Barakallah sister!

Huda is very particular and choosy on her wedding. Everything has to be white and pink but not too much pink nor too little white. Err.

Anyway, the day was beautiful. It didn't rain on her reception and the family was more relaxed and knows what to be done and expected since this is the second wedding feast held at home. Plus we have an extra helping hand around now. Right hubby? =)

Just to share some picts by Fazrul. No, he's not the official photographer. But being us, of course we had to snap some pictures too!

~The solemnization day~

 

~The reception day~ 

Look at my man, in pink! Hihi. It's not his fault, he has no choice =p

(Adik kepada Amar yang kanan sekali itu kelihatan seperti Justin Bieber kan. Heh)

Alhamdulillah, everything went well. It seems so surreal that my little sister is now married too. We are very close since forever and we just had to get married around the same time too. Haha. We have shared life of growing up together. Now it's great that we continue to have each other to share what married life has to offer us next.

Weekend in KL

Though this has been a slow moving-shocking sadness week of the family, we still have to look forward to the reception of Huda and Amar on the groom's side. So here we are already in KL. The event will be held tomorrow and hopefully all will went well. I am more eager for Fazrul's arrival from Kuching this evening though. Hehe.

While in KL, I am hoping to catch a movie or two with Fazrul. I still haven't see Harry Potter and friends. Though I am sure I'll be babbling and grumbling and dissatisfied with the movie as they're always far deviated from the books. But it'll be fun to
watch the characters because at least for that part they got it right. I really like those 'three musketeers' especially Rupert Grint, the red head blur.

Speaking of movies, the last one I saw was Rapunzel in 3D. And I absolutely love it! It was one of Disney's best romantic and by that I mean not cheesy, wittingly funny and heart warming sweetness of the leads. I love this Rapunzel because she is a strong, smart, independent and all-round gifted young lady. Not the typical combing hair-all-day-long princess just waiting for some prince. Plus who wouldn't fell in love with Mandy Moore's sweet voice.

I know I still haven't updated about Huda's reception in Taiping. I promise I will try next week. There are some lovely pictures taken by Fazrul that I would like to share. Hey, I haven't updated about my own wedding now that I remember. Well, we'll be getting the photos from our official photographer really soon. So that's another thing to look forward too :).



Here's a sneak peek of Huda and Amar!

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It's time to say goodbye

We lost our beloved Taya yesterday morning. He died from severe jaundice with haematuria. It really was our mistake in the first place when we gave him paracetamol months ago. He was down with fever at that time. Paracetamol is probably the most widely use drug in the world and never would we have thought that pcm is extremely toxic to cats. Oh, please forgive us Taya.

The first time, it was only half a tablet. When he still seems weak with hot temperature, we brought him to a vet but didn't thought to mention about the pcm. Again, because we didn't know it was toxic to him. He was injected with antibody for fever and infection plus some medications to be taken at home. Few days later he was all well and healthy again.

Three months ago he fell sick again. Hot temperature plus sneezing and watery nose. So we thought, 'Hey, it's fever again. Ah, panadol will sort it out'. There goes another half a tablet. But later that night, I did a random search on the net about fever in cats. How horrified I was to found out about the toxicity. That death could occur in just a few days. We practically fed 'poison' to him! Huuu. Then I read that there's antidote available so I urged my father to bring him to the vet again. At the clinic, antidote for the pcm was administered to Taya but the doctor didn't mention the need for follow up or other treatment. I specifically asked him, 'Is that it doctor? Will he be ok again?'. And he said yes.

He was active and eats well and he gets bigger every day. We could never tell that he was actually sick inside. Last saturday he vomits again. This time it was so yellow in colour. He looked so weak, slumped against the floor. But it was my sister's wedding. The groom is coming with many guests to tend to. Father stroke him and put him to sleep on the bed. Occasionally I check on him. He's already on the floor again. This time his sickness is different. He gets weaker by each hour and he still vomits. Until at last I found him, he has already inched nearer to the bedroom door. What wrench my heart the most is remembering how he moaned from the door, calling for us. He might have called us before that. But we realized it too late. Not until he already made the effort crawling from the bed to the door :'(

We couldn't wait anymore. Father asked me to go with Fazrul but this time to another vet. The doctor straightaway questioned us about pcm the moment he saw Taya. His gums, earflap and the soft pads on his paws were all yellowish instead of the usual pinkish. Even his skin was yellowish too under the furs. Apparently whatever reservation of good liver he has is gone and that's why the jaundice signs is showing. His urine was blood-stained too. It was a 50-50 chance for Taya. He had to be warded and put on IV. Meds for liver and kidney function were pushed down his throat. The doctor said that he has a chance to survive if he made it through the night. I was crying like crazy and couldn't bring myself to look at Taya just before we left him there.

When I got the call from the clinic on the next morning, I already knew it in my heart that he was gone. It was tough breaking the news to my parents especially my father who sleeps with Taya every night. The whole family cried. We brought his body back and buried him. I really couldn't believe how lifeless he looked. The whole day, I couldn't stop crying just at the thought of him.

This morning as I close the door to left for work, I saw his empty plate. I couldn't help it but broke down in tears all over again. I miss you Taya. I really miss you.

Thank you Allah for the chance of loving him.

The first akad

The first mini kenduri of Wani, my sister in law is done. Phew. Back to Taiping and working. Why it's mini kenduri? Because it is only the solemnization ceremony. The reception will be held in January next year. So now it's time to focus on the next event which is the akad and reception of my own sister, Uda in Taiping this coming weekend. Let's have a run through, shall we. The next week will be the reception on the groom side in KL. Another week later is the reception of Wani in Seremban and the week after that is the reception of Wani's husband side also in Seremban. See how many kenduris I have in line. Fuh.

Though it's just a feast for akad ceremony, the exhaustion was extreme. Because the food is not catered but self cooked. I think the cleaning up of plates and glasses, pots and pans and storing them away dry and clean was the most tiring. Plus it was held at night thus we worked hard to clear up everything until past midnight. The guest was estimated around 100 people but the turnout was way more. Nevertheless it was really really fun. There's warmth and laughter and I got to meet his side of the family again (a good chance to recall the names of the pakciks, makciks and cuzzies =p).

Pasangan pencuci pinggan mangkuk, periuk, talam, gelas, dulang, sudu, senduk, teko. Hehe.

She, who's reluctant with make up especially the fake eyelashes but was forced by the rest of us. Haha. I really respect Wani. I like how she is so moderate in everything. It doesn't mean she is conservative. Oh no, she is far from conservative. She's just following the rules of moderation as a muslim.

I love this picture. They look so sweet together. Congratulations to the both of you! Barakallah. May you guys have a wonderful blessed marriage throughout your life :)

 

Phew, hectic week it is. Full clinic on Monday and Wednesday. Tuesday was spent at Ipoh scouring last minute things for my sister's wedding. Only today the clinic seems to slow down a bit. Heck, I spoke too early. The patient's cards is just flowing in now. Guess this will be a quick entry then. Oh, did I mention that my youngest dearest 'busyuk' sister is getting married in one week?

The next few weeks will see me tripping back and forth from Taiping to Seremban to Kuala Lumpur and to Seremban again. Why? Because my sister and his sister decides to get married together. Well, not 'together' in term of word. It's together in this particular month of this particular year. The 'kenduris' will take place every weekend of December until early January. So it's not only the brides who spend the bulk of money getting married, Fazrul and me will also burn a hole in our pockets paying for his flight tickets. Haha!

But the situation makes it a really good fate to be meeting my husband again and again. In fact, I'll be heading to Seremban tonight with him too arriving from Kuching. Oh, be still my heart till you lay eyes on your love :) 

The first meal

Oleh kerana saya dan Fazrul masih duduk berjauhan, saya belum pernah berpeluang betul-betul memasak sepenuhnya hidangan lengkap untuk santapan suami saya. Bila di rumah sendiri selalunya bekerjasama dengan mak. Bila di rumah mertua pula mestilah bukan tukang masak dominan juga. Bekerjasama dengan ibu mertuaku pula. Rasanya peringkat awal ini tidak sesuai pula kalau saya take over dapur kan. Tak senang duduk ibu mertuaku nanti menantu sorang-sorang kerjakan dapur dia. Haha.

Semasa bertandang ke Kuching tempoh hari, kami menetap di homestay yang boleh kata lengkap perkakas dapurnya. Saya akhirnya berpeluang mengerjakan dapur secara dominan demi suami dan sesuap nasi (Huh?). Pagi-pagi ahad pergi pasar pagi untuk beli barang mentah. Dari malam sebelumnya dah pening berangan nak masak apa. Mungkin terlebih excited juga. Tema ialah makanan laut. Seronok juga pasar Kuching ini. Boleh tengok apa produk kampung tempatan. Gamat mentah-mentah pun ada jual. Ikan terubuk jangan cakap la. Tomato pula pelik sikit. Agak kecil dan kurang bulat. Lagi ada sayur pelik apa namanya saya tidak ingat dah. Akhirnya beli udang galah 2 ekor, udang sederhana setengah kilo, ikan bawal 2 ekor, kubis bunga, batang saleri, cendawan tiram, sayur kailan dan ikan masin jeruk. Apa menunya?

Adakah sama besar tapak tangan saya?

                                        Udang galah sedang galak dibakar.

Saya seronok hendak cerita percubaan menu di bawah ini. Antara makanan kegemaran Fazrul. Seronok sangat sebab kali ini jadi. Pertama kali cuba di rumah emak tidak berapa jadi bentuk bebenangnya namun rasa sudah mantap. Kali ini cuba sampai jaya. Hehe. 

Nyum nyum butter prawn. Er, bahagian atas itu agak garing sedikit. Tapi apapun rasa dia memang best. Terima kasih kepada kawan saya Ayin. Saya belajar dari blog dia lah. Cuba la jenguk. Gambar-gambar makanan dia sentiasa menggugat jiwa. Hehe.

Dekorasi cili bagai itu oleh Fazrul. Rajin eh :) Suami saya boleh tahan juga bab memasak ni. Dia la tukang masak tak berbayar di rumah sewa dengan rakan-rakan bujangnya.

Menu: Butter prawn, ikan bawal goreng halia dan bawang putih, kailan ikan masin, udang galah bakar. Kami bersantap penuh selera.

Eh, tadi kata beli kubis bunga, saleri dan cendawan tiram? Oh, itu saya buat rencah nasi goreng tomyam. Sarapan keesokkan harinya. Marvellous!

Seronoknya masak untuk suami dan masak-masak bersama suami. Saya harap tidak lama lagi akan dapat berita gembira tentang pertukaran tempat kerja suami. Saya boleh saja ke Sarawak tapi tiada posting pula. Dilema penjawat awam. Huuu.

Twirling around in skirts

I have a fondness for skirts nowadays. I guess finally the feminine side of me is revealing more. Begging to be shown. But don't get me wrong. It's not like I am not before. It's just that I was not so keen because I love pants and jeans too much. Plus I don't easily find skirts that suits my height and liking. I was so confident I'd look like a duck. The short legs, get it? Not pretty.

Anyway, as time passed I'm more mature and I feel ready to embrace skirts as one of my attire. I am so in envy of the tall ladies frolicking around in nice skirts looking all sweet and pretty. But it wasn't that easy. In fact, I bought a pretty white skirt that I only wore a year and a half later.

The pretty white skirt. The first that I bought.

I bought this one in New Zealand. I was tempted because I love the colour and design of the fabric. Again, I only wore it 10 months later. Haha.

In preparation of getting married, I got determined to start wearing my skirts. I especially wanted to look pretty when I went for my honeymoon. Who wouldn't want to look beautiful for her husband right?

I was lucky enough to found this stunning blue skirt that exactly suits my height. At 5 ft 1 inch, I don't stand very tall. The great thing is that it's really cheap. Bought it at an outlet that sells Thai clothing. The skirts there are really fancy and vibrant. I wish I had found out sooner!

Before I bought the blue skirt, I was really keen to have another skirt especially in black coz it will easily match any color of the tops. I want the flare type and not the work type skirt. But where could I find it. Then I came across this beautiful fabric in black at Nagoya which suspiciously look like it's meant for a skirt. The salesgirl confirm my suspicion. So I decided to sew a skirt myself!

Oh yes, I sew it myself :) With the knowledge at the tip of my finger (read: Google), I knew I could pull it off. There's various site on the net to show you how to sew your own flare skirt that I got dizzy reading all of it. I have a basic in sewing thanks to my mom. I just need to find the right pattern and instruction. In the end, I kind of combine the instructions here and there. Oh, and also here. To be honest, I read a lot of site but I feel these three provides the best and easiest way. It was in Ramadhan and I got it done in just a few hours after sahur. It feels great because it's tailored exactly to my height and body shape.

I am not about to begin a sewing class here. But I'd be happy to help if I can. I was so estatic completing the skirt that I thought maybe I could take custom made order for it. Ha ha. Well, maybe this should go into my notes of future plan.

Tips:

1. Simple elastic waistband is easier as a start.

2. Adjust flare accordingly. Too much flare won't look good on a petite person. You'll look like an umbrella.

3. A skirt usually requires fabric more than 2 metre. At least 2 1/2 metre. It's not the same as 'kain baju kurung'.
4. Don't be too ambitious and went for chiffon or satin or laces. Start with nice cotton fabric first. Hehe.

I'm learning to let go

I've been decluttering and making a mess of my room last weekend all for the sake of throwing away old stuffs and making space for new ones. I'm not good in parting with things. I love my stuffs. I would hold an old brownish scraggly teddy bear and said 'no way! That's from a dear friend in high school.' Or I will frown at a white tooth-like bead necklace and reason with myself 'hey, I might wear it someday' when in fact I know I won't. I did took back an old broken silver anklet from the bin just for one last lingering look. And there's a whole box of paper bags from various brands and boutiques which I find is just too nice to be thrown away.

That's why things keep accumulating in my room. Because I think I've done this before. I have declutter and throw away things not that long ago. Still there seem to be so many stuff yet again. But I can't keep going on like this. I have to be firm and let go of the old-not-so-useful (it's so cruel to say useless) things and tidy up this crammed room already.

*sigh* I am. I'm learning to let go.



I miss you darl..


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That's NOT Hijab!

Check it out. Interesting. Kind of sum up what I feel too about this issue. Kudos to this brother for his concern and effort.

Ber'iPhone' di Sabah

Testing. Testing. I so love this phone. The aps are really cool and we could spend hours just playing an 'Angry birds' game. Hehe. We just got us both the iPhone 4 and it's about time really. I've been using an old Samsung, for the past 5 years. It's only rm200 and now you can imagine the tackyness of the phone. Much like 3310 nokia. Mind you it has served me really well but it's just time to upgrade. I rarely splurge on gadgets so this time I might as well go for the best and I know I'll be using it for a long time.





Waiting the transit flight to Bintulu.





The view from our room, Imperial Boutec hotel in Sabah.





Marvellous seafood at waterfront.





Basking in the sun and sea at Manukan Island Sabah.

All these photos were taken with iPhone. Perfect, for me. I love it that now I can blog and post picts from anywhere and at anytime! Provided there's internet line lah ;P

- Posted using BlogPress from maiefa's iPhone

Of foods in Kuching

Among the things I love about Kuching is the local delicacies. Last time I had the yummiest mi kolok in town. It's at Kopi O Corner near Satok. I was really looking forward to another round of it on this trip but the restaurant was closed for renovation. Aiseh. So we search for the yummiest laksa sarawak in town instead.

Damn good! Definitely the most delicious I've tasted so far.

A bowl of 'laksa sarawak special' includes bigger prawn. Squeeze the lime and dip the sambal. Pergh, the taste is simply superb.

If you ever come to Kuching, head to Patingan. Just a small distance past Satok market, make a u-turn under the fly over and turn left at Petronas. Head on straight and find this home-based eatery on your right. Oh, JJCM has been here too.

With fully satisfied stomach, we head on to Digi Centre for an errand. Then we drive to Lundu for a programme that Fazrul and his housemates were organizing. To be specific it has something to do with extreme motor sports. But that story could wait later.

Later that night and I mean really-really late, we went to satisfy the craving for ayam penyet next. We got lost on the way back from Lundu and was simply starving.

Snap! Iphone 4, we love you ;)

Looking at this picture makes me salivating again. Yummeh. There's a few version of ayam penyet and last time I had the fried one at Raja Ayam Penyet. This time Fazrul brought me here where the chicken is grilled instead of fried and OMG! Perfectly grilled with perfect sauce and perfect sambal. Now I'm begging Fazrul to dine here again before I go home. Hee.

So, head on there! At My Village Barok, just across the river from Waterfront Kuching. You can either drive there or simply take the boat or sampan from waterfront. It's just a little walking distance from the jetty after that.

Now we've just arrived at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. It's raining and we're stuck in the hotel. But that won't dampen my will to hunt for the yummiest food here next. Ciao!

Honeymoon unlimited

Olo! (You'd understand this if you've watched Megamind ;P) I'm currently at Kuching on a one week leave having an oh-so-exciting holiday with my husband. It's a month after our wedding and time seems to move slowly with him around. We're languorously enjoying this moment together.

I arrived on Friday straight from Penang. My man works here and Deepavali is not a public holiday here. So the evening after I arrived he held a small high tea for his colleagues at the clinic. And we got more wedding presents!

I've just realized that I'm a bad documenter. So many things have been happening in my life and some just pass away without words as memory. There are photos, yes. But with words we'll get the whole picture. Heck, I've been as far as New Zealand and I didn't have a proper journal on it. What a waste. I am determined more than ever now to jot down all the experience, memories, excitement, and the ups and downs life has to offer me. I wish to do this so that one day when I'm old and all shriveling but still acceptably pretty, while sipping lemon tea in my garden, I'd get to reminisce my life with my old and all shriveling but still handsome husband by my side.

A good company at the Kuching International Airport while Fazrul went for Friday prayer

I eat merely to put food out of my mind

~N.F. Simpson

Kelmarin kepingin burger tepi jalan. Tapi hampa sebab ronda-ronda lepas kerja satu gerai pun belum buka lagi. I don't know why tapi burger tepi jalan adalah sangat appealing bagi saya. Sedap dia lain ooo *drool*. Jadi semalam terus beli roti burger dan daging burger. Susah sangat aku buat sendiri je la. Pagi tadi gigih bangun awal buat burger. Wah, selalunya bangun tidur terus rushing hendak pergi kerja saja. Bangga betul hari ini makan breakfast hasil air tangan sendiri kat pantry klinik. Hee.

I like to eat. Amat sangat. I'm not choosy as well. Selagi halal saya suka cuba makan. If I like it then I'll really savour it. Fortunately, my husband pun sama. So, aktiviti kegemaran kami sambil jalan-jalan ialah makan. Buat apa pun mesti hendak makan. Terima kasih Ya Allah kerana kurniakan kepada hamba Mu nikmat makan.

People say I'm petite. Maybe now but not many people know that I've had an episode of chubbiness before and not to say overweight but certainly not an ideal weight for my height. At that time I was working in Temerloh. Eating outside is quite expensive so we cooked everyday. My housemate was a dietitian but she herself is a big eater. Hari-hari masak nasi without fail. Plus we're really good cook. Ehem. My regret was that I wasn't active physically compared to my student days. Also I'm not aware of my own increasing weight. I guess I'm too absorbed by how petite I am as people said. I became ignorant that however petite you are but when you eat more than what you need, you will become gemuk as well! Saya cuma tersedar bila satu hari di satu seminar kawan-kawan kolej yang lama tidak jumpa semuanya mencubit, meramas pipi dan lengan saya kerana geram dengan chubbiness saya. I was shocked literally.

Nowadays I watch what I eat especially carbs. Oleh kerana saya suka makan, saya kena cari jalan supaya dapat makan tapi dapat kawal berat badan. Usually I eat less on weekdays because it's easier to hold my appetite when I'm at work. Petang balik kerja pun jarang makan nasi. Lunch everyday is nasi seciput atau separuh, meat etc dan sayur banyak-banyak. Kadang-kadang tak makan nasi ganti dengan sup atau tomyam. Just to keep my tummy full. Jadi taktik saya ialah kurang makan pada hari kerja tapi enjoy makan pada weekends dan bila keluar dating dengan suami. So far masih berjaya.

Refreshing tea at Ladang Boh Sungei Palas, Cameron Highland

How sweet he is to surprise me with a candle light dinner at our hotel in Cameron :)

The menu

Yummeh braised lamb shank and panseared seabass fillet!

Sweet sinful dessert

Breakfast at Thistle hotel Port Dickson.
Btw, bilik hotel Thistle sangat lovely! Perlu promote nanti.

Yummeh!

Eh?!

Ha, that's better. Attacking Nandos before Maher Zain showcase.

Lelaki saya yang kekenyangan ;)