A Day that Lasts Forever

This was the longest baking day ever.. It was planned to be a 'one-day baking day' which was extended to days and nights. Perhaps I took a break too long from baking that everything was double the time and effort. [sigh].. or perhaps with a baby around, life just becomes so unpredictable.

My heart sank as the first batch of my 6 cakes sank. My ganache was not as glossy as usual.. some of the cake shrank and another batch was overbeaten which turned out to be the ordinary chocolate cake instead of moist chocolate cake. I feel really bad.. Not because of the cake but because of the reassurance that I gave to my friends as I share them the recipe of the cake. All this while, I've been telling my friends that it's just a simple recipe.. no-fail one.. but that't not exactly right.. Alhamdulillah.. everything was okay by the end of the third day.. my friends were really sporting to wait until I finished baking and rebaking.

However, every cloud has a silver lining.. out of the hard work baking, I finally managed to overcome my fear of driving. The strategy was to send the farthest one first. Since Azly had something else, I had to drive all the way to Bangi, Setapak Indah, Ampang and head home. A friend volunteered to help me out during the baking and went together to send the cakes. We even took a break eating one of the best Bakso I have ever tasted made by Sumatran lady in Ampang while feeding Muhammad. Bakso is served in big mugs with a tray of vinegar, chilli sauce and soy sauce to complement. The meat is just so tender and I just love it!I wanted to give up just before the last delivery for that trip ( the rest of the orders came from neighbours ), I sent my friend home and right before I parked my car in front of my house, a friend called asking for her order. Her son came back all the way from Mantin just to have the cake.. Flattering! I decided to do a little bit of catching up with her while I feed Muhammad again. By the time I reached home, I decided to let my friends know that I needed time. I really don't want to sell 'bantat' cakes.. of course you can cover with ganache but it's just not the same.

Alhamdulillah... Though it sounds like I'm having a bad day, the truth is I'm blessed. All this started since a badly want a preloved wrap sold by a friend.. I know, the more you want something, the harder the test will be.. but I'm just grateful to Allah for granting it to me.. As for my baking.. i think i'll just put it on hold until I'm really ready..

A Day that Lasts Forever

I love you.. I love all of you..

I met a friend this morning.. she had just lost her father last week. I really didn't know how to react, but as a friend, sadness should be shared. I held her hand and prayed that she is granted with all the strength to move on. She tried to smile but I could see tears in her eyes.

She told me her pledge made last year, to make her 'balik kampung' trip at least once a month. It's January and she started her trip only to visit her father for the last time. She asked me how often I visit my own father.. I stammered.. sometimes my dad is the one visiting us when we prioritise other things than him.

I've been thinking a lot about death.. the loved ones who will miss me.. and the loved ones who leave to be missed. when a friend lost her husband, my other friend told me.. it's a matter of time.. it will happen to everyone. I got really scared just thinking about it.

Every morning, before my husband leaves for work, it has become a habit for the whole family to recite 3 prayers.. no matter how angry i am during our cold war, i certainly forgive him and forgive myself for whatever wrongdoings that caused it.

At times of anger, my children did turned away when they kissed me.. sometimes they even avoid kissing me.. i try to understand that they do need some time to cool down though it hurts so bad without realizing that they must have learnt that from me. At times of my own anger, i did give them the cold shoulder, stiffing myself when they hug me and normally regret later and wonder what will happen if that's the last time i ever see them.

I'm just among the lucky ones to still have my parents.. I have never lost anyone in my nucleus family. Everytime i have parental issues with my kids, i will reminisce the things that i did to my own parents which i know very painful. I understand now that the pain that i caused them is very much similar to the ones caused by my own kids out of just facial expressions and gestures. I dare not confess this to my parents in case they have forgotten the things that i did and the confession will remind them how hurt they were in facing the challenge in raising me.

I've been telling my kids again and again that whatever happens to me.. i always forgive them and ask them to pray for me as nothing is more valuable than the prayers of our children..

so here i am, making a pledge to seek forgiveness from everyone and appreciate them while they are still here.. i love you.. and forgive me for any pain that i may have caused...

I love you.. I love all of you..

Kindy Teacher Training

Wow! I just love it! Though I was a bit nervous at the beginning to see some grumpy faces having to come on Saturday, I'm thrilled when some of them expressed their thanks for the crazy activities at the end of the session!

We didn't even realize the time as we were busy giggling and laughing. One thing that I like most about teaching is the satisfaction you feel right after it. To see their gleaming sweaty faces is such a good feeling. What is more satisfying with kindy teachers is they are willing to do it without being shy!

Hopefully I'll have the time to do it next time. Poor baby Muhammad, Azly had to send him as he refused his bottle. Though some insisted that I should introduce him to solid food now since he is already 4 months, I think I'll just stick to 6-month exclusive breastfeeding. I have to postpone a few plans but it's just worth it!

Kindy Teacher Training

Mommies Day Out Pt. 1

It has been a while since I last go out with the other mommies. Not that I don't want to but then everything seems to be hectic ever since the birth of Baby Muhammad. As soon as confinement ended, it was Raya Haji and the beginning of the new school term. So, off we went with our girlish giggles trying out 'tudung' at Ariani's and continued at "Baiti Living". While my other two friends were busy trying, I was busy crowding the changing room and did some baby bonding with Muhammad.

My eyes nearly popped out just looking at price tag at Ariani which range between RM69 - RM299. Very satisfied with the tudung hunting, we went to Alamanda, Putrajaya for our hearty meal at Johnny's (courtesy of Ipah, thanks darling!). Wish I snapped a few photos there. Instead of ordering real drinks, we ordered 1 strawberry shake and 1 'palm in syrup' which i definitely want to order after this (or rather make it myself).. I just love the slices of jackfruit and the palm fruit. Yummy..

Once done, we went straight to the 'surau'. There is a changing room, of course, near the surau with toilet. I went to the changing room but can't possibly put Muhammad down to go the bathroom (how can I.. poor baby Muhammad can't be left on the changing table which was 5 meters away).. and i wonder if it's possible to do the business with baby Muhammad in my wrap.. (huish! camne nak cuci).. anyway, my friend held Muhammad.. I was merely thinking how to do it if I came alone.

We went to MPH, and I thought baby Muhammad did his business and needed to be changed. Since there's Huggies tester are sold at Watson (as told by my friend).. I marched straight to Watson with baby Muhammad in 'back carry'.. The treatment was first class!! Thank you Watson, Alamanda, you guys made my day! I felt like a celebrity, truly.. When I made my payment, 3 Watson staffs were cuddling Muhammad behind me.. "eii, comelnya", "akak ikat macam mana ni".. Though I didn't get everything I wanted to buy.. hehe (The male staff was sooo kind, he asked me "akak cari apa akak".. i dared not answer.. so i said "you really don't want to know" .. "oh" (imagine if i tell him i was looking for a c****m) :)



When I went to the changing room, I managed to promote this one mommy to malaysianbabywearers forum. I couldn't help glancing at the cute baby which i found out was only 1 month. I know i'm being overreacting but I couldn't stop feeling sorry when i saw the bottle feeding the baby. I must tell myself not to be too emotional next time. [sigh]..

That's not the end of the journey.. We went to precint 15 to ambush "The Baker's Cottage" (courtesy of our very own chaperon, Kak inah, thank you!!! muah muah muah) before heading to our third RHB at Precint Diplomat in search of their new product! jeng jeng jeng...



Finally, it was time to head home.. before that.. my kids are waiting at school (I was a bit late that day.. but my kids didn't mind of course, they were busy catching up with their friends too). Zillion thanks to my hubby, who was on leave that day and helped fetching my 4th son from kindy..

As for me.. I'm very very eager to be out with my friends.. as a SAHM (stay at home mom), I really could use some break before I get out of my mind.. Not that I don't enjoy being a full time mommy but sometimes giving yourself some time and space will make you a better mom.

Mommies Day Out Pt. 1

Simple Steps to Breastfeeding Success

I'm kinda emotional when i know babies never got a chance to breastfeed. I know it sounds ridiculous but then it's just part of me that is so hard to change. It's none of my business, really, but i can't help it. If you do it the right way, insyaallah.. it'll be a success.



1. Keep Your Mind Set on the Right Track
Way long before giving birth, set your mind set right. Make sure you practice wanting to breastfeed. Make an effort to be thrilled about breastfeeding your baby. It's squirmish of the idea of letting someone cling onto your nipple if it's your first born, but breastfeeding is very rewarding in the long run, trust me!



2. Be Ready with the Strict Contract
A lot of people have been boasting about the goodness of breastfeeding but very little people have exposed how challenging it is. Be prepared with long hours of feeding with your baby as breastmilk is just so easy to digest, babies tend to get hungry compared to when given formula milk. Back pain is just part of it plus the fact that you won't get that much sleep like before. All these are not a hindrance to successful breastfeeding. It should encourage you more if you are a real fighter.

Breastfeeding makes me realize how persistent i can be if i really want to do something. It is a symbol of my strength in raising my kids. Whenever I feel that i'm a terrible mom, this will calm me down; the fact that i signed a 2-yr contract with 3 of my 4 kids. My eldest was just an 8-month contract, due to no one but myself. But then, it was the reason why the rest are succesful.



3. Seek Support from Strong Believers
Don't just ask anyone. Go straight to the right people, forum, lactation counsellors or even websites. Strong believers of breastfeeding will support each other. I've known people who loaned their own breastpump to ensure the success of others. They will come and help new mommies to do it right. Having support will help you during the times when you get really down due to certain issues in breastfeeding.



4. Sometimes, it's better to Put on Deaf Ears
I learnt this mistake after the failure of my eldest son's breastfeeding. Remarks from people should be left unheard. Negative people should be shoved away kindly. It can't be denied that certain people are just so very negative when it comes to breastfeeding and they just can't shut their mouth up. Things like ' Breastmilk is not enough.. formula milk is better as it's thicker', 'he is still hungry' etc etc will leave us feeling doubt about breastfeeding.. thus affecting the milk production.



5. Wake the Baby up But Do it Lying down!
A lot of people believe that if the baby is sleeping, let him sleep, he will tell you when he is hungry. The truth is when the baby cries, he is already very very hungry to one extend that he can start crying hysterically. This definitely cause stress and can give a huge impact to your milk production. Time your clock.. be alert of the time. For newborn, feeding should be between 1 to 1.5 hours apart. Just squirt a bit of your milk into his mouth or simply touch his cheek with your nipple. If he keeps on stirring in his sleep, he is probably hungry.



6. Go Gadget Go!
If you must, get gadget that can help you brestfeed cosily, a nursing pillow, a neck rest, a hiding hooter / nursing cover, nursing dresses and a baby wrap just to cater all that you need. Take it as a motivation and a reward for yourself.


7. Enjoy it while You still can!
There's no point being grumpy. Watch tv, read a magazine, pamper your baby. Once they have started walking, or even crawling, you have less time to cuddle your baby.


8. Look at the Percentage.
Don't look at the number of hours you have to spend nursing your baby. Look at the percentage instead. A average person is expected to live at least until the age of 60, thus, 2 years of breastfeeding is just 3.3% of his life. Need I say more?


9. Take it as a Reward
You will definitely get rewards for you sacrifice. As you breastfeed, your vagina will start to contract and get to its original size. Breastfeeding will use up the fat you accumulate during pregnancy. I've been told by a very plump mother how her weight didn't budge even when she fully breastfed. My answer was simple "Imagine if you didn't breasfeed at all hehehe".

10.Think of the Money you can Save
Formula milk is really pricey and it's not even close to the goodness of what breastmilk can offer. Whatever ingredients claimed to be in the formula milk is an attempt to imitate what breastmilk has. Isn't it better to give the best formula specially formulated for us by our Creator.

Simple Steps to Breastfeeding Success

Laksa Cendol Pasembor Seksyen 4 Tambahan

Specialities -Pasembor, Laksa n Cendol
Location - Under the shady trees, Seksyen 4 Tambahan, Bangi

How to Go There - From Plus Kajang Exit, go straight until you reach a T-junction, turn left and go straight (there will be traffic lights of course) until you see a roundabout. At the roundabout, go straight and turn right at the traffic light. Then, immediately turn left. You should be able to see the stall there.

I was introduced to this place by a friend of mine. Even before that, I did come here but then laksa was just finished. Basically I'm a Laksa Maniac.. I've been to places that serve laksa and mark the place that serves really good Laksa. This place is different, however. Even though I came to try laksa, I was hooked with the pasembor instead which is served with really thick gravy. It was love at first sight. I just love the taste of the thick gravy.. Nutty and not too spicy for my kids. You can ask for plain pasembor, rojak mee or rojak sotong.. Yummy! This is not the typical mamak style pasembor with runny chilli saucy gravy.. This is Malay Pasembor.. I dare say it's one of the best pasembor I have ever tried.

Cendol is served in stainless steel bowl. I was not really fancy about the condiments inside the cendol. For me, cendol should not have cincau' but then, the minute I tasted the cendol, I crave for another bowl. The cendol is just subtle, not too sweet and not too creamy. It was perfect for me. Most importantly, I am just so sure that the sugar is definitely not white sugar like some sellers use. The cendol looks white but when you stir, you can see the colour changes instantly to the colour of 'gula melaka'. I just love it and I will definitely come back for more.

As for the service, food served are really quick and the table are wiped clean. You can actually see gallons of water waiting to be used to clean up the bowl! I didn't even manage to ask them their names, it was drizzling then, but then the service is warm and good as seen in the pix!

Laksa Cendol Pasembor Seksyen 4 Tambahan

Saya Yakin Betul, Abang Aznil!

I was frying 'keledek' fritters when I suddenly realized something.. As I slid the 'keledek', or rather threw the 'keledek' into the wok, I just love the sound of it sizzling in the hot oil... "cheng", "cheng", "cheng"..

I called my husband into the kitchen. "Now I know where the 'Jangan Lupa Lirik' gets its idea! "Kita buka petak satu!", "cheng!", dua! "cheng!", "tiga!", "cheng"...

Irfan came running "dua!", "lapan!", "tiga!" and it continues until every bit of "keledek" fried.. Apa nak jadi mak engkau ni Irfan??

Saya Yakin Betul, Abang Aznil!