DeepaRaya 2007 / Visting My Friends

Last Friday on the 26th of Oct, my office held a DeepaRaya celebration. It was the 1st time we had it, I don't recall having one in previous years. Loads of food and goodies! We had nasi lemak, lontong, nuggets and chicken wing (these two was cooked by Maz on the spot!), cocktail, ice-cream...I also brought my kueh and crackers.

Notice the 2 cakes at the far end of the table? We also celebrated the birthday of the two October babies, Maz and Novin!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY DEAR FRIENDS. Two of the nicest people on the face of the earth. Need I say more?

Uncle Hussein, the Ketupat King himself did a demo on how to fold the ketupat using the coconut leaves. Some of my non-Muslim colleagues managed to follow the steps and did the folding like an expert! Now let me find my hole to dig and crawl in, while waiting for the embarassment to die away....

Rebecca in Action!

With my bestest buddies ~ 7 years of friendship

More pictures at http://www.kylenkyra.multiply.com/

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Yesterday on Sunday, my family together with my in-laws went visiting to about 10 houses! From 11am till 11pm! No joke, 12 hours of marathon visiting. Furthermore with the 2 kiddos, it is really extra tiring.

The obligatory shot before setting off


The 1st two houses we visited were of my bestest babes!

1st house of the Day: My darling Yasmin!

Her crib looks so gorgeous and comfortable. I wanted to stay longer and enjoy the delicious food (I wanted to try the noodles, but forgot!) and ambience, but we had to move along. Everything was done in good taste and yasmin and aguss were exceptionally wonderful hosts! Haha, now you know how active my son is right? But he likes you a lot!

Her baby is due around Kyle's birthday! Haha...so aim for 26th Jan okay! Hope to see you again!

Next House, Siti Mariamah's! This is another lucky gal who moved into her new house without much renovation. So lucky! Thanks sis for the delicious briyani and warm hospitality from you, Din and MIL. Hope everything will turn out fine in the coming weeks. Remember that I am always here for you babe.

And after that my camera went dead on me! Boo!

But I had a wonderful time with my lovelies :)

It's Party Time!

Been wanting to update on Kyra's birthday party which was held on Sat 20th Oct but was insanely bogged down with work and also I have not been feeling well. Was on MC on monday. Came back to work yesterday and geez, it feels like I was away for month! So many things to do! I really am desperate to get out of this hell hole, any recommendations for a highly-paid but mostly shake-leg type of job, anyone? Dream on, girl.

Anyway~on the 18th of Oct, which is Kyra's actual birthdate, we had a mini celebration just with the family. Bought a cake for her and my maid. I also bought my maid a Titus watch, on discount of course, but it was still quite pricey. Just because of that, my colleague asked me whether SHE can become my maid.

The Birthday Gals

The brothers could not resist but join in the fun.

To many more years of happiness, eh, my princess?

Moving on to the Open House/Birthday celebration, I wish to thank my relatives and friends who took the time and trouble to come. It was great meeting everyone again. Special thanks to Zaiton Muslim Food http://www.fazspice.com/About.html for the catering. Great reviews from my guests.

Good thing Kyra was not cranky during the cake-cutting ceremony! All poised like a natural princess! She did not even struggle to take off her crown, hee! Anyway, everything went well and thanks mummy and daddy and hubby for helping me arrange the whole thing. Tiring, you know! Thank god it is only once a year!

More pictures at my multiply www.kylenkyra.multiply.com

Btw, yesterday received news from my brother that his wife is pregnant! Yippie! I am going to become an aunt again! I hope it's a princess this time for them.

Is it just me or is it everyone I know is currently pregnant? Anyway congrats Regina!

The 1st Milestone

Today my princess turns ONE! My gosh, times really flies. Wasn't it only yesterday that she had her 1st cry? I still cannot believe that she is already one and that Kyle is turning 3 next January. Aiyoh, I am so old! Anyway, let's re-cap Kyra's birth story:

The year was 2006. It was during the fasting month in October and I was still a week short of my elective C-section date, which was 23rd Oct 06. On the 18th of Oct, I had to go KK for my last check-up before the operation. The day went well, I had breakfast at home and I had already informed my office that I would come to work in the afternoon after my check-up. Upon arrival at KK at about 10.30am, the nurses checked the heart-rate of my baby first before I could see the doctor. Dr Yeap, my gynae was on leave and thus another doctor took her place. I can't quite remember her name, but she told me that my baby's heart rate was very fast. Are you feeling excited, she asked me? I said no, nothing was making me excited at the time. Then she said that I was to do the heart rate procedure again and if the results is still the same, the baby will be taken out that very day itself!! I was stumped.

I was praying hard that the delivery would not be today. Because, firstly, I was so unprepared! No hospital bag, no ward papers. 2ndly, I have not fully hand-over to my colleagues. How can I just leave them like that? Again, the 2nd procedure showed that my baby's heart rate was dramatically increasing. The doctor announced that I was to deliver today and she would call Dr Yeap to come back from her leave to perform the operation. I wanted to cry as I called Mummy and hubby. He was marking PSLE exam papers and had to seek permission to leave the school. He still had to cheek to ask me whether I was for real. I told him to go home 1st and get my clothes, medicine and my hospital papers.

In the meantime, I was pushed to the delivery ward. It was about 1pm. Stripped my clothes and I wore the hospital gown. I was also put on drip and I was not allowed to eat or drink anything. Damn, I thought, no lunch and I was so hungry. The best thing they could give me was ice cubes. Hubby finally reached the hospital, yay! Felt so good to see the father of my baby. Dr Yeap also came by to check on me and I apologised to her as she had to come back to 'work'. She laughed it off and said what to do, your baby cannot wait to see the world! I told her that I want Hubby to be in the operating room with me.

So at about 2.30pm, they pushed me on the trolley bed to the operating room. Unlike Kyle, I had hubby with me this time round so I was not so nervous. The anesthesian came and gave me an epidural. He was a very nice man, and kept encouraging me throughout the birth process. The nurses came and secured my arms so that they won't be flailing about, and a green cloth was placed in front of me to prevent me from seeing what the doctors are doing to my belly. I was already numb from mid-waist down and thus I could not feel anything. Hubby held my hand throughout the whole process, I knew that he was scared, but this is a one in lifetime experience and I am happy that he wants to share the moment with me.

The doctor first makes a 10-12cm slit at the bikini line and proceeded to cut through the amniotic sac before reaching the baby. At about 3.15pm, I heard the Dr Yeap say, Ok dear, we are going to pull your baby out, you will just feel a bit of sensation but no pain. I then felt the doctors rocking my belly and pressing it down and after a few times, baby Kyra Amelia was born! She weighed 2.7kg. Alhamdullilah. Dr Yeap showed me my baby, covered with white and sticky mucus and the nurse quickly took her away and cleanse her. Hubby grabbed the opportunity to pray in her ears and took a few photos. After that the doctors stitched me up for another half an hour. During the stitching, the nurse brought Kyra to me so that I can smell and kiss her. Heavenly! I am so blessed. Isn't she perfect?

Dearest princess, Mama, Ayah and Abang wish you a very happy birthday. May you grow healthy, happy and smart and always be respectful to others. We love you very much.

Also, today is my maid's birthday. She has been a great help and we appreciate her so much, she has become a part of the family. Happy Birthday Mia!

Happy Hari Raya Weekend

Selamat Hari Raya to All!


It was a tiring but happy raya weekend. This year's theme, as you can see is white. Here we look all pristine and angelic, but believe me, my heart was praying that the kids dun spill any rendang on their white outfits! At the end of the day, all was well, apart from the occasional spill from their water bottles.

I realise that I am more emotional this year. I cried haplessly while seeking forgiveness from my parents and hubby. I guess I have come to realise that my parents are not getting any younger and all the more I appreciate their presence and patience with my kids and also myself. Hubby is always there for me, tolerating my nonsense and my moods, and working hard for our family. The sacrifices my parents and hubby have made for me, I am indebted for life.

Every year after fasting and losing the unwanted kilos, I gained back the weight on the 1st day of Hari Raya itself. This year was no different. How to resist? All the ketupat, rendang, seronding, chilli chicken, cakes etc! My mum-in-law made mee soto, yummy! On the second day of visiting, we ate so much at different houses I felt so sleepy and bloated. Also, I realise that during the fasting month, I was very healthy and I did not feel the usual joint pains or swellings on my legs and hands. However, during Hari Raya, the pain came back. This goes to show that fasting is indeed good for the body and I really should control my diet more.

You can view more Hari Raya pictures at my multiply: http://www.kylenkyra.multiply.com/

I have been busy preparing for Kyra's 1st birthday. Things left to do:

1. Get ready the kids' party packs

2. Put up birthday decorations

3. Stock up on chicken wings

The kids are already so geared up for the party!


Can't you tell?

The Final Countdown

Ahhh...the final day of fasting...bliss :) It has been a fulfilling month. I survived! Apart from the monthly visit from YOU-KNOW-WHO, the rest of the days of fasting went on smoothly. It helps that this year I have a maid, who faithfully wakes up at 4.30am every day to prepare food for the whole family. And when we reach home, the dining table is already set up. We just have to sit around waiting for the correct time to stuff our empty stomachs! I am really blessed and I could not have asked for more. Initially I was afraid of getting a maid no thanks to all the horror stories I heard or read about them. But God is really kind to me and family, he brought Mia to us and she is really patient, hardworking and committed. She is never lazy, treats all of us with great respect and also, she takes care of my kids and nephew just like her own. I treat her just like my own family. Mummy adores her, even tailoring 4 sets of baju kurung for her to wear during Hari Raya.

Speaking of baju kurungs, I am a tad disappointed this year. As I was pressed for time and my favourite tailor at Bukit Panjang does not accept late requests, I had to no choice but to send my materials to mummy's friend's niece in JB. I collected them two days ago, and I am not very happy with the result. The cutting was unflattering and the pattern was different from the one I has drawn for her. Hubby's suit also did not turn out right, the pants was too tight. Sigh...mummy said she would help me alter tonight, so hopefully it will turn out ok. But Im telling you, that is the last time I am going to JB to tailor my Hari Raya clothes.

Today I am in such a good mood, cos we Muslims knock off at noon today! Hehe, will proceed to do some shopping later and then go home and clean my room! It is such a pigsty! I have 3 kids at home (including my nephew) and they love playing in my room and thus my bedroom is never clean for long. Toys and even food crumbs everywhere! My to-do list is now:

1. Buy Kyra a white dress

2. Buy Kyle his songkok

3. Collect kueh from sis-in-law

Almost everything is done. I am just waiting to stuff myself silly with all the rendang and ketupat tomorrow. Ha, there goes my weight loss of 2kg this fasting month. I think I will gain back those 2kg and more on the 1st day of raya itself. Anyway, I just want to wish all my Muslim friends and relatives:

Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

Salah Silap Mohon Diampun. Jemput Datang Ke Rumah Nanti!

As for the non-Muslims, enjoy the holidays!

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Me and hubby watched our 1st show at the Esplanade yesterday. That's right, after years of hanging out at the Marina Waterfront, from our dating days to the present with two kids, only NOW we go and see a show there! Actually, it is not that I do not want to, but tickets can be bit pricey, and the shows there can be too arty farty for me. I do not really know how to enjoy ballets, symphony orchestra music or opera. But I love concerts, broadway musicals and plays. Not many of these kind of shows take place at the Esplanade, they are usually at the Indoor Stadium or other smaller venues.

So what finally made me loosen my purse strings? Just one name, KUMAR! Haha, I am already laughing at the man (or woman) just looking at his (or her) face! I always like his stand-up comedy even since I saw him at Boom Boom Room a few years back. Always thought this guy has talent and wit. The show was Hilarious with a capital H. The show was meant for mature audiences above 18. It had sexual content, contains racism, religion and political remarks. But it was done with great humour. We should really learn how to laugh at ourselves and not be so uptight about every little thing. Me and hubby laughed so hard during the show. I hope to see more of Kumar soon on our screens.

Ok, just 5 more days to Hari Raya. Here is my to-do list by Friday:

1. Change 'hongbao' money for kids at the bank
2. Collect my bajus from the tailor
3. Get Kyra a white dress
4. Get Kyle his songkok
5. Collect kueh from my sis-in-law

Sigh...how I wish I can take leave for at least one day during this week! But I can't as this week is really such a busy one at work. I just have to perservere.

Preparations

Finally I have sent out invitations to Kyra's birthday to my close colleagues and friends. I am not inviting everyone I know as I wish to keep it personal and share the momentus event with people I can really connect with. Besides, I haven't counted hubby's friends as well as the relatives my parents and parents-in law are going to invite, so I figure the number can get quite big. I just hope the guests don't come around the same time, or else I will have trouble entertaining all of them at the same time. When that happens, I will just have to rely on Kyle to dance, hehe. He is quite a born entertainer.

Last Monday, on Children's Day, I took a day off to go JB with hubby. Managed to get a baju kurung for Kyle, in white, yay! It is so hard to get one in white, probably because white and kids do not go well together. But this year, our theme is black and white. So I desperately need to get the white set for him to match all our outfits. Kyra won't be in traditional wear this year, as she is far too small, and I worry that she will get hot and flustered. Believe me, it's an ugly sight and sound when that happens. So she will still be dressed in her gowns and light clothings. I have no idea how I am going to manage with my kebayas, heels and two screaming kids. I just hope by the end of the day's visiting, I do not look like a psycho! But no doubt I am still looking forward to Hari Raya! I can't wait for my bajus to be ready!!

Also bought bottled drinks and snacks to stock up for Hari Raya. I also rebonded my hair, cheap cheap, only about S$80. Hubby waited for about 3 hrs for my hair to get done, so sweet right? This is not the first time. A few years back, when I permed my hair, he waited for me for 5 hrs! And he even bought me food and drinks :) I love u bie.

I hope to go to Concourse this weekend to get some party ideas for the birthday, probably getting some goodie packs for the kids as well as some birthday decorations.

On a more solemn note, my granny's 1st year death anniversary will be held on 21st October, a day after Kyra's birthday at Auntie June's house. I remember last year she died on the morning I was supposed to bring home Kyra from the hospital. I just gave birth a fews days earlier. She left not able to see her great-granddaughter. I miss you nenek, always have and always will.