Thursday, July 30, 2009

Friends

What would you do if I sang out a tune da di da la di da We could try with a little help from our friends, yes we could try with a little help from our friends ....

Can't remember all the lyrics but that is the song going through my mind this morning. I believe with friends you can achieve so many things and do so many more things. What would life be without friends? Lonely of course ... and sad don't you think. All you would have are your family. I am not saying that family is not good enough but you still need friends.

Family are always there and there may be times you take them for granted. Chances are they also have their lives to deal with. For instance once a sibling gets married and has kids, they would probably spend more time with their spouse and their kids. Which means less time for brother or sister which they used to be rather close with.

Yet it is important to maintain that closeness and you could do this through phone calls or smses. And perhaps catch up once in awhile.

I forgot the point I was going to make when I started this story so ... I think I will stop here!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Baby Shower Pixs

Here are some more pictures from the baby shower, courtesy of my friends on my facebook!
This bottle is the door gift. If you take the baby bear out you can use it for a piggy bank but I have put mine up on the shelf ..

An occasion would not be the same if we do not take group photos, this one reminds me of school days and how we loved to pose for the camera. Guess some things just don't change!
This is the jelly cake I told you about ... isn't that baby so cute!

We were all so anxious waiting for Elo to arrive so of course we passed the time by taking picture after picture after picture ....

We had real fun playing games, I think we played 5 games and we were all so tired out after them!

Will get you more pictures later!

Baby Shower Anyone?

It has been a rather hectic week for me which explains why I did not write anything last week. But I must share with you what happened to me (and my girlfriends) last Saturday. A good friend of ours, Raja Elona, is expecting her 2nd child and the baby is due Aug 8. Elo, as we call her, stays in Jakarta but she has come back here to deliver her baby.
The beautifully set table .... the theme colour was blue and white
The beaming mother to be, my friend Elo ...
Shake ordered these really pretty cupcakes that looked too good to eat. Check out how Elo, Zurni and I are drooling over them. They had this very intricate handword done , amazing how art farty a person can be! And they were delicious too

One for the album ...
Two of my friends, Shake and Jami, had decided we surprise her with a baby shower. When we first heard the idea we were wondering what it was all about as it was a totally new concept to us. But these two friends convinced us it woukd be a hit and we went along with it.
Infact, these two friends planned everything and what planners they were. We held it at Oleen's house in Kelana Jaya and Shake and Jami did the place up so nicely it looked oh so cool! And as sweet as ever, it was like walking into a nursery. From the balloons to the decor, such as confetti, and the table setting ... it was all so pretty. I am sure all of us were wishing we could have one for ourselves next!

We had to tell Elo we had an AGM for SISTA and she was prompt as always. She opened the door and we all yelled SURPRISE!!! I loved the look on her face, she was so shocked she didn't really know how to react. Then she finally got a look around the room to see the balloons (which said BABY SHOWER on them), the decor and the presents. But I think it onyl finally sinked it a few minutes later.

We had so much fun cause there were games ( imagine us 37 year olds playing games) but it was oh so much fun. Shake and Jami even hired a pro photographer and I can't wait to see the pictures.

The best surprise of all was that Shake told us to wear white tops and blue jeans so that the mom-to-be (who she assumed would be wearing a colourful blouse) would stand out. What a surprise for us cause Elo came in a white top and blue jeans too. It looked like we were all in uniform!

There were cupcakse (SO PRETTY!!!) and lots of other food that we could not finish eating even we stayed there the whole night. A jelly cake with a baby on top, nasi dagang, spaghetti and I can't remember what else.

Shake and Jami even had door gifts for us. And each game we played we received presents too. So nice ... like being a kid again.

I had a blast and I am glad Elo did too. And happy she liked all our presents too! All the best Elo and good luck come Aug 8!

There are Blogs ....

I guess blogs are a good way to wish your friends and relatives Happy Birthday. They are also a good way to express yourself especially when you can't say it anywhere else or any other way. I am trying to think back why I started this blog and it was due to a friend, a very good friend, who insisted I do it as a way to document my life. This friend always insisted that I was a good writer and I had churned out some good thoughts on paper in the past. Hmmm, I dunno about that but what I can say is, since I started the blog it has been an avenue for me to say things that otherwise would never be heard, what more written.

There are people who write utter nonsense in their blog, there are also people who use it to sell whatever merchandise they might want and there are also people who use their blog to exercise that freedom of speech. I like the latter as it is fun, entertaining and highly educational (?) to read their blogs. It is always interesting to see and read what people have to say and how they say it. I don't really like blogs that put anyone or any organisation down, that can get a little wee bit too personal and even harsh. It is however comforting to know there is such a thing as freedom of speech then. Then again, didn't I read somewhere that the Government was monitoring certain unruly blogs. AHAKS! Freedom of speech, does it exist then!

In view of all this, I guess I must once again say thank you to this friend for pushing me to start this blog. You know who you are ... thanks babe!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Everything Comes in Threes ...

What a day it has been, guess all I can see Thank God It's Friday (?????) Then again not sure if there is any significance to that.

My morning started as usual, I sent Najihah to school and came home to get Nadiah ready for KAFA. Nadiah has been sick for the past few days -- a fever and tonsils. The fever has been infectious, of course, and Ali was feverish last night and this morning. After I sent Nadiah for KAFA, Ali and went about the usual routine -- making the beds etc. Oh wait! Forgot to say I found our kitten dead on the street, hit by a car. Poor Ali, he did seems a bit traumatised, or disturbed is a better word I think. He has been repeating it the whole day : "Ngeow Dead Car" Hmmmmm ...

Anyways, when I opened the doors to let Ali play outside on the verandah this morning, he stepped on a bee and was stung: "Owww Bug Mama" Tried to take the sting out but couldn't find any. The maid taught me a trick, to take any flower and smother the sting with it. It seems to have worked.

Halfway through the morning my handphone rang. "It was Najihah crying, Mama I have a headache it's very bad, please come and get me" Of course I rushed to school cause it must have been really bad for her to call. It's the first for her. Took her to the clinic and yup, she has a fever.

So here I am at home with Najihah who is sick and Ali who is bordering a fever and had a bee sting. Nadiah has gone to school after being absent for 3 days. Her tonsils are still a little swollen but her fever has subsided.

We found a big bee hive outside the house and the pest control people are coming to take it down tonight at 8pm. It has to be done at night so they can't find their prey. Which means we have to everyone out at 8pm later. My mother in law is on her way here as I write so I have called my sis-in-law to say we will have dinner at her house while the pest control folks do their work!

Let's see what the weekend has in store! How much more exciting can it get ...

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Kids in Janda Baik

When I went up to Fraser's Hill with my friends last weekend, Bob took the kids to Janda Baik. We have a friend who owns a beautiful sprawling bungalow there. It is by the river and a really nice place to chill. He has a homemade lake where you can go boat paddling too.

The kids love the river and we have even camped out there a few times. It is really cool at night and almost freezing in the morning. I remember one time we were camping out but we had to run into the house in the middle of the night cause it started raining too hard.

Ali as usual, loved being there as the pictures show. He loves the water now and also the camera!

This is our neighbour, Cikgu Rahman, obviously trying to catch some fish into his net. Not sure if he was succesful though ..

I like this picture best, Ali chilling with Bob up at the house. I like the way their positions are about the same. Ali follows everything his father does these days. Must be careful what Bob does I guess!

The water must have not been so cold cause the girls don't look like they are freezing here. But then again, they don't look so wet either!

Ali all decked out in his swimsuit ... looks a bit forlon though. Maybe missing his Mama?!?

I love these pictures and the happy faces of the kids. Even kids need some time out and a chill break huh!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

What's With the Haze

The haze is like Hari Raya and puasa, it is an annual event. We have been living this way for years now. Instead of waiting anxiously for the festive season, we now wait anxiously for the haze.

Where is it? Shouldn't it be here by now? It is late isn't it this year. Hahahaha ... We know it is an annual happening and yet nothing can be done about it by our Government or the Indonesian Government. If I remember, there were bilateral talks about this to curb it last year, or was it the previous year. Wonder what happened. For that matter, I can't even remember the conclusions of that meeting.

We can discuss so effectively about maid issues, why can't we discuss about this haze problem and reach a definite conclusion. Doesn't the Indonesian Government realise the impact on the world. Not their community but Asean countries as a whole.

It was just one day exposed to the haze yesterday and my throat feels itchy already. Nadiah has also developed a fever today so she is off from school which is not good as their exams are just around the corner.

Let's hope the haze clears up soon. Makes me miss the clean and crisp air of Fraser's very much. Such a luxury being up there.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Fraser's Hill Anyone?

Friends are the best thing ever aren't they. Especially those that we have known all our lives. I have friends from all moments of my life. School, college, uni, work and family friends. But it is with my school friends that I always feel most comfortable with, probably because I have known them all my life.

Guess that is the best thing about having the great opportunity to go to one school your whole life. My school friends and I have been together since we were seven. Not many people will understand the bond we share but imagine, being together since we were seven to 17! The things we went through together, the things we shared and did together (good and bad lah!!). Of course Assunta's class of 1989 is much bigger than the circle we mix with but it is normal that we end up sticking to the same friends isn't it. It was about a year and a half ago that this certain group rekindled our friendship and since that time, we have been almost inseparable.

There were ups and downs of course, fights and laughs, but we are still together and that's the best thing ever. The thing about regrouping now at the age of 37 is that we are more tolerant of each other. We know and understand that each has their own character and we respect that. The best thing is we love each other all the same, and we can even laugh together about a certain friend's bad habits! What else are friends for right? We are here for each other and no one understands each other better.

Don't get me wrong, there is a closeness with me and friends from other circles too but growing up together makes a big difference. Am sure you know what I mean. There are times we don't even have to explain anything to each other. Even when we piss the other off, the other will understand because we know each other too well.

Before this I had never gone anywhere with just my friends but since this crazy group of Assuntarians came together, there have been food outings, get togethers for no reason, and trips without the family. Something I have come to enjoy and look forward to as time to myself.

We went up Fraser's Hill over the weekend. The last time I was there was with my folks when I was in school. Of course things looked bigger than (hahahahaha) but really it was a blast of a time from the moment we left until we sit at our computers looking at the pictures.


This is where we stayed ... it is a very nice place and the view is fantastic. Jami's hubby works at NST so we got the opportunity to book the old bungalow and enjoy its facilities. Which includes an excellent Chinese chef! Some of you may ask what do 10 girls do all that time together .... aha...read on!

We went up Saturday morning and spent the night there. Early Sundat morning, about 6.30am, we heard a loud crash and behold, a tree had fallen right across the road. Which meant we were stuck there. Cars couldn't get past. Such excitement for all of us! But of course it was cleared eventually by the caretaker and this troopers!

This is the fallen tree that also took down a powerline and telephone cables. Luckily the electricity supply was not affected. The wind that morning was really strong and this tree did not have such a thin bark.


Some of the pretty flowers in Fraser's ...

Back to the question of what we did there. From the time we left till the time we got back, all we did was EAT. We were munching and munching and munching ...

This was our last lunch there before we took the drive down the hill. Noodles and fried sotong ... and the lemon chicken was fantastic! There was Chinese style assam peda too ...

We designated a table for all our snacks which included Red Velvet Cake (in the basket), chocolates, chocolates, chocolates and junk food such as twisties (which we didn't have time to eat0 and kuaci.

This is a map showing Fraser's Hill. I think the population is really small ....but really a nice place to stay and retire too. The air is fresh and clean, and you feel healthy!

Ah ... this was the lunch that greeted us when we first arrived. Sambal prawns, sweet and sour fish, fresh vegies grown right in the garden ...


Before we went up the hill, we stopped at the famous Yik Mun restaurant in Tanjung Malim to have breakfast which consisted of noodles in every style possible and paus in all flavours ...

We passed the time up Fraser's chatting and talking (besides eating lah) and watched movies together, something we always wanted to do togethere but somehow in KL you just can't find the time. Won't tell you what movie we finished watching here but its an all time favourite of mine!

This is the 1o of us who went up there and had a really good break ...
On Sunday morning we took a morning walk and attempted going down one of the trails but were scared when we remembered the story of someone who was lost for quite some time taking one of the trails.

We also took the chance to play some Scrabble. But only two games as "chill" was the word for the weekend ... And note how the Tim Tam is right next to the Scrabble board ..
The other stuff we like doing is taking pictures ... this is a tribute to a great man, Mr Michael Jackson may he rest in peace.

A beautiful picture of my friend Hazleen ...

My friend Shake is an arty farty with the camera. Check out the spectacular view from Muar Cottage.
We took a drive down to the town on Saturday evening and walked around the town a bit. This picture was taken an the golf course ...

This is called Big Ben. If you go straight it will take you downhill back to Kuala Kubu Baru. It is the center of attraction for visitors to Fraser's

Earlier, we had tea at the Olde Smokehouse. The building is 85 years old and still well maintained.

What did we do at the Olde Smokehouse you say? EAT Scones of course. It was the best scones I have ever tasted with home made jam and the clotted cream was divine ...

We also had this Earl Grey cake which there seems to be no picture of but it was delicious!!

The scones are really a treat to have and from the satisfied look on our faces, you can only imagine what it tasted like.

In this picture is Suzana, Nikki, Shake and Sherie. The weather was really great when we were up there except for the morning when the wind was so strong that the tree fell.

I crammed 10 of us in the Alphard which is now known as Optimus Prime. We drove to town and around the hills back to Muar Cottage ...

It was a great trip, a great get-away. Something we can't very often but I know something we will always look back at with fondess. Thank you GGG for a great weekend.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Gifts for Hari Raya

Hari Raya is coming soon, not so soon you will say but time flies by so fast these days. It will creep up on you before you know it.

I will be selling hampers this festive season and here are some samples for you to consider. The concept this year is traditional as well as modern and there are many variations you can choose from.

Sample 1:


One big tin of biscuits: choice of traditional Kuih Bakar or any modern cookies
One small tin of Kek Lapis
Handmade Syawal card
Price: RM180.00

Terms and condition:
* 50 percent deposit upon order
* Delivery charges: RM30.00 per item (50% discount for orders more than ten)

Sample 2:


This basket is simple and yet packed with goodies:
One box of Patchi Biscuits
One medium size jar of Acar Buah
One medium size jar of Muruku or Almond
One Sejadah or one Small Plant
Handmade Syawal/Ramadhan card
Price: RM380

Sample 3:


Let them know you’re thinking of them with one of our finest collections of home cook delicacies:
One medium jar of Acar Buah
One medium jar of Muruku
One medium of Almond Nuts or Chocolates
4 different design of Classic Serviettes
Handmade Ramadhan/Syawal card
Price: RM260

Sample 4:

This is a perfect choice for the traditional look. A wooden box cover with intricate carvings tops a mengkuang box. It comes in two sizes.

Big box contains:
Telekung & Sejadah
Handmade Ramadhan card
Price: RM380

Small box contains:
Dates or Chocolate covered dates
Handmade Ramadhan card
Price: RM180


Sample 5:


There’s no such thing as too much chocolate!

Double tier Patchi Chocolates and/or Bateel Dates.
Handmade Syawal card
Price: RM790.00

Terms and condition:
* 50 percent deposit upon order
* Free delivery

Feel free to give me a buzz if you would like to purchase these hampers. Thank you

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Hmmmm

I just realised that most of my postings are about Ali these past few weeks. Hmmmm ... Not that there is nothing going on in my life but lately I have been feeling a little lull. Not too sure what that lull means but it has almost left me blank of emotions.

July 4 in Gold

July 4 was a very exciting day for us. It was SJK (C) Lick Hung's sports day and the first time either one of the girls participated. Nadiah's class participated in a race. She was excited about it for almost a month and that last week towards it was totally unbearable for her.
It is not surpising that Nadiah was the one selected to participate because of the two girls, she is obviously the more sporty one. Najihah secretly told me that when her class teacher was selecting who would take part in sports, she purposely ran slower cause she didn't want to be involved. I don't know good or bad or how to react to it other than some people have different interests.

We woke up the usual time like on a school day as we had to be at the MPSJ field by 7.15am. The event started sharp at 8am and it was a procession of the students first. Very colourful field indeed.After the national anthem, we were entertained with student's activities such as tae kwan do, diablo, dance, fan dance, martial arts display by one lone student and chinese drums. That lasted for a good hour and finally the sporting events began.
Not a very good picture as we sat up in the bleachers so we could see Nadiah. If we sat lower, we would not be able to see anything as there were also many parents lined up along the track to see their children. Nadiah is in the yellow house and she was the last to run for her team.
She was partnered with a friend and together they had to run hand in hand halfway where they next put a ball between them and ran to the finishing line. Not bad for a first time sports participant cause they won the gold medal. I was so surprised and Nadiah was beaming with pride.

That's the score board after Nadiah's victory. Note that at this juncture, the yellow house is leading.

The gold medal hangs proudly on her bed. She was excited but tried to maintain her cool.

The good thing about their sports day, they were given their medals immediately after their event and they were free to leave. We were home by about 10am. In time to spend the rest of the day with Ali.

Ali turned 2 on July 4. We didn't have any special celebrations, he is only 2 anyways and no point lah cause it would be a celebration for the parents. I even forgot to take a picture of him on his second birthday. Bad huh!
Anyways, he is talking a bit more now and picks up words a little easier. He says "mimming" for swimming! So cute ... he can also say kemas, roti boom and a few other words I can't remember now. But I also realised that he has become more mischievous... is this the terrible two's people are always mentioning?!?
All in all, it was a good independence day!