Decisions

Decisions are hard to make especially BIG ones but I made one today. At about 3am to be exact! I have been mulling over this particular decision for more than a year now but decided today to finally go ahead and take the plunge.

My good friends have said that if we have spent so long thinking about it, in the end just follow your heart which is what I have done. I have tried to look at it from all perspectives -- mine and the recipient -- but in the end what I want will have to prevail.

I made the decision to tell my mom that I don't want to work anymore. Not so much work with her but not work at all. I have been working from home since my son was born in July 2007 but as good as a deal it sounds, it isn't working out as much as I would like it to. I still feel that my time is not totally devoted to my children and the home as I still have to worry about work. And honestly I hate it. I have been thinking about this so long and wondering how to go about it. But last night, after dinner with the family, Bob and I were talking and he put it all on the table especially from a third party point of view. It was just as I saw it. I guess I just needed someone to tell me. I knew then that what I have been mulling over all this while is the right decision for me at least.

After all, it is all about me isn't it. I can't go on making other people happy and I can't just go on doing it because I have to for someone's sake. This is what I want. So I am sticking by it. There is something about letting it all out, especially since I have been mulling over it for more than a year.

I feel relieved that I have told my mom, I had to write it out in an email though as I know if I were to talk to her words will not come out right incase she starts getting erm, upset! So she has not responded but whatever it is, I have told her and she will know where I stand on this.

What do I want to do then you ask? Be a mother, isn't that a full time career too? More fulfilling one I might add!

The US of A

My dear friend just came back from the United States of America last week after a two week holiday in LA. This was her first time there and she had a really great time althought not enough time to do all a tourist should do and see cause she was there partly for work.

Am really glad she enjoyed herself there and seeing as little as she did, I know she can't wait to go there again. There is so much to see in the States. Despite what the Government is, it is a great place. Hearing to all her stories makes me miss it very much.

I studied in the States from 1992 to 1995 and it was the BEST time of my life. If ever I could turn back the clock it would be to that time. Not only was the place great but the time was good too. When I was studying the exchange rate was only 2.5 (what our rate with Singapore is now!) therefore the pinch was not felt so much.

A picture of downtown Kalamazoo. There was a disco/club we used to go to during weekends. Forgot what it's name is

There is something about being a student too. You don't have to worry so much about worldly problems like we do at this age. I studied at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. This is two hours away from Chicago and Detroit. It's situated at the Great Lakes which means it was winter 8 months of the year. Cold!!!! BRRRRRRR ..... But an experience I would never give up.

When you are away from home like that, friends are the most important things as they are the only family you have. I made many friends there and there was a bunh of us that became pretty close knit. I am rather sorry that we are not all in touch with each other but our lives have taken us on a different path. Nevertheless, you are all remembered and will always be dear to me.

I have a whole bunch of pictures but I would have to dig them out of storage. There are so many memories there. The friends. The places we travelled to. The food. The classes. The campus. Ahhhhh ... so many sweet memories. The movies every weekend, the late night donuts, 24 hour grocery shopping, delivery shopping!

We took the opportunity to travel as much as we could when we were there. Of course going to Chicago was like a weekly affair. We loved the sophistication of the windy city and there were several good food outlets there including an Indian shop where we could get tosai! Besides the shopping was good too and there is a factory outlet called Michigan City on the way there which we loved!

When my friend was there, a whole bunch of us who studied and travelled to the States before kept on asking her to eat all kinds of things for us. Ah yes ... the food was good. Even the Chinese food there is different. Hunan and Kong Poa Chicken was my favourite! Yummy ... Not forgetting the chocolate malt, desserts galore, Ruby Tuesday, Denny's and Big Boys (patty melt and country fried steak). There was this steak house we used to like going to and it would be a monthly treat for us as it was rather pricey. Can't remember what its called now. There was this burger broil place too downtown, it was really very good. I remember those burgers very well, even the buns were different!

The shopping was another thing wasn't it! I think I accumulated a lot of junk when I was there. America is great for knick knacks and well, junk! But collector's junk some of us would like to call it. There was this knick knack shop downtown, just next to Jacobson's which I just adored. They had beautiful stationary, and stickers and punchers and what not. My kind of shop!

There are so many memories of the US of A. I remember watching my first football match at one of our home games. And the ice hockey matches were a real adrenalin rush. I remember I took ice skating and my instructor was an ice hockey player before, Scott. Very the can do!!!

Fall was my favourite time of the year. It was always so pretty when the leaves were all changing colour and the air was cool. I loved taking walks in the fall, with the leaves rustling as you walk by. I tried making a snowman several times, and snow angels too!

And yes, somewhere in between I had classes and I did graduate (sadly) with a double major in Journalism and Interpersonal Communications.

Saturday Outing

Last Saturday was spent with the kids and it was a fun outing. We went to One Utama and made a beeline for Delicious. It was only 11.30am and there is a difference when you go there so early. Service is quick and the food taste better too.

I like the Delicious there cause there is an outdoor sitting area and the kids can run around freely without worrying about banging into tables or creating too much noise for the person next door.

The kids enjoyed a chocolate milkshake but as you can see from this picture, you know which kid enjoyed it most! He finished it all up too ..

I tried to get a picture of all of them sucking their straws from the same glass but it was not that easy. As usual Nadiah doesn't want to cooperate!

What surprised us all was when one of the waitresses touched Ali's cheek and said, "You are so cute, can I take you home?" He brushed his cheek pointed at her and said "NO!" It was so cute we all burst out laughing!

The rest of the afternoon was spent looking for Teacher's Day presents and a present for Bob. His birthday is coming soon and it is not that easy to look for a suitable present. The girls got him quite original presents though.

Ali likes posing for the camera, which explains why I have so many shots of this. Trying to get them to smile is really a hard feat. Oh ya ... school holidays coming soon. Can't wait for a break.

Bye bye Sumi

Sumi will be leaving back for Perth on Sunday. We met again for tea yesterday at Treats, its a cafe in Taman Tun (next to Muhibbah Restaurant). It belongs to an Assuntarian class of '89 too who happens to be the sister of a fellow classmate too. Small world eh!

Anyways, it's a nice and cosy restaurant which serves yummy desserts and the food is pretty good and competitively priced.

Not all of us could join but the company is good and always nice to catch up with old friends. Always nice to be with the girls and talk about school days and how much our lives have changed. Yesterday we talked mostly about weight. Some of us has less than others!
(From left standing) Shareen Azlina (owner of Treats), Geraldine Ann Jeremiah, Sumi, Indra, Adele. (Seated from left) Fizzi, Suzana, me and Shariah.

Take care Sumi, hope to see you again soon.

May 14

My wedding anniversay falls on May 14. It was on this day 11 years ago that Bob and I got married. Sometimes I can't believe it has been that long. All the ups and downs of life and marriage. All the tests and challenges we were faced with througout the 11 years. All the good and bad times. Through thick and thin.

I am thankful for the 11 years that we have and God willing there will be more to come.

There are so many things in a marriage that makes life difficult, good, fun (at times) and fulfilling. I have matured over these 11 years or at least I would like to believe so. And despite what my husband thinks, I know that I have grown a lot, especially over the last few years. I can't say there were no problems along the way. If there were no problems it wouldn't be a marriage rite!?! (hahahaha) But alhamdullillah, we got through them and I hope we will continue to go through the rest of them with a level head.

Many a times my girlfriends and I would talk about marriage and husbands (and in-laws) *wink* and we usually conclude the same things: after years of marriage it is not so much about love anymore but the commitment. It is sad when we conclude this. Of course there is still love but the love has evolved into a different phase (hhhmmmm....are you buying this!) On a serious note, marriage is not about that falling head over heels in love feeling when you were in your teens. It is about commitment, responsibility and compromise. Giving and taking (or shall I just say giving!) is mostly what's it about.

Some of my girlfriends take more and some give more. There is a difference betwen being a push over and a go getter. We have all of them in our circle of friends. In the end I believe it is what you want it to be. If we let every little thing get to you, sigh .. you won't have much happiness for yourself.

Know that song, smile when your heart is lonely, smile when your heart is aching? Well, many of us have mastered that art. I have come to point of saying what's the point? Just let it go and live anyway!

So, the secret is carrying the WHATEVER attitude and smiling ...

Happy Anniversary My Dearest Husband

Tim Tam's and Tea with Sumi

My good friend Sumi Henry stays in Perth, Australia and she came back here for a short and HOT holiday. Sumi loved the heat she says (GILA!) Of course we were all excited at the thought of seeing here again. We had organised tea last week but only a few of us could make it.

Back row from left: My BFF Nazlin, SISTAs Sherie, Oleen and Suzana. Seated is me, Sumi and Sophie.

We met at Grand City in PJ and had a nice spread of tosai, karipap, vadir and roti tissue. Most drinks had ice in them due to the heat.

The best part about this tea was the surprise Sumi brought out from her bag. It was was Tim Tam's and mind you, the one from Australia tastes very different from the one in Indonesia. Sumi showed us how to eat it the Aussie way and let me tell you, try it once and you are hooked!

All you need is a hot drink, coffee is best it seems, and the Tim Tam. Sumi liked the double coated one as it adds to the yumminess. Now this is how you do it. You have to bite off one corner at each end. So the bitten corners are across each other. Then you dip one bitten corner in the hot drink (just dunk the corner in, not the whole biscuit) and suck the hot drink through the other bitten corner. Then you enjoy the Tim Tam. The hot drink will melt the insides of the Tim Tam ... and its all gooey and suckles in your mouth. I can taste it as I speak.

See how satisfied we all look after the food and Tim Tam's. Good to see you again Sumi!

Mother's Day

Have you ever wondered why Mother's and Father's Day fall on a Sunday? To allow or shall I say ENSURE all the children are free to spend it with them. Why else right? It also gives the children a chance to buy them gifts and what nots on Saturday.



It's funny though, I don't remember Mother's Day being such a big deal for my family when I was younger. I mean we knew of it and occasionally would get mom a present but I don't remember it being so commercialised. Must be another Hallmark created holiday lah.



This year's Mother's Day was really a good one. Last year was good too cause my daughter's actually persuaded their father to take them out to buy me a present. They got me a really sweet ring too. This year my husband bought me a present ... oooooo .... and what a present it was. Something unexpected and it was real surprise too.

My mom wanted dim sum for Mother's Day so we agreed to go to China Treasures at the Sime Darby Convention Centre. She invited Murni's parents too. Murni is my sis-in-law in case you have forgotten. A nice round table with us three siblings and the foud grand kids.

The food was good as usual BUT there was no chicken feet or fried yam that day. AND they ran out of egg tarts so we only got one round of it and I didn't get to eat any. BOO HOO. Oh well, gives me a reason to go there again real soon.

Aishah picked up a cake from my favourite cake lady. This is the chocolate mud cake and is just to die for. Believe me. She makes this fantastic cheesecake too. Call me if you want her number. You won't regret the calories. HAHAHAHA
The good thing about that Mother's Day is, there was a clown present to entertain the kids. He made balloon structures for them. Ali was the most amused with the clown which he kept on calling Abang! He followed the clown around the whole restaurant. Nadiah and Najihah got flowers and my mom and Murni's mom got big heart balloon structures too, much to their delight Ali got two swords! He went around hitting everybody.

This is my mom (left) and Murni's mom. We made them cut the cake as the whole Mother's Day do was more for them. Then it should have been nenek day. Hmmmm ...Tell Hallmark that and they will definitely creat it!

Mama and her two girls. Ali didn't want to keep still to take a picture together. He was too busy chasing the Abang clown with his balloon swords.

Everyone spent about one half hours of eating and then we just chatted and chatted. Actually we were waiting for the egg tarts but they didn't tell us they had run out until we had our coffee and Mother's Day cake!

My brother Amir and his lovely wife Murni. Khalif? Oh he is around, probably with the nenek lah. Give him another year and he will be like Ali, can't keep still.

It was a good Sunday and now we have to figure out to do something different next year.

Happy Mother's Day! Better start preparing for Fathers Day .. hehehe

The 9th Birthday

This is my 9-year-old Najihah. She enjoyed a quite birthday. Funny to say that at such an age but seriously. The night before her birthday we cut her cake. In fact I didn't think of ordering the cake until she asked me if she could have one and she was so specific, she wanted an ice cream cake. So ice cream cake it was from Haagan Daaz (it was really good too)

On her birthday itself, she and her sister played the whole day until we went out for dinner that night. I just can't believe how fast time flies!

She is also the easier one to take pictures of compared to Nadiah who never wants to pose or smile for the camera! She also likes to keep her hair long to look like Rapunzel! Urgh ... I hate it especially since she goes to morning school. It is quite a chore just to get the hair ready!

The cake was kinda hard as you can see from the pictures so Ayah had to help. Nadiah was most excited I think.

This is the cake from Haagan Daaz. It has two flavours that is chocolate and strawberry. For the two flavours you have to pay 10 per cent extra by the way. But the good thing about it is, there is no cake in between. It was just ice cream!

In case you are wondering I got her a jewellery/music box. She has been hankering for one. I still can't believe she is nine!

Ali at the Barber

I took Ali for his third hair cut today and nothing much changed from the last time. He cried and cried and cried. I guess the difference this time is that he thrashed around. Lucky he didn't try to grab for the scissors or the clippers!

Nadiah tried to get the best shot but it was a bit difficult. Bob's driver and Sam our family friend even dropped by at the barber to see Ali get his hair cut. Free show lah for today!

The best part is, when we came home I asked him who cried just now, he said MAMA! and even made a crying face! Funny!!!

But he looks much cooler now but alas he lost that masam smell I like from his sweat. He has very thick hair and sweats so easily sometimes even when he sleeps. What with the heat these days bet he is just as happy to have it all off!

The next trip to the barber he will be older. Wonder what it would be like than.

Khalif is 5 months

Khalif is growing up so fast and looking oh so handsome! But still can't decide who he looks like, his mom or his dad. He is so fair just like his mom. Hmmm....

His cousins love holding him. Probably reminds them of how Ali was a few months back. Now Ali is so wriggly they can't keep him still! They all seem to have those big wide eyed look though.

And Ali was so jealous of Khalif. The girls kept bringing Khalif toys to play, baby toys like rattles and so on. Ali kept on grabbing them from Khalif and insisted on playing with them.

Khalif has started taking his thumb too. Warned Amir and Murni not to let it become like Nadiah who is still sucking her thumb at 7 and half years old! but they figured better thumb than pacifier.

See how he happily puts his whole fist in his mouth. Can't seem to get enough!

Oh ya ... he calls me Mak Long by the way!