After 2 months of hiatus from attending weddings every weekend (yes, I attend weddings every weekend - that's my favourite past time. And because in Islam its our kewajipan to another Muslim. I'll list it down below), I was super excited to attend a White Wedding in Teratak Murni!

Achik Kerry got married (ehem!) to his wife Kak Ammilia on Saturday the 8th of April. And because this is not the first marriage for the pair, they decided to have small, simple, sempoi minum petang (tea time reception) the next day on the 9th.

Though I was informed that there's not much to be done since its not exactly a reception, I did come back a day earlier. Hey, it's a wedding - of course there's something to be done. And being a close knit family like we are - too many surprises!

• Toto & Neni prepared 100pcs doorgift for the guests. I bought Ferrero Rocher in Langkawi as requested by Toto and simply passed it to Achik in Langkawi for him to bring back to KL . (The groom didn't even know it was meant for his wedding)
• Ya & Ayaq bought 2 cakes for the occasion and Kak Aisha also bought one, we only found out about all these cakes through WhatsApp conversation when the groom requested for an anniversary cake for Toto & Neni and a joined birthday cake for April babies.
• Tantiey & Along decided to decorate the wakaf and arch for photo taking purposes, and Tantiey being the super crafty person that she is - even created pinata filled with chocs for the kids.
• There was a lottttt of plastic and tissue flowers required for the deco and I am not at all a DIY person - but I helped.

The morning of the wedding, we were all still preparing for the makan-makan later and did not change until 30minutes before the event. But my my my, it was soooooo lovely seeing all of us in white and light tones - a merry gathering in the rain.

   

YES, it poured! But didn't stop anybody from enjoying the time. I loveeee family time. 

To Achik, may this marriage last until the end of time. You already know how I feel about you finally having a family of your own. Indescribable feeling. What more you, who's been wanting it for so long.

Kak Ammilia and sons - Azriff & Ayden, welcome to the family! You guys complete Achik. I am happy for you as much as I am for him. Good luck raising 3 boys Kak Amy!

Footnote: as mentioned earlier, here's the list of  duties/obligations of one Muslim to another

1. To give and receive the greeting of peace - Assalammualaikum
2. To respond to invitations - thus the reason I am always attending weddings
3. To advise when asked - give beneficial opinion, one you would like to hear yourself
4. to pray for well-being of one who sneezed - you've heard before when someone says Bless You. Same concept.
5. To visit one who is ailing - the best of the righteous deeds, to ease their worries.
6. To attend his/her funeral - it is obligatory.

Can you tell me

How can one miss what she's never had

How could I reminisce when there is no past

How could I have memories of being happy with you

Could someone tell me how can this be

How could my mind pull up incidents

- Almost, Tamia 

I hope this will not take years for me to get over. Historically, it does. Maybe this time it wont?

Here, my hateful playlist. I am actually a happy person. Let me get this out of my system first ok.

Quick guess what this post will be about? Pisau Cukur literally translates as shaver but in Malay, it is an idiom (?) which means a gold digger.

It is also the movie title for a Malay chick flick set dominantly on a cruise. Bukan Titanic je movie set on a cruise okay.

Last December, alhamdulillah I was given the opportunity to board StarCruise Libra for 5 nights fully sponsored by them. A cruise vacation have been in my wishlist since I was (probably) 7. Ya and I shared this dream together after listening to Neni's stories about her own cruise vacations. We wanted to do it as our graduation trip but that plan never fall through. InsyaAllah we will be able to in near future.

StarCruise Libra collaborated with 12Fly.com and arrange 2 trips for us. We embarked the ship from Penang's Port Swettenham, sailed away, spent the night high sea and returned to Penang. Disembarked the ship, walked around Penang's Beach Road and had a mini makan session because Penang. And returned to board the ship again for our next trip: Penang - Phuket - Krabi - Penang.


Before I give you the day to day experience, I have to announce this first. I LOVED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF IT! I am a mono-phobic so travelling alone is not fun for me. However, being on a cruise is totally different. I was alone but never lonely. I felt safe and happy. For single ladies looking for an escape, you should consider going on a cruise. It's not even THAT expensive. Maybe it was back then. And the reputation somehow remain strong. But for a 4days 3nights trip with 2 stopovers in Phuket and Krabi, its only RM1200 per person. Check out their website for more information about available trips.

Right, let's get on to it!

In the next post.......sorry2, I have to split it to 3 parts. This will be the introduction. The next one, 1 day trip to Penang high sea and the last one - all about the 4 days 3 nights trip.

I have decided.

I'm 27, it's time I do things for myself. No more trying to please people around me. Try to jaga hati a lot of people.

I have made progress. I learn to cut of toxic relationship. I untangle myself from unworthy friendships and I stopped making efforts to those who dont deserve my time.

So for the most part, I managed.

Only this bit right here. Which I have been holding on for the past 2 years. 2 damn years.

And the progress is so slow, the tortoise AND the rabbit both crossed the finishing line already.

I don't have time anymore. I want to commit but not to someone who is unsure. I have made it known, and still no decision anywhere.

Neither here nor there.

I got it wrong all this while. I can't cut you off,  you're never there for me to cut off.

I should cut myself off.

That's it.

This place needs a lot of dusting! I've been wanting to be back but daily, I seem to prefer to waste my time staring at my phone screen.

Why the sudden decision to blog? I need to find writing mood as I have a 4 page write-up that I need to deliver tomorrow. Article will be about Black Sea tourism. A lot of imagination needed and also good flair in lifestyle writing.

Which sad to say, if soooo rusty on my end. 

Anyways, 2015 was a tough year. And 2016 to me is a teacher. I experienced many things and learned so much more about myself. I have 3 years before I turn 30. I will always continue working on myself so this is my reminder to myself.

1. To make peace with my decision to stay despite receiving an offer.
2. To not be a coward and push through Masters application.
3. To make time for the family. 
4. To stay home more.
5. To do my laundry weekly.
6. To pray. Do all 5 daily, and solat Dhuha before I leave for work.
7. To speak nicely to others especially those I am not fond of - because I know I need a lot of work on this.
8. To be emotionally tougher.
9. To make amends with people who have hurt me.
10. To continue with social media detox.
11. To be selective with whom I invest my efforts to.
12. To know when to let go.
13. To quit bad habits.
14. To find the right listener - the one I can depend on.
15. To fulfill some expectations.
16. To manage finances better.
17. To sedekah to and on behalf of Adik more.
18. To appreciate those who want to be in my life.
19. To wander more and wonder less.
20. To be happy.

InsyaAllah.