Recapping 2007

Sadia on her Alphabet mat

Another year is drawing to a close. Where has the time gone?! It feels like only yesterday we were in the Netherlands, the place in which we spent a significant portion of 2007.

All smiles in Bagel & Beans Cafe, The Passage, Den Haag

Specifically it was Delft that we called home for almost a year, an idyllic town setting that we had grown to love so much so it was difficult to say goodbye to. There are so many wonderful things to like about Delft.

Sadia fooling around in the Delft's apartment

I think the main contributing factor to our stress-free, contented living in Delft was the location of our home. It was as close as we could get to the town centre but not near enough to be invaded by continuous throng of tourists and locals alike. Like the old, unassuming charm that Delft exudes, our apartment was aptly situated along Oude Delft.

Our backyard snowed in

This perfect location provides us with ample freedom to explore on foot the town at our whims and fancies. This translates to many an unplanned jaunt and memorable strolls whenever we needed a breath of fresh air or just felt peckish for Dutch’s creamy ice-creams or sumptuous Turkish pizzas. One of us could swing over to the nearby grocer, Albertheijn, if we had forgotten or were missing an ingredient for dinner, and would be back in jiffy before Sadia even asked for one of us! That was another thing I miss about living in Holland. The accessibility of a clean, friendly supermarket to walk into, as and when the needs arise.

Reading in the train

I terribly miss Delft and its simplistic, carefree life. With super-efficient public transport system, I don’t have to rely on a car to go anywhere and walking is a form of exercise that helps immensely for post-natal women like me!

Sitting by the canal

An uninterrupted line of serene canals, dotted by ducks, swans and other fowls, lends to the feeling of warmth and tranquility that I relish each and every day. Eating our lunch on the bench overlooking the canal, feeding the ducks there in the approaching twilight or tossing stale bread to the flock of ‘cute’ pigeons at the Plaza, we were blessed by such quietude that rejuvenated both the mind and body. This is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of a cacophonous city life that pounced on me the moment we landed back home. To be sure, KL has its priceless share of gems like late-night shopping until 10 p.m., which is almost unheard of in the Lands of Clogs.

Basking in the sunlight at HydePark

Trafalgar Square thronged with holidaymakers

Whereas Delft was the epicenter of our existence for the most part of 2007, we predictably indulged in some traveling which saw us in Luscious London during the Spring and in Picturesque Paris during the Summer. In early April, we arrived in London via the Gatwick Airport and spent four glorious days basking in some London attractions. The highlights of our trip were the lush greenery of Hyde Park, as well as the cobblestone, hilly shopping center of Guildford in Surrey. The trip also marked Sadia’s virgin steps onto a playground area, located a stone’s throw away from Aunty Idai’s quaint house.

The crowded EuroDisney

Paris was filled with a fantastic menagerie of sights and sounds, the types which rendered us completely and utterly useless at the end of each day. Strenuous schedule and crackling feet notwithstanding, we concur that Paris is one of our favourite spots in the world! The scorching heat in EuroDisney, the sinuous hallways of Louvre Museum and the soothing, aesthetic appeal of Luxembourg Garden round up my unforgettable Parisian jaunts. And naturally, the endless walks along the Seine turned into a daily ritual that we came to love.

Letting off steam on the grounds of the Louvre

Since the summer sojourn was the second time we visited Paris – the first one being in December 2006 – it felt as if we were coming back home. Balik Kampung. Everything smelled, tasted and looked familiar. We were on known territories. Even the sandwich parlor, Lina Café in Galleries Lafayette heightens our dejavu feelings.

Inside the Netherlands and outside of Delft, my preferred shopping ground would be Den Haag (The Hague), followed closely by Rotterdam and lastly Amsterdam. While I concede that Amsterdam is full of interesting places to venture into, I just don’t like the tourist trappings that are synonymous with it. Call me a typical country girl, if you please, but the noise and crowd level in Amsterdam perturbs me.

There were also temporary stays in Groningen and Den Haag during my husband’s two-week intensive course in those cities, which taught me lessons on patience, physical endurance and mental strength. The former, located in the country’s northside, is considerably parochial even for my standard and unless you have a bicycle, you have to rely heavily on walking for simple errands like finding groceries and toiletries. Lugging a 7-kg baby in the baby carrier for a 1-km round trip to the nearest shopping area was very exhausting to say the least!

With Marit & Robert at the lake by the hotel, Groningen

Strolling around the other lake in Groningen

Groningen was an emotional time for me since Sadia came down with high temperatures for a couple of days that resulted in rashes on some parts of her body. This also marked the first time that she got really sick in Holland. Luckily the doctor recommended to us was very helpful in explaining us her ailment and directing us to the hypotheek where we can get her medicine.

At the Malieveld park, Den Haag during Programme's session

At Kaldi's, taking a break from class

As for the Den Haag sojourn, which propitiously was the Programme’s last session, we were more than happy to bunk in a hotel in the middle of town, replete with food and shopping choices. This arrangement was in stark contrast to the awful Groningen stay two months prior. While hubby was in class, Sadia and I savoured the walks around the Hofvijver (Court Pond) in the Binnenhof area, and along the cobblestone roads of an exclusive shopping area, the Paleispromenade, gawking at the beautiful window displays.

Having lunch at DeBijenkorf's quiet food court

Apart from our tumultuous trip to Utrecht in January, the Dutch’s other memorable treasures include visits to the Garden Extraordinaire – Keukenhof, Mauritshuis, Rijksmuseum, Rotterdam and Amsterdam’s zoos, Bakkerswinkeland last but certainly not least, Dudok café.

Finally a Family photo during Raya Haji (hubby sans Baju Melayu)

On the Malaysian front, we celebrated both Eids amongst great food and company, especially last week’s Raya Haji as my Aunt, Uncle and cousin are back from the UK for the holidays. Also, in the short span of time since we arrived home in mid-September, we have executed two major purchases, that of a car and a house. It was high time anyway that we changed the Kenari into a more economical, family-oriented automobile. As for the house in-progress, it was a rather spontaneous yet serious undertaking that we went house-hunting that one fine rainy day. And how glad we are that we stick to our gut instinct!

Raya Haji at Kg Bharu

Saving the best for last, I finally dethroned the annoying monkey on my back last Monday when a Kota Bharu-based car dealer settled the outstanding balance of my loan. Alhamdulillah. After all the mind-numbing runaround, the parking violations for the car I DIDN’T drive in Kota Bharu and the last-straw police report, my husband and I heaved a huge sigh of relief!

Elisa, Sadia and Alya watching the chicks

Enjoy the last couple of days of 2007 everyone and hope all our 2008 resolutions will be followed through. *wink, wink!*

Hartelijk Gefeliciteerd! *

From left: Nina and me (I think ;) )

It’s that time of the year again. No, it’s not Christmas, nor is it the New Year’s Eve.

Clueless still? It coincides with Winter Solstice, at least that’s what I told my would-be husband back then as a useful tip on how to remember my birthday. Oops, the cat is out of the bag. Hah!

Who am I fooling? It has been out ever since I unabashedly dropped hints here and there about the momentous occasion.

30-odd years ago, in the capital of Kelantan (a state in the East Coast of Malaysia), a set of (almost) bald twins entered the world five minutes apart from one another. The time was close to 7pm when the other half finally slid out of the canal. And that would be me. Hehe.

In the Malay tradition, it is commonly believed that the last one to exit the womb is actually the OLDER sister as she had kindly let the younger sister to go out first. I fervidly wish this is true, but I can bet that most people would agree I have the temperament of the younger one. Double hehe.

Also, according to my birth account, I was a songsang, or breech baby, which traditionally means I am endowed with magic fingers, at least as far as massaging is concerned. I want to believe this is real too and earn a profit on my tactile gift, not merely a ploy to massage relatives free of charge based on this non-scientific fact alone. Yet, I can vouch that some people, without even trying hard, make much better masseurs compared to my untrained hands.

Speaking of endowment, my twin sister is always known as the calm and collected half, whereas I am the klutz and scatterbrained one. My mother recalled that back in the primary school days, my twin always insisted her school’s shoelaces to be evenly tied by the former before she even dared stepping on school ground. As for me, I couldn’t care less about those details that clearly explains my relatively unkempt appearance. Even our penmanship – hers neat, mine illegible - gives us away. ;)

These outward differences stretched and expanded, literally and figuratively, into the secondary school (or high school) with me growing larger and geekier than her. I admit that I got jealous when she received the attention of some interesting people (well, at least they were interesting through my shallow, adolescent eyes), significant of which was a senior girl who took her as ‘adik angkat.’ The bespectacled, serious-looking me didn’t have any ‘kakak angkat’, nor did anyone want to be my ‘adik angkat’ and I felt terribly left out. (Well, Kak Muna was sort of a pseudo-Kakak Angkat but that’s another story).

But looking back, all this Kakak Angkat-Adik Angkat business, at least from my observation in boarding school, have more to do with popularity contest amongst my peers as opposed to genuine interest to develop real meaningful friendships. I could easily say that I’m bitter but to tell you the truth I have nurtured some friendships with people of varying ages post-secondary school, and we have been friends ever since. And the age gap has never been a problem as we’re mostly on the same wavelength, save for the occasional spats.

To my twin sister, I still carry that idealistic excesses that at times border infuriatingly on the naiveté. I am disinclined to think otherwise because as much like a leopard that can in no way change his spots, my gullibility has already become a second nature. I couldn’t rid myself of it despite my desire to see the world through a pair of more realistic lenses. That way, it wouldn’t hurt so much when the incongruities of life get to me.

Notwithstanding my seeming innocence, the two of us have always been, on some levels, a protector of one another, on issues ranging from education, health, friendship, money, marriage, to career. I still remember the time she treated me to a trip in Kota Kinabalu as our final getaway before she officially became someone else’s other half. Those carefree, light days invariably bring a smile to my face and remind me of what’s important in life.

As for our legendary series of fights, squabbles, miscommunications and everything in between, it is truly heartening, not to mention surprising, that we could look past all that and continually reinvent our relationship across numerous rites of passage. I could choose to harbor resentment for some of the angry words hurled at me (and vice-versa), but somehow the passage of time has softened the blow and deepened my longing to spend quality time with her.

My twin sister, Nina is a best friend that I could ever ask for. Come to think of it, she is my ONLY best friend – two words that I’d never lightly use. For someone who has two sisters her age and another sister two years junior, the need to crown somebody else as a best friend rarely crosses my mind. My other sisters would quickly beg to differ, I’m sure, citing the usual suspects of entrusting a third party with personal secrets, safekeeping one’s privacy and voicing age-specific concerns.

Breakfast time! Nina, Kak Long, me and Dikya

Few cherished close friends I may have but none singled out as the quintessential best friend just going by the route of certain indiscriminate criteria. Outside the family, the one person closely resembles a best friend is none other than my husband which must be one of the reasons why I wanted him as a life partner. So, my two best friends please play nice. :)

While my sister and I may not live under the same roof anymore, or hang out as often, my intuition tells me that we would always be there for each other for as long as there is a sky above our heads. Therefore, for my thirty-(cough) birthday, I’d like to acquit myself from harping on the past which can never be undone. Let’s accentuate on our positives, dear sister, for that’s what we Sadges do best!

Last but not least, in chronological order for the next four days, happy birthday today to cousin Lindsey in London, a Eid-ul-Adha Mubarak to fellow Muslims, a VERY happy birthday to me and twin, and happy birthday to cousin Arif in Sungai Buloh.

*That's Happy Birthday greeting in Dutch.

p.s. A Big Thank-You goes to Auntie Bae for the scanned photos!
p.p.s. For Birthday comics, please click here.

Pay It Forward

If you have the power, the money, the connection, the wherewithal to help someone in dire straits, would you come on board and offer your assistance, no questions asked?

And how delighted would you feel to know that this timely relief has significantly lifted the burden off the hapless person. 'Praise be to God, you have saved the day!' exclaimed the ones down on their luck.

That's what crossed my mind when I received news that intervention of the highest order was executed at the eleventh hour. For the sake of those involved, I'm careful not to disclose any details and I hope those in the know would exercise similar discretion.

What I would like to concentrate on is the miraculous gesture that this Godsent person has kindly channeled to those in need. Given the magnitude of risks, he or she could have just backed out, refused to take part in the person's misery and scooted away. But he or she assented, with the usual practical conditions attached which in turn gave enough room for the unfortunate other to regroup his strategy.

Since this display of magnanimity sprang upon them without a previous quid-pro-quo arrangement, I believe the most commendable way to show one's gratitude is to pay it forward. Pay what? you ask. It is a sociological concept whereby one repays a person's debt or kind gesture by helping a third party, instead of paying it back to the first party.

In my particular case however, the debtor will eventually have to pay back whatever he owes the creditor. My point is that in the interim those affected and gained by the succor should pay forward to a third party, by dispensing their energy, money, advice and so forth.

My mother, for instance, is a proponent of this Pay It Forward philosophy, or rather her version of it. In its primordial form, she reckons it all come down to rezeki, or loosely translated as bounty, tangible or otherwise.

The good deeds that you've done would somehow be rewarded in the most unexpected manner, or when you least expect it. Good karma begets good karma, I'd say. :)

For Mama, making sure that everyone at home has enough to eat or becoming an exemplary hostess to her slew of visitors is a matter of paramount order. She attends to them to the best of her ability, even though she might have to scrape together the last of her rations. Despite the fact the person(s) she feted might be someone whom has been unpleasant to her, she couldn't bear to eat if the other person is not being nourished as well. It's in my mother's nature. To her folly or her benefit? You be the judge.

As I was saying, everyone must practice paying it forward because we can never know when you ever need that crucial aid to crutch your affliction. This chain reaction of unconditional acts is very beneficial in the long run as it not only promotes a healthy self-image for the payer, but also fosters a caring, indispensable network of payees.

So what else are you waiting for?

Three Birthdays at Once

Going to be a busy week until the weekend, due to distractions on the home ground, so to speak. For now, here are photos that took place last Saturday for the belated birthday celebration of my two nieces - Elisa and Zahra - and nephew, Zaris. Elisa and Zaris are early December-born while Zahra was born somewhere mid-October.

As accustomed, the gathering was held at my Grandma's in Kampung Bahru where we also welcome home my cousin, Adam who arrived from the UK earlier in the morning. (His parents were to arrive the next morning).

The wholesome spread, cakes and ice-cream made for a lively get-together. My little brother even brought a new someone special to the do, much to my family's surprise. This was the first time she was introduced to us. I hope she wasn't overwhelmed by the hullabaloo that defines almost all the Do's taking place in Kampung Bharu. :)

Sadia got a bit antsy however, due to the lack of sleep and preferred to cling to either one of her parents. She even refused to join in singing the birthday song.

The birthday kids were contented with their piles of pressies, consisting mostly of clothes and a sprinkling of toys.

Speaking of birthdays, I'm glad to know that a special momentous one will occur near to Raya Haji. :)

Elisa, Alya and Zaris

The loquacious Zahra

Get ready to blow the candles!

My gregarious cousins - (top) Nani and Ya; (bottom) Wawa and Mimah

Sofia in the background while Elisa was busy unwrapping presents

All mine!

Cousins Ameir and Aka checking out the toys with Zahra and Sofia

Feeding Sadia one of the birthday cakes (don't mind the ice-cream stain)

Rub-a-dub-dub Right, Rub-a-dub-dub Wrong

Do you ever have that feeling that you just don't like someone solely based on your interaction(s) with that person? I mean, for some reason or another, this person just rubs you the wrong way?

You initially thought it was an one-off feeling - that probably you were having a bad day and consequently issued a bad judgment call on that person. Or you felt you're being hard on that person and should cut him or her some slack. However, upon repeated encounters and/or exposures to that particular someone you are certain that it's not just a coincidence that your defense mechanism goes up whenever the person is within your radar.

Do you believe that a person simply rubs you the wrong way, figuratively speaking? Regardless of how popular he or she is with the others, how your friends seem to get along well with him or her, or how good he or she is at something, this person just grates you so no matter what.

Well, as you can as much guess, I fervently believe in such a circumstance.

Granted, one does not expect that everyone to like him or her all of the time. Yet, while it might appear inconceivable that a person might not like you, disliking you ALL of the time clearly demonstrates the inherent existence of bad blood.

Don't be despair though. Most of the times, I think the feelings that the two affected parties are harbouring are completely mutual. There is no use fighting it because, like it or not, there seem to be inexplicable, higher forces at work which induce one to repel the other.

Save for the clueless few, I am positive that nearly everyone has his or her share of being rubbed the wrong way. Below are some of my hallmark moments:

1. I am sadly aversive to moody people. I know, I know - I shouldn't take it to heart when another is having a bad day, a headache and all the (im)possible permutations. But it's another thing when you have to tiptoe around their moodswings lest you should say something hurtful. Let me correct that, something that is construed as hurtful to the other (moody) person.
   
   This situation is annoying especially when you haven't met the other person for some time and wanted to catch up with him or her. Another correction: you unwittingly agreed, for old time's sake, to catch up with this person since another nice friend invited you to come along in the first place. Try as you may to be yourself, you can't help it that you almost always catch the person when she or he is in a funk. Your attempt to lighten up the moment is invariably doused by either a curt one-liner or a furrowed forehead which follows by a sour countenance. I'd gladly be some place else than to entertain the erratic behaviour of someone who doesn't appreciate my company in the first place.
   
   Perhaps, it is written in the stars. You can't get along with so-and-so. So why continue to subject yourself to this abuse?



2. Another pet peeve is one-upmanship. You know the practice by which you like to outdo another person whom you perceive in some ambiguous way, a rival. Whilst the competitive field might vary, the method of 'showing off' is similar and familiar.
   
   For instance, when you are talking about a planned vacation to another person, she would somehow manage to disrupt your train of thought and end up talking about her seemingly more glamorous holiday plan. Usually this person would deride your choices and proclaim hers - whatever it may be - to be the best or wisest option.
   
   You possibly get my drift - all the things you would want to share would be either brushed aside for her more fantastic tales or ridiculed for appearing/coming below par to her supposedly exquisite taste. The truth is she is not sincerely interested in your life. She is just waiting for the opportune time to show off her 'assets' and vindicate her worth whenever such an occasion arises. It is all about her, you see.
   
   These kind of people revel in their upmanship prowess, so much so it is a sport to them. Under a different category, they are a self-absorbed lot who thrive on the gullible few whom can feed their ego.



3. Lastly, an attitude that gets my goat is none other than a Mr/Ms-Know-It-All. Occasionally with a dash of Holier-than-thou persona thrown in. You know the type of person who proudly announces his number of years of experience in a specific field, a method which he hopes, among others, to strike fear in the heart of his enemies, known or otherwise. Also, he is confident that this proclamation alone would impede a noble novice from questioning and undermining his authority. He would prefer to rest on his laurels than have anyone engage him in a lively discussion which most probably discloses the fraud that he is.
   
   A variant of this kind features those 'I-have-seen-and-travelled-the-world-and-know-how-people-work-so-just-shut-up-and-listen-to-my-gospel-truth' who refuse to hear the other's side of the story. They relish in shooting you down, no matter what your argument is because they apparently know better than the rest of less exposed/cultured folks. For all they know, the different perspective the other offered can be both refreshing and enriching to their so-called eclectic set of experiences.

On the flip side, it can be argued that noone is perfect and one has to delicately work around this fact. For one, I might possess a few traits that might cheese people off on any given day. Take your pick - I can at times be blunt, brazen, needy, whiny or paranoid. Or worse yet, what if I am be perceived to exhibit the above three characteristics?!

Imperfections aside, if a person proves, time and again, to be an anathema to the very air you breathe, it is best for your mental health to avoid crossing each other's path. Unless of course, you plan to stay friends for your own personal reasons - the number of years you've known each other, she's a good friend's friend, she knows someone that can help with your career, she's my only friend, etc - in which case I have only this left to say: Proceed with Caution.

In a similar vein, a blogger's materials either provoke your anger or rivet your attention, all achieved at your own volition. Despite a blogger's popularity with a certain segment of readers, you remain at best unimpressed and at worst repulsed. Perhaps, it is in its political slant that you find disagreeable, or the blogger's overt smugness that makes your skin crawl. You couldn't put your finger on it but this person just ticks you off.

All this unpleasant rubbing brings to mind this hackneyed quote: "Keep your friends close but your enemies closer" which I intend to jettison for the quick and easy "Out of sight, out of mind".

Treasuring Teluk Chempedak

As I'm writing this, we are on our way back from Kuantan. It's been a marvellous break from our routine, a mini-celebration of our three-year union. And a welcome respite it turned out to be! The first evening we, together with the regular Sunday crowd, cruised on foot along the Teluk Chempedak winding esplanade. Waves crashing on the beach later lured us to its side. We lumbered on the sand thanks to a heavy stroller before finding a suitable spot to sit on and enjoy the cool sea breeze. Some folks were playing their kites, lovebirds enjoying their ice-cream cones and children squealing by the water's edge.

It was so windy that a red flag was raised, indicating a dangerous sea condition to swim. Coupled with the low humidity, our ice-cream got into our hair and dripped copiously in between our fingers! Just not the ideal day to have ice-cream.
Sadia loves the swimming pool to bits and cried everytime we left it. We had to pacify her by putting her next in the bathtub! The analogy 'Like a fish to water' is most apt here.:-)

A diverse selection of batik and other souvenirs at Batik Village, a roadside stop-over at Pak Soh 2 stall in Beserah for keropok lekor and a sumptuous seafood feast at night were among the memorable highlights of our brief stay.
Just the seaside getaway that we need to end the year 2007!

For more photos, do hop here.

Tag! You're It!

Thank you Frankensteina for tagging me! Heck, I don't know what this survey is for but it looks like fun. So here goes:

1. Name one person who made you laugh last night.

My husband who was telling me his encounter in the KLCC public toilet when the cleaning lady taught him how to use the automatic water faucet and soap dispenser.

2. What were you doing at 0800?

Internet surfing.

3. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?

Putting the rambunctious Sadia to sleep.

4. What happened to you in 2006?

Had a baby, quit my job and living the life in the Netherlands.

5. What was the last thing you said out loud?

Sadia, No, no,no!

6. How many beverages did you have today?

I've lost count. But the highlight was the vanilla latte in Starbucks. :)

7. What color is your hairbrush?

Hmm, it depends on which ones I'm using and if I remember to comb. Haha!

8. What was the last thing you paid for?

Everything was paid by hubby since it's our anniversary. ;)

9. Where were you last night?

Having an anniversary dinner in The Gardens.

10. What color is your front door?

That's a tough one. I'm not particularly observant. I think it's greyish brown.

11. Where do you keep your change?

Mostly in the pocket of my green handbag.

12. What’s the weather like today?

Cooling rain!

13. What’s the best ice-cream flavor?

Rocky Road Chocolate! Yum.

14. What excites you?

Do macaroons count? *someone rolling eyes somewhere, enough with that already!*

15. Do you want to cut your hair?

I'm in need of a trim and fast!

16. Are you over the age of 25?

If I say yes, do I get a free makeover? *batting eyelashes*

17. Do you talk a lot?

Depends on the company OR if I'm high on caffeine OR Both.

18. Do you watch the O.C.?

Not interested in teenage angst serials anymore.

19. Do you know anyone named Steven?

How does this information pertain to the survey, I wonder? But if it is that important, the answer would be a flat No.

20. Do you make up your own words?

All the time, baby.

21. Are you a jealous person?

Don't get me started. Hahahaha.

22. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘A’.

Amy!

23. Name a friend whose name starts with the letter ‘K’.

Huh? Long lost friend cum neighbour whom I have not spoken to in a long while, count? If so, Kamaliah. Ooops, make that NOR-Kamaliah.

24. Who’s the first person on your received call list?

Hubby.

25. What does the last text message you received say?

Colour. Price range? Hehe. Btw, why kena bg anniv pressie?

26. Do you chew on your straw?

Mind-bloggling this question but No.

27. Do you have curly hair?

A resounding Yes.

28. Where’s the next place you’re going to?

To bed.

29. Who’s the rudest person in your life?

I can't say lest I get a defamation suit. Hehe.

30. What was the last thing you ate?

Classic Pizza.

31. Will you get married in the future?

I'm already hitched.

32. What’s the best movie you’ve seen in the past 2 weeks?

Transformers on DVD! Awesome CGI, y'all!

33. Is there anyone you like right now?

In real life or virtual life? Real life - LOVE mi familia; Virtual - an Avatar named Hugo *winks*

34. When was the last time you did the dishes?

Last night of course.

35. Are you currently depressed?

No!

36. Did you cry today?

A bit of sniffles.

37. Why did you answer and post this?

Because a blogger friend tagged me for it.

38. Tag 5 people who would do this survey.

Simah, Mimin, Nour, CosmicGurl and last but not least, Nina :).

Cartoon taken from here.

Bonne Anniversaire Mon Cheri

Today, three years have passed since we uttered our marriage vows,
Yet, it still feels like we were married yesterday.

I can recall the time when I chased you around the big oak tree on the University Quad in California for having the gall to say that I looked like Rafidah Aziz in my then big-lensed glasses.

And the time I looked forward to your letters from Kuching during the summer break before we went off to our respective colleges.

Also the time when I beamed a huge smile upon seeing you waiting for me at Chicago train station for our weekend outing in the Windy City. Always with a coffee in your hand to kickstart the day.

And the time I shed a few quiet tears in the train ride back to Indiana after a wonderful Fall Break in Evanston.

How about the night we spontaneously lied down on the sidewalk to make snow angels in the dead of Midwest winter?

Not to forget our unforgetabble series of adrenaline rush at Six Flags Great America during your Senior Graduation Week's activities. Love them roller coasters!

And how I like to wind you up for that California Love-infused silat performance on stage.

How about that 'relaxing stroll' wending through the dangerous overpass at Jalan Kuching on our way to a shortlived picnic in Lake Garden. Some passerbys gave us funny looks for lolling about in that ridiculous heat!

And that Penang trip to visit my twin's intended which was fraught with thrills and emotions, in between the rickety KTM service to Butterworth. A group of gangsta monkeys in Botanical Garden was one such highlight.

The trip down south to Lion City was equally memorable, with the whole family traipsing down Orchard Road.

And in the early days, each time you sent me 'home' at Bank Negara's Komuter station following an outing when we were both without cars. Now, in our 30-plus year-old bodies, we wonder how could we have walked all over the places in KL.

And of course, that absurdly long yet most cherished phonecall, discussing our future together, which had bumped me up to Cloud Nine.

Despite (or is it because of?) the initial hiccups and subsequent tiffs, we have managed to forge an inexplicable bond with some legroom to maneuver :)

Happy Anniversary my beloved, my kindred spirit. Thanks for everything that you've done to make all the moments in our lives count.

Let's Go Pinkie!

I've been wanting to write about this particular news for some time but real life caught up with me and I had to settle a few things that have been on the backburner. Perhaps one day when everything is back in order, I will recount snippets of these momentous events.

The article in question was highlighted to me by none other than The Other Half during one of our many driving excursions. To be exact, while stuck in traffic jam coming back home to Ampang from our numerous mall jaunts. Yes, it is true we don't do any kind of sports, but I figure brisk-walking in the long stretches of a mall a form of exercise, no?

Okay, I've digressed.

It was when a driver entered in front of our lane abruptly without signalling that he recalled this piece of news as flagged by Yahoo. In Australia, the New South Wales Roads and Transport Authority ('RTA') launched a new campaign aimed at young drivers who, it claimed, are desensitised to images of gore and mayhem as depicted in the conventional advertisements for road accidents.

The latest TV campaign to encourage drivers to respect speed limits features young women wiggling their little fingers at passing speedsters. The gesture represents a small penis in youth culture but in the ads, even an elderly woman uses the signal. So, too, do other young men who are not in the driver’s seat.

According to a survey, this 'Pinkie' campaign which was launched in June 2007, is proved to be successful at arresting the number of fatal accidents in the densely populated state.

Speeding is a factor in about 40% of road deaths in NSW each year, according to RTA figures.

Despite being hailed a success story by authorities, some quarters complained about 'sexism' and blatant 'misandry' of this unorthodox road safety campaign.

One manly man was evidently not amused by the successful transmission of 'wiggling the little pinkie' gesture by the public, and in an outrage, lobbed a plastic bottle to the female pedestrian who pinkied him. He was fined A$400 for his stupid behaviour.

This Aussie campaign got me thinking as to the ramifications, reactions and results of such an ad blitz if it were to launch in Malaysia. Would it be as effective?

Holding commitment, money and follow-through constant, I wonder if the general public would receive this ad campaign favourably. Or would the veritable Malaysian caring, sopan-santun values nip in the bud its usage and propagation?

Personally, I think wiggling the pinkie is less of a hassle and more convenient than sticking out your middle finger. More importantly, it takes less energy too for lazy people like me! And the message it is sending "Small male unit", to be politically-correct, is loud and clear. Most men, unless if he's a simpleton, would get the drift.

I remember the time when I had trouble shooting my middle finger into the air because I was either too timid to use it or too prissy to exercise my middle digit. I think it was a combination of both. It felt vulgar. Then again, driving in KL for some years sadly inured me to this universal gesticulation. If you can't beat them, join them. However, let me qualify that I only utilise it in the most appropriate, temper-inducing cases. Appropriate is subjective, and as a woman, making sure you're driving with supportive gears, suitable weapons and brawny people is one such condition.

The introduction of this campaign to Malaysians is also timely considering the recurring cases of fatal road-related accidents, despite the road safety advertisements along the familiar line of bloody scenes as well as the police's endless road operations. Moreover, the pinkie wiggling inference brings to mind the larger-than-life exhaust pipes that are de riguer among the young crowd and other misguided motor enthusiasts. It has been an inside joke among me and my sisters that people - more often than not male - who install and rev up those annoying, noisy contraptions at the back of their poorly souped up vehicles, are overcompensating for something else. A physical sort of shortcoming, if you get what I mean.

As you can see, I am more than ready to embrace this campaign and crook my little finger at such inept drivers!

Let's say this spate of advertisements is properly disseminated to a receptive Malaysian public who are more than eager to exercise their Pinkie right. Would those reckless, errant drivers heed the insinuation portrayed in these ads? I would like to think so. But somehow I think the result would be mix.

In the rural areas and neighbourhood enclaves, some motorcyclists and motorists still drive without a helmet and fastening their seatbelts respectively for that quick trip to the sundry shop or kedai mamak. When one's mindset is fixed and conditioned to an environment, it is difficult to change the way things are.

As for perceptive male urbanites and cultured wannabes, this campaign would immediately hit the very core of their manhood, so to speak. Gangsterism and illegal street racing aside, as long as this campaign gets imprinted on the brains of these youngsters, others not bobbling in that age bracket would have a chance to drive in one piece and peace again.

So, guys and gals, boys and girls, men and women, please don't hesitate to wiggle your pinkie!

J'adore le Ladurée

Someone whom I got to know recently surprised me with this trinket yesterday! The giftbox in lovely shade of purple (a favourite colour - how did you guess?) contains eight sublime, scrumptious macaroons from Ladurée in London!

She who must have remembered my obsession with macaroons from the countless ravings I'd written on this space.

The bite-size macaroons burst with fantastic flavours that evoke an ineffable sense of joy.

To that special and thoughtful someone, thank you so much for making my day. Thanks for the wonderful spot of tea as well. It somewhat alleviated my coughing fit.

Paul's on me next time! :)

Raya Recap 2

We barely made it to the taxi which arrived promptly at 11 a.m., what with my penchant to engage in last-minute clothes-washing, and dishes-cleaning. Also not to be left out, choosing the clothes to bring along for the four-day trip. Should we bring more casual clothes and throw out the traditional ones?

But luckily the taxi waited for us even though he had arrived much earlier than the appointed time. Bless him to be working on the second day of Raya.

His driving on the other hand left a lot to be desired, zigzagging on the open road despite a relatively empty highway. As long as it didn't disturb a sleeping Sadia, we had no reason to complain.

A quick check-in later, we scuttled towards the security checkpoints. After buying some goodies at the duty free kiosks located at the main entrance of the domestic Departure Gates, we wolfed down some Whoppers for lunch at Burger King.

The flight which lasted for 1 hour and 45 minutes seemed longer largely thanks to Sadia who was excited to bits. She kept standing on either one of our laps to play Peekaboo with the two Malay kids sitting infront. Luckily, those tweens didn't mind entertaining her.

Excitement later turned to restlessness as she grew bored of the narrow space and wanted out! Armed with my oft-reliable lactating secret weapon, it soon put matters to right.

My MIL, younger SIL and older SIL's daughter, Zeti picked us up at the airport. MIL was so eager to meet her latest grandkid that she quipped she wouldn't mind if we sent Sadia back first to Kuching after we got back from Delft. The last time she saw Sadia was roughly a year ago when we 'accidentally' came home for Raya.

As wont, the apprehensive Sadia takes some time to warm up to new people. However, when my MIL flashed the pair of shiny bead bracelets worn on her left wrist, she was transfixed and hooked on them until one of the bracelet's strings came undone. All the beads popped out and strewn all over the backseat and the car floor!

Such is a sacrifice to get into Sadia's good books. :)

As soon as we landed at PIL's place, hubby distributed the gifts while I settled the rest of luggage upstairs. When I came down, Sadia already went over to the house next door with MIL where hubby's (late*) grandfather resided with the family of MIL's eldest sister. Somehow, Sadia had warmed up to MIL! That was quick. Probably she remembers MIL's face and the area we were in.

In the course of four days, Sadia was having the time of her life - chasing a rabbit named Snowy, cats and kittens outside the house, running practically non-stop around the coffee tables which rendered MIL and some others speechless, bathing in a big shallow basin and playing (or rather bullying to play) toys with anxious cousins. On the downside however, whenever she immersed herself in all these activities, she rarely ate. She's like a cat on catnip!

At one relative's house, Sadia was in her element again, helping herself to some toys on a corner and encircling the spacious living room. A range of glassware - some of which were Delft Blue - in numerous cabinet displays and a flight of steps leading from the toy area to the living room caused us some concern, but Sadia heeded most of our (and MIL's) command during the short Raya visit.

Since this Kuching trip marks the first time we spent the second day of Raya in Kuching, I have to say that I'd prefer to be in KL instead from the second day onwards. My feeling has nothing to do with the in-laws' treatment of me - far from it, they have always been a bunch of exemplary hosts.

It is just that after the second day, Raya (at least in hubby's family circle) celebration simply died down, without any warning to the uninitiated. And with the second Raya day being spent travelling to Kuching and thereon stuffing our face at my PIL's, we lost a day of congenial house-visiting. The only time we ventured outdoors that day was to buy essential provisions.

So when we went visiting relatives on the third day, people served mostly the ubiquitious Raya cookies and no longer wore their Raya fineries. After the umpteenth house, I couldn't bring myself to see anymore cookies in different flavours, shapes and sizes. Luckily, one cousin bucked the trend at her Open House and served delicious Nasi Beriyani and several lauks, along with Laksa Penang.

On hindsight, it is probably too presumptuous to generalise that festivities tapered out for the whole clan. After all, if it were not for my grandma's Open House on the third day of Raya, we wouldn't be going out anywhere save for hopping to the neighbourhood mall! My husband too confirmed and concurred with my observation of Raya celebration in Kuching. Due to this circumstance, we came to an important agreement that Raya eve and first day of Raya should always be spent in Kuching. On the other hand, we can always fly back to Kuching on the night of first Raya day and spend the second day of Raya thereon. But, we reckon it'd be too exhausting for the little one. :)

Moreover, another reason contributing to the sombre note on which we savoured the Eid holidays was due to the deteriorating health of hubby's grandfather aka MIL's father. The second night we were in Kuching must be the longest for my MIL and her surviving siblings when grandfather took a turn for the worse during which most people thought that was IT. Fortunately, it proved to be a false alarm, albeit a brief one. *Grandfather aka Nenek (In Sarawak, Nenek is used for both male and female grandparents) passed away a week later on Tuesday, October 23rd while we were in PD for a short vacation. We plan to go back next year for the 100-day Kenduri Arwah, God willing.

On a separate macabre note, one incident that would haunt us for some time involved hubby's accidental killing of one of the kittens! We were already in my SIL's car to go to the mall (what else!), and my husband put the car in reverse and suddenly heard the most agonising of sounds. Ekk! was the last squeak from the thin kitten. As the car continued backing up, we dreaded what was waiting for us to see. Then there it was, with its head plonked down around a splat of blood. Hubby was too distraught to take a closer look that we resumed driving away. Poor kitty, Sadia had only played with it a few hours before. Thanks to my FIL for burying the kitten.

On coming back to KL, I experienced a personal sort of calamity which bogged me down for a few woeful days. Oh well, que sera sera. Things happen for a reason.

Soon after that, the beach getaway to Port Dickson ('PD') recharged my battery and so did the Ikan Bakar ('Grilled Fish') and other seafood we bought at Pengkalan Pernu/Umbai in Malacca. And a heap of thank-yous go to Rizal for filling up our tummies shortly before we departed for PD at the conjoined Open House held at his parents' in Ampang. I especially love your Death By Chocolate cake! Do you take orders? :)

On top of other Open Houses we went and the small one that we mustered, Raya 2007 was rather quiet on the whole. A sense of listlessness that pervaded the air seems to describe my inner state, struggling to keep apace with a new kind of life, a more mature role to fill and familiar/familial territories to tread on.

Raya Recap 1

Five days have passed since the month of Syawal left us. In any event, it has been a subdued Eid for this household. I should take that back. Probably it has not been one for Sadia who had been dragged here and there by her harried and dazed parents.

Poor Sadia. Whose sleeping schedule turned haywire because of the Raya house-hopping we yielded to. Whose appetite waned throughout the rushing and bustling.

Yet, amazingly Sadia thoroughly enjoyed herself during this festive time, playing with cousins and her young aunties/uncles, as well as chasing cats around the house compound! (this one took place in Kuching)

Our Raya eve was spent at my parents in Kota Damansara ('KD'), where we came bringing satay, peanut gravy and other accompaniments that were served for both Iftar and Eid the next morning. All the siblings save for my eldest sister were around for the final Iftar get-together. We also helped in some last-minute cleaning before retiring around midnight.

The excited Sadia couldn't bring herself to sleep in the new environment and kept waking up now and then. Unfortunately, she also rose up early in the morning when my brother knocked loudly on the door to rouse us from our sleeping state.

After taking turns showering, hubby left for Eid prayer whilst I tended to Sadia's whims and fancies. She busied herself circling the living room all the while refusing any attempt to feed her and ended up nibbling on some cookie.

My husband returned home from the prayer earlier than the other men in the household - my dad and brother - since he went to the communal surau in the vicinity of Mutiara Damansara enclave, as opposed to the overcrowded neighbourhood surau nearby the KD's house where cars triple-parked and inadvertently caused a spillover jam to the immediate surroundings.

As we waited for the other siblings' - twin sister and younger sister - entourage to arrive from their respective homes also located in KD, we then took turns to eat the delicious Raya spread. By this time however, Sadia had grown tired due to lack of sleep and cried in protest when we donned her with a baju kurung top. She didn't like the material at all. We proceeded to the bedroom to put her down for a nap, and shamelessly fell asleep as well!

One-and-half hour had past by the time we stirred from our beauty sleep, overhearing the clamoring of kids and the familiar sisterly voices. We quickly dressed up in our traditional garbs of baju kebaya and baju melayu respectively, and opted for a non-sleeve top and lounging pants for Sadia. No use arguing with a tyke.

The bersalam-salaman session started thereafter and followed by exchanging the kids' Duit Raya with my siblings. In record time, the house was emptied as we made our way to my grandma's in Kampung Bharu. While my sisters and company went straight to the aforesaid destination, my parents and us took our own little detours.

Every year, my mom would send Raya goodies to the Muslim nurses on duty at her dialysis centre in Subang Jaya. And again this year, she didn't want to disappoint them. Since they couldn't go back or get leave for Raya, that's the least she could offer them.

We, on the other hand, parked our car in KLCC to buy diapers and Sadia's lunch! Yes, KLCC on the first day of Raya. In our respledent, traditional clothes! It reminded me of the (singleton) time when I would come to KLCC with my yet-to-be-married sisters and female cousins for our coffee fixs (or chocolate in the case of caffeine-averse young cousins) on the first day of Raya following an almost complete withdrawal from Starbucks and its ilk. (We usually do this in late afternoon after our respective parents customarily resorted to sleeping all over the floors and beds at my grandma's following a hearty chow-down)

Due to our long detour, by the time we arrived in Kampung Bharu, my parents had already sat eating on the dining table. Also, both my uncle's family and auntie's family had also left for their in-laws and relative's in Seremban and Kajang respectively. :)

After savouring the delectable feast at my grandma's consisting of all the food from her children, hers and then some, we decided to take a breather back in Ampang. Most of the people had already either assumed the reclining position or entertained their tummy somersaults due to a shock to the system following a month of fasting. Hehe.

Coupled with sleep deprivation, Sadia was getting edgier with the cramped space that we took it as a signal to go home. In true fashion, we also joined her in the late afternoon kip and the ensuing heavy rain relieved us from the hitherto blistering heat. We woke up later than expected but turned out, everyone else were more or less late for the next venue owing to the pouring rain.

Some people already detained in Kampung Bharu due to the pelting rain had skipped the next open house on the agenda - my late grandauntie's place in Kampung Pandan - in order to help moving some furniture in case the rain flooded the first floor of the house.

Auntie Mi's specialty was Laksa Penang which was downed with gusto by all. I, for one, love her specially marinated fried chicken. (I'm a sucker for chicken dishes!) A foolish ghoulish Malay movie was playing, much to the delight of the young, anxious children present. Rain continued unabated by the time we left for the next house.

The rest of the people who couldn't make it to Kampung Pandan rendezvoused with us in Kajang, the late granduncle's place and the last house of the day at which we congregated for Maghrib prayers and dined on the Kajang household's specialties, one of which is the Satay Goreng.

Before adjourning en masse for our respective homes, the married adults distributed angpows with one another. Many thanks go to my enterprising aunt who willingly asked for a head count of children for each household that we visited!

In Ampang that night, we postponed packing for our Kuching-bound flight for the cosy bed had beckoned us to lie on it instead. We were beyond bushed. After all, with the flight at 2 p.m. surely there would be ample time to pack in the morning. Alas, we always forget the lessons of last-minute packing....

Deepavalli (Dis)Gorge

Addendum: This post is by no means an attempt to question a person's innate ability to handle a child. The lack of courtesy and politeness was more glaring than anything else.

Late afternoon on Deepavalli day, we were at my grandma's to celebrate three birthday of my young cousins - Nani who turned 18, Mimah 14 and Ameir 15. By the by, I forgot if I'd ever divulged that I ever that I, together with my twin and eldest sis, are the oldest cousins on the maternal side? For this teatime gathering, my two uncles invited their cousins, some of whom came all the way from Johor Bahru!

Two nights before that, we were in Isetan KLCC shopping for their birthday gifts during which my husband experienced a strange encounter in the toy section of Isetan.

While he handled Sadia there, I walked about scouring for suitable tops for my spring chicken-like, teenage cousins. Sadia was fiddling with the colourful, vibrant and interactive toys, when another boy came by with two able-bodied adults, who were enrapt in their conversation and left the boy to his own devices. Suddenly, the boy complained that he wasn't feeling so good and wanted to throw up. The two people continued confabulating and ignored the boy's repeated pleas for intervention.

And hurl he did! In copious amount close to where Sadia and hubby stood! Before hubby whisked Sadia away lest she would follow suit in regurgitating, he passed a small case of babywipes to the lady.

The lady responded in the oddest manner: "No, no, I am not the mother." The tone was emphatic. And no word of thanks was offered in turn.

What the heck??? Was she trying to reassure the man whom was present hat the boy was not hers? What gives?!

That was not the kind of reply you would expect after handing over your treasured ration of wet tissues to a total stranger. What does an unconditional gesture to help a sick boy has anything to do with her being a mother? It looks like either one of them was in charge of the boy at that point in time. So be responsible and clean up the mess! If you don't want to be accountable for the boy, don't be a temporary guardian in the first place! She was seen frantically calling someone up on the phone shortly thereafter.

My husband recounted the story after I joined them at the kiddies section. As we walked out of Isetan, I saw the lady again with her extended family (I'm sure they had come to the rescue) and she shot me a surly look.

"You're welcome" came to my lips but I don't think she speak human.

Candle-blowing and singing session

Mom with her cousin, Auntie Mi

Singing Re-take

Carrot Cake for Ameir & Chocolate Cake for Mimah and Nani

Shy niece, Piya with fiesty niece, Alya

Alya with affable brother Zaris

The one who always like to dress up ANY time of day, Elisa