INTJ: My personality type.. Keeping this for future references..

INTJs are analytical problem-solvers, eager to improve systems and processes with their innovative ideas. They have a talent for seeing possibilities for improvement, whether at work, at home, or in themselves.
INTJs have a hunger for knowledge and strive to constantly increase their competence; they are often perfectionists with extremely high standards of performance for themselves and others. They tend to have a keen interest in self-improvement and are lifelong learners, always looking to add to their base of information and awareness.
INTJs live in a world of abstraction and theory, and may sometimes be absentminded in their preoccupation with concepts. Often intellectual, they enjoy analysis and complex problem-solving, and are much less comfortable with the illogical and unpredictable nature of other people and their emotions. They may not want to bother with people who they do not perceive to be their intellectual equals.
INTJs are perceptive about systems and strategy, and often understand the world as a chess board to be navigated. They want to understand how systems work, and how events proceed: the INTJ often has a unique ability to foresee logical outcomes. They enjoy applying themselves to a project or idea in depth, and putting in concentrated effort to achieve their goals.

INTJ in the Population
INTJ is the third rarest type in the population, and the rarest type among women (with ENTJ). INTJs make up:
•2% of the general population
•3% of men
•1% of women

Popular Hobbies
Popular hobbies for the INTJ include reading, cultural events, taking classes, appreciating art, computers and video games, and independent sports such as swimming, backpacking, or running marathons.

Famous INTJs
Famous INTJs include Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, Bill Gates, Dwight Eisenhower, Alan Greenspan, Ulysses S. Grant, Stephen Hawking, John Maynard Keynes, Ayn Rand, Isaac Asimov, Lewis Carroll, Cormac McCarthy, and Sir Isaac Newton.

Interesting facts about the INTJ:
•On personality trait measures, score as Discreet, Industrious, Logical, Deliberate, Self-Confident, and Methodical
•Among types least likely to suffer heart disease and cardiac problems
•Least likely of all the types to believe in a higher spiritual power
•One of two types with highest college GPA
•Among types with highest income
•Personal values include Achievement
•Of all types, least likely to state that they value Home/family, Financial security, Relationships & friendships, and Community service
•Overrepresented among MBA students and female small business owners
•Commonly found in scientific or technical fields, computer occupations, and legal professions

Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person. ~ Waleed Basyouni

When the Internet was rife with stories of how impossible it is to earn $7k as a taxi driver in Singapore, I got reminded of a kind Malay taxi driver with whom I had encountered more than 10 years ago.
This was the time when Arwah Mak was still alive and had to be sent to the private dialysis centre in Bedok very early in the morning (We had to reach there by 7.30am in the morning!), 3 times a week. Ayah worked at night and he will fetch her after work and I was tasked to send her to the centre in the morning before going to work. I remembered that I was on my first job after graduation at that time, and I was always late since I had to travel from Bedok to Ayer Rajah.

Anyway, it was quite a challenge at that time as she was always light headed and weak. Buses and MRT were totally out of the question as I cannot risk her falling. So we had to rely on taxis for transportation.
Life was rather pitiful for me back then. Before Arwah Mak can start on her dialysis, we had to fork out around $100 for each session; this was before she was accepted for NKF subsidies. My parents never expected me to pay for it, but I insisted to pay whenever possible, even for the taxi fares. As a result, I was always broke, heh.

One faithful morning, it was just a few days before payday and I was really struggling financially, to the point that I had to skip lunches and relied on the free drinks and biscuits in the company pantry. :p~ We met a pleasant Malay taxi driver who was friendly and chatty. We talked about general stuffs, which I cannot remember and once we reached the centre, he immediately saw that I was sending Arwah Mak for dialysis and told us that the ride was on him. Free of charge.

I almost cried. :’)

I do not know if it was because of the lack of nutrition / sleep (I had to OT till late at night to earn extra $$), or the kindness shown by him. We have lived in an uncaring meritocratic society for so long, where selfishness is rewarded and being kind is shown as a weakness, it is very rare to meet such a person in Singapore. They do exist, but are extremely uncommon.

He shooed us (gently of course, because I was quite adamant in paying the fare) and gave me a kind smile. And I have been kicking myself ever since for forgetting to take note of his license plate. I wasn’t able to repay his kindness, but I have been trying my best to pay it forward. Always paying it forward.. :)

Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person. ~   Waleed Basyouni

She's 5!!

My one and only child, Alysha Nadya, is now 5 years old. Please bear with me while I record her achievements in here, to ail my failing memory. I noticed that other people are recalling things that she had previously did or went through but I cannot, for the life of me, remember any of it.

Me – “She had chicken pox before she was 1? Really? I don’t think so. You must have mistaken.”

People – “Yes she did. I remember she had small rashes forming on her body. She had fever and all.”

Me – “Chicken POX?? Are you kidding me? That’s a major illness. I would have remembered that! I didn’t remember any trip to the doctor for this? No scars at all.”

People – “Yeah, you forgot. You didn’t bring her to the doctor. She got well on her own because it was a small episode.”

Me – “Wow. Just wow.” -_____-

She is now able to read books suitable for level 1 readers, speak out her mind clearly, understand simple arithmetic and helping me out in simple household chores. She is able to spell out simple words just by listening to how it is pronounced.

She can bathe and settle her toilet businesses on her own, but she still needs reminders to flush and wash her hands.

Her bubbly personality can be off the chart / bouncing off the wall at home or familiar places, but still remain reserve when around strangers. That’s good.. Stranger danger..

She’s funny, witty and so full of life. Her favourite line, “Please Ibu, can I play with you?” Never fail to make me feel guilty.

She’s generous when it comes to younger kids, like sharing toys and letting them have their way most of the time. Occasionally, I caught her looking helpless when younger kids snatched stuffs out of her hand or beat her, it breaks my heart but I always go to her and complimented her on the way she handled the situations.

Older kids usually love to indulge her, which leads to her bullying them. I always put a stop to that behaviour when I found out. I don’t want her to grow up being a brat or a bully.

She sleeps in her own bed, only crash our bed when she is sick, able to feed herself (but lazy), still drinks from the milk bottle (which I threatened will post the video of her doing it in FaceBook if she still doesn’t stop, jokingly of course), loves Mr Bean, Adventure Time, Tom and Jerry Show, Regular Show, Pink Panther, SpongeBob Squarepants, The Roadrunner show, Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go!

She has her own computer which she will use to play educational and fun interactive games on the Internet. Sometimes, she used it to watch her favorite cartoons on YouTube. Or doodles on Microsoft Paints.

A few months ago, she created her own book with a few pieces of A4 papers, folded into half and scotch taped together. She drew the front cover and her book follows the Arabic style, which opens and starts from the back, like the Quran. LoL~

She made a great effort to write some random letters and draw images to illustrate the story. As such, every time she opens the book to read the story out loud to me, it changes every single time. That’s the beauty of it. The readers of her book have to made things up as they go along. And when it’s my turn to read her book, she will patiently listen to how I creatively wove the story to fit the images and scribbles. Priceless moments.

About writing, now and then she gets confused and writes her letters from right to left. I supposed it is because she is schooled in a Madrasah Kindergarten which teaches Arabic words to kids.

Speaking of Madrasah, the positive aspect of it is that they teach kids about Islamic values; Akhlaq, learn the basic Doas and easy Surahs apart from the normal academic ones.

Health wise, she has bouts of bronchitis every couple of months. Usually when she is down with the normal illness such as cold, flu or viral infections, the bronchitis will hitch a ride on them. She has to rely on the ventolin spray to keep it under control, only when it is necessary. No worries though, the kind doctor and other experienced parents told me that she will outgrow it when she is older. Insyallah. Other than that, she’s pretty healthy and active, Alhamdulillah. Had to be coerced to eat her vegetables, which is normal for kids her age. She loves fruits of any kind and prefers fish and chicken over other types of meat.

Kissy Kissy my busyuk mashem!

Dear Alysha,
When I feel weary from my daily grind at work, one of the things that can perk me up are the memories of kissing you, smelling your hair.. sometimes they smell fruity fresh but most of the times, they are 'mashem'.. I can't get enough of that and these are the things that kept me going.. day after day.
Thank you for being in my life and making it sweeter.. I love you so much!

I love you the world..

Dear Alysha.. my sweet little daughter who is almost 5 years old..
One of the sweetest moment we had was last week when you replied to my usual 'I love you's with 'I love you, too'..
Me: I love you more..
You: I love you more and more..
Me: I love you most!
You: I love you the world..
Awww.. that's it. No words can describe my feelings at that moment. Ayah, who was feeling a tad jealous has asked you, 'How about me? No love for Ayah?' And you just smile cheekily and said 'Yes, I love u too Ayah..'
I love you both so much!

Is it true?

Is it true that only the good will die young? The bad will go on living a very long life, cursed to see their loved ones perish one by one. To get weaker and helpless as you get older. The younger generation looking at you with their eyes full of pity as you lay there soiling your diapers, can't even feed yourself, can't even communicate coherently. And by then, you will be begging for sweet merciful death, for that eternal peace, only to be denied time and time again, as this will be your punishment in life for being bad.

Iqra'

Just the other day, a friend of mine commented that she's amazed at the kinda stuffs that I read.
E.g. While waiting for the my huge ass report to generate, I'll glanced over my smartphone to continue reading about the current news in Singapore. Or was googling (Google is my BFF) some random stuffs to add on to my over-worked brain. Whenever I hit something good, I usually search for a share button to add to my Facebook wall.. haha.. I am Miss Smarty-pants. At least I don't quote trivias while with friends.
She was amazed because she told me that she won't be able to read such long 'boring' stuffs, unless it is celebrity gossips or beauty magazines with lots of pictures.
Anyway, my addiction to books started while I was in primary school and now, my dream was to have my own mini library in the house with all my favorite authors like Stephen King, Terry Pratchett, JRR Tolkien, Anne Rice.. and many many more..
And Alysha already has her own section with her own favorites.. :D

In Islam, the word Iqra' is a command to Read! The first revelation to Prophet Muhammad s.a.w, was "Read, in the name of thy Lord who created, man from a clot. Read, for your Lord is most Generous, who teaches by means of the pen, teaches man what they know not," (al-'Alaq: 1-5)
This is what I love about Islam.. How else can you seek knowledge other than reading?

So go forth and start picking something up to read.