Need to Get One in There

Before I ramble on and on about why I have been slacking on the blog posts this week, let me just list out what went on last week, okies?

1. Was in Cherating for work last Thursday and Friday. Decided to bring the troop along. Azrul got off from work and the kids skipped school. (Takpelah, after all lagi seminggu term break, maa) Khaleeda and Bibik Parmi joined in too. We were in the family room the first night and then took 2 adjoining rooms for the rest of the stay. Work was tiring. We didn't finish till it was 7pm so, the kids' entertainment was left to Azrul. There were trips to the pool, the beach, the activity room, the game room (they had the old school arcade games as well - fighting game ala-ala Street Fighter, Puzzle Bobble, etc).. So, they pretty much had their time occupied. I think they had fun since they weren't complaining when I finally get to the room. :) (will upload the pix tonight when I get to fiddle with hubster's lappie - UPDATED! 1 June 2009)
   
2. Family do on both weekend nights. Mak Anjang's getting her two boys circumcized this Friday and had a little makan-makan last Saturday night. We just got back from Cherating (see item no 1 above) and only managed to join after they finished the doa selamat. *sibuk qada' tidur* The next night was a Kenduri Arwah for Ayah Teh pulak. Our nights were filled with good food *which would eventually result in item5* , good conversation and good times with the family.
3. Spent a good portion of Sunday just with hubster. Brekkie at Chawan's with Os (apparently hubster bumped into Sujay & Poh Imm later) , made a run to Ikea to get the hanging thingy for the kids' wardrobe but still no stock, lunch at Waroeng Ayam Penyet @ The Curve and a good 1.5 hours Thai massage. Ahhhh.. soooooo sakit, but oh soooo sedap .. Must remember to "Lilek, na... Lilek.." as the therapist tried to pull me, stretch me, push me and stand on me.. Must seriously think about getting the package,lah. Think I am gonna need them.
4. Brought the kids down for a little swim. All three of them. Khadra and Khaleeq have always loved the pool. (Need to remember to get them enrolled in a proper swim class though.) Am also proud to report that little Khaleeda is able to be independent now. She flaps her arm floaties and licks up some chlorine water every once in a while. The wading pool is just the right size for her to go waddling around on her own, all around the pool without having mommy to get wet in the process. Yeay!
5. All the food before sleepytime and the seriously hot weather last night resulted to a very uncomfortable night's sleep. I think I was literally sleeping in my sweat! Sheesh.. So gross.. As a result, gassy tummy and sweaty smelly body greets my morning. What a way to start the week..

-dillz blogging out-

Been a little quiet..

There has not much activity going on around here, lately.. Not much traffic, either.. Before I lose all 3 of my readers, I'd better start a little buzz around here.. hihihi

A lot has happened since my last post (*Duhh!!*) Lemme just keep you up to speed - in no chronological order..

• Azrul has been away a lot. Business trip la, golf trip la.. Jetsetting across South East Asia.. hihihihi.. Which actually got me to thinking.. Why don't I have my own girlie SPA or shopping trip to Jakarta, ka... Bali, ka... Any takers out there? Cuma maleh nak plan la.. *serious*
• Thaipusam Weekend in Avillion.. Loads of fun, especially for the kids.. For me, it was just really really tiring and Thank God we brought Parmi along.. Tonnes of activities for Khadra and Khaleeq (Khaleeda was a little under the weather). They went swimming swimming swimming - there's even a water slide at the Children's pool; some activities at the Kids' Cabin (colouring, blocks, sand art, PSP) ; feeding animals at the Pet Farm (rabbits, tortoises, ayam serama, doves, etc); nature walking, playing with sand on the beach... *Beach wasn't all that, but OK lah* But, as I said, it was great for the kids..
• Ewa is back in KL - with her bulging tummy too.. Can't believe she's gonna deliver this April and Lil E will be the 12th addition to the Zaghlol clan.
• Catching up on work- what else is new? (One assignment completely done and wrapping up some lose ends with another - hopefully my torture will end this Wednesday coz we're leaving on a jetplane on Thursday to Kubang Kerian)

Dah la dulu, speaking about work, I need to just swing this and get it over and done with. Insya Allah, ketemu lagi dilain siaran, ya?

-dillz blogging out-

It's a brand new year!

As D.N.A.S has very correctly pointed out, it is already the 5th of January of 2009. I have yet to publish any post in this glorious new year. Not that I didn't want to, you see... In fact, I had wanted to start with the new year tag by none other than my faveret makcik blogger but that requires a hefty Cut 'n Paste procedure that is not all that easy to do via my E71. So, I ended up not posting any entries in the end. (watch how swiftly I try to put the blame on someone else - hihihihi.. Jangan marre D.N.A.S) Nanti balik opis, insya Allah I buat tag tu, okies.. Jangan serik tag saya..

Anywho, am glad to update that Phase ONE of the spring cleaning project comprising of the Master Bedroom and part of the living room is nearing to its close. May I add that it was quite a successful project, despite the full few days of Bermalas-malasan.. Hihihi.. (boleh buat lagi, ni...) Phase TWO will commence this Saturday and this will involve everything related to the kids - toys, clothes, books and stuff.. I really think we have too much junk in the house and it is high time that we sort them out once and for all...

For a change, we had our New Year break in the city this year.

3 days and 2 nights of Jalan Bukit Bintang. No Bibik allowed, just high quality time with the family.. It was a little (I change my mind, I meant a lot.. ) tiring of course, but I think it was way worth it. We promised the getaway as a treat for the kids since we didn't go anywhere this school hols with the chicky poxies and everything. Plus, it was during this period that Khaleeq had started to come back to me for assistance. Not that he hates me or anything (at least I hope that he doesn't), but with my spending a little too much time at work, leaving a little too little time with the kids the last few months, they have somewhat learnt to make do without me, in a way.. Khadra is somewhat mature for her age, so she understands that I have to work and all that and I make it up to her with some girl time; taking her shopping or for a movie and such. Khaleeda is just Khaleeda and I can just bribe her with tetek. Khaleeq on the other hand, is all about spending time and giving attention.No two way about it..

I have noticed that he would normally get his dad to wash him in the loo, fix his Omnitrix, ask for cold water or 100 plus and he even prefers to sleep by his daddy's side at night. Things are slowly getting better, though. In fact, these past few days, Khaleeq has been hugging me in bed! Hihihihihi...

So, I am very pleased with how things have turned out and seems like we are starting the new year on the right foot. Just hope that more good things will come our way.. And you too, may you have a happy new year..

-dillz blogging out-

Hari Bermalas-malasan

I totally abandoned my spring cleaning project yesterday (told you I was the HHTA Queen)and opted to finish reading New Moon and watched 8 episodes of Gossip Girl Season 2 back-to-back. By the time I was done, it was almost 9pm. Hihihihi..

Thing is, hubby brought back with him 7 DVDs and the malasness continued with a movie marathon. Bibik was tasked with a bowl of Maggi Kari with telur and sawi and the kids were sent to their room to watch cartoon. After 2 movies, Khaleeq came out and said, "Hey, you're not done. Watch more movies.. " Personally, I think he was enjoying this late night TV watching and did not quite want to go to bed just yet.

Verdict? 3 movies in a row. We watched the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2, Burn After Reading and the Housebunny. At about 1.30am, the whole family decided it was time to wrap it up 'coz we'll be spending some quality family time celebrating this New Year in the city. Need to wake up at a decent hour to prepare and pack up.

*Sigh* That spring cleaning would have to wait... (Elokla tu, little miss procrastinator, meet the Queen of HHTA)

-dillz blogging out-

Kemalasan Infiniti

Maybe it's the rendang or kuah kacang.. Maybe I am still in Raya mode. Maybe it's the desertedness level of my office. I had to literally drag my feet to work this morning. On the plus side, there were many parking spaces downstairs.

Yes, am back in the rat race. But sure feels like I am the tortoise destined to finish last. I wanna be home , sleeping the day off ... Making the visits to relatives' / friends' places and finishing their leftover ketupats and lodehs. How I wish it was Raya weekend, every single day...

I am so darn malas to finish up that report. Looks like another all-nighter then. sheesh

Oh, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, all.. Maaf body and soul.

-dillz blogging out-

Gallery of Pictures

Am done with excuses, so am not trying to explain myself here. :)~~

Here's a little pictoral gallery in chronological order (with minimum narration, of course) for your viewing pleasure.

1. My Baby Khaleeda's Aqiqah

She was almost 6 months old when we finally had the ceremony. Khaleeda had changed into 3 outfits by end of event and was such a doll the whole way through. Preparation wise, had a lot of help from Hubby who was doing the running around since I was away for an assignment in Melaka, Ziezi (event planner), Mak Anjang, Eno for the lovely decoration of the buai, and of course my mom and sisters.

The star attraction was, without a doubt 3 "kambing goleks" that tasted just heavenly. Yumm....

Got a beautiful black album of photos from KC of http://www.myshotswedding.com/

Cupcakes are from Zura who did excellently especially on the bootie cuppies. Me likey! (don't have her link as yet, will update later)

Check out Khaleeda's very own gallery here! And some more pictures in my facebook here: Majlis Aqiqah Khaleeda.

2. Phuket Island Vacation

Wonderful island getAWAY vacation with my family, ZZ's family, Boy, Ewa & Eski, Tilong & Harris and Feizy. We set base in Kantary Bay at Cape Panwa which had a wonderful restaurant with a muslim chef next door and an array of muslim hawker stalls lining the street towards our hotel. So, that kinda sorted our F&B issue. The place was a little while away (about 45 minutes, actually) from Patong Beach and Phuket. But, it worked for us as we kinda liked the peace and tranquility there, and there's always the option of leaving the kids while we 'experience' the night life in Patong. *evil muah hah hah*.
Highlights of the trip:
- went island hopping to the three Kai islands, with kids in tow. I had to leave Deeda behind with Parmi due to the boat trip.
- a little bit of shopping in Patong (btw, lovely nutella / banana pancake by the roadside *two thumbs up-a must try*)
- a brand new tailored suit for me, hubs, Nazz, Boy & Eski. Damn cheap at just RM400 per suit
- 10 of us (or so) crammed into a tuk-tuk coz we were damn tired to walk the 200m to be robbed in bright daylight by the Arab restaurant - bloody Ali Baba, hampeh betul!
-The 'night life' in Patong -- hmmm how shall we say it, a lil interesting? *sheesh*
- lots and lots massages

3. Khadra and Khaleeq's Pirate & Princess Party

We hosted the themed party by the poolside of Pantai Hillpark. Most of the kids came dressed as either a princess or a pirate. Since it has been a while since we last threw a party, this one was done in a lot of style. *perasan*

Activities for the kids include; face-painting (by Kira), nail art and tattoo (SLIMRED), games (hosted by MC Liyana) and jumping along in the bouncy castle. Oh, there was also a Wii/ Guitar Hero canopy set up for kids and adults alike.
Buntings were specially designed by bro-in-law Eski. He did it from scratch, y'all!! Just AWESOME!! Party planning overseen by Ziezi, of course.. Photography (professional) by Hafiz (Raff's bf) and (amateur) by Af's Sony Alpha A350. (I think Kira took most of it)
Food catered from Restoran Delima and additional satay from Satay Salam. Cake in the form of a castle ordered from Noresh of Baking with Passion , supplemented by pirate themed cupcakes from Zura, yet again.. I love them cute pirates.. (*yes, I need to get her link up here..*)

More pictures at my facebook page: Princess & Pirate party

4. Family Photoshoot

Yup, the Zaghlol's Photo Shoot is back again.. We had an additional 3 kids (Neyna, Laiqa and Deeda) and a brother-in-law from the last one done in 2006. Everyone was in their baju melayus and baju kurungs for the first session and we changed to a more formal outfit after. (Actuallynya, saja nak menunjuk suit baru buat kat Phuket *heh heh heh*) The boys even had a little session to boast their Guitar Hero skills.. Really... ;)

Thank you, Min from prettypeektures. Check out a selection of pictures here: My Favourite

-dillz blogging out-

Sorry Mary!

Been lazy at updating. I know. Have loads to write but kinda been a little tied up buying and selling off my family and friends at Friends For Sale in Facebook. heh heh heh

Will definitely put some stuff up here for your reading pleasure.

Till then!

-dillz blogging out-

Countdown Begins

Am already on MC. I have been on and off from work since last week, actually. Working a bit at home and a bit more in the office, just to get away from the kids. Am actually finishing off my last assignment before I take my 2-month maternity! Weh-hey!! Can't wait...

A LOTTTTT has happened since my last post. I mean, Harry Potter? Come on... heh heh heh.. So, for that I am very very sorry..

Since our cuti-cuti Malaysia and Singapore trips, plus my facebook discovery , plus work (I know, lame..), plus raya, plus my hubby's sinus surgery, plus getting ready for the new kid on the block plus getting my beauty routine done before the delivery.. I have been pretty busy..

Contractions are already present, though far between.. Due to be induced on November 7th, 2007. Might check in here sooner, though..

Khaleeda, be a good girl and make it easy for mummy...

Ya Allah, berikan aku kekuatan utk menghadapi pengalaman ini..

Amin..

Ya Rabbal-alamin...

..and guys, sorry for everything.. I am going for a battle soon..

-dillz blogging out-

A Little Teaser

Hi-ya peeps! I am back.. (I hope) It's just that we've been pretty busy, lately.. Doing what, you may ask? See below! (among others...)

We just came back from Redang late last Sunday, so... I have to say that I have been a little tied these past few weeks. That plus the fact that my cough + asthma is really getting on my nerves. By the time I get back from work I'd be too lazy and tired to do anything else but laze in the sofa and watch whatever's on the idiot box. Eventhough it's on Channel 77. I am that bummed out!!!

It kinda explains why I have not been updating my blog. Sorry to those who have been checking up on me and left feeling a little dejected. It's not you.. It's me.. All me..

I will try to keep up with the postings.. So many things to write about, so many tags to do.. In fact, just last night I had the classic case of hit-and-run.. Those skanky Ind*s - nevermind them, will elaborate later. Just don't you dare give up on me. Check in soon, will ya?

-dillz blogging out-

Procrastinator, First Class.

*from my other blog at Dilla Speaks Out

Been neglecting the blog for quite a while now… Have loads to write about, but never got round to doing it, I guess.. The classic case of procrastination. I can no longer use my MBA excuse now coz I have finally completed the dang course! Crap! Gotta find a new excuse.. Maybe , the kids or work or something.. (heh heh heh)

I am a self-confessed procrastinator. I figured this out during my Effective Personal Productivity course by LMI sometime last year. I have always left my work to the last minute and ended up burning the midnight oil before an assignment is due. The latest case was when we had to submit our Strategic Management project write-up as well as prepare an individual presentation for Analysis of Financial Statement. Both Azrul and I ended up being awake for almost 40 hours before getting much needed slumber.. Of course, the presentation was over by 7pm, but me and hubby decided to be sociable and go to RMC’s OPA Chinese New Year Celebration straight after and only managed to go to bed at 11pm. heh heh heh…

The thing is, I never seem to get it! If you start late, you’ll finish late.. or worse you won’t even finish it! I always pledged to myself that I will start the next assigned tasks/projects earlier. Much much earlier. Being the perfectionist that I am, I tend to fiddle with the work until I am completely satisfied with the results. I always find that my second draft is better than my first and my third better than my second. Had I have more time, the results will be much better — always.. The thing with last minute work is: you tend to expect much less. As long as you cover all the bases, you’ll be fine. For me to be really happy with the work, it doesn’t only have to cover the bases, you need to offer something extra — the one thing that will secure you that A. Thank God for our power of persuassion. Often times, we manage to wiggle ourselves an extension of dateline and I manage to get my second and third draft completed. So, I get my A. What would happen if I had to turn in my first draft ? Aiyyoooo, big trouble, man. H U G E!

With all the above arguments, I do believe I have succesfully climbed the procrastinator ranking to the very peak. And on that note, I shall make my retreat.

Dilla Zaghlol — Procrastinator, First Class.

-dillz blogging out-

Blog Blog Blog

*from my other blog at Dilla Speaks Out

My second attempt at blogging.. The first went successfully down the drain at blogspot. Wanna hear excuses?

1) I am too lazy (yes, it’s true) to write / bitch / complain

2) I am too busy (yeah, right!) to write / bitch / complain

3) I am too sick (really) to write / bitch / complain

4) I have other things to do besides writing / bitching / complaining

Truthfully, I actually succumbed to pressure. Everytime I open my friendster page, that orangey tab really irks me. I finally clicked on it to get that little interrupter out of my sight.

Anywho… here I am , part of the community, part of statistics… In a way, I guess this will be a good avenue to vent out and just pour my thoughts. I haven’t done that lately.. I remember back in school (way back in 1992), Ateh Nor used to tell me to write from my heart. No first draft or second draft.. Just let it flow.. Just write.. I have been doing that eversince..

Maybe that’s why I have not been feeling well this past couple of months.. Ahhh.. why not? After all it’s free.. No consultation fee…

-dillz blogging out-