Kaunseling daripada perspektif Islam: Apa, Mengapa dan Bagaimana oleh Rizal Abu Bakar

Hi all,

How are you doing?  Hope you are all right. I am doing OK- not too bad.

Finally I finished reading above book.  Please allow me to translate the title in English so that my other bloggers whom non-Malay know the title, ‘Counselling from Islamic perspective: What, Why & How?’  Please don’t get me wrong here. It took me for weeks to finish the book, not because the book is boring and hard to understand. Just that, I was quite busy with my life and needed to be here and there.  Though I was busy, I told myself, I needed to read at least one page of this book.  Just this afternoon, I told myself – “OK Emma, you need to finish the book and know the ending.” hahahha I know the book is not a story-book like P.S. I love you, but still I need to know the ending of this book! 

Rizal Abu Bakar is my colleague and he’s doing his Ph.D in Australia.  Not sure which part of Australia though.  He’s a funny guy and he’s a reliable person. In term of work, we could work together. To be honest, it’s hard to find someone who can understand and does work at our standard.   I hope in the near future, Rizal and I can contribute more papers on counselling.    I need to learn more from him.  His knowledge about Islam and counselling blend very well. I really admire him.  Those who are interested to know him, you can google him on the net. He has his own blog as well.  

Anyway, my testimony about this book:

It’s good to know the history of counselling from Islamic perspective as I am not knowledgeable on this subject. Yes, I am in counselling field. My first exposure in counselling was based on Christianity and counselling. I used Bible to study and refer.  Please don’t assume that I am good in Islam knowledge and dared to learn another God’s book. This is my dream to learn about Christianity since I was in secondary school.  Well, I went to a missionary school too. So, the curiosity about this religion was higher.  Not to say I didn’t practice my own religion. I do.  Just that, at that age, I kept questioning myself “Why do I have to be a Muslim?”  “Is it because my parents are Muslim?”  Sorry, I astrayed a little bit. Let me go back to my testimonial about the book.  mmm..Yes, about the history. 

Then, I found it was hard to understand the content of the history. I think the author needs to elaborate more on each subtopic.  Too surface and not in-depth. As reader, I’d like to know more though it’s only an introduction.  The feeling is “What’s next? Oh bugger, I need to dig out my information about this.”  hehehhe (Sorry Rizal). 

Rizal Abu Bakar wrote well on counselling techniques from Islamic perspective. One subtopic that still playing on my head now is the gender issue.  In Islam, we are not allowed to sit man and woman who are not related in one and closed-room.  mmm.. In my opinion, it depends on the counselor herself/himself.  Like Rizal Abu Bakar mentioned the core factor to ensure the effectiveness of counselling session is the personality of the counselor.  So, it always gets back to the counsellors.  Well, I know there are other factors that may lead counselor-client attract to each other.   I don’t want to be bias here because same gender as well may attract to each other.  So, the next question is how are we going to solve this issue?  This question trigger me, how many lesbian and gay population in the world? 

Many relationship problems occurred. Yes, it’s true that it’s wise to seek for female counsellor.  In this book, Rizal mentions women like to be touched like hugging, hand touching, etc because of our skin structure.  But this may lead to something.  So, back to my opinion, it’s always up to us as counsellor.  Our intention and belief in helping clients. 

Overall, I like the book.  On a scale of 1 to 10 (1 is really bad and 10 is really good), I give a 6.5.   I look forward to read Rizal Abu Bakar’s books.  I love his writing.  Wish I had his writing talent.    InsyaAllah  

All right then, get the book. It’s not that expensive.  I think I just paid RM14.00.   Keep the receipt and you will reduce your income tax. hahaha..Buy the book, you get knowledge and save a lot of money from paying tax!

Girlfriends

Hi all,

How are you?  How was your day?  I had a slow-fast paced day today. 

After office hours, went to the Spring and met my girlfriends.  We met at Starbuck for a drink and then we went to the food court.  I had sushi tonight.  The sushi was all right but I think I prefer Sushi King. 

Had a good time with my girlfriends. 

Oh yeah, last Saturday night, my cousin’s wife and I went to Senso Bar, Hilton Hotel.  I enjoyed myself because there was a live band from the Phillipine called Faces. 

The flower that I planted last Saturday morning is growing.    I was surprised this morning.   Praise to God

All right then, need to go to bed. It’s nearly half past 10. hehehe..I know i know..it’s still early.  But tomorrow I need to get up early. Need to do some official and non-official works in the morning. Will start my official work at 7.30.   Hope everything is ok.    I know, tomorrow in the very early morning, I am going to ’spend’ RM600.   My financial is quite tight now. So, I have to be smart in spending.  I have a good  reason why do I need to spend that much tomorrow morning. 

All right then (for the second time..hehehe…), good night and sweet dreams Malaysia. 

Love~ Emma xx.

I am a little bit OK today:)

Hello all,

How are you doing today?   Did quite a lot of writing here and there. Thank you to my friend who proof-read my paper last night.  Thank you to my former student or I would call her as my ‘counsellor peer’ now for your support and motivation.  May God bless everyone who’s willing to hear me and be there for me. 

I am still not in ‘the mood’ talking to few people. hehehe…  I think I need to make my horizon more wider. lol.  Poor me. 

Time to go home.  Need to be away from this place.  Take care all.  Hope you have some plans for this weekend.  I am going to plant and transplant my flowers.  Going to be under the sun. Hope to wake up early tomorrow morning (I wish).  This morning, I set my alarm clock at 5.30.  I was ‘talking’ to myself-’ Hey, I think I just slept.’ I guess I was too tired and didn’t ‘have time’ to change my sleep positions. hahahha… 

All right then, take care again.  I hope everything goes fine with my new application (Please keep praying for me).  Amin.    Oh yeah, one thing I hope I can do and not too lazy this weekend is to organize my computer room at home.  Boy! I do have a lot of things to do.  Last night, I told my mom – it’s been a long time I didn’t cook. hahhaha…see, I told you before. Once I am at home, all my kitchen skills and wifery attitude gone. LOL. Should I be proud? 

Till then, take care for the third time. lol.  Oh yeah another thing. I sense ’someone is cheating on me’. mmm..I feel like I want to wear my detective head soon. lol.  May we all in God’s protection.  

Ok Ok…this time  I am really going. Have a good day!

Love~ Emma xx.

Not productive -_-

Hello all,

How are you guys doing? I am so not productive today.  Meant to finish my conference paper. I need to give to my friend to proof read. Oh boy! The paper dues tomorrow.  I feel a little bit sleepy.  Went for shopping.  Got some lingeries. hahaha..Luckily I only got RM35.    Very cheap lingeries. hahahah… 

My mind has been distracted since yesterday.  Oh Lord! Please help me. Guide me.  No mood.  What should I do? 

Came back to the office and trying to re-bounce back.  I need my energy and mind. 

Please…help me….

Love~ Emma xx.

The Seasons of Life by Jim Rohn

Hi All,

Autumn, London

Snow, Jan 2009 in London

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s 10 to midnight.  I am so excited to share my reading to you all.  I just got this book at Popular Bookstore, Boulevard this afternoon. I met my friend and she’s a school counsellor this afternoon and had lunch with her.  We exchanged our life and career experiences.  It was a great meeting with her. 

Anyway, about the book, simple reading yet very meaningful.  The author manages motivating me. I reflected to what had had happened to me since I started my life a postgraduate in London.   Been to the four seasons countries really made me appreciate and grateful what God gives us.  I come from a tropical country.    So, the difference of climate gives me many perspectives in life.  MasyaAllah

I really recommend you to find this book and read it.  I started reading a quarer to 11 and I finished within an hour!  Believe it or not! One thing that I can summarize- whatever obstacles, hurdles, and problems in life, we will face the consequences.  We can change the consequences if we have the right attitude to overcome and sort the problems.  We know ourselves better than others.  We have aims and goals in life. Make sure we always determine and ‘target’ the aims.  There are many ways to achieve our aims.  People and environment may stop us from achieving our aims.  I do believe this ‘people’ may from our own family member or even from our best friends!  That’s why we have to make friends with the right ones and learn from the right gurus.  It’s pointless to have many friends or acquantainces if they give us stress and not support.  One thing I always remind myself, never ever ‘create’ or ‘have’ enemy. Like my loved one said once- ‘Life is so short. Enjoy our life.  Don’t fill our heart with hatred’. I agree with him till now.

So my dearest bloggers, like I always remind you all, don’t forget to love, show our care, and be tender to everyone.  Past is past though it’s hard to forgive and forget.  We really need to try.  Tomorrow morning, we shall wake up and another new day will come.  Another wise friend of mine says to me all the time, ‘Past is past. Let it go. Your obstacles are temporary. I have faith on you that you will success in your life as long as you never give up.’

All right then, thank you for reading my blog.   Keep reading and writing to me. Please respond to my blog.  I am sure you all have great idea   Without you, who am I in this Emma1202’s weblog :D  lol.  Please keep praying for me. 

Thank you and love always from me ~ Emma xoxoxo in bed…. zzzzzz… (chuckle)…. pst…pst…pst..Where’s my bedtime story? hehehe (chuckle)

Insecurity

Oh Boy!

Good afternoon Malaysia

How are you doing?  I’ve been at work since this morning. Alhamdullillah, things are all right.  Not too ‘harsh’ for me. Though I have this insecured feeling. I am worried about my study, of course.  Anyway, I will report my duty tomorrow. Will teach and do my uni work for the time being. Been contacting experts in Malaysia. 

Talked with my big boss this morning. I am grateful that he always supports me. “I won’t let him and others down.” Just that this year, this phase of my life is down. Like Jay Sean’s song with someone’s else - Down.  

Oh Lord, guide me to the right way. 

I am facing my consequences now. The money. The most thing is I am fighting with is the time! 

With humble hearts, I pray that my others friend who are pursuing their phd and master will have smooth sailing.  Amen. As we know, it’s not easy. 

What I know now, I am in this huge ship, ‘bouncing’ ups and downs because of the huge waves. 

All right then, I need to pray. Take care all.  See you around.

Love ~ Emma xxx.

Pondok Zul’s garden

My papaya tree

 Hi again

Let me share you of my gargen’s photos.  

Above is my papaya tree.  I had two actually. However it died. Long story.  That’s fine.  This is my first papaya tree. 

Plants and Flowers

Flowers

Flowers 2

                               So, what do you think?  I ‘created a hobby for my parents as well. My mom keeps buying plants as well.  Dad will do the planting. lol. This is one of therapies. I called this as flower therapy.   Talking to the plants is good because it involves smiling and body movement. 

Enjoy our garden

p/s: I need to get more pots. 

Love~ Emma xx.

Raining heavily..

Good morning everyone

Howdy?  Hope everyone is fine. 

It’s raining heavily in Kuching this morning.  I wanted to go to work, then decided to ‘make a detour’ not going to work as  I can do my work at home. So, will do my work in my computer room today. lol. 

I had a very hectic and tired weekend.  Hence, I felt OK though I became unprofessional driver from morning to night. From south to north back to south and go to east (hahaha..I just made these direction up.   How do I know about this compass thing.heheheh)  

How about you all?  I am sure you had a great weekend.  I believe, wherever we are and as long as we know how to enjoy ourselves every day (at least), we are fine. We are considered know how to fill our life with enjoyment

All right then, may you have a great Monday.  Today is a ‘big day’ for me as I will know what is what for my study.  So, please keep praying for me which is best for my religion, my family, and my career. amen.

Take care. Be happy. Smile always. 

Love ~ Emma xx.

Happy Birthday to….

Hello everyone

I’d like to wish Happy birthday to

1. Aldrian- He’s 3 today.  We celebrated his birthday unofficially last week at the Sarawak Golf Club, Kuching together with advanced wedding annivessary of my uncle and aunt

2. Oon, my best friend.  She’s in Penang. Thank you for always being there, though sometime I woke you up after midnight with my problems   I don’t know what to get for Oon. How I wish I could find a bakery shop and floral shop in Penang.  Wish Malaysia was like England and America.  It was easier to plan some surprises from far.  Any idea for Oon’s birthday? 

3. To Tuti and Ayu, happy birthday to you both.  Wherever you are, you both are always in my heart.  Look forward to see you both again

4.  To Sis Swee Lan, on the 15th, Happy birthday to you. 

Who else? lol.  I cannot remember now. 

It’s going to rain again in Samarahan and Kuching.  It’s good to have cool temp in the evening.  I need to drive back to Kuching to have drink with J and straight home after that.  My mom told me that she wants to go to Aldrian’s house tonight.    Though, Aldrian ’scares’ of her, but she still wants to get some candies to him and make him happy. Not only Aldrian, but Danial too.  Mom says it’s been a long time she didn’t visit Aldrian and Danial’s house. lol.  So Sis Coryina and Sis Shirley, hope it’s all right to visit you all tonight.   

All right then, take care.  Happy birthday to all

Love~ Emma xoxoxo.

New hairstyle, new brain?

Hello everyone,

How’s everyone?  Hope you are all right.

My morning was not really ‘great for working. My plan was I wanted to go to work but… hehehe…   What I did was I went to Rojak Kuchei cafe and had my breakfast there. nyum nyum nyum… Then I asked myself whether the massage blind center was openned or not. Yehe…It was openned!  So, I had an one and a half hour massage. Phew! My body was sored actually.  hehehe.. Then, I called my cousin, Sister Swee Lan who runs hair saloon.  Jeng jeng jeng…she said “lai …lai… (come…come…)”  And I did..  

So now, I have a new hairstyle. lol.   I prefered short hair (shoulder length) as it’s too hot in Malaysia to have long hair.  And I am not good in taking care of my hair. I always wish to have my own hair dresser wherever I go.  lol.    Hope one day my dream will come true.  This is one of my dreams. lol.  (Too much, isn’t it?)  Another thing is I look so young, like a teenager. Is that a compliment or what?  *-*

The next question will be -  Will I have a new brain? New way of thinking?  Able to focus and refocus?  No laziness? 

All right then, take care and have a good day.

Love~ Emma xxx.

p/s:  It’s raining heavily in Kuching. Those who are in Kuching, drive safely.   Don’t wet yourself so much xxx