Happy Birthday Shakiel.

2012 May 20
Shakiel's 8th Birthday
A small gathering at his religious study class.

2011 May 20
Shakiel's 7th Birthday.
A small celebration at his religious study class.

Happy Birthday To Me!

It has been a tradition for me that every year on my birthday I'll take the day off!  I always feel that I do not need to be scrutinized by my supervisors and burden myself with tonnes of work load.  It's my day and I deserve to spend it however I wish!

I have nothing planned for today except relaxing, lazing around the house and watch TV.

When I woke up this morning, I saw birthday cards on the dining table and a gift from Shakiel.  Thank you guys for the cards and gifts. They are so sweet.

So 44 huh? Alhamdulillah, Another year passed and I am grateful to Allah who given me time to serve Him and my lovely family. I pray Allah murahkan rezeki kami dan jauhi kami dari segala kesusahan dan kesakitan. Amin. Insya Allah.

To all well wishes (sms and facebook) I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years (Official Music Video)

I am no Twilight fan be it the series nor the movie. But this song is simply beautiful. I was in bed this morning reading the newspaper when this song played on air .....could not remember which radio station. All of the sudden, I was really feeling the song, closed my eyes and listen to the lyrics, word by word. Tears started rolling down my cheeks, hmmm....I wiped it off soon after the song was over. Perhaps I missed my hubby who has gone fishing this weekend...Come back home safe........



A Thousand Years - Christina Perri

Heart beats fast
Colors and promises
How to be brave
How can I love
when I'm afraid To fall
But watching you stand alone
All of my doubt
Suddenly goes away somehow
One step closer

(Chorus)
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid I have loved you
for a Thousand years
I'll love you for a Thousand more

Time stands still
Beauty I know she is
I will be brave I will not let anything
Take away
standing in front of me
Every breath,
Every hour has come to this
One step closer

(Chorus)
I have died everyday
Waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid I have loved you
for a Thousand years
I'll love you for a Thousand more
And all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought Your heart to me
I have loved you for a Thousand years
I'll love you for a Thousand more

One step closer, One step closer

(Chorus)
I have died everyday waiting for you
Darlin' don't be afraid,
I have loved you for a Thousand years
I'll love you for a Thousand more
all along I believed I would find you
Time has brought Your heart to me I have loved you
for a Thousand years
I'll love you for a Thousand more

Another Achievement by the kids.

30-DEC-2011

The kids brought home 2 bronze medals each from KUMON for their achievement in Maths and English. They done us proud. That night I left the medals and certificates on the dining table for their father since he came home quite late. The next morning I found this.

Thank you ayah.
A good way to end 2011.

Handbags.

Who doesn't love handbags?

I like handbags. Indeed I do. But I am very picky at choosing one. I like my handbag to be able to fill with so many things from keys, mobile phone, wallet, letters, lipstick and sometimes my lap top!

I am not the type of person who likes to change handbags daily to suit her appearance. So that is why I buy one which suits me for all occasion be it work or leisure. My collection are quite limited because I use my bags to the max.!

It is quality that matters to me the most. Must be an original and not a fake or knock-off. Personally, I do not feel confident in myself if I am carrying a knock-off. Please apologized for that statement but that's how I feel. It is not "class" I am looking for but more of personal satisfaction.

Yes, one is willing to spend a huge sum of money for an original designer handbag. An original designer handbag can fetch as high as RM50,000 a piece or may be even more. As for me, I have my limits. Hey, if you have the dough, go for it girl. Why not? The most expensive of the luxury handbags are made by Hermès. Prices start at a staggering RM15,000; handbags are made to order, and the waiting lists are years long. I do not go for excessively expansive handbags. For a RM15,000 I can put a down payment for a house!

I started carrying a handbag when I was in my sophomore year in Uni. Nothing fancy and hell, I could not even remember the brand anymore. Was is Liz Claiborne? I don't know. Back then, what I buy are the type that catches my eye, ya know, like love at first sight. When I started working in PJ and earning my salary, I upgraded my selection to Bonia, Sembonia than Charles Jourdan. Rasanya sekarang ini kalau tak silap CJ dah tak ada. I think they filed for bankruptcy. I like their shoes, though. They are very comfortable to wear. Once, I had 3 pairs which I bought from Starhill.

Anyway coming back to handbags, around this time, I fell in love with Lady Dior when Lady Diana on numerous occasion carry this design. She has various colors and sizes of the same design mostly in leather. But mine is of fabric material and in 1996 it cost me RM1500.

Selalunya i carry this kalau ada dinner party or to a wedding reception. Otherwise, Lady Dior akan terperap dalam closet jugak.
Another precious handbag I still keep is my "hantaran" handbag I received on my wedding in 1998. I have only worn it once and it is kept well in my closet. Maybe someday I can pass it down to my daughter...

Handbags have been one of an important accessories for women. These days we're prepared to spend more on a handbag. I belief it is partially because handbags flashes a unique statement of a woman's status, as well as earning power. Huge designer label like LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy) makes millions of dollars each year from handbag sales alone. It is in your choice of bag that you can make sure you stand out from the crowd.
I have been dying to own an LV for a while and when opportunity came knocking on my door, I rushed down to Starhill and purchased my ever first LV. It was difficult to decide which one to buy and i think the shoulder bag of LV Signature monogram was a good buy. I simply love it. It cost me a hefty RM3K but I'm glad I bought it. The timing was right. Tapi memang I felt guilty once I arrived home. Gheeze, a handbag cost that much? But after a while, bila dah digest the pros and cons...I was okay. Heck man, I have an LV, hehehehe.....This is a start of a beautiful friendship...And she has served me well indeed. Definitely I have my late father to thank who made it a reality.

I remember the day I left work carrying it, a colleague who happened to step into the elevator with me said and asked, " Nice bag. Is that original?" Hmmm,.. it kinda caught me off guard, her question I mean...hmm how should I reply. Then I said, " Well, lets hope it better be...." and I politely smiled. You don't asked someone if you are carrying an original or not. It's an insult. Har Har Har!!!A year later I purchase another LV, a Top Handle also from the Signature monogram. I am most attracted to this design. I guess it really looks very classic and rustic. It cost me RM2600. The number of things I can stuff inside...phew! you name it.

However, the following items once belonged to my late mom. They are so precious. Don't know whether she worn it but by the looks of it, they are still untouched. Probably she never had the opportunity to carry it. I am happy that I've found it when I was organizing her closet during our house shifting several years back.

So far, I have no plans yet to purchase any new bags. I am good with what I have. The temptation is always there but for now I have other priorities. My dream now is to own a Chanel piece. Bila la agaknya dapat satu?

Why I do what I do.

My children are lucky. They have a mother who adores them and have all of their interest planned, so to say. Why is it planned? Well personally I want to develop their skills and expose hidden talents within. Sometimes it may not be within their scope of interest but as a parent, I know what I am doing. Bukan senang nak jadi parent. Bukan setakat beranak and menyusu. How you mold them is who they will become. Insya Allah.

Ini bukan tips untuk menjadi a perfect parent but how I tackle the issue of parenting my way. I am providing them the best of both world so to say, dunia dan akhirat. How I was raised and grew up were 100% totally the opposite.

Here, I am sitting by the pool watching my children and nephews learning to swim. I did not get the opportunity of that luxury. Forking out RM130 for 10 hours of lesson each child (RM260) is reasonable considering there are other places which charged RM180. I assume when I was growing up, this extra curricular activity were not a priority and might have been expensive.

The kids schedule are so packed at times and I find it a problem rescheduling their activities when a sudden disruption.

Both Shakira and Shakiel attends:

1)Mengaji is a must - 4 times a week.
2)KUMON - twice a week. They do Maths and English there. This is to enhance their English and Mathematical skills.

3)Piano – once a week. I want them to be musically incline so they have something they can fall back on, in case they don't do well academically. Learning piano also will help develop individual discipline.
4)Soccer – once a week for Shakiel only. I want him to have fun, mixed among other boys outside of his school boundary and be a better soccer player. Here he can learn some soccer skills. Not expecting him to become the next Christiano Ronaldo, but if it became a reality, it's a bonus. Hahaha dream on. Every Saturday waking him up for soccer practice memang buat I hilang my patience. Torturess adventure, may I add. Menangis tak nak pergi, baju tak selesa la but bila dah abis practice, suka bercerita how he performed.

5)Swimming – To learn the skill of survival, confidence and the best form of physical exercise. Frankly, if setakat swimming under water and floating tu boleh la. So I do not want the kids to become another me, I want the kids to be a good swimmer because you are able to enjoy so many things about the under water world. Swimming pun create self discipline.

Shakira has always been afraid of water and prior to this she would only play at the shallow side of the pool. Now I can see that she has the confidence to go explore beyond 5 feet deep. As a warm up, Faizal, the UITM student instructor would make them swim (soft board under the chest) 20 laps across the pool and yelled, “BEND, OPEN, CLOSE” on and on.

Shakira studied ballet when she was 3 year old but after one and a half years we withdrew her from Federal Academy of Ballet. Firstly, because she would always cry if she doesn't get the instructor's, Ms Tong, attention. And secondly, we were in the midst of shifting to Puchong. It would be a drag to commute every Saturday to Sec. 14, PJ for a 45 minutes ballet lesson. I still keep her ballet slippers as momento,...those tiny feet....hmmm so cute.

I would have continued with her ballet should she were really interested in it but she lost concentration and likes to do things her way in class. So there was no point in continuing.

I am not bullying my children. I always discussed with them if they are interested in such activity. Their opinion counts, too. But final decision rests in the parents, muahahhahhaaa. Semuanya untuk kebaikan bersama.

When I was growing up, I wanted to try so many things. But things were short lived. I lost my mom. My dad was busy with his work. I lived with my grandparents in kampung....so, I wonder what would I have been IF,...my mom were still alive?

Alhamdulillah rezeki sekarang membolehkan I give the ALL extrasss to my children. I hope one day they will understand why I do what I do..............I love you all babies.

Camping anyone?

10 Dec 2011 Al kisah ceritanya....

Mode : Romantic.
Location : Teluk Kemang. Camping Site. In a tent. By the Beach.
View : Surrounded by tall swaying coconut trees. Under the twinkling stars. Lunar eclipse. Camp fire.
Background Music : Waves hitting the beach. Soft wind playing magical tune.

It sounds like a romantic escapade as such we read in a novel.

I confess: I had never gone camping and I don't know whether I am going to enjoy myself. In fact, given the option of camping versus working 365 days a year, I’d happily choose the relative safety of my desk every day.

I was a bit skeptical with the camping trip in Teluk Kemang, Port Dickson. Why? Well, first of all camping never crossed my mind. I don't come from an outdoor adventure seeker family. Is that a crime?

So, I am not an outdoor person. My interpretation of outdoor vacation consist of shopping, shopping and more shopping. Hey, that's outdoor right? It was very difficult for me to accept the idea of a weekend in a tent. It is not my usual kind of a holiday, ya know.

My Bungalow.

Please don't get me wrong. I do like nature. I just like it from a distance. For example, from the inside of an air-conditioned car. Or in small doses, like on a short hike that ends with a hot shower in a proper bathroom.

Several weeks ago the initial campfire trip to Ulu Yam was canceled due to poor response. If the plan would have materialized, we were seriously considering to ship the kids only on the trip! Ha Ha Ha! Me and jungle a NO, NO. First thing that came to my mind was where will I poo poo and pee pee? How am I going to sleep with mosquitoes buzzing in my ears? But later they changed the location to a camping site in Teluk Kemang.

Well, I guess it turn out find. It wasn't that bad. There is always a first time for everything, as the say. So this mini family reunion was organized by my sister-in-laws. Normally once every four years, more or less, they will organized a huge reunion. Their family reunions, it turns out, are a big deal. This time round they rented out a small area of the campground and assembled our own tents. About 30 of us attended a one night tent-based reunion experience.

Setting up our own tents.

Shakira.

When I have nothing to do I felt miserable and how I longed for Internet access. The kids surely had a blast. They were on the beach the whole evening as well as the next morning.

I would like to share my likes and dislikes based on what I experienced recently on my camping trip.

1) Sand - It gets ON everything, and in the tent. After we got home, and anything worn or used while camping that can be washed in the washing machine MUST be washed separately from anything that was NOT used while camping.

2) Public Bath/Toilet - I’d just rather have my own bathroom at the end of the day too.

3)Sound Pollution - Rude campsite neighbors who loudly scrammed their bikes not matter what time of the day.

4)Now sleeping in a tent under the sky and next to the beach is no longer a tale like in romance novel. After effect ouch! Your back will ache the next few days.

LIKES.

1) Cooking was fun. But washing and cleaning up wasn't.

2) The scenery was lovely - the wind, and we saw the moon eclipse that night, light house, sound of the waves next morning when I woke up and I surprised myself by finding our surroundings actually quite lovely.

3) Watching the sunset. You closed your eyes every five minute and you can notice the change. The sun goes down and down and down, and ….gone.

4) The tide rises little by little it gets closer to the edge of our beach front.

5) Cheap entertainment : fun to watch the BBQ session, cards games.

Well, what can I say....when you get older you tend to complain a lot (more like yapping...hehehe). But instead of out bursting it, I rather let my fingers do the work here.

Would I consider doing this again? Lets just say, I will decide when the next time comes....Happy camping, campers!