Midnight Adventures in New York: Hostel Life & Impromptu Times Square Trip

Hello everyone! Today I nak share sikit about my recent trip to New York City, and wah, this one memang different from my previous visits. I arrived late midnight, thanks to a flight delay caused by severe weather—memang penat, but overall, okay lah. This time, instead of my usual spot at travelers hostel, I tried Hostel International New York at Amsterdam Ave. Let me tell you, this place memang best gila!

The hostel itself very clean and comfortable, with amenities that really make you feel at home. Best part, they encourage us to socialize, so you don’t feel lonely even if you travel solo. After I checked in, unpacked my barang, took a shower, and performed my Isya’ prayers, I tried to relax and read a bit before Subuh. Since it’s summer, Subuh masuk very early, so I planned to sleep right after.

But, I respect other people in the dorm—tak nak kacau mereka tidur—so I went down to the common area. Wah, the place was super clean and quiet, perfect for some me-time. While waiting for Subuh, I met another traveler who also baru sampai and couldn’t sleep. We started chatting, ice breaking lah konon. Then, another girl joined us, and suddenly she suggested, “Hey, let’s go to Times Square now!” I was like, “Serious ah?” I was still in my baju tidur, but why not, kan? YOLO!

So, after Subuh, three of us, complete strangers, took the subway and headed to Times Square. It was my first time experiencing New York like this—sunyi sikit, not so ramai people, but still got that lively city vibe. True lah, New York memang city that never sleeps. We lepak, grabbed some coffee, and just enjoyed the moment before heading back to the hostel. Memang crazy, but that’s the fun of traveling—unexpected adventures with new friends.

If you ever come to New York, I really recommend staying at Hostel International New York. Who knows, maybe you’ll also end up having a spontaneous adventure at 5 AM in Times Square! Till next time, happy travels, guys!

The Colour of My Love: A Tribute to My Late Mom

There is a song that always brings tears to my eyes—The Colour of My Love by Céline Dion. The lyrics, so gentle and poetic, remind me of the woman who painted my world with warmth, laughter, and endless love—my beloved late mom.

Growing up, my mom was the artist of my life. She coloured my days with joy, painted my nights with comfort, and always made sure there was a sun shining in my sky, even on the darkest days. When I listen to this song, I feel every brushstroke of her love—how she made my world vibrant, alive, and meaningful.

“I’ll paint a sun to warm your heart, Swearing that we’ll never part…”

These words echo the way she loved me—unconditionally, endlessly, without expecting anything in return. She was the one who would listen to all my stories, no matter how small or silly. Her laughter was the music of my childhood, and her advice is still the compass of my life.

Now that she’s gone, I find myself missing her more with each passing day. Even though I travel a lot now—something I’ve grown to love—I always wish she was there, waiting to hear my stories, eager to know about my adventures. No matter where I go, or how far I wander, there is always an empty space in my heart that only she could fill.

Sometimes, I sit quietly and let the memories wash over me. I remember her gentle touch, her wise words, and the way she would smile at me with so much pride. The world feels a little less colourful without her, but I know the shades she painted in my life will never fade.

As a child of her, I hold dearly to my faith. With every memory, I whisper a prayer: Ya Allah, grant my mother Jannah and rest her soul among the righteous. I pray that she is surrounded by light and love, just as she surrounded me when she was here.

To anyone who has lost a mother, I hope you find comfort in the colours she left behind. Our moms are the artists of our hearts, and their love is the masterpiece we carry forever. Even when they are gone, their colours remain—soft, bright, and everlasting.

I miss you, Ummi. Thank you for painting the sun in my life.

Her Voice, My Compass: Love, Loss, and the Search for What’s Next

In every love story I’ve ever lived, she was always my first listener.

The moment my heart fluttered for someone new, before even my closest friends knew—I'd tell Ummi. Her eyes would light up, a playful smile teasing her lips, ready for the drama, joy, or heartbreak that followed. She was my love consultant, my storyteller-in-chief. With her, there was no shame in vulnerability. Just the warm, patient presence only a mother can offer.

When I was in love, she giggled with me. When I was heartbroken, she'd hugged me and say, _“Jodoh itu rahsia Allah”—soulmates are God's secret.

And I believed her.

But then she left, and everything changed.

Since she passed, my love life feels like navigating through a storm without a lighthouse. I try—I talk to women, open up sometimes—but it doesn’t feel right. It’s not the same without her giggles in the kitchen, her quiet advice during city walks, her prayers whispered while I slept. There's an emptiness that no one sees but that shadows everything.

I travel now. The world has become my therapy. I’ve watched the sun set over Key West, wandered the quiet alleys of Toronto, sipped tea on Oxford mornings—seeking joy, chasing peace. On the outside, it looks like I’m living a dream. And maybe I am. But the truth is, behind every photo I post, there’s a part of me still searching. Not just for the right one, but for something—or someone—that can help fill that sacred space she once held.

Sometimes, I still talk to her. Not out loud, but in moments when I'm staring out a plane window or standing at a crowded street corner. I imagine what she'd say. She’d probably smile and say, “Aiman kena kuat. One day, you’ll find her.”

I miss her most when I'm happy.

I know she’d want me to move forward—to open my heart again, to let someone in. And I’m trying, Ummi. I really am. But until then, I carry your wisdom, your spirit, and your unwavering faith in love with me.

Wish me luck. The journey is long, but I still believe that jodoh is written. Somewhere.

Al-Fatihah, Ummi. You are missed every day.