11 July 1986 – 11 July 2010 = 24

Alhamdulillah, tomorrow (well actually it’s 3 minutes before 12 am as I am writing this) would be my 24^th times meeting with the significant date of 11^th July, signifying the transition of my biological age.

A few months before this, when I was preparing to go to work, pinned my hijab in front of the mirror, I talked to myself. Yes, in front of the mirror. Put aside the thought of me being vain, but I was just trying to convince myself that I’m turning 24. “Hi, I’m Shahida and I’m 24” – those were my ritual chant witnessed by the mirror for about few days. LOL. Seriously, I can’t help meself not to laugh. Being 24 is not a scary thing, but I do need a well preparation of the new age.

Often I heard that “Age is just numbers”, I concur since I believe that it’s not all about how old you are but how you are old. As I am now officially a year older than yesterday, I expect changes for myself. Quoted from Helen Rowland, “A man loses his illusions first, his teeth second, and his follies last”. I don’t want that kind of evolution. I want any follies that I might conceive to be aborted first, not last. I expect myself to learn and learn and be wiser than before. But at the same time, to feel and be young too. Hmm, I better put it this way – to being a 24 years old lady having the soul of my former sixteenth and the wisdom of the thirties. Young at heart with matured and wiser mind.

11 July 2007 – I was amazingly “surprised” with what’s written on the cake =D

I have a lot to anticipate for my future undertakings. So, this vivid clear mark of the new age somehow or rather become the most lucid point of what had I achieved so far, of my last 23 years of living. To keep on resolutely “living well”, I believe, for the 24^th years of my life, I need to own the soul and heart of my sixteenth. When I was 16, I had lots of dreams! Massive dreams. I had the strong will, high determination in realizing all my massive dreams into reality. The very immense and crucial matter that time was to get myself into the university. I pursued my dream passionately. It was all the intrinsic motivation that drove me forward. And Alhamdulillah, the unwavering soul of determination had successfully paid off when I was accepted as a TESL student in UPM. For this new age, I need the soul and heart of my sixteenth, I need the passion and the enticement of learning and seeking for knowledge, so that I could be enrolled as a university student for the second time – to pursue the Master degree. InsyaAllah!

Apart, being a 24 years old lady, I don’t want to be just a year wiser, I want to have the wisdom of 30 years old. “Nine-tenths of wisdom consists in being wise in time” Theodore Rosevelt. Yes, I want to be that! I want to possess that wisdom. Being wise in time – to see things differently and be able to understand and appreciate things, think wisely and act accordingly. And perhaps, enhancing my maturity at the same time? =D

Now that I’m 24, though I do believe there are few major changes in my life so far, but one thing never ever change – my love for Ireland *grins* I never give up on this one, it is something really personal and gushy (?). Erin go bragh!

The beanie bean Irish bear from my beloved mates, Sarah and Shaf

The size 8 Ireland’s T-shirt that I could never be fitted for from my aunt and her fiancée (they asked me to frame this and give it to my child LOL)

Anyhow, when it comes to “growing up”, it’s not all about what I want and how I should get things that I want, and how much had I accomplished, but it’s more of how much do I learn and make benefits of the knowledge that I had gained. I am now educating my mind, heart and soul that I really need to understand the fact that I wouldn’t get everything I want, but I should prepare my mind, heart and soul that along the way in this life, I received everything I need. I received the requisites. I should always look upon things I received as something that I could make full use of to learn to be a better slave of Allah and thus become a better person eventually, insyaAllah. Things that might crop up unexpectedly, things that I hate – if those happen on me, I should be grateful and go through those as I believe everything happens for a reason; good reason indubitably with good rewards too.

Alhamdulillah, I’m so grateful for everything that Allah has conferred upon me and for Allah still has allocated time and space for me to reach 24.

11^th July 2005 – my first ever class as an undergrad student in UPM

11^th July 2010 – “officially” start my teaching in UMT

Alhamdulillah, wonderful co-incidence. =)

The Muslim has to excel, today should be better than yesterday; for the past is non-existence. And the lesson of the past should be the guide for the next future step. May my 24^th years of living be blessed by Allah. Ameen.

Breithla shona dhuit, Shayda Eire!

***I just received my timetable for this semester. Wow! 5 hours of teaching in a row? Phew~ but hey, I receive things I need, no need to whine. Keep the positive sensations! Make dua’ for me, insyaAllah!***