HOT DAYANG

Running Man

2012-02-23T18:55:00.000+08:00

Aduhs!! I am so really into Kwang Soo already. Everytime my daughter beckons me to watch this Korean gameshow, that is also so many times that I wished Kwang Soo wins. Sometimes he gets bullied but then it's ok and beside that, he is always so very very funny!!

I cherish the times that I get to watch this gameshow with my two daughters. it is always hilarious and I don't know which is more hilarious, the show or seeing my daughters laughing their heads off.

Kudos to Jae Suk, Ji Hyo, Ha-ha, Sukjin, Gary, the muscle man Jongkook and of course my Kwang Soo, the adorable giraffe!!

A New Year Coming

2011-12-28T12:39:00.000+08:00

In a few days time, it will be a new year. We are going to leave behind 2011. So what actually happened this year? I would say nothing much, day in and day out, always entertaining other peoples' needs. But then I am truly happy and blessed because I can do it, because I am blessed with good health that I am able to do all the things that I did. Some people actually are counting the days in their lives because of an illness. To them, every minute with their loved ones counts. Syukur Alhamdulillah that I am up and about and making my presence counts in other peoples' lives.

Oh yes!! There were several weddings that I have attended. Beautiful couples, smiling and ready to start their lives together. Hopefully, till death do they part. Then there were meeting of old and lost friends. Some I met through FB and some I got to rekindle the past personally. It may sound cheesy but after sooooo many years, memories should just stay in the past!!!

Every year we make resolutions and plans on what to do and what not to do. But then it doesn't always fall through. Anything can go wrong. Some of my plans and ambitions just got busted. I got hurt along the way and tears were shed. Along the way, I also got lots of love and happiness from the people around me especially my family. Love you guys!!

So what will be my resolutions going to be? I'm going to be a better person, better wife, better mum ......blah ..blah...blah....come on people!! I think I will live one day at a time, make full use of the day and of course, I am going to try out every single Laura Vitale's recipes(just maybe those straightforward recipes). I would make myself closer to God, reach out so that my life and the ones around me will always be blessed. I also want to make a difference and touch other peoples' lives through Pelangi HUSM. Lots of plans here and insyaAllah, we will see it through!!

I want to start the year afresh. God willing, 2012 here I come!!!!

A little pick-me-up

2011-12-19T14:37:00.000+08:00

I just love reading Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar's article in the Sunday Star - Women's World, and she is really gooood!!
I totally agree with her. She wrote that as women, we've got a lot in our lives to deal with.Whether at home or at work, we're often the problem-solvers and decision-makers, putting people's concerns ahead of ours.
She listed a few ways to treat ourselves, without costing too much or taking up a lot of our time.

1. Laugh at something funny.
Laughing is the best way to release all the stress that has built up inside us.
The easiest way to get a good laugh is to watch a funny movie, not just smile and chuckle but laugh out loud. As for me, remembering my children's antics when they were young can break me into laughter or maybe a chuckle or two.

2. Have a cuppa.
Take a break with a cup of tea since it is known for its antioxidant properties. (the doctor wrote that at least 4 cups a day)

3. Go dark
Dark chocolate is good for us. This is not a license to eat loads of chocolates everyday. Have only a little piece a day, and truly savour it as it melts in your mouth.

4. Get a massage and manicure
It offers one great benefit - human touch, which has been shown to reduce stress and boost self-confidence. It releases endorphins in the body, which lowers anxiety and increases your immunity.
Alas! I couldn't always find the time for this indulgence.

5. Be intimate
Indulge in physical intimacy with your spouse. (I don't need to elaborate here) Just use your imagination!!

6. Streeeetch
Take your time at it and give every muscle in your body a tweak (watch a cat the next time it stretches)

7.Call a good friend
Nothing beats a good conversation about the things that really matter in life.

8. Get moving.
Do something physical, just 10 minutes will make you feel the difference.

9. Get some zzzz's
A necessity, as it refreshes your mind, helping you to retain information that you have learnt during the day and make memories.

I don't know about you, but as for me, I will try to indulge in one of the above. Maybe I start with the dark chocolate first!!

Hypermarket False Promotion???

2011-05-03T17:59:00.000+08:00

Maybe twice a week. Sometimes thrice in a month. I always buy my groceries from this particular hypermarket in Kota Bharu. I like the space and the ambience. I don't usually go on the weekends because it can get pretty crowded here. If I am able to get there by 9 in the morning, I can take my own sweet time browsing through the aisle and maybe get myself a bargain or two.

Recently, I felt cheated. When I came in, I was in a good mood. I wanted to buy some sticks or bars (whatever it is) of butter and also some vegetables to cook for lunch. The butter is of course for baking my so-called "famous" cupcakes. I was on the go - go fast mode, get in, get the stuff and straight to the cashier's counter. I need to go pick up my daughter from her tuition class after I'm done.

At the dairy aisle, I saw the "buttercup" with the promotion price of RM4.39. I wonder? C'mon, it should be cheaper than that. Never mind...so I took 2 sticks of it. Moving along to the end of the aisle, again there were stacks of "buttercup", this time with a stated promotion price of RM3.99 Eh???? This is good, took another one, calculating in my mind I 've saved RM1.20. Patting myself on the back, I went to the payment counter. By this time, my trolley was already quite a handful to push.

Horrors of all horrors, the cashier punched the price of each "buttercup" at RM4.39. I pointed it out to him and he then called his colleague. I explained the matter and proceeded to show him where. At the same time, a lady was also at the section and she even commented that there were two sets of prices for the same brand of butter. What this worker did next was even more surprising! He took out the paper with the price tag of RM3.99 and crumpled it in his hands. Turning to me, he asked for RM15 from me and said that he will attend to me personally at the payment counter. Gave me back my change and gullible me thought that I was given the cheaper price. Later when I checked the receipt, I was charged the price of the former. He was nowhere to be seen. I was then already angry on the scale of 10!!!

Maybe some people might even said that whatlah this person, grumbling over a few cents!! It is not that. What I am so pissed off about is the way I was misled in the first place. This is what I call misleading the customers. I bet some of us housewives couldn't even be bothered to check the receipt once we have made our payment.

I may not be rich even if I were to have saved RM1.20 from my groceries bill that day but the hypermarket conglomerate is getting richer by the day!!!! I am after all, just a small fish in a large ocean.

Erm! Come to think of it maybe, I should just buy my groceries from the local sundry shop and 'Pasar Siti Khadijah'. I could even get a few ringgits discount if I were to use my charming smile on the 'Abe Ikan' and the 'Makcik Sayur'!!!

It's always about the socks!

2011-04-27T17:06:00.000+08:00

It always gets to me! It gets on my nerves! It makes me want to shout!
Maybe I am not the only one, or should I say the only mother in this world who feels this way! What is it, you may ask? Actually, come to think of it, it is nothing serious or frightening or bad or disgusting.

My lament is this----
It is always about the socks!

I have told them a thousand or maybe a million times already but it has fallen on deaf ears! Them here refers to my two schoolgoing children., my two youngest teenage girls. Every night before they go to bed, I always tell them to get their socks ready for the next day. Some days it is either the black or the white socks, depending on whatever activities they have in school for that particular school day. Mind you, this is almost every night, I don't know why but it has become a regular thing for me to do. A habit, I should say so. Who says a mother's job is easy!!!

The next morning, after getting their breakfast ready and waiting for them at the table, they would always rummage through the laundry basket searching for their SOCKS. This is what makes me tick. This will almost always makes me start my nagging and set the bomb off inside me. It doesn't matter if I have already folded the laundry the day before with all the matching school socks. I always fold each pair into a ball. But no! it always comes to this. They want to find their own matching socks. I just don't understand why they cannot do it the night before!! OMG! Sometimes, I feel like they are doing it on purpose, just so that hoping one day, it will suddenly turn my hair white altogether!

After seeing them off for school, the house is once again quiet. I miss them already and just cannot wait for them to be back home.

It is always about the socks but I know one day, I will miss all this. One by one, my children will be leaving the nest. The house will be quiet. But before that day comes along, I will still be nagging about those school socks. Only in the morning......

Plain Jane

2011-04-24T08:21:00.000+08:00

I would like to share this piece of news in the Star yesterday.

A 24 year old guy, who struck up a long-distance romance with a woman over the telephone, killed himself by throwing himself onto the path of an oncoming train. This was soon after their first date. He started the relationship with this woman after she accidentally called him on his handphone six months ago. So he finally meet her to fix a wedding date.

This is what I read to be so shocking.
However, their first date turned out to be a disaster. He must have been dreaming and thinking so much about this woman. He expected a beautiful woman but then he was disappointed to see that she turned out to be a plain Jane.

In this day and age, looks still counts. Everyday, we are bombarded with products to look good and beautiful. This man must have fallen for the woman for her charms. She must be very fluent in her words so much so that they were communicating for almost half a year. But then it just wasn't enough for the man. He expected the charms to come with beauty. Maybe he was expecting too much. Alas! such a stupid way to end one's life.
Where is that "Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder"?

My Foot Woes

2011-04-13T09:11:00.004+08:00

I've got a real pain in my left foot. My heel hurts when I walk. I used to be a fast walker but now after a few steps, I need to slow down.

Been to the Orthopaedic specialist and was given injection, twice but still the pain recur. So he marched me off to see the physiotherapist. There, I was asked to soak my foot in wax, and even being given ultra sound treatment. So twice every week, I will be there for a date with my physiotherapist. I was also advised to give up my aerobics class and of course now I could see a significant weight gain everytime I look at myself in the mirror, all this because of the foot.

I have also received all sorts of advice from concerned friends and neighbours. Thank you so much. It cannot guarantee an end to my troubles but just maybe, in a few months time, I will be stepping out with a huge smile on my face. To my aerobics instructor, I'll be back!!

We lost a friend today

2011-04-10T15:54:00.000+08:00

Opening my facebook account, I was shocked to know that a friend, Caroline Lily Usang has passed away this morning. Eventhough I never knew her personally, I have been monitoring her updates through other Kolejian friends of hers. She was well-loved by everybody. Friends made an effort to pay her a visit whenever they were in town. Everybody wished her well and prayed for her recovery. But in the end, God love her more. May her soul rest in peace...... She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

To all my friends out there, here is a poem "Now". I've got it from The Star.

If you are ever going to love me
Love me now while I can know
All the sweet and tender feelings
From which the true affection flows

Love me now while I am living
do not wait until I am gone
And then have it chiselled
in marble
Sweet words on ice-cold stone

If you have tender thoughts of me
Why not whisper them to me?
Don't you know it would
make me happy?
And as glad as can be

If you wait until I'm sleeping
Never to waken here again
There will be walls
of earth between us
And I won't hear you then

I won't need your kind words
When the grass grows over my face
I won't crave your love and kisses
In my last low resting place

So if you love me, even a little bit
Let me know while I'm living
So that I can treasure it........

Five Regrets of the Dying

2010-11-29T08:47:00.000+08:00

I would like to share this article written by Bronnie Ware which I've read in the Star yesterday.

Patients who had gone home to die, when questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would have done differently, the most common five are:

1. I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
    This was the most common regret of all.
     Many dreams have gone unfulfilled and not honoured even half of their dreams and knew that it was
     due to choices they had made, or not made.

2. I wish I didn't work so hard.
Most are men who regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.
     They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship.

3. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.
Most are women who suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
    Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. They were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved.

5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
     Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called "comfort" of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and themselves, that they were content, when deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

It had me thinking.........

Old versus New

2010-11-23T13:05:00.000+08:00

It is that time of the year again. Weddings! Weddings! Everywhere also weddings! It is such a joyous occasion. Come this December, I will be attending my niece's engagement ceremony and then most probably this time again next year will be the wedding day.

Try rummaging through your old wedding photos. Have you noticed that most of the time you didn't even smile? or maybe it is only me? then compare them to the newer photos of maybe your daughter's or son's wedding ? or maybe of your younger siblings? Nowadays, the package comes with storybook, photos taken at various sites of beautiful gardens, buildings and so on. The newly -weds in their wedding gear, all smiling with different poses.

The bride-to-be even get to plan her own wedding from the colour theme to the "pelamin" and even right up to the gifts (hantaran) she wants. The bliss of it all!!

The thing I wanted to stress here is that during my wedding time, my late grandmother gave me this piece of advice - don't smile, you can smile a little bit but not too much, you mustn't show that you are happy, in fact too happy or else people particularly the elders would think that you are very, very eager to get married. In other words, they would say that "gatal sangat nak berlaki" (sorry, can't find the right words in english) So there I was, trying so hard not to smile a lot, just a little bit here and there! curi-curi gitu... I only got to know of my wedding dress on the day of the wedding itself!

To all those newly-weds out there, all the best and happiness always!

The Notebook

2010-11-02T15:21:00.000+08:00

The weather, being so gloomy and wet, makes me searching for one of my favourite books. I have only my daughter to blame for introducing this book to me. I must have read it more than 10 times but I am never bored by it. It makes me go all lovey-dovey again and young at heart.

From the first page till the end, it transported me into the world of the romantics. Just as it says, and I quote "every so often a love story captures our hearts that it becomes more than a story - it becomes an experience to remember forever. The Notebook is such a book. It is a celebration of how passion can be ageless and timeless, a tale that moves us to laughter and tears and makes us believe in true love all over again..."

I never watched the movie-version of it, though! I just don't want to spoil how I see it in words. I always liked to make my own interpretation of the characters in the book and visualize them.

Nicholas Sparks is really a good storyteller. I just looooove this book so much. It makes a good read in this stormy weather.

Bottled grief

2010-10-30T15:56:00.000+08:00

Read an article in 'The Star' about a book entitled 'The letter in the Bottle' by Karen Liebreich.

When our children are young, we can get lost in all the everyday chaos. The house is full of toys and laundry and stuff from school, and in the boredom of the domestic routine we forget how precious they are.

In 2002, a French woman threw a bundle of clothes, lilies and a bottle in the shape of a teardrop into the sea. The clothes belonged to her son who had died at the age of 13 and inside the bottle was a letter to the boy "that no wind...no storm...not even death could ever destroy"

She wrote " Forgive me for being so angry at your disappearance. I still think there's been some mistake, and I keep waiting for God to fix it. Forgive me for not having known how to protect you from death. Forgive me for not having been able to find the words at that terrible moment when you slipped through my fingers..."
After that, she went home to get on with her life. It never occurred to her that anyone would find the bottle. She thought that it would smash in the waves and the glass fragments and paper would gently disperse through the oceans. It was her way of talking to God.

Someone did find the bottle! And so begin the search for the letter-writer......

So how did her son died? Where is the mother now?

I can't wait to get my hands on this book. Get my handkerchief ready, too!!

Hari Raya

2010-09-20T13:05:00.004+08:00

Towards the end of Ramadhan, I was lamenting to myself that I just don't have
the feel for Hari Raya. Never mind! Maybe I am getting older so the expectations
and the feel for it has somewhat been lost along the way. I was busy getting ready
for new stuff for the children and guess what....none for myself.

The day came for the long car trip back to my husband's "kampung".
It was a seven hour ride with stops only for petrol. Even my daughter's hamster,
Chum-Chum, came along in a brand new travel-cage. The back of our trusted
old Unser was filled up to the seams. The cookies were packed in a box,
treated as precious as gold.

Every few half an hour or so, my youngest daughter kept popping up
the irritating question - "Where are we now? and then " How many
more minutes till we reached Atuk's house?" Grrr..... I could almost
feel the hot air coming out of my ears but then reminding myself that
I was still fasting, God must have helped me to remain cool.

Arriving at around 3pm, my mother in law and the rest of the family
were already in the kitchen, preparing food to be distributed later to
the neighbours and relatives. Here, the "adat" or culture of exchanging
food and goodies is top priority!!

The Hari Raya came! I was surprised that I was on high mode.
The feeling of happiness with a tinge of sadness remembering my loved
ones and relatives back in Sarawak was ready to make me burst in tears.
I was ecstatic. The family around me make me realise that Hari Raya is
a joyous occasion no matter how old you are.
It's the family atmosphere that counts. The time of asking forgiveness from
the ones whom we may have wronged was really humbling. Yeah right!
And don't forget the food! Lemang eaten with rendang is still my number one favourite!!!

Going visiting with the rest of the family is a must! I like this the best.
We get to reconnect with relatives and friends that we don't get to see
during the rest of the year. The children enjoyed this the most since
they get to receive 'Raya monies'.

Well! I can say that this Raya is the best ever!
I have my share of fun and make me realise that
I have gotten through the fasting month as faithfully as I can.
Alhamdulillah!

Blessed.......and grateful.

2010-08-17T09:58:00.000+08:00

J. Paul Getty once said," If you can actually count your money, you are not really a rich man".

Hmmm! So I opened my purse and I have four RM50 notes, five RM10 notes, eleven RM1 notes and exactly 90 cents coins. I'm not rich! I can actually count the cash in hand that I have!

Let me see! Wouldn't it be nice if i could buy things that I fancy without looking at the price tags? It would be more fun rather than just window shopping. I would buy myself all the latest Gucci, Chanel, and Coach handbags. Every department stores will be looking out for me. And then I will ..........yeah, dream on girl, oops sorry! woman I should say!!

Maybe we think that money can buy all the happiness in the world. Everything will be all nice and smooth sailing and everything will be served on a silver platter. Sometimes, I myself would start to think it would be but then come to think of it, life hasn't been too bad for me.

I'm not rich. But I have the most wonderful family. I am happy (sometimes). There maybe some ups and downs but that is part and parcel of life.

I guess we should all just be grateful that our lives are wonderfully blessed and our "rezeki" comes with "keberkatan" (sorry! couldn't find the exact word in english)

Paranormal Activity......maybe????

2010-08-10T15:58:00.002+08:00

Went to KL with my other half for a function last weekend.
A good thing too since I got to meet up with my daughter and spent time with her.

We stayed at a hotel along Jalan Conlay. I think it is best that I don't mention the name of the hotel here. I could get myself in trouble for all I know.

Went back to the room on the 12th floor after the dinner function at around 11pm. After a while, my daughter and hubby were already in dreamland. I was still up watching NCIS on the AXN channel till it finished at around 1 am. I was trying to fall asleep when all of a sudden, loud thuds could be heard from the floor above us.

An avid true crime reader myself, I was thinking about maybe somebody got killed upstairs and the noises I've just heard was from the perpetrator trying to get rid of the bloody evidence.

Soon, the thuds got louder and louder and it is as if somebody or something were throwing some furniture around. My husband was awakened too. I got on the phone and told the operator and she said that she will send the security personnel to investigate. After a while, she called back to inform us that they are workers trying to finish some last minute preparations for a banquet. It was only after 2am that the noises subsided.

The next day at the front office, the receptionist apologised and again the word banquet was mentioned.

During breakfast, it suddenly dawned on us that something is not right. Our room was on the highest floor of the hotel. What people would be doing work for a banquet that hour of the night? My daughter also reconfirmed that the buttons on the lift showed 12 to be last floor of the hotel!!

So, should I call Zak of "Ghost Adventures" to come and investigate? Maybe the staff of the hotel knew about the noises and gave us the answers to reassure us that everything is fine. Maybe the tenants before us have also gone through the same experience which only happened between 1 and 2 am in the morning!

I'm having goosebumps now!!!!!!!

Breastfeeding

2010-08-03T08:48:00.002+08:00

A lot has been said about breastfeeding. I would like to add my two cents worth here. I TOTALLY love breastfeeding my children. All of my five children were breastfed and one broke the record of being breastfed till she was almost five years old. It didn't happened immediately, though.
My firstborn came into the world with lots of shouting and before that I managed to glance angrily at my husband and blaming him for making me go through the labour pains. I even told him that I wouldn't ever want to go through the experience ever again. But funnily though, I went through it four more times and I LOVE it.
Mothers who are pregnant should talk to their babies. I always did and when they were put into my arms for the first time, they seem to look at me in wonder as if recognising my voice! The looks on their faces always make me cry. They have lived inside of me for nine months and when they finally arrived, God is Great!
The first time when they latched on for feeding, it is nothing but love flowing out of you to them. You get the feeling of accomplishment of being a mother. But it is not always smooth sailing. At times, the breasts became engorged and sore. This is when the breast pump comes in handy.
Once they were filled, you could see the contentment in their eyes. Then they would sleep peacefully for an hour or two and the process of breastfeeding continues.
My five children were seldom sick and the visits to the doctor were only for their occasional immunisation shots. I am glad that I have breastfed all of them, not without some hiccups along the way. Sometimes, it can be troublesome in public but I always managed.

The Future is NOW

2010-07-27T09:00:00.000+08:00

This morning, I watched "Witness" in the Aljazeera channel. It was about the lives of the people in Cuba. It dawned on me that the Cubans are such strong and resilient people even in the face of hardship.
When they were asked about their futures, one man answered " Do you mean next week? Sorry! We don't think too far ahead, our future is the next minute and then the next.."
Suddenly, it struck me that the future is NOW! Not tomorrow and definitely not next week or next year. It should be the next minute and so on. We should not be putting off things and procrastinate. I am always guilty of those. I think we should remind ourselves that we might not be alive in the next few minutes or maybe by next week, who knows we could be dead by then!
I don't have much in this world. My worldly possessions are my children. My most prized possessions. Afterall, what I have today comes from my other half. If it could be written in my will, I would want them to have what I have written in this blog. I want them to always think of the next minute and always be on their feet. I want them to be strong people, respect the elders and not to expect things to be handed to them so easily. I want them to struggle hard for their living. I also want them to always remember that God is forever watching their actions!!!
I was only channel-surfing when I came across the "Witness" programme. But then it started the ball rolling and have me thinking that the hardship of others can help us think about what we have and never appreciate (at times).

Frustrated

2010-07-04T12:52:00.000+08:00

I wasn't quite myself yesterday. Went to bed early even though I knew Argentina was going to play against Germany. I told my other half that Argentina is going to win 2-0 and I was hoping that my Messi would score. I was already in dreamland by 9 pm.
I woke up this morning and as usual preparing breakfast for my girls. Drinking hot coffee was a norm for me and today's breakfast was just toasted bread with butter and peanut butter for the girls. After seeing the girls off to school, I took my place in front of the computer and browse my facebook.
Argghhhhhh!!! No way!!! My Argentinians lost the match 4-0. Pinched myself, maybe I am still in dreamland and this is only a nightmare. Suddenly, the song 'Don't cry for me Argentina' played itself inside my head. It was such a waste1 I thought that they would win the World Cup.
So this is it. My affair with the World Cup has come to the end. Fullstop!!!!!!

Sorry!!!

2010-06-09T15:53:00.000+08:00

It has been quite some time that I have written anything in my blog. I was really busy being here and there! All at once, events have been unfolding one by one in the month of May.
It all started with the reunion dinner I attended in Kuching. It was a really memorable night, meeting up with old friends whom I haven't met in such a looooong time. It was also a trip back home to catch things up with my uncles, aunties and families and of course, indulging in local delicacies. I could eat many bowls of Sarawak Laksa if I want to but then thinking of the weight gain, it was really a delicious one bowl of it with big prawns added.
It was back home again and a few days later, to KL once more. It was another dinner function at the Shangrila KL.I was happy to see my daughter again and with her around, I began to realise that I have missed her so much since she started work.
Early June marked the wedding of my best friend's daughter wedding. It was a joyous occasion. The guests were non-stop since noon. The bride was in her best and beautiful . Everyone was so happy for her and her mum was so on top of the world!
My routine now is somewhat slow and back to normal. If it wasn't for the violin lessons that my daughters are taking and me being the chauffeur, I would be sitting quietly sipping my cup of coffee. But then again, I am still a mum first afterall!!

♥ Love You Forever ♥

2010-05-18T15:05:00.004+08:00

There is one particular book that I love so much.

Everytime when I come across it while rummaging through books on the shelf,

I always took the time to go through it again.

I think I must have read it a hundred times.

It is just a simple book but to me, it is huge and big.

It always touches my heart and I must admit I always shed a tear or two.

I bought the book when my fourth daughter was just eight years old

and my youngest just started her playschool.

The title of the book is "Love You forever" by Robert Munsch.

Everynight, i would take the book out and read it to them. Sometimes they would say

"again, mama just one more time" and I would always obliged.

There's a song in the book that goes like this:

I'll love you forever,

I'll like you for always,

As long as I'm living

my baby you'll be.

The mother in the book sings to her newborn son andso the story goes of

how that little boy goes through the stages of childhood and becomes a man.

This is a book I highly recommend for young mothers and I can guarantee you,

it is a book that both you and your children will enjoy - over and over again.

Unfriend

2010-05-15T11:28:00.006+08:00

A long time ago, when we were just in primary schools playing with our friends,

sometimes we got into a fight or quarrel, we would always say

"I don't want to friend you anymore"

It is as simple as that. But it won't be long, maybe just a few hours later or a day later,

we would be the best of friends again. Such innocence.

The world seemed to revolve around us.

Couldn't wait for the school bell to ring for recess!

It was a game of rounders with the boys. The girls, rolling up their sleeves and pushing

and shoving with the boys. Sadly, I don't see this anymore.

The innocence of yesteryears are gone. Now, they are segregation

between the boys and the girls. In the primary schools now, even in an all-girls school,

the girls are not to play or run around but to line up to the canteen and eat quietly.

Reader's Digest May 2010

As I was flicking through the May issue of Reader's Digest,

I came across the word 'Unfriend' in Word Power page.

It says strictly speaking, it means to remove someone as a friend from a

social networking site, such as Facebook. Or it can be used to mean the

detachment in real life from a friend you have fallen out with,

or one who's become dull or annoying.

Huh! At my age now, I don't want to not want to be friend or unfriend anybody.

It is so comforting to know we have lots of friends!!!!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2010-05-11T18:55:00.001+08:00

My youngest daughter recently bought herself "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney.

She was so absorbed in the book and at times while reading it, she laughed out loud. I was impressed.

The book must be good and fun, I supposed. So finally, the minute she finished reading it, I grabbed it.

I couldn't put the book down. I was laughing alone and really was so into it.

Such a simple story but fun to read.

It's about this boy, Greg who insisted on saying that

he's going to write a journal (not a diary) when his mum bought him a diary.

In the book, Greg also sketched stick figures of him and people in his life.

I especially enjoyed the part about him taking part in the Wizard of Oz.

Then there is also about the Cheese Touch. You have to read the book to know.

Now there is a movie based on this book.

It is a shame that there is no cinema here in Kelantan.

I would have been the first in line to watch it.

Surprise!!!!

2010-05-09T16:54:00.002+08:00

It all started with a phone call. I was reading The Sunday Star with the air-cond

on full blast when someone called asking the directions to my house. Huh?

The person on the other end of the line said that she wanted to send me a delivery.

Since I wasn't expecting any parcels nor was today my birthday,

I asked "delivery from whom?" She answered that it was from Nana.

I was stunned. Oh! I guessed she must have sensed why I was suddenly quiet that

she asked for my name again. Maybe she thought she was talking to someone else. Oh!

Okay! I was apprehensive because I didn't think that people would take my words seriously and deliver me

that 10kg of Godiva chocs at my doorsteps. Hey! I was just joking. No one in their right mind could imagine

me seating down and eating that many chocolates.

Just a few minutes later, the said person arrived. Said my thank-you a dozen times,

even asking for her name card, which she didn't have and told me

that I could get all the information from Nana.

I heaved a sigh of relief.

It wasn't 10kgs of Godiva chocolates but a box of cupcakes for Mother's Day!

Awwww! It was such a beautiful and unexpected gift from "Tupai & Cicak".

I don't intend to eat the cupcakes yet.

Will take the box out the fridge from time to time just to admire it.

Thank you, "Tupai & Cicak"

Thank you also to everyone else and the rest of my children who sent me their wishes.

Happy Mother's Day!

Perfect Housewife

2010-05-05T17:42:00.000+08:00

Channel-surfing

came across Anthea of the Perfect Housewife

Discovery Home & Health

always get some new ideas n tips

got so worked up & determined

to follow suit

floors to be swept & mopped

clothes to be folded & put away

The bathroom & kitchen to be spic & span

so much to do & so little time to spare

but WAIT

suddenly it dawned on me

I don't have to do this all today

I need my afternoon nap

TOMORROW

I'll do it tomorrow

DEFINITELY

Books

2010-05-04T13:33:00.004+08:00

Hi! I'm back. The Labour Day holidays just fleeted through. Got the books I've ordered through Acmamall.

3 books at only Rm89 with free postage. :-)

I am a big fan of Ann Rule, a true crime author. Got all her books. Since I am a voracious reader,

I cannot put her book down. Finished reading. But I haven't start on "The Lovely Bones" yet.

I want to prepare myself. I know I will have to read it with a box of tissues beside me.

I'm not a big fan of Miley Cyrus but I love the author of "The Last Song" Nicholas Sparks.

This book really tugged at my heartstrings.

Oh yes! You must be wondering about my blog. It was under construction by my daughter

and she knows that Kelly Clarkson is one of my favourite singers. I just love her songs!!!

I hope that all of you who is passing through love the song, too!

Roses

2010-04-27T16:10:00.000+08:00

The house was so quiet. Got on the phone and called a friend. Asked her out to accompany me to SSF. Where else to go in Kota Bharu? I am determined to use my birthday voucher and I am told I was also to be given cash vouchers.
Talked about stress busters. Once you are in the building, you are surrounded by beautiful things. Some are priced ok but some are extremely expensive. What can you say?
On with my assignment. Then the choosing part with a look at the price labels. Nope! Way out of the budget. Ok but the colour is not correct. Love it but I wouldn't know where to put it in the house.
Finally, I settled down on one of the vases with beautiful white and red roses. Sorry not the real roses but the artificial ones. Used the birthday 50% off voucher, of course!
In the end, I came out a happy person with a big smile on my face. Such a wonderful feeling. My hubby would surely say "it's not the real thing", he always say so but who cares? I'm happy!! Lalala.......

Cool Day

2010-04-25T19:03:00.000+08:00

Finally, the rain came. A cool respite after so many days of exceptionally hot weather. The mood is somewhat different. Life becomes slower and somewhat lazier. I guess, the cloudy skies has an effect on my biological clock. Feel like just lazing around and "lepaking".
Yes! It is also a Sunday. Didn't I ever said that I just love the Sunday Star? So all the more reason for me to just lie in bed and read the papers.I devoured the news and articles like there is no tomorrow.
Tomorrow is another day. I hope that tomorrow will be a good day just like today. For now, I am just going to continue being lazy. Where is that husband of mine? *wink-wink*

Feelings

2010-04-23T17:07:00.001+08:00

I was married in my early twenties. So naive, if we were to compare with the girls nowadays. got my firstborn two years later. It was love at first sight. Everything was centered around him. Sleep was never enough. everything was a new experience. i would do anything to keep him safe. After that, came the second, third, fourth and finally the fifth. Suddenly, i became old emotionally. Nothing was about me. it was always the children. Everything else took a backseat.It was always about them, mainly financially. Money seem to be never enough. thankfully, we managed through all those years.

As time passes by, the children have grown up, the feelings of emptiness arouse inside me. Suddenly the longing of looking after them, pampering them and having them around me keep on tugging at my heartstrings. I miss singing for them at their bedtime and even miss them asking me for this and that. Now they seem to have a mind of their own but who can blame them! they are after all big girls and boys now.

Most of my time now is spend on shopping (mostly window shopping) with my friends, reading books, attending functions with my hubby and most of all, I get to laze around the house. the housework can be done at some other time, I deem fit to do.

Oh yes! i always look forward to Sundays. I love to read the Sunday Star. I would go to great lengths just to get my hands on it. I don't mind missing the weekdays daily but not the Sunday Star.

Such bliss! On the other hand, I am looking forward to having grandchildren! Hmm!! Not in the very near future yet. give me another four years, then I'm ready!!!

Lost aura

2010-04-22T15:17:00.000+08:00

It was just like any other day. After seeing the kids off to school and my beloved husband to work, I got a call from my best friend. She wanted me to accompany her to do some shopping. Well, in Kota bharu here, it's either to the KB Mall or Tesco. So I thought it was most probably to KB Mall.
Neither one. It was a shopping trip to of all places, Mydin Kubang Kerian. I was a bit apprehensive because I never like going to Mydin. There's one in Kota Bharu. Now this one in Kubang Kerian is newly opened and I've heard people said that on the opening day alone, it managed to amass RM2m in earnings. Man! People in Kelantan can really shopped! It is a huge store but I was surprised that the goods sold here is a little bit different in quality than the one in Kota Bharu.
After an hour helping my friend picked up some stuff from the first floor, we were then in the supermarket section. The meat and fish section were okay and the workers were helpful.It 's hard to get good service from some workers here in Kelantan but I guess it's also the same everywhere. Today was exceptionally good.
At the ice cream section, I picked up my all time favourite, Wall's Magnum. Cheaper here than any other store. I know because I always compare prices about this particular brand of ice cream. Then I saw this advert at another freezer, 3 packs for only RM5. It has the picture of Mawi on it. Wah! So cheap-ah! Wall's Fantasia! I guess it's true what people have been saying about his lost aura. But he will always be the King of SMSes.
So what can I say about Mydin Kubang Kerian? I will definitely come back and maybe do my shopping here again. Can't confirm yet because Tesco gives me a better deal with monthly coupons and offers. Got it through the post. Tesco really helped me to save a lot.