YES WE ALL MISSED HER

My mum is back in Penang [after an epic trip - hehehehe] --- safely but with a few issues.

I thought about her a lot this week.. I thought what if she has to live with us permanently... Can I handle it??
The answer is definitely... she needs a little bit of attention.. but not much.. and YES - I think I can live with my mum!

Scottsdale

This is a typical scenery through Scottsdale Tasmania. Many dairy farm, vegetable farm or cattle or sheep.

Too bad Rozana and Sharifah passed through Scottsdale at night. So they missed

It would be wonderful to just take a joy ride on my scooter there...

---Maybe not---

Hippie Food anybody?

We seldom go out for a meal but this one day I thought let's try this Fresh on Charles St. The only vegetarian shop in Launceston-that I know of (they serve eggs - so not strictly vegan restaurant)
Not knowing what to order, the waitress suggested a mixed plate and for the kids, flat bread with three different dips. OK
On the plate : soft lentil burger, pearl cous cous, beetroot relish, roasted vegetables, grilled haloumi, corn fritters?some leafy salad, that yellow bit maybe polenta? not sure what else was on it.. many taste and depth... interesting.




Mr. Curly 'no-more'

The food?... if you like hippie sort of food you would love this place to pieces. Kids offcourse not really into healthy food. Rohan and Orion ate their bread, Aladdin barely touch his food.

I wish I can snap the soul of this restaurant.. but I feel a bit too much to snap-happy at busy lunch hour.

Well that particular mixed-plate, to me it wasn't bad - Hisham reckoned that was the best restaurant meal he had in a long time.

The people/customers in that shop also as interesting as the food .. a bit alternative I'd say.. hard to explain. There's one girl came in with 60s kinda fashion with noticeable blue eye shadow! (I thought it doesn't exist anymore)... most of the customers are a bit 'altertative' WE are alternative ourselves! HAHAHAHAHAHA

They have a mis-matched kinda furnishing and a bit worn out.. kind of you buy it from secondhand or an op shops.... so we definitely felt 'at home' dahling!.. BUT the bill wasn't so -op-shoppie... Mixed plate was $30.

Daily View

I live about 16 kms from the Hospital (where I work). To many people in my clinic, 16kms is way tooooo far in the country. (Yep Tassie is like that.. 5 kms from city centre you are in the country!)


But I don't mind. 15 minutes each way every day.... and the rush hour is like .. "What rush hour?"


I can either go down the highway or the Kings Meadow-way (old road), and it doesn't make much difference on my travelling time.

This is my favourite spot. It is about half way home.

In autumn it is more cheery... because of these european trees turning yellow..red.. amber..

In summer it gives a nice shade from the glaring sun.

Beach Bums

These are the scenes that I missed most having to move up North. When I first came to Tassie (more than 8 years ago!--- time flies!) We used to live near the beach. Beaches actually. Ralph's Bay is just 5 or 6 houses to the left and Frederick Henry Beach on the right, less than 10 minutes walk. I didn't have any job then... just 'beach bumming'. Walked on the beach.. collect shells, seaweeds (for composting) and one time we found few packets of chips!! un-opened!!

Here in Perth (Launceston).. Bridport is one of the popular beaches... but it is more than an hour's drive from where we live.

10.01.10

HAPPY 8 ALADDIN!!!!

Birthdays are always a low-key event.. Just bought a cake and that was it.. except for Aladdin.. ever since he started school.. he wants too much - presents...cakes (and it must be Black Forest!)
The other two couldn't care less... (we shall see)

Lady in black is Faye- neighbour round the back.. and offcourse you all know Aminah.

Where's My Curlies??!

Hisham said : I want my curly hair back!



A day after I 'forced' him to go and get the hair cut ... all 4 boys

In city mission shop (aka toy shop aka op shop). I had to go there to find something more decent for them to wear. All of them turned up (in town) with filthy clothing!! - Hisham.. Hisham.. I bet you all will have heart attack if your husband as bad as my husband...


I must admit--- I do miss his curlies... 'si rambut ketak'

He somehow looked more mature than in curlies

Oh NOOOOOOO!

Thoughts to avoid

Don't you ever get all excited when looking at "cheap" cars.... or "cheap" houses only to realised soon after that ; even though it is "cheap" ---- YOU CAN'T STILL AFFORD IT!

I thank Allah all the time [maybe not so all the time] for the roof on my head...
If you know what condition I live the first two years being a migrant ... this is way too much --- can't thank Allah enough.

....still... syaitan [or my own devil within myself... - most likely] ---- I see cars for example (mind you I am a 40 year-old full time government employee -- and *sing it with me*I never have my own car [yep! NEVER].. and this gorgeous looking Honda CRV... or a bold Toyota RAV4.. which is $33K -$36K (brandnew) or $20K near-new superlicious condition.... well that's cheap ain't it?......
...................................... I still can't afford it

what about Jazzy Honda Jazz $17K??!! --- I started to be a bird [cheap cheap cheap]
............................................ still can't afford it

This is exactly what Zen living should be.. no cars no pollution --minimalism is the key...
but the last time I checked... my passport doesn't say 'Zen Republic'

it rather says... Ma materiallllllllllllll ma materialllllllllllllllllll ma material world ....

Conversation I am shy off

Where are you from originally Faridah?
I'm from Malaysia
The police caught 52 couples on close proximity charges
Yes.. hmm yessss [what else can I say]
I was caught in Malaysia once for traffic infringements.. luckily my friend knew what was going on... how much? bla bla [I don't have to listen to the rest... c'mon]
-trying helplessly and unsuccesfully to change the subject- ermm armmm
So.. bribery isn't a problem in Malaysia???
-another man said- No... they were quite up front with it.. bla bla bla...
[seriously I don't have to listen to this anymore... ]

2009 - Highlights and Lowlights and hopes for 2010

Not in any particular order
1. Aladdin did his first 'full' ramadhaan
2. Solo trip to Malaysia (nice to be 'single' again -- soryy boyz) so many memorable moments with families and friends - I love you all
3. Mum in Tassie (after 8 years in Australia.. this is definitely a highlight for me - maybe lowlight for her - hehehe)
4. PakTam's passing 11. 12.09 (unspeakable sadness)
5. Maintained the "I-beat-anorexia" weights (low low low light)
6. Visits from old and new friend: Rozana and CikPah (definitely a highlight - climbing over the fence to take pictures in canola fields- aiyyo)
7. ... can't remember the rest... hehehe
8. Last... but not least... Rohan is toilet trained now.. YEP! no more crappy nappy (?)
----------------
1. Spend more quality time with family
2. Spend less not-quality time cooking and eating
3. Less selfish/angry ----- especially with loved ones (hmmm how am I going to achieve this)
4. More productive at work (less blogging??) - hahaha
5. More thankful with what I/we haves and don't haves
6. Think less negative thoughts... as I am doing right this very minute....

----- arrgh........