Sakinatul Aisyah

   We as the parents to Sakinatul Aisyah were very happy, at least for this moment. Our eldest child, Sakinatul Aisyah has been chosen by USM to pursue study at Malaysian Dental Training College in Penang. This programme is actually run by Ministry of Health Malaysia but USM has been allocated five slots for this. There were only five have been selected out of 21 candidates been interviewed by USM (in the morning of 4th Jan.). These five USM  sponsored trainees will be working with USM after their graduation. They will be placed in HUSM Dental Clinic in Kubang Kerian, Kelantan.

   Our Sakinatul Aisyah has first reluctant to go & still wanted to finish her Form Six. After had some soft talk with her caring mother, she finally agreed to it.

   On Sunday morning (8th Jan.), we left for Penang as the registration was on Monday, 9th Jan. As the USM fully sponsored trainee, our daughter will receive allowances directly from HUSM. This was the first time ever that our eldest child would be staying away from us.

   Best of Luck! Grab this stepping stone opportunity to build your excellent future, my Dear.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate;  Punica granatum
 

Pomegranate tree  can reach a height of 4-8 meters. Its leaves are glossy, narrow oblong, 3–7 cm long & 2 cm broad.  The fruit has a leathery skin & usually deep pink/red in colour. The inside of the fruit has white spongy tissue that creates spaces filled with sacs/tart pulp & seed.The edible fruit is 5–12 cm in diameter with a rounded hexagonal shape. The exact number of seeds in a pomegranate varies from 200-1400 seeds, (contrary to some beliefs that all pomegranates have exactly the same number of seeds). Each seed is ranging in colour from white to deep red. The seeds are embedded in a white, spongy & astringent  pulp.

Health & Medical Benefits:

Pomegranates is one of the fruit mentioned in the Holy Al-Quran, contain a rich supply of potassium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, sodium & vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, & C). Pomegranate juice is a good source of vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), potassium & polyphenols such as tannins and flavenoids. 

1. Pomegranates may support the body's normal defense in the prevention of certain cancers due to high levels of antioxidant called ‘flavenoids’.

2. It may reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attacks & strokes. Due to its antioxidant properties, pomegranate keeps the formation of bad cholesterol.

 3. It may reduce the risks for illnesses such as atherosclerosis, osteoarthritis & diabetes.

4. Pomegranate extract & juice  are thought by some women to help in overcoming the feeling of general malaise during menopause.

It is He who sends down water (rain) from the sky and with it, We bring forth vegetation of all kinds and out of it, We bring forth green stalks from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm from the pollen thereof, spring pendant bunches; and (We bring forth) gardens of grapes and the olive and the pomegranate, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe. [Al-Quran, Al-An’aam :99]

New Year 2012

Here comes a New Year 2012. Many of us have made a New Year resolution. Are we really serious about it (to achieve it) or just a rhetoric practice as others have it?

The New Year certainly has different & new challenges for us. We have to have great determination & will in order to successfully face it. Only some people normally manage to succeed. In order to succeed, we have to get rid all the negative attitudes of our heart & instil the positive attitude instead and never be give up. For Muslims, we should never forget the help of Allah by keep praying (doa).

We should also be good to other species of the creatures on this only earth (animals, plants, environment etc.). They too need conducive atmosphere for survival. We cannot just thinking of ourselves. We must not to be greedy for ourselves. We should consider that not only we alone live here. Whatever we do must have a sense of sharing with other species of the creatures. We cannot simply neglect the importance of symbiosis & stability of the ecology system. Whatever we have done eventually come back to us.

This year also is very important to my family as two of our children will be sitting for the important school examinations. Our eldest, Sakinatul Aisyah will take her Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan examination (STPM – Malaysian Higher School Certificate) and our youngest, Sakinatul Awatif will sit for her Penilaian Menengah Rendah examination (PMR – Lower Secondary Assessment). My pray for both of them to excel in their exam. Our second child, Abdullah Syahiran Arfan awaits his SPM result.