Day 1 Ramadhan. For years i have been pestering the hubbs @fazleyyaakob to khatam the Quran with me during Ramadhan. This year in Mekkah, after our last umrah i was drawn to a shop that sold sejadah and these pretty covers for the Quran. Then Fazley found me at another shop, purchasing a copy of the holy book. When he asked why, i just offhandedly said, “Oh takde apa. Mana tahu tahun ni ada rezeki khatam with this Quran during ramadhan”. How were we to know that God would grant me my wish. This year we are home with no distractions of the outside world, with more time on our hands. I am posting this here to be accountable to myself that i must finish. One Juz’ per day. Bismillah, let’s go.

I’ve never said this publicly, but here goes—I’m a happy B in LGBTQ. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈 My very first love was an amazing girl who taught me a lot, growing up. In our 2nd year together my parents found us out, and gave me silent treatment for months. I remember coming home from school every day and just talking to the wall—“have you eaten?” / “how was your day?” / “we won the tournament, mum”… all to complete silence. Many years on, I became a teacher. In the 4+ years I spent in schools, a handful of kids have come out, but just to me—wrought with confusion and self-loathing. I recognised all the same feelings from my teens, but found myself just as powerless as before; they refused school counsellors because they feared word would reach their parents. They didn’t trust friends to withhold judgement. And who was I to help? I'd already gotten into trouble with bosses for allowing discussions about sexuality in my Lit class. All I could do then was listen. I’ve long wondered if just being a confidante was good enough, if there was anything else I could’ve done. But last night at #PinkDot10, I saw some of these ex-students in the crowd. Proud, happy, and surrounded by love. Post-show, I got a flood of texts from other kids I'd never imagined would care to attend this sort of thing: oi cher why you never tell us you were a singer / cher you were amazing on stage / cher I’m in poly now / guess what miss chew I finally found a boyfriend 😂… etc. Even my parents—who volunteered to drive me to the park—offhandedly mentioned that they might have donned pink and joined me, had they been able to make it. That sentiment took me off guard… I never knew they had it in them. So I don’t know about you, but I think I feel change. From the bottom of my heart, thank you @pinkdotsg for having @dotgifdotgif last night... to @may.may.l, @ngkinkiajasmine and all the organisers, to @anitakapoor, @pam_oei, @neosweelin, @khenghua, @ivanhengwild, @janiceymkoh, @brendon_fernandez and all the ambassadors for their inspiring declarations, and to all the volunteers. This was a special year, and it meant the world to me ♥️ #WeAreReady #FreedomToLove #Pride #PinkDot2018

🍸 I’ve held @kerolizwan in high regard ever since meeting him at the launch of Penang’s Poison Garden in November 2016. Soft-spoken but a good conversationalist, he tolerated my slightly sloshed speech (catering was serving a terrific Tom Yum martini) and took me off guard upon offhandedly mentioning founding @Musotrees. After meeting my fair share of editors with a tendency to throw their weight around, I was taken aback that this humble man had founded ‘the’ Musotrees. When those words came in through Whatsapp months later, my enthusiasm equaled that of a prospectic bride: “Would you be willing to contribute?” Would I! 🎨 Kerol was keen on the idea of an illustrated article when I pitched the idea, but as the deadline loomed closer, I wished I could eat my words. Thank goodness for @republicofsoulanoum (whom I met at a live drawing session – I was poised on a wooden box in my birthday suit as he lay on his belly sketching) who through little convincing, agreed to produce the whimsical watercolours that accompany my writ words. 🌏 Thanks to both friends I can proudly say that my restaurant reviews are being read in some 19 countries worldwide, from Bahrain to Brazil and China to the Czech Republic. Donc, voila: Do pick up a copy of Volume 4. I’ve blabbered enough as it is.