Sunday, 31 May 2009

Reunion in May...

From KLIA, I rushed towards KL because I had a reunion with my old schoolmates. I had to buy sate kajang at the Sg. Buloh overhead bridge, first though, as I've promised the girls sate. 

I thought I would be late but I managed to arrive before Zana...hehehe. When I arrived, Anne was already there. The first thing that I did was bathe Amir because he threw up in the car on the way there. It must be the way I drove the car because normally he did not have travel sickness. After that, I just went to the kitchen to sample Shidah's nasi minyak Trengganu...hehehe

While I was eating, we realised that the one who was supposed to bring the drink was still missing in action...hehehe. Shidah called As to come immediately because the guests were nearly choked! hehehe. As came with a delicious lychee drink, yeay!

Afterwards, Zana, Nora and Ella came. We were hungry so we just gobbled the food on the table. Shidah prepared mee kari, while I bought sate, Anne came with mangoes, Zana brought a delicious kueh, Nora came with her tiramisu and finally Mique came with karipaps. There were too much food and some of us brought food home, alhamdulillah.

Zana was a little busy with baby Mawaddah while the rest of us let our kids roam free...hehehe. There were only eight of us but for ladies with a total of eighteen kids among us, it was a total accomplishment! Hehehe... 

Even though we haven't seen each other for months but the conversation flowed as we teased Nora about her new bling! bling! Hehehe. It was funny how Anne and me totally missed that! Showed how 'blur' the two of us were, huh Anne?!! Even though the meeting was a bit rushed as Ella and Anne had to go back to Johor but I totally had fun. 

Ella came with a bag full of Hilyah shirts but went back with Victorinox and other stuff. Anne came as usual with lotsa goodies as well... Thank you, Anne and Ella. Next time don't forget to bring some more...hehehe

Shidah, thank you again for offering your house as a venue. You've done such a great job as host even though the two girls and your hubby were hospitalised the week before. Thank you, again! I hope we'll meet again before I go back to Sudan. Hopefully this time we'll be able to see Nini, Gayah, Yana, June, Syeeqah, Fezzy and the rest of the girls.  

Nasi Impit and Mee...

Sate and mee kari...

Different types of mangoes...

Tiramisu...

Mique, Nora, me, Zana, Shidah and Ella...

Anne in green...

Only As was not in the picture...

Nora holding Mawaddah...awkwardly...hehehe

A chance meeting!

After sending Mie, the kids and I were really hungry. For the life of me, I couldn't find the Burger King outlet...hehehe. Yes, my sense of directions was really bad.

So, I persuaded the kids to have brunch at the Garden Cafe. While paying for our drinks, I suddenly saw Kak Jannah walking towards me... Hehehe. What a coincidence! She was on her way to Miri with her husband and daughter. We're in the same Block A in Sudan...hehehe

I was really happy to see her, out of the blue... What a small world! We had our food next to their table. But when Amir and Hadi started playing rowdily, I had to quickly herd them out of the cafe'...hehehe

Kak Jannah, nice to see you!

Kak Jannah and family...

They were playing...

Sofea, Kak Jannah's daughter...

Sending Mie off to Manila...

Warning! This entry's full of pictures...hehehe

On Sunday, the 24th of May, we went to KLIA to send off Salmiah (Mie) and family to Manila. They're going there because Mie's husband, Alang got an international posting to the Philipines. He's currently attached to the Foreign Ministry, hence the 'migration'...hehehe. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Mie's my husband's cousin.

As usual, we woke up late and rushed to KLIA. I used the Guthrie Corridor Highway so we reached KLIA within 45 minutes. Their flight was at 12 noon. When I arrived, we managed to chat even though Mie was busy feeding her baby. Pah (her sister) was also there with her family. Alang's family was also there.

I arrived around 10.30 a.m. By 11.20, they were rushing to the departure hall, already. But, I was glad that I made the effort to be there. It's not easy for us to meet each other because we have our own life to 'manage'. I just want my kids to know that they have other close relatives from both sides of the family. 

To Mie, two years are definitely not long, it'll soon be over. Just take care of yourself and your family. Being far away from our family and friends will hopefully strengthen the bond for you and your family and learn to rely on each other for better or worse...hehehe... Being away from Malaysia would also make you realise how lucky we are to be in Malaysia and hopefully to appreciate it more. Good luck being the 'diplomat wife'! As Intan said, you'll have to 'control' the giggles...hehehe

p/s:  So, when can I start 'ordering' the pearls?!! Hehehe

Now, as I mentioned earlier, will be the pictures from our meeting in KLIA. Enjoy!

Busy feeding the baby!

Pah was trying to capture the atmosphere as well!

My kids...

Mie was still feeding her baby...

My kids and their first cousins...

Mie's son, Afiq was the handsome boy in black!

Sisters...

Alang's family members...

Pah and me...

Grandfather and grandson...

Mie kissing Amir...

Mie and her MIL...

The grandfather looked sad to see the grandsons go...

Mie and her family plus Amir...

The grandfather still with mixed feelings...

Mie's eyes had started to get red at this point!

Hugging her niece!

Hugging her sister, teary-eyed, of course...hehehe

Walking towards the departure gate...

With their family surrounding them...

Going off for an adventure!

Getting further...

And further...

Just a speck in the distance! I need a better camera! Sob, sob...

Pah and her family...

The girls will miss Afiq tremendously... Bye, Afiq!

Kenduri Pakcik Halim...

On Saturday, the 23rd of May, there was a wedding reception at Pakcik Halim's house. They had a gotong-royong since Friday. On Friday night, I went there to see what could I do. Apparently, all the onions and the chillies had safely been cut and sliced...hehehe. The ladies were only putting in eggs into the purple cases, so I just watched! Hehehe, well, there were too many people there already, okay?!! Instead, I helped Mimi to clean up.

Early the next morning, I went there to help them prepare all the vegetables for dalca and also acar. Soon, the other ladies joined in, alhamdulillah. I gave two peelers away to Mimi and also makcik (Noni's mother). Some of us helped Mimi and Fiza prepared the special dishes for the bride and groom. Since I have neither the skill nor the inclination to do that, I helped the others with cleaning up, again!  Hehehe

By 11 a.m, everything was nearly ready for guests and I took my leave. I rested for awhile at home and around 12 p.m, brought the kids to eat at the kenduri. After eating, I went home...hehehe. I didn't wait around to gossip or chat because I hardly know the neighbours and I was quite tired and I desperately needed a nap...hehehe

Where they did the cooking...

Special preparation for the bride and groom!

Mimi (in grey) looked tired!

I could only help by taking pictures...hehehe

The acar before being mixed!

Slicing the oranges...

Makcik Noriah, one of the cooks!

Ashraf, the manager...looking annoyed! Hehehe

Ayam masak merah!

From this angle, you could see my house...hehehe. That's why I couldn't run away!

Abg. Awang, the other cook!

Makcik cooking dalca...

Busy...

What's left of the fruits! Hehehe...

A purple and white theme!