After we got off the taxi at Syed Alwi Rd., we headed straight to Mustafa Centre, where the others shopped at before we checked out. We went in and bought a few provisions. I bought a 5 SGD box of Jelly Belly and a pack of cookies.
But when we got out, we discovered that we exited from the wrong place...!!!! I believed we got in on one side and got out through another. We wandered the streets, before we hailed a cab and returned to Fernloft. We got our bags down, and while waiting for the bus, I got on the 'Net and tweeted happily about my visit to
'Junied. I liked Singapore's internet; it was waaayyy faster than Malaysia's.
I wished I could stay in Singapore forever. But I know I couldn't.
At about 9:06 a.m, the bus arrived and we boarded it. Then, we headed to Bedok North. At Bedok North, we visited an organisation called Perdaus. Their job is to educate Muslim youths about Islam. They told us about their activities. I was marvelled at how creative their activities were, just as I did at Masjid Kassim two days earlier. At 11:50, we departed.
I thought we were heading to Woodlands Checkpoint, when they announced, "We're heading to Masjid Sultan to pray before departing..." Once again, my eyes flew open.
We reached Masjid Sultan, and before we stepped off, they ordered us to regroup at Bussorah St. at 2:30 p.m. Alhamdulillah....!!
When I went up to the women's prayer hall, I went to take my prayer clothes and prayed.
After I prayed, I told my aunt I was going to the mosque's auditorium, but my target was another: Madrasah Aljunied.
Alright, actually I only got one pic from my morning visit, since we thought we were supposed to rush back this morning. So I decided to go back and get more.
I ran from Masjid Sultan to Victoria Lane in 3 minutes. No joke.
I went into the school grounds (not passing the reception, though... I did not dare to...!), took a few pictures and ran back to where the others were. There, we sat at Bussorah St. while eating ice-cream.
Suddenly, my brother came up to me and said, "Hey come look at this," I followed him and he showed me another donation box, this time Madrasah al-Irsyad's. I donated whatever coins that I have left.
(Darn it. I should've ran to Bali Ln. for my stuff. Until the day I'm writing this post, I still haven't got the thing I wanted yet.)
At 2:30 p.m, we boarded our buses and reluctantly left Singapore. We exited through the Tuas checkpoint and reached USJ 4 at around 10:20 p.m.
All in all, I enjoyed my trip. I learnt a lot, I travelled to about 2% of the country (hey, it's a good start, right?), and I discovered a new hope that raised my spirits to work hard for 2013. I think the thing that started to take place inside me (as I mentioned earlier) was that spirit.
The best thing? I think I found a place where I think I actually belong.
I've made a vow to come again to Singapore again. And when I do, I'll be there for a long time.
Tuesday, 26 August 2014
Welcome to East Side Singapore...!!!!!! (Day Three, Part 1: A visit to Madrasah Aljunied al-Islamiah)
I can barely sleep the night before since my aunt has agreed to bring me to Madrasah Aljunied after I persuaded her on our way back last night.
So, by 5, I was up, and by 6:15, I was ready.I had packed my luggage, I have bathed...Yes, I was THAT excited. Who wouldn't be, having got to go to their dream school which is literally located hundreds of miles away from home...
I got on the computer and obtained the directions from Google Maps(LOLL!!!). After my aunt was ready, we set off from Little India to Bugis at about 7 a.m. We have to back by 8:40 a.m though, since we would board the bus at 9 a.m.
I was nervous, since this is my first visit to Singapore, and I don't know the street names that well. According to the directions, I was supposed to turn into Weld Rd.(I think) and we would pass through Arab St. before moving into Victoria St. However, I ended up going the opposite direction, and instead of Arab St., I had to straddle along Kallang Rd.
Luckily, I know where I was going from there,since I memorized every single street in the vicinity of my destination. I entered Victoria Lane at 7:15, but something made my blood run cold; the sight of Juniedians in their full uniform (white tudung/shirt for the boys and black jubah/pants). I was like, "Wait... none of the Juniedians told me that anyone's schooling today...!!!!!"
Like I explained, I always wanted to meet my Juniedian friends/acquaintances, but on this day, my failed enlistment attempt has made me scared to meet any of them, since the news of my failure may have spread among the Juniedians. And some of them knew my face and name, which is the reason I was scared. I only got over my fears AFTER I returned.
Like I explained, I always wanted to meet my Juniedian friends/acquaintances, but on this day, my failed enlistment attempt has made me scared to meet any of them, since the news of my failure may have spread among the Juniedians. And some of them knew my face and name, which is the reason I was scared. I only got over my fears AFTER I returned.
At around 7:20 a.m, I was literally in front of Madrasah Aljunied al-Islamiah. My thoughts were:
"I can't believe I'm at Madrasah Aljunied al-Islamiah; Finally, after hearing so much of this place, I'm finally here...!!!!!!!!!"
I was smiling from ear to ear from the time I was in front of Victoria Lane. But I was scared to enter the school grounds, truth be told, since my friend told me that if you want to enter the school, you had to make an appointment. However, I quickly realized that was not the case, when my aunt entered the school grounds with no repercussions whatsoever, I went in. I felt honored, somewhat. There's a myriad of feelings, from happiness to dissapointment to feeling honored and a lot others, it almost overwhelmed me.
My aunt was greeted by a middle-aged lady, possibly in her 40s to her early 50s, who might be a staff member or parent of a Juniedian. We shook hands. The lady asked us what are we here for. My aunt explained that I was interested in enlisting, but was rejected, and that we came here just to visit. She asked me what level I'm signing up for. I answered with a "Menengah Empat(Secondary 4)," and she replied, "Oh, Secondary Four is full, I think," in Malay. I hung my head in defeat, knowing that any chances of somehow getting called up in the future is close to zero.
But she said , "You can try out again for pre-U," I asked her, "They will look at your STE results, right????" "Yes," "What about O-Levels?" "I'm not sure..." This lifted my spirits a bit, and I felt good; now that I had known the reasons for my failure and that I have a second chance. "Hmm, pre-U it is then..." She said that she'll pray for me and wished me luck before we parted. I walked around the school a bit, but not passing the receptionist's office, since I didn't actually make an appointment prior to my visit. I was amazed; the school, although small, was beautiful and nicely maintained; a contrast to my current school, SMK USJ 4.
Suddenly, from the front area, I saw three Juniedians, a guy and two girls (presumably siblings) walking along the walkway outside the gates. I FREAKED, I TELL YOU...!!!!! My heart was beating outside my chest, and my brain starting pumping thoughts of, "Hey look! Maybe those are your Twitter acquaintances..." I tried to quell the thoughts, but to little effect. We met at the gate, with the boy saying, "Assalamualaikum,". We returned the greeting. But if there's anything, it's the boy's face. I knew I saw him somewhere.
However, I ignored it. I gestured to my aunt to take a picture at the school's sign once we're outside. I took one picture, and as soon as it was done, I turned my head to the left to see more Juniedians arriving. I tried to take off, but common sense took over, and I walked calmly.
Well, I looked calm. My 5 senses was on full-alert due to my fear, my heart was beating outside my chest, and I felt a pit forming in my stomach. Each time I passed a Juniedian, I scanned their faces for familiar ones.
Thankfully, there was none, and we took a cab back to Syed Alwi Rd, where the others are waiting.
I felt really really happy, and also a sense of accomplishment. I never stopped smiling at Victoria Lane, and it would continue until we reached Bedok North. That's how happy I was.
Of all the places I went to, Madrasah Aljunied was the most significant. Hadn't I been there, I wouldn't have known I have a second chance.
And I'm really grateful for that.
Welcome to East Side Singapore...!!!!!! (Day Two: Rollercoasters and Lightshows)
I woke up kind of early, about 5 in the morning or so. Maybe it's because I was excited, haha. I got ready, and by the time I was, it's 7 o'clock. I got on the computer while waiting for everyone else.
At about 8:30 to 9, we were ready, headed off to Sentosa Island. For what???
For USS, of course...!!!!!
We entered USS at around 9:30, and when we walked through the first part, which is right after we entered, I felt like I'm in LA Noire( it's a game about an LAPD detective in the '40s), since it looked like NYC and LA it the 40's. But other than shops and restaurants, there's nothing much there.
So, I'm going to sum everything up:
Transformers: The Ride: It was hair raising in a way, but my scumbag brain keeps telling me it ain't real, so...
Human vs Cylon (Battlestar Galactica) - The Human one was OK, but the Cylon ride???? God, I'm lucky that I don't have nightmares(LOL)... there's this sudden turn, which scared the crap out me.
Revenge of the Mummy - Well, the scariest part is when it went backwards...!!! I didn't expect that!! And yes, it's scarier than the Human ride of BSG.
Canopy Flyer - Meh. It's not actually scary, but having rode something with my feet hanging out which scared me half to death(or is it a quarter? I can't remember...), I can't help but a having a bit of cold feet (I'm sure that the temperature was 25 degrees plus, though...)
Shrek 4D and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure : Calming and funny. That is all...
I exited at 5:30 to roam around outside to calm myself. I entered the two candy and chocolate stores, then waited for the others. When some of the others came out, I walked over to the Candylicious store and bought 7SGD worth of Jelly Belly, of which I finished within 3 weeks of coming home... (Don't ask!!!)
We arrived at Masjid Daeng Temenggung. We ate before praying. While I was waiting, my brother came up to me and said something along the lines of, "There's a donation box for Madrasah Aljunied in the prayer hall...!!!!!!" My eyes widened to its full size and I gave him a "What???????Where?????" "In the prayer hall,"
I ran inside;I saw that it was in the men's prayer hall, so I skirted around the mosque and put some money in the donation box.
Don't get me wrong... I was upset about not enlisting in Madrasah Aljunied, yes, but at that time, I thought, "If you couldn't enlist, Farahin, why don't you help them out as much as you can?". That's it.
I ended up saving 30 SGD for something that I'll never get to buy.
After that, we set off to Merlion Park. I went ahead of the guide, since I know this place well from first-hand accounts and pictures. I saw the Esplanade, and the Marina Bay Sands, among other things. I snapped a lot of pictures here.
Again, it was bloody unreal, I tell you what. I keep looking down to see if my feet were actually on the ground. I looked around the bay and went to the steps near the water. I felt the urge to jump and push my brother into the bay but thankfully, I decided against it. I dipped the edge of my shoes into the water for fun.
This place would be the third-most significant place for me, since I was in the vicinity of the place where my crush made his first performance. Also, it calmed me down... A lot. All of the tension I got from of the failure of my enlistment evaporated temporarily.
When I was looking out into the bay, a lightshow appeared in front of the MBS. Sadly, I have a crappy camera, so I couldn't take any pictures of it.
After a while, we departed back to Jalan Besar, but before that, we passed by Orchard Road. While we were at Orchard, my aunt suddenly blurted out, "Hey, isn't this the place where Sharizat's condo is????" Suddenly, the three of us start making jokes about politics, ministers and cows. We laughed a lot that night...
After Orchard, we reluctantly returned home to our last night in Singapore.
At about 8:30 to 9, we were ready, headed off to Sentosa Island. For what???
For USS, of course...!!!!!
We entered USS at around 9:30, and when we walked through the first part, which is right after we entered, I felt like I'm in LA Noire( it's a game about an LAPD detective in the '40s), since it looked like NYC and LA it the 40's. But other than shops and restaurants, there's nothing much there.
So, I'm going to sum everything up:
Transformers: The Ride: It was hair raising in a way, but my scumbag brain keeps telling me it ain't real, so...
Human vs Cylon (Battlestar Galactica) - The Human one was OK, but the Cylon ride???? God, I'm lucky that I don't have nightmares(LOL)... there's this sudden turn, which scared the crap out me.
Revenge of the Mummy - Well, the scariest part is when it went backwards...!!! I didn't expect that!! And yes, it's scarier than the Human ride of BSG.
Canopy Flyer - Meh. It's not actually scary, but having rode something with my feet hanging out which scared me half to death(or is it a quarter? I can't remember...), I can't help but a having a bit of cold feet (I'm sure that the temperature was 25 degrees plus, though...)
Shrek 4D and Madagascar: A Crate Adventure : Calming and funny. That is all...
I exited at 5:30 to roam around outside to calm myself. I entered the two candy and chocolate stores, then waited for the others. When some of the others came out, I walked over to the Candylicious store and bought 7SGD worth of Jelly Belly, of which I finished within 3 weeks of coming home... (Don't ask!!!)
We arrived at Masjid Daeng Temenggung. We ate before praying. While I was waiting, my brother came up to me and said something along the lines of, "There's a donation box for Madrasah Aljunied in the prayer hall...!!!!!!" My eyes widened to its full size and I gave him a "What???????Where?????" "In the prayer hall,"
I ran inside;I saw that it was in the men's prayer hall, so I skirted around the mosque and put some money in the donation box.
Don't get me wrong... I was upset about not enlisting in Madrasah Aljunied, yes, but at that time, I thought, "If you couldn't enlist, Farahin, why don't you help them out as much as you can?". That's it.
I ended up saving 30 SGD for something that I'll never get to buy.
After that, we set off to Merlion Park. I went ahead of the guide, since I know this place well from first-hand accounts and pictures. I saw the Esplanade, and the Marina Bay Sands, among other things. I snapped a lot of pictures here.
Again, it was bloody unreal, I tell you what. I keep looking down to see if my feet were actually on the ground. I looked around the bay and went to the steps near the water. I felt the urge to jump and push my brother into the bay but thankfully, I decided against it. I dipped the edge of my shoes into the water for fun.
This place would be the third-most significant place for me, since I was in the vicinity of the place where my crush made his first performance. Also, it calmed me down... A lot. All of the tension I got from of the failure of my enlistment evaporated temporarily.
When I was looking out into the bay, a lightshow appeared in front of the MBS. Sadly, I have a crappy camera, so I couldn't take any pictures of it.
After a while, we departed back to Jalan Besar, but before that, we passed by Orchard Road. While we were at Orchard, my aunt suddenly blurted out, "Hey, isn't this the place where Sharizat's condo is????" Suddenly, the three of us start making jokes about politics, ministers and cows. We laughed a lot that night...
After Orchard, we reluctantly returned home to our last night in Singapore.
Welcome to East Side Singapore...!!!!!!( Day One: I'm in freakin' Singapore..!!!!!)
On the 19th of November, 2012, I boarded a bus to Singapore for a 3-day trip with my aunt and brother. We tagged along with the youth of an-Nur Mosque of USJ 4.
We started off at 8:20 and reached JB about 5 hours later. Around 1:20, we reached Woodlands Immigration Checkpoint. It was my first trip to Singapore as such, so I was nervous when I got my luggage checked and passport stamped. God, it was a relief when I got past it...!
On 1:32, I officially have entered the borders of Singapore. I was nothing short of amazed, but a certain bad news that was told shortly before my departure dampened my spirits a bit. Nevertheless, I was determined to focus on the good things.
At one point we were on Bradell Rd. I saw Madrasah al-Irsyad al-Islamiah. I felt a sense of amazement and "unrealness". I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing a place that I've only seen in Internet photos. It dawned on me that that was an actual place. This feeling would recur one too many times throughout the trip.
The tour guide also us that we're supposed to be visiting Madrasah al-Irsyad, but their administration refused to let us visit, since they had more important guests on the same day.
At somewhere near Geylang, we picked up our tour guide. I looked around, and felt like something was taking place inside me. We arrived at Masjid Kassim in Changi Rd. at about 1:50. When I stepped off the bus, it felt unreal.
I was in Singapore.
I'm breathing the same air as my crush.
And a lot other things were on my mind that I couldn't say.
I was amazed. I would be in this state throughout the 3-day trip. It never stopped.
We went up the mosque and prayed before coming down to eat. After that, we were briefed on how youth-related mosque activities were conducted.
After that, we went to An-Nadhah mosque in Bishan St. We visited the Harmony Center, and also the part-time madrasah which was located on the top floor. Of all the places we've gone to, this place was the most... informative should I say... I learnt a lot about other religions there.
We arrived at our hostel/dorm, which is Fernloft Hostel at around 7:10 to 7:30, located somewhere at Jln. Besar.When I walked in, I was relieved to find out that they had computers, which means I can access the 'Net. However, before we arrived, I noticed something.
The street names.
There's North Bridge Rd. and Ophir Rd. among others( I tried to memorize the names of every street in and near Bugis area), so I realized something : I must be close to Bugis area!!. So, I made a resolve to try visit Madrasah Aljunied before we left, if time permits it.
We settled in, and rested for about 20 minutes. Then, without knowing it, we set off to Bugis. I didn't know it until I saw a sign that said, 'Jln. Kubor'. I froze for 3 seconds before uttering a, "You've got to be freaking kidding me right?????" We ate at Zam-Zam Restaurant(I think?). And then, we went off to Masjid Sultan to pray.
As I stepped inside Masjid Sultan, I kept my eyes open for a possibility that my acquaintances (or any madrasah students, in fact) would be there. After I prayed, I looked around the mosque. There was none.
Still I expected that, so I exited and went out to Busorrah St. As I walked a bit along there(I didn't go far), I felt someone was walking with me. The lights were very dim at that time, so I became freaked out. I stopped. The others were either still praying or are at the end of the street. I was the only one walking out there. I didn't run though, I walked calmly back to where the others are.
As I walked back, I thought to myself, "Yep, something or someone is with me right now,"
Despite the fact I was walking calmly, every nerve in my body was screaming and urging me to make a break for it.
I returned to the others. We walked around Kandahar St. before heading back.
When they passed through the Victoria St./Arab St. intersection, I saw Madrasah Aljunied's 5-story building.It strengthened my resolve to visit it before we left... I said to myself, "I'm going there," before the bus headed back to Jalan Besar.
When we reached Jalan Besar, we stepped into the dorms to end our day.
We started off at 8:20 and reached JB about 5 hours later. Around 1:20, we reached Woodlands Immigration Checkpoint. It was my first trip to Singapore as such, so I was nervous when I got my luggage checked and passport stamped. God, it was a relief when I got past it...!
On 1:32, I officially have entered the borders of Singapore. I was nothing short of amazed, but a certain bad news that was told shortly before my departure dampened my spirits a bit. Nevertheless, I was determined to focus on the good things.
At one point we were on Bradell Rd. I saw Madrasah al-Irsyad al-Islamiah. I felt a sense of amazement and "unrealness". I couldn't believe that I was actually seeing a place that I've only seen in Internet photos. It dawned on me that that was an actual place. This feeling would recur one too many times throughout the trip.
The tour guide also us that we're supposed to be visiting Madrasah al-Irsyad, but their administration refused to let us visit, since they had more important guests on the same day.
At somewhere near Geylang, we picked up our tour guide. I looked around, and felt like something was taking place inside me. We arrived at Masjid Kassim in Changi Rd. at about 1:50. When I stepped off the bus, it felt unreal.
I was in Singapore.
I'm breathing the same air as my crush.
And a lot other things were on my mind that I couldn't say.
I was amazed. I would be in this state throughout the 3-day trip. It never stopped.
We went up the mosque and prayed before coming down to eat. After that, we were briefed on how youth-related mosque activities were conducted.
After that, we went to An-Nadhah mosque in Bishan St. We visited the Harmony Center, and also the part-time madrasah which was located on the top floor. Of all the places we've gone to, this place was the most... informative should I say... I learnt a lot about other religions there.
We arrived at our hostel/dorm, which is Fernloft Hostel at around 7:10 to 7:30, located somewhere at Jln. Besar.When I walked in, I was relieved to find out that they had computers, which means I can access the 'Net. However, before we arrived, I noticed something.
The street names.
There's North Bridge Rd. and Ophir Rd. among others( I tried to memorize the names of every street in and near Bugis area), so I realized something : I must be close to Bugis area!!. So, I made a resolve to try visit Madrasah Aljunied before we left, if time permits it.
We settled in, and rested for about 20 minutes. Then, without knowing it, we set off to Bugis. I didn't know it until I saw a sign that said, 'Jln. Kubor'. I froze for 3 seconds before uttering a, "You've got to be freaking kidding me right?????" We ate at Zam-Zam Restaurant(I think?). And then, we went off to Masjid Sultan to pray.
As I stepped inside Masjid Sultan, I kept my eyes open for a possibility that my acquaintances (or any madrasah students, in fact) would be there. After I prayed, I looked around the mosque. There was none.
Still I expected that, so I exited and went out to Busorrah St. As I walked a bit along there(I didn't go far), I felt someone was walking with me. The lights were very dim at that time, so I became freaked out. I stopped. The others were either still praying or are at the end of the street. I was the only one walking out there. I didn't run though, I walked calmly back to where the others are.
As I walked back, I thought to myself, "Yep, something or someone is with me right now,"
Despite the fact I was walking calmly, every nerve in my body was screaming and urging me to make a break for it.
I returned to the others. We walked around Kandahar St. before heading back.
When they passed through the Victoria St./Arab St. intersection, I saw Madrasah Aljunied's 5-story building.It strengthened my resolve to visit it before we left... I said to myself, "I'm going there," before the bus headed back to Jalan Besar.
When we reached Jalan Besar, we stepped into the dorms to end our day.
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