Shaun the Sheep.... I like!

Menopause...

2012-02-11T18:22:00.000+08:00

I was in the kitchen preparing lunch for Sofiyah, and as always, I would turn on the tv. There's a tv set in my kitchen and also a tv set in the laundry room (where I do the ironing). The tv keeps me company, since I am usually alone at home after the children left for work and school.

The tv was on, but I was not paying much attention, until I heard the word 'Menopause'. The programme was on Channel 1.

"There was this lady, sitting on the couch and fanning herself even though the ceiling fan was on. She kept complaining that she felt hot all over (hot as in warm, not the other 'hot' thingy..hehhehe..). She was also unkempt. The room she was in was also in a mess. Anyway, the husband then walked in and complained about the wife not keeping the house in order. A small argument than ensued, with the wife saying that the husband was now always complaining and that he no longer needed her because he has eyes for the widow Jamilah!!

Then came bedtime, they were both in bed. Wife still complained she felt hot all over and told husband to increase the aircon thermostat. Husband said he was already freezing in the room. So, he left the wife and slept in the living room instead.

Next morning, wife went to see the doctor. She looked tired and dressed gaudily. She told doctor what she was going through, and wanted to know what was wrong with her. Besides the hot flushes, the mood swings, she felt pain during intercourse.

Doctor explained, what she was going through is called menopause. The symptoms are: hot flushes, tiredness, mood-swings, sometimes pain during intercourse due to dryness in vagina. Then doctor asked whether she had pap-smear and mammogram done. She said no. So doctor did the pap-smear and sent her to do the mammogram. Then doctor said she must take hormone pills.

So, when she came for her follow-up appointment, here comes this lady wearing a kebaya, high heels and a groovy handbag. Voila! She looked entirely different when she first came to see the doctor. Then when the doctor asked how she was, she said, "Oh I felt so good doctor. My husband also happy doctor... (blush blush).""

Well. will I have all these symptoms when I reached menopause? Or perhaps, I am already menopause mode but did not realize it yet, since I do not have all those symptoms? As for taking hormone pills, I think I prefer to continue taking honey with black seed oil on alternate mornings....plus my vitamins.

Rambutan tree not dead yet!

2012-02-10T12:03:00.002+08:00

My rambutan tree, young shoots sprouting...so, Alhamdulillah, my rambutan tree has not died! InshaAllah, looking forward to more rambutan fruits...

But then, it will be quite a while before my rambutan tree can provide shade in our compound... Perhaps need to put more organic fertilizer to speed growth!! Fertilizer from my farm...cowdung!!

@Kenny Rogers Roasters

2012-02-04T21:25:00.001+08:00

(Wahid brought the bill for payment)

(Wahid cleaning the table)

(Wahid serving....)

Wahid got a job at Kenny Rogers Roasters. So, after hubby and I attended our friend's daughter's wedding we drove to the mall to surprise Wahid at the outlet. Today is Wahid's fourth day at work.

He had to cut his hair short in order to work here. Never mind lah son, your hair will grow again what.... He was waiting for his SPM results, and while waiting, he and his BFF, Deen, decided to look for work.

I was surprised when Wahid told me he got a job at Kenny Rogers, because he told me earlier that he wanted to work at the Petronas Petrol Station near our house.

When hubby saw him working at the outlet, hubby said, "kesian pula, tengok anak kene sapu meja and jadi kuli...." (pity our son have to clean tables and work like a coolie). But then hubby also said (in English this time) "But then it is good, he will open up from being shy and meet people from all walks of life that comes in to eat here, and also improve on his spoken English."

Well, Wahid will get his salary end of the month. Perhaps then he will get a new deck for his skateboard. I am sure he has plans how to spend his 'hard-earned' $$$...

He may have to miss his skateboarding activities this week since he is in the afternoon shift. Wonder when is his off days....

When she was just a toddler....

2012-02-02T22:37:00.001+08:00

Siti Khadijah (3 years old) with her younger sister Siti Ayeshah(18 months). This picture was shot in our living room at 11th Mile, Cheras Road. Their dad took this picture.

Ayeshah posted this picture in her FB. She was telling how much she would miss her elder sister (Siti Khadijah aka kak long) once her elder sister gets married. Well, kak long says she will get married in May...what year?? I don't know.....Lets hope its this year....InshaAllah.

Sheep and Goats

2012-02-01T17:57:00.000+08:00

I took these pictures when I went to the farm for stock check yesterday. We have yet to move our herd to the new barn.

Lunch with Ustaz and coursemates

2012-01-28T15:50:00.087+08:00

(the lady in turquoise tudung brought the pavlova)

My ustaz with his wife and children

After attending our tafsir and tilawah class at UIA Gombak, we all drove to Kak Leha Kel Food Restaurant at Taman Melati. This restaurant was beside the MRR2 highway, and since we were driving from UIA into the highway, we had to make a U-turn at the underpass towards Setapak.

I reached the venue first and so had to wait for the others to come. Luckily there was an empty parking lot infront of the restaurant. Since our 'Penghulu' (head of class) had already made bookings I easily found our table in the huge restaurant. There were twenty of us including our Ustaz and his family.

Lunch was served as soon as Ustaz and his family arrived. We had plain rice with ikan kembong bakar, ulam with sambal belacan, kerabu perut and kerabu mangga, mixed vegetables, ayam percik and daging masak kicap. As for quenchers, most of them had fruit juices. As for me, I asked for hot water (large mug) and dip my sachet of Green Tea. I do not drink iced or chilled juices. I prefer to drink warm sky juice!

Then for dessert, one of my coursemate brought a 'Pavlova' which her daughter made. This was the first time I was eating this Pavlova. It was delicious! Melt in my mouth....the toppings were passion fruits, strawberries and ?? (wonder what are the dark coloured fruits....)


(the pavlova)

When it was time to end the event, our honourable ustaz received a gift from all of us. We then bid farewell to Ustaz and his family. I too bid farewell to my coursemates and hope to meet again in March when our new semester begins....

Revive a Sunnah

2012-01-26T16:03:00.000+08:00

REVIVE A SUNNAH

✦REVIVE A SUNNAH ⇨ Attending funerals and offering the funeral prayer ✦

It was ...narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllahu 'alyhi wasallam) said •► “Whoever attends a funeral until he offers the (funeral) prayer will have one QIRAAT (of reward) and whoever attends until the burial is done will have two QIRAATS.” It was said: “What are the two qiraats?” He (sallAllahu 'alyhi wasallam) said •► “Like two great mountains!”

[Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1261; Muslim, 945]

Mobile Share Link --> http://on.fb.me/ymq7zZSee more

✦ REVIVE A SUNNAH ⇨ "REVIVING ASPECTS OF THE SUNNAH IS A DEED THAT WILL BRING AN IMMENSE REWARD" ✦ The Prophet (peace and blessing of Allaah be upon him) said:► "Whoever revives an aspect of my Sunnah that is forgotten after my death, he will have a reward equivalent to that of the people who follow him, without it detracting in the least from their reward." [Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 7/443; this is a hasan hadeeth because of corroborating asaaneed].

by: ILoveAllaah.com

Badruzzaman's 24th Birthday

2012-01-25T21:02:00.194+08:00

Badruzzaman (my eldest son, but third among his siblings) celebrated his 24th birthday today. His birthday this year falls on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese calendar, he was born in the year of the Dragon....

We got him a small (1 kg) Black Forest Cake for his birthday. Kak Long (Siti Khadijah) and Khairulzaman were not around when Badruzzaman cut his birthday cake. Kak Long was at work whilst Khairulzaman had returned to his university. We bought the cake at a bakery shop in Kajang Prima.

Whilst we were eating the cake, Badruzzaman suddenly asked me whether I could still recall how he was born 24 years ago. I said, sure I remembered very well..... For you my son, here is the story...

Your dad, kak long and kak ngah (Siti Ayeshah) were watching a Pink Panther cartoon video that night. I was on the sofa bed with Kak Long and Kak ngah whilst dad was lying on the carpet, when kak long suddenly pulled at my sarong and said, "Yang, yang kencing eh, kain yang basah..." (Yang (my two daughters called me that when they were toddlers), your sarong all wet, you peed eh..).

I quickly got up and realized my water-bag had burst....water was dripping between my thighs.....My husband panicked and asked whether the baby is going to come out..I said, "No lah dear....still got time....". So I told him to go get our car at the garage while I packed the childrens' clothes for their stay at my brother-in-law's house in Gombak. My bag for my stay at the hospital was already in the car booth (it was in the car booth since last month!).

We were staying at 11th mile Cheras Road at that time and there were no highways to take us to Gombak. Luckily it was already past midnight and there were hardly any traffic. When we reached Gombak, it was almost 1am. We had to wake my bro-in-law and his wife and apologised for troubling them. I dared not get out of the car to bid goodbye to my two daughters because I was afraid my baby would suddenly 'drop' if I stood. My sister-in-law was a midwife at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital so she assured me I would not deliver so soon....

But my husband did not want to take any chances and drove me to the hospital like a race car driver.....I told him to stay calm and drive safely....When we finally reached Pantai Medical Centre, we went straight to the Labour wards. The ward sister attended to me and notified my Doctor Maheswaran (Mrs). My labour pains started from 3am....hubby was with me all the time...holding my hands, stroking my head and praying for me too.

Abang (Badruzzaman), you finally came into this world at 6.03am. When the doctor put you into my arms...the Azan Subuh (call for Fajr prayers) were heard in the distance, since the Universiti Malaya mosque was nearby. Dad took you in his arms and recite the Azan on your right ear and the Qamat on your left ear... Then Dad went to the mosque for Fajr prayer.

The ward nurse than took you away, and when you were returned to me, I began to breastfeed you..... I breastfed you everyday for twenty months, would have completed the last four months, but I was already expecting your little brother by then....

My folding bicycle

2012-01-24T00:18:00.001+08:00

I went to the stadium over the weekend to try out the folding bike I bought on eBay Msia. Kak Long, my eldest daughter accompanied me. We had to use the Toyota hilux since my car could not accommodate the folding bicycle. When I tried to put the bike into my car, the handles could not go in….and there was no way to shorten the handle by pressing it down.
So….I may have to buy the Reebok folding bike which I saw at Alamanda shopping mall in Putrajaya.

Anyway, when I rode the bike, it was wonderful….. Of course, since this was the first time I was trying it out, I dare not increase my riding speed. I did not want to get injured on my first try… Also there was no problem riding on the track either…So, I managed to cycle for about half an hour, going round and round the track.

Well, I was not cycling alone either….there were other cyclists too...very young ones, and when they completed one round…I only did half!! Hehehe…. Anyway, I felt safe cycling at the stadium. If I were to cycle on the road, there were too many vehicles and plus the fumes I had to inhale…. Well, till I get a buddy to cycle with me, I would love to try cycling along the LEKAS highway…less traffic and also the highway very straight one…no hill until you reach Mantin….

The Reebok folding bike cost more than RM1,000, around RM1,200; so I may have to safe my allowance to purchase it. Hopefully within the next two months… My eldest daughter said she will chip in too so that I could get the bike earlier….God Willing…

I also cycle in the evening i.e. after fetching Sofiyah from school. I only cycle around the neighbourhood…again, no traffic within the area. Wish some of my neighbours would join me…but alas, none are willing…..

When I was cycling at the stadium, there were a few joggers on the track and how I wish I could run like before. Its a lot easier to run...I only need a pair of running shoes, no problem with that... But then, again, its my heel....I have been taking Arcoxia daily now...and I am down to my last pack. After that, I had to see the doctor again...

Quran Explorer

2012-01-23T00:26:00.000+08:00

Quran Explorer

My wedding invitation card....

2012-01-15T15:50:00.001+08:00

Guess what I found while spring cleaning my book case.....My wedding invitation card tucked between some old birthday cards..... Sure brings back sweet memories of my wedding day almost 30 years ago..... (August 1982). It was printed using CONQUEROR paper....

Hubby designed the layout before sending it to the printer. He printed 500 copes for me and 500 copies for himself. That means there were over 1000 guests at our wedding. On my family side and his..... Well, we sure had a large wedding because we have to invite all our relatives near and far far away.....(Singapore i.e.) hehehe.... and also our friends, former classmates and office colleagues....

At my side of the wedding, I have a few foreign guests from Technip, France. They were my colleagues at MMC Fluor. The only one I could remember was Mr Dumas. He came with his wife and children. My wedding was the first Malay wedding they attended. They even followed the entourage to the reception on my husband's side...

Well, finding the wedding card really brings back memories.....now to look for the wedding album...must be some where in the library..... (my home library lah....)

My Rambutan Tree - Fruitless!

2012-01-14T21:55:00.000+08:00

My three sons together with my husband's two workers, trimmed our rambutan tree on 2nd January 2012. We managed to collect all the ripen rambutans and gave it to our neighbours.

The two jackfruit trees were also trimmed but our three palm trees were chopped down. Now, our house compound is visible to all...... I could also view my neighbours' houses from my bedroom window.... Well, I hope all the trees will not die...but continue to grow and bear fruits too.....InshaAllah.

Caught zZzzz at the console....

2012-01-13T01:52:00.000+08:00

It was raining outside...so Fifi, since she could not go out......and also her favourite couch was already taken...had to make do with the tv console......hehehe....cute Fifi...

Maytower - Studio suite for Rent

2012-01-09T20:55:00.003+08:00

I would like to rent my studio unit at Maytower Hotel and Suites, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I will only rent my unit to Muslims regardless from which country they are from. So far, I have tenants from Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, Sarawak and also from Malaysia.

My unit is fully furnished, including kitchen utensils and bed linen, also ASTRO (family package). The rent is RM2,500 a month. I welcome short-stay (i.e. a month) to as long as six months only (longer than that, a fresh contract is required).

For further enquiries, please email me at - lizloteng@gmail.com

Thank you.

Satay Citarasa

2012-01-05T23:59:00.000+08:00

I found this recipe in an old newspaper cutting dated December 28 1999. Well, again, might try it out one day soon......InshaAllah.

300g Australian beef, topside
300g chicken filler
400g squids

Spices (A) Ground and combined
10 shallots
2 cm piece fresh turmeric
4 cm piece galangle
3 cm piece ginger
1/2 tsp ground fennel (jintan manis)
1/2 tsp coriander powder (ketumbar)
1 tbsp chilli paste

Seasoning (B)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp salt or to taste
1 tsp thick soy sauce
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp thick coconut milk

Bamboo satay skewers, soaked overnight for several hours

Sauce harmoni - combined ingredients (C)
1 tbsp fresh chilli paste
2 tbsp dried chilli paste
8 shallots, ground
5 cloves garlic, ground
1 tsp belacan powder granules
1/2 cup asam jawa mixed with 1/2 cup water)
1 tbsp lime juice
3 tbsp castor sugar
1 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 cup roasted peanut, coarsely ground

1 pandan leaf, knotted
1 stalk lemon grass, smashed
4 tbsp oil

Cut beef into 2cm strips. Cut chicken fillet into 2cm strips. Remove ink bags from squids. Cut into 2cm slices.

Marinate the meat and squid with combined spices (A) and seasoning (B). Refrigerate for several hours, preferably overnight.

Add 2 tablespoons of oil to the marinated ingredients. Thread meat and squids onto the skewers. Reserve the remaining marinade for glaze when grilling or bbq the meat until well browned and cooked.

To prepare the sauce
Heat oil in a wok and fry ingredients (C), pandan leaf and lemon grass till aromatic. Add coconut milk, asam jawa juice and lime juice.

Bring to a gentle boil and simmer until oil rises to the top. Stir in ground peanuts, sugar and salt. Serve sauce with satay meat.

Sofiyah's New School Year

2012-01-04T23:50:00.004+08:00

(rows and rows of freshies.....)

(Sofiyah with her brother, Wahiduzzaman)

(Sofiyah in her new secondary school uniform)

(me with Sofiyah)

(All alone.....)

The new school term begins today and so I accompanied Sofiyah to her new school where she will be studying until Form 5. She was so sad because she could not find any of her primary school friends in this secondary school. But I told her not to worry, because she will soon have new friends around her.....

When it was time for me to leave her at the school, I did not have the heart to see her looking so forlorn....so I waited until it was time to enter the classroom with the other students. I approached her and gave her a hug and a kiss and stroke her head and gave her my blessings....

Well, she had new school uniform, new headscarf, new school shoes, new socks and a brand new NIKE school bag.... Oh yaaa....have to increase her pocket money too....now in secondary school already......(hubby, please take note!)

Otomo Folding Bicycle

2011-12-29T01:38:00.000+08:00

My left heel still hurts...especially when I wake up in the mornings... I actually need to sit up and slowly massage my heel and ankle before I could step onto the floor. That also, I had to wobble to the bathroom.... So, after having my breakfast, I need to take Arcoxia (1 tablet).

It has been four months now since the injection my doctor gave me and yet the pain is still there....Doc said I should take Arcoxia to ease the pain. But then, why do I have to take Arcoxia, when the injection was suppose to last for six months.... Is my heel never ever getting better??

Thus, again following doctor's orders, I need to change my sports activities...I had to quit running..... Well, I did ran at the stadium, a few times last month, of course there was slight pain, but I did not care...running is my passion...But now, when the pain refuse to go away....I have to make a decision to really quit running and try some other sporting activity.

My doctor suggested swimming or cycling where I will not put much pressure on my heel. I love swimming too, but having to change into my swimming gear and then into the public pool......I felt lazy lah...... So, the other option left is cycling.

So, I surf eBay Malaysia and found the above Otomo Folding Bicycle (used) for sale. Since the seller is from Malaysia, The Right Bike Store (his blog), I contacted him and enquired about the bicycle condition etc. and of course asking for further discount....hehehe.... To buy a brand new one is very expensive.......

So, why choose a folding bicycle? Well, I could store it in my car and when I feel like cycling at the stadium or at the nearest park etc. I could unfold it (hope its easy as A B C when unfolding) and ....race against the wind....

Well, I am excited to try bi-cycling, but then, am wondering whether I need to purchase a helmet too....hmmm...wonder whether eBay will have a used one.....

Our Final Home...

2011-12-26T02:07:00.003+08:00

I would like to share this, which I found on my FB wall.

OUR SHELTER TILL JUDGEMENT DAY , ALHAMDHULILAH, ALLAH MAKE OUR GRAVE COMFORT AND... PLZ PLZ PLZ DONT PUNISH US IN THE GRAVE AND HELL FIRE...... — AMEEN....YAH ALLAH MAKE MY PRESENT LIFE SWEET , MY GRAVE SWEETER AND MY AKHIRA THE SWEETEST OF ALL...AMEEN

QURAN - ALLAH says in Surat at-Takathur: v (1-2): “Mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things), until you visit the graves.”

The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said:
“A time will come when my Ummah will love five (things) and forget five others: they will love this WORLD and forget the HEREAFTER ; they will love MONEY and forget the Reckoning; they will love CREATION and forget the CREATOR - ONE GOD - ALLAH ; they will love SINS and forget REPENTANCE ; they will love PALACES and forget the GRAVE .”

ASTAGHFIRULLAH

LIFE is a question nobody can answer.

DEATH is an answer nobody can question!

in this world there are RICH AND POOR, HAVE AND HAVE NOTS. But before wildly chasing Worldly Desires THINK

" NO MATTER HOW BIG OUR HOUSES .

NO MATTER HOW FAT OUR BANK BALANCE .

NO MATTER HOW EXPENSIVE OUR CARS .

BUT IN THE END
ALL OF US GO TO
SAME SIZE

" GRAVE"

by: Reshu Alhamdulillah

@Besut and Kemaman Terengganu (081211)

2011-12-22T23:16:00.004+08:00

(This is the stall selling delicious satar and otak-otak, Warung Awie)

(This is satar, the ingredients are fresh fish, coconut milk, onions and chillis wrapped in banana leaves and then grilled...delicious)

(Fresh fish, mixed with spices, wrapped in coconut leaves and then grilled...also delicious)

(Wahid taking a photo of Sofiyah..)

(Sofiyah taking a picture of Wahid)

(Brotherly, sisterly love....(I took this picture)

(Just like in Titanic the movie...)

(Mommy's girl......)

(the sandy beach at Penarik, Besut)

(beautiful scenery.....)

(hubby watching us on the beach....)

(the lone SUV...)

(ALLL MINE........(We belong to each other..)

(peek-a-boo.....)

( Wahid enjoying his mee celup )

Our last stop during our East Coast trip was in Kemaman, Terengganu. We had satar and otak-otak at Warung Awie which is about 1km from the Kemaman mosque.

Before Kemaman, we were in Penarik Besut, enjoying the sea breeze at its beautiful beaches.....

Rendang Tok (Perak)

2011-12-16T10:29:00.000+08:00

This dish is one of my hubby's favourite. I have never cooked it before, so when I found this recipe in the newspaper, I sure would like to try it out one day soon.....hehehe....

Hubby came to like this dish when he attended this Malay wedding in Perak.

(Serves 15)

Ingredients (A)
1 1/2 kg beef (cubed)
7 shallots
5 garlic (sliced)
2.5cm ginger (sliced)
2tbsp chilli powder
1 tsp fennel seeds (ground)
1tsp black peppercorn (ground)
10pcs clove (ground)
1 tsp turmeric powder

Ingredients (B) (to grind)
2 tbsp kerisik (or from 1/2 coconut)
1/2 young coconut (flesh only, sliced)
4 cups coconut milk (or from 5 coconuts)
2 tbsp coriander seed powder
1 tbsp fennel seed powder
10 cardamon seeds
5cm cinnamon

Marinate meat with all the sliced and ground ingredients, kerisik, sliced young coconut flesh and coconut milk for two hours.

Cook the marinated meat in a pot and let it simmer atop slow fire for 2 - 2 1/2 hours. Remember to stir.

Add salt to taste. Cook until the rendang is dry and the colour changes to dark brown. Ready to serve.

Rendang Itik Kuala Pilah (N9)

2011-12-16T10:20:00.000+08:00

This is also another dish I would like to try cooking.

Serves 10-15

Ingredients (A)
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 1/2 kg duck
3 cm galangal
2 pcs tamarind peel
4 cups coconut milk
4tbs kerisik
kaffir lime leaves and salt to taste

Ingredients(B) (to toast and grind)
10 pcs dried chillies
1 tsp coriander seeds
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp black peppercorns

Ingredients (C) (to grind)
5 shallots
3 garlic
3cm ginger
2 stalks lemon grass
3cm fresh turmeric
1 1/2 cm belacan Melaka (shrimp paste)

Heat the oil in the wok, saute all ingredients B until the aroma rises.

Add the duck meat, ingredients C, galangal tamarind peel and kerisik. Cook until ingredients are integrated and begins to boil.

Simmer the duck until it becomes tender and the gravy thickens.

Add kaffir lime leaves and salt to taste. Slow down the fire and cook until the gravy becomes thicker.

Ready to serve.

Tok Aman Bali, Pasir Puteh

2011-12-15T18:59:00.000+08:00

(I think this is a keris handle (monument near the swimming pool)

(the entrance to the lobby)

(a map of the resort hangs on the wall at the entrance)

(Sofiyah took this picture)

(our room, the childrens' room via a connecting door)

(the enormous swimming pool)

(view of the hotel rooms, ours on the ground floor on the right)

(the beach at Tok Bali)

(the resort from the beach)

(I don't know what tree this is, but its huge alright)

(hubby at the hotel jetty after cycling)

(Sofiyah and Wahid in the pool)

(Sofiyah relaxing in the jacuzzi)

It was almost 7pm when we left Pengkalan Kubor, Kelantan. Wahiduzzaman wanted to drive but hubby said he will drive instead. We hope to reach Kuala Trengganu or anywhere before that by midnight. Well, there were two hotels along the coast to Terengganu which have rooms available for us.

When we reached Pasir Puteh, we lost our way when hubby took a wrong turn. It was passing through Tok Bali that we noticed these bright lights around the corner away from the main road. We decided to check it out. And we were surprised and delighted to find that a new resort was welcoming us….Tok Aman Bali Resort.

We were among the twenty odd guests that night. This resort started operating only in November 2011 after a soft launch. Well, again we left our bags in our rooms, and went out to have dinner at the many ikan bakar restaurants around Tok Bali. We chose the restaurant at the jetty nearby.

Too bad this particular restaurant only serves ikan bakar…no side dishes whatsoever…..strange but true…. Anyway, we returned to the resort and lepak at the swimming pool area.

The next morning, hubby and I had breakfast at the open area of the resort restaurant. Wahid and Sofiyah then joined us. Then hubby and I decided to walk along the beach infront of the resort. There were huge waves pounding the beach, and it was also very windy…. I took pictures of the scenery and also this huge tree… Hubby went jogging along the road shoulder.

There were a few stalls along the road selling satar and otak-otak. We bought a few packets and returned to the resort. Wahid and Sofiyah rented bicycles and they went cycling along the road in front of the resort. Hubby and I were reading the newspaper in our rooms when the children returned. Since there was still half an hour left on renting the bicycles, hubby and I decided to cycle too. So, we cycled out of the resort and returned about 20 mins later…..I was sweating like crazy, but hubby was so cool…..

We then lepak at the swimming pool, whilst the children were having fun swimming and playing on the pool slides. Wish I could join them too….but I was already exhausted due to cycling, and I have no wish whatsoever to go swimming next!! We all had our naps and when we woke up our stomachs were making funny noises….

After having our baths and prayers, we drove to Pasir Puteh town and ate roti canais and rojaks at Restoran Anisah. There are no mamakteria anywhere in Kelantan it seems. Anyway, we then went looking for Pele’s restaurant just outside Pasir Puteh. Pele is my hubby’s first cousin. He managed this restaurant E-Rup E-Sup at the junction of Pasir Puteh and Tanah Merah roads.

(wating for our soups....)

The soups that Pele served was indeed delicious. His wife is the chef at his restaurant. They have four children, two boys and two girls. According to Pele, business has been good so far, Alhamdullilah.

We then returned to the resort after having our dinner at another ikan bakar restaurant at Tok Bali.

Kota Bharu, Kelantan

2011-12-11T01:02:00.001+08:00

(with darling hubby at the border Pengkalan Kubor. In the background is Thailand)

(Pasar Siti Khadijah in Kota Bharu town)

(a swiflet breeding 'condo' infront of Pasar Siti Khadijah)

(At Rantau Panjang. Thailand is just across the Golok River)

(Golok town in the distance)

(checkpoint at Rantau Panjang)

(Wahid trying to hitch a ride into Thailand...hehheehe..)

(Sofiyah refuse to follow Wahid....atta girl!)

(a mosque in Rantau Panjang, Chinese architecture)

(the Fisheries Complex at Pengkalan Kubor)

(posing at the Complex. In the background is Thailand)

Wahid and Sofiyah were still asleep when hubby and I left the hotel and went to Pasar Siti Khadijah for breakfast. It took us only five minutes to reach the market from the hotel. The wet market (selling fresh fish and vegetables) were already doing their business.

We then went to the food court on level 2 and I ate nasi kerabu and hubby, nasi dagang. After that we went shopping for keropok ikan. Then, on the way back to the hotel, we browse around the many Goldsmith shops which had already opened for business that morning. Wowwww....the gold jewelleries here are awesome...so finely crafted. We were amazed that there were no armed guards at these goldsmith shops....Most of the salespersons were females....(It also amazed us that the ladies that manned their stalls at Pasar Siti Khadijah wore heavy jewelleries. They wore their gold bangles right up both their arms....).

When we returned to the hotel, it was already 10am. Both our children were still in their rooms. So, I called them to come down for breakfast at the hotel's Coffee House. We checked out of the hotel after breakfast.

We drove to the border town of Rantau Panjang, and had lunch there. There was a duty-free shop selling crockery and kitchen wares. I could not resist buying a set of Corning Ware cookware. As for the children, they bought 'branded' tee shirts etc...

From Rantau Panjang, we drove to Pengkalan Kubor, since it was just a short drive away. Pengkalan Kubor is another border town. Thailand is just across the river. AND at Pengkalan Kubor there is also a Duty Free shopping complex.... We reached there at 4.40pm and had less than an hour to shop, because the complex close at 5.30pm.

Yet I managed to buy two sets of Arcopal tea sets (Romantique) and I was so happy I found the tea sets, because the Romantique design no longer available in Kuala Lumpur. We left the complex sharp at 6pm and headed to the nearest mosque for our prayers.

We then drove south to Terengganu....

Belum Rainforest Resort (Pulau Banding)

2011-12-09T16:30:00.001+08:00

(Our rooms 2nd level on the left (202 & 204)

(the herbal garden)

(view from the herbal garden)

(the fish pond)

(the 'hunter', hehehe....)

(the houseboat, can accommodate 16 passengers)

(the 'huntress' hehehe.... (in the background is a mock orang asli village)

(hotel guests kayak-ing)

(view from the mock orang asli village)

(waiting for yours truly....)

(x problem darling....i can keep up with you..)

(Hotel guests waiting to ride the boats)

(me on the way to the mock orang asli village)

My hubby and I together with our two youngest children, travelled from Selangor to the East Coast of Malaysia during the December school holidays. We pushed off from our house Sunday morning (4^th December) to Sungei Panjang because my husband had to do an errand there. We then had lunch of rice and beef soup at a stall surrounded by padi fields.

From Sungei Panjang, my husband decided to take the Sabak Bernam road to Teluk Intan and into the North/South highway. When we reached Bidor, my husband allowed Wahiduzzaman to drive our SUV. After about five minutes, my husband was asleep and snoring too….hehehe….

We exited at Kuala Kangsar and stopped for prayers at a mosque just before Lenggong Perak. It was raining quite heavily on our way to Gerik. I was so surprised to see that Gerik is quite a big town. It was already dark when we started to drive towards Pulau Banding from Gerik. We were driving through the East West Highway. We finally reached Belum Rainforest Resort around 8.30pm.

After checking in at the resort, we were in room 202 (hubby and I) and 204 (Sofiyah and Wahiduzzaman), the rooms has a connecting door We then had dinner at the Hornbill Restaurant. It was still raining when we returned to our rooms. Oh yes, WiFi is FOC at this resort. According to the staff on duty that night, WiFi is only available at the restaurant and lobby, but when I tried out in our rooms, we could easily access the internet using the hotel’s wifi….So, the next time we come here, we will definitely ask for 202 and 204.

The next morning, after breakfast, hubby and I took a walk along the forest trail. We passed by the hotel’s jetty and came across this mock orang asli village. Suddenly I had this urge to ease myself and went looking for a toilet. There was one available for ladies….but, no water lah!!! Aiyaaa….then my hubby suggested that I eased by the lake or behind the tree trunk. Oh definitely a no no….

Finally, when we passed through the orang asli village again, my hubby suggested that I use the gents toilet. But then, there was this young orang asli (from the Jehai tribe) who was washing his clothes, so we waited till he finished and the toilet becomes mine!!! What a relief….

Hubby then borrowed a parang from the orang asli and cut this long piece of tree branch and he used it like a walking stick. We then decided to walk the forest trail from the mock orang asli settlement. The path was quite slippery, since it rained the night before. After about ten minutes, we came across this huge dead tree trunk, and hubby easily climbed over it to get to the other side…AND he completely forgot about me…. I had to yell out to him, “Hellooooo…excuse me, have you forgotten someone??” He turned around and started to laugh and also apologised…”Sorry sayang, I thought you have no problem climbing over….” And he helped me climbed over the huge log. Then it struck me that this same incident also happened about 36 years ago during our first date……Wow…history sure repeats itself!!

We reached the resort half an hour later and went to the restaurant to rest while reading the newspaper. Suddenly hubby lifted his jeans and found a ‘pacat’ sucking his right shank….I saw the blood dripping along his shank….Ewwww….Hubby cooly plucked the pacat and threw it away….

We left the resort after doing our prayers, jamak Zuhur and Asar, and headed towards Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Hubby told Wahiduzzaman to drive our SUV to Kota Bharu, another 170km along the East West Highway.

We stopped at Jeli for a late lunch (it was already 3.30pm) and continued our journey to Kota Bharu. We passed through the towns of Tanah Merah and Pasir Mas and finally reached Kota Bharu around 5.30pm and checked into Hotel Al Raudhah.

After leaving our luggage in our rooms, we headed to the nearest restaurant and had our dinner. Since Wahiduzzaman wanted to do some shopping at Wakaf Che Yah, we headed there after dinner. Wakaf Che Yah is similar to downtown in Danaukota in Kuala Lumpur. It is best to go after 9pm because by then most of the stalls are opened for business.

We finally returned to our hotel at 10.30pm.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken

2011-12-01T18:59:00.000+08:00

350g boneless, skinless chicken breast
2 tbsp flour
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp Dijon mustard

Place chicken between two pieces of wax paper or foil. Flatten with a meat mallet or the bottom of a heavy skillet to about 1cm thick.

In a small bowl, mix flour, crushed red pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.

Dip chicken breasts in the flour mixture, coating all sides. Saute chicken for three minutes on each side. A meat thermometer should read 74 degrees C.

While chicken cooks, mix honey and mustard together. Remove chicken to two dinner plates and spread mustard sauce on top. Makes two servings.

Malay-Style Fried Chicken

2011-11-30T00:12:00.002+08:00

600g chicken, cut into sizeable pieces
2 tbsp tapioca cloor
2 tbsp rice flour

Spices (combined)
6 shallots
5 garlic cloves
2 tbsp sliced lemon grass (use white portion only)
2 tbsp meat curry powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
3-4 tsp water
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Place combined spices into a food processor. Blend into a fine paste.

Combine the tapioca and rice flours. Marinate chicken pieces withs the spice paste. Add combined flour mixture.

Heat enough oil in a wok or deep saucepan.

Put in marinated chicken and deep-fry over medium heat until lightly golden. Remove and reheat the oil.

Return the prefired chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry over high heat until golden brown.

Remove and drain from oil.

Sofiyah's Graduation - Islamic Primary School Abim

2011-11-29T23:49:00.000+08:00

(Sofiyah posing with her certificate)

(Sofiyah with her bff)

(Sofiyah far left with the peace sign)

(Sofiyah...and me..)

(the 'graduates' in the hall..)

(queing to receive their certificates)

(Sofiyah receiving her certificate)

(Sofiyah with her classmate)

(My darling Sofiyah, Congratulations dear...)

This year is Sofiyah's final year in Primary School. Next year she will be studying in Form 1. She will have five years in a Secondary School. Since she is my youngest child, I too bid goodbye to Sekolah Rendah Islam ABIM. (Islamic Primary School ABIM). All my children attended this school.

Sofiyah scored 4As and 1B in her Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR). She got an A in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mathematics. She got a B in Science. For her Peperiksaan Sekolah Rendah Agama (PSRA) she scored 85% (Jayyid jiddan). She got an A in Arabic which is very impressive indeed.

So, on Saturday 19th November, she attended her school's graduation ceremony. Well, she was the only one who had the opportunity to receive her certificate this way, because, when her siblings left their primary school years, this kind of ceremony never took place. In fact, this event was the third organised by her school. The first time was in 2009 (Sofiyah was in Year 3).

Since I attended this event, I had to miss my Tafsir class at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA Gombak). What a sacrifice. Anyway, after the event, we returned home to fetch Wahiduzzaman. We then attended a wedding at Putrajaya.

Be Smart...Be Successful! Work for Eternal Peace & Success!

2011-11-23T22:19:00.002+08:00

ILoveAllaah.com

Dear sister in Islam...,
We know its hard. We know you look at the pictures of the models and the celebrities and wonder why you can’t look like them? We know it hurts to sometimes refrain yourself from plucking those brows or to put on that hijab & abaya. We know it gets hard to walk outside with no make up on, with your natural face, thinking it’s not good enough and all of your flaws are showing.

You know what else we know? We know you’re beautiful, regardless of what you think of yourself. ♥ We know that even the slightest inclination of pleasing Allah in yourself increases that beauty ten-fold and we know that when Allah finds you beautiful, it’s all that matters. You’re not doing this for the world, remember? You’re not even doing it for yourself. :)

Imagine your beauty on the Day of Qiyamah when your face would be glowing and radiant with noor, when you would enter Jannaj & be more beautiful than the hoor and you would realize that it was this world really wasn’t worth the drool.

Lovely sister, we are proud of you! ♥

@Taman Botani, Putrajaya - Tai Chi

2011-11-19T23:12:00.002+08:00

(me with my Tai Chi friends from Serdang)

(Tai Chi Kung Fu San)

(Breakfast time....nasi lemak kerang)

(My sifu (Mr Hoon Wah Kuang) and I..)

FIFI, my adorable cat.....

2011-11-17T20:33:00.000+08:00

(Fifi....sleeping on the couch)

(slowly opening her eyes....)

(almost wide awake.....)

(wide awake....)

(stretching and scratching......)

Fifi was sleeping so soundly and she looked so cute that I could not resist taking her picture. She had the couch all to herself.....

My Rambutan Tree....its fruits

2011-11-16T20:13:00.000+08:00

These are my rambutans, almost ripe....but still can be eaten....ohhhh soooo sweet although the skin still not red enough. Anyway, darling hubby plucked some for me...and he sliced open a rambutan, and fed me.... aiyaaaaa.....so sweet my larling hubby....(makes the rambutan all the more sweeter....hehehe....)

Ooopssss...again forgot to take picture of rambutan flesh....next time lah!

Little Bird from the Rambutan Tree

2011-11-15T16:01:00.000+08:00

This little bird was pecking on my window pane...thus awoke me from my afternoon nap...Then I took these pictures...after which, it flew away.... wonder what bird this is.....

SPM 2011

2011-11-14T09:46:00.001+08:00

(Wahid with his certificate)

(Receiving his certiicate from the PTA Chairman)

(Queing to receive his certificate)

(the 'graduates' queing to receive their certificates)

The above pictures were taken on Saturday 22nd October 2011. It was Wahiduzzaman's 'convocation' ceremony organised by his school, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Saujana Impian. The school started the event three years ago. So, this was the third time. During Wahid's elder brother's time, such an event does not exist. Well, perhaps it is now the trend in secondary schools to organise such an event.

They received their certificates based on their SPM Trial exam results. The actual SPM exam will begin on Monday November 14 2011, which is today, and Wahiduzzaman is sitting for it from today. The exam will last approx 3 weeks. Wahid is sitting for his Bahasa Malaysia Paper 1.

Last night, we took him to McD for supper. The whole family were there except for Badruzzaman (elder brother) and Ayeshah (2nd elder sister). We just want him to relax and not get stressful thinking about the first day exam paper. I think he was stressful because he ate 2 pcs of Big Mac and Mcnuggets.....plus the cheezy fries....

This morning I sent him to school at 7am. He had breakfast of 2 fried eggs and baked beans and tea. Before getting into the car, I gave him a hug and kissed his forehead and cheeks. (have to do this at home, because if I do this when he gets down from the car at school....it is not cool......he very malu one...). In fact, last night after the whole family solat maghrib, my husband was the imam, Wahid seek forgiveness from us all. He is now at peace to proceed with his exam.

After I left him at school, and returned home, I did solat dhuha and read Surah Yaasin from 8am (the start of his BM paper). My son, I could only pray and dua for you, the rest is up to you. Please do your best. I love you so much.

My Rambutan Tree

2011-11-12T11:04:00.001+08:00

(a branch full of rambutans...almost ripe)

(heavy....almost touching the ground...)

(close-up....)

(another close up of the whole tree...)

The only rambutan tree in my compound is now heavy with almost ripe fruits. Perhaps it will be fully ripe by next week. But then, I have started plucking the almost red rambutans (could not resist its beckoning....) to eat its..oh so sweet...flesh.....

Aiyaaa!!! Should have taken a few pictures before I ate it just now... Now its raining heavily so no chance to pluck the rambutans and snap some pictures of the fruits itself! Now the rambutan fruits are all wet.....

Tuna Pie

2011-11-08T22:51:00.000+08:00

Pastry
325g plain flour
160g butter diced
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tbsp castor sugar
4-5 tbsp ice water

Filling
2 onions, diced
2 tbsp oil
450g potatoes
1 tbsp curry powder
1 small can tuna flakes in brine, drained

To prepare pastry: Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Stir in salt and sugar. Rub in diced, cold butter until mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

Add the ice water and mix into asmooth pastry dough. Roll into a ball and chill in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes.

To prepare filling: Put potatoes in a pot of water. Bring to the boil and cook until potatoes are tender. Drain and leave aside for a while. Peel the skin then cut into very small cubes.

Heat oil in a nonstick saucepan. Add onion and fry until aromatic. Sprinkle in curry po9wder and continue to fry for a while. Add the remaining filling ingredients except the potatoes.

Stir-fry briefly until well combined. Add potatoes then stir to mix. Dish out and set aside.

Roll out pastry dough thinly and cut rounds to fit tart moulds. Line the base with the pastry round then spoon in a heaped tablespoon of filling.

Cover the top with another piece of pastry round then press down the edge with a fork to seal up.

Brush the pastry top or surface with glaze. Bake in pre-heated oven (180 degrees C) for about 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve the pies while still hot,.

Fish Head Recipes

2011-11-08T22:35:00.001+08:00

NYONYA ASAM FISH HEAD

350ml watr
25g asam jawa paste
700g fish head, halved
5 lady's fingers
4 cherry tomatoes, halved
4 tbsp oil
2 stalks polygonum (daun kesum)

Spice paste (blended)
5 fresh red chillies, seeded
3 dried chillies, soaked and seeded
1 tbsp sliced lemon grass
3 slices galangal
1 cm fresh turmeric root
10 shallots
5 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp belacan powder (shrimp paste powder)
1 1/2 tbsp fish curry powder

Seasoning
Adequate salt to taste
1/8 tsp sugar or to taste
1 tsp ikan bilis stock granules

Garnishing
1 tbsp finely sliced torch ginger bud (bunga kantan)

Lightly season fish head with salt and pepper. Steam for 10 minutes. Remove and discard any excess water from the plate.

Mix the water and asam jawa paste and strain the juice . Set aside. Head oil in a saucepan. Fry blended spices and plygonum stalks until fragrant. Thion down with 2-3 tablespoons of the strained tamarind juice.

Add the rest of the tamarind juice and lady's fingers. Bring to a boil. Allow to simmer for 5-6 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes and ajust with seasoning to taste.

Dish out gravy and pour over the fish. Contunue steaming for a further 3-4 minutes or until the eyes of the fish pop out.

Serve the dish with a sprinkling of sliced wild ginger bud.

STEAMED FISH HEAD

1/2 a fish head (garoupa or red snapper)

Marinade (A)
Adequate salt and pepper
A little sugar

(B)
2 bird's eye chillies, chopped
1/2 a tomato, thinly sliced
2 slices soft beancurd
15g salted cabbage green stems (harm choy), shredded
1 piece pickled sour plum (sheen mui), seeded and chopped
4 slices ginger

Sauce (C)
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp fish sauce
Dash of pepper
1/4 tsp chicken seasoning powder
3 tbsp water

Garnishing
Some schopped spring onion and fresh red chilli
1 tbsp fried garlic oil
Some fried garlic crisps

Clean the fish head. Lightly season with marinade (A) and set aside.

Arrange ingredients (B) on the base of a heatproof dish. Place fish head over the ingredients and steam for 15 minutes.

Pour away excess water.

Combine sauce (C) in a small nonstick saucepan and cook to a low simmering boil, then pour hot sauce over the fish. Finally, garnish the fish before serving.

CLAYPOT FISH HEAD SOUP

1/2 a fish head, chopped into bite-sized pieces
Oil for deep-frying
150g yam, cut into finger thick slices and deep-fried until golden
4 slices tong kwai
5 slices ginger
1 tbnsp kei chi
30g salted cabbage green stems (harm choy), shredded and soaked for 10-15 minutes
70g oyster mushrooms torn into half
1.5 litres fresh chicken stock

(A)
1/2 tsp saslt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp ikan bilis stock powder
1/2 cup tapioca flour

Seasoning (B)
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp sugar or to taste
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tbsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp chicken seasoning powder
1/4 tsp ikan bilis stock powder

Garnishing
Some chopped spring onion, coriander and chilli
Fried shallot crisps

Combine ingredients (A) in a large mixing bowl. Add fish head pieces and toss until well coated with tapioca mixture. Deep-fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Heat chicken stock in a pot. Add tong kwai slices, ginger slices, kei chi, salted cabbage and yam. Bring to the boil then simmer for 10 minutes.

Add pre-fried fish and oyster mushrooms. Boil for 8-10 minutes. Dish out into individual clay pots and serve with garnishing.

AAARGGHHH...THREAD INCREASE!

2011-11-03T15:17:00.000+08:00

I was at plaza pkns in shah alam waiting for my hubby when i came across this handicraft shop. I entered and enquired whether they sell DMC thread. I was shocked when they told me RM1.80 each colour.

A Kid was born......

2011-11-02T11:46:00.000+08:00

(So cute......)

(Mommy goat with her new kid....)

(so near, yet so far.....(looking at mommy's breastmilk))

I was doing my stock check at the farm yesterday morning when my farm boy told me our goat has given birth early in the morning. She gave birth to a male kid. So adorable the kid. He was still a little weak....but his mom will definitely take good care of him....

Traditional Salted Fish Pickle

2011-10-27T20:48:00.000+08:00

300g salted fish, cut into thin strips
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
2 tbsp golden raisins
Enough oil for deep-frying

Spice paste (A)
8 shallots
20g fried chillies, soaked and seeded
10g ginger
2 tbsp coriander powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
1 tsp fennel powder
1 stalk lemon grass

Seasoning (B)
100ml water
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp soft brown sugar or to taste

Rinse salted fish then pat dry with kitchen paper towels. Fry in hot oil until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.

Blend spice paste (A) in a food processor into a fine paste. Heat 4-5 tablespoons oil in a wok and fry spice paste until fragrant and oil rises.

Add water and remaining seasoning ingredients. Stir and bring to a simmering boil until gravy is reduced. Dish out and add the prefried salted fish. Sprinkle in toasted sesame seeds and raisins to mix.

Leave to cool then store in a clean sterilised jar.

Salmah's Eldest son's wedding

2011-10-24T17:46:00.000+08:00

(me with Norizan, standing behind us: fr left Zakaria, James Foo Cheek Par, Abang Johari Saat, Mohd Idris Sattar, Molane Mortojo and Akbal Ahmad)

(BFF me, Salmah Awang and Norizan Zakaria)

(the Dais for the bride and groom)

(the traditional 'wedding cake' made from yellow glutinous rice)

Yesterday, just after fajr prayers, my husband drove me to Johor Baharu. We left the house at 5.30am and stopped at Bangi to have our prayers. We got into the PLUS highway at around 6.30am. We reached Johor Baharu at 8.45am.

Norizan fetched me at around 10.30am and took me to her parent's house at Melodys Garden. My husband checked into Central Hotel while waiting for me to return from Singapore.

I met Izan's mother, a sweet lady....she will also follow us to the wedding. Izan's brother in law, with his wife drove us to Singapore. There was a long queue to the immigration check point at Woodlands. Took us one hour to get clearance and enter Singapore. What a shame!!

Anyway, we reached Salmah's wedding reception about 10 mins later. The event was held at the community hall at Avenue 4, Choa Chu Kang. Salmah was so surprised to see me. She thought I was unable to attend. Threre were the guys....my ex Monkshillian classmates....I was so happy to meet them.

There was abang Joe (Salmah's cousin). The last time I met him was in 1978, when I was in Singapore attending Abang Cits wedding. Abang Joe is still a biker. Now he rides a Harley....wowww.....I noticed the tee shirt he was wearing at Salmah's son's wedding...a Harley Davidson tee shirt. Abang Joe said he will drop by at my farm if he and his big bikers come again to Malaysia. Abang Joe has 5 children and 3 grandchildren....and he rides a Harley....Wowww and wow wow.....

Izan and I left around 3pm. When we reached Johor Baharu, I got down at Central Hotel and bid goodbye to Izan and her family. When I reached room 2009...hubby opened the door, and was surprised to see me 'home' so early.....

We left for home after Asar prayers.....but before that, we had mee rebus, sup kambing, tahu bakar at a food stall along the alley in Johor Baharu. Oh yaa! teh tarik also....

We finally reached home, safe and sound, at 9.30pm.... I thanked my husband very much for driving me to Johor Baharu and allowing me to attend the wedding....Yang...you are the BEST!! I love you very strong.....

(Kamaruzaman bin Budin)

My cross stitch pictures

2011-10-21T00:40:00.000+08:00

(My 3rd cross-stitch picture, it now hangs in my hubby's office right behind his desk)

(my second attempt of the Holy Mosque cross-stitch, still uncompleted)

(this is my latest project....yet to be completed....wonder when???)

(This was my 1st cross-stitch picture, the Holy Mosque in Mecca)

(My 2nd cross-stitch picture, took me 7 months to finish)

(My 4th cross-stitch picture, a kampung house, took me only two months to finish)

Well, I started an interest in cross-stitch in 1998. Wow.....almost 13 years ago, and a picture of the Holy Mosque in Mecca was my first project. I completed it towards end of 1999. Well, it took me almost a year to complete it because I only do cross-stitch while watching TV after dinner. Usually I will spend about two to three hours doing cross-stitch. It would also depend on my moods.....

It also took a lot longer to finish a picture because, sometime I got lazy and not in the mood to do cross-stitch. So, usually after a lonnnnnggg break, it becomes utterly difficult to start again....but then, when I did start cross-stitching again, I got all geared up to complete the picture.... Yet, when I got 'high' doing it, there was no more thread to continue.... so, have to wait for a few more finished coloured thread before I could go to the handicraft shop to buy the much needed thread.

The DMC thread which I am using is so expensive nowadays.... When I first started, it cost only 30 sen each. Now it costs RM1.40. So, if my hubby wants to buy my cross-stitch (he bought my first cross-stitch for RM3.500) he will have to pay triple the amount of my first cross-stitch picture, heheheehee.... Well, I will only sell my cross-stitch pictures to my hubby, because, then my cross-stitch will not leave the family home.......Well, actually, I wish to complete at least 7 pictures before I die, so that each of my children will have a picture to hang at their respective homes.

I hope I could complete the above last two pictures before year ends, and begin another cross-stitch picture of a bowl of fresh fruits to hang in my kitchen.early next year, InshaAllah.

Plantar Fasciitis....r u gone 4 good???

2011-10-15T14:27:00.001+08:00

(this is the Tai Chi Kung Fu San (fan))

This morning, I decided to go to the football stadium at Kajang town which is about five minutes drive from home. When I reached the stadium, there were joggers on the track, and children with their parents at the huge playground at one corner of the stadium. There were also a group practicing tai chi near the car park area. On the football field were two groups of boys playing football at each goal post.

I made my way behind the goal post and found a spot where I could do my tai chi. Of course lah, I make sure that I was wayyyyyy behind the goal post...I do not want to get hit by a stray ball.....Luckily they were not having a match...otherwise I would be their spectator instead......

Anyway, I started by doing the warm up, tai chi style. There are eleven styles and I completed it within 20 mins. Then I did the Tai Chi Chung 37 steps. This I must do within 10 mins. No more no less. If more than 10 mins, that would mean I was too slow.....If less than 10 mins...than I was too fast......Difficult eh?? Well, practice makes perfect.... After practicing tai chi for 12 years....no problem for me to do it in 10 mins flat!! Another thing though.... when I completed the 10 mins, my position must not go beyond the yin yang circle..... tough eh?? Well....like I said...Practice makes Perfect.....

After that, I took out my Tai Chi Kung Fu san (fan), flick it open a few times...enjoying its 'open and shut' sound...mind you, its loud enough to gather attention!! Well, when I did that, I could 'feel' other eyes watching me.......(of course lah...I dare not look around....I have to focus....and remember the song when I do the Tai Chi Kung Fu San. TCKFS took 3 mins 43 seconds only.....

Then, after doing Tai Chi Kung Fu San, I proceeded to the track and walked briskly for two rounds....then I started to jog...slowly of course....I still fear of injuring my heel again..... After one round of jogging, I walked briskly again for another round....and jog again the next round, a little faster this time and for the final round, I walked briskly again. Then I cooled down by walking slowly back and forth behind the goal post...By this time there was no one playing football..... I took 20 mins doing the jogging and brisk walking....

I finally left the stadium at 9.00am. But I did not go straight home... I went to the Pasar Tani (farmers market) to buy crabs and prawns.....fresh ones of course. Oh yaaaa.....there was no class today at UIA Gombak....my lecturer took leave. So, next week, there will be an extra half hour for class.......

Well, Alhamdullilah, I felt no pain whatsoever on my left heel...but when I wanted to climb the stairs to my bathroom for shower.....I felt pain on my left ankle....Now whaaaaaat????? Datuk Dr Mahmood Merican.....here I come.....

Egg Sambal

2011-10-15T13:24:00.000+08:00

When my husband and our daughter, Sofiyah returned from my cousin's son's wedding last Saturday, they brought home ten pieces of 'bunga telor', a door gift for all wedding guests at a Malay wedding. Well, usually, only a piece of bunga telor is given to each guest, but since, the wedding which my husband attended was a close relative wedding, extra bunga telor were given. I did not follow them because I was unwell.

Anyway, since the bunga telor is actually hard boiled egg, put into a container or attached to a stalk of artificial flower, I decided to cook a dish, a very easy one, which my family truly enjoyed....

Ingredients
Hard boiled eggs (minimum 5)
Dried chillies (about 15 pcs, cut and soak in hot water. Better soak it, otherwise, when you fry the chillies the aroma will make you sneeze....)
5 pcs garlic
2 large onions
tomato ketchup (about 4 tablespoon)
salt to taste
oil for frying

1) Blend the dried chillies with garlic
2) Slice the onions
3) Deshelled the hard boiled eggs and fry in hot oil, drain
4)    Use the same oil to fry large onions, then add blended chillies
5) Add tomato ketchup, salt and a little water
6) Finally add in the eggs. Fry altogether under small flame
7)   Eat with rice or bread.

Well, bulls eye fried egg can also be use....Same method, different shape altogether...hard boiled, egg round...bulls eye...egg flat.....

Hammock-a-calling...

2011-10-06T11:49:00.001+08:00

One of my workers put up this hammock at one corner of my farm. I sure could not resist having my nap here.....

OR... I could just lie down on the wooden platform....and when the wind blows....ahhhhh....what bliss....

My farm in Pedas, Negeri Sembilan

2011-10-03T16:08:00.000+08:00

(view of my farm from the entrance)

(view from the sheep/goat barn)

(interior of the new sheep/goat barn)

(we are going to build a tree house here)

(the walkway around the new barn)

(note the trough for food)

(another view of the interior)

(who's that?? My hubby walking towards the entrance)

(introducing....owner of Syarikat Perniagaan Haji Budin.....my darling hubby)

(behind every successful man....there's ME!...Hehehhee.....)

(the entrance)

(view from the outside)

(exterior view)

(the completed barn, Alhamdullilah)

(Note the retaining wall)

(the cattle queing to leave the barn)

(the BBQ area)

(the area where our customers have their tea/coffee and kuihs...)

(our workers' quarters)

(our lorry waiting to load the cattle for delivery)

(the entrance to our farm)

(cattle loaded and ready to go....)

(ooopss!! Not yet...driver went to the loo)

(okay....time to go....)

(view of my kampung house from the entrance)

(we intend to renovate the rear portion of my kampung house and once completed, will rent out to those who would like to feel living in a kampung atmosphere, InshaAllah. Opposite my kampung house is our livestock farm)

New Semester, New Course at UIA Gombak

2011-10-01T22:03:00.002+08:00

(my new bag....2 in 1, can sling and backpack tooo....)

This morning I left the house at 7.30am for my first day at UIA Gombak. I am pursuing a course on Tilawah and Tafsir Al Quran. This course will end in January 2012, and the next semester will be in March 2012.

Driving along MRR2 was a breeze....I reached UIA at 8.00am. Managed to locate the Engineering Faculty where my classes will be held, but took a while to find my classroom. When I still could not locate the classroom, I called the Ustaz and he directed me to it and if I still unable to locate it to wait for the other students......

Finally found the classroom at 9.00am sharp. There were already a few students in the classroom. So I left my bag at my desk and went to the loo (nature's call)... and bump into my exclassmate from UIA Nilai. She too was joining this class.

There were about 15 of us in this class. Half were new ones, including me. So....we, the new students will have to start from Juzuk 2 of surah Al Baqarah, same level as the 'old' students. They have already completed Juzuk 1 of suah Al Baqarah. Anyway, our Ustaz, his name is Abdullah Bukhari, is very young and handsome....At first I thought he was an expatriate from middle east....but then when he spoke Bahasa in a very familiar dialect...I realised that he is a Kelantanese.....mu orei kelate ustaz??? Hehehe...

Anyway, when class ended at around 11.00am, I met Herlin (an Indonesian student, girlfriend of my friend's son, also from Indonesia and who once rented my Maytower studio) for lunch. I fetched her at the girls' hostel within the campus. We had lunch at one of the cafeteria.

Then, while driving back to the hostel, I saw my exclassmate walking to her car...I honked and yelled at her..."Ooiiiiiiii!!!!!...", she sportingly waved back.... Herlin had a good laugh!! She said, "wahhhh, aunty ni macam student jugak yaa....." Hahahaha.......

Well, will be returning to UIA next week, till then...... adios UIA!!

Ladies brunch @my abode

2011-09-30T00:36:00.000+08:00

(this is Datin Baee's friend)

(my neighbours....)

(sharing the cookie recipe....)

(sure you do not want to refill the laksa johor??)

(note the two large framed cross stitch picture of a seaside in the foreground and the cross stitch picture of the Masjid Haram, Mecca in the background)

(another cross stitch picture of a kampung house near the dining table)

(chow time.....)

(me with lady lawyer Puan Aida)

(Datin Aini enjoying the laksa johor)

Date: 28th September (wednesday)

Venue: my abode

Guests: Neighbours and close friends

Menu: Laksa Johor

Masak lemak cili api ayam kampung

Ikan bilis goring dengan petai

White Rice

BBQ leg of lamb

BBQ chicken

Desserts: pot luck from 10 friends

Drinks: chilled rose syrup

warm water

BOH tea

Time: From 10.30am to 1.30pm

Verdict: BESTTTTTTTTTTTT.......

Eid Mubarak 2011

2011-09-23T14:12:00.001+08:00

(My family including Fifi our cat)

(My 6 wonderful children)

The above pictures were taken after returning from the mosque for Eid prayers. Eid was celebrated on August 30. If in other countries, Eid was celebrated, the most, 7 days, here in Malaysia.....one whole month of Syawal!!

So.... there's another one whole week to enjoy Eid.... My husband has completed his 6 days fasting during Syawal. As for me, I have another 4 days to go.....but then, its not the 6 days Syawal fasting....its something else....

Anyway.... last week my aquarium looked like this... the water had turned murky and four fishes died. The aquarium also stank!! Then when I called up the guy who installed the new pressure pump to rectify the problem, he gave feeble excuses and kept on delaying coming to my house. I was so cheesed up that I went to another aquarium specialist and seek his help.

Thanks to Mr Kwan, my aquarium now look like this.... The water became clearer and the fishes were swimming merrily right to the bottom of the aquarium. Previously, it just swam near the surface.....

But Mr Kwan advice me not to buy any more new fishes. He told me to wait for a few more days before adding new ones..... Well, my dark coloured goldfish will have to swim alone for now......

I enjoy watching the fishes in the aquarium especially before I go to bed. Sometimes Fifi, my cat, would sit with me too....of course lah...perhaps he has ulterior motives......hehehe.....Anyhway, Fifi is now 12 years old, but if calculate according to cats' ages...multiply by 7 = 84 years old....wow.... but still, she's aging already...

When I took Fifi to the vet for coughing and lack of appetite, the doctor took x-ray of her lungs...and I was caught by surprise when the doctor told me Fifi had pneumonia.... So, she had to take antibiotics and vitamins and other medications prescribed and, Alhamdullilah she's getting well. Now she sure eats a lot....getting fat even.....Well, the doctor said, let her eats whatever she wants......

Well, some one suggested that I have another cat since Fifi is getting old...Oh no......I definitely cannot do that.... I might hurt Fifi's feelings... I love her a lot. Well, Fifi's next appointment is next week. I hope she's completely cured.

Weekend at Residence Desa Lagoon Resort, Port Dickson

2011-09-19T15:33:00.060+08:00

(On the left is the driveway from the entrance, whilst on the right to the lobby)

(can park one's car right to the front door....)

(The Red Hibiscus (our National flower) can be found along the fence)

(the lobby's deck in the background)

(the large swimming pool and outdoor jacuzzi)

(when we first came years ago, we could touch the tip of the coconut trees)

(Room 212 (Ground Flr) is on the right)

(the king size bed.....)

(the bathroom with jacuzzi...)

(the living room)

(the balcony overlooking the swimming pool)

(view from the balcony)

(this chalet is for VIP)

(the rear entrance to the beach)

(the bbq area)

(view from the beach)

Last weekend, instead of going to Malacca, my husband took me to Port Dickson. We stayed at Residence Desa Lagoon (formerly known as Desa Lagoon Resort). We really like this place. For one thing, we use to stroll along this stretch of the 5th Mile Port Dickson beach during our dating days..... The tree with no leaves is still at its spot next to the resort.

In fact, we have been staying at this resort during our vacation when the children were still very very young. Sofiyah was just a baby then.... But then, we were renting the chalet facing the beach. There are 2 bedrooms and also a small kitchenette. The children wiould sleep in the large bedroom on the 1st floor, while hubby and I and Sofiyah would sleep in the bedroom on the ground floor.

We would stay at this resort each time we have our vacation every year. In fact, whenever hubby and I need to be away from the children....meaning just the two of us.... we would spend our time here at Desa Lagoon. Well, we only manage to do this, since we could now depend on the elder children to take care of their younger siblings.....

Usually we would stroll along the beach right up to 4th mile and watched the sunset from there. I love to put my arms on my husband's shoulders while we walked, as though he was my best friend....well, actually he is my best friend.....he means the world to me....

Studio Unit for Rent @Maytower Hotel & Suites, Kuala Lumpur

2011-09-09T10:01:00.001+08:00

(The Queen Size Bed with a slide-out single bed underneath)

(the 29" TV (Astro will be connected soon)

(the entrance)

(the kitchenette, complete with kitchen utensils, a microwave oven, washing machine and a dryer)

(view from the entrance)

(cozy rattan chairs...)

I am renting my studio unit at RM2,500 a month. The rent is inclusive of Electricity, Water and Gas. My unit is on the 24th floor of the Maytower Hotel and Suites in Kuala Lumpur. Tenants could use the swimming pool and the gymnasium at Maytower. My email: lizloteng@gmail.com

Thank you.

Petai (Parkia speciosa)

2011-08-27T13:45:00.000+08:00

(This is Petai)

During the fasting month, my hubby will not eat Petai, but then, when I cooked it for iftar yesterday, he just could not resist!!! Hahahah...... Here is the recipe:

One bowl of petai seeds (remove the petai seed by cutting the bulging skin with a small knife, and then remove the seed.) Cut the seed in halves.

200gm dried anchovies (ikan bilis)

2 large onions, sliced thinly

1 red chilli or 8 pcs cili padi (birds eyes chilli), also sliced thinly

3 pcs asam keping (googled for the name in English, cannot find lah....)

salt to taste

Fry ikan bilis until crispy. Add onions, chillies, asam keping and salt to taste. Finally add in petai seeds. Best to eat with rice.

But then, after eating petai, please do not use the public toilet.... the aroma is unbearable for some earthlings....Hahaha......

Petai can be eaten raw, but best to eat with the skin too. Read some where and also base on ancestors experience, have medicinal value, i.e. can avoid diabetes.

Stir-fried Pepper Chicken

2011-08-21T21:39:00.000+08:00

225g chicken drumstick, deboned and cut into chunky cubes
1 tbsp sesame oil
5g ginger slices
1 tbsp fresh green pepper berries, crushed
30g red capsicum, cut into wedges
1 stalk celery, cut into slanting slices

Marinade (A)
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp sugar
1 tbsp cornflour

Seasoning (B) - combined
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp light soy sauce
1/4 tsp chicken stock powder
125 ml stock or water

Season chicken with marinade (A) for at least 30 minutes. Heat sesame oil and fry ginger until fragrant. Add fresh peppercorns and continue to fry for a while. Add marinated chicken and 1-2 table spoons combined seasoning ingredients (B). Toss and fry well. Add remaining seasoning (B) and simmer for about 5 minutes.

Add capsicum and celery. Cook to a rapid boil. Dish out and serve.

My 29th Wedding Anniversary - August 7 2011

2011-08-20T21:10:00.001+08:00

I posted the following comment on my Facebook status on August 8 2011, and I was touched with the response from my dear FB friends......

‎Norliza Binti Idrus Pen-pal for 4 years....couple-couple for 6 years....happily married for 29 years..... Alhamdullilah...

08 August at 14:19 · Privacy:Friends · · · Remove tagRemoving tag...

Mardinah Rahmat, Suan Lee, Viva Velise and 5 others like this.
- Monaliza Mohammad Diah i wonder if there is such thing as pen pal any more...
  08 August at 14:25 ·
- Norliza Binti Idrus these days they call it cyber pal kut.....
  08 August at 14:30 · · 1 personLoading...
- Norliza Binti Idrus LAMAAAAAAAA tu......
  08 August at 14:33 ·
- Norliza Binti Idrus imagine knowing my husband for 36 years.....
  08 August at 14:33 · · 1 personLoading...
- Salmah Awang ya la ... masa skola lagi ...klu dpt surat very hepi tu jam..
  08 August at 15:25 ·
- Norliza Binti Idrus hehee.....u masih ingat dear Sal??? Siapa sangka eh....from being pen-pal.....terus jadi husband.....
  08 August at 15:28 · · 1 personLoading...
- Salmah Awang mestii la ingat ...u pun ada kasi i baca kan...dah jodoh u ...m happy for u too..
  08 August at 15:39 · · 1 personLoading...
- Norliza Binti Idrus today, 29 years ago...we naik pelamin sei.......nikah was yesterday.....
  08 August at 15:45 · · 1 personLoading...
- Sari Yusa Ibrahim hehe, siap recycle stamp yek, hik hik
  08 August at 15:48 · · 1 personLoading...
- Norliza Binti Idrus HAHAHHAA...Sari Yusa Ibrahim mesti ade baca blog kak ni.....
  08 August at 15:49 ·
- Sari Yusa Ibrahim mestilahhhhhhhh... hahaha
  08 August at 15:54 ·
- Salmah Awang Happy Anniversary Norli n hubby ...may u both b blessed with good health n wealth...Amin
  08 August at 16:04 · · 1 personLoading...
- Siti Hawa Binti Ayob Happy Anniversary Norliza Binti Idrus semoga bahagia hingga ke surga.......AMIN
  08 August at 16:16 · · 1 personLoading...
- Azarita Ab Karim Happy anniversary auntie!!
  08 August at 16:53 · · 1 personLoading...
- Mohamed Roselan Omar Hai 4 tahun penpal belum jatoh cinta lagi? Kena 6 tahun couple2, I say man, anyway Happy Anniversary to you and semoga berkekalan hingga keSyurga. Amin....
  08 August at 17:28 · · 1 personLoading...
- Siti Aznida Happy anniversary...hihi, mmg akan sure ingt besday kitorang la mcm ni..
  08 August at 17:43 · · 1 personLoading...
- James Foo Cheek Par Mdm....Happy Anniversary.... SyaBas
  08 August at 17:45 · · 1 personLoading...
- Suan Lee Aw so sweet. l Well done and congrats to both of you.
  08 August at 18:24 · · 1 personLoading...
- Ayeshah Kamaruzaman ‎39thn la umi . bkn 29 ♥
  08 August at 20:55 ·
- Farouq Fadhly Arifin Punya apartemen lagi aunti...
  08 August at 22:26 ·
- Molane Mortojo Yours is a love story worth sharing. My best wishes on your anniversary dear Norli and may Allah grant you and hubby a blissful life together.
  08 August at 23:18 · · 1 personLoading...
- Norliza Yaakob hepi aniberseri kaklong Norliza Binti Idrus .. semoga berekekalan dunia dan akhirat...amiin..
  09 August at 05:44 · · 1 personLoading...
- Norliza Binti Idrus ‎Salmah Awang Siti Hawa Binti Ayob Mohamed Roselan Omar Molane Mortojo Norliza Yaakob Amin. Tq for ur doas....
  09 August at 11:22 · · 1 personLoading...
- Norliza Binti Idrus ‎Siti Aznida n Azarita Ab Karim Tq for ur wishes ladies..... wah...camni kene masuk calendar aunty lah juga bday u all..... nxt yr leh celebrate same2....3 in 1...
  09 August at 11:28 ·
- Norliza Binti Idrus ‎Mohamed Roselan Omar Zaman pen-pal dolu2...mane ade time nak fall in love......bz study tu....nak face major exam...oso, x penah jmpa face2face....SERAMMM bro.....hehhee....we finally met in 1976...itupun cupid punye arrow tarak kene lah....Then whn he went to further his studies and we started to correspond again....baru lah FEEEEEELLLLIIINNNGGGSSSSSS...... remember dat song???? Molane Mortojo sing pls.....hehehe.....
  09 August at 11:38 ·
- Mohamed Roselan Omar Beautiful love story. Only thing is not story, it's real.............I'm happy for you
  09 August at 12:58 ·

Seven days in the Holy City of Mecca

2011-08-15T22:20:00.000+08:00

(me with Ayeshah infront of the entrance for women only)

(the pilgrims returning after fajr prayers)

(just like during Hajj...so many pilgrims..)

(me returning to the hotel after fajr prayers..the Holy Mosque in the background)

(Entrance via Babus Salam)

(the huge clock tower)

(cute kid looking at me...(1st floor Haram Mosque)

(at Tanaeem mosque)

(The Holy Mosque in the background)

(The Holy Kaabah)

(me on the 1st floor of the Holy Mosque)

(Ayeshah just after eshaq prayers)

(cute camel at the farm....)

(Ayeshah at Jabal Ramah)

(view of Arafah in the background)

(Subhanallah...can see the clock tower from here...)

(Jabal Ramah)

(Mina)

(massive construction where Hotel Mecca once stood)