This Is It!

Alhamdulillah…all the time & energy (and blog post..) on the preparation for the relocation activity has come to an end..  (ahhh I’ll have my life back!!). We’ve moved to our new office on Monday. The relocation activity during the weekend was crazy …. and surprisingly fun too.  

My team has worked 24-7 during the weekends and took turns to shower, rest & sleep. Thanks to DearHubyy for understanding and for taking care of the kids for so many days & nights.. muahs!!

Pindah, pindah jugak.. gambar & pose tak bleh tinggal

Above is the photo of the team leads. My boss yg tgh duduk gaya ganas tu sbb tak tido for 24 hrs   . Plastic kat kerusi semua still intact lg..

Abaikan muka comot & mata bengkak hehehe tp masih nak pose amik gambo ahaks!

Partners in crime… masa ni dah midnight kot. Suruh cleaner amik gambo. Nasib baik jadik 

The Team had dinner after long hours of working. Semua muka penat, tp sbb boss nak blanja kat TonyRomas.. semua paksa diri utk jalan!

This photo was taken on Sunday morning. I was setting up the staff  shop system because on Monday there’ll be an opening ceremony by the MD… ishh tak sabar2 la diorang semua nie!!

It was a great experience and a big success to my team. Although there are still few items to be refined but the key is that we can conduct business as usual on Monday.

Semua penat lelah sgt berbaloi, as many words of praise were heaped upon us… like this one;

Aaaand….ehem.. 2 days unrecorded annual leave were given to us as appreciation for the effort put in many many days even before the relocation.. thanks Boss!!

So, This is it! New office, new environment, new spirit.. and new projects to complete before end of the year!!

New Nest

Alhamdulillah.. after months of planning, weeks and days of burning the midnight oil, we have finally ready to flock away to our new nest. The network is up and running, the server room looks good, applications migrated successfully.. and I am now writing from the new office at my new workstation with a view of… shopping complex! fuuuhhh, tabahkan laa hatiku ini

The Big Bang move is next weekend. My team will have to be awake for 48 hrs straight.. yeaahhh nasib baik laa nescafe free . So, kawan2 whenever you come and shop in the BigBlueYellow building, jgn lupa hallo2 gua.. boleh lepak2 kat Library! hehehe… cheers!

Tamiflu = Bunga Lawang

I just read that the main natural ingredient in Tamiflu is star anise!

Wikipedia:

“Shikimic acid, a primary feedstock used to create the anti-flu drug Tamiflu, is produced by most autotrophic organisms, but star anise is the industrial source. In 2005, there was a temporary shortage of star anise due to its use in making Tamiflu. Late in that year, a way was found of making shikimic acid artificially.”

Jadi, mari lah kita masak kari, soup atau stew utk berbuka puasa..

Salam Merdeka – 1Malaysia

Malaysia has attained independence for 52 years. I am a Malaysian citizen for 31 years now. I’m proud to be born in Malaysia and I’m proud for what Malaysia has achieved.

I like the idea of 1Malaysia, i truly do. For me, the idea of 1Malaysia has been practiced long time ago,  it is more visible in the small towns.. I, myself was raised to be majmuk and my grandma always remind me not to feel envy, jealous or hate against others. She said “Kalau nak mcm org2 tu, kena usaha sama macam diorang”.

I was raised by my grandma, Atok in a small housing area named Kampung Merdeka in Batu Pahat.  Atok was a cikgu agama.. a very garang teacher. Most of her students are now my friends’ parents  and most of them will remember how garang she’ve been. Kalau zaman sekarang boleh masuk court!!  :)  .  She has gone through the years of colonialism. Each time when we watched the Merdeka celebration on TV, she will tell us the stories on how they’ve lived to survive during those years.  My grandparents knew that Unity is the key of success..

Although both of my grandparents were teachers in sekolah agama, but they did not live in the quaters with other teachers, instead they bought a house in a newly developed land in the middle of Batu Pahat’s town- Kampung Merdeka. They minggled with all races, shared strories and raised children. There was one kedai runcit in town owned by a chinese uncle – Mr Tan, which Atok loved to go. The reason being,  Mr Tan can read & write Jawi very well. Atok was more jawi- friendly, cikgu agama kan… So, she will give the list she has prepared and wait. Best punya customer service, tak payah susah2 carik barang!

When I was a kid, festive seasons were the most ‘happening’ days. We will get red packets, purple packets, green packets and exchanged foods. My grandma will always (until today) allocate several mangkuk tingkat for the neighbours and  they will never return it empty. The non-muslim friends will always return the mangkuk tingkat with fruits, biscuits and sweets. I was not allowed to eat junk foods, except during festive seasons.. aahhh heaven wei masa tu.

Atok enrolled me in Convent School. She said that I need to widen my horisons, miggle with other races and buck up my English. She knew English is very important and growing up in a small town,  she’ll make sure that I won’t be left behind. Besides, in the evening I attended sekolah agama. Takde fikir2 nnt anak2 sesat ke apa.. Knowledge is what she wanted us to have.

 ”As the older generations pass, the memory of what was sacrificed to achieve independence fades. But within each Malaysian there remains a sense that we are 1Malaysia, one people, who can only progress as one.” – PM

The new generation of  Malaysians must understand what ‘Merdeka’ really means and study how did we achieved Merdeka so that we will all know that each race have played their part and deserve what they have worked for. And most importantly we have to protect what we have now so that our children, grand children, great grand children.. will able to enjoy the privileges like us. Well, I am still learning and still trying to understand..

I owe Atok so much, tak terbalas rasanya. Tomorow is her 86th birthday. Alhamdulillah she’s healthy but  getting more forgetful than before. But yesterday, as my daughter watching the Disney channel, after she has finished reading the newspaper she asked us to change the channel to RTM.. “Atok nak tengok sambutan merdeka lah”.. ahhh my patriotic Atok

Let’s Read The Quran

Let’s Read The Quran campaign is back this Ramadhan. More details of the campaign, please check it out here .

The campaign makes me realize that, I’ve always make excuses to start reading The Qur’an.  No time lah, busy with the children, dah khatam.. so nak kena pegi class terjemahan al-quran pulak. Macam2 alasan.. But now I realize that I can always start by reading a translation of The Qur’an in a language that I understand.

The campaign is not only for Muslims, but for ALL – those who believe in God and for those who believe in good values. Values that we should pratice in our daily lives.

Friends, do join the campaign and spread the words…

Ramadhan BlogPost : What Malaysians Want

An inspiring article/advert from Anas Zubedy for the holy month of Ramadhan.  

“Help others avoid evil and turn to doing good, Mend broken friendships and help others, to help others.” – Ibn ‘Arabi (1165-1240)

Peaceful and non-disruptive demonstrations that get the point across

Peaceful demonstrations are part and parcel of democracy. Our Federal Constitution through Article 10 grants us the right to freedom of speech, expression and assembly. It is an excellent avenue for the Government to get direct feedback from the Rakyat. It provides our nation with another means of checks and balances – a must have for a society to stay just and stable. Peaceful demonstrations are also safety valves, healthy channels for the Rakyat to vent out their frustrations openly as opposed to going underground.

We need support systems and processes, a mature culture and approach towards peaceful demonstrations – one that expresses the Rakyat’s aspirations while minimizing disruptions. For the Rakyat, peaceful demonstrations are a last resort, when nothing else works, when all other avenues are exhausted. Peaceful demonstrations should not be the first choice used opportunistically.
 

Our constitution also assures the right to choose to support or not to support a cause. It guarantees the right to earn a decent living, to grow rich both materially and spiritually. When one party exercise their right, it must not infringe upon the rights of others. We must look at the constitution in its totality, not pick and choose whatever and whenever it suits us.

Both BN and PR governments need to assign appropriate spaces for the purpose of large demonstrations. Neither a stadium nor downtown Kuala Lumpur is suitable. All parties need to exercise empathy when choosing when and where to demonstrate; people need to march on roads not arenas but they need to stay away from areas where businesses are conducted.

When we take away the income of the poor even for a day, for some it may mean a day with no food on the table. For our foreign-born Indonesian and Bangladeshi brothers and sisters losing a day’s wage of RM 30.00 means a loss of one week’s income back home. Merchants and business organisations need sales during the weekends to survive and make a profit to continue providing employment to the thousands under their care. The nation cannot prosper when every time the Rakyat voice their concerns businesses lose millions of ringgit.

In ancient times, smart Kings apportion days for their subjects to air grievances so that they can listen to problems and mismanagement directly, bypassing ineffective and corrupt officials. Today in our era of democracy, peaceful demonstrations serve the same exact purpose. But we need to do it right; with empathy, the ability to place oneself in another’s shoes; from all sides.

The Rakyat has the right to air their feelings. They should be able to hoist their placards and hope to be heard. It is for government leaders, new and old media, and those with the means, to translate their call into news, policies and actions that makes a difference.For this to happen, we need peaceful and non-disruptive demonstrations that get the point across.

The goal is getting the point across.

At zubedy we believe at the heart, all Malaysians want good things for themselves and for their brother and sister Malaysians, simply because our nation cannot prosper as a whole if some of us are left behind.

Let us add value,
Have a meaningful Ramadhan and Aidilfitri

The previous “What Malaysians Want Series “ were:
 
A Social Contract
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/05/i-propose-social-contract-this-wesak.html

 
Politicians who cooperate and compete to make Malaysia a better place http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/04/have-meaningful-vaisakhi.html

Development Without Corruption
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2008/12/have-meaningful-xmas.html

A First-Rate Education
http://letusaddvalue.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-malaysian-want.html

 

Love & Marriage : 5th Anniversary

We are celebrating our 5^th Wedding Anniversary today.

We’ve gone through some trying times..But I feel my husband and I, our marriage, it’s pretty amazing.

Strong. Loving. Little projects around our home. Big adventures in new places. Meaningful conversations about things that matter. Daily giggles about random silliness. Delicious food and healthy living. Long hugs. Quiet moments. Lots of laughter.Honesty and support. The highest regard for each other. And a passion for living.

Everyday he makes me want to be a better person.

In terms of our temperaments and personalities, I believe we’re very different.

But we share the same values, feelings and goals towards things like family, friends, health, work, money, stress, holidays, how we spend out time, our future plans.

We have disagreements, but we work it out to be aligned with each other in all aspects – the love, marriage, the relationship, the companionship, the everything…

To my very best friend,
my special companion,
my unwavering strength,
my glow of inspiration,
my favourite shopping buddy,
my efficient dish washer,
the father of my children,
my lover and only soul mate… you rock my world babe.

It’s been 5 years, and I’m one lucky woman.. Alhamdulillah. Semoga berkekalan sehingga akhir hayat.. aminnnn.

Recipe :: Mini Beef Burgers

For friends yg nak cuba, silakan.. silakan. This recipe is from Jamie Oliver : The Naked Chef 2.

Mini Beef Patties

Note: The patties can be prepared earlier. Wrap it up in cling wrap and put in fridge.

500g minced beef – I use Ramli’s minced meat jer
2 medium red onions, finely chopped
2 eggs
1 to 2 handfuls  bread crumbs – giant ada jual kat bread section
1 tablespoon coriander seeds, crushed -  giant ada jual yg serbuk
1 small pinch cumin seeds, crushed – giant ada jual yg serbuk
1 heaped teaspoon  mustard
Salt and ground black pepper

Bahan A : Mix minced beef and chopped onions

Bahan B : In a separate bowl mix together the eggs, coriander, cumin, salt, pepper, mustard. Kacau sampai rata.

1. Mix B into A. Mush it up and mix well with your hands and fingers

2. Masukkan bread crumbs as required, to bind and lighten the mixture. So, mixture tu tak laa basah sgt.

3. Gently mold the mixture into smallish ball-sized shapes, then press beef balls into patties. Note : Daging nie mengecut bila goreng so,  jgn kecik2 sgt.  Dah siap & ready to fry (with olive oil)!

Kalau nak lagi sedap, you can roast the patties in the oven. Tapi umah aku takde oven, so fry atas grill pan jer. If you want to use the oven, preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Place in the oven for 25 mins.

Assemble the burgers

Small Round burger buns
Lettuce or any vege for you liking
Tomatoes
Sliced onions
Grated tasty cheese

Letak butter kat atas roti and put on the hot frying pan sekejap. Then, susun semua ikut suka. Di sebabkan burger nie kecik sgt, cucukkan dgn tooth pick so semua mak nenek tu tak terjatuh bila dah di susun.  Howzat!

Homemade :: Mini Burgers

Made these few weeks ago. It was my 1st attempt and they turned pretty good! Tidak ku sangka..

They were yummy and healthy!

Milo wins again!

Macam kenal tak minah yg muka berlemuih kat hujung tu? hihihii… There’s a small write up about our team in The Star newspaper last Saturday.

Read more here .

I was just 2 points behind from being awarded the ‘top female scorer’ ahaks! Berangan!! I have not been playing futsal for almost a year, so boleh tahan laa kan!

Please ignore muka berlemuih, mmg tak comei langsung!