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HOW TO START THE GAME

- Number of players: 1 to eternity

- Each player gets $24,000 ($24k) at 12am every day.

- Players MUST use the money for every task throughout the day. (You may use all $24k before the collection time.)

- All $24k or any left will be collected by 12am the next day, whether you used it or not.

- The objective of the game is to collect as much prize money as you can.

HOW TO COLLECT PRIZE MONEY

- Prize money can be achieved by spending as much given money on activities that will benefit you or other people.

- Bigger efforts would cost you more but will produce you more prize money:

Small effort: x10

Medium effort: x100

Large effort: x1000

For example, if you spend $1k on reading a beneficial book, your prize money will be $10k but if you spend $1k on helping the homeless, your prize money will be $1M.

- You may spend as much or as little as you want.

- However, each degree of effort and multiplication is graded by the Game Master and not known to the players.

- If you use the given money on non-beneficial items (listening to gibberish songs, gossiping, etc), no prize money will be awarded.

HOW TO WIN THE GAME

- Game Master will hold onto your total prize money. It will only be awarded to players once the game ends.

- The catch is, players do not know when the game will end. Till then, players are expected to play until the right time comes.

- The more you collect, the easier for you to win a one way eternal trip to Paradise and all your prize money back. That’s not all, you will also get everything that you ever wanted.

- Best part is, everyone can win! Let’s start playing!

So, who’s ready to hustle?

Remember, time is money.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Inspired by:

When I'm gone (when I'm gone)

When I'm gone (when I'm gone)

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

You're gonna miss me by my walk 

You're gonna miss me by my talk

You're gonna miss me when I'm gone

This song kept repeating in my mind as we drove from the airport to my grandmother’s humble home. Scorching hot sun, tall buildings, careless drivers, the same trees, the same route, everything looked familiar yet so foreign. The Pearl of the Orient, the place where I was treated like a living princess, my comfort zone, my home.

As we reached the area, I looked at the house with swollen eyes. I knew what was coming.

There my aunt was, eyes all bruised, sadness towered over her. All she could do was cry as she saw us and embraced us in her arms.

I’ve already prepared myself for this. But I just had to peak through the open door to see if it was true.

Whenever anyone was about to enter the house, you would see her petite frame sitting on the beige sofa across the door. She’ll be in her Baju Kedah and kain batik with a smile across her face. But the smile and the small human was nowhere to be found.

She should be at the back like she normally do when she has lunch, I comforted myself. I rushed to the back only to see an empty chair.

She could be in the shower, I again whispered to my heart. And so I scrambled to the toilet to only be looking at an empty blue shower.

I ran out of reasons to tell myself that this was all untrue. I was a day too late to see her being sent away. I still can’t tell my heart that she’s gone, forever.

*  *  *

We were bracing for it. We knew she wouldn’t shout but the least that we expected her to do was to tell me not to go ahead with the relationship. She had a stern and a defeat look as she gazed upon a picture of me, wearing a traditional black and white Kebaya, standing very closely to a very handsome amo (white person) in a suit and tie. It was obvious that we attended a formal dinner.

“Ni la boyfriend Na, Bik,” as my dad spread a cheeky smile across his face, trying to persuade my grandmother that the man in the picture was in fact my boyfriend. Though he knew too well that this wasn’t true.

With a long blank look and after a good solid minute, she finally said, “OK. Kalau dah sama suka, Bik nak buat macam mana lagi? Lawanya dia. Dia dah kerja ka dok blajaq lagi?” The fact that she acknowledged this ‘relationship’ was fine and that this amo as a very good-looking man had us all roared in laughter.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with mixed marriages. It’s just very uncommon and my grandmother had already bickered at me about finding a good Malay Muslim boy years ago even before I left Malaysia. I guess this amo was the only exception.

With tears in his eyes, my dad said, “Ken melawak ja. Ni bukan boyfriend betoi, ni player ragbi. Nama dia Richard Kahui. Dia main untuk New Zealand.”

She finally realized that this whole thing was a joke. Like a good sport, she even joked that Kahui should had been my boyfriend and she laughed away. A laughter that I would never be able to listen to again.

I knew that there must be a reason why I couldn’t send her away. Why Allah chose us to be away from her or why we were a little too late to see her. Though I may not be able to figure out what it is, I do know it’s for the best. Allah must have planned everything so perfectly that even the greatest minds could not have created this brilliant plan.

There is goodness in every single thing that happens to us even if we think it is the worst day of our lives. Life is a perception. It is truly up to you if you decide to accept everything as His tests or detest life and lead it on your own.

If only I continued with my studies, which I have been contemplating for the past few months, I would not breathe in this humid Malaysian air. If only I had a full time job, I would definitely not have the chance to go to my cousin’s engagement ceremony. If only I was still studying in Dunedin, doing a different course, I would have not known about my long lost family.

You know that jerky feeling you get when you fall in your dream and you’d suddenly wake up? This felt like that for me. A wakeup call reminding me that I don’t have much time left. There’s still so much to do for myself, my family, my friends and people around me.

We were created to feel sadness, pain and loss but without these, we would not be introduced to happiness, hope and love. We have to be grateful that we are being tested. It is a sign that He hasn’t given up hope on our flawed self regardless of how many times we have wronged ourselves and Him. What is a journey if there isn't any bumps on the road? We just have to pick ourselves up and keep going.

Hug your parents, hug your grandparents, your siblings, and all your family members. Seek forgiveness from them. Reconcile with them. Because you're gonna regret it when the time is up. It is time to focus on the living and make dua for those who have left us. Even though it has already been a week, this loss will forever be tainted in my heart.

May Allah place her in the best level of Jannah and forgive all her wrong-doings in life. Ameen.

I’ve got my ticket for the long way ‘round

The one with the prettiest of views

It’s got mountains, it’s got rivers

It’s got sights that give you shivers

You’re gonna miss me when I’m gone

Hot scorching sun blasted through Auckland's humid air. Tall skyscrapers, busy streets and the occasional sound of helicopter blades. It really did remind me of Kuala Lumpur. Only there were fewer people here. 24 million fewer.

Sylvia Park was filled with so many human beings of different backgrounds and ethnicity. There were kids playing on the trampolines, teenagers giggling away in ice cream shops, men holding their partners' shopping bags and mums pushing baby buggies. It was so overwhelming and exciting to see so many people in one place considering that I used to live in cities which had populations of less than a 100,000. 

Suddenly, my smartphone buzzed. A text sprawled across the screen.

"Salam Shaf. Jomla dtg program ptg ni pkl 6. Kat rumah kitaorg :)"

It's 4pm and I have to submit my work by the next day. I doubt I could make it since I have a Frisbee tournament in the afternoon. Man, what do I do now?

Another text came in and it was about the same talk. Asking me to come at 6pm at a friend's house.

15 minutes later my friend who was also at the shopping mall came along and said, "Shaf, let's go to the talk. It's gonna be really good and interesting."

After thinking long and hard with a decision I knew I would regret, I replied, "I don't think I can make it".

My answer got me thinking throughout the time we were on the bus headed home. I was calculating the time that I needed to finish my work and how long it'll cost me if I were to go to the talk. At the back of my head, a verse sparked my memory.

"There is no good in most of their secret talks save (in) him who orders charity (in Allah's cause), or Ma'roof (Islamic monotheism and all the good and righteous deeds which Allah has ordained), or conciliation between mankind; and he who does this seeking the good Pleasure of Allah, We shall give him a great reward." (An-Nisa: 114)

I took a deep breath, sighed and muttered my oath, "I believe that any goodness that I seek is to gain Allah's pleasure. Dear God, I can only depend on you. I'm no Angel. I had done things that I was not proud of but I know I want to improve to be a better person."

And so I decided to attend the talk even though I had more than five hours worth of work.

All 16 of us herded ourselves into a small humble Auckland apartment. The talk had just begun as we walked in. Our Guest was talking about Prophet Muhammad's hadis by Abu Hurairah R.A.:

"So, what the angels do is that they walk around the Earth looking for ilm' (knowledge/religious) events and talks. When one of them finds one, the angel will call out the other angels to come over and cover everyone in the event with their gorgeous big wings till there is no space between us and the layers of the skies.

Once the event finishes and everyone disperses, the angels will meet Allah. Bare in mind that God is Almighty and All-knowing. So, even though He knew what happened, he still asked the angels what we did. You know, being all sweet and such. Like how your loved ones ask you how things went even though they already knew. Haha. Their conversation went something like so:

"Allah: Where did you come from?
Angels: We just came from Earth. Your believers were praising you, glorifying you and making duas (prayers) for you, seeking from you.

Allah: What did they seek for?
Angels: They seek for a place in your Jannah (Heaven).

Allah: Have they seen my Jannah?
Angels: No, my Lord.

Allah: What will they do if they see my Heaven?
Angels: They'll pray so hard so that they would not enter your Hell.

Allah: What will they do if they see my hell?
Angels: They would ask for your forgiveness.

Allah: Very well, I have forgiven their sins. I have given what they asked for and I have given them protection from the Hell fire.

Angels: But my Lord, among all the good people who attended the event, there was one of your slaves who had done so many sins. He walked into the place and sat together with the others.

Allah: For him, I too have forgiven all of his sins."

How cool is that? Maybe some of you decided not to come earlier but since you see your friends come, you decided to do so too. So, good on ya. Alrighty, that's just the introduction. Let's move on to the bigger topic."

The Guest wasn't looking at me. She didn't know that I initially decided not to come. That last part of the hadis was glued in my head like a perfectly broken voice recorder played on the rewind button. I didn't know how to react. All I remembered was that I had goosebumps across my body. I felt like nothing mattered anymore, the pay, the work, they seemed so minuscule now. All that mattered was that I felt like my prayer was answered.

I decided to stay throughout the talk and even finished my work in time.

Have trust in Allah and may He eases our hardships and tests in order to gain His Jannah. Allah humma amin. :)

The cars moving across the bridge, the howling wind between the mountains, the running waters of the creek, everything seemed like they moved minutes slower. 

I couldn’t even look straight in its eyes. My sensory system was picking up everything that was happening around me. I could feel my pupils dilating. The sudden dryness in my mouth. Cold beady sweats on my skin. I could hear my heart started to pump louder and stronger, as though it was clawing its way out from my chest.

You know that feeling of knowing that you couldn’t do anything? Anything at all? Helpless. Not like, ‘oh-no-I-did-not-study-and-now-I-have-a-test’ kind of helpless. It’s more like nothing you or others do can save your life. Literally a matter of life or death.

There it was. Growling at me with dark beady eyes. White froth formed around its bared sharp fangs. Body crouched, legs planted on the ground, ready to pounce on me. In a few seconds, I would be wounded badly.

From afar, I could hear faint shouts.

As the beast approached, images and thoughts raced through my mind. What now? Option A – die trying. Option B – stood still and hope for the best.

I could have stayed, stood my grounds and fight the beast. Probably give it a few knocks even though its fangs will already be embedded in my arms. Or I could run as fast as I can and hope that I don’t stumble over the river stones. Die trying, right?

But my legs were giving away. My knees started to knock onto each other. I couldn't move.

For the first time in my life, I felt helpless, alone and petrified. But somewhere deep in my heart, I was confident and certain with the decision I was about to make. To give in to my Fate. Never have I felt so much trust and confidence in my choice. I knew things were already planned out for me but my actions would still affect my future outcome.

There was nothing physically shielding me against this scary creature. I closed my eyes and hoped for the best.

I was ready for the pounce.

Five seconds past and nothing. I was still standing.

Ten seconds past and still nothing. The growling and barking stopped.

So, I decided to take a peek.

The scary beast was nowhere to be found. Instead, I saw a beautiful black and white pitbull, sitting on its hind legs and panting away. As if the last minute never happened. Its owner ran closer to us and kept apologizing for Spike’s act. He took the dog by its collar and walked off.

It took me quite a while to understand everything that just happened.

My surroundings started to move to its normal pace again.

I could have been a lifeless rag doll. I could have been bitten and wounded. Death could have kissed me but Life decided that I should cherish it another day.

My knees couldn't hold me any longer. I collapsed onto the cold hard river pebbles as my eyes started to swell up.

This is inspired by a true story. It is fully fictional and has nothing to do with the living or the dead. But I would like to personally thank the group of great people, whoever you are, whom made so much noise outside of my room last night, for giving me the inspiration to write this. I'm sorry if I offend anyone. This is what you get when you mess with a sleepy girl. Haha. Viewers' discretion is advised. Thank you.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Ughhh, Dunedin? Again? Seriously?

There’s so many other places that I could be assigned to but He sent me here? Maannnnn.

Well, yeah, Dunedin’s pretty cool. But, but… Oh well, who am I to question?

I need to find him.

2:07:54

Now, now. Where do we start? It’s a Saturday night, I’d assume everyone’s out partying before O-Week starts again. Apparently it means Orientation Week. Where almost everyone gets drunk, parties before class starts and wear white bed sheets. Hah.

Well, I know he’s not at the hospital. It’s still too early for that. Though working at the hospital would be an easy job for me. Possible but can’t be it.

*Techno song across the street*

I guess that’s a place to start, huh? I need to find him. 

Clock's ticking.

1:38:48

Man, I hate this place. It reeks of sweat, overused cologne and the Devil’s piss.

I could barely understand what they're saying. They slur when they talk and they ‘hang out’, as what they call it, and listen to these loud crazy mantras that they call songs. DUDE. I COULD BARELY HEAR MYSELF THINK.

What’s up with these guys shouting out vulgar words to each other anyway? But yet they’re friends? That’s really weird. Why would you do that? Insulting your own friends. And the girls dance away like there is no tomorrow. They also like to scream. Like, why? God.

What has the world become?

Dang it, I’m starting to sound like the Elders.

Hah, look at that Casanova. Beer in one hand, and a girl on the other. I thought I saw him with a different girl last week. And that guy. He’s already on the floor covered in his own puke.

But that’s not him. Gotta keep looking.

1:09:23

It's such a waste. They’re pouring their spirits and energy away. All they do is talk, laugh and dance. And the best part is, they could barely remember anything the next day!

If they manage to stay alive that is.

And mannn they look horrible! Bright red flush appeared on their pale white skin. Some could barely talk, others just looked and laughed away as if nothing matters anymore in this world. They knew of the consequences and yet they still do it. Not to mention wasting their most precious yet worthless money on what they call 'fun'.

My Lord. You guys are so confusing.

Why are humans so stubborn? But then again I blame the Beasts as well. They clung onto these poor souls' hearts and whisper horrible stuffs at them. Those guys always give me the creeps. Eeehhh.

Boy, I wish I could show y’all the truth. The real truth. But I 'm not the one who decides that and I have wayyy more important things to do.

Now, where are you?

0:37:06

“Adam, you’re drinking too much, bro,” said the boy in the beanie.

“Nahh, bro. I’m all right. I’m not drunk. See?” while he tried to stand on both of his feet. Adam then grunted and rubbed his chest.

“Are you okay, bro?” asked his friend in the grey hoodie.

A girl in a white dress patiently replied, “Adam, I think enough is enough. Let’s get you outta here,” as she reached for Adam’s arms.

“GET CHO HENDS OFF ME YUU, B…”

“Hey hey hey hey, Adam, Adam, listen to me… let’s get out of here. You’re making a scene.”

“NO! LEGGO OF MEE, SEM!” screamed Adam who is now covered in sweat.

Everyone in the pub started to wander their curious eyes towards their direction. “That’s it. We’re outta here and you’re coming with us. Ally, grab the beers. We’re going.” Sam and Jason forcefully grabbed Adam's arms and staggered across the haven. Everyone started chattering and drinking again, as if nothing happened.

I found him.

0:06:12

“SOD OFF BRUU!” as Adam angrily pushed Sam and Jason away. Ally then tried to hold onto Adam as he looked like he’s going to fall.

“I’m fine. Can’t you see? I’m walking fi…” he stumbles by the curb and fell face down. Fresh blood gushed out of his nostrils. He grunted and reached for his chest.

“Adam, calm down. Just sit down. Stay where you are. I’m calling the ambulance. You’re too drunk.” Ally reached for her phone in her beige tote bag. Suddenly, Adam clumsily stood up and lurched towards Ally. He grabbed her hard by her arms and threw her to the side. Screams and cry pierced through the night. Broken glasses spread out on the streets. Red cuts appeared on her knees.

“ADAM! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING? CALM DOWN BRO,” screamed Sam.

Jason ran to Ally’s side and tend to her wound. She couldn’t help it. Tears rolled down her flushed cheeks.

Almost there.

0:01:46

Adam clutched a fist across his chest and staggered a couple of steps forward. Sam came in front of him and tried stopping him from walking anywhere further. But Adam stopped and bent his body forward. Fist still clutched hard.

“Hey bro. Calm down. Just sit down and everything will be alright,” said Sam politely.

“Sam…” gasped Adam. He tried taking in another deep breath. He mumbled, “My chest hurts.”

“Adam, just sit down and we’ll call the ambulance now,” as Sam reached into his pockets. Adam tried to straighten his body and looked up.

Our eyes locked.

I found you.

0:00:33

Fear and realisation started crawling into his eyes. He gaped at my dark face. He can't see what was behind this dark eerie silhouette. His eyes widened as he traced it along my big dark feathered wings as i towered over him. The unknown is scaring him.

The pain in his chest became worse. He couldn't stand it and forcefully clasped his shirt, trying to pull the pain away. He knew he couldn't breathe. Blood vessels popped on his neck.

“Adam, what’s wrong?” as Jason saw him slowly falling to his knees.

Adam whispered, “Oh God, please, no.”

What can you do now, mortal?

0:00:16

He fell onto his back and gasped for air like a fish on shore. Eyes still searching for my face.

Jason, Ally and Sam ran to his side, screaming, crying, praying.

Adam muttered something.

You were consumed by arrogance and ignorance, O' Disbeliever.

0:00:09

Silvery tears ran down his now-blue face.

I inched in to his face.

0:00:03

Fear and pain overwhelmed his body. He struggled, eyes widened. 

0:00:01

Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire.

0:00:00

His friends shook his lifeless body.

The air stood still. Cries and panic broke the silent night.

Soul received.

Alrighty then! Grieving time is over!

I rubbed both of my palms together.

So, who’s next?

Football, Fußball, soccer,

The only words that meant the same thing

The only thing that brought us all together.

And sadly

A game that purposely masks our sore reality.

Our own cheers and laughter covered our eyes and ears
We allowed The Men to hypnotise us
Hypnotise us with a mere football match
While they mass murder.

You see that fancy and red fizzy drinks

And the supposedly delicious burger in your hands?

They are slowly killing you from the inside.

And that money that you spent on them

Pays for the bullet that punctures through young hearts and souls

Of sinless children and the helpless people of Gaza.

This is an era where sheep have more rights than a child

The era where brands and celebrities become 'gods'

The era where money are spent on car plates than brothers in need

What happened to the gladiators,

The kairākau,

And the brave men?

Are you ready to face the Creator?

Are you ready to answer the things that you didn't do?

If only people were this passionate about things that really matter.

From o.canada.com

"I'm just one person, I can't do anything about it,"

"Nothing's going to change."

You're wrong.

It's because you are ONE PERSON

You CAN do something about it

We HAVE to do something about it

You can make a difference

The tiniest efforts that you make will be accounted for.

So get up

Open your eyes and ears

Look around you

Take off the veils that The Men effortlessly laid on you.

See. Listen. Think. Feel. 

Do it.

A little birdy once said,

"At least I'm doing something about it,"

And guess what, it mattered.

Stop the war on Gaza - March and Rally

PS: Like a good science student, here are the links to the references of the text.

References:

8 Israel Products to Boycott

PETA Sheep Video Prompts Colorado Investigation

Emirates Auction Number Plates

FIFA and Coca-Cola

Sirah Nabi Ibrahim: Burung dan Cicak

Israel Bombs Gaza during World Cup

France, Summer 1918.

Sergeant Collins was monitoring the war zone, looking out for any signs of the German army. Until he saw something moved, struggling. Nothing was supposed to move on that field. There wasn't even supposed to be anything alive on it.

He grabbed his binoculars and tried to identify this mysterious beast. He thought it was a cow but how did it even end up on this No-man's Land?

He suddenly realised it wasn't a cow. It was actually in fact a horse.

A War Horse. 

* * * * *

I don't normally do movie reviews but this movie is definitely worth mentioning. Yes, I know. This is a pretty old movie (December 2011) but I didn't have the chance to watch it until yesterday because Sayanora exams!

 

First's first; this is by far the best love story that I've ever watched.  It's a story about Joey and Albert, a horse and his boy. They were separated by force due to World War I. As cliché as every other movies, this one is worth watching. What made this movie interesting is because of the different stories of different people that were told throughout Joey's journey during the war.

Don't worry if you're not a movie-goer, War Horse is adapted from a novel by Michael Morpurgo. I haven't read it but it's going to be on my Books-To-Buy List.

 

Heads up for any animals' and horses' lovers out there, make sure you have a box of tissue right next to you because I can assure you that you're gonna cry your eyeballs out. Never have I remembered crying so hard from watching a movie, though I have to make an exception to Hachiko: A Dog's Story. Whoever made that movie, damn, ya tryna dry up all of our tears, man?

It's sad and funny and encouraging. It was one hella of a roller coaster ride of emotion.

Steven Spielberg was really smart with it as he has always been with his other war movies. If you decide to watch this, do watch out for the scene that I mentioned above. From wiping my tears off my cheeks, I ended up laughing like a hyena.

Love, courage, friendship, trust, honour and belief are beautifully molded into this movie. It's not 100% about the horse because it's more about the war, so don't worry if you don't dig into the girly horsey movies because it's not. *Two thumbs up*

PS: Tom Hiddleston and Benedict Cumberbatch are in it. *Winks*