we have to say Goodbye...

It is so hard to say goodbye to our old apartment. So many memories, sweet and sad. We have hosted so many event. My parents, my brother and his family, came and stayed. It has been 21 months. But, nothing last forever in this world right. Kalau tak kerana sewanya yang ridiculous, we would definately will stay on until I complete my study......




So long, farewell, old apartment....may the new tenant take good care of you....


p.s. In the bus, on the way to my office, I will pass by this apartment. Masih lagi sayu bila nengoknye...

it's Cleaning time

On Sunday we came back to the old apartment for clean up. We were given a list by the rental agent of things that we need to do before vacating the property. Banyak benda nak kena buat, tapi kena buat, because it is one of the requirement to claim back your bond. Lagipun tak nak ada bad record, mana tau lepas nie kena pindah rumah lagi.


We completed all the tasks; scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming, wiping, reinstore or changing, etc. We started at 9.30am, ended at around 3pm. Actually, the initial plan was not to immediately vacate the old apartment. Our contract ends on 17 of January. When our application on the new apartment was approved, we don't mind paying the rent for both apartments, bleh la kalau nak cover for a few weeks. Sebenarnya boleh kalau nak break lease, but we want to keep everything simple, yela kalau nak break lease nak kena carik orang for replacement. End up if you couldn't find any, still you have to continue paying the rent. So we have plan our budget, and we can afford for a couple of weeks, jadi takpe la kalau pay for both apartments. Maybe we could make the old one as a transit accommodation for the newly arrival.


However, there was a last minute change. Our agent called us up one day and asked us whether we could vacate the property as soon as we want too, so that he can move in a tenant. Our new apartment is also under the same agent (we assumed this was one of the reason our application was approved immediately). Apparently, the agent need to remove the tenant from the place he was currently renting due to some renovation work. We agreed to that. Tu yang terus bersih segala tu, except for 1 thing. We couldn't hire a carpet cleaning service because they were already booked up until new year. Carpet cleaning by professional cleaner is one of the requirement for vacating, it applys to all rental agency. Kalau ada pet, kena hire professional fumigation lagi. Since, there were non carpet cleaning professional available, and because the new tenant need to move in before Xmas eve, jadinya, carpet tak dapat dicuci laaa... The agent will arrange for carpet cleaning service later.

So, when all the cleaning activity was done, sedih pulak nak meninggalkan this old apartment. Banyak kenangan weh....

(It's Cleaned and Empty......)


sobs.....

Salam Maal Hijrah 1430

Tahun berganjak lagi. Semoga hari-hari mendatang memberi makna yang besar dalam diri kita.



Salam Maal Hijrah dari kami.

the busiest weekend

....it was busy and tiring weekend, but the payoff overcomes the fatigueness we had. On that Saturday, I woke up early, made scramble eggs, just eggs no toast no sausages, for breakfast. We have stop stocking up food to make the moving more easier. Itupun dah berbakul-bakul of food we kept in our neighbour's refrigerator (tumpang sat, nak pindah fridge kene tutup kan). After breakfast, we went to Kmart to get some new light bulbs. We need to change some of the burn out light bulbs before vacating the unit. We came home, and continue packing while waiting for the movers.

Exactly at 10am we heard someone calling at the door. I opened the door and saw a couple, a man and a woman, beaming at me. The man gave salam, but I didn't hear it, so he repeated the salam, and then I asked him, "Sorry, are you a muslim?". Oh, at that time I didn't realise I was harsh. Tengah kalut-kalut nak pindah, my brain can't process faster. And with that kalutness, I forgot to reply his salam correctly. So I just ignore it, but luckily no offense taken by the other party, but instead he continued by saying, "I read the Quran". Semoga terbuka la hatinya iya, InsyaAllah. Sib baik la atang layan dia ngan soal jawab pasal Islam sikit2.

Anyway, this couple worked, I tell you, damned quick. They came inside the house, looked around, and figure out how to fit our things inside their van. Yes, they transported our things by using just one van. Our bulky items include washing machine, dryer, fridge, a sofa bed, a queen size bed, mattresses, bookshelf, 4 tables, 1 coffee table, a few side tables and some chairs. Plus, we have tens of boxes. Both of them were talking to each other, planning what will go first and what will go last. Took them 3 trips to have everything moved. The lady is so exhausted after the second trip, mind you we lived at 2nd floor, luckily our new unit is only located on the first floor, and has direct access from the road. Penat seh!!.. Me and atang also made a number of trips to move small things like plates, clothes, food stuff etc. Dengan panas terik lagi, it is summer, we drank glasses and glasses of cold water.

(furnitures yang berteraburan..... during this time the movers were on their way to our new apartment...the first trip)

Even when the couple finished removing all the bulky items plus all the boxes, we still have some unpacked items. So atang called up a friend for help. It was ended at 4pm. Ohhh masa tu dah tak larat dah. Sengal, semput, denyut-denyut semua ada. But I can't see things unpacked, especially clothings and kitchen stuff and food. So I continue unpacking, and finally I called it a day at around 10pm...... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....tido mati malam tu.....

(nie kat apartment baru....)

1 year old

According to Islamic Calendar, Athirah is 1 year old today. She was born on the 26 of Zilhijjah 1428.



Happy Birthday my little princess, Nur Siti Athirah.

Prologue: The moving

Alhamdullillah, we have settle down in our new place. Phewww... what a day we had, opppsss 3 days actually, moving, unpacking, cleaning, rearranging, shopping, discarding, yadayadayada .

Am still feeling tired and sleepy while typing this... got to have some coffee..... planning to spend the day writing some stories for next week....bilo la nak abis tulis report nie oiii!!.... well can't do that right, my brain refuse to work today ahaks.... Anyway, will be in the office even on Xmas day (dah bukan hari kita kan, buat ape nak cuti) only.... but not on boxing day, yeah!!

I need some caffein right now (mana kupi aik cheong ku?!!)......

BRB

(update @ 11.28am : alamak baru perasan, tinggal sorang2 kat ofis, pagi tadi ada sorang minah, la nie dah ilang.... ofis nie aku yang punya...yah yah!!)

Nil by Mouth

I came to know this group when they came to Malaysia. Bought their cassette, but it is now broken, having played them repeatedly. Been searching for the CD for quite sometime (sape tau Tower Record kat KLCC dah pindah kat mana, ke gulung tikar terus??), and finally I found one (and the only one, as if waiting for me) at the CD shop at Adelaide St. Enjoy the vids by this kiwi band.

(Rating M+18, for mature audience, it contains coarse language, I recommend adult supervision, hehehe....kat sini TV station akan bagi warning lebih kurang camnie la utk bagitau rating)

Veni, Vidi, Vici

These are what I bought;

The Fray : Hit song "over my head (the cable car)". I have posted their video clip months ago.



Blindspott : Hit song "Nil by mouth".



Anyone knows how to crack CD code so that I can save it to my laptop? Coz I can't dload Blindspott album (even play it on any media player). U know they used to secure CD with special code, but not anymore. Blindspott album was release in year 2002, so at that time CD is protected from being copy. I usually dload CD using realplayer. But can't do that with Blindspott. I need to dload this to my Sony walkman...SOS.

Rock or Metal ... which one is the hardest?

Our mission at Queens Street Mall is to find rock band t-shirts for atang's friend. We went to music/CD shops, and found two shops that sell anything that relates to rock and metal. One shop located at Adelaide St, same row with JB Hi Fi, near city hall, sell not just CDs and t-shirts but also LP, DVD, VHS, gothic clothing, boots, accessories etc.





The shop is located on 1st level . We came across this shop by the displayed t-shirts and that black dress, plus Led Zeppelin blaring from the stereo. Atang was at first reluctant to go up, because he thought it is just a tattoo shop. But I persuaded atang to go and have a look. And we did. But then, standing in front of the shop, we stop and discussed whether we should go in or not. Because, the interior of the shop is a bit gloomy, not enough light coming in for the windows are drapped with fabric posters/banners of rock bands. At the far side of the shops, there sat rows of boots; high boots with high platform and high heel; gothic clothing. When I peeked inside (yes we were still wondering whether to go in or not, we were like underaged children... ahahahah), I saw on the left, a glass cabinet, displaying dagger, knife, and other rock band accessories. But again we did walked inside, or else I would be regretted because.......

The second shop is located at Queens St. opposite Myer Centre. This one is ok, but not a lot of stuff in compare to the one at Adelaide St. The t-shirts are limited to only some specific bands.

I bought 2 CDs from the first shops.... Atang?? He bought some CDs at JB Hi Fi, unfortunately no t-shirts. A gainer for me, a failure for atang.

more pictures in our fotopages

10Q Ms Taj

Kerna bagi award ini...



Ms Taj, kite pun suke baca blog awak... and thank you for spending ur time reading my celoteh and also i appreciate all ur notes :D

OK..kite pun nak recycle award nie. So the award goes too....drum roll please

Kawan sepersekolahan ku kat jasin, cik Liza sebab dia supermum
Mommy Lily dan Farihah sebab gigih menulis blog selepas dirampas haknya
Blog buddy nun kat JB, si Iszan yang ada 2 personaliti tu
Kawan seperkuliahan ku dolu2, Iza, ada aje idea business dia (dah jejak bumi Mesia elum??)

We are moving...

...to a new apartment this weekend. Yup, we have found a new place, 2 bedroom apartment or known as a unit, a bit smaller than the current one, but a lot cheaper. We could save about AD100 p/w with the new apartment.

So we are now busy packing. We have packed almost 60% of our stuff, sold and gave away some of the unnecessary furniture.

This is Yaya's room, there used to be a queen size bed in this room. We bought it last year for mak and abah when they came to take care of us during my confinement.

We have already made arrangement with the movers. Oh am a bit emotional of leaving this apartment, our first home in Brisbane.

Will be very busy this weekend and probably a few days after that. May have problem with the internet connection due to the moving. Regardless, I have created some entries for next week. Have a great weekend kengkawan. Jaga diri, jaga kesihatan.

Rindu yang sarat

Rindu pada anak-anak, tidak dapat diukur....

Those who have kid will understand this feeling. My sis and bro in law went to Mak house recently to visit yaya n thirah. Unfortunately, yaya was not around at that time, for she was in KL with my sistah.


Atang has been waiting for the latest pictures of thirah for long. Finally my SIL, so sweet of her, took some pictures of thirah, and sent them to us.

I used to call up yaya n thirah every other day, but since yaya is still a little bit sad, Mak advised me to not call them too often. So I just call them twice a week. Nonetheless, whenever I called them up, yaya will always say, repeatedly, "Mama buat kerja fast ke slow?", "Bila mama nak balik?", "Kak Long good girl". Ohhhh sayu je dengar everytime I hear these sentences.

As for Thirah, lately she doesn't want to hear me. Before, she would allow Mak to put the receiver at her ear, but nowadays she refuse it, even pushes it away. Atang said she is missing something, but she doesn't know what. Am a bit devastated, but I don't let it carry away. It won't do me any better anyway. Need to focus and progressing, so that I can successfully complete my study, and back in their arm for good.

According to Mak, thirah is learning to stand on her own. Soon she will walk. Thirah is now 11 months 2 weeks. Only a couple more weeks to her first birthday. InsyaAllah, we will be in Malaysia to celebrate her birthday, and also Yaya's first day at school. Yaya is attending year 1 next year.

We miss thirah and yaya dearly, an unbearable feeling that sometimes atang and me refuse to talk about.

@ the Queen Street Mall

We went to Queen Street Mall to find rock band T-shirts for atang's friend. Parking fee is free on Saturday and Sunday, however, it is not easy to find a spot, and with the Xmas and New Year sale, it will be more difficult. Once we have to circle around the city nearly an hour to find a parking space. And that was just normal weekend. Although atang never favor riding a bus (he is the type who could easily get car-sick), he would rather took the bus than wasting time locating an available spot.

I did wrote about Queen St. in one of my entry. I copied this from http://www.answers.com/queen%20street%20mall
"The Queen Street Mall is a mall on Queen Street in the centre of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Brisbane's predominant retail district, featuring shopping centres, hotels, restaurant and coffee shops, cinemas, clothing, music, jewellery and book stores, newsagencies, and banks. The mall attracts 26 million visitors a year. ^"

(tambahan: Queen St nie lebih kurang macam BB Walk n Jonker Walk)





You can find designer clothes (Guess?, Jac Eu, RL, Crocodile, Gucci, etc.) and labeled goods and cosmetics (Strandbags, Body Shop, etc.) here. A shopping heaven for shopaholic, and a good place for window shopping and hang out for the rest.



On Saturday and Sunday, there are also street performer everywhere; musician, mimer, acrobat, you named it. And they all have license to perform at the street. Kiranya they are not beggers. Some even have professional certificate. Some are school children, performed for charity.



I pass this street, or even walk down this street, every morning on the way to the office. Tu yang pagi-pagi buta cuci mata, looking at designers handbag, shoes and clothes display at the glass window. Ahahahahaha... 1 good morning excersice for your eyes. Shops are open at 9am. Except for coffee shops and juice stands. Oh, my fav smoothies stand is located at this street as well. More pictures in our fotopages.

We went to two CDs and video shops. One was hardcore, atang and me have to think twice whether to go inside or not. Luckily we did, or else I will never find the thing I have been searching for months. More story to come.

Lunch with old buddies

Last Monday morning, I received a text message from Halida, that read, "Selamat hari raya aidiladha sweeties :) wanna hve coffee on tuesday b4 everyone leave 4 holiday?"

and I replied, "Salam aidil adha halida. Coffee,why not, but am available after 10am".

We have been waiting for a long time to get together for coffee to catch up things. Unfortunately everybody is so dead busy with the research, and we couldn't find time that fits everybody, until last Tuesday. But instead of meeting at a cafe, Sabrina invited us for lunch at her apartment. That was more than perfect. With wonderful food (Sabrina is a great cook), nice and cosy place, what more one can expect. So we can talk as much as, and as uncontrollable as we want too....ahahaha

Halida and me, met up at Adelaide st., and took the 199 bus to Sabrina apartment. Upon arrival, we quickly sat around Sabrina dinner table, and had our lunch, while chatting. There was an awkward moment at first, just a few minutes hanging, everybody was trying to start a conversation (or probably everybody was too hungry), until Sabrina said, "Sooo....." Ahaks...then everybody began chatting, gossiping, laughing, catching up on things. When 3 very stressful, underpressure ladies met, there were loads of things to talk about. But we don't talk about research. No no... we talk about life, friendship and relationship.

Then came the photo session. Everybody was smiling. It was a happy moment. Away from all

the thinking, writing, researching....away from all the madness of studying.

We had a great time, or at least I am. So happy to see Sabrina and Halida. Halida will be going home to Brunei soon, for good. Wish the three of us will meet again, in the future. All the best for all of you, Sabrina and Halida. InsyaAllah we will succeed.

[repost]

p/s: I have post this entry in my FB, and Sabrina have left a comment and I've posted below

Sabrina Amir (Queensland Tech) wrote at 12:16pm (today)

"oohh.... i almost have tears in my eyes reading this.. time flies...we met almost 2 years ago... and we were so busy with our own world(s)... that conversations were always via ym or sms... i had a great time since the last makan makan ages ago...(that was before your kids went home, halida was burried in her chapters, and i was struggling with my data). we shld do it again, at least one time before halida goes back for good in jan!"

note: "Best friends (friends who really understand you) are out there, only you have to find them yourself"

Am on the green

I have lawn bowls training today. It looks like it is going to pour soon. Hopefully I have at least 1 hour of training today.

Have a great weekend kengkawan. Spend your time with your loves one. You don't know when the opportunity will come again.

Jom buat backup

Awal pagi nie baca komen mommylily kat blog VP dan entry pasal lilred kat blog redmummy rasa seriau. Pagi-pagi buta tu juga la den buat backup blog nie. Oh takkan dapat dibayangkanlah macammana kalau benda nie terjadi kat diri sendiri. Semua memori kat bumi Brisbane nie, walau tak semua, ada kat sini.

Jadi dari website redmummy juga, saya peroleh link untuk membuat backup blog. Jadi kengkawan, segera buat backup ya. Harap dapat membantu.

https://blogbackupr.com/ (rasa dia buat text backup aje, tak jumpe sebarang option utk imej etc.)

http://www.httrack.com/ (bagus kalau nak buat mirror, bleh browse blog offline)

http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2007/02/how-to-backup-blogger-blog.html


http://lifehacker.com/software/backup-utilities/ask-lifehacker--how-do-i-back-up-my-blog-135418.php

ikut aje arahan yang diberikan ya.

p.s.: abaikan ayat skema tu.... eheheheheh.... ada sobab den nulis dlm BM nie..ahahahahha

Mak's 'simple' cake recipe

I recently baked a cake for al adha celebration (in addition to the oxtail soup) and brought it to the office to share with collegues. It was Mak's recipe, with no specific name, and we usually called it simple orange cake. I once baked it for thirah's nanny and wrote about it in this entry, but no recipe attached (Ani the nanny are now safely back in her home town, Lombok, Bali....we sent her off last Sunday, so sad and mandom watching the family leave).

The cake was one of the qualifying cooking evaluation that Mak had tested on me (ala kira pass masak utk survive laaaa). Mak is particular when it comes to cooking and cleaning. I remember in my adolescence years, everytime when Mak started cooking in the kitchen, she would called out to me to help her, eventhough I was in the middle of my school work, or practicing the organ. No compromise. Sometimes it did got irritating, and many times I walked into the kitchen with the long face and stomping my feet, showing resentment. And Mak would always said this in response, "Mak buat nie is for your own good" (her exact word). Mak was actually trained that way by her mother (my grandma) when she was young, far younger than me when I started training by Mak (and only using the 'dapur kayu').

But soon I get used to it, and it taught me a lot about discipline and at the same time I learnt to cook. It was hard at first (hard when you not agreeing to it that kinda feeling), but I never regret it. In fact, I will do the same way with my daughters.

Ok back to the purpose of this entry. One of my best bud requested the recipe. And am delighted to share with you the recipe.

Mak's simple cake:

Ingredients:
6 oz of butter
6 oz of caster sugar
6 oz of self-rising flour
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence (optional. couldn't find non-alcohol essence in Brisbane)
1 orange (squeeze the juice and strained. 'sagat' the orange skin for frangrant, sikit udah) as
alternative, you can use about 1-2 tbs of orange juice (agak2 la ye)

Method:
1. Beat the sugar and butter until soft.
2. Break 1 egg, and beat softly. Then break another egg and beat softly. Repeat this
until all eggs are gone.
3. Then pour in the orange juice and the orang skin and the essence.
4. Mix in the flour, a little by little (and make sure you are mixing it in one way, and always anti- clockwise)
5. Forgot to mention, you need to preheat the oven (eheheheh).
6. Baked for 1 hour (it depends on your setting). I set my oven at 180deg, fan-forced.
7. After 1 hour is up, test the cake by inserting a butter knife in the middle of the cake. If the knife come up clean, than the cake is cook.
8. Let it cool down a bit...and then.... apa lagi..makan laa (I like to eat it while it is hot).


(gambar recycle)

Yummy...

p/s: Saya aritu guna 1 block of butter, which is 250gm. 250gm = 8 oz. Timbang gula n tepung sama ngan sukatan butter. Telur tu kurang kan 2 biji (8 oz butter = 6 biji telur).

Why Not!!

am now officially a member of ..... tet tetetet (sound of a trumpet)



I have temporary stop playing this game since 2006 (sibuk prepare nak sambung belajar). And now, at least twice a week I will be wasting at least 2 hours on the green. Mau terbakar main during summer nie, but I tell you, it is hard to stop when you have began.

Any of you guys have a hint of what it is?

Eid Al-Adha

Assalamualaikum,

This year we celebrate eid al adha on 9th December 2008 (though a small community in Brisbane celebrated on 8th December), one day later than Malaysia. I have a meeting this morning, so am not able to perform the eid salat. No special dish, except for an oxtail soup to be eaten with nasi impit or mihun (I told you nothing special right).

Again to all, Salam Eid al Adha.

p/s: terdengar-dengar suara takbir 3 hari berturut-turut di Malaysia, indahnya.

Salam Eid al-Adha

Salam Eid al-Adha to all Muslim.



Would like to share an article about Eid al-Adha
(ref: http://islam.about.com/od/hajj/a/adha.htm)

What is Eid al-Adha
At the end of the Hajj (annual pilgrimage to Mecca), Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice). In 2008, Eid al-Adha will begin on approximately December 8th, and will last for three days.

What does Eid al-Adha commemorate?
During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of the Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:

"Surely Abraham was an example, obedient to Allah, by nature upright, and he was not of the polytheists. He was grateful for Our bounties. We chose him and guided him unto a right path. We gave him good in this world, and in the next he will most surely be among the righteous." (Qur'an 16:120-121)

One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of Allah to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to Allah's will. When he was all prepared to do it, Allah revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superceded all others, that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Why do Muslims sacrifice an animal on this day?
During the celebration of Eid al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by themselves slaughtering an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith.

Allah has given us power over animals and allowed us to eat meat, but only if we pronounce His name at the solemn act of taking life. Muslims slaughter animals in the same way throughout the year. By saying the name of Allah at the time of slaughter, we are reminded that life is sacred.
The meat from the sacrifice of Eid al-Adha is mostly given away to others. One-third is eaten by immediate family and relatives, one-third is given away to friends, and one-third is donated to the poor. The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow Allah's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from Allah, and we should open our hearts and share with others.

It is very important to understand that the sacrifice itself, as practiced by Muslims, has nothing to do with atoning for our sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin. This is a misunderstanding by those of previous generations: "It is not their meat nor their blood that reaches Allah; it is your piety that reaches Him." (Qur'an 22:37)

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the Straight Path. Each of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A true Muslim, one who submits his or herself completely to the Lord, is willing to follow Allah's commands completely and obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

What else do Muslims do to celebrate the holiday?
On the first morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims around the world attend morning prayers at their local mosques. Prayers are followed by visits with family and friends, and the exchange of greetings and gifts. At some point, members of the family will visit a local farm or otherwise will make arrangements for the slaughter of an animal. The meat is distributed during the days of the holiday or shortly thereafter.

Crash! Boom! Bang!... Sulk!!

That is what I feel right now (since yesterday). My best buddy has decided to die on me. I have tried all it takes to revive him. But finally I have to admit that it is beyond my skill to do it. So I have to leave it to the expert, my good friend Wawa. Wawa has in fact been helping me with the rescuing remotely, but again, though I was guide by an expert, my ill knowledge of doing it, plus no experience, in the end has caused the machine to succumb.

Oh I am in no mood right now. I have lost a dedicated machine, in my own hand. I can't think straight right now, even while typing this. So difficult to come up with the right words. I feel I have lost touch, writer's block...so in pain. I am typing this entry on atang's laptop, and though it was mine before, yet it feel strange, now that I am so used with my best buddy.

I am in mourning........

Krispy Kreme

Dah lama tak citer pasal Halal food kat sini. Well, we have not visited any new outlet lately. But I have a few halal food to add in the "Halal food list" that I will republish after this entry.


Yummy

I was introduced with Krispy Kreme by an arab research student. When I asked him whether the donut contain any non-halal ingredients, he said he was not sure about Krispy Kreme donut in Australia. He bought the donut because it has franchise in Saudi Arabia. But he offered to send email to the customer centre to ask about the ingredients.

Later, he called me and said that Krispy Kreme Australia has replied to his email. In the email, the manager said that they have halal certificate for all their donut. Another halal donut in town. Alhamdullillah.

42 years of loving and devotion

Annoucing the 42nd Anniversary for the most loving couple on the earth

A special dedication to 2 important person in my life. Without them, I am not where I am now. And without them, I am not sure I can face all the circumstances, the hardship that I have went through. They have always, always been there for me (and to my sistah and brother too). They have been very supportive, understanding and provide all the caring and loving that one can never imagine. Yup they are my parents, my Mak and Abah.



To Abah and Mak, you are our mentor. Thank you for everything. Oh, I always have this 'lost of words' situation whenever I try to write about my family.

HAPPY 42nd ANNIVERSARY ABAH AND MAK

p/s: When I mentioned to atang, yesterday, about mak n abah's anniversary. He said, "eh betul ke?". I was like, ya!! (as if you don't know). And then he said, "Mak n ayah's anniversary is today"(2nd Dec). What!! You have never mention about this before. Yup, I just found out about my PIL wedding anniversary after 7 years of marriage. And we have been celebrating Mak and Abah's anniversary before we got married. And yet atang never mention about his parents wedding anniversary to me.

And it just came up from nowhere. Yes my mistake, I never ask atang about it. But knowing atang, it will be useless, because he has this difficulty of remembering dates, especially his siblings birthday (oh! he will kill me if he reads this). But he always remember my birthdate, our dotting daughters' birthdates and the most important date, our anniversary. In contrast I still, sometimes, forget about our anniversary date. I still need to refer to the calendar in order to not miss it (ooohhh sometimes I buat2 lupe ahahhaha). Not to worry because I have somebody who will remind me of that date. Oh melalut dah...

To Mak and Ayah, Happy Belated Anniversary (I guess it was the 34th anniversary).

Happy vs Sad

The "smiling face" on the sky yesterday, has turned to "sad face" today. Atang managed to take some pictures of it (credit to atang for the superb picture because he was using the SE k770 to take this).





Nampak sedih kan. Or is it just my eye playing trick on me (if yes, I am not the only one).



Look at this, I put yesterday picture and today side by side. Can you see the different?

SubhanAllah... mungkin ini peringatan (tegak bulu roma den).

p/s: ms taj, mungkin yang dibincangkan semalam ada betulnye :D

Movie : "Sepi"

One day, a friend of mine wrote on her FB status about "Sepi". She just finish watching it and recommend the movie to her friends. I asked my friend who are in the movie. Upon knowing that one of the actor is Afdlin, I became tempted to watch it. But downloading task is never my liking. However, I know a person who his hobby is to download movies. To make the story short, I managed to cilok the movie and watch it.



I like the starting part, lepas tu, terus rasa boring. Tapi nak tengok gak ending dia, but I don't want to skip any part, no no. Jadi dengan penuh kesabaran, ku nonton gak sampai abis.

Tak suke la watak Afdlin dalam nie. Emotionally, I don't feel sad at all, because most of time I was critisizing the character. Patut la ada orang cakap, "nie bukan cerita melayu nie". I agree with that statement, sebab banyak perkara yang bukan budaya kita.

And that is what I feel about the movie.

Movie : "P.S. I Love You"

Another ketinggalan zaman thing, I know you guys have watch this movie. Thanks to iza for giving me the idea to watch this movie. It is a romantic-comedy genre, am sure many of you like this movie. Tangkap leleh juga la den...ahahahhaha....

This is the first time I watch Hillary Swank acting in this type of movie. I only knew Swank from "The Next Karate Kid", "Million Dollar Baby", "Boys Don't Cry" and "The Gift". Swank's character in these movie are aggresive, troubled and boyish. So I was suprised seeing Swank in "PS I Love You". Half way through the movie, I realised, Swank looked like someone familiar, but I couldn't figure it out until I was talking to atang about the movie the next day (I watched the movie without atang). When I said the main actor is Swank, he couldn't believe at first, because he thought it was Jennifer Garner on the cover. *tiingg*, yes Jennifer Garner, no wonder Swank looked like someone familiar. Seriously, I think, Swank acting like Garner. Or maybe that is Swank way. What do you think?

Again, I am not good at evaluating a movie. My opinion, Ok laaa movie nie. But for a romantic comedy, still can't beat Pretty Woman and Wicker Park. That's my benchmark.



To those yang belum nengok...gi la nengok. Sediakan kotak tisu ye.

"Moon, Venus and Jupiter align for 'smiley face'"

Nie gambar asal (gi sini utk maklumat lengkap; credit to Geoff Kirton).





Nampak tak yg dlm bulatan tu


Crop sikit, kasi nampak dengan jelas.

SubhanAllah.

p/s: Jambatan tu nama dia Story Bridge. Memang fofular kalau nak ambil gambar Brisbane city, Brisbane skyscrapers, terutama sekali waktu malam.

update on 6.30am, Tue 2/12: Based on the feedbacks received from a network of friends @FB (on my friend's wall actually :D), some people in Malaysia (PD, KLIA) were lucky to witness this miracle. Oh I forgot to mention that I MISSED it!!! Blame it on the tree that was blocking my view (biasa la teori bangau).

Approaching summer

pheww....after the raining episode in Brisbane, it is getting warmer nowadays . Bright and sunny, with average temperature 27 deg C, yup that is a sign that summer is approaching.

Besides the obvious change of the temperature, I can list 10 things that mark the pre-summer season:

1. The sun will rise as early as 5 am. 6 o'clock here is similar to 9 am in Malaysia.

2. Daytime is getting longer. Fajr starts at 4.40am and Maghrib is approaching 6.30pm today, during winter it was around 5.10pm.

3. All sort of insects are out, flies (big and small), roaches (I hate roaches), ants (yes, this is common sight during the hot weather).

4. I bathe twice a day now.

5. Some people who have sensitive skins will get itchy due to dry skin (masa winter kering dia lain, summer lain pulak). Now I know why there are a variety of moisturisers on the shelf. Must always apply lip balm, moisturiser, sun block before going out (and this applies to man too). But I only used Palmer's cocoa butter, it works for me. Oh yes, don't forget shades (sunglasses, hat, cap, etc.)

6. If you go to the market, you will see many types of berry, going cheap, eg. cherries, blue berry, strawberry...yummy.

7. People starts planning for holidays and BBQing.

8. The surrounding is getting quiet, campuses are on break (except for summer classes). You can see students carry their suitcases everywhere, looking for a temporary place to stay, or going somewhere for the holiday .

9. Holiday promotion/package advertisements everywhere.

10. Stores are promoting/selling air cooling goods/equipment/products.

OK that's what I can think of right now.