Biafine ACT

A good friend of mine bought this cream for me to treat my sore skin after radiotheraphy. Here I copy paste some statement made about Biafine ACT and other uses for it. This cream is not sold here though:

“Face Sylvie Tellier, a former Miss France who now runs the Miss France competition, uses Biafine as a face mask. This cream is traditionally used for minor burns and rashes, and every French mother has it in her medicine cabinet. "I love it," she says. "It makes my skin glow and is really hydrating." "I apply Biafine to my daughter's lips when they get extra chapped and it always does the trick. We also keep this in the pantry for the inevitable burns, bumps, and scratches. This cream cleans the surface and moisturizes it, minimizing scars and healing the area miraculously fast.'' -Gwyneth Paltrow, goop.com (***this is a non prescription version of biafine emulsion which is used in radiation therapy)”

Celebrating "Maulidur Rasul"

Celebrating “Maulidur Rasul” at the Indonesian Embassy, it was simple yet meaningful for the Muslim society here, Alhamdulillah. The Ambassador and his wife as usual were most welcoming and humble towards each and every one of us.

Salam Maulidur Rasul

May we benefit from these lectures............. Insya Allah

Well, I Thought I have, So, Therefore..............

 

Since the operation more than 2 months ago, I have been active in my movement. There were times I forgot the pain and the healing that was taking place inside me. I think I did more walking than I was supposed to do during that critical period and now I am paying for that. At the last doctor’s appointment I was prescribed with Voltaren 100mg, and advised to take it easy and heal properly.

Well, I thought I have, so, therefore……………..

It Is That Season Again

Amira, it is that season again.  I saw these birds in the market and the same thing caught my eyes and wishing that you were here with me now.  Ermmmm................. of course I did not get any this time, as I have no one to enjoy this with, and also it was not that good the first time around.

Our Snowman

Last Saturday, we decided to go and build our own snowman.  However, the snow was too fluffy and it was not easy to build the snowman that we have in mind, but a snowman we did built.  It was worth the time, the cold and all the craziness that came with it.  We went home contented and happy.

 

 

We Cool Ok..............

A couple of days ago I experienced a very candid episode, it was said to my face so innocently and in such a way that it was never offensive at all, that I could look back and keep on laughing at the humor of it all.

My cousin whom I have not met for more than four years came for dinner; I was so excited with the visit, as I have always liked her. She is just different and straight forward and no nonsense, yet humorous and funny. There was nothing special on the dining table, just steam chicken rice and cheesecake for dessert. However, it was not the dinner that counts, but her company.

The next day she invited us out for dinner, hubby could not make it, so it was just me, my little angel and her. As usual, over dinner we were talking and laughing from one subject to the other; then we came to the subject about my appearance. She asked me why am I not using makeup any more, and why am I not coloring my hair and leaving what’s left all getting grey. Then, she went ……..”oh, oh, don’t get me wrong you are still looking good, but I always remember you as someone so stylish.”. I found this so funny, and I am still laughing as I am typing this entry. My answer to her was very simple, “but this is what my hubby wants of me, he does not like me with makeup (though that was the me he fell in love with), he does not want me to color my hair (though that was the me he fell in love with).

To me I guess I have reached a new level of surrender and acceptance. I think I am more contented with life, I am not taking things for granted though, but I don’t see the need for me to be dolled up and I personally love the grey in my hair. And honestly, I don’t feel threatened or offended by anyone who would asked me the same question. No big deal really, I am confident in my own skin. He he he……………. Dear cousin if you happen to stumbled on my entry………. Please know……… we cool ok “smile”.

Some people may think that as I am focusing my life to being a fulltime housewife, I am actually neglecting myself. Nahhhhh………… not at all, I could be guilty of neglecting some areas of my health, but I have forgiven myself, and am dealing with the reality of the negligence now.

The past is over; I wish not to go back to that path of my life. Some consequences of the past are unavoidable and I know I can deal with that, but for now I feel peace and yes happy…………. Alhamdulillah.

Fun In The Snow

Just having some fun in the snow

 

Asma Nadia

I was privileged to have the opportunity to meet face to face with famous Indonesian author Asma Nadia. It was humbling to see someone so successful yet so full of characters. She is everything that many successful people are not. Her humor, her advises, her presentation, the way she laughs and personal interaction was simply mesmerizing. I even got a personal invitation from her to visit her in her home country, one day, InsyaAllah.

Sleep Eluded Me Last Night

Sleep eluded me last night. Funny as it may sound; I was nearly fast asleep when suddenly something came to my mind. It was the thought of my histology results and also the question on where on earth is my little angel’s birth certificate.

Hubby laughed at me and told me to clear my mind and go back to sleep, well that did not happen. I was just awake even when the TV timer went off, even when hubby off the reading light, even when he started to snore softly then loudly. Sleep simply eluded me last night.

I have no clue what time I finally fall asleep but I know it was a good sleep nevertheless.

Learning The Meaning Of Patience

Learning the true meaning of patience, this is so calming. I guess now I know no matter how detrimental it could be to me, to say ‘no’ to someone in need, it is still something difficult to do.

 

The Pest Finally Left

The pest finally left. Despite all the mess that he left behind, I am the happiest to see him out of the door. From now on, I will have to be firm in saying ‘no’ to anyone in need for a roof while in this country. Some people are just not worth the helping hands. 

Goodbye, you will never be missed.

I Am Totally Stressed Out!

I am super super stressed. My blood pressure suddenly went sky high; I woke up with so much pain on my right neck down to my right shoulder blade, arm and back. I am panicking, being stress is harmful for me, I really need to relax.

I am feeling out of control and nervous. I just cannot stand the sight of you already, more than a week is too long. When are you getting the hell out of my house? Do you expect us to be spoon feeding you all the time, while you are busy face booking and bearing to the world your life story? Shame on you, despite being told of my situation, you have no clue or show no consideration at all.

I am totally stressed out!

Who Are You?

You don’t walk like a normal person; you stampede loudly all over the house, you have no reservation about the other tenants living on the lower floor.

You cannot eat at the dining table peacefully like most normal people will do. You slurp, you burp, you spill food on the place mat, you talk with your mouth full, you eat so quickly as though you were afraid that the food will be gone if you don’t eat fast enough. You are as greedy as a fat pig.

You don’t on the tap; you nearly want to pull the whole tap head off, so that water can run like a fountain in summer. You left the sink wet with water all over it and walk away from the kitchen. You have no clue that this is not normal, do you?

You buy stuff and keep them in the room, you were so afraid that others will share your food or other essentials, but you are not shy to take advantage of others.

Who are you? You are worse than a moron, honestly, who are you?

Why Oh Why?

I often wonder why are some people who pray five times a day can be the most filthiest and inconsiderate. It is so sad when you do your duty to the Lord but you forgot that with this devotion you cannot afford to ignore the small things in front of you.

How can you run around and be so diligent with your gym attire, or your looks and style of dressing while you are in public eyes, yet you leave your room (well not even yours) as filthy as a pigsty. When you take shower you just leave the shower hose dangling and cannot even put it back in its original position. The shampoo and liquid soap bottles were left uncovered, and traces of toothpaste plastered in the sink. It is super disgusting ok, especially at your age.

You cannot even fold the praying mat and keep it neatly. To me this is a mat that you used to pray to the Lord, yet you don’t mind walking all over the mat while not using it, instead of folding and keeping it away.

Why oh why?

Who Did What, Where, When and Why?

Who did: the inconsiderate people who came to stay in my place

What: they were supposed to come and stay as guest but they thought I am the maid who run a B and B. I cook, clean, do the laundry and also fold their clothes for them.

Where?:  in my house

When: too many times

Why: I think it is because I am human and considerate enough to welcome them in my house, so that they can save money on hotels and food, and so that they can get more fridge magnets and other souvenirs home. Mind you the fridge magnets are not cheap; the cheapest you can get is Euros 3.90 each. They will not get one but a bag full of the magnets. It is weird how they don’t mind paying for the fridge magnets to show off to friends and family, and not pay for anything else.

Who Can I Turn To For Help?

When they told me that I got cancer, I thought it was a nasty joke, but then they explained to me all the evidences from the pathology report and I was convinced. I signed all the papers to have a major operation done as soon as possible. I was feeling a lot of despair while in the hospital, the morning after the operation was a real nightmare to me.

I was discharged after 6 days in the hospital, and my sister came to visit, and for two weeks I put my cancer aside. We had a lot of laughs, joking and talking about good things, we played in the snow, we dance in the rain, we went to the mosque, we mingled with nice people, and I forgot the cancer in me. When the pain came back every now and then, I pushed them aside, I was enjoying my sister, I was enjoying a family member, I was just having a good time. In other words I was trying to put the truth far behind me.

Now sitting here alone, with the gloomy weather outside my windows, and pile of unpaid medical bills in front of me, I can’t help but let the tears flow freely. Cancer is not only bothering my physical being, it is also eating away at financial situation. They said cancer is a bitch, I never believed that, I always thought that cancer is just a disease, and yeah, like many others I never thought that it will come knocking on my own front door.

Each time I got a medical bill, I tried to hide it away, put it down most in my filling tray, with the hope that it will just evaporate and disappear and that I will have nothing to worry about. However, when I remember that the next appointment will be in a weeks’ time, I know I cannot ignore the unpaid medical bills, I have to make payment before I will be allowed to carry on with the next treatment.

But where will I get the money now, who can I turn to for help? Or do I put my treatment on hold until I can pay up all the medical bills? Lord, I hope you are hearing me, I need your help.

Good Guest Bad Guest

Nail clippings left on my couch

It has been a really long time since I posted any new entry; this is because so many things were keeping me busy and occupied. Over the last two months I had experienced incidents, instances, moments, people and many more, more than I had in my whole entire life. I can only thank the Lord for all the experiences and happenings.

For now, I will put down one of the lessons that I learned about having house guests this year. I love having people visiting me and staying with me, as I know the hotels here are super expensive plus they will have to pay for the food too, as well as the transportation cost, so by welcoming them to my house, it will ease the burden of their vacation a little bit at least.

However, I noticed that many guests tend to take the hospitality extended for granted. It is sad when I have to be on my toes always to pick up after them, to clean up after them, etc etc. Many people don’t realize that it is nice to stay FOC for the most three days, and after which they should start offering to share the cost of the groceries at least.

I have certain house rules that my little unit is familiar with but having to remind my guests over and over again that this is the unwritten house rules can be particularly difficult. I don’t like to be rude or to be seen as the bad host, but some guests do drive me nuts. I had planned to type and paste all these house rules in the appropriate places, especially the toilet, but that will make my house look like a hotel.

When someone tell me that they would like to come and stay, I just could not say no, or “Sure, we would love to have you over but we will only be available at this time” rather I would go into their schedule and put mine on hold to be a host to them.

Anyways, please don’t get me wrong I love having guests in my house but some guests are super annoying and yeah, they are never welcome back as my guest.

Oh Lord, now I have another guest in the house, please give me the patience.