Bandung - November 2007

Wowww..I've left the blogging world for quite sometime ehh... It happens at least twice a year, for me. I will have this "malas blogging" syndrome.

But I'm back...:)

What's up with me after that "incident"?

Raya was great as usual. The usual makan-makan and visiting relatives here and there.

And the highlight of my silence, was the long awaited Bandung trip. Shop till you drop, phrase that seems to apply to all shoppers in Bandung.

I was reading this AA in-flight magazine, there this column on celebrity being interviewed. Guess who is it this time? Who else but Siti Nurhaliza. One of the question was, where is her favourite shopping place to which she replied Milan, Dubai and SURIA KLCC.

Well I'll settle for Bandung for now...

I remembered buying a GBP20 jacket at a GAP boutique in High Street Ken once only to realised that it has "Made in Indonesia" tag. GBP20 is considerably cheap for a jacket if you're earning in GBP. Now convert that into RM, it's expensive by my standard since I'm now earning in RM. Amazing Bandung allows me to get a pair of GAP jeans and a gorgeous white jacket for RM50!!! Now that's extremely cheap!!! So heck if I get it in Bandung in a factory outlet, what's the difference?? The tag still says "Made in Indonesia"

Enjoy some of the pics taken in Bandung....

Ouh...my dad ate accidently ate deep fried "chicken head" thinking it was drumstick..it was covered with the bumbu n all....eeiiwwwwww....yucky.really turned off our appetite... I can actually see the beak and "balung".....yucky!!!

Apparently the Indonesians fry their whole chicken literally as a whole including the head...

Syawal 2007

Last Syawal, it was my sister's cooking as my mom was feeling rather ill.

This Syawal, I came back last night and saw the rendang was already cooking it's way on the stove. Took a bite and knew it was from "air tangan" mummy. Sedaaappp....

Mom it's feeling a lil'bit stronger this year and of course the help from the maid is highly appreciated. She could not possibly do the heavy "kacau-kacau" and preparations.

My youngest sister will be travelling back up north with her husband and Qistina today after Friday prayer. Hence the reason why the rendang is up earlier than usual.

I'm sure most of you will only read this entry after the long festive break. I've noticed some of you bloggers have posted the last entry prior to Eid since last Friday. Nevertheless, I would like to wish all fellow bloggers..........

Salam Aidilfitri. Mohon maaf, zahir dan batin kalau-kalau ada tersalah kata, bahasa dan perasaan.

Have a safe trip and back to those who have kampungs to go back to.

I'll be here in Shah Alam when all of you come back to invite me for that makan-makan open house..teee..heeeee...

Not forgetting the less fortunate, lets all celebrate the arrival of Syawal with feling of full blessings and humble hearts.

Listing fellow bloggers in random orders just like last year, if I did missed anyone, my humble apologies.

The Brudders Bloggers

1. Pak Adib
2. Brudder Id aka Ariff
3. Pokku
4. Boogie Woogie
5. Gab
6. Azer Mantessa
7. Djin Sakti
8. Akula 69
9. Bertique
10. East 43 Street
11. Gravt
12. Sean Himbo
13. X-eyed Jules
14. Merapu Man
15. Pekasam
16. Red Raven
17. TJ
18. Winged Achrophobic
19. Ordinary Superhero

The Sistahs Bloggers

1. Intan SG aka Melopong
2. Jade aka Aquajade
3. Jolie aka ineednewspine
4. Sheryl aka shoesaddict
5. Dahling aka Raden Galoh
6. Kak Lady
7. Mak Lang aka dariteratakmaklang
8. Kak Sya
9. Kak Teh aka chocablog
10. Ayong
11. Angerik Merah
12. Sher aka Cosmic Gurl
13. D aka pausetoreflect
14. Dnas aka Dayang Zone
15. Dia aka itisollaboutdia
16. Drama Mama
17. Elisa aka spreadthejam
18. Fay aka anakcina
19. FG aka Famygirl
20. Freax and Geex
21. Gart aka gartgrowls
22. Ruby aka Mak Nenek
23. Isas
24. Itote
25. Lollies
26. Missy Aphroditekuzz
27. Nadia
28. Ninuk
29. Nore
30. Nutty
31. Onde-Onde
32. Primary Basic
33. Trueblue
34. Flushhead
35. Mak Andeh
36. Bluewonder
37. Kak Elle
38. Blackfeline
39. Mamarock
40. Rotidua

And to all the random bloggers that have dropped by...

Wake up call

I was woken up by my mom this morning via the cell. She was like....

I****, mummy sedih laaa.. (and she started crying) I was so totally awake by now...

Mom - Jgn lah gaduh gaduh lagi ngan Abah... last night he asked me, mak duk kat maner??

Me - Mak?? Wan ke nenek mie?

Mom - Wan laaa...

Me - Then mummy cakap aper?

Mom - Mommy cakap la, mak maner ader dah Bah, dah meninggal...*sobbing still* and u know what he asked?

Me - What

Mom - I pergi tgk ker kebumikan mak tu? Mommy cakap la ..yer bah u pegie..

Mom - Dia dah luper I****.... sometimes he forgets whether he had his meal or not... Jgn la lawan lawan dier lagie okay.. he doesn't remember well now...

Me - Ye ker mie... ok lah..

*Cell phone off*

I used to asked my mom couple of years ago, how and why she accepted the way my dad treated her. Note - my dad is not a physical abuser but he tortures mom emotional quite bad that I didn't understand why she stood up for him after all these years. She just kept quiet. Till last night I still did not get the answer.

Last December my sister send me a text messages -

*Salam. Wa said to mum, "Mi, esok is your 40th annivesary" Mum replied, "Tak yah buat aper2. Sakit ati jer. Kalau takder anak2, life is meaningless" sambil berlenang air matanyer. (Also tomoro is Bos's b'day. 73th kalau ikut i/c. 76th actual. Kita doa je la aper2 yg patut)

And when I got that text, I still wonder to myself why did mom accepted all that? Why didn't she pack her bags and leave with all 5 of us? I cannot recall when actually Abah started to mistreated her, but it goes as far as I can remember, like forever.

But today I guess I'm beginning to understand vaguely why...

People get married for various reason, either they really love each other or they think they love each other, for companionship, for money, for because it is something they must do after long years of courting - just to get the happy ending without realising that it was just a beginning of a whole new chapter. Or could it be because there's passion in it, thunderbolt lighting strucked at that spot, at that moment, chemistry factor was perfect or many other reasons for that matter.

And once its binded, it's usually for life. Like only death will do us part..kinda thing... Then reality come into life, out come the habits good or bad of our otherhalf, we learn to deal and accept it accordingly. Then pop out the junior/s. Then the passion dies off as it usually happens and only conscience kept the marriage alive. The feeling of responsibilty, guilt, and I must make this happen attitude then comes all the sacrifices.

Sacrifices has kept my mom to the ground. She probally could walk out ages ago, but she did not. Perhaps because she felt we needed a father, a proper family tree or simply a I'm a happy woman with wonderful children and a great husband!!! No one outside needed to know.

But for whatever the reason Allah has grant us this ordeal, only HE knows, I'm grateful that I have a father and a mother and few other siblings whom I can call my family. Yes sometimes I wish I didn't have a father because of the things he does and than I'll retaliate so bad beyond a father and daughter arguments that's beyond imagination and I felt that I've accumulated so much sin because of him. Sins that I could do without. I wish I can undo all the things I've said
and done, but it will not happen. I just hope Allah will grant me more patience, strength and love to offer my Abah and this morning call was a sign for me to start acting like a daughter as how he has been to me during my younger days.

It's my mom choice to stay with him. I would not stay, if I was her. But mom is not me. I remembered someone once told me that - Allah takkan duga kita dengan apa yang kita tak boleh tanggung. Maybe that's her share. Meanwhile, I will just do my share of this dugaan which I think is only a speck of the dust compared to what others have to go through.

Ohhh..before I forget..I spoke to Mashitah today...that little girl in the photo... She was at the neighbour's house playing with Jannah. Jannah recognize my voice considering I left the house about 5 months ago I felt good. So Mashitah told me she can draw and color now and she drew and colored a fish in school. And she also said she can dial her mama's phone without help from others and even remembered the number. I was so happy and she asked for my number too. She even wrote it down with the help of Jannah and promised she will call. Ohh...how I've missed her... that little angel... hearing her voice made me drop my tears..

Mashitah dah tinggi ke skrg?

Dah..

Tinggi macam cik I**** ker??

*Giggled* Tak lah belum tinggi tu lagi...

I love you Mashitah...

I love you too....

Zahin n Muhd is back home for a week break. Just so happen my mom called Kak Wani today to ask about the kids. Instinct of a grandmother and a grieving mom. I hope Kak Wani won't be call a traitor for giving out such information as SIL labelled one of her brother as one for doing so. I guess it was too much of work for my SIL to get her 2 sons to call Wan over the phone, so Wan had to call them. So glad to hear from my mom that they're doing well in school, no bullies, good food etc. At least it made my mom's day.

Significant 16

16… Somehow or rather 16 is a significant number to the family. Noooo..nothing like lucky or bad.. I don’t believe numbers gives any good or bad luck.

Lemme see..

16th November – Hanzalah’s Birthday.

Happy birthday to you….happy birthday to you…. Happy birthday to hanzzzz…. Happy birthday to you!!!!!!

He is one year old today. May you grow up to be a wise and a great khalifah.

16th November also is the day where Zahin and Muhd got their UPSR result. And alhamdullilah…. Both of them got 5A’S. Soooooooooo happy for them…

I’ve decided for the sake of the kids I’m gonna make a straight voice and face to talk with SIL. Maybe there’s a reason after all on why things happening when I’m not around. I told my brother that let me do this for the sake of the kids. Biarlah orang nak panggil talam dua muka ker or aper ker… because I want them to know that Abah’s family will always be there for them no matter what happen and she knows we’re here to stay. I called their mom around noon to check on the result, but she said it will be available only late afternoon. So I said please call or sms which ever is easier once she has it. Did I get any calls or sms’s? None… It’s ok though coz I expected this to happen.

I only got a call from her brother and father. Got Muhd’s cell phone number and I called to congratulate. Mom and I were on our way home from her acupuncture treatment when we receive this news. As expected the result will spark sadness in mom…she immediately saw her son’s shadow of love. She cried..I let her cry..did not say a word.



What else is there happening with 16?

16th August – My late bro’s anniversary. Now I guess SIL have 2 dates to remember, that is if she remembers.

16th March – SIL’s birthday

16th Syaaban – The day He took my brother out from this world.

16th December – Muhammad’s birthday

16th January – Zahin’s birthday

16 indeed is a number filled with memories of happiness and sadness.

A walk through the cloud

There was a moment of sadness in the heart when I got to the hospital to greet a newborn last night. A beautiful baby boy was brought into the world of hope from the SIL's family side. No..the baby is fine..the baby was a healthy boy and so was his mom. I thought I could just forget all and walk without a tinge of sadness, but I was wrong.

There it is, the place where I saw his face rounded with a white cloth. That image came running into my head while I stood out there for a moment. Such a long 15minutes of hesitating whether or not I have the courage to walk right through it as the main entrance was closed. I decided to wait for my SIL. Tears start filling up and my heart just filled with sadness.

I did, I walked right through it and thank Him for the room that was there was changed into a counter for the walk-in patients. I sailed through it trying so hard to fight my sadness but a tear or two drop as SIL asked why was my eyes watery.

Oh Allah, please give my family and myself especially my mother the strength to overcome this tragedy. Oh Allah please bless his soul and put him among the pious.

It's going to be a year soon, how time flies but the memories of him is felt so strongly. No death is harder to accept than a sudden death, which I knew but only now to feel the heartache....

Re-energised weekend

Of all the long weekends we had in Malaysia for the year 2006 so far, the last was so fullfilling for me. I felt re-energised bagai nak rak..so where and how i got this fabs feelings.

On Friday, I spend half the day sitting down at Secret Recipt reading "The Undomestic Goddess" very light reading but exciting..i kept on pages after pages and didn't even mind when the waitress apologised for taking my orders late. My SIL was roaming around the shopping complex for some stuffs she needs to get for the kids and also for both mothers i.e my mommie and her mok. She called me like after 2 hours pestering me over to Lovely Lace. So i paid my bills and headed for LL. I love that shop really I do..but sometimes the smell is to intoxicating for me..dizziness.. She bought some stuff priced over RM40 and was offered this nice souvenir at RM19.90. So I decided to get it for my mom. So with the gift, card and wrapping papers it all came out to approx. RM30, very nice indeed..We went back home..relaxed and i was eagerly waiting for AI on 8TV that night. I know..i know..everyone knows the result..bla..bla...tapi memandangkan I dun have the cable tv at SIL's house..so i've to settle with the current tv channels. Damn!!! my rawk bebeh was voted out..i was hoping on KaT to be voted out..somehow or rather she's annoying me week after week..i used to route for her..

On Saturday...the day I've been waiting for the whole week..my monthly massage thingy. So i drove up to Sunway, parked my car and jovially hopped to 4th floor for Bibik. After 2 hours I was re-energised..and it cost flippin' RM50..that make me more re-energised..i mean 2 hours-rm50..what a deal!! After the massage, I cross the bridge and walk over to Sunway Pyramid. My mind was set, i must watch "Failure to Launch" today. 1, it's because of SJP..wow that woman.i'd love her from that 80's dancing movie,,can't remember the title..and 2, semestinyer Matthew Mc something..always hv difficulties to spell it..nevermind I'm sure everyone knows who. I mean i practically watched all his movies..lurvvvv.......his voice... Unfortunately they didn't have it at that time so I settled it with watching MI3. Not bad..i must say the lead lady looks like Katie Holmes. and unlike the week before though I was AGAIN watching it alone..i didn't feel like a pathetic lonely soul...woww..massage can do wonderss!! went back home happy and got myself ready for the usual Saturday tazkirah. hhmm...i must find a day to watch FTL..I must...

On Sunday, I was blog hopping half the morning as the kids were all at their tuition classes. At approx 1pm, all of us left for Kajang for the family gathering sempena Mother's day. This year we celebrated kat rumah Kak Teh aka Mak to my nephew and nieces coz she took care of the 3 boys when they were kids, so ended up all of the n&n's call her mak. As usual she feasted us with the scrumptious lunch cum tea and not forgetting the satay kajang. eat my heart out...yumm..yummm marvellous..i took some photos of it and photos of all the cards made by my n&n's for their mum. Will post it soon.

My 2nd SIL was telling me the conversation she had with her eldest daughter, Aishah. You see Aishah started school this year and since my SIL is a housewive, so she always cook heavy breakfast for her and packed her lunch too. Her tummy is actually bloating and Ibu was concerned. So Ibu told her that she needs to cut down on her food. She cried for not able to eat nasi lemak or nasi goreng for breakfast.

Ibu - Aishah tak mo lah makan byk sgt nanti gemuk susah tau...
Aishah - Takpe..
Ibu - Nak gemuk?? betul?? nanti gemuk cam achik kat kampung ker cam cik IXXXn ker..
Aishah - Takpe..kalau gemuk cam achik tak nak..kalau cik Ixxxn nak..
Ibu - apsal??
Aishah - Gemuk cam Cin Ixxxn takpe..sbb dier cantik.

Woww...I was what??? here i am takder self confidence langsung about my looks and a 7 yo can actually noticed me..hehh..hehh..make me so proud and perasan la skejab..makcik vogue la nie..

p/s : Achik is my SIL's sister in her kampung. And we decided to not tell her about this..and bribed Aishah not to tell too.

We went back home at about 6pm. SIL brought the boys for a haircut. The rest got down and get ready for maghrib. I showered then solat and read 2 pages of At-Taubah. Dgn niat nak take a nap while waiting for Isya, i woke up at 6am the next morning.

Damn!!!
1. I missed Isya...guilty..guilty...I did it though before doing Subuh.
2. Missed my Superman series...awwww...shit..

Wonders of massage
- it can make you go deep sleep for 11hours without aromatheraphy or scented candles nonsense...aaahh..marvellous..
- bole re-energised giler babey nyerr...i feel goooooooodddd........
- make my face glow..i think laaa..

well till my next massage..i hope this can last me till june.