A Lovely Weekend At The Highland

Went to pick up my son who finished school the other day. Since we were already close to Tapah, we decided to spend the weekend at Cameron Highlands.

We stayed at the apartment facing the golf course. The view was breathtaking - overlooking the hills (thank you Aton & Fatin for recommending). Went strawberry picking. Had strawberry ice-creams and waffles and cakes. We went to the tea plantation - the view was spectacular and the tea and scones were great. Bought a lot of flowers and vege. Wish we could have stayed longer though..

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It's More Fun This Way

It's the d-day to submit the income tax form today..

Friends tell me it's easy to do it on-line. I said I am an IT-illiterate person - I dont know how to do that. & submit the hardcopy form I did.

I spent Sun on the form & called some friends about things I dont know. Mon morning I noticed mistakes when I did my final verification. So I went to the kedai mamak and get the 'blanko'. After making corrections I went to the income tax office. From far I saw the office crowded and cars are already parked haphazardly within the surrounding area of the office. I had to park some distance from there.

I went to the kedai kodak to make a copy of my form - whew, there were two long lines there - everybody trying to make copy of their forms. I waited. The two boys manning the photocopy machines almost tripped over their fingers while making copies - they were that busy.

When I got to the office, the place looked like it's got a sale before hari raya. Berpusu manusia. I had a one last question to ask before I submit my form so I waited. I saw an old, old man who dont understand what he supposed to do and a mid-thirties guy who insisted he doesnt have to pay anything because "gaji saya banyak mana pun.. anak pun ramai.." There was also a guy who said "co saya kata tak payah bayar apa pun sebab dah bayar kat Bahrain.."

The officer's answer to my question was satisfactory enough but she wanted to look at my completed form. She chided me over the 'blanko' thing and make big marks on my form over the mistakes that she discovered. (I hate the pakcik who stood behind us and looked at my form while the officer was checking the form - hello, can I have some privacy here?!!)

The officer asked me to re-do the form on-line. I told her - I am computer illeterate. She frowned at me, like disbelieving. I laughed. But she did agree that I could re-do the whole thing on another form.

Next year I will submit my tax using - the physical form - ha-ha, because believe me, there is just no substitute to the experience I had this morning if I only sat in front of the PC.

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Saturday Free & Easy

Went to Borders today - er yesterday actually as it is Sun already. It looked too nice not to visit (I suppose it is going to be the end of the locally owned stores? - as Borders are already opened at Curve and Berjaya Times Square and with many more to open soon I suppose..)

Borders at the Curve is very peaceful, not overcrowded like Kinnokuniya or MPH at Mid Valley mall. It has more selections too I think. I was overjoyed with their selections on beading and ceramic arts. Alas, as usual, the books are all too expensive to splurge on.

I peeked into the latest book co-written by Trump and Kiyosaki - I didnt notice its price but urgh, hardbound - I doubt I could afford it. The cook books beckoned me as usual and, as usual too I cant resist getting a couple which are on bargains - one is about chicken from a to z (as the children love chicken so much) and the other on tastes of italy (would love to be as passionate about food as the italians are). Maybe after this I could zap up the meanest chicken kiev or chicken cordon bleu or even some fancy italian dish (which I dont even know how to pronounce..)

We lunched at The Curve - & was pleasantly surprised that it has a very nice eating environment there.

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The Mules That Made My Day

The discussion is in the morning and none of the SIs were in the office except one - who told me oh, I cant attend that as I am instructed not to do that anymore by the honcho SI himself. @&**%!! (like I care..?) How can I go tothe meeting when the R.I.C.E. list is not firmed up by the SIs? Those @#$*&^ SIs!

Then my boss told me my leave application is not approved as the office cant be left empty - hallo, everybody's dying to take leave as we all cant remember when was the last time any of us did as it has been freezed (frozed?) since no one remembers when! @#$%^&!! Afterall, it is going to be a long holiday. But darn the bosses - & fine! I'll work on Mon - it's not a big deal! It's not like I have a wedding to attend that Mon anyway. Eirfan's got school anyway.

The discussions today went on and on. Although I plan to leave on the dot at 5, yet another discussion was called at 4:40 and lasted through 8. The office was very quiet by then - it is Fri after all, and a Fri before a long week-end, to boot -

It was yet another stressful day - but my brand new mules saved the day. The girls oohed and aahed over the green pretty bling-bling mules (that's what Marks&Spencer called them). And that really, really made my day. (yeah, I am so vain - kena istighfar banyak2 - hanya Allah yang layak puji-pujian ni).

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This Is Life

This morning was bad - had a tough time getting to the office; in the end I was late. The office as usual, was busy even before 9. Checked on a few thing before booting up the notebook and checked mails.

I prayed I have very few mails. I was happy when the inbox showed only 17 items - oops, unfortunately it is still checking for mails. I wasnt lucky - there were a lot of the darned mails.

Anyway that's not the story - my bachelor went back to college yesterday after a few days holiday at home (so sad). The usual questions asked at this time is ada duit tak? He said tak de. I said why not - I gave him monthly allowance which should last till end of the month. He said dah makan. Me : why eat so much? He : Orang lain pun nak makan juga...

After many questions I found out that one of his housemates dont have enough even to eat. This housemate's parents are divorced and now both the father and mother asked him for some money. I was mad that the parents asked money from the boy till he had none left for meals. If he had enough to spare by all means, ask him for the money.

I was mad, sad, kesian - my maternal instincts kicked into action - tak tau nak cerita macam mana lagi. Tak tau nak kata macam mana la dunia ni..

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I Whine

I found out that I do whine - a lot!

I whine about work. About life. About health. And many other things actually.

But I guess everything Allah gives to us is much dependable on the choices that we make dak? So I'm telling myself this - stop whining and just get things done the way you want them to work out.

ps - I realise that I need a lot of reminding.

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Drive

Drove to Cyberjaya recently with some new people I know - friends? - maybe not quite there yet. Anyway someone told me that I drove well. Predictably I beamed.

The question asked after that was how long have I been driving? I counted mentally - man... that long? No wonder I am good. Anyway I refused to answer the question because it would be too age-telling/revealing (I think it is so cliche to be so conscious about age kan? I mean come on la, what's the big deal..?)

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They Said

Scene 1
The PD said the management (whoever that might be?) bukannya nak perah the project team into doing more, more and so much more. Trained to be cynicals like we are today by the very same management, we raised our brows and exchanged looks that clearly said - really?

I doubt the management is really interested in anything beyond delivering the project as scheduled. Let's not mime things we dont mean. And after all, this is not the first time that has happened - the miming, I mean.

Scene 2
Friends tell me I have become a stranger. Yeah, yeah I know - tell me about it.

Scene 3
Met a guy in a meeting and turned out he recognized me from like 10 years back. For the life of me, I was most embarrassed to admit that I dont remember him - at all. I said really? we have met before? He remembered where I sat, who my boss was and what project I worked on then.

He said, you have not changed a bit (please read that as aged..) at all since then. I dont know if he was serious although he looked sincere enough when he said that. I would love to believe him but I'm sure there are enough lines to testify that I do aged since the last time we met.

Nevertheless his words did make me happy for a little while before the aforesaid crow feeet managed to bring me down from cloud nine.....

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Quality Time

I had a lot of photos on my camera. Well, we went to PD then to Melaka during the last school break. Then we went to Penang and then to Lost World of Tambun. Then some more photos here and there. Anyway, up to the point that the phone memory is almost full.

I spent last night uploading the photos to my notebook - which reminds me that these days all my photos are in the laptop. I couldnt imagine if the notebook suddenly goes kaput. I must upload these photos to the web.

So after I uploaded Eirfan wanted to look at the photos. And then Ilyas came and Iman and then the master himself. We had the nicest time looking at all the photos. The kids laughed and created an uproar especially when they looked at the black/white photos of my childhood days.

Anyway these are some of the photos I was talking about..


The ruins in Melaka..





The pretty paku at the PD lighthouse...

Penang in early evening from the ferry..

The first try out..

Luq & Eirfan at the Lost world of Tambun

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End Of Year

It is the end of year for college students. Matriculation will end by late April. Semesters in UIA has already ended. I suppose the other universities/colleges will break off soon.

I am anticipating the boys coming back for the break. Ilyas is already home. Lepak sana sini. Luq will be coming back next two weekends. Zack maybe in May.

I love this time of the year.............. I am such an emotional mum, dont you think?

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My Eirfan

Iman bought some tickets to the movies yesterday. It's like - whether we like it or not we have to go. We went to see Meet The Robinson's.

The man of the house said, alaa - itu cerita budak kecik.. I said of course, this is the budak kecik's treat - you look at the situation like this - if we go and Eirfan likes it we meet the target. But if we go and you manage to cough up a laugh here and there then we get a bonus. Ha-ha.. ini macam kpi kat ofis ni.

KLCC was over crowded as usual (macam tak de tempat lain orang nak pergi..). Anyhow Eirfan liked the movie and the boss himself did manage not to fall asleep & there was indeed a few laughs here and there from him. I suppose we did manage to earn the bonus.

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Thoughts Of A Working Mum

There is no substitute to a wholesome, delicious home-cooked meal. It will win over fast-food anytime, hands down, where nutrition is concerned. But for convenience sake (for wanting an excuse - any excuse, that is) it is much easier to give in to the ads on tv by any of the fast food chains ie you'll be happier when you eat there or you fit in better with your peers etc etc. Or maybe it is just that much easier to give in to the whines of the little one(s).

I did my grocery shopping yesterday, after many, many weeks of not doing so. I am thinking that I should leave office earlier than usual to get decent dinner on the table.. (that's my heart talking, my head's saying this - fat chance! But life is always interspersed with wishful thinking dont you agree?)

..but kalau keluar ofis pun dah pukul 8, there is no point in slugging over the stove, is there?

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I was questioned by Celcom users why am I am rushing them for their data. I told them that maybe, just maybe because I am a perfectionist? I was asked to look into the mirror - ha-ha.

In restropect I think it is because I am worrier (do read that as cautious and one who follows the guidelines given).

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I met someone with very fair skin and above the average looks. Her make-up was flawless and she could be in the shampoo ad with the kind of hair that she has. She was immaculately dressed in apple green raw silk kurung kedah. The top was finely embroidered. She smiled a lot and was pretty friendly.

I sat beside her in the meeting. I noticed the embroider has many little holes that shows her skin. Her neckline shows her cleavage and her split skirt shows ample length of her leg.

I am not trying to be mean nor insulting nor stereotyping nor whatever else ... but as I sat there I thought it is really akhir zaman when man are uninhibited and modesty is no longer a coveted value. (I wonder if I should even blog this event).

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Taking The Bull By The Horns

It's like telling yourself enough is enough; from now on I will take full command of my time. I will make time for the things that are improtant to me like ~

Making sure Eirfan does better in school.

Having proper dinner at home.

And time for hobbies.

Time for the gardens.

Time for my bead work.

Time for exploring new recipes & the joy of cooking like Kylie or Nigella. Time for my weight management and time to read. And time to blog, of course!

So I am taking the bull by its horns, so to speak..

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A Cool Morning At The Nurseries

Spent Sun morning at Sg Buloh. It was fun. The morning was a bit cloudy - the perfect weather to visit the nurseries.

We bought the biggest pasu ever to replant the white bougainvillea on the porch that looked like it has stopped growing. I thought it will look nice sitting outside the gates close to the red palms that we have out front.

Bought also a nice-not-too-big green bamboo tree. That will replace the bird of paradise that had merajuk and refuse to flower after the one and only time that it did. The babboo seem nice as it will (hopefully) grow tall and straight and not merimbun - otherwise both us and Koon (the guy next door) cant open our gates.

My significant other bought dills that he wants to plant in the so-called (.. and barely menjadi) herbs garden at the back of the house. & he thought that maybe he could get fresh herbs whenever he needs it (chewwwah - macam Jaime gitu..)

We passed a procession of chinese funeral - I havent seen that since I was in primary school (the school is at the foot of the hills in the Lake Gardens and the chinese cemetary is on the other side of the hills). Then a procession of the Hindus (carrying milk I think) went by. It was interesting. I wanted to snap photos on my phone but my hubby said kenapa nak tangkap gambar orang kafir buat yang bukan2 tu? Ye jugak, I thought.

By the time we left Sg Buloh it was raining hard. Thankfully we were done. It was a great morning.

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