Popiah! Popiah!!

Orang lain sibuk belajar Macaron, kita sibuk pulak belajar popiah! Sebenarnya memang lama dah teringin nak belajar buat popiah basah! Bukan apa, popiah ni memang favourite food keluarga kami terutama sekali ayahanda Arif! Bulan ini sebenarnya sengaja nina ambil kelas untuk 'take a break' dan nak release tension. Kalau orang lain pergi Spa untuk massage, for me, nothing is more therapeutic than a good baking class session. Best tau kelas ni.. sakit perut sebab asyik gelak je. Dapat pulak yang datang tu memang gila-gila, satu kaki je dengan Kak Pau! Yang bestnya, siap hands-on buat kulit! Silap la tak ambil gambar bloopers! Ada yang berlubang-lubang, bentuk anak bulan, bujur, tebal sampai terkoyak! Kalau nak belajar pergi kat laman web Citra Klasik ya! Banyak lagi kelas lain! Insyaallah.. bila nina ada budget lagi, nina nak pergi lagi! Dah lama teringin nak belajar buat frozen.. senang nak makan petang!

Tengok sifu siap posing lagi dengan popiah!

Close up skit! boleh tahan ke??? Balik berebut-rebut anak-anak nina makan!


Geng kali ni.. Kak Syarifah (mimi), kak azizah (azipopiah), Kiptiah (dekat saja dr Sg. Jelok), Nieyta (all the way from Nilai), Sharifah Hamidah (comfirm sangkut jem on the way ke kl sebab lambat habis hehe), me (taukeh ninazcakes), Lilies (taukeh kiosk in the making) dan Kak Minah (juara angkat popiah! Hehe). Thanks guys! I really had fun! Walaupun tak kenal sesiapa pun mula-mula tu tapi korang memang rock! Err.. tiada di dalam gambar : Kak Pau (sebab tolong ambil gambar kikikik)! Rasanya betul dah nama2 ni.. takut tersilap label la pulak.. Kalau silap tolong ingatkan aku ya!!!

ps.. boleh tempah edible image yeehaaa!!

Popiah! Popiah!!

Giving up?

There was a time not long ago when I realised that it was easier to give up than to face the problem that was bothering me. I was frustrated, angry and most of the time avoid even thinking about it until I decided to give it a last shot before really giving up.

It was one of the worst moment when the people whom you thought you could count on were not there. Actually, I do have a list of people who I know I can always turn to if I ever needed help. It's not really a real list but just a mental list that I find comfort whenever I'm stuck somewhere. I guess, knowing that you have someone there gives me strength. I think that time (when I was about to give up) was a time that I felt completely lost. My dreams at night were the same repeated dreams over and over again. It was that time when I thought I was better awake when I sleep and yet I was better sleeping when I was awake. I wanted to give up so bad but I just couldn't.

I started praying istikharah.. I started seeking for help mentally (it was just like a rehearsal in my mind) but never blurted it out. It was just so comforting to do that. One day, out of a blue, a friend called me and brought us to see her friend. That friend took us to another friend. Of course it was never planned that way but somehow I met someone who offered us help; the most precious consultation and inside stories of the things that we have been searching for to be our inspiration. There were times when we were driving, we just made one impulsive decision to go somewhere and most of the time became an opportunity to meet really wonderful inspiring people who were more than happy to offer us strength and help. Alhamdulillah..

Sometimes, without intention, we accidentally blurted something that was supposed to be our secret but ended up having all sorts of support from friends who are not really close friends who became closer because of their faith in us and the courage that they give us and we are grateful Alhamdulillah.. We believe that those help from strangers and acquaintance and not-so-close friends came from Allah. Life is just full of surprises.

There are times that I wanted to cry just to let go of the heavy painful chest that I carry and there are times that I think, if I can face this (obstacle), I can face whatever obstacle that I have after this. When I look around me.. I could see that there are people who are in worse condition than us that whatever we are facing currently seem so trivial. Not that we find comfort when looking at other people's bigger problems, but looking at them makes us stronger in a way; knowing that they never really give up to face their bigger problem.

For those people who have been behind us.. you know how you have touched our lives. Even a smile works wonders. Your encouragement and soothing words really helped us through those times. We have not yet reached there but we know.. we have a 'new' mental list of people (some strangers remained strangers but our prayers are with you while some friends become closer friends) that we can turned to. Thanks for your ears for listening and the time you spent for us. May Allah bestow upon you His blessings and rahmah for He knows.

Giving up?

Err.. pandang kali pertama punya cerita!

Tak taulah korang macam mana tapi kadang-kadang bila berjumpa orang.. ada yang senang mesra ada yang terlebih mesra tapi kadang-kadang dan jarang-jarang kita berjumpa orang yang terus kita tak suka. Dulu tengok drama je.. Bila bawak calon menantu.. terus mencemuh bakal mak mertua. Gabra je anak lelaki. Tapi memang ada setengah orang tu, bila kita jumpa.. memang ada rasa tak boleh nak "kelik"! Ada tak? Mesti ada punya.

Alkisah nina berjumpa seseorang. Memang terang tang tang dia tak suka nina. Boleh buat tak tau je. Tak taulah kenapa. Kalau dulu nina memang senang "affected" dengan sikap orang yang tak mesra ni. Tapi sekarang nina pun tak kisah. Cuma yang nina perasan ada sesetengah orang yang tak suka dengan kita, kita pun mesti rasa yang sama (mutual gitew, suka sama suka atau dalam kes sini tak suka sama tak suka hehe). Nina ada seorang kawan tu yang bila dia sedar orang tu tak suka dia, dia akan cuba ambil hati sampai orang tu tersuka dengan dia tapi nina tak. Nina kalau orang tak suka tu, nina tak la cuba bagi suka. Elak-elak tu kadang-kadang tengok macam mana reaksi orang tu.

Berbalik pada cerita tadi. Ada sesetengah orang ambil masa untuk jadi mesra. Ada orang pulak akan perati boleh buat kawan ke tidak (dia pun tak tau ada orang perati dia jugak hehe). Ada pulak yang mesra gila tapi lama-lama.. buat tak kenal pun ada. Bila orang tak suka.. nina akur.. "wavelength" tak sama. Korang macam mana?

Err.. pandang kali pertama punya cerita!

New Look!

Assalamualaikum and good day!

I really can't remember when i started this blog but what i know is i did it just for fun. Somehow, it is fun for me to write and i just love getting response from you guys.. When i started.. i really didn't know anything about blogging or HTML or template or etc etc etc.. Anyway.. i've got friends who showed me beautiful beautiful templates to choose from but i guess my blog reflects who i really am.. simple. You'll notice there are changes in the layout and i intend to change more. Hopefully, you guys will stay with me. Also, i serve Nuffnang now.. hopefully, as a motivation for me to go on writing (not a demotivation for you to read hehe). I'll try to update my blogpost every week.. :D (hope i can keep my promise!) Maybe i should reduce the number of fb-ing as i need to focus on a few new things hehe...

One favour please.. if you find anything glary... please do let me know.. or any suggestions that can help me improve this blog.. i'd really love to hear them! zillion thanks in advance!

I'm starting this year, with a very positive mind; trying to shake off any negative vibes leftovers from last year and i'm strengthening the strengths in me. May 2011 be the best year ever for all of us.. amiin... ;D

New Look!

Will You Still be My Friend if I have Nothing to Offer?

Ever since i quite my job, one thing that i have been missing is the presence of friends around me. I'm definitely a people person. I remember in college, whenever I came back late and everyone had already had their lunch and dinner, I would insist they gather to accompany me. I just couldn't eat alone. Now that my hubby is joining me, working from home, things are quite better. Part of our bugdet adjustment this year, we mainly skip our regular breakfast outside and have our nescafe together.. My son said that we are both happy when we drink nescafe together.

There are a lot of things that I miss in my life.. My gatherings, my mini-meet-up with my bestfriend, my outings with families, as well as trips to Kampung. Not that i'm complaining, but life is very much different now; well, i'd say better in some ways. However, i can't help but wonder one thing.. my friends.

I remember a long lost friend who contacted me.. saying how much she misses me. I was flattered until she told me she needed a guarantor for her loan. I paid another friend with my service and was surprised with the long list of endless service. Until one day, i realised that she didn't need my service nor my friendship. A friend asked me a favour and i realized that she asked me to do it because she couldn't get that kind of pricing unless she gets a friend doing it. Then, once it's over, it's really over.. Another friend was extra nice until she knows for sure that the help that she needs was beyond my capabilities.

I no longer can drive anywhere i want whenever i want as we are extra careful with the budget nowadays. 2 regular outing per week might cause me another full tank for the month as well as my monthly family dinner budget. Skipping a trip to the movie may help us pay the Astro bill (which i insist should not be part of the budget adjustment as it's like a homeschool to me). Entertainment for the family has been replaced with trips to the playground and trips to the grocery has been merged with trips to school or cake deliveries.

Things have not been that bad actually. But, I sacrificed my working time because I insist on nursing my baby full time. Hubby works free lance to save his health from stress. It had happened before and I just love it that I'm mentally prepared for anything. That means adjusting our budget and sacrificing some of the not-so-important things. We still have oreo cheese cakes, pasta and other luxurious favourite food.. only the place in different; at the comfort of our home AND we are HAPPY!

I been wondering; if there will be a time that we really out of budget.. When my sedeqah will only be my smile and knowledge and time.. will you still be my friend?

Will You Still be My Friend if I have Nothing to Offer?

Are You Ready to Forgive and Heal?

When I knew about this great father, Kent Whitaker, who forgives his son for plotting his family's murder, my problem seems trivial. He decided to forgive his son for the death of his wife and youngest son and heal and move on with his life, continuing his love towards his son until he died for his death sentence.


It was years ago since I last held grudges towards someone that I really mad at. I decided then to forgive her and moved on. It was not easy.. The pain caused by her was too great that it took me years to let go. It happened (me letting go of my anger) finally and things got better. I was happier and the relationship got better that we became friends. I vowed to myself never wanting to get mad at anyone anymore and I believed my vow. But something happened beyond my control and I gave in. I got mad with someone who was quite unforgiveable. I don't get mad with people that often and it's quite easy for me to forgive and forget but this was different. Not that we quarrel verbally or fight, it was more of bottled up anger that is quite difficult to dispose.


I have never been so mad in my life. Not that I didn't try to forgive but the anger just gets bigger and bigger that it's just too difficult to forgive. I do noticed that the negativity that radiates from me whenever I have encounters with that person. My heart started beating abnormally, I tend to sweat really smelly sweat almost immediately and my face would flush in attempts to hide my anger. Trust me, it is not a very good feeling and I hate every single thing about it.


But then, that person didn't seem to notice how she radiates contagious negativity. She looks as if nothing happen and could not be bothered by anything. I'm sure by now, you really thought that it would be better for me to have a nice little chat with her. I'm sure by now, though, you know that I'm never gonna do that. I just thought it's a complete waste of my time.

The question is, is it worth all the pain and the stress caused by the negativity when we do not forgive? If it's not worth it, why is it just so hard to let go and move on. I'm sure, in Islam, forgiving is not only meant for the person who seeks forgiveness, it's more likely for the person who forgives. A forgiving person is calmer and happier. Having said that, perhaps I should give it a try. Or perhaps.. when the time comes.. it'll go away.. Hopefully..

p.s. just don't ask me who ya! ;D

Are You Ready to Forgive and Heal?

Our Spouse, Our Strength..

Spouse.. one word that changes our lives 360 degree. I married quite early.. the reason was simple.. I didn't want to waste time when I know he's the one. After all, I was with him everyday, every smile accumulate sin. I asked my mom to let us married during our second year but of course she wouldn't. It was a few years later only they let us. The reason was shallow (yet not that shallow in Islam) and little that I know the commitment that I signed for.

Me and him was totally different! The way I put my things and the way he neatly arranges everything was enough to drive me insane (yes, i'm the messy one and i'm not proud of it). Our lives were a mix of 2 totally different cultures. I nearly went crazy to adapt and create our own culture. When I went back to his 'kampung', it was another different culture. When he went back to mine, he seemed lost. Yet we survive and despite the number of years we are married, there are things that we need to adapt.

There are things that I just can't tolerate (until now) and he feels the same too. But those things that we can't tolerate are just kept to ourselves and tolerated somehow and we face the fact that some things just can't be changed. Or rather, easier to be adapted than changed. We can either choose 2 solutions for those things; make our miserable if we force them to change or make us feel better if we learn how to manage it..

I believe spouse is our strength. I believe that they should not be taken for granted. I believe that they are somehow responsible for who we are. The way we show compassion to them will make them a better person. The way they believe in us will make us confident. The support that they give will make us go through any hardship that seems impossible. They make us a better person for their love and patience.

I know that because my spouse is my strength. I'll tell you what I've telling my husband million times... When the world is going against you, you know your life partner will always be with you.. When the world is crumbling and falling apart, you'll find a place to hang on to, when the world doesn't believe you, you know they'll do and even when you know that you are wrong.. you know that you can always find comfort by just telling the truth.

Treat them with compassion.. treat them with love.. Care for them like there's no tomorrow cause we never know when Allah will take them from us. Forgive them for their mistakes and be their strength.. Promise each other to try to be the best for each other. Believe that, they are the best gift from Allah.. Be fair to them as they are the parent of our children and most importantly be there for them because our spouse is our strength..

6.00 a.m
Nov 13, 2010

Our Spouse, Our Strength..