Come 17th. Nov..He's off to Selayang Hospital

Adzrul phoned from Pangkor this afternoon saying that he has got the offer letter. Yep..he got posted to one of his three choices...he's going to do housemanship at Selayang Hospital.

Moga dipermudahkan segala urusan......

Dr. Adzrul's Off To Induction...Nilai & Pangkor

Today Adzrul's off for his tatabina negara 5 days induction than on 1st. Nov off again to Pangkor for a 2 week further induction into serving for the government. Than probably on the last day he will get his posting. Although he went to Nilai today slightly down for yet again not passing his driving test due to the now "round-about blues"..Insyaállah..he will get thru soon enough.. certain things need patience..eh..he..he...

For the sending off to induction, I believe many families will send their love one there full with pride for what has been accomplished. Same joy we felt here by everyone but I just couldn't make it due to the distance and time frame..I believe deep in his heart he will know just how much I would like to trade things and to proudly send him off..just like when he got his degree on his graduation day..we had to miss it too due to repat to Msia..I would think due to our living conditions plus with what Allah swt has set forth..we can make plans but only HE will make whats best come true...and for those not as we wanted come true..we just have to endure and believe its for the best..Mama doakan..you will be kept safe and healthy and successful in whatever you do...May all obstacles be broken down and you get thru with ease...may your faith be steadfast to HIS way...May you be strong and fair in your dealings and may your wishes come true...

Many words may have not been said but Syukur to Allah swt..we get to taste the fruits of our labor..All your hardwork has been rewarded but there still remain many long and winding road that you have to get true..Stay true to your heart and firm in your believe..May you not be tainted by the colors of this world but emerge strong and clear..You are what you are..we are so proud that our hearts might burst if you were to know..you have made it this far may you make it further..We have no regrets coz' if we do we might not be what we are today..although we wish that we could have done better in certain areas but we are forever grateful...the regrets as we told you are that we are always apart..but if not for sacrifices certain things may not be as it is today..some people maybe lucky to have it all but to some we do have to make choices...May our choices be the right one we take....

Though it pained my heart to just let you go on your own with only your uncle to see you off on this another mark of an important day in your life journey...while others have their family around them..believe me we do wish that we are there...and I hope in spirit we are there with you..May someday we get to all be together again just like the last Eid but while we are not may the pleasures remains in our heart.

All the best ya..Dr. Nik Adzrul...May you be the best that you can be...

Happy 18th. Birthday..Nik Ayman Haniff Azlan

My 2nd. son..Ayman...who was long awaited for after about 8years of abg.Adzrul being an only child. Seems just like yesterday..now today he's 18 and soon will be going of to college.

May he have the strength to endure whatever the world dished out to him..May he has the perseverance to go on..the patience to wait and continue..May he be strong and realise all that he has to offer..Moga teguh iman and jadi anak yang soleh..amin...

We will always love you...no matter what...

#22 Jln.Sg. Serai, Subang Alam

Basically we did external works by putting extra roofing on the terrace and porch-front. The left photo shows the before and the right shows the after half-way thru the renovation...On the terrace we put the side roofing..initially the idea was for a pergola but it evolves into the now roofing with Malay style and wooden panels as ceiling... On the front porch..originally the double-door opens to the garden...but now it opens to a resak floor decking with fencing...the other renovation was for the wet-kitchen and closing of the space meant for parking and shift the front door..I hope to get more photos soon...it's now in the final stages of painting and cleaning... We went thru many ideas of how it should be..choosing the contractor and the budget available was the main concerns but I believe we are now in a win-win situation. The budget is increased by about 20% due to the sudden surge in material costs and also due to exchange rates..we lost some $$ when we transfer $ to the bank from saudi in USD...but it's no choice of ours and we can't do much. But En. Zul the contractor was/is very obliging thru'out the stages and Sani monitors and feedback wonderfully..eventhough we are not there but thru' his constant emailing we manage to "see"how things developed...Syukur..

The reason to putting the roofing mainly bcos the wind blows rain and dust etc..into the house. The double doors and windows got damaged to and has been replaced by the developer. Eventhough we are not staying there yet..my heart strings are now being pulled for wanting to live there.

No:22 Jalan Serai....Subang Alam

Today..received latest news that the interior works will be starting..thus marks the end of the renovation for the side roofing and kitchen of the above address. What we see is only vi photos that are send to us by our friend Sani. But...fening to select the paint colors..to decide all the other trimmings..to decide the kitchen cabinets design..Honestly...we went thru same process for the kitchen renovation and side roofing..but now its almost complete and it looks good... will upload the photos soon...

Calling for Candidates...& the 10th. day of Eid...

This was taken at RT Eid day yesterday....Adzrul's is going back to Malaysia today...Alas...the togetherness here in Dhahran is on pause till the next available time...He's going back to complete his driving test and maybe plus other things required while waiting to be called for induction...and from then on the application for candidates is kept open..so that the selection process can meet the dateline..ha..ha.. Time flies so fast..the kids are growing...

Bye Adzrul..see you in a bit..take care..stay safe...be the best that you can for the sake of Allah swt..Insyaállah see you in Malaysia in December if all goes well ya..

Hannah having her scuba lessons yesterday..she's all red for being in the sun too long...

Eid Day 3..Open House 316 Hofuf Drive...

Menu of the Day...

1. Raya Cookies & Cake & Desserts..cakes by Zahrah, Chocolate cake by yours truly..lupa pulak nak letak choc chips...Baskin Robbins to eat withTapai..Agar2 by Za..


2. Nasi Putih with Gulai Ayam Cili Padi, Goreng Kicap Daging, Sambal Udang @ cooked by Aida Ritz and Sayur Campur.


3. Pulut Kuning with Rendang Ayam..courtesy of Ana Mat Shah


4. Mee Rebus ala..ala..CW


5. Laksa Johor


6. Spagetti Bolonaise ala..ala..AuntyRozie


7. Satey ayam,daging,perut with Nasi Impit & Kuah Kacang catered from MK..added mini hot-dogs a hit with the kids..he..he..non healthy..


8. Tapai courtesy of Shalita..


9. Desserts and such from friends..thanks..thanks...


10. Drinks..Orange Sunquick, Tea tarik by Shalita, Nescafe by Zahrah, Pepsi & Al-Rabie Orange..

The table looks full of food but the gimmick was the two spagetti dishes requires many side dishes so more containers...he..he..

I had prepared for the homecooked item from the nite before after a raya visit to Su Harun's in Ras Tanura...It went on till 4am in the morning..Hannah was awake printing and counting the HR envelopes..tahun nie rezeki nak bagi duit raya...he..he..

The bakar satay geng from MK..Yazid and Haniff came about 2:30pm..Elsa came abt 2pm to help with clean-up...First group of guests from Ras Tanura came abt 3:20pm..'families of Zul, Ghazali,Azman,Shamsudin,Ruzailan..okey..if I can recall the wives name righ..Iza,Su,Ila,Jue & Yasmin....Hah..the food is not served yet..so they got to wait awhile till satay is ready and the gravies are put in serving dishes...

Table layout..head of line was the cookies & cake counter, side counter for drinks...the line continues with the nasi putih&dishes, Mee Rebus, Laksa Johor, Pulut Kuning & Rendang, Tapai, Nasi Impit & Satay ends it...I need to borrow a folded 6foot table from Shalita since my table is only a 6-seater...

As for food..the spagetti Bolognaise was the first to go..although I did make it using a 5 quart size pot..We had to make a refill on the 18-litre Sunquick dispenser..

Later will continue with the story..nak siap pergi raya rumah Azizah Nawawi pulak...

Selamat Hari Raya Aidul Fitri..from Dhahran

Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri....Maaf Zahir & Batin...

Maaf..was caught up in the moment to get things done before and during Eid that updating took a back seat....furthermore..the internet and also phone line was really..really bad...

This is the family together after 6 years of missing a member. We use the camera timer to get this photo done..what a funny time..even Zayd who was grumpy finally put in a smile and put on the top of hi aju Melayu.....mostly the other photos were with either half of me in or gone..well..this is the best there is...But..no matter what all were smiling photos.. It was eventful Eid..ha..ha..

Lailatul Qadar

The best of nites...more than a 1000 nites...keep on reciting...

Allahumma Innaka Áffuwun Tuhibbul Karimun Äfwafáfu'anni..

The letter with ' is an ع ..so pronounce it as such...

Nite of 27th. Ramadhan

Subhanallah..we have reach the 27th.nite of Ramadhan..although it was said that Lailatul-Qadar will fall on any days within the last 10 nites of Ramadhan more inclined to the odd nite...Many belief that it is on the 27th. nite...Insyaállah..if it's our luck the best of nites more than 1000 nites will be ours...Doa..doa..as much as you can...do good deeds...read Quran...etc..etc...

With this 3 more days of fasting..and I havent even start with Eid preparation or even buying the required groceries..maybe tomorrow as for now trying to grab as much as possible the possibilities of the nite.

Unfortunately..I am not in a very good mood today..probably I was annoyed and feeling angry with what annoyed me. Keep reminding myself that its Ramadhan..What is it that I am annoyed with? Well..for some people to think that they can show whatever emotions they want..be it angry or sulking or defensiveness or even outright disobedient....If you are angry fine..but why over such small matter a voice can be raise..why cant you just keep your cool and ask properly.. as if the matter cannot be resolved by talking/asking nicely..and as if its not enough you got to throw things around albeit just a piece of paper just to make sure to show that you are angry...or piss off with the matter....and for me to just absorb it and let it pass..Hmm..enough is enough.. how long can a person stand..so now I am the one annoyed and angry that I got to swallow all that is being dished...I ahve to always keep my cool while all the Tom,Dick & Harry around can just show their emotions...Maybe one day while its too late it will sink in..but for the time being.. I have a more important thing at hand..to ask Allah swt forgiveness for all my sins and may the blessings of Lailatul Qadar blanket us on this nite...

Night of 23rd. Ramadhan..

Tonite will be the 23rd. nite of Ramadhan..it's the odd nite in the last 10 days and seeking Lailatul Qadar.... Azlan and Adzrul off to Madinah this morning and they have arrive well... Been telling Adzrul to take this opportunity being in Masjid Nabi during part of last 10 days of Ramadhan to seek divine help...Doa..doa..doa...Who knows if we can get the holiest of all nite dawn upon us...Subhanallah....

Allahumma Innaka Áffuwun Tuhibbul Áfwafa' Fu'anni...ÖÁllah you certainly Pardons, Love to Pardon, So pardon me...

Day after 46th. B-Day...Part. 2

The family together for Iftaar since 2002 at Tony Roma's.

Since today is Thursday...and we have the Quran class..it's my excuse not to cook for Iftaar.. he..he..again..banyak excuse kadang tu... Anyway..since Ayman pun balik from Bahrain to meet up with abg. Adzrul.. We decided to buka puasa at home with drinks and dates first and solat Maghrib and than go out to eat... We were planning to go either Applebees or TGIF..but Zahrah said that there's a new place in town of similar type..Tony Roma's at the corniche in Al-Khobar. So there we head after solat.. Although upon entering it's not that extremely inticing and certain foods on the menu was not available...we thought that TGIF would have been better.. Anyway...we did order some appetizers..Buffalo Wings and Shrimp K#$^%$.. it taste good..than the main menu arrive..whoa..size orang putih..pengsan nak ngabieh kan.. But the taste is good..we had become disappointed with Applebees actually bcos on the last 2 dinners we had there..first the food was over grilled and the next time the taste wasn't there...Mahal jelah dapat...and MK pulak dah ada..most of our dinner out was at MK's... But than again...kids like to try out new places..mak ikut je..anything if tak yah masak...

Day after 46th. B-Day...

This was my birthday bash..he..he..makan nasi ayam & first iftaar together with Adzrul since 2002..What more can I ask for....

Yesterday was quite an eventful day as it was my 46th. B-day 17th. Sept...alhamdulilah menginjak keusia ni dlm bulan Ramadhan. Moga segala doa-doa Allah swt perkenankan. But what I would like to write here were about past few days events...

• Sept. 16th....The day I was actually looking forward..one reason is THAT reason and another is bços Adzrul will be flying to Dammam from KLIA. Hope he has a good trip. He arrived safe and sound at about 9:00pm...We drove to the airport after Maghrib to pick him up...He was tired and decided to head on home but making a shawarma stop at KFUPM Mishwar restaurant. The mango juice was nice...This Ramadhan is the first after 7 long years we are fasting together since he went to Kursk to study...This Eid will be the first after 7 years too..since 2002...My head is clamouring with all the things that I want, might and will finally actually able to do for this Eid..


• Sept. 17th...Tepat 12 mlm I got my b-day wish from Adzrul..woa...no present can challenge this. I got a pre-B-day gift while we were in KL from hubby..coz'I know if its gonna be a working day..than he might not realise it till its'too late.. His comment "Hmm..everyday is your b-day la to me.. anytime beli present..." adoii...Anyway..for buka puasa ..Iftaar..I decided to cook nasi ayam...Earlier in the morning..Zayd gave me a big hug and Hannah too...he ask if he's first..hmm..abang beat you to it..shucks..he said.. Received several wishes from friends known in person and from blogs..he..he..seronok..yg tak seronok nya number tu..but alhamdulilah I made it this far and May Allah blessed my life now and till Hereafter... In the evening we went for terawih at Masjid Abu Bakar Sidique or Mujama Masjid...Seronok sebab usually only Azlan & I yg pergi and weekends baru kids ikut but tonite..Hanah&Zayd ikut juga with Adzrul. While coming out of the masjid a lady stopped me and asked about my tudun bawal..it was somewhat a light pale brown in color..tau je lah tudung bawal ada batu2 and embroidery..it was a mixed shade of myb tanned teddy bear color...This lady as if she can have it..buy it from me..I said I only have this 1 piece but I do have ther colors that i haven't worn..this particular piece I have worn 2x...she said that the color was what she has been looking for to match her new dress... Again before leaving she said..Sister..if you dont have naother same color can I just buy this piece from you? You are my sister in Islam and I dont mind wearing whta you ahve worn..Huish...nak buat camne nie...I kata ok...but I balik basuh dulu and will give it to you...She wants to pay for it but I want to give it to her...dah pakai 2x pun...since dia minat sangat..since kat dalam masjid tak boleh jual beli..tak disukai Rasullullah dlm salah satu hadithnya.. So..since Ramadhan I naklah dapat berkat. I haven't washed it yet..see what happens tomorrow...Another part of the nite..after teraweh ingat nak go for teh tarik at MK's but the two younger kids do not want to go...send them home and just Adzrul followed us. At MK pulak..rezeki murah..Tuan Hj. Hakimey belanja makan mee bandung..walaupun b4 that kami dah makan satay and pisang goreng...aisyhh..tak leh tolak mee bandung nie sebab sedap.....lagipun dah pukul 11pm..might as well treat it as pre-sahur ajelah...mata yg ngantuk pun celik balik..asalnya..mintak biar share ajelah..but bila rasa tak jadi share..tambah lagi ada lah..Affandi & Izah was there too...Nice friendly couple..very close-knit family...we got to eating and talking and joking..sampai abt 12:00 midnite...Have to return home bcos 2 kids at home..Nak bayar bill..tup2 orang lain pulak belanja.. Hai..rezeki nie..mula2 belanja mee bandung..lepas tu belanja bayar the earlier food pulak..Jazakallah to both families...rezeki orang b-day agaknya...

6th. Ramadhan Spread

After browsing thru' Elisa's blog..I was nagged with the need of wanting to have Paceri Nenas... the thing is that..I still have lots of yesterday left overs. Initially, I did plan to make Nasi Ayam but after reading Elisa's blog..I was tempted to try out making Paceri Nenas..this is my first time ever making it from scratch..and I believe the recipe came out perfect..whatever I lacked base on inexperience but definitely it can be better the next time. Beside Paceri Nenas, we had Ayam Masak Merah, Nasi Tomato, Salad and dates..no dessert since still left overof Pengat Pisang from yesterday. Overhere the recycling rate or types are unbelievable...

Today is my first nite of teraweh and it is so syahdu..no matter I do not understand a word of it but the way it's being performed..May Allah swt grant us the best there is especially in this month and may we stay straight on It's path...

5th Day Ramadhan ~Friday..

Here's what for Iftaar today..sweet and simple..

The dishes comprises of Pengat Pisang and Popiah Goreng as desserts, than we had Telur Goreng Tomato, Ikan Kerisi Bakar with Kuah Kicap Cili, Sambal Sotong, Green salad & Tomato and white rice. Not forgetting kurma for breaking fast..

Ramadhan again...

Alhamdulilah..we have completed 2 days of Ramadhan...Waking up for sahoor was easier so far..just because I have 2 alarms right at my ears although not within arms reach...Since Fajar is abt 3:55am..waking up 2:30am for me was a nice pace to prepare some light things for the guys who are goiung to fast. I am still waiting for my turn...

For the first day sahoor..everyone seems to prefer light things like cereals, biscuits and drinking tea, juices and milk. Hannah did not wake up since she was not sure... Iftaar was heavier for the first day since I got the chance to order some stuffs from MK..just to test the delivery...the timing was good and food arrive home in time to set up for iftaar...The food was split into two categories..before Maghrib spread and after Maghrib...so that the guys can go to the masjid for jamaah after breaking their fast. what was available? Mee Hoon goreng..murtabak daging.. popiah basah all ordered from MK. Some dates and Sunquick for breaking the fast. Next for heavier stuffs..I have cooked ayam kicap, sayur lemak Kelante..and tapaw Ikan masak asam and ikan bakar..he..he..MK again.. Zayd loves the ikan masak asam...Anyway....everyone had choices... they were never those who will need many dishes to satisfy them..usually if there's more than 3 dishes...one will get untouched..so this is what happen. Just to quote Azlan saying...campur2 different kuah will make it taste odd..fine by me dear..masak satu all in one aje and than salad..

For 2nd day sahur...I guess everyone wants light stuff again..taknak sebu perut since after fajar solat..sleep for 2 hours b4 waking up for work and school. Well..today was no different except for the fact I did not fall asleep fast enough before waking up again...I was in a dream state that the kids were not up yet for school..opening my eyes I saw it was 5 mins to 7am and before the bus come. I ws calling out their names but nobody answered..so I leap out of bed..scramble for my glasses..rush down the stairs and know what happen next?..I slip and almost fall on my back and hit my head on the stairs..eventhough carpeted its going to be hard enough to hurt..Thought I was save as I grab the railing avoiding that fall on my back..ha..ha..too early...it was slippery..dry feet and missing the steps..I lost my grib on the railings and fall on mu bum..hard..and slip down a few steps..Ouch..sakit nye ..I am now still suffering from being sore....Know where the kids were that I was so frantically calling out for..they are ready for school and almost out the door b4 coming back to see why I scream...At this age and weight falling is what I want to avoid..coz' don't know when its going to be hard to heal...now I am wishing I am more calm and at all cost if I am upstairs..don't run down the stairs...

So Iftaar today was a non-occasion in terms of foods as I am re-heating up yesterday dishes plus whatever fast enough that I don't have to stand for long. Well...this is the time when I wish for bazaar ramadhan...

I hope tomorrow the soreness will be gone....as for now, I have to take orders on what each want for sahoor...the easier the better....

Ramadhan Kareem

Tonite..Muslims will start with Solat Terawih and from tomorrow we will begin fasting. Subhanallah..berjumpa lagi Ramadhan kali ini....This morning before leaving for school Zayd asked : "Ma..what time is Terawih? Hmm..after isya..probably about 8pm or so...Again he asked : Are we going to the masjid tonite? Insyaállah....Again he asked : Will it be long..I may have homework to do and to sleep early to wake up for sahur? Hmm...I said: Only 8 rakaahs plus 3 witir..it's not going to be very long...Think of the hasanah in Ramadhan for all deeds you are going to do..I said to him....Then he just smile..Yeah..okey..and went of to school...

I need to do some time management for Ramadhan....firstly bcos I want to attend some Quran classes or to read them on my own....Next...to get the kids ready with their homework and also have time for terawih if possible...And most important...Waking up for sahur as fajar is at 3:55am and kids got to wake up for school at 6:00am...this is usually the trying time. Preparing for Iftaar will be nothing grand..it is as normal as can be with addition of dates and myb some sweet delicasies..But..we want to change the habit of break the fast and fill-up the plate first before solat Maghrib...getting the kids to break the fast and do maghrib first and than eat and get ready for isya'and teraweh..this is my aim..I know they will tend to have loads of homework and its gonna be an excuse plus the waking up in the middle of the nite and myb sleep again and wake up for school..all in short intervals..But hey...I believe they won't loose much in terms of school work..We do one good thing and we tend to get more good things coming our way....

As for me...now planning what time to wake up and prepare sahoor and wake the rest of the family pulak...and thinking what..oh..what to cooked..got to expand my menu...

Ayman will be fasting at his hostel and this weekend probably if he's back than we will be together...Adzrul will be with his abah..wonder how the two bujangs will fare...Insyaállah we might be able to spend part of Ramadhan after 7 long years of inability to do so...Zayd has started to complete the whole month since two years back..Hannah has got no problem fasting in ramadhan & infact she started fasting earlier than Zayd...only that this year she will have to miss out some days and make up for it later..and this is the hard part...

May Allah showers us and inscrease for us with His Rewards and He holds us firm on His path...and May we be muslims thru and true..may He forgive us for our sins and accept our deeds and showers His blessings on our parents...amin..

Ramadhan Kareem....

p/s..Happy 51st Birthday Malaysia..May we got to see changes for the future of the next generation...May good intentions comes to form and May Allah swt Bless Our Nation and it's People...

Hotel Reviews...The ones we stay in this July/Aug in Malaysia

Quality Hotel Shah Alam.

• Costs were reasonable....we booked the Executive suite for RM270...it consists of 1 spacious bedroom with a king size bed...a separate living and dining room. Breakfast is included....requested an extra folding bed..but this bed is bad not worth the RM60 paid for it..( eventually..it was not charged so okay..). It's large and if you have sleeping bags than it's good coz'it provide only 1 bed. 1 person can sleep on the long sofa provided. Basically the Junior suite will be sufficient for a family of 5 with sleeping bags...and costs RM220/-
• Only 1 bathroom so we have to take turns.
• No cooking facilities but tea/coffee making is provided.
• Breakfast buffet is so-so...
• Best thing..it's very near to SACC Mall, PKNS and Plaza Alam Sentral...Getting food here was easy from the stalls available in-front of the hotel near Plaza Alam Sentral.
• Free wire-less coutesy of Wayarless Shah Alam..
• The hallways a bit shabby and the room decor...

If you don't mind how it looks and mainly for the conveniences of surroundings...shopping, eating, transportation..and the costs for room space provided than this will be good for spending a few days.

The Zon ~Suitestay...Kuala Lumpur.

• Stay in a 2 bedroom apartment courtesy of Berjaya Vacations we only pay RM200 per nite. Booking costs can vary from RM360 to RM450...I like the rates by KL-Hotel... sometimes by AWB and also by Holiday City...
• The kids like it here because of KLCC is a walking distance so as to Ampang Park, LRT, Masjid KLCC..Pelita restaurant etc....
• Laundry is 24hrs done by the staffs there..you just need to buy some tokens..this were handled by Ayman & Adzrul...if I am not mistaken it is RM5 per load?? Convenient bcos u just drop the laundry with tokens and detergent...it will come up dry and folded. make sure you judge the load size so that washing is clear and drying is sufficient. If not leave extra tokens...
• Food is reasonably good although we only take ala-carte and no breakfast buffet due to the package that we take. Other food mainly bought ta-pau from Kg.Baru for breakfast at Wak Manjor...
• Kids love the swimming pool and the rooms have 1 king bed in a room and 2 twins in another. bathroom to each room and a living and dining room too..
• It has a kitchen...so you can cook there since most things are provided..a rice cooker is provided too. Living room & dining room spacious.

Concorde Inn KLIA.

• We are not really impressed..From the breakfast buffet, the rooms and the staffs. We paid about RM400++ for a 3-bedded room. But the surroundings quite nice..greenery around..it drizzles slightly while we were there.
• The limo service counter person behave as if..if u dont want transport we dont care also.. Hmm..maybe just my feeling on a wet day...but the driver is very polite...

Concorde Shah Alam.

• We like this place. We took a 3D&2N package for RM555net with extensions of RM189. We got 2 adult and 2 kids Sunway Lagoon passes for each room. But these pass is only for the water park and free rides..for the other rides you need to upgrade..the cost is steep...We took connecting rooms since everybody has slumped around a bit and need a good rest b4 returning home.
• Somehow the front desk staffs..were a bit uncertain if you ask too much why..why...why.. but they do try to be helpful. Although I forgo asking for the tickets to Sunway Lagoon for 1 room after they say that it has been pick-up when they did not charge me for the half-day late check-out and extra bed.
• We love the breakfast buffet with its wide spread of dishes..although after a few days it is the same everyday and you tend to get bored and dunno what to eat...but nice all the same. The pipe in music at the Melting Pot Cafe also is the same tunes probably for the whole week and mainly its the 60's & 70's songs..Duh..should take a survey of the crowds... but after the remodelling the space is nice..got to check out the washrooms..nice...
• Ala-carte..we love the noodles offerings...Hannah love the mushroom soup...
• Had dinner at the Japanese restaurant..as usual zayd will ask for the raw fish..sushi..big plate and costly...but this time he get a taste of the fishy taste down his throat and probably off fish for some time..he just say it was too much...CTZ and abah joined us for that dinner...Adzrul got the largest order with Unagi and what nots..hmm..bila dah kerja kena pandai2 budget sendiri...it was a happy nite..
• Love the room..the bed and beddings is heavenly too coz..I can get a good lie-in due to the mattress...the housekeeping come everyday although at the end of the day..but since we are out most time..it is no bother. Both times we got the view of the mosque which look so serene....
• Near to Plaza Shah Alam where according to Hannah ok-lah coz there's a Starbuck and Chicken Rice Shop there plus Pelita restaurant...and Giant...
• Hotel laundry is expensize so we send our bundle to a laundry store nearby abt 5mins drive at Seksyen 9..Millenium Laundry or something behind Celcom. Fast service too...
• The arrangements were convenient as we easily took a taxi to the airport from the hotel...RM90 for a mini van using Premier Taxi service since hotel only provide cars. Too many bags..4 large luggage..3 handluggage..2 laptops plus a shopping bag..with 1 nyonya bag belonging to Adzrul to be taken back to abah's house.

KL Plaza.

• Location wise this is the place...but room wise wee bit old..we got a 3 bedroom and there's bed for everyone and it's deducted from our Berjaya free nites. So works fine.
• Pavilion the new posh shopping complex is just across the road...but I wonder what can we normal people buy there....when most are boutiques. I did not give in to the impulse of wanting a Cole Haan shoe although it looks so comfy..the size were big. But..I did get a Coach limited handbag by courtesy of Mr. Raja Azlan after we feel the LV handbags that we see doesn't seems to strike us as worth the price...maybe we are not the cultured few to know its value...
• We didn't do any laundry here since the laundry room is always full....
• The staffs were very welcoming and helpful..this is good.
• Other than Pavilion, it's next to Starhill and a few steps to Lot 10 with Planet Hollywood at its entrance. I enjoy sitting at the Coffee Bean sambil cuci mata tengok2 minah Arab laku dan gayanya..it makes you wonder...

Beside the place we stay...we went to...

• The Curve..I was sort of expecting something more from the promo brochures that we see but lastly..it just come flat. Anyway..it was a good time spend there although not that impressive.
• The Pavilion....expensive boutiques but food court is great and Madam Kwan restaurant is there..love the Nasi Bajuri or something. It also has Tangs and Parkson Grand....
• KLCC...mainly to Kinokuniya and walking around and eating at Chakri Palace where the steam siakap with lime is out of this world...my taste buds juicing just by mentioning this dish...
• Subang Parade...where we actually bought the clothings and spend time..not too crowded and familiar with MPH and Chicken Rice Shop our main target.We got some special discounts at Manhattan Fish Market given by the supv...certain items are not in the bill..he said since we eat so much..wow..i was hoping more for our charms that we got the discounts..jazakallah...
• Mid-Valley...somehow I am not that keen on this place although if we go there..MPH again is the target while I will stop over at Ms. Read.The money changer here gives good exchange rates..SR to RM
• Amcorp Mall..CTZ took me here the Sunday b4 I left...remember when I use to frequent this place to sell my crafts...stop over at Zahir's Creative Cottage where CTZ will come for art classes. Bought 2 blouses for Hannah...CTZ bought me a tudung...
• KB Mall..its living and you can get many things here.I did not manage to go to Bazaar Buluh Kubu?? since I went to Pasar lama to get the tudungs....
• PKNS..where we can get tudungs and clothings...
• SACC Mall..new place in S.Alam....there's Lovely Lace, Southern Pottery and the Art shp on the 2nd. floor where you can take classes. Just turn right from the escalator. We love the food at the D'Palma cafe...
• Plaza Alam Sentral...cannot say much since I stop there only a short time with Hannah...
• SOGO...short stop to go to Insaf for Nasi Beriani...bough cookies there..not bad...
• Ampang Park..stop over to look at the flower shop there...it is still full of flowers..swags, topiaries but the designs remains the same as 5 years ago...The money changer here gives good exchange rates too.
• Summit USJ...we went to Adidas outlet there..watch movie and the money changer gives good rates.
• Sunway Pyramid...huge after the expansion...but..the Jusco store is messy..crowded. We kinda get lost in the whole building...but the directions do help..Ayman ask an Amoi where is the surau located..the Amoi said lagi depan jalan la ada punya...he..he..
• One Utama...more organized and nicer compared to above place...stopover at Craft Haven..bought some brushes and paint although the salesgirl try to pursuade me not to buy but get some lessons first and just buy what the teacher ask...Haiya..I got no time lo... but I smiling says ok...and she give me some pointers..thanks dear...
• Munawwarah designs TTDI...the place where I get my tudungs...for friends not really for me..I do have the few that I wear..not actually borong but did bought a few...should have get varied colors coz..I end up with more blacks than necessary... Buying it was in preparation whenever Hannah wanted to start wearing..sudah anak dara so dah kena pakai but she still hesitating..I said no problem lah pakai...She asks me bila mama start pakai..can I wait until same time...hmm...

That's about all the place that was covered in a rush..ha..ha..ha...

Time In Malaysia

Let's see if I remember some of the things that happen while I were in Malaysia...upon arrival..my 3 sis were at the airport with their families..after lots of huggings what nots we proceed to go to Ana's house which is my 2nd sis..Adik&Dilla decided to come along eventhough their house is just near the airport. I forgot about the eptrol pinch since it's price hike.. usually we will transit at Ana's house first b4 going to any hotels that were booked. These hotels were booked way in advance and sometimes I forgot to check the conditions to cancel or amend...as such RM110 melayang due to dates overlap..Anyway..if you serve the net you can look for bargains and will manage to save som $$ just by getting it from different agents or direct to the hotels. In one instance..the rates I get from KL-Hotels for rooms in Concorde Shah Alam is about RM20 cheaper per day..not much right. But if you were there for say 7 days its going to add up...at least can pay for lunch. The breakfast spread at Concorde Shah Alam was great in comparison to the other place that we stay. So a heavy breakfast tend to make you skip lunch and than you take an early dinner..so that's pretty much what we did.....

Actually we were in this quandry....having to hotel hopping during this vacation and last in Malaysia due to the unreadiness of our own homes. I expect to rectify this from next year onwards insyaállah....Our first home was repainted externally and internally last year...so the time stretch due to the rainy season and we cannot even stay there last year...as for this year since the house was void of furniture..we cannot stay there also... so thus the hotels...

Anyway...since the order of what needs to be done was centered around where we stay at the moment..it makes us able to complete quite a few items. I don't really expect to complete all that we wrote done prior to repat...

But the major things that were completed :-

• Get the MPSA approval for the Subang Alam house renovation.
• Mid-August b4 Azlan returns, the renovation of the external kitchen started after we agree on the changes and the costs...I just hope that it will turn out good if not great since I am not there to watch the progress..I just go with my gut feeling and also surveillance by Sani that all will be as said...so 30% of costs all paid for. To date the external kitchen basics were completed.
• Able to get the Cahaya Heights rented out...RM800 per month for 2 years. With options to add 1 year additional. The tenant seems nice and although he requested a few items to be done..he is willing to fork out the money first and deduct from rental. Hmm..we again go with our gut feeling and thanks to Zarina & Gorden who help us to rent out the place...
• We sell our Toyota Unser and get a Toyota Vios for Adzrul...alhamdulilah manage to get a good trade in value for it. Although we went round surveying how much resale value around Puchong, PJ and S.Alam finally Toyota outlet at Subang gives us the best price..so we decided to get the Vios..Ha..ha..although with a car..Adzrul is just now taking his driving license course..to date he has passed the computer test and attended the practical workshop...so probably next week he should be getting his L and start on the road test. We hope he can master this skill since he will be on his own..at least to go to LRT or KTM station. But he needs to know which place to avoid when driving alone...
• Sign up MRTA with Alfa...although with some medical issues on Azlan's side.
• Sign up Hannah's policy with K.Ita.
• Pre-sign with CTZ...still need to get her the money...
• Settle our queries with Edarman..although still upset about the losses but still..we believe its not meant to be although we know the decision to take but it was not taken on time..It's not actually up to us...
• Settle with the house grill contractor...
• Meet up with my ex-staffs for Hi-Tea at Sheraton..gonna put up the photos soon. And the Wed b4 leaving again for makan-makan at Mintan's...dpt handbag Pierre Cardine lagi..too much these guys but thanks so much...
• Lunch also the first week at Sani's house..O'La..La..ada sup lala yg sedap and fruits etc...
• Had fun time in Sunway lagoon on Thurs 7/8/08...had dinner at a malay restaurant in Sunway Pyramid and then stay to watch a drum performance by some school students.
• Had various wonderful times with CT during the last leg of our stay..from The Curve/Ikea to Munawwarah and eating Laksam..
• Attended a ceramah by YB Zulkifli Nordin and also a visit to Dtk Hassan Ali office in SUK..where we met Dtk. Ismail Kamus too...who by the way has spend some time looking over our Subang Alam house if you know what it means....

Some disappointment....well..its my unhappiness now but..it happens that way may not be really up to me...may we have more time for family visits next year..and some compromises....we need to compromise and not just insist...anyway..I should have tried harder..but things are no longer the same..when hearts are harden its not easy to mend...there's too much silence and waiting who gonna start first...I may regret of not doing what I should have done but than again..things are not that simple...it's push way too long to do something about it...but still I will keep on doing the things that I can do although non-communicado...

Back in Dhahran....

Back again in Dhahran since 19/8/08....How 6 weeks flew by so fast....Truth be known I do miss this home away from home of mine...hmm...hmm...maybe because I have all the familiarities with me here now....Anyway..I haven't really got to doing much of anything yet coz' I seem to strain my back few days after coming back...so just take it slow...now it seems better and still I am in slow mode...

Especially yesterday was considered as not to do much of anything day bçoz...we are waiting for the results of Permatang Pauh by-election...we know the results now..Subhanallah..May DSAI gets to do what he needs to do for the betterment of Malaysians....insyaállah...and..and...it seems that this Thurs we will have sort of a kenduri menyambut Ramadhan and kejayaan..since Ramadhan will be here soon...

I need to get myself sorted out on the things that needs to be done too...not just the laundry and putting in things in the drawers and closets but totally in 5 years here we have dump up many many things..so its time for Red Tag days and to sort out and donate especially the clothes..Hannah has got hers neatly pile up at the bottom of her cabinet..the boys still a long way to go and so is mom and dad...Would like to apply the rule of : If you put in 5 new clothes You must take out 5 old clothes if not things are gonna jammed up....

What I have done since the last week home...

• Laundry...tonnes of laundry....Washing at home and send out for ironing.


• Clear up some of the kitchen cabinets in order to put in more stuffs...


• Have unpack the clothes from Malaysia thus the laundry and the hangers...


• Clean the refrigerator and stoves...

That's pretty much it....In total we brought back 220kg of stuffs spread out with sending via ABDA at RM26kg/bag for 78kg....mainly food items..the nasi impit and Milo sure do stack up the kg's....need to ponder if its gonna be a sensible thing to do in future..overhere..Milo for 600gm cost SR22++ in Msia 2kg cost abt RM21 if not mistaken...since Azlan returns a week earlier he carries with him abt 33kg and 7kg was excess to be paid...when I return with my 3 kids I had 106kg...and 6kg excess to be paid...ngam ngam duit Aramco bagi for excess baggage..ingat nak jimat boleh lah dok perbeli benda2 lain...This baggage thing will now be a main consideration before next repat....Will tell more on the stuffs that were brought back among the five of us...

Got to leave Adzrul behind.....this is a first..usually we will be waving him off...now he is waving us off....Well...you got to do what you got to do...Insyaállah he will be joining us here for part of Ramadhan and Eid....How long not sure..it depends when he will be called for his induction prior to housemanship....Still..he got to go and get his driving license soonest possible...kereta ada tapi ada driver but takde license lagi...

Will update more soon....