Merisik dan Meminang...

Hi,

It's been awhile since I had the time to write and many things has happened since. Good or bad, they are all beautiful to me. I recently had an opportunity ( yet again :-) ) to be the representative of the family for a meminang and a merisik event.

At times I do feel like it's a heavy responsibility to be carried for someone my age. And I always get 'that look' in the beginning on why this young lady is talking, it's an elderly ceremony. But, I'm happy that everytime, Allah helped me lighten up the 'tense' situation during discussion with my 'mulut manis'. It's a gift, that I must preserve properly( not to misuse).

I can still remember when I was the spoke person for Adik's merisik and meminang ceremony. I was still in my confignment, and it was my first opportunity to be the spoke person. It used to be nenek, but it's funny, that after she has passed away, I'm the new 'nenek' in the family. I know that this task will continue on in the next generation of my family's children until I die. It's an honor I would be proud to carry.

Sometimes in life, we have been given a certain kind of advantage that should be used to help others. Although it may seem difficult to carry, but with good intention, it will sway smoothly. After all the sessions of being the spoke person, I gain alot of respect from both ends as all involved knew that my presence has somewhat made the 2 families felt connected. I have been guided by The Almighty to say the right thing at the right time.

Last week, I had another chance again to be the spoke person for my husband's side. The magic happened again as we were warned before the event that the father is a very hard hearted person and would be throwing funny questions.

In any situation, first, you must feed your guest. When they've eaten your servings, they would feel that you have no bad intention over them and they would feel 'terhutang budi'(I mean this in a good way). Secondly, take any questions positively and tackle it in the most polite way possible. After a few questions, even the hardest of hearts will melt. They will see that you just want the 2 families to unite and that is very clear in all of my actions.

I always have the person's face in my head. When I think of Adik and Yusri's cousin in my head, I want them to feel the beauty of marriage the way that I do. I want to make it happen for them and pave a good start so that they will be loved by their in laws.

I remember what my mother in law said during the session last week. " Amy was not my choice and I had difficulties to accept her at first, but turns out, she's one of the best things that ever happened to me and I now treat her like my own daughter." The past is past, I am indulging in this very moment! Ladies, put your egos aside, it will not take you far. Yusri always reminds me, that if I love him, I must let his mother win, but behind close doors, to him, I win all the time.. Alhamdulillah....

Have a pleasant week everyone. Life is short, appreciate what you have in your hands today, for it may be gone tomorrow. Don't think too far, for you may not even live then. If anything were to be taken away from you, let it go, if it's yours it will eventually return in a better form and at a different level, InsyaAllah..

Bayou Lagoon

Hi, it's been awhile... Water rationing has been quite a massive impact on many lives off late. Not excluding us. It's most challenging when weekends turns out to be your turn. We have been taking measures to save water but with plenty of housework and being at home most of the time during weekends, it just doesn't help.

Last weekend it was our turn to again go through the Saturday, Sunday water rationing and we thought as usual, we would create an 'escapade' so that things feels as usual.. hehe

We browsed Genting and so many other places but most of them were full, so we thought we'd try somewhere new and since Mak and Ayah was available, we thought they should tag along and we would be able to spend some time with them.


We found online a place called Bayou Lagoon in Ayer Keroh Melaka. The place is relatively new, but since it offers a few attraction which would be suitable for the kids, we tried anyway. We took the 2 bedroom apartment and it was spacious and had all the amenities needed. Just a simple reminder, do bring your own sejadah as they don't quite have that many, so if you forgot to bring, it might be abit of a hassle.

The place has got a huge pool area with slides, water ball and alot more. It has also got a 9D theatre which will cause RM15/person, it was worthwhile. I wouldn't say the room is a 5 star comfort, it was more 3 star but it was clean, spacious and enough for the family.

They also have an arcade area as well as a small playground for your little ones. If you book the 2 bedrooms apartment, it comes with 4 tags of entrance to the waterpark and breakfast for 4 person, anyone on top of that is add on. Breakfast was pleasant, enough to fill your hunger but not luxurious. We were satisfied anyway because they had enough food for the big crowd. Overall it was ok.

We also went to Umbai for dinner which was just around 15-20 minutes from the hotel. Waze was fantastic and we did not face any problem reaching there. Food at Umbai was great and the dishes were so fresh it was worth paying the price. Compared to KL, the price was very reasonable.

The journey and the trip was nice but what was great is that i get to see Mak and Ayah enjoyed their time with us. I can still remember how they laughed in the 9D theatre when water were sprayed at their wrist during the water effect and when they played at the arcade at the game of basketball.. It was priceless that the probably 3 start Bayu Lagoon suddenly felt like a 5 star accomodation. I love you Mak and Ayah, I'm contented with your love and your smile. Mak's smile and laughter in the pool with us, I shall take with me till the day I die..

Ampang Jumble sale

It was nice to have participated in a jumble sale yesterday selling old stuffs that would be a treasure for others but less useful for me ( wouldn't want to call it trash as it sounds disrespectful in my perspective to the next person).

The event opened up my view over appreciation and value. The crowd that came were from all walks of life, some well to do peeps, medium class and mostly migrant workers who's looking for a bargain.

I had to fight with the neighbouring vendors who were my BBGS classmates in a price war to get our stuffs sold the quickest. I had only a handful of product so i won the time test, and because my goods were expensive, I managed to make my sales quicker as well. But my respect goes to friends that stayed till late to finish their sales in the hot hall. It was tough, whatmore the hall was situated next to a market, so the smell from the market weren't too pleasing too.. :-)

The people in front of my stall were selling 4 tops ( Massimo Dutti, MNG and the likes of it) for RM10!!!! Gile murah! But I didn't buy any because I promised myself to not buy anything but books and stuff for my kids.

It was interesting that someone's clutter seems precious and valuable to others. It was also interesting that after many years, I sat in the seller seat yesterday begging and pleading for these people to buy my stuffs and see them bargaining back.

It was also an eye opener to see how tired we were at the end of the event and I couldn't stop imagining the difficulty of a person that does this on a daily basis. Having to get up early and having to negotiate throughout the day to make a profit. Most of us sits in an air-conditioned office and sit our way through our deals and negotiations in class..

I still have my backache from the half day sitting on the hard chair yesterday and carrying the stuffs in and out of the car. Here's a thumbs up and respect to all those sellers out there. It's tough being in your shoes and here I am returning it back to you, but I must say that it's good to once in a while borrow your shoes as a self reminder for me.

Have a good and joyous day everyone! and to team Ampang Jumble Sale 2.0, 2 thumbs up for making it possible for us all to have the experience and to have our storeroom cleared for once! Hehe

Dear Husband

Dear Husband,

As I am sitting here watching you sleep, I would like to thank you for the things that you put up for all this while. I guess, for the love of your amanah from Allah SWT and for me.. :-)

Thank you for pretending to see a super model in me when I've gotten out of shape but because you are appreciating me for delivering your children for you.

Thank you for grabbing that other end of chores when you see that I have a handful in my hands and complementing where I am lacking. And you always know that turning point when I'm about to lose myself and you will always pull me back to shore.

Thank you for understanding when I lose my temper disciplining the children because you know that carrying them for 9 months and going through the difficult labour, I meant well... I like your way better and am trying hard now to improve myself..

Thank you for always standing up for me even when you are unsure whether I am right or wrong, but you always trust my judgement.

Thank you for forgiving my shortcomings and for always giving me another chance to prove that I'm the perfect one for you.

Thank you for eating the meals that I cook although I can never match the great cook your mum is. You smile and continue on eating :-) I'm still trying...

Thank you for constantly reminding me to cover myself properly when I forget to because you fear whatever little beauty I have be seen by another man and may invite unnecessary attention.You just want me to be protected from harm. I would conclude that you want me for you, that's all.. I get it now.. :-)

Thank you for never once correcting me in front of others and embarrassing me to polish your ego. I can see that you tuck it far far away and I'm learning to be as patience. Your subtle way of letting me know where I went wrong by just sharing me a story of The Prophet and example of others is sharper than any other ways and the most respectable approach to teach..

Thank you Allah for the rezki of having a husband. I cherish it, I honour it, I understand now why marriage is a great deed in Islam. He was sent down in my life to guide me, to be respected and to be my Imam and I love my husband because of You, Allah SWT and for no other reason. Amin

Paris.. Kota Cinta

I must say, the 2 hours train ride was so worth it.. The trip was a trip of love, not shopping. So hope no one is expecting any pics of shopping bags. :-)

We arrived at Gare Du Nord early in the morning and we were greeted by the hustle bustle of the station. PLEASE be cautious of the group of innocent looking ladies who runs in a group sometimes pretending that they want to do some kind of survey, they pick pockets. Or, there are also a bunch of boys in a group, also from the same origin, please be extra careful. The last thing you want would be losing your money or passport during such a romantic trip!

Since we were in Paris for only a few days, we took the 10 carnets ticket that can be used for 10 individual trips. Per ticket, per trip, per person.

You can buy it at any ticket machine you can find at any of the stations. I share the instructions below for your reference.I bought it on the train at the deck cafe on my way to Paris.

1.       Find available ticket machine

2.       below the screen you’ll find a roller (work just like a mouse scroll in computer)

3.       roll to menu “Acheter des tickets”, then press green button

4.       next screen will offer you to change language to English

5.       after language changed, now it is easier. There are 3 options: buy a single ticket, buy a carnette of 10 tickets, and buy the other tickets (such as ticket to Disneyland, and of course Mobilis card).

6.       Choose 3rd options: Billet ile-de-france, autres coupons

7.       Now choose Mobilis, then select which zone to cover (1 to 6 zones).

8.       Final step is to choose payment method, either coins or credit card (not all credit card works in this machine, you need to try to know. But credit card with chip is mandatory).

9.       After validating, your card will be available to pick at bottom of machine.

Paris during winter is all about the coffee and the croissant and the La Duree  macaroon... It will be something I miss the most, sipping coffee to heat up your body from the coldness. Coffee is part of the lifestyle of the parisians.

You'd miss their croissant when you return home as their croissants are crispy and nice, nothing like we have in our country.

So this is the icon that would be a must for anyone to visit. It was too cold and difficult for us to take too many picture by the eiffel. It is a beautiful setting by the river seine. There's alot of souvenir stalls along the street. I would say that they are reasonably priced and of good quality. You may proceed to buy your souvenirs here.

This is the famous Champs de Mars, it's around 5-10mins walk from Eiffel. 10 minutes from here would be Champs D Elysee

This is the street of Champs D Elysee where all the great boutiques are stationed. Be ready to splurge!

This is the interior of Gallery Al Fayette and yes, everything is expensive, BUT the handbags are way cheaper than it;s price in KL. Some of it is RM1k - RM1.5k cheaper

Buildings in Paris very much look alike.. It's exterior is mainly brown bricks but with lots of embellishment and gregorian decoration. 

 

You would be wondering on how do you re-claim your tax..
 

·       As a non-resident of the European Union, you are entitled to claim back the 12% tax you pay on your purchases..

Conditions (subject to government regulations):

-Have your passport attesting that you are a non-resident of the European Union
-Have remained six months or less in France at the time of your purchase
-Must be over the age of 15
-Purchases must total over 175.01 Euros made on the same day in the same store (Lafayette Coupole, Maison and Homme are considered one store)

Purchases made in the Louis Vuitton boutique cannot be cumulated with other purchases from Galeries Lafayette.

What to do when exiting the European Union:

- When exiting the European Union, the tax refund form must be validated by European Union Customs within three months of the purchase, at either the airport, train station or border point.
- Before checking your luggage, present the tax form together with your purchases, passport and transportation ticket for inspection by Customs. Failure to present these items will result in cancellation of the forms and a possible fine.
-Upon validation of your form by Customs, if you have selected a cash reimbursement, please proceed to the designated desk in the airport, train station or border point. For all other methods of reimbursement, you must post the pink sheet stamped by Customs within 6 months of the sale in the pre-paid T envelope provided and be sure to keep the other sheet as your customer copy. 


We stayed at a rented apartment that we booked via Housetrip. It's a beautiful place near avenue rene cote. As usual, we always make sure that we book somewhere near the metro station. Our station was Denfert- Ronchereau. It's a few stops from Eiffel on the same line.

It's a beautiful house with a true parisian feeling. It costs us around RM350/night and we could not ask for a better host than Astrid and Clement. 

There's a nearby sushi restaurant that we go to daily during our stay.. Not too many halal resto near the place we were staying, so sushi is the nearest option

Paris is a city of love... I would say, after Mekah and Madinah, as for me the 2 are still my number 1..
Life is about celebrating and appreciating love, be it for your Creator, your Prophet, your husband, your children or your family... It's the fuel that keeps us going. Take time to pause and think, have you really celebrated and appreciated love lately? Take time, before it's too late..

Till we talk again...