7 more days and counting

So everything is done. Hotel booked, tickets bought, local transportation confirmed, itinerary agreed, passport extended and renewed.

We are all set. All 39 of us. That's a lot of people for us to handle. I feel like a Travel Agent, I am sure Jazz felt worst. Zebby being our contact person and aid has helped alot.

This always happened to us Usually, others will be so excited planning and coming up with ideas, but in the end, we do all the work. But we don't mind... we had fun doing it. Especially for good friends. Friends who treat us like family. Friends who are always there for us. Friends with no hidden agenda.

(Not for someone who think ill about us. Someone who spread lies about us. Someone who think that they are better than us. Someone who are jealous on every single thing that we do or of what we are, or how happy we are, or where we eat, or which descendent we were from, or what professions our family are in, or what title we have, or what kind of houses we live/lived in, or how many cars we have, even with things beyond our control. And yet, they can't have enough of us. They still wants to know what we are doing, and how we live our lives or what we wrote. Day in Day out... they will be here, reading.... ceh.. tak malu)

Darn! I've digressed a little.

And now, all we have to do is wait.

Oh! I need to do some packing of course. Mine and the children. I've bought the toileteries - shower gel, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste. Do I need to buy new clothes? Naaaah... that will make the luggage too full and I will have a hard time locking it. That's an idea! pack light and shop when we get there! Yippee... what a great idea.

2 more weeks, and we are off! And we are going to have lots of fun!... There is a promise of Waterfalls, and Hiking, and Theme Park, and Rivers, and Midnight munch, and Arabian Night with SHEESHA!!!!

Little Annur Ain Jamiemah and her Dodok

Our own National Football Player

Cikgu Haji Mohd Riduan Bin Mohd Kamari

We went scouting for ex-teachers for our next project. Last evening, we when to the stall that sells Nasi Lemak in Taman Jurong. The owner is our ex-YISS teacher, Mr Riduan Kamari, or best known as "Wak".

As much as the old-aged took much of his look, he still has the charisma of a find gentleman. Cikgu Riduan is still good looking, healthy and still has that sense of humour that he sometime shared with us 30 years ago.

There was a lot of catching up. Lots of funny incidents and stories back then, which we shared. Those stories were told again last evening.

We were updated with recent news, of old teachers and those that have left before us.

I remembered back then, although Cikgu Riduan is one of the most good looking male teacher around, I still had quite a reservation on approaching him. He had this aura around him, not that he was aloof, but as said earlier... he has charisma.

Cikgu Riduan taught us Chemistry, Arts and Maths for a short while. But I remember him best when he taught us Chemistry, in the Science Lab. While teaching Arts, his favourite phrase was "Apa ni? macam taik kuching menceret"

Menceret? that's a baweanese word!

His Nasi Lemak Stall. He just need something to pass his time by.

Cikgu Haji Riduan and Jazz

Zdin and Saharimah


Rekindling old times

Wak - Masih segak dan kacak
With Zdin, Milah Hashim, Saharimah, Noraini and me

Ezie Recipe for Happiness :

Are you tired and stressed a lot of the time? Have you felt like you are running on empty? Would you like to be happy most of the time? Would you like to have dreams that really do come true? Would you like to overcome adversity? Would you like to feel you have a life worth living? Don't you wish for positive emotions? Doesn't it make sense to live a good life where you are strong in mind, body and spirit and have a sense of mental wellness?

One of the ways to be blessed with happiness is to find the small miracles that surround us on a daily basis.

Some of these miracles we just take for granted, like life itself. But we can practice becoming more consciously aware of the events that are part of our lives which certainly have a feeling of a miracle attached to them.

One morning, while I was seeing my girl off to school, the usual kissing of hand, cheeks and hugging ensued. She then took a few steps towards the elevator, when she turned and ran back to me for a final kiss, "I love you Mom! You are the best Mom, ever!"

That took me by surprised. Not that she has never showed her affection before, but at 6.40 in the morning, it gave me the most beautiful feeling all day long. She started my day with a smile on my face, for the rest of the day. And I faced the day with ease, problem free and in a happy mood.

Always, while I was cooking or preparing a meal in the kitchen, my eldest would come from behind and gave me a surprise peck on the cheek with 'I love you Mom!'. That has always makes me float. Sometimes while I was washing the dishes, he would come up and gave me the surprise kiss. Rarely does he pass by me without a peck or an 'I love you, Mom'.

As for my second son, every times he comes over, he will hug me for the longest time, as if he doesn't want to let me go, sometimes it choked me, in a good way. And saying 'I love you, Ma' every time I look at him, reminded me how lucky I am, to have wonderful children.

So, to me happiness is not on how much you have in your pocket, or how big is your house, or how fancy is your car, but how much love you receive every single moment of your days.

Children. They are my inspiration, my heroes, my future, my everything. They make me proud to be a mother. Their mother. If I can turn back time, I will still do the same thing over again. Every single thing. The good, the bad - they are all good to me.

Friday's Dinner

While I was at work on Friday, I was thinking of buying siput Gong-gong. The last time we had Gong-Gong was at Simpang Bedok with other 30 people to share one place of Gong-Gong. I managed to snatched 1, and I am craving for more now.

Maybe I can find some at Boon Lay market. One of the fishmongers sell all kinds of siput. From Siput sedut, to remis to lokan to kepah to kerang to kupang. I hope he has Gong-gong this weekend.

As if my prayers were answered, when I got to Jazz's, Maryam cooked dinner for us. Yippeeee! And there were shell fish in the pot. Eh.. kerang! Tak kisah lah.. kerang pun kerang lah... sama jugak, dari laut.

Kari Tenggiri, Kerang, Tahu goreng, taugeh besar, telur dadar, ... sedaaaap.

What's on my plate?

Saturday Long Awaited Dinner

For dinner, we went to our usual Seafood Joint. The Restoran Makanan Laut Chai Chee. Abang Zul belanja us makan, just as he had promised back in December. It was a long awaited dinner, 2 months long, to be precise.

Maryam and Zizi Ezlina

Zie... dah laah ... taruk camera tu

Zaifan Naim

Gambar makanan tak payah ambil... bende sama saja everytime.

Saturday Walkabout

We went to ICA to extend Qhairul's passport and to apply new ones for Eriq, since, as of last September, no more changing of photograph is applicable. Those who look too young in their passport to travel, need to apply for new ones, a biometric passport for easy clearance.

There was an incident that happened at the nets payment, which was hilarious when I think about it, although it was frustration when it happened. An inside joke with my prince charming.

Anyway, after all the passport furore, we went to Vivo City for lunch. It was a pleasant day, and I realised that my children are all grown up. The best part is, they still want to hang out with mom.

Little Miss Make up. Her eyes lighted up when she saw the make up department.

Is she pretty or is she pretty? She is pretty!

Hendak ku peluk, tangan tak sampai... don't give up !

We had our lunch at Earl Swensen's. We started out with our all you can eat salad

Eriq ordered Chicken Baked Rice. We thought it was for one, but it turn out it was meant for at least three. Huge...

Erin had Charbroiled Sirloin Steak with Mashed potatoes

Qhairul had Pan Fried Salmon with caramelised chilli

And I indulged myself with Rack of Lamb... superb.

My beautiful children

The Court Jester

My Crown Prince

My Prince Charming

My Beautiful Princess

Ever so Candid

Davy Jones was seen at Raffles Place today during lunch hour madness

And who is this guy?

Buah Kundang Yang Mengundang

Semalam Jazz, Maryam and I, ziarah our dear friend Hasman. Sambil sambil bincang pasal our upcoming travel plan. Kesian tengok Hasman. Itu saja lah yang boleh dibuat...kesian. Perasaan kesian sahaja yang boleh di tunjuk kan. Kata orang, berat mata memandang, berat lagi bahu yang memikul.

Hasman ialah pesakit ginjal. Was diagnosed last year. 2 kali seminggu, Hasman harus menjalani rawatan dialysis. Kerap juga, Hasman pengsan setelah selesai rawatan, akibat kurang darah, atau terlalu penat menjalani rawatan selama 4 jam. Kerap juga Hasman terpaksa menguatkan diri, terpapah sendiri untok pulang dari klinik dialysis. Rawatan dialysis ini ialah rawatan sepanjang hayat, unless, ada penderma ginjal. Itu pun jika serasi dengan penerima. Kalau tidak, sia sia sahaja.

Anyways... perbelanjaan untok rawatan dialysis bukan nya murah. Sebulan boleh mencapai $2,500. Dalam keadaan beliau mengalami penyakit ginjal, tempat dia bekerja pula berpindah ke Malaysia, kerana mencari kos rendah untok perusahaan mereka. Ramai pekerja pekerja diberhentikan. Retrenched. Termasuk Hasman. Walaupun meraih saguhati, dengan belanja dialysis dan anak anak yang masih bersekolah... berapa lama wang saguhati itu boleh bertahan? Hendak mencari pekerjaan lain, rasanya tidak larat. Waktu mesti diperuntukan untok rawatan dialysis.

All we can do is pray for his well being, for his rezqi, semuga di bukakan jalan untok beliau mendapat kemudahan. As we all believe that rezqi ditangan Allah. We can be rich, but we are not guaranteed of happiness. We can be mediocre, and we live life to the fullest. Who says the rich are happy, they may be rich monetary, but they are poor in happiness. No love, alone and lonely.

But for Hasman and family, they never stopped being grateful. A very humble man, with the patience of a strong man.

And I, being always the middle person, occassionally hand in contributions from generous friends. Not that Hasman ever ask for it, but from friends who knows the hardship of another friends who are in need. These are friends that I will treasure, these are friends that stay on top of my list. These are friends that we can hardly find. These are my friends.

Of all the greatness of friends, the hospitality of Hasman and family never fail to leave a feeling of love in my heart. Even when they are the one who are in need, they do know how to treat friends with so much love.

Jamuan kita malam tadi

Apa dijolok buah kundang,
Isinya putih manisnya tidak;
Apa dirajuk kepada orang,
Entah kasih entahkan tidak

Jolok kedondong pakai galah
Jolok kan sekali buak kuini
Hmm... apa nak jadi pun jadi lah
Malas nak pening lalat pikir pasal ni...

Maryam sibuk salin resepi

Ani, pening kasi resepi malam malam buta

Hasman penat baru balik dialysis

Money for Your Honey

Can you imagine your gomen giving you money. Literally. It was stated in the newspaper that with the surplus of $3.2billion, we, the citizen of Singapore, pledged ourselves as one united people or not, will get a fair share of the growth dividend.

I for one, know that I will be getting not less than S$300.00 this April, for I live in a 3-room apartment. Let's not talk about how much I earned. That is secondary. And Qhairul will receive $100 for serving the nation. If he were to be 21 as of January, he would be getting $400.00. Too bad turning 21 in June doesn't count.

So here I am, abled mind and body, with 3 school going children (my eldest is still consider schooling as he will continue with his Tertiary studies after his NS), living in 3 room HDB subsidised apartment, earning a 4 figure sum monthly, will receive more growth dividend than a dearest friend of mine, who is living in a 5 room HDB subsidised apartment, with 3 school going children, and 1 serving the nation in the army, suffering from kidney failure, undergoing dialysis 3 times a week, is not under NKF subsidy, was retrenched from his job last month, therefore, no income, and he will get less the amount that is apportion to moi.

Where is the fairness of it all?

I've seen those living around my area, the 3-room apartment, driving Merc and yet, they will receive more than what the 5-rooms dwellers will?

My colleague from the US said that, the government is giving USD600 for every citizen who are earning a low income. He is not entitle as his salary is wee bit into the 'high' income earner. Oh Please ... yours are not wee bit into the range of high income... yours are like "damn right smack in the upper range of high income earner". Who are you kidding? I am the one who prepare your salary every month... you nitwit. And I don't give a hoot about what the Americans are getting. None of them is any friend of mine. Except those few in Longview, Texas.

And now, I have a mix feelings about the whole growth dividend situation, knowing that someone who needs it more than I do, is getting less than I am.

Excerpt from the Budget 2008 Speech

"We have also focused on the needs of the lower-income group especially, when we are able to distribute surpluses. Last year’s GST Offset Package which Singaporeans will continue to receive this year and over the next two years, plus this Budget’s surplus sharing package, provides a significant boost to their incomes. Both these exercises also give the middle-income group support at a time when they too face higher costs of living".


In the word of Bertrand Russell

In the part of this universe that we know there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and often the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of those is the more annoying.

Saturday 16th Feb 08 - Our Trip to Chiropractor Ong in Batu Pahat-
All The Way Just To Crack Ourselves Up!

Extra ! Extra !

SINGAPORE: The government is to give Growth Dividends to all adult Singaporeans, to be paid out in two instalments in April and October this year.

A lower-income Singaporean living in a three-room HDB flat or smaller, will receive a Growth Dividend of $400. This is on top of the $250 in GST Credits that he will be getting this year. The majority of Singaporeans, who live in other HDB flats and do not have high incomes, will receive a Growth Dividend of $300 (on top of $200 in GST Credits that he will get this year).

Older Singaporeans, those aged 60 and above, will get more. Most older Singaporeans will receive one and a half times what other Singaporeans will receive.

Those with annual incomes more than $100,000 will receive a Growth Dividend of $100. Those who have served and are currently serving national service will get an additional $100 of Growth Dividends, to recognise their contributions to the nation.

As before, Singaporeans can donate their Growth Dividends to charity. The Growth Dividends will cost the government $865 million this year

Source : Channel News Asia

Told you there are more money coming in! Can't wait til end of the month though ! Let's celebrate!

Sweet for my suite... here I come

Its nice to receive compliments. Especially when it was given with sincerity, no hidden agenda. Although the purpose of the gifts was to speed-up the news of certain 'figures' in my bank.

"Wow... Zie, you do have such a wonderful repertoire. To be able to baked this good, certainly needs skills and practice. My hat's to you!"

And when it came from the big V... I feel so honoured.

"Angkat BEB!"... Apple polishing doesn't hurt when you know whose ass you need to kiss! And at the end of the day, you will see too many 000,000 in your bank statement.

I've heard that Investment is getting 24 months bonus this year! just imagine when you key in your pin number at the ATM, and this obscene figures just staring at you right smack on the face!

Din-din at Swensen's

To tired to cook after a long day at the office, we went out for dinner at Swensen's instead. Just the two of us, my beautiful girl Erin and I and my new camera.

My pretty, pretty, pretty baby

For me - Prosperity salad and Crayfish Pasta

For Erin - Mac N Cheese and French Fries

I Got My New Digital Camera

Great stuff! I felt handicapped without a camera in my handbag, since my Sony is on loan to Fatah who is currently in London for his Barclay's training. When my Sony comes back, it will change hands to Qhairul, and in turn he will pass his Canon to Erin for her to play with. From then onwards, we will all be fully equipped. We are the camera savvy family.

Just let us know when you need us to take any pictures of us, still and video... no problem at all. I know there are people out there who just can't have enough of us, since WE ARE BEAUTIFUL. Our devoted fans... Haiiiiyaaah!

Sample photos on my new DigiCam

Vavavoom

Jazz - Mr All Year Round

Tosai on the go

Cok-e

Majlis Pertunangan Wak ZDin.

Ahad, tanggal 10hb February 2008, bersamaan 2hb Safar 1429H, selamat sudah majlis pertunangan sahabat kita Zainuddin Md Nor. Meriah majlis yang diraikan sahabat sahabat rapat, dan juga saudara-saudara terdekat yang datang dari Melaka.

Hantaran berjumlah S$13,000.00, disertai dengan sebuah beg tangan, beg duit, tali pinggang dan complete set of wangi-wangian. Berdulang-dulang juga gubahan makanan yang menjadi pengiring. Wak ZDin tersenyum simpul bila menerima hantaran dan barang barang lainnya. Umur meningkat, tapi... masih juga mengancam!

Tahniah di ucapkan kepada Zainuddin yang selamat mengikat tali pertunangan semalam, dan dengan direstui oleh isteri tersayang dan ibu mertua.

Juadah yang disediakan untok tetamu :

Black Pepper Crab (ZDin's specialities)
Bone Steak

Epok-epok putar

French Bread with tuna bites

Hot Dog bread

Cinnamon Rolls Bread Sticks

Cranberry Muffin

Fruit Cocktail Jelly

Strawberry with chocolate dip

Photos courtesy of Ez Jazz

Barang barang hantaran baru tiba

Roti Hot Dog sebagai salah satu pengiring

Bread Basket

Branded Handbag - untong nyeeee

Sahabat sahabat yang menghantar

Selamat tiba dirumah pengantin

Isteri tersayang menyerahkan hantaran untok mengikat janji

Suker nye dieeeer

Anak anak pun turut bergembira

Tetamu - Sahabat sahabat yang turut meraikan majlis