Keeping up with the MCO Part 1

So it is 9th of May 2020. I no longer keep track how many days it has been since Malaysia started the Movement Control Order or MCO on 18th March 2020.

We are now in Phase 4 of the more relaxed MCO or CMCO- Conditional Movement Control Order which means a lot of businesses and shops are allowed to reopen and more people are allowed outside.

Anyway, I just wanted to pen down how I really feel about this situation, what I felt when all this started and how I feel right now that we are allowed to resume our life again albeit with a whole lot more procedures.

At the Beginning
Like a lot of people then, I couldn't care less about the "Wuhan"virus affecting China back in December. I didn't even bother to click on the news because I honestly thought it's a "thing" in China. I had just gotten back from Tokyo with my husband and everything seemed normal.

Then slowly when the virus got closer to home i.e. Singapore had its first came, I kind of knew at the back of my head it would eventually get to Malaysia seeing how close our borders are. Then my friends and family members started sharing articles and concerns about the Virus, I started getting a little bit more conscious but still tried to push away the thought of how contagious this virus could be. My aunt had then suggested we get face masks and sanitizers and then I saw a video by WHO which said that Mask would not help and so I was telling my aunt that perhaps she was overthinking this whole thing.

By then, my husband and I were already planning for our yearly Sakura Trip to Japan and we really didn't want to cancel our trip. We were watching news from Europe and also WHO trying to gauge the situation because u know we seemed to think that the Western world would surely know better right? We convinced ourselves that we would be alright.

And then we got our first imported case. I remember clearly because I was already following the news closely. It was a Chinese national who had entered our border from Singapore. And he was discharged a week or so later. So that gave me hope again.

And then the numbers jumped to 26, and it turned out that a lot of people knew who patient 26 is as he is a corporate figure in Malaysia. And unfortunately he had spread it to a lot of people and one whom I knew personally from work (not in my office). Hearing this news made me worried because I had met people who had been in contact with the positive case. It was a pretty intense week at work, no one could really focus as we were all scrambling to get ourselves protected and if our office is going to close.

You know on hindsight, it felt like Malaysia will never be able to close all office and allow employees to work from home or schools being closed. I didn't think it was economically and socially possible....By then we have seen how crazy the situation was in China.... I didn't think we will ever be in a lock down situation albeit not a full lock down.

During the Lock-down
Then the Government made the announcement on National TV. I have not watched the national news so diligently ever in a really long time, so it did feel somewhat scary, it's unprecedented. It did feel like Hollywood film about viruses and pandemic and you need to hide from the virus. Do u think I was overthinking back then?

The first night of the MCO, the roads were quiet and almost empty it was unreal. On the 3rd or 4th day I had to pick something up from my mum's place and we drove around at night and the roads were empty. Nothing we've ever seen even during long holidays..

Then slowly the MCO got more restricted, the Government were employing the army and police to conduct roadblocks and to enforce people to stay home in the bid to fight this virus. Then came all these new terms Social Distancing, Lock down, Pandemic, New Normal , Stay Safe. Social Media was bursting with all the Covid-19 information.

While at home, I was constantly checking if I had sore throat or fever because I am Alhamdulillah someone who does not get sick easily. But during this time, any sniffles or slight uneasiness or tightness in my throat had me on feet. I would constantly check with my sister who is in Dublin if she too had felt what I felt. And then we had a concall with my mum and found out that my mum was as paranoid as we both were. That was probably the first time in a long time that we had a laugh about this whole pandemic.

to be continued.....

Travelling to Tokyo with a Toddler (Part 1)

If you were to ask me what travelling to Tokyo with a toddler is like, I must say it is both exciting and tiring at the same time. I will share with you in detail, but before that let me recap our trip, just so when I read this again in years to come, I will pat myself at the back for taking the plunge ( but it is not Zayn’s first time in a foreign country, I travelled with my extended family before but the logistics were different.)

Anyhow, seeing as how my husband is a crew with MAS, his leave will only be approved a month before. So we were unable to plan months in advance for this trip. He has been telling me since November/December last year that as soon as his leave is approved we will go to Japan. So imagine after January and February his leave was still rejected, so I had in me that we won’t be going this year.

It was sometime in mid-February that his leave was finally approved and we had 3 weeks to plan. I thank god that my husband likes to over plan once he’s set his mind into something, all I had to do was to sort out was the packing for both Zayn and myself. The rest was left to him (after all he’s paying for our trip hehe, I just had to throw in some of the places I want to see)

Tips for a small family (I only have a toddler)

Date: 13^th March to 21^st March 2017

1.    Pack 1 or 2 weeks before.
Seriously, as a working mum and I only have the weekend to sort Zayn and my stuff, it can be very overwhelming. And at his age, he’s taking out everything that I have packed! Make a checklist, obviously.

2.    Check the weather forecast
This was really helpful as I knew what to pack for Zayn and how to incorporate that information into our plan.

3.    Download games on the tab
This is god sent. I do not need to apologise for this, but it made our trip that more bearable (you will understand once you read further)

4.   Bring both a compact stroller and carrier
I only decided to purchase the carrier 4 days before after reading tips from people who have been to Tokyo with kids! This is again, God sent what with some stations only having stairs or escalator!
We use the Babyzen Yoyo and Boba 4g carrier. I love both to death! The Boba 4g carrier can be folded into a small pouch and fits into Zayn's Diaper bag!

5.    Rent a pocket wi-fi instead of buying a sim card!
Their internet is superfast and you are connected at all times! It costs about RM2++ for 8 days that we were there. Pick it up straight at the airport and return it at the airport as well! 

Do share with me what are your tips when you travel with kids!

To be continued..

Why have I not achieved much ?

 How do you answer people you have not met in years when they ask you hey how have you been? I don't know if it's a mid-life crisis thing (geez I'm turning 32 this year!) but of late I've been feeling like I've not accomplished much since I got back from Dublin. (Let's not remind the world that having a child is an accomplishment shall we?)

1. Have still not finished my ACCA papers. 

I find no motivation, really to complete it. And I find it takes up too much of my time which I should ideally be spending with my son/husband and mother(since the passing of my father). After years of working, I have come to realised that numbers is not my forte. I find no real pleasure in analysing numbers.

2. I am still not THIN. 

Haha who am I kidding, I did lose about 8 kilos in 2015 and although I did not gain all back, I was not as strict with my clean eating habits. I think it all sparked after the passing of my dad when I stopped working out and would want to have dinner at my mum's after work - one yes it's more convenient but mostly because I want to spend a little more time with her before I go home. (and yes the food is a lot more delicious....)

3. I still find doing house chores at my own condo a pain. 

I hate sweeping and mopping the floor the most. Is it because it gets dusty so soon that I feel that it's pointless?, And then there's my husband's gaming chair (yes he has a gaming chair) has started to peel, so as and when he lifts his butt, the pieces from the chair drops to the floor leaving tiny black pieces. It's freaking annoying. Also since I now have a young toddler who destroys whatever I have tidied, it frustrates me even more. Then there's the dishes, if there's one thing I need to always keep tidy is my kitchen,  for fear of cockroaches and mice. I sound like a spoilt brat who complains and whines don't I? But seriously, how do you guys manage? Ok, let me put it to perspective for you guys

a) Come home from work - milk bottles from last night to wash and steam.

b) Food to cook for husband (do i need to run through the process for you?) and then to clean the pots and pans and dirty dishes

c) Laundry to fold

d) Dining table mess and floor to clean because toddler wants to eat on his own

e) Living room to clean up after your toddler ran amok for no apparent reason 

f) And then said toddler decides to poop when you are just about to put your feet up for the day....

So where does the husband comes in play? Hahah I have no answer for that.

4. I still have not memorised more surah 

This part bugs me. But I keep forgetting to read one short surah a day. Have not even prayed significantly more either. Still struggling to be a better Muslim and better wife/daughter/mother/friend

5. I still have not mastered Malay cooking

I can't cook up something if (god forbids) , my in-laws randomly appears at my doorstep. They'll be wondering what I've been cooking for my husband Truth is, he eats steak everyday since he is not a special diet of no sugar and carbs. I get rusty. Some of you do remember that I used to cook during my time in Dublin right?? No? ok go to my archives now! Haha

After all that I've typed above, I did notice one thing. I was happy writing the above. I forgot how much I love to write about myself (sounds so conceited hehe ). I actually love writing. Is it too late to have a career in writing?

My Most Recent Update in 2016!

Is having a blog really that relevant anymore? I miss those days when I write what I have in mind. I miss those days when I'm in a social situation and I cannot wait to go home to blog about the event. I also miss having to go home to on the laptop to get connected to the internet. The overly smartphone makes everything real life that by the time I get home, information is almost obsolete. Dah BASI.

BUT, I still love reading blogs. And a selfish as I am, I wish those bloggers that I have read for years will continue blogging because they have been a part of me.

Anyway, it is halfway into 2016. To say that so many things happened the past 3 years or so is such an understatement I deserve a slap in the face. But the biggest and saddest highlight of this year is the sudden death of my father.

I cannot begin to write about it before it will reduce me to tears. Let's just say he was my biggest supporter when I started this blog. He always enjoyed reading my years of blogging while I was away in Dublin. It was out way to connect. I am his only daughter to take after his jovial humorous traits. We shared private jokes in public. We finish each other's jokes. He was the best father really. Aihhhh I cannot continue or my eyeliner and mascara will start smudging...Who am I kidding, ME in makeup in the office?

Who has time for that? Now that I'm a mother of an 18 months old toddler, everything needs to be fast and quick. Even my hijab too! Again, pttooooi why can't we just say tudung? Why do we have to say hijab? Anyway. yes. back to the story of my toddler, let me tell you this. I am those mothers who would allow my son to explore the house by himself (supervised of course). He climbs the TV cabinet (only because my husband is too lazy to look after our son anddd as revenge, I let my son climb the cabinet and pull the speakers..miahahah ). but shhh it's our secret. I mean sometimes, and I mean really sometimes when I cook, I can't be in front of the telly watching him now can I?

And when I bathe my son, I let him turn into a big fat raisin before I say ok, we are done with bathing, I mean the kid loves playing in there so don't you judge me!. But I put in very little water in the bath tub...OK, I still look after him...I scrub the toilet and the floor while he scoops water out of the bath tub...but I love him. Yes I do...

Now you are thinking I no longer work right? You are wrong. I am still working. A working mother. I think I will turn crazy if I do not go to work and socialise with my colleagues. I am those mothers who would still require help from my family. and extended family. Love that my mother and aunts are always a drive a way and ever so willing to take care of my little fat duck.

I can go on and on about him. But I shall stop with a picture of my son for you to go Awwww he looks just like mummy....or not!

ps-omg you can drag and drop onto blogger now? How times have changed! Do you guys still read this blog? If you do, please leave a comment and I will try and update more often if there are people reading! ;P

Highlights of 2013

1. Got Married

2. Got Pregnant
3. Had a miscarriage due to PPROM

Highlights of 2014
1. Got Fatter
2. Got Pregnant again (yay!)
3. Diagnosed with Cervical Incompetence
4. Undergo surgery to get a cerclage done at 17 weeks
5. Bedrest until I get to the viability stage that is 28 to 32 weeks
6. On unpaid leave (boo!)
7. Currently at 31 weeks. (syukur!)

There's a lot of emotions and thoughts that I would like to pen down in here , and the fact that I'm currently on unpaid leave due to my condition you would think I have a lot of time...but hey I do find time goes by so quickly ;)

I'll try to elaborate more either later today or tomorrow, but just so you know, I'm mostly active on Instagram. How I wish I can treat Instagram like a blog so you know my updates.

Till then, I miss blogging. 

How To Look Good in Pictures Part 2

 No this blog will not turn into a "How To Look Good in Pictures" forum, and I swear I wasn't googling ideas to pose! It came up on my pinterest page and I thought it was awesomely funny!

Pictures and tips are from this cool website

 Now go, practice posing and don't forget to thank me if you succeed! ;)

How to look good in pictures 101

 Ahoy!

Since I've been going to a lot more weddings than I previously ever did I noticed a new tactic in striking a pose. Why I call this a tactic because I think woah, suddenly everyone looks at least 5 pounds slimmer with that pose.

Almost all of them have got one arm on their was it no?

I call it the "I'm a little teapot pose".  I strongly believe Tyra Banks was inspired by the popular nursery rhyme. But sadly, for me, where I am not blessed with long legs, I really do end up looking "Short and Stout"! -_-

I don't take as many pictures in Malaysia , I suppose since I don't travel that much, so most of my pictures are from weddings that I attend. Let me tell you how difficult it is to look slim or good in the traditional garb because the shape of the dress is almost square. But my friends, somehow have mastered the art of posing with the traditional dress. I mean I used to only pose with a peace sign beside my face, or a flying kiss motion! Until I realized many people are posing with the one arm on the waist look.

So this was my first try.  While everyone else's arms were elegantly placed, mine went all the way to the back like I was about to attempt a backstroke! Seriously look at all of my gfs!

So i thought, ok, let's give another shot, this time, by putting my arms lightly on my waist. Seriously, I think I look like someone with a backache holding on to her back. What was I thinking?

Then I got the hang of it and thought, there must be a way to do it right, so I tried again. but I think I look like a very cross teacher sedang"bercekak pinggang" and it did not make me look 5 pounds lighter! Look at Dew on the extreme left of the picture, she had done it beautifully, body slightly bent forward with the hand on the hip. Whereas I look so stiff!

Maybe I really need to watch America's Next Top Model before I can at least pose like a model. Hahaha. But first, I gotta lose those pounds to at least be able to think like one!

For those like me, who still cannot master the "I'm a little teapot" pose, fret not, sing along with me, here is my handle, here is my "sPOUT"!

 Yes, this is called the pout face, although I've seen many korean girls look way cuter with a pout, I probably look a little better than a goldfish swimming. Don't you think?

 It looks like I'm trying to cut my own lips!

Oh yeah, I think I'm getting a little bit better at it, or maybe it's the electric blue nail polish that makes this picture looks cool?

Oh yeah! Finally I think this picture of me is awesome. Still with the pout, but with almost no face showing. -_-. SIGH, does that mean I cannot have my face shown?

I mean look at them Korean girls!

Oh, you mean someone with chubby cheeks cannot do this look is it?  Oh by the way, did you guys know that the pose above is called Aegyo? I just found out while googling those images !! Aegyo aegyo! LOL.

Now everybody, sing along, I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT, SHORT AND STOUT.HERE IS MY HANDLE, HERE IS MY "sPOUT"! So which one are you? The teapot or the "spout"?

ps-all pictures of the Korean girls are courtesy of Google!