June 19, 2007
· Filed under Personal Development
I turned 33 yesterday, 18th June 2007.
I suddenly feel so old…
After waking up at 4.00 a.m. in the morning as I usually do on work days, I suddenly felt so tired. Exhausted. I felt like I needed some rest. After much thought, I decided to take the day off. My kids were extremely happy when they woke up. Kakak asked me, ‘If you are on leave, why are you dressed so nicely?’ Adik simply couldn’t stop hugging me. Those words and gestures were the most precious birthday presents I could ever receive!
Anyway, as my husband was on the night shift, we decided to take the kids out for lunch at McDonalds. My husband bought me a VCD that I have been looking for the past few months. The title? Well, it is something that I want to keep to myself (mengada-ngada aje!). But when we got home, I had a bigger surprise. My parents came all the way from their home (which is basically about 10 minutes away from mine) to send me a birthday cake. It was a chocolate birthday cake, with a big “Happy Birthday” on it. I cried!
Turning 33 made me realize that I still have a lot of dreams that I want to fulfill in life. And I pray that Allah gives me the strength and guidance to move forward in life…
Happy Birthday to Me!
May 16, 2007
· Filed under Personal Development
It has been nearly one year since I wrote. No, I have not forgotten this blog, neither have I lost the interest to write. I just couldn’t find the time. That is a lame excuse I know, but that is just the truth. Maybe writing was not one of my priorities for the past few months. But I still want to continue this. I promised myself that I would start slow, maybe one entry a week would be good enough… I have also moved to wordpress.com. Blogger.com was an excellent tool, but I just wanted to try something new.
Well, I have so many things to write, that I don’t know where to start..
The most talked about thing now is the marriage of Perak’s (or maybe nation’s) most eligible bachelor, the Raja Muda Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah. As a Perakian, I am extremely happy that finally, he has decided to tie the knot. Most of us have been waiting to see who shall be his bride after all these years. He finally made his choice and the lady is Zara Salim Davidson. Eat your hearts out…. ladies! The guy’s taken! But it is funny though.. there was a time when I had a strong feeling that he would stay unmarried for the rest of his life. But alhamdulillah, the news brought smiles to everyone’s face. Finally, this brilliant graduate from Harvard is getting married. Congratulations Tuanku! Mabruk! I pray that you have an everlasting marriage!
My twins are turning four this August. How they have grown! But kakak is a bit smaller in size compared to adik. Kakak is about 17 kg now, while adik is almost 19 kg. We decided not to send them to preschool yet since they are still young and my parents were so against the idea. So, I started sending them to reading classes using the Bacalah Anakku concept, early this year. It went rather smoothly for the first three months. They were nearly completing Book 3 but kakak suddenly violently refuse going to school. You see, Kakak has a dislike towards strange men and the facilitator’s husband just happened to come back early that day. After a long discussion with my husband, we decided that maybe we should wait a little longer before we send them to any school
Other than that, I am enjoying my working life very much. Almost everyday, I am faced with a new challenge and I always get to learn new things. A supportive boss and some helpful friends really make a difference.
Anyway, just a thought for the day: Leslie Nelson once said, “Doing nothing is very hard to do – you never know when you’re finished
And I say, “Life is short. So, do something worthwhile!”
November 27, 2006
· Filed under Personal Development
I have been away from blogging for too long now. I have decided to attempt moving to WordPress. Bear with me while I update!
June 18, 2006
· Filed under Personal Development
I turned 32 today. Scary. And I decided to change the look of my blog to make it look pinkish (makes me feel younger.. hehe). This morning, my twins wished me… “Hepi Berday mama” (after their dad taught them) so that really made my day. As I am writing my blog now (it is 3.52 pm) the younger twin had just walked out of the room. :).
So, happy birthday to me. May the coming days make me a better person - an obedient servant of Allah, a loving daughter to my parents, a loving wife to my husband, a caring mother to my twins, and a trustworthy employee of my organization!!
February 15, 2006
· Filed under Personal Development
I miss writing. Lately, things have gotten so hectic that I leave office at 8 p.m. everyday. This is getting from bad to worse. Yesterday was the worst since my boss and I were stuck at the office until 9.00 p.m. trying to complete the presentation for the Board meeting which is today. And I am glad everything is over. Alhamdulillah. And I pray everything goes well today after all the hard work that we did. Hopefully the Board understands what we are trying to bring forward. Good Luck Boss.
Anyway, just to highlight that my last posting was on the 3rd of February, about 12 days ago. A lot of things have been happening since then. The first thing I remember - Anugerah Juara Lagu when Mawi won Best Performance and Best Song under the Etnik Kreatif category. My own personal feeling, his vocal improved tremendously. He is now more confident, and his dancing skills also improved. Congratulations Mawi.
My twin girls are now 2 years and 6 months. They are getting smarter now. They used to watch Barney only, but now they prefer Jurassic Park, and even Harry Porter. And I feel like such a lousy mom. I have been too busy with work, and I can only spend about 3 hours with them upon returning home from work. I try to spend more time with them during the weekend but then, my mind is too occupied with work that sometimes I miss what they are trying to say to me. They can say, “Mama, jalan baik-baik, nanti jatuh, sakit” (walk carefully or you’ll fall) or “Mama, minum duduk, jangan berdiri” (don’t stand while drinking) or “Mama, nak mandi swimming pool”. Allah.. they are growing up so fast that I am getting scared!! Abang has been working hard too. He even had to work last weekend as the auditors were at the office. So, I actually miss spending time together as a family.
Meanwhile I finished reading 3 novels last week. I find it hard to sleep now, so I try to read some novels to make me feel sleepy. But.. it doesn’t really help though. I have read Ramlee Awang Murshid’s Bagaikan Puteri, Izzul Izzati’s Bukan Cinta Biasa and Norhayati Berahim’s Dia Lebih Mengerti. I am getting hooked with Malay novels now so I am going to the bookshop again this weekend to get more books! :)!
And I hate work now. It is just so demanding. There are so many things to do, and yet everyone is expecting you to do everything. But I am surviving.
I also learnt something new… The Survival of Human Being is Not Determined by Its Strength, but Determined by Its Sensitivity to Changes.
January 8, 2006
· Filed under Family Ties, Love Matters, Personal Development, Raising Children
I felt so tired today. The twins were very active today, trying to get their dad’s and of course my attention. I kinda think that they miss us very much. They didn’t see much of their dad while I was away as they were at my parents’ house. We tried very much to give our fullest attention to them, and of course, I was nearly half asleep by the time I was trying to put them to bed. I wish I could make them understand how much I love them. Perhaps, one day… But for now, kakak and adik, mama and abah love you so very much!
Anyway, it is just two days before Hari Raya Aidil Adha. We haven’t done much though. My elder brother has gone back to Johor to my sis-in-law’s house, so our house will be quiet this year. I still have to work on Monday, and will only be off on Tuesday, so I guess nothing much can be done. The worst thing is, I may have to be at the office early in the morning of Tuesday as we are running some examinations. Darn!
My significant other has started his new job at a pharmaceutical company just 5 kms from my workplace. It is a good change for us.. driving to and from work, spending 40 whole minutes in the car without any disruptions. Alhamdullilah, I pray that everything goes smoothly for him this time.
I have set some goals this year, the two most important being striving to be a better mother and spend at least 3 hours of quality time with kakak and adik (we already have plans to start trying for another baby end of this year), and secondly, trying to lose all the weight that I have gained while pregnant with kakak and adik! I have some few others.. and this year, I have actually written down all my plans properly. So, hopefully it will work this time!
Allah.. Thank you for everything….
To all, Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha.
January 1, 2006
· Filed under Personal Development, Professionalism, Spiritual Wellbeing
My last four days was spent in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Just a few months ago, I was in Khartoum, Sudan. Sudan and Ethiopia is just next to each other geographically.. but there is such a vast difference in terms of culture, and surrounding. Addis is located about 2500 feet above sea level, so I had a shock upon arrival at the airport. The weather is so cool, and very refreshing.. and so unlike my imagination that all African countries are hot and dry. It was almost like Melbourne.
The first three days were spent completing the job that I was sent to do. It was pretty exciting, meeting new people, discussing about things and understanding how people work. And my last day was spent touring the city, shopping for things that are mostly cheaper than Malaysia. The driver took us to the highlands just to have a look at the scenery.. and Subhanallah! It was fantastic. I have never seen anything like that. Insya Allah, I will post some pictures later, once they are ready.
Ethiopians are mostly Christian Orthodox, and they have a different calendar from the rest of the world, and they celebrate Christmas on a different day. It was really interesting to see and observe what they do, and what their customs are.
And I cannot help but think of the Sudanese brothers and sisters whom I met while I was in Khartoum 3 months ago. Of course, Ethiopians are slightly more modern than the Sudanese, and the development in Addis is a lot more noticeable than in Khartoum. But who can forget seeing these people praying along the roadsides, reading Quran while waiting for the bus (and the security guards will always have a Quran in their hands and reading it while working) and screaming happily upon knowing that the next day is Ramadhan? Allah.. it was the best experience I ever had. Sudan is definitely a place I would like to go again if I have the opportunity. And the brotherhood in Islam.. you can really feel it there.
Regardless, it still feels good to be going back to Malaysia. I cannot wait to see my daughters!
November 29, 2005
· Filed under Personal Development
i. Away on business trip
Hah.. that was the reason why I couldn’t find the time to update my blog. I was outstationed last week on Thursday and Friday. Not far. Only to Kuala Lumpur. Well, it is considered far from where I live. Anyway, I left the kids with my mom since she doesn’t want to tag along. But my darling husband was there with me. We managed to catch up on a few things.. felt like it has been ages since we last went out for dinner, just the two of us.. without the kids. No doubt, they are always on our minds.. in fact, our conversations seem to concentrate on them. But then.. minus the screamings…. :)…
ii. My husband hates KL
He was always complaining. He’d rather stay in the hotel room for the whole day while I attended some meetings instead of going shopping. We were staying so close to KLCC, and yet he still wants to stay in the hotel. There was once when we went to have dinner at KLCC, after much arguing on where and what to eat we decided to get some noodles. That was when he quietly said to me, “I hate this place. Banyak maksiat.” I asked him, “What do you mean?” “For a guy, it is a big challenge to control his eyes. Semuanya terbuka.” Hmmm…..
iii. Somebody found out that I did not invite him for the small gathering
Ouch! This was what I dreaded. Silly me! How could I have invited someone from his department without inviting him?????? And I knew him much better than this other person that I actually invited. Sorry Mr Z. I will not forget to invite you the next time around (if I ever have one again!). Cooking for 30 was tough enough, I don’t know how one can manage cooking for 200+ people! (note to mardhiah12!)
iv. That time of the year - Appraisal!!!
Monday morning… Aghhhhhh! No mood to work. And suddenly I get a phone call from my boss.. “Can you see me at 11.30? I need to discuss your performance appraisal.” PANIC! But alhamdulillah.. the 1 hour 20 minute session went well. So, I am happy, and so is he!
November 22, 2005
· Filed under Personal Development
What a tiring weekend it was! I decided to organize a small gathering at my house on Sunday for some of my closest friends. My husband has advised me to limit the numbers to 30, or else he doesn’t think I could handle it. So, 30 it was. But then, when I tried to list the names down, the list went to over 100! I kept thinking to myself, if I invited A and not B, what would B say? Or if I invited C instead of D, would I lose a good friend? After doing a lot of thinking and pondering, I decided to cut off some names until the list got to 30.
The next question was, do I cater the food from outside, or do I cook the food myself? I love cooking, but I have never cooked for 30++ people. What do I do? I did some calculation, the difference between getting someone to cook for you and you cooking on your own was quite huge, so I decided to challenge myself to do it on my own. I started cooking on Saturday night, after Maghrib, slept at 2.30 a.m. and then woke up again at 6.00 to continue work.
And alhamdulillah.. it was a huge success. Everyone turned up, and they enjoyed the food. The only frustrating thing was that my beloved, darling twins suddenly decided to become shy and stayed in the room most of the time. When I tell them to come out of the room and say hello to mama’s friends… “Tak nak… takut…” (No… we’re scared..) Haha! The elder one looked so cute when she said that..
Thank you friends, for coming and being part of my most cherishable moments in life.
October 29, 2005
· Filed under Personal Development
Alhamdulillah.. All praises are for Allah…
Things have improved significantly these past two days. The earlier confrontation actually did a lot of good, and now, things are getting back to normal. Allah.. Thank you…
Anyway, Ramadhan is coming to an end.. I just cannot believe how fast time flies. In a few days, all Muslims brothers and sisters will be celebrating Eid-ul-Fitri. I have taken a long break this time, and altogether, I will be with my family for 11 days. Cool.. (although I did take home with me a significant amount of office work to be completed over these 11 days!)
The last day at work yesterday wasn’t very productive at all for me. I spent half of the day clearing my mailbox, and the rest of the day packing up things. I guess everyone was in the mood for a holiday anyway.. We had a meeting early in the morning but the boss was in a terrible mood, so he was rather annoying. I just had to brush aside all that he said, and just agreed with whatever he said. After the meeting, I realized that I really deserve this long break from work!
I will not be updating this blog for sometime I guess.. no.. I will be updating this blog when I find the time over this holiday season..
Till then… enjoy.
