Renovation

we engaged 3 different contractors for the exterior and kitchen renovation of our home, and overall, we are very satisfied with the outcome... the first contractor, recommended by our next‑door neighbour, handled the boundary wall and yard cement work... we shared the wall construction cost of RM3,750, with an additional RM3,500 for cementing the soil‑based yard, bringing the total to RM7,250, and the work was completed neatly and as agreed... the second contractor, Misky (+6013‑669 9591), was responsible for the outdoor and kitchen floor tiling at a cost of RM15,900, and we were pleased with the workmanship, alignment, and finishing of the tiles... the third contractor, Anuar (+6012‑227 8918), installed the autogate for RM1,500, which functions smoothly and meets our expectations... overall, each contractor delivered their respective work satisfactorily, and we feel that the renovations were well executed, fairly priced, and worth the investment...

Effort, Prayer, and Discipline

this was my experience of lower back pain caused by lifting a plant pot at home... the first week was extremely painful... on Monday, 24 May, the day I received my first vaccine dose, the pain began to lessen slightly... alhamdulillah, today the pain has reduced to mild soreness only... I continue to observe the necessary precautions - avoiding cold drinks, broccoli, kailan, and tea - while consistently performing back exercises... my homeopathic medication is also continued, focusing on reducing swelling, strengthening the lower back muscles, and improving bone support... in essence, recovery involves three key elements: effort, prayer, and discipline... moving forward, it is important to recognize the causes of such issues and to control or reduce activities and habits that may trigger them...

Karnan

Karnan is a powerful Tamil‑language film directed by Mari Selvaraj and starring Dhanush in the lead role... set against a rural backdrop, the movie portrays the struggles of an oppressed community as it confronts systemic injustice, authority, and long‑standing social inequality... through intense storytelling, striking visuals, and emotionally charged performances, Karnan highlights themes of dignity, resistance, and the courage to stand up against oppression, making it one of the most impactful socially driven Tamil films of its time...

First Dose of AstraZeneca

I received my first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID‑19 vaccine, marking an important step in protecting myself and others during the pandemic... developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca, this vaccine played a significant role in global vaccination efforts, including Malaysia’s national immunization programme... the AstraZeneca COVID‑19 vaccine (ChAdOx1‑S / AZD1222) is a viral‑vector vaccine that uses a harmless, non‑replicating chimpanzee adenovirus to deliver genetic instructions for the SARS‑CoV‑2 spike protein, enabling the body to build immunity without causing the disease... common side effects reported as per Ministry included soreness at the injection site, fatigue, mild fever, headache, and muscle aches, which were generally short‑lived and indicated the body’s immune response was being activated... 

after receiving my first dose of the COVID‑19 vaccine, I did not experience any of the commonly mentioned side effects... what truly surprised me, however, was that my back pain gradually disappeared, and the discomfort I had been struggling with was no longer present... it felt like an unexpected relief, one that I received with gratitude... while I recognize that healing comes from Allah SWT alone, this experience reminded me that relief can arrive in ways we do not anticipate, and for that, I remain thankful...

Chronology of Lower Back Pain

the initial trigger occurred some time ago - likely last year - while I was organizing documents in the store... after receiving massage therapy from Abang Mahdi, Alhamdulillah, the pain eased... during the movement control order, however, I conducted many online classes, spending long hours in front of the laptop... at that time, I began to feel mild back discomfort, though it would come and go...

during the fasting month, after clearing sand following the completion of additional work on the house wall, the pain returned briefly... on Sunday, 16 May, while lifting a plant pot, my lower back suddenly seized, and the pain became more pronounced... I sought treatment at Bidara Syifa and underwent cupping, but the pain persisted...

on Monday, I visited a clinic where the doctor prescribed painkillers, muscle medication, and a pain‑relief patch, advising me to rest at home... the pain was intense, and I chose to accept it with patience and surrender... on Wednesday, I consulted a chiropractor in Setia Alam, and the pain reduced slightly, although discomfort remained due to swelling at the affected area... at the same time, I contacted Dr. Zainul to begin homeopathic treatment...

on Thursday, I continued resting at home... by Friday, the homeopathic medication arrived, and I began taking it after dinner... despite the pain, I continued conducting online classes, albeit while sitting awkwardly... on Saturday, the pain was still present, and I performed back exercises within my limits... During Asar prayer, I prayed as usual, though bowing was extremely painful... I endured it patiently... after completing the prayer, I noticed some improvement...

this led me to reflect that angels are always positioned in prayer, and perhaps the movements of prayer themselves were a form of therapy for me... I then began performing gentle exercises based on the movements of the prayer... Alhamdulillah, over time, the pain gradually lessened... today, some pain remains, but it has significantly reduced...

in conclusion, healing does not come through prayer alone - it requires effort... I took homeopathic medicine, performed exercises, maintained my diet, drank plenty of water, and continued to pray sincerely, raising my hands in supplication to Allah SWT... healing does not happen instantly; it takes time... indeed, pain brings us closer to Allah SWT... to my friends, never give up - continue striving and making effort...

Naja provided tremendous support, assistance, and even guided me through proper back exercises... remember, in times of illness or hardship, it is our spouse and family who stand closest to us and give us strength... in closing, lower back pain caused by improper lifting is truly painful - please be cautious... I have learned this lesson the hard way...

Wee Natural Therapy Setia Alam

Wee Natural Therapy Setia Alam is a wellness and rehabilitation centre located at 121‑G, Jalan Setia Gemilang BG U13/BG, Setia Alam, 40170 Shah Alam, Selangor... the centre operates Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and is closed on Mondays... the therapy provides a range of natural and rehabilitative services, including physiotherapy, chiropractic adjustments, neuromuscular rehabilitation, acupressure therapy, and laser acupuncture therapy, aimed at supporting pain management, mobility improvement, and overall physical well‑being through non‑invasive treatment approaches...

I Surrender to You

it began with lifting weights, followed by persistent back pain that eventually forced me to lie down and rest... this, too, is a test from Allah SWT... may the pain and discomfort endured serve as a means of expiating minor sins... effort has been made toward recovery, and for everything beyond that, I place my trust entirely in You, ya Allah...

Zoom SKTU 89

we had a Zoom meeting with our SKTU Batch ’89 friends, and even with only a handful joining, the atmosphere was already lively... just imagining everyone coming together makes it easy to picture how noisy and cheerful it would be... the WhatsApp group itself has been buzzing with conversations ever since it was created, so taking that energy into a Zoom session only amplified the excitement... truly, when old friends reconnect, the laughter never runs out...

Azim, Abyana and Red

this Aidilfitri captures a lovely moment shared by Azim and Abyana together with Red...

With Me

this Aidilfitri marks a special moment shared by Azim and Abyana with me, filled with warmth, smiles, and togetherness...

With Naja

this Aidilfitri marks a meaningful moment for Azim and Abyana, shared together with Naja in a simple yet heartfelt celebration...

Aidilfitri 2021

this marks our second year celebrating Aidilfitri under the movement control order... while the atmosphere feels different without large gatherings and hometown travels, it has taught us the true meaning of simplicity, patience, and gratitude... even in limitation, the spirit of Aidilfitri remains - rooted in family, reflection, and appreciation for the blessings we often take for granted...