A conversation during Sahur

Me: Ma, I think you may have slip disc

Ma: me too

Me: bla bla bla friend, bla bla, Dr Ngah, Dr Malina, bla bla

Ma: Yup, it does hurt

Sisters: *nods

Me: Bla bla bla, physiotherapy, bla bla, friend,

Ma: Really, bla bla, I should

Me: You should, bla bla bla friend, bla bla, bowling, bla bla

Sisters: *nods

Ma: Yes, bla bla, KPJ Hospital, bla bla, near, bla bla

Me: Yes, bla bla, you should go, bla bla

Ma: Yup bla bla

Me: Bah, you have slip disc too before right?

Babah: What? I can't understand you, please speak properly. I don't understand a word you said. Can't you speak normally?

Me: *stayed quiet

Ma: *took multivitamin

Sister 1: *near the kitchen sink, Huh? I could understand Abang's conversation perfectly, how come Babah did not?

Sister 2: *shrugs.



*Moral of the story?

My family has our own secret language that my dad does not understand or I have a language that only my family members and friends could understand and my dad does not. Now you know, why I never really talked to my dad about anything. When he tries to decode what I say, it will end up frustrating him and brings the conversation to an end.

Baking God

Yeah.. about that title.. No, not a god, syirik tau... but yeah. Baking is fun, tiring, but the results are instant

I acted smart by using more trays for dropping my cookie dough and using half butter and half butter blend (butter mixed with milk and oil, is the cheaper stick of butter). This shorten the baking time since I have more trays in the oven and makes the cookies crispier

My family told me to stop making these because it will make them fat. Oh well, I should start on making a Truffle next :D

Mico, Rest in Peace

This Mico, he is my Wan's (grandmother) cat. He just passed away yesterday in his sleep. This was her faithful companion in the morning when everyone is not awake. He would sit there and listen to whatever was on my Wan's mind. He would listen and understand what she would say before he would run off and do his business of guarding the house. Mico was a favourite among all the grandchildren that Wan has. He goes in and out of the house walking pass everyone. Mico can be patient to some people or snap and scratch at them when he feels like it. He eats durians, chocolate and bread. Anything my Wan's eat, he would too. Mico would listen on command to whatever my Wan would say and obey her. We are all sad to see our beloved cat go. My second youngest aunt cried when, Mico would not stir up from his slumber. He was buried by my uncle in my Wan's backyard. I do hope Wan's finds another cat, not to replace Mico, but to keep her company and keep us all entertained. We love you Mico, and we hope you had a great life with Wan and us.

*I like this picture so much, I want to retain it as my blog header again.

Nite Out

FYI, the above are my sisters, the below are my friends, just so you won't be confused. Don't mind me on the left corner. I was just a bit off (even more than usual)

Despite it being a boring, moody, emo like weekend, it was not so bad after all. I was forced to go karaokeing with my sisters because my dad forbids it to go out after 11pm? Forced karaoke? Is there such thing? :))...

After dinner with some older friends, some hailed as far as Perak and New Zealand, I just have to hang out with someone closer to my age LOL. The topics are definitely different but both age groups are as engaging as the other. Besides these two know me well and I really needed a distraction because someone whom I thought I have gotten over with, suddenly came up. Ouch!, I was sure screwed up the whole night and into morning. Alas, not much I can do but just deal with it

Greenbox karaoke food rocks since they taste really good, there are variety and there are free flow drinks such as tea, coffee, water ,ice blend, soft drink, and juices. Well, I did try to drink 2 glasses of water and I did drink coffee with 1 teaspoon of sugar beside the sugary stuff they offer. Also, I had more veggies than other stuff they have on the menu. You know, I am definitely choosing better drinks and food now, or at least if I have something sinister to eat, I will drink a glass of plain water afterwards. Hey a dude can try to change his lifestyle a bit, although his gym going buddies says he is not trying enough. I don't care really, I am doing it my way now, and nobody is going to change but me.

*to you, I like to say "thanks" you definitely prove that I have to change for the better. I don't hate you at all, heck, I'll still be friendly with you if you decide to meet me again, heck I know we will meet again, we share mutual friends. Maybe we can get be something, but I guess now is not a good time yet. I might have my down days because of you, but just know that, I will get better, not just to get you, but whoever else in the future that is right for me...thank again you...

Karaoke

We had a karaoke machine at home. I think many homes had these old VCD player with karaoke function. My dad even bought microphones and all the other equipments. He did try to have like a singing session with the family, but somehow the idea escapes us all, especially my mother. It was just not something that we as a family would do. As a result, the karaoke system got covered with dust overtime, and in the end, we totally forgotten that we had it. However, on my dad's side, karaoke was the thing to do. It was a family event that is commonly done during weddings, open houses or just for plain fun. I kinda wondered maybe the karaoke gene skipped our family or did it. Slowly as sure, each of the sibling seemed to pick up the karaoke fever at around the same time at different ages. We all seemed to be picking on karaoke or some form of music. My brother is in a Scremo band, going here and there, promoting their music in gigs and stuff, my youngest sister, is the queen of mp3 downloads and lyrics. My other sisters and I, now enjoy our karaoke sessions together or with our own friends often. Its kinda funny to me how the transition from being completely adverse to idea of holding a mic, to a weekly activity. Now only if my mother would like to join a session, then we could have like a family outing at the karaoke centre with the buffet. Yum!

Things That Runs Out At 11.30 pm

The printer ink seemed to run out unexpectedly always. I rarely use this printer, so I am not sure how much ink is usually left. Its irritating, they would do a print job at 12 am and then tell me the printer ran out of ink. Then they have to come to my room use my aging Epson c45, which prints 2 page per minute which is tiring if they were to print a 30 page assignment.

Yes, this is another thing that conveniently run out, at night. Late at night. Now I seem to have the urge to buy a pack whenever I go to Tesco. Kotex Maxi with Wings

Weddings

There seem to be no shortage of weddings last weekend. I attended 4, with 3 of them being on the same day and on the same side of the family, with 2 of the three weddings is the second wedding of the groom. Talk about overload of nasi minyak, beef curry (Negri Style) and cow stomach, yum2.

This my neighbour lab, lab mate on her wedding. Looking very pretty with a very well sharpen nose (due to make up I hope).

First dish of the first 3 weddings I had to attend at my mother's hometown. The curry beef bone is delicious, I was nibbling the meat off the bone.

The dish from the third wedding that we attended. Similar taste, well..they do live in neighboring hometown. I forgot to take pictures of the second wedding. One must rush and get off the seat since other people are finding places to sit and eat too.


As always, we must have something to eat at my Wan's house. This is Serawa Bachang (I think it is), made from Bachang, a type of mango but very stronger and has a rougher flesh, with coconut milk and gula melaka. Taste great with bread dipped into the gravy. First time I had this dish, but I already love it.

Bunga - Bunga Cinta

No this is not the entry about a song from Misha Omar. Just an entry from my parent's garden. Both are avid gardeners, but it was my mother who takes care most of the work. Right now, she is working on planting new grass patches for our lawn. Most of it were destroyed or flooded by our renovations. Our last renovation was the expansion of our car porch to fit in 5 cars and her orchid stand. I don't know what is the correct word for it, but its a place where she hangs her orchids. Its not a green house since it is open air and had no glass walls. She used to just hang her orchids under our Rambutan tree, but now she has a proper place to do so. I think planting a lot of flowers and putting it in your lawn and even outside the fence of your house is very much a Melaka trait. Since my mother lives on the borders of Melaka and Negeri Sembilan. My mother loves her orchids as she would tend and care for it everyday. We bought this one type of orchid at MAHA that smelled heavenly. We did not bought the grown one with the flower but we bought the baby one's that have not budded yet. I can't wait for it to bloom, since my room is nearest to the garden. Gone are the days where I had to mow the lawn every 2 weeks, the lawn is quite small now, and a Nepalese worker would ring our bell and cut the grass for us every 3 weeks. My parents yard is quite nice, so nice that we got thieves stealing coconuts from our coconut tree and chivet cat is hiding in our roof and eating our Papaya's. I've seen many strange animals in my neighborhood that were roaming free which includes a horse, a rabbit and a very large lizard. However my home is the nest for that chivet cat. Hmm we need to find it and let it go since its defecating all over the air conditioning compressor.

Aidil Fitri Abroad

I got bored of what to blog and I haven't taken any pictures lately since my camera is at the shop. I wanted to scan pictures of my past to share, unique ones that is. I think this is pretty unique to share. This was a Aidil Fitri picture of my family. Notice anything different, other than that I was younger, but still taller than the rest of my siblings :p. We were all wearing jackets and the trees had no leaves. Yup it was during Autumn. If I am not mistaken either 96 or 97 since that was the time I got my growth spurt. This was taken when we were in Norman, Oklahoma, US. My dad was studying there at the time and took us along. It was quite cold, hence the jacket. We celebrated Aidil Fitri in the Autumn and winter. So we had really short fasting days. I remember we had a white Aidil Fitri but not a white Christmas. Imagine playing snow fight in baju kurung and baju melayu. It was those memories that I will forever cherish. My mother had another child when we were there, but he died shortly after birth. We burried him there. I wonder if I could go back and visit his grave again. The sole boy in the family whose name does not start with Hairul (my brother and I share the same first name). His name Muhammad Johan.

Wake Up Call

Monday 6.45am

my Nokia rings, it was my mother calling

Me: Yer ma..
Mother: Wake up, go pray
Me: Yes


Tuesday 6.45am

my Nokia rings, it was my mother calling

Me: Hello
Mother: Wake up, go pray
Me: Okay

Wendnesday 6.45am

my Nokia rings, it was my mother calling

Me: Hello, ma
Mother: Wake up, go pray
Me: I am..

Thurdsay 6.45am

my Nokia rings, it was my mother calling

Me: Yaaaa, I am up
Mother: Wake up, go pray
Me: *puts down phone

Friday 6.00am

I woke up earlier, took my shower, pray and was organizing my books

my Nokia rings, it was my mother calling

Me: I am up already
Mother: Oh okay


Saturday 6.45am

my Nokia rings, it was my mother calling

I quickly hid the phone under my pillow and slept on the other end of the bed


Sunday 6.00am

I woke up, brushed my teeth, pray and went back to bed with the phone in my hand

my Nokia rings, it was my mother calling

Me:I prayed already..
Mom: owh okay

Accidentally

I just have to cam whore... :D

Ah yes, this is my sister's third accident involving another vehicle. This is her damage.

This was the van's damage.. What damage... owh it got scratches and the panel in dented inside a bit. Nothing like a bit of polish and body work to fix it in a day. My sisters bumper however might take a few days

This is the jinxed cross road where it happened. Inside Tesco Kajang, parking lot.

According to the officer, my sister is the default cause of the accident, because even though the van hit her car, her car stopped after the stop line on the road. Also according to rule R 3(2)B the van had the right of the road so my sister had to give way to the van. It sucked but that is how the rule goes. My sister had to pay compound which the maximum is RM300 but the officer said we could lower it to RM180. It sucked (again) but at least the van owner won't get to claim insurance because I believe the repairs will be below minimum amount of the insurance company. So the van owner still have to fork out their own money for repairs or at least drive with a dented van (the van is crappy anyway, so no one would notice)

Foot Note: I been listening to the new Beyonce single called Halo. This is my current favourite song. From what I understand, Halo is that circle ring on an angels head or someone that just died. I guess its a sign of heaven perhaps. I think the song is about that warm feeling that you get from someone that you love. When you feel everything is alright and anything is possible. Like the song "baby you can be my Halo, you're my saving grace"

Pad

"Abg, can get some sanitary pads" my sister sms me. "It's late at night la, I might be home late" I sms back. "Please lah, we are out" she replied back. Why is it they always ran out of sanitary pad late at night. Anyways I lived with three menstruating ladies. So I do know a bit about the menstrual period. Gosh I used to memorized the cycle (I thought it was in the exams). Anyways I pretty much know about the mood swings, the menstrual cramps and even the menstrual pimples. So menstruating girls don't really bother me, although I find it amusing when they describe their menstrual cramps. The best description is from my neighbor and degree classmate she said "Its like trying to fart but you can't and it hurts" Whoa now that sounds like torture. Anyways, a new member of my family has started menstruating, my youngest sister just started to menstruate. She and my other sister was playing around when she noticed that her pants had blood stain. My younger sister said it happened yesterday and she thought she cut her thigh or something but she said it did not hurt. So she just changed undies. My other sister was laughing and she told my mum and older sis. So they thought her how to clean up, how to wear a sanitary pad and other kind of girly stuff about menstrual. My younger sis also had her first PMS when my older sister walked in to see her naked and she got really angry and started yelling, The yelling even continue to sms. hehehehe. Her first PMS, how adorable. One thing about my younger sister having her period, is that in my family once the girl has her period, she will cease to grow any taller. Muehehehehe, my title as the tallest person in the family is safe for time being. Yup as short as I am when my friends see me (I am 161cm) I am the tallest in the family even my dad is 160cm. Now there are 4 people menstruating and although my mum is stopping pretty soon. I have to buy the jumbo pack for them for now on.

Travel

My dreams are something I held dearly in my heart. Sometimes its so vivid, that I refuse to wake up from bed. Todays was about travelling and funny thing is, it involved my facebook, blog and lab friends, all together in one dream. It was so weird, but then most of my dreams are weird. Maybe because I was a bit tired, I went again to lift weights and did it until I feel like my arms are about to off. Well my whole body is sore again. One good thing, things are back to normal at my house. I am still a bit bitter because I felt I was not appreciated. Suddenly out of the blue my mother said "So you wanted an Ipod? How much is it? Your dad wanted to buy an LCD TV, which one is the best? Your sister wants a PSP, how much is it?".. So weird, where on earth will the money appear anyways..

Gadgets galore

No Entry

Blocked

Filled

No trespassing.

This a new security system in my house developed by my lovely oldest sister. She parked her car so that all normal entries to the front door is inaccessible. The only way you can walk to the front door is to walk outside the house all the way to the back of the house and to the door and hope it is unlocked and then walk all the way to the front door and enter..

The Coast Soutwest Grill part 2

We had my mother's birthday dinner on Saturday at The Coast. I was nervous if the food was up to my mother expectation. We arrive a little after 8.30pm, and I could see the manager Hasrul already looking a bit tense :p.

My mother in the middle with her older daughter and her youngest daughter by her side.

I want to be in a picture also :D. Tired of being behind the lens all the time :D

We ordered chilled juice and ice lemon tea. Starting from the drink at the front, we had apple juice, guava juice and ice lemon tea. They come from a box I think so nothing to scream or shout about.

My sister wanted the BBQ chicken wings. Its well cooked, but there is not flavour in the batter used to coat the chicken wings. The chicken is well cooked with no visible blood in the meat like some other chicken wings at other restaurants. I guess it makes sense because the BBQ sauce that came with it, is strong and rich with flavour. Well my youngest sister finished all of it, so it must have been good :D.

My older sister had the Cesar salad with grilled chicken. The salad DELICIOUS, the Romaine lettuce was fresh, the croutons were crunchy and light while the dressing was delightful. My older sister gave it a thumbs up.

My younger sister wanted garlic bread, so we ordered a basket of garlic bread that came on a plate... :p These were like one the BEST garlic bread our family have ever tasted. The bread was warm, soft and crunchy. The put a layer of butter, garlic and another layer of butter garlic. So what you get is a delicious, crunchy and flavourful bread. It was so good we ordered two sets of it.

This was something my mother wanted on her birthday. Nacho with salsa and cheese. THANK GOD!!! this dish satisfied her. The corn chips was nice and crunchy. The salsa was well prepared and the cheese beef dip called queso taste exactly like what we had in the USA. My youngest sister who was born in Malaysia, could not care less why were all moaning with pleasure when eating these chips :p

We also had these Cheese Nacho. Its nachos with the beef queso layered on it with melted cheese on top with jalapeno slices. Tomato and lettuce salad with a bit of lemon juiced garnish the middle. We like this very much, however our only complaint is that the jalapeno peppers were not hot enough. To the owner Abang Feiroz, Tesco Kajang actually sells jalapeno peppers which are really hot. Please use them in your dish for that EXTRA kick okay :D. Well in the end, my family loved The Coast. We were full that day because we went to open house all day long, so all we had were starters and salads. Yup folks these are not the main course. Wait till my other sister and brother are here so we all could go to The Coast hungry to order the main dish :D

For the month of October only, there is a promotion, if you 4 or more people come to eat at The Coast. There will be a 50% discount on the bill, provided you have paid and leave within 1 hour after you ordered. Thank god the food was prepared quite fast :D.

Hari Raya

Family potrait after our Raya prayers. The theme is purple. I was wearing a baju Melayu that I had tailored 2 years ago. Rarely worn it because it used to be tight, but since I shrinked a bit it fits better.\

First time in 24 years, we be going back to my mother's hometown using two cars. I drove my Viva while my dad drove his Accord.

New baby cousins just keep popping out each year. No shortage of cute babies and their gigles through out the year.

My late grand aunt had this swing as long as I could remember. I want one of these at my house in the future :D

Jalan-jalan cari makan di Hari Raya

Ughh so full.... its just rude manners to go to your relatives house and not eat at all. I took a taste of everything. Everything was so good. I need the redbull because we slept quite late last night, doing last minute decorating of the house. So much food :D

Santini Buffet

On Saturday, was my family and I had our berbuka at Santini KLCC. The buffet was reasonable at RM 39 per person.

I started out with a salad, with Samosa and Ayam Limau Purut

Then continue with Jambu Madu, langsat and a piece of cheese cake.

My younger brother and sister ordered this fries, twisty potatoes and wedges set with a delicious dip on the side.

I continue on with more desserts of Marble cake, bread pudding, chocolate cake and more cheese cake.

We ordered a basket of garlic bread, which was so good :)

I then took some pasta salad, beef rendang, chicken kerabu, sambal paru and more chocalate cake. Its was definitely very satisfying for all of us. What to do after a full stomach at KLCC? Shopping of course :D