Abah, You Are The King of My Heart

In loving memories ~ Othman Mansor (1943-1982)

Abah (dad) has left us for 30 years already. It was a tragic one to my family. He fell in the bathroom at about 2am then within  less than an hour, he was pronounced gone forever by the paramedic due to heart problem. He was 39 years old. I was 9 years old at that time. I couldn't accept the news & broke into tears in my cousin's arms, Kak Sham. It was the most unforgettable moment in my entire life. Lost the most closest person I have ever had. I was like his shadow. Being the first child in the family, I was very attached to abah & mak (mom) admitted it because daughter will always be dad's favorite. 

Although I had abah for 9 years, but the feelings of loving & respecting him are always in my heart. He was the best abah in the entire world. He was very strict in education as he was a lecturer by profession but he knew how to make his children having fun & laughter. Every weekend, after dinner, I will have to perform for abah & mak to watch while having cekodok (banana balls) and tea. I love to sing & dance. So that session was my favorite part. Sometimes I would perform with my cousins whom we invited over for the night. It was the best memories ever.

Abah, you are still my number one hero in my life. No one can replace you in my heart. I love you so much abah. All the memories are still fresh in my mind & I will treasure them till the end of my life. Happy Father's Day abah & to all the abahs in the world. My prayers are always be with you.....Al-Fatihah.....

Think Pink, Live Green

My day was full of sunshine until my casual conversation with my colleague in the afternoon turned out gloomy. She declared that she underwent diagnostic test after she felt pain & realized there is a lump on one of her breast. The doctor suspected it was breast cancer but the actual result will be out this Saturday. The sad part was when she received the news on her birthday yesterday, 13 June. Though I got to know her for less than a year but my heart breaks into thousand pieces. I felt so sorry for her. Her tear drops like the rain in the summer & I can see it through her eyes the sorrowfulness whenever she mentioned about her family.

When the news break within the circle of my friends, then I realized that this silent killer can attack to any of us no matter how well you take good care of your health. It is a lesson for me to be alerted on any minor changes. I started to browse for more info on breast cancer. Most of the sites advised to do regular screening. For those above 40 years old, an annual mammogram is advisable followed by MRI after 6 months. Regular check-ups will lessen your risk apart from your regular exercise, avoid smoking & alcohol & sufficient vitamin D. 

Diving at Perhentian Island, Malaysia in July 2012

So dear ladies, a gentle reminder to love yourself more than anything in the world. Try your very best to live life healthier. Eat healthy  fresh food & avoid grilled, barbecued & smoked meat. Don't be too long under the sun & use sunscreen. Use less cosmetics & avoid too much light exposure during night time. That very little action can turn into life savior.....think pink, live green.....

The Happiest Place On Earth

My darling niece, Mya Elisha & nephew Arif Aamil Hamka

It is the happiest place on earth. Children from all around the world dream to be there. Even adults too!! Happy faces are everywhere. Laughing, giggling, smiling....are seen at all faces. Once you got in, you wish that you will stay there forever. Yesss.....it is a happy land. Young o& old, boys & girls, mommy & daddy, brothers & sisters....all are having so much fun.

Disneyland Paris in October 2007

Thank you Mr Walt Disney for creating  such an extra ordinary amusement park that gives happiness to all visitors. I remember my first exposure on Disneyland was through a television show called The Mickey Mouse Club. Love watching a group of children singing M...I...C...see you real soon K...E...Y... why because we love you M...O...U...S...E... From that moment, I have always dream to visit Disneyland & meet up with Mickey Mouse :)

With Mickey Mouse at Disneyland Resort
Anaheim in July 2011

I think being a child makes you extra special because most of your wishes will come true. Yes, true enough. My wish came true in 1981 when my late Abah (dad) brought me & family to Disney World Florida for vacation (and I am still trying to dig out the photos for sharing :p). It was the happiest moment I have ever had. I felt that I was really dreaming when I met Mickey Mouse in person. No words can describe my feelings at that time.

Disneyland Hong Kong in March 2010

Well, now grown up and still I will not missed out any opportunity to visit Disneyland any where in the world. In Asia, there 2 countries with Disney signature which are Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Resort. Soon another Disney Resort will be opened in Shanghai by 2016. So far, I've been 4 times to Hong Kong Disneyland. Personally, the overall ambiance are similar but a bit smaller so 1-day is enough to walk around hehe

With Goofy at Disneyland Resort Aneheim in July 2011

So many activities you can do there like fun rides, photos with Disney's characters, shopping merchandising, watching parade & fireworks, band performances and many more. Of course it's a must for me to snap photos with all my favorite characters despite having to queue for hours. Also collecting my photo at the counter after my Space Mountain ride hehehe

Disneyland Resort Anaheim in October 2009

After each visit, I will definitely mesmerize all the things and fun  activities  that I have done in my little secret Mickey Mouse diary. I am blessed that I have that many golden opportunities to visit Disneyland. I will make another wish that to bring my whole family especially my sweet adorable little niece Mya Elisha & Nephew Arif Aamil Hamka to visit their favorite friends Mickey & Minnie Mouse in Anaheim LA soon :)

Cześć! Jak się masz?

The boys are counting hours to the 1st game of EURO 2012. Frankly speaking, I am not a big fan of football game but the ambiance & atmosphere during the tournament are tremendously colorful & cheerful even in Malaysia. It is a tradition for Malaysian to watch football with family & friends at Mamak (Indian Muslim) stall which is the most popular outdoor spot to hang out, eat, drink & laugh at top of our lungs without worrying about other people sit next to us. Furthermore these stalls operate round the clock, offer cheap food & drinks & big screen for football games.

Mamak stalls in KL are the hottest nite spot to hang out

Well, do you remember Paul the clairvoyant octopus that predicted the last European Championship & the World Cup in South Africa? His overall record from the 2 championships was 12 correct from the 14 attempts. Although now Paul is a history, he has a worthy heir, a Polish-based Indian elephant named Citta. I saw her in the news yesterday. She predicted the 1st game of Group A - Poland vs Greece. Human beings are such a craze. They tabled down 3 melons with flags on each melon. Polisg flag, Greek flag & banner proclaiming a draw. Citta confidently chosen the Polish flag as the winner. Let see tonight if Citta is as good as Paul :)

With friends watching Malaysia vs Singapore at National Stadium in July 2011

Since the time zone is a big gap between Europe & Malaysia, the fanatic fans definitely have to give up their sleeping time just to watch the games.  Most will come late to work, take emergency leave or even medical leave. Don't worry boss, this will only last for 3 weeks. Give them a break. It will spark them up after the tournament ends hehehehe So friends, plan your sleeping time watching the games :)

 8 Jun 2012

11:55pm: Poland vs Greece (Group A) - TV3, Astro Arena 801
 

9 Jun 2012 
02:45am: Russia vs Rep Czech (Group A)
11:55pm: Belanda vs Denmark (Group B) - TV3, Astro Arena 801

10 Jun 2012
02:45am: Jerman vs Portugal (Group B)
11:55pm: Sepanyol vs Itali (Group C)

11 Jun 2012
02:45am: Ireland vs Croatia (Group C) - TV3, Astro Arena 801
11:55pm: Perancis vs England (Group D)

12 Jun 2012
02:45am: Ukraine vs Sweden (Group D) - TV3, Astro Arena 801
11:55pm: Greece vs Rep Czech (Group A) - TV3, Astro Arena 801

13 Jun 2012 
02:45am: Poland vs Russia (Group A)
11:55pm: Denmark vs Portugal (Group B)

14 June 2012 
02:45am: Belanda vs Jerman (Group B) - TV3, Astro Arena 801
11:55pm: Itali vs Croatia (Group C)

15 Jun 2012
02:45am: Sepanyol vs Ireland (Group C) - TV3, Astro Arena 801
11:55pm: Ukraine vs Perancis (Group D)

16 Jun 2012
02:45am: Sweden vs England (Group D) - TV3, Astro Arena 801

17 Jun 17 2012 
02:45am: Greece vs Russia (Group A) - TV3, Astro Arena 801
02:45am: Rep Czech vs Poland (Group A) 

18 Jun 2012 
02:45am: Portugal vs Belanda (Group B) - TV3, Astro Arena 801
02:45am: Denmark vs Germany (Group B)

19 Jun 2012 
02:45am: Croatia vs Sepanyol (Group C)
02:45am: Itali vs Ireland (Group C) - TV3, Astro Arena 801

20 Jun 2012
02:45am: Sweden vs Perancis (Group D)
02:45am: England vs Ukraine (Group D)  - TV3, Astro Arena 801

Flower Power

Surprised birthday party by Marketing Dept FINAS in April 2010

Ladies are usually obsessed over flowers. We will expect bouquet of flowers delivered to our doorstep on birthdays or valentine's. They don't really care what type of flowers as long as the bouquet comes in a nice package. But I believe many of us prefer roses as it symbolizes love, beauty & passion. The colors also have different meaning like for example, red rose means love & respect; white rose means innocence & secrecy; yellow rose means joy & friendship. But guys, avoid sending yellow carnation which means rejection or orange lily which means hatred, or else you will be sorry hahahaha

Appreciating hibisus at Cameron Highland, Malaysia in June 2011

In general, flowers have been a symbol of beauty for most cultural in the world. For Malaysia, Bunga Raya merah or red Hibiscus was adopted as the national flower on 28 July 1960 by the 1st Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. The Hibiscus was chosen because the 5 petals representing the Rukun Negara (National Principles) to unite the people & the red color representing the courage of Malaysians. Though hibiscus has no smell, but the this flower has many healthy benefits like hibiscus tea which is popular as natural diuretic & contains vitamin C and minerals. The petals & leaves are also use as hair treatment that make your hair grows shiny & healthy. In Pacific Islands, the petals are used in salad whereas in India are used as shoe shine. Wow!!! Such a wonder for such a little flower :)

Lovely flower pots at San Remo, Italy in October 2006

Personally, I believe that flowers emit aura & increase the positive energy. In Malaysia, many of us especially the Malays will perform mandi bunga (flowers bathing) regularly or at least once in their life time which is a day before their wedding ceremony. It was believed that flowers hold mystical powers that can enhance ones beauty naturally. For Chinese, they believe that peony is the flower fairies or king of flowers in which will bring luck & prosperity if it is hung in the house or office. Whereas for Indians, they will use flower garlands as part of the wedding ritual in exchanging the garlands between bride & groom. Also never give frangipani or white flowers to Indian community as they are are used at funerals only.

Giant flowers at Disneyland Hong Kong in March 2008

So many occasions in life that involve flowers like weddings, birthdays, funerals, dinners and many more which I feels that flowers play an important in our life. Flowers make us happy, cheerful & calm. Appreciate gardens that blooms with colorful flowers. Smells the flowers whenever you can. Decorate your living hall with fresh flowers. You will see the difference....its the flower power!!!

 

 

BFF

Ida & Lina celebrated my birthday at Istana Hotel, KL in April 2012

Best friend forever....the bonding & true friendship that will last forever no matter what happen, either one of them got married or far apart from each other due to work or family commitment. 

Zan from Singapore having lunch at Cannes, France in 2010

BFF is the one that listens to us when we need to pour out all our sorrowfulness. BFF offers  shoulder to cry on whenever we are feeling down. BFF cheers us up & help regain our positive perspective on life. BFF is important as having your family in your life.

Laurent from LA giving a tour at Griffith Observatory in July 2011

You will realize that once you grow older, you will have lesser friends. We will be more selective in finding true friends. Here are some tips that might be useful to be a great BFF to your loved ones :-

1) Trust each other

2) Be loyal

3) Spend time together 

4) Be a good listener

5) Care for each other

Believe me, it's a bonus when you are able to have BFFs in your life. Just a gentle reminder, if you have found a BF or GF, don't ever left out your BFF at all. They might be the first one to be by your side when you need one (after having a big fight with your BF or GF hehehe).....Cheers!!!!!

Free As A Bird

Sunshine at Santa Monica, LA in November 2010

"Free as a bird....it's the next best thing to be" I was listening to this song from The Beatles on my way back from work. Owhhh...how I wish I were a bird so that I could fly to anywhere & do whatever I want & whenever I feel like it. And yes free as a bird has a powerful meaning. For me, it means no obligations, no commitments, no restrictions, no limits and no boundaries. You can do whatever you want, according to your wishes and don't really care what you will gain from your actions. Well, in reality, you can't really be that kind of person. You are in the circle of people or community with rules & guidelines. We are bonded with religion, culture and regulations so as to ensure we live in peace & harmony.

Sunset at Santa Monica, LA in November 2008

Nevertheless, we can still make our life free & easy by appreciate things that are right in front of us, which are sometimes the hardest to see.  Let us appreciate & do things that are no longer been done by many of us:-

~ Smelling the flowers in your garden 

~ Playing soccer/football in the rain

~ Watching sunrise/sunset by the beach

~ Rowing a boat at the lake

~ Live painting at mountains

~ Listening to birds in the wood

I am flying like a bird at Perak, Malaysia in September 2006

 You may feel a little bit difficult to do all the above as you will think they are just not as important as other things in your hectic life. Believe me, these simple pleasures in life are too often overlooked but once you manage to execute them, you will smile & be one the birds that fly free up above the rest :)