Welcome Ramadhan and Happy Fasting to All Muslims around the world

Hi. I'm back! Yeah..its been a long ...long...long vacation from me from writing my blog , and i think i need some place to express myself after 3 months of avoiding from writing anything..I have a lot to write, and a lot more to come-i promise you..3 months and it feels like a year of journey..Hmmm...to refresh back my mind i owe you a few episods of 'journey in life' i went through..Trip to UK, Italy, Paris, knowing people around me, my europe baby, aisya walking and running, latest words from Aisya, my bangladesh visitor food experience, tips on how to make aisya stop asking for mummy's milk on daytime and i hope many more to come..

So, today I got an inspiration from a good friend from office..These 2- days of puasa i was sleepy especially during break time, so i went to visit my friend next door. She was asking some questions to her room mate sitting opposite her regarding reciting the Al-Quran. I was facinated to hear that she was competing with her husband who to finish the Al-Quran during Ramadhan..She bought a small al-quran which included the Malay translation..The tafsir was small and cute and easy to fit inside her bag. More over the translation was simple and easy to understand..She bought in Popular and deep inside my heart I was so happy to know this and it inspires me to buy one myslf and maybe I can compete with myself in finishing the whole Al-Quran for this Ramadhan..Insyaallah..
Love You Allah..
.And to my friend, Semoga dirimu diberkati dan dicucuri rahmat sepanjang bulan Ramadhan ini, terima kasih kawan.

1, 2, 3 STEPS

Aisya' s happy steps are coming....more and more steps are coming...

Happy 1st Birthday Wan Aisya Sofia

19 March 2010, the meeting with my Director was extended after 5pm and I kept on watching my watch looking at the time..I had an important meeting with my hubby this evening. The watch was a bit rusty and had a few diomands missing, maybe I should send it to be fixed. Oh, now I remembered why I didn't fix it the last time, it cost RM70-80 per piece of diamond to be replaced. With 3 diamonds misssing, it cost me RM240 just to fix the diamond without including the service. With RM300 I can buy a new watch..hmmm..

My Director finally finishes her speech and everyone in the meeting went to have their drinks and kueh prepared outside the meeting room. I still remembered the kueh for the meeting, kueh koci. I took one piece of kueh and went staright to my car.. Curious faces were looking at me and a friend ask me why I didn't hang out to have some drinks first before going back home.. I replied back " nak tengok wayang" (I have a movie to watch) and smiled. I totally need some hot drink at the moments but that can wait..The movies gonna start at around 6.00pm and Hubby already called me once.

Yeah...I had a movie to watch that day.. my hubby bought tickets earlier that day. 3D Alice in Wonderland..I kept bugging him to buy the tickets earlier that week..I just don't know why I kept rushing in doing certain things this week..My baby Aisya is due 2 weeks more ..at that time I thought it might be the hormones or my nervouseness  as the date in getting nearer..

I adjusted my car seat to get a comfortable position before driving, ate the kueh koci and started my car. Suddenly I felt as if a gush of water...Did I pee??? Then I suddenly realized that my water had broke, in front of the office and in my car...OMG! I'm going to have a baby today???Slowly, I continued my intention of going staright back home...If I come out from the car I just knew its going to be a chaos in front of the office. I just stick to the plan  -driving back home.

There was no pain at the time so I assumed its going to be just fine, I called my Hubby telling him about my condition and prayed that I'll drive safely back home. But I also ask my Hubby, are we still watching the movie, he replied " Can we discuss it when you arrived at home? " Hmm..Maybe my Aisya just couldn't wait any longer to see the world and maybe she wants to watch movie too..hehe. Throughout the journey I make sure that I didn't move too much to prevent more leaking...I practice my breathing slowly as taught by my hypnobirth doctor to relax myself and thinking about good and happy stuff..I was excited actually for baby Aisya.

As arrived home, my hubby already was in front of the gate. Slowly I walk upstairs and called Hospital Damansara what to do..The nurse was so relaxed and calm asking question which makes me more relax handling this situation. As I was in a stable and good condition and wasn't in any pain, I took my time packing my stuff. Hubby haven't told Ayah and Mak downstairs yet.

TO BE CONTINUED......Part II 

Family Trip to East of Malaysia

I took a few days off from work for our family trip to Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang. This is also Aisya's first time going back to her fathers 'kampong' in Kelantan. My father in law a.k.a Ayah had 3 wedding invitations and all the wedding dates were near to each other (school holiday). We stayed 2 nights at Hotel Azam near the main town area and just a walking distance to Pasar ....

Aisya's first time beca ride


First swimwear and beach experience :)
Pasar..... is a wet and dry market place and a total shopping arcade for people visiting Kelantan. You can buy from all types of  beras, rempah, handmade batik clothes and also tudung. The price is resonable and some items can only be found in Kelantan itself and is quite expensive if sold in Kuala Lumpur or outside of Kelantan. So, you know why it is a must to do some shopping spree there. I bought some tudungs (RM20 each), beras nasi dagang, some rempah and also some baju kelawar as a gift to my family members in Malacca.

Aisya Sofia's Recent Development- Standing at 11 month :)

On 25th February 2011, Aisya has shown her full potential on STANDING...That morning at her grandparents house in TTDI, Aisya was so happy showing her standing attempts to her Tok, Tok Wan, Cik Su (Auntie) and Ayah Chik (uncle).There are times that I purposely put something in front of her to pick up as she stands. These few days she has been showing few attempts of trying to stand but only when she is trying to pick up or carry anything...When I say ANYTHING..I totally mean anything- its either a book, my handbag, the basket full of her toys, the baby picture frame of his dad which she thought was her, just anything which interest her mind and thoughts. To Aisya, the art of standing is just wonderful. It is a great accomplishment for her..each time she stands, there will be an applause..a cheer..smilling faces...To us, it might be not that important as if a wisk of air blowing through the hair, which stops only there..But to Aisya, it's a big strong wind..She knows how important her full strive has an impact to others..OTHERS that loves her..Thats how important it is to her..

                                                  Aisya picking up mummy's handphone
On 25th February 2011, we drove 2 hours back to Malacca that evening to my parents house in Taman Kota Laksamana. As usual, she was so active in the car and slept half the way. Once arrived, she woke up and was happy looking at familiar faces she last seen a few weeks back.. Her Tok Amir, Nenek, Pak Su, Pak Long and Mak Long were all excited to meet her.  We spread a red comforter on the carpet hall and put her in the middle.. She was so happy that she suddenly kept on crawling around and around the comforter. Then, she started to stand up..and the magic began, it was accompanied by clapping hands and cheers from her grandparents, uncles and aunties..She started to get more excited and joined in by clapping her hands too..As a mother, it's a great feeling to see how my tiny 11 month daughter can bring happiness, joy and this warm feeling to our families..

Her first birthday is coming neerer, it will be interesting to see her walking skills then :) ..

Lontong Paling Best di Semabok

Sabtu di Melaka merupakan Sabtu yang paling ditunggu dan sarapan pagi hari ini memang telah dinanti-nanti sejak di KL lagi..Sarapan pagi hari ini ialah Lontong paling sedap di Melaka..Haa...jangan terkejut dengan kenyataan saya ini, tapi kesedapan lontong ini memang tidak dapat disangkalkan. Selain daripada kuahnya yang memang cukup rasa, tambahan telur goreng dan ayam goreng dalam lontong tersebut membuatkan lontong itu lebih enak lagi. Dengan harga RM3.50 (without the ayam), anda akan dapat lontong paling enak dengan harga yang memang berpatutan. Ini bukanlah iklan menjual atau mempromosikan lontong  tersebut tetapi saya sekadar berkongsi pandangan tastebud saya sahaja..Sekali anda rasa memang nak lagi...

Kedai Makan Hajjah Zainap Semabok dibuka dari jam 7 pagi hingga 5 petang. Selain  menjual lontong, terdapat juga roti canai, mee goreng, nasi lemak dan pada waktu tengahari dan bermacam lauk yang dihidangkan, tetapi saya akan datang ke sini untuk sarapan pagi sahaja. Bukannya tak sudi nak merasa makanan lain tetapi memandangkan dah balik kampung, marahlah mak di rumah kalau tak rasa masakannya pulak kan...hehe..Mama dan Abah selalu dating breakfast di sini pagi-pagi kalau saya menelefon dari KL semasa bekerja

Makan lontong semabok memang dah dimasukkan dalam perancangan pagi saya dan hubby kalau balik kampung pada hujung minggu. Disarankan makan di kedai panas-panas baru ada ummmpphh..:) Kalau sekadar bungkus dan makan di rumah, saya rasa mungkin akan turun 35% rasa sedapnya..Abahlah yang mula memperkenalkan saya makan di sini bersama keluarga, sejak itu memang saya tunggu-tunggu untuk makan lagi...Tetapi sejak saya mendirikan rumahtangga dan memperkenalkan dengan suami saya, berjangkit pulak....Tak sah kalau tak singgah makan kalau balik kampung, sekarang adalah kewajipan suami saya untuk mengajak saya makan di sana...

                                                            Makan lontong 2 pinggan ni..

Pagi itu, Hubby saya makan 2 pinggan lontong, saya pula sepinggan sahaja dengan sekeping roti canai. Roti canainya pun boleh tahan juga, lembut rotinya...berbaloi menunggu makan lontong sedap semabok setiap kali ke Melaka..Pada saya the lontong totally make my day..It's a fix stopping point for me definitely..Welcome to Malacca :)

Lunch at Denai Alam Recreational and Riding Club (DARC)

Today, (19 February 2011) was a hot and shiny day..Saturday is one of my favourite days~washing clothes, my 'thinking what to cook day', doing house chores and spending my time with friends, family, dearest hubby and Aisya..  :)

I was preparing the ingredients for my trifel today when my dearest best friend who was suppose to come down called up and wanted to eat Nasi Padang (a few weeks ago I told her about the Nasi Padang I ate with Aisya and hubby in Denai Alam Recreational & Riding Club (DARC)). So, today Nasi Padang it is :) !!

                                                                    Arriving at DARC

DARC is a Horse Riding Club situated near our house in Denai Alam, Shah Alam. On Saturday and Sunday, they serve Nasi Padang buffet and we can pay any amount we want as charity. As we arrive at DARC today, there was a family day under the Progam PDK Petaling (PDK=Pemulihan  Dalam Komuniti or Community-Based Rehibilitation (BBR), a programme under The Ministry of Wallfare which support the disabled people..So, DARC is doing a good cause for charity.

PDK Petaling Family Day at the club entertained by the DARC band

The ovarall food was considered okey for me, Some of the dishes offered today was masak lemak ayam, fried salty squid, ayam goreng rempah, rendang, mixed fried vege, masak lemak pucuk paku, masak lemak telur a few more dishes which I didn't remeber (coz I didn't took them) and the nasi padang sambal (if you have ate nasi padang before, usually they will serve the green and red sambal). The drinks were orange and sirap. However, if you wish to drink other drinks than the one served, it will be charged separately. We were entertained by the band performing for the PDK group, so it was easy to make sure Aisya finishes her porridge I brought along as she was entertained by the music and crowd.

After making ourself full, we had a walk at the horse stable not far from the restaurant. Aisya took her time observing the horses and we had a great time seeing how they cleaned up the horses and preparing them before being taken out of the stables.Aisya had a soft spot for "Saleha" which was very tame. It's a great place to go once and awhile and at least we are contributing something to the community.

                                                                     DARC horse stable

                                                Aisya and Kak Yaya getting to know 'Saleha"

                                                               Good Girl, Saleha!!!

                                                        The horse being prepared before training

                                          Such a hot day, Aisya wants to hold the umbrella too...

                                         The horse was sleeping, I tought it was in a coma..hehe

                                         Just being waken up by his trainer..I woke her too..haha

            Having lunch with a good cause, definately will come again ( just 5 mins from our house..:)

MY DAY TRIP TO KLCC AQUARIA KUALA LUMPUR

My darling hubby promised to bring us to Aquaria since last year and he kept his promise. Instead of bringing us last year, he did the right decision by bring us this year as Aisya is now a little older (10 months) and is in the period time of exploring her surroundings. She is now more curious and more aware of new things. In the early morning of 13 February 2011, we woke up early as usual for our prayers. Aisya woke up early too as if sensing she's on to a great outing that day...

Thankfully my dear hubby did his homework before the trip, It opens as 11.00 am and we arrived around 10.50am and there were a few people queuing outside the main entrance. Most of them were tourists and I realize we were the only local people at that time. Within a few minutes more people were arriving and the queue was getting longer and longer..It was Sunday and I was not surprise with the big crowd. A few minutes after 11.00am, the gate opens up and as we enter the main entrance and were greeted by all the staff there. I was surprised with the warm greetings given, the warm hospitality answers my first assumption how KLCC Aquaria got their Best Malaysian Award for Best Indoor Fun 2008 and Best Attraction 2009. The admission fee for Adult was RM35 while for children was RM25. However for Aisya (below 3 years old) was free of charge.

The first fish I saw was the Red-Bellied Piranha swimming in groups and they were bigger that what I expected. Aisya was more excited than I was and I let her lean facing the glass tank. She kept tapping the glass wall hoping to touch the fishes, if only she knew how much the piranha wanted to 'touch' her too.

Opposite the tank was the DNA touch pool with Bamboo Shark, starfish and the Horseshoe Crab. It was breakfast time for the fish and the crabs, so with the clear explanation given by the staff and watching them feed the Bamboo shark was a good start off for us. I took the opportunity touching the Horseshoe Crab and Aisya took her opportunity dipping her feet in the pool with her socks on!! Thankfully I brought extra socks for her and I was relieved it was a 'touch pool' and there were no carnivorous fish interested with her tiny feet (the Bamboo Shark was to small and harmless).

       In front of the Red-Bellied Piranha tank

Aisya taking a close look at the Bamboo Shark

I was surprise to see other animals like Otters and Water Rats there as I thought there were only fishes to see. They were running around their enclosure excitedly and totally got Aisya's attention. As we were heading our way down to the second floor, we were stopped by the guard there and were politely ask to use the lift instead, as he saw us pushing the stroller and it was heavy to bring down using the stairs. Thank you Mr.Guard :) As we reach the bottom floor, we were mesmerized by the giant size tube tank full of fishes. Such a great view to take pictures.

                                         Aisya loves to see the yellow butterflies

                                         The giant size tube tank full of fishes

                                         Aisya says " Hello Mr. Turtle!!"

                                          You look sleepy...

                                         The Fantail Ray swimming above the tunnel

                                          A close ancounter with the shark

The 90m acrylic tunnel was a great way in making the visit much more interesting. There was a huge Blothed Fantail Ray, Giant Groupers, turtles and also sharks greeting us when we went into the tunnel. It was as if we were walking into the deep ocean and the fishes were swimming around us. It was such a great experience for all of us. As we entered the end of the tunnel, we were just in time for the live feeding demonstration at 12 noon at the Aquatheatre. They were 2 in-house divers and as we were celebrating Chinese New Year, one of the divers were dressed as 'Tsai Shen' or known as the 'God of Wealth'. They fed the Blothed Fantail Ray, sharks, turtle and all the other fishes we saw earlier in the tunnel. We were one of the earliest people arriving there and we manage to sit just in front. Everybody was sitting on the floor in front of the Aquatheatre and it made the activity more relaxing. It was the highlight of the day...we also got the opportunity to take pictures with the divers too..

                                                Aisya and Daddy in the tunnel

         Aisya and Daddy having a close look at the Ray and the turtle

       The 'Tsai Shen' diver during the feeding demonstration

       The diver couldn't be seen as he was surounded by the hungry fishes..

     The diver waving good bye to Aisya

The visit to Aquaria was worth it..I'll definitely come again one day when Aisya is a bit older and stayed a little longer.. Thank you hubby for that great trip..

THANK YOU DINO

Dino was not wanted by his first owner, he was given to the pet shop i was working for (1 month part-time job before persuing my master) telling me that they couldn't take care of him as Dino's partner died a few days before..I assumed maybe they recently bought Dino and his mate and didn't know how to take care of guinea pigs. Those round black eyes were peeking at me with fright from the small box he was stuffed in. I knew he went through a terrible experience. I was so excited and agreed to accept him but later that day I was called by my superior with a warning not to accept any pets brought to the shop..I don't mind at all as it was 2-3 days before I was going off...Those memories are still fresh in mind.

Dino has been with me since 2002, all my close friend knew him and he's like part of the family.I got him 1 day after my birthday (1 May 2002), he was the best birthday gift ever.He bit me the first day I got him and that was the last time he bit me too..He was quite big at that time and I estimate he was 1 year old. He doesn't mind me bathing him once a week and giving me that noisy sound if he's to cold..He loves his bath, you just knew it if he purrrs during drying up time..He will give me different looks and sounds if he needs his bath (If I was too busy and forgot to bath him more than a week), when he's hungry, when he's happy (during eating time and if I took him out of his cage) and if he's angry. The best part about Dino is he's a very-very good listener and a good friend during bad and happy times. I love to put him on my lap and just stroke him on the back (he loves that very much), and he'll just stay on my lap and look at me until he falls asleep. The look he give me just shows how much he loves me..I assume all pet owners have this great bond with their pet..and pets just know we love them and they just gives it back to us honestly.

After finishing my MSc I had a new job and was asked to tranfer to Johor.. I was going alone leaving behind my fiancee, best friend and everything in KL and I decided to bring Dino and Omen (Dino's kid, eyes was so red that gave her that  name) along with me.  At that time he was already 6 years with me. I was alone that time and he was always there to hear my everyday story, he'll just gave me that usual understanding look when he is on my lap until either one of us falls asleep.. :)

4 March 2008, Dino passed away.I lost a friend, a great dear friend for 6 years. I knew he was getting old and his body was not as strong as before but he just didn't change...I knew that those black round eyes will look at me straight to my soul telling me its ok and lives just need to go on...He knew it was his time to go and I'll find another shoulder to cry on.Thank you Dino for those great long journey and thank you for being a part of my life.

         

 Dino having a day out at Tasik University Malaya



MASA UNTUK BERKONGSI CERITA

Sudah lama saya teringin menulis dalam blog tetapi masih menunggu masa yang sesuai memandangkan sibuk dengan urusan kerja pada siang hari dan malam pula sibuk dengan urusan di rumah. Memandangkan suami saya telah mula menulis blognya sendiri, saya juga cuba mencuri sedikit masa menulis. Sebelum ini saya gemar mencatat perjalanan saya dalam jurnal semasa bercuti, pengalaman saya semasa mengandung, perkembangan anak saya dan kenangan-kenangan lama bersama orang-orang tersayang. Oleh itu, saya rasa melalui penulisan blog, pengalaman kita dapat dikongsi. Masa bergerak dengan pantas, hari demi hari berlalu dan rentetan-rentetan kehidupan yang kita lalui berlalu tanpa kita sedari. Agak sayang sekiranya ia dibiarkan berlalu tanpa dicatatkan bukan?  Alhamdulillah sekiranya apa yang ditulis memberi manfaat, manakala yang selebihnya anggaplah sekadar berkongsi cerita. Selamat datang saya ucapkan kepada yang sudi berkunjung walaupun seketika.