Back... But Beaten By the Weather

Assalammualaikum and Salam Friday!

Alhamdulillah, the weekend is almost here. And I'm just looking forward to the weekend. But then again, before you know it, Monday is here again. How time flies kan?

I just came back from a 5-day holiday to Macau and Hong Kong. Though it's the tail-end of winter, the weather was pretty cold up there. But towards the end of our time in Hong Kong, the temperature went up a bit. And when we landed at LCCT, we were greeted by the sweltering, unbearable heat of Klang Valley.

And... Being prone to the weather, of course, I'm feeling verry much under the weather right now. Up in Macau and Hong Kong, it was cold that I knew I was dehydrated. Lips chapped and peeled, and I got ulcer over the lower lip. Then, back home, with this hot weather, everything went topsy-turvy.. *sigh*

Takpe, tu ujian Allah. Kita kena sabar je la ok...

Here's a sneak photo of my time there. I haven't yet managed to transfer the photos from my memory card and have them edited and resized.

But then again, wouldn't wanna upload too many here.

 

Ok that's all for now. Till we meet again. Have a great weekend!

Wrap-Up of 2013 That Has Been

Assalammualaikum and good day all.

I've previously wrote that 2013 has not really been a good year for me right?

Truth is, it really was a depressing year for me. Especially career-wise. I don't want to dwell too much on that, but basically, if you're doing something that you really like, and good at, you enjoy it. But if you have to stop doing it, you stop finding joy and satisfaction out of doing it. You feel like your talent is wasted and not appreciated.

That's what happened to me. Towards end of 2012, I received a transfer letter as we had an organisational reshuffle, and I was was of the personnels involved. So early 2013 I moved department, and due to it being a new department with no definite KPI, I was left with almost nothing to do. Spend my days surfing the net, and other things but err... work. At first, sure you're happy to finally have time to yourself, and think for yourself because you didn't have time for that before then. But being idle is simply not for me. Too much energy to channel out.

Consequently, I fell sick a lot last year. I found a small lump under my armpit which I dismissed. Then a small boil grew on it, and I had no choice but to get it checked at the hospital. I then had it surgically removed, and Alhamdulillah upon testing, was nothing benign.

I flew home to Kuching end of April for what was supposed to be a 4-day trip home. But I got a sudden heavy fever on the second day I was there, including flu, sore throat and cough. I ended up staying there for 2 weeks. Along the way, I also got infected with conjunctivitis. I had to see the doctors three times throughout this period. It truly was a down moment for me.

Fever? It has become a frequent occurence to me too. When it was hazy back in June, so asthma also made a grand comeback. My body is very much attuned to the weather condition now. Oh well, I gotta take better care of myself.

Towards the latter part of the year, my health was somewhat better, but occasionally, a visit to the doctor was also necessary. I started doing some more work, but still, it wasn't really what I enjoy doing. But Alhamdulillah, it's still work.

I had to do a lot of other things to channel my energy and frustration, even till now. And I only pray that 2014 brings better things to come, especially on career.

That's a but of summary of a year that was 2013.

2014 will be a better one, InsyaAllah...

Till then, looking forward to this in about 2 weeks from now...

Wish me a better 2014 yeah? :)

Happy New Year 2014!

Assalamm...

I hope it's not too late to wish everyone a Happy New Year 2014! Let's hope 2014 brings all the happiness and luck to everyone!

Hope to fill in this space with more stories and ramblings and photos and useful things that I can share ya?

Till then, cheers!

Just a Little Note

Assalam..

Can't believe that we're about 2 weeks away from the new year. I can't say that that 2013 has been a good year for me. In fact, it's an annus horriblis for me. Pretty much like 2005. Maybe I'll take the time to list the reasons why 2013 hasn't been a year I want to remember.

But whatever it is, I'm so thankful to still be around, to breath the air that I breath, to have strength to live, to have patience and faith in facing the difficulties that I encounter, and to remain optimistic of the future that awaits.

I'll try to gather my blogging mojo and get cracking on writing again. But I'm just looking forward to ending the year on a high note. And praying that that high note continues on into the coming 2014.

The high note that I mean is happening this 28th December...:

We're celebrating our x anniversary reunion this year!! (Hahaha takkan nak cakap berapa tahun dah kan? Sapa tahu tu tahu laa....) Can't believe how time has passed. It feels like yesterday we parted ways after SPM!

Ok cheers everyone! And early Merry Christmas too!!

Aidilfitri 2013

Assalammualaikum...

So how's everyone? Still in Raya mood? I know I am. But missing Kuching too...

Raya mood: 100%, working mood: 0%.. Hahahha...

First of all, and I hope it's not too late, but I would like to say Happy Eid to whoever reading this entry, maaf zahir dan batin too. And I hope everyone had a good celebration, and great time spent with family and friends.

Alhamdulillah, we went through Ramadhan kareem without much problem, and even now, I miss this holy month still. Let's pray semoga kita berjumpa bulan Ramadhan lagi next year ok? InsyaAllah...

But alas, once Ramadhan is over, Syawal is here, and it's time to celebrate our Ramadhan victory. I flew home to Kuching on 3 August, yes I know a bit early, but well, I was really eager to get home this year. No specific reason, just that I miss Kuching and my family extra this time round.

Took loads of photos, cooked loads of food, and spent lots of time with friends too. Lemme just share everything in pictures, shall I?

 Dalam kepala asyik nyanyi lagu 'Balik Kampung'!!!

 Our lampu Raya. Good time to play around with my camera too!

 Tumis kari and kacau rendang!

 My signature dish - daging masak merah

 Pagi Raya, went to my auntie's house nearby and had a bit of Raya breakfast there. This is my niece, Nurin Jazlina. Ye.. nama dekat-dekat sangat dengan the famous arwah Nurin Jazlin kan?

 Our living room deco. Simple je...

 Some family portraits and memories

 A unique Kuching Raya experience would be eating keropok ikan with acar timun. Just to get away from all the normal fatty/santan-y Raya food

 Reconnect with school friends, most already with family of their own.

Then, on 14 August I flew back to KL, albeit with major reluctance. But the celebration and time to reconnect our silaturrahim with friends doesn't end. This time, celebration with friends in KL..

 Oh well, Raya sebulan, more time to meet up with friends and bond with them ehh?

That's all for now. Selamat hari raya everyone!

A Short Note on a Highly-Emotional Day

Assalam everyone,

This is gonna be a very, very short entry. A jiwang one even. Just wanna post and share this video. The lyrics say it all...

That's all. Have a blessed fast, ok?

Salam Ramadhan

Assalam everyone.

It's been a while. But first thing first, it's Ramadhan Kareem, Happy Fasting everyone!




May all your ibadahs this month is accepted by Allah the Al-Mighty, and may everyone take this opportunity to be better in every aspects of their life!

In the meantime, I just wanna post this:

Some Stuff Saya Nak Let Go

Assalammualaikum

This is going to be a bilingual rojak entry. Rasa nak cakap English, cakap omputeh la. Rasa nak tunjuk patriotik, cakap Bahasa Malaysia la..

Anyways, I would like to let go some of the stuff that I have in my keeping, especially those I bought during my travels. I'm gonna start with the stuff I bought in Dubai. Actually... errmm ok tak payahla nak cerita the story behind some of the things I'm selling here la...

Basically, if you found anything you like here, just shoot me an email to suraya.zaafar@gmail.com and tell me what item you'd like to purchase by quoting the item code. I'll hold the item for you under 'reserved' status but only for about 24 hours I'll let u know if it's available and will give you the payment detail. Once you've done the transfer, shoot me another email with proof of your transfer and I'll Poslaju the item for you.

Sorry, sale is open to those currently residing in Malaysia saja ye? *huhu...ada ke overseas readers nak beli?* I've never sold anything online yet, so kena slow-slow la..

So here are some of the stuff I'm letting go:

Nine West 2 1/2" peep-toe pumps
Size: 5 1/2 (UK size)
Code: NW-01
Colour: Light beige
Price: RM100.00 (not inclusive of postage)
Never been worn (see second photo). Reason for letting go? Sebab kaki saya ala-ala saiz Cinderella, tapi tah kenapa kat Dubai ada mengembang sikit tu yang time try kat sana ok la pulak!! Hahaha...

Note: Sorry, the shoes don't come with box as I had to pack them without their box, otherwise takde space in my luggage at that time. But I will pack it nicely before sending it to the buyer. If you are in Puchong Prima/Cyberjaya/Putrajaya areas, you can have the option of collecting it from me personally. Just let me know your preference ya:)

Nine West 2 1/2" round-toe covered pumps
Size: 5 1/2 (UK size)
Code: NW-02
Colour: Black
Price: RM100.00 (not inclusive of postage)
Never been worn (see second photo jugak!). Reason for letting go? Same reason. Angin perasan kaki saiz wanita normal sedangkan.... (ayat habiskan sendiri).

Same note applicable ya...

Burj Al-Arab glass miniature
Light at the bottom that gives out different colours :)
Size: 7" height
Code: DXB-MN01
Price: RM50.00 (not inclusive of postage)
Comes with a special box

Burj Khalifa metal miniature, glass bottom
I have 2 diifferent colours as in the photos.
Size: 7" height
Code: DXB-MN02, DXB-MN03
Price: RM50.00 (not inclusive of postage)
Each comes with a special box

Below are Dubai fridge magnets that I am also letting go. All are metal fm's, so there's no risk of it falling off your fridge and pecah berderai... As the above items, price of all items stated below doesn't include postage charges ya..

RM25.00

RM25.00

RM30.00

RM30.00

RM30.00

RM35.00

RM35.00

RM35.00

 Last, but not least, are some Hard Rock Cafe pins to HRC pin collectors out there!

RM75.00

RM75.00

RM70.00

So, here are just some stuff I'm selling off this time around. Do shoot me via email should anything catches your fancy at suraya.zaafar@gmail.com ok?

Wassalam..

Just A Quick One

And I hope I can do a short update.

It's about 5.30pm on a Friday, weekend mode should have started. It has actually, it's just that I haven't left the office yet.

So many things I'd like to ramble about actually, but I don't think I'll do it today as yet.

In short, just wanna say that since early this year, career-wise, I've gone through lots of changes, felt many different feelings, on an emotional roller-coaster, so to say. I've had lots of time to reflect on many things, think about my directions in life and in career, and how to be a better person.

I guess everyone strives to be a better person in the eyes of the Al-Mighty, his/her family, friends, community, and everyone around them. Due to the changes and challenges I went through, I made sure that in order to be a better person than I was before, I myself have to make that first move.

And that first move was this:

 

Alhamdulillah... Wish me all the best and His utmost blessings for my hijrah, will you?

Will story-story some more later. Till then, have a smashing weekend!