Doa Niat Puasa Ramadhan

Early before dawn breaks, during Sahur (early breakfast) one who intends to fast during the day during the month of Ramadhan, should remember to recite this doa.

Bismillaahirrohmaanirrohiim,
Nawaitu shouma ghodin ‘an adaa-i fardhi syahri romadhoona haadzihis sanati lillaahi ta ‘aala.

Means:

Dengan menyebut nama Allah Yang Maha Pengasih lagi Maha Penyayang.
Aku berniat puasa esok hari menunaikan kewajiban Ramadhan tahun ini karena Allah Ta’ala (Malay)

I intend to fast tomorrow fulfilling the fardhu of Ramadan this year for the sake of Allahu Ta'ala, amin. (English)




Ok some of you would prefer to just recite it once and not every night. So I’m including this little doa for you.

 
Sunset arrive and after all that, time to break that fast and we recite this one… and enjoy the first bite of a date, or first sip of a drink..

Allahumma inni laka sumtu wa bika aamantu [wa 'alayka tawakkaltu] wa 'ala rizq-ika aftarthu

Means:
Ya Allah bagi Engkau aku berpuasa dan dengan Engkau beriman aku dengan rezeki Engkau aku berbuka dengan rahmat Engkau wahai yang Maha Pengasih dan Penyayang.

O Allah!  I fasted for You and I believe in You [and I put my trust in You] and I break my fast with Your sustenance

Yup Upin & Ipin for glamour hehe

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It’s that time again… it’s Ramadhan!

If anybody wonders what has to do with anything, it’s time to fast for the whole month during the day again. Tomorrow is the day in Brunei where they announce the sighting of the crescent moon, yes.. we have that one instead of that full calendar thing to predict when with the fasting month starts..  This year, I have decided to do a “Ramadhan Special" in my blog *again* featuring Muslims books, non-fiction and fiction other wise, Ramadhan tips, Doas and whatever I could think off to share.

To start the post,  let me start with the do’s and don’t with a poster I have found last year somewhere around the web. I thought it would be a good start =^_^= Have a good one!

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A Stolen Life: A Memoir; by Jaycee Lee Dugard

genre } non-fiction | memoir | true crime
rating } 18 +
date released } July 12th 2011
edition } Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 288 pg
ISBN }

  1451629184

| 9781451629187
acquisition } bought via Kindle
available @ Book Depository

A Stolen Life: A Memoir

by Jaycee Lee Dugard

Summary via Goodreads:
In the summer of 1991 I was a normal kid. I did normal things. I had friends and a mother who loved me. I was just like you. Until the day my life was stolen.
For eighteen years I was a prisoner. I was an object for someone to use and abuse.
For eighteen years I was not allowed to speak my own name. I became a mother and was forced to be a sister. For eighteen years I survived an impossible situation.
On August 26, 2009, I took my name back. My name is Jaycee Lee Dugard. I don’t think of myself as a victim. I survived.
A Stolen Life is my story—in my own words, in my own way, exactly as I remember it.

My 2 Cents
Wow… I like to repeat that biographies aren’t my thing, but I tell you a secret, I actually had my eye on this book even days before it came out. I don’t know, for some reason, I had to read it. I think the summary caught me by the scruff of my neck and I just had to read it, no matter what. So on the day of it’s release, I’ve decided that I need to get my paws on it ASAP.

Page after page, I read it as soon as it reach me. I can’t possible put it down. At times I was even frustrated seeing how the Stockholm Syndrome took over her and how bad it is for her. I see her not giving up, but actually giving up, just to survived. for an eleven year old when she was taken, she managed to get away, even though it took her a very long time for it. She make the best of what she could, even making the place of her captivity a “personal space”, like her little heaven in hell. 

I would have review this earlier, but I was caught up with things around here. But yeah… if you’re into survival stuff, I suggest this is one book you can pick up and read. the price was a bit pricey for an e-book, but I guess it probably goes into The JAYC Foundation she has set up for victims like her.

Pine cones has a different meaning to me now.

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Book Review: Say Cheese, Medusa!; Kate McMullan

genre } greek mythology | fantasy | juvenile | action & adventure
rating } 13 yo +
date released } August 1st 2011
edition } Capstone
ISBN }

9781434229984 (pb)

| 9781434229984 (hc)
acquisition } ARC Copy
available @ Book Depository

Say Cheese, Medusa! (Myth-O-Mania 3)
by Kate McMullan

Summary via Goodreads:

What a myth-o-maniac (that's old Greek-speak for "liar")! Zeus's version of the myths is completely wrong. It's time to set the record straight. For the first time ever, Hades, King of the Underworld, reveals the true story behind the myths.

That story about Perseus whacking the head off of the horrible snaky-haired Gorgon, Medusa? Oh, please. He got turned into a hunk of stinky cheese — gorgon-zola, of course!

My 2 Cents

I was browsing through the spines of my ARCs “TBRs” and I found this little number popping out, reaching out for me to read. Yeah.. I’m a bit late to actually read this one, but it’s never too late to read a good book, is it? And yes!! It’s another Greek Mythology! Never get bored with this genre. Huhu.

The cover features Medusa, one of the most recognizable Greek Mythology  No, it won’t turn you into stone by looking it, I assure you that. What is different about this book to the usual Medusa vs Perseus legend? For starters, Lord Hades “wrote” this book. The back story is, he found out Zeus has been spinning the mythology and Lord Hades wants to get the fact straight, so he figure out, “writing” this series would do the deed.

Overall, it’s a funny book, leisure reading. for me. But it would be a great addition to the myths already known by us. Come on, the old grouch Lord Hades, is actually funny in this one. Not Disney Funny, but ya know, funny as we could relate to… kind of.. oh you know what I  mean. I actually felt sorry for Medusa and was tickled by “the facts” of the events. Teens would love to read this due to it’s humorous nature and it is written to to induce curiosity on how the original story goes.

Partly from that, I am actually amazed, that almost none of my reader friends and bloggers (who loves mythology genre books) actually know about this series. But then again, Check it out. It’s a good book, awesome book.

Featuring The Book Trailer Itself 

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Ode to Harry Potter…

It’s over… *silently sobs*

I have watched the last movie, after a long of indecisive moments of to watch or not. I can’t bear to part with them the tears, laugh, frustrations, all boils into the ending of the movie tied-in. *emo*

I remember the first time I set eyes on your first book and like a typical book snob, all I could think of was, “Meh! Just another children book.” Didn’t even give you a chance back then. not even flipping to your back and actually read it. Yes… I admit, that was prejudice of me, but I was in the phase where I should read my age. Oh.. such mistake… *dramatically close eyes and silently lament* Then, we crossed paths when “Chamber of Secrets” appears out of nowhere. Not like *poof*, more of a reading recommendation by Amazon.com. Curiosity still didn’t peak for me… then “Prisoner of Azkaban” came along and *sigh* I’ve decided to give it a go. I finished reading it back to back through out the week.

And I never look back since…

When I heard of the first movie, I was excited… My Potter friends and I couldn’t wait, we reread “The Philosopher’s Stone”, and we remember every quote, every exchange and every scene, word by word. *Yes, we had it that bad* When the movie came, all we could think of was… WHAT HAPPENED?! Yes, we were annoyed at first, missing quotes, missing conversations, missing scenes… I remembered I was extremely annoyed with what I had call the most important conversation ever cut off from the movie! Bloody hell, I said. Yes, Ron Wesley rub off on me since then. They can’t possibly  act out the whole book, they say.. It is just impossible, they say… I remember it induce the first most extreme review meets I had with my friends. *sighs*

Memories of me being floored because Sirius died.. and Dumbledore…  Hedwig… oh my god…. Severus Snape… these names made me cry. Then, my sudden annoyed urge to slap the sense out of Harry some where along the line, and Ron.. growling at Hermione.

Yes, I am a very emotional reader.

Now you be on my shelf, maybe we cross paths for a reread one day again. But I’ll make sure to recommend you to everybody…

I’ll never say goodbye… *dramatically steps down*

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Book Review: Clean; by Amy Reed

genre } fiction | society & social issues | health | drugs & addiction | Disability
rating } pg 18+
date released } July 19, 2011
publisher } Simon Pulse
ISBN } 9781442413443 (hb) | 1442413441
acquisition } advanced copy from publisher
available @ book despository

Clean
by; Amy Reed

Summary from Goodreads
Olivia, Kelly, Christopher, Jason, and Eva have one thing in common: They’re addicts. Addicts who have hit rock bottom and been stuck together in rehab to face their problems, face sobriety, and face themselves. None of them wants to be there. None of them wants to confront the truths about their pasts. But they’ll all have to deal with themselves and one another if they want to learn how to live. Because when you get that high, there’s nowhere to go but down, down, down.

My 2 Cents
The first thing that grab me to read this book, is that cover. The model look so alone, and deep in thought. Then, there’s the four walls closing in. tight and small. Reminds me of that Babyface’s song, “Nobody knows it but me”. But to the book! Have you ever read a book, that consumes your attention? The only reason why it took me this long to read, is due to my hectic schedule, but I’d made sure to read this every single night so I know what’s going on next in that book.

Now back to the book. I don’t have to tell you the summary of this book, since I’ve included it up there as a summary. What I like to share is how every character suck you into their world. Most chapters of this book puts us in their characters mind, circulating from one character to another, where they open up their past, their feelings, their hopes, dreams, fears, vulnerabilities, etc, all poured out for us to see. Putting the reader into the spot of understanding, instead of judging. I Actually wanted to give Christopher and Jason a hug, not to forget I like to shove spoon feed Olivia.

I do wish and hope that book will actually get all the readers it could have. It would bring the readers into a perspectives. I know talking about addicts is a taboo, but reading this, would not let you break into that curiosity to try and “experiment” but it would show you the pain, it causes, the sacrifice, and the difficulties to get back up to their feet after they’ve became an addict.

Overall, This book has a full 5 ♠s from me. Thanks for the book Amy Reeds =^_^=

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Books Taught Me That #003

Apparently if you refuse to help your mother on errands, Greek Goddesses would turn you into a goat as punishment.

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Book Review: Casketball Capers by; Peter Bentley

genre } humor | children | pre-teens
rating } 9 - 12 yo +
date released } July 01, 2011
publisher } Albert Whitman & Company
ISBN } 9780807584620 (hb) | 9780807584637
acquisition } advanced copy from publisher
available @ book despository

Casketball Capers (Vampire School 01)
by; Peter Bentley , Chris Harrison

Summary from Goodreads
Lee and his best friends Billy and Bella are on the St. Orlok's casketball team. They're all getting ready for the big game against the Chaney Street Werewolves. But when the other team arrives, it seems that some of them aren't planning on playing fair. Lee needs a plan - fast! Will he manage to foil the cheats before the whistle?


My 2 Cents
”A biting book”

I got this as my first advance copy, from Albert  Whitman & Company. Honestly, this is the first book I read from this publisher and they haven’t disappoint me a bit with this one. As you see, this the first book from a new series called the Vampire School, where they teach young vampires on how to behave like a proper vampire. It’s a cute book, quick and an easy read for either the young teens or anybody who likes a quick read between books or need to read between a hectic schedule. It is lavish with doodle likes of the scenes of the books within the pages of the book which makes you giggle at the cuteness of it.

Kids and Pre-teens would enjoy this one. Reluctant readers would be drawn to the thin book with a quick flip of the pages, not to forget the illustration are funny. Yes… it’s a keeper a library collection.

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Book Review: Addie on the Inside; James Howe

genre } family | issues | self-esteem | relationship 
rating } 13+
date released } July 26th 2011
edition } Atheneum Books (224 p.)
ISBN } 9781416913849 | 141691384X
acquisition } ARE
available @ Book Depository

Addie on the Inside
By; James Howe
 
Summary on Goodreads

The Gang of Five is back in this third story from Paintbrush Falls. Addie Carle, the only girl in the group of friends is outspoken, opinionated, and sometimes…just a bit obnoxious.

But as seventh grade progresses, Addie’s not so sure anymore about who she is. It seems her tough exterior is just a little too tough and that doesn’t help her deal with the turmoil she feels on the inside as she faces the pains of growing up.

Told in elegant, accessible verse, ADDIE ON THE INSIDE gives readers a look at a strong, smart, and sensitive girl struggling with the box society wants to put her in. Addie confronts experiences many readers will relate to: the loss of a beloved pet, first heartbreak, teasing…but also, friendship, love, and a growing confidence in one’s self.

You Are Who They Say You Are

They say in the seventh grade

you are who they say you are,

but how can that be true?

How can I be a /Godzilla-girl /lezzie loser /know-it-all/

big-mouth /beanpole /string bean/ freaky tall/

fall-down /spaz attack /brainiac /maniac/

hopeless nerd /*bad word*/brown-nosing /teacher’s pet/

showing off /just to get

attention –

oh,

and did I mention:

flat-chested…

How can I be all that?

It’s too many things to be.

How can I be all that and

still be true to the real me
while everyone is saying:
This
is
who
you
are.

My 2 Cents
Honestly said, as much as I like reading James Howe stuff, this book, is not for me. This book is told in verses and this would be handy to people who likes poetry over the fiction within the pages. To me, it’s kind of annoying because as much as I love Homer, this is not for me.

Anyway. This book talks about bullies and relationship during the early ages of teenagers of the main character. It does capture the mindset of teens around that age. Written like Adele is pouring her heart and soul into blog or diary (sort of), with many poetry in between. I won’t judge this book, because it is not for me, but I guess, I just put this book out there in public, so people knows this book actually exists for an option read.

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We interrupt blogging to feature #OurBrunei

Recently, the local twitter community have been trying to promote Brunei by trending #OurBrunei through the medium of one of the famous social media around: Twitter. I would have done this post earlier, but due to it being a big online local event, I thought I should let it settle down first before posting any of the entries, I thought would be a fun fact for the rest of the community and the world. Here are several I can share with you all =^_^= enjoy!

anakbrunei (http://anakbrunei.com.bn)
- Q. Why is Bruneian trending? A. See http://is.gd/6EELiO #OurBrunei
-

Going Green with a new look :) - anakbrunei.com.bn #OurBrunei #Green
- Bring your old directory in to Telbru HQ to redeem a woven bag while stocks last! - June 20, 2011 - http://t.co/iwmDcdW #OurBrunei
- The great jangsak jam is alive and well. Good morning #ourbrunei
- 27th National Day through my eyes - http://tinyurl.com/5t8ut4r via @anakbrunei #OurBrunei
- Have you ever been to a country that boasts the oldest reigning monarchy or the only remaining Malay Islamic monarchy before? #OurBrunei
- Have you ever wondered what a US$800 million hotel looks like? Look no further than the Empire hotel and Country club. #OurBrunei
- Kampong Ayer. A collection of several water villages straddling the Brunei river, with a history going back fourteen centuries #OurBrunei
- How many other times in your life have you been to a country that no one else has heard of?

ber360 (http://blog.bandar360.com/)
- only #OurBrunei that we can get $1 Nasi Katok till the wee hours; packed rice n fried chicken with sweet tasty sauce.

BruneianKidSays (http://BruneianKidSays.wordpress.com)
-

The House of Bolkiah has ruled #ourBrunei for over 6 centuries, making it one of the oldest monarchies in the world.
- Amazing tongkengs from JP only in #OurBrunei

BruneiTweet (http://www.projekbrunei.com)

#OurBrunei Walk along the Gadong Pasar Malam (‘Night Markets’) & say hello to the friendly local vendors.
- Public alcohol consumption is prohibited #OurBrunei
- #OurBrunei where there's always someone you know and can help you wherever you go

bruneihair  (http://bruneihairsolutions.blogspot.com)
-

#OurBrunei our stockist is open today! Come drop by for Brunei's most effective hair loss treatment. Visit bruneihairsolutions.blogspot.com to learn more
- #OurBrunei Happy father's day to all dad's in Brunei :)
- #OurBrunei i tried Ahoa Burger the other day. It may be the best burger in town - and like other best burgers, may not be the 'leanest' :s
- #OurBrunei where Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd and Arsenal should really be playing their summer football tour
- #OurBrunei for the most effective hairloss treatment in Brunei, visit bruneihairsolutions.blogspot.com

Inspirasihanis (http://www.inspirasihanis.com)

- Silicon Bake ware Loaf Pan. $10 each. Set of 5 for $40. Available at Inspirasi Hani's #OurBrunei http://fb.me/10fDgeeaP
- #OurBrunei Gathering of all twitters in Brunei for one common cause..
- #ourBrunei should stop discrimination. We give them respect, they, in return give us respect too..
- #OurBrunei is where we can get free makan all day long on Sunday. (Jemputan Org Kawin)

- we support no plastic bags day every weekend #OurBrunei
- #OurBrunei is where everybody who is 60 years old are given pension.
- #OurBrunei I like to make Hantaran. Loving it, and it is very rewarding for me..

kangta164 (http://kangta164.blogspot.com)
- People in #OurBrunei have a luxurious life. Some prefer travelling in cars, others motorbikes but some...boats. :D http://t.co/OlYSIcw

kitarojapanese
-

Father's day sure is well celebrated in #OurBrunei
- #OurBrunei is the place to start a family..

Micbandits (http://www.microbandits.com)
- The best and dopest rap team in Brunei! :D #OurBrunei

orchidrow
-

Good Morning #OurBrunei! "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." - John Dewey #quote

shalalee (http://sleepy838.blogspot.com)
-

#OurBrunei It's in Asia, you know.

ThatsSoBrunei
- A Proud Bruneian

Using ME and YOU just to show how sweet and romantic you are to that person you adore. #ourBrunei
- Education is free. So is medication. Too bad some of us are misusing it. That's #ourBrunei
- " #ourBrunei We have KK KOYA and C.A MOHAMMAD"

TheWheat (http://thewheatfield.org)
-

#OurBrunei where the standard of living is pretty low and the Brunei citizens get (more or less) free education and health care
- #OurBrunei we may not have nightclubs but all you need is good food and good company
- #OurBrunei is a peaceful place and a great place to live

 

UBDFM (http://www.ubdfm.blogspot.com)
-

Ferdinand Magellan, the Portuguese navigator, was one of the first Europeans to visit #OurBrunei.
- The highest point in #OurBrunei is Bukit Pagon (1,850 m).

- Brunei is ranked 4th in the world by gross domestic product per capita at purchasing power parity #OurBrunei
- How the Islamic principles are maintained can be seen as #OurBrunei Darussalam progresses as a nation.
- #OurBrunei obtain better education and possess higher standard of living as compared to 144 other countries.
- Education is free. So is medication. Too bad some of us are misusing it. That's #ourBrunei
- Like any other nation with a distinct identity, the Bruneian society shares a concept of Malay Islamic Monarchy #OurBrunei
- The MIB philosophy is deeply rooted from that implemented by Sultan Muhammad Shah (1364 – 1402), the first sultan of Brunei.#OurBrunei


Other Memorable Tweets:
- Ahhh ♥ cheap groceries & veggies for less than a dollar! #OurBrunei
- http://yfrog.com/h3smsdmj Beef Shish with Bread from Shami Kebab, The Mall #Brunei #OurBrunei


…..and many many more!

"When She Reads" is a blog mostly dedicated to the almost lost art reading. The Reader, namely Lisa, reads a long range of genre that includes children, young adults, teens, adult fiction, horror, fantasy, steam punk, science fiction, graphic novels, mystery, thrillers, a bit of non-fiction here and there. Lisa is also a librarian, webmiss, book reviewer and a writer all roll in one. Thanks for dropping by and please do leave a comment.

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