Skin & Bones

Caught this show “Thin Stories” [or something like that] on 77 just now. Very disturbing.

It featured this girl who’s a thinspiration [inspiration to others who want to be ultra thin-yes there is such a thing] and she’s pro Ana [pro Anorexia], maintains a website on tips and ways to lose the weight baggage. She even came up with a mantra “food brings pain and weight”. She’s very young, 16 or 17 max.

Apprently pro ana peeps often form online communities that try to counter the idea that anorexia is an eating disorder and promote that it is in fact a lifestyle choice.

And the Olsen twins are two of the most famous and idolised thinspiration models.

Lifestyle choice it may be, but to me there’s something a bit off with denying yourself food, and only living on an apple or even less a day just so that the needle on your weighing machine will only move left and never right, or digital figures to always decrease and never increase.

Yes, it’s her body, she can do whatever she pleases with it, but to me being ultra skinny, walking skin-and-bones, rib-cage poppingly thin arent a pretty sight to look at [admittedly beauty is in the eyes of the beholder] but that’s secondary..the practice to be so light weight can threaten your health and well being and it becomes an obsession- to constantly watch your weight.

but i guess, in today’s day and age.. it’s whatever rocks their boat. there are different arguments..in support and against anorexia.

For me..I’m lousy at saying no to food, especially if it’s one of those sinful indulgences. Lasagne..that’s what I’m craving for right now..and some scones..see I’m so greedy tsk tsk.

Bring on the food, glorious food!

Raihan Update: Flower Festival

Raihan and Andrew went to the flower festival recently, and she sent me some pictures. Just like Andrew’s office, park and everything else.. the festival was a mere 5 minutes away from her place! Beat that. Oh but her halal meat grocer is a bit far so ok la. Come to think of it, I’ve got quite a number of places that are 5-mins away from home as well, the 3 fast food chains-Mc’d, KFC, Pizza Hut, Cold Storage, MPH, Dave’s Deli, Coffee Bean, Starbucks, British India, Secret Recipe…mmmm not bad hehe.

Above is my favorite pic of the lot. Perfect use for an old piece of metal.

Judging by the pics am sure Andrew and Raihan had a very flowery- romantic stroll :p My dear friends are enjoying bliss bliss bliss

I’m living in a “jungle” of my own, thanks to Mum, Dad and Yanto [our amazing gardener] who tends to the garden so religiously. Folks love to keep it green + we have Dad’s family of Koi (huge fishies) to maintain the plant-animal equilibrium.

Told Raihan i’ll definitely visit her in spring next year when everything is in full bloom.

On a different note, Raihan’s all pumped up for the soccer league which starts this Sunday..yes the woman is playing a game she just found out she’s good at [she won the prize for best and fairest player okay] so Andrew, dont be surprised if she  switches professions for real

Short Drive

Had to run some errands just now.

I dont remember the last time I did this, but I decided to drive with the window down. Driving in Shah Alam is, contrary to popular belief-pleasant [the Istana side of Shah Alam], not that much traffic, very few stop lights,wide roads, doesnt feel crampy and congested.

That made driving with the window down a surprisingly, not-too-bad experience..

Slipped Corinne Bailey Rae in the player, selected one of my fav track Trouble Sleeping [wind down tune after a hard day]

cars shooshing by

suburb night breeze and a hint of fume..

ah yes, my window-down driving experience..

Trouble Sleeping- enjoy

Searching for the right one

I’m thinking of switching my skincare range to a different brand, just for fun- but the problem is I dont know which one.

It’s hard to find a reliable source that could give some useful pointers. There are the usual:

1. Magazines – but I tend to believe that they get paid to publish write-ups on certain products- so not that good in terms of reliability and bias-free wise. Plus it’s hillariously odd how in different editions, different brands are named “the must have” or “the best—” or “voted as—” Though i will give the cosmetic, skincare market the benefit of doubt that there are that many good products to choose from- hence the rotating award to different brands.
2. Online reviews - well different users ie skin conditions, genes will react differently to different products- if Dermalogica works for Miss Apple it wont necessarily work for Miss Orange. So individual reviews too comes with a pinch of salt.
3. The ever so popular belief that “the more expensive the better”. This has been tried and tested by yours truly though I have yet to actually reach the ceiling of “expensive” but again no.3 is also affected by point no.2 I know there are girls who are  just so lucky i can rip their skin off cos all they rely on is water and a bar of Johnsons baby soap [ too much!] to maintain their flawless baby’s bum skin, and Thalgo gives them acne [huh?]

So what do I have left to rely on? Nothing but old school trial and error. 

I’ll head out tomorrow to OU to see which tube of cleanser or bottle of toner screams out  the loudest, has the sweetest-freshest scent or which salesperson gives me the best sales pitch haha.

Jill O’Connor Dropped me a Comment

Jill O’Connor Says: September 23rd, 2007 at 3:50 pm e

Hello Nadia:

I am delighted that you have enjoyed my new book, Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey, and mentioned it on your blog! My web site, jilloconnorcooks.com is still being built, but I will email you when it is up and running. If you give me an address I will be sure and send you an autographed copy of your own.

Happy to guide you along the path to “Cooking Goddess-hood!”

All the Best,

Jill O’Connor

 

Jill O’Connor, yup the author herself.. dropped me a comment on my profile page!

I got the email alert to moderate a comment on Just Nadia.Thought it was just another comment, but this definitely was no “normal” comment.

I was ecstatic to receive a personal message and what more my own autographed copy of Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey!

Thanks so much Jill!

Things I’m Gonna Get

Sold my 30G iPOD last week, just after a few days of placing it on sale. Thanks to Shokee I got an immediate buyer, and managed to sell it at the price I offered, without any bargaining or negotiating ;p

Sold my iPOD video for one of its newer siblings. Kuc said i’m settling for less in terms of size [ 30G to 8G] but in terms of style, i’m scoring some major points! I cant agree more Kuc hehe

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Mrs Foo the baking goddess just came back from Singapore to visit her in-laws, and she picked up an oh-so fantastic book..Sticky, Chewy, Messy, Gooey.. I fell in love with the book just by the title.

The layout was like a scrapbook, and it had quirky quotes on almost every page like this one..

” If the English can survive their food, they can survive anything”

George Bernard Shaw

LOL! And even if you’re not into baking, this book is a wonderful flip-through read, and it’ll make even the most freakiest of health freak’s mouth water. 

Notice the first line on the page below..”This may not be the brown sugar Mick Jagger was singing about”..I’ve never seen egg white 101, pudding, George Bernard Shaw and Mick Jagger all in one book.

So told Mrs Foo to get the book for me the next time she’s in Singapore.

Who know’s maybe I’ll become a baking goddess myself ;p

The Wall

 

Trucco’s display.Thought it was brilliant. Couldnt stop the shutter bug in me from taking a shot. 

I most definitely wouldnt mind [and you can be sure that I will] having a wall-deco like that at my place. It would look great in the kitchen too.

Raihan Update: Her Home

Raihan just got the Internet up and she emailed some pics of her place in Canberra. 

It looks so cosy! Unfortunately I dont have a lot of blogging space left for pics so I can’t upload them all. Here’s a few..

 A comfy couch is a must have!

  where I’m sure everyone enjoys Raihan’s culinary delights

 was teasing Raihan how we dont need a dryer here cos it’s panas terik ;p she says it’s really sejuk there,dont worry An, when you come back we’ll go soak up the sun!

 the kitchen looks spotless! can you spot the lesung? That’s the way An hehe

 it’s pretty outside too

 

Doesnt Andrew look like he’s gained some weight? I got confirmation from Raihan that he certainly did.  Looking good Andrew! Next to Andrew is his dad [the one in blue duh] who just took Raihan around Sydney on his boat last Sunday..nice.

Cant wait to visit them!

What a Day

Didnt have such a great day at work today. Not a great day at all. Dont feel like spilling it here.

Rearing cute fat cows and fluffy little chickens is becoming more and more of an excellent idea by the day. Oh or becoming a larger-than-life cashier at Mrs Foo’s pastry and cake heaven “the Beater”

Needed a good dose of laughter. Second to Kuc, Will and Grace always does the trick. So i watched a few episodes just now.

Jack and Karen always crack me up! I cant stand Grace- hate her. Will is adorable. If you’ve watched it you’d know what I’m talking about. Sigh why do good sitcoms have to come to an end? Cant they just keep running till my eyesight and hearing wears off to old age?

Hope tomorrow will be a better day.

Iftar at Mama Wa’s

Last night we had iftar at Mama Wa’s house, my aunt- mum’s sister [dont know how Mama Wa came about, my aunt's name is Sarah..Sarah to Mama Wa? ;p]

Anyway almost everyone was there, and there was soo much food! All about FOOD! ;p

Below is my grandmum’s signature kuih lopis – unbeatably delicious! My grandmum would happily watch us gobble them down while saying “Nice ar nenek make the kuih lopis”. Ya Nek, we totally agree with you!

I’m about to do the “categories” thingy for iftar, cos i find it both an interesting and funny observation that at every iftar there’ll always be..[here comes the categories]

1. the person that’ll the first to pick up a plate and line it with dishes and kuih, then find a spot and wait for the azan – last night that person was my cousin Iqral haha
2. the person that will call out “ok dah Azan!”, eventhough we could all hear it loud and clear on the TV or from the nearby mosque – no one did that last night hehe, but at home it’ll be my brother.
3. & someone who would always go “lambatnya Azan” or “I think dah Azan dah” – I believe more than one person falls in this category LOL! [ i do it too sometimes, especially when I'm extra hungry]
4. the first person to tapau [pack] the food for sahur – that would be Donnie ;p
5. and the two groups – first group; the ones that would take a small bite then pray Mahgrib before continuing iftar and second group; those that would eat first then pray Mahgrib – i fall in the first group, cos I like to take my time savouring the dishes during iftar *wink*

See if you have the same categoy of peeps at home. I’m sure you do- at least one of them.

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Below – murtabak..a must have for iftar

We left Mama Wa’s around 10pm, after some tea, bowls of bubur kacang, scoops of  Mama Wa’s famous trifle and a bag of Australian chips [ very good chips!]- Shasha brought em. Now we all know what to ask Eski to bring back when he comes home for visits!

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There’s one guarantee whenever there’s a dinner party, pot luck or any sort of makan at Mama Wa’s – you can be sure there’ll be goood food!

Bee’s E-Day Part 2

So here’s the juice on Bee’s e-day, the words in purple are Lya’s [i copied and pasted from her blog-thanks Busuk! ;p] and in turqoise are mine [duh!]  Bee and I go a loong way back. She was the first friend I made in UIA. I just registered at UIA’s matriculation center in PJ and it was also the first day that i wore a tudung [headscarf] for more than an hour [ when I went for mengaji lessons as a kid, I wore a tudung but only for the duration of the lesson ;p]

I felt a tad uncomfortable, plus I was in surroundings that I wasnt familiar with. Didnt attend boarding school, that makes staying in a room with so many other girls a first – had a case of “culture shock” i suppose.

Then I met Bee, who also stays in Shah Alam [felt connected already cos I was so homesick though I was only 25 mins away from home], her tudung was perfectly in place [mine was soo cacat- didnt know how to put one on properly] AND the best part about Bee was that we had the same wave length - entailing comfortable conversations and compatible silence! 

Then on we became close friends, we were in the same Arabic class [our lecturer always picked on us - but we were ok with it cos he was kinda cute hehe] and Bee and I were also in the same dorm. Very fun! I still remeber those days so clearly and now Bee is about to become a wife. Time just jets off doesnt it..sigh

Alrighty enuf on the history 101..back to Bee’s e-day!

Lya-purple and red

Mine -turqoise

090907 marks the date that my best friend bee becomes mimie’s fiance.Sorry mimie, susah nak tuka panggil amirul. [am just going to stick to Mimi - can right En Amirul? haha]Hehe. I was excited many days before that. Bile orang tanya last week, “Are u free this weekend?” I’d be like… “Nope! My best friend’s getting engaged. There’s no way i’m missing her e-day!” Hehe. Okay, overly excited. Sampai my selendang i wore that day pun over like i was the one getting engaged pulak. [ no it didnt look over and i've got pictures to prove it-see pic below, they both looked nice, but of course Bee had the extra glow - wait Lya it'll be your turn soon to have the same glowy effect on your face]Haha. Tapi takpe. I have every right to be. She’s my best friend!

Oh, I can’t even begin to describe how gorgeous she looked.[yes like i said Bee was glowing and looked stunning, every piece was in place] Turquoise on her looked perfect! Seriously cantik. Not many people can pull off wearing turquoise and look dazzling in it u know. [ i know for a fact that i cant boohoo] No one could’ve stolen her limelight that day even if they tried like hell. [I second that Busuk!] Hehe. [Haha]

I’d put up pictures but i have nil. I was, again i state, overly excited and nape tah that i forgot i could’ve taken photos using my phone’s camera. **too broke to own an actual camera. haha.

Anyway, i hope someone send me some photos of that day soon. I’m gonna keep bugging them. Hehe. ** That’s you Dya. ;p Oh, Dya’s on her way to becoming a superb photographer! She’s got talent. And i’ve got photos to prove it. Ehehe. [pics will be up soon - eh where got talent, so many shots tak jadi haha]

Okla.. a few words for bee…

Bee, congratulations on your e-day. You are one step closer to every girl’s dream. [It's definitely mine ;p] Well, most girls i think. Hehe. You two deserve each other undoubtedly. And you guys deserve a beautiful life ahead, together, which i’m sure will happen soon. Okla, poyo je. Hehe. Bee! Seriously, i’m overjoyed. You deserve this bliss. Luv u!!! [Yea Bee, u guys rock! luv ya too babe]

p/s: this has got to be my most colourful post ever!

Lya (Busuk ;p) and Bee

Bee’s E-Day

Nabilah [I call her Bee] got engaged last Sunday to Wan Amirul [or more fondly known as Mimi ;p very masculine eh haha].

I’ll spill more details soon.

Congrats Bee and Mimi!

@Bakerzin last week

Elsie found a great background for a pic..

So we took a shot!

Zoey got us some souvies from Bangkok; double strip headbands - so Marc Jacobs

 

Zoey showing us how to wear our souvies ;p mine is pink – i love!

Elsie trying hers on.

Embracing Ramadhan

San Francisco..about to go for iftar

It’s the first day of ramadhan-and i just got back from terawih.  I love Ramadhan more than Syawal..the heightened spirit of togetherness amongst Muslims is so obvious during this holy month. We often or sometimes take for granted the common bond that we have as Muslims, but during this month- it will be reignited as millions of Muslims observe the fasting month of Ramadhan all across the globe.

The roads around Masjid Besar Shah Alam was so busy, the parking space in the compound of the mosque that used to be enough during the rest of the year was just now filled with cars, till I had to park on the pavement by the road! 

I stepped out of my car and joined my fellow sisters and brothers who were also making their way to the mosque…all for one purpose. Very moving.

As I walked.. my thoughts were on my parents in Mecca and my siblings. And how I cant wait to have iftar together with the entire family.I’m missing my parents terribly.

Tomorrow i’ll be having iftar at my grandmum’s. This is the second Ramadhan that I’m not with my folks on the first day. The first time was when I was in the States, in San Francisco..quite sedih not having your family around, but it was an experience breaking fast in what I consider one of the best town in the States. I did not go for terawih though.

The second day of Ramadhan i flew out of San Fran to LA to meet my uncle. He made nasi ayam for me but unfortunately we were stuck in LA’s rush hour trafffic on the way to my uncle’s place from the airport and all I had with me were some Jelly Belly beans and Uncle Man’s mineral water. So that was my iftar

Bibik just came up to ask what I’d like to have for sahur, told her not to trouble herself I’ll just have cereal and yoghurt and she gave me this puzzled look that said  ”are you mad- you’ll get hungry” she dismissed me and said she’ll cook something..ok la-that works for me too hehe

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Ramadhan has a special way of making even those who often neglect their duties and obligations to pull their act together. Thriving to be a better Muslim should be one’s aim every single day and not just a moments realisation..of course that’s the ideal state. Which is hard to attain.But Ramadhan makes a good launch pad.

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Folks will be back Friday next week.I pray that they have a blessed Umrah.

And also for all of us to be able to make this Ramadhan better than the last, for our prayers and sujuds in submission to be accepted , and for a stronger bond between us and our Maker.

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Ramadhan Mubarak everyone.

Madame’s Promotion

Madame [Azrina] just got promoted, so to celebrate she took the ladies out for dim sum lunch at PJ Hilton earlier today-Delish!

We had a sceptical waiter who was very worried that we ordered too much and we wouldnt be able to finish what we ordered…hello! of course we proved her wrong haha

Congrats Madame!

Pic below: That’s not all that we ordered ;p

Read : Because She Can

 

What i’m reading at the mo..

Just bought it last Wednesday..On the first page of the book [in the Prologue]  the words Vera [Vera Wang] and House of Lesage appears..

Then in the next few pages..Oscar de la Renta, Vintage Bulgari, Harry Winston..

my review….so far so good *wink*

Budget 2008

The budget’s out.

Unfortunately at the time the budget was announced I was in a meeting so I didnt get to watch or hear it live.

My attention is on the policies for the fund management industry - cos it happens to be part of my portfolio. 

Excited to read the round of commentaries tomorrow!

Furry Friend

I’ve been relying on Kiki and Boo for feline love for a while now [I'm like an aunt to my brother's cats] forever bugging my brother to bring them home for the weekend [they stay with my brothers in their apartment in Cyberia].

 For the longest time, I’ve wanted to get a cat for myself, one that stays at home with me [only stays in the house -very domesticated]. But the only problem with having a cat at home is their poo poo [yes, they can be trained] but still it’s a hassle to clean up the litter box etc. that’s my only bug bear with cats.

oh and an added concern- my house [folk's place] has a lot of wood based furniture not to mention carpets which make great scratching spots for cats [and yes i know i can get scratch posts] but am a bit worried that the cat would get bored of it [of course la, after a while i'm sure it'll be bosan to scratch the same old surface] and hence resort to putting their little claws on the forbidden items.

other than the above, if cats dont poop [will never happen..duh!] and they dont have this scratching habit-im more than happy to have one at home.

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BUT just yesterday while I was in Bangsar , to pick up a birthday balloon for Mrs Foo [was her birthday yesterday - got her a nice clutch from Aldo too] at my favorite balloon place, Balloon Bouquets, i passed by Rainin Cats and Dogs and saw the most adorable pair of blue eyes looking out from the display cage. Brown ears, paws, tail and shade of brown on the face..I later found out that he’s a Persian Siamese mix that’s about 3-4 months old. CUTELICIOUS!

There were also 3 one year old Persians but they’re too common, and when I went back to the office and showed Mrs Foo, Madame and Tai Tai a picture of mr blue eyes-they told me to get him, he’s a rarity and I agree.

So I’ll be getting a cat!

Need to bring him in when Mum and Dad leaves for Umrah, cos it’d allow me to introduce him to the house and should there be accidents [ pray there'd be none] I can deal with it.

And when folks get back, hopefully they wont notice any difference; like funny cat smell,  fur everywhere, or scratch marks on the furniture. 

Only then will I break the news that a little kitten has been staying at home while they were away and has been an angel and did not do anything to disturb the cosy ambience at home hehe

But am quite sure once they look into those blue eyes just like i did – they’d say welcome to the family

So we’ll see.

Picking Castro up [I named him Fidel Castro- lurve it!] on Saturday. Can’t wait.

Noni’s wedding

Am running out of space to upload pics.

So go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinkcoat/ [it's also on my blogroll - right sidebar] for some pics at Noni’s wedding.

I was the bridesmaid but still had time to take some shots hehe. Talk about multitasking.

Hey if I wanna be good at photography I’m gonna have to practice ;p

Am a newbie on Flickr so Noni’s wedding shots are the first batch. More to come!

Am feeling blue

Am I having a prolonged case of Monday blues? Cos I’ve been feeling so malas the whole day, although while feeling malas..i was still very productive ;p

I blame my malas state on last night- I usually sleep like a baby, but last night was out of the ordinary. I was tossing and turning like roti canai..trying to sleep, and to make matters worst..the few minutes that was far in between that I did doze off..I had to get up for “temperature changes” ..

It all began when I misplaced/ someone moved the remote to both the air con and the fan from the bedside table. So when it got too sejuk in the room, I struggled to pull myself out of the cocoon of warmth i’ve created with my comforter..and walk to the switch to turn off the a/c…and cos i didnt know where i placed the remote to the fan, had to walk to the fan to switch it on.

Just to add to my already not so good night, after 2 hours or so it got a bit warm, and the whole process repeated.. i had to walk again to on the a/c then switch off the fan.. at this point I was ready to point a shotgun at whoever it was that moved the remotes [ i think it was my brother].

Tonight I’ll make sure that both the remotes are on the table.

Thankfully traffic this morning wasnt a b*tc*- got in, traded morning tea for kopi-o. Much needed after the roti canai episode in bed, having to face multiple tasks and also a slight case of the morning blues.

Bring on Tuesday!