Ice Cream Delicious

ICE CREAM. Yummy. Generally everyone loves ice cream. There are not many people I know who don't like ice cream but there are some who don't. And they do not know what they are missing.

Just look at the lovely luscious colours of ice cream. Doesn't that look just so enticing! My kids love the colours especially Nadiah. She is a abit more adventurous and would go for flavours like baby blue and bubble gum and rainbow.

Ice cream cones with sprinkles is another temptation for the kids too. It must be the cuteness of it all!

What is it about ice cream that makes your heart skip a beat and your taste buds shudder in excitement and aniticipation. I myself love ice cream. Of course these days I have to really control my cravings due to obvious reasons but if I could, I would eat just that and that everyday. My kids are the same. They could just eat ice cream and be happy!

This is a classic that one just cannot resist! A traditional ice cream chocolate sundae. Would never fail to comfort you anytime. When depressed, don't sulk and wallow in self pity. Go get some ice cream. I bet you will feel much better. Which is why I always have ice cream in the house no matter how small it is. Even a mini cornetto can save the day! *wink*

Nadiah has been experiencing some stomach pains lately and the doctor has asked to eliminate some food items for us to determine what is the cause. First off the list are dairy products. OUCH! She can do without cheese and milk for a week but ice cream....hmmmm...quite a challenge.

This is another classic meal that may people like. Waffles and ice cream. I personally prefer ice cream with just maple syrup but ice cream on top is a treat for many.

Ahhhh ... the star of all ice cream sundaes. The sundae that inspired this blog for me. Delicious' chocolicious sundae which my friends and I so fondly call Sundaelicious. A treat for anytime! Trust me ...

Of course if you were to ask me my favourite flavour is chocolate. Belgian chocolate from Haagan Daaz. Baskin Robbins' chocolate mousse is not so bad either. I now keep a tub of belgian chocolate in the fridge most of the time. And yes, it costs me RM30 for a small pint. But it is so worth it! Just dip in your spoon and taste it. Smooth and creamy and oh so satisfying.

Najihah and Nadiah enjoying an ice cream cone. They enjoy any form of ice cream for that matter. Even the Nestle vendor's ice cream can make them smile.

The soft swirl is another classic. The best would be Ikea's and McDonald's for me. In London, the ice cream vendors at the side of the road always catch my eye. Stick a chocolate flake in ... oooo....yummy! I remember when I used to spend my holidays in London, that would be the highlight of the day for me. It would probably still be!

Go ahead. Make your day. Have an ice cream ...

Khalif -- Latest

Khalif, my nephew, is 44 days old today. We celebrated his mom's coming out of confinement with pulut kuning and a visit to his apartment. He was such a good boy sitting quietly and demurely in his little seat.


Where else his older cousin Ali was all over the place including experimenting the little playgym his parents bought for Khalif. Ali officiated it for Khalif I guess ...

Khalif is sporting this really cool hair cut, got spikes and all

The girls as you can see don't look so excited about seeing Khalif maybe cause he is so small still. Ali on the other hand, gave the little boy a small pat and prod and a kiss even. Bet they will be the bestest of friends.

Or at least that is what I pray for

CNY at Home

My Chinese New Year holiday break is going pretty well. We drove up to Bukit Mertajam on Sunday and the drive was smooth. Only the rain slowed us down a bit but thank god there was no traffic as anticipated.

We came back the next day which is 2 days earlier than planned and the drive back was also as smooth. Am glad we came back earlier than expected because now I get to enjoy being at home and not driving around town. I managed to do some spring cleaning today. Tomorrow will continue some more.

What else do I have planned for the break? I have a few meetings to attend this week but other than that, it is just chill. Oh ya ... I have a proposal to do. Aw shucks! That just dampened the whole week didn't it!

Even my brain doesn't seem to be in work mode or writing mode. Emmmm ....

But I did notice how this year's CNY is rather quiet compared to the previous years. It is not as joyous or meriah as the Malay's would say. Is it just me or do you notice it too? Could it be due to the Gaza war or the way the economy is going. There also seems to be less fireworks this year.

It seems up north there are many workers being laid off in the factories. Not a good sign at all for Malaysia is it. So much so that these people are out of work, they have set up stalls at the daily pasar malams in various locations. The line of stalls in the pasar malam have doubled and for people who frequent these night markets who know the regulars immediately notice the new faces. When asked they all say yes, they have been laid off from the factories.

Definitely not a good sign at all. The leaders say we won't feel the pinch as bad. Maybe not those who are cash rich but those who are employed in the factories who supply to bigger superpowers would be the first to feel the pinch. With the unemployed rising and times getting hard on the pocket there is bound to be an increase in crime. Bad signs all of these ....

Happy Year of The OX

A Happy Chinese New Year to all of you and hope the year of the Ox brings you good tidings and cheer. I will be off to Bukit Mertajam soon and will enjoy the traffic jam, the lion dances and mandarin oranges there.

Initially we were supposed to celebrate CNY here and enjoy the peace and quiet of KL but Bob has some stuff to attend to so we are going back.

Will see you soon ....

Take care...

What are Friends Really For

Today, no actaully yesterday and today, I am a little upset, no saddened is a little better, with a very good friend of mine. I consider this person one of my closest. Close enough that I know I don't have to be in touch all the time to know this person is there for me, with no conditions.

Until the school year started. I have told you about what a crazy schedule I have this year with school. On top of that I have to work, do daily chores for the house like cooking and maintenance. Whatever time I have to myself I maximise. In fact this notebook of mine has become a good companion where I keep in touch with friends and colleagues and clients too.

This friend of mine has been wanting to see me but I just can't seem to meet our schedules. And Bob has been unwell this week too so that is extra something to attend to. It is not that I don't want to meet up and have a chat but I have limited time to squeeze it in.

It makes me sad that this friend which is supposed to me so well sees the situation as otherwise. I have been accused of not making time to meet up but instead willingly seeing my other girlfriends. Which is so unfair cause the only time I have seen them was during the New Year Eve and during the SISTA sale at my house last weekend. Facebook has even been blamed for changing me.

I try to tell myself my friend is that way, emotional and overreacts but still it hits a nerve. As if I like running around doing errands for the house and for myself. As if I like not being able to have lunch with my friends cause I have to send the kids to school and KAFA.

To top it off, another friend of mine and I are working on a project together which has been on hold for sometime now. Even that is being made into an issue. I don't know what else to tell this friend other than stop overreacting! One more things, just because I don't post comments on this friend's blog is being made into an issue.

That's why my status on FB today is: "OH WELL.....!!!!" Because seriously, Oh well ..... if that is what friends are for so be it. I think I should not elaborate or explain anymore than I already have. If friends don't understand friends, what more should I say!

Be There!

The King Khan, as his latest flick - ‘Billu Barber’ is expected to hit the theaters in the first quarter of 2009. A remake of the Malayalam film ‘Kadha Parayumbol’, this comic movie has been produced by SRK’s Red Chillies Entertainment.

In the movie, Irrfan Khan plays the title role of Billu Barber (present-day Sudama); Shahrukh will be seen as Sahil Khan (present-day Krishna). The movie revolves around the life of Billu Barber, his wife (Lara Dutta) and their two kids.

Billu is a village barber experiencing a slow down in his business, primarily because he fails to adapt to the changing fashion trends. It is during this time that a film unit comes to his village, with superstar Sahil Khan as the hero. Billu tells everyone in the village that Sahil is his old friend. Instantly, the villagers take a keen liking to Billu.

It stars Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani as its main characters. The news is abuzz that Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone will also be seen in the movie, in guest appearances

My Wish for Today

I have been rather busy these past few days and have not had the time to write a post. I must keep up to my good friend Ebi's words that I remain active on this blog. No matter how short the post. He said you must just keep on writing so that is what I will do.

I have the bug. Know what bug? The bug to travel. I wish I had all the money in the world. There are so many places that I still have not seen and I wish I could. But flying here and there requires money and so does hopping from hotel to another.

That is my wish for today. That I have all the money in the world to do just that. I think over the year I have asked Bob for us to go everywhere. From London to Paris, to driving around France and Europe and even Egypt. Of course Australia is a destination that I have not forgotten and would love to see more of.

We were so excited when we returned from our road trip in Thailand. Even then there is the other side of Thailand which we still have not explored.

When our friends Nita and Safa came over for a visit (they live in Perth), we talked about travelling by road around Australia. We have identified the month of March to drive from Perth right up to Darwin. This we will have to do in a month as the kids can't skip so much of school, can they. Can't they?

If we really wanted to do the whole of Australia it would take a good 4 to 6 months. The luxury of time is another thing I should wish for isn't it!

Oh all the places we have yet to see. So much so I don't like watching the travel channel as much as I used to anymore. I don't know when I can ever visit those places for real. Then there is also Africa. I was viewing my friend's pictures from South Africa the other day. She was in Johannesburg. So exciting it all looked.

Imagine visiting all the waterfalls in Africa such as the Victoria Falls: One of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World, the Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular world heritage sites on Earth.Discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, the Vic Falls is the largest curtain of falling water in the world and one of Africa's top tourist attractions. It is located where the Zambezi River drops into the Batoka Gorge between Zimbabwe and Zambia and is two kilometers (about one mile) wide, dropping some 108 meters (335 feet).

A visit there would be so awesome. I visited the Niagara Falls with my folks many moons ago but that doesn't really count I guess because I was 5 or 6 or something like that. Thank God I remember it though but I know to see it now woukd be different all together.

I have been to Paris but that is one place I would love to see again because I feel I didn't enjoy in to the fullest and I know it would be really romantic to do it with Bob. It is true what they say about Paris, there is something about that place that gets your heartstrings. Of course there is also Rome and Venice and the entire Italy to see.

So you see my friends, we have to find that money tree fast. Of course we all want big sprawling houses, nice branded handbags in every design and colour, expensive gem stones to adorn us, fast cars to drive etc. But there is nothing like travelling and exploring the unknown to open up your horizons.

Then when you come home you appreciate what you have. Either that or decide to move to another country which you fell in love with.

Whatever it is, this is my wish for today. To be able to travel all around the world. I hope the Genie in the lamp is listening ...

The Remainder of the Road Trip

When Bob came back from the last week of the trip, he didn't story me much about it! Except that the view was really nice from way up there near the border.

I did however find some pictures! This is him with a native tribe woman. I think he said Tha Ton or was it Mae Salong. Anyways, they don't speak much Thai. Mostly their own dialects.

Guess what this is? YUP! Opium. The Thai Government is trying to get the people to go on a major replanting scheme but you can still find opium fields up north.

Can't remember where this is ... I think he said Cheang Dao which is really nice and cool at nights. The road up there was pretty impressive too it seems. The thing about a driving holiday is that you get to see things you would not see if you fly there!

A New Member of the Family

My little cousin Alia just gave birth to a healthy baby girl. The baby's name is Zadie. Isn't she sweet? Well, guess my cousin is not so little anymore huh! :)



Alia is living in Los Angeles with her husband Alex. She moved there after they got married in ...oh dear ... I forgot what year! Anyways, Alia studied in the UK and later did her masters in US. This is where she met Alex. They had a beautiful traditional wedding here in KL. All us cousin's were pretty busy with the wedding. After getting hitched, they moved to LA.

It has been quite awhile since I saw Alia. We keep in touch through Facebook (but of course). Hope to see her soon!

Congratulations Alia and Alex. Welcome Zadie to our family.

Ali's New Hairdo

I finally did it ... I took Ali to the barber yesterday. At 18 months he finally got his hair cut. It was something I should have done a long time ago but I liked him in his long hair. I will leave it to you to compare ...

This is how he looked like with all his soft baby hair ....

After a crying session at the barber for about 20 minutes and RM5 later, I came back with Ali looking like this ...

He cried from the minute he laid eyes on the barber, all through out the hair cut and only smiled when we finally left the premises

He cried looking at all the hair that was falling all over him. He cried when the barber touched his head. He cried when the barber combed his hair. He cried when the scissors was near him. He cried even when the barber gave him a sweet to pacify him. And the sweet didn't work!

But now I think he is happy. Am sure his head is lighter and he doesn't scratch his head so much now as he sweats a lot ...

Wonder when or what the next trip to the barber will be like!

Phrapat Beach in South Thailand

I found some pictures I forgot to share with you from the road trip. On our way from Chumphon to SuphanBuri, we took a turn off the main route to get a closer look at the beach and the sea. What we found was gorgeous indeed only because it was deserted.

This is Phrapat Beach. Sandy white beaches. Crystal clear waters. And no one at all to enjoy it! What a pity ...

Last night some friends of ours from Australia came for dinner and they shared with us stories of their travel to Christmas Island. They were telling us about how clear the water was that they can see the fish from the top without having to snorkel even!

The waters on this beach was just like that. So clean and virgin!

The sand was nice and smooth and Ali had a fine time playing with it

This is the beach. Untouched and pristine

The only other people we found on the beach was a family from Singapore who were driving all the way to Ayuthaya and Siem Reap. Very nice couple who seemed just as excited that we found the beach which they could claim as theirs! It is a perfect camping site ...

A Day out with Nenek

My mom now is holding a post in Penang so she is there most of the week and comes back only once in awhile. She complains all the time about missing the kids, especially Ali. We went out for dinner just after we returned from our road trip.

Location: BSC

This is Ali who managed to sit down and eat his macaroni and cheese and french fries long enough for the maid and me, and my mom to eat some of our food too.

Nadiah looks bored doesn't she? Why? Cause she could only think of the toy shop!

Ali knows what he can't have and that is what he wants. In this case, it is my lemonade. We finally had to hide it away by putting it off the table completely!

When Ali was finally bored out of his mind and couldn't sit down anymore his nenek took him for a walkabout ...

And he kept on wanting to attack the Christmas Tree...

See what an "ulat" he is being. He kept on going for the tree with all those little balls hanging on the leafs and branches

He started rolling the balls everywhere in the lobby ...

So much so that the security guard gave him a ball to take home ....

And only then was he happy ...

First Week of School and Going Strong

It has been four days since school started and I fall asleep way before 10pm except for last night when I decided to watch some TV. This morning I am quite regretting it cause I am really sleepy now.

How has the first week of school been treating you? My BFF told me yesterday we can't do lunch this month at all cause she is busy being the SUPER WORKING MOM. Yup! We all know how that feels!

On top of running around getting them ready and on time for school, for KAFA, for tuition and mengaji classes, I have to deal with tantrums too. I can well understand they are just as tired from the shock of going back to school as well as the rigid timetable but what to do ...

Najihah has to be asleep by 9 and no later than 9.30pm if I have my way so she can get enough rest for her early start which is at 6am. I give Nadiah a little more time to sleep but she has to be up by 7am to be at KAFA classes at 7.45am. Nadiah is in the afternoon session and school starts at 12.50pm which is also when Najihah gets out. Then its rush home and let her rest and have lunch before going for KAFA at 2.30pm. The girls have tuition at night twice a week. Mengaji is also at night twice a week. Piano classes are on Saturday.

And now some of my friends want to propose swimming classes. I like the idea very much but the thought of putting another activity on their already tight schedule. Oh well ... I think even their father is not as busy. "LOL"

Tonight after school we are going up to Bukit Mertajam as my in-laws are returning from the Hajj. Know what that means right? Yup! The girls get to skip school for a day.

First Day of School

Today is eventful for many of us, what more for parents who have kids going into Std One today. Even more so for parents who have been enjoying the school holidays to the max. Me included! After one and a half months of blissful rest, the chaos has begun again!

My eldest Najihah is in Std 3 this year in the morning session while Nadiah is in Std 2 in the afternon session. YUP! Looks like I am without a doubt a full time bus driver. The morning started early for me at 6am getting her up and ready for school. Thank god Najihah is a morning person so there was not much problem getting her out of bed.

We arrived in school on time and unlike the first day of school in Std 1, I didn't cry when sending her off at the gate. In fact, I was relieved. Yes! A few hours of rest without her at home. Hahahaha...makes me sound like a bad mother but honestly, you who have kids would understand completely. It is just too bad that Nadiah is in a different session. Because when the two were in the same session last year, it was really dead quiet at home. Ali and had a fine time together .. in some hours of peace.

This year also I would have to send them for KAFA classes in different sessions. One in the morning and one in the evening. Between all this juggling of time tables, where do I fit in my quick lunch or tea with my friends?!? I say man ... Let us see how we settle in during this first week and then I can judge my schedule. But I know for a fact that I will have less time for ME. Oh well ...

I also have to ask their tuition teacher to come in at night now. I initially wanted to give thm seperate classes in the morning and evening but the cost would be double for us. In this bad economic times, so bad that the Government can't replace the aging Nuri with Eurocopter's EC 725 now, we really have to be careful with our spending. I myself have splurged enough for 2008 and this year I really, really, really have to watch my spending. I am trying my best to "fast" from all unnecessary spending. God help me!

I have to be quick about writing this post because I have to pick Nadiah up from school. Although she finishes at 6.30pm, I have to leave the house a little early to beat the jam as well as get a parking space. Picking Najihah up just now was quite a hassle. I sent Nadiah then had to look for a place to park the car. That was not easy but maybe it will be easier tomorrow as the Std 1 parents will not be hanging out outside the school gates.

All in all ... it is nice to have them back in school. At least I don't have to worry with how will I entertain them today!

Hope the rest of you are having a good first day back at school. Aren't you so looking forward to that one week break in March. AHAKS!!

January 4 2009

My little Ali is 18 months today. One and half years old already. Time flies by very fast doesn't it.

He has not started talking yet except for a few words like Mama, Ayah, shoes but it comes out like "ssshhzzz". He says nak very well and knows to shake his head no when he doesn't want any or to do it. He knows wash hands and he says "wesh". Recently he started calling his sisters "Ada" (Nadiah) and sometimes "Aja" (Najihah). He says "bek" for everything else and frantically points his finger to whichever direction.

I can see that he gets a little frustrated because people cannot understand his frantic or desperate cries for whatever it is he wants. I am hoping that this frustration will speed things up a little! But I can tell that he understands when we talk to him. Today he proudly gave his father sometime when I asked him too.

And what is it about children who mimick adults when using the handphones. Ali is no different and does it very well. Right down to walking around and talking and sometimes the hands would come up in animation.

Today is also the day my uncle passed away to cancer. Exactly 2 years ago on this day. He had been battling cancer for a a little less than 4 years and finally succumbed to liver cancer. He leaves behind his wife and 2 beautiful kids. My cousins, one is Lily, is doing well in college here in KL while the eldest Aqil, is trying to find his feet. He started working but we are seriously hoping he would go back to his studies.

My uncle is the youngest brother of my mom. He was an architect and had a hand in designing our Ara Damansara house. Of course there were many little arguments Bob and my uncle had during the construction of the house but all in all, it brought them closer and they became good friends.

My uncle used to come over for tea a lot during the planning and construction stage and his favourite dish for tea would be cucur with fried sambal ikan bilis. Can't help but think of him when we have this dish. He would sometimes ask for ikan kering with it too! We miss him dearly.

Al Fatihah.

Kelana Jaya Medical Centre

The end of the year has been and the beginning of 1430H and 2009 has not been so good for my nephew. His name is Hussein and is my husband's eldest nephew. His parents live in Bukit Mertajam.

Hussein is waiting for his SPM results and decided to spend the time waiting working for his uncle (my bro-in-law) who runs a pest control company here. When we were away on our road trip, Hussein fell sick with fever and had gone back to BM. When he was feeling better he decided he wanted to go on working so he came back to KL. A few days before New Year he started getting feverish again but with diarrhoea and was vomiting.

We had taken him to the clinic and the medication did not help. Initially we were worried he was allergic to the chemicals or had mishandled it. On Jan 1 his situation was not getting better so we said let's take him to the hospital.

My sis-in-law who lives here took him first and I was to meet them there later. I thought she was taking him to the ever favourite Subang Jaya Medical Centre which is now Sime Darby Medical Centre but instead she took him to Kelana Jaya Medical Centre as it is only minutes from Ara Damansara.

By the end of the day we found out he has denggi. His blood count was 166 and today it is 139. His mom came down that day itself and she was fuming mad this morning with the hospital nurses and their service.

From the time she arrived at KJMC at 8pm they only came to check Hussein's temperature once at 12 midnight. She came on calling on the nurses to give Hussein some medication for the fever but they said doctor only can give them that instruction. His body was burning up and he was also feeling faint.

This morning at 10am the doctor came for a visit and my sis-in-law complained. The doctor checked his chart and said the nurses came 3 times at 8pm, midnight and 6am this morning. My sis-in-law said nonsense they only came at midnight and did not give anything. So....

Lucky the doctor apologised and said he will check into it. The nurse next to him look kinda pale when we questioned how can the nurses on duty lie and just jot down a temperature reading when they didn't even check. This is a person's life you are dealing with for god's sake. I don't know if the doctor has come back with an explanation yet but will find out soon when I go there later.

You can bet I ain't going there!

January 1 2009

I had a pretty good New Year. Ushering in 2009 was different compared to all the other New Year's Eves. For one Bob was not around. He was in Krabi yet to come home from our Road Trip. Secondly, I spent New Year's Eve with my GGG buddies. We had dinner and lots of updating on what we have been doing and our New Year resolutions.

That was really different as my other New Year's have all been spent at home I believe. There was one spent in Bukit Mertajam I think. Can't remember. However we didn't get to see any big fireworks shows from Zurni's place in Seri Kembangan.

Nik Sheireen brought some fireworks for the kids but there was no grand show. The kids enjoyed it though so that was good enough lah.

The food was good too. We had lotsa seafood. I bet if we went for a blood test today the doctors would scream at out cholesterol levels! We had chilli crab which Zurni cooked (delicious). butter prawns and fried squid from Nikki, steamed fish from Zurni, roast chicken from me, kuey teow from Hazleen and too much carbonated drinks. Oh yes .... Zurni's honeydew juice was really yummy!

We also celebrated Lan's birthday (Zurni's husband). He turned 40. His birthday is on Jan 1 but his parent's registered it as Jan 7 or 8. Funny eh!

We ate lovely desserts of fruits, ice cream, cheesecake and chocolate mud cake. YUMMY!

What are your resolutions for 2009? I don't know if I have any ... they never seem to materialise anyway. Or maybe I just don't try hard enough so for 2009, BE HAPPY!

God Bless and have a good 2009. Year of the Bull is next. That should be interesting!

The company was good ... I think that made it special. Thanks girls for a good start to 2009!

Bob is Coming Home

Bob is coming home tomorrow! He arrived safely in Krabi late last night (New Year's Eve). Guess he ushered in the New Year 2009 with our friends from Krabi. Yes...we have made quite a few friends there, Rom, Fa, Dam...and I forgot the name of the lovely lady who gives me Thai massages.

The thing is, Bob did the journey back to Krabi from Chiang Rai in two days. Guess when he doesn't have little Ali and the two girls jumping on him all the time about how long more till we reach he can clock more mileage!

He drove from Chieng Rai to SuphanBuri and stayed there the night. The next day he pushed off and came straight to Krabi!


This is some of the scenery from the window! This was still down South, way before the weather got cooler ...

Wonder what it was like for Bob to drive all that way without us in the car! Hmmmm...guess when you are coming home it is not as exciting as going. Cause you will be dying to reach home quickly. Well, for me at least!

We came to rely a lot on the GPS. That gadget did wonders actually. It took us on short cuts and back roads even. It will always try to find you the shortest and quickest route to your destination. I guess now it will be our travelling companion.

I intend to ask Bob about a drive around Australia after this. Next Nov/Dec holidays perhaps. We can plan early and can cover more ground. I heard the sights up north are wonderful and a sight to behold. The drive around Australia is expected to take a few months but I am sure we can cut it down by selecting certain destinations only. Maybe we can't do the whole country in the alloteed 5 months but we can at least see where a month or so can take us!

Am so excited just thinking about it. Oh yes! And my cousin suggested Germany. Europe is a destination on our list too. When Ali is bigger it would be easier no?!? Unless Project No 4 is a success. HMMMMMMMM.........