C U@Receptions

As DS, one of our unwritten duties is to attend receptions. So, it is a common phrase amongst them to say to each other when they meet "See You at Receptions on so and so (date)!" 

During my stay in Muscat, receptions are seasonal. It is because during summer season which is generally scorchingly hot, most missions prefer to defer them to cooler time between September to June. The months of July and August also mean holiday times for most people especially those with families and school going children. And, for the past two years, Ramadan and Eid Fitri were celebrated during this season, so most receptions were held after the celebration time. 

Beginning September and for the coming months which all of us here look forward to the so called 'winter season' my colleagues and I will be busy preparing our wardrobes for receptions. Oh! what to wear tonight? I must not repeat the same dress because someone has seen it before! LOL :)  If I want to recycle them, it must be every five years @another posts or places! He He He :D But, all of us always look forward to these events! It also means the City of Muscat is lively again :)

The first was @Thai Festival which was held @MGM and followed by the Brazilian Independence Day @InterContinental Hotel. Then we had the Association of Southeast Asian Nations celebrated its ASEAN Day, also @InterCon which received good coverage in TheWeek and Hi Weekly. 

Recently, we were invited to view the Jai Hin Oman cultural celebration @Al Bustan Palace where there were fusion between Oman and Indian cultural performance which were enlightening, breathtaking and full of eyes movement! Next, we met our colleagues again during    the Indian Naval Ships Mysore, Tarkash, Tabar and Aditya visit to Muscat @Sultan Qaboos Port. We had great time mingling with the Rear Admiral and his crew while savouring homemade fruity drinks and the finger foodies! We were also being serenaded with Jazz music and  latest Bollywood hits by the Live Band!

Last night, again the ever dutiful DS were seen beautifully  dressed, full of smiles, shook hands, set eyes and later happily savouring delicious dinner and desserts while respectfully attending the 64th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China Reception in ArfahBallroom, Grand Hyatt. We had good time together and truly thanked our host for the great event!

Spreads of desserts & D'Cake! Yummy!

A pose with Sabrina, Brits, Doung and Zam Muqadam (TQ Zam for the picture!) @Chinese Reception ...

And before we left the hall, after thanking our host - we again shaking hands with each other and while we waved to them we uttered "C U again @Receptions ..." This time we were referring to a Farewell Reception tonight @MEDRC for Amb Mollinger, Director of MEDRC and his lovely wife Florence Mollinger who will be leaving Muscat for France.

And, this same situation will repeat itself again and again at every reception ... :D But, we exceptionally enjoyed and definitely liked it!!!

There's always a First in Life!

While looking back to my first day in Muscat, suddenly I remembered a 1967 song The First Cut is the Deepest by Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam). 

This is a lyric which I have amended  a little and lullaby only in my heart to suit my story ... :D 

There's no intention of plagiarism though - since I truly acknowledged that the copyright of the original lyrics is still rightfully intact with the writer Cat Stevens (@^@)! So, mine will be the First Time is the Hardest ...

"The first time is the hardest, Darling ...  I know ....

Oh! The first time is the hardest, I'm feeling it ...

'Cause when it comes to being lucky, you're cursed ... He He He

When it comes to loving you ... She's worse! Hu Hu Hu

But, when it comes to being loved, she's the first

Cause, that's how you know ...

The first time is the hardest."

I like Cat Stevens song and it brings nostalgic feelings to me when I silently humming it and it brings back beautiful memories of my younger days. Anyway, the only word that captured my eyes and heart from the song is "First"! There is always a first in our life, be it first time, first love, first come first served, first person, first cut, first word, first born, first book, first year, first posting, and many other firsts - just named it, it'll pop on your mind! 

In my case, first experience  (to do or learn something) as a normal  housewife in Muscat @golden age! Indeed, it is truly the first time in my life and I tried my level best to like it. LOL! To this day, I still don't really like it, but I just do it as and when I feel like doing it! Anyway, what are these firsts?

So far, there were three 'first' projects, one 'completely done' and two still ongoings at snail pace throughout my two years here. Sounds good huh :)

In 2011, when I first arrived and made friends with another DS, I learn to sew by hands and eventually get my first project to be framed. But, before it could be materialized I had to purchase all the gadgets and what noughts such as cloth, scissors, needles, threads, ribbons, safety pins, straight pins, pin cushion, rotary cutter and a picture frame (for the finished project). Wow! So ambitious? Yet, I think it is not a bad thing at all for someone who was approaching her golden age, then! 

I called all these gadgets > the essential sewing supplies for beginners! If I am not mistaken I spent about OR20 only. My gratitude to YG who took me to Ghafoor Trading and for introducing me with the necessary essentials! Not bad for an investment for good skill and useful knowledge. Who knows one day, I have to sew a hole of someone's pants or trousers? 

Hah Hah Hah but not Funny, because I had used my first experience to sew for a good course! Alhamdulilah ... But, fortunately or unfortunately only once because The Owner still prefers to go to the professional tailor or the seamstress! Perhaps HE pitied or sympathized with me after looking at my bruised fingers after being 'abused' by the blind sewing needles! TQ TQ Mr Big Boss :)

But, I must say that my first project was accomplished. The result of my first and most probably last handsewn project made in 2011 is as follows:

Thanks to my teacher and mentor YG for being so patience with 'moose'! But, finally she did it. The one and only for her CV in 2011. Moose will surely keep it save for her first grand child's room. LOL! But on second thought do you think he or she would want it - the first handmade gift from Granny! Wish me luck :)

In 2012, I started another project since we moved to a new home in Qurum29. I like the kitchen very much - spacious and all the gadgets in it are all brand new and they still 'bau kedai'! So, I started what a normal housewife would do. Guess what? I want to learn cooking. Wow! That's news for someone who will be 50! Surely, my MIL will not believe me if I tell her. But Mom, please do! I am serious :D And, I did learn from her the very basic of cooking her son normal foods called "air tangan Ibu" from her when she visited us last year! Yeah ... My first formal cooking lesson > I did it in style in 2012!

But, before she arrived with an entourage of fourty people, me as always with my enthusiastic feelings had prepared all the necessary utensils needed for cooking which I bought in London from John Lewis. Also, I took out my new crisp green and white Harrod apron which was a gift from Perwakilan London (Group Dinamik). Also a cap to cover my hair from HomeCentre. So, finally all are set and I just waited for my MIL to share her knowledge with me! In fact she did. And Wallah, the first dish which she taught was fish curry - to be exact, ikan tenggiri masak kari stail NekWa! 

Wooooo not bad, and though still not as perfect as hers, I still practice cooking this dish till today. Although not everyday but at least twice a month for her son. So, I can safely said as HE kindly admitted that now 'tak le kempunan nak rasa makanan air tangan Isteri' or not to late to taste his wife's cooking after nearly thirty years!

Almost three decades of waiting, I think it was worth while! LOL He He He ... Recently, HE bought some kerapu fish from Seeb Market and requested me to cook curry and I simply did. This time without using coconut ala ala Indian style! I added vegetables including brinjals, ladies fingers and tomatoes. This version is different from MiL. Eventually HE liked it and that's another achievement for my first!  Also I managed to 'masak campak-campak' few other dishes like sotong lemak cili padi, sambal tumis ikan bilis, sushi & tempura and of course chicken soto and Ramadan favourite the Bubur Lambuk. Also not perfect like other housewives but as HE recognized "Bolehlah" and so far HE hasn't experienced any stomachache instead HE feels his trousers is shrinking since HE could not fit in! Hah Hah Hah.

Although I am feeling good, yet honestly I don't like cooking :( It's not my forte and I shall leave it to the expert my Mr Right! Yeah :D and till today, HE religiously love to cook for me all my favourite dishes since the day we sat eyes on each other especially during weekends - the chicken tandoori, the lamb stew, the grilled fish, the steamed garoupa, BBQ beef and the  newfound  recipe by Mr Right is a 15min Kungfu Lobster Noodles! I truly love it!!!

So the Chef of the house is still Mr Right! Last weekend's meal was Lobster Noodles. Big TQ HE Mr Right ;)  I truly appreciate your Mom aka my MIL who patiently taught me my first cooking lesson here in Qurum and not @St Lewis! But, I appreciate her more for making sure that you learnt cooking since age seven knowing premonition-ly that you have to cook and feed a wife for your entire life. He He He Thank You Mak for your 'see-ing' and as the saying goes: Only mothers know what's best for their sons!!!

And my third 'first' for year 2013 is again to learn sewing, but an upgraded version - using Janome Sewing Machine! This is a present from Mr Right on my 51st Birthday although HE prefers to utter the figure 15th and not 51st! Anyway, as enthusiastic as ever, I went to Gafoor Store and happily purchased a few meters of polka dot materials vis a vis cream and brown. The other set was blue and cream. At first sight, I know the combination of the colours is stunning and eye catching. I am dreaming of making my first hand sewn blanket or bedcover for Mr Right. Am I thinking straight? 

But, on second thought I have doubts upon thinking of the outcome of the end product! Will it look good and okay? Or will it be more suitable for the dustbin? Wow! This is awesomely challenging especially I have no experience at all in handling an electric sewing machine. The closest was more than four decades ago using my Mom's 100 year old Singer Hand Sewing Machine which was manually operated for my class project @Primary School. Even then, it was Mom who patiently sewn the assignment after all the nagging and tears welling in my eyes because I don't want to do it myself.  LOL! 

Anyway, my first 2013 project succeeded although not as I dreamed or planned. Instead of a full and beautifully sewn blanket, it turned out as a small table cloth or cover which unevenly sewn and some parts were obviously crooked! But, I must confess that it still has the 'sweetness' sight of a patch work design. He He He! 

In fact, Mr Right commended it and encouragingly said, "Not bad for a First Timer, Mama!" HE further boosted my motivation by adding, "This weekend, we'll go to Ghafoor and buy more materials. Practice makes perfect!" Ha Ha Ha ... TQ Mr Right. I truly liked your way to motivate me :) 

So, the long awaited result of my 2013 project is tra ra ra ...

A table cover for Mr Right's Chinese Tea Table instead of his blanket ... What do you think? I beg U > Please ignore the unevenness :)

Trying very hard to sew straight for the borders. After all the sweat even under full blown AC room, I can never get it right! Indeed, I am still an apprentice in the seamstress world :(

In sum, I always believe all of us have to go through many firsts in our life. I admit that I am lousy in many areas which many housewives including my Mom and MiL have excelled, especially cooking and sewing! But, I also feel that it is never too late to learn new things in life for the very first time. I may not like what I am learning, but I strongly believe that whatever knowledge that we gain from our learning will someday be useful to us. Indeed, it is never a waste to acquire knowledge for knowledge is Power! So, keep on learning Moose and acquire your many Firsts :)

Adrenalin Rush ...

A scene in an auditorium:

M:  How's the movie Darling? 

R: Not bad :) Less talk, more action!

M: It's biography ... And, I like it very much. But at times my heart beat seems to stop when they raced :(

R: Yeah! I noticed. You grabbed my sleeves ... 

M: Oh! No ....  I'm sorry ... I didn't mean to ;(

R: You had adrenalin rush!

M: Yup! I was scared (@^@) Anyway, really sorry about the sleeve ...

R: It's ok Honey. It's not torn though :D

M: Thanks Darling ... Now, let's get some pizza. I'm famished ;)

That's the scene outside CityCinema after a fifty something couple watched a heart pumping movie Rush, an action movie based on a true story of two Formula One drivers, the late British James Hunt and an Austrian Niki Lauda. Both were rivals since their first race @Formula Three Race in Crystal Palace Circuit, UK in early 1970s and the duel continued to Formula One Championship in 1976. It was heart provoking and indeed I had adrenalin rush viewing both of them - "a swashbuckling Hunt vs the scientific Lauda" either on race tracks or off tracks while weaving  through their private life!

After watching the movie, the couple went to Pizza Hut in Qurum to have their supper. While eating the hearty super supreme pizza and spicy chicken wings, their conversations continue about their son Mavericks, his liking in cars, his passion in auto designs and auto shows, also his love in car racing. This son of theirs is indeed maverick in his thinking and life style :) But, also makes his mother's heart beats faster and faster each time he places his hands on the steering. And, adrenalin rush always flows to her just like when she's watching James Hunt in his Formula One Championship as portrayed in the movie Rush which she had watched with her better half just few hours ago :D

Riza Mavricks with his trophy for best car design. Congratulations Sunny :)

This afternoon, Mavericks sent to his mother another snap of his car which was ready for racing tomorrow which carried the logo Titan as his sponsor! Also a good news that he was offered a job as an AEM for a local company which his mother truly look forward to > in his chosen career which always relates to cars and auto shows! Congratulations sonny and Ma's prayers and best wishes always surrounds you. But never forget our Creator, my son. Insyallah, you'll always save and sound under Allah SWT grace and protection. Amin.

"Ma, my car is ready for the track ... Wish me luck ..." :)

A slow ride home after the 'rush!rush! ;)

@The Rush!Rush! Everytime this takes place, it gives me adrenalin rush ;)

Wanna Canadian Lunch?

It was a beautiful Thursday morning when some colleagues and I were invited by ILS to her home. Apparently, Sarah our Canadian friend wishes to demostrate cum cooking for us a hearty Canadian lunch - European spinach and strawberry salad, juicy grilled salmon and scullent Montreal chicken with wild rice mixed in cranberries and almonds :) How's that sound? Yummy! Did the sound of the dishes make you hungry? Indeed, it was to me and I truly enjoyed the cooking lesson and most of all the delicious foodies ...

The result ....

A spread of four delicious dishes and a mouth-watering Cheese Cake with cream and blue berries topping as our dessert! Yummy :)

Our 'Chef Sarah' with her sumptuous dishes > spinach+strawberry salads with zottarella cheese, grilled maple glazed salmon, wild rice with cranberries+almond and roasted Montreal chicken! 

Look! the yummy cheese cake > The most 'sinful' dessert for my diet which I could not resist no matter how hard I tried ... Hu Hu Hu! So, I promised myself that I'll fast the next day! Instead of fasting, I had another cake. This time, a red velvet which was specially baked and beautifully decorated by a talented friend who has sweet tooth, cake enthusiast, truly passionate in baking and decorating cakes plus our host for that day - the ever loving ILS!!! 

Wow! Take a Look at this red velvet cake daintily covered with stunning red roses!!! Can anyone resist or shy away from it? Nevertheless, I can't ;)

Here, I will share the most healthiest recipes vis a vis the Canadian spinach+strawberries salad. It can serve 8-10 persons.

Ingredients:

2 packets of fresh European spinach

2 bowls of strawberries

3 bowls of 'Zottarella' cheese

1 red onion

Balsamic vinegar

Virgin Olive oil

Dried basils

Black pepper

Salt

Maple syrup

Methods:

1. Clean the spinach

2. Cut or slice strawberries and onion

3. Cut the whole cheese into halves 

4. Place all these ingredients into a bowl.

5. Add the remaining ingredients as dressing and  mixed them.

6. Serve the 'colourful' salad in a serving dish.

A Truly Healthy Salad prepared by Sarah as starters and formed part of the hearty Canadian Lunch menu :) Bon Appetit ... Or I wish you a hearty appetite :D

Baby Steps count :)

Since the day I started walking about nine months after I was brought into this challenging world, I have taken baby steps and kept moving forward over five decades with the guidance from Allah SWT and assistance of many loving and caring people. My target is happiness and leading a happy life ...

An excerpt of my story:

I am thankful to be given a chance to live in this worldly world and also the opportunity to live my life to the fullest! Alhamdulilah, all praise to His Almighty. 

In my own Pursuit of Happyness as portrayed in the movie staring Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith, Every Baby Step which I took since the day I started walking truly counted in my life and since then had moulded me to be what I am today. I was exceptionally inspired to write a true story about myself after I watched the said teary eyes yet motivational movie describing the story of Chris Gardner who from a homeless beginning turns to an awesomely multi-millionaire! Of course, I am not a millionaire > what more a multi-millionaire like he is. But, who knows, perhaps one day I'll be a millionaire :) Just a wishful thinking. LOL!

If I am not a millionaire like him, then who am I? Well, my name is Marisa. I am just a daughter to a very responsible and loving parents, a youngest sibling to my  forever caring brothers and sisters, a fortunate wife to a very loving and understanding husband, a lucky in-law to my ever pampered in-laws,  an ordinary mother of three wonderful grown-up children, a mother-in-law to two beautiful daughters-in-law, a teacher to my students, and a friend to all my friends scattered throughout the globe. But, I am pretty sure that I am 'feeling' as if I am a millionaire like Chris Gardner although not surrounded by money money money, instead with happiness and fun loving people! And, indeed I have achieved my target > feeling happy and leading a happy life style! To date, I am sincerely grateful and self proclaimed of feeling very happy to join others who are categorized as the happiest persons on earth with what I have and being truly embraced by my loved ones and surrounded by beautifully minded people. Alhamdulilah :)

The four lessons which I discovered for my success story being truly happy in life after living in this challenging world for more than five decades are:

First and foremost, I follow my dream. Whatever my dream, I'll make sure I'll achieve it! Secondly, all the hurdles and obstacles within and in front of my way towards my dream, I brushed them off and of course I worked hard and did my very best to achieve what I am dreaming to achieve! Others who showed they care or deemed to be caring on me may give their thoughts and advices which I fully lent my ears, yet after listening to them all, I did not follow them blindly. Instead, I followed my own heart for I know who I am and what is best for me based on my own ability, instinct and not others! Next, I always remember my roots and from where I come from. I put both my feet firmly on the ground although at times my heart and my head were soaring high with happiness beyond imagination :D On this, I strongly believe, we all do as we are only human beings, full of wanting, needs and desires. But, the final lesson which I truly learnt throughout my life in my pursuit of happiness is to always keep in touch with my Creator - Allah SWT who sees me even in total darkness and who hears me clearly even the slightest thought or deep secret kept intact in my heart!

Quotes by Chris Gardner (Copyright google-image)

Apart from the four lessons stated above, I also discovered that to achieve what we desire, we have to know ourselves. As for me the Pursuit of Happiness is actually within myself. I just have to make it happen and continue to strive to make it happen ... How? Just like this afternoon, my better half had an invitation to go for a cup of coffee after dinner with his friends in an exclusive club? He told me about it and I happily said, "Of course, you may go dear. How often you went out with your male friends, so why not! Except ... before you go, I hope you'll send me to City Cinema so I could pass my time watching a movie while waiting for you ..." 

Upon hearing my approval to spend his weekend night out but with a proviso or suggestion, he quickly changed his mind and said, "Shall we see a movie tonight wifey?" Wallah!!! that's truly happiness for me because my 'air, heart and soul' prefers to spend his precious  weekend with me instead of with his male species. Yeah, great feeling of sheer happiness engulfing me and now, I can't wait for the evening to come! And, I am now smiling with a big broad smile on my face. Thank You, Allah SWT for answering my wish although I did not utter it expressly except secretly said in my little heart hoping that my better half will spend the night with me watching a movie in the cinema   instead of going out with his friends :D Well, I also believe, it is partly because I have less expectation, so whatever small things that come to me, I always feel good and happy!!!

A month ago: Feeling good and in cloud nine with two tickets in hands ... Yeah!!! 

And, tonight ...

We are going to watch an action and biographical 2hr 03min film Rush staring Daniel Bruhl, Chris Hemsworth and Olivia Wilde @CityCinema. I could not wait to see the movie which I presume will be inspirational too, about rivalry between two Formula One Season drivers James Hunt and Niki Lauda set in the 1970s. For the rest of the story, I shall patiently wait till tonight ...

I am not rushing. I am only counting my "baby steps" from my home in Qurum29 to CityCinema to view Rush! Phewit ...

Book Discourse @Malmul Street

Yesterday, seven homemakers but avid book readers gathered @Malmul Street over some coffee and fresh scones to discuss two books "The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker" and "Myanmar, Seeing is Believing" by Musrifah Rustam, a book which I wrote more than a decade ago. 

We felt the books complement each other since the first is a fiction based on thorough researches which narrates "a tale of hardship and resilience and also the unyielding power of love to move mountains." But the second book was based on the author's own experience or her journey living in a place which is exotic and unique yet truly serene, with thousands of scattered pagodas and full of mystics. The stories and setting of both books are about people and their lives in a country once called Burma (now Myanmar in South East Asia).

The heart provoking novel by Sendker :)

The novel was originally published in German in 2002 and translated into English four years later and became an international best seller which most reviewers view it as "a poignant and inspirational love story set in Burma." It is about a married man who was also a successful New York lawyer suddenly disappeared from his home without any trace to the chagrin of his wife and daughter named Julia Win. They had no idea where he was until they found out a non posted love letter wrote by him to a 'mysterious' Burmese woman Mi Mi. This discovery made Julia wanted to know more about her father, the mystery surrounding his sudden abandonment and disappearance and later to come to terms with her father's past life. 

So, she travelled to a village in Kalaw where Mi Mi lived and there she discovered the true life of her father who was once a blind man named Tin Win from an old man U Ba. Julia found out that Tin Win had tasted hardships in his early life and fell in love with a crippled young lady Mi Mi who became his 'eyes' and he - her legs! Indeed, this couple is a symbiotic pair who trust each other to weave life together in a land full of intrigue-ness  and mystical. 

Tin Win was cast of by his superstitious mother who after consulting the local astrologer believes him to be "a harbinger of calamity." He left Burma and went to New York, but his love towards Mi Mi remains unbroken through fifty years of incredible vicissitudes. In sum, the novel is a good read where one can find happiness in life regardless of the fact that there were problems, hardships and never ending struggles. 

The second book (below) was written by a law teacher who at that time was taking leave from work as a diplomat's spouse. The book describes her own experience through both inner and exterior struggles during her first year stay in the country. It was published in 2002 in Yangon and used as travel book. As stated in the foreword by the late Mr Ambassador DMBN the book tells "the author's experience, which will help general readers and other expatriates to pilot their intricate journey through the wheels of survival, Myanmar style." 

It was written in English and simultaneously translated into Myanmar language Mran ma, mran phu mha yum ca phvay in the same book for local readers. The 231 page book described "the unique culture, beautiful tradition and exotic places to visit (in Myanmar) based on her personal observations in this country as well as her day to day activities of her role as a wife, mother and social worker while accompanying her family ..." 

She also shared about her life there viz a viz meeting, mingling  and staying with the locals, understanding their unique culture, going through hardships and tribulations, living in simplicity with very basic necessities, and to live life to the fullest plus the good feeling of serenity and happiness surrounded by teak woods and glittering rubies. In less than a year, she found out that she truly falls in love to the country which later becomes her second home although in the first place she was very skeptical to go and live there. 

Eventually she follows her heart and true enough she never regrets with the decision she made! Among others she wrote, "we may fall in love at first sight ..." But she also believes in her famous Malay proverb "Kalau tak Kenal mana nak Cinta?" which means without knowing someone, how are you going to love him? On this issue, all the book readers in the discussion group unanimously agreed that sometimes in our life, we have to make do with what we have and try our best to make ourselves adaptable and happy in wherever place we are stationed! We should be positive and bring the best with whatever we have within us and to find solace and living happily in all the places where we stay.

The author also wrote a poem Between Two Cities in her book which depicted her true feelings about moving to the then 'unknown' country. But, the happiness she found later was truly awesome :)

Before ...

With fear I depart

Carry a heavy heart

For someone close to heart

Never again we stay apart 

I was taken in a cart

Scared like a hart

I cried in my heart

It pierced like a dart

From my city ...

A concrete tower

To your city ...

A wooden shelter

Now ...

Flee free like a bird 

No longer pain or hurt

Less fear no pressure

Full of love and pleasure

Your city ...

Scented lotus buds

Loss in the mud

Mountains of treasure

A woman's desire

Thinking of my city

I'm no longer lonely

I'm counting my gain

An award for my pain.

During the discourse @Malmul Street, the book readers of both novel and book had a stimulating discussion on the common issues touched by the Western and Eastern authors namely Myanmar being the former British colony until 1948, the ever warm and hospitable Myanmar people, the pious monks and monastery, mystics and superstitions including astrologers, the believe in karma or reincarnations, ghost stories, and the sensual, truly lushly exotic places to venture to all readers without the need to go into the magical land of cliche. All in all, it was a lovely and fruitful morning experienced and enjoyed by all the MQBook Club members held @Malmul Street :D

Artist U Thant Sin's expression of the author who was in dilemma 'Go or Not to Go?' in Myanmar, Seeing is Believing :-)

The book is translated back-to-back into Myanmar language for local readers ... (@^@)

An excerpt of the book which tells the author's experience with 'she-ghost' in her whitish one hundred year old ghostly bungalow. Yet, she overcome it by dismissing and not befriending 'her' at all :D

A Gift from D'Heart :D

It's 2100 hours and the dialogue:

You: Mama, let us go to QCC ... 

Me: Now! Tonight! What for? 

You: There's something for you, there!

Me: Oh yeah! What is it?

You: Wait and See. A surprise for you ...

Me: Ohhh please, give me a clue •?•

You: Okay, it starts with a letter S ...

Me: Wow!!! Can't wait to go > QCC!!! (In my mind - Samsung S5 or Samsung Galaxy ... since I already have iPhone and iPad. This reminds me of the day a decade ago where he took me to a 5*Tategoto and presented to me a surprised BDay bash with a glittering gift and surrounded by faithful friends :) Yeah!!! TQ TQ TQ Mr Right :D)

We drove to QCC and arrived there @2130 hours ...

When we arrived in QCC, my Mr Right immediately took me to the area where sophisticated mobile phones, black and white mini iPads, and other colorful tablets were positioned and placed. Then, we stopped in front of the Samsung mobiles phones and other related  Samsung tablets were located. But, just the opposite of it were other electronic gadgets mainly for households which I wasn't interested at all! 

My mind and eyes were also focussing on the S-Machine > one of the Samsung brand gadgets!  So, the much awaited S-Machine was there waiting for me. Huh Huh ... Anxiously, I persuaded my Mr Right to hurry up and show me the much awaited gift from his heart! But, he directed me towards the households gadgets and happily presented to me the surprised present which was big and bulky. It wasn't as I imagined - something small, light and dainty ... LOL!

Guess what? Indeed, it is truly a gift from the heart meant for a fifty something DS by a fifty something hubby. As promised by Mr Right, the gift starts with a letter S, but instead of Samsung something something, it is a Sewing Machine!!! 

My surprise belated BDay gift > a Sewing Machine :D

Anyway, with all my heart I happily accepted the gift from the heart :D  Oh! TQ TQ TQ Mr Right! Indeed, it was an exceptionally surprise gift from you to me. Yours truly is fully surprised by the surprise gift. Insyallah, I shall make full use of the gift, perhaps to sew something for my Perwakilan Muscat Ladies' activities.  He He He ... Which till today, I have not opened it because I don't know what to do with it and how to deal with it. Never mind :) perhaps tomorrow or day after tomorrow or days after tomorrow tomorrow, I will start to open the box and search for the manual! I will definitely learn how to use the S-Machine. But, of course I am in no hurry or feeling worry because I know it won't go stale ... LOL :D

Once again, TQ Mr Right for the S-Machine!

Hair Tips @Shakespeare

Friendship is sometimes thicker than blood. More so when we live far away from home sweet home. When we make friends in a place where we are making a living, the bond with our dear friends become intact and meaningful. We share stories, jokes, recipes and whatever knowledge with each other. 

In my case, a bond between my friends and me has blossomed from just a budding single rose to a fully fragrance and blossoming four red roses! MSR + DNB + ILS + DD = Mrs DID! Indeed, the foursome Mrs DID always do things together ;)

At least, once a month Mrs DID gathered together for cups of latte @SecondCup or some healthy tea @Chado. They also went out for simple breakfast either @Darcy for an American omelette or @Paul for fluffy French croissants :D

Recently, they met @Shakespeare The Wave for an English breakfast. This time they invited a Canadian friend Sarah. The topics over breakfast were interesting. They chatted about foods to opera shows to touristic places and also something which truly caught my ears: how to take care of our hair using natural ingredients from our very own kitchen!

Well, here is how it happens ...

While enjoying our meals, I was admiring Sarah's newly bob styled hair cut and soon after all of us were talking about hair care. Then we talked about how to make our hair healthy and shines (@^@)

Through her experience meeting with many people from all walks of life in her line of work Sarah said that some people use coffee grounds to make their hair good and darker. But, she cautioned - only to those people who have black or dark hair. This tip could not be applied to blondes :(

Also I found out from the web that "coffee is often recommended as a simple, natural treatment to make hair extra-glossy." Wow! How? According to Eco-Salon, "brew up an extra-strong coffee pot, let it cool and apply it to your dry, clean hair. Leave it for at least 20 minutes, then rinse. Keep it up once a week or so for best results."

Wallah! I liked Sarah's secret tip and quickly added that my Mom used drops of coconut oil for her hair. When I was young and stayed with her in my hometwon I saw every time before she shampoos her hair, she will apply some drops of fresh coconut oil to her hair and leave it for a little while. I used to see her doing that routine but I never tried it on my own hair. Perhaps I was too lazy ... LOL! That's why nowadays I could see her hair is better than mine although hers is silvery but surely soft and shiny :D

From her own experience, my friend DNB from Brunei said she used 'jelly like' from aloe vera plants to her hair. She has aloe vera plants at her backyard in Qurum which makes it handy ;) She pureed the jelly like thingy in a blender and later strained the blended jelly  into a container. After she had washed her hair, she applied the aloe vera jelly as conditioner before she rinsed out her hair. Indeed, from Wiki I also found out that "aloe vera is known to work wonders in promoting shine and moisture in hair and preventing hair loss and dandruff." Therefore, it wasn't surprising to see that DNB hair was shiny since she has applied aloe vera as part of her hair routine treatment!

Interestingly, another friend ILS informed us that some people from her country applied grated nutmeg which made into oil to their hair. Although she did not practice or apply to her own hair, but she  added that nutmeg oil has a good toning action on hair. In fact, I tend to agree with her because I found that a research had been made where nutmeg oil can be used as hair lotions apart from being an anti aging products which is quite popular in the Far East. 

The ever-sweet DD has read about bergamot and of the view that it also helps to beautify hair. So, at home when I did my search in the web, I found out that if our hair is thin, dull or breaks easily  then we could use bergamot oil as part of our solution! How? It is quite a simple procedure to follow where if we apply bergamot oil to our hair, it will soak into our scalp and strands. The reaction would be - "it stimulates blood flow to the follicles around the roots and infuses into strands to give hair strength and shine." Great isn't it! Thank you DD for the sharing of knowledge :)

And, when I arrived home with happy feelings plus a tune of "pretty woman walking ... down the street" blurted out of my lips, my better half had noticed and enquired what was the happiness about? I quickly shared with him the several hair tips which I had gathered from my friends while having our breakfast @Shakespeare. He smiled at me and said, "what about olive oil in the kitchen? Can't you use it as part of your hair treatment?" My immediate response was "Is that true?" He replied, "Of course it's very true because my Mom used it for her hair and also applied to mine when I was small. But, now since no one does the same for me anymore, I'm suffering from severe hair loss! Hu Hu Hu ... Poor me!" Ha Ha Ha :D I looked at him and laughed out loud. 

But, when I browsed the Internet, I found out that it was true and I should try a warmed olive oil hair treatment to my fizzy hair because "it could make my hair awesomely soft and repaired it nicely" and beautifully as practiced routinely by Elizabeth L. from Florida and was rewritten by Jacquie Fought who is a wife, mother, lover, housekeeper and cook in her blog! What an awesome tip :)

In sum, Mrs DID morning @Shakespeare was truly fruitful. We not only enjoyed our breakfast meals but most if all we had great time together sharing hair tips to each other. Thank You ALL ...

The Foursome Mrs DID with Sarah @Shakespeare :)

ASEAN Day in Muscat

A night to remember with a Moto @hearts:

"One Vision, One Identity, One Community"

For the first time in the Sultanate of Oman, ASEAN Day was celebrated on 16 September 2013 @Intercontinental Hotel, Muscat (Note: The actual ASEAN Day is 8 August. Since this year it falls on a fasting month, hence the 46th ASEAN Day celebration was deferred.) Indeed, I am very fortunate to be invited and be part of that momentous occasion. Reminiscing that night, sweet memories and cheerful faces kept soaring and lingering in my mind and heart :)

During the celebration, the well lit and decorated hall of InterCon was beautifully echoed with the Oman national anthem and followed by the ASEAN anthem - The ASEAN Way which has meaningful lyrics:

Raise our flag high, sky high

Embrace the pride in our heart

ASEAN we are bonded as one

Look-in out-ward to the world.

For peace, our goal from the very start

And prosperity to last.

We dare to dream We care to share.

Together for ASEAN

We care to dream

We care to share

For it's the way of ASEAN 

Some Malaysians in Muscat celebrating ASEAN Day @InterConHotel :)

HE Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman @cake-cutting-ceremony during ASEAN Day with ASEAN ambassadors and country representatives in Muscat. A truly awesome moment for all to cherish :)

Candidly snapped for the album: Ambassadors and Spouses of the Ambassadors to the Sultanate of Oman celebrating the memorable day :)

A line of dignitaries and VIP celebrating ASEAN Day in Muscat: Ambassadors to the Sultanate of Oman with HE Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs of Oman and HH Sayyid Mohammed bin Salim Al Said, Chief of Protocol of MOFA Oman. An exceptional moment for me and others to Treasure & Apprize!

To all my ASEAN friends especially the ALC members in Muscat, you are the glittering gems of Southeast Asia here in the Sultanate of Oman, and thus I am truly blessed by His Al Mighty Allah SWT to be surrounded and embraced by you! Ameen.

Monica & Runa

She's bubbly. She's friendly. She's a mother of three :) She's reserve. She's sweet. She's a young granny. Also a mother of three ...

They are Monica & Runa ... They met more than two decades ago and became friends and they met again in this blessed land. Their wedding anniversary also falls on the same date. They are fated to be good friends. I met Monica and was later invited to a pre Christmas lunch @Hospitality Institute. There, I met Runa and other beautiful warm hearted ladies from the RasHamraBaddy Group. Thanks to them, our two groups ladies' got together and became friends! Indeed, I am very happy to meet them and had crossed path with them. Both are Perwakilan Muscat ladies. Monica, in particular who later joined the group had given her best and participated actively in our events. Thanks Monica :) You're a gem!

But, today all of us shall miss both of them who will leave us for another cities -  Monica to Jakarta and Runa to Singapore. Before they leave, a farewell do was organized by them for us (@^@) at The Palm in Park Inn. They 'stuffed' us with sumptuous and hearty foodies. Yes! The lunch > starters, main course and desserts were great :D

Can't control my diet today with delicious desserts :)

Then, the moment to say GoodBye and the giving of momentous for them as remembrance.

Mine is blue and yours in red!!! Gifts from their true blue friends for keepsake :)

In appreciation to their contributions, Perwakilan Muscat also organized a farewell do with a theme Animal Prints. The ambience of the RumahMalaysia hall was decorated by the forever committed Committee Members with patterns from animal print materials and 'cute mute' animal gadgets. And uniquely, the ever sporting and full of spirited ladies came happily in 'roaring' outfits that followed the theme. The duo too were seen lovely and striking in their animal prints' dresses! Indeed, it was a beautiful scene in the hall with interesting sounds 'heard roaring' from near and afar - the auums, the miowww, the gerrr, the kuang kuang and others :D 

    A Rare Moment & One for the album: The ever joyful and spirited ladies of PerwakilanMuscat with their Patron for the outgoing members ...

Since all were beautifully attired, it was quite a difficult task to choose the Best Dressed Lady during the event. But when the emcee announced that the title went to Monica - all heads nodded :) Our congratulations to the winner!

         "Congratulations Monica ..."

All of us in Muscat will miss both Monica and Runa. They had connected the bridge between PerwakilanMuscat and the RasHamraBaddyGroup. Thank You to them and now some of our ladies have joined the rigorous 'baddy' exercise to keep them fit and healthy.  But, we know life as DS and expats' wives never stay put. So, we truly wish them Bon Voyage and May we cross path again someday and somewhere if Allah the Mighty grants us. Insyallah.

Bon Voyage dear friends and we'll surely miss you both ;( and ... Big TQ to Lily for the cake specially baked for them!

Lessons from Movies

Learning is in fact a life long experience 

Not only from parents and our teachers

Also from friends and other vicegerents 

Including books, movies and strangers

It tells love and sometimes vengeance 

I discovered learning through movies

Either true stories or through fictions

Life is full of colours and uncertainties

Yet, one has to go on with convictions

Let's face it open heartedly with no worries

I saw a sad movie The Floating Life 

Also Laskar Pelangi which is nostalgic 

The Magnificio pierced me like a knife

Count of Monte Cristo is surely tragic

Betrayed by a friend who married his wife!

Dari Sujud ke Sujud shows repentance 

Life is short, so better we live to the fullest

Not just enjoyment and foods indulgence 

Or feeling sorrowful which is worthless

Instead full of prayers and supplications 

I watched Wing Chun a martial art movie

Reminds me of childhood days with my bro

WC's clean heart and mind for us to envy

Smiley girl she was relinquishing all sorrow 

With no jealousy or traces of poison ivy

Truly awesome and inspiring was the Monggol

About Ghengiz Khan the epic leader 

After many hardships he achieved his goal

With his wife Borte who has strong character

Both of them had beautiful hearts and souls

'Hayat' showcased her soceity and people

A determined girl and hungry of knowledge 

But had to go through lots of obstacles 

Being a girl in her soceity also a disadvantage 

Yet, she thrived and turned obstacles to miracle!

'Hayat' movie from YouTube ... Truly awesome and inspiring :)

(Note: Picture copyright of YouTube)

"RinganSamaDiJinjing, BeratSamaDiPikul"

At our first PMLadies meeting after SummerHols ... The meeting environment was awesome but the persons sharing and providing inputs were more awesome and inspiring. It was truly a blissful meeting and hoped that all which were planned and discussed will come true. Insyallah. 

D'Brain-Storming Session @PerwakilanMuscat meeting ...

I was truly blissful to have more than forty wonderful ladies from all races and backgrounds working together under one banner P'Muscat. The ladies are not only full of  ideas, fun and energetic but their forever helping hands come handy where all the activities which seems impossible become possible! And today, for the first time we are able to have a full 12Committee Members to mend important portfolios to take our P'Muscat to a greater height   particularly the Cultural, Education, Foods, Media, Sports, and Social Affairs. Of course we can't do much without the midas touch from all the three Musketeers the young, beautiful and petite VP + Secretary + Treasurer. 

Together with the rest of the P'Muscat existing members, these Members of the Committee are the hands and limbs to support us to uphold the good name of our beloved nation in this beautiful part of the world! Through my eyes, while dispensing their work voluntarily they happily apply the Malay proverb "Ringan Sama Di Jinjing, Berat Sama Di Pikul" This definitely makes all the tasks easier, manageable and with full of smiley faces :)

And the best part of all is that we are soon to launch the Perwakilan Blog. Big Thumbs up to our Media Coordinators aka WebMasters Truly Amy-VogueMom. From now on, Our Beloved members not only could virtually browse the P'Muscat FB for the activities but also browse the P'Muscat Blog that provides details of happenings and events :D This Blog also linked to other individual blogs of the Lady Bloggers who wrote among others memories from the dunes, tales from Muscat, 'dari surirumah ke surirumah' also sharing is caring from genuine recipes, and interesting places to visits and many more ...

Thus, today was the lining up of our activities till Spring next year. Indeed, the busy bees are buzzing happily to welcome the winter which unlike the bear we are not hibernating throughout winter, instead will certainly looking forward to be on the fields and seasides for more BBQs! Thank You All for the spirit of 1Malaysia and I strongly believe whatever we have planned, Insyallah all be well and fulfilled :)

Before we said good byes, kisses with sisterly huggies and dispersed to our duties and chores again as 'Superb Jugglers' we had this snap taken for memories in years to come :)

The ever willing and cheerful Committee Members of P'Muscat aka 'Superb Jugglers' @Residence in Qurum 29. 

TalesOverBreakFast

Just before weekend 4DS aka the Funtastic4Femme gathered @PaulMGM. 

They were having a casual get-to-gather over a French breakfast. Some ate classic French Omelette with lots of salads. Others took croissants with smoked salmon. And all of them loved the assorted French breads dipped in olive oil and vinegar :)

The French croissants @PauL

When eight eyes met - apart from the talk about the incoming programmes of their group, they also chatted about foods, children and summer holidays. But the favourite topic on that morning was on 'children's marriage' because the Femmes were all Moms who some have children already married, and some were hoping that their children will soon get married and the others their children were far from getting married but they can't stop from thinking that one day  their children will get married! 

These Femmes  were of an international origin and background, so the topic which they touched was universal and interesting :D They highlight on the feelings of 'losing' their children to their partners. The expectations of their to be sons and daughters - in laws. Lots of what ifs!!! What if they are foreigners? Also future granchildren. Not forgetting the 'besan' or instant extended family and how to cope with them if they are not in the same wave length? Yeah, indeed many issues on just the topic of marriage OverBreakFast and that was truly stimulating. And not knowing the time two hours had lapsed.

That was just a day before weekend. At weekend, on Friday one of the 4Femmes went for Bigbreakfast @McDonalds. This time with her spouse. OverBreakfast, they also chatted and one of the topics in the conversations were their children's marriage. To date, they were happy with their children's life partners and looking forward to receive some news of incoming grandchild, but so far the young at heart couple are still waiting (@^@) Hi Hi Hi ...

Anyway, while the happy young at heart couple enjoying the BigBreakfast, they talked about their late fathers, their mothers,  their late grandparents and also their late great grandparents whom they did not meet nor knowing about them and their lifes :( How they wish that they have some records about their great grandparents so that the future generation may have some knowledge about their forefathers or ancestors ...

AmericanBreakFast@Mc D ...

The next day, the same couple had their BigBreakfast @DarcyKitchen on a beautiful Saturday morning. While savouring the foodies they never failed to reminiscence about the time they met and cherished all those days :) They also chatted about their children during their toddlers time and younger days and also remembering the moments when the kiddos came home from school with lots of awards slips. Also stickers on their hands of good conduct and others.To this day, he still keeps the momentous neatly in his brief case :D Perhaps as presents or gifts to the grandchildren ...

The TalesOverBreakFast most of the time brought nostalgic feelings. When chatting  while savoring all the foods as the first meal of the day, it makes us happy because all tummies were filled up and makes the persons' metabolism active and adrenalin high. It's truly good for better health and great living! So, have a good light chat while savoring your sumptuous foods OverBreakFast :D

The fish and chips @DarcyKitchen ;)

Back2Work@ThaiFestival

Life as a DS continues ...

Duties & Responsibilities resume again for me after a month of silence aka break @SummerSeason :D

In a few days time, Eid Fitri will leave us and I'll be back to my routine again in full swing with National Day receptions, AWG  Meetings & Charity Bazaars, ALC events, Perwakilan Muscat gatherings cum welcoming and farewells, BookClubDiscussions and many more events in the pipeline till year end (@^@)!

So, this evening we were invited to MGM by Royal Thai Embassy for the launching of ThaiFood&FruitFestival. It was truly heart rendering to meet friends again after a long summer holidays :) Our ever great hosts both Mr&MrsP welcomed all of us to the lavish circular foyer which was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers specially flown by ThaiAirways while the surrounding of the hall was covered and spread with fresh fruits including mangos, rambutans, laichi, guava, dragon fruits and others that caught our eyes and hooked our nostrils :)

Wow! The mouth-watering fruits that caught our sights and sensitive nose. Yummy!!!

After the launching and a fascinating fashion-show  showcased by Thai beauties, we were invited to taste some of Thai delicacies namely rice with prawn curry and the famous glutinous rice with fresh mango. For someone who was fasting today, it was really a treat! Especially when someone very dear to me personally took the extra effort and trouble to serve the desserts comprising of rambutan,  cut guava and a cup of warm Mulberry juice. Thanks Mr Right and also Big TQ to our host and hostess  for the fun and meaningful event   <3 ...  I enjoyed the time spent at the launching with all the guests. It was delightful evening with fantastic moments to be with friends again. 

Me with bubbly and wonderful hostess MrsP and the ever happy colleagues @ThaiFair :D

Yeah, this is part of our lives as trailing spouses to our better halves. We not only have to entertain guests both from host country and our own people at our homes, but we also have to promote our beloved nation to our host, colleagues, others and in particular to the locals. We hope by doing these promotions, it will create awareness to them and in return they will visit our country. Insyallah. 

In fact, at tonight's event I was fascinated with the soft, smooth, shinny Thai Silk during the fashion show. They were vibrant with magnificient colours' outfits and at other times there were splendid materials that were showcased which caught the eyes of the spectators. And, before I left the crowded hall, I was shown how the silk materials were made through the cocoons of silkworms :) The silk worms which are actually caterpillars are raised in the farms and fed with Mulberry leaves (which the juice I drank earlier). The silk makers will gather the cocoons and prepare them to be weaved and later made into meters and meters of lovely silk materials that feel soft to our skin! Wallah ... I am dreaming of having one of these amazing prints and surely there's no harm dreaming (*•*) Hi Hi Hi

The cocoons of the silk worms that could be turned into silk threads and to be weaved into lovely and enchanting silk materials ...

Before we left the beautiful hall we truly thanked our host and hostess once again for the wonderful and knowledgeable event. But we know, this was not the end of our meeting with them because more events are in the pipeline and we will bump into each other again in no time. Insyallah. And my life as a DS goes on ...

Memorable Eids in Muscat

Celebrating Eid Fitri in Syawal after thirty days of fasting throughout the holy month of Ramadan :D I'm feeling not only good but truly victorious and peaceful. Alhamdulilah. :)

Looking back at the recent Eid Fitri celebration which was held at our home with all the Malaysians living in this country last Friday night (30st August 2013), I suddenly noticed that it had been our third celebration since we arrived in this blessed and hospitable land. Wow! How time flies ...

    Our Third Eid Celebration in Muscat (2013)

This year, we celebrated Eid Fitri at the residence in Qurum29 where more than two hundred guests from all background and races came with their families in their colorful Malaysian  costumes. Truly it was 1Malaysia spirit which coincided with Merdeka-Raya where we sang our national anthem @8pm which was 12midnight in our homeland. Our beloved countrymen and children waved their sacred flags to commemorate our Merdeka Day before we proceeded with the Hari Raya Open House event. 

Unlike previous years celebrations, for this year Eid celebration we had the Malaysian delicacy 'satay' as part of our main menu apart from the other usual delicacies and foodies such as nasi empit, rendang, kuah lodeh and others. 

All the HBS of the embassy had rolled their sleeves to skew a 30kg of chicken meat = almost 2000 skewed satay! But it was a fun and exciting event where all of us worked together at the kitchen of HisExcellency's  residence while serenaded by beautiful and nostalgic  Hari Raya songs including 'Balik Kampong' from the late Sudirman Hj Arshad!

Marinating the 30 kg satay meat for an overnight ...

Skewing the 2000 satay in the morning :D

The only Fantastic4 yet very3hardworking HBS who made the Eid Celebration in Muscat successful and truly memorable!

Kudos to Ms Y, Mr SU3,  HisExcellency and Mrs Capt.

In 2011, we celebrated Eid Fitri in the previous residence of HisExcellency @Shatti AlQurum which was a walking distance to the embassy. All Malaysians who were residing in Oman came to the Open House from all over the country as far as Salalah, Sohar and  Sur apart from those residing in Muscat. It was indeed a memorable event to us seeing happy faces of our guests including those working in the oil sector, banking, nursing and many more. 

The Happy Faces celebrating Eid Fitri with us ;)

The spread of foodies served to our guests during Eid Fitri 2011 ...

After we have moved to the new residence in early February, for Eid Fitri 2012 we celebrated it at the new residence of His Excellency in Qurum29. Similarly, all Malaysians who were working in Oman came with their families and celebrated the event together as one BigMalaysianFamily! However, for some guests, 2012 celebration meant their last Eid with us because their tenure of duties in this country have finished and they were heading home sweet home. Indeed, we all missed them dearly and their presence here in Muscat, yet we wished them all the very best in their new work places and hoped to cross path again someday, sometime and somewhere. Insyallah.  

Last Eid celebration with our dearest friend Hj Zunaidi & family who have left Oman ... We surely miss them all :(

With MrNH and other guests over a wide spread of Malaysian foodies @Eid Fitri 2012 during summer season in Qurum29