Amazing Life Race

The Amazing Race has always been hubby’s favorite tv shows but never mine. Even though I love traveling, and I watched the show a couple of times in the past, it just never stuck. I’d occasionally watch the show when hubs has it on, and like, there’s nothing better to do.

Last night though, we sat through a marathon of 4 episodes; cheering and laughing with the contestants. Without realizing it, I just started going, “if it was us this, if it was us that..”. I don’t know what it was, it could’ve been the stress of the week or whatever; but both of us love a bit of escapism. 2 days weekend trip anyone?

Anyway, one thing I realize from the amazing race is that the best teams are always a team of opposites. They compensate each other and never allow their differences to be in the way of making good judgments. Doesn’t matter whether it’s a father-son or husband-wife team.

There was this team that consists of two TWIN doctors, fancy right? But both of them hate water, which is too bad because if one of them could compensate for the other twin, they’d be okay.

If I was in the show, I’d do okay unless it’s something to do with cockroaches.

Then we’d both be out of the race because hubs hates cockroaches as well! We’d usually throw Chanel to the cockroach and she’d kill like a sadistic killer, playing, biting and finally letting the cockroach die a slow painful death.

I can’t kill it because I hate the sound of squishing a bug. Thank god for that cat. She’s a living pest control. Quite an expensive one too, but she also doubles as a cuddle bunny so she’s worth it!

I think okay la I should really appreciate the differences between me and hubs.

He likes steak, I like noodle soups. He likes chicken, beef, lamb, I like seafood. His dream is to travel covering east, mines west. He loves herb plants, I love flowers. I love planning, he’s more spontaneous.

I wish we could change one thing though.

Our mutual love of spending.

As the late Steve Irwin would say, “crikey!”

Brain Drain Rant

I don’t know what is it with me lately, everything seems to be off. I’ve lost my motivation to work, food just doesn’t excite me, can’t sleep well and I hate the tv. Even the internet is a turn off.

I feel like going bungee jumping of a cliff or travel backpacker style somewhere.

Sometimes I feel like finding a job because trying to grow a business is so hard. I feel like I wanna be a makeup artist but thinking I’d lose interest after a few months.

It’s just that hard time again where nothing seems to be right. I seriously feel like doing nothing except to travel, walk walk walk and keep on walking until my shoes gets so eaten up.

I just wanna see what other people do, you know, people watching my day away. See the hustle and bustle of a city, preferably in moderate temperatures so I don’t have to sweat. Or maybe sit in front of the Kaabah and pray all day long.

I just received a disappointing news, a set back if you will. This thing has been dragged on for so long, I think I’ve wasted a few months on it. Not that isn’t going to happen but a delayed project can just be as disappointing. Being left hanging is the worst feeling in the world.

Also when is this election happening? I’m getting more and more resentful of the government because their decisions are directly affecting me. Who are they kidding? They think the people are playthings? Easily swayed by blatant money giving? Oh btw, my husband gave our RM500 BRIM away to people who needs it. Oh and btw what research were they doing when they concluded that RM500 is able to feed a household for a year? Were they researching a household of mice?

Seriously dude –_-

I could go on and on about the government that’s really getting on my nerves, but I’ve got other things to think about!

I’m trying to keep my head in the clouds and not back down, like how Alicia Keys cleverly suggests but but but can’t help feeling like a lost puppy! At least lost puppies are cute, but are lost humans? Har har.

Well at least there’s a magnum ice cream in the fridge. Hey gotta start somewhere..

My Kitty Milestone

Kitty is ONE. Big milestone in cat world if you ask me.

Happy birthday kitteh.

Like a bawse.

Dear 30 Year Old Me

It’ll be less than 5 years from now, but I hope you’re not the same person as I am now (I hope you look as young as I do though!) I hope you are 30 times better than I am now, someone I can look up to. I don’t know where will life take us. But I do know that you’re still dreaming big and aiming for the stars.

So how’s the family doing? How’s Chanel? Any kids yet? Will our first be a boy or a girl? Am I juggling work and family well? Is the husband working for a multinational company in a high flying position? So um, how’s the mandarin going? Are we healthy? Do we still go on weekend hikes or exercise together? Do I finally cook a mean soto ayam? Have we prepared for Haji? Are we living the life???

I know, too many questions. It’s like a good book I guess. You read chapter by chapter, trying to guess what’s what but you end up with more questions than answers. That is, until you get to one point when everything is revealed. I wonder if everything will be revealed at 30. Or maybe that’s just too young still. Maybe when I’m 60 or 70 I’ll be able to look back on my life and smile. It doesn’t matter. I just hope that you’re on the right path and that you’re happy.

I hope you’re treating both sets of parents well. I hope you make husband’s favorite mint tea everyday and still be his best friend. We’ve long established the secret of togetherness yeah? It’s honesty. Always, always. SHARE. Tell the truth. Communicate. Ego-less. Patience. Try not to be so annoying when you argue. Don’t try to be such a smart-a**. For goodness sake don’t go on a rampage because you’re making things WORSE. Have you learned how to say sorry without looking like you’ve just tasted a pinch of lemon? I really hope so. You have to be better than I AM.

I know you hate to look back. But don’t forsake where you come from. Don’t ever forget the people who left a mark in your life. Always have fun. Remember first year in college when you got stuck in Ipoh during midnight with friends and you took a shoddy cab that drove too fast, has no air cond or seat belt with a door that wouldn’t close? You and your friends were kinda terrified but laughed so loud once you made it back. Ok bad example, that was potentially dangerous.

Don’t forget God. Remember that you’re returning to him sooner or later, so get your act together.

Well you know I could write forever but mostly it'll be questions. You can’t help me out with that, can you? Because you’ll have your own questions then. Whatever it is, whatever life throws at us, I just hope to be steadfast and be the best khalifah we can in this world. That’s the reason why we’re here anyway isn’t it? We’re merely weak human beings on this vast land. Everything that we own while alive means nothing when we die. The only thing that matters is how much good you’ve done while living. O I really hope you’ve shared a lot of goodness. Inspired people to be their best. That sort of thing ya know?

Last words, always have the courage to be yourself ;)

Weekend Round-up: Online Shopping

Who doesn’t adore online shopping? Saves time and in most cases, money. Because face it, if you stroll the mall to find pants, you’ll find pants and ten more items. Worst case scenario, you find ten other items minus the pants. Happened to anyone else before?………. Maybe it’s just me =_=

Anyways, a few criteria to the list.

1. Consistent good customer service & good feedback.

2. Active website (meaning, the website refreshes their product frequently and we don’t have to wait until election for updates)

3. Having a proper shopping cart and check-out system. Allows payment via many channels.

That’s it! Now on to the list of the best online shopping in Malaysia.

DRUMROLLLLLLLLLLL

 

NUMERO UNO. the Pop Look.

Okay I know that everyone knows them, but I just have to mention the pop look because they’re too awesome and they NEVER dissappoint.

Buy: chiffon and jersey dresses, accessories & their pants. Recently they came up with a hijab line!

 

 

DOS. Fashion Valet!!!

Love love love. Stalking Malaysian designers collection has never been easier.

Buy: Statement necklaces and one of a kind tops. Keep an eye for festival season like raya etc, eye popping collection.

  

 

TRES. Radiusite!!

Sigh. To buy hijab in your pajamas. Couldn’t get better.

Buy: Many types of tudung at affordable prices. Casual & dressy. Also inner hijab.

 

CUATRO. Azorias

Sophistication is their middle name.

Buy: Preppy clothing for work or play. Check out especially their blouses. Theirs are very well made.

 

 

Er. NUMBER FIVE. Alhumaira Contemporary

So many designs to choose from! So colorful!

Buy: Muslimah wear including scarves and tops

 

So there you have it. I love online shopping but sometimes you can’t really trust certain websites. Dodgy selling and all. These are okay!

Check back next week for another 5 top online shopping websites!

Disclaimer: Credits for photos goes to respective websites and does not belong to me. Clicking on the pics will take you to their shopping sites.

9 Things To Do in Langkawi

Hi guys!

Last week, me and hubs went to Langkawi. It wasn’t our first time. In fact both of us have visited the island many times before. We’ve done the usuals—eat seafood, shop in duty-free Kuah, visit underwater world, visit Mahsuri’s grave, the whole shebang. I’ve even watched LIMA there before.

After all that, you’re going to ask, what’s left? After all, we know the tourists in our country rave about Langkawi. Surely it can’t be for the colored beach or fish in tanks. So we thought about the things we could do to make the trip FUN. How, you ask? Instead of going as the know-it-all locals, we go as full-fledged tourists!

9. Cable car ride.  This is a must-do if not only to view the beautiful island landscape with rolling hills and greenery. Because of the height, it gets scary at some parts. The tip is, you can look around but just don’t look down. Btw we’re supposed to visit the skybridge but it was closed. So I found out from other people that apparently, they close a lot for ‘maintenance’. Bugger.

8. Eat at Orkid Ria. This famed seafood restaurant has the best lobster in town they say. It’s a bit pricey, but the food more than makes up for it. The butter prawn and sotong goreng tepung was delicious! We went during a low peak season, but even then the place was almost full.

7. Stroll along pantai cenang’s roadside at night. Or even better, stay on Cenang beach like we did. We chose the Cabin, which is a little inn that caters to travellers on a budget.

The price per night is RM150, which in my opinion is a bit steep for a little inn but in exchange, you get a clean and relatively spacious room. At night, just walk out and you’re already on the busiest street in Langkawi. Over the past decade, Cenang beach street has turned into something like Pattaya or Phuket, which isn’t necessarily bad because it only means one thing: bargain shopping!! They even build a small neighborhood mall aptly called Cenang Mall. Quite convenient for little essentials.

6. Rent a motorbike. Okay I’m a little apprehensive to share this because number 1, motorcycles are not so safe compared to cars. Number 2, I hate motorcycles and motorcycles hate me. (About 5 years ago, the motorcycle drove me into a river. True story.)

However, if you have, for example a husband that happens to know how to drive a motorbike, you might consider renting one. I know why tourists love riding scooters on the island. The sea breeze blowing in your face and hair (headscarf) is exhilarating. What NOT to do: Drive the motorbike from Cenang to Kuah town unless you wanna feel like having done 1000 butt lifts. Painful and you don’t get perkier either. Lose-lose situation if you ask me.

5. Go for spa or reflexology. Do this after a long day. Feels like bliss. Some of the best spas in Langkawi: Ishan Spa, Alun-alun spa, Sun Spa. Or, if you stroll around Pantai Tengah area, you’ll find plenty of spas and reflexology centres along the way.

4. Shop! Boy don’t we Malaysians love shopping on a discount. Langkawi is of course popular for being duty-free, which only means one thing: cheaper stuff! Well for chocolates anyway. And chinaware, china branded items.. that sort of thing. If you’re staying in Cenang, there’s no need to visit Kuah Town for shopping. Simply go to the Zon beside Underwater world. Stuff is perhaps RM1 more expensive, but you get to save on fuel and time. 

3. Lepaking by the beach. Day and night. People watch, play sand, collect seashells, take a dip in the ocean. You’re on a holiday, just do nothing for a couple of hours.

2. Go on a mangrove jungle guided tour. How can I not mention this?? This is one of the highlights of the whole trip. The tour takes about 6 hours. I can’t stress enough how much you need a good tour guide because the difference between a so-so tour and a fantastic one is just one bloody good tour guide and an awesome lunch of ikan kerapu, and sotong tepung. You can opt for cheaper options but usually there’s only a skipper (a.k.a. boat driver) and they won’t provide lunch. That’s a huge difference! It’s like reading lectures notes vs an actual lecturer explaining the subject to you!

 

1. Have dinner and watch the sunset from a yacht.

Nuff said.

xx