Sleeping beauty

Women love to dress up for work and party. But do you dress up to go to bed?

I always neglect in dressing up for my sleep. Not that I don't fancy sexy nightwear, but I prefer the comfy ones (read as big t-shirt, short, a pair of ankle length socks). Not that my husband never complain, but I'm use to wearing those for bed.

But no harm to change,right? So let's get some idea what should I look like in bed? The attire, I mean!

1. Camisole and women boxer

H&M

Sexy: Can show off my butt cheeks
Comfy: It is 2-piece, bingo!

2. Sleep  tee

XOXO

Sexy: Wear nothing below and your husband will find hard to sleep!
Comfy: It is from cotton, read as stretchable.

3. Sleep shirt

Forever 21

Sexy: A business look in bed? Sounds like a play to me!
Comfy: The cutting is loose, allow you to move 'aggressively' on bed :)

4. Pajamas

Sexy: The 'cover it all' will make the 'treasure hunt' game more interesting. 

Comfy: Unlike the sleep shirt, this set will keep you warm at the down south area. 

5. Sexy nighties

Forever 21

Sexy: Of course! Every inch! Regardless what shape is your body, you'll look like the amazing Miranda Kerr in nighties, trust me!
Comfy: Perhaps you wouldn't need one after the exhausting activity due to this sleepwear!

6. Naked

Purrrr!!!

I'll try all the above and will update you soon, which one I prefer. And my husband favorite, too!

Me-Time

How are you? I'm fine thank you. Still surviving and syukur with what I have till today.

How's your day today? Mine is fine. Like other day, there's peak and non-peak time, like highway! Hahaha. Right now I'm enjoying my 'own time'. Aaron and Maleec are having 'evening' nap while Juma is still at work though it is 7.35 pm now. Well, everyday I have to have my 'me-time'.

As other mothers consider their me-time as shopping, relaxing in spa or a long lunch with a bunch of friends. That's 'me-time' to me too. But I would like to have a time on my own everyday without leaving the house. It is as simple as letting me be in my thought.

Baking is a 'me-time' as well. While mixing the ingredient, I'll imagine when I have my own bakery and the customers are asking for more from me. While bathing (usually when Maleec is playing with Aaron. Aaron is a boy who loves water and want to be under water at most of the time. Maybe he is a fish. Maybe he isn't a mammal.), I'll love to visualize of me in few years time. How successful would I be!) Or while driving and listening to the music, I love to let my thought flow, to everywhere. That's what I consider as my 'me-time'.

Some women whining that they don't have time for themselves. In my opinion, the time wouldn't come to you. But you have to find it. You have to figure it out how to get it. I think you have to find way how to earn it. Since I becoming a housewife, to a bungalow that to me is quite big for a tiny person like myself to manage; I did a schedule. A work schedule. By doing this, I know when should I change the bed sheet, sweep and mop the floor, scrub the toilet and to do others. I also have my weekend, like other workers too! On Monday, I didn't schedule any house chores because I might run my errand on that day or I can adjust the working schedule if any emergency happens in that week! I also didn't cramps the schedule, as I rwalize I'm a human and not a robot!

I also learn how to say enough! I just recently learned how to say it so. If before, I'll work non-stop around the clock and it didn't benefit anybody. I'm tired, my kids get upset as I easily get angry and the quality of the work is not at the best.

So good luck in finding your 'me-time' and let me know if you have any tips that it might be useful!

Happy birthday to me!

My birthday is coming soon and I'm excited of getting older. Seriously.

Usually people will wish the birthday girl/boy with good wishes. On our birthday, we will celebrate in our own ways and have the tradition. Sometimes our family will make nice meals, surprise birthday party or dine at fancy restaurant. We also will receive presents from friend, family members and whoever that remember our birthday (our clients?)

But do you ever say thank you to your parents and spouse for taking care of you all this while? For making you happy. For giving you great experience and lessons. For making you a better person each year? I believe that we, each of us, can't make it to this far without the help from people around us. Even if not family or friends, perhaps your boss or clients? Perhaps your neighbour who had been taking care of your house when you are away for work.

It has been a tradition for me to celebrate my birthday with my mother. She is the person who gives the biggest impact in my life. She influences me a lot, in many ways. No enough 'thank you' I can give her for raising me up.

I also tried very best celebrate it with my then-boyfriend who happen to be my husband now. He is a person who is taking care of me since 5 years ago and let me tell you one secret:  he is great with that job! He moves me to be a better person, he let me see things differently and the most of all, he makes me the happiest woman on earth!

I think I've grown from a person who is wondering what is theme for her birthday party this year, to the person who is wondering how many friends are wishing her in the Friendster or Facebook, to a person who is hoping that the husband will get her another fancy gift to a person who feel nothing but grateful with what she achieve till today. I'm nobody without my family and friends.

But on top of all, I'm not breathing, growing or even writing this without Allah's gift to me. He gives me chance to live up my day till today. He gives chance to love and be loved. He gives me chance to live up my life. Thank you Allah.

Happy birthday to me in advance. Congratulations to my mother! Last 31 years, she was carrying and from then on, shaping me up to be who I am today. Congratulations to my husband who been taking the baton from my mother and continue successfully taking care of me.

Thanks everybody for making me go through my life for 31 years and hope for many years return!

Cheers!

Scrubbing, ONLY!

It's evening now and finally I have time for myself. The whole today had been about the house and the kids.

Before I moved in, I've hired people to clean up the house. The house that we bought is not a brand new. It is 12 years old and it had been quite sometimes that the owner didn't live in the house. The husband is a surgeon and he is working in the Middle East. The wife was a banker and now a housewife, had returned home several times with the kids but didn't stay long. So the house isn't that clean.

I've tackled the wardrobe, built in cabinets and the toilet since we got the house keys. But not then the floor. As I was working when we were moving in, I didn't have good time to monitor the cleaning work. I put the responsibility 100% on the cleaners. It turned out not as I expected. Since I haven't pay her yet, I called her to come back and settle the rest before the payment. She did.

However, after a month staying in this house and after many times mopping the floor, but the dirt still stuck at my feet. I feel so unclean whenever I walk in the house. So today, I made decision to SCRUB the floor of the ENTIRE house! Seriously, I'm done!

The upstairs' floor is a laminated floor. I know laminated floor doesn't go well with water, but I just care less. I need to make it clean, by today! The downstairs' floor is covered with tiles. It's a whole lot easier. I switched of the tv, thus Maleec had no choice but to play with Aaron. First, the played in the toys room. Later they approached the garden. I saw Maleec put on sand on his brother's head, but I just need to focus on my work.

As today is Thursday, there is a night market nearby our house. I need to get there for chicken. Let me tell you, bringing kids to the night market is a night mare! Maleec was crying, shouting and showing his tantrum from the moment we put our foot at the market till we left as he wan't the Ultraman toys. Not that I don't want to attend his needs, but he has plenty of it at home.

With all the busi-ness, I still found time to make bubur gandum (wheat sweet porridge). It was the first attempt but it tasted great! Should do for Juma one fine day! You should try and let me know how does it turn out!

Recipe: Bubur gandum 

Ingredient

1 cup of wheat pearls
2 cups of coconut milk
1 cup of sugar
Water (as you like)
Salt
2 Pandan leaves (tie into knot)

Method

1. Wash wheat pearls in several change of water till water runs clear. Soak for half an hour.
2. In a pot, bring water and pandan leaves to boil. Add the wheat pearls. Lower the heat of the simmer until the wheat pearls are soft.
3. Add in the coconut milk, sugar and salt. Let it get thicker.
4. Serve warm in a bowl.

I Miss You!

Everybody is happy! That's the conclusion of today.

I brought my 2 kids to their grandparents' house. It had been more than a week they didn't see their grandparents. The last time they were met was on the last day I worked. I wanted to go to my in law's house last week, but they were busy.

Aaron was missing his grandfather, Atuk, dearly. I feel sad whenever he sees our neighbor, who is old enough to be called Atuk (grandpa), he will greet him as if he sees his Atuk. Aaron is close with Juma's father, whom he calls Atuk. He will follow his Atuk wherever he goes. He will seek for Atuk if he wants to sleep. And since I quit working, he hasn't seen his Atuk till today.

Wan, what my kids call Juma's mother) was so delighted seeing her grandchildren. She was a bit chubby compared to the last time I met her. It must be a better lifestyle she is living my now. She doesn't have to get up very early to clean up the house before the kids arrive. She also no longer need to dwell with my kids' naughty behaviour. I'm so happy looking at her, as she look less stress than before.

As we arrived, Aaron was poo poo. He felt so uneasy in the car and he couldn't take his afternoon nap. I told him that I'll clean him up once we arrived to their grandparents' house. Nonetheless, Aaron ran straight into the house checking every room, making sure nothing is changed.

Maleec on the other hand, looked uncomfortable. He suddenly became so shy and didn't greet his grandparents. He just ate his cookies and asking for instant noodles. Then he whispered to me, 'Mummy, abang house. Tv Up.' It means that he wants to go home to watch his tv, located in my room, upstairs. I looked at him and asked him, 'don't you want to stay here awhile and talk to Wan and Atuk?' He replied, 'No! Abang tv up!' Oh my! I just ignored him and he looked as if he was disconnect with his grandparents. Hmm.. another problem to be solved!

Later, Aaron got cozier, naughtier. He was 'running' the kitchen, paying with the cooking utensils, pulling the books out from the shelves and he dropped 2 eggs on the floor! That is the ultimate that I could tolerate on today. Finally, we were in the car, driving back home.

The evening was fine, as other evening. But I learned something today. It is human's nature character to appreciate the person more when they are gone. Seriously, it is a dangerous behavior as sometimes there is no second chance. Look at my in-laws for example. When Aaron and Maleec were staying with them, I don't think they feel how much happy the kids made them. To them, having teh kids around is a daily routine, But since the separation from them, the children been much appreciated by their grandparents.

So do I. Sometimes when Juma is in Malaysia, I feel that I'm going through the daily routine and the days seem the same,; nothing special. But when he is out station and return, I feel like falling in love all over again. I miss him dearly when he isn't around.

My new resolution: appreciate each moment you have. Appreciate everybody around.

Well, I leave you with a lovely pancake recipe from Nigella Lawson. I want to make pancake tomorrow as breakfast. Unfortunately I don't have milk. *sigh*

Nites people!

Recipe: Simple Pancake

For the pancake mix

• 600 gram(s) plain flour
• 3 tablespoon(s) baking powder
• 2 teaspoon(s) bicarbonate of soda
• 1 teaspoon(s) salt
• 40 gram(s) caster sugar (or vanilla sugar)

For the batter - to each 150g pancake mix, add and whisk together

• 1 medium egg(s)
• 250 ml semi skimmed milk (or full fat)
• 1 tablespoon(s) butter (melted)

Method

1. For the Pancake mix: Mix all the ingredients together and store in a jar.
2. When ready to make the pancakes, proceed as follows: Heat a flat griddle or pan with no oil.
3. Spoon drops of 1½-2 tablespoons of batter onto the hot griddle or into the pan and, when bubbles appear on the surface of the little pancakes, flip them over to make them golden brown on both sides. A minute or so a side should do it.
4. Should make about 15 pancakes, each about 8cm in diameter.

Golden Globe 2013

Below is the list of my favorite looks in Golden Globe Award 2013 red carpet. Seems like a lacey year this year!

Lacey lace

Jennifer Garner

Emily Blunt

Jennifer Lopez

Rachel Weisz

Stunning design:

Nicole Kidman

Julie Bowen

Kelly Osborne

Jo Champa

Lovely accessories:

Alyssa Milano

SSF again!

My house is still incomplete. I need to find more stuff to brighten it up. So I need to shop....  And I went shopping!

Actually Juma and I thought of making one of the room at downstairs as his leisure place. He wants to put his guitar and get lazy in that room. He also plans to put on sofa bed instead of bed in that room to save some space. The room isn't so small, but the previous owner did a built-up wardrobe at the long wall, up to the ceiling! I'm so grateful with the wardrobe as that is the place where I stash all the clothes that we rarely use (i.e winter clothes). 

I went to SSF store (yeah again!) and got a lounge chair for that room. I also bought a new bed sheet, white in color, as I really wish for a new cover on our bed. Only I discovered that the salesman gave me the wrong size, Instead of king size, I went home with single size. I also did survey on the sofa bed. The price is around rm1000++. The range of colors are quite nice as well as they have all the vibrant color. I'm looking for striking yellow or lime green. 

On the next day, I went to Ikea. The objective: to get some idea on how to decorate the kids room. Unfortunately Ikea didn't give me any inspirational idea. It's ok. I got myself a new frying pan and 2 vases. Well, I tried to decorate the vase with the flowers from my garden, but failed. It wasn't the flowers' fault but completely my fault as I don;t know how to do it! Hahaha! I need help on that area, seriously!

And I've changed the bedsheet to the correct size! Will upload the pictures soon!

Ok people, I need to work on my garden now. Till then, take care!