Back to Reality....

I'm back....

Back in Malaysia, back at work and back in my blogsphere :)

I can't believe that I have not been blogging for the past 1 month. I do not think I've gone that long without posting anything since I started blogging 7 years ago. Life have been pretty hectic in February, since I'm going on a holiday, I had to make sure that all my files are in order. Just so happened I was saddled with one cursed project. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Last minute issues, unavailability of officers in charge (as in a few bukan sorang ye) and macam-macam lah... At the end, redha je with the happenings :p

Alhamdullilah, we had an awesome vacation in Japan. My wish to travel to a cold country with the munchkins came true --> Read: Trench coats and cute hats. Truthfully, the weather can put a damper to travel plans and people's mood but the fun did outweigh the gloominess.No thanks to meticulous research and reading on my part :) I will blog all about our adventure in Osaka, Kyoto and Nara soon. 

  

6 YEARS AND COUNTING

Thank you Allah for the opportunity to spend my 6 years anniversary with Lan overseas. 6 years ago, we started our marriage practically with nothing to our name, just with our outmost trust in Allah plans and love for each other. Our biggest blessings after 6 years is of course Ryan, Iman and Ranya. Like all marriages we have our good days and days where we could just murder each other. Our love and respect do act as a glue to keep the relationship in tact. 

To my dear husband,

Thank you for continuously putting an effort on building our marriage and not quitting on "us" when things get tough. Thank you for always putting our family first before other stuff though that may not always be easy for you. I know with time, more challenges and test will come our way and I hope Allah will give us the strength and wisdom to deal with it together. Outsiders may not "get us", they may even misunderstood our dynamics and partnership but as long as we know what we're doing that is enough for me. 

The 23 year old girl you fell in love with, your soon to be 32 year old wife and that creaky old woman I'll be in 40 years will love you forever and ever and inshaallah till jannah.

XoXo,

Far

My Secret Garden :)

When it come to our house, my husband's pride and joy would be the 1ksqf garden. That is "his territory" as he's responsible with the planting, watering and taking care of the garden. Anyway, this year we're making the garden as our "couple project", a DIY project for us to tackle together (bonding mahh...)

It is common knowledge that both of us don't share much of the same interest other than the kids :p Gardening is just something that we both enjoy doing (among other things haha) I don't really like the getting dirt under my nails part (I confined my activities to watering and trimming plants) but gardening brings back fond childhood memories and reminded me a lot of my late Wan. I remembered how Amir and myself use to "help" her tend her garden, getting hose down with water and picking flowers and fruits to play masak-masak *smile*

My main objective is just that, to create a space where my children can run around making their own beautiful memories together *insyallah* Earlier this year, we commissioned for the contractor to build us a gazebo like structure to house Ryan's playhouse (yes mengada ;p)

Garden view 1 year after moving in : 

As you can see the surrounding area is pretty bare :p

Lan managed to plant some palm trees outside the house, lilies and this purple morning glory like flowers.

 We bought close to 10 types of plants from the nursery and several big tempayan looking vases

 After a week of studying landscaping magazines and websites we decided that we (hubby haha) will dig a small pathway from the balcony to the gazebo using square granite stones and river stones.

A picture of my handsome gardener at work :p

 The result :) now we have flowers planted around the perimeter of the garden and a small herb (kitchen) garden for edible plants at the end of the house.

Last weekend, the kiddies having fun in their mini pool :) can't wait when Iman and Ranya starts walking, then the real fun begins...

My 'SCRAP" project :)

The problem with having digital camera (be it DSLR, normal digi cam, camera phone) is I don't bother developing my pictures anymore. I'll take 1000 of photos but chances are most would be left on my PC.If "they" are lucky, I'll probably repost them on FB/blog for viewing.I find looking at photos via PC not much fun as nothing beats going through each photos individually, recalling moments :) That is where I find scrap booking comes in handy

"A truly creative way to store pictures according to special events"

 I started scrap booking "seriously" after I found out I was pregnant with Ryan. I had all those ultrasound images but had no idea what to do with them. Mind you those black and white images are EXPENSIVE, so rather than let those printouts go wasted, I bought myself my first scrap booking kit to document Ryan's development i.e. birth photos, baby shower, aqiqah, birthdays etc.

The rest is history. I have to admit scrap booking takes a lot of time, effort, creativity and money. Some people may think it is too much of a hassle but I love the creative process. If left to my own devices I can spend hours on all fours arranging pictures and designing each pages according to my heart content.

I'm not the most discipline in updating my book though. There are times when months go without me adding a new page to the book but when the mood comes I'll be holed up in my room doing nothing but designs :p I've limited page entries for special occasion though- holidays, birthdays etc.since the book can only accommodate about 50 pages per album.

 Anyway I'm currently working on Ryan's book. Planning on updating on our Umrah Trip, Jakarta Trip up to his 2nd Birthday :p After that can "katam" and start designing Iman's and Ranya's book :)

 Ryan's book :)

Things you need to start scrap booking.

Coloured papers, stickers, glue, glitters etc and most importantly the photos itself  *duh*

 A page from Ryan's book.

I think he's about 4 months :p Iman really look like him kan :p

Iman and Ranya's album.

Shall start collecting the photos and start designing soon :)

April - June 2011 Photos Updates

Lan's 30th Birthday Dinner - Our Crib :)

We had a small family gathering to celebrate hubby's b-day on 17/4/2011.
Menu: We had yummy MU themed choc chips/bluberry cuppies from Nadibakes + Nasi Tomato, ayam kurma and the works (courtesy of my sis), Pizza + KFC

Random pictures from the dinner :)

Short Family Trip : Glory Beach Resort, Port Dickson

Ryan LOVES the water.
We didn't let him take a dip in the ocean this time around as sea water from this side of PD is a bit dirty.
My 3rd Convocation in UiTM : 12 May 2011

I'm now officially a Masters Degree holder
Masters in Law (Corporate Law) 2011
*alhamdullilah*

With my family, parents & in laws :)

Outing with Ryan : Sunway Pyramid Cars 2 Exhibition

Note: Finally managed to upload some backdated pics. More to come soon.
Anyway, Selamat Menyambut Ramadhan, May Allah bless our Ramadhan this time around in every way *insyallah*

Two Years and Counting...

I surprised a lot of people, when I told them that I wanted to get married. Even the people who are close to me (my parents included) was a bit taken aback when I made the announcement that I'm ready to tie the knot. Most expected that I'll wait (wait for what pun I dunno)

I remembered Jessie asking me, how do I know that Lan is "the one". I told her I can't list down the reasons but I just knew (haha my reasons don't sound so convincing kan?)

So after 10 months of preparations, thousands of ringgit, countless energy and efforts, loads of tears & tantrums (mostly on my part) Lan and I was pronounced husband and wife, 2 years ago on the 27/02/2009 and here we are still *alhamdullilah*

So Happy Anniversary Mr Husband, May Allah bless our marriage and give you the will to deal with my insanity and bestowed me with enough patience to deal with your "cluelessness" (haha). I love you branches and branches and here's to hoping for many more years of happiness and cute little babies (double haha)

My favourite wedding photo from the album is the one below. I think it best described our relationship. SIMPLE but BEAUTIFUL :) I've been in complicated relationship before, where so much effort was taken to make things work, but when it comes down to it, I realize the reason why I love my husband so much is because he makes EVERYTHING so simple even when I choose to make things complicated :p

We started with so little, taking a huge risk by getting married and within these 2 years our relationship have evolved to a point beyond my recognition. I've been blessed with so much and I believe it is partly due to Lan's love, support and motivation.

Touched by an Angel...

A few years back, I got to know a girl from work. We were never close but I greatly admire her attitude. In my opinion she’s the most positive person that I’ve ever met in my life. Let just call her W

2 ½ years back when we were both preparing for our engagement, she found out that her mum is suffering from cancer. Having to deal with a very difficult boss, late nights at work, preparing for an engagement and taking care of her sick mum must not be easy, but every morning she’ll come to work and greet us with a smile. I feel like a total ass when I’m there fretting over a pimple a week before my big day and there she was consoling me, when obviously she had bigger things to deal with.

Fast forward a few months later, due to her mum’s health and husband’s-to-be request, her wedding date was brought forward by 3 months (I think), she had about 1 ½ month to make preparations but she was really cool about it. No Bridezilla moments. She had her wedding dress done, deco, cards and caterers chosen and booked without any drama. She made it so simple and it turn out to be one of the most beautiful wedding I’ve attended.

When I was about 3 months pregnant with Ryan, W found out that she’s pregnant. A few weeks later she suffered from a miscarriage and lost the baby. When I saw her after she came back from her medical leave, I wanted to cry but not because I felt sorry for her but because I can’t imagine if I can be as strong as she is if I have to go through the same tests. She told me with a smile that she truly believes that Allah has better plans for her and instead of being caught in any self absorbed pity party she started asking me about my pregnancy (which I doubt is easy) and we had fun laughing and joking around.

She left the organization shortly after and we didn’t really keep in touch. I do hope she’s really happy wherever she is but my short friendship with W left me with one of the greatest lessons in my life and it changed my perspective on a lot of things.

Before when bad things happen I always think “shit happens… but only to me” now I choose to be more positive instead. I have so many good things going for me so it made no sense to concentrate only on the horrible memories. I also learned the best thing way to get out of a rut/bad mood is to do something nice to others. Instant mood elevator :) You see good vibes attract good karma, and Allah is fair, he knows what is good for you even when you don’t know it yourself.

Wordless Wednesday #2

** I know I'm not supposed to comment on "Wordless Wednesday" but I would like to point out that my arwah wan (first row, extreme left) is so fashion forward with her hijab fashion yg people baru nak buat sekarang haha.

I miss you so much, you know :'(
#al-fatihah#