Tsk Tsk

Gaji punya time, lu mau siang2x dapat.
Kereja punya jam, selalu lali.
Sikalang, sudah banyak busok punya barang lu cakap.
Kalau lu mau cakap busok punya barang wa tarak kesah lah....

Macam itu Ah Beng cakap sama wa...

"Your pasal lah!!"

Last Supper With Mother

I am back at Jurong..!!! Back to my lovely room, lovely bed and lovely Mak.... Hehehee. But seriously I would be lying if I said I dont miss Mother (my MIL). Poor thing lah she, back to being lonely again. Ahbby was telling me the other day how she lamented that she hates being alone and wish she could stay with us. Well, that has to wait since our flat will only be ready in the next 2-3 years time. And insya Allah, we would then be able to bing her along. :)

On our last dinner together, I purposely went home early to prepare dinner. Steamed tilapia..clear chicken feet soup and stir-fried ladyfingers. When I got home, she was already peeling the potatoes for the soup. The ladyfingers were also cut. She told me to freshen up first before preparing the other dishes.

I got the ingredients for the soup prepared. It was easy job coz I 'discovered' the 'sup bunjut' recipe. Using that and believe it or not, MAGGI Chicken flavour soup base and VOILA!! I had my soup base already. Next I just dump the chicken feet, diced potatoes and shrimps in. No need additional salt at all. Mother likes it that way. Not too salty, not too bland.

Next was the fish. I made the wrong choice of getting tilapia. Actually it was the only fish available at that time. The NTUC branch that we went to didnt provide cleaning service and therefore it was my FIRST time doing it!! The scales on the fish was another irritating part. In the end Mother used spoon to 'de-scale' the fish... Heheeehhehe!!!

Steps to prepare were easy.. we add spring onions, ginger, sesame oil, light soy sauce and pepper. That's all and steamed!!

Oh yes...I deliberately stuffed 2 slices of ginger in the fish mouth.
:)

...and my fish is ready to savour!!!

Ok, the ladyfingers was done by Mother. Since she doesnt take spicy stuff, we opt out adding chilli padis even though Ahbby and me were so tempted to just throw in those 'devils' chilli. She was also the one to suggest adding the golden mushroom in the veg instead of in the soup.

It was done simply by adding chicken seasoning powder (KNORR's brand) and light soy sauce. THAT's IT. And the taste is SUPERB.

This just shows how a simple dish can still be so delectable no matter how simple it was done. The taste is lovely...MUAX!! I just love golden mushroom cooked in any way so that was just a bonus.


On the morning Im supposed to go back (that was yesterday morning), I took leave from work and we went breakfast together. Just Mother and me. After breakfast, we took a short walk along Bras Basah and she told me about last time when Ahbby worked part-time at a Thai restaurant. Each night she would come over to the restaurant and asked him to go home coz he would be hanging around so late with his friends. Until one day, he got so embarrased!! And he would straight away rushed home at 11pm on the dot!! Haahahaa!!!

And when we got home she offered to send me to the train station despite me telling her that I wanna take the cab. I had one big luggage, 2 bags and my own handbag. She insisted so much so that she took my bag and was ready to go. Haizzz..... Cant turn her down right.

Lugging my bags and luggage around till Bugis, I definitely look such a pitiful sight, just like a maid kena send home to Surabaya. But all in all, I almost teared looking at her determination to send me till the control station.

Thanx Mother. I promise I will prepare Mee Soto for you the next time Im there.
:)

Weekend With Love

Ive never been a fan of horror movies especially Hollywood ones. Those are just full of pre-recorded and pre-directed screaming and shrieks. And I hate those high-pitched 'cha bor' shrills. Another reason is of course impending nightmares and thoughts that will haunt me. I never experience REAL nightmare related to movies before but watching THE RING way back in 1998, that was enough for me.

And so when I suggested to Ahbby to watch BLOOD PLEDGE last Saturday, he asked me again whether I was very sure of my choice. I saw the trailer (with eyes partially closed) and confidently told him, "Ok arh!" And so we trod down from home to Cathay by foot. Staying in Waterloo is so convenient. We dont need our bike and walked all the way to Hajah Maimunah @ Bencoolen for our dinner before heading to Cathay for our movie.

Now, I am such a chicken when it comes to entering the theatre. I have the habit to grab whoever I am with when entering the dark theatre. And so I persuade Ahbby to enter the theatre earlier before they switched off the lights. Well, despite the flickering lights from the big screen and side lights, I still grab Ahbby's arm. HARD. Blame it on a past experience where an ex-boyfriend let go of my hand just because the movie had already started and CAMERON DIAZ was on it. (Flashback to 1997's There's Something About Mary) Due to that, I missed a step and tripped on the steps. #$*%@#!!!
Blame it on phobia, blame it on habit. Im such a chicken like that.


Now..the movie.



Im sure most have read up on the reviews and catch a glimpse on this movie. Very cliche Jap-Korean horror movies where pale-skin, black haired girls are always the main characters.
However, these girls still look good enough up-close without make-ups. (*ENVY*)
The sound effect contributes largely to the 'extreme scare' of this movie. Believe it or not, I actually used my veil to cover my face. I certainly didnt want to have to see the gross effect of the ghost right in my 'already-chubby' face! Again...I am that chicken. Yes.

A slight snippet of the movie, 5 girls making a pledge to commit suicide together but right from the start there's only 3 girls. Another 2 leh..?? Go watch and find out.. Heeheheheh!! So when one girl died, the spirit started to haunt each one of them. The ending was rather a twist and a little emotional. To sum it up, would you really die for your best friend...??? Well, that's what the story is all about. I would say go and watch it to scare yourself. Ahbby thought it was a stupid story despite having many Korean girls in the movie. Maybe they are not as gorgeous as the Wonder Girls..?? Maybe......

Our Sunday was spent together with my parents for a wedding function. MIL wanted to tag along but changed her mind at the last minute.

Being in a wedding function reminded myself of my OWN wedding.

Arrrggghhh....macam nak kahwin lagi!!!

GATAL.

Sigh...sleeping alone again tonight. Ahbby is on 24hr duty. Im doing the morning shift tomorrow and gonna prepare a sumptuos dinner when I get home as Im going back to Jurong on Wednesday night. To make MIL happy, Im gonna prepare steamed tilapia fish, fried ladyfingers and chicken feet soup with mushroom and tau kee.

Insya Allah, everything will be just fine.

:)

Me..Then & Now...

Hubby is out playing pool with his kakis. I decided not to join him coz first I dont know the game and second, I thought it will be good to let him hang out with his friends since he didnt meet them up ever since we got married.
And of course thirdly, Ive got cramps and sooo.....I rather spend time at home.
We had plans to go out tomorrow but I just cant pick out a suitable place for us to ride down and chill.

Shopping is definitely out..movies...??? Maybe. What was the last movie we watched.... Oh gosh. Err....somewhere during Chinese New Year..?? Some HK movie that wasnt really funny. Hahhaah!! Lame choice lah that one. I still cant remember what made us watched that movie.

At work today, one of the parents whose Thai, whom Ive known since her child was with us in 2007, asked me why am I wearing the tudung EVERYDAY. It was hilarious that she thought that I was wearing it for fashion sake and was actually waiting for me to remove it! Hehehee. And so, I just told her straight that I chose to wear after I got married and insya -Allah will keep it this way.

When I was entered poly in 2000, I recalled there was one occassion where I wanted to wear the tudung when I reach 23. That decision never came true of course as I realised that I wasnt really 'ready'. At that time, I was really into suntanning, sea, beach and bikini..(ahermmm). I kept my then-body fit and trim to do bikini photo-shoot for my then modelling agency (now defunt agency). I kept my hair so long till my waist and got my skin so dark that I looked like Pocahontas. And I loved donning tight jeans and tighter top. In short....BOMBSHELL WANNABE. I did so many phot0-shoots that I lost counts!! Those days were like so self-centered, so vain!! OMG!!

My style and image interchange over the years....but rock & roll never fade. My super long hair was like an essential accessory to me each time I went for rock concerts (READ: Think BLACK SABBATH...HELLOWEEN) Headbanging in that hair just feels 'WHOOOSH!!!!' I pierced my tongue, the nape of my neck, the flesh near my collarbone, 8 holes on my right ears......It is a terrible but unforgettable experience if you ask me. Hehehehe. Well...Whats growing up without little excitement huh!

I guess Ive done all those 'silly things' and Im really satisfied that Ive gone through all that. And thats why, I see no point in labelling others negatively coz I was once like 'that' too. Eg: dress skimpily....ignorant during prayer timings etc.
It all take time to change and change is a process. I, myself did not change overnight. And wearing tudung doesnt make me a 100% perfect Muslimah. I have many things to learn and improve.

Im happy that Ive experience all those during my younger days and when Ive move on to a new chapter now, I make it a point to improve myself each and everyday as a wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law and friend.

I still love rock & roll music though!! Heehehheeee.

\m/ PEACE \m/

Then.............

Now.....

Being A Wife,Daughter & Daughter in law.....

Counting down to the day is seriously heart-thumping. I dont wish to think so much about it actually but I cant deny the fact that I want IT to happen. After the 'failure' of the second attempt, I told myself to take it easy and accept it openly. I must consider the fact that I am still "newly-minted husband & wife".) Being married for less than 3 months is still considered NEW, right?

Pray for me yah. Amin.

It has been exactly a week staying with MIL. She was initially shy but she has opened up slowly and helped to prepare dinner. For example, cutting the vegetables, cooking the rice etc so by the time I got home from work, I would be able to prepare dinner. I prepared clear chicken broth with golden mushroom and tau kee on Monday. I think she loved it!! However, today's mee goreng was below my expectation. Although Ahbby and her finished the whole plate, I still dont think I did a good job. The noodle still had that starchy taste. Urggh. I didnt like it.

Next up, steamed fish with lots of spring onions!! Another groceries shopping again with hubby over the weekend.

Most probbly, we will move back to Jurong next week. Ahbby told MIL that and the poor lady sighed and lament how she would be all alone again. Poor Mother. Sigh. And poor Mak at Jurong too since she 'missed' washing my laundry, 'missed' listening to my irritating shrill voice......Hahhahah!! I am such a bad daughter hoh!!

Well, I guess for now, its transiting back and forth from Jurong to Waterloo then before we finally get our own house somewhere in the North.

Insya Allah.

A Day With Bestie Nad

Did Nad make up for her hubby's promotional ceremony.
Something light but at the same time elegant, suitable for the event.
:)

You are beautiful Nad!!
Just like what my mum said..."You have been "WARDINA-FIED!!"

:)

The Tom Yum Noodle Chronicle

Was planning to prepare tom yum soup since yesterday's grocery shopping at NTUC. Bought the ingredients and I thought using those prepared in the Yong Tou Foo pre-packed was more convenience. There are otah, green pepper with fish paste on top, crab meat, fish cakes, tau pok etc. Just nice to have all those in my tom yum soup!

Bought Chinese bok chye too as it would taste better compare to any other vegetables. And what is tom yum without chilli padi, right. It is a must to have those little ones for that extra tangy taste. Hubby wanted some mushrooms in it but yours truly do not like those button mushrooms actually. I just find the taste a little funny. The weirdest thing is, I dont mind the mushrooms in Shrooms and Mushroom Swiss burgers though! We finally settled for the Japanese mushrooms (our favourites!) or better known as the Golden Mushrooms.

I usually prefer my tom yum to be eaten with noodle instead of rice and we agreed on getting the yellow mee. My mouth watered at that point while looking for the ingredients already! Just can feel the spiciness, tangyness, sweetness and oophmm taste in my mouth!

However, I "play cheat" a little lah. I used the Knorr Tom Yum cubes for the soup base. After buying all those ingredients I just realised that I didnt get any lemongrass or lime leaves. Oh well...just have to make do without it then.

Preparing it was easy of course since I 'skipped' the grinding of spices part. If I am from a Peranakan family, confirm kena scolded upside down mann...!!! Anyway, it was as easy as A.B.C. Add all the ingredients in with the vegetables and mushroom at the end. A little sugar for added sweetenss and a drop of light soy sauce did the trick.

Hubby boiled the noodle while I did Maghrib prayers. When Im done, it was hs turn. And finally.....

We settled down for another home-cooked dinner (sans MIL).

Bon appetit!!!

The beautiful tom yum noodle, rich in ingredients and laden with spring onions (my ever fave!!)

Oh yes....with my new PINK chopsticks too.
:)

Feeling Very Mumsy and Dizzy

Contrary to the title above...NOPE. Im not pregnant and not feeling pregnant as yet.

Today is the 3rd day at MIL's place. So far, it has been really great. I prepared black pepper chicken with spring onions and fried kailan for dinner last night. She was rather reluctant to eat coz she's very health-conscious and was 'urggh' to see the oil... (oops, my bad.Ter-pour too much oil)

But I was actually quite glad when she said its nice but a little salty. Hehee...Malay cooking so I cant 'run' from our spices lor. To me, it was just nice but for her, I would have to be extra cautious not to add too much of sugar, salt and spices... And oil too!! :)

We did some last night shopping to Mustafa Centre to get some utensils and some household necessities and the hub was very disturbed that I bought 80% of the stuffs in PINK!! And that means...pink waste basket....pink pail...pink chopsticks..pink cups...etc. Lucky arh...I cant find any pink plates or spoons. I almost grabbed that pink ladle and scoop with such beautiful roses intricately designed on it but he was too quick to put those down and grabbed those plain, boring black ones.

Oh well...the black spatula serves me well for today's french toast with prawn bits brekkie. MIL didnt get to taste it as she was out to my BIL's place.

Planning to go 'kai-kai' after zuhur later to get some clothings and Yes!! tom yam noodle for dinner later. Not from Al-Azhar not from any Thai restaurant. Yours truly is gonna cook of course!!!

Being happy and bliss now I just wonder why there are still minority of people who just cant seem to mind their own business and go around telling others about me & my family. It seems never-ending.

Before I got married, 'these people' said my relationship with my then-fiance wont last. Alhamdullilah, we overcame the obstacles and will continue to pray to Allah for his blessings. On my wedding day, the same people said my pelamin "tak cantik... bilik pengantin tak cantik...baju pun tak cantik..."

Well..they even said me and my other sibings are so dark that we looked like Indians. Skin colour aside, we are proud to be dark like my dad and not fair like my mum. We are also blessed to have good complexion like both parents. Again, Alhamdullilah and syukur to Allah for our good genes.

One after another, my family is disturbed by these external 'commentors' who just cannot shut their mouth. The past few days ever since I slept over at MIL's place, someone asked my mum why must I publish in Facebook that Im going over to my MIL's place to stay. What happened was, her daughter read what I wrote and told her mum who in turn call MY mum and further provoked her saying.."kau kat umah sorang kan..?? anak kau tak ada keje ker tulis macam tu kat fesbuk.."
And to think that I did her engagement make-up for FREE!!!

Like HELLO!! My facebook account is MINE. I guess there's no ruling in telling users what to write and not to write. Why must it be an issue to YOU? I just cant put my finger in to it. And my Super Mum just gave me a simple solution.. Block this woman from my contact list. I wont 'delete' coz that will still gave these nosey-parkers' another pportunity to find us in FB.

These FB abusers should just be placed under FB Black List lah (if there's any). Fancy going to another contact's profile and finding us in that person's contact list. So desperate huh. Their objectives? Just to pinpoint and dig our bad points for them to analyse and dissect the problem and gave the report to my mum so that she can discipline us better.

Thank you very much.

My mum brought us up single-handedly and we are taught not to bring down or criticise others deed. Alhamdullilah, we succeed in education, life and insya-Allah, in the future.

And we definitely are not taught to GOSSIP about others coz we know we are no angels ourselves.

So......just leave my family alone, will you...??

G.E.R.A.M

T.I.R.E.D

I.R.R.I.T.A.T.E.D

F.R.U.S.T.R.A.T.E.D


Argghh!!!

Transition to Waterloo

And so I will say a short "Goodbye" to Jurong and a humble "Hello" to Waterloo!!
But of course I will come back to this "so-called HOPELESS JURONG" again after two weeks.
Looking at how I put aside my clothings to bring over, it gives me the recollections of the time I was busy packing for the trip to Brisbane! Like what Mak said, "baru nak pegi 2 minggu, macam nak pegi perang!"

Hahahaha....Its been my habit to pack my 'whole room' each time I go travelling, even to KL! I remembered once when I sneaked out secretly to go KL and was having trouble to bring my BIG bag out of the house. Well, to cut the story short, Mak eventually found out my deed and I received hell of course!!

Ive since learn my lesson the painful way. Well, who grows up without having those 'dark memories' in your life, right..??

To summarise everything, I am very finicky about my personal stuffs. And that explain why I always lugged my big bags around even when the trip only took TWO miserable days to my own sister's house at West Coast! That simply because I will only use my own shampoo, conditioner, facial wash/scrub, body wash, toothbrush etc.......

(Psst...I am actually bringing my blankie along with me coz I cant sleep without it!)

And of course, the hubby is just too happy to go back to his 'nest'. He enticed me with all those 'shopping paradise' at Bugis Junctions & Bugis Village. BUT.....spend at my own risk!
Kuang acham kan....!! LOL!!

No doubt that Bugis Village really have great bargains there if only the crowds are not that nasty. Seriously, I never experienced walking along Bugis Village and able to breathe and walk peacefully.

Before signing off and retreat to my 'very-comfortable-but-soon-to-be missed' bed, just wanna jot down something worth pondering about....

".....what do you call a person who is nice to you on the pretext of advising you to do good things but is actually laughing at your misery behind your back...??"

Should I just labelled them hypocrites??

Busy Beez

The coming week is gonna be busy even before it started.
Starting Thursday, I'll be moving in to the M.I.L's place. She has been all alone ever since our marriage. Pity her lah. And so that will be the start of my training to be a good daughter in law! Hahahaa!

M.I.L is a very quiet and shy lady actually. We are constantly worried for her health and safety ever since. Therefore, I have to adjust myself to this new arrangement of looking after her needs and well-beings. Just the other day, when we were discussing about moving in, she's already sounding about going marketing together, buying new utensils etc.... Isnt that interesting or what! Ahhh....bliss. I just hope that this wont end and it'll give me the ample opportunity to build up the bond with M.I.L.

Mak was kinda sad actually but she reminded me that no matter what, I have to treat M.I.L like how I treat my own mum. She (MIL) is after all, staying alone and will need all the extra care and attention.

Being Chinese, I am really glad that she is able to accept me with an open heart. Maybe being able to converse in Mandarin with her really scored the winning points!!

And of course, this coming Friday, I will be giving a talk at a Pre-Marriage Guidance Seminar on the topic of EARLY PARENTING. Ironically, I am not a parent (yet) but insya-Allah, with the experience I gained for the past 7 years in the early childhood industry will help.

Oh yeah...Some back dated pictures from the past few weeks... Enjoy!!!

Hub & Riqie during our trip to my late grandpa's house in JB.
Sigh...will my future BB be as fair as the hubby & Riqie..???




Oppps...Riqie caught in the act taking the ciggies!!




Allahu Akbar!!




Gorgeous tiaras I bought for brides.blush collections...Theres more!!

More pictures but I dont have time lah....
Will try yo upload more 'interesting pixs' in the next blog yea!!

Good nitez.......Have a blastiful colourful Monday !!!

Shazwana's Engagement

Another successful engagement booking!
Congrats to a dear sister whom Ive known few years back. I really appreciate for her trust in me that she 'booked' me many months back to do the make-up for her engagement.

Congrats Shaz & Wan. May this moment brings in many more memories till your wedding date and beyond.

Make-up, hair & accessories by brides.blush.
Outfit,bride's own.

Make-up, hair, gown & accessories by brides.blush.

Do drop by at brides.blush to see more of our bridal collections!!

Last Minute Pack-up

Make-up kit, check.

Hair accessories, check.

Gowns & veil, check.

Tomorrow's outfit............
Now, that's something I left out.

Dang!! Orang lain yang tunang, aku pulak yang excited mondok.
Haizzzz.......

Alone on the 1st July....

The husband is on duty and that equates to lonely night, yet again...
This month itself is so cruel lah.... with 5 days on duty. That's just so urgghh!!
I used to think that men in green are just so fascinating but after 'capturing' one myself, together with all the job scope, it doesnt appeal to me that much anymore.

Yes, he does look good with the uniform but it stops there. 24hr duty is just so C.R.U.E.L
Just the other day, we were talking about how we rarely go out after marriage and it is all thanks to D.U.T.Y.
His weekends are now filled up to the brim with YOG and work. The only time we have is dinner at home and short shopping trips.
However, despite all that, Im really glad that I still have the chance to cook for him and he loves it!!

The times just livened up the memories we had in Brisbane where I cooked for him almost everyday. Food there was not cheap though and so the enjoyment was really worthwhile.

The famous line of "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" is true ladies!!! I can vouch for that.


Moving on to a serious note, well..... we havent had any luck yet in our BB plans. Blame it on stress, nature factor, timing..??
I dont know.
Friends and families are telling me not to rush things coz hoping so much on it will just result to disappointment.
I would choose to take things slow if I was 5 years younger. Turning 30 next year doesnt sounds too good for me, ya know.
Yup...Im that paranoid. All my sisters got PRG the 1st time below 27 yrs of age and Ive passed that marking!! GASP!!

Slam me for being too 'kanchiong spider' over this but that's just me.

I prayed to Allah everyday to grant this little wish of mine.
Amin....