Tasteless Dinner

Mostly for dinner we eat out. I normally cook for lunch rice and the lauk pauk so for dinner we eat out for different tastes.

Since we go out for dinner almost every night there comes a time when you simply just don't know what and where to eat. Anyway, Lan came home tired today so he didn't want to go far for our dinner. I felt like eating mee hoon soup, but there's always a problem with it because the tastiest mee hoon soup or rather fish ball noodles is at KLCC...memang sedap gilerr...but that is wayy way to far for us.

Lan suggested one mamak restaurant at USJ not Seri Melur but another one nearby. I just followed because he was the one driving. I ordered my mee hoon soup and Lan ate tomyam, omellete and rice.

Can't imagine how frustrated I was with my mee hoon soup....it was so bland, tasteless like you just pour water into a bowl of mee hoon....tawar hebe...could not finish my dinner. Just a couple of spoon fishing out the carrots and chicken.

So there you go....actually there will always be the pros and cons of things....of course I'll try to be a little creative next time for my family's dinner but the problem is they all want different things...kue tiaw lah, nasi ayam lah, mee goreng mamak. .....hmmm..may be I should be more creative in finding a good place with tastier meals instead:))

On Thursday, Jasmine asked for my permission for a sleepover with Alia at her friend's house. She wanted to celebrate her 14th birthday with her friends....you know tweens...well, no problem with me and Lan since we know who her friends are...

Suddenly like a twinkle of bright light came the idea...since the kids will not be at home, why not Lan and I spend some quality time together alone somewhere.....hmmm. So on Friday afternoon, Lan booked a room for us at one of the nearby resort. It was like our second home already since we always checked in there for a short getaway, we like the place since it's near, and adjoins to the shopping complex.

We had fun (sort of a second honeymoon) though it was only for a night. We went shopping, ate at our favourite restaurant and just chilled together in the room. Well, the kids joined us on our second night there. Biasalah the kids tu....they just had fun with their close friends so bila they all joined us there bisinglah they all bercerita until the wee hours of the morning. Jasmine had a lot of presents from her friends and she was so excited. Her papa and I was thinking to buy her the i-pod she badly wanted but sorry dear....it is over budget lah... so we ended up with something she likes but within our budget. He..He..he..may be some other time when you do well in your exam, dear.

After checked out, we fetched my son at UM and bawa dia keluar makan at The Curve. Kind of a little tired so after lunch at Secret Recipe (plus their favourite cheese cakes) we sent him back to UM.

The short two nights break was worth it and I got my deserved break. Thanks to my wonderful Roslan...love you always dear. Lan said we could do it more often, so kids .... what do you say???

LOVE....

It's been more than a week since the passing of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. I just blog about Farrah previously and now she's gone. Been hooked to CNN, ENews and the net for any news on Michael Jackson. Just can't get enough to know more about the tragic life of a very special man, very talented and the one and only entertainer that never failed to entertain me.

Even went to his concert in Malaysia in 1996. God I really enjoyed the concert tremendously. That was the one and only concert that I ever attended...and it was worth every single cents spent.

Now after his passing, even Alea and Jasmine had become one of his ardent fans. How could they not be when everyday they are bombarded with MJ video clips and songs. They are awestruck when they see how he can perform the moonwalk and the dancing.

Well....talking about life and death as I have always said before we don't know when our time will come...when the time comes there will be no stopping it.

So better treasure what we have, the love we share with our beloved family and enjoy every second we have with our loved ones. All these events lately just show how short our lives could be.

To my beloved husband Roslan, I love you forever and thank you for coming into my life and sharing your beautiful heart and soul with me. To my wonderful children, I love you with all my heart. To my lovely mother and sisters....love you all so very much.

Monthly Suffering....

It was one of the supposedly normal monthly thing that happened to all ladies....but mine was terribly bad this month. A lot of blood loss means not enough haemoglobin to carry oxygen around the body. Had a terrible episode of difficulty breathing. Went to Emergency SJMC and found that the HB had dropped again.

No wonder I suffered from breathing difficulty everytime after I climb the stairs or walking a distance. So, the only solution was to get a blood transfusion.

Hated that but there was no other way to get the oxygen going. After two pints of blood transfused into my body..felt terrible. Had fever and felt cold. Lucky the fever didnt last long after taking panadol and antibiotic felt much better.

Today I am feeling as good as new. Had enough rest yesterday and woke up late today. Hmm... back to the kitchen to prepare "Gulai Lemak Pucuk Ubi" and fried chicken for the family.

I am praying next month will not be so bad. The normal monthly thing for other women is a monthly scary episodes for me!! I don't want to be a vampire craving for blood every other month because the blood is so contaminated nowadays you just cannot be sure of its' safety anymore....

Just a Thought

Farrah Fawcett was one of the most beautiful ladies in the world in the late seventies and early eighties. I used to admire her when I was a little girl as she was one of the Charlie's Angels from the "Charlie's Angel"series. Then she had a golden beautiful trend setting hairstyle. Now I read that she's suffering from cancer. From what I read too, she is now bedridden and very ill. Her partner Ryan O' Neill is by her side and has never stopped loving her. He said in an interview that her love for her became stronger and stronger each day.

Illness is something that nobody ever wished upon themselves. Somehow or rather illness make us realise that life is not forever. Everybody will eventually die, with or without illness. Life is so short. After being diagnosed with chronic illness, one should always think positive and be surrounded with lots of love from his/her loved ones. Don't think too much about the illness but continue to enjoy life to the fullest. Take medications diligently and pray a lot. When in pain or feeling down, lean on your loved ones for support mentally. Always remember that God is always there for us, spiritually. Be strong and don't feel sorry for yourself. Never listen to negativity. Yes, there are people who look down on people who are ill because they thought they will never be ill since they take care of themselves. So pathetic !!

As a Muslim I strongly believe that life and death, sickness and whatever bestowed upon us is all in God's hand. Life is not always a bed of roses....I wish Farrah Fawcett well and I'm amazed at her strength and positive attitude !

Just Lovely...

After doing my routine household chores....I sat down and started thinking about what to cook. Hmm....yesterday was no cooking day...we had take away since I was out from morning to late afternoon. Well, at last I decided to cook chicken soup for the hungry tummies and black promfret asam pedas! Simple and easy.

My sweetie pie came home from school and with her sad face said that her Penulisan exam result didn't turn out as well as she would like because she chose the most difficult topic. sigh! At least now she knows that never try to tackle a topic that you are not familiar with next time. It's okay sweetie pie it's part and parcel of life...you will get over that.

Last Sunday was Mother's Day. What can I say....my loved ones made it special as usual. Felt so appreciated. The wishes, the hugs, the love is more than enough though the presents didn't do any harm either....they were...wonderful and thoughtful. Thank you darlings!!

Something for us to ponder....

As I was browsing the internet I found this interesting story about a relationship between daughter and mother. I want to share the story here for all of us mothers and daughters to ponder and may be learn a lesson or two of what the two women have gone through in their lives. The story will be as it was (the original was written in Malay language)....here it goes

"Aku dilahirkan sebagai anak sulung dalam keluarga seramai enam orang. Hidup kami sekeluarga begitu sederhana...tidak terlalu mewah dan tidak juga miskin. Bapa mempunyai dua buah kereta, satu untuknya dan satu lagi untuk kegunaan Ibu. Kami juga mempunyai rumah yang selesa untuk berteduh. Jadi hidup kami memang cukup segala2nya.

Ibu ku seorang suri rumahtangga. Dia memang cekap dalam hal-hal kerja rumah dan masak memasak. Ibu memang tidak bersekolah tinggi malah telah berkahwin sewaktu usia menjangkau belasan tahun. Masih terlalu muda untuk bersuami dan mempunyai anak. Jadi mungkin kerana itu dia begitu kekok untuk melayan aku sebagai anaknya. Aku langsung tidak pernah dipeluk atau dicium oleh ibu malah ada kalanya aku merasa seperti pesaing buat Ibu untuk kasih sayang Bapaku. Sebagai anak sulung Bapa amat mengasihiku dan selalu memanjakan aku.

Dari kecil aku sudah cuba sedaya upayaku untuk rapat dengan Ibu seperti kanak-kanak lain malangnya tidak dipedulikan langsung. Ibu sentiasa sibuk dengan dunianya....rumah itu duniaku bagi ibu tapi memang cuma "rumah" itu dunia Ibu bukan manusia yang bernyawa di dalam rumah itu. Walaupun makan dan pakai ku terjaga rapi tetapi Ibu bagiku tetap begitu jauh untukku menumpang kasih. Aku membesar dengan menelan segala perasaan tidak puas hati dan dahagakan kasih sayang Ibu tercinta. Selalu aku mengeluh " Ya Allah tolonglah hambaMu yang lemah ini apa salahku sehingga Ibu terlalu dingin sikapnya"

Dalam proses pembesaran itu, aku dikurniakan dengan tiga orang adik. Adik kedua bungsu telah menjadi kesayangan Ibu. Segala kasih sayang Ibu tertumpah pada adik yang akan ku panggil Adik Z di sini. Adik Z langsung tidak tahu berdikari dan membesar dengan masih mengharapkan pertolongan Ibu, sementara kakak dan abangnya sentiasa diharapkan untuk mengalah.

Dipendekkan cerita, kami semua kini sudah dewasa dan mempunyai keluarga masing-masing...hubungan aku dengan Ibu masih sama sejak aku dilahirkan. DINGIN DAN KONTANG !! Ibu tetap Ibu yang kini dengan penuh setia menjaga anak-anak Z yang masih kecil walaupun dirinya uzur. Sewaktu adik lelakiku mengalami masaalah pembantu rumah dan terpaksa meninggalkan anak sulungnya bersama Ibu, Ibu merungut-rungut tiap kali aku pulang ke kampung. Ibu akan mengadu kononnya cucunya (anak adik lelakiku) itu kuat makan, nakal, tidak mendengar kata dan dia amat tertekan terpaksa menjaga cucu di usia senjanya. Aku hanya mampu mendengar sahaja. Patutlah dulu sewaktu aku mengalami masaalah pembantu rumah Ibu tidak akan datang ke rumahku walaupun aku merayu2 meminta Ibu membantu menjaga anakku yang seorang itu. Terpaksalah kami kelam kabut mencari "Nursery" untuk tempoh seminggu dua sementara pembantu baru tiba.

Tiba-tiba kini sewaktu aku pulang ke kampung ku lihat sendiri masaalah pilih kasih yang begitu ketara. Ibu kini dengan sabar menjaga anak-anak adik Z seramai lima orang sementara adik Z keluar bekerja. Tiada keluhan kedengaran malah siap jadi peguam bela apabila aku bertanya tentang kes ini Ibu dengan selamba membela Adik Z dengan mengatakan ini untuk sementara sahaja dan kesian dengan cucu2nya kalau ditinggalkan di pusat jagaan.

Cukuplah setakat ini dan jika aku mahu membuka pekung di dada banyak lagi yang boleh ku coretkan. Tapi aku tidak marah cuma berkecil hati kerana aku mempunyai seorang Ibu seperti orang lain tapi hubungan aku dengannya tidak seperti hubungan biasa seorang Ibu dan anak. Sebagai anak aku dengan penuh tulus berdoa agar Ibu sedar segala2nya dan cuba memberi secebis kasih sayang yang sama rata tulus ikhlas kepada semua anak2nya. Bagi pihak aku, aku tetap menunaikan segala tanggungjawabku kepada Ibu sebaik mungkin. Aku amat sayangkan Ibu cuma kemesraan yang hilang sukar ditebus kembali......kemesraan itu bukan boleh dibuat-buat kerana ia datang dari hati. Maafkan aku Ibu, semoga Ibu ampunkan dosa2ku !!!"

Well, sad story and such a waste of a special bonding that should only be between a Mother and a child. Who to blame? Well....I have no answer for that. I guess we all should always treasure our daughters, sons and mothers. Vice versa.

CHILLI CRAB

4 crabs cut into 4 pieces

4 stalks of spring onions - cut

1 1/2 tbsps cornflour mixed with a little water

INGREDIENTS TO GRIND
10 dried chillies, soaked )

3 fresh chillies ) ground everything

garlic, shallots and ginger )

Stir fry the grounded items until fragrant. Add crabs and mix them. Add 2tbsps of tomato sauce, 4 tbsps sweet chili sauce, 2 tbsps vinegar, sugar and water. Mix well. Cover the mixture and stir every now and then. Add cornflour mixture and spring onions. Once gravy starts to thicken turn off the fire and serve piping hot with white rice...yummmm

A VERY BUSY SUNDAY

Today is a very busy Sunday for me and my other half. In the morning after breakfast we went to the wet market to buy our weekly food rations. After sending the items back home, went out again, this time to the hypermarket.

Oh dear...I actually loath going to the hypermarket and to have to do it once a month is bad enough but this month I've gone to the hypermarket for three times!!! I was there to find items that my son needed for his room at the University.

I can feel my legs were killing me from all the walking and searching for items in the big hypermarket. We spent about almost two hours there before finally going home to unpack the stuff and packed them back accordingly. At 2 p.m. sent my daughters to their friend's house.

Barely had time to shower and dress up for my hi-tea appointment with a friend at 3:30 p.m. Can't really enjoy the hi-tea because I felt so tired and my mind was wondering elsewhere....

Excused myself after more than an hour with my friend (I would have cancelled the appointment had it not been arranged a few days before and the occasion was to celebrate her birthday). As the time was already 5:30 pm I was already late....promised my son to be at his place by 5:15 p.m.

I was somewhat lucky that my other half was free to drive me around this time. We spent an hour of quality time with my beloved son. I was glad to see him doing well there. He managed to go through a week of orientation with not so much trouble.

When we kissed him goodbye I felt all my tiredness gone...because since morning this was the moment that I was waiting for. To see my son well and happy, ready to face the challenges of being a University student. In the car on the way home I had a big smile on my face, a contented feeling in my heart and suddenly I didn't feel tired anymore although my entire body ached, my spirit was high.

I think that is the power of maternal love.

From Nory's Kitchen....

Hmmmm...I feel like sharing my humble recipes with you ....my recipes are all very humble, simple, easy and very quick to prepare. Suitable for mothers or ladies who don't feel like labouring themselves for hours in their kitchen.

Some of the recipes are hands me down from my beloved mother. Some I got from magazines I read. Let's see if you like them.....here are some of my simple humble recipes:-)) Of course you can modify them accordingly to suit your own taste. The recipes will be written in Bahasa Malaysia...and English

FISHBALL SOUP (Sup Bebola Ikan)

BAHAN2NYA:-

Bebola Ikan

Fish Cakes

Bawang Kecil

Bawang Putih

Udang Segar

Sawi

Su hun

Cili Merah

Cara2nya :- Tumis bawang putih, bawang merah yang dihiris halus dalam sedikit minyak. Masukkan air secukupnya. Biarkan boiling masukkan udang, fish ball dan fish cakes. Masukkan garam secukup rasa masukkan sedikit white pepper (serbuk). Akhir sekali tambah suhun dan cili merah serta sayur sawi. Sedia untuk dihidang panas.

Normally I would serve this soup with my ayam masak merah and steam rice. My version of ayam masak merah is totally different from others as it is sooo simple to cook. But if you feel rice is too filling for you feel free to just slurp it on its own ....

Time waits for No One

Time flies so fast...my baby is leaving me. After spending 4 long years (or was it 5?) at boarding school, my son was at home for five solid months. Just enough for us to get acquainted back as a family through thick and thin..rain or shine. My two girls were happy as they have their older brother back at home. I can see they enjoyed their time at home as siblings so much. I was happy because "Abang" was there to help me care for the two girls and help me a little with the household chores.

Now...it's been three days since he's gone to the University. He will spend two years there before going to Japan to further his studies. If everything goes well, he will be in Japan for another four years!!!! We miss him already. Well of course I am proud of my son...very much. His journey continues as a student and I wish he will have a bright future. I just have to think positive and pray for him always.

Now the house seems quieter ... no one to fight over the laptop with me, no one to barge into my room without knocking when I was about to take a nap. Well, though he is almost eighteen he is still my baby.

Being the eldest of three siblings he has set a good example for his two sisters to follow. His father and I will continue to give him all the support he needs as he continues his long journey ahead. My husband and I wish him all the best in his future endeavour.

Mother - The Ultimate responsibility

When I got married almost nineteen years ago...being a mother was just another word in the vocabulary of a married life. I thought it would come naturally and everything will fall into place nicely. My life would be complete after I got hitched and have children. People around told me that being a mum is a big responsibility. It's not like adopting a pet but I was ignorant and unprepared for what was actually to come when you decide to have children.

I am blessed with three lovely children. One smart boy and two beautiful girls. The motherly instinct comes naturally, no doubt. When they were babies..especially with the firstborn everything was trial and error. Should I give breastmilk or should I bottle feed him. I bought a dozen books on babies as guidance. Everything about the baby was so adorable and cute. Every first in the life of the baby were carefully documented... first step..first word..."Ma Ma" (awwww so cute...I cried), first teeth, first smile!!!! With it all came the tribulations of having sleepless nights of caring for a sick baby (colic, fever, tummy ache).

I had like a million photographs of my babies...and slowly they grow....from babies to toddlers to pre-schoolers to primary students. The responsibilities of a mother keep on growing as the kids grow. You are responsible to teach them good manners, teach them right from wrong, show them the correct way to speak, eat and act...you have to punish them to show that you mean business...punishment is a lesson for them to be responsible for their own behaviour, though it will never fail to break your heart everytime you have to "ground" them.

I believe in " Sometimes you have to be cruel in order to be nice"...and I believe in " Teach them how to fish instead of just giving them the fish". When you sent your child to start primary school you should have taught him/her how to mix with the society. We as mothers also have the responsibility to ensure that the child adhere to the discipline at home so he/she will have no problem to discipline him/herself at school. I also have to make sure that my child knows the responsibilities as a student...to study hard and do his homework, to work harmoniously with the other students, respect the teachers etc.

My kids are growing into teenagers now. The responsibilities get bigger and bigger. Everybody knows that teenagers have raging hormones...it's the most difficult part of any mother's life. This is the time you analyse yourself ...many times I sit down to ponder how I fare as a mother based on my teenagers' behaviour and their achievement. How do I fare? From the corner of my eyes and with the deepest concern in my heart I watch and I analyze how they behave with their parents, with their siblings, with the society and on how they see the world...this is the time you get to see what you have taught them since the day they were born to this moment all reflected in their attitude and what they become as a person. This is the moment of truth ... but there will be no denying that every child is an individual, a human being with his/her own unique characteristics. While there will be a child who is hardworking and humble, another would be a loud talker and robust. Another child may be the quiet type, with a golden heart but may be very lazy and stubborn. Teenagers need to be handle with care, loads of unconditional love but a very very firm hand.There are a lot of things I learn from being a mother...it makes me be a better person. Children is a reflection of what their parents are. So true...After being a mother to three children for eighteen years I know I have learnt a lot from them. When you see a bad tempered son or daughter you will realise that it is a reflection of either one of you as parents. It is a humbling experience.....you can see yourself in all of your children. I can attest to that...though every one of my three children have their own personalities...I can see myself in all three of them occasionally.

How do I fare as mother? Oh dear....I know I have done a lot of mistakes in my journey as a mother. I was never a perfect mother, how could I be since I am only human. I try not to be "in their face" too much and not to dictate any child's life. I have promised myself to be an honest, educated mother to my children who will always be there for them as long as I live. I have always tried to answer all the questions they asked as they were growing up..but I know not all their questions were answered correctly. These 18 years of being a mother is really, really tough and colourful but at the end of the day I can go to sleep with a smile on my face as being a mother is the most wonderful and fulfilling experience of my life...ever.

To my three children ... mama loves you all equally so much and you all have brought so many laughter in my life. Thank you for being there for me always. I hope I have taught you well. Take the positives and leave all the negatives behind. All three of you have made me proud to be your mother. Hugs and kisses always forever.

After all is said and done...Syafiq, Jasmine and Alia...pandai-pandailah bawa diri...your journey is still long in front of you... the road will be winding and may be difficult....all the best and good luck...Mama wish all of you the best always. Mama sentiasa doakan yang terbaik untuk anak-anak Mama dunia akhirat! Amin...!

To all mothers out there..."HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY" and let us strive to be a better mother to our kids.