A Tribute

*Imad in dark blue*
1990 - 2008

Last night Mama called with the news. It was shocking but expected kinda way. He's been battling heart problems ever since we knew him. A very intelligent engineering major young man, straight A student and more like a family to us. More than often he came for sleepovers and join family activities. First time I knew him we were at Nando's with my mom and brother having lunch. Shy boy but quickly overcame it. He came few days early to our wedding to help with preparations and was very diligent.

*Imad in white*
May 26th, 2008

He was playing football yesterday afternoon and was at his university campus. After the game, he went to his room and collapsed. They took him to the hospital and he passed away at around 8pm or 9pm (Msian time). The last time we met him was at the airport. He had came to see us off to GC for our honeymoon and back to Aust.

Yassin and Al-Fatihah to Imaduddin.
May he be placed among the best.

Oh Dear..

It sure has been very long! My darling little girl Koda has been up to some very mischievious things lately. And she's turned more vocal than before! This morning she was playing with blinds again and somehow got caught in it. So I assume with her weight, it broke. Luckily I'm married to an engineer whom loves to fix things. This morning he jumped up on my then crawled onto hubby and mew in his ear. Suppose she's trying to tell him she did something wrong. He inspected the blinds while she sat watching and made up a guilty face. Yeah, right. Never fall for it. Last night she was lying around so I came over and asked if she's depressed. Hubs said "don't fall for it!"

I've been playing in my mind the times when my family comes down. It'll be our first family get-together since we left after our wedding. Now that I've my own nuclear little family, I'm missing my extended family even more. Unlike being single, I've always insist in making my own decisions, set my own goals and turn to friends for advice and support. I'm not your typical girl whose close to her family and get along with her mom. Now for me, those days are certainly over. And it had started to change rather dramatically during those "trying" times leading up to our wedding. Almost felt like I'm in a different dimension. Suddenly I feel like I'm daddy's little girl and everyone takes care of me. Now I call Mama for advice, Papa sms weekly asking how I'm doing and to refer to him when in doubt or in need, I call Abg and Adik randomly when they're in college. Kak Long emails more often, cousins asking or sms-ing how I'm doing etc. They're all concern about darling hubby and asking how we're doing almost weekly. When all these while I had thought that when I'm married, we'll be further apart. Interestingly it brought us closer, eh? One of the wonders of life.

I never know how to answer honestly when people asks "so how's married life treating you?" Do you want me to detail everything or would you rather a simple answer. So I'd usually respond with "okay" Which often feels more than okay to me. Of course we've our ups and downs, lows and highs. We're not living in a fairy tale land here. And when I entered married life, I didn't enter it with a happily-ever-after mindset either. I don't even expect to be happy all the time. And I'm glad I'm not. But most of the time, I am. As cliche this may sound to you, I'd rather be no where else right now than here. I'm not even curious what my life would've been like. I suppose the correct answer would've been it's different. There's ups and downs but there's always us. Unlike single life, it's either I'm alone or with understanding friends. Especially when we're so far away from our families. I suppose the distance from our immediate families just brought us even closer to each other. But it's definitely more than and okay.

As usual, since the last I blogged there had been so many changes and happenings. But we're still the same =) Oh we've been Scrabble addicts recently. But always with a dictionary or the cheat-o-matic website in hand to check our opponent's words really exists. Trust me, you'd want it in handy especially when you play with darling hubby hehhe!!

My Little Tiger

This morning it was Koda's routine. Get her bowl filled, drink, go outside for potty and jumped into bed with me. Rather, to annoy me. Now that darling hubby's so busy with his work, she seems to be asking more attention from me. Last night she mew to announce she caught a small moth. Played with it and ate it. Eww! I still have trouble comprehending that cats eat those stuff. This morning she brought in an acorn and played football with it noisily. She even brought it to the bedroom to announce it. Gosh. My little tiger.

I had forgotten our monthly anniversary. We went to the market and darling hubby suggested dinner at a new Szechuan Chinese Restaurant in town. Love the ambience. Simply love it when out of the blue he takes me out to eat. Then some gelatos and coffee for dessert.

I had planned to write more but am getting distracted at something I think I might 'need'. hehee!

Updates

Darling hubby's been rather boring these few days. He's engrossed in his work especially now that he's only few months left. So yesterday I got up seeing him asleep on the sofa as usual after a long night's work. Get dressed and decided to give my hairdresser a visit. Absolutely love her. She's Korean and as most of them are, they're very into fashion and styles and take great interest in them too. Though they're nothing comparing to Europeans, I don't mind Koreans at all. And I love the fact she does my hair exactly how I want it to be. Good. A bonus when it's only 5 minutes from home. Only thing is that they're always busy so I can't do drop-ins like with mine back in Msia. Bummer.

Now with a nice blow and healthy feel to my hair, I can't possibly head home can I? So took a detour to Dymocks and Angus n Robertsons, browsed and gave a read through some books. Thought of doing some groceries but left my list at home. So just went through those yummy delicacies and gourmet items. That's what I love about Burside Village. Everything is there. Only I had to make 3 rounds to get a decent parking spot at lunch time. That's gotta be better than parking in BSC or Pavillion, I thought. Lunchtime or not, it's always full!

Head home it's already 3pm and darling hubby just woke up. He gets ready and we head out for an yummy, huge, early dinner at Spargo's. Must be brunch for him. Then as we browsed through the mall after a heavy meal, I spotted something really nice at Colorado. Half an hour later we both ended up with a pair of shoes each!! Yay!

Koda has ventured outside the house area now. To parking lots and beyond. So long she doesn't get into Sylvia's way, I just hope they don't fight.

The Attempt to Sleep-in

I was loving my night's sleep since darling hubby was up the whole night writing his thesis while the rather comfortable me conquers the whole bed to herself! Yes of course my heart goes all out to darling hubby up all night working away, and yes I do miss that hubby-warmth and soundly snores! But I've to admit, I enjoyed last night's sleep.

Now as much as I was enjoying it, I thought I'd sleep un-disturbed when at 5am in the morning, a 3 kgs bundle of dense furball jumped on the bed and made herway straight onto my tummy. Gets herself comfortable and slumped herself half on my belly and the pillow next to me. I thought to myself half sleepily, fine. Sleep. Few minutes later, she starts purring ever so loudly! Somewhere between 5.30am to 6am I stirred in my sleep and she's gone. Only to jump back on few minutes later so I cried out to darling hubby and he peered through the door. I turned to my side thinking to myself she might not want to get on me this time! But she came around and slumped on the pillow I was hugging onto instead! Third time round, it's already 7am. She let out a mew and I stroked her saying, "you're not gonna let me sleep, are you?" and she purred. I called out for hubby and asked him what she wants, is her bowl full or the back door open for potty. He filled her bowl and she followed him. So I hit the sack at a final attempt of having few more seconds to myself.

Just under 2 minutes, she's back on the bed nudging both my hands for a stroke/rub. So I let her sleep and stroked her. As soon as the purring stopped, I made a silent attempt to leave the bed and make breakfast. And guess what, she wakes up! Walks around the house and playing! Goodness!!

I made berries pancakes for two and end up eating mine all by myself. Darling hubby's too engrossed in his work to eat. I think he's motor's running and he'd rather not stop or else it's hard to get started again. So I let him be.

Then my next attempt to just be in bed catch up on some light readings didn't go undisturbed either. Koda jumped and joined me. She's either curled up next to me or on my belly while I finish reading. She's one of a character there. One bloody of a character!

Come mid-noon I went to the kitchen only to find there's still breakfast for him on the table, untouched. So I dress up and decided it's time for some air. Soothingly coaxed darling hubby to join me for coffee and take some time off his work. He's been working more than 12 hours straight. Managed to get some coffee and sandwiches for lunch then straight home. Guess what, instead of continuing his work, he went straight to bed! Poor thing. And Koda? She's happily playing outside.

I think she just enjoys harrassing me in bed.

It's her new thing.

Sigh.

Shopaholic!

When they released their first 2 books few years back in MPH bookstore (M'sia), I used my own allowance and bought them both. Not that I was eye-ing for them. Incidently, I was waiting for my soon-to-be hubby then, for a casual date and found the catchy book cover in Kinokuniya (KLCC). Thought I'd do some light reading to let time pass by. And indeed it was!

The very first few things about her writings was that she made me laugh. Now, I believe only my darling husband knows it's not easy to make me laugh (whole heartedly and intentionally, that is) when I'm alone watching TV or read books. I hardly laugh watching cartoons or comedies unless there are people around just to please them and show I'm having a good time. A people-pleaser, really.

Anyway, I bought the first few books then the next few when they're released and brought them all to where-ever I move. Then when I was back to MPH for holidays a year or two back, I bought the continuous books and the latest, Shopaholic and Baby. Somehow lost in the midst of starting a new life, I completely forgot about the book and had abandoned it. Today I've finished reading it and looking forward to getting her latest, Remember Me?

Little did I know there's a movie release on her first book Confessions of a Shopaholic! Played by Isla Fisher and will be out in 2009. Now, no, I'm not going to wait til the make a movie out of her new book. I'm determined to read it first then rattle on about how the movie was nothing like my imaginary characters in my mind when I read the book! Of course my imaginary characters are better.

Honestly.

Maggi

I know. I know. September as usual is a month of celebration. A bonus when it's Ramadhan. I've pictures but I don't feel like uploading now.

Picked up a couple packets of Maggi (curry flavour) noodles last weekend at the market. Koda this morning while waiting (rather impatiently) for her bowl to be filled, managed to raid the shelve and one of them fell. So try as I might, unsuccessfully, to wake up darling hubby (okay Koda and I both tried) for breakfast. I've had chicken sausages, potatoes, veges and scrambled eggs in mind. It's almost 11.30 and he's still sound asleep. In his defense, he was up all night writing his thesis. Fine. My gaze went to the packet of noodles lying on the kitchen floor. Now that's something I've not had for a very long time. Suddenly those nostalgic memories of boarding school life hits me. It's time for some curry Maggi noodles 'kosong'. No egg, no veges, nothing.

Gosh the smell. I remember. The bitter. The sweet.

Koda wasn't very active last night. We both think the drugs has wore off and the pain is starting to set in for her. She'd tempt to play if you play with her but most of the time she sleeps or just lie down. Poor girl. She's still not allowed to play outdoors. Though this morning I woke up to her purr and numbness in my left arm where she comfortably snooze off.

Raya went out fine. We set off to Sydney for a small getaway sometime before Raya. We went crabbing once with Hamdi. That reminds him to ask when he wants to pick up his kitten.

Off meeting Steve to pick up something very, very important. For now, my noodles are getting cold.

Koda Care

Oh dear. Yesterday we sent Koda for her de-sexing surgery and microchip-ing. She's almost 6 months now (in 2 days time to be exact) and before she gets on her first heat, it's time to de-sex her and get that microchip done so she can run freely outdoors without darling hubby worry sick. She has fell down our backdoor balcony once completely unharmed but shivering scared in the cold winter night and turned up in front of Julie's (our neighbour) back door. Luckily we have engraved her name and my number on her collar.

I smartly thought experience with Fluffy and Mowkie I'd be able to handle Koda's recovery from surgery fairly well. I was wrong. Unlike both Fluffy and Mowkie, Koda's utterly complete the opposite. Right after picking her up from the vet, she looked alert and ready to play. Reached home, she rushed to her bowl and started looking at both of us gestering us to playtime. Now like any surgery, it is strictly important for her to stay put, no jumping or games, feed only half the amount of daily food and no picking or licking her wound. Dr Stirling has also mentioned to watch out for signs of pain, swelling, discharge from wound, and reduced appetite. Koda on the other hand seems to still love eating, jumping from couch to bed to our laps, running and sliding her body on the floor catching imaginary insects or rounded lumps of papers. We ignored any games she plays but only cuddles and stroke her to help her relax. She's also restricted to indoors only for these couple weeks. I don't think she's happy with that.

So after dinner she usually takes a nap for a few hours and wakes up around 11pm. But not last night. She was up and about up until we were sound asleep. It's a no wonder after those bouts of jumping, running and sliding last night, early this morning about 5am she gags, glugs and vomits on our bedroom floor, hallway and in the shower. Luckily darling hubby's already up doing his work before hearing her gags and glugs, quickly picked her up and send her to the bathroom. It was a considerable amount of odourless vomit from her meal. Amazingly, right after we clean up, she's up and about doing more jumping and getting excited because we're up. Fluffy and Mowkie had only taught me of being silent, sleep and lying around after surgery. Nothing like this.

I made a call to the vet explaining everything and she wants us to keep close eye on Koda in case she vomits again and for any sign of pain. She also suggests we keep her in a confined area (i.e laundry room or toilet) and that idea doesn't seem very appealing to darling hubby. So we try to keep her from jumping too much and ignore her playtime.

It's interesting how we became particular and start noticing small changes. We whisper around her when she's asleep, carefully inspect her wound every few hours, cuddles and try to calm her when she's hyper, and takes note what time she sleeps, wake, eat, and poo! It sure feels like we're taking a peek into parenthood, eh? =)

Little Waltz

Ramadhan

Ahh.. first Ramadhan as hubby and wife didn't particularly turn out the way I'd imagined to be when I was young and naive. Well, I certainly wasn't taking many into thinking at that moment. And alhamdulillah we passed through the first day healthily and satiated by the end of the day.

Jemput goreng is still a must menu for breaking fast. Tonight was accompanied by ayam masak lemak and bok choy vege dish. We've still some lamb roast and vege roast leftovers from last Saturday's roast weekend with friends.

Koda's really cute. She snores, purrs, farts, sighs, grunts, every sound you can possibly imagine but meow. She only meows when asking for her food at mealtime. Today we went and bought a new brand of food for her. She's such a pig. But it'll be nice to see her gaining weight a bit more than the first time she arrived. The other night she actually went to hubs lips and kissed it because he was snoring so loudly. Hehe.

Dreams =)

Koda pt 2

Woke up in the middle of the night to find darling hubby snoring in my ears on my left and Koda purring in my ears on my right. No wonder I woke up.

Today is Koda's third day being introduced the outdoor world. She only started chasing ants today. She enjoys watching Youtube with hubby dearest, listens to rock music, follows us everywhere in the house, thinks my Sea World dolphin her worse enemy and my echidna her play ball. Sylvia's very not happy with her. She hasn't been around much either since she first met Koda. The first time, she pounced, hissed, spit, made very aggressive noises through our grill door from the outside. Poor friendly Koda. Sylvia has a new name now. Krazy Kat

Koda

Introducing... Koda!!
She's a 4 month old tortie British Shorthair who purrs SO much and loud! She sleeps on my lap and in bed with us, still very much a baby, makes baby sounds sometimes, sees darling hubby as her playmate and me a source of comfort and food provider, love snuggling with us on the sofa and have only heard 5 mews since she came! She sleeps in any position she's in at the time. Even when being picked up, she can still close her eyes. Follows us around to every room/corner we go. Currently in training to walk on leash and adapting well.

Her flight was delayed for half an hour last Thursday but half an hour after, was inspected and turned into our hands at 7.30pm.

Mission Accomplished =)

Ok when I ventured into my first missions, I wasn't expecting to be successful in a double mission =) But I certainly am very happy. Tomorrow our mission arrives and will introduce you. Definitely.

Is it.. is it not..

A few seconds dip and it showed results right away
Is it trustworthy? We shall find out tmrw, i hope

Lamb Shanks and Blintzes

After quite some time having no-rice asian based cooking, I just realized perhaps darling hubby would prefer to have a more Msian style food. He is Kelantanese, anyway (where people eat rice for b'fast, lunch n dinner). Not that he had complained about it. He eats everything I make every time. Sometimes even requests some ideas. The few days we were at my parent's before we leave the country, Mama dearie would often asks what he likes to eat and assures me that he is a more rice-traditional food type of person, tengok muka pun mama tau! No, he's not a fussy eater nor a hate-vegetables type. Except pumpkin and tempeh. Loathes them. Other than that, he eats all types of cuisines. So yesterday I cooked rice and made sambal terung. Bought 2 huge eggplants (and seriously, they are huge in comparison to the long pencil type we are used to back in Msia) and used one of them to make the sambal, and also the ever so simple ayam kicap. Two most simple dishes and he sat at the table for quite some time there. Even requests those leftovers for his lunchbox to work today. Oh dear.. selfish selfish me..

On the contrary, here's some pics from last week. Spiced Lamb Shanks and a bed of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes.


Blintzes with fresh blueberry sauce.


I'm not going to tell you about my mission until I've accomplished it. But I sure am looking forward to this weekend!

Wind and Pour

psst..
am on a mission

Cold cold Days

0.8 degrees it was last weekend. Followed on close to that figure a few days onwards and set out to be the coldest of days. That surely didn't stop us going casserole hunting! hee..

So that had resulted in darling hub-hub knocked down with swollen tonsil, cold, and flu-like symptoms for the whole week! if i tell you how difficult he is with medicines, you won't believe me. then again, i am too =p After our last casserole dish broke into two, we managed to find a good one that is not heavy for me to wash! ain't that just great! plus, it was on sale! Am absolutely loving it. Finding myself looking out for recipes and reasons to make casserole dishes.

Yesterday, with a husky sexy voice (don't be fooled, it's the flu) he took me out again without any agenda actually. B, jom go out! That's all he needs to say to get yours truly here up early, long shower, and out the front door though I've no idea where we're going or what he's up to hehe.. And didn't I mention I'll try not to shop ridiculously early on this year? So though we didn't get anything from those tempting tempting shops, it was such a good outing I must say. Went for a movie, surveyed some items for the home, had pizza, coffee, and walked around town. Simple and nice.

And guess what now. His tonsil hurts again! Ok, one thing I can't do much about is his amplified snore at night when he's sick. Oh dear me. Sometimes it scares the hell out of me in the middle of the night! Poor b, we better get extra comfy pillows soon and some Codral in you! jeng jeng...

Short and Sweet

Am clean.
And cleared up.
*yay!*

Dark Night

Few weeks ago as we were comfortably snuggling on our sofa watching TV after dinner as usual, at approximately 11 or 12 midnight, came a faint crying sound outside. Perfectly like a cat's mew. We immediately exchanged looks and obviously the first two times I heard them, I assured hubby that it's Sylvia, the fat cat. Along came the third time, I gripped his arm and said, b it's help! Someone's screaming help! Over a miniscule second of the fourth and fifth cry, I changed my mind again. Then it came louder. And definitely help! We rushed through the front door and peered overlook our balcony, a woman was running, screaming please somebody help me, chasing a tall unknown male screaming back to her in an Asian dialect (Korean I thought, then again, could be Cantonese?) while he disappeared around the corner. Neighbours along the streets had came out their front doors and hubby dearie (without a jacket and short khaki pants) had long rushed into the bitter cold winter night and chasing after her. So does a few male neighbours alongside. Wrapped in a thin sofa blanket, I waited on the balcony till he re-appears (risau jugak lah!) with others, I overheard few neighbouring women on the streets along the lines of 'I've called the police.. they're on their way.. what happened?' No one knew. There was a police car further up the corner of the street and the woman screaming help was talking to him.

Just as we thought the neighbourhood was safe enough. Sure was an eerie night tho. I supposed the way the screamed help was so frequent, making her sound (honestly!) like Sylvia.

Oh he's up now.