The Silent Room

I stopped, and thought that asking myself these questions are like giving myself excuses to not go through with them. Excuses to not pursue the things I wanted to do, the things I’ve been telling people I would do. Is it because I don’t want to be seen as a hypocrite? That I don’t want to be known as an all-talk, no show?

We emerged out of the kampung into an orchard that grew a number of different fruits. We passed through a watermelon farm, mango grove and out through a banana grove. If the fruits were in season, I think the orchard would’ve been left empty by the time the event was over.

To respect means “I acknowledge the fact that you are here, I acknowledge the fact that you have to be respected – and more than that – I am asked by Allah that I have to know you, which is a two-way process of acknowledgment. Respect is to acknowledge you and to know that you are different and to know about you. My knowledge towards you is an act of respect.”

- Prof. Tariq Ramadan.

It seems that I haven’t been putting any real effort in the pursuit of romance; probably because I didn’t think it was worth it. Lately I’ve been going out with a few girls for lunch or dinner, and then the usual routine of walking around or watching movies or follow her shopping. While I do find myself having fun spending time with the cuties, I’ve come to realise that that’s all I’ve ever valued them for: a pretty face, a lovely personality, and/or a sharp wit. I’ve never found myself really,… falling for them, you know?

It’s been a wildly insane 2009 for me. I lost many friends, made plenty of new ones, and reunited with old ones that I once thought lost. I learned many new things, found myself standing among amazing people and found my hands trembling with excitement at the potential things I could do.