Malaysian Wife, Australian Life

No no, they're not Balinese words. They're Ayisha's words to describe Fish, Cat & Dog. :p In just a couple of weeks, our lil Miss Squeaky seems to be growing up at such a speedy rate, continuously surprising & humouring us with new things almost everyday. Her current obsession is her TinkerBell book. We read it every night before sleep and the other day, she started reading to her dolls with the expressions & hand gestures that I used when I was reading to her. I had to bury my face on the pillow to stop laughing out loud. One time, she wants me to read TinkerBell before brushing her teeth. I called & waited for her in the bathroom but with no response. When I came out, she's already tucked herself in her comforter holding her book and pretending not to hear or see me. I left the bedroom to tell Michael and she didn’t budge a bit. Pretty stubborn considering she’d normally follow whenever I leave the room. She chose the book herself, we didn't...

We’ve been in Bali for about a month now and a lot has been going on. When we first got here, I had the nasty rash for almost 2 weeks. Soon after, both Ayisha & myself got sick – I had para typhoid & Ayisha had ear, nose & throat infection. It was pretty scary actually. We’re both in & out of hospital, doing blood tests and Ayisha was coughing pretty badly and fluey for about 10 days. That was when we were spending Eid Adha in bed. It was pretty sad. Fortunately, we’re both getting better by the time we have to move to our new home. Michael was showing symptoms of getting infected but I think the pull of the skatepark house was too great that he’s fit & good again when we moved. It’s been a week and it has been very lovely. I can’t stop smiling ☺ I am thoroughly enjoying my kitchen. My chicken & vegies roasted perfectly in the oh-so–fab oven the 1st night we’re here. I am also constantly in the mood to make lovely meals & tasty, healthy treats for b...

Whenever we dream about our dream house together, I always imagine myself in a nice well equipped modern kitchen so very strategically located next to the dining area that stretches out to the living area and possibly to the yard where we happily entertain. Michael on the other hand, always always wanted a skatepark built in his own backyard - something that i kinda push at the back of my mind thinking that it might not really happen but at the same time am not really bothered if it does. So when we first saw this place, i knew i wanted to live there because the first thing i saw was the magnificent kitchen and when we were guided to a lil door that leads to their backyard and saw a full blown skatepark bowl, I knew Michael would too. It was UNBELIEVABLE. The house is owned by a super nice French couple who designed and built the place and have lived in Bali for many years. They’re going back to France for a while cos she’s pregnant and apparently her mother lives next door and h...

We’re here! It’s been almost 3 weeks and so far it’s been pretty good. The first few days here I had some nasty rash on my hands and feet so I was feeling pretty blergh. But am feeling all better and Im hopeful that my blog would be constantly updated now that we’re in Bali! ;) I was out of action for quite a while before Bali not just in the blogging world but to my friends and family in KL too because we spent the last few weeks in JB caring for my mum. It was an emotional and hectic time, which I’d probably talk about one fine day. But let’s just say that even though I had to miss out on a lot of prior engagements that were planned such as meeting up and have proper goodbyes and farewells with friends & relatives as well as being there for my husband at his best friend’s wedding, among other things, deciding to spend that last few weeks in JB was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life, for myself, Michael and even for Ayisha. It really didn’t feel like we’re moving ...

Last Eid, she was only this small. This year, she's all walking and chatting and happily joining in the fun with her many cousins, aunties, uncles and grannies! ;) With her all walking and wanting to do things by herself, i noticed sometimes she gets a lil bit extra clingy too. It's like a love-hate situation . One moment she wants me away from her while shaking her head and hand saying 'no' to me. Another moment she'd want me and me only. She doesn't really want anyone else taking her unless if you're at the door with car keys. She keeps carrying her shoes around up the 6 stairs to the front door and ready to go 'jalan-jalan' if we stay too long indoors doing nothing. So on the days we're not busy going out, i kept her occupied with housework. She's been helping around the house a lot - mopping, wiping the tables, dusting, hanging up the washing, doing the dishes and putting away her toys after playing with them. Other times, s...

About 7 weeks ago, Me: I don't think we have time to do a full loop, it's gonna be Ramadan soon, then raya.. Michael: So? Me: So..it's Ramadan...how to travel? Michael: Why not? Me: Cannot eat.. Michael: So? Me: *long pause* When my argument seems so lame or non-existent, i'd end up surrendering. And boy, am i glad he talked me into this trip eventho it's Ramadan. I was so used to the idea of Ramadan = everything stops but Michael never agrees with me on this one. After refreshing and spending quality time with family in Kuantan, we continued on heading towards JB. We stopped in Mersing, Sedili, Kota Tinggi and spent our last nite in Senai just in time to celebrate our 4th Anniversary. For 3 years now, we celebrated our anniversary in Ramadan and this year, as it was my turn to organise something, i thought it would be nice to mark the end our roadtrip as well with a nice stay at a resort in Senai. I chose this place cos it has a bowling alley so we pl...

After weeks of misleading people with 'she JUST turned 1' and answering a quiet no to all the 'WHAT??? 1 year and not walking yet ah??' from strangers we met on the trip, I am so ready now to put on my smug face and show off her walking skills all over Malaysia! :p Too bad that we've come nearly to an end now. Another week on the road and we're back in JB for Eid. So yes!! Ayisha's walking now! She's actually taken a few steps here and there weeks ago but i thot those didn't really count. The most she did was 6 steps one day and then no step for weeks after! But yesterday, she took few steps and pause and took more steps and pause and went on few times after. So that's definitely walking to me even if there would be no steps today! I think seeing her cousin Hamza yesterday, who's 4 months younger but just as tall and happily taking steps everywhere, prompted her into doing the same without realizing it. Of course, a lil bit of pressure fr...