tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53052692024-03-14T01:05:34.118+08:00I Am A BapakMior Azhar is a Dad (and a husband too)Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.comBlogger410125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-12898426201988689812013-04-12T18:54:00.001+08:002013-04-12T18:55:31.900+08:00Family Day (11 years later)The last time I updated this space was soon after my mak left us. That was mid last year. And then I got busy and I updated most happenings in FB. Lagi senang.<br />
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But this space has a special place in my heart.<br />
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And the last time we had a family day of sorts were in 2002 - both for my side and Yan's family. And then we all got busy with our lives.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEUMJKyG_3o/UWfnPjuKPkI/AAAAAAAACM4/DuIJ3mL6F5M/s1600/BestFamily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEUMJKyG_3o/UWfnPjuKPkI/AAAAAAAACM4/DuIJ3mL6F5M/s640/BestFamily.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Until recently... when Kak Zai suggested a family getaway together. It was meant to be a "celebration" of sorts too for my BIL has recovered from his bypass operation he underwent last December. So the Cheras gang took the lead and organised the trip.<br />
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The venue was chosen - a three day two night stay at a Pantai Seaview Resort in Jeram Selangor. The date: late march (of course to coincide with the school holidays la)<br />
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The agenda was pretty basic... relax and makan-makan... lots of it. I mean the eating part. Three out of five families were there and it was a riot. We have had major fun! And two weeks down the road, I'm still reminiscing the wonderful moments we share together.<br />
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<br />Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-66476943215994404002012-09-01T11:42:00.001+08:002012-09-01T11:42:23.288+08:00Missing my Mak!Last July, we lost our Mak. It's heart breaking even to post this entry, still. So here's Asma's account on what's transpired (as per her FB note) ...<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IuJglcswAZE/UEGCNuOI1UI/AAAAAAAACMU/R_LXRG6XWRs/s1600/mak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="473" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IuJglcswAZE/UEGCNuOI1UI/AAAAAAAACMU/R_LXRG6XWRs/s640/mak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">The
last two weeks have been probably the most heart wrenching time I remember
having in my life. You see, my Opah Temoh (grandmother) passed away on
July 18th, 2012. What made it more heartbreaking was the fact that this is the
first close family funeral my sisters and I attended.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Certainly
one expects grandparents to pass away, even when they live a healthy long
life. But trust me, nothing prepares you for the time that you must say
good-bye. Opah had been ill for quite sometimes. In fact, she became
progressively ill right after she received news that her best friend had passed
away in Ipoh. That was about three months or so ago. She was at our place then.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">She
became quite reclusive after that, refusing to eat and even converse. And one
day in late May, she fell down in front of the bathroom. It was lucky that my
sister was nearby to grab hold of her. From then on, she became bed-bound. In
early June, we sent her to my uncle’s place in Shah Alam as my mother, sisters
and I went back to visit Opah Kampar (who then wasn’t feeling too good either).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">One
and half months at my uncle’s place, Opah Temoh seemed to be coping well. Her
appetite kinda returned albeit she only ate porridge twice a day and survived
on milk on a regular basis. In fact, Wan Chor said that Opah Temoh appetite
seemed to be getting better by the day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Until
two weeks ago when her condition deteriorated. She was clearly and seriously
ill. She had problems breathing. And we converged at my uncle’s place - us and
my other uncle’s family (Ayah Lang). My Bapak and two uncles even took turn
sleeping by her bedside.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">That
was about a week before Opah Temoh’s passing. She was in really bad condition
and we took turn reciting Yassin and whispering shahadah into her ears. She
slipped in and out of consciousness. What’s sad was that tears streamed down by
her cheek – she must be in great pain and she couldn’t talk anymore. Whenever
she’s conscious, we also took turn asking for forgiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">And
Bapak texted my Opah’s nieces and nephews informing them of her health
situation. Before long, scores of uncles and aunts (my Bapak’s cousins) came
over. My Opah Temoh’s brother and sister in laws also came by all the way from
Penang and Ipoh. Even my Opah Kampor and Mak La came over from Kampar on the
last Sunday of Opah Temoh’s life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">It’s
just that by that weekend, Opah Temoh’s condition improved a little bit. In
fact, on Saturday night, my mum said she waved her hand upon seeing mak
entering her room and she smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Alas,
that was not to be for long. By Wednesday morning, she was already unconscious
and by noon, my uncles and Bapak decided that she needed to be hospitalised
(despite Opah Temoh’s frequent requests to not send her to the hospitals).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">By
5.30pm, we received a call from Bapak from the Klang Hospital asking us to
come. The doctor asked all close family members to come over. We rushed through
the evening rush hour and reached the hospital around 7.10pm. And we were
greeted by the sight of Opah Temoh lying on the bed fighting for her life. It
was heart breaking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">And
around 8.20pm, Opah Temoh left us. Forever. It was numbing, us watching her
breathed her last breath.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">What
happened next was blur of activities - us rushing back home, readying the house
to receive Opah Temoh to spend the night at our place for the last time, the
<i>mandi jenazah and kapan and the solat jenazah</i> at the Masjid An Nur, USJ 4, the
funeral at the USJ 22 cemetery and a tahlil at my place that evening.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">And
today, almost a week later, I can’t help wondering if we ever remember to thank
you enough for all you have done for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Opah, </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Wherever you are now, one
thing for sure, you’ll always be remembered. If we have forgotten to show
our gratitude enough for all the things you did, we're thanking you now. And we
are hoping you knew all along how much you meant to us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWWVu5_CcGU/UEGD2TFbjYI/AAAAAAAACMc/paYYftk8hns/s1600/P1200133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWWVu5_CcGU/UEGD2TFbjYI/AAAAAAAACMc/paYYftk8hns/s640/P1200133.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Rest
in Peace, Opah Temoh! Al Fatihah!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-20971165363423712472012-03-20T08:21:00.000+08:002012-03-20T08:21:16.127+08:00Arissa's Artwork!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5FeYVI-j6U/T2fLI--GBnI/AAAAAAAACLs/QNAJVFiWc_k/s1600/P1190232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o5FeYVI-j6U/T2fLI--GBnI/AAAAAAAACLs/QNAJVFiWc_k/s640/P1190232.JPG" width="518" /></a></div>This, obviously, is a notebook. A normal notebook where you can pen down your notes and what not! It came throughout our mailbox last week, courtesy of PT Foundation. They have produced this notebook as part of their campaign to raise awareness of fight against HIV/AIDS.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vO1r-QmOK8E/T2fLOWM8fMI/AAAAAAAACL0/um0JUuc35Og/s1600/P1190233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vO1r-QmOK8E/T2fLOWM8fMI/AAAAAAAACL0/um0JUuc35Og/s640/P1190233.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> Below are their foreword. Go read. Am too lazy to explain.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx1HlFjXzZs/T2fLQgZ07WI/AAAAAAAACL8/Qx8nOe9Ay5s/s1600/P1190234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tx1HlFjXzZs/T2fLQgZ07WI/AAAAAAAACL8/Qx8nOe9Ay5s/s640/P1190234.JPG" width="510" /></a></div> So youngest daughter, Arissa, was invited to participate and this is her contribution:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ8W5_2gMGg/T2fLVb86aYI/AAAAAAAACME/wbCXBhUaab0/s1600/P1190235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NZ8W5_2gMGg/T2fLVb86aYI/AAAAAAAACME/wbCXBhUaab0/s640/P1190235.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaBlnJHTJM4/T2fLZvV4-_I/AAAAAAAACMM/_mhtcdK2E6c/s1600/P1190238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HaBlnJHTJM4/T2fLZvV4-_I/AAAAAAAACMM/_mhtcdK2E6c/s640/P1190238.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-80250456686462804632012-03-06T18:56:00.001+08:002012-03-07T16:04:03.356+08:00Bila anak belanja makan....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Alhamdulillah!<br />
<br />
Last weekend, Alia, our first born, treated us to a Carl's Junior amazing burgers<i>. For those not knowing, </i>she's been working at MBO Cinemas in Subang Parade, manning the concession stand (which also means its free flow caramel popcorn for us, oh yeah!) since last January while waiting for her SPM result.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQwMNwkQck4/T1XskzgQwNI/AAAAAAAACLU/QwenxGc89mQ/s1600/burger2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQwMNwkQck4/T1XskzgQwNI/AAAAAAAACLU/QwenxGc89mQ/s640/burger2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The mak and her Alia</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
And she got her full salary last week. And she decided to 'belanja' us makan. At Carl's Junior in Subang Parade, which is located just next to MBO cinemas. How adventurous!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKBfzDPDCJQ/T1Xss4yZILI/AAAAAAAACLc/eMG7S1CgTXQ/s1600/burger6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BKBfzDPDCJQ/T1Xss4yZILI/AAAAAAAACLc/eMG7S1CgTXQ/s640/burger6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sisters Asma and Arissa are also so <i>sibuk</i> to join in</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
The wife and I can't really remember if we have set foot at Carl's Junior (the girls apparently have a couple of times when they were out with their friends) ever but I must say the burgers, although a bit bigger than what we are accustomed to (read: McD), are to die for!!! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6eCShNXAFy4/T1XsytVSt1I/AAAAAAAACLk/ZXuZ-nNwZ1k/s1600/burger1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="534" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6eCShNXAFy4/T1XsytVSt1I/AAAAAAAACLk/ZXuZ-nNwZ1k/s640/burger1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The juiciest burger ever</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a name='more'></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Thanks sweetheart!!! Next month, we upgrade to Tony Roma's or <i>yang sewaktu dengannya ya??</i>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-69437449340338268292012-02-16T19:48:00.006+08:002012-02-17T11:16:42.444+08:00Balik Kampung Version 1.0 (2012)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>On the last weekend of January recently, we decided to balik kampung. For some reasons, balik kampung is a huge thing for us <span style="font-size: small;">nowadays</span>. We don’t get to do it as often as we like. Why we can’t even “afford” to do so during Raya (these last three years), which is really a bummer.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So when opportunity to balik kampung presented itself last January (with some tweaking with the family’s monthly budget and work off-days for Bapak and daughter number one), we jumped into the car and drove off. Excitedly.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I tell you that we were mightily grateful for that “once in a blue moon” trip and even after almost a month, we are still reminiscing about it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Anyways, here’s our trip in pictures….., which of course turned into jalan-jalan cari makan trip as well….</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLdfGTwI98I/TzzgeVXFm_I/AAAAAAAACGQ/7YwsjcNO8gQ/s1600/27012012789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MLdfGTwI98I/TzzgeVXFm_I/AAAAAAAACGQ/7YwsjcNO8gQ/s640/27012012789.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First stop - Rawang R&R, makan lunch and beli menatang ni....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7s-MVt65qOs/Tzzggfi0bwI/AAAAAAAACGY/PBhN2EDrGH4/s1600/P1180704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7s-MVt65qOs/Tzzggfi0bwI/AAAAAAAACGY/PBhN2EDrGH4/s640/P1180704.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After picking up MIL at my sister in law's place, we made our way to Kampung Perak, Temoh, the <i>kampung halaman</i> and visited my home, my childhood home. <i>Sayu jugak tengok rumah tinggal ni - the kampung </i>pun in a very sorry state, there is only a handful of houses left. Even more sedih is the fact that this house will soon be leveled as my younger brother (he owns the house now) intends to <i>buat kebun kelapa sawi</i>t or something. Oh! Well....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmeoVC-Cqtw/Tzzgi_yaU-I/AAAAAAAACGg/ohs8P327cQo/s1600/P1180710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lmeoVC-Cqtw/Tzzgi_yaU-I/AAAAAAAACGg/ohs8P327cQo/s640/P1180710.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is what's left of my wife's old home (at the other end of the same kampung).<i>. lagilah sedih... tinggal tangga batu sahaja...., </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> later that night..<i>. masa untuk bersuka ria pun bermula ....</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drnxMlyRDXI/Tzzg_ekUf4I/AAAAAAAACGw/HYk9x7JrPmE/s1600/makan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-drnxMlyRDXI/Tzzg_ekUf4I/AAAAAAAACGw/HYk9x7JrPmE/s640/makan.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MIL belanja dinner at satu restoran ikan bakar in Kampar.... but we were so hungry lupa nak snap photos of the makanans.. and anyways, keadaan adalah agak gelap gelita kerana al-fresco la keadahnya mlm itu. Yang penting, segala apa yang terhidang - licin-licap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-an7fPRz30bA/TzzhBNdLkVI/AAAAAAAACG4/W0fS_mSO5BQ/s1600/makan1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-an7fPRz30bA/TzzhBNdLkVI/AAAAAAAACG4/W0fS_mSO5BQ/s640/makan1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tukang belanja and her cucus... sorry ya semua gambor dia tutup mata punya...hehee</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning, we got ready to attend a wedding in Taiping (wedding anak Kak Enon - Yan's cousin) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzREjF-Pnds/TzzjFcga42I/AAAAAAAACI4/dbL7cANdRpM/s1600/makanmalimnawar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nzREjF-Pnds/TzzjFcga42I/AAAAAAAACI4/dbL7cANdRpM/s640/makanmalimnawar.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But on the way over, we stopped over makan breakfast di Malim Nawar and had this awesome nasi lemak... sangat2 sedap. Trust me, its very sedap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovYpX4cqhDI/TzzjRQV2aaI/AAAAAAAACJA/PdbjjIKjojs/s1600/ain25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ovYpX4cqhDI/TzzjRQV2aaI/AAAAAAAACJA/PdbjjIKjojs/s640/ain25.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upon reaching the dewan kenduri, maka sessi bergambar raya pun bermula... here's Alia with the wedding planner's punya mini cooper</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw-ehU2I1ac/TzzhYYzL41I/AAAAAAAACHA/XOOnI-Sy7nw/s1600/ain1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fw-ehU2I1ac/TzzhYYzL41I/AAAAAAAACHA/XOOnI-Sy7nw/s640/ain1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us and the mak bapak pengantin - Kak Enon and Abg Aziz</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxuR309RJk4/TzzhaVQYeHI/AAAAAAAACHQ/ZdkF7eKTGpo/s1600/ain19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WxuR309RJk4/TzzhaVQYeHI/AAAAAAAACHQ/ZdkF7eKTGpo/s640/ain19.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters and Cousins - anggun la </td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGTKIwJjpiY/Tzzi9iyfbBI/AAAAAAAACIw/u4dh3raj_T4/s1600/ain18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGTKIwJjpiY/Tzzi9iyfbBI/AAAAAAAACIw/u4dh3raj_T4/s640/ain18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls and their Abang Mi, who is the wedding planner and also the brother of the bride.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9E7c0qvWqZ8/TzzhcMoBnDI/AAAAAAAACHg/kbku6uc1uKM/s1600/ain22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9E7c0qvWqZ8/TzzhcMoBnDI/AAAAAAAACHg/kbku6uc1uKM/s640/ain22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my anak bongsu Arissa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XirsJJ9kthA/Tzzjcn--J2I/AAAAAAAACJI/B7p_KFQ2wXw/s1600/ain42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XirsJJ9kthA/Tzzjcn--J2I/AAAAAAAACJI/B7p_KFQ2wXw/s640/ain42.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abang Mi took them on a ride in his mini cooper... semua2 ni masuk dalam satu kereta yang cenonet tu (as if they are aiming for some record or something)... praq or not, I don't know?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBaIfSFrDEA/Tzzj1N7fuVI/AAAAAAAACJQ/XUGW6-kQUzc/s1600/Copy+of+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cBaIfSFrDEA/Tzzj1N7fuVI/AAAAAAAACJQ/XUGW6-kQUzc/s640/Copy+of+25.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dah sampai Tepen, tak sah la tak menyinggah di Lake Garden yang gorgeous itu la kan..</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7Tv_27gcgI/TzzkL6xM8QI/AAAAAAAACJY/R5ys5Q4AKzE/s1600/ain27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h7Tv_27gcgI/TzzkL6xM8QI/AAAAAAAACJY/R5ys5Q4AKzE/s640/ain27.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arissa berpayung-payung di Lake Garden Tepen</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLhyWtRlFSg/TzzkMmvjZ2I/AAAAAAAACJc/g9BpMf5t1O4/s1600/ain29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KLhyWtRlFSg/TzzkMmvjZ2I/AAAAAAAACJc/g9BpMf5t1O4/s640/ain29.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Posing-memosing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seqPPzk96KI/TzzkNJdrf6I/AAAAAAAACJk/O_EW6ST9RRw/s1600/ain32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-seqPPzk96KI/TzzkNJdrf6I/AAAAAAAACJk/O_EW6ST9RRw/s640/ain32.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More posing memosing</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGDyV3PZS3w/TzzkPq-DrcI/AAAAAAAACJw/QQkWiF2dMvQ/s1600/lake1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGDyV3PZS3w/TzzkPq-DrcI/AAAAAAAACJw/QQkWiF2dMvQ/s640/lake1.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trees around the lake are somewhat amazing and unique, yes?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYelmQ99q-I/TzzkiO-6LdI/AAAAAAAACJ4/UBIDfM5URP0/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYelmQ99q-I/TzzkiO-6LdI/AAAAAAAACJ4/UBIDfM5URP0/s640/29.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contoh bercanda di taman bunga... kalau belum kahwin, bercandalah dengan adik beradik ataupun sepupu atau kengkawan yang sejenis sahaja, ya adik-adik!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xBuSxrG3Mn8/Tz2z2josEdI/AAAAAAAACLI/oFtewRC9VsI/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xBuSxrG3Mn8/Tz2z2josEdI/AAAAAAAACLI/oFtewRC9VsI/s640/31.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>Or if you are older, boleh duduk sahaja di kerusi menghirup udara petang sambil memangku cucu yang sedang tidur, or eat ice cream (by the way, the ice cream itu sangatlah sedap, bertambah sedap kerana harga dia RM1 sahaja) </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> After that we made our way back to KL ... but not before we singgah Kuala Kangsar to makan-makan lagi...</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaeJBTH-r_s/TzzkjxSRblI/AAAAAAAACKA/VANYW-81CjI/s1600/food+galore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KaeJBTH-r_s/TzzkjxSRblI/AAAAAAAACKA/VANYW-81CjI/s640/food+galore.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The food we had - laksa kuala, rojak buah, ketupat palas and rendang daging, apam, interesting looking keuteow goreng and we brought kuih putu bambu (ye ke?) and dodol and wajik durian. One word - <i>pengsan!!</i>!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPG-6bAcMhc/TzzkmdRlyWI/AAAAAAAACKI/wKhdhPRIWPI/s1600/makan41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FPG-6bAcMhc/TzzkmdRlyWI/AAAAAAAACKI/wKhdhPRIWPI/s640/makan41.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lihatlah dua beranak ini sedang menikmati hidangan di Kuale...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_gPoixCiCU/TzzkpMiOJZI/AAAAAAAACKQ/o7LgsKuXn6U/s1600/makan43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_gPoixCiCU/TzzkpMiOJZI/AAAAAAAACKQ/o7LgsKuXn6U/s640/makan43.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...dan seseorang menantu sedang membodek mak mentua.. But she's the most gracious lady that I've ever met in my life.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Lepas tu we went separate ways... we finally headed back to Subang Jaya, short trip balik kampung but fantastic to the max. Alhamdulillah.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OTyV5xWC4dY/TzzsKX58QgI/AAAAAAAACLA/pe2Y5W5-rIA/s1600/makan45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OTyV5xWC4dY/TzzsKX58QgI/AAAAAAAACLA/pe2Y5W5-rIA/s640/makan45.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">but of course, upon reaching Tanjung Malim, we stopped for solat and pekena pau tanjung malim yang famous itu la plak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> And then after almost 4 hours of driving (lebih kurang la), we reached home and our two cats..... and the next evening, we ended our makan-makan excursion by having Nasi Arab kat Restoran Saba di Cyberjaya. Saja je kan...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4glX34reGCc/TzzksrzezXI/AAAAAAAACKg/UF2EsKppesU/s640/makan48.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummeh to the Yes!!!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4glX34reGCc/TzzksrzezXI/AAAAAAAACKg/UF2EsKppesU/s1600/makan48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-12517573628961221082012-01-23T09:08:00.001+08:002012-01-23T09:08:16.110+08:00Makan Besar!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj5dRpPLkhU/TxyxC26wrkI/AAAAAAAACGA/H9oN84JK1ZI/s1600/blogbapak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj5dRpPLkhU/TxyxC26wrkI/AAAAAAAACGA/H9oN84JK1ZI/s640/blogbapak.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night, we <i>suka-suka</i> decided to have our own special dinner. Simple makan besar do <i>la kunun2nya</i>. We pekena Chicken Spinach Quiche and Beef Tortilla (although if you notice from the pix it somehow looks like a cross between a pavlova and lasagne) and a bag of caramel popcorn (courtesy of <i>seseorang pekerja MBO</i> - but the popcorn is super good, I tell you). Awesome. Alhamdulillah.</span>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-18522309538537276072012-01-22T20:42:00.002+08:002012-01-22T23:51:13.009+08:00Books Of 2011<div class="MsoNoSpacing"><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">These are my most favoured books of last year (yes, it includes – what most of you would consider - a children’s book but really I don’t care.. a good read is a good read). I enjoyed these books thoroughly.</span></em></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;"><b>The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan</b><o:p></o:p></span></em></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxgKH5ED6H0/TxwDRvOlCRI/AAAAAAAACFQ/N3NNPkWDadI/s1600/Sonsof+neptune.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zxgKH5ED6H0/TxwDRvOlCRI/AAAAAAAACFQ/N3NNPkWDadI/s400/Sonsof+neptune.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">Okay, Amazon rates this book as suitable for those aged 10 and up. Since I too belong way up there demographically, I figure I am entitled to read this book without </span></em><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">rasa malu</span></em><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">. After all, my teenage girls, wife and I are huge fans of Percy Jackson series. And this is the second book in Heroes Of Olympus series, which in turn is a spin-off of Percy Jackson series.<o:p></o:p></span></em></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;"><b>The verdict:</b></span> I absolutely adored this book! In fact, it’s such a page turner and I think is so much better than the Lost Hero (that’s the first book in the series, by the way). <em>The Son of Neptune</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>reunites readers with old friends and introduces them to a whole new cast of characters. Rick Riordan is a master at balancing just the right amount of seriousness and levity in every situation, and with page-turning adventure, witty dialogue, and fun, fascinating characters, this book is a must-read for any fan of myths and fables.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><em><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal;">Hail Riordan!!!<o:p></o:p></span></em></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Divergent by Veronica Roth</b><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTQWVNWpMGw/TxwDXUWh0eI/AAAAAAAACFY/6QymfCoC3Y4/s1600/divergent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HTQWVNWpMGw/TxwDXUWh0eI/AAAAAAAACFY/6QymfCoC3Y4/s400/divergent.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We (Asma and I) kind of stumbled onto this book when we both registered with Goodreads late last year and this book won both<span class="apple-converted-space"> Best Young Adult </span><em>book</em><span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><strong><span style="font-weight: normal;">and</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><em>Best Overall Book of 2011</em><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>on Goodreads as voted by the members<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Then one fine day, we found this book at Kino and of course we brought it back home. Asma read it first and told me that she thinks I might not like it. Well, she thought wrong. I too can stomach dystopian novels, you know and of course I’m a fan of Hunger Games too. So why not? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;"><b>The Verdict:</b></span> Divergent is<b> </b></span><strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">a thrill ride. It is a wonderful </span></strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">dystopia-based story filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.<strong><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"> I can’t wait for the sequel, Insurgent, due out May 2012.</span></strong><em><b><span style="border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></em></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: windowtext; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1pt; border-image: initial; border-left-color: windowtext; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1pt; border-right-color: windowtext; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1pt; border-top-color: windowtext; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1pt; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal; padding-bottom: 0in; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;">If there’s one thing that I don’t like about this whole Divergent thing is that its author</span></strong><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Veronica Roth is only 22 year old???!!! So not fair, how can a person that young write this great. Am so <i>dengki</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Only Time Will Tell by Jeffrey Archer</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8VEX4LGv88/TxwDeWJitfI/AAAAAAAACFg/D0EDlKD4cto/s1600/only-time-will-tell-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p8VEX4LGv88/TxwDeWJitfI/AAAAAAAACFg/D0EDlKD4cto/s400/only-time-will-tell-.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have been a fan of Lord Archer <i>sudah lama </i>since I started reading his earlier novels when I was in college still. In fact I very much preferred his earlier works like Kane and Abel, The Prodigal Daughter and many more so much so I kind of not really enjoying his more recent works.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Until, of course, when Only Time Will Tell landed on my lap, that is. This introductory novel in Archer’s ambitious series The Clifton Chronicles includes a cast of colorful characters and takes us from the ravages of the Great War to the outbreak of the Second World War.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;"><b>The Verdict:</b></span> This is Jeffrey Archer at his best. This is a solid storytelling, with bold characters, a world-wide setting, and a story that has enough twists, turns, and sneaky heart-stoppers to definitely merit the label "page turner." <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**************</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Last year, I am also very pleased to note, I stumbled upon good Bahasa Malaysia fictions too. These three are my favorites:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Pecah by Khairulnizam Bakeri</b></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtHp6ttpiHI/TxwDkC1exyI/AAAAAAAACFo/6VcgQRxQXbQ/s1600/Pecah_400x259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XtHp6ttpiHI/TxwDkC1exyI/AAAAAAAACFo/6VcgQRxQXbQ/s400/Pecah_400x259.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Awal 2011, sebuah publishing house tempatan, Fixi, muncul tiba-tiba dengan novel-novel urbannya yang thrilling. Di antara buku terawal yang diterbitkan ialah Pecah.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;"><b>The Verdict:</b></span> Sekali lagi saya menjadi cemburu amat kerana Khairulnizam Bakeri berjaya menghasilkan sebuah karya yang exciting. Its about a gang of robbers headed by Herman manages to steal money from a bank in Shah Alam. But one of them gets shot, and has to be sent to hospital. In the same hospital, an old man from a nursing home, Bakar, is being treated. These two stories are connected in a way that is slowly revealed, via flashbacks to Bakar's violent past in the cabarets of Singapore and Penang. A fantastic first effort by Khairulnizam, indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Dendam by Affifuddin Omar</b><o:p></o:p></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a69GNDnehpU/TxwDploSPgI/AAAAAAAACFw/nLm2dyrgyjo/s1600/dendam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a69GNDnehpU/TxwDploSPgI/AAAAAAAACFw/nLm2dyrgyjo/s400/dendam.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a young journalist in the 90s, I’ve covered assignments graced by the then deputy finance minister Datuk Affifuddin Omar. Only after this title came out did I realise that the good minister is also an accomplished writer. In fact, Dendam is his sixth novel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: red;"><b>The Verdict: </b></span>A fast paced business thriller that’s been cleverly intertwined with the country’s various political turn of events. Both my wife Yan and I have had a field day trying to figure out the real characters that are being loosely “immortalized” in this wonderful novel. Pada kami, ini Dendam adalah satu hasil usaha yang amat bijak.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Kerana Terpaksa</b></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b> by Ilham Kalsom</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AmcwvJVu9c/TxwDvEO2DzI/AAAAAAAACF4/MhMjGxpR5bg/s1600/kerana+terpaksa+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5AmcwvJVu9c/TxwDvEO2DzI/AAAAAAAACF4/MhMjGxpR5bg/s400/kerana+terpaksa+web.jpg" width="243" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The only unputdownable book of 2011 for me and this coming from me who can’t stand Ombak Rindu the movie (oh how I hate that movie!!). Saya memang tersangat jarang membaca novel Melayu genre kisah cinta sebegini. Pernah cuba dengan buku-buku lain tapi mampu setakat dua tiga muka surat sahaja.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Okay, it has nothing to do with the fact that the author Ilham Kalsom (or Elviza Michelle, nama sebenar) is my friend. But I must confess that I finished this book in one sitting which is a big deal really.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So tak payah tanyalah pasal verdict saya ya. Apappun, Ilham Kalsom awal-awal lagi sudah memohon maaf bahawa karya sulongnya ini bukan sempurna. Namun ia digarap penuh menarik.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; color: #181818; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Anyway, I shot her an email soon after I completed the book and I would like to share our short Q&A with you guys… <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">1. Cover buku itu dipilih siapa ya? Ada significant ke ia? Isn't that Venice (instead of Paris)? </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Ilham:</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> It is Venice. I set part of the story in Paris but I guess the young graphic designer didn't know the difference between Paris & Venice. Epic fail! I have no say on the cover design and the outlook of the book, it is all publisher's prerogative. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">2. Kenapa guna nama Ilham Kalsom? Siapa Ilham Kalsom sebenarnya? </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Ilham:</b></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Every author in Buku Prima and Karangkraf use a pen name, they suggested I have one too. I like 'Kalsom' for no specific reason. But 'Ilham' is given by the editor who insisted I should have 2 names. 'Ilham' is a bit self descriptive if you ask me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">3. Berapa lama you menulis Kerana Terpaksa? </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: orange;">Ilham:</span></b><span style="color: #333333;"> About 2-3 years. Started way before that but I peram the manuscript because I was scared shitless. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">4. And are the characters and the story line based on any real life characters? (kalau ya, pengsan kan ada orang mcm Raja Habibah di alam nyata). </span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Ilham:</b></span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Suria, Tengku Haizal and Raja Habibah are based on real characters. But the ending isn't the same, Suria and Tg Haizal didn't end up together. Suria is still single while Haizal is divorced. I guess too much pain have tortured them for so long, they couldn't pick up where they left off. Perhaps someday they will. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">5. When can we expect your next masterpiece??? soon I hope... Go Ilham!</span><span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: orange;"><b>Ilham:</b></span><span style="color: #0c343d;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Next book not so soon. At the rate I'm going it will take another couple of years. Aku sungguh lembab.<br />
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</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />
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</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-17935466990107032362012-01-19T16:50:00.000+08:002012-01-19T16:50:31.291+08:00Heyo heyo its mid jan oredy!! And our first 2012 get-together!I've got tons of things to write and share but just could not find the time.... (lazy pun ya). It's already 2012.<br />
The other day, we drove up to Cyberjaya where we , courtesy of nephew Affan, enjoyed possibly the best Nasi Arab so far. (lapar pun ya). And it's great fun to meet up with my brother in law's family as well. Here's some of the pix....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Lu4mwuKzeQ/TxfXjfj9BLI/AAAAAAAACFI/RImvvM8w4JI/s1600/ain3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Lu4mwuKzeQ/TxfXjfj9BLI/AAAAAAAACFI/RImvvM8w4JI/s640/ain3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awesome food and company!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0M0vTcL0I/TxfXd0HzaZI/AAAAAAAACFA/xbBXcwgSW6o/s1600/ain5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lq0M0vTcL0I/TxfXd0HzaZI/AAAAAAAACFA/xbBXcwgSW6o/s640/ain5.jpg" width="586" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuan Rumah Majlis and Tukang Belanja. Hail Affan!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9-TV9qmROY/TxfXYT0Ze_I/AAAAAAAACE4/LjXJtz-wqg0/s1600/ain4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="374" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x9-TV9qmROY/TxfXYT0Ze_I/AAAAAAAACE4/LjXJtz-wqg0/s640/ain4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An aunt and two nephews (two other nephews can't make it)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxjdJz814Cc/TxfXSkm6ypI/AAAAAAAACEw/REU_7U3YufA/s1600/ain6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxjdJz814Cc/TxfXSkm6ypI/AAAAAAAACEw/REU_7U3YufA/s640/ain6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidil and his two tantes - Tante Cha and Tante Lia</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBPyKLHrBnk/TxfXBFBmUNI/AAAAAAAACEo/xwYM_730xUo/s1600/ain1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RBPyKLHrBnk/TxfXBFBmUNI/AAAAAAAACEo/xwYM_730xUo/s640/ain1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ain, the centre of attention and attraction that petang, with Tante Ma and Tok Uncle. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-bykx_Q1_4/TxfW8dcEh0I/AAAAAAAACEg/XYWSiDbio0A/s1600/ain2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-bykx_Q1_4/TxfW8dcEh0I/AAAAAAAACEg/XYWSiDbio0A/s640/ain2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simply loving this - Ain and her Oyang. <a name='more'></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was definitely a fun day.... more ... more and more of these. InsyaAllah.Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-69968035483574327152011-12-18T01:26:00.001+08:002011-12-18T01:31:39.904+08:002011 Birthdays FareWe try to celebrate our birthdays every time it rolls by. When the girls were smaller, we held parties. Then as they grew up, we moved on to special eat out sessions (usually birthday dinners of choice). This year, we decided to spice it up by having exclusive birthday meals at home. What it meant was that we took turn to cook special meal for the birthday boy or girls...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDWs3g0EZ9I/TuzQ8RMQetI/AAAAAAAACEA/PeGk16Z9jwE/s1600/Ayan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uDWs3g0EZ9I/TuzQ8RMQetI/AAAAAAAACEA/PeGk16Z9jwE/s640/Ayan1.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In April, the wifey turned .. errr.. 40 something and well we had nasi minyak spread. Unfortunately, the nasi minyak was prepared by the birthday girl herself - have to as we had many people, mother in law, wife's sisters, nieces and nephews in attendance - we can't possibly served my cooking to all these people, can we? </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzgjznXMwKc/TuzRA4QJ2iI/AAAAAAAACEI/y1CmhQ4YJIs/s1600/bday1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uzgjznXMwKc/TuzRA4QJ2iI/AAAAAAAACEI/y1CmhQ4YJIs/s640/bday1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last week I turned 47 and the girls surprised me an awesome authentic Thai fare </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fFFu1m2HJ8c/TuzRE9kH3yI/AAAAAAAACEQ/ey5_gcNvG5s/s1600/bday15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fFFu1m2HJ8c/TuzRE9kH3yI/AAAAAAAACEQ/ey5_gcNvG5s/s640/bday15.JPG" width="408" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then in November, we surprised Arissa with a Japanese-inspired feast - complete with the sushi, miso soup and the works during her 15 year old dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pr4YDiii9mA/TuzRI4uSaeI/AAAAAAAACEY/vXw5zpjcLco/s1600/french.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pr4YDiii9mA/TuzRI4uSaeI/AAAAAAAACEY/vXw5zpjcLco/s640/french.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a day before Ramadan, our two August girls Alia and Asma were given a full blown French lunch treats when they turned 17- and 16-years old respectively. </td></tr>
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</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-62454193567622514162011-12-17T13:21:00.000+08:002011-12-17T13:21:28.205+08:00Love My Breakfast!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmzMDSVfjNg/TuwlnKNhf5I/AAAAAAAACDo/miG3dwkGua0/s1600/bfast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jmzMDSVfjNg/TuwlnKNhf5I/AAAAAAAACDo/miG3dwkGua0/s640/bfast.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today I decided to eat a big huge breakfast. No reason.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVIHgHqrQk4/Tuwmi72pIpI/AAAAAAAACDw/qQ_fDisgjAY/s1600/bfast5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bVIHgHqrQk4/Tuwmi72pIpI/AAAAAAAACDw/qQ_fDisgjAY/s640/bfast5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-14520602811031845052011-12-12T13:41:00.001+08:002011-12-12T13:42:10.576+08:00My Breakfast When Selangor is On Holiday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pw23l8lkBvg/TuWUB7QaunI/AAAAAAAACDY/AKhZjxn_gaQ/s1600/chiccrepe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pw23l8lkBvg/TuWUB7QaunI/AAAAAAAACDY/AKhZjxn_gaQ/s640/chiccrepe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Like many Selangor residents, I work in KL. So when Selangor is having their state public holiday, like today, we still have to go to work. So not fair! But at least, today the wifey made this Chicken Spinach Crepe for breakfast. One word, awesome!Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-77078060668781559822011-11-30T18:56:00.001+08:002011-11-30T18:58:44.594+08:00Kids I Adore!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last week, I flew up north and met up with these adorable nephews and a niece. Many years ago, the parents (my cousins) of these wonderful kids spent lots of time at our place and at the same time helped us look after the three daughters. Now, its their turn to enjoy the ride!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn45XWI_-Io/TtYJbIPX2SI/AAAAAAAACDI/96iLZrKh_oI/s1600/threecousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dn45XWI_-Io/TtYJbIPX2SI/AAAAAAAACDI/96iLZrKh_oI/s640/threecousins.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From left: Adi (Ayah Ngah's current best friend), Zikri (a very wary handsome little guy) and Ihsan (a very friendly curious little fella)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_oHK0T-zkk/TtYJdT2Q89I/AAAAAAAACDQ/O9_yGOVTnV4/s1600/twocousins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K_oHK0T-zkk/TtYJdT2Q89I/AAAAAAAACDQ/O9_yGOVTnV4/s640/twocousins.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new additions: Ilman (left) and the one and only beauty Sarah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-52911623923850278042011-11-29T23:37:00.003+08:002011-11-29T23:38:52.038+08:00The best mirror in the world is an old friend.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BY_XfkXyPoI/TtT7ZrTu8_I/AAAAAAAACDA/R8o34ik703A/s1600/best+friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BY_XfkXyPoI/TtT7ZrTu8_I/AAAAAAAACDA/R8o34ik703A/s640/best+friends.jpg" width="448" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; font-family: Arial, 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana; font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;">According to a certain John Leonard, it takes a long time to grow an old friend. And I say, it sure takes a long time to grow bigger and bald too - 30 years to be exact.</span>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-76172771568136219922011-11-28T15:16:00.001+08:002011-11-28T15:22:03.399+08:00A Day Out With Arissa<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Last Saturday, bapak and mak accompanied Arissa to a certain anime and manga exhibition in Sungei Wang Plaza , KL. Being an anime and manga fan<i> yang tegar</i>, Arissa was suitably excited. Unlike the two parents who till today are still clueless about all these anime and manga business. What's the difference between the two, anyway?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3l8168OXoZA/TtMv2kNtBaI/AAAAAAAACCA/HcRWLgFSXO8/s1600/zza.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3l8168OXoZA/TtMv2kNtBaI/AAAAAAAACCA/HcRWLgFSXO8/s640/zza.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The exhibition was organised by Gempak Starz (most probably the most well known manga publisher in Malaysia). Funny thing is that the wifey keeps on referring organiser as Gangstarz!!!!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was an okay event, I guess, complete with a Cosplay competition and all - although I can only identify Spiderman (very skinny one though), Mario of Super Mario fame and the awkward looking Hellboy.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y17kWgvczUc/TtMxDe2UQSI/AAAAAAAACCw/xrZm2BpO4Rc/s1600/zza14%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y17kWgvczUc/TtMxDe2UQSI/AAAAAAAACCw/xrZm2BpO4Rc/s640/zza14%255D.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, Arissa is really excited and can't wait for a bigger Comic Fiesta to roll by on Dec 17th weekend. Uhuhhh!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y17kWgvczUc/TtMxDe2UQSI/AAAAAAAACCw/xrZm2BpO4Rc/s1600/zza14%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCTaR6g2Sog/TtMwHo7l-MI/AAAAAAAACCY/Dw0-EapuHGQ/s1600/zza10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCTaR6g2Sog/TtMwHo7l-MI/AAAAAAAACCY/Dw0-EapuHGQ/s1600/zza10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cCTaR6g2Sog/TtMwHo7l-MI/AAAAAAAACCY/Dw0-EapuHGQ/s640/zza10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The two parents</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mGtsWEs_Tk/TtM1Fy_Pk1I/AAAAAAAACC4/DSClH898c-o/s1600/311343_10150399769601169_110946776168_8454782_621460062_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4mGtsWEs_Tk/TtM1Fy_Pk1I/AAAAAAAACC4/DSClH898c-o/s640/311343_10150399769601169_110946776168_8454782_621460062_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-31934233143747794502011-11-28T02:04:00.001+08:002011-11-28T15:19:44.217+08:00My Two Cats!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrHP_wfm_3U/TtJ7ZXsxqJI/AAAAAAAACB4/LzR0qrb_LRk/s1600/P1170934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrHP_wfm_3U/TtJ7ZXsxqJI/AAAAAAAACB4/LzR0qrb_LRk/s640/P1170934.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A picture can be deceiving you know.... just saying!!!</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-66472306031936997802011-11-08T17:15:00.002+08:002011-11-28T15:22:34.664+08:00Father-Daughter Day Out<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgQQuDHdL3I/Trjy97zKXUI/AAAAAAAACBw/PwbeNgmdtxg/s1600/Arissa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_96R-tfDjE/TrjoZJOvCVI/AAAAAAAACBo/lEuz3eNSi_w/s1600/blog+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-l_96R-tfDjE/TrjoZJOvCVI/AAAAAAAACBo/lEuz3eNSi_w/s640/blog+collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The older my daughters get, the more it's sinking in that I don't have much time left to spend with them! My youngest turns 15 today. And the two older ones will, in a year or two, be going to college. <br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Many said that it's hard to find things to do with your teenage daughter. You might be busy, they might have better things to do. But I am blessed because I don’t really have problems in that area. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">The thing is I make it a point to keep up with their interest like movies and music and…. books. Yes, we read a lot and books, in some way, do help making our relationships closer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Once in a while, the wifey and I will make it a point to go out with one daughter. It's not that we plan it but mostly the day out would be an impromptu act. It can just be a trip to the stationery store or to a mamak stall but I find that these are great bonding moments.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Like the other day, the second daughter and I went to Suria KLCC with a mission to buy some Japanese foodstuff at Isetan. You see, we wanted to surprise Arissa with a Japanese-themed birthday dinner at home. The trip was unplanned, really. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">It was after I sent my eldest daughter off to her study group that I concluded that since it’s a Deepavali holiday, I might as well do something worthwhile rather than taking a long nap. So off we went to Suria KLCC. Wifey willingly stayed back with Arissa as we do not want to spoil the surprise.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">We have, of course, been to Suria KLCC countless times, but it was still fun because this time around we stumbled upon the Petronas Gallery.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Then we had lunch (Japanese, of course) at the Food Court and then we went to our favorite place in the whole wide Malaysia – Kinokuniya. We spent hours browsing in Kino and then had some coffee and got excited over Kathy Reich’s latest book. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">A trip to Isetan supermarket later capped our father-daughter day out. I tell you that shopping at Isetan is an experience because we were attended to by a very nice Japanese manager who not only helped us to find the right halal Japanese food stuff but also he gave us, with the help of one Isetan’s chef, a free lesson on how to make an amazing miso soup. Isn’t that just cool? </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Anyway, we have had the birthday dinner last week (a runaway success, I must say). We had it a week earlier because we figured that we would be busy with Raya Haji this week. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgQQuDHdL3I/Trjy97zKXUI/AAAAAAAACBw/PwbeNgmdtxg/s1600/Arissa.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bgQQuDHdL3I/Trjy97zKXUI/AAAAAAAACBw/PwbeNgmdtxg/s640/Arissa.jpg" width="360" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;">Anyway, Happy Birthday Arissa Sweetheart! May Allah Blessed You Always!!!</span></div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-41702815364996192092011-10-24T13:43:00.005+08:002011-11-28T19:31:20.925+08:00The Reunion ... 30 years later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeCnmUNjAzM/TqT67CBogYI/AAAAAAAACBg/vltAS45s3PE/s1600/acs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eeCnmUNjAzM/TqT67CBogYI/AAAAAAAACBg/vltAS45s3PE/s640/acs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">Facebook has certainly reconnect millions. And ever so often, you’ll see pictures of reunions being held all over. Thanks to Facebook, friends got reunited after leaving school decades ago. I saw one 50<sup>th</sup> reunion once and I went “wow, that’s exciting!”. And, then, I also stumbled upon this one particular reunion by 18 year-olds that was held after only three months of leaving school and I went, “what’s with that, at least wait la for SPM result first.”</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">Anywayyyyyy…… </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">I recently had the good pleasure of attending my 30-year secondary school reunion. And thanks to FB, many old friends became contactable again.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">And I h</span></b><span style="font-family: Cambria;">ad one of the best days of my life. Really, I did. If you have a reunion coming up, Go! Without hesitation. Don’t believe all those crappy TV shows that depict school reunion as hellish experience. Unless, of course, you did have a mega lousy time in school. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">I, fortunately, did not (have a lousy time) although I was perpetually in awed with smart and the sporty students while in school. I was neither – smart and athletics, I mean. I was one of the many that flew under the radar, so to speak.<b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">Was I happy anxious to go? Err yeah… especially knowing fully well that I’ll be the fattest person in the party…. But I’m older and I don’t really care anymore. And these are my friends who knew me when I was way younger.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">I guess when you reached the 47<sup>th</sup> years of your life, classmates were less inclined to compete and compare. The 30 years of living provided the roller coaster of life’s ups and downs that tend to mature people. Who has the biggest house or the fastest car just doesn’t matter so much any more. It was a time of talking about family and other harmless stuff. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: Cambria; font-weight: normal;">More importantly, it was time to relive those teenage years. The din at the Grand Kampar Hotel hall on Oct 1<sup>st</sup>, 2011 could certainly gave one a headache as everybody seemed to be talking, laughing and singing (yes, we sang) at the same time. I tell you that it was fun all the way as BM, English and Cantonese were spoken at the same time. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">Of course, there’re a few who look as they do not age at all (yes, very unfair) but I must say that mostly all look matured and wise. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Cambria;">It’s just too bad that I have to leave early as we had (Adzman and I) to send Zul back to LCCT as he had to catch his flight back to Langkawi. But there will be next time. InsyaAllah., I’m sure of that!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-77222476027514262082011-09-11T14:28:00.000+08:002011-09-11T14:28:52.310+08:00Beraya OnlineTahun ni memang pecah rekod.... kami satu keluarga memang ngam-ngam berhari raya satu hari sahaja... on the first day. Masuk second day, balik asal dah. Begitulah kot kalau tak balik kampung. Sehinggalah membawak dekat dua minggu berhari raya, masih tak le mana-mana beraya... kena pulak memang tak ada open house.<br />
<br />
Jadinya, beraya tahun ni memang banyak di online la... dan tonton TV (btw, can TV3 stop air the stupid Melodi immediately... sheesssh!). Bila online, seperti biasa dok usha wall orang lain kat FB dan blogwalking... seronok jugak tengok orang lain beraya.... tengok satu family pakai baju kaler sama setiap raya (what's with that???) and yang paling best dok tengok lauk pauk raya orang lain...<br />
<br />
Tapi biasalah dah online ...tak boleh tidak mesti terbaca kes-kes boring yang menaikkan darah dan memedihkan ulu hati....<br />
<br />
Antara Kes Pedih Ulu Hati Musim Raya (Online)<br />
<br />
1. Tetiba orang Melayu ucap Eid bagai... instead of the usual Selamat Hari Raya AidilFitri... (amboi moden dah kita ya)<br />
2. Wish raya sesama member dan kaum kerabat pon dah tulis in English... kalau grammar tu betoi cantik satu hal la plak (ish ish ish)<br />
3. Amik gambor Raya kunun tapi ... errr.. kenapa semua gambor close up jer (oh nak tunjuk make up Raya , ekk?)...<br />
4. Baju raya yang pompuan seketat-ketatnya (alahai adik-adik....tak sesak nafas ka?) dan baju raya yang lelaki pulak jenis see through sampai nampak singlet hitam (like... eeeewwww!)<br />
<br />
Yang Menaikkan Darah pulak....<br />
<br />
1. Petknode punya kes<br />
2. Politicians (especially penyokong tegar tak hengat mereka) yang dari bulan Ramadan membawak masuk malam raya dan seterusnya asyik salah menyalah each other dalam wall memasing . Depa ni tak tau ka konsep take a break and tarik nafas and maaf memaaf and enjoy live tenang-tenang? (Penat la woiiii!)Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-63447836171973019252011-09-04T21:23:00.003+08:002011-11-28T19:32:15.354+08:00Raya 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Year's Raya is very the simple. And low key. We practically Raya on the first day of Syawal. Only. But it's fun nevertheless.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xCbpvukpqk/TmN55JCdiYI/AAAAAAAACBc/amBzk35U9TY/s1600/raya2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2xCbpvukpqk/TmN55JCdiYI/AAAAAAAACBc/amBzk35U9TY/s640/raya2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The five of us after the Solat Raya at home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Db6YUBt1z6E/TmN5u7ejUII/AAAAAAAACBU/WdM8D9iu8_I/s1600/raya1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Db6YUBt1z6E/TmN5u7ejUII/AAAAAAAACBU/WdM8D9iu8_I/s640/raya1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we made our wy to my brother's place in Shah Alam to beraya with Mak and my brothers and their families.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWBdLZJMPxc/TmN519sDLBI/AAAAAAAACBY/a1c5gJWXIUw/s1600/rayagath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RWBdLZJMPxc/TmN519sDLBI/AAAAAAAACBY/a1c5gJWXIUw/s640/rayagath.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then we rushed back to receive Yan's brothers and their families.... fun, fun, fun!<br />
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</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Clearly sederhana tetapi meriah proportion punya raya.</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-48359758105081322072011-07-20T15:46:00.001+08:002011-07-21T12:22:26.105+08:00David Archuleta Live In KL!!<div class="MsoNormal">I don’t think I am qualified to be a DiGi Angel but I’m trying my luck here. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Okay, <b>I</b><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> want to watch David Archuleta performs live next Tuesday in Stadium Negara.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Here’s the thing… my eldest daughter Alia (she’s currently walking around believing that she’s Mr Archuleta’s future wife….and I went: huh???????) will be going with her best friend, Iman and somehow I got “manipulated” into becoming their chauffeur for the evening. And yes, I am merely a driver for the day as I don't have a ticket to get in and watch. </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">And I still blame myself for agreeing as just what am I supposed to do while waiting for them to enjoy the night away – I can see, feel and smell the traffics in and around the area already. Oh drag!</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">So, I think it will be awesome if I can get in to watch David Archuleta too with the wife (well, she’s a huge fan of Archuleta too and thinks that boy is a good “menantu” material as well and I was like ???????). </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Nevertheless, I’m sure with David Archuleta crooning, it’ll be an amazing date night for two middle aged parents like us. After all, he’s a way better singer than JB. Hoyeah.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLo9P4K2kwA/TiaGu9lYZpI/AAAAAAAACBQ/3v70jyX69tI/s1600/david-archuleta11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLo9P4K2kwA/TiaGu9lYZpI/AAAAAAAACBQ/3v70jyX69tI/s1600/david-archuleta11.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archuleta if he decides to become my son-in-law.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: yellow;"><b><span style="color: #b45f06;">“Brought to you by DiGiMusic Pluz, the first DRM free MP3 music download service in Malaysia”</span></b>.</span><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></b></div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-5723067973758303212011-06-08T17:31:00.001+08:002011-06-08T17:36:59.267+08:00Yang best dan yang klasik<div class="MsoNormal">Dua minggu lalu ketika lawatan bulanan kami ke MPH, kami bawa pulang Pecah karya Khairulnizam Bakeri dan karya klasik To Kill a Mockingbird oleh Harper Lee. Macam bagus sahaja padahal di rumah sana masih bersusun buku yang belum dibaca. Tapi sudah memang dasar semulajadi… beli jangan tak beli. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcihWxDmM3A/Te9BNYGq4cI/AAAAAAAACBI/_OQpUIGGk4M/s1600/Harperlee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcihWxDmM3A/Te9BNYGq4cI/AAAAAAAACBI/_OQpUIGGk4M/s320/Harperlee.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGM592WiOCQ/Te9BQAtheeI/AAAAAAAACBM/Z4TPDiyHK9c/s1600/pecah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nGM592WiOCQ/Te9BQAtheeI/AAAAAAAACBM/Z4TPDiyHK9c/s320/pecah.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lagipun Asma sudah lama kepingin mahu membaca How To Kill A Mockingbird setelah lewat setahun lalu dia dapat membaca To Catch a Rye oleh J.D Salinger (yang tak ada apa-apa cerita pun tapi entah kenapa tetap menarik, katanya ketawa).</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Oh satu perkara, malangnya MPH Subang Parade tiada kedapatan Kerana Terpaksa oleh Ilham Kalsom aka Elviza Michelle (rakan blogger saya yang sekarang belum ada kesempatan berjumpa). Dengar khabar, cerita yang itu amat menarik….. mesti cari.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tetapi sekarang saya sedang membaca The Throne of Fire (beli last week di Popular Sunway), buku kedua dalam siri Kane Chronicles hasil penulis kegemaran saya masa kini Rick Riordan. Ketika ke situ, juga masih tak ketemu Kerana Terpaksa… wah payah sungguh mahu membeli.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Apapun, entri kali ini saya mahu bercerita pendek mengenai Pecah (nak reviu panjang-panjang pun sudah ramai yang berbuat demikian). Saya baru tamat khatam buku itu dan saya amat menyukainya. Seperti biasa Asma sudah membacanya terlebih dahulu dan dua perkataan yang keluar dari mulutnya ialah: “Best Giler!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Kini saya sudah pun membacanya (walaupun terhegeh-hegeh cuba membaca pantas sebelum rasa ngantuk menguasai diri) dan saya amat bersetuju --- Pecah Memang Best Giler.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Garapannya amat bijak dan saya kini berangan mahu jadi sebijak Khairulnizam Bakeri dan menulis novel sebaik itu. Bilalah agaknya tu?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sebelum itu saya mahu baca lain-lain novel terbitan Fixi jugak yang rata-rata menerima ulasan baik. Hmm, tunggu gaji hujung bulanlah.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-64000006772218605522011-05-21T02:31:00.001+08:002011-05-21T02:36:30.620+08:00Mainstream ke Mior?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iZBpBvXry0/TdazIEhQCWI/AAAAAAAACBE/VEfl1ApVbos/s1600/bapak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_iZBpBvXry0/TdazIEhQCWI/AAAAAAAACBE/VEfl1ApVbos/s320/bapak.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ceh! Rupa paras pon tak mainstream !</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="mso-line-height-alt: 12.9pt;"></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: normal;"></span></div><div style="display: inline !important; line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As we race towards the second half of 2100, it just dawned on me how mainstream I'm not.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Okay, I admit that I am a rather prolific FB user (you can’t get more mainstream than that, can you?) but I am such a klutz in so many other popular areas.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Like, I don’t do BPL so I could not hold any decent conversation whenever the mere mention of Manchester United or Chelsea or Arsenal pops up. Attended a dinner once and suddenly everybody at the table started spewing English football data and facts, left and right. And, of course, I just sat there like a total miserable loser.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I used to like watching endless reality shows on TV but not anymore … not even my favoured The Amazing Race and Top Chef. And I stopped watching American Idol two seasons ago. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The thing is that I now find it funny that Malaysians are generally crazy about football in England and a singing contest in America. This is 1Malaysia, right?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Speaking of 1Malaysia, or Malaysia as many of us know it, I also steer away from sharing my opinion on the many political related issues. Although I do have a strong opinion about certain stuff, I’ve decided that I’ll keep it to myself. It’s just that I’m too old with a heart not nearly strong enough to be arguing about those issues. <i>Lagipun,</i> I do have hypertension and it certainly doesn’t do me any good to have me agitated about why certain leader is doing what to another leader. After all, h<i>arga gula tetap naik jugak kan?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh, don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against English football and US reality show – I used to like it too at one time. But I grew old.. so I guess my interest .. err.. sort of evolved. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Today, I still read fiction a lot but have expanded (kunun2nya) my reading to authors like Jiro Akagawa, Ilham Kalsom and Khairulnizam Bakeri, among others. Real brilliant stuff, there.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And as for TV programmes, my current favourite shows include Criminal Minds, Law and Order SVU, White Collar, NCIS and Hawaii Five-O. Rather nostalgic, actually as I grew up with detective series like the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">older Hawaii Five-O, Mannix and Policewoman. But no, I don’t do Glee much.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love <i>Tanyalah Ustaz</i> over TV9 too and find TV9’s weekend morning talk shows <i>Nasi Lemak Kopi O</i> quite interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That’s pretty much it. And I’m enjoying it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #222222; line-height: 12.9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #222222;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">(Nampak sangat entry kali ini tiada arah tuju.. oh! Well)</span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-65813332331232603322011-05-03T22:34:00.001+08:002011-11-28T22:16:46.925+08:00A Note to my Princesses!<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />
Dearest Alia, Asma and Arissa<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kj3JWwYUviM/TcASP8Qa8gI/AAAAAAAACBA/yqR9e3cySus/s1600/35789_405502887793_604612793_4662559_6102889_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kj3JWwYUviM/TcASP8Qa8gI/AAAAAAAACBA/yqR9e3cySus/s640/35789_405502887793_604612793_4662559_6102889_n.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">I am writing this to you because some words are better said early. I am your father, and if I don't tell you these, no one else will. Remember the following as you go through life.............<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">1. Do not bear grudge towards those who are not good to you. No one has the responsibility of treating you well, except your mother and I. To those who are good to you, you have to treasure it and be thankful, and ALSO you have to be cautious, because, everyone has a motive for every move. When a person is good to you, it does not mean he really likes you. You have to be careful, don't hastily regard him as a real friend. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">2. No one is indispensable and nothing in the world is important enough that you must possess. Once you understand this idea, it would be easier for you to go through life when people around you don't want you anymore, or when you lose what/who you love most.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">3. Life is short. When you waste your life today, tomorrow you would find that life is leaving you. The earlier you treasure your life, the better you enjoy life.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">4. Love is but a transient feeling, and this feeling would fade with time and with one's mood. If your so called loved one leaves you, be patient, time will wash away your aches and sadness. Don't over exaggerate the beauty and sweetness of love, and don't over exaggerate the sadness of falling out of love. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">5. A lot of successful people did not receive a good education, that does not mean that you can be successful by not studying hard! Whatever knowledge you gain is your weapon in life. One can go from rags to riches, but one has to start from some rags! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">6. Check your temper always. Better still, leave you anger (which most probably are unwarranted anyway) at home. Nobody likes foul-tempered person. You don't like those person and don't ever be one. If you meet someone who is one, be the classy one - be gracious and stay calm!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">7. You honour your words, but don't expect others to do so. You can be good to people, but don't expect people to be good to you. If you don't understand this, you would end up with unnecessary troubles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">8. If you want to be successful, you have to work hard and smart and pray a lot! There is no free lunch! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">9. No matter how much time I have with you, let's treasure the time we have together. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Love,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Bapak<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">p.s: Now girls, go find yourselves kind hearted, Allah fearing princes to be your soul mate. Start looking!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">(As much as I wanted to claim that I wrote this letter myself but the truth is that this is actually an edited version of a letter from a renown Hong Kong TV broadcaster cum Child Psychologist to his son. It came into my inbox and of course I've edited and added some points .. you know to correspond with my relationships with my daughters... but the words are actually applicable to all of us, young or old, children or parents.!)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-62744809215935835572011-04-26T17:57:00.000+08:002011-04-26T17:57:49.501+08:00English - Confusing Language<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juCW4KmzlwI/TbaOyQ54DXI/AAAAAAAACA8/_KtRUMCPctw/s1600/language-arts-432x2591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-juCW4KmzlwI/TbaOyQ54DXI/AAAAAAAACA8/_KtRUMCPctw/s320/language-arts-432x2591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The following came into my inbox a couple of days ago... courtesy of my cousin Kak Mah.... enjoy!(especially to those who have mastered this rather "unruly" language) <br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">AN ODE OF ENGLISH PLURALS<br />
<br />
We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,<br />
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.<br />
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,<br />
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.<br />
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,<br />
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.<br />
<br />
If the plural of man is always called men,<br />
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?<br />
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,<br />
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?<br />
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,<br />
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?<br />
<br />
Then one may be that, and three would be those,<br />
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,<br />
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.<br />
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,<br />
But though we say mother, we never say methren.<br />
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,<br />
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!<br />
<br />
Let's face it - English is a crazy language.<br />
There is no egg in eggplant nor ham in hamburger;<br />
Neither apple nor pine in pineapple.<br />
English muffins weren't invented in England . <br />
We take English for granted, but if we explore its paradoxes,<br />
We find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square,<br />
And a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.<br />
<br />
And why is it that writers write but fingers don't fing,<br />
Grocers don't groce and hammers don't ham?<br />
Doesn't it seem crazy that you can make amends but not one amend.<br />
If you have a bunch of odds and ends and<br />
Get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?<br />
<br />
If teachers taught, why didn't preachers praught?<br />
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?<br />
Sometimes I think all the folks who grew up speaking English<br />
Should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.<br />
<br />
In what other language do people recite at a play and play at a recital?<br />
We ship by truck but send cargo by ship.<br />
We have noses that run and feet that smell.<br />
We park in a driveway and drive in a parkway.<br />
And how can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same,<br />
While a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?<br />
<br />
You<br />
have to marvel at the unique lunacy of a language<br />
In which your house can burn up as it burns down,<br />
In which you fill in a form by filling it out, and<br />
In which an alarm goes off by going on.<br />
<br />
And in closing, if Father is Pop, how come Mother's not Mop? <span></span></div><div> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
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<i>I must admit that after more than 20 years of writing, mostly in English, I've yet to master the language. More often than not I still find myself at loss and still got it all wrong, gramatically that is.</i><br />
<i>But that's English language for you and that's why I have my utmost respect to those who are able to pen and write beautiful words and sentences in English --- you know people like JK Rowlings and Rick Riordan and Meg Cabot (yes I read Princess Diaries series, sue me!).</i><br />
<i> Then there're bloggers who write not only in good perfect English but at the same time also funny and intelligently too. I aspire to become one.</i><br />
<i>However, I cannot stomach atrocious English (and BM too, for that matter) and you can find these kind of writings mostly in blogs. Although I applaud their effort to write in English, I simply can't tolerate repetitive errors which are mostly pretty basic (certain blogs spring to my mind as I write this .....teeeheeee) and even more unbearable is the fact that they think (the bloggers, I mean) they are so good already - its all over in their entries (them being so cool and all). I tell you if you want to raise your blood pressure fast, just read a couple of their entries .... its that bad.</i><br />
<br />
<i>And, tell me, why am I rambling on about this???????? </i>Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5305269.post-55702239050090726372011-04-23T23:15:00.001+08:002011-11-28T19:32:58.796+08:00Kita Makan Lagi!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bI8BW0YD8DU/TbLitNCorDI/AAAAAAAACA4/JzbAM03y6TA/s1600/Dinnermlmni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bI8BW0YD8DU/TbLitNCorDI/AAAAAAAACA4/JzbAM03y6TA/s640/Dinnermlmni.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner Malam Ini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>1. Its been a while .... but life has been good. Alhamdulillah.<br />
<br />
2. It has been rather hectic these past two weekends ...<br />
<br />
3. Two weeks ago we found ourselves making a trip back <i>kampung</i> for my aunt's (mom's cousin) funeral. We also visited my cousin who lost his son, daughter in law and grandson in a car crash. Al-Fatihah.<br />
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4. And in between, we got to spend some time at my grandmother's place in Pengkalan where the uncles and aunties and my brother's family also converged (after the funeral). Food, as usual, was the main topic of conversation and that <i>petang</i> we<i> pekena kuah durian</i>. That's nice. Really really nice.<br />
<br />
5. The night before, my cousin Meor came visiting with wife Rina and son Adi. They stayed for dinner consisting of Tomato Soup (prepared by Asma), Spaghetti Olio Aglio, Shepherd Pie and Banana Caramel Ice Cream. <a href="http://azianhasan.com/bila-tetamu-datang-mengetuk-pintu">Read Here</a><br />
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6. Last weekend, the Kuala Dipang family came down with my deligfhtful <i>mak mertua</i>. And we had <i>makan-makan</i> on Sunday with almost the entire Cheras clan and one couple from the Sungai Buloh gang.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Occasion: Birthday <i>Perempuan Comel No1</i>. </li>
<li>Menu? Awesome <i>nasi minyak and the lauk-pauk.</i> </li>
<li>The Chef? errrr..... the birthday girl herself... (sorry but we need delicious food). </li>
</ul><br />
Another round of fun <i>sudah semestinya. </i><a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.10150156080704103.282781.606459102">See The Photos </a><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
7. And this weekend has been pretty quiet.. so far. But of course, we decided to do <i>makan-makan</i> jugak.<br />
So the menu tonight are Focacia Bread (<i>resipi Chef Wan kata Perempuan Comel No 1</i>), our signature (cheh!) Spaghetti Bologanise (<i>resipi Noq</i>) and for dessert... <i>Agar-Agar Banana</i> (<i>resipi Mak Su</i>, my aunt!!)<br />
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<b>Jemput Makan!</b> :-)Mior Azharhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09808339339676265815noreply@blogger.com1