Jakarta Nov 2008

I went to Jakarta in 2005 with Bob and a few other friends but during that trip I didn't have much chance to see much of the city except for that street where they sold antique items and a mall that was near the hotel. Reason being, it was a business trip for Bob and since I wanted to tag along, I had to go with the programme lah (which meant a lot of hotel room sightseeing!)

So this time around, my trip to Jakarta with the Sista's was really an eye opener and fun to the max. From the day we landed till the day we departed it was non stop movements for us. There was hardly any free time except the last day where we treated ourselves to a nice massage and lulur session. Ahhh... that was really good. You could actually feel all the tired muscles soften.

But I did miss home very much, infact after the 3rd night (I was there for 4 nights) I was dying to come home already. I missed the kids so much, especially Ali. I have also more or less decided that there will not be a next time so soon and if there is, 4 nights is way too long. Ali has been very clingy since I came home. Expected isn't it!


This is me and my Sista's (from left) me, Suzana, Hazleen and Shariah. This was taken at Pancious where we had our last breakfast. They serve pancakes and waffles which just melts in your mouth

I saw so many parts of Jakarta, from busy to upscale to downtown. It is really a vast city but what I liked best about it, was that it was not humid at all! One night we were out having ice cream at the FX Mall which is a cafe mall. We sat outside and we didn't even sweat at all. If we were here sitting outside like that we would be bathing in sweat already. Even during the day, we were cool as ice!

Hazleen had this dish called Nasi Gurema at the Tanah Abang food court. The food court was really great because they served all these traditional authentic dishes. We were wary to order some of them because we had no idea what they are. The good thing about eating in Jakarta is that all places are halal except for a small selection of shops. Even the Chinese restaurants which is very different from Malaysia

Hawker style vendors selling all kinds of yummy looking stuff. This was in addition to the food stalls at the food court. This dish being sold is called kerak telur and is cooked over charcoal

We stayed with our Sista, Elona, who has lived in Jakarta for 10 years now. They have their own little Malaysian community and we met some of them. When you live so far from home it is important to have close friends who you can turn to easily. They are your family. Thank you for welcoming us

We like taking pictures and this one we took ourselves. Can't remember where it was but you can tell from our faces that we were having a good time!


I didn't bring a camera cause each Sista brought one and these pictures are theirs. I know there are many more pictures to come which I will "borrow" from them later for this blog.

I Am Really Going

I am doing the unthinkable today. I am going to Jakarta with my girlfriends. For four nights. And five days. Without the kids. Without Ali. I have left the two girls before and besides they are older now. But to leave Ali is the hardest for me. I have never been without him yet.

The worrying part for me is at night because he sleeps with me. Even if we were to go out for dinner he won't really fall fast asleep until I come home. Of late he has taking to lying on me at nights. Sigh.

My girlfriends keep saying it is part of letting go and there is nothing wrong or bad as it is just four nights. Four nights. Short and yet long. I am sure I will enjoy myself but I know I will miss my little Ali. I have left a blouse for him to "smell" and remind him of me. This is an old petua lah which I have used before and it seems to work.

A trip away is supposed to make people around this house appreciate me better when I return. I wonder. My eldest has also been rather stressed about this trip. She threw three tantrums already since yesterda and I know she is worried that I am going away. Nadiah even asked me why my friends can't go by themselves. And yet they are excited cause I won't be around for me to bug them to go to sleep.

I am sure all will be okay lah at home. Let's just go and have fun right!

See you next week!!

The Biggest Do Ever

Our Raya open house was a great success, thank god. The weather was good to us, the food was excellent and the crowd was great. We have never had one before so we were both pretty anxious and nervous. Bob kept going over his guest list and worrying we didn't have enough food. We really did not know what to expect.

Bob was saying this was not only an open house event for us, but might as well be our house warming, our baby showers and arrivals and all the birthdays put together.

We had a good spread of food .. too much choices I think but everyone was happy, I hope. For those who missed it, well...too bad!!! (just joking lah....)

We had nasi with lauk kampung such as daging curry kawah, curry ikan kering, ikan bakar, sambal belachan and ulam, acar, pulut and ikan kering, bubur kacang, mee rebus, mee goreng, kuey teow, chicken chop and the ABC (all the way from Penang).

Of course the usual kuih raya, the best tasting ones of course, and a spread of cakes, local and western.

We had four lambs...which finished very fast. We had to let them go slowly so it would last till 4pm or so....
This is one of them beeing cooked ....yummy! soft and juicy and so succulent...

We started preparing for the big do a day before. This involved cleaning and sprucing up the house. Here you see the gate being oiled...wood needs this regular TLC to ensure it keeps looking good while some workers put up the tents and fans outside

My good friends from school never fail to "memeriahkan" a party! Here is Nik Sheireen, Aida, Shikin and Jami. Thanks to most of my good friends who turned up. I don't have many friends so my list was pretty short. I did miss my BFF's though...Fara and Nazlin .. you were thought of!

This is me and Ali and my sis-in-law, Ayu and her daughter Arina

Bob invited some orphans and about 30 of them came. They enjoyed the spread and the treats!

More GGG at the GGG table, Adeen, Natasha, Fatin and Nikki, enjoying the food. How many rounds of lamb huh?

The kids entertained themselves with our cat, Komek, while their parents chatted and ate

Bob and me and our little Ali, at least we took a break to take a picture. This was way before Bob changed uniform into his comfy jeans and t-shirt

Chicken chop and kuey teow, fried when ordered. A hit with the kids these dishes. Oh ya! we had spaghetti too

Ahhhhh...this is the ABC that came all the way from Penang. It was delicious!!! Creamy and not too sweet. The vanilla ice cream adds a nice touch

Bob taking a quick bite while entertaining his guests playing the perfect host. Either that or he was worried the lamb would finish fast

The tents set up outside the house. We had to call for one more at the last minute for the mee goreng and kuey teow caterers

Bob teaching Ali how to be a good host

I finally got to serve some VIP guests my best Noritake dishes and Dansk silverware. It has been in the cupboard since we got married!

Me and my sis in law, Ayu, striking a pose before we went back to mingling. Bob invited quite a few of his business associates too

My best friends and cousins found a cool place of the house to hang out and enjoy the sights and sounds. Thank you so much for coming, your presence liven things a lot! I don't have pictures of some of my other guests who I really wanted there though...oh well, you know who you are. Here is (from left) Shuk, Shu, Hizreen, Ebi and Fairul

An Eventful Week

I have been married for 10 years and after 10 years, Bob has finally decided to hold an open house. Technically Hari Raya is over when we host it but what the heck rite! Think of it as a get together for friends. Many friends! He is actually inviting his business associates more than anything. I am just jumping on the bandwagon and inviting only my closest friends. I wonder what it would be like. I can't imagine! We have had many people over to the house, the most 50 people I think. That was my cousin's gathering and the other day my GGG girlfriends and their families for buka puasa. This open house the guest list I heard is quite extensive. I guess that is what you get when you have never had one for 10 years! Hahahahaha.... I am quite looking forward to it.

Considering that it is such a last minute decision, Bob is busy, as I write, with his guest list. Wonder how long it will be, he has many many many friends and many more business associates (and such). This will be fun wouldn't it. Earlier today the tent guys came to check out the site. Hmmmm...interesting. There will be tents and all, macam kenduri kahwin pulak!

This week has thus started to get busy with me. My mom-in-law is also here. She arrived yesterday and there are some things she wants to do before she goes for her haj next month. My mother is also going to Iran on Friday. She is delivering a seminar paper at some conference. Can't even remember what the conference is but she is coming back on Nov 5 at 3am. Guess who has to pick her up.

On top of that, SISTA is taking a booth at the Eco Fest organised by Bijou Bazaar. Its for an environmental cause. That will be on Nov 1 and 2 at ASWARA (Akademi Seni dan Warisan) on Jalan Tun Ismail, off Jalan Parlimen. It starts at 10am and ends at 6pm. Hope to see you there.

Oh yes! I have also decided to send the two girls for extra agama classes organised specifically for the school holidays. It will be daily Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 12pm. Kinda early but at least their school holidays won't be finished playing with Barbie dolls only. I know it should be a time for them to rest and relax and what not but when they have so much free time on their hands it is not so good rite. Oh ya....I forgot they will also have to continue with tuition during the school holidays. Some time juggling for me to do there. My sis-in-law asked me if I wanted to enrol them in swimming classes yesterday for 10 hours. What do you think? I think it is good, they need to really learn how to swim. But now I am worried if I am taxing them too much. Or wait, they are too young to know what that means, aren't they!!! I don't realli like to stress them out but when they are so free they can drive you up the wall.

The last and most important bit of news. I am going on a buying trip for SISTA on Nov 5. Am going with my SISTA girlfriends. This will be the first time I am away from Ali. Am a bit worried about that but my girlfriends say I have to let go eventually. I will have to see it as much needed break, and I will come back refreshed just like any break is suppose to do for you!

God speed....

Nadiah turns 7

Nadiah, my second princess, turned 7 on Oct 24. She was a little upset we had no birthday party for her this year. I already told them no more. Maybe the next one when they are 12 or something. Birthday parties are fun of course, but it is tiring. Am trying to set a new trend to their birthdays. Let them know there are other more personal ways of celebrating a birthday. Besides, it was a school day.

Nadiah was a little upset that her birthday does not fall on a public holiday like her elder sisters. Which means she still has to go to school and parents still have to go to work.

She wanted to go to Chillis for dinner so we took her there. Didn't invite the whole family, meaning siblings, just my mom and my sister. We invited those who were not married yet!! Hahahaha

This is me and athe birthday girl. It is so hard to coax her to smile. She doesn't like taking pictures

This is Ali. He was so excted seeing the cake. The icing was hard so we let him have a go at the cake. He kept on prodding and pressing everywhere

This is my sister, Aishah, helping Nadiah cut her cake. It was butter cake when I had asked for chocolate ... hmmmm...

Nadiah starts to show some excitement here when she was about to cut the cake. We asked her if she should get all the waiters to sing her Happy Birthday like she has heard them to before. She screamed NO!!!

Finally a little smile on her face. It must be because she got in her head, I want to start destroying Barney. The little Barney on top is made from cake. She ate some then started mutiliating him. At the back is Bob trying to coax Najiahah to do what I am not sure. Some sibling rivalry going on the whole day

Nadiah trying to convince her aunty that yes, it is okay for me to hurt Barney!

This is my mom and here is Ali who was the most excited. He couldn't take his hands off the cake!

Finally, this is Barney with no eyes, his tail has been eaten and his face, well ... he doesn't look like him anymore. Bet he is not singing I love you, you love me right now!

All in all, it was a good evening and a good birthday. You know why these kids want parties so much. Cause they get all kinds of presents. Oh well ... better this than nothing Nadiah!

Happy Birthday Nadiah...

The Ultimate Love Song

My love
I will never find the words my love
To tell you how I feel my love
Mere words could not explain
Precious love
You held my life within your hands
Created everything I am
And thought me how to live again
Only you
Cared when I needed a friend
Leading me through thick and thin
This song is for you
Filled with gratitude and love
God bless you
You make me feel brand new
For gold blessed me with you
You make me feel brand new
I sing this song cause you
Make me feel brand new

Without you
Life has no meaning or rhyme
Like a song out of time
How can I repay for having faith in me

It is by The Stylistics and has several remakes by Dionne Warwick and more recently Simple Red

Busy Busy Busy

It has been a rather busy week for me. Started with Monday and how time flies, it is Thursday today. Funny how time waits for no man. So cliche!

A lot has happened this week in my household. The best thing to happen is my Nadiah's 7th birthday tomorrow. There will be no party this year. Told her big girl already lah, we take you out for dinner okay. She has asked for escargots by the way. Her favourite dish! Not bad for a 7-year-old eh...

I did get her a cake though. She asked for Barney. I said Barney, as in the purple dinasour? Aren't you a little too old for Barney??? She said no, her rationale was easy. I have never had a Barney cake before. Okay lah, it is your birthday, so colour yourself happy then.

Do you like birthdays? I do ... I like the presents and that special feeling where it is your day. Ob my birthday I usually make it a point to not work and have fun the whole day, doing what I want to do. I have been contemplating asking the girls to skip school tomorrow so we can do some fun stuff. Stuff they like of course since it is her birthday. Maybe catch a movie, or go to Aquaria. Then I figured it was not so ethical for a mother to ask them to skip school just because it's a birthday rite. Rite?

What else happened this week? Monday was the most eventful day for my entire family. Especially for my mom. I do want her to know though that whatever her decision, we, as in my brother and sister and I, will be beside her no matter what. We are always here to support you mom.

Tuesday came and went. I can't remember what happened. Oh yes! My cousin who sells Indian cotton came by as my aunty wanted to see. My aunty bought about RM1k plus of material so that went well. I was also cornered into buying a piece. Not the word is cornered! Ya, rite!

Yesterday was a good day too. Oh ya! I am going to Jakarta for a SISTA's buying trip. I have missed the last few trips due to my body being needed here by Ali but I stopped breastfeeding him so now I can go. I am quite excited about the trip. Can only imagine what 5 women can do in Jakarta besides buying for SISTA of course. I am anticipating a lot of fun and laughter. It has been awhile since I went somewhere without the family to take a break. I am a bit apprehensive about leaving Ali as I have never been without him but you have to learn to let go. That's what my SISTA's say.

Hope you had a good week so far!