A tribute to Aisyah

I have approximately 2 weeks or so, before the final countdown. Yet, my softer side of emotions is slowly creeping in, so much so that I am subconsciously jamming up all sorts of activities for her to relish while she's still around. All that, in the name of expressing our appreciation towards Aisyah.

When introducing her to friends and relatives, I hardly referred to her as my maid; its more like, "ini Aisyah, yang uruskan rumah and tolong jaga anak-anak saya (this is Aishah, she takes care of domestic chores and helps looking after my kids)... "

YES, she is THAT good;  fast learner, trustworthy, socially adaptable, reliable, respectful. In short, she deserves all the praises that don't come quite easy being mentioned under the same breath when describing a domestic helper  ( and urrghh, all  other horror experiences in dealing or  having a maid at home)

 



Aisyah with Sophia & Alif

 It has been wonderful having her around since the last two and a half years. She cooks good food, a friend to my kids & parents, and manages well our intricate schedules. Not to mention, she's also my unofficial  'early morning before office' fashion consultant ; especially when I posed her the most asked question in the world i.e "do I look fat in this attire?"

We have another 6 months to go before her work permit expires, but I just don't have the heart to stop her from leaving for good, especially when seeing the glow in her face when talking about her fiancee and her wedding plans come this January 2012, all the way in Medan.

Deep in my heart, I secretly hope she would one day, come back to KL  and be part of my family, lending her domestic help again; well, when she's ready or in need of extra income.


Taking Aisyah on her 1st airplane trip

To Aisyah, we all gonna miss you, your yummy nasi lemak, pajeri nenas and ikan bakar, your keen attempts to bake cakes & try out new recipes, your weekly 'to-buy' grocery list, your meticulous ironing, your self-planted chili padi and pucuk pegaga, and the sound of your newly learnt English vocabularies.

We sincerely hope you've enjoyed your days with us as much as we've had with you. We wish you life-long marital bliss and all the best for your future undertakings.

InsyaAllah, panjang umur dan murah rezeki, kita berjumpa lagi.

Salam from : Mommy, Sophia, Alif, Tok Wan & Atuk, Aunty Adik.


*** and for now, I have to brace myself, having to scrutinise future maid candidate, and starting all over again with the training regime. May Allah bestow mercy upon me ***



Sending off Aisyah to Port Klang



The Kids's last fling bermanja with Aisyah at Port Klang



if I could turn back the clock

if I could turn back the clock ...

I would at least try to be obedient

listen to my parents

and always rise to the occasion

if I could turn back the clock ...

I promise I will study smart

sharp brains & kind at heart
ever ready for a kick-start

if I could turn back the clock ...

I would take music lesson seriously

strike chords that make me happy
immerse myself in glorious melodies

alas to say, time waits for no man
I reflect, I forgive, I move on with my plans
no more regrets, no turning back
for tomorrow is another stage, another act

my British delight

Glad that Malaysia's one & only cable TV (Astro) brought in the Season 1 (released 2010) of this British craze. One season behind, no doubt, this period drama Downton Abbey has unspoken grip upon me. Like they say, "... can't put it down until the last page" ; I too can't wait for Astro. Shall be scouring for the latest episodes and recently released Season 2.

Downton Abbey is just perfect for a lazy afternoon or late nite chill.

fancy some scones & tea, anyone ??

Oxford, the City of Dreaming Spires, United Kingdom



the intellects don't normally follow instructions ?

The Radcliffe Camera @Bodleian Library still going strong



I've been freed. running loose in Oxford




Lucky Oxford jock, living next door to Alice!



 

spoilt by choices, I felt like a million bucks surrounded by designer labels

  

I procrastinate

My middlename is PROCRASTINATE

My life mantra is PROCRASTINATE

You see, I PROCRASTINATE because :

I love the adrenalin rush that comes with the consequences of procrastinating

With adrenalin rush, comes creativity

With creativity, comes great balls of ideas

With ideas, come the tendency of pushing myself to the limit

When my human mind is pushed to the limit, the sky becomes mine ;)

and the vicious cycle goes on.

you don't get it, do you ?  think of all the overrated excuses ; traffic jam, flat tyre, NO handphone reception, laptop battery worn out

life was a NOT

when I look back at my childhood, I realised that the most uttered word was :

do NOT climb the trees
do NOT answer back
do NOT play under the rain
do NOT go near strangers
do NOT touch the glass
do NOT forget to take your lunch
do NOT go out at midday
do NOT etc
do NOT...
NOT

why NOT ? perhaps that was the best parenting method that suits kids of my generation.
or maybe, saying NOT is the easiest way to convey the message (let me think, did I take heed?? degil, degil)
mmm... I wonder, NOT ;)

old habit dies hard

I don't know how you put it, but my son did this paper cutting and gave it to me before we went to bed last night.


I'm so touched.
Touched by my son's act of love.
Reminding me how bad smoking is for my health.
Bad for smokers & non-smokers alike.
Just like the way they were taught in school

One fine day I shall quit
SMOKERS, Unite !

"FIX YOU" fixes me

"Fix You"

When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can't replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you're too in love to let it go
But if you never try you'll never know
Just what you're worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And I...

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you


** TQ to Javier Colon, the winner of The Voice 2011, who re-ignited my passion for this song and the British band, Coldpay

Raya Blues



I love Hari Raya, both Eidul Fitri and Eidul Adha, I enjoy the spirit of forgiveness, early morning Eid prayers, meddling with sparklers & firecrackers, testing millions of sweet cookies & traditional dishes served during visits--- albeit, when I was young.



Alif & Me



But now, even the slightest mention of Raya makes me jumpy. The idea of Raya would automatically drag me into hostile mood swing thinking of the luggage to pack & unpack when we balik kampung. The thought of Raya makes me feel guilty of being a working Mom who hardly bake cookies to show off to in-laws & siblings. Claiming sigh doesn't help, BUT, I'm not just into it, sorry. 

 



Me & Sophia



Somehow, today (why today, I don't know); I have decided to brace myself and make it clear that Eidul Adha / Hari Raya Korban is just around the corner, in another month or so. After all, I've seen both  Eidul Fitri and Eidul Adha come and go for more than 4 decades already.  This weekend, I shall make an attempt to look for a new garb or outfit for Eidul Adha.

And perhaps, flicking through the recent Eidul Fitri's album would bring in the mood for me. Who knows, the images of sweet Sophia & cheeky Alif might just do the trick ;)