Of money and purse

My new one!

I went to Brands Outlet last Monday to buy birthday present for my friend. As I happily browse through the clothes, I found one that I thought was perfect for her and I ended up selecting mine as well. So again happily I walked to the cashier and put the clothes on the counter.

Me : Berapa?
Cashier : RM69.80, kak
Me : Ok, sekejap ya ( while rummaging through my handbag)

And that was when I found out that I have forgotten to bring my purse! How embarassing is that! Luckily Husband was nearby so I asked him to pay for the clothes. If not, I guess I have to pay using all the RM1 duit raya in my bag. Anyway I have experienced this very same thing when I was in Form 2. My mum gave me RM100 to buy new clothes and we were living in Kota Bharu at that time so I went to the shopping mall by riding a bicycle. And at the cashier counter I somehow found out that I lost the money and I don't have any money left with me. So I ended up returning back all the clothes and went back home empty handed and of course totally embarassed! Haha. And I did not go to that mall for more than a month due to that embarassment.

So my advice to all and to myself is check your bag before you go out and again, check you bag before you confidently head to the cashier counter. As for me, I sooo have learned my lesson on that day!

On MC today

I am at home right now because I am on MC today, thanks to eating lots of food during yesterday's Jamuan Hari Raya. Yesterday I vomitted a few times and today I felt melayang-layang and I cannot even stand properly. Hopefully I will feel fine as soon as possible since this loya2 and headache is making me crazy.

Anyway yesterday Zubye sms me on the phone and asked me to visit her blog. And I thought excitedly the photos for the shooting must be up on her blog already! So I visited and here are the photos.



Thank you Zubye for the lovely photos! Cannot wait for the full set of the photos!

Experimenting dadih Sunday

For some unknown reason I suddenly have the urge to make dadih on Saturday night. Maybe it's because the delicious dadih that I tasted during my office's Jamuan Hari Raya. So, I google for dadih recipe and found this one from Hanieliza's fotopages. A strawberry dadih! So I frantically called Husband who was out meeting his friends to buy the ingredients. And luckily he bought all the stuff and so on Sunday morning I proceed to experiment with the dadih. Here's the ingredients all copied from hanieliza's page:

DADIH STRAWBERRY


Bahan
1 liter susu kotak strawberry dutch lady
1 cawan air
4 s/b gula
1 s/b serbuk agar-agar
150 ml [1 cawan kecil] yogurt asli dutch lady

Caranya
1. Masakkan serbuk agar-agar dan air sehingga mendideh.
2. Masukkan gula dan kacau rata. Bila mendideh tutup api.
3. Masukkan susu kotak strawberry dan yogurt asli. Kacau rata.
4. Masukkan dalam gelas atau bekas kecil.
5. Sejukkan dalam petisejuk.
6. Hidangkan sejuk.

And that was when I realised Husband bought this not so ordinary yogurt. And the yogurt that he bought smelled awful! If you want to refer to the above dadih ingredients picture, it was the one in the plastic bag in front of the strawberry milk. And so I ditched that one and my version of dadih is actually without the yogurt.

The outcome of the dadih was quite okay, but it was too lembik for my liking, but still maybe the agar-agar is not enough. But hey it still tasted good! And I was also out of plastic containers and so here was what my dadih look like in the fridge!

SHINE contest entry

I enter the Shine contest today just for fun. And here is my dream:

My dream is to be able to cook like Chef Wan, while still look good like Nigella Lawson and have the deftness of Jamie Oliver. Hopefully one day I will SHINE the world with my cooking prowess and then only I will dare to dream about my next step which is opening restaurants which have branch around the world!

Go submit your dream now..you know where to click!

Friday updates

The photo shoot with Zubye went well even though we are a little bit late and Zubye was in a rush. The not so well thing is I was drenched in sweat and I have forgotten to bring tissues with me. Nasibla muka macam air tejun. Haha. It was so very hard to get Husayn to smile and we have to geletek him to make him laugh. Unfortunately I don't have any pics during the photo shoot so I guess I have to wait until Zubye hand me the CD so I can share the pics with you lovely people. Anyway to those who leave comments and asked about the photoshoot price, mine was RM210 package for the Hari Raya family portrait. But I suggest if you want to know more just contact Zubye directly. She is super friendly and will surely answer whatever questions you might have.

And to Viruspadu and Saw Saw Lady I have posted your prize yesterday and if Pos Malaysia kept their word it actually should arrive today. So hopefully you have receive your prize ya.

Guess what I found in my mail this morning? The awaited email from Redmummy!
Hopefully I can make it to attend the screening on Nov 4, Tuesday night, and get to mingle with fellow bloggers and of course the Red Family. But if I go to the screening I have to bring Husayn with me and he is one restless kid. Everyone will have a headache hearing him screaming his heart out, ok so I am exagerating but sometimes it did happen. Haha.

And lastly the Metrojaya Warehouse Sale!
No I did not go to the sale since my brother went to the sale and so I just pesan one perfume. Best of all I don't have to berebut and beratur until 40 minutes..that's what my brother did anyway. Hehe. And this is what my brother bought for me:
A 100ml Britney Spears Midnight Fantasy for only RM120! Isn't that a steal or what? Hehe..Anyway I love the smell!It smell fruity and yummy and if you have a husband beware that he will try to munch on you..if you have a husband la..kalau takde, wait until you have one. Hehe.

Wish you all a wonderful weekend ahead!

Amazing Blog Friday: Cupcakes by Datin MaryZain

Cupcakes-craze among Malaysians have seen the emergence of various Cupcakes online shops. These cupcakes don't only look pretty but it also tasted heavenly as well! And so for this week Amazing Blog Friday, I am featuring a cupcake online shop : Cupcakes by Datin MaryZain!
The name itself will make you intrigued doesn't it? I mean do Datins actually bake and sell cupcakes? OK, actually the name itself is a combination of the owner's parents' names which are Dato’ Hj Mat Zain & Datin Hjh Mariam. This lovely cupcake shop owner is Inn Erviena Zain, 30 from Hulu Langat Selangor. The most interesting thing I found out about Inn's cupcake business is she had cupcakes order from Her Royal Highness herself which is the Permaisuri Agung - Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah.

Let's get to know Inn and her cupcake shop better and see what makes her shop apart from the other Cupcakes online shops!

Inn, the owner of the lovely Cupcakes by Datin Mary Zain

1. When did you start your online shop?
Started end of 2006. Appeared on The Star paper twice last year
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/7/15/sundaymetro/17949404&sec=sundaymetro

You can also view the cupcakes pics here!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cupcakes_by_datinmaryzain/867246790/

2. What drive you to start your business online?
It was my sister's idea. we initially started the business together but after she got offered from several law firm the commitment is no longer there but order still keep coming in and I am "in comfort zone" when I'm baking and designing the cuppies. So, I am currently doing this business on my own.

The super hot couple in bed cake!

3. Are you doing online business full time or is this only for side income?
Full time. But mula2 memang for fun but after we got a lot of fans and followers it is business to me now. I got a lot of orders from royalties as well as the permaisuri agung and also Tunku Puan Pahang.

4. What do you think is your best product?
Cupcakes and also I sell the design. I give what customer's want, they(the customer) tell me what they have in mind and I'll try my best to deliver it,

Boyz theme cupcakes

5. Do you have a physical shop ?
No shop. All at home and orders through emails,sms all in cyber world. I have several groups as in Facebook, flickr, blog, and also a few forum groups basically for bakers to share ideas

6. How do you promote your business?
All online, thru facebook,flickr,blog, and also good recommendation from regular customers

Perfect for the totally cute and girly- girly!

7. Which part of Malaysia or the world does your customers come from?
I would say all around the world. For international order; normally they want to surprised their families in KL so they ordered and paid online and all i have to do is deliver the cakes to the families.

8. What makes your online shop different than other shops?
Well of course the taste, the designs, and i believe in good PR and also rezeki i guess:) Ohh one more thing, I deliver what customer's want and also on time, trust is another thing I guess. As in cyber world you have to maintain the trust given by your customers.

10. Any tips or advice for new or budding women entrepreneurs out there?
Work hard and also you have to always upgrade ur skills.

Additional note from Inn of Cupcakes by Datin MaryZain:
Nama Cupcakes by Datin MaryZain is because pada mulanya masa nak masuk paper tu I dont have any name for the biz so i combinekan nama my parents. Alhamdullillah nama tu bawak berkat i guess, with that name I can reached out to soo many new customers, lagi satu mungkin ade Datin di depan tu kan so I received byk jugak VIP orders as well as royalties lah:))

And if you want to order these cupcakes you can visit Cupcakes by Datin MaryZain blog for more design and details and contact her at:
Phone no : Inn 019-6133211
YM : erviena_zain
Email : datin_maryzain@yahoo.com

I, of course am not forgetting Supermummy readers and for this week Amazing Blog Friday, Cupcakes by Datin MaryZain is offering a 2 weeks promotion from 1st - 14th November to all Supermummy readers! For every set of Big 12pcs or Mini 16 pcs, you will get extra 2 cuppies! To qualify for this promotion don't forget to mention Malaysian Supermummy blog. If not cannot get to offer la..hehe..And remember the promotion starts only on 1st Nov. Any questions or inquiries can be directed to Inn.

I would like to take the opportunities to thank Inn for ever willing to be featured here. And for that, you are most welcome to add this Supermummy Amazing Blog Friday image at your blog!

Terrific Thursday (hopefully!)

The little fella and his Ultraman is sleeping so mummy has some time updating. Alhamdulillah Husayn is getting better and he did not vomit anything today. yay! I will be on leave tomorrow to do this following things:

1. Raya photo shoot with Zubye at Taman Tugu
2. Post the Tudung Dubai to Sawsaw Lady and Viruspadu
3. Hopefully manage to go to Metrojaya Warehouse Sales
4. Send Husayn for his 18 months old jab (if sempat la, if not any other time before he turns 19 months old)

So if you pass Taman Tugu tomorrow morning and saw a couple running after a one year old kid in our Baju Raya, well that got to be us. Haha.

Husband, Husayn and Facebook

Husband and Husayn have not been well this morning, though both actually require different medication and prescription.

Husband
There were days when you don't know why you fell in love with your Husband at the first place, and today is one of those days. Men can get too cocky sometimes but the thing with them (at least in my Husband's case) is they don't actually tell us what is wrong. This type of people simple yelled for no reason and suddenly they cease speaking at all as if we did not exist, and of course after spending the night on the couch ( which is so not related to Husband. will explain them later) , I was cranky which explains why I yelled back. I really need a punching bag to release all this pent up anger. Haha.

Husayn
My poor baby has vomitted nearly 10 times since 7pm yesterday. The last vomit was at 2 something this morning. I am still now clueless what caused the vomitting and so I asked the doctor at Klinik Kelana Puteri last night and she said maybe it was salah makan or something. The doctor inserted ubat for his muntah into his punggung and he was okay until 2 something in the morning where he vomitted again. So I gave him his ubat muntah and alhamdulillah he is getting well and no vomit 'til now. I suspected his muntah is due to the vitagen and bubur kacang the Husband gave him when I was having my break fast yesterday. But nearly 10 times vomit in one night is too much to handle for me. Anyway the doctor suggested we go to the hospital if he started vomitting again and I am watching him closely and praying for the best.

And the couch thing? Last night after he had his last muntah, I brought Husayn downstairs and let him sleep in the buai (hammock) because I was afraid of breastfeeding him since everything kept coming out. And while he slept peacefully in the buai, I of course slept on the couch.

So this will explain why the different medication between this two 'H'. So what do you think is the best medication for Husband? A knock in the head will do him good since he is sometimes too hardheaded for his own good, but then that would make me isteri derhaka pulak. I will prefer the punching bag instead. And as for Husayn, please please be okay. I love you baby..muah muah!

Me
Yes, I have also updated on myself. I finally managed to register for Facebook!Look at this!

Oh yes, I am so ketinggalan but then better late than never! I have usually been a Friendster person. I know there are tons of sites like this like Tagged, High5 and tons that I could not remember. And the best that I like about Facebook is my office has still not ban this site yet (Friendster has already been banned here) and you can actually chat in here! Lovely. And of course you are also welcome to add me to your facebook (saya suka menambah kawan..hehe) or if you don't already have one, go register yourself now!

What did you do with your wedding presents?

Those junk on the photos above is actually my wedding presents! Well that some chunks of it. I have headache myself on where to store it and what to do with it. I mean is it ethical to give your own wedding present that you receive from somebody else to other person who are getting married? Haha. I never did that actually but it did cross my mind to clear the junk.

My wedding was two years ago and believe it or not I have not use a single thing! Well maybe except for a blender, and an iron that my sister took, every single presents have never been used. Among the presents that I receive include coffee maker, tons of gelas and cawan, albums, frames and my favourite of course is the microwave. But sadly since I myself is staying at my parents', there is no point in using those stuff. Maybe I can use it once I move to my new house, which I do not know when since we have not even buy a house yet. Haha. And hopefully once I decided to use it everything will be in perfect order and not rosak or anything.

So what do you actually do with your wedding presents? Do you actually use them all? Donate them? Rewrap and give it to somebody else who is getting married? Sell it on ebay?

Maybe I'll figure it out someday.

Tudung Dubai winner or is it winners?

I promise that I will announce the winner for the Tudung Dubai contest today. After much evaluating and asking opinion of the other judge, which is of course my Husband, I am really pleased to announce that I will choose two winners instead of one! Don't worry the prize is still the same, which is the Tudung Dubai.

Before that, I would like to thank all participants for the contest for sharing their tudung experience. I really enjoy reading all the wonderful stories but I hate having to choose only one winner, which might explain why I ended up choosing two winners instead! I hope that will inspire others and we can learn from each other's experience.

The first winner (in no particular order) is from this blog:

i'm ソソ with this entry:

hi supermummy
saya muallaf...chinese convert...dah 2 tahun saya convert...saya masih belum terbuka hati lagi nak pakai tudung...suami tidak pernah memaksa saya pakai tudung tapi selalu cerita hukum orang yang tidak pakai tudung dan dosa seorang isteri, suami yang kena tanggung...saya tahu, suatu hari pasti saya akan memakai tudung...Tapi untuk memastikan saya pakai tudung...dari sekarang saya dah mula mengenakan seluar panjang, naju lengan panjang sebagai permulaan untuk saya tutup aurat saya demi suami dan tuhan...saya kena practise dan biasanya dengan lengan panjang dan seluar panjang. saya tidak boleh merungut panas ataupun tidak selesa...Sekiranya saya berjaya mengharunginya, hari memakai tudung tidak jauh lagi...
saya harap saya dapat pakai tudung dan tidak akan buka tudung lagi...amin

And the second winner is from this blog:

viruspadu with this entry:

Kenapa saya pakai tudung?? Sudah pasti kerana tuntutan agama. Yang itu saya pahamlah, sebab tuntutan agama. Tapi persoalannya kenapa dahulu saya pakai sewaktu di Universiti tetapi kemudiannya, tanggal dan sekarang setelah bertahun-tahun saya pakai semula…

Saya tidak bertudung dulu bukan sebab saya jahil dan tak mahu paham dengan tuntutan agama tu, tetapi lebih kepada melayan kehendak jiwa yang masih muda. Saya teringin untuk memakai pakaian pelbagai fesyen. Ingin untuk memperagakan rambut. Dan ingin terasa cantik. Jangan salah faham, bertudungpun boleh juga kelihatan cantik bergaya, cuma…. Ye lah, gelora jiwa muda…

Dan kenapa pula saya kembali bertudung. Mungkin setelah usia muda telah berganjak ke penghujungnya, atau mungkin kegairahan berfesyen dan bergaya itu sudah memudar… dan mungkin juga hidayah Allah telahpun tiba.

Yang pasti cukup mudah Allah menurunkan hidayahnya. Hanya dengan bersenjatakan kenangan dan ketakutan. Kenangan dan rindu pada arwah anak dan ketakutan sama ada saya layak atau tidak bertemu semula dengan arwah anak itu di akhirat kelak.

Perasaan rindu yang mendalam itu membuatkan fikiran melayang kepada kenangan indah bersama arwah Alesha. Diselitkan juga dengan segala kepayahan dan dugaan sewaktu arwah sakit. Dari rindu yang gelap itu, terbit segala janji-janji Allah. Tentang dunia. Tentang hari pembalasan. Tentang pahala. Dan tentang dosa.

Adakah mungkin sang ibu pembuat dosa bakal diketemukan semula dengan si anak yang terjamin sebagai bidadari syurga??? Lantas terbit ketakutan yang maha mencengkam. Takut untuk bertemu dengan Allah kelak. Takut akan siksaanNya. Takut tidak dapat bertemu darah dagingku yang lebih dahulu pergi.

Saya perlu berubah. Dengan sokongan suami, saya berdikit-dikit berubah. Bermula dengan cara berpakaian. Saya mesti bertudung. Dan saya akan terus bertudung untuk beransur-ansur memperbaiki diri. Supaya nanti Alesha kenal akan saya di sana . Agar kami dapat bertemu untuk mengubat rindu…..

Congratulations on the winners! I will be contacting the winners for their address and will post the prizes. And a huge,huge thanks to all the others participants! You guys have certainly made it difficult for me to choose winners! But insya Allah, if there is rezeki some other day I will held some other contests.

Amazing Blog Friday: Be Gorgeous with getGorgeous!

The first time I accidentally found out about getGorgeous, I was hooked. Well, here's one online boutique that does not only sell clothes, it also took the initiative to present the clothes or accessories that they sell in such a way that make you feel like buying it! And somehow everytime I found something that I like from their shop, most of them are either not in my size or sold out. The brainchild of two beautiful and stylish sisters, Azlia and Allia, the shop caters from the regular size to plus size types. And with a motto "Fashion for Muslim Chic", now who said tudung-wearing ladies can not be stylish themselves.

What's interesting about getGorgeous is they don't only sell clothes or accesories, they also will help you to find style that suits you with useful tips and tricks and sometimes they even organise events and activities. Don't believe me? Go visit them at getgorgeous.com.my and you will know what I mean. And today I am so lucky to have getGorgeous in Supermummy Amazing Blog Friday. Let's get to know getGorgeous better ya!

1. Can you tell me more about getGorgeous?
getGorgeous is owned by two sisters; Azlia ,25 & Allia,23 with ardent desire and passion to start an online clothing business. Starting by home based business, now we are expanding & have our own office located at Puchong,Selangor.

The lovely Allia (left) and Azlia (right)

2. When did you start your online shop?
in June 2007

3. What drive you to start your business online?
After quitting my job (Azlia), I had nothing to do & started doing online biz just for fun. Then I saw the opportunity in making money through internet & I really enjoy what I'm doing compared to my previous job. Luckily,my sis (Allia) decided to be part of the team & being my partner. Using our own saving, we run a very small online store with just 6 pieces of clothes on sale! Soon, we transformed our own bedroom into a little store cum workstation as there have been an encouragingly increase demand on our product, and the goods have taken more spaces, making our mom very uneasy about all those cluttered stuffs ;p

Alhamdulillah, now we have our own office & mini boutique for operating our job.

getGorgeous boutique

4. Are you doing online business full time or is this only for side income?
full time =)

5. What do you think is your best product?
Well, actually it depends..Customer's taste & choice varies throughout the year.Last year,there's an "Eazy breezy knitted cardi" musim which we had to re-stock every month..And our "Sugar Shift Dress" season that sold out in just one day! This year, our best product are Plaid Pinafore & Lively floral dress;)

6. Do you have a physical shop ?
We do have our office & little boutique at Puchong. Do visit our web for the map & info.

Azlia at getGorgeous shop

7. How do you promote your business?
by Online & Offline.In this competitive business, we believe the best
marketing is from our valued customers who are spreading & promoting the news about getGorgeous:)

8. Which part of Malaysia or the world does your customers come from?
All over Malaysia including Sabah & Sarawak. We also received great response from Singapore,Japan,Switzerland,Australia etc

9. What makes your online shop different than other shops?
What makes us unique and different from the other online store is that we not only sells very good quality clothes, but we also offers and provides variety of ideas(tips&tricks) and fashion for muslimah to appear trendy.

look at that rack of clothes!

10. Any tips or advice for new or budding women entrepreneurs out there?
+Believe in yourself
+enjoy with wat u do & consistent (istiqamah)
+be positive
+Visualize ur dreams & make it happen
+Jangan malu utk memulakan perniagaan
+Always read & learn from any motivation & business books

And here comes the good news for all Supermummy readers!

getGorgeous has been kind enough to give 10% DISCOUNT from total price for all Supermummy readers! Please bear in mind that this offer EXCLUDE discount or stock clearance items and postage.

So what are you waiting for? Here's step by step guide on what you should do:

a) make order through web.How to order please click here :
http://www.getgorgeous.com.my/howto.php

b)email getGorgeous at customerservice@getgorgeous.com.my
CODE : Supermummy

c) we will inform total price after discount

d) customer can proceed the payment :)

This offer is valid untill 31st October 2008. Don't miss on this really good deal!

And to Azlia and Allia, you are welcome to include this Supermummy Amazing Blog Friday image at your site! Good luck and I wish all the best for you both!

Bolos saja dinding itu!

One thing that Husayn must have missed during Ramadhan was watching Bolos on Astro! Haha. He is a big fan of the Bolos show but instead of Bolos he called it "Bobos" (memang betul anakku ini orang jawalah..haha). He will not only watch but also immitate what is the Bolos contestants doing. And sometimes my family and I will shoout "Bolos! Bolos!" and Husayn will abruptly squat down as if waiting for the Bolos wall to hit him. It was really funny to watch him like that with this muka saspen and yelling "Bobos! Bobos!" himself.

Anyway during Ramadhan, Husayn will watch bolos from 8.00pm to 9.30 while I either recite the Quran or pray, and Astro will show that Bolos everyday, so that has been some kind of routine for Husayn. So now, since there's no Bolos on tv ( or are they coming with new season of Bolos since my mum said she saw some Bolos promo on tv) Husayn sometimes watch Bolos via YouTube. But have you seen the original Bolos which is from Japan but they call it Hole in the Wall? I thought it was funnier than the Malaysian version. And if you are interested to watch it, go to YouTube now!

And hey look my mum packed for me today. Sardine Sandwich! That's the merit of living with your parents eventhough you are married and have kids I guess. Now I feel like school going children...but it doesn't matter, because I really love it! The sardine sandwich I mean..hehe

Lovely Sardine Sandiwches for my buncit stomach!

By the way do visit my blog tomorrow for special discount for all Supermummy readers in Amazing Blog Friday. Discount apa? Wait and see..

Redmummy's Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa Contest

So while waiting for the results of the Tudung Dubai contest, that should be out next week, I stumbled across this contest from the infamous redmummy where you can win tickets to Madagascar's screening! So here I am answering this questions:

1)Character Alex - What animal is that?
Alex is of course the mad, attention seeking and totally lovable LION!

2)I should be getting the free tickets because (less than 15 words la pulak!):
I'd loveeee to meet Red Family,
the perfect way would be winning Redmummy's freebie!

I promise to Supermummy readers that if I ever become the top winner who will be awarded 10 Madagascar tickets, I will of course will not forget you and give away the remaining free tickets to my lovely readers too (ada gaya macam nak pancing undi tak? haha)!

And if you also want to enter the contest yourself just click here for Redmummy's Madagascar - Escape 2 Africa!Good luck!

My first Raya photo shoot

My very first Hari Raya photo shoot in studio

My very first Hari Raya photo shoot in a studio was last year. We were in Taiping and my sis-in-law suggested that we all went to take photos at a nearby photo studio. The experience was quite new to me since before that my family and I have never really taken any photos in a studio. Haha. We usually asked each other to take photos of each other. I mean for my side, we have quite a big family so there's no problem in taking those photos.

And what an experience it was! I did not know that there will be so many people actually waited for their turn to take photos of their family and how Photo shops actually charge higher than usual for Hari Raya photo dos. And look at the above photo! Haha, I did not even really like it. I mean I have smile that is showing too much teeth and Husayn looks like he was slipping my grasp! And at the top right corner of the photos (quite blur from the above picture but visible if viewed first hand) you can see a little bit wires berselerak here and there! Talk about some silly mistakes! I mean the least they could do is crop the photo.

Anyway believe it or not, we just got the above photos during this Hari Raya, which is actually one year late! Haha. My sis-in-law somehow lost the receipt for the above taken photos and the shop assistant refused to find our photos. I guess I learned my lesson and next time no Raya Photo for me at studio on the day of Hari Raya, thank you.

But this year's Raya photo is also not something that can be proud of. I mean we did not even get to have family photo shoot since the guest came in quite early. Here's this year's photo which I think I have posted earlier.
And Husayn was not even looking at the camera! So with this photos futility I have decided to book a Raya photo shoot with Zubye! I hope it will turn out fine since before this I myself have problems in making Husayn look at the camera. Only problem is the location. Still thinking about it or do you have any ideas where should be the perfect Hari Raya photo setting? I'm thinking somewhere with background of mosque like Shah Alam, Putrajaya, or even Masjid Wilayah which is very near to my office!

Metrojaya Warehouse Sale

Updating the blog for the second time today (macam takde keje pulak ye..haha). Out of curiosity, have any of you go to Metrojaya Warehouse Sale before? I really want to buy myself a new perfume, but of course being kedekut me, I don't want to spend too much on the perfume so I prefer hunting it at Warehouse Sale. And since this warehouse sale do actually sell perfume, I wonder if it is worth it for me to take a leave on the 23rd. Haha. I just want to be the first one there. Haha kiasu tak? So if any of you have been to this Warehouse Sale before do share it here. Thanks!
The sale flyer from shoppingnsales!

By the way the above Warehouse Sale will be held at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam and not Metrojaya outlets ya!

Hari Raya Open House galore

The contest is now officially closed, well since yesterday evening actually. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the lovely commentors for your support and for the wonderful stories! I will read and re-read everything and the result should be out by next week.

Anyway the previous weekend was full of visiting relatives house, not exactly full since we did manage to go 4 houses in 2 days only. Here's the recap:

1) Ucuk's open house in Seremban

Green Street Homes at Seremban 2 was where we headed

Ucuk is an auntie of mine who currently resides in Abu Dhabi but previously lived in Seremban 2. Anyway even though she lives in Abu Dhabi, she went back to Malaysia more often than I went back to my kampung. And during puasa she even went back to Malaysia for one night only and then the next day fly back to Abu Dhabi. That's the perk of having a husband as pilot and that explain why I want Husayn to be a pilot, so he can sponsor me and Husband to travel the world free of charge! Haha. We stayed a night at Ucuk's house in Seremban and Husayn really love to play running inside the house and outside on the porch!

Cuba membuat shot ala2 Zubye with my cikai camera..haha

With his favourite toy that actually is his Uncle Irfan's

The morning after: Breakfast at the Porch

Uncle Ian and Irfan - yes that's Ian that was mentioned in my previous post!

We then said our goodbyes around 5 something and headed to Husband's cousin open house in Serdang.

2) Husband's Cousin @ Serdang

We are heading to Serdang!

There are no photos taken during the Open House but the food was nice! Husayn actually had two servings of mee sup and I stuffed myself with loads and loads of the caramel pudding! Husayn kept trying to grab other's people's toys and since there are a bunch of kids he kept following them everywhere they went. We went home around 8 something, all tired and as for me I really need my dose of Grey's Anatomy. Since I have my hands on complete season of Grey's Anatomy Season 2 and 4, I have watched nothing else but the series. Haha.

3) Sunday @ Husband's Cousin in SS2
This Husband's Cousin used to work quite near to my office back when I was in Damansara Uptown. Haven't seen her for a while and in the middle of this year she was diagnosed with this brain tumor and now she has resigned and stayed at home. She looked so skinny and all her words were slurring. I thought it must be due to the operations that she had.

Anyway Husayn was sleepy and he kept throwing food and spilled some drink on his own pants that it look like he peed inside his pants. I was quite mad at him and finally I succeeded in breastfeeding him to sleep. Peaceful it is. Haha.

4) Sunday @ Husband's Uncle in Shah Alam
Believe it or not Husayn really ate a lot and he even consumed 2 bananas! And somehow all those food takes it toll, and he actually berak 3 times! Letih mak awak ni Husayn!

p/s: I am shamelessly begging you lovely people to vote for me in here! Thank you in advance!

The Breastfeeding Story of Angelina Jolie

Have you seen this cover image from W magazine of Angelina Jolie breastfeeding one of her twins? I thought the photo is very beautiful and intimate and what's more Brad Pitt was the one who took photo of them! And did you see the tiny little fingers? There was some raw emotion and love radiates through this photo, and maybe because it is Angelina Jolie herself? Anyway she look relax and happy and more at ease with herself.

But still, I cannot forgive Angelina Jolie for taking away Brad Pitt from Jennifer Aniston! Haha..It's true, everytime I read magazine and see photos of Brangelina I just can't help but flip the page away. Hehe. But I guess I have to make exception for this photo.

And lovely readers, you have until 6pm today to send your entries in the Tudung Dubai contest! Just leave a comment related to Tudung in the tudung entry! Here's a sneak preview of the prize:

Read my tudung story and win a tudung dubai!

I was blog hopping to one of my favourite blog by viruspadu the other day and she has started to wear the tudung! Looking at her with tudung reminded me of myself when I first started wearing it. Wearing tudung is one of the biggest step I have taken in my life. It's not like the tudung is something alien that I have never wear before. In fact I have started wearing tudung when I was in Standard 2, at 8 years old. But at the time, when I went to school I always felt that the girls in my class were pretty in their pinafore while I always have this nagging feeling; why did my parents ask me to wear this plain white 'tudung' which always make me look messy at the end of the day, with it being white and all. During all my years in primary school, I have always been wearing my tudung to school, but outside school or during the sports or curricular activities, I always let my hair freely without any cover.

Even when the whole family moved to Kelantan, a state which is also known as 'Serambi Mekah' I never really wore my tudung outside school. I remember growing up watching my mother with her tudung, sometimes the plain, flowery rectangular ones. When she went to teach at school, she wore her 'tudung labuh' the plain big hijab which I usually relates to 'ustazah'. Until now, my mother will cover her head even when she wants to pick the dry clothes outside the house.

At 16 years old, I always found myself at the receving end of my mother's frustration wrath because I was simply too hard headed and I refused to wear tudung outside school. Worse, when she became angry with me, I will yell back at her and once I even punched the glass of my cupboard because I was so frustrated at my mother. Those teenage angst are hard to forget but I am really thankful because thanks to my mother's yelling I turn out okay, and my rebellious streak were all leashed out in cranking up the volumes of all those Korn albums that I bought. Going to the school prom without my mother's knowledge and wearing something skimpy without my mother's knowledge was probably the peak of it all. Amazingly, until now she does not have any idea that I have attended the prom.

Fast forward to May 1999, I was offered to study at a nearby private university. I came to the orientation in baju kurung and with my hair runs out freely. Before that I have decided that this time in my upcoming university years, I am going to be what I really am. No more hiding behind those hideous tudung, I thought. I can do whatever I desire and wear my hair any fashion I like.

But fate has another plan for me.

During orientation, all female Muslim student were required to wear tudung. Reluctantly, I wore the tudung, thinking at the end of the orientation I still can take off my tudung. On the last day of the orientation, most of the students went without their tudung, just like they originally came. To my amazement, when it was time to take off my tudung, I suddenly had this reluctant feeling. I felt that I am actually at ease with my tudung and I will feel naked without it.

And so begins a new journey with my tudung which alhamdulillah, I have continue to wear it until today.

Me in tudung lilit

And my favourite tudung dubai!

I used to cover only my head when I wore tudung, but now I have begin to wear my tudung not only to cover my head, but also my chest. My decision to wear tudung during my uni days, have created various comments from friends and family alike. Some were shocked, some were disappointed and my mother of course were delighted.

To me it has been a long and wonderful journey with my beloved tudung. With various choices of tudung and lots and lots of fashion on how to wear your tudung, I think you will look prettier if you don a tudung.

And so I am organising a contest today!

Just leave a comment here related to tudung, and really it does not matter whether you are wearing one or not. You just need to mention tudung in your comment (I mean the real tudung or headscarf ya, not tudung periuk or tudung saji and such! haha).

The best comment will win a brand new Tudung Dubai which was bought in Dubai!

Contest end this Monday, 13th October at 6pm and best of all you can send as many entries as you like!

Good luck!

p/s: I am shamelessly begging you lovely people to vote for me in here! Thank you in advance!

A conversation with a 4-year-old

On one of those days during my Hari Raya holiday at my kampung in Batu Pahat, I found this card lying on the floor. I was intrigued so I picked up the card and opened it.

I saw some drawings on the card and I suspected it belongs to my 4-year-old cousin, Ian. I assumed those were the drawings of cats and flowers and other things which I still cannot fathom. Heheh.
And then I flipped to the next page and I found this which really got me. In case if you have problems reading those words below (just like I did the first time I read this..haha), here are the words:

To My Daddy

You are the best!

From Ian
Once I finished reading that, Ian appeared from nowhere and said "Eh ni adik punya kad la" and so we had this conversation.

Me : Ni kad untuk sapa ni?
Ian : Untuk Daddy adik la
Me : Eh Daddy adik sapa?
Ian : K****** A**** la
Me : Adik sayang ke Daddy adik?
Ian : Mestila sayang..hehe

You must think the conversation is a little bit weird, I mean who doesn't love their daddy. But in Ian case it is different. Ian's mother which is also my auntie is divorced from Ian's father since he was around 1-year-old, so basically Ian did not even know or recognise who is his father. After the divorce, the father has never met him or even called to ask about him. And when he said innocently that he love his daddy, I guess that's what makes me really sad. Anyway Ian made the card at school during the recent Father's day where every one in his class has to make father's day card for their father.

Here's a pic of Ian with Husayn.



p/s: I am shamelessly begging you lovely people to vote for me in here! Thank you in advance!

The Tabung Haji experience

The Tabung Haji building is Malaysian architect, Hijas Kasturi's creations

I went to Tabung Haji at Damansara Uptown on Monday since I was still on leave. Husband was persuading me to go to Kelana Jaya Tabung Haji instead since it is bigger and have more counters but of course I kept insisting to go to the Damansara Uptown's branch since I was planning to go to One Utama afterwards. We went there around 3 in the afternoon and what a crowd it was inside Tabung Haji! It seemed that everybody want to go to Tabung Haji to open account for the child after getting all those duit raya judging from the kids inside and the amount of the Tabungs that have been distributed (if your kids open an account there, they will give you this Tabung Haji-shaped tabung you see). So what am I doing here you ask? I, of course want to deposit Husayn's duit raya into his Tabung Haji account and update my own nifty little account.

Before this I usually deposited my Tabung Haji and Husayn's through Maybank2u. They will of course charge you for every transaction and I think if the amount is to be totalled, it is better for me to do potongan gaji instead since the latter choice won't need me to pay any extra charges.

Anyway there was this one lady with her four kids, and she was holding her youngest son because he kept crying, while her husband was filling up the forms to open accounts for their kids. She was struggling to comfort her child while lullabying him to sleep, but to no avail. And her husband did not do anything to help! Judging by her face I thought she must be really pissed, and if it was me I will insist Husband to send me back to the car. Her turn is like 10 persons away and luckily this good Samaritans who happen to be the Tabung Haji counter staff invited them to the counter first. I thought that was good of that Tabung Haji guy, but somehow with 2 counters opened, the numbers are not moving and it was already 4.30pm, and suddenly what I have been dreaded became a reality:
HARAP MAAF. KOMPUTER TERGENDALA

So there, all plan fails and we were off to One Utama while Husband kept saying "tu la..tak nak dengar kata.." referring to his insisting to Kelana Jaya Tabung Haji earlier.

Anyway I ended up going to the same Tabung Haji again on Tuesday morning before going off to work, and all is fine now.

The moral of the story is, sometimes it is better to listen to your Husband. Haha..yes, you read that right- sometimes.

Hari Raya hits and misses

It's my first day at office after Hari Raya and it really felt that the holiday passed by so quickly! I went back to my sister in law's home in Ipoh on Saturday night, September 27th, eh more like Sunday morning I think because we went off around12 something during the night. Arrived around 2 something in the morning and went straight to bed. We went back to husband's hometown in Taiping on Monday, September 29th. Unlike other people's house, the house in Taiping is rather quiet since there's nobody there. My husband's father passed away last year and his mother passed away even before we got married. His sister went back to her mother in law's house which is also in Taiping. Since Husband has only 2 other siblings, a sister and a little brother, it is totally opposite my side which consist of 6 siblings including moi! We then went off to my hometown in Batu Pahat on Tuesday, which is the day before Raya. But, we have to singgah at my parents' house in PJ because somehow Husband has forgotten to take his Baju Melayu for Hari Raya from the laundry!

I was so excited to celebrate Raya at my hometown but somehow Husayn was down with fever. ..again! And I suspected it is due to the long journey. And so, after giving him some medicine we went off to Batu Pahat around 10pm which is on the Malam Raya. This time my brother tagged along and he insisted on taking his car instead of ours because he said it was roomier. And so we agreed. But guess what, we were stuck at the Ayer Keroh R&R at 12 something because his car could not start! Husayn was crying because he felt unwell and started getting restless. And the Plus people only came around 1 something. Thankfully everything was fine and dandy in the end and we arrived safely around 2am.

Hari Raya was colourful and full of merry laugh despite Husayn's fever and lack of sleep that we had due to the car's problems. The best part of all is not only Husayn got duit raya, but Husayn's mummy and abah also got duit raya! Super Lovely! Anyway I'm too lazy to write today, so enjoy the pichas!

We actually don't have any proper Hari Raya photo this year because the tetamu came right during our acara salam-salam ,minta maaf ( which also include duit raya!)

Husayn and my father. Everytime I scolded him, he will seek 'help' from his Tok who of course will help to save him.Haha

At the time this photo was taken, Husayn who was held by his Tok kept jeling2 at us..Haha

Love the meja jepun setting! Before this the area was full with kerusi and all that, but since this area is going to be renovated soon, my grandmother has decided to turn this area like this. It is a whole lot roomier and Husayn love running from one end to one end of the house. Haha.

And lastly ucapan Hari Raya from Husband!