Gege Riuh di Ketereh

Ayoh called Kamal before iftar yesterday. He conveyed Mok's message. Missing me, she would like to hear my voice. So sweet.

I called her right after iftar, pretending that Kamal had not told me the things she said. I missed her, too.

As Abang Mashri is going to hold an iftar at my parents-in-law's place in Ketereh this Saturday before he performs umrah, Kamal and I decided to give Ayoh and Mok a surprise.

Right after work today, we will push off to Kelantan. I was so excited that I packed my things as though we were going to be there for days when in fact we will need to come back to Bangi on Sunday. Fortunately, Kamal was having his power nap when that occurred. He will find out when he reads this.

Perhaps I will write more in between my meetings (as I am so excited).

The Memory Artists

Among the meal I consumed for iftar yesterday were 49 pages of The Memory Artists. KLCC was crowded, thus the surau, and later Kinokuniya. Much later, Chili's.

While speed reading is extremely beneficial in today's hectic world, I still prefer the conventional method in which each word is absorbed and mental images are vividly playing. In a world of Synaesthesia as depicted through Noel's character, I found words richer, memory more precious, and relationship ultimately cherished. Clear delineation of one's raison d'etre.

Ayah, Mak, and Kamal have always guided me to the sole reason of our existence here. Primarily, I would love to affirm that I am a great daughter, a great wife, a great person. Challenges are to be embraced. Love to be spread.

I shall read more and be wiser (than I already am) :)

A Tribute

I recently watched Ladder 49 and it reminded me of the Fire Brigade Module my friends and I went through during our six-month Public Management Diploma course. Therefore, this post is a tribute to the friendship, as well as a remembrance of the lost-and-found key in which four ladies fell victim to.

A quotation from Fire and Rescue Academy Malaysia portal:

Di Akademi Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia, Kuala Kubu Bharu inilah Pegawai Tadbir Diplomatik mula mengenal apa yang dimaksudkan dengan laluan tikus di dalam pembetung, peranan Majlis Keselamatan Negara 20, lorong gelap di Galeri Alat Pernafasan, perasaan memakai chemical protective suit (CPS), ketinggian hose tower, kepanasan kebakaran oil spill, dan banyak lagi. Pelbagai pengetahuan kebombaan yang bersesuaian diturunkan kepada mereka. Yang pentingnya adalah mereka dapat menyelami dan memahami peranan anggota bomba serta fungsi Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia dengan lebih dekat dan mendalam.

By the way, due to technical problems, the photos are not available at the moment until yours truly finds a solution.

Photo 1
Water Rescue. Here, I experienced my first scuba diving experience. Awesome.

Photo 2
Dare to do it spider style? Rope rescue.

Photo 3
Offensive Indoor Fire Fighting. The breathing apparatus weighed 23 kilograms each.

Photo 4
Heavy load again. Pump Operation.

Photo 5
Road Traffic Accident. Thank God, there was no real casualty.

Photo 6
One of the challenges chosen for Fear Factor Malaysia: the sewer.

Photo 7

Oil spill. Every single thing on the body was heavy. We even breathed heavily in the masks.

Photo 8

A simulation of the real situation during emergency like major flood. Table top.

Photo 9
Hazardous Materials Response Team (HAZMAT). The photo says a thousand and one words.

Photo 10
The finale. I danced.

After the Fire Brigade Module, my friends and I had a new respect for the courageous fire fighters out there. 

Superb, Superb, Superb

The exhilarating week has an almost perfect finale.

The final of Alamanda Spend & Win Contest was held at 4:30 p.m. today. 5000 participations. 20 finalists. 5 main prize winners with 2 winning the grand prizes of a trip to Hong Kong Disneyland for three and a Waja.

The finalists, being asked in the telephone by Alamanda personnels to put on flat shoes, had this idea of shop until you drop concept. This particular instruction had nothing to do with the actual activity though. Merely an element of suspense, yes.

First, the participants got a two-second fame as we were invited onto the stage at the center atrium to introduce ourselves. Then, came the real challenge. A brief quiz with vague clues of the outlets in Alamanda. My, lucky for me to figure out at the very last second that the clue 'burung betina' is for 'Ladybird'. Ha.

Five minutes of anticipation. Kamal loosened the tense by shopping for a modem. The fifth place was a tie. A guy won it after a draw.

The fourth place winner was announced next. Oh, I heard my name!

Who thought I would have scored high for the paper? As thrilled as I was for getting a place in the top five, I glanced at the Waja and promised myself to try my luck in more competitions. Heh. After all, talking to the other winners while having tea at The Coast, I found out that they have actually participated in countless competitions before securing the main prizes.

Kamal and I decided to give the cookie hamper to my mother. That left us with the paper bag filled with little prizes and vouchers. Like two little kids after a birthday party, we digged the bag eagerly.

The catch of the day:

+ Rizalman gift vouchers worth RM300
+ Medi Lifestyle voucher for Niwa SGES Treatment Bath worths RM380
+ Better Vision voucher worths RM150
+ Focus Point voucher worths RM50
+ England Optical Group voucher worths RM26
+ Fitness Concept voucher worths RM50
+ Audrey voucher worths RM50
+ Walk In voucher worths RM50
+ Cozy Corner Restaurant voucher worths RM50 plus a free banana split voucher
+The Coast voucher worths RM10
+ A&W voucher worths RM10
+ The Chicken Rice Shop voucher for a single combo meal
+ Binwani's voucher worths RM25
+ MPH voucher worths RM20
+ Hush Puppies Apparels voucher worths RM20
+ Ms. Read voucher worths RM20
+ Modernmum voucher worths RM10
+ Clarks voucher for a 20 percent discount

There were also:

+ An Orlando tie
+ A Camel Active t-shirt
+ A Valentino toiletries bag
+ A Pilot pen
+ A little teddy bear
+ A note book from MPH
+ A pack of Spargo Mills Nyonya asam pedas paste
+ Two tubs of Anakku shower foam
+ A Sinma membership card and
+ A surprise gift from Legacy boutique

My cousin-in-law, who was in Alamanda for a date with my cousin, sans the kids, also witnessed the prize-giving ceremony. My parents wished all the best from Terengganu.

To Faizal of One in a Million, rezeki anda di tempat dan masa yang lain. Samalah kita. Love life!

My Kamal

After four exhilarating days in the Parliament, attending to heaps of tasks related to the winding of Budget 2007, I am back in the corner lot cubicle.

Most exhilarating was getting to work side by side with the Minister. The man has an exemplary work ethic, and that has inspired others in the ministry. The reason for my exhilaration.

Earlier on, I admitted to Kamal my admiration towards geek qualities, which in my eyes, look cute. Of course I was being playful and Kamal, knowing me, played along. This Minister I love working with has that look.

So, I expressed the exhilaration out to the attentive Kamal. How I, as a mere M41 officer, diligently carried out instruction after instruction which required me to rush here and there as the higher ranked officers needed them urgently. Not even a minute thought crossed my mind that the Minister would notice. Yet, when everybody was eventually ready to enter the hall, my immediate boss extended the Minister's admiration for my work when I was away completing a number of tasks at the Secretariat Room. He has always appreciated others' commitment as well, of course. Nevertheless, I was the only newbie and it felt great for my efforts to be noticed by an important figure in front of the more experienced officers although it was not an expectation from my side. My immediate boss was happy for me, too.

During lunch break, after arranging lunch for our distinguished guests from universities and the ministry, I got back to work with my immediate boss and the officers from the Secretary of Parliament's Office and the Minister's Office. When the Minister returned to the meeting point from performing Zuhur, he looked at me, smiled, and asked my name and background. This, despite lots of work to be done before the session in the hall began again. Other officers' attention reverted to me. The Minister even joked about me embracing this career despite my background in Teaching English as a Second Language. After the Minister entered the hall, my immediate boss was in awe of his recognition for my existence there. He said the Minister noticed our hard work, surely, but rarely took time to speak to us in a personal manner. Moreover, there were urgent important matters to be accomplished.

My, I was flattered. Flattered because it was my first opportunity to closely work with him. Flattered because of the Minister's remarks about my excellent work. What a motivation.

So, when Kamal did not play along with my antics afterwards, I knew something was wrong. I squeezed his hand while walking towards a restaurant for dinner. When we sat, I had a chance to look closely at his countenance. He said, "I am jealous."

I smiled because he looked really cute when he confessed that. Quickly, I held his hands, air-kissed him, and rephrased my statement the way it meant to me, "I was flattered because it was my first opportunity to closely work with him. Flattered because of the Minister's remarks about my excellent work. What a motivation. Not because I fancy him."

Honey, I have never loved another person as much as I love you. Whenever I am physically away from you, your love is always with me that I thank God ceaselessly for such a beautiful gift. The Minister, I will mention him whenever I miss that cute look on your face. ;p

Manipulation

From now onwards, I will be more hardworking than I already am!

From the Parliament

A dinner date with Kamal will definitely revive me for a longer session in the Parliament, which has been extended until 9 p.m., yes.

I was considering to have lunch outside the Parliament area when my new colleagues from other ministries invited me for a lunch at level 17. It was a sumptuous buffet held by a fellow colleague for those who could not attend his wedding. Sweet.

Level 17 turned out to be Anjung Parlimen, the topmost level in the main building. Feasting on Ikan Bakar cicah Air Asam and Sup Tulang at the open-air balcony in the company of amiable colleagues was a refreshing experience.

After posting this entry, I will brisk-walk around to run a number of tasks. Rejuvenation has a new meaning.

The Weekend

I hope your weekend was as awesome as mine, chums.

The best was seeing Lat, one of my close chums in Seri Puteri. Our date was brisk though for her dad was scheduled to reach Kuala Lumpur later in the evening. See you again, Lat.

After work, Kamal joined me in KLCC. Our date revolved around Kinokuniya and TGV Cinemas. While waiting for You, Me and Dupree to start, we read The Tenth Anniversary Calvin and Hobbes I got for myself as a reward for not spending on unnecessary clothes. Heh.

Sunday was spent rather leisurely, the way we always prefer. We had our favourite Cornflakes in Milo O for breakfast. Lunch hour was for spring cleaning. To KLCC again for dinner. And, supper was with Zam and family, as well as Umar, in Bangi.

By the way, the finale of the Alamanda competition scheduled on Sunday has been cancelled. I will update you, the cheer team, on the latest date as soon as I receive it.

Oh, I am looking forward to driving to the Parliament every day this week. Anticipation, anticipation.

Bon Appetit

What is in your lunch box?

In mine, there is a combo of Nasi Kukus, Ayam Merah, and Serunding Daging, courtesy of Asmah Ahmad, the Chef from Chez Chembong, and Kalthum Mahmood, the illustrious former teacher turn businesswoman from The Ketereh Clan. Thank you, Mak and Mok.

By the way, my parents are back from London. Kamal and I fetched them, as well as Cajib, from Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday. For that, ayah treated both of us at Temiang Food Court, Seremban. The chicken and beef satays were tender and juicy, better than Haji Samuri's. Howerver, I prefer the latter for the fish and mutton version. Oh, yes, Kamal and I have figured out that my eczema is triggered by dryness, not by chicken as I thought earlier. Yay.

At home, supper was the pears and apples they plucked in Birmingham. Not to forget, chocolates. Always a feast at the parents' place.

Ah, the aroma from the lunch box. I have to stop.

Bon appetit!

A Better Man

I did not enjoy that ride either. Thank God, I had you to hold on to. Eventually, we cried in joy that we have become more courageous, didn't we?

I love you too, sayang.

I Feel

Numb.

I could have been in a worse state if not for his readiness to listen, albeit it being merely the surface he was listening to. Thank you, pal.

I am Chech

The Look-Alike Meter.

Purely for fun. When I cut my hair short, Khai called me Selma, to which I replied, "yes, minus the nose."

So, there goes. Too bad I could not choose Gillian Hung's picture to be included in the collage. Heh.

The Apprentice

I'm being a colleague's apprentice today.

She is the permanent officer for the ministry to the Parliament, replacing another colleague.

I, I am stationed in the corner lot cubicle in the office unless she takes a leave. That is exactly the case, so I will be in the Parliament for the whole of next week.

I will survive. As long as there is Wi-Fi. Heh. Have Wi-Fi, will live.

Congratulations and Celebrations

Virgos are all around me.

August 23 Mas
September 6 Mak
September 7 Kamal
September 11 Angah

Happy birthday.

Celebrating life.

☙

There were two events I was supposed to attend during the weekends, but was not up for them due to important matters that cropped up at the very last minute.

Zarul, Kamal and I wish you the best in United Kingdom.

Puteri 98, I look forward to the next get-together. Kamal looks forward to photograph us.

Nevertheless, I had the opportunity to spend Saturday at Fique's place, with Ayue. Ayue prepared Lempeng with Sambal, which was delicious. Fique served Kerabu, too, which was as tasteful. Oh, we ended up searching for more food fun along aisles of colourful stalls at Pasar Malam Bandar Baru Bangi.

Celebrating friendship.

☙

Due to work, I missed Cimi's convocation in Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam this morning. Snap lots of photos of, ya. Congratulations, dear brother!

Celebrating siblinghood.

On Your Mark, Get Set, Have Fun

Bring your pom pom and cheer for me in Alamanda, this Sunday, at 1:30 p.m.

The call came as I was emptying the in tray after the two-day emergency leave on Thursday and Friday, while juggling with urgent matters that needed to be completed before the meeting during lunch hour. The reason for my cluelessness.

"Hello Mrs. Aishah. I am calling from Alamanda Putrajaya. I am glad to tell that you have been selected as one of the 20 finalists for the competition held in conjunction with our anniversary."

Therefore, I will have to be in Alamanda this Sunday, at 1:30 p.m. I am still clueless of the activities as the organiser loves the surprise element. Oh, after the six-month Diploma Pengurusan Awam ordeals, I am game for anything. Heh.

A fun fact. I have won a number of competitions before.

1993
Two vouchers for Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka books and a hamper of Nestle chocolates from being first, twice, in colouring competitions organised by Dewan Pelajar.

1994
RM70 for a poem published in Dewan Siswa for Hadiah Sastera Dewan Siswa.

1995
A motorcycle from being second in a competition requiring a motto about the advantages of shopping in this particular chain.

1999
A Sony 29-inch television and hi-fi set from Shell's Senang Menang competition.

I am thankful for the lucky strike although truthfully, I did not expect to win each time. Looking back to the day Kamal and I extracted our creative juice for the recent competition over our favourite food in Rasa, I only saw a fun couple who were enjoying their precious time with each other.

So, I will just enjoy myself this Sunday as I did when I participated in the previous competitions.

A Presence

I never thought he would buy my idea of a lunch date. Not when he was too drowsy that he could not even explain the simplest rule of resizing to a new Adobe Photoshop Elements user, who is so used to the Photoshop in her laptop that the simpler version in this laptop seemed complicated. It is amazing enough that I managed to arrive at the office safe and sound, considering he drove in a Zombie state. Oh, he only went to bed at 4:00 a.m. It was also amazing he could still point in awe at an enormous Mickey Mouse cloud while driving.

So, when he called to inform me that we would have a lunch date within ten minutes, I was surprised and delirious simultaneously. After all, he did listen to my request.

Kamal's main office is in Bangsar. If he was not in the main office, he could be found at other project sites. Today is one of the occasional outstation days. Cyberjaya was only ten minutes away from Putrajaya.

Walking hand in hand with him, I did not even realise the colleagues who passed by my path. Both of us had soup. Fish Ball Soup for him and Yong Tau Foo in Soup for me. We shared Soy Milk. Rasa Alamanda was crowded, but it was only him that I noticed. Then, when I was ready to get back to work, alone, an officer passed by, wearing Malay College Kuala Kangsar tie, reminding me of Kamal.

Thus, this entry.

Haris

The nephew.

As planned, I dashed into the room where my sister-in-law and her children were sleeping in and kidnapped Haris while my brother manoeuvred his car to make way for Kamal's car. Haris was co-operative. In fact, his eyes were wide with excitement as he always loves to be carried around.

First, we went to my parents' room. Usually, if Kamal and I were in Rembau, my mother would wake up earlier than everybody else to prepare our favourite breakfast. This morning was an exception though. Ayah and Mak slept at 4:00 a.m. as they listened to Ayah Soh's wisdom.

So, with Haris in my hands, I tiptoed my way to their bed, just to kiss them. To my surprise, both of them were ready for morning prayer. In return for accompanying me, my nephew got a morning kiss from each grandparent, too.

Then, we went to the patio. Haris, as though sensing I was going to depart from him, rested his head on mine. On second thought, he might do so because he was still sleepy, eh. Poor Haris, being taken away from ibu's embrace by naughty Mak Lang.

Bye, Haris. See you on Thursday!

I Jogged, at Midnight

I prefer to fall asleep at the same time as Kamal does, if not later.

Last night,  I could not stand the intense Prison Break which was aired right after the similarly intense Criminal Minds. Because of the suspense, I hid my face in the pillow most of the time, resulting in a visit to the Dreamland without Kamal. And, this happened: 


I jogged in my sleep!

Unfortunately, I merely did the hand movements and the countenance associated with the act of jogging. Unfortunate because I might as well burn loads of calories while making a scene.

This could never beat what Nas, a fellow housemate in Flat Taman Universiti, faced.

I was watching the television in the hall. Mas was reading in her room and Nas was cooking dinner in the kitchen.

"Nas buat lauk sayur campur daging. Chechah ok?"
"Ok, tapi, boleh Nas asingkan daging dengan sayur?"

Dinner time. 
"Wah, ada daging, ada sayur. Rajinnya Nas!"

Nas gave a puzzled look upon hearing my remark. 
"Bukan Chechah ke yang minta asingkan daging dengan sayur?"

Mas was already laughing her famous laughter. 
"Mesti Chechah mengigau lagi! Ha ha ha!" 
"Siap minta asingkan daging dengan sayur! Ha ha ha!"
"Nas ikut! Ha ha ha!"

I must have fallen asleep while watching the television. And, it became another hit joke among the coursemates. Ngee.

At least, I did not dream about becoming an imam and say, "luruskan saf." Complete with takbir. Followed by a debate in grammatically perfect English. Only to mention a few.

Fellow Seri Puteri 98 chums will always remember Z as the classic in sleep somniloquy tales.

I will go to sleep at the same time as Kamal does, I promise.

Eventful

An eventful week it was.

Cilan spent his semester break as Mak's Sous Chef. Chez Chembong was filled with tantalising aroma that wafted towards Kamal and I as we reached the front door on Merdeka eve. Dinner was:

Nasi Minyak Kismis
Ayam Ala Percik
Sayur Chap Chai
Jus Belimbing
Bubur Sagu

Kamal and I gave all thumbs up for the perfect meal prepared by both of them. Apparently, Cilan was practising for an assignment, in which he will be the Chef leading a team that prepare meals according to the theme of his choice. He fancies 'Local & Oriental' theme. More sumptuous dishes were prepared during the weekend for us to choose the best from. Mom, my aunt who was also in Rembau last weekend, has booked a lesson with Cilan. His mouth-watering chicken pie in her mind. Kamal and I do not bother to learn yet though. We booked Cilan to cook for our house-warming instead.

I spent the Merdeka holiday catching up with news in the newspapers. Towards the end, it was more like catching up with the cartoon strips in The Star as I volunteered to keep old newspapers lying on the coffee table in its cabinet. Being my favourite, I would read Zits and Calvin & Hobbes last when I read the cartoon section.

Later in the evening, Kamal and I went to Royal Adelphi Hotel, Seremban, where Kamal had a meeting with a colleague. On the way there, I had this urge to ask Kamal the exact clothes he took out from his bag while packing for the Royal Adelphi stay, which I earlier packed in Bangi to be ironed in Rembau on weekend.

"This, that, and your black long skirt"
"Oh, no! I need to wear that skirt to Parliament tomorrow."

I almost despaired when Jusco Seremban 2 was out of black skirt although I earlier told Kamal not to be consumed with guilt for not asking whether I needed the skirt before taking it out of the bag. To make it seemed worse, the crowd had grabbed the sushi and sashimi away, too.

Kudos to Kamal for his coolness. We eventually had a ball of time in Parkson, Seremban Parade - which was initially touted as our least favored shopping complex in Seremban. Yes, the place had the black skirt I needed, which is currently my favourite black skirt, and more. Another skirt for me, this time around, casual and fun, and two shirts for Kamal. See, there is always a rainbow after the storm. Heh.

Friday. Apart from being sent to my office in Putrajaya by Ayah, who drove me there as Mak was concerned with crimes reported nowadays, and apart from being part of the parliament crowd for Budget 2007 with another colleague, nothing eventful happened.

And, came Saturday. My phone beeped early in the morning. Mom, Kak Nita, Abang Wan, and the children, Aina, Aliff, and Aniq were coming back to Kampung Berkat, Chembong, Rembau. We had a feast for dinner. Alif remarked, "macam pasar malam!"

It was a welcome for Aniq Nuqman's first time in Rembau. The feast continued on Sunday with Mak's special Sotong Sumbat as the piece de resistance. That, I would love to learn as it is my paternal grandmother's legacy. Cimi arrived in time to join the feast. It would be merrier if Along with Kak Nani and The Bulge, and Angah With Kak Ita, Anis, and Haris were there. I just can't wait for Aidilfitri gathering of Chez Chembong members.

Everybody headed for their respective destination after lunch. Abang Wan led The Serdang Clan to Pak Long's house in Seremban to introduce Aniq to his new second cousins, Kak Liza's triplets. My parents, accompanied by Cimi and Cajib, sent Cilan to Kelana Jaya for his new semester in Food Institute of Malaysia. Kamal and I went to Alamanda for an unfinished business.

Both of us spent a placid afternoon browsing through books in MPH when a familiar guy flashed a grin my way. Cajib. Ah, what a co-incidence. What a bliss. So, Kamal and I became my family's tour guides around Alamanda as they shopped for Autumn clothes for their trip to London this Wednesday. In return, we got a little gift from them.

An eventful week, I have warned you!