Confidante

July 24, 2011

Khadeeja Khairil

This post is dedicated to my newly-born sister who is 2 days today..

She was born on 22 July 2011 at 10.06pm and weighs 2.85kg.

The name given is the beautiful Khadeeja Khairil, also the name of our Opah and wife of our beloved Prophet Rasulullah SAW.

Honestly Khadeeja, given the circumstances of our family, when your mother was pregnant, I did not give much thought as to how I would feel when you would leave your mummy's womb and into the world.

Abah was on the driveway when I bumped into him that night you were born. He was in the car, engine on, smoking, when I asked him "Abah nak gi mana?" He looked at me with that innocent look and replied "To the hospital. Someone nak deliver". Emotionless, I said "Oh". Abah did ask me to come along, but I declined. This was around 9pm.

I did not think much afterwards.

Around 10.30pm, as I was sorting out pictures on my laptop, I received a BBM msg from Abah. The next thing I knew I was looking at your very first picture, and before I can think of anything, I was crying because....I am in love.

I could not content myself from crying because you are so beautiful, so untouched, so pure and innocent, and it is just impossible to not care about you.

I was even crying profusely on the phone when I talked to my boyfriend, Hilmi, who was kind enough to drive me to DEMC so I can meet you on the first day you were born. It was near midnight, he has to work on the next day and so I could not thank him enough.

True enough, I was in love and I could not stop looking at you and feel so lucky that now, we have 3 girls in the family to match up to the 3 boys.

(See my mata yang lebam from all the crying..hehe malu je)

Diyana Khairil (04.09.1987)

Khalis Khairil (24.08.1991)

Khaliff Khairil (09.11.1996)

Khafiz Khairil (30.09.1998)

Ellynna Khairil (25.01.2001)

Khadeeja Khairil (22.07.2011)

You were born through an emergency C-section, and because your tali pusat was wrapped around your face, mummy's doctor needed to dig you out with a spatula, and hence the marks on your face and your head. But today, the marks are slowly disappearing. See your pretty pictures above. =)

So..welcome to the Khairil's family. PS: We are very dysfunctional, but with lots of love, Abah reminded me that night that he loves each and everyone of us. Praise to Allah for making you a healthy baby, and Praise to Allah for your arrival in our family.

Whatever decisions our parents make, whatever problems that should come, whatever tests that this family should have to face, I will make sure that all our brothers and sisters will stick together, like a really cool team. <3

By the time you read this, I think you will understand who your mother is, who Kakak Elly's mother is, and who my mother is, but you will also understand that we are FAMILY.

You are a Khairil, and therefore will always forever be my baby sister. Just like Kakak Elly.

With Unconditional Love, Kak Diyana.

July 11, 2011

10 Things I wanna do before I die

1) Perform the Hajj.
2) Belajar menjahit.
3) Paint on a canvas, the result has to be good enough to become a painting in my room.
4) Ride a Ducati, probably a Monster, coz I'm not tall enough. Not a pillion, but the actual rider.
5) Be a barrista at Starbucks, just because I love coffee so much, I need to learn how to make good coffee.
6) Take a diving course, and actually dive in the open waters of Sipadan. Scary.
7) Volunteer for a good cause. Eg: Mercy Malaysia, Teach for Malaysia, or even a Gaza human rights activist. O__o
8) Learn Opah's rendang. Can't believe I still don't know how to make this.
9) Visit Switzerland, New Zealand, South Africa, and etc (countries with GREAT landscape).
10) TICK ALL OF THE ABOVE. THIS IS A BONUS.

July 6, 2011

Bridesmaid

Can't wait for my bridesmaid dress for Fateen's wedding to be completed with these buttons. Pippa was my inspiration for the lovely buttons. Simple yet elegant. =)

July 5, 2011

Syahrir Nurdin

Both dresses: By Syahrir Nurdin.

They are perfect for both of us even from the first fitting. No expensive and fine kain needed, the designer had managed to work with these difficult materials (mine was embroidered net, and the embroidery is like wire) with no complaint (I've heard designer stories who would fuss over clients' cheap kain).

He even designed both of the piece:

My top was cropped diagonally to give a slight tilt to my left, yet the border was still even. My skirt had quite a big flare, which I have never ever in my life would think I can pull it off. He even reassured me and insisted profusely that I was not fat when I was doubtful whether the short top and flared skirt will look ok on me.

My mum's trims at the bottom and side were neatly placed and sewed together to form the frame of her lovely jubah.

This is simply to say, Syahrir Nurdin managed to wow us with true designer and tailor skills, with little of our own imagination.

Hence why I wanted to post this up so much; I think designers like Syahrir Nurdin should be recognised and publicised positively, even better than those stuck-up and overpriced ones. Hopefully the hospitality will remain as he becomes famous amongst the ladies (professionally of course). The trip to his boutique at Shah Alam Mall that cost us RM350 each dress was worth every ringgit.

June 30, 2011

A Date with the Prime Minister (By YCM)

(Monday, 27th June 2011, Intercontinental Hotel KL)

My lack of interest in the Malaysian political arena, or in fact, any politically-infused matter had not stopped me from wanting to meet Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Being above 21 and below 30, I knew I should grab this FREE chance to hear our PM's address to the "young corporate Malaysians" (as an ex-auditor, I believe I am eligible), and true enough, I was amazed by his eloquent speech and how honest and realistic his replies were to questions from the floor.

Apart from seeing our PM in person, me being me, I get excited and tend to focus more when he talked without a text, and with such clarity, proficiency in English, and perfect choice of words, that I am now a fan. Oh yes, I think I am a fan of PM Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Not to mention I got to capture a picture of him smiling at me (below) or maybe he was just a smiley guy, yes?

Ok, moving on from the smile. On a more serious note, key sensitive issues were highlighted by audiences, which included the evergreen issue of tax on imported cars, call for younger members of the parliament, ISA and AUKU, rising property prices and cost of living (inflation and in comparison with the UK), IPP contracts, and also the education industry (from teachers' incentive scheme, call for creativity and innovation-based subjects, and the need for existing vernacular schools). Loads of comparison with the UK because I think most of the YCM members graduated from the UK.

As for the PM, he provided insights on how the ETP came about, along with how the 6 NKEAs, 12 SRIs, and of course, the concept of 1Malaysia.

All I can say is WOAH. I was quite a listener though, apart from the ocassional distraction from Syafiq about his personal savings (Syafiq! sorry you know i love ya xoxo). I applaud the young corporate Malaysians for having the courage to ask these sensitive questions. I would have to enrol in Toastmasters Club first before I think I can ask these questions.

If any of you wonder what are some of the terms above, haha no worries, I had to google some of them also for more in-depth info.

Summary of answers here: http://mymindajutawan.wordpress.com/2011/06/28/young-corporate-malaysians-an-evening-with-the-prime-minister-dato-sri-najib-razak/

Overall, this was my personal version of crash course of the Malaysian economy.

Read up!

June 24, 2011

Midnight Cravings

This is what happens when you are a student again, and it's your semester break. I tend to have midnight cravings to write, but I'll pay when I wake up at 12pm tomorrow, hate!

Despite waking up late, I managed to tick each and everything on my to-do list today! Accomplishment!

1) Picked up my baju kurung moden from Kak Su!

It fits me PERFECTLY. I am also proud that I invented a multi-purpose sleeve for this baju, n Kak Su was good a tailor to realise my wish, exactly how I imagined it to be! More ideas for baju kurung to come! (I am seriously considering learning how to sew, and opening up my own baju kurung tailor shop with creative partner, Syaza!

2) Sent recyclables to recycling centre Dewan MBSA Sec11, Shah Alam.

Due to ACCA exam, (alasan), I had no time (or more like I suck at multi-tasking) to send recycling items to the centre. The fact that the centre only opens on Thursdays limits my time even further. This shows the lack of recycling habits of Shah Alam citizens and how unappealing recycling is. I dont blame them, because there should be more centres which open on more days in a week. When people start noticing these places, they would invite themselves to start recycling perhaps. It's true you know, coz I only started recycling when I knew (from a friend, and not from advertisements or campaigns) that there was a centre for it. This gives me an idea, maybe I should volunteer to start a campaign with MBSA. Hurmmm...sedekah jariah for our future generation.

This is 2 months of recyclables. Imagine how significant our contributions back to mother nature if every households make the initiate to recycle. I couldn't have done it without mama and bibik Sara.

3) Change my BB Internet Plan

Dear Maxis, you are a public-listed company, you shouldn't reap off excessive profits from customers. Maybe you should learn the business etiquettes of a Muslim, we shall not make excessive margins, or at least knowingly so, because wealth is not entirely ours, we have to share (ok preaching mode kejap).

Since I bought BB with Maxis, I was entitled to a free and unlimited one year BIS (Blackberry Internet Service) which had expired last April. Subsequently, Maxis, being very opportunistic and unfair, absorbed me into the most expensive Internet Plan; the BB Advanced. Even the Maxis agent at the counter was surprised I was in that plan.

(Debab just jumped onto my bed and wants to play...so comel!)

I had to constantly pay RM100 every 10 days to avoid my phone from being barred. And this is when I don't even call anyone that much. Ridiculous!

So, alhamdulillah now I've switched to BB Standard which costs me only RM55 a month.
Here's to cheaper bills in July! YES!

4) Bought Blue Ocean Strategy

Post Melaka, I am broke. But apparently not broke enough when I decided to buy Blue Ocean Strategy book. So I have been told it's a highly recommended read, even according to my own father.

Why now? Because I saw Adele's video clip in her home and I want a shelf full of books, just like hers. Hence, I am now beyond broke!

5) Bought Rendang Padang

I felt so jolly (ok, now Debab is biting off newspapers in my room, aiyyah!) that I could not resist the aroma of SACC Mall's LG Rendang Padang.

True enough, everyone in my house loves it, because RM12 worth of daging n rendang are safely processing in our tummies. Habis licin!

6) Debab loves cherries too!

Debab the Rabbit must have been the most pampered rabbit alive, because not only does he not live in his cage (his cage is for toilet activities n where his food is), he is also fed biscuits, chocolates, cereals, bananas, rambutans, and now CHERRIES? Fresh from Australia, thanks to Fateen! Like owner, like rabbit!