Friday, March 18, 2011
Taman Herba
Daddy cancelled his work commitment at the last minute. Went to Taman Herba and came back just before Friday prayer.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
School Break
I'm finally done with the extra classes conducted for the Form 5 and Upper 6 classes. Huge relief. Perfect attendance in STPM class and just so-so in the Fifth former class. And tomorrow is already Friday, the last day of 1-week school break. I've told Ryan's Nanny that I'm not sending him tomorrow, because we, as a family, are going to Taman Herba in Simpang Pulai. Or rather, we WERE going there until just now, when Daddy announced that he would definitely have to go to work tomorrow.
I feel like pulling my hair now.
I am not much of a driver. I was hoping that Daddy would drive, while I 'navigate'. Now it looks like I'm going to have to find that place on my own. It's supposed to be an educational park with lots of plants worth knowing and owning. Hopefully, the place is as good as it is rumored to be, because I plan to take my 6th former students there in June for a field trip.
I feel like pulling my hair now.
I am not much of a driver. I was hoping that Daddy would drive, while I 'navigate'. Now it looks like I'm going to have to find that place on my own. It's supposed to be an educational park with lots of plants worth knowing and owning. Hopefully, the place is as good as it is rumored to be, because I plan to take my 6th former students there in June for a field trip.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Caramel Pudding
The last time I ate caramel pudding was when I was in Kulim 6-7 years ago in one of the potluck gatherings of Intelliers and wives. So in my effort to raise my blood cholesterol and sugar level (hah!), I woke up at 5.15 am this morning and started working magic in my kitchen. I guess normal family doesn't eat pudding for breakfast, but then again being normal is so overrated.
Here's the recipe, in case I'd forget the next time I'm craving for it again..
The body:
6 eggs whipped to perfection
1tsp essence of vanilla
400g of evaporated milk
The topping:
1 cup sugar melted/ caramelized in a casserole serving dish
2-3 tbsp of water to dissolve the caramel. (careful, it's hot and I got a blister to prove it)
2-3 tbsp of water to dissolve the caramel. (careful, it's hot and I got a blister to prove it)
The how:
Pour the body on to the topping. Steam until it hardens. Flip it on a bigger casserole serving dish (or just a big plate).
There you have it. Loved by my kids.
Too easy? Anything harder than this should be commissioned to the experts.
There you have it. Loved by my kids.
Too easy? Anything harder than this should be commissioned to the experts.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
4D3N
I was exhausted. My children at home tried to make things easy for me. But my children in school are just the opposite. Only a handful turned in their CNY break homework; none met my expectation. I was tired beyond words. I needed to rest. I wished for a break; and I got it. In the form of 4D3N in KPJ Ipoh Specialist Hospital.
I thought my life was going to end right there at the Emergency Room. The room was spinning and I could barely see the back of my hand. The doctors (there were 2, I think) asked for some basic information, but I could barely open my mouth without throwing up. I was given a jab that was supposed to help with the barfing. I prayed for the the room to just stop spinning, so that I can see Daddy and feel his grip. I heard him ask for a single room for me to stay in. No such luck. It was Maulidur Rasul ( Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011), and we were told that the hospital was always full to the brim whenever there was a public holiday.
Once 'stabilized', I was wheeled to the room in Ward 232. The were two other occupied beds. Daddy came up shortly after filling out the necessary registration forms at the lobby. And the rest of the day was blurr.
At 8.30, on Wednesday morning, my eldest cheered me up with a call. He was about to sit for his Arabic Language Final exam and asked for me to pray for him. He promised to call me back at 11, once he was done with the paper, but he called Daddy instead, and informed us that he was going to enter MASUM, bearing his Tae Kwan Do belt. Could I be any more prouder?
My Mom and children came by that afternoon. The room was still spinning and I was the unfortunate axle. Doc Hj Zakaria came with a pleasant smile and good news. My MRI scan was sparkling clean. He identified the cause of my imbalance. An infection in the vestibular area. The bad news is it would take 7-10 days for my system to flush out the dizzy spells.
I could finally stand and walk around the room by midday Thursday. Met and greeted my bed neighbors. To my right was a 60-y-o widow who just had a surgery due to colon cancer. Her two teenaged children took turns siting by her 24-hrs a day. I didn't talk directly to her since she was still heavily sedated and could hardly lift her eyelids.
Next to her was a 47-y-o Ustazah who had been having chest pain and shortness of breath. An angiogram test was done. She checked out that day, and was due back soon. Her bed was soon taken up by a 44-y-o primary school teacher from Lekir who just found out about the malignant tumor in her left breast 11 days ago. She just had a complete masectomy. I talked to her on Friday morning, almost 12 hours after the surgery. Considering her condition, she was quite chirpy when she said, " Allah bagi pinjam (breast) kat kak kejap je.. lepaih tu dia ambik lah sikit-sikit.. setengah orang, tak sampai 44 tahun pun Allah dah ambik semua kan?"
Ya Rabbi.. I get it..
As I am closing this blog entry, I can hear the Dolls singing, "be careful of what you wish for.. coz you just might get it."
I thought my life was going to end right there at the Emergency Room. The room was spinning and I could barely see the back of my hand. The doctors (there were 2, I think) asked for some basic information, but I could barely open my mouth without throwing up. I was given a jab that was supposed to help with the barfing. I prayed for the the room to just stop spinning, so that I can see Daddy and feel his grip. I heard him ask for a single room for me to stay in. No such luck. It was Maulidur Rasul ( Tuesday, Feb 15, 2011), and we were told that the hospital was always full to the brim whenever there was a public holiday.
Once 'stabilized', I was wheeled to the room in Ward 232. The were two other occupied beds. Daddy came up shortly after filling out the necessary registration forms at the lobby. And the rest of the day was blurr.
At 8.30, on Wednesday morning, my eldest cheered me up with a call. He was about to sit for his Arabic Language Final exam and asked for me to pray for him. He promised to call me back at 11, once he was done with the paper, but he called Daddy instead, and informed us that he was going to enter MASUM, bearing his Tae Kwan Do belt. Could I be any more prouder?
My Mom and children came by that afternoon. The room was still spinning and I was the unfortunate axle. Doc Hj Zakaria came with a pleasant smile and good news. My MRI scan was sparkling clean. He identified the cause of my imbalance. An infection in the vestibular area. The bad news is it would take 7-10 days for my system to flush out the dizzy spells.
I could finally stand and walk around the room by midday Thursday. Met and greeted my bed neighbors. To my right was a 60-y-o widow who just had a surgery due to colon cancer. Her two teenaged children took turns siting by her 24-hrs a day. I didn't talk directly to her since she was still heavily sedated and could hardly lift her eyelids.
Next to her was a 47-y-o Ustazah who had been having chest pain and shortness of breath. An angiogram test was done. She checked out that day, and was due back soon. Her bed was soon taken up by a 44-y-o primary school teacher from Lekir who just found out about the malignant tumor in her left breast 11 days ago. She just had a complete masectomy. I talked to her on Friday morning, almost 12 hours after the surgery. Considering her condition, she was quite chirpy when she said, " Allah bagi pinjam (breast) kat kak kejap je.. lepaih tu dia ambik lah sikit-sikit.. setengah orang, tak sampai 44 tahun pun Allah dah ambik semua kan?"
Ya Rabbi.. I get it..
As I am closing this blog entry, I can hear the Dolls singing, "be careful of what you wish for.. coz you just might get it."
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Our second Hajj, insya Allah
I went to Tabung Haji this morning, while Ryan was taking his morning nap. I have been postponing this trip like forever, although TH is only 5-minute drive away. Someone in school told me you can only register for 2nd-time Hajj 9 years after your first, so that's one of the reasons of my dally-dallying. The fact is only 5-year wait is needed - as told by the TH officer this morning.
Daddy went to TH alone to register for our first Hajj, back in Kulim in 1999. Iman was 1-month-old at the time. We were scheduled for Hajj in 2008. Perfect, we thought, Kushairy would have finished his SPM by then, and would be old enough to look after the little ones.
But Allah had a better-than-perfect plan. Our first Hajj was in Jan 2003. We had to leave our youngest, 2y3m-old Dayana and 3y7m-old Iman with Bibik Asniar at my Mom's in Ipoh, 7-y-o Sarah in Pandan Indah with my lil sis Noi (Noi was a year-1 teacher Seri Bintang Utara at the time and Sarah was starting year 1) and UPSR candidate Kushairy with our good neighbor in Kulim. Leaving the kids scattered here and there for 45 day was almost unbearable.
While waiting for my turn at TH just now, my mind was twirling and thinking of the people I would have to approach to help me with the kids, especially Ryan, when we are in Mecca.
And guess what.. this time we are scheduled to go for Hajj in 2037. Hmm.. I guess I didn't have to worry about the babysitting arrangements after all.. Ryan will be 27 by then.
I texted Daddy to tell him of our 'luck'. Daddy texted back, "And I'll be a 70- year old man! .. and you'll be a sexy 68- year old lady..."
Funny eh.. here I am, being so wrapped up about my children's wellbeing, forgetting that in 26 years' time I might not have what it takes to make that trip. Daddy's text, though sounded playful, is a serious reminder that I should consider ourselves to be very lucky if we could ever set foot in Holy Mecca/ Medina again.
Daddy went to TH alone to register for our first Hajj, back in Kulim in 1999. Iman was 1-month-old at the time. We were scheduled for Hajj in 2008. Perfect, we thought, Kushairy would have finished his SPM by then, and would be old enough to look after the little ones.
But Allah had a better-than-perfect plan. Our first Hajj was in Jan 2003. We had to leave our youngest, 2y3m-old Dayana and 3y7m-old Iman with Bibik Asniar at my Mom's in Ipoh, 7-y-o Sarah in Pandan Indah with my lil sis Noi (Noi was a year-1 teacher Seri Bintang Utara at the time and Sarah was starting year 1) and UPSR candidate Kushairy with our good neighbor in Kulim. Leaving the kids scattered here and there for 45 day was almost unbearable.
While waiting for my turn at TH just now, my mind was twirling and thinking of the people I would have to approach to help me with the kids, especially Ryan, when we are in Mecca.
And guess what.. this time we are scheduled to go for Hajj in 2037. Hmm.. I guess I didn't have to worry about the babysitting arrangements after all.. Ryan will be 27 by then.
I texted Daddy to tell him of our 'luck'. Daddy texted back, "And I'll be a 70- year old man! .. and you'll be a sexy 68- year old lady..."
Funny eh.. here I am, being so wrapped up about my children's wellbeing, forgetting that in 26 years' time I might not have what it takes to make that trip. Daddy's text, though sounded playful, is a serious reminder that I should consider ourselves to be very lucky if we could ever set foot in Holy Mecca/ Medina again.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year, New Rules.
I work better with rules, than with resolutions. I feel guilty when breaking rules; I give up when I fail in keeping my resolutions. Guilt is better. Guilt helps me stay on the right path
1. Trust my instinct more.
When in doubt, I will follow my instinct, rather than my mind. My mind is easily clouded by past experiences (not necessarily my own) and silly thoughts. My instinct is far more superior, and has proved to be right on the money time and time again. Qiamullail and dhuha help strengthen my instinct. Target: 75% on Q and D,
2. Spend more, save less.
In this economy, saving my money will be fruitless. I will invest more on blue chips. My zakat this year will be 15% more than in 2010. A new car for Daddy by August.
3. Make the spa my second home.
This should be the easiest. God knows I need this the most. I will make the people in the spa my best buddies. After all, I need them more than they need my money. 50% more than last year's allowance.
4. Eat tasty food.
I will not eat any food just because certain people (author or MLM people) say it's good for me. I am through eating tasteless and bland food. Food should be enjoyed, not endured. I will cook meals at least 4 times a week. Or make that 3x a week.
5. Make Mr S love me.
Good food shouldn't equal to fat piling-up. To make Mr S love me, I will fall in love with Mr T again. 3x a week.
6. Read more. Write even more. Talk less.
Self explanatory.
7. Teach less. Learn more.
I will teach less the subject, and learn more with my students.
8. Love more. Preach less.
Love and preach are both verbs. Both take energy, and since my energy is limited (and my days on earth are numbered), I'd better be wise.
1. Trust my instinct more.
When in doubt, I will follow my instinct, rather than my mind. My mind is easily clouded by past experiences (not necessarily my own) and silly thoughts. My instinct is far more superior, and has proved to be right on the money time and time again. Qiamullail and dhuha help strengthen my instinct. Target: 75% on Q and D,
2. Spend more, save less.
In this economy, saving my money will be fruitless. I will invest more on blue chips. My zakat this year will be 15% more than in 2010. A new car for Daddy by August.
3. Make the spa my second home.
This should be the easiest. God knows I need this the most. I will make the people in the spa my best buddies. After all, I need them more than they need my money. 50% more than last year's allowance.
4. Eat tasty food.
I will not eat any food just because certain people (author or MLM people) say it's good for me. I am through eating tasteless and bland food. Food should be enjoyed, not endured. I will cook meals at least 4 times a week. Or make that 3x a week.
5. Make Mr S love me.
Good food shouldn't equal to fat piling-up. To make Mr S love me, I will fall in love with Mr T again. 3x a week.
6. Read more. Write even more. Talk less.
Self explanatory.
7. Teach less. Learn more.
I will teach less the subject, and learn more with my students.
8. Love more. Preach less.
Love and preach are both verbs. Both take energy, and since my energy is limited (and my days on earth are numbered), I'd better be wise.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Mr S
Many things have happened these past weeks. Mostly happy things, and the most frustrating thing is that I couldn't find time to sit down and write about them. I really wanted to write, but I just couldn't squeeze the time. I ended up writing bits and bits in my math note book - the one I sometimes take to class, but it was just neither proper nor satisfying.
Ryan is getting more mobile. It is getting harder to get him stay still for more than a few minutes, except when nursing. Sarah, Iman and Dayana went to the Camp Ibadat last week and had a great time making new friends and reacquainting with the old ones. Kushairy is home till Jan 2, his last mid-sem break in PJ campus.
We stayed at my parents' the whole last week, when Daddy was on his research trip in Kertih. According to Iman, it was the best vacation ever. ("Best giler" - her exact words). I concur. Mom cooked breakfast, lunch, dinner and the snacks in between. Abah ferried Iman to her extra classes. That left me free to work as late as I want in school (tidying up and filing) and going to spa for facial, accupressure massage and sauna. Bliss - despite not having my bff around for the whole week.
After almost 6 weeks of holidays, I am back in the bad, yet familiar love-hate relationship. With the weighing Scale. The kilos have piled up again, and Mr Scale wasn't very polite in pointing it out to me. The loving relationship we enjoyed (briefly), ended almost as soon as the Srikandi Reunion weekend was over. The reunion dinner was followed by a string of dinner functions, SPM hi-tea celebrations and wedding luncheons. Self-control is never my strong suit (especially when it comes to food); but I just never expected that the kilos would pile up so quickly. It is 5 more days till the new year, (and for the again-new resolution of shedding the extra fat), enough time to enjoy a couple more roti canai and Big Apple doughnuts, to be downed with several more glasses of Nescafe tarik.
I know it is insane to have your state of mind being dictated by a scale. But Mr S and I went way way back, even before I met Daddy. He is the only one whom I can trust to be honest, however brutal, about my fat cells. So I can't just break it off with him, however torturous this yo-yo relationship is to me now. He's been with me through (literally) thick and thin. He has seen me through my ups and down, mostly ups.I can't abandon him now, just because I want to start acting mature. That would be an immature thing to do. Plus, I need him too much. Yup, I'll do all I can to win back your conditional love and get back into the loving and soothing relationship with you, Mr S. Next year.
Ryan is getting more mobile. It is getting harder to get him stay still for more than a few minutes, except when nursing. Sarah, Iman and Dayana went to the Camp Ibadat last week and had a great time making new friends and reacquainting with the old ones. Kushairy is home till Jan 2, his last mid-sem break in PJ campus.
We stayed at my parents' the whole last week, when Daddy was on his research trip in Kertih. According to Iman, it was the best vacation ever. ("Best giler" - her exact words). I concur. Mom cooked breakfast, lunch, dinner and the snacks in between. Abah ferried Iman to her extra classes. That left me free to work as late as I want in school (tidying up and filing) and going to spa for facial, accupressure massage and sauna. Bliss - despite not having my bff around for the whole week.
After almost 6 weeks of holidays, I am back in the bad, yet familiar love-hate relationship. With the weighing Scale. The kilos have piled up again, and Mr Scale wasn't very polite in pointing it out to me. The loving relationship we enjoyed (briefly), ended almost as soon as the Srikandi Reunion weekend was over. The reunion dinner was followed by a string of dinner functions, SPM hi-tea celebrations and wedding luncheons. Self-control is never my strong suit (especially when it comes to food); but I just never expected that the kilos would pile up so quickly. It is 5 more days till the new year, (and for the again-new resolution of shedding the extra fat), enough time to enjoy a couple more roti canai and Big Apple doughnuts, to be downed with several more glasses of Nescafe tarik.
I know it is insane to have your state of mind being dictated by a scale. But Mr S and I went way way back, even before I met Daddy. He is the only one whom I can trust to be honest, however brutal, about my fat cells. So I can't just break it off with him, however torturous this yo-yo relationship is to me now. He's been with me through (literally) thick and thin. He has seen me through my ups and down, mostly ups.I can't abandon him now, just because I want to start acting mature. That would be an immature thing to do. Plus, I need him too much. Yup, I'll do all I can to win back your conditional love and get back into the loving and soothing relationship with you, Mr S. Next year.
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