The other day my FB status read: (My full name) is going to cook mee udang for today and she's going to cook it with THE special ingredient. Whenever she cooks with this special ingredient she always know that even without tasting the food it's going to be good. And no, it's not ajinomoto ;p

However corny it may sound, I must admit that the special ingredient is L.O.V.E. I once read a story in one of the Chicken Soups for the Soul books about a mother's secret ingredient stored away in a jar and kept away from all her children's reach. When this woman passed away, a daughter of hers finally had a peek in the jar. In the jar was a note, worn and looked like it had been passed down from one generation to another. The note said that everytime one cooks, one should cook with all his/her love. Only then the food taste good.

I truly believe in that story.

And I also believe in the theory of how positive energy and thoughts impact water and its molecular structure.

As a wife, I know that I'm definitely not a "trophy". But I want Mr. A to be proud to have a wife who can cook good food for him. One of the best things that he said to me was that even though he loves his mother home-cooked food, he eats mine with more selera (appetite). I was so happy to hear that. He loves my ketam masak lemak cili api, asam pedas ayam, ayam masak cili api (fried chicken with thick gravy based with oyster sauce and cili api) and sambal petai udang. On some weekends I would cook nasi lemak (i have yet to master this), nasi ayam, spaghetti, mee kari, mee rebus, mee bandung, mihun sup or (the latest) mee udang. Mr. A also has been pestering me to cook laksa and make traditional kueh which I don't think will happen so soon because they are too tedious for me.

As a mum, my only wish is that my children would say their favourite food is my home-cooked food!

I had to include some of my food pictures (taken by my beloved Mr. A) in this post. I have no intention of boasting. Err maybe just a need of some ego boost haha.

The ketam masak lemak cili api.

Ikan tiga rasa.

Ikan stim.

Udang galah goreng kunyit.

Last weekend's mee udang.

PS: I'm a foodie married to another foodie =)

This has to be one of my favourite forwarded emails.

Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tanned woman appeared in the window of a gym.

It said: "THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE?"

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

"To Whom It May Concern:
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans). They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins, stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Barren Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don't exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they don't have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?
The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale."

P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a good cup of coffee with my friends. With time we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good gosh, look how smart I am!"

And looking at the size of my butt I guess I'm definitely one of the smartest! ;)

I don’t know whether I am a well-liked teacher or not. I am the kind of teacher whom makes sure there is an invisible gap between me and my students. I can be nice but I don’t want to be too nice. I don’t want my students to be clingy to me. I think kids love attention and I don’t like to give attention unnecessarily.

However, I do want students to think that I am a good teacher; a dedicated, dependable (to an extent), and caring teacher. I want them to be inspired by the things that I teach them; to be able to use English language as a tool to succeed and to have a high self esteem.

Other than teaching English, I also teach Pendidikan Moral to a class of first formers. I really enjoy teaching this set of students. Being budak kampung and still very young, they are eager to learn. They participate well in class even though sometimes they can be quiet mischievous! ( Today I caught one of the girls writing a love letter while I was teaching and she slammed the door on her way out).

Yesterday I was told by my Penolong Kanan Pentadbiran that starting next week I do not have to teach Pendidikan Moral anymore. So today I made the class worked hard. We covered two units (chapters) in two periods (which is a lot okay). I wanted to finish up the Bidang Pembelajaran 4 so the new teacher can simply start at Bidang Pembelajaran 5.

They wondered why I was in such a rush. Even though at first I didn’t want to tell them about them getting a new Pendidikan Moral teacher, I had to. Of course there were moaning and groaning and whining (don’t know whether they were being sincere or not). They told me they didn’t want a new teacher. When I asked them why, one of the girls answered (while giggling),

“Teacher lucu”

I couldn’t help feeling touched and proud *big smile*

June 1, 2009

Got on the plane at 11.30 a.m. We flew business class. Working with the government in Sabah (or Sarawak) means your family gets to fly home for free at least once a year. This time around Mr. A applied for the free flight so our ticket would fly us to Alor Setar as the free flight will send you to the state you were born in. (Mr. A was born in Kulim, Kedah). We cancel the flight from KLIA to Kedah thus we somewhat get a free upgrade to business class (blessing no. 1).

Anyway, we had our tickets reissued since I wanted to have my endometrial biopsy ASAP. On the phone with one of MAS hotline officer, I was told that we need to pay RM30 for each reissued ticket. (Fine, here’s RM120). But when we went to collect our tickets before the flight the officer in charge at KK’s MAS ticketing counter looked puzzled when I wanted to hand him the money and told me to just go check-in. RM120 saved! (Blessing no. 2).

Golden Lounge in KKIA was small but we got to eat for free and drink café latte all we wanted. Truly comfortable and quiet it got embarrassing when you have these two little brats. So we ended lepaking in the Golden Lounge surau until it was time to board the plane LOL.

As usual, Adik would cry his head off before take-off. Actually it was his nap time. Strangely he wanted to sit on my lap (instead of his father’s like he always did) and he dozed off as soon as he got comfy (we weren’t even flying yet). Kakak was on her best behavior. Playing by herself and eating well. (Blessing no. 3).






Arriving and after collecting our bags at the designated carousel we were surprised with “door gifts” handed out by MAS reps. Each of us got one even Adik! (Blessing no. 4).

June 2, 2009

I had my endometrial biopsy today. Ugh hated that I had to spread my legs in front of strangers (or anybody else for that matter; except for Mr. A I guess haha). The gynecologist was witty thank God. I got myself scanned from the inside. Even without the biopsy result she could tell me that I was fine. There were no visible image of any malignant or polyp. I was so relieved and happy. Didn’t mind the RM640 that we had to fork out.

After the visit to the hospital, I went textile-shopping with a good friend of mine Am. She’s an expert on textile-shopping. She’s my unofficial consultant! Got all the kain baju raya my family and I needed. Thanx Am! You’re the best (in pilih kain la haha).

PS: The result of the biopsy will be mailed.


June 3, 2009

Went to visit our new house with our back door neighbour. She had asked us to share the cost of a new stretch of (brick) fence (we share) and we agreed. Pleasant lady from Penang she was. Talkative but not nosy.

Our beautiful neighbourhood.

After that we went shopping in Mid Valley.

June 4, 2009

Morning – Went to visit a maternal cousin of mine who just gave birth to a baby boy (o God can’t remember the baby’s name!). She looks so healthy. And lucky she breastfeeding didn’t hurt! Felt a little bit down remembering my painful experience *sigh*.

Evening – Went to Kiah’s house to collect Kakak 3rd birthday present. Kiah bought it at a Mattel warehouse sale. I accidentally knock down a glass full of water and Kakak had an “accident”. Great. Anyway, I like talking to Kiah. She’s my buddy in the not-so-perfect-mum department haha. No inferiority whatever when with her. Noted.

June 5, 2009

Went shopping in Subang Parade in the morning. Saw a lot of rich people there. Subang Parade has become somewhat exclusive. Thank God that Uncle Lim’s had that JAKIM halal sticker. Was getting really envious when Fidah blogs about eating there. I so miss the Teh C Special! Yum!

After that, we went visit my good-in-keeping-dark-secret friend Shah and her baby girl, Aleeya Zulaikha. Barely a month, I can see that she has her mother’s big eyes.

We had a special dinner that night. Everyone was there (Ayah, Mak, Abang, Ezal and Dilah). Adik seemed to be fond with his Ayahlong. So sweet.

PS: Forgot to take a picture of Ika.

June 6, 2009

Started our trip to Kelantan 8.30 a.m. We arrived in Kota Bharu 11 hours 30 minutes later (stopped in Kemaman a few times for lunch and keropok lekor) and was told that there was no room at the hotel (Renaissance) even though we had made reservation nearly a month earlier!

But the good news was we were given free buffet dinner that night. Two nights (out of three planned) free stay (first night at another hotel). And we were upgraded to the Club Level without any extra charge (for the one-night rate we gladly had to pay)! Club Level means you get access to a lounge with free food and free drinks almost 24 hours. How lucky we were! We saved nearly RM530! (Blessing no. 5).

The big yellow plastic plates!

PS: Went to KB for a wedding and of course we did some shopping! For the first time ever I blew RM145 for a tudung bawal akhbar with a really beautiful sulam and Swarovski crystals. I usually buy the RM25 – RM35 range of tudung bawal. I fell in love with the tudung the first time I saw it.

June 7, 2009

Mr. A's 37th birthday. Happy Birthday Sayang!



June 9, 2009

At the in-laws in Perak for three nights.


June 12, 2009

On the way back to Shah Alam, we stopped at Tronoh to visit Ezal (my younger brother who’s taking a postgraduate course in UTP). Went sightseeing on his campus ground. Damn UTP is beautiful. Note: Must send my kids there. By the way, being there reminded me of those sweet rebellious gatal time LOL.

In front of the library.

June 13, 2009

Last day in holiday-heaven (a.k.a. weight-loss-hell).

PS: Got the biopsy result. No presence of anything not-right shall I say. Alhamdulillah...

June 14, 2009

We flew home. It’s true you know when people say home is where the heart is =)