Endorphins Make You Happy

Remember like 15 years ago (mhmm, it has been that long) when Elle Woods said: 

It is so true!! 

I mean, besides the pilates I do since these past few months, I really don't exercise much. As much as I complain of the soreness that comes after, I actually like my trainer (even though I nicknamed him "The Torturer", but sometimes you just need one of those you know) and I feel more tired and my body just feels blergh when I don't go for my classes.. 

After the fasting month, I was like like rearing to go for Pilates or just any form of exercise really and I ended up registering for two spin classes in the car on my way to beraya for me & Cik P. #PisangandKentanggoFlying

The last time I went to a cycling class (which was years ago) I didn't really like and promised that was my first and last time (my legs were like jelly immediately after the class okay!!). So naturally after the excitement of finally being able to work out dies down, I was dreading to go for spin class this morning - and the fact that it's at 9AM on a Sunday and I got out of the house even before 8AM does not help either. 

Anyways, long story short it is now 11PM and I am still pumped up guys!

My mind is so awake (despite my muscles slowly deteriorating, I can just feel it!) and I have figured out what Phase 2 of my room makeover shall be like. I have even planned out what to do tomorrow (besides work of course)! Maybe I should plan my outfit for the week too.. 

HAVE A "FLY" WEEK EVERYBODY! xx

Best Relationship

I have been told time and time again that Zayana & I have a cute friendship. We have this thing where we make it seem like she can't stand me and been trying to get rid of me for years while I just crave for her attention and I'm the most clingy thing on Earth.

Zayana claims that she's the best relationship I ever had (yeeeerlahhhh) while I just not give anyone a fighting chance about being the #1 in her life. I admit that I have used Zayana as benchmark of how you care for someone (she was sitting outside her car, in the rain, waiting for me to sort my life out.. That is what caring for someone means) but I think I do let others (I swear, she's a clinger magnet) try... Others also include her cats btw, at random times I'll get messages from her saying "my cats really hate you Kentang, you the <insert the gift I gave her>, they broke/ lost it".. 

After 1239183138th time, I think it's just Zayana who lost/ broke it and then she blames her defenceless cats.. *rolls eyes* 

Anyways, even the Universe agrees with this friendship we have. 

One random night when I wasn't feeling too good and on my way ome I gave Cik P a call and started ranting.. At a traffic light, the car in front of me punya plate number was exactly like Cik P, except a digit greater (i.e Cik P's end with a 1 and the car in front ends with a 2). 

Zayana: See, I told you I'm the best relationship you ever had. Even the fate is giving you a sign.. 

*rolls eyes* Fate is just reminding me of you, Pisang..

And then, while we were texting about something completely unrelated to the phone conversation later that night.. 

But Fate agrees with me!

*insert shades wearing emoji*

Slytherin, and Proud

I grew up reading the Harry Potter series. For as long as I remember, I've always wanted to be in Slytherin (while everyone else I knew wanted to be in Gryffindor #hipsterAisya). Now, was Draco Malfoy/ Tom Felton a big reason why I want to be a Slytherin? HELL YES. Also because Slytherin just seem much cooler than Gryffindors. 

When Pottermore came out, I like many other Potter fans got Sorted. To my surprise, I was placed in Gryffindor - which part of me screams bravery?! I can't even watch scary movies and then sleep with the lights on... 

Despite what Pottermore said, I still want to be in Slytherin and even bought myself a badge and a scarf when I visited the studios in London a year ago. #Gryffindormurtad

And then I heard that they updated their Sorting Hat system and I decided to get Sorted again.. 

I AM FINALLY ACCEPTED INTO SLYTHERIN!!!!!

Why its cool to be a Slytherin (taken from Pottermore):

1. "We play to win, because we care about the honour and traditions of Slytherin." 
2. "We also get respect from our fellow students. Yes, some of that respect might be tinged with fear, because of our Dark reputation, but you know what? It can be fun, having a reputation for walking on the wild side."
3. "But we’re not bad people. We’re like our emblem, the snake: sleek, powerful, and frequently misunderstood." 
4. "We Slytherins look after our own; As far as we’re concerned, once you’ve become a snake, you’re one of ours – one of the elite." 
5. "You know what Salazar Slytherin looked for in his chosen students? The seeds of greatness. You’ve been chosen by this house because you’ve got the potential to be great, in the true sense of the word."

Also I like the mysteriousness that comes along with the Slytherin tittle. It's not always "good" you know with Slytherins. With Gryffindors, you know they're just amazingly awesome people who are brave and noble. They are like a gold trophy, so bright and shiny. Whereas to me, a Slytherin can either be pure evil (i.e Voldemort) or simply misunderstood good people (i.e Snape) - they're like coals you know, they can either just be something that dirties your hand or end up being a diamond.. I feel like I identify with this mysterious/ complicated Slytherin more than being a straight as an arrow Gryffindor.

Plus, have you not seen the new Draco Malfoy?

Why HELLO, there... 

My First Saree

I told you the story of how I joined a Bollywood dance class right?

Well, now that my manager (Fana) knows that I am a HUGE fan of Bollywood (in fact Mummy recently agreed to my wedding being a Bollywood themed one.. #score!) she told me that she'd take me saree shopping one day - during one of our kain shopping trips (all for the weddings she has to attend for the year - which is a lot!) 

Months passed and finally we decided to go on the 3 July, which for me is like peeeeerfect because it's like part of my birthday celebration. Can't have a Bollywood themed dinner, let's just shop for a saree instead! #aisyaslogic 

___________________________________3 July 2016___________________________________

Aly decided to join the trip also as she had (an actual) Indian wedding to go to in August. 

So after my super tiring birthday, I woke up the next day rather late and got ready just in time as Fana texted "I'm outside". We picked up Aly and off we went to the shop (which wasn't too far from her house, thank God). 

The shop was in Klang and omg - I have tremendous respect for those who live in the suburbs outside of the city/ the state (especially!!) because honestly, the dedication you guys have to commute to work every day.... #tabikspring!

Anyways, we arrived at the shop about 1.30PM and by the time I got back it was 4PM.. Mhmm, we took thaaaaat long to decide. When we first got in the shop we were each asked "What's your budget" and after hearing stories about sarees are not cheap, I thought RM300 is a reasonable amount to spend on the cloth. To my surprise, I only end up paying slightly more than RM200 for the saree, cloth for the inner top and its lining, and the lining for the saree itself.. #score!!!

Also, the saree I chose was found by accident - it was hidden under a pile of saree on the table. 

Penatlah the guy suggested one saree after another to me but nothing made me fell in love with it immediately until I saw "the one". 

I asked to try it on and the lady kindly helped me wrap the saree around me (cause I'd have no idea how to otherwise) and instantly knew that this is the one for me #sodramatic :p 

(p/s: I am not kidding when I say that I've literally gone two shades darker on my face post umrah. Look and the difference in colour of my hand and my face!!) 

I said yes to the saree and prayed that it's not gonna cost me RM700 or something cause the guy refused to let me know how much it is! He said "nanti kira" every time I asked. I was so shock when it ended up being the cheapest among the lot!

_________________________________10 July 2016_________________________________

Aly & I decided to get our saree tailored at Bangsar thanks to Fana's recommendation. So despite the tiring week I had post Raya, I still woke up "considerably" early that Sunday as I had to meet Aly at Bangsar by 12.15pm. I thought I'll have quick brunch by myself (cause initially brunch was not part of our plan) but sleep was much required and I only ended up arriving in BV at 12pm. Teehee! Thankfully Aly needed coffee too and I'm like, let's get food to go with that drink too! (It's so funny how at work if they wanna eat also they always end up having me to teman them makan cause well, I like eating!!) 

So anyways, post  brlunch we went to the tailor and it was our super lucky day because we got parking right in front of the tailor's.. At Lucky Garden!! Susah gila kot nak cari parking there!

After discussing with the tailor about the materials I have and the design I want, I ended up making two saree tops to go with the saree I bought. And I am beyond excited to see how it'll turn out this weekend.. If I'm lucky, no other alterations will be required and I can pick it up right away! :3

(I'll probably update this post with a sneak peak of my saree after this weekend). 

_________________________________23 July 2016_________________________________

How my saree turned out! This is actually a screenshot of the Boomerang I took, complete with wind blowing the saree all #totallyBollywoodmaterial, but boooooo me I have no idea how to insert Boomerang here.. 

#CikKentangTurns24

For those of you who didn't know, I was born on 2nd July 1992 - so that makes me 24 this year. 

Every year I would host a birthday dinner amongst my friend and it's normally very laid back and just chill kind of dinner. In fact, I won't even bother with cake (because I am not a desserts person - but somehow a cake would just come out of nowhere cause someone would always surprise me with a cake just cause what is a birthday w/o a cake right?).  p/s: To this very day, this is the best birthday cake I've ever received, just cause the faces on it x)

This year, while I was in Mekah and was talking to Zayana.

Me: Idk what to do for my birthday.. Do I have a "pizza & chill" kind of gathering or do I go "fancy dinner party"?

Zayana: You always "pizza & chill", I think it'll be nice for you to be festive..

Me: I suppose, I do enjoy planning stuff..

And that's how I decided to have a "fancy" dinner party!!

Days leading up for my birthday was spent going through the details of my dinner - from sending out the usual invite through "You've been summoned" (I generally think this group should just remain active so my invites can all come through here, they said they want me to be more green!), designing the placemats and place cards, finalising the cake and the flowers, and other stuff.

It was so much fun going through all this and I thoroughly enjoyed myself that I am thinking of making this a hobby (cause I will not charge my consultation fee, but you will pay for the stuff)  - so whoever wants an event planned, call me up! :D

___________________________________1 July 2016___________________________________

I wasn't expecting it to be a hectic Friday for me, but somehow it ended up being one x.x From lunch (even though I was fasting, I still followed them to One Utama for lunch as I needed to get few things sorted out both personally and for work) all the way til 5.30PM I was busy.

So I guess that was why I didn't notice there was a card going around the table being signed, lol. It took me completely off guard when they (my wonderful colleagues) presented me the card just as I was about to leave for my week long Raya holiday. 

Isn't the card so cute?! I love it!

Coincidentally on that day I was wearing a polka dot baju kurung too!! 

The messages inside was so damn funny/ sweet! I can't remember whether I shed a tear, but I swear it was very touching (the sweet parts) and I remember laughing at the funny ones. I showed my Dad the car, and one of my manager calls me "Ais" at work, so his message to me was "Ais Ais Baby ...." and even my Dad laughed at that, lol.

It was definitely a great way to kick-start my birthday weekend (which was the start of a very loooong tiring, but fun week!)

___________________________________2 July 2016___________________________________

My actual birthday!! 

I woke up for sahur that morning replying to my birthday wishes (as I slept immediately after terawih the night before) and then while having sahur this happened:

I went with Beauty & the Beast and I swear, I forgot how enjoyable and easy-going the movie was! See I've been having Disney reruns once in awhile and Jasmine/ Iago/ Abu from Aladdin can sometimes be annoying, but with Beauty & Beast, there was no annoying character! So it was a good way to kick start my morning. 

Considering that I was going to have a long day that day, I decided to sleep after Subuh. When I finally woke up to start my day, I saw a name on my Whatsapp that have never personally messaged me before - my ASEAN Advisory Leader or as I like to call him, "my biggest boss" O.O

Was so surprised he even had my number!! I won't lie, I did have a mini shock when I saw his name on my notification and jumped out of bed to read the message (I mean duh, what if it was work?). And then I also stunned for a moment thinking "Omg, what do I reply. Do I just say 'thank you!'? That's too simple right.. He wrote me a paragraph..". 

After that was sorted out, I got ready and followed Daddy to the workshop to pick up his car and then met Pisang at Bangsar - for reasons I can't remember but when it's Bangsar, I'm sure it was errands. 

I quickly rushed home afterwards because initially mother said that we're going to Starhill. As soon as I parked my car at home, she called and said she was lazy to go suddenly -___-' After 5 minutes of trying to convince her that we have to go today (cause I had other things planned for the next day), she still ended up saying she has other plans for herself too so I gave in and said okaay. 

I got out of the car and re-confirmed with her whether we were going or not. She was in the toilet and said "Yeah" when I asked her "So, we're NOT going rightttt?". I told Pisang that I'm no longer going to Starhill and she decided to come over and hand while she wait for 3PM to collect my cake. 

As soon as Pisang arrived, suddenly Mummy called me and asked "Are you ready?" 

-__________________-''

Thankfully Pisang also had to leave for another errand after she prayed therefore we all left the house at the same time. Upon reaching Starhill I had to arrange for Min to pick up my cake as Pisang had to send her cat to the vet suddenly. 

After about 1-1.5 hours of being Mummy's handbag consultant, we drove to KLCC to pick up dinner/ buka puasa for the house. 

Reached back home at 5.30PM and I rushed like craaaaazy to get myself ready. 

Left the house with Min at about 6PM and thankfully for the empty KL roads nearing/ during Raya season, I managed to get to Pavilion within 15 minutes. Pisang was already there and helped me ordered the food and got the balloons. We set the place up before everyone else arrived and I swear, I was so filled with glee!

Everyone had a personalised place cards - with my own messages for each of them inside, a coaster which had my favourite SRK quotes (from his movies) on it, a gift from FAWN, and a placemat that was so pretty I had extra printed out just for my keeping, lol. 

Flowers was from Petit Petals. I swear, I love it so much that I've decided my wedding shall be hydrangeas, peonies and roses only (with antihistamines for me..). After the dinner I gave Mummy the flowers and she was so happy!

Food was from Celadon at Pavilion (the sister to Busaba @ BSC/ Sunway Pyramid). We had, seabass in sweet & sour sauce, garoupa in thai chili sauce, chicken green curry, black pepper beef, thai fish cakes and some mango salad thingy. What's missing from the pic was their awesome tomyam! It's the best ever in my opinion. 

Cake was from Kek and Co. It was such a moist chocolate cake inside despite all the decorations outside. Everybody was so intrigued with the decoration.

See... 

It was however very hard (literally) to cut the cake... 

It required some proper analysis (of its weak point) and two guys to carefully maneuver the process of transferring the cake to a plate - there is a video but iMovie is being annoying right now *rolls eyes*

We also played games (Know It All and Catchphrase), so no guesses we were the noisiest bunch in the restaurant. It was so hilarious, but it's a you-have-to-be-there kind of moments, so there's really no point to blog about it. Unfortunately, since I prepared the flashcards for Catchphrase, it was so easy for me. So next time (yes, we've agreed to have a full Games Night - so I do get to have my "pizza & chill" party afterall! - sometime in August) I'm going to "hire" someone to do this... #fulldedication. 

All in all, everything turned out so beautiful and I was the happiest birthday girl on the planet! So here is a special shoutout to my "birthday maids" - Yasmin and Pisang! THANK YOU!!! xx

Also a great thanks to those that came too! It made me realise (as I was writing each of their cards) that I've been friends with these people quite long! Some have seen me since even before I became the loud, confident person that I am today (I was very timid in primary school). Some I've known for a shorter period of time but they've stood by me time and time again during my "low season". And then there are some who has seen me both in between the two phases.

Nevertheless, so grateful that I still have them around even after >10 years of friendship (for some).


#squad

p/s: Missing a few key people, but you know, they haven't #Brexit yet. 

My "Control Ayu" girls.. "Crazy" pictures with them always end up with my looking like the person who had too much sugar and them looking descent macam perempuan melayu terakhir *rolls eyes*. 

And then there are these people who I somehow have a "trademark" pose with:

Est. 2010 

 Est. 2010 (the pose, not the friendship)

Est. 2013 #pestlifesince2011

Est. 2011 #meadowhalldays

My night ended with a really horrible traffic jam (inside Pavilion) and by the time I got home I was so knackered I just went straight to bed. To this very day (13 July) I still have not open my birthday cards - I told myself, that they are to be treasured so I need to properly sit down to read it and not do it while I'm in between stuff. #aisyaslogic

_________________________________10 July 2016_________________________________

In between 03 - 09 July I was busy with other stuff - so that'll be in a separate post. Anyways, the party continues post Raya!

It all started when of my ex-colleague asked for a get together cause he wanna cook for us (and of course to catch up - but you know food first!) and to celebrate my birthday. Actually it was supposed to be before Raya, but considering that I couldn't find an even night that was free and thankfully all others weren't free either til that Sunday... So yay me, cause Wan Li made salmon that night and I swear it was super delicious! It had the crispiest skin!!

Maybe I was super tired from the Raya-dash (I swear, it passed by so fast that 1 week) that on that day I wasn't really myself. I wasn't so inquisitive about things (I mean, Wan Li asked if I was allergic to nuts out of the blue.... I thought, "Oh maybe his cooking ingredients included nuts.."), I lost tracked of time (I was supposed to be ready by Maghrib so I can run out after Maghrib but 7.30PM I was still texting Zoe, til she asked me "Whatchu doing?" and I thought "CRAP, what am I doing still sitting down here!?"), I didn't even caught a hint of Yeoki's insincere interest in my Instagram! This guy, who is like world's least bothered about other people suddenly asked me "Eh, got any pretty girls in your Insta? Come show me!" and sat next to me as I scroll down my timeline........

Suddenly the next thing I knew they started singing "Haaaaaaaappy biiiiiiirthdayyyyy...." *blush*

My reaction once they finished singing: "So you mean you WEREN'T actually interested in my Instagram?! It was all a lieeeeee?!" #betrayal!

Second year together now, so blessed with awesome colleagues!

(MIA: Carmy - not real name, fyi - who so unfortunate wasn't well on that day)

Boys being boys well... Basuh pinggan pun I yang kena ajar :p And even after most of the dish washing done by me, when it's time to eat the cake, they refused to take plates cause they don't wanna do the dishes.... *roll eyes til I see my brain*

This is their desperate attempt of refusal (the cake in the plate obviously belong to the only girl present. I couldn't stop laughing!! They all had to sit on the floor to use the table as a flat surface.. SMH.

_________________________________________________________________________________

I truly enjoyed my #CikKentangTurns24 celebrations even though I've not received any presents. Mummy asked me while we were spending time together, "What do you want this year as your birthday present?" and my reply (which will be the same to anyone else) was: 

I wish for nothing other than you prayers that all my doas, especially those I made in Mekah/ Madinah would come true. 

I wish for good health, happiness and good wealth. 

That is until #CikKentangTurns25 - by then I may start wishing for a husband. Lol. 

The Radiant City - Madinah

It's a little bit overdue, but continuing where I left off.. 

Madinah (12 - 15 Jun)

By the time we left Makkah, I was already slightly sick. There was a day in Makkah where my phlegm was green (apologies for the tmi), but I prayed to God to hilangkan my sickness and it did went away for a full day (over night it turned white guys - with God's power!) and then by the time I was about to leave it started coming back.

On my way to Madinah I slept - what else does Aisya do in a moving vehicle right? Hehe. We stopped for prayers at this mosque (imagine that, here we have rest stops and over there they just have lots of mosques for buses to stop and people would be selling around it) and for the first time, I felt the heat of Saudi Arabian summer. It was unbelievably hot!!!! 40+ degrees all the while I was in Makkah, and it really didn't feel like much (other than it is just so glaring because the mosque is covered with white marble) but the moment you're no longer in Tanah Haram/ "blessed land" - BAM! It hits you. This is all to prove God's power, he can make 40 degrees feel like it's just really sunny but still cool or he can make 40 degrees feel like you're near a burning bonfire.

When we were about to arrive, Daddy woke me up and on our way to the hotel we caught a glimpse of the Prophet's Mosque (Masjid Nabawi) and as usual (it was a very emotional trip guys) - I cried. Not only that the mosque is so grand with all it's beauty but also the thought of knowing who is inside the mosque is - subhanAllah.

Mummy: There, that's the mosque. You cakaplah, "Assalamualaikum Ya Rasulullah, Aisya dah sampai!"

Our beloved Prophet (p.b.u.h), the most selfless, loving, kind (and all the good things you can think about) man ever, there he rest in peace in the mosque - subhanAllah :') Plus I am now in his favourite place ever. Because of his doa, Madinah is blessed as another Tanah Haram and apparently when it's Judgement Day, the people who died in Madinah will be woken up first before anyone else in this world. (Upon knowing this, I changed my doa to die in Madinah instead of Makkah, lol. People ask, "You nak buat apa bangun dulu?" but I'm sure only chosen people gets to die in the two holy cities. I wanna be chosen!)

Anyways, upon reaching the hotel that's when my sickness got worse. I have an allergy towards pollen right (they give super bad sinus - the kind where bau jer and I can feel my veins in my nose towards my brain restricting), and guess what's at the lobby guys?!?!?!

Pretty as they were (Farm thought I hate them - I love flowers okay! I just can't stand them for long w/o anti-histamines and lilies, which are my favourite, are the worse for me), but passing by it to go to the mosque was a challenge every time. I really hope I didn't offend anyone when I cover my nose as I walk thru the lobby.. 

So the entire time in Madinah, I was not in my best health - but still, ask and you shall receive so anytime I feel weak, I will just ask God for physical strength.  

Anyways, since we jamak Zuhur and Asar prayers on the way to Madinah, I didn't manage to perform my Asar prayer in Masjid Nabawi upon arrival. So instead the first time I entered Masjid Nabawi was for break fast and Maghrib - such a lively time for any mosque during Ramadhan, I'm sure. 

This was at the environment at gate number 25. 

Oh and also since came like idk 15 minutes before buka(? - see, there's no Madinah Amazing Race :p), I didn't get to see the umbrellas closing. Mummy said I should go and wait after Subuh for the umbrellas to open and come earlier for Maghrib to see it close. So I thought, okay I will and insyAllah I'll get to see it. 

See, the spirit of Madinah and the spirit of Makkah is very different. In Makkah you're always rushing whereas in Madinah it is very chill (for this reason is why my parents always prefer to go and settle their umrah first in Makkah before coming to Madinah). I didn't have to rush to go to the mosque, in fact dah azan pun and if I'm still in the hotel, insyAllah I'll still get a place in the mosque.

Volunteers will come and greet you and ajak you come to their place for them to give you food for buka puasa, but my parents being the gung-ho parents they are insist on buka-ing in the masjid (tak kira lah Masjid Nabawi or Masjidil Haram), so we (Mummy and I) always had to decline them. But this is what it looks like outside!! Told you, lively! 

When you buka outside you get such elaborate dishes but inside you're only allowed to bring dry food (like bread, kurma, etc.) and no meat (the guard actually asked me when I wanted to enter the mosque for Isyak if I had meat in my bag when I accidentally forgot to take out the bread in my bag that I got during Maghrib). 

Anyways, for my first buka in Madinah, I decided to wear a telekung (because it is most comfortable and don't need to worry about hair terkeluar time sembahyang or anything) but since Mummy wanted to bring me to Raudhah that night, she made sure that I wore all black for Isyak. 

See, Raudhah is this area in the mosque where the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) has said: 

"In between my house and the mosque (original Masjid Nabawi) is one of the garden of paradise/ heaven". 

Can you believe it guys, if you get in there, it's like you got into heaven!!! It is also where the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) tomb is at, along with his two best friends Abu Bakar and Umar Al-Khattab.

There is a hadis that said if you perform your Umrah and then come visit the Prophet's tomb at Masjid Nabawi, it is as if they've come and visited him while he is still alive. And if you do not visit him, it is as if you've forgotten him (nauzubillah). 

So of course there'd be an amazing race for this (literally). And how the systemised it is they segregate you by countries and the Arabs gets to go in first whereas the Malaysians and Indonesians go in later.

Mother insisted that we go in with the Arabs cause she didn't wanna wait for long.

My attempt of blending in... 

See how much I stood out otherwise amongst the Arabs during Maghrib?

This is what Raudhah looks like:

This is the inner of the Green Dome (only accessible by the males, so I can only take live stream TV pic)

 The Green Dome from the outside.

Right underneath the Green Dome is the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) grave (along with his two best friends).

And right next to the Prophet's (p.b.u.h.) grave is reserved for Nabi Isa/ a.k.a Jesus. I didn't know this but this blew my mind away! Eventhough Nabi Muhammad's (s.a.w.) grave was nearby Aishah's place, and actually Umar's (r.a) grave was inside Aishah's house, even Aishah wasn't burried next to the Prophet because she gave it up for her father and Umar.. 

Oh Aishah - eventhough I was named after you but I am nothing compared to you. 

She was such a modest lady that when Umar was burried in her house (& the Prophet's of course), she covered her bedroom with curtains and would still jaga her aurat.

From the ladies' side (it is relatively smaller compared to males' side) not to mentioned you're actually not supposed to take pictures, but I sneaked to hehe.

Anyways probably worth mentioning that an experience in Raudhah is very unique. 

As soon as the doors opened people would actually run. Mummy said I should be "faster" so I ran too and while running I thought, "Omg this is so fun!!!!" lol. Dear God, I am sorry if my running displeased you as it is probably not so Muslimah-ish.  

By the time I got inside I was in the second saf to pray solat sunat (after giving my salam to the Prophet p.b.u.h.). but Mummy wanted me to pray at the first saf, so that was a whole new battle - literally. These ladies are no joke man! But alhamdulillah, I managed to perform my Solat Hajat there and then quickly went out to give way to other people. 

When I got back to the hotel, Daddy was already asleep but we woke him up and asked him to buy shawarma & briyani for us hehe. Then I told him my first Raudhah experience and he laughed, because for guys it is very different as they have bigger space. In fact Daddy managed to stay in Raudhah for a good two hours when he went for the second time.. So lucky! Mummy said if I come during off-peak season (right after Haji season), it'll be calmer in Raudhah - so insyaAllah one day I'll get to sit in there longer.

Now on to the other beauty of the mosque: its umbrella!

I like to imagine that these umbrellas were inspired by the angels' wings - they say when Gabriel spread his wings it will be very redup, so I thought that's how the architect got his idea.. 

And another cool thing about this mosque (I swear I am very jakun about Masjid Nabawi, I was amazed with lots of its aspects - both interior and exterior. It is easily my favourite mosque in the entire world) is some of it's dome.. It slideeeeeeeeeeeessssss!!!!!! 

This was my view before Maghrib. 

During this time Mummy already told me that the dome will open later at night and I thought "uuuuu I really wanna see that!!" 

And to my surprise right after I finished Maghrib, it opened and what greet me was the moon (I have really high affinity towards the moon) :') It was so beautiful!!

We also went to Masjid Quba' - the first mosque Nabi Muhammad (s.a.w.) ever built and if you take wudhu' at home and come to this mosque and perform two rakaat of solat, the pahala is equivalent to one umrah.

Not long after it was time to leave Madinah, and on my way to the airport I saw this and thought it's the coolest thing ever!

It's the word "Allah" on Bukit Uhud. I find it much cooler than the "Hollywood" or the "Desa Park City" sign eventhough it's quite small actually. 

Mummy & I at Madinah's Airport, we decided to take a selfie because of the umbrella-like architecture, they really like their angels wings!!

Anyways, post-Umrah reflection and resolution will come afterwards, I have other things to attend to now. 

Thank you for reading guys, hopefully you enjoyed reading about Makkah & Madinah and it opened your heart to visit them. I pray that whoever wishes to visit these two cities will get the opportunity to.