Froggg Partayyyy!

Sorry for the late update everyone. Hello to all. As you may already sense from the title, I am writing about a frog birthday party that was held at my Mom-in-law's place on 13th November 2011 ( I know it's a little late for my blog update!). It's my baby girl Chempaka Naura's first birthday. Alright, I may be a little excited and somehow planned this party lonnngggg time ago. We had to get so many things done from as early as July although birthday is in November. However, I am glad that everything went well as planned and everyone was happy at the end of the party.

To tell you the truth, my baby knows nothing about anything. After all, she's just one year old , right! The frog party was actually was for me! Hehehe!!! I've been an avid collector of frog dolls and such for some time. I love the cartoon frog, of course. Not so on the real ones. I collect any things that's related to frog. Be it frog dolls, frog purses, frog bags, you name it and I have it. So, why not make a frog party? It'll be different and unique in its own way. So, my sister-in-law and I have been planning it months before the actual date so that we could get a lot of things sorted out as some of the stuff like pasta and other frog stuff cannot be bought here in Malaysia. Good gracious, we have a wonderful friend who stays in the USA and helped us delivered some stuff from there. Thank you, Carissa. We couldn't have done it without you!

These are some of the photos taken on that eventful day. Though not many as I was too hectic with other things, I managed to capture some moments. Enjoy it!

Cute banners made by my is-in-law.

Party packs ready! Frog cookies made to order from Delectable by Su.

Some of the menus on that special day.

The entrance, the balloons and decorations for the party.

YES!!!! They're all my collections, not my daughter's. Hehe!!

Can you spot the frog??? Thanks to my love who bought this hand wash gel for me.

The birthday cake (though a bit invisible from this angle!).

The cupcakes (icing on top courtesy of me, Kak Lena and Kak Yam).

Big froggo frog (birthday present from my sis, Kak Izah).

All in all, they made incredible decorations for the main table.

Birthday girl and Mama. Love you to bits.

Oops! forgot Papa!

I can't thank everyone enough for making it a success. Extra thanks to Kak Soraya and Abang Arif who have been preparing all these and made it an incredible birthday for my little baby (and me! *wink wink*). To everyone, and I mean EVERYONE! who helped us through this humble party we threw, thank you for all your kind hard work. Thanks to friends and relatives who dropped by on that day. We hope that you did enjoy it as much as we did. For those who weren't invited. That's just toooo baddddd!!!

Love and so much love...





I often see love everywhere I go. I am always amazed by the word and I love the word 'love'. You can find love everywhere. Love between parents and their children, love among brothers and sisters, love among husbands and wives, love toward animals, love towards the planet and environment, love for technology, love and love and love. The list is endless and never ending.


I discovered love when I was just a tiny little girl. Love was something new for me and I was eager to say the word love, love, love. I love my dolls and toys, I love my Mom, I love almost everything and anything.


As I grew older, I was fascinated by the love of music and freedom. I love music so much because it makes me happier and feel more loved. Though I don't really have any particular genre that I really love, I love music indeed. The rhythm, the beat, melodies and lyrics made me fell in love to music even more. I don't describe myself as the rebellious type but I was in desperate for freedom, I felt I needed it so much. I love it when Mom gave me some freedom especially in voicing out my opinion. I love that.


I entered adulthood with passion and enthusiasm to embrace love. This time is about work and the job that I chose to love. Flying up in the sky was such an incredible and amazing experience for me. I fell in love with the job instantly despite the bullying and some harsh insulting words from some jerks. I love flying so much. Not so much on working with some annoying colleagues but I survived! Oh, how  I miss my flying days.

Travelling is my passion. If I had all the money in the world, I would travel and travel and travel. There are so many beautiful places to visit. I love to travel with my loved ones. To share what I'm passionate about. Not many chances of travelling nowadays but it's okay. I still love to travel when there's opportunity.

Food! That is something everyone should love. It gives us energy and pleasure when we eat them. Gosh! I love food. I can't imagine life without food. It's a shame that in certain parts of the world, food is so inaccessible to its people. Some were starved to death. I can't describe how lucky I am to be able to taste and enjoy food. I love them!

Love of my life, my beloved husband, Shafiz Yusof. I don't know how did you do it but I'm so deeply in love with you, all the time. Thank you for showing me different kind of love and I'm hooked on you. Any magic spells or potions that you gave me that make me so into you? Of course none. Silly of me. Thank you for the unconditional love and care and may we remain this way forever and ever. I love you, my love.

Children are so precious and special, although sometimes they can really get into your nerves and drive you crazy. However, I love children. I don't know how or when did I start to feel love toward children. I wasn't so into them before. They are naughty and cranky. They are annoying and love crying. That all changed when I decided to be a mother, myself. I learned to accept everyone is so different and unique. Same goes with children. Each one of them is exceptionally different than another. We have to nurture and bring them up the best possible way and InsyaAllah, they will be responsible and mature adults. I'm trying to be a mother and still very new in this case, but I'm loving it. I see more and more love and compassion in me after being a mother. Amazing how my little baby changed my entire life! I love her so much. I love you so much, Chempaka Naura.

Some say, in-laws are creepy and sometimes if you do stay with them, it'll be a living hell. In my case, it's totally the opposite. I love my in-laws. They are superb in everything and every way. I can't thank God enough for blessing me with this incredibly loving family. My Mom in law is my best buddy. we talk about everything. I love all of them so much. What's even better, my Mama and Mom in law are best buddies too. I can only dream of having that in my life. Love all of them so much for the love that they share with me.

I love friends who are there especially when you need them. I have few numbers of friends who are nice and friendly. They always check on you if every thing's okay. They know inside out about you and accept you as who you are. That is what friends are for. They are so special, right!

I can go on and on listing down about love and more love but I think I've to stop this for a while. Love is such a beautiful word and feeling. You have to have love for yourself before loving anyone. Love yourself first and explore love with others and you'll find more love.

Love,

Hidayah@D.

Sesame Street.

   40 Years of Sunny Days Sesame Street DVD.

I don't know when did I first heard of Sesame Street? Neither the first time I ever watched the show. Somehow, I get hooked to it lately. I have been watching the show over and over again with my 1 year old daughter. I thought it would be kind of educational programme for her to watch. Besides that, the show consist of a lot of catchy and rhyming songs that makes it perfect for children. I myself love it. I love the muppets and varieties of characters, as well as colours, shapes and sizes all combined together. If their goal is to teach children about so many things, then I strongly believe that they've achieved it tremendously well. My daughter is so addicted to Sesame Street and I have no intentions of stopping her from watching it. I'm all for it!

As you can see from the enclosed photo above (which I pasted from Google), Sesame Street has been on TV for 40-some years. Who would have thought a TV show could last that long? And leave a huge impact to an enormous number of kids all around the globe. Yes! That's Sesame Street! Wow!

And I quote " I've always said of our original team that developed and produced Sesame Street: Collectively, we were a genius"-Joan Ganz Cooney, founder of CTW and Sesame Street.

Yes, indeed they were genius to create a show that complement young minds and hearts. They managed to come up with that idea in the late 60's when TV was such an out of the ordinary box kind of thing.

I love Sesame Street and I still enjoy watching the old episodes back to back. It is some kind of addiction to me and my baby girl. We both can't resist it.

To all Sesame Street fans out there, enjoy it while it's still available. With the technology fast growing in today's world, we tend to forget what was there before than what it is now. I am one happy mother enjoying Sesame Street with my loved ones. Hehehe!! That includes my husband. Ah! Ah! Ah! The Count style.

In Loving Memory of Koko.

It has been a while since I last saw my handsome male cat, Koko. He vanished almost a month ago. I just don't know his whereabouts. I miss him dearly. I wish I knew what actually happened to him. Is he still alive or gone completely from this world? I have no answers at all. I tried to find him around my house and neighbourhood but Koko can never be found anywhere. I miss those nights when he'll call me from the outside of my room, by the window trying to get in. Once he's in, he'll sleep on my bed until the wee hours of dawn before smooching my face with his wet nose trying to get out from my room.


During my pregnancy, Koko kept me company whenever my husband is away for work. He'll have half of the bed and I had to make sure I won't accidentally crush him with my huge belly. Hehehe! Oh how I miss him.


Thank you Koko for being such an amazing friend to me. I can never forget all the crazy things you did to me like kissing me all over my face trying to get out at 5 in the morning. Biting and playing under my chair while I'm on the computer. Sleeping in all sorts of funny and weird positions on my bed. Scratching my hands when I tried to caress you. Meow-wing at me when you want something and so much more.


I am sorry if you feel that I abandon you after Chempaka Naura is born. My attention and priority has changed entirely for her. Thank you for helping me during my rough nights, I miss having you next to me. I miss you a lot now.


Whatever the outcome is, I hope you are in a better place and happy. Although I miss you so much, life has to go on.


Here are some photographs for remembrance.

Koko trying to get some sleep.

The bed is mine! Hehehe!!!

Leaning my hot bod to the wall.

Not sure if he's in a yoga class? This is so cute!

I'm going to miss you forever Koko.

XOXO,

Hidayah@D.

A Reader! My Blog?

I've been writing my blog for a couple of months now. When I first started it, I expected no one to read it at all except my husband and some close family members. Today, I found out that there's another person, an outsider who visits my blog. Wow! And that reader left a comment. I'm flattered and surprisingly delighted! Is that normal? I don't know what to say about it. I am happy that someone reads and I still can't believe it. Thank you.

P/S- Hey my love, someone actually visited my blog! Hehehe! Thanks to you for encouraging me to do this. I love you to bits.

Kiasu, Who???

This word often confuses me. I think I know what it means but at the same time I don't really know what it means? I'm sure you know what I mean. So, to clear things up, I decided to check it in the Internet and find out what it really means. It derived from a Hokkien (one of the Chinese dialects) word that literally means 'fear of losing'. I still don't quite get it, do you?


This word is synonym with Singaporeans as it is widely used to describe their behaviour. However, I disagree with that. To me, my Singapore experience has been great so far. Regardless with all other opinions relating to the kiasu issue. I believe that somewhere everywhere, there must be some people who's kiasu, not particularly in Singapore. There are some in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and other countries too. Kiasu is so subjective.


Recently, I travelled to Singapore, again with my loved ones for a short getaway over the weekend. I had to be on my own for a while with my daughter because my husband couldn't joined us, (as he was busy eyeing on Mark Wright! Hehehe!). Well, travelling solo with an 11 month old baby is not a walk in the park for me. My daughter wants to be strolled constantly without any stop, so that somehow restricted my window shopping while I was there. I was clumsy and exhausted at the same time, (not that I'm complaining for being a mother!) rushing everywhere and tried to comfort and fulfill my daughter's needs and wants. I was busy struggling with the baby, the stroller, the shopping bags, the phone calls from my Mama, the coins falling all over the place etc, you name it all. I was just  about to burst into frustration and came this lovely young lady with a sweet smile offering a hand to me, I was in heaven! She helped me by picking up my coins on the floor. Though it was just a tiny good deed, but I really appreciate it indeed! It was spontaneous and I am a sucker for good people with positive attitude, and she impressed me greatly well by doing that! What kiasu, who? Singaporean? Think about it.


Surprisingly, there was another person with a big heart caught my attention as I was fighting my way from the hustling and bustling crowd. I was approaching to the exit and was about to push out the door to make my way out when one young gentleman held the door and helped me with my stroller and all, how swwweeeetttt!!! A help I least expected, especially when people raving about how kiasu and arrogant Singaporeans are. Nope, not all are like that! I was really touched and can't thank him enough. Well, I really love that and appreciate it so much when someone give a hand to another person in need, it feels so good and fantastic! Another kiasu Singaporean? You tell me.


In conclusion, what I'm trying to say is that it doesn't matter who you are and where you are from. Regardless whatever it is, kiasu is not only in Singaporeans, we forget the real meaning of kiasu is 'fear of losing' and in today's world everyone is sooo afraid of losing, be it among Singaporeans, among students in school, among colleagues at a workplace, among brothers and sisters in a family, among politicians, yada yada yada yada yada ( I could go on forever!!! The list is endless!!). There is a little kiasu in all of us but unfortunately we always tend to overlook it by pin pointing others. If you are a good person, then there must be another good person too. If we all could stop blaming each other and whining about this kiasu-ness, then the world is a much better place to live in.


What kiasu again??? Ask yourself!


Forget kiasu-ness, think kindness. Peace to all!


Love,
Hidayah.

P/S- Hi my love, I know you're reading this. Best Singapore. Thanks again and love you so much!

Surviving Motherhood.

What a title, huh? I know it 's a little lame but I just want to share my experience here. I have a daughter who's about to celebrate her first birthday next month. Being a mother is incredible for me. I am far better person in every single way. Despite all the crying, the messiness she made, giggles coming out from her mouth when I do some stupid stuff just to get her attention, yada, yada, yada... I can't describe in words the experience of a lifetime being a mother. Yup, I do get tensed sometimes  when things don't go my way or even just by her disobedience about oh so many things! What can I say, I'm still trying to be a mom!

There is no book in this world that could really guide you or me to be the best mother for our children. I, myself is still learning about her every single second. It is weird but it is fun and exciting to feel that way. I love my daughter very much. I am so thankful and contented that I have supports from all my family members. I can never survive without them.

Dear Chempaka Naura,

I am sorry if there were times I was being foolish by not understanding your needs,
If there were times I was being harsh on you,
If there were times I didn't listen to you,
If there were times I was losing my emotions completely for things you did unintentionally,
Mama is still trying to get to know you,
Trying to get to know all about you,
Forgive me if I ever hurt you in any ways,
For you should know, I'm trying and always trying,
To be a mother to you, a friend to you, a shoulder to cry on and your confidante,
I will always strive to be the best mother you could ever imagine,
Please allow me to do so, always,
I love you so much, always.

Love,

Mama.

Our first airplane ride together to Langkawi Island. First holiday for you. You did great!

Our first Mother's Day celebration together. You were just 6 months old!

We were on our way to Singapore. Woo Hoo!

Look at the smile!

I really love this one! We both smiled and

so sweet together! I love you so much!