Amar Razali

"So, have you updated your blog?" - Nuruddeen

"No, man. I am extremely busy this semester. I also have other important things to do." - me

"Haha! Well, I have something for you." - Nuruddeen

"Wow! Really? What's that?" - me

"I bought these for myself, and hopefully these will help you to be more organized." - Nuruddeen

Haha. Be more organized. Yes, I will try to be more organized after this, Nuruddeen. Thank you so much for the note books, I really appreciate it. Nuruddeen, one of my best friends here in Nashville. Subhanallah, he is really a good person. When I talk with him, I can feel that my level of imaan is increasing. Just as simple as that.

Nuruddeen and Dr. Awadh, they are among important people that I feel like my own brother and father here in States.

Assalamu'alaykum,

Default: I don't like to talk much about politics and I have my own opinions about how politics should be. Just note that this is not political-based entry.

I called my mum just now. Just wanted to check up what's going on around our family, and to hear her voice was simply refreshing. I would also like to know updates about the general elections that will come up this early March, especially with the current situation in my hometown, Kuala Terengganu.

My dad will participate in this election, InsyaAllah. I mean, not as a voter, but as a candidate. It will be three-cornered fight for the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary seat and my father is its incumbent. He will face Pas Vice-president Mr. Mohamad Sabu and independent candidate Mrs. Maimun Yusof.

I still remember, back then in 2004. It was the first time papa got involved in politics. At that time, he was the Director at Teacher's Educations Department (Bahagian Pendidikan Guru, BPG), Ministry of Education while I was a senior at Science Dungun, preparing for my SPM (Higher Education Exams). All of his years filled with teachers, schools, pupils, college and other things that related with education. He has a solid education background. He has been a teacher, a professor, a head department, a principal and then a director. That is why I am very respectful to all my school teachers because I realized that it is where papa came from. I respected my school teachers as I respected papa.

Papa just don't know how to stop working. He is a very hardworking person. I mean, really hardworking person. I cannot imagine what he will do when he retires. He enjoys reading a lot of books, and one of my hobbies are to hear some motivation words from him. MasyaAllah, he is blessed to be an excellent motivator. When I was young, he always taught me about how to be a successful person, how to manage our time, and it simply motives me to be a better person, day by day.

Oh, how I love to be a young kid again.

Papa, my prayers are always be with you. Deep in my heart, I always know that you are sincere to serve the people. Not like some other cheap politicians who just know how to praise other top leaders, to favor nepotism, and just rhetoric in their talking, Na'udhubillah. Oo Allah, please prevent my dad from these bad manners and protect him from evil deeds.

I still remember your sayings about basic rule as a politician, "Always know how, not who."

Papa, I love you so much!

Assalamu'alaykum,

InsyaAllah, I am going to Dallas, TX from Friday to Sunday this weekend for Business Today Regional Conference.

Subhanallah, initially I never thought that I could attend to this prestigious conference (according to Prof. Bers, my Engineering Management professor) when I applied for it nearly 5 months ago. I realized back then that there would be more qualified candidates than me to be offered a seat for the conference. But, somehow, I still applied for it. I just wanted to give a shot. Tobe accepted or not is a different story.

At the end of January, I was so surprised when I received the acceptance email to attend the conference! Alhamdulillah!

Business Today covers all costs for admitted students, including hotel, food, and travel expense. The specific location for the conference is at Dallas Renaissance Hotel in Dallas, Texas. During the conference, we will discuss about "Networks in the New Age: Efficiency and Growth" and other issues such as globalization, supply chaining, logistics, social networking, IT, and sustainability.

Alhamdulillah, this is great, I mean, I just have to make sure that I will not miss any chance to meet with and learn from top executives and powerful leaders from the business, academic and political worlds.

Well, the journey will start tomorrow and I am still not packing my stuff yet. My flight to Dallas from Nashville will be at 430 p.m. and I already asked Baba to send me to the airport, InsyaAllah.

I will try to share some materials, key points from the conference in this blog, InsyaAllah.

Assalamu'alaykum,

My blog is now under heavy reconstruction. I am extremely busy this semester and hopefully I can do some renovations in my blog during this spring break.

Please check it again in a few more days.

Friday Khutbah by Dr. Binhazim, at VU Divinity School. The topic was "The Best of Messenger."

For more information, visit Olive Tree Education.