Book Whore

I have three books in my currently-reading list.

I can't stop clicking the 'add to cart' button in any online bookstore I visited.

I've been reading malay short story (cerpen) online. Oh, found an interesting short story by this male writer. He writes nice stories. Neat blog layout. I like.

Alright. This has to stop.

Does it make me a book whore? I don't like the sound of it.

Need to keep reading and finish what I started. Maybe I need a hammock - ??

source: pinterest

Till then.

Aa

I Am A Mother and I Am Proud!

I feel like writing today though I have no idea on what to write about.

Alright, lets start with this morning. I brought my daughter (DD) to clinic this morning because her right eyelid is red and looks sore. We suspected stye or in Bruneian called it pitutan. However, its just so weird that DD seems not to bother about it. It doesn't look itchy. She doesn't scratch which amazes us, as scratching is her 'sport'. DD scratches all the time, especially when she's annoyed, shy, angry, disagree etc. Oh, and there's no discharge from DD's right eye.

We decided to seek advice from the doctor. It turned out to be chalazion. Doctor said its harmless and that washed all my worries away. Alhamdulillah.

To put chalazion in non-medical, simple-mother-term, it is like pimple. It forms when pores can't secret the excess oil. The oil accumulates and form cyst, just like pimple. That differentiate between chalazion and stye. While stye occurs due to infection in hair follicles (eyelashes) and it caused itchiness and irritation.

I am not posting any pictures here as I can't stand looking at pictures of eyes having cyst or stye. Just google for more information.

The past few weeks had tested my patient. A lot. DD was down with flu. She refused to let go of my boobs at night. I had backache.  These really put me down. It makes me tired. I am constantly thought of the worst too, I am worried all the time and at time I can over-think things. I am not saying that we shouldn't look at small things but education matters here. Every time DD got sick, I would brought her to clinic only to learn that as a mother I should equip myself with better knowledge on children's common illnesses along with being patient and positivity.

Alhamdulillah, I am grateful that I am not a perfect mother because every second, Allah gives me opportunity to learn more just so I can improve myself. His knowledge is vast, endless. He tested me and at the same time He opens my eyes/ heart to see more in life. 

May Allah blessed my family and protect us from any harms. Amin ya rabb.

Till then,

Aa

Waterfall

I've been wanting to go jungle trekking since few months ago but my repeated flu and the weather (and reading, hehe) had been slowing me down. But today, I am proud of myself as I managed to wake up early, on the weekend! So off we went to Tasek Lama. 

I've never been here for years. Walking in the jungle and appreciating the smell of nature and dirt calm me from God's know what. I also get to watch the small waterfall, which I never appreciate before.    

While waiting for my husband to finish his run, I had the opportunity to observe lots of things. I really want to write about this. But maybe some other time as this is not meant to be a long post. I am craving for roti jantan and it has to be fixed. And I have brunch date with them besties in 1 hour.

Till then.

Aa.

Book Review: Selamat Malam Kekasih

I dropped by Best Eastern couple days ago and saw this book. I was reluctant to buy it because I have books piling up in my room waiting to be read. But who am I to go against my impulsive behaviour right? I bought it and I have no regret staying up late just to read it. Here's my review on Selamat Malam Kekasih by Aina Emir (review is also posted in goodreads):

Ulasan Buku:

Alhamdulillah, buku ini aku habiskan dalam masa dua hari.

Aku suka cerita ini kerana ia banyak menyedarkan aku. Terutama sekali tentang pentingnya 1) nilai kekeluargaan berbanding dengan harta dan kemewahan,

2) pentingnya berusaha untuk mendapatkan sesuatu (dalam soal jodoh mahupun kesenangan hidup), 

3) percaya mempercayai antara pasangan suami isteri dan 

4) betapa redha dalam menerima takdir Allah itu akan memberi ketenangan dalam hati kita. 

Walaupun tidak ditulis sepertimana novel melayu lain yang kebanyakannya (tidak semua) terlalu mencuba untuk menjadi novel islamik, Selamat Malam Kekasih mempunyai mesej yang sangat dalam dan bermanfaat.

Ini bukanlah novel yang pertama aku baca dari Aina Emir, jadi tidak keterlaluan jika aku katakan membaca buku ini seperti menonton drama di televisyen. Beliau mempunyai kebolehan dalam mengarap sebuah kisah cinta romantis tetapi dengan unsur unsur misteri. Seperti kisahnya Julia yg membuat aku tertanya tanya dengan siapakah Syukri berakhir atau kisah keluarga Arwah Farhan yang apabila terbongkar cukup mengejutkanku. Misteri yang dihidangkan penulis mungkin biasa biasa saja, namun tetap mengujakan.

Aku paling suka watak Maya. Kukira ini kali pertama aku jatuh cinta dengan watak heroin di dalam sesebuah novel (hehe). Aku suka kekuatan Maya dalam menempuhi dugaan hidupnya. Aku suka bila Maya sanggup 'melawan' papanya untuk kebahagiaan dirinya (mungkin bukan sesuatu yang harus dibanggakan seorang anak) namun ia akhirnya menyedarkan si bapa akan pentingnya kebahagiaan anak/ keluarga daripada harta yang dikejarnya. Aku juga suka apabila Maya, yang diawal cerita yang menjengkelkan aku kerana asyik meratapi nasibnya perlahan lahan menjadi wanita tabah dan sabar dalam membahagiakan si suami dan tidak pernah sekali mendesak si suami memilih antara dia dan ibunya. Kisah Maya jua membuka mataku untuk redha di setiap apa yang terjadi kerana dalam setiap keredhaan itu membuahkan ketenangan di dalam hati kita.

Selain dari watak utama di dalam cerita ini, Aina Emir juga berjaya dalam membuat setiap watak 'sampingan' di dalam cerita ini relevan dan berkesan dalam memperlihatkan realiti kehidupan orang orang melayu. 

Pokoknya walaupun ia adalah cerita fiksyen tapi ia adalah fiksyen yang 'relatable' dan bukan semata mata rekaan cerita yang sedap dibaca. 

Sinopsis

Hatinya sudah lama membeku hampir jadi kaku. Berpisah dengan Farhan begitu terkesan sekali. Umurnya masih muda, namun dia terpaksa sahaja melalui sesuatu yang membebankan, bagaikan kaca yang remuk setelah terhumban di atas batu. Mujurlah ada Aunty Julia dan Ain Suraya yang mampu menenangkan fikirannya.

Namun, papanya mula mendesak agar Maya Kamilla tidak membuang masa lagi. 

Pun begitu, papanya cerewet. Kalau tidak sama status dan tidak sekufu, jangan haraplah papanya akan bersetuju. Mungkin kerana itulah Maya terpaksa jauhkan diri daripada sang arjuna. Lagipun, lelaki itu tak cukup 'mata' untuk diletakkan dalam senarai calonnya. 

Izz al Din, tak banyak beza daripada Farhan dari segi latarnya. Paling secocok dengan Maya Kamilla. Dia juga pernah menyayanginya, sama seperti Farhan juga. Apakah kali ini Abang Izz mampu menambat hati Maya semula? Atau Maya masih berkira-kira kerana niat Abang Izz diraguinya. Tapi kenapa pula? 

Soal status bukan sekadar menjadi isu papa Maya sahaja, tetapi merupakan soal penting buat orang lain jua. Dalam usaha Maya Kamilla untuk mencari pengganti, dia semakin terbeban. 

Misyal pula lebih muda daripadanya. Takkanlah si ustaz ini mampu menandingi Abang Izz yang serba hebat itu? 

Ke manakah arah yang ingin Maya tuju? Sanggupkah Maya terus mengikut arahan papanya, atau kali ini dia mahu memberontak lalu mengikut kata hati pula? 

Selamat Malam Kekasih mengutarakan isu-isu kehidupan masyarakat Melayu elit hari ini. Juga mengetengahkan soal agama, harta dan waris, termasuk kesetiaan dan kejujuran dalam amalan seharian, di sebalik unsur humor dan romantis yang diselitkan.

Syabas dan terima kasih Aina Emir untuk karya karya anda.


p/s I don't understand why some paragraphs are being highlighted. sigh.


Till then

Aa

Wishlist

I always have Paris in my mind lately. It started when I saw Eiffel Tower on my cousin's scrapbook;

A friend is getting married and thinking of Paris for her honeymoon destination;

Then, I saw a Malaysian Socialite whom I follow on instagram posting pictures of Paris. One picture showed her walking around the City of Paris in Zara high heels. *mind list: go to Zara website and get those killer heels for hari raya!!*;

Paris is centered at its point zero which is located at Notre Dame. Knew about that after reading the Geography of You and Me;

I think I dreamed of Paris in my sleep;

I thought of my bestfriend's wishlist when I wanted to make a birthday scrap for her;. She wants to travel to Paris. 

I saw new book on goodreads - A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable (I am so getting this book);

I never thought of going to Paris because I am not into cities. I saw pictures of some friends travelling to Paris. My sister stories when she was in Paris. Watched romantic movie setting in Paris. Nothing made me lust for Paris before. Nevertheless, at the moment, I am thinking of putting Paris in my wishlist (I've been having this wishlist since NOW) haha.

I am not a person with so many wishes but a person who always want something/ do something like I always want an ipad mini so I can read at night without reading lamp or I always want to go to Gold Coast because my Business Writing coach said Gold Coast has the best beach in the world. LOL. I don't know if I am making any sense now. I am supposed to be working now, making profit for the company so this rambling has to end here. But here's my wishlist:

Wishlist:

1. Ipad mini

White to match my iPhone 5s

2. Gold Coast, Australia

Sunset in Gold Coast.

3. Paris

Eiffel Tower in Black and White

*click caption for each image's source*

I am listening to Half a Heart by 1D now and I am imagining them singing with the background of Eiffel Tower.

Till Then.

Aa

Passion or Addiction?

Hidden is finally making her way home. Hidden by Catherine McKenzie.

I always wanted to read it since I finished Catherine McKenzie's Arranged, Forgotten and Spin. I've been looking for it in iTune but to no avail. I finally found its free epub version but can't bring myself to read it as it was not the final form of the book. I decided to order the hardcover from the Amazon and got it delivered to my doorstep at a very expensive shipping rate. The book priced at USD 15.18 while the shipping cost at more than USD 50. That's how bad my business acumen is.

Since I got my reading passion back last year I've been spending so much on books. Like twenty percent of what I earn in a month. Its common that I can finish reading ab book within 24 hours because I don't sleep. Yes, seriously. I've down with flu and cold for so many times too, which I believed related to lack of sleep.

Book Direct

Back to Hidden, it has been sitting next to my bed for a week now.I read a couple chapter of it. Interesting read I must say. Yet, I started reading another book (just book sample from iTune)  whenI was bored at work. I placed my order on bookdepository.com and there go my SGD 22.50 on the Geography of You and Me (Jenniffer E. Smith) and later that night, I bought the book from iTune simply because I wanted to know how Lucy and Owen would end. Sigh. Again. Talk about bad business acumen.

Apart from buying books from book stores, Amazon and Bookdepository, I am also high on buying digital books from various online book store - Kobo, Esentral, Emall and iTune is still my favourite. Reading really burn my wallet, not just mine but also my husband's teheee. I tend to use his credit card when buying books online :p I can't believe I buy books based on impulse. I never had this kind of feeling when it comes to shoes or handbags though I am crazy of those.

Husband asked me to slow down on this and I'd come up with excuses like, its important to surround our kid(s) with book as to instill reading culture or this is better than spending on shoes.. 

I am trying to figure out if this is actually addiction or really passion. Maybe I need a vacation. To somewhere beautiful. Like East Malaysia Coast and read a good book. Hmm. No one can help me but me.

Till then. I need to start reading Hidden.

Aa.

Me Time

I watched The Other Woman yesterday, all by myself. I can't remember the last time I went to the movie by myself. But I did it yesterday knowing it's not worthy to wait till the weekend and watch it with Mr Husband because I know he won't enjoy the movie knowing Spiderman 2 is playing at the same time. Plus, I feel like going alone. Maybe this is what mothers (wives) say about having 'me' time. Oh well...

Bought my movie ticket, chose the backseat, at the middle of the row because the entire row was empty. I had thirty minutes to spare before the movie started so I went to the prayer room to perform my Asr. Went to the bookstore to check on new books. Eye on new shoes.. that skirt is nice.. I should get a bottle of water.. And....

Thirty minutes later....

Reached the cinema only to find out that row was almost full. So, my seat is in the middle that means I have to shrink my body in order to get to my seat. So I did. Reached my seat safely without stepping on people's feet, looked left and right. Weird man on the right, young group of annoying noisy woman on the left. Worst fear confirmed. Perfect. I enjoyed the movie, except that the man kept on taking out crackers from his bag and munching loudly and girls on the left can't stop laughing and making lame jokes among themselves (years back that'd be my friends and I teeheeee good times).

So remind me again why I don't like watching movie alone? 

Will go watch movie alone again next time?

I don't feel like typing it out, so I just keep in inside my head. 

Actually, I am lazy. 

Enough said.

Till then.

Aa.