The Journey of Four, For Now

  One of life’s undeniable truths is that you can’t choose your parents or siblings. These relationships are divinely assigned, and we’re meant to cherish them, as they come from Allah’s wisdom and decree. The Quran reminds us of the importance of family bonds: “And We have enjoined upon man [care] for his parents. His mother carried him, [increasing her] in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents; to Me is the [final] destination.” (Surah Luqman: 14) While family is a non-negotiable part of life, the people we choose to surround ourselves with—our circle—are entirely up to us. And let me tell you, the impact of this choice is profound. Your circle can shape your journey, either uplifting and guiding you toward greatness or dragging you into an abyss of negativity. The Power of Your Circle Your circle—whether you call it friendship, community, or even your professional network—plays an instrumental role in how your life unfold...

What we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived. This is the moment when I’ve begun to rebuild my life, my career, and my connection with God. While I’ll save the spiritual reflections for another time, today, let’s focus on my journey to rebuild my career—a journey filled with challenges, faith, and gratitude. After nearly two decades working in various corporate roles (or, as some might call it, being a "corporate slave"), I felt the calling to chart my own course. Leveraging my education—an undergrad in electrical engineering, an MBA for a business twist, and a doctorate in the same field—I decided it was time to stand tall on my own two feet. With the combined strength of my technical expertise and real-world experience, I set out to create something that not only reflected my abilities but also aimed to fill a gap in the market. Our company specializes in power generation, covering everything from EPCIC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissio...

  Two weeks ago, my eldest son shared something that left me both amused and reflective. It was during one of our family moments when he confidently announced in front of everyone, including his mom: “Daddy, after experiencing massages from everyone, I can now rank the best people who have massaged me.” As a quick backstory, my son is active in karate (now brown belt), basketball, and soccer, so he often asks for foot and body massages. I listened curiously as he began to list names. “The first is Mbak A, then Mbak B, then Nekci, then Mommy, then Tokwan…” The list went on. His mom was clearly proud of securing the fourth spot. But naturally, I couldn’t help but ask, “Where am I in the list?” He turned to me and confidently said, “Sorry Ayah, you’re number 10.” I chuckled and replied, “Never mind, son. But let me ask you something: among the nine people ahead of me, who massages you every day?” He paused, thought for a moment, and then admitted, “It’s you, Ayah.” “So, what does that...

  Hello World, It's us.  Hi there! We’re a family of four—me, my incredible wife, and our two amazing kids (though " temporarily " because, honestly, I’d love more). This blog is our way of sharing life’s moments, lessons, and surprises with you. Along the way, I’ve learned that wisdom often comes from the most unexpected places, like the innocent yet profound insights of our children. Life, as we’ve discovered, is full of surprises—and not all of them come with a warning. Our story begins with how my wife and I met. But don’t expect a step-by-step retelling; we’re keeping it figurative. Some chapters are too personal or too colorful to be shared without stirring the pot. Let’s just say, fate had its own unique plan to bring us together. Then came our journey to parenthood—a rollercoaster of hope, heartache, resilience, and unwavering faith. There were tears, moments of despair, and countless efforts that sometimes felt futile. But just when we thought we were out of mira...