...of simple things in life

When I was a young woman and naive in the ways of the world, all that I dream of was of luxuries and an easy life. I wanted big cars, big houses, ostentacious jewelery, dinners in luxury hotels...well, basically the life in the fast lane. As a young woman I thought when you have all that it means you would have accomplished a major part in your life.
But then I grew older and wiser... I have childeren... I went through a 'roller coaster' ride in my life... things happened that changed my perspective in life and I began to look at the reality of life in a different light. I began to find solace in the simpler things in life, especially in the beauty that the Al Mighty has lay out for us to enjoy. I began to love the joy of watching sunsets and sunrise with my better half, I enjoy spending time doing my gardening and watching my plants bloom. The sound of the windchimes is a beautiful sonate to my ears. The sound of the birds, the waves, the feel of the breeze are all never taken for granted...all these makes me glad that I am alive and well. We must all take time to enjoy such things lest we forget our purpose in this borrowed world...

...sacrifices in love

Life brings no easy path, but love brings much more complicated route that it sometimes need strength, faith, willpower and patience to endure and persevere the trials and tribulation of a love relationship. There is no such thing as a love relationship that is free of glitches and pinches. It is just a matter of how big and small the glitches and pinches are.

Sometimes we wonder how much are we willing to go through - through that dark and lonely tunnel for someone, how much pain are we willing to endure... If we are willing to go through that deepest and most painful hurt, willing to be lost in a thousand of uncertainties then you know that you have truly given your heart and soul to the person. It is not everyone that wants love in such a manner, most people want it the easy way, that is minus the waiting and love that is pain free. You would rather the other person feel the pain but not you.

For me I believe that if we are willing to bear such difficult moments then I would like to believe that the Al-Mighty will be there for you...

Recipe of the Day: Chicken Rice in a Pot

I'm sure that as mothers we are always on the go especially if we have young ones and that means time is of the utlost importance. If you are a stay home mum you would have tonnes of house chores to do, if you are a working mum time is never enough. Well waht ever type of mum you may be I have a graet recipe that is nutritious yet saves you loads of time in preparation. It is a recipe which I learned from a television cooking program. Its an easy recipe which can be enjoyed by both children and adults.

The recipe is called Claypot Chicken Rice but because it's cooked in the rice cooker I called it Chicken Rice in a Pot. Here's how its done:

Ingredients:

(For 5-6 people)

1/2 a chicken - depending on the size you may cut it between 5 to 6 pieces

3 cups of rice - washed

71/2 cups water - for the rice

Fried salted fish (keep the oil) - tenggiri is nice but sometimes I use whatever I have available

in my fridge

Salted vegetable (lobak asin) - I like to use the mince type, but you can use whatever

kind you like

Carrots - peeled and cut them in chunks

1-2 Chicken cube - as suit your taste (you may make your own chicken stock if you like)

Margerine or butter - 3 tablesp

Soysauce - the lemak manis type is lovely,about 2 tablesp or amount of your preference

Oyster sauce - about 2 tablesp or amount of your preference
Salt to taste

Ingredients for slicing:

1 big onions

3 cloves of garlic

ginger

Method

Firstly , saute the sliced ingredients in either margerine or butter until a nice aromatic frangrant arises. This is done in the rice cooker. Then you put in the rice, stir it awhile until the melted margerine or butter has fully coated the rice. Now you put in the pieces of chicken, soysauce, oyster sauce, water, chicken cube/stock, the chunks of carrots and salt. Stir them up.

Let it cook awhile, when the rice is 3/4 cooked place the salted vegetable on top of the rice. And when the rice is almost done place the fried salted fish on top and pour a little of its oil for a nice flavor. If you are making this dish for children you may omit the salted vegetable and salted fish.

Then let it cook all the way. There you have it a simple but delicious dish cooked in a pot.

Enjoy your meal...

...music of the windchimes

I love windchimes. A winchime has a natural sound that connects your heart to Nature, the environment or to the melody that only your heart hears. On quiet nights when the wind blows ever so lightly and your heart is missing that someone, its sound will pull at your heart strings as your mind wonders to moonlit beaches. And that will bring a twinkle in your eye.

I have 10 windchimes hanging at my tiny bedroom balcony. Each bought from all over the place, some visited by yours truly, some by my better half and one by my son. There are windchimes from Langkawi, Cameron Highlands, Kota Kinabalu, Bali, Perlis, Port Dickson and Malacca.....each is made of different types of material like ceramic, coconut shells, sea shells and wood. And the unique thing is each has a different sound.

Yes, when the wind blows gently on the windchimes, they will 'play their song', and I will just lay and listen to the melancholy sound it makes. But on stormy nights all the windchimes would be janggling about madly in the wind and the sound they make is intense yet it has a calming effect. I guess it's like a calm in the storm.

Yes I love my windchimes...

Recipe of the day: Kueh Cara

This is one of my favorite kueh...it's a simple green kueh with melted sugar in the middle. To be honest I have yet to make it because I don't have the molds to make it. The mold is made of heavy metal (I am not sure what metal but it doesn't rust). I'm figuring out where I have to go to get the molds...maybe in some hidden away rustic shop.

Anyway, this is a recipe that I found which seem simple enough to make.



Kueh Cara

For batter

2 cups multipurpose flour
2 cups water
1 cup coconut milk (1/2 packet coconut powder)
1 egg
1 teasp salt
Grenn cloring/pandan juice

Mix all the igredients and filter to rid of lumps.

Pour the batter into the mold, some say pour the granulated sugar into the batter before putting it on the stove, while others say when the batter is 1/3 cooked then only placed the sugar...well, let's just do a trial and error and see which one we are comfortable with : )



Anyway that's one of my all-time favorite kueh.

...of a mother's heart

Sometimes children don't realize what a mother's love entails. They don't realize that nothing matters more to their mother than the well being of those that they have painfully gone into hours of labor for. That these mothers have laboriously cared for them from the time their umbilical cord was tenderly cut off, separating these tiny beings from the womb that carried them for 9 months.

Sometimes children don't realise that spontaneous words that lashed out from their seemingly innocent mouth hurts deep to the core of a mother's heart. Maybe to them they are just trying to stress a point or express their thoughts but it does not work as easy as that.

But, when a mother express words of anger it is never in malice neither does her love diminish in anyway. However there are times when a son or daughter say bitter words it is with intensity. At the end of the day no matter how hurt a mother's heart maybe she will always be there for her children...always.

...first trip to Langkawi

Sunrise from the ferry to the island.


I have always loved the beauty of natural surroundings especially beaches, islands, sunrise and sunset. I have never been to the Isle of Langkawi until I took a trip with my students back in 2007...and fell in love with the serenity of the island. I guess the laid back lifestyle appealed to me (having always lived in the city).
I remembered looking at the sunrise from the ferry which was taking us to the island. I was mesmerized by the wonder of the Almighty.

At one of the ancient houses found at Makam Mahsuri site















From the ferry taking us back to the mainland
















That's me on the left with some students waiting for our turn to check into our hotel, The Eagle's Bay Hotel


















Say cheese!!! At makam Mahsuri.

























I

Recipe of the day: Rendang Pedas Ayam

This is a favoutite recipe that hails from Perak, traditionally cooked on hari raya. However, now rendang is a common dish even for breakfast to eat with nasi lemak. Well, this is a favourite dish that I like to cook for my children, family and friends.

Mind you I am a self taught cook, learning recipes from old ladies' word of mouth, therefore I have no accurate measurement...measurements are all 'professionally' quantified (in other words it's basically rough estimates based on quantity!!!)

Ingredients:


1 whole chicken, cut into manageble edible pieces

Part A
Lots of big red onions (it adds to the dish's sweetness)
Ginger the size of your thumb-sliced
Galanga (lengkuas) double the size of the ginger-sliced
Lemongrass (serai) 6 fat stalks or 8 thin stalks-sliced
Part A has to be sliced then blended

Daun Kunyit to be sliced thinly (mayang)
Cili paste (cili giling) depends on how hot you want it to be
Coconut milk (if coconut milk powder is used,put some oil to give it the oily glazed finished)
Salt to taste
Sugar (optional) if you do not want it to be too hot
Flavor enhancer

Method:

All the ingredients are put in a pot or wok and cooked over a medium fire, however as the cooking progresses turn down the heat and stir occasionally so as the rendang concoction does not stick to the pot or wok. If you prefer it dry then let the rendang cooked till it's slightly dried. However, you may leave it moist if you wish so (my children loves it moist as it is easier to eat with rice or nasi impit).
Bon Apetite...

...of nagging mothers

When I was a young girl I told myself that I would not be like my mother...you know with the nagging thing. But then here I am with my own brood and though I hate to say it I am not much different from my mum when it comes to nagging! Goodness what have become of me along the way...I must admit I am a monster when it comes to nagging, just ask my children!!! I horrify myself that I can be so beastly. And so this is my open letter of apology to my children for the years of nagging about things from the mundane to the critical.
Let me tell you children, when a mother nags it is not for the exhilarating pleasure of it. Neither is it for the throaty exercise of my lungs. I do tell you, don't I, what ought and ought not to be done first. Then I will tell you again and then one more time. But when you do not listen the patience runs thin - very thin - until it snaps. Then you have unfurl a beastly monster with a mouth that will mow anything in its path down.
So to my dear children please do not unleash anything that you cannot handle, I do get tired of nagging at the same things...just like a broken down record (or CD?)

...the wrath of the flash flood

The college where I teach is a magnet for flash flood... Everytime there is a down pour the water rises in a blink of an eye, no thanks to the lake located on the golf course right next to the college and the giant monsoon drain in front of the college. We can practically swim in the water that floods the campus. The water can rise as high as your knees. There has been occasion where the water entered the lower ground level offices and shops, and the damage had been costly. Not to mention the piles of garbage left by the flash flood. I think we must offer courses in sampan and canoe maneuvering for the benefit of all!

We, the lecturers, have this interesting ritual whereby we will eye the giant monsoon drain which we can see directly from our 2nd floor Lecturer Room. We will eye the drain like hawks to monitor the rise of the water level. The minute the water spills over there will be a frantic rush for our cars to move it to higher grounds...which is practically anywhere that water does not rise. It's funny when we think of it in hindsight; everybody for their own car...it is quite a sight when big cars and small cars make a rush for the main gate.

When water rises it's like all hell breaks lose... Cars seem to come out of no where and jam pack the roads. I just do not see the co-relation between the rain and the expansion of the traffic jam in Shah Alam. I could understand it if it's in KL but in Shah Alam....?

Well it is the monsoon season now...and we still have a lot of water to go through until its over!

...3-in-1 birthday bash

Farouq cutting at the cake...




Most mothers always tries to find ways to save money...its an unwritten code of us mothers the world over. We get supermarket coupons, look for discounts and sales, shop about at flea markets or carboot sales. Well, we are that brigade of mothers that work hard at saving money for the betterment of the family! So what can I say when I delivered 3 daughters all in the month of February; Farhana, Faeqah and Faathinah on the 18th., 28th., and 16th. of February respectively. I find it so convineant to just have a 3-in-1 birthday thingy for the girls.
These are the photos taken for their 2008 All Girls' birthday thingy...
Happy Birthday Girls...

Eqah and Baby pose with the cake...

Big sister clowing away...
Fauzan my youngest smirking away...

The lovely one-for-all birthday cake for the girls bought by my better half...

Farhana and her good friend Liyana...

Faeqah flashing her smile...

...karaoke in a pocket

My better half has this obsession with singing...he will take every opportunity to hum or sing a tune that comes to his head. And I don't think that he realise it at times. As for me I shy away from singing...I think that the frog which lives in my garden has a better chance at 'One in a Million' than me! Well, true that's an exaggeration, actually I am more of a dancing queen that a singing diva : )

Now, my better half just loves to karaoke. Normally when we have the opportunity to karaoke, he doesn't mind doing it on his own while I be his worshiping fan. I know I am bias (because he is after all my better half) but to me I like to hear him sing, he can sing any song and I would love it.

You see a week ago he bought for me a new cell phone which can record voices, naturally I asked him to sing me a short song so that I can hear his voice whenever I want to. Well that short song turned out to be an hour of karaoke session for him. And I didn't have the heart to say anything...because actually we were suppose to go for dinner and my tummy was practically making its own karaoke session with its rumbling. To tell you honestly, whatever it may be I love all the songs that he sang because he sang it for me and it comes form his heart. I love you hon.

In fact I made one of his songs as my morning alarm call!

...of sardines in a can and portable outhouses

A few weeks ago during Ramadhan I had to attent a meeting at KL Sentral...therefore I naturally took the commuter there. Frankly, it's been awhile since I boarded that train to anywhere. And was I blown away by the experience of it all. Well, I guess I am too sub-urbanian and have lost my city survival instinct.

Firstly, the train was pack like sardines in cans, with no breathing or anatomical movement space... I think if someone were to make a slight movementI am very sure that it will cause a ripple similar to dominoes tumbling! I rememdered calling my daughter (who I'm suppose to meet up later at the end station) about it and she told me that that's the way it is and if I don't get on the train I will never to get back home...she was right there. So I just stood along with the crowd and when the train arrived I just allowed myself to be swept like cork on a turbulant river. And so that was how I was able to get into the stifling train. I told mysef it will be an awfully long time before I dare enbarked on that experience again.

Then there was another thing that puzzled me...why are there portable outhouses right beside the tracks, with doors facing the passengers on the train? I was appalled...especially thinking of those poor people who after finishing doing their 'business' be it big or small, being set upon a hundred gazes from curious train passengers. How does one survive such 'traumatic' embarassment, I wonder. Maybe some will say that desperate times forgoes such trifle humiliation.

Ah well each to his own...

...after a long long break

Everyone must take a long break...it definitely rejuvenates me. I, that person who rarely takes any time off,suddenly find that taking leave is a graet way of catching up with things that you have put off, and put off time and again (well, at least part of the things I was able to catch up with...) And being on leave allows me to be a full time mum, well meaning nothing glamourous, it just means that I become a full time driver, cook, maid and cleaner. Say what you may, it was fulfilling as I get to give full attention to my kids and the house is not topsy turvy. When I told that I would make a great full time mother he said "huh!" that I would get bored in after the novelty passes. Well, I guess he is right... I do need my adrenalin to pump through my body consistently to survive. The up beat life is basically pumps my blood through my system...

Anyway, I am back after a long deserving break... Welcome back Sha...

...of forgiveness

Today is the last day of Ramadhana onth of test has gone by and to me it has been a beautiful month. And now comes the celebration of Eid..... I usher in this day with many mixed feelings. I enjoy preparing for the celebration because my children love the festivities, and I keep busy with the spring cleaning, the hanging of new curtains and unrolling the big old carpet in the living room and of course there's the hours of cooking. But my heart cries everytime I hear the takbir, firstly because I miss my father who has passed away, and secondly I misses my dearest better half who cannot be by my side... I know as I smile at all my childrens antics and their merriment, my soul will be a little chilly as the hearth of warmth has eluded me and I miss my better half very much....

To you my dearest children my prayers will be that you all will be under the blessings of the Al-Mighty..and never forget your duties as good Muslims. Mum loves you all always...

To you my dear father my prayers that you will be placed among the good and pious.

And to you my dearest better half I ask for forgiveness from "hujung rambut ke hujung kaki" and "halalkan makan dan minum". I will always try to be the woman that will make you happy...I love you

...a day filled with hugs and forgiveness

Eid is just round the corner...3 days more to be exact. Today at work all the lecturers are going around to asked for forgiveness with lots of hugging and more hugging. Emmm definitely a festive feeling today. As they say to clean the slate for the new year. That's the beauty of Eid it's a time of Maaf Zahir Batin... This is the time when we take the opportunity to go up to the person that you might have offended, make a mistake with or just feel out of sort and asked for forgiveness. To me it is a good concept but the sad part is the minute Eid is over it's as if we have forgotten the bersalam-salaman that we did before. Well, isn't that very human...

Word of the day...

Word of the day: ...horrendous...
The traffic jam was horrendous and untolerable!!!!
People that's inconsiderate are horrendous.
The event was a failure, everything that occurred was pure horrendous.

...of love and in love

When I was asked about love I said that there are 2 types of love,to love someone and to be in love with someone. And I was asked what is the difference, and I replied that it is a world of difference. You can love anyone. And sometimes the person you were once in love with is now just someone you love. But to be in love is when the electricity, the sensuality and the romanticity is still alive and going strong in a relationship. Its when you still get romantic little notes or cute little text messeges maybe even decorated with hearts and flowers!! And this after being years or decades together. The strength of being in love can overcome great obstacles and challenging situations, trust me! And it is never too old to be in love...I should believe so because I am still very much in love with my better half........ --<-@

of my five broods and me.......

Dian Farhana...my 1st the eldest an executive secretary who will be pursuing her degree soon










Meor Farouq...my 2nd, an aspiring chef






These are the 'gang' of five plus mum. These are my kids...and the ones I work my @#* of for, the ones that gives me the headaches and the heartaches yet will always be my pride and joy...hahaha....mum will always have a soft spot for you and I love you all....

Siti Faathinah...my 4th still in high school.

Meor Fauzan...my 5th emmm this one is a fire cracker...still in primary school

Siti Faeqah...my 3rd,soon to take her SPM and going to the same college as her mum(hopefully)

A day lazying at Wet World...

my tiny garden

This is my tiny garden where my better half and me likes to spend our time just talking away about anything under the sun.... if it's at night I will have to remember to lit the mosquito coil else we might be eaten alive!!!

The garden will always be filled with the smell of intoxicating rangoon creepers, sweet smelling melur and a vanilla smelling creeper.....

Saying of the day:
If you look for the light to shine in you life, you will find it or else you will create that light...but you will never see that light if you shut your eyes and most importantly your heart.

The coming of Eid

What can I say Eid is just around the corner... ahh for me personally Eid represents the coming of celebration which will cost me money and time. Well what with all the cooking, cleaning and shopping that I have to single handedly do. Haven't you heard that a mum's job is never done.... Emmm I will have to do last minute shopping for the kids this year as I am just done with my students final exams and the cash is not in the till yet ;). Its always been preparation for the kids. After my father passed away more than 10 years ago and after having to single handedly bring up my 5 kids on my own I have yet to find that light of Eid within me again. But I do have my current better half which is the light of my life.
So the joy of seeing my kids enjoy the Eid celebration is more that enough for me....

...of new green shiny car

This is my first entry into my all brand new blog. Well for someone my age (pretty over the hill) this bloggy thingy is definitely new technology hahaha....
Yesterday I got a surprise from my better half ... a brand new car. Actually it was promised for early of November but it came early. And oh my God, talk about surprises this has to be the mother of surprises...... I must say I have never feel excited, exhilarated and humbled just over a new car, the reason being in all of my almost 5 decades I have never had a new shiny car!!!
What makes it great is its my better half's favourite color and the plate number is a combination of our birth year. Yup, definitely going ga-ga over a simple car but it means the world to me as it belongs to both of us.
So if you see a bright shiny green Saga cruising down the road emmmm that's me......Vrooom.....