Ish!

So many things to write but so little time!

His Thoughts

I was at the Parliament the whole day for meetings. The evening meeting ended at about 4 p.m. so my boss said I could go back home. I stopped by at Giant for groceries and reached home at about 5.30 p.m. Faiq was so shocked and pleased. I could hear from my car, "Yeay! Mama dah balikkkkk!!!" And then he asked these questions:

"lepas ni Mama kena pegi ofis balik ke?"

When I said no, he asked again, "Mama cuti ke?"

His lines of questioning left me with a pang of sadness. In his mind, when I'm back early, I either have to go back to the office or I'm on leave.

Sigh..I wish I could change things!

On Faiq

Today is the second time Faiq went to a barber without a fuss. No crying, no wailing, no vommitting, no "WHY-DO-I-HAVE-TO-DO-THIS-DIRTY-JOB" expression on the barber's face!

Of late, his favourite songs are these:

"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine,

You make mehappy when skies are grey,

You never know dear, how much I love you

So please don't take my sunshine away"

and

"Ibu, ibu,

Engkaulah ratu hatiku,

Bila ku berduka,

Engkau hiburkan selalu,

Ibu, ibu,

Engkaulah ratu hatiku"

No matter how angry I am with him or with the world, no matter how sad and upset I was at the time, listening to his sweet voice singing the two songs simply melt my heart!

So Much For Promoting a Family First Concept

Excerpt from Chapter 15 9th Malaysia Plan 2006-2010: Fostering Family and Community Development

"During the 9th plan period, continued emphasis will be given towards building resilient families and creating a more caring Malaysian society. Towards this end, family development programmes will be implemented, particularly to promote greater community participation in caring for the socially vulnerable groups. In this regard, efforts by public sector will be complemented by the private sector and NGOs through partnerships and joint programmes. Focused efforts will be given to foster national unity and closer integration among Malaysians through improved and well-coordinated programmes. The strategic thrusts in the 9th plan period will be as follows:

• strengthening family institutions towards creating a resilient and more caring society;
• strengthening the social support delivery system;
• ...

Recognising that the family is the primary determinant of a nation that is healthy, dynamic productive and resilient, programmes that contribute to the strengthening of the family unit will continue to be given emphasis. In view of the changing family structure and relationships, indicated by the increasing percentage of nuclear and dual income families, greater efforts will be undertaken to ensure that the role of family as the basic socialising, stabilising and care agent for the young and the elderly is maintained. Towards this end, the National Family Policy will be formulated with the objective of developing and enhancing the family institution as well as promoting a family first concept. This policy will ensure the incorporation of family well-being initiatives in all policies, legislation, programmes, services as well as facilities."

If this is a GOVERNMENT policy, why is it that people working in the government have to endure staying back till late at night every other day and requested to come to work on Sundays??! We have been robbed off family time on weekdays, do you still have to rob our weekends as well?! Why is it that the people who promote this policy could not think of what your administrative officers have to endure when your wahyu comes on Friday evening and you want everything to be ready on Monday?! Will the world end if you give us more time?

So you think our problem is solved when we have maids at home? Do you think we like it when our children started speaking with a foreign accent?!

I honestly cannot comprehend and don't know how long I can take this BS!!

Slumber Party at Puncak Bukit Jalil

Spent two nights at my BIL's house at Taman Puncak Jalil. A school holiday treat to Faiq & Aira :o)

Terbongkang!

Dream A Little Dream of Me

My favourite song of all times. Felt like crying when I heard Artie sang it on Glee. Selalu berangan that I can play this song on the piano. Dedicated to hubby, with the hope that he'll win his final hockey match tomorrow. Enjoy!

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM OF ME

Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper "i love you"
Birds singin’ in the sycamore trees
Dream a little dream of me

Say nighty-night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you’ll miss me
While I’m alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I’m longin’ to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I’m longin’ to linger till dawn dear
Just saying this

Sweet dreams till sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they be
Dream a little dream of me

If You Could See Me Now

I had a meeting in Sarawak last Friday and knowing well that I will have so much time waiting for my flight back, I took a book with me - Cecelia Ahern's If You Could See Me Now. I probably must have had it for over a year, as I knew I must've borrowed it from Jan during my confinement. I started reading it and just couldn't put it down.

Here's a review of the book: 

Everything in Elizabeth Egan’s life has its place, from the espresso cups in her gleaming kitchen to the swatches and paint pots of her interior design business. Order and precision keep life under control—and keep Elizabeth’s heart from the pain and hurt she has suffered in the past. Being a reluctant mother to her six-year-old nephew while trying to keep her business on track is a full-time job for Elizabeth, and one that leaves little room for error—or fun.

Until, one day, Ivan unexpectedly comes into their lives. The mysterious Ivan is carefree, spontaneous and always looking for adventure—everything that Elizabeth is not. If You Could See Me Now is the extraordinary tale of Ivan and Elizabeth. Of how Ivan meets the love of his life before she even sees him, and how he teaches her that life is only worth living when it's blindingly colourful and the occasional mess. Yet just when Elizabeth is starting to trust him, it turns out that Ivan isn't at all who she thought he was.

Playful and at times intensely moving, this is a novel about how seeing isn't always believing. Full of Cecelia Ahern’s trademark warmth and poignancy, If You Could See Me Now is a story of enormous heart--and just a little bit of magic.

I think my favourite part of the book was when Elizabeth, Luke and Ivan danced in the field filled with dandellions. Managed to finish the book in two days. I hope the novel will be made into a movie!

"When you drop a glass or a plate to the ground it makes a loud crashing sound. When a window shatters, a table leg breaks, or when a picture falls off the wall it makes a noise. But as for your heart, when that breaks, it's completely silent. You would think as it's important it would make the loudest noise in the whole world, or even have some sort of ceremonious sound like the gong oof a cymbal or the ringing of a bell. But it's silent and you almost wish there was a noise to distract you from the pain.

If there is a noise, it's internal. It screams so loud your ears ring and your head aches. It thrashes around you in your chest like a great white shark caught in the sea; it roars like a mother bear whose cub has been taken. That's what it looks like and that's what it sounds like, a trashing, panicking, trapped great big beast, roaring like a prisoner to its own emotions. But that's the thing about love - no one is untouchable. It's as wild as that, as raw as an open flesh wound exposed to salty sea water, but when it actually breaks, it's silent. You're just screaming on the inside and no one can hear it." ~If You Could See Me Now, Cecelia Ahern

The A-Team

Those of you who were born in the 70s or 80s would probably remember The A-Team series starring George Peppard, Mr. T, Dirk Benedict and Dwight Schultz. It was one of the most memorable shows with a memorable song theme back then, along side MacGyver, Airwolf and V.

The original Face, Hannibal, Murdoch & B.A

Yesterday, Rafiq, Faiq and I went to watch The A-Team Movie. The movie is an origin story of how Hannibal, Face, B.A and Murdoch get framed for a crime they didn’t commit and escape from prison on a mission to clear their names. It was a fun movie to watch, filled with action (although some were a bit OTT like the flying tank!)

New faces of Peck, B.A, Murdoch and Hannibal

Rafiq said it doesn't feel like a movie, he enjoyed it but tremendously though. He just felt like it's a prolonged tv series.

I'd give it 7/10.

First Weekend of June = Weddings

1. Faiz & Linda + Fadhli & Shima

The wedding was held at Tropicana Golf and Country Club. Both the grooms are my second cousin (my mom and their mom, Mak Aini are cousins). Faiz, who is the same age as me married Linda, an ustazah from Sabah. I reckon they both teach at the same school.

Waiting for my parents to arrive

Faiz and Linda

Fadhli and my younger brother are bestfriends. He is a doctor (ke dah specialist) and his wife Shima who is from Terengganu is a radiographer. Both of them work at PPUM, PJ.

Fadhli & Shima

Mak Aini's family (1 groom missing..hehehe)

Yang turut memeriahkan majlis

2. Hafeezah & Asmawi

The wedding was held at Hafeezah's house in Kajang. This is one heckuva unique wedding. I knew both the bride and groom from my DPA course. Hafeezah and I used to work together in KWP. My SIL Jan was invited in her capacity as Haireen's (Hafeezah's sister) friend whilst Rafiq was there in his capacity as Hafeezah's dad's tennis buddy. (have I ever mentioned that the world revolved around me?!) I met my DPA friends there, so there was chaos.

Mawi & Feezah

Antara yang hadir

To the newlyweds, Selamat Pengantin Baru dan Semoga Kekal Hingga Ke Anak Cucu!

Homey's New Crib

During the Wesak Day weekend, I went to visit Humeirah at her new house in Putra Heights.

Initially it was supposed to be me and Mariesa but Sha just remembered that she had a wedding to attend so it was just me.

Went to a photo shop to take Aira's passport photo. Thus was late. Adding on to the lateness was the never-to be missed bimbo moments..wrong turns and exits so instead of reaching her house at 1.30 p.m., I arrived one hour later.

Humeirah cooked spaghetti for us. Chatted with Humeirah and her sister Shahidah before touring her house. She has loads of ideas which are yet to be implemented but I love her house concept (especially the white kitchen). Faiq was introduced to Shahidah's girls, Isabel and Iman and they got along very well.

For your information, Shahidah lives next door to Humeirah so after touring her house, we went next door to Shahidah's house. Lucky I went there, I may want to borrow some of her coats..hehehe!

Anyways, as Aira was getting restless, we left her house at about 4 p.m. Maybe next time I'll plan another visit with Sha.

Durian Is My Passion

Achy Breaky Heart

I just heard a bad news about a friend, a news that totally broke my heart.

I feel so sad for her...and I hope she'll be strong.

What a Mess

I think I did a messy job on yesterday's meeting.

I'm a bit frustrated..it shouldn't have done by someone who has been in service for almost 6 years.

But it was a good experience to learn from.

First Saturday of June

On Wednesday I received a text message from Zavina, informing me that she'll be admitted to AnNur Bangi on Friday to remove a tumor from her ovary (can't remember the medical term for it..although the doctor mentioned it just now). It came as a shock of course, and I informed her that I'll be visiting on Saturday.

Went to AnNur with Aira at about 11. Budi and Min were there. She found out about the tumor when she was doing her 2 months post natal check up two months ago. Apparently the cell which caused the tumor are cells for other parts of the body yang tak jadi..like hair, tooth and nail cells (which explains the hair in the tumor balang). She said the surgery was done through endoscopy. Three tumors were removed. She was wheeled in the OT at 6 pm and came out at about 10 p.m. She didn't expect that the surgery would last that long..she expected 2 1/2 hours max.

Insya-Allah, she will be discharged tomorrow. No heavy work for a week, and have to pantang operation! Get well soon Zavina! And let us all make a mental note to go for check-ups.

After the hospital visit, I took Aira for her first haircut where she screamed and wailed sampai nak muntah!

Tonight I'll be attending my cousin's wedding at Tropicana. Will be leaving the kids at Dadima's and spending a night there as we'll be attending Hafeezah's wedding at Sekamat tomorrow.

Have a good weekend people!

Of Motherhood

An email forwarded by my best friend, Dina. It is indeed a good read :o)

Motherhood Will Change Your Life

by Dale Hanson Bourke, Chicken Soup for the Woman's Soul

We are sitting at lunch when she casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of 'starting a family'. What she means is that her biological clock has begun its countdown and she is considering the prospect of motherhood.

"We're taking a survey," she says, half jokingly. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say carefully.

"I know," she says. "No more sleeping in on Saturdays, no more spontaneous vacations."

But that is not what I mean at all. I look at my friend, trying to decide what to tell her.

I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of childbirth heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will be forever vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never read a newspaper again without asking, "What if that had been my child?" That every plane crash, every fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will look at the mothers and wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her manicured nails and stylish suit and think she should know that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level. That a slightly urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might successfully arrange for child care, but one day she will be waiting to go into an important business meeting, and she will think about her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure he is all right.

I want my friend to know that everyday routine decisions will no longer be routine. That a visit to McDonald's and a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's room will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that danger may be lurking in the rest room.

I want her to know that however decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive friend, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not so much to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish his.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or stretch marks will become badges of honor.

My friend's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the ways she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is always careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his son. I think she should know that she will fall in love with her husband again for reasons she would never have imagined.

I wish my modern friend could sense the bond she will feel with other women throughout history who have tried desperately to stop war and prejudice and drunk driving.

I want to describe to my friend the exhilaration of seeing your son learn to hit a baseball. I want to capture for her the laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real that it hurts.

My friend's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes.

"You'll never regret it," I say finally.

You Keep Me Hangin' On

Heard this song on the way back from work yesterday. So 80s!

You Keep Me Hangin' On ~ Kim Wilde

Set me free, why don't you babe
Get off my life, why don't you babe
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

Set me free, why don't you babe
Get off my life, why don't you babe
'Cause you don't really need me
But you keep me hangin' on

Why do you keep a-comin' around playing with my heart
Why don't you get out of my life

And let me make a brand new start

Let me get over you the way you've gotten over me, yeah

Set me free, why don't you babe
Get off my life, why don't you babe
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on
Now you don't really need me
You just keep me hangin' on

You say although we broke up
You still just wanna be friends
But how can we still be friends when seeing you only breaks my heart again

And there ain't nothing I can do about it

Get out, get out of my life
And let me sleep at night
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

You say you still care for me
But your heart and soul needs to be free
Now that you've got your freedom
You wanna still hold on to me
You don't want me for yourself so let me find somebody else

Set me free, why don't you babe

Get off my life, why don't you babe
'Cause you don't really love me
You just keep me hangin' on

Why don't you be a man about it
And set me free
Now you don't care a thing about me
You're just using me, hey using me

Get out, get out of my life
And let me sleep at night
'Cause you don't really love me

You just keep me hangin' on

'Cause you don't really need me
You just keep me hangin' on