As we welcome Syawal

 Mama’s tarts

So another Ramadhan has passed. I will miss the walks to the mosque. when I would contemplate on my doings,silently pray for blessings, and pray beside my beloved mother. priceless.The reasons why I love Ramadhan more than Syawal and why I will miss it. I pray that I will get the chance to see Ramadhan again.

At this point, I am also thinking about loved ones who are away..

Raihan in Australia *** wish she was back for Raya. It’s Laila’s first Raya and would’ve been nice to have them around. She’ll be back in November. At the the rate that time flies these days, November will be here in a jiffy. Am so happy for Raihan, that she has found a wonderful life partner in Andrew. I still remembered how “sejuk my hati” was when I saw Andrew become imam for jemaah Asr with Raihan. He also catches terawikh prayers. He is my new brother in Islam,and has embraced the religion so beautifully. On top of that, he is an open minded, well read, charming guy. Nice!

Uncle Man in the States *** it’s been ages since Uncle Man was back for Raya, or even back here for a visit. Nenek misses him dearly. so do all of us. The last I met him was in 2003, when I was there. I hope he is well, and wish he would come back soon. I bet Nenek still in her heart hopes for him to do his usual “sneak in through the back door surprise visit”. Dont tell anyone except for whoever it is he wants to help pick him up at the airport and coordinate the surprise that he’s coming back. then sneak in and give us that loud American hello with that Colgate smile of his. It’s not just Nenek who still hopes.. I do too, every year.

Mama, Abah and Adik in London *** the first Raya that the family is not together. It is a both sad & joyous occasion. It is sad cos we miss each other and miss being together for Raya. but it is also joyous cos it marks a natural progression forward for our family. though we love the times we spend together, it is only natural that each of us will eventually pursue and tread on our own paths, but at all times not forgetting where we started, where home is. Adik is furthering his studies, experiencing new things, maturing his thoughts..that’s just wonderful.

I am thankful for the loved ones that are close to home, just came back from Opah’s house, and will be at Nenek’s bright and early tomorrow morning. And thankful for my most dearest friends, some who are like sisters and brothers to me.

To all who are far and near, Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin. May we leave Ramadhan taking the best of what we were during that holy month and keeping it alive always, and may this Syawal bring all of us much joy and happiness.

Fuchsia & Taupe

Mrs Foo visits Martha Stewart’s site regularly. You’ve gotta give it to her, Martha Stewart knows her stuff. She really does. Well.. on one of Mrs Foo’s visits, she stumbled upon this color combi for a wedding and called out to me “Pucci, found a nice color combi for you”. She like my parents are very eager to hear my wedding bells or kompangs (for something closer to home). And yes she calls me Pucci ( amongst other things). Pucci after Emilio Pucci. ok nevermind ;p

Anyway, I loved the colors. Fuchsia and taupe! Taupe is the brownish color. Can already imagine an elegant taupe kebaya or baju kurung with soft fuchsia details or a taupe baju melayu…yes yes visions and imaginations for when and if the day comes ;)

 

chair details – absolutely lovely. still maintains the fuchsia and taupe combi. adore the chairs too.

 

right down to the drinks and napkins. the napkins are personalised.

 

the choices for flowers

 

seating cards. i think the design makes for a pretty inivitation card too.

pics are from www.marthastewart.com

can never have enough cardis

saw this cardigan at Gap when I was with Lya in KLCC just now – liked it! cos it was purple, nice material and has a satin belt thingy (well the belt am not too crazy about). think i’ll go get it.

that sticky situation

Break ups – most of us have gone thru them. some take it badly, some just breeze thru the process and bump out with another around their arms. There’s another very common situtation – when one party refuses to accept the break up and is trying their hardest to win his or her ex over..

Wat are the rules of engagement for this situation?

1. Are you allowed to still be in touch, stay in talking terms? Yes. Provided that both of you are over each other, ready to move on. if one wants to leave while the other is still begging to make-up, then no need la (this is if breaking up is the best thing for the both of you). it will just complicate things if both parties stay in talking terms -one trying to be diplomatic and casual, the other taking every chance to reminisce and rekindle past moments in hopes of igniting wat is already lost.
2. Stalk your ex? That’s a big obese fat NO!!. it is scary and will just flush whatever small bit of chance you “think” you have to patch things up down that Johnson Suisse toilet bowl!. So please, accept the break up, move on and DON’T be a stalker.
3. Pestering your ex to explain again & again the reason for the break-up? If the other party has explained him/herself as to the reasons for the break-up, then accept it, argue it out if you want to, but just there and then, dont keep bringing it up-sending emails, texts, or force every call to dwindle into the subject. if someone wants out- that’s just it, she wants out. no two way about it.
4. What if the reason for the break-up was because your partner cheated on you, then are you allowed to open your closet of weapons and turn his/her life into a living hell?  Yes, I guess. but only if you yourself have been loyal, truthful. If you pun have cheated on your partner in the past-then i say “what goes around comes around”. Scary isnt it – but yea. Cheating on your partner is the worst thing you could do – the scar and damage is permanent. it is the toughest thing to rebuild the trust.
5. Try your extreme best to impress your ex in hopes of getting her back? This would work if the only thing your ex was looking for is a hot car, hot property and hard cash. Cos then probably, working your ass off to get all of the above, wud get her in your arms again, but if the issues that led her to break up with u are huge- something she cant budge on, then dont waste your time and hers. just move on. impress someone else.
6. Jump up and down just to get her attention? No need! Cos yea. she’ll notice you but that’s about it. just like she’d notice someone walking in front of her.

It is harder said than done to just move on, but pestering, and pushing for things to “get back to the way they were” is just going to make things worst. instead of being able to be friends, your ex might just shut you out completely. the sky will be clearer after a while, let things run its course and dont force it. only my 2 cents.

while browing through the Sartorialist

the purple driving mocs are delicious (am bias cos my favorite color is purple)

It’s out & I want it!

Half way through Ramadhan

I would love to think that most people take the chance to truly appreciate Ramadhan, the holy month which has so much beauty and bounties awaiting those who are in the know. But unfortunately much to my dismay there are many who treat it with an “oh its just fasting month” attitude. Dismissal.

The much that they would do is to abstain from eating and drinking- which is hardly the essence of Ramadhan. Abstaining from eating, drinking, sex.. is the physical aspect of it, but where the gist of the month lies is in the spiritual gain.

I used to treat Ramadhan as a month where I’d just be fasting, then..I didnt have the same appreciation I do now. These days, I find myself making it a point to go for Terawikh when I can, able to be more khusyu’ during prayers, and recite the Quran more than I usually do. I am no “holy chick” but I try to be a good Muslimah. I am not without desires, hell I cave in to my desires more than I’d like to.

It would be a complete waste if any Muslim allows Ramadhan to just pass..without appreciating what it brings. Not once attending Terawikh, reciting the Quran, thinking about ones deeds. Well it is not too late, there is a week and a half left, and the last nights of Ramadhan hold its own secrets.

I am proud to say that I am pleased with my Ramadhan this year, i have so far made it better than the last. Have you?

my iTouch

Am contemplating on whether or not to sell my iTouch and get a nano-video instead. My iTouch is under-utilised. I only load songs and pics on it, no movies, games etc.(yea say whatever). But sayang jugak to sell it off – maybe i shud just keep it..hmmm.

Things I need to Buy

1. A laptop sleeve (long due, poor Mac-B) I actually went to a few Machines outlets and even Epicentre, but they didn’t have the color I wanted.
2. Portable hard drive (long due)
3. Small point and shoot camera (this is also long due – must go to Low Yat!)
4. A few more pairs of skinny jeans (going this weekend)
5. Pumps from ShoesShoesShoes (also going this weekend)
6. Aperture software 

There are a few more, but the above I must purchase pronto.

Aspa & Azza @ Pak Li’s

I met Aspa for drinks/moreh last Monday. We’ve not met up for about 2 months, despite living so near each other (but driving to Klang is hell, cos traffic is such a b*tch). It was wonderful catching up..loads of updates to share. Dont remember how, but the conversation developed into a ”Aspa sharing with Naddy the 101 of marriage life” session. Aspa shared tons, from the endless bliss that she and Azza are enjoying to their agreed arrangements on finances (of course without spilling the private details). I listened attentively..of course la, valuable pieces of information here haha. We were at Pak Li’s from 8:30 – 1:00am.

Azza joined us later. The only thing Azza had to do to start the talk on health, working out, and other health related matters was the opening question..”so Naddy how are your lunges?” and me confessing that I’ve not been doing that many sets of lunges of late tsk tsk

For background information : Azza is a senior personal trainer with True Fitness. Am going to enroll for some personal training sessions beginning next month. He showed some pics of clients that went from skin and bones to hot and yummy in just 1.5 months! ;p that just sealed the deal for me haha.

It was fantastic catching up with Aspa and Azza. One of these days am gonna pay Castro (the cat Azza and Aspa adopted from me, and yup i named the little feline, Castro ;p) who is now super gemuk a visit, and Aspa said she’ll make her signature nasi lemak for iftar.

Mango Sunday

I was up early one Sunday morning, it was about 9:00am. walked around the house, couldnt find my parents, they were out obviously. I was fasting so I didnt bother checking out the fridge and kitchen table for breakfast. looked out the kitchen window and saw that our mango tree had menggugurkan some mangoes. Since the tree bore fruits- we’ve had endless supply of mangoes every day. Anyway, I wanted to pick the mangoes up before the tupai & family, bird & family eat all of them up. dont worry I left ample for them. then i thought maybe i’d pick up my camera and get some shots of the mangoes. nice bright yellow mangoes. so here are some shots.

titled this pic lonely mango. used the pebbles to provide contrast and clean background to accentuate the color of the mango.

had to allow this mosquito to suck the blood out of me just so that i could get this shot.

two ants on the pebbles

under the tap..wish i had clearer droplets though

What’s in store for Raya

This Raya will be a so-so affair, since my brother & parents will be in London. Folks are leaving on the 27th of Sept, yup just a few days before Raya, so only Nasha, Abang and I will be at home. Maybe that explains why I have not put much thought into what I’m going to wear for Raya – not like I’ve ever been that big on baju raya to begin with.

Mum & Dad have already started on the Raya prep, changing the curtain etc. The thing about our home that i love is that it doesnt require some big “Raya cleaning up” session. I know some houses that need to do an entire clean sweep of dust and old junk before Raya. but not at our home so we’re spared from rolling up our sleeves, and stacking bags upon bags of rubbish outside the house.

Adik is away so I’m guessing we wont be placing pelitas in the garden, he’s the tukang pelita at home..but hey, in true Adik style and tradition, we should! cos I bet Adik will ask “so dah pasang pelita?” . But we’ve had a pretty wet weather of late, not sure if pelitas will last the night.

Anyway, I hope I’ll still have an excellent Raya this year.

Ages

Been so long since I last posted anything. I could list all the reasons for not blogging but why bother. A lot has been happening, Adik left for London, I got promoted , Nasha is not getting any taller (haha – this is just for Nasha), birth of Foto & Fox…etc

There has also been recent developments that I am not yet comfortable to spill all and sundry here, not yet at least. Developments that I’ve welcomed with open arms.

Nasha will be back today, gotta drag her go shoe shopping with me. am wearing out my pumps.