Change is inevitable

I've just gone through a life changing moment. I pray I can cope with it well, if not just nice. Career wise, i'm no longer in the comfort zone. When I joined this service, I foresee this moment will come when work is no more bed of roses or walk in the park. I wish with the change of this portfolio, it is for the better. 

Pity Ayra, mommy and daddy are busier day by day, sometimes, we neglect you, sometimes, we miss out some of your development but we never stop loving and putting high hope that you will grow up to be a smart, beautiful and humble muslimah. Insya Allah...

We try our best to make time for her.

Now trying to get her walking skill.

on a diff note, i superlove this top from thepoplook, comfy and cheap. and its PINK! 

:)

Ayra Maysaa's 1st Birthday Celebration

Pat on my back for the beginning. Alhamdulillah we had successfully hosted the first event ever as a family. Ayra Maysaa's first birthday is a wrap! I didn't expect it's finally excuted, well-done. Look, we did not plan to celebrate Ayra's birthday on the day because B can't promise me that he could take leave on May 12th, Sunday. Yes, my husband has to apply leave for his daughter's birthday on SUNDAY. (think twice before you marry someone in medical field). So, I can't confirm anything, waiting cue from him.  Right after getting back from Kuching on Monday, after voting, then B confirmed that his leave was approved. So, I have approximately only 4 days to prepare everything.

Prior to planning the party, I did some browsing on birthday theme and look for vendor. I chose Strawberry Shortcake because its pink (duhhh) and it's fresh and sweet, suitable for a one year old girl, plus it's easy to look for. I was quite shocked by the vendor's charge for the theme party, so I round up my mind to go prudent, DIY the banner, goody bags and decorations. The banner although made with my minimum photoshop knowledge, it turns out so good with a very very lower budget compared to the vendors.For goody bags, did some design and got them printed on stickers papers. And I have spent a good time in thrift store like Daiso and Kaison, seriously if you are organising a budget parties, shop at these 2 places!!!

Thank you to all my and my in-law family members who helped me so much and friends who made it to my daughter's first birthday party. I will show at her every birthday party how well her 1st one was. So, see you guys again next year, I promise, no more pink theme! hihihi...

The best gift ever, the one who teaches me how to put others before myself

My little Family, Alhamdulillah..

I'm lucky because Ayra's birthday falls on Sunday and Mothers' Day!

My buddies during the master years, they are now academicians, soon to be scholars!! I'm the one who left out ;(

She is so happy she did some inspection

My far from perfect decoration but I'm fully satisfied!!

Behind the scenes!

Ayra is One! Happening this Sunday

This Sunday, Insya Allah we will hold an intimate Birthday Party for our gem for she has turned 1! 

Alhamdulillah, so far she has been the most beautiful gift I have ever had.

Post election

I went back to my hometown just in time for the 13th General Election. Initially it was a family day at INTAN Sarawak, ending on the 5th of May, so I extended my stay one more day. I ended up purchasing new ticket. Damaged. 

Congratulations to the ruling party for defending their throne, but from what it seems the 5 years ahead is not a walk in the park. From my view at least, most of the citizen are not happy with the result. Honestly from what I see prior to the election, I thought PR would have made it, but the results is contradict from what most people have expected.

For PR, please accept it not as being defeated, but you have not won yet. Keep buffing up and rather than blaming the other party, why not do a self reflection and there's no need to be stooping so low. Show the rakyat you are relevant because you are good not because the other side is bad. 

But what is more sad was Malaysia is now not united. We are so divided, if not racism is eating us little by little.

The sunny side was, Grandma hold a surprise birthday party for Ayra! Her actual birthday is this Sunday 12.5 but since we were there, so Maknek & my Sister organised a perfect sesame street themed birthday party! But Ayra was one cranky pot during the celebration, it was her nap time perhaps.

 Accordingly

Colorful

A not so happy birthday girl

Checking in at Damai Puri, thumbs down, place not maintained, very disappointing.

Family Day cum Benchmarking visit to our brother, INTAN Sarawak

Polling day

Maternal Guilt

Last Sunday I have done one thing that I regret for whole life. I'm exaggerating. Actually I had a me time. I sent Ayra to her babysitter while I joined my friends doing facials. At the beginning, the idea sounded great, facial, movies, shopping but I never knew while they were in progress, the guilt really killed! I was restless and I couldn't wait to fetch her. The thought "OMG. Your face is more important than your daughter?So despicable!" haunted me every now and then. I think that would be the last time I am gonna have a me time. What is the use to have a me-time when you are supposed to be enjoying yourself if your conscience decided to act against you?

By the way, schedules have been crazy for me and B for this month. B has just begun a new posting at O & G and he is now in the period of tagging. Tagging means, he has to go to work before 6 AM and back the earliest at 10 PM. That means all the household responsibility fall on my shoulder. (Please Do not judge if you frequently see it's always me and Ayra hitting the mall, if not there'll be NO chance at all) There were times, B would ask me to bring Ayra to visit him at the workplace because he has no chance to meet her when she's not asleep! Me, on the other hand have the busiest month ever. Only in April alone, I have been travelling to our HQ in KL four times! Whilst B literally stays at the hospital, I am lucky I have my in laws looking after Ayra. Imagine the hassle they have to endure, because they need to send Ayra to the babysitter everyday! And they stay 1 hour apart! I feel guilty at every bit of my being but helpless at the same time. I wish I could hire a bibik. 

Speaking of this, I found this excerpt I read from a magazine really described if not all mothers, well at least me. The term: maternal guilt.

I nod to every word above. The maternal guilt and the stress I had during my confinement. Marion has successfully described them in words.

An Identity Theft

Actually I don't plan to update my blog because I have none of worth-posting entry. During the routine checkup at my dashboard, I was shocked an insightful info has been coveyed by a fellow regarding an IDENTITY THEFT!

The informer provided me with a facebook link who use all my pics and pretending to be me with a different name. Eerily she has a boyfriend who commented at every pics of hers (mine). Anyways, to that faker, if you happen to read this or is now busy saving all my pics for your FB, please STOP. Just put it down, I want it to be free of frills. You take it down and I will pretend it never happens. tq!

OMG

LOL!

Whatever you do, I did it first!

Of Ayra turning 1 soon and others

Ayra is turning 1 soon. In one month time! Time flies so fast that I couldn't catch up! Speaking of not catching up and Ayra turning 1 next month, I have one thing bugging me, I haven't got my pre pregnacy/ wedding weight yett! Mayday3x! My expecting SIL asking about confinement tips and right there it hits me! Omg, no way I m gonna make it within one month! I'm gonna be the typical offset birthday girl's mother!

I regret for not adhering to the 40 days of pantang religiously! Serve me right for taking it for granted but B speaks up, it's not about pantang per se, it's because I'm plain LAZY!

I admit I hardly move now. During prewed era, I was one energy ball, I eat, sleep, play gym! Now gym Whaaat? Run whatt!?? But in my defense, it is not that I don't want but I can't because if I go to the gym and run, who's gonna look after Ayra? Excuses, I know. But hey walk in my loafers, then you'll know, plus hubby's work schedule is literally from dawn to dusk, I am just checkmate.

Shut up if you have maid and back off of you have parents looking after your children, you can have your sweet time at the gym or even parlour!I mean lucky you!! Hehe, I cant even remember when was the last time I had facials.

Just a moment ago, hubby asked me to do push ups, after the 5th one, I gave up and told him, "No way women can do this, according to physics, our body ratio will not be able to do this"! B just shook his head.

But to SIL, worry not, she is one of the alien genes, who restores to original specs in like 48 hours?!! U know some women who only add up on the tummy, the baby's out, pop! Normal!I hate you guys million times!

To prove I'm serious about losing weight, today we had a brunch buffet treat, I only ate salad and plain water..

Ok boohooo! I lied! I had a double good helpings of that roasted lambs and desserts! And that creamy sweet foamy teh tarik! Haiyaaa... I hope I burn calories typing this. At least...

This pink tweed jacket I'm wearing below is a keeper! Nyesal tak beli semua color!

I just found out the apps for this mirror effect, hence my new muse. haha 

Finally we discover Ayra's fear factor! She is one fearless girl I tell you, but she's to scared of clown! She screamed her lungs out when she saw this fellow who's trying to make her a poodle. hahaha

Oh, see the evoque and hummer! how gorgeous r they!!

No smile, Smile, Smilest! hehe

Respecting Guest. Hospitality

If one living skills that parents should teach their children: it is HOSPITALITY. Hospitality here I mean by how to treat guests. We learn a lot from our parents. For us, they are the best host. Seriously, by hospitality, it truly defines who you are! 

With great hospitality it actually credit the whole family of yours. When you receive guests, you want them to be at the Kingest position. Feed them before they ask and until they can't ask for more. DO NOT be reluctant of whatever they need, actually be prepared especially when they tell you before hand that they are coming. Not being punctual is a NO NO! When your fetch your guests late, you are actually telling them they are not looked forward and they are simply not important. Offer them whatever they need and not. Make available what is not for them. Make them feel as welcomed as you can.

I have ever been in both situation, as a host and as a guest. And yes, I have met with horrible hosts.

I honestly believe this starts from home. We emulate what our parents did/do. Hospitality can be nurtured. Because not respecting your guests is one of the most despicable deeds.

The Messenger of Allah further guides us by saying:

"Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should be hospitable with his or her guests.

Our great Prophet [s] teaches us to be generous and how to entertain guests. He wants a Muslim to show gratitude and be kind and happy when receiving guests. One should respect and welcome his guests, in particular when they are strangers, or have no family or friends in that country.

First ever Vacation of us 3!

If I were to wait for B to be fully available for vacation , I think the time will never come. And me too will be very busy starting 2nd quarter of the year. So we thought now is the very perfect time for a short vacay, first for the three of us. Somewhere further? Maybe not now, because of time constraint.

Last weekend, we went for a short holiday in KL. B's sister's in laws are very kind to lent us stay in their transit apartment right in the center of Kampung Baru. Not only that, they also provided us with a car so we can drive around by ourselves.

But we were so lucky because we were treated like King by my sis and BIL whom I think was more interested meeting her niece, Ayra Maysaa. They took care of her while we did our shopping! he 

Just because its Pink

Had to buy one more extra luggage 

attempt of color blocking

Ayra and Wa playing with bunny

Just because they said..But had a good jackets galore here

My must visit store

ayra  and daddy playing around

Time to go home.

This is the highlight of our trip! I get to meet Lisa Surihani!! she is such a sweetheart, very humble and down to earth. We were not so lucky because we missed Yusry who had to catch up flight to LA.

Offering money to children

When you were small, have you ever had this excited feelings of going back to your home town because you know you will collect money from your aunties, adult cousins, especially the working ones? And how you make effort to at least bring something for them. Kuih ke, ikan kering ke?

Now I have become an adult, I practice that. Offering money (be it in any amount) is common in our family. If we have gathering we will prepare money in packets for the children. It needs not to be told but it's automatic. I think this is the simplest gesture that you can do to treat your guest. 

The same goes when we receive guests, we will offer to their children and like it or not, can't help it but;  WE EXPECT THE SAME. 

How's this practice in your family/society? Please share.

Sibu Trip 2013

For those who don't know, I hail from a small town called Sibu, Sarawak. It's been 5 years since I last been to Sibu. So last week, my Mom suggested that we have a family gathering, guess where,? Sibu!! 

I took a direct flight from Kota Kinabalu and I brought my gem along! Because the relatives urge to see their new addition of our family. Now Ayra has grown up, she's a tad difficult to handle, luckily, ther was a vacant seat next to me. As long as there's anything within her reach, she'll try to grab it! Quite handful to handle, plus she is no light. A 10 kg baggage accompanied me.

Sibu has changed a lot! everything is polished including the wet market! I think it s way better than any other market that I have been to, much more organized and cleaner.

Before we checked into our hotel, we stopped at my cousin's house and were welcomed by my cousin's children whom were still toddlers when I last saw them. I was stunned when some of them are taller than me! And of course a very beautiful and handsome generation I must say! 

Ayra, maybe because of the foreign surrounding has become one very cranky pot! Couldn't be any crankier than that I tell you!! She would scream whenever she was held by someone else, including my sisters and her grandparents! aiyoh.

The itinerary is most fulfilled by FOOD HUNTING! Chilhood places revisited including the biggest Sugarbun in Malaysia, and the famous Kpg Bandung Seafood.

Ayra having breakfast

Kampua mee, famous in Sibu, something like mee kolok. Nyaman tak hengat!

These are Kompia, Sibu's very own traditional bun, super yummy, can get 7 pieces for RM 1!!!!

SB Hq.

 We have kenduri kesyukuran

Pagoda

 Ayra and paknek

Sibu night market

Ayra and her 2nd cousins.