Sahur@PapaRoti

I love the buns ... Truly Fresh & Fluffy!

   Midnight Sahur@PapaRoti in MGM :-D 

It was almost midnight and we were thinking of having our sahur away from home. My better half was contemplating to have some roti canai and a glass full of teh tarik @CafeMalaysiaOman. 

On the other hand, I was thinking of simple breads and any hot drinks from BreadTalk. But, we ended @PapaRoti in MGM! Yeah, We had buns and mugs of hot drinks. Although the sahur foodies were light but they truly filled our bellies for the entire fasting day :D

The franchise PapRoti Outlet in MGM. CosyTime 4 LoveBirds @Midnight!

When we were ordering for our foodies, the clock just struck 12 (@^@) midnight! But, we were not alone. With many customers in the cafe, other people in their white dish dasha and black abaya walking in the mall, some with prams, while many others were seen busy browsing and a lot more were buying their things for the incoming Eid Celebration, it seemed like the evening had just begun! 

Wallah, we are in the City of Muscat and we are enjoying our midnight supper or Sahur@PapaRoti! I truly like it :) TQ Mr Right ...

Blessings in Disguise (Part 1)

I strongly believe with the wordings in the Quran at Surah Al Inshirah 94:6 "in every difficulty, there is ease ..."

As human beings we are bound to be tested. It depends on the individual how he or she succumbs to the test. One may take it as fate by Allah SWT but others may take it differently. I, for one was tested yesterday evening. After Iftar, I had the Maghrib prayer and made some doa for my late Abah and also to my Mom, brothers  and sisters in my hometown and in particular to my children who are all by themselves in a land far away from me ...

While waiting for Isyak and Taraweeh prayers, both my better half and I went to Sabco. We need to buy Gary's food - the Royal Canine. Also, I personally felt it's time to take Gary for his nightsightseeing. Normally, it is his weekly night out, but since we are in the month of Ramadan, we less went out for some cool breeze at night! Hence, last night was his day out and I knew that he certainly liked the outing ;)

We reached home just before 9pm. Gary seemed very happy when we entered our home. He wagged his tail and catwalked towards his sanctuary for an early sleep :D Soon after, I was about to take my ablutions before I performed the prayers when I noticed that my better half was inside the bathroom. Then I sat on a white leather sofa when I heard a message sound coming from my BB. It was from my daughter El who wrote: "Ma Pl call me. Pls" It was as if she was in pain and begging me and when I looked at the time, it was past midnight meaning at her end - it's already 1am. 

Straight away my heart beat drummed faster and I was a little panicky. Worst still, my BB cannot make any phone call, but only to send and receive messages from overseas. I tried the house phone and it didn't work. Something wrong with the wiring I think. I also tried to call her using my better half's Samsung, and still to no avail (in actual fact, I don't know how to use his mobile :-D!)

And, worst still I could not seek help from my better half since he was still in the bathroom! Ho Ho Ho and the clock was ticking and I knew that my daughter was in need of me desperately. Then, I send her a single line message "Pl wait, Ma will call you" and continued to 'repair' the home phone. Alhamdulilah, after a while of adjusting the wires and connections and with lots of prayers in my lips, the phone worked and immediately I called my daughter. 

Through the line, I heard she was crying as if in pain. But, when I asked her why, she answered that she missed me very much and that's why she wanted me to call her! Then she also assured me that she just came back with her brother and sister in law from Iftar. Also joking that they had chicken rice when I told her that I cooked chicken rice for our Iftar (meaning her Dad and me). 

Then we talked about her job, her health, Eid, etc etc and also she asked me when can we meet? So, I told her that perhaps I'll be able to see her the earliest will ne in September just after Eid Fitri. Or in December where we will meet each other to celebrate New Year 2014!  Then, she cried again and I asked her why? Still she responded that she was okay and her sister in law was downstairs and she was in her room. 

But, my heart still sensed that something was not right at her end. There's something she wanted to tell me but at the same time she doesn't want to tell me. But, on my part I played the motherly role and said it's ok then, since it was way past midnight, so she'd better go to sleep and to get the Multivitamin tablets the next morning from the pharmacy. 

But, I still heard her crying and my heart went to her. I just don't know what was wrong at the other end. I fear for her and  I wanted to find out what has happened to her that made her cry non stopped. My fear was she's sick or she met with a mishap. But, I must find out from her brother ....

And, immediately I called my son. I told him that I called her sister after receiving her message to call her, but she was non stopped   crying. Then her brother revealed what most mothers fear - my daughter had met with an accident! My heart almost dropped but Alhamdulilah with faith to Allah SWT, I became calm and just gave my ears to my son when he explained to me what actually had happened to her.

He was at the Police Station to make the police report after he sent off his sister and his wife who were now at home. They went to the Specialist Hospital @Section 20 and said my daughter was okay except with bruises. He assured me that his sister was okay and his wife was with my daughter at our home since my daughter did not want to stay in the hospital. At that moment he was also waiting for the friend of my daughter whom she wanted to meet after Iftar when the mishap happened ...

After calling my son, I called my daughter in law and from her, I received a clearer picture of how the mishap happened. My daughter was on her way to PJ to meet her friend when she lost control of her car infront of a mosque near Three Stone and she rammed at the divider which later flown onto the other side of the lane and landed on the second divider. Luckily there was no incoming car.  Both car air bags inflated which showed the impact was very strong or hard! But Alhamdulilah according to the Doctor who checked on my daughter based on the X-Ray, there's no broken bones and etc, but she has to wait for two weeks before the next check up especially to her lung area. They were told that the hospital needed sometime to see the development of the impact :(

My daughter in law also related to me that my daughter is traumatic with what had happened to her and she began to feel scared of driving. I truly hoped and prayed that it won't happened to her! She needs to continue driving because she has to go to work! Indeed, I am very worried for her but for now I can only pray to Allah SWT that my daughter will be fine. Insyallah. For I believe it is only to Allah SWT that we seek help and protection. And deep inside me, my heart said that Allah will answer my prayer ...

After that phone call with my daughter in law, I had my Isyak and Taraweeh prayers and prayed to Allah SWT for the safety and health of my children especially for my daughyer's situation who was traumatic with the  incident. In fact, 'accident' had been my fear each time I think of my children. And, indeed the worst fear had happened. At the same time when I ponder at what had happened, truly believe that Allah SWT is testing me, my patience and my faith. I said istigfar to him Astaghfirullahalazim many times that made my heart sank and accepted His Almighty's trials and tribulations. 

It also makes me more determined to seek solace in Him for only He knows best what we the immortals do not know. I prayed to Him, to make me a more patience person and uttered alhamdulilah that my daughter is alive! She is safe and now at our home. But, still I did not know how bad the trauma she was experiencing! I can only leave the matter to Allah SWT and that scary experience and fearful feelings also made me treasure life more and only to Him that I seek all my faith and doa. 

I silently uttered to myselfs "Perhaps there is a blessing in disguise out of this mishap which I know nought." Hence, my faith to Him must not shattered instead to be more stronger and accept the fate which He is trying upon me as to make me a much better person! It also strengthens my faith that we are only living in a borrowed world. It is not permanent for the permanent place for all His Creations is the Hereafter which He had reminded me many times when I read the Blessed Book Al Quranul Kareem. 

So, I assured my children that I will be home pretty soon to be with them once I could get a flight and thus, I went home to meet my daughter yesterday. She was waiting for me at the airport with her brother and sister in law. She didn't want to stay at home and looked forward to my arrival. Truly my heart went to her especially when I saw the bruises on her face, neck and on top of her right breast. I was really sad to see her condition but I thanked Allah SWT that she is Alive! Alhamdulillah. But I didn't show my emotions except to continue smiling and give her my encouragement that she will be okay very soon and needs to have lots of patience during the healing period. I told her that I will look after her as much as I could throughout my stay there and Insyallah, I wil be able to pray Taraweeh with her as I had wished ...

However, when I looked closedly at her physical condition I am not satisfied with the first hospital report where she received her treatment and desperately wanted to have a second opinion when she complained her neck was stiff and in pain. So, I took her to DEMC Hospital in SA. We met Dr Adam and he did another x ray to her neck and later told her to do some physiotherapy treatment which made her feel better and more relaxed :) And she was made to wear a soft collar for a week to her neck so to keep it still and less movement because pressure from lots of movements will be detrimental for the soft tissues in her neck! In actual fact, the first hospital that she went should advice her to use a soft collar to support her neck ;( The rigid neck collar will allow stability and healing. 

Anyway, I stayed with my daughter for ten days ... And, during that short time  I truly experienced the blessings in disguise and most importantly the love and grace from The Almighty Allah SWT. Indeed, it is only to Him alone and none other than Him that we should seek protection and solace. As stated in Surah Al Fatihah verse 5, "It is You alone (O Allah) we worship and to You alone we look for help."Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar! 

Also the power of doa and the verses in the Holy Book of Al Quranul Kareem. We have to keep on praying and never  stopped believing in Allah SWT. Not forgetting that it happened also within the Nite of Destiny during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan where all our sincere  supplications or doa to Allah SWT, Insyallah with His Blessings and Grace will be answered. 

Alhamdulilah, I received a very strong support from all my in-laws and in particular from my son RM and my ever understanding daughter in law FM who is always there for us during that trying times. She is also the most patient 'supir' to and fro the hospital since both Mom and El 'patah kaki' :D  Other family members were there for me with not only encouraging loving words and comfort but with great deeds and ready full spread of Iftar foodies while I took care of my daughter. To these loving people with beautiful hearts and caring souls, my heartiest Thank You, and which I also believe only Allah SWT could repay all their kindness and understanding with His Love and Grace. Amin.

Me with Allah best gifts - d'forever sweet loving daughters EL & FM @SAMosque :)

(Note: To be continued in Part 2)

Food4Soul!

For my children. While Mom's abroad. Truly worth watching!!!

Three hours of viewing The Life of Prophet Mohamad SAW via BBC TV narrated by Rageh Ommar while waiting for 18th day Iftar @home-sweet-home. :)

    Copyright BBC TV ...

Watching the show was a refresher for me as my mind soared to my late Abah who used to narrate stories about prophets including our Prophet Mohamad SWT, especially about his early life when I was a little girl while sitting on his lap listening to all the stories in a balcony of our home in Happy Village. 

At one time Prophet Mohamad SAW was asked by his opponents what was the miracle bestowed from Allah SWT to him like other messengers before him - the walking stick to Prophet Musa AS which turned into a python and swallowed the snakes of the magicians as well as the miracle and ability to speak when he was a baby in a cradle to Prophet Isa AS. 

On this, in Surah Yunus of the Al Quran stated "Then say (Oh Mohamad): Allah alone has knowledge of what is hidden." (QS10:20).  Indeed, the miracle to Prophet Mohamad SAW is the Al Quran. It is the words of Allah SWT through revealations to His last Messenger Prophet Mohamad SWT.

 

To this day, for the believers reading and reciting the Al Quran provide foods for our souls. It provides guidance to us and there is no one so powerful or almighty except Allah SWT our Creator. There are many stories for lessons to be learnt inside the Blessed book for the readers to know, find out, understand, emulate, also what to do and what not to do! It also tells the readers the importance to follow the right path and beware of whispers by the satans who will do their best to sway humans to do evils and destructions.

Al Quran also "cannot be composed by any but Allah SWT" as clearly stated in Surah Yunus, Ayat 37 (QS10:7). It contains "sublime wisdom, exposition of divine laws and social regulations and information concerning the past and the future ..." (Tafsir Ar Rahman n.322,p.355)

Alhamdulilah, the three hours spent to watch the meaningful documentary while waiting for Iftar in this blessed month of Ramadan was truly worth it! I appreciated the part when with Allah SWT will and grace Malaikat Jibrail came to our Prophet Mohamad SAW and asked him to "Read!" as clearly stated in Ayat 1 of Surah Iqra' of the Al Quran. At Ayat 5 of   the same Surah further explained "Allah SWT taught men which he knew not!"

That was the first revelation ever to Prophet Mohamad SAW and since  then it had kept coming to him and lasted through his 23 years as Allah SWT last Messenger. Indeed, one of the lessons learnt here is that to enquire knowledge one must Read! Read! and Read! Never stop reading. It is undoubtedly the window to knowledge!

Another part of the documentary which touched my heart was our Prophet Mohamad SAW last sermon in Mecca on 9 Dzulhijah 10AH. The words were incredible and meaningful for all souls. Among others, "Remember, one day you will appear  before Allah SWT and answer your deeds. So beware, and do not stray from the path of righteous after I am gone ... I leave behind me two things,  the Quran and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these, you will never go astray." These are parts of his legacy for his Ummah irrrespective of colours and races. And, to all his words, "Allah SWT was his witness."

     My true companion:Food4MySoul

NasiAyamMadu4IFTAR

It's weekend! I cooked something special for Mr Right's 18th day Iftar :))

The colourful condiments on the table! And, Mr Right commented "sedapppp" :D Thanks to Mrs Right :-)

Yesterday, Mr Right had prepared a simple prawn noodle dish for us to break our fast. So, in return for his home cooked foodie, I decided to cook something special away from the normal white rice with chicken curry or beef korma. In my mind, I wanted to surprise him with chicken rice and ayam madu for him. For someone who doesn't cook and most of all who doesn't  know much about cooking, it means a real challenge to me. Hi Hi Hi!

At 4.30pm I was already in the kitchen with my helper P. She had helped me to thaw the chicken which was separated into two parts. All the breasts are to be marinated with ginger, garlic, lemon grass, soya sauce and honey with a pinch of salt. Once they were marinated, I left it for an hour before deep fried them. Wow! Just looking at the marinated chicken in the bowl, I instantly knew that it'll taste good and delicious :D

The other chicken parts, I will boil them and make into chicken stock for the chicken rice as well as the main ingredient for the side dish chicken soup. I informed P to scoop three cups of Jasmine Rice. Then in a big pot, I added a little vegetable oil and quickly sautéed some onions, garlic, ginger, lemongrass for a little while before I added the chicken wings, chicken thighs, and drum sticks as part of the chicken stocks. I added a pot full of water and boiled them over a small fire for about 40 minutes until the stock was properly cooked. Indeed, I liked the light yellowish colour and the smell of the stock! Woo ... Nice :)

Once, the chicken stock was cooked I poured them into the rice pot of the rice cooker. I added some fenugreek seeds and a pinch of salt to be cooked together as an added taste and aroma to the chicken rice. I only needed to wait until it gave a sound 'click' which meant it's cooked! Wallah, the main dish which was an integral part was done! Yeah :D

Now, the chicken soup. Using the remaining chicken stock, I made the soup. But, I added in some rempah sup Mak Siti and a pinch of salt and boiled for a little white. The rempah sup gave not only more tasty taste but also added natural colour to the chicken soup. Soon, I garnished them with fried shallots and sprinkled with chopped spring onions. 

Once the soup was done, I made the chili sauce from pounded fresh red chillies with garlic. In a small pot I boiled the chili paste with garlic and added some water, rice wine and Thai sweet chili sauce. This sauce must be boiled well over a small fire. Then, I made the kicap using soya sauce with pounded ginger. I also added a small cup of water to less thicken the sauce. Over a small fire I boiled the kicap sauce for a few minutes. Then I served them all in small bowls. Well, all the sauces were ready. Yeah! And, I just need to cut some cucumber and tomato as part of the nasi ayam condiments. That was easy, so I sought help from P to do the slicing for me. Thanks P :)

Last but not the least, I deep fried the marinated chicken. I also stir fried some kangkong because Mr Right always wanted vegetables to be eaten with rice. The results were as follows: A table full of Chicken Rice Dish and the AyamMadu which was done through deep fried method and wallah, the aroma was in the air fulfilling the whole kitchen of Qurum29!

Well Done Mrs Right! Indeed, I knew my Mr Right will be thrilled with my cooking and his home cooked 18th Iftar will be one of the best foodies he ever had this Ramadan. Insyallah ...

The result ... Aromatic Chicken Rice with the AyamMadu and Chicken Soup for Mr Right. Selamat Berbuka - The 18th Iftar!

Thoughtful Neighbour!

Living abroad as a DS, I am truly blessed with thoughtful neighbours. More so during the holy month of Ramadan. 

Look what have I got today! Two plates of light Iftar foodies, the Samosas & Doughnuts from a Thoughtful Neighbour. Alhamdulilah ;)

         Wow! They looked Yummy ;))

In fact, Mr Right told me not to cook for Iftar today because he would like to take me for an Operation Dinner Out somewhere. The place, he wanted it to be a Surprise! :D  

Anyway, at about noon I suggested to  him that since we're having our Iftar out, I'll just make chocodok pisang and some hot drinks as light Iftar. After our Maghrib prayer, then we'll go for the Big Meal. He totally agreed with my suggestion. I was so happy that I quickly   requested my helper P to prepare the ingredients, so that I could deep fry them at 6.30pm since I want it to be served hot!

However, at about 5.30pm we heard the bell rang and Mr Right said, there must be someone sending us some Iftar foodies. "Good Wish!" I replied. Indeed, true enough when I opened the gate, there were two ladies who worked for my neighbours. 

Happily they handed two plates of foodies to me and said that their Madam conveyed her Salam Ramadan to us and hoped that we liked her foodies. ;) Alhamdulilah, that's what we called rezeki rolling down from the sky!

So, I stalled my intention to make chocodok for today's light Iftar. Insyallah, I will do it tomorrow. Perhaps, I shall also cook Bubur Lambuk and distribute to my neighbours. May tomorrow come and May my wish to return the favour come true! Insyallah. 

Alhamdulilah, after the calling of the Azan by the muazzin from the nearby mosque, both Mr Right and I had our light Iftar the Yummy Doughnuts and the Tasty Samosas!!! We had them with hot milo drinks. Big TQ to our Thoughtful Neighbours ;))  Although they were light foodies, yet they filled our tummy well before we went for Maghrib prayer. Once done, we left our home for our Big Meal. 

This time, my Mr Right took me to Al Maida Restaurant @Qurum Garden. The place was quite crowded with people having their Iftar meal. It was a buffet dinner with a range of more then twenty dishes where we had among others the lentil soup, Mandi rice, tandoori chicken, roast lamb, dhall curry, many kinds of salads and lots and lots of rukhal bread and tasty hummus. There were potato fries and some sambusac. The deserts were plenty comprising of Um Ali, baklava, layered jelly and custards. Wow! Indeed, we truly had a heavy and luxurious Iftar meals. TQ Mr Right :))

However, after the Big Meal  I still craved for some  ice cream. So, Mr Right took me to Gelato @MGM and I had the Gelato Dates Ice Cream which was a special treat during the month of Ramadan! That was really cool and I loved the honey like dates' taste. Sweet and mouthwatering dessert ...

    Gelato Ice Cream / Dates' Flavour!!!

After having all the sumptuous foodies, we drove back to home sweet home. The half an hour slow drive made me a little sleepy. Yet, instead of shutting my eyes and dozing off,  I wrote these words into my notebook about my wonderful thoughtful neighbour:

Oh! Thee and me are neighbours

We've been friends for two years

Different nationality different races

But same faith with similar cultures

Once you took us to the interior

To visit the farms of your ancestor 

Full of dates that made us fattier

Also our stay more fruitful and merrier

Oh! my dear thoughtful neighbour

TQ for the foodies for us to savour

They're yummy your fruits of labour

May you've more rezeki and life prosper!

Once again, to my thoughtful neighbour, I thank you for all the good foods and great deeds! Only Allah SWT could repay your kindness :) Amin. 

Iftar@Sabra

Today, I received an invitation for Iftar from an Omani friend Mrs H @PDOC. I truly look forward to meeting her and her family. We have been friends for sometime since I arrived in this beautiful city. And she has stayed in my country for five years following her husband's tour of duty in Bandar MS. 

While on the way to Mrs H's house, I thought of her and remembered the first time we met. She is a very sweet lady. I loved to hear her stories about her arrival to Bandar MS when she was full of tears to adjust her new  life in a land faraway from home. One of the bitter sweet memories of that little town that she vividly remembered was her experience in the local wet markets. She had difficulty to communicate with the locals. They thought that she was one of them not knowing that she wasn't! 

The locals there were not able to understand her language and whenever she spoke in English, they said that she was snobbish. The locals were unaware that she can't speak the local lingo. Of course she can't because she is an Arabian lady! So, she truly had a challenging time to adjust herself there.  Day by day she learned and adjusted to the local environment and of course she survived triumphly :) Nowadays, she can understand and speak some of the new found Bahasa :D

But, the interesting part was that she cried more and with heavy heart when she and her family were about to leave the little town after her husband had completed his tour of duty. LOL! She had fallen in love to that small town which had taught her the true meaning of life in a faraway land away from home. She understood the true meaning of friendship! Yeah, She truly missed her friends in Bandar MS and till today, without fail she still visits her friends annually! In fact, to some extent they are like her extended family :D

Anyway, after 20 minutes drive, I finally arrived at her beautiful villa  just before Iftar and were greeted by her and her friendly better half. Also by their sweet charming and well mannered children at the entrance hall. Indeed, I liked her children and while I shook hands with them, my heart soared to my own home in a faraway land. Her children reminds me of my own ;( Oh! I miss them all!

When I walked into the hall, I saw familiar faces. We hugged and I was truly happy to meet them all :) We were invited to have our break fast after the hearing of the Azan. There were wide spread of foods specially prepared by Mrs H. We started with dates, samosa and pakora with a wide range of both hot and cold drinks. I loved the pakora most and asked Mrs H for the recipe. Ever willingly she shared the ingredients with us which include chopped spinach with chick peas flour and several spices with a pinch of salt! Wow! That's sound easy, so I decided to try it one of these days for Mr Right! Hi Hi Hi :)) Insyallah my good intention will be fruitful. After a light iftar, we proceeded with our Maghrib prayer. 

Then, came the Big Iftar foodies on the tables waiting for us to eat them all! They were all home cooked cuisines prepared by Mrs H. Even Mr H was jokingly said to me that Mrs H kept feeding him so that he'd be seen as a fat guy and hence no one will ever put her eyes on him :D And all of us broke into laughter! Aren't they cute couple? Indeed, they're truly a loving couple with beautiful and blessed children. Alhamdulilah! 

Well, while putting the foodies into my plate, I managed to inquire Mrs H about the vast menu. There were harrisa porridge which looked like our Bubur Lambuk. Others were vegetable briyani rice with roast chicken. I liked the chicken which tasted like our rendang ayam where she added coconut milk to the dish! That was awesome. Then I had some lamb curry with lots of salads both French and Arabian fusion. 

Undoubtedly, Mrs H was a creative chef. And soon after, it was made known to me that she had conducted some cooking classes to her closed friends. Wow! I would love to learn cooking from her :)) Then, I joked with her that she had to be very very patient with me because if I were to learn cooking from her, it has to start from zero knowledge. Ha ha ha. But, the good intention is there, Insyallah! 

After the isyak prayer, we were served with a wide range of desserts ...

The ice cream khufti ... Rich & Yummy!!!

Not only they were delicious for our taste buds but they were beautifully presented for the eyes! I liked the khufti or ice cream where she added condensed milk in it. It was delicious and yummy. In my dessert plate were a variety of Mixed Sweets ranging from Zanzibari, Omani, Malaysian and Western desserts. Lots of bananas, jack fruits, strawberries and pistachios were used as part of the ingredients. Also condensed milk, coconut milk and sago. 

And among others desserts which I also liked was the apam like dessert which in this region it was known as mandazi. When I ate this dessert my mind and heart flown to my dear Mom @Mrs HRHR who used to make this dessert for her children when we were young. It was a simple dessert which was made of flour, yeast and sugar. Once ready, they looked like pancakes and when we ate them, they were not only yummy but truly filled our bellies. We usually ate them with hot black coffee. Oh! Mom, I really miss you and your foods ;(

My heartiest Big TQ to the  ever lovely couple >Mr & Mrs H for the lovely Iftar at your cosy and welcoming home-sweet-home. I not only enjoyed all the delicious meals, but most of all I cherished the beautiful bond we had together and the charming ukhwah between us and your family. May our lovely friendship grow strong day by day and May all of us receive His Almighty Allah SWT protection and blessing always. Amin. 

Adorable GARY!

Gary celebrates his FirstBirthday with Mom and Dad @Qurum 29 on June 30, 2013.

It has been nine months since we took Gary home  from Sabco. Dad, Mom and Lisa scouted for a feline for Lisa who wanted a buddy @home each time she came back from her internship. So, we went to Al Araimy and saw a few. First, Lisa wanted a Bob Cat, but we could not fine one. Then, she quite liked a snow white girly! However,  I wasn't quite   interested and told her that we'll scout for few options. If there is none that I am berkenan or interested, then we'll get the Snow White!

Very quickly, we crossed the street and went to Sabco. We were shown the cat clinic  by the veterinarian and saw few felines there. All are cute with fluffy hairs which made us rambang mata or had difficulty to choose :D A number of grays and other colors. But no snow whites or Bob Cat! Many were hanging around or lazying in their cages. But, one active grayish feline caught my eyes! I don't know how and why, but I fell in love to him on first sight! LOL :D

Yeah! I immediately told Lisa, "I want that active gray baby" to which she quickly responded, "I thought it is supposed to be my choice, Mom?" Then, I patted her shoulder and said, "You'll be going home soon, but the baby will stay with us. So, I want someone soothes to my eyes." With rolled eyes she gave way to me and agreed with my new found babe! 

I wanted to name him Earl Gray but Dad and Lisa preferred Gary. So, based on majority votes we named him Gary and straightaway we made a passport and medical card for him. Wow! We were feeling very excited and bought all the necessities for him - His grayish carrier box, his gray litter box, his cooled and comfy bed, his lime green hair brush, his shampoo, his cheeky 'mouse' play mates, his cat bowls for food and water, his baby food and of course his personalized lime green cat collar with an engraved GARY and my contact number on it! That was truly awesome. The feeling was as if I am having a new born GrandSon!!!! 

He was then three months old and pretty soon became my daughter's buddy and favourite ... He has his own corner in between our rooms with his food, water and litter pan. He even slept on Lisa's pillow when she stayed with us throughout summer to winter ;)

 Baby Gary ... What's in your mind babe?

His features and antics I truly admired and loved. He has long shabby gray hair and very sharp eyes. He wasn't the manja type and doesn't like to be held ;( He prefers a carefree life. He rather comes to us and slowly squeezes himself to our sides than sits on our laps LOL!

He was potty trained by Lisa. Big TQ Gurly! In his early days, he loves his Royal Canine food for Baby Cat below one year old. But, after a few months when he was growing and getting stronger, I supplement him with plain boiled   chicken breasts for lunch and dinner. I did not give him milk yet, except plain mineral water. Occasionally, some treats of mango juices and ice cream when the weather was hot! 

But, when Lisa left for home sweet sweet Gary became our sunny Son :) Each morning, he'll come to our room, sniffing and purring. Indeed, that was truly soothing voice to our ears. He loves our bed. With his furry paws on my cheek and big 'cat eyes' he would look straight into my eyes as if saying, "Mom, I love U ..." Wow! That was awesome isn't it. And, my heart went to him. He loves to sit quietly on our pillow while waited for us to play with him. But, one thing about him was that he shows no facial emotion. He had stern looking face and Dad always said, "Gary is a Rimau (Tiger)!"

Then, I'll take him into my arms and together we'll wake his Daddy, "Dad, wake up, it's time to work." Only then, he will weave through his Dad's blanket for his feet! He loves Dad's feet :D but I have no idea why? Then, he will wait and just look at his Dad while he sleeps until Dad opens his eyes. Soon, Dad will kiss him and play with him for a few minutes before he took his bath and ready for work. 

After breakfast, both Gary and Mom will send Dad at the door. We will stay at the balcony and waved Dad till his car was out of sight. (@^@) That was our routine every week day. And, when Dad comes home from work at 3.30pm Gary will patiently wait and greet him at the whitish spiral marble staircase. He will wait for Dad and later sniffed his feet. Then he gallantly cat walked and followed Dad to his room. He waited till Dad changed to his home attire. Then cat walked and followed him again to the dining room for our routine lunch time!

Now that Gary has grown and passed his FirstBirthday, I gave Gary new food for Big Boy :D HiHiHi The Royal Canine for Cats' 1Year++ He also loves the Dutch Lady Milk which I started to give him three times a day apart from mineral water with ice on them. He truly loves ice and sweet liquids. He certainly has sweet tooth LOL! Indeed, He is now grown very well and weighed heavier, too ;) 

But, his antics and behaviors still haven't changed. He still patiently waits for Dad to come home from work at late noons. He still sniffs Dad's feet and running after Dad who walks to his room and stays near to Dad while he was resting. Oh Boy! You're such a charming creature :)

A One Year Old Big 'Boy' Gary (:@^@:) ...

To my Adorable Gary, I pray you'll grow well with us. I am Thankful to Allah SWT for introducing you to us and brought Happiness and Laughter to our Home! Oh Boy! You're already One Year and How time flies :) We're truly blissful to have you as part of our big family. Happy FirstBirthday, Gary! We Love You very much and we will always be there for You, Our Adorable Gary ... 

Gary waits for Mom while she sleeps ... :)