April updates

Hey! It's April already. Better blog something before I forget.

This month, hubby will be away from 11th till 24th of April due to work commitments. He will be going to Oran, Algeria. During his absence, I will be spending a week here in KL and another in Singapore. I dread everytime he has to travel, and being immobile ( I don't know how to drive la), it sucks!!

I went to see the gynae on 3rd of April after not seeing one since I moved here. Things are fine, just that I need to lose weight and follow a strict diet as proposed by the doctor. That sucks too!! I have to report to the gynae every week on my progress towards weight-loss. Only when I shed some weight, we can talk about getting pregnant...argh!!

We sent Frappy to be spayed on the 3rd of Apr as well. This time, the spaying went very well and the stitches are very neat. She is up and about a few hours after the surgery with her appetite back on track and so far there is no complications as compared to the time we sent Princess to be spayed. Alhamdullilah!!!

Hmmm.. what else happened? Oh ya! We managed to give away 2 kittens, Milk and Girl. Sad to see them go but glad that they will be in good hands. Miss them so much!! I am still going for my PT sessions and changes are happening very very slowly but I do feel the difference. Hope to sign up for the Lose Big programme soon. Hubby asked me to go for TBLA season 2 but I don't think I want the whole world to know my weight... right? Hahahaha...

I think till to date since my last entry, just that much happened. Will update soon on... My Life!!

The 9th Year

So we have reached the 9th year in our journey together. We have been through 'up the hills and down the valleys' these past 9 years and every ups and downs taught us important lessons in marriage life. It's either we face them head on together or we allow ourselves beaten and broken. Thank God, we survived so far!

This year we were not sure what to do for our anniversary. We decided to have a late anniversary lunch at Gaucho Grill at Chulan Square. When we reached there, the restaurant was closed and will only open at 6pm. So we had lunch at Kayu restaurant next door. Then we headed to Pavilion for some 'croaking' session. And we 'croaked' our way till 8pm then for dinner at Gaucho Grill.

Gaucho Grill at Chulan Square is an Argentinian steakhouse. Gaucho Grill imports all their meat from herds raised by gauchos (cowboys) of Argentina. Hubby has been wanting to dine there as he had tasted Argentinian beef in Buenos Aires during his last trip there last year and he was raving about the tenderness and juiciness of the beef cuts from there.

I had La Boca T-bone steak and hubby had Peublo (Prime Steer Beef Tenderloin). Juicy succulent beef and for the first time, we had them medium instead of well done as advised by the kind waiter. During dinner, we talked and discussed about a lot of things; about the past, the present and our plans for the future. And as any other anniversaries, we have to give gifts.. right? But I didn't have any for hubby this year. Actually, I do have something in mind for him but it will take some time for me to save up to get him 'that' gift :) Hubby is giving me a trip and I am looking forward to it. Yeayynesss!!

Sounds like a boring celebration but it was very meaningful for us as each year we looked back and analysed our marriage and ways to improve it. We make new plans and goals. It felt like as though we just got married yesterday...........fresh all over again.

Alone again....

It's the third day of March already. And next month, hubby will be away for 2 weeks... 2 whole longggggg weeks!! And I am really dreading it. After his trip to Buenos Aires last year and I was left alone in KL for a week (another week I was in Perth with a friend...so not so bad!), I really dread this upcoming trip of his. This time he will be going to Oran, Algeria. And since there are not many flights going in and out of Oran, so he has to go a lil' bit earlier and coming back a lil' bit later. Not a good news to me though...

We had a discussion a few nights back about where I will be staying when he is away. I have to admit I am a coward (a BIG one at that!) and dare not stay at home alone. My imaginations will run wild... so wild you will not believe it! So, a few choices have been made available to me. I can go back to Singapore and stay with my mom or ask my mom to come over to KL and stay with me. But I cannot be away too long cos it will mean that higher cost of engaging the cat sitter to take of my cats. I also thought of going on a few days trip with my mom but since we will be going away in May, we cannot afford to waste money unnecessarily....right??? Or another option is to stay at home......ALONE!! ......a very last resort!! Will yet to decide what I plan to do and I am trying to collect all the guts I can possibly find and go and get that driving licence before he leaves. I need to be mobile when I am alone or I will be so miserable.

Let's hope I can find the best solution. A week after he is back, he is going away again but this time, I will definitely tag along! MUST!!

February

Oh man! I just noticed that I did not blog in February when I already told myself to blog every month at least once... argh!! I suppose there were nothing much to blog about in Feb and that's the reason for the blogless month. Anyway, Feb is a short month and even with that many holidays, we did not go anywhere. Firstly because we did not plan anything and so, nowhere to go. Secondly, we wanted to save money for a more important trip in May and thirdly, we rather stay at home and spend time with the cats.... hahahaha

Anyway, in Feb, I went for the launch of the Lose Big Programme at Cineleisure on 24th Feb 10. I met Dave Nuku in person, the Blue Team trainer for the Biggest Loser Asia and was really inspired by him. This journey to a healthy, thinner me is not an easy one so meeting up with someone like Dave was certainly an inspiration. During his talk, Dave explained the 4 most important Bs. They are Believe - believe that you can do it and only you can make the difference. Then Begin - Begin to embark on this journey for a better you. Belong - Belong to a group of like-minded people to spur one another to go on and on. And finally of course is Become - Become the person who you want to be. Syanie Hisham was there as well and she is the ambassador for this Lose Big Programme. She has lost 60kg and is definitely an inspiration for us all. At the end of the launch, I was really tempted to sign up for the 13-weeks programme but as I have a trip in May, I have to decide between the 2. It's either going on trip to have fun and experience or to sign up for a programme to change my life. Alas, I decided to have fun .... hehehehehehe!! I really hope they will come up with the second round of the programme and I will definitely sign up for it!

March is a month to celebrate. We will be celebrating our 9th year wedding anniversary on the 10th of March. Then, on 27th of March is my dad's 9th death anniversary. Yes, he passed away the same month I got married. It was definitely an eventful month.

We prayed that our marriage will be for eternity....insya-Allah!

Help me please!

It's been a month now since the new year. What have I achieved for the past 30 days?

A group of friends and myself have made ourselves busy with the new orphanage that just opened a few doors away from my house. We tried to source for furniture and stuff so that the children are able to stay and study in a conducive environment. I have also started my Personal Training sessions at Candi Soo. Tough but still going.... argh! So far, so good!

Hubby is trying to get me sit for my driving test but I am playing the delay tactic... hehehehe! Just giving him the 'hhmmmm...hhmmmmm' answer whenever he asked me the question...hehehehehehhee

We just came back from SG. Hubby had to attend a course there. This time, we stayed in a hotel. Since the hotel is in the middle of Orchard Road, I spent my time walking around Orchard, window shopping most of the time. Then went to visit my mom and my brother. I was already sick then and when we reached KL, I was not in the mood to do anything but just to hibernate. Really am feeling so down..... why? oh why?? In fact, at this moment when I am writing this blog, I am just not in the mood to do anything...NOTHING!!!! Argh!! I need to get out from this NOW or I will never get out from it at all!! HELPPPP!!! And now I am typing trash :(

2010 and resolutions.... again!

We are into the 5th day of the new year, 2010. I have yet to list down my resolutions this year so that I will remember what I have set to do for this year and will do a review at the end of the year to see whether I have achieve or fail to achieve what I have set to do.

I am excited to enter the new year this year. So many tasks and goals I have set for myself and I am excited to achieve them. Insya-Allah, with God's will, I will be able to achieve them.

1. To shed the extra weight and live healthy.

2. To get my driving licence.

3. To bring in extra income.

4. To build up our savings.

5. To travel to the places we have set for 2010.

6. To be a mother.... insya-Allah!

7. To work out a time table of activities/courses that both of us can do together.

8. To be closer to HIM

9. And finally, to live debt-free!!


So these are some of the resolutions I can think of and hope to achieve this year.

Come the newborns....

Petir, Poppy's mom, gave birth to 5 beautiful kittens in my living room on my sofa cushion on Wednesday, 9th Dec 09.


I was so freaked out when I witnessed the whole episodes till my husband had to come home from the office to sort things out before going back to the office and Ah Cheq, my friend, had to drive all the way to my house to pacify me and to help me wash the bloodied cushion. But it is so amazing that within 48hrs in my 35 years of life, I witnessed the death and birth of the feline family.

It's amazing!

Poppy ( Jan 09 - 8 Dec 09)

Poppy in the background with Princess













I remembered the day 2 little kittens came to our house. They were very afraid of us but yet sneaky enough to come and eat the cat's biscuits we put in front of the house. Two very cute and adorable kittens I have ever seen. Over time, they were no longer afraid of us and as time goes by, the two kittens became 2 lovely cats. One of them is brown in colour with patches of white and we named him BRIQ - Budak Rendah IQ (boy with low IQ). Well the name is self-explanatory. The other one is white with patches of black. We named him Poppy. The 2 brothers are very close and did everything together.

Poppy is what I would call a 'macho' cat. He disliked any of us touching his head. He kept his distance but once a while he would come up and cuddled up with us. I loved watching his sleeping antics. He would be the one to accompany me when I am in the kitchen preparing dinner and will be the one standing outside the toilet waiting for me. When we made my way upstairs to the bedroom, he would be the one rushing up the staircase and reaching the bedroom door before we did.

But this morning, I found Poppy lifeless at the corner of the laundry area next to the washing machine. When I entered the laundry area, I saw a mop lying on the floor and Poppy's head on the mop as tho' he was sleeping on a pillow. I looked at him as his eyes were half opened. I called out to him but there was no response. But when I looked at his eyes once again and saw that glassy look, I knew at once that he had left us all. Still in disbelief, I rushed upstairs and knocked on the bathroom door to inform my husband. He looked shocked and went down to check on him. When my hubby said "He is no longer with us", the reality of the situation hit me hard! I just broke down and burst out crying. Suddenly, flashes of Poppy since he was a kitten came flooding my mind and I could not control myself....I was shocked at my own reaction to Poppy's death. Afterall, he is part of our family and I treasured him.

Poppy was (it breaks my heart to use past tense for Poppy)such an adorable cat. He behaved very well and posed no problem to us. He loved his brother, Briq, very much and even his cousins, Princess and Frappy. He took care of them and protected them from harm. And now he is gone, I feel there is a huge gap in me. Even tho' there are 3 more cats in the house but no one can ever take his place. I miss watching him sleep, I miss having someone waiting for me outside the toilet, I miss having him accompany me in the kitchen, I miss him accompany me in the room while I get dressed and most of all, I miss him so much!!

I love you Poppy!! We all do! From both of us, Petir, Briq, Princess and Frappy.

Rest in Peace darling!

The Awakening - 2010

We have been having this talk about our lives and our future plans. One of the things that we want to see changes in is our health. We are not the health conscious types but as much as possible we tried to make some healthy choices in our daily lives. However, exercise is never at the top of the list but if you consider eating as exercise, then I plead not guilty! hehehehhee...

As for hubby, he plays futsal every Wednesday and as for me, I will consider cleaning the house as a form of exercise then. I have attended Personal training sessions for a year when I was in Singapore. I joined the gym and signed up for Personal training sessions and I enjoyed the changes it has done to my body. After moving here, everything stopped! I wanted to join the gym but feels it's a waste of money to pay for the gym membership and then pay for the personal training session cos I only go to the gym when I have PT. So, one day while having teh tarik at the mamak near my house, I saw a private gym at the building near the mamak shop. And I saw that they have a personal training system developed by a lady, Candi Soo. When I reached home, I googled and read more about her and the concept she has developed. It suits me so well cos first of all, it's private! Meaning you and your trainer in a room with the equipments and no one else to see you making a fool of yourself while being 'tortured' by your trainer. It is so private and personalised!! I made the call and the staff was so friendly. The guy invited me for a free trial on their PT sessions. They have 1-on-1 session, 2-on-1 sessions and 3-on-1 sessions. I went with hubby last Saturday and it was good! And one thing I like, the staff did not push me or force me to sign up. Told me the details and asked me when I would like to join. I told him I would love to join in January as I am committed to finish up my driving lessons this Dec. And best of all, I only pay for the PT sessions. There is no admin fees, no membership fees, no nothing! Love it! He also showed me the celebrities who worked out in the gym and these group of pple like it cos of it's privacy.

So, come January, I would like to make this change in my life. To be more active and to lose all those weights that have been haunting me. Lead a healthy life and try to conceive with a healthy body.

Let's enter 2010 with a bang!!! I would like to call year 2010 as the Year of the Awakening!

A Christmas Carol and Chix Lit

I finished reading a chix lit book by a local author who is just 16-years old. I love reading chix lits. They are entertaining, easy reading, funny and somehow I can get myself into the mood of the story. Love, Love chix lits!!

Anyway, back to the book. It is titled Sweetheart From Hell. Very entertaining and incredibly funny. Some of the things mentioned in the book somehow seems familiar (I am talking about me laaa...:P) but I think I am the milder case category....hehehehe. And for those who lives in KL, you will find the places and scenarios mentioned in the book familiar.

Currently, I am reading a book from the Little Black Dress collections titled Confessions of an Air Hostess. Just into the first few pages and I can't put it down. Will update later.

Yesterday, I went to watch A Christmas Carol in 3D, an adaptation from the Charles Dickens' novel. It's about a man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who hated Christmas and refused to celebrate it. But after a series of dreams from the ghosts of the past, present and future, he began to understand the spirit of Christmas and the rest is la di da di da.....

Ok now back to the book. Oh no!!! I have to study for my theory test first....arghh!!!

Life is about planning....

On the way back to KL from Singapore yesterday, hubby and I had a long chat in the car about our future and his plans for us.

At the moment, we won't know where we will be in 3 years time and these uncertainties makes me excited... hehehee!

Anyway, he has plans for us and insya-Allah, we hope to be there one day!

Updates!

Hubby and I just came back from Bangkok last Saturday and continued with a night at The Boulevard, KL. Hubby was in Bangkok for a week due to work and I joined him midway. Now, we are back at home and is packing for Thursday trip to Singapore for Hari Raya Haji. Life has been a roller coaster since hubby starts travelling due to work. Last month he was away for 2 weeks to Buenos Aires and I am like a lost lamb. Luckily, sekmok was around to assist and accompanied me at home....aku ni penakut!!! Then, sekmok and I went to Perth for a week. It was a fun and lazy trip. We took our own time to discover Perth and met some friends over there. Cooked our own meals in the apartment where we stayed and drove around at the mercy of the GPS that came with the rented car. Lost our ways many times but reached our destinations finally. It was Fun! Fun! Fun!

Since hubby will be travelling a lot next year, I forced myself to take up driving and now am going to sit for my theory test soon. I took up driving in Singapore a few years back and after 3 practical lessons, I decided to quit. It was a traumatic experience for me. I was told to drive on the very first lesson on a busy road during peak hours.... mad or what???? Since then, I abandoned the idea as I dun see the need to get a licence then. But now, staying here in KL and hubby being away, it is critical for me to know how to move the car. As of now, I know how to drive....theoretically!! hehehehee.....

Ramadhan Mubarak

Another year, another Ramadhan! Thank God Almighty for granting me another year to celebrate this Holy month.

Life has been good and things are getting better and the light at the end of tunnel is somewhat brighter now. Thinking back during last year Ramadhan, I could not believe that we managed to go through the challenges that were brought upon us. Alhamdullilah, we remained intact as one unit.

To all friends and family members, may you be blessed this Ramadhan and all your good deeds and prayers be accepted by Him :) Ramadhan Mubarak to all! :)

Mistakes & Lessons Learnt

It's been 61 months now and we are still at it. We have another 4 more months to go before we can declare it....CASE CLOSED!!! It was a business venture that we tried and we failed. And we are paying dearly for the mistake. But I am proud to say, we managed to overcome the hurdles through prayers, supportive family and miracles!

Hmmm....come to think of it, with that amount paid, we should be able to buy a house or a very comfortable car (let's say... an Alphard! get the picture??) by now...COD!!

4 more months!! 4 more months!! Go!!! Go!!! Go!!! *chanting*

AI8

I am watching American Idol Season 8 and they are announcing the names of the contestants that have been selected for the Wildcard round. And guess what???? They chose Tatiana!!!!! AAaaaaaahh!!! Can't stand her! She is the biggest DQ that I have seen of all seasons!! Why???

Go!! Danny...Go!!!

Here and There!

Hari Raya will be in Singapore this year after 2 years of celebrating it here. I hope to be back 2 days before raya (insya-Allah), so that I can celebrate Ramadhan there just before the coming of Syawal.

Things to do :

1. To buy popiah goreng at Haig Road from the cute kakak. - VERY, VERY IMPORTANT!!!

2. To buy delicious, steaming and fragrant putu piring from the Banquet at Haig Road.- QUITE IMPORTANT!

3. To walk around the bazaar at Geylang and buy more food!! hahahahaa... - NOT THAT IMPORTANT BUT STILL IMPORTANT!

4. To hang out with my friends for 'makan-makan' and coffee. (dah lama nya tak buat ni semua) - HAVE TO SAY IMPORTANT LA NANTI MERAJUK LAKS! hahaaa...

5. To get some hot, fluffy Karipap Onan Road - IMPORTANT!

6. To be able to buy 'epok epok' and say it's 'epok epok' without inviting questioning looks from the aunty. (cos over here, there is no such thing as 'epok epok' instead, it's called 'karipap')


Ok, I think that's about it at the moment. Will update the list when I have some more to add....

Have a Blessed Ramadhan! :)

Just Another Thought....

I thought everything was fine, but it's not.
I thought I was strong, but I crumbled.

Just another thought....*sigh*

Pensil

I just came back from watching this movie, Pensil.

(image taken from Malaysian Indian Artist Portal)

I got to know about the existence of this movie by chance. There was no publicity of this movie prior to its showing. I found out that it is a local independent film which was written, directed and starred by M Subash. Starring along him are big names in the industry like Ruminah Sidek, Jalil Hamid, Maimon Mutalib and Khatijah Tan.

The movie is about Badrul, a handicapped Indian orphan, who was abused by his step-mother and step-aunt. Despite all that, his love and obedience towards his mother is unquestionable. He worked hard to provide for his mother by doing all sorts of menial jobs. He gave all his earnings to his mother and spent only 30cents on a pencil for himself. A pencil can give him so much joy as he loves drawing. His only support is his grandmother, played by Ruminah Sidek. She is the one who gives him the will to go on and always to remember God, never to hate others and only have love in his heart even for those who ill-treated him. She was moved to tears when Badrul set up a fake stage for her to perform as it was her dream since young to dance on a stage in front of an audience.

Badrul met Junid, another lonely and problematic character who is haunted by his past. He guided Junid towards God and to lead a more meaningful life. Friendship between them blossomed from there on.

It was a moving movie that I actually cried towards the end. I am especially moved by the words of advice from his grandmother. Some of the lessons learnt:

1. Never beg for money. God gives us the ability to work so work for money and make sure it is from a halal source. Being handicapped is not a reason not to work. Work hard and insya-Allah, you will be rewarded, even if it is a small amount.

2. Never hate anyone, no matter how bad you were ill-treated.

3. Simple things can make you happy so it's actually not about the money.

4. Last but not least, God is always there to guide us and 'rezki' ada di mana2.


Good work by M Subash.

Up...up....up..and awayyy!!!

The news that was announced today that petrol price will increase tonight at midnight triggered a scene out of the movie "Deep Impact". Many roads were flooded with cars queuing up for petrol at the various petrol stations. Everybody was rushing to fill up their tanks before midnight. There were massive jams everywhere, as everybody tried to beat the midnight deadline. Petrol prices has increased by 0.78 cents from the current RM1.92 per litre. As of midnight tonight, petrol prices will be at RM2.70 per litre. And soon, the electricity tariffs will increase by 18%.

*sigh*

What's next....??

Salary??

Hahahahahhaa.....

Crashed and Burnt!!

That is how I would describe my last trip back to Singapore last week. Went back with hopes but came back 'wounded and bruised'. Time will heal all wounds but I don't know how long it will take this time. But for now....I am 'crashed and burnt!' :(