:: Life is Unpredictable * Live to the Fullest ::

Half way through!!

2008-02-29T10:54:00.004+09:00

I'm back! with another boring story. Hihiks (boring ke?)

We're now (the baby and I.. opss and Shahril too) are halfway through the pregnancy. We're in the 20th week. It means that we have another 20 weeks to go!! Yippie!! Well, not much changes I guess. It's just that I felt more energetic than the previous weeks where I would felt very tiring plus the headache I had all the way. Now everything just flew away.

I had another check up last 2 weeks (baby was in the 18th week) in the hospital. Within a month, my weight increased to 46.84 kg which was only 1.52 kg then before and the circumference of my abdomen increased to 74 cm (approx. 30 inches). I bet you guys wanna see my latest photo right? Sorry cause I don't feel like taking a photo. Huhuhu (blame the hormone.. haha).

Oh wait! Lalalala.. I'm so happy cause we knew the gender of our baby! Care to give a wild guess? The percentage is only 50-50. Hehehe. Well, now we're still deciding the best name for our baby.

By the way, last weekend we went to Yamaguchi cause Shahril had a friendly match with Yamaguchi soccer team (the Malaysian team, not the state :D). So we planned in staying overnight in one of Shahril's friend house. Both the husband and wife are Shahril's friend back in Yamaguchi University. And they've just had a cute little cuddly smart boy, Rafiqh. He'll be 3 months old this March. I don't get to take a photo with Rafiqh. Blame Shahril cause he left the camera in the car. And their house is in the 5th story plus it was snowing outside. I couldn't catch up my breath to go downstairs and up just for the camera. Huhuhu. Anyway, I enjoyed sharing informations and knowledge with Rafiqh's mummy as well as to observe how Rafiqh has been progressing in a very early age. And one more thing that I enjoyed was somebody else's cooking. Cause I get bored and fade up to taste my own cooking every single day. Huhuhu. (Sayang.. today errr.. everyday please cook for me :D.. muahhs)

Usually I would paste an image but because I don't have any latest photo, I guess this not-so-lovely autumn picture would do.

Autumn in November 2007

Thanks for the supports. Luv u all~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Tummy Trimm!!!

2008-02-13T10:38:00.006+09:00

Hello ya'all!!

Have you guys been waiting for me to update or just felt bored and left this blog as it was before. Apologize for my absence. Yes, this few months I was not in a good shape (more to mentally).

And yes, I guess you guys knew that we will be having a baby soon (happy!!). And sorry I didn't announce it properly (you know by writing 'bout it here) cause the symptom I've been through during the early pregnancy. It's our first time (off cause!!) so we really need some adjustment and space just to make sure that everything went well. So, please forgive me.

Anyway, I'm back writing 'bout whatever I felt to write. So, for this entry I felt like writing 'bout the changes we've been through. Maybe it's a little bored for some of you but hey, if you don't feel like reading then don't read. Hehehe.

Okie, I don't know how to start :P. Anyway, I would just like to share my latest pictures with my bump. I've told some of you that my tummy is hardly seen. See it for yourself!

Tadaa~ Hardly notice right!

Now you can see the small bump at my tummy

This picture was taken on the 10th February and my baby is around 17 weeks (a little more halfway to go!!). And you know what, we went for our last check up on the 14th January and I only weight 45.32 kg and my belly was 70 cm (approx. 28 inches). I can still wear my old jeans (I can't fit my new skinny jeans though.. huhu) and even my S and XS sizes shirts fits pretty well on me. Ouh, I'm wearing an M size shirt on the picture above and I thought it was quite big. Anyway, there will be another check up tomorrow (14th February) and I'll update more okie.

Now that my morning sickness is getting better and better, we have started shopping for the baby. We bought few things that we thought worth buying here in Japan, including the car seat and stroller. We bought this brand new stroller from Aprica in a mall last week, while paying for the stroller, the lady asked if we were going to give the stroller as a gift for someone but as Shahril told her that is was for us as we're having a baby soon, she was surprised cause she didn't notice the bump on my tummy and she was even shocked to know that my due is on this coming July! (have I told you guys my due is in July? Ouh I haven't. Sorry :D)

Well, I have a lot of updates on what I've been doing or where did I went for the past few months but I'll be updating it regularly. For now, I need to prepare my lunch. So, guess I'll be writing in my next entry.

Take care and thanks for all of your supports.

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Happy Birthday Sayang!!

2008-02-12T11:53:00.000+09:00

Happy Birthday Saiful Shahril
12 02 2008

Sayang, Happy 26th Birthday!! Thank you for everything you've done for me, and for our family. I know you've tried your very best to fulfill my needs and I truly appreciate it.

I love you so much Sayang!!

lots of luv,
Azfa n Baby

It's been a while...

2007-11-29T09:56:00.000+09:00

I know.. I haven't been writing for sooooo long.. Forgive me. It's just some changes we've been facing through. But I promise you guys.. there are few interesting entries coming right up. So.. hang on with me okie. Ouh~ thanks also for giving us supports. *hugs*

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Himawari!!.... Sunflower~

2007-11-08T14:06:00.000+09:00

Remember the previous post about the balloon festival? It was the same day we went to see the sunflowers. Thanks to En. Khai for the info, Yati and Nawa for the guide and also to the officer at Yoshinogari and Nakabaru Station.

It all started when i suggested to see the sunflowers since it was still early to go home after checking out the balloons.

When we arrived at Yoshinogari Station, Shahril asked the officer for guide. It wasn't far from Nakabaru Station. So we went back to our car but before we drove off, we took some photos there because the combination of the flowers are lovely. Don't you think so?

Lovely~

It's autumn not spring~ hihiks

Then we headed to Nakarabaru Station and asked the officer exactly how to reach the sunflower plantation. The officer said it was not far from the station. So straight away we headed towards the direction. And.. walla~ lovely sunflowers indeed!

Sunflowers everywhere!!

More.. more.. and more sunflowers!~

Can you spot the busy buzzy bee?? bbzzzz.. bbzzz...

The flowers are huge!~

These are amethyst, planted nearby the sunflowers, but very few of them

Triple happy~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Saga International Balloon Fiesta... Again!!

2007-11-07T15:06:00.002+09:00

Yes... because we were upset (refer to the previous post), so we went to the festival the very next day. It was actually the last day. Referring to the schedule, the balloon will be set up at 0700 until 0900. So that morning we woke up early without having our breakfast (cause Shahril wants the Turkish Chicken Kebab for breakfast) and went to the festival. But this time, we went by train. Definitely more time saved rather than hassling in the heavy traffic.

The three of us, Shahril, Zai and I (Wok didn't join us this time) were excited when we arrived cause we saw the balloons were set up.

Cool~ the balloons are there when we arrived!!

Then the balloons flew away. We had no idea when will the balloons come back. So we went and have our breakfast.

Up..up and awayyy.. they flew~ erkk float?!

Then from the stall, we saw a giant Doraemon was floating... and we quickly ran to the viewing spot and we saw more balloons were set up.

Yeayy.. Doraemon!!

These were the 'cool' balloons~

These were the 'not so cool' balloons~

My side - the 'cool' ballons * Shahril's side - the 'not so cool' balloons... hihiks

I sat next to this cheeky young man~

Balloons.. balloons.. wish to have a ride on one of these hot air balloons!

It was around 0930 when it got windy and the balloons couldn't stayed on their own. So the event ends and there will be more show around 1500. But we decided to have a walk at the stalls and went back home.

The ballons collapsed.. 1st runner up goes to the panda.. and the winner is..the tortoise.. 'slow and steady win the race!'

Along the stalls

I was totally satisfied this time cause I got to see the colourful creative balloons at last~

Satisfied enough!~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Saga International Balloon Fiesta

2007-11-06T11:00:00.000+09:00

It was the last weekend before the festival ends. So last Saturday, Shahril and I with his friends, Zai and Wok went to the Saga International Balloon Fiesta.

We went out from our home at 1430 and went to fetch Zai at his home. Around 1440 straight away we headed to Saga town to fetch Wok. The traffic was so heavy on the way to Saga town. We arrived at Wok's around 1520 and straight away to the balloon festival. That time the traffic was extremely heavy... we could barely move our vehicle. We have to follow the flow until we reached the parking lot at 1635. Crazy.. huh!!

We're here!!

There were lots of stalls selling souvenirs and food. We had some crepe, Turkish kebab, grilled corn and popcorn and chilled for a while before the event started. Of course we were there to see the balloons.

Walking through the stalls

Delicious Turkish Chicken Kebab!! Yummy~

After we had the kebab~ I kept thinking of it over and over again! hihiks

The event should start in few more minutes. Unfortunately, it was windy so they can't get the balloon ready cause the fire won't stay still. Huhuhu.. what an unlucky day~

They couldn't set up the balloons.. huhuhu...

We went back home feeling unhappy :(

I got myself a candy apple (apple coated with hard crunchy sweet syrup) to stabilize my mood.. hihiks

beneath the heart,
Azfa

A Weekend in Tokyo

2007-11-01T10:34:00.000+09:00

Saturday Oct 27th

0430

Woke up early to prepare nasi goreng for our breakfast and egg sandwiches. We had our breakfast and got ready. We also make sure that Yume had enough food left for him while we were away.

0545

Departed from our home by taxi to the bus station.

0556

Hopped on the bus to Fukuoka Airport

0715

Boarded on the air craft and up away leaving Kyushu Island behind.

0850

Arrived at Haneda Airport Tokyo. Welcome to Honshu Island.

0910

Catch a bus to Tokyo Disneyland from Haneda Airport. I had my sandwiches on the way to Disneyland. The rain was pouring from outside the window. Huhuhu.. definitely not a good experience. Too bad we bought the ticket earlier and we couldn't change the date. So here goes...

I had some sandwiches in the bus

0948

Arrived at Disneyland. Surprisingly there were such a large number of people there even it was raining. We thought that there would be like less than a hundred people. Hihiks... Okie. Then we started exploring Disneyland.

It's raining... huhuhu

Pirates of Caribbean ride

Waiting for the ride

The train ride

Swiss Tree House.. my mummy got the same collections of the kitchenware in that cabinet.. hihiks

The Country Bears show... in Japanese.. huhuhu

Mark Twain's cruise ride.. cool!

Peter Pan's Flight... Luv this ride~

Haunted Mansion Holiday Nightmare ride.. not that scary~

In the Mickey Mouse and Friends theater

The show.. of course in Japanese.. ( tp I hentam nyanyi dlm English gak!! hihiks)

Cute and colourful Toon Town!! Lovely~

The rides~

I've been here several times!! - Shahril

At Mickey's House.. cute~ We luv it!!

The 'unpredictable ride'... awesome!!

World Bazaar

Again.. at World Bazaar

Yummy Mickey waffle.. definitely a must try!!

On your mark, get set.. EAT!!!

Cute~

I'd been to Disneyland when I was young and I still remember the ride and the event they got in Disneyland. As I can recall (thanks to dad who loves to take photographs when I was young), there were not much differences between the Disneyland in US (at that time of course) and here in Tokyo except that it was translated in Japanese. Can you imagine the stories, the songs.. everything was in Japanese. It sounds funny cause I don't understand Japanese. Hihiks. Late afternoon the rain poured heavily and my mood went down with the pouring rain cause it meant that there will be no parade. And that day was supposed to be a special parade for Halloween. Huhuhu..

2030

We decided to go to our hotel in Kawasaki. Before we headed back to our hotel, We bought some souvenirs from the World Bazaar and Bon Voyage, Disneyland souvenir shop.

Expensive... yet memorable~

2118

We took a train from Maihama station to Tokyo station, then another train to Kawasaki station.

2205

Arrived at Kawasaki Station. From the map, it took around 15 minutes walk to our hotel. We stopped at Mc Donalds to get our dinner before we continued walking to our hotel.

2221

Checked-in to our hotel room and got ready for an early nap.

Nite..nite~

Sunday Oct 28

0840

Checked-out from our hotel room and headed to Kawasaki Station.

0908

We planned to go to La Fete Tama Outlet at Minami Osawa. So we took a train from Kawasaki Station and changed from JR Line to Keio Line at Sagamihara Station. Then we took a train straight to Minami Osawa Station.

1013

Arrived at Minami Osawa Station and it took less than a minute walk to La Fete Tama Outlet. La Fete Tama Outlet was bigger than Tosu Premium Outlet and I just love it. We went from shop to shop until it's time to head to another place.

Shopping time~.... La Fete Tama Outlet

Okie.. next~

1239

Enough of shopping at the outlet. It was time to have lunch. We were going to have lunch at Mahathir's Restaurant in Tokyo. So from Minami Osawa Station we went straight to Shinjuku Station and took another train to Nisyi-Shinjyuku Station.

1348

It took about few minutes walk to the restaurant. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed and will open at 1730. We were frustrated because we've went through the website and it stated there that the restaurant opens daily. Huhuhu.. We took a train back to Shinjuku to have our lunch cause Shahril had been to a Pakistani restaurant there.

The Malaysian Restaurant was closed~ huhuhu

1356

Arrived Shinjuku Station. We searched the Pakistani restaurant called Karachi Restaurant in Shinjuku where they serve in buffet. So with some guide from Shahril's friend (Shahril made a call for a guide to the restaurant) and the shopkeeper, we arrived at the restaurant. We had our lunch and took a walk along Shinjuku city.

Somewhere in Shinjuku

1509

From Shinjuku Station, We took a train to Shibuya Station. Shibuya is well known as one of the busiest city in the world. Just check out the zebra crossing. Yeah.. Everybody knew this, there's a scene in Tokyo Drift movie was filmed here in Shibuya. We took a walk for a while. There were like thousand of people, mostly youngsters here. I thought it was a great place to shop. We don't spend much time there cause we need to move to another place before we catch our flight back home.

Shibuya~ I luv this place!!

1617

Hopped on a train from Shibuya Station to Hamamatsu-Cho Station.

1645

From the station, we walked for around 20 minutes to Tokyo Tower. It was getting dark and we took few pictures before we left to the airport.

On the way to Tokyo Tower

Tokyo Tower.. it's getting dark!

Nearby Hamamatsu Station

1738

From Hamamatsu-cho Station, we headed straight to Haneda Airport to catch our flight at 1840.

1850

Boarded and flew back to Fukuoka.

2033

Arrived at Fukuoka Airport and waited for a bus back to Saga Station.

2107

Took a bus back to Saga.

2148

Arrived at the bus station and took a taxi home.

2200

Arrived home, greeted by Yume and collapsed!

I wonder what was in Yume's mind~

From Tokyo with love.. erkk from Saga lerr.. hihiks

beneath the heart,
Azfa

*edited by Shahril

Halloween fever!

2007-10-24T07:59:00.000+09:00

It's in the air!!

When I was 3 or 4 years old, I used to celebrate Halloween with my family. We were in US so the celebration was magnificent. I remembered my sister and I were dressed up in Halloween costumes and we collected candies and chocolates from our neighbours. Usually we brought our jack-o'-lantern containers with handles to put the candies and chocolates in them. I remembered that my dad used to carve pumpkins to make the jack-o'-lantern. I thought it was cool~ I wish I had the pictures here but it was like more that 20 years ago! Hihiks

Anyway below are some pictures of Shahril and I when we went for a walk last Saturday.

Happy Halloween!!

Baby Jack!!

Trick or Treat? Treat...!!!

Cute~ Hihiks

beneath the heart,
Azfa

2 Syawal 1428 H

2007-10-17T08:40:00.000+09:00

On the second day of Hari Raya, the Malaysian student held a Raya ceremony among the Malaysian citizen here in Saga. We had pot luck so each of us must brought something for the event. We brought kuah kacang. Hubby stayed all night crushing the kacang for the kuah kacang. Sian dear hubby. Hihiks.

Anyway we got ready quite early coz hubby wants to check out the others who bakar the satay. As hubby waited for me to get ready, Yume kindda understand that we will be leaving him home so he took a chance pretending having a nap on hubby's lap.

Poor lil' Yume... being left at home

As we arrived, most of them weren't there yet. So, I waited and chatted with Kak Shima and Diana while Shahril and the others went to check out the boys preparing satay.

With Kak Shima and Diana

When everybody arrived, we started the ceremony. The food was marvelous! Just like being in Malaysia. Then we had tones and tones of photography sessions. It was totally fun!

Some of the Raya food.. Yummy~

Yummy food ~

Look how happy the boys are!

The girls as well~

Everybody was totally happy~

So how should we pose?

Jom pi raya!~

Us on the 2nd day of Aidilfitri

Malaysian at Saga

Later that afternoon, Shahril and the boys went for futsal for one and a half hour and then we went back home.

beneath the heart,
Azfa

1 Syawal 1428 H

2007-10-17T08:02:00.000+09:00

We woke up early that day for Solat Sunat Aidilfitri at Saga University International Student Hall. After we perform our prayers, we asked for forgiveness among the Muslim citizen who came for solat. We had a makan-makan afterwards where everybody brought some dishes to share with. We don't have the pictures here cause we forgot to bring our camera along. Huhuhu...

Anyway, after that, we went to Zaim and Muz's house. We were served with rendang and bihun goreng and various of raya cookies. We stayed for a while then went back to our home.

We took our 1st raya picture together and with Yume as well.

Us on 1st Syawal 1428

Us with Yume

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Buka Puasa at Helmi's

2007-10-12T10:25:00.000+09:00

Sunday, October 7th, Helmi and the gang held a buka puasa at their place. We were invited so I prepared home made popia goreng for them.

They prepared special fried chicken with black soy sauce meat and soup. The taste was marvelous for a guy's cook. I don't know if I could cook like them. ehehe. But hubby said I cooked way better. I bet hubby was just making me feel good. But I don't mind as long as hubby likes my cookings. Hihiks.

At Helmi's place

Back to the topic, after we had our meal, we were served with kueh mueh. Yummy Malaysian kueh! I just love it! Kindda reminds me of pasar ramadhan anyway. ehehe. While having our dessert, the boys occupied themselves with PS2 and computer games while the girls chit chat.

After that, Shahril and the boys went for futsal at school while the girls and I went to Round 1 Stadium to have fun. The boys finished futsal at 10.30pm but the girls came back from Round 1 Stadium at 2.00 am. Poor dear hubby waited for me for so long. Luckily there's few matches on air so hubby watched the matches. But I still feel bad making him waited for that long.

We arrived home late that night and I prepared sahur for us. Then we took our nap till morning.

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Buka Puasa At Our Place

2007-10-11T13:19:00.000+09:00

Last Saturday on October 6th, we had a buka puasa at our place. Shahril invited the students from Saga Uni to join us. I prepared simple dishes for berbuka. There was around 20 of us that evening cramped in our lil' house. It was quite enjoyable to get to know them.

Some of the boys from Saga Uni

Yume was a little frightening when there's a bunch of human walking into our home. He wasn't himself for like half an hour, but he got used to it. Yume was very excited when the boys kept him entertained.

After we had our makan-makan, we went to an entertainment center for bowling. We arrived there at around 10.30 pm. Unfortunately, the bowling alley was full and we have to wait until 1.00 am. So at the mean time, Shahril and the boys went for billiard and the girls and I went for a Purikura session. Hihiks. I'm not going to post the pictures here. Sorry guys~

Waiting for others at the entertainment center

Around 12.15 am, Shahril and I decided to go back home coz our place is a bit far. We have to travel for half an hour or more to reach home. Besides, earlier that morning, Yume wasn't feeling well so we were concerned about Yume's condition.

Poor lil' Yume. He vomited that morning

We arrived home at 12.40 am and straight away went to sleep.

Tired~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Aidilfitri

2007-10-11T13:12:00.000+09:00

Assalamualaikum dan Salam Sejahtera

Kami ingin mengucapkan,

::* Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri *::

kepada keluarga, saudara mara, rakan-rakan dan seluruh umat muslimin dan muslimat di mana jua anda berada. Ampun dan maaf dipinta dari kami di bumi Jepun ini.

ikhlas dari hati,
Shahril, Azfa dan Yume ;)

Takoyaki... erkk Kueh Cara??

2007-10-05T10:06:00.000+09:00

Hihiks..

Ahad lepas kuar cari groceries ngan Shahril sbb nak wat Nasi Ayam utk berbuka puasa. Pastu Shahril teringat2 lak nak makan kueh cara manis.. yummy... dap nyer... Azfa pun cakap,

"Sayang, I leh wat kueh cara tp kena ada acuan yg sama cam acuan bahulu tu".

"Ye ker sayang leh wat?".

"I tau.. I penah tgk mak I wat dulu masa kitorang duk kat Arab."

"Abis kalo nak wat kena suruh mak poskan acuan die laa kan"

"A.ah"

Sambil mata tgk2 kat acuan Takoyaki kat kedai tu. Pastu Shahril kata,

"Haa.. acauan takoyaki ni tkleh pakai ke?"

"Bley jugak nak try. Tp mahal gak kan"

"Takpe.. asalkan jadi.. beli jer"

"Betul ke nak beli ni sayang?"

"Betul laa.. sayang buat ptg karang utk berbuka yer"

"Okie I wat. Jom bayar"

Hihiks.. pastu balik rumah, Azfa pun wat laa kueh cara ni.. hihiks. cuma takde pandan colouring laa. Tp untuk rasa pandan tu Azfa pakai santan perisa pandan tu. so.. masyukk jee.. hihiks. Shahril pun suke sgt!

Esoknye buat lagi kueh cara manis dan berlauk.

Betul2 selling fast!! (walaupun makan berdua jer :D)

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Happy Birthday Kak Long!

2007-09-26T11:20:00.000+09:00

Happy Birthday to you Kak Long!!

Auntie Chik tak sabar tunggu baby kuar dari perut mama baby nih! hihiks

ikhlas dari,
Kak Chik, Shahril dan Yume ;)

What a day~

2007-09-26T09:48:00.000+09:00

I woke up at 0436 and realize that I forgot to set my alarm for sahur. I woke Shahril up and asked if he would like to have some drink since we have few minutes left. Shahril refused to drink so I just grabbed the water next to me and have a sip or two. We went back to sleep without taking our sahur.

And the day starts as usual until...

1140
I drove to Shahril's office to fetch him to go to the bank. His lunch time is at 12 noon until quarter to 1. I offered to drove him since it was very hot to cycle from his office to the bank at that time. Kesian, Shahril kan puase... dah laa tak sahur sebab I tak terjaga. Hihiks

1155
Shahril came out from the office and straight away we headed to the bank.

1205
Arrived at the bank and settled up some stuff. Unfortunately... the stuff can't be settled on time so we have to settle it at the headquarters at Fukuoka. The time was 1250 at that time.

1250
We've made a decision to go to Fukuoka straight away on the same day and Shahril called his manager and requested a half day off. We drove to Yoshinogari Station to catch a train to Fukuoka. (We ran to save time and I was on my heels!)

1304
We took a train from Yoshinogari to Tosu.

1332
Then we changed to the express train from Tosu to Hakata. We took the express train so that we could arrive to the bank before it closes at 1500. (Again, we ran so we won't miss the train!)

1358
From Hakata we took a subway to Tenjin.

1410
Arrived at Tenjin Station and we walked (ran actually) to the bank. Luckily the bank wasn't far from the station.

1418
Entered the bank and settled up the stuff (I was already exausted, but Shahril was stronger than ever! Hihiks!). It took us more than an hour to settled up!

1525
Settled everything and check out some stores along the way to Tenjin Station

1605
Took a subway back to Hakata

1642
From Hakata, I suggested to take the normal train to save money besides, we were not in a hurry anymore but to our surprise, the express train was having a promotion for 800 yen off! No wonder the fare was quite cheap when we paid for the tickets earlier but we couldn't bother coz we were chasing time. Since the fare was reasonable, we took the express train instead to reach home earlier.

1706
Reached at Tosu and changed to another train to Yoshinogari. On the way I was thinking of having burger from Mos Burger. Shahril agreed, in case we couldn't prepare for 'berbuka' on time, coz Maghrib is at 1811.

1725
Arrived at Yoshinogari Station and we drove to Mos Burger. Grabbed our burger and straight away headed back home.

1740
Arrived home and I prepared simple dishes for berbuka, KFC style fried chicken, coleslaw, and I amended yesterday's 'sambal tumis telur' that was meant for sahur with rice and also caramel that I'd prepared yesterday (At this time Shahril has flattened... sian dier~).

1810
We managed to get everything ready and prepared ourselves for breaking fast.

We've been through this the whole day without taking our sahur. Huh! what a day~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

A sad true story :(

2007-09-20T17:19:00.000+09:00

I got this from a friend who emailed me.

Maafkan saya kerana saya tidak bijak mengarang. Saya bukan penulis.
Apa yang saya ingin ceritakan pun hanyalah tetang monyet,haiwan yang
sering jadi bahan sendaan kita, bukannya tentang wang, saham, barang
kemas, kekasih yang jelita mahupun banglo besar. Saya tidak bijak
bercerita tentang itu.

Baru-baru ini saya ke Negeri Sembilan untuk mengunjungi rumah seorang
saudara.Sewaktu kereta melalui hutan rekreasi Hulu Bendul di Kuala
Pilah, nun di depan sana,saya lihat ada sekumpulan monyet mundar-
mandir di sisi jalan yang sibuk. Ia seperti terburu-buru untuk
melintas.

Saya terus memandu dan sewaktu kereta semakin hampir,saya terkejut
kerana ada seekor monyet menggeletik di atas jalan. Ia baru dilanggar
salah sebuah kereta di hadapan saya. Pantas saya menekan brek dan
memperlahankan kereta.

Kereta semakin hampir dan dada ini berdebar apabila melihat monyet
itu terus menggelupur dan menghempas-hempas ke atas jalan. Kakinya
terketar-ketar. Di sisinya ada darah dan cebisan daging.

Tapi paling menyentak perasaan saya ialah apabila melihat perutnya
yang buncit itu terburai, dan dari celah luka besar itu tersembul
sesuatu berwarna kelabu. Tahukah pembaca, benda apakah yang saya
lihat itu?

Benda kelabu itu adalah anak yang masih dalam kandungannya! Pada
ketika itu saya terasa tubuh ini menggeletar. Saya pasti, si ibu
monyet tadi akan mati sebentar lagi. Begitu juga dengan
anaknya,nyawanya melayang sebelum sempat melihat wajah ibu.

Sebaik melintasinya, saya pandang cermin sisi dan belakang. Saya
nampak kawanan monyet tadi bercempera. Ia berlari-lari mendapatkan si
ibu tadi, tapi kemudian bertempiaran semula ke tepi jalan kerana
hampir saja dilanggar kenderaan yang lalu-lalang.

Mungkin kepada pembaca sekalian, apalah ada pada nyawa seekor monyet.
Ia hanya monyet. Haiwan hodoh. Hidupnya di hutan, tidak setaraf
dengan manusiawi.

Tapi tidak kepada saya. Pulang bercuti, saya terus catatkan surat
ini, kerana peristiwa yang saya sebutkan tadi sebenarnya telah
mengingatkan saya kepada sebuah peristiwa yang berlaku pada awal 1990-
an.

Ketika itu usia saya masih di awal 20-an. Hari itu, saya diajak oleh
seorang bapa saudara untuk memburu di hutan berhampiran rumah. Saya
bukanlah minat memburu, tapi daripada bosan terperap di rumah, saya
terima ajakan bapa saudara saya tadi.

Masih saya ingat, beberapa jam berburu,matahari pun sudah meninggi,
tapi tiada seekor haiwan pun melintas di hadapan kami. Pelanduk,
napuh, rusa, ayam hutan dan burung yang selalu berlegar di hutan itu,
seolah-olah bersembunyi jauh dari kami. Hutan itu sepi.

Saya bertambah rimas, pak cik pula saya lihat mula kecewa. Hari kian
beranjak petang, pak cik menepuk-nepuk senapang Relanya. Kata pak
cik,

'Kita balik ajalah, hari ni tak ada apa-apa.Mungkin esok ada habuan.'

Kami berjalan pulang, tapi selang dua tiga puluh langkah, kami
terdengar suara riuh-rendah di sebalik pokok-pokok besar di hadapan
kami. Saya mengamati suara itu, ternyata ia datang dari sekawan
monyet yang sedang memakan buah-buah hutan.

Saya perhatikan pak cik begitu berminat memerhatikan haiwan itu. Di
bibirnya ada sebaris senyuman. Senyuman yang saya faham benar
maksudnya.

Adakah pak cik hendak menembak monyet-monyet itu?

'Haa. Pak cik nak tembak ibunya, lepas tu pak cik nak ambil anaknya,
nanti boleh bela,' begitu jawapan pak cik.

Masih saya ingat juga, saya beberapa kali mendesak pak cik supaya
membatalkan hasratnya itu, tapi gagal. Saya gagal mengendurkan
niatnya.

Tidak akan saya lupa kata-kata pak cik petang itu:

'Daripada balik tangan kosong? '

Lalu dia mengacukan senapangnya ke arah kawasan monyet tadi, dan ?

DAMMM!!!

Demi berdentum saja senapang, bercempera dan lintang-pukang monyet-
monyet tadi menyelamatkan diri. Hutan itu riuh dengan bunyi ranting
patah serta jerit pekik haiwan berkenaan.

BUUUPP! Ada suatu benda yang jatuh ke tanah.

Saya terpandang seekor ibu monyet jatuh berdekatan kami. Saya dan pak
cik terus mendapatkannya. Dari perutnya bercucuran darah pekat.
Anaknya yang tidak mengerti apa-apa terlepas dari pelukan, tercampak
tidak jauh dari ibunya sambil menjerit-jerit.

Si ibu merengus-rengus memanggil anaknya dengan lemah. Ia cuba
bangun. Dengan bersusah payah sambil tangannya mencapai akar-akar
pokok untuk mendekati anaknya. Sebelah tangan lagi menekap perut yang
masih berdarah.

Ia berusaha melangkah tapi terjatuh semula. Digagahi lagi sambil
berguling-guling ke arah anaknya. Si anak yang baru pandai berjalan
jatuh, bangun mendapatkan ibunya.

Si anak itu terus saja memeluk ibunya yang kesakitan. Masih terbayang
jelas di ingatan saya bagaimana si ibu monyet tadi memegang tubuh dan
menatap wajah anaknya puas-puas, kemudian dicium berkali-kali.
Setelah itu dibawa si anak ke dada lalu disuakan susunya.

Saya dan pak cik terdiam melihat si anak menghisap susu manakala
ibunya mengerang-ngerang perlahan seakan memujuk sambil menahan
sakit. Hati saya tersentuh. Betapa si anak yang baru melihat dunia
tidak tahu bahawa ibu tempat dia bermanja akan pergi buat selama-
lamanya.

Saya tidak mampu menyelami fikiran ibu monyet tadi, tapi mungkin ia
ingin memeluk anaknya buat kali terakhir, sepuas-puasnya, kerana
selepas ini ibu akan pergi.

Ibu tidak akan dapat memelukmu lagi apabila kau kesejukan, menyuap
mulutmu bila kau merengek kelaparan, juga melindungimu bila kau
kepanasan.

Mata si ibu monyet itu memandang ke arah kami. Tangannya memeluk erat
si anak seolah-olah enggan melepaskannya, biarlah ia mati bersama
anaknya.

Matanya saya lihat digenangi air, masih tidak lepas memandang kami
dengan pandangan sayu, mungkin ingin menyatakan betapa kejamnya
manusia.

Dosa apakah yang aku lakukan hungga aku ditembak? Salahkah aku bebas
ke sana ke mari di bumi indah ciptaan Allah ini? Tubuh ibu monyet itu
berlumuran darah, begitu juga dengan si anak yang masih di
pelukannya.

Beberapa detik kemudian, dengan tenaga yang masih berbaki, kami lihat
si ibu mencium anaknya untuk ke sekian kalinya. Perlahan-lahan
tubuhnya terkulai ditanah, bisa penabur dari muncung senapang pak cik
tadi tidak dapat ditanggung lagi.

Si anak menjerit-jerit memanggil ibunya supaya bangun dan melarikan
diri dari situ, tapi si ibu sudah tidak bernyawa lagi. Puas menjerit,
si anak tadi menyusu semula.

Di saat itu perasaan saya terlalu sebak. Saya perhatikan pak cik, dia
beberapa kali menggetap bibir cubamenahan air matanya daripada tumpah
ke pipi.

Tapi bila melihat si anak monyet tadi menjerit dan menggoncang-
goncang tubuh ibunya, akhirnya air mata kami tumpah juga. Saya betul-
betul kesal dengan apa yang berlaku.

Suasana sunyi kembali. Si anak monyet itu kami rangkul dan bawa
pulang. Biarpun ia terus menjerit-jerit dan enggan berpisah dengan
ibunya yang telah mati.

Di dalam kereta saya hanya mendiamkan diri. Begitu juga pak cik. Pada
ketika itu saya dapat merasakan betapa kejamnya kami kerana membunuh
satu nyawa yang tidak berdosa. Biarpun monyet itu hanya haiwan yang
hodoh, tapi mereka juga ada perasaan, ada rasa kasih kepada anak,
rasa sayang kepada ibu. Tapi kita manusia??

Mana hilangnya akal waras kami?

Selang dua minggu kemudian, anak monyet tadi mengikut jejak ibunya.
Pak cik memberitahu saya, anak monyet itu tidak mahu makan dan asyik
menjerit-jerit sahaja. Mungkin ia rindukan ibunya. Apabila malam,
keadaannya bertambah teruk, dan akhirnya mati.

Kini saya sudah bekerja dan berumah tangga. Peristiwa tadi sudah saya
ceritakan kepada anak dan isteri saya agar mereka mengerti bahawa
haiwan juga punya perasaan. Yang kejam adalah manusia, walaupun
kitalah satu-satunya makhluk yang Tuhan anugerahkan akal fikiran.

Tidak lupa saya memberitahu mereka betapa agung dan sucinya kasih
sayang ibu.

I cried after I read this :(

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Roti jala anyone?~

2007-09-20T11:04:00.000+09:00

We have some left over 'kari daging' from yesterday's 'buka puasa'. My hubby requested I to make 'karipap' but I thought that I would like to prepare 'karipap' this weekend when we have 'buka puasa' with Khairul. I was wondering what should we have for today's 'berbuka'. We don't have much stuff left in the fridge and also we dont't have proper cooking tools so, I surf on the web and got an idea to make 'roti jala/roti kirai'. We definitely have all the ingredients for 'roti jala'. Hihihiks..

But, the problem is, we don't have the tool to 'kirai' the mixture. An idea pop out when I looked at Yume's canned food. So I guest I can use a can and make some holes. Well off course not Yume's canned food, I used tuna can instead. So, I make few holes with a sharp knife. I know that the sizes of the holes are uneven, but who cares anyway! Hihihiks.. Plus I'm too lazy to drive to Saty to check if they sell the tool for the 'roti jala' mixture (as if they sell the tool anyway!! hihiks). I know that the 'roti jala' will not look nice with the uneven holes, but taste does matters! Hihihiks..

Okie, I got some laundry to do. I'll update later!~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

My Wedding Ceremony *

2007-09-13T18:49:00.000+09:00

Credits to Rubaizah!!

* Majlis Perkahwinan ~　12.08.2007 *

This album is powered by BubbleShare - Add to my blog

To view the pictures go to here

Thanks Bayzee ;)

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Selamat Menyambut Ramadan

2007-09-13T12:09:00.000+09:00

Selamat menyambut Ramadan Al-Mubarak pada keluarga, saudara mara dan rakan-rakan semua ;). Maafkan salah silap kami antara sedar atau tidak. Terima kasih.

ikhlas dari,
Shahril, Azfa dan Yume ;)

Introducing.... Yume~

2007-09-13T08:07:00.000+09:00

For this entry, I'm gonna introduce you guys to our new family member, Yume (you-may). We adopted Yume from a volunteer who take care of homeless cats and dogs.

Yume's friends

Yume's friend and adopted mummy cat

After consulting with the owner, we decided to take Yume home with us. Ouh, by the way, Yume is a 'he' not a 'she', as my previous entry here. Hehehe. And Yume is 4 months old now.

Yume, on the way to his new home

Cute~

Yume is very active! I mean totally hyper~ hihik. He will jump on you, cuddle you and ambush you from nowhere and play with anything strange for him. Hihiks. Check out these pics ;)

Hey!.. why is this.. why is that... meoww~

I wanna try this.. I wanna do that! meow~

Okie, enough Yume, time for a cat nap~

purr... purrss

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome Stadium

2007-09-11T10:09:00.000+09:00

Last Saturday Shahril, Khairul and I went to Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome Stadium to watch a baseball match between Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks and Osaka Orix Buffalo.

Tickets for me, Shahril and Shahril's friend, Khairul.

From our place, we took a train at Yoshinogari Station to Tosu Station, then we changed to another train straight to Hakata Station in Fukuoka and then we took a subway train to Tenjin Station and headed to Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome Stadium with the supporter's bus.

The train ride. I just can't wait to arrive!!

Fukuoka Station

The stadium was huge and awesome! I've never been in a baseball stadium before. So, I was a kindda 'jakun' and excited. Hihihiks~

Cool dome! I luv it!!

The Hawks goodies!

The baseball entertainment shop

Go Hawks!!~

Well, we're on the Hawk's side. To tell the truth, I'm not into baseball but I did enjoy the cheers for the Hawks. They had this special routine where the supporters will follow the conductor. I also did follow the routine and I enjoyed it!

Us with Shahril's colleagues.

Look at the photo that Shahril took! Naughty~

I luv this part. We are ready to let go the balloons.

Ready.... let go...!!! Weeee~

The Hawks won the game by 3-0 and the cheers was amazing!

The crowd

Hawks won!!~ yee.... haa!

Happy~

After the game, we headed to Hard Rock Cafe Fukuoka and I bought some stuff, expensive, but worth it! Hihiks.

Hard Rock Cafe Fukuoka

Then we had a walk around Fukuoka City. I was kindda exhausted, so not many pictures were taken.

Cute kan?~

Fukuoka City~

But it's okie, we'll definitely come again to Fukuoka! Hihihiks~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Happy 'Month'versary Sayang~

2007-09-11T09:50:00.000+09:00

Akad Nikah ~ 11.08.2007

We pray for the never ending love ~

* Sayang, my love for you is for eternity *

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Yummy!~

2007-09-10T14:01:00.000+09:00

I'll be making more of this...

Milo is too expensive so I replaced it with choc bars. Turns out Marvelous!!~

note to Shahril: Buy me an oven please, nak buat kuih raye laa~

beneath the heart,
Azfa

You Me Town~

2007-09-10T10:34:00.000+09:00

Last Friday, I had to go to the Saga Office to collect my 'alien card' (card for foreigners who stayed in Japan), so Shahril took a half day off. After collecting the alien card, we went window shopping at You Me Town. Cool place~

Yeay!! arrived at You Me~

I was checking out some stuff...

While Shahril had some caramel popcorn. Yummy~

Ouh! And I spotted this! Cool~

And then we went to a sport's shop and took some photos of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks collection coz the next day we're watching their game! Yeehaa!!

I was interested to the huge bear more than the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks collections! hihihiks~

Okie, it's time for us to head back home coz we need to wake up early tomorrow to catch the game at Fukuoka Yahoo Dome Stadium!!

Bye bye You Me Town!! I'll come again for sure~

On the way back, we pass by the Round 1 Stadium. It's a place to bowl, futsal and such. I heard that it was quite expensive but it's a cool place anyway!

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Ouh! I can't wait!!

2007-09-06T08:09:00.001+09:00

I'm gonna clean the house make it comfy for our new family member. She'll be arriving here this afternoon after hubby came back from work. I'm gonna make sure that she's comfortable with our place. I know that she's gonna love it!

Oh! I need to go and shop for some stuff for her. I wanna make sure that everything is ready before she arrive.

beneath the heart,
Azfa

What shud I do?

2007-09-04T12:29:00.000+09:00

Hurmm.. what shud I do today? I feel like trying out a new recipe. Hope hubby likes what I'll make today! hihiks *wink*

The pic above has nothing to do with the entry. Ouh! by the way, it's a view from Nagoya airport.

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Makan-makan

2007-09-03T16:13:00.000+09:00

Last Friday, we had a 'makan-makan' celebration for our marriage by Shahril's colleagues in a Japanese Restaurant. Well, being an 'outsider' (you see, I dun understand their language) it was quite a good evening. My hubby did try his very best to explain to me every time they chatted. I appreciated that dear hubby.

Some of Shahril's Japanese colleagues

We had Shashimi, Amadai Shioiyaki or Ikan Bakar, Tempura, Rice and various of Japanese style side dishes. I was told that the price was around 2500 yen per person. Wow! that was expensive. Sorry I dun have the pics here coz we were so busy 'makan-makan' until we forgot to take some pics. Hihiks.

At the end of the ceremony, I had to give a short speech, well, in English of course. Hihiks. I just made it very short and very simple coz I'm so not good in words. Hihihiks.

And yes, we received this lovely card with 'angpau' inside. Yeay!!

Sweet!! But inside is wayyy.. sweeter!! hihiks

beneath the heart,
Azfa

I just luv to shop!!

2007-09-03T15:29:00.000+09:00

Last Saturday, we went shopping at a place called 'Tosu Premium Outlet' where various of branded outlet are placed in one big area. It was fun being there coz the price are quite cheap. My hubby and I got some cool stuff from Sisley, Levi's, Body Glove and Adidas.

I would luv to grab more stuff if I got more money... huhu

We stopped for a while at Starbucks for some snack.

This lil' gurl is cute don't u think so? Shahril is also cute right? *v*

We continued browsing around the area for a while...

Okie, last shot before we headed back

Until, we decided to get back to our crib and grab a yummy 'crepe' before we headed back to our car.

Yummy! but I luv Baskin Robbins' crepe the most!!

It was quite a heavy traffic on the way back. So I grabbed our camera and took some photos along the path. But it surprises me that there's a Harley Davidson's outlet in Saga!! Well, you see Saga is way..way... 'kampung' than Fukuoka! Hahaha...

I'm gonna stop by at this place one day! hihiks

beneath the heart,
Azfa

Us :)

2007-09-01T08:58:00.000+09:00

The pic was taken when we arrived at Nagoya Airport on 220807

For the time being, I won't be doing anything here in Japan. So, I guest I'll update u guys with my activities here. Well, not much of activities I would say, but experience of being a 'stranger' in a country where I can't read or speak their language and also my transformation from a single lady to a grown up women and the wife of my hubby, Shahril.

Some pics of us at Nagoya Airport

beneath the heart,
Azfa