Have a GREAT 2013 !!!!

2013 - A Better, Year-Long Journey

This article was taken from The Star, Wednesday 12/12/2012 written by Tan Ling Suan.

WHEN I look back on this year, I picture myself as a driver of my own car. I take responsibility for the maintenance – refuelling it, clearing up the interior, cleaning the exterior – and how I do it reflects on its performance. Whether I remember to pay my road tax and insurance, and to lock the car after parking are not things I can count on faith or leave to God.

Here’s a checklist :  Did I take the time to rest when tired? Was I courteous to fellow drivers and pedestrians? Did I go faster at straight roads and slow down at curves and bumps? Did I patiently make U-turns or other wiser decisions whenever I took a wrong turning? Did I make enough stops to visit close friends who are house-bound or hospitalised? And made time to get to reunions and festivals, to enjoy good food and good company? Did I avoid over-spending while touching up the dents and marks after some mishaps?

Yes, during my car trips through the year, there were all these decisions to be made – and I have gone wrong occasionally. However, with the new year looming, I may be given another chance to continue driving, to keep heading for purposeful pursuits, to safely reach the correct destination. To keep on trying to become better at some things. To restore self-respect after mistakes, to renew the spirit after disappointments, to reclaim what may be lost, like health and peace of mind. To relive happy memories and try create more of such.

Besides our attempts at recycling material stuff in daily life, we can also recycle the lessons we have learnt by sharing them through talking and writing about them; some do it very well in cartoon format or in movies. We gain encouragement and strength through positive feedback, strong family support and amazing bonds of friendship. But make sure you do your part, and not just leave it totally in others’ hands.

It is not really important how short or long one’s life’s journey is, but it matters greatly that it is meaningful with much love and forgiveness, with joy to celebrate the caring the sharing. There are reminders all around us that we should not complain about roses having thorns but be grateful that thorns have roses. That we can’t turn back the clock but we can wind it up again. That we should not let what we cannot do interfere with what we can do. That people don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. That time is a great healer though no beauty specialist. That if we don’t have dreams, how can dreams come true, huh? That relationships and friendship works both ways and not one-sided. Both parties have to make the effort.

There will come a time when we feel we can’t drive any more, and we let someone else more capable take over the wheel. But then we can still enjoy the ride as a passenger! So don’t give up on love and happiness, on family and friends and relatives – and make sure you have not given them reason to give up on you too.

Here’s wishing everyone – after all the delightful distractions or dismal goings-on around us – a Happy New Year. A better year, a better you!

How could I not be grateful?

A little was asked but huge returns were given. How could I not be so grateful? All I asked was may tonight's dinner with Noor's siblings went well and the food would be enjoyed by them. As long as I could make him happy, I am contented. MasyAllah. SubhanAllah. It did not only went well but all of them had so much fun, so comfortable and so at home that they finally left at 1:30am!    :-}   

Kif , Zeti and family were in Kedah for a break. They came to visit us in Alor Setar and Noor invited them for dinner the next day i.e. last night. He never discussed it with me as he knew I would agree. There was nobody home to help.  ;-{   Then, he called and invited Suri in Kangar (5 of them) and Mohamad (5 of them too). Plus Kif's family of 6 and Noor's 3 staff ... that's 19 guests!  :-0   Noor's niece in Jitra also came. Plus the 2 of us added up to 22 people. Well, I prepapred the usual as they would want to eat rice. I experimented again.      :-DD   I cooked nasi tomato but this time I steamed it. Surprise ... it turned out quite well. Alhamdulillah. I prepared the usual chicken curry and everybody's favourite and must have - the large prawns masak merah and mix vegetable (broccoli, cauliflower, baby corns, celery and mushroom) to accompany the rice. I added on mee hoon soup tulang... I made jelly gula melaka. We bought some bananas for dessert. I fried instant curry puff and made coffee Tenom (from Sabah) and Earl Grey tea. Drinks was Ribena. I thought after serving the dishes I would have time to take photographs to post on my facebook but once it was served, they ate as they were hungry and they came for the food. :-D))   Alhamdulillah.

To top the night off, Suri decided to celebrate Amar's (her son) birthday with us. I was honoured. Amar's birthday fell on Christmas Day but it was celebrated tonight, a day earlier. She brought the cake. What was so satisfying and gratifying was everybody was very relaxed and felt very much at home. A lot of laughter and teasing. Singing birthday song. Eating. The kids were having fun running around, playing and breaking out into loud laughter and chatter. Since we lived at the end lot, my neighbour had gone off for a holiday thus, we were not disturbing the peace in the middle of the night. The adults were having companiable talks. I was trying to catch "Merlin" show on TV3, the men were discussing whatever in an enjoyable atmosphere. I did not join much in their conversation but kept making drinks and making sure everybody had a good time. Noor enjoyed seeing his siblings at his home. I was glad to do my part and made him a happy man.

Everybody was reluctant to leave. At least today is Christmas so it is a holiday except for those who run businesses. Kif finally left for KL at 1:00am. Thus, the others followed suit and went off by 1:30am. Everybody had helped with the cleaning up so all that was left was the clearing up of whatever was on the table.

I was exhausted as I had to do everything alone. Noor only accompanied me to the market. He was busy at the shop due to school season. My back was aching but I was glad that tonight was memorable for everybody. The food was just a simple fare as usual but they enjoyed it. I may not be the life of the party but I tried my best. I left the few crockery and whatnots in the sink to be dealt with the next morning after Subuh prayers. I was in for a pleasant surprise the next morning when Noor had cleaned up and washed the rest of the dishes before he went to sleep. I was very grateful and thankful. :=))  as he usually never got involved in housework. That was sweet of him. Thank you Allah, for making everything easier and for always giving me than I ask for. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah.

"Maka nikmat Allah manakah yang kamu dustakan?"   :-)

If it is so wrong, why is it so right?

"If it is so wrong, why is it so right? If it is so good, why does it feel it so bad?"

People said that everything happens for a reason yet we never really questioned the reasons. Should we? Could we? Do we?

When you are contemplating and mulling over what is happening in your life trying to decide if what is happening is a blessing or a test ... you are at a loss to explain or understand the reasons. All you can do is just to take a deep breath, exhale slowly and istighfar. Astaghfirullah hal 'azim. You feel such a heavy weight in your heart. Is it wrong to feel a litlle happy? To feel comfort? To feel so compatible? To feel such an easy feeling? To feel that one is important enough to be considered for some of the other person's precious time?

How true isn't it? We have experienced hurts and loss. Now that we have been given the grace of meeting again not by design or planned ..... we have the opportunity but we cannot take it.
"..... but it is wrong to say about the past, about how to bury it. Because the past claws its way out." (The Kite Flyer - Khaled Hosseini)  The past just comes up without being asked to. Its clarity and precise moments are like a rewinded tape. We want to hold on but we have to let go.

Thus, the question arises - can we be friends? Knowing that we have a history together albeit a long time ago, can we be just friends? Upsetting our whole mission in life - to seek His acceptance. Life was peaceful and calm. Maybe not as what we expected or wanted but it is comfortable. Is it worth it then just for a few hours of pleasure, we are beseiged with guilt? One thinks that once the heart has been walled up and locked, nothing can ever get through it.

Maybe all these things that have happened mean that it is time to let go and take our leave. Life will be empty for a while but it will more safer emotionally, spiritually and religiously. It will be more settled and somehow, contented. We will think of each other, wondering if one is alright, yet we know that Allah will take care of him or her. The most that we can do as a friend is to pray for him or her.

Distance can't separate anyone ...

It is 5:30am. I am waiting for the muezzin call for Subuh prayers. I am feeling a little nostalgic. More often than not, when old friends meet up, we tend to talk about old times. We do not plan to talk about it but it just crops up. If it is just about our school days, old friends, old memories shared ... nostalgic, then I suppose it is good as it reminds us of times when life was carefree, innocent and happy. It leaves a feel good feeling. Sometimes it exonerates old feelings of dissatisfaction, resentments or just discontent. Other times, it just fills up the time talking about things that should have just be left buried. Things happen for a reason which sometimes, if we rethink about it, it is beyond our comprehension. Thus, don't think too much. Or read too much into it.

When I was with my sisters for the food trail trip, that was what we did. Recollecting old stories about our parents, people that we used to know which I do not know most of them. We talked about the pranks that we did in school and at home. We talked about the family. We may be far apart from each other but it seems that distance binds us. They talked about how they had to get along with their in-laws, how they coped with trying to live with their spouses ... ;-)  that I told them they should have told me all this before I got married!  :-O  They talked about the daughters / sons in-law and grandchildren. We talked about the past, present but somehow we never touched on the future. We just did not want to know.

We had this easy principle - "que sera sera". What will be, will be. We accept and we try to cope with it. We make the best of it. If we are hurt, we just let time heals it. If we fall, we can be confident that the others will be there to catch us and support us. If we are blessed, we know that the other siblings will be happy for us. If we cry, someone will be there to give us a big hug and dry them. If we laugh and go crazy, there will always be someone to join us. Our support system is very strong. Our love, ties and bonds have no time limit. Wherever we go, among us, we will never be alone. Whatever we have done or are going through, we can be assured that there are always arms to welcome us. I am very grateful and thankful for their existence in my life. I am blessed with their love. One thing that was instilled in us by our parents among us was that whatever we did in our lives, whatever happened in our lives, whatever wrong decisons we made, whatever paths we had chosen ... we could always come home. Now that they are no longer with us, any of the siblings' home. We can be assured of open arms, no questions asked, no time limit to stay, no advice given if  not asked ... just acceptance. That alone is a comfort.

We may be far from each other, these sibilngs and very dear friends, yet they are very close to our hearts.

It's over ....

Officially, our 'cuti-cuti cari makan" is over and I am feeling so down saying goodbye, hugging each other tightly and letting them go. Kak Hajar left this morning by bus to Camerons. Kak Ti and Kak Leha at 10:00pm just now. Now, it is back to our normal, everyday routine.

It was an easy week for us. Allah had been very kind to us. Firstly, giving me the energy and strength to be the driver in my condition. Second, for husbands who understood and let us go off together without any arguments or protests. Third, for Wah's boss to approve her leave. Fourth, for our patience, tolerance and understanding of each other either finance, temperaments, health wise or idiosyncracies. It was an easy going and very relax holiday. The main aim of the holiday was to feed Kak Haj who had been unwell since Ramadhan. Wah needed a break from the office and her job. I needed space and time-out from Noor. Thus, I learned to appreciate him better.

I updated my facebook religiously by covering the places and food we ate. My facebook friends followed it regularly. If I was late updating, then Nadia would sms asking where were the photos. My "friends" are my sons, nephew and nieces, very few friends ... My sisters' children would follow us everywhere we went. Ikram reminded me to keep him updated on the food. Akmal in Sabah followed us everywhere we made a stop. Thank you for facebook - connected all of us especially Nadia and Shaun who could follow their mum - Kak Haj - food intake. She was down to only 41kg. I think our mission to fatten her up a little is accomplished.

Kak Ti is 60 years old. Kak Haj is 58. Kak Leha is 57. Wah is 54. Yet, they look much younger than I am !!!! Kak Ti said the secret to looking young is to retire. No stress. :-)  Kak Ti and Kak Leha are already grandmothers. Kak Haj will be a little late. Nadia had 3 miscarriages and after 5 years, is still working on it. Shaun had decided to move on with his life after his broken engagement 3 years ago. He had accepted a new offer and moved to another place. Perhaps it is meant to be and it is for the best. Life is so unpredictable. Whatever is meant to happen, will happen. You just learn to accept and live with it. And if it gets so bad and bogged you down, just take a deep breath and have faith that Allah takes away something to replace it with something much better that we deserve.

I am feeling down, a tad sad and I think I will cry a little tonight. This week that we had spent together would never come again. I missed them. I missed the talks that lasted into the night - about everything and nothing. How we laughed childishly and compared our white hairs, ailments, medicines ... How we seriously suggested our beauty regime - from sharing creams to powders. When we went shopping we always ended up buying something for each other. Thus, when we reached our "port" or the where ever we were for the night, there was always something for everyone. I had to insist and draw the line to stop them from buying blouses, pants, materials and whatnots for me. When late into the night, someone would talk and someone would reply while another one would fall asleep. Then, somebody else went to sleep while another one woke up and continued with whoever was still awoke. We would not have this time again as we only meet up during Hari Raya Puasa, weddings or funerals. During these functions, there's hardly time to be like this where we gathered infront of the TV and just talked the night away. There would always be obligations and commitments hence, it was always "hai ... hai .... bye .... bye.... "

Whenever we ate the series of food for the whole week, there was no arguments of who was going to pay. We did not split the bill neither did we discussed about our share in it. We just let whoever wanted to pay, the honour of paying !!!!! Ha..ha..ha.. :-DD)))  I always opted for breakfast as it's the cheapest meal of the day.  :-))  Well, petrol and toll were on me! Since everybody had their own income, this was a small matter. I drew the line of sharing food especially Kak Haj. She knew I would scold her for sharing her food so she ended up putting it on Wah's plate. Her justification was sharing. I refused to accept hers and told her to try to eat as much as she could without causing serious, dying consequences. Ha..ha..  I bullied them and they relented and let me be. Hmmm .....

We had gained weight that we should lose. We had eaten food that we should avoid. We should exercise instead of goofing off on the pretext of no time, tired, so full .... Was it worth upsetting our daily, normal routine and turning it upside down? Worth every sen, every minute of the day, every topic that we talked about, every argument and justification, every advice and suggestion ...       Thank you, Allah, for giving us this time together to strengthen our love, ties and bond together. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah. Alhamdulillah.

CCCM - Kelana Jaya : Day 8 - Final Dinner

It was raining cats and dogs after maghrib just as we wanted to leave for dinner. So, we were stranded and waited for the rain to subside a little. We were afraid of the lightning. Thus, old stories were recalled what we always did during lightning and thunderstorm. It's our last night together. The holidays are officially over by dinner tonight. Nadia and Adi agreed to join us. Kak Ti was not well and having a fever so she opted out. Adik had some prior engagement and could not join us either. Thus, Wah, Kak Haj, Kak Leha, Nadia, Adi and I opted for something simple for dinner. We decided on Rasa Utara restaurant famed for its sotong kangkong and tahu bakar. When the rain had subsided a little, we went off for dinner.

Sup tulang - sourish and spicy - just nice

Add-on dishes - mix vegetables

Fried kue teow kerang - okay lah

Sotong kangkong - recommended

Char kue teow - okay lah

 It was the final dinner for us sisters. We honestly do not know when we will get to gather like this again. Just us without our better halves. All of us have their own health issues. Commitments and obligations tied us down. We all made the attempt to be free at this moment of time. If anything, I am grateful to be of some service to my sisters. To be a part of our bonding and strengthening love and ties to each other. To be given the patience and strength to be of service to them as their driver. I hope everybody had a good time and enjoyed the food trail together.

CCCM - Jalan Masjid India : Day 8 - Lunch

I went for my walk for the required 30 minutes. I needed it as I was already feeling the effects of the whole week of overeating and out of my normal routine or diet. The sisters were waiting for me for breakfast. So, dutifully I Took them where they wanted to go. The pasar tani at Kelana Jaya. We had the usual breakfast of nasi lemak, roti bom, ubi rebus and char kuey. When we reached Wah's house, Kak Ti came with her grand daughter. While the others entertained her, I read my newspaper. After that we got ready to go to Masjid India, Kak Leha's must go second destination when she is in KL. I could not wriggle myself out of this one as I felt bad that I did not accompanied them yesterday. It was as usual tiring and I trudged and tagged along after them. I gave my comments dutifully and diplomatically. I helped to carry their load. Finally, we reached Kak Haj's main destination - the old, quaint Capital Cafe or we always referred it as Capitol Cafe. We came here just for the mee rebus. Wah was still not hungry so she just had a drink.

Still the same old signage ... :-)

The nostalgic mee rebus - ever since Kak Haj worked in KL back in the 70"s

The rojak - not quite up to Kak Leha's expectations

 This cafe had not changed at all. Most of the staff were old. Like they were there for generations. It still divided itself into 3 parts with a narrow aisle for customers to enter the shop. The nasi padang on your left, the mee mamak in the middle and the chinese fried mee/rice on the left along with the cashier. Drinks were controlled by the Chinese towkay. So, we usually ordered packet drinks or mineral water. It was always crowded with the lunch crowd. People were always hanging around for empty tables. It is still popular especially for its mee rebus.  :-)

Next, we proceeded to Sogo. There was a sale going on and there was an unusual large crowd. I wandered around on my own while the others did too. Wah did a little shopping while we just browsed and window shopped. Later, we adjourned to the food court on the 6th floor. I only had the chendol as I had already eaten. Wah went to get her lunch. Kak Leha wanted to try the assam pedas but it was not to her taste so she refused to finish off the rice. A pity. Wah must have her iced fruit jelly. Thus, satiated, full and satisfied, we started the journey back to Kelana Jaya.

Kak Leha's choice but she did not finish it off

Wah's lunch - simple but satisfying

The chendol - nice, santanish and just nicely sweet

The iced fruit jelly of sea coconut jelly and lychee

 I am glad that my sisters got what they wanted. Kak Leha main aim was to go shopping at Kenanga Warehouse and Jalan Masjid India. Kak Hajar wanted to eat the mee rebus. Wah and I just tagged along and tried to accommodate whatever they wanted. I am grateful for this time with them. For the patience given to me to cater to their whims and fancy. We were supposed to drive back to Melaka today to continue our food trail to Bandar Hilir area. Last night they changed their minds. I could only smile and say their wish is my command ....  

CCCM - Kelana Jaya : Day 7 - Dinner

By 5:00pm it started to rain cats and dogs with thunderstorms and lightning. The sisters took out the food they bought this morning and reheated them for tea. I only ate butter buns that I bought at Amcorp mall and the "tepung pelita" which I liked from the restaurant that morning. I thought they had already had lunch unlike me. They said that was 12 noon. After tea, with the heavy rain, we all took naps. Hmmm .... bliss... :-)  

Adik came after maghrib to take us out for dinner. Adi, Nadia's husband came to join us. She took us to a Chinese Muslim restaurant in Kelana Jaya. Dong Yi Shun restaurant. The food took quite some time coming but it was nice. The restaurant ambience was very nyonyaish with mother in-laid pearls decor hanging on its walls. The tables and chairs were solid wood furniture. Not bad but I've tasted better.

The menu - it is famous for its home made noodles

Fried broccoli - just perfect

Sizzling black pepper beef - very tender and nice

A tofu dish - okay

Butter prawns - not bad

A chicken dish - tender and nice

Steam fish - okay lah

Some of the dishes had Chinese names. Overall, not bad but the service could be improved as there were not many customers. I was very hungry as I did not take lunch or tea. So, I enjoyed dinner and finished off my rice. As Nadia and Adi were with us, we did justice to the food. Thanks Adik, for this juncture of our "Cuti-Cuti Cari Makan".

CCCM - Kelana Jaya : Day 7 - Breakfast

We started the day with a walk at the park. I did my 30 minutes walking while the others walked and did a few rounds at the exercise machines available. Then, we went for breakfast at restaurant Rasa Utara. It was a simple but satisfying breakfast. I ate the fried mee and roti canai. Well...I am not going to take lunch today. :-)  Then, we went to another shop nearby to get my newspaper. These ladies also got down from the car to survey what that restaurant had to offer. They bought laksam, kueh, pulut kuning, rendang ayam .... I was already groaning - who were going to eat all these?????  :-{

Fried mee+fried kue teow with egg and slices of cucumber - my breakfast

The others ordered roti canai - it was soft and fluffy so I was tempted to order one 

Later. Nadia came. She took leave to spend time with her mum and aunties. They had decided to spend the day at Kenanga Waarehouse for a shopping spree. I pleaded out of this venture as I would be bored to death. These sisters are serious shoppers. They would enter every shop, see and touch and enquire about everything ... 5 or 6 hours are nothing to them. They agreed to let me off the hook. I was relieved. I sent them to the LRT station and waved goodbye happily. Thus, after prayers I went to Amcorp mall. There was a flea market at the foyer and I enjoyed browsing looking at the assortment of things available. It was interesting. Then, I went to lepak at my favourite place - Book Excess. I do not buy novels anymore so I usually give myself a treat and read the books that I have denied myself. I chose a Mary Higgins Clark book, found a seat and read happily. It was quiet and conducive. I managed to spend almost 2 hours before duty called as a driver. The other sisters had arrived and it was time for me to resume my duties and picked them up at the LRT station.

CCCM - Kelana Jaya : Day 6 - Dinner

After maghrib, we went to Giant Kelana Jaya. Dinner was at one of my favourite places - The Chicken Rice Shop. We did not go there for their famed Hainanese Chicken Rice but for the side dishes. We went vegetarian tonight except for Wah who had chicken noodles.

Pie Tee - a plate of 6 for me alone. My favourite and must have for me.

Rojak buah 

Gado-gado - not bad. At least the peanut sauce was not so sweet.

Wah's choice of chicken noodles

Braised tofu - our source of protein

The spring roll (fried popia) came later so, I forgot to take it's photo  :-)))   Thus, we had a very fulfilling and satisfying dinner of vegetable dishes. I liked it.

Tomorrow they planned to go to KL to do shopping at Jalan Kenanga. I opted out of this venture as these ladies are serious shoppers. I would be flat out if I followed them. My whole body is aching, my neck is so stiff and my poor back !! Try driving for 6 days !!! Even with pit stops ... I would not enjoy the shopping. In all probability I may just end up at Book Excess at Amcorp Mall for a couple of hours. They have not decided whether they wanted to go back Melaka on Saturday. Kak Leha said she might go back on Sunday or Monday. These people would just decide whatever and whenever ... I am on stand-by and on call ... ha..ha.. :-D  Whatever, my duties end on Monday. I have made other plans next week for my own personal pursuits. I need it ... and I deserve it .. :-}

CCCM - Melaka/Bangi : Day 6 - Breakfast / Lunch

Early morning, we went to the market in Peringgit to buy kueh. We bought the pulut tetal, kueh chang and kueh bakar. Wah wanted to find the "inang" a kind of dried food made of pulut. We bought "char kuey" along the way for kak Ti. Then, we stopped at a stall near Batu Berendam and had breakfast of lontong and mee hoon goreng. Kak Haj add on half-cooked fried egg to her lontong. She managed to finish off her portion of lontong. Good improvement !!!

After the "inang" had been fried

The "inang"  - a local dried food made of pulut

After we had rested, we started to leave for our next destination - Bangi. We had already told Nadia that we would be there for lunch. She had no classes at that hour. She is a lecturer at UKM. Nadia is Kak Haj's daughter. Lunch would be her treat. This time we managed to coax and persuade Kak Leha and Kak Tie to come along for the ride. Kak Tie's daughters are in Kelana Jaya. Plus her first grand daughter. Abang Md. Noor is going off to Pulau Besar to conduct a course. So, she would be on her own. Thus, I have the 4 sisters with me. They talked and laughed and reminisced about the past all the way to Bangi. Honestly, I was very tired with a stiff neck. I had been driving everyday since Sunday albeit with stops along the way. Do you know that it is more tiring with many stops then just one, long, straight forward journey? I was always unsure where we would end up next as plans were made along the way. Anyway, I was theirs to be made used as they please...      :-})  Nadia took us to the famous nasi beriani gam in Bangi. The rice was very nice. Just like makan nasi khenduri. I loved mine dry so I opted for the fried ayam kampong goreng. I had mine with air bandung la ... to maintain its authenticity.  :-D   

Mine was nasi beriani ayam kampong goreng - Yummilicious

Kak Tie, Wah and Nadia's choice - nasi beriani ayam. Kak Haj main "curi-curi makan" 

Kak Leha had the nasi beriani daging

Once it had entered the "Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan" programme, more people came - we had to queue for the food  as it was self-service

After that we adjourned to Nadia's apartment to rest and performed our prayers. I had a shut-eye while the others chatted among themselves catching up with Nadia's life. I needed the short nap. I was the only driver. Later we went back to Kelana Jaya to Wah's house. They asked to stop near Giant supermarket to survey what food was available for tea. This was really living up to the theme of the holiday - "cari makan". They bought goreng pisang. laksa, rambutan, kueh ... I surrender !!! I refused to eat anything anynore for now. When we had reached home at Wah's to rest, they said that tonight we would go vegetarian and be good. Ha..ha..ha.. I think I will go for a much needed walk. :-)

CCCM - Melaka : Day 5 - Dinner

After a short nap, Kak Leha had already made tea and teh tarik to go with the pisang goreng tanduk that we bought. I was full but when we got together, we just ate. Later, we adjourned to Kak Tie's house near by and discussed where to go for dinner. Abang Md. Noor and Abang Osman were not invited. It was ladies' night out. They were discussing about going up to KL with us tomorrow. Kak Leha and Kak Tie. Kak Tie is 60 years old and Kak Leha is 57. Their husbands would not mind. It was now up to them. I leaned back into the sofa and listened to them arguing it out. Their problem was how to come back to Melaka? Who could come and pick them up from KL? Finally, I volunteered to send them back to Melaka on Saturday. What else could I do? They wanted to go but they did not want to stay on until Sunday or Monday. Wah and Kak Haj wanted them to join us. So, being a dutiful and compliant sister, I told them I would. Thus, I think they might agreed. Kak Tie was also not well. Hmmm .... After maghrib, we went to Restoran Tom Yam Klasik near Sg. Putat. The food was nice. Wah loved the steam fish and tom yam. Kak Haj managed to eat half a plate. Good for her. Better improvement. Kak Tie became unwell halfway through dinner but insisted she wanted to join us and tried to eat. I realised how precious this time I had been given with my older sisters. InsyAllah, I would go all out to please them and make them happy.

The entrance into the restaurant. Very nice place. It caters for wedding functions too.

Our drinks - star fruit juice, pineapple juice, apple juice, watermelon juice and warm water

Asparagus with garlic

Sambal udang

Sea food tom yam - recommended  :-)

Steam tofu - Wah and Kak Ti enjoyed this. I prefer my tofu to be fried.

Steam siakap with assam boi - recommended too. Very tangy and sourish.

The 5 sisters managed to finish off everything. I was smart and did not take rice. Thus, I could eat more. 

 All of us commented that we hardly had time out like this. Kak Leha wondered when we would get to gather like this again. Usually, it was only during Raya or death or weddings. At that time, everybody is busy or has obligations elsewhere. It was a good night and hopefully, all through this weekend. InsyaAllah, dipermudahkan untuk kami mengeratkan ikatan ukhuwah, silaturrahim dan kasih sayang antara kami. Aamiiin. Tomorrow is another day. The tentative plan is - breakfast in Melaka, lunch in Bangi and dinner at Kelana Jaya. InsyaAllah.

CCCM - Kelana Jaya/Melaka : Day 5 - Breakfast / Lunch

We had been eating for a few days. I was feeling very tired as I had been driving from Ipoh to Alor Setar. Then it was Alor Setar to Penang to Ipoh to Tanjong Rambutan to Kelana Jaya. I need to stretch my legs and take a walk. My exercise routine had gone haywire since the holidays started. So, I told my sisters that I had to go for a walk at the park first. Wah suggested we walked for breakfast instead of waiting for me and taking the car. It was a good suggestion. Kak Haj was game for it. So, we walked from SS4 to SS5 to Restoran Sajian Utara aka Mak Tok for breakfast.

Mine was a mixture of fried mee and mee hoon with rendang daging, egg and slices of cucumber

Kak Haj had this kueh apam. We insisted she ate both and she had a piece of roti jala. We had to finish off the other piece. 

Wah had this simple nasi impit with rendang daging and sambal ikan bilis

After the simple breakfast, we took the long walk back to SS4. We went to the park and did a few rounds. We completed the walk with a round at the exercise machines at the park while Kak Haj did 4 rounds at the reflexology walk. We finally went back with our bodies groaning and complaining. My back was so stiff. We felt much better as that justifies a few days of no exercise. We got ready for our next destination - Melaka. Before that we stopped at Dengkil R&R and had fruit juices and kelapa jelly. Hmmm ... well, it was supposed to be a "cuti-cuti cari makan".

The overhead bridge near Masjid Al-Azim, Peringgit.  :-)  - home -

We had planned to reach Melaka for lunch. We would not go back to Kak Leha's or Kak Tie's place yet as they would feed us and we would not have this opportunity again. :-))  Thus, we parked the car at the old market at Jalan Bunga Raya and went to our next destination. The satay campur stall in Kg. Jawa. I had been here once a few years ago with Noor. The stall had relocated near the river front and is now known as Riverline Satay Campur. It was crowded. We hanged around and finally, this man gestured to us to join his table. We sat with him and invited another lady to sit at the table too. Being Malaccan and natural "kepohs" we started talking to both the man and lady. All of us started chatting like old friends - asking our destination, where we were from, why we were here ... and we asked the same to the two of them. It was an amiable and very friendly environment. We ordered almost whatever was available -

The view of the satay campur stall - always crowded. You just have to be patient.

Kak Haj's choice was the famous mee goreng - nice. She managed to eat 2/3 of it.

Wah had mee rebus - not bad. 

Satay campur of hati, perut, kerang and ayam. Paru was not available that day. A little sweet except for satay ayam.

I had rojak - the sauce was nice and the cucur udang crispy and soft. Recommended.

It was years since I came here. And it was years since we had time out like this among us sisters. After that we walked along Jalan Bunga Raya. The shops were old and quaint. One textile store we entered were ran by elderly people whom I thought were siblings or family. The road was still as narrow and busy as ever. Tai Chong ice kacang was still there. So was the rojak stall opposite it. I smiled a nostalgic smile and we recalled memories of Tai Chong, the Bata shoe store where we would get our school and Raya shoes. Later, we proceeded to the old place where Lido theatre used to stand. Now, there was a sort of supermarket of clothes but it was burned down. The same business was on but new people. We sat down for our cendol. Almost the same but not authentic enough. Not enough gula melaka syrup and santan. Well, we were supposed to be more health conscious!!!  :-0)

On a blazing hot day, the cendol was very much welcomed. Not as sweet or santanish as we remembered.
:-D  

Feeling satiated, full and contented, we continued our journey to Kak Leha's house at Batu Berendam. We stopped along the flats at Peringgit because Kak Haj wanted to eat pisang goreng tanduk. Being an obedient sister cum driver, I adhered to all their wishes. I am theirs for this week. Their wish is my command. Whatever they wanted, where ever they wanted to go, whenever they wanted to go - I am at their service. This could be the only time we had together. We reached Kak Leha's house - had a good bath as it was so hot, performed our prayers and took a nap. Hmm ... forget about weight control !!!! :-({