Trust

Was in Perlis yesterday and it was s frustrating sight and site..!

And today, when I discovered few things at the office, its even frustrating..

Sometimes I feel like I can't trust anybody here, they have their own agenda, they know this people and that company. They twist and turn things around..at the end of the day it turn out to be so bad.

Now I know that I can't trust few from the bottom and few at the upper level..

Hope my pink form will be here soon..I'm ready to go to a new place..even though the problem might be the same..

$EVEI\I YEARS......

Its been seven years..

Thanx for being with me

Thanx for the lovely and cheeky kids

Thanx for your support and encouragement

AND...

Sorry for being so stuborn

Sorry for not being a perfect housewive who clean and make the floor shine all day

Sorry for not knowing how to cook a proper korma ayam

Sorry for the last minute information on my outstation date and such :-)






I WISH FOR...

Healthy and loving family

..(pssstt...kalau dapat iPad pun bagus juga... :-))

Simple Life at Kampung Air, Sandakan

I was in Sandakan yesterday for official matters..and two hours before departure, we headed to Kampung Air, Sim Sim in Sandakan not far from Swiss Inn Hotel


I'm still tired and lazy..just photo blogging today..

Kampung Air or floating village is a unique culture in Sabah, where houses were built on stilt using kayu bakau with concrete stump and timber panel for the wall..and their toilets are au naturel..enough said..

Small girl playing at the verandah..and Astro dish complete the picture..:-))..some houses have more than five..yes..5..!!

Empty lot ..if you need tobuilt one, there'll be proper procedure to follow to obtain the approval from local authority.

Simple life..simple tools for survival..jala ikan

BUT....

Some will go extra mile..not so simple life..

Look at the chanderlier..and colour..and the sofa..and the carpet..and all thing Vantage...hmmm..this is inside one of the house, it looks like any other landed house..clever..except the whole concept


Cushion cover with bling bling on red sofa..talking about personal touch..move over Eric Leong..


..and here come their corner decoration.. I won't say much..its up to individual..
Compared to other houses here, this is the most outstanding and lavish interior..rumah tauke soto

Orchids and other potted plants hanging and swaying...Some of them have an initiative and enough money to decorate their verandah


At the end of the walkway, buut maybe by next year, there'll be more houses blocking this vista towards the island

I like the vibrant colours of the houses..maybe the local government should support them by providing different paint for these houses..each will have their own character..and it'll be great for tourism..or at least in a photographs..:-))


Images of Kampung Air Sim Sim in Sandakan


Our driver's daughter..sweet little girl

Sunset on the way to the airport

Macam bagus...

Mentang-mentang senang-senang je dapat,...mulalah buat tak kisah..kalau tak mau, bagi je kat orang lain yang mampu buat..menyusahkan orang..!!!


Yang disini pun satu..corrupted...!!!...


Bagi kat kawan-kawan..!!


Last-last jadi tak ketahuan...!!


Hampeh....!!!


Buat pening kepala...!!

Lower back sprain

I'm in second trimester now..almost 20 weeks in few days time..time flies just like a breeze from the moment I saw two lines on the 31st August until now..

There was a power distruption at the office last week and I had to climb the staircase from basement one to the ground floor..and I was informed that I could used the staircase..to level four...!! helloo people....the moment I reached the ground floor, there was a pain on my back


And on Saturday evening, it came again but worst especially when I tried to changed to upright position ..had a trouble touching the floor and put the pressure on my right feet..

Dr Maria told me that it was pregrancy induced 'something-neuro-pain' ..that means the pelvic bone is expanding to acommodate the growing baby..especially if this is gravida three..I was given pain killer and a cream to sooth the pain..if its getting worst then I'll be referred to specialist which she told me nothing much could be done due to pregnancy..worst case I'll be referred to physiotherapy..




Hopefully everything going to be fine...

Collage / découpage

I loves looking at splashes of colours o paper or canvas of coz..(not on the floor) and I think that collage is a good form of art for kids since they loves tearing papers and sticking them everywhere they like.

It was an economical art session because I just used whatever material available at home like pamphlet, brochures and newspaper


Art time with the kids...it was a mess but still under control :0.. I let them used old my old journal instead of new drawing block



..with his collage and his current favourite peace sign

..proud with her art and she purposedly posed like her maksu..and pink is a must-have colour in her life..

How to travel during monsoon season

Since I've been working at this office, airport and hotels have been my second home.Its a flexible schedule so I could manage on my own, last minute booking and last minute cancel are routine activities.

It all changed since early this month, we were supposed to go to Perlis on the 2nd Nov but when I heard about the news of major flood, we canceled the flight the night before departure. I already checked the weather forecast, but due to some info from some people, I proceed with the booking and what not..

And the night before departure, I received my sms regarding the flood, road closure, site naik air etc..

If I proceed with that trip..I think I will end up looking like this.. :-))

Since then, I no longer rely on verbal info but I had a list to check out before arranging any meeting or visit:

- check schedule
-visit Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia's website
-call and confirm with people from that area
-book the ticket
-watch tv for latest news..
-depart..

Its easier nowadays coz all info are at our finger tips, I even check the water level and tides forecast if my trip involves ferry services


And for more convenient trip, I always have bring along big plastic bags and sandals and paracetamol PLUS minyak cap kapak..lepas kena hujan mesti selsema :-)

I remember many years ago during my hiking trip to Gunung Tahan, we had to sleep in a drenched tent, there was no way for us to avoid that situation even though we brought along extra plastic sheet and what not ..most of our cloths were soaked all night long :-P..and it was a long cold and uncomfortable sleep at foot of Gunung Tahan..

I also rely on Garmin and google map if we are not familiar with that destination but sometimes this GPS thingy will lead you to the right destination but through a not so well deserved route. I prefer using Garmin than google map but always make sure that the handphone or Iphone battery is full otherwise we will end up driving round and round especially if its midnight...

I'm looking forward to travel again..for business or leisure, but now I'll be more prepared..Ohh..I've checked meteorology's website..that means no traveling this week :-))

Life on track again...

' I was at a highest peak with grey stones and boulders on my feet..I saw another peak just about one feet away from me, I tried to crossed to the other side, but after many attempts I still failed to reached the other one'...I woke up and my heart was beating so fast...I thought that it might be a sign of what to come..and its true...

I am composed now and can accept the fact and reality.

Sometimes good things come last..and maybe it won't come in one big package..

I'm not afraid of trying again, but I'm sure next year will be full with activities and chores and what not.

Sufiya is going to Smart Reader next year, and we have not planned for her transit yet, I'm not sure whether her brother will be going to a new place or just remained at the same school..and with new baby onboard..I can't imagine what will happen, but one thing for sure laundry will piled up more than usual and it will takes week to be folded and arrange according to their purpose (and colour ;)...

There are so many things to laid out and planned and I got only one month to arrange everything.Due to these I've neglect the one inside me..no baby talk, no light warm massage ..shame on me....but as hubby said, this baby knew how to attract my attention..and it was a scary one..!!..sorry baby, I'm too caught up with numerous task until I forgot to prioritized.

Frustation..and its not over yet..

I woke up this morning and saw the sun shinning thru the window curtain..but it was a strange feeling, a feeling of lost and frustration. I imagine that a day like today will be a happy sunny sunday.

I still could not accept the fact that I failed both paper!!!

From the moment I read the letter until now...

Of coz I can try again next year

For now I just want to be lazy and not doing anything productive..I spend my day with the kids at Alamanda and spoilt them with sweets and juice.

Only God knows whats in store for me..Insyaallah

Anxious and excited..but scared of the possibilities..

They says that result will be out soon maybe after raya.

But I'm not in a mood of concentrating 100 % on work..I just want to go for holiday, or spend my day at any open space with sketch pad and pencil...and no phone calls...no updating the management on the progress and problems...

Whatever it is it should start now..

Pulai Spring Resort

I've been waiting for this trip to Johore and stay at this place since I was in UTM. It is a nice resort with greenery, well designed landscape and comfortable facilities and intricate architectural detailing.

We left for Johore on Saturday morning and arrived at Pulai Spring Resort at 3pm and the car park were fully occupied by Singaporean who came for short holiday.

View from our balcony
We stayed at Cinta Ayu Suites-Studio Room which is suitable for young children who need extra space to run around.

Just after check in we prepared the kids and brought them to the place that we've promised them - the swimming pool, they have one near the hotel and the other one is next to the sports centre...but both are well designed..(I should have bring along my muslimah swimsuit too :-))

I really like this one, nice azure pool with coconut trees and boulders and from here you can see the golf course which is beautiful as well.

It was a long wait for their dinner to arrived and my little girl ended up eating two apples..poor child..
Kids with their sketch pad..while waiting for abah to buy them dinner

He looks so serious drawing all those small circles..and the sister busy drawing dinasour..all kind of dinasour, one with long neck, the other with more than twenty short legs..


Just after breakfast the three of us went to another pool and Hadif insisted on going to a bigger pool instead of the wading pool as if he can really swimThey had fun there until a one plus size family came and joined in the wading pool that was meant for kids..Sufiya as usual will look one kind at that guy and she decided that it was time's up :-))

He was relieved after the presentation and can now smile..and I'm relieved too coz we can plan more things with the kids during the weekend..instead just the three of us at home doing the same activities :-))

We strolled along the board walk and enjoyed the green..few golfers were there and we decided not to disturb them and headed back to the resort and enjoy the sunny day.

It was sunny and breezy and picture perfect for mother-daughter photoshoot..anyway she conquered everything..:-)

We left the hotel at 2.30pm with a wish that we gonna come back especially Sufiya , she really loves the room and the pool..I like everything about this resort but the most important thing was being together with no distraction except for one single call related to work on sunny Sunday!......how could they..:-P

Mat Sabu,Tian Chua & Turn Turtle

I can say that my life and journey yesterday was like cucoq udang Gurney..you got everything on the plate ..(salivating..:)

I was late yesterday morning and had to catch 7.20am train to KLIA instead of the usual 6.50am, so it was like a marathon walking from the check in area to gate A3, luckily it was not A11.

I board the airplane with my heart pumping so fast, saw Mat Sabu at the back of the aircraft..and I saw another familiar face searching for his seat too, look familiar, I know that he's from PKR..at last I just said 'hi' to him and he replied with a big smile as in any blogs or tv..

I sat down at seat 8A and remember that the guy is actually Tian Chua...no wonder there are many familiar faces going to Sandakan, election for Batu Sapi is just around the corner..people are going for campaign..we are supposed to go to Batu Sapi as well after our meeting in Kinabatangan.

We went straight to Kinabatangan and the weather was nice and sunny and the traffic was smooth as well but few meters away from the site , a car turn turtle..skided maybe and the driver was still inside the car with many people trying to help him and onlookers who do whatever they do best..watching


We finished our job under the hot sun in Kinabatangan and drove back to Sandakan after having maggi goreng..it was a usual traffic until we reach Batu 19..the traffic started moving slowly like a turtle in line...
we thought that it was due to road block and Batu Sapi election...at certain area our car did not move for more than 20 minutes..no news and no car passing by from the opposite lane...

It was all question mark, cars are moving slowly with many stops and after 2 hours slow moving we finally got the news that there : 'lori tangki langgar rusa'...a guy told us..I was amazed how could a small rusa could make such a big mess..when I checked with our driver, it was actually kereta rusa, Sabahan call rusa as payau..so when they says rusa means kereta rusa, and kancil means kereta kancil..



An oil palm tanker also turn turtle on right lane from 1pm that day and was not been cleared up even at 5pm the moment we passed by this area.

It was a tiring 4 hours journey from Kinabatangan and we only reached Sandakan for our meeting 10 minutes before 6pm and had only 30 minutes for meeting...and by 6.30 we already moved to the airport and board the plane at 6.50pm to Kl.

I can't even sleep during that 2 hours 35 minutes journey..too tired

Teaching English

I heard about the news that government will be hiring 370 English expert to monitor teaching of English in Malaysia. Looks like they are really serious implementing what they have been dreaming.

But I really hope that this won't be just like any other proposal and system that they had planned previously, Malaysian ministers are well known of changing their policy and what not. Since many years we have seen numerous changes in education system, when the minister change, a new policy, system and idea will be introduced..and after 4 short years when we can't even see the fruit of the hardwork, the new guy came in and start a revolution, he also wants to complete his portfolio...at the end teachers and student will suffer..well done..!!

I'm not in this teaching field, but as a person and mother I don't want my childrens will suffer just because of the permanent tsunami in education system, you can bet that will definitely change it every four years..:-))

I remember when I was in Convent school for eleven long and exciting years..the teachers were so good, they pronounced the word 'the' in a proper way, the deliver it in exciting manner,..they make learning English as something interesting and made you want to learn more and more on your own..back then there was no internet to google for any word that we don't know the meaning..it was just dictionary, thesaurus and magazines...

I always believe that they should train and produced a good and well verse and commmited teachers..and I'm sure they are many local experts in English rather than looking abroad...

Ohh..maybe because Kementerian Pendidikan has been given extra fund so now they can import just like what happen in our football scene many years ago..but government can save a lot if they look hard and will found gems locally...

Why waste the money on hiring someone outside and the there will be extra cost on providing houses etc for them...

I could just wait and see...hmmm

New Experience

When I was her age, I only went to tadika at Masjid Zahir for six month and later joined tabika 4B near my house, the reason my mom transfered me to other place was I always came back with drawings each day..







Last two days she spend almost 4 hours at Smart Reader not far fromour house for her trial class, a little shock at first, but the moment she joined her class, she became herself. Her teacher told me that she is independent but talkative and a little bit hyper, she loves craft but have a short term concentration..




She told me that she don't like assembly because 'kakak malu'..but this morning she has started singing that 'monkey and doctor' song.. :-P

Just a quick update

Wow...its been awhile now that I've abandoned this space..busy with other stuff at home and office plus travelling around. I don't have a mood to update anything even a single line status..any extra time will be spend on the mattress for much needed rest..besides the space, I also abandoned my red high heel and brand new boot and opted for Comfit shoes now...no more Levi's..but Scarlet jean with rubber band..


Earl Grey Tea and Scone at English Tea House & Restaurant, Sandakan....(hubby always make a joke..'dok seberang perak, tapi perasan minum english tea..'...hehe..:))
for more info you can go here


And no curry for me please..but if you serve me Western food..thank you very much.. :-P

RM2 per pack at Sandakan Market
Jeruk buah kedondong..just mix them with salt and sugar...

During my last trip to Sandakan, I went to the same market, but did not hunt for cheap crab and prawn but buah kedondong..

It's already 5pm now...I got to fetch the kids..till then..

Of Langkawi and travelling experience

Time passed by just like a wind slapping my face at Dataran Lang last week...

I'm really occupied at this moment with work at home and office and plus travelling..and not forgetting eating here and there as long as Syawal is still mark on the calendar...

Alhamdulillah with my condition right now, travelling around is still a smooth journey except for rushing at the airport, even the ferry ride from Kuah to Kuala Perlis was not like what I expected..when I was in primary school, Langkawi is always a favourite holiday destination during school holiday,...I simply loves the smell of salt water, the white sandy beach at Kuah town ..EXCEPT for the taxi ride from Alor Setar to Kuala Perlis (there was no jetty at Kuala Kedah yet at those time)..so they one hour journey in an old cab with faded pvc seat was a perfect combination to puke and puke again...until today I hate the smell of pvc inside a car...

And the boat ride was far than what we have now, there was no air conditioning and the timber boat were filled with not only human but ayam itik ..and one day I saw a man with super size handset..back then it was a handset complete with a big black case and he look confident with his damn big gadget :-))


Dataran Lang..where it used to be white sandy beach and before sunset we walk on the smooth sand and collect some seashells..from my aunt's house to the seaside was just few minutes walking distance..at night, the man will hunt for kancil, and in the morning we will walk around kebun getah and collect biji getah o just play hop scotch on white sand around the house compound..by afternoon, sambal kancil was ready on the table....it was a simple but memorable experience

I had chicken pie at Kuah jetty that day, a second option for my crave of something with meat potato and cheese...

People go places, eat fusion food and try new cuisine, walk in and out of the museums and meet people from many walks of life...at the end its the experience that matters most, a frien asked me about Kolkata..'apa yang best di Kolkata'...and I simply told her that it was not the building or museum but the experience...

So for those who loves to travel and about to travel to any places..just enjoy the moment and travel with an open mind, don't let your pre-conceived idea spoil your journey..and don't forget your moleskine

..like a sunset...

Eid Mubarak, Hari Raya Aidilfitri or whatver you call it, is way much different depending at what stage of life you are now, 20 years ago, it was more on the outfit and kad raya..who got the most and of coz duit raya...

Now it revolves around the same matters but in a different way....

We left for Kedah last two weeks and settled few things there and headed to Penang, traffic was smooth except for one reckless stupid driver who don't have a patience at all while driving, he just simply over take and drive like a mad man

This is his car..he hit our car with no dent and the chasing game began and the moment he realised that I was taking his photo, he immediately drove to a different route..act of a guilty man !!!

One of Ops Sikap statistic was this poor man who faced his death underneath a lorry en route to Penang Bridge two days before raya..he was already covered the moment we passed by..

Raya came and gone almost the same like previous years..same dish,same faces but the mood was a little bit different, we can wear a bright baju kurung and paint our face with MAC or Maybelline but deep down inside there was a feeling that need to be soothed...

I was with them but my mind was somewhere else..I was scared of losing and not having enough time to do what I should do and what has been told many years ago..a small antique pot came across my mind..that was her wish...

We had Raya open house in Alor Setar, it was a mix feeling..but at least I've done my best so far...whatever it is I'll be strong just like this majestic mount..
Gunung Jerai...

Loves know no boundary..a mother would do anything for her child..and Aidilfitri was just a day that passed by..
My uncle who has been lying on bed for the past one month..his entire life is so much different compared to us, he fell down and hit his head on the ground numerous time and the worst was when a zinc roof hit his head and cut through it...and recently he fell down and face first...and the doctors asked him to be brought home.....

This is another house that is always in my mind, a house that form a part of my knowledge and exposure to built enviro, every visit will be a surprise because my late grandfather who was a tukang rumah will always renovate his house, one day a timber staircase will on the south part and by the time the ext visit, it will be at a different place..but my daughter accept it in a different way, she had a hard to used the bathroom..'mama, orang tu tak cat dinding dia pink..!'....

We end the night with nasi royal..and I already packed my bag for another transit to Penang the next day..

It was a beautiful morning with roses blooming and bunga keembung line the pathway..

But it was written that this Aidilfitri is a gloomy one..we received another sad news from Penang..a relative just passed away..Al-Fatihah..



I think that life now is just like a sunset...beautiful but too short to feel it.....

Of lampu pelita and bunga api

Life is unexpectedly different especially at work where people at the other corner has started celebrating with lampu kelip-kelip and leisurely spend their time doing nothing compared to our little corner at the back of this office which busy with year end project that just kicked off. No Ahmad Jais song and no Saloma happy raya song.....

Back home we tried to set the mood for the kids with kampung mood, hubby bought this pelita and went to Abu Bakar Baginda little grocery shop to get minyak tanah..

I remember many years ago, passing along a small river from Kuala Perlis to Alor Setar, every house decorated their compound with these lampu pelita..it was a beautiful sight especially when the lights reflected on the tali air along the road


They were happy especially when abah spoilt 'em with bunga api and bunga api 'pop'......he is the main supplier of bunga api to his nieces and nephew back home..!!

But I'm not really keen on these stuff especially with the news of kids losing their fingers and everything...

Gift of the day

Its a sunny day and the sun was so bright even though it was just 8am...It felt different..it was a quiet day...

I heard a bird singing from that small tree with purple flowers blooming..

I believed my instinct...

Thank you for this day

At last....

The sky is blue with soft white clouds....



The black crow has found a new abode..hope 'he' won't come and spoil a day like today again..