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.

Mama San KL

Had dinner at Mama San KLCC last Friday. Although I'm broke like nobody's business, I've also not spend pn good food. Weekdays are all about eating food court food lunch, or some random gerai makan yang diragui status kehalalan-tayyiban-nya haha.

I've been to Mama San once with the husband and we enjoyed the (expensive) food there. Nasi goreng pineapple is a repeat order for me - although I can't help to wonder how come fancy restaurants dont serve nasi goreng pineapple in a pineapple ya know what i mean? My friend say the butter chicken is nice so yeah RM48 FOR BUTTER CHICKEN?!? NO PROBLEM! I thought the phad thai tasted good too, Wish i had room for some dessert though.

Hot day today and yesterday, I'm very irritable due to the weather so I'm gonna start to throw away things and declutter a little bit more. Very behind with the minimalism project, but I've also got an inner demon to fight constantly. 

Hope you're all doing okay. 

Cooking cooking

First of all, Happy Deepavali guys! We were supposed to go out today but Rumi not feeling well so we're home bound with nothing to do but slave ourselves to the gadgets. -_- OK lah we went out for maggi goreng in the evening. Wanted to get cakes but mamak seems like a cheaper option.

Anyway, last weekend? I signed up for a cooking class. Cooking Workshop with McCormick to be exact. I think it was the Creamy Paprika Chicken that enticed me to join the class BECAUSE WHO NEEDS QUINOA SALAD haha. But I've been to photography, brush lettering, make-up workshops so I might as well try a cooking one.

It was alright lah. Hey a note to self, stay away from any aunties when you're picking your group. Annoying AF if you ask me! Anyways, thanks for the free spices McCormick! 

new start

I kinda forgot how fast paced the banking world is and now I need to pick up the pace soon enough. 40% of my jobscope is something totally new, tedious perhaps but I accept the challenge with open arms. I've also recently turned down an offer from my previous beloved bank and I'm praying that I made the right choice. I know it was the best decision, but I need to keep an open mind that anything can go wrong.

Hopefully no more back-stabbing and sabotaging this time around. 

nervous

I start work this Tuesday (yay for the extended PH on Monday!).

Nervous dia tak payah cakap la, especially when I look at the boys. They had my full attention for the past 3 months and now we have to adjust to me working again. But I guess that is the beauty of losing your job, you have more time to reflect, more time for family and I must say it's been a fulfilling stint.

Too bad money doesn't grow on trees! Now I need to focus on rebuilding my emergency fund (PTPTN dah habis bayar alhamdulillah!) and to continue with this minimalism journey. 

Silver linings ahead.

Be thankful

Here's where the problem lies.

I am scared shit to go back to work. There I've said it.

I think the bad experience with the previous job has scarred me for life and whilst the idea of going for interviews excite me, I go home with the unsavory feeling. "What if I get the job offer and they treat me like shit too?"

Seriously Nate, you used to grab life by the balls and this is what life has become. :(

I must say I'm really blessed to have friends who are looking out for me, sending me job vacancies links when all I do is sit on my broke ass watching We Bare Bear re-runs. OK not every day haha. Once a week only where I allow myself to wallow in self-pity the entire day.

It's already Friday. Time to smile and face the world!

Toys Clutter

I had a good interview session yesterday. When I say good, I mean a) when interviewers ask for a solution, my face lights up and I have 1001 answers for it b) I came out from the interview room knowing that this is the place I want to end up working/retiring with.

Now to focus and ask from the universe that I'll nail a second interview and eventually this job! 

After the interview, I rewarded myself with a slice of pizza from Tedboy and head on to my old beloved office to pick up my ex-colleagues and had lunch with them. Came home, took a nap, woke up and said to Em:

"Jom kita buang toys?"

And I didn't expect it was so easy for my kid #2 to part with his toys! We threw away most of them (because to be honest I wouldn't want to donate broken toys anyway), put some aside for donation, and let Em keep some. There's actually another pile of toys in our small library room/store but I'll let Rumi take care of that. Good thing he didn't throw a hissy fit when he came home to an empty toy box! :)

the minimalist project

I've embarked on my own personal frugal x minimalism journey to keep my mind off things. 
It's a slow and steady process as there are a lot of things that we need to get rid of. the rule of the thumb is simple, if something you own no longer sparks joy or no longer has any significance in your life, get rid on.

Often, the subject of hoarding or cluttering is often connected to "not being able to let go" but slowly I have started to throw away, or donate. Some of the items I'm unsure of I still keep, because I really just can't decide, you know for sentimental values. Like, my late father's coffee table. It's a gorgeous piece, but I really don't have space for it.

I'm so glad there is a CRCbox near my house, a non-profit organization that collects items for recycling / donation. The boys' old clothes that they can no longer fit or my clothes that I think I can fit again once I lose some weight (let's be real here, it's never gonna happen) all go to the box. Another option is I can send them to H&M and get discount vouchers in return.

Today we got the CRCbox team to come over to collect our old sofa, TV, computer table and closet. I bought a new closet, albeit a smaller one, but at least it'll keep me reminded that hey, don't buy so much clothes, you don't have space for it. Looking forward to this weekend so that I can start picking what goes to the new closet and what to give away! 

Like I said, it's a slow and steady process, but definitely a fulfilling one.

Now to get my husband to part with his items hmm....

Raya 2017, done.

Can't sleep. We're back from Alor Gajah and the weather in KL is no help. Had a good Raya so far. Well, I'm still bummed that we had to forego going back to KB this year but that's okay. KB will always be there. I can always make a trip up there sooner or later.

Before going to bed, DH asked me: "what are your plans tomorrow?"
Ya Allah, tak bestnya soalan ni. Er, standard answers: cook. look for a job. kemas rumah.
But at the back of my head I am getting nervous. very nervous. 
while i am enjoying this SAHM stint, I am hoping i'll get a job soon.

Dah nak masuk July dah ni. Guess I just need to push myself a little bit harder.

I can do this!

a slight bump

I got laid off effective 1 June 2017. Bulan Ramadhan nonetheless and last week i kept thinking how on earth did I get from being a star performer at a banking job to losing a job in a maritime industry? I'm done being sad and dejected last week and I'm hoping my friends and family are done being angry on my behalf.

I bought a new laptop last Saturday and finally opened it yesterday. Can't waste much time moping and the CV is not gonna update itself, kan?

This is my journey to find a new if not better, job.  Have faith.