In Dubai, In Love, Indefinitely

happy anniversary to us! when i asked him, what does he remember most about our wedding day, he said, “lepas nikah je, i call you dari masjid.” (i was waiting for him at abah’s house which is like 5 minutes drive from the mosque).

tu je? ceh. sigh. can’t help falling in love with you all over again, though. you charming, you.

 

 

 

     

 

here’s for 50 years, and more. till death do us part. i love you always.

How Your Breakfast Evolved in Marriage

haha. does your breakfast change after years of marriage?

during the first year of marriage, you serve your beloved husband home-cooked nasi lemak on your expensive china plate laced with banana leaf to give it a nice aroma. there’s ayam masak merah, there’s sambal sotong, sambal kerang, sambal ikan bilis and even sayur kangkung. the sambals, boiled egg and cucumber are artfully arranged around the rice to create the illusion of eating at a fancy fine-dining restaurant. you even cut the cucumbers in heart shape.

fast-forward 20 years later, your husband takes his own plate from the cupboard, and had to scoop up his own nasi lemak from the rusty rice-cooker. the burnt sambal is still in the pot, the boiled egg is still in its shell, and you forgot to buy the cucumber!

ye ke? hihi.

 

* * *

 

during your first year of marriage

 

through the 2nd year of marriage

 

3rd year and counting

 

5th year, but where’s the creativity now? hihi

 

after 10 years!

 

15 years down the road? tsk tsk.

 

haha. after 20 years, huh?

 

and what happens after 25 years of marriage?

 

haha. just for laughs, ladies.

may your marriage is always blissfully served on a cute plate of nicely brown toasted bread, with a heart-shaped sunny side up egg. and a pretty flower on the side. made with love.

happy anniversary to those celebrating their 1st, 5th, 10th or 25th year of marriage. cheers.

Song Dedication From a Husband

speaking as a wife – i enjoy your company, i appreciate the shoes and bags, i love the dining out, and i appreciate the money spent to clothes the kids, put roof over our heads, and put food on the table. but sometimes…sometimes…i get these little moments that take my breath away.

today is the 10th day of the 10th month of october, 2010. a special number, yes – 10.10.10! and you took my breath away with this dedication!

sigh!

‘Just The Way You Are’ by Bruno Mars

Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She's so beautiful, And I tell her every day
Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her, She wont believe me
And its so, its so
Sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy
She's so beautiful, And I tell her every day
Oh you know, you know, you know
Id never ask you to change
If perfect is what you're searching for

Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I say

When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are

thank you, honey. love you sampai kerepot!

About Her : By Mr Khairul

last year, i did this tag - about HIM. and now it's his turn to do this same tag - about ME.

though painstakingly short, (and macam malas nak jawab je!) i think it's pretty cute. as i went through his answers, i was like, 'hey i describe gile-gile tau and you just write a couple of words! takyah la buat essay tapi elaborate la sket!' hihi - but i quickly reminded myself that at least he's doing it!

for the readers' information, mr. khairul did not know what my answers are to these same questions. naturally, he can't possibly remember!


1. First time you met her - when and where?
dont know when, but in Ipoh

2. Love at first sight?
definitely without a doubt

3. Who is she when the first time you met her?
noone i knew, just someone i find cute

4. How long does it take for you to ask her out for a date?
haha. ask her.

5. First place dating?
Ipoh

6. How did you proposed?
its too long unless u prepared to read a thesis

7. Special date with her?
everytime

8. Changes that she asked you to do?
dont talk about my alma matter

9. What is it about her that you love so much?
refer to no 6

10. What is about her that you wish she would change?
less pot pet.

11. You lose your mind and crack your head when she?
refer no 10

12. You will smile through your eyes for the whole day when she?
refer to no 6

13. Complete below sentence : "My love towards my wife/husband/gf/bf is as big as...?
the alphabets of all literature in the world

* * *

*speechless* - so i just smiled. and gave him a big hug--

--eh, mane dia? sigh. travelling once more! gone around syria, jordan and lebanon again. looks like my hug hafta wait till friday!

Bohemia Crystal From Him!

mr. khairul can't keep a surprise. especially from his wife.

since in libya he was excited to tell me about his anniversary present to me, and yet wanting it to be a surprise. (that's why he sucks at keeping a surprise. nak surprise orang tapi tak sabar pulak nak bagitau hihi!) when he told me it's 'something he wouldn't buy in a million years', my guesses range from kinky lingerie to persian carpets to pearls on a ring!

and then i think it's probably one of those fancy english tea-cups with little roses on them.

he said i was getting warmer.


when he came back, i saw this. bohemia crystal. happy anniversary. open it!


dengan rakusnya membukak packaging. hihi.


well hello!

it's a set of heavy, 'carved-on' crystal glasses, from bohemia, czech. just like how batik is now synonymous to indonesia, and the best jade from hong kong; bohemia crystal is the pride of the czech republic.

bohemia was a part of the former czechoslovakia, now known as the czech republic, and was famous for its beautiful and colorful glass, with its excellent cut and engraving.

bohemia crystal is a decorative glass made in bohemia since the 13th century. oldest archaeology excavations of glass-making sites date to around 1250 and are located in the lusatian mountains of northern bohemia...the history of bohemian glass started with the abundant natural resources found in the countryside.

~ wikipedia

oh, but this was really a surprise - another box of bohemia crystal!

* * *

...and another!


honey, i'm not like most women who collects victorian porcelain tea-cups or fancy crystal or shining silverwares - but this is a really special treat for an ordinary girl like me, who collects tisu papers and still keeps her 1999 x-files comic book in a plastic casing!

thank you for making me feel super-special! a really wonderful anniversary surprise!

* * *

did we have a fancy anniversary meal?

since i haven't had mandi rice since i started pantang - which is waaaaaay too long for a mandi-freak like me - i suggested simply going for a mandi lunch at - where else - our favorite mandi restaurant, al-tawasol.

i feel at ease here because since we're eating in an arabian 'tent', it's very easy for us to put kazim down on the sofa cushions, and for me to breastfeed him anytime. it's also comfy for khaleef and kahfi to roll around and provide just the perfect privacy for us as a family with young kids.

then mr. khairul thought about a fancy anniversary dinner - okay.

however, by 8pm all the THREE kay boys were out. K.O. zzz. kapoot. since it's easier to just let the boys sleep instead of going out for dinner, i cooked one of mr. khairul's favorite - mee goreng mamak, syigim style!


...and that was our anniversary celebration.

all our three babies khaleef, kahfi and kazim dozed off - sprawling on the comforter spread in front of the tv. mr. khairul in nothing but his bermudas. me in my pajamas. sitting opposite each other, enjoying a home-cooked meal. mee goreng mamak, with iced ribena. at home.

we both laughed at the simplicity of it all, and agreed it was just as good.

* * *

5 years, huh? happy anniversary, honey.

500 Days of Julie & Julia

during pantang, you have to stay all day in your room.

when i was in pantang with first son khaleef, i had no notebook, no internet, no tv for the first 2 weeks as i experienced a hardcore pantang at tokcik's place in taiping. then i spent the rest of my pantang days at yong's house (which was the best of times!) where i kept watching will smith's 'hitch' and tom hanks' 'the terminal' over and over because those are the only 2 yg best.

fast-forward to the present : 30 days of pantang already - and tons of downloaded movies covered (thanks to my younger sisters syida and azi). romance, adventure, citer tembak-tembak, family drama, chick-flick, gory and horror - it'll take quite a few entries this month to cover the reviews of the movies i've seen during the pantang.

so to start, here's the cutest romantic flick ever, and a tale of two women and the food in their lives!

* * *

'this is not a love story. it's a story about love.'

brad pitt and angelina jolie in mr. and mrs. smith made up one of the sexiest couples ever graced the movie world, so does antonio banderas and catherine zeta jones in zorro, or even the avatar couple. but go watch '500 days of summer' and you'll meet the cutest, most adorable couple ever!

the cute guy who's the youngest 'alien' in '3rd rock from the sun' and this cute chick who acts alongside jim carey in 'yes man'.

it's a totally 'boy-meets-girl' tale - 500 days of his relationship with a girl named summer. i enjoy the constant back and forth in time of the stories told, guided by the 'number' at the beginning of each change of scenes : "day 1", then "day 432", then moved back to "day 15" - so on and so forth.

and oh my, this is how i want a guy to 'court' me - malu-malu in my presence, sleepless nights, constantly annoying his best friends with endless stories about this girl that he likes, smiling to himself just thinking about her - all that jazz. (honey, you macam tu tak?)

he even confides in his spunky younger sister!

i love his relationship with his sister. someone he talks to about girls, someone even the bro's best friends would call when the brother is suffering from extreme heartbreak, someone he hangs out with playing x-box. i don't have a brother - so if i had, that's the kind of brother-sister relationship that i want!

this movie also reminds some of us about how things are, and how things were. dulu - make jokes and she laughs. holding hands at ikea. liking every little things about her like her 'love-shaped birthmark on her neck' -

however, before you knew it, things sort of changed - make jokes and she ignores you. wanna hold hands but she draws away from you. hating every little things that use to make you love her, like her 'stupid spider-shaped smudge on her neck' -

see?

whether you believe in true love, soulmate and fate; or whether you believe in going with the flow, making things happen and trying to work out a relationship - this movie is for you.

* * *

big mistake watching julie and julia during my pantang. BIG mistake.

cakes and cream, stuffed chicken with cheese and eggs, beef stew with braised carrots and sauted mushrooms plus all sorts of cooking jargons - braised, boil. fried and baked - and constant reference to butter. agh.

this movie deeply touches me - my inner blogger, and the undiscovered cook in me. it's about two ladies from a different place in time, but similar in some ways - both want something out of life, and found food. and cookings. julia child in the past, and julie powell in the present.

my friend aisha wrote a wonderful review with a bit more description on the synopsis, so you could check out her thoughts by clicking here.

i could really relate to julie's predicament as she starts blogging. and it's funny when she wonders whether anyone reads her writings. or when she waits for comments that never came. or when it did come, it didn't count because it's from her mother. and when comments finally came, she excitedly told her husband, "i got 5 comments today and i don't know any of them!"

i could really, really relate to that!

looking at both of them, i yearn for julia child's playfulness. i admire her relationship with her ever-supportive husband. her determination to learn new things and be all she can be!

i also admire julie powell's determination to cook all sorts (which i can never do - i only cook stuff that uses ingredients i'm familiar with!)

watch the movie, and eventually you will see a little of yourself here and there in the endearing characters of julia child and julie powell.

* * *

ok more movie reviews to come soon. may is movie marathon month, people!

Khairul & Syigim's 30 Most Romantic Movies

few more days, and mr. khairul and i will welcome our 6th year of knowing each other as confidante, romantic interests, and partner for life.

in celebration of the countdown to the day we first met, here are 30 of the most romantic movies of all time - my choice, of course - and the last two are his.

i hope these magical movies have moved and stirred your hopeless romantic heart into a passionate thunderous flight, as they did mine, and his.

* * *

don juan de marco, and william shakespeare. one is said to be the greatest lover in the world, and another one has penned some of the most romantic words the world has ever known. need i say more?

academy award winner for best movie, 'shakespeare in love' is one of my favorite movies ever.

* * *

i love period movies, and i love the brit accent. add romance into it and i got meself two of the most beloved romance movies ever. 'emma' matchmakes everyone around her, not realising that her own potential love is right there in front of her all this while! and i never fail to cry tears of joy and relief at the final scene of 'sense and sensibility'. everytime.

* * *

true love never dies, and is stronger, even in death. gary oldman in 'dracula' makes dead guys look dead sexy. that cullen kid is nothing compared to this dashing count! and oh, you can't help but cry everytime molly realized that sam is really there - the 'ditto' scene, and the running-the-penny-across-the-door scene - oh it's a tissue fiesta when watching 'ghost'!

* * *

every hopeless romantics should have at least a meg ryan's movie in their fav romantic movies. 'when harry met sally' is perfect for best friends in love, and 'sleepless in seattle' will prove that somewhere out there, there's someone who's waiting to fall in love with you...and when you finally meet - you will know - magic!

great screenplay, wonderful chemistry between the leads.

* * *

'kuch kuch hota hai' hit it big, and makes even a non-fan of hindi movies hooked. cute, kiddy college love, and moved on to a sincere and honest feeling of pure affection and love. ah, you know rahul will come to break off anjali's wedding! i will always remember mak when i watch this movie, as she painstakingly urged me to watch! she's a huge fan. 'cinta'? need i say more - surprisingly the best love story is from the elderly couple... because love is ageless...

* * *

the romantic venice, lovely marissa tomei and a charming downey jr. what a fantastic combo for a love story. 'only you' is a tale that teaches you to make your own destiny. 'somewhere in time', meanwhile, is an endearing tale of going after your destiny. christopher reeve's character falls in love with an old potrait of a woman, and goes back in time to look for her!

* * *

who wasn't swayed by the sassy scores in 'grease', that accompanied one of the most beloved, fun love stories ever? 'grease' is the word! in 'the purple rose of cairo', a woman watched a romantic movie so, so many times, that suddenly, the main character walked out off the silver screen, confesssing his love for her! if the movie character, and the real actor - both wants you - which one would you choose?

* * *

if mr. khairul had stayed in chicago to continue working, he'd never would've met me. and if i didn't agree to follow azi's whim to meet a complete stranger, i wouldn't have met my future husband. or would we? had things go any other way for either one of us, would we STILL be meeting? watch 'eternal sunshine of the spotless mind', and you might believe in having someone already in your heart, even if you didn't know it yet.

'the curious case of benjamin button' teaches love that involve sacrifice, sincerity, loyalty - and above all, eternal.

* * *

drew barrymore is adorable in all the romantic movies she's in. 'never been kissed' is cute, simple and funny - pretty much what love should be like. never give up in searching for you one true love, even if you've never been in one... oh, we ladies wish that our hubbies, boyfriends and potential guys pour sweet somethings like adam sandler in '50 first dates', huh? very unlikely - but it's good to remind ourselves to appreciate even the littlest sweet things he does or says!

* * *

brit wit is the best. and in 'love actually' and 'bridget jones's diary', the great script pulls the movie together with the fantastic casts. watch 'love actually' and you realized that love, is truly, really - all around you - in your parents, your kids, your husband, your friends and in your fav songs and movies!

'bridget jones's diary' remind me of my awkward, eccentric, weird self, who finally finds a man who loves me - "...just the way i am."

* * *

look life and love from the eyes of 'forrest gump', and you'll know that it doesn't take a genius to understand the feeling of love. but it takes a highly special man to understand woman, though! and alex hitchens is not even close to that though he looked like a pro in 'hitch'. smart, sexy movie that give hopes to guys - "...any guy can sweep a girl off her feet, he just needs the right broom!"

* * *

i can't explain my likes for 'just like heaven'. maybe reese witherspoon's adorable accent. or mark rufallo's charming innocence. but together they make a beautiful love story - a girl still haunts her apartment and the guy who's renting it, and found out she's actually in a coma. i cried when she woke up and couldn't remember who he was!

and oh, i think bill pullman's character is someone everyone wants to fall in love with - manly, charming, sweet and a little sarcastic - a great recipe for a great guy. and i'm sure you're like sandra bullock once in a while - lonely, flushed and finally swept off your feet? 'while you were sleeping' is simply, sweet.

* * *

sing to 'the sound of music' and dance in the 'strictly ballroom'! one of my favorite romantic scene ever was when captain von trapp finally asks maria, that "...you can't marry someone, if you're in love with someone else, can you?" and oh, the dancing before they realize they're in love - it just reeks with passion - you know that feel - when you like someone so much your heart pumps twice as fast and you knees wobble?

* * *

i'm a sucker for fairytale, and 'ever after' is one with a spunky cinderella. a fun watch when the damsel rescued the prince in distress! and not all the couples in 'he's not just into you' move me, but i'll watch it again just to bask in the story of jennifer anniston and ben affleck's character - when actual hubbies burps and make a mess with opened packets of kacang in front of the telly screaming at the referee, one guy sits quietly in the kitchen doin the dishes. we can dream, can't we ladies?

* * *

...and here's mr. khairul's favorite romantic movies! tanya punya tanya, he can only come up with two. look over the violence in 'braveheart', and you'll find love stronger than in any other movies. mr. khairul perasan dia the macho sexy william wallace la tu. hihi.

and in 'at first sight', mr. khairul admires the patience and sacrifice a girl can make for the love of a man, despite the hardships and challenges - which i hope to give him for ever and always!

* * *

can't wait for the anniversary date!

meanwhile, you ladies (and you men too!) can go find some of these movies, watch it with him (or her) and go fall in love all over again with your significant other!

Roses For A Wednesday

* jiwang alert. you have been warned.

Just Because It's Wednesday
by syigim

it could be my birthday
but that's two months away
for valentines maybe?
but it isn't february

it could be our anniversary
wait, which one? we have so many
is it our first movie, or first date?
first time we held hands? i can't state

it could be mother's day
but it's not yet may
is he giving it out early?
i can't say!

"it's simply wednesday"
was what he says
roses for his wife
the love of his life!

as cliche as this may sound, i replied:

"roses are red
violets are blue
sugar is sweet
and so are you!"

thanks for the roses, honey! :*

* * *

for hubbies out there, give flowers to your other half just because it's wednesday. or a monday. or just a breakfast date. or simply because she cooks your favorite ayam masak lemak cili padi yesterday. or because her smile looks exactly as pleasing, as the day you first saw her.

a dozen, a bunch, a bouquet, a single stalk - it would mean the world.

spread joy!

Happy 30th Birthday, Honey!

mr. khairul turns 30 today. the big three oh. and i'm still youthful 29. at least until june. ha ha.

honey, your beloved mom, dad and siblings have few wonderful words to share on this auspicious day:

the anwars : asrar, angah, along, little sofia, tina and diyana (teh)

"happy birthday. semoga hidup sentiasa diberkati, better future ahead. sembahyang, doa jgn tinggal...mak dan bapak doakan yg terbaik untuk along and family...we love you so much. jaga family elok-elok. "

~mak & bapak

"happy birthday.."
~angah (actually he is unreacheable at the moment, tina suggests i put this wish as this would be his usual wish anyway, also she said mr. khairul and him would have their own personal jokes or wish)

"happy birthday. along tetap kor buse mas utk kitorg. tak kire dah 30 pun, director ke...along will always be along.."
~tina

"selamat hari jadi buse kor...happy selalu. cemerlang, gemilang, terbilang always. hehe...politik skit.."
~teh

"eh, hari ni b'day along kan?"
~asrar (teringat this morning)

"happy birthday!!!"
~sofia, screaming with joy.

* * *

a glorious future lies ahead

ode to mr. khairul
on his 30th birthday
by syigim

from the hingus days of penang free
bicycle-ride fun and full of glee
to teen-angst years of mckk
maketh and braketh, happy and gay

need to grow need to get more
off to USA a lot is in store
challenges, experience and such he did get
living life full with aint no regret

in ipoh was the chance meeting
love at first sight hearts a-fleeting
5 years later a happy family at hand
two boys are more than he could stand!

from penang to kl the humble days
to awesome dubai now he stays
such a leap for this beach jock
at thirty you still rock!

happy birthday, honey from your beloved wife, sons khaleef and kahfi. we love you very much!

p/s: enjoy your samsung omnia!