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:)

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

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........:)