Syawal 2009 - Warmth and Happiness

First Syawal falls on Monday as the moon was not sighted. What a relief as we haven't prepared anything, unlike last year where Eid was more cheerful and merrier.

However, our first Syawal was just like what i imagined it would be.

First Syawal is happiness and warmth with My husband and my family. As usual, we gathered at my parents house that morning. Mom prepared her recipe - the family's favourite and much awaited 'Sup Tulang', Ayam masak Kurma and Ketupat (mom made them on Raya eve). I like the idea that they were made and not bought .. I enjoyed the spread. My other half and Bjul loved them as well..



I love the scent of first raya, you can smell it in the air.. the warmth and happiness surrounding us. To be able to celebrate it with mom and dad, my blueberry pie, and my whole family is enough to make me feel complete.

After asking for forgiveness from our parents, there were photo sessions in which picture quality was no different from last year hehe..


My Raya Eve was a mad rush to beat work and time to be with my family. Every year, i never fail to supply bedil and mini fireworks to entertain the family.. anything to see those smile on their faces.. This year i brought along Wafi, Danial, Zaza and Ezahh to join our Raya Eve.


sorry but just bear with this poor photo quality ok.. hehe

Amongst the Raya text messages i've received, i saw one from a good friend that i want to share with readers of my humble blog. Sincerely from me Being Dewy :

"For things i did wrong.. For words which might hurt... For jokes U couldn't take.. For advices U couldn't accept... For attitudes U couldn't compromise.. I sincerely plead for forgiveness... Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 1430H Maaf Zahir & Batin"

Gone Too Soon - Al Fatihah

My sister in law died on 10th September. She died peacefully on Friday night, last 10 days of Ramadhan at a time where religious obligations intensified in search of Lailatul Qadr'.

The late Nuramalina Abdullah was dearly loved and respected by a lot of people, including me. I admired her strength and determination in bringing the best out of her 4 children. Raising kids is an art and a very challenging one. For a housewife to single-handedly master this task, i really look up to her patience and wisdom in doing so. I saw her perseverance reaped benefits.

A real woman like her.. is what it takes...

She left us because god loves her more, and she will always be in our thoughts and prayer...

Gone too soon.. AL-Fatihah

Ramadhan Kareem

Ramadhan Kareem - Ramadhan Mubarak!

Ninth day of Ramadhan but its not too late to greet you, readers of my humble blog. Ramadhan for me this year is a bit different but family matters remain my utmost important subject.

I am quite worried for my sister in law's health condition. Since she has been admitted to the hospital and recently to Intensive Care Unit, i couldn't help but think if there was some way for me to help her. Apart from prayers and wishing for her to get better, i also hope she would get the best medicine from finest of doctors in this time of need.

Like Always, Ramadhan offers me time to be closer with the whole family. My favourite month it is, i would rush to my mom's place on certain days just to break our sungkai together. Then we would make plans on a chosen day to ensure all family members are availabe to visit our late grandfathers and grandmother's cemetary'

I had to adjust work time intervals between my two jobs this month and must deal with some investment issues that need attention.

Aside from that, i am gearing for January 2010. The date is set and I am going full force with my last step which will be finalise InsyaAllah before Hari Raya. What is it?

You have yet to find out...

Ramadhan Mubarak to you

Susy and Sarah Birthday Bash

eJust a day before Ramadhan, the family celebrated Susy's birthday.

Susy, my sister is an education officer. She's blessed to have a perfect life, happy family with 2 kids - a boy and a girl. Syahmi and Sarah are the apple of our eyes. Our usual get together is much awaited for her birthday.


2 birthday cakes?


Since it was held before Puasa, there were karaoke session between the attendees.


I was like only a while ago that Susy's baby girl, Sarah Syaziyah celebrated her birthday. Adek was astonished to see her big cake ..

My Blueberry Pie

Its that time of the year again. My Bluebery Pie's birthday has always been a family affair. Simple with just close family members and close friends in attendance.

He told me that he didn't want his birthday to be a big fuss but how can i not? .. So at the last minute, my siblings and family worked out a simple birthday gathering with home-cooked meal and tasty BBQ at my parents residence. I knew from the look of his face that he's happy to have both sons by his side on the night of his birthday. I am glad that my Blueberry Pie is happy.




I invited a close friend of mine, Elle to the occasion. Special thanks to Elle for courtesy of superb photos. Looks like 've got our own 'rudolf portillo' in the making here ..


Tasty BBQ was presented by Nadyea and her hunny Amar



and of course traditional favourite of Pais, Satay, Nasi Beriani, Ayam Masak Merah, Daging Rendang among others hehe.. food fest yes..

Lea's Birthday

Lea, my sister is now 26 years old.

As usual, family gathering for such birthday occasion has always been on a list of the my priorities.(my boss always say that we are no godfathers but we always want the best for our family!)


Lea, ( sister no 6) helped me a lot . She loves shopping and the trendiest clothes of the latest designs so i was rather nervous if she would approved of what i got for her present.

A pair of lovely stiletto for an Enchanted Cinderella.

I knew she would look good on them, but then again she is pretty and kind too :)

All of us came to rejoice her 26th birthday plus certain family to-be extension.. Hey Lea, we like your Majedee!!

We invited an Imam to read special prayers... and he loves the food too!


and as you can see.. somebody tried to help with BBQ but then ended up burning all the chickens to crispy black, even in flavour.. but it still taste good though haha

Mikael left this world - AlFatihah

Amidst our ever busy life, the world is triggered by the news - Michael Jackson is gone. Michael Jackson is dead.

There goes another piece of my childhood memories.

I grew up with his music. I was eight years old when hit songs such as 'Beat It','Thriller' and 'Billie Jean' introduces me to the passion that music can offer. Back in the 80's, The Jacko Craze had a big impact on Brunei. Before CD or VCD was here, Bruneians would consider it cool to play his cassette and it was almost every child's dream to get his red jacket on 'Thriller' video's, nagging their parents to buy for them. The red jacket became a fashion hit, even in Brunei. I vividly remember a guy who always walks around Bandar with his jacket in the 1980's.

I was one of those children who would play the Beat It song over and over again during those years. I remembered how my school mates would try their best to do the moonwalk although no one was really able to imitate his moves perfectly.

It was 1996 when he came to Brunei and perform a big concert at the then-glamorous Jerudong Park Playground. I never had a chance to meet him in person but my late grandfather was lucky to shake hand with this legend a day after the concert.Thanks to Awang Yunus.

A humanitarian and a music legend, Michael is a martyr for he has done a lot to the people and music but he gets accusations, bad publicity and forced to create his own little world just to be normal. That's what i think. However, news of his conversion seem to be a plight in a bid to find peace and tranquility he had yearn so much of. He finally found peace.

A lot had been said about his religious beliefs but as Jermaine Jackson had stated in a press statement to the media following the death of his brother- "and may Allah be with you Michael, always" and so it has been confirmed that he died as a Muslim.

There goes another childhood memories and indeed May Allah bless him.