Nuts over durian

Durian, ciku, buah rambutan
rasanya jadi idaman
berbagai bentuk rupanya
buah-buahan Malaysia

Buahlah manggis putih isinya
Duku, langsat dan papaya
Pabila musim pun tiba
dijual merata-rata

I love durians. Those days, I eat all types of durians. To me, all durians are just durians.

My perception changed after I tried this superstar species during pregnancy. Ang Hae or Udang Merah. It got its name from the orangish flesh. The thick flesh is smooth, fine and sweet.

This year, we have spent about one or two hundred bucks (perhaps) just to buy durians, unfortunately our attempts ended up buying the not-so-nice ones.

Me...at the Durian Fest (held by ACES students)

Hey, look at the huge durian's shape! Unique, ain't it?

Which hair is sexier?

I have long straight hair that doesn't need rebonding. The Chinese genes inherited from Mak apparently is stronger than Abah's supposedly-dominant curly hair.

During my alma mater days, whenever I express my intention to have a cut, friends would go against it. "Sayang la... xyah la potong."

I ended up keeping it until waist length for years. Ziana Zain punya hal la ni.

I cut it real short before I flew to Aussie. The bob cut made me look ...err... (trying not to use the word cute)...err... Ahhh..I remember two guys told me I looked sassy and sexy (sila muntah darah sekarang!)

(gambar lama... so, kena bagi B&W, baru real sikit)

Anyway, that hair also made MrHubby fall for me (if he still remembers the moment he saw me without tudung and I ran away, hiding in the ladies. Hahaha)

Then, my hair grew again...

And when I came back for summer hols, the shoulder-length hair was cut short again. Elderlies say, jangan potong rambut hari Selasa and...boy, I totally forgot...and the result was terrible.

It made me really understand the meaning of 'bad hair day'.

Therefore, I decided to keep it long again. Plus, I wanna have sexy wavy curls after more than 2 decades having straight hair.

After so much dilly dally, I only got the time to do it when I was eight-month pregnant of Cikebum. Unfortunately, the hairdresser told me it is not advisable for pregnant moms to colour/perm their hair bcoz it could affect the foetus.

There goes my dream... :(
But not to disappoint me, she curled my hair like this. Hehehe.

Please excuse my round face. Mind u, I was EIGHT month pregnant by then.

So, I was so happy...although I only had it for not more than 24 hours (that it returned to its original). Hahaha.

Later, despite having the same dream of that sorta waves, I became a bit reluctant to do it again considering that I still bf my Cikebum (though the hairdressers told me the chemicals might only affect preggies, not bf mommies). Better safe than sorry.

Fast fwd to 2years later... now, I think it's about time...
Hmmm.... would I look like this?

oh yes...trust me. This is me!

Or should I just keep my naturally straight long flowing hair?

Breastfeeding in the public

Remember those younger days?
Have u ever came across the scenario when u see mommies breastfeeding their li'l ones in the public? What was ur response?

I didn't find it offensive nor that I was dumbstruck. It was just a mommy-baby business taking place.

I have been asked by friends, sisters, etc on this matter..."Do u feel shy while bf Cikebum in the public?"

And my firm answer is..."No."

I know most people are not happy with it, and they are even uneasy at such sight. But have they ever given a thought on whether or not the baby deserves to get his/her nutritious diet?

As for myself, I have experience bf my Cikebum in almost all places- u name it.

Restaurants?

On the bench of shopping complexes?

On the curbside?

Near the futsal/badminton court?

In the car?

In the lecture room (while listening to students' presentation)?

Mama, bonbon please...

I know, it's in here.

Seluk, nak..jangan tak seluk!!!

I know... Those konon-konon baik ones would condemn... but to them, looking at sexy celebrity posters revealing their boobs and seeing naked figures lazing on the beach are not sinful.

And those typical, judgmental people would condemn - why not the moms & babies stay at home?
Hello!!! We are human beings, and we are not close-minded like u!!!

That's not all...
Perhaps another solution is suggested... so that the BM is expressed into a bottle.
Easy, mate... perhaps u are not educated enough of the possible contamination of BM that will result in various diseases esp. to these fragile munchkins.
Or perhaps u do not have the sense that 'fresh from farm' always tastes better. Why don't u eat yesterday's nasi lemak or roti canai today?

I thought all conservative moms prefer BM compared to formulas. However, my MIL for instance, to my amazement... is the other way round. From the confinement days that she looked after me, she kept reminding not to 'trouble' myself to bf Cikebum. Perhaps to her, bf will occupy most of my time whereas it could have been used to do other chores. Hence, she always makes noise when she knew that I didn't give formula to him.

MrHubby and I once purposely bought a tin of formula before going back to his hometown just to show that we give Cikebum formulas too. But, kantoi... when Cikebum refused to drink it. Instead, he tagged along and kept crying for his bonbons.

So, that's it. I don't care anymore. Being the usual Isabelle that I am, I just play deaf.

To be frank, the hard times in BF I ever experienced were those when... (not to be revealed to MIL)

1. I am away attending courses (that I'll have to bring Cikebum along, or if impossible I'd have to tumpang other people's freezer to store the EBM).
   
2. I have something else to do (say, helping out others in the kitchen. This specially applies when we are back in kampung for raya, etc.) Anyway, that's a good excuse for me (hehehe) or at least I take the opportunity to rest.
   

I once asked MrHubby on his opinion on this and he told me that it is sinful for others to stare at this mom-baby 'bonding session' with a sexual desire. So, he doesn't mind.. and in fact I get full support from him.

Thanks, buamiku yang tuncit! ;)

Say cheese for cheesecakes

It was Summer 2005. I just arrived in Brisbane for about two weeks. Considering my birthday was around the corner, and wanting to teach my hsemate how to bake a cheesecake, I made one.

That was nothing difficult, bcoz I had baked a few similar cheesecakes before that. So, it's the same recipe, same ingredients, same methods, etc.

However, when I took it outta the oven... this was the outcome...

Astaga! I forgot that different ovens have different settings :P

The top of my cheesecake was burnt even though i had it in for only an hour at the same temperature I used back home.

Therefore, I had to 'edit' it and transform it into an edible one. This was how it looked like slightly after.

Not bad, ay?

We even invited the landlady (my godmother), Mary to have tea at our place, and guess what she said?

"Oh...gorgeous! Is this home-baked? It tastes good!"

I felt like rolling on the floor, but had to hold it :P Home-baked, man!!! Hahaha.

Oh...I dont have the pix of the tea. Anyway, here's some of the tea we had at her lawn (the house is attached but we have our own lawns).

Mary, Sally & me

Oh, by the way, if u experience the same...don't panic!
U can always slice the top part and top it with something else.. chocolate, caramel, berries, any type of fruits or a sour cream topping

Anyway, last Friday... despite being bz with the exhibition, I managed to kidnap MamaPasha for our cheesecake project. That was crucial, bcoz her hubby (BerryBear) has started asking when are we gonna make it happen :P

This time, this was the result...

Perasan jadi Bree Hodge jap.

MamaPasha and the cake.

MamaPasha also made this for Cikebum... Cute, right?


And these were the captured moments of the u-are-my-buddy between Cikebum and Pasha.



It didn't last long, though. Well, the grass is always greener on the other side :P So, whatever is in Pasha's hands seemed better to Cikebum's eyes. Vice versa.

Surprise!!!

Most people love surprises, I suppose. Without them, life would be so boring bcoz there would be nothing to look forward to.

In relationships, as a couple get to know and understand each other better, they naturally enter into a comfort zone. This is the stage when stories of personal life are shared, mutual trust is created hence strengthen the bond in the relationship. Don't u agree with me?

I myself find it boring if we feel so comfortable that the need to impress one another as during courting days is no longer important. What? A routine? Oh...puh-lease....break the pattern!

MrHubby... hmm... let's see.
His suprises never worked... okay, okay... let's say MOST OF THE TIME, they didn't work.

He has put several attempts to trigger my excitement on those special days, but well... I always ruined it. Not bcoz I am as stupid as Susan Mayer (Desperate Housewives)- prolly bcoz my expectation is too high or bcoz I know every twists and turns of relationships from the previous experiences. Hahaha.

But that's alrite.

Amongst the moments that I consider a surprise is...

The surprise bouquet of lilies.

But that was still not 100% a surprise bcoz of the stupid florist. Read here.

Other occasions were on birthdays, anniversaries...but as I said, those are expected. (Gosh! I hate being ahead at times like this. Stop expecting too high, Isabelle!)

Perhaps, many ladies/girls out there are longing for surprises, only to be disappointed by the naturally less insensitive creature. What to say? Guys are afterall still guys. They are not that good in expressing themselves. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t care about you.

Guys, u don't have to spend much to make us happy. There are many other sweet li'l things u could do... that doesn't even cost u a single cent. Google la sikit!

Okay lemme offer a hand... This one is taken from here.

20 ways to surprise your love

1. Cook dinner. When your sweetie gets home from a hard day at work, have a meal waiting for him or her! It doesn’t need to be anything elaborate, but it can save them some time, and help them unwind.
   
   
2. Have someone else cook dinner. Better yet, have someone else cook! You can either order in pizza, Chinese or gourmet, or hire a local chef to come to your house to create a masterpiece in your own kitchen. This is a great way to say "I love you!"
   
   
3. Send flowers or a gift to work. Catch them when they least expect it! Send a bouquet or a gift to your honey at work. It will make coworkers envious and let your love know you were thinking about him/her.
   
   
4. Show up at work. Instead of having something delivered, bring it by yourself. Or show up at lunchtime and ask her out to an impromptu lunch - even if it’s a walk to the deli to pick up a sandwich.
   
   
5. Plan a trip and don’t tell them where you’re going. Take a day or a weekend and plan a trip to a place your honey has always wanted to go…an amusement park, a bed and breakfast, or the closest city. Tell your sweetie to pack a bag, but refuse to tell them where you are going - if necessary blindfold them on the way there. Or if you're planning on spending a night at the finest hotel in your town, pack the bags yourself and leave a note telling them where they can find you. Once they figure out your surprise, you will be a hero for planning something so romantic!
   
   
6. Make something. Go to a make your own pottery place and create a custom vase. Or make a card on your computer. Or knit a scarf. Taking the time to make something for your mate always means more than picking something up at the mall, so let your creativeness shine through!
   
   
7. Compile pictures. Collect pictures of the two of you and create a photo album or a CD-Rom showcasing your memories. Alternatively, create a photo collage and frame it as a gift. It will show your partner that the memories you share mean so much to you.
   
   
8. Send them to a spa. Pamper your love by banishing them…to a spa! Whether it’s one service, or a day of relaxation and/or beauty, this will be a surprise that will last for a long time. Even better, surprise them with a couples massage at a spa. Here, you receive massages side by side, so you can experience the relaxation together!
   
   
9. Write a poem. So you’re not Shakespeare, but a sonnet from you is more magical. Take pen to paper and, using your lover as your muse, try to create a few lines describing your love. It need not rhyme, just be sure to let your feelings come out. You can even copy it onto parchment paper and create a scroll. Finally, rather than just hand the masterpiece over, why not read it to the intended…the impact will be greater!
   
   
10. Serenade. Sing them a song! A love song, while preferred, is not necessary - get as goofy as you want. You can even create a movie scene by singing from the street so that your lover must come to the door or window to hear your music. Even if it’s just karaoke, a classic serenade is a romantic ploy that never goes out of style.
    
    
11. Paint a portrait. Pull out your watercolors (or Crayola’s) and draw your lover’s portrait the way you see her. It is something that can be fun for you both and your talents will surprise her. If you are more prone to stick figures than still life, though, you might want to explore any of these other options…
    
    
12. Clean the house. Or even just a room. Make life easier for the one you love my making sure they come home to a serene environment. Putting the dishes in the dishwasher, Swiffering the floor and tossing the garbage is enough to make your partner sigh when s/he walks in the door.
    
    
13. Pick them up from the airport. Is your sweetie away on a business trip? Why not show up at the airport with a sign and a smile? Sure, the company could pay for a limo, but after a long flight home, your face (and thoughtfulness) will outshine any company perk!
    
    
14. Striptease. Not for the faint of heart, but you can take your lover’s breath away with a little taste of a striptease. For amateurs who may be a little self-conscious, you need not go all the way. Even the idea will surprise your mate and leave him wanting more!
    
    
15. Place perfume or rose petals on the sheets. With some scented lined spray or actual rose petals, you can transform your bedroom into a royal boudoir! Add some candles and soft music and your sweetheart will be shocked at the new mood in the room!
    
    
16. Draw a bath. After a long day or at the beginning of a fun weekend, draw a bath for your honey. Be sure to pull out all the stops - bath oils, salts, bubbles, scrubs, candle, magazines. Then watch your honey blissfully melt into relaxation!
    
    
17. Light candles. Find every candle in the house, bring them into the living room and light each and every one of them. When your partner walks into the room, it will be a beautiful romantic wonderland!!
    
    
18. Jump in the shower. Next weekend, when your honey takes his morning shower, surprise him by jumping in with him! It will kill two birds with one stone - you get clean and he gets a surprise!
    
    
19. Buy tickets. Surprise your companion with tickets - to anything! A movie, a play, a concert a museum….it will be an outing you can both enjoy - together!
    
    
20. Massage. Instead of sending your sweetie to a spa, do it yourself. Pamper her with a personalized massage. She will love you for it! Be prepared - you may be called upon often for a massage once she learns of your massage prowess!

I can't list down too many. If MrHubby read this entry, it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. Hehehe :P

Back to MrHubby's story. Bcoz his surprises never worked while mine seemed to be perfect most of the time, he has 'warned' me not to make surprises for him anymore. Bcoz that makes him feel bad. Hahaha. Nak tergelak pun ada.

But then, last week he packed the breakfast for me in the kitchen and upon arriving in the office, I took it out to start eating. Accompanying the food, this was what I found...

And I was smiling ear to ear while enjoying the food. U see, it becomes the sweetest little surprises when we least expect it!

Planning little surprises for your love would definitely spice up your love life, going a long way in maintaining the flames of love. So, if u want an interesting love life and make him/her happy... why wait?