Cherating & KT

It was supposed to be a trip to Pangkor but unforeseen circumstances changed the plan to head towards the east coast instead.

I was a bit apprehensive at first, knowing that the travelling itself would be tiring enough.. But luckily another stretch of the East Coast highway had opened, saving us a further hour or so of being on the road.. So within 2 hours we were already at Cherating. We got restless and on the spur of the moment decided to join a group of friends to go KT. Unfortunately for me, I came down with a horrible stomach flu but I wasn't gonna give up too easily and stop enjoying my trip.

Now the group decides to be even more adventurous and wanted to go squid jigging or as the locals call it 'candat sotong'. Wah, exciting nye! I have always wanted to try this (my mom too!).. At first, suspen jugak la the girls because the sea was pretty rough and the fishermen were already warning us of being seasick. After downing the anti-seasick tablet ( some had a few dosage) we hoped for the best. Nervous le...

Seriously unexpected. 5 minutes into the boat ride 2 guys and 1 girl were already knocked out. These kapal nelayan can accomodate about 20-25 people comfortably, so its pretty big la.. but the sea was unforgiving. I had a rogue watermelon rolling into my lap! I decided to stand up and look at the area we were heading to ( largely because it was getting uncomfy watching them vomit and groaning).. We got to the spot about an hour plus after leaving Chendering jetty and it was almost sundown... By then, the boatmen were pretty impressed that two girls (myself included hehehehe) were holding up well. They were teasing the guys yang mabuk saying they were practically dead! Aiya...

Well, there was a lot of waiting.. and more waiting.. and still waiting. Dapat la some sotong.. I was so excited and it amused the fishermen/boatmen. Seronok! The best part was, the boatman fried the sotong straight away for us! Delicious! But i got bored soon after since it was dark and couldn't see anything much around us. Eventually I succumbed to nausea.. Decided to get some sleep around midnite and it started to rain.. Around 6a.m I was feeling pretty restless and wanted to go back to the deck.. but everyone was still asleep except for the boatmen/fishermen. Once day break, then everyone started to get up and packed up their gear..

Being on dry land was a great relief! After a short nap and shower, we headed to pasar Payang for lunch and some shopping before heading towards the Crystal Mosque and Taman Tamaddun Islam. Now that came to be a pleasant surprise.. It was worth the visit and I can't wait to see it once it's fully completed.

By evening we were on our way back to Cherating for dinner ... then finally home.

(Graphics from www.bigoo.ws)

Furry Friends

I've had pets (usually cats) for as long as I can remember. There were others like turtles, fishes, chickens, parakeets, rabbits and the shared iguana.. If I had it my way, I'd be having huskies and ferrets too... well maybe even a horse :-p

Right now I have these two to keep me company ... the twin terrors! They may look cute and innocent, well they do try to be when they want grub from me.. but as soon as I don't have my eyes on them, it seems like a mini hurricane went through the house! Haven't decided on their names just yet...

Anyways, just wanted to share some pics of them..

(Graphics from www.oneplusyou.com)

Cute Cupcakes!

I kinda jumped into the current trend of cupcakes. Am not much of a cupcake eater but I just enjoy the process of baking and decorating the cakes.

Since it's quite easy to make and lots of fun when u do it with kids and of course my mum, I am always game to whisk a batch up for the occasional family event.

Do not equate fun to make with nice to eat.

Actually I wouldn't know coz I have never eaten one to date! But the people who have say they're quite good or maybe they are just trying to be nice to me hehehehehhehee.. Anyways they make great eye candy.

I have learnt a few tricks as I go along, since it's mostly trial and error for me. The last batch I tried was with chocolate ganache (wah macam terer plak) topping .. looked really cute with sprinkles and all..

So anyone out there who has ideas and recipes to tell me about, I would appreciate it so much.. Til then happy baking!

I am truly blessed. Really. No kidding. Memang terbaik. I know this person..

She has a good big heart.
Always helps whenever she can. Alhtough to her detriment sometimes (sigh) when people take advantage of her kind nature.. But anyone can count on her to help. She believes in people.

She loves animals and animals love her.
Even the cats trust her to help deliver kittens. She would even give mouth to mouth resuscitation when a newborn can't breathe on its own, cuts the umbilical cord and clean them. Gross but true.

Even the wild bird would hang out on the wall near her stove and teman her (of course there's grub involved but how often can u feed a wild bird by hand?)

She is strong and steadfast.. physically and mentally.
For a sixty plus woman, she drives herself and the grandchildren, cooks, cleans and organizes for 8 people EVERYDAY.. enjoys gardening, reads, socializes, does craft work, travels etc etc..
Lost the love of her life but cherished every moment they had and kept the family going.

She is beautiful inside and out.
Takes pride in herself, her home and family. She is always grateful for her blessings..

Dammit she can cook.
My tummy is always happy when I am home. Enuf said.

She has a great sense of humour and is good natured.
Always full of funny stories and experiences.. Maybe she sees a lot of things in a good light.

A wonderful friend and listener.
Open hearted and caring.. She is my best friend and the love of my life. I can tell her anything (ok almost anything :-p) and I trust her completely. I still call her almost every day.. She has always been there for me and has been my best cheerleader!

This amazing lady is my mom.. I am sure many people out there would surely gush about their mums too. But since this is my blog, I get to gush all I want about my mom. Heheehhehehe..

I may not be able to treat her for a trip around the world, all the beautiful jewels and the life I truly feel she deserves.. but I will always try to be a great daughter whom she can rely on, be proud of, share with and hang out with..

Last nite, we spoke on the phone.. she told me one of her close friends sms her a mother's day wish.. saying how lucky we, the children, are to have a mum like her. And what did she do? She said she is grateful to have children like us to be a great mom to!

Happy Mother's Day

A friend forwarded an email which I thought would be a good read to share ;

EASY vs DIFFICULT

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others
Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes

Easy is to talk without thinking
Difficult is to refrain the tongue

Easy is to hurt someone who loves us.
Difficult is to heal the wound...

Easy is to forgive others
Difficult is to ask for forgiveness

Easy is to set rules.
Difficult is to follow them...

Easy is to dream every night.
Difficult is to fight for a dream...

Easy is to show victory.
Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...

Easy is to admire a full moon.
Difficult to see the other side...

Easy is to stumble with a stone.
Difficult is to get up...

Easy is to enjoy life every day.
Difficult to give its real value...

Easy is to promise something to someone.
Difficult is to fulfill that promise...

Easy is to say we love.
Difficult is to show it every day...

Easy is to criticize others.
Difficult is to improve oneself...

Easy is to make mistakes.
Difficult is to learn from them...

Easy is to weep for a lost love.
Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.

Easy is to think about improving.
Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action...

Easy is to think bad of others
Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt...

Easy is to receive
Difficult is to give

Easy to read this
Difficult to follow

Easy is keep the friendship with words
Difficult is to keep it with meanings