Haversack vs DigiCam

I’m not a planner. Not in my personal life. It just happens. Subconsciously I do have a checklist of what to bring especially before going out and that is my haversack. Everything’s in there. In fact it has been 4 full months since I grab my handbag. I can’t even remember how many pockets it has or does it has one?

I’ve added another item to my haversack and that is my digital camera. Actually it’s not my digi-cam, its hubby’s. Hehe…

Anyway since I started blogging, everything has to be captured in photos. At the end of the day, hubby and I will usually argue about who will get which photo to be in their blog. Usually he’ll get what he wants because he’ll be the one transferring all the photos into the computer hence selecting the ones that he liked best while I’m asleep. When he goes away for his visits he’ll take the camera along and in a way, I felt incomplete. I’m stuck with no camera and I think you bloggers know what it’s like when you’re in a situation where you really want to snap a picture but the camera is nowhere to be seen. It happened to me this morning when I frantically searched my haversack and finally realised (after emptying it) that hubby got it.

I’m not buying another camera but hmm… let me think. What do you reckon honey?

Book Addict

Few weeks ago I went to the library at hubby’s college and realised how I missed browsing and walking around books. I really enjoyed the smell of it, the beauty of it being in order and the ambiance of the library itself. The last time I was in such a place was ages ago. I came across books which I used to carry around university and books that I hated most. It brings back wonderful memories of being a student with only one thing in mind, to graduate.

Hello! Earth to Monstermom!

Back to book business. Second hand books are cheap in Australia. I usually shop for it at the garage sales or Sunday Markets. Books will be the first thing on my checklist. As for now, I’m proud to announce that I’ve almost completed collecting Patricia Cornwell’s novels which cost me not more than $5 each. I even got some of the hardcover books at $1. Next will be Tom Clancy, Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve.

Most of the ladies that I know would go crazy over Royal Doulton, Corningware, crystals and stuff. I’m just the opposite of it. It doesn’t matter as long as I’m happy…

Atief enjoying the toys

Cheap books

I got these for a total of $2.50

My Patricia Cornwell

Hubby's Tom Clancy

Superman got tired after flying around Sunday Market with Ibu

Map

The map of blogosphere

To have a clearer view, go here.

I can't find blogger....

Hibernating Still....

I've been hibernating from blogging world for the past three weeks. My parents and in-laws came to visit us and stayed till last Friday. Considering the time constraint, I tried my best to entertain them so as to make it a memorable one. The grandkids were so delighted to have them and I , for one, had quite a break from my usual duties. Every night the house was filled with laughter when we chat about what we've done earlier in the day.

Introduction to Canberra at Mount Ainslie

Tok Wan and Tok Mak with the grandkids

Ayah and his Kerapu while fishing in Batemans Bay

Mama's Steamed Kerapu

Mak Wan's Masak Asam Pedas Ikan Kerapu

The Most Romantic Couple Ever!

Atuk and MakWan in Tuggeranong Lake

Getting ready to board the bus to Sydney

Tok Mak waving goodbye

It was a drama when we sent them off at the station. They seemed to have difficulties in letting the kids go. Atief continuosly clung to Papa and this broke him to pieces. Mak and Ayah just boarded the bus quickly and continued weeping silently in their seats. Too bad we couldn't send them straight to Sydney as hubby was to go to Indonesia the next day. Right after we came back to the house, we still could smell Ayah's minyak atar and Papa's perfume in their respective rooms. The house felt empty.

I'm missing them more and more while hubby gets to divert his sadness watching lovely girls in Jakarta, Bali, Bandung... Arghh!!!!! I'm left alone, again, back to my usual monstermom self......

Balloon Festival

I've been on the highest roller coaster ride in the world. I've visited Sex Museum in Amsterdam. I've walked through the streets of Paris. But nothing prepared me for this.....

Kids posing at the basket

Inside the balloon

Inside the tiny basket

Getting ready for lift off

Bye Ayah n Atief!

Low level dancing...just above the waters

Picture paints a thousand words

All my emotions were wrapped up in this amazing scene. I've never felt more peaceful in my whole life. No sound. Just me and the balloons...dancing around in the sky.. slow motion...
Subhanallah...

More pics here and here.

Yesterday Once More (YOM) Part 1

When I was 18 .....
Hihihi... how can I forget these songs...


Unforgettable - Nat and Natalie Cole
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams
More Than Words - Extreme
Power of Love/Love Power - Luthor Vandross
Its So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday - Boys II Men
Enter Sandman - Metallica
Black Or White - Michael Jackson
It Ain't Over Till It's Over - Lenny Kravitz
When A Man Loves A Woman - Michael Bolton
Coming Out Of The Dark - Gloria Estefan
Wind Of Change - Scorpions
Baby Baby - Amy Grant
Can't Stop This Thing We Started - Bryan Adams
Joyride - Roxette
Love Is A Wonderful Thing - Michael Bolton
Set The Night To Music - Roberta Flack and Maxi Preist
Sadeness, Part 1 - Enigma
Blowing Kisses In The Wind - Paula Abdul
I Wanna Sex You Up - Color Me Badd
You Could Be Mine - Guns N' Roses
Do The Bartman - The Simpsons
Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
The First Time - Surface

and the list goes on...

When I think about it... at 18... i'm still naive...pure... anak dara gitu... ahaks....hihihi....
What a journey...

FIRST TIME

There must be a first time for everything!

Our first BBQ gathering with fellow neighbours.

My first pizza attemp. Looks yummy enough for me!

After pizza, sardine puff is just another walk in the park.....
(celah gigi gitu)

I'm so honoured when I was invited to join the first Malaysian Blog Network by a good friend of mine. So friends, this is my other blog... feel free to visit it !
Woman Vs Sport.

Ciao.

CANDID

Smile! You're on candid camera!


Iman cries over some issues with his ayah while Atif doing his big mouth thingy.




Running around Circular Quay.



It's so hard to make them pose!




Ibu was struggling with the kids for family picture..while Ayah still adjusting the camera.. or maybe a trick to enjoy the moment.



Again, Ibu desperately searching for his boy... lost somewhere in the tea plantation!



Kids! All they want is to have fun, fun and more fun!



Atif french kissing his cousin, Qistina. Hehhe...



Nana! Always the last one to get dressed. Ibu and MakNgah were already posing for the snap.




Atief with MakNgah's wedding shoes!


Life will be so dull without all these candid!

Summary of January and February activities

These are some activities in January and February....

Somewhere in Canberra... I'm homesick!!!


Batemans Bay outing
Fruits haven... cheap ma!!!! Can get it for $2 per pack in Woden Sunday Market...




Atief doing his craft in the playgroup session.




School time!

Busy Bee

A woman once said that Canberra is boring and prefers Sydney. I hope she takes it back. For me living here could never been any better. I’m so tied up with all sorts of activities mostly outing and window shopping…. Lol!.

There are a lot of places to go and visit. The most important thing is creativity. I hardly have enough time for cooking let alone blogging. Time goes so fast to cover all the things that I wanna do. So many things to explore…

As for now I’m all up to my sleeves with the kids. My mornings will be busy with preparing breakfast, sending kids to school, attending Atief’s playgroup, morning coffee, groceries shopping etc. Afternoon will be house works, preparing dinner and blogging. I hardly get an hour of quality blogging especially if my little one refuses to have his afternoon nap. Though school ends at 3pm I wish it could last longer…heheh… Evening is kids’ Quran lesson, playtime (which unfortunately must be supervised by monstermom) and by dinner time I’m already looking forward to sleep…

In all those craziness, I still managed to find some time to go window shopping (a lot!!!!), sight seeing, eat ( a lot too!!) and even do some reading! No wonder I’ve lost 2 kilos already!!!

TAG HEUER

I've been trying to lay low so as not to get tagged... but then again...

thanks to hubbyluvvy...

Six simple lists:-

1. I still put on my only watch which I bought in 2000.
2. I watch tennis because of Nadal.
3. I imagine the voices of my boys are like Josh Groban while my girl is Corrine Bailey Ray, so when they cry/scream it’s like music to my ears.
4. My hobby is picking my kids’ nose.
5. If I have the opportunity, I’d like to go bungee jump.
6. I still talk to myself in the mirror…and this has been going on like forever!!!

......................................................................................................

Rules & Regulations:

Each player of this game starts out by giving 6 weird things about themselves. People who get tagged need to write in a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state the rules clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. After you do that, leave them each a comment letting them know you tagged them and to read your blog!

Next taggy frenz will be :

Joeina
Sharinna
Ween
Nur Raina Afsana
Mobile Mom
Fitri Shukri

What’s Your Name Again?

It’s hard to remember names. I’ve met some nice new friends over Atief’s playgroup sessions. Until today I'm still having trouble remembering the names. I’m sure that I’ve mistakenly said the wrong name to the wrong person. No wonder some of them were a bit amused when I did that….ha!ha!.. Sorry mate!

Right now I’m trying to associate their names with famous people so that it’ll be easier to remember. Let me try… Yes! Got it!

We’ve got Giligan’s Island, Laurier, Mel Gibson, Gap, Margaret Thatcher, Vanessa William, Catherine Hepburn, Lisa Presley, Anna Nicole Smith, Simon Le Bond and Kelly Clarkson.

As for my name…just remember the month of June..Easy BZ!

YOUR FOOT OR MINE

1. While sitting at your desk, lift your right foot off the floor
and
make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your
right hand.

Your foot will change direction.

I told you so .....And there's nothing you can do about it.
You are doing it again aren't you????
And again?
Arhgggg.... this is killing me!!!

It's all about sports

I love sports. In fact I am a sportswoman. I enjoy it so much that hubby and me subscribed to the sports channel instead of cartoon network. Sorry kids! After a few months in Australia, my general assumption is, Aussies are sports fanatics. Look at how they support their cricket team! They even got a commercial for this. And don’t get me started on the spinner Shane Warne. Since he announced his retirement last year, I’ve been seeing him in the telly and magazines everyday….How he’s a good dad, his divorce, his hair etc. The most surprising thing is, now, I can enjoy the game when hubby taught me how to read the score. Isn’t that amazing? From a cricket hater, I’m now officially supporting England and New Zealand team for a change! Muahaha…..

Then there was Australian Grand Slam. Boy how I enjoyed the live telecast everyday. Who who’ve thought Serena ended up in the finals alas beating Sharapova by 2 straight sets. Aussie as usual was so anxious about their player, Alicia Molik. They even got to the extend of appreciating her muscled body as per Angelina Jolie in the Tomb Raider. That’s it!

Roger Federer is truly a magician. I enjoy how he thrashed Andy Roddick. How about that Jimmy Connors! Poor Hewitt being an Aussie was the favourite but then again, even his coach left him! Baghdatis on the other hand was totally humiliated by that French boy…what was his name again? But most of all I love watching Nadal plays. Hey, I’m not the only one appreciating him…I mean…especially his butt-ocks! But my friends as well! The angle that I liked most was when he’s receiving the serve. Yeap! Bend down baby, bend down….. Ops….!!!

Who's the fanatic again?

HANTU/PLAYMATE/BOOPSLAND

HANTU

Iman: Ibu, kat sini ada hantu tak?

Ibu: Tanya Ayah.

Ayah: Ala, dia start dah! Hm.. kat sini tak dak hantu. Hantu tertinggal kat M’sia. Tak sempat nak naik airoplane.

Iman: Ye ke? Abis tu hantu omputih ada tak? Camana dgn hantu jepun?

Ayah: Hantu omputih ada kat dlm church ja. Kat luar ni tak dak so no need to be afraid lah! Sudah! No more questions.

Iman: Oklah…bila boleh swimming ni?

Ibu: Hello! Ayiaq sejuk cam tu nak pi pool lagi? Ish…Dah. Go to your room and play something….

After 10 minutes, he came back with more questions!!!!!!

PLAYMATE

After a month in Canberra the kids finally found their playmate. S has 4 boys ranging from 13 to 2 yrs old. Iman now joins their PS3 and cricket group. On the other hand R has 2 lovely girls and a boy who are in the same age group as Nana and Atief. Nana already played “Sik sik boom boom” with the girls while Atief got his sports car buddy. They are having so much fun.

As for me, I’m still getting to know the wives. M has been here before while N was in France for two years. For A this is her first time abroad but she handled it nicely. Alhamdulillah they are open minded and fun to chat with. Nevertheless life is so dull without my blog and emails.

I wanted to drive around but am not confident enough. It’ll take me at least a week or two to memorize the area. Till then life still evolves around the kids and hubby……

BOOPSLAND

We had a chance to go to Sydney. The city is busy unlike boring Canberra. Summer is hot hot hot… We only managed to visit the Opera House and Taronga Zoo. The ferry rides along Circular Quay was amazing.

As usual hubby was entertained by all the boops around Sydney. He calls it “Tetekstan”. What do you expect, it’s SUMMER!!!! Spaghetti strap and tube are a norm. Imagine the size!!! I know….I know… he’s just looking at it…IT!!! I’m not jealous or anything but still he got a few knocks on the head for staring too long in his sunglasses until his eyes were popping out of it…as if I didn’t notice….

On the way back to Canberra we had our lunch at Kaki Lima, Kingston. After a month hilanglah rindu to Laksa and teh tarik. Then we bought about 8 packs of instant roti canai hoping it to last for a few weeks…till our next visit.

I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK I'M BACK

hello world!!!! lihat lah dunia....heheh... will be back next week...bila dah dapat internet free!!!!

miss uuuuuuuuu allllllll aaaa lllloooooottttt!!!!!! uuwwaaaaa.......

I wanted to write and post some pictures about:-

• My date with papa – how we enjoyed our Nasi Lemak/Kandaq Royal outing.
• The kids’ swimming lessons.
• Mama getting angry at her cucu.
• Books and magazines that I managed to read.
• All the food that I’m enjoying in Aloq Staq – Laksa, Nasik Kandaq, Ais Kacang, Tosei, Apom Lenggang, Roti Jala n kuah durian, Somtam, Moi, Mee Abu, Pasembor, Tomyam, Masak Asam Pedas…….
• Our kenduri doa selamat

It all came to an end when my mobile phone was stolen yesterday. All the pictures taken and the contact numbers were just gone. The phone was a surprise gift from Hubby. It was the most “canggih” phone I’ve ever had. I only managed to enjoy it for a few months before it was taken away from me. How could I be so careless?

Well, what to do? Ayam patuk itik sudu….

Innalillah….Subhanallah…. Mesti ada hikmahnya…

Bengong jap bila tak dak mobile phone nih….hmmm…..

Alhamdulillah.... at last the streamyx line was fixed this morning.... after so much %%&*(($#@. I got my cyber life back! So many stories to tell and share with my dear bloggerz.. but wait you have to ( ala star warz gitu).

Gabra

I've switched to beta blogger recently and tried to change my page settings and what not. I accidentally (hah!!) saved it and to my surprise it started raining. I quickly switch the computer off but forgot to pull out the cable that connects the streamyx modem to the phone. The next morning, the modem is out…. WAAAA!!!!!!! Hubby informed bout my new layout…. Cam Hampeh!!!!! How to edit? Tension sioooooootttt!!!!

I’m at my aunt’s house in KL and managed to log on via her tmnet modem.. .so slow ma…hehe…. But alas I can repair some damage. Phew!