Absence makes the heart fonder...

Hola!
Wow, its been  half a year since my last post ... that long , huh?
biasalah tu kalau penyakit malas sudah datang

Anyway, just a quick update....will be expecting a new family member soon...

Till the next post!
love & hugs

Happy New Year

Today is the last day of 2010.


This year,

• I am 34 years old (OMG!) but heart is still young (wink)
• Transfered out myself to work in KL in January, had new (better) bosses although had to traveled back and forth from home to KL for work (it takes 45min ~if traffic is good~, you know),  
• Learned a new set of skills (SAP, time management) and am hoping to brush up on my management skills
• Met up again with old colleagues @ WSD and of course new colleagues 
• Transferred Baby to a new Nursery nearer @ work (cheaper and better bcoz their syllabus is Montessori ~I have less stress now as the teachers there are better skilled, Baby is now 3 and half years old and speaks in sentences although sometimes I had to guessed what she is saying, she is now taller and likes to wear dresses, loves Dora, Tom & Jerry, Tinkerbell, Alif Ba Ta and have been hogging the TV ever since ~sigh! No more CSIs, Criminal Minds, NCIS for me
• Had cleared off one loan (Yippe!) 
• Had a great time book-shopping at BBW! Hopefully, next year they will have their fair in a more nearer place (eg Subang, KL)  
• Done retail therapy like no one's business ...... Muahahahhahaha (evil laugh) ~ it's been a while 
• Mom and Dad come for a visit recently , had a great fun time 'lepaking' with them and now misses them 

Well, enough of some of my mundane lifestory.....here's wishing YOU and ME a
Wonderful, Wonderful NEW YEAR 2011!!!


Peace 

I dont care anymore what you think

In Islamic teaching family ties were not to be severed eventhough they are embracing a different religion. What ever happened to good old Christian teachings? I don't recalled reading or learning on ditching your other family members when they have chose or want to embraced Islam. If they were to embraced Buddhism or Hinduism, if ok but NOT Islam. Probably, they will have a celebration for you if you want to Buddhism or Hinduism. Whats the story, morning  glory? Whats so bad about Islam? Islam teaches to do the Good and NOT the Bad. All this US and Malaysia's media propaganda have mislead you all. Please read the correct media, you are an intelligent lot but you act like not.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the memories and sorry for causing this pain.

But I dont really care what you think or say anymore because its my LIFE and I do what I want and because I have faith in Allah.

May Allah have mercy on you.

Yippeee...
Let's make a date...

More info

Life goes on

I cant wait for the end of the month to come. Has a whole list of things to do ..... Sigh!
BTW, am getting bored with fb, internet ... told ya I get bored easily. It's enlighting how some people who are still/perpetually reporting everthing in fb , I mean if its one in a while, its ok (so that people dont forget you, hahahah).
Be careful people, you might end up having a stalker going to your places, knowing your every move. Now that's creepy ...
Anyway.. am waiting for the Big Bad Wolf Book sale this year for some books therapy.

'Selamat Hari Malaysia & please its NOT Hari 1Malaysia!'

Are you talking about me?

The internet has given us so many access to information. Some may be of use and some may not. When the fb mania break loose few years ago, we were addicted in adding people to our contact list so that we could be in touch and probably to see who has the most number of people we know. But after a while, the novelty wore off and we started to lose count, respond slowly to the 'add' request and started to be more selective in adding and requesting for add. All this because, people has started to be nasty and the world wide web has prove its cons and privacy has been breached. Lots of nasty and bitchy statements started to popped up. The friends that you thought were one, proved were not. After all these years, after all the helps that was extended. I have kept my silence all this while but enough is enough. Dr M once quoted "Melayu mudah lupa".

Well, if you feel like you dont want to have my name in your contact list, just because we have the same set of friends, please do yourself a favour, dont be a hypocrite.  Maybe I should be the one to unadd you first, hmmm

Go ahead and delete. See if I care.
I am at peace.

" Everything happens for a reason. If you passed His test, you are on the way to become a better person. If you failed, you are in DEEP shit!"

Good Life starts only when you stop wanting a better one

A friend sent me this recently, like it so much and wanted to share it with you......


TRUST is a very important factor for all relationships. When trust is broken, it is the end of the relationship. Lack of trust leads to suspicion, suspicion generates anger, anger causes enmity and enmity may result in separation.


A telephone operator told me that one day she received a phone call. She answered, 'Public Utilities Board.' There was silence. She repeated, 'PUB.' There was still no answer. When she was going to cut off the line, she Heard a lady's voice, 'Oh, so this is PUB. Sorry, I got the number from my Husband's pocket but I do not know whose number it is.'

Without mutual trust, just imagine what will happen to the couple if the telephone operator answered with just 'hello' instead of 'PUB'.

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NO POINTING FINGERS

A man asked his father-in-law, 'Many people praised you for a successful marriage. Could you please share with me your secret?'

The father-in-law answered in a smile, 'Never criticize your wife for her shortcomings or when she does something wrong. Always bear in mind that because of her shortcomings and weaknesses, she could not find a better husband than you.'

We all look forward to being loved and respected. Many people are afraid of losing face. Generally, when a person makes a mistake, he would look around to find a scapegoat to point the finger at. This is the start of a war. We should always remember that when we point one finger at a person, the other four fingers are pointing at ourselves.

If we forgive the others, others will ignore our mistake too.



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CREATING PERFECT RELATIONSHIPS?

A person visited the government matchmaker for marriage, SDU, and requested 'I am looking for a spouse. Please help me to find a suitable one.' The SDU officer said, 'Your requirements, please.' 'Oh, good looking, polite, humorous , sporty, knowledgeable, good in singing and dancing. Willing to accompany me the whole day at home during my leisure hour, if I don't go out. Telling me interesting stories when I need companion for conversation and be silent when I want to rest.' The officer listened carefully and replied, 'I understand you need television.'

There is a saying that a perfect match can only be found between a blind wife and a deaf husband, because the blind wife cannot see the faults of the husband and the deaf husband cannot hear the nagging of the wife. Many couples are blind and deaf at the courting stage and dream of perpetual perfect relationship. Unfortunately, when the excitement of love wears off, they wake up a nd discover that marriage is not a bed of roses. The nightmare begins.


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NO OVERPOWERING

Many relationships fail because one party tries to overpower another, or demands too much. People in love tend to think that love will conquer all and their spouses will change the bad habits after marriage. Actually, this is not the case. There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that 'It is easier to reshape a mountain or a river than a person's character.'

It is not easy to change. Thus, having high expectation on changing the spouse character will cause disappointment and unpleasantness.

It would be less painful to change ourselves and lower our expectations..


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RIGHT SPEECH

There is a Chinese saying which carries the meaning that 'A speech will either prosper or ruin a nation.' Many relationships break off because of wrong speech. When a couple is too close with each other, we always forget mutual respect and courtesy. We may say anything without considering if it would hurt the other party.

A friend and her millionaire husband visited their construction site. A worker who wore a helmet saw her and shouted, 'Hi, Emily! Remember me? We used to date in the secondary school.' On the way home, her millionaire husband teased her, 'Luckily you married me. Otherwise you will be the wife of a construction worker.' She answered,'You should appreciate that you married me. Other wise, he will be the millionaire and not you.'

Frequently exchanging these remarks plants the seed for a bad relationship. It's like a broken egg - cannot be reversed.

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PERSONAL PERCEPTION

Different people have different perception. One man's meat could be another man's poison. A couple bought a donkey from the market. On the way home, a boy commented, 'Very stupid. Why neither of them ride on the donkey? 'Upon hearing that, the husband let the wife ride on the donkey. He walked besides them. Later, an old man saw it and commented, 'The husband is the head of family. How can the wife ride on the donkey while the husband is on foot?' Hearing this, the wife quickly got down and let the husband ride on the donkey.

Further on the way home, they met an old Lady. She commented, 'How can the man ride on the donkey but let the wife walk. He is no gentleman.'

The husband thus quickly asked the wife to join him on the donkey. Then, they met a young man. He commented, 'Poor donkey, how can you hold up the weight of two persons. They are cruel to you.' Hearing that, the husband and wife immediately climbed down from the donkey and carried it on their shoulders.

It seems to be the only choice left. Later, on a nar row bridge, the donkey was frightened and struggled. They lost their balance and fell into the river. You can never have everyone praise you, nor will everyone condemn you. Never in the past, not at present, and never will be in the future.

Thus, do not be too bothered by others words if our conscience is clear..

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BE PATIENT

This is a true story which happened in the States. A man came out of his home to admire his new truck. To his puzzlement, his three-year-old son was happily hammering dents into the shiny paint of the truck. The man ran to his son, knocked him away, hammered the little boy's hands into pulp as punishment. When the father calmed down, he rushed his son to the hospital.

Although the doctor tried desperately to save the crushed bones, he finally had to amputate the fingers from both the boy's hands. When the boy woke up from the surgery & saw his bandaged stubs, he innocently said, 'Daddy, I'm sorry about your truck.' Then he asked, 'but when are my fingers going to grow back?' The father went home & committed suicide.

Think about this story the next time someone steps on your feet or u wish to take revenge. Think first before u lose your patience with someone u love. Trucks can be repaired.. Broken bones & hurt feelings often can't. Too often we fail to recognize the difference between the person and the performance. We forget that forgiveness is greater than revenge.

People make mistakes. We are allowed to make mistakes. But the actions we take while in a rage will haunt us forever.

'Good Life starts only when you stop wanting a better One'

22 Tanda Kiamat Semakin Hampir

1. Sembahyang diabaikan (diringan-ringankan).
2. Keinginan nafsu syahwat digalakkan dan berleluasa disebarkan melalui internet, iklan, buku, gambar, risalah atau filem.
3. Penjenayah menjadi pemimpin dan kebanyakannya jahil mengenai agama dan banyak memberi fatwa yang menyesatkan pengikutnya.
4. Perkara benar menjadi salah dan salah menjadi benar. Sukar untuk membezakan perkara halal dan haram kerana yang haram dianggap halal serta sebaliknya.
5. Berbohong menjadi satu keperluan dalam hidup dan menganggap jika tidak berbohong sukar untuk hidup senang.
6. Membayar zakat (harta, perniagaan dan pendapatan) dianggap beban.
7. Orang yang hidup mengikut kehendak agama ditindas dan hati mereka sentiasa merintih kerana maksiat berleluasa tetapi mereka tidak mampu mencegahnya.
8. Turun hujan di luar musimnya dan hujan tidak memberi keuntungan kepada makhluk di muka bumi.
9. Fenomena lelaki berkahwin dengan lelaki (homoseksual) dan perempuan berkeinginan kepada perempuan (lesbian) semakin menjadi-jadi.
10. Perempuan menguasai lelaki dengan memakai ubat guna-guna, sihir dan amalan syaitan lain.
11. Anak-anak mengingkari dan menderhaka ibu bapa (ibu bapa menjadi kuli dan anak menjadi tuan).
12. Kawan baik dilayan dengan kasar, manakala musuh diberi layanan baik. Kawan disangka lawan dan musuh dianggap sahabat serta memusuhi orang yang mengajak berbuat kebaikan.
13. Dosa dipandang ringan malah bangga melakukannya seperti zina, minum arak, bergaul bebas antara lelaki dan perempuan, meninggalkan sembahyang, mendedahkan aurat dan berjudi.
14. Masjid dihias indah tetapi kosong, terpulau, berkunci dan banyak berlaku kecurian barang masjid yang berharga.
15. Ramai yang sembahyang tetapi munafik dan berpura-pura. Di dalam sembahyang berjanji akan mengikut suruhan Allah tetapi di luar sembahyang melanggar perintahNya,
16. Akan datang golongan manusia dari Barat menguasai mereka yang lemah (iman) dan ramai terpengaruh dengannya seperti mengikut cara mereka berpakaian, bergaul dan suka berpesta.
17. Al-Quran dicetak dengan indah tetapi hanya dijadikan perhiasan dan jarang dibaca serta diamalkan kehendaknya.
18. Amalan riba berleluasa hingga orang alim pun terjebak sama.
19. Darah manusia tidak berharga, sering berlaku pembunuhan, peperangan dan jenayah.
20. Penganut Islam tidak mahu mengamalkan suruhan agama dan tidak mahu membela serta menyebarkannya.
21. Akan bertambah banyak penyanyi wanita (wanita yang tidak beriman adalah senjata syaitan yang baik).
22. Ramai orang kaya pergi umrah dan haji dengan tujuan melancong, yang sederhana pergi untuk berniaga dan yang miskin bermaksud meminta sedekah.

Bloom

Have you ever seen an aloe vera in bloom? I havent. So when Hubby told me last week that the aloe vera is blooming, I was confused. Aik, really kah this? I thought aloe vera tak berbunga. So, I call up my mom:

Me: "Mak, itu aloe vera berbunga"
Mom: "Bah, bagus tu. Ada nasib. Pi tinguk sana pokok dia kalau ko ada nampak number."
Me : "How to tinguk??"
Mom: "Ko tinguk lah lama lama mcm tinguk itu ikan ariwana!!!"

Siapa mau minta number???Muakakakaka

Apparently, aloe vera do flower but rarely.

       

The flowers

Up close

                    

How time flies ....

Almost three years old

at 1 month old

Photo of the month

We had this head thingy from Hubby's client's BBQ dinner a while ago and Sofiya really like it so much that she had to wear it everyway (sleeping, shops (bikin malu oh), but of course I have to put on a straight face as if nothing can embarass me .... but what do you think?

Silence is Golden

Hello, people.
Sorry about the long silence. Isk isk isk...penyakit malas tahap gaban melanda :P.

Come What May

This year , I turned 34 years old. Wow, it feels like I have just finished Form Five yesterday. How time flies! Look how big my darling Sofiya has grown now ...

I hope this year to achieve many things ie

1. to be debt free (hopefully)
2. to buy an iPhone (i know, but I mau jugak)
3. to install a white picket fence & a brand new porch
4. to read more books (i promise)
5. to visit (Japan, Korea or Hong Kong(Disneyland!))
6. to learn a new skill (SAP ~ huh?)
7. to start an online biz

and lastly .....to embark on a new job ~ fingers cross

Come What May  InsyaAllah

Books Warehouse sale

I love books!

Just the sight of it makes me go crazy.

The Big Bad Wolf  Book warehouse sale is back @ Amcorp Mall from 26 Nov 09 - 2 Dec 09.

They are selling dirt cheap brand new books. Well known authors paperbacks mostly at RM8.00 each, hard covers RM10-RM25. You cant get these prices at the major bookstores or even at their warehouse sales. But, be prepare to queue up in the BBWB sale and probably elbow your way around as the place are quite small (probably because they are putting about 200,000 titles?), with people carrying boxes and big Ikea bags. Anyway, I bought only 5 books plus 1 for dear hubby and cost me only RM39 (which normally would cost RM200 - RM300 in total) due to the crowd and Sofia was sleeping on my shoulder. Sigh!


There were also tons of childrens book but didnt get one for Sofia as I could find suitable ones for her age and I have already bought alot of books for her during the Payless Books warehouse sale last month. Though, Payless Books sells pre loved books but it doesnt matter as most of the books are still in good condidtion. Besides, can you argue when they are offering 3 paperbooks for RM15? Went crazy on that one too. wink wink

The best part is, while waiting for the queue to be shorter a wee bit before going into the BBWB, we stumbled upon a bookstore @ amcorp mall called BookXcess. They sell brand new books but very very cheap. Popular paperbacks selling from RM9.90 to RM19.90. I think the most expensive ones was at RM29.90! Though, not all current latest titles are available.

Yeay, no more waiting for warehouse sales to buy books.....ladida

Will wait for Stephenie Meyer's books and Sidney Sheldon's Mistress of the Games to arrive ...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha

Ketulusan Hati ~ Anuar Zain

Cinta ku tak berdusta

Tak mengenal lingkar

Tak kenal nustapa

cinta ku hanya indah

Hanya bahagia

Untuk selamanya

Apa yang kurasakan ini

Persembahan untuk diriMu

Kau dengarkan kasih ku

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal waktu

Tak mengenal puitis

Hanya tulusnya hati

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal lagu

Keyakinan hati ku

Hanya untuk diriMu

Selalu...

Cinta ku tak berdusta

Tak mengenal lingkar

Tak kenal nustapa

Tak ada seribu janji

Hanya bahagia

Untuk selamanya

Apa yang kurasakan ini

Persembahan untuk dirimu

Kau dengarkan kasih mu

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal waktu

Tak mengenal puitis

Hanya tulusnya hati

Mencintai Mu

Tak mengenal lagu

Keyakinan hati ku

Hanya untuk diri Mu

Selalu...

Of Peacocks and Doves

Did you know that Malaysia has the world's largest flight -in walk in aviary, right here in KL? Surprise, surprise !

Yes, its called KL Bird Park which is in Lake Gardens (I love going to Lake Gardens coz you can do alot there (ikan bakar, there are also butterfly park, orchid garden and has a superb view for picture shots ~ many wedding pictures where shot here). Entrance fee to the KL Bird Park is M15.00 per person for Malaysian. It was worth your money coz the place is hugeeee .... roughly like 20.9 acres that you can walk around, we I was panting and sweating by the time we finished.

Once inside, you will be able to see the the birds like Blue Peacocks, Doves etc close enough walk in around. You will also be able to feed the parrots in the World of Parrots area and let them sings by your ear!!! There's also ostriches land, eagles land, flaming pond, hornbill park to name a few.  

All in all, we all had fun!

Red Velvet

Let's bake a cake ....

Saw a friend posted a picture of this cake in her fb and decided to goggled the recipe.

p.s. The cake looks nice gorgeous but can you stomach in after knowing that one of the ingredient is food colouring? (btw, my spell checker is gone or is this a new format? nampak sangat lama ndak mem'blog')

Red Velvet Cake (a.k.a. Waldorf Astoria Cake) Credit to red velvet cake

1/2 cups sifted cake flour*

1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
2 oz. red food coloring
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or three 8-inch round cake pans.

2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. In a small bowl, mix food coloring and cocoa powder to form a thin paste without lumps; set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla and the red cocoa paste, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as you go. Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beat well, then beat in half of the buttermilk. Beat in another third of flour mixture, then second half of buttermilk. End with the last third of the flour mixture, beat until well combined, making sure to scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

4. Make sure you have cake pans buttered, floured, and nearby. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda. Yes, it will fizz! Add it to the cake batter and stir well to combine. Working quickly, divide batter evenly between the cake pans and place them in a preheated 350 degree oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check early, cake is done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

5. Cool the cakes in their pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes. To remove the cakes from the pan, place a wire rack on top of the cake pan and invert, then gently lift the pan. Allow cakes to cool completely before frosting. Frost with buttercream or cream cheese icing (recipe below).

Recipe Notes: *Sift cake flour once before measuring, then sift again with the other dry ingredients per recipe instructions. Wear an apron and be careful with the red food coloring–no matter how hard I try, I always end up staining something! As you’re mixing the cake batter, use a spatula to scrape down the bowl frequently throughout the entire process.

Cream Cheese Frosting
16 oz. cream cheese (2 packages), softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter (one stick), softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
pinch of salt

With an electric mixer, blend together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Turn mixer to low speed and blend in powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract. Turn mixer on high and beat until light and fluffy. Use immediately or refrigerate, covered, until ready to use. If refrigerated, the frosting will need to be brought to room temperature before using (after frosting softens up, beat with mixer until smooth).

Recipe Notes: If you prefer a sweeter and/or stiffer frosting, more powdered sugar can be added (up to four cups). But remember, the more sugar you add, the less you’ll be able to taste the tangy cream cheese

Grandma & Grandpa's Day out

Mom & Dad came for a visit on the 17th through 22 Oct 2009. Arrived at 12.15pm, Hubby was sicked so I had to drive the big car to fetch them. Along with Sis, Bro-in-Law and Baby, off we went to the airport with me driving. Ishk takut jugak nie coz I have never drove the big car jauh2. Bismillahirrahmanirrahim and alhamdulillah sampai jugak

Had our family dinner @ our ever favourite restaurant, Johnny's Steamboat. Had tomyam & chicken soup , luckily Dad & Mom like it although Dad was sniffing runny nose coz Dad cant really take hot stuffs. Heheheh

On the second day, went up and stayed overnight at Genting. ~ As it was after Deepavali and its a Sunday, it was chaotic up there, especially during the check in @ First World Hotel (Yeah, that will be the 1st and the last that we will stayed there). First of all, mau check in pun mau ambil number (what???!! buruk oh this hotel) And then, we have to wait for like almost 3 hours for our number to be call !!! Sudah lah tu, there was no comfortable waiting area, instead they had chairs like the one at the hospitals, banks etc (I thought we were at the wrong place nasib baik lah ada sign board nama hotel). Nasib baik lah the rooms was kinda acceptable. As we have lost quite some hours waiting for the blardly room, didn't managed to go for the rides. Just took 2 rides at the urm twice..i forgot wat its call but Baby was so excited looking at the lights especially the big swan..

On the 3rd day, Hubby had to go for outstation~darn :(

Mom wanted to stayed at Bukit Bintang area so that will be able to done some shopping! So we've booked 2 rooms with a view @ Capital Hotel. A very nice hotel indeed. Not bad for a 3 star hotel. Planned to go for the Lake Garden sightseeing but due to some reasons, was diverted to another shopping spree @ Midvalley instead.

All good things must come to an end, with a sad heart, our last breakfast before departing for airport. Felt that the trip should be at least 2 weeks. So many places, so little time.

View from Capitol Hotel! Nice. The nite shot at top.

Our breakfast at First World Hotel. Noticed the plastics cutlery. Food was 2 thumbs down

The ride that Baby was excited about. Went on it twice

Mom & Dad / Grandma & Grandpa ~ we love you!

Long leave

Yeah, currently am on a long leave, for 1 week only that is
.....because our parents are here for the week. So being the dutiful daughter(s), me & sis took 1 week leave to entertain them.

Will blog on the expedition/sightseeing/jalan2 cari makan again...c ya!

Discontinued

Yesterday had a girly day with Sis and Baby Sofiya at the Midvalley Megamall. Done the usual stuffs; ie had lunch @ Madam Kwan's, teatime @ Starbucks (thanks for the Voucher, Tot) & dinner @ Sushi King. (Sorry, if I sounded anal here)

Yes! I was in luck, the Mall was having a SALE. So, done shopping for some inner wears and bought a shoe. Then, I was thinking, maybe I should be getting my favourite perfume Ralph Lauren Blue for Women since mine was almost finish and the one that I have bought recently from Langkawi, dkny pink be delicious wasn't up to my liking after a few spritz time, after all ! Darn, mahal lagi tu..

Sooo, we went around the 3 major departmental stores in MV looking for it. First, went to JJ, browse through the RL counter, I don't see it...that's weird. Then, walked all the way to the Isetan @ Gardens, nope, not there. The Sales Lady was giving me this look like I have just dropped from outer space. One last try, we walked over again to MJ, went to the RL counter. I was told by this nice sales man that it has been discontinued for Malaysia market. What! NOOOOOO. How can RL discontinued it , how? Sob sob sob

Sigh , there goes one of my wish lists. On well, maybe I should try onedrop perfumes . Cheap and I get to try all sort of scents. (No, am not doing a promotion here but heck why not)