Looking forward to a better year - 2006!

Good evening,

I was reading through this blog of wongahbeng and seriously you guys should read his post on "bloginson-syndrome". There is some truth in his writing, so Ah Beng (I think I like to call you with that name), thanks for the tips!

To ensure that I am not getting any virus from the syndrome, my brain has been telling me to keep to the objective of me writing a blog... to share with people as much as I can!

So my end of sharing for this week:

Life is like a mail, sometimes you just don't get it!

But

The world is like a mirror, if you face it smiling, it smiles right back!

So

Don't be afraid to open up your eyes so you can see tomorrow......

And remember that

The most wasted of all days, is one without laughter!

Have a good weekend to all!

Pantang Orang Melayu

I have received such a great news - a dear friend, Zare, is now pregnant! She has been waiting for so long...and I am so happy for her.... so as a caring friend, I have shared with her some tips of how to take care of her self during her maternity leave...

And since I have blogger friends who may benefit from it, so I thought... why not, share this with the world!! Here it goes...

(Pantang - A Malay word for maternity period of 0-60 days)

My Main Food intake during Pantang are:

1. Dinner & Lunch
------------------
a. White Rice
b. Baked fish (kembung, tenggiri or cencaru) with salt, tumeric, ketumbar and jintan..
(sorry, too lazy to find the English name for the two spices )
c. Lettuce with Tau-Foo - boiled with only water, salt, red onion, garlic & pepper
d. after the 30 days of giving birth, then I get steam skinless chicken with garlic & ginger

2. Breakfast & Tea
--------------------
a. whole meal bread - toast or just like that with milk, horlick or milo
b. Cream craker biscuit - high fibre low salt, plain only - dip in the above drinks (2a)
c. Boiled water of mixed tree and herb roots (Akar kayu laaaa)

No fruits for me, as both my mom & my mom in law thinks that it's bad for my nerves (Sejuk la makan buah, tak baik untuk urat)

You think that's bad...? Imagine this... Azhan (I love you still) will make sure my maid will monitor my eating during this confinement period..... and all my maids (before, and present) are Javanese from Indonesia.... who's waist are smaller than my eldest, Adilah....

So that's it... I have a bottle neck!! But I am proud to say that I can still fit in the clothes when Adilah was not even born yet (okay, okay, so I'm not a beauty queen, but at least I don't have to crack my head to get a new wardrobe after every delivery)...... so if you want to maintain your figure... Pantang is good for you!

To Zare, best wishes to you in 2006.

To all mum-to-be out there, stay calm & cool!

To all father-to-be... please behave and be nice to your expecting wife!

New year - 2006 around the corner!

It's been very long since I last wrote.. Guess what? I have found another long lost friend, actively blogging as well - Annamox. And for this, I have KuE and Leilanie to thank for.. I really loves this friendship chains!

Since new year is about to come, maybe it's just right to share some motivation words that I have received from a cousin of mine...

2006 Motivation Phrases
• Pursue achievable goals
• Keep a genuine smile
• Share with others
• Help your neighbours
• Maintain a youthful spirit
• Get along with the rich, the poor, the beautiful & the ugly
• Keep cool under pressure
• Lighten the atmosphere with humour
• Forgive the annoyance of others
• Have few pals
• Cooperate and reap greater rewards
• Treasure every moment with your loved ones

I do hope that everyone will find their happiness, success and what-ever they are looking for next year.

As I have not been able to keep in touch with some special people, I would like to say my words to them here (hopefully my blog will be view by some and spread the friendship chain)

They are:
1. Najmiah Khaiessa, my sis who stays in UK... I do hope that one day you'll decide to return to work in M'sia... our father really miss you!

2. Shirlina Shaari @ Angah, a dear friend when I was in MRSM... How are you? I really really miss you. Hope your 3 kids are okay (or is it 4 kids now?). Just to let you know that Usu @ Noriah is now married and she is expecting!

3. Farah Alwani Dusuki , a dear friend too ( known her since MRSM days, and went abroad together.. how are you doing? I have never met you since we returned to M'sia. I know you're happily married... got that info from an ex-AA friend of yours. Please keep in touch through our Ausmat net group!

4. Nor Azmira Abdullah, Mek Yah Said, Fauziah Shafie, Nik Roslin Suriati & Tik Shaiza - from MRSM days, where are you guys???

5. Norhishami Ibrahim (Shami) & Mohd Khuluki (Ki) Mustapha - from standard One in SRK Kamil (1), don't know why but lately I kept on thinking about the two of you. Ki, are you still with Telekom? Shami, heard that your mom passed away... so sorry to hear that.... Keep strong okay girl!

I am wishing that I could just go back in time before and meet everyone again. I know that is not possible and thus I am hoping that through blogspot, my wish will come true!

Merry X'mas and Happy New year to all!

Down The Memory Lane.......

Ever wonder why sometimes when you think of nothing, you start to walk down the memory lane?

Today... I have been thinking about long lost-touch family & friends....

1. I have this one sister, Mie, who stays abroad, don't know how she is doing. I hope she's fine..
2. Angah, a dear friend when I was in MRSM... I know she has 3 kids and happily live in Kota Kinabalu... I miss you!
3. Wanie, a dear friend too, know her since MRSM days, and went to Australia together.. how are you doing?
4. Ayah Man lives in Gombak.. he's here, so close yet so far... And I've lost touch with him.

I may write more on these people and my other loved ones... soon... I promise... real soon!

ps: Elin, it was good to meet you last Thursday... Stay cool and good luck for your masters!!

Confusion on Hari Raya

I love hari raya... one of my favourite time of the year. As for the muslim, we have two hari raya @ Eid per Islam Calendar -
a. Eid Fitr (where we are required to perform one month fasting before celebrating it)
b. Eid Adha (where we usually do Qurban i.e slaughtering of animal as gift to the poor or the
less fortunate).

Something interesting after 30 years of living with my family, I am still confused everytime hari raya is on... why???? Everyone has a title of their own and you must be able to address them accordingly. Take this scenario.........

1. My daughter, Adilah, is older than my auntie's daughter, Khalida (who happens to be my cousin!). My auntie is the youngest in my dad's siblings, thus I call her CIK (youngest auntie). But Adilah sadly has to call Khalida "Mak Long" (as in auntie) even though she is older, due to the rank in the family ties.

2. When I am upset with my little cousins who are bout my kids age, (Boys...... always hyperactive).. and my daughters happen to "join the crowd", I have to mentally remember to address them using two different terms refering to myself:
To Adilah - "Ibu (mom) is very upset with you. Please don't be naughty"
To my cousins - "Kak Imi (as in sister Imi) is very upset with you. Please don't be naughty"

How confuse can you get??? Especially when you have like 60 people under one roof at one time of raya ........... How did I derive to this number??
1. My father + Mother in law + 7 kids (3 is married, so plus 3 pax + 4 grand children ) = 16
2. My father in law has 6 siblings }
3. My mother in law has 5 siblings }(each of them has minimum of 5 kids)
4. My mom has 8 siblings }
5. My dad has 10 siblings }

Oh.. and don't forget, in Malay tradition, we have this order of birth that give you the title Along, Angah, Alang, Anjang, Uda, Ateh, Andak, Acik, Usu etc... I may miss out some.. can't remember the correct order.. so be ready to get confused if you're single and about to be married to a big family!!

I am very sure I'm not the only one on earth who face this... we all do.. and that is why Raya is always fun coz raya brings the meaning of having FAMILY with you!

Adelaide in memory....


I was going through my mailbox today, and a message from Malaky came into my mailbox. Malaky (a Lebanese) and Mirella (an Italian) are my best friends when I was studying in Adelaide, Australia.......................

So I thought I should share with you all about Adelaide....... the best part of Adelaide is that I "found" Azhan there.. so there you go, secret is out..!

Adelaide is very quite and peaceful. For those who love scenic places, then Adelaide is just right for you.

SITE TO VISIT

Err I would say Torrens River side walks, the convention centre, Adelaide Museum and the zoo.. of course the beaches - Hindley, Glenelg and this one island.. ohhh I just can't recall the name! Or be adventurous and try the Murray River cruise or visit Kangaroo Island.

In fact, these are the places where Azhan & I used to spend our times together.. discussing about our prospect of being together, planning for our future etc.. hahaha..... But I must say he influenced me a lot in making short & long term planning. Maybe that is why he is a very successful project manager now!! I should have known!!

FOOD

The most important place to visit - Barnacle Bill..... free flow fried prawns, squid, fish finger and scallops.. yummy (of course you have to forgive the deep fry oil.... hey, you can't have good food without some fat that tag along!). Azhan has special moment-of-truth with Barnacle Bill! Hmmmm... should I share it here?? Naahhh, x-rated what!!!!!

I had a wonderful time in Adelaide, and thanks to these friends whom I will always remember:

1. Ainnie + Rayu + Fahma (Fahma, you must have babies to complete the league)

2. Afid + Sally (Hey.. what's up with both of you, soooo quiet!)

3. Angela @ Angie (I don't know where she is now.... Angie, if you happen to browse through... Hi there, I miss you)

4. Azlifah + Asha (both with a baby each.. welcome to the mom's world)

5. The guys... Hisham, Digit, Aji @ Ezani, Fahmi and of course Azhan @ Atuk

Remember Ausmat8 remember Adelaide...................

Childhood Memories : Food Fiesta



Leilanie tag me on this.. and of course I got hooked up to the topic... Food and me is a permanent relationship!! I must say I am a very "all rounded person", when it comes to food... except Japanese food... sorry... but the taste of the raw fish, that green wasabi, I am still thinking of how can I best adapt to the taste.. I will definitely try!! Seriously will try... somehow I can hear Azhan's voice say..."YEAH RIGHT"...

Hmm... 5 food eehhhh?? When I was a little girl, these are my favourites:

My mom is the best when it comes to this Bubur Nasi Ikan Bilis (Rice noodle with fried anchovies). She just has the finest touch to make the bubur become the world class bubur.. in my opinion back then as a 6 years old! In fact still do...... my girls used to question me.. how come you bubur is not as nice as Tok Cek's?

(note : Tok Cek = Grandma)

Next is the lompat tikam.. (jump and stab... kah.. kah.. direct translation) very classic traditional dessert - made from rice flour & served with glutinous rice (usually red in colour), coconut milk. But guess what? When I was small, my grandma made us liquidised the rice with this huge heavy instrument, and then stir the rice water (greenly coloured using daun pandan) and cooked till it hardened....... phewwed! Now you can buy this in Kelantan for just RM0.50 a pack!

(note : daun pandan = very nice smell leaf used to add flavour and green colour by pounding the leaves)

I also like this talam ubi, grated tapiocca cooked with coconut milk and sugar. Yummmmy.. grandma likes to do that too.. as dessert during Iftar (buka puasa). I guess my childhood memories has a lot of my grandma in it..... she's the best cook! I guess she kindda become very good in cooking since she was married at the age of 14!! That's remind me of myself... married when I was barely 24 years old and my friends think I'm too young to start a family...... duhhhhhhhh......

Of course I also have the western taste lah...... the baked macaroni with chicken... another favourite dish that my mom used to make...... only that she can't really afford it way back in 1983... I was only 9 years old. I remember she has to literally sliced the chicken thinly to make enough pieces to go in her baking tray....or else we will say that "there is no chicken taste!", And now, when I think of it, I want to buy her a dozen chicken everyday!!

Lastly of course my favourite ketupat sotong (small octopus stuffed with glutinous rice and cooked in coconut milk and brown sugar). Another expensive dish that mom can barely afford to do. Now, at the Ramadhan Bazaar nearby my place, the stall owner are selling ketupat sotong at RM 1 each piece..... can you believe that? I was soooooooo tempted to ask mom to open a stall too and sell ketupat sotong at half the price!! Man........ they really make money!

Okay, I'm done.. manage to survive the writing without actually scream... I'M HUNGRY..!!

So, here's what you have to do, if you're tagged.

Remove the blog at #1 from the following list and bump every one up one place;

Add your blog's name in the #5;

Link to each of the other blogs for the desired-pollination effect:

1. Jadepearl

2. Janny

3. LavaMama

4. Leilanie

5. kimi_azhan

And try to do the "total recall"... it helps to remember back the old days... we're never that old anyway!!

A NEW BRANDING FOR A LONG EXISTING POST IN THE WORLD...


Mariam, my junior at work, sent me a very touching story of a mother who wants to obtain recognition in her career. As I also plan to be a housewife one day (when Azhan is rich that is....), I begin to wonder if I will ever face the same situation in the future...... Here's the story.......

A woman named Emily renewing her driver's license at the Transport office was asked by the clerk to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. "What I mean is," explained the clerk, "do you have a job, or are you just a ......? "Of course I have a job," snapped Emily. "I'm a Mum." We don't list 'Mum' as an occupation...... 'Housewife' covers it," said the clerk emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our local police station. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar". "What is your occupation?" she probed. What made me say it, I do not know... The words simply popped out. "I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations." The clerk paused, pen frozen in midair, and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly, emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire! "Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?" Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing programme of research, (what mother doesn't), in the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (the whole bloody family), and already have four credits, (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree.?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the girl's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. When I got home, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants-ages 10, 7, and 3. Upstairs, I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby), in the child-development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had triumphed over bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mum." Motherhood..... What a glorious career! Especially when there's a title on the door. Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" , and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"??? I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

What do you all think?? Amazing discovery to me.........

(Note: the drawing above was a testimony of the success of my first experimental model - this is Adilah's drawing on my laptop - her very first computer drawing using paintbrush)

Six Sigma in me......

This morning I've tried to do the photo hosting using the "hello" programme. Hmm..... not successful. Gave up after an hour attempt. Maybe the internet connection speed is not compatible. So I guess I have to revert to the old way of downloading some pictures on my blog.

By the way, that is me in the cover. The guy next to me... that is not Azhan, he is my special friend, Amin, who intoduced me to Six Sigma. The lady - Siew Ling a.k.a "the goddess of stats"... she is magical when it comes to statistics!! For those who've not heard of Six Sigma, it's a measure of your quality... the key is, you want to have productivity and quality hand-in-hand and reduce waste or improve cycle time........ you want to know more..?? I can give you more.. in my next write up!

Actually Azhan is good in this IT-web things.... but I just don't think he has the time to entertain my "so called" nonsense... actually many times he tried to persuade me into doing this kind of things by myself, be adventures etc, but I just don't feel like it. And now if I were to go to him.... you know what he'll say to me!

Welcome to myself!!

Hi,

I am new to this blogspot. Yes, I like to write, in fact I used to write a lot during my school days. But some what the uni life does not promote me to write anymore.. the usual excuse of bad time management.

For this new effort of trying to activate that part of me, I have to personally thanked a dear friend of mine, Leilanie for becoming my inspiration. I want to share my happines with the world, hopefully I can make others happy too.

And oh... I thank God for giving me my husband, Azhan, a person who I always (constantly) argue with, challenge his opinions, fight his ideas, and yet.......I love him for who he is, always have and always will.

Will write more in the future. Sign off for now... to the muslims around the world, have a good Ramadhan.