The Hello Kitty cake which I've mentioned. Background pictures of the family: my brother in his younger years with my granny, my mum with my granny, and me atop a stone lion. Let the pictures do the talking.
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3 stalks in a bouquet everyday - every lady will be spoilt for sure.
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One red rose for every lady says how much you love her!
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Lovely flowers say very much of the sender and receiver. Sweet Bliss.
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Two French tarts awaiting to be mauled by two hungry attackers. French tarts are so sweet that it's so irresistable.
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Assalamua'laikum.

1. RAYA PUNYA HAL.

Diam punya diam, dah masuk hari ke-empat belas kami berpuasa pada bulan Ramadhan ini. Kalau buatkan diam lagi, mata pejam-celik, raya pun dah nak dekat. Lagi dua minggu Syawal kan tiba. Mendiang jatuhnya bulan mulia Syawal itu, semua ummah Muslim akan bergembira raya. Makan ketupat, lemang, lontong, nasi briyani, lauk-pauk bermacam hidangan serta pilihan kuih-muih yang menarik. Kalau sebut sahaja pasal raya, satu misi yang tertakluk di minda adalah - MAKAN.

Tapi, memandangkan kami masih dalam awasan berpuasa ni, perkara penting yang harus diutamakan adalah berjimat. Namun, apalah puasa tu kalau sikap tamak haloba tu masih bergiat di hati. Puasa seharusnya menjadi sesuatu yang manis bagi kita, ia memberi sesebuah kegembiraan di dalam hati. Puasa yang ikhlas membawa berkat. Puasa juga adalah satu 'big training ground' bagi sekian ummah. It's also an evaluation for the end of your living life. If you know what I mean.

So, di dalam pertengahan bulan Ramadhan ni, aku pun teringatkan jugak tentang persiapan raya. Rumah mesti nak tersergam indah, siapa yang tidak begitu? Orang dulu-dulu kalau nak sampai raya aje, mesti beli cat. Cat minyak berkilat. Bila orang kunjung rumah waktu raya, definitely bau cat. Kedua, langsir. Amboi, langsir, jangan bantah kata tidak pada makcik-makcik tentang langsir, boleh jadi gaduh. Si dia ni langsir lebih grand dari dia tu, langsir punya corak dan warna tak boleh sama dengan rumah sebelah, boleh jadi gaduh besar. Hai lah orang melayu. Next, pasal kuih pulak. Pada para ibu yang amat rajin mencetak, mensemprit, menyepit dan menekan kuih-muih lazat, saya berikan 100 markah. Pada yang membeli kuih 'instant' dari gerai, saya nasihatkan, pergi belajar skill buat kuih raya. In fact, rumahku pun ada satu atau dua kuih yang dibeli, itu pun kerana mummy ku sedang tekun dengan bisnes kuih tart dan kuih makmur.

Aku mengeluh sejenak. Hari raya - a day so special and filled with blessings can be so ardous.The preparations of it is overwhelming. Mana nak sediakan baju raya, kuih raya, bunga raya, dekorasi raya, duit raya, lauk raya, sewa bas raya. Aku pun raya sorang-sorang dengan famili dan orang yang terdekat aje, masih belum bersuami atau beranak, yet semangat raya tu berkobar. Bila aku ingat-ingat kembali waktu beraya masa kanak-kanak dan remaja, misinya hanya adalah - DUIT COLLECTION.

Zaman telah berlalu, trend pun sudah berlalu, dimakan dek masa. Demikian menunggu setibanya 1 haribulan Syawal tahun 1425 Hijiriah, aku rasa amat manis penantian itu.

2. TURNING 28 YEARS ON 28TH.

Today is the favourite day of my life. Being a birthdate which falls this day, I am thankful to my mother for bringing me into this world. She should be the happiest person today because she had given birth safely this very day. Yesterday she gave me a Hello Kitty birthday cake. I smiled at that childish side of her. She knew my favourite things then and now and little things such as these can lighten up the heart.

I shared my joy with Brader Borhan (Urbankarma) because 2 days back, he and Mrs had received their new born baby boy, Andreas. And that makes that boy another Scorpion. I share their joys.

Every minute today is a surprise for me. Some evil thinkings have turned out true. I was planning to shrink my boss out of her winning stakes. I felt today is the right time. While I was busy with office work, she came up to me with a spanking RED packet. (!) I was taken in for good shock. We almost cried together. How funny when the power of the mind keeps going true. I have not pried open the packet yet.

Now, if the packet contains:- a). 10,000 dollars : I will bring my friends on a holiday. b) 100,000 dollars : I will grab my favourite motorbike immediately, plus full insurance coverage. c) 1,000 dollars : I will embark on a raya shopping, which makes my story go back to clause number 1.

There, there now, never ever be greedy. Be a good girl and may all things be fine and bliss. Bless us, God.

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

DEAR SOMEONE...

Someone is buying a powerboat craft soon. I'm so thrilled at that. This should mean more fishing trips ahead. I asked, "Is it for my birthday?" . That someone chuckled. "It's something we could utilise for leisure and business," replied the person. Upon that, it's time for my PPCDL course. This is something which I have to overtake, for me to overcome my fear of the big sea. I have been real afraid of deep depths. I should start to embrace the deep waters lest I'll be a paranoia.

At the other end, someone is busy thinking and planning about a group trip. That someone will include someone and the other someone will probably include someone else and someone else will get someone others in the trip. It could be fun or otherwise. I somehow stay cool, for that someone will somehow abide by my rules and tactics of the game. It could be fun not otherwise. It's been a long while since I've earned some mileage points onto my Krisflyer card anyway. And evermore, I'm so longing to revel again at my favourite playground.

Someone is really having a birthday today. I feel happy for someone to deserve this day and my plain and simple wishes go to that someone. No fancy cards or colourful confetti for that someone, just kind uplifting words. Truly I am happy for someone to share the same birth month as mine.

A Happy Birthday to all Librans and Scorpions. Many more happy, healthy years ahead! God bless you.

Wondering whether singtel has misplaced my birthday mail treat? Where is it?

Wassalam.

someone is feeling good, someone is feeling bad, someone is feeling happy, someone is feeling grieved, someone is feeling lost, someone is feeling fine, someone is feeling sick, someone is feeling overwhelmed, someone is feeling down, someone is feeling cranky, someone is feeling joyous, someone is feeling negative, someone is feeling superb, someone is feeling upset... It's all in the matter of your mind.

Assalamua'laikum.

First and foremost - Herewith I wish all Muslim brothers and sisters a great Ramadhan month ahead. May every goodwill be blessed through and through!

*Dang!Dang!Dang!*
I hit my head against the office desk. Sighed, I can never gain the troubleshooting prowess of my home p.c., so far and beyond my manual abilities. Demons have made dwellings in the partition boards, only holy water (not!) could douce them away. Again, I'm being attacked by that "NT Authority\win32\Isass.exe" messages day in, day out! I'm already vegetable by now...

Office is my access to blogger right now. Somehow though, between blogging and working at the same time calms me down a bit. I am less agitated.

Fasting month....
Here it is again for its 1425th year in running since Hijriah. On a more spiritual side, it's been said that, around the corner of Ramadhan months, your loved ones in memorium returns a while to homes of their families to make a visit. My late Ya'i dropped by. Have been an emotional period when he left in 1989.

Imps like me die hard. But when it comes to Ramadhan, it's time for some downtune, subdued, angelic, almost pious activities. (Don't laugh.)

Other vigorous activities will really be in a cease. Things like, gigs, for instance. As you can see most organizers/musicians/staffs are muslims, the scene will be relaxed for a while. The last gig before Ramadhan was on Sunday the 10th of October at Simei. Fellow schoolmate and organiser, Fai, has in his success, completed the gig and he's brimming with smiles from ear to ear. It was downright rowdy (traditionally) yet when it wraps up, it's a rewarding experience for everybody. Lived up to its theme, Xtreme Music.

Henceforth, I wish everyone a Happy Fasting. And take good care.

Wassalam.

Assalamua'laikum.

MY OCTOBERFEST.

It has been one eclectic weekend. My mum's 46th birthday (Semangat 46 I call it) was on Saturday and we had gone for a makan trip at Johore. A whole day of rambling had taken place on that hot afternoon. I swear, I am so fatigued after that. Over at Johore, I can't seem to get away from the same set of food each time my visit resumes. It's always beef kway teow and starfruit juice. The beef kway teow is definitely different from S'pore shops; generous slices of cooked ginger, good therapeutic values for my migraine, don't forget the liquidified egg in the gravy..mmm..even the beef is tender.

With Saturday over, Sunday comes. The enjoyment of a longer sleep on a Sunday mid-morning has to be interrupted. An annual family prayers was to be held at an aunt's place. And my, food's a-bounty. A bountiful harvest of various dishes is present, 9 types of accompaniments. Events such as these are normal for the whole family and relatives to prepare the beautiful dishes, which makes me enjoy every of it. However so, we always do render our manual help in the kitchen and it spells f-a-t-i-g-u-e, really! Food & beverage department at home is fun yet requires a lot of hardwork.

Sunday's torment isn't over yet - I quickly slipped away after the prayers to attend another event that spells h-a-v-o-c. And this time, it's to give support to:
1). Vialli's participating band, Blumodonomo,
2). Urbankarma's performance, though I've missed the 5pm slot,
3). AMUK's live concert.

The 'S'pore Battle of the Bands' final competition was held at Pasir Ris' downtown east, under a large white tentage, a rather fabulous venue. The majority who attended are in for one ultimate treat - AMUK live in concert, similar to mine. The band competition finals provide entertainment otherwise, with two or three good bands to comply as having quality to perform live and draw response.

The live concert featuring AMUK, metal band from Malaysia. Can I say they are good? They are best! They already have a following here. The fans sang along in zest, like anthems. Amuk's members are in black eye masks, exuding a mysterious look for the band. Had there been a wrestling federation here in Malay Peninsular, they could be the leading music accompaniments to it. Because they play excellent and they definitely have the flavour metal in their servings. Audience interaction with live performing bands are important and Bandi on vocals, did just that. They really grind the house down!

The aftermath of experiencing a high-pitch shrilling performance definitely has its results. I am feeling heavy, lack of sleep has caused it. I have black eye-rings and right now my body is screaming help. I need to chill away..... 'Rock Never Dies' and 'Metal Forever' - oh, please give me a second's break.

Wassalam.