Things I’m Thankful For

Quick updates. Last two weeks, I went to Maher Zain’s concert in Stadium Merdeka with my husband and brother. It was the shiz. You know? Awesome.

In husband’s own words, “ World class performer, an artist.” So yeah it was really great, really.

One thing is, Maher Zain is a really good entertainer. And I don’t feel guilty for shouting and screaming at a concert because, how can you feel guilty when you’re shouting Barakallah! Alhamdulillah! Allahuakhbar! Like, no brainer I can do this all night.

Me and my brothers went to his concert last year as well, but I gotta hand it to Maher and his team because this year’s concert is 100 times better than last year. Better show, better set-up, better flow, better performances. I’d call it a technical success. I won’t hesitate to buy the tickets to his show again and again.

The only con is that we couldn’t take photos! Argh!

On the same weekend, my bestie since school, Sakinah got engaged! Wee!




Sakinah accompanied me to the wedding course last year in July and now she’s getting married! I was so excited when I got the news from her.

I got to play a special part in the day, which is the makeup artist! This is actually the second time that I’ve ever made up my friends for their big day. I was going for natural with flushed cheeks. Plus Sakinah has niceee skin, so I didn’t wanna ruin it by piling up the makeup on her.





Sakinah and her sister are taken, but she’s got 3 more sisters so mothers may think of booking for their sons from now. Ok just kidding. *Sakinah please don’t kill me*


I’m thankful for my family, my friends, and the time that I have.
That’s all for updates this time. Much love!

What Are You Willing To Pay For Yourself?

Hi, happy weekend peeps!

I just thought to share something that I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. In 2009, I bought a long t-shirt from Giordano for RM99. I’m still wearing the shirt till today.

I once bought a handbag for RM35 which lasted me 5 months tops. It wasn’t nice to the touch and the quality wasn’t anything to die for. In the end, I only ended up using the bag a few times.

So the question is, how much are the stuff that you buy actually worth?

It isn’t always about the price. You can buy a book that costs RM150, but gain unlimited knowledge from it. You may buy a t-shirt that costs RM10, but begin to have loose threads after the second wash and totally unravel after the tenth wash.

Value of an item is really subjective. Sometimes I hear people saying, I can’t afford to buy organic food or they simply can’t be bothered. Which is really sad, because organic food might actually prolong your life for 5 years (God willing). And keep you healthy for that 5 years. Who wouldn’t want health in old age?

I’ve always liked the idea of value buying. Price should come second, if the value of the item is justified. I mean, come on, what is a couple hundred ringgit if the item lasts you 10 years, for example?

There’s just way too many people who are money-centric these days. Why should you attached yourself to money so much instead of looking beyond it to see the value of what is it that you’re buying? Why say a RM150 bracelet is too expensive when it’s made out of Swarovski crystals and silver and probably last you 5 years? Instead of, let’s say, RM15 that would break in 5 months and doesn’t look as nice. That is, if you’re looking for a bracelet.

Someone I know last time asked, why do you love to buy expensive handbags? (Relative to others) Answer is, I don’t love to buy expensive handbags.

I’m very rough with my things, and I lead an active lifestyle which requires me to open and close my handbags many times a day (ok Lol it’s true). And I go from markets to offices to malls. And also to travel. I’ve got 3 handbags tops and I use them till their crushed. Usually that takes around 3-4 years each. That translates to about RM3 per month value!

How to calculate value? A basic calculation is:

Price of item / no. of months item is use = value

So next time, really think about what is it that you want. Is it worth your money? Do you wanna have it replaced after 1 month? Are you really saving money like you think you are or are you just fooling yourself into thinking that you are?

Happy value spending & happy weekend!

Throwback Thursday: Pangkor Island

The year was 2010. It was our graduation holiday. Many couldn't make it. Despite that, we had loads and loads of fun.












Good times :’) Here’s the original post.

Hiking Up Bukit Tabur

As promised, I’m ganna tell you all about climbing Bukit Tabur. If you wanna count the times that I’ve actually hiked, that would be around er … twice. The first time was up Bukit Larut, also known as Maxwell Hill and even then, it was to fulfill the co-curriculum of recreation club in uni.

Husband on the other hand, has done nothing but climb. He’s gone up Bukit Tabur to the top twice, Broga, Mount Kinabalu twice, etc etc you get the picture. So just to set the record straight, I’m not a hiker, climber or whatever. Neither is my 13 year old younger brother who also followed us.

And the best advice as a newbie, is to take lots of water because it’s all you care about once you’re up there. Also take 100 Plus and some energy bars or snickers if you can.

The entry point is nearby a Puncak Niaga facility in Taman Melawati. It looks like an entry to some unbeaten pathway but you’ll notice many cars parked along the small road.



Unlike Maxwell Hill, Bukit Tabur is not as damp and less creepy crawlies (ex: leeches) so it’s safe to not wear insect repellant.

The climb upwards was quite challenging. It took us one hour and half to reach midway point. That’s where we stopped, because hubby said that the track afterwards gets even more challenging.

In fact, if you came across the Star’s article about Bukit Tabur some time ago, you’ll find out that some people fell to their death while climbing. So really, if you wanna go, make sure that you had enough sleep and not sick or anything like that.

At some parts we had to climb a vertical wall of granite rocks which really was something.

About 30 minutes into the climb, we came across this scenery.



The feeling of lethargy simply evaporates into thin air because the view was soo stunning.

 

I borrowed mom’s Nike all-terrain hiking shoes which was a blessing because the shoes really provided a strong grip while climbing the rocks.

One hour 30 minutes later, after 2 bottles of water and a couple of short pit stops along the way, we made it to our destination.



…The view was so beautiful and so worth the climb.



Me in my active gear that has not changed for the past 5 years.





One thing I noticed was how the plants at the top look almost Mediterranean. Small barks, veiny and sparse. Looks very nice for a photo shoot. That is if the model and photographer don’t mind climbing granite rocks for 90 minutes.



The climb down was not as tiring, but more slippery. We were lucky because the day we climbed, it was cloudy with a light breeze. Unlike the times husband climbed before, which was sweltering hot.

Overall, I’m excited to make it all the way next time! Hiking makes me high on adrenaline, and high is good!

Something to note though, as is the case with other hills, there’s always a group of elderly guys climbing up like a boss, in slippers and hot pants. They’re also going 5 times faster than us--seemingly youngish people. Makes me think, when I’m that old, can I be that fit?

P/S: Here's a blog written by Agnes that would give you a pretty good idea of what it's like to climb Bukit Tabur.

Newfound Love

Before I was married, the weekends seem to expand to fit in a lot of activities. Being brought up in a huge extended family, 14 aunts and uncles, 20+ girl cousins, there’s bound to be something on during the weekend. If not, my parents would always have some plans, if not, I would make them with my brothers, and more often, I made plans with the girl friends.

But ever since I got married and moved out, it became quite a challenge to fill it up. Plus, everyone from the family seems to think that they don’t have to invite us to gatherings anymore. My mom didn’t call us to join bacaan quran at Wan’s grave. Hint: I still wanna join every barbeque, luncheons, soirees, holiday, whatever.

In the beginning, yes we needed the privacy, only because there was so much to get used to. Visiting husband’s family, setting up the house, buying stuff for the kitchen, juggling housework/work role. I think we got the rhythm about right when I quit my real estate job in March. (To be honest, I miss it soo much)

Anyways, one day:
Me: Let’s watch a movie tonight
Husband: What movie?
Me: What to expect when you’re expecting
Husband: We can download that from P**
Me: Ok fine. So what do we do this weekend? Omg lets go to flea market in Jaya 1
Husband: We need to save.
Me: Go Singapore!!!
Husband: Need to save. Why don’t we walk at FRIM?
Me: Huh?

Aaand Eureka! We found our answer to a cheap, thrilling, not to mention healthy way to spend the weekend!

Jungle trekking. Hiking. Whatever you call it. Lalala.

Not that I don’t love outdoor sports, you know I do. I just never liked hiking that much. Wet branches, mosquitoes, leeches, and you never know whats lurking on the tree branches. I'm slowly getting used to it.

This week we climbed Bukit Tabur. Will write about it soon!

Ciao!

Assassin Housemaker

My shopping list used to be:
1. Sephora brush
2. *Gasp* fashionvalet has pretty new arrivals
3. Iphone cover (wish I could get two!)
4. Sephora (I forgot to get the bronzer)
5. Zara (Girl needs new clothes to work)

Nowadays, its:-
1. Dutch Lady fresh milk or Goodday (how I wish I could afford the australian fresh milk)
2. Organic brown sugar
3. Prego
4. Wire extension (Sighs third one still not enough)
5. parmesan cheese. mozarella cheese. cheddar cheese. ricotta cheese. cream cheese? whaa? so many types of cheese? cheese heaveenn
6. Beras pusa Basmathi Kashmir. #likeaboss

So basically I’m a foodie now. Just kidding. But really.

You know what? Honestly sometimes I feel like I’m leading a double life. Like an assassin one half, and a housewife one half. I’m not really the housemaker type, but I bake and cook stuff. One day, husband got back from work, and I was like, ta-da!! A beautiful bread pudding for you!!

At the back of my mind, I was like wth?! Since when did I become an expert on desserts? Annnnnnddd, I was at my aunt’s house one day, checking out how to make stew! B---dy h---!

Ok well maybe I’m overreacting, because husband appreciates the fact that I suddenly became a foodie, and my mom suddenly wants to come to our house to try my food.

On the other hand, I still buff up before meeting someone for work. I’m so dead serious about my work, and people often say that I’m 24 going on 30. Often times I feel like an assassin.

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I think I just need a chill pill.
Everybody who’s reading, I love you all.
xoxo.