Black Kembara Sp. Ed.

2003-12-31T14:30:00.000+08:00

A N N O U N C E M E N T : SOFT LAUNCH OF MY NEW BLOG.

I am parallel-blogging into 2 blogs, starting 23 December 2003. Make sure you update my new-blog URL into your blogs, so that you don't miss my daily ramblings... heheheh ! Am maintaining my Blog Name of BLACK KEMBARA Special Edition.

Please go to, http://Blackkembara.blogdrive.com/

What have I written so far? Read excerpts below.. to see the fun you are missing....
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30 December 2003 - How to handle your MAN...

....So that's IT.... it's true (well, most of it, is) and if you women-folks want to be in control and understand your partner better... read and digest the points discussed above. Then there will be less heartache and tears and also less wasted-tantrums.. (hehehe!!)

31 December 2003 - New Year's Eve...

Hmmmm.. why Eve and not Adam? The things that goes thru my mind!! I really shudn’t clutter up the already "occupied" brain..(using KD’s recommended term). Anyway, what’s New Year’s eve to you?

So..to everyone out there...have a fun time tonite but remember you still want to get up tomorrow... .Happy Holidays!

p/s No posting tomorrow, in view of the holidays. So... .have a HAPPY NEW YEAR

2003-12-30T09:35:00.000+08:00

A N N O U N C E M E N T : SOFT LAUNCH OF MY NEW BLOG.

I am parallel-blogging into 2 blogs, starting 23 December 2003. Make sure you update my new-blog URL into your blogs, so that you don't miss my daily ramblings... heheheh ! Am maintaining my Blog Name of BLACK KEMBARA Special Edition.

Please go to, http://Blackkembara.blogdrive.com/

What have I written so far? Read excerpts below.. to see the fun you are missing....
~~~~***~~~~***~~~~***~~~~***~~~~***~~~~

29 December 2003 - Duhh...

I know this girl (five years my junior) when I was in school, let’s call her Minah. I know this guy (three years older than me) when I was in ITM, let’s call him Mamat. They met on the Internet.....

So now I am in a dilemma....

30 December 2003 - How to handle your MAN...

....So that's IT.... it true (well, most of it, is) and if you women-folks want to be in control and understand your partner better... read and digest the points discussed above. Then there will be less heartache and tears and also less wasted-tantrums.. (hehehe!!)

2003-12-27T19:12:00.000+08:00

GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE..

What am I babbling about? I was thinking of what my friend said about the service we have been getting when we eat out. Oh late, I have been eating out, and had the chance to compare the kind of service we get at different establishments.

Friday lunch time, I like to go to this place that serves good Tom Yam soup with noodles. The service there is usually good until new faces appear. With the old group of waiters, before I could even choose a seat (normally near the window, so that I have a view of the 'musical fountain'), they would ask, "biasa?" (usual?). And after a nod from me, they would place a bowl and a pair of chopsticks on the table. No other questions asked... that simple. NOW.. it is a show-and-tell. I have to show the (new) waiter which order I want (pictures of the dish provided in the 'laminated' menu), repeat the order in 2 languages, both malay and pigin' english; and then wait in apprehension. I have yet to get a 'first-time-correct' order, placed in front of me. It is either they give me the wrong noodle (yellow mee instead of bihun), or chicken instead of sea food or fish, warm water instead of ice-cold water, and we have to ask for the bowl and chopsticks. (We can't eat straight from the 'pot', can we?) Btw, I suspect the waiters are either Thais or Bangladeshis.

The other day, my dear friend and I went to another restaurant. We obligingly asked to be seated outside, as we noticed that there were no empty tables inside. They were slow to take our orders, as it seem that ONLY ONE person was qualified to take the orders. I can only assume the other waiters can't write!!?? What actually killed us was the wait to pay. Mannn, we WANT to pay.. and we were made to wait.. Only one person was calculating and collecting payment. The other staff would not even help her get more receipts from the store room... (Yes dear, she left the counter to get more receipts). Not a word of thanks or apology and neither was there an invitation to 'come again'. Not that we would, if we could help it!!

I like this establishment as they have a very friendly and helpful waitress named Watie. (I envy her smooth complexion! Wonder what she does/use!! Sorry, deviations... hehehe!) Now she is the 'captain' at the establishment and unfortunately, she has to take care of the tables outside and I don't like to sit outside. (Too hot, maaa!) However, she will still stop at my table and chat everytime I come by. Now THAT is the kind of service I like. The 'captain' inside?? She needs to improve on her spoken english..."we no take reservation. lunch plenty people. You come only."

I also like this fast-food restaurant especially the one at Dayabumi. They have one very efficient waitress named Margaret. I wonder if she is still there. Have not been there for so long... in fact, since we moved to KLCC. Then the other eateries.. the chain of Restaurant Kepala Ikan (Fish Head Restaurant).. where for some reason, I always get first class service... but then since they are a chain, I usually know one face in each of the restaurant.

Hmm... "May I take your order, ma'am?"

Joke from a Parents dictionary: What is a dumbwaiter? One who ask if the kids would care to order dessert.

A N N O U N C E M E N T : SOFT LAUNCH OF MY NEW BLOG.

I am parallel-blogging into 2 blogs, starting 23 December 2003. Make sure you update my new-blog URL into your blogs, so that you don't miss my daily ramblings... heheheh ! Am maintaining my Blog Name of BLACK KEMBARA Special Edition.

Please go to, http://Blackkembara.blogdrive.com/

2003-12-26T08:13:00.000+08:00

My drive to work was a bit kelam-kabut (chaotic). As I left the house, and drove into the main road (it is a straight stretch here), an oncoming car was overtaking several cars. I had to drive onto the grass kerb to allow him (I assume it is a HIM !!) to complete his maneuver. While I was at the Ampang Hills, another car (and this one, IS driven by a HIM !) was driving ever so close to the butt of my Kembara. Allowed him to overtake as he was making me very nervous. I couldn't stomach having to keep my eyes on the rear view and side mirror all the time (to see how close his car was!) AND I don't think I can afford a back-bumper change yet. But I managed to overtake him again at the next traffic light. (Come on mannnn, be consistent!!!) Left him eating dust! On the Ampang Elevated Highway, this Kancil (also driven by a HIM) insisted on staying in the right lane. No doubt he was pressing the pedals hard and I could even hear the Kancil engine screaming away.. but mannn, let other faster cars through. Such selfish drivers. Spoils my morining drive!

Reached KLCC parking and as expected I had problem getting in, as I had problem getting OUT of the building on wednesday. Took the normal parking card and went to the Parking Management Office. The person-on-duty waved my parking card and told me to go ahead and park in the Season Parking lots. So, I trudged back to my Kembara, and drove to the turnstile. Wallaaa! Nope, it still says "Card is illegible/Not permitted". Pressed the intercom button, and after some Q&A, he let me through and asked me to "come to the office". Told him I shall come down much, much later...

It is so quiet here in the office. Switched on the laptop... and (Oh No!!) cannot launch MSN AND YM. OK... count to 10.. no, no, 100... Hey, there are still people working, you know...

How on earth, am I going to survive 8 hours of this...

2003-12-25T06:08:00.000+08:00

2003-12-25T05:15:00.000+08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS ??

Wishing everybody a happy holiday, that would be more appropriate. Malaysians are so very lucky to have so many holidays, and today will be the last public holiday this year.

What does Christmas means to me? I remember an old black and white photograph, hanging at home in JB. A photograph of a 5 year old girl in a flouncy gown, biting on a ring, she got from a christmas cracker. She was standing in front of a Christmas tree. That was me! The photograph was taken during one of those Christmas parties. We were staying in Pulau Bukom, Singapore, then. It was an island full of Mat Sallehs (eurasians); expartriates working with the oil refinery. My dad was working there too, at that time. What else do I remember about Christmas? I remember going to these Mat Sallehs' houses and wondering why those presents under the tree is not mine... 8(

Oh well, those were the days... But what does Christmas means to me now/today? A day I don't have to be in office. Getting up late. Complete rest, preferably in bed! :) Today, I am expecting company. My sister, Elizabeth Normah (hahaha! and you all thought my name was so Mat Salleh!) is sending her children to my house. Her daughter has an orthodontics appointment on saturday, and she needs my help to send her there. Her son just wanna 'lepak' at my house, with his cousins. My children requested for Laksa Johor, but since I am not too confident about cooking the gravy, I suggested Laksa Penang. (The last time I cook Laksa Johor, they complained that it tasted like 'jamu' or herbs.) Then my son suggested that Spaghetti Bolognaise, would be more synonymous with Christmas. Someone in office also suggested having Lemang with Turkey Rendang. No, I am not going to hunt for turkey...

Oh well.... "We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas. And a Happy New Year"... la, la, la...

2003-12-24T00:57:00.000+08:00

HOLIDAY SPIRIT...

You can almost smell the holiday spirit in the air. Everyone is happy and seem to be walking on Cloud 9. Those with lots of annual leave are taking time off to go for holidays. Just heard that our friend, the food-with-moral blogger, is on holiday with his family in Genting; test driving his new Nazaria too. This blog-surfer has a train ticket to go to Singapore. This Blogger, I know will be taking time off, not to go back to her home town, as in the past years, but to 'totally' move out to her new apartment. Her family moved their hometown here, instead.

I am happy to be working during these times. Firstly, the roads are clear in the morning as everyone is not working; schools are closed, so no school buses. I get to push my Black Kembara upto 130 km/hr on the Ampang Elevated Highway!!! If you see a black-almost-grey blurr tearing past you, that will be me... The office is quiet. Phones not ringing, so I actually can do more work; when I get them... they should have spring-cleaning now... get to clearup the papers that have been accumulating on/under and around the workstation.

However, it is not the time to do your banking errands. The queue is a mile long in and outside the bank. Cant use the savings in ASB after 16 December, as PNB is updating/calculating the dividends then. I just wonder, in the IT Era, you still need 2 weeks to freeze our accounts to calculate and update dividend, hah? Hey wake up PNB!!! It is not the time to do shopping. There are so many people especially in KLCC. Confusing place to be in, so many people shopping, site seeing and whatever else people do here.

It is so difficult to get food during lunch. But it would be a good time to replace (qadha') the days we did not fast in the month of Ramadhan. Stay in office and accumulate the hours spend in office. Impress your boss... oh..they are on leave.. OK.. go take a nap.. in peace, no children to knock on the door every 10 seconds (hehehe!). Read those story books that has been collecting dust on the shelves, because you are too busy to read then. Find a new hobby. Find a new boyfriend. Surf the Internet. Learn new things...

p/s Many people has commented that even when my mind is blank, I can babble on and on... It is horrifying to think how long I would talk if given a specific topic... With that.. I will end this posting... Good Night, Sleep Tight, Dont Let the Bed Bugs Bite...

pp/s Just remembered... I have a surprise for you readers... Christmas-cum-New-Year Surprise. Keep your eyes glued to this Blog, if you wanna know what it is.... hehehe!! ok, ok, I am going.....

2003-12-23T01:12:00.000+08:00

BLANK....LUNCH...

Finally the day has come, when my mind goes blank. It is either I have too many things that I wish to write about or I really, really don't have anything to write about. So...what shall I blabber about this morning... Hmmm..observe, that I now have to post my blogs just after midnight. I keep on getting error messages whenever I try to post from the office. Hmm...maybe I should change the timing to early morning before I get ready to go to work, but I am afraid I shall 'terlajak' (exceed) the time and be late to go to work. No can't take that chance..so it shall be midnight blogging for now.

I had lunch with a NEW friend yesterday. And I found that I could talk easily with her, as if I already know her for so long. These 'Ansara people' are so friendly, much to my surprise!

Tomorrow (err..today?), we are having another birthday bash. This time it is for the November and December babies. November was a fasting month and as such we could not hold the usual birthday bash. So there will be so many birthday babies... And this time we are having it at the California Pizza Kitchen..CPK, not PCK. Theme colour is pink. If it is held at PCK, everyone would have to use or bring yellow boots... Get the joke??? (Pathetic joke, I know!!)

We're gonna have fun...

2003-12-22T00:03:00.000+08:00

LET'S HAVE FUN

What's your idea of having fun? Dancing? Eating? Cooking? Beach combing? Shopping? Talking? Who would you like to be with you, when you have fun? Of course your love ones. People who understands the word 'FUN'. Where do you go to have 'FUN'? The Club? The Mall? The Beach? The Internet? (No, let us not have to go thru' the normal '4 Wifes and 1 Husband'... the four W (What, Who, Where, Why and sometimes Which) and one H for How... nothing polygamous about that.. simple english!)

So what are you waiting for? Let your hair down and go have FUN, baby!!

I had fun yesterday with my children, playing with henna. Made all kinds of design on our hands, legs and arms. When I suggested putting dots above my eyebrows, my children threw their hands up in horror !!?? Just wanted to see and hear their reaction, wasn't seriously going to do it.. or was I... hehehe!! btw, I bought these henna already prepared and packed in tiny 'icing bags'. All I had to do to start, was to cut the end off and press on... The rest is up to your creativity. Even had barbed wires around my son's upper arms. It was difficult to do there as he was so ticklish. My daughter suggested drawing around her belly button.. to which I drew the line... nothing erotic, puhleezzz...

Next FUN activity... baking cookies... promised my children, I will help make Honey Cornflakes.

2003-12-21T00:50:00.000+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Would like to wish Miss Dilettante a very Happy Birthday.

Semoga di panjangkan umur di dalam imaan
Semoga di murahkan rezeki
dan
Semoga di pertemu jodoh yang baik-baik belaka!

I ask Allah to make you happy
make you smile
Guide you safely thru every mile

Grant you wealth
Give you health
and most of all
Grant you paradise.

2003-12-20T06:47:00.000+08:00

REKINDLED AND NEW FRIENDSHIPS Part 3

Part 3 ?? OK, OK, before anyone say it....this will be the last time (maybe, hehehe!) I touch on this subject.

Yesterday, I got to know with Ms Merry_hearted (who is also a friend of Ms Joliekins, read previous day's post). She was big hearted (berbesar hati) to help out with the problem with my Blog. Oh yes, btw, notice my new skin. Must keep up with times, since LOTR (Lord of the Rings) is the current craze now, my adik2 (lil' sisters) 'engineers' decided I should have a new skin to replace the problematic "Flyaway - Blue Butterfly" skin. I had, not 1, not 2 but 3 lil sisters helping out!! Since my nickname is Wynn, they decided I should have the almost similar named person in LOTR, which is Arwen.. (it will now be err..Wynn). Heheheh ! So, again.. THANK YOU to my LiL SISTERS, Ifaalyana, antusemut and Merry_hearted.

So, everyone is commenting why my previous blog has gone hay wire (sabotage..from mysterious alien beings) including this lady. Since I had a 'bone' to pick with her regarding a subject she chose to discuss in her blog, but was too occupied with other things and never got around to completing the email I started, I decided to discuss it online with her. Boy o' boy, was I glad I did !! It somehow ended up with discussing a mutual friend from a different time and different place !! The friend is her schoolmate and just at THAT time, the person came online to chat with us. Talk about fate and coincidence !! MasyaAllah !! It is a small world indeed. We decided to play a trick on this person. But Lady, I apologise, my guilt conscience made me tell the person about it, later in the evening.

So, because of my confession, that person already know but don't worry dia tak marah (the person is not angry). Anyway, both of you lifted me out of the gloom that I was feeling when I started the day, yesterday. THANK YOU, dears!

So, to end this matter, I would like to say "THANK YOU" to EVERYONE who has passed through my life.

2003-12-19T00:10:00.000+08:00

REKINDLED AND NEW FRIENDSHIP

Many things happened after posting my blog yesterday. Dreamt of someone last night.. and woke up feeling blue' (read: in the dumps !) Have not heard from him for quite some time and that must have triggered my subconscious to dream about him... Then, I received an unexpected phone call early in the morning. Thought he was working tomorrow, not today!

While I was walking thru' Isetan, looking for a birthday gift for Miss Dilettante upcoming birthday, I heard someone calling me. Turned around to see this unfamiliar face smiling at me. Errr...not a fellow TKCian, not from ITM either (too young !), not a user... - I was frantically trying to put a name to the face, before she saved me and introduced herself as " I am 'Donna', I have been to your Blog. " Phew.. God Almighty... IT IS a small world indeed. Politely asked how she recognise/knew me. She exclaimed, " your picture in the Blog and Flyaway" (my FotoBlog). I never expected to be recognise just by placing my photo there. Actually, I pasted my photo in the Blog, to make it more 'friendly'. To make sure people don't confuse me with some teeny bopper, since I like hip hop music and the likes. Hehehe! Yes, Fellow Bloggers and Blog-surfers, do stop and introduce yourself to me, if you meet/see me, okay? I am sorry I can't reciprocate as old age has caught on me and my eyesight is blurring... don't wanna start using those granny specs except for reading.

Back to office and noted an e-mail from a colleague. It was a forwarded mail from some friends that I made when I was a member of this e-group. They were searching for me. The mail even had my name as a subject (Re: Irene Nor Rashidah) !! Dear Elisa had random sudden flashbacks (can't imagine what kind of flashbacks those were) and was wondering what had happened to me. Then Dear Hanializa, was reminiscing about the last time I wrote to the e-group. That was more than 3 years ago ! I shall certainly make the time and write to them, not as regularly as I write in my Blog though (still maintaining a daily update here !) And I shall certainly give them the link to my Blog and FotoBlog. Thank you dears for still remembering your old akak (sister).

Hmm... that reminds me.. I must get Kat's number and make arrangements to meet her companion (my ex hubby's best friend !) and his parents.

2003-12-18T08:01:00.000+08:00

FRIENDS

Yesterday, I lost a friend to Cancer. She joined Petronas on the same day that I did, although she was my senior when we were in ITM. Makes me sit down and go through all the things we did eversince we started work here. And it wasn't only her face that I saw but others who are still here and also those who has since left for better pasture.

Colleagues, peers and bosses. All those involved in the daily run of the office. Then after that, it wasn't just the office, but also friends from school too.

So, what I really wanted to say here is, if you have 5 minutes today, pick up the phone and give that long lost friend a call. The worst they can do is put the phone down on you - but I have done it before and have yet to have this happen on me. They might oooh and aahhh a bit but in general everyone is too polite to say "who the heck are you? And why are you calling me?" and eventually you click on a mutually unforgetable event and bingo, they know you and you know them !!

Friends are such a pleasure in your life, and in your death, they may be the ones who remember to make doa for you. So go find 'em !!

Hello...
Assalamualaikum..
it's Irene here.. Wynn...remember me..?

2003-12-17T10:48:00.000+08:00

AL FATIHAH

This is to inform my colleagues who passes through this blog that our friend Saodah Hassan passed away at about 8 this morning. She passed away in Pantai Medical Centre after undergoing an operation last week for other complications related to her ailment. She is finally at rest.

Sama-samalah kita bedoa semoga roh Allahyarhamah dicucuri rahmat dan ditempatkan bersama orang-orang yang soleh, Amin.

2003-12-17T08:09:00.000+08:00

HOW TIME FLIES.....

I was completing my (past) weekly reports yesterday. Yeah! Mrs. Boss has sent out reminders to get the reports ready by tomorrow as she has to brief Mr. Boss then. But as usual, there is partial amnesia, (heheheh!!) what with all the Hari Raya celebrations going on eversince we came back to office. I read somewhere, that only in Malaysia, is Hari Raya Aidil Fitri celebrated for a WHOLE month. Elsewhere in the world, it lasted, at the most 2-3 days. But then again, in BolehLand, everything is possible!

Anyway, back to the reports... before I can actually begin on the reporting part, I have to tally the hours I spend in office. So, off I went to the iPagar system. Huh! Not much help there as the system was 'away' from 4-13th December 2003. Okay...next a 'visit' to my C&S, to see what activity was scheduled there. Hmmm..not much help either..as I only have records of where the various Hari Raya gatherings are held!

HELP !! Panic!! Panic!! It's okay woman, take a grip of yourself! Come on now, take a deep breath (thru' your nose) and blow it out (thru' your mouth). Do it again!!

Okay, next place to go...my e-mail... ooOoo okay, lots of mail.. Yikes..personal mail maa... Yes, yes, something familiar here and there.

At 5pm..
Believe it or not... (wah, like Ripley's reports lak..) by the end of the day, I managed to cook up a plausible report for the past 2 weeks. Bravo.. woman!! Bravo!! In this case, 24++ years of experience does help. Now to put pressure on the other guys.. heheheh!!

2003-12-16T07:32:00.000+08:00

BZBZBZ...

I was sick yesterday.

And today, I shall be occupied with my children at the PETRONAS Gallery.. got school holidays activity for the children maaa...

Will continue later..

Contd:
Just left my children at KLCC. The Gallery opens at 9:30am. I trust Faiz will take care of Khairin. Sometimes we just have to put in enough trust in them. But of course, the reminders was a mile long before I actually left them...

Office is very quiet. It is already towards the end of the year, and many staff are actually trying to clear off their annual leave. How I wish I have that many days and can go off for a long holidays somewhere. Did plan to go to East Coast but luckily I did not as the rain would have kept us indoors. But sometimes it is good to be in office during this time. Even coming to office can be fun... as there is hardly any traffic early in the morning. However, the same could not be said for lunchtime and going home in the evening. Everybody seem to want to converge to KLCC during the school hoildays. Getting a proper lunch seem almost impossible.

Driving my Black Kembara is relaxing and therapeutic. You will see me nodding slowly to the hip-hop music. Just borrowed the "2 Fast 2 Furious - Soundtracks" from Sham, Bob's son. Yeah mannn, more Black Music..

p/s Just came back from the sending the children home. Khairin's group won first place and Faiz won 6th place for their efforts. They were happy to be bringing back gifts besides the lunch pack. Hehehe! Even I got a lunch pack. Getting a parking place in KLCC after lunch was a nightmare.. and I ended up parking at level 4.. not a favorite place to park since it is quite dark and quiet there!!

2003-12-14T09:06:00.000+08:00

YESTERDAY ONCE MORE...

Who would I meet at Anne's open house, if not Kat. Kat's companion happens to be an old friend of ours (My ex-hubby and I). Like, it brought back old, old, memories of my younger days in ITM and my courting days; we were always moving around in this small group and I am the only girl (err..woman? lady?) in the group.

This also brought back memories of Blues music - Blues Brothers.. and until today I am still hooked to that music; one of my favorite songs now is Johnny Be Goode by Chuck Berry (ring a bell, anybody?), also No Particular Place To Go. Ok, Ok, you don't hear this music anymore. btw, this lady commented that she noticed that I am into "Black" music... hehehe! kewlnesss!

Kat and companion would like to meet me and my-ex. Hmm, how do I arrange this. Maybe I should arrange a gathering of sorts, one like the Young Novice Bloggers' Meet. So happen that one the guys in the group is married to my ex's niece. Yah..how do you like having a friend calling you Mak Su (youngest aunt), when he is older than you. But that is quite the norm in my ex's family. In fact, initially it was quite difficult for Lee to call me and my ex, youngest aunt and uncle; but he had to kow-tow to us, nevertheless! But I have to confer with my ex, as he might not like the idea. Oh well, food for thought!

I also met an old schoolmate (of TKC days) at Anne's house. Have not seen her since I left college. I also met an ex-officemate, Zulkifli Abdullah a.k.a Zul Badak. Zul's daughter went into the pool the minute they reached the house. Zul said.. Hani Zulaikha a.k.a. Zul Badak Berendam Jr. And another familiar face was Farid from PDB CSC. And a whole group of TKCians (Anne's batch) were here. You should hear the whoops and screams (which is the usual hulabaloo when TKCians meet!).

Hmm..did not expect to see so many familiar faces here. I am blissful.

2003-12-13T07:34:00.000+08:00

SATURDAY 13122003

What's ahead today? Before that... let me go thru what happened after I left the office yesterday. Since I was so tired, I allowed my #1 son to drive back. He broke into a wide smile when I made the request. I was pretty tired (prettier when NOT) =) In his excitement, he forgot to unlock the gear shaft and confused himself with the windows control buttons. I couldn't shut my eyes after that!

Anyway, reached home to find the house still in a mess and the wiring works nowhere new completion. The contractor promised to get it done but now he said he needs another day... ooOOoo that is going to affect my plans for saturday. My children couldn't wait to tell me their aunty (my elder sister) came. Hmmm, another unplanned visit and she made some sarcastic comments... oh well, not going to let anyone ruffle my feathers!

And now I am telling you, I am aching all over. That unplanned exercise/walkathon yesterday is taking effect. Made as little movements as possible (if that was possible =( )

For today, made arrangements with #1 son to pick up his (current) girl friend after my ozone treatment. She is also invited to my younger sister's Open House today. Told #2 son to stay home and see to the contractors completing the works and to join us later on. I need both the Black Kembara and Red Kancil to move everyone over to Anne's house. Faizal will go on his Kriss. I pray the rain will stop.

Will update on what happened at Anne's if I still have the energy.

p/s Tomorrow is the Blogger's Meet at Bob. I am going with #1 son EX-girl friend!!!

2003-12-12T07:58:00.000+08:00

HAPPY TODAY..

Yup, woke up on the right side of the bed, with a smile on my face, coz of the happy dreams that I had last night. So many things happened since yesterday, culminating to a restful, uninterrupted sleep, di sulami mimpi yang indah-indah belaka (embroidered by beautiful and happy dreams)!

** Did I hear someone saying, I am in love? No.. Is it possible to fall in love (again) at my age? I will leave that 'falling in love' bit to my adik-adik (lil' sisters) and just say that I am absolutely happy.

--{--@

More fun things happening today. The Petronita Hari Raya gathering at Park Royal, followed by the Hari Raya invitation by PETRONAS Gallery.

UPDATE..UPDATE...

Just came back from Park Royal. Going there was no problem, managed to get a cab and reached there in no time.
--Strategy #1--
Get cab in front of MAXIS, avoid the crowd at KLCC.
--Strategy #2--
Booked a table nearest the food.
--Strategy #3--
Booked seats for other gang, fellow bloggers this lady, this lady, this lady and this lady.
--Strategy #4--
Took lots of photos, before and after stuffing our face. Food was the usual stuff, nothing so outstanding. This lucky lady took home a prize for the lucky draw. I picked out the number for her. Yah, I know I got lucky fingers.. Never mind, happy for her!
--Strategy #5--
The Challenge to go back to office. Believe it or not, we walked all the way back to KLCC.
--Strategy #6--
That should eliminate all the possible calories we put on just now. But frankly, my stomach must have shrunk with all the fasting I have done, the past few months. I could not go past 5 sticks of sate. Such a waste of good food!!

2003-12-11T10:43:00.000+08:00

YESTERDAY...

As I left the office yesterday, I had trouble with my parking card (again!). The 'authorities' said something about 'data rosak' (data corrupted). Hmm, I hope it is resolved by now. It is getting to be a nuisance and embarrasment. Everyone is in a hurry to get home, and there is this Black Kembara stuck at the turnstiles :( I bet they are cursing me every inch of the way home!

Reached home, to find the house or lounge to be exact, like a 'tongkang pecah' (barge/junk that has broken down)! I forgot that I was having some rewiring done. The furniture was all pushed to one side of the room, there was dust on everything and my maid and children were trying to cleanup the floor after the day's work was done.

I scurried into my bedroom and was just removing my tudung when I heard a small voice giving 'salam'. Oh, no !! Guests !! I looked out to see this cute smiling black face. It is Imaan and family. My friend Noriha who is married to a black american (Abdullah Firdaus) came with her children Hidayah (Hiddy), Fatihah, Syahadah, Taufik and of course Imaan. All of her children takes after the father! Talked with her awhile before I excused myself.

The TV and HiFi were disconnected. So, all the children (maid included) were going around in a haze (like zombies). Talk about cold turkey treatment... I was happily ensconded in my bedroom armed with the book I bought from my friend. Kesian (pity) the kids, I went to the night market nearby and got some CDs for them. Also got some ice cream to go with the CDs.

So, spent the night watching '3 Dara Pingitan' and Haunted Mansion on my laptop... while eating 'Mat Kool' ice cream. Btw, this ice cream comes in multi-luminous-colours. Hmm, my stomach must be glowing in the dark....

2003-12-10T07:28:00.000+08:00

READ, READ & READ

Of late, I seem to have so much time on hand, that I end up reading a book a day. It is a bit of a strain on the 'ole eyes but I enjoy living the story I read. I am not too particular over the types of books I read, so long as I have something to read.

In fact, when I went back to my aunt's place over the Raya holidays, one of my cousins commented, that we (the 4 sisters) always had our nose buried deep in some book or other everytime we visited them. I did not realise that ! My children and their cousins seem to have picked up that habit from their respective parents too. We would even read off the newspaper wrapping the nasi lemak every morning ! My children would be reading comic books if they are having the meal by themselves. I even encourage my children to bring books whenever we go out.

When this fellow blogger, wanted to clear out her shelves of books, I was only happy to get a hold of some of the books. I used to enjoy Amy Tan's books as I have this weird affiliation with chinese background stories. I am waiting for her latest book to be in paper back as the hard cover is a bit too expensive. I don't think I have the heart to give away my books, and I know how tough it must be for my friend.

I am not too particular over what I read. I have read the Harry Potter series, at least 5 times each book! I even re read the Enid Blyton books once; reliving the gnomes and elves and stories with morals. Reading the Malory Towers series reminds me of the time I was staying in a boarding school. The mysteries of the Secret Seven, Famous Five and Hardy Boys still manage to thrill me. The Medical Mystery stories by Robin Cook made me a hyponchondriac !

Now, I am into malay love stories.. Yeah ! You saw that right ! Getting whimsical at my age..

2003-12-09T07:42:00.000+08:00

GLOOMY TUESDAY/BUSY WEEKEND

Although I am in office at the usual time, it is still very dark outside. Looks like it's 7 pm rather than 7 am. Wonder where the sun is hiding! It is also affecting the mood of the day.. or week rather. Well, nevertheless, life has to go on.

The highlight of this week would be the preparation and organization of the parties we have lined up beginning this weekend. For me, it would start with Annie's open house on saturday. Naturally, I shall be there early, for the children wants to have a swim first before the party begins. Am stringing in my maid to assist Anne. Have to invite the people Anne has entrusted me with... address..phone numbers..road maps..oOo..so many things to do!

The next day, would be the Young (Not-so-Young, for some!) Novice Bloggers' Meet cum Bob's Open House at Bob's residence in Ampang. I have to get the UiTM Bloggers at my house... Hmmm, my son will meet his ex-girlfriend.. Oh well, get over it... it's more than a year since they broke up. What to bring.. (pot-luck?), what to wear, how to go there, what time to go, ..yucks!! oOo.. and the surprise... musn't forget that!

Then the ITC Birthday Lunch on tuesday. Venue? CPK..as in California Pizza Kitchen and not PCK (Phua Choo Kang) Food/drinks selection? Pizza or Pasta.. oOo complimentary refills for drinks... Colour Theme, PINK? No problem there..

Well... at least there is something to do and not just stare at the PC all day long..

2003-12-08T10:41:00.000+08:00

TKCOGA HARI RAYA HIGH TEA

The Invitation came in the mail last month announcing the annual TKCOGA Hari Raya High Tea on the 6th of December 2003. This year's affair is fully sponsored by Dato' Seri Shahrizat a.k.a. Kak Ijat and is held at Saloma's Restaurant & Bistro.

Made my sister Annie called the AJK to book a place for me and my daughter Khairin (potential TKCian). Anne duly called Kak Puteri. Fatimah, my niece is also joining us a new reckie (recruit) to the OGA. Made dates with other friends, like Mimi and Zana.

Arrived early and booked a table nearest the food and stage. Kak Ijat came in looking splendid in a light orange suit. She looks beautiful. Salam with all the ladies already in the bistro. She didnt believe it when Anne introduced Fatimah as her daughter, telling Anne that "You have such baby looks". Hmm, Anne is used to those comments by now. Was quite disappointed that only 3 of us from my batch, came. Later found out that 15 of them were at Che' Nab's open house and could not make it in time to cross over town to be with Kak Ijat. To' Puan Mimi was at the KSN's open house and Zana was stuck at Salwa's open house. Food was ok but what brightens the day was the performance by the Saloma Dancers. Splendid performance. See Kak Ijat perform with them at my photoblog.

Left at about 5, taking the back roads to avoid the teriffic (traffic) jam hitting KL; feeling tired.

2003-12-06T03:50:00.000+08:00

EXCITEMENT AWAITS

Hey..note the time I am writing this post.. Yup, you saw right.. it's after 3:30 in the morning. Not going to be a long post anyway.. maybe tomorrow after the TKCOGA Hari Raya gathering at Saloma Bistro, sponsored by Dato Sharizat. Hope to meet many friends that I have not laid eyes since I left college and that is a VERY long time, I must say... almost 28 years!

Wonder who has the first menantu and cucu from my batch..
Wonder who is the most married?
Wonder who else is a single parent?

Bye.. will tell you what happen at the "High Tea" tomorrow.. if I still have the energy..

2003-12-05T07:44:00.000+08:00

HEY...WAKE UP!

Quote : "There's a new alarm clock that makes no noise. It gets brighter until you're awake. I have one. It's called a window." ~Jay Leno~

I am one of those blessed people who easily wakes up. Noted also some of my children are like me, one call and they are up. I set the alarm clock..just in case..but most of the time, I am up before the alarm goes off. However, it can be a bane when I want to sleep in especially on weekends. :(

So, what do I do when I am awake? I read in bed, go on photo taking jaunts, go get breakfast for the kids, ..and the list goes on. And for that reason too, I am early in office. On good days, I would be at my workplace at 7 o'clock. Did I hear someone suggest jogging? Urgh! Not my favorite pasttime, I'm afraid....hehe!

Tell me what you do or suggest what else I can do..

2003-12-04T09:07:00.000+08:00

AM NOT WELL

I am posting this from home. In my enthusiasm to start fasting again, I must have eaten something not right or not eaten enough. And I spend half the evening straining myself on the "Thinking Throne". For my break of fast yesterday, I was actually drooling for a pizza with lots of dripping melted cheese.. oOo.. sinful thots! Hehehe!

OK, gotta go and send off the weekly report to the boss now.

I'll be back in office tomorrow, Insya-allah.

2003-12-03T07:32:00.000+08:00

LIVING AND GIVING

Whatever you give away today, or think or say or do,
will multiply about tenfold, and then return to you.
It may not come immediately, nor from the obvious source,
but the law applies unfailingly, through some invisible force.

Whatever you feel about another, be it love or hate or passion,
will surely bounce right back to you, in some clear (or secret) fashion.
If you speak about some person, a word of praise or two,
soon, tens of other people, will speak kind words of you.

Our thoughts are broadcasts of the soul, not secrets of the brain.
Kind ones bring us happiness; petty ones, untold pain.
Giving works as surely as reflections in a mirror.
If hate you send, hate you'll get back, but loving brings love nearer.

Remember, as you start this day, and duty crowds your mind,
that kindness comes so quickly back, to those who first are kind.
Let that thought and this one, direct us through each day.
The only things we ever keep, are the things we give away.

The poem above is so true. If you are a disbeliever, give it a try. If you only have hate in your heart, it will also show on your face, your actions and of course, it will get back to you. So smile, and start loving everyone and everything around you; and you will be surprised how it will spread tenfold, as the person you gave your love will then give his/her love to 10 more people and at the end of the day, you will be amazed at how many people's life you have indirectly touched.

Go on... give it a try.

2003-12-02T07:48:00.000+08:00

GRATITUDE - ALHAMDULILLAH (3)

Would like to share this article with you. It is 2 years old already but looks like I am not the only one, thinking about it.

=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=..=

Hope everybody's still in shape after the Raya holidays. Ah... not to worry darlings, ROUND is still a shape... :-) At least it shows you had enough to eat... something you should really be grateful for.

Actually I was reading an article on the topic of living with an attitude of gratitude. Made me wonder if we are grateful enough for the things around us. I recall one night during the recent Ramadhan, at the masjid in my kampung. The ladies section in the masjid this year had an additional ceiling fan. But instead of being thankful for the additional fan, someone commented that there should be one more wall fan in front. I thought to myself... many of us are like that aren't we... whether we realise it or not. The more we have, the more we ask for. The more facilities we get, the more we complain.

Think of the things we have complained about all these years...

We complained about the food sold at the stalls/shops when by right we should be thankful we had food to eat. We complained about the long queue at the stalls/shops when by right we should be thankful we didn't have to push each other to grab something to eat. We complained about the strict rules imposed on us when by right we should be thankful there were people who cared enough to instill some discipline in us. What if nobody cared?

We complain our employers aren't paying us enough when by right we should be thankful we're employed. We complain we don't get enough money to buy a new car when by right we should be thankful we at least have a car, no matter how old. We complain about the massive jams at the toll houses during festive seasons when by right we should be thankful there is the highway to make our journey much quicker than before.

We complain about the hot weather when by right we should be thankful the sun still rises. We complain there's too much rain when by right we should be thankful we're getting enough source of water.

Let's live with an attitude of gratitude. Only when we feel a sense of gratitude do we feel the sense of happiness and content. Even the fellow looking for food in garbage cans could find things to be grateful for... why then can't we be grateful too? Just look hard enough and OPEN YOUR EYES, and you will find the good in every situation. Focus on the good things in your life, and you will appreciate life even more.

Quote : "I once was distraught because I had no shoes; until I met a man who had no feet." ~unknown~

-Pi-

2003-12-01T08:00:00.000+08:00

BACK FROM THE HOLIDAYS

I am finally back in office after.. 10 days break. So much has happened since, good, bad, sad, happy... all kinds of feelings. But I would rather not dwell on what has passed. I am also on my 3rd day of fasting (Insyaallah) - to replace all the days that I could not fast in the month of Ramadhan. I was fasting for a mere 9 days only.. Oh well, there must be a (good) reason for why I did/could not fast..

Now, I have to clear up all the work that has accumulated since I was last in office... bzbzbzbz.

   Watch your thoughts, for they become your words;
   Watch your words, for they become your actions;
   Watch your actions, for they become your habits;
   Watch your habits, for they become your character;
   Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

2003-11-30T06:39:00.000+08:00

DOES THIS SOUND ABOUT RIGHT?

Quote : "Normal" is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work, driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for, in order to get to the job that you need so you can pay for the clothes, car and the house that you leave empty all day in order to afford to live in it.

Anyone doing a double take there? Yes, that is exactly what most of us are doing right now. It is something that we do automatically, not thinking twice, not even thinking sometimes :) Must do some serious thinking here.. if this is something that I want to do for the rest of my life.

Anyway, today will be the last day of my long holidays. Come Monday, most of us, my eldest son included will be trudging (back) to office. Well, I guess all good things must come to an end sooner or later.. Hello, traffic jam..

2003-11-29T07:01:00.000+08:00

NOVEMBER 29, 2003 - ALHAMDULILLAH

What so special about the date?
#1 --> It marks the two months since I got to know My SoulMate. Alhamdulillah, (Thanks to Allah) for leading him into my life!
#2 --> It marks the four months since I started my ozone treatment. Alhamdulillah, (Thanks to Allah) I have never felt healthier since I hit the 40 years of age.
#3 --> It marks the start of my fasting to replace all those days that I have 'tercicir' (dropped). Alhamdulillah, (Thanks to Allah) I am still able to do so. My children are getting worried, in case THEY have to fast, on my behalf.
#4 --> It marks the three weeks since I bought the CD Player for my Black Kembara. It such joy to drive.. I feel like I am flying most of the time... =)

So much Alhamdulillah (Thanks to Allah) !! We should always remember to be thankful, then all the musibahs (bad luck) will be (oh so..) insignificant ! For all that happened to us, it is already fated and there is always a silver lining in the clouds. It's just that we don't look hard enough to see the hikmah (the goodluck) when we are so engrossed with the 'bad luck' that has befallen.

Go on... think of all the happenings that has brought joy into your life.. your parents (and parents in law), your significant half (spouse or boy/girl friend), your beautiful children (nieces/nephews, brothers/sisters), your friends, your employer, your neighbour, ... think! And be Thankful !

2003-11-27T20:47:00.000+08:00

HARI RAYA 2003

Every Hari Raya my sisters and I will make the usual rounds to our relatives houses in JB on the first day. Our first stop will be at our late maternal grandmother's house. There are still many aunts living in that house. This year there is a new face in that house, Putera Muzaffar Akmal, aunt Ku Milah's grandson, such a cute and handsome boy, who only goes into the arms of the girls willingly (early starter :)).

Next stop, is to Aunt Melor or who we all call Wak Lor, my late mom's sister's house. The roads were being 'improved' and we went round and round looking for her house. Luckily she was in, as she normally spend her Hari Raya with her children in Singapore. This year she is with two of my sick cousins.

Then the convoy of cars proceeded to the next and last stop in Kempas. My grandaunt is very old and sick. I usually enjoy the stop here as they will serve us with lontong and others goodies.

The second day of Raya, 4 cars convoyed to Batu Pahat, our relatives on my dad's side. Unfortunately, this year the durians are still tiny, so we only had rambutans. They will serve us with authentic lontong jawa, where it is similar to lemang, except rice is cooked in banana leaves rolled into cylinderical shapes. The banana leaves will leave a beautiful green tinge on the lontong. My children used the Petronas Hari Raya advertisement as a joke, when I was taking the lamb dish, saying "Mak pening kalau makan kambing" (Mom will get a headache eating lamb). We also went to 3 other aunts houses. I have never met them before this, but somehow I believe they all knew us. I have been told often enough that I am the spitting image of my dad!

The third day, I was heading back to KL. I feel exhausted, driving three days in a row, but I am glad to be able to meet all my relatives.
p/s Had a near miss on the way back. The two cars in front of me, did an emergency brake and I managed (or so I thought!) to hit the brakes twice and slowly, indicating to the car behind me that we are all slowing down, he ( a Waja driver) must be day dreaming as he did a full emergency brake and with tyres screeching he swerved to the right and went onto the grass verge. I could only looked into my side mirror to see him bounced back onto the road and drove off to the left side of the road, probably to catch his breath and stop his heart from pounding! And today, I hit 155 kmh while driving - euphoria!

I am still tired!

2003-11-25T22:11:00.000+08:00

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDIL FITRI

I pray everyone had a beautiful Hari Raya. It is a time to rekindle and reconnect with all your siblings and relatives. The grandparents, granduncles and aunts, the uncles and aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews that you get to meet only once a year.

I had the usual round to my aunts and grandaunt's house, all in Johore Bahru. Tomorrow I am heading to Batu Pahat to meet the rest of the clan. Then I shall be heading back to KL so that my children can go ber'Hari Raya'ing to their friends' house. And at every house, we seem to be eating, eating and eating. It's like it's payback time. :) I must start on fasting again after the holidays is over. I have alot to cover as my hormones were out of sorts this Ramadhan and I managed to fast for only 7 days. Yes, you read that right.. 7 days.

Ending the writeup with a joke :

"I'm prescribing these pills for you," said the doctor to the overweight patient, who tipped the scales at about three hundred pounds.

"I don't want you to swallow them. Just spill them on the floor twice a day and pick them up, one at a time."

2003-11-24T15:03:00.000+08:00

CHANGING PLACES

Where is it written? Does anyone know?
That it's up to us women to cook, clean and sew?
Plan all the menus! Pay all the bills!
Tend to the children, and cure all their ills?

Wash all the windows! Plan the decor!
Clean up the kitchen! Mop up the floor!
Know within a second where it can be found!
The thousand and one its they leave all around.

Remember all Birthdays! Anniversaries, too.
Your side and his side--Its all up to you.
Make all appointments for Eye, Teeth and Hair--
And who is it up to, getting them there?

Run to the cleaners! Go to the Bank!
Stop at the station--Fill up the tank!
Time to start supper??? I'm not in the mood!
I'm simply too tired to think about food!

Just once in a while, it sure would be grand,
To dine on a meal that I hadn't planned.
And cleaning up after? Of that I'd be free
To sit on my laurels, just watchin' TV.

The house would be peaceful! The kids wouldn't fight
They'd go to bed quietly--just this one night.
I'd watch the movie, I'd so longed to see,
Without interruptions from my Family.

Nothing would break, or have to be tended!
Nothing would rip and need to be mended.
The phone wouldn't ring! The pipes wouldn't rattle!
With things cracked or broken, I'd not have to battle!

If dreams can come true, as some say they can..
Then just once a month: Could I be the man?
No cookin', no cleanin', no laundry, no dust!
No homework, no bedtime--No nothing I must!

Just once a month--Oh, It would be aces...
If just for one night, with me he'd trade places.
One night a month, in My Fantasy,
I would be him, and he would be ME

[Author Unknown]

Am happily with my Dad in JB, my hometown. But diligently still accessing my mails and updating my blog, albeit abit later than normal. And the bestest thing is that I am accessing the Internet thru my New and Free Jaring Account. :D I pray everyone else will be with the loved ones safely for the Hari Raya Celebrations. To my Soulmate.. will virtually be there with you in office... someone has to work, thank you dear!

2003-11-21T08:13:00.000+08:00

ITS A HO HO HOLIDAY...

Yes, I have started my holidays. Actually I have not started packing yet and there are still lots of things to do before I start off my exodus back to JB, my hometown, place where I grew up. But don't ask me anything about JB.. as I have hazy recollections of ever being there. Its been so long ago, that is!

My dad is still in JB, thats why we all are converging there this Hari Raya holidays. Last year, everyone came to my home as my eldest sister was sick, in bed and living with me.

Eversince my divorce, we have been celebrating Hari Raya in many different ways. The first year, I sneaked away to my sister's house. I was hurt with what my ex had done and I didn't even want to be in the same town with him. The next year, two of the boys followed their dad back to his kampong and we (3 kids and I) were in TGV, KLCC right after Raya prayers. KLCC or KL for that matter was so quiet. The year after that we go back to JB until last year that is.

This Raya might be the last celebrated in JB, as we are contemplating bringing dad up to live in Bangi. That will be a blessing for me, as I hate this driving back to JB, no.. it's not the driving actually but the traffic... aurgghhh! I just pray Allah will guide and take care of all of us...

2003-11-20T07:49:00.000+08:00

I AM TIRED!

No..no... no postings today coz' I am SO VERY TIRED. Had a restless sleep and before I knew it, it was already sahur time. Went back to sleep and almost terlajak (missed) waking up to go to work. Tummy gave some problem and I was out of the house later than usual. Alhamdulillah the traffic was low...(hmmm, everyone must have started their holidays already). Crashed thru most of the yellow and red traffic lights... (I wasn't the only one, noted a RED proton following closely behind me). And I was in office at 7:20...

Now..I am going to flyawayyyy....

2003-11-19T08:12:00.000+08:00

ANOTHER IFTAR

Yesterday, we were invited to another iftar hosted by our company's business partner. This time the venue is a restaurant in the Islamic Art Museum. Having read favorable reviews of the food served there, we were all eager to go. It rained heavily just as we were about to leave and from way up here, in the Towers, we can see ALL the roads leaving the building is VERY heavy with traffic. Drivers had no regards to rules any longer and the cars at the 'island' at the traffic lights were in a deadlock, with no one wanting to give way.

But nevertheless, we headed out, at a snail's pace taking the outer route. We reached there with plenty of time to mingle with the vendors and friends. A group of guys took the LRT and walked the distance from Pasar Seni to the restaurant which is located just behind the National Mosque. Others who drove, break their fast in the cars with 'emergency' kurma or sweets!

The food was mostly middle east fare, some of which I could not even pronounce. Some tasted funny.. Mashi Maro said the prawns in herbs tasted like its been cooked in henna! The sate was a variation of the kebab. But what my friend and I, was eyeing ware the huge tiger prawns. Putting aside our allergies, we attacked the prawns with vengeance.

The only thing that was missing is the belly dancing!

The drive home was a breeze. Did not take my sahur this morning as it would be almost sinful to eat anything more after that dinner last night. Btw, I am out of my depression... with friends that I have... none allowed me to get any deeper. Thanks you guys, I love you all !!

2003-11-18T07:44:00.000+08:00

Lessons of Failure

Failure does not mean I'm a failure;
   It does mean I have not yet succeeded.
Failure does not mean I have accomplished nothing;
   It does mean I have learned something.
Failure does not mean I have been a fool;
   It does mean I had enough faith to experiment.
Failure does not mean I have disgraced;
   It does mean I have dared to try.
Failure does not mean I don't have it;
   It does mean I have something to do in a different way.
Failure does not mean I am inferior;
   It does mean I am not perfect.
Failure does not mean I have wasted my life;
   It does mean that I have an excuse to start over.
Failure does not mean that I should give up;
   It does mean that I should try harder.
Failure does not mean that I will never make it;
   It does mean that I need more practice.
Failure does not mean that Allah has abandoned me;
   It does mean that Allah must have a better idea.

~Anonymous~

Depression kicks in with the advent of Malam Tujuh Likur. As of yesterday, every 'normal' person would have fasted for 22 days already. My hormones are giving me a problem again and I am counting the days I have fasted instead of the days I have to replace. I will try not to infect anyone else with my depression and pray that it will go off before the festivities begin.

2003-11-17T07:40:00.000+08:00

THREE BRIDGES

Sharing with you an article on the three bridges we have to cross to get to the destination of success....... Errr.... Penang bridge, London bridge & San Fransisco bridge? Of course not!!

BRIDGE #1:
This bridge goes from CAN to WILL. How many things CAN you do that will bring you more success that you're not WILLING to do? Everybody CAN cross this bridge; fewWILL.

BRIDGE #2:
This bridge goes from KNOWING to DOING. Just because you KNOW what to do doesn't necessarily mean you'll DO what you know. Everyone KNOWS where this bridge is; few actually ever DO cross it.

BRIDGE #3:
The last bridge goes from DISCIPLINE to DESIRE. Those who HAVE TO cross this bridge never seem as happy or as successful as those who WANT TO.

If you go from CAN to WILL, then KNOWING to DOING and, finally, from DISCIPLINE to DESIRE -- you'll end up at a place called SUCCESS.

And oh, ... don't expect too smooth a journey.... There'd be some roadblocks along the way....

2003-11-16T06:32:00.000+08:00

SURPRISE #1

I have been planning this for quite sometime; meeting Ben Ariffleck a.k.a Keanu Ariff. His trip down to KL in September was cancelled and AiYin was very disappointed, so this trip was kept a secret. I vowed not to tell AiYin until Ben was in KL. Ben and I had been chatting and exchanging emails for the past few months but we have never met before.

I arranged for a break-of-fast at my house and invited a few other friends, namely Miss Dilettante (who could not make it on the day itself, as her mother was not home and she had to take care of her siblings), Dodah and Neem, all members of the Young Novice Bloggers. The main dish was Meehoon Soto, young coconut water to wash it down and durians, buah delima and duku langsat (got from the pasar malam at my place). Ben was late and lost, somewhere in Ampang. Escorted him half way. Reached my house just as the 'azan for maghrib was called from the mosques nearby.

The surprised look on AiYin's face was worth all the effort. She recovered soon enough and we had a sumptious meal. Ben settled in like we have been friends for aeons. His usual brand of teka-tekis confounded us! And the night ended later than usual for most of us. Dodah reached home after midnight, poor girl!

SURPRISE #2

The next day, we have an invitation to break-fast at a restaurant in town. Since Ben was still in town and free, I invited him to join us. This was the unplanned surprise #2. Picked Miss Dilettante at KLCC and headed for the restaurant.

Ben was already waiting there. Me and my kids already know him but not Miss Dilettante. When I 'casually' introduced Ben, the surprised look on Miss Dilettante face was priceless! She did not expect to meet him there! Food was aplenty and good; and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

My Black Kembara was tested to the MAX when seven (yes, 7) of us loaded in for the trip back. I was driving, Ben next to me, Miss Dilettante, Maria, my sons Faizal and Azri in the back seat and poor Faiz thrown in the 'boot'. If My Black Kembara has a voice, you would hear it groaning all the way to KLCC, that was where we dropped Maria and Miss Dilettante. After trying to figure out the way to Bukit Bintang (a place I have not been for years!), I decided to drag Ben to Bangi first to pick AiYin up from my sister's house.

SURPRISE #3

I have been single again for almost 6 years, and no mention of having male friends has ever been made to either my sisters. So Ben's unannounced visit caught them in surprise for a minute or so.

The night ended with me being stuck in the jam in front of Times Square for more than an hour. After dropping off Ben at his hotel, we drove off blindly, as I have no idea of the roads there. Allah was our guide and suddenly, after driving through the back lanes/roads, I was at the Pandan roundabout. Headed for home, feeling totally exhausted.

2003-11-14T07:29:00.000+08:00

THE FINAL ANALYSIS

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
   Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
   Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
   Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
   Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
   Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
   Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
   Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
   Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and Allah;
   It never was between you and them anyway.

..:: Author Unknown ::..

I think the poem above says it clearly. Do what you think is right as at the end of the day, it is between you and your Creator.

2003-11-13T07:42:00.000+08:00

LIFE IS WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT

A son and his father were walking in the mountains. Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: "AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"
The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."

And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"

Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand. Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO, but really this is LIFE. It gives you back everything you say or do. Our life is simply a reflection of our actions. If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart. If you want more competence in your team, improve your competence. This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life; Life will give you back everything you have given to it."

Author Unknown

Sharing with you all this article I found in a newsletter. It is true, you know. People ask me how I manage to single-handedly bring up 5 children with minimum help from my-Ex. My answer to them is... If you say "I CAN'T DO IT ALONE!", then of course you can't. You decide and the rest will fall in place. But of course, plentiful doas to ALLAH swt helps alot too.

2003-11-12T07:46:00.000+08:00

ERRR.. WHAT WAS IT AGAIN?

I can't for the life remember where I placed my MesraCard and RealRewards Card and I need them for my next petrol purchase. The last I remember was taking them out of the BLACK KEMBARA last saturday...

Feeling a little forgetful lately? It happens to everyone. Whether you're losing your house keys, missing appointments, or misplacing your wallet, it's natural to feel discombobulated every once in a while. Maybe your mind is pre-occupied with thoughts of other things. Or maybe you're just forgetful at times. The good news is that you can improve your memory.

There are lots of ways to boost your brainpower. Getting more oxygen to your brain can help you think more clearly. **Read.. OZONE** And the benefit is easy to come by. Try going for a walk, meditating, or simply taking some deep breaths. Practicing yoga and exercising in general are also great ways to increase the blood flow, and oxygen, to your brain. But there are other ways to expand your brain space, too. Reading is a simple way of brain-exercising. Crossword puzzles and brainteasers flex your mental muscles and keep them in shape. And a balanced diet and adequate sleep can also be helpful.

So don't forget to see if you can stretch your mental muscle to new heights. It might make your week more memorable.

p/s Hey, but last night, just after midnight, I remembered that it is Maria's birthday. To view what I gave her for her birthday, click here xxx. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, dear, may you have many, many more. **Psst** how 'young' are you, eh? I forgot.... **errr, there it happened again!**

2003-11-11T07:39:00.000+08:00

ALHAMDULILLAH

We have so much to be thankful for. Being alive, having food and clothings. Having a family, great friends and a job. Coming out of the accident unscathed, not hitting the MALE MORON's car (can't resist putting that in! hehe!). Having the opportunity to do things and so many other things... Sharing with you today, part of the song Alhamdulillah by Yasin & Too Phat. (Hey, am still young-at-heart to appreciate the song!) and a poem. Btw, It was because of the liriks that I met MY SOULMATE - Alhamdulillah.

Alhamdulillah - Yasin/Too Phat

Ult li albi bissaraha - I'm opening up my heart with honesty
Hayya nab 'idil karaha - Let's avoid the hated and hatred
Syakkireena a'kulli ni'ma - Lets remain thankful with what we have
Ba' ideena anil fattanat - Let's avoid all lies and sins

BE THANKFUL

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
   If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
   for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
   During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
   because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
   because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
   They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
   because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

~Author Unknown~

2003-11-10T07:56:00.000+08:00

TRIPLICATES

Is it true, they said, bad luck will come in threes?

Remember I had the accident on Saturday morning, and last night I had a close shave with a MALE-MORON driver. There we were waiting at the traffic light at the Kajang Stadium, heading back home after a berbuka puasa with my sister Annie who live in Bandar Baru Bangi. I was the second car in the middle lane, as I wish to go straight. This MALE-MORON was the second car in the LEFT lane. When the traffic lights changed to green, and the cars in front moved on, this MALE-MORON driver, moved into my lane to turn RIGHT !!! OK, so he did indicate with his car signals that he was turning right. BUT which driving school taught him that to turn RIGHT, you have to be in the LEFT-most lane. WHICH? WHICH? Alhamdulillah, I was in a good mood as we had a good berbuka.. and I was happily listening to my NEW TOY. I blared my horn (heheh! my BLACK KEMBARA is fitted with a lorry horn, btw). This was definitely the correct and right moment to use that horn.

So after that incident, I await with alot of apprehension, for the third incident. My doas to Allah that it doesn't happen.

2003-11-08T06:06:00.000+08:00

ACCIDENT & NEW TOY

Yes, I was careless and knocked into someone's bumper. I did not anticipate correctly his actions and luckily I was just moving so the impact wasn't that bad. Alhamdulillah, no life was lost and most of all, my darling BLACK KEMBARA came out unscathed. The Proton stood to its reputation and had a dented bumper (albeit slight). What reputation you ask? Body like the Milo tin. Nevertheless, I panicked awhile when he demanded $100 for repairs to his car. Called on MY SOULMATE for advice. No, I wasnt about to depart with such a steep amount for just a slight dent, and managed to negotiate down. With much apologies, we departed.

I had other things planned for the day. Next stop, the Post Office. The PO does not deliver parcels anymore. WHY? Instead, they leave a card asking us to collect the parcel. It was a FREE sample hair colour. I answered an advert some time ago and it came as a surprise to be the selected 200 people! Look out! Next change, from brunette to red-head.

Next... my shopping spree for a CD player for my darling BLACK KEMBARA. That was one of the planned items when I got my bonus this year. I chose to go to BROTHERS as a one-stop-shop. Got myself a SONY unit that can also play MP3, so I can forego a CD changer. There's not much space in the car. This unit, however has a built in whatyoumaycallit so that if I do decide to install a CD changer later, I can. Yes, it also has anti-shock, so that the CD does not pause when I hit a bump in the road. BUT... hold your breath... it also have a remote control!! I guess if I am a Datin being chauffeured driven, I would need it. :)

Spend the evening and night cutting CDs.. so the next time you see a BLACK KEMBARA blaring away... that could be me! Don't bother hitting your car horn, in all probabilities, I can't hear you...

2003-11-08T05:29:00.000+08:00

THE TEN RULES FOR BEING HUMAN

1. YOU WILL RECEIVE A BODY.
You may like it or you may hate it, but it will be yours for the entire period.

2. YOU WILL LEARN LESSONS.
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "life". Each day in this school you'll have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or think them irrelevant and stupid.

3. THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, ONLY LESSONS.
Growth is a process of trial and error and experimentation. The failed experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiment that ultimately works.

4. A LESSON IS REPEATED UNTIL LEARNED.
A lesson will be repeated to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, then you can go onto the next lesson.

5. LEARNING LESSONS DOES NOT END.
There is no part of life that does not contain its lessons. For as long as you are alive, there are lessons to be learned.

6. THERE IS NO BETTER THAN HERE.
When your "there" has become "here", you will simply obtain another "there" that will again look better than "here".

7. OTHERS ARE MERELY MIRRORS OF YOU.
You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects something that you love or hate about yourself.

8. WHAT YOU MAKE OF YOUR LIFE IS UP TO YOU.
You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.

9. THE ANSWERS LIE INSIDE YOU.
The answers to all life's questions lie inside you. All you need to do is look, listen and trust.

10. YOU WILL FORGET ALL THIS.
As with most messages, remember the formula: K - A = 0
This means knowledge without action is nothing.

~author unknown~

This was supposed to be posted yesterday (Friday) but TmNet stood me up! I was on leave and at home yesterday and for some unknown reason I could not log in even after sahur or during friday prayers. So this posting had to be cold storaged.

2003-11-06T07:34:00.000+08:00

STANDING FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN

Standing for what you believe in,
Regardless of the odds against you,
And the pressure that tears at your resistance,
...Means Courage

Keeping a Smile on your face,
When inside you feel like Dying,
For the sake of Supporting others,
...Means Strength

Stopping at nothing,
And doing what's in your Heart,
You know is Right, .
..Means Determination

Doing more than is Expected,
To make another's Life a little more Bearable,
Without uttering a single Complaint,
...Means Compassion

Helping a Friend in Need,
No matter the time or effort,
To the best of your ability, .
..Means Loyalty

Giving more than you have,
And expecting Nothing
But nothing in Return,
...Means Selflessness

Holding your head high,
And being the best you know you can be
When life seems to fall apart at your feet,
Facing each difficulty with the Confidence
That time will bring you better Tomorrows,
And Never Giving Up,
...Means Confidence
.
-Unknown-

2003-11-05T07:46:00.000+08:00

ADJUST ?

How flexible are you? I'm not talking about being able to bend over and touch your toes. Flexibility is an important quality that helps deal with those bumps in the road and be able to move on. Like trees that bend with the wind, we also need to adjust our stance when different situations come up.

For example, let's say that you and a friend are supposed to go to a movie you've been dying to see. Unfortunately, your friend cancels on you at the last minute. How would you deal with the situation? Angry, right? Now, instead of getting angry, you could reschedule with your friend or you could still go by yourself. In a case like this, it's better to be flexible and realize that sometimes these things happen.

So, next time a situation comes up — whether it's at work, home, or somewhere else — and it doesn't go exactly the way you had hoped, take it in stride. Staying calm and relaxed can help you see things more clearly and respond appropriately.

Remember to bend and have a great time!

2003-11-04T07:39:00.000+08:00

WHAT TURNS YOU ON?

What drives you to succeed? What are the things that really motivate you? Knowing what they are can make it easier for you to set goals and achieve them. Put aside some time this week to ask yourself why you really do the things you do. Are you driven by the satisfaction of trying something new, of looking good, of interacting with others? The reason you do things influences everything from your values to your priorities.

For example, let's say you're having trouble saving money for a vacation. If you knew that "exploring the unknown" is a prime motivator for you, you can lay down rules about not spending money on things that will prevent you from taking that next trip you want to take. Focus instead on what saving the cash to spend on that vacation will be like.

I have found so many prime motivators these days. Motivation to come to work. Motivation to look good/feel good. Million THANX to those who "M I C E" me.. **wink** **wink**

Still not sure what your prime motivation is?

2003-11-03T08:01:00.000+08:00

AM I TIRED?

Spend the weekend running errands. Being a single parent, I have to do everything myself now, servicing the car(s), meeting my adopted son at Petrosains, KLCC (Remember what I said, about not going to KLCC on a weekend?), then preparing food to break fast with my younger sister, Annie, getting clothes for my children and maid, AND on top of that, I brought home, office work !!!

Last night, I ended up burning the candle on both ends, trying to finish all my work !! And guess what happened after that ?? I could not sleep. I was denied of one of the worldly pleasure... **sigh**

Thanks to My SoulMate for keeping me company through the nite.

But surprisingly, I don't feel sleepy this morning... don't know about noon and evening.. probably be a zombie by then.

p/s HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister ELIZABETH NORMAH (2/11) & ZURAIDA ABDULLAH (3/11)

2003-11-02T22:46:00.000+08:00

OH! TO BE YOUNG AGAIN..

Watching the children fast, like I can't believe it !! My children still have to truddle off to school during the day, but by evening I still see them rushing off to ride the bicycle around the park. Like, here I am practically dragging my feet to come home. Where do they get ALL the energy?

Then yesterday, I promised my sister that I will make Laksa Penang for her. So we went to her new house for the breaking of fast with her family and a few friends. The friends all brought their troop of kids also. The minute the azan went for the break of fast, the kids quickly drank and ate a bit, before rushing to perform the maghrib prayers... without the parents telling them twice (or more, as in the usual case !), and you know why? They all couldn't wait to jump into the pool. Yes in the drizzling rain and AFTER maghrib. When asked if the water is cold, stammering (bcoz of the cold), they answer "Nooo". Liars... hehehe! They stayed in the pool for as long as they could stand (like 2 hours or so !) and then came out hungry... that was when the food on the table disappeared just as fast!

Oh to be young again..

2003-11-01T07:02:00.000+08:00

MARRIAGE..

After reading fellow blogger, Miss Dilletante's posting regarding marriage.. I went out and search for similar articles on marriage, and this is what I found. You have no idea what goes through these kids minds =) And for those married couples, having a rough time through the passage of their marriage, take stock of yourself and your responsibilities and what you promised yourself, your other half and most important, what you promised Allah swt, before you got married. p/s Gambar pinjam (borrowed photo), not mine!

KIDS' VIEWS.... ON MARRIAGE....
HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
"You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it too, and she should keep the chips and dip coming." - Alan, age 10

"No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry. God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with." - Kirsten, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
"Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then." - Camille, age 10

"No age is good to get married at. You got to be a fool to get married." - Freddie, age 6

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
"Married people usually look happy to talk to other people." - Eddie, age 6

"You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids." - Errick, age 8

WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?
"Dates are for having fun, and people should use them to get to know each other. Even boys have something to say if you listen long enough." - Lynnette, age 8

"On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date." - Martin, age 10

WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?
"I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns." - Craig, age 9

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
"When they're rich." - Pam, age 7

"The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that." - Curt, age 7

"The rule goes like this: if you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them. It's the right thing to do." - Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
"It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them." - Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
"There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?" - Kelvin, age 8

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
"Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck." - Ricky, age 10

OK, as My Soulmate said, time to 5S ourself or in not-so-technical terms, time to muhasabah diri.
p/s To My Soulmate : Why be Blue?

2003-10-31T07:44:00.000+08:00

THE HUG

There's something in a simple hug
That always warms the heart;
It welcomes us back home
And makes it easier to part.

A hug's a way to share the joy
And sad times we go through,
Or just a way for friends to say
They like you 'cause you're you.

Hugs are meant for anyone
For whom we really care,
From your grandma to your neighbor,
Or a cuddly teddy bear.

A hug is an amazing thing -
It's just the perfect way
To show the love we're feeling
But can't find the words to say.

It's funny how a little hug
Makes everyone feel good;
In every place and language,
It's always understood.

And hugs don't need new equipment,
Special batteries or parts -
Just open up your arms
And open up your hearts.

-author unknown-

I enjoy my daily dose of hugs from my one-and-only daughter, Khairin Ameera.
Go on... Go find someone or something to hug...

2003-10-30T07:50:00.000+08:00

BECAUSE I AM A MAN

My mind seems to go blank with this fasting season (kekeringan ide=ideas drying up?!). Saw this article and decided to share with you all especially the ladies.

Because I'm a man,
when I lock my keys in the car I will fiddle with a wire clothes hanger and ignore your suggestions that we call a road service until long after hypothermia has set in.

Because I'm a man,
when the car isn't running very well, I will pop the hood and stare at the engine as if I know what I'm looking at. If another man shows up, one of us will say to the other, "I used to be able to fix these things, but now with all these computers and everything, I wouldn't know where to start."

Because I'm a man,
when I catch a cold I need someone to bring me soup and take care of me while I lie in bed and moan. You NEVER get as sick as I do, so for you this isn't an issue.

Because I'm a man,
when one of our appliances stops working I will insist on taking it apart, despite evidence that this will just cost me twice as much once the repair person gets here and has to put it back together.

Because I'm a man,
I must hold the television remote control in my hand while I watch TV. If the thing has been misplaced, I may miss a whole show looking for it (though one time I was able to survive by holding a hand phone).

Because I'm a man,
I don't think we're all that lost, and no, I don't think we should stop and ask someone. Why would you listen to a complete stranger -- I mean, how could he know where we're going?

Because I'm a man,
I do not want to know what you got for your mother on mother's day. Whatever you got her is okay, I don't need to see it. And don't forget to pick up something for my Mom, too!

Because I'm a man,
you don't have to ask me if I liked the movie. Chances are, if you're crying at the end of it, I didn't like it.

Because I'm a man,
I think what you're wearing is fine. I thought what you were wearing five minutes ago was fine, too. Either pair of shoes is fine. With the belt or without it looks fine. Your hair is fine. You look fine. Can we just go now?

Because I'm a man,
and this is, after all, the 2000's, I will share equally in the housework. You just do the laundry, the cooking, the gardening, the cleaning, and the dishes. I'll do the rest.

---{--@
*This has been a public service message for women, to better understand the Male species.
**Sigh** Don't we meet this species one time or another. Wanna add on your findings? Put it in comments..

2003-10-29T07:41:00.000+08:00

IN SWEET LOVING MEMORIES : ALENE NOR AZIAH

This fasting month brought memories of the fasting month we had last year.

We were caring for my sick eldest sister, then. Cancer has overtaken her whole body and she had come to stay with me as I was the only sister with a maid, willing to take care of her.

Buying the kueh at the stalls now, brings back memories of last year. I would buy her 'puding jagung' and kueh koleh kacang (the one with tahi minyak on top). She also loves watermelon. Chemotheraphy has destroyed her taste buds and she could not eat anything hot or hot (panas or pedas). She was also bed ridden by then, and could only eat soft food. We took turns to feed her, and break fast ourselves.

I can't bring myself to buy puding jagung nor kueh koleh kacang this year.

May Allah forgive her and semoga dia bersama-sama orang yang soleh. Al-Fatihah for my sister, Alene Nor Aziah Bt Shamsudin

2003-10-28T07:46:00.000+08:00

IS THERE ANY TRUTH?

I went shopping yesterday afternoon. The weather changed so quickly, from hot and sunny to a sudden shower. I had to run from my car to the shops. By evening, I have a throbbing headache although I have taken a shower and wet my head, as normally adviced by my mother. Is there any relationship between the rain and the headache?

If you walk in an afternoon shower, you will get a headache?
If you sing in the kitchen, you will marry someone old?
If you sit on the pillows, you will get boils?
If your right eye twitch, you are going to meet someone you have not met for a long time?
If your left eye twitch, you are going to cry?
If you bite your tongue, someone's talking bad about you?
If the dishes you cook is salty, you want to get married?
If you throw the bride's undies on the rooftop, the rain will stay away?

Is it myth, mere coincidence or is there any truth?
Add on your "Ifs" in comments.

2003-10-27T05:44:00.000+08:00

SAHUR

The early morning meal before sunrise. This morning we had chicken rice to kick start the fasting month. Have to make the meal as simple as possible; just the rice, soup and chicken; nothing complicated. After that while waiting for Subuh prayers, the children watched Astro.

As I sit here in front of my PC, I wonder what others are having for their sahur; IF they are having at all! I remembered before I got married, SLEEP was more important. So, I would have my sahur before going to bed. It was no big deal... I survived. Now I wonder if Danial17 has had his sahur. Shud I wake him up? No... he did not ask me to wake him up.. probably had his sahur before going to bed as he usually does. Btw, Thanx Soulmate for the morning wake up call. I do need the half hour headstart if I want to make sure ALL 4 kids get up. Normally, the first few days are easy.. but as it gets to the end of the month, it gets harder and harder :)

Do you ever wonder what your neighbours are having or if they are having any sahur at all? The fasting month also teaches us to appreaciate how the less fortunate lives.

Alhamdulillah for the abundant rezeki that we enjoy
*Amin*

2003-10-26T06:07:00.000+08:00

Fasting Month of Ramadhan II

Come monday, every muslim in Malaysia will be fasting. This does evoke a lot of memories, of waking up for sahur and breaking fast.

The Pasar Ramadhan at my house and every street/taman in Malaysia, selling ALL kinds of delicacies. Every stall attracts you like a moth to the light. Thats right fasting is also synonymous with eating rather than abstaining from food.

The tough job of waking up the kids for sahur. No amount of coaxing, threats nor yelling can wake them up.

But this Ramadhan I pray I will do better than what I have done in the previous years. What about you?

2003-10-26T05:55:00.000+08:00

RAMADHAN

[by Salbiah Subari, TKC]

Ramadhan,
Kedatanganmu ku nantikan,
Penuh harapan,
Agar beroleh keampunan,
Agar beroleh ketenangan.

Hari-hari dilalui,
Penuh alpa,
Bergelumang dengan dosa,
Mengejar kekayaan dunia,
Yang susah, sering dilupakan,
Yang lapar, terbiar kebuluran.

Namun hadirmu Ramadhan,
Membawa keinsafan,
Lapar dan dahaga mendidik jiwa,
Agar lebih peka
Pada yg memerlukan,
Peritnya menahan lapar,
Mendidik nafsu agar bersabar.

Ramadhan,
Moga hadirmu penuh keberkatan,
Moga bertambah iman dan amalan.

Ramadhan,
Moga malammu kupenuhi dengan sujud dan munajat,
Moga lidahku tak lekang dari zikir dan tilawah al-Quran,
Moga anggotaku terpelihara dari maksiat,
Moga hatiku benar-benar ikhlas,
Menyambutmu Ramadhan.

2003-10-24T00:38:00.000+08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Wishing everyone a HAPPY HOLIDAY!

Enjoy yourself wherever you are!

To My Soulmate,
Selamat Menjalankan Tugas. What to do... someone has to be there.. will be thinking of you ALL the time.

To Maria
Enjoy being with your Family. I'm so jealous. Wanna go home too... waaaa!!
To Chin2
Take care of James... Heheh!

Come Monday... I have to 'jaga kedai' all alone... waaaaa!

2003-10-23T08:46:00.000+08:00

MY SOULMATE REVISITED....

While going through my mails yesterday.. I came across this mail sent by My Soulmate (I skipped reading the article then, as I was bogged down with work. Work first maa... my employer pays me to do those stuffs!) I did a double take when I read the article... it was only a day after I get all those "feelings" of being "connected" to My Soulmate . It explains a lot of things but does not get rid of all the eerie feelings I get.... Anyway, the article is in Bahasa Melayu, and I apologise.. but it's not so challenging that an SPM drop out would not understand.. Hehehe! No offense!

--{-@ Start of article :

Akal fikiran dan perasaan yang dianugerahkan oleh Allah kepada setiap manusia merupakan satu keistimewaan yang membezakan antara manusia dengan makhluk ciptaan Nya yang lain. Akal fikiran dan perasaan ini pula dihiasi dengan naluri atau gerak hati sebagai pelengkap kejadian manusia itu sendiri. Seringkali manusia menggunakan naluri atau gerak hati ini dalam memandu mereka untuk membuat sesuatu keputusan mahupun sesuatu pertimbangan.

Apa sebenarnya?…

Adakah benar ia sesuatu yang dinamakan sebagai komunikasi gerak hati atau ia sekadar suatu kebetulan? Pasti kita pernah menghadapi keadaan yang hampir serupa. Pada suatu ketika, kita terasa rindu pada seseorang, pada masa yang sama telefon berdering dan tanpa diduga, insan yang kita rindui itu berada di hujung talian – seolah-olah tahu kita sedang merinduinya!

Terdapat 2 kemungkinan berlakunya fenomena seperti yang dinyatakan tadi. Kemungkinan pertama ialah ia berlaku secara kebetulan dan tidak disengajakan. Kebetulan sahaja perlakuan antara dua individu itu seiring pada satu masa yang sama. Jadi, ia bukanlah sesuatu yang cukup istimewa untuk dijadikan sebagai bahan untuk dianalisis.

Kemungkinan yang kedua juga merupakan satu kemungkinan yang tidak mustahil boleh berlaku. Ia dinamakan sebagai komunikasi gerak hati atau naluri. Naluri yang mendesak dalam hati seseorang itu adalah sesuatu yang unik dan ia bergantung kepada kuasa dalaman seseorang individu meneroka alam psychic. Kelebihan ini tidak semestinya dimiliki oleh setiap orang. Individu yang memilikinya juga tidak semestinya boleh menggunakan naluri mereka sesuka hati. Itulah yang disebut sebagai satu keunikan. Ia hadir hanya pada masa dan saat-saat tertentu sahaja.

Berbalik kepada kebolehan seseorang menguasai dan meneroka alam psychic, sesetengah manusia yang mampu mengawal naluri dan gerak hatinya dengan baik memungkinkan dia memiliki satu kuasa dalaman yang digelar sebagai 'keistimewaan deria keenam' (the sixth sense). Segalanya mungkin bermula daripada khayalan yang palsu dan terbawa-bawa ke alam nyata.

Namun, anugerah Tuhan tidak sesekali mampu kita nafikan. Ada sesetengah individu yang sememangnya mampu meneroka alam psycic menerusi kelebihan naluri dan gerak hati yang dianugerahkan oleh Nya. Oleh itu, bolehlah dikatakan bahawa, naluri atau gerak hati merupakan salah satu daripada keistimewaan deria keenam yang sememangnya dianugerahkan kepada manusia dengan tahap dan kemampuan yang berbeza-beza.

Antara naluri dan firasat…

Naluri dan firasat adalah sesuatu yang cukup berbeza. Naluri adalah gerak hati yang datang secara jujur dalam diri manusia itu sendiri. Firasat pula lebih cenderung kepada gerak hati yang lahir atas pertimbangan faktor-faktor luaran. Firasat mungkin datang daripada perasaan curiga, waspada dan lebih berbentuk ramalan.

Naluri dan firasat adalah sesuatu yang amat berbeza dan seringkali mengelirukan. Keduanya bergerak selari dan hampir seiring. Namun nyata, naluri adalah deria keenam yang cukup istimewa sementara firasat hanya sekadar satu ramalan yang dipertimbangkan oleh akal dan perasaan.

Peliharalah naluri…

Secara keseluruhannya, dapatlah dikatakan bahawa naluri adalah satu anugerah yang suci dan bersih dalam diri setiap individu. Ia wajar dipelihara agar naluri itu sendiri tidak tercemar dengan firasat yang seringkali dianggap sebagai 'pembunuh' kepada keistimewaan anugerah Tuhan itu. Naluri mendekatkan kita dengan Pencipta dan mendekatkan kita dengan kasih sayang. Keistimewaan ini dimiliki oleh semua orang tetapi pada tahap keupayaan yang berbeza-beza. Jadi, hargailah keistimewaan itu, manfaatkanlah ianya sebaik mungkin…

--{-@ End of article

So, what do My Soulmate and I share?

Sixth Sense (Keistimewaan Deria Keenam)?
Instinct (Naluri or Gerak Hati)?
Predictions (Firasat)?
Coincidence (Kebetulan)?

But to us, it is a special feeling shared.

2003-10-21T15:00:00.000+08:00

THEN & NOW.....

This time I need some feedback from you!
Have you ever thought of the things you had then, that you don't have now?
Or the things you wish you had then, that you wish you don't have now?
Or the things you did then and you're still doing now but in a different capacity?

Here are some examples:

Then : Shopping WITH parents - all expenses paid FOR you!
Now : Shopping AS parents - all expenses paid BY you!

Then : Long hair
Now : Longing for hair :-)

Then : I wish I don't have to go to school
Now : I wish I can go back to school

Then : Always in shape (as in very fit)
Now : Always in shape (as in very 'round' - it's a shape, isn't it? :-))

Then : Analog phones (where u put ur finger in the resp. holes and turn clockwise to dial)
Now : Handphones (every Tom, Dick n Harry carries one, these days)

Then : Bicycles and buses are the main transport
Now : LRT, Kommuter, STAR, PUTRA, ERL and the what-have-u

Do YOU have your own version of "then & now"? Tell me about it! Post it in "comments" below.

2003-10-21T09:28:00.000+08:00

No postings for today.... 21/10/2003

There will be no postings for today as I have 3 meetings scheduled through the whole morning. This will be followed by a Farewell lunch for Sulaiman.

BUT....

Noorina gave a surprise this morning. She brought cheesecake (heavenly) and then sent Miss Dilettante off to get more grub to accompany the cake. There was a small belated BIRTHDAY celebration for the bday babies of IT Customers. OooOoo I feel sick already with all these food!!!

Thx Ina and ALL you lovely creatures of IT Customers.

2003-10-20T06:08:00.000+08:00

No Long Notes Today... and my Soulmate

There will be no long posting today. I have a splitting headache. :(

But it must be noted, that I have found a Soulmate. Someone whom I can communicate with only thoughts. Weird?

I have not been well the past few days, and my Soulmate has been cheering me up. I just have to 'think' about my Soulmate and the phone starts ringing! Seems that the same happens over there, too. My Soulmate thinks about me, and my call comes through. And last night, my Soulmate got sick, too. Is there such a thing?? I leave it to you, to figure it out. I just thank Allah, I have found my Soulmate.

OK, let me find that dark hole to hibernate in....

p/s HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY to my son Faizal.

2003-10-18T08:03:00.000+08:00

S I G H H H....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

As at 3:15am just now, I am officially 45 years old (young?). I am feeling my age - go interpret that as you wish, am not telling. Have a bloody hangover, not related to alcohol though... more due to lack of sleep :(

First, I had a call from Dodah, asking me to look out the window. I thought she was pulling the same trick as KAI - (remember : pontianak; pocong?) So I said... No way! She begged and begged, so alright, I sauntered to the windows and looked out. There they were, Dodah and Neem bearing flowers and chocolate cake!! Spend sometime together and sent them off before midnight.

My New Friend and KAI accompanied my walk into the new age... inspite of the fact that I told them, I am technically 44 until 3:15am. Cud not sleep as I was feeling estatic !!

Have much to say.. but am speechless.. so... I'll leave it for now....

2003-10-17T08:28:00.000+08:00

TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER... Mariam Bt Abdullah (1937 - 1995)

Thank you MAK for bringing me into this world. For feeding me milk from your breast. For bringing me up to be a fine lady. To sum up what MAK has done for me... read on...

MAK TAUGHT ME...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
MAK taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE;
"If you're going kill each other, do it outside -- I've just finished cleaning!" -- My variation is : If you plan to kill each other, do a good/clean job!

MAK taught me RELIGION;
"You better pray that that will come out of the carpet."

MAK taught me about TIME TRAVEL:
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

MAK taught me LOGIC;
"Because I said so, that's why." -- My ALL time favorite. I use that often don't I, danial17?

MAK taught me FORESIGHT;
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident." -- I still remember and practice it!

MAK taught me IRONY;
"Keep laughing and I'll *give* you something to cry about." -- Duh ?

MAK taught me about the science of OSMOSIS;
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper!"

MAK taught me about CONTORTIONISM;
"Will you *look* at the dirt on the back of your neck!" -- Tells my boys the same thing too... without realizing.

MAK taught me about STAMINA;
"You'll sit there 'til all that spinach is finished."

MAK taught me about WEATHER;
"It looks as if a tornado swept through your room." -- My version : Macam kapal karam (looks like a sunken ship)!

MAK taught me how to solve PHYSICS PROBLEMS;
"If I yelled because I saw a meteor coming toward you; would you listen then?"

MAK taught me about HYPOCRISY;
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times - Don't Exaggerate!!!"

MAK taught me THE CIRCLE OF LIFE;
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

MAK taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION;
"Stop acting like your father!" -- Hehe! Danial17, wanna comment?

MAK taught me about ENVY;
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do!"

--{-@
Comment from my beloved first born (Danial17) : "Jangan nyampuk cakap org tua!!" - DO NOT interrupt the 'old folks' talking !!

2003-10-16T08:08:00.000+08:00

Quality Time for Yourself..

Isn't it about time you took a full day to dedicate to all things YOU? Even half a day or a few hours of solo time are all you need to see results.

On your special day, the main focus should be on YOU and tending to YOUR needs. Do things that will nourish YOUR soul and enable you to process YOUR feelings. Fortunately most of the same activities that are good for that are also good for relieving stress. Things like exercising, getting a massage/reflexology, or practicing yoga/qi gong can be very helpful. Go for a walk in a peaceful setting and don't forget to bring your book with you. Journaling/Blogging is a great way to get in tune with your inner thoughts. It's also an excellent way to vent without having to chew someone else's ear off.

Pencil your day in as soon as you can and don't forget to write down your thoughts. A day dedicated to YOU will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed and ready to face the world! Get to it!

--{-@ @--}-- --{-@ @--}-- --{-@ @--}-- --{-@ @--}-- --{-@ @--}--

2003-10-15T08:05:00.000+08:00

SMS & NIGHTMARE on work...

Today.. my mind is blank (again?!) as to what I shud post on my blog. Had a tiring day yesterday reading on oil drilling and trying to understand the budget figures. Enuff is enuff... refrained from bringing home work.

Splurge on an ABC after breaking fast.. encouraged by My New Friend. Made a telepathy date with him.... (Hehehe! ..go figure that out!). Spend the last few hours before midnight, jamming the network with furious exchange of SMS with My New Friend. No... not angry with him but exchanging alot of SMS lah. When I thought I cud finally rest and sleep.. another SMS came thru.. from KAI... again trying to scare me with yet another type of ghost... this time a 'pucong'. You know the one that looks like a bolster and hops to get around. Unfortunately, the picto-SMS did not turn out right.. I cud not figure out what it was... Hey!! I was sleepy and my eyesight is blurred to the max. Serves him right!!

Finally, finally, fell asleep at 12:30am.

The nightmare? Meeting with Users. Any dreamz about work shall henceforth be categorized as Nightmare. :(

And as usual, my 'internal' (inFernal?!?) alarm woke me up at 5 this morning. A few minutes after that, the SMS started rolling in again... as My New Friend insist on waking me up, as he had been doing the past few days! H E L P !!!

p/s At last, my son got me the song "Miss Independent/Independence" by Kelly Clarkson. My current favorite song. : sighhhhh in bliss :

pp/s HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY to AdAm (CePoI Jr.), DaLiA on 8/10, PuSpA on 12/10 and Ja'a on 14/10.

2003-10-14T08:01:00.000+08:00

Good Night...

Feel so GOOD. For the last two nites, I have been getting good nite wishes via sms from a New Friend. It reads, "Good Night, Sleep Tight!". Always felt like adding on.. "and don't let the bed bugs bite!". Isn't that how it is supposed to be? But it reminds me... of the bed bugs... ada lagi ke zaman nie? bed bugs or pepijat? Maybe Ziana Zain can tell us about it...

Those wishes also reminds me of the song, "Gooood Night Irene, Gooood Night Irene, Good Night Irene, Good Night Irene, I'll see you in my dreams!" Seriously, I did not come up with the song... I used to hear the song ... like waaayyyy back, more than twenty years ago... zaman "toink" dulu. (Any, fellow TKCians of the same age/era out there? You would remember what "toink" means :D)

And I used to get hugs from the boys (heyy, read : sons!). But now only my girl will give me dozens of kisses and hugs before we sleep... The boys will only come and salam and cium tangan the-Mother. Why? Dah mula ada perasaan malu (embarassed) agak nya.. Hmmmm..

When was the last time you kiss and hug your Mother? Embarassed? Heyyy... she saw more of your body parts than anyone ever will!! :snicker, snicker:

xxx :muah: xxx :muah: xxx :muah: xxx

p/s Comment from sebamed; (siapa la budak nie... proper intro. appreciated :) ) Yes, the 'correct' way to kiss, is to put your arms around your 'opponent'; reciprocated by putting their hands around our waist (or wherever is the smallest part of our torso); then to plant the kisses on the cheeks - left and right and left and right again. And the last one on the forehead (dahi). ooOOoo... electrifying... I tell you. Now I am also reminded of the hugs and kisses I am missing from Ustazah Sarijah.... waaaaaaa !!!

2003-10-13T08:53:00.000+08:00

I MUST, I MUST....

Today... no long lengthy posting as I REALLY must hit those "work-kept-under-the-table".

So, how was everybody's weekend? I had a date with a Friend. Promised him a birthday treat.. so that was why I was at KLCC on a saturday afternoon. Never ever go to KLCC on a weekend. It is a mad house, I tell you. The food outlets are perpetually full. The queues at the movies is loooonnggg and windy (bukan berangin tau! More like ular kena palu!) And so ramai orang! Where do they come from, I half wonder. Luckily, I am already a familiar face at Dome (excuuuussse me!) Got a good seat and food came fast. And would you believe it... I was fasting that day! Yah... Nisfu Syaaban comes only once a year. My Friend promised that he will make me cry.. and he did try... but weyyy... I did not even flinch! Because, they all ordered lasagna.. and I have had my fill of THAT!!

Hmmm... counting the days to the end of my 44th year living on this earth.

2003-10-12T05:25:00.000+08:00

Decisions, decisions... (a repeat ?)

I need help ... shud I paint the lounge PEACH again or shud I change the colour?

Hari Raya is just round the corner. I know, I know, we've not even started fasting yet. But hey, I like to be prepared and not do things at the last minute. What's the term the young 'uns use these days ? Skema ? Haa.. I nie skema. Coincidently, my son has just finished his exams AND he has just completed two weeks of work at Annie's and Mak Tok's house in Bandar Baru Bangi. Hmmm, if Anne and Mak Tok can trust him to re-paint and make small repairs in their house, why not me, his own mother and in our own house.

I think the lounge needs repainting. Err... No... I know the lounge needs repainting. Come to think of it, the extended portion of the lounge has still not been painted. Aurghhh.. must get a proper contractor next time. Cheap skate that I was.. decided to use my ex-hubby's workers and save on the workers salary. I was lucky, the walls and roof was up (after many repairs and re-dos). I did get what I wanted but they never got round to painting the walls except for the undercoat.

So... again, shud it be PEACH (read : light orange), so I don't have to change all the curtains and cushion covers or shall I make a drastic change and paint it MAUVE (read : purple) but I shall have to find all the necessary accessories? Or shud I go back to using Off-white. Urrmm, cud be difficult to maintain. It will also be tough having to move the furniture around... but Faizal is strong and probably the maid can help out too. Must do something with all those messy wires, too. Shud remove that dreary painting and replace it with the khat - seribu dinar. What else?

Hey, just had a marvellous idea... after watching Eric Leong at KLCC this afternoon (**that is another story lah... what I was doing in KLCC on a saturday afternoon !). Why don't I use wall paper ? And/or why don't I partition the wall.. with a piece of long wood. Hey.. this is getting to be fun !

p/s HAPPY BIRTHDAY to My Chat-mate from Kertih (11/10/2003) and My Brave Passenger (12/10/2003)

2003-10-10T08:31:00.000+08:00

Sunrise... Sunset...

Remembered the oldies... Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset. Quickly, passed the days.. la la la la...

Suddenly, had that song playing thru my mind last nite. So, I promised myself that I'll try and see the sunrise this morning. But as you had it, I woke up with the azan subuh and there goes my plan to fast today. At my age, no sahur, no can fast lorrr... I'll just end up with a fabulous migraine and can't do an inch of work.! ( Shud that read : centimeter.. like go metric..? ) Anyway, straight away sms Miss Dilettante and made a breakfast date with her. Yup, it's set.

Left the house at 6:30 am, after receiving a call from my Brave Passenger, telling me she have to attend to some errands this morning and will be going to office after that. So, I slowly drove off to work, taking my normal shortcut thru the hills. THAT was where I was planning to watch the SUNRISE, near the Lookout Tower on top of the hill. BUT it has begun drizzling already. Even the old folks who normally do their 'Tai Chi' (or is it Qi Gong?) there, had left to go to the market.

Just sat there and watch Kuala Lumpur glowing with the street lights. Hmmm... so gloomy... looks like there'll be no sunrise this morning.

Reached office BEFORE 7 am. Like... CRAZY!! But was pleasantly surprised ( :) or was I ? ) to note that my chat mate on night shift was already waiting for me. Hmmm, system is VERY SLOW today. Pray that it's not because of the Local Virus... heard of it? It's called Shepmah or Hampehs - spelled backwards. Made in Malaysia. Weyyy... MALAYSIA BOLEH !

Will try and catch the Sunset this evening. But I doubt I can... once I am in the house... nothing can/will drag me out again ! Anyway, gotta prepare myself to close up my 'books' with my Creator. How time flies..... FLY AWAY.. !!!

2003-10-09T08:27:00.000+08:00

Mental Block

Yesterday afternoon, I experienced a mental block ! Horrors !! :O

After spending the whole morning writing my blog, then followed by composing long mails to friends and THEN editing next week's web page. I was visibly tired. Could hardly keep my eyes open and mind focused. On top of that, I was still fasting. No... an empty stomach does not jive with a tired mind ! Took a half hour break. Errrmm... I won't tell you the place where I crawled to stretch myself and take my 40 *winks*.

Miss Dilettante's jaw almost dropped when she saw me walking away with my cushion and 'blinkers'. You know those blinkers that you get on flights when you wish to take a nap. Yup ! Got one of those in the drawers in office. Hehehe ! I read somewhere that with lights on, your mind will not be resting. To TOTALLY rest your mind, (read : get zonked out !) you have to be in darkness. Hey.. no one and I mean no one, can talk me into switching off the lights in THAT room or any other room in the Towers. Ya Antusemut, hearing too many ghost stories is definitely not healthy.

The half hour break did wonders :). Felt so refreshed after that. MBF (you know who you are !) asked me to help her recompose an announcement ! Ask me to inject *fun*, *joy* and everything synonymous. What does she think I am ? Glad she liked what I produced for her. And won't you believe it, in the evening, another guy, asked me to vet his announcement !?! Jeez !?#@&* What is happening ???

To end the day, GBL came to ask us to complete some survey forms. Hey, you owe us BIG time ! We are his favorite *victims* each time he has a survey to complete. Where, it asked for "not more than 30 words", give your opinion.... yadda yadda.. I wrote : YES... and then blank ! No words came to mind.. I have exhausted my library of words.

Miss my mind stimulator ! :( My brain cells are freezing over ! Wish the project complete soon !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Reminder : Lepas solat maghrib on friday, buat solat sunat nisfu syaaban. Baca Yasin 3 x. Then make doa' : dipanjangkan umur untuk beribadat pada Allah swt; mohon rezeki yang halal untuk beribadat pada Allah swt; mohon ditetapkan iman dan mati di dalam iman and lastly doa' lah semua yang baik-baik. (Errrmm, temukan jodoh yang baik, beri zuriat, lulus periksa dan lain-lain.)

2003-10-08T08:00:00.000+08:00

Feelings...

Yesterday I was 'ears' to some people who is disheartened by the fact that all IT staff movement has been frozen until this whole exercise of 'transformation' is over. Although they have taken the efforts to find alternative position within the company, the 'unwritten' law in the HR was 'don't touch IT staff'. Suddenly I understand the 'pariahs' better - you know those Untouchables caste.

And for the last few weeks, I was also the 'comfort pillow' for some friends who are going through a difficult period in their life. No... not menopause.. probably that is easier to handle. Btw, men too, go through menopause, OK!

To them all... Have faith in Allah swt (GOD). Only Allah knows what has been planned for each individual (Qada' and Qadar). You might think your actions/plan is the best. Pray and make dua' for Allah swt to give only the best to you and also to give you abundance of patience. And you will realise, whatever happens IS always the best.

Stay Cool Always - That's my principal (or at least I try to make it :) ) I know I still have to learn how to control my sudden and short 'burst' of temper. But that is the only way I know - to keep my blood pressure in check !

Reminder : Nisfu Syaaban on saturday. Fast from friday to sunday.

2003-10-07T15:40:00.000+08:00

Vampires / Pontianak

Had a lousy nite... KAI decided to pull a prank on me and sent an sms at almost midnight; supposedly from Pontianak (vampire). In my grogginess, thot it was from a friend who needs to talk (read: pore their heart out). Read the sms and almost scream in horror :O. Then only noticed that it was from KAI. Called him and talked/accompanied his drive home. All thru he was still trying to scare me with his vampire screams. Went to sleep and has a nightmare ! Damn u KAI !!! Was quite anxious when I woke up for my sahur.

So, with that awful note... I started my day ! Road was thick with mist. So 'sesuai' (suitable) for a vampire movie ! Hardly any cars on the road as I left the house at 6:25 AM. Reached office and still can't get connected to Blog.

@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @
Asked KAI if he had his meal of blood for the day..
Yong saved my day !! I owe u one, luv ! Love you, love you, love you ! For that I won't tell you the Level 63 - ghost stories I've heard.

Started posting all my drafted posts. Am back in business ! YEAH !

2003-10-07T14:20:00.000+08:00

Monday Morning Blues - Wish I could Fly Away...

Such a lonely monday. :( Woke up with another swollen lip (Courtesy of the crab I ate yesterday. Guess it was worth it since it was so damn delicious !). Came to office and remembered that my neighbours are all on leave. There's something wrong with Blogger and I can't post my blog for today ! Damn ! Damn ! Damn ! There goes my blog-kpi ! Trying to figure out who Leonardo de Ariffio is ! Went to get my breakfast alone. Went to the clinic and bank, too. My regular chat mate is VERY busy with his project, but found out that HE is Leonardo de Ariffio ! :cheh: My other chat mates are off duty. So what shall I do ?

Luckily work seems aplenty these days. But since it is all straight forward mundane work, managed to finish it all. Decided not to start on the "work-kept-under-the-table." So TOP SECRET, can't mention it. Think I will take it back and start reading it at home. Lunch time was spent getting birthday gifts for AiYin and Baby. Showed it to Mashi Maro. Hehehe ! She likes it too. Same wavelength. Hmmm, no wonder people don't believe me when I tell my actual age !

My mind is blurring.... and fading out fast, better get off before it blanks off ! Adieu !

2003-10-07T14:18:00.000+08:00

Libra-Birthday Bash

How shall I begin explaining ? Libras are born between 23/9 and 21/10.

Now, my Ex was born on 10/10. And coincidently, I am also a Libra, born on 18/10. When we got married (a planner and a programmer), we planned for a Libra-en family. With a lot of prayers and planning (this part with much difficulties :) for any newly married couple), our 2 boys were also Libras, born on 23/9 and 20/10 respectively. Oh btw, we were also planning for boys. Then we got bored with the 'game' and our third-born son was born out of the 'ring'. He was born on 18/6, making him a Gemini. It was abit tough (for me) trying to understand his character. So, we got back into the 'game' of getting more Libras. The youngest son was born on 26/9 and our planned daughter was born on 16/10. She was almost born on my birthday, but I insisted on having her induced earlier so that we dont share birthdays. Unfortunately for AiYin, her cousin was born on the same date.

So, that was how it all started. From sending individual cards, we received one huge card to wish "Happy Birthday" to all in the family. Only Azri gets a card to himself. Later, it became a one-huge-celebration, with all 3-4 families converging to our house. It was usually 1 cake for the september babies and 1 cake for the october babies. Of late, I have also started collecting friends born in the Libraen months. Salina - my 'brave' passenger (why brave ? She's the only one who never complains about my driving !), Man - my chat-mate from Kertih, Bob - oldest blogger in office and many others.

Incidently, my officemates are arranging for a birthday bash at Dome for us - October Babes, next week ! Hehehe ! Fun !

So, that makes my Ex = 47 yrs old, Me = 45 yrs old, 1st born Azhar = 21 yrs old, 2nd born Faizal = 19 yrs old, 3rd born Azri = 16 yrs old, 4th born Faiz = 13 yrs old and last but not least my one and only daughter Khairin (aIyIn) = 10 yrs old.

Yes, I am ALL 45 years old (young ?) But I have had comments like : "You don't look your age ! You look at least 10 years younger !" For those people, I THANK YOU for making my day ! How can I be 10 years younger than what I am and have a 21 year old son ? Then just last week someone commented : "Stop pulling my leg ! > 40 (didn't want to tell him my exact age, initially) and you listen to Too Phat ?" Why ? It's the music that I like and not the people that I strive to emulate ! And yes, I watch Ranma 1/2* too. Why ? Cannot, ah ? I know of people who watch Dragon Ball Z, and he said there are 40 year old people watching with him ! Being happy all the time also keep me young ! And making dua' to Allah swt to make me 'pretty' zahir dan bathin. ** Amin **

*Watch Ranma 1/2, a japanese cartoon on Astro/AXN every evening at 7-8 pm : Ranma Saotome is a 16-year-old boy and martial artist who, after falling into an enchanted spring, is cursed to turn into a girl every time he touches cold water; it takes hot water to turn him back into a boy. Ranma's father; who also had the misfortune of falling into another part of the spring, which turns him into a giant fluffy panda. (Yes, you just have to laugh, don't you ?) Despite the inherent silliness of the premise, the plots are interesting. For instance, Ranma, in female form, defeats a girl called Shampoo at his martial arts school. Shampoo, however, falls for the male Ranma even as she is hunting high and low for the female Ranma to extract her revenge. Complicated, eh ?

Gotta see it to appreciate it.

Self-Evaluation (Muhasabah Diri) / Tanda Zahir Ibadah Diterima

2003-10-04T18:51:00.000+08:00

Today's posting comes out late, becoz it is saturday. For me weekends spells 'self-indulgence' and 'lady-of-leisure'. OK, I have to amend my blog-kpi, which was one posting a day, to include a clause "except weekends" : one blog per weekend (that shud suffice). :)

What started as a normal weekend ; sahur (coz I wanted to fast today) @ 4:30 am; which seems to be my normal waking hours these days :( and waking up later in the morning to go for my ozone treatment @ Ampang. Today, I don't have to rush to KLCC first as my ozone mates from Kertih are not coming. But after leaving the clinic, I began sweating and felt choked. I quickly rushed home (Thankfully I had gone to the bank b4 going to the clinic!) After throwing up, I decided to 'break' my fast and took some medication for the splitting headache that accompanies the pukin'. Grabbed a handful of cornflakes and down some water. Crawled into bed, feeling very sorry for myself! :( Aiyin came in to give my a hug and a kiss, and switched off the lights. Ahhh, that girl is so sensitive to her mother's needs. Got up an hour later to give Faizal some instructions... delegating my duties lah.. He's just got back from baby-sitting Hiddy and adik-adik, while the mother/father goes to work. And I continued sleepin'..... Would you believe that I was 'knocked out' from the start of Dzuhur to the start of 'Asar !! Luckily, I prayed before hitting the pillows!

Got up!... Hmm... there's still left over lasagne and nasi briyani from last nite Libra-Birthday-Bash** @ Annie's house. Annie is my younger sister. My youngest son, Faiz decided that beginning this year.. no more bday cake.. he wants lasagne! Hmmm... deeeelicious! You know when it is home made, you will always throw in extra of whatever you love.. that means cheese for us! Briyani was for those 'tekak-melayu' people! People who just cant do without rice. Ate some rice - did I hear some *gasp! Hey, I do occasionally eat rice, you know!!

After that, feelin' very depressed.. started thinkin'. Why was I feelin' sick? Was it becoz' of the earful I was getting almost daily from my 'confessing friends'? Was I getting 'signals' from Allah? Have I done wrong somewhere? Then I remembered what I read before I slept last nite. I would like to share it with you all, my beloved friends but again I apologize as it is in bahasa melayu.

Let us forgive everyone, starting with ourselves, our family and friends, our neighbours, the kiasu drivers (Ain, sabar aje lah. Ipoh ke, KL ke, semua serupa! Tapi k.irene terasa gak when you touched on that subject ), the pesky users, the irritating 'wrong-number-dialers', (yes sarini, I get them too... Hello, Apu.. &*%$#), the former/current hubby/boyfriends (did I cover everyone?) and pray for more patience. And I would like to thank everyone who has made my life worth living (special mention for KAI). Thank you for being there.

** Libra-Birthday - to be explained in a later posting!

Tanda Zahir Ibadah Diterima

Hakikat sebenar sama ada Allah swt menerima setiap ibadah yang kita lakukan itu hanya Allah sahaja yang tahu. Cuma kita diperintahkan beramal sebagaimana yang diajar oleh Al-Quran dan Sunnah Rasul. Jika kita mengamalkan selain daripada kedua-dua sumber ini, bermakna kita menjauhkan diri daripada Allah swt, bukan mendekatkan diri.

Bagaimanapun, tanda-tanda zahir sesuatu ibadah diterima boleh dilihat kepada akhlak diri. Misalnya, kita semakin berusaha mendekatkan diri kepada Allah swt. Kita semakin berasa rendah diri, tidak takbur, ujub atau berdusta. Kita semakin berkasih sayang, belas kasihan, tiada mengkhianati orang lain dan suka menolong orang lain tanpa diminta.

Sebaiknya, jika kita dapati diri semakin keras hati, suka berdengki, bersangka buruk, suka mengata orang lain dan sebagainya, ini menandakan ibadah yang kita lakukan itu tidak membuahkan hasil yang baik. Oleh sebab itulah, Allah swt menyuruh kita rajin bermuhasabah atau semak diri setiap hari. Apakah aku sudah mengerjakan yang terbaik hari ini? Jika tidak, kita bimbang ibadah yang dilakukan selama ini tidak diterima oleh Allah swt.

Comments, anyone? k.irene

Words of Wisdom (how true!)

2003-10-02T19:12:00.000+08:00

Am quite busy tomorrow... so for the time being, I would like to share some Words of Wisdom... If I have the time, I will 'story-story' abit.. enjoy!
~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~..~
** Love is grand; Divorce is a hundred grand.
** I am in shape. Round is a shape.
** Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
** Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.
** Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** Talk is cheap because supply exceeds demand.
** Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there.
** Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason (they are full of shit !).
** An optimist thinks that this is the best possible world. A pessimist fears that this is true.
** There will always be death and taxes; however, death doesn't get worse every year.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** In just two days, tomorrow will be yesterday.
** I am having an out of money experience.
** I plan on living forever. So far, so good.
** A day without sunshine is like night.
** It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
** The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
** Brain cells come and brain cells go, but fat cells live forever.
** Age doesn't always bring wisdom. Sometimes age comes alone.
** Life not only begins at forty, it also begins to show.
** You don't stop laughing because you grow old, you grow old because you stopped laughing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hiddy

2003-10-02T00:34:00.000+08:00

I have to write this tonite as tomorrow I have a busy day ahead with a (simulated) disaster happening at once in Malacca and KLCC.

Just finished talking with MBF (My Best Friend) whose daughter needs to undergo chemotheraphy. Hiddy is my daughter's best friend just like I am Hiddy's parent's best friend. Hiddy like Khairin is only 10 years old. Three weeks ago MBF found a lump in Hiddy's tummy. Hiddy said that she didn't want MaMa and Daddy to worry so that was why she never mentioned it. MBF was frantic.

They took her to a soothsayer (a softer way of calling the bomoh) but all they did was give her herbs to drink. The lump did not go away nor did it shrank. So MBF finally took Hiddy to SJMC, PMC and later to HUKM. The oncologist decided that chemo is the way to go as Hiddy is too young to undergo an operation. She will begin the series of chemo (6 months long) tomorrow.

MBF needed to let go steam. I was all ears for almost 2 hours listening to all that MBF and hubby had to go through for the past weeks. Her hubby is a black, american muslim and Hiddy was born in US. So there was a lot of paperwork to be cleared before the doctors could even see her! I was glad I could still make her laugh with my stories as all she had been doing was cry. Hubby (hers, of course) and I had been telling her that she had to be strong for Hiddy. That Hiddy need a pillar to lean on. This was the little girl MBF carried all 9 months. This was the little girl she breast fed. This was the little girl she put through school until last year. Of course it hurts that her little girl had to suffer. All of a sudden from a high sprited girl, Hiddy became quiet. The first doctor they went to... told Hiddy she had cancer. Hiddy thought she was dying. MBF wanted tp shoot the doctor (I would too). Support and more explanations from MBF gave Hiddy some confidence.

For 6 long months last year, I was taking care of my sister who was a cancer patient too. I can understand what MBF and family will have to go through. May Allah swt reward their patience. **Amin**

I would appreciate everyone reading this to please pray for Hiddy's recovery. This is a good month to make dua' to Allah swt. Please ask that Hiddy live a long life in good health. I know that this would be the worst Hari Raya Eidil Fitri for Hiddy and family. :(

Twelve Tips for Healthy, Glowing skin

2003-10-01T07:37:00.000+08:00

I got this in the mail yesterday. Thot I wud share it with you gals (n guys?). I'm giving it a try.. and watch me glow (in the dark !!)

Tip #1 - Drink water! Approximately eight 8 oz glasses a day will help wash out toxins to help your skin feel and look healthier. Hmmm.. had to wee-wee so often after that :)

Tip #2 - Want eyes that sparkle? Signs of a healthy diet with all the right vitamins (A, B, C and zinc) help keep your eyes healthy and strong. Hmmm.. must get the A, B and zinc today.. but Vit B increase my appetite, so how ah?

Tip #3 - Does the air conditioner give you the dry-skin blues? Indulge in a humidifier (if you can afford it) to help regain lost moisture. Your skin will thank you for it! Wahhh, skin talking back ah?

Tip #4 - Gravity bringing your skin down? Gravity draws the skin down, so when you apply moisturizer, make sure you massage UP and help keep your complexion smooth and wrinkle-free. Yaaa, gravity brings a lot of 'things' down. Hehehe

Tip #5 - The sun... friend or foe? Sunlight makes us feel wonderful, but it is horrible to our skin! Prevention is the key, so break out the high-protection sunscreen and enjoy your day out knowing you are protected. Hmmm.. am doing that hoping my freckles will lessen too.

Tip #6 - Don't think your skin is safe if the sun isn't out. Protect your skin from other elements like cold, heat and pollution by keeping your face clean and moisturized. Wahhh, have to also ah?

Tip #7 - Why moisturize? Your skin tends to dry out from a number of different factors. A good moisturizer will help protect your complexion from loss of moisture as well as pollutants and toxins from the environment. Oooo

Tip #8 - Exercise and a good complexion go hand in hand. Make sure you wash your face before working out to let the skin breathe and sweat out the toxins that can clog those pores! Hehehehe and to think we put on more makeup so that we attract the 'bees'! No wonder we got more pimples after that!

Tip #9 - What do fruit, veggies, brown rice and fish have in common? These fresh foods all contain nutrients that help to make new skin. So start eating right and your skin and health will be better than ever! Cannot eat 'cow' and 'chicken' anymore!

Tip #10 - A Little water can go a long way. Pour mineral water into a spray bottle and spritz your face after cleansing. The water will perk up the skin and your moisturizer will lock in protection for up to 12 hours. Spritz here.. spritz there ! Hehehe

Tip #11 - Keep your skin glowing by keeping it clean! Make sure you wash your hands before washing your face in order to prevent shifting bacteria from your hands to your face. Hmmm wash before and after..

Tip #12 - Has your complexion lost its luster? Exfoliate with a gentle facial scrub to slough off dead skin cells and bring your best face forward! Not 'gosok periok' ah!

Wokey... let's see how the regime goes! Anyone trying this out.. keep me posted, kay?

Apa ada dengan CINTA..

2003-09-30T07:36:00.000+08:00

Today, I wud like to share with you, what was shared with me.. I must apologise that it is in Bahasa Melayu and not many can appreciate it.. but read on... (btw, I will keep my "Kupu-kupu" story for some other date. Have patience!)

Dalam ISLAM, kalau dah berkenan kat seseorang, cepat-cepat masuk meminang. Either the man or the woman can do it. Siti Khadijah yang offer diri dia pada Nabi saw. then, baru Nabi saw. masuk meminang. Saje nak tunjuk, yang perempuan pun boleh mulakan step dulu. Tak haram juga tak berdosa. Kalau malu, nasib korang lah. Terlepas, aku tak tahu. Frust tertonggeng sendiri lah.

Cinta lelaki-perempuan, salah satu cabang cinta. Ia mulia tetapi jadi kotor sebab perlakuan manusia. Bila perasaan tu wujud, terus-terus buat bincang dgn yang lebih 'alim untuk taqdim kata orang-orang yang terlibat dalam jemaah islam ni. Kira cop mohor lah atau merisik.

The best is, guna orang tengah. Kalau berani nak direct pun, boleh je. Cinta tu kena pastikan bukan pasal nafsu. Sebab, Cinta yang berlandaskan nafsu semata-mata will be categorized as haram (banyak dalil). Cam la taqrabuz zina. Check out also Surah An'nur... perempuan mukminat mesti tundukkan pandangan dan lelaki mukmin pun sama.... sebab cinta yang dasarnya nafsu, confirm pergi date, pegang tangan, benda tu semua haram, so haramlah bercinta macam tu.

Kiranya hukum bercinta ni berubah-ubah lah. Sesiapa yang tahu batasan, Alhamdulillah, Cintanya akan diberkati. Tetapi sebenarnya payah jaga batasan. Lelaki dan perempuan ni umpama magnet yang saling menarik dan syaitan sentiasa ada. So, jalan selamat ---> nikah dan itulah yang dinamakan taqwa.

And the best is, Cinta lepas kahwin. Islam dah bagi garis panduan yang sangat cantik. Cerita ringkasnya :
1st. tertarik dgn someone.
2nd. pergi merisik
3rd. dah confirm budak tu kosong, gi masuk meminang.
Kalau budak tu dah berpunya, lupakanlah. Allah lebih mengetahui apa yang terbaik. Ingat, yakin Allah buat macam tu sebab nak tunjuk ada orang lain yang lebih baik dari dia.
4th. proses peminangan.
5th. kawin dan bercintalah semahunya. tiada siapa melarang.

Maybe orang akan cakap, camne nak carik keserasian kalau cinta lepas kahwin. Jawapannya, meh aku hempuk kau. Siti Khadijah dan Nabi saw dulu ada ke bercinta sblm kahwin? Nabi dan Aisyah dulu kawin masa Aisyah budak lagi. Logik ke Aisyah ada perasaan cinta waktu umur 9 tahun?

Itulah gunanya merisik dan merisik mesti guna orang yang alim. So, dgn berkat orang alim tu, dia akan cari yang terbaik utk kedua-duanya. Merisik tu kena lah risik agama dia, kekayaan dia, nasab dia, apa perangai baik buruk dia, dsb. Orang tengah ni mesti lah orang yang kenal kita dan kenal si dia. Takkan orang alim nak buat dajal pulak kan. Kalau carik orang zalim dan fasik jadi orang tgh, memanglah.

The best thing analogy is, bercinta ni umpama orang nak bukak puasa. Kalau nak bukak puasa, makanan paling sedap mestilah yang beli panas-panas before bukak puasa kan? Kalau bukak puasa kol 7 ptg, tapi makanan dah beli pukul 1 tgh hari, rasa-rasa sedap tak makanan tu? Jawab sendirilah. Maybe orang cakap, tutuplah dgn tudung saji... tutup pun, korang rasa sedap tak ayam panggang yang dah sejuk makan buat bukak posa? Ada pulak yang cakap nanti, boleh panaskan guna microwave.. makanan bolehlah. Orang? Perasaan?

So, kalau nak bercinta fikirlah, bila nak tamatkan zaman bujang? Kalau rasa umur 20/21 tahun ni nak tamatkan zaman dara/bujang, bolehlah carik sekarang. Kalau rasa umur 25. mulalah carik sekitar 23/24. Dan maybe perempuan akan tertanya... laku tak aku ni nanti? Sorry to say.. perempuan skrg tak seimbang di IPT. Jawapannya, as long as u jaga ketertiban as muslimah yang solehah, aku rasa pasti ada orang nak jadikan isteri. Jgn risau pasal tu. Kalau korang act cam perempuan gatal, memang aku rasa payah.

Tak percaya? Survey has been made by non-muslim researcher... for a long term partner..yakni marriage. lelaki perempuan muka hensem, cantik, body solid, tough bukan jadi perkara utama. Orang tetap akan cari yang baik perwatakan dan kalau dapat suami yang hensem, tough dan beriman tu rezki lah. Sama lah kalau dapat isteri yang badan solid, cantik semua + beriman.

Tak percaya jugak? Bacalah cerita artis2 yg bujang, walaupun pakai seksi nak mampus, dia tetap cakap nak carik lelaki yang beriman, yang boleh bimbing dia. Belum pernah aku jumpa, artis seksi nak carik lelaki yang pernah ambik gambar berspender je kat majalah utk jadi suami dia.

Allah berfirman, lelaki yang baik utk perempuan yang baik, lelaki yang berzina (jahat) utk perempuan yang berzina (jahat).

Wallahua'lam.
kalau pendapatku ini benar maka terimalah, dan kalau pendapat orang lain lebih tepat, maka campakkanlah pendapatku ini ke dustbin pc anda.

So ... what do you think? Any comments?

Feel the wind blowing ummm thru my tudung(?) ...

2003-09-29T08:50:00.000+08:00

It has been a long while since I last had the highway to myself... (almost)! Saturday nite saw me and the kids driving all the way to PutraJaya for Dalia's wedding. Oooo to see the 4 brightly lit lanes, (almost) no cars, and me in my beloved 'Black Kembara'.. set my adrenaline rushing to my head... (aahh and I just had my ozone treatment in the morning !!). But I cud not 'press' (as my boys term it!) as we are not sure of the way to Dalia's place..

We waited for the others in front of the mosque. I was shocked to see families equipped with bicycles, tricycles, scooters, remote controlled cars and even balls playing at the open space in front of the mosque. They must be regulars there...

After the khenduri we shot back home.. but I kept my foot-in-check as I had Maria n Chin2 following us out of PutraJaya. After they found their way out, I took my kids for another round (around) PutraJaya.. Then it was > 120 km/h.. won't tell you the exact speed I was going... I was feeling on top of the world!

Must check again that "Advance Driving Course" by AAM....

Decisions, decisions and blessed friends..

2003-09-26T21:47:00.000+08:00

We face making decisions every minute of our life.. difference being how major or minor the matter is. Some decisions we make without even thinking twice.. (like what to have for breakfast.. :)), some we have to deliberate and balance out the pros and cons as it will affect not only our life but others around us.

Being single again, I have come to rely on my good friends to help sort out my cluttered mind in order for me to make good decisions. Like when I wanted to buy my 1st car.. (my first love). I thot it was as simple as buying a story book at MPH... excuuuuse me for being ignorant. And the other decisions that came after that... like what accessories to fit in, both for my safety and comfort, since I shall be in the car at least 2 hours daily.. where to send the car for servicing.. I learn fast (and furious?)

Just yesterday, again, I faced a (albeit small) problem, and had to call in my good friend KAI who can be quite blunt at times.. to help put me in perspective. My Ex asked me to accompany him to his alumni meet and I was excited to meet our old friends. These were friends made during our courting days and I have not met them for so very long. What more now after the divorce! So, I agreed and yesterday... I was having second thots about it. Why do I really want to go? Do I really want to go? Why not his wife? Why me? Who will be there? Will I enjoy myself? Is it alright to go with him? With KAI's advice (wassini), I called up toh puan (my roommate in ITM) and asked if she and datuk is going also.. since ex said they will be there.. Opps! they are not going... toh puan has her exams coming.. Ex sounded disappointed when I told him that I decided not to go after all...

Alhamdulillah... Thank you Allah swt, KAI, toh puan, (late) Zehan and so many other good friends for always being there whenever I need you ..

Don't make decisions on your own... get other reliable views and widen your group of friends!

What's in a name..

2003-09-26T07:57:00.000+08:00

I couldn't thank my parents enough, giving me such a beautiful and unique name. Actually all my sisters have an english name... and if you think Irene is sooo english... my 2nd sister is named Elizabeth.. hehe.. I can't beat that! And if you think Irene is 'different'... my nickname is worse... it's Wynn. No... I can't remember how that came about.

Irene in english means Peace. My malay name is Nor Rashidah means Cahaya Yang Bijak in arabic. It's tough... having to live up with such names !! But I have survived > 40 years living with it.

I made sure my children have names that is easy on the tongue and meaning. But I went berserk when I had my daughter... heheh.. from Azhar n Faizal n Azri n Faiz... I went overboard and named my one-n-only girl, Khairin Ameera meaning The Good Princess. Hmmm, but everyone calls her Aiyin... so chineeese.. or KA as in her initials.

Give your comments about your names or mine (heheh).. wasalam.

My thots for today

2003-09-25T16:22:00.000+08:00

Woke up at 2 am this morning and again at 3 am, feeling very refreshed. Know why? Had my ozone treatment yesterday... that's why! No... I am not suffering from insomnia... just that my hormones normally goes into 5th gear after the treatments. hehehe

Then finally at 5 am, I got up to read, while waiting for the azan. Had a shock of my life when the phone rang at 5:30am, thot that it was a prank call.. but checked the caller id and it was dad was on the line.. he is not feeling well... felt like running down to JB to be with him.

I wonder if I shall be all alone when I am at his age. How frightening! No doubt that will be 30 years away... but still... will the boys and KA mind if I call them at an unearthly hour? Will I be a pain for them? Who can I turn to?

Dear Allah swt, I pray that I shall go easily and quietly. That I shall not be a burden to any of my loved ones. *Amin*

First Fly..

2003-09-25T15:45:00.000+08:00

Hmmm.. what shall be my first post..

I have all the words running thru my mind... but wait a minute... let me see how this goes first, and try stop me .... :D