Down The Memory Lane

Can't remember the exact name of this place. But it's still in the County of Hampshire. Taken from a hilltop, breathtaking views.

On the right is the photo of famous lady golfers at the Southampton PGA Tournament. Yeah, right. It was a golf course nearby the beautiful riverside, behind our Halls Of Residence. This was during Summer 98, a very hot weather it was, we went out looking for ice-cream. Guess, which one of these is actually the Spectacular Golfer? Hehehe.

Stonehenge. Not so clear, though. Taken at dusk. Very Unique.

This is The Needles, Isle of Wight. 45 minutes by ferry from the City Of Southampton. First visited this Island when I was 6, and re-visited it at the age 23. I love Isle Of Wight. If ever, one day I go missing, Isle Of Wight is one of the places my family should consider to look for me.

I love England. After Malaysia, of course. Have known England since my kindergarten days. Was going through my old stuffs in my bedroom earlier on. Found some photos of England views. I especially love the countrysides. There, you could find many shades of green. And yes, definitely island, beaches and seasides. Pleasant viewing, dearest friends.

Welcome, My Beloved Niece

Syukur, Alhamdulillah. My very first beloved niece, Anis Farissa binti Mohd. Firdaus was born on April 12, 2006 at 8:59 p.m. in Sultan Abdul Samad Johor Specialist, Johor Bahru. It was a normal birth, both mother and child in excellent conditions.

Anis is such a cute baby with a combination of her Daddy's and Mommy's looks. She has got her mother's nose. My brother recited the Iqamah in the ears of his newborn daughter. My parents were very thrilled. Both of them made endless phone calls to announce the arrival of Anis to our relatives.

Anis is the first child of my brother, Firdaus. Firdaus and Ayati tied the knot on June 5, 2005.

The name Anis Farissa was chosen in combination of the first letter of both her parents, A and F. Anis means someone who is very comforting while Farissa means loyal.

Firdaus was by Ayati's side the entire time while my mother and me waited outside the labor room. My father was in the visitor's room. Later, after Anis has been born, my other three siblings joined us in the hospital. It was Lin who fetched Mas at UTM and Faiz at home and drove them to the hospital. All three stood outside the nursery for a very long time staring at their cute and adorable niece.

It was a memorable night for our family. I am so proud of Firdaus for his love and loyalty to his wife. He stayed by her side all the time. And I am so proud of Yati for her courage, strength and sacrifice. We stayed until midnight, all five of us to accompany Yati while waiting for our mother to return. She went back to take a few more things and perform her Isyaa'. She stayed the night at the hospital with Yati.

Congratulations to Firdaus and Ayati.

Welcome, Dearest Anis, from your Spectacular Aunt. Also from Auntie Lin, Auntie Mas and Uncle Faiz.

Of Stewardesses

Just finished reading this book. Love the terms, love the tempo, and love the book! Highly recommended.

I came to know about this book in March when the author was invited to share her experiences in a popular radio station. This book was already a bestseller at that time. I thought of getting this book at the International Book Fair at PWTC but couldn't find it.

At the age of six, I have already flewn to overseas to visit aunts and uncles studying there. It was then that I became fascinated by the profession of a stewardess. I especially like their appearances. Extremely neat and fresh-looking all the time! Once I voiced my intention of becoming an air-stewardess to my parents but they were totally against it. But while there are pro and cons, I believe it depends entirely on a person's integrity and professionalism. Still I admire them greatly.

I am in complete agreement with Yvonne in saying that it is more than just serving F & B or welcoming passengers on board. They have to know and deal with so much things at 35000 feet and yet they still must retain their charm and composure.

Congratulations to Yvonne Lee. Really looking forward to her next book.

P/S : Is it fate or a pure coincidence that Faizal's wife happened to be an ex-stewardess?

Two of My Cats

These are the pictures of two of my cats, Bozo and Bobo. The left passport close-up photo is Bozo and the right full body photo is Bobo. Bozo has the prettiest color while Bobo is the cleanest. I did not manage to capture the photo of Bono, a more reserved one. All three are the 'abang' of the little Rudin who is still missing and believed to be with a new family. I really hope Rudin is safe somewhere and would return home.

Earlier today, both Bono and Bozo seen Bubu The Rabbit for the very fist time. Both took a predator's aim to Bubu who was inside his little cage. Terrified, I took Bubu inside and went to get a glass of water in the kitchen, only to find Bozo dived straight from the window heading towards the cage. I chased Bozo away and slammed the window shut.

According to Faiz, these cats are just jealous. They were like that when their mother Bochee had little kittens last time.

Pets pun tau jealous.. susah lah ini macam!

A Special Dedication

April 6, 2006

Today is a very special day to me. For it is the birthday of my sisters, Lin and Mas.

Twins? No. Lin was born on April 6, 1982 while Mas on April 6, 1986.

They do not even look alike but many people described them as twins, because sometimes they act like one. They are so close, and kalau ada rahsia or anything, always berbisik bisik sesama sendiri.

They always follow my parents to weddings, that is, if Mas is around. She is still studying at UTM.

If my Mom went for holidays, she always bought something for us. And for the girls, my Mom selalunya akan beli something equally nice, but not exactly alike for them. Maybe some batik silk in different colors but similar motives or patterns. Or bracelets or necklaces. Mas prefers darker colors, like deep blue or black, which my Mom can never understand. Mom always complained, kenapa muda muda suka warna warna gelap? My Mom herself loves to dress up, and she herself likes bright, cheerful tones. Lin is more like her in taste and color. Major dislike : Ayam.

I would say Lin has great taste in clothes and fashion. She is sweet natured too. Ramai kawan dan ramai admirers, and she always treat them nicely. Very understanding and kind-hearted too. Has a rabbit soft-toy which she always hug when she is sleeping. She named the rabbit "Rabbit Anastasia Nemo Jazeera". Selalu buat puppet shows using the rabbit and she's quite good at it. Siap ada special voice for that rabbit. Since she love kids, I always encouraged her to create her version of stories about her rabbit. Kids love her too. She loves to read, and always read my books. She just finished her American Degree, a twinning programme with Excelsior College, New York. She graduated with good results, and her favourite subjects were Psychology, Sociology and History.

Mas? An entirely different story. She loves reading too, but her choice of books are rather pelik. Last time she was reading about Hitler, Biscmark, Mussolini and Stalin. Serious reading, though. I found a very thick book on Hitler on her bed. She even got a giftwrapper with Hitler's face printed on it. Nak jadi apa pun tak taulah. Oh, and she collects many giftwrappers too. She also likes to watch and read about the X-Files. Spent a lot to get X-Files, Scrubs and CSI DVDs. Have great sense of humour when the mood is there, but most of the time she is always blur. Her nickname in college is Blurry. Initially she wanted to major in Forensic and Pathology. My Dad was kind of hoping that she would do Medicine. Then she has this interest on Biotechnology. And now she is doing Civil Engineering. Used to like F1 so much but no longer since Mika Hakkinen retired. That left her brokenhearted with F1. Major dislike : Mancis.

To my darling sisters, Happy Birthday to both of you. May Allah bless you and grant you happiness all the time. May all your wishes come true. I will always be there for you. You are so wonderful and special. I love you both.

I'm Too Sexy

This morning as I was driving to office, I heard this song, I'm Too Sexy by Right Said Fred, played at one of the radio stations. Back in 1992, this one used to be my favourite. What's more that was the time of my 'zaman kegemilangan'. Sweet 17 hehehe. Perasan model lah konon-konon. So there were times when my friends and me did some catwalk when this song was played. Teruk kan? But those were happy times.. young and vibrant.. happy 24 hours.

I dedicate this song to all ladies with the message.. being sexy is not easy, still somebody has got to do the job.. all ladies deserve to be sexy, though.. it's our privilege!

Provided, bertempat lah kan.. i.e. as a wife.. it's good to be sexy for the husband.. and so on.

Enjoy the song.. my own version.. with regards to this blog hehehe.

I'm Too Sexy

I'm too sexy for my love too sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me

I'm too sexy for my shirt too sexy for my shirt
So sexy it hurts
And I'm too sexy for Milan too sexy for Milan
New York and Japan
And I'm too sexy for your party
Too sexy for your party
No way I'm disco dancing

I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I do my little turn on the catwalk

I'm too sexy for my car too sexy for my car
Too sexy by far
And I'm too sexy for my hat
Too sexy for my hat what do you think about that

I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I shake my little touche on the catwalk

I'm too sexy for my too sexy for my too sexy for my
'Cos I'm a model you know what I mean
And I do my little turn on the catwalk
Yeah on the catwalk on the catwalk yeah
I shake my little touche on the catwalk

I'm too sexy for my cat too sexy for my cat
Poor pussy poor pussy cat
I'm too sexy for my love too sexy for my love
Love's going to leave me

And I'm too sexy for Faizal.

O Faizal, Where Art Thou?

It has been quite some time since I last talked about Faizal. Back in 2001, after he disappeared for two months, that was, after his sudden unexplainable anger in September that year, he reappeared again in November.

If I remember correctly, I sent a text to greet him of the coming fasting month. The reply was a brief 'thank you and same to you'. That surprised me because I did not expect a reply.

Then there was a series of short sms-es, and in December, I greeted him for Christmas, and he replied. Not that I celebrated Christmas, though, but living abroad has made me include Christmas as one of the celebrations in my life. My friends there always include me in their Christmas Eve dinner, taking the trouble to use halal ingredients obtained from the International Shop ran by muslim Arabian owner. I used to help them to prepare something, like preparing the vege dish, or side-dish for the dinner. It was an enjoyable time, and I still miss England now, especially during Christmas time. I am a devoted Muslim, so my joining my friends for the dinner is more to honoring invitations, nothing to do with beliefs and religion.

I do not drink, nor do I smoke. Not prejudice to those who do, but, just sorry to see people shortening their life-span.

In January 2002, things were going on well between me and Faizal. He was friendly again, and even so I found it hard to believe. I was being extra careful with what I said and tried not to do things that he did not like. You see, until now I don't even know why he was mad at that time. Sometimes I do think that nothing about that man makes sense.

I started another blog, named Jedi Archive, the web address being http://textarchive.blogspot.com. This blog displays almost all of his sms-es to me. You may wonder why I do such thing. You can find the reason in that blog.

Frankly I do not know what he is like in the corporate circle. But as a man, you could say that he is remarkable and to a certain degree, a gentleman. Credits should be given to his parents for bringing up such a fine man - again, to a certain degree.

There were times when he went jogging on Sundays.. tak tau lah apasal... tapi tiba tiba nanti dia kata dia nak pergi jogging. So okaylah, pergilah. It's not like I can join him pun. Tak taulah kat mana dia pergi, but I was thinking lucky nya girls kat sana. I would be lucky to find man like that in the area where I always jog in JB. Pacik-pacik tua ramailah. Those retired government Dato', no doubt. Because the area where I live in JB mostly comprises of top state government officials private residences. The best part was, along with the pacik, sometimes ada mak datin tercungap cungap tagging along. hehehehehehe. Probably for security purposes, or mayyybe mak datin pun nak keep fit. Also for security purposes, if you get what I mean.

I do miss chatting with him. Would give anything to have him back on air.

O, Faizal Where Art Thou?