Friends are like sandwich. They fulfill you :)

The post title is quoted from my gorgeous darling, Dayana. Thanks for the caption and the pics, babe!

Very fulfilling indeed!

In 20 or 30 years time or when I'm old enough to get grandchildren, I want to look back at these photos and be able to smile as I have experienced the most amazing time with my girlfriends.

My Gorgeous Geeks!

You're only young once. Do all those silly little things while you can. Live life to the fullest. 

Because one day, you have to give some of them up.

* Credit to Azzwaa and Dayana for the photos

Festival of Lights

Malaysia is known as a melting pot of different cultures, religions and ethnicities. All coming together to form a multicultural country that we live in now. I love the fact that Malaysians, regardless race, creed or color, celebrate some of its biggest celebrations together harmoniously. That is also why Malaysia is among the Top 10 Countries in The World with Most Public Holidays. Because we have too many festivities to celebrate every year!

Speaking of which, I was involved again in an event at my workplace just recently. In the spirit of 1Malaysia, we rallied behind the effort in realizing the success of the Open House to celebrate Deepavali. Some of the important elements such as "Kolam" (a form of Indian painting that is drawn using colorful rice powder) and "Kuthu Vilakku" (a lamp with a long metal handle and a broader head which holds oil) were also injected to the event to create the perfect ambiance for this "Festival of Lights".  

As much as I wanted to elaborate on the event, I don't want you to feel bored reading all the details. Plus, it's getting late and my fingers feel numb. Hehehe.. Hence, enjoy the pictures!!!

Clockwise: Deputy Foreign Minister and wife light up the oil lamp, Performers from Indrani Dance Academy, Indian Hand Adornments, Madhu: Daughter of Indrani Dance Academy's Pricipal, Kolam and Siew: Singing "Bukan Cinta Biasa"

Shifa and Friends! What a happy day for all of us!

"Bole Chudiyan" and "En Chella Peru Apple"

With our biggest supporters :)

Last but not least....

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My Favourite Girls!! They're just fun to be with!!

I would like to apologize if the colors from the pictures strain your eyes while reading this entry.
And I'm sorry too, if you are color blind then you wouldn't know how colorful the pictures are :p

Good night peeps!!

* Credit to Al-Fadil Adam, Lisya Ramly and Mohd Fadlie Shah for the brilliant pictures

Zapin, Buah Cempedak and Joget

When I thought that I would leave the dancing scene forever, I danced again last two weeks for an event at my workplace.

Oh.. how I miss practicing with those girls.. Delfina, Mega, Liyana, Azura, Vanitha and Nadiah. I miss Lisya too, our dance choregrapher who were not be able to dance with us as she was out of the country, Saya yang menurut perintah, Berkhidmat untuk negara, as you call it.

I joined the Dance Club of my residential college, Kolej Kenanga when I was in UiTM. We performed for most of our college events and sometimes for dinners by other faculties too. It's a shame that I lost all the photos and videos when my laptop crashed. No backup whatsoever. I wish I had a YouTube account at that time. I wish I was smart enough to upload it online so that at least I would have a backup by now :(

I got the opportunity to perform again when I was in Lancaster University. It was for Lancaster University International Evening, an annual event for the international students of the university to showcase their culture and to mingle with each other. We don't have the typical "Malaysian Night" at Lancaster as the Malaysian community was very small. So when we had the opportunity to perform, we were more than happy to show to the people in Lancaster of what Malaysia is or Malaysians are like. I am lucky this time around because Fazrul recorded the performance and uploaded it in YouTube yeay!!

The whole concept of our performance was by none other the President of Malaysian Society at that time, Rgen! He was such a genius to come up with the idea of having both elements of acting and dancing for a 15 minutes performance. He was like the producer of our little show. I just love the fact that all of us, the Malaysian undergraduates of Lancaster University were also involved in the show.
 
I am not good dancer, but somehow I managed to choreograph the steps for the Joget. We danced in pair for the Joget and I thought for the guys, the best dancer was Don (who also played the Sultan) and the funniest was Epy (light green Baju Melayu)! Az, my senior choreographed the steps for the Zapin. The play was loosely inspired by the legendary story of Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang. Our performance became the highlight of the evening as we were the only group that had a play and some joget lambak at the end of it.

 

The Undergraduates of Lancaster University Malaysian Students Society

So here are the performance...


Part I (The Arrival of the Sultan and Zapin)

Part II (Sultan, Dang Anum & Laksmana Bentan)

Part III (Joget Pahang and Joget Lambak)

p/s If you want to have some good laugh, go watch min 1:21 of Part II and you will see a ridiculously-clad pregnant woman with high-pitched voice doing her act :D


*credit to Fazrul Haizam and Haliyana Khalid for the videos and photos 

Wedding bells!

I received a text message from the bride-to-be today that I'm being invited to her Malam Berinai! Yeay!

Can't believe how fast time flies. Just about three weeks ago we celebrated her last few days as a single girl lady!

Peer pressure is on for sure! For me, of course! But I don't know about the other single ladies in the group (exceptional for Mrs. Syed, Mrs. Chib and Mrs. Ross)! Reality hits especially when you had those cute little babies joining the bachelorette dinner and late-night activities. I felt like breastfeeding hugging them all the time!

Happiness I :DDDDDD

Happiness II : Control ayu before the food arrived and makan sampai comot :)

Everyone was trying to cover their stomach after the dinner using either their hands or the 'bride-to-be' sash or the baby. Oh, and the one in the pink dress was actually trying hard to hold her breath so that the tummy looks flat :p

Not to forget.. Our precious little ones that became the props of the day! My lovely bebot babies..

Mummies and their mini-me! Aren't they the cutest? 

To our beloved bride-to-be,

 

Can you believe that less than 48 hours, you will be a Mrs.?

Congratulations dear!

We are all so happy for you..

You'll be the prettiest bride ever..

Don't be scared darling..

We pray that all the jitters and nerves will go away..

Believe me, he will be blown away by you..

To you Mr.,

Treat our darling like a Queen, will you?

To both of you, congratulations again! See you in the next three occasions okay?



- Pics by Mrs. Chib, Mrs. Syed and Bride-to-Be personal collection -

Baby, Baby, Baby, Oh..

I was doing some cleaning in my iPhone; updating applications, saving new contact, deleting pictures when I realized that there are a lot of babies in my photo gallery. I couldn't recall since when I became a baby lover. As far as I remember, I didn't touch babies. I didn't know how to interact with babies. Babies can't talk.. Oh, but now I think I do know how to communicate with them.. I just love it when they laugh, even when they cry too (Yeah, wait until I have my own and see if I enjoy seeing my baby cries!). And sometimes I 'baby-talk' unconsciously..

Let's meet the Babies..................

Clockwise : Luqman Alhakim, Nur'Ain Shah, Iman Dani, Qaira, Muhammad Mikael, Raeesa Aulya, Hana Batrisya and Shayna Alaia!

To all the babies, Aunty Shifa would like to wish you Happy Eid Mubarak (banyak ke korang dapat duit raya? belanja la sikit..). Aunty Shifa minta maaf zahir dan batin kalau terganas dengan the babies.. Kalau the babies tak suke Aunty Shifa dukung ke.. Aunty Shifa bau masam ke.. Aunty Shifa pernah tergigit ke.. Sengaja gigit ke (Hana nangis kan kena gigit.. Mikael happy je..).

Kalau Aunty Shifa terkasar bahasa ke (yelah, I mana tau bahasa Baby sangat..) Nanti kalau jumpa, Aunty Shifa bagi duit raya tau..

Love you all babies!! Muaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh zillion times!!

 

Happy 25th Birthday KHJ

Dear KHJ,

Happy Birthday!! Semoga panjang umur & murah rezeki!! 

Miss you like crazy!! It's different now that we have our career and live in two different cities :(

I don't see you that much these days. But you know how much we love each other company whenever we have the opportunity to meet, don't you?

Should we celebrate? I don't know... We are very much aware of each other habit too right?

Promises are meant to be broken, aren't they? Applicable to both of us :D

We often miss each other but seldom make any effort to meet because of the distance, time, having no transport yadayadiyadu

Nonetheless, I love you for who you are and I want to tell you that you are the most understanding friend I have. 

I wish the very best for your future and I hope all of your wishes come true.

Left: He was trying to look taller. Right: His actual size compared to me. :p

Please, don't hate me for the pictures.

Lots of Love,

Shifa

11 April 2011, Putrajaya

World Book Day

I am writing this entry for what we did last Friday.

My favorite companion for my Friday lunch would always be these two girls.

Little Miss Liyana and Little Miss Zaza.

We always fill the time by being chatterbox throughout the 2 hours break.

So many to talk about, so little time.

After that, we would be exhausted. Not good for work either.

So, last Friday, we decided that our Friday Lunch Session should be filled with somewhat more 'meaningful' and 'beneficial' activities other than gossiping.

So we celebrated the World Book Day.

Not really a book. I know.

We had our lunch and off we went to MPH to get Tun M's latest memoir.

But as usual, don't judge a book by its cover.

Tun M's had this 'manja' pose on the cover of his book. It doesn't reflect the content of the book. So deceiving.

Hoho. But still, Tun M's pose is so cute ;)

I was showing off the book to my colleague. Look how little Miss Z and Miss L are compared to a 'giant' me.

I fell asleep when reading some of the 'serious' chapter on Malaysia's history, mostly happened during his adolescent life, from his point of view.

I blame myself for falling asleep. Not the book's fault.

But I really enjoy the chapter on the power couple's relationship, Tun's childhood and also on his career as a doctor.

That's it, a quick introduction of the memoir. I'm now in Chapter 14. Not even half. Pfft

Off to meet the girls now!

Ttyl :)

The Bam Bam of Our Eyes

Good Girl

This is Raeesa Aulya.

She's all good when she's with Mummy.

No sucking thumb most importantly.

Sucking thumb has became Raeesa's current addiction.

Raeesa can't help it. Because she always feel hungry and she likes Mummy's milk.

Mummy once said that she doesn't want to bear the cost of Raeesa's braces if Raeesa has crooked teeth one day. God forbid.

Yes, Mummy is mean :p

But only sometimes.

Raeesa wants Mummy to love her all the time.

So Raeesa decided that she has to listen to Mummy.

She will be still and quiet whenever she's with Mummy.

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Sometimes Raeesa meets Mummy's friend.

Raeesa likes to be with Mummy's friends because Aunties and Uncles love to play with Raeesa.

Raeesa's Aunties and Uncles are handsome and beautiful too *puke*.

Last Saturday, Raeesa played with Aunties and Uncles.

This time, Aunty Azzwaa wore a nice lacey cape. So sexy.

Aunty Azzwaa took Raeesa from Mummy and put Raeesa on her lap.

Raeesa felt really happy.

Good Girl Gone Bad Cheeky

Pictorial Story (clockwise)


Picture 1

Aunty Azzwaa : Raeesa, look at the camera. *while 'adjusting' Raeesa's face*

Raeesa : Wow, Aunty Azzwaa's hand is so soft. *starts to open her mouth in awe*

Picture 2

Aunties and Uncles : Raeesa, Raeesa, smile..

                                Smile Sayang..

                                Look at the camera..

Raeesa : Yeay! Everyone is taking my picture. I want to smile but errr...

Picture 3

Raeesa :  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

               This feels good! Now I can smile :D

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Aunty Azzwaa : Eh, kenapa panas je ni.. Raeesa kentot eh?

Picture 4

Raeesa : Errrrr :D :D :D

Aunty Azzwaa : Raeesa, Raeesa nak poo-poo ke?! *Habislah baju aku* Raeesaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Raeesa : Mummy, take me :D!!! Aunty Azzwaa dah maraaaahhhhhhhh ni *looking at Mummy*

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So Mummy took Raeesa back from Aunty Azzwaa.

LOLOLOLOLOL.

Raeesa, you are such an adorable cutesy.

The Apple of Our Eyes.

The Hair

Today, someone said to me that I need to do some trimming to my hair.

My hair is so thick (now contemplating to thank or not to thank the mader and fader for the genes) even my hairdresser, who happened to be my friend, complained about it too.

This was my hair exactly 2 years ago.

             Before                                                         After                

Ignore the messiness, the eyebag and the muka-nak-kena-tampar expression on the left (maybe on the right too).

Who cares when you were a student? Anyway, I requested 'newscaster' hairstyle for a try.

So, this was the hairdresser guy.

 

Jim The Hairdresser : What did you put on your hair Shifa? Tebal, keras macam dawai bla bla bla bla.

I looked sad, didn't I? No, I didn't mind of anything he said.

Shifa The Innocent Customer : Chill Jim.. :p

It was because I only paid about 3 pound (or is it 5 pound? 8 pound?) for the cut.

The end result : Nothing like a newscaster at all! Sheesh..

So, I'm planning to see Jim this Friday. But he can't complain anymore coz I'm paying him .............. this time.


See you Jim!

Rizany & Fauziah, 24 October 2010, Dewan Majlis Perbandaran Seremban

Most of the time, whenever anyone invites me to a wedding, I will ask what the theme colour is going to be. Yeah, as usual, I will easily get excited on little details like this on weddings.

And the groom (who happened to be one of my current bosses), asked me to prepare an outfit of black (or silver or white) for the occasion as he wanted me to be the usherette for the VIPs.


So here it goes on the day of the wedding and apparently I found a perfect match for myself.

Hehe.. It wasn't planned at all!

With my colleagues.. same pose for the first two photos.. wait for the next pose arr..

Hi!! My name is Rezky Aiman :))

With pengantins.. On the left were Dd & Amir, also a week-old-newlywed during the time of the wedding. On the right were Qist (http://putrajayatopoland.blogspot.com/) and her lovely friend (hadn't got the chance to know her). Love the chandelier and the simplicity of the dais! 

I sat still and the other usherette (Haiya Mira why la you didn't follow the theme colour like me?!) came to join me with the other bosses.

The dais looked GRAND albeit its simplicity!

Wah, rancak berbual nampak? The Secretary General & Wife, VIP of the day.

Another newlywed, Izyan & Din. Thanks for the invitation guys! Sorry I was out of the country! (Why my pose look like that, did I hunch over too much or my neck is too long?!!)

The fashionably latecomers, Mimi & Liyana making full use of the pelamin's props

I keep on showing the photos of newlywed. So now, the person next to me is what we called the 'opposite' of a newlywed (she already has two kids y'all!). That's why she was shy like that :p

Stand (actually sit) tall and proud, waiting for our Prince Charming!

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It was my first time driving all the way from Putrajaya to Seremban. Doubting myself at first as the rain poured heavily on my way there. Luckily I arrived safely with the help of Mira. Seremban City was so confusing for a first-timer like me as most of the roads are one-way.


Last but not least, Black and White, simply the best. Congratulations dear boss and wifey ;))

Azzwaa & Syed, 25 September 2010, The Royale Chulan Hotel

Congratulations to Azzwaa & Syed!!

 

The Super-Edited Picture. The Outcome : Less zits on Shifa's face & Azzwaa became a fairy

:D

The Ladies

Couple of the same height (with my heels on)

I didn't bring camera of my own except for iPhone. So credit to Payau for the next photos!

The Attendees

Just Nice!

Even better! With the wife as the prop!!

Where is the couple? Wonder how Syed looks like? Hehe..

They finally came out from their hiding place. The dashingly handsome Syed with his gorgeous wife, Azzwaa sitting in the middle. Notice the awesomely superb Pelamin with all those bulu.

Yeay!! I really enjoyed the wedding! The most entertaining wedding with Bob Tutopoly and Khadijah Ibrahim in the scene (eventhough the Bride never knew who Bob Tutopoly is until before the wedding preparation)!

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Eyp, I'm not done yet people! Another thing that we love about the wedding....





The souvenir!

Just couldn't get enough playing with those! They came handy even before we left the place!

Late supper afterwards. And it seems that I was on a serious mode.

Azzwaa & Syed, I wish both of you a happy marriage and may your days be filled with love!

Yours Truly,

Shifa