Sunday, May 30, 2010

Congratulations!

Today is a special day because 2 of my 2nd cousins (or whatever you call it) from Buru have finally got that scroll in their hands.
Alhamdulillah..

All the hard work has paid off. And it's definitely not easy. Unlike us in Singapore, where education is served on a platter (and which many of my kids in school take for granted), it is not as simple for them.

Money is of course, the main hindrance to the pursuit of higher education. They could, like many others, gave up on their studies to work immediately after secondary school in order to help their parents put food on the table. They could also, like many others, not have dreams that go beyond living their lives as sailors.

But these 2 dared to dream further. And worked their asses off.
And it finally paid off.

Not without any bumps, of course. I remember the day, ayah rushed off to Pekan Baru where the 2 were studying after receiving a frantic call from Firman's desperate father. Both the boys had problems settling the school fees and also their rent. These 2 boys were in total despair and were too heartbroken at the thought of their dreams being dashed that they just went missing. Ayah found them in one of the mosques there as they had nowhere else to go.

After discussing with ibu, they agreed to sponsor Firman & Kamal's education. It's not much really. Just $50 per person per month. What's that to us here? But to them, it makes a whole world of difference.

And today, they are graduates.
I hope that they will be able to help their respective families lead better lives, cos I am a strong believer of education being the most powerful way out of the vicious cycle of poverty.

And to my 2 adik sedaras, I am damn proud of you, guys.
Once again, congratulations!



Kamal: Bakal ahli politik?

Firman: Bakal pengetua?


Saturday, May 29, 2010

Lagenda Budak Setan Official Trailer

I simply can't wait for this new movie, Lagenda Budak Setan.

Why? It's adapted from Ahadiat Akashah's novel and I know that most of you do not have an inkling who he is... but he is my fav Malay author.

I was introduced to his books many many many many years ago by my cousin, Fatiah. And I have never looked back since. Nothing extraordinary about his books, actually. No mind-blowing plots, twists and turns.. no flowery languages.. and that's what made his books stood out from the rest.

I think everyone knows how Malay novels tend to be so berbunga and all, thus, I was immediately attracted to his books which had the simplest, everyday, rilek language used. And being a teenager back then, all his cinta remaja plots were something I could relate to. I think I have read almost all (if not ALL) of his books.. and I have a few at home, sitting proudly on my bookshelf.

And this movie, I hope, does justice to Ahadiat's work. The casts seem promising enough. There's Lisa Surihani. I have never seen any of her movies before, but she is just so sweeeeeetttt... I want a menantu like her. Teehee.. There's Farid Kamil, who looks so sexy all sad and serious like that. I've never been a fan of his, but maybe this movie will change everything. There's the pretty Raja Farah. There's Que Haidhar. And of cos, my favourite Fazura... The most gorgeous/sweetest/cutest woman in Mollywood.

So, my fellow Ahadiat Akashah's fans... (read: Ikin, Fati, Nurul, Abg Khairil)... jom pegi tgk wayang!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Parents

I remember when I was about 17 or 18, I had a real bad case of stomach pain.
It started at about midnight, and I went to the toilet, more than 6 times. And I vomitted a few times too. When I couldn't take it anymore, I knocked on my parents' door hoping that ibu, being the nurse, would know what to do.

She immediately marched me to CGH. That, was about 2am in the morning.
After all the check-ups, the jabs and whatever whatever... we reached home nearly 5am.
When I immediately went tobed to catch up on my sleep, both my parents got ready for work.
I remember also, in my drowsy state, thinking... "How in the world can they still be going to work after not getting any sleep?"

Now I know.

Ryan has been sick for the past few days. And 2 nights back, I barely got any sleep.
After sponging Ryan, I went to bed at about 11.45 pm. At 1.15am, I was awaken by Ryan's movements and was quite alarmed to feel his body heat against mine. Shahreil was in the midst of giving Ryan his meds.. and I decided to sponge the poor baby. By 2.15 am, his temp was not that terrifying and thus I ended up sponging him only every 15 mins or so, sleeping in a sitting position. Only by 4am, I was satisifed enough to go back to sleep and by 5.15am, I was up and ready to go to work.

But, no complains. And I realise that my parents did what they did more than 10 years ago without any complains too. And that's one incident that i actually remember. I am pretty sure there are many other incidents that I may be too young to know or remember.

The love that a parent has for their child, is simply amazing.
Thank you, ibu and ayah for all your sacrifices, big or small.
Thank you, Shahreil for being a wonderful and reliable partner.

And you, my one and only, get well soon!

* I dreamt of arwah Pak Long last night. He was wearing his usual dibai'e attire.. white baju kurung and kain pelikat. He was smiling and looked so happy. It was raining and we were walking towards the car. We shared an umbrella as it was drizzling and we chatted. I woke up, remembered reading somewhere that all good dreams are from Allah. I thanked Him for bestowing such a nice dream and went back to sleep smiling. I do miss you, Pak Long.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

BUROOOOOOOOO

Ok, so you guys heard the news.
Aini and Amira are going to Buru TOMORROW.
And some of you are cruelly and evil-y grinning from ear to ear knowing that I am feeling totally, absolutely and horribly jealous. (YES! I'm talking about YOU, Ikin!)

I have not been to Buru for nearly 3 whole years!
The last was right after my wedding in 2007. And that is super long to me.

There are times when I don't think about that place at all.. or maybe I try not to think about it, if I'm being honest with myself. But there will be times when I just miss Buru (and Buru-ans) so freaking much it hurts.

*sigh*

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Jom Makan!

Sejak dua menjak ni, aku asyik dok pikiak pasal makan jer.

Ni suma gara-gara baru balik dari KL ler. Macam biasa, hobi utama bila sampai Malaysia ni(selain daripada carik-carik artis) adalah makan, makan, makan.



Apa ke tidak, mana lagilah kita nak dapat tempat makan yang kebanyakannya ditanggung halal. Susah dapat, beb!

So, sejak hari tu.. aku asyik teringat-ingat makanan-makanan Melayu. Aku ni, kalau makanan mat saleh, tak berapa minat ler. Sebab tu dulu Nick Carter Backstreet Boys ajak kawin, aku tak nak. Siapa nak gi layan dia, dok kat Hollywood sana. Kalau dtg mood aku nak makan asam pedas, mana nak carik? ;-P



So, ni adalah senarai makanan-makanan feberet aku (tanpa mengikut sebarang urutan).. Enjoy!]





Ikan Masak Taucu:



Aku mula suka lauk ni bila dulu masa sec school, aku rasa makcik aku (Cik Jah) masak. Dalam orang mengutuk yang dia tak pandai masak, aku rasa taucu dia memang kelas woo! Lebih lagi bila dia letak telur burung, meletup! And of course, kalau ada hirisan bawang and cili macam kat atas tu... Tak gerak aku dari meja makan.




Cincalok:


Yang ni pun aku suka sgt, walaupun susah nak dapat orang hidangkan.. sebab macam tak berapa fofular. Aku ada gak beli sebotol, bila2 terasa tak tau apa nak makan, keluarkan cincalok ni... hiris jer cili and bawang.. Sedap hingga menjilat jari!



Asam Pedas:



First time, makan asam pedas was in Tanjung Balai. I think I was about 5 or 6 years old. Ibu suapkan nasi ngan asam pedas campur ngan kuah sup sawi. Fuh! Sedapnyer... Macam boleh terasa sampai sekarang. Asam pedas ni bertambah-tambah kick kalau ada sayur asam r daun kesum (ni ibunyer style) and bendi ngan tomato banyak-banyak (style tokne). Kalau kat Tampines dulu, aku selalu tgk tv sambil hirup semangkuk asam pedas.




Sambal tumis petai:

Aku tak berapa ingat sejak bila pandai makan petai ni. Tapi petai ni makan mentah gitu, tak suka sangat. Kalau dah buat sambal, lain citer. Seronok betul rasanya! Setakat ni kat rumah sendiri tak pernah masak petai. Bukan apa, laki aku tak feberet bau petai kan.... jadi, kesian dia. Ini aku bedal kat Tampines jer. Ayah kalau gi Buru selalu bawak balik petai berkoyan-koyan.. Lauk petai paling best pernah makan, kat restoran Madam Kwan, kat KLCC. Bayangkan, dalam restoran high class macam tu ada jual sambal petai. Hebat betul!



Sambal Hijau/ Sambal Lonteh:

Ni kira macam sambal belacan versi hijau jer. Aduiiiii... ni pun, aku kadang-kadang dok tv makan sambal jer. Lagi pedas, lagi best! Kalau ada ni, takde lauk lain pun tak kisah lah wei!


Siput Sedut:
Siput sedut ni masak lemak memang sedap, tapi aku lagi suka kalau masak kicap. Jarang nampak orang masak siput sedut masak kicap, tapi ibu kat rumah lebih suka masak kicap. Kepuasan menyedut siput ni memang susah nak digambarkan. Dan kegeraman kalau tak dapat sedut tu pun lagi susah aku nak gambarkan.
Ada sekali tu aku 'puasa' daripada makan siput ini untuk beberapa bulan. Nak tahu kenapa? Al-kisahnya, waktu tu, Mbakyu aku ada simpan siput dalam besen, dia tutup lah dengan tutup periuk. Letak dalam balkoni. Sekalai tu, bila aku masuk balkoni, tak ke terjerit bila nampak siput merata-rata, all over the floor... Aiyohh!!! So the geli one!
Tapi kejap jer aku geli, lepas tu dah ngaaap balik!Well, Yati and sambal tumis, memang tak boleh dipisahkan. Especially dulu kat Tampines, selang dua hari mesti ada lauk sambal sebab suma hantu sambal! Antara sambal tumis yang best, sambal tumis telur Nek Teh kat Buru.. Fuyyoooooooo!!! I miss your sambal lah, Nek Teh! Dah nak masuk 3 thn aku tak merasa sambal Nek Teh ni!
Tapi apakan daya, dapat suami yang tak makan sambal. Sedih betul rasa!




Pucuk Ubi Rebus:

Sifat ska makan sayur ni disemai dari kecik lagi.. oleh siapa lagi kalau bukan Puan Munahwarah Mokhtar. KEcik-kecik dia suka pakai line ni... "Makan sayur ni, nanti dah besar kulit cantik jer... Lawa. Ati nak lawa tak? Kalau nak.. makan ni..." HAhahha.. Dalam keterpaksaaan, aku makan lah. Tapi lama kelamaan, jadi kesukaan. Aku kalau takde sayur, rasa macam tak selera. Kalau adik-adik aku feberet ayam ke daging ke... aku feberet sayur.
Pucuk ubi rebus ni kalau cicah ngan sambal kacang, memang kick. Buat makan ngan nasi boleh... Makan camtu jer pun ok!






Lemak Turi & Keledek

Inilah antara lauk yang ada kombinasi yang very syiok.. Turi tu kan pahit-pahit sikit tapi kalau kena ngan keledak yang lemak n manis, betul nyer padan! Tapi lauk turi ni pun jarang makan. Dulu lauk ni, ibu jer yang suka masak... jarang jugak aku nampak lauk ni kat mana-mana.


Tempoyak udang:

Seelum aku tulis apa-apa pasal ni aku nak jerit dulu,

" SEEEEDAAAAAAAAAPPPPPNYEEEERRRRRRRRRR!!!"

Aku pernah tulis dulu dalam blog ni pasal tempoyak udang. Rasanya so the lemak tapi ada pahit-pahit durian sikit. Tapi sedappppppppppppppppppp......


Asam Rebus:

Kalau aku cakap pasal asam rebus, aku ingat satu orang je.. Tok Ne. Sebab Tok NE yang handal masak lauk ni. Asam rebus tok ne best sebab dia suka letak cauliflower, nenas, kacang panjang and jagung kecik-kecik tu. Kalau aku dtg rumah tok ne, mesti dia masakkan asam rebus, walaupun dalam keadaan tangan dia yang dah terketar-ketar tu. Untuk cucu kesayangan katakan.. kwang kwang kwang... Jangan jeles eh!



Jadi, itulah adi antara makanan-makanan kegemaran Nurhayati.
Kalau korang campak aku kat Australia ke, New Zealand ke... gerenti aku meraung sebab tak dapat cari makanan macam tu. Tapi kalau korang campak aku kat ceruk-ceruk kampung, mesti aku jadi orang paling happy dalam dunia sebab dapat makan makanan Melayu kampung.

Cuma nasib kurang baik, dapat partner yang lebih cenderung makan fillet, makan pasta, makan sandwich. Jadi, tak ada motivasi untuk masak makanan macam yang di atas tadi,, kerana masak untuk diri sendiri aja, sungguh tak ada semangat you!

Tapi, azam baru minggu ini... aku akan masak SATU lauk feveret setiap minggu untuk kepuasan, kenikmatan dan kebahagiaan diri sendiri.

Jemput makan........