early bird dies early

don't get me wrong.
i love getting up early every morning.
it's a habit.
even if i have a late, late night, i will still probably get up early.
i would keep going till about 10am.
my batteries die out in the 10ish.
and i need about 10-20 minutes of recharging.
power nap. then i'm fine.

the only thing that kills me is,
getting up early and being at work early.
and start WORK early.
and still end LATE, putting in more than 12 hours of work.

yes, it's my own doing. can't blame anyone.
i do that only because i want to avoid being stuck in traffic jams.
but once in the office, if i'm not distracted, it would be work.
occasionally "other stuff", but mainly work.

there must be better stuff than just work.
work life balance.
that's what it should be.

i think kids should go to school when parents are at work.
and when kids are done, parents MUST be done too.
balance.

oh wait, it is like that.
parents just work longer. by choice.
silly parents. silly me.

it has to change.
if we die today, will my work be there for me?
no.
will my family be there for me?
insyallah, yes.

so i might as well give more time where it counts.
i will.
soon.
starts today perhaps.
perhaps...

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.9, Hadith No. 652

Narrated Abu Hurairah: The Prophet (S.A.W) said, "(There are) two words (expressions or sayings) which are dear to the Most Gracious (Allah) and very easy for the tongue to say, but very heavy in the Balance. They are:

* Subhan Allahi wa bihamdihi
Subhan Allahil Azim.
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol.9, Hadith No. 652)

* Glorified is Allah and praised is He
Glorified is Allah, the Most Great.

quiet thoughts please...

i'm awakened
in the still of the night
i hear the soft chirping of crickets,
and the gentle snores from my son asleep beside me.

my thoughts wander.
and i thought of you.

i miss you.

driving ms maisarah

took a nice early morning slow drive to send maisarah to school this morning.
it's sunday but maisarah had a mind mapping course to attend.
it was quiet and cool with the sun's rays muted behind clouds and mists rising from damp grounds and trees.
lovely scene actually. *
we decided to turn off the airconditioning and wound down the car windows all the way.
it was a refreshing change for our senses.

fresh wind (sometimes laced with exhaust fumes) rushing in, sounds of cars whizzing past, tires scrunching on the road, early morning bird calls and at one point, a wild 'ayam hutan' flew across the highway right in front of the car to get to the other side of the road. flew, not run. impressive little fowl!

this reminds me of those days when my grandfather used to drive us around in his volvo when we were in kulim, kedah. exact same feeling, just less noisy as we were not on highways or big 2 laned roads. i miss those simple days.

* a contrast to our driving experience yesterday - see http://tunku.blogspot.com