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. 

Still Long Way To Go

Assalamualaikum..

Nothing interesting to share, just a bit of my disappointment over people who cannot be humble in their way of approaching and admonishing others.

Yeah, I know I am 'jahil' about Islam because I am lacking in so many way; not wearing hijab, unable to recite the holy Al-Quran , I have limited knowledge of Islam and the list goes on. But why must people dispute me when I performed my sholat? They said," kamu solat tapi kamu tidak pakai tudung. Sia-sia solat kamu,"

Those sentences really hit my soft spot and make me feel that every effort I did to approach my religion is useless and futile, hmmfff!

I wonder whether wearing hijab is the ultimate factor that secure our place in heaven? Baiklah, thank you so much for advice. Instead of mocking and looking down on my effort to perform my sholat, please pray that in near future hidayah will come upon me to wear hijab, InShaAllah..Amin YRA.

Worst CNY Holiday Ever

Post title is enough to describe how I feel about this year CNY holiday. That is why I don't like last minute decision because it never turn out well in the end, grrrrr! 

Past is the past yet I couldn't stop myself from blaming us, yep hubby and me for following and trusting those people (don't want to mention any name) that they will prepared a good CNY escapade plan. If only I knew that they won't follow the plan, I will not cancelled the hotel booking I have made earlier, grrrr! 

To be honest I was really pissed off that I feel like wanna say out loud what I feel inside but I managed to reign myself because I don't want to start a feud with them. It's not good for the kids and for hubby too. Thanks hubby for the patience of those people and me. I knew he was in dilemma yet he still choose our family over them. I feel sorry for him because he is trying his best to make everyone happy yet he suffer in the end because those people easily tossed him aside for not having much like them. 

Mata sepet due to the blazing sun

Alhamdullillah, despite all of those bitter feeling, we still managed to have our family happy moment at Genting at midnight, 1st day of CNY. Kids were enjoying the cold 16 degree temperature, walking around the 1st world resort, LOL! 

Hubby and kids

Kids and me

Midnight walk in misty road at Genting Highland

Oh well, there go my post of the worst CNY holiday ever. Going to bed soon since tomorrow will resume working. Happy Monday and Happy working people!