 cm x 75 cm. Not big enough for a wall perhaps but big enough to be a statement piece. I soon realise that it is not easy to fill the canvas with the "skills" and tools that I have. I struggled. I did a few version of it and just wasnt satisfied with it. I guess what I having was a creative block, I guess?

One day, I went to KLCC to have coffee. I saw this beautiful mural and was admiring it. I took a photo of it and posted it on my instagram. Surprisingly, many of my friends commented thinking it was my painting. I suddenly felt like hey, maybe I could paint this. 

Tadaaaa!!! This is my version, inspired by that mural I saw in KLCC. I love it. It took me a while to get there but finally, I got it! I'm going to put this up for sale on Carousell. I'm so excited about this painting.

Isnt it an awesome background? It matches this roll on bottle by Young Living, which is my current favourite roll on. The aroma is really refreshing and it can help support your respiratory health. I love it. If you are interested to get in, email me and I'll hook you up with someone who can explain to you more about Young Living oils. 

Anyway, I'm feeling super inspired right now. Time to work on another painting. 

Support Local

 Things are not looking great at the moment. A lot of shops at my neighbourhood mall is closing down. Last week, I was in KLCC and it was empty. Unlike the KLCC I am used to. I sat down at Dome and I was surprised that we were the only customer. It is really sad because one of the things I love to do was to have coffee at a cafe and people watch. That day, there was no one. 

A lot of businesses are going down. People are struggling to keep the economy running and rolling. We think we dont have a part to play but really, we do. We need to support our local businesses. Do your part!

I love supporting friends and their businesses. If you know anyone in your community, help their business by buying their products. 

 

I love Ngaku. I bought few bottles from my friend to support her business. They have lots of other stuff too. Go check them out!

I also ordered these yummy Gluten Free brownies. OMG at first I wasnt sure if I wanted to order them because I'm not a fan of healthy version of something sinful. I just wanted to support my friend so I ordered them. OMG. I swear to you this tasted better than the normal brownies that has more sugar and not healthy at all. This is a healthier version and it tastes so good!

So you see, there is so many ways you can support your community. If like me and you love food, you can buy or order from your local supplier, your friends or maybe your neighbour. We all need a help right now to bring up our economy. There's still hope. We can do it together.

I've been doodling and painting as usual. At the moment I'm not taking orders but I am for friends and family. I love how much support I am getting from my friends and family. I am not getting paid for it yet because I feel I'm not there yet but hopefully someday when I am ready, you'll support my little business too!

Hang in there everyone! We can beat this!

How are you?

 

We need more love in this world

As you all know, the RMCO is extended until 6 December 2020. The year is almost over and everything is crashing down. We still havent found a vaccine (although there are talks saying it is 90% done) and we are still living with lots of uncertainties. Honestly speaking, I am starting to feel demotivated. It is really starting to drain every inch of me.

I know we are supposed to embrace this uncertainty and continue to live our lives the best way we can but some days, I really feel beaten. I keep thinking how almost a year has gone and we are back at square one (after the Sabah election). I hate to see my kids growing up with no physical interactions with their friends and I hate seeing them relying too much on their devices. I know we are lucky that at least we have that option because unlike us, many dont have this luxury. Majority of the people out there (especially in the rural areas) are suffering much more than us. This, makes me even more sad.

Mental health is real. So many are struggling out there. It's not fair to say that we dont feel it or we feel less stressed because I think no matter where we are, no matter how comfortable life is, we all feel it in some way or the other. We all struggle in our daily lives living with this whole pandemic that has taken over everything we've ever known.

Oh God. Please give us strength.

I was talking to some friends about this. Some are working moms, some are housewives. I noticed that we are all going through something. Working from home isnt easy. Being a housewife with kids and husband at home 24 hours a day isnt easy too. Kids being home without having friends to talk to and play with are going through a hard time too whether they notice it or not.

Hope everyone is coping and managing well. Remember that whatever you do, whoever you are...you are not alone. We are all in this together. Hang in there.

Rose oil by Young Living

 

The most expensive oil from Young Living is most certainly the 5ml Rose essential oil. The price for this 5ml bottle is RM845 for members. This oil has been in my wishlist since I became a member 3 years ago. Due to its pricetag, I have put it aside. It is bloody darn expensive for 5ml. 

Why is it so expensive?

First of all, it is one of the most difficult oil to make. It is very time consuming and the process to extract oils from the flower is a tedious process. They say that it takes 6000 lbs to 8000 lbs of rose petals to produce only 2 lbs oil. Some say that it is more expensive than gold. 

I've always been a fan of roses. I love everything about roses. The colours, the smell, how it looks like, everything about it I just love. I used to love walking near Lovely Lace because it smells of roses. In fact, when I first went to UK to study, I bought a bunch of Lovely Lace rose scented items to place in my apartment. I love how my apartment always smells of roses.

Of course over the years, once you learn more about the importance about using natural products and the harmful chemical all these artificial fragrance has, you just dont want to smell it much anymore - or try not to. Hence, it has been my dream to own this damn rose oil from Young Living as it is pure from anything artificial. Finally, I can smell the real rose!!

One of the things I plan to use this oil is to incorporate it in my skincare. I have read that rose oils can hydrate the skin, clear acne, reduce the signs of aging and minimize scars. My friend tells me that it has helped her daughter's eczema too. I have an eczema patch at the back of my neck so I'm really looking forward to get rid of it. InsyaAllah.

As for our overall mood, it can also boost our mood, sharpen our memory and reduce our stress. It is a stressful time now living with this whole pandemic so let's use this oil to help us overcome our stress.

I'm really looking forward to explore this expensive oil. I cant wait!!!