My fear..

....what I feared most came true, and I had the instinct it would happen. I just never even dreamt that it could be true, but fate played with me. Sometimes, it's not worth trusting a person and believing the person to be good- people change, feelings change and thus life changes with the flow.

As this is no more my personal blog, I am not writing anything in here. I have my episodes in a different blog, and for the moment, let it just be me to know where it is. I have removed all posts about my personal life from this blog and put it in the other blog. My mistake was to share this blog with HIM. I thought HE and ME are together forever, but I never dreamt that HE betrayed me behind my back, and never planned to come clean to me. Well, HE knows what he did, and I am not writing anything here because of him- he gets hurt to see me talk about 'people' he love- so be it! I will write, as this is my way to vent out my frustration. No one can or should stop me. I will write whatever I want, and I write for me and not for anyone else.

This blog now is a miscellaneous blog about 'stuffs'. I am mostly writing for paid posting, and sometimes things which interest me, or articles I find interesting. I am keeping this blog because this is my main source of online income. I regret having the blog title 'Love Defies All' and I don't believe in so anymore. Anyway, let the 'Love Defies All' in here refers to The All mighty God. I believe God is the only one who could give me the strength to move on for now...Ameen...

If you've been following my stories....thanks! :) If you'd like to know what's happening with me now, you can leave me a message and I will invite you to my new blog. Sometimes, it's nice to listen to advice/ comments from strangers- totally from people who are unbiased.

Procrastination?

Do not delay or 'get it over with'


Allaahu Akbar, Allaahu Akbar!

The sound of the adhaan (azan) echoed throughout the neighborhood.
"Oh, its Asr already?!"
She absentmindedly thought in her head as she flipped channels with the remote.
"I 'll pray as soon as this show is over."
she mumbled to herself, as she settled down to watch her favorite TV program.

And before she knew it, it was another show and then yet another, when all of a sudden, she realized how late it was.....the light outside had turned yellowish orange.....the birds were chirping loudly.... ...the sun was almost about to set.

She hurriedly got up, made wudu and did 4 quick rakahs of Asr as fast as she could, so that she could 'get it over with'.

Subhaan Allaah, how many of us are guilty of something like that?

Okay, may be it's not television for all of us. For some of us, it's cooking and cleaning, 'busy' with the kids.

And for some it's video games and play stations; while for others it's talking on the phone, chatting on the internet, shopping, sleeping, you name it. Or it may be for just no reason at all.

We delay our prayer....and delay our prayer until the time for it is almost over and then we quickly peck the floor with our heads, thinking we are absolved of the obligation. In other words, we 'just get it over with'.

But, Brothers and sisters, do you realize what the Prophet (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) called such a prayer? He called it the 'prayer of the hypocrite'!

Anas ibn Maalik said, "I heard the Messenger of Allaah (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) say, 'That is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites, that is the prayer of the hypocrites. One of them will sit until the sun turns yellow, and is between the horns of the Shaytaan, or on the horns of the Shaytaan, then he will get up and peck out four (rak'ahs), in which he does not remember Allaah except a little.'" (Abu Dawood).

And its not just Asr. We tend to do that with all our prayers, delaying it until its time is almost up for no valid reason, except that we are just plain old lazy. Allaah says that laziness in prayer is a characteristic of the hypocrites.

"And when they stand up for al-salaah, they stand with laziness" [al-Nisaa' 4:142].

"So woe unto those performers of Salaah (hypocrites);those who delay their Salaah" [al-Ma'oon 107:4-5]

'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Abbaas said: (This means) those who delay their prayers from the proper time. (Tafseer al-Qurtubi)

In fact, do you know what the best deed in the site of Allah is? Its prayer at its time.

The Prophet (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) was asked: Which deed is best? He said: "Prayer done on time." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

And yet we delay it, without thinking much of it. And obviously when we delay the prayer, we rush through it, not paying attention to the ruku or sujud or the proper etiquette of prayer.

The Prophet (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: 'The worst type of thief is the one who steals from his prayer.' He said, 'O Messenger of Allaah, how can a person steal from his prayer?' He said, 'By not doing rukoo' and sujood properly.'" (Ahmad and al-Haakim--saheeh by Albaani).

And he (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: 'The one who does not do rukoo' properly, and pecks in sujood, is like a starving man who eats only one or two dates; it does not do him any good at all.'" (al-Tabaraani- hasan by al-Albaani).

Subhaan Allaah!

And where are we with our Salaah?

The Prophet (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to move at a measured pace during salaah, allowing every bone to return to its place with each movement. And he commanded those who were not doing their prayer properly to do the same.

Remember the hadeeth about the person who rushed through his prayer? The Prophet (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) told him three times: "Go back and pray, for you have not prayed." Then he told the man: "When you go to pray, say takbeer, then recite whatever you can of the Qur'aan. Then bow until you are at ease in bowing, then rise until you are standing up straight. Then prostrate until you are at ease in prostration, then sit up until you are at ease in sitting. Then do that throughout the entire prayer." (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

Obviously if we wait till the last few moments to pray, we will not be at ease or be able to pay attention to what the Prophet (SalAllaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam) has instructed to do. Obviously, we will end up 'stealing' from the prayer.

And you know what, we may just rush through the Salaah, 'getting it over with', as some of us like to say, but who knows how much of it was even accepted by Allaah? For the reward that one gets for Salaah is in proportion to the degree of khushoo he has in the prayer.

The Prophet (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said: "A slave may pray and have nothing recorded for it except a tenth of it, or a ninth, or an eighth, or a seventh, or a sixth, or a fifth, or a quarter, or a third, or a half." (Ahmad; Saheeh al-Jaami').
We, as Muslim must hasten to prayer and with khushoo', if we want to increase our Imaan and good deeds. This is one of the attributes of the believers whose hearts are attached to their prayers. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa sallam) would be attending to his family's needs, then when he would hear Bilaal give the adhaan, he would stop whatever he was doing and rush to pray.

He (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) used to say, "Let us relax with it [the prayer], O Bilaal."

He did not say, 'Let us get it over with.'

And he (SalAllaahu Alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Five prayers which Allaah has made obligatory. Whoever does wudoo' properly for them, prays them on time, does rukoo' properly and has perfect khushoo', it is a promise from Allaah that he will be forgiven, but whoever does not do this, has no such promise – if Allaah wishes, He will forgive him, and if He wishes, He will punish him." (Abu Dawood, Saheeh al-Jaami').

Those of us who are lazy and do not pray until the time is up for no valid reason...those of us who just want to 'get it over with', should remember what our deeds will say to us when we are in our grave: "for the believer's deeds will say to him in his grave: "By Allaah, I only saw you quick to obey Allaah and slow to disobey Him." But in the case of the munaafiq (hypocrite) and faasiq (evildoer), his deeds will say: "By Allaah, I only saw you slow to obey Allaah and quick to disobey Him." (Ahmad; saheeh by al-Albaani)

written by Asma bint Shameem
Taken from Al-hudainstitute.ca

Cancer Causing Food

Live Life Without Limits!

The top five cancer-causing foods are:

1. Hot dogs
Because they are high in nitrates, the Cancer Prevention Coalition advises that children eat no more than 12 hot dogs a month. If you can't live without hot dogs, buy those made without sodium nitrate.


2. Processed meats and bacon
Also high in the same sodium nitrates found in hot dogs, bacon, and other processed meats raise the risk of heart disease. The saturated fat in bacon also contributes to cancer.


3. Doughnuts
Doughnuts are cancer-causing double trouble. First, they are made with white flour, sugar, and hydrogenated oils, then fried at high temperatures. Doughnuts, says Adams , may be the worst food you can possibly eat to raise your risk of cancer.


4. French fries
Like doughnuts, French fries are made with hydrogenated oils and then fried at high temperatures. They also contain cancer- causing acryl amides which occur during the frying process. They should be called cancer fries, not French fries, said Adams .


5. Chips, crackers, and cookies
All are usually made with white flour and sugar. Even the ones whose labels claim to be free of trans-fats generally contain small amounts of trans-fats.

Valentine Day in Islam

Question: What is the ruling on Valentine's Day?.

Firstly:

Valentine's Day is a jaahili Roman festival, which continued to be celebrated until after the Romans became Christian. This festival became connected with the saint known as Valentine who was sentenced to death on 14 February 270 CE. The kuffaar still celebrate this festival, during which immorality and evil are practised widely.

Secondly:

It is not permissible for a Muslim to celebrate any of the festivals of the kuffaar, because festivals come under the heading of shar'i issues which are to be based on the sound texts.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: Festivals are part of sharee'ah, clear way and rituals of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way". [al-Maa'idah 5:48]

"For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow"

[al-Hajj 22:67]

-- such as the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. There is no difference between their participating in the festival and their participating in all other rituals. Joining in fully with the festival is joining in with kufr, and joining in with some of its minor issues is joining in with some of the branches of kufr. Indeed, festivals are one of the most unique features that distinguish various religions and among their most prominent symbols, so joining in with them is joining in with the most characteristic and prominent symbols of kufr. No doubt joining in with this may lead to complete kufr.

Partially joining in, at the very least, is disobedience and sin. This was indicated by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) when he said: "Every people has its festival and this is our festival." This is worse than joining them in wearing the zinaar (a garment that was worn only by ahl al-dhimmah) and other characteristics of theirs, for those characteristics are man-made and are not part of their religion, rather the purpose behind them is simply to distinguish between a Muslim and a kaafir. As for the festival and its rituals, this is part of the religion which is cursed along with its followers, so joining in with it is joining in with something that is a cause of incurring the wrath and punishment of Allaah. End quote from Iqtida' al-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (1/207).

He also said (may Allaah have mercy on him): It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in anything that is uniquely a part of their festivals, whether it be food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, refraining from a regular habit, doing acts of worship or anything else. It is not permissible to give a feast or to give gifts, or to sell anything that will help them to do that for that purpose, or to allow children and others to play games that are part of the festivals, or to wear one's adornments.

To conclude: the Mulsims should not do any of their rituals at the time of their festivals; rather the day of their festival should be like any other day for the Muslims. The Muslims should not do anything specific in imitation of them. End quote from Majmoo al-Fataawa (25/329).

Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: If the Christians have a festival, and the Jews have a festival, it is only for them, so no Muslim should join them in that, just as no Muslim should join them in their religion or their direction of prayer. End quote from Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, published in Majallat al-Hikmah (4/193)

The hadeeth to which Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah referred was narrated by al-Bukhaari (952) and Muslim (892) from 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: Abu Bakr came in and there were two young girls of the Ansaar with me who were singing about what had happened to the Ansaar on the day of Bu'aath. She said: And they were not (professional) singing girls. Abu Bakr said: "Musical instruments of the shaytaan in the house of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?!" and that was on the day of Eid. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "O Abu Bakr, every people has a festival and this is our festival."

Abu Dawood (1134) narrated that Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came to Madeenah, they had two days when they would play. He said: "What are these two days?" They said: "We used to play on these days during the Jaahiliyyah."

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah has given you instead of them two days that are better than them: the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr." This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

This indicates that festivals are among the characteristics by which nations are distinguished, and it is not permissible to celebrate the festivals of the ignorant and the mushrikeen (polytheists).


The scholars have issued fatwas stating that it is haraam to celebrate Valentine's Day.

1 –Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

In recent times the celebration of Valentine's Day has become widespread, especially among female students. It is a Christian festival where people dress completely in red, including clothes and shoes, and they exchange red flowers. We hope that you can explain the ruling on celebrating this festival, and what your advice is to Muslims with regard to such matters; may Allaah bless you and take care of you.

He replied:

Celebrating Valentine's Day is not permissible for a number of reasons.

1- It is an innovated festival for which there is no basis in Islam.

2- It promotes love and infatuation.

3- It calls for hearts to be preoccupied with foolish matters that are contrary to the way of the righteous salaf (may Allaah be pleased with them).

It is not permissible on this day to do any of the things that are characteristic of this festival, whether that has to do with food, drinks, clothing, exchanging gifts or anything else.

The Muslim should be proud of his religion and should not be a weak character who follows every Tom, Dick and Harry. I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims from all temptations, visible and invisible, and to protect us and guide us.

End quote from Majmoo' Fataawa al-Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen (16/199)

2 – The Standing Committee was asked:

Some people celebrate Valentine's Day on the fourteenth of February every year. They exchange gifts of red roses and wear red clothes and congratulate one another. Some bakeries make red coloured sweets and draw hearts on them, and some stores advertise products that are especially for this day. What is your opinion on the following:

1- Celebrating this day

2- Buying things from the stores on this day

3- Storekeepers who are not celebrating it selling things that may be given as gifts to people who are celebrating it?

They replied:

The clear evidence of the Qur'aan and Sunnah – and the consensus of the early generations of this ummah – indicates that there are only two festivals in Islam: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

Any other festivals that have to do with a person, a group, an event or anything else are innovated festivals, which it is not permissible for Muslims to observe, approve of or express joy on those occasions, or to help others to celebrate them in any way, because that is transgressing the sacred limits of Allaah, and whoever transgresses the sacred limits of Allaah has wronged himself. If the fabricated festival is also a festival of the kuffaar, then the sin is even greater, because this is imitating them and it is a kind of taking them as close friends, and Allaah has forbidden the believers to imitate them and take them as close friends in His Holy Book. And it is proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

Valentine's Day comes under this heading because it is an idolatrous Christian festival, so it is not permissible for a Muslim who believes in Allaah and the Last Day to observe it or approve of it or congratulate people on it. Rather he has to ignore it and avoid it, in obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, and so as to keep away from the causes that incur the wrath and punishment of Allaah. It is also haraam for the Muslim to help people to celebrate this or any other haraam festival by supplying any kind of food or drink, or buying or selling or manufacturing or giving or advertising etc., because all of that is cooperating in sin and transgression and is disobedience towards Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"Help you one another in Al‑Birr and At‑Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment". [al-Maa'idah 5:2]

The Muslim must adhere to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah in all his affairs, especially at times of fitnah when evil is widespread. He should be smart and avoid falling into the misguidance of those who have earned Allaah's anger and who have gone astray, and the evildoers who have no fear of Allaah and who do not have any pride in being Muslims. The Muslim must turn to Allaah and seek His guidance and remain steadfast in following it, for there is no Guide except Allaah and no one can make a person steadfast but Him. And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions. End quote.

3 – Shaykh Ibn Jibreen (may Allaah preserve him) was asked:

Among our young men and women it has become common to celebrate Valentine's Day, which is named after a saint who is venerated by the Christians, who celebrate it every year on February 14, when they exchange gifts and red roses, and they wear red clothes. What is the ruling on celebrating this day and exchanging gifts?

He replied:

Firstly: it is not permissible to celebrate these innovated festivals, because it is an innovation for which there is no basis in Islam. It comes under the heading of the hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), according to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected."

Secondly: it involves imitating the kuffaar and copying them by venerating that which they venerate and respecting their festivals and rituals, and imitating them in something that is part of their religion. In the hadeeth it says: "Whoever imitates a people is one of them."

Thirdly: it results in evils and haraam things such as wasting time, singing, music, extravagance, unveiling, wanton display, men mixing with women, women appearing before men other than their mahrams, and other haraam things, or things that are a means that leads to immorality. That cannot be excused by the claim that this is a kind of entertainment and fun. The one who is sincere towards himself should keep away from sin and the means that lead to it.

And he said:

Based on this, it is not permissible to sell these gifts and roses, if it is known that the purchaser celebrates these festivals or will give these things as gifts on those days, so that the seller will not be a partner of the one who does those innovations. And Allaah knows best. End quote.

And Allah knows best.

To Know Malaysia: Spiritual Masterpieces

Among the Orang Asli, the seafaring Mah Meri tribe has a reputation for producing beautiful woodcarvings. For the natives, these art works are a means of communing with the spirits in nature for their various needs. For example, a family member of a sick person may make a wood carving of the spirit he believes symbolises the illness and get the bomoh (shaman) to transfer the illness to the carving. The statue is then discarded at sea or jungle. Another design, called the Moyang Sauh, has a sea serpent-like appearance and is used to provide safety to fishermen. The bomoh prepares the sculpture and presents an offering of yellow glutinous rice and food to the guardian spirit to ensure a safe trip at sea.

Done

I am no more writing down stories about ME and HIM. After what happened the last time, I thought it's better for me not to continue on writing in HERE- so, I have also deleted all of the posts I had about me and him.

It's not right when people prevent you from writing your own thoughts. Anyway, I still have all of my writings with me- but let those scribbles be just FOR MY EYES ONLY.

From now on, this blog is a miscellaneous blog about everything and anything, and nothing in particular!

Jimmy Choo handbag for sale!

I am selling off my anniversary gift from my husband- horrible me huh? :( Well, it's a gorgeous Jimmy Choo handbag, but I hardly used it. First of all, I have a baby and I need a bag which can be used in the rain and in the sun. LOL This handbag is suede, so, I need to be careful with it and sometimes it's not too easy especially when you are with an infant!

Then, I also need a bag which has plenty of compartments for the milk, cookies, and diapers. Thus- for me, this Jimmy Choo bag is way too classy and way too expensive to carry such things.

I love this bag, but I have only used it a few times (while I was still pregnant), and since I had the baby, I have never touched this bag again. It's an expensive bag (I love good and branded handbags) because they last longer and look great too. However, currently, I am just using a huge tote bag from Etienne Aigner and I think, I might as well let this Jimmy Choo bag go. There's no use keeping it in the wardrobe and not used it for long. I am sure someone out there might love it and it sure will look great on them. I don't want to give it to anyone in my family because it will hurt me. LOL SO, I rather sell it off to people I don't know and I will not be able to see this bag again. You know what I mean? :)

This is the Jimmy Choo Alex Bag Chocolate Suede and my husband got me this from Jimmy Choo @ Takashimaya store in Singapore during his business trip. I am thinking of putting this bag on ebay (yes, my husband knows about it and he's OK with it). SO, what do you think? :)

If the bag sells, then, maybe it's never mine. if not, then, I will keep it longer in the wardrobe. LOL

To Know Malaysia: Elite jungle warriors

Senoi Paraaq, which means 'war people' in the native Semai language was a force comprising Orang Asli experts formed by the British under ROD. Noone in May 1956. With their stealth, skills and potent blowpipe expertise, the natives were a force to be reckoned with in the rainforests during World War 2. Japanese soldiers stayed clear of the jungles because they did not know how to deal with a virtually unseen enemy using projectile weapons that appeared from nowhere. After the war, the British turned to the Orang Asli for help to control the communist threat in the jungles. Using modified animal traps and lethal bamboo weapons, the Senoi Paraaq squadrons were a bane to the communists. They also trained British SAS elites in jungle survival and tracking skills. To this day, they are still called upon for search and rescue operations in the jungles.

To Know Malaysia: Native Taboos and superstitions

Like most cultures in Malaysia, the natives of Sabah abide by superstitions that have been passed down through the generations. Most have to do with obtaining good luck or avoiding bad luck. When it rains during sunny days, young children must slip a piece of lalang (grass) behind their ears to trick wandering devils playing in the rain. The blade of grass appears like a sharp sword to the devils, preventing them from coming near and causing illness or harm to the child.

Kasadu refers to one stumbling over a stone or piece of wood while on the road. To continue walking will bring danger and bad luck hence the person must turn back and start his or her journey again.

Pointing at rainbows is not allowed because the finger will become bent and stiff as a result of the offensive action. On an unrelated note, a rainbow low behind the hills is the omen of a tragic incident in the future.

If a broom accidently brishes against one's leg, you have to spit on the broom to clear off any bad luck that may habe been transfered. When picnicking by a river in the jungle, some food must be offered to the spirit guardians of the place before you can start eating otherwise you'll fall ill after that.

It is compulsory to take any food offered by the host of a home you're leaving. If the gift is rejected something bad will happen to you on your way home.

To Know Malaysia: Dream a little Dream

The Temiar, one of the 18 indigenous tribes in Peninsula Malaysia believe that dreams are a mythical experience during which the soul wanders through the forest searching for guidance. Children are trained by elders to master their dreams. Even their dances and songs are dream-inspired; movements, tunes and lyrics are taught through dreams rather than by route.

This unique practice was first highlighted by American adventurer anthropologist Kilton Stewart. Based on his experience with the Temiar, he developed the 'Senoi Dream Technique' aimed at personal development through conscious control of dream content. Batman fans may recall that un the movie Batman Forever, Dr Chase Meridian (Nicole Kidman) used a Malaysian dream merchant idol to try and help Bruce Wayne (Val Kilmer) curb his nightmares. That comes courtesy of the Temiars!

11 things he wants from you

Your backing when he takes a risk. Blokes need adventure. Having you in his corner gives him courage.

The right to keep secrets. Why should he tell you that his friend is having an affair, or his cousin lost his job and hasn't told his wife? If it doesn't affect the two of you, don't feel threatened. His discretion just shows he's being a grown up.

A guilt-free boys' night out. The cure for 'girlie man" syndrome is time with high-fiving- men. This may mean a trip to the bar or races, but it's definitely without you.

The green light to actually have sex, should the opportunity arise.

Some space when his team loses the big game. And you can save all your "maybe next year" optimism; just his him time alone to weep.

A heads-up when you just need him to listen. If all you really want to do is vent, a simple warning in advance and he promise he'll stay quiet and let you talk it out.

Patience if he says the wrong thing.

Big guffaws and tiny giggles. We like to hear laughter following our silly jokes.

Frequent (and enthusiastic) trips down south. Yes, we all request this, but that's because it really is that good. We're happy to return the favour.

A GPS for the car. You want this too. it will end those "where the &^%# are we?" arguments.

The freedom to be himself. It's important for people in a relationship to retain a sense of self, and we get it in odd ways. We need to do stuffs we've always done, even you might not like it.

20 things.. [part2]

The willingness to never, ever blame your behaviour on your period, unless you say "sorry, it must be my period". And even then, he should just smile and nod, smile and nod.

Gallantry. This does not make you a spoiled princess, so just enjoy it when he rescues you from boring dinner party chats, picks you up in his Toyota!

A call, not a text, that comes on time. Making you wait by the phone is power play. A text from your husband when he's on a business trip doesn't quite say "Goodnight, sweetheart" the way a phone call would.

Encouragement when you stand up to a person you've never had the guts to before. And a big hug if it doesn't work out the way you'd hoped.

Gifts he knows you'll adore, even if they're not 100% his style.

A more-to-love attitude if you gain 5lbs.

A chance, So you blew it: You made a mistake and so will he. Once you've grovelled sufficiently and let him vent a bit, he should be prepared to forgive you. Cue the make-up sex.

Amusement at your quirks.

Half of all the housework. That's right, all your cohabiters, half the laundry, and half- OK, maybe all- the bin-bag schlepping.

RESPECT.