Winter 2016 : Yellow sticky rice and chicken curry

Have I told you I have a really nice neighbour who was also my junior in KAED? Her name is Siti Nora.

She always send good food to our house, and this time, pulut kuning (yellow sticky rice) and delicious chicken curry. May Allah blessed her family.

Hello Mye!

I know you are reading this blog!

Friend's visit

My friend, Azemah posted in our WhatsApp group that she is attending a wedding in Gombak on Saturday and asked who is available for raya visit. I immediately replied and invited her family to my house. I made them Sherperd's Pie.

Thank you Azemah and family for coming over.

Her son, Hafiey was having fun with all the toys and basketball.

Her daughter, Husna loves the sofa so much that she didnt want to go home. lol.

I JUST LOVE MY FRIENDS! - On Yellow Rubber Ducky

Baby Nazmi was having a fever last night and my concerned KAED friends were discussing and giving advise on the best way to keep his temperature down.

Boys will always be boys (on the left) and the innocents will always be... the innocents (on the right). Just like 12 years ago, in the studio. That's what I love about them. 

Drink Vegetable

I dont eat vege.

Dont ask me why. I just dont. But now I force myself to eat them, slowly. One vege at a time.

My friend, Mye, sent this cute and inspiring photo of her daughter, Khadeeja, drinking vegetable juice. I really want my kids to be able to drink vege juice like her, so I should be the one to do it first. 

"Dont like to eat vegetable? Drink vegetable instead!" 

She is right. I think drinking is easier because I dont have to chew them and I could add in a few types of fruit in the juicer so the end product will not taste like pure vegetable.

So guys, please pray for me. I HAVE TO DRINK VEGETABLE!

Long lost friend from Guinea

I had a best friend from Guinea when I studied architecture at IIUM. I had mentioned something about him in my previous post (here). We lost contact for a few years and I accidentally got his number from a Guinea student while me and my kids were having a coffee at IIUM's cafe.

OMG, it is such an interesting story..

I went to my friend's open house with my kids (all four of them). My husband was away for two days for a photoshoot. After we had our lunch there, we head back home. It was raining heavily and I decided to make a few detours and let the kids enjoy the fun and laugh longer, in the car. I dont want to get wet while opening the gate, so I plan to drive anywhere until the rain stopped.

Since I miss IIUM so much, I drove the kids there. We made a few stops and took some photos. And lastly, after the rain stopped, we stopped by at one of the cafe and I bought a few hot chocolates and coffees. The kids chose to sit at one of the clean tables in front of the counter, beside an international student. I believe he is an African.

Being an IIUM student, he politely greet me and said something nice about my kids. Then I started to talk about my old days in IIUM. When he said he is from Guinea, without wasting any time, "DO YOU KNOW BARRY MOUCTAR? HE WAS MY BEST BUDDY AND HE IS FROM GUINEA" (it was actually a crazy thing to ask because Guinea is not that small and not everyone would know each other in Guinea. It is like when you met a Swedish engineer in a conference and he knew you are from Malaysia and asked "Do you know Abdul Malik? He is from Malaysia!" - get the point?)

And he said YES. 

One of his friends who came in afterwards, have Barry's number. He actually remember it by heart - it shows that he contacted Barry A LOT. He told me that Barry was in Malaysia a couple of months back. I text-ed Barry on the spot and he replied back!!!!!! I have been trying to get his number for yearss!

We exchange stories about our family and I am so glad to know that he is a successful architect in Guinea. This is his website - www.moucbeearchitecte.com. I asked him to visit my blog whenever he is free. And recently,  I got this from him >>

I just posted another entry on food just now :) LOL.

Makan-Makan Raya 2013

This is our first experience with Raya Open House which involved families, neighbours and friends on the same day, since we moved in. Last year, we organised separate session for each category.

We cook everything with love :)

(The photos are not in a particular order. I captured them in between entertaining our guests and topping up the food)

For main dishes, I made spaghetti bolognese and rice porridge (considering some of our friends have toddlers - and I love rice porridge). My husband made chicken soup to be eaten with rice noodles, kuey teow and of course, rice porridge.

For the porridge, I have prepared some garnishes - roasted peanut, fried anchovies, salted fish, salted egg, soysauce, fried sambal, pickled carrot, fried shallot and freshly chopped cilantro and scallion.

For side dishes, I prepared mini beef samosa, grilled chicken salad, corn and green apple salad.

For dessert, I made fruit cocktail custard with mango pudding, chocolate cake, lychee jelly, apple crumble and Malaysian ice-cream (chocolate and sirap bandung).

I also prepared ingredients for Mexican quesadilla should we ran out of food. Fortunately, the food is enough for everybody. 

After Maghrib, we ordered a few hundreds of satay for our guests. Alhamdulillah, quite a number of people arrived after Maghrib, including my uncle, aunts and my in-laws.

At first, it was manageable. Around 4.00pm, a lot of people started to arrive and I never seen my house THAT FULL. Every inch of the porch, living room and reading area were full with friends. My kids' room was full with kids. Hobby area filled with kids playing games. Dining area was full with cousins (and my brother) who lend their hand doing dishes, slicing the grilled chicken, peel some apples... THANK YOU guys.

It was a day full with blessings. Nearly 200 people came. A few of my KAED classmates which I rarely seen since we were graduated, came with their families. My ex collegues from MHLG came all the way from Putrajaya / Kajang. I manage to prepare all the food. And everyone likes it very much... Alhamdulillah.

I also grateful to receive these gifts from my friends. Thank you Zatul Himmah & family for the hamper, Nurhasnadira & family for the bananas and Saifulizam from Cake Bros for those lovely red velvet cupcakes!!!

....and thank you Dr. Shahrul Yani & her family for this baby pillow! 

E P I C.

Someone asked me why bother going through all troubles cooking for 200 people whereby I could just order the food and spend time chatting with the guests. Well, I love to cook. No trouble at all. I just need to improve on chatting with the guests part :)

Afternoon Matinee Show

I just came back from an Afternoon Matinee Show at my office. The hall has been transformed into  a dark and cold mini theatre.

For those who wanted to relax, they opted for bean bags. 

For those who prefer to sit, they went for comfortable settee, huge sofa, office chair or banquet chairs. These are my friends who just joined this office this week - Karimah (brown), Fatima (blue) and Lim (the shy guy). Welcome to this cool office!

They also provide tables at the back for people who came in group. Mamak-style. You cant see much, but you get the idea.

Since I have a lot of work to do, I just sat at the back with the technician and watch the movie from their screen. I didnt want to interrupt others with my [bright] laptop. I know you cant see much there but the screen up there is the technician's and below is mine. I manage to complete a speech for the Hon Deputy Minister during the show.

The best thing about this show is.... THE FREE FLOW OF...

Popcorn. Of course. 
And cotton candy.

Ice blended beverages.

Takoyaki. Om nom nom. Free flow. I repeat. FREE. FLOW.

And pizzas. They are from a pizzeria at the ground floor. (yes, we have a pizzeria at our office). You can just take one box and eat it anywhere.

I just love my office.

Thank you, ZURA!

I always appreciate anything art-sy. I love handwritings!
Just got this from Zura. I LIKE IT VERY MUCH!

Thanks for visiting us! Part 4

WE HAVE GUESTS!!!

Just now, my LOVELY ex-roommate, Azah or Achik, came to visit my family with her sister, Ima and her adorable 2yo nephew, Ahmad Faris. I HAVENT SEEN HER IN AGES!!!! I AM SO HAPPY!!!!

I was shocked to receive her call and I was even more surprised when she told me that she is in the neighbourhood. FIVE minutes later, she arrived!!!! Fortunately I have orange and chocolate cakes ready for visitors :) and of course, strawberry tea.

We talked and talked and talked. I missed her so much. We were room mates for a few years in IIUM so she knew me VERY WELL inside out. 

Achik met Nazmi. Practice makes perfect.

Achik trying her best to burp Nazmi after I fed him.

Achik is a camera-shy person. This was what I got when I tried to capture her lovely face. LOL. Actually when she was ready to be photographed, my camera ran out of the battery ;p

Thanks for the gifts! I love it so much!!!!! At last, a present for MOM :)

Thank you for visiting us! Part 1

My x-colleagues from International Unit MHLG came and visited us last Friday. I am so thankful because I left MHLG for nearly a year now but there are people who remember me. They came all the way from Putrajaya to Gombak just to meet the baby. Thanks Rosdiana, Nadia Aimi, Rafidah, Tengku Nurashiha and of course, handsome 6mo Irfan :)

I really appreciate that. You guys are the best.

Corporate Club Annual Dinner : Pop Colour Nite

Last Friday was the last time I joined the Corporate Club Dinner since I have been transferred to a new office in March 2012.

It was a kind of bittersweet moment since Corporate Club is the best club I've joined so far with a great mix of personalities, and I have to say goodbye to them after the great 5 years together.
Enjoy the photos. Taken from Eiza's (the one in baby blue pant) and Radhi Yaa's albums. Will update more from my husband's camera. Later.

The youngsters
(Credit : Eiza)

For those who are not familiar with Corporate Club GRAND Dinner, these are the themes for our previous dinners :

The first dinner, 2008 (theme : Black and White) - I won the best dress :)

The second dinner, 2009 (theme : Retro Nite) - I won the title Queen of Retro 2009. I went all out for the hall deco. 

The third dinner, 2010 (theme : Red Nite) - I received Penjawat Awam Contoh Award. My husband asked me to only wear baju kurung (*cough* dress down *cough*) for this dinner.

The forth dinner, 2011 (theme : Bolly Nite) - I won the Maharani of the Night. I also went all out for the hall deco this time around. 

The fifth dinner, 2012 (theme : Pop Colour Night) - this post.

For the last 3 dinners, I was in-charged for the hall deco. I always arrived late because I have to get the hall ready until the last minute, went back and prepare my kids. This time around, I attended as a guest and BOY! that was a great feeling to have!! 

I didnt have to be worried about the installation of the decorative elements, where to buy the most classy-looking deco but CHEAP, who are patient enough to help me with the work, heavy deco that might fall down when people start coming, the centrepiece, the dance floor, the lighting, the candles that might burn down the hall and of course, the aftermath (people start to go home towards the end of the dinner, so there will be a few left to clean the hall - usually the group who stayed back for the clean up session are the same committed group of people and I am glad they were my ex-colleagues from International Unit - and of course my husband and kids). 

The iron ladies from the International Unit - Nadia (in turqoise pants) was crowned as the Pop Colour Queen 2012. Good job! You guys should maintain the title within our Unit with your classy style, ok? Nura (in pink tunic) won the best dress in 2010 (Red Nite).

(Credit : Radhi Yaa)

Love the food. Love the deco. Kudos to the team who worked hard to decorate the hall, blew hundreds of colourful balloons and prepare the props. You know who you are. When you see a lot of people took photos at the designated areas / photo corner, it means that you've succeed :)

Before I end... guys, remember to use masking tape. NEVER USE double-sided tape, ya! I can see the agony of peeling the remaining double sided tape off the wall during the aftermath :)

(Credit : Eiza)

Om nom nom

Just now. Amutha, my office mate, called me.
"Dear, have you had your breakfast?"

Me : Yes. I'll be attending a meeting in 10 minutes. 

(I thought she wanted to ask me to join her for a breakfast)

"Wait. I want to give you Nasi Lemak"

Me : Nasi Lemak? Boleh boleh. I'll wait. (Sure... I can squeeze in one small bungkus of nasi lemak after the meeting...)

And here is what I got. Nasi Lemak with prawn sambal, egg sandwich, curry chicken, strawberry cupcake and a pie. Wow.

Thank you very much Amutha for being so thoughtful!!!
I love being pregnant!

For my brunch, lunch and tea break.

Farewell lunch with Mye

Click here if you didnt know who is Mye ;p

We had a farewell lunch in Putrajaya. I drove all the way from KL just to have lunch in Putrajaya and back to my office in KL. Working in Putrajaya for a while makes me feel KL and Putrajaya is not that far.

Bye bye Mye! Mye is the one in the super nice green saree dress.

Bye bye Mye

Today i kinda sad. My best buddy is migrating to San Francisco, USA on 20 October 2012. But in the same time, I am extremely happy for her because I am sure she will having a blast living in SF with her husband and her two darling daughters, Qaisarah and Khadeeja :)

ENJOY YOUR NEW LIFE IN SF, MYE!

Spring cleaning : Old memories

I did some spring cleaning last night and I found these :

Bee Dees Club Newsletter year 1995. OMG this club was hugeeee back then. I have kept it for 17 years now. I threw the rest long time ago but I keep one for sentimental reason. Last night, I decided to let it go.

First tutorial note from my best buddy from Guinea. For my French class. I will keep this.

NUYU FAN CLUB registration (I know, I know it is kinda stupid but it was a fun thing to do back then). I pasted it in our design studio last time and I didnt expect anyone to actually register, but I got 20 members joining the fan club. ROTFL. I am definitely going to frame this.

More Japanese food...

Last Saturday, I had a dinner with my colleagues and my two new tomodachi (friends) from Japan Embassy - Iritani-san and Ogawa-san. Two person that helped us a lot for our recent trip to Japan.The buffet at Kimpachi Restaurant, Equatorial Bangi is marvellous. I forgot to bring my training chopstick, but I manage to eat SLOWLY and as neat as the Japanese. lol. These are my food that night :

Thick salmon sashimi. yum! I patiently waited for Iritani-san to eat his maki because I didnt know where to start and how to hold it (correctly) with the chopstick. Usually I ate it with my hand.

Then i took a few tempuras, fried oysters, grilled salmon dan spring onion wrapped in beef.

I patiently waited for a Sukiyaki afterward at the made-to-order counter. I ordered one with egg, beef and mushroom. No vege.

Lastly, ice cream and plum dipped in chocolate. And not to mentioned, a lot of OCHA (japanese green tea). I think I drank about 8 glasses of hot Ocha the whole night.

Siapa mahu kahwin dengan saya ni?

*Sticky post for 48 hours*

I am helping my buddy to find his soul mate. He wanted to get married. So, cute [and single] ladies out there, what are you waiting for???? Check this good-looking-architect out!

He is nice, cool and artistic. His name is YUSRI (fb : Yusri Uwth Kldn). Good luck! *grin*

Actually I didnt want to put this because it might affect your judgement, but, what the heck. This is Yusri in his brand new car.

Corporate Club Annual Dinner : Bolly Nite

On 6 January 2012, Corporate Club had organised a Bollywood Night or in short BollyNite. It is our 4th annual dinner. The first one was Black & White Dinner. Second one was Retro Nite. Third one was Red Nite. Everybody is looking forward for this event every year because we have a chance to dressed to the nines.

I was (as usual) in-charged for the decoration. I will blog about it in different entry. I just want to show happy faces of BollyNite in this entry.

(International Unit photo without Nura since she went home early)

Congratulations again to International Unit since our boss won the title Maharaja of The Night (the guy with red shawl) and yours truly won the title Maharani of The Night (the one in yellow saree, of course!). Weeeee!!!!!! Annual dinner means everybody will bring back lotsa marvellous gifts!

I got a handful of it too!!!