City Walkabout.

As much as I love airports, I really didn’t know what else to do there after we had our breakfast and our fair share of silly camwhoring. We inquired about the transportation available and found out that the Shuttle would take us right to the doorstep of our hotel. How convenient! So, we bought tickets and boarded the Shuttle.

Our first stop was the Domestic Airport.

And our second was Burswood Entertainment Complex.

Our hotel was the third.

Throughout the whole journey to the hotel, we were just grinning like silly monkeys, like seriously. Like I said before, it’s so difficult to put into so many words the excitement I felt at that point in time and throughout the whole trip.

It’s as if you’ve been given a surprise gift you’ve always wanted your whole life or something. Well, come to think of it, that was sort of what I got, don’t you think so? Teeheeeheee.

So, if you’re a B2B, it’s highly logical that you’d get way more excited about the Honeymoon, or “Hornymoon” as some of you put it (teeheeheee) because it IS something every girl (or even guy) would and SHOULD look forward to.

So, anyways, about ½ hour later, we arrived at our hotel. It was still very, very early but I checked to see if my name was in the system. I was assured I would get a room, but the earliest they could give me a room was at lunchtime (around 12.00 p.m. what a bummer). So, apa lagi. We parked our bags in the luggage area (very, very safe place in the hotel) and headed to town.

Now, unlike me, my husband is GREAT with maps. He grabbed a few at the hotel lobby and the next thing I knew, he was leading us both left, right and centre. I felt so safe with him! *lega*

We decided to have a walkabout around the city first before we decided to do any activities.

So, we took photos in front on the Perth Mint, which was not yet open at that time (it opens at 9.00 a.m., so yes, we were that early) and started walking with no specifc destination in mind.

The City is a lil’ bit hilly; like it has tiers of some sort. So, we both decided to walk the lower tier first and that’s where we “met” Langley Park. IT IS HUGE!!! (But I later discovered that this isn’t the biggest Perth has to offer)

SPOT ME IF YOU CAN!

THERE I AM!

Then, we walked by the Swan River and had a look at the cruise packages they had to offer.

Finally, our legs were just too tired, so to give it its much deserved rest we went to the Esplanade.

And that’s where we discovered the beauty of THE SELF-TIMER.

As usual, I'll leave you with an "I ♥ you baby" shot.

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close to sunrise.

Of course, in the plane, we had to eat. And being the girl who cannot live without rice, but didn't yet do any research about where I could eat rice in Perth when we arrived, I order Nasi Lemak. Yes, Melayu sangat I know. My husband, on the other hand, was better prepared to be "Australianised" and so he took the international meal which consists of lamb, potatoes and some other vege.

We were really lucky to get couple seats. It was just so exciting although for the most part of the journey, all we did was sleep.

When we arrived, it was still a tad bit dark, but sunrise was already on its way, we knew.

So, we decided to have some breakfast. It was gooood AND huge. Luckily I didn't give in to my nafsu and bought only one breakfast set instead of one each. Hehehe. But I've got to say that the hot chocolate was a huge disappointment. The one I tasted in Melbourne at that bagel shop was way way way better!

Oh, did I tell you of the one "unfortunate" incident that happened when we arrived? Obviously, those who travel would bring a lil' bit of food for at least the first day while we figured out where to get our food. And obviously, having previously traveled with my family, I sort of brought food enough to feed at least my siblings and I =.=".

Apparently, at some places, namely Perth, they have gotten so strict with the Quarantine Procedures, so much so that they chuck away my mayo tuna and ALL of my 3 in 1 milo and nescafe. ALL okay?!! Can you imagine how close I was to SHRIEKING at the sight of that??? *cry*

Damn, that was a real sedih moment for me. Husband kept telling me, "I told you so". And of course, since I did most of the packing, he had no idea of the amount of food I brought along. His eyes obviously went as wide as saucers ;p. Teeheehee =.="

After that, we fooled around a bit around the airport as there was still loads of time to kill before check-in time.

I'll leave you with an "I ♥ you baby" photo.

Please be wary that all you'll be seeing are photos of either one of us or us both. Feel free to puke. I promise I won't be offended teeheehee.

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it was the second.

Time flies, don't you think?

When we first bought our tickets some time mid-August last year, I thought of 8 months as a really, really long time to wait for. I mean, at that point in time, 4 months to the wedding was already an overbearingly long period of time, what more 8 months.

But 8 months passed by and came and the next thing I know, I was sitting next to a suitcase big enough to fit me, packing our necessities.

We left home on 2nd April 2011 at approximately 23:55. We turned 6 years on that date.

I cannot tell you how exciting it felt, at least not in words. But I can tell you that I was so euphoric that the memory of that day makes me want to cry tears of joy.

Dramatic, much, I know, but I think every married couple can attest to the fact that the honeymoon, especially if it's the first trip as a couple, would probably be one of the most if not the most exciting thing a married couple would ever go through together in their married lives.

We checked in our baggage at LCCT and roamed around the place. Had a few drinks and took (way too) many photos. I just couldn't wait to depart!

i ♥ u baby

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Autumn in Love.

You see, I have this lil' notebook (as in notebook, notebook, not electronic notebook), where I jot down the things I want to write about. I have this tendency to think about alot of things when I am driving alone and sadly, for very obvious reasons, I very well can't update my thoughts while I am driving. Dangerrrr.

So, each time I think very strongly of something or feel like sharing a portion of my very "interesting" (lah sangat) life, I jot it down so that I can write about them whenever I find the right time and opportunity to.

I have been jotting down so many things as my life has been quite eventful of late.

But the event last week would probably supersede any other thing that I ever intended to write about.

We finally went for our honeymoon. 

If you have been a reader of this blog, you would have probably noticed that I went straight back to work after my wedding ceremonies. Yes, we waited up 'til now to go for our honeymoon.

We went to Perth. And many people raised their eyebrows as to our choice.

But let me tell you one thing, after 6 days and 580 pictures later, we can surely testify that we had the time of our lives! We've even planned on going back there to visit all the places we didn't get to visit this time round.

I will update bit by bit about our Lover's Getaway.

But for now, I'll be signing off now as I need plenty of rest before I hit the road again.

This would probably be one of the best things I've done and I'm glad I did it with my husband.

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a promise.

As we convened in the office yesterday, I cringed to see the time on my colleague's watch. I did plan to stay late in the office, but I didn't plan on staying that late. My tummy was up in knots. Tsk.

I had a promise to keep.

8.45 p.m.

Confident that I would make it on time, I headed to my destination.

When I got there, all I could say was "Wow". And gape.

I didn't know if my legs would be able to hold on much longer seeing that it had maxed out its service for the day, but I assured it that it would be fine.

Many people do many different things for love. I, for one, keep to my promises. Or attempt to much as I can.

And that means queuing ridiculously long lines to get to one thing.

"339", they called. It was 9.35 p.m.

I didn't have a number. I told them I didn't have a number. They didn't seem to mind. Much to my relieve.

I placed my order and the kid behind the counter gave me a searching look and when he couldn't hold it back no more, he said,

"Beratur panjang-panjang dari tadi untuk beli tu je???"

(You queued for that long just to get that???)

I just smiled. And smiled some more. Words failing me.

I thought, "Perhaps he has never felt love"

I left the store a happy puppy. As I swung the paper bag in my arms, I felt so euphoric, you have no idea.

But, oh crap, I was late. So very late. And I knew that somehow or rather, it would turn out pretty ugly. In a way, I was wrong but not so wrong.

But a promise, is a promise.

Yesterday was the 31st.

A promise kept, despite the circumstances.

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gatai ya bang.

Every couple of years, I get itchy.

Like really itchy.

And then, before I give in to my "itch", everyone else in the house gets itchy as well. The difference between them and me is that they don't think much about giving in. They just do.

Look at Adik. She didn't think twice. And left the shop with no regrets.

tengok yang ini memang no regrets. tak rasa nak nangis ke tengok Adik macam dah besar? ;')

okay, macam temenggung jugah. nasib baik babah sayang dia walaupun rambut pelik ;p

Yours truly, on the other hand, likes to think it through again and again and again and all she gets at the end of the day is a massive headache. And no solution.

Thankfully, after a week of stress and sleepless nights, I was forced to give in to my "itch" because it was getting really itchy, literally.

Every once in a while, I would feel and see "snowflakes" falling. Like, hello? We don't have snow in Malaysia, right? Turns out that those "snowflakes" came from my head! ARGH.

After the exams on Thursday, I went back home, had some lunch, surfed the net and made a decision.


I wanted to chop the devil.

Problem is, there is no Snips anywhere near where I live. Or is there? I wasn't too sure about visiting a saloon I don't frequent. And then, *ting ting*, I remembered this place I went to a day before my engagement. It's in Mines, which is close enough.

So, I packed my nerves in a locked closet at home and packed my courage in my handbag. I had not chopped the devil in close to 2 years. It was quite alot to take.

And then, the next thing I know, I was sitting there in the chair, flipping through the pages of the magazine for some kind of inspiration. Boleh? I went to the shop without a "clear cut plan" so, at that point, I didn't know what I would look like coming out of that shop.

This was my inspiration. But the stylist told me that the only way I would be able to achieve that look was if I permed my hair. Big no-no for me virgin hair okay!

So, I told her to cut to the desired length and style and she asked me,

"Rambut begitu panjang, mengapa nak potong begitu pendek?"

(Your hair is so long, why do you want to cut it so short?)

Gulp.

So, I didn't cut it so short in the end. Despite her talking me out of cutting it to the desired length, I love how the stylist was very honest with me, especially when I told her that I wanted my my fringe shortened and she said,

"Sedikit saja aa? You pun cakap sama saya you tak suka blow rambut ma? Nanti rambut you tak cantik"

(Just a lil' bit okay? You told me you don't like to blowdry your hair right? Your hair won't look nice.)

T_T"

Guilty as charged.

So, this is how I ended up looking, coming out of the shop.

fine, tak la lain sangat pun. hmmmph.

I loved it though!

No regrets!

And this was a few days after. Rasa seperti masih cantik. Ecececeh. Perasan.

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yang halal.

Hmmph.

I brought home some work because I left the office earlier than normal.

But now I can't open any of the files and have tried multiple ways to open it to no avail. I'm really disappointed (or more like scared like crazy) because I really wanted to finish that piece of work off before April comes. What's up with April yo?

Hehehe. *Secret* Hehehe.

Anyways, a few weekends back, when I went back to TTDI, we decided to have a mini celebration for Adik's birthday.

She turned 17 on March 14. Oh, how time flies, don't you think?! I would do everything NOT to go back to 17 - my least favourite age so far.

Nonetheless, Adik seems to be enjoying being 17 (despite the many weird things happening so far) and taking it all in a stride so we decided to eat out and just chill together as a family.

Now, finding a place to chill was a (huge) challenge.

I used to feel so... safe eating in Malaysia. As opposed to countries like Singapore and even Australia (UK not in the list because halal food is abundant), Malaysia boasts a variety of food - both from halal and non-halal sources.

The problem now is that since we're in Malaysia, we seem to think that so long as they don't sell pork, the food is surely certified halal.

Now, that's according to us. According to my parents, anything NOT certified halal by JAKIM is NOT HALAL. Uhuh.

So, we (my husband not excluded) spent almost an hour checking on the eateries we usually go to so that we would be able to convince my parents that the food at the place we will be eating at tidak diragui status halalnya.

And that also means that we weren't allowed to choose restaurants which serves alcohol. Slash Chillis and TGIF out of the list now.

It was a lil' bit disappointing. On our own, we would have chosen Delicious without a second thought. But after much research, I found this in another fellow blogger's entry.

Friends, from my curiosity , i sent an email to Delicious Restaurant to verify their HALAL status. Unfortunately, the source of meat &; chicken are not all from HALAL source. Its only Pork Free. Astagfirullahalazim...erm..dah byk kali dah pergi..Thank You Allah for triggering the doubt feeling. Please read the reply at the next status--


Thanks for your email. At Delicious, we are 100% pork free; our chicken/duck is sourced locally and is therefore halal. Our beef and lamb, however, is sourced from
Australia, NZ and the US and not all of them have halal certification. That's why we at pork free status. At Delicious, only one dish has a...little alcohol in it - Miso Cod Salad. It's in the mirin we add. That's all.

Source.

Hmmmm. How did I respond to this? I was HEARTBROKEN.

Delicious is (or is it now was?*cry*) our favourite and the one and only Official Brunch Place. And by OURS, I mean the Kesayangans. We've been convening there for as long as I can remember. We went there from the time we finished Law School, celebrated birthdays, we went there to break happy news, had impromtu get togethers and to camwhore like we owned the place.

I don't know now how I should respond to my new found knowledge that some of the food there isn't halal. I don't know whether I should continue going or whether I should be selective about what I order the next time I go. I just don't know.

Anyways, for Adik's birthday, we decided on Manhattan Fish Market at Ikano. I dreaded going there and was almost dragging my feet. But surprisingly, the quality of food there has improved IMMENSELY! I was pleasantly surprised.

Photos from our mini family outing -

Anyways, if you would like to check the halal status of a restaurant, supplier or foodstuff that you are planning/have been buying, you can visit the Halal Website. I really hope that our favourite eateries get their halal certification soon so that we would be able to eat at those places with a clear conscience.


p.s. I don't know why I didn't take any photos of the food we ordered. Too hungry perhaps, hehehe.

//UPDATED:

I was so curious that I emailed them myself.

Message: Hello there!

I have been going to Delicious for a while now and of late, people have been
questioning the Halal status of the food served at Delicious.

This worries me alot as I am a frequent visitor and I am wondering whether
the food you are serving is halal or not.

Care to clarify on this matter?

Many thanks in advance,

This reply is somewhat different, but can I be happy now and go in the shop with a clear conscience?

Dear Hanisa,

Thank you for your email.

I am pleased to inform you that all the meats served in all of our Delicious
outlets are from halal certified suppliers by JAKIM.

As we sell alcoholic beverages in our outlets, we are not JAKIM halal
certified but you can be assured that our food served is all halal
certified.

I hope this answers all your concerns about our halal status.

Please do not hesitate to contact us again if you should have further
queries.

Best regards,

Samantha Sam
Manager - Marketing and PR

I hope so :)

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Stop it,

please.

For my sanity's sake, please stop being a freaking psycho.

Thing is, I know that you don't even know that you're acting like one and I am THIS close to just telling you to get a grip and just stop it. Please. Just stop it.

The best part is that you don't even realise that it's you I'm talking about, right?

I don't want to be nasty and I honestly don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. But when I feel like I am being pushed to the wall with absolutely no breathing space, I just feel like retaliating. Actually, more than anything, the more you pursue me, the more I will back away.

One day, I hope you wake up realising that there is no point in any of this any more. No point at all.

Please just stop. You're making me call you a psycho.

Because to be honest, you're acting like one. Stop it.

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crash boom bang.

Only 6 posts for the month of March?

Now, according to my standards, that's just bad, bad bad. I have been neglecting this blog in a way I never intended to; visiting it everyday, drafting something all the time, but never getting around to writing anything although alot has been happening.

Time to put a stop to this long hiatus. Hello, readers! You have been missed. (Do I still have any to begin with?)

I attended a Kursus Induksi last week. It's a mandatory course which we need to attend in order to get confirmed in our current posts. My senior colleagues who attended previous sessions kept telling me to have fun. They had loads of fun, it seems.

Well, I didn't really feel the same way, much as I tried.

The timetable was jam-packed to the brim and the worst part of it all is that we had to sit for our exams at the end of 7 days. And we didn't have a study week let alone a study DAY!

Our senior colleagues enjoyed themselves so much because their course was done in 14 days, not 7. Of course they enjoyed themselves. Their schedules weren't so full and they had the luxury of at least one study day.

Well, anyways, I answered whatever I could for the exam and I'm just hoping for the best.

Of course, the Kursus Induksi had some plus points too. Apart from not having to spend a dime on my meals and getting a break from the mundane office life, I got to catch up with my friends whom I haven't met in ages!

Nah, let these photos do the talking.

March is an EXHAUSTING MONTH, damn! I AM SO GLAD APRIL IS COMING YEAY! ;)

Photos courtesy of various sources.

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