Honoured

My friend, Epsita, owner of  a wonderful blog My Still Thoughts In Words , honoured me with this fabulous award. This is the second time my blog receives the same award.  As I always say,  it is a pleasant surprise indeed from friends across the globe.  I am also humbled by the recognition given by them and I do feel surprised. It is something which I do not expect at all when thinking of the simplicity of my posts.

Recalling on how I started this blog, initially, I went through much "pains"  in trying to bring about the birth of a blog.  I was so "immatured" and made so many mistakes here and there. Anyway, I keep on writing for the passion I have in it no matter how badly it started.  

Thank you so much, Epsita, for your kind thought in awarding my blog this meaningful award. It is too big an award for this little blog. Much thanks, too, to those of you who take time to visit and read my posts.  Your visits are the inspirations for me to keep on writing in my little ways.


© 2013 Balqis

Love's Renewal

For years I've wandered aimlessly through the midst of the shadows trying to elude the dark.

In spite of my stupendous efforts, I still felt melancholy in my heart, for I was all alone.

Yet, darkness is not always so dark when our imagination seeks the light of hope – a light that has been trying to find its sight through such darkened nights.

This darkness becomes me, for I am but the light of our shadow that quivers now, as I yearn for a flight towards the dream, away from the claws of fear.

So I rise, wearing this half-darkness, half-light, like priceless sapphires.

Yea, I rise, rise towards my destiny until what my heart craves seems so near.

I rise, flying high 'till I touch the sky, conquering an eternal bliss.

The bliss I feel…ah…it transports me into a world so enchanting and suddenly I am set free.

This is the Eden of our love, which I shall cherish and safeguard forever.

The fragrance of eternal flowers of love now permeate my fluttering heart…I feel beautiful...I am alive.

Yes! The spirit of love has descended upon my heart…I am renewed again.

Behold! The hand of love has touched my soul…indeed, I am reborn.

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

 The above poem is the fourth Lovers' Cove Collaboration from the following participants.

1. Crystal
2. Elen Lackner
3. Radwa Pony
4. Kriti
5. Eclipse
6. Lubaina E
7. Nilanjana Bose
8. Anjali
9. Bikram 
10. Janu
11. Balqis
12. Gunjan Sinha

Congrats to everyone! The host, Andy David , has kindly awarded us with this beautiful award. Special thanks to him who had made it possible for us to contribute a line each and came up with this beautiful poem.

The Inspirational Blog Award

Recently, a blogger friend, Sie of the Philippines gave me a very pleasant surprise by awarding me  the "Inspirational Blog Award".  According to her the award is made "basically for sites on my own opinion have Touched Lives". Thank you so much, Sie, for your kind words. It's a surprise that my blog is among the ones you mentioned. If I'm allowed to add another recipient, definitely you're the one who well-deserved it.

I find that Sie's blog "A Life's Journey" is so inspiring with many posts about life.  At one stage, I even thought that she's a counsellor! I love reading her posts which boost so much inspiration and motivation. Check out  A Life's Journey.

The award came along with "Eight Easy Tag Questions" (according to her) but which aren't seem too easy for me! Anyway, it would be great joining in the fun of being tagged.

Here are my sincere answers. Let's look at the questions one by one.


1. What can make you laugh, smile or giggle?
There are many things that can make me do so but among all, I enjoy tremendously my conversation with someone very close to me who can be very hilarious, sometimes, that I just can't help laughing, smiling and giggling!

2.  What are your dreams for your future?
I have many dreams but on top list is to travel the world and speak Spanish correctly if not fluently.

3.  If you were to go to a cruise, where would it be and why?
It would be to New Zealand because it's a very beautiful country.

4.  How would you spend your vacation time and with whom?
Going for a vacation would free my mind from work. Therefore, I would love to have some quiet, quality time with the love of my life; soaking up the sun, watching sunset, admiring the moon, stars gazing and listening to nature's melody - birds singing, crickets chanting and waterfall cascading. It would  be a great moment together when both of us are disconnected from the internet!

5.  If given the chance, what life would you choose? Your new life or your past?
Let me say it this way. I would cherish the sweet moments in my past life and move on with the present. Definitely, the new life is my choice because I feel I'm moving towards better directions.

6.  Is there something you wished before when you were young but you didn't get it?
Let me answer from a different perspective as I'm not going to touch on the material side of it. Well, when I was a little girl I wished so much that I could swim instead of just watching my friends swimming like ducks! I didn't have and still don't have the ability to swim. If you were to take me anywhere for a swim, make sure the float is provided for this big girl!

7.  Have you been in a situation where you might have given up but you chose to move on?
Yes, many times and it was really a test to my patience.  The other side of my mind told me not to be defeated so easily. Instead of dwelling in it, I chose to move on.

8.  Is there someone in your life your source of strength and inspiration?
My late dad is my source of strength and inspiration. He had the qualities of a man who was strong enough to face the odds apart from being so hardworking to ensure his family had enough for daily needs. He was also a very patient man who looked positively at trials of life and worked towards resolving them.


That are the answers to the tags. I hope, Sie, in particular is happy with it. Once again, I would like to say a big THANK YOU to her for kindly choosing me to receive this beautiful and meaningful award.

A Fruitful Day

Yesterday, Monday 25th, was the last Monday in this month. I was glad that Monday blues didn't set in and I must say that my week kicked off so nicely!

For half day, I was attending a seminar on "Integrity".  Its contents touched on enculturation of integrity in Malaysian society.  A very refreshing and insightful seminar as well as useful for those in the administration side.  There were so many inputs.

Blogging wise, yesterday came another surprise from my Brazilian friend, Ana Luiza.  She picked me among her 6 bloggers' friends to receive "The Reader Appreciation Award".  I looked admiringly at the award and felt proud to see the 3 medals in it, from gold to bronze! Have I conquered all 3?

To Ana, muito abrigado, and please let me quote what you said in response to my comments at your blog.

Ana said :

It's hard to understand why we connect more to one person and not to another in the virtual world. But it happens. :)

April 25, 2011 5:32 AM

I find it inspiring and what she said, in general, holds much truths.  In the virtual world, most of the times we are communicating and most of us haven't seen or met our friends in persons. But in one way or another, it's really amazing that we could click so well.  I am making some assumptions and it could be due to the following reasons :

-  good communication

-  very supportive of each other

-  understanding each others' needs in blogging

-  sharing some common interests

It could be more than that. Thinking of the award again, I feel like going to the dance floor for samba!

On another note, my multi-talented friend, Maria of UK,  emailed me the original recipe of "Chocolate Cake."  She took all the trouble to send me the recipe without alcohol in the ingredients. For those of you who haven't known much about me, I can't take alcohol.

Ok friends, this is how the award looks like. It's the 8th one.

Now, it's my duty to award it to 6 more persons and it's my pleasure to do so for the following beloved bloggers' friends of mine :

1.  Maria -  Inside Looking Out

2.  Krislin  -  Tingtasy

3.  Stephaine  -  Bitter Sweet Life Of A Single Mom

4.  Simple Sie  -  A Life's Journey

5.  LiLing  -  Shadows Overhead

6.  Dai Ning Li  -  Unravelled Solace

To my friends, you are to award it to 6 more persons to keep the circle growing. Actually, I'd love to award more friends but I have to abide the condition. This time, it's mainly for ladies. Guys, you'll have your turn. :)

 

 

As a sign of appreciation, once again I would like to say :

Muito abrigado to Ana,

A big thank you to Maria,

Terima kasih to my fellow Malaysians

and

Thank You, right from the bottom of my heart, to each and everyone of you for your much appreciated visits. Keep coming! :)

A Surprise From Mexico!

I'm touched, honored and surprised upon getting another blog's award, which is the 7th, from a newly acquainted blogger friend, Flora Loveday of Mexico. Thanks a lot, Flora, it means so much to me for you saw something in my blog which I had not seen. The award is indeed a driving force for me to improve more on my writings and the blog as a whole.

This is what Flora wrote in my blog comment for the post Haiku - I Pause And Reflect.

Flora Loveday said...


Balquis, I love what you write, and the photographs you use... so beautiful, inspiring, and refreshing.

I had to nominate you for the Stylish Blogger Award - http://www.the-upper-hand.com/2011/04/stylish-blogger-award.html because yours stands out, obviously you invest a lot of your heart and soul into it.


Congrats!
Flora
April 4, 2011 6:11 AM

This is among the things that I least expect and it happens! Appreciate the nomination so much and off I went to Flora's blog, The Upper Hand - http://www.the-upper-hand.com/, to check out the award. My blog was among the 15 blogs nominated. So, here it is now.... all the way from Mexico to Malaysia!

And that's not the end of it. As a recipient, I have to observe the terms i.e. sharing 7 random facts about myself and passing on the award to 15 more bloggers who have to do likewise. It's my obligation, so here we go!

1. My favourite colors are shades of blue which are having the soothing and calming effects on my mood. In one way or another, it also lifts my spirits from irritability and anger.

2. I am a chocolate freak! Chocolate bars, chocolate cakes, chocolate drinks....anything with chocolate is my craving. But a big "NO!" to coffee or any form of drinks that contain caffeine before bedtime. The simple reason is, it'll keep me wide awake till the next morning. Counting sheep won't help!

3. I am always fascinated by those who could swim. Guess what? I can't swim! I have to be dependent on floats. LOL. When I was a little girl, I had frightening experiences when I almost drown twice! I was with friends, all giggling girls, who brought me to the deeper part of the river and it happened there and then.

4. I have a great love for poetry and put my heart and soul into it.  I can't write well but I love to try.

5. Laughter is always said as the best medicine. I like to be among those who have good sense of humour.

6. Some of the things I don't like are backstabbers, hypocrites and arrogance. I would stay at bay from such people.

7. Last but not least, I am living on one of the biggest islands in the world, Borneo. Sarawak and Sabah are east Malaysia states on Borneo island which is shared with Brunei and Kalimantan. Let me mention a bit about Sarawak. There are many "big" things here such as the ancient rainforests (said to be even older than the Amazon), ancient caves like Mulu and Niah, mighty rivers - the Rejang and Baram. Apart from that, Sarawak has more than 40 ethnic groups. I am from the Melanau Bintulu ethnic. We have diverse cultures and religions and live harmoniously with each other. Don't be surprised if you find us so convivial because we were born to be!

Now, it's  time for me to pass the award to the following bloggers' friends whose blogs are simply awesome.

  1. Yileen - http://www.deliriousjellybean.blogspot.com/
  2. Krislin Ting - http://www.tingtasy.com/
  3. Dai Ning Li - http://unrivalledsolace.blogspot.com/
  4. Harish - http://scaryhairyman.blogspot.com/
  5. Odliam - http://untony.blogspot.com/
  6. Moonomo - http://moonomo.com/
  7. Simple Sie - http://insidemeanings.blogspot.com/
  8. Beanie - http://beanizersinstincts.blogspot.com/
  9. Liling - http://shadowsoverhead.blogspot.com/
10. Maria - http://www.frissosblog.com/
11. Ravali - http://ravali-aspiringminds.blogspot.com/
12. Kira - http://www.kirapermunian.co.cc/
13. Dexcerpah - http://www.dexcerpah.com/
14. Suresh Shresta - http://www.in-your-footsteps.blogspot.com/
15. Sevelonn - http://onnthoughts.blogspot.com/

Congratulations to all of you and please, write 7 random facts about yourselves and pass on the award to 15 other bloggers whom you think deserve it.  Have fun!