Aidilfitri 1427H

A week of Aidilfitri in Kelantan was splendid. More to come.

Eyeshadow and Mascara

Eyeshadow and mascara, the break I needed when work was mounting. ;p

A Smile a Day Chases My Ego Away

Do you smile the last thing at night and the first thing in the morning? To be thankful that you have a wonderful life is one of the most powerful affirmation, but often neglected. Mea culpa.

One of the peculiar experiments I conducted in high school days was to sleep with a smile. The hypothesis was for me to wake up smiling. The reality is, sleep with a smile and you will be cheerful throughout the next day.

Yesterday, there was a surprise encounter as somebody cheerfully greeted me at the ticket counter in Putrajaya Sentral. It was Encik Yaman, the fitness guru back in INTAN Bukit Kiara. My transit train to Bandar Tasik Selatan was minutes away from departure while he had a flight to catch at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. In our haste, we could only exchange a hello and a smile.

Yet, an hour later, because of a miscommunication with Kamal, I became numb and gone was the smile. He smiled nevertheless, being himself. Still in silent mode on the way to Bandar Tun Razak, I stole a glance and he was still smiling albeit a weak smile. During iftar, sitting in front of me, he smiled broadly and offered his portion of bean curd, which he knew I loved. I could not resist it. Not the bean curd. His smile. I smiled back and said yes to the bean curd. Such is the power of smile. It defeats ego.

Just a reminder to myself. End and start my day with more smiles.

☙

This memory has never failed to make me smile.

My late maternal grandmother refused to use the hot shower when it was installed in her bathroom, fearing she might get electric shock. Ha.

Fabulous Life

Change the way you look at the world. Thank you, Kamal, for introducing me to more fabulous aspects of this life. That includes our annual Kampung Pandan date and K-Pax.

Awakening Weekend

Good morning from Kamal and I. 

Here are our favourite activities when we have the luxury to spend a morning on the bed together, oblivious to time:

• Talk about our dreams.
• Touch the depth of those dreams.
• Take turns to read a good book out loud to each other. 

At the moment, it is Kamal's favourite book, The Power of Now. A perfect start to our day.

An Ode

Back at home after iftar, I feel melancholic. I miss my mother, but my schedule at work is too hectic to make way for Rembau. Fortunately, there is Kamal to soothe me.

Here am I, writing here while watching a movie with him. Beside me is a book that I intend to read soon. Teacher Man by Frank McCourt.

The initial plan after our iftar together was to make myself comfortable at the penthouse of Bangunan MCOBA while Kamal attended a meeting with other old boys last evening. On second thought, it would be better for me to stay in MidValley though. MPH, specifically. I needed another book after completing The Memory Artists.

With a meditative music from an Indian stall near the entrance of MPH, I went from one title to another, trying to find one that suited my spirit then. Teacher Man caught my interest, because of the word teacher. Time aplenty for more books, I left the title and traipsed to other sections. Engrossed with my mission to find a book, I did not realise that the place was about to close. That was when I grabbed a title that was beyond my interest. Simply because I would like to be more adventurous. Nevertheless, there was a strong urge within me for Teacher Man. So much so, I exited the queue at the cashier counter to where the autobiography was, and returned the book I initially grabbed.

Once, when my family and I went back to Kerayong, Pahang, to visit the grandparents, the grandfather looked at my book and remarked that my handwriting was one of a future teacher's. Then, each time others asked what my ambition was, I proudly stated that I would like to be a teacher. When I filled the university application form, Teaching English as Second Language was undoubtedly my first choice.

Now, although I am a Diplomatic and Administrative Officer, deep in my heart, remains a passion for teaching. Thus, Teacher Man.

A note: I even had a notion to become a History Teacher.

Just to be with Kamal

Just to be with Kamal, after completing my work at 5:45 p.m., I walked to Alamanda for a cab, waited 28 minutes for the transit train at Putrajaya Sentral, and sandwiched myself in a packed commuter from Kuala Lumpur Sentral to MidValley, where he was waiting.

Anything to have an iftar with him. To be with him.

Iftar, Courtesy of Cilan

Iftar yesterday was with the members of Chez Chembong minus Bakhtiar's family, who were busy with their food business in Melaka. Also invited were our family friends, Zam and Ita. It was a special occasion as we gathered at a little restaurant in Kelana Jaya to support the Manager of the day, Cilan.

Restaurant Du Jour belongs to Food Institute of Malaysia, where my youngest brother undergoes his Culinary Diploma course. The students take turns to be the Manager, chef of various kinds, and waiters as well as waitresses. It was Cilan's turn to be the Manager yesterday, which meant he had to plan every single detail for the whole restaurant.

He came up with Moroccan concept. It was up to him to arrange the decorational items. Aside from Culinary, he had once considered to take a Diploma in Interior Design. Considering the limited items collected from our parents' place, he had done a great job.

Our friends fell in love with the cactus being placed as the center piece on each table, not knowing that it was also brought by my mother. She gave two vases of cacti to them as mementos. Oh, she loves sharing her precious plants with those who possess similar passion for them. By the way, my mother also sewed the vests worn by the waiters and waitresses that evening.

The food was delicious. Thumbs up for Cilan's recipes. My favourite was Dory with Mint Sauce. Kamal loved the rice that he whispered to me, "we really should ask Cilan's favour to cater for our housewarming."

When the Manager and the Chef made their round after the whole course was over, we heard positive remarks from other customers. As Kamal once said, one day, Cilan could be a famous Chef. Particularly famous for his Negeri Sembilan accent.

Kita Bukan Dia

Mok pesan, "kita mesti buat baik dengan semua orang walaupun dia pernah menyakiti kita dan terlalu sombong untuk melihat kesalahan sendiri."

Semalam, aku perlu pejam mata untuk menghayati keindahan kata-kata seorang ibu. Hari ini, aku celik dan keindahan itu lebih nyata.

Balik Kampung

Friday, September 29, 2006

At 6:30 p.m., Kamal and I departed to Ketereh from Putrajaya. It drizzled throughout the journey, which slowed us down. At Petronas, Karak, Kamal re-fuelled his car, I changed my office attire to comfortable clothes, and, we broke our fast with Milo O and Egg Sandwich. Refreshed, we sang along to my selection of music. We reached Gua Musang at 12:00 a.m.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

I took over the steering wheel as Kamal needed to sleep. Apart from Skudai - Rembau adventure, I have never driven at night. I was not sleepy though. I was also eager to reach Ketereh for sahur, Kelantanese style. Kamal entertained me with his antics, which I usually did if I were in the passenger's seat. Ayam Den Lapeh was on air when Kamal remarked in slumberous tone, "dia tak ada reban ke?"

Kamal's brother-in-law opened the door when we eventually reached Ketereh at 2:00 a.m. Our nephews were still up, too. After exchanging greetings with them, Kamal and I were further welcome, by our bed. Oh, we slept like a log until there was a knock on the door. Sahur.

Earlier on, while we were still asleep, my mother-in-law saw her daughters preparing extra food. She wondered whether they were fully awake. One of them smiled meaningfully to the other before revealing that Kamal was back

Surprise! My mother-in-law quickly ensured there was enough food for her youngest son. One of the reasons I married Kamal. (Kidding!)

Kamal and I might be the only ones truly enjoying the Kelantanese style sahur as the others were so used it. Both of us kept sahur simple back at our place. What made the meal more special was the company. My mother-in-law, her daughters, and I sat in the kitchen afterwards and chatted about every single thing under the sun. So nice to be back in Ketereh.

In the afternoon, Kamal and I went to Bukit Mas to visit our friends there. Pity them for they had stomach flu. As they needed a good rest, we changed our agenda. Kurung is cheap in Kelantan, so I decided to get one in Bazaar Buluh Kubu, Kota Bharu. On the way back, my father-in-law called, requesting for coconut water. "Duo supik" he said. However, in the haste to get back to Ketereh on time, I bought two jugs of the water. Alhamdulillah, nothing was wasted.

The menu for iftar included Nasi, Ayam Percik, Ikan Lampam Masak Tempoyak, Daging Bakar, Sup Tulang, Gulai Otak, Buah Tanjung, Jala Emas, and Kuih Yana. The food tasted more delicious with the presence of all family members except for the eldest brother's family, who could not make it at the last minute due to certain unforeseen matters.

October 1, 2006, Sunday.

Kamal and I were thankful for another sahur in Ketereh. After Subuh, my mother-in-law prepared items to be brought to Bangi with some to be passed to my mother. A friend from Terengganu followed us to Kuala Lumpur as she had finished her work in the East Coast. Her husband held iftar for close friends to welcome his wife, but Kamal had earlier accepted his close friend's invitation to have iftar together. Oh, the iftar host prepared countless meals for us.

Now

I am looking forward to have another trip to Kelantan. This time, for Aidilfitri.