Every test in our life makes us bitter or better. 

Every problem comes to make us or break us.

Choice is ours, whether we become victim or victorious. 

There are days when you feel down and starts to questions the things happening in your life; like why are all my friends migrating somewhere awesome and I am still here, 6 years and counting, why is this happening to my career when I’ve always been honest, ethical and professional since day one of this journey, why does this have to happen to my loved ones while others have normal, perfect lives. Am I not worthy of a better life? Why can’t I afford that thing I want? Why does this happen to me? Am I a bad person? Does Allah love me? Have I been a bad daughter? Have I not tried lived my life in the most positive manners? You know, self-deprecating stuffs like that. 

But then, Allah answers them with my own voice inside my head; that dunia is nothing but temporary and life is short and fleeting, that He tests us to bring us back to His path and remind us that a perfect dunia is never the destination as it is unattainable, that with prayers and lots of doa, we will be closer to our Creator and be reminded that everything that happens in our lives is by His will and He is indeed the best planner. And as Imam Zaid Shakir aptly put it, “How bad can any suffering in this world be if it opens the door to unimaginable, eternal good in the life hereafter?” 

I read that sometimes prayers are not answered in the most literal sense. The writer gives example of a successful man who prays to achieve consistent khusyuk in solat, then his business hit rock bottom and failed. He questions why God do this to him when he has been nothing but a good Muslim. But then, when his business - that always kept him away from Allah, that always made him rush in his prayers and ibadah – failed, he submits completely to Allah and realized, his doa for khusyuk has been answered. When life knocks you down, you’re in the perfect position to pray! 

Today I choose to be grateful for the little things in my life right now that makes me happy; like the fact that Tan Hiok Nee nestles the most awesome kopitiams, that today MIL made masak lemak ikan merah with belimbing buluh and lotsa cili padi, our (Hadi and I) little ice cream fun this scorching hot afternoon, that Noah is literally a sumber ketenangan jiwa, how my husband, after almost 7 years of marriage, still makes me laugh almost every day, the flexibility of my work, albeit the lack of monies, that awesome Kingsman movie, and mostly for the little voice inside my head for those positive affirmations that I sometimes need so badly. 

Today I pray Allah grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change and to always be thankful for all those little tests and blessings. For growing trees are strengthened, if they withstand the storm.

"Women are not moody. We simply have days when we are less inclined to put up with crap." - Karen Darby

If women talk gross you out, then stay out of this post. It’s the time of the month again. This is my second red flag after I gave birth to Noah (breastfeeding tends to do that to you – delay your cycle) and I was a few days late. So I was hoping to get a positive result on the PT, what’s with all the crappy mood swings and bloated (more than usual) tummy but sadly it was a negative and today, it came. Yikes. Sucks. Crappy. Mood. Swings. And. Even. Crappier. Period. Pain. I know, I know, people don’t think typing like this is cute anymore. I’m stuck in my own time bubble. Anyways yeah, I need some hazelnut latte. And someone to tell me I’m cute, in spite of the zit on my nose.

 

PMS women 101. Perpetually torn between loving food too much and wanting to be skinny.

“If you don’t think life is great, try going on without one"– Jim Evans

It’s been too long. Do people still read blogs anymore? I still do, although not on daily basis, but there are a few blogs that I still follow religiously. I just don’t think people still want to read my shit when there are faster mediums like Instagram, Twitter and what not (these days I don’t even tweet or read tweets daily anymore!) Until recently at a relative’s wedding, a pretty lady came up to me while we were queuing for buffet (didn’t catch her name but she said she’s Shanim’s cousin, so hi hello if you’re reading!) and she told me she reads my blog and asked why don’t I blog anymore. Honestly, I’m just plain lazy, that’s why. 

I’m gonna start with a summary. Fast forward 4 months after my last post, I’m still a lawyer and have been branching out on many other areas of law so you can give me a call if you find yourself buried deep in legal problems hew hew hew. Oh I do entertain “friendly” legal questions - you know, the pro bono kind which doesn’t lead to real cases with real fees, but please remember that a lawyer gotta eat (and have needs for pretty clothes) too. Am still very much happily married to the boss (d’uh) and he’s getting me a new car soon (amen!) so I’m loving him even more these days hew hew hew, oh and I caused a dent to a rented car few weeks ago so yeah oh baby I love you so. My parents and MIL are in good health and I thank Allah everyday for this. My Hadi has been in preschool for almost a year now and I’ve seen improvement in his everyday English and socializing skills although he is still very very shy around strangers (including friends at school)! He is the complete opposite at home though; very loud, talks non-stop, always jumping and running and up to some mischief. I wish I could combine these two very different personalities and create one perfect Hadi, sigh. My Noah is already 10 months old (time flies so fast with this one, phewww!) and he is still the calm and darling baby that he is. I have so many things to share about Noah but maybe later. Still fully breastfeeding Noah who doesn’t really like food so momma’s milk is all his nutrition is coming from and honestly I don’t think I am able to keep up with his demand! God help me! 10 months later and yeah, I’m still fat, far from my dream weight, belly full of baby fat (more like full of teh tarik and nasi lemak) and lotsa fat hanging loose here and there (don’t picture it!) Maybe I should just get pregnant so I could justify all my eating and what not. I want 5 kids anyway (if Allah permits) and I’m already 32 now so I think we should act fast! I have so many everyday issues that I share randomly on Instagram, Whatsapp and Facebook, I couldn’t probably list them down here in one post. But all in all, by Jim Evans’ standard, life’s really good. 

That’s a lot of useless facts in one para. This is fun. Maybe I should pick up this hobby again.

"No, I am not pregnant. I am fat. And, as the Prime Minister, it's my right to be fat if I want to." 

Guess who said that? It’s Benazir Bhutto. Way to go, girlfriend! But no, I am not just fat, I’m pregnant. And unlike some lucky pregnant women who have supermodel figure with adorable tiny tummy, I am one of those who mengembang bagai johan. Sad but true. High five, Jessica Simpson! Boo, Miranda Kerr! 

When I was pregnant with Hadi, once I reached the 6th month, people started making guesses that I was carrying twins. Yes, that fat. Pfffttt. So thank you girls, you don’t have to actually point out to me that I look fat, because hey, I have mirrors at home! #OverlySensitivePregnantWomanMode :P Hahaha! 

This is me this morning, all fat and happy. Look at my boy; at 3, he’s already half my height! Soon enough I’d have to mendongak to talk to this child of mine, who once lived inside me. Subhanallah :’)

"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes." - Walter M. Schirra

Well hello, its' been a while! So much has happened in between my birthday and today, the Teacher's Day, I don't know where to even start. Went to Sydney, have a secret I will spill soon, I was infected with bad cough, son was hospitalized, celebrated Mother's Day for the third time, son turns three (gasp, such a big boy, and a chatterbox too!) and so many more! Perhaps I'll write soon about our Oz trip before I entirely forget about the awesome experience but for now, I shall leave you guys with something from the day Hadi turns three on May the 13th.

 

  

Hadi sayang, you may outgrow my lap, but never my heart. I love you always and forever.

 

 

“We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.” ― Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the UK (1940–45 and 1951–55)

 

 

My dad is a police officer. When I was smaller, he used to be a Polis Hutan in Sarawak and only God knew how much we missed him and was petrified for his safety each and every time he went away for any operation. I pretty much know how the families of our troops in Lahad Datu are feeling right now, but I’m sure it is much scarier, knowing that there is actually a war, our beloved Sabah is at stake and the front liners’ lives are in threat.

 

So hear me up ungrateful jerks! There may be are a few corrupted kambing hitam in our police and arms forces who now and then make the headlines and disgrace the name of the force, but when they are currently putting their lives on the line to protect our nation, and you are being nothing but keyboard warriors, I suggest you save your sucky opinions for your stupid self and pray for the safety of our troops, the Sabahans and the nation we all love.

There are time and place for sarcasm and snarky opinions but not today.
Today we shall stand united and pray for our fellow Malaysians and our beloved nation.  

 

“One picture is worth 1,000 denials.” - Ronald Reagan

 

 

The other day, my girls and I discussed on Whatsapp about camwhoring on Instagram (yeah, deep, deep stuffs we talk about). Most of us have camwhored at least once in our lives but I think there is a certain extent to how often you should do it. And unless you’re Fazura (and not even Nora Danish, in Nijoh’s opinion), every hour of your full face picture in our Instagram feed is just ermmm, never mind. Heee. Yea yea, I’m the one who subjected myself to your camwhorings by clicking the Follow button. But sometimes that’s just because I like you, or sometimes I kinda enjoy looking at your other artsy fartsy IG feed, or maybe sometimes I just need a source of entertainment.

 

Oh, oh, if you haven’t, go read Ijaicool’s entry on 'Tabiat Manusia Di Instagram'. Freaking hilarious!

 

I too camwhore sometimes (duh!) often with Hadi as my accessory and I don’t upload most of the pictures because I have low self-esteem about how I look. Sobs. The one that gives the most ilusi optik proudly makes it as the profile picture of this blog, tadaaa! But Fazura should camwhore more because she’s just so pretty. And Awal Ashaari should lessen his camwhoring activity simply because he’s a dude. I mean come on lah Awal, even Scha doesn’t do it as much as you do! But still, I haven’t unfollowed him because his life seems so interesting and yeah, celebritydom is one of the simple quirky pleasures of my everyday life.

 

Anyways, back to our Whatsapp topic of the said day, Elin suggested we all camwhore and appointed me to compile and assemble them, and behold, here’s what we came up with:

 

 

 

Hahaha! Camwhore overload! You can go and puke now.

 

 

“Although no one can go back and make a brand new start,

anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” ― Carl Bard

 

 

 

 

Sometimes I wish my body has ‘undo’ and ‘restart’ buttons. Every time I say things I shouldn’t say, do things I shouldn’t have done, I wish I could just press the ‘undo’ key and erase them all away. That horrible comments I made, that unfunny jokes, that hurtful remarks I say, that raise of voice towards my boy, one key and voila, undone.

 

Oh of course I do not wish to restart my whole life, that would be tiresome. It’s for when I’m feeling low, or maladies hit me, or on days when I lack motivation and just go through the day like a wind passing by; that’s when I need that ‘restart’ button for my body. Restart. All neutral, recharged, hatred free, ready to absorb positivity.

 

You know what I’m saying, don’t you? Tell me I’m not the only crazy one here!

"You should never be bored. There are too many books you have not read to be bored, there are too many different countries you have yet to see to be bored. There is no excuse for being bored. It is all gone too soon- all of this beautiful sweet life - to ever be bored.” — Tony Parsons

 

 

Paulo watched his brother’s former girlfriend, if that wasn’t the wrong word, answering the phone in the front office. He thought that Ginger was still a good looking woman, but there had probably never been anything momentous about her, nothing about her that made you understand how Michael would be prepared to play Russian roulette with his family. There was nothing about her to make you think that she had the power to turn a man’s world inside out.

 

Paulo wondered how it could ever be worth it. To build a family – a wife, a child, a home – and then put it all at risk for the excitement of someone new. It was true that Paulo was a different man from his brother, that he had never been the cock artist that Michael had once been, and probably still was in his heart, despite his recent vow of celibacy, and perhaps always would be until his knob withered with the years.

 

But still – how could any new woman be worthy that degree of heartache? How could any new woman make you put your family on the line? Nobody was that good in bed.

 

- The Family Way, Tony Parsons.
 

 

I have yet to finish reading it, I have 65 pages more to go but I can’t help but share the above excerpt with you. It’s like Parsons took the words right out of my mouth and put them in better sentences with perfect grammar. Yes, how could any new woman be worthy of the heartache that one would cause to his family? Exactly my sentiment!

 

I have always liked Parsons writing since Man and Boy (mental note: gotta give the book a reread now that I have a boy of my own) and I am enjoying this one as well. There’s a reviewer on Goodreads.com who found it “cringe-worthy to have a man writing about the issues of period pains and other women’s afflictions”, because she said, “what the hell does he know”. But Parsons is very insightful; I have to give it to him. It ain’t easy to be writing about women’s heartache; of a woman struggling as motherhood doesn’t come naturally for her, of a woman with postnatal depression, of a woman dealing to divide time between being a wife and a new mother and later with her cheating husband, of a woman’s longing for a child - all sorts of heartaches only a woman could relate to. But Parsons kinda nailed it. Perhaps he had a good female research team for him or he’s just born with such perceptive.

 

As always when I’m reading a book, I’d pick any Hollywood stars I like to play the character in my head - one of my favourite things to do each time I start a new book. Here, the beautiful French actress, Marion Cotillard plays Cat the eldest sister, a career woman who initially never intended to procreate, then she turned 40 and was suddenly hit with a longing for motherhood. The stunningly pretty middle child who couldn’t get pregnant, Jessica is played by Mary Rose Byrne. For their little sister, Megan, a doctor who got impregnated after a one night stand with a hunky surfer after breaking up with his whiny, rich bastard boyfriend – this I’m having trouble with. The character is described as very pretty, voluptuous with smart mouth (of course) and I couldn’t decide on an actress. I keep on alternating between Chyler Leigh (very much due to her Lexie Grey portrayal) and Zooey Deschanel (because for some reason, Zooey is always my first pick for any fictions I read), although yes, neither of them are voluptuous. Hehe.

 

I also took the liberty to cast the supporting roles (I'm that annoying): Jesse Metcalfe as Jessica’s husband Paulo, Ed Harris as Cat’s longtime boyfriend, Ashton Kutcher as Megan’s baby daddy (she calls him that), Takako Matsu (I love her in Love Generation) as Paulo’s Japanese sister in law, Sharon Stone as the girls’ actress mother who left them when they were small for a better and child-free life and yeah, many others. Quite a star-studded movie, this one is. Ngeee.

 

I don’t know where I’m going with this. I initially wanted to write about betrayal. Apa terjadi? LOL. Anyways, yeah I tend to take this casting thing  quite seriously and will be very disappointed when th book I like is made into a movie and I hate the actors they cast. Case in point: Hillary Swank as Holly Kennedy of P/S I Love You! Major yikes!

 

 

P/S: My views on betrayal? To be continued. Maybe. But you could have guessed lah, it's no rocket science.

 

"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home,
 and let him make her sorry to see him leave." - Martin Luther

 

I’m sure most of you ladies who made it to the recent BBW book fair got yourselves a copy of this book, right? ‘Cause it’s cute and was sold at only RM10! You may get the same title from your regular bookstore at a whopping retail price of RM65! Phewww that’s capitalism for you.

 

Anyways, did you know that in the 1930s, there was this American psychologist who devised a little something named Marital Ratings Scale, whereby wealthy men could rate their wives by awarding plus or minus points for their behavior? Yes you read that right, a freaking rating scale! Such pressure! Hahaha. A wife who does not show enthusiasm during you-know-what will get deduction of 10 points while 10 bonus points will be rewarded if she reacts with ‘pleasure and delight’. I guess now we know that the 1930s wives must be the one who started to fake it, if you know what I mean.

 

There are so many other things I’d like to share from the book but this is certainly one of the best advice for husbands; Phrases, when repeated on a regular basis, bound to make for a happy marriage (take note, dudes!):

 

“Put your feet up, darling”

“That dress looks amazing”

“I'll do the washing up”

“Yes, that really is a bargain”

“I love you”

“Take my credit card”

“Ding dong - Tiffany calling!”

“The kids are going to stay with my parents. We're going to Venice for the weekend.”

“Let's get a takeaway.”

“You still look as great as the day we met.”

 

Best. Advice. Ever.

 

 

“Anxiety is part of creativity, the need to get something out, the need to be rid of something or to get in touch with something within.” - David Duchovny

 

 

If you’re wondering (which I guess means that you don’t follow me on my other social medias), yes I still take orders for diaper cakes and gift baskets! All previous orders are updated on my Diaper Cake & Such Facebook PAGE (do click LIKE if you think my craft deserves it) and on Diaper Cake & Such BLOG as well. I’m currently contemplating a business proposal, a joint venture one might say; weighing the terms presented and asking myself, do I really want this? Do I need to compromise in return for good money? Should I do this? And the ultimate question: Will I have time for this?

 

I mean, I started this side business because I enjoy doing it, side income is a major bonus but mostly it is for the artsy side of me. To fulfill my need to unleash my creativity, to scratch the itch, you know what I mean? Duchovny, a sex addict he may be, got it right with that quote. Just last night, I was itching to make something, I actually felt my heart beat faster because I needed, wanted, and was actually craving to make something! So balik rumah tak sempat tukar from my work clothes, I completed a gift basket which is only due on January 6th. Cray-cray I know.

 

But I think most of us have this side to us; some (like my husband) are more musically inclined (do you know that he sings beautifully, plays the guitar, took a drum lesson once and can draw as well; I don’t know why he’s still a lawyer), some are into photography, some loves scrap-booking documenting their lives; and me, I’m into making gifts for your loved ones! And while we’re at that, let’s have a look at the recent gift baskets that I made, shall we? I’m not particularly awesome but I put love and effort in every single one of my creation!

 

 

 

 If you like what you see, email me at jumjumatun(at)yahoo(dot)com for order!

 

 

Oh while we’re on this ‘creativity’ subject, last night Hadi handed me a headphone and he put one on himself too. He said, “Mama nyanyi tadadadadadadadadada” (irama lagu sang by Upin Ipin masa school concert, the staging of Pengembala Kambing by the kids), “Hadi nyanyi InsyaAllah, cepat, nyanyi sama-sama.” You see what he did?! He mashed up the songs! Man, were we damn proud or what.

He’s going to be a successful music producer one day. Haha lame, overproud parents.

 

 

“A woman’s mind is as complex as the contents of handbag; even when you get to the bottom of it, there is always something at the bottom to surprise you.” – Billy Connelly

 

 

I think a huge handbag is essential, especially for a mother. I know I am short and huge handbags would drown me but I just don’t know how people could live with clutches, mini size bags and what not. How do you carry a book in your tiny wristlet? And if you don’t, what do you do when you have to wait?

 

  Presenting, the contents of my big bag of everything.

 

 

I have almost everything I need in my bag: Wallet with some money. A box of name cards. A pouch of my basic gizmos (compact powder, lip gloss, eyeliner, menstrual pads, panty liners and some basic meds) Hand cream. Tissues. Pens and scrap papers. Sometimes notes on my diaper cake orders. And yes, a book. I keep different books in different bags, which explains why my bags are always super heavy. The Lincoln Lawyer has been in one of my Le Pliage for ages now and I have yet to finish it! Eeeek. Not exactly a light read, that one.

 

Ah yes, as you can see, I carry my boy’s essentials as well, even on weekdays. You’ll never know when you’ll need bedak to touch up his sloppy face or sikat for his unruly long hair, or a cap when it’s scorching hot or drizzles, or raisins when he needs light snacks, his Bud’s cream for insect bites, and yes, the ultimate indispensable piece: wet tissue. Sometimes I even keep a piece of his diapers and carry it to the office and everywhere.

 

 

True story. Mak-mak sangat kau.

 

God knows what other thingamajigs I have in my bag; sometimes I even got my boy’s half-eaten cookies, not to mention loose change, brooches, paper clips and God knows what. I wonder how most men can go anywhere and everywhere without a bag and survive the day! I love (and NEED) my big bag of everything!

 

"I’ve seen enough horror movies to know that any weirdo wearing a mask is never friendly.” - Friday the 13th.

 

 

The present @twt_malaysia curator is currently talking about horror movies and yes, while Stephen King's IT was damn scary and gave clown a bad name, the one movie that could still give me chills today would be our very own Malaysian production, Rahsia. Remember Rahsia? Noor Kumalasari starred in it alongside Shukery Hashim, and a very young and suave Yusof Haslam also made an appearance. Misteri Rumah Tua, which many people prefer, is equally good but didn’t have the same impact on me, probably because the ghost in Rahsia is a child ghost and the first time I watched Rahsia, I was only 9 or 10. I read somewhere that the movie was loosely adapted (read: ciplak) from a foreign movie but who cares, it’s good and Noor Kumalasari gave a chilling performance. It even won Best Film in 1987! Suffice to say, I was terrified of bath tub for quite some time, didn’t really recover until I was in university I think. Eeek.

 

 

Yes, the same Othman Hafsham who recently directed Karipap-Karipap Cinta T___T

 

 

It has been a while since Malaysia movie industry came up with a good horror movie. I think the last “horror” movie that I watched was Karak, which is a crying shame and even the sight of Khilafairy berkemban (kehendak filem katanya, sebab “mandi di kampung, jadi sudah tentulah berkemban” T___T) couldn’t save the terrible KRU production.

 

Local horror movies could easily succeed, don’t you think so? Because we can relate ourselves to the stories and yes, the chills it gives you from the fact that the ghost could be lurking just around the corner of your house. Someone should make a Hantu Susu movie and make Khilafairy (or Ayu Raudhah, whichever you’d prefer) stars in it, now that could be a hit. For now, I’m gonna go watch Ponti vs Omi soon, because hey, I always always always support Afdlin Shauki work because he’s awesome, as simple as that.

"Chocolate keeps everyone going on a very bad day." - Connie Wilson

Jodi Picoult in Harvesting the Heart (which I'm currently reading) says the world is divided into two kinds of people; the kind who loves chocolate and the kind who loves vanilla. Well I beg to differ, Miss Picoult. Of course there is another kind, people like me, who loves both just the same!

 

 

I mean, why else would this divine little thing exist? Creamy vanilla dipped in heavenly chocolate! For people like me!

 

That's all. Seriously craving perhaps (not pregnant, just another fatty fatty bom bom who loves her dessert). Maybe I should have just tweeted this. But this space was in dire need of an update, ngeee!

 

"Handle? I can handle it. Handle is my middle name. Well, actually its the middle part of my first name." - Chandler Bing, FRIENDS.

 

 

Hey peeps! Are you stuck in traffic on your back to your hometown? Saw a picture of the traffic to Kelantan my ex-schoolmate posted on Facebook and I've just got to say that I do not envy her at all! But I'm gonna be all jealous tomorrow once she posts pics of her mother's yummy food, that's for sure. I'm going nowehere, celebrating Eid here in JB, as I have a trial on Monday (sucky dates, I know) and now, at 6.40 p.m. on Eid eve, I am still in the office, yeay me! Not. But MIL's making rendang ayam so yeay, and I'm gonna be making Laksa Penang (my mom's recipe, no less) later tonight, insyaAllah. Do come over tomorrow if you want some. But for now, for all of you stuck in heavy, annoying traffic, here's some of Chandler Bing goodness, to make you feel better.

 

 

 

 Ba dum tss! Feel better already? Enjoy your holiday and Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha!

 

 

"All right, look if you absolutely have to tell her the truth, at least wait until the timing's right. And that's what deathbeds are for." - Chandler Bing, FRIENDS.

 

 

 

If you don’t watch FRIENDS, I judge you. I do. And if you’re a fan, I’d feel instantly connected to you, as though there is this special good-taste-in-30-minutes-sitcom bond between us. Haha. Tapi betullah, how can one simply not like FRIENDS? I could watch the same episode over and over again and laugh at the same punch lines, it is that good. And timeless, like P. Ramlee comedies. Their first season was more than 10 years ago yet the jokes are still relevant. At least to me. But yes, to each their own lah kan? Maybe Frasier does it for you. Eeeek.

 

We managed to score complete 10 seasons box set of FRIENDS on sale and it’s so handy that every time I feel a need for a good laugh, my FRIENDS (pun intended) are just within reach. I’m currently watching the 5th season, when Monica and Chandler are secretly dating. Too cute, really.

 

How I Met Your Mother cuba membawakan the same premise; a bunch of best friends, always hanging out at a bar (instead of a coffee shop) if they’re not at Marshall and Ted’s apartment (instead of Monica’s) and sometimes they date each other but when that fails, they remain friends. Familiar sangat tau premise tersebut. Hubs call HIMYM a failed imitation. I quite like HIMYM lah, but it’s nothing compared to FRIENDS.

 

Everybody Loves Raymond, Seinfeld, Gary Unmarried (too bad it only lasted for 2 seasons), Arrested Development, 2 Broke Girls (can’t wait to watch Season 2), The Nanny, 3rd Rock from the Sun (Gordon-Levitt!), That 70’s Show and Scrubs are among my other favourites (Eeek that’s a lot! I used to be a TV addict, remember?) What’s yours?

 

"A diet is when you watch what you eat and wish you could eat what you watch." - Hermione Gingold

 

I’m on a Segelas-Air-Manis-Per-Day challenge (of course I cannot quit cold turkey, I’m obsessed with teh tarik and what not!) It’s been 8 days (of course I cheat on weekends!) and at the moment I’m typing this, it is taking so much courage to not go to the pantry and bancuh a glass of hot Milo. I’ve already had my poison today, Iced Cham at Hua Mui, a worthy one I must say. Wish me luck, people. And no, no apparent reduction to my tummy size yet, thank you for asking. Maybe tomorrow I should start walking to the office, eeeek!

 

 

But, but, I deserve that cheese cake! Tsk.

“Motherhood has a very humanizing effect. Everything gets reduced to essentials.” - Meryl Streep

 

Perfect housewives like Bree (thank God she's just a fictional character) and perhaps Martha Stewart makes me feel inadequate. Oh yes, my mom too. I don’t remember our house ever being unkempt, even when we were small, she serves flawless home cooked meal every single day, and the worst thing is she is always cantik and well-dressed, even at home. You can never see her in t-shirt gedebeh with kain batik kusam, no no no, always impeccable, yikes! So yes, women like these makes woman like me feel insufficient on so many levels.

But of course, mom and I have one huge difference between us: I don’t get to spend my siang hari at home hence leaving me with little time to scrub a dub dub and what not. I do aspire to be a supermom though; one who is awesome at my day job and still manages to keep my house perfect, serves warm home cooked meals, homeschool my kid, keeps the husband happy while at the same time finding time for my own hobby and interest. Pfffttt! Impian namanya. Unless a spider decides to bite me today and makes me all mighty and powerful, I have to accept the fact that I am just human and there is nothing super about me.

 

I used to be anal about so many things but I am mostly cured now. Now that I have a toddler on top of my pecah otak job, I have learned to accept the facts that: (a) My house is never going to be spotless 24/7 (unless if my imaginary maid turned reality one day); (b) It’s OK for me to not cook every day and I think (and hope) my family is never going to despise me for this; (c) There will be days (or nights) when I don’t feel like cleaning or doing the laundry and I should not feel too bad about it (who am I kidding, the OCD in me cringe every single time); (d) My kitchen and toilets don’t have to be squeaky clean so it is OK for me to just clean as I go; (e) I can make Hadi cleans up after his own mess by making it a fun task, macam main game Siapa Cepat Masukkan Toys Dalam Box! although on most days, I’d end up main the game by myself. Sigh T___T

I do wonder though, how some working moms manage to keep their house impeccable all the time. What’s their secret? Little elves? Girl scouts bunian? Kerahan tenaga husband and kids? Minuman tenaga Kacip Fatimah? I found this Hilarious House Cleaning Tips for New Mothers article on Breastfeeding.com, but “if you're a Martha Stewart type of housekeeper, this is not for you.” Hehe. So ladies, do you have a secret? Share them with me!

 

 

 

Story of my life T___T

 

 

“The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.” ― Alan Bennett

Managed to get three books from MPH clearance corner for only RM5.05. Kalaulah harga buku in Malaysia memang that cheap, I bet more people would pick up reading as their favourite past time activity. Tapi sebenarnya harga buku is not a valid alasan. (A valid alasan would be “I’m a new mother and I barely have time to even sleep, let alone read, so yeah,” or something like that) Sebab ada banyak tempat jual buku secondhand, especially in KL. Kalau tak mahu beli, banyak sangat book stores yang boleh sewa with the option to purchase. I used to sewa buku/ buy secondhand books all the time when I was a student living on government scholarship.

I remember when I was in standard 5 or 6, I used to follow my dad to this one particular Sunday morning market in Gombak to beli buku longgok. My dad would give me RM5 to RM10 and I’ll usually get 2-3 books. In fact, I bought two of my favourite (preteen) books there, Laila Azwa Gadisku and another one I can’t remember the title but it’s about this girl who lives by the sea, a smart straight A student who kerja kutip kupang as her part time job. Jadi ya, apa yang saya cuba sampaikan ialah, you can even get good books in pasar!

My little one too seems to love books and I hope this will last. A boy growing up in the era of smartphones and cool gadgets; I foresee kesukaran untuk mengekalkan this passion for reading in him, but I sure hope we would able to do so. I have always been a reader dari kecil, I don’t know how my parents did it, because I don’t remember them being avid readers but I guess early exposure to good books help; I went to an awesome kindergarten that use Peter & Jane as teaching method, I have a collection of Disney book series which cost my dad a lot (but the books are awesome and I read it every night for months after I got them) and my parents never say no every time I requested for books.

I don’t know where I’m going with this but as I’ve told you in my previous post, I have recently picked up reading again, now that my little one is not so little that he needs my constant attention anymore, thank goodness, and I must say this again, that I have fallen in love all over again with reading. A new book is like a whole new world you get to explore and enjoy. If you too are a reader, you’d understand what I mean. Maybe one day, when I’m all rajin, I’ll share with you my Top 10 favourite books and maybe kita boleh exchange list! How very cool (in a nerdy way) would that be!

These days, I’d rather read than watch reality TV shows (in fact, I can’t remember when was the last time I watched one, and I used to be such a big fan!), which shows that I am perhaps aging or maybe I am simply embracing being the nerd that I secretly am. Damn, Oprah Winfrey would be so proud of me.

“I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough.” ― The Notebook

Chacha.com listed 2 Ryan Gosling’s movies in its Movies That Ruined Our Perception of Relationships list: The Notebook and Crazy, Stupid, Love. The Notebook, as we all know, is an adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel, and although I could be a hopeless romantic when I want to, I despised the novel. It was too sappy, even for my standard. But I LOOOOOOVE the movie! In fact, I think it’s the only based-on-books-movie that I actually like. Maybe it’s the top notch performances of the casts, maybe it’s the on-screen off-screen chemistry, maybe it’s how they managed to turn a romance so cliché into something so heartbreakingly beautiful. Or maybe it’s Ryan Gosling. Ngeee.

(Although I would definitely recommend the sequence to The Notebook: The Wedding. One of my personal favourites!)

Anyways, here's from Chacha.com:

The Notebook: The Notebook has given women such high and unrealistic expectations of men that they will undoubtedly be let down in real life. Ryan Gosling's character, Noah spends years performing grand gestures of love to win over his sweetheart Ali. His over-the-top antics include:

• Writing letters every single day

• Building a dream home for Ali

• Dramatic kisses in the pouring rain

Crazy, Stupid, Love: Let's just call this one the "Ryan Gosling effect." After this hit and others like 'Drive,' many females are looking for one thing in relationships: a Ryan Gosling clone. Many men are doomed to fail at relationships when they don't come close to the expectations that Ryan Gosling has set. Attributes of a Ryan Gosling clone include:

• Smooth talker

• Nice Wardrobe

• Laid back attitude

• Confidence

Hahaha. So yeah, I guess it’s the Ryan Gosling effect. If you haven’t watched The Notebook (where have you been the last 8 years?) I suggest you should. The Rotten Tomatoes (which I rely upon for reviews and what not) gave the movie a mere 52% but what the heck, I like it ;)