Pootz In Boots

8516

2012-01-16T14:47:00.003+08:00

After years of frustration with our Freelander's ability to serve us (she spent most days at the workshop rather than on the road, carrying us around), I decided to ask Hubby to purchase a new car. That was in the last half of December 2011 and last weekend, we took home our brand new Proton Exora Bold... Alhamdulillah.. and we maintain the number like the Freelander's.

2011, A Bitter Sweet Experience

2012-01-11T10:34:00.003+08:00

2011 has thought me a lot... about life, about Allah's greatness, about love, about support, about friendship, about myself....

We were pleasantly surprised with the news of my fourth pregnancy in January 2011 only to be sadly shocked with the news of my baby's condition but we went through the pregnancy regardless. It was a beautiful experience, a very meaningful one. Each and every day, each and every hour, each and every second was treasured. I gave birth to a strong beautiful baby boy on 22nd August/Ramadhan who lived for 8 precious minutes. He silently tiptoed away.... Innalillah and Alhamdulillah... My baby had a wonderful time inside my womb and did not have to suffer outside.

A few days shy of 3 months later, we plead our gratitude to Allah for his grace, for awarding our firstborn Haakem with excellent results in his UPSR, a public exam for year 6 students, which he sat for, days after he lost his baby brother. Allah is indeed very great! He continued to shower us with more good things. Haakem received 3 offers for placement in Form 1. A full residential school, a controlled school under Education Dept.'s placement and a controlled school under the school's principal's quota. We decided to go for the first offer, painful as it is to be separated from my first baby after losing my last....

I have to say special thanks to my husband, my Haakem, my 2 girls - Millie & Zara, my mother, my aunt (Mak Yah), my eldest sister and 3 wonderful friends - Jan, Lyn & Kak N - for all their love, understanding and support to get me through the year. Only Allah can repay your kindness and I do pray that Allah would make me a better person to love and support all of you back.

(pix: The 6 of us - Habibi, me - with baby Abdullah Sulaiman, Haakem, Millie & Zara)

My Baby Is Living Away From Home............

2012-01-09T17:33:00.002+08:00

On 4th January 2012, we sent our firstborn away...... 17 km away from home,a 20 minute drive from home...
He is now officially a boarding school boy. So much about getting good grades in his Year 6 Public Exam, and got sent away........... missed by Papa (very badly!!), Atuk and 2 little sisters.
I am in denial.... withdrawal syndrome of missing my baby........................
ALL THE BEST, HAAKEM.

Touched By An Angel...

2011-12-08T16:59:00.002+08:00

He was with me, alive for 39 weeks and 5 days, inside and 8 minutes, outside. I held him for a few minutes before I said my goodbyes.....

Today, 3 months, 2 weeks and 2 days later.... I long for him but with a smile on my face.... not a tear.

I am not ready.... yet.

2011-09-05T03:59:00.002+08:00

I am still not ready to pen down things about the demise of my baby Abdullah Sulaiman Bin Azman who left us peacefully at 9.25am, 2 weeks today after 39 weeks and 5 days living inside the womb and 8 minutes outside, in the holy month of Ramadhan, day 22nd.
All I can say is that I missed him dearly, despite expecting his very short life after knowing of his condition since week 17 of gestation. I pray that his soul is free, safe and happy and that we will be reunited in a more beautiful life......

39 weeks

2011-08-18T16:21:00.002+08:00

BSP okay at 120/75, HbA1c at 6.2 is good, Fructosamine 188 is good, AFI is 58 (alot!!) and baby is measuring at around 38 weeks, weighing below 2.5kg.

I am booked for c-section on 22nd August 2011, 2 days short of my EDD. I am nervous. Allah please give me strength.

I love you, baby Abdullah Sulaiman.

Ramadhan......... pregnant and blood sugar profile

2011-08-10T15:55:00.002+08:00

Alhamdulillah, despite initial worries, I have managed the 10 days so far, having practised for 7 days prior to this month with my qadha (replacement) for the days I have missed last year. 3 hours and 30 minutes more to go for my 11th day. I have been fine. No hunger and no dehydration and most importantly my blood sugar profile is stable and within control. Baby is not complaining either. I have to make sure I do not miss the pre-dawn meals (sahur), with sufficient intake of complex carbs, sugar and fluid. Absolutely no cafeine and simple carbs during this fasting month, except for minute amount just to quench the desire but I have managed.
I will probably miss a few days of fasting, if my baby decide to enter the world (outside my womb, that is) before the Eid which is well within his term. I hope I do not have to celebrate Eid with a big tummy.

Children: Update

2011-07-26T14:14:00.004+08:00

Haakem:

Did quite well in all his exams, inlcuding the most recent Intervensi 2 and Trial. I hope he maintains his grades for the real UPSR. I am quite worried about his performance in English and BM (Pemahaman). His A's are not always very strong and his English writings call for concern. Maths and Science are fine and BM (Writing) is not too worrisome. He managed to maintain his first place for the mid-year exam. He has to get 5A's but considering his effort, I shall leave all for Allah to decide. HE knoweth best.

He ran for his Yellow Team in his school sports day (23rd July) and took third place. We never expected him to do better in sports but at least he tried. The next day, we took him to see Transformers 3 at GSC Pavillion and lunch at Grandmama's later.

Sometimes in June, together with his 3 classmates, he represented his school in the Science competition but didn't get any prize. No prize either for his poetry recital during the Anti Dadah campaign. I guess his best achievement this year on the extra-curricular side is winning second place at the Tilawah Al-Quran, Pudu Zone and representing the Zone to State level. He went to 2 UPSR seminars (outside school), the latter being the FOC one organised by Tabung Haji's Kelab TaHa.

Kamaliah:

Full of excuses but is enjoying school very much. The going to school and fooling around part of it. She refuses to do any reading and writing at home. But surprisingly she did okay in school. Her assesments - did very well in recognising sounds, colours, emotions, communication, inter-personal skills, reciting dua's & surahs from the Quran, cleanliness and reading is at par with age BUT need improvement in drawing, colouring and some physical activities (involving wet/dirty stuff). And she has very bad handwriting!! She took part in relay during the school sports day and her team came second and for the Telematch, her team came first. She has finished her Book 1 for her Iqra', thanks to Haakem. She lost 2kgs since she first enrol in school. Rarely sleeps during the day. She was unwell for 3 days this month and had to be fetched during school hours on 13th July and we keep her home for the next 2 days too. Favourite activity - Disney Channel! ARGH!!!

Zara:

She eats, drinks Ribena, talks, eats, drinks Ribena, talks, drinks Ribena, talks, drink Ribena, talks, eat, talks..... Also full of excuses and has answers for everything. 'nuff said.

Baby Abdullah:

Kicks, punches, hiccups, stretches, sulks, sleeps, sulks...... and we'll get to see him very soon!!

Week 36

2011-07-26T14:07:00.002+08:00

Tomorrow, I shall be 36 weeks pregnant with my fourth baby. As much as I have started to feel uncomfortable with the belly, I don't want this to end. A maximum of 4 more weeks to go, could be lesser, is such a short period to spend with you inside me, feeling your kicks, your hiccups, your stretches....
I do not know what to expect at the end of it but I have not stopped praying for you, for us, my son.
I just want you to know, I love you very much!! And thank you for making this a very beautiful experience for Mama. You be good in there......

29 weeks, 11 more to go...

2011-06-07T15:23:00.002+08:00

Insya Allah.......
I shall be holding my baby boy in 11 weeks or less.....
I shall miss having him kicking, jostling and somersaulting inside my womb....
I have never had a better pregnancy....
I love you my darling son..... regardless......

Congratulations Haakem

2011-04-14T16:06:00.003+08:00

I am very proud of Haakem. He won the second place among 53 contestants in the tilawah competition, zon pudu. He missed the first place by very small margin. His ustazah said that had he not choked in one of his sentences, he would have won first place. Together with the first place winner, Haakem will be representing Zon Pudu at KL state level on 26th April. All the best darling son. We shall coach your practicing harder this time. Alhamdulillah!!

Allah, Please Give Us Strength

2011-03-21T11:44:00.002+08:00

Ya Allah.... hanya kau yang maha mengetahui, maha mengasihani, maha pengampun dan maha penyayang. Hanya kau yang mengetahui isi hatiku.... hanya kau yang mengetahui perjalanan hidupku, hanya kau yang menentukan segalanya...
Ya Allah.... berilah aku kekuatan iman, emosi, mental dan fizikal dalam menghadapi dugaan dari MU. Aku redha tetapi permudahkanlah segala-galanya bagi kami... terutamanya bagi dia....
Jika ini ketentuanMU, aku redha....

How Much Am I Actually Worth (In Terms of Salary)

2011-03-08T16:26:00.003+08:00

I sometimes wonder.... am I underpaid? Overly underpaid? I know I am not overpaid. I know what I am paid now is sufficient (not lavish and only just comfortable) to see me and family through. My bills are paid on time, my only loan has a very clean track record (save for 2 or 3 Januaries of which I have missed the deadlines because I forgot that my post dated cheques have run-out, but never been fined), my other loan which is in a joined name is also now back on track, my credit card balance is way below 50% of its limit, I pay my zakat (insya Allah & alhamdulillah), I never missed my meals (unless of course I am fasting), I treat the kids when it is due, I go for holidays once a year (where and when and how depends on the circumstances), my kids are clothed, fed, educated, entertained and loved (now that last one should be given regardless), I have performed my umrah and insya Allah, Haj (have to postponed it until baby is more than a year old).

But when people come to know the monthly salary that I am paid, especially those who are in the same profession and/or industry, they would shake their heads profusely and tell me to move on as I shall surely be paid at least 50% more than what I am getting now. And when I browsed through job advertisement, most with 50% lesser years of experience required are paying at least as much as what I am getting. Headhunters are offering me almost double.

So, what is it with me being so loyal with this company and yet people from outside are willing to appreciate me more? I have been with this organisation for 14 years and I have seen it going through changes, mergers, expansion, taking overs, transformations...... I enjoy what I am doing and most of the people I work with. I travel quite extensively and my exposure to challenges are more than most legal advisors/lawyers of the same years of service would have encountered. I deal with big names in the industry. Here, I got to perform my prayers in peace and on-time. The place is only 10 minutes drive from home, 20 minutes if the traffic is really bad. I can walk home everyday (30 mins walk) when it is not raining or too dark.

The only thing that I dislike most these days is the Management's way of making decision. And how bad they are at recognising efforts and commitments. Most decisions are made or influenced by one person. If only that could change, I wouldn't even think of leaving and would serve this company until I'm 55 or longer, if required. And better too!

And I think I am worth at least 30% more.

Kakak Besar Demam

2011-03-03T15:44:00.002+08:00

Hmmm... Millie had been refusing food for a few days since Friday, but she had at least 10 currypuffs on Saturday and on Sunday her appetite left again. On Monday she didn't take her lunch, neither at school nor at home. And when I arrived home from work Monday evening, she started to develop a fever and I gave her 2 panadols (for kids, of course) and a glass of water. By midnight she was already at 39 degrees. Argh!!! I started sponging. At 7.00 am, I told Habibi that we have to take her to the clinic and she had to miss school. So, after brushing her teeth and changing into warm clothings, we drove to our family clinic, arriving at 7.30 and to my suprise it was toncilitis! One side of her toncils was red with white spots. Something she takes after my Habibi! She was also coughing but not too bad. I told the doctor that she's been taking very little food and had tummy ache and has been vomitting. So, after prescribing cough, fever and vomit meds as well as augmentin antibiotic (with 2 days MC), the doctor started talking about general things, at which point I asked her when is she on duty at the other branch (for ante-natal etc.) and with a huge laugh she asked... "haa.... ada apa?"... Heheheheheh......
We left the clinic at 8.10, for breakfast. Millie only had a few sips of milo (iced).
I took half the day off to keep her company, to give her meds and to feed her little food. I was at the office from 1.20 to 6.30pm.
At Maghrib her temperature was up again. She wanted maggi with egg and after eating 5 spoonfuls, she drank more water. She took her meds with no complaints and she slept thereafter.
On Wednesdy, she was in better spirit by noon, according to my aunt. I cooked chicken soup before leaving for work and she had that 3 times. She also read the Muqaddam and took more food. And started teasing her baby sister, Zara.
Today, I sent her off to school after she took her meds. She brought home 3 books for homework. I have to be home by 7pm today to help her with the works.
She's definitely recovering. ALHAMDULILLAH!!

Pix updates

2011-02-21T17:52:00.003+08:00

My babies have grown up and here are their latest pix. VVIPs in my life!!

I am 13+weeks pregnant

2011-02-18T14:47:00.002+08:00

Contrary to popular beliefs, conventions and thoughts, I was tested positive on 20th January 2011 (Thaipusam Day), as carrying a foetus inside my womb, at that point, for 8 weeks already!
My fourth time and third time in 6 years... heheheh... I was clinically labeled temporary infertile for 6 years after Haakem was born and this second half of my 12 years marriage definitely is proven otherwise. Alhamdulillah, Masya Allah.
I have been clockwork regular for the past 2 years, and when I missed my monthly visitor in December, I started to panic and another one in January made me rushed to the pharmacy (well, not quite, I was pestered by J and N, to have it checked) and morning 20th January 2011 I had that confirmed! I sms'd Hubby, J & N and my eldest sister. Praise to Allah, they are all happy about it, including dumbfounded Hubby.
Haakem was next, followed by my sisters and later - close friends, colleagues at the office (the whole news breaking process took almost a month) and FB friends. I had a problem breaking the news to Mak Yah since she was adamant not to have any more but of course she is now okay about it. I understand she is only concern on who shall take care of my baby as a good helper is hard to come by and the one we have now is an absolute no-no for little infants.
And as I write this, I have completed my 13th week and 2 days into my 14th.
I am scheduling my first clinic visit sometimes next week or in March, as usual, blood test and MGTT and registration at HUKM (I shall stick to HUKM although I am not too happy about its check-ups and tests) but I didn;t have a hard time the last time. BSP readings (meaning more blood collections, at least 4 times by 4 days).
I hope all is well this time, just like when I had the other 3 and that my labour and delivery is as smooth as with Zara's.

One Year Gap? Let's Break That Bad Habit.

2011-02-18T14:43:00.003+08:00

I haven't been updating my blog for ages... well, a year and 6 days to be exact.Another wedding anniversary was celebrated in the presence of loved ones (plus Bibik since I do not want to leave her at home. This is the new Bibik, not Suciati...that is a long story).A lot has happened since my year old post.

Let me list the important ones and hope I do not forget any:

1. I was up and down KL, Penang, Lumut for most of the days in the week(s) since January 2010;

2. My trustworthy Bibik Suciati had a stroke on 15/3/2010, 2 days after we renewed her passport and her work permit. She was hospitalised at HUKM for 9 days, never losing consciousness but her left side was paralysed. Hubby sent her back to Surabaya and she's now recovering at her hometown;

3. We had 1 temp maid for 2 months and another temp maid who has now served us for almost 10 months. We are still looking for a proper one;

4. I start working on a 5 day week routine since 15th July 2010;

5. I started to be involved in a new mega (and controversial) project the company is now pursuing;

6. Hubby is finally settled in KL, with no outstation postings starting June 2010, so, we are now a normal family;

7. I had a salary increment, not much but enough;

8. My kids are growing well;

9. I turn 40!

10. Haakem is in Year 6 and is now the Head Prefect for the 88 pupils' school;

11. Kamaliah (Millie) started pre-school at Haakem's and the school still has 10 vacancies, yes, no salary limit applicable;

12. Zara is going to have a baby brother/sister in August 2011, how's that? (Err... I shall still be only 40 when that happens, thank God for that).

HAPPY 11th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

2010-02-13T13:08:00.003+08:00

It's my and hubby's 11th wedding anniversary. Thank you, Sayang.. Azman Bin Ibrahim.. for taking me as your wife and thank you for being a great father for our 3 lovely kids.... 11 and counting... may our marriage last the life time. I love you.

2010

2010-01-04T10:32:00.002+08:00

Alhamdulillah I am given more time by Allah to see the world reaches its 2010th years after the birth of Prophet Isa a.s.

New Year Resolution(s) - To fulfil the "haqs" of Allah, myself, my family, my friends, my earth, my environment and my belongings. Insya Allah.

(of all the 2010 images found googled, I like this one)

SO LONG 2009 AND THANK YOU!

2009-12-31T16:09:00.002+08:00

Today is the last day of the year 2009... I am now 39 years old although only for 19 days today. Has 2009 been a good year? Looking back, I think 2009 was a year full of emotions. I have been emotionally touched a few times, mostly in good ways. I am counting my blessings... unlike 2008 which was filled with wonderful news, achievements, fulfilled hopes and prayers including the highlights of giving birth to a beautiful baby girl; getting a promotion with a considerably handsome increment;my best buddy Jan re-joined the department; and managing to pay off my dues (despite being the single income earner) including a significant amount off my credit card balance, the year 2009 was the year where I have become more in touch with my past, old friends, families. I watch my kids grow.... hubby is back on track.... my financial situation improved.... I am a more mellowed, matured, forgiving and thankful.... I found inner peace.....

I found myself, which I like and had always liked....

I am blessed... with great families and friends. ALHAMDULILLAH!.

It's Mid-December.. What??? No Post?

2009-12-12T18:44:00.004+08:00

ZARA IS OFFICIALLY WALKING!!

November and December have been hectic.

I think I was on outstation duties for quite a significant number of days with 2 trips to Setiu. Haakem's Hari Anugerah Cemerlang was squeezed in too as well as his 10th Birthday Celebration in Lumut.

Planning and actually going for the holidays and Eid in Setiu and Kelantan were taxing too (but enjoyable, I must say). Thank God I was not involved in LIMA this time around but I managed to complete the document to be executed there. For the past 2 weeks I have been staying back up to 10pm to ensure everything is in order as far as my assignments are done. The time at home is to be utilised for my kids.

I hope I can manage to write something proper after this.

The kids.... again

2009-11-05T19:53:00.002+08:00

Zara is standing on her own now but still refuses to walk.... Millie is being Millier and Haakem is frustrated that he is not getting good marks for 2 subjects....

Skudai - 28th & 29th

2009-11-05T19:47:00.004+08:00

Had a meeting to attend with the intellects in Skudai on 29th Oct. I just love meeting intelligent people!

Meeting was successful. Journey was fun! Food was satisfying and the company was great! Hotel was comfortable.

Thank you Pak Sidek for driving us there and around and back.

Crying Cockles and Mussels, Alive Alive Oh...

2009-10-12T14:49:00.003+08:00

I don't fancy things in shells.... cockles, clams, oysters.... I can only eat them in small doses... but MUSSELS.... they are my favourites!!!

The best way to have em is boiled with a stalk of lemoin grass, some mashed garlic and some sliced shallots. No sauce needed... I can eat a kilo with no problem..... hehehhehehe..... (tak elok tu, buruk lantak). And today I'll have them cooked in coconut cream white thinly sliced lemongrass and chillies, shallots and garlic. Yummmm!!!!

Muar Trip 101009

2009-10-12T11:53:00.003+08:00

My last trip to Muar was way back in November 2008, for a cousin's wedding. Almost a year ago and even then we did not pay the visit to the usual houses. The wedding was held at a Community Hall too. So, yesterday, we made the trip to Muar, visiting a relative (Mak Yah's late husband's adopted daughter, Hasnah) at Muar Specialist Hospital aka GH (BOY!!! THE PLACE HAS HAD A REALLY NICE FACLIFTS!!!). The last I went there was in 1988. Ironically, the bed we visited is only 2 beds away from where my late grandma was occupying when she was down with stroke 11 years ago.... I accompanied her for 2 nights... the ward was brand new then. Unlike most GHs in Klang Valley, there were no "foreign" patients in sight.

Anyhow, after packing (I did everything, of course) and Bibik getting the girls ready in Raya frocks, we left the house at 10.30am, cruising comfortably on the PLUS Hiway, (stopping once for hubby's fag), arriving in Muar at 12.30, heading straight to the GH. Only me and Mak yah went to the ward while hubby, Haakem, the girls and Bibik waited at the parking lot, which is nicely shaded under a tree.

At 2.00pm we headed to Kak Hasnah's youngest son's home in Bukit Treh, Boyin. I think I wrote about him a few years back. He is the only one among the 3 boys who has a family. We we served drinks and crisps. Bibik changed the girls's diapers and Zara's dress, into a more comfortable one. Except for hubby, we performed our Jama' Qasar prayers and by 3.00pm headed to my uncle (Pak Lang)'s home in Bukit Gambir. Pak Lang is my mother's immediate elder brother. We arrived around 4.00 and had our late lunch of white rice, fried chicken, fried fish, curry fish, mixed vegetables and some fruits. We left at 5.30pm, stopping at Masjid Bukit Kangkar for hubby to perform her prayers, pushing off finally at 6.20pm. We stopped at Ayer Keroh R&R for hubby's fag and some isotonic drinks. Haakem, Millie and Zara 9and Bibik) slept almost all the way. We wanted to stop at Nilai for Maghrib/Isya' but there were like 30 men in the male's queue for the ablution and we decided to stop at Serdang instead. So stopped at Serdang we did around 8.00pm. Hubby, Mak Yah and Haakem went first. I made some milk for Zara and while Bibik was feeding her, Millie and I stretched my legs. When hubby and Haakem were done, I asked Haakem to accompany me to the ladies (to hold my telekung while I did my business), only to discover that I had my period.... heheheheh (tak pregnant laaa.... dah 2 weeks late).

So, I asked Haakem to show Bibik to the toilet and surau instead. While waiting for Bibik to finish, we took pictures. We pushed of home at 8.45pm, arriving some half an hour later.

Upon entering the house, I took off my tudung leaving the rest to settle the bags, Bibik dealing with the girls, cook some rice, clean the mussles (bought on the way back), made some omelette, heat up some left over fish and dinner was ready at 10pm. While waiting for the food to cook, I put the laundry in the washing machine. We had dinner at 10.20pm, cleared the table at 10.45pm. I then unpacked the bags and did another cycle of laundry. The girls and Haakem slept by 12.00 midnight while hubby went out to meet some friends. I showered and changed around 12.30am. Then went to the kitchen to peeled off the rest of the mussels, to cook something else with it today.

When hubby came back at 1.30am, I was putting a new batch of laundry into the machine while Bibik was putting the first batch on the lines. I slept by 2.00am 9and woke up this morning to see Haakem off and had a cramp. I hate this. I had to massaged the tummy and the legs.... (hmm.... macam anak dara la pulok ada period pain). Had to come to office half an hour late after nursing myself back to health. Hubby sent me to office....

And today, he's my FB friend..... hehehhehe.... comey....

Reminiscing Foods Cooked In Ramadhan....

2009-10-09T18:35:00.004+08:00

I didn't do much cooking last Ramadhan as most have been taken care of by Mak Yah. But I did manage to produce a few award winning (Haakem's award, that is) dishes. Tom Yum (rushed to get the ingredients and carried them home, walking almost 20 minutes carrying the groceries), Nasi Goreng Padprik, Nasi Goreng Beriyani, Mee Goreng Mamak, Tembosa Sardin, Macaroni Carbonara.....

Princess Zara

2009-10-09T12:51:00.003+08:00

Hari Raya @ Mak Nim's

2009-10-09T12:21:00.003+08:00

Went to Mak Nim (youngest aunt)'s house on the 4th Syawal.... (err... and Millie brought back "something" and Zara was "disturbed" and I had a late night and hubby had to "fight" with the "thing").

HAPPY TIMES FOR THE KIDS, THE ADULTS... EVERYONE!!

2009-10-09T12:14:00.002+08:00

Had some problem uploading pictures. Better late than never.... at least Syawal is not over yet...

Eid ul Fitri 1430

2009-09-29T16:00:00.005+08:00

It was fun, simple and colourful but exhausting!!
We chose maroon this year for the family... I have ironed all clothes a few days before returning to Klang, so there was no chaos over the ironing board. I think we all look nice in that colour scheme.
SELAMAT HARI RAYA! EID MUBARAK EVERYONE!!

Eid ul Fitri 1430 - The days before

2009-09-29T14:08:00.003+08:00

It was fun but exhausting....
I took the day off from 18th Sept as Bibik is leaving on that day via a delayed flight at 1420hrs. The rest of the day was spent adjusting to look after the 2 little ones. I packed Bibik some pulut palas and serunding, muffins and cookies for her breakfasting and journey home. Traffic jam must be very bad! Bibik did as much as she could for the house before getting ready to go.
The next day was a non-working day (not exactly a company leave) and I spent half of it packing. For all of us for the first day in Klang, for hubby and Haakem for 3 days in Kelantan and for me and the girls for another day in Klang, the cooked food, the raw food for me to cook, food (cookies, muffins, pulut palas and serunding) for Kelantan, babies milk and food..... argh!!!! We plan to leave after Zohor but I was still in my worn out kaftan at 2pm. It took me another 1.5 hours to settle everything and at 3.45pm, we were off to Klang. Missed the exit to KESAS, twice, and took the Federal Highway instead. Arriving at my mom's at 5.25pm and it was raining heavily. My elder sister's family was already there.
My eldest sister Puti was in KL fetching my younger sister Angel from work and eventually missed the last iftar together, only arriving home at 1.30am much to my mom's disappointment. My brother, Adli's family was with us. We had the usual spread - nasi himpit (pressed rice), lodeh (mixed fresh, fermented & dried vegetables cooked in coconut gravy), sambal kacang with sotong (spicy peanut sauce with dried squids), rendang daging (dry beef curry), ayam goreng rempah (spicy fried chicken), paru goreng (fried cow's lung), pulut palas (glutinous rice cooked in coconut crean, stuffed in palm leaves and steamed to perfection) and serunding ikan (sweet and spicy fish floss).
After Maghrib prayer I put Zara to sleep and to the care of my sister Kak Aja. I joined the Isya' prayer led by my husband and then we recited the Takbeer.....
Stop Press! Zara refuse everyone except me and Mak Yah!!!
Errr... she fell off the bed and her forehead was swollen!! Huge!! But we placed wrapped ice cubes on the swelling part and thank God it wasd reduced almost to nothing except a hint of yellowish bruise by morning.

Blog Goblog!!

2009-09-15T15:00:00.001+08:00

Somebody blew the whistle a few days ago.... about an office mate's personal blog and louder whistles were blown!!! ARGH!! This is so stupid. I just cannot understand why somebody has to stoop so low to score points. And it was such an innocent blog. Well, unless you are "gulity" you wouldn't feel a thing if you read the blog.
And the stories behind it just want to make me puke. Now, almost everyone who has internet access in the company is reading the blog, which used to be accessed to by only a few people in the office.
Thank you "Daddy" for clarifying things with us. I just pray that the guilty people get paid, in cash, for their wrongdoing. This is wrong!! Totally wrong!

Ramadhan... then and now

2009-09-11T17:18:00.005+08:00

I remember my first fasting during Ramadhan way back in 1976 when I was only 5 years old (turning 6 at the end of the year). I had to stop halfway for the first 2 days. The first day I broke my fast at 12.00 noon with a piece of kuih bengkang pisang (densed banana cake) and the second day at 10.00am with a glass of milk. I also stopped from attending my kindergarden class. The rest of the fasting month went by without any incident. In 1977 I fasted the whole one month. 1978 was also fine but in 1979 I missed 3 days. 1980 was fine and so was 1981. In 1982 I started missing a few days of fasting and had started to replace them too!! Argh!!

I remember that I always dreaded Ramadhan during my teens and twenties, well except when I was in UK for the days were very short. In 1992-1996, we generally only had to fast from 7.30am to 4.00pm and that was a breeze!! I took the chance to replace all my missed days during those winter seasons too!!

When I came back to Malaysia and started working and leaving on my own (with my younger sister), Ramadhan was more meaningful as we used the time on reading the Holy Qur'an and night prayers. I count my blessings for those days, especially the year Abah passed away, a few days before Ramadhan.

But now, as a wife and a mother (and an employee), Ramadhan goes by very swiftly..... Haakem is an angel, he started fasting even earlier than I did, at the age of 4 and completed a full month on his first attempt. We never have any problem with him whining or complaining of hunger, thirst or anything of the sort, oh well, except that he sleeps alot during the day and last year he missed one day of fasting because Millie's Ribena and fried chicken was too tempting. For the past years he would only drink some water for sahur but this year he wakes up every morning at 5.15am for his proper meal.

As for me, I would usually make sure all the baju rayas, shoes etc are in place a few weeks before Ramadhan so that I can spend the fasting months doing more beneficial things, spiritually. Except for the cakes, cookies and crisps for Eid, the rest are done.

At the workfront, we were quite busy for the first 2 weeks but things are slowing down. Everyone is in Raya mood (except for a few who always think that they are busiest - I always put that to lack of organisation). I put up festive lights in my room, which I share with a colleague and brought some festive lights and old money packets from last years for my other colleagues to decorate our little office. I have completed writing all the greeting cards, ready for posting before end of the week.

I would try my best to be home before iftar time. I dislike breakfasting at hotels and for the past few years I manage to keep it to maximum of 2 trips the whole month. I just cannot swallow the fact that the price of my food for that particular day is enough to feed a family of 6 for a week. That always makes me sick. I would go to those costing less than RM40 and only if the event is not pretentious.

This year I have only missed 3 days of breakfasting at home while one was spent outside (Satay Station) with hubby and the kids. I would try to do whatever I can during the nights, in between attending to the little ones. I pray for a chance to encounter laylatulqadr, insya Allah.....

And with only 9 days more...... I pray too that all of my loved ones will experience another Ramadhan..... ameen...

My Two Princesses

2009-09-08T17:39:00.001+08:00

The top pic is Zara and the bottom is Millie!!

Zara's Latest Pix

2009-09-08T17:24:00.003+08:00

She fell down from her bed a few weeks back and her plump cheek was bruised. It's okay now and she's ever a happy baby.

Papa and the Kids

2009-09-08T17:20:00.003+08:00

Hubby was home over the weekend, to celebrate Millie's bday and we had quite a busy weekend too.

Iftar With My Best Buddies (Minus A Few)

2009-09-08T17:12:00.004+08:00

We decided to meet up for Iftar and the location chosen was Satay Station. Great atmosphere, great food, great company. Too bad my old friends Naj, Kelar, Moon, Syir weren't around. But we still had fun!

Millie's Three Today

2009-09-04T10:19:00.003+08:00

Millie aka Kakak aka Kamaiyah aka Jengkit aka Megatrone whose real name is Puti Kamaliah Zulaikha Binti Azman is three (3) years old today.
I can still remember vividly my check-ups, my hospital admission, my stay at Klang GH, my labour, her birth..... her face and her scream when the midwife place her on my tummy after she burst out of the womb......
My darling angel is a big sister now.....
May ALLAH grant her the best in life and may she become a solehah.

It's Raining Again

2009-08-26T18:20:00.002+08:00

What a melancholic title.....

It's passed 7pm and I am still at the office, by choice.... my team is involved in negotiations with various parties for one big job we have just been awarded by the client. The past week and also this week, we are bogged down with meetings and drafting of documents.

But other assignments have to be delivered too. So, I am doing those in between these things. I also have to supervise and advise my junior colleagues on their drafting as well. I must provide the support they need. I feel that it is my responsibility as the most senior person in ranking, next to the boss. I have always believed in comradeship. Everyone has to be around even if his/her part is done.... regardless of rank and position. That spirit is not easy to instil. I must count myself lucky to be trained under a person (and many people) who upheld that spirit. I missed working with that old team.....

At times like this, I wish the old team is back.

The intelligent, down to earth and suportive people.... so unlike the current people we have in the organisation now. Even most of the "old" personnel have changed now.... or rather..... they choose not to do too much because it is of no use... I don't blame them.... the current top people simply do not appreciate what's left of the old team apart from squeezing information....

I'm sick of the office politics..... I'm sick of seeing unfair treatments around me....

It was bad in the old days but compared to these days, the old ones were heaven.......

Now everyone has his/her own agenda....

I am being melancholic....... I want MRIS, ISO, IT, KA, SAM, NH back... in fact I want AZS and TASOS back!!!!

Ramadhan......

2009-08-25T12:26:00.002+08:00

Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan to all friends, relatives and readers.
As at today - 4 days off...... oh well, I have been fasting (on-off) for 50 days since March 2009. And Allah decided to give me days off (first since confinement with Zara) this Ramadhan.....
And this 3 weeks (commencing 17th August) would be super-busy....
I hope I can manage.

Setiu Holiday

2009-08-18T17:05:00.004+08:00

The Head of Department froze my annual leave last school holidays. Why? Because she wanted to take 4 day leave before going for a one week overseas trip. And almost everyone else was taking leave during that season... I wasn't planning anything to go anywhere anyway. So, I planned for something for my husband's birthday. A trip to Setiu, where he works, for everyone. Malaysia Airlines tickets costed RM554.00 (return) for 3 adults (me, Mak yah and Bibik), 2 children (Haakem and Millie) and an infant (little Zara). Accommodation for 4 days and 3 nights were FOC complimentary of Suria Merang Resort. It was a pleasant place. Not too fancy but clean enough for my standard. Food was also free. The journey was fun and the stay was relaxing... it was by the beach so Haakem and Millie (and Bibik) had the chance to play by the seaside. Zara was a great sport. We went to stay for a night and a day at my aunt's place in Chendering. I did some batik shopping. Grabbed Haakem's Baju Melayu & sampin for Raya.

We had a great time!! Total Damage : RM1463.00 all inclusive (travelling, food, shopping).

Launching of the 6th RMN Patrol Vessel

2009-08-18T11:10:00.002+08:00

I was there for the launching of the first RMN PV way back in 2003? The event was organised by a committee lead by my husband who was then serving the same organisation... The launching of the vessel brought tears into my eyes as we have been working really hard to get the project going..... I was invited to all the launching and naming ceremonies of the subsequent vessels but had to decline all (well except for the fifth in Langkawi but I was watching from far as I was busy preparing for the event that followed).

But on 23rd July 2009 I was there in Lumut to witness the launching ceremony of the last of the first batch. With my colleagues from the department who also worked hard for the project....

Zara Is One Year Old

2009-08-17T09:51:00.003+08:00

My little princess Zara turned one on 12th August 2009!! How time flies!

Lunch @ the Lodge

2009-07-15T14:41:00.004+08:00

I decided to not fast today and persuaded Lin into it too.... so we had lunch with the rest of the gang except G who indulged in more shopping instead...... great company, good atmosphere and the food is good value for money.....

They serve set lunch, a choice of tom yum noodles/rice with green curry/fried rice/fried koay teow, with side dishes of 2 money packets (little fried dim sum), 2 fish cakes, 2 pieces of pandan chicken (super yummilicious), somtam (mango salad) and dessert of (kidney beans, jellies, sago in sweetend coconut milk), worth RM18.90++ per set. I had the green curry and added lime juice to my order.... all costing me less than RM30.00.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Ooooo... legs!!!!

2009-07-14T17:36:00.002+08:00

Mehendi

2009-07-14T17:31:00.002+08:00

I have never had henna applied on my nails ever.... but yesterday a sudden urge to wear it made me do it.... had to ask hubby's permission for he is not into this thing... I didn't even wear it for our wedding.... but here goes....

In Memoriam - MJ

2009-07-14T17:21:00.002+08:00

We had a little shrine for MJ.....

Everybody in the Department(s) loves MJ...

Zara's 11 Months Old....

2009-07-13T15:43:00.004+08:00

How time flies... My little princess Zara turned 11 months old yesterday.....

She still has only 2 teeth, crawls on her tummy, loves to stand (supported) and climbs on the sofa, eats 6 times a day, drinks milk 6 times a day plus Mama's milk and weighs only 9kgs. I hope she'll walk soon and put on more weight... like my princess Millie... who weighs, at 2 years 10 months old, 15kgs.

My Saturday......

2009-07-11T13:41:00.005+08:00

This week and last have been really hectic for me..... hubby was here for a bit (in between Tuaran and Setiu) but we hardly spent time with each other... I have been involved in meetings with people from Belarus.... I only managed to fast for 2 days (officially leaving 7 days left to replace) for I was down with stuffy nose, not H1N1 but normal cold. The little girls had it for 2 days and then hubby and I caught the bug too. I've had working lunches with the Belarusian and hardly see my colleagues at the office.

So today we decided to splash it on breakfast. We had our most important meal of the day at La Bodega, Pavillion. I shared the Big Breakfast PLUS mushroom omellete with Haakem, Jan had the blueberry pancakes, Gee had the English Breakfast and KN had the salmon scramble eggs.

RM134.00 for the lot. Not too bad considering quality & quantity of the food.

Reminiscing MJ - Reading, UK 1996

2009-07-01T12:43:00.004+08:00

Michael Jackson They Don't Care About Us

Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, aggravation
Everybody allegation
In the suite, on the news
Everybody dog food
Bang bang, shot dead
Everybody's gone mad
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Beat me, hate me
You can never break me
Will me, thrill me
You can never kill me
Jew me, sue me
Everybody do me
Kick me, kick me
Don't you black or white me
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Tell me what has become of my life
I have a wife and two children who love me
I am the victim of police brutality, now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of hate
You're rapin' me of my pride
Oh, for God's sakeI look to heaven to fulfill it's prophecy...
Set me free
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Trepidation, speculation
Everybody allegation
In the suite, on the news
Everybody dog food
Black man, black mail
Throw your brother in jail
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Tell me what has become of my rights
Am I invisible because you ignore me?
Your proclamation promised me free liberty, now
I'm tired of bein' the victim of shame
They're throwing me in a class with a bad name
I can't believe this is the land from which I came
You know I do really hate to say it
The government don't wanna see
But if Roosevelt was livin'
He wouldn't let this be, no, no
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, speculation
Everybody litigation
Beat me, bash me
You can never trash me
Hit me, kick me
You can never get me
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
Some things in life they just don't wanna see
But if Martin Luther was livin'
He wouldn't let this be
Skin head, dead head
Everybody gone bad
Situation, segregation
Everybody allegation
In the suite, on the news
Everybody dog food
Kick me, strike me
Don't you wrong or right me
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us
All I wanna say is that
They don't really care about us

Reminiscing MJ - Oxford 1992

2009-07-01T12:40:00.005+08:00

Michael Jackson's Give In To Me

She always takes it with a heart of stone
'Cause all she does is throw it back to me
I've spent a lifetime
Looking for someone
Don't try to understand me
Just simply do the
Things I say

Love is a feeling
Give it when I want it
'Cause I'm on fire
Quench my desire
Give it when I want it
Talk to me woman
Give in to me
Give in to me

You always knew just how to make me cry
And never did I ask you questions why
It seems you get your kicks from hurting me
Don't try to understand me
Because your words just aren't enough

Love is a feeling
Quench my desire
Give it when I want it
Takin' me higher
Love is a woman
I don't wanna hear it
Give in to me
Give in to me

You and your friends
Were laughing at me in town
But it's okay
And it's okay
You won’t be laughing girl
When I'm not around
I'll be okay
And I'll, I'll not find
Gotta, the peace of mind no

Don't try to tell me
Because your words
Just aren't enough

Love is a feeling
Quench my desire
Give it when I want it
Takin' me higher
Talk to me woman
Love is a feeling
Give in to me
Give in to me
Give in to me

Love is a feeling
I don't wanna hear it
Quench my desire
Takin' me higher
Tell it to the preacher
Satisfy the feeling
Give in to me
Give in to me

I don't wanna
I don't wanna
I don't wanna
Hear it
Give it to the fire
Talk to me woman
Quench my desire
I don't like a lady
Talk to me baby
Give in to me

He is really gone...

2009-06-26T20:13:00.002+08:00

I woke up this morning, in my hotel room in Lumut to the news of the sudden demise of the King of Pop, Michael Joseph Jackson aka MJ aka Wacko Jacko aka Michael Jackson.

I grew up listening to his music, I danced to his numbers... I cried watching his videos.....

Rest In Peace Micheal..... I hope you have truly converted to Islam... in which case AlFatehah....

My Cheeky Darlings, Again

2009-06-08T15:40:00.005+08:00

The kids have adapted to life without having their father on full time basis but when he is around, they sure spend quality time with Papa.

But I always make sure that I am always there for them...... It's a record... I have not spent any overnight stays for my outstation duties for 88 days now!! I have been "arranging" and "scheduling" these pretty well!!

A Very Hot & Sunny Weekend

2009-06-08T11:29:00.003+08:00

The title above may not have much to do with the content of this posting... but it was a really hot and sunny weekend.

Hubby was around.... arriving home at 3.00am early Friday morning. So, I was chauffer driven to the office that morning.... (and home that evening). We went to get some provisions from Maluri Jusco after Maghrib prayers, having earlier devoured a simple but yummy dinner comprising of white rice, sambal belacan, ulam petai kukus (sebab malas nak kupas, so dah kukus tu senang jer picit... heheh), ikan gelama kering goreng, asam pedas ikan tenggiri and hot black coffee.

We had a few wedding invitations for the weekend but due to Hubby's very short availability span, we had to give all a miss. So, I cooked nasi minyak (pilau rice), lamb korma, ayam masak merah (chicken in tomato/chiili sauce) and jelatah (pineapple, cucumber, onion and chilli salsa). As planned we went to visit my Mak who last weekend broke one of her toes and had her left leg in a cast (up to the ankle), but she can walk, pray and do other activities. Later on we visited Hubby's cousin whose daughter got married last weekend (but Hubby wasn't around so we didn;t attend that wedding either) to send a wedding gift.

By 6.00pm we were back at home for Asar prayers. I packed some nasi minyak ( its condiments) and some drinks for Hubby who pushed off for Setiu at 6.30pm. (Arriving at 1.00am, safely. Alhamdulillah!!

Teachers Day, Three Weeks Late

2009-06-02T10:33:00.006+08:00

I realized I didn't make any posting on Teachers Day. Maybe because Haakem was away on his camping trip on the day itself but we did buy presents and cards for his teachers....
I am who I am today 30% due to all the teachers who have left footprints in my life..

Kindy (5 months) - Ustazah Normah and Hajah Noraini - Arwah (she is the elder sister of our current TPM);
Standard One - Puan Zubaidah (class teacher for one month, I still remember her mole), Puan Hasnah Ashari (BM, Maths, and the most garang teacher but I was her pet... heheh), Cik Habibah (class teacher, temp who later came back, certified and with the title Puan, when I was in Std 6). We had a few more techers but they will be mentioned in my higher grades;
Standard Two - Cikgu Talib (class teacher, Math., BM, PJ, Kesihatan), Puan Habsah (Science & Jahitan), En. Md Noor Jaafar - Arwah (English). More teachers also teaching in higher grades.
Standard 3 - Cikgu Amat Kalam - Arwah (Maths, BM, Lukisan, Kajian Tempatan, PE). Mrs Doris Tan (English, Science), Cikgu Mustafa Othman (Agama, Kesihatan), Puan Kalsom Rabu (Jahitan);
Standard 4 - Puan Zaharah (class teacher, English, Maths), Puan Rashidah (BM, History), Puan Sharifah Saadiah (Science, Geography);
Standard 5 - Puan Sharifah Saadiah (Maths), Puan Rashidah (Geog), Cikgu Rahman (BM), Mrs Liew (English, Lukisan), Puan Juriah (History, PE);
Standard 6 - Cikgu Hamidon (BM, History, Maths), Puan Juriah (Science, History), Cikgu Ramli (Music).
Most of the aforementioned teachers would have taught me in various other subjects at other grades. But I would also like to thank these teachers who didn't teach me directly but were there at my primary school - Sekolah Rendah Sultan Abu Bakar (2), Jalan Junid, Muar, Johor. - Puan Hjh Maimunah (Deputy HM), Arwah Tuan Hj Jabar (Deputy HM), Mrs Lau and Cikgu Khamis.
And for Sekolah Agama (Kerajaan Negeri Johor) - Religious School, I have the following to thank - Cikgu Aishah (Yr 1, SA Tun Dr Ismail - Pagi), Ustazah Kamaliah (Yr 2, SA Bandar Maharani), Arwah Cikgu Adnan (Yr3, SA Tun Dr Ismail - Pagi), Ustazah Hamidah (Yr4, SA Tun Dr Ismail - Petang), Ustazah Hapipah Umar (Yr5, SA Tun Dr Ismail - Pagi), Ustaz Azman (Yr6, SA Tun Dr Ismail - Pagi).
Secondary School - Sek. Men. (P) Sultan Abu Bakar, Muar, Johor.
Form 1 - Pn. Fatimah (BM), Mrs Tan (English, Maths), Mrs Ho (Commerce/Accounts), Ustazah Zabedah (Agama), Miss Anna Sim (Science), Miss Ayre (History);
Form 2 - Mr Tee (class teacher, Science), Ustaz Nasharuddin (Agama), Mrs Ho (Commerce), Puan Noraini (BM, History), Cikgu Hasan Suradi (Geog), Miss Ho (English, Art).
Form 3 - Puan Fatimah Isnin (BM), Mrs Ho (English), Mrs Tan (Math), Cikgu Mustaffa (Art), Ustaz Ishak (Agama), Puan Fatimah (Commerce);
Form 4 - Puan Ashimah Ibrahim (English), Puan Fatimah (BM), Mrs Khoo (Bio), Miss Goh Yen Yen (Geog), Miss Mary Goh (Chem), Cik Zaharah Ambok Masek (Physics), Mr Tan (English), Ustaz Ishak (Agama);
Form 5 - Miss Anne Lau (class teacher, English), En Ibrahim (History, yup, I was the only in the whole school's Science stream to take up History and a few years later, it was made compulsory) and the rest as per Form 4 except Mr Ho Sin Chan for Physics.
And also to the teachers who have coached me for Speech and Debate - Mrs Khoo, Mr Segaran, Puan Zaidah, Mrs Caroline Chua ,my counselling teacher Puan Siti Rahmah and my HM Puan Zakiah Shuib, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THAT ALL OF YOU HAVE DONE IN MOULDING ME INTO A BETTER PERSON.

And while we are at that, I would also like to mention lecturers from my English Preparatory Course and A Level - Mrs Helena Wong (Econs, A Level), Mr Nasir (English), Mrs Bala (ELTS), Mr Kandiah (ELTS), Mrs Tan (Cost Acc, A Level), Mr Guna (Financial Accounting, A Level), Puan Rohazarwati (English Legal System, A Level), Mr Helmi Ibrahim (Contracts Law, A Level), Ustaz Syukur (Islamic Education Studies).
Also lecturers during my NCUK days - Mr Mahindarjit Singh (Admin Law), Miss Sheila Tilley (Tort), Miss Mary Fairhurst (Contract), Miss Liza (ELS), Miss Aliyah (Contract) and Miss Nora.
Lecturers during my days in Oxford, Prof. Diana Woodhouse, Mr Paul Catley, Dr Carol Brennan, Mr McIntyre, Mrs Beryl Grant, Ms Judith Hendricks and Mr William Turner and during my Reading days, Prof Murdoch, Mr Peter Smith, Mr Chris Newdick and Prof Tony Downes.

For those who have departed, may your souls rest in peace and the Muslim ones, Al Fatehah....

Haakem's First Sparring Competition

2009-05-26T08:59:00.003+08:00

Haakem enrolled for Taekwondo early last year and is now wearing the green belt #2 but he never actually knew the actual use of this martial art. I urged him to try out for sparring and he was chosen to represent the school for the MSSMKL Taekwondo Competition. He trained for 2 months, on Monday & Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. I wasn't hoping for him to get any medal but it was the spirit that counts.

He had to go for a motivational camping trip organised by the school the same weekend. Only 5 kids were involved in both the camping trip and the Taekwondo Competition and they would be excused a day earlier. Hubby and I fectched him from Kem Idaman Nurani Pangsun/Hulu Langat on Saturday 16th May, pushing off after dinner and Maghrib prayer. We stopped over at Tesco to get a month's provisions of bulky things (diapers, rice, oil, detergent etc.) . Haakem slept from exhaustion the whole way while Hubby slept while I did the shopping with Haakem. We arrived home at 10.00pm. I massaged Haakem to minimise potential pain as he has been doing quite a lot of physical activities during the motivational course.

We pushed off to the Stadium Badminton Cheras at 7.40am (we thought we were running late as all of us woke up quite late for Subuh).

We arrived at the Stadium before 8.00 am and Haakem joined his group for warming up sessions. We took our places at the top level of the arena.

The first duel started at 9am. Haakem's team mates didn't do well, which I believe is due to exhaustion and muscle pain from the camping trip. Haakem's turn was around 10.10am and as expected he didn't make it through the first round.

But what I admire most about Haakem was his sporting spirit. His opponent was an Indian boy from another school who was trained under the same master and getting ready for their spar, Haakem helped the boy to put on his protective gear and after their fight, they fooled around together.

Haakem wasn't disappointed for his loss and neither were we...... We went to Maluri Jusco for brunch after the match and Haakem & Hubby ordered the Johor Lamb Beriani while I had the mihun sup.

I hope Haakem will fair better next time.

All I Want For Christmas Is My 2 Front Teeth

2009-05-25T12:34:00.003+08:00

Zara now has two teeth, the 2 little lower incisors, for almost a month now... a bit late compared to Abang and Kakak. Haakem had his first teeth by his second doctor's visit and Millie had hers by her 5th month and by Zara's teething age, they both had at least 6 already.

Aren't those little pearls cute?

Dresses for the Princesses

2009-05-25T12:13:00.003+08:00

My youngest aunt, Mak Nim came with her hubby Pak Mus and daughter Rina yesterday. They had presents for the kids..... matching pink party gowns for my girls and a hooded zip-up for Haakem plus another dress each for the girls.... Millie was all up for parading the dress around......

HAPPY 73rd BIRTHDAY MAK YAH

2009-05-21T17:17:00.004+08:00

Mak Yah turned 73 yesterday 20th May 2009. We had a little celebration yesterday evening. I rushed to Maluri Jusco after office and grab a wall clock as her gift, some flowers, a blank card, wrapping papers and a cake and back at home by 7.20pm. In time for Iftar.
I quickly wrapped the gift, wrote on the card and have Millie and Haakem gave it to Atuk who was pleasantly surprised. I wanted to wait until after Maghrib but the kids were too excited. After prayers, I put candles on the cake and Atuk blew them out (Millie helped alot really!!). Bibik and Zara joined in the fun too.
The kids helped Atuk to unwrap the gift and Atuk was happy to have a brand new wall clock with one year warranty...... up went the clock on her wall and we busied ourselves with the cake (Haakem had third helping and Millie licked the orange flavoured icing).
I am so happy that I made Mak Yah (and the kids) happy! It didn't require much effort.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ATUK!!!

MAY YOU LIVE LONGER AND HAVE A WONDERFUL, HEALTHY AND SAVE LIFE, WITH US!!!

Mothers Day. Part II

2009-05-15T11:17:00.005+08:00

I have been blessed with 2 mothers almost all my life... really!!

My first (biological) mother is Mak who conceived me, carried me in her womb for 9 months ++ and delivered (normal) 6lb 3 oz (2.8kg - I was a small baby) me to the world almost 39 years go and has loved me just like the rest of my sisters and brother all these years......

My other mother is Mak Yah, my Mak's elder sister, who, since I was 1 year old, has been raising me, looked after my welfare and loved me... until now.

Mak Yah was the one who would be at my side for all the important events in my life...... especially during its first 20 years.... my days at kindy, my first day at school, my exams, my major exam results, good news and bad..... Mak Yah was the one writing me letters (in jawi) every month without fail when I was studying abroad, sometimes with bankdraft worth around GBP300.00. After (potential) hubby proposed to me, Mak yah was the first person I introdcued hubby to to get her blessings. Had she said "no", I wouldn't have proceeded but hubby made quite an impression that Mak Yah asked to expedite tying the knot. Only then, I proceeded to tell the rest of my family......

And on Mothers Day itself, I wouldn't have forgotten this equally important person in my life... I had a small gift for her which she accepted with tears in her eyes........

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MAK YAH!!

Thank you for loving me, unconditionally all these years.

Thank you for caring for me in sickness and in helath, and now caring for my children too.

Thank you for always being there for me, physically and spiritually.

Thank you for all your encouragement, making me who I am today.

I hope I have been a good daughter to you, I will strive to be.

I pray for your long life, good health and high spirit.

I pray that Allah will always bless you.......

Mothers Day. Part I

2009-05-15T10:52:00.004+08:00

No, I didn't forget the special day... just because I didn't post anything about it doesn't mean Mak is not special to me...... of course she is.....

In fact, my siblings and I, all the five naughty children of Mak surprised her a day earlier.

It started with an sms from Bu (our eldest sister) on Saturday morning and I suggested a surprise dinner ( since Mak was on her white days fasting) with just her children, witthout the in-laws and the grandchildren. It has been a while since we go out without these people....

So, Bu and I agreed to go out to get the present. We went out at 4.00pm and decided on a simple mobile phone for her. After a quick snack at Delifrance, we drove off to Angel's house to fetch Angel and her kids to go back to Klang. We left the house at 7.00pm after our Asar prayer. The kids are to be dropped at Mak's house to be babysitted by my sis in law, Yana but we were not to arrive before my elder sister Aja fetch Mak and drive her off to Jusco Bukit Tinggi. Aja was running late, driving all the way from Salak Tinggi, alone. So, we stopped off as the shoplots near Mak's house and bought dinner for the kids and Yana and also bought a bouquet of dahlias for Mak.

At 8.00, Aja called us to inform that Mak is safely stolen and whizzed to Jusco. Only then we went home (Klang home la....), dropped the kids and fetch our little bro Adli and drove to Jusco. Aja told Bu that Mak fancied some pasta so she's taking Mak to Pastamania.

When we arrived around 8.45pm, Mak was having spaghetti bolognese and Aja was having some beef lasagnae.

Mak was pleasantly surprised to see all her kids lining up to kiss and hug her, with the flowers and the gift.... She never thought we would celebrate the day with her........, coming all the from KL !! Aja had lied to her that she is attending some courses in Klang.....

Hugs and kisses exchanged and we ordered our food.... chatted..... until it was almost closing time. Food was great!!

Aja drove off back to Salak Tinggi at 11.00pm and the rest of us went back to Mak's house later and by 11.40pm, we were off to KL, leaving smiling and content Mak with Adli and family in Klang (playing with her new toy).

I am so happy for Mak for she's been quite down these days.........

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MAK!!!

Despite anything and everything, I would always love you!!! And now that I have kids of my own, I learn to love you more.

Thank you Mak for bringing me to this world!

Haakem's Mystery Tour

2009-05-05T19:20:00.006+08:00

My poor little boy Haakem is raised in KL and lived in KL all his life but he has never been around KL that much. So, on Saturday 2nd May I brought him around Sg Wang...... after half of the day at the office accompanying me. We walked, of course.... Lot 10 (paid off my credit card at the kiosk outside), Sg Wang (had lunch at KFC, really!), Berjaya Times Square, Jalan Pudu (stopped by at the Uniform Shop to get his Pengakap thingies) and home in time for Maghrib prayer.....

My Cheeky Darlings

2009-05-05T19:11:00.003+08:00

Last Sunday I paid for Haakem's protection gear for his Taekwondo Sparring competition this 17th May 2008. I have arranged with hubby to be in KL that weekend. When I arrived home from Lumut last night, Haakem had just arrived home from his sparring training session. I asked him to put on the gear....

And the little girls were all ready for the cam as well!

Lumut Trip And Back To KL With A Cold

2009-05-05T19:05:00.002+08:00

Left for work at 8.30 on Monday and left for Lumut in the Company's car, with a colleague from Finance Dept and the driver, at 10.00am. Arriving in Lumut around 1.00pm, stopping for lunch and off to the Yard. Meeting started at 3.00 and ended at 5.00 with another meeting at 5.30 ended at 6.50. Pushed back off to KL, stopping at teluk Intan for dinner, arrriving at jalan Duta Toll Plaza at 10.09pm and home at 10.20pm... to the arms of my little angels!!!

And I got the bug!!! ARGH!!! 2 Panadol Solubles and a massage from Bibik, I doze off to sleep at 1.30am....

And during the 3 pm meeting I received the news that one of our subsidiaries' COO died of heart attack at 9.00am. He was 55. Thank God I didn't owe him any legal opinion/documents.

FROGGIES

2009-04-30T15:57:00.003+08:00

Friends say I like froggies, relatives say I love anything to do with froggies...... errr.... do you think I am into froggies? And that is only at the work station.........

Moving Or Not Moving: Moved

2009-04-30T12:56:00.003+08:00

I have almost settled in in the new office. As I said, I enjoy it very much and coming to the office is something I look forward to in the morning, only to be spoiled at times with the boss' throwing fit against the other staff. Truth is the b oss is upset about not moving with the rest of us. The Top Management probably has bigger plans for her rather than heading the small Legal Dept., which tasks are only advising, reviewing, drafting and vetting legal documents apart from attending to contractual matters, negotiations, organising discussions to prepare responses tro clients etc..... as well as attending to litigation and corporate matters..... heheheheheh....

After 12 years of service in the company, I am finally given a notebook PC... oh well... I have never complained for I've always preferred desktops. So, here I am, typing away on my new DELL notebook......

Today is another episode of packing and stacking files.....

We have got our fax line on too.....

STOP PRESS: Yesterday I had a shock of the month as I was doing work on my old PC, these 2 figures appeared outside my window. Thank God for the blinds..... 2 cleaners in a gondola.... I was thinkig Hans Isaac and Awie!!!!

This Weekend

2009-04-25T14:09:00.004+08:00

This Saturday starts with Haakem going for his Azan contest at SR Sri Bintang Utara, Zon Pudu... I hope he does well... as at 2.22pm, no results update from his teacher.
I watched the company's volleyball tournament - 3 games for a few minutes and took some pix.
Now I am waiting for my eldest sister P and my Mom to go for hair cut and hair wash. Later we will drop Mom at my place and I will go for some shopping - stuff for the new office.....

My Girls!!

2009-04-25T14:05:00.003+08:00

Both have grown up.... very quickly... since my last post about them...

Bibik is Back!!

2009-04-25T13:23:00.002+08:00

After 37 days of hardship ... err...... with a temporary maid.....but thank God my girls are treated well, my maid is back... on 19th April 2009... with extra weight to boot!!!! We are all very happy especially Millie.... Zara is now in safe hands..
And the temp Bibik? We sent her off at the agency on 20th April afternoon (after Zuhur). In the morning we went to have Suciati's iKad done at the Damansara immigration office, with Millie tagging along... It was done in a jiffy (the whole process and waiting took less than an hour).
Well Done Immigration Department!!

Moving Or Not Moving; Part IV

2009-04-25T12:57:00.005+08:00

It has been a while... I have been busy, at work and home and school.

On 17th April, we finished packing our stuff into boxes and on Saturday 18th, the movers came to move our tables and boxes. Of couse we carry most of the things ourselves.... using the chair and pedestal as the carriers.

Monday, my colleague cum room mate Shaf "cleansed" and "fenced" the place. I was on leave (story later) while J, Lyn and KN went for MS Office refresher course at Wisma Mirama. By Tuesday we were all settled in... but without the files except the working files we are currently working on.... because the shelves are not ready.... until now!

I love my new office and for once in 12 years, I have a room (twin- sharing) with a nice view....

Yesterday the ever so slow to act Admin Manager came with various suppliers and contractors for the shelves. We have clearly informed him of our requirement since 3 weeks ago (at least) but only yesterday did he actually do something about it. Delivery? Most would take 1 week if we choose the ready made ones and at least 2 weeks for the built in/custom made ones....

Sigh!!! But we can manage......

Pix: reception area, the girls in the other room (quad-sharing), the view from my side table where I do my typing, happy me posing at my desk and a view of my desk from a visitor's angle.......

Income Tax - E Filing

2009-04-13T12:31:00.002+08:00

Dah buat e- filing…..?
Tak rugi wooo buat cepat2….
I submitted my e filing on 25th March 2009
On 28th March dapat surat kata diorang tengah semak my submission
On 9th April dapat surat kata my tax refund akan dibayar within 14 days, date surat ialah 7 April 2009
On 11th April I got the check dari LHDN – MAKCIK KAYO YO YO YO!!!! ALHAMDULILLAH… takde potong2… apa yang wa submit, itu le yang wa dapat….. the whole RMXXXX.XX of them… yeeehaaaa….

Sayang PM baru…. Ekekekekek… agaknyer aku sorang jer kot yang dah submit before April…. Tu yang giler laju jer proses tu….
(Berbaloi la sebab last year punya tax refund wa dapat bulan January tahun ni maaa…..!!! tu pun lepas wa komplen…..)
Sekian….. maka sesiapa yang belum buat e filing, buek la copek copek!!!!

THANK YOU TO THOSE LHDN STAFF YANG MENG EXPEDITE KAN MY REFUND PROCESS!!!!!

(NB: Next year I will submit immediately upon receiving my EA Form. Duit yang dapat ni dah allocate dah untuk zakat... due 30th April 2009)

Aiman & Azim

2009-04-11T14:02:00.003+08:00

I have been worried for these 2 boys of my colleague cum sister, L. They have been down with fever... and yesterday, eye infections..

Do Get Well Soon, Boys!!

Moving or Not Moving Part III

2009-04-11T13:51:00.002+08:00

Last night I went back at almost 9.00pm arriving home at almost 10pm (waited for the bus for 40 minutes), after finalising the floor plan for the new office.

This morning, I discussed it with my colleagues and put it forward for the Admin Manager for his actions. Later all of us went down to see the site. I am happy that J and N are happy that they will be placed in the cosy room (and not in the miserable room, which is now planned to be the filing room).

Monday, we will go check the shelves for our filing room. We do not want compactors as they look horrible and is not actually good for the files. We do not care if the Co. Sec. still insists on them. The filing room shall be locked, so there is no issue of confidentiality etc.
Tuesday they will start doing the cleaning.
Wednesday, the wiring - electricity, power points, phone lines, network lines.
Thursday, we will start packing (most of us have cleared the tables since 2 weeks ago, anyway).
Friday, they will dismantle our workstations and start moving them downstairs.
Saturday, work stations to be set up and we will start moving.
Sunday - Bibik is coming home (ooppsss.... that is of no concern of this moving, but perhaps I shall come to the office with Haakem to settle my things since I shall be away on Monday, I think).
Monday - we should be settled in the new space. I shall be on leave.
Tuesday - I hope to organise a small doa selamat and quran recitals and then start putting away the files in order, I must assist my collegues especially L.
Wednesday - all done.

Insya Allah!!

Moving Or Not Moving... Part II

2009-04-10T20:09:00.004+08:00

I didn't know that there is going to be a Part II to this posting.
I am still at the office on a friday night. It is raining outside but how heavy or light it is I wouldn't know as I am so far away from any windows/crack on the wall as my workstation is in a corner surrounded by rooms of big bosses..... that is why I am quite looking forward to the moving.
As at today, 80% of my wishes regarding this moving thingie, have been granted by the grace of Allah. My colleague for 12 years (+ 6) and I have been creating the floor plan. Funny, isn't it, legal advisors are the ones having to do all the measuring and planning whilst the Admin Manager is simply saying that we try to put everything required and arrange accordingly. Erks??? Thank God this colleague of mine has years of experience (through his Dad) in floor planning. He's the one meticulously measuring the rooms, drawing the floor plan, arranging and rearranging work station plans..... while I have ideas thrown in at him... heheheh.... but I always take into consideration the size, the shape and the locations of doors, windows etc. unlike some people I know.....
So, insya Allah, as we are not asking for new things and try to keep the expenses at the minimum, using existing furniture as much as possible, I shall be doing my posting from a different location, closer to the ground, by the third week of April.
we shall be sharing the self contained unit with Company Secretarial Department.

Cabinet Line-Up (vs Old)

2009-04-10T09:25:00.003+08:00

A colleague of mind sent this thru email and i am especially dedicating this post to all visitors who are abroad and lag behind in getting updates!

Prime Minister
Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)

Deputy Prime Minister
Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak)

Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon
Mej (B) Jamil Khir Baharum
Tan Sri Nor Mohamend Yakcop
Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz - Maintains
(Tan Sri Bernard Dompok)
(Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi)
(Datuk Mohd Zaid Ibrahim)
(Datuk Amirsham Abdul Aziz)
Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Datuk Liew Vui Keong
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim - Maintains
Datuk S K Devamany - Maintains
Encik Ahmad Maslan
Encik T Murugiah
(Datuk Johari Baharom)
(Datuk Hasan Malek)

Finance
Minister - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi)
Second Finance Minister - Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah (Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop)
Deputies - Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein (Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah, Datuk Kong Cho Ha)

Defence
Minister - Datuk Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak)
Deputy - Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad (Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop)

Home Affairs (Internal Security)
Minister - Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar)
Deputies - Dato' Wira Abu Seman Yusop, Encik Jelaing Anak Mersat (Datuk Chor Chee Heung, Senator Datuk Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh)

Housing and Local Government
Minister - Datuk Kong Cho Ha (Datuk Ong Ka Chuan)
Deputies - Datuk Lajim Ukim (Datuk Robert Lau, Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin )

Works Minister
Minister - Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor(Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad)
Deputy - Datuk Yong Khoon Seng - Maintains

Energy, Water and Communications
Minister - Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor - Maintains
Deputy - Datuk Yong Khoon Seng (Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum )

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
Minister - Datuk Noh Omar (Datuk Mustapa Mohamed)
Deputy - Datuk Johari Baharum, Datuk Paduka Rohani Abdul Karim - Maintains

International Trade and Industry
Minister - Datuk Mustapha Mohamad (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin)
Deputies - Dato' Mukhriz bin Tun Mahathir, Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan - Maintains (Datuk Liew Vui Keong)

Foreign Affairs
Minister - Datuk Anifah Aman (Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim)
Deputy - A Kohilan Pillay - Senator, Datuk Lee Chee Leong (Datuk Seri Tengku Azlan Sultan Abu Bakar)

Education
Minister - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein)
Deputies - Datuk Wee Ka Siong - Maintains, Datuk Dr Puad Zakarshi (Datuk Razali Ismail)

Higher Education
Minister - Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin (Datuk Khaled Nordin)
Deputies - Dr Hou Kok Chung - Maintains,Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah (Datuk Idris Harun)

Transport
Minister - Datuk Ong Tee Keat - Maintains
Deputy - Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri, Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew (Datuk Anifah Aman )

Human Resources
Minister - Datuk Dr S. Subramaniam - Maintains
Deputy - Datuk Maznah Maslan - Senator (Datuk Noraini Ahmad)

Women, Family and Community Development
Minister - Datuk Shahrizat Jalil - Senator (Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen)
Deputy - Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun (Noriah Kasnon)

Information, Communications, Culture and Arts
Minister - Dato' Seri Dr Rais Yatim (Datuk Shafie Apdal)
Deputy - Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum, Puan Heng Seai Kie - Senator (Datuk Teng Boon Soon)

Science, Technology and Innovation
Minister - Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili - Maintains
Deputy - Fadilah Yusof - Maintains

Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development (Note: SME under International Trade, MARA & TEKUN under Rural Development)
Minister - (Datuk Noh Omar)
Deputy - (Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah)

Natural Resources and Environment
Minister - Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas - Maintains
Deputy - Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (Datuk Abdul Ghapur Salleh)

Rural and Regional Development
Minister - Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal (Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib)
Deputy - Joseph Entulu Belaun-Maintains, Datuk Hassan Malek (Tan Sri Joseph Kurup)

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
Minister - Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (Datuk Shahrir Samad)
Deputy - Datuk Tan Lian Hoe (Jelaing Mersat)

Plantation Industries and Commodities
Minister - Tan Sri Bernard Dompok (Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui)
Deputy - Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin (Senator A. Kohilan)

Youth and Sports
Minister - Datuk Ahmad Shbery Cheek (Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaacob)
Deputy - Datuk Razali Ibrahim, Wee Jeck Seng - Maintains

Health
Minister - Datuk Liow Tiong Lai - Maintains
Deputy - Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shilin (Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad )

Information
Minister - (Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek)
Deputy -(Datuk Tan Lian Hoe)

Tourism
Minister - Datuk Ng Yen Yen (Datuk Seri Azalina Othman)
Deputy - Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib - Maintains

Federal Territories
Minister - Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin (Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique)
Deputy - Datuk M. Saravanan - Maintains

**Note: Enterpreuner & Coop AND Information Ministries have been consolidated with other Ministries**

New Cabinet Line-Up

2009-04-09T18:09:00.002+08:00

At 3pm the newly appointed PM of Malaysia announced the new line-up. A few (pleasant?) surprises... but most importantly for me (officially and personally) would be the Defence Minister, Finance Minister, Consumer Affairs and the drop-outs.
Congratulations!
And I hope they will do well in the 6 month' performance appraisal

SENARAI ANGGOTA PENTADBIRAN KERAJAAN PERSEKUTUAN PADA 9 APRIL 2009

YAB Dato’ Sri Hj Mohd Najib bin Tun Hj Abdul Razak
Perdana Menteri
YAB Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin

JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI
Menteri
Tan Sri Datuk Dr Koh Tsu Koon - Bertanggungjawab ke atas Hal Ehwal Perpaduan dan Pengurusan Prestasi
Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz - Bertanggungjawab dalam hal ehwal perundangan dan Parlimen
Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop - Bertanggungjawab ke atas Unit Perancangan Ekonomi
Mejar General Datuk Jamil Khir Baharom - Bertanggungjawab ke atas hal ehwal agama Islam (Good One!! PM knows this one closely during his Mindef days, of course)
Timbalan –Timbalan Menteri
Datuk Liew Vui Keong
Datuk Dr Mashitah Ibrahim (Senator)
Datuk S K Devamany
Encik Ahmad Maslan
Encik T. Murugiah (Senator)

KEMENTERIAN KEWANGAN
Menteri : Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak
Menteri II : Datuk Ahmad Husni Mohamad Hanadzlan
Timbalan : Datuk Chor Chee Heung
Timbalan : Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussein (Senator)

KEMENTERIAN PELAJARAN
Menteri : Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (Yeay!! Does this mean no more PPSMI for primary school?)
Timbalan : Datuk Dr. Wee Ka Siong
Timbalan : Datuk Dr Puad Zakarshi

KEMENTERIAN PENGANGKUTAN
Menteri : Datuk Ong Tee Keat
Timbalan : Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri
Timbalan : Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew

KEMENTERIAN PERUSAHAAN PERLADANGAN DAN KOMODITI
Menteri : Tan Sri Bernard Dompok
Timbalan : Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin

KEMENTERIAN DALAM NEGERI
Menteri : Dato’ Seri Hishamuddin Tun Hussein Hmmm........)
Timbalan : Dato’ Wira Abu Seman Yusop
Timbalan : Encik Jelaing anak Mersat

KEMENTERIAN PENERANGAN KOMUNIKASI, KESENIAN DAN KEBUDAYAAN
Menteri : Dato’ Seri Dr Rais Yatim (Kekkwa?)
Timbalan : Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum
Timbalan : Puan Heng Seai Kie (Senator)

KEMENTERIAN TENAGA, TEKNOLOGI HIJAU DAN AIR
Menteri : Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui
Timbalan : Puan Noriah Kasnon

KEMENTERIAN KEMAJUAN LUAR BANDAR DAN WILAYAH
Menteri : Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and thank God he is not the Defence Minister as many thought!)
Timbalan : Datuk Hassan Malek
Timbalan : Datuk Joseph Entulu anak Belaun

KEMENTERIAN PENGAJIAN TINGGI
Menteri : Datuk Seri Mohd Khaled Nordin
Timbalan : Datuk Dr Hou Kok Chung
Timbalan : Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah

KEMENTERIAN PERDAGANGAN ANTARABANGSA DAN INDUSTRI
Menteri : Datuk Mustapa Mohamad (Syabas Tok Pa!!)
Timbalan : Dato’ Mukhriz bin Tun Dr Mahathir well, well, well)
Timbalan : Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan

KEMENTERIAN SAINS, TEKNOLOGI DAN INOVASI
Menteri : Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
Timbalan : Encik Fadillah Yusof

KEMENTERIAN SUMBER ASLI DAN ALAM SEKITAR
Menteri : Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas
Timbalan : Tan Sri Joseph Kurup

KEMENTERIAN PELANCONGAN
Menteri : Datuk Ng Yen Yen
Timbalan : Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Abdul Taib

KEMENTERIAN PERTANIAN DAN INDUSTRI ASAS TANI
Menteri : Datuk Noh Omar
Timbalan : Datuk Johari Baharum
Timbalan : Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim

KEMENTERIAN PERTAHANAN
Menteri : Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Good one!! I hope the ministry especially the procurement dept shall be cleaned up!)
Timbalan : Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad

KEMENTERIAN KERJA RAYA
Menteri : Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor
Timbalan : Datuk Yong Khoon Seng

KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN
Menteri : Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
Timbalan : Datuk Rosnah Rashid Shilin

KEMENTERIAN BELIA DAN SUKAN
Menteri : Datuk Ahmad Shabery Cheek
Timbalan : Datuk Razali Ibrahim
Timbalan : Encik Wee Jeck Seng

KEMENTERIAN SUMBER MANUSIA
Menteri : Datuk Dr. S. Subramaniam
Timbalan : Datuk Maznah Mazlan (Senator)

KEMENTERIAN PERDAGANGAN DALAM NEGERI DAN HAL EHWAL PENGGUNA
Menteri : Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Timbalan : Datuk Tan Lian Hoe

KEMENTERIAN PERUMAHAN DAN KERAJAAN TEMPATAN
Menteri : Datuk Kong Cho Ha
Timbalan : Datuk Lajim Ukin

KEMENTERIAN PEMBANGUNAN WANITA, KELUARGA DAN MASYARAKAT
Menteri : Datuk Shahrizat Jalil (Senator)
Timbalan : Datuk Paduka Chew Mei Fun

KEMENTERIAN LUAR NEGERI
Menteri : Datuk Anifah Aman Really? I hope he speaks good English)
Timbalan : A. Kohilan Pillay (Senator)
Timbalan : Datuk Lee Chee Leong

KEMENTERIAN WILAYAH PERSEKUTUAN
Menteri : Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin
Timbalan : Datuk M Saravanan

Lunch @ Tony Romas Pavillion

2009-04-03T14:50:00.003+08:00

The (relatively) new Pavillion is only a 10 minute walk away from where I work, so technically I could have my lunch there everyday.... if my allowance permits.... but I have only been there once for breakfast at Coffee Bean, twice for lunch at the Food Court, once at a burger joint (which I totally forgot the name at this very moment of typing) and today, at Tony Romas with 2 of my office mates and ex office mate, Syir. Syir and G had the Asian Salad lunch set, J had the shrimp (Kick n Shrimp?) while I had the lunch rack set lunch (ribs). Among us, we spent only RM107, which is quite reasonable. My food was delicious and as highly recommended by J, her shrimp was sinful!!! I am converted, I would order that the next time I go there.... perhaps with hubby.... heheheheh.... it has been a while since we went out for meals at some proper joints.

Twelve Years

2009-04-02T08:44:00.003+08:00

Today marks my 12th anniversary of actual working day, with this organisation. Alhamdulillah!!
12 years today I first met my (to-be) husband.
12 years today I was reunited with 2 college mates, who have since became 2 of my closest friends.
12 years today I started earning an income eligible for income tax.
12 years today I started the routine of a career person……
Thank you all for making the 12 years possible… especially my colleagues (who have left, who are still around, who have left and came back, who have left, came back and left again), my family and my “clients”.

Foremost, thank you ALLAH!!

12 Years Today!!

2009-04-01T08:24:00.002+08:00

12 years ago, 1st April 1997 was the official first day of my working with this organisation (but since it was a Sunday, my first actual working day was 2nd April 1997).
Some say it is time to move on.... I am of a different view. I hope to stay with the Company for as long as I can (and needed).

(One of the Many) Trip(s) to Lumut

2009-03-31T16:10:00.005+08:00

Lumut is where most of my outstation trips are... To most it is just a small town connecting the Peninsular to the more famous Pangkor Island. Truth is, I quite enjoy Lumut if not for its hot weather, being very close to the sea. Seafood is cheap and in abundance. It boasts many beautiful places too. And I get my fresh supply of dried ikan bilis (anchovies) and udang kering (dried prawn) from Lumut as well as the occasional petai and fruits from the small town of Bidor en route KL. Dinners in Lumut would always be fish, squid, prawn, crab (if in season) but by the third night, I would usually order room service or have KFC Take Aways (hahahah!!). The only 2 hotels which I have stayed at in Lumut are Bluebay Hotel & Resort and more often these days the Orient Star.

Susu Ibu (Mommy's Milk)

2009-03-31T09:13:00.005+08:00

I have been meaning to post something on this since Millie was 3 months old.... and now even her baby sister is approaching her eighth month..... oh well, better late than never..... I have been writing notes on this on other people's blog though.

I am all for breastmilk and in my opinion, formula milk should only be allowed after the baby reaching its 6 months of life and prior to that a doctor's prescription is required where it should only be given to babies where the natural mother has died or is suffering from some illness which can be transmitted to the baby through breastmilk.

There is absolutely no excuse for not exclusively breastfeeding our babies for its first 6 months (or at least for the first 4 months, or worst case, during confinement). Working mothers should not use "working" as a reason for not feeding them with mothers' (I mean, human mothers) milk. Breastmilk can be stored and the more you give your baby, the more productive the milk factory shall be. By experience, I have successfully breastfed my firstborn Haakem (exclusively for 6 months) and non exclusive until he was 2 years old. The secondborn Millie was exclusively breastfed for 7 months and continued until she was 2 years and 4 months old, well during my pregnancy (of her sister) and until her baby sister is 3 months old. And with this new baby Zara, I have exclusively breastfed her for 6 months and continue to do so until now...

After reaching 6 months, Millie refused formula altogether, choosing cereal, pureed foods (rice, veg, fish) and fruit juice instead, whereas Haakem preferred formula to food. Zara seems to want everything.... breastmilk, direct from the source, stored & warmed breastmilk, formula (I have been using dumex products for my kids), nestum (rice with milk/honey/fruits) and biscuits.

Back to breastfeeding, expressing and storing should not be a problem at all. I only need six bottles (12 oz size or 6 oz size), one feeding bottle, a small round container (taufufa container also can), towel/wet tissues and fingers. Breast pumps do not work for me. Either the battery operated or electicity powered or manual... Fingers work best. On normal working days (in the early weeks I try to be away only from 8am to 6pm, just to establish routine) preparing my body by drinking at least a glass of soy/milk and having oats for breakfast. At work, I replenish water constantly not forgetting lotsa vegetables and fish during lunch and fruits & crackers as snacks.

First collection is usually around 10-10.30 am and I would spend 20 minutes the most, second collection is after lunch at around 1pm and third is at around 4pm. Breastmilk can be kept at room temperature for 4-8 hours (depending on the temperature of the room). I keep the expressed milks in the office fridge and take them home with me in normal bag. No need any special containers as I arrive home within 30 minutes, an hour tops. Once at home, I would put them all in the fridge. Breastmilk collected within 24 hours and of the same temperature can be combined in one bottle. My normal collection for the day while at work would be 15-20 oz. One hint, do put a container to collect the dribbling milk from the other breast while you are expressing from one. Otherwise you would waste even up to 5 precious oz!!

When I am at home (or rather when the baby is with me whether home or away), it is always direct from the source and I would breastfeed her whenever she asks for it. Just like when I am expressing milk, I would collect the milk from the other breast, when my baby is feeding from one. This way, I can collect another few ounces to add to my collection!!

Expressed milk is only for when Mama is away... most days I would have enough for the next day's feed plus a few ounces to be frozen for future use (when I am on outstation duties, although I try to avoid overnight outstation duties until baby is at least 4 months old).

While on overnight outstation duties, I usually could only express milk once during the day (during lunch or tea break for I don't want to make such a big hooh hahs about it in front of everybody in the meeting/visit). But when I am back at the hotel room, it would be milk collection sessions almost every 2 hours!!!

I can vouch for the benefits to my children (and me as well as the savings!). Millie especially is seldom unwell although she was once hospitalised for suffering from bronchopneumonia but that was due to her stubbornness to take her medication, but apart from that she hardly ever fall sick, Alhamdulillah!! As for Zara, she recovered totally from her jaundice through breastfeeding and recovered very quickly if ever she has a cold or mild fever. Allergies are definitely minimised if not eliminated altogether.

There is no need for expensive apparatus, no need for special carriers/containers. Normal milk bottles would suffice. The most important thing is your unconditional love for you babies. It should come naturally... not forced and considered a chore!

As for the husbands, please encourage breastfeeding. But it all goes back to the mother hereself. I have not come across of any father who is against breastfeeding but most husbands do not encourage the wives enough and would usually be content with whatever the wives wish. No, the breasts will not sag and think of all the savings which could go to other needs like good diapers, books, insurance policies.... it would add on considering the lesser clinic visits and requirements of special formulas due to allergies.

Perhaps mothers are not aware of their duties, stated in the Holy Quran itself. Being breastfed is a birthright of every baby!! Read more about benefits of breastfeeding and listen to people who do breastfeed.

Go on, feed your baby your milk!! I still do and intend to do so until Zara is 2 years old!!

EARTH HOUR

2009-03-30T12:50:00.003+08:00

We had the lights off for an hour last night..... My two and a half year old daughter is all game for blackouts.... she's totally excited about the darkness. My baby is content with Mama by her side with the breasts all for her to feed from......

In the darkness, I relayed to my 9 year old son about global warming, thinning ozone layer, the sun, the heat, the energy, the future of the earth and what this one hour of lights off can do in whatever its very little ways to help save the earth...... all in BM......

Most of the units in our apartments observed the Earth Hour and I could see KL in (almost total) darkness. While energy saving from having the lights off is not very significant, I salute the KLites especially the main buildings' operators/owners for putting the effort.

Perhaps next time Earth Hour would extend to switching off the air-conditioners, stopping the use of all motor vehicles except public transportation and other more energy consuming/Co2 emitting activities.... (except for breathing, of course).

Pic courtesy of Bernama news online.

Bday Celebration

2009-03-27T20:49:00.005+08:00

28th May 2009 is our department clerk's 24th bday and since 2 of our members will not be around tomorrow, we decided to surprise her a day in advance.... we had fun as usual.... simple food but enough to tickle our taste buds and fill our tummy.... Nasi beringin, rojak ayam, secret recipe's cheese slice, hot tea and lots of laughs!!

Moving Or Not? Part I

2009-03-27T20:30:00.004+08:00

Why is moving office such a difficult decision to make?

Argh!!!!!! And why do we have some stupid ideas like the whole department moves office but the bboss stays behind with one assistant?

And why does a department as sensitive as Legal have to share a new office with admin staff the likes of drivers, despatch and tea ladies?

And why does a department who is the custodian of all legal documents have to move office leaving the very documents that they are guarding, behind?

When the new office is a self contained unit, just enough and comfortable to accomodate the eight member Legal Department, head and all plus all the files and documents?

When you have an incompetent person who cannot decide and manage and involved in many hanky pankies........ things like these happen... DUH!!!!

COMPLACENT

2009-03-24T15:05:00.003+08:00

I hate it when the boss starts to use certain "new-found" word to generalize things..... I hate it when I have to listen to the boss bickering about other staff to me, expecting me to put things right with that other staff...... I hate it when the boss is pissed of with one of the staff but starts scolding the rest of the department... I hate it when the boss have to pick someone to take the blame........

I have never complained about work, let alone the boss in this blog..... truth be told, the boss is someone on my hit list a few years back but when she left the department (more like abandoning the staff and the workload), we were under the supervision of a much less competent person and when that person left (for greener pastures!!??), the boss came back to run our department in September 2007..... and she was a changed person..... no longer in my hit list...... she was still clumsy, loudmouth, fickle minded and bitchy but at least she was no longer blaming people, no longer insensitive to the staff's problems and started to show appreciation in the staff's works...... but lo and behold!!!! The old self is seeping back... real quick too!!!!

She gives incomplete instructions, expecting people to read her mind or have another person read her mind..... her expections towards her staff are too high... she simply do not know how to delegate and disctibute works among the staff.... most of the times she doesn't know what she wants done and when she wants them done..... she would say one thing and when the document is produced according to that instruction, she would scold the staff for not being creative and not being able to think...... and changes her mind about what is required......

And she is a real apple polisher too!! She would talk bad things about the bigeer bosses but in front of them, she says they are God!! And she is really showing bad examples to the staff in terms on doing things in office times and her claims... her travelling, subsistence, entertainment claims are mainly fabrication!!!

Okay... enuff said... it is no good to say/write bad things about others but some times I just cannot take it anymore..... the junior staff's morale are really down....

And the new chosen word the boss is using for over 3 weeks now, to describe us in the department is COMPLACENT.... she probably doesn't know the meaning of the word anyway........

Bibik (Update)

2009-03-21T11:27:00.003+08:00

Tuesday when we got home from office, Bibik bagitau husband dia izin kan dia sambung kerja and cuti "terserah kamu"..... Alhamdulillah..... so, I gave hubby RM450, suruh buat work permit Bibik..... Allah dah tentukan it's convenient for him to go to immigration kat D'sara, dkt tempat kerja baru dia.... I have promised Bibik that she can go home for Lebaran for 10 days.... so dia agree la cuti yang balik this time, sebulan jer (jer? aku dah pening dah!!)
Rabu pergi Tabung Haji.... dengan Mak Yah....keluarkan duit..... hmmmm.... byk gak la keuntungan..... Alhamdulillah.... byk dah/nak guna duit bulan ni.....
Tengahari, dengan Haakem, dtg opis kejap nak beli tiket Bibik balik sini online.... Hubby called kata permit dah settled.. Haakem lepak kat warung Kak Rock sementara aku setelkan tiket etc), sempat solat dulu and then from office pergi Jusco, tukarkan duit Bibik RM2300, dapat Rp7,300,000.00. Pengurup tu bagi duit 50k and 100k, so sikit jer la kepingnyer.... pastu pergi beli blender utk Bibik bawak balik... last month dah beli satu, pastu kakak dia nak jugak..... pastu pergi supermarket beli ikan, sayur, daging and susu Zara. And also gula and ayamas 3 bungkus utk Bibik bw balik..... lepas tu pergi pharmacy belikan ubat2 utk dia on the flight and kat Indonesia nanti.....
Pastu pergi Laksa Shack, wa makan laksa nyonya... sodap.... Haakem mkn laksa Johor, sedap tapi muak sebab kuahnyer terlalu byk santan and kurang ikan.... kitorang ambik set, sirap bandung cincau, any one type of laksa and 2 keping otak2.
Lepas tu balik and kemas beg Bibik for the last time..... dia bawa balik Milo 8kg.... gula pasir 2kg (utk hidang kat org dtg masa dia baru balik, forward thinking gak la maid aku ni), blender 2, cili kering 1kg.... yang lelain tu pakaian2 utk kakak2 dia (yang family aku bagi), slippers rumah..... souvenirs yang aku bagi from Mekah, Penang, L'kawi, Lumut...... utk anak2 dia....
Mak Yah pun join sama...... aku rasa bibik temp tu sure dengki jer.... heheheheh..... semua2 benda Bibik letak kat bilik aku takut si bibik temp tu sebok nak tengok......
Pkl 5 pagi Khamis aku sudah bangun buat sandwich untuk bekal kami, gorengkan ayamas utk anak2 bibik and family yang fetch dia kat airport (Mak Yah kata, mana ada majikan buat macam ni) ..... yang sebungkus wa masukkan dlm aluminium foil, wrap elok2 supaya tak go bad..... pastu tolong dia pakai bengkung ikat duit.... heheheheheh...... dah siapkan anak2, dia buat jugak kerja2 rumah sebelum dia siap tu.... pastu dia pergi salam2 ngan jiran2 aku yang dia kenal..... Pukul 10.15 baru bertolak ke LCCT... subhanallah... jauhnyer nyer nyer... first time wa pergi actually... memang mcm Pudu Raya.... sampai pukul 11.40, check in.... dah beli luggage allowance for 25kg tapi since wa suruh dia bw handbag jer, sebab takut dia susah sorang2..... so, ada excess lagi 15kg, wa bayarlah RM300..... (hmmm... aku niat sedekah kat anak2 and family dia jer... se sen pun tak da hold duit dia... and bagi macam2 lagi... kalau dia tak balik semula kerja dengan aku, memang bukan rezeki aku la tu)....tunggu dia masuk pkl 12.10..... flight 12.40.... takde adegan nangis2... cuma dia nampak irritated dengan bibik baru yang bukan main memandai nasihat itu ini... contohnyer.. "kerudung jangan dibuka sehingga sampai dalam taksi....."... aku kata, "Bibik memang pakai kerudung kalau kat luar, bukan depan saya jer dia pakai...." and dia bukan main la tunjuk2 jalan la, mana nak pergi la.... hubby tarik Bibik aside and explained betul2.....
Lepas tu balik la kami... sampai rumah 2.15, wa masak, solat and then lunch, susukan Zara.... tepon anak Bibik, Bibik dah sampai on time..... happy jer suara Bibik.... wa tanya beg2 semua okay... makan okay cuma dia kene bayar harga drink (air Milo... how ironic... punya la byk dia bawak Milo, kene bayar lak bila nak minum sendiri), pastu dah masuk Asar... tertidur..... bangun pukul 5.30, solat...
Call anak Bibik, dah sampai rumah as scheduled (3hrs ++ from airport) Millie dah start tanya Bibik mana...... dia dah start kehilangan la.... tapi nak jugak la mandi dengan bibik baru...... lepas maghrib masak dinner plak..... penat betul la... malam Millie nangis...... tanya Bibik mana Ma? Kena lah re-explain... pujuk dia.... dia tertidur kat depan TV dengan Atuk.... then pindah kat bilik sampai pagi.... semalam dia okay .... malam tadi tidur awal walaupun petang dah nap....
28 days to go.... Bibik is coming back on 19th April 1835hrs...... insya Allah......

My Girls and Boy

2009-03-17T18:57:00.003+08:00

Bibik's Going Home (For A Month)

2009-03-17T18:34:00.003+08:00

I have been crying...... not just pooling tears in the eyes but serious sob sob, streaming waters from the eyes for hours on end... during the day, at night, at work and came Saturday 14th March I couldn't swallow it anymore, I burst to real sobs and real loud ones too in hubby's arms..... It was not about Bibik leaving but I was dead worried of how the girls will be taken care of in Bibik's absence.... would anybody else love my girls as much as Bibik.

We fetched the temporary replacement maid from the agent, while waiting for the new one whose biodata we had chosen. The girls were scared shit of her..... hubby thought (and rightly so) she is the mengada-ngada type but we were desperate, so we took her in for transfer of technology from our Bibik. She is a whiner....... and she cannot do anything right and 2 faced too. And oh so sensitive that she took the wrong end of the stick when I asked if she had taken her shower since I saw her in the same attire (on Saturday 4pm) since we fetched her on Friday 6.00pm...... Mak Yah had a tricky time supervising her mopping the tiles for 2 mornings in a row.... Bibik is also skeptical and suspicious of her..... she kept wearing Bibik's clothes until I told her not to but I later found out that she wears Bibik's undies and Bibik doesn't want it back... hahahahahah!!

But one positive thing came out of it, Bibik was so saddend by the whole thing that she agreed to come back (with new terms of service of course) when I asked to consider staying (continuing her service after amonth break). I had unstoppable tears in my eyes when I discussed the welfare of the girls (Millie and Zara) with Bibik.... I know Bibik is not perfect and I scolded her quite a bit especially when I was pregnant with Zara but I can trust her with the kids. She has a good heart, honest and kind to the kids.

So, Bibik shall come back, insya Allah. She will need to discuss how long she'll be at home with her husband but I have even offered her to go home for Eid this September, so most likely it will happen, after a month break...... we are renewing her permit right away, as she needs no FOMEMA medical checkup.

Meanwhile I have to make do with the useless maid at RM18 per day but we're also scouting around for a temp...

And I hope to get back most of my RM3k deposit I placed with the agent. If I cancel before the calling visa is issued, RM500 shall be forfeited. Otherwise RM2k shall be forfeited. But since I have not submitted any documents I believe that is quite safe.... insya Allah.....

Outside My Kitchen Window

2009-03-10T11:34:00.003+08:00

Doing chores in my kitchen should not be a bore...... I think it has one of the best views anyone could ask for... it was such a lovely bright sunny day last Sunday.....
The same view can be enjoyed from the second bedroom..... and during New Year, Chinese New Year, Merdeka Day Celebration and any big celebrations, we get the best views of the firwworks display, usually from at least 3 locations (upclose - KLCC, Bukit Bintang & Dataran Merdeka).

Big Sister

2009-03-06T15:44:00.004+08:00

I haven't been posting anything on Millie for a while now.... she's very talkative... has a mind of her own.... still bosses other people around, except me of course.... controls channel 611.....talks alot....... loves her baby sister dearly.... and adores abang very much.... AND I'M SO WORRIED ON HOW SHE WOULD COPE WITHOUT BIBIK starting 19th March 2009.. Thank God she only sleeps with me but during the days, it is always Bibik.......

My Best Outstation Duty

2009-03-06T14:46:00.004+08:00

13th Feb to 4th March - dreading having to go.... especially with unpleasant company...

5th Feb 2009:

8.15 am - to KL Sentral, sent by hubby;

8.27 am - arrived at KL Sentra;, bought ERL ticket and board the train;

8.30 am - ERL started its journey;

9.12 am - check in using express kiosk, met up with feloow travellers;

9.30 am - at boarding gate B7 but was ushered to B2 (sengal betul la pepagi ni rasa nak balik jer!!);

9.40 am - waited at the boarding gate with not-so-pleasant company talking about unpleasant things about unpleasant people;

10.00am - boarded plane, thank God I sat together with the pleasant company;

10.10 am - left KLIA;

11.05 am - arrived at Pengakalan Chepa airport, met biz counterparts, shake hands and fake friendliness all around;

11.30 am - pushed off from airport in a rented Wira, driven by the pleasant company and the not-so-pleasant company in the front seat, for an hour journey to Gong Kedak;

12.10 pm - stopped for lunch at a shop by the roadside;

12.30 pm - resumed journey;

1.20 pm - arrived at RMAF Base, it was soooo quite, got our passes and proceeded to meet the CO, for our unofficial meeting and..................................

I TAKE BACK ALL MY EARLIER COMMENTS!!! THAT WAS DEFINITELY THE MOST WORTHWHILE TRIP EVER SINCE I WORKED WITH THIS COMPANY!!!!!!! AND I GOT TO SEE THE SUKHOI 30MKM (and later met the good looking pilot & co-pilot) DOING ITS TEST FLIGHT RIGHT ABOVE MY HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The rest was in haze............ (as it was really hot, probably nearing 40 degrees). It was quite peculiar, the base is built on 2 states divided by the main road, the runways are in Kelantan while accomodations and workshops are in Trengganu). No Sukhoi could be seen parked anywhere... it was like some NASA base... heheheheh watched too many American movies....

And compared to the other 2 types of servicemen (land and navy), the RMAF is the highest standard of gentlemen, in style and in IQ.... I want my son to join the RMAF....

I arrived home on the 2000 hrs flight from KB, KLIA at around 9, after my prayers at the surau... via airport limo.....

And I have 2 Sukhoi30mkm caps too!!!!

What's In The News?

2009-02-24T09:51:00.000+08:00

Political hoohhahs - Malaysian politicians have never been so Hollywood/Bollywood before...
Celebrities marriage and divorce;
People bashing and killing others....

And that sums up all there is in Malaysia.......

Haakem's Hari Anugerah Cemerlang (and PTA AGM)

2009-02-23T15:15:00.005+08:00

I forgot to blog about these.... I didn't realise how busy February has been... until Saturday when I received a call from Telekom Malaysia Berhad reminding me of my overdue bill.... I was quite pissed off because it was for such a small amount (my phome bills plus the streamyx of RM77.00 never exceeded RM160.00) and I was only 20 days overdue and my record has been reasonably clean since year 2000 when we installed the phone line. We only missed paying (meaning a month tunggakan) for 3 times - twice during my confinement periods of Millie and Zara, once each, and this month. I made the payment immediately the Saturday afternoon.

Anyhow, back to the topic. Haakem's school held its Speech Day for year 2008 on 14th February 2009. A small do considering we shall have a grander one at the end of the year. This was all due to the (unreasonably) delayed final year exam last year for KL schools. My darling son received 3 awards. First place in Year 3, Best Marks in English and Best Marks in Science. He was supposed to receive a fourth one for Best Marks in Agama but that award went to another class mate, a girl, because she made only one mistake costing 2 marks while Haakem made 2 half mistakes costing 1 mark each. This year the teachers decided to give away books instead of trophies except for UPSR/Year 6 Awards. A move which I am all supportive of.

Since it was a small do, it took only 2 hours. Hubby as the Yang Dipertua PIBG was supposed to officiate the ceremony but due to some urgent things in Trengganu, his deputy had to stand in. Mummy dearest was one of the award presenters.... heheheheh....

Atuk, Millie, Zara and Bibik also came halfway. Zara was an angel but Millie was not too pleased... they went off immediately after Haakem's turn to go on stage.

After brunch, all the parents and teachers stayed on for the 35th Parents & Teachers Association Annual General Meeting. There was no election this year but one of the agenda, an important one too, is to get the decision to collect the contributions which were previously collected as school and other fees.... We, the PTA Committee Members were relieved that support from the parents who attended the meeting - numbered 45 (inluding 17 teachers) for 84 pupils, were obtained.

It is a challenge to be the PTA Committee Members for a small school like my son's... in the middle of the city, golden triangle, almost...... with 84 kids from 57 families..... from all walks of life.....fund is limited... with the allocation of RM8.00 per head from the Ministry, the school will only get RM672.00 for its activities this year. One activity will usually cost around RM500, the least... Hubby and I have been doing charity works for the school since day 1 of Haakem's schooling. It is not unusual for us to foot the bills for school activities too... not a lot but it would certainly help if more of other parents pay attention to the kids' (their own children) need. I hope this year, our rezqi is more abundant so that we can contribute more for the school, insya Allah.....

My Reading

2009-02-21T13:32:00.003+08:00

I am currently reading My Best Friend's Girl by Dorothy Koomson, which I bought in KLIA before leaving for Langkawi last week.... I've been told that it is a good... J said so too.....

I have a few pages (less than 20) more until I reach the end..... instead of starting on 15th Feb, I only manage to do so last Thursday 19th.

Will update with my comments....

UPDATE:

Predictable. Repetitive. Loud. I would not recommend it. Period. It did not enrich my mind or anything to that effect. I would not read any more Dorothy Koomson. A waste of RM35.50.

Seminar Again

2009-02-19T17:40:00.002+08:00

We were sent to a seminar this week, for 2 days at the Berjaya Times Square... some good pointers, mostly things that we are already practising.... but it could have been done in one day..... all the good speakers only..... I voted for 5 of them.... the other 5 was complete waste of time and money.... food was okay... this is the second time I attended a seminar at BTS... which is a 15 minutes walking distance from home......

Langkawi - Outstation

2009-02-19T17:22:00.002+08:00

On 15th - 16th Feb, me and my colleague aka best chum J were assigned to attend to some contract administration problem at our yard in Langkawi (Bukit Malut, Mukim Kedawang).

We left KLIA on the 1705 flight. We stayed at an old cheap hotel as opposed to the usual place as it was such a short notice but I am not complaining. The view is okay and it is near some eateries. I am not a shopping person and neither is J, so we were fine.

The meeting went well and after lunch we went back to the yard for our prayers and to take pictures around the Yard.

We left Langkawi on the 1835 flight and arrived just after Maghrib time. I arrived home in the airport taxi at around 9.00pm, to the loving arms of my beautiful children......

ZARA"S CLEAN SHAVED!!

2009-02-19T17:19:00.002+08:00

Hubby finally got around to shave off Zara's head!! LAVERLY!!! Sinead O'Connor...... she's a cutie, isn't she?

HAPPY HALF YEAR BIRTHDAY ZARA

2009-02-12T14:38:00.004+08:00

I AM VERY HAPPY AND PROUD TO ANNOUCE THAT MY DARLING PRINCESS TIA ZARA IS EXACTLY 6 MONTHS OLD THIS HOUR!!
My special thanks to my husband and all the staff at HUKM's Maternity Ward and Labour Room who attended to and supported me throughout my labour and the post partum.
Many thanks to all who visited me and baby Zara at the hospital and at home as well as for all the gifts and also all the well wishes!!
We love you and hope to announce many more upcoming birthdays!!!

Tagged.

2009-01-17T11:29:00.003+08:00

I have been tagged by J… hihihi… this is only the second time I am tagged since I started blogging….

1. Do you think you are hot?
I can be if I put my mind to it but these days I am just lukewarm.

2. Upload your favorite picture of you

3. Why do you like that picture?

I think I look composed, demure and sweet but professional, at the same time....

4. When was the last time you ate pizza?
Exactly? 22nd November 2007, around 9.00pm. Pizza Hut, M*l*r*, KL

5. The last song you listened to is...
East 17, Stay Another Day… (don’t u just love the bells….. sigh…)

6. What are you doing right now besides this?
My filing, at work… heheheheh

7. What name would you prefer besides this?
Lorna (as in Lorna Doone), Isaura (as in the Latin soap), Dora (as in Dicken’s David Copperfield’s dead wife) …… heheheheh… funny because my name also rhymes with all these names…

Tag 5 people.
1.Uncle
2.Mak Ngah (of Anak Si Hamid fame)

3.Merah Silu
4.Che Det (really, it would be an honour!!)

5.Helena (who hasn’t been blogging for a while now!!)

8. Who is no. 1?

A friend since 1988, who I usually sent raya card but failed to do so last year that he's been bugging me about it..... hihihihihi....

9. No. 3 is having a relationship with?

Hihihih... his current wife, only, I hope.

10. Say something about no.5

My cyber friend!!

11. How about no. 4?

No one knows for sure... he is the greatest Malaysian Hero!! Our 4th PM and mentors/heros to many!!

12. Who is no. 2?

The "aunt" I have since my UK days.

Little Zara

2009-01-10T14:18:00.004+08:00

I have not been uploading Zara's picture. here she is at 4.5 months old (and a bit).

Due for her 5 month' jab on 12th January 2009, we'll probably have to postpone it a bit.....

(NB:That is Bibik holding her, I was taking the pic, naturally)