Saturday, 30 March 2013

Festival Pengantin Malaysia

In Shah Alam, Dewan Raja Muda Musa, Kompleks Belia. It is a three day festival showcasing decorations from various participants, wedding caterers, wedding card designers e.g Image Creative Studios, Berkat DN Enterprise, Kumpulan Segi Seri, Mahligai Impian and not to forget Acik Catering (A business owned by my brother in law and his family).

www.acikcatering.com


PESERTA FESTIVAL

HIASAN YANG DIPAMIRKAN UNTUK MENARIK PARA PENGUNJUNG

PELBAGAI JENIS KEK DAN 'COOKIES' YANG DIJUAL
ACIK CATERING

There was a fashion show highlighting the latest wedding gowns and new designs as well. By the way, the best part was when Black Mentor performed three songs in the afternoon. Everyone enjoyed...........









Tuesday, 19 March 2013

Be Grateful

While waiting for  our turn in Klinik Haiwan Yap yesterday, a lady and her son came in bringing along two kittens with them.  Apparently, they claimed that the cute little kittens were found abandoned by the roadside. Alhamdulillah they were blessed when found by such a  kindhearted family who is really concerned and sincere. Hopefully many more will have compassion and sympathy towards  Allah's creatures, In shaa Allah. .......



By the way, it is not about the kittens that touched my heart, but her son. I didn't realise in the beginning until I noticed something was not right with him.

May I share my conversation with him while waiting for his mother being consulted by Dr. Yap.

Me : Siapa nama adik?
       : Amirul.

Me : Umur Amirul berapa tahun?

Amirul : 4 tahun...eh tak 3 tahun. (Looking at Amirul I was surprised with his answer coz he appeared to be at least 17 years of age :) ).

Me       : Amirul tak pegi sekolah ke?
Amirul : dah habis sekolah.
Me      : Oh umur 3 tahun tapi dah habis sekolah ye. Lepas tu buat apa.
Amirul : Ikut ayah gi wepair(repair) keta. Keluar tayar masuk tayar. Ayah keja wepair keta.

Then both of us went into the room full with cats including Casey. There were SEVEN altogether...

Me     : Amirul kira ada berapa ekor kucing semua dlm. bilik ni.

He started to count and answered,

Amirul : Ada 21 ekor sume, hi hi.....(Such a sincere respond and proudly claiming he counted them right).

Syakira and Hasya smiled at each other. I was right.  After a while his mom came out and she claimed to me, "Anak saya ni memang bising sebab dia ni OKU, tulah hyper sangat".

That moment was really meaningful. Amirul, such a jovial but a  less fortunate person. Nevertheless he is full of love, caring and concerned towards animals. We could see from his expressions and actions. As for his mother, I sincerely respect her as a  very strong person. Despite the fact that she is raising a less fortunate son who needs special care and attention, she is still willing to look after the abandoned kittens, sending them to the vet to ensure they are fit and healthy. I pray for their happiness and blessings from Allah.

A reminder to me, my kids and to all that we should  always be thankful, appreciate  and grateful to Allah for the blessings rendered to us......

"Look up to one who is greater in piety so you strive to be like him and look upon one who is below you in material status so that you may be thankful to Allah's Grace".In Shaa Allah.

Saturday, 16 March 2013

CASEY

What was wrong with me? It shouldn't have happened if I did not turn back.The old folks used to remind us " kalau dah mulakan perjalanan jangan patah balik tak baik". It happened  last Thursday morning when Haziq wanted to attend his Co curriculum in school early in the mornig. It was fine at first but on our way he left something and insisted me to turn back. I did but not realising Casey our dearest cat was behind the car. Couldn't believe it and I unintentionally hit him!!

Seing Casey struggling for few seconds was never my dream. He was really writhing in pain when a neighbour passed by and claimed to us "he will die"....


Casey di dalam pejalanan ke klinik selepas kejadian.


I might sound crazy but to see him suffering makes me feel guilty. If only arwah is still around. Arwah Hanif adored him so much, in fact everyone does and will be my loyal mate listening to me especially during my grievances. As though he understands and responded well everytime talking to him.

Hurriedly brought him to the nearest vet and it was claimed Casey was hit seriously and the accident affected the whole nerve system.  It is a 50 50 chances, may lead him to coma or total paralysed. I can't believe it and the worst part is that I was the person who caused everything. Its only a cat but Casey means a lot. The day he was admitted and after listening to the explanation, both of us (Hasya and me) were extremely upset. It happened just like that in seconds but unfortunately Casey has to suffer for his entire life. How I wish.... and if only.....

It has been two days. When we visited Casey yesterday and the moment we entered the room he was responding and making noise. I really hope and pray for miracles. Allah is great and we're still hoping Casey will recover, one day........


Kami melawat Casey di Klinik Haiwan Yap.

Tuesday, 12 March 2013

Life's Like That

It has been almost a month that I last updated the blog.  Too occupied. Things which were compiled and submitted in order to the respective parties (govt. dept. and private sectors) are now pending. The processes are very complicated , time consuming which I personally think very annoying and to some I extent I feel they are purposely treating you unfairly. Unless if you are the Pn. Sri or Datin or maybe a well known celebrities or even someone who holds a title, then I am very certain their experiences are just like fairy tales.
Once everything is in order I wish to share the experiences with everyone especially single moms with no title just like me.

 Being alone for almost eight months allow me to see things differently.  No matter how strong you are trying to prove to your kids and others, I must admit that sometimes you are lying to yourself. Yes, as time goes by people are judging and supporting. A very cliche approach, "Ni dah ok ni , sabar banyak banyak semua ni ada hikmah. U kena fikir ada orang tu lagi susah suami meninggal tiba tiba , duit tak ada. U ni kira untungla sangatkan. Apa nak risau rumah, rezeki untuk ank ada, tak ada masalah, Bersyukur ajalah" Well thats about it..... thanks anyway . I must agree and I must feel gifted in a way ( if that's the best way to say it). Its kind of a relief when you share and listen to those who are in the same boat instead. Its not about not being thankful but its about feelings and different challenges. A friend of my sister apparently took seven years to accept it, and no doubt she was left with good health and wealth and she is a professor. In fact I think her children had settled down. In a way a person can only understands the true feelings when she experiences herself....

A person with a single title or to be more precise Ms. "J" is also an issue. You are always misjudged in every aspect as though you are a very dangerous creature to all wives out there. This is the fact although you are just a simple person.....(kalau Cik Ta tu lainla kan)
As life goes on you face different challenges and surroundings.

Hope to continue in my next post:)




Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Here I Go Again

A very close friend of Arwah Hanif finally made it. He (my children address him as Uncle Rolfe James) married to his one and only Ruhaizat.  Congratulations and we are happy for you Uncle Rolfe.  This event was one of Arwah's concerns and his demise did not stop us from fulfilling what he had planned before.

 My kids especially the last three are quite close to him. Haziq used to call him at times without my consent and I just got to know this when Rolfe informed me. Well kids, things are different now.

Anyway, the solemnisation and reception brought me back to one of my main activities those days, the ''hantaran". I was quite actively involved in the "hantaran" making until when my fourth child was born. Staying with my mother in law those years allowed me to share and explore and received orders from weddings. Arwah supported and he assisted me all the way to "Kedai Bunga Reben" and Chow Kit Road for the flowers. 

 In fact, I was always  incharged of preparing hand corsages for the farewell dinner, corsages for the VVIPs , stage decorations for the concert when teaching in Seri Inai Senior Hulu Klang almost fourteen years ago.. There was one year during Mothers Day when I helped the students with the flower arrangements.  I personally enjoyed the experiences.

Here are some photos of the "hantaran" and yes I started to enjoy doing it again. To my family, friends and to all, thank you for supporting and I am now ready and  waiting for the orders.  Please keep that in mind ya....:)












Kek dari Kusen Snack


Adat Melayu kekalkan iringan Bunga Pahar  dari pihak lelaki




Di masjid, Majlis Akad Nikah. Bukan pengantin tapi Chef Ismail pula yang jadi tumpuan


Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Kuala Terengganu 2

It was quite busy for the past few weeks and I still do.  Taking a little bit of my time to update the blog. Our Kuala Terengganu trip was from the 29th to 31st of January 2013, six of us and my two nieces Syamim and Syarah came along.




The journey took 55 minutes from LCCT to Kuala Trengganu and Warisan Kasih Homestay was our choice. It is a family business and we were overwhelmed by the kind and warm hospitality given by Tg. Munirah (TG). A great experience and thank you so much TG.

Dihadapan Homestay - tingkat atas. Di tingkat bawah Cafe nasi Dagang dan Kedai Dobi.




http://homestaywarisankasih.blogspot.com/



Apart from the accommodation, she was kind enough to provide us with the transportation and became our informal tourist guide.


Located in a strategic location it was easier for us to commute from one place to another. Travelling with Bas Bandar  was also a different experience.







Bas dengan ukiran kayu

Di dalam Bas Bandar



A wailking distance to Pasar Payang. The Central Market of Kuala Terengganu is a must-visit place. Located just by the Sungai Trengganu and we were feeling great walking along while enjoying the gentle sea breeze. .Pasar Payang serves both as wet market and as a trade centre for the local community and tourists.
The entrance is filled with cycle rickshaws/trishaws or locally known as 'beca' lining up showcasing the decorations of all kinds. I really salute the peddlers on the effort they have to put to carry many people around the town in a day to earn for a living. One 'pakcik' claimed that he has been peddling for almost forty years. The next day Syamim refused to take 'beca' (due to the feeling of sympathy) and asked TG to fetch us instead. Anyway the kids enjoyed.











The ground floor offers variety of local food and delicacies, mostly made from fish. We were welcomed by the ever smiling ladies inviting us to buy their keropok, akok, pulut inti, tepung gomak and many more. Thus, our breakfast were filled  with deliciousness, an experience for every taste bud for sure. Kilos of duku were also bought since it cost me only RM5 for 3 kg.We bought 18 kgs. and brought some home esp. as a token of appreciation  to Ai, Lily and Asyraf  for sending and fetching us to the airport.







A vast of traditional textiles, brasswares, souvenirs and handcrafts can be seen on the first flloor of the central market. The rule of thumb is of course the bargaining power and I think I made it quite handsomely, the way my mom used to practice. There is Bazar Warisan just opposite Pasar Payang, more comfortable and spacious shopping outlet but its existence cannot deny the ambiance preserved by the market.  

Salah sebuah kedai di Bazaar Warisan





The girls captured several amazing snapshots for their remembrance.


Istana Maziah
   


Terengganu is also well known for its abundance of rice based dishes such as 'nasi dagang, nasi kunyit, nasi berlauk, nasi lemak and nasi kerabu' apart from 'laksam', 'pulut lepa', 'sata', 'keropok lekor' and relatively inexpensive. Trust me, we tried almost all, from pasar payang to hawkers stall selling hot 'sata, and 'pulut panggang' to varieties of 'celup tepung'. You can try the 'keropok lekor celup tepung' at home guys :)









Terengganu Trade Centre (TTC) was suggested by TG for our dinner. Again, the kids enjoyed great variety of local cuisine.




Gambar Syakira bersama Adam seorang budak kecil  yang bercakap di dalam loghat Terengganunya.  Kami sedang menunggu TG sambil menikmati Mister Potato.  Tiba-tiba Adam menghampiri Syakira dan meminta "Nak sebutir, nak sebutir". Kali kedua  Adam hampiri Syakira sekali lagi dengan RM1 dan meminta sebutir lagi.Adam tanya "Beli mana ni" dan Syakira jawab dari Giant. Kemudian, soalan kedua pula ditujukan kepada Syakira sambil menunjukkan jarinya ke mulut Syakira yang menampakkan 'braces'nya dan bertanya sekali lagi, "Yang itu pulak beli mana" Syakira pun melayan dan menjawab "beli di Giant jugak".  :) Hmm, bijak budak Terengganu ni......


The next day in the afternoon TG guided us to the local attractions such as Masjid Kristal which is also near to Pusat Tamadun Islam. 








Then, we spent few hours at Pantai Batu Buruk enjoying all kinds of 'celup tepung' bought from a very popular stall nearby (once visited by Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan) and headed home to Warisan Kasih Homestay just before sunset.


Warung ini pernah dikunjungi JJCM











The third day was spent buying some souvenirs and a quick visit to Keropok Losong and  enjoyed our nasi dagang from the cafe downstairs for the last time before leaving.


 Before getting back to the airport late in the evening, TG stopped over at a restaurant for our quick dinner. 


Tg. Munirah (TG) di hujung sebelah kiri


The flight was at 9.20pm and reached Kula Lumpur safely at around 10.15pm.


It was only a short normal domestic flight and just to
Kuala Trengganu, but the excitement experienced by the kids is my true happiness. I am certain Arwah will feel the same way too   if he is still around.

Hope to plan for more interesting visits next time........:)