Balik Kampung

This morning I got called from my tailor that my baju kurung raya is ready. I was so excited n when to collect it immediately. The sad part was the tailor forgot to bring Nadira’s baju kurung which she left it back home. The reason was Nadira’s one stated in the different bill no from mine. I can’t wait anymore for her to bring it tonight as we were planning to go back to Malacca. Sorry Deea.

In the afternoon after fetched Faizah, Nabila n Hakeem from school, we went to fetch Nadira at Genting. The road was terribly jammed. It’s 4.00pm n I think the office hour still not finished but it looked like those people were rushing to go back home. We reached up there around 5pm. I was actually decided to go to Jalan TAR but because of the heavy traffic we just went to Alpha Angle, Wangsa Maju.

We wanted to eat pizza for Iftar. We reached there around 6.00pm n straight away went to Shakey’s Pizza for booking. Unfortunately it was fully booked. We looked around for other alternative but all the restaurants around there including the food court were fully booked as well! We then just wandered around the Mall looking for baju kurung for my two elder daughters. Nothing seems nice that they like.

When it’s time for Iftar, we had a light snack at the Starbuck. At 8.00pm eagerly we marched to the Shakey’s Pizza. By this time definitely everybody has finished with the Iftar. Again we disappointed as the restaurant closed (I don’t know for what reason) n will be opened back at 8.30pm. We looked around n all other restaurants did that as well.

Frustrated, we just went off n decided to just stop anywhere along the way back home. Along the journey n while reaching Ampang we then decided to make a turn n had our dinner at Road House Grill. I had not been there for sooo long.. I guessed the last time was 15 years back. The place, the ambient n the food is still the same.

Everybody were like so excited n ordered each one a big plate of steak. Lepas tu semua tersadai kekenyangan. We then happily drove back home to Malacca n reached there around 11.30pm. I was sleeping thru out the journey mcm ular. Sorry hubby that u had to drive alone without hearing my babbling.

Now we are at Malacca n kids were so happy n excited. Hakeem who had just learned BM in his school was happily singing ‘Balik Kampung’ song in his version. So cute..

Iftar Get Together

As usual I’ve been busy when hubby is home. I will always on the go, it’s fasting month n everyday I cook special meal for the family. On the first day of his Iftar we invited friend n cousins. It has been quite sometime that I didn’t have crowds at home. It was Saturday n everybody stayed up late chit chatting.

Last night we had Oja’s family having Iftar at our home. Glad to see her n Rohimi. Kids were really enjoying themselves. Thanks to Oja who bought bunga api for my kids. Hakeem was extremely excited. We told him that we’ll save that bunga api to play at Malacca or Alor Setar. Hakeem n Nabila never ever in their life seen n play it before.

They were so eager n kept nagging their dad to let them play. Finally my hubby took them out to play. Memang sakai.. They were screaming excitedly n Hakeem was curious why his bunga api didn’t have a sound like he used to hear every night around my house. And now he asked my hubby to buy the one which has sound!

Later at night Pidin, Uci, Udik n Laila came over. They were supposed to join us for Iftar but because of some matters they came late. When I saw them it reminded me a lot of their parent’s n all the moments spent with them. It started with the small group of us – my family, Haji n arwah. Always stick together doing lots activities, outing n makan-makan. The group then became bigger with more Malaysian joined us.

I was so pleased to see that all Arwah’s children are doing fine now. The last two years their mom was having stroke during Raya. Last year their dad passed away during Raya too n this year their mom passed away before Ramadhan. Maybe this year of Raya will not be cherish as both of their parents were not around but I hope that they will still enjoy it among themselves n other relatives.

I wish that Allah will always guide n give them strength n happiness in their life.

The 'Cheeky' Hakeem

Lately Hakeem has been proudly babbling about his ‘girlfriend’ at school. One day after came back from school….

Hakeem: Mommy.. I got a girlfriend at school.

Me: Oh.. really?

Hakeem: Yes, I call my girlfriend sweetie.

Me: (I was laughing out loud) Wow.. u called your gf sweetie? What’s her name?

Hakeem: Her name is Natalie. My girlfriend asked me to get married n I want to get married with her.

Me: Hakeem! Who teach u all this? He then just ran away.

Today at school…..

Hakeem: Hi sweetie (he said that to Natalie)

I was actually quite a distance n couldn’t hear what Natalie was saying. Hakeem was running around playing in front of Natalie n suddenly he shouted...

Hakeem: Hey.. sweetie.. I am home..

Tonight before Hakeem went to bed

Hakeem: Mommy.. I have lots of girlfriends n I am going to shoot all of them n turn them into robots. (with the actions)

Now he is already fast asleep n I hope he will have a sweet dreams about his beautiful robots. That’s my 5 years old boy! Just wonder where he got all the ideas.. :)

The 'Day'

Everybody was like waiting for the big day of 16th Sept. Sorry… nothing happened, no changed or big thing occurred. As for me, nothing major happened except Nabila started her first taekwando class at her school.

Whereas on the 17th as expected, the ‘big thing’ didn’t happened too. As for me, it’s a great day coz I went to the Nose warehouse sale. I forgot that it was Nuzul Quran holiday for Selangor. The place was packed n jammed with people. Since I was there n didn’t want to miss a thing n still didn’t gave up though had to queue, I too joined the line.

After 5 minutes waited, the guard finally let me n others in. Well.. the rest u can imagine. Cheap handbags from as low as RM2 n all high heels for RM10. I just went crazy. I ended up bought 4 handbags n 3 shoes. Not all for me but some for my daughters. I was exhausted when I reached home.

And today, my youngest brother, Boy came for a visit. He had a meeting at Putrajaya. I cooked special nasi briyani for him for Iftar. The kids were so happy to see their uncle. I am also so happy n overwhelming today to receive good news from my father.

Forget about all any expected or promising dates. If things happen, it will happen right? One thing sure that the important event will happen is tomorrow – 19th Sept.

No…No.. No.. Pak lah won’t step down yet n DSAI still has to wait for his queue. It’s just that my hubby :). He promised to come back home tomorrow n I know he will. I pray that he will have a safe journey.

The Apple of My Eye

Of late I’ve been thinking a lot about my father. How I miss him so much especially during Ramadhan. When I think about him, certainly my late mom will come into view as well. It has been six years that I lost her.

Though I am back here to Malaysia for almost 7 months, we hardly had a chance to meet each other. I only went back to Kedah once n he came to visit me thrice. But we always make a point to call each other frequently. It seems that both of us understood n accepted the arrangement quietly.

Sometimes how I wish that I could turn back the clock. How wish that my mom would still be around and things still unchanged. But these are all God’s plan n arrangement. Things happened for reasons. We Islam have to believe in fate – Qada & Qadar.

I’ve learned to accept all the situations that come to me with open heart. I am willing to do anything for my father as long he is happy. Even so sometimes it hurts inside me but I don’t mind doing it. I know that deep inside him too crying n yearning for things to get better. But I guess both of us just have to put up with it. Let things flow as it is. Better stop crying over spilt milk.

The day that he called me before I performed Umrah, revealed what’s inside him. My father was always so reluctant to let his feelings out from him. I cried after put down the phone. I really miss my old man. And this morning he made me cried again.

It’s not what he said that hurt or annoyed me but the conversation we had that break me down. I am truly understood what he’s been thru. My father is not young anymore. I just hope that he will enjoy his last moments of his life with joyous n happiness.

One thing for sure, his loves towards me has never changed. I love my father very much n I wish that I could be with him right now.

Lemang, The Favourite

Lemang has always been a favourite for Nabila n Hakeem. Everytime when I send Nadira back home to her boarding n on the way back down from Genting, there are many stalls selling lemang. They will always ask me to stop n buy. The called the lemang – sticky rice.

Today it was heavy rain when I sent Nadira back. The rains were non-stop pouring till I reached home. Hakeem n Nabila were grumbling hungry. Maybe they just wanted to find reason for me to stop n buy lemang. Normally I will buy one big lemang for them to share.

You would be surprise that these two little kids wouldn’t want to eat only the lemang as it is compulsary to be with rendang. Macam org-org tua makan. They will normally finish the whole big size of lemang by themselves. And they will eat the lemang immediately in the car.

I had tried a few stalls there but the stall no 3 is the best. The lemang is soft n the rendang is tasteful. So everytime when we have a trip to their sister’s boarding, it’s a must for me to buy lemang.

Great Iftar

Iftar today has been the great one. I have my daughters, Faizah n Nadira to join me. I cooked for them special dishes – ayam masak lemak cili api, ikan goreng n mix vege.

In the afternoon I fetched Faizah n later in the evening Nadira. Then we went to Pasar Ramadhan. Both of them were very excited as they never been to any of it. Whatever they see, they wanted to buy. I had to warn them including me as we had food at home that I cooked.

At the end we bought lots kind of food full in our hands. Kuetiaw goreng, laksa utara, murtabak, yong taufu, pulut udang, otak-otak, putu bambu, kuih raja, caramel pudding n chrysanthemum tea for drink. At first I thought that we could never finished it, but surprisingly semua licin. All the food that we bought tasted good especially laksa. I never like laksa but this laksa from Jitra was super delicious. Kira cukup rasa ahh – masam, masin n bnyk ikan!

As for sahur, we had a full table of the food that I cooked. Makan sungguh!

It’s a great day for me as I have them to accompany me. Tomorrow they will be going back to their boarding n leave me here alone again, but I enjoyed the moments that I had with them.