Long Nosed Proboscis

It has been 3 months since I returned home and being away from yours truly proved to be very tough. Everywhere I go, everything I do and every picture I see reminds me of him. The countdown to his arrival just makes me feel as though time is stalling in front of my eyes.

While I was walking in the main street of Kuching, there were so many things that I saw, which I really can't wait to share with him. One particular picture caught my eye, I immediately know that this will definitely bring hilarious laughter to us. The picture is of a Long Nosed Proboscis monkey is something that only we can laugh at, little secrets that we will not hold against each other and something that we will not be ashamed to be associated with.

Yesterday while he was cooking his lunch, I decided to send the picture to him, I told him that I had finally found the long lost uncle of his and he should quickly make a trip to visit. When he saw the picture, we both spontaneously burst into laughter, we were laughing so much that it brought tears to my eyes, and till both our stomachs start to ache.

Yes, look at the picture, honestly the nose reminded me so much of hubby's nose, not literally, but of course it is nice to make fun of each other every once in a while.

Inta ayuni right? *wink* *wink*

Happy 13th Birthday

Today, my little angel turns 13. We decided to do something different, because it is kind of sad when the restaurant I choose is not to everybody's liking.

She has a choice of going to singapore or Kuching. She decided for Kuching. Wise choice. She wanted to do a lot of things while in Kuching, ofcourse that will not be possible, but it is her day so I will try to fulfill whatever is reachable.

My little angel is 13, she's grown to be a real princess, she's pretty, smart, witty and a real sweetheart and all that I could ask for. Today and many more days ahead, my princess will learn to walk tall into the real world.

My Prayers that the Almighty keep her safe, healthy and refined always. I will forever hold her close and guide her through as long as she needs me.

Nasi Goreng

For so many days I have been very involved in the praying ceremony, yesterday was the third and last day which I failed to attend as I was not feeling too well. The previous night my little angel had left my bed in the middle of the night claiming that I was frightening her with my dreams. Actually, I was so damn tired and yes for two nights I have had some unrest sleeping moment.

So this Sunday, I extended my sleeping moment though initially I had planned to go and do my hair treatment. When I finally woke up I was so hungry, still half asleep I went to the kitchen, opened the fridge and yeah there was a bowl of remaining cooked rice. I just want to eat, so the fastest will be to fry the rice.

For anyone who wanted a quick fix for the empty stomach, and of course discovering that you have remaining overnight rice, let me share my simple yummy fried rice recipe.

Ingredients

Cooked rice
French beans (chopped into small pieces)
1 tomato (cut into small pieces)
2 eggs (fried and cut into small pieces)
Some anchovies, garlic, onion and small green chilies (pounded together)
Some vegetable oil

Method

Heat frying pan on medium fire, add the vegetable oil, once hot fry the eggs and set aside. Fry the pounded ingredients in the remaining oil till fragrant, add a bit of salt, fry for 3 minutes. Add the chopped French beans and rice, let them fry for 5 – 6 minutes. Finally, add the cut tomato, eggs, and fry for another 5 minutes before serving. Yummy!!!!

May You Rest in Peace

There were two missed calls on my mobile at the wee hours of dawn; I have the habit of switching my phone to silent mode when I am sleeping. The number could only mean bad news; I have no choice but to call back as soon as I saw the missed calls.

True to my expectation, abang had gone into a worse condition, it just happened that I do not have the car today, so I decided that I will go later once the kids are back for school. However, there was this feeling of unrest which is telling me to do something immediately, so I decided to take the taxi to the hospital.

I went to see you as soon as I arrived but the curtains to your room were drawn, I could see doctors and nurses legs from below the curtain, they must still be busy working on you. I left and joined the rest in the waiting area, not forgetting to recite the `Yasin’ while waiting.

Not long after, we were informed that your room has been vacated of most of the furniture to make way for the family members to be with you in your last minutes of living. We all hanged on to each other as we prayed for your peaceful passage to the after world. The moment was surreal, no word can describe it at all.

Alhamdulillah, you went not too long afterwards with all the people who cared for you around you.

Letting go is one of the most powerful expressions of faith that we can offer to you, when your death came without anticipation. Into the Almighty’s hand you go abang.

Saying good-bye will always be painful. Please rest in peace abang.

Al-Fatiha.

You are on My Shitlist

To use the word hate is a very strong word, but disliking you is super easy and be known that you are on my shitlist. I detest your actions as well as all the things you do superficially.

When you read this, do a check list and helloooooooooooo………………. Wake up already:

1. You introduced things that were just used for 2 days as though you are the founder of the product.

2. The car that you drive around does not belong to you but, oh well, go brag, who will figure right?

3. When you talk you make sure that it is loud enough, so that others will be attracted to you (little did you know that they were thinking you got to be crazy)

4. You drag your stupid maid along and acted that you are the boss of the arena

5. Your lying is so absurd that one word, people will know you are at it again

6. You think you are super smart; you have the need to make up names for all your family and friends.

7. Your constant humming of all sort of music, only you know, and was an irritation to the World

8. Your ladder climbing of career were all through your superficial psychics
.
9. You always have a say at the end of everyone else’s sentences

10. You are Mr. Scrooge, yet when it comes to showing off, you will splash and make sure everyone knows about it.

11. You think your cell phone ring tone is soooooooo funny and oh ya…….

12. You also have the habit of talking so loudly on your cell phone, it is so irritating. Get it in your thick skull that the cell phone has two particular purposes, one for game and two to allow communication. Shouting your plans into your cell phone is pure idiocy ok. Do you even think that any one is interested in your conversation?

I detest you!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dermabrasion and Farting

My body is finally taking its toll; I feel sick, tired, and so much in need of sleep. All the running around is telling me that I am no longer at that young age I once was. The skin on my face really is in need of urgent attention, I am starting to have eye bags which I completely distaste, and my shoulder is beginning to have the same familiar pain again.

Life to me is to be taken one day at a time, so as much as I want to plan addressing the problems besetting me now, I have to be realistic as I will only be available for myself, when I am done with everything else.

In between all the things that I was involved in, last Friday I went to see my Dermatologist. After some consultation she told me that I need to slow down and that I will need to come in for a treatment to my facial skin. I agreed, all I wanted is to be pampered in a quite and peaceful environment, so that I can just go into dreamland while being pampered.

At 1630 hours today amid the sudden downpour I was standing in my Dermatologist clinic, and can’t wait to get started. Honestly, all I can remember is the lady putting my hair in a scarf and into dreamland I went. By the way, the whole day I have been having a bloated stomach, and I can only imagine how much of my farting the poor lady has to endure while working on my face (smile).

I actually had the Dermabrasion procedure done today, whereby the top layer of my facial skin is "refinish" through a method of controlled surgical scraping. The treatments will soften the surface of my skin as well as the bags under my eyes.

Of course, this is only the first of a whole package procedure. In between dermabrasion and farting was a super happy me!!!!!.

Yasin Fadhilat

It has been 13 days until today you are lying in the sick bed, first 4 days you were sick but still aware of your surroundings. Then you suddenly went into coma and were in that situation for 5 days, and now for 4 days you are still heavily sedated.

My journey to the hospital has been continuous, besides helping to clean you, shave you, and talk to you, like the rest of the visitors I can only keep praying for you.

Yesterday, we held a Yasin Fadhilat for you at the Taman Tun Dr Ismail Mosque before the Friday prayers. On the same evening when we went to visit you, you were still sedated, but you started to show tantrum which was worrisome.

By midnight last night I was again informed that another Yasin will be conducted for you today after the maghrib prayers. The moment of the Yasin and prayers were surreal to me. I realized that no matter who you are, what you are and how noble you think you are, nothing can help you except the one and only Almighty.

Be well abang, we will keep the prayers going.

Loy Krathong

In between my busy schedule of daily ferrying extended family members to the hospital, doing voluntary work, attending a meeting and a bit of socializing, I was invited to witness the preparation of the Lotus flowers for the coming Loy Krathong festival.

This is the first time that I had witnessed such intricacy of lotus petals being put together, and the dedication of the people doing so. They are a happy bunch spending at least 12 hours a day for this work.

They told me myth has it that one of the Thai Kings, Phra Ruang’s royal concubines designed this lotus shaped krathong in which food, money, clothes etc were put inside, and they will then let them float down the river. This is because the people who were living down the river were poor and welcomed such gesture. When the king died his concubine continued doing this festival, thus his followers till today.

However, according to some writings as far back as 1863, the original festival was adapted by Buddhists in Thailand as a ceremony to honor the original Buddha, Siddhartha Guatama.

The act of floating away the candle raft is symbolic of letting go all grudges, anger and defilements, so that one can start life afresh on a better footing. Some people even cut their fingernails and hair to put on the lotus flower as a symbol of letting go of their bad luck. Many Thai believe that floating a Krathong will create good luck.

Whatever Loy Krathong means, I accept that it was for good things. Lotus flowers are being sold at various prices, and the money collected will go to donation. I bought one of the Lotus flowers in the name of my son, hoping that good things will come his way. InsyaAllah.

My very first date with Loy Krathong.

Datukship or is it Datukshit?

It was announced and published recently in a leading local newspaper that Shahrukh Khan will be conferred the Datukship. For real?

Isn’t Datukship supposedly only be given to those who had served the country good as well as making the country proud. So who really is Shah Ruk Khan to this country?

Guess it is not enough that the world is making the title a laughing matter, we always have to go further to confirm our idiocy, Every other day when I meet someone by social encounter or dinner or meeting, at least two out of ten name cards will bear the Datukship title.

Honestly, the title has no strength at all and deserves no respect. 90 percent of these titles were either bought, reciprocated favors or just apple polishing. Do you wonder why people like the lecturers/teachers, nurses, pilots and those who dedicated their careers to serving the nations, people and country were never considered for the conferment?

Is it really Datukship or Datikshit, you wonder?

Inviting Disaster

This is a picture perfect of some kids so engrossed in an animated Disney movie, only that they were not watching the movies in the comfort of home. This picture was taken late one evening in a shopping mall.

I could only think that their parents must be super idiots who are inviting disaster, or simply oblivious to the constant reports of children being abducted in shopping malls. The parents must be busy gossiping, shopping or just walking around. The kids will be told to stay until the parents are ready for them.

What the parents failed to remember was that once kids become so engrossed, they will just hold the hands of anyone who will pick them, not noticing that the hands may not be that of their parents, and what next?

Please parents I call upon you just be vigilant of the surroundings whenever you decide to leave your kids unattended before it is too late.

He Went Into Coma

Monday I was told that you had been taken ill and had been warded through trauma, only limited visitors were allowed into the ward because it is the cardiac unit. I was kept informed of your conditions on a daily basis; apparently the diagnosis was not good.

On Thursday, I was told that you wanted to be showered, so I had offered to do it together with your sister. When I came to her house she was looking very distressed and just needed a shoulder to cry on. We went to the hospital and I could not believe that it was you on the hospital bed. It breaks my heart.

After talking to you for a bit, we decided to proceed with taking you for the much needed shower. I went to the nursing counter to request for a trolley because you could not walk. Regretfully, the nurse told us that you are not to be moved because of your critical situation, and you could only probably be taken to the shower on Saturday. Meanwhile, we decided to sponge you together instead, I also shaved you, so that you will not look so sick.

We talked, we joked, we laughed and at the end you kept asking for forgiveness. You know we forgive you for whatever. We made sure that you even eat some of the horrible hospital food; it was painful to see you trying so hard to swallow the food. You then requested for a piece of sandwich which I had refused, mainly because you are on a very strict diet. I know you understood.

When the time comes for us to leave, you kept on saying `I love you Sis’.

Very early Friday morning I received a call that you had gone into a coma, I was shocked and sad, very sad indeed. I came to the hospital in the evening, you were in the ICU. At first I was telling everyone not to cry especially when they are in your room. However, when I saw you, held your hand and said the `kalimah’ into your ears, I could not hold back my tears. Between the `kalimah’ was my teary voice. I kiss you and left, it was too much for me.

God loves you Abang and only He knows what is in store for us. Meanwhile, my trip to the hospital to see your progress is a continuous journey.

Economic Meltdown

Walking around in one of the shopping malls last Sunday with the hope of finding the normal bazaar there, but due to Eid it was closed for the week. Since we were already there we decided to just walk around, and I discovered this very funny shop, where you can find things that you never thought would have any value of sales. Could this be a result of the current Economic meltdown?

Please be Strong

I was lazily getting ready to go gallivanting with a girlfriend when the phone rang. It was my good friend, my social support and someone that I cared for. The conversation was normal salutations till she burst into tears.

There goes my plan for gallivanting. I decided to be with the person that I cared for, which is more important than anything else this morning. Since I did not have the car today I quickly called for a taxi, and within minutes I was hugging her.

She looked so helpless, tired and stressed. To lift the load off her shoulder I started joking with her, teasing her and only talking about subjects that were very close to her heart. But it did not take her long to pour out her heart and for the tears to start flowing again. It breaks my heart to see this bubbly and strong woman, in a weakened situation where most doors were closed against her.

I accompanied her to run all the chores that she needed help with, which really is not much. When she was calmer, and her mood more jovial, I invited her for lunch. She told me that for many months she had wanted to eat one local sweet called `Lompat Tikam’. She knows exactly which restaurant to head for, true to what she said the `Lompat Tikam’ was fantastic. We just ate and ate and ate, till her eyes started to be droopy from being too tired and bloated. I told her to go home and take a nap, it was nearly 1700 hours already and raining.

You know I will be here for you always, just don’t cry anymore. God keep you strong. InsyaAllah.

Maid Entrepreneur

This is a picture of maids making extra dough on the street of Orchard during their off day. It was amazing to see how they were doing manicure and pedicure with just a bowl of water. In their hurry to make a dollar more to their monthly earning, they were willing to forego the risk of being infected by diseases.

I can’t help but asked them, how much do they charge for the service, the answer was 10 Dollars. What is more mind boggling is that this is Orchard Road in Singapore, and for the authorities to close their eyes on such peddling is unbelievable.

Please Ditch Me!!!!!

The phone rang today and it was an unfamiliar number, on normal circumstances I will just ignore it, but somehow being the month of Eid, I decided to answer the call. I could not make out the friendly voice instantly and when told of the name I had stupidly mistaken it with another friend from my Cancer group.

Anyways, I was totally stunned by the surprised call, for a split second I wanted to just close the line and be nasty but I was glad I did not. This was the lady who bluntly ditched me two years ago, this is the lady who had opened her very intimate secret to me, this is the lady who had confessed of her ill behavior, this is the lady that I had accompanied to pawn her gold in bad times, this is the lady that I had stood by her when no one else cared, and when she decided to closed her door against me I had accepted it without any remorse.

She was chatting away as though nothing took place for the past two years, I reciprocated in the same friendly manner but very cautious of my information. It is again the Almighty testing me if I could forget the past and move on, Alhamdulillah I succeeded the test.

It is strange how so many times people chose to be nasty towards me forgetting all the good times shared, how many times people chose to back stabbed me forgetting that I was always the one protecting them from sharp daggers, how many times people chose to bad mouth me when I was the one to protect them from such behavior. Life struggle and challenges had given me the strength to go on no matter what, to forgive though I will not forget, and to go on giving even if I received nothing.

So listen here you, if you choose to ditch me, please make it a forever thing ok. It is really no big loss on my part.

On the Street We Celebrate

I have now accepted that most norms of the Eid celebration that were practiced by the family were merely cultural and had nothing to do with religious requirements. For almost six years I have slowly but surely welcomed the light of Eid el Fitr with the basics of simplicity.

The meals that were served on the table will be enough for everyone, the sweets and biscuits will only be what we want to consume and nothing more, the attire worn will be recycled. Alhamdulillah, the kids accepted these changes without much fuss.

This year we decided to celebrate Eid outside our nest, it was something that everyone wanted to do. The experience was wonderful and we would not mind repeating it again. However, while walking in the city we cannot help but observed how simple Eid was celebrated for the maids working away from home.

I can’t help but realized how blessed we are. Alhamdulillah

Ice Cream Roti

This is another of the street food that I miss so much. It is simply ice cream with bread, and as a child I used to get them from the ice cream peddlers, who come round to the house on a three wheel bicycle or motor bike. However, like many businesses that diminished with modern times, the bread ice cream is among them.

Whenever I am on Orchard Road, the bread ice cream is a must. However, being very conscious of my sugar intake now, instead of having one for myself, I will share it.

At the price of 1 dollar, it is worth every lick. Trust me!!!!

The Original Nasi Lemak

This is what I discovered on the second day of Eid in my country of birth, the original Nasi Lemak. The Nasi Lemak with no frill consists of the normal coconut rice, sambal, fried anchovies, a piece of omelet and one small fried fish. It was aromatically and nicely wrapped in banana leave only, no paper wrapper at all.

I am sure going back for more quality street food there

Enough

It is so sad when you are being treated worse than a dog, shouted at as though you are the maid and nothing you do can be right. I stopped asking where I have gone wrong. Because I know I am not perfect, and I can only do the best in what I have put myself into.

For nearly the whole month of Ramadhan I have desire for a certain specialty, however, when I requested for it, it is as though I am a bagger pining for a bag of sympathy to be given what I wanted, reasons being I am too demanding. So be it!

This kind of scenario had taken place much too often, and after yesterday I finally decided to put a full stop to such treatment. No, I will not ask anymore and I pray to God Almighty that I will not be too weak to be dependent on anyone at all but Him.

I had a big fall in my wet kitchen last night while contemplating my life, and cooking fried Maggie noodles to fill my empty stomach. It was such a fall that I could feel my head vibrating, my right shoulder was so painful, not to mention my back bone too, so much so that brushing my teeth this morning was such a chores.

After the fall I can’t help but remember an old tale, which says that if you desire something and you did not get it, mishap is bound to come your way, so it did come my way. Alhamdulillah.

Dirty Public Toilet

The year is 2008, the place is Center Point, and the sad sad scenario is the dirty unkempt public toilet located just opposite a restaurant. The sitting capacity of this restaurant will at time overflow to the public area, which is very close to the sad dirty toilet.

Hemmm……… I am still trying to understand.

Three Sleeping Beauties

Three sleeping beauties, one very comfortable lounge and a wondering mom; as we start our journey on the last day of Ramadhan for a much awaited time together.