My niece

And so my niece was born 22 October 2009 @ 6:36am. Laura, its just Laura. I love u my sweet tiny lil’ niece. Muacks!

 

Reflections….

Looking back at my Ramadhan 1430H pledges, here’s a re-cap.

1. I must do my best to perform my Solat Fardhu 5 times a day without slacking, from this Ramadhan onwards. (I had been slacking at times, have to admit lorr) - checked
2. I must do my best to achieve at least 5 nights of terawih (being realistic here ok, I could do more if time permits). I didn’t get even one last year, which is BAD.- checked, sort of
3. Do more charity, which comes in many form, not just by dropping money in the box eh.- checked

Alhamdullillah, it was a special Ramadhan personally for me unlike any other. I kept saying it to everybody because this year it is so significant for me.

Syawal, so far, is also different. Special this year. Each time I seek forgiveness, I felt this ’sayu’ (very very sad) feeling inside of me but ALWAYS try very much not to shed any tears. The words that my mum’s friend said, touched my heart so much, my eyes got teary but I wanna be tough. So I just bow my head low and blink crazily to flush it away. I just cried at home watching the news when they show the visuals of the earthquake victims in Sumatra. God helps them. Especially so, when you got a whole lot of audience watching. We’ve been like a family. She’s been like a mother to me. We’ve had fun together, holiday together, sadness together, eat together. We’ve gone through loads together and I was so welcomed in the family. Feels good to have more than one brothers and sisters. Well I’m the only daughter and I only got one brother. Now I gained another sister and soon a niece due to see the world in Nov.  You only realized how much you have when you sit and ponder, after such a touching moment. Oh how grateful I am to HIM.

Feels great to have such a big family. My family is big enough and I’m always thankful for the happiness within in. Despite some glitches, but that’s normal in family life. We are far from perfect but we sure are perfect for each other. And I learnt tolerance is important in a family life.

How can I not be greatful for the blessing that ALLAH s.w.t has bestowed upon me. I’m eternally greatful to HIM for the family that I was born into, a family that I was welcomed into, the quality of friendship I have with my friends I’ve known for many years, and some are newly made, of coz. They have made me who I am today. I’m so grateful to all my friends for being there for me. How this Syawal made me realized my life is far from stale. Its such a blessed one!! Alhamdullillah….

Insya Allah, we shall grow together in good times and bad times. May we always be under his umbrella of protection and may HE always show us the light to HIS way so we have all that we need in life and in death. Ameen! Insya Allah…..

You only realized it when you sit and reflect on your life…

 

Thanks to Abang’s GPS, DAUF, I survived the traffic jam & risk of getting lost at peak hours for important appointment.

“If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we aren’t really living” – Gail Sheehy

 

To all the men in my life…..

I love kids for they are innocent, naive and smart, all at the same time.

They ask questions that adults don’t usually ask or simply overlooked. I encountered that moment a couple of months back. Didn’t give it much thought until today. Though I wish the same question come from someone else….hehehe… But then again, if they do, I probably reacted differently. Strange but maybe coz kids asked out of pure innocence rather than being a busybody like some adults doo.

But it did strike me as to WHY such question.  They must have either seen a lot of sinetrons or they ever heard the adults talking abt it. It all comes back to the adults…Their PARENTS, like all our parents, they are flawed, contradicting but yet always forgivable. For we are none other than their kids. Kids have such inquisitve minds. I wish I’m forever a kids. My entire life I’m surrounded by kids.

Growing up at 406 Clementi, I suddenly recalled that I’m the only girl. I was surrounded by abang, abg amy, abg sani, and I do recall this 2 good-looking boy siblings living at the other end of the corridor. Don’t quite recall their names. But basically I’m surrounded by boys. I have a toy car which required me to paddle. Not those electrical/chargable car kids have nowadays. That’s vague how I still have that bit of memory of my childhood days outside the corridors of Blk 406. I also recalled Papa always brings me swimming at Clementi swimming pool. Papa actually tried to teach me how to swim, with my legs splashing all over the place, I wouldn’t say it is very much a success. Then I have those photos of the younger Yai (granpa) carrying me in his arms. Him and nenek showered me with much love and toys and loads of cash (tats during my school days). I think being a very young kid I was NEVER running out of cash. Bringing $50 at primary school level for some could be rare. But for me its a monthly affair, because Yai’s pay day usually means I’m richer. I never save the $$$ anyway, I’ll spend and spend. And I’ll get more everytime. And pls ok, that’s NOT why I love him. I love them ALL because they gave me unconditional love. 

Growing even older at Bukit Batok blk 248. I did have some girl friends but I’d prefer the guys because they are, what I called “no-fuss and no-frills”. Simple, just play, have fun, tired already, go home and eat…play some more..hahahha…I remember those guys. Anak cik yassin, cik ahmad tingkat 4, cik rosli, those are the closest. There are more. Mostly boys. each family has at least one girls who are either too old or too young to play with me. And because I’m probably a PUSH-OVER even at such young age, the boys doesn’t really mind having me around. Hari Raya would mean Papa bring us both to Bukit Timah shopping centre to buy clothes..Orchard is a luxury once a while when we follow Cik Norma. Swensens & McDonalds was also a luxury. I remember lots of “my-first”, like first McDonald visit was with Yai at Bukit Batok. Yai bought me a Cheeseburger Happy Meal. I must have been the happiest grand-daughter in Bukit Batok, maybe. I remember looking at his face after leaving the queue with my Happy Meal box. So happy & grateful!!  My first MRT trip from Bukit Batok back then was with Papa. It was a few days after the MRT was in operations. Those are the prominent ones i recalled until today.

My point is,  my life has always been around boys, men who are always there to protect me. Kinda…even now I have close buds who are men *can’t be boys right?*

BUT STRANGELY I CAN’T GET A BOYFRIEND..*ROFL* Really strange. I mean REALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYYY…. I never actually give up and sworn myself to singlehood. I don’t know the meaning of give up in some matters, u see. But I already put the matter to rest coz its not a topic that can be force nor plan. I’m just glad being single also, for many reasons actually. So being on the brighter side of things, I believe it is not yet my time to find “Mr Husband”. So ok lah…I can live with that, FOR NOW.  Just for now ya.

This entry, I talked abt nothing else but men. Father, Brother, Granpa and other men. This is partly to commemorate Fathers Day on 21 June. My mini-bbq just turn into somewhat a big event with abt 60 pax. Hawa said its like my engagement party (amin! amin!) *LOL*

So…

To Papa whose garang-ness (fierce-ness) must have put me under control, and tamed and obedient , else I might just go wild coz I’m not afraid of the rest of them, I get pampered by the rest, even my aunties & uncles. Happy Father’s Day Papa!

To Yai, even though you are my super loveable granpa, you’ve been and always will be like a father to me also. I will never forget each day you fetch me and waited for me - after school, after tuition, after ngaji, send me to religious class. basically everywhere, you are always there for me. Selamat Hari Bapa!

To Abang, father-to-be-in-Nov, need not say much. The fella who finished my milk-bottle filled with Rose Syrup or Milo back then when we were kids. Until today, you have the habit of taking sips from my Nescafe/MILO/COKE, turning off the light when I shower and make me scream like mad woman….haha..Still, I’m sure you will be a good, responsible and loving father to your kid coz of your patience in dealing with issues. Insya Allah. Amin.

To my late Atuk, I can only gift a gift of Al-Fatehah, may your soul rest among those who are dear to HIM. Amin. Insya Allah.

Happy Fathers Day to All the Fathers out there…my uncles wherever you are, the fathers of my closest friends. And all the fathers in the world. I wish you all a Happy Fathers Day!

Time to go home! Preparation for BBQ starts yesterday. *ROFL*

 

Burn-out

I had a ball of a time since last week. So many birthdays, so many gatherings, so busy with things that I lost track of my schedule and my days are all in a mess. I’ve been driving all over Singapore to do this and that. I can’t recall when was the last time I was this exhausted that I totally collapse and slept at 8.30pm yesterday. But then I had to get up at 10, thanks to the commotion outside. That’s when I had trouble falling back into my sleep. I was still trying very hard at sleeping close to 2am. I had no idea when I eventually slept but was up again at 5…slept again at 6..and up again at 8….I guess such things is making my battered body even more tired.

I was on many half days coz of Pak Lang’s birthday, then preparation for raya..then there’s Farah’s birthday, Rachel’s birthday, Cookie making….etc.etc….driving all over…then I listen to this song….by Alicia Keys..called Falling. We had a good laugh over that.

We tend to relate songs to ourself very much…at least I do. And so here it comes on the radio….first line was …”I KEEP ON FALLINGG……”. I was like “eh my song lah?” they wonder why…So I told them of my tendency to always fall down. Very unstable or dunno if its a curse or something. But Alicia Key’s song is sooooooooooo my song…

BUt have to improvised lah….only the first line is for me….I keep on fallinnggg…DOWN!!! hahahha

During the buka puasa, everyone was like into this Horror Movie Wujud 2. Everyone was in front of the TV except me. But towards the end I joined it. SCarry shit! Those ppl must be nuts to be sitting so close to the hantu. Gile or what! They actually summoned those things just so they can get a glimpse of what we call ‘hantu’. And they sit within this protective shield that was set up by this bomoh they brought it. I tell u, one of them was so freaked out he step out of the barrier. Aribadichi!!! Kena possessed liaw! Bad Idea….the rest fainted. But basically, they shouldn’t mess around with the other side of the ‘unknown world’. Location was all in Singapore. THAT FACT already scared the shit out of me…SINGAPORE dey….that’s means its close enough. Let alone to dare myself to sit in some invisible circle and wait for ghost to appear…Kinda remind me of movie Spiderwicks Chronicles..that mushroom protective thingy. Similar…..

But my family was saying, its fasting month, all kena locked up and all. Ya that I know lah..but if i had visuals in my head. That already very scary and will keep me awake at night just imagining that every white cloths hanging is not exactly white cloths. That’s how penakut I can be.

The weekend was so jammed back..much fun though ..but thing is I’m tired, super exhausted beyond words. I dunno how long can tahan..but still must endure….penat giler………..

my back is hurting…a back rub would probably do much good. But ain’t happening anytime soon….sianzzz…..

 

Happy Birthday to Pak Lang

On 18th September, he celebrates his 30th *don’t mind I mentioned the numbers* You don’t broadcast, I will help to broadcast…..still young at heart, right? *wink wink*

I’ll leave the montage-ing to Jude I only do single photo hahahha…

Many happy returns of the day on your BIG day my dear old friend. May all the happiness you wish for is showered upon you by Almighty Allah. May HE blessed you with good health and much wealth for the days to come. Insya Allah.

Semoga panjang umur dan sentiasa gembira bersama keluarga dan mereka yang tersayang.

Thanks to the other F’s, that’s Jude and Elf who celebrated at airport and made the bday surprise a surprise. Very challenging thing but we pull through….not ez to plan bday bash for celebrity ok..hahahha….*ROFL*

 

15 years later….

Today is not abt counting the days in Ramadhan. Came in after the hectic traffic congestion, wet weather, a traffic accident near Jurong East IMM which involve death of a rider coz I saw that blue tent and a wrecked motor-bike.  I was alerted to drive even more carefully. Thankfully I wasn’t at all sleepy. Reach office at 9ish and my team member and lead are not around. So here I am almost 11 and I very much did only 1 task which is urgent. If it wasn’t, it probably would still be in my inbox by now.

I started uploading my road trip photos on the Facebook and then paused at the above photo. *ya ya very sentimental* To many, its just 2 person with their cars, no big deal, u might say that. I beg to differ. Before we even knew it, our friendship have reach a mark of 15 years. Who would have thought nor imagine that one fine day, we both would have been successful in our life with a job we can depend on, can afford a car, and drive all the way to Malacca….I don’t remember I imagine doing all this while we sit at the tip of the Guilin rocks….did u Pak Lang? I don’t think so. Coz back then I was more afraid of slipping down and falling off the cliff. *LOL*

It all started one January morning in 1993 somewhere in the quiet corner of our secondary school day 1 near within Bukit Timah where the old Dunearn used to be, and I still love that old site. That, I believe is our first encounter. I still recalled my school uniform. I was looking all nerdy with my really unfashionable hair, big specs, below knee-length skirt and an oversize shirt, I think. Why I can explain such details, coz Pak Lang is nice enough to have shared that photo with me. It was our class photo. Pak Lang back then was so skinny and tall, and u can imagine how skinny tall guy looks in Sec 1 shorts….super short shorts….*yes, please imagine, I’m not abt to put up pictures* hahaha….But it somehow created somewhat an impression to my dear friend *only recently got to know*, which is more important lah. But I guess friendship is not based upon much physical attraction, eventually we somehow “clique” along the way….and still do *syukur alhamdullilah* Just so everyone know, we were once counsellors concerning matters-of-the-heart. Not those school prefect kinda counsellors but more of, ‘Heart-Broken club counsellors’. We were not experts but I guess we just provided a listening ears and shoulders to cry on, to those friends who needed it, then. They are all married now except us counsellors. Get my point now!!! My advice, if you are a counsellor now – QUIT IMMEDIATELY!!!! ahhahahaaa….

If I say that 15 years of friendship is not challenged by its ups and downs, that’s a lie. We had our fair share of tears and unhappiness and everything sad, merajuks and pujuks…unanswered phone calls…etc…etc. But we had a balance share of happiness, cheers and joys and laughters. Loads of it that I’m so afraid of losing it. Infact, its hard to put into words or even if I ever write a book, it probably wouldn’t be the same as going through those 15 years of friendship from day one to present days. How we changed so much but yet some things in us are still who we are on the first day we met. I am glad to have him around.  He’s turning 30 soon, doesn’t at all look like he is nor behave like one *that’s a compliment btw* So if I’d known him for 15 years, that’s makes it half of his lifetime…ain’t that a whole lot. I’m 28, he’d known me like more than half my life.

Actually, we did somehow lost touch at one point in time when I went to poly but somehow we met again, and we just picked-up where we left off. Before we knew it, from a party of 2….there is now four. We are now, F-Four. Depending on the scenario, we could be Fantastic-4, Fabulous-4, Fat-4, Funny-4, Freaky-4….and the list goes on and on….The other two are Jude and Alfonso.

Jude may know me just 11 years, but I guess she can tell me things, that I haven’t even bring up yet. I guess I spent my daylight with her everyday except weekends. That’s why she can read me. My mood, expressions, gestures can tell her if i’m down or up or anything. But one thing she can’t tell until this very day is …when …..”I CUCI MATA”…i’m very discreet. You’ll never catch me! After I’m done, she’ll go, “Did you saw that guy?”..I’m like, “Ya, since just now”. And she goes, “what???!!! never share! can’t see u cuci mata leh?” – something like that…

As for Alfonso, he’s the newest of them all in my list of chill out khakis and he’s 1/4 of F4, and I’m getting to know him better each and everyday….Many things we do share, we are both monkeys, and I mean born in the year of monkeys, we are ’80s babies. Our fathers’ name is the exactly the same. So we could pull it off as siblings if we pass the Customs. Like I said, I’m getting to know him better each and everyday….but I know he is somehow related to Pak Lang…though he is younger, I think Pak Lang need to call him Uncle…go figure that out. I’m barely getting it

Ok so back to my topic. Since today’s posting is a dedication of my friendship with Pak Lang as I reminisce about those olden days, I shall leave it as that.

To Pak Lang, many more happy years with you, my dear friend. I love your “Ramadhan-version” though I need a lil bit of getting used to *wink wink* So please downgrade after Ramadhan, as I’m sure F3 prefer the original non-upgraded version and so do I *ROFL*

Love u ..and love u all!!! My wonderful friends wherever you may be…..

To conclude, *sidetrack* I’m proud to say that I didn’t do any work except one only since morning and now is LUNCH TIME. Since its ramadhan, its sleeping time *pardon me pls* But you people have no idea what it feels like when its 2:00pm…I even thought of hiding under the table and sleep. But I need to go check my IU unit first coz I’m getting the season carpark here in my office building…i no need to park there anymore……yippie…!!!

End of post typing at 12:16PM….I did it…..5 and Half hour more to go…..

 

 

Road Trip Malacca

F3 was up to Malacca for the weekend….we drove up with Nissan and Suzuki. That’s us up at the Menara Taming Sari which is similar to Singapore’s TIGER Sky Tower located in Sentosa.

I honestly dunno where to start the story. But one thing for sure is its one trip I had so much fun and really happy. Even as I blog abt it now..i’m still so excited. It wasn’t anything fancy that we did. I got hit on the head *accidently*, coz my dear Pak Lang was too excited looking at the Sambal Crab, we played Taboo….the ladies won, for a change and I’m in the winning team. Tat’s even better ya! Forget Old Maid…I’m now Taboo Queen. Then I became part-time ‘Makcik jual petai’ at Pasar Besar Melaka. Too bad no photo, its with Ayu for now Wait till I get it, I’ll be delighted to share. Abt the driving, it was fun fun fun. I’m not so sure if we get caught at any speed trap. Going to malacca, I was way off the speed limit, on the way back, Alf had to do a ‘Tokyo Drift-style’ while we patiently waiting for him at the road shoulder. So much for a newbie ah…not bad at all Alf….u did great! Everyone was proud of you. Loads of pictures but that can wait….

Especially for Pak Lang, thanks for taking good care of me along the way, allll the way….. *hugs hugs* Ensuring that I’m well-fed all the time…Yum! Yum!….I can still taste the sambal chicken at the first makan stop…my God…delicious lah….

Before I forgot, to all my Muslim friends and whoever reading this blog, I wish you Happy Ramadhan.

Need to do more good in this holy month…and I have a lil prayer to say now…..*closing my eyes*…*pray pray pray*….ok…amin!

Some more road trip please

 

Was at the big junction near SG EXPO when i realized my car was finally at its 5000 after 2mths+, so I grab the HTC in haste to capture the image before I speed off.

Just got back from Raffles Hospital. Visited my colleague, Cheryl, who just gave birth to a healthy baby girl. On the way, I get to drive my boss’s Nissan Latio. I tot she was kidding but nooooooooo…i really get to drive her Latio Hatchback. Pak Lang’s Latio is Sedan, which I haven’t got my hands on yet. So many car to drive..so little time wakakkakaka….On the way back, I tot she wanna drive, but again she offered, i accepted with open arms..hahah….when else can you drive bosses car right? SO why not give her a little bit of trust..so I can do it more often next time

So I’m back in office, work piling but I don’t really gives a shit..I’ll clear them slowly, I’m more nervous and excited abt my road trip to Malacca. I just wanna have a good fun despite the slight aching everywhere coz the ‘RED FLAG’ is flying high at da’ moment. 

The priority now is to ensure I’m at the CCK void deck at 5.30am…now if you ask me, THAT IS A CHALLENGE   It would mean I must be up at 4.30am, already shower, already breakfast, and ready to go. But being nervous and all, I’m sure I can make it *insya Allah* I’m not sure if I can even go to bed tonight with the “excitement and fireworks” in my tummy. Its making me wanna shit all the time….gosh…

I had better get back to werk before work starts to get back to me ahahaha….does tat makes any sense at all….???? watever lah…..

 

 

Cheques + KK

My 2 cheques BOUNCED! First time ever….for a lame reason…I put it as dated 290780. 80 means 1980…what was I thinking….

BTW, Kota Kinabalu was a place I would love to return to. Anuar Zain’s concert was splendidly marvellous….really…those who missed it…too bad! Maybe next time ya….

Fret now as I’ll be that kind soul who MIGHT share the photos….stick around…