Sun, Sea & Sand on Lunar New Year

It was an impromptu trip. Mama's boss has an apartment in Port Dickson so we decided to spend CNY there. Initially we wanted to go on 3rd Feb and come back on 5th Feb but mama's boss' SIL wanted to use the apartment on the 4th so we went 1 day earlier and came back on the 4th morning. As Mr A was still working on 2nd Feb, me and kids went with mama and my sister in the morning and Mr A joined us in the evening after he finished work. Alhamdulillah the traffic was smooth and clear.

We reached PD around 2pm and searched for Ocean View Resort which was located at Batu 9 right after Ancasa Resort. It was not like any fancy hotel/ resort but it was just perfect for us. It was a fully furnished apartment with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a kitchen, living room and dining hall. Once we were done tidying and cleaning the place, we went out to PD town to get some late lunch.

Luq and Leia were so happy and can't wait to go to the beach.

When we got back to the apartment it was already 5.30pm and it was just nice to go to the beach. Since it was quite a distance to walk to the beach and Mr A wasn't around to accompany us, my sister decided to drive to the beach which was about 3 minutes drive from the apartment. The weather was perfect that evening and surprisingly the beach was clean too and not many people. Maybe bcoz most people were still working. As soon as we settled our things on the beach mat, Luq and Leia started building their sand castles. They were really enjoying themselves.

The last time we brought Leia to the beach was last year when we went to Club Med, Cherating but she was scared of the water then. This time around, she was the one who ran towards the water and was excited to catch the waves. She even didn't want to leave.

We went back to the apartment close to 7pm as it was getting dark and there was no one around.

Mr A arrived just after maghrib as i was preparing dinner. Since everyone was on quite a tight budget, we decided to cook our own meals instead of eating out. The kitchen was complete with a fridge, a microwave and kitchen utensils except for a stove. Fortunately, mama's boss lent us her portable stove which was really convenient and useful that i'm thinking of getting our own for emergency purposes.

The next morning after breakfast we went to the same beach again but this time Mr A was with us. It was already the CNY holiday so the crowd was bigger unlike the day before. The weather was lovely that morning and the tides were low. As usual, Luq and Leia started building their sand castles while mama and my sister strolled on the beach.

Once Luq and Leia were bored with the sand, it was time for some splish splash. Words can't describe how i felt looking at Luq and Leia having a good time.

Just look at them. It was a blissful sight.

We were also happy to get to spend the holiday with mama and my sister. By the time we left the beach around noon, the parking lot was already full and cars kept coming in. After having lunch, we just stayed in the apartment to rest and went to PD town around 4pm to buy some kuihs.

We were caught in the traffic jam as the crowd were still arriving that by the time we reached the apartment, it was almost 6pm. So we quickly ate our kuihs and changed into our swimsuits to go to the swimming pool.

The swimming pool was quite full so we didn't spend much time there but nontheless, Luq and Leia were happy.

Since it was our last night in PD, mama decided to take us out for dinner instead of cooking that night. It was quite difficult to find a place to eat bcoz all the restaurants were full. In the end, we were lucky to find a decent restaurant which wasn't full. After dinner, we visited my uncle and his family who were staying in Royal Palm Springs Golf Resort.

The above are snap shots of the apartment's interior. I forgot to take photos of the bedrooms but they were equipped with airconds and fans.

The next morning after having light breakfast, we quickly packed and made sure that the apartment was clean and tidy bcoz mama's boss' SIL was going to use it later.

We left the apartment around 11am and had brunch at PD town. The traffic home was also smooth bcoz people were still heading down south instead of KL. Now that we're back at our own home, i kind of missed staying in the same house with my mama and siblings. I wish we can go on more vacations together again.

Double fun

Last Saturday i had my 'me' time and today me + Mr A had our 'us' time +2 when we went on a double date with Ms M + Mr F. Initially, we wanted to watch Gullivers Travel but the show time was too late as we wanted to reach home before maghrib. So, we watched Little Fockers instead. As expected, the movie was hillarious and we couldn't stop laughing. I almost cried myself of laughter.

*Picture googled

The last time we went out sans the kids was early last year when we went for a wedding reception. So it was fun to go on a date with Mr A once in a while. Luq + Leia also behaved themselves when we left them at home with my mum. We were lucky they didn't cry, especially Leia.

Our double date partner, Ms M + Mr F. Thanks for the lovely time guys. We should do this again :)

Wordless Wednesday Ver.1

Visiting baby Aryan (latest addition to Ngeks junior)

Yesterday, we (Ngeks) went to Rawang to visit Faez who gave birth to baby Aryan on 30th November 2011. We didn't get a chance to visit her after she delivered bcoz she went back to her mom's at Melaka for confinement. Only Nury and family did not make it yesterday. It was our first meet up for 2011 since we last went out to IKEA late last year so there were a quite lot of catching up to do.

Baby Aryan is such a cutie. The day that we visited him, he was only 40 days old but he looked like a 3 months old baby and was so active.

Big brother Adam showing his love to Aryan.

The Ngeks junior. Well, part of the Ngeks junior. Adam, Iman and Luq has been friends since they were babies. (9 months old to be precise). Hopefully they will still be friends when they grow up. InsyaAllah. Missing from the photo was Zahra and Muhammad (Ein was bathing Ara) and also Balqis and Mukhlish.

Take care Faez. Another 4 more days to go and you'll be free. Weeeeeee :)

As usual, our visit won't be complete without a group photo before going back. Missing you ladies already. Can't wait to see you all again.

Last but not least, a group photo of the Ngeks' hubbies. Teehee.

Splendid Saturday

Working moms who say that they don't need 'me' time are actually quite wrong bcoz when you work, that is considered as your 'me' time bcoz you get to see your colleagues, have breakfast, lunch, tea breaks and sometimes go shopping during office hours. Which is why when you come home from work, all you want to do is spend all the time that you have with your children.

As for me, I 'work' 24 hours, 7 days a week so 'me' time is very important to keep me sane. My definition of 'me' time is to just be away from my children for a few hours at least once a week and i am very fortunate to have such an understanding husband to take care of them while i'm away.

So, earlier today i spent my 'me' time with my closest friend Dydy. We decided to have a pot luck breakfast. I cooked asam pedas on Friday night and brought it to her house this morning and she cooked fried rice. After breakfast we just talked and watched tv. It was good to talk to an adult (other than Mr A) bcoz i spend most of my time with a kid and a toddler. Later in the afternoon we went to have some froyo at Tutti Frutti Taman Tun.

The above picture of Plaza VADS is where i used to work for 9 years. Taman Tun will always be dear to my heart bcoz that is where i started working and it was also where i met Mr A. Even Luq's 1st day care was at Taman Tun. That's why i always feel a bit sentimental when i'm in Taman Tun.

Froyo with the Nawi sisters :)

Thanks a lot for your time my friend. Eventhough we practically did nothing today but it was the best 'me' time i ever had.

Wish you were here

Today i'm missing my ayah more bcoz it's his birthday. The last time i saw him was on 28th September 2009 when we went back to Indonesia to celebrate Syawal. I've always been a daddy's girl bcoz i'm more open to him compared to my mum.

Happy birthday ayah! May you be blessed with good health always and may Allah protect you from any harm. I love you!

*The above photo was taken on 3rd May 2009, 6 days before he left to Indonesia for good. It was the last time we had dinner together as a family.

Monday blues

* Picture googled

It's 3rd January and the 1st Monday of 2011, which means kids are back to school and most people have started working. Today, as i went through twitter and fb, i couldn't help feeling sad reading friends' tweets and statuses about sending their children to school bcoz we are unable to send Luq to school yet this year. He turned 4yo last August and by right he should be going to a pre-school this year but due to our financial situation he'll have to wait.

2010 has been the toughest year for us but we are very grateful that we are still surviving until today. No one knows what we are really going through except for our parents. I have been applying for jobs for quite some time now but have yet to receive any good news. There are times when i feel like giving up but after prayers, i always feel that Allah has plans for me and only He knows what's best. In the meantime, I'm enjoying all the time i have with Luq and Leia bcoz i never know when i may start work again. Luq may not be going to a pre-school this year but this doesn't mean that he couldn't learn. I'll have to be his teacher for now and i'll bet i'm going to be his best teacher in the whole world.