pokoksKL

I'm always at crossroads when it comes to checking out "insta-worthy" places. I just want to eat guys. If the food is good, then the decor is a bonus. Had brunch with Rai today and since it's near her house we might as well go check it out.

Food is good enough. I had the big breakfast junior at Benji's the day before so I can't really say Pokok's version is better. But it's good enough. Imaan had nasi lemak ayam goreng berempah and now that was good. For dessert, we tried the dark chocolate cheesecake which we devoured in a minute.

Selamat berpuasa to anyone reading this. Always a hard month for me but before you know it Raya will be over and life will be normal again. :)

Till this day (okay it happened few weeks ago) I still think about the woman with 2 bodyguard and a helper who bought RM1.2k worth of vegetables at Jaya Grocer. Yup, vegetables guys. Which army was she trying to feed with those veggies?

Guess I will never know. 

half-lidded eye scare

The other day i had to leave the boys at home because i needed to send some meds to my in-laws' home. their house is just about 7km away, so i'm not too worried. the keys are with them anyway, and if there's any emergency they can always run over to the neighbors' house.

when i got home, i found idris lying on the floor with his eyes half open.
listen, my eldest sleeps with his eyes half opened, or half closed (depending on how you view your life or something like that).
so anyways, he was on the floor, unmoving.
so i asked imaan - is Abang okay?

and you know what that brat answered: idris is dead.

PLEASE child, this is not funny at all!

turns out idris fell asleep on the floor. well that gave me a good scare! :(

Hello Idris

Not sure what he ate but this boy oh boy had diarrhea and I'm trying to recall the last time I had to clean so much poop and vomit hehe.  

•

Fucking tired.
Try picking up 1000000 things 19 hours per day and you tell me if you’re strong enough to be a mom and wife.

bistro benji's bv1

The kids' favorite at Bistro Benji's.

Islamic Centre Canteen, Hong Kong

23 March 2019.

My short trip to Hong Kong in March seems a bit rushed, and we really don't know where the days went. The first two days was quite punishing, what with the supreme humidity and gah, Aunt Flo decided to tag along to my favorite city!

Nevertheless, on the third day we made it a point to check out the much coveted dim sum place Masjid Ammar And Osman Ramju Sadick Islamic Centre, which to my surprise is really close to the super delicious duck rice place that we went to last year! When we got there a long queue was already forming but the place has a numbering system so it's not too bad. You're seated with strangers if there's only two of you. Which is fine, because you get to strike a conversation. Surprisingly the 2 girls who sat with us is from KL too and they were super hungry after a morning hike.

The food is really good, and they taste better even after we took them home. The portion is pretty generous too, and it's no surprise why this is a number one choice for travelers. When you're on budget, this meal can already cover lunch AND dinner. Definitely value for money. 

New Baby

Got myself a new camera today! Been saving up for 10 months and got the Ricoh GR3 as a birthday gift. Funny, I was saving for different camera but ended up buying a different camera. Typical of me!

How are we all doing?

How are we all doing? Thought I drop by and say hello, this page is still alive.

I have a lot to say you know? But I don't have a laptop right now, so updating is hard.I was thinking of moving to wordpress since there is an app for it but I really don't like using my phone to write. Carrie Bradshaw would probably feel the same eh?

2019 is okay so far. I went to see BTS in HK (my beloved city) just before my birthday and I wasn't depressed at all on my birthday! Bonus was a surprise, since this is my second year in retail banking and as compared to investment banking, I wasn't expecting much from the retail business. But a bonus is a bonus is a bonus, and I am grateful for the reward. Bolehlah.

I had a resolution to not buy books this year, but since I am depressed (that's what my husband thinks) guess I have to be depressed and just stay in this abyss for a little while. So this week I broke down and bought many books. When will I ever read them is up for debate.

The kids are doing great. I yelled at my eldest over a doomed bridge project last week and I cried the entire day at work. Remind me again to take things easy please. He's not even 18 yet. Melodrama is a long arduous journey. The youngest on the other hand is a handful, still finding his footing as a younger brother. re: he just wants attention.

Health wise, I have impending surgery to remove some ball in my throat. Nervous and eager to get this over with as soon as possible.

I guess that's about it for now!

Toodle-do.

NADIRAH ZAKARIYA CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 2018

Hey ya it's been a while.

So the other day I finally took the plunge and joined NADIRAH ZAKARIYA CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 2018!

Had so much fun learning and meeting new people. Here are some of my work. The others had better work of course but it's a satisfying feeling to be able to take photos. Yup, DH was the model haha. Ada symbolism di sebalik rugby head gear tu.

Our family vacation to Hong Kong 2018

I told you I'll be back to Hong Kong! This time with my little family in tow from 18-21 March. Too short of a trip but since we're planning a bigger trip for end Autumn, this will do for now.

Why go back to a place I've been before you ask? Why the hell not? Why do I keep going back to Japan? Again, why the hell not? At least I'm travelling am I? And you're not? Hehe. I just like going back to familiarity I guess. I mean I'd love to visit Prague or the Machu Picchu or New York one fine day but they're kinda expensive you know?

God, what can I say, I love Hong Kong so much! We're lucky to find a good hotel with easy access to Starbucks (what) and public transport - Harbour Bay Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui. Due to time constraint, we had to skip few items I had in mind, like the lights show at the bay, dim sum, among other things. But that's okay, there's always next time.  

Travelling with kids is another challenge altogether and it's really really frustrating guys. Dramatic kids I mean. But I hope they had fun as much as I did at least. Idris developed a passion for roller coasters at Disneyland (ok crying after the Space Mountain doesn't count) and Imaan 'met' his beloved basketball player Madame Tussaud's. Hehe.

While I plan for my next escapade (Kota Bharu please), Hong Kong will always be in my heart. Maybe it's something about growing up to Hong Kong dramas (before the Hallyu Wave took over of course).

Till next time HK!

random #628

Here's a random memory:

I didn't take 1119 exam because I thought my family was poor and couldn't afford it.

By the time my late dad knew about it it was too late.

a little casualty

Yesterday I taught reminded my children (fuh I make it sound like I have a bunch of them!) the basic things to do if anything happens to me. Call the people on my Favourites list. Run and look for the neighbors. The works.

Idris and I have been having severe cough (mine is with flu in tow) for almost a week. Idris been on inhaler and nebulizer. Yesterday was the final blow for me- i took the stairs up to the 4th floor and had difficulty breathing. This has never happened to me before. I'm not asthmatic. Same thing happened when I was walking to my car park.

And so I thought, this is the last straw. I need help. I also need to know that I'm not dying of some incurable disease. #godforbid

Went to the emergency today and wah lao wei! Bacterial infection in my left lung! What the hell! I also had a round of nebulizer WHICH I HAVE NEVER HAD BEFORE.

RM500 later  I am feeling like a billion bucks. Well, still tired but my breathing was slightly better. Hope this new round of (expensive) antibiotics will word wonders.

In the meantime, SCREW WORK AND DEADLINES. 

First day

My youngest child is Standard One now!

Every little thing will be alright and praise to Allah for his good grace.

Alhamdulillah.

Al-Fatihah Hana Kirana

Today we heard about Hana's passing and rasa macam blur kejap. I cannot compute that she is no longer around. Those who knew her lived vicariously through her travels (including me) and whenever she updates her IG I'm sure most of us will be so mesmerized by her achievements, charting new territories with every update. This woman is so fearless. I nak naik uber sorang2 also baca ayat Kursi sepuluh kali. 

Tapi Hana, Dia dapat tengok pokok baobab ok. Pokok baobab! Sorang2 dia. How awesome is that!

Baru few days back my friend was reminding our group chat that life is too short for dramas and I couldn't agree more. So go on. Make that trip. Call that estranged friend/family member. Take that leap. Forgive that person.

So Hana, as we panjatkan doa untuk you, thank you for inspiring us. We will miss your travels and may Allah keep you in His loving grace.

Rehat ya Hana. :(

Home early

On the train now. Left early because we're entitled for a 2-hour free leave per month. It's been a mentally exhausting back-to-back week (mentally only because I think my body can still handle this) with Idris hospitalised for 5-days (will write about this later) and my colleague (probably the only reliable one around) has decided to leave and her last day is tomorrow. :(

Here's what I'm asking from the universe: please grant me a better job in January 2018. Third time's the charm eh?

Musin

Here’s the deal with my job, or working in general.

I think I may have lost the passion to work. There I’ve said it. I’m not sure how this came about – maybe because things are not so peachy at work right now (long story short, boss is on a questionable “extended block leave” and I may need to change portfolio soon and I’m not sure how long I can hold on). I’m always ready for new things, new adventures but not right now. Probably not ever.

Life begins at 40, but does career ends at 40 too?

Now that’s a scary thought. 

Day off

Took the day off to watch Emre's taekwondo grading today. Hectic day, from chauffeuring the kids to making meals and by 3pm I was exhausted. Promised the youngest that I'll wake up at 4pm but when i woke up it was already 5pm hee hee.

Oiso Utropolis

I swear to god shopping malls in selangor and KL are popping up like nobody's business. But Malaysians spending power is an enigma to me. Why are they so rich? And why am I so poor?

Anyways, last night we had dinner at Oiso, Utropolis (yup you heard that right) in Glenmarie. It's one of those new high-rise apartments and suites with makan places area (oh KDU is also nearby) so there's nothing much there yet. Except for a 'sikit atas' Mydin, clearly replicating Jaya Grocer.

Oiso is one of the go-to Korean restaurant. Dubu-yo and Mr Dakgalbi are convenient for the K-cravings but Oiso will not disappoint when it comes to Korean food. I sorely miss Bulgogi Brothers though. Ever since they closed down I've not found anything similar. Blah. 

This pajeon may look plain but it's so gooooood!

Chicken BBQ forever!

My kids had a taste of the chicken and I'm glad they enjoyed it (because I actually made them bihun goreng before coming over!). 

Perhaps a trip to Seoul next year is due. I don't know yet. Money is tight and I'm hoping 2018 will be a better year for me. 

We built this city

This city is making me melancholy lately. But then again, I'm starting to love working in this part of the city. The hustle and bustle of the city can either humble you, or make you want to pull your hair out.

I'm going with the former for now.