Road to being happy

Alhamdulillah I still have the ability to be happy.  My sorrows and pains have not swallowed that part of my heart.  So, this year I thought I would do more of the things that makes me happy or at least, feel good.  I googled ' 100 ways to be happy' and got a few pointers.  Its does feel like the things to do before you  'leave'.  But its actually just another one of my 'bright ideas'.

The article said one of the things that make people happy is to be with positive people.

One positive people is Kak Ros.  At the age of 71, she is still spirited and active.  She was going on and on about her priced 'kueh bakar' recipe that won her many cooking contests.  So I thought, lets materialise this kueh.  Lets get it out of Kak Ros's nostalgia and system.  She was so happy when, as usual, I was willing to get everything prepared and she gets to do her thing. She said in a serious tone, "Kak Ros turunkan recipe ni kat Izzah.  Dulu orang yang turunkan kat  Kak Ros kata, kalau kueh ni menjadi, sedekahkan fatihah kat dia."  I nodded solemnly, going by the sudden grave mood, and hoped I am worthy of this recipe. feeling quite honoured and apprehensive at the same time. She took out a butterfly brand oven, a rustic simple square black bottomless tin with a door and 2 layers of grill to put your batter. Just plonk this on the gas cooker and there you have it, an oven from your mother's days. making a comeback.

The kueh bakar that requires a few steps and alot of heat monitering had proved itself. It was indeed yummy.

The article said one of the things that make  people happy is a picnic.  I can do picnic.

Yesterday I decided to take my elderly aunt, Cik Ipah for a picnic.  We drove all the way to Taman Botani, Putrajaya, one of the best lakes in the country. At first it was drizzling.  I was let down since I was really looking forward for this outing.  But I noticed something, each time I bring out an old lady. That Allah always makes it easy for them. What is normally not allowed to do, would be allowed with them.

At first I lost my way, and by the time I reach the park, the rain stopped.  There was a garden wedding earlier so I just drove into the cars not allowed garden as if I was one of the wedding people. Took out the wheelchair and pushed Cik Ipah towards the beautiful lake, where the water was glistening in the soft evening sun.

"Buat ape kat sini?", Cik Ipah asked me.

 "Jalan-jalan, tengok air."

"Jom la, balik la, dah gelap, dah dekat magrib", my aunt pointed out.  It was not really 'dekat magrib'.

So I wheeled her the other way where there were more picturesque  landscapes, soothings greeneries in all hues and  flowers of various colours in bloom,  hoping she would 'chill' a bit.

"Balik sudah la, dah dekat magrib". Now I know why Allah loves this old lady and makes things easy when I take her out. Must be her punctual prayers.

We drove around the little township, hoping she likes the place and its beauty, at least the many type of pattern lamp posts along the roads. The awesome mosque, the Ministries, PM's residence,  the architectures.

" Apa nama tempat ni?  Ini pertama kali aku datang sini, kalau tak, aku tak jalan mana-mana, duduk rumah di Singapura" she commented,  impressed by what she saw.

"Putrajaya."

I guess it took a bit longer for it all to sink in.

98 more ways to being happy.