Smiles of Saturday

I woke up this morning with good news to fellow Malaysians (and the rest of the world) when the Government had announced the drop of fuel prices starting today. Even though i'm not deeply affected as i'm not paying the fuel for my car, however, i'm aware that a slight change can burn up a hole in anyone's pocket especially those who loves to travel like myself.

Therefore, i would like to thank the Government (and whoever involved, economic-wise) despite our political conditions. Hopefully Malaysia will return to its natuaral state minus the instability. My prayers have been answered. Alhamdulillah

Besides that, i would also like to congrats Razak Baginda's family for welcoming back their father/husband today after his release. After all of those hard times, patience and faith had become a norm. Its time to start on a new chapter in life. May Allah bless you always. After all, "berani kerana benar, takut kerana salah."

Fuel 15 sen cheaper following dip in global oil prices

PETALING JAYA: Fuel is 15 sen cheaper from today after the Government announced its fourth reduction since August.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said in a statement yesterday that the Government had decided to expedite the reduction to allow the public to enjoy the benefits.
The new price for RON97 is RM2.15 a litre (from RM2.30). Both RON92 and diesel are now RM2.05 a litre from RM2.20 previously.

Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Minister Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad said that if the world crude oil price continued to drop at the present rate, local pump prices would likely revert to the pre-June price of RM1.92 per litre.

Shahrir, who said the average world crude oil price for October was US$76.40 (RM267.40) per barrel, said the average for November might go below US$70.

“So (if this happens) the price of petrol at the retail level will probably go back to RM1.92 per litre,” he said.

As a cap has been placed on a price of RM1.92 per litre, he said if the world crude oil price goes down even lower than that, the Government could end its fuel subsidy and use the money for other purposes.

For this year up to September, the Government spent RM16.8bil on fuel subsidy and RM2.5bil on rebates for motorists and motorcyclists.

“That means there is a likelihood that we will spend RM19bil to RM20bil on fuel subsidy for the whole year,” Shahrir said.

Shahrir hoped petrol station owners would accept the price reduction and accept any losses as part of business.

He pointed out that the Government had always been fair to the station owners, including helping them reduce operating costs by reverting to self-service, cutting on number of staff, not forcing them to open for 24 hours as well as increasing their margin from 9.5 sen to 12 sen per litre in June.

Langkawi trip

Langkawi Geopark. Langkawi Geopark! Its so famous now since it was awarded by UNESCO. Don't ask me what it is. I came for the greenery place, relax & rejuvenate and chocolate shopping and the fact that the last time i was there, i was twelve.

Since the weekend was a Public Holiday, Papa was so generous to take us on a family getaway but all the flights were fully booked. Therefore we had to drag ourselves to the Kuala Perlis jetty which in my opinion was the last resort to go to Langkawi. I'm not really a fan of water transportation. Maybe cos my work revolves around water and travelling on boats. Perhaps. Luck Adam and Edros they escape the boat ride since Adam has his exams going on so they'll be Fireflyz-ing that night.

Our ride

After an hour ride from the jetty to Kuah Jetty in Langkawi island, it was lunch time and the modernized jetty had a lot of cafes or restaurants to choose from. So while waiting for our ride and since it was drizzling, we had lunch at Kenny Rogers Roasters. Just a note for those who would want to travel with the ferry; it may sound like a short ride but please make sure you brought something to eat and drink with you cos i didnt and the 5 of us were thirsty and hungry throughout.

A momento for Mr Boyfy

Langkawi is a small island but don't underestimate it. Make sure you get the map and GPS ready as the signboard, sometimes, is no help at all. To get to Holiday Villa Resort which was in Pantai Tengah of Langkawi, took us a good 40 minutes ride. But the greens never failed me. Its good to see lots of great landscapes.

Mama, Adam, Edros and Elly!

The kitchenware i would love to have, yes its pink!

Since it was the monsoon season, it rained a lot. Papa had to cancel his game that evening and followed us for some shopping. Poor Papa. For those shopaholics, expect nothing much but kitchenwares and chocolates. It may be a duty free place but nothing much thrills me more than the cheap chocolates and maybe ciggies. For the first time in my life, i had a MYR500++ receipt worth of chocs and ciggies, for the brother of course. After Eight, Toblerone, Daim, Hersheys, Cadbury you name it, everything's there selling below market price!

The Holiday Villa courtyard

Holiday Villa as a whole was a great place to stay despite its old age and eventhough its far from the city, the beautiful surroundings will never put you down. A four star hotel and very well recommended by me and the breakfast? Great. I love the waffles, sangatlah sedap and the buffet as well. For those of you who wants to rest and relax, its a great place to be as well as there are a lot of indoor and outdoor activities you could do there too. The best thing they had there was the indoor swimming pool for the ladies and kids. Cool eh?

The beach

I was thinking of some 'rejuvenating', yes spa and more of it, but the price was ohmy expensive. Perhaps to cater to those not-from-Malaysia tourists. Usually, my full course spa would only cost less than MYR200 but at Amoaras Spa, the in-hotel spa the full course would have you pay double or triple the price. So cancel that off my to-do list, i had to settle for other activities like swimming. As Papa had warned us earlier, the location of our hotel (Pantai Tengah) was not a suitable place to beach-swimming. I'll spare the details as its far too complicated to explain. And since pool-swimming does not really interest me at the point, i had to watch the two brothers do. Yawning!

The boys

On the second day, after another round of 'touring' shops, we fetched Papa from the Gunung Raya Golf Club to the Mahsuri Musoleum (Makam Mahsuri) which holds the greatest legendary of Langkawi and has become a tourist attraction on the island. To visit, the admission for the Mahsuri city is MYR5 for adult and MYR1 for kids.

The story of Mahsuri

During the time of the powerful Sultanates of the Malay archipelago there lived a young woman named Mahsuri. She was the most beautiful woman in all of Langkawi, and the wife of Wan Darus, a brave warrior. As was required of him, her husband had to go to war, leaving Mahsuri behind to fend for herself. It was during this time that Mahsuri befriended a young man named Deraman.

Their close friendship lead others in her village to believe that their relationship was sexual in nature. Some versions of the legend claim that the parties who perpetuated the gossip were those who were envious of Mahsuri's beauty. Eventually the rumours grew strong enough that the villagers openly accused her of adultery. Mahsuri pleaded her innocence, but no one believed her.

Following the old Islamic punishment for adultery, Mahsuri was to be tied to a tree (or pole) and stabbed to death. When they stabbed her, white blood flowed from her wound, signifying her innocence. With her dying breath, Mahsuri cursed Langkawi to have seven generations of bad luck.

When we stepped in the "Mahsuri city", on the right was a museum and there were also girls who played the caklempong, a traditional music instrument. Believe it or not, i played it when i was in Music Class during my high school. So as you stroll the place, you would see a few houses on stilts believed to be the kampung of Mahsuri surrounded by its beautiful flowers and trees.

Mama found a resident artiste who draws portraits at a price for MYR29 and sketches in less than 20minutes. So while waiting, the 5 of us had to go on the tour, without our parents but in there was also a mini bird park and Adam had a lot of fun teasing the birds. There was the peacock and eagle, belibis and the rest i forgot their names, sorry.

Double click for larger view of the birds

Loving the oversized cage

As much as Adam had fun so did we, photographing ourselves, of course. Too bad Mr Boyfy could not join us or it'll be double the fun. Thirsty we were, we settled for cokodok at a gerai nearby the paddy field. An experience too expensive to let go. :) On our way out, i spotted a tree, name Bongok. Funny isnt it? Bongok like stupid tree.

The stupid tree

After another ride on the ferry, we were on our way back to Penang, hungry as we were always, we stopped at Changloon for yummylicious food and Chendol. So yummy that i finished it all on my own. We had a great weekend despite the weather, but the greatest of all was the sunset shot on the highway, in the car by the non-pro photograher with not DSLR but a normal digicam, Me.

XOXO.

el mondo pizza, e-gate

Another review on food. Yum yum. Its been awhile since i last blogged on food. But this one is a must-blog.

El Mondo Pizza at E-gate Penang. Im not sure if there's any at other states but i think there's only in Krystal Point Penang and another one to be launced in Tanjung Bungah, says the owner.

Strawberry Slush

We ordered the BBQ Chicken Pizza and French Fries for Starters. The strawberry-crazy me order some strawberry slush they had on promo. The place was new and the people there were on training so we had to put on the patient gear. Hopefully they would speed up a little. While munching our fries and waiting for our pizza, the owner came and chat with us.

Surprisingly my red slush was not as sweet as expected, they could've add a little more of the sugar syrup. The fries were normal but the yummiest of all should be the pizza. A little dash of the Tabasco sauce and you're set to drool.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

Got to go, its kickin' hot!

Yoga and Islam (part 2)

GEORGETOWN: Yoga, sejenis senaman harian yang kebanyakan pergerakannya berdasarkan unsur dalam agama Hindu, dipercayai boleh memesongkan akidah umat Islam jika mengamalkan senaman itu. Pensyarah Fakulti Pengajian Islam Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Zakaria Stapa, menasihati orang Islam yang mengamalkan senaman berkenaan supaya menghentikannya. "Yoga yang berasal daripada masyarakat Hindu, menggabungkan unsur keagamaan dan penyembuhan jiwa kerana percaya yoga boleh menyatukan mereka dengan tuhan," katanya selepas menyampaikan syarahan yang Ajaran Sesat di Malaysia di Universiti Sains Malaysia, semalam.

Yoga amalan kesihatan yang diperkenalkan sekitar 3,300 Sebelum Masihi, dikatakan dapat membantu melambatkan proses penuaan, mengurangkan risiko diabetes, darah tinggi, lelah dan penyakit berkaitan jantung. Difahamkan, isu yoga sudah dibincangkan pada mesyuarat Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan di Kota Bharu, Kelantan, baru-baru ini. Zakaria berkata, umat Islam kini mengamalkan yoga bukan saja untuk amalan kesihatan tetapi antara gaya hidup kota yang ingin mencari keseimbangan selepas sehari di pejabat.

"Yoga adalah manifestasi gerakan, konsentrasi dan posisi tubuh yang dilakukan sambil membaca mantera dipercayai ada kekuatan penyembuhan yang berupaya mengatasi tekanan," katanya. Beliau berkata, umat Islam yang tiada pengetahuan agama mengikut saja amalan berkenaan tanpa mengetahui boleh memesongkan akidah mereka. Katanya, umat Islam patut menggunakan ajaran Islam seperti solat untuk mencari ketenangan jiwa yang dilakukan secara teratur lima kali sehari. “Jika umat Islam mahu menyihatkan tubuh badan, solat adalah pilihan terbaik dengan posisi tubuh teratur untuk semua anggota badan sambil berzikir dengan ayat al-Quran.

“Mengapa kita perlu mencari alternatif lain untuk bersenam dan ketenangan? Jika silap cara, yoga boleh memesongkan akidah kerana pergerakannya mengikut gaya dan tradisi agama Hindu," katanya.

Yoga and Islam (part 1)

GEORGETOWN: Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan akan mengumumkan keputusan berhubung hukum senaman yoga kepada pengamal senaman itu yang beragama Islam dalam tempoh terdekat. Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Operasi Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (Jakim), Othman Mustapha, berkata keputusan itu akan diumumkan pengerusi Majlis Fatwa Kebangsaan, Prof Datuk Dr Abdul shukor Husin. Beliau bercakap kepada pemberita selepas merasmikan persidangan Seminar Fiqh dan Pemikiran Islam Lestari di Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), di sini hari ini.

Seorang pensyarah dari Fakulti Pengajian Islam, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Prof Zakaria Stapa menasihati orang Islam yang mengamalkan senaman yoga supaya menghentikannya kerana bimbang boleh memesongkan akidah. Yoga amalan kesihatan yang diperkenalkan sekitar sejak 3,300 sebelum Masihi, dikatakan dapat membantu melambatkan proses penuaan, mengurangkan risiko kencing manis, darah tinggi, lelah dan penyakit berkaitan jantung. Amalan senaman harian itu kebanyakannya mempunyai pergerakan berdasarkan unsur dalam agama Hindu, manifestasi gerakan, konsentrasi dan posisi tubuh dilakukan sambil membaca mentera.

Sementara itu, Osman berkata, seminar dua hari yang bermula hari ini anjuran Bahagian Pengajian Islam, Pusat Pengajian Ilmu Kemanusiaan, USM dan Jakim, mengetengahkan konsep kelestarian pemikiran Islam yang berupaya merentasi cabaran bersifat kontemporari di masa akan datang. “Penganjuran seminar ini juga mempunyai makna yang besar khususnya dalam usaha memperkasakan kredibiliti dan pencapaian umat Islam dalam mendepani cabaran dunia tanpa sempadan serta menangani isu fiqh kontemporari,” katanya. - Bernama

Stop reading horoscopes

I received this email and was really awakened by it, it was on air by TV9 . It stated that horoscopes reading would void our prayers for 40days. Masya-Allah.. Read on for more info.

SOLAT mereka yang membaca ramalan bintang sama ada di akhbar, majalah atau di internet tidak akan diterima Allah selama 40 hari, tidak kira mereka percaya atau sebaliknya kerana perbuatan itu sama seperti berjumpa dengan tukang ramal. Pensyarah Fakulti Syariah dan Undang-undang Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh, menjelaskan perkara itu berdasarkan ulasan ulama terkenal Yusuf al-Qardawi mengenai hukum membaca ramalan bintang. Katanya, walau seseorang itu tidak membenarkan apa yang dibaca, solatnya tetap tidak diterima selama 40 hari dan jika membaca serta membenarkan pula ramalan itu, maka orang itu dikatakan kufur kepada ajaran Muhammad.

Bagaimanapun katanya, jika membaca dengan tujuan untuk membantah, menjelaskan dan mengingkari amalan syirik, hukumnya dituntut malah menjadi wajib kerana tujuan memberi pengajaran kepada orang lain. 'Jelas amalan meramal, membaca dan menaruh sikit rasa yakin apa dikatakan ramalan bintang itu perlu dijauhi mulai hari ini. Ini bukan perkara main-main atau seronok-seronok kerana ia bercanggah dengan hukum Islam,' katanya. Katanya, perkara itu juga jelas daripada hadis riwayat Muslim bahawa Rasulullah SAW bersabda yang bermaksud: 'Sesiapa yang datang kepada dukun kemudian dia membenarkan terhadap apa yang dikatakan olehnya, maka solat orang itu tidak diterima Allah selama 40 hari.'

Perbahasan mengenai minat masyarakat hari ini terhadap ilmu ramalan termasuk membaca horoskop dibincangkan Nik Salida bersama Al-Fadhil Kadi Daerah Temerloh, Badli Shah Alauddin, dalam program Halaqah terbitan TV9 yang disiarkan malam Ahad lalu dengan tajuk Bintang 12. Program yang mengulas mengenai ayat 105, surah an-Nahl, mengajak penonton menghindari perbuatan berjumpa atau mempercayai tulang tilik dan tukang ramal kerana Allah memberi amaran mengenai golongan pembohong itu. Nik Salida berkata, tidak dinafikan ramai yang mengatakan tujuan mereka membaca ramalan bintang adalah suka-suka tetapi amalan bermula daripada suka-suka itu akhirnya menyebabkan mereka menjadi obses seterusnya terpengaruh dengan apa yang dibaca.

Katanya, ada kalangan masyarakat hari ini yang melanggan ramalan bintang melalui khidmat pesanan ringkas (SMS) untuk mengetahui apa yang diperkatakan mengenai nasib mereka atau perkara bakal dilalui mereka setiap hari, minggu atau bulan. Sedangkan, perbuatan itu bukan saja merosakkan akidah malah menyebabkan hidup mereka tidak keruan kerana pengaruh ramalan itu sedikit sebanyak memberi kesan kepada aktiviti atau perancangan mereka pada hari itu. 'Jika tidak percaya atau untuk suka-suka kenapa hingga melanggan SMS horoskop. Maknanya bangun pagi kita mahu tengok apa yang diramalkan untuk kita hari itu. Begitu juga dengan membaca di akhbar dan majalah, kenapa kita hendak tahu ramalan. '

Jika katanya dalam bab rezeki apa yang diperoleh tidak setanding kerja dilakukan, maka akan timbul perasaan malas buat kerja sebab rezeki yang dapat sikit saja. Kesan ramalan ini bukan saja pada akidah, juga aspek psikologi. 'Daripada suka-suka itu juga apabila kebetulan perkara diramalkan itu benar berlaku ia mula menerbitkan kepercayaan yang akhirnya menyebabkan mereka jatuh ke lembah kepercayaan perkara karut-marut ini,' katanya. Badli Shah berkata, golongan yang percaya kepada Bintang 12 atau ramalan tukang tilik mengenai untung nasib atau hari baik dan tidak adalah mereka yang tidak percaya ketentuan Allah serta ciptaannya.

Beliau berkata, Allah sudah memberi amaran mengenai golongan itu di dalam al-Quran di mana Allah murka dan mengatakan mereka sebagai golongan pembohongan serta penipu kerana mendahului takdir Allah.Katanya, apa yang dikhuatiri ialah disebabkan ramalan itu umat Islam lupa bahawa setiap sesuatu yang terjadi itu adalah dengan izin Allah dan ini memberi kesan daripada sudut akidah mereka. 'Jika Allah tidak izinkan perkara itu berlaku, ia tidak akan jadi. Tukang ramal pusinglah daun terup atau biarlah burung dia bercakap tetapi tanpa izin Allah tidak akan berlaku.

Malangnya kita tengok, zaman moden ramai yang kembali percaya dan mencari petunjuk daripada zodiak,' katanya. Katanya, kepercayaan kepada ramalan terutama tukang tilik dan ahli nujum boleh mendatangkan kesan negatif seperti menyebabkan pergaduhan antara suami isteri, permusuhan sesama jiran atau sahabat karib. Contohnya, isteri yang diberitahu mengenai sikap suami atau ramalan bahawa suami akan berkahwin lagi pastinya menyebabkan berlaku perbalahan dan paling malang lagi jika perkara itu tidak benar sama sekali.

Rasulullah SAW turut berdepan dengan kelompok masyarakat Arab yang taksub dengan ramalan dan kiraan bintang hingga Baginda menyebut akan tiga golongan itu terdiri daripada mereka yang mampu meramal bintang, meramal barang hilang dan melakukan ramalan berdasarkan pergerakan bintang di langit. Malah, Baginda SAW pernah didatangi beberapa orang yang meminta Baginda meramal masa depan orang Arab tetapi Baginda memberitahu, jika diketahui perkara ghaib nescaya dirinya sudah mendapat kemewahan serta terlepas dari musibah.

Mengulas mengenai sejarah Bintang 12, Badli Shah berkata, kepercayaan itu berasal dari Mesopotamia, daerah asal orang Babylon terletak antara sungai Tigris dan Euphrates dan kini terletak di tenggara Iraq. Ilmu itu berkembang sejak Babylon kuno 200 tahun sebelum masihi dan secara bertahap. Amalan dan kepercayaan itu semakin berkembang hingga tahap yang dikenali sebagai horoskop atau Bintang 12 yang mengaitkan keperibadian dengan tarikh lahir berpandukan bintang.

'Contohnya bintang Capricorn untuk mereka yang lahir 22 Disember hingga 20 Januari ikut mitos Yunani ialah lambang kambing. Kambing itu bernama Almateus dan pernah beri air pada Dewa Zeus iaitu dewa tertinggi bagi bangsa kuno ketika kecil. 'Oleh itu, bagi mengenang jasa kambing itu ia dijadikan bintang dan bercahaya di langit. Kesimpulannya, Capricorn itu kambing saja. Di sini pun banyak kambing, tidak perlu tengok ke langit. Umat Islam perlu renung sejenak adakah bintang ini sesuai dengan peribadi Muslim. 'Sesuai ke jika umat Islam percaya kepada bintang kambing biri-biri atau lambang orang lelaki gagah tuang air dalam tempayan besar sedangkan banyak perkara lain lebih bermanfaat yang boleh kita fikirkan,' katanya.

Justeru, beliau menasihati kepada umat Islam supaya menjauhi amalan membaca ramalan bintang atau tulang tilik walaupun untuk suka-suka kerana boleh memberi kesan kepada akidah serta amalan solat yang dilaksanakan. ..

Puan Siti Aisyah & Encik Khairil

Just a safety reminder, please buckle your seatbelt as we'll be undergoing a hazardous PINK turbulence. Thank you.

Saturday morning was started so early . Initially, i felt like sleeping till late noon but it was amazing how I was so excited about the trip to KL, rushing to get ready. So i had to move faster than my usual slow-mo pace, like any typical morning. I packed my stuffs, jeans and shirt to change (i wouldn't want to end up wearing baju kurung all the way cos its gonna be a long hot day), makeup box and the utmost essential, my toilettries.

So after breakfast at ToastNToast, we headed to Kepong, the residence of the bride. It took us four long hours on the highway, it rained cats and dogs along the journey (a little bit worried for Syah's wedding). I was too excited, so i was not really that sleepy. It was our first time to Kepong and Syah's place so neither knew the way there but with the help of good friends, we reached safely. Thanks to the 306 team. Kepong was so bright and sunny, a great weather for a wedding. Alhamdulillah.

Upon arrival, i saw a lot of my old YPM friends. It was so great to be reunited after the Nelayan gathering minus those who were not there, of course. I was too excited to meet all of them. Attie, Nad, Fafa, ET, Dirah, Ain, Elis, Izwan and Leang, just to name a few.

So here goes the beautiful pink wedding.

The solemnization ceremony the night before

It all started when the groom, Mr Khairil came to greet the bride. He was smiling non-stop. I bet he was so happy that the long awaited moment had finally arrived, and Syah in Pink dress and matching Hijab was stunning, and shining than usual. I bet he felt so lucky.

The pretty pink bride

The lucky man

Mr & Mrs Khairil

Then they went inside the house, for the Bersanding ceremony. During the bersanding ceremony, the bridal couple will be seated on the dais and sprinkled with yellow rice and scented water by family members, relatives and guests as a sign of blessing.

The dais and hantaran (dowry)

The blushing brides

Then after the ceremony is when it was makan beradab in which the wedded couple and their guests will attend a celebratory feast which involves the bride and groom feeding each other sweetened rice. While Syah and her husband feeds each other, i took the chance to feed my tummy as well. There were limited seats, so i had to sit while Mr Boyfy gets the food. It was so gentleman of him to actually get me my set of nasi kenduri. So sweet!

After that was the photo sessions, there was a lot of photos to choose from, and here's a fraction of it. Before that, i would like to thank Attie and ET for sharing your photographer's as well. Hehe. Thanks Adik and Lan!

The PINK 306 girls

Ratu kebayas with bride & groom

The 306-ers, bride and Ada not in photo

Fafa and I

Attie and i

Attie, Ms Sayangness and Fafa

Girls talk

Ameer came rather late, but it was almost 5 and before my friends and i went separate ways, we managed to snap a few group pics together. The 306-ers, and YPM-ers. Was just a few of us but the camera could hardly fit us all.

The friends

When we bid goodbye, it was the toughest among all. It was hard to accept that Syah's already someone's wife (im not being selfish here), Ekin is soon someone's mother, the fact that ET would be going back to Dublin and the fact that i would not see Fafa, Attie and Nad till the next time I'm in KL. Believe me, being a crybaby i almost cried but i had to be strong. I wouldn't want to ruin my mascara. So, kiss kiss kiss and i was off :)

Syah's Wedding Gift

Syah, hope you like it.

VS from my chomelNadorable shop

I got her that instead of the typical wedding gift (like home appliances) as for her to feel good being newly-wed and the fact that she can take it with her to Dublin. If i bagi blender, or toaster i dont think she'll make any use of it, kan Syah kan?

Assam Pedas, Rumah Limas

The place

Another review on Assam Pedas is at Rumah Limas, Danga Bay, Johor Bahru. Its definitely a place worth going to and definitely worth your money. Some might have another place they've explored but where can you find good food at midnight?

The food

I reached Senai International Airport at almost midnight on Wednesday night and headed for Danga Bay for the Nyummy-yum! famous (to us it is) Assam Pedas Ikan Pari. The portion is big so if you were planning to eat for two, you'll end up packing it home (like we did). Its best eaten for three or four (if you're a small eater). We also had baby asparagus with oyster sauce. So its double the yummy-ness!

The music

Besides that, the Angklong-player was still there and we were serenade with beautiful sounds as well. See, romantic kan?Telan la air liur ye tuan-tuan dan puan-puan while i feast. Overall, the food, the place, and the price scores 4 out of 5 star!

Water or Coke, Miss?

I could not believe this..... Very interesting

WATER
#1. 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. (Likely applies to half the world population)


#2. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is mistaken for hunger.


#3. Even MILD dehydration will slow down one's metabolism as 3%.

#4. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington study.


#5. Lack of water, the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue.


#6. Preliminary research indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers.


#7. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a ! printed page.


#8. Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%., and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. Are you drinking the amount of water you should drink every day?


COKE
#1. In many states the highway patrol carries two gallons of Coke in the trunk to remove blood from the highway after a car accident.


#2. You can put a T-bone steak in a bowl of Coke and it will be gone in two days.

#3. To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes stains from vitreous China .


#4. To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a rumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminium foil dipped in Coca-Cola.


#5. To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.


#6. To loosen a rusted bolt: Apply a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.


#7. To bake a moist ham: Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminium foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before ham is finished, remove the foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown gravy.


#8... To remove grease from clothes: Empty a can of Coke into the load of greasy clothes, add detergent, and run through a regular cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen grease stains. It will also clean road haze from your windshield.


FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

#1. the active ingredient in Coke is phosphoric acid.
It will dissolve a nail in about four days. Phosphoric acid also leaches calcium from bones and is a major contributor to the rising increase of osteoporosis.

#2. To carry Coca-Cola syrup! (the concentrate) the commercial trucks must use a hazardous Material place cards reserved for highly corrosive materials.

#3. The distributors of Coke have been using it to clean engines of the trucks for about 20 years!


Now the question is, would you like a glass of water?

or Coke?

poem

18 years and still counting,
You’re officially my only sister,
You are practically my everything,
And not forgetting my boaster.
Everyday you’re there to protect me,
Through happy and sad days you’ll stick by me,
When I need you, you’re there for me,
And it is a fact that you’re protective over me.
No matter what I will always love you,
Nothing can ever change that,
Honestly, I am really missing you,
And I’ll be your sister; and that’s a fact.
I know I will be lost without you,
I miss those nights being around you,
You make my sky turn dark blue,
Goodnight and yes, I do love you.
Shopping, pictures and movies together,
All the memories we shared with each other,
I will be here for you, now and forever,
Just so you know, you’re my awesome sister!

Here's the poem sent from my sister in Melaka. I thought it was so lovely that she wrote this when she misses me (i dont know when) Guess, people will realize what you have when its gone. Hmm. Love you sis.

Hari Raya Open House

On the 11th of October, the Zubir's had their open house after 4 days of preparation. Believe me, its not a good thing to do when you've been sick throughout. I had to manage the event, from the food to tents and a lovely surprise of door-gifts. I was working harder than usual since we could not find the perfect timing to get everyone on a certain weekend, so bad that Elly was not there during the Open House. (Sorry, but you know we love you girl!)

Kak Zura,Kak Siti and Kak M all glammed up

Bad thing for me, i had to wake up early for tonnes of chores. Picking up the flowers, buy breakfast and kuih-muih for the open house. Kak M, Kak siti and Kak Zura were the earliest. They were the life-savers to help around. And best part was, the guest came right when i was having brunch before i had the chance to shower. Euw!

Nasi Beriyani and associate

The famous cream puff

We had catered the Nasi Beriyani, so there was the full dish inclusive of Ayam Masak Mrah, Daging Masak Hitam, Mutton Kurma, and Dhall. There was also Rojak, Lemang, Ketupat, Rendang, Cakes and Cookies, Fruits, Satay and many more. Masya-Allah, there were so much to eat you just don't know where to start! Believe me, you'll go home so full you wish you could stay longer. We also had our Kak M and her lovely cream puffs. I bet she worked all night. Chai-yok Kak M!

Foong Jr. who said "Assalamualaikum" with a curtsy

Alhamdulillah, the weather was good (not raining at all) and the guest came as expectantly. Enough food for everyone to eat and take home. Guest came in groups which made me feel so relieved as they had a seat too. I hate the fact when there's too many guests with no seat and that neither me nor my family gets a chance to have a chat, you know. It was a joyful day meeting up with family and old friends. Its great to be reunited again!

My St Georges besties, Nurul & Eida

So, to those who attended, THANK YOU SO MUCH for making the effort, hope you had your tummy full and enjoyed the open house.

To family and friends (Kak M, Kak Siti, Kak Zura, Aunty Nini, Kak Elin, Aunty Yati & Acu, just to name a few) who stayed from the beginning till the end, assemblying the tents, arranging chairs, helping with food preparations, everything and anything at all that made us smell of food and sweat; THANKS A MILLION!!!!! Only Allah knows best to reward you with such sincerity and kind-heart. InsyaAllah.

To those who couldnt attend, i only have this entry to serve to you.

With Edros and Darwish

Love, Adura Sayangness.

drowning

Im terribly and horribly sorry that i would not be able to keep my promise as today piles and piles of work had drowned me and i have to get it done by 5. So insyaAllah, i'll be updating it soon. Works are just not on my side right now as i'll be on holidays from thursday onwards for some certain 'birthday' and 'wedding'. It'll be fun, fun, fun but for now its all work, work, work. Good luck to myself.

For the time being, lets just enjoy this picture snapped by the not-so-pro photographer. Me.

exhausted

i am after the long day yesterday and thankfully it was not raining, so people were in and out of our lovely tents for the Zubir's open house. Thank you to those who came and sorry for you who did not. You missed out gazzillion of good food and goodies. I'll definitely update the entry on the open house and my hari raya ala sayangness too.

Need to catch up with Mr Sleep and Mr Rest. I love my two best friends. Too bad the Spa was full or i'll be there for a good 5 hours treatment. Have a great Sunday!

24 yrs of friends

My greatest old friend of 24 years, Ada Ahyaudin, whom somehow forgotten my birthday a while ago posted this darling. Seriously, i was moved to tears. Really! I miss u retard.

Happy birthday to my one and only Adura...

To one of my oldest friend..this post is a lil bit overdue but I just wanted to wish you Happy Birthday! I hope you had a great birthday spending it with your loved ones..But wat i can say is that Dura you've really turn into a women over the past years but u'll still be the same Dura that I know..know that I am proud of you for the woman that u've become and for what you have achieved..U're on a smooth path in u're life now where u know what u want out of life and i see that u're on ur way to achieving it...Anyways, Happy Birthday and love u always babe!! Muaxxxxx...

Isnt it great? Too bad you have to miss that certain 'wedding'. Hope it wont be mine you miss, k! So lots of love from Penang and Sany Char Koay Teow.. (saje je nak bagi u jealous)

BTW, we are definitely going younger Mynn.

Happy birthday Mynn :)

Love, Adura Sayangness

Birthday Getaway

I just updated my entry on my Birthday Getaway at "26th day of Ramadhan". Don't miss it!

XOXO, AduraSayangness

She's a lady!!

Happy **th Birthday Kak Rina!!

Kak Rina and hubby, Abg Mina

May your life be filled with more colours and definitely praying so i'd be bullying you and Abg Mina's juniors, and i hope you (and me, of course) will always be hot as ever before (you know what i mean? lets lose weight) InsyaAllah! May Allah grant my wishes. Amin