"H.I.J.A.B.E.R.S"

As you know, I've just recently started wearing the hijab ...and recently I've learned that my cousin has followed suit....(*smiles* I'm not alone here!)

A few days ago, I just learned of an icon and blogger called Maria Elena and also discovered who Hana Tajima is. (Forgive me....I'm just a late bloomer)

It is interesting to know and compare experiences of first-time 'hijabers' (which is the term used by youngsters these days). Reading Maria's blog, I see similar experiences that I have faced and am facing lately.

1. Unrecognisable
     I can walk around in the office unnoticed! Pretty much invincible because people have not gotten used to this new image walking around. Then, when I greet clients, they have a weird look on their face - trying hard to think where they've seen this face before. It won't click until I mention my name.

2. The Treatment
Yup! People treat you differently. I've been called "Puan Sri" "Ustazah" ...bowed at with respect (as though I'm some big shot Menteri)....And then there's the "Alhamdulillah" and "Masya Allah" and "Subhanallah"....(semualah keluar). But how do you respond to such reactions from people around you? I can't say "Enough! It's only a piece of cloth covering my head"
I can't say "Oh shut up! I've heard it before" or even "Gotta problem with it?"

So my response so far has been...smile, nod, giggle, walk away...
Only because I don't know if theire reactions are sincere and complimentary or perhaps in awe and disgust! Who knows rite?

But I do which people would treat me indifferently. Just because I am now a hijaber doesn't me my entire nature HAS to change. I know I can't be showing off too much skin and wearing skin-tight clothes. I know I have to watch my mannerisms....don't offer to shake hands with everybody - must be careful! (This a bit difficult to judge...men usually don't offer to shake you hands if they see you wearing tudung. But I believe to be professional it is ok to greet someone (even a male) by shaking their hands...Nonetheless, there's no strict rule about it!)

3. The Styles



butikpinkku.blogspot.com



I am glad that I have been complimented on the way I wear my hijab (lilit the selendang..). I'm blessed to be lilit-inclined and have learned it through Youtube. Thanks to all the Youtubers for uploading your tutorials especially FaraButikpinkku.

I have also turned to Dara Magazine monthly for various styles and tudung fashion.

At the end of the day, it depends on how creative you are when wearing your tudung. As long as the basics are there, I doubt you can go wrong.

And unlike people that wear the ready-to-wear-tudung or tudung express with the awning, I think I'm better off with the selendangs, bawals and pashmina because I can never get bored. Also it's the only range that I can afford at the moment.

Everyday I get this "How do you lilit your tudung?"

"Starts from here, pin here and you go round & round pin again DONE....selalu ikut citarasa sendiri!!"

To be honest, it doesn't take too long to discover your own style (one that you're comfortable with) for work and weekends you can mengada-ngada try other styles if you want!

With designers like Hana Tajima, you'll definitely be inspired by her creations. Sleek and simple - just like her Japanese descent.

InsyaAllah, I hope to be closer to Allah s.a.w by wearing the hijab & bertutup aurat.

The fashion & styles come secondary....

In fact, I do hope that I can introduce these ladies here about different styles (got some offers already!).

xoxo...Happy Trying!

NEWS FLASH: "Shocking Reasons why Malaysians are Living Beyond their Means"

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/22/nation/9550278&sec=nation

The Star Newspaper today revealed a "shocking" survey about why Malaysians are living beyond their means..

They wronged the people for not managing their finances well.

I find even the Headlines shocking...It has shocked me that they are ONLY JUST discovering this habit from Malaysians. It is the culture in Malaysia to lepak at the malls....ONLY because there are soo many to choose from. Then they complain that students from schools and colleges hang out at the malls, passing their time away doing absolutely nothing except watching passer-bys and causing a social havoc. Can you suggest any other places they can go to for entertainment or socialising?

In Europe you find many many many parks that are big, clean, "green" (especially) and welcoming to hang out. Even to have a picnic under the shady tree. If you complain that it's the weather, then after 3pm is pretty ideal to have a picnic in the park - get some fresh air, read a book, fly a kite, play ball.....But are there any decent parks around for us to do that? If there are, then are Malaysians keen to have a picnic at the park?

I find that Malaysians are too afraid of the sun and heat that they tend to have activities indoors. An afternoon at the park (if you provide) may be the last thing on their minds. And if couples go to parks, they religious departments will create a stirr and accuse them of khalwat. If they are non-Muslims then, there can be no such public display of affection.

Then how about entertainment parks? Theme parks? Berjaya has created an indoor theme park but how well is it patronised? It's a social stigma amongst parents of secondary school children to allow their kids to go there. Simply because they are not behaving well at such places. It's not the same excitement for an indoor theme park and an outdoor one. Even I wouldn't dream of going there.

The next outdoor theme park is either Sunway or Genting. I think most of us have gone there at least once. But you can never go there too many times since it gets boring and costly.

In short, Malls and Supermarkets are the only places that caters to our weekend entertainment especially since there're so many to choose from.

In the article, it addresses the issue of credit card debts. I'm afraid this is on the onus of the card-user. Anyone who does not monitor their expenses using credit cards can be a victim of credit card debts. This I have to blame the banks....for making it too easy to approve credit cards to those who can't really afford it. Perhaps limiting their credit limit to below RM5000 according to their income. Banks allow these financially incapable individuals to fall prey to own too many credit cards.

In my opinion, the moment you swipe your credit card worth more than you can pay, you are on your way to being a bankrupt!!

Another astonishing discovery is:

“In one of our surveys, we were shocked that many children did not even know where money came from,” he said, adding that most replied “the ATM (automated teller machine).

“And, they do not believe that their parents have to work to earn money,” Selvaraj added.

- from The Star

SERIOUSLY?!!! Why aren't children made aware of where money comes from?
They don't grow on trees and they certainly don't just come out of ATMs. I feel sorry for these children and even more so for their parents for not teaching them the essence of financial management at a young age.

Children must be taught that money doesn't come easily. These days parents just throw money like it's nothing....everything buy buy  buy!

There comes a point when parents need to step up and tell their children that money spent is hard-earned money from your own sweat and blood.

Last time it was easier to picture a parent working hard to earn a living because they are labourers and you can literally see & smell their sweat when they work or after they return from work. Today, most parents are executives in offices and the only sweat they produce is when they walk to their cars at the carpark. Children don't see how hard you work...it's difficult for them to visualise it these days.

So, Malaysians, let's change the way we entertain ourselves and let's be a little bit more thrifty when it comes to spending. Ask yourself if you really really really need it.....and adopt a 'recycling' attitude from now on!

Good luck..

Transformer

You'd think it's the effect of Transformers 3: The Dark Moon. Or perhaps it's the effect of all the dramas that I've been following...

I think it is genuine and I believe Allah s.a.w. has 'spoken' and led me to a virtuous path of rightousness (must check dictionary) ....

The Holy Month of Ramadan has led me back to the right path..has answered "someone's" prayers for me to turn over a fresh leaf. (I use the term 'fresh' because there's nothing new about me except the way I look)

I have learned to embrace the idea of wearing a hijab. It has lingered in my head for a while but I have never been brave enough to wear it. I do not want to jump straight into the idea because I need to adjust to a different way of living...a change in lifestyle and habits.

I don't know why it's such a gender-biased notion that one who wears a hijab must act a certain manner. Even I fall prey to such notions and admit that I snigger at the sight of a couple (woman with hijab & a guy) holding hands and cuddling in public, but I seem to allow such events to occur if the woman is hijab-less. WHY?!! WHY?!! WHY?!!!

Also, there are certain places that women with hijabs do not patronise...like lounges or the bars. Fine!!! They sell alcohol but some restaurants sell alcohol there's no stigmas if one patronises such places. I guess hijabs and vices do not get along!

So, there's a whole new world for me to explore and I can only see it through the eyes of a hijab-wearing individual. Even people view and treat me differently. I do not think I've changed as a person - personality-wise. I do not think I am capable of such transformation at that level but people seem to think that just because I wear a hijab now, I am not lively and bubbly like I used to be.

Not only that, people seem to stare at me in awe. Act less wild and erratic...some even question what made me decide to wear a hijab.

I'd just like to clarify that...NOTHING MADE me want to wear a hijab. I did not go through a 'traumatic' experience. I don't think anyone needs to go through such a phase in life. I doubt I am going through an identity crisis or a mid-life crisis. Honestly, it just felt right and the time is right to wear the hijab. It suits me, I'm comfortable and Alhamdulillah I have no complaints (so far hehehhe)

I do hate it when people think I'm now "nice". OH PLEASE!!! Clearing the air again, I am the same person you know a month back....I am loud, crazy, and just the way I am. I don't think wearing a hijab should make me act any different...BUT someone people expect me to.

If only a shawl could do such magic and make the devil into an angel...That Shawl must be the hottest selling item in town!!

It's bullshit if u say "A hijab-wearing person is more well-mannered than a hijab-less person"

I started as a hijab-less person...and a hijab doesn't even make u a better person...it just LEADS u to be a better person because society expects you to potrait yourself as a better person. It's up to the individual to be a better person and it should be what the society expects or determine.

Hijab or NOT I am the same!!

I must say I love it because I don't have to blow-dry my hair every morning...(tiresome)

but I do have to iron my shawl EVERY morning (also tiresome)....NO DIFFERENCE!!!



Surprised? I think I look kurus!!!



My left profile is BEST!

My right profile is SEDUCTIVE?!!

Oooo......