MZULKIF.COM: December 2024

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

My Favourite Stuff Of 2024

Just realised that I've not cranked out this year-end list for a couple of years now, so consider this a comeback!

Day Trip

Richmond, London

We were back in the UK earlier in the year, but incredibly, it was our first time at Richmond. And what a lovely day we had there. Alhamdulillah

Book (Malaysian)

We Are Marching Now by Danny Lim

What an engrossing read! (Although I'm a couple of years late.) Interestingly, I read it like a screenplay, playing the scenes in my head. And I especially liked Acts 1 and 2. If this ever gets made into a movie, I imagine it to be as tense and suspenseful as 'Argo', although they're completely different stories.

Book (International)

Empireland by Sathnam Sanghera

Also a couple of years late with this one, but an enthralling and useful read nevertheless. Especially when we were also part of this piece of history.

Comedy Skit

SNL, George Washington's Dream

Watched this at least a dozen times (see what I did there?), and cracked up at every viewing. Haha.

App

ChatGPT

Hey, it actually works! 😄

Restaurant

Micky's Fish & Chips

I was at this chippy in Paddington having fish n chips on a mild evening and Giorgio Moroder's 'Electric Dreams' played in the background... Ah, the feels.

Sporting Event

The Malaysian MotoGP

The last time I was in Sepang was to say goodbye to the Malaysian F1 GP back in 2019, so it was cool (not literally) to be back for the MotoGP, thanks to Red Bull. And my current favourite rider Pecco Bagnaia winning over the Martinator made it a pretty good day.

Speaking Event

Shaikh Hakim Murad at Khazanah Research Institute

When I woke up that morning, I never expected to be sitting in the same room as Shaikh Dr Abdal Hakim Murad, listening to him talk right here in Malaysia. But that's exactly what was written for us.

Man At The Helm

Arne Slot

Arne Slot, la la la la la!

YouTube Channel

Finas - Retrospektif Playlist

Yes, it's my current obsession: Watching historically important videos on the FINAS YouTube channel. Seriously, you won't believe how well-produced these are. There are more than 200 videos on the Retrospektif playlist and I urge everyone to watch them.

Podcast Episode

Hamza Tsortzis & Nouman Ali Khan

Heartfelt and full of practical wisdom, be ready with pen and paper for this one. And maybe, a handkerchief too. (Which was totally unexpected.)

Website

Mymuslimin.com

Our labour of love turned 2 this year, and Alhamdulillah, we are reaching more readers and viewers than ever. May it be beneficial for everyone.

Documentary

Tsunami: Race Against Time

Still sad and horrifying after all these years. Had to hold back tears constantly watching this new documentary series :(

Monday, December 30, 2024

Jalan-Jalan UK 2024

Ah, more wonderful memories made earlier in the year as we flew to the UK for a wholesome family escapade. It was late winter, so temperatures were always in the single digit, which we gladly embraced.

Some days were really planned out, while others we basically played by ear. But of course we had to hit some of our favourite bits of London lah.

Tia also took the opportunity to meet up with some of her former school mates who are currently studying in the UK, so there were days when it was just the two of us pengantin lama lah. Hehe.

This included a wonderful day spent in Richmond, which I couldn't believe we've never been to before! Memang best lah, walking in the cool weather up to super picturesque Richmond Hill, and all the way to Richmond Park, where we had a spot of tea and scones, and also saw some wild deer just chilling out.

And yes, we also made the obligatory day-trip out of London; this time to one of the most beautiful districts in the UK (which, incredibly, we've never been to as well); the Cotswolds.