Bangkok 2013: Update 2

Assalamualaikum all... 

Greetings from Sungai Petani, Kedah! I safely arrived in Penang yesterday. 

As I promised, here's the update on my activities on my third and fourth day in Bangkok, Thailand. It happens to be the days were weekend. Juma and I made plan to go to several remarkable places in Bangkok. 

On the third day, we changed hotel as we check-in at Northgate Ratchayothin Serviced Residence. We checked-in quite early, say at 930 am.

After a quick break, we took the shuttle bus from the hotel to Chatuchak Market. This was my second time at the market, but I was still excited! We browsed round and still not much amuse me. But at this time around, the trip is more meaningful as I went with my beloved husband who is expert with the place. How he isn't expect with the market if he spends every weekend there. 

In the afternoon, we had our lunch at the market. Juma introduced me to a beriyani place runs by a Muslim. There, we met  Singaporean family and some Malaysians as well. It is good to catch up with your own people awhile.

After I found that not much amused me, we made our move to Pratunam. We took BTS from Chatuchak, that is Mo Chit station, to Siam station. From there, we walked across the sky-bridge till Central World mall. Then we crossed the mall into the road that is just next to the Platinum Mall. I didn't want to shop anything at the mall, therefore we went to Pantip Mall. Pantip Mall is something like Low Yat Plaza in Malaysia. Its the house for electronics and IT products. I was searching for my Samsung Ativ casing, but didn't manage to get it. I guess it is because of the model is too new, that's the reason why the casing/ cover is not available yet. Juma was looking for his laptop bag but couldn't find one. 

We rest awhile at the Central World mall. We chilled at the walkway outside of the mall, eating some fruits and drinking bubble tea. Then we went back to the hotel, like how we got here. But there wasn't shuttle bus to wait for us at the Mo Chit station to ferry us to the hotel. And we had to take taxi. Taking taxi in the evening isn't easy in Bangkok. It took us awhile to get one. The taxi drivers were choosy in terms of their passengers and the passenger's destination. *sigh*

We had our dinner at the Major Mall, which is pretty near to the hotel we resided. 

On the next day, we were gear up to stroll down the Chao Phraya river. We took the shuttle bus to Mo Chit station then we took the train till Siam and changed the line to Saphan Taksin. Then we took the express boat to the Tha Tien. Along the river, we could see many wat. The wat looks totally different with the temple that we have back in Malaysia. While sauntering down the river, my imagination took me away, thinking about the Ayuthaya era. The river must be busy as it was the main way to get around the Bangkok. The piers were full of merchants from all over the world, selling their goods and products. How I wish I can travel into time. 

The famous Wat Pho is just a walking distance from the pier. Wat Pho is a famous Buddhist temple where it house the famous reclining buddha. The entrance was guarded with scary looking statues. I learned that the tourists have to pay 100 bath for entrance and its is free for Thais. Not being stingy, but I think I can use the 100 baht for other better use. Juma and I took pictures around the area before we moved on the Grand Palace. 

The Grand Palace is just across the Wat Pho. But to get to the main entrance, you have to make one big round. As we were walking, a guy approached us and suggested for us to take tut tut for 50 baht and it will covers 3 places. He also told us that the Grand Palace is close today as the monk is having a special ceremony. Juma didn't took the bait. He told me that one of his colleague fell into the trick and had to shop at every stop the tut tut made. 

We managed to arrived to the main entrance of the Grand Palace at last. Our body was sweating under the hot sun and to add to worse, I can't enter Grand Palace as I was wearing tight pants! Yucks! there was a long queue for people to get 'extra-cloth' to enter the palace. Juma told me to just walk across the guard, not looking at him, and YES! I managed to enter the ground place! But we learned that we have to pay handsomely 500 baht for the entrance! No thank you! We took some pictures and off we went back to the pier. 

From Chao Phraya, we went to Terminal 21 Mall by train where we stopped at Asok. The mall is quite unique. It use airport concept whereby each floor representing different city. It has the Carribean, Rome, Paris, Istanbul and few other cities. The shops at the respective floors will have the concept as the cities that they are representing. We went to Manhattan Fish Market for lunch before headed back to Chatuchak Market. 

Again, another round at the Chatuchak Market, searching some souvenirs for my parents and siblings. After few rounds and few quarrels, we call it a day. The problem with me is that I want to find something that couldn't be found in Malaysia. But most of the things in the market could be found in Malaysia, in the slightly higher price. 

Waiting for taxi is not what we enjoy. We waited at a point, a policeman came, the taxi didn't want to stop because afraid of the cop, then we moved to another point, the cop followed us. Juma suggested for us to cross the market to get to the other point. Waited there for few minutes before luck found us. Yeehaaa!!! My feet need some rest! What a day! Alhamdullillah!

Bangkok 2013: Update 1

Sawasdee.... Greetings from Bangkok!

Tomorrow is my last day in Bangkok. I'm here to visit Juma who doesn't know when is his last day in Bangkok. Hahaha.. I left the kids with my parents. Right now, I'm alone in the hotel room while Juma is out for work. Today marks as the first day I haven't gone out, yet! My feet are sore and today is a great day to re-energize myself. 

I arrived at 6 pm in Bangkok and basically it almost dark. I took a cab to Juma's hotel which is quite near to the airport. It took me around 300 baht. We had dinner in the room as Juma bought beef kebab for me. We wandered around the area after I cleaned up myself. 

On the next day, I had a Thai full body massage. It was great! I felt my body lighter and my ache at the hips gone! What a relief!

Excited face to get full body massage

After Zuhur and Asar prayer, I went to Central Plaza. Islam is not a difficult and hard religion as I can jamak my prayers is I'm a traveler. The Central Plaza is quite near to the hotel and it costed me less than 50 baht. The street market was getting ready when I arrived. I wandered around, hoping from the Central Plaza to Union mall, another mall across the street. The Central Plaza is kind of posh shopping mall where it houses the big names such as Zara, Topshop, Forever 21, Krispy Kreme although it is not as big as Siam Paragon. 

Central Plaza: view from the bridge

Mango 

Mangosteen: Though out of season, Thailand still able to serve it. It proves the great  agriculture technology.

The shops in the Union Mall is not a well known brand/ designer shops. The mall is something like Sungei Wang Plaza back in Kuala Lumpur. The clothes are sold at reasonable price and the fashion is more like Korean ones. I browse around and didn't get anything for myself there. 

Jelly bag

Shoes shop

Shoes at less than RM20

Marc Jacobs, anyone?

Union Mall: Great place to shop

I hopped back to the Central Plaza and met Juma for dinner. He suggested for us to have Korean on that day. It was seafood noodles. I think the picture could explain on it. I was hungry as I didn't have my lunch, therefore I ate so much! It was a good meal though!

Juma is waiting for the food

After

Before

Then, we went up for movie. We watched 'Jack: The Giant Slayer'. The theater was so big, bigger than the one we have in Kuala Lumpur, but it wasn't full. Before the movie started, they played the 'King Song', the song that the Thais dedicated to their king. And we have to stand still till the end of the song. The movie was great and we returned home after the movie. 

On the next day, I went to the famous Platinum Mall in Pratunam. I was so excited! I've been to Platinum Mall before and I shopped like there is no tomorrow! 

Platinum Mall, Pratunam

I took cab to the Platinum Mall as advised by the hotel worker. Juma suggested to me to use BTS, Bangkok Train System. But I used cab because of two reasons; one, it is in the morning, thus the traffic wouldn't be bad although I have to pass Siam Paragon, the place that is famous with heavy traffic jam. Two, in cost wise, I think it will be the same. Taking the cab to the train station, taking the train and take the cab from the train station to the Platinum Mall will cost as much as taking the cab from the hotel straight to the mall. True enough, it just costed me 95 baht to get to the Platinum Mall. 

There, I found some part of me missing. I don't know why, although the mall is famous with cheap fashionable clothes, not much amused me. I found few cardigans and few other stuffs, but I went back to the hotel early. Unlike my trip before, I didn't find much tops that I want. Maybe I have high expectation, but maybe there is something wrong with the Platinum Mall itself. I found that the price of clothes in the Union Mall is far cheaper than in the Platinum Mall. I told Juma about that and he explained that the Platinum Mall is meant for tourist but Union Mall is the place of locals. Well-explained!

Necklace

Hair decor

I took cab back to the hotel. It was raining heavily when I was on the way back and the traffic jam was massive. Another thing I learned about travelling: you better go to the toilet before you want to endure the traffic jam! I really need to pee and I can't hold myself anymore. With the communication problem, I was lucky that the cab driver understood me at last, that I need to go to the rest room. I returned safely to the hotel. 

Flash flood

Flash flood

Later, Juma got back from work and we decided to have dinner at the Central Plaza. Yeehoo! I took the opportunity to shop few clothes in the Union Mall. 

That's all for update. I'll update soon on my trip to Chatuchak and Chao Phraya. Stay tune!

Hi! Can we be friend?

Maleec learnt 'friends come and go' lesson at the very early age. As I mentioned in my earlier post that my good friend, Ainul, came over to my house.She spent few days in my house along with her two sons while her husband in the UK and Juma in Thailand, still. 

Maleec and Aaron had a good time playing with Ainul's two boys; Rais, 3, and Rizky, 1. They played, fought, quarreled and hugged at the same time. Maleec showed his fondness over Rizky and seems like giving me hint that he wanted a little brother. He called Rizky as Baby. 

If before, he would ask me to switch on the television to cartoon channel once he wakes up but from the second day onward of Ainul's stay, Maleec would asked for Friend (Rais) and Baby (Rizky). Then he rushed to the quest room, looking for the two boys, and often followed by Aaron. 

Maleec isn't a rough boy but he is quite persistent with his action, that sometimes irritate people (me!). He forced Rais to 'salam' (shake hand) with him. Although Rais refused to salam with him, he will still extending his hand and said 'syelam'. Hahaha...

So the last day of Ainul's stays arrived. We had breakfast together at mamak place before departed to our own car. Maleec was in tears when he saw Friend and Baby when to separate car. I explained to him that he will reunite with his new found friends soon. That is the same promise we make with friends whenever we have to say goodbye, although sometimes it just remains as a promise. 

My first experience of losing a person called friend was when I was 8 years old. It was hard. I still remember the tears. The emptiness. We were in the kindergarten together. Then we went to the same primary school and she was my classmate. She was my neighbour. We played together. Later she told me that her father was transferred to another location. 

I saw she packed her stuffs and I also witness her house belongings were stacked up in the lorry, ready to shift to another location. 

We kept in touch by letters and sometimes we call each other. But until a point, we stopped communicating. Her name is Siti Nadzirah bte Ibrahim. If you know this person, please contact. I tried to find her through internet and Facebook, but still no luck. I wish I could reunite with her. She is one of the friend that come but hard to let go. 

Visiting Day

Assalamualaikum all... Have you say your prayer for the safety of our arm personnel in Lahad Datu, Sabah? The Lahad Datu  isn't done yet, Malaysian army is still in their operation to clean up the 'left-over' Sulu terrorists. I still couldn't help myself from crying every time I see the sight of the kids and widows of the fallen  angels. My prayer is always with them. May Allah protect Malaysian army who is fighting for their nation. 

Today is Saturday. For those who are working, today is their day off. To the housewife, today is the day that they don't have to cook and enjoy their day without doing the housework. For me, today would be just like another day, as hubby is not around.

However, it turned out to be the other way round. Alhamdullillah, today is different than other day for me. Nothing unfortunate happen. 

I started my day by having great breakfast with my friend, Ainul. Ainul is my good friend, as I mentioned in my earlier post. She and her two boys came to house on the day hubby left to Bangkok. She recently got back from UK but her husband is still in UK, managing his business. And today is the last day Ainul sleeps in my house. My boys and her boys were having love-hate relationship since the day they arrived to my house. But we had a great fun. 

Parted after the breakfast, I returned home awhile to clean up Aaron. He pooed. Then I continued my journey to my uncle (Pak Ngah)'s house which is quite a distance from my house. Initially, I wanted to visit my grandmother, who is in my uncle's house. My grandmother just done an eye procedure and she stays for her upcoming check-up.

I was surprise and totally happy when I saw my another uncle's car parked at my uncle's house. My another uncle (Pak Njang) is staying in Kuala Kangsar and he is in Pak Ngah's house, visiting his mother. I also met his daughter, Ila, who happened to be my maid-of-honor. Ila and I are close since we were small as our grandmother is the one who was taking care of us. She is married and currently residing in her in-law's house.

My younger cousin, Asirah, also was celebrating her birthday just now. That explains why there is so much food on the table.

To make my day more interesting, my brother, Ayin, and his wife, Ziela, were there too! Ayin told me last night that  he will not sleep over in my house and straight away will return to Sungai Petani after he finished his business in Putrajaya. But he changed his mind lat minute and sleep at my uncle's house. It was good that both of them were there as I have somebody to help to take care of the kids while I mingle around!

Kedah Family!

Ziela, Baby Arissa, Mak, Pak Njang

Me and Ila

Aaron is making his move

Enjoying satay!

I made my move even before my cousin cut her birthday cake. I hate to wait any longer as I easily find it is bore to stay with some pretentious people. Yes! There are some, from my aun't clan! And I just couldn't stand them! Hahahaha...

So, I went to my another cousin's house. Yes! I have many cousins! My cousin, Imie, and his wife, Suraya, are expecting their second child. Their first, Anggun, is same age as Maleec. To tell you the truth, this is my favorite family. Imie is Ila's elder brother. Our age gap is just a year. They always visited me when I was in Wangsa Maju but they haven't come to my new house yet. Imie is staying in a condo in Pantai Dalam. I used to stay there too during my student time, but in other phase. Maleec eventually wanted to play at the playground which is around Imie's block. He didn't want to enter Imie's house until I promised him to bring him to the playground in a short while. Maleec went straight to the play room once he entered the house and he tried to lock the door, as stating that the room is belong to him now! Haish  Aaron in another hand, find himself comfortable with Imie's house. He was all over the place with the toys and Anggun was stunned, looking at my kids invaded her play room and her toys. It was a great visit and it ended with the kids playing at the playground. The two boys were so exhausted after the hectic day and dozed off in the car, all the way back to home. 

Alhamdullillah with what I have today... 

Your Life is in My Hand

Assalamualaikum. How are you today? For me, nothing much different with yesterday. My husband is still in Bangkok, Hans Isaac is still not able to marry Neelofa, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have their own wine label and Sulu terrorists are still in Sabah. 

 Few days ago, Malaysia been surprised with the news of a singer who beat her husband till death. She is the main suspect of the case, along with her two nephews. From the media, I learned that she and her nephews tied her estranged husband and beat him till death. This i to stop the husband from requesting to see their child. They are in the midst of divorce. Today, through a gossip column, a friend of the singer claims that she is the last person that the singer spoke to before she been detained by police. The friend told the media that the case is a self defense case as the husband attacked her first. The husband crashed into the house and started to beat her in front of her nephews. The nephews didn't help her until she was dropped to the floor. Both of her nephews managed to stop her husband from beating her and they used belt to tie him up. 

My question is, what is the reason can a person kill another person that they love or loved? This is not the first case we hear about a person kill their partner. How about the child kill their parents? From love to hate, what could trigger the action of killing your love ones?

From the story above and if the friend's story is the truth, the singer is not only defending her child, she also defending herself. Why she has to do the dirty work where as she can call for police's help? Perhaps the law is not securing her life and her child that she has to do what is beyond human right. 

Life is like a wheel, sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down. When we are at up, we should not forget that we might be down, too.  In making decision, we have to use our brain, not only by listening our heart. Think the consequences of the action that you plan to take. Don't do kit just because you think that is the short cut of getting out from the trouble. Think before you act. 

But the question again, how could you ended the life of the person you love? The life that we are leading is very stressful and full of surprises. We will be surprise with a person's capability to do many things that we are not think of. For example, a husband loves the wife unconditionally could kill the wife while she is nurturing their baby simply because the wife is nagging at the husband on his absence during the child delivery. 

So, be careful with your words and action. Don't think about yourself only, but think about others too. If you are tired, what make you think your partner is not tired as well. Try to avoid unnecessary argument as small matter could lead to big mistake. 

As the story I told above, if happen to be the court decided that the singer is at fault of killing her husband, their children is not only losing the father, bit also the mother. 

To my dear friends, I'm not perfect. I easily get angry especially with my kids and husband due to housework and many other reasons. But we have to think rationally on our action as we have to be responsible on that. This post is a reminder to me to always put my mind above my heart. 

Good night!

Negara Kita, Bangsa Kita, Agama Kita, Hanya Kita Yang Mampu ertahankannya, Bukannya Bangsa Lain, Sebab Mereka Tak Pernah Kisah

* I'm Malay and a Muslim and I'll do anything to protect Malays and Muslims, anywhere.

In early February 2013, a group of Filipinos landed into Malaysia at Lahad Datu, Sabah. They are fully armed and claimed they are the army of Sulu Sutanate. They are in Sabah of a mission to conquer Sabah. They believe that Sabah belongs to Sulu people and Malaysia took it away from them. To those who don't know where is Sabah, who are Sulu people and their connection with Malaysia, please do your homework before further reading. You need the information to relate to this entry. Thank you. 

Malaysia is being defend by the police under Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM). Why put the police, but not the soldiers? This is because it is not a war. They are intruders and not representing any country. Even the Philippines government is fully support the Malaysian government. Malaysian government gave the intruders a time frame for negotiation and to surrender however they chose war. 

The intruders attacked Malaysian police that cause 2 commandos died in Lahad Datu on last Saturday. The news shocked me hard. I was so devastated with the news because the commandos are my people. They are Muslims and Malays. They are the people who fight for my country, belief and race till the end of their life. They leave their family, wife and kids, and battle their life for our safety. 

From Facebook information, I learned that one of the commandos' kids are same age as Maleec and Aaron. His wife is younger than me. I can't imagine her life without her husband, their children without their father. I hugged Juma tightly last night, afraid that I might lose him, as how she lose her husband. I know it sounds so emotional and cheesy, but seriously, she can hug her husband no more. The kids can't play with their father anymore. Yet, there are some Malaysians making jokes about the lost. Shame on you! But who are they? They are the people that shouldn't be called as Malaysian. 

I understand that some people are so obsess with the upcoming General Election. Many young Chinese and Indians are so eager to vote for Opposition to take over the government as they wish that they could rule the country, not Malay and Muslim. FYI, the Opposition supporters who are mainly non-Malay and non-Muslim. Those non-Malay and non-Muslim Malaysians think that it is totally unfair that the Prime Minister of Malaysia has to be a Malay and Muslim. They think that they should have the equal right to challenge for that important post. Which I think it shouldn't happen. Reasons being that Malaysia's native people is Malay, therefore till the end of the world, Malays should rule MALAYsia. The Chinese and Indians are free to go back to their origin country, e,g China, India, using their grandfather's tongkang which were use to come to Malaysia. 

But don't politicize the Lahad Datu issue. Don't politicize the country's safety. This is not an issue for you to make up stories and rumors.

Look at the current situation. I can't see and hear any names of Indian or Chinese in the battle field. Who is there fighting for Malaysia to in peace? Of course they are my people; Malays and Muslims! The Chinese and Indians are here, in Malaysia, taking advantage on the country economy growth and barking all over the country and world, asking for equal right. 

From my social network account, I hardy see any comments from Chinese and Indians expressing their condolence or even feel sorry for the warriors' families. What I see and read is that it is a politic conspiracy or the Malaysian government tries to hide the information from the Malaysians and many other petty things. The Indians and Chinese hardly show their support to the Malaysian police and soldiers. 

Thus, to Indian and Chinese, I think you are not  only unfit to rule the country, but you are unfit to be in Malaysia. Many of you are proud that you had stayed overseas and give bullshits ideas on how to rule the country like the other country. With that, I suggest you to give away your MyKad and apply the citizenship of other country that you are so proud of. 

Shame on you who are not proud of your country, of your wira! Shame on you!

Leave Her For Me!

Are you married? I am. Are you afraid that other woman (e) might steal your husband away from you? I do. Is my self confident towards my husband is low? No. But why I must be afraid that he might leave me for other woman? Because I'm living in the year that people will do anything to meet their desire. My husband is a stable man in terms of his career, mature and that is what young ladies are looking for. He is not rich but he is in his mid of career and it could cushion those short minded woman. 

Lt's take a look at women who happen to be celebrities, that stole other's husband. 

1. Faezah Elai

The actress denied the rumors that she is in the relationship with a drama director, Heykal. Faezah worked in few drama series directed by Heykal and told the media that the relationship is nothing but professional. The director also gave statement to the media that his marriage is in trouble but it has nothing to do ith Faezah. However, the couple 'surprise' the media with their engagement news after the director divorced his wife. Heykal married Faezah shortly. Faezah and the ex-wife had twitter war, but shame on Faezah. The not-so-pretty-and-talented actress put herself at the very low level when she frighten the ex-wife that she will reveals unnecessary pictures of her if the ex-wife continue tweeting about Faezah. 

Faezah and Heykal welcome their first daughter in early 2013. 

During their solemnization

Heykal's ex-wife, Jaja Nadzir

2. Siti Nurhaliza

Indeed, she did that! Khalid Jiwa was still married to Tengku Zawiyah when he started courting Siti Nurhaliza. Siti Nurhaliza allegedly said that she isn't the third person of Khalid Jiwa and wife's separation. However, from the sources we knew that Siti Nurhaliza told Khalid to choose between she or Tengku Zawiyah. And of course Khalid chose the young, beautiful, rich and famous singer and left the wife. The wife was the one that helped him financially when he started his business. The wife that made him from nobody to somebody. Unfortunately, he prefers Siti Nurhaliza and choose to forget the memories including the deeds that the ex-wife did to him. 

So long, Tengku Zawiyah. 

On their reception

Tengku Zawiyah found new happiness

3. Memey Suhaiza

Malaysia been shocked with the news on the upcoming actress, Memey Suhaiza and a married actor, Norman Hakim have been arrested for close-proximity (khalwat) in Norman's office. Norman who was still married to singer-actress, Abby Abadi at that time. Abby was heavily pregnant of their third child when the incident happened. Abby was furious with the news, attacked Norman at the shooting locaion. Abby wasn't alone as she brought several reporters as the witness of the incident. They finally divorced. Norman and Memey got hitched and have a daughter together. Abby made peace with Memey when she invited Memey and Norman to her house for iftar. Abby also visited Memey and the baby, shortly after Memey welcomed her daughter. Alhamdullillah!

During their reception

Abby and her new image 

4. Watie Sadali

The problem actress was having an affair with her co-star, Joey. Joey who was still married at that time, neglected his wife and children while was in love with Watie. Joey chose to leave his family and marry Watie.  Joey's ex-wife gave a piece of advise to the artiste to stop having affairs with other's husband.

During their reception

There are more celebrities who have talent and bright future, but choose to destroy other's happiness to build theirs. Hopefully we don't be selfish at a point and may Allah prevent this from happening to my family. Amin.