Introducing Hari Bercakap BM :P

Aku ada obsession sikit terhadap bahasa. Okaylah...'obsessed' might sound too much. 

Aku suka. Aku suka belajar bahasa. Setakat ni yang dalam list aku cuma BM, English, Arabic, Bahasa Indonesia. Ada la grasp sikit-sikit Korean. Bahasa Jepun tu boleh la takat menyanyi lagu Mirae sampai abis.

Okaylah... bahasa lain tu maybe kurang kita guna, kita cerita pasal English la.

Betapa aku nak suruh (ex)students aku kuasai English, sampaikan bila diorang tanya soalan dalam BM masa kelas, aku akan gedix-gedix jawab "Sorry, I dont understand Malay."

Wah, kau...bajet "I sound stupid when I speak Malay" gittew! Meluat tau.

Bukan la aku yang hidung penyet dan berkulit tan-ala-Latina (iyolah tu) ni tak reti BM. Saja je nak encourage diorang cakap English. Dah mengajar pun in English. Exam nanti pun jawab in English jugak. So, alang-alang bertanya tu, biar la in English.

The same goes to my kids.

Aku encourage Lil Adam cakap English dari kecik. Bila dia banyak bercakap BM lepas sebulan bersekolah kat Little Caliph dulu, aku tanya kat teachers dia... rupanya amongst kids memang diorang suka cakap BM, walaupun dengan teachers diorang cakap English.

Bukan la 'kerek' ke, apa ke. Tapi sebab aku nak dia exposed dari kecik, sebagai persiapan sebelum datang ke Aussie (last year), supaya dia tak terasa aliennya bahasa penjajah tu.
Dan manalah tau esok-esok dia nak interview kerja ke, senang nak impress the interviewers. Eh, Lil Adam dah nak keje ke? Hahaha. Poyo!

Lagipun, esok-esok takde la dia tahan kencing semata-mata sebab tak reti cakap "Teacher, may I go out please" masa cikgu tengah mengajar. Macam aku dulu, takut giler nak mintak excuse pegi ke toilet masa hari Isnin (sebab hari Isnin adalah hari Bahasa Arab). Bila dah tereris tu, konfiden je nak mintak permission kat cikgu yang tengah mengajar. Dalam masa sejam, kalau nak keluar pegi b*rak 5kali pun boleh.Tapi kejadah apa pulak aku nak pegi banyak kali, kennn? Kang cikgu/ustaz/ustazah tu tanya kenapa nak pegi toilet lagi, mamfus aku nak jawab 'cirit-birit' dalam Bahasa Arab. Ekekeke.

Akan tetapi, setelah aku dengar kemelut anak-anak Melayu yang terpaksa berhempas-pulas menguasai bahasa ibunda apabila pulang dari luar negara....

(sila impress dengan penggunaan kosa kata aku dalam ayat BM lengkap. wtf)

Anyway, bila aku tengok jenuh budak-budak Melayu yang struggle bila balik Malaysia, kena belajar BM... aku jadi cuak.

Takut bila eja 'kucing'... sebutannya jadi macam 'cooking'.

Risau kalau perkataan 'gotong-royong' pun dia tak tau apakebendanya tu.

Takut jadi macam ni...

Maka aku telah melancarkan HARI BERCAKAP DALAM BAHASA MALAYSIA kat rumah.


Ni semua gara-gara aku sakit hati bila dengar, anak Abang Azul kena tiaw dek cikgu low mentality bila balik bersekolah kat Malaysia "Baru berapa tahun duduk oversea, dah nak berlagak tak reti cakap Melayu."

Kalau anak aku yang kena sound macam tu, tau la cikgu tu aku hadap.

Anyway, Hari Bercakap Dalam Bahasa Malaysia di rumah aku adalah pada hari Sabtu.
So, tiap-tiap hari Sabtu, Lil Adam akan 'tershashul-shashul' cakap English.
Minggu pertama aritu, bila aku suruh dia cakap Melayu, ada ke patut dia jawab "I don't know how to speak Malay."

Ahhh...sudahhh.
Mampuih aku nak jawab kat MIL esok-esok.
Dulu, dia dah bising dah "Kau tu, ajar la Adam cakap Melayu. Esok-esok ni, dia tak reti cakap Melayu pulak."
Tapi aku jawab "Alaa...relax la, Mak. Anak saya tu orang Melayu, reti la dia nanti."


So, amacam bila dah abis baca entry ni... ARE YOU ENJOYS? OR ARE YOU 'BORING'? 
Wakakaka
(#orang yang faham je akan gelak bila baca ayat last ni)

Sinonimnya ketam dan MIL

 MrHubby baru-baru ni pegi crabbing lagi kat Adrossan. Riang gumbira la aku sebab dah jemu jugak la makan ayam. Kalau tak ayam, ciken. Kalau tak ciken, ayam. So, bila sesekali dapat ketam, fresh pulak tu... memang syok.

 (gambar hasil crabbing yang sebelum-sebelum ni, bukan yg latest)

Lil Adib pun berani pegang ketam ni. Ingatkan dia takut.

Ehehe..Sila excuse Lil Adib yang cuma pakai undies tu. Dia baru nak gi mandi tu sebenarnya.

 

  

Cuma sekarang ni aku dah ada competitor. Ni budak berdua ni... dah tau ketam tu sedap, so jenuh la nak kopek untuk diorang sekali.

 

 

Tetiba rindu kat MIL.

Kalau musim ketam, mesti dia akan call tanya kot-kot kitorang nak balik kampung. 

(Balik kampung sebab nak makan ketam, bukan sebab nak jumpa orang tua. Keji.) 

Lepas tu dia order la berapa kilo pun yang aku nak makan. Selalu dia rebus je ketam tu untuk diratah. Alasan MIL- kalau dibuat lauk, tak puas makan... sebab nak suap nasi lagi, nak suap ketam lagi. Betul betul betul.

Biasanya time aku hadap ketam, memang aku masih pandang kiri kanan, ajak MIL makan sama. Takde la macam orang kata, mak mentua lalu kat belakang pun tak sedar :P

Tapi err... gambar ketam yang MrHubby bawak balik yang kitorang makan?

Ehehehe... MIL takde, mana aku nak toleh-toleh lagi dah. Henpon pun tak sempat capai nak snap gambar :P

Mimpi makan is dangerous

Semalam sedang aku enak melahap makan nasi putih dengan ikan goreng panas-panas kat rumah Mamapasha, tetiba Lil Adam datang goyang-goyang badan aku.

"Mama, wake up. It's Saturday.  We have a party!"

Hmm..hmm...
*mamai, buka mata sikit*

Laaa..mana ikan goreng nya?..kupikirkan menanam ikan goreng di bibir mulut, rupanya ayaqlioqbasi saja. Ooops, peribahasa yang euww!

So, dengan malasnya aku pun bingkas bangun (perghhh... aku guna perkataan 'bingkas'! Cikgu Nooriah Mohamed, sila la berbangga dgn anak muridmu).

Yup. Banyak benda nak dibuat untuk party semalam, jadi dalam kesibukan nak memasak, aku dok fikir...

"Dah lama tak makan ikan kat sini. Kalau makan pun, ikan tak fresh. Ikan mahal daripada ayam, dah tak sama macam jaman aku kecik dulu. Kalo dulu, makan ayam setahun lima enam kali je (tanda kaya sangat dah tu), sekarang kat Adelaide ni almost everyday hadap ayam."

So, masa breakfast, I told MrHubby "Mama mimpi makan ikan goreng tadi. Sedap wo!"

Alamak. Mama makan tak?

Makan la. Nape pulak?

Mama nak demam la tu. Kalau ikut mak (my MIL), bila dia mimpi makan apa-apa, tanda dia nak sakit la tu.

Owhhh...

Dan sejak semalam, selesema aku makin menjadi-jadi. Bangun solat Subuh pun rasa berat je muka.

Elehh... alasan kan? Podah-cittt.
Kalau tibai makan ABC bermangkuk-mangkuk, memang la....

Mari uji minda: Hurin Supalan

Dulu, aku pernah berangan untuk ada mak mertua (MIL) yang modern.Yang ala-ala semi-datin gittew. Alasan bodoh aku - saja nak merasa panggil 'Mama' kat MIL (sebab mak sendiri aku dah panggil 'mak').

Tapi mengenangkan ke'laser'an mulut aku.. kang tak pasal-pasal aku tegur "Eh, nape pesen tudung Mama ni beropol-ropol macam langsir? Nape hairdresser style-kan rambut Ma kembang sangat?" Harus la aku terus dicop menantu hamsap. M*mfus aku kena santau.

Ditakdirkan aku dapat MIL orang lama. Orang kampung.

So, takde la aku nak ber-mama-mama dengan dia. Kang dia kata aku buang tebiat pulak.

MIL sempat sekolah sampai darjah berapa aku tak ingat. Tapi mesranya humang aiiii. Dan paling best, boleh dibawak bergurau (Read: Kadang-kadang aku bergurau kasar jugak!)

Pernah kitorang pegi kedai kat Tanjung Gemuk. Dia tunggu dalam kereta, so dia minta aku belikan Handiplast.

Aku tanya... "Mak nak tampal luka apa?"

"Tampal luka apa pulak? Handiplast yang dalam botol tu!"

Ahh sudahhh. Aku blur kejap.  Dahi berkerut.

Tetiba aku ketawa besar. "Hahaha. 100 Plus la, mak! Lawak la mak ni"

"Handiplast. Hundred plus. Mana la aku tau. Sama je."

Nak dijadikan cerita lagi, walaupun berjauhan ala PJJ cenggini... masih ada lawak MIL yang boleh buat aku tersengih-sengih macam kerang wangi.

Kelmarin, Kak Mie (SIL) post kat FB...

Anak2 cucu... sapa tau Tok suh beli apa ni... dia mmg cucu Tok...

Aku baca sambil kerut-kerut dahi.

Sabun Top, Bawang putih dan Ayam tu aku boleh la pick-up. Tapi....

HURIN?

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SUPALAN?

Apakah?

Mulut aku kumat-kamit sebut..."Hurin..hurin...Dalam botol pulak tu."

Sambil mengamalkan critical thinking. Cewah, poyo!

Hurin. Haaaa... mesti oren ni. 

Oren (sunquick base) la tu. 

Dan aku pun tinggalkan komen.

Wahaha... Hurin tu mesti oren. kan? Kan?

Lepas tu aku sambung fikir. Siap tanya MrHubby lagi.  Mengelat aku kan, guna talian hayat pulak.

Supalan tu apa pulak, bang?

Hmmm... 2 pek pulak tu.

Korang tau tak apa?

SOFTLAN!

Hihihi.

2 pek tu sebab dia selalu beli refill pack.

Comel kan MIL aku?

Hehehe. Mak... mak....

Jauh-jauh ni, rindu pulak nak mengusik dia.

Teringat masa aku dengan biras aku, Abg Kamel a.k.a Cartoon Sagu gelakkan Mak bila tengok phone book dia dulu. Maunye tidak. Sebesar-besar kad manila tu. Aku dah snap dulu gambar tu nak buat bahan blog, tapi mana ntah aku letak.

Okay...ini bukanlah entry mengutuk MIL ye.

Bagi aku... MIL aku comel sangat bila salah eja macam ni . Alaa..macam budak-budak kecik jugak, bila lukis tak serupa apa-yang-cuba-dilukiskan.

Dan kalau aku usik dia depan orang (sedara-mara, jiran tetangga), dia akan bagitau "Menantu aku yang ni memang suka menganjing (mengenakan) aku."

Sa-tegok sahaja ta' apa

Bahahahaha. Sunggoh kelasik iklan ini.

Aku wonder la...nengok ke gambar/pakaiannye, macam jaman P.Romli dulu. Ahhh.. tapi apa nak pelik, jaman tu dulu mana orang follow sangat ajaran Islam.


Tengok iklan ni, aku tingat MIL aku.
That was waaay ago, dalam tahun 2007 kalo tak silap. She came to our house for a few days, and she found a similar bottle in our fridge- with cork and aluminum foil.

So, one day she came to my room... asking me

"Ni, Is.. Mak nak tanya sikit ni. Botol yang dalam peti (ais) tu botol arak ke?"

Aku: Hahahahaha. Mak ni, lawak la. Hahahaha

MIL: Dah tu, mende apa?

Aku: Mak rasa apa? Arak la tu. *buat muka serius*

MIL: Kau biar betul, Is.

Aku: Itu sparkling water la, Mak. Macam air gas, tapi rasa dia pelik. Ri (MrHubby) dapat dalam hamper. Sebab tak sedap bila dah try tu, tu yang dok biar je dalam fridge.

MIL: Ooo...itu la. Aku dok belek tengok. Aku dok fikir... Nak kata korang ni minum arak, tak menasabah. Aku tengok dok semayang tonggang-tonggek diorang ni (aku & MrHubby).

Aku: Hahahaha. Mak... mak...

Mahalnya bulu dia!

Mesti korang pernah dengar orang cakap...

Nanti aku cabut bulu dulu, baru boleh beli.

atau

Dia tu lebat (bulu), boleh la shopping macam-macam.

Tapi korang wonder tak, nape orang guna 'bulu' untuk menggambarkan banyak atau sikitnye duit tu?

Menurut aku lah kan...
Bulu tu (bulu ketiak la biasanya) nanti dicabut dan dijual kat kedai buat wig. So, dah dapat duit, boleh la jadi kaya sikit dan berbelanja/shopping macam yang dimaksudkan.
Kalau bulu tu emas, mesti la lagi mahal kan? Hahaha

Korang tengok Si Justin Bieber ni...
Baru-baru ni dia dah mengorbankan trademark rambut smooth silky yang menutup dahi tu dan dilelong pada harga USD$ 40,688. 98 kali bids tuuuu. Siap dengan autograf eksklusif.

Tak tau la pesen rambut baru tu mcmana. Tapi takkan botak kot.

Tu la celebrity. Jangan kata rambut... entah-entah, bulu keti, bulu hidung... pun orang sanggup beli!

Tapi kat Malaysia ni, kalo KakPah nak jual tahi lalat dia ke, Zenab Zain nak jual bulu kening dia ke... ada ke yang sanggup beli?????

Last week, bila aku cakap kat MIL pasal duit nak buat aqiqah Adib....
"Nanti saya cabut bulu dulu, baru boleh dapat banyak duit. Kot-kot la ada yang dah jadi bulu emas."

MIL jawab "Kau ada jugak sikit. Mak ni takde langsung."
(dia memang jenis tak berbulu keti!)

Dan kitorang mengekek sakan kat telefon, sampai MrHubby jegil kat aku sebab gelak tak cover-cover.

Apa nak buat kalo bentan?

Semalam masa aku jumpa umat manusia masa keluar 2jam tu, ramai la yang tanya "Eh, dah abis pantang ke?"
Yang membaca blog pun, maybe wonder... ke mana pulak si Isabelle ni pegi.

To answer the question...
Ya.. aku baru masuk je abis pantang the day before.
So ngam-ngam la aku kena keluar semalam tu lps abis tempoh berkurung. Hoyeh! Hoyeh!

Actually, MIL pesan...hari ke-40 tu la yang paling kritikal. Kena buat as if hari pertama berpantang. So, memang 2hari lepas, aku jadi orang baik kat rumah. Hehe.
Biasa la..hujung-hujung tu kalo bentan ke hapa ke... x ke naya?

Bentan ni, boleh jadi kalo tersilap makan atau ibu jari kaki teerlanggar bendul ke, apa ke. Paling tak...rasa seram sejuk, atau boleh melarat sampai pengsan, turun darah dan mati. Dont play-play ahhh.

Speaking of bentan, MIL pernah citer pasal kawan dia meninggal immediately lepas ter'jamah' buah lai. Bukan la dia gatal sangat nak makan, cuma terleka sambil kupaskan untuk anak dia...dia tersuap mulut sendiri. Tak sempat telan pun, tau-tau rasa seram sejuk dan macam darah turun banyak. Bawa ke hospital, meninggal terus.

woh, nape bila aku gugel imej Bentan, kuar gambar pelik camni?

Aku sendiri, ada sehari tu makan apa ntah... rasanya makan macam biasa je... malam tu aku rasa sejuk semacam. Sikit je.
Tapi sampai the following day aku masih rasa sengal. I mean sengal macam lenguh la. Takkan la aku mentally sengal nak ngaku lak kan? Kuikuikui

So, aku try ilmu yang MIL pernah perturun kat aku (perghh..bunyi macam gempak, siap kasi pengeras ayam golek je).

Aku potong bawang merah dan gosok-gosok kat kaki & sendi sambil selawat. Pendek kata, aku main taram je la gosok kat semua parts yang boleh (haipp..jangan imagine parts yang bukan-bukan!)
Nasib baik aku tak blend semua lagi bawang yang MIL tinggalkan kat dapur tu sebelum dia balik kampung aritu. Kalo tak, mana nak cekau bawang? Harus kena tebalkan muka, ketuk rumah jiran.

Dan tak lama lepas tu... aku rasa okay.
Fuh... ajaib kan?
Apa scientific explanationnya pun aku tak tau la. Kalo aku rajin nak buat post-doc nanti, aku propose la study ni. Hahaha.

Anyway, selain tenyeh bawang merah, korang boleh gak guna kunyit. Kunyit hidup la ye, dengan kapur. Jangan guna kunyit serbuk.. kang jadi macam orang India pulak,

Lagi, korang boleh minum air panas. Kopi le kalo orang dolu-dolu punya amalan.

Then, sapu minyak panas (minyak urut, bukan minyak masak yang panas dari kuali) dan pakai la baju panas, stokin dan selimut.

Hmm.. sekianlah saja petua untuk hari ini.
Aku nak kuar pegi meronggeng pulak, balas dendam kesumat sebab dah abis pantang. Heh heh.


p/s:
Buat ibu mertuaku yang susah-payah datang jugak (walaupun hanya 2 minggu) untuk jaga aku berpantang sdgkan jenuh nak cari tempat dialysis untuk PIL... Tima kasih, mak. I love u.

Isabella tuuuu...

About an hour ago, I got an incoming call while I was on the phone with MrHubby. Sambil tu dengar bunyi moto sapa ntah datang umah, tak kisahlah... MIL leh entertain.

Lepas letak phone, bunyi lagi.

Him: Hello. Cik Isabella?

Me: Err... ye saya.

Him: Ni dah pindah rumah ke?

Me: Eh, taklah...

Him: Alamat kat sampul tulis No.6 bla..bla...

Me: Ye, betul la tu. (ooo..posmen kot yang datang tadi tu)

Him: Tadi saya datang nak hantar bungkusan, ada orang tua cakap takde kat rumah nama ni.

Me: Err... (garu kepala) Mak mertua saya tu, dia tak tau kot.

Him: Ha..okaylah..takpe.. saya datang balik.

Me: Aaaa...ok. Tima kasih ye.


Aku pun jenguk ke bawah... "Mak, tadi ada posmen datang ye?"
MIL jawab "Haa..dia kata ada bungkusan untuk sapa nama, Isabella?"
FIL menyampuk "Dia cakap Isabella."

"Hmmm... saya le tu. Dia kata dia nak datang balik. Mak bukak pintu ye?"

"Laaa... Mana aku tau... dia kata Isabella. Aku cakap la rumah ni tuan rumahnya nama Sham..."



Few mins later, MIL pun bawak naik parcel tu. It's from Munira. TQ, babe!

Dan aku tersengih-sengih tengok hadiah comel-comel untuk Lil Adib. Tak ketinggalan gak shawl untuk aku... siap dengan kad cute & surat cinta.



Gitu le kaedahnya. Kalo posmen tak lorat, no problem.

Dah beberapa kali aku collect parcel kat Pejabat Pos Besar Shah Alam & Pusat Poslaju Glenmarie tu... hadiah contest ke, barang beli online ke... kekadang pengirim memang taruk 'Isabelle' je.

Biasanya yang Pusat Poslaju tu tak kisah: tunjuk IC, dia carikan parcel & jot down my details... barang bertukar tangan.
Yang kat Pej Pos Besar tu... pernah aku collect tanpa banyak songeh. Pernah gak dia argue nape nama kat sampul tu (Isabelle) tak sama dengan dalam IC. Satu hal pulak aku kena jawab "Ye la kan... beli online, takde la disclose semua details."

Pot-pet-pot-pet.... (telinga aku pun bertukar ke mode telinga kuali)

Sib baik aku ada bawak bil Astro yang kebetulan under nama aku. So, setel la jugak.
"Lain kali jangan buat macam ni ye... bla..bla..."


To Munira, here's a pix of Lil Adib smiling at u...to say "Thank u, aunty!"



p/s:

MIL tak kecoh pulak pasal nama glamer aku tu. Sebab kalo dia kecoh, mesti aku bukak citer gelakkan dia yang ada nama glamer lagi banyak drp aku. Hihihi...

Bad bed

Following my entry yesterday, I'd say I love modern bedrooms- with modest designs, and geometric pattern furniture with no carvings, with few accessories. Pastel color shades and soft furnishings are optional to me.

My bedspread is basically (x kira la Akemi ka, Laura Ashley ka, Favorita whatnot) the fitted ones and with duvet. I am strongly against the ropol-ropol type one... which I think is so 'teluk'! Sorry, it's just not me la!

MIL on contrary, likes the one with frills (well u know la elderly kan?) which I find is a bit outdated. Being the typical moms fond of curtains and bedspreads, she always makes sure that they are changed every now and then and tidy at all times.

Pernah la aku cakap dengan dia...
Ni bersulam berlabuci bagai, nak tido macamana, Mak? Takkan nak 'ragas' kat muka/badan kot?

And she answered "La... nak tido nanti, tarik la cadar tu ke tepi. Bawah tu kan ada selapis lagi cadar (fitted)"
I was like "Hoh? What?" (apa-ke-benuknye kalo cadar x diguna untuk lapik tido?)

Anyway, to cut it short... when I am back to her house, aku lenjan jer tido atas cadar tu...xde kuasa aku nak tarik ke tepi!

One day before I left her home, she gave me a set of ropol-ropol bedsheet and said "Nah..ambik ni. mak tengok cadar kau tu tak cantik la."

Mind u... Mine was a fitted bedsheet (aku ni kejap sebut bedspread, kejap bedsheet, kejap bed linen..sukati aku jer)... So, maksudnya cadar aku tu tak lawa sebab x beropol la. Hahaha.

And I glanced at MrHubby, dua-dua orang dahi berkerut.

Back home, we kept it in the cupboard until she told us she was coming. So, kelam kabut la yours truly memasang cadar beropol pemberian MIL ku ittew.

lebih kurang cenggini la rupanya

As she arrived, she said..."Ni macam baru lagi je. Kau baru guna ke cadar yang Mak bagi ni?"

"Dak aihhh... aritu dah guna. Dah tau mak nak datang, saya pasang la yang Mak suka."

Ngeee :P White lie!
Oh yes..aku menantu hantu! :P

Anyway, as a bedspread is looked as the focal point of the bedroom's décor, I guess it's the easiest and inexpensive way to make-over a bedroom in an instant. (as compared to walls & furniture-- aku tak kaya nak cat bilik & tukar furniture tiap tahun wei!).

So, here are some tips to choosing a bedspread:

1. The color scheme. Take note of the colors in your bedroom to pick the perfect color of bedspread to complement your room. My bedroom was badly painted by the previous owner, so at the moment I just vary the colours in my bedspread collection.

2. The size: make sure u didn't buy a queen bedspread for a king bed, vice versa. Whether u want it to drape over the sides/end of the bed or a prolly u need bed a skirt to cover the bottom of the bed. Ikut taste memasing la.


3. The style. Do u prefer a busy pattern or something simple? I'd go geometric, nature, abstract but not too crowded with designs.

4. The material. I'd say the type of material a bedspread is the most important- it can make or break both comfort and style. I love cotton (well, u know the summery days we have in Malaysia!) but if u switch on the A/C that ur room is wintery chilly, u may try a flannel or wool bedspread.


I believe bedrooms reflect our lifestyle and displays ample evidence of a couple's love for each other. Don't u think so?

MIL's handbag

I was so worried the whole day yesterday, wondering whether my MIL has safely received the parcel I posted on Friday. It is supposed to be sent today.

However, what bugged me most was my stupidity for writing the sender's name as "IBU MERTUAKU TERSAYANG" whereas the address does not have any number, just the street name.

It might not be an issue if I were to write "My Dearest MIL, busyuk2 intan payung pengarang jantung pisang berangan etc." IF...ONLY IF the address has a number. Adoiyai... How could I be so careless?

Wallaway! How many mothers-in-law could there be in the village?

And if they knew the content of the parcel, may be all of 'em would raise up their hands, admitting the sender as their daughter-in-law! Hahaha...

To make things worse, if the postman does not call the provided sender or recepient to verify everything. And Maxis signal is very poor in my office (Gosh! Why wouldn't Celcom offer a good package like what I need). So, even if he called me, I might not be reachable :(

But, MrHubby said that the postman serving the neighbourhood is like Postman Pat in Greendale, who knows every inch of every corners and knows everybody in the village very well, even if they have various nicknames like my MIL does. (Fuiyoo! My MIL has many nicknames! Glamer you!)

On our way back home (whilst still in the car), I expressed my worries to MrHubby, that he suggested I just ring my MIL to ask. Waaa.... there goes my surprise!!! :(

Me : Assalamualaikum, Bah. How are u?
FIL : Waalaikukussalam. Haaa... ur fav daughter-in-law calls!
Me : ???
FIL : Wahhh... Don't u know that Mak even slept with the new handbag!?
Me : Aaaa? (still blur)
FIL : That's why u r her fav. She slept and woke up at 2am, looking at the handbag.
Me : Hahaha! So, u mean... she has received it?
FIL : Yes. That's why she was so busy with the bag.
Me : Duh... I am so worried here, wondering what could have happened to the parcel. Hahahaha


Phone passed to MIL.

MIL : Bede'oh la sangat. He's exaggerating! I just received it today, actually.
Me : Oh..good for u.
MIL: Actually, the postman came just before we left to the hospital (for FIL's haemodialysis). The postman told me about the weird recepient name. But I was pretty sure that it is for me.

Me : (She really expects it!?! Lucky that I decided to send it!)
MIL: Thank u so much, Is. Mak really like it!
Me : So, have u started using it?
MIL: As soon as I got it, I transferred my stuff into the new bag & matching purse... that I didn't realize there was a piece of paper enclosed, until Bah told me.
Me : Hehehehe. Excitednya! (ada ke patut- an A4 paper with big fonts like this dia x perasan?)

p/s: Sekadar hiasan. This is not the pix of the handbag I sent her

Communication

Well, after joining Sham's family, I could obviously see that Mok Su Jamal (my MIL) is so obsessed with curtains and bedsheets. It is a must for her to have new curtains every Hari Raya, despite whatever situation it is.

So, last Saturday, we brought her to Nilai 3 as she wanted to shop for new curtains.


We walked from one shop to another, looking for the right colour, right fabrics (and right price too!). The funny thing is she shopped as if there's no tomorrow, although at the same time she kept mumbling "I couldn't find the curtain I like...bla..bla."

Satu ayat maut from my MIL was "I don't mind not having new clothes on Hari Raya, but I must have the curtains that I want!"
(Kalau takde baju raya, Mak tak kisah lagi. Asal jangan langsir mak takde sudah...)

Sham & I just smiled. Cakap-cakap kat belakang tu, ada le. Bukan mengutuk. But we were just impressed or perhaps too shocked to hear her statement! Sampai macam tu sekali, ganas betul mak mentua aku.

That night we brought my in-laws to our home and the next day, I went out shopping with MIL. It was really fun having a retail therapy with her. She planned to buy only one thing, yes one thing...yet she put this and that into the basket and ended up paying almost RM100. Mak... mak...

Later before iftar, Sham & I went out to Param, but we dropped by at the furniture shop to buy a 'present' for MIL. A shoerack that she strongly wanted since months ago.

* * * * *

That night, after little muchkin was out to sleep, Sham & I had 'The Talk'. It has been quite some time since we last had one.
I'm so grateful to have such an attentive listening ear and a partner whom I can discuss about everything.

I remember Dr Wan's valuable advice... "Communication is very important in marriage."
Whether it's a problem or a good news, big or small- speak it up.



Yes, being the outspoken me... it's just a piece of cake to express myself freely and insistently. I hardly keep any worries to myself. But I wonder how come less frown create these fine lines under my eyes? Duh!

It must be a bit hard for Sham to do so, as he is really careful with his words especially when he has to say something to me, so it wouldn't hurt my feelings.

* * * * *

Yesterday, after arriving home, Sham asked "What will we have for sahur?"

Me : We'll have meat curry.

Sham : Hah? Where are we gonna get it from?

Me : (dalam hati) If I don't tell him that I tapao the curry, I can pretend as if I cook it. So, I better don't answer. Hehehe

Then, I promised him to have a hot drink together after taking shower. Unfortunately, Adam made some noise and I had to lie on his side... that I fell asleep.

I only woke up at 1.30 am, so I went to check the bedroom... Sham has dozed off. Went to the kitchen....I saw a pot on the stove. Opened the lid...

"Eh... this is a chicken dish. Where does it come from?"

...............................................................................

When we woke up for sahur at 4.30 am, I asked Sham. He said he cooked it bcoz he didn't know that I have bought some curry.

Aisey... where has the communication theory gone?

Oh... I forgot to tell him...
"Miscommunication, poor communication or no communication will create problems." (Zig Ziglar)

What U give, U get back

Today is the anniversary that Sham's parents went to meet my parents to ask for my hand in marriage. When we were having breakfast (of nice nasi dagang and lousy lontong), the song Look What U've Done (Jet) was played in the air. It wasn't romantic, though... it's just a coincidence.

Then, we started talking about my MIL.

Me : I don't agree when sometimes Mak told her friends that she only has 9 grandchildren (which doesn't include K. Nor's kids, that adds up to 12). I know they're from her previous marriage, but she shouldn't say so.

Hubby : Well, U know... Mak is like that.

Me : Ya la... But it might hurt K.Nor's feelings if she heard of it. That day, when she did it again, I reminded her (just by saying..."Don't say like that la, Mak")

Hubby : U are doing the right thing. Keep reminding her.

Me : One more thing, she likes to mention about her son-in-law who earns less than her daughter.

Hubby : I've warned her not to do so. U too, don't do such things. the world is round. What U say to other people today, might come back to U one day.

Me : Haaa? I always say that U are a Tambi (little Indian brother).

Hubby : (with a cheeky grin) See... later, U'll be one (the Tambi)


Me : Ok la... ayah putis, ayah tomel (U're fair, U're cute) Hehehe

Hubby : No...no. It's not gonna work. It has to be repeated for 44 days.

Me : Huh?! Ok then... U're fair and cute today, u're fair & cute yesterday, last week, last month... bla...bla... Hehehe.

Hubby : Yay! I'll be fair & cute, but u'll remain dark like a Tambi.

Me : Hahaha. U just said it... so, U'll get back what U give. U'll be a Tambi too.

p/s:
Hubby & I always argue who's fairer. On top of that, we claim the partner as the darker one! :P

Mok Su Jamal's daughter-in-law

Yesterday, Sham & I took little Cikebum to the clinic as his health was not improving - he vomitted in the car when I tried to breastfeed him. The Dr. prescribed some medicines and dehydration salt and off we went home.

Shortly after, when I tried feeding him the medicines, he expelled it out and spewed again. So, we rushed to the ER of the hospital. After about an hour, we met the Dr...and he just said that Cikebum could be lactulose-intolerant (or is it lactose intolerant?). Hmm...how is that possible while he doesn't consume formula? Anyway, he advised that I stop breastfeeding for a while and opt to soy-based formula. Whatever!

When we arrived home, despite feeling sleepy, we had a very late dinner in front of the TV while watching Saving Private Ryan.Don't be surprised...that was my first time watching this movie, though people have talked about it since 10 years ago. Haha! Well, apparently there's Tom Hanks- and I tend to stay put when he's acting. So, I watched till the end.

Throughout the 2 hrs (I watched halfway), I kept criticizing and condemning.
The main cast being condemned by me was Corporal Timothy E. Upham (Jeremy Davies), who is attached to the squad as a language translator. Though exposed to the horror of war for the first time, he shouldn't be such a coward!
"Eee..marah betul aku. Lembab! Chicken-hearted! Bodoh! "

I remember the scene he was standing on the staircase where shell shock and fear paralyzed him such that he could not lift a finger to help and the German walked past him. He was so ignobly timid and faint-hearted! Poltroon!

"Huh! Takde Tel*r ke? Eee...teruknya dia nie! What a malicious pussilanimous!"
Sham said..."U see, that's what happens in life, one bad apple can ruin the whole group. It happens in our daily lives too, whether or not we realize it"

Yes, in this case, Upham fails in his duty to deliver ammunition.

Sissy boy! Craven! Toksah hidup la kalo macam ni...

A few mins before the war ended, Upham was so enraged that he leaped up and gunned down a German.
Why la this guy?Is that all he could do? After a pool of blood is wasted? Buduh! Buduh!

That was it... and at the end of the movie, Sham looked at me. Rubbing my head, he said "Sayang abang ni.. kalau tengok citer, memang semangat. Sebijik macam Mok Su Jamal (his mom). Abang saja je biar tadi..tengok Sayang sedar tak yang Sayang tengah semangat mengutuk. Hahaha."
(This honey of mine, she's so peppy when watching films. Just like Mok Su Jamal. I purposely let u speak up bcoz u were so carried away with dissatisfaction. Hahaha)

I was so malu... Hahaha. Hampeh sungguh laki ku!
Yes, that's the truth... when she look after me during the confinement, we watched a lot of movies/dramas together, and with a grin, Sham would say "Elok la tu...dah kena sangat la dua-dua orang ni...macam pengulas/pengkritik filem."
(Suits u two well. Both of u are like professional film critics)

Talking about criticizing films/dramas on TV, I remember those younger days...when I was still a student, we watched Secreto De Amor (the Venezuela telenovela). It was so annoying and ridiculous that all guys would be attracted to the Maria Clara, and all girls would envy her. Besides, the stupid Maria Clara kept going for Carlos Raul although he cheated on her while Lisandro is a much better catch.


Funny, right? I know it's pesky, yet I kept watching. Haha. Just my two cents worth, I think this telenovela would be better if they make Maria Clara a bit smarter.

Well, what to do? After all, I am Mok Su Jamal's daughter-in-law :P

"Crying over spilled milk"...

The title of the post might reflect that I am regretting over something that is already lost. Well, actually...it really means the literal way.

After the Programme Meeting just now, I rushed to perform ablution for Solat Asar...and went to the pantry to get the bottle of milk I pumped earlier this morning.
Unfortunately, I couldn't find it in the freezer. I sat in front of the opened fridge...staring and wondering where could I have misplaced it?
Sabri entered the pantry and asked me and I told him. Then, I saw my empty milk bottle next to the sink. Blank & blur, I walked out with the bottle in my hand.

Upon seeing me, Mimi & Kak Aida asked whether I have already been informed of what has happened. Then only I was told...they found the milk spilt on the floor this afternoon (covered with old newspaper). Two names were mentioned as the so-called-culprit, seen tiptoeing out of the pantry.
One of the idiots were there...and he only came nearer to say (read: not to confess) "Oh...I opened the freezer and the bottle just rolled out. I tried to call u, but the line was unreachable".

Yes...that's it. No apologies! No other things.
Maybe it's my fault for hoping him to apologize. But at least, doesn't he feel guilty...or ashamed?

I couldn't stop my tears anymore.
Even if Adam turned around while breastfeeding, I would be angry...
Even if less than 1oz of milk is spilt, I'd feel sad...
What more in this case? I remember being so proud with the >8oz of milk after pumping it this morning.

Well, maybe it's not little Adam's rezeki...but, I can't take it because the idiot didn't even say sorry. He should have smsed me when he couldn't get me on the phone, so that I'll get to know it earlier.
People are just ignorant, aweless and disrespectful! #$*%$@$%&%@#$%^%$@$%!

Yes...I am being hostile here...so what?

Endau and MIL's koleh kacang

Back to Endau for a few days... Not really for a holiday, but as usual...we couldn't really relax as in my hometown. There were too many things to do.

Plus, I had to listen to the lengthy rebuke. I thought we were advanced enough to standby a tin of formula (so they don't blame us for fully rellying on brest milk). Unfortunately, they were expecting us to start feeding Adam with semi-solid food. (Hello, it's my boy...I know what I'm doing). Gosh!

Anyway, Sham & I had the chance to leave Adam with MIL for a while, and off we went to Penyabong. Hehehe. Bila lagi nak rasa macam zaman bercinta?

There was nothing much, but we could breathe the fresh air while holding hands...just like the honeymoon days. Oh yes... and to have some crazee pix taken too! :P

Other than that, My MIL conducted a small 'kenduri' ... she was busy with her authentic 'koleh kacang' that she claimed was the one and only one in Semanyir. Hahaha...
Good that she proved to me she was right! I have never liked 'koleh kacang'...but hers, I could eat more than 3 pieces!

The funny part was while we were reciting Yasin, Kak Mie rushed outside to get Haziq who was lying near the drain (his legs were in the drain, but his upper body was lying on the floor). There was nothing wrong- he just felt asleep while playing. Hahaha... Teruk betul :P

When will the cord fall off?

That day...

MIL: Why is Adam’s umbilical cord hasn’t dried?

Me : It will dry soon, Mak.

MIL: How many days has it been?

Me : Let it be. When the time comes, it will drop la…

MIL : Ye la…but people say, if it takes too long, the baby will become stubborn as he grows.

Me : Apa pulak? It’s not in any verse of the Quran kan?

(Dalam hati: How could it dry easily when some suggest to use the alcohol to clean/sterilize, while she uses talcum powder?)

Being the emotional mom in confinement, I texted Abah and told him.

As expected, Abah consoled me by agreeing with my words.

Day 12.

MrHubby brought Cikebum into the room after bathing him. As we were toweling him dry…

MrHubby : Eh, the cord is off his body.

Me : Good. Puas hati aku!

MrHubby : Don’t tell Mak. Let her realize on her own.

Me : Okay.

The next day…

MIL : Eh, where’s his cord? Rie, quick…find it! It might have dropped somewhere.

MrHubby : Alaaa, Mak! We knew, it dropped yesterday.

MIL : Really. Oh…good. Make sure u keep it.

MrHubby : Sure.

Me : U see, Mak. It purposely waited for Nuzul Quran. Isn’t that better?

MIL : Iye lah…

Eheh… jahat x mulut aku?