Away for Umrah

The Nu Yorka left for Umrah 2 weeks ago, and Insya Allah will be back this Thursday. Needless to say, I miss him terribly. I am excited to hear him spill the details of his experience. The bits that he’s shared with me during calls got me smiling and saying “oh my God” already.

image from www.arabamericannews.com

I know for a fact now that distance does make the heart grow fonder and as jiwang as this Malay saying is, I kinda understand the meaning it invokes “tidur tak lena, mandi tak basah, makan tak kenyang “. Yup, Nadia is missing her boo.

Saturday at the museum

I decided to check out  a photography exhibition at the Islamic Arts Museum last Saturday- The Art of Integration: Islam in Britain. 

The shots were lovely, some very powerful. I wish more were placed on exhibit. A lot of potraiture, natural I suppose for an exhibition on people. There were a few shots of Yusuf Islam (formerly known as Cat Stevens) as well.

We went around the entire musem, well actually..almost the entire museum. The reason why we couldnt complete touring the museum was because I was hungry, as in very hungry – made the mistake of leaving home on an empty stomach and thinking I could last till lunch time. I was  just famished.

The New Yorker likes to take his time to look at each and every one of the pieces carefully. Especially the weapons and arms section. I would have done that as well but I was veeryyyy hungry. I think the mere repetition in this post about how hungry I was is testament to the gravity of my need for food that morning haha.

Saturday at the museum wasnt too bad at all. But the next time I go, I will make sure I dont go on an empty stomach. Empty stomach + museum/anywhere for that matter = bad idea ;p

Moving forward

Felt like it was only yesterday that Zoey pulled up in front of my house, with Elsie and Nina in the car, waiting for me to get ready. We were making our way to Aspa’s wedding reception.

at Aspa’s wedding reception 2 years ago

And it also felt like it was only a short while ago that us girls, checked in at Impiana for Wan’s hen nite (I fondly remember the walk down to the pool at 4am, only to find that we couldnt go to the pool at that hour haha…obviously).

Well this year marks Aspa & Azza’s 2nd year anniversary and Wan & Zul’s 1st. We celebrated  Wan & Zul’s 1st anniv in full style and energy two saturdays ago at Sultan. Congratulations to both couples. Babies are part of the plan starting this year. So hopefully, I’ll be proud aunts to very cute little ones soon.

Zoey’s Gorjes

It’s another installment for Gorjes – Zoey’s back with loads of new pieces. Background: Gorjes is the new clothing collection that Zoey started early this year. She doesnt design nor make the clothes herself, but she relies on her fine and avant garde taste in fashion to sniff out good designs and items for us to purchase!

So, I went to her place last Fri nite for first dips of Gorjes’s latest installment. The girls (Sherean and Lynda) and I stripped clothes  of and on like we were at the backstage of a Milan Fashion show! I loved most of what I put on, actually almost all of what I put on. By the minute my pile of things-Naddy-is-buying got bigger and bigger. I walked out of the house with a whooping hundreds on my tab, but I must say, it was worth the amount.

Spotted..Zoey on hippie mode.

The New Yorker of course gave me that “You did not just spend RMxxx amount, did you?” look + question, and I sheepishly nod, bat my eyelids a lil, hoping my deer caught in the headlights look will save me. But he’s alright, so long as I can justify my purchase. Which I did, showed him one of the pieces I got, which he liked a lot (weee!)..and I convinced him that all the other pieces were equally as nice..and I told him I wont be purchasing anything for the next 4, 3 months *grin* the New Yorker obviously did not fall for my shopping-celibacy vow haha. 

Anyway,Gorjes made its debut @ Threadszoo at Capsquare last Saturday and Sunday. Happy Hippyz fair! The New Yorker and I made our way there after running some errands,to memeriahkan suasana at Zoey’s booth. The place was meriah all right. I told the New Yorker, that it almost felt like a mini Woodstock was happening…mini only, not the real deal.

We finished at Capsquare around 8ish – with impressive sales made on the first day! woohoo. Helped Zoey pack up. Farah sold home-made pies too- sedap. Very entrepreneurial these people ;p Once done,  Zoey, her beau Epool, the New Yorker and I made our way to Alexis for dins.

I must say I am extremely proud of Zoey – hats off! To check out Gorjes, visit their blogsite (still new, the latest pieces are not up yet, but will be soon) www.gorjesme.blogspot.com

do you like what you see

I was looking through some old shots that I took, and I had a wild thought running in my head while I was looking at the shot I took below..

What if you dont like what you see outside the window. Do you seal the window permanently, or do you open the window, and look out anyway and learn to like what you see?

What if it’s impossible to like the view, do you force yourself anyway, or do you just move and look out a different window? Perhaps you might also consider changing that “eyesore” into something more pleasant that you can look at, but is that possible if that something is a permanent structure that you cant change? If its something permanent..then what can you do?

*this was taken while I was on a day trip to Malacca with Nina & Lya*

Notice the pic, the window on the left, looks like its still intact and can still be opened, while the one on the right, is sealed close..not too good a view perhaps? or maybe just broken and due for a fix.

from People

John Mayer doesnt look too bad in his cropped do.he looks good actually. then again I have this thing for guys wit cropped hair. altho i must say, only certain guys with certain facial features can pull it off.

nice pic of the pair..so stylo milo. love her bag and booties. Vanessa Hudgens and Zack Efron.

Rachel Bilson. I like I like I like!!

something about the get-up…nice

 

pics from People

High on Info

I was at home this afternoon..on MC, nursing my sore throat and running nose. Thought I’d nap, but I was in for a treat. Information treat!

I turned on the TV and surfed according to the usual order..511 for CNN, followed by BBC..got stuck there. There was a live broadcast of the press conference at 10 Downing Street, by PM Gordon Brown and Chancellor Allistair Darling on UK’s rescue package for UK banks. So I tuned in to BBC. Then I remembered that the US presidential candidates had the second round of debates..I found the video on wait was it CNN or BBC’s website..dont remember..waited for the buffering thingy..and caught Obama and McCain in action.

All this while listening to Mr Brown explaining the game plan for UK’s economy. Also news on how markets are doing, most markets dropped today. Then later, on Squawk Box (CNBC), they had Joseph Stiglitz as a panelist – made my day. So TV on CNN/BBC/CNBC…laptop watching the debate.

I had hours of just latest news, commentaries on the market, forecasts…it was exciting. These are exciting times indeed, I cant wait for Dad to get back…am quite sure he has his thoughts on all this. I do too, but since its 230am I’m not gonna detail them out here. 

Let’s see what’s in store tomorrow.

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

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.

Saturday in Bandung

-Part 2-

Got up at 630am – only 1.5 hours of sleep. Was told that it’s important that we leave early, cos the traffic during the weekends in Bandung is cra-zy! No thanks to Jakarta folks who flock the town for leisure.

Traffic was definitely crazy. But it allowed me to observe the surroundings and take some shots from the car; the entrepeneurial Indonesians who would go from one vehicle to another at traffic light stops – selling everything from candy, ciggaretes (which I think is the most fast selling item), newspapers, mags, to mineral water. The streets are lined with the stall-on-wheels selling Bakso and the like. I’m left wondering..there are so many sellers – but dont see that many people buying..hmmm not a perfect market.

We arrived at the hotel @830am. Fareez was waiting at the lobby.

We then walked for about 20 mins to the venue for the workshop;Institute of Techonolgy Bandung. Very beautiful + green campus. I didnt realise we were entering campus grounds, cos the entrance looked more like an entrance to a botanical park or sumthng. Saw some eye candies playing basketball ;p and a bunch of other students making their way around.

The workshop was held in an old school lecture hall, with wooden seats + flaps, and chalkboards!ye papan hitam… brings back memories.

We ran the debaters workshop on Sat -theory and tactis in the morning, then after lunch we had a debate. Guess what i had for lunch? the original ayam penyet ;p

Best part about going for debate tournies, or workshops such as this one; is meeting new people.  Had the opportunity of nongkrong-ing with (hanging out with) Minerva,Lauren, Pandu, Nik, Alpha, Freida, Miranda..extremely friendly, fun and hospitable group of people.

For dinner, we went to this joint at Cumberlueit..if i recall the name correctly; it was raining, so it took us quite a while to get there- traffic was annoying. Poor Pandu and Nik had to wait quite a while for us to get there, they reached the place earlier, cos they went on the motorbike.

Ok this is the part where I indulge by sharing a compliment thrown at me. Once in a while, takpe haha. Pandu and the gang are aware that i’ve graduated and  am currently working, so they knew I cant possibly be 19, but when he guessed my age, he tot I was a 1985 baby!yeay.that obviously got me smiling from ear to ear. of course la, that’s 4 years off my actual age. goodie. it’s not that I hate aging or anything. heck i cant run away frm it, but it’s nice to know that i’ve not run out of youthfulness. hey it’ll be quite sedih if someone mistakens me for a 30 year old or sumthg. God forbid!

dinner was lovely, and we had great company. we extended an invitation to the Indonesian debaters to come to KL and spar with the IIU debaters, it’ll be good practice for both parties. if not for debating, they shud come by anyway; so we could give them a taste of KL, only 2 of the whole bunch have actually been to KL. i know exactly where to take them if they’re ever in town.

got back to Meta’s place around 11ish, was poofed. took me less than 5 minutes to be in lil dreamland. one down, two more days to go.

Aspa & Wan turns 27

Just got back from Aspa and Wan’s b’day dins (belated for Aspa, pre celeb for Wan). We made reservations at Neroteca, but after finding out that almost all the dishes were non-halal ( it was either suckling pig, pork ribs, or suckling pig sumore haha), we headed out to 21 (again!..we’re forever there whenever we’re at Changkat) At 21 I ordered the same dish again,chicken with creamy mash.. Elsie ordered the duck salad which was super nice, next time I’m having that.

Oh before that, when we arrived at Changkat, we saw a Ferrari pullover at Somerset, and we were wondering if it was Wan & Zul, it was them! they decided to take the red horsey out!Supern delish! Wait, i’ll post up some pics once Jimmy uploads em. only now I sedar my pic with the Ferrari takde, Elsie and Aspa got. damn la!

Anyways, we had the funkiest b’day cake, thanks to Mrs Foo. Cake was extremely whimsical, imagine stripes and polka dots on a cake. again wait till Jimmy uploads the pics. I know, I’m the photographer, but got no pics, off duty k. Note: Jimmy’s Canon is super cool. and I so tak tahan with Jimmy’s rule: If anyone deletes their own pics from his camera, cos their picture cacat or whatever, he wont take their pic again. Cannot tahan! I hate it when my pics tak jadi, so I like to delete the cacat ones, but cannot la with Jimmy’s camera..;p sigh

anyway,Aspa and Wan lovvedd the cake. yeay! all of us adored the cake so much that we  tak sampai hati to cut it up. cake got the attention of the other patrons at 21 as well hehe.

Well the night ended early, 12ish.. cos Wan has to get ready for her house global warming tomorrow – not a typo, Wan wants to call her house warming, house global warming, dont ask me why ;p That reminds me, need to get something as buah tangan, unfortunately I cant make/cook anything, except for chicken pie which my aunty, Sarah taught me how to make a few years back, but am too malas, so I’ll pick something up on my way to her place.

So that’s a wrap, Aspa and Wan’s party down..a few more to go this year. Now, am gonna catch up on some reading, then go to sleepppp.

Rain on Me

Last Friday I was in Kuantan for a photog job, taking pics for Nora’s nikah and reception. Nikah was on Friday night, reception, Sat afternoon. So I had some time to sneak in the job sched  to soak up some sun and get some salty sea water on myself, but tough luck, no sun nor salty water. Cos it just kept on pouring like non-stop, the rain didnt stop, am not kidding.

We were worried bout the job, cos it’s a bit difficult to move around when it’s raining. But it worked out just fine. It drizzled on Friday night, and on Saturday afternoon. So it took a lot of quick shoot-and hide the camera for fear of wetting it when we were outside taking shots.. other than that it was all good.

Let me just do a run-down on some highlights:

1.  I didnt get any sun & sea (s&s)
2. I didnt get any s&s (yes I am that sad, and I am suffering that bad a craving for s&s)
3. It just never stopped pouring (from the point we got to Kuantan town till we left)
4. Shuq and I developed a no-fear attitude towards wetting our jeans, his Crocs, my shoes and stepping into puddles of water, cos if we didnt we wouldnt have been able to move
5. I learned that when a person is stressed out, the body releases a kind of hormone that induces you to laugh, yea laugh,I didnt believe it at first when Shuq told me, but I witnessed it first hand, yes he just burst out laughing and continued to laugh when we got lost and was running late for the nikah, not the usual laugh k, this was the “hearty-laugh-ur-heart-out-it’s-so-funny” laugh …and that got me to laugh as well – that reminds me I need to check if it’s true the body does that, I usually get pissed when I’m stressed out ;p
6. The job was fun cos the bride and groom, Nora and Kie was very easy going, Nora especially, she was a natural. We didnt have to direct any poses at all, natural I tell you. We have great shots of them and the whole do.
7. Kuantan has a 7-eleven looking joint called D5 or something like that. Seriously, if u didnt know it was called D5 you would’ve thought all the way that u were in another 7-eleven
8. I found out that I am capable of having total dumb-blonde moments or as someone would put it “budak sekolah pun can do it” with the latch on the hotel room door. In my defense it wasnt a typical latch ;p honest to God it wasnt.
9. Gotong-royong weddings are here to stay, that made Nora’s wedding different from the town-weddings, she had the whole neighbourhood help her out, so you had the makciks slicing the watermelon, to young boys washing the dishes, felt very merry and warm.
10. Hitz plays Rihanna’s “Please dont Stop the Music” too often, I know I had a post earlier on loving that track, but when it’s overplayed it gets booo-ring! hehe
11. On the other hand they dont play enuf of Janet Jackson’s “Feedback” which is my new craze
12. The “Haunted Volkswagon car on Karak highway” story is famous. I didnt know everyone knew about it, my brother told me the story. And someone has a funky theory that the ghost will now simply ride in another car cos everyone knows he shows up in a Volks (sure sure)
13. Kuantan has those timers at the traffic lights (that counts down how much time left till it turns green/red kinda thingy), while KL which has way heavier traffic doesnt have em, (although I did spot some in PJ) We should have em.
14. I love KL cos it rarely rains non-stop 2 days in a row.

There you go some highlights…the trip just made me more excited about my Perhentian trip end April and Bali in June. Kuantan just rained on me tsk tsk but I had fun.

Now am going to spend some time with my MacB and go through the shots. Nora & Kie can look forward to two elegant and moment-freezing storyboards of their special day

the Lady outside the White House

Was just talking bout this lady protestor that I met in front of the White House. She has been going on a 24-hours peace vigil since 1981. Wonder if she’s still there? She made me do the whole peace-sign thingy, apparently that’s her signature pose.

The Art of the Eight Limbs

Went to watch a Muay Thai competition last night at Titiwangsa. Shuq told me bout it and asked if I wanted to tag. His trainer was competing. Am always up for doing new stuff, so I said ok. Was a bit apprehensive at first, cos I can’t stand the sight of blood or people punching the lights out of each other. Plus Shuq had shared quite a bit about his rigorous Muay Thai training regime, and from what I heard, these people mean business. It makes Body Step classes peanuts ha ha.

There was a huge crowd, locals, foreignors. The fighters were from different clubs, from KL, if I recall correctly, there was TNT, Allied Gym, Muay Thai Academy of KL and a host of other fighters from clubs in Terengganu, Kedah and Kelantan.  Anyhow, surprisingly…I actually enjoyed myself, I tot I’d be covering my eyes up 3/4 of the time, but nope – I found myself cheering and clapping at some good kicks/moves. And of course supporting Shuq’s trainer, who was very very good. He won the match. It wasn’t too violent although being me I did squirm here and there.

Another thing I found amusing about Muay Thai was the almost dance like movement, the legs, head..it’s not stiff like boxing, and I love watching the fighters do the “ritual dance” before the start of the match…so cultured. all thanks to my theatre training with the Five Arts Center ;p 

Muay Thai is definitely not for the faint hearted. Takes a lot of guts to be in a ring facing an opponent that is allowed to do almost anything except going at your crotch or behind your neck to bring you down. Saw quite a few last night, who left the ring bleeding, or just had to be carried out cos they blacked out. Scary.

So I got a dose of Muay Thai, my very first experience of sitting outside a ring watching people as I said earlier, beating the lights out of each other. It was interesting and fun in its own way. But I’ll stick to the treadmill, yoga and body step classes

Hello 08!

Met up with Hicham for some long due coffee and sweet stuff @ Starbucks KLCC last night. I’ve not seen him in ages, so I got updates from everything that was happening at home, in Djibouti to what’s up and rocking with him here. He was telling me bout his new job which is paying him shit loads (jealous jealous) and was giving me the hardest time for selling my iPod video for RM500. He said he would’ve bought it for RM100 more haha. The guy is desperate for something “Apple” ;p He was even pestering me to sell my Shuffle to him, which unfortunately I can’t sell cos I need it for my workouts at the gym.  Glad I caught up with him, we promised to do coffee more often, sorta like a 08 mini resolution.

 have always adored his curls, nice eh

Later the same night I met up with Elsie and Zoey. First at Dome for dins then later we went to Rasa Sayang Kopitiam to meet sumore peeps. They just got back from Koh Phangan, but unfortunately did not spot a nice beach tan cos they barely saw the sun while they were there. But they partied hard welcoming 08- so it’s all good.

We used the Kopitiam’s wi-fi later to check out the pics that Farhan just uploaded through my latest toy, me iTouch ;p and the pics were testimony tat they indeed had a blast. I got a full download from Lychee, it was the craziest but happening trip, their friend Megat got into an accident on the last day of their trip and  the whole gang needed to find RM10k (in cash) within hours to settle the medical bill, accident costs etc, bear in mind, it was already their 6th and last day in Thailand and most of the cash was already spent, but they managed to fork out RM10k. Need to hear the story yourself, too long to spill here, it was a true test of friendship.On a lighter note, they came back with semi-permanent tattoos, which I looked at with envy, Lychee’s was really nice, Zoey has one on her neck, Elsie too.

 Lychee’s

 Zoey’s

 checking out pics on Jimmy’s camera

So while they were partying with thousands of people by the beach, where was I on New Year’s eve?

I was in “hiding” at Sembunyi Spa at Cyberview Lodge Resort and Spa. I booked myself for an 8-10pm slot, scrub and Balinese massage. It was the perfect way to greet the new year, releasing all the stress gathered through different events and happenings last year.

Within the quiet and calm setting of the room, I thought about all that has happened last year and the things that I wish will happen this year. I told myself just before I sinked in, clear my thoughts to enjoy the massage, that for 2008.. I’m going to take it easy…like Mika would say..Relax, take it easy. I’m not going to bother setting resolutions that I may not even keep, there are just too many uncontrollable variables in life..I’ll cross each bridge slowly but surely.

So bring it on 08. 

Holiday

Christmas is over, but the holiday mood is here to stay, till Jan 01 at least, when everything will automtically, like it’s the most natural thing to happen, go full steam ahead, especially at work.

So i thought I’d change my blog presentation, to one that would best desribe the mood. Feel the snow..see the snowman..sorry no snowman..kay maybe the feeling thingy won’t work in KL, it’s either rain or shine here hehe

Am so jealous of Elsie, Zoey and the whole entourage who will be heading to Koh Phangan for a lose yourself, get beach wet, sand on your feet, sounds in your ears 08 welcoming celeb! I can’t go sob sob. But they promised they’d bring back a funky keepsake ;p

Urrghhh I must get some sand and sea before 1Q of 08 is over..must!!

New year plans for me? Nothing at the mo, like Dad always says, it’s not like the sky turns purple the next day, it’s just another day. But I think Mum is planning on a new year family barbeque, we’ll see.

Ward 338

Decided to stay in during lunch today, Nik (brand new department mate) is tapau-ing Caesar’s salad for me, cookie points! hehe

Thought I’d update my blog which I am sure is filled with blog dust since I’ve not posted nuts for sometime. 

Let’s start with last week…sad week..most of my days last week was spent vomitting, feeling nauseous and dehydrated [no I'm not expecting, wish I was ;p t'was food poisoning] – was so bad that had to spend 2 nights at Damansara Specialist Hospital. I was trying to “cure” myself at home, resting, eating trying to eat, nothing I ate or drank stayed in, all of what I ate made immediate painful exits. Oh, and cos I was strapped at the hospital,I didnt get to attend this year’s Annual Dinner, but I heard I didnt miss that much,so it’s all good.

Below,my frail hand after they took off the drip. The drip thingy was so uncomfortable.

Mikhail Turns One

Got invited to little Mikey’s [Wan Mikhail] 1st birthday bash. Diha, Mikey’s mum..my high school senior [who without fail will tell everyone she meets about my cheerleading days and how I'm the one on top of the pyramid - stop it Diha ;p], and university mate who was also my team mate at the Australs debate tournie in Melbourne sent me a b’day invite a 25 year old would be jealous off.

The party was fun! Guests made up of hip young mum and dads with their precious toddlers or kids. I saw some of my high school seniors, including Natasha who was the Green house cheerleading captain, I can almost imagine her calling out for a formation. They have not aged a bit. Put them in their uniforms and you’d bet ur penny that they drank from the fountain of youth. I hope it’s a BBGS thingy, then I’d look as youthful too. Used to see them carrying poms poms or school bags, now they’re hip moms with baby bottles.

Cik Wan , Mikey’s dad is the epitome of funkyness. Team up with Diha, and you’ll have a great party. Diha made sure the party favors were top class, food was great -nasi lemak, ABC, potato salad, b’day cuppies, rocking cake. Canopy created the mood, the play area for kids was a mini toys-r-us!

I couldnt help myself from making mental notes for when I throw my little baby’s 1st birthday bash hehe. I hope Mikey, more like Mikey’s mum and dad like the gift I got. Check out the pics of mums dads babies @ my Flickr [link on right panel].

Happy Birthday Mikey baby!

first thing that greeted the guest- stylo

Mikey’s gfit from Aunty Naddy

Diha and her prince

Another Must Watch

Zoey’s

the invite

Ya-ah another party!

As usual highlights:

The Pucci cuppies

Elsie had the best idea – Emilio Pucci inspired cupcakes. We commissioned Mrs Foo for the task and she did an excellent job, it was extreme Pucciness! Birthday cakes are an all time for b’days but for a party of about 30pax, cuppies do a better job, more to go around, smaller bites and they’re more fun!

Palate Palatte

It’s behind hotel Istana. Describe it? Artsy fartsy.giraffe popping out of the ceiling, peacock tiled wall, button latches for the lil ladies room (yes I noticed), horsie on the bar, and cool sounds to go with the ambience. Comfy-ly placed couches, rattan chairs, bean bags gave way to pleasant chats, giggles and more.

 

i love the horsie shot

my camera 101

Having not figured out how to use my brother’s Nikon properly, I was getting pretty agitated when I didnt manage to fix the settings..I wanted to test out my skills, not wanting to use auto mode.. but wasnt successful and pics just didnt turn out right.

I had to make a SOS call to Shuq to ask him how to adjust the flash so that the pics dont look overexposed. But Faesal saved the day, Aspa’s cousin who’s not alien with the DSLR, can tell by the way he handles the machines hehe. Once he placed the settings, gave me some quick tips, I was on full shutter bug mode ;p Merci Faesal! He took some great shots too.

right- Faesal, my guru for the nite

Zoey!

Ah yes, ze b’day chick. It was a surprise b’day partay and she was surprised! She looked like a budding actress receiving her first Oscar..glam + overwhelmed ;p Spotted a new hair-do that looked fantastic on her and reminded me of Catherine Zeta Jones in Chicago. She dressed for the occasion too (makes me wonder whether she already knew about the party- did you Zoey? ;p)

Partay goodies

Cuban hats for the guys and double headbands for the ladies. The hats really fitted the mood, and looked great in pics too.

my hand on the hat

Color Splash.

The theme. I wasnt exactly splashy..brown + dark purple + light purple + purple wedges + green tote..ok la. I wanted to wear black, but there was a strict no black and white rule [arent black and white colors too?]. But everyone had colors on..with Elsie as the party planner no one would dare beat the theme hehe.

Parties at this age are way different from the Mc’d parties when we were kids, we’ve all grown and so has our style of celebration. Burgers to baked salmon and salad. Party hats to Cuban hats. We had a fahbulous time! And I had fun shutter bugging away ;p Went back with a slight headache though.. thank God I came with Aspa and Raoul- thanks peeps.

Next party- December!

Check out more pics at my flickr page

10-is

Got to know from Mrs Foo that Roger Federer will be playing against Pete Sampras in November here in Malaysia, Shah Alam to be exact. Thought i’d treat my parents and get tickets for them and me-self. So I did – 3 tickets for the match on 11 November. Mrs Foo will be there too.

Folks were thrilled when I told them that I had gotten tix.Mum and Dad are huge tennis fans. So are my brothers-they used to play tennis quite seriously when they were younger. I remember watching them play at tournies all across Malaysia.. tagged along like I was part of their entourage ;p

Ikbal, the older twin has a temper like Boris Becker hehe, Ikmal is relatively cool-er on the court, but both equally talented. They can still play pretty well.  I should’ve gotten tickets for my brothers too, I’m sure they’ll get on my case when they hear I didnt get tix for them..eek! Will try tomorow, but most of the seats are sold out.

So, between Sampras and Federer, mmm I think Federer would win, hey he’s good, plus he’s younger.. but I’ll be rooting for Sampras!

WUPID..happening soon.

It’s going to be a blast!

Lurve the video.

White Raya

The first and second day of Raya has always been reserved for family members..of course we still have family friends and neighbors coming over to celebrate. Since I dont have kampungs to go back to, first day of Raya in the morning, I’ll be in Keramat, to celebrate with dad’s side of the family, then later in the evening in Damansara, my aunt’s house, mum’s side. My grandmum stopped hosting at her place in TTDI and shifted the Raya celebration to my aunt’s place- Mama Wa has turned into a pro at playing hostess on behalf of my gandmum!

This year, I noticed a “white” theme in the baju raya. My sister for one wore an elegant white Italian linen with soft grey prints [wished it was mine!] They look so suci murni in the pics hehe!

I didnt have time to buy any materials for Raya, so had to get my baju Raya off the rack. Drove Mrs Foo crazy when she helped me go through some potential outfits. I finally decided to just mix and match what I did manage to buy with some old pieces that I had.

see..all white

nasha with my cousin Iqral-also in white

yup in white..Mama Wa (my mum’s sister, Sarah) looking pretty as always

Did I not get the memo that it was gonna be white this year?? Tsk tsk tsk

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Am so exhausted, the big makan at our house just ended. Naturally, there’s all the cleaning up to do. My sister is hopeless when it to comes to the “after party”, hosting guests she does ok, but cleaning up-nope!

Second day of Raya is reserved for Uncle Din’s open house for the family. The menu is not the usual Raya dishes-we dont serve rendang and the gang- but nasi, ulam, sambal sotong, sup tulang, ikan kembung rebus and mee udang. Yum! I know.. very uncoventional, but after all the rendang and lontong on the first day- everyone looks forward to some ol fashion food to break the taste!

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Well Raya is officially over for me..actually the best time is on the eve of Raya..especially when I hear the takbir and seeing all my family members around me, thankful that they’re still with me in good health and spirit, and thinking of those who can’t be home for Raya like Uncle Man in the States.

After this it’s just the numerous open houses to go to, and picking out dates to host my friends at home.

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Am poofed.Oh yea, the so called accidental theme was white this year, but as always I  had to be extra “special”..I went all black haha. So Yin&Yang!

Arrival of Syawal

Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir & Batin

Balik Kampung

I stopped using the NKVE to get home today opting for the Federal Highway instead cos traffic started to get really heavy on the NKVE since yesterday with city folks starting their balik kampung journey. I wish I had a kampung to go back to. TTDI, 5 mins away from One Utama and Keramat,15 mins away from KLCC is hardly kampung.

I envy those who have kampungs, am sure there’s an unbeatable excitement about packing for the trip, hitting the road, and the pumped up spirit just as you draw minutes away from your destination, eager to meet your parents, siblings and the rest of the gang. I’m not sure how much my idea of a kampung is still accurate but I’m imagining, nice papan houses, surrounded by coconut trees, or a paddy field at the back, with ketupat,lemang and dodol cooking in the yard. Okay maybe a bit too Petronas advert, Hari-Raya-music-clip like but am sure there are some kampungs that still fit that bill..I hope so.

Perhaps, I should live really far away when I get married, then I can enjoy the “balik kampung” spirit. I hate having to reply when people ask where will I be celebrating Raya..”Oh just here, I have no kampung” bleech.

 Guess for now I’ll just savour the traffic-free roads of KL.

Raya’s Just Around the Corner

What the house smells of..mum’s freshly baked pineapple tarts

Sister came back frm MMU for Raya today, that’s her doing what she does best-

sleeping at her fav spot..the TV area. She just got a text message.

Some of Dad’s graceful Kois. Hope no kid will try feeding them kuih this Raya.

Last year, one of our guest’s kid did

Bunga Api

I know it’s illegal. Although i’m not too sure which type is and which isnt.

I’m talking about mercun, bunga api.

It doesnt feel so festive [no suasana] when i dont hear mercun going off at night. I used to hear it a few years back, but nowadays, hardly.

But when I’m at my grandmum’s place in Keramat, it really feels macam nak Raya, cos kids play the bunga api after Iftar and I can hear the mercuns pop! Nothing signals festivity to me more than the sound of mercun or the sight of bunga api.

I bought tons back when I was a kid - mercun katak, the spiral thingy, then the long one that sparks when it shoots out, and the harmless Pop Pops.

Well, brothers will be home this Friday, I’ll remind them to pasang the pelita around the house. That would defintely get the festive mood kicking.

Or am I just growing out of Raya? Mmmm

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

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!

Sarah J’s Day

the after party 

The bride and groom after the after party

I was only half right when I said that it was going to be a garden wedding. Cocktail was served in the garden [very elegant setting], dins and the rest was in the hall [ wise choice considering the unpredictable weather condition these days]

Sarah J looked stunning!  So radiant and I aboslutely loved the color of her saree. I wanted to get a saree for myself but then I thought maybe not cos I’d drown in it hehe

Robbie [also known as Hari] and Sarah J made sure that the reception reflected their character - funky and outgoing. The wedding theme was all about cars..they arrived at the church reception earlier in the morning in a Bentley, the wedding invite had a VW beetle printed on it [will upload the pic]..and it went all the way to the stage prop-

At the dinner reception..

[below] the VW message + VW shaped cookie favors [Mrs Foo baked them-very delish!]

Table ID

[Attila was jealous that we were sitted at the Porsche table while he was at the Morris Minor table- hey I think Morris Minors are very stylo]

They had an extremely talented entertainer too, Kuc [who looked very handsome that night in his maroon kurta] thought the guy was an American singer, but Bala was a Malaysian. He rocked the stage! He had us at Quando Quando Quando [can almost give Michael Buble a run for his money haha] I’ll try and upload the video ;p

The after party ended at 2:30am..we got some exercise doing some Bangra moves and dancing Hindi style to Ledja Ledja (is that how u spell it? from that Kuch Kuch something movie], and even Macarena [oh but I didnt join the crowd for Macarena..cant stand the song]

It was fun. 

Great company while sharing the wedding bliss of a friend and enjoying good entertainment..nice! 

Congrats Robbie and Sarah J~

my killer peep toes for the nite

squeezeee in

 mrs foo in a saree

Sarah J’s Getting Hitched

Another hen night passed last Friday..Sarah J is getting hitched this Saturday at the gardenly lurvely Cyberview Lodge! [yes it'll be a garden wedding]

Unfortunately Madame, Mrs Foo and I werent able to make it for the party cos we were stuck at work (I know on Friday nite) and I was having the king of all headaches – not the recommended condition for a party.

But I managed to do-up something nice decent for Sarah J’S hen pen book…[It could've been nicer but I was groggy and sleepy  at the time ;p]

Pic above : my so called tool kit..[of course it's actually just my scrapbooking stuff]

Below:added some fine touches..V&H..Venee [Sarah J] and Hari..it’s just too boring to write on white background..so purplish pink on stripes it is~

 

All of us are booked in at Cyberview Lodge for the weekend.

Sat-garden do, Sunday morning-spa! Sounds like a great weekend to me!

Mak Yeop’s Dusun

 

Why was I wearing Phua Chu Kang boots? (I know I know they’re not yellow like his ;p)

Visit my photo blog, Capture-d Mo at

 http://nadiazainuddin.fotopages.com

Not So Weekend

Zoey Ink 

Ok before I even start to blog away- I must document my sorry to Zoey for not helping her out with her Miami Ink project. I just couldn’t find an ideal time to do it, once I’m home after work.. I’m often just too tired to do anything but have a quick chat with my folks, shower, chat date with Kuc then sleep.

Takpe Zoey, Miami Ink will wait for you ;p and I’ll send you a balloon bouquet..pink hearts and smileys? Sorry Zoey! Cupcakes on me this Friday eh.

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This week was crazy- I was entrusted with another portfolio. Yikes! I really hope I can come up to speed fast enuf-very nervous about it,but it’s great exposure, even more direct dealings with intermediaries, good!

Like always I looked forward to the weekend, not like it wasnt as hectic as the weekdays that passed cos my weekend was filled with “things-to-do” too.

Cancelled plan for Body Step at Axis

Was supposed to go for the Body Step class at Axis @ 3:15pm yesterday- but Dad wanted to leave for my aunty’s pot luck early and I was too lazy to drive there on my own- so my plan for a good leg + thigh + ass workout was bumped off.

I consoled myself by the fact that I went for Line Dance Funk on Monday & Body Step on Wednesday- so requirement for cardio workout this week- done.

Although I totally pigged out at my aunty’s place yesterday-so much for burning calories.

 Judging Friendly Tournie

The Australasian Debating Championship will kick off this Wednesday, UITM is hosting the tournie this year- they won the bid against New Zealand.

International teams from Australia, Singapore, Korea etc have started arriving since Saturday and  also began sparring sessions with the local teams.

Sparring sessions= warm up= spying out for competition before the tournie begins ;p

I had to go to campus and judge a few rounds today, IIU & NTU (Singapore) sparring  - deciding over motions arguing Aborigine politics in Australia to the military govt in Thailand- fun eh for a Sunday? haha.

And I pigged out again- we had Domino’s for lunch. I couldnt resist. IIU always provides good food..aren’t we spoiled ;p

Pic above: School debaters who came to watch the sessions waiting to snap some slices.

So..weekend’s almost over and I’ve not had any “me” time yet. Blurgh!

I’ll just go do up a foot soak for myself, grab the latest Economist and chill. [I realised after the debates that I've lost track of quite a number of the current issues-shame on me]

This coming weekend should be exciting-there are goats involved (ye kambing..kambing hidup ;p)- so watch out for that post.

Whoop It Debaters!

I remember complaining and whining quite often at debate tournaments.. (actually I shouldnt just implicate myself.. all the debaters whine! haha) some of the most common things we complain about are, in no particular order:

• The Tab: usually cos it’s late (Tab= results from the last round which determines match-ups for the next one) Why does it take so long? most of the time its cos the adjudicators take too long to fill in the scoresheets and when they do.. they sometimes mess up the scores which screws up the tabulation process.blurgh!

• Sucky run-down motions- (motions= topics we debate on) anything that has to do with the Israel-Palestine conflict is run down (no not cos I dont think the issue is of global importance.. it is) but not to be debated till its death at countless tournaments.Camp David repeated 100 times..not fun.

• Lousy accomodation- yes debaters have all had their share, although we are sometimes spoilt.I  had cosy acco when I was in Melbourne, it was in Melbourne unis dorm- but it was single occupancy AND had a fire place (beat that), South Africa-Stellenbosch uni wasn’t too bad either..room had a priceless view. Usually international tournaments are ok but lcoal tournaments…depends on your luck and the host.

• Horrible food- ahh yess.. so they say the tummy offers the nastiest critique, we’ve had everyhting from packed nasi ayam..to no-flavor-bland veg pizza!  The worst thing is when you’re overseas and organisers have difficuly finding halal food..then no choice..unless we choose to knot our tummies and try finding halal food in a foreign town.

So there you go..the list of complaints..owe up guys I’m sure at one of the numerous tournies we’ve competed in, Australs, Worlds, AUDC, Asians, Royals..surely something must’ve gone wrong..oh yea I forgot the king of all complaints…I can bet my last sen on this one..debaters must have at least once complain that..

they had  bad adjudicators judging in their room (bad= the judge gave them the loss) and we’d all have the reasons why we think the judge was lousy..he read into the debate, he was bias,it was his first time judging..bla bla..haha. Well I’m guilty.. I’ve lost rounds too and yes unfortunately thanks to bad judges.

Well peeps the organisers of WUPID (CIMB World Universities Peace Invitational Debate) are making sure that none of the debaters competing at the tournament will whine, complain, or get worked up over anything else but silly rebuttals or arguments ( believe me debaters confidently arguing nonsense can be quite irritating). H&G is the event organiser (great job my lil Kuc!)

I wont spill the details, you can and must check out WUPID’s website or WUPID’s blog..by the way funky name eh..pronounced Whoop-it..haha.

Motions will be fresh, sure we’ve all had peace as end-objectives for our cases but this time they must be the gist of your arguments. Debaters will get a chance to attend a Corporate Social Responsibility Conference (if you dont know what that is- dont call yourself a debater) and since it’s invitational…you’ll be debating against the best of the best.. Oxford A anyone? (hold on.. they still the top team? I’ve not checked the rankings).

It’ll be held end of this year.. so watch that space.