Another sad day for Malaysians

I am about to immerse myself with work but I just have to write this entry first before my momentum wears off again.

Yesterday I saw this Air Asia X ad in The Star (full page advertisement). Tadaaa!!!


Moi, being a very conservative person, feel somewhat offended by this particular ad. Do you? I ask myself yesterday, when did Malaysia becomes so open about two people kissing openly? What kind of messages are we sending to the kids by showing this ad in a local daily? Gosh, I have goosebumps each time I think about where Malaysia is heading, particularly when I have 4 kids under my care.

7 years ago when I was working with Parkson Corp. the rules and regulation pertaining to the media was still very strict. An ad can’t show one’s armpit or show too much skin, much less show 2 people in a compromising position. But today, I don’t think these rules even apply anymore. Everything can go lah. With new media taking over the mainstream media as the most popular medium of advertisement and getting your daily dose of news, everything is possible. Just look at the ads on the right hand panel of Facebook. You could even see foul language being used in selling sexual enhancement products, etc. that are not suitable for audience under the age of 25. And our 10 year old kids are on FB!

PDA (that's Public Display of Affection, not Personal Digital Assistant ok!) is so common amongst local youngsters these days, particularly budak2 Melayu. We have lots of things to thank for that, amongst them are our local artists with their skimpy dress hugging and kissing each other openly. It's like a public service message to the young generation to say that "It's OK to do that." There are also the idiot box aka the TV to thank for. Even kids channels like Nickelodeon and Disney air stories stories that I don't approve of. A few months ago, I had a shock of my life when I saw a 10 year old kids with "In a relationship with xxx" status in FB. Astaghfirullahala'zim.

It's even sadder to see some Malay Muslims who proclaim themselves as the "Modern Malays", sipping a glass of wine openly and proudly, etc. (you know what I mean right?). When I was still working, I felt so offended when I was labelled as modern Malay - simply because of my dressing style! There wasn't a tiny bit of pride when people said that of me.

Going forward does not necessarily mean that we have to abandon our culture and adopt what most people think is ‘modern’. Progressive does not equate to freedom. And freedom often comes with a hefty price. I hope our kids will not be the ones paying the price, nau’zubillah.

I laud Brunei for standing strong on its policy for not allowing liquor to be sold in its land and gambling activities to be held in the oil-rich country. And I curse the media for making a mockery of their stand on it (you should read what The Star wrote about this issue). They do not bow to the pressure of modernisation like us, bravo! I laud countries like Saudi, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh who have banned Facebook in their country. If one were to conduct a study on the effect of Facebook to humankind, I betcha it’s more cons than pros. I am willing to bet my life on it.

Just a few days ago our Police force announced the opening of a mock casino to train its personnel to be good at gambling, all in the name of crime fighting. This just doesn't make any sense to me. Must they waste taxpayers' money to build a mock casino? Perhaps next when they want to seriously fight prostitution they need to build a mock brothel with real prostitutes in it. Or build a mock drug-lab to fight drug trafficking. Could someone please enlighten me on this one? I just don't get it! Especially when gambling is prohibited in Islam and we know for a fact that most police personnel are Muslims! Menghalalkan yang haram in the name of fighting crimes? Hello!!!

This is the price of modernization we Malaysians have to pay indeed. I can't help but wonder whether next year, an Armani underwear ad showing a steamy David Beckham would be printed in The Star (sorry ahkak off track sikit, LOL!).

I say yesterday was another sad day for Malaysia. It’s a start of a new wave of change on the advertisement front. A sad sad day indeed...

Cuti sekolah datang lagi!

Horayyyy...it’s finally here again! I’m sure many moms like me rejoice at the arrival of the long awaited school holiday. Lotsa things are on my mind this school holiday, there are so many things I wanna do with the kids but unfortunately Mr. Provider aka the hubby has to be away (again and again and again) for at least 2 weeks in December, travelling to a godforsaken country. I say godforsaken because he’s travelling to, of all places in the world, Nigeria! The last time he was there about a year ago, his 8-day trip had to be extended to 15 days because things work in s l o w m o t i o n there. I’m praying hard that this 2-week trip would not be extended to 3. After the trip he’s supposed to be in Libya for another week. But I’m praying very hard that this trip will be postponed to next year...hihihi *evil laugh*.

So that left me with nothing much to plan. We can’t go holidaying without him, can we? After all he’s the paymaster! The only thing I look forward to is my trip back to my mom’s. InsyaAllah I’m going back with the kids (minus the kids’ father) mid of next week. We might stay there a little bit longer than usual as the person with work commitment is not joining us this time *sob sob sob*.

This long holiday would be Nana’s last before she embarks on a new chapter in her life – primary school. Next year she’ll be joining 39 other kids in her class. At the time I registered her at the school I was told there will be about (if my memory serves me right) 10 classes of P1. I wonder how would she survive amongst so many peers. But I have faith in her. I know she could do it! Mini Me is going to Primary 1. Time flies huh? Before I know it, I’ll be preparing for her wedding pulak. Can growing up please take a break?

We are also anxiously waiting for Dan’s PMR result come end December. Frankly, I’m not expecting the world from him. He only put 50% effort into it despite my endless nagging. I think I put more effort in praying for him than him studying *sigh*. I recited surah yassin twice a day when he was sitting for his PMR - once in the morning when he sat for his first paper and once in the afternoon when he sat for his 2nd; performed solat hajat; and countless doa. Anyway, PMR is not the end of the world but SPM is *momma in denial mode gittew*. I shall drill him to his last sweat from next year onwards. Be prepared my son, Momma will turn into a drill sergeant tak bertauliah come next year...ngeh3x.

The engineer-to-be Kyle is getting a 'severe' punishment this year. His results has been slipping over the year, although his class teacher assured me that he I have nothing to worry about (really?). I have decided (and managed to convince my hubby, who reluctantly agreed to it) not to give him a birthday present this year. I have taken away the 1 thing that he looks forward to every year – an expensive birthday present! I hope this shall serve him a lesson to remember for the rest of his life. I know that by doing so I will lose my popularity but I'm willing to take that risk before he becomes more and more complacent. Bak kata orang corporate, it's a calculated risk gittew, boleh?

This smarty-pants son never fail to forget his exams date, hence, never prepares for it. He would only remember that it’s tomorrow! Smart eh? If he had told me earlier I'd would have asked him to study much earlier too. Stick won’t do it for this boy anymore, the only option I have left is to take away his carrot. Let’s see whether it’ll work. I told him that from this year onwards he has to EARN his birthday present by bringing home good results. Owh, by the way, he’s result is not that bad actually he still got most As and a few Bs. But when I see his percentage keep dropping steadily, it’s time to alert the base. Houston we have a problem!

I say nurturing smart kids is hard. They know how to work their way around equally smart parents. Sabar sajalah labu...

Quest for flawless complexion (part 8)

Wow, once I started writing it seems like I can’t stop. Glokalmama the writer is back! Yahoooo yippeedee yippeedeedoo!!!

Now on to my quest for flawless complexion. I have good news y’all! My quest is finally on the right track. I have found the best solution to my skin problem. My skin is almost 70% better with only 2 treatments so far – 1 round of chemical peel and 1 Transderm treatment. And it’s all happening in just 3 weeks, no joke! If I knew it would be this easy, I would have came and seek treatment from Dr. Chua much earlier. Thanks to my dear friend who suggested that I see this doctor. Peeps, if you have skin problem like moi, please go see a doctor, not a beautician - take my words for it!

To date, I’ve spent only RM480 for the chemical peel (natural fruit acid), which by the way was not the usual harsh type; RM180 for the lightener; RM120 for the sunblock; and RM350 for Transderm treatment. Previously I had spent RM4K for New York Skin treatment without any result at all (a total waste of money I tell ya!); RM1,800 for SKII products with very minimal result and forgot how much I spent at Dermalogica and Clinique counters. Gosh, I could have saved lotsa moolah!

I’m pretty confident that with a few more Transderm treatments, my complexion will be flawless...lalalala *happy to the power of 1000*.

I say syukur Alhamdulillah. Perhaps Allah is making it easy for me now that I have my aurat covered. Submitting yourself totally to God has its rewards, Wallahuwa'lam.

A clueless couple in BJ

Over the weekend my hubby invited me for a game of badminton at our usual arena, our front porch and the road leading to it. And I enthusiastically agreed to it! We both love a game of badminton to break some sweats. But then we both realized, I can’t go out like that as I was in my 3 quarter pants and short sleeve t-shirt! He looked at me and asked, “what should you wear then?” To which I answered “you tell me, I don’t know!” We both laughed...hahaha.

Honestly, I don’t know what should I wear if and when I feel like exercising (which by the way is only once in a blue moon lah). Hence yesterday I went hunting for bandana-like scarf to no avail. I can’t find it anywhere or perhaps I was looking at the wrong places. I also wondered what if when we go on a vacation and I wanted to swim? Looks like I still have plenty to learn about this tudung wearing business. Not as easy as you think y’all!

I say, the first wave of test is coming my way. Ya Allah, terangkanlah hatiku untuk terus menuju kejalanMu ya Allah.

My little rascal

Last week I spent 5 days as a ‘real’ homemaker when my maid was sent back to my mom’s. Needless to say, it was the busiest 5-day of my life. Entertaining a particular 26months old toddler (and 2 other young kids) while doing house chores and cooking (without a break) was a huge challenge for me indeed. I came to a conclusion that I am not made to be a housewife for life. Ah well, at least I’m heroic enough to admit that, LOL!

I just weaned Sophie off my breast a few days earlier hence she was still acting out which I presumed was her way to channel her frustration out for not being able to hold on to that one thing she felt most secure with. The day that I successfully weaned her off, she opted to sleep with my maid. And guess what, instead of celebrating, I found myself sleepless that night. I felt like I lost the connection with her. It is always the case when a mother stop breastfeeding her child. I remember vividly crying uncontrollably when I weaned off my firstborn. I cried like hell! My husband, on the other hand, was in celebration mode *grin*.

My baby has officially graduated from breastfeeding. Next is potty training, but this I foresee will be a bit tough. She refuses to use the toilet to pee or poop but she'd take her baby dolls to the toilet and put them on the toilet seat to 'yak'. I'm weighing whether or not to send her to Montessori next year, perhaps I should. She's already turning into a prima donna even at 2yo!

Busy reading the manual of her sister’s Melodian. Macam faham saja!



She was still jumping around before I went to the loo at way past midnight. Came out of the loo 3 minutes later and saw her sleeping on the floor like this.


Don’t underestimate her size for she could make a hell lot of mess. This is how she eats her snack, a little goes into her mouth and most are thrown onto the floor. Once she finish eating, she'd throw EVERYTHING onto the floor including the water bottle (I'm not kidding here peeps!). I had backache cleaning up after her all day long for 5 days. Her fav eating spot is on top of the kitchen island. High chair is only for babies she said.


Fishing at our indoor courtyard. A couple of minutes later, she threw the fishing rod into the water coz she was too mad she didn’t catch any. Typical type A personality.



Give her a pen, she'll turn into a tattoo artist! Look at the pictures below...yes, she drew on her own hand. Owh, she's also a great graffiti artist. My walls (and my floors too) are covered with her 'masterpieces' *sigh*.



But, how could you be mad when she gives you this look, rascal or not?


I say as we aged, our passion towards certain things including disciplining your younger brood may diminish with it...or it is just me? Hahaha...

When tragedy strikes

It has been a while since I last wrote in this space. I was totally not in the mood to write anything whatsoever. Glokalmama the writer is still MIA *sigh*. But I shall try my best to write with the absence of my inner writer today.

A lot has happened in the last few weeks. My parents and family back in Kedah were tested with Mother Nature’s fury – mega flood, the worst in the history of Kedah. I could only hear what they were going through during the tormenting 1 week and the news I heard was not exactly music to my ears. My parents’ place was submerged in more than 2 meters of muddy water – in a nutshell, if you can’t swim, you’ll certainly die! Alhamdulillah my parents and family evacuated themselves in the nick of time. According to my sister they could see how fast the water was raising...scary huh?

The aftermath is indescribable! My parents lost almost everything. I doubt nothing much could be salvaged after being drenched in muddy water for a solid week. The pictures I saw brought tears to my eyes. I sent my eldest son and my maid back to help with cleaning, at least something than nothing at all. Taman Tabung Haji (my parents’ place) was in the news quite often since the tragedy – TV3 did coverage a few times, The Star also mentioned the place today and good Samaritans from as far as KL and Johor went down to help. It must have been one of the most badly affected areas. Alhamdulillah, water has receded but the cleaning process continues. And it shall continue for weeks to come. Ya Allah ya Tuhanku, permudahkanlah urusan keluargaku dan saudara-saudaraku di sana...

The entrance of my parents' house


The stuff that came with the water and stuck at my parents' compound after water receded. My sister said they smell like ketam busuk.


Students from UUM and USIM who came and help on the 3rd day of cleaning. Water supply was still inconsistent then.


But then again, if we were to compare this with Tsunami, earth quake, tornado dan yang sewaktu dengannya, it was just a tiny test from Allah. Alhamdulillah, the people in affected states especially in Kedah managed to see it through.

But there is something that’s been bugging me since this disaster strike our nation. Why is that when another country is strike with a tragedy, we, the ever generous Malaysians, eagerly and wholeheartedly help with whatever we could - be it money, manpower, medical supplies, food and what not. It was like a contest to see who can collect the most donations. Various NGOs stepped up and set up all kinds of funds and charity events to help. But when a tragedy hit our own people in our own country, help is, to say non-existence is an exaggeration, perhaps a more suitable choice of word would be ‘insufficient’. Look at the amount of funds collected compared to what we had collected for victims of the many tragedies in Indonesia. I feel sad for Malaysia...really really sad.

I say the world is coming to its end. Tragedy will strike one after another. Bertaubatlah selagi masa masih menyebelahi kita...Allah Maha Besar!