Category Archives: Parenting, Family and Relationships

Auditing your own marriage

Posted in Everyday Life, Parenting, Family and Relationships, Ponderings & Personal Development by

Once in a while, I come across a situation that makes me ponder the quality of my marriage. Effective communication has been an ongoing and recurring issue since we said our vows. It is a difficult habit to break as we walked into this with the usual;

  • He/she is independent and knows what to do
  • He/she would get why I am doing this
  • He/she does not need to know
  • He/she just wants some me time and to be left alone
  • He/she does not need my advice

The thing is, what might be OK before may not be OK now. However, since both parties are stubborn and not willing to sit down and go through the difficult conversation, the best bet is to just go through the days like normal. To be honest, I just do not have the energy to put myself first anymore. I am going to just do my best and entrust things to Allah’s will. I feel that patience is a virtue that I hope will be rewarded in the Hereafter.

Iftar 2026 with the Powerpuffs

Posted in Everyday Life, Good Things, Parenting, Family and Relationships by

I would have lived my life as a hermit if it weren’t for my sister, who is a social butterfly. She would organise this Iftar session at her home, and I would gladly bring my little family to enjoy the food. The husband would tag along out of obligation. If he had his way, I’d think he would prefer not to go. He is morphing into my dad’s (unfavourable) traits with time.

Since I anticipated that the Iftar session would take some time to enjoy, I booked a room at Zenith Hotel Putrajaya for the night. I wrote about it in my previous post.

My sister ordered Nasi Arab and Shawarma. I gave her some money for it. She also made mi kolok, tauhu begedil and a lovely dessert. Her son was celebrating his birthday as well, so she got a mango cheesecake from Secret Recipe. I brought my Popia Big Mac. It has become a tradition and act of love on my part as I hand the frozen ones to my sibling and my dad. My brother Danial would ration his portion to like 2 pieces a day so that it wouldn’t run out. To be honest, it takes a great deal of labour of love to do it.

I am thinking of hosting for Raya Haji this year. InsyaAllah.

Time flies. Asas 3.

Posted in Everyday Life, Parenting, Family and Relationships by

Ee is now in his 3rd year at KPPN. He is doing well in his studies and extra-curricular activities. Who would have known that this seemingly quiet young lad had his hands full last year? He is a very different person at school. He shines in charisma. At home, he sloths.

What surprised me most was that he volunteered (as in sent in an application) to become an Emcee for the annual dinner. He was selected. I mean, he doesn’t really talk much at home. Always on the phone playing his game, and suddenly, he WANTS to become an emcee.

No, wait.

Another surprising thing was that he provides ‘ironing services’. As in RM3 for a shirt, and if it is a full set, the combo is priced at RM5. On average, he is able to get RM15 per week. He said, that is ‘harga satu kemalasan’. He has his eyes on another side venture already. I am not going to tell you what it is yet. But I did say to him that he has got to be kidding. I can’t believe kids would actually pay for that.

Surprises like these are ok. I hope not to hear of horrible ones.

This year, apart from his studies, he is a member of the volleyball team. That is also new. He was into badminton before. I don’t really know what made him choose ‘botam’ instead. I am sure he has other goals in mind. How time flies.

November babies celebrating at KJAYA BBQ, IOI City Mall

Posted in Food and Drinks, Parenting, Family and Relationships, Places to Eat, Reviews by

My brother Matin shares the birthday month with my daughter. This year, we are celebrating at KJAYA BBQ located at IOI City Mall. I reserved a table through their WhatsApp number for 10 adults and 3 children. Children under 100cm eat for free, while those less than 130cm are given a children’s price. I paid a deposit of RM200 to secure the reservation. Most importantly, it is certified as HALAL.

I opted for the All You Can Eat 8 Meat BBQ Set. Adults eat at RM59 and kids at RM29. We were not big eaters. The portion was more than enough. We did not even refill our meat as they were a lot. The rice, kimchi soup, iced green tea drink, sauce and side dishes can be replenished as much as we like. The ice cream and chicken wings were served only once. But like I said, we couldn’t handle it. Thankfully, we are allowed to tapau.

There is also a family BBQ Set, a la carte meals and fried snacks.

I’d really want to try the Japchae and Jja Jang Myun next time. Maybe the Kimchi fried rice too, and see if I could recreate the same dish at home. The chicken wings that came with our set were delicious.

My daughter gets a free mini Oreo bingsu (worth RM11) with a birthday song. She was elated but slightly at a loss on how to respond to the birthday treat. The bingsu was delicious. To be honest, we did not ask for a treat. It was offered by them.