When we first came in 2004, nothing much was around here. Mostly empty shoplots, with a clinic and a laundromat. Fortunately for us, Kijal does embrace progress, albeit slowly. The shoplots in front of Awana now house 2 laundromats, a Cafe, KFC, sundryshop and a Steak House. Within 20 minutes drive there is a Mesra Mall and a Giant Hypermarket with the surrounding area earmarked to be the next Nilai 3.
Day 1
Arrived at 11 pm after 7 hours traveling from Mak Tok and Tok Ayah's house in Tanah Merah. Dinner in Marang, followed by supper of jagung bakar at the roadside. Tired and full, sleep was peaceful.
Day 2
Pool duty after breakfast. Met fellow Petronita, Suhaila by the poolside. We meet almost every year at the pool corner. Since we are both teachers and our husbands are collegues, catching up is effortless. Lunch at KFC.
Contrary to "popular" belief, tagging along hubby who is on a tight work schedule isn't all rounding-up the kids and planning for the next meal and bath time. Sometimes when the older kids are engrossed with their electronic gadgets, and the smaller ones taking nap, I simply sneaked out and take a walk along the beach. Me and my thoughts, alone and blissful. I could just sit there, looking at the great ocean and let the time slip by.
Day 3
Pool duty after breakfast. Earlier than Suhaila and her kids today. Read Surah Al-Kahfi on my Tab, while keeping one eye on the kids in the pool. Isn't technology great?
During nap time, I sneaked out to the gym. I stopped by at the gym yesterday but couldn't make myself work out alongside with the buff men there. That's me being modest. But not today. I already wallopped nasi dagang, fried noodles, pancakes and pastries. (And that's just for breakfast). So step aside Ms Modesty, this Mom-of-6 needs to burn her excess.
Late afternoon, I got to spend an hour on the beach with Iman, Dayana, Izzah and Ryan.Sarah and Daddy joined us a bit later. Dinner was in Mesra Mall. Sarah and her nasi goreng kampung. Iman, Dayana and Izzah : nasi ayam. Daddy and me had Nasi Kukus Paka.
Day 4
Rain and more rain. No pool duty. I'd love to spend another hour under the duvet. But the little voice inside me reminds me to think mature and act responsible. So off to gym I go, while kids are still in their own dream world.
Only two machines were occupied. Great. I spent 30 minutes on a treadmill and 10 on a stationary bike. Burnt 250 kcal there, equivalent to 2 buttered toast (?!). Not bad eh.. fora 41-y-o makcik on vacation. At the risk of looking too buff, I did some reps on the weight-training machine and fiddled with the dumb bells.
Daddy doesn’t have to go out to Kertih today. Instead, he's giving his talk right here in the hotel lobby. That means we get to meet him at lunch break and I have a car at my disposal for the whole day. But what good is a car when there's a hailstorm outside. On the news, it is reported that hundreds are being evacuated from Kuala Terengganu and the surrounding flood areas. I don't feel like driving, anyway.
Dinner is at the Awana Ballroom. It's Wednesday; barbeque night. Live performance by The New Joy Band, featuring singers Sara and Adnan. I think they are married, and I hope for their sakes, to each other.
Dinner was a great selection of meats; chicken, beef, lamb and mutton, choice of sate, sausages of varying sizes, assortment of gravy, rice, noodles, pasta and potatoes, and an array of to-die-for desserts. Alas, there's no point in crying over spilled milk. Damage done. Verdict: Ate too much. Defense: temporary insanity (makan tak ingat dunia). Sentence: weight-lifting for the next 365 days. (yeah.. right).
Day 5
It doesnt really matter how much I ate last night, I'm still very hungry in the morning. But, at the very least, during breakfast this morning, I managed to walk past the pastry corner, and straight to nasi lemak section.
Keeping Ryan company at the playroom, while Sarah, Iman, Dayana and Izzah play in the pool. Still raining. Daddy attends the RITEF seminar closing ceremony here in the hotel, and finishes at 3. Not going to the gym today, but found other equally strenuous way to burn the calories. Went to Mesra Mall for late lunch. Dinner at the Zara's Cafe. Love the som tham.
Day 6
Start packing. Kids still want their pool time, this time with Daddy holding the camera in the water with them. Strolling on the beach with Daddy and Ryan, while the girls shower and change into traveling clothes.
Off to Gombak to visit Kushairy. Family dinner, doubles as celebration dinner for Iman who scored 5As in the UPSR, at Ayam Penyet Sri Gombak. Sent Kushairy back to his hostel, and pushed off to Wardah's house in PJ. Arrived just before midnight.
Day 7
Woke up hungry (what else is new?). Grazed the candies and cookies that were put strategically on the dining table. Read the paper while waiting for everyone else to wakeup. Still news on the big bad flood on the east coast. (Thousands have now been evacuated). Real breakfast was roti canai and curry, eating with Wardah, Nasa and their children, Danial, Syamil and Elsa. Went out strolling and shopping at The Curve shortly before noon. Pit stop at McDonald's. Real lunch with Wardah and family at a Yemen Restaurant, Restoren Nakheed Hadramawt in Kota Damansara. Neither Daddy nor me could pronounce the menu, so Wardah accepts the honor of ordering for all of us. I wish I could remember how to spell the name of the dishes we ate. I remember they were delicious. At 5 Daddy dropped me at Wardah's favourite spa (fast becoming my top favorite too). Body massage and facial treatment by beauty consultant, Liza. Picked up by Daddy at 8.20 pm and off to Ipoh.
Reached home at a little before 11. Consulted Mr S. 48.8 kg. Now I can sleep well.
Reached home at a little before 11. Consulted Mr S. 48.8 kg. Now I can sleep well.
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