hello, i miss you

fresh oysters

wearing pencil skirts to work

wearing high heels

sashimi

raw sushi

medium-well steaks

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a peaceful sleep without having to wake up in the middle of the night to pee


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not having to run to the toilet every other hour or every half hour or so



drinking real coffee, not decaf



but of course, nothing beats the feeling that i get everytime the baby kicks.

mixed feelings of a future FTM

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I couldn't be more thankful to Allah for this gift. Yes, I got pregnant straight away after marriage and I am thankful to know that I am able to conceive and Alhamdulillah I've passed the 20 weeks mark, which means I am halfway through my pregnancy.
Of course I am excited and happy about it. However, the anxiety and nervousness of becoming a mother has definitely set in. I always read online on parenting, pregnancy etc and recently bought some parenting magazines to equip myself with as much knowledge as I can but sometimes, the more I read, the more I discover about new things and the more I discover about new things, the more nervous I became. Recently I read an article in Parenthood magazine about how to prevent high fever in infants/babies and my mind started wandering. All the "what ifs" came to my mind. I also started thinking:

• How will my baby look like?
  
• Is my baby healthy and doing fine in my tummy?
• Am i taking enough nutritional foods?
  
• Will I be able to take care of my baby?
  
• How is my life gonna be when the baby arrives?
  
• Am I gonna have a normal birth?
  
• How will I juggle work and my new life?
  
• What if my baby falls sick the night before I have to attend court the next morning, especially for a hearing or a trial?
  
• What if I am required to go outstation and spend the night there?

My oh my. The list of things that worry me is endless. As at the last check up, we weren't able to tell the baby's sex just yet. He/she refused to cooperate. In fact he/she decided to cross his/her legs! You are only 19 weeks old (at that time) and you already have a mind of your own, huh? *babab* I am eager and anxious to know the baby's sex because to date, I have only bought a pack of 7-piece bodysuits for my baby, in red & white combo. I'm already in my 5th month and I haven't prepared a thing for my baby. *sigh* I feel like a bad mummy-to-be. Weekends have been packed with activities and family matters that I don't have the time to shop for my baby. Ok now I'm worried again.

• When am I gonna buy the baby's stuffs? I know the list is endless!
• Where do I begin?
• What should I get first? Clothes? How many? Feeding tools? Traveling system?
  
• What brand(s) should I get?

Since I don't know whether it's gonna be a boy or a girl, I don't know what/how to buy. People told me to buy neutral coloured clothes to be safe i.e. green, yellow, white but if my baby is a girl, of course I want to get most stuffs in pink and if it's a boy, blue, of course.
And then there's the part where I am having a hard time looking for maternity work clothes, especially white shirts to wear to court. I am at the point where I can't fit my normal clothes yet I am not big enough to pull of maternity clothes. I look big and frumpy in one. Casual clothes are not an issue since there are a lot of clothes that can accommodate the growing belly (even though sometimes I feel my baby bump looks small, which also raises a worry in me). I went to maternity boutiques but i couldn't find any white shirt that is proper for court. Found only one at Modern Mum and it was the last piece available. Yes, I took it. I've no choice. I've started wearing maternity pants though. They are super comfy but I still have trouble finding suitable formal work clothes. I may not attend Court everyday so I need proper work clothes i.e. shirts. I bought one in white with blue stripes but I haven't stared wearing it simply because I will look big in it.
Btw I have finally felt the baby's movement and it feels weird at first but it is definitely a miracle. Before I could feel the movement, I always wondered how it's gonna be like. I know different pregnancies grow at a different rate and FTMs may feel the kicks a little bit later but I was eager to know how it's like. Now that the baby is kicking and moving, I know that it's growing inside there.
Oh well, I know millions of women have gone through this way before me and I'm sure (and I hope) that my anxiety is normal. There's always a first for everything, right? I know I shouldn't be worrying that much but sometimes I can't help it. I'm glad that my husband is very supportive and he has been very patient in dealing with my crankiness, mood swings and all that jazz. But sometimes he's the one who likes to 'petik gitar' so too badlah. One of the good thing about being pregnant is that you can always say that it's the hormones haha. And in my case, I tell my hubby that it's either the pregnancy or it's you who's making me cranky.
But of course, I love him anyway and I love him with all my heart. No one else could love me and treat me the way he does and I am forever thankful for that.

*FTM=First Time Mom

trip to Melaka

I went to Melaka High Court last Thursday.

The trip to Melaka was not as adventurous as the previous trip to Muar simply because the Melaka Court Complex is situated along the main road from Ayer Keroh and it is easily located.

The drive was OK but I felt sleepy as I left the house at 615am. When I reached Melaka, it was raining. Luckily I reached the Court Complex early so I managed to park inside the Court compound. The parking is the senget type so less ‘work’ for me. My case was finished at almost 11 and since I only had a very light breakfast, I was hungry and decided to go and have something to eat. Dah alang2 berada di Melaka, haruslah ronda2 kejap kan? Opposite the Court is Melaka Mall.
There’s Parkson Grand and an ‘Extreme Warehouse Sale’ was going on so I just have to check it out. Unfortunately nothing fancies me. There are not much choice of food outlets either so I went to Jusco instead, which is located beside the Court.
I had brunch at the food court and then tershopping a bit at Jusco. The sale was on so what the heck, right? I eventually left Melaka at 2pm and on the way back, with a full tummy, I felt very sleepy to the point that I could barely open my eyes so I stopped by at the Seremban R&R and slept in the car.
At first I thought of taking a 15 minute nap but when the alarm went off, I snoozed it that I eventually slept for about 45 minutes. Within that 45 minute nap, I think I dreamt a few times. I dreamt that I almost crash into another car that I was awaken by the dream only to find my car nicely parked there. Pffft.
I then made my move at almost 4pm and eventually reached KL. However, instead of going home straight, I had to go to the office to collect a file due for Friday. Good thing that I took that nap. The saying ‘Biar lambat asalkan selamat’ definitely applies here.

trip to Muar

I was assigned to attend Muar High Court for a mention on 19 May 2011. I told hubby about this and told him that I may have to use his car. There’s no way I’m gonna drive my ‘CLK’ all the way to Muar, right? So he went and sent his car for servicing and did the alignment. The car is due for a service anyway so it’s a good thing jugaklah that I had to go to Muar. I have been driving my CLK since my uni days and it’s a manual car. This may sound weird but I am not used to driving an automatic car. My CLK is very small and compact and it is very easy to drive and maneuver so driving a slightly bigger car, an automatic car is a challenge for me. I’ve no choice but to bring hubby’s car and the night before was the 1^st time ever that I drove his car. We went to the petrol station to fill the gas and it was already at night and drizzling. Not a good way to start driving something you are not familiar with. Yakin tak yakin, I have to drive it the next day so what the heck!

I left the house at 6am on Thursday and I drove slowly and carefully all the way to Muar. Upon reaching Muar, I had a hard time locating the Court complex. My dear friend Sara has kindly drawn a map for me, which she scanned and emailed to me the day before. Check out her map below. Aren't they cute?

For some reason, I must have missed one junction or landmark that I just couldn’t find the Court. It was already 8.30am and I started to panic. I stopped at Shell and asked for directions but none of the workers, who are all girls managed to give me a direction. I moved on. At the same time, I tried to call the Court to inform them that I am on my way and to ask them to stand down the matter. Since the mention is before a judge, I am scared that the judge might strike off my file. The Court people, as usual, were not helpful. Of course my call was transferred one too many times and when I said that I would like to stand down the matter, the person on the other line said “jurubahasa dah masuk mahkamah dah. Dalam mahkamah takde telefon. Takpelah awak datang je lah. Takpe..” WTF!! I asked “Boleh tak sampaikan pesanan saya pada jurubahasa sebab saya tengah cari bangunan mahkamah ni.” She said, “Takpe, awak datang je. InsyaAllah sampai lah tu kejap lagi.” Sabar je lah…

I stopped by at Caltex and asked an apek who was filling his gas for direction. I was desperate at that time and he was the 1^st person that I saw so I just asked him. The apek gave me directions but then a pakcik on his bike overheard our conversation and asked me where I wanted to go. He also gave me directions but I guess my face looked like I’ve no idea what they were talking about that the pakcik then said, “Takpelah, awak ikut pakcik. Pakcik tunjukkan jalan.” Woohooo!!

The pakcik on the motorbike. Dalam pada kelam kabut, panic & tak sure jalan, sempat lagi nak ambik gambar!

So I followed the pakcik behind his motorbike and eventually I managed to reach the Court complex. I couldn’t thank the pakcik enough and said to him, “Allah saja lah balas jasa pakcik. Terima kasih banyak2 ye pakcik!!” He asked me where I was from and when I said KL, he smiled and left. Phew.

The Muar Court Complex is a new building and apparently the Courts have moved there since July last year. Quite a nice building. Siap ada taman dalam bangunan tu lengkap dengan label nama pokok segala. KL Court pun takde pokok2 macam ni.

After I was done with my case before this particular cenge judge, i took a breather and had a drink at the cafeteria and had a really lousy karipap with hardly any inti, mostly bawang bleugh~

Dah alang2 sampai Muar, haruslah ronda pekan Muar, kan? Even though it is a small town, I am sure Muar has something to offer.

Wetex Parade. I think this is the only shopping mall in Muar. Not bad. I had my lunch at a Teppanyaki restaurant here and I even bought some stuffs at The Store and its one and only maternity boutique. Hehehe.

Muar town in all its glory.

After lunch, I drove back to KL, trying very hard to stay awake on the road. A very difficult task, I must say. I managed to reach home at about 6ish and then terpengsan2 tidur kepenatan. Seriously, I think Muar needs an airport. Jauh OK!

a little get together

Last Saturday, Hubby and I had our first guests to our humble little abode. Our guests are none other than my really good friends. We were having a potluck cum gathering cum housewarming cum Iza's pre-wedding celebration of some sort. It was a small scale and simple celebration but most importantly, it was with the right company.

As the host & hostess, we cooked spaghetti bolognese and made ice lemon tea. Sara & bf Azwan brought roast beef and lamb chop, complete with mint sauce and black pepper sauce. simply delicious! they also brought a bucket of KFC.

Iza brought 2 dozens of Big Apple donuts. just look at those yummy donuts!!

Since we did not have enough plates, we decided to use paper plates and I just had to choose a fancy one. At least it's not the boring plain white ones, right?

Next in line, InsyaAllah. :)

Susan's husband could not join us so she came by herself.

Hubby enjoying the KFC. Boy was he super excited upon seeing the KFC that they brought.

Eating and gossiping!

Susan made this lovely carrot cupcakes with cream cheese topping especially for Iza. She even brought the candles.

Unfortunately Aimi could not join us due to some urgent family matters. If not, it would have been complete. :(

The celebrated couple. Iza's fiance only joined us later at night as he had to work earlier. What's important is that he made the effort to come and join us. Besides, we still have tonnes of foods left.

It was a simple yet intimate get together. Even though our house is not that complete yet (we haven't even framed our wedding pictures!) and we barely have enough plates to cater to every one, we surely enjoyed each other's company and the lovely foods that each of us brought. Hubby was also very sporting and accommodating that he even 'ran' to Ikea that very morning to get some stools and other stuffs so that my friends have a place to sit in and to make the house more like a home.

I shall now count to the days for my bestie to tie the knot and we will definitely have more get togethers in the future.

trip to the prison

On Tuesday, 25 April 2011, I was given a task to go to the Sungai Buloh Prison to serve a Writ Summons on two Orang Kena Tuduh (OKTs).

At first I was supposed to go with the chambering student but she had to attend court so I've no choice but to go alone. The drive to Sungai Buloh was a long drive. I've been to the prison a few times back in 2007 when I was doing my Legal Aid Program but we went there by bus or by van so I didn't really look at the directions. This was the first time I went there driving on my own. Luckily I stopped by at the petrol station to fill my tank and I asked for directions from the lady at the counter. I managed to find my way though it felt like forever. I thought I've lost my way, no thanks to the lack of signboards (but then again, we are in Malaysia, what do you expect, right?). I thought that I've entered some God forsaken place but logically thinking, of course a prison would be located somewhere secluded and not right smack in the middle of the city. Duhhh.

I arrived there at about 10.30a.m and went to collect my visitor's pass.

I almost didn't get in because apparently, the OKTs refused to see me. WTH I came all the way to the God forsaken place and we've already made an appointment and informed the prison officers that we are coming to see the OKTs. I insisted to talk to the officers who coincidentally were on leave, both of them. Pfft. I talked to another officer and she asked to see her so I went in.

I went in and looked for the officer and I was told to go from one place to another. Typical. I finally went in and after making my way through security and what not and waited for a good 1/2 hour or so for the officer to come, I managed to go in and see the OKTs. The moment I stepped in this one area full of prisoners, a musty stinky kepam masam smell reeks. The area has really poor ventilation and I don't know when was the last time the prisoners took their bath, if at all. I almost felt nauseous so I quickly held my breath. I was escorted by two other officers but I can feel the prisoners looking and staring at me as if I were an alien. Bleugh. Not a great feeling at all. Besides, the female prison officers/wardens are all in uniforms. It's not that I was wearing anything revealing or attention grabbing. I purposely wore a dark blue 3/4 sleeve shirt with long black pants. I guess it's been a while since they last saw a female outsider. On one hand, I felt sorry for them. On the other hand, I thought, "It sucks to be you!"

The officer then brought me to her room and then called in the two OKTs. They were wearing purple uniforms and the were uncuffed. Yeah, a bit scary there. All sorts of things started to run in my head. All the "What ifs" came to my mind. LOL. I talked to the OKTs but they refused to accept service of the Writ Summons. Banyak akal betul!! Dahla kena tahan, menyusahkan orang pulak!

Since they refused to accept service due to some reasons which I shall not disclose here, I've no choice but to leave the place without service. Pfftt. All that for nothing. Anyway the officer was very friendly and again I was escorted on my way out. The moment I stepped out of the prison area, I was relieved. It made me wonder how the hell do they lead their lives all cooped up in there, seeing the same faces every single day, not able to enjoy their freedom. Oh well, who am I to judge them, right? They made a mistake, be it on purpose or otherwise and they have to pay the price.

So kids, STAY OUT OF TROUBLE!!