Moist banana cake

Bismillah.

Sejujurnya, saya tak tau apa yang menyerang diri saya lewat kebelakangan ini sebab saya rasa macam.. I'm addicted to baking! Of all kinds of addictions, I'm actually stuck to this one, which is a good thing I suppose.

Terbaru, saya sempat buat moist banana cake yang saya rasakan adalah satu kejayaan sebab dulu pernah juga saya buat kek pisang , tapi bila dah masak jadi macam bingka pulak :(Anyways, resepi ini sangat mudah. Kalau tak ada mixer, guna saja spatula untuk mengacau. Dan kalau tak ada oven, guna saja pengukus.

Moist banana cake sprinkled with powdered sugar

Kalau diperhatikan, warna kek ini macam agak gelap kalau dibandingkan dengan kek pisang yang biasa. Sebab bahan yang digunakan kita masak atas periuk dulu sebelum disatukan dengan tepung dan telur. Dan bila masuk oven, saya letakkan container yang berisi air di bahagian/tingkat bawah adunan kek yang dibakar (bukan dalam resepi asal) dan hasilnya, voila! A MOIST banana cake, walaupun pada mulanya saya tak yakin kek yang dibakar boleh jadi moist macam kek yang dikukus but alhamdulillah it turned out so well :)

Saya rasa mungkin saya akan lebih serius mendalami ilmu masakan pada waktu cuti ni sebab rasa seronok dan puas pulak bila hasilnya menjadi dan lebih seronok bila dapat dihidangkan untuk family tersayang. Tapi tak adalah serius mana pun, sebab inshaAllah bulan Jun nanti saya akan mula bekerja, jadi sebelum bermulanya hari-hari yang sibuk, saya kira ada baiknya saya isi waktu cuti yang ada ni dengan sesuatu yang saya betul-betul minat.

Well to those of you who feel like baking this cake, I actually got this recipe from here, only that I cut the sugar amount to 3/4 cup instead of 1 cup (I think it's sweet enough) and like I said before, put a container of water on the lower rack of the oven to make it even moist. This is definitely a-must-try cake to those who don't fancy doing tedious job with the cream etc, because this cake is so simple yet so good in its own.

Till then, happy baking! ^^

IZ: Still searching for the best menu to be served to my long-lost friend who will be coming over this weekend..

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Top 4 reasons to clean your room

Bismillah.

Yes, I know that most of us (university students) are in our loooong break right now and I'm just wondering what are you guys been up to, or planning to do for this 3+ months break. For any of you who still do not have any plans yet, why not start up this holidays with something thats just not gonna make you happy, but also for your mum to smile all day long. And I'm talking about non-other than massive cleaning! *^^*

This cleaning is not the usual cleaning that we do everyday. This is a massive one. Starts from folding each and every shirt in your wardrobe properly and to rearrange all those books on the stacks. Well, me and my sister did not really feel happy about this cleaning thingy at first.. I mean, who actually enjoy doing something tiring, but dear, once you see the results.. VICTORY! And your mum will be really proud of your efforts and when your father offers a celebration.. you just can't refuse. Here are some reasons why we should do massive cleaning.. and in my case, massive cleaning of my own room in particular.

1) Burn those calories

Ok, tell me, how many of us actually working out or doing exercises this holidays. Will it really be easy for us to go out after performing subuh prayer and actually go jogging at the nearest recreation center, or even just around our housing area? Personally for me, I find it very difficult. And plus with me being a female, the risk of getting splashed with acid (yes I read the news) is quite high if I were to go out on my own.. you just cant tell who are the psychos among the people around you. Hence, working out.. I mean cleaning up your room is one of the alternatives to burn those calories. It's like killing two birds with one stone, you'll be able to stretch the muscles and your room will also be squeaky clean ^^

2) Reminiscing old memories

When I was cleaning my wardrobe and drawers, I found a very precious box with letters and cards received from my childhood friends and lots of pictures too. How I miss my childhood life, there were smiles and laughters everywhere. Not that I dont like my life now, its just that when we were kids there weren't many things to worry about. And now, being a 22 year old, I couldnt feel more blessed having those people around me. They put some spices into my life and as I grow up, I understand people more and understand what to expect from them. Alhamdulillah, thank you Allah for this wonderful life journey. Hmph I'm getting emotional here. Better stop.

3) Might found some money

Yea, yea.. this might not sound sensible enough but believe it or not, it actually happens to me! I actually found an envelope containing a lot of RM 1 inside it and its from my savings from school. Well though it's just a collection of RM 1 only, they are still money okay. And on top of that I also found an envelope of Korean won! I was looking here and there for this envelope because I remember I did not manage to spend all the Korean won that I brought to Korea last year. Thus, I am so going to money changer to change that to Malaysian ringgit, though my initial plan was not to change it back because I was thinking I might use that Korean won when I visit Korea again but only Allah knows when.. 5 years from now? 10 years? 20 years? Not going at all? So changing the money back to Malaysian ringgit seems relevant enough.

4) Rewards from Allah

And last but not least, just remember that for every single thing that we do with the intention to get the reward from Allah, then we will certainly get it.

“[And it will be said], ‘Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated.’”

(Al-Ihsan: 22)

Thus, correct the niat on why we do certain things. Cleanliness is something that is very much treasued in Islam. So before starts cleaning, just make some du'a in us that Allah will accept our cleaning effort, an effort done to get his blessings and rewards. Well, isn't cleanliness is half of faith?

Till then, selamat mengemas :)

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Pilihan dan keputusan di tangan kita

Bismillah

Hidup ini tak pernah sunyi daripada membuat keputusan. Setiap hari, kita dihidangkan dengan bermacam-macam pilihan dan terpulang kepada diri sendiri untuk membuat keputusan yang kita fikir terbaik untuk diri kita.

Cuma dalam erti kehidupan sebagai seorang muslim, kita seharusnya bijak membuat keputusan yang hasilnya adalah selari dengan tuntutan Islam. Sebagai contoh, kita mungkin pernah duduk di depan almari selama berjam-jam untuk memilih baju apa yang sesuai dipakai pada hari tersebut. Atau mungkin, kita boleh berdiri lama di depan kaunter makanan segera kerana keliru dan rasa nak cuba pelbagai makanan yang ada. Dan mungkin juga kita lambat berkahwin kerana harus memilih dengan teliti nak pilih siapa sebagai teman hidup.

Kesimpulannya, terlalu banyak keputusan yang harus dibuat; dari kita kecil sehinggalah pada suatu ketika otak kita tak dapat berfungsi lagi.

Mungkin ada yang berpendapat contoh di atas tak ada kena mengena dengan Islam. Tapi cuba kita berfikir sejenak. Pilihan baju yang dipilih, adakah ia mengikut garis panduan yang ditetapkan Islam? Katakan kita ingin melangkah ke interview dan ingin kelihatan 'smart', jadi haruskah tudung dilayangkan dan baju ketat yang dipilih? . Dan bagaimana tentang makanan yang dipilih, adakah ia anda yakin halal dan tidak memudaratkan..dan teman hidup, adakah si dia mempunyai ciri bukan saja sebagai suami/ isteri anda, tapi bapa/ibu yang mithali kepada anak-anak anda. Atau pilihan anda hanya terjurus kepada betapa kacak/ cantiknya si dia? Oh alangkah ruginya andai begitu banyak masa yang terbuang hanya untuk kita membuat keputusan tapi akhirnya bukanlah redha Allah yang kita perolehi

Dalam Al-Quran, Allah berfirman:

Dan Kami telah menunjukkan kepadanya dua jalan, (jalan kebaikan untuk dijalaninya, dan jalan kejahatan untuk dijauhi)? (Al-Balad: 10)

Jadi di sini, Allah mengajak kita untuk membuat keputusan dengan memberi dua saja pilihan. Mudah bukan, sebab hanya ada dua pilihan, kalau bukan yang ini, kita perlu pilih yang satu lagi, kalau bukan yang satu lagi, tentu keputusannya yang tadi. Dalam Al-Quran Allah berfirman lagi:

Serta mengilhamkannya (untuk mengenal) jalan yang membawanya kepada kejahatan, dan yang membawanya kepada bertaqwa; -

Sesungguhnya berjayalah orang yang menjadikan dirinya - yang sedia bersih - bertambah-tambah bersih (dengan iman dan amal kebajikan),

Dan sesungguhnya rugilah orang yang menjadikan dirinya - yang sedia bersih - itu susut dan terbenam kebersihannya (dengan sebab kekotoran maksiat).

(As-syams: 8-10)

Dalam ayat di atas, Allah sudah memberitahu kita keputusan apa yang harus kita pilih andai diberi pilihan. Maka mengapa begitu sukar untuk kita membuat keputusan yang diredhaiNya. Mengapa kita selalu tunduk dengan pilihan yang membuatkan kita semakin lupa, lalai dan jauh daripada Dia? Tidakkah kita mahu menjadi golongan yang beruntung?

Jadi ingin saya ingatkan diri saya dahulu supaya sentiasa menggunakan akal yang dikurniakan Allah ini untuk membuat keputusan yang terbaik, yang sentiasa menjadikan agama sebagai perkara terpenting sebelum membuat sesuatu keputusan. Andai ada sesiapa saja yang mengajak kita kepada sesuatu yang dirasakan tidak begitu bertepatan dengan syariat Islam, maka buatlah keputusan yang TEPAT dengan mengelakkan daripada melakukan perbuatan tersebut. Remember, if you are here in this life to please the Creator, all the creations will love you, BUT if you are in this world just to please the creations, neither the Creator nor the creations will love you.

May all of us benefited from this. Allahu'alam

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Strawberry kiwi buttercake

Oh strawberry n kiwi why are you so sour

Makes me been thinking what to do with you for almost an hour

Luckily the flour is still in store

So I guess this would be a cake once more

Its the end of the day, yes I feel tired

But the butter must be used before it gets expired

Come and join me guys, take a little break

And lets just enjoy this piece of cake !

Hihi.. tak pernah tahu pun rupa-rupanya baking pun is a type of stress therapy jugak.. *^^*

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Heart turmoil

Bismillah.

I have been trying to put something in this blog, an educational one or any tazkirah, perhaps. But somehow I just dont have the idea on what to write. And seriously, I feel really bad about it. Could that mean I'm becoming further from Him and He now blocks my heart from seeing things that lead me to be closer to Him? Na'uzhubillah, please Ya Allah, dont leave me on my own...

These past few days were really a challenge. Life was really hectic until its really hard to find the time to have my meal, and thats from my schedule side. And from my little heart side, I just dont know what has got into me that I actually cried a lot and all of them because of the worldly problems that I have. I mean, come on Izyan.. if you ever want to cry, can you just please find a solid reason to do so?

Sometimes I feel like a hypocrite. When people are feeling down and come to me for some advices, I actually manage to advise them well and boost their spirit. But when it is ME who got inflicted with problems, I just become WEAK. I just cry and cry and cry.. Haih~

And now I'm posting this, which is far from something educational. I'm sorry for posting such childish entry, but the turmoil in me just needs to get out. I need to get back in track. I need to become closer to Allah. I just need to be on my own without not so nice people around me who always break my heart when they say something without thinking the relevance of saying it (sheesh.. I guess now you know some of the things that add up to the mess in me!)

Nevertheless, I'm trying to be as positive as I can. I guess its just a nature or a fitrah for a human being to be sad when there are things that burden them or something that does not turn out well in his/her life. But to get carried away by it and keep thinking about it, I definitely think it is not a Muslim-way-of-thinking.

Please be strong dear heart! Tsk tsk

A calamity that makes you turn to Allah is better for you than a blessing which makes you forget the remembrance of Allah - Ibn Taymiyyah

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Busy

Masha Allah.. I just could not describe how busy I've been these past few days and yes, for more and more days to come too.Hmm I'm thinking of hiring a secretary, can I? Hehe joking! It's just that there are many phone calls to be made, many appointments to be remembered, many responsibilities to be fulfilled.. But looking at the bright side, dont you just feel thankful for having your time occupied, rather than wasting it for some things that do not worth spending your time for? But yea.. I just need some time to learn to manage my work systematically.

Just a reminder for my self, no matter how little times you have, and how many things you have to do, just do your part sincerely, whole-heartedly and perfectly (if it's possible). I remember hearing this hadith at IKIM.fm some times ago and it hit me real hard

The Prophet [pbuh] said, ‘Surely, Allah loves those people who are sincere in their work [i.e. do it perfectly and accurately.’ [Collected by Al-Baihaqi]

Gulp! Terasa tak? It is the LOVE from our God, Allah swt, people! What more than you want than being loved by Allah. Berapa kali dalam hidup kita, kita buat tugasan yang diberikan ala kadar saja, biasa-biasa saja? So yup, no more messing around Izyan, you give service to people and they expect the best from you. It's time for a change now and yes, lets just start working effectively ^^

IZ: Currently experiencing this battle inside of me. O Allah show me the right path... Ameen ameen Ya Rabb

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A glimpse of Jalan TAR

Saya selalu suka untuk 'bersightseeing'. Jadi, bila diajak untuk teman kakak saya beli tudung di Jalan TAR, sudah tentu saya tak menolak. Bukan nak beli barang sangat pun, tapi saja nak lihat keadaan di sana sebab dah lama sangat tak ke Jalan TAR, tambahan pula sekarang tengah cuti seminggu. Perfect timing, tak perlu pening dulu fikir pasal kelas dan klinik.

Ok, jadi berikut adalah beberapa perkara yang saya sempat perhatikan di Jalan TAR tempoh hari.

Aurat

Sedihnya bila bercakap tentang aurat. Terlalu ramai orang di KL ni yang belum faham mengenai konsep aurat yang sebenarnya (since saya hanya memerhatikan di kawasan KL, harap-harapnya tempat lain lebih ok). Ada yang bertudung, tapi lengannya tak bertutup. Ada yang lengan bertutup, tapi baju dan seluarnya terlalu ketat dan menampakkan bentuk badan pulak. Dan ada yang langsung tak betudung. Saya teringat di kala saya sibuk memeliti kedai-kedai di situ, saya terdengar satu suara yang mengalih perhatian saya.

Ya, di kala sekumpulan gadis sedang berjalan melewati beberapa lelaki, terdengar suara nakal lelaki menegur/mengurat si perempuan. Tapi bukan semua gadis yang ditegur, tapi ia spesifik ditujukan kepada seorang saja. Seorang gadis yang tak bertudung dan berpakaian ketat.

Subhanallah, melihat keadaan tersebut, terus saya teringat ayat ini:

Wahai Nabi, suruhlah isteri-isterimu dan anak-anak perempuanmu serta perempuan-perempuan yang beriman, supaya melabuhkan pakaiannya bagi menutup seluruh tubuhnya (semasa mereka keluar); cara yang demikian lebih sesuai untuk mereka dikenal (sebagai perempuan yang baik-baik) maka dengan itu mereka tidak diganggu. Dan (ingatlah) Allah adalah Maha Pengampun, lagi Maha Mengasihani.

Al-Ahzab:59

Allahu Akbar, how accurate can this ayat be? Betapa Allah telah mengingatkan kita sejak beribu tahun yang lampau akan kejadian-kejadian seperti ini.. but yet, how do we respond? Insiden tersebut betul-betul membuka mata saya. Doa saya, moga terbit perasaan tak selesa dalam diri gadis tersebut selepas ditegur macam tu oleh lelaki-lelaki gatal tempoh hari dan mula menutup aurat. Mudah-mudahan.. ameen

Tahap kebersihan

Hm bukan niat nak memperlekeh negara sendiri, tapi hakikatnya tahap kebersihan di negara kita atau lebih spesifik di Jalan TAR sangat lah tak memuaskan. Pada saya, sebagai tempat tarikan pelancong kerana berada di tengah-tengah Kuala Lumpur, kebersihan adalah perkara yang harus diutamakan. Saya fikir, kalau semua Muslims di kawasan itu sedar bahawa kebersihan adalah perkara yang sangat dianjurkan dalam Islam.. pasti tahap kebersihannya akan bertambah baik. Dan bagi yang bukan Muslim kalau dapat 'diinstill' nilai moral yang tinggi, tak mustahil kedai dan persekitaran mereka juga lebih bersih dan akan bertambah-tambahlah pengunjung ke Jalan TAR.. dan yang paling penting bagi seorang Muslim, kalau niatkan kebersihan untuk mendapat redha Allah, bukankah akan diganjari pahala juga? And what more does a Muslim want besides blessings and rewards from the Almighty God, Allah subhanahu wataala? :)

OSKA.. a meaningful acronym indeed :)

Azan Asar

Ada satu perkara yang pelik bila anda berada di area Masjid India dan Jalan TAR ni, sebab waktu solatnya adalah sangat berbeza dengan waktu solat yang sebenarnya, and with that, I mean waktu solat di Kuala Lumpur. Terkejut saya pada petang tu tiba-tiba terdengar azan berkumandang. Awalnya saya ingatkan dah masuk waktu Maghrib memandangkan keadaan langit yang gelap, tapi jam saya pada ketika itu baru menunjukkan ke angka 5.30 petang! Kata kakak saya, mereka bersolat ikut waktu di India. Haa.. cemane pulak tu? Pelik, whilst the masjid itself is located in KL..

Barang jualan

Lagi satu pasal kedai-kedai di Jalan TAR ni kan, (almost) everybody sell the same thing! Yup, you heard me, almost everybody!. And what differs one shop from another is that, whether the sellers are diligent enough to stand up from their benches and approach the customers.. which only very few of them did that. It would be nicer to see if there were some efforts being made to attract the customers like decorating the shops for example or a bit of effort to design your stuff to be a little different from the others, or just sell things that others dont sell. InshaAllah many will see the efforts and start to show some interest to the shops. And okayyy, why am I writing this? Well it's not like this post is going to be read by the sellers pulak kan. But who knows.. and if there's any, its just my thought and ideas on how to make your business more successful, no other intentions :D

Stuck in the rain. Definitely was a journey.. fuhh~

Jadi begitulah pengalaman saya di Jalan TAR. Hari yang memenatkan tapi sangat berbaloi dengan pengalaman dan lessons to learn. Tak perlu pergi jauh, ke kawasan Masjid Jamek dan Jalan TAR pun dah cukup untuk kita melihat karakter pelbagai jenis manusia dan jadikan semuanya sebagai pengajaran dan bukti kebesaran kuasa Allah. Till next time! ^^

Oleh itu, bukankah ada baiknya mereka mengembara di muka bumi supaya - dengan melihat kesan-kesan yang tersebut - mereka menjadi orang-orang yang ada hati yang dengannya mereka dapat memahami, atau ada telinga yang dengannya mereka dapat mendengar? (Tetapi kalaulah mereka mengembara pun tidak juga berguna) kerana keadaan yang sebenarnya bukanlah mata kepala yang buta, tetapi yang buta itu ialah mata hati yang ada di dalam dada. Al-Hajj:46

IZ: There is this lump, located at my neck, has been there for about 2 weeks and its tender. Esok nak pergi check, doakan saya tau..

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