The saddest wedding...

Today, I went to my saddest wedding ever!

I've been finding it really difficult to find time to write here. But today, I just really need to share my sadness.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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'.

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.

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.

Vietnam : Day 2...

Our second day in Vietnam was of course spent shopping, shopping and more shopping... hehehe.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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 halal@Saigon. 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!

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.

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...

Vietnam : Day 1...

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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!

A lazy Saturday...

Pheww... What a lazy Saturday...

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.

Nowadays, everything is 'Go, go, go'... non-stop! Sigh...

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.

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!)...

Vietnam, here I come!

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

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

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

Missing my blog!

I really do miss blogging! Seriously!

Now that I don't have the leisurely time to blog, I miss it profusely...sigh

Now, I only blog in my head (while driving, while doing numerous other stuff...)

So many stories to tell, so little time to spare...

I miss my blogging days. I sorely miss the free time as a stay at home mom...

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.

Will try my best to update my blog from now on. Insyaallah... Au revoir!

The journey to Farin's wedding...

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).

To cut the story short, today Farin weds her sweetheart, Halim. The akad ceremony was yesterday, Congrats Farin! Finally, you're a wife... yeay!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

Now, I'm at the swimming pool for the second session while waiting for Min to arrive from JB. Au revoir!

Yeeehaaaaaa!

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

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

So, so happy to earn money for myself again :)

Alahai Hadi... Part 2

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

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.

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.

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

Alahai Hadi...

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.

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.

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.

Erkkks!!! No.2 for 2011...

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 :)

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!

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...

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

Erksss...

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.

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

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

The weekend is here!!!

The weekend is here!!! Yeay!!!

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

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?!!

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).

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.

Hmmm... I think, it's time I change into a 'female tarzan'. So, Au revoir! I'm so glad that it's the weekend.

p/s: Azila n shidah, I'm so jealous that you're an at-home mom...

First day at the office...

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.

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.

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.

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.