Thanks, SUE, SJ and SCRUMPTIOUS SUGAR!!!

Sue Lunatots blog about my event - The Power of Blogging. THANKS, SUE! here.

Our sponsor, Mrs Fazrin Nazmi from [ Scrumptioussugar ], also blog about the event (here).

She sponsored Congo Bar and Red Velvet cuppies for the participants. And you know what, I just picked up my order from her room - Butterscotch Brownies - and IT TASTES SO WONDERFUL!!!!! Seriously. I am very particular when it comes to BROWNIES (since i am a baker too) and I KNOW I WILL ORDER THIS BROWNIES AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN from Scrumptioussugar. U SHOULD TRY!!! (click here to see more)

Before this, both speakers promoted about this event in their blogs.

Thanks, guys!

From Shahabudeen Jalil. here.

From Sue Lunatots. here.

It is so nice to see my design (the round orange thing) everywhere.

Colour blocking

When I posted [ this post ] on adding blue / turqoise crystal beads on shocking pink baju kurung, I received some feedback on "why not pink crystal?" or "i couldnt imagine pink and blue can go well together"...

Well, luckily my colleague, Kak Norain Othman captured this photo two months ago and kind enough to email it to me. Although I didnt like to put my photo in my own blog, but, here you go. It is subjective, tho. I like pink crystal on pink baju kurung too.

(yes, i know I am chubby, but let's not go there)

How I go to work

My sons asked me how did I go to work everyday. Last weekend, I made this.

This is how I go to work everyday. I took RAPID KL to Putra LRT Station, then, I took a train (LRT Putra) to KL Sentral, then I change to another train, KLIA Transit to Putrajaya Sentral. There, I took NadiPutra bus to my office in Precint 4. Then, I have to walk a bit to my building. I have to punch in before 8.30am. What time I leave home everyday? You do the math (don't forget the waiting period for each mode of transportation ya!). If I missed the KLIA Transit, I will have to wait for another 27 minutes for the next train.

Then, they asked me how did I return from work because sometimes they picked me up at KL Sentral, sometimes at LRT Putra Terminal and sometimes I just came home in a taxi. They were confused. Instead of using the "back" arrow in the same drawing, in which will make them more confuse, I just explained by using this diagram. haha.

Well, I enjoy the trip to the office everyday. I can finish one book in one week because there is nothing much to do in the trains/buses. I can read while I am sitting or standing. I enjoy the view outside. I learn new fashion, admire some handbags, drool on some heels especially when I am on the train. It is a very exciting trip everyday.

People might say it is tiring, waste of time and waste of energy. It is not tiring at all. In fact, it feels so good to be GREEN and knowing that I've produce lesser carbon footprint every single day. Just be positive.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Nazran...

I am in Kedah. And tomorrow is my son's birthday. Hmm....
This is the only photo of Nazran in my thumbdrive. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MUHAMMAD NAZRAN SYAZWAN.
Macam la dia boleh baca.

Innovation Day

I've constructed huge CPU and CD replicas for Innovation Day gimmick. I was a bit disappointed when I went back at 2am before THE day because I dont think it looks like a CPU at all. I just cant go on adding more details here and there because I was exhausted (and frustrated). But, the next morning, when they put it on the stage, with the lighting and all, it does look a bit like a CPU.

This is how it works - The Honourable Minister will insert the CD inside the CPU and that one handsome ICT guy in the control room should hit the PLAY button to launch the multimedia presentation on the big screen. It requires precise coordination and timing, and THAT was exactly what we achieved. Good job everyone!

Let's sprinkle some glamour

I have a very plain shocking pink baju kurung.

I bought some black sexy lace and blue crystal beads in different hues. Put it together and voila!

Wall of Frame

Kids' room.

Kantoi - Swahili

Seriously felt stupid when trying so hard conversing in Swahili with a Kenyan guy (and he was impressed!), then he picked up a piece of paper which I accidentally dropped on the floor, which says "Learn basic Swahili in 5 minutes".

Nabil and Nazreen riding that thing

seriously, stop fighting now!

Typical day.

Cool headcover

Papa bought a new track bottom and he cut off the inner layer which usually irritates - especially when we are sweating. Our young designers love it so much (last year's photos).

Phew! The Power of Blogging just ended

Evening Talk : The Power of Blogging just ended.

Although it was a bit slow at the beginning due the technical problem, but it went well. We targeted for 100 pax but 70+ is good enough.

Thanks to the speakers - Shahabudeen Jalil & Sue Lunatots. Really love your talks!

We got lotsa sponsors too.

(caution, it might cause a serious drooling problem)

Congo Bars & Red Velvet Cupcakes from scrumptious sugar.

Chocolate cake by cupster. (OMG AP, you are so skinny! Pls eat your delicious cake MORE)

Macarons by cute bites.

Photographer from secretlens photography.

And garlicandbutter sponsored framed khat and button badges for the speakers and PUSPANITA KPKT's Secretary who officiated the event. i hope they like it! I just made it this morning.

1433

Salam Maal Hijrah.

Let's embrace the true meaning of hijrah.

Habitat Magazines travel around the globe!

I had a chance to attend a meeting and conference for a week in Brunei. (The answer for this entry). I brought a very heavy box of souvenirs and magazines. I want to give Habitat Magazines to as many people from different countries as possible because I've spent days and sleepless nights in making it a reality. From collecting articles, Google-ing/gathering photos, arranging layout, design, looking for filler, WRITING AN ARTICLE (with the help of Rosdiana and Nadia for translation), went through one tough proof reading after another and running to the printer's office a couple of times. I am not familiar with InDesign at first, I have to rely on step-by-step guide from a book and Youtube.

NOW, I am so proud to know that people around the globe bring the magazine back to their countries/offices and share it with their colleagues. Although the printing set up was a bit OFF (the margins are too narrow), but never mind, as long as they can learn Malaysia's best practices and our strategies dealing with the climate change, it is enough for me.

Alimaa Altengerel from Mongolia, my best bud since Adelaide meeting until Brunei. The future first female Minister in Mongolia. She loves the cover.

Kerry McGovern, EAROPH Australia's President really love the cover design by Cepoi (here)

Derek Martin, CEO of International Federation for Housing and Planning (IFHP) in Netherlands

Prof Konami from Japan

Evelyn from Brunei

Jung from Korea. They will host the next meeting & conference in Daegu, Korea (2012). See you (and another Jung, and another Jung) there!! FYI, 3 Jungs from Korea attended this time.

Ar John Koh, an architect from Malaysia

*so proud*

It was a bit embarrassing to get those prominent individuals to pose with the magazine. But I need to do it. Dont ask me why.

Thunderstorm @ Putrajaya

I am on the level 20 in one of the tallest buildings in Putrajaya. I dont know how scary thunderstorm in Putrajaya could be (I only heard about it before) until it happened every single day in early November. The frequent lightning (like, every 5 seconds) during thunderstorm usually accompanied by strong winds and heavy downpour. Driving home in that weather condition is really a nightmare.

I can see those scary lightning strikes through the full glass wall in my office. Even though I've shut the vertical blinds, but I can still see its glaring light followed by the sharp and loud crack of thunder. So, I just leave it open. Sometimes it is exciting to guess where the lightning will strike.

My hubby enjoyed it very much. It has become an obsession. He will pick me up at the office with a car full of lenses, tripod, monopod/unipod, u name it (oh ya, kids). We have to wait for him in the car quite a while for him to capture the best lightning photo of the day. I usually prepared some sandwich in the office before I went down so we can eat and enjoy lightning 'performance' with Papa.

Trust me, all photos ARE GREAT. I will never see thunderstorm the same way again. The lightnings are so beautiful. (Below, cloud-to-ground lightning and far below, double lightning) See I am into lightning as well. I know the terms already. LOL.

Happy Graduation, Nabil

Nabil just graduated from preschool!

First, he performed dikir barat with his fellow classmates, then, they rushed out and prepare for the graduation.

I helped the teachers to took off the ribbons and put on the robe. Owh, he is so adorable.

Then we went home, he change into something more comfortable and we went out again. Just the two of us. Papa have photoshoot the whole day and my mom agreed to take care Nazreen and Nazran. Nabil really wants to eat at Kedai Tuti. I guess I can give it an exception. Your kids doesnt graduate from pre-school everyday. It is once in a lifetime thing. We should celebrate. Plus, Mama also wants to eat at Kedai Tuti ;o)

Evening Talk : The Power of Blogging

Come and support (me)! My first program after being appointed as Head of ICT Bureau for PUSPANITA. It is open to outsiders as well, we only charged RM5.00 (yes, FIVE RINGGIT ONLY).

I am looking for blogger friends who wanted to promote their blogs / businesses by sponsoring *anything*. For the time being, I got sponsors for RED VELVET CUPCAKES, BUTTERSCOTCH BROWNIES / CONGO BARS, FRAMED KUFI and THUMBDRIVES. They are meant for speakers (the cupcakes) and for those who have guts to ask questions to the speakers.

If we received a lot, all participants could at least bring home one cupcake.... Just like OPRAH dan ELLEN, eh? No one go home empty-handed.

Well, what are you guys waiting for??? Register as participant OR sponsor anything (10 cupcakes/macarons/shawls pun ok!). Thanks!!!

Qurban 1432

Alhamdulillah. I manage to perform Qurban this year. One goat was all I can afford for the moment but it means a lot.

...The act of Qurban (Sacrifice) is carried out by millions of Muslims every year during Eid Al-Adha following the example of the father of Prophets, Ibrahim (AS).

Allah (SWT) says in the Quran: "It is neither their meat nor their blood, that reaches Allah, it is your piety that reaches Him". (Al Qur'an, Ch:22 v:37)

The prophet Muhammad PBUH was asked "What is Qurban?", He answered, "It is the sunnah of your father Ibrahim (AS), for every hair of the Qurban you will receive a reward from Allah and for every hair in the wool you will receive a reward". (Hadith - Ibn Maja and Tirmidhi)....

(via net)

When it first arrived (we have someone else to slaughter and skinned it first), we (me, my husband, my brother and my dad) spent a couple of minutes STARING at the flesh, thinking where to start. 

Then, we looked at each other and "You go first", "No, you go first", "How to do it?", "I think we better watch Youtube first", "Oh, I heard the telephone rang" (flee inside the house - NO, it actually doesnt rang) and "I am going to call up my friends to help". They involved in qurban at the mosque every year, but to do everything on their own for the first time, it kinda funny.

see??? Where to start?

Everything went well. My brother grilled some on the spot and later we distributed the rest to relative, friends and neighbours.

(small bite size for kids, large one for ME)

So guys, let's save some money and perform qurban next year!

Travelling. Again.

I am off to an official trip to our neighbouring country on 2nd day of Aidiladha. See ya!

Salam AidilAdha

Just feel like putting my family's (my mom, dad, brother & nephew) photos during Hajj in 2008. I can still remember, they went to Mecca with my in-laws to perform Hajj and two days later, I delivered Nazran via c-sect. It was a true challenge for my dearest hubby. I couldnt move for a week, Nabil and Nazreen were handful and he had to take care one small delicate newborn. Alone. And to make things even worse, three of them got chicken pox when Nazran turned 21 days old. OK, enough about us.

Just enjoy these photos...

(Haziq was just 6 years old that time. Circumcised. They put him on a wheelchair for his safety)