a . i . h i m e

felcon banner made by me
"once a friend always a friend,"('',).

( friends...? )

I'm in the mood to write something regarding my thesis, just to give a rough idea what my research is all about.

First thing to know before we go further:

What is Micro-architecture (McAr)?
Micro-architecture is a small or mini buildings found along the roads and in urban areas such as corner shops, recreational parks, public squares, specific facilities including overhead bridges,lamp post,car parks, kiosks, pedestrian walkways and others(Azimin Tazilan, 2008). Below are the examples of micro-architecture:


facilities McAr: Bus stop


facilities McAr: Street Lamp post


Retail McAr: kiosk


Retail McAr: street portrait painter
image from random website
As you can see the image above. There are 2 types of McAr; retail and facilities. My research is focused on Retail McAr.

Why I'm doing this research?
There are few issues:
1) illegal trade- most of street vendor has no license. what is the consequences?
2) abolishment of street vendor- transferring the street vendor to a centralized hub is a failure. why its happened?
3) culture of the streets need to be conserve- identity of the town.

New Pekan Rabu at Kuah, Langkawi is a failure because there is no customer and nonstrategic location
Using Azimin S.M. Tazilan (2008), sustainable design elements for urban street micro-architecture in Malaysia, I conducted a study on conservation of street cultural through micro-architecture in Malaysia.

It has thus been established that street retail micro architecture is an important and integral part of Malaysia's city landscapes; its abolishment would lead to a decline on the city's part, as can be seen in the case of Putrajaya where there are no longer any street vendors selling banana fritters nor Nasi Lemak.

The activities of these street vendors represent the bustling life within the city; its disappearance would lead to a gloomy and despondent setting. Research done has managed to show that the street retail micro architecture need only be improved instead of eradicated. A more meticulous and universal set of planning guidelines, rules and regulations should also be drafted for these street vendors such that it may cater to the needs of the local culture without eroding it.

What its contribution towards nation and people?
The planning proposal may help the stakeholders including local authorities, town planners, architects, designers, users and local inhabitants in developing a great street towards the sustainability of the city.

That is the overall idea of my research. What do you think? If you have anything to say or opinion regarding this matters, just speak your mind, you are welcome to do so. I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks. ^____^

tonight will be a sleepless night again.
I need to take five, after 3 and a half hours non-stop writing for my Colloquium paper.
so, here is an entry that I made during last Ramadhan.
I've been keeping this for so long. Now, I'm going to publish it.

It's about an article that I've read somewhere and I would like to share it.
Besides, its also a reminder to me as well. I hope this will encourage you in what ever you do.

Thus If you are wealthy, then ponder on the humbleness and generosity of that Great Prophet who reigned sovereign over entire Arabia and won over the hearts of every Arab notable through love...

If you are among the week, then take reference from the Prophet's life in Mecca under the rule of the horribly oppressive idolaters...

If you are a triumphant, reflect on the Prophet of courage and submission who routed the enemy at the battles of Badr and Hunayn...

But, Allah forbid, should you become defeated, then remember the Prophet walking patiently and courageously amid his wounded and martyred Companions at the field of Uhud, having comlpletely yielded to Divine Will...

And if you are a teacher, just think of the delicate, sensitive, and affectionate Prophet conveying the pearls of his heart to the Students of Suffa by the Masjidun-Nabawi...

If you are a student, picture the Prophet sitting before Jibril A.S at the moment of Revelation, cautious and motivated, filled with respect.

If you are a preacher, a counselor calling to the good, then give ear to the pleasant voice of the Prophet flashing sparks of wisdom from his heart to his Companions at the Masjid...

If you are left without an aid in your want to protect and communicate the Truth and elevate it, then take a look at the life of the Prophet who proclaimed the Truth to the ignorant and called them onto guidance at a time when he was deprived of all aid in Mecca...

If you have broken the resistence of the enemy, leaving them incapacitated and devastated evil to proclaim the Truth, of the Conquest, humbly and thankfully entering the sacred turf of Mecca, on camel back as if to fall prostrate, despite being a victorious commander...

If you own a farm and want to put things on track, then draw a lesson from the Prophet of competence who appointed the most able to revive and administer, in the best possible way the lands of Banu Nadir, Khaybar, Fadak after seizing possession of them...

If you are lonely, the reflect on the son of Abdullah and Aminah, their dearly loved orphan of innocence...

If you are a teenager, closely consider the life of the youth, the future Prophet, shepherding the stock of Abu Talib at Mecca...

If you are a trader set out with caravan loads of goods, ponder the integrity if the grandest man of the convoys destined for Yamen and Damascus...

If you are a judge, recall his just and prudential move in intervening to replace the Black Stone at the verge of Meccan notable going at each others' throats...

Then turn your glance once more to history and take a look at the Prophet in Medina at the Masjid'un-Nabawi delivering his verdict with the greatest conceivable justice between the poverty stricken destitute and well to do rich, as just as one can imagine.

If you are a spouse consider the deep emotions and compassion of the Blessed Husband of Khadijah and Aisha...

If you have children then learn the affectionate conduct of the father of Fatimah, the grandfather of Hasan and Husayn...

Whoever you may be and in whichever circumstances you may find yourself in, you will find Muhammad S.A.W as the most perfect master and most beautiful guide at all times and places.

(Source: The Exempler Beyond Compare Muhammad Mustafa by Osman Nori TOPBAS)

To conclude, whatever we do, follow our prophet Muhammad S.A.W/ sunnah.

Today, I feel like updating from my last vacation, Toronto, Canada. Let's go to the Niagara Falls. YAY!! *as I promised to update about Niagara Falls to june_hyde, so here it is. I'm so sorry jun, for a year late entry*

Niagara Falls, Ontario
24-25th July 2010

First, let's watch the video that my sister's took, it's a bit blurry. Hope you still enjoy it. Somehow, I can't embeded the video in LJ, but you can watch it here. the mist is so amazing. Subhanallah.

Next, lets tell it by the pictures.

On your left is the US side and right is the Canada side
Lets zoom out a little bit for the US side

Niagara Falls, US

beside the falls is a trail

journey behind the falls

besides the US falls is a tower too
The most magnificent view is from the Canada side because you can see both falls. From US side you can't see the nice view of both falls. Therefore, they built the viewing tower.

the viewing tower, US

Canada Falls
Now, Lets ride the maid of the mist, where you diving thru the falls. sounds scarry, huh? Just kidding, not diving just ride on the boat and it brings you to the falls. It is breathtaking. You can feel the water splashing, the nearer you go, the wet you'll get. of course they provide a raincoat(or fallscoat?)

yeah! we are ready to dive!
[behind us is the US falls]

can u see the rainbow?

the water splashing



Niagara Falls at night
[sorry for the picture to blur.this is just what our camera can do]
You can only see the colorful lights before midnight. after midnight it will turn like this..

they switch off all the lights.T__T
We were lucky because we arrived 10 minutes before midnight.So like Cinderella, gone after midnight. After that, we just walk around the town.


the factory outlet

handsome car

eye of Niagara

I want this car!!

End of vacation. Till hand meet the keyboard again.
off to thesis writing.

I'll stop posting about my vacation for a while now. At first, I'm too lazy to update.lol.

but then, my laptop is curse by a very hazardous virus or malware. I can't access to internet, can't run any .exe application, can't format my laptop cause it keep shutting down when I reboot from CD. Temporarily, I'm using my brother's or sister's laptop. Hope my lappy will get better soon.

Actually after a while, I am grateful my laptop being infected. For the first time it happen, of course I feel kind of mad and stress. But then, when I think back, it's good actually because it force me to find for a solution how to fix it. If this problem doesn't occured to me, I will never know how to fix this situation and how harmful the malware is. I need to learn this by experience it, right? Thanks to Allah, for the guidance and understanding.

the moral value: Don't blame anybody on what happens to you. In return, thanks to GOD for giving the test on you because everythings that happen, always have a good reaason behind it.

till then, On hiatus.

Canada's Wonderland
18 July 2010
Event: Muslim Festival

Today, we went to Canada's wonderland. There is a muslim day festival and live performance from Mesut Kurtis, Shaykh Al-Ninowy and Junaid Jamsheed at the Kingswood Theatre in Canada's Wonderland. Here is the journey to the Canada's Wonderland. :D

the subway at yorkdale

From our place we took st.patrick's subway to yorkdale. then from yorkdale we took a GO bus, straight to Canada's wonderland.

The GO bus

We can bring food from home, and eat outside the Wonderland not inside because they don't allow outside food. That's why people were picnic outside the wonderland. Everything in the wonderland is expensive. Thus, eat well before you go in.

picnicking outside the wonderland

The Canada's Wonderland. Here are some of the games they have. There is more, I just don't have time to walk all over the wonderland because it's too big. I arrived there at 1700, because the live performance start at 1830, it's late already. It doesn't matter to me cause I don't fancy this kind of game.LOL.

the roller coaster
the psyclone
time warp
the orbit
the headache robot
the pusing2
I don't play the extreme game as shown in the picture above. I just don't like it, and never will ride one. My type of game is like these game, the betting game or the monkey bear game. It's game that you play and win. Then, you will get something in return. That's totally me.hahaha.

the betting game
the monkey bear game

the sign
2 rings for $5

At the bazaar, we bought 2 rings for $5. blue for me and pink for my sis. It's a cute ring and I love it so much. and It's cheap some more. :P

the bazaar
the salty popcorn
Mesut Kurtis and Junaid Jamsheed

maple tree at night
last pose, before went out
the entrance at nite
time to sleep. chow.

Harbor tour
17 July 2010, Saturday
tour: CN Tower, Harbor front & Toronto Island

It's a long story to tell what we've been doing one hold day. so to make it short, let's telling it by pictures. We use subway to Union station, the nearest station to Canada National Tower(CN tower).

the subway
the union station
from union station to skywalk
the skywalk to railway station and Canada National Tower a.k.a CN Tower

CN tower
As we arrived at the CN tower, I thought it's free, but it's not.hahaha. so we skip the CN Tower.
We went to the tourist information kiosk to ask about the harbor tour. Later, we get a ticket for the harbor tour and the city tour. For Niagara Falls we plan to drive, so we will use rental car.

the tourist information kiosk in front the CN tower and Rogers Center

the harbor tour boat

Toronto harbor front view from the sea

rogers center and CN Tower
Our captains

This is our handsome and sweet captain. LOL.

the handsome captain
cool and handsome captain.hahaha

together with the captains
Then, we stop at Toronto Island for a quick tour, to see what they have at the Island. On the Island, there is mini theme park called centreville and mostly for kids.

the mute swan
centreville, toronto islands




the games and the park

Lastly, before I end this entry. Here watch one of the activity they do at the island. isn't that great? they teach people how to play the djembe. We had lots of fun there.

one of the activity at the park

till hand meet the keyboard again. Chow.

Jet lag and the walk
15 July - 16 July 2010
Jalan-Jalan cari makan: Chinatown

Because of jet lag, we(my father, mother, sis and dad) didn't go out so much. We are tend to sleep rather than walk.hahaha. The jet lag take us 2 days to recover. The two days, we just go to the Chinatown to buy some groceries, that are just 10 minutes walk from our place. Along the way to the chinatown, there are lots of thing to discover. So, Let's enjoy the picture.

parking for bicycle
The bicycle's parking we can find it everywhere along the street because most of the people here use bicycle.

newspaper box

You also can find this newspaper box everywhere in the town. you can get free daily toronto metro, renter magazines, jobfinder magazines, house, health news and many more. It's very convenience.

the Art Gallery of Ontario(AGO) by Frank Gehry
the Art Gallery of Ontario(AGO) by Frank Gehry
We haven't explore this building yet. Maybe later as we have plenty of time here, even this is the nearest place to go. But as usual, the closer the place is, the later you go, right? lol


college of art and design

This school is situated just behind the AGO. It reminds me of my first year theater cafe project.haha.

Our favorite mart at chinatown, Lucky Moose

The first mart you'll see when you arrive with the cheapest price.



the chinatown
shark for sale

At Chinatown, you can find Asian flavor, spices, everything. It is just that if you buy chilli sauce here, it don't taste the same. Chilli sauce here taste more sour than hot& spicy.

next entry will talk about the harbor front, toronto island and wonderland. For now,back on hiatus.

Pre-Arrival, Arrival and Settling Down
13 July - 14 July 2010
Destination: Kuala Lumpur - Amsterdam - Toronto, Canada
Flight: KLM Royal dutch Airlines

We departed from KLIA at 2315, 13 July and arrived at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol at 0535, 14th July, transit about 8 hours. Need to get back on plane at 1355 to Toronto. During transit, we just explore the airport. Later when we return, will explore the city. :D


The ticket
First thing we do when we arrived was find a place to pray. Here, They provide Meditation Center for all religious. At first I thought all airport provide the meditation center. But then I met with a Sudanese who studying in US, he said,"Amsterdam Airport is the best airport in Europe that provide this facilities. not all airport have it." . Now I know, it's not all airport provide it. The meditation is nice and big too, complete with the Qiblat, Quran, Solat timetable, everything.



meditation center

Qiblat

bible discussion at the back

Next, after we've done subuh prayer, we walked around the airport searched for postcards and food to eat. Lastly we just eat Royal-O-Fish with hot Chocolate at McDonald. The best part is when we ordered plain water, it cost us €2.40. T______T


price of hot plain water

1 ketchup will cost you €0.40

Even the ketchup you need to pay, I think the price rate for McDonald here is a lot cheaper than in Kuala Lumpur. Don't multiplying it, it will double double the price. Just look as a normal rate. 4 Fillet-O-Fish set + 1 Donut + 4 Hot chocolate will cost you like only RM31.65. Don't you think, it's cheap?

After that we walk around the airport. They have schiphol museum, history about KLM airline, how they started. The way they design the airport is like home friendly, you can sleep anywhere you want, they provide a mini library, shower, networking area, smoking room, you name it.





Everywhere you can sleep

baby care center



networking center

get online price

mini library

Now, it is time to complete our destination: toronto, from amsterdam to Toronto it took 6 hours. This is the plane that we board: Boeing 747-400.


KLM Boeing 747-400, the biggest plane in KLM

We arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport at 14 July, 1800 Canada time. If Malaysia time 15July, 0600. Nothing much to talk about the airport.


the jejak Kasihan

After settle everything, we went out for dinner with some other Malaysian students here.


dinner with other Malaysian student at Indian Flavor Restaurant


chicken butter

naan

rice

the desert
Ok, will stop here for now. will continue again, InsyaAllah.

I found this at suehana LJ. It is something interesting.XD


Oh Nino!are we really meant together? LOL.
It's good to play around sometimes. try it.