Family Dine Together-2012 Wrap up

Assalamualaikum wbt..

Yesterday we had a  bit of family get-together. Since we had a birthday girl (my youngest sista) in the house, so we decided to celebrate her 13th birthday (Well, we're not really celebrating with cakes, candles or balloon but just a makan-makan on my treat). We dined at a restaurant in Pandan Perdana, Cheras.

We try very hard to have everyone together for dinner today. This is something that has been very important to Mak and Abah. There are nights when we were not home, but we all know that eating together is just the norm in our family.

Eating dinner together brings everyone together for not only a meal, but also time to re-connect with each other.
A table full of children ~ toddlers, teenager to adults~makes for some interesting meals sometimes. But we love it and fell it is such an important time of our day.

My big family:)

My Lil munchkin:)

Mak Abah:)

Ainaa' making cute face:)

My sister and her husband, Nina and Zizi:)

Birthday Girl-My youngest sister, Dida and my nephew Nuh :)

The kids:)

Niece~Amani:)

I just want to use this opportunity to wish my family and friends, both old and new friends, a peaceful and joyous year to come. Those of you who know me well, know that I take my wishes and dreams VERY seriously:) They are sparks of imagination that remind me of the true celebration of life..FAMILY and LOVE!
I hope this coming year brings all of you closer to your needs and dreams.I purposely say needs instead of wishes because over the years I have come to realize that our needs are the 'real' wishes that we long for..wishes that are invisible to us until one day they serensipitously appear in front of our eyes. I promise myself that I'll keep a look out for them.

So what's next for 2013??

Assalamualaikum wbt..

The year 2012 is over in a mere 4 days and 2013 is about to arrive. Starting this year, I have decided to start a little tradition; having a list of resolution/ things to achieve every year (yeah, like I never did before!).

Guess it's never too late so here goes nothing:

1) Lose Weight

2013 will see me have the awesome body I once had (I mean before delivering Aulia'). Oh yea!

2) Attempt New Look
This year I figured, at some point, a physical change would be nice. Right? Oh mommies out there..do something for your husband!
3) Embrace Change with open arms
A toughie coz me hate change but me arms shall try to open for it, even is it's just a tiny embrace.
4) Travel smart and travel more
Must learn not to buy items just because they're super cheap, visit more places and fulfil travel list for 2013. Amin:)
5) Save wisely
I should have a healthy BIG account and save up more...I must save up at least RM2000/m.
6) A New Job
Time for a change. But in order to move I need to achieve No 3. Embrace change woman, embrace it.
7) Do more Sedekah
There's always more room for doing sedekah and making the world a little better and I plan to do just that because I'm a Muslimah. I don't get the chance to go for Friday prayers and sedekah like any other man in the mosque would do. My mom of course insist that sedekah should begin at home, esp when my little sister asking for school pocket money. Well that is not same okay.
8) Cooking
To learn how to cook more dishes, Malay dishes in particular, and learn how to cook chapati from mommy.
9) Not to eat pineapple
Sounds funny? Yep, that's it..no pineapple if you know what I mean.
10) The Next Kimberly Legget
I kid I kid.
Ok there done, list compiled. I can go to sleep peacefully now.

Like Mother Like Daughter:)

Assalamualaikum wbt..

Psychologists and researchers call mother and daughter shopping " consumer socialization". We mom's call it 'retail therapy', 'girl time', and 'bonding'.

There's one thing that's amazing about having a girl. If you love to shop and get pampered,then there's nothing better than spending day together. This past weekend, we got the chance to explore KL city together and did all the things we love to do in a weekend.
I LOVE shoes. No doubt about that. I would happily accept any kind of shoes. Our adventure started out in Paradigm Mall at Zara. One thing I loved about Year End Sales, it always seems to evoke a bright happy feeling inside me. Even the baby feel hippie-ish this season.

We manage to get ourself ZARA Trafaluc Fall Winter 2012 collections.
Best we enjoy these precious moments before she turns into an annoying teenager who demands for a more expensive shoes and papa would be like 'Like mother like daughter huh'. Whatever :)

Bath like a Baby

Assalamualaikum w.b.t..

I heart this video so much..

My Very First Family Photobook:)

Assalamualaikum w.b.t..

As 2012 came to an end, I decided to compile the many 'best photos of my family' into a Photobook.  I had a wonderful time putting my little family of three into a chronology where hubby and I had a pre-wedding photoshoot, then we got married & honeymoon, I got pregnant and the day Aulia' was born. I'm a sentimental sucker who just can't let go of any memories. With this Photobook, I've gotten all compiled! 

I must say I was pleasantly surprised at the wonderfully simple user interface. 

The online program is set out to look just like the book. I just uploaded my pictures and then it automatically creates a beautiful book for me. I spent about 2 days whipping up this book since I was so busy with work I only manage to do this early morning before office hour. I did some minor tweaks and readjusting after auto-generating a book. I uploaded my photos from my computer and this application allow pictures to be uploaded from Facebook automatically as well, which could be more convenient because most of the pictures were there.

I was really really pleased when I received my book yesterday! The shipping was super fast! I received the book three days after I submitted it via online.

I took the 1 x 8 x 6 small landscape Imagewrap Hardcover. overall the book just feels like it's really high quality. In hindsight, I think the hardcover that just makes a Photobook seems that much more professional.

Nevertheless, I was quite pleased with the outcome. My particular book (which had close to 40 photos) cost around RM48 to make, so it's by any means cheaper than the original price (RM208) using Groupon Deal. They often have discounts, so you can probably get away with making one for a lot less than full price.
Aulia' was so excited when I showed her the Photobook and she was pointing hub's pictures and calling "Papa" so many times... well, she missed papa though.

Dear Aulia'

Assalamualaikum w.b.t..

Happy 16-months old Aulia' sayang..

It has been a challenging month! You started the month with getting sick from the flu shot, which lingered for about a week. Then you developed a cough. Alhamdulillah, we got past all that without too much trouble and you gradually got better over the next week. Unfortunately, the virus messed with all of my sleep schedules. Ibu have been sleep-deprived for over two weeks now, and this somehow seems worse then when you were a newborn! But Alhamdulillah, you are back on track to being my good sleeper now though : )

Your language development definitely changed this month. Instead of just saying words here and there, you often try to engage in whole conversations with us.  Of course, it's all jibberish but you go on for a few minutes and use inflection, gestures and body language. Ibu sure wish Ibu could understand what you are saying! But Papa was so excited that now you can talk, he called us almost every night just to have a chit chat with you.

It's so clear that you are trying to tell us something fabulous. As far as new words, this month you added: duduk, air, mak, hot, nak, no and bye-bye. Apparently, you called me as "Mak" instead of Ibu. You'll be like "Mak, mak, mak (calling me repetitively) nak mam". You were so attracted with a lot of food these days and it was so exciting moment watching you eating.

In your world, there are two types of animals: birds and cats, which you called them titi and miaw.
At target one day, you pointed at your maksu and screamed, "Titi!" This is an example of how your language skills have not caught up with your understanding yet. Because you can recognize many more things that you can say. For example, if Ibu point to a page in a book and ask, " Where is the elephant?" you can easily point out the elephant (or duck, lion or apple if Ibu ask for those). But without me prompting you, you point to these things and say, "Titi" or "miaw".

Ibu know this is perfectly normal and developmentally appropriate, and that you are generalizing things into categories in a way that makes sense to you. It's so amazing to watch this learning process unfold!

You love to spend time playing in your play-corner. Ibu bought a new and colourful rug for you. Its an alphabet rug. The day after Ibu bought it, you walked up to it and pointed to the letter "B" and started yelling "B B B B B" over and over again.

For months now, we have been studying one letter every week. You really enjoy it but Ibu wasn't sure how much you were understanding.

You still love to dance. Masha Allah, you have some moves! Ibu still don't know where this comes from. Music seems to be very important to you. You especially loves "BINGO" and "Skidamarink a doo!". You loved to watch the Enfagrow milk advertisement on tv too!.

You've inherited Ibu's silliness and Papa's temper. Which means half time we are cracking up, and the other half we are pulling Ibu's hair out. You are generally such a happy little girl, always laughing and actively playing. You are so much fun to play with. Ibu chase you and throw you up in the air. Your giggles and squeals are so incredibly contagious.

You got your 7th and 8th tooth, your two down molars. . Ibu can't wait until this teething process is over!
Even though it was a more challenging month than most, it was still great because Ibu get to spend so much time with you! you are my whole world and Ibu love you more every day :)

Renewing passport Online-Made my Life Easier!

Assalamualaikum w.b.t..

I'm flying off soon from Malaysia for work and I realized my passport has only less than 6 months validity which essentially means that I cannot use it anymore to travel overseas.

I have heard about online passport renewal with myIMMs so I tried to apply for a new passport online today. I must say that I'm still pretty impressed with the entire process. To my surprise, the whole entire process took me less than 1 hour including uploading my passport size photo, payment via credit card and printing the receipt.

I had a 2 years passport renewal which cost me about RM 100. I have to key in my credit card details and then submit. Once the payment gone through, I'm done. There was a column in the form for me to choose where to collect my passport, and I opted to collect from Kajang immigration Office since they opened on Saturday!

It was really hassle free to do it almost everything online. What I need to do now is that to bring along my old passport and IC when collecting the new passport.

Kudos to Government Malaysia! You've made the rakyat's life easier by saving a lot of time as compared to how we do passport renewal those days.

So if your passport is expiring soon, you may want to try MyIMMs-e-services and renew your passport online. It's really simple and save a lot of your time.

xoxo ShemaAulia'

Breaking Dawn Part II

Assalamualaikum w.b.t..

After a long wait, I finally get to watch my favourite movie ever, Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part II-The epic finale. Ever since Part I ended, I was really curious to see how Part II will ended. I loved the Part I where Edward and Bella went for honeymoon. A must watch movie for a married couple!

Hubby was never a fan of Twilight Saga but he'll definitely lend his ears to my story every time I finished reading the novel. Hub is a good listener though (Who's hubby doesn't anyway!).

This time he promised me for a movie date. 

So we went on Sunday night since I'm taking A.L on Monday, and Tuesday is a public holiday..yeay!. 

The best part is that,I cried when there was some flash back of memories of Edward and Bella's love story since they first met in high school. Then they fall in love, Jacob turns out to be a werewolf, the love triangle between Edward,Bella and Jacob, and then Edward and Bella got married. 

Called me a weirdo! I cried, like seriously! Hubby was laughing next to me, then hugging me to calm me down. 

Isn't he sweet??

 No he's not. He was laughing at me dude! Whatever.

Hubby said, the whole story was totally crap (The vampire-human-werewolf thingy). But he agreed on the moral value of this story. The loved that Bella shows toward her family, her daughter and husband. That's the whole main point dear! LOVE..

So the lion fell in love,
And the lamb, well she fell too;
It didn't take too long before,
One LOVE become two.

Torn between two lovers,
A choice between she must make;
Edward or Jacob she must decide,
Before destiny forever seals her fate.

With Edward suited up in pale;
Together they joined hearts,
Then came a baby looking so frail.

That threaten their loved ones gone;
What will Bella, Edward and Jacob do,
To survive the Breaking Dawn?

I love you for a thousands more..MHN.! What happen after a thousand years? I still love you more and more!

Romantic Candle Light Dinner@ Teeq Brasserie

Assalamualaikum w.b.t...

Its my second wedding anniversary on 27th November and I want to make this moment a special one to my my dearest hubby since he's been working so hard and were not home most of the time. We didn't manage to get to spend much time together last month so today, we made a point to celebrate our anniversary with candle lights. and music. Last minutes, with God's will we managed to spend time just the two of us on our special date despite all the hurdles that come on our way...only Him know how thankful I was for that. Feel like ages since we last spent time together or going on a date!

We had our Anniversary dinner at Teeq Brasserie at the rooftop of Lot 10 Star Hill. I did fall in love with the place.It had the most romantic setting and if there ever was one restaurant to impress someone, Teeq Brasserie has the ambience to melt any heart. It definitely did melt this fussy heart. The entrance itself was impressive, you walk up the stairs to get to the restaurant that is basically surrounded by the avant-garde  decor and the grand scenery of Kuala Lumpur. You can't help but feel all warm as you're greeted with nice green lawn on the walk way and you immediately feel like you've stepped into a different world.

 *Sorry this pictures don't do much justice because of the lighting*

Once you're in the restaurant, you get the most cosiest feeling with the dim lights, candles,wooden floor with pleasant decor and life band that all adds up to a wonderful dining experience.

We kicked off our anniversary dinner with Teeq's signature soup.

Hubby had Potage St. Germaine as a start. Its a starch of Idaho potato and green leek leave served with garlic crouton, while I had Forest Mushroom Soup with a hint of truffle oil and smoked paprika powder. Hubby's soups down within minutes but I can't finished mine as usual. The portion was quite too big for me.
Then we had our main course, another Teeq's signature called Dream of Maryland. Its a grilled chicken breast with cajun spice top with beef bacon and farm cheddar cheese accompany with creamy mash and seasonal vege.

Hubby said the portion was small for him so I handed my remaining mash and bacon for him to finish it. People might says eating your spouse remaining food is not good. Well,for me it never been a problem since I only eat a small portion and hubby said it would be such a waste if we did not finished our food. Goodness, lucky me to have my hubby and he's open minded thinking. No wonder he is big tough. Still, I love him so much!
Hub and I were talking about our marriage life, how we raised Aulia' all these while, how we loved each other before and after marriage..he counted it one by one..2007,2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012..I was like, Okay darling, lets talk about our future,,and I was "B, I nak baby lagi boleh? hehe!"
Hubby said Okay..yeay! "Tunggu Aulia masuk playschool ke ape nanti k?"
Hoho Okay that adultery conversation ends right there.. I know he want the best for me and Aulia'..he must have planned something for us,and I'm fully one hundred percent supported him..
We then had our dessert before heading back home holding each other hand ..

Boston Chocolate Brownies with walnut and vanilla Ice cream..

View of Kuala Lumpur from Teeq Lot 10 Starhill Rooftop.

Come back home very happy @ 11.30 p.m over the perfect night out.
But wait, there's more. On Sunday, I decided to cook breakfast for us and Aulia'. What's an anniversary without a home cooked meal right? Right!
I whipped out some prata, beef curry and tempura chicken and proudly learn the art of improvising my home made cooking to make my husband fall in  love with me:).
Happy 2nd wedding anniversary and for the 6th wonderful years of knowing each other. Love you B.

xoxo ShemaAulia'

Pregnancy Test

Assalamualaikum w.b.t...

I was hesitant to post this but it's what's on my heart and mind today, so here it goes..

I'm not pregnant. I know, a lot of people aren't and it's a strange thing to say. But I'm not pregnant. This weighs on my heart like a ton of bricks and it makes me sad. Every minutes.

Getting pregnant with Aulia' was really easy. My delivery was tough but it was successful. After almost 24 hours of labour, I had a happy, healthy baby and I survived. What more could I ask for?

I assumed having another one would be easy. I had these pregnancy symptoms for the last couples of weeks. I felt nausea and constantly vomiting in the morning..just the exact symptoms when I first had Aulia'..but I am not where I thought I would be. I thought that I would be announcing on Facebook, planning for my anatomy scan and excited to make Aulia' a big sister.

So I had myself a pregnancy test..

Well, I'm a bit dissapointed with the result though. I know so many people who have had difficulties, honestly, before having Aulia', I had a feeling I would be one. After having her, I knew getting pregnant and having a baby would be easy. Why would I ever think that? Who ever would assume getting pregnant is easy?

You never know how the words "when are you having more?" can sting. You never think about that kind of thing until you or a friend goes through it. I had a friend who had a struggle finally getting pregnant with her sweet boy and it wasn't until her that I thought to keep my "When are you having babies?" to myself. But to constantly hear "it's time for another" and "When are you going to make Aulia' a big sister?" sucks.

Aulia' is incredible. She is absolutely the best thing ever happen to me, the best thing in my life. Thinking about how much I adore her completely overjoys me. I don't discount her or feel that she isn't enough.

She is enough. Tapi, kalau Allah bagi rezeki lebih kat kami, Alhamdulillah..

But it doesn't change the fact that I want more..cuba lagi:)