Tanggal 31..

"One Two Three Four
Uno Dos Tres Cuatro.."

Just another 4 more months till the big day..
Time sure flies!

Anyways, wishing everybody
Happy 52nd Merdeka Day!

My 6-year-olds suprised me with a Merdeka hat the other day.
So, a group photo is a must!
Will be out with Kak Long & little Misha today.
Have a good day ya'll!

From Ernie to Bert..

When I was in New Fort, I managed to dig up & got some of Mr Bert's old pics. Not much of childhood pics, but he has a lot from teenager years onwards.

Here's him, as an ugly duckling 'Ernie'..

..who transform into a beautiful swan 'Bert'...
Big difference kan? hehe..
He even has some "harry potter" pics (imagine those round specs), but I won't post it up. Cian my dia will be so embarrassed..
Regardless him looking like Ernie, or Harry, or even Bert.. he is still #1 in my heart! *winks*

Escaped the rain & jam..

Fyuhh.. what a day.
I was supposed to follow my parents to break fast at Sri Kembangan.
But my bro & I were in town, and it was SO jammed up everywhere.
Mind you, it was only 2pm that time.
Headed to Low Yatt to "fix" my laptop. Left KL at around 4.45pm.
Again,the roads were jammed.
And guess what.. it rained.. HEAVILY!
We were at Jalan Sultan Ismail for a good..15 minutes, inching away bit by bit. We were still at the same spot.
"Emer, rather than we get stuck in a major traffic until we reached home, why don't we just lepak in KLCC instead?"
"Hmm...good idea meen.."

So we did! We headed to KLCC.. and it was such a relief to be able to walk around freely rather than being outside in the rain & jam! hmpphh..
We headed to Toys R Us (yes, Emer still LOVES to go there), had light buns for berbuka, prayed then ate Burger King for dinner.
At 8.20pm, we headed home. Roads were cleared. No more rain. Oh yes.. we drove home safely..

*********************
This year, I noticed that God is always testing me with "materialistic" things.

Early this year, I lost my handbag (and hp, wallet, the whole works). Few weeks after, my camera was spoilt. Requires RM 500 to fix it. Might as well buy a new one, which at the moment, I have not purchased. Been borrowing my mom's. Then also, my semi-hard contacts decided to disappear on me. It will cost another RM 300 but buy another pair. So now, I wear my daily disposable one ONLY when needed. Am back to being spec-ky now.
And just recently.. my laptop of 4 years.. died on me. The hardisk is "kapoot".
Of course the shop ppl told me that they can replace a new hardisk (depending on how much GB I want).. But, I need to install the Original Windows, which will cost me in total RM 400.
Perghh..
So what I plan to do? :- Use the family PC.
Which means, no more surfing to my leisure in my room. :(

Camera. Contacts. Laptop. The necessities that were important to me, now not a priority no more. Plus, all these things requires LOTSA money to buy. And I am at the mist of saving money for my wedding. Sigh.. Dugaannye...
Well, like they say.. "You can replace things, but you can't replace ppl".
And least my loved ones are still with me.. :)

48hours of hecticness!

Yes, am back & recovering.
It has been a hectic 48hours. Hectic, but meaningful.
I won't elaborate much, the photos tell it all..

Pa signed & lafazed the wali wakalah

Arrived in KB

berbuka Nasi Dagang.. yummm..

Late "celuk" supper at PCB..

my fav kuih, Akok!

Me & adorable twins, Athirah & Atiqah..

Posing with Nani & the twins..

Hanging out at the newly painted house..

All the men in tow..

Now, is the ladies turn..

Papa & Baba.. finally they met!

Okay, mission accomplished.
Didn't get to shop at all, but the main agenda was all done, thank God.
Till next year KB! ;)

of scents..

Here are my current scents...
Victoria Secret's Berry Kiss Body Spray (my engagement hantaran),
Romance by Ralph Lauren ( given by Mr Bert for my bday last year),
Body Shop's Oceanus (given by one of my students for Teacher's Day last year)
Britney Spears' Fantasy (given by Tuk Teh)
Miss Dior Cherie (given by my mom for my bday last year)
Polo Club's Beverly Hills (given by one of my students during the last year's school party).
The two small golden bottles are from Mekah.

I have enough to keep me occupied for the year..
Beverly Hills & Miss Dior is almost finished. But the rest is sufficient.
Not forgetting, am getting one more for my hantaran later on.. Yeay!

ps: am loving the smell......(^_^)

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Am all packed for tmrw.
It will be a hectic 48 hours.. but I'll survive.
New Fort, here I come!

salam ramadhan..

I'm in a better mood today.
(That humongous keropok is supposed to be a my big fat smile.)
I hate being in the state of PMS & while having menstrual. My emotions are so hi-wire!
I have been extra sensitive lately.. over small-patty things.
I cried for no apparent reason.. pergh..
Finally, after all the drama that happened the past few days, this morning's sms cheered me up a bit.
Am back to my 'normal' self again.. :)

Anyways, tmrw will be the first day of puasa.
This is the month when Heaven's gate is widely opened.. all of us should take advantage to get closer to Allah.
Unfortunately for me, I can't "menyambut" puasa just yet. Most likely I can fast after my New Fort trip. Personally, I do look forward to sembahyang terawih with my family, to read my Quran (and hopefully Khatam this time round!) & of course, buying + eating the food from the pasar ramadhan..

My New Fort trip is just another 3 more sleeps.
Since it is just a 24 hours trip, I must remind myself to travel light!
Don't plan to shop actually.. maybe just shop for khaftons this time. And keropoks. And my dosage of yummy kelantanese food! yumm!
Oh yes, must get Mr Bert's childhood pics too for the montage..

Therefore, to all my muslim readers & friends, Salam Ramadhan!
May you all have a blessed & peaceful one indeed..
This will be my last puasa as a bachelorette..(^_^)

a bump on the road..

"The broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight
Maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time
I am here still waiting though i still have my doubts
I am damaged at best, like you've already figured out

I'm falling apart, I'm barely breathing
With a broken heart that's still beating
In the pain there is healing
In your name I find meaning

So I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on, I'm holdin' on
I'm barely holdin' on to you.."

2nd year..

Well, Mr Bert & I don't really have an anniversary day of when we were 'officially together'. (except for merisik, bertunang.. and of course my nikah day insyallah).
And Mr Bert is definitely not the 'I-shall-propose-to-you' kinna guy.

But today, is a special day to remember.
Today, 2 years ago, was the first time when we 'in contact' with each other.
I still remember that time..I was on the way to Johor for my niece, Misha's potong jambul. I think we were somewhere in N9, when I got a text from an unknown number..

"Hi Meen.. This is Munir, Shades' friend. How are you?"

At that time, I was quite happy to read the msg. I remembered Shades told me that she wanted to introduce me to her colleague of hers who is still single. Initially I declined.. but Shades insisted I give it a shot. Bare in mind that at this time, I have no clue how Mr Bert looks or sounds like!

So then, I replied..

"Hi Munir.. I am Shades friend too. hehe. Pleasure 'meeting' you.. "

We msged each other back & forth.. I remembered he was still msging me when we reached JB. (Time tuh.. bersungguh2 lah.. semangat! )
The rest..well, let's just say it's history.. (^_^)

To my Mr Bert,
Happy 2nd year of getting to know 'us'..
From a stranger, to a friend, to a bf, to a fiance-to-be, to a fiance.. and soon-to be-hubby..
With these transitions, may there be many many many many many many years to come for us... Just another 4 1/5 months till am officially yours.. *winks*

Hantaran #11

Finally, somebody has decided specifically what he wants for his hantaran #11..
He tiba-tiba requested for this..




Aiseyyy.....the cunnest phone of them all!
Where la to find $$$$ to buy this..
At the maxis site, it seems that it is cheaper to buy the phone upfront, rather than the monthly payment.
If I go by the 12 months or 24 months plan, I end up paying MUCH more than the phone's actual cost! perghh...
So how now brown cow? :(
Anybody wanna sponsor this hantaran? hehe..

knight in shining armor..

At about 4.30pm today, I was surprised to see rows of white tent in front of my school.
Similar to the ones like these:-
But imagine, rows of it at the lorong to my school.
I was informed that the ceremony will only start tmrw evening.. and they won't put any tables or chairs till then. So it won't affect the students & such.
My car was still parked outside my school, but since they will finish up the work soon, I've decided not to move my car.
So I headed to the gym as planned.

Then, after my gym session (and still in the changing room), one of my teachers called me
"Helena.. do you know that the event will be held from 10am-10pm tmrw? And, they are still doing up the tents. I just saw your car.. you definitely can't go out.."
Oh no.. bummer..
So, I called up my backup plan.. Mr Bert.

"Alah... don't worry. Of course they will clear the road. They won't leave a car stuck there."

I quickly went back to the car, saw the lorong. Yes, I can't get out..yet.
So I was asking those workers, and fortunately I met the 'boss'.
He assured me that only after 3pm tmrw they will start putting up tables & chairs, and also I can definitely move out my car after they remove the 'mess'.
At about 10 mins after, I drove back home.
And of course, I had to tell Mr Bert that plan B was off.

"See..I told yah they won't leave you alone.."
"Yeah I know.. but, who knows, if I had to leave my car there. Also, I just wanted to test you if you would wanna 'rescue' me tadi. Mcm tak aje.. :p "
"Of course I'll rescue you.. I kan sayang you.."

One of those things that made my day .
I feel like a princess already! (^_^)

a date with my fiance

Mr Bert & I had our fav dinner subs today.
Even the lady at the counter asked
"Lama tak datang.."
"Well.. kitaorg datang sebulan sekali.."
"Oh ye ke..datang2 la selalu"
"Maybe.. nih the last Subway before puasa nanti.."
"Eh, takpelah.. boleh aje berbuka kat sini.."

Hmm.. kept me thinking.. maybe we could.
Next occasion.. My Birthday treat! *yeay*
Gotta hint Mr Bert. Berbuka at subway!

Speaking oh which, I've decided to add 3 more items for my birthday wish (mengada betul! :P)
1) A new pair of sport shoes.. mine is SOO pathetic! quite embarrassing to walk around the gym in those shoes..A nice Nike or Adidas will be fantastic!
2) Lots of new trackbottoms.. cotton ones please..
3) A cute door stopper.. hehe

okay.. I shall.. stop. Please don't be demanding meen!

*****************************

I was telling Mr Bert bout how I felt yesterday..
"well.. say what they wanna say.. you always look pretty to my eyes.." (yes, he's being biased. but I loike!)
" thank you dia.. *blushed* maybe it's my PMS la.. so annoying.."
" Maybe they are the ones having PMS!"

Hehe.. that surely cheered me up!

**********************************

I have sorta started my bridezilla-ness on Mr Bert..
"Dia.. we need to know what are the things we need for the house.. we need to start deciding on wedding card... we need to book our honeymoon..blah blah blah.."
"hey, slow down now.. lambat lagi.. we still have time. I am still deciding on my job, and here you are, asking 1001 things. Btw, maybe honeymoon will need to be postponed if I choose to change to a new job.."
(o_O)"Huh? No honeymoon? " :(

Mr Bert has 2 offers now..but he is still contemplating..
So if he takes the new job, chances of him getting long leaves are low.
There goes my surveys & research on our honeymoon spot.

Oh well, tengok rezeki.
Let's pray for the best..
*I pray for sandy beaches ...and beautiful sunsets..* winks*

bummer

I was rather down today..
Wanted to go out, but decided not too. Cleaned my room instead.
Poor dzhofier, entertained himself. Lucky thing Emer & my parents were around.

Well, the past week.. I received 2 comments bout myself
"Hey.. you look pregnant in that.."
"Oh, you look different from the website. You've put on weight.. and you look darker now.."
Like seriously. I am so bummed. :(

Maybe I should try harder in the gym. 2 hours instead of 1.
Maybe I should eat only salads & fruits.
Am trying.. but, I guess, it is not working.
Mr Bert will have a 'fat bride' on his wedding day..
BooHoo~ :(

Okay.. maybe it's my hormones too. PMS attack.
But still.. the pressure is there.
I have about 6 weeks before my tailor takes my measurements..
wish me luck..

**********************

Right.. on a brighter note..
It has been 5 months with my fiance..Praises to Allah.
I'm sure you've heard the song from Bon Jovi..
"OOhh...we're halfway there.. Oohhh.. Living on a prayer..."
And yeap, we are definately halfway there...
Just another 4 months ++ to go Mr Bert! *winks*

7atenine

Today's date is really unique.. 07.08.09.

If you asked me about 11 months ago, that was my "planned" date for my nikah.

It was my first choice, cause I wanted a date after Mr Bert's birthday, but before mine.

But of course, things changed. After much discussion, it has changed to new year's eve Insyallah.

Can you imagine, if not I'd be married now? (O_o)

Okay, enough is enough. Today also marks 1 month before my birthday.

This month is my last month as a quarter-century year old.

Am actually thinking, perhaps I could a birthday-cum-pre-wedding list, if that would help.. (not that I am expecting anything.. yeah right! :P)

So, here's the list:-

1) Sushi set for beginners- Saw this at mph,..after Mr Bert's Japanese treat, I had this urge feeling to learn how to make sushi.. so this is a good start! It comes with a book, a DVD, the sushi mat & some tiny bowls too..

2) Medi & Pedi- anybody wanna belanje me for a session.. you're most welcomed!

3) Face threading- something my sis-in-law again emphasized, but I don't have the guts. Can you persuade me?

4) a Ginger Detox session @ soul nibana- haha.. so demanding! :P

5) a camera! -non sony please..

6) ANYTHING FROM VICTORIA SECRET *heaven*

7) a pink pic frame from this shop in OU- the shop is in the Old Wing, top floor, near Jusco. Forgot the name. It has sweet pink flowers around it.. me likey!

8) a free make-up session- last one as an anak dara..cheewahhh....

9) A nice guest book for the wed

10) Those instant slip on tudungs..

11) A new pair of sports shoe- my current one needs to be changed..badly!

12) anybody wanna sponsor our honeymoon? lalala..

Haha.. this is hilarious. Obviously the list can go on & on, and I can request all the heart desires. Of course I won't do that... But I do accept any voucher/ any amount of cash.. hehe..

Again my birthday this year will fall during fasting month. Am not gonna do any big do.. just a small berbuka puasa with family & Mr Bert. Then terawih follows after. Simple yet meaningful.

Alrighty, my bed's calling. Tmrw's my open day. Hope there's lots of parents will be coming..wish me luck!

bookworm

I've just finished reading the Time Traveller's Wife. 600 pages in 1 week.
That's a super big accomplishment for me! *clap clap clap!*
Talk about semangat gila membaca!
The book is interesting.. is about this man who travels thru time. Most of the time he travels to the past, and the lady meets the future.
Bottom line..even with the undeniable "powers".. you can never change the future. And what has happened in the past remains.
I think the movie will be much less complicated. Based from the trailer, they've made changes to accomodate the story.
It was definitely fun to read the book, thinking of Eric Bana & Rachel McAdams as the main characters.

Next book... The Pact by Jodi Piccoult.
Actually, what I really wanna read is her latest book.. the one that Hema & I bought for Serena's birthday.. hehe..such interesting story about having a sick child.
Serena & I agreed to exchange books one day..we must!

************************************
My nephew is sleeping over at my crib for the next 4 days.
And guess what.. he will follow me to school for 2 days!
He totally can't wait.. will put him with one of my crazy teachers, Teacher Joy. hehe..
Am sure he'll have fun.
But..am not too sure what time to wake up tmrw morning.. 5.30am? *gulps!*

*************************************

Mr Bert & I have been talking (a lot) longer over the phone.
Our usual calls usually lasts a few minutes, but the past few days, lets just say we could have a decent conversation.
He's the type who prefers face-to-face conversations, who hence the earlier short calls.
Now he's making effort to prolong the phone call.. good job dia!
But, one thing he never fail to do..is asking about my parents..
"Where's your mom? What's your dad doing?"
Always bring a smile on my face when I hear those questions. (^_^)

Can't wait

This was done by one of my children, who always calls me "Teacher Henina.." :)

This morning, as I was parking my car in front of the school, I saw this couple. The man was on his motorbike, the lady just got off. They salam each other (she kissed his hand), they took turns to kiss each other's cheek, and he kissed her forehead.
"Awww...." I said to myself.
Ever since college times, I've always love to watch couples (read: husband & wife) saying goodbyes to each other in the morning.
It may be from the motorbike, or in the car. I've always witness their goodbye rituals.
Its so sweet & sincere.. can't wait for my turn one day.

Last Saturday, when I picked up Mr Bert, I moved to the co-pilot seat while Mr Bert sat at the driver's seat.
"Hello meen.." he said cheerfully.
And, believe it or not, I almost wanted to kiss his cheek! *gasp*
Oh course nothing happened. (Thank God!) I remain at my seat, smiling at him "Hey you.."
There was another incident last year during Ramadhan. It was our last meet before he goes back to kampung.
We salam normally wishing "Selamat Hari Raya.." and again, I almost bend down to kiss his hand.
I quickly stood still, and cover line "Eh, belum boleh lagi lah.."
Talk about embarrassment! O_o^

My Uncle asked us the other day.. "So, how's the preparations & all? Who is the one more excited?"
Mr Bert confidently pointed to me "She is.."
Chett.. is it that obvious? Hmm...

Had a quick chat with Gina also this morning..
"Mr Bert doesn't seem like the shy type.. He was very friendly that day..So curious wanted to know about the culture.."
Chewahh.. I feel so proud of my man! (^_^)

Okay, I better get back to work. Am talking time off from workm just to keep myself awake. Last night I finally slept at.. maybe close to 3am? Woke up at 6am as usual. Let's see how the days go yeah.. Toodles~

sleepless

I am wide awake on a school night..it's 1.21am.

There could be several possibilities:-
1) I drank coke a few hours back. Could have been the sugar.
2) I usually think a lot after my HOS meeting. The meeting earlier was more about the concert, which is my current project. So lotsa planning needs to be done.
3) I had some "issues" with my mom.. I was surprised that she raised the issue again.
4) Mr Bert & I had some misunderstandings.. one of those hurdles. none of us to be blamed.
5) I have 150 pages more to finish the book.. maybe am anxious to finish it.

Gosh..I hope I won't be a zombie tmrw. I have a meeting with my regional director tmrw afternoon. I hope I won't look sleepy.

**************************************************

Last Saturday I had a full schedule.
Morning, I worked. Managed to drop by at the florist in between.
2pm, picked up Mr Bert & had lunch at the opening of Mamaneesa, Uncle Salim's restaurant. Nasi Kerabu & Laksa Johor.. yummers!
4pm, headed to Gina's housewarming.. didn't eat much cause I was too full. Had some samosa. Mr Bert was very friendly with Gina & Teacher Amy.
Sent Mr Bert home, drove to Ascott. Reached there at 6.20pm. Had plenty of time, so I continued reading my book.
7.45pm, met up with Hema at the entrance of 7atenine. Headed to our reserved table inside.
8.30pm, Serena, the twins & a friend arrived. We ordered dinner.. Ate some prawn & longan skewer.. we gals chat chat chat..
10.15pm, left the restaurant, but Hema & I were still chatting at the parking lot.
10.45pm, left KL..headed home.
11.20pm, reached home.. Shades & Farah were at the kitchen. Chat with the girls.
12.15pm..Fell asleep almost immediately.. hehe

Sunday was more relaxing..Read more chapters of my book, did laundry & such. Shades stayed on until Maghrib. Headed to Tesco to buy some fishes for the school aquarium.

My next Saturday will be hectic too..Open Day! So looking forward to my Sundays.

********************************************

Okay..I shall attempt to sleep again.
So good night .. and good morning to you.