F.R.I.E.N.D.S

Assalammualaikum wbt,

Today, while I was busy working, my phone beep from a whatsapp from Intan saying "Meow, kita orang dekat Empire ni". I was like "Whaaaaaaaattt?! Why didn't you tell me earlier?! We can plan something out!". I was planning to stay back finishing my work as tomorrow will be public holiday. Ahh..screw it and I replied "Baru sampai ke? I'm going there now!"

Such an impromptu meet up. Luckily she texted me just in time my office hour is over. Shufiah and Intan are my best friends (that's include Wardah too) since my first days in UiTM Penang, way back in 2005!! Shufiah is working in Johor now while Intan is in Kelana Jaya. Shufiah is in town for public holiday and coming to Jaya Grocer to find some stuffs (which she didn't buy any actually..). I rarely seen these two and since they're here, I packed my bag (bye-bye boss!) and grabbed a taxi to Empire (yes, I'm a loser that doesn't have license). It's only 5 - 10 minutes drive..

I loveeee them so much, we were so close during our Uni days and they're the ones you can rely on when you're in trouble. I am an open book with them, I can tell everything and vice versa. Sometimes I do feel bad because I always felt like talking too much, not giving them the chance to talk. I just can't control it, because it's so comforting being around them. They never criticised the decisions you made and there's only a good and supportive remarks coming from them. Ahh..how I wish they were around me all the time. 

Intan is always a shy one and own an angel's heart. She always so gentle and caring. She never talk bad about people, ermm..okay, maybe a little which seriously a rarely occasions. She also like an IT geek and I always refer to her on how to download movies, what the heck torrent is and she's the one that introduce me to Anime, J-pop, K-pop and stuffs (on which I'm glad I didn't really fancy about). She always made the sweetest gestures ever; delivering cake during my birthday, giving me gift, baking cookies and some other stuffs she always gifting me. Sometimes I do feel like I don't deserve them at all because I didn't do the same, Boo!! She doesn't talk much but she is the most caring person I've known. Me? I missed wishing her Birthday, buy a gift and courier it or just buy her dinner...I made a worst friend to her..Hmmpph.

While Pia, she always a protective one. She may seems loud and rough/strong, but she has the softest heart and warm personalities. That explains why people are easy with her, lecturers, parents, old people and children are all love her. She leave quite an impact on people. I love talking to her because she's giving the wisest advise anyone could give. Talking to her is so comforting and assurance that your secrets are safe with her. I do not know what I'd be without them. She also a best gossip partner anyone could ask for lol! Hahaha. In any of our assignments, she'll be volunteering herself to become driver/rider. She is like a big sister to all of us. I am so proud to see what she has become now. *She is a Culinary lecturer now, wow!! Condolences to all her students....hahaha, joking! 

My another friend, Wardah is actually the closest to me during my Diploma days in Penang as we were roomates, tablemates, study mates...etc. She is my first friend on my first day in UiTM back then. But we went on separate path after Diploma because she's working while us continuing our Degree. She just recently got married and I am so happy for her that she finally found the one. In Penang, we were inseparable, doing everything and going everywhere together. Wardah is very soft-spoken person, kind hearted and umm..sensitive. Haha...sorry Wardah! Yeah..trust me, she's such a baby and always sulking when something is not right in her way..hahaha. She such a good listener and we always have the same thought/opinions about someone/something. She knows all about my crush (yucks..haha), love life and family. We call her Utub bear because she has a fair skin and obsessed on Winnie the Pooh. Yes, you read me right. She collects everything that has Winnie the Pooh on it even a tissue packet (-_-)

So, back to today, we just hang out at Tous Les Jour restaurant and talk, and talk and talk. We didn't realized the time passes, there were just so many things to share! Life, career, future plans..even kids. Well, my baby to be specific. It always good to sit and reminiscing memories right? Except the part that it's kind of reminding us how old we are now...yuckss. We ordered a Pizza for sharing. I forgot what's the name, but in the menu description, the ingredients were cheese, sliced beef and RED PEPPER. What came to us were cili padi instead!! CILI PADI for a topping, CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT?! Man.....the Pizza was so pedas!! Even my Nogori tongue can't handle the spiciness! I even asked for extra ice.... Come on Tous Les Jours, even if you're ran out of RED PEPPER, Jaya Grocer is only one level below..

Despite the spiciness, we had the best time like always. I've read somewhere that any friendships with more than 7 years, it will probably be a lastime. I honestly feel it is true, and I'm pretty sure we're heading to it :) Let's do more of this! Preferably, after working hours hehehe 

Last but not least...

Back then when we were young, naive and slimmer. Ohh..rindunyaaaaaaa. 

Date Night

Life has been so hectic lately. Too many works piling up...datelines to meet and preparation for new year. Not those yearly non-achieveable resolutions lol, but for works. Planning and strategies to achieve targets. These things totally eating me up, I need a massage so badly, or at least an escape but it seems impossible these days. But it's ok, a few hours dinner with my husband pretty much lifting me up again..and oh, ice creams. Ice creams do make wonders. Like they saying, we can't buy happiness but we can buy ice cream and they're pretty much the same. I live by that. 

Family Outings

Last week had been such a bless because we had, ummm specifically those who working in Selangor because we had 4 days straight of holiday, wohoo! Friday was Sultan of Selangor's birthday (May Allah swt bless him) while Monday was a Cuti Kejadian as Selangor winning an important football match or something (I'm sucks in football knowledge or maybe just plain ignorance).

We went to Empire Gallery to spend our weekend and to buy Hanif Aiden's food ingredients (that's the main purpose really). I love buying Hanif Aiden's food stuffs here as there were many organic/imported items available compared to other places like Cold Storage. I know Ben's Indipendent Store is nicer but it is too far from where I stay now..

Well, something happened during our visit to Empire Gallery this time..we lost our parking ticket!! Dah lah tiket tu dah endorsed for discounts for shopping at Jaya Grocer...grrr. I must've dropped it while I'm trying to put it into my handbag.. It was such a mess between pushing a full shopping trolley, a stroller with a cranky baby..hmm. We were fined for RM20. Such a tedious process as my husband need to go to the management office, filing a report yada yada. Totally a lesson for us to be more careful next time.

Oh by the way, I wore a crop top from a new brand "MAVE" which I bought from Parkson Subang Parade. I am liking all the brand's designs, if money isn't an issue for me, I definitely will buy them all. Tried to Google it but can't seem to find where the brand origin is. I don't know whether it is local or oversea's brand. I was hoping to find their website for hmm..you know, a possibility to shop online and too bad (or should I say thankful?) they're only available at Parkson. No boutique/website on its own even.

Hanif Aiden's Majlis Akikah & Doa Selamat

Assalammualaikum wbt,

Last month, on 24th October to be exact, my family and I organized for my son's and nephew Majlis Akikah. It has been a long planning ever since they were born but due to time contraints and ehem budget, we keep postponing it. We are all have agreed to just combine the event since my son and nephew were born in the same year, with 2 months gap aje. Well, of course the cost going to be cheaper since we can share them all and the price for sheep/goat will reduce to since we're going to take 2 each (for a boy, we have to slaughter 2 goats for thanksgiving).

    

At the end of the day, we chose my grandparent's place at Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan as it is spacious for a tent set up and could cater a lot of people at the same time. Oh man, I love planning event or ermm..rather spending money to plan event hahaha. I was in charged of goodie bag, desserts and photographer. Yup, we had a photographer on that day. Fret notttttt, I didn't hire a posh famous photographer cause I ain't Che Ta. I asked a favor from a friend and Alhamdulillah he agreed to it. My purpose is to reserve the memories and I am sure with baby to take care of and busy attending to guests, at the end of the day, there would be no photos :(

The event started from morning whereby a Marhaban men group sang Marhaban (songs complementing God) and reciting prayers of wishing the babies will grow to be a good man to parents and be pious to Islam. Then, the fathers of the child (read: my husband and brother-in-law) carried the children around the Marhaban team for their hair to be cut and to put some honey into their mouth. The purpose is for symbolic that the babies will grow to talk only good things. My son was so behaved on that day! Behaved to the level that he actually fell asleep throughout the ceremony! Hahaha. He had honey all over his mouth but still sleeping lol! 

We had 4 lambs to roast altogether and believe it, they were a bomb! Cepat sangat habis!! Nasib baik I took some pieces when my friend Intan came or else, I'll be crying kempunan. Haha. For food, my mother ordered kampung dishes from their friends, a Nogori delicacies. We had rendang ayam kampung with pucuk ubi, tempoyak ikan bilis, ikan keli goreng berlado, gulai nangka, ayam goreng berempah, ulam and it wouldn't be complete without sambal belacan. 

For that day, I asked my friend's favor (who is also a photographer on that day) to bake brownies for desserts. Tell ya, the brownies were such a hit! If you feel like hiring him for photographing or simply want to taste his delicious nutella brownies, you can contact him, Haziq aka Ajib at 018-2062903. Besides that, I also got Apam Balik stall, which was another hit of the day. Although the portion is 500 pieces to accommodate only 300 guests, they were finished! Sedap gila. I met this Pak Cik during my husband's friend wedding a while ago. You can contact him at 011-29499855. I think I want to hire him again during my sister's wedding soon. His Apam Balik is thin, crispy, sweet and just the right size for a you when you're not so hungry. I guarantee, one piece is nor enough!  While for the kids' and ehemm adults too, I also got soft Ice-cream machine, just for fun. I ordered only about 250 of cones and I am responsible for messy kids with creams all over their shirts that day hahaha. 

            

For goodie bags, we decided to just DIY instead of ordering the finished products to cut cost (kononnya lah). I bought a plain white paper bag and fill them up with bread, a candy sachet and a mini book. I ordered the bread from my friends, and they were delicious! You may want to contact her for bread orders, and apart from that, she also sells premix cake powder, bunga telur and bakery delicacies. Her contact is Artiqah, 019-2955572. Husband's friend, Firdaus also being so generous by giving us 50 tins contained chocolates as doorgift as well. 

                                

      

We had many guests that day, mostly relatives and friends. Alhamdulillah, all went well. Terima kasih di atas sumbangan dan hadiah. Yes, those two babies even get a gift that day! Blessed children they really are. Semoga semuanya murah rezeki & we shall meet at another event, InsyaAllah. 

Postpartum Depression

Assalammualaikum wbt,

                                  

This is a headline in our country recently. It is so heartbreaking to have read such news and touched me deep. Why? Because I also experienced a depression post-natal. Yes, it's no joke guys. I even uploaded a status on my Facebook and it's kind of shocking to have known there are actually many people experience this. 

My delivery experience is quite dramatic, well I guess everyone also does..seriously, there's nothing easy delivering a baby. That is why syurga itu di bawah tapak kaki ibu! Before giving birth, I thought that the motherhood would become a breeze and beautiful, with baby sleeping in my arms, breastfeeding him would be an easy task, pantang would become a spa session and so on. How beautiful right? Just like in the commercial. The word meroyan never crossed my mind, heck, I'd even made fun of it (how I have regretted!).

I did my confinement ritual at my parent's house, note, you should be at where the most comfort you would be and I am glad I did that choice. My parents in law are kind and we even staying with them, but for my confinement, I only wanted my own family to see the bad and ugly of me because I've been told that we will be emotionally unstable. To tell you frankly, when I was in hospital, I was still in shock and couldn't 100% accept what has just happened to me. I thought I would have a pleasant normal delivery, just like in the movie when the doctor says "push, then walllahhh...here's your baby and you may kiss him now". With the physical change and the pain (I was emergency caesarean) plus with a crazy contractions beforehands, all I wanted to do is just rest and I'll collect my baby at counter please. What is baby-bonding?! I am tired with the operation and I am not ready to change diapers yet, I can't even carry my baby for longer time. Too bad the hospital where I gave birth isn't husband friendly...yet, so, I gotta do this alone! 

Things got even worse when I got home. Breastfeeding is such a struggle. My baby had a bad bad bad colic. Thought I gave him enough milk but he is still hungry. Yes, I admit, lack of knowledge in breastfeeding before delivering costed me a lot. My baby also got jaundice, and a newborn should be fed every 2 hours but, there were nights when he slept through the night without feeding and I was just so tired to even wake him up. I feel very guilty when I think about it now and then. Due to caesarian, I couldn't move much and it really hurts me when I am trying to. Husband? Yes, he was there but barely because he was at his new job and tell you, that job was really taking its toll on him. He got very stressed and travel long distance a lot. We both tired and still do not exactly know how to handle this tiny little stranger we produced. There were days when he was away and all burden were on me (my whole family is working during the day). There were also days when I was left alone at house and tell you, that was the weakest point of me. You know, you were dirty and unable to pray, there were a lot of bad thoughts and bad dreams coming to ya. Some more, with the pressure from so-called-perfect-mothers on social medias and the breastfeeding groups, made me even pressured and felt like I was a useless mother. 

It was never a breeze moment. All I knew at that time were tiredness, lack of sleep, lack of appetite, failure as mother (because of the C-sect), useless (for not producing milk) and yada yada. I think, if there were no support from my family, only God knows what will happen to myself. I always had a very bad dream and ever since that, I moved my sleeping place to living hall and yes, I felt better. During senja, I would recite Selawat and Zikir, Alhamdulillah, it soothed me.There were days when I suddenly cried, vomiting and even refused to hold my crying baby. MasyaAllah, I really didn't knew what came to my mind then. I even yelled at my crying baby when we were two alone at home because I was really clueless what he wanted! So bad of me huh? It sounded like I am really a bad mother but I believe, with this confession, I want to let all mothers know, whoever had this kind of experience, you are not alone. 

To add, with my baby's jaudice, I also had to stay in the hospital. Man, he was so clingy and doesn't want to be put down. How can he heal when he's always wanted to be in my arms rather than under the light? After discharged, his Birubilin read didn't drop, and again, few more trips to hospital and Klinik Kesihatan. Been here and there during confinement, with lack of sleep and no milk, without my husband too, sure did made me depressed even more. 

My confinement lady played a big role during my confinement. Everyday, I look forward for her to come so I can at least talked to her. She was really helpful and could be the really one to cheer you up again. Although it is quite expensive, but I think it's worth. She pampered me and being my friend throughout my confinement. Her massage sure made me relax but when she got home, left me and my baby alone, again, I started to feel lonely and lost. 

So, I really think it is important for new mothers especially to have company at all times. And support. If you ever come to visit ladies in their confinement, please watch your words and understand their feelings. They are the most sensitive and fragile at that point of time. I don't understand why some people who came to visit like to compare their own experience and condemn the new mothers on what she does, what she doesn't know, how she handles the baby and stuffs? Please, give space and support. Orang tu dah lah baru bertarung nyawa, korang sedap-sedap je nak komen macam-macam alangkan awak tu perfect parents sangat duhh. I even got remark that I ended up getting a c-sect because I've sinned towards my husband!! Oh my, what was on your freaking twisted mind? 

It is funny to think sometime that these type of people has so many spree times to mind other people's businesses. They maybe feel superior to condemn the mother newbies at any opportunities. And I am not ashamed to admit, I fell to be the victim. Please, untuk semua bakal ibu out there, prepare youself, brace yourself and pekakkan telinga if anyone trying to tell you this and that. You are the mother and your kids are your right! Hope my story here will make you better and remember that you are not alone. It could happen to anyone. 

Cucur Bawang

Assalammualaikum wbt,

Sometimes, a simple breakfast like this is what I need. To have a thought how simple and blessed my life is just by sipping coffee while munching this cucur bawang. Lazy and relaxing Sunday that is. Well, nothing deep thoughts to write, it just that my cucur bawang turn out crispy and soft today, so thought it deserve an entry hahaha. Weekend has coming to an end, hope you had a productive one to bring positive energy for Monday! 👊🏽

                           

Colouring Book For Adults

Assalammualaikum wbt

When we say colouring books, we always relate it to kids right? Selama ni, watching kids colouring, I know, deep inside, we feel like joining them too. Don't worry, admit it, I don't judge because I feel the same way too! Kadang-kadang sakit hati jugak tengok diorang ni color suka hati aje..mm..more like conteng-conteng rather than coloring. 

Fret notttttt! Now we can color too and looking like a professional artist (ehemm) with adults colouring books! Yesssss...now you hear me right. We have adults coloring book, yay! I first discovered this at MPH because they are promoting this new trend/hobby now. I took a look of the books and as usual, being me..I ended up buying one. The next days, I came again and buying some more together with some coloring tools..

I loveeeee this thing. Well, I always love arts heck, I even took Pendidikan Seni when I was in high school for my SPM. And I am actually blessed to be able to draw, but not like those professional artists of course. Just a simple drawing - women, men, anime..more like sketch really. I haven't draw that often now, of course because of the time constraint so when I saw the coloring books at MPH, I was like "Whoaaaa...this is it mannn. I want to do this again!"

I could be lost for hours doing this but I unable too, so I steal a little time here and there when my baby is sleeping. I use mix of coloring tools like color pencil, marker pens, sharpies and Stabilo pens. Yes, I spent quite a penny especially on the Stabilo mini pens set. 

In my collection, so far I have Johanna Basford's Secret Garden artist's edition. It is quite limited and I have to be for waiting list for this. Luckily, one of the waiting list people canceled her/his order, so it's mine Wohooo! It is the same like the normal Secret Garden coloring book, only it has fewer illustrations and the paper is thicker. So, even you used marker pens, the color will not went through the paper. Another good thing is, you can tear the page out and frame them. I'm planning to do that for my new house soon (3 years more to be exact). Other than that, I also have a flower motives book, and a small flower handbook for travel-friendly. These are some of my 'art' work. If you check #johannabasford and #colouringbookforadult hashtags on Instagram, you'll be blown away by many of the arts! Those people are so talented! Wow..just wow. Mine biasa-biasa aja :p

                    

                    

                    

     

For the time being, I am waiting to get my hands on Johanna Basford's Enchanted Forest too. Yeap, they were sold out at MPH! I am now on their waiting list, and so anxious to receive a call from MPH. I heard that Johanna's latest coloring book, Lost Ocean will be in store next week (or it is actually been released?) *updates: I got it already! With umm..some other stuffs too :p 

I hope I can continuously doing this, or at least to color every pages until finish. And I hope my baby will not discover this and chew my coloring stuffs! 

                        

                   

Good deeds sure are good

Assalammualaikum wbt,

Ececeh...tajuk macam poyo aje kan? Hahaha. To tell ya frankly, I'm quite a shy person, and it takes a lot of guts for me to make first move or what not. I mean like to approach people, to strike a conversation, finding good topics, to continue the conversation so it doesn't feel so awkward..

I've been following Syed Azmi through Facebook for months now and always leave me inspired seeing how kind and creative he is in doing charity and spread the kindness. What he always does is a simple gesture but it could affect people and leave them happy. Seriously, this world need more kind people like him and I also learning from him especially on the part of approaching stranger and give something to the them, giving back to the community. Go follow him and be inspired! Wow..what a great Pahala this guy gets..MasyaAllah.

                                  

So....I start small, like last few weeks, I bought few extra kuih for breakfast and took a cab for work. Inside the cab, well, I started my conversation with the driver:

Me: Good morning uncle, sudah breakfast ke?

Driver: Good morning, belum breakfast lagi. I pagi-pagi sudah keluar untuk ambil customer.

Me: Uncle mau kuih tak? Saya ada beli extra (while giving the kuih to him)

Driver: ohhh..thank you thank you!

                                 

    

Tell ya...he is so excited and his look is so unexpected! And it leaves me feeling totally totally good throughout the day! It got me thinking, if the small deed leave such an impact to someone's daily life (well, at least to me), imagine if we are able to give even more? Wow. It's only one piece of Karipap mannnn! and I'm feeling so great!! Patutlah orang yang selalu bersedekah hidupnya sangat senang dan rezeki sangat murah. How Allah swt is truly generous, if you give something, you'll get an even better return. Yes, I did buy and read the famous book, Mudahnya Menjemput Rezeki and it's totally recommended book to read. Like seriously. It teaches us how simple to do sedekah and how every penny that we get is actually belong to other person's too. And trust. Trust that everything is rezeki not just money. Health, family, peace all are rezeki. Always count your blessings. 

Like yesterday, after work, I went to Mothercare at Subang Parade to do some baby's shopping. In front of me was one uncle queuing to pay and inquiring about the toys' function and such. He asked me to pay first but I refused as I still have something to look for (there's always something to look for at Mothercare). Then, when I queue back the cashier was entering the amount at the register of RM250+ and she asked that uncle whether he has a Mothercare membership or not.

Cashier: Ada membership tak?

Uncle: Ohh, tak ada (while taking out cash from his wallet)

Me: Umm...boleh terima ke kalau third party punya membership? (Like out of sudden)

Cashier: Boleh.

Uncle: Awak guna la membership awak, dapat hadiah ke, kumpul points ke (without having a slightest idea it's for great discount)

Me: Ok..my telephone number is.. (As to verify I am a member, they don't have membercard by the way)

Cashier: Okey got it. Altogether is RM180+ (Uncle didn't hear it). And here is a recyclable free bag for purchasing these toys.

Uncle: (handed RM250 to cashier)

Cashier: (while return remaining balance) It's only RM180 aja.

Uncle: Ohh yeke? Terima kasih nak, terima kasih banyak-banyak!! (He seemed so surprised and happy of course)

Me: Sama-sama.

Uncle: Nah ambillah, takde apa saya nak bagi (while passes me the free bag from ELC).

Me: Eh, takpe. Terima kasih, Selamat Hari Raya (because it's second day of Aidiladha)

Uncle: Terima kasih banyak-banyak sekali lagi ye nak. 

I was feeling soooo great that day. Doing deeds sure making you so happy and giving hope that this world still a better place to live in and still have good people (I'm not saying myself as example but there are plenty of others, taking example Mr Syed Azmi I mentioned earlier). Well pakcik, if you say you've got nothing to give me, you could actually just give umm..the balance difference from the original price! Hahahaha. Jokingggggg. 

                            

    

So people, what kindness have you done today? It's okay to start small, sikit-sikit lama-lama jadi bukit. I was thinking to buy some kuih for my office's pakcik guard today...and some for me too.