School 2017 Preparation & Budget

Finally, kiddos 2017 school preparation completed despite of my tight financial budget, pheww, Alhamdulillah!  

My strategy for minimizing the expenses is surveying  and doing price comparison (1-2 weeks) before buying anything. I normally starting buying in the middle of December or earlier to avoid out of stock problem. 

Summarizing the expenses as below table ( For my own record and reference only)

Colorful Waterfront,Setia City Mall

1st time checking out Setia City Mall, Shah Alam. A nice and big Shopping Mall located at Shah Alam. I think it almost as big as IOI City Mall. Good spot for window shopping lover like me, LOL!

Tanjung Harapan, Pelabuhan Klang

We been here few years ago and we are here again just because the kids want to see the sea, LOL! Actually it was an impulse visit since we are bored at home.

This place doesn't change much. Its still poorly maintain and the port nearby still busy as ever. If only the local authorities took an inisiative to make this place more attractive, it can be a good family spot for picnic and other activities.

There are Ikan Bakar Restaurant nearby but we didn't try it out because rumours said the price is expensive. Maybe will try it at other time just to confirm the rumours.

Not much picture taken this time because I am enjoying my time watching the kids.

Ear Piercing For Her

After countless time delaying, finally daughter brave up her guts and made up her mind to go for ear piercing. Oh ya, it was her decision to have an ear piercing, not mine. Le daughter really have her own mind in everything.

It only cost RM14 for the piercing services (together with pair of silver earring). I thought she won't cry but I was wrong because she was wailing after the 1st shot on her right ear. Hubby have to console her for few minutes and let her bite into his arm so that the piercing guy can proceed with the other ear.

Well, i think the process was painless compared to my experience 29 years ago. Mine was done by my grandmother (mom's side) with special made bamboo thread and a pair of gold earring as a gift from my grandmother. It was one painful experience but it didn't deter me from getting more ear piercing as I grew up, LOL!

From Zero Again

I been neglecting my workout (yoga/running etc) since Standard Chartered KL Marathon simply because I have plenty of internal problem that weighing down my enthusiasm of keeping myself fit. In simple word, problems make me lazy (*sigh).

Thankfully, those problem is slowly getting off my shoulders one by one and I can focus on myself once again. Never underestimate the power of patience and relying on Almighty will.

So I am starting over from zero again but I believe my fitness level will soon back to its glorious moments, cewah!

Hiking To Broga Hill, Semenyih

Finally, we make it to Broga Hill last Saturday on 22nd October 2016. It was a spontaneous decision without any plan or training at all. Kami main terjah seja, haha!

We drove off from Puchong at 6.10am after light breakfast and arrived at Broga Hill around 7.15am. As expected, the place is crowded because it's weekend. We paid RM3 for parking space inside the palm oil farm. Other option is to park your car by the roadside.

We started hiking around 7.30 and reached the 1st stop point around 8am. Shasa, Daniel and me continued to hike to the peak while hubby, Elan and Ilyas decided to wait for us at the 1st point. Although the distance from 1st stop point to the highest point is only 400m but it took us 25mins to reach the highest peak due to the traffic along the routes. Jammed gila! 

We returned to 1st stop point immediately after taking some pic with the Broga highest peak signboard because the peak was crowded. To be honest I was a bit disappointed because I couldn't spend much time to enjoy the view from the peak of Broga Hill, hmpphh!

Getting down the hill seem easy because it only took us around 15-20 minutes. We did not take our time enjoying the view because the crowd that keep coming make us uncomfortable. Imagine this; you are just about to sit down and enjoy the view but there are people waiting for you to leave so that they can take pic from that spot. Annoying isn't it? That's why we leave soon after taking some pic.

Overall, hiking at Broga Hill is good experience for the us. Really proud of my daughter and my 2nd son because they didn't quit and make it to top. As for villager like me, it was an easy-peasy hike sebab susah lagi pigi mindahu sana kipaliw, ngehehe! Hubby said will definitely going to hike Broga Hill again in future because he want to reach the top of it, In Sha Allah..

Fully occupied parking area & the crowd

Hiking trail

Capturing memory at the 1st stop point of Broga Hill

Us

Horray! We made it

Until next time

Time Heals?

10 years since my father passed away yet all the memories I had with him still blooming in my heart and mind. Those memories keep me strong in the midst of my longing heart of him.

I try to look strong yet sometimes I isolated myself in my room, crying my heart out when I couldn't stand the pain of missing him. The longing intensified when I have some matters that I can only confide in him because I don't know to whom I can turn to... In the end I confide to Allah, knowing that my father will listen to it too.

Time heals? Yeah, maybe but I knew my heart will never whole again because part of me died the day my father passed away. Like the past years, on this day I give in to my longing for you, crying out all those negative feeling so that tomorrow I will wake up to face the world with new determination.

Rest in peace my beloved bapa. I know you are always watching over me from up there..

Another Year Wiser

Assalamualaikum.

Alhamdulillah, it's a blessing being alive on my 34th birthday and I am profoundly grateful that Allah bestow me good health to live and continue my journey to become a better being.

I honestly don't want much in life. Having a simple and moderate life together with my beloved family without worrying about financial problem is enough for me. But I think there nothing wrong to keep all of those childhood dreams of mine as a motivation to myself for a better life :p

Family potrait

Happy 9th Birthday Daughter

Assalamualaikum.

My only daughter turned 9 yesterday. She is no longer the only grand daughter (hubby's side) because this year 2 more grand daughter added to the family tree. 

Nothing much change in her habit and character since last year story . She is still my shy and soft tomboyish princess who like to play in her own kingdom. However I noticed that she is stubborner than her brothers, a trait that I guess she inherit from me, LOL! 

Happy birthday sumandak mama! Mama will always pray for your success and happiness. May Allah blesses you abundantly and may your grow up to be a solehah daughter here and hereafter..(Aaminn!)

my 9 years old sumandak

family pic

Barbeque + Picnic At Sg Congkak

Assalamualaikum.

Picnic has been our family trademark activity for the past few years now. It's cheap, hassle-free yet my kiddos love it so much. They said, "macam di kampung." 

Last Sunday, we went to Sg Congkak again and for the 1st time we have barbeque lunch instead of pre-packed home food and make use of those mini barbeque/grill set that we bought months ago. Lama jadi perhiasan di rumah, hahaha!

As usual, the clean, shallow stream just perfect for the kids to play and swim without worrying about any danger. But still, we're cautious of our surrounding. I noticed that they upgraded the spot where we usually went. There are chalets and huts available for rent now. The fee is still the same; RM5/parking. We spent few hours here and left when we noticed the gloomy sky.

I am glad that my kids like this kind of activity because I don't want them to become one of those city kids who feel uncomfortable with nature, making 'ewww' , 'eii' etc sound whenever they surround with nature and preferring swimming pool over the adventurous river, hehehe. Mandi sungai lagi best dari mandi kolam air berklorin hokey, LOL!

Our favorite spot 

Semangat berbbq!

My life

Wefie :P

SCKLM 2016: 21KM FINISHER

Assalamualaikum..

Finally, after almost a year,  I run my 6th Half Marathon during SCKLM 2016 last week on 7th August. Hubby and I participated in this running event because organizer offered 25% discount to all participant of cancelled SCKLM2015. 

It was one tough 21KM for me because I barely have any proper training prior to this event. I should know better after past experience that 30min jogging is not enough and injury is unavoidable (*sigh).

I was jogging smoothly up to 14km before my left leg cramped and ITBS on my right knee caused me to walk all the way to finish line. Alhamdulillah, proud of myself to able crossed the finish line after those double injuiry because honestly, I almost gave up due to excruciating pain in my left calf. 

Regarding the event itself, to me it was another well-organised event that I will put on my annual must join event from now on (InShaAllah). No wonder the event attracted lots of runner. I just hope in future they can consider to change the running singlet to running t-shirt, hehehe.

I haven't registered for any running event so far but I am eyeing another event that cancelled last year. Hopefully I have the budget to register before it closed tho. 

My running activities seem bit slow this year but it doesn't mean I don't like running anymore. I still like running as much as I like yoga because this 2 activities keep me fit and healthy. It just that the fee to join those running events are too expensive nowadays. 

Me at the FL/ Wefie / The Medal

Peace Yo!

Photo credited to Actionpix

Official Result

Eldest Son 14th Birthday

Assalamualaikum.

Alhamdulillah, my eldest son turned 14 today. Still unable to grasp the reality of how times flies. Not long ago, he have to look up to see my eyes or I have too squat down to meet his eye, but now he is taller and bigger than me that I am the one who need to look up to meet his eyes..

I misses those times when he was still a baby, a toddler and a boy where I am his only world; to whom he report everything he did. Yeah, even the silliest and nonsense stuff, LOL! I noticed that ever since he started secondary school, those report become less and less. He still talked about stuffs to me but not as detail as before, hurmm..

Oh crap, I always feel a bit emotional on my kids birthday because it remind me that soon they no longer dependent on me, that they soon will stand they own ground. 

Dear my beloved eldest son, never once I regret my decision to keep you and gave birth of you. Having you taught me to be strong in any ordeal and to keep my head up when people looked down at me. Happy birthday dear son! Mama will always by your side and will always pray for your happiness here and hereafter.

My son :D

Family pic 

To Allah I confide

Assalamualaikum...

The title of this post define what I feel at the moment. Before my father passed away, he is my personal 'confession box' to whom I confide and confess everything beside the Almighty God. He is indeed the best human listener who never spit out a words to anyone. He keep his promise to the grave and that's why part of life gone with him. After he passed away, I turned to few persons but still have this doubt lingering in my mind. After all, we are just human being who easily stray and give in to our weakness, hmmm.

Nowadays, I preferred to confess and confide only to Allah because I am 100% sure that Allah will never betray me. Allah won't talk behind me. Allah will listen to me with no prejudice. Praying and confiding to Allah give me sense of peace and serenity.

Salam Aidilfitri 2016

Assalamualaikum..

Alhamdulillah, it's 1st Syawal! I am grateful because Allah gave me a chance to be alive and breathing on this beautiful days of Syawal and be together with my beloved small family to celebrate it.

The theme for this year is yellowish GREEN for male & banana leaf GREEN (eh, betul ka tu?) for female. My sons' and hubby's baju melayu was bought from KawanMU apparel shop, nearby our place and my daughter and mine bought from Gene Martino boutiqe in Subang Jaya. Daugther's and mine baju kurung I considered a bit expensive but total cost still within my budget. 

We are heading to my FIL place 1st before visiting hubby's grandma (his father side) grave. Then to my MIL place where hubby's sibling gathered before heading to Klang, visiting hubby's relatives and friends then nenek's grave. (InShaAllah, will share a bit here and there about it later in other post with pics)

I am taking this opportunity to wish all my muslim families, relatives & friends a blessed and meaningful Syawal. Let forgive and forget, be kind and be grateful for everything we have & don't have.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA, MAAF ZAHIR BATIN..

Family pic on Syawal's morning

Humble Ramadhan

Assalamualaikum..

Alhamdulillah, it's day 25th of Ramadhan. 5 more days before Syawal, In Sha Allah..

I have nothing interesting to write about but I am just gonna jot down how I feel for the past 25 days (minus few 'off' days) preparing and cooking for my family. It's a moot point for others but huge achievement for me who not so keen with cooking, hahaha!

I am really proud of myself because our daily 'buka puasa' for Ramadhan this year was prepared and cooked by me, yay! I have to agree that cooking our meal is more savy and healthy for family than buying it or dining out. Before this we spent at least RM50/day for buka puasa food at the bazaar but now we only spent around RM120 for ingredients for 5-7 days supplies. Jimat banyak kan?!! Regretted all of those wasted money but it's better now or never, am I right?

Yes, I have to admit that it's a bit tiresome but it's gone the moment I saw my kids eating well with gratitude. I can only cooked simple dishes but Alhamdulillah, kiddos and hubby like it so far. No more 'makanan kucing', LOL! Now I regained my 'wrecked' confidence and hey I found out that cooking is fun after all!!

I am grateful for all of those recipe and tips shared on FB and blogs. Without them, I might at lost, hehehe!

What about the chef in da house? Nope, he is still our chef during weekends because weekend is my off days..

1st Family Run: Milo Breakfast Run 2016

Assalamualaikum..

2 weeks ago, on 29th May, we (kiddos, hubby and me) participated the Milo Breakfast Run 2016 at Putrajaya. It was our 1st family run and hoping for more in future because it's fun to run with your love ones.

My daughter and my youngest son never participated in any long distance running/jogging before, so we 'trained' them to jogging/walking for 30 min, 2 week prior to this event. Their brothers already experienced long distance running during their school 'merentas desa' activity, so I was confident that they are good to go.

When we arrived at the event location, it was super-crowded with people in green shirts! It was such a sight! Kiddos were nervous, hubby was nervous and I was nervous because the kids might lost among those sea of human, hah! 

3KM family run was gun off at 7.30am and we managed to reach the finish line after 45min of running and walking. We might able to finish it earlier but hubby, my eldest son and I have to take turn carrying my youngest son after he got this bleeding blister for not wearing his socks. Lesson learned; please wear socks if your shoe is brand new, ngehehe!

Regarding the event itself, I think it was a smooth, successful and merry event. The organizer should get an applause for organizing such family-friendly event where we can exercising and bonded with our family at the the same times. The volunteer/support team were superb and helpful, enough water station for all categories (including 3KM family run), generous goodies bag, free-flow of milo (bevearge), fun after run games and cute finisher medal for all. RM70 fee per family (6pax) definitely worth it! 

This event is going to be in my list next year! Family yearly event it is..lol!

Post-run & medal pic

Wefie

Harta saya, dunia & akhirat :)

Trying our luck with goal kick games

The only pic at the pic booth taken by hubby

Interesting fact of the event; 'ask me' person, signboard & goodies bag!

Happy 12th Birthday, Daniel!

Assalamualaikum...

Alhamdulillah, my 2nd son is 12 years today. I can't believe that he is in his early teenager and no longer my baby boy. I still remember the incident during his birth at Hospital Kajang where he was almost exchanged with other parent's baby. Luckily I noticed that he looked strange and unfamiliar when the nurse passed him to me to be breastfeed. I checked the hospital tag to found out that the baby wasn't him! He was still warded inside the incubator at that time due to skin infection.

Even his placenta was given to other parent and later I found out that those parent has handle the placenta accordingly together with their baby's placenta. They said they couldn't distinguished which one was theirs so they buried both in 1 place. I was grateful to them for that.

When he was almost a year old, I have to send him back to my parent in Sabah because I needed to stay back late in UKM to complete my final year project. Though it was only for a year, the guilt of leaving him behind still haunting me. I feel like I sacrificed him for our future. The misery of missing him leave a deep scar in my life.

Now at 12 years, he is my 2nd helper at home beside his elder brother. He have lots of flaw but those flaws were his strength that shaped his personality. He is my favorite gumuks yang kuat makan, lol!

Dear Daniel, 

Happy 12th birthday Nak! May you grow up to be a soleh son here and hereafter. Mama love you to the moon and back! Stay healthy!

My gumuk, the birthday boy!

Family pic with birthday boy!

My Mini Sewing Machine

Assalamualaikum...

Finally, after pondering for quite some times, I made up my mind to buy a mini sewing machine eventhough I have zero knowledge about it, hahaha! I read lots of positive review about this sewing machine before purchasing this sewing machine and at RM153 price (after using Lazada voucher), I considered its cheap and good bargain for stuff that I may used occasionally :)

I bought it merely for simple sewing project like mending and altering my kids clothes and maybe (*finger crossed) to sew curtains and pillow case as well. Who knows, maybe I can learn to sew baju kurung and baju melayu for my family kan, kihkihkih! In Sha Allah...

Youngest Son 7th Birthday

Assalamualaikum..

Today is my youngest son (Ilyas) 7th birthday. Like past year, we only have a mini family celebration for him. This year,  Ilyas asked me to have pizzas party and granted, since it was within my budget. Cake was bought from our favorite Japanese cake house, RT pastry. We never get bored with their super yummy cakes!

Among my kids, Ilyas is a bit too attached to me and to his papa as well. He annoyed me most of time with his mischief and naughtiness but I couldn't bring myself to get mad at him because in the end, all of those mischief and naughtiness make us laugh. Biasa la budak-budak kan, hehe!

Dear Ilyas, 

Happy 7th birthday baby! May you grow up to become a soleh son here and hereafter. May Allah will always guide and bless you with happiness. I love you to the moon and back!

My Kiddos!

Family pic on Ilyas 7th Birthday

100PLUS OUTRUNNER NIGHT RUN 2016

Assalamualaikum..

On night of 16th April, despite of having slight fever and flu,  I participated the 100Plus Out Runner as my 2nd running event of year 2016. Since I have been hibernating from any kind of work out for almost 2 months beside not feeling well, I didn't put any target except hoping that I will able to cross safely the 15km finish line without any injuries.

I arrived at the starting point 25min early but still ended up at the back of the crowd because I have to queue up to use the toilet. Luckily I already warmed up a bit while waiting for my turn to use the toilet because the event gun off right after I managed to slip in among the huge crowd.

I was okay up until 8km when I started coughing badly and have to stop several times to catch my breathe. It not easy hokey! At 13km, I almost gave up because I feel a bit dizzy! Nasib baik sampai juga finish line, hah!

To me, overall, the event was another successful and well-organized running event; good traffic control, cheerful support/volunteer team, enough water station and appealing race kit. I personally love the white running t-shirt (by brooks) and the comely gold medal (^_*)v.

Yeah, abis juga larian 15km!

140th sound not bad ba kan.. LOL

3D2N Island Escapade: Tioman Island

Assalamualaikum.

It's almost 2 months since my last post. Obviously, I been a bit off the blogging track lately. Gonna blame all of those never ending Korean drama marathon, ngehehe! It's going to be a super long post so bear with me hokey!

Alhamdullillah, ticked off another must do from my 2016 list; Island Escapade. This year we went to Tioman Island at dog-cheap price. This Island escape wasn't as smooth as past Island escape tho. Too much obstacles that frustrated and freaking us.

On the day we begin our journey i.e on 31/3/2016, we found out that our travel agent (Flywind Holidays Sdn Bhd) failed to secure our booking with our resort of choice (Dumba Bay Resort). We were going to take 9.45pm bus from KL to Kluang that night! Imagine how panic &  frustrated we were. Bad mood terus the whole day! Luckily, by 4pm that day, the resort gave us solution though not the best solution because we end up staying at different resort. Feel relief but wasn't as excited anymore. Bad and unprofessional service from a so-called good travel agent whom not only depressing us but also leaving us solving the problem caused by them till the end, hmmm...

By 8.30pm, when I was on my way to nearby LRT station (Bandar Puteri), received text from Just & Lin, notifying me about train service disruption to Sri Petaling, meaning me too cannot go to TBS station by LRT. Oh my..Another obstacles! After weaving thru the traffics before the Sunway plaza tol, manage to arrive at TBS at 9.15pm. Thanks hubby for being my supir. Just and Lin also manage to arrive just on time, phew!! By 10pm, our bus took off and safely arrived at Kluang around 1am on 1st April. Oh ya, we opted to transit at Kluang and stayed at Lin's home (thank you Lin's mom for having us) instead of taking bus directly to Mersing because we think it was more safe. Bahaya malam2 lalu tu Jalan Mersing dorang cakap (><).

Before we go to Kluang bus terminal, sempat lagi we drop by at The Original Kluang Station Coffee situated in the heart of Kluang Town and tapau those must try Kluang roti Bakar. Sedap tu roti bakar makan panas-panas. Our bus scheduled to depart at 10.30am but unfortunately the bus was having air-cond problem and we have to wait for replacement bus which arrived after an hour and half later. Betul-betul dugaan..

Above: In front of Lin's house at Kluang
Below: At The Original Kluang Station Coffee

We reached Mersing bus terminal around 1pm and rushed to Kluang Jetty because we want to catch the 2pm ferry, hah! The distance from Mersing bus terminal is quite far. Under the scorching sun, it took us 15min to reach the jetty. Belum sampai pulau, tanned suda kami, ahaha! At the Jetty, our travel agent representative just passed us our ferry return tickets and resort sticker and we have to do all other stuff (queuing up for boarding pass and paying up the marine park ) by ourselves. How inconvenient was that!! Finally we departed to Tioman Island at 3pm.

Pic At Mersing Jetty waiting for our turn to board the Ferry, Inside The Ferry & Sticker of our supposedly Resort 

Around 5pm, we reached  our destination at Kg Genting, Tioman Island. Staff from Dumba Bay was waiting to transport their customer's luggage/bags. Since we were gonna stay at different resort, we have to register at Dumba Bay Resort 1st then checked in to Marina Bay Resort. We were not comfortable and feel like alienated. We even argued but given cold shoulder by the staff. They said that was their best solution, hurmmmm baiklah.. The room we got at Marina Bay Resort located  and we have numbers of bad memories of this room, grrrr!

We were here!

I was here!

After resting a bit, we wandered to the beach area in front of Marina Bay resort for some picture then to Dumba Bay for our dinner. We had our BBQ dinner buffet prepared by Dumba Staff that night. Food choices was limited tapi bikin kenyang juga la. We hang out at Dumba Bay lobby until 11pm before returning to our '5min along dark and eerie route' room, hehehe! Oh ya, they have karoake session after dinner.

Tioman's Sunset Wefie :)

Some of wefie took on our 1st night at Tioman. 

The next day (2nd April), at 9am we gathered at the jetty for snorkeling session. There were 3 spot; 1st at Pulau Renggis then at Marine Park (where we had our pre-packed lunch) . I forgot the last snorkeling spot name  tho, haha! I was having a great and amazing snorkeling session at Pulau Renggis and marine park because unlike Redang and Pangkor, I saw lots of marine life here in Tioman. It was so amazing experience to be surrounded by various kind of marine life! I wish we have those underwater camera to capture the moment with all of those marine life! We stopped by at Kg Tekek  to visit the duty free shop, where I bought some chocolates as souvenir for my kiddos before depart to the last snorkeling spot (I didn't snorkel there due to the strong waves). By 2pm we were back at Kg Genting.

Before breakfast & snorkeling session 

Wa

The only pic of me in the sea..LOL

That evening, before Maghrib, we went to the souvenirs shop in front of the Jetty to buy FM and taking pictures again. Oh ya, FM at duty free shop is more expensive..

More pictures taking after simple dinner that night.

And more pictures taking on our last day (3rd April) before we check out from our room.

Us in front of our room at Marina Bay Resort

Must do at beach: Lompatan Kanak2 Riang, LOL!

The staff inform us to stand by at the Jetty by 1pm or earlier for the 2pm ferry. Hurmm, at 3pm after fetching people from 2 stop then only the ferry finally depart to Mersing Jetty.

Our tiresome face, hehehe

Arrived at Jetty around 5pm and once again rushed to the bus terminal only to find out that last direct bus from Mersing-KL already departed. Lucikly there was another option i.e from Mersing to Kluang then to KL, phew!!! We transitted at Kluang around 8pm and around 12pm we arrived at TBS. 

Mission accomplished!

Despite all the complaint and whining along this island escape, I still enjoyed the whole trip. The lesson I have learnt will be useful for future trips/travels. Just and Lin said they might not visit Tioman again but to me, In Sha Allah kalau ada rezeki, I will come again because I think Tioman still have more to offer.

That's all from my point of view. You may head to Just's blog (Tioman Part 1, Tioman Part 2, Tioman Behind The Scene) for more detailed review, ngehehe!

Update: If anyone want to know how much we spent for this 3D2N Island escapade, please head to 

              Tioman: Expenses by Just.