tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52129220421110856752024-03-14T02:28:28.403-07:00an expat's wife (in khartoum no more...)Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.comBlogger633125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-56035355891257764162012-12-18T06:56:00.002-08:002012-12-18T06:56:49.738-08:00Helloooooo!Salam all.<br />
<br />
I miss blogging so much. But I am seriously bogged down with work. I have deadlines left, right and centre...sigh.<br />
<br />
The last time I blog, was more than a year ago. That long huh?!!<br />
<br />
Now, I just blog in my head...hehehe. Whenever I feel like sharing anything, I'll just compose an entry in my head...hehehe.<br />
<br />
I googled my blog about a week ago, and started to feel the 'itch' to blog again. Hmmm, this might not be the last time you'll hear from me. Until then, au revoir!Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-31730568806155736392011-10-09T07:41:00.000-07:002011-10-09T08:23:37.674-07:00The saddest wedding...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Today, I went to my saddest wedding ever!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">I've been finding it really difficult to find time to write here. But today, I just really need to share my sadness.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">I already knew for quite some time that Eween, my late brother's girlfriend is getting married this year. I received her wedding invitation about two weeks ago and she smsed me last week. I've been contemplating whether I should go or not, but I finally relented. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">This morning, I thought I finally find my strength to rejoice with her. So we went there really early, before 12pm. We parked the car near Kak Normah's house and luckily we met Kak Arah, Along Zali and Kak Normah and Abang Sham. So, we went together. The kids were hungry, so I was busy trying to get food for them. I was okay at first, but when I met Eween's mother, she was also teary eyed, the dam just burst! Uncontrolled, unbridled, the tears just couldn't seem to stop.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">It was supposed to be my brother who's going to be the king of the day, but it wasn't meant to be. I was supposed to be part of the groom's family, but I was not, I was just there as a guest. So, even though I tried to smile, but tears were streaming my face, I just couldn't stop crying. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">When I got everybody settled, I went into the house and went to see Eween. She was such a beautiful bride. I was so happy to see her but I didn't manage to say all the things that I wanted to say, I just gave her the money packet and bid her farewell. I gave her a thousand, part of the money that Ayang left me, as a token of my appreciation for being Ayang's rock all those years ago.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Actually, I wanted to thank her for being there for my brother, for all her doa for his soul, for the happiness and the sadness that she shared with him for all those years. I really wish her the best in her life because she really deserve happiness, here and the hereafter. But nothing came out of my mouth, because I'm afraid that I'll start crying again infront of her and I don't want her to feel any sadness on her big day. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">I managed to eat the food while crying, luckily surrounded by family and close friends. I'm so lucky to have these friends that would just accept me for who I am. I was totally not strong enough today. After eating, I quickly made my escape but not before I met Eween's mother again and I teared up once again. I was really sad, but deep in my heart I know that, 'we can only plan, but everything is up to Allah's will'.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">So, at the end of the day, I was so glad that I went to Eween's wedding today. Though, I could have been tougher but I'm glad that I could still cry. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Ayang, dear brother, be happy for Eween and I hope you also meet your match in heaven, with Ayah and Mak there to witness your happy day. Semoga rohmu dicucuri rahmat oleh Allah, Al-fatihah... I love you.</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-60539350577872684992011-07-11T03:24:00.000-07:002011-10-09T07:41:47.013-07:00Vietnam : Day 2...<div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">Our second day in Vietnam was of course spent shopping, shopping and more shopping... hehehe.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">Early in the morning, after breakfast, we started our journey. Actually, I did a little bit of preparation prior to the trip. I managed to ask my friend Anne about where to shop and eat beforehand (she used to travel to HCMC a lot). I also googled and wikied HCMC. So, I kind of know what I wanted to do and a loose itinerary in mind. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">Since yesterday was spent looking round in Ben Tanh and the night market, today I wanted to do serious shopping. It seemed that yesterday, some people felt left out of the shopping spree, the majority decided to travel in a big group. Iskh, I was not really keen because travelling in a big group is a little bit messy and slow, I mean real slow. I'm the type that if I wanted something, I would just grab it. I'm really not the window-shopping kind of lady. But well, I also understand that some felt that they're not confident travelling in another country, so I decided to join them.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">First, we went to Hong Anh Collection which is very near our hotel but it was still closed. After that, we went to Minh Collection (the one I visited yesterday), also closed. Then we decided to go to Cho Binh Tay in Chinatown (my original suggestion, by the way!). It's a bit far from where we're staying but it was worth it. It's smaller than Ben Tanh, but definitely cheaper. </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">In Ben Tanh, we kept on bumping into Malaysians, but in Cho Bin Tay, we're the only one there... Even the shop owners in BT went there to buy stuff. I managed to buy gifts for the upcoming bowling tournament. I also bought jubah material for the whole BSS department, even for my Chinese boss...muahahaha. I also bought a lot of vietnam silk which is going to be given out to those lucky people...hehehe.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">From there we went back to the hotel, where I chucked everything in the room. This is when our group got a little smaller, one cab was nowhere to be seen. I led them to Hong Anh Collection but the group felt that it was a bit expensive. For me, it's better than Minh Collection because the material used and the beading works was definitely superior. But, I didn't buy anything because I could not squeeze all my fat inside the readymade clothes...hehehe. If I were smaller, I would have went into a shopping frenzy there...muahahaha</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">After that, they wanted to go to Minh Collection, and I bid them farewell because I wanted to rest in the hotel while waiting for time to go for lunch. My boss wanted to follow me to Khai Silk, so I asked them to lunch with us at </span><a href="mailto:halal@Saigon"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">halal@Saigon</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">. I booked a place for 12 people at 1pm. When we arrived there, we were ushered to the top floor where a place was already set for us. Yeay! My boys were really hungry, they could have eaten a horse. The waiter was really attentive because he gave the kids two plates of fries. The kids had nasi lemak while the rest of us had nasi berlauk. I ordered lemon grass chicken, ginger chicken, grilled lala, vietnam style chili fish, fried local vegetable called 'tokin' among other things. I had one of the best lunch...yummy!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">After lunch, we just walked to Khai Silk where I bought my MIL a silk shawl and treated myself with one shawl also. Then we took a taxi to HRC where my husband bought himself 2 shirts and Amir managed to get one shirt also. On the way out, we met some of the others going to HRC. We went back to the hotel and I went out to the BT market with Kak Ina, Kak Aliah and Kak Midah. We went to the same stall that we found the day before. I knew that I wanted to buy the linen pouches, so that was what I did. I bought the small and the big linen pouches plus some table cloths and bed linen. I asked the seller to send all the stuff to the hotel and walked back with Kak Ina's daughter in tow. </span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div align="justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">After dinner, my husband and I went to the night market to buy a bag for kak long. There we met Kak Ina and Kak Midah with a calculator in hand roaming the streets...muahahaha. We got back to the hotel by 9pm and I started packing all my 'loot'. I didn't realised that shopping can really be hard work! Hehehehe... </span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-1164542712493723492011-07-10T08:35:00.000-07:002011-07-10T09:27:30.500-07:00Vietnam : Day 1...<div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Today, I woke up around 5.20 am and straight away started the ball rolling. Got everybody out of bed, showered, dressed, solat and away we went to LCCT. I drove because I could drive faster (it's a fact!)...hehehe.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We arrived at LCCT around 7am, checked-in, had a leisurely breakfast and then it was time to board the aircraft around 8.30 am. I told the kids to expect the worse of AA. I told them to not expect anything on board, just a seat without freeflow of juices, food or even inflight entertainment that they're so used to. Thanks to my exaggerations, they were quite docile on the flight, even sleeping most of the time...hehehe</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We reached HCMC about 10 am local time. After taking our luggage, we waited for our transportation to the Blue Diamond hotel. There was just the 20 of us but the bus was huge. Along the journey, we were introduced to HCMC traffic which was actually quite 'mild' compared to the crazy traffic in Khartoum. There was definitely more motobikes but less 'honking' on the road. In fact, I think HCMC's quite modern and well-planned.</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">When we arrived at the hotel, we were quite early but managed to get rooms next to each other. The hotel is actually better than what I expected, a 3 star hotel within walking distance from Ben Tanh Market. The rooms are really good and comfortable. Hadi was starving by the time we got the rooms and we just chucked our belongings in the room before rushing down to wait for the others at the lobby. Our mission : to find halal food! </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We walked to VN Halal but it was full of Malaysians...hehehe. We were redirected to eat at Four Seasons which we did and it was a tasty lunch though the service left much to be desired. The kids and my husband went back to rest at the hotel while the wife was left to roam free. Yeehooo! I followed the other ladies to Ben Tanh Market and experienced my first taxi scam, where the driver of the Saigon Taxi asked for more than was shown on the meter. We were fooled because we're not familiar with Vdong...Iskk. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">In the market, I just followed the others as they went 'crazy' with telekung, fabrics and anything and everything at the BT market. Miraculously, I just spent about 30 USD for 2 long dresses. By 4 pm, I was ready to get back to the hotel. I just watched the others as they shop like there's no tomorrow...hehehe. I would have thought that I would be like them but surprisingly I was really 'cool'...muahahaha</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I got back to the hotel around 5pm, found Amir asleep like the one who's supposed to take care of him. Isk! After solat, showered and ready to get out by 6pm. We walked to VN Halal again to finally get a seat inside the restaurant. The food was okay but it was a bit pricey. I'm spending more money on food than on shopping, seriously! </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">After eating, the boys were cranky, so I send them off back to the hotel with my husband. Kak Long wanted to follow me, so I allowed her to do so. The night market around BT just got started and I bought a table cloth, made a jubah for Kak Long and me and bought 3 cheap bags for friends. I also bought something for my husband and toys for the boys. That's it! A very disappointing first day...hehehe. </span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">We finally reached the hotel about 9pm...tired and thirsty. I'm currently resting, to gear up for tomorrow's challenge...muahahaha. Shopping! Yeay! I love HCMC!</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-38008225986004864602011-07-09T03:41:00.000-07:002011-07-09T04:11:34.827-07:00A lazy Saturday...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Pheww... What a lazy Saturday... </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">I really miss my 'lazy weekends', those were the days when I could get up as late as 11 am, eat brunch leisurely and maybe do some grocery shopping. The weekend's a time for 'reboot and recharge' and by Monday, I'll be refreshed and ready to tackle anything. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Nowadays, everything is 'Go, go, go'... non-stop! Sigh...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Since the end of February, I joined the 'Kursus Haji Bersiri', so every Sunday morning, I would be rushing to Masjid At-Taqwa, TTDI. Why so far from Rawang? Well, it's just a walking distance from my in-laws house where the kids could play and wait for us. The course was 18 weeks long and only ended end of June. Alhamdulillah, I managed to sit through all the sessions without fail, except for the last week as I got a wedding to attend to.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Anyway, I learnt my lesson. Normally, we won't know that we're lucky to have something good until we lose it. In this instance, it's my 'down-time'...sigh. I'm really happy to have nothing to do...hehehe. To be able to blog... so precious, so sweet! To be able to blog-hop, even more precious (I managed to read and catch up with "Live High"...yeay!)...</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-39950459545406930912011-07-08T19:39:00.000-07:002011-07-09T03:40:50.871-07:00Vietnam, here I come!<div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ffff;">Yeay, tomorrow morning I'll be flying to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam! Hehehe, finally going away for a few days... away from the normal humdrum of my boring life. My life has been compressed into such a predictable timetable that I'm feeling squeezed out of life. Ecewah, I'm feeling a little bit melodramatic this morning...hehehe</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ffff;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ffff;">Actually, it's just an office trip, well sort of...hehehe. It's organised as one of the activities for Puspanita. Not that I'll be following their trip, because I have my whole family with me...hehehe. I'll be doing my own thing with the main aim of the trip, my favourite sport...Shopping! Muahahaha... yep, I still have my evil laugh...muahahaha</span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ffff;"></span></div><br /><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ffff;">I'm trying to 'squeeze' my husband for a little bit of 'shopping allowance'...hehehe. So, now I have to be in my best behaviour...muahahaha. Hmmmm, wait till I get the money in my not so little chubby hands...muahahaha. I've got to go now, skipping to the nearest money changer...hehehe</span> </div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-77426346113123373482011-07-07T06:38:00.000-07:002011-07-07T06:45:44.653-07:00Missing my blog!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">I really do miss blogging! Seriously! </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Now that I don't have the leisurely time to blog, I miss it profusely...sigh</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Now, I only blog in my head (while driving, while doing numerous other stuff...)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">So many stories to tell, so little time to spare...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">I miss my blogging days. I sorely miss the free time as a stay at home mom...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Now, I'm a working mother (without a maid!) that have her hands full looking after the kids and working like a zombie with a lot of deadlines...sigh.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Will try my best to update my blog from now on. Insyaallah... Au revoir!</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-71873068623181163262011-02-11T14:53:00.000-08:002011-02-11T18:00:28.357-08:00The journey to Farin's wedding...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">I have a soft spot for NekRock Boutique. It's an online shopping store where I bought my first handbag and numerous other stuff...hehehe. I love hanging around the chatbox and over time manage to forge a very close relationship with the other regulars there as well. Nekk became our shopping 'advisor' and sometimes she took the role of a 'mother' also. That would make us 'sisters' (sorry zull... I'm generalising here...muahahaha).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">To cut the story short, today Farin weds her sweetheart, Halim. The akad ceremony was yesterday, Congrats Farin! Finally, you're a wife... yeay! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Even though, we started as online friends, we've become friends in the real life also. The girls have met several times already, but I never seem to be able to make the time...hehehe. So, I'm taking this opportunity to meet Aida, Min and of course Farin today. Yeay! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Yesterday, I drove to Malacca straight from the office. I've already packed our things the night before but I forgot one thing. Amir's pampers...sigh. By the time I came down to the nursery yesterday, he already wet his pants...sigh. I had to force him to go to the toilet and change his outfit. It was raining in KL. I smsed Min, and she said that it's raining in JB also. Hmmmm... Farin's wedding was in Malacca but the north and south got wet...muahahaha.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Anyway, I drove straight to Jalan Duta and of course, the roads leading out of KL was jammed packed with cars...sigh. As usual, when you're rushing somewhere, there'll be a lot of obstacles to 'test' you...hehehe. It took me one hour just to reach Shah Alam from Selayang. The kids were sleeping so I had a peaceful time driving. I reached the Ayer Keroh OHB around 6.50 pm. We ate KFC and I tried to find Amir's pampers but was not successful.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">We reached Seri Malaysia around 7.30pm and in an hour managed to get everybody ready to go to Farin's house. I already got the directions from the bride but was a bit apprehensive because I've never been there and it was night. But since I was 'carrying' the wedding gift from everyone, I knew I had to at least made an attempt. Plus the fact that I would also be giving 2 pillows to Farin. Muahahaha. Yep, the pillows from Sudan. I already made pillow covers, also from the materials I bought from Sudan. The pillows were huge. Enough said. They'll compliment the group's gift...hehehe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">So, around 8.40, I went out of the room and I saw a group of people also going out. They looked like they're going to a wedding also. But I was a bit reluctant to ask them, so I went to the lobby and showed the wedding invitation. A lady next to me recognised the card, it was Farin's cousin. So, problem solved. I followed them to Farin's house. Alhamdulillah.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">The journey to Farin's house was a blur, thanks to her cousin's who drove very fast. Suddenly, the car infront of me drove into a petronas station and I followed. It seemed that they were on their way to the shop but fortunately for me, I also need something very important to buy... Amir's pampers...hehehe. Actually, I forgot to bring his pampers (he's on potty training now) and I had to put sanitary towel on his spender (just in case...)...muahahaha. I even took a picture for 'prove' sake (something to show him when he's bigger...hehehe).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">From the station, I had to find my own way to Farin's house and as usual my sesat barat session followed. Luckily the Chinese were still celebrating Chinese New Year and a lot of houses got eliminated just by looking at the decorations...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">I made it to Farin's house in one piece. She was very beautiful in her gold Nyonya baju. I gave her the group's gift and my bantal. She looked pleased, thank God...hehehe. I had time taking pictures with the bride and afterwards, while I was busy eating meehoon soup with gearbox soup, the groom came. They look good together. Congrats Farin and Halim. May the years ahead bring you happiness now and the hereafter...Amin.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Now, I'm at the swimming pool for the second session while waiting for Min to arrive from JB. Au revoir!</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-58253317745635530592011-01-26T04:26:00.000-08:002011-01-26T04:36:57.299-08:00Yeeehaaaaaa!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">Hehehehe... Today I checked my account balance and yes, it's confirmed! I've got my first pay check! Yessssss! So, in the afternoon, I volunteered to get the payslip from finance. Yeay! It's been so long since I got my own money, it feels so liberating...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">So, this Friday, I'm going to buy breakfast for my department. At first, I asked Sheila's mother to cook laksa johor but she wasn't feeling well so I asked Zu to call someone about carbonara sauce, but that chef's now in Cameron Highlands...sigh. Then, finally we asked Nawa whether his wife can cook spaghetti bolognaise and she agreed to help... Yeay! I met Kak Midah at the surau and asked her to bake carrot walnut cake...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FF33;">So, so happy to earn money for myself again :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-53045271291343069232011-01-25T21:10:00.000-08:002011-02-02T04:18:16.153-08:00Alahai Hadi... Part 2<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">This morning, I woke up at 5.30 am. Before I showered, I woke Aliah up and asked her to shower in the other bathroom. Then it was time for Hadi to shower. I woke him up and get dressed. The next thing I knew, I saw a 'naked' boy sleeping...sigh</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">He must have taken off his pyjamas and continue sleeping. Alahai Hadi... Even Aliah chuckled when she looked at her brother...muahahaha. Yesterday when he got back from school, I asked him whether he was given a warning or not by either the prefects or the teachers? He said, 'Nope, my teacher didn't look down at my feet'...muahahaha.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">Amir's a different sort of character altogether. He'll be the last one in the bathroom. I'll have a very difficult time trying to get him in the bathroom. He'll cry, he'll complain of a lot of ailments (his leg hurts, he cannot walk and any other reasons). Then he'll get in the shower and won't come out. He'll just bask in the hot shower and enjoy the hot water. I'll have another difficult time to ask him to get out of the bathroom and get dressed. But once he's dressed, he'll be right as rain...hehehe.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 51);">Sometimes, I'll scream and shout in the early hours of the morning. Sometimes, I laugh at them and with them. But, one thing for sure, sometimes, I'll feel tired by 8am...hehehe</span><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-85492753858617096052011-01-24T18:53:00.000-08:002011-02-02T04:18:16.153-08:00Alahai Hadi...<div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;">This morning, I woke up really early, around 5 am. So by the time we're ready to move out, it was only 6.15 am. As usual, I asked the kids to check whether they got everything ready (bags, shoes etc). Everyone said okay. Fine.</span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Since we're really early, we arrived in MPM before 7 am, so I drove them to the nearest 7-11 and bought them snacks and drinks. Okay. Not long after we arrived in MPM, the taxi driver came. Fine. Then, I helped Amir with his bag to the taxi as usual. Aliah was already in the taxi. Fine. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Where's Hadi? Still in my car! So, I went over and asked him, what was wrong? Believe it or not, he forgot his school shoes. He left it at home. At least, his slippers were there...eeeeeee...So, today, he went to school with socks and slippers. I nearly choke him with his tie this morning...eeeeee...sabar jer lah.</span> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-65534359827824418642011-01-21T23:30:00.000-08:002011-02-02T04:19:22.898-08:00Erkkks!!! No.2 for 2011...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Yesterday, I was supposed to meet some of my friends at OU (Sudan friends). But unfortunately, Kak Zu couldn't make it and there was no reply from Najwa, so Syikeen and I had to cancel lunch together. Maybe next time :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">So, in the morning, I ate only cereal (thinking that I'll have a 'big' lunch, right?!!). By lunchtime, I was starving and as soon as allowed, I drove to the nearest stall and ate to my heart's content. I was like a sleepy dugong and head back early to the office. Around 2 pm, my boss came back with chicken rice for me...Aiyoo, how to decline?!! So, I sat there in the pantry and started eating the delicious chicken rice. As if by magic, soon there was nothing left in my plate...muahahahaha!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Around 3pm, we were 'invited' to go to the Puspanita's AGM at third floor. Actually, I was very reluctant to go, but since there were not many of us yesterday (quite a lot of people took the day off), I dragged myself to the 3rd floor. And surprise, surprise! I was selected to be the AJK again...sigh. I thought that I would get away from being actively involved in anything 'NITA' for a long time...sigh. I thought, I was lucky to get away from being involved in PETRONITA. It seems that I'm not lucky enough...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">After that, I joined the other ladies eating mee kari. So, I thought of skipping dinner and only bought nasi for my kids. But, Amir didn't finish his and who else had the stomach to put all that food in? Me! Of course! Sigh... Yesterday was definitely a 'full' day for me...hehehe</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-42815838287088367962011-01-20T00:52:00.000-08:002011-02-02T04:19:22.898-08:00Erksss...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">This morning, I woke up very early. I woke up at 6.30am and Amir soon after. I thought of sleeping in but since there were so many things to do, decided to do my laundry instead. Hadi woke up around 7am and the boys played computer games while I was busy making breakfast downstairs.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">By 9, I was ready to fall back asleep...hehehe. But unfortunately, there was a black out around 9.30am...Ishkk. Anyway, I got the the kids in the bathroom and gave them their clothes to wear downstairs. Soon, I heard Hadi yelling, "Makkkkk! The shirt's too biggggg!", and being me, not totally convinced, asked him "are you sure?!!". To that, he said, "Mak, the shirt came all the way down to my ankles!". Huh?!! And sure enough, when he came back upstairs, he gave me my husband's shirt. Muahahahaha. No wonder, he said it was too big...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#CC66CC;">Anyway, by 10.30am, everybody was restless. I decided to go to OneUtama and watched a movie. And that's what we did, reached OU, bought the 1.30pm tickets for Gulliver's Travels, ate lunch, watched the movie and drove home. Now, I need rest...hehehe</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-83068784993677597552011-01-14T18:16:00.000-08:002011-01-14T18:33:29.944-08:00The weekend is here!!!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">The weekend is here!!! Yeay!!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">For the past 3 years, I did not really know the meaning of the word, 'weekend'. For me, 'Saturday' and 'Sunday' are just ordinary days. But now, I really appreciate these two days as a source of 'recharge' (body and spirit!)...sigh</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">It has been merely two weeks since I came back to work, but the work has started piling on me. It's not that I don't enjoy being back at work, it's just the 'going out at 6.20am and coming back at 6pm' that gets to me. I'm tired. I just need the two days to clean my house, wash, dry, fold and iron the clothes at my own pace...sigh. I've got a mound of clothes on the sofa ready to be folded (has been waiting for at least a week), a basket of clothes to be ironed (and more coming :)) and 3 baskets to be washed...hehehe. Quite a tall order for a weekend, huh?!!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">The kids are upstairs, washing their own school shoes...hehehe. They've been there for quite some time, so it's safe to say that they also get time to play in the bathroom...hehehe (before I turn into a 'lioness' and 'roar'...muahahaha). </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Normally, I got up at 5.30am and the kids soon after, so today we woke up at 8.30 am and everyone's in good spirits. Had breakfast while watching tv, oh what a 'luxury'...hehehe. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Hmmm... I think, it's time I change into a 'female tarzan'. So, Au revoir! I'm so glad that it's the weekend. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">p/s: Azila n shidah, I'm so jealous that you're an at-home mom...</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-6927794615109222532011-01-04T04:29:00.000-08:002011-01-04T04:44:18.869-08:00First day at the office...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">Today was my first day at the office after a three year unpaid-leave...hehehe. I arrived so early that I did not meet any living soul at the lobby. When I reached my department, it was pitch black and for the life of me, I couldn't remember where was the light switch...muahahaha.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">I got a new office, smaller than my previous one but the furniture's all new. So, for the first half an hour, I was busy 'unwrapping' my chair...hehehe. Then I waited for the others to arrive. So, today, I spent some time 'reacquainting' myself with my colleagues.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">I went to see my boss early in the morning. When I mentioned that it was a bit hot, he turned around and switched on the fan...hehehe. Oh, I forgot to tell you that as part of the measures to cut spending for the company, the aircond will only be switched on at 9am to 4pm. Not only that, 50 percent of the lights were also switched off, can you believe it?!! My room was not affected but the working area for the clerks was a bit dark...sigh. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">Hopefully tomorrow, I would be able to start working properly. Today was just fun and games, with the best part was receiving my stationeries and opening them...hehehe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-54818520524110127632010-12-30T07:44:00.000-08:002010-12-30T07:54:04.862-08:00Ahemmmm....<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Ahemmmmm... salam to everyone :)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">It's been such a long time since I last wrote something here. It's not that I don't have anything to write about, this is definitely a case of having too many things on my plate right now...hehehe. I really don't know where to start...literally.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">How time flies...sigh (especially when you're having fun right? hehehe). It's been three years since I stop being a tax-payer. In 2 days, I'll start joining the workforce again...sigh. I'll miss a lot of things, especially the time spent with my kids, definitely. This is not a time for reflection, it's just a note to say hello, actually. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Hopefully, I'll have the time to write something soon...hehehe. Till then, au revoir!</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-17223601775444798062010-10-25T17:50:00.000-07:002011-02-02T04:24:17.814-08:00Malaysia Day Raya Craze...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">For the past two years, we spent Raya in a very calm and subdued manner, so this year we went a little overboard...hehehe. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Since we missed seeing a few of my cousins during the first few days of Raya, we decided to give them a visit on Malaysia Day, 16th of September 2010. Hadi was complaining of a toothache, so we went to the dentist first and the dentist pulled out two of his front/bottom teeth. I thought there was only one jiggly tooth...hehehe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Anyway, after various phone calls, it seemed that my cousins were also busy and won't be at home that day. We were already on the highway by then, so we changed our plans. Instead of visiting relatives, we decided to visit friends. The first 'victim' was Mazman's family. I called Kak Rehana and luckily they were in...hehehe. So, their house in Taman Melati became our first destination for the day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">They were caught a little off-guard because we came very fast. We told them, we would be arriving in 30 minutes but in fact, by 20 minutes, we were already infront of their house...muahaha. Kesian, Kak Rehana...hehehe. We chatted while Kak Rehana was busy frying the meehoon. The kids were happy because they finally saw Nabil and Fatiha after so many months. The compound and the house was big, so the kids were busy exploring. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">We were teasing Mazman about his 'old house'... Remember the story about 'ghosts' in Sudan? It was their former house...hehehe. Anyway, we were trying to discuss about where to go next. When I call Zana, she sounded very tired because her father just had stroke during Raya so we didn't want to intrude and that's when I remembered that Aiza's also staying somewhere in Taman Melati. I called Aiza and she invited us to her house around 2.30pm. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Mazman also agreed to join us, so we went after zohor prayers. I tried calling Kak Maria but it went unanswered. I actually called Najwa to get Kak Maria's phone number actually, but when she heard that we're heading to Kak Maria's house, she invited us to go to her house instead. Hehehe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">We arrived at Aiza/Zali's house around 3pm and there were so many dishes on the table...hehehe, including sate okay?!! The kids were so excited to see the big swimming pool downstairs. Hadi and Amir even ate at the verandah overlooking the pool. Aiza and Zali were actually planning to go to Zali's parents house in Klang but I managed to convince them to follow us to Najwa's house in Kota Damansara. Muahahaha... I also called Syikeen and arranged a visit to her house after Najwa's.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">So, there were 3 cars headed towards Najwa's house. It's quite easy to find actually...hehehe. Najwa who had just 'lost' her maid managed to cook rendang for us. There were 4 families in all, with kids amounting to 14 in all. So, just imagine the noise that we were making. Definitely 'meriah', just like the old days in Khartoum. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Then, around 5.45pm, Syikeen and Ezalman picked us up at Najwa's house. We also managed to persuade Syed and Najwa to join us at Syikeen's house...Muahahaha. Ezalman, who just came back from the hospital (leg injury) had to bear his pain and entertain us. But I think that our presence acted as some kind of a pain-killer for Ezal...hehehe. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Just imagine, the funny part was that we managed to 'persuade' our friends to join our 'kembara raya'...muahahaha. Mazman said that it was so 'kampung-like'...hehehe. I took it as a compliment of our 'management skills'...muahahaha. It was definitely more fun and thinking back, how strong our bond was when we were together in Sudan. I prefer to keep our friendship strong, insyaallah.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">We came out of Syikeen's house just as we heard the maghrib's azan. Our family had a pit-stop at Giant's Kota Damansara where the kids had dinner while we prayed. We came back still laughing from the hilarity of it all. How a great day started without proper plans. Maybe Allah wants to remind us of our family-bond forged in Sudan of all places...Alhamdulillah...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-54859939388021407052010-10-24T06:48:00.000-07:002011-02-02T04:24:17.815-08:00Travel Galore - More of Raya 1431H...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">On the second day of Raya, we went out to Uncle Ripin's house after a leisurely breakfast and a swim for the kids at the hotel. From Uncle Ripin's house, we went to KB Mall to buy something for the kids, especially Hadi who started asking for his 'fasting reward'...sigh. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Around midday, we made our way to Bachok, Mak Su Ani's house. By the time we arrived, Mummy and Daddy were already there and Adik and Fahim arrived soon after. Basically we just relaxed and had lunch there. I suggested to my husband that we should use the time wisely by driving to Pasir Mas as we were going back to Sabak Bernam the next day. He agreed and we made our way to Pasir Mas around 5pm. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">There was a lot of traffic but it was not too bad, and we arrived in Pasir Mas just before Maghrib. First we went to Kak Ana's house and afterwards went next door to Ajik's house where they were holding an open house for their close family and friends. The food was delicious...hehehe. I was really glad that we made the effort to go there as we managed to meet many of our cousins. If I'm not mistaken, arwah Makcik Lah got about 9 kids and numerous grandchildren. We head back to KB after isya' and the night was spent packing for the next leg of the journey.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">On Sunday morning, we were invited to have breakfast at Fahim's house. We had breakfast there and made our way to the West Coast around 10.30am. The traffic was really bad, it took us about 4 hours to get to Gua Musang. It was very slow moving, crawling for most of the way. Amir had a little of a mishap along the way, he actually vomited on Hadi, and we had to change him at the gas station.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">We decided to use the Cameron Highlands/Simpang Pulai's route. We stopped for solat around 3pm somewhere in the mountains (in a surau). We arrived in Cameron around 4pm, where I stopped to buy some fresh vegetables...hehehe. Retail therapy wherever I can get it okay?!! Hehehe. Then from Simpang Pulai we head down to south. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">It was really slow on the highway but in a way, it was quite fortunate for us because we had a flat tyre somewhere near Tapah. A fellow driver pointed it out to us, if not I would be unaware of the little situation befallen us. The kids were sleeping at the back and all the commotion did not awake them from their deep slumber. I was useless with a flat tyre and it seemed that I was not the only one...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">An Indian mechanic stopped and helped us just when my husband was about to panic (he didn't even know how to unscrew the bolts, ok?!!). The mechanic told us, "Hiyo, kalau macam tu ha, sampai malam pun tak tentu boleh buka woo"...hehehe. It took him very short time to change the tyre and while he was doing it, the plus patrols came to have a look. We gladly pay him a little bit of money for helping us with the tyre changing...Phewwww.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The traffic was very slow moving, even from Bidor to Teluk Intan. Both of us were very tired that it was kind of funny, every half an hour we would change being the driver...hehehe. We finally arrived at my Auntie's house in SPP around 9pm. It was dark and we missed her house 2 times. See how familiar we were with our own Auntie's house...hehehe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">It seemed that I just missed my Mak Su as she just went back to Jasin in the morning...sigh. But my Mak Ngah and Cik Jah was there with two new additions to the family...hehehe. We had dinner there, they had the time to cook the vegetables from Cameron, you know?!! Anyway, we made our way back to Sabak Bernam around 11pm. I actually booked a room at my relative's homestay, Zamita's in Sabak Bernam a week earlier. So, it was kind of easy, just get the key and 'pengsan'...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">The next day, we went back to Sekendi and met my relatives plus all the juiciest gossips...muahahaha. Instead of going back to Rawang on Monday, we extended our stay another night. Luckily I booked a room at Sg Hj Dorani as a just-in-case scenario. We managed to visit many relatives though 2 days were definitely not enough to cover the scores of relatives I have...hehehe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">Anyway, we came back to BTP on Tuesday and Hadi and Amir had to skip one day of school. Yeay! for them, I suppose...hehehe. Looking back at the travelling we had done during Raya, I could just rolled my eyes. But the story's not finish yet...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33FFFF;">To be continued...</span> </div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-53272242734039334542010-10-23T20:32:00.000-07:002011-02-02T04:24:17.816-08:00Travel Galore - Eid-ul-Fitr 1431H<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">We woke up a little bit late on the morning of Eid. The kids woke up at 7.30am but by 8.00 everyone was ready...hehehe. My FIL was amazed and asked the kids, "Cepatnya siap, mandi kuba' ker?". Hehehe.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">We planned to solat sunat at Masjid Hiliran but because we were late and it was raining, we prayed in Masjid Kristal, a short walking distance from where we were staying. There were so many people, alhamdulillah. The only complain I had was about the imam who forgot the takbir on the second rakaat, making the makmum a little bit confused. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">The night before, Che Rah told us not to come too early, so after solat we went to Che Da Afzan's house. I love going to Che Da Afzan's house because her house would be the only house that serves rendang on raya morning...hehehe. Che Da cooked nasi minyak Trengganu and rendang...yeay! But while I was enjoying the spread, Che Rah called...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">So, we went straight to Che Rah's house and ate Nasi Dagang. Ayah Su and Che Su also came from Dungun, so my FIL's family was complete. All surviving siblings were together under one roof. We managed to have a photography session with all the family...hehehe. We ate and chatted and had fun teasing each other...hehehe. Well, it's not easy to have everyone together at the same time.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">Around 12, we made our move to Padang Midin, to Abg Luqman's house. We arrived just before the friday prayer and the ladies had our fill of nasi dagang in peace. This is where Daddy met his cousins and there were many that day. Even Dadi came a bit later but I pity him because he looked so lost in his own world...sigh. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">From Padang Midin, we made our way home and started packing all our stuff in the car. We made our way to KB around 3pm. We managed to stop by at Uncle Wan Abu Mutalib's house but it was too full with a lot of people. The journey was uneventful and we safely arrived at the hotel in KB just before Maghrib. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF66;">After prayers and showers, we went to Mak Anjang's house in Kg. Bayam. Adik and Fahim also came with us. There we met Abg Pian and Wani and later were joined by Ila and Man. Abg Pian's second child was unable to walk and it was so sad because we could do nothing to help...sigh. We went back to rest around 11 pm. Such an exhausting first day...sigh.</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-86091840485743976962010-10-14T05:25:00.000-07:002011-02-02T04:24:17.816-08:00Travel Galore - a day before Eid...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">On the day before raya, we managed to find our relative somewhere near the airport. We visited Dadi who was already affected by Alzheimer and hardly recognise people, even his own children...sigh. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">I suggested that instead of just spending the night before raya at the house, why don't we go to Che Rah's house (daddy's sister) and he agreed. So we went there and Che Ja was already there with her family. It was kind of fun to gossip and just get to know each other better...hehehe. At first just the ladies were at the kitchen and then Daddy joined us ladies.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">On that particular night, we discovered one of Daddy's secrets...hehehe. No wonder Che Ja and Che Rah were a bit gobsmacked when Mummy told them that Daddy ate bubur lambuk for sahur. Then, suddenly Che Ja asked Mummy, "Since when Abg Long eat bubur lambuk?" and it was Mummy's turn to be gobsmacked, "huh?!, he's been eating quite a lot of bubur lambuk actually...". Then Che Ja told us that as far as she knows, Daddy abhorred bubur lambuk since young because he said that bubur lambuk reminded him of 'muntah kucing (cat's vomit)...muahaha. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFF00;">When questioned by his wife and his sisters, he actually admitted that he used to hate bubur lambuk...hehehe. We had a good laugh about that in the kitchen. We were so busy laughing that we didn't realise the time. All too soon, it was time to go back to Taman Tamadun Islam...sigh. It was so nice to be able to chat with our close relatives.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-88699402519082610782010-10-12T18:45:00.000-07:002011-02-02T04:24:17.817-08:00Travel Galore - a summary<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">My husband came back on the 3rd of October and we had a family dinner/buka puasa at his parents house in Taman Tun. The next day, we went back to Sabak Bernam and had a buka puasa at Kak Iti's house. We came back to Tasik Puteri on Sunday afternoon and we treated our neighbours for a buka puasa at Jintan Manis restaurant. Food was okay but the service was a bit poor.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Our trip to the East Coast started on Monday, the 6th of October. We had a brief stopover at Kuantan for a 'spot' of shopping...hehehe. Just bought a few tudung for me and Aliah. We didn't book a hotel or anything, we just took a chance. Luckily, there was a family room available for us at Awana Kijal. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">We arrived in Kijal about 5.30 pm, and about an hour later we were on our way to Dungun to break our fast with Ayah Su's family. We were treated to a sumptuous feast. We finished everything...hehehe. We followed Ayah Su to do our terawih prayers at Masjid Batu 7 if I'm not mistaken. After terawih, we continued eating bubur and other deserts at Ayah Su's house. We left around 10 pm and had a stopover at Kerteh to buy something for Aliah and Hadi's sahur as our sahur were provided by the hotel.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">The next morning, we only started our journey around 12 because we were supposed to meet my PIL around 3 pm in KT. When we discovered that Mummy and Daddy will only arrive after Asar, we had a stopover at Noor Arfa's show room. The boys stayed in the car while Aliah and me went in. I just bought a few pieces of Kaftan for Aliah and me...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">We made our way to Taman Tamadun Islam and Masjid Kristal as our accommodation was the guest house next to Masjid Kristal. We waited for them to arrive just before 6pm. The house had 3 bedrooms, a living/dining area and a small kitchenette. The kids shared a bathroom with us. The kids ate chicken rice while we break our fast with all trengganu food fare with the likes of ikan singgang and ayam percik...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">At first we wanted to perform our terawih at masjid Kristal... infact we were already inside the beautiful masjid when Daddy called us out and drove out to a nearby masjid. I've forgotten the exact name of the masjid or was it a surau?!! The funny thing was, Hadi told his ayah that he had to pray so many times...hehehe. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">To tell you the truth, I loved the spotlight show at masjid Kristal, it changes colours every few seconds, very beautiful at night. But, I was a bit surprised that the inside of the masjid was smaller than I imagine. There was only a small space for ladies to pray, maybe just enough for 8 rows. When we were there, it was packed and a lot of people had to pray outside which was a shame really. For the millions that they spent building the masjid, I thought comfort for the jemaah would have been well thought out. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">On Wednesday morning we were greeted with 'ant attack'! We woke up for sahur but was shocked with the thousands of ants attacking our food. Only the bubur lambuk was safe...eeee. My MIL had to fight the 'ants' and we had to clean up the area. Wednesday is also our relaxing day, we didn't go anywhere. We were treated at 'Bbenteng' inside Taman Tamadun Islam. No complains there as it was a free meal...hehehe. We had terawih in Masjid Hiliran, my FIL's kampung. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">There were two layers and men prayed upstairs. The Masjid was made of chengal I think, but everytime the men sujud, we could hear them so loudly...hehehe. We were lucky because they were 'khatam' the alquran that night, so instead of doing 8 rakaat, I did the whole thing. Alhamdulillah. We were waiting for the sound of the canon, but since we heard none that meant that Raya would be on Friday.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Oh, by the way, my FIL was so proud of the canon that he got so excited telling his grandchildren about the history. On the first day we were in KT, I think he was more excited than the kids...hehehe. It was a case of 'bedil' here and 'bedil' there. Well, maybe for the Trengganu folks, the canon during Ramadhan signals a long held tradition and reminding them of their childhood. Something that never changes though everything else move with the times.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">On Thursday, my husband bought his first DSLR camera, a canon 550EOS because there was no Nikon D90 in stock. We break our fast in a restaurant that have been mentioned by my FIL for the umpteenth time (whenever we went past it, okay?!!). It was crowded but the service was fast and efficient. I tried the 'sotong sumbat', not bad. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">Did I tell you what Aliah said about our accommodation? Well, around KT we travelled in one car, so one day Aliah asked her To' Ki, "To' Ki, why couldn't we stay in a better hotel?". Oopss, alahai, these kids. Their definition of a good hotel start with having a bath tub and astro channels on TV. That would be the first thing they would check when we arrive in any hotel...hehehe. Those and the fact that there were ants there definitely brought down the standard of the accommodation to a 'homestay'. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CCFF;">To be continued...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-52015441993269790962010-10-10T06:37:00.000-07:002011-02-02T04:24:17.818-08:00Raya 2010- reflection...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">This year we celebrated Eid in Malaysia, among family and friends and with food aplenty...hehehe. For the past two years, we were away in Khartoum, though it was no less festive but I miss the 'carnival' spirit there. Though I felt that my presence there was enough to make the atmosphere more festive somehow...muahahaha!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">In Khartoum, we spent time during Eid visiting friends in the Petronas Complex. When I was there, we had a 'schedule' for open houses...hehehe. In 2008, Syikeen and me drew up a timetable for everyone to slot in their open houses, so that we would be able to enjoy the festivities mood and the most important thing that there would be no clashes in the schedule and everyone fed to the max! Muahahaha.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">Last year, I managed to maximise the slots, so that everyone did not have to cook for 6 whole days! The ladies had to do minimal cooking during the period because we had open houses for 'breakfast, lunch and dinner!'...Muahahaha. Who says it was not fun in Sudan?!! Well, I did anyway! Hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">During the holidays we had very 'minimal travelling time'. The only travelling that we did involve only the walking up and down the stairs or travelling up and down lifts... or maybe the slow walk to the other block! hehehe... Can you imagine celebrating Eid in a block of flats, without anywhere else to go?!! The only invitation out would be from the embassy and the students organisation. Kesian kan?!! But I have to say that I had lots of fun and laughter throughout the holidays. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">I remembered us going to each house and the ladies would normally sit in an 'island' in the middle of the room and shared gossips and laughter (with the host's homemade cookies right in the middle, I might add)...hehehe. Sometimes the men would left us there and went home first because once the wives got talking, it's very difficult to stop...muahahaha. I miss those times... I miss you guys...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-61584119715198834512010-10-06T22:16:00.000-07:002011-02-02T04:24:17.819-08:00Selamat Hari Raya...1431H<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Salam everyone! I hope it's not too late for me to wish Eid Mubarak to everyone. I know it's really late, but better late than never right?!! Hehehe...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF99FF;">Anyway, I had a 'busy' Eid so far which can be vouched by the thousands of kms clocked on my poor car...hehehe. I also had a technical difficulty when my beloved modem went dead even before Eid...sigh. Now I finally got a new modem but my router is letting me down...sigh. I have been out of touch with many friends on the net and for that I am sorry, guys :) I'm here now and I plan to stay, insyaallah. I gotta go right now, au revoir!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-42656552059453700582010-08-22T03:47:00.001-07:002011-02-02T04:27:37.940-08:00Salam Ramadhan Kareem...1431H<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">Salam Ramadhan Kareem to everyone... Today is the 12th day already, how time flies...</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">Actually, I wanted to write something before Ramadhan but did not have the time to it. I want to ask for forgiveness from everyone who dropped by my humble blog, if I ever hurt anyone. It's definitely not intentional. 0-0 okay. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">This is just an update on what has been happening since the beginning of Ramadhan. This is the first Ramadhan that Hadi is fasting, ever. So far, I'm so happy to say that he has not miss a single day of fasting...yet...hehehe. I'm quite surprised that he is so strong, actually.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">He did whine though, especially the time after Asar when his hunger pangs are it its worst. The best thing to do is to just ignore his whining, though sometimes it really tested my patience...hehehe. Amir's the only one not fasting and he has been testing Hadi's patience also. The worse thing is he kept on offering food to Hadi. Yesterday, Hadi took a sip of vitagen before he realised he was fasting...hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">I'm also busy opening boxes from Sudan. Glad to say that nearly 90% of the boxes are opened and the 'stuff' put away in its respective places...sigh. It was quite difficult to find space for all the stuff...sigh. Sometimes I wonder about other people who had more than 100 boxes to sort out. Mine was only 39 boxes, possibly the lowest number of boxes ever! hehehe...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">For those who was kind enough to drop by and leave comments, thank you. I'm not able to bloghop during Ramadhan because I have a mission to khatam the al-quran before Ramadhan ends. I'm way behind my husband who already recite more than 20 juzuk compared to me who only finished juzuk 11. Well, being a naturally competitive person that I am, I normally had a kind of a race with my husband about who managed to read more quran during this holy month...hehehe. But this time, I have 3 kids to take care of on my own... (excuses, excuses...I know...) hehehe</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">BTW, I managed to bake biskut makmur yesterday morning. Thank you to my neighbour who lend me her oven...hehehe. Though at the rate that Amir's going, there'll be only crumbs of makmur left by Eid...sigh</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#66FF99;">Last but not least, have a blessed Ramadhan everyone!</span></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5212922042111085675.post-1489847122806294642010-08-08T06:39:00.001-07:002011-02-02T04:43:51.840-08:00Alahai Adik Aku...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">This time round I'd like to write about my brother, Mamud. Actually, I've been wanting to write about him for a long time, but don't know how to put it in words. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">I gave him a chance to move to the room downstairs as it's much bigger than his room upstairs. He agreed and he finally moved into his room last week. I bought him a nice double bed for his room but it was a bit big and took about 1/2 of the room. Actually there should be enough space for him to put his stuff but...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">How could I say this... The problem is that he wanted to put in two big wardrobes in there...sigh. I told him to lose one closet, but he wanted to put in all his stuff in there. Actually his stuff is not that many but when you count all my late brother's belonging as well, it became quite a lot...sigh</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">It's kind of sad actually because I think Mamud has not moved on. He insisted on keeping all Ayang's stuff, all his shirts even. When I came back in 2008, I managed to give away a few of Ayang's clothes, otherwise everything's basically intact. Mamud decided to keep them all for himself...sigh</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">Both of them were not that close when Ayang was alive and maybe this is a way for Mamud to be close to Ayang's memory. I don't know. So back to the problem at hand, his room now resemble a storeroom...hehehe. But he finally agreed to let go of one closet, only to put in a smaller one inside. And there were a lot of his stuff still in the living room! My living room is now a big store room!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">Everything's so messy...sigh. And the best thing is my contena from Sudan is coming this Tuesday. Even though there's only about 30 odd boxes, but it's still 30 too many. That's another thing, on Friday I got a call from Subalipak apologising that they could not send my boxes on that day, they will only arrive on Saturday. I panicked and told them that I didn't even know that the boxes are arriving that soon. Then we decided to have the boxes delivered on Tuesday...sigh. The day before Ramadhan... I could feel a headache coming on...sigh...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF9900;">So, I'll write more when the boxes arrive. Now, I have one day to clear all this mess first! Au revoir!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Inahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14708745847160040979noreply@blogger.com2